Latest news with #Michael
The Courier
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Courier
Michael Marra: Dundee's humble champion is fighting for fairness, community, family and lasting change
If there's one thread running through Michael Marra's life and politics, it's a deep-rooted belief in fairness, community and the quiet strength of collective action. The Dundee-based North East Scotland Scottish Labour MSP is currently the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance. But long before Holyrood, he was marching for miners' rights as a child, raised in a household shaped by trade unionism, Catholic social teaching, and the melodic storytelling of his uncle – the legendary musician Michael Marra. Now 45, the MSP and former Lochee councillor speaks with the clarity of someone who has witnessed inequality firsthand – whether among the terraces at Tannadice, in Dundee classrooms where both his parents taught, or in the everyday struggles of his constituents. His politics embody practical socialism: less about slogans, more about delivering policies that make a 'real' difference. He's driven by putting money into people's pockets, investing in public services and rebuilding trust in a system many feel has left them behind. But when asked if he has ambitions to lead Scottish Labour, the self-described 'badly lapsed Catholic' and 'radical pragmatist' says it's not something he is 'actively pursuing'. 'Firstly, there's no vacancy at the moment – and I hope it stays that way,' he says in an interview with The Courier, speaking before Anas Sarwar was 'race baited' this week by Reform leader Nigel Farage. 'Anas (Sarwar) is a brilliant, charismatic, politically astute leader. 'Despite the current challenges – like the splintering of the anti-SNP vote – there's no one better placed to deal with them.' But while he doesn't rule out vying for party leadership in future, the father-of-three makes it clear he'd be reluctant to take on the role while his family are young. 'If it were to happen, it would be a long way off,' he adds. 'With my two youngest children at the ages they are, I couldn't do it. 'I've seen Labour leaders put in unbelievable work here in Scotland – often with little electoral reward, but with huge personal sacrifices. 'My children are in their early teens, and they need me now. Sometimes I don't feel I give them enough as it is.' Michael has strong views on international affairs, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza. But it's building a more equal society at home that truly drives him. That core motivator was powerfully reflected when he recently voted against assisted dying legislation at Holyrood. His decision wasn't influenced by his 'lapsed Catholic' faith, as some might assume. Instead, he explains, it stemmed from a deep concern that assisted dying could place a heavier burden on the poor and disabled. Until that fundamental imbalance is addressed, he cannot in good conscience support such a measure. This conviction underpins not only his stance on assisted dying but also his broader worldview, centred around what he calls 'Dundee first.' Born and bred in Dundee, Michael's roots run deep in the city's working-class and Irish immigrant history. His great-uncle was the secretary of the Labour Party in Dundee for 30 years. His great-uncle's father Nicholas Marra, meanwhile, founded both the Independent Labour Party in Dundee and the Jute and Flax Workers' Union. Growing up in a household where both parents were schoolteachers and active trade unionists, social justice and solidarity were lived realities. From marches organised by his dad during the miners' strike to organising holiday camps for children from Fife, activism and a belief in collective progress were part of his childhood. The Dundee of his youth was a city marked by economic hardship but also by community resilience and a fierce pride in local identity. Michael attended St Joseph's Primary and then St John's High School. He vividly remembers classmates who went on to be devastated by drugs and deprivation – a stark reminder of the city's persistent inequalities. He joined the Labour Party as a university student in Glasgow, initially hesitant due to New Labour's perceived shift to the right under Tony Blair. 'I wasn't a Blairite,' he admits. 'My sister joined before me.' But for Michael, Labour remains a vehicle for tangible improvements to ordinary people's lives. Asked if 'soft left' is an accurate description of his politics, he replies: 'I have a radical vision for a fairer economic future. 