Latest news with #September11
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
NYC legend Robert De Niro is getting his own immersive exhibition at Mercer Labs
New York is about to enter its De Niro era—again. But this time, it's not just on screen. It's around you. Opening today, June 19 at Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology in Lower Manhattan, De Niro, New York is a first-of-its-kind immersive film installation that reimagines the legendary actor's career through 360-degree projection, spatial audio and mind-bending scale. The 20-minute experience is part of Summer Nights at Mercer Labs with Tribeca, running Thursday through Sunday evenings through July 13. Originally premiering in the Hexadome at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in honor of De Niro's 80th birthday, this new iteration of the film pulls audiences into the heart of De Niro's cinematic world. Directed by Sam Gill and Luke Neher and produced by Tribeca Studios and Little Cinema, the piece condenses scenes from more than 40 of De Niro's films into one continuous visual and emotional journey. For Roy Nachum, co-founder and creative director of Mercer Labs, the project was personal. 'Working with such an incredible talent—an icon—was a dream come true,' Nachum told Time Out exclusively. 'I've been admiring De Niro for a long, long time, and it was a great moment to work with Tribeca on that because that can open people's eyes to see how we can create a film in 360.' Mercer Labs, already known for pushing boundaries in experiential art and tech, had never hosted a fully immersive film until now. 'I think what's surprising is the mistakes,' Nachum said. 'We have 26 projectors and directional sound—that's equal to 26 cinema rooms. When you see things in different scales and the conversation between one wall and how it would react with the floor, the magic happens in the space. It's like something you've never seen in your life.' Tribeca CEO Pete Torres echoed that sentiment. 'You could experience it from different sides at all times. I've seen the piece probably 700 times, and every time it's impressive,' he said. Beyond the tech and artistry, the experience is a love letter to New York—and to De Niro's role in its post-9/11 cultural revival. 'There's this moment in the film when De Niro moves downtown and people are asking, 'Where is Tribeca?'' said Torres. 'Now look at it. This project carries that same spirit—bringing people back downtown, inviting them to explore something new.' (De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Festival with producer Jane Rosenthal in 2002, helping to restore the cultural vibrancy of Lower Manhattan in the wake of the September 11 attacks.) The biggest challenge? Editing down decades of cinematic brilliance into a tight 20 minutes. 'You could do four, five, even 10 hours of this,' said Torres. 'But we had to get it down to 20 minutes. The team from Little Cinema and the Tribeca Studios side did so much work to bring it down to a reasonable time. It just shows how impactful his career has been.' Tickets are $70 and include a drink and a souvenir. (Guests under 21 will receive a non-alcoholic beverage.) Mercer Labs and Tribeca Fest also hinted that this may be just the beginning, with plans already in motion to expand immersive collaborations. But for now, catch De Niro, New York only in New York—and only for a few short weeks.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Shashi Tharoor's ‘Osama episode' reminder for Americans after Trump-Munir lunch meet
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday reacted to American President Donald Trump hosting Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir for lunch, remarking that the 'people in US could not have forgotten the Osama episode so quickly'. The Chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament was referring to the Al-Qaeda leader who was the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers. US Navy SEALs killed Osama on May 2, 2011, after raiding a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan that was reported to be in close vicinity of the Pakistan Military Academy. Hoping the Pakistan military official got 'some food for thought,' the Thiruvananthapuram MP told reporters: 'I hope that in these interactions, the Americans reminded Pakistan of not enabling, guiding, training, arming, financing, equipping, and dispatching terrorists to our country from their soil. Some American Senators and Congressmen who met the Pakistani delegation did do this'. Tharoor was part of the Indian delegation that travelled to the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil and Colombia to explain India's position on Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. 'People in the US could not have forgotten the Osama episode so quickly… Pakistan's culpability in hiding this man until he was finally found in a safe house near an Army camp can not easily be forgotten and forgiven by the Americans. I hope while the General was being wined and dined, he got all these messages at the same time because that would also be in America's interest,' Tharoor said. #WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | On US President Donald Trump's lunch meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, 'I hope the food was good and he gets some food for thought in the process. I hope that in these interactions, the Americans… — ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2025 Speaking hours ahead of his lunch meeting with Munir, Trump lauded the role of the Pakistan Army Chief, a five-star general, in 'stopping the war'. Repeating his claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, Trump said: 'I stopped the war between India and Pakistan. I love Pakistan, and Modi is a fantastic man…This man (Asim Munir) was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistani side and PM Modi from the Indian side. They (India and Pakistan) were going at it, and both are nuclear countries. I stopped a war between two major nations.' India has repeatedly countered Trump's statements and underlined that the cessation of hostilities was a bilateral decision. Hours before Trump's latest comments, Modi told the US President over a call that there was 'no proposal' for US mediation and 'no mention' of any India-US trade deal during the conversation. 'The discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication between the two armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's request,' Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a briefing. 'Prime Minister Modi firmly stated that India does not and will never accept mediation. There is complete political consensus in India on this matter.'
