Latest news with #Karl
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Thousands expected in Clonakilty for the return of West Cork's street carnival
Clonakilty is set to come alive once again on Saturday, 14 June 2025, as the highly anticipated Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival returns for another unforgettable day of food, fun, and festivities. Now in its seventh year, this vibrant event has become a staple of the West Cork calendar, drawing thousands of visitors to experience the region's largest outdoor dining celebration. Pearse Street will be transformed into a colourful, bustling food hub, with long communal tables stretching through the town centre. Ticket holders can enjoy a mouth-watering array of street food, prepared by some of the region's top chefs and food producers, offering everything from rich Indian curries to fresh local seafood, all accompanied by delicious wines and desserts. Fitness expert, radio & TV broadcaster, author and podcast host Karl Henry will officially open the festivities on Saturday 14 June, setting the tone for a full day of upbeat energy, family fun, and irresistible flavours. Karl is a leading Irish fitness expert and lives in West Cork with his family. Ticket holders can enjoy a mouth-watering array of street food, prepared by some of the region's top chefs. Picture Andy Gibson Speaking at the launch of the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival, special guest Karl Henry said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival this year. Living in West Cork, I get to experience the incredible sense of community and the amazing food culture every day, and this event really brings all of that to life. It's a celebration of everything that makes this part of the world so special: the passionate local producers, the vibrant town atmosphere, and of course, the fantastic food. I can't wait to kick off what's set to be a brilliant day for all.' The event will feature food from renowned local venues including The Emmet Hotel, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Scannell's Bar & Restaurant, Clonakilty Park Hotel, O'Donovan's Hotel, The Alley Garden Bistro, Oak Fire Pizza, Casey's Bar & Restaurant, Lil's, Kirby's @ The Whale's Tail, and The Clonakilty Food Co. (Clonakilty Black Pudding) and Pike Deli. In addition to its mouth-watering food offerings, the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival promises a vibrant line-up of live music and entertainment. Headlining the festivities are The Monks, The Kates, and Boola Boom, with performances taking place throughout the day and into the evening. Street entertainers, including stilt walkers, jugglers, and face painters, will keep the atmosphere lively, joined by musical performances from Andrew Whelton, and Shanley's House Band. Families can enjoy a dedicated Family Fun Zone, packed with attractions for children of all ages, such as bouncy castles, face painting, giant games, a carousel, a sensory play area, and more, all set in a fully pedestrianised town centre. The Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival promises a vibrant line-up of live music and entertainment. Picture Anna Groniecka Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Managing Director of Irish Yogurts Clonakilty and lead sponsor adds: 'We're incredibly proud to support the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival once again this year. As a company rooted in the heart of Clonakilty, it's a joy to see the town come alive with such energy, creativity, and community spirit. This event showcases the very best of West Cork, from its passionate food producers to the warm welcome it offers every visitor. We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Karl Henry for launching this year's event, and to all the volunteers, and organisers, who work so hard behind the scenes to make the day such a success. It's truly a celebration of community at its finest.' Meal tickets, which include adult and children's options and portion sizes, will offer a variety of meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes, along with desserts and drinks. New for 2025, the kids' meals will now be served alongside the adults in the main food tent from 3pm until 5pm, while the Family Fun Zone will remain open from 11am as in previous years, with entertainment continuing into the evening. Admission to all non-food activities is free, but meal tickets should be pre-booked online at to secure a seat at the table. Booking fees apply. Tickets can also be purchased at O'Donovan's Hotel and Fuchsia Footwear in Clonakilty. Stay up to date and join the excitement by following @clonakiltystreetcarnival on Facebook and Instagram.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
XBTO receives full 3A licence approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market
XBTO, a company involved in institutional digital asset management, it has received full approval for its financial services permission (FSP) under the 3A licence category from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the UAE. The approval authorises XBTO to provide a range of financial services in and from ADGM, including custody, dealing in investments as matched principal, advising on investments, and arranging deals in investments. This marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy across the MENA region and beyond. 'The UAE is a leading market in digital assets and the 3A licence enables us to be a part of a positive digital movement in the region. This licence also serves to reinforce our long-term commitment to institutional integrity, regulatory transparency, and financial innovation in the UAE,' said Philippe Bekhazi, CEO and Founder of XBTO Group. The licence enables XBTO to operate as a regulated counterparty to institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, family offices and regional financial institutions. It also allows the company to actively market its services across the UAE, bolstering its ability to engage directly with local stakeholders and deepen its presence in the region. 'This approval gives XBTO the strategic footing to engage more actively with regional partners and demonstrates our alignment with the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for digital finance,' said Karl Naim, Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager for UAE at XBTO. 