'I don't believe in the nationalisation of the top FTSE 500 kind of thing – I was never enamoured by Corbynism. I thought it was a pathway to electoral doom. 'But essentially I'm a socialist who wants to see significant progress on equality.' As Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, he focuses heavily on financial inclusion. He is critical of what he calls 'chaotic' SNP budget management and 'waste'. On the relationship between Scottish Labour and the UK party, he highlights the autonomy of the Scottish branch while stressing shared interests. He works closely with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Michael, who previously worked for Oxfam, supports a two-state solution and a free Palestine when it comes to the Israel-Gaza conflict. While acknowledging the trauma of the October 7 attacks on Israel, he describes recent Israeli state actions as 'completely unacceptable' and is sickened by the 'horrific' humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His family's ties to Palestine run deep. His father is active in Dundee's Nablus Twinning Association, and his late colleague Ernie Ross was a long-time supporter of Palestinian solidarity. On a lighter note, Michael is an avid Dundee United fan who's delighted to see the club back in Europe. A season ticket holder in the Eddie Thompson stand where he sits with his football 'fanatic' son and dad, he speaks warmly of the club's recent successes and the passionate atmosphere at matches. But the legacy of his late uncle Michael Marra, the celebrated musician, also looms large. 'Mick was a storyteller who captured the spirit of Dundee – its people and its struggles,' he says. 'We didn't always agree politically, but he was kind, caring, and proud when my sister entered politics.' Though he describes himself as a 'badly lapsed Catholic,' faith remains a cultural touchstone. Michael is deeply concerned about the rise of populism and right-wing politics globally. He links this shift to the atomising effects of social media, which promotes individualism over community. Locally, he takes pride in Dundee's strong community spirit and its tradition of female-led activism. Yet he remains worried about persistent challenges: child poverty, drug addiction, and economic decline. He also campaigns on issues close to Dundee's heart, such as supporting footballers with dementia. Asked about his hopes for the future, Michael is clear: 'I want more and better jobs in Dundee. I want schools to improve, young people to get work, and a more equal Scotland where people feel at ease with themselves. If politics can help make that happen, I'd be happy.' And his dream when that day comes? 'I'd be quite happy sitting at Tannadice with my grandchildren and not being recognised by anybody!'
Scroll.in
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Dilli Dark' review: An occasionally sharp, scattershot comedy about prejudice
Michael Okeke (Samuel Abiola Robinson) left Nigeria six years ago to make a home for himself in Delhi, but it hasn't been easy. He still has to spell out his name – 'It's not OK OK. It's Okeke'. That's the least of his problems. Racial slurs come his way from adults and children alike. He is even accused of cannibalism. Although he wants to be a marketing manager, he sells drugs to pay his bills – thereby fulfilling one of the stereotypes about his community. His fortunes change when he meets Maansi (Geetika Vidya Ohlyan), a self-declared spiritual guru. Michael's survival comes to depend on a woman who claims that she can work miracles on infertile women. Dibakar Das Roy's Dilli Dark is ambitious and provocative, a comedy that is consciously in bad taste. Completed in 2023 and out only now, Dilli Dark applies the lack of luminosity contained in the title liberally and literally. From exploring Michael's encounters with prejudice to the darkness that is waiting to leap out at every turn, the 101-minute film squeezes its premise dry. A story that starts out by highlighting racism becomes a generalised diatribe about the city's uglier side. Das Roy's screenplay fires over Michael's shoulder at Delhi's cruel attitude towards outsiders, the tendency of its residents to stereotype any experience they don't understand, and the all-round coarseness of life in the capital. Delhi's well-recorded instances of treating people