Latest news with #Pi
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Not a latte room for error! £150million superyacht owned by ex-Starbucks CEO squeezes through Dutch canal with inches to spare
A luxury £150 million superyacht owned by the former Starbucks CEO has been spotted squeezing through a narrow Dutch canal with just inches to spare. Jaw-dropping images show billionaire Howard Schultz's 254-foot vessel nearly scraping the land as it sailed through Woubrugge in the Netherlands this morning. The huge ship, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool. It also features its own helicopter landing pad as well as a beach club, jacuzzi, and spacious custom interiors. Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world and can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people. Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, the boat was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year. It is the 21st largest vessel the company has ever made and is 254 feet long and 37 feet wide. Crew members dressed in blue uniform stood on the canal edge to guide the ship smoothly through and prevent it from bumping the side The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots. The Woubrugsebrug, the bridge which spans over the canal in Woubrugge, was open for around 40 minutes to let Pi pass through on Wednesday morning, according to Studio Alphen. It was reportedly heading for Alphen aan den Rijn, a city in the western Netherlands. Pi could be seen towering over the local homes as it cruised along the water accompanied by two support vessels located at either end of the yacht. Crew members dressed in blue uniform stood on the canal edge to guide the ship smoothly through and prevent it from bumping the side. Schultz, 71, made most of his billion-dollar fortune thanks to Starbucks. He is ranked by Forbes as the 209th richest person in the world, with a net worth of £3.68bn. The businessman bought the coffee chain in the 1980s. He is credited as Starbucks' founder despite the company being started in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker at Seattle's Pike Place Market. Back then, Starbucks was merely a coffee bean store but it became a full-fledged cafe after Schultz became involved. Later he transformed it into the international coffee shop brand. He served as the chief executive officer from 1986 to 2000 and returned during the financial crisis of 2007-08. It comes after Pi was spotted entering Cornwall's Falmouth harbour before moving to Pendennis Shipyard under go work in 2022. Pendennis Shipyard is one of the world's leading superyacht refit and custom build facilities. The site employs over 450 skilled tradespeople and has completed more than 300 refit projects and 30 custom-made build projects on some of the most iconic yachts in the world.
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal
The massive vessel has won prizes in yacht shows A LATTE TO OFFER Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal A LUXURY superyacht owned by the US billionaire who transformed Starbucks into a global brand has been spotted sailing through a murky Dutch canal. Howard Schultz's 254-foot vessel, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool. 9 A superyacht called Pi passed through the Woubrugsebrug in the Netherlands on Wednesday Credit: Alamy 9 The yacht belongs to Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, estimated to be worth $6b (£4.5b) 9 The yacht has a sleek, modern interior The huge yacht, believed to be worth $200m (£150m), can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people. At a staggering 254 feet long and 37 feet wide, Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world, according to Wikipedia's latest list of motor yachts by length. The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots. It features its own helicopter landing pad as well as various onboard luxury spa facilities. Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, it was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year. Schultz's net worth surpasses $6b (£4.5b), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He built the bulk of his fortune as the CEO of Starbucks, initially leading the company from 1986 to 2000. Under Schultz, Starbucks grew from a small Seattle-based chain into a global coffee empire. Schultz returned to the helm during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, after the company faced major store closures in a bid to cut costs. He remained CEO until 2017, then returned briefly as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. 9 The main salon of the superyacht Pi, featuring a large off-white sectional sofa and teal rug 9 A master suite on the Pi 9 The Pi superyacht is 254 feet long Credit: Alamy Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way It comes as the superyacht was spotted in Cornwall's Falmouth harbour in May 2022. Meanwhile, the luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise recently announced its plans to launch a superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons. The superyacht promises to be decked with "sea limousines", luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite. Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will sail on over 30 voyages in its first year, cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost north of $25,000 (£18,500). While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests. The exclusivity is "driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand", according to the luxury hotel franchise. 9 Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will go on more than 30 voyages in its first year Credit: Four Seasons 9 The 190-passenger Four Seasons will feature 14 decks and 95 residential-style cabins with ocean views Credit: Four Seasons
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Plush £150m superyacht laden with luxuries like jacuzzi & helipad owned by ex-Starbucks CEO sails through Dutch canal
A LUXURY superyacht owned by the US billionaire who transformed Starbucks into a global brand has been spotted sailing through a murky Dutch canal. Howard Schultz's 254-foot vessel, named Pi, boasts a range of over 4,500 nautical miles and onboard spa facilities, including a glass-bottomed swimming pool . 9 A superyacht called Pi passed through the Woubrugsebrug in the Netherlands on Wednesday Credit: Alamy 9 The yacht belongs to Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, estimated to be worth $6b (£4.5b) 9 The yacht has a sleek, modern interior The huge yacht, believed to be worth $200m (£150m), can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and a crew of 18 people. At a staggering 254 feet long and 37 feet wide, Pi ranks as the 183rd biggest yacht in the world, according to Wikipedia's The vessel is powered by MTU engines, which make it capable of speeds up to 18 knots. It features its own helicopter landing pad as well as various onboard luxury spa facilities. Built by Dutch boat builder Feadship, it was delivered to Schultz at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, where it won Best Yacht in Its Class and Motor Yacht of the Year. Schultz's net worth surpasses $6b (£4.5b), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He built the bulk of his fortune as the CEO of Starbucks, initially leading the company from 1986 to 2000. Under Schultz, Starbucks grew from a small Seattle-based chain into a global coffee empire. Most read in The US Sun Schultz returned to the helm during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, after the company faced major store closures in a bid to cut costs. He remained CEO until 2017, then returned briefly as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. 9 The main salon of the superyacht Pi, featuring a large off-white sectional sofa and teal rug 9 A master suite on the Pi 9 The Pi superyacht is 254 feet long Credit: Alamy Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way It comes as the superyacht was Meanwhile, the luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise recently announced its plans to launch a superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons. The superyacht promises to be decked with "sea limousines", luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite. Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will sail on over 30 voyages in its first year, cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost north of $25,000 (£18,500). While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests. The exclusivity is "driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand", according to the luxury hotel franchise. 9 Set to launch in January 2026, the 'sea hotel' will go on more than 30 voyages in its first year Credit: Four Seasons 9 The 190-passenger Four Seasons will feature 14 decks and 95 residential-style cabins with ocean views Credit: Four Seasons 9 Passengers will be able to dine in the "Michelin-calibre" onboard restaurant - although only breakfast will be included in the price Credit: Four Seasons
Business Mayor
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Mayor
Pi Coin News: Insider Turmoil and Token Surges Shake Pi Network As Transparency Demands Grow Louder
Pi Network's community, once united by its vision of a mobile-mined, egalitarian cryptocurrency, is increasingly fragmented. In mid-May 2025, over 102.7 million Pi tokens were suddenly withdrawn from cryptocurrency exchange OKX in just three days, sparking volatility and suspicion of insider activity. The surge in Pi Coin transactions—some exceeding 70 million tokens per move—has heightened fears of centralisation and lack of transparency within the Pi Network, even as its token, priced at approximately $0.79, continues to fluctuate sharply from its early 2025 peak of $2.99. Blockchain researchers and analysts now point to troubling signs of internal wallet manoeuvring according to a report by Brave New Coin. These include reports of dormant Foundation-controlled wallets reactivating and selling millions of tokens, further fuelling scepticism over whether Pi Network is truly decentralised, as it has long claimed to be. Key Developments: Price Instability, Insider Concerns The Pi Coin has dropped over 4.8 per cent in the past 24 hours, despite showing a 30 per cent monthly gain. Analysts argue that large-scale token unlocks and strategic sell-offs are depressing the price and creating instability. The token is now facing strong resistance around the $0.90 mark and could dip as low as $0.66 if selling pressure intensifies, warns citing bearish flag patterns on trading charts. 'The PI Coin value is forming a bearish flag,' reported 'with the risk of a drop toward $0.66 if selling pressure intensifies.' Meanwhile, Dr. Altcoin, a well-known blockchain investigator, flagged that more than 1.4 million Pi tokens were sold on from a wallet allegedly linked to the Pi Foundation, raising red flags.'It's not about FUD,' said Dr. Altcoin on X, 'It's about accountability, transparency, and fair participation in a network that has claimed to be for the people.' He further estimates that wallets believed to be under the control of the Pi Foundation currently hold more than 90 billion tokens. Planned Unlocks Stir Market Fears Adding to concerns is the scheduled unlocking of over 1.47 billion Pi tokens in the next 12 months, with 110 million already released in May 2025. While part of a previously announced tokenomics roadmap, the scale and timing of these unlocks—coinciding with insider activity—are shaking investor confidence. '1.4 million Pi moved from an old Foundation wallet to a new one, then sold on insider concerns,' stated Dr. Altcoin, citing on-chain transaction data. Community Frustration Grows Amid Transparency Demands Pi Network's community, once united by its vision of a mobile-mined, egalitarian cryptocurrency, is increasingly fragmented. Longstanding issues with Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, limited utility, and the absence of a mainnet migration for most users have resulted in mounting dissatisfaction.'There are no substantial DeFi projects or dApps built on Pi crypto yet,' a market commentary cited by Brave New Coin noted, adding that, 'Without