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The Herald Scotland
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh is held back by can't do attitude. It should be like Glasgow
The despoilation of much of Victorian Glasgow in the 1960s illustrates how badly things can go if there is no restraint or respect for the past, and Edinburgh citizens should be forever grateful a halt was called before the Abercrombie plan to turn Princes Street into a two-deck super highway lined with brutal Stalinist blocks was executed. Potterrow and Bristo Square was just the beginning. Read more But at least Glasgow can summon a can-do attitude when necessary, and the India Street student skyscraper can't be as bad as the grim post-war government offices it will replace. Since Edinburgh University got away with the Appleton Tower in the 1960s, overlooking Bristo Square and the only half-wrecked George Square, tall buildings in Edinburgh are taboo. The last serious attempt was Tiger Developments' rejected 16- storey hotel at Haymarket, pitched as a 'gateway' to the city centre, stymied by fierce local opposition led by the late judge and West End resident, Lord McCluskey. Instead there is a black stump of offices in a half-built square flanked by the foundations for the International Conference Centre's hotel school, blocked by Edinburgh Council, its ranks of yellow-capped rusting metal rods from exposed reinforced concrete forlornly waiting for the first floor, a monument to the victory of personal animosity over vision. My overall impression from The Herald's magnifying glass on Edinburgh is the extent to which a 'can't do, unless…' attitude still dominates debate, in which nothing happens without a host of conditions and caveats, adding cost and time to the smallest project. Preserving the cityscape is well understood and accepted, but other adornments make Edinburgh a costly place to invest. New schools must be built to Scandinavian 'Passivhaus' standards of insulation, housing schemes must have district heating systems, car parking is limited but extensive bike storage is de rigueur, all for the sake of the unachievable goal of reaching net zero by 2030. Edinburgh's George Street looking west. Picture:Gordon Terris (Image: Gordon Terris) New policy means 35 per cent of homes in all but the smallest new developments must be 'affordable', which makes the rest more unaffordable. I remember sitting with astonishment on the Development Management (DM) sub-committee as my colleagues considered rejecting the redevelopment of the old Sick Kids hospital because there should be two more affordable three-bedroom flats, despite the housing charity involved insisting there was no market for them in that location. Speaking to a highly experienced development agent this week, he said that despite positive personnel changes on the DM sub-committee, building in Edinburgh was just getting harder. Policy-driven add-ons, like heat pumps and expensive insulation standards, mean obtaining planning permission is all very well, but getting companies to actually build is another when a diminishing number of construction contractors can prioritise simpler and more cost-effective schemes elsewhere. Too many councillors set policy on the basis of what they want the world to be, not as it is, usually underscored by pronouncements that as Edinburgh is a wealthy place individuals and businesses should be happy to stump up more for the privilege. In the city of Enlightenment, it's apparently incumbent on us all to set an example to mankind, and like penitents who should feel guilty about any comfort or indulgence accept the cost and inconvenience of councillors' whims. Concentrating so many arguments in the space of a week has, if anything, exposed the many contradictions which dog every argument about Edinburgh's future. We want it to be a good place to live and work, we want to attract more talent to boost the economy, but we'll make it harder to build the necessary homes and infrastructure. Of course we need more housing, especially with over 5,000 families currently in temporary accommodation, but we don't want tower blocks or urban sprawl. We want everyone to live and work in a '20 minute neighbourhood' where everything is within walking distance, but we're going to persuade businesses to move out to make way for housing. We love our bus company, but they shouldn't be driving down Princes Street. Read more Similarly with tourism. We want Edinburgh to be a welcoming and popular place for visitors, just not so many of them, and we don't want the city to be a Harry Potter or Braveheart theme park (as if it is…). We want tourists to spend money, but they shouldn't be sold junk. I marked my first trip to New York by buying a little yellow taxi, so I guess that makes me a tat-loving philistine. If they do come, they should be persuaded the Granton Gasholder is as worth seeing as the Castle and Holyroodhouse. We love the freedom and chaos of the Festival Fringe, but it needs to be brought under control. We need overseas students to sign up for expensive university courses because we can't afford places for all the qualified locals who must be funded by, guess who, the taxpayer. But we don't want to allow more places for them to stay. We want businesses to come and invest, but they have got to be the right kind of firms who must play their part in tackling poverty so that 'no one gets left behind'. As for high-tech skilled jobs at defence specialists like Lenovo, couldn't they make air fryers or bread makers instead? The good news is some in strong positions of influence get all this, but in a city which to outsiders must seem to have it all, the challenge is to persuade all those who make the rules that it can't. John McLellan is a former Edinburgh Evening News and Scotsman editor. He served as a City of Edinburgh councillor for five years. Brought up in Glasgow, McLellan has lived and worked in Edinburgh for 30 years.
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
From ‘Mean Girl' Trump to Musk leading a Russian coup – internet's best reactions to the explosive Don v Elon clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELON Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X. The US president was quick to hit back at the Tesla boss with several bitter barbs of his own as their feud suddenly reignited in front of the world. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Elon Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X Credit: AFP 15 Social media exploded as Trump and Musk publicly went at each other online Credit: X 15 Some described it as 'the MAGA powers exploding' in a clever call back to one of the most iconic wrestling feuds between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage Credit: X The internet had been eagerly watching the nuclear dispute as it unfolded after hours of outlandish Jefferey Epstein claims and brutal impeachment barbs by Musk. Trump hit back on Truth Social saying Elon was "wearing thin" around the White House. He later warned the US government could end all federal contracts with Musk's companies if the insults continued to fly. Here are social media's best reactions to the intense clash between the two mega powers. Mean girl Trump Famous 2004 film Mean Girls has managed to create a long lasting legacy online with the Trump/Musk feud now even being linked to the movie. The picture shared online is taken from the perspective of Musk who is looking at the iconic "Burn Book" from the film. 15 Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George Credit: X Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George. The text above the image is the exact same as in the movie which says: "This girl is the nastiest skank b***h I've ever met. Do NOT TRUST HER. She is a fugly s***!" Trump's Stalinist purge One of the quickest memes to emerge from the explosive fallout was an expertly AI generated image of a steely-faced Trump dressed as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin. A smiley Musk was stood next to him. But a second image posted alongside it showed Musk suddenly disappearing from the picture. The two-part joke was hinting at a possible "Great Purge" being ordered by Trump similar to what Stalin ordered in the mid 1930s. 15 A clever AI generated image portrayed Trump as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin and Musk as one of his purged officials Credit: X 15 The real picture of Stalin which was edited with the faces of Musk and Trump Credit: Alamy The purge - also known as the Great Terror - is a damning historical period which saw Stalin axe dozens of his political allies in the Soviet Union. Any threat to Stalin's regime was made to go through sham trials which resulted in them being removed from any form of power. The government claimed they were getting rid of suspected party dissenters. The meme was posted shortly after Trump announced on Truth Social that he in fact asked Musk to leave his role within the US government. The president said the SpaceX chief was "wearing thin" and "went crazy" during his final weeks close to the White House. Musk's Russian-style coup Musk is a famously persuasive man with him even claiming on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump. This created a whole load of hilarious comments and tweets on X as some jokingly ordered Musk to launch a coup on Washington. One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera. 15 One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera Credit: X 15 The pose was an echo of Wagner leader Prigozhin when he launched a botched coup on Moscow 15 Musk claimed on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump Credit: X The pose and outfit had a striking similarity to Wagner group leader Prigozhin who launched a botched coup against Putin by marching on Moscow. It was followed by the caption: "Reports that Muskