Latest news with #Latin-American
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, May 29, 1975: India may be elected member of Security Council
New Delhi, May 28: There is a good chance of India getting elected to one of the five non-permanent seats on the Security Council falling vacant at the end of this year when Iraq, Mauritania, Cameroon, Costa Rica and Byelo-Russia complete their two-year terms. Though Pakistan is staking its claims with China's support to the Asian seat, the African, Latin-American and Soviet blocs are inclined to support India's candidature. India has been a member of the Security Council thrice before, once during the Korean war and twice at the time of the 1967 and 1972 Arab-Israeli conflicts, when it played a notable part in bringing about a ceasefire followed by some positive moves to prevent a wider conflagration. Pakistan also has served twice on the Security Council, but on both the occasions it tended to side with the U.S. on all substantive issues. This is not the first time that Pakistan is trying to come in the way of India's election to the Security Council by canvassing for its own candidature. At least twice before it tried but failed to block India's election. According to the latest assessment, India stands more than an even chance of getting elected even if China canvasses actively for Pakistan. It is considered highly unlikely that the U.S., Britain, France and other Western powers will oppose India and back Pakistan in this election. But it coincides in a way with the new American policy of playing tough with the Third World countries at the UN.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Event at Binghamton City Hall brings local Haitian-American community together
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Mayor Jared Kraham joined members of the Southern Tier Haitian Association for a flag raising in observance of Haitian Flag Day. This national holiday celebrates the adoption of the Haitian flag in 1803 during the Haitian Revolution. Haitian independence came with the abolition of slavery and a sense of identity, liberty, and pride for its people. The group wore white to symbolize unity and strength as they endured the rain to pause and honor the strength and sacrifice stitched into the flag. Binghamton School Board Member-Elect Jesula Saintus says the day recognizes more than a historic moment, but a time of pride and tradition for the local Haitian community. 'Being Haitian is not just a nationality, it is a spiritual experience. We are culture, we are soul, we are the flavor in the food, the fire in the drums, the rhythm in the feet, the strength in the struggle, and the light in the darkest hour,' said Saintus. Haiti was the first Latin-American country to gain independence and is also said to be the world's first Black Republic. The flag's colors come from the French flag, but with the white taken out to symbolize Haiti's decolonization. Neuralink patient explains first year of life with brain chip Tee-rific golf legend is coming to 18th annual Dick's Sporting Goods Open Event at Binghamton City Hall brings local Haitian-American community together Justice Department, Boeing reach deal to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes Infant pajamas sold at Macy's recalled Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Fun, feisty Latin flavours at Sol, a new rooftop restaurant in KL
Perched on the 40th floor of The Met in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, is a restaurant called Sol. From an aesthetic perspective, the place is a head-turning stunner. A large, expansive space with a show-stopping bar and an open kitchen somewhere in the corner. Foliage is omnipresent throughout the restaurant and cascades alluringly from the ceiling like verdant green chandeliers. And then there is the view. High above the city's hustle and bustle, you'll get a panoramic visage of KL, from its restless traffic to the copious skyscrapers that wound around each other. And when you squint hard enough, you'll see the denizens of the city in miniaturised forms. It's an enthralling window into the cityscape and its people – all captured within a picturesque restaurant. Sol is the creative output of Leslie Gomez, the founder of the Olive Tree Group which operates restaurants like Frangipaani, La Chica and Luca, to name a few. Gomez has been blazing a trail in the local F&B scene since he first arrived from India many moons ago and opened his first restaurant, Pride of India, in 2003. In those fledgling years, his rate of expansion was relatively modest but began to pick up pace from 2013. Today, he owns and operates 30 outlets. The restaurant has a glass encased eating area that is ideal for star-gazing. With Sol, Gomez says he was actually looking to craft a rooftop bar in the city centre but chanced upon this space instead. 