Latest news with #Manet
The Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
A turtle rescue, mud wrestlers and a Syrian rose garden: photos of the day
People at work in a rose garden. Growing roses provides financial opportunities for farmers and displaced people in the rural outskirts of Idlib, Damascus and other cities Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Smoke rises from the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, which has prompted evacuation orders Photograph: BC Wildfire/Reuters Violet Chachki performs at the Betsey Johnson and the Elton John Aids Foundation Pride party at the Hole Gallery Photograph:for Betsey Johnson Swans and their cygnets in Hyde Park in central London Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Manet's painting At the Cafe (1878, left) on display with Corner of a Cafe-Concert (1878-80) at the National Gallery. They originally formed part of a larger composition known as Reichshoffen, the name of a Parisian brasserie and cafe-concert Photograph: James Manning/PA Edmonton Oilers superfan Dale Steil wears face paint and lights before game five of the Western Conference finals in the NHL Stanley Cup ice hockey playoffs Photograph: Gareth Patterson/AP Young mud wrestlers rest as they watch others train at the Shree Shahu Vijayi Gangavesh Talim, a residential gymnasium Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images Four tugs and a pusher boat transport the first of eight tunnel sections for the Scheldt tunnel from the construction dock in Zeebrugge to Antwerp. Each section is 160 metres long and weights 60,000 tonnes Photograph: Shutterstock People vote at a polling station during the second day of early voting in the presidential election Photograph: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images Tourists visit Badwater Basin as an extreme heat warning is issued in Death Valley national park Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images A moth emerges from a cocoon hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum Photograph: Marco Ugarte/AP A child stands next to sacrificial camels at the camel market ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha Photograph: Mohamed Hossam/EPA Seagulls hunt pearl mullet during their annual migration from Lake Van Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Rescuers search for victims after the collapse of a natural stone quarry in the Cirebon district Photograph: Okri Riyana/AP A mature loggerhead sea turtle is hoisted into truck for observation after being caught in fishing gear. Since 1998, a rescue centre in Watamu on the Indian Ocean has assessed, tagged and released more than 24,000 turtles Photograph: Fredrik Lerneryd/AFP/Getty Images Allah Bakhsh, a 55-year-old farmer living by the Chenab River, tends to his early morning chores at his home Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters Newly recruited soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces in a 10-hour 40km hike near the Dead Sea Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock Palestinians at the site of an overnight Israeli strike on Jabaliya, north of Gaza City Photograph: Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bespoke this, vintage that! 12 overused words we have had enough of
Brands use all kinds of words to make their products seem unique. But what happens when those descriptions become clichés in and of themselves? Sunday Times looks at adjectives that seem more meaningful than they really are It may conjure up an image of an artisan slaving over a handloom saree for months, but that is rarely the reality. Whether it's made by (underpaid) hands or a machine, you can just call it whatever you please. So why yes, this water bottle has been crafted by hand, and we're sticking to that story. It may conjure up an image of an artisan slaving over a handloom saree for months, but that is rarely the reality. Whether it's made by (underpaid) hands or a machine, you can just call it whatever you please. So why yes, this water bottle has been crafted by hand, and we're sticking to that story. Once upon a time, only museums had curators — you know the guys who put art shows together so that we could be sure that everything hanging on the wall was of a certain quality even if we didn't know the difference between a Monet and Manet. Now, it's so ubiquitous that everything from menus to cosmetics and credit cards are curated so that you can be reassured of good taste. Still not sure? How about 'carefully curated', as if the other curators were just slapping things together unlike the great thought you put in to 'curate' this list of cat videos. Once upon a time, only museums had curators — you know the guys who put art shows together so that we could be sure that everything hanging on the wall was of a certain quality even if we didn't know the difference between a Monet and Manet. Now, it's so ubiquitous that everything from menus to cosmetics and credit cards are curated so that you can be reassured of good taste. Still not sure? How about 'carefully curated', as if the other curators were just slapping things together unlike the great thought you put in to 'curate' this list of cat videos. Typically, for something to be deemed 'vintage', it must be between 