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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘One chaiwala to another': UK entrepreneur serves Indian masala chai to PM Narendra Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer in viral video
Akhil Patel, United Kingdom-based founder of Amala Chai, found himself in the middle of an unforgettable moment when he served steaming cups of masala chai to two of the world's most influential leaders, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When Starmer asked what he had brought, Patel said, 'Masala chai, sourced from India; tea comes from Assam, spices from Kerala.' He also named ingredients like nutmeg and cinnamon, giving the British PM a quick masterclass on Indian tea. Patel's big moment, though, came when he turned to PM Modi and handed him a cup with a smile. 'From one chaiwala to another,' he said, a reference both to his own roots and to Modi's well-known past, selling tea as a young boy at a railway station in Gujarat. In Gujarati, Patel also said that the chai would remind him of home, to which PM Modi responded with a hearty laugh. Modi even echoed one of his signature slogans from past diplomatic meetings, calling it 'Chai Pe Charcha' – a phrase that's now etched in political folklore. The interaction, captured and posted on Instagram by Mihir Pandya, was captioned: 'Honoured to share space with two incredible leaders — PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer. Conversations that inspire. Moments that matter.' A post shared by Mihir Pandya (@me_here1401) Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official handle to post photos from his visit to the Amala Chai stall, capturing a candid moment with UK PM Keir Starmer at Chequers. ''Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers…brewing stronger India-UK ties!' he captioned the post. 'Chai Pe Charcha' with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers…brewing stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025 The video went viral on social media and many reacted to it in the comments. A user wrote, 'One chaiwala to another was epic bro ready for the memes.' Another user commented, 'PM is saying taste of India however that kid ruined the moment limiting it to a State.' A third person commented, 'Bro was waiting his whole life to say that dialogue ' from one chaiwala to another.' In a significant move to boost economic ties, India and the UK sealed a landmark free trade agreement on Thursday, coinciding with Prime Minister Modi's visit to London. The pact is set to open new avenues for businesses on both sides, with 99 per cent of Indian goods gaining duty-free access to the UK starting next year. British exports will also benefit, with tariffs on items like cars and whisky being eased, a move expected to make premium UK products more affordable in Indian markets.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
UK-based PageGroup opens first shared services centre in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: United Kingdom-based PageGroup today opened its first shared service centre (SSC) in Kuala Lumpur, marking its entry into Malaysia's SSC space and underscoring a long-term strategic investment in the country's talent landscape. The new centre will provide essential business services including finance, information technology, marketing, and human resources functions, to support the recruitment company presence across Asia Pacific. Operating in tandem with the existing SSCs in Barcelona and Buenos Aires, the Kuala Lumpur centre will offer a 'follow-the-sun' service model, enabling the company's global teams to deliver seamless talent solutions to clients and candidates around the world. As part of the first phase, over 100 roles or 75 per cent of the global business services function supporting Asia Pacific, are located in Kuala Lumpur. These roles span senior, specialist, and leadership levels and are pivotal in driving operational excellence for Asia, which accounts for 16 per cent of the group's gross profit. Key leadership appointments include the Asia Pacific SSC director, Asia Pacific head of marketing, head of order to cash, senior manager HR business partner and Asia Pacific global technology service team lead. These roles are instrumental in advancing PageGroup's digital transformation, AI adoption, financial performance and operational agility across the region. By anchoring these functions in Malaysia, PageGroup is strengthening its regional capabilities while creating high-impact career opportunities for local talent. The Kuala Lumpur SSC is also positioned for future growth, with plans to expand regional functions and leadership roles in line with the evolving needs of the regional business. PageGroup global chief executive officer Nicholas Kirk said in a statement that the centre is a key part of the company's global strategy to enhance operational efficiency and scalability. "Malaysia offers the infrastructure, business environment and future-focused mindset we need and we look forward to growing with the region in the years to come," he said.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Society a chance to learn of arts
Giving everyday people the chance to learn about the fine arts is the focus of Dunedin group the Otago Decorative and Fine Arts Society. The organisations is one of eight societies throughout New Zealand which join together to bring expert speakers from across the country, Australia and the United Kingdom here to share their knowledge. Otago Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ODAFS) chairwoman Maggie Hanton said since the Otago branch of the society was formed in 2016, members had enjoyed dozens of excellent speakers on a broad variety of topics. "Our speakers cover a wide range of subject — from the art of 1935, to architecture, to Van Gogh, to the world of pearls," Ms Hanton said. "And our speakers are professionals, giving top-notch lectures that are entertaining and informative." Ms Hanton said the ODAFS had a membership of 100 people, who meet every five or six weeks on a Wednesday evening at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery to listen to a speaker. "Ideally, we would really like to grow our membership to about 120, so we would love to welcome some more local people to join us and learn about the arts," she said. "Many of our members are also part of the Friends of DPAG, U3A and various music groups, and they are a very friendly bunch." The eight New Zealand groups operate under the umbrella of the United Kingdom-based The Arts Society, selecting preferred lecturers from a list and working together to bring them to New Zealand. Most then tour around the various societies. Annual membership fees of $120 per individual or $260 per couple go towards covering the cost of lecturers and venues. So far this year, the ODFAS has heard lectures about painter Edgar Degas, South African artist Irma Stern, the Chinese porcelain trade, and the history of the Silk Road. The July lecture, to be held next Wednesday, July 30, from 7.30pm at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery will feature speaker Alice Foster sharing insights into how to read portraits to understand more about the sitter and the artist. The lecture will be open to ODFAS members, and guests are also welcome to come along this month for free and learn more about the group. For more information, email otagodfas@ visit the website or find them on facebook.
Business Upturn
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Reminds Investors That Class Action Lawsuits Have Been Filed Against Vestis, Reckitt, and Tempus and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Vestis (VSTS), Reckitt (RBGLY), or Tempus (TEM) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired securities in any of the above companies during their class period and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore directly at (212) 355-4648 NEW YORK, July 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, reminds investors that class actions have been commenced on behalf of stockholders of Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS), Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (OTC:RBGLY), and Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM). Stockholders have until the deadlines below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided. Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) Class Period: May 2, 2024 – May 6, 2025 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 8, 2025 According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Vestis' ability to grow its business; notably that Vestis would be unable to execute on planned strategic initiatives to drive purported improvements to the customer experience and its onboarding efforts in order to drive new customer growth, increased customer retention, and increased revenue from existing customers. On May 7, 2025, Vestis announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, withdrew its revenue and growth guidance for the full fiscal year 2025, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 that fell significantly below market expectations. The Company attributed its poor results partially to 'lost business in excess of new business,' but primarily on 'lower adds over stops, which is how we describe volume changes with our existing customers.' The Company attributed its decision to pull full-year guidance and provide disappointing third quarter targets to the 'increasingly uncertain macro environment.' Following this news, the price of Vestis' common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $8.71 per share on May 6, 2025, Vestis' stock price fell to $5.44 per share on May 7, 2025, a decline of about 37.54% in the span of just a single day For more information on the Vestis class action go to: Reckitt Benckiser Group plc (OTC:RBGLY) Class Period: January 13, 2021 – July 28, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 4, 2025 Reckitt is a United Kingdom-based, global consumer goods company. To date, over 500 state and federal products liability lawsuits have been filed against Reckitt and its competitor, Abbott Laboratories ('Abbott'), claiming that they failed to adequately warn that premature infants consuming cow milk-based formulas, such as Reckitt's Enfamil and Abbott's Similac, have an increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis ('NEC'), a life-threatening intestinal disease that affects premature or low birth weight infants. The Class Action alleges that, during the Class Period, Defendants made misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company's business, financial condition, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to warn investors and consumers: (1) that preterm infants were at an increased risk of developing NEC by consuming Reckitt's cow's milk-based formula, Enfamil; (2) of the attendant impact on Reckitt's sales of Enfamil and Reckitt's exposure to legal claims; and (3) as a result of the above, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. For more information on the Reckitt Bensicker class action go to: Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM) Class Period: August 6, 2024, and May 27, 2025 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 11, 2025 According to the complaint, defendants failed to disclose: (1) Tempus inflated the value of contract agreements, many of which were with related parties, included non-binding opt-ins and/or were self-funded; (2) the credibility and substance of the joint venture with SoftBank was at risk because it gave the appearance of 'round-tripping' capital to create revenue for Tempus; (3) Tempus-acquired Ambry had a business model based on aggressive and potentially unethical billing practices that risked scrutiny and unsustainability; (4) AstraZeneca had reduced its financial commitments to Tempus through a questionable 'pass-through payment' via a joint agreement between it, the Company and Pathos AI; and (5) the foregoing issues revealed weakness in core operations and revenue prospects. The complaint alleges that on May 28, 2025, Spruce Point Capital Management, LLC issued a report on Tempus that raised numerous red flags over Tempus' management, operations and financial reporting. The Spruce Point Report scrutinized Tempus on an array of issues, including: (1) defendant Eric Lefkofsky and his associates have a history cashing out of companies before public shareholders incur losses or lackluster returns; (2) Tempus' actual AI capabilities are overstated; (3) board members and other executives have been associated with troubled companies that restated financial results; (4) signs of aggressive accounting and financial reporting; (4) issues with the AstraZeneca and Pathos AI deal that merit scrutiny; and (5) the Company's recent financial guidance reveals weakness in core operations. On this news, the price of Tempus common stock fell $12.67 per share, or 19.23%, from a closing price of $65.87 per share on May 27, 2025, to a closing price of $53.20 per share on May 28, 2025. For more information on the Elevance class action go to: About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Information: Bragar Eagel & Squire, Walker, Esq. Marion Passmore, Esq.(212) 355-4648 [email protected]
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syrian leader pledges security for all, slams Israeli strikes on Damascus
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa says protecting the country's Druze citizens and their rights is a priority as he announces that local leaders will take control of security in the city of Suwayda in a bid to end sectarian violence in the south and in the wake of deadly Israeli strikes in Damascus. In a televised speech on Thursday, the Syrian leader addressed days of fierce fighting involving Druze armed groups, Bedouin tribes and government forces in the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda. Israel, which sees the Druze as allies, launched a series of strikes near Syria's presidential palace and on the military headquarters in the heart of Damascus on Wednesday, warning Syria it would escalate its attacks further if government forces did not withdraw from the south and halt attacks against the Druze community. 'We are eager on holding accountable those who transgressed and abused our Druze people because they are under the protection and responsibility of the state,' al-Sharaa said in the speech, describing the minority as 'a fundamental part of the fabric of this nation'. 'We affirm that protecting your rights and freedoms is among our top priorities,' he said. 'We reject any attempt, foreign or domestic, to sow division within our ranks.' Al-Sharaa said 'responsibility' for security in the violence-plagued area would be handed over to religious elders and some local factions 'based on the supreme national interest'. At least 169 people have been killed in the violence in southern Syria in recent days, local sources told Al Jazeera, while the United Kingdom-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said more than 360 people have been killed. Troops withdraw Al-Sharaa's remarks came after the Syrian government and Druze leader Sheikh Yousef Jarbou announced a new ceasefire in the city and said the army had begun withdrawing from Suwayda. Dozens of Syrian military vehicles were seen leaving the city overnight. Reporting from Suwayda, Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr said 'a tense calm' had settled on the city on Thursday morning. 