from African countries badly suggests that whatever is happening to Michael isn't fictional. The plotting holds until Michael joins forces with Maansi. Up until this point, Dilli Dark successfully shows just how thick Delhi's air is with bias and apathy (and pollutants). Having no home to return to, Michael tries to make his peace with poor digs, a neighbour (Shantanu Anam) who is clueless about how appalling he sounds and dodgy employment prospects. But how can Michael get a job in a company without possessing a work visa? Bold in conception, occasionally sharp and even savage, the film loses focus with Maansi's increasing prominence. The narcotic-fuelled antics at Maansi's ashram and her dealings with Michael not only decrease his importance but also derail interest in his journey. Samuel Abiola Robinson, the actor from the charming Malayalam comedy Sudani From Nigeria (2018), does a decent job of playing a punching bag. Michael's permanent bad mood and naivete cannot diminish the horrors of what is being done to him. Among the secondary characters, Stutee Ghosh has a hilarious cameo as a child-seeking wealthy woman who consults Maansi. Various actors in bit roles nail the unthinking racism about dark complexions and foreigners for which Delhi, as well as the rest of India, is notorious. The film boldly holds up a mirror to ugliness, but then assembles too many people in the frame. Although Dilli Dark eventually abandons its grotesque edginess, there are standout moments, including a hilarious dream sequence and a kerfuffle involving meat left over in a fridge. Play
Hans India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Dilli Dark: A bitingly funny, unapologetically messy portrait of outsider life in Delhi
Set against the chaos and contradictions of modern-day New Delhi, Dilli Dark is a loud, unfiltered, and sometimes uneven satire that isn't afraid to swing wildly between sharp social critique and absurdist comedy. It's the kind of film that might make you wince one moment and laugh the next—often at the same thing. At the heart of it all is Michael, a Nigerian student trying to find his footing in a city that both seduces and rejects him. By day, he presents the picture of academic ambition, earnestly recording hopeful video diaries about building a new life. By night, he sells cocaine to Delhi's upper crust—people who happily snort his goods while treating him as a curiosity, a joke, or worse. Samuel Abiola Robinson plays him with a careful balance of vulnerability and wry detachment, capturing the fatigue of constantly performing different versions of himself just to survive. Much of the film's strength lies in how it portrays the double consciousness of being a Black man in a city that sees you as both invisible and hyper-visible. Michael is a character constantly walking a tightrope—exoticised, fetishised, feared, but rarely understood. His attempts to find peace lead him to an ashram, where he meets a spiritual guru (played with sly brilliance by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan) who promises enlightenment but seems more interested in his supply than his soul. Ohlyan is easily the standout here. With razor-sharp timing and a wardrobe that oscillates between goddess and grifter, she skewers the self-help industry with deadpan charm. One scene, involving a televised spiritual brawl and a frantic hunt for cocaine, is so deliriously over-the-top it somehow circles back to being insightful. Visually, the film veers between grim realism and comic surrealism. At times, it resembles a fever dream—smoggy streets, blaring neon signs, and the ever-present hum of Delhi traffic forming a claustrophobic backdrop to Michael's existential drift. There's little subtlety here, but that's precisely the point. Dilli Dark prefers its metaphors painted with a broad brush: white powder, black bodies, murky morals. It's not delicate, but it is deliberate. The film also flirts with myth, drawing parallels between Michael's story and that of Razia Sultan, a historic queen rumoured to have loved a Black man—only to see him killed by a prejudiced crowd. This recurring motif adds a layer of tragic romance, reinforcing the idea that history has always had room for desire but not for equality. Dilli Dark isn't perfect—it stumbles in places. But it's bold, abrasive, and oddly moving in its own chaotic way. If nothing else, it's a vital, defiant shout from the margins—one that deserves to be heard.