'ADGM has created a forward-thinking environment that balances innovation with robust oversight - a model we are proud to be part of.' The licence approval complements XBTO's existing regulatory footprint in Bermuda and is part of its broader global expansion strategy, with the next regulatory milestone being its anticipated entry into the UK market. XBTO's regulatory approval has been welcomed by key stakeholders within Abu Dhabi's thriving digital asset ecosystem. The company has been an active participant in Hub71's specialized digital assets cohort and has collaborated with the technology hub on educational initiatives focused on advancing digital asset knowledge and best practices across the region. Peter Abou Hachem, Head of Growth and Strategy, Hub71 said: 'We're proud to see XBTO, a global leader in digital assets, secure their 3A license and scale from Hub71 to serve the world. Their move to Abu Dhabi reflects a clear shift toward the Middle East - one of the fastest-growing and most liquid markets globally. XBTO's focus on regulatory excellence and innovation embodies the calibre of founders we back. As more startups choose our ecosystem to launch and grow, we remain committed to helping them scale with speed and impact.'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Hilarious moment Alan Hughes confesses to taking item from VIP Style Awards
Alan Hughes admitted that he 'liberated' an item from his table at the VIP Style Awards. The Ireland AM crew were discussing instances where items would go 'missing' from events and locations, and mysteriously re-appear in your home (the most famous instance being the cupboard in most Irish homes that are chock full of pint glasses that were yoinked from the pub!) While Muireann told viewers that stealing was bad, the presenters asked if any items were 'liberated,' especially while on holiday — and while everyone's nicked the mini soaps from the hotel bathroom, some viewers admitted to taking some impressive items; ranging from a silver tray that the Godfather of Soul James Brown ate off of (and signed), as well as glasses from the 1980 Rose of Tralee. Alan Hughes admitted that he 'liberated' an item from his table at the VIP Style Awards. Pic: Virgin Media Television Alan even admitted to having sticky fingers of his own, most recently at the VIP Style Awards earlier this month. 'I took the flower centrepiece from the VIP Style Awards home,' Alan told a shocked Muireann and Tommy. 'They told me we could take them because they were all going to be thrown out!' while Tommy added 'this is why they love [stealing].' Alan said that he nabbed the white roses on the centrepieces, but admitted that he didn't actually take them home from the awards ceremony (imagine having to explain that to the taxi driver) — but rather got his husband Karl Broderick to do his dirty work for him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) 'They said that they were going to [throw them out] — beautiful white roses in a bowl,' Alan said. 'I sent Karl down to get it!' Alan headed to the VIP Style Awards with husband Karl in tow, with Karl paying a special nod to the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, which saw Ireland become the first country in the world to pass same-sex marriage via a popular vote. '@ style awards red carpet look,' Alan wrote on his Instagram. 'Great night as always and a huge thanks to @guyclothing for dressing both of us. Alan and his husband Karl stunned at the VIP Style Awards, with Karl paying a special tribute to the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum. Pic: Brian McEvoy 'Love Karl's little nod to 10 years of marriage equality with his rainbow pocket sq.'
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Australia's coolest science festival returns to Tasmania for another mind-blowing year in 2025
You won't find many festivals where you can plunge into icy Arctic waters, speed-date scientists, drink booze with death experts, or debate the science of sex – but that's just a taster of the program at Beaker Street Festival. Returning to Tasmania in August 2025, Australia's quirkiest science and arts festival is ready to blow your mind with more than 70 wild and wacky events, all focused around themes of death, pleasure and humanity. This year, the festivities will unfold during National Science Week – from Saturday, August 9 to Sunday, August 17 – with activations spanning from the Tasmania Museum and Gallery, City Hall and The Old Mercury Building, to lively pubs, bars and restaurants dotting the Hobart waterfront and CBD. Forget boring school science experiments or dull university lectures – this year's Beaker Street program is one of its biggest and boldest yet. The festival's signature stage at Hobart City Hall will return with headline talks and raucous debates. You can learn about the science of better sex in Come Again? An Evening of Sex and Science, look for love in Melbourne's cult nerd-dating show Human Love Quest: Your Chemical Romance!, question AI in What's Your p(Doom)?, see Dr Karl in a headline solo show, and test your knowledge in the festival's flagship Beaker Street Game Show. It's a rite of passage for anyone visiting Antarctica to brave the cold with a polar plunge. Beaker Street Festival will once again bring this freezing 'hot trend' to the Hobart waterfront, aka Australia's Gateway to Antarctica, so you too can freeze in the name of science. Don't worry, a steamy sauna will be waiting to defrost you post-plunge. Back by popular demand, Beaker Street's Roving Scientist Bar will take over Hope and Anchor – Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub – for three lively nights of speed dating, science-style. Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Museum and Gallery will be the heart of the festival's free program, featuring After Dark sessions, where you can explore the galleries and exhibitions late at night, including the 9th annual Science Photography Prize. As we mentioned before, this really is just a taster of the Beaker Street Festival program. Budding scientists and curious travellers can also dine beneath the starry night sky, play hide and seek with pink-glowing possums, witness the wonders of the Aurora Australis, harvest mushrooms in a historic tunnel, and tour a cutting-edge seaweed farm. Ready to geek out? You can peruse the full program here.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