'Whether or not it will hold, we have to wait and see,' she said. She said the Druze community, a small but influential minority in both Syria and Israel, was 'divided' over its stance towards the new Syrian authorities, who took over after the fall of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December. Jarbou, who said he agreed to the ceasefire, condemned the Israeli strikes on Syria, telling Al Jazeera Arabic that 'any attack on the Syrian state is an attack on the Druze community.' But another influential Druze leader in the city, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari, said he rejected the ceasefire and promised to continue fighting until Suwayda was 'entirely liberated'. Khodr said al-Hajari's whereabouts were unknown, and it was unclear whether fighters affiliated with him would 'continue to put up a fight'.'Israeli entity has targeted our stability and sowed discord' In his speech, al-Sharaa called for national unity, saying: 'The building of a new Syria requires all of us to stand united behind our state, to commit to its principles and to place the interest of the nation above any personal or limited interest.' Addressing the Druze community, he said the government rejected 'any attempt to drag you into the hands of an external party', in a pointed reference to Israel's deadly intervention in the conflict. 'The Israeli entity, which has consistently targeted our stability and sowed discord since the fall of the former regime, now seeks once again to turn our sacred land into a theatre of endless chaos,' he said. 'We are not among those who fear the war. We have spent our lives facing challenges and defending our people, but we have put the interests of the Syrians before chaos and destruction.' He added that Israel's strikes, including those that killed three people and injured 34 in Damascus on Wednesday, could have pushed 'matters to a large-scale escalation if it were not for the intervention of US, Turkish and Arab mediators, 'which saved the region from an unknown fate'.The United States, which has softened its stance towards Syria and is trying to re-engage and support the country's reconstruction after more than 13 years of war, has been eager to de-escalate the conflict, which Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce called 'a misunderstanding between new neighbours'. The US called on Syria on Wednesday to withdraw its troops from the southern border area to de-escalate tensions. Actions 'louder than words' Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mohamad Elmasry, professor of media studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, said al-Sharaa's speech contained encouraging messages about the place of the Druze minority in Syrian society. 'He said that the Druze are an essential component,' Elmasry said. 'He said it's the Syrian government's responsibility to protect them and to hold to account those who have transgressed against them in recent days.' But he said it would all come down to how his government behaved in the aftermath of the speech. 'I think their actions will speak louder than words for those minority groups in Syria.' He said the speech also contained a note of warning to Israel that al-Sharaa's government did not fear war and that 'anyone who starts a war with Syria … would regret it.' 'These were messages directed at Israel, and it marked a very significant departure from what we've heard from him and at times not heard from him when Israel has attacked Syria,' Elmasry said. 'I think we're at a potentially dangerous tipping point, and it really will come down to, I think, the extent to which [President] Donald Trump and the United States are willing to kind of rein in Israel,' he said. 'It's a very difficult situation in Syria. You are talking about a very multiethnic society. You have outside forces, starting with Israel, trying to basically fragment the country and establish a separatist system, if you will, in Syria,' Elmasry said. Cycle of violence The escalation in Syria began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between Druze armed factions and local Sunni Bedouin tribes in Suwayda province. Government forces that intervened to restore order clashed with the Druze, and Syrian soldiers were reported to have committed abuses, according to local monitors and analysts. The actions committed by members of the security forces – acknowledged as 'unlawful criminal acts' by the Syrian presidency – have given Israel a pretext to bombard Syria as it builds military bases in the Golan Heights in the demilitarised buffer zone with Syria on land seized by its forces. Fighting previously broke out between government troops and Druze fighters in April and May, killing dozens of people. Local leaders and religious figures responded by signing agreements to contain the escalation and better integrate Druze fighters into the new Syrian administration. The Druze developed their own militias during the Syrian war. Since al-Assad's fall, Druze factions have been operating with a degree of autonomy in Suwayda and its surrounding areas, Khodr said. Israel has been trying to expand its control in southern Syria since al-Assad's fall and has repeatedly bombed the country this year. During the fighting in Suwayda, Israel demanded the Syrian troop withdrawal to create a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and has been moving its ground forces deeper into the Golan the daily Crossword
