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Forbes
14-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
UNICEF Helps Dads Give Their Children The Best Possible Start In Life
On Father's Day and every day, UNICEF supports and celebrates caring dads everywhere. Thembile, a single dad, had to take on the responsibility of raising his two sons alone after their mother left the family. He struggled with disciplining his children and communicating effectively with them, until he joined a parenting support program. More than half of South Africa's children grow up in homes without a father present or a father figure playing an active role in their upbringing. UNICEF supports the South African Parenting Program Implementers Network to develop and disseminate quality parenting support resources and programs across South Africa, reaching thousands of parents and caregivers like Thembile. Being a parent is the most important job in the world. It's also a learned skill. UNICEF provides the necessary resources, support and tools fathers and mothers need to raise happy, healthy, hopeful children, from programs that encourage fathers to play with their kids from Day One to emergency assistance for families caught in unimaginable crises. Miguel Ángel Pillco Vilca, a 33-year-old minibus driver, helps his 15-month-old daughter down the slide in El Alto, Bolivia on April 23, 2025. © UNICEF/UNI788390/Laguna Growing up in Bolivia, Miguel Ángel Pilco Vilca, a 33-year-old minibus driver from El Alto, didn't have a father figure, but he's determined to be present for his 15-month-old daughter. He balances long work days with quality family time, including everyday tasks like diaper changes and supporting his wife during breastfeeding. He regularly attends the "World of Dads" program at the local health care center, where fathers share experiences and learn nurturing skills, and participated in the national forum "Dads from the Start of Life," supported by UNICEF and Bolivian ministries, promoting paternal engagement from pregnancy onward. These efforts are part of a broader UNICEF initiative encouraging fathers' early involvement in their children's development. Nearly 300 fathers in Bolivia are now part of this growing movement supporting child well-being and gender equality. Bernard, 4, his brother Balam, 9, and their father, Alphonse Batundi, head to the water point set up by UNICEF in Bushagara, located in the Nyiragongo health zone near Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 2, 2025. Parents caught in crises struggle to meet their children's needs and to provide them with a safe and healthy childhood, despite the circumstances. UNICEF works around the world to deliver basic services for families affected by violence, climate shock and natural disasters. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), more than 7.7 million people have been displaced from their homes by decades of armed conflict. "Life has been very hard here. Everything had been destroyed," says Alphonse Batundi, who moved his two sons to Goma, North Kivu province, to escape violence. With support from UNICEF, the family has access to clean water, a shower and toilets. Yet many challenges remain. Since fighting escalated in January 2025, many displacement sites in Goma have been dismantled. Batundi's boys, 4-year-old Bernard and 9-year-old Balam, miss going to school. 'I'm truly grateful for everything,' Batundi says. 'But we still need help. There's no hospital here in Bushagara. If a child falls ill, we don't know where to take them. We would really like to have access to health care and medicine.' Douglas Bashonga, father of seven, sits with his wife and three of their children outside their home in Bushusha, Idjwi health zone, South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 1, 2025. Douglas was treated for cholera at the UNICEF-supported Kihumba cholera treatment center. When Douglas Bashonga, a coffee grower in the DRC, fell ill with cholera, his wife and children rushed him to the UNICEF-supported Kihumba cholera treatment center. 'I was very ill," he says. "I could no longer work or take care of my family. What worried me most was not being able to provide for my children, rather than my own pain. 'I was very ill. I could no longer work or take care of my family. What worried me most was not being able to provide for my children, rather than my own pain.' Thanks to the free treatment he received at the center, Bashonga recovered and eventually regained his strength. 