Latest news with #Adonis
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Hospital staff tackles Comrades Marathon
Three Port Shepstone Regional Hospital employees ran the Comrades Marathon to emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Dietitian Paula Hudson, family medicine doctor Ziyanda Adonis, and supply chain officer Zoleka Dzelwa were applauded for their efforts. Both Hudson and Adonis received bronze medals while Dzelwa received the Vic Clapham medal. Phumza Morai, the hospital's PRO, said their staff's dedication to their fitness embodies the values many people strive to uphold. Dzelwa said despite a fall after nine kilometres and difficulties with her stomach, she managed to surpass her previous time from 2019, finishing in 11 hours and seven minutes. 'The support from spectators and seeing familiar faces along the route kept me motivated,' she said. Participating for the third time since 2003, Adonis said her strategy was starting steadily and adjusting at Hillcrest. 'I aimed for a bronze medal. Despite knee issues near Kloof, I persevered, finishing with an improved time, learning valuable lessons in nutrition and pacing each year,' she said It was Hudson's second race, and she emphasised the importance of hydration and electrolyte balance. 'I had a fantastic run, focusing on staying hydrated and maintaining sodium levels. It's essential to adapt nutrition to weather conditions and pace,' she said. Morai said the trio's achievements highlight the facility's commitment to health and fitness, encouraging staff and the community to embrace an active lifestyle. HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Fever's Facebook page At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Metro
6 days ago
- Health
- Metro
I thought I was confident in my body — and then I got a girlfriend
The first time I ever got a girlfriend, I was delighted. I'd come out as bisexual when I was 18, and two years later, after only ever been on dates with women, I was in a relationship with one. Shortly afterwards, though, I started to struggle with the way I looked. I'd inherited a tumultuous relationship with my body, and almost taught, as many women are, to feel insecure with it. While there's a part of me that presents a confident front, there's always another side – one that wants to hide away and wear baggy clothes, even during the summer. When I entered my first same-sex relationship, these insecurities worsened. It wasn't that I didn't feel love from my partner; more that I couldn't stop comparing my body to hers. I saw that she was much thinner than I was, and wished we could swap figures. Every woman I've ever been with, even casually, I've struggled not to fall back into that pattern of comparison. While I've still had similar insecurities while dating men, it's certainly heightened when you're dating someone with a similar body to you. According to LGBTQ+ organisation The Trevor Project, queer and trans youth are disproportionately impacted by body confidence issues. In 2023, nearly 87% of LGBTQ+ youth reported being unhappy with their body. Elsewhere, pansexual people were the most likely to feel insecure (91%), followed by those identifying as queer (88%), asexual (87%), bisexual (86%) and lesbian (85%). The statistics worsened amongst trans youth, too, at 90% compared to 80% of those who identify as cisgendered. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! It's an issue those in the public eye have spoken about too. In May, retired Olympian Tom Daley revealed in an interview with The Times that he 'hates' the way he looks – and this has only worsened since he stopped diving professionally. 'I've always had such horrible body issues going through my diving career. Now I'm not an athlete that trains six hours a day, I especially hate it,' he shared. As a gay man, Calum McSwiggan believes that the community can be 'toxic' when it comes to body image. 'Going out on the gay scene to parties, there's such a higher expectation placed on you,' Calum, who is 35 and currently travelling the world for Metro's Pride Around the World series, tells us. 'Sometimes, it can feel like if you don't have the body of an Adonis, that you don't measure up to your peers.' During lockdown, Calum used fitness as a coping mechanism. Dedicating hours each day to working out, he got himself 'in extremely good physical condition.' 'I was racking up between four and five hours of exercise a day, which is obscene. Now, I recognise that I was over-exercising, but I never saw it that way,' he details. When it comes to seeking a partner, Calum says he's attracted to faces and personalities, stating that a 'body is just a bonus' – and yet, he still lays this pressure on himself. Calum's previous boyfriend happened to be a model, and since he had 'all the abs and the muscles,' Calum found it incredibly difficult not to compare himself and 'not to want to become him.' 