'I always wanted a rooftop bar somewhere in the city centre but it's tied up with buildings, so there's nowhere you can really get a good view of the KL skyline. 'When we saw this place it wasn't really designed for an F&B outlet – it was just an office space. So we redesigned it and everything fell into place,' he says. The restaurant is unique in that it espouses the values of fun-dining, a concept which juxtaposes good food and drinks against the backdrop of live entertainment in the nights. 'This idea is popular in places like Dubai. The food is a highlight but we also bring in good bands to play at night and over the weekends, so there is an entertainment element to your meal. It's something that no one else in KL is doing – I think we are the first ones to introduce the concept,' says Gomez. Gomez is the creative force behind Sol, which celebrates fun-dining and Latin flavours. The food is fused around Latin-American themes that also celebrate the eatery's Josper grill. The menu itself is spearheaded by experienced group chef Fazil Shahreen, better known as Jjay, who recently introduced a spanking new a la carte menu. To begin your culinary adventure here, sample the new fare like the Octopus & Chorizo Skewer (RM42), which is accentuated with pomegranate chimichurri and lime. The chorizo makes use of lamb and has been grilled with chorizo butter, lending it a smoky, meaty countenance that permeates throughout the musculature of the meat. The octopus has spring and bounce in its step, rationed out in bite-sized portions that take the hassle out of excessive mastication. Up next, try the Sesame Crusted Manchego Pepper (RM24). Here, Mexican peppers are stuffed full of Manchego and mozzarella cheese and topped with a pimiento salsa. Stuffed full of cheese, this breaded, deep-fried Mexican pepper is an instant charmer. The pepper is a breaded bombshell that is crisp to the touch and yet yields easily to a gentle succulence and sweetness. This Mexican beauty's natural attributes are given a shot of hedonism, courtesy of the ooey-gooey cheese that oozes out of its pores. It's the equivalent of pairing a good girl with a bad boy and watching sparks fly. Then there is the Rosaceo Salmon (RM42). Here, the salmon has been cured with sugar and salt for six hours, before being sliced up. Soft, velvety salmon is paired with dill oil and cauliflower crema in this inspired dish. The fish is then paired with a cauliflower crema, dill oil, caviar and capers crisp in what proves to be an inspired configuration that puts the voluptuous, silken qualities of the salmon on a pedestal. And yet, as good as the salmon is, the breakout star in this amalgamation is the surprising duo of cauliflower crema and dill oil which collude to provide creamy, oleaginous undertones and a touch of elegance to the meal. If you're up for another dip in sea-faring waters, look at indulging in the goodness of the Charcoal Seared Halibut (RM75). The fish is seared first before being lightly kissed with charcoal on the surface. The charcoal-seared halibut is paired with both salsa verde and salsa macha. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star This aquatic stunner is paired with a salsa verde and salsa macha (made with toasted chilli peppers, garlic, peanuts and sesame seeds) and juxtaposes the freshness and smoky undertones of the fish against the robust, slightly fiery salsa macha in what proves to be an union of equals. Perhaps one of the scene-stealers on the new menu is the Taco Beef Gnocchi (RM48) which features a classic chilli con carne interspersed with gnocchi – both of which are baked together and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Gnocchi and chilli con carne make for an unconventional yet winning pairing. This dish is the dictionary definition of 'hedonistic'. It's an unabashedly cheesy offering enlivened with the richness of the chilli con carne, whose goodness soaks into the pillowy contours of the gnocchi, lending the meal an instantly addictive appeal. The Nduja Cabbage (RM29) is a game-changer of a dish – the sort of revolutionary culinary icon that startles you into covert submission from the get-go. Even if you're not a fan of cabbage, you'll find yourself bending to the will of this vegetal vixen. While Nduja is traditionally a pork sausage, in this iteration, Jjay has converted it into a lamb variant and then turned that into a nduja butter. The Nduja cabbage converts a pedestrian vegetable into a culinary superstar. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star This unctuous power tool is then brushed over the cabbage, which is grilled and subsequently oven-baked. The cabbage is then enhanced with feta cheese, which has been whipped with jalapeno and coriander leaves and the entire concoction is topped with dehydrated black olives. The cabbage is astoundingly good – lightly charred, caramelised to a buttery, burnt consistency outside with a sweet crunch inside. The savoury richness of the nduja permeates throughout the vegetable while the feta adds a creamy, herbaceous element to the meal. End your meal on a sweet note with the beguiling qualities of the Tiramisu (RM30), which has Spanish coffee, smoked mascarpone, smoked paprika and honey chilli powder. Chilli in your tiramisu might not sound great in theory, but this sleeper hit is a surprising winner. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star I understand the foreboding and sense of apprehension you might feel about even trying this sweet, spicy temptation but let me assure you, sometimes the best adventures can only be experienced when you choose to take a leap of faith. Do this and you'll discover a world of pleasure hidden within the chambers of this dessert, which churns out a tapestry of bold, caffeine-laced flavours with surprisingly good fiery underpinnings. Moving forward, the industrious Gomez says he isn't content to rest on his laurels. Despite having only just opened Sol, he has plans to open even more outlets in the near future. 'I have been in Malaysia for 26 years now, and this country has given so much to me. I am very grateful and want to continue to give back, so in another three to four years, I hope to have 50 outlets,' he says, smiling. Address: Level 40, Menara The Met, Jalan Dutamas 2, 50480 Kuala Lumpur Open: Monday to Friday: noon to 2am; Saturday to Sunday: 3pm to 2am
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ben Affleck accepts he ‘loves Latinas,' reacts to ‘Hollywood's most eligible bachelor' tag after divorce from Jennifer Lopez
Ben Affleck seems to be truly enjoying his new single life, as the actor was spotted in high spirits during a recent outing in West Hollywood on Thursday. According to TMZ, The Accountant 2 star was snapped outside the Lavo Ristorante hotel when a paparazzo asked him in Spanish how he feels about being Hollywood's most eligible bachelor again. Affleck, flaunting his fluent Spanish skills, responded with a smile, saying 'Muy bien' (Very good), laughing at the comment. The actor has been sparking quite a few romance rumours post his divorce from pop star Jennifer Lopez in January this year. While we have no idea whether the Hollywood A-lister was on a dinner date or just catching up with a friend, he did reveal what kind of women he likes when the photographer asked him another question: 'Do you still like Latinas?' they asked, referring to the actor's ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, who has roots in Puerto Rico and is one of the most globally famous Latin-American singers. Affleck, in a heartbeat, replied, 'Yes, of course.' Affleck also dated another Latina actor, Ana de Armas, though the duo were involved for a very brief time. Also read: Ben Affleck says it is 'embarrassing' to talk about divorce from Jennifer Lopez; praises ex-wife Jennifer Garner In February, a source revealed to PEOPLE that Affleck is trying his hand at 'casual dating,' as he is super focused on his work now and 'if he's not filming, he spends long days at his office.' The Batman actor also seems to be spending a lot of time with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their three kids—Violet, Samuel, and Seraphina. While Affleck said he's feeling good about being back in the market, one of his close friends recently revealed to InTouch, 'No matter what Ben says, the fact is, he's happiest when he's in a long-term relationship with somebody he respects and sees as an equal.' They added, 'He's already experienced that a few times in his life, and he's resolved to find another relationship like that and, if possible, have more children.' Also read: Ben Affleck is 'crushing' on another of Brad Pitt's famous exes, calls her 'very hot,' 20 years after they dated the same woman For the unversed, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck infamously dated in the early 2000s and even got engaged, but soon after, they called off their engagement and ended their 18 months of romance. Decades later, they rekindled their old flame and got married, only to end it again in just two years. The Jenny from the Block singer filed for divorce on August 20, 2024. This followed their long-rumoured 'trouble in paradise' reports, which were quite visible on their faces during public outings. When they were separating, many theories floated around as the couple kept it mum till the end and only opened up about their divorce in separate interviews. One theory claimed their documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, had something to do with it. However, in a recent GQ interview, Affleck put an end to all those rumors, saying there is no bad blood and that, 'There's no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue [about our divorce]. The truth is, when you talk to somebody, 'Hey, what happened?' Well, there is no, 'This is what happened.''
