Latest news with #RDA
Digital Trends
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
The first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash is breathtaking. What else did you expect?
The Pandora discourse has begun yet again with the arrival of the Avatar: Fire and Ash trailer. The formula goes something like this: someone on the internet will say that Avatar is actually not good and has no cultural impact. Then, the trailer will earn rave reviews for its breathtaking visuals thanks to the work of its technical maestro, James Cameron. Prognosticators will then try to determine if another Avatar movie will be a billion-dollar hit. Fast forward to a few months after the release, and the Avatar movie will be one of the highest-grossing movies ever. This scenario happened in 2022 with Avatar: The Way of Water, the third-highest-grossing movie of all time. Will history repeat itself with Avatar 3? In the previous two Avatar movies, the enemy has been the RDA. In Avatar: Fire and Ash, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family face off against the Ash People, an aggressive Na'vi tribe that is one with fire. It's similar to how the Metkayina tribe revolved around water. The Ash People are led by Varang (Oona Chaplin), who chillingly tells a captured Kiri, 'Your goddess has no dominion here.' The other Na'vi clan introduced in Fire and Ash is the peaceful Wind Traders. Still grieving over the loss of her oldest child, Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) has turned her sorrows into hatred. Jake knows the dangers of being fueled by rage. 'You cannot live like this, baby, in hate,' Jake tells Neytiri. The rest of the trailer previews the jaw-dropping footage of intense battles between the Na'vi clans and the RDA. Additional cast members returning for Avatar 3 include Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, Kate Winslet as Ronal, Cliff Curtis as Tonowari, Britain Dalton as Lo'ak, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey Tuk, Jack Champion as Miles Spider, and David Thewlis as Peylak. Cameron returns to direct his third Avatar movie from a screenplay he cowrote with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Cameron is a technical master, so the visuals in Avatar: Fire and Ash will be top-notch. However, Cameron has a gift for injecting emotional beats into his action epics. Cameron said his wife 'bawled for four hours' watching Avatar 3. Speaking of hours, Cameron mentioned that Fire and Ash is a 'little bit longer' than Way of Water, which carried a 192-minute runtime. Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters on December 19, 2025.
Glasgow Times
14 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow RDA provides horse therapy to 200 disabled people
The Glasgow group of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has helped 70 primary school pupils, 50 secondary school students, and 70 adults so far in 2025. They have been given therapy using the horses at the centre, which helps people with various disabilities. (Image: Supplied) This has been made possible through a funding boost of more than £3,000 from the HFD Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of a commercial property company. More than 100 volunteers and coaches run the centre, which has 15 horses. The charity relies on donations and grants to provide accessible classes to people across the west of Scotland. Read more: Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump at Turnberry golf club during Scotland visit The classes teach people new skills and foster independence by encouraging the riders to take charge of their horses. Equine therapy has several physical and psychological benefits, making it an appropriate tool for supporting people with various disabilities, such as autism, Asperger's, cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairments, and learning disabilities. Marianne Prentice, trusts and foundations fundraiser at the Glasgow RDA, said: 'Generally speaking, we see the same group of children for a 10 or 12 week block and it is great to see the progress they make during that time. "Depending on their disability, they might start off with a leader or side walker helping with balance and direction, but by the end they can be going alone. "In some cases, we also see kids coming back much more regularly after the first block of classes and it is great to see them developing and growing up over the years. "Support from volunteers and corporate fundraisers is essential for keeping the riding school going and allowing us to support primary school children from all over the Glasgow region to take part in therapy sessions. "Horse-based therapy is more than pony rides; we aim to help participants to build confidence, improve physical health, and enjoy new activities within a welcoming and inclusive environment." Lauren McKenzie, trustee of the HFD Charitable Foundation, said: "Our ambition is to provide funding to local organisations that are making a tangible difference in people's lives. "Having visited the Glasgow RDA stables and seen the enjoyment on the children's faces as they are taking part in a riding session, it is clear that the centre is making a huge impact on their mental health and physical wellbeing. "We are pleased to have been able to support the valuable work of the volunteers and coaches."
