Latest news with #Sheraton
Montreal Gazette
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Drimonis: So who gets to celebrate la Fête nationale? (Hint: You do)
With St-Jean celebrations around the corner, I want to set the record straight about who gets to celebrate. Answer: Everyone. Every year I inevitably see a few English-speaking and allophone Quebecers express a mix of trepidation, frustration and uncertainty about whether they should even partake in the June 24 festivities. I'm here to tell you that you should. But I also understand where that confusion stems from. All Quebecers get to celebrate the Fête nationale. The problem is that the word 'Quebecer' doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. To some, it's simply someone who resides in Quebec. If you live, work and pay taxes here, you're a Quebecer. Grab that Fleur-de-lis and prepare to dance a rigodon. Not so fast! To others, the term 'Québécois' encompasses more than just where you live; it's a cultural and linguistic identity, designating the majority French-speaking population. To them, a 'real' Quebecer is someone with French-Canadian ancestry. To others still, it's someone who only speaks and prioritizes French above all. Since my first language (and frankly, not even my second) isn't French, am I one? By those definitions, English-speaking Quebecers, here since the second half of the 18th century, wouldn't qualify as 'real' Quebecers. Quebec's Greek community, which first arrived here in the late 19th century, with some members settling in Montreal as early as 1843, wouldn't be the real deal either. Even if — like all other immigrant groups — we've helped shape Montreal and Quebec. Others say self-identification is key. If you identify as a Quebecer, you are one — even if you 'dial 9 for English' or fast during Ramadan. Any attempt to define the 'right' kind of Quebecer is unhelpful to say the least. The Coalition Avenir Québec's divisive policies, such as Bills 21 and 96, have made many of us question our identity and place here. No matter how deep our roots and contributions, we're left wondering whether we're genuinely considered part of the 'nous' the government says it fights for. Over the years, many nationalists have pointed to my Greek name and my use of English as incriminating evidence against my Québécois credentials. Some even claim federalist Quebecers can't possibly be Québécois. They're wrong. When René Lévesque addressed the English-speaking community in a speech on sovereignty-association in 1980, he couldn't have been clearer: ''Quebecer' is a name that, to us, unites all those who were born or who live in Quebec and it links together their many language, ethnic, cultural, religious, geographic and other differences,' Lévesque said in his address at the Sheraton Mt-Royal Hotel in Montreal. 'It is the mark of belonging to a people and to a land, and the use of the word or its French equivalent 'Québécois' is in no way the exclusive property of one group and much less of one party.' Louder for the people in the back! Of course French is a key element of Quebec's identity, but when I celebrate Quebec culture, I celebrate all of it — all the languages, cultures and religions that find a home here. Despite legislation, policies and rhetoric that risks alienating some of us, there's a commonality we all share that deserves to be celebrated. We, too, have a deep love for this place — and pride in being part of a unique slice of the world that can't be replicated elsewhere. If St-Jean celebrates French-Canadian culture, heritage and identity, then this day is ours too. Because French culture and language are profoundly embedded in our Quebec and Canadian identities. They're non-negotiable elements of who we are as Quebecers and Canadians, regardless of first language or place of birth. I see no contradiction in celebrating both la St-Jean and Canada Day, and no government's exclusionary policies should stop us from embracing — and cheering — a Quebec that belongs to us all. Bonne Fête nationale, everyone!
