Latest news with #Mandarin
Forbes
38 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Summer Rosés: The Heat Dome Edition
How are you bearing up in this heat wave? Hot enough for ya? How many times this week have you heard that, as we languish under the heat dome from h*ll? If the temperatures have you wanting to reach for something refreshing to drink, consider these French rosés that can transport you to cooler climes. Heat dome fix: Four coolers from the south By Ott 2024, Cotes de Provence. Fresh and zesty, with a pink grapefruit smack that plays nice with melon, sweet Mandarin and white nectarine flavors. The underlying herbal layer contributes some sage notes and everything swishes around delightfully in your mouth until the savory finish. Château La Nerthe 'Les Cassagnes' 2024, Cotes du Rhône. From a heritage producer's 30-year-old vines, this is a glassful of tangerine and wild red berries uplifted by a streak of blood orange and some salty mineral notes. Fine to drink on its own, but also a fresh accompaniment to small Mediterranean plates of lightly salted tomatoes, a salty-brined cheese, dolma and baba ganoush. Gerard Bertrand Cotes des Rosés 'Art Edition' 2024, AOP Languedoc. This limited-edition bottle, a collaboration between the winery and Australian artist Morgan Jamieson, is already dressed for a summer party. A blend of traditional southern France grapes, the winemaker says it 'celebrates the Mediterranean Art of Living.' Made from organic grapes on a masterful terroir, the wine burst with bright red fruits underlaid by an herbal/anise thread. Hecht & Bannier Coteaux d'Aix en Provence. A white-fruited (melon, nectarine) and peachy summery blend of Grenache and Cinsault, with classic herbal tinges. Pretty botanical artwork on the label portends what's within — a real charmer that makes a nice plus one at a party. Take five: Wines for cooling off J de Villebois 2023 Sancerre Rosé AOP. A light and fresh offering from the far-east Loire Valley, this light-salmon-colored, white-floral scented wine pops with small red fruits, plush raspberry, cherry and a meandering line of tangerine. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, very dry, elegant in both taste and presentation. Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleu Rosé. Terrific wine at a great price, this is one of the wines I think of when I think southern France and, particularly, the Mediterranean. A saline hint is accompanies by savory garrigue herbs, red fruits. So fresh and easy, it's tempting to drink the whole bottle in one sitting. (In fact, dear reader, I have!) Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhône Reserve 2023. A blend of the four typical grapes of the Rhône by an undisputed master whose entry level wines are made with just as much integrity as the prestige crus in the house. This one is peachy-pink in color, dry and fresh and delivers a tart red-fruit profile: think currants and pomegranate. PURE by Mirabeau 2024, Cotes de Provence. A peach party in a glass! This Grenache-driven blend delivers classic Provencal flavors of garrigue, brightly elevated by wild menthol and a tinge of tangerine. Light on its feet, pretty bottle for a summer party presentation.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump's picks for FBI leadership have ‘no idea what they're doing' and are ‘playing dress up,' former staffer says
A former FBI staffer has told The Atlantic that President Donald Trump's picks to lead the nation's top law enforcement agency have 'no idea what they're doing' and are 'playing dress up.' Michael Feinberg, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's field office in Norfolk, Virginia, left the FBI after getting a call from his boss in late May about a friendship with a former agent who criticized the president. Feinberg, a 15-year veteran of the bureau, chose to depart from the agency rather than be fired. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino became aware that Feinberg was friends with former counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, who has long provoked the president's fury. Strzok was fired during Trump's first term after the Department of Justice released texts in which he spoke negatively about Trump, who attacked him for his work on the probe into Russian election interference in 2016. The connection to Strzok was sufficient for the bureau to cancel a promotion for Feinberg, he told The Atlantic. His boss indicated that he might be demoted and that he would have to take a polygraph test regarding the friendship. He chose to leave the FBI. 