Jared Kushner, senior White House adviser and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, will visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the coming days in an effort to “resolve the dispute between the Gulf countries”, a media report said.
Kushner will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, US officials told the Axios news outlet on Sunday.
Kushner has “close relationships” with both leaders, the report quoted the officials as saying.
During the trip, he will be accompanied by White House envoy Avi Berkowitz, International Development Finance Corporation CEO Adam Boehler, and former Iran Ambassador Brian Hook.
“Fixing the rift between Saudi Arabia and Qatar would bring a sense of stability back to the Gulf and notch a last-minute achievement for Kushner and the Trump administration before January 20,” the Axios news report said.
On January 20, President-elect Joe Biden is set to be inaugurated.
The report further said: “The US maintains close ties with both Qatar and its rivals, but the Trump administration’s several attempts to reconcile the parties were unsuccessful.”
The officials told Axios that Kushner hopes to “convince the Saudi and Qatari leaders to reconcile and reach a deal on several outstanding issues”, adding that the senior adviser also wants to use the talks in Riyadh to “cement the agreement for Saudi Arabia to allow eastbound flights from Israel to pass through Saudi airspace”.
The news of Kushner’s upcoming visits came almost a week after Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on a secret visit to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince.
Netanyahu’s trip coincided with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who was also in Riyadh at the time.
Qatar Emir (R) and Jared Kushner
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Yossi Cohen.
Netanyahu and the Trump’s administration wish that Saudi Arabia would follow the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in normalizing ties with Israel.
Riyadh has declined to form formal ties with Israel, saying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be discussed first.
However, Riyadh recently announced Israeli airliners could fly over Saudi Arabia to newly available Gulf destinations and to Asia.
One of the most popular cardio work-outs in North America, Latin America, Europe and other parts of Asia, and a current global phenomenon, rhythm-based spinning is nothing short of a complete workout for the body. It keeps you energised through the day and keeps the mind focussed. All one have to do is ride a bike.
What is rhythm riding? It’s nothing but riding a stationary bicycle to a changing musical beat. When done in a secure environment, under proper guidance, it can yield exceptional results, explains Chakra, Bengaluru’s first dedicated rhythm-based spinning studio.
Chakra is a customised 45-minute cardio and strength building session. “When you ride in higher gears, you’re working on strength, building and shaping your glutes, quads and hamstrings. When you’re riding at lower gears, you’re working on increasing stamina and shedding fat. Each class also has a dedicated dumbbells track, where the focus is on chiselling your upper body (biceps, triceps, pecs, delts, and traps).
“And don’t forget those abs! Your core is constantly engaged throughout each class, which of course helps define your abdominal muscles. Most importantly though, the energy generated in the room is contagious and long-lasting. Riders are encouraged to flex their mental muscles and dedicate their 45-minute spin session to themselves, empowering them to take on the world outside the Chakra studio.”
Brought to India by siblings Nastassja and Nikhil Suri, ‘Chakra’, inspired by the Hindi word for wheel and the seven energy centers in the human body, trains people in the holistic experience in a nature and art inspired setting dedicated to one’s physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Ask them why Chakra and they both have the same answer, “We truly believe that rhythm based cycling can be a life-changing experience.” Both visualise Chakra as being a constant in their riders’ lives a part of their weekly, if not daily, routines. Their goal is to have studios across India and to spread the positive energy that we already witness in their studio.
Actress Rautela wants to try out all genres but wants to do a romantic film again, after the 2016 release, Sanam Re.
“I have hunger as an actor to do all sorts of films and explore all genres and let myself grow with every film,” she said.
“While hope is certainly important, the scientific reason why we tend to fall for a good romantic film is oxytocin or the hormone of love. So when we see a love story, the story resonates with us and our brains react as if we are experiencing it ourselves. When it comes to romance movies, it can feel a bit like we are falling in love ourselves and connecting with the same on a deeper level,” said Urvashi.
The actress recently shot for the video of the song “Woh chaand kaha se laogi”.
“It is my small wish and aspiration to do a romantic film again after ‘Sanam Re’. This video is purely a love story with a lot of heart-break. It has been beautifully composed by Vishal Mishra,” said Urvashi.