Al Bawaba
17 hours ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Discover a Refined Summer Staycation at Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road
This summer, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road invites guests to enjoy a sophisticated city retreat, blending modern comfort, exceptional value, and an unbeatable central situated on Dubai's renowned Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel offers effortless access to some of the city's most celebrated attractions, including Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Museum of the Future. Whether visiting for leisure, business, or a well-deserved break, guests will find themselves perfectly positioned to experience the best of accommodations — including Business Suites and One-Bedroom Apartments — are thoughtfully designed to provide both comfort and functionality. Guests can unwind with panoramic skyline views from the rooftop pool, indulge in diverse culinary experiences across the hotel's restaurants and lounges, or simply relax in the serene ambience of their private Offer | Valid from May 23 to August 15, 2025Book a Business Suite or One-Bedroom Apartment at the best available rate and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to Half Board for the duration of your Benefits Include:3,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points with every One-Bedroom Apartment booking2,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points with every Business Suite booking20% discount on food and beverage throughout the hotelIdeal for couples, families, and solo travelers alike, this exclusive summer offer provides a relaxing and rewarding urban escape. With spacious accommodations, premium amenities, and a location that places the city at your doorstep, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road offers a staycation experience defined by convenience, value, and elegance. *Offer available for a limited time only. Subject to availability and advance booking. Terms and conditions apply.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Step Into a World of Imagination With The Newly-Renovated Thematic Rooms at Four Points Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah
SURABAYA, Indonesia, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah proudly announces the launch of its newly renovated thematic rooms, offering guests especially families with young children an extraordinary staycation experience filled with imagination, wonder, and lots of fun. The new addition features six uniquely designed rooms, where each of the room designed to delight the little guests' fantasy to life through carefully curated interiors, interactive design elements, and playful atmospheres that spark joy and creativity. Whether it's a magical escape or an adventurous journey, these rooms are built to inspire unforgettable memories. Introducing the Six Thematic Rooms: Strategically located above the Pakuwon Mall, the largest shopping mall in Indonesia, Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah provides the perfect balance of leisure and convenience, moreover enhanced by these imaginative new room options. For reservations and more information, visit or contact at +6231.297.10000 Press Contact Ms. Cindy Yuwono Complex Marketing Communications Manager [email protected] About Four Points by Sheraton® Four Points by Sheraton is a global brand with over 335 hotels in over 45 countries and territories. At Four Points, travel is reinvented where timeless classics are woven with modern details, paired with genuine service in a casual environment—all around the world. Four Points hotels can be found in the heart of urban centers, near the beach, by the airport, or in the suburbs. Each hotel offers a familiar place to kick back and relax with an authentic sense of the local, where guests can watch sports and enjoy the brand's Best Brews® program. Four Points is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit To learn more about Four Points, visit us online. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Four Points by Sheraton Surabaya, Pakuwon Indah
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kinsler column: Secret to a lasting marriage - making each other laugh
We'd driven to a hotel in Indianapolis to visit our Chicago friend Scott because it's located roughly halfway between Chicago and Lancaster. The visit was winding down, and Natalie offered to get the car out of the Sheraton garage in the interest of speeding home already. She left me and Scott at the hotel bar for later retrieval. Natalie's report follows: 'You have to scan your room key card to get out of the parking garage. You're supposed to reach the scanner from your car, but I'm too short. So I got out of the car to scan the key card. The arm went up. I quickly got back into the car, but before I could find the gas pedal, the arm went down. I tried again, but the arm wouldn't move.' 'There is a little 'help' button on the scanner, so still standing outside the car, I pushed it and waited. Nobody answered, but the arm went up. I quickly ducked back into the car, but the arm went back down before I could get through.' 'I tried again: pushed the little 'help' button and sprang into the car. The arm went up. The arm went down. The arm won.' 'Third time: I positioned myself carefully, pressed the button, and launched myself into the driver's seat. This time, I barely made it out.' 'At that point, I was ready to construct the Sheraton parking garage a new exit by tunneling through the concrete wall with my teeth.' 'But I persevered, parked the automobile in a temporary space, called Mark and waited.' 