20 and 100 years old, but accuracy is for suckers. Instagram is rife with pages advertising 'vintage' and 'preloved' (isn't that a way cooler name for used duds?). You don't even have to rummage through jumble sales at thrift shops for your not-so-old vintage clothing. You can simply order it online. And don't be upset if it's tattered or smelly, that's just its charm. Typically, for something to be deemed 'vintage', it must be between 20 and 100 years old, but accuracy is for suckers. Instagram is rife with pages advertising 'vintage' and 'preloved' (isn't that a way cooler name for used duds?). You don't even have to rummage through jumble sales at thrift shops for your not-so-old vintage clothing. You can simply order it online. And don't be upset if it's tattered or smelly, that's just its charm. From cocktails to villas, just about everything is bespoke these days. The word originally referred to products, most often suits, tailored for an individual. According to the Oxford dictionary, it denotes something that is made to order as opposed to something readymade and mass produced. But now, brands fling the B word about whenever they want to charge a higher price tag. An electronic brand recently launched 'bespoke' washing machines and fridges. What part of it is handmade or customized, pray? Even the neighbourhood darzi doesn't like to be called 'masterji', he's now a bespoke couturier but at least he is actually in the business of customized clothing. From cocktails to villas, just about everything is bespoke these days. The word originally referred to products, most often suits, tailored for an individual. According to the Oxford dictionary, it denotes something that is made to order as opposed to something readymade and mass produced. But now, brands fling the B word about whenever they want to charge a higher price tag. An electronic brand recently launched 'bespoke' washing machines and fridges. What part of it is handmade or customized, pray? Even the neighbourhood darzi doesn't like to be called 'masterji', he's now a bespoke couturier but at least he is actually in the business of customized clothing. Homegrown If you had told your mum that you'd brought her homegrown coffee, she'd wonder how you managed that feat when you can't even keep a succulent alive. But now that 'imported' has lost its cachet and make-in-India is trendy, every other desi brand boasts their 'homegrown' status, irrespective of their NRI founders or the American hedge fund that bolsters their very existence. It's as if the idea that we can make our own products and services is shocking. Next-gen As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they're dubbed 'next-gen'. Even if they're the same as they've always been or packaged a tiny bit snazzier. A next gen laptop or EV, we kinda get it but is that air fryer or mosquito killer lamp really next gen? The most liberal use of next gen is on filmi websites and social media feeds. Every nepo kid is a next-gen star and so what if all he or she has done is show off their airport or gym look to waiting paps and not even acted in a movie yet. Immersive At first, it was meant to be a multisensory theatre experience, but then came virtual reality, and now immersive can refer to anything from a video game to a trip to the restaurant or even a spa visit. If you're not deep into it, are you really even experiencing anything for real? Sustainable Every Indian brand now claims to be sustainable, irrespective of what their products are made of (often plastic), how they're packaged (did you want more plastic?) and what they release into the environment (you guessed it). Sustainable is not a descriptor anymore, more like a vibe. And as customers, the mere mention of the word makes us feel like we're Greta Thunberg. Win-win, perhaps? Experiential Time was when you went to school, on a holiday or even grocery shopping and got the job done. Now it's all about experiential learning, experiential vacations and experiential retail…it's all very special even if you can't seem to tell the difference, just take our word for it. Game changer This portable charger is unlike any other. Why, you ask? Because it has changed the game. What game? Don't sweat the small stuff. It isn't enough for something to be pretty or useful anymore, now it must disrupt the world as we know it, stir a revolution into being or be the first of its kind. Artisanal It turns out, just about anyone can be an artisan these days. Even rich kids white-labelling Chinese products, slapping on a ChatGPT-made sticker. This ice cream? It's artisanal, and so is that bag and those coffee beans. And this pillow cover that inexplicably costs an arm and a leg? That's the most artisanal of all. Holistic
The Star
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Pochentong Airport to be preserved as ‘historically significant site', says Cambodian president Hun Manet