Business Upturn
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
US Capital Global Names Michael J. Levas Partner to Co-Lead New York Office and Drive Expansion into Italy and Greece
San Francisco, California, USA, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — US Capital Global, a full-service global private financial group headquartered in San Francisco, is pleased to announce the promotion of Michael J. Levas to Partner. Based in Boston, Mr. Levas will co-lead the group's Northeastern U.S. investment banking operations while driving strategic business development across Italy and Greece. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years at top-tier Wall Street institutions—including Lehman Brothers, S.G. Cowen, UBS PaineWebber, Bear Stearns, and Advest—as well as as founder of The Olympian Group, Asclepius Life Sciences Fund, and Asclepius Ventures, Mr. Levas brings deep industry experience and a global perspective to his new role. 'I'm honored to take on this new role at US Capital Global at this exciting time of growth,' said Mr. Levas. 'With a strong base in Boston and increasing interest from European markets, particularly Italy and Greece, we are uniquely positioned to bridge capital and investment opportunities between the U.S. and the Mediterranean region.' In his expanded role, Mr. Levas will lead the group's regional strategy for client engagement and capital formation, with a focus on serving institutional clients, family offices, and private investors across both continents. 'Michael brings a rare combination of U.S. market expertise and European connectivity,' said Charles Towle, COO and Managing Partner at US Capital Global. 'His leadership will not only reinforce our East Coast presence but also drive the firm's expansion into high-opportunity markets in Southern Europe. Michael's dynamic approach and cultural fluency are already proving to be key assets.' 'I'm delighted to have Michael join me in co-leading our East Coast operations,' said Mitchell R. Cohen, Esq., Partner and Senior Vice President at US Capital Global. 'His extensive experience, integrity, and global perspective are invaluable as we continue to deliver innovative, client-focused financial solutions across Boston, Philadelphia, and beyond.' Mr. Levas is a frequent conference speaker and guest lecturer, having presented at leading universities and financial forums throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. His commentary has appeared in Business Week , Bloomberg , Nasdaq , Dow Jones Newswires , NPR , and Smart Money , among other media outlets. About US Capital Global Founded in 1998, US Capital Global offers a range of advanced financial solutions, including debt, equity, and investment products customized for middle-market enterprises and investors. The firm oversees direct investment funds while delivering comprehensive wealth management and investment banking services, encompassing M&A strategies and capital raising expertise. Among the notable entities within the consortium are US Capital Global Investment Management LLC, US Capital Global Wealth Management LLC, and US Capital Global Securities LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA. To learn more, visit To learn more about US Capital Global, email Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO, at [email protected]. Attachment US Capital Global to Drive Expansion into Italy and Greece Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Cera went through a lot of hairstyle ‘iterations' while shooting ‘The Phoenician Scheme'
Michael Cera went through a lot of hairstyle 'iterations' before deciding on his look in the upcoming movie 'The Phoenician Scheme'. The actor, 36, surprised fans with his blonde perm-style thatch for Wes Anderson's new film, and has now revealed the lengths he went to in creating his latest character for the movie, a Norwegian entomologist called Bjorn told People: 'We had to work really hard to get the hair. 'We had a lot of iterations of hair that weren't quite right before we landed on this wavy thing, that set through some process of heat.' Michael also delved into developing Lund's personality for the movie, which sees his character hired to tutor nine sons. According to the star, Wes' script offered a clear outline of how the character should behave, but it still required exploration to refine the specific mannerisms, including the voice, hair and physicality. He added: 'It was very clear in the writing how he was going to sound and look and feel. 'We just had to find him.' 'The Phoenician Scheme', which opens in theatres on Friday (30.05,25), features Cera's character being hired by Zsa-zsa Korda, played by 57-year-old Benicio Del Toro, to educate his children. Wes' typically offbeat film has been described officially as 'the story of a family and a family business', and includes an ensemble cast, with Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend and Hope Davis all taking roles. When asked what subject he himself might be qualified to teach, Michael told People: 'I'm really not qualified to teach anything. I have no academic credentials whatsoever. 'I could teach someone how to waste time, maybe. How to procrastinate effectively.' Michael first drew attention for his dramatic hair transformation earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival, where he debuted bleach-blond hair while promoting another project, 'Sacramento'. During an appearance on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', he admitted the look was tied to his role in 'The Phoenician Scheme'. Host Seth Meyers, 51, told the audience: 'My producer today said, 'Michael wants me to let you know that he's blond'. 'I didn't quite know what to expect but I'm glad he told me.' Michael replied: 'Well, I kind of want to apologise for it a little bit. No, but the thing is, I mean, my hair is in a weird place right now. And I know this is going out on TV and everything but… that's all I wanted to say really.' The 'Superbad' actor went on to say that he was hesitant to cut the hair or dye it back. He said: 'I feel like I can't cut it right now because then I'll have, like, frosted tips. 'Or I dye it back to my own colour and that just feels wrong.'