'It seems that both men were flirting with the comely bartender. The gathering broke up rather quickly as both are obviously married, albeit lacking close supervision. They sulked as I loaded Mark into the car for the long trip home. 'Phooey,' he remarked.' --end of report— The truth is a bit disappointing for both of us, for since we met in 1986 neither one has found a suitable substitute. Through jobs, and weird relatives, and towering disagreements, and two weddings (both to each other) we two have clung together like barnacles, barnacles who read the Wall Street Journal and try to establish a vegetable garden ever year. 'I'd expected you to have shown more enterprise amongst your wealthy finance clients,' I berated her. 'They don't wear Walmart sneakers.' 'But they're dumb and always worry about money,' she countered. 'And you make me laugh.' She makes me laugh, too. We're doomed. Mark Kinsler, kinsler33@ lives in Lancaster under reluctant monitoring by Natalie and the three cats. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Kinsler: We're still together, despite everything
The National
13-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Bridging the Gulf: Why Kazakhstan's relations with the Middle East matter
In central Astana, the Abu Dhabi Plaza's shiny glass and metal facades tower above the Kazakh capital's other feats of engineering, including the gold-domed Bayterek Tower and the wide sweep of Soviet-era squares. Alongside apartments and a five-star Sheraton hotel, shoppers flit between Turkish high-street brand shops and a sushi joint. The complex is probably the most conspicuous example of Gulf influence in Kazakhstan. But beyond the glossy buildings, senior officials in the landlocked Central Asian country believe the Gulf is increasingly attractive as a trade and investment partner. As Astana seeks to broaden its foreign relations, long dominated by neighbours China and Russia, Gulf nations' capital and willingness to do business appeal. 'We're trying not to be related to a pool of only a few trading partners,' Asset Nussupov, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Trade and Integration, told The National at a recent conference in Astana. 'So we're trying to diversify. It's just business – I mean, you see some alternative routes, some perspectives, and we're trying to make new connections.' The country takes an overtly neutral stance in foreign policy – officials refuse to be drawn into criticising other nations and Astana has remained neutral in the Russia - Ukraine war. Nor has it taken sides in other conflicts such as that in Gaza. Kazakhstani officials often refer to a 'multi-vector' foreign policy. That translates as working with everyone and attempting to offend nobody. It also means Kazakhstan is open to new trade partnerships where it can forge them. Unlikely alliances Lying thousands of kilometres apart, the Gulf and Kazakhstan may not appear logical partners at first glance. Yet a confluence of factors have strengthened the allure of mutual relationships between them. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 pushed Astana to look beyond its traditional partnerships with Moscow, as sanctions complicated trade. The coronavirus pandemic refocused global attention on securing supply chains. Located on major trade arteries that have been used for millennia, Kazakhstan is well-positioned geographically to contribute. It also has abundant mineral and hydrocarbon resources, a growing economy and a well-educated, multilingual population. Most Kazakhstanis speak fluent Russian as well as Kazakh, and English is increasingly common among younger generations. Investor confidence in some western nations, previously lured by the prospects of the Central Asian country's hydrocarbon wealth, has been dented by a $160 billion arbitration case taken out by Kazakhstan's government against a group of international oil companies, some observers say. That has opened the way for other investors, including from the Middle East. 'We see this throughout Central Asia – the Gulf is seen as apolitical and more neutral than the West. So it's an easier partner,' Kate Mallinson, an associate fellow for the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, told The National. In some senses, Central Asian nations look to the Gulf as a model, in terms of governing style, use of energy resources and stability. 'That's something that they see as really attractive,' said Ms Mallinson, who is also a partner at Prism, a business advisory company. Business ties Trade volume between Kazakhstan and the Gulf countries is currently about $600 million, said Mr Nussupov, with the Central Asian country exporting barley, silver and mutton to its Middle Eastern partners. The overall figure is small compared to the billions of dollars' worth of goods traded with China, Russia and Turkey every year. But food products, metals and services are key areas where Kazakhstan hopes to export more to the Gulf. Throughout Central Asia the Gulf is seen as apolitical and more neutral than the West. So it's an easier partner Kate Mallinson, Chatham House associate fellow 'Now we see very strong potential for increase in export of services to these countries, especially in oilfield services and IT solutions,' Mr Nussupov added. More significant than trade volume is the value of investment by Gulf firms in Kazakhstan. Gulf countries have invested more than $5 billion in the country, including $4.3 billion from the UAE, Deputy Foreign Ninister Roman Vassilenko told The National in an interview on the sidelines of the Astana International Forum, held last month. 'Kazakhstan has a diplomatic presence in all Gulf states,' Mr Vassinlenko said. 