Latest news with #Jalan
SoraNews24
27-05-2025
- SoraNews24
Japan's second-most-beautiful day-use hot spring might be underrated【Photos】
Shizuoka seaside town offers an amazing experience even if you're not staying overnight. Living in Tokyo, you tend to get in a pattern of thinking in terms of train lines for cool places to go in your free time. Doing too much of that, though, means you'll miss out on some awesome outside-the-train-line-defined box, as our Japanese-language reporter Seiji Nakazawa was recently reminded. The other day, Seiji was talking with a buddy who's really into motorcycles, and the subject of onsen (hot springs) came up. Seiji's friend says that there's one place in particular he and his fellow two-wheeled enthusiasts like to ride to and take a nice long soak. Though it's affiliated with a hotel, the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan, as the place is called, is open to day-trip users too, and Seiji's friend highly recommended it. The problem, though, is that Seiji doesn't have a motorcycle, or a car, and with the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan being located out in Shizuoka Prefecture, and not within walking distance of any train station, Seiji figured he was out of luck. After doing some checking, though, Seiji found out that there is a free shuttle bus from the nearest station, and you can get to that station from Tokyo in just about two hours. That's how Seiji ended up on the Izu Kuyko Line, heading towards Izu-Kogen Station after riding the Shinkansen from Tokyo's Shinagawa Station to Atami. It's also possible to make the trip without having to transfer by taking the Odoriko express train from Shinagawa straight to Izu-Kogen, but the total point-to-point time and price is about the same either way you go. Stepping out of the train and onto the platform, Seiji was already feeling invigorated by the clean countryside air. Near the station's Yamamo Exit he found the place to wait for the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan shuttle bus, with the posted timetable showing one to three buses per hour between 9:50 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. From the station, the bus heads up a mountain road, and arrives at the hot spring about 15 minutes later. It wasn't just Seiji's friend's recommendation that had drawn us to this place, though. According to the rankings on Japanese travel site Jalan, the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan has the second-most beautiful view in all of Japan for a day-use hot spring. So what kind of view does it offer? Well, while you have to take a mountain road to get to this place, the backside of the building offers… ……an absolutely stunning ocean view. It's especially awesome when you're sitting submerged in the outdoor bath, since the tub has an infinity pool-type design, where the edge visually blends into the ocean. The view from the indoor bath is no slouch either… …nor is the one from the sauna… …but it's the outdoor baths that really earn this place it's second-most-beautiful day-use hot spring in Japan honors. The view is so incredible that Seiji describes it as something you don't just see, but as something you feel. With the wind, sky, and sea all simultaneously seeming to calling out to him, he felt all of his accumulated big city stress melt away. The Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan charges an admission fee of 1,600 yen (US$11) ordinarily, or 2,000 yen during peak seasons, so it's not the cheapest day-use hot spring around, but it's definitely one of the most beautiful. For those looking to splurge a little more, they also have private family/couple baths with attached changing areas, which cost an additional 3,500 yen per hour on weekdays or 4,500 yen on weekends and holidays. We've been talking about the day-use baths so far, but right across the street from the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan is the Akazawa Onsen Hotel, which has its own baths. The hotel wastes no time giving you a glimpse of its views, with windows that look out over the bay from the lobby. The restaurant's dining area has a great view too… …and, of course, so do the guestrooms. Guests staying at the hotel also have access to the Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan's baths, but the hotel's own are stunning too, if more modestly sized. But even if an overnight stay isn't in the cards, the day-use hot spring baths are an experience you'll never forget. Location information Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan / 赤沢日帰り温泉館 Address: Shizuoka-ken, Ito-sho, Akazawa 170-2 静岡県伊東市赤沢１７０−２ Website Akazawa Onsen Hotel / 赤沢温泉ホテル Address: Shizuoka-ken, Ito-shi, Akazawa Ukiyama 163-1 静岡県伊東市赤沢字浮山１６３−１ Website Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
CNA
27-05-2025
- CNA
Two charged for instructing foreign workers to hold placards in illegal protests at construction site
SINGAPORE: Two people were charged on Tuesday (May 27) in relation to illegal public assemblies involving foreign workers in October last year. Rebecca Rubini Ravinthiran, 33, and Vee Derrick Mahendran, 36, both Singaporeans, were also charged for abetting foreign workers to commit offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). In an earlier joint press release, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the police said that Ravinthiran is accused of directing 15 foreign workers under her employment to gather outside two construction sites on Oct 24. She also instructed the workers to hold placards to demand payments owed to her company. Mahendran allegedly aided the offence by going to a construction site to "ensure that the foreign workers complied with the woman's instructions". Ravinthiran faces 17 charges in total while Mahendran has 11. RAVINTHIRAN'S CHARGES Two of Ravinthiran's charges are under the Public Order Act, while 15 are under the EFMA. She is accused of organising a public assembly