'I was dating him because I adored him as a person, and yet seeing his body compared to mine, you can't help but think that you're not good enough,' Calum recalls. This mentality is still very much present in his love life, and whenever he goes on a date with someone new, even if it's casual, he struggles to shake it. 'If they're more muscly than me, or leaner, there's always that feeling of 'they have a better body than me, so they're not going to want to be with me,'' he adds. Whenever he logs onto dating apps, Calum feels that every profile he scrolls through depicts the same thing: someone with abs and muscles. It gives him much the same feeling as when he goes clubbing; that if he's going to be part of this dating pool, he needs to 'match that.' 'When you're dating someone of the same gender, it's almost like holding a mirror up to yourself. There's the concept of boyfriend twins where gay couples end up looking like each other, and you're always comparing yourself,' he says. Recently, Calum's life has changed a lot. As a nomad, he's now much busier than he was – and since he's changing country every week and living out of a bag, he no longer has the free time available to 'work' on his body so much. 'When I was at my most fit, that was when I beat myself up the most,' he reflects. 'Even when I had the abs, I never saw them in the mirror. I think I'm in a better place with my body image, but still not a great one. 'I genuinely don't know that many gay men who are.' While some people in same-sex relationships struggle with comparison, for Megan Jayne Crabbe, it's helped her embrace her body. 'I started having body image issues when I was four or five years old,' she tells Metro. 'I was dieting by the time I was 10 and was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa when I was 14.' After recovery, she dove straight back into 'chasing body goals and ideal weights.' At the time, Megan, now 32, says she dated men who had much narrower expectations of how they expected a female body to look. 'I've dated men who've pointed out when I've gained weight, men who've been disgusted by my body hair, even a self-proclaimed 'feminist' who told me he wouldn't want his girlfriend to 'let herself go'.' 'I was always more self-conscious with men and felt I had to perform a version of desirability that was as close to the beauty standard as possible, whether that was by always having my make-up done or sucking in my stomach whenever they touched me.' But when Megan was 21, she found the body positivity movement online, and worked on untangling the relationships between patriarchy, fatphobia and toxic dieting culture. She feels that, had she not embraced her body, she may not have been able to embrace her sexuality, which saw her come out as pansexual, aged 27. 'My body image issues were so all-consuming that I couldn't be at peace with anything about myself,' Megan, who is a creator, author, presenter and host, details. Now that she's dating a woman though, she has a completely non-judgmental partner who not only loves her body – but embraces it, too. Now that she's in a relationship that 'doesn't include the male gaze,' these patriarchal ideals of beauty, no longer get to her. 'For me it has been healing to date someone of the same gender,' Megan says. For Megan, practising self-love and accepting her body is something she still has to prioritise, but now that she's put in so much work, she recognises that she doesn't fall into that 'comparison trap' with her partner. More Trending 'Before, I probably would've really struggled to date someone like my current girlfriend because her body falls much closer to the cultural beauty standard than mine does. 'Now, I can appreciate that our bodies don't have to look similar for both to be good enough.' View More » Megan Jayne Crabbe's new book, We Don't Make Ourselves Smaller Here, comes out on June 26. If you suspect you, a family member or friend has an eating disorder, contact Beat on 0808 801 0677 or at help@ for information and advice on the best way to get appropriate treatment. For other helplines across the UK, visit here for more information. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'I'm a conservative dad who voted for Trump – I'd do anything for my trans child' MORE: I dumped ex for being boring in bed — but my new girlfriend's sex fantasy is too much MORE: Will Young: 'When I came out in the 00s being threatened was a given'
Miami Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Stray dog lived off scraps from grocery store workers. Now sweet pup needs home