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Hope He Got Food For Thought': Shashi Tharoor Mocks Asim Munir's Lunch With Donald Trump
Last Updated: Shashi Tharoor took a jibe at Asim Munir's meeting with Donald Trump, implying it was a reward for praising the US President. He hoped Munir got "food for thought" with the lunch. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a dig at Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who was hosted at the White House by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, and hoped he must have got 'food for thought" while having lunch with Trump. Tharoor said that according to the White House, Munir had once said that Trump should be conferred the Nobel Peace Prize. Soon after, he was rewarded with a lunch there, he said. 'I haven't seen the outcome of the meeting," Tharoor said, on being asked to comment on the Trump-Munir meeting. 'According to the White House, this general had said that the President should get the Nobel Peace Prize, and then he was rewarded with a lunch. I hope the food was good and he has also got some food for thought in the process," the Congress MP said. Tharoor also said he hoped that the United States would remind Pakistan the relevance of not supporting terrorism to breed on its soil, and that the United States must not have forgotten the World Trade Centres attacks on September 11, 2001. 'I hope the Americans will remind Pakistan of the great importance of not supporting terrorism, of not enabling, equipping, financing and dispatching terrorists to our country," Tharoor said. 'It is our hope that everyone in the US government must not have forgotten the Osama bin Laden episode," he added. 'I hope while the general (Asim Munir) was being wined or lunched and munched, at the same time, he would have got some messages that would also be in America's interest," Tharoor remarked. First Published: June 19, 2025, 13:54 IST
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US 'doomsday plane' flies to Washington: Boeing E-4B Nightwatch speculated to be operational amid tensions with Iran; what it means
The Boeing E-4B Nightwatch is also dubbed as the 'flying Pentagon' One of America's so-called "doomsday planes," the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, made a rare flight to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC, on Tuesday night, as tensions continue to rise between Iran and Israel. The aircraft serves as a mobile command post in the event of a nuclear conflict or other national emergency. The plane left Bossier City, Louisiana, shortly before 6pm and landed just after 10pm, reports the New York Post. Flight data showed it took an unusual path along the coast and around the border of Virginia and North Carolina before touching down in Maryland. The plane was seen using the unfamiliar callsign ORDER01, instead of its typical ORDER6, sparking speculation online, with some suggesting it signalled a non-routine or priority mission. Flight watchers quickly noted the deviation. Symbol of high-level readiness Although the E-4B Nightwatch makes routine flights throughout the year to ensure operational readiness, Tuesday's mission drew attention due to the timing. The aircraft took off just as US President Donald Trump ramped up threats against Tehran, demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" in the face of increased Israeli airstrikes. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the demand on Wednesday, saying, "This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition." He warned that any US military intervention would cause "irreparable damage." Observers suggest the E-4B flight could be part of a broader effort to bolster presidential security and military preparedness amid fears of escalation in the Middle East. What is the E-4B Nightwatch? The E-4B is designed to function as an airborne command centre for the US President, Secretary of Defence and top military officials during a crisis. Its most famous operational use was on September 11, 2001, when it was deployed following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The plane is built to withstand a nuclear strike. It features advanced shielding against electromagnetic pulses, thermal effects, and cyberattacks. The aircraft is also equipped to launch retaliatory missiles and contains 67 satellite dishes and antennas for global communication. The E-4B can stay airborne for over 35 hours and is designed to operate for up to a week without landing due to mid-air refuelling capability. Inside, the plane features three decks including briefing rooms, a command centre, communications facilities, 18 bunks and a rest area, earning it the nickname "Flying Pentagon." A link to ongoing conflict The flight came just hours before reports emerged that two Iranian government aircraft had left the country for Oman, fuelling rumours of emergency talks or senior leadership evacuations. Accompanying this were fresh warnings from Khamenei that Israel would be punished for its "huge mistake" in launching the bombing campaign that has killed at least 224 people in Iran. The real reason for Tuesday's E-4B flight has not been confirmed, but its timing during rising global tensions has renewed public interest in one of America's most secretive planes. As one of four in operation, the plane's role in national defence remains both symbolic and strategic. The US Air Force is currently working on a $13 billion programme to replace the ageing fleet, with Sierra Nevada Corporation developing the next generation of Nightwatch aircraft.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Foreign students who hate America don't deserve visas — and we have tools to stop them
