Latest news with #WWI
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Germany's New Military ‘Provocation' For Russia; 'Additional €7 Billion Poured Into Anti-Putin War'
Germany's New Military 'Provocation' For Russia; 'Additional €7 Billion Poured Into Anti-Putin War' Source: Berlin pledges €7 billion more to Kiev for joint missile production in warzone territory. German Chancellor Merz lifts all range limits; Ukraine allowed to strike deep inside Russia. Lavrov warns Berlin is 'sliding into collapse' like in WWI and WWII over direct war role.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Stolen First World War plaque found in scrapyard
A stolen First World War memorial plaque has been discovered in a scrapyard in Essex. Two 100-year-old metal plaques, which contain the names of dozens of soldiers killed in the war, were stolen last Friday from Christ Church Luton, in Chatham, Kent. Jonathan Pout, the head gardener, noticed they had been unbolted from the wall on May 24, prompting fears they were to be sold as scrap metal and could be destroyed. Police have now recovered one of the historic pieces from a scrapyard and arrested seven men, although the other plaque is still missing. It took four officers to carry the stolen plaque back to the church. A spokesman for Kent Police said on Thursday: 'Two initial suspects, aged 26 and 25 years, from Dartford, were swiftly tracked down following the recovery of the plaque from an Essex scrapyard on Wednesday. 'Five further men from the Medway area, aged between 22 years and 51 years, were subsequently arrested and remain in custody.' Pc Alanya Spiller said: 'We received a call about the location of the stolen property and patrols were immediately deployed across the Dartford Crossing. 'We are still seeking the other plaque and urge anyone who may be able to assist to contact us. This includes residents with private CCTV and motorists with dashcam who may have relevant footage.' The Rev Andrea Leonard, 65, the vicar of Christ Church Luton, said some members of the congregation had been emotional after discovering that the plaques outside the church were missing. She said: 'It's part of the church, it's part of the community, and in a way it's part of people's relatives. 'People say 'Oh my great uncle was on that list' and people recognise the names on there. 'If the church had been broken into and a computer stolen I'd have said 'Oh, we can get another one'. 'But this is desecration. It's horrible. The fact that someone can have that lack of respect for people that gave everything for us to be free is just shocking.' The vicar is now urging thieves to 'do the right thing' and return the second plaque to the church. She said: 'I have been with the police for the last half hour and they have been looking at the CCTV. 'It's just amazing what the police have done. They have told me they are on the hunt for the second plaque and they are still very much hoping it will be found – but the suspects may have been able to sell it. 'We are still hoping someone will do the right thing and the second one will be found as well. If the second plaque is not recovered, they would be replaced with replicas made of less valuable materials.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Hindu Sunday crossword No. 6
Across 8 What one may find in Napa valley when returning (4) 9 Press with spades and some golf clubs (5) 10 Friend's piano given away by fool (4) 11 Amid precipitation, boy covers university with a display of refracted light (6) 12 Self-centred persons, after consuming tea, I hear, continue to be self-centred persons (8) 13 Set up configuration once again after ROM goes bad (8) 15 Imagine setter on date, carrying sweetheart (6) 17 Snake! Stop making material for construction of road (7) 19 Parent designed... Son produces snares (7) 22 Rarely models go astray (6) 24 Brat moved around curiously and got better (8) 26 Took chance destroying rani's ark (3,1,4) 28 Thin point on projectile (6) 30 Guy who has taken house on rent leaves a new piece of camping equipment (4) 31 In Indian state, start to use last bit of bread and cheese (5) 32 Punched out paper in country (4) Down 1 Return of racket by youth centre is prohibited (4) 2 Robot has designed hat (8) 3 Shelter got from WWI mag (6) 4 Beloved takes in saint's truthfulness (7) 5 European stone shattered by Scotsman (8) 6 Journalist's baby's cot is in the South East (6) 7 Hog leaves yoghurt in accommodation (4) 14 Follow English, Susan? (5) 16 30 tailless pets returned by East European (5) 18 Without using fabric, setting up climbing frames for rodents (8) 20 Overhead cargo carrier is, perhaps, OK for car? (4,4) 21 Place of residence having candle part with one unusual pattern for starters (7) 23 Insufficient supply from leading distributor on ground (6) 25 Animal left in enclosure (6) 27 Time daughter becomes old (4) 29 Egg-shaped part of Saltoro valley (4)
