Latest news with #Kulkarni
National Post
18 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
What is a Labubu? And where can you buy one in Canada?
Article content These days, they're all about viral online trends spanning toys and fan merchandise to novelty foods like Dubai chocolate, specifically targeting the Gen Z consumer. Article content 'We are a data business at our core. We happen to manifest as a retailer, but we are a technology and data company, and so we are tracking data, billions of data points on any given day to try to understand the demand in the marketplace so that we can catch the next big thing,' Kulkarni explains. 'So, over the last 30 years, we've been the first retailer to launch everything from memory foam bedding 20 years ago, before memory foam bedding was a thing, to remote control helicopters, to weighted blankets, to the latest toy sensation or beauty sensation.' Article content Using artificial intelligence to comb social media platforms for up-and-coming trends, Kulkarni says they're now able to 'catch trends' faster than ever. Article content That approach is what allowed Showcase to jump on the Labubu trend early through its ongoing toy partnership with Pop Mart. 'We are the main retailer of Pop Mart products, which include Labubu in Canada,' he says. Article content The Labubu toys at Showcase are priced higher than on the Pop Mart website (in stock for $129.99 on Showcase for the new Big Into Energy Labubu versus sold out and $37.99 on the Pop Mart website). Article content The price increase, according to Kulkarni, is due to the demand and shipping costs. 'We're doing everything we can to try to keep costs reasonable. But it is a difficult environment.' Article content The Showcase executive says new launches appear on their site about two weeks after they launch — and invariably sell out in minutes — on the Pop Mart site. Article content 'But the easiest way that we would recommend to our customers is to go to the local store and see what's available there, because the store receives new stock almost every day,' Kulkarni says. Article content Facebook Marketplace is another hub for Labubu resale. A search of the term yields dozens of resale posts ranging in price from $20 for a 'Lafufu' — the name bestowed on the fake versions of the trending toy — to $300 for a full set of six Labubu Big Into Energy toys. Article content As the hype around Labubus continues to grow — Kulkarni refers to the toys as a 'global sensation' — the demand for the products seems to show no sign of slowing down. Article content 'It rivals the biggest trends in toys over the past 30 years that we've seen,' he says. 'Whether it's Cabbage Patch Kids or Webkinz or Beanie Babies or Shopkins back in the day, or even Disney Frozen was a giant trend for us. Article content Article content
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Tata Harrier EV at Quad Day: Capability without drama and technology with real purpose
As SUVs across the board turn to flash and flare, Tata Motors has taken a different route with the Harrier EV: one of restraint, refinement, and relevance. From my hands-on time with the vehicle—particularly the off-road section—to the deep dive conversations with Anand Kulkarni, Chief Product Officer at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, it became evident that this isn't just a step forward for Tata Motors. It's a quiet leap. Also Read : Tata Harrier EV launched at ₹ 21.49 lakh, brings AWD capabilities. Check details The off-road experience: More composure than clatter Of all the four thematic zones at the Quad day—Performance, Precision, Tech, and Off-Road—it was the last one that offered the rarest commodity at events like this: an actual chance to drive. Not as a co-passenger, not in a closed loop—but a real, hands-on crawl through chaos. And chaos it was. The off-road course was no casual slush track—it was a tightly packed sequence of punishing terrain features that would challenge even seasoned ICE SUVs. It began with a rock bed crawl that tested low-speed control and wheel articulation, followed by an axle twister engineered to lift at least one tyre off the ground. From there, the trail threw up sharp 35-degree inclines and declines, pushing the vehicle's traction management and braking systems to the limit. The course continued with side slopes, camel humps, deep sand traps, water wading sections, and even a staircase climb to cap it all off—each obstacle demanding precision, poise, and a drivetrain capable of thinking on its feet. But what stood out wasn't just that the Harrier EV did all of it. It was how little it fussed while doing so. There was no jerky throttle response, no electronic overcorrection, no wheelspin theatre. It felt as if the SUV had pre-read the course. Every mode—Rock Crawl, Sand, Mud & Ruts—was calibrated to deliver just enough intervention. Not more. This composure stems from a very specific drivetrain setup: a rear-biased Quad Wheel Drive (QWD) system powered by two independent motors. The rear motor, a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor), does most of the work. The front, an induction motor, wakes up only when needed. As Kulkarni, the chief architect behind Tata's EVs, explained, this decision wasn't just about traction—it was about efficiency. 