A stray dog once lived off food scraps — and now, the 'silly' pup needs a home. 'Adonis (aka Doni) is the definition of a gentle soul with a goofy streak,' a Florida animal rescue wrote June 7 in a Facebook post. 'Picked up as a stray in a rural area of Northwest Florida, this handsome boy had been fending for himself and relying on kind Piggly Wiggly grocery store employees for scraps.' Eventually, Doni went to a shelter but was never claimed. He was in rough shape when he was transferred to Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue in April, the animal organization wrote on social media and in an email to McClatchy News. 'When Doni came to us, he was severely underweight, covered in fleas and ticks, and sadly, heartworm positive,' rescuers wrote. 'He's now safe, receiving treatment, and thriving in his foster home — and we're ready to find the loving forever family he was always meant for.' Doni is described as a roughly 1- or 2-year-old pup who 'doesn't quite understand his size,' bumping into people as he seeks affection. He's known for being 'sweet and sometimes clumsy,' so he may do best in a home with older kids who are accustomed to living with dogs. 'Doni is discovering the magic of the couch, and he's definitely a 'Velcro Dane' — he wants to be right where the love is,' rescuers wrote. 'He's a messy eater and drinks like a horse, so be ready for splashes and crumbs. A slow feeder bowl is non-negotiable — this guy inhales his food!' As of June 10, Doni was up for adoption, Katie King, vice president of the rescue, wrote in the email. While the pup waits for a new owner, he's living with a foster family in Panama City, in the Florida Panhandle. 'Doni is looking for a forever home with patience, love, and preferably another dog to keep him company and help him burn off his energy,' the animal organization wrote. 'He's a diamond in the rough who will shine bright with the right family.' Details about the rescue's adoption process can be found at
The National
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The National
How Lebanese band Adonis found space to retreat and rebuild on new album Wedyan
What's the difference between silence and quiet in times of conflict? For Lebanese band Adonis, it came down to agency – the ability to choose how, and when, to express themselves. Released last month and recorded during the 2024 Israel invasion of Lebanon – the veteran group, known for their ebullient sound and emotionally precise lyrics, has delivered a set of songs intentionally detached from the immediate context of the conflict. In doing so, it becomes a statement of resilience – that their art is guided by creative intent, not shaped by the surrounding disorder. And, crucially, that making music became a means of emotional preservation in times of chaos. 'We were devastated during the war, of course,' singer and keyboardist Anthony Khoury tells The National. 'But the music was elsewhere. It didn't sit with us in that very dark place. We needed to protect something. Maybe it was our joy, our creativity.. maybe even our sanity.' It's no wonder Wedyan – meaning 'valleys' – is Adonis's most insular album to date. Across 12 tracks, we follow a character who slowly but intently shies away from society into a life of solitude and contemplation. The lyrics don't frame this as a form of defeat, but as a healthy response to turmoil – a way to protect one's inner state when the world outside feels overwhelming. The lyrics drift between musings and fragments, reflecting on identity, exile and life itself. Some are drawn from personal moments, including Khoury's newborn nephew and a tribute to his late grandmother. Intriguingly, the turn inward isn't always mirrored in the music. While the arrangements are more languid, the four-piece stretch out with light-footed shifts into electronica – like on Khod Sa'at – and chirpy RnB vocals on Yeskerni. Even Nancy, the album's most upbeat track, is anchored by a laid-back funk groove. That marriage of emotional introspection and expansive musical approach, Khoury explains, comes from the band writing the songs separately. Khoury was living between Paris and Amman, while the rest of the group – Joelle Khoury (guitar), Nicola Hakim (drums) and Gio Fikany (bass) – remained in different parts of Lebanon. 'For the first time, we weren't really immersed in the Lebanese context,' Khoury says. 'It definitely felt like we were writing from the outside. That physical distance, I think, gave us the space to reflect without the same kind of pressure. We weren't reacting, were just processing.' He adds the time apart, about 15 years into Adonis's career, was also liberating – a chance to recalibrate, both creatively and emotionally. Khoury says the step back wasn't a difficult one – just necessary. A moment to take stock, acknowledge what they were feeling and prepare for the often gruelling process of recording new material. 