Latest news with #Verde
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Neighborhood Kids' viral rage rap anthem during ICE raids turned them into Tom Morello's ‘new favorite band'
In times of turmoil, music can clarify a moment and a feeling, or at least briefly cut through the noise. And as California has been under siege by newly aggressive federal immigration enforcement by masked agents, a biting hip-hop track called 'Kids in Cages' by the Neighborhood Kids has gone viral, reflecting on this drama from the perspective of those being hunted. In a video clip shared widely on Instagram these last few weeks, a young couple of Latino rappers from San Diego — named Amon the MC and Verde — face the camera to recite a confrontational rhyme from an urban pedestrian bridge made of concrete and chain-link fence: 'We are the hard workers ... We are the ones that'll work in constructionAnd we are the ones that'll fix your destructionAnd we are the ones that pick fruit on your tableAnd we are the ones that been given a labelAnd we are the ones that you're blamingFor taking your jobs, whatcha pay me?We are the ones working minimum wagesAnd we are the ones with our kids in the cages.' The track was originally self-released by the Neighborhood Kids in 2023, but found renewed resonance as Americans in Los Angeles and across the country watched alarming video of day laborers, construction workers and restaurant employees being swept up in raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. It caught the attention of several established musicians, including Cat Power and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, who shared the clip with their devoted social media followings. The song first emerged from a freestyle rhyme during a band rehearsal, then was recorded with rapid-fire vocals from the two rappers, a beat created by turntablist DJ JG, and blasts of swirling electric guitar from Niko Rosy. It first appeared on their 2023 EP, 'Every Child Left Behind.' The song's title, 'Kids in Cages,' was taken from the first Trump administration's notorious policy that separated immigrant children from their parents and warehoused them in makeshift chain-link holding cells. 'People think that it started just now,' says Verde, who appears in the video clip in a T-shirt emblazoned with an Aztec god, her hair twisted into braids. 'This has been years of this, and we just feel this rage. And it's OK to feel upset.' The song's focus on working-class immigrants was the point, reflecting their core mission of testifying for those without a voice. 'Some people are like, 'Oh, but we're also doctors and lawyers' and all these things, but these are the people that are getting snatched up,' says Amon. 'These are the people that don't get the light of day, the unsung heroes that really make this nation work, make this nation what it is. And that's why we had to really shout them out and let the people know.' Amon says the track has deeply connected now because 'there's a collective outrage, not just with what's going on with the mass deportation and raids with ICE, but it's the dehumanizing [aspect] of it and, and the separation of families. 'People think it's just happening to the Latino and the Mexican communities. But people forget about the Filipino, the Taiwanese, the Vietnamese, and the Haitians here. There's so many communities that are affected by it.' When Morello quickly organized a last-minute concert called Defend L.A. at the Echoplex for June 16, both as an act of protest and a fundraiser for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, he called on several like-minded artists, including B-Real of Cypress Hill and Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova. He also connected with the Neighborhood Kids through a mutual friend, the singer-songwriter Grandson. A few weeks earlier, Morello had never heard of the Neighborhood Kids, but was immediately hooked by 'Kids in Cages.' 'It's delivered with such conviction and authenticity. I just thought that they were lyrically brilliant and that they were committed to their music being a sledgehammer for social justice,' Morello says. 'Saw them on Instagram and 20 seconds into the first clip, I was like, this is an incredible band that captures the spirit of what the greatest rock 'n' roll and hip-hop and punk rock is all about.' When the call to be part of Defend L.A. came in, the band was scattered. Amon, Verde and DJ JG were playing a gig in Sacramento, where they shot a video clip for their hard-hitting Spanglish-language tune 'Third World Problems' in front of the state Capitol. Rosy was on a trip to Rome without his guitar, and the rest of the band were in San Diego. No one wanted to miss the show with Morello, so Rosy flew directly to L.A., and the group reconvened in a nearby rehearsal studio the day of the performance. The Neighborhood Kids opened the night, after Morello introduced them as 'my new favorite band.' The Neighborhood Kids can operate as either a stripped-down hip-hop trio of the two rappers and turntablist DJ JG, or as a full band, with Rosy on guitar, bassist Emmerson, and drummer Gatoz Locoz. At Echoplex, they landed at full force, backing up the rhymes like an eruption of rage (and Rage). The rappers wore military vests and keffiyeh scarves, and performed 30 minutes of protest songs that collided hip-hop, funk and metal. 'Biddi Bomb' was an antiwar tune that Amon says reflects ongoing tragedies in Gaza, Sudan, Congo and Armenia. 