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi plans Leh revamp
esidents of Dhoke Chirag Din continue to dump garbage along Nullah Leh's banks in Rawalpindi, defying Section 144 imposed by the city administration. PHOTO: ONLINE Authorities have decided to widen the 16-kilometre-long Nullah Leh drain, install barbed fencing on both sides, and divide it into 16 sections to expedite rehabilitation work. The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has requested proposals from the Municipal Corporation to formulate a permanent flood prevention strategy. An important meeting on Nullah Leh was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed long-term solutions to the recurring flood problem. Participants included Additional Deputy Commissioners Abdullah Khan and Shehryar Shirazi, RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza, and officials from other concerned departments. Officials suggested assigning each segment to a separate construction company to ensure speedy work. Plans for fencing, construction, and an effective monitoring system were discussed to not only address the flooding issue but also beautify the surrounding areas. The meeting also reviewed the original 2003 Nullah Leh widening plan. Dr Cheema directed the RDA, WASA, Municipal Corporation, and other departments to finalise their recommendations promptly so the project can move into the execution phase. Encroachers warned On the other hand, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal encroachments in Islamabad, particularly structures built over natural stormwater drains (nullahs). They have issued warnings that such constructions pose severe flooding risks and will be demolished without exception. The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at the CDA Headquarters, chaired by Chairman CDA and Islamabad Chief Commissioner, Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Friday. According to the briefing, enforcement teams have already begun sealing and demolishing illegal structures built over nullahs, in accordance with directives from Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The campaign aims to reclaim government land from illegal occupants and prevent life-threatening scenarios during Islamabad's increasingly intense monsoon rains. "Buildings constructed over nullahs without a hydraulic study or CDA approval are not only illegal but highly dangerous. These structures could collapse during a major flood," said Chairman Randhawa, citing heavy rainfall this monsoon season-the highest since 2001-as a serious wake-up call. Residents and commercial property owners have been urged to voluntarily remove all encroachments from stormwater channels. "If not removed voluntarily, these structures will be sealed, declared hazardous and legal action will be initiated. The responsibility will lie entirely with the encroachers," Randhawa warned. In addition to enforcement, the CDA is implementing preventive measures to stop future encroachments. A permanent monitoring system will be established, utilising drone surveillance and Google Earth mapping to track reclaimed land. The authority also announced the digitisation of layout plans, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process and fee payments for map approvals through a new cashless system. "We are digitising our One Window Facilitation Centre and computerising land records to enhance transparency and service delivery," said the Chairman, adding that these reforms will also help curb fraudulent construction practices and improve public access to services. The citywide anti-encroachment drive has been initiated following repeated flooding incidents in Islamabad's residential and commercial sectors. Experts have warned that unregulated construction over nullahs obstructs natural water flow, leading to urban flooding and potential loss of life. The CDA reiterated its commitment to carry out indiscriminate operations across all sectors of the city and urged citizens to cooperate in maintaining lawful development and environmental safety.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
RDA inflows rise to $10.56b; rupee stable
Listen to article Foreign investors repatriated profits worth $2.22 billion in FY25, mirroring the amount recorded in FY24. The power sector led all categories with outflows totalling $399 million, marking a 1.6-time increase from the previous fiscal year, according to data compiled by AKD Securities. The financial sector followed with repatriation of $385 million, though it represented a 40% decline from FY24. The food sector also posted a notable outflow of $306 million, up two times year-on-year. AKD report attributes the high FY24 figure largely to a backlog from FY23, when repatriations had dropped significantly to $331 million. The 20-year average now stands at $1.4 billion, indicating a strong recovery in the past two years. June 2025 saw a sharp 72% year-on-year (YoY) drop in monthly repatriation, totalling $114 million compared to $414 million in June 2024. Sector-wise, communications, financial services and transport witnessed significant YoY