Latest news with #MerryChristmas'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Deepak remembers father Rajesh's final moments: 'He held my hand and kissed it'
The demise of Tamil actor Rajesh sent shockwaves through the Kollywood film industry, with fans, filmmakers, actors and friends, paying tribute to the film legend. Speaking through tears with the media at the funeral, Deepak, the son of veteran actor Rajesh, shared a deeply emotional account of his father's final moments. He said, 'While we were bringing him down from the upper floor of our house, his oxygen levels suddenly dropped. As we placed him on the stretcher, he held my hand and kissed it." He also expressed profound pride in his father's legacy, saying, 'It makes me happy to see how much love and respect my father earned. If I can achieve even half of what he did, only then will his soul rest in peace.' Farewell from the Tamil fraternity Rajesh's demise on May 29, 2025, at the age of 75 eft the Tamil film industry in mourning. Several celebrities and political leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, paid their respects in person at his Ramapuram residence. Sudden decline in health According to reports, Rajesh had recently returned from a trip to Dubai, and according to Deepak, he seemed fine. 'He always took me along on trips, but this time I couldn't go. I don't know what he ate there. Even small things like a change in drinking water wouldn't agree with him,' Deepak said, hinting that his health may have deteriorated due to travel-related issues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo A prolific career in cinema and beyond A towering presence in Tamil cinema, Rajesh acted in over 150 films in multiple languages across a 45-year career. He debuted as a lead in 'Kanniparuvathile' and later transitioned into important supporting roles. He was not only an accomplished film actor but also a noted dubbing artist, writer, and television actor. He recently appeared in 'Merry Christmas' alongside Vijay Sethupathi . Additionally, Rajesh was known for hosting an astrology show on the 'Om Saravanaa Bhava' YouTube channel and served for two years as chairman of the M.G.R. Film and Television Training Institute. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's War on Christmas
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In 2015, Donald Trump, then a longshot presidential candidate, launched a campaign to reclaim Christmas from what he described as a creeping wave of political correctness. "If I become president, we're going to be saying 'Merry Christmas' at every store," he said on the trail that fall. Trump was casting the secular shift toward inclusive greetings like "Happy Holidays" as a cultural threat. A year after his surprise win, his team declared victory in the so-called "War on Christmas." "You can say again, 'Merry Christmas,' because Donald Trump is now the president," said then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. But a decade later, the promise of a restored Christmas is clashing with the reality of Trump's own second-term economic policies, with a 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports—enacted as part of a sweeping trade agenda—beginning to disrupt supply chains just as retailers prepare for the holiday season. "We have a frozen supply chain that is putting Christmas at risk," said Greg Ahearn, CEO of the Toy Association, in a New York Times interview. The Toy Association is currently lobbying the U.S. government to grant an immediate reprieve from tariffs on toys imported from China so that inventory can reach retail shelves in time for Christmas. In 2015, Donald Trump launched a campaign to reclaim Christmas from what he described as a creeping wave of political correctness. In 2015, Donald Trump launched a campaign to reclaim Christmas from what he described as a creeping wave of political correctness. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty "If we don't start production soon, there's a high probability of a toy shortage this holiday season." Defending his protectionist trade agenda, Trump has latched onto a hypothetical that critics say rings closer to Maoist China than a Republican U.S. president. In recent interviews and press briefings, Trump has argued that American children "don't need 30 dolls"—just two or three, or maybe four or five. But definitely not 30. While many parents might agree with President Trump that their little ones probably don't need another Barbie, toy makers, retailers and economists say that idea might be a tougher sell as tariffs on Chinese imports begin shaking up the holiday shopping season. The irony is stark: after years of railing against what he called attacks on Christmas, Trump's policies may end up doing more to upend the season than any cultural shift. 'A Grinch Trying to Steal Your Christmas' During last year's campaign, billionaire and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban warned that tariffs on Chinese goods would raise the cost of Christmas for American families. "Donald Trump is a Grinch trying to steal your Christmas," Cuban said then. That warning is now playing out. Economists say the full impact of the tariffs has yet to appear because many companies front-loaded shipments to the U.S. ahead of the approaching "Liberation Day" tariff announcement. "Many Chinese firms accelerated exports to the U.S. in Q1," said Henry Gao, a professor of trade law. "But as inventories shrink, cost pressures will surface more clearly in the second half of the year." A worker makes red Santa Claus hats for export at a factory on April 28, 2025 near Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China. The Yiwu area is home to thousands of China's small commodities companies, many of... A worker makes red Santa Claus hats for export at a factory on April 28, 2025 near Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China. The Yiwu area is home to thousands of China's small commodities companies, many of which in recent years due to trade tensions with the United States have looked to the Middle East, Africa and South America for new business. After President Trump put tariffs as high as 145 percent on Chinese goods, many producers saw orders from American clients cancelled or at least temporarily put on hold. More Photo byHoliday toy shipments typically leave ports in Asia around June to arrive in time for August and September inventory resets. Jonathan Gold of the National Retail Federation said the impact of higher tariffs will be felt soon. "The uncertainty around the tariffs is challenging