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The uncertainty surrounding the future of Phnom Penh International Airport has been resolved, with Prime Minister Hun Manet confirming that neither he nor former Prime Minister Hun Sen ever planned to sell the airport to private companies. Instead, it will remain state property and serve the public interest. As he addressed celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the formation of the National Police on the morning of May 16, Manet clarified that the 'old', commonly known as Pochentong Airport by Cambodians, will not be sold. The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) will continue to manage the airport after it closed to commercial flights, most likely on July 10. He emphasised that preserving the site is important due to its historical significance and the benefits it provides to all Cambodians, particularly Phnom Penh residents. Manet noted that after flight operations are transferred to the new Techo International Airport, the existing infrastructure at Pochentong will be maintained, under the legal ownership of the state. According to the book 'Norodom Sihanouk: Sangkum Reastr Niyum, the General Development of Cambodia in the 1960s', Cambodian civil aviation effectively began in 1954, one year after the Kingdom gained independence from France. At that time, only two airports existed: Pochentong and Siem Reap. In 1956, Royal Air Cambodge was established, with regular flights from both airports. Initially, Pochentong Airport featured a 1,800 metre concrete runway, but this was later extended to 3,000 metres. By 1961, large aircraft like DC-8s, TU-104s, Convair 990s, Electras and Caravelles began landing there. The site features a 3,000 metre concrete runway, and has served as a major gateway to the Kingdom since the 1950s. - Phniom Penh Post/ANN The SSCA reported that Pochentong was upgraded to Pochentong International Station, with construction starting in December 1956, at a cost of 134.4 million riel. It was funded by the French and Cambodian governments, with additional subsidies from other sources. The scene of heavy fighting and regular rocket attacks during the Cambodian Civil War, the facility served as a lifeline for critical supplies during the siege of Phnom Penh. The final flight took place on April 10, 1975, just seven days before the city fell to the Khmer Rouge. During the despotic rule of Pol Pot, it saw limited activity, with only the occasional arrival from Beijing or Pyongyang. The airport was officially renamed Phnom Penh International Airport in January 2003. Chhang Youk, Director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), explained that the 70-year-old airport is one of the legacies of the late King Farther Norodom Sihanouk's Sangkum Reastr Niyum era and is a national heritage site. It witnessed multiple eras, from war and genocide to peace and development. 'The airport should be preserved as national property. Part of it should host an exhibition on its history, symbolising Cambodia's rise from colonialism and genocide to revival,' he said. 'Millions of Cambodians have passed through here and know it as Pochentong, despite changes in appearance or name,' he added. Youk emphasised that even as Cambodia moves forward, such heritage grows more valuable, as it serves as a testament for future generations to understand the nation's revival. He encouraged a permanent photo exhibition at the airport, incorporating available documents and testimonies from living witnesses familiar with its history. He believed this would attract both local and international visitors. 'Many elderly people who worked or passed through here, including former Khmer Rouge members, are still alive. Collecting their stories for display would be ideal. If we delay, they may pass away, and we'd lose these vital witnesses to history,' he continued. Pending final approval, the airport will cease commercial operations on July 10, with all flights redirected to the new Techo International Airport, approximately 35 kilometres away. -Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian PM and deputy urge police to step up fight against cybercrime
PHNOM PENH: Two of Cambodia's top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police. The concerns were articulated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, in separate letters addressed to the National Police on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Police Day, to be held on May 16. Manet, while acknowledging the numerous achievements of the National Police and commending their efforts in maintaining security across Cambodia, also highlighted the evolving global situation. He noted that the world is likely to face increasingly complex and unpredictable developments, with new challenges emerging that could impact Cambodia's political stability, security and public order. Despite the continued peace enjoyed by the kingdom, Manet pointed out the growing threat posed by new types of crime, including non-traditional offences, technology-related crimes and organised criminal activities. He emphasised that these challenges underscore the critical need to ensure security and societal safety, which are foundational to the first phase of his Pentagonal Strategy, the seventh-mandate government's national development framework. He called on police officers at all levels to intensify their efforts with a strong sense of national conscience, dedication, and sacrifice. 