'I love my country and our Constitution with a fervor that mere language will not allow me to articulate, and it pains me that my profession will no longer entail being their servant,' Feinberg wrote in his resignation letter, according to The Atlantic. He has chosen to speak out following his departure as former colleagues at the bureau have asked him to, themselves fearing retribution. In an essay published by Lawfare early this month, Feinberg argued that the FBI is increasingly concerned with 'ideological purity and the ceaseless politicization of the workforce,' which 'makes us all less safe.' He joined the FBI in 2009 because he wanted to 'protect both United States interests in the world and the rule of law on the domestic front.' Feinberg speaks Mandarin and helped lead the bureau's probe into Huawei, the Chinese technology company, which the U.S. alleged was stealing trade secrets from U.S. firms. Following his departure, Feinberg is unsure if any senior counterintelligence officials speak Chinese at the bureau. 'It's particularly concerning to me, as someone who dedicated his professional career to combating the Chinese Communist Party and all of its tentacles, to see resources and efforts diverted away from hostile foreign intelligence services and other serious threats to the homeland to focus on minor immigration status offenses,' he wrote in his essay. Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel became embroiled in the ongoing scandal about the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein earlier this month. They initially claimed that stark revelations would be made about Epstein and his connections to the wealthy and powerful. However, the Trump administration released a memo quashing the notion that Epstein had a client list and rejected any conspiracy theories surrounding his death by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019. Asked about the Epstein scandal, Feinberg told The Atlantic: 'They get a kick out of playing dress-up and acting tough. But they actually have no idea what they're doing.'
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
My first time on a big ship taught me a big lesson
Some traces of the former incarnation remain – signs in the bathrooms still have Mandarin translations, for example. The overall vibe, though, has loosened a top button to reach a happy balance of reserved and relaxed. It never skims too close to raucous party boat or fusty atmosphere vacuum. It's an enormous operation – they get through 480 dozen eggs and 200 kilograms of tomato sauce a day – but one where you rarely spot the seams. Immigration paperwork is done for passengers, so there's no lengthy waiting at border controls, and billing everything back to the cabin means there's no need to carry a wallet around. Most impressively, the Majestic Princess seldom feels crowded, even at full-3560-passenger capacity. There are enough places to eat, drink, watch shows and chill out for everyone to find their own favoured hang-out, whether zapping video game monsters in the teens club, completing Sudokus under the clear roof by the indoor pool or watching Mamma Mia on the giant screen above the lido deck. Other pleasant surprises include the uncramped cabins and the food – generally a couple of levels above mass catering expectation, even in the sprawling buffet and especially so with the plump crab cakes at The Catch by Rudi. Where the size of the ship is truly noticeable, however, is in port. It makes ferries and superyachts look like ants, and the effect of a couple of thousand people disembarking at once is hard to ignore. Rhodes, however, absorbs the influx better than Mykonos. The second stop on the journey around the Mediterranean has a vastly different vibe to the first. Rhodes is all about knights, rather than nights out, and the city walls are an easy walk from the port. This is the clue to explore the atmospheric medieval streets independently rather than on a tour. Ambling between the shops is a low intensity delight, and eventually leads to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. In the 14th century, the Knights Hospitaller took over and beefed up this once-Byzantine fortress. They stayed until 1522, when the Ottoman Empire conquered Rhodes, and the knights scurried off to Malta. The Palace is a handsome, redoubtable building, with giant stone staircases, centuries-old floor mosaics and interior vaulted roofs. It serves as a museum about the island and the knights, which is at its best when it switches from old stuff in glass cases to telling derring-do stories about multiple sieges. The entrance to the city walls is just outside the palace, with around a kilometre of ramparts open for strolling. This makes for a photogenic walk back to the ship, with views over lemon-tree-studded gardens and terracotta tiles. The mix of steeples, minarets and domes gives a visual snapshot of Rhodes' complex history. In Turkey, however, there's a chance to go back further in time, to the ancient Greek and Roman empires in Ephesus. These are also the ports where organised shore excursions come into their own – the hassle of organising transport and fear of not getting back to the ship in time are removed. This time, I pick the small group option. There are 14 of us, which pushes the boundaries of 'small group' somewhat, and it makes little practical difference at the House of