Latest news with #MSG
The South African
17 hours ago
- Health
- The South African
Future of SASSA grant for pregnant women hangs in the balance
Did you know that a SASSA grant for pregnant women has been on the table for some time now? First tabled in 2012, it's known as the Maternal Support Grant (MSG), and it's a shame it has been in limbo for more than a decade. At its heart, a SASSA grant for pregnant women hopes to address the fact that nearly one-third of children born in South Africa are stunted. This is due to poor nourishment of the mother. In fact, 2.5 million people live in nutritionally insecure households, according to the South African Medical Research Council. Even though it will cost billions annually, the savings a maternity grant will bring are said to be ten-fold. Image: File As such, mothers who are malnourished during pregnancy have much higher odds of poor birth outcomes. This includes low birthweight, poor neurodevelopment, and increased risk of chronic disease later in life. This is why the proposed SASSA grant for pregnant women came about. And many in civil society say the South African Social Security Agency should combine it as an extension of the existing R570 Child Support Grant. However, despite the draft policy being 13-years old, the Department of Social Development (DSD) says it still hasn't reached Cabinet. Last year, in November 2024, the policy was submitted to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD) Cabinet Committee. But it was sent back for 'further work,' saying poverty, unemployment and inequality need to be addressed jointly. In more than a decade, the DSD has not even presented the draft policy to Cabinet. Image: File Some worry a SASSA grant for pregnant women would 'incentivise child birth and create a dependency syndrome.' However, civil society says it has been more than a decade since the DSD commissioned research on the benefits of a SASSA grant for pregnant women. And in that time the body of evidence in its favour has only grown stronger. Therefore, the absence of income support for pregnant women is a big gap in the country's social security framework. According to advocacy groups, a SASSA grant for pregnant women would require in the region of R1.9 billion to R3.2 billion annually. However, the potential saving to public health would exceed R13 billion. It is therefore a critical investment into the future of the nation. But what do you think …? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pacers' T.J. McConnell taunts Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Ben Stiller in surreal moment
T.J. McConnell gave the star-studded celebrity row at Madison Square Garden a little taunting after hitting a 3 in the first half of Game 5 between the Knicks and Pacers on Thursday night. The Pacers point guard knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:14 left in the first quarter to cut the Knicks' lead to 25-18, and on his way back up the court to play defense, he flexed on the celebrity supporters, which was captured by a photographer and posted to social media by the team's X account. Advertisement The hilarious photo shows McConnell gesturing toward the stunned row, which included Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh, Timothée Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenner, and Ben Stiller. The image shows the reaction of the crew with varying degrees of emotions. T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers shooting the ball during Game 5 on May 29, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images Stiller, who is off on the edge of the frame on the right, appeared to be staring McConnell down as Teller seemed to be making a face of frustration mixed with some resignation. Chalamet didn't seem to notice, and Jenner looked almost surprised as McConnell celebrated in their direction. While the trey felt like a big one, the Knicks maintained control throughout much of Thursday's Game 5 at MSG. T.J. McConnell jumps for a rebound during the first quarter of Game 5. Jason Szenes / New York Post The building was packed with stars, aside from the ones McConnell appeared to gesture to. Advertisement Celebrity fans Spike Lee and Tracy Morgan occupied their usual courtside seats, while TV personalities Gayle King and Michael Strahan also sat front row. 'Law & Order: SVU' stars Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish made the trip to the Garden for the game, as did singer Shaboozey, 'Sopranos' star Michael Imperioli and 'Euphoria' star Maude Apatow. Thursday's game did appear to disprove WFAN host Boomer Esiason's presumption, which he made on his morning sports talk show, that the team played better on the road because they 'hate' playing in front of the celebs at MSG.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Belal Muhammad eyes Madison Square Garden bout amid rumors of potential Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena pay-per-view