'I have great hope and firm confidence in the patriotic spirit, love for the homeland and loyalty of all our National Police officers,' Manet stated. He expressed satisfaction with their efforts and pledged continued support, both in spirit and resources, to ensure the police remain a high-quality, effective and prestigious law enforcement force. Echoing similar concerns, Sokha noted that 2025 and the years ahead will continue to be marked by a complex and unpredictable global environment. He cited factors such as geopolitical competition, military dominance by major powers, ongoing wars, and ethnic and religious conflicts in various regions as contributing to this uncertainty. He also highlighted a rise in cross-border criminal activities, particularly technology-related crimes, which he believed have varying degrees of impact on Cambodia. While expressing confidence that Cambodia is on track to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, he acknowledged that lingering and emerging challenges could negatively affect national security and public order. Among the issues he identified were the 'toxic schemes' of opposition groups that continue to harbour ambitions of overthrowing the government through colour-revolution tactics, as well as crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and, notably, the rise of internet fraud. 'These issues are directly tied to the responsibilities of the National Police,' he said. He emphasised the need for a conscientious approach to collectively safeguard peace, national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and public order. 'The National Police at all levels must remain constantly vigilant in fulfilling their duties with conscience and professionalism, working together to protect peace, independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure security, public order and societal safety, safeguard national achievements, elevate national honour and prestige, and serve the people with loyalty,' he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian PM, DPM urge police to step up fight against cyber-crimes
PHNOM PENH: Two of the Kingdom's top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police. The concerns were articulated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, in separate letters addressed to the National Police on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Police Day, to be held on Friday (May 16). Manet, while acknowledging the numerous achievements of the National Police and commending their efforts in maintaining security across Cambodia, also highlighted the evolving global situation. He noted that the world is likely to face increasingly complex and unpredictable developments, with new challenges emerging that could impact Cambodia's political stability, security and public order. Despite the continued peace enjoyed by the Kingdom, Manet pointed out the growing threat posed by new types of crime, including non-traditional offenses, technology-related crimes and organised criminal activities. He emphasised that these challenges underscore the critical need to ensure security and societal safety, which are foundational to the first phase of his Pentagonal Strategy, the seventh-mandate government's national development framework. He called on police officers at all levels to intensify their efforts with a strong sense of national conscience, dedication, and sacrifice. 'I have great hope and firm confidence in the patriotic spirit, love for the homeland and loyalty of all our National Police officers,' Manet stated. He expressed satisfaction with their efforts and pledged continued support, both in spirit and resources, to ensure the police remain a high-quality, effective and prestigious law enforcement force. Echoing similar concerns, Sokha noted that 2025 and the years ahead will continue to be marked by a complex and unpredictable global environment. He cited factors such as geopolitical competition, military dominance by major powers, ongoing wars, and ethnic and religious conflicts in various regions as contributing to this uncertainty. He also highlighted a rise in cross-border criminal activities, particularly technology-related crimes, which he believed have varying degrees of impact on Cambodia. While expressing confidence that Cambodia is on track to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, he acknowledged that lingering and emerging challenges could negatively affect national security and public order. Among the issues he identified were the 'toxic schemes' of opposition groups that continue to harbour ambitions of overthrowing the government through colour-revolution tactics, as well as crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and, notably, the rise of internet fraud. 'These issues are directly tied to the responsibilities of the National Police,' he said. He emphasised the need for a conscientious approach to collectively safeguard peace, national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and public order. 'The National Police at all levels must remain constantly vigilant in fulfilling their duties with conscience and professionalism, working together to protect peace, independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure security, public order and societal safety, safeguard national achievements, elevate national honour and prestige, and serve the people with loyalty,' he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