'PMSM motors are great, but they consume power even when not in use. Induction motors don't. So for a setup where the front axle is often disengaged, it made perfect sense." What this means practically is that during a slow rock crawl or a sudden steep climb, the rear motor delivers high torque, while the system dynamically checks whether the front needs to assist. And when it does, the transition is imperceptible. Even during the axle twister, where one wheel was in the air, the software sensed the slip and reallocated torque within milliseconds. Kulkarni emphasized, 'We didn't use mechanical aids like diff locks. It's all software. Torque vectoring, traction prediction, terrain mapping—all of it is done by the brain of the car." And it works. No drama. No mechanical clunks. Just progress. Also Read : Tata Harrier EV takes electric SUV game to next level. What makes it unique? Tech zone: A software-defined vehicle, with Indian priorities If the Off-Road Zone was about physical proof, the Tech Zone was about technological vision—only this time, grounded in day-to-day Indian reality rather than Silicon Valley showmanship. Here, the Harrier EV presented itself not just as an electric SUV, but as a Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)—built on Tata's new ' (Tata Intelligent Digital Architecture Layer) platform. Running 500 million lines of code, it connects everything from motor control to ADAS, infotainment, telematics, and payment systems. But what makes ' stand out is not just what it does, but what it consciously chooses not to overdo. It focuses on real-world utility rather than ticking boxes. Take the Low-Speed Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), for instance—it's not just another radar-based system thrown in for formality. It's carefully calibrated for India's dense, erratic traffic, where most Western ADAS setups either overreact with sudden braking or disengage altogether. The Tata Harrier EV gets several convinience features such as the Summon Mode which allows the car to park in a pararell parking without driver inputs Then there's Dead-End Assist, a segment-first feature that allows the vehicle to automatically reverse along the last 50 meters of its path—a simple yet brilliant solution for tight lanes and tricky U-turn situations in crowded neighbourhoods. Summon Mode, activated via Tata's new circular key, lets the SUV inch in or out of tight parking spots autonomously, complete with full obstacle detection. And the 540° transparent view camera system doesn't just offer a top-down perspective; it delivers real-time stitched visuals, including side and underbody views, enhanced with rim protection alerts—making it genuinely useful for negotiating potholes, high kerbs, or narrow parking bays. What impressed me most wasn't that these features existed—but how calmly they worked. There was no jarring intervention. No frantic beeps. Just consistent, usable assistance. As Kulkarni put it: 'ADAS shouldn't be a backseat driver. It should feel like a co-driver—always watching, but never taking over unless it absolutely has to." Even the AI-powered Park Assist, developed with Continental, was a lesson in subtlety. The system scanned irregular parking spaces (not laser-marked slots), identified viable options, and parked itself with steering, braking, and acceleration control. And if someone walked by? It stopped. Gently. Collaboration by design, not compromise One of the more underrated aspects of the Harrier EV is how thoroughly it has been shaped through partnerships. Tata Motors has embraced a global collaboration model, but with Indian calibration and context firmly at its core. The result is a vehicle that reflects both international technological excellence and local relevance. Continental, for instance, provided the intelligence behind the ADAS suite and Auto Park Assist—custom-developed for India's unpredictable road realities. As Prashanth Doraswamy, CEO of Continental India, described it, the system is 'a human-like AI that understands Indian parking challenges—unclear lines, sudden obstacles, narrow bays." Harman and Samsung delivered the world's first 14.5-inch Neo QLED display in a production car, paired with JBL Black's Dolby Atmos 5.1 audio system—not for flamboyance, but to create a 'third space" that seamlessly blends work, entertainment and travel. Also Read : Tata Harrier EV: A showcase of Tata Motors' global tech ties and EV ecosystem vision On the drivetrain front, Tata AutoComp and Schaeffler engineered the front induction and rear PMSM motors, respectively, with TACO contributing India's first integrated induction EV drivetrain. The ADAS controller itself runs on Mobileye's globally benchmarked EyeQ chip, fine-tuned specifically for India's chaotic traffic environment. The plus architecture, underpinning the Tata Harrier EV is a collaborative effort between Tata Motors and various other leading global suppliers Qualcomm provides the SDV backbone, enabling