Latest news with #Niko
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
David Parker Around Town: Meet Clever Canines
Article content It's not often you hear of a Calgary company celebrating 140 years in business — but this one is calculated in dog years. Article content Article content Clever Canines is celebrating a rather remarkably successful 20 years of providing dog training and daycare. The business has grown from a one-person launch to a company requiring a dog-devoted, well-trained staff of 38 people. Article content It all began when founder Tracie Nielson became more than frustrated with the behaviour problems of her Chow-cross pet Niko. By the age of three it had become hard to handle, aggressive to the point of biting and therefore was no fun to even take for a walk, never mind allow friends to visit. Article content Article content The only solution seemed to be to put Niko down, but her vet persuaded Nielsen that she had a healthy dog that should be able to be trained. She decided to delve into doggie research and discovered that studying animal behavior rather than dog training was her hope for rehabilitating her pet. Niko passed away recently aged 17 years — a happy, trusted and faithful companion. Article content Article content Wanting to share her experience and help others to get the most out of their pets, she quit her job and started Clever Canines in the spare bedroom of her house in June 2005. That same year she drove to New Orleans to volunteer with the animal rescue team in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was a great experience and a big confidence builder. Article content Article content Launching her first company was a little daunting but Nielson read book from the 'Dummy' series on starting a business. She created her own — she admits not too professional — website, bought a Yellow Page advertisement and left information at pet shop counters. Article content Pretty soon, she had a house full of clients and needed more space and help. She had hoped for two classes with eight dogs. Soon, there were five classes each with 20 to 25 canines. Fortunately, Joe Scorgie was a big help and in 2007 he became a partner in the firm. Next, with two full-time staff, they moved to a bigger house. Article content Nielson is a great believer in that dogs need to be trained in the 'wild' versus indoors and in 2022, Clever Canines was able to purchase a 10,000-square-foot industrial building in Manchester, sitting on an acre of land. It provides room for a daycare that takes in around 110 dogs each day, 7,600-square-feet of outdoor training and play space, and a 2,200-square-foot agility yard.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Niko Bellic deserves a comeback in GTA 6: 5 reasons that prove it
Source: Rockstar Games As Rockstar prepares to launch GTA 6, fans are abuzz with speculations about future characters and plots. Amidst the speculations, one name keeps cropping up: Niko Bellic, the legendary hero of GTA IV. Despite his seeming finality, there are good reasons why reviving Niko, either as a protagonist, advisor, or guest star, can add GTA 6's storytelling richness and fan engagement in thrilling ways. 1. Niko's narrative had loose ends to tie While GTA IV wrapped up much of Niko's personal arc, questions remain about his life after Liberty City. GTA 6 could explore how his past shaped him further or show his impact on the criminal world. This continuity would reward longtime fans and deepen the series' lore. 2. He brings a depth of feeling to GTA 6's narrative GTA games tend to balance destruction with instances of somber narration. Niko's down-to-earth, tormented personality would add emotional depth to GTA 6, particularly if the game explores subjects such as loyalty, redemption, or violence consequences. 3. His Eastern European origins comply with recent GTA 6 speculations Rumors also indicate that portions of GTA 6 will feature multicultural cultures and international crime syndicates. Niko's Eastern European heritage could easily fit into that environment, introducing new opportunities for storytelling and gameplay with real, complex characters. 4. Fans demand nostalgia with new twists Nostalgia runs deep, and Niko is still one of the GTA protagonists most adored. A nicely written comeback, as a friend or antagonist, would thrill audiences while enabling Rockstar to add new spins and conflicts to suit contemporary sensibilities. 5. He might mentor or challenge new protagonists GTA 6 will include several playable characters. Niko's experience and cynicism would make him an ideal mentor character or a nuanced antagonist, providing rich interactions and deepening the game's character-based storyline. Niko Bellic's return in GTA 6 is not merely a fan service, it's a chance to infuse narrative substance, emotional depth, and continuity into the series. Whether he plays a big part or a quiet cameo, Niko's inclusion would remind the playerbase why he is still one of the most memorable and relatable characters in GTA. Rockstar can seize the moment to mix the old and new and craft an enhanced, richer GTA universe for all. Also Read: No GTA 6 on Xbox store yet – Is PlayStation taking the lead?
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Niko Bellic's fate explained: what happened after GTA IV?