'When I returned home, I decided to protect my family,"he says. "The doctors advised me to always wash my hands with soap or ash, to boil water before drinking it, and to remain vigilant for any symptom. I implemented all these recommendations immediately ... and that reassures me the most. None of my family members or neighbors became infected. This proves that prevention works.' Related: What It Takes to Support Children Fleeing Violence in Eastern DRC Lijay Solofa, a police officer, plays with 4-year-old Nakitah and 3-year-old Lisona, in the village of Vaitele in Apia, Samoa on April 27, 2025. In Samoa, days are full for police officer Lijay Solofa, his wife, Telesia, and their six children. Solofa always makes time to play with his kids, even the youngest, 11-month-old LJ. He knows that in the first 1,000 days, babies' brains form new connections at an astounding rate: up to 1,000 every single second — a pace never repeated again. UNICEF supports early childhood development (ECD) in the Pacific by promoting good health, adequate nutrition, safety, responsive caregiving and learning opportunities, while also addressing gender-transformative norms and violence prevention. Salimata Samassi and Adama Kone at home with the youngest of their four children, 4-month-old Massita, in Odienne, northern Côte d'Ivoire on Oct. 16, 2024. Baby Massita weighed less than two pounds when she was born at home in Côte d'Ivoire. "She was so small and fragile that we thought she wouldn't make it," says her father, 40-year-old Adama Kone. The nearest hospital was 43 miles away. "I called the hospital; there was no ambulance, but they told us to come as quickly as possible and keep her very warm," Kone says. "I took my motorcycle, with my wife, who had just given birth, sitting behind me, holding the little one wrapped up. It was the longest hour of my life." Massita was treated at a UNICEF-supported hospital in Seguelan, and spent a few days in an incubator. "Afterwards, we were taught how to do kangaroo care," Kone recalls. "We stayed in the hospital during that time. Honestly, I was so scared, but we remained hopeful. We are so happy with our angel.' Celebrate the fathers in your life by making a donation to UNICEF, to help ensure every child grows up healthy, educated, protected and respected. Your contribution is more important than ever. Right now, the lives of the most vulnerable children hang in the balance as conflicts and crises jeopardize the care and protection that they deserve. Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chile loses at Bolivia and will miss third straight World Cup
Chile's players react after losing to Bolivia in a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) Chile will miss its third straight World Cup after losing 2-0 at Bolivia on Tuesday to remain last in South America's 10-team round-robin competition. Bolivia kept its hopes alive for an inter-continental playoff spot in a bid to reach the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Advertisement The top six teams in South American qualifying will secure direct berths in the World Cup. Defending champion Argentina has already qualified. Chile's golden generation won two Copa America titles — in 2015 and '16 — but is out of contention for next summer's expanded 48-team tournament. 'Sad, I am feeling bad. Never lived something like this. We have to ask people to forgive us,' veteran Chile striker Alexis Sánchez said after the match. 'We have to keep working. There's change already, the golden generation is buried, I am the only one left." Bolivia scored the first with Miguel Terceros in the fifth minute and added a second in the 90th with Enzo Monteiro at the 4,150-meter high El Alto Stadium, outside La Paz. Advertisement The hosts now have 17 points to put pressure on Venezuela, which has 18 and will play later at Uruguay. Both are fighting for seventh place, which secures the inter-continental playoff spot. Sixth-place Colombia has 21 points. Ecuador can clinch its spot with a win later at Peru. Brazil and Paraguay, who will clash in Sao Paulo, can also book their tickets if they win and Venezuela loses in Montevideo. Also on Tuesday, Argentina hosts Colombia. Bolivia's future will be decided in September at Colombia and at home against Brazil. ___ AP soccer:
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
11 new spirits for the monsoon: Best tequilas, whiskeys and gins
The rains have arrived early this year — and with them, a sharp new crop of spirits. A legendary Nepali rum has entered the Indian market, there's a pink vodka that leans into fruit and florals, and homegrown distillers continue to push boundaries with aged malts and layered gins. From limited-edition whiskies to additive-free tequilas, here are some recent launches that have caught our attention. Earlier this year, in an interview with this newspaper, Bacardi India MD Vinay Golikeri noted strong traction in the super-premium tequila segment. The Patron El Cielo — Bacardi owns Patron — sold out almost instantly, he said. A similar reception is likely for El Alto, which is set to launch later this week. Endorsed by Punjabi music