Belal Muhammad. Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA, has the eye of every other fighter due to the venue's illustrious combat sports history, with the latest desire to fight there expressed by the former welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad. The venue has seen the likes of Muhammad Ali and Conor McGregor, who have achieved significantly throughout their careers. Muhammad's interest in the venue stems from the possibility of one of the biggest pay-per-view events being held at the venue, featuring Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev . Former welterweight Belal Muhammad reveals his upcoming plan within the Octagon, wishes for Jack Della Maddalena to win his upcoming bout The newly crowned welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, has had much time to sit back and relish his achievement after defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. Shortly after Muhammad's debacle, UFC wasted no time in announcing a move up by Islam Makhachev to the welterweight division after vacating his lightweight title and immediately getting a title shot. Despite the lack of time to process the glorious win and prepare himself to defend the title immediately, Della Maddalena, instead, seems pretty confident and hyped up for his first title defense against Makhachev. The fighter, in a recent interview with ESPN, expressed his desire to fight in Madison Square Garden, citing the examples of Muhammad Ali and Conor McGregor, who rendered some unforgettable fight experiences for the audiences and fans at the venue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The former welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, also joins the league of players eyeing the venue while revealing his next plan of action within the division in a recent interview. In the latest Remember The Show episode, when the fighter asked about his opinion on the possibility of Makhachev fighting for the title against JDM happening at MSG, Muhammad quickly replied, 'Yeah, I am excited, right! If it's MSG for sure, I wanna be on that card. And definitely be on the same card as them.' The fighter justified how MSG as a venue would be a better option for Makhachev, 'I think it makes a lot of sense. I don't think it makes sense for Islam to go all the way to Perth. I think in MSG, they usually have a big card, a big night event. I don't know if they are trying to do Jon Jones for it.' Muhammad reveals the next plans for himself within the Octagon, 'For me now, it's jut locking it in and making the next guy pay. I am not the type that's gonna be like, 'Oh Jack s*cks and ….' I hope he wins. I hope he wins every single one of his fights and then we meet again and I get the belt back from him. Whoever he is fighting.' Muhammad seems quite fixed on redeeming himself from the title loss, and that too against Della Maddalena only. Also read: Former UFC champion Conor McGregor leaves fans in awe as he posts images and videos of his son engaged in soccer training UFC 315 had resulted in one of the major shakeups within the promotion. Had the situation been otherwise, with Muhammad still holding the championship belt, Makhachev wouldn't have moved up, and there would have been a heightened possibility of Makhachev facing the former featherweight Ilia Topuria
Time Out
2 days ago
- General
- Time Out
This NYC food tour shares the real stories of Chinatown
Chinatown has a special place in Chloe Chan's heart. Born and raised in New Jersey, Chan and her family would make regular visits to Manhattan's Chinatown, picking up goods from local marts and eating at local restaurants—Chan even took piano lessons from a teacher in the area. After graduating from New York University with a degree in public health, she sought ways to stay involved in her community. So she signed up to be a volunteer tour guide at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). Around the same time she started, Anna Huang also began, having previously worked as a tour guide in Boston's Chinatown. The two became friends while working as docents at the museum, giving tours to corporate clients and participating in special events. Eight months in, they began training to give tours outside of the museum and to host historical walking tours around Chinatown. But just as they got certified, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the city, effectively turning the area into a ghost town. 'Everything is always open, especially Chinatown,' said Chan as she recalled the early days of the pandemic, mentioning that whispers of the virus had reached the area in January. 'It was such a hub for nightlife, and people always go after a night of drinking. It was really jarring to see.' Overnight, restaurants, bars and small businesses closed in the area, many for good. Alongside concerns for public health, the Asian-American community faced a rise in AAPI-hate due to racial stereotyping and misinformation. In light of this, Chan and Huang decided they could use their shared historical knowledge to combat racism and bring about a positive change in their community. 'We thought this was a teaching moment where we could draw parallels against history because this is not the first time we've gone through something like this,' said Chan, citing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 that restricted immigration into the United States, which particularly impacted Chinese immigrants. 'That's what the museum really prepared us for—this moment where we could be of use to the community.' And so at the height of the pandemic, the two formed the Mott Street Girls (MSG). The name holds a double meaning—one that alludes to one of the most popular streets in Chinatown, while the acronym of the business, MSG, nods to the umami flavor compound commonly used in Asian cuisine. Their mission? To make Chinese American history and culture more accessible through public tours, education via social media and working with local community organizations. Differentiating themselves from other tour guides, particularly those led by outsiders with questionable sourcing, Chan and Huang leveraged their shared heritages and skill sets to create tours for the community, by the community. 