She is now looking forward to the release of her Telugu film “Black Rose”.
Film and theatre actor-director Rajat Kapoor, whose rendition of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘As You Like It’ will soon premiere as a digital play with Aadyam’s Digital Edition in December, said that recorded plays “can never pretend to be theatre, which exists only in the moment of its performance”.
Kapoor has directed “I Don’t Like It, As You Like It”, which was a raging hit and was first staged during Aadyam’s second season in 2016. It will come back for its digital edition on screens as Aadyam takes the stage to the screen. To maintain the authenticity of a distinctive theatre going experience to the best extent possible, Aadyam’s digital showcase will be recorded with a multi camera set up, enveloped for virtual viewing for three limited edition screenings via Insider.in’s digital streaming service for audiences across the country to enjoy.
Asked about his thoughts on the experience of a live theatre performance, versus a play recording, he told IANSlife: “Theatre happens when there is at least one actor on stage and there is at least one person in the audience. This is enough for the possibility of a theatrical performance. Everything else is secondary. There may or may not be a set, lights, dialogues, movement, music, costumes. All other elements may or may not be a part of the performance, but even without any of these elements theatrical performance can take place – an actor performs (he may be still and do nothing), and he is watched.”
“Now what happens in a recording of this performance is that the very basic coming together of the two necessary elements has been denied. The very essence of theatre is missing. Perhaps, at the time of the recording, when the actors performed – maybe at that moment there was a theatre. But when I watch that recording at home, what I am watching is a recorded play. It can never pretend to be theatre, which exists only in the moment of its performance.”
He likens the difference to the experience of holding your father’s hand, as compared to looking at the photograph of your dad while answering how theatre can be made more life-like in the digital realm.
“That picture is his, but it’s not him. The presence is not there. Now what you’re asking me is how do we make this photograph more life-like? Well, it will never be him… but one can try and find a photograph which will somehow reveal the essence of the man… and you can imagine how difficult that is.”
Re-wording an old saying, Kapoor said: ‘What happens on stage, stays on stage’. “What we watch through the digital medium is something else. I am not saying this because I have arrived at this through an effort of the mind, or intellect; it is my physical experience of watching a play- which is a process of being in the presence of somebody else’s energy, being a part of it – and even collaborating in that performance, because as an audience you giving back energy that feeds the performer. That ‘experience’ can’t be replicated on a screen.”
European Union (EU)'s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier heads for trade talks with Britain in London, Britain, on Nov. 9, 2020. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that Brexit negotations with the European Union (EU) were entering “the last week or so” of “substantive” talks before the transition period ends on December 31.
Calling on the EU to accept a “point of principle” on fisheries, one of the sticking points in the talks, Raab on Sunday seemed to reject what is reported to be the bloc’s current offer on fishing — to return between 15 to 18 per cent of fish stocks currently caught by European fleets in British waters, Xinhua news agency reported.
On other outstanding issues, Raab told Sky News that it “feels like there’s progress towards greater respect” for the UK’s position on so-called “level playing field” commitments — a set of post-Brexit common rules and standards.
The UK and the EU resumed face-to-face post-Brexit talks in London on November 28 after an EU negotiator tested positive for the novel coronavirus earlier this month.
The negotiations are in a crucial stage as time is running out for both sides to secure a deal before the Brexit transition period expires.
European Union (EU) chief negotiator Michel Barnier (C) leaves after trade talks with Britain in London, Britain, on Nov. 28, 2020. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
The UK and the EU started their lengthy and bumpy post-Brexit talks in March after the country ended its membership of the bloc on January 31, trying to secure a future trade deal before the Brexit transition period expires.
Commenting on the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying economic crisis, Raab said both the UK and the EU “ought to focus all of our minds on doing everything we can to give the economy a bit of a boost”.
His remarks came as another 15,871 people in the UK have tested positive for for the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 1,621,305.
Slowly but surely, India and Indianness are foraying the world of showbiz in the West, and much of it has to do with the countrys growing presence in the OTT space. The success of Delhi Crime at the International Emmys is, as Shefali Shah rightly said, a cherry on the sundae, but Indian stories and Indian talent of the digital space have been making a strong impact the way Bollywood or our mainstream cinema never really did.