the Virgin Mary in Selcuk. This shrine, on the site of where Jesus' mother supposedly lived out her final years, is furiously busy with Catholic pilgrims year-round. A big queue slowly snakes through, with a few seconds in the house, most people quietly wondering what the fuss is about. But at the main stop, the extraordinarily expansive ruins of Ephesus, being in a smaller group pays dividends. It's possible to huddle around the guide as she explains the temples, public baths, theatres and markets, without having to rely on crackling earpieces. Ephesus, first Greek, then Roman, then Byzantine, was once one of the most important cities on Earth. It was abandoned in the 7th century AD after a series of earthquakes and the silting over of the river, but it has an extensive footprint and several showstoppers among the remnants. These are headed by the Library of Celsus' twin-tiered facade, with multiple archways, soaring columns and steps that act as a grand pedestal. Loading The small group is also led into Roman-era terrace houses. The villas are undercover and remarkably well-preserved with extensive frescos and floor mosaics – the somewhat alarming one of Medusa was designed to ward off evil. They give the best idea of how the wealthy of Ephesus lived, with hypocaust central heating systems and private toilets. Given they're nearly 2000 years old, these homes are impressively advanced. Ephesus is one of several undeniable blockbuster sites, that include Olympus, Pompeii and the Vatican, that can be crammed into a short seaborne flit around the Mediterranean. In between come options for island beaches, mountain drives, winery visits and food tours. To pretend anything is tackled in great depth would be fanciful – this is a gluttonous meal made up of taster dishes. The secret of making the most out of a floating introduction to the Med is working out when to go big, when to go small, when to go niche and when to go solo. For a traveller used to planning his own way, this is the big lesson from the big ship – it's not independent, but there's freedom to choose how you see a rapid-fire series of top-drawer destinations. The details
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
My first time on a big ship taught me a big lesson
Some traces of the former incarnation remain – signs in the bathrooms still have Mandarin translations, for example. The overall vibe, though, has loosened a top button to reach a happy balance of reserved and relaxed. It never skims too close to raucous party boat or fusty atmosphere vacuum. It's an enormous operation – they get through 480 dozen eggs and 200 kilograms of tomato sauce a day – but one where you rarely spot the seams. Immigration paperwork is done for passengers, so there's no lengthy waiting at border controls, and billing everything back to the cabin means there's no need to carry a wallet around. Most impressively, the Majestic Princess seldom feels crowded, even at full-3560-passenger capacity. There are enough places to eat, drink, watch shows and chill out for everyone to find their own favoured hang-out, whether zapping video game monsters in the teens club, completing Sudokus under the clear roof by the indoor pool or watching Mamma Mia on the giant screen above the lido deck. Other pleasant surprises include the uncramped cabins and the food – generally a couple of levels above mass catering expectation, even in the sprawling buffet and especially so with the plump crab cakes at The Catch by Rudi. Where the size of the ship is truly noticeable, however, is in port. It makes ferries and superyachts look like ants, and the effect of a couple of thousand people disembarking at once is hard to ignore. Rhodes, however, absorbs the influx better than Mykonos. The second stop on the journey around the Mediterranean has a vastly different vibe to the first. Rhodes is all about knights, rather than nights out, and the city walls are an easy walk from the port. This is the clue to explore the atmospheric medieval streets independently rather than on a tour. Ambling between the shops is a low intensity delight, and eventually leads to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. In the 14th century, the Knights Hospitaller took over and beefed up this once-Byzantine fortress. They stayed until 1522, when the Ottoman Empire conquered Rhodes, and the knights scurried off to Malta. The Palace is a handsome, redoubtable building, with giant stone staircases, centuries-old floor mosaics and interior vaulted roofs. It serves as a museum about the island and the knights, which is at its best when it switches from old stuff in glass cases to telling derring-do stories about multiple sieges. The entrance to the city walls is just outside the palace, with around a kilometre of ramparts open for strolling. This makes for a photogenic walk back to the ship, with views over lemon-tree-studded gardens and terracotta tiles. The mix of steeples, minarets and domes gives a visual snapshot of Rhodes' complex history. In Turkey, however, there's a chance to go back further in time, to the ancient Greek and Roman empires in Ephesus. These are also the ports where organised shore excursions come into their own – the hassle of organising transport and fear of not getting back to the ship in time are removed. This time, I pick the small group option. There are 14 of us, which pushes the boundaries of 'small group' somewhat, and it makes little practical difference at the House of the Virgin Mary in Selcuk. This shrine, on the site of where Jesus' mother supposedly lived out her final years, is furiously busy with Catholic pilgrims year-round. A big queue slowly snakes through, with a few seconds in the house, most people quietly wondering what the fuss is about. But at the main stop, the extraordinarily expansive ruins of Ephesus, being in a smaller group pays dividends. It's possible to huddle around the guide as she explains the temples, public baths, theatres and markets, without having to rely on crackling earpieces. Ephesus, first Greek, then Roman, then Byzantine, was once one of the most important cities on Earth. It was abandoned in the 7th century AD after a series of earthquakes and the silting over of the river, but it has an extensive footprint and several showstoppers among the remnants. These are headed by the Library of Celsus' twin-tiered facade, with multiple archways, soaring columns and steps that act as a grand pedestal. Loading The small group is also led into Roman-era terrace houses. The villas are undercover and remarkably well-preserved with extensive frescos and floor mosaics – the somewhat alarming one of Medusa was designed to ward off evil. They give the best idea of how the wealthy of Ephesus lived, with hypocaust central heating systems and private toilets. Given they're nearly 2000 years old, these homes are impressively advanced. Ephesus is one of several undeniable blockbuster sites, that include Olympus, Pompeii and the Vatican, that can be crammed into a short seaborne flit around the Mediterranean. In between come options for island beaches, mountain drives, winery visits and food tours. To pretend anything is tackled in great depth would be fanciful – this is a gluttonous meal made up of taster dishes. The secret of making the most out of a floating introduction to the Med is working out when to go big, when to go small, when to go niche and when to go solo. For a traveller used to planning his own way, this is the big lesson from the big ship – it's not independent, but there's freedom to choose how you see a rapid-fire series of top-drawer destinations. The details
Rakyat Post
9 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
JKM Rescues 20 Kids From ‘'Dirty'' Penang Warehouse Centre
Subscribe to our FREE The Penang State Welfare Department (JKM) rescued 20 children, including a 15-day-old baby girl, from a warehouse and house in Bukit Mertajam on 21 July. A 20-year-old mother, believed to be the biological mother of the baby girl, was also rescued. JKM and the police raided the premises after receiving several reports about suspicious activities in the area. According to The children, 10 boys and 10 girls aged between 15 days and 16 years old, were believed to have been deprived of basic needs such as food, clothing, and safe shelter. The children were left in unsanitary environments. Image: Opalyn Mok/Malay Mail State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the children and the woman were believed to be of various nationalities. Lim added the children could converse in Mandarin but possessed limited proficiency in the Malay language. Preliminary investigations revealed that 12 children including the baby do not have birth certificates. However, six had valid documents but do not have parents or guardians. Meanwhile, two were handed over to relatives as their legal guardians. The children have been placed in designated safe places after the Bukit Mertajam Court approved temporary custody orders to allow JKM to take the children under its wing. They were also given health checks at the Seberang Jaya Hospital and met with JKM psychologists. As a result of the raid, five local adults were detained and suspected of acting as guardians of the place. State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim (centre) showing photos of the warehouse conditions. Image: Opalyn Mok/Malay Mail Lim shared the office received public complaints since last year but did not find children there during initial checks. JKM had to continuously monitor the premises before taking further action. They observed groups of children entering and leaving the warehouse under suspicious circumstances. The case is still under investigation with a special task force set up to coordinate documentation procedures and to investigate each child's background. The public is advised not to speculate on the case or it'll jeopardise ongoing investigations. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