to demand that Apex Engineering be paid the outstanding payment owed to it by instructing no fewer than nine workers from Apex to gather at a construction site at Block 324A Tengah Garden Walk - Parc Flora @ Tengah - and hold placards. No permit had been granted for the event on Oct 24, 2024, stated the charge sheet. Separately, at about 11am the same day, Ravinthiran is said to have organised a public assembly to publicise the same cause at a construction site at 91A Jalan Satu - Dakota Breeze. She allegedly instructed no fewer than six workers from Apex to gather at the site and hold placards. This event similarly had no permit. Each of Ravinthiran's charges under the EFMA states that she instigated a foreign worker to breach the condition of their work permit, with a total of 15 workers involved. She is said to have facilitated each worker's contravention by instructing each to be involved in the illegal activity of participating in a public assembly at either work site. For two of these workers, Ravinthiran allegedly instructed them to prepare and distribute placards and coordinate with other workers to be involved in the public assembly. MAHENDRAN'S CHARGES Mahendran's charges comprise two under the Public Order Act and nine under the EFMA. Mahendran is said to have abetted Ravinthiran by helping organise two public assemblies at the two construction sites to publicise the same cause. He allegedly helped in the preparation of the placards the day before, and coordinated with Ravinthiran on the gathering of the workers to hold the placards. He is said to have ensured that no fewer than nine workers from Apex gathered at the Tengah construction site. As for the charges under the EFMA, Mahendran is said to have helped nine foreign workers contravene the conditions of their work passes by supervising them while they were involved in the illegal public assemblies. He then allegedly updated Ravinthiran on his observations and conveyed her instructions to the group of workers. Both cases will return to court on Jun 24. Last October, MOM said on Facebook that it was aware of a social media post regarding several migrant workers holding placards at a worksite. MOM said it engaged the workers involved and found that they were not owed salary payments, and did not have any concerns about their well-being. Then-Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has also said that MOM was investigating the employer for illegally deploying the workers and abetting the workers to perform illegal acts under the EFMA. A person convicted of organising a public assembly without a permit can be fined up to S$5,000 (US$3,890).
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
RBI's ₹2.69 trillion dividend to govt: Where does its money come from?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to transfer a record ₹2.69 trillion as dividend to the central government for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25). This is a 27 per cent increase from the ₹2.1 trillion payout in FY24 and significantly higher than the ₹87,416 crore transferred in FY23. The RBI makes an annual payout to the government from the surplus income it earns on investments and valuation changes on its foreign exchange holdings, including the dollar, and the fees it gets from printing currency notes. Here's a closer look at how this process works, what drives these payouts, and what it means for the government. From money to markets: What does RBI do? The Reserve Bank of India is the country's central bank and financial regulator. Its key functions include: Issuing currency: Sole authority for currency notes (except ₹1 notes, issued by the Finance Ministry). Government's banker: Manages banking functions for the central and state governments, including public debt and monetary policy support. Banker to banks: Acts as a regulator and lender for commercial banks. Monetary regulator: Controls money supply, interest rates, and inflation. Foreign exchange manager: Manages currency stability and exchange rates. What is RBI's dividend? The RBI's dividend is the surplus it generates after covering operational expenses and setting aside risk provisions, transferred annually to the central government. This dividend isn't a corporate profit payout, as the RBI isn't profit-driven. It reflects the excess funds left after the bank meets its public responsibilities. Where does RBI's money come from? The RBI earns income from: Buying and selling bonds (open market operations) Managing foreign exchange reserves Holding rupee-denominated securities While the RBI's main focus is monetary stability, these operations create earnings that contribute to the annual dividend. How is dividend amount decided? The RBI's payout is determined by the Economic Capital Framework (ECF), introduced in August 2019 after recommendations by the Bimal Jalan Committee. The ECF guides how much of the RBI's surplus can be transferred to the government while keeping sufficient reserves for financial stability. This year, the framework's formula may have been adjusted slightly, though the core Jalan principles remain intact. What drove RBI's FY25 record dividend? The record dividend was driven by: Active foreign exchange market operations: In 2024-25, the RBI sold $371.6 billion, more than double the $153 billion sold the previous year, stabilising the rupee and generating forex gains. Rupee asset earnings: The RBI's rupee security holdings grew to ₹15.6 trillion by March 2025. Strong interest income: Even as falling G-sec yields dented mark-to-market gains, overall earnings remained robust. What does it mean for government? The record dividend gives the government more fiscal space. It's expected to reduce the fiscal deficit by 20-30 basis points, potentially lowering it from 4.5 per cent of GDP to around 4.2 per cent. It also means that actual dividend income for FY26 may surpass the budget estimate of ₹2.56 trillion from the RBI and public sector entities.