declines, while personal services and oil & gas exploration saw increases. On the other hand, the inflow of remittances under the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) rose to $10.563 billion by the end of June 2025 as compared to $10.381 billion by May-end, according to APP. The arrival of remittances during May was recorded at $182 million as compared to $201 million in May 2024 and $177 million in April 2025, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The number of accounts registered under the programme rose 8,739 to 831,963 in June 2025 from 823,224 accounts in May 2025. By the end of June, overseas Pakistanis invested $466 million in the Naya Pakistan Certificates, $926 million in the Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates and $70 million in Roshan Equity Investment. Furthermore, the Pakistani rupee held steady against the US dollar on Tuesday, recording a marginal depreciation of 0.01% in the inter-bank market. By the end of trading, the rupee closed at 284.97, slipping just two paisa compared to Monday's close at 284.95. Meanwhile, gold prices in Pakistan remained unchanged, despite a rally in the international market, where the precious metal climbed to a five-week high amid growing global uncertainty. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold per tola stood firm at Rs361,200, while the rate for 10 grams also held steady at Rs309,671. This stability follows a sharp increase on Monday, when the price per tola rose Rs3,600. Internationally, gold gained momentum as concerns over trade tensions and weak US bond yields lifted safe-haven demand. Investors continue to monitor the August 1 tariff deadline set by US President Donald Trump, alongside developments surrounding the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook. Spot gold rose 0.6% to $3,415.61 per ounce by 1414 GMT, hitting its highest since June 16, according to Reuters. US gold futures were up 0.6% at $3,428.10. The yield on benchmark US 10-year notes fell to a near two-week low, making non-yielding bullion more attractive. Interactive Commodities Director Adnan Agar noted that gold remained on an upward trend globally, with the market touching a high of $3,430 per ounce. "The market is hot right now," he said, citing geopolitical uncertainty, Trump's repeated tariff threats and speculation surrounding a potential US interest rate cut in September. "There's a strong chance gold could test the $3,450-55 range before correcting down to $3,400 or even $3,380," Agar added. With multiple geopolitical triggers on the horizon, including potential tariffs on Europe and continued pressure on the Fed, global gold prices are expected to remain volatile in the days ahead.
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Avatar Fire and Ash Trailer To Drop ONLY In Cinemas With The Fantastic Four First Steps
James Cameron is going big again. The Avatar director is taking a cue from Christopher Nolan and releasing the first trailer for his upcoming sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash exclusively in theatres. Fans heading to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps this weekend will get a first glimpse at the third chapter of Cameron's epic sci-fi saga – but only on the big screen. The news was confirmed via the official Avatar social media accounts, and excitement has already started building online. Set for a global release on 19 December 2025, Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the story of Pandora after the events of The Way of Water. The film has been in the works for years, with Cameron shooting it back-to-back with the second instalment, starting as far back as 2017. Interestingly, the movie was initially expected to release in 2015 – its final arrival coming exactly ten years later. Alongside the trailer reveal, the makers also dropped the first-look poster featuring the film's new villain – Varang – played by Game of Thrones star Oona Chaplin. The post read: 'Meet Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Watch the film in theatres December 19th." It didn't take long for fans to flood the comments with theories and excitement. Returning stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver will reprise their roles in the upcoming film. As per Variety, Fire and Ash picks up after the explosive events of The Way of Water, where Jake Sully (Worthington) and Neytiri (Saldana) defended the ocean-dwelling Metkayina clan from another attack by the RDA (Resources Development Administration). While the couple managed to push back the invasion, the price was steep – their eldest son died, and the RDA remains a looming threat on Pandora. The stakes are higher than ever as the story moves forward with new characters, bigger conflicts, and deeper emotional arcs. Touted as one of the biggest Hollywood releases in India, Avatar: Fire and Ash promises more of Cameron's signature visual world-building. With a new villain entering the picture and the RDA still present, fans can expect another major showdown in Pandora. But first, they'll have to head to the cinema to catch that trailer.