for businesses, especially for small businesses that are currently preparing for critical winter holiday orders," he said in a statement. Owen Carr, chief merchandising officer for e-commerce firm Spreetail, told Modern Retail the holiday toy pipeline has been effectively frozen due to the lack of clarity around the on again, off again tariffs. "If you think the tariffs are going to go from 145 percent to 50 percent, you don't want to be the idiot that imported at 145 percent, because you'll never get that money back," he said. As families brace for the potential of a bare-bones holiday season, retailers like Aldik Home in Los Angeles are stuck in limbo. Owner Larry Gold told the Times he's holding back $600,000 worth of artificial Christmas trees ordered from China, unsure whether he will be able to afford to bringing them in. With political pressure mounting, some in the White House have been directly asked whether the administration's policies are threatening the holidays. Critics were quick to point out that Trump's newfound turn to austerity by calling for families to consume less is difficult to reconcile with his long-standing branding around luxury and excess, to say nothing of the money his family is raking in from crypto and other related businesses tied to their name. "Trump and Musk do not have a clue what it means for a working-class family trying to buy presents," Senator Bernie Sanders said on CNN, bringing in Elon Musk, the world's richest man and top Trump surrogate, to paint the administration as out of touch with working people. But Trump has not backed down, again delivering his now-familiar line about "the children" having too many dolls on both "Meet the Press" and again to reporters on Air Force One over the weekend. A Different World Central to the Trump administration's economic argument is that the tariffs will bring back American manufacturing. But economists and supply chain experts say the premise is deeply flawed. "We don't necessarily have the requisite capabilities in the workforce or supply chain to support such manufacturing activities. So when they say restore, that suggests bringing things back, and even then those capabilities might have been attrited," Willy C. Shih, a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, told Newsweek. While major retailers like Walmart have pledged to absorb some of the initial shocks—telling investors they're prepared to take a hit to their margins in the coming quarter—small and medium-sized importers are far less protected. A Barbie play set for sale at FAO Schwarz toy store in New York City on April 8, 2025. US toy group Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, has said that... A Barbie play set for sale at FAO Schwarz toy store in New York City on April 8, 2025. US toy group Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, has said that it may have to raise prices as it imports components from China, following US President Donald Trump's threats to hit China with additional tariffs. More Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images "A toy that sells for $30 today could cost nearly $70 under these tariffs," warned Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, the company behind Tonka trucks and Care Bears. He noted that businesses like his lack the margins to absorb such increases without passing the cost on to consumers. The ripple effects extend far beyond toys. U.S. dependence on Chinese manufacturing touches nearly every household category. Trade data shows that more than three-quarters of products like video game consoles, electric toothbrushes and kitchen blenders sold in the U.S. are made in China. Christmas in the Summer In one of his final remarks before leaving office in 2021, Trump claimed he had ended the so-called war on Christmas. "When I started campaigning, I said, 'You're going to say 'Merry Christmas' again.' And now people are saying it," he said. But with Trump's second term now underway, the war on Christmas may have taken a new turn. The fight over language might be over, but the economic impact of his policies could make celebrating harder than ever—with Americans already thinking about the gifts they're going to give come December. Although the Trump administration announced limited exemptions for electronics such as smartphones and laptops in April, those could be rescinded. In fact, just last week, the administration revoked tariff exemptions that previously allowed e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein to ship low-cost goods directly to U.S. consumers without import fees. Both companies have already raised prices on select items and adjusted logistics to route through domestic warehouses instead. Companies like Nintendo and Microsoft—both major players during the holiday season—are also feeling the strain. Nintendo has faced delays in pre-orders for upcoming products like the Switch 2 console, citing uncertainties around sourcing and pricing. According to an internal assessment memo from a Nintendo supplier, seen by Nikkei Asia, the majority of Switch consoles are manufactured in China. Microsoft, while not explicitly pointing to tariffs, attributed an eye-popping price hike on its Xbox consoles to broader "market conditions and the rising cost of development." A guest plays Mariokart World of the new Nintendo Switch 2 video-game console system of Japanese video-game company Nintendo during the worldwide presentation at the Grand Palais in Paris on April 2, 2025. A guest plays Mariokart World of the new Nintendo Switch 2 video-game console system of Japanese video-game company Nintendo during the worldwide presentation at the Grand Palais in Paris on April 2, 2025. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images That uncertainty is reshaping consumer behavior. Families are already adjusting how—and when—they shop. A recent GOBankingRates report encouraged early holiday purchases, citing price hikes and potential shortages. "Memorial Day sales may be a good chance to snag low prices on imported items like tech, toys, apparel, appliances, and home goods," the report noted. Even as the Trump administration celebrated strong jobs data—April's report showed 177,000 jobs added, beating expectations—concerns linger over economic instability. GDP figures for the first quarter showed the economy contracting, raising the specter of a possible recession later this year. Still, the White House remains confident the country is on the right track. "The tariffs are going to be great for us," Trump told NBC News on Sunday. "It's going to make us rich."