We draws up a list of Indian artistes and themes that are carving a space in the worldwide OTT space.
PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS
Her Hollywood debut and musical sojourns in the West had mixed responses, but her OTT foray in the international arena seems more assured. After “Isn’t It Romantic”, she will soon be seen in “We Can Be Heroes” and “The White Tiger”. The actress has also sealed a two-year multimillion-dollar, first-look television deal with the global streaming platform Amazon. “My Amazon television deal is a global deal, so I can do Hindi language, I can do English language, I can do whatever language I want,” she had said about the deal.
Presently, Priyanka is also collaborating with Amazon on two television projects. The first is “Sangeet”, an unscripted series co-produced with her husband, Nick Jonas, based on the Indian pre-wedding tradition in which the families of the bride and groom compete against each other in song and dance. The other project is “Citadel”, Anthony and Joe Russo’s spy series in which she will star with Richard Madden.
CITADEL
The global event series come from “Avengers” directors Joe and Anthony Russo. It will unite Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The show, described as an action-driven spy series, will feature interconnected, local-language versions of the story in several other countries. The show, which will be available on Amazon Prime Video, will feature interconnected, local-language versions of the story in several other countries, including India.
MINDY KALING
Mindy Kaling traced her relationship with Indian culture and used her “relationship with being Hindu” to narrate the story of a 15-year-old Devi, first-generation Indian American, and her desperation to feel that she belongs in the society in the delightful “Never Have I Ever”. The Netflix show was a big hit, and has been renewed for a second season.
THE WHITE TIGER
American-Iranian director Ramin Bahrani has brought his expertise to make India-centric “The White Tiger” for Netflix. The film stars Adarsh Gourav along with Priyanka Chopra and Rajkummar Rao. The director enjoyed working in India, and shared that he wants to make another film in the country soon.
Andhadhun’ gave opportunity to work with likeminded colleagues: Radhika Apte.
RADHIKA APTE
The actress will be uniting with Charlie Hunnam in “Shantaram”. The show is based on Gregory David Roberts’ 2003 novel of the same name and tells the story of Lin (Hunnam), a man on the run from an Australian prison looking to hide in Mumbai. It is about how he finds a new life in the slums and the underworld of the megapolis.
It is reported that the Apple TV series might star megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and will be shot in India itself.
MA ANAND SHEELA
Ma Anand Sheela, who shot to global fame with Netflix’s documentary “Wild Wild Country” on controversial spiritual guru Rajneesh, will be getting her own version on the streaming platform. .The documentary is backed by filmmaker Karan Johar.
HUMA QURESHI
Huma Qureshi will soon be seen in American filmmaker Zack Snyder’s Netflix original film, “Army Of The Dead”. It follows a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas even as a man assembles a group of mercenaries to pull off the greatest heist ever.
Indira Varma Another Indian origin celebrity who arrived in the scene much before Mindy Kaling, the British actress has made her mark on the all-time blockbuster series “Game Of Thrones”, the Amazon show “Carnival Row” and the film “The One And Only Ivan”, which released on Disney+ Hotstar. UTKARSH AMBUDKAR
Indian origin American actor Utkarsh Ambudkar, who acted in “Pitch Perfect” and “Blindspotting”, will be seen in a Christmas comedy “Godmothered”, which will release on Disney+ Hotstar.
RIZWAN MANJI
Canadian actor of Indian origin Rizwan Manji is known for playing the character of Ray Bhutani in Netflix’s “Schitt’s Creek”, which made history at the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards as it took home the majority of awards at the ceremony, which was held virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic this year.
‘A Suitable Boy’ to premiere in India on October 23. (Photo Courtesy: Netflix)
A SUITABLE BOY
Mira Nair’s latest is a web series adapted from the Vikram Seth novel of the same name, and it features Tabu, Ishaan Khatter and newcomer Tanya Maniktala. It is a story of two young lovers who dare to break tradition and stereotypes in newly independent India. The limited series was launched on Netflix globally, excluding the US and Canada.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama’s second autobiography ‘Freedom in Exile’ has been translated into Assamese by eminent writer Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, a recipient of the Padma Shri, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Monday.