'Being second-generation Chinese Americans, we've experienced what it's like to be a marginalized group in the community, faced certain barriers and we lived through COVID," said Chan. "We [are] the best candidates to tell the stories of our community.' Currently, the volunteer-based tour company hosts two types of tours with slots available every other week. Putting what they learned from the museum into practice is the Relive Life Under the Chinese Exclusion Act tour. Their most popular option, the tour guides attendees through what life was like for Chinese Americans when they first arrived in the United States, from the barriers they endured to the eventual creation of Chinatowns across the country. Meanwhile, Flavors of Old Chinatown Food Tour tells the story of the community through its food. While other tours focus on what's buzzing, be it famous restaurants or where to get the best bubble tea, MSG's food tour focuses on small, mom-and-pop stores. Stops include the area's oldest tofu shop and businesses that opened up post-pandemic. Yet, both Chan and Huang are careful to center the people behind the food. 'During COVID, a lot of people heard statistics about Chinatown—the revenue that people lost and how many businesses closed. But you don't develop that deeper relationship with the community until you hear their stories, right?" said Chan. "Actually, step inside their stories, engage with the owners and taste a bite of their most famous dish. That's what we wanted to do with our tours: tell authentic stories of the people that have lived, worked and made a life for themselves in Chinatown.' Five years later, MSG's mission has expanded to fortifying Chinatown for years to come. Incorporating social justice into their business, each tour highlights current issues affecting the community, from lingering effects of COVID-19 to the construction of the world's tallest mega jail in the area. MSG's website acts as a resource with interactive guides that map shops, bakeries and tea shops in both Manhattan's Chinatown and Flushing, plus a backlog of over 60 articles that tell the stories of businesses in the area. The company has collaborated with other nonprofits and community boards, including Send Chinatown Love and Run for Chinatown. They also began working with local institutions, including Poster House, with a coming tour with The Met on the horizon. On their social media, Chan and Huang highlight Chinatowns found around the world, showcasing communities in Calgary, Canada, and Incheon, South Korea. And while Chan is regularly asked if MSG plans on hosting tours outside of Manhattan's Chinatown (New York has nine Chinatowns in total), Chan knows that her mission is here.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
How this restaurant quietly became one of S.F.'s hottest reservations
To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, it's good to be Ernest. My first visit was on a Saturday night, and the restaurant was a scene. The clientele appeared direct from central casting — interior, hip restaurant, night — with young couples on dates, a multiculti group of thirtysomething friends, a septet of men in slacks there to do Business. Aside from the VC party, the diners were noticeably fashion-forward for San Francisco, dressed for a special evening out. They had waited weeks for this primetime date with uni toast and an MSG martini, and they were making an effort in the form of strappy heels and denim bustiers. Perhaps none of this would be surprising if Ernest were new. But the restaurant, tucked behind an industrial gate on a corner lot in the Mission district, celebrated its fourth birthday a couple of months ago. The three- or four-year mark can be a treacherous time for a date night spot that's no longer shiny and new, particularly in a turbulent economic climate in a region where even a bad month or two can have lethal consequences. Just ask Daytrip. But Ernest is defying the laws of restaurant physics. Of all the San Francisco restaurants I've visited in the last year and change, it's one of the most challenging to book, particularly if you'd like a proper table in the dining room between 5:30 and 9:00 on a weekend. It's a success story in an industry that could use more of them. What's its secret? The answer might not be replicable. If you've done your math, Ernest opened in March 2021 — not an ideal time to launch a restaurant. But Brandon Rice, who was chef de cuisine at Rich Table before striking out on his own, had been building out the space, formerly a coffee shop, since pre-COVID. He anticipated opening in spring 2020, then fall 2020. By early 2021, he realized he didn't have a choice. He had to open, even if it meant doing only 40 covers a night, outdoors. As a business decision, it proved providential. New restaurants were scarce, diners were starting to get vaccinated, and we were all eager for something, anything to look forward to. Soon, Rice had over 1,000 people on a waitlist vying for those 10 tables on the sidewalk. When I asked Rice about his recipe for success, he explained the unlucky-lucky timing, and then paused. 