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The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu notifies Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi
The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared a Greater Flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conferencing on the occasion of the World Environment Day event organised by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Chennai on Thursday (June 5, 2025). Thangam Thenarasu, holding additional charge as Minister for Environment, R.S. Rajakannapan, Minister for Forests, and Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, participated in the event. The move aims to preserve a critical stopover point along the Central Asian Flyway for thousands of migratory wetland birds. The sanctuary spans 524.7 hectares and encompasses both revenue and forest lands within Rameshwaram taluk. The designated area, part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, and marshes. These unique features support a rich biodiversity, from migratory birds and marine life to nesting sea turtles. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 4, 2025, by Ms. Sahu, noted that according to the recent 2023-2024 wetland bird survey, the Dhanushkodi region recorded over 10,700 wetland birds, representing 128 species including herons, egrets, sandpipers, and both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Mangrove species such as Avicennia and Rhizophora dominate the Dhanushkodi lagoon, providing essential breeding grounds and natural defenses against coastal erosion. The sanctuary status is expected to encourage responsible ecotourism, generate local employment, and raise public awareness about wetland conservation, the G.O. said. T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, also participated.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme review: A bland imitation of The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Phoenician Scheme is textbook Wes Anderson — and that's exactly its problem. What: A black comedy centred on an oligarch who reconnects with his daughter and hatches a last-ditch scheme to save his fortune. Directed by: Wes Anderson Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, Richard Ayoade, Tom Hanks, Riz Ahmed Released: In cinemas now Likely to make you feel: Like speaking to everyone in deadpan monotony The acclaimed director has earned himself a cult following for visually striking films that create an immersive world complemented by quirky, oddball characters. But after three decades in Hollywood, he's still recycling the same tricks. While The Phoenician Scheme has the ingredients of an Anderson classic, it's missing the heart, nuance and grounding that made his early films so special. Set in 1950, The Phoenician Scheme follows wealthy anti-hero Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro). His ruthless business ventures have made him the enemy of just about everyone, and he's hounded by non-stop assassination attempts. In the face of his likely imminent murder, Zsa-zsa decides to prepare his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) to be his successor. As a nun, Liesl is the absolute antithesis to her swindler of a father, but they soon rub off on each other. Zsa-zsa is also in the final stages of a large-scale infrastructure project to find further fortune within the riches of Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia. With personal insect tutor Bjorn (Michael Cera) in tow, Zsa-zsa and Liesl embark on an intercontinental quest to close The Gap — an ever-expanding financial shortfall — complete his life's work and save the family estate. As always, the film has stunning sets, costumes and cinematography, trademark quips and an impressive soundtrack. But with a convoluted plot and seemingly endless characters — all played by A-listers — it can be difficult to follow exactly what's going on and how everyone fits together. At times, The Phoenician Scheme feels more like an SNL skit parodying Wes Anderson than a fully fledged feature. While his earlier films had some delightfully deadpan characters, there were a range of archetypes on show, with boisterous, zany and even grounded personalities balancing out the blunt. Instead, almost every character in Phoenician Scheme gives a comically stony performance, and with no-one to bounce off, much of the original humour is lost. It feels like actors are impersonating Wes Anderson characters, rather than creating anything original of their own. Del Toro plays another wealthy, crass patriarch who has a strained relationship with his children, along the lines of Gene Hackman in 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums, Bill Murray in 2004's The Life Aquatic or 2012's Moonrise Kingdom, and George Clooney in 2009's Fantastic Mr Fox. Del Toro portrays this part well enough, but it's hard not to compare him to the actors who have filled the same shoes in previous films, and he doesn't quite have the warmth and humour that actors like Murray naturally bring to the role. Likewise, nepo baby Threapleton — who has participated in endless interviews about being Kate Winslet's daughter, and who speaks in an uncannily similar voice to her mother — does an impression of Anderson's previous manic pixie dream girls. While she shoots for Cate Blanchett in Tenenbaums or Kara Hayward as the teenager in Moonrise Kingdom, her monotonous delivery falls flat. Although this is of course Anderson's intention with the character, it leads to inevitable comparisons with similar staples of pop culture — Aubrey Plaza's April Ludgate or even cartoons like Daria — who successfully bring earnestness and depth to a cold role. Scarlett Johanssen cameos as del Toro's love interest in the same style, making the two women near-impossible to differentiate and connect with. With The Phoenician Scheme's brisk jumps between a vast array of whimsical locations, enemies hot on their tail, it feels like an attempt to emulate the success of The Grand Budapest Hotel. But there was a tenderness Ralph Fiennes brought to the lead role of that film, also found in the relationship between a lobby boy and his mentor, that's missing here. And for all Phoenician Scheme's hints at father-daughter tension, it doesn't feel like this relationship is taken seriously as a source of conflict, character or growth. The endless celebrity cameos — from Benedict Cumberbatch in a ludicrous beard to Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston playing basketball — feel more like PR stunts than developed characters, their main addition to the story simply being, "Hey look, it's a Hollywood star!" But The Phoenician Scheme does still fill the cup of those craving what Anderson does best: visuals. This is another perfectly symmetrical feast for the eyes, complete with hieroglyphics, rainforests dotted with quicksand and artfully arranged interiors. Michael Cera also shines as the gentle and good-natured Bjorn, whom he convincingly brings to life through his trademark humour and charm. Overall, The Phoenician Scheme is a wholly acceptable addition to Anderson's catalogue, and is sure to delight diehard fans hungry for more Wes. But it's hard not to get nostalgic for his older films, which, for all their idiosyncrasies, felt human. The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