TP business course valedictorian makes sacrifices to juggle studies, running popular flea market
Ms Portia Gabrielle Karl with her parents (right) at her Temasek Polytechnic graduation ceremony. PHOTO: TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC TP business course valedictorian makes sacrifices to juggle studies, running popular flea market The TL;DR: Ms Portia Gabrielle Karl is the valedictorian of Temasek Polytechnic's 2025 business cohort and also runs a popular vintage market on weekends. She is one of 5,100 students graduating from May 2 to May 13. SINGAPORE – Every weekend, Bugis Street Art Lane in Victoria Street is brimming with vintage goods vendors selling items like retro digital cameras and unique Y2K fashion pieces. There may even be a musician or two serenading audiences at an outdoor open mic. Scurrying from booth to booth is 21-year-old Portia Gabrielle Karl, ensuring that everything is running smoothly for the more than 40 vintage goods vendors there. Ms Karl is one of the co-founders of the Resurrack Vintage Market, as well as a graduating Temasek Polytechnic (TP) business student. She and her business partner and fellow TP business student, Isaac Loh, 21, came up with the vintage goods flea market in 2024. Resurrack Vintage Market operates on weekends from 3pm to 9pm, attracts up to 500 attendees weekly, and has more than 16,000 followers on Instagram. Ms Karl is also the valedictorian of TP's 2025 business cohort and the recipient of the Pan-Pacific Award for All-Round Excellence. The award commends and acknowledges polytechnic graduates who excel in their studies and have made outstanding contributions in their co-curricular activities. She is one of nearly 5,100 students across 37 full-time and 49 part-time diploma courses graduating from the polytechnic from May 2 to May 13. Ms Karl found her success, both inside and outside the classroom, to be surprising, particularly given her struggles with academic studies during her primary and secondary education. 'I felt like I couldn't keep up with everyone else. It was very demoralising and affected my confidence,' she remarked. However, Ms Karl found her groove in the hands-on learning environment of polytechnic. 'The way we learn is different. Projects allow me to be more flexible and creative, and I enjoy the collaborative aspect of group work,' she said. It was at TP that she met her business partner, Mr Loh, through shared classes in their first year in poly. She found his entrepreneurial spirit 'infectious' and counts him as one of her main inspirations. Mr Loh was running an online business selling vintage goods online when the two met in their first year of polytechnic. In July 2023, he approached her with a proposal to become his business partner as he sought opportunities to grow his business. In October 2023, the pair opened a physical store, Resurrack , as a one-stop shop for different types of vintage goods at the now-defunct Peace Centre shopping mall in Sophia Road. The shop was open from Friday to Sunday every week. The pair sold vintage goods, such as vinyl records, toys and cameras, sourced from over 30 vendors and funded the venture entirely themselves. Ms Portia Gabrielle Karl and business partner Isaac Loh outside their store Resurrack at the Peace Centre shopping mall, which has since been demolished. PHOTO: COURTESY OF PORTIA GABRIELLE KARL However, managing a shop as a full-time student meant that she would often have to complete school assignments at Resurrack during pockets of free time. The store remained operational until January 2024, at which point Peace Centre permanently closed. Following this, Resurrack went on hiatus as both Ms Karl and Mr Loh went to Vietnam for an overseas internship programme. The business partners reached out to different malls in Singapore during this period to scale up their business from a single physical outlet to an entire street market. An agreement with CapitaLand was eventually reached for the use of Bugis Street Art Lane. The Resurrack Vintage Market at Bugis Street Art Lane in Victoria Street attracts up to 500 attendees weekly, and has more than 16,000 followers on Instagram. PHOTO: COURTESY OF PORTIA GABRIELLE KARL Ms Karl said: 'We were looking to expand and scale up. Rather than just a single shop, we wanted to be the main landlord and event organiser.' In order to help manage the new venture, Resurrack Vintage Market, Ms Karl also co-founded events agency Elevents in August 2024, which focuses on organising youth-targeted events in Singapore. Resurrack Vintage Market ran its first market in November 2024. Ms Karl said that she tries to be on the ground to manage the event as much as possible. The six core team members of Resurrack are mutual friends of both her and Mr Loh, whom she met during her time at TP. Customers shopping for vintage goods at the Resurrack Vintage Market, which operates on weekends from 3pm to 9pm. PHOTO: COURTESY OF PORTIA GABRIELLE KARL Regarding her ability to maintain her grades while managing the business, Ms Karl said that she has had to make sacrifices: 'There were definitely moments when the pressure of juggling school and the business was overwhelming, and many late nights spent catching up on assignments after long days at the market.' 'I've (also) had less time for myself and less time to spend with my friends.' Ms Karl stated her intention to pursue a business degree at the Singapore Management University. She also plans to continue working on Resurrack and Elevents while studying in the hopes of selling the business once it has grown sufficiently. Running a business while studying helped to enhance her TP education, she said, as it allowed her to 'directly apply concepts we learnt in class, like accounting, to real-life scenarios'. She added: 'When I came (into TP), I thought the only path was to work a nine-to-five corporate job. I never thought I could start my own business.' When asked about the biggest lesson she learnt from her time in TP, Ms Karl said: 'I've learnt not to limit myself and that I can take on more in life. Coming into TP, I never thought I'd be able to do so much. 'Anything is possible.' Clarification note: Temasek Polytechnic has clarified that 5,100 students are graduating between May 2 and May 13, instead of 5,700. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