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Anderson .Paak working with Mariah Carey
Anderson .Paak is working on new music with Mariah Carey. The 39-year-old singer-and-producer let the news slip while appearing on social media series 'Track Star' - where guests try to identify mystery songs - as he correctly guessed the 56-year-old star's 1996 track 'Always Be My Baby'. Anderson - who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Mariah's face - said: "This would be Mariah Carey. The Mariah Carey. "I remember in like 5th grade, or something, watching the music videos and having a huge crush. We're working on some music on her new album.' News of the collaboration comes after the pair were romantically linked in March 2025 when they were seen holding hands after the iHeartRadio Music Awards, People magazine reported, and were also spotted leaving a restaurant together around the same time. Mariah hasn't released a studio LP since 2018's 'Caution' but she' recently confirmed she is busy writing songs, though she doesn't yet know when fans will get to hear her new material. Asked her future plans, she told Best magazine: 'I have a lot I want to do. I'm busy. 'I'm writing new material, so there is new music and a new album coming some time in the future. 'I'm not sure when. I'm just enjoying the songwriting process.' Last year saw Mariah celebrate 20 years since the release of her 'Emancipation of Mimi' album and she is still 'really proud' of the record. She said: ''The Emancipation of Mimi' is another album I'm really proud of. 'It was kind of a comeback album for me at the time and it's still one of my favourites. 'Celebrating and performing some of those songs this year was special.' And the 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' hitmaker is amazed her 'Merry Christmas' album has celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024. Asked if it seems so long since she recorded the festive LP, she said: 'It really doesn't. I usually don't like to think about numbers like that, but we have a 30th anniversary of the 'Merry Christmas' album out, which I'm excited about. I'm so happy people still love to listen to it.' It isn't only her own songs Mariah listens to over the festive period. She admitted: 'There are lots. I have a whole Christmas playlist that I love. 'Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' is one of my favourites. And 'This Christmas' by Donny Hathaway is another one.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seth Meyers Thinks Trump Just Blew Up One Of His Most Long-Running, Ridiculous Boasts
Seth Meyers, on Thursday, skewered Donald Trump's long-running claim that he's 'saved Christmas,' suggesting that the boast is now highly ironic given the economic fallout from the president's tariff policies. 'The Late Night' host pointed out how Trump has for years touted himself as the savior of Christmas, primarily by falsely claiming he made it OK for people to say 'Merry Christmas' again instead of 'happy holidays.' But with Trump admitting that prices on many consumer goods, including toys, are expected to rise, Meyer zinged: 'Thanks to Trump, you can say 'Merry Christmas' again. But you won't want to — because it's going to be shit.' The comedian also highlighted the GOP's silence on the issue. 'The silence from Republicans is glaring,' Meyers said, especially considering their past claims that it's liberals who want to restrict Americans' freedoms, including 'your right to buy whatever the hell you want.' Watch here: Fired Federal Worker Reveals Chilling Trump-Era Condition To Get Job Back Jeffrey Goldberg Reveals How Trump Weirded Him Out During Interview: 'Truly Odd' Dr. Phil's Portrayal Of Trump To His Face Has Critics 'LOL'ing So Hard JB Pritzker Spots Surefire Sign That Trump Is Seriously Rattled By Him