136-year-old Union Football ground caught in devpt crossfire
1 2 Jaipur: Even as deputy chief minister Diya Kumari champions the preservation of Jaipur's 300-year-old heritage, a historic football ground linked to her own royal lineage faces an uncertain future. The Union Football Club, founded in 1889 by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II inside Ramniwas Bagh, is still waiting for the return of its original ground—a year after the completion of an underground parking facility promised under a 2021 MoU with Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Despite the MoU clearly stating that the land would be handed back to the club post-construction, JDA has yet to act. Adding to the controversy, Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Greater) is now planning to build a multi-sports complex on the same ground, proposing to name it after RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Mahipal Swami, secretary of the Union Football Club, told TOI, "This ground has over a century of history. It was allotted to us by PWD after independence, and we officially hold ownership. We agreed to the JDA's parking project in good faith, trusting they would return our field and upgrade the infrastructure as per the agreement. Now, not only are those promises unfulfilled, but the JMC wants to build over it." On May 9, club representatives met JDA commissioner Anandhi, urging immediate action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fogo de Chão: a experiência máxima do churrasco Fogo de Chão Clique aqui Undo "We will wait 30 more days before moving court," Swami said. While the commissioner was unavailable for comment, a senior JDA official claimed efforts are underway to return the ground as per her directives. Meanwhile, JMC (Greater) building committee chairperson Jitendra Shrimali confirmed plans for a multi-sports facility over the two newly built parking lots. "A government plot within Ramniwas Garden has already been given to the football club. That should serve as their permanent base going forward," he added. The issue has now become a litmus test for the government's commitment to heritage preservation versus urban infrastructure expansion. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Arianna Vianello isn't ‘trying to be perfect' anymore. Without that pressure, she delivers for Whiting.
Whiting's Arianna Vianello saw the bigger picture. By taking a step back, the senior catcher took steps forward. 'This year, it's just my mentality,' Vianello said. 'I really got my head in order. Previous years, I was always trying to be perfect, and I always wanted to be perfect. This year, it's my last season, I don't plan to go further with softball, so I wanted to make the best of what I had left.' Indeed, in her fourth season as a starter, Vianello has delivered her most productive one yet. She's hitting .465 with four doubles, a triple, two homers, 23 RBIs and 20 runs scored, leading the Oilers in four of those categories. She has helped Whiting (6-9, 4-6), which will play either Andrean or Boone Grove in the semifinals of the Class 2A Boone Grove Sectional on May 27, double its total victories from last season and eclipse its wins in the Greater South Shore Conference. 'Ari's playing with a lot less pressure, and she's having fun and she's enjoying herself,' Whiting coach Kelly Morando said. 'This team has a very good team dynamic and camaraderie, and she feeds off of that, and all the girls feed off of that. 'She's been a great captain. Overall, she just doesn't have that pressure, and she wants to go out having fun, and it's showing.' Sophomore shortstop Lily Morando also noted Vianello's leadership skills for a team that includes Vianello's cousin Aliyah, a freshman. 'She really brings a voice to the team,' Lily Morando said. 'As one of the captains, you expect that. But it's more than that, and she really shows it on the field. She tells us not to get in our heads. She'll be the one still cheering in the dugout even if we're down by 10. She's just really a voice for us.' Vianello isn't anchored behind the plate. She has seen some time in the outfield this season, and she played mostly at third base as a freshman. 'I can count on her wherever we need her,' Kelly Morando said. 'She's going to track down the ball. She's going to get the ball in. She's going to be a solid position for us wherever she's needed. 'Even this year, she's flopped between catching and outfield here and there. She gives us some speed in the outfield.' Vianello prepares for any situation. 'I keep my mind super focused,' she said. 'When I go up to bat, I always keep my mechanics on the top of my head. When I'm behind the plate, I'm always thinking. I'm always thinking about what's coming next.' What's coming next for Vianello, who spends the first half of her school days studying cosmetology at the Hammond Area Career Center and works at a salon on the weekends as part of the program, is studying medical diagnostic sonography at IU Indianapolis. She received inquiries from multiple colleges about the possibility of playing, but she said, 'I think I'm done with softball.' She also played basketball and cheered throughout high school. She even played volleyball as a freshman. As the time remaining on this season dwindles, Vianello, who already was named the softball team's most valuable player as a sophomore and junior, is determined to continue maximizing it. 'It's definitely been my best year throughout my entire career of softball,' she said. 'Not even just our skill and playing-wise, but just our attitudes and our relationships together. 'As long as we keep our attitudes up and keep working as a team together, we can really accomplish anything.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Runners tackle ‘Let Her Run' road race in Madison
MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) — Runners took to the pavement in Madison on Sunday for the Let Her Run road race. The annual five-mile race celebrates fitness, community and powerful women, while promoting women's safety while running. Greater New Haven Heart walk sees 500 participants Organizers say the Let Her Run race tries to foster a sense of community and a safe environment. 'This is more of a race where we can empower ourselves, so we can get out there, have fun with each other, have fun with each other, celebrate each other,' said Debby Valin of Woodbridge. 'It's going to be a great course on the water, a flat course, fast course, and all these women out here on Mother's Day, it's so exciting to see, just going out, having fun, celebrating each other.' Runners could enjoy live music and post-run mimosas after tackling the five-mile course. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