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian envoy to China pays tribute to Indian soldiers who defended Hong Kong in World War I
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat on Wednesday laid a wreath at the Indian Soldiers' War Memorial in Hong Kong, paying tribute to the Indian soldiers who defended the territory during World War I (1914-1919). The ceremony was held to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who served in the British Indian Army. The Indian Soldiers' War Memorial, built in 1928, stands as a lasting symbol of their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Erected by public subscription, the memorial honours the memory of Indian soldiers who served in Hong Kong during WWI, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Over the years, it has been a place of solemn remembrance and has welcomed distinguished Indian dignitaries, including Vice President Dr S Radhakrishnan (1957) and President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma (1991), reaffirming the deep historical ties and shared respect between India and Hong Kong. This year's ceremony also marked the successful completion of enhancement works at the memorial, ensuring the site is preserved with the dignity it deserves. In a post on social media X, the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong wrote 'Ambassador of India to the People's Republic of China H.E. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat laid a wreath at the renovated Indian Soldiers' War Memorial in Hong Kong, joined by Consul General @SatwantKhanalia & members of the Indian Diaspora at a solemn commemoration event organized on 25 May, 2025. A tribute funded by @DefenceMinIndia & executed by the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong with the Hindu Association Hong Kong - honouring Indian soldiers & inspiring future generations.' Meanwhile, earlier today Consul General Satwant Khanalia met local Indian artist Biren Kapadia. Kapadia presented an evocative acrylic canvas to Khanalia which would find a place of honour Consulate Visitors Reception area. 'Consul General @SatwantKhanalia was happy to meet talented local Indian artist Mr. Biren Kapadia who presented an evocative watercolour/acrylic on canvas titled 'Into the Wild' which will shortly find a place of honour in the Consulate Visitors' Reception area. Mr. Kapadia likes to paint giant, gentle creatures such as whales & elephants & said that the process of painting gives him a sense of peace, with constructive feedback from his wife & grandson. Let's all find our own unique way of connecting with nature & path to inner peace,' the post on the official account of Consulate General of India in Hong Kong read. (ANI)
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
CEO Vitalie Taittinger Leads Taittinger Champagne With Grace, Vision And Balance
Vitalie Taittinger, President and CEO of Taittinger Champagne Vitalie Taittinger is a powerful leader in Champagne. As President and CEO of the 3rd oldest Champagne House, established in 1734, Vitalie oversees 200+ employees and the production of around 6 million bottles of Taittinger Champagne annually, exported to over 130 countries. She is also the mother of four children and an avid supporter of the arts and local charities. But she oversees the Taittinger empire with grace, vision and a strong sense of work/life balance. So how does she accomplish this? 'We are not just a family business – it is much more than that. Champagne is in our hearts, linked to nature, people, culture and art. It is part of the joy we have every day,' she told me recently during a Zoom interview. As a family business, Vitalie explained that her brother, Clovis Taittinger, is the General Manager and leads the sales division, and her father, Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger is the Honorary Chairman. The family business is woven into their lives and could be overwhelming for some people, but Vitalie has managed to integrate everything with calm and grace. 'We have a strong sense of balance between family and work,' she explained. 'I have a great team supporting me, and it is important to remember that if we want to be sustainable as a business, we need balance for all of the team.' She mentions that when she comes home from work in the evenings, she disconnects from the day's stresses. 