Source: Rockstar Games Niko Bellic, the war-torn hero of Grand Theft Auto IV, made a lasting impression on gamers with his rich personality and moral conflicts. Players have speculated about his destiny ever since the game was released. Although GTA IV ends with Niko alive, his later life has been a mystery. But there are some hints in subsequent games that Niko is alive and retired from his criminal life. What GTA V reveals about Niko's fate GTA 5 - Best Niko Bellic Easter Eggs! (TOP 8) There are a number of references in Grand Theft Auto V to Niko's survival. A notable one is on Jimmy De Santa's computer, where the player can see Niko's LifeInvader page, suggesting he's still online. Furthermore, in the mission "Casing the Jewel Store," Lester Crest says something about an "Eastern European guy making moves in Liberty City," which is thought to be a reference to Niko. Lester observes that this person has "gone quiet," which means that Niko has kept away from his previous life. Another piece of evidence comes in the form of Packie McReary, a GTA IV character who is featured in GTA V. When he is recruited into a heist, Packie talks about the past, stating that he has not heard from Niko for years, indicating that Niko has led a low-key life. GTA IV endings provide various outcomes, but in either case, Niko survives huge personal setbacks. These experiences probably urged him to withdraw from his criminal past. 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 LifeInvader profile indicates that Niko is working for Roman's taxi company, indicating a return to his everyday, legal life. Though Rockstar Games itself has not officially stated Niko's fate after GTA IV, the references within the game and absence of contradicting evidence make it plausible that he is indeed alive, keeping a low profile from the mayhem that previously characterized his life. Niko Bellic's saga in GTA IV enthralled gamers with its complexity and authenticity. Despite his tale ending years ago, covert references in later games imply that he is still alive, having rejected notoriety for obscurity. With GTA VI on the horizon, and fans clamoring for more, the prospect of Niko's return, even if just in a supporting capacity, remains a draw and a subject of speculation. Also Read: GTA 6 on PC vs console: What the ultimate experience might look like
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Top 5 reasons fans still love Niko Bellic more than any GTA protagonist
Source: Rockstar Games Niko Bellic, the grizzled soul of GTA IV, has remained an imposing figure in Grand Theft Auto legend even after newer games and more glamorous leads. Though Rockstar has crafted a list of legendary characters, none have resonated as deeply as Niko. His tough life, introspective humanity, and moral ambiguity make him the uncommon antihero who's remained deeply endearing after more than a decade. 1. He's the most human GTA protagonist Source: Rockstar Games Unlike the over-the-top confidence of Trevor or the cool detachment of Tommy Vercetti, Niko is grounded in real emotion. He questions his decisions, reflects on loss, and navigates life like someone genuinely scarred by his past. Fans don't just play as Niko, they feel with him. 2. His story hits harder than most Source: Rockstar Games Niko's is not a journey about fame or fortune, it's one of trying to escape trauma, seeking truth, and pursuing an American Dream that never quite arrives. His heartbreaking history as a discharged soldier also brings emotional depth no other GTA protagonist possesses so naturally. 3. Liberty City felt like his city Source: Rockstar Games While each GTA game has its defining map, GTA IV's Liberty City was intimately connected to Niko's narrative. His cold, gray realism of a city reflected his inner conflicts. Whether he was taking rides on subways, making impossible decisions, or balancing Roman's tightrope of hope, Liberty City was Niko's in a way that few worlds ever are to their protagonists. 4. His dry wit and self-reflection are notable Source: Rockstar Games Niko's not boisterous, but he's distinctive. His lines are loaded with sarcasm, world weariness, and just enough gallows humor to get by one more mission. Unlike the cartoon personas of other GTA protagonists, Niko's voice was realistic, like someone who's witnessed too much but trudges on. 5. He embodies GTA at its best Source: Rockstar Games Above all the other characters, Niko represented Rockstar's capacity for deeper storytelling. GTA IV served up a balance of crime drama and soul-searching, and that remains something the fans still look up to Niko as, the emotional apex of the series, a reminder that even in a world gone mad, storytelling still exists. In a franchise founded on mayhem, Niko Bellic is the still point, the fractured core. He didn't just carjack, he stole hearts. His legacy isn't measured in the number of missions he did or the size of his body count, but in how much he made players care. Niko added emotional depth to the series, showing that despite a world of satire and gore, there is place for vulnerability, introspection, and humanity. Fans don't just recall Niko, they carry him with them. Also Read: What if GTA 6 released on PS2? This fan trailer shows you
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Niko McKnight, son of R&B star Brian McKnight, dies after private cancer battle
Niko McKnight, the estranged son of renowned R&B singer Brian McKnight, has passed away following a private two-year battle with cancer. He was remembered by his uncle Claude McKnight, founding member of the Grammy-winning group Take 6, in an emotional tribute shared on TikTok. 'This morning I found out that my nephew, Niko McKnight, passed away,' Claude said in the video. 'He'd been bravely battling cancer for the past two years or so. Niko was one of those amazing kids—quirky, curious, and ridiculously talented.' Known for his artistic gifts, Niko was a singer, guitarist, and photographer who touched many with his creativity. Despite a strained relationship with his father, he remained close with other family members. His uncle described him as someone people naturally gravitated toward, highlighting his musical and visual artistry. Niko's passing has reignited public discussion about his complex family history. Brian McKnight has been criticized in recent years for distancing himself from his older children, including Niko. In 2024, controversy resurfaced when Brian referred to Niko and his siblings as 'products of sin' in a now-deleted post, further deepening the estrangement. As tributes pour in from friends and relatives, Niko is being remembered not for the controversy, but for the joy, talent, and light he brought into the world. His creative legacy lives on through his art and the memories he leaves behind. May he rest in peace.