star Karan Aujla, the luxury tequila is a blend of Extra Anejo, Anejo, and Reposado tequilas. El Alto, which will be priced at ₹29,500 in Mumbai, is made from 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from the Jalisco highlands and aged in a mix of American and French oak barrels. The result is a smooth, layered spirit with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, and ripe fruit — aimed squarely at the sipping tequila segment. The tequila wave is not just about global giants. It is also drawing in Indian entrepreneurs such as Delhi-based Shivankar Bahl. The hospitality entrepreneur recently launched Las Maracas, a premium tequila, in Delhi with plans to expand to Mumbai, Goa, and Haryana. Produced in Jalisco, Mexico, in small batches without additives, Las Maracas is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and pure spring water. The range includes Blanco ( ₹5,300), Reposado ( ₹6,400), aged for four months in oak barrels, and Anejo ( ₹9,500), matured for 18 months to develop notes of vanilla and oak. Revelry Distillery is a new craft-focused operation in Goa founded by beverage industry professional Vaniitha Jaiin. Its debut release, Vanaha Gin, is positioned as India's first gin to follow a five-step production process, combining copper pot distillation, vapour infusion, steeping, vacuum distillation, and post-distillation maceration. This layered approach, according to the company, allows the distillers to extract nuanced flavours from each of the 24 botanicals used, which include Deodar wood, patchouli, Assam lemon, wild berries, and cacao nibs. Vanaha is described as 'a complex gin with bright citrus top notes, warm spice mid-palate, and a slightly earthy, dry finish.' The gin is currently priced at ₹2,400 in Goa. Amara, a pink vodka from Goa-based Spaceman Spirits Lab, also follows a five-step production method that includes a ruby filtration process. The vodka is made from Bangalore blue grapes and rice from the Deccan Plateau, and includes natural flavours such as strawberries, citrus, rose petals, and cherry blossom. The premium vodka is currently distributed across India by Tilaknagar Industries, which owns a stake in Spaceman Spirits Lab, reflecting a broader trend of larger alcobev companies investing in craft startups to diversify their portfolios and appeal to younger, premium-seeking consumers. The vodka, priced between ₹2,500 and ₹4,500, is available at select premium retail stores, high-end bars, and luxury hotels across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Piccadilly Distilleries has just released a limited edition 11-year-old single malt under its Indri label, matured in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks. Only 1,100 bottles are available globally. The whisky is bottled at 50% ABV for India and 58.5% ABV for international markets. It is described as a robust single malt with dark fruit aromas and a palate of spices, vanilla, and oak-derived sweetness. The GlenJourneys Pioneer edition, launched by actor Ajay Devgn and spirits entrepreneur Moksh Sani, is another whisky worth keeping an eye out for if you are travelling. Limited to just 600 bottles, the 21-year-old whisky is aged in American oak casks and bottled at 48% ABV. The whisky is available through select international travel retain outlets. In August, the brand also plans to introduce a Cask Series, featuring non-age-statement expressions matured in rum, bourbon, and sherry casks, priced between ₹7,500 and ₹9,000. Paul John Whisky has added two new expressions to its Select Cask range: the Port and the Madeira. Both are unpeated single malts, matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in fortified wine casks sourced from Portugal. Each is bottled at 48% ABV. The use of fortified wine casks adds layered sweetness and complexity, and one can expect a burst of luscious flavours and aromas. These expressions are currently available in Goa ( ₹8000), Karnataka ( ₹7,700), and Maharashtra ( ₹18,000). With sales of 1 million cases for two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023–24), Radico Khaitan's Morpheus Brandy is a bonafide best-seller. Building on this success, the company recently launched the Morpheus Super Premium Whisky, blending imported Scotch malts with Indian grain spirits, matured in bourbon barrels, and bottled at 42.8% ABV. Priced between ₹1,200 and ₹1,500, this marks Radico's entry into the premium whisky segment. If you've been to Nepal, chances are you've had some Khukri Rum. Launched in 1959 in Kathmandu by three Parsi businessmen, Khukri, named after the traditional curved dagger of the Gurkhas, is the country's most famous rum. About a month ago, Kathmandu-based MCKT Beverages introduced India to the rum, which is aged in Shorea robusta (sal wood) casks, an uncommon practice in rum