'I spend time with my children, listen to music, play my guitar, or share an aperitif with my husband. It is a time of the day that is totally necessary… to go back to my roots,' she states. Vitalie, Pierre Emmanuel, and Clovis Taittinger of the House of Taittinger Champagne Indeed the style of Taittinger is rooted in the concepts of lightness and naturalness. Vitalie's great-grandfather, Pierre Taittinger, purchased the historic Château de la Marquetterie (built 1734) and its vineyards outside of Epernay in 1915. Recognizing the changing tastes in cuisine and beverages after WWI, he saw an opportunity to replant the vineyards and craft a new style of Champagne. At that time most Champagne was sweeter and more full-bodied to match the rich French cuisine covered in heavy sauces. But tastes were changing, and consumers wanted lighter and more natural food and wine. 'He wanted to make champagne that is light and delicate,' reported Vitalie. 'So chardonnay is the most precise grape for this, so we planted more chardonnay and less pinot noir than other estates.' Today the Taittingers own 288 hectares of vineyards, of which 40% of the grapes are selected for their champagnes while the remaining harvest is sold. They are also implementing sustainable farming practices and reducing the amount of additives in the vineyards – something that is challenging in a region that is often beset by extreme weather events, such as frost, too much rain, powdery mildew and hail storms. 'Father rebought the company in 2006 and stopped the pesticides in the vineyards,' explained Vitalie. (The estate was briefly sold to Starwood Capital in 2005, but repurchased by the family the following year). 'Sustainability is a journey, and everyone is trying to be sustainable in Champagne now. Some are at the end and others at the beginning,' she added. The family produces five lines of champagne: Vitalie, who is a trained artist, having studied illustration and graphic art at the Emile Cohl School of Design in Lyon, compares the craft of blending champagne as similar to art. 'We play with a palate, like an artist, of different crus, grapes, and colors to create the blend. It is a service of emotion, and each champagne is a different emotion,' she said. I was able to taste both of the non-vintage wines and the Comtes, all of which can be found in fine wine shops, restaurants, and online. The Taittinger Brut Reserve ($65) is a classic and approachable wine with ripe green apple, pear, and a twist of lemon and biscuit notes. Taittinger Brut Prestige Rose ($75) is quite different, with an explosive fruity palate of ripe cherries, strawberries and a hint of tart rhubarb on the finish. Both wines are medium-bodied with soft silky bubbles and a refreshing finish. 'We describe the style of our non-vintage wines as fresh, dynamic and generous,' explained Vitalie. 'You feel the body of the wine. It is an emotion of happiness to share with family and friends. Like a kiss of pleasure.' The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs ($250) is a completely different creature. I sampled the 2012 vintage and found it to be filled with lightness, elegance and great complexity. The nose enchants with toasted almonds, lemon, and a hint of ginger, which carries through on the palate with delicate bubbles, chalk, lemon pith, and croissant. It has a very long, refreshing, and concentrated finish, and seems to grow in complexity with each taste. Vitalie describes it as ' an emotion of time, where with each sip you discover the dimension of the wine. Your palate is enchanted, and you have the impression you are flying.' So what's ahead for Champagne Taittinger? Vitalie admits that she spends her work days engrossed in strategic issues, development projects, and meetings with customers, distributors, importers and journalists. 'I try to remain strategic in my thinking and not get buried in the details while focusing on how to improve management to help our employees be happier and give them career growth,' she reports. She is also involved in the blending process for the champagnes, working with the cellar team to taste the different reserve and new wines. But being faithful to existing customers is one of her most important obligations. 'After COVID we had many opportunities to make deals with big companies, but we gave priority to our existing customers. We always want to respect the people we are working with' she says. When asked about the future, she identified five main tenants the company is focusing on: Though not part of this interview, Clovis Taittinger has a favorite quote that is worth sharing and a fitting conclusion to the article: 'Champagne is the best way of saying 'I love you' in any language,' Clovis Taittinger.