'And the Kids Say' is built on wild DJ scratching, with echoes of Rage Against the Machine in the repeated line, 'I won't do what you tell me…' and references to Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit.' Later in the night, Morello invited them back onstage to freestyle on Woody Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land.' The Neighborhood Kids are a self-sufficient and self-managed young act, though have yet to embark on a national tour. The vocal duo at its core are clearly lovers of hip-hop in the classic mode, and show the influence of Dead Prez and Immortal Technique. So it's fitting that the band will perform at Rhyme Fest at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 17, with a lineup of esteemed hip-hop vets including Xzibit, Dilated Peoples, DJ Quik, the Alchemist and more. 'We're just advocates of pure hip-hop,' says Amon, standing on the back patio of Echoplex just before their Defend L.A. sound check. 'So we do sample-based stuff, but we also have a live band. We're a band collective. This is our team and family, so whether we make music with them or without them, they figure out a way to be a part of it.' Amon and Verde are also a rare romantic couple fronting a rap group, and say their relationship adds more fuel to their work. 'It's beautiful being that there's high tones and then low,' says Verde of their overlapping voices. 'It's beautiful creating with someone that you love. Every song is like a baby almost. It's like nothing else.' These last few weeks of ICE activity and protest has already inspired new songs. Asked about their goals as a group, Amon says nothing of awards and chart action, and talks of reinvesting any rewards back into their community in San Diego. He says the desire is to help create more grassroots voices like their own. 'Eventually, we would love to have a nonprofit school of arts and music,' says Amon. 'We have a turntablist as DJ, and we'd like him to teach kids how to keep the art of DJing alive. We'd like to teach spoken word and songwriting and other instruments, and keep the creativity flowing. 'And apart from that, we just want to take our message across the whole world.' While the high-profile Defend L.A. show was meaningful confirmation that the Neighborhood Kids' message is reaching farther out into the world, they've learned to appreciate all crowds, big or small. 'Even if it's just one person, I learned that it doesn't matter who's watching you,' says Verde. 'Whether it be a whole crowd or just a couple people, they could change the world too, you know?'
Canada News.Net
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
LA Galaxy look to climb out of MLS cellar against Austin FC
(Photo credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images) Something has to give when offense-challenged Austin FC squares off against the porous defense of the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday as the two Western Conference teams battle in Carson, Calif. The Verde have an MLS-low 15 goals in 21 league matches this year. The Galaxy's suspect defense has surrendered a league-high 43 tallies. The Verde (7-8-6, 27 points) head to Southern California after yet another anemic offensive showing, producing just four shots on goal Saturday in a scoreless draw with New England at home. Austin was able to split the points thanks to another sterling effort by All-Star goalkeeper Brad Stuver -- who stopped eight shots en route to his eighth clean sheet of the season -- but coach Nico Estevez lamented missed opportunities offensively. 'It's a game that if you play 10 times, nine you win,' Estevez said. 'I mean, you have almost two expected goals. The chances that we have is right in the goalkeeper. It is what it is, you know. We are unlucky.' The Galaxy have been playing their best soccer of the season of late, winning 2-1 on Saturday at home over D.C. United. Marco Reus and Diego Fagundez scored goals and Novak Micovic had two saves in the win. Los Angeles (3-13-6, 15 points), the defending MLS champion, has won consecutive matches for the first time this season and has captured three in a row at home. The Galaxy are 3-1-2 over their past six outings, turning the proverbial corner after going without a win in their first 16 MLS matches (0-12-4) -- the worst start in league history. 'The confidence is good and our spirits are high,' said Galaxy coach Greg Vanney. 'The emotion comes off the results we're not getting, but our thought process on where we are as a team have progressively been getting better. The guys are confident as we're starting to see games out.' Reus has been a key cog in the Galaxy's turnaround and leads the side with five goals and seven assists. Matheus Nascimento has five goal contributions (two goals, three assists) in his last six appearances. The Galaxy are still at the bottom of the West table and are tied with Eastern doormat CF Montreal for the fewest points and wins in MLS. The Galaxy and Verde met earlier this season in Austin with the home side winning 1-0. LA leads the all-time series 5-3-1.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florence finally to be rid of notorious 60-metre crane after two decades