'In recent years, there has also been this concerted push by both the Gulf states and Central Asian states to develop inter-regional co-operation." With foreign relations driven by commerce, the UAE and Kazakhstan signed agreements worth another $4 four billion when Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, visited Astana last month, Mr Vassilenko said, in sectors such as artificial intelligence, health care, renewable energy and infrastructure. Emirati firms have completed four investment projects in Kazakhstan, including a $15 million warehouse project and a $30 million project on the Caspian Sea by the Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group, another senior Kazakh investment official said at a press briefing at the Astana forum. Seven more projects are in the pipeline and an additional five are under discussion, he added. Abu Dhabi's Masdar, a renewables specialist, signed an investment agreement with Kazakhstan last year for the development of a 1GW wind farm in the south-eastern Jambyl region. Construction is planned to start this year, the investment official said. Kazakhstan has offered attractive terms including government guarantees to Gulf-based renewable energy companies to develop infrastructure, observers and officials say. 'We make sure that, basically, we guarantee the purchase of the power for a certain period of time with certain instruments,' Zulfiya Suleymanova, an adviser on the environment to Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, told The National. 'So in that sense, we, as Kazakhstan, de-risk the investments.' Securing a foothold at nodes in trade routes that stretch across Kazakhstan is also attractive for Gulf firms. Trade volumes on the so-called Middle Corridor trade route, which links China with Europe via the Caspian Sea, Caucasus and Turkey, increased from 560,000 tonnes in 2021 to 4.5 million tonnes last year, Mr Vassilenko said. The route avoids land corridors through heavily sanctioned Russia and Iran. 'We were traditionally in the heart of the Silk Roads,' Mr Vassilenko told The National. 'Now we are trying to recreate this Silk Road in steel and concrete, and we have some success, and we think that the future holds even more promise.' In January, Noatum Maritime, AD Ports Group's maritime and shipping arm, signed an agreement with Kazakhstan's national shipping company to expand Caspian operations by building two container vessels. Dubai-based ports operator DP World also has operations at Khorgos, a vital transit hub on Kazakhstan's border with China. Trade with all While there is a cultural affinity with other Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East, Kazakhstani officials often talk of pragmatism. They also have healthy relations with Israel. 'No war' and 'no casualties' are the 'best options' in solving the crisis in Gaza, another Deputy Foreign Minister, Alibek Kuantyrov, said in response to a question from The National. 'Of course, we are concerned with what's happening in Gaza, and it is our position to solve the issue in a peaceful way,' Mr Kuantyrov said. He declined to say if Kazakhstan was reconsidering trade deals with Israel, after a recent announcement by the UK and the European Union that they are reviewing commercial ties with the country over the crisis in Gaza. Perhaps a sign of Kazakhstan's willingness to deal with everyone is that while it has robust ties with Israel, it also trades what it can with Iran - mostly sanctions-exempt foodstuffs, officials say. The US and Tehran are holding talks attempting to reach an agreement over restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief - which Astana would welcome, officials said. 'Iran is a big market," Mr Kuantyrov said. "Any pragmatic solution would be good for us.' Geographical and historical realities China and Russia are still Kazakhstan's largest trading partners, with the EU in third position. Historical connections and a colossal 7,500km land border with Russia mean that business continues, despite international sanctions imposed on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. 'We still have ties and we have trade ongoing – people are always buying and selling something,' Mr Nussupov, Vice Minister for Trade and Integration, said of the relationship with Russia. Despite the attempts to diversify, Russia still has huge influence in Kazakhstan's economy, said Kate Mallinson of Chatham House. Moscow controls the pipeline route through which Kazakhstan sends about 80 per cent of its crude oil exports and owns stakes in development licences for the country's abundant uranium supplies. Cultural similarities in deal-making forged in the Soviet era do not disappear overnight. It also remains to be seen if the attractive terms for previously-signed renewable energy deals will be offered to future investors, potentially complicating further agreements. Kazakhstan has 'to constantly try to navigate this sort of tightrope walk with the Russians, and also that's just culturally how they do business', Ms Mallinson said. 'A lot of the leadership were educated in Russia. I think it's going to take a whole generation before those ties lessen.' As for China, instability caused by US President Donald Trump 's mercurial behaviour over tariffs may push Beijing to strengthen other trade ties, perhaps with those closer to home such as Kazakhstan. Astana is already looking at forming closer partnerships with specific regions in China to home in on business development in a vast country. 'I think that these trade tensions are pushing China to diversify trade partners,' Mr Nussupov said. 'But anyway, we have always been seen, and continue to be seen, as a key strategic neighbour to China.'