real use cases, the Pi token price will struggle to sustain any meaningful upside.' Despite launching a $100 million venture fund for dApp development, the Pi Network still lacks key listings on major exchanges like Binance, further reducing liquidity and trader interest. Optimism Endures—But So Do Doubts Some supporters remain hopeful. Crypto influencer Mr. Spock commented that,'While doubters watched from the sidelines, true Pioneers kept mining, building, and believing — and now, the results are beginning to show,' as quoted by Brave New Coin. Another user added, 'This is no longer a testnet experiment—Pi Network Coin is stepping into the real world.' However, until the Core Team addresses issues around token distribution, wallet transparency, and ecosystem utility, Pi Network risks losing trust at a critical juncture of its growth. Analysts warn that future performance will hinge on whether these structural weaknesses are tackled head-on. READ SOURCE
NDTV
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Where To Eat In Pondicherry If You Are Not Just Here For The Photos
You can blame Instagram for the post-pandemic rush of visitors to Pondicherry in the 2020s. Travellers no longer just drive in from Chennai or Bengaluru for the weekend - they arrive from all over India, drawn to the photogenic charm of this former French colony. The French Quarter (also known as White Town) has become the epicentre for content creators who have already marked out the best photo spots. Think bougainvillaea-draped yellow villas and sun-dappled streets, especially around Romain Rolland Street. It is here, on this iconic street, that you will now find Pondicherry's newest lifestyle cafe. Chennai's beloved Ciclo Cafe has opened in Upasana - a century-old French villa that comes with more than just retro architecture. Ang Lee's Life of Pi pushed Pondicherry onto the global map yet again with four Oscar wins and eleven nominations. Upasana, which features in the film as Pi's childhood home, has been one of Pondy's most photographed buildings ever since. We round up some of the best cafes in Pondicherry - places that double up as lifestyle destinations and serve more than just good coffee and dessert. Whether you are here for French toast or artisanal cocktails, White Town's cafe scene is all about slow living with great flavour. Also Read: Pondicherry: This French-Inspired Indian Town Will Make You Hit The Brakes On Life Looking For The Best Cafes In Pondicherry? Start With These Favourites: 1. Ciclo Cafe Ciclo Cafe is the latest entrant in a town known for its laidback cafe culture - places where breakfast at 11 am and lunch at 4 pm are perfectly acceptable. Set in a restored villa and spread across 7,000 sq. ft., Ciclo's Pondy outpost unfolds over two levels. Most diners are drawn to the upper floor, which offers sweeping views of the street below - the perfect setup for living your best Pondy life. The menu includes signature dishes like fig bruschetta, mutton biryani and thin-crust pizzas. The highlight, however, might be their small-batch ice creams - do try the Nutella or Pistachio. The cafe also serves hearty brunches and gourmet coffee. Location: Rue Romain Rolland 2. The Spot The yellow exterior wall of this cafeis one of Pondicherry's most Instagrammed backgrounds. But step inside and there is more - rooftop views of the Bay of Bengal, a laidback vibe and a menu that jumps between Italian and Indian. The Pain Perdu (that is French toast, in case you are wondering) and Tiramisu are worth ordering, as are the wood-fired pizzas and Pondicherry-style chicken curry. Location: Dumas Street 3. Coromandel Cafe Brought to life by the team behind Chennai's Amethyst, this stylish cafe is set in a pastel-hued French villa called La Maison Rose. With vintage Athangudi tiles underfoot and lush greenery all around, it is a mood. The menu blends European dishes with Indian accents, there are also seasonal specials and hand-crafted cocktails. Location: Rue Romain Rolland Also Read: 6 Of Pondicherry's Best Outdoor Dining Spaces 4. La Villa This restaurant is part of the boutique hotel La Villa and is tucked into a 19th-century mansion. The garden setting and columned arches give it a colonial-era feel. While the menu leans towards French fine dining, the kitchen uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Choose from à la carte dishes or go for the Chef's tasting menu if you are in the mood for something elaborate. Location: Rue Surcouf 5. Anthe Located close to the Rock Beach (as locals call it), Anthe is one of Pondicherry's newest fine dining restaurants. Opened in late 2023, it features four distinct seating areas, including an alfresco garden space. The menu covers a wide range - from fresh catch of the day to decadent desserts. Anthe comes alive in the evenings, making it an ideal dinner spot. Location: Rue Romain Rolland Also Read: Ironhill India Bangalore: Where Craft Beer Meets Culinary Delights And Good Vibes 6. Bread & Chocolate If you have ever been to Auroville, you know Bread & Chocolate. The White Town outpost brings that same energy, simple, high-quality bakes and croissants that rival anything you will find in Paris. The Pain au chocolat is possibly the best in town and pairs beautifully with their hand-brewed coffees. Also worth trying: the house-made sourdough and rich chocolate spreads. Location: Marine Street, near Aurobindo Ashram 7. Le Petit Four Pondicherry may have had French influence for centuries, but it took a while for proper Paris-style macarons to arrive. Le Petit Four finally fixed that. This charming little bakery serves up the finest macaroons, baguettes, croissants and sandwiches. A must-stop for anyone craving an authentic French pastry experience. Location: La Bourdonnais Street Advertisement About Ashwin Rajagopalan I am the proverbial slashie - a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary curiosity hasn't waned. It's only got stronger as I've explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I've discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Pondicherry Pondicherry Guide Cafes Show full article Comments