A giant crane that has blighted the skyline of Florence for almost 20 years is to finally be removed. The controversial structure, described as 'a metal monster', has stood in the centre of the Tuscan capital since 2006, when it was installed in a square opposite the Uffizi Galleries – famous for sublime artworks of the Italian renaissance – and tasked with doing the heavy lifting of materials during the initial phase of the museum's ongoing expansion. At more than 60 metres tall and visible from miles away, the crane was used less and less as the construction works dragged on, but there it remained despite numerous attempts to have it removed over its incongruity with the Florence landscape. Over time, the crane not only became a target of mockery, with an Instagram account set up for the purpose, but also the ultimate symbol of Italy's notoriously sluggish bureaucracy. The main things holding back the crane's removal have been the huge cost and the permissions required from the various levels of authority. But after some of the city's entrepreneurs responded to an appeal by the Uffizi's exasperated director, Simone Verde, and clubbed together to cover the bill, the dismantling of the crane will finally begin on 16 June, culminating in a celebration on the terrace of the galleries' Loggia dei Lanzi on 21 June. Such is the importance of the occasion, the event will also be attended by Italy's culture minister, Alessandro Giuli. 'Florence has been waiting for this moment for a long time,' said Verde. 'The metal monster is being removed and Florence's dazzling beauty can finally return intact and unviolated.' Verde added that the 'havoc' caused by the crane had been weighing on the city for far too long, and that he hoped the momentous occasion would mark the beginning of the end of 'this cursed construction site'. Part of the total €180,000 (£152,000) cost will also be used to replace the crane with a less invasive and more sustainable hoist, allowing the works to finally be completed without sullying the city's aesthetics. 'This operation confirms that good administration can triumph despite everything,' said Verde.
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Verde and Ergon Sign MOU to Advance Commercialization of Low-Carbon Road Materials
ST. LOUIS, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR), a leader in sustainable road construction technologies, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Verde Renewables Inc., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a trusted industry pioneer in asphalt innovation and supply. This marks a major milestone in their growing strategic alliance. The MOU builds on the companies' February 2025 announcement detailing their collaboration to produce a specialized emulsion used in the cold mix biochar-asphalt surface material deployed at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track. That groundbreaking achievement was made possible by Verde's proprietary emulsifying agent, specifically engineered to enable low-temperature emulsion production with at least 20% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional binders. This innovation also allows for the seamless integration of biochar, a carbon-sequestering material, and facilitates a bonding mechanism with aggregates, resulting in a high-performance Biochar-Asphalt surface course that sets a new benchmark for both durability and environmental impact. In April, this formulation enabled Verde to make history by generating the world's first Carbon Removal Credits from asphalt production and installation, based on the NCAT proof-of-concept project. With this MOU, Verde and Ergon are advancing their partnership to the next level. The companies are now working toward finalizing the commercial terms of an exclusive agreement for the U.S. market while simultaneously initiating a rapid validation of Verde's technology at Paragon, Ergon's state-of-the-art asphalt and materials testing lab. 'When you think of the best and most respected name in asphalt, you think of Ergon,' said Eric Bava, Chief Operating Officer of Verde Resources. 'This partnership is about more than innovation. It's about equipping Ergon, along with its partners, contractors, customers, and broader ecosystem, with practical tools to reduce Scope emissions and further solidify their leadership in sustainable infrastructure.' This partnership will be a key step in Verde's mission to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage, while delivering practical, profitable, and environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance. 'We want to be on the leading edge of sustainable road materials, and the technologies Verde is bringing to the table make that possible,' said Larry Tomkins, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. 'This next phase is about accelerating adoption and delivering meaningful change in how roads are built—without sacrificing quality or reliability. We're excited to build on the strong relationship we've developed and look forward to what's ahead with Verde.' With shared momentum and a clear path forward, Verde and Ergon are poised to usher in a new era of modern, low-carbon infrastructure by commercializing a validated technology that aligns sound economics with environmental responsibility at scale. About Verde Resources Inc.: Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR) is a leader in sustainable infrastructure, specializing in innovative and cost-effective solutions to help the industry seamlessly #TransitionToZero™. By integrating proprietary technologies with sustainable practices, Verde is at the forefront of creating low-carbon materials for infrastructure worldwide. About Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.: Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a