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Breaking Down the Cardinals Selecting the New Pope
The longest conclave ever took place in the 13th century when the Church took almost three years—over 1,000 days—to elect Pope Clement IV Credit -Catholic cardinals from around the globe have gathered at the Vatican, retreating from the outside world to deliberate in secrecy on who will succeed Pope Francis. The Sistine Chapel has been sealed and the cardinals and Vatican staff have sworn an oath of secrecy. To chose the new pope, two-thirds of the 133 cardinals must agree on a name, meaning the winner will need at least 89 votes. Read More: The Vatican Faces a Defining Moment as Cardinals Prepare to Choose a New Pope Here is a breakdown on the cardinals who are voting. How many cardinals chose the new pope? There are 252 cardinals in total, but only those under the age of 80 can take part in the conclave. While that means that 135 cardinals are eligible to vote, two have announced they will not travel to Rome, leaving 133 cardinals to participate in the conclave. During the 2013 conclave that chose Francis, there were 207 cardinals—117 of whom were eligible. Like this year, two cardinals were unable to vote, and thus there were 115 cardinals who entered the conclave. What countries do the cardinals come from? According to the Vatican, the cardinals who will elect the new Pope are from 70 countries. The majority are from Europe, with 52 cardinals, 17 are from Africa, 16 are from North America, 4 are from Central America, 17 are from South America, 23 are from Asia and 4 are from Oceania. This will be the first papal conclave in which fewer than half the voting cardinals are European, showing a shift away from Europe-centricism in the Catholic church. In fact, it will be the most geographically diverse conclave in history, a legacy in part brought about by Pope Francis—the first Latin-American Pope, who consistently emphasized the importance of this diversity, and dismissed the idea that nationality or geography should determine who became Pope. He elevated cardinals from several underrepresented countries, including Myanmar and East Timor. Some of Francis' appointees are from countries that will be represented for the first time in a conclave, including the aforementioned two, Cape Verde, Paraguay, Haiti and South Sudan. Read More: Who Could Be the Next Pope? These Are the Names to Know According to the Pew Research Center, after Pope Francis, Europe is still 'over represented' in the College of Cardinals, but less so than during his election as Pope in 2013. The most underrepresented region based on population, they calculate, is Latin America, with 41% of the worldwide Catholic population as of 2022 but has only 18% of the voting cardinals. The country with the most cardinals is overwhelmingly Italy with 17 voting cardinals, followed by the United States with 10, and Brazil with 7. Many countries are only represented by one voting cardinal—including Peru, Serbia, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. The selection process Pope Paul VI ruled in 1970 that cardinals above 80 years old cannot vote for the Pope. Cardinals are elected by the Pope and hold their position for life. 108 of the cardinals eligible to elect were appointed by Pope Francis to the College of Cardinals, and the remainder were appointed by the previous two Popes, Benedict XVI and John Paul II. During the 2013 conclave, just 67 cardinals had been elevated by the previous Pope Benedict XVI to compare, and 48 had been elevated by John Paul II, who had been Pope until 2005. How long have other conclaves taken? If a conclave does not produce a new pope after 13 days of voting, a runoff election between the two leading candidates is held. The longest conclave ever took place in the 13th century when the Church took almost three years—over 1,000 days—to elect Pope Clement IV. Since 1831 however, the process has usually have latest less than a week. As for more recent papal elections, Pope Francis was elected on the third ballot in 2013, his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI was elected in two days. Generally, the length of time depends on the first few votes. One vote will be held on the first day of voting. If no candidate receives the necessary 89 votes, four votes will occur over the next two days— two votes each morning, and two votes each afternoon. These ballots are then burned—and the color of the smoke shows the outside world whether a Pope was chosen or not. If the smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney is black, it means no decision was made. If the smoke emerging is white, the public will know a new Pope has been chosen. The ballots are burned each two rounds of voting, unless a Pope is chosen. Read More: 10 Surprising Facts About Papal Conclaves If after the third day no decision has been made, the voters are allowed a one day break. Contact us at letters@