over-the-air updates and modular software enhancements, while Bosch, ZF, LG Chem, and Magna form part of Tata's tier-one ecosystem, supporting everything from battery systems to structural components. Yet, none of these partnerships were plug-and-play. Each supplier was asked to co-develop, co-calibrate, and rigorously test their systems with Indian use cases in mind. As Kulkarni succinctly put it, 'These aren't just tech tie-ups. They're part of a new Tata philosophy—collaboration by design." What the Tata Harrier EV really represents The Tata Harrier EV doesn't overwhelm. It impresses with restraint, earns trust through refinement, and redefines what it means to be a true Indian electric SUV. It's capable where it matters, intelligent where it counts, and most importantly—it feels complete. With a real-world C75 range of 480–505 km, support for 120 kW fast charging, V2L (Vehicle to Load) and V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle), the Harrier EV isn't a flash-in-the-pan launch. It's Tata's opening move in a much bigger EV play. More importantly, it's a product that acknowledges its customer—a 30–40-year-old urban explorer who wants range, refinement, and ruggedness, without feeling like they're compromising on identity or practicality. This is an SUV built for weekday office commutes and weekend adventures, for chauffeured comfort and hands-on control, for those who want freedom without friction. In a market where most EVs still struggle to find balance, the Harrier EV finds its footing not in gimmicks, but in grounded, honest capability. And perhaps that's the boldest move of all. First Published Date: 17 Jun 2025, 08:51 AM IST
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni surrenders, shifted to central prison
Bengaluru: Congress' Dharwad Rural MLA Vinay Kulkarni surrendered before a special court for elected representatives in the city Friday following the cancellation of his bail by the Supreme Court. He has been remanded in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison. Kulkarni is among 21 people arrested and chargesheeted by CBI in connection with the 2016 murder of Yogeeshgouda Goudar, a BJP member of the zilla panchayat from Hebballi constituency in Dharwad district. Kulkarni is arraigned as accused number 15. The Supreme Court granted conditional bail to Kulkarni in Aug 2021, which CBI challenged, saying he was threatening the witnesses and tampering with evidence. Passing the cancellation orders on June 6, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma observed, "It would suffice to state that there is sufficient material on record to suggest that attempts have been made by Kulkarni to either contact witnesses or alternatively, influence such witnesses. Therefore, keeping in mind the totality of circumstances, this court is of the considered opinion that the bail granted to the respondent ought to be cancelled. Consequently, the bail granted to accused Kulkarni is hereby cancelled." Senior special public prosecutor Gangadhar Shetty said the special court will hear the case for three consecutive days from next Monday. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC refuses more time for Congress MLA to surrender in BJP leader murder case
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea by Karnataka Congress legislator and former minister Vinay R Kulkarni seeking an extension of time to surrender, a week after his bail was cancelled in connection with the 2016 murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogesh Gowda. A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan declined to entertain the request made by Kulkarni's counsel, who urged the court to grant the sitting legislator at least a week's extension to comply with the June 6 order. Also Read: Can't jail someone for interfaith union: SC bail for Muslim man 'He is a sitting MLA and also the chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board,' submitted the counsel, requesting the bench to show indulgence and give him at least a week more. The court remained unmoved. 'No. You surrender as per this court's order. The request is rejected,' said the bench, affirming the directive that Kulkarni must surrender within one week of the June 6 ruling. The top court had earlier cancelled the bail granted to Kulkarni after finding that he had violated its conditions by influencing key witnesses during the ongoing trial. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, presented material showing that Kulkarni had attempted to contact and influence prosecution witnesses through associates. The court said that Kulkarni's conduct undermined the sanctity of the trial. Kulkarni, the sitting MLA from Dharwad, is facing trial in connection with the murder of Gowda, a BJP leader and then Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member. Gowda was killed outside his gym in 2016 in what was alleged to be a politically motivated attack. A case under Sections 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was initially registered by the local police. In September 2019, the Karnataka government handed over the case to CBI, which re-registered the FIR and filed three supplementary chargesheets naming 15 accused, including Kulkarni. He was arrested by the CBI on November 5, 2020, and later granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2021 under strict conditions. Kulkarni was barred from entering Dharwad district and was specifically instructed not to directly or indirectly contact or influence any witnesses. CBI moved for cancellation of his bail in December 2024, citing repeated violations of these conditions. On June 6, a separate bench of justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma cancelled the bail granted to Kulkarni in August 2021, finding sufficient material to conclude that he had attempted to interfere with witnesses. 'It would suffice to state that there is sufficient material on record to suggest that attempts have been made by the respondent (Kulkarni) to either contact witnesses or alternatively, influence such witnesses,' the bench had then noted. The court's decision came on a petition filed by CBI, which submitted call records, CCTV footage and photographs to support its claim that Kulkarni had tampered with key witnesses, including a former accused-turned-approver. The agency specifically alleged that Kulkarni tried to reach out to prosecution witnesses Nagappa Bairagonde and Suresh Jagdev Hulle through intermediaries. More notably, the CBI claimed that he approached Shivanand Shreshail Biradar -- an accused who later turned approver to support the prosecution's case, to influence his deposition. The agency said Biradar retracted his earlier statement after being pressured in November 2024. The bench found the evidence credible and said that continuing Kulkarni's bail would defeat the ends of justice. 'Keeping in mind the totality of circumstances, this court is of the considered opinion that the bail granted to the respondent ought to be cancelled,' stated the June 6 order, directing Kulkarni to surrender before the trial court or jail authorities within a week. In that order, the Supreme Court also took exception to a trial court's April 25 decision refusing to cancel Kulkarni's bail on the grounds that it was granted by the apex court. The top court clarified that the sessions court was competent to entertain a plea under Section 439(2) of the CrPC to cancel bail on grounds of violation of conditions, even if the bail was originally granted by a constitutional court. It added that the August 2021 bail order had left it to the trial court to set appropriate conditions for Kulkarni's release, thus implicitly giving it the authority to oversee compliance.
Hamilton Spectator
12-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
KSCS issues PSA regarding Tick-Borne Disease
Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia'takéhnhas Community Services (KSCS) is urging residents to take precautions during outdoor activities in the coming weeks, as tick populations continue to spread across southern Quebec. The PSA comes as seasonal changes and warm weather drives more people outside which increases the likelihood of a tick encounter among residents. Mark Horne, Team Leader of Environmental Health Services at KSCS, advised community members to remain especially vigilant while hiking, camping and hunting. 'The biggest risks are in deeper forested areas,' Horne said. 'That's where ticks are more likely to live and latch onto people.' KSCS warned residents to be on the lookout for blacklegged ticks specifically, which are known to carry several dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease. Horne warned that anyone experiencing a fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle aches and or bullseye-shaped rashes after a tick bite should seek medical attention immediately. 'The sooner people can recognize these symptoms, the better their chances of getting treated quickly,' said Horne. The advisory follows reports from several local health authorities that the range of multiple tick species, including the blacklegged tick, have been expanding into previously uninhabited regions. Professor Manisha Kulkarni, Scientific Director of the Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network, attributed this spread of tick populations to climate change and disruptions in local ecosystems. '[Climate change] is causing a longer warm period between the spring and fall when ticks are active,' Kulkarni said. 'They have more opportunity to find a host to feed on and then they're able to more successfully reproduce and have larger populations.' KSCS raised the concern that Kahnawà:ke's location near deep forests and the St. Lawrence River could make it the epicenter of future tick outbreaks. Horne reassured residents that, with the proper education and precaution, the risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease in Kahnawà:ke remains low. However, Kulkarni warned that this could change across Canada in the coming years. 'As tick populations expand into new regions, more and more people are going to be exposed to ticks, and will be at risk of Lyme disease,' Kulkarni said. 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 .