News18
26-05-2025
- Health
- News18
From Cola to Culture: The Shift from Sugary Sodas to Fizzy Tea Alternatives
Last Updated: Fizzy tea is fast replacing soda as the drink of choice for a health-conscious, culture-savvy generation. In India's rapidly evolving beverage market, a quiet revolution is fizzing to the surface—one that swaps out sugary sodas for elevated, health-conscious tea-based alternatives. From sparkling teas crafted like fine wines to fizzy probiotic brews rooted in tradition, a new wave of brands is redefining what it means to sip, savour, and celebrate. The Sparkle of Sophistication 'There's a growing appetite for sophisticated, wellness-driven beverages that align with mindful lifestyles," says Siddhaarth Jalan, Co-Founder, Bebida Hospitality Private Limited, the brand bringing Copenhagen Sparkling Tea to Indian consumers. 'Sparkling tea is poised to become a mainstay in the premium non-alcoholic segment here." The brand's teas offers three distinct blends—LYSERØD, LYSEGRØN, and BLÅ—each made from a blend of 11–13 organic teas, designed to mimic the complexity of fine wine. With elegant packaging and zero alcohol, they're ideal for both celebrations and everyday indulgence. 'Our teas deliver the elegance of champagne without the guilt," Jalan explains, pointing out that their calorie and sugar content is far lower than traditional sodas or even mocktails like the virgin mojito. For instance, LYSERØD contains just 3g of sugar and 12 kcal per 150ml serving, a stark contrast to the 16g and 60 kcal found in most fizzy colas. More than a drink, the brand presents a lifestyle choice—one that celebrates conscious indulgence and universal appeal. 'It's the one drink you can serve to a 10-year-old or an 80-year-old at the same party," adds Jalan. While sparkling tea plays to the luxury palate, kombucha—a fermented, probiotic-rich tea—is making waves for its gut health benefits and artisanal flair. At the forefront of India's kombucha culture is Sbooch, founded by Nirraj Manek, who insists on one distinction: 'Kombucha is not soda—it's a living, naturally fizzy tea." The result is a refreshing alternative that doesn't compromise on taste or tradition. 'Choosing better doesn't mean sacrificing flavour—it means rediscovering it," says Manek. 'Each bottle is clean, honest, and full of heritage." Wellness in Every Sip The third front in the fizzy tea movement is wellness-led iced tea, and The Infused Kettle is leading the charge. Founded by Shalini Sinha, the brand marries the elegance of small-batch Darjeeling and Assam teas with time-tested Ayurvedic botanicals like giloy, turmeric, amla, and ginger. 'Consumers today want real benefits, not empty calories," she says. 'There's a demand for authenticity, transparency, and efficacy." According to Sinha, the shift away from high-sugar sodas isn't a passing health trend—it's a systemic redefinition of how we hydrate. 'We're seeing consumers gravitate towards teas that serve as functional tonics," she notes. 'Drinks that balance blood sugar, aid digestion, and support daily self-care." As iced tea climbs the popularity charts globally—ranking third in a U.S. survey of top beverages—it's clear that flavour alone isn't enough. 'Forward-looking brands must adopt clinical evidence and transparent sourcing," Sinha asserts. 'Only those who deliver efficacy with ethics will thrive in the beverage market of tomorrow." Tea, But Make It Modern Whether it's the celebratory clink of sparkling tea, the probiotic punch of kombucha, or the healing notes of Ayurvedic infusions, fizzy tea alternatives are not just replacing soda—they're rewriting the rules of refreshment. In the age of wellness, tea has become more than a comfort ritual. It's a symbol of taste, transparency, and transformation. First Published: May 26, 2025, 18:34 IST
