Latest news with #Western
Otago Daily Times
31 minutes ago
- Otago Daily Times
Speech a reflection on racism in NZ
A Dunedin teenager's poignant reflection on the Christchurch terror attacks has earned her a spot at a national final for a speechmaking competition. Queen's High School student Malak Tamimi, 15, placed second at the Rakaia to Milton regional finals for Lions Young Speechmaker Contest for a speech she made on racism. Ashburton College student Jake Parsons, sponsored by Ashburton County Lions, won the competition. Malak, who was sponsored by the Taieri Lions Club, said being recognised at the competition made her feel she had a voice. ''I felt like I was actually seen.'' Dunedin Host Lions Young Speechmaker Contest winner Malak Tamimi. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Her speech was about how racism feels in the Western world, which she felt was a ''forgotten-about topic''. ''For the longest time, I didn't write about racism because I thought it was only in legends and movies, but then I realised it is not just in verbal or explicit things. ''It is often the backhanded comments and things you don't think would be called racism.'' Malak felt racism was experienced less in New Zealand, but was present nonetheless. She said her speech was emotional because of her mention of the Christchurch mosque shootings of March 15, 2019. As a young Muslim girl at the time, she did not know exactly what had happened, but she could see how it was affecting the people around her. ''I didn't know the severity of it, but I knew what happened was bad and that it would be bad for a long time. ''As I said in my speech, we were afraid and we are afraid.'' There were 11 contestants in the competition from Ashburton to Milton. Both Jake and Malak have qualified to go to the New Zealand final of the competition to be held in New Plymouth on August 2.
37 minutes ago
- Business
Trump defends giving Putin '50 days' to make peace with Ukraine
After President Donald Trump threatened to impose "very severe" economic penalties against Vladimir Putin's Russia if he doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days, the Trump administration has so far declined to provide many additional details about the consequences Russia will face or why he picked the deadline he chose. "Well, at the end of 50 days, if we don't have a deal, it's going to be too bad," Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. When asked why he decided to give the Russian leader nearly two months to comply with his demand, President Trump deflected. "I don't think 50 days is very long. It could be sooner than that," Trump said. "You should have asked that same question to Biden. Why did he get us into this war?" he continued. "You know why he got us in? Because he's a dummy, that's why." Despite pledging additional U.S. made weapons for Ukraine, Trump also said he didn't support Ukraine's President Zelenskyy ordering strikes on the Russian capital. "He shouldn't target Moscow," he said. "No, we're not looking to do that." What Trump is threatening On Monday, Trump said that Russia's failure to reach a negotiated settlement with Ukraine within 50 days would lead to his administration imposing a 100% tariff rate on Russian imports as well as what he called "secondary tariffs" on countries that have continued to do business with Moscow. "We're very, very unhappy with him," Trump said of Putin on Monday. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days." U.S. imports from Russia, which totaled around $3 billion in 2024 according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, account for a small share of Moscow's revenue, meaning Trump's threat to hike tariffs on Russian goods likely wouldn't pack much punch. However, the president's promise to raise tariffs on imports from third-party countries could carry more weight. Some secondary sanctions aimed at weakening Russia's war economy are already in place. The Biden administration steadily ramped up its use of the penalties throughout the conflict, primarily targeting foreign financial institutions accused of supporting Moscow's military industrial complex and the so-called "shadow fleet" of tanker operators working to circumvent Western sanctions and price caps on Russian oil. But going after countries that import oil and other resources from Russia would be a significant escalation. Through much of the war, the Biden administration avoided taking direct aim at Russian energy exporters out of concern that doing so would cause global fuel prices to rise. Instead, the former administration worked with other members of the G7 to cap the price of Russian oil products, cutting into Moscow's profits while allowing the exports to remain on the market. Trump, on the other hand, has previously promised to go after Russia's customers. In March, Trump threatened to put "secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia" during an interview with NBC News -- adding "if you buy oil from Russia, you can't do business in the United States." What countries would feel the impact? The White House has yet to release specific details on Trump's secondary tariffs, but his ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, said on Monday the top importers of Russian oil would be in the administration's crosshairs. "It's about tariffs on countries like India and China that are buying their oil. And it really is going to I think dramatically impact the Russian economy," he said during an interview with CNN. But whether the secondary tariffs would stop at countries like China and India is an open question. Despite the web of sanctions in place against Russia, the country still has many meaningful trade relationships, including ones with European allies. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU has significantly dropped its share of Russian oil and gas imports and its plan to fully phase out those imports isn't expected to fully come to fruition until the end of 2027 at the earliest. Some Eastern European and Central Asian countries also have economies that rely on doing business with Russia, meaning they would almost certainly be unable to significantly scale back trade with Russia and would have the face the consequences of secondary tariffs. The next 50 days If the president sticks to his 50-day window, Russia can continue to carry out its summertime campaign against Ukraine until early September without facing additional consequences. In his interview with CNN, Whitaker was also asked about how Trump made the decision on the timeline but didn't give a clear answer. "The time to end the slaughter is now. The time to end the killing is now. And so 50 days is the appropriate amount of time because it needs to happen now," he responded. Currently, Russia is making modest gains against Ukraine and may soon seek to leverage those advances to launch additional offenses in the eastern reach of the country, according to a recent assessment from the Institute of the Study of War. Many officials and experts have long predicted that the Kremlin would push off serious talks on ending the war until the cooler months set in because it hopes to strengthen its position at the negotiating table by claiming as much territory as possible during the summer season. In an interview with the BBC on Monday, Trump indicated he still wanted to pursue diplomacy with Russia, but that his patience with Putin was wearing thin. "I'm not done with him, but I'm disappointed with him," he said.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Star Trek' Star Says He Won't Play His Popular Character Again
Star Trek actor Anson Mount is opening up about his decades-long career in the entertainment industry. During an appearance on the July 15 episode of Michael Rosenbaum's podcastInside of You, Mount, who currently plays Captain Christopher Pike on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, discussed starring in the Western series, Hell on Wheels, which aired for five seasons until 2016. Mount said while he missed filming the series "like crazy," he wouldn't ever return to play his character, Cullen Bohannon. "It was a full chapter of my life. I love working outside. I love working with horses. I loved working with all of the cast and producers and everyone on set. I loved working with the network. But, no, I would not go back," said Mount during the interview. He explained that he believed it would be a disservice to his character if he ever reprised the role. "You know you've done your job when you feel like your character has deserved their rest. And it would be like grave digging to bring him back. I wouldn't do that," said Mount. While speaking to Rosenbaum, Mount also discussed playing Captain Pike, a role originated by Jeffrey Hunter in the original Star Trek series, which aired from 1966 to 1969. He noted that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, meaning his version of the captain is "in a very different place" than Hunter's Pike. He also said he appreciated having to abide by the limitations of portraying an already-established character. "I think every artist needs the limitations. And at this point Star Trek is almost its own genre. And I think you have to study if you want to do it correctly," said Mount. When Rosenbaum asked Mount if he "studied" the Star Trek franchise, the Hell on Wheels actor replied that he was a fan of the original series when he was a child. "I grew up watching it in syndication," said the 52-year-old. The third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premieres on July 17 on Paramount+. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
What to stream: Get to know films of Ari Aster and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Two exciting young genre filmmakers have films out in theaters this weekend: Ari Aster, with the contemporary Western 'Eddington,' which he wrote and directed, and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, with 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' a remake of the 1997 teen horror classic, which she directed and co-wrote with Sam Lansky and Leah McKendrick. Aster has carved out a name for himself as an auteur of artfully directed horror films that deal with family trauma in surprising and disturbing ways, while Robinson has put her stamp on smart and sassy pop projects with large ensemble casts. Check out their filmographies on streaming before you head to the theater this weekend, to see what their work is all about. Aster first made his mark with his debut feature 'Hereditary,' a terrifying horror film about a trauma that befalls a family, and the strange, even supernatural events that come out of it. Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne star as parents Annie and Steve, with Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro as their children. If you still haven't seen 'Hereditary,' the less you know, the better. Rent it on iTunes or Amazon. He followed that up with the folk horror breakup movie 'Midsommar,' starring Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as a couple whose relationship is on the rocks when they travel to Sweden with a friend, and discover that the midsommar festivities they're attending take place within a strange cult. It's a must-see in the Aster oeuvre. Rent it on iTunes or Amazon. Aster's daring third feature 'Beau Is Afraid' strayed from the traditional horror genre, incorporating different storytelling elements into this sprawling and absurdist family dramedy, about one very anxious man, Beau (Joaquin Phoenix), embarking on a harrowing journey to get home to see his mother (Patti LuPone). You simply have to see it for yourself. Stream 'Beau Is Afraid' on HBO Max, Paramount+, or rent it on other platforms. Robinson created the MTV revenge series 'Sweet/Vicious' about a pair of college student vigilantes who target sexual assailants, and wrote and directed the ensemble Netflix breakup rom-com 'Someone Great,' starring Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, DeWanda Wise and LaKeith Stanfield. Stream 'Someone Great' on Netflix. After writing the abortion road trip buddy comedy 'Unpregnant' (streaming on HBO Max), and co-writing 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (streaming on Disney+), Robinson continued to work with Netflix for her second feature. The snappy high school-set 'Do Revenge' is loosely based on the Patricia Highsmith novel 'Strangers on a Train,' and the Hitchcock film of the same name, but is also made in the mold of classics like 'Heathers' and 'Clueless.' 'Do Revenge' stars Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke and is streaming on Netflix. --- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Stampede Queen competition wraps up over weekend
The 2025 Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Queen Competition has come to a close, and for this year's competitors, all that remains is to wait to begin their reign. With two participants in this year's competition, both young women, Mila Stuut and Joleigh Wood will be taking on a title and a year as MHES Rodeo Royalty. The feelings regarding competition week being over are mixed, says Wood, as while they are relieved to have successfully completed the various events that make up competition week, it does mean that their time alongside current MHES Queen and Princess Charlie Christie and Charlatan Sandford is coming to a close. 'Charlie and Charlatan have made it just an absolutely amazing experience. They have really helped us through any challenges that we've experienced,' said Stuut. 'They've helped us come out of our comfort zones and be more confident with everything royalty does, and they've really done a great job of showing us the ropes and keeping us on our toes.' The competition was not without some small hiccups, says Wood, but the pair felt that they were able to push through and present their best possible selves, both individually and as a budding pair in true future royalty fashion. Both say they have come a long way since making the decision to run this year, feeling they have grown as people, and they are grateful for the chance to become close in the days leading up to their crowning. 'I was told during boot camp, competition either makes or breaks you, and I feel it better both of us, for sure. Mila and I have gotten a lot closer during this competition week, and it kind of just set us on the right path,' said Wood. The pair were asked to demonstrate their horsemanship skills, as well as public speaking and modelling, though their personal highlights come not for the public-facing events, but from various appearances throughout town, where they were being judged on their personality. For Stuut, her highlight was visiting the police station and getting a better look at the city, where Wood said she will never forget their time attending the Play School, which she says truly demonstrated the impact that Rodeo Royalty can have on the youth. The pair are looking forward to relaxing for a new days before attending more events with the current royalty, all leading up to when they will don the crown and sash themselves and begin what they already realize will be a whirlwind of a year. 'During the girls' speech on Friday, when they were doing their goodbyes, it just made me realize how fast this year can go by,' said Wood. 'And I know I looked over and Mila was kind of tearing up, and I was kind of tearing up just thinking of the fact that that's going to be us next year. We can make that large of an impact on people.' Stuut said that they already have big plans for their reign and what they want to accomplish with their year representing Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede and the Western way of life, and they are thrilled to be able to take it on together. 'I think that we'll work together as a fantastic team for the rest of the year,' said Stuut. 'We've been able to form a pretty special bond already.' Crowning will take place in the dirt during the intermission of the Summer Pro Rodeo on July 25, and will be viewable for all those with a rodeo ticket for the evening. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