Would you let absolutely anyone in your house, with no conditions? Of course not. If even an invited guest got rowdy, trashed your kitchen, took over your bathroom, insulted your religion, or invited their friends to set up tents on your lawn, you'd send them packing. By the same token, no nation should be forced to admit people who hate that country and its values. Visas are a privilege, not a right. Furthermore, foreigners visiting, studying, or working here have fewer rights and more limited "due process" than citizens – as they should. The rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship should be held to a much higher standard, not watered down and "given" to those with lesser immigration status or skin in the game. I was a U.S. Foreign Service officer from 1999-2022, and my first tour was to our Embassy in New Delhi, India. We officers on the "visa line" did around 150 interviews a day to determine whether Indian applicants were qualified to come to the U.S. We used a two-page paper form that had little information, which we checked against a criminal and terrorist records database that was not as comprehensive as today's. If the communications systems went down, we had to rely on CDs that were weeks old to check the names. All the September 11, 2001, hijackers were in the United States on non-immigrant visas; mostly tourist/visitor visas, although there was at least one holding a student visa. The world became a lot riskier, and the U.S. needed to adapt the way we admitted foreigners. The massive 9/11 Commission Report detailed inefficiencies and loopholes in the way U.S. intelligence and national security agencies worked with the Department of State to check the names, dates of birth and other personal information of applicants before issuing them visas. In response, the State Department added forms and took more information from each applicant, so we knew as much as possible about who wanted to come to our country and why. State also improved the way that information was shared and vetted by the rest of the U.S. government so that everything we collectively knew about any John Q. Foreigner was considered before we let him into the country. The change in process slowed things at first, but then we adapted and increased efficiency. The entire application process is now done online, where entered data is combined with a photo and fingerprints for each person. Today, everyone is online, particularly younger people. Every student applicant has a smartphone and most likely multiple social media accounts. What we post online reflects who we are. Anonymity is an illusion – one should not post things one is ashamed of or wants to hide. As any consular officer will tell you, some people lie in visa interviews. We have something they want: a visa to get into the United States. They might not lie to their mother or priest, but lying to a foreign official is a far lesser sin. Given that reality, and the wealth of information available online that truly reflects a person, consular officers would ideally be vetting all applicants' social media already. Until now, the constraints of staffing – having an individual human access and look through each applicant's many accounts and possibly thousands of posts – made that prohibitive except in cases deemed worthy of increased scrutiny. Consular units in U.S. embassies have fraud prevention units, but they are not staffed to handle every single case. Nor can every case be elevated for scrutiny by other U.S. agencies. The growing capacity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make social media screening, and broader vetting, possible for more applicants. It makes sense to start with students, as they are in our country much longer than someone visiting Disneyland or attending a business meeting. Most students come to do a four-year bachelor's degree at least, and many remain to get jobs and become legal residents and, perhaps later, citizens. If done right, social media vetting will not slow down the visa process. It won't keep out most applicants who plan to come here for a specific, valid purpose, tell us the truth, and stick to their word. But people who post incendiary, criminal, violent, anti-American, antisemitic, or anti-capitalist content won't make good visitors, students or future Americans. When I see some of the posts by people here on student visas, or trying to become Americans, I wish a few of them had never received visas. Like Momodou Taal, who seemed to spend most of his time at Cornell University protesting, occupying buildings without permission, and going "hard for Gaza." At a protest in 2024, he said "we don't take our cue from some bullsh*t student assembly at Cornell. … We take our cue from the armed resistance in Palestine." Cornell refused to suspend him because they didn't want him deported. Today, everyone is online, particularly younger people. Every student applicant has a smartphone and most likely multiple social media accounts. What we post online reflects who we are. Anonymity is an illusion – one should not post things one is ashamed of or wants to hide. Given that our colleges are willing to champion those who hate the West, capitalism, and our allies, defending the national interest is up to those who issue visas. It's quite possible that a review of Taal's social media before they issued his visa would have revealed ineligibilities and saved us having to find a job for one more "Africana studies" PhD. Then there's Kishan Kumar Singh, Mahammadilham Vahora and Hajiali Vahora, and Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, all of whom were here on visas ostensibly to study when they were arrested in separate cases across the country for allegedly trying to scam elderly Americans out of their money. What might their social media have shown? Looking at Chinese students more carefully, in particular, might stop a future Shenghua Wen – the Chinese student who overstayed his 2012 student visa, dropped out of school, and apparently went into business shipping arms to North Korea. Chinese students being caught smuggling in suspicious items and engaged in research that could benefit the PRC and undermine the U.S. are happening with alarming frequency. The U.S. has over a million foreign students here already and issues almost half a million more such visas every year. Weeding out a few who are more intent on rioting, protesting, or doing nefarious research than getting a degree will encourage the rest to respect our country and our rules.