Published by Bhaskar Dutta Baruah, the Assamese version of the book is titled ‘Prabasat Mukta’.
First published in 1991 in the US, ‘Freedom in Exile’ as explained by the spiritual leader, was written simply to oppose China’s narratives about the history of Tibet and the title of the book is the connotation for freedom His Holiness and his fellow Tibetans received from India.
The autobiography gives a detailed account of his birth, his selection as the highest spiritual leader of Tibet, the crashing of Tibet-China relations, and his subsequent exiled life in India.
In the book, the Dalai Lama has candidly shared about his relationship with the Indian government, including his relationships with Indian leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi while detailing the latter’s support towards the Tibetan diaspora and the struggle they faced in the beginning.
Through the Assamese version of the book, the Nobel Peace Laureate states his sincere hope that the translation done by Thongchi will enable the Assamese readers to understand the tragedy of Tibet better and in addition the significance of the non-violent and peaceful struggle of the Tibetan people for freedom and dignity.
Readers can buy the book online on Amazon.
In 2017, His Holiness’ first autobiography ‘My Land and My People’ was published in Assamese language, titled ‘Mor Desh aru Mor Manuh’.
Fauci urged travellers to be safe when returning home from holiday travels, encouraging them to quarantine if possible and to get tested…reports Asian Lite News
Washington, Sept. 23, 2020 (Xinhua) — Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, testifies during a hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 23, 2020. Anthony Fauci attended the hearing on Wednesday and warned of the long-term effects that disease might have on those infected. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via Xinhua/IANS)
Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious diseases expert, has warned that the US might witness a “surge upon a surge” of new coronavirus cases cases in the weeks after Thanksgiving due to cold weather and travel.
“We don’t want to frighten people, but that’s just the reality,” Xinhua news agency quoted Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as saying on Sunday night in an ABC News interview.
“Having said that, we have to be careful now because there almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel.
“We understand the importance of families getting together. And it’s just something that we have to deal with that we likely will have an increase in cases, as we get into the colder weeks of the winter, and as we approach the Christmas season,” he added.
Fauci urged travellers to be safe when returning home from holiday travels, encouraging them to quarantine if possible and to get tested.
When asked if people should expect similar restrictions and recommendations for Christmas this year, the top expert replied: “I can’t see how we’re not gonna have the same thing because when you have the kind of infection that we have, it doesn’t all of a sudden turn around like that.
“So clearly in the next few weeks, we’re gonna have the same sort of thing and perhaps even two or three weeks down the line… We may see a surge upon a surge.”
Fauci added that he did not foresee “a relaxation” of the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) restrictions.
His warning came as more than 90,000 Covid-19 patients are currently hospitalized across the US, with over 18,000 in intensive care units, according to the Covid Tracking Project.
In its latest update on Monday, the Johns Hopkins University revealed that the US’ current caseload and death toll stood at 13,374,162 and 266,838, respectively.
The two tallies account for the world’s highest, making the US the worst-hit country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Yoav Dudkevitch/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)
The Israeli Cabinet has ratified two deals to promote aviation and science cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following the US-brokered historic normalisation accord.
On Sunday, the Cabinet Ministers voted in favour of an agreement to establish regular flights between Israel and the UAE, and another deal to promote advanced science and technology cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office.
Confirming the development, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Ofir Gendelman tweeted: “The government today ratifies the aviation agreement and the scientific and technological cooperation agreement that it concluded with the UAE.”
He said the ratification is “another important milestone in strengthening relations” between the two countries.
“We will continue to develop these ties with additional bilateral agreements,” Gendelman added.
Before the ratification, Netanyahu had said: “This is another milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and we will continue to develop ties with the additional agreements that we will bring.”
The first commercial passenger flight from the UAE landed in Israel on October 19, about a month after the two countries signed the US-brokered normalization deal at the White House on September 15.
Union Seeks Probe Into Amazon; Nadhim Zahawi is UK’s vaccine Minister; Influenza infections steps up pneumonia risk: Study; Urs of Dastgeer Sahib (RA) concludes – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – please click here to read.
