Latest news with #Hue
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Murder trial starts for Lam sisters accused in mom's death
Article content After a lengthy jury selection process, two Ottawa sisters accused of killing their elderly mother after years of abuse will stand trial for the next five weeks starting Tuesday. Article content Chau Kanh Lam and Hue Ai Lam, along with defence lawyers and the Crown attorney, appeared in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in downtown Ottawa on Monday morning for jury selection. Article content Article content Article content Both sisters were charged with first-degree murder after police found their mother, Kieu Lam, dead in bed in October 2022 in the townhouse they shared. Chau and Hue both pleaded not guilty through a Vietnamese interpreter in court Monday. Article content Article content Dozens of people were called in for jury duty, but only 13 jurors were selected. One alternate juror was also selected in case someone isn't able to participate in future court proceedings related to the case. Article content Defence lawyers Ewan Lyttle, who will be representing Chau, and Paolo Giancaterino, who will be representing Hue, as well as Crown attorney Julien Whitten said the trial will take about five weeks. Article content Ontario Superior Court Justice Narissa Somji will be presiding over the case. Article content Court was recessed for the day shortly after the jurors were sworn in and confirmed in the afternoon. The matter is set to reconvene on Tuesday morning in the same courthouse, where the Crown will be giving its opening statement. Article content Article content The murder trial starts more than two years after the two sisters were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Article content Article content Ottawa police officers said they responded to a call at a townhouse on Bowmount Street in Cyrville at around 12:23 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2022. Article content According to police, officers found Kieu Lam, 88, dead in bed and it looked like she had been beaten to death. Article content The two sisters were then interviewed by homicide detectives and gave incriminating statements, according to police. Article content The Ottawa Police Service then accused the two sisters of plotting to kill their mother three days before the incident. Chau, then 56 years old, and Hue, then 59, were living with their mom at the time. The sisters allegedly told police that they were subjected to years of psychological and physical abuse, and decided to end it.
Android Authority
04-06-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Philips Hue vs IKEA smart lights: I made my choice, and I don't regret it
Mitja Rutnik / Android Authority I recently moved into a brand-new apartment and decided to install smart lights throughout all of the rooms. The first step was deciding which system to use, and Philips Hue immediately came to mind. I took a look and liked what I saw. The reviews were great as well, but a few issues held me back, ultimately nudging me toward IKEA's system. Now that everything is more or less set up, I can honestly say I don't regret it – here's why. Which smart lighting system do you prefer? 0 votes Philips' NaN % IKEA's NaN % Neither (share more in the comments) NaN % Price is king Mitja Rutnik / Android Authority My move was expensive. Real estate is far from cheap in my part of the world, not to mention the furniture, which costs a pretty penny. So I had to save money somewhere, and my smart lighting system was it. All I really wanted was the ability to dim lights, change colors, and set up a schedule so specific lights turn on when I need them. For example, I like it when my night lamp next to my bed turns on when my alarm goes off in the morning. It reduces the chance of me hitting the snooze button and oversleeping. I planned things out and decided I needed a few LED ceiling lights throughout my apartment, spotlights with LED bulbs, a couple of floor lamps, and an LED strip for use in a few different places. Then there are remotes for specific lights, as well as buttons that I can press to turn on multiple lights simultaneously and create a scene, as it's called. While I could get everything done with Philips' Hue lighting system, I figured out that the same was true with IKEA's offering. The Swedish furniture giant has everything I needed in its lineup, and for a lot less money. When I added up the numbers, going with the Philips Hue system would cost me hundreds and hundreds of dollars more. That wasn't something I was willing to pay, considering IKEA's product offering fulfilled most of my wants. Then there's simplicity I like simplicity, and IKEA just wins in this department. First off, all the products on offer can be found in one place, which is just about any IKEA store. All their products have a very simple, basic design, which I love since the overall theme of my apartment design is Scandinavian minimalism. I love the convenience and knowing that I can return anything without explaining myself for 20 minutes. Then there are returns and warranties. If anything should happen and I need to return or repair an item, IKEA's hassle-free return policy just keeps me