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
46th Asean Summit: Road closures and diversions in Klang Valley announced
KUALA LUMPUR: Road closures and diversions will affect six expressways and 25 main roads in the Klang Valley from Thursday (May 23) to Tuesday (May 28) for the Asean Summit. Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said 789 traffic police personnel will be on duty throughout this period. "JSPT personnel will handle various duties, including VVIP motorcade escorts and traffic control. "Our assets are already on standby, including 36 cars, 313 high-powered motorcycles, 190 normal motorcycles, and tow-trucks," he said at a press conference on Monday (May 19). A dry run will be conducted on Wednesday (May 21) and Thursday (May 22), he added. Comm Mohd Yusri said road closures and diversions will be conducted in stages between 8am and 8pm. "Routes affected include those to Kuala Lumpur city centre, KLIA, Subang Air Force base, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Istana Negara, and hotels for foreign delegates," he said. Comm Mohd Yusri advised the public to avoid routes involved in closures and diversions. "We also advise using public transport. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from entering the city centre during peak hours, from 6.30am-7.30am and 4.30pm-7.30pm," he added. Comm Mohd Yusri said any vehicles parked haphazardly will be towed. "We hope for public cooperation to avoid blocking traffic with their parking. Otherwise, we will have to tow the vehicles," he said. Road Closures and Diversions Schedule May 23-May 26 (Arrival of foreign delegates) Routes: KLIA/Subang Air Force to: Lebuh KLIA Elite Expressway (KLIA-Putrajaya) NKVE (Subang-Jalan Duta) Guthrie Expressway North-South Expressway (Sungai Buloh-City Centre) MEX Expressway KL-Seremban Expressway Lingkaran Putrajaya Jalan Istana Jalan Damansara Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Jalan Ampang Jalan Sultan Ismail Jalan Bukit Bintang Jalan Imbi Jalan Parlimen Jalan Kuching May 26 From hotels to KLCC: 8am until arrivals are completed From KLCC to hotels: 5.30pm until departure to hotels is completed Junction of Jalan Ampang / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan Pinang Junction of Jalan Stonor / Jalan Kia Peng Junction of Jalan Stonor / Persiaran KLCC May 27 8am-10.30am (from hotels to KLCC) Junction of Jalan Ampang / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan Pinang Junction of Jalan Stonor / Jalan Kia Peng Junction of Jalan Stonor / Persiaran KLCC 11.45am-1pm (KLCC to Istana Negara) Along Jalan Tun Razak Along Jalan Mahameru Along Jalan Sultan Abdul Halim 1.45pm-3pm (Istana Negara-KLCC) Along Jalan Parlimen/Jalan Kuching Along Jalan Sultan Ismail Junction of Jalan Sultan Ismail / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan P. Ramlee Junction of Jalan Perak / Jalan Pinang Junction of Jalan Stonor / Jalan Kia Peng Junction of Jalan Stonor / Persiaran KLCC May 28 (8am onwards, from hotels to KLIA/Subang Air Force Base) Lebuh KLIA Elite Expressway (KLIA-Putrajaya) NKVE (Subang-Jalan Duta) Guthrie Expressway North-South Expressway (Sungai Buloh-City Centre) MEX Expressway KL-Seremban Expressway Lingkaran Putrajaya Jalan Istana Jalan Damansara Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Jalan Ampang Jalan Sultan Ismail Jalan Bukit Bintang Jalan Imbi Jalan Parlimen