production. The rum is available in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa in three expressions: XXX, Spiced, and White. The Khukri Coronation, which comes in the iconic dagger-shaped bottle, is also being readied for launch. The XXX Rum is priced at ₹1,765, while the Spiced and White variants retail for ₹1,975 (Maharashtra). A Danish non-alcoholic beverage made with a blend of up to 13 organic teas, Copenhagen Sparkling Tea is now available in India through Bebida Hospitality. The drink occupies a growing niche between wine and tea, and is positioned as a complex, celebratory option for those avoiding alcohol. Three blends have been introduced in India: Lyserod, a rosé-style with hibiscus and red berries; Lysegron, with citrus and green tea notes; and Bla, which features jasmine, chamomile, and Darjeeling First Flush. The launch comes at a time when interest in low- and no-alcohol beverages is rising, particularly among younger urban consumers exploring 'sober curious' lifestyles. Priced at ₹3,500, the sparkling teas are being stocked at luxury hotels and are also available for direct purchase online.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Look at the Best Coachella Weekend Shindigs
Even if you're not heavily into music, you probably know there's a festival happening in Indio this weekend— and there's a lot more, too. While party promoters, sponsors and producers are quick to remind us that they are not affiliated with the Coachella Arts and Music Festival in any official capacity, the surplus of soirees in the desert are aimed at attracting the youthful demographic and celebrities all in the area for the fest. Many parties offer their own live music alongside DJs that capture the musical spirit, trendy fashion-filled vibes and hedonistic hijinks of festival season. Read on for our look to the best bashes happening during Coachella weekend— and prepare to hit up all your connected pals to score an invite! .Framework in the Desert — April 11-13Chris Lake and deadmau5 are set to join Mau P and Alesso (BODY HI) for this dance-driven DJ fest. The fourth edition of the popular afterparty also offers special guests Francis Mercier and Layton Giordani, as well as Max Styler, Interplanetary Criminal, Hills, Erez, and Miluhska. The music and movement takes place Friday-Sunday, near festival grounds. Nightlife legend Brent Bolthouse and Jeffrey Best's invite-only after-hours event has become the best known of the weekend scene for good reason. It's like an exclusive rave meets amusement park meets VIP nightclub outside. Patron El Alto is sponsoring this one and DJs set to spin include Charly Jordan, Chase B & Friends and DJ Pee .Wee aka Anderson .Paak rocking an all-vinyl set. Bolthouse says he's excited to bring back Paak and touts 'a few more surprises throughout the night.' View the to see embedded media. Last year's hot 'festival fits' were all about cowboy chic, but for 2025, who knows? Whatever the hot looks of the moment are, you'll see 'em at this Desert Mirage mashup. Line-up hasn't been announced yet but if past performers (21 Savage, Ice Spice, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, Post Malone) are any indication, this afternoon soiree is a can't miss. Returning to the desert for its fourth year on Friday from 1-6 p.m, Kendall Jenner's tequila brand celebrates the weekend at this exclusive party presented by L.A.'s The Group. Other brands will be on hand (lots of Kenny's sister's stuff) such as Kylie's Sprinter Vodka Soda and Kourtney's Lemme wellness. Rhode (Hailey Bieber's line), Celsius Live Fit, Quay, Liquid I.V., and more will be there too, and the desert will be blessed with more DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak) doing a special set. Check 818's Instagram for your chance to attend. Ulta Beauty presents the return of the enduringly hip mag's rager, featuring a performance by Dove Cameron and DJ Set by James Hype. This year's theme: an oceanic deep dive inviting guests to "plunge into the depths of self-discovery and ignite vibrant worlds waiting to be uncovered." Kiss-n-Grind and SeeYouSoon come together for this musical interlude from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. spotlighting the sounds of deep house, soul classics and new grooves. Expect good vibes and lots of booty shaking. The invite only series at the Zenyara Estate returns with a packed 2025 lineup. Bob Moses, Vintage Culture, Mau P, WhoMadeWho and Anyma (who just finished a run at the Las Vegas Sphere) perform. Musick at Ace Hotel — April 12 The Ace Hotel always has a heightened social scene during Coachella so we'd hit it regardless, but this Billboard and Reggie Watts hosted event looks promising. Free and open to the public in partnership with Amazon, it should be all about the DJ selections courtesy Watts and Neil Frances.