'But we also cook really delicious food,' he clarified. He's right about that. Without the delicious food of it all, those thousand-plus would-be customers would have eventually checked Ernest off their lists and moved on to the next one. But Rice's food keeps them coming back. On one visit I saw an elegant older woman hug our server goodbye. ('That must be Joan,' said Rice. 'She's so kind.') Another regular is so passionate about Ernest's signature cocktail, the makrut lime fizz ($17), that they know to stock up on its key ingredients before he comes in. He must have been in the private dining room on my first visit, when I watched a bartender line up a dozen coupes and pour several rounds of frothy, opaque, pale yellow liquid from a shaker. An improbable sounding concoction of cachaça, makrut leaf vodka, egg whites, soda water and sour cream, it's an aromatic, adult egg cream, and if you're imbibing, it must be ordered. With the exception of a few core dishes, Ernest's menu changes with impressive frequency. During my three visits, only one main protein — a hanger steak ($47) with Bordelaise sauce and Robuchon potatoes, equal parts butter and spud — made a repeat appearance. If it happens to be on the menu during your visit, jump on it; it's one of the most flavor-packed steaks I've had in recent memory. Rice marinates the beef in shio koji, a fermented concoction powered by the mold behind soy sauce and miso, before hard searing it and then poaching it, low and slow, in garlic- and thyme-infused clarified butter. It reminded me of a dry-aged steak, basted with compound butter, but with the flavor turned all the way up. A large portion of the menu is given over to raw fish, and anything from this section is a wise bet. A recent dish of San Francisco Bay halibut ($23), simply cured with kombu, was a delectable vehicle for the kind of ginger scallion sauce you might find served with Chinese poached chicken. Asian flavors make frequent cameos in Ernest's dishes, as in his photogenic sushi rice dish ($23). If I were Rice's editor, I would tell him he's burying the lede. What you get when you order the 'sushi rice' is a generous portion of beef tartare, topped with a generous layer of salmon roe. There is also rice, smacking of mirin and vinegar, as well as sheets of toasted nori for DIY hand rolling. It's to be expected, with a menu that doesn't get complacent, that some dishes don't land as solidly as others. A riff on pork belly buns made with mortadella had a mantou-to-filling ratio that tipped towards the doughy. Artichoke and fava beans were overpowered by the accompanying anchovies, and I say that as an anchovy fanatic. But generally speaking, you are in ambitious, skilled hands at Ernest. Trust fall by springing for the $99 per person 'let the kitchen cook for you' menu, and you'll have a pleasurable evening. The only problem with that tasting menu is that it likely won't include all three desserts, unless you're dining with a large party. Each is better than the last: the custardy Basque cheesecake, barely holding its form in the middle; the towering sundae with hazelnut praline and chocolate magic shell ($13), like Kinder Bueno run through a soft serve machine; the enormous kakigori, shaved ice the size and shape of Wilson from 'Castaway,' dressed up in seasonal attire (peaches with jasmine tea and boba, strawberries with crème fraîche and crunchy shortcake crumbles). Ernest is one of the best places to eat dessert in San Francisco, and you should return until you've tried them all. Service is adept and friendly, as you might have gathered from the hugs, making the industrial space feel warmer than it should, and the playlist featuring Hot Chip and José González will make Millennials feel like they're back in the dorms. If you're waiting an unreasonably long time for the bathroom, sorry, it's me in there, parsing all the framed menus and business cards from international restaurants that Rice has collected on his travels. No one sensible thought it was a good idea to open a restaurant in early 2021, and Ernest's initial popularity can certainly be attributed to its counterintuitive timing. But when we recently asked Chronicle readers about the most unforgivable omissions from our Top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area list, Ernest came up again and again. Scarcity and hype don't create that type of loyalty. Ernest has earned it. Ernest 1890 Bryant St. Suite 100, San Francisco. Noise level: Moderate to loud. Meal for two, without drinks: $120-200; 'let the kitchen cook for you' option is $99 or $139 per person, depending on number of courses, and requires participation of the entire table. What to order: The menu changes often, but some recent favorites include Parker House rolls with house cultured butter and buttermilk ($9); SF halibut with ginger-scallion sauce ($23); hanger steak ($47); all the desserts. Meat-free options: Somewhat limited — maitake tempura with ranch ($19); Koshihikari fried rice ($23) Drinks: A well-curated list of about a dozen wines by the glass, in addition to beer, sake and cocktails. The makrut lime fizz is a must; don't be scared off by the sour cream. Best practices: There are two dining zones. Upstairs, open to the kitchen, is the main dining room, and downstairs, two tables and 10 seats at the bar. Book the former if you want a more traditional, and private, dining experience. Expect families with babies on Sundays at 5 and young folks ordering martinis on Fridays at 9:15.