subsidiary of Ergon, Inc., is a leading provider of high-performance asphalt products and technologies. With decades of experience, Ergon specializes in delivering advanced emulsions, polymer modified asphalts, and other solutions that enhance pavement performance and sustainability. Through its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated technical expertise, Ergon is committed to driving innovation in the asphalt industry. This press release includes forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. While Verde believes these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they rely on current information and inherently uncertain future projections. Additional risks and uncertainties are outlined in Verde's SEC filings, which may further impact actual outcomes in this press release. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Verde Resources Inc.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verde and Ergon Sign MOU to Advance Commercialization of Low-Carbon Road Materials
ST. LOUIS, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR), a leader in sustainable road construction technologies, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Verde Renewables Inc., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a trusted industry pioneer in asphalt innovation and supply. This marks a major milestone in their growing strategic alliance. The MOU builds on the companies' February 2025 announcement detailing their collaboration to produce a specialized emulsion used in the cold mix biochar-asphalt surface material deployed at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track. That groundbreaking achievement was made possible by Verde's proprietary emulsifying agent, specifically engineered to enable low-temperature emulsion production with at least 20% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional binders. This innovation also allows for the seamless integration of biochar, a carbon-sequestering material, and facilitates a bonding mechanism with aggregates, resulting in a high-performance Biochar-Asphalt surface course that sets a new benchmark for both durability and environmental impact. In April, this formulation enabled Verde to make history by generating the world's first Carbon Removal Credits from asphalt production and installation, based on the NCAT proof-of-concept project. With this MOU, Verde and Ergon are advancing their partnership to the next level. The companies are now working toward finalizing the commercial terms of an exclusive agreement for the U.S. market while simultaneously initiating a rapid validation of Verde's technology at Paragon, Ergon's state-of-the-art asphalt and materials testing lab. "When you think of the best and most respected name in asphalt, you think of Ergon," said Eric Bava, Chief Operating Officer of Verde Resources. "This partnership is about more than innovation. It's about equipping Ergon, along with its partners, contractors, customers, and broader ecosystem, with practical tools to reduce Scope emissions and further solidify their leadership in sustainable infrastructure." This partnership will be a key step in Verde's mission to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage, while delivering practical, profitable, and environmentally responsible solutions without compromising performance. "We want to be on the leading edge of sustainable road materials, and the technologies Verde is bringing to the table make that possible," said Larry Tomkins, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. "This next phase is about accelerating adoption and delivering meaningful change in how roads are built—without sacrificing quality or reliability. We're excited to build on the strong relationship we've developed and look forward to what's ahead with Verde." With shared momentum and a clear path forward, Verde and Ergon are poised to usher in a new era of modern, low-carbon infrastructure by commercializing a validated technology that aligns sound economics with environmental responsibility at scale. About Verde Resources Inc.: Verde Resources Inc. (OTCQB: VRDR) is a leader in sustainable infrastructure, specializing in innovative and cost-effective solutions to help the industry seamlessly #TransitionToZero™. By integrating proprietary technologies with sustainable practices, Verde is at the forefront of creating low-carbon materials for infrastructure worldwide. About Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.: Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a subsidiary of Ergon, Inc., is a leading provider of high-performance asphalt products and technologies. With decades of experience, Ergon specializes in delivering advanced emulsions, polymer modified asphalts, and other solutions that enhance pavement performance and sustainability. Through its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated technical expertise, Ergon is committed to driving innovation in the asphalt industry. This press release includes forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. While Verde believes these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they rely on current information and inherently uncertain future projections. Additional risks and uncertainties are outlined in Verde's SEC filings, which may further impact actual outcomes in this press release. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Verde Resources Inc.