coming back and buying more. I love the convenience and knowing that I can return anything without explaining myself for 20 minutes. The situation with the Philips Hue system is a bit different. Different stores stock different products in my area, and I wasn't able to find everything I needed at just one retailer. And while a lot of their products are simple, there are plenty of extravagantly-designed ones that I just wanted to avoid. Return policies also differed from retailer to retailer in my area, adding another layer of complexity to my already stressed-out mind that was trying to focus on work, my social life, and my real estate project. It just works Mitja Rutnik / Android Authority I've had nothing but a great experience with my smart home lighting so far. It just works. No issues whatsoever. I was a bit skeptical since the pricing is so much more affordable, so I assumed I might run into an issue. Granted, it's only been a few weeks since the installation, but I'm very happy with my purchase so far, even though I'm not completely done with everything. Setting everything up is easy as pie thanks to the app. You just connect the remote to the app and then match it with specific lights and bulbs of choice. There's a limit of ten lights per remote, which is good enough for me. In addition to dimming lights and changing colors, I can also connect multiple ones together and control them at the same time. The app I had to download for this is very simple and easy to use, so you don't need to be a rocket scientist to get this done. I also needed the IKEA Dirigera hub, which is just as easy to set up. I don't regret it, but… I definitely don't regret my decision to use IKEA's smart lighting products, but I'm not saying they are better than what Philips offers. I am saying they provide more value for me, though. I think I would be just as happy with the Philips Hue system if I had installed it, and it's even a better option for a lot of people. Philips offers more products, some of which have various designs that may be better suited for your home interior — not everyone is into minimalism like I am. I also think Philips works just as well and is just as simple to install as IKEA's system, so no differences there — although tell me if you had issues in the comments. However, for my personal needs and the simplicity of getting everything in one place, it seemed silly to pay so much extra money for more or less the same outcome. So my advice is: go with Philips if you care about those fancy designs and don't mind paying more, but give IKEA a try if its lineup offers everything you need. I know the Swedish giant has a bad reputation for quality at times, but their lighting system is a good one in my experience.
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts the world's first voco resort in Quang Binh, Vietnam
IHG Hotels & Resorts opens the world's first voco resort with the opening of voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG in Vietnam. The all-suite-and-villa resort also marks the second voco hotels property to open in Vietnam, alongside voco Ma Belle Danang - By IHG which opened in 2023. Each voco property is characterised by its individual charm, which provides guests with something unique while creating an inviting and unstuffy atmosphere for guests to truly unwind and feel at ease. Infused with charming personal touches and subtle Vietnamese influences, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG is a great gateway to explore the province of Quang Binh. Located in Dong Hoi, the capital city of the Quang Binh province in central Vietnam, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG offers 68 suites and beachfront villas providing a tranquil and personal atmosphere with direct access to Bao Ninh beach. Its design focuses on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The distinctive interior offers a subtle nod to Indochine aesthetics with rich colours, intricate patterns and local craftmanship, paired with artworks exclusive to voco hotels. The spacious layout of its suites and villas - between 43sqm and 300sqm, invites natural light to flood in, creating a rustic and calming atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Upon check in, guests will be greeted with a signature voco welcome treat that's both unique and representative of the local area. At voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG, guests will enjoy "Cu Đơ" - a traditional Vietnamese candy from the region, made of peanut, caramel, ginger and rice paper. The resort's spa - Yen Spa & Wellness, comprises of 17 treatment rooms, a foot spa, a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool, sauna room, and salon. In addition, guests can access both an indoor and an outdoor pool as well as a 24-hour gym. For dining, guests have the option to dine at Flamingo Restaurant, an all-day dining concept that serves up local signatures such as Quang Binh banh canh, Quang noodles, Hue beef noodle soup as well as favorite international dishes, or sip on refreshing cocktails at Oasis Pool Bar while watching the spectacular Vietnamese sunset. The hotel is a great gateway to explore the magnificent beauty of the province of Quang Binh including Son Doong