'Like the character in the album, we were isolated – and we longed for that isolation. You reach a point where you just want to protect something. For us, it was the ability to create without being swallowed by everything happening around us. That's why this album feels different. It had to be.' Indeed, the album stands out for the distinct sonic flavours it employs to channel the various states of mind of its protagonist. The aching melancholy of Ma'rafha – meaning I Don't Know Her – melds a sparse piano motif with minimal electronic beats, as Khoury reflects on the quiet devastation of a breakup. Not the rupture itself, but the self-protective urge to erase everything attached to it. 'Even if they asked me, 'Who's the beautiful one?'' he sings in the refrain. 'I'd tell them: I don't know her, I don't know her.' While in Kel Ma Tsame'n i (Whenever You Say), the resigned character's exile from his troubles results in the clarity he needs, and a quiet sense of resolve emerges in his decision to stay away from unwanted opinions: 'Every time you tell me lines from movies, from friends who wanted to give you their opinion about me". In Abtal (Heroes), Adonis emerges from lyrical detachment to directly engage with the present moment. Over ebbing beats, the band pays tribute to the unsung heroes of Lebanon — ordinary individuals offering shelter, comfort and their professional skills in times of crisis. Khoury says he witnessed this during the aerial bombardment of Beirut by Israeli forces, a situation that left many villages cut off from one another, with civilians and neighbours stepping in to fill the initial absence of official support. "In Lebanon, the conflict created a rupture between different parts of the same city – some areas were being bombarded, while others weren't directly affected. What happens in that kind of environment is that you start noticing how people respond socially. Usually, you're too consumed by the tragedy itself to really observe. But this time, I saw people – civilians – stepping up in quiet ways," he recalls. "I was in Beirut during that phase, in an area that wasn't directly targeted. But the entire neighbourhood was mobilised to support those that were. I'm talking about doctors, journalists, teachers – even pilots who continued operating flights despite bombings near the airport. Abtal is dedicated to them. With the band recently completing a headline set at the Bred Abu Dhabi festival and returning soon for a solo concert at Dubai Opera on July 3, Khoury says Wedyan has left Adonis not only rejuvenated, but with a renewed sense of direction. It also served as a reminder of how creativity can be a grounding force during uncertain times. 'I wasn't raised or trained to be a musician. I had a different path in life,' he says. 'But what I've found through music, and what I think I'll keep finding for a very long time, is meaning. I feel like I have a place and a voice. 'I'm aware that our kind of work is the least essential when it comes to keeping a society functioning. And sometimes in Lebanon, we're in first-degree survival mode, more often than we'd like to be. But I have immense hope. Hope in my country, in our region and in the goodness of people. And with that hope, I think there will be less and less to lose and much more to gain.'
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Belle prepares for final fight in Bye Bye, Earth season 2 episode 9: Full recap, global timings and streaming details
Bye Bye, Earth Season 2 Episode 9 is set to air in Japan on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:30 PM JST. Viewers outside Japan can also watch the episode on May 30 with release times adjusted to local time zones. The episode is expected to continue Belle's confrontation with the god, now in a world that closely resembles Earth. She will likely question it directly, but answers may remain vague. How episode 8 ended The previous episode, 'Hymn: Erehwon', saw Belle regaining her arms and Runding through chanting. She successfully destroyed Rusty Nail and impaled Adonis. Meanwhile, Mist explored a tunnel connecting the castle and catacombs. During a large-scale attack by the Army of Insatiable Emptiness, Gaff refused to follow divine orders to kill Sherry and instead allied with Guinness. Kitty was gravely injured in battle. In a key twist, Adonis infected a machine with his powers but was absorbed by a being that looked like a younger Belle. Sherry's song helped liberate the minds of the people. Belle later awoke in a modern city. Climax and closure ahead Episode 9 is likely to bring closure to major arcs. Belle is expected to realize that there are others like her in this new world. This revelation may strengthen her resolve and lead to the defeat of the god. A final exchange with Adonis is anticipated before Schwert Land's collapse. The season is expected to conclude with Belle choosing to live on in honor of those who fought beside her. Where to watch In Japan, Episode 9 will be available on streaming platforms including Anime Store, ABEMA, and Amazon Prime Video. Internationally, Crunchyroll will stream the episode with dubs in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and German.