Cave which is the largest cave in the world and home to towering stalagmites, underground rivers, jungle with wildlife and a 116-kilometre-long coastline with picturesque beaches such as Nhat Le and Da Nhay. Guests can also look to visit the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, kayak on Mooc spring, experience Vietnam's longest zipline, mud bathing at Chay river or visit the spiritual cultural site of Lieu Hanh Mother Temple. Launched in 2018, voco hotels by IHG has quickly become one of IHG Hotels & Resorts' fastest growing with 94 open hotels and 95 exciting destinations in the pipeline, including voco Bandung Setiabund and voco Bangkok Surawong in South East Asia later in 2025. Staying true to voco hotel's "step by step" sustainability mantra, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG is committed to innovation and sustainability, and the belief that small steps collectively make the biggest difference. This includes pillows and duvet fillings made from recycled materials and premium organic New Zealand bulk bath amenities from Antipodes. For more on voco Quang Binh Resort, visit the hotel's website or follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. *Numbers are correct as of 31st March 2025 Hotel website
The Independent
26-05-2025
- The Independent
Vietnam arrests man for breaking one of its most prized treasures in palace museum display
Vietnamese police have detained a man who damaged an imperial throne that is regarded as one of the Southeast Asian country's most treasured artefacts, conservation authorities said on Sunday. Police say the 42-year-old man damaged the throne, recognised as a national treasure, after trespassing into a restricted area inside the Thai Hoa Palace in central Vietnam. Ho Van Phuong Tam, from Hue, climbed onto the throne and reportedly broke a part of it before being subdued by security, authorities said. The ornate red-and-gold throne of the Nguyen dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of Vietnam that ruled for some 140 years until 1945, is preserved in the Thai Hoa Palace in Hue. Mr Tam purchased an entrance ticket to the palace and reportedly made his way to a restricted area. He then allegedly climbed onto the imperial throne standing at the centre of the palace. Since there were only a few visitors present, the incident went unnoticed for a brief period before security staff intervened. A visitor captured the incident on video and shared it online, triggering widespread public outrage. Hue city police launched an investigation and subsequently detained Mr Tam. In the wake of this 'extremely rare and unprecedented' incident, the People's Committee of Hue City announced that the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre had shifted the throne to a secure storage facility at the Royal Antiquities Museum and installed a replica in the Thai Hoa Palace for public viewing. Mr Tam 'snuck into the Nguyen dynasty display area, screamed and then broke the front left armrest' around midday on Saturday, a statement from the centre said, according to AFP. It said that Mr Tam showed 'signs of psychosis, screaming, talking nonsense and could not answer the investigator's questions'. The centre was enlisting experts and artisans to evaluate the extent of the damage and recommend a suitable restoration plan, according to Asia News Network. Security at the heritage site would be enhanced, with a renewed focus on safeguarding artefacts and national treasures, it added. Authorities have been unable to formally question Mr Tam due to his unstable mental state. A psychiatric assessment has been ordered and police have been working with local prosecutors, local media reported. Mr Tam moved to Ho Chi Minh City with his family in the 1990s and returned to Hue earlier this month. He was, however, forced to leave the home of his relatives where he had been staying since his return and took to living on the streets. Previously, in July 2023, he had been ordered to undergo compulsory drug rehabilitation.
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Shirtless man detained in Vietnam for vandalising historic throne
Police in Vietnam have detained a man who broke into a history exhibit and damaged an antique throne considered to be one of the nation's most precious artefacts. Advertisement The ornate red-and-gold Nguyen dynasty throne was the royal seat of the last feudal family to rule Vietnam between 1802 and 1945 and has been preserved for posterity in Hue city's Thai Hoa Palace. A 42-year-old man 'snuck into the Nguyen dynasty display area, screamed and then broke the front left armrest' around midday on Saturday, a statement from the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC) said on Sunday. In footage circulating on social media and Vietnam news sites purporting to show the incident, the man can be seen sitting cross-legged on the two-century-old throne that is adorned with dragon motifs. A still image from a video circulated on social media shows a shirtless man in the throne room of Hue city's Thai Hoa Palace. Photo: Facebook/MaiThanhMai He was quickly arrested but showed 'signs of psychosis, screaming, talking nonsense and could not answer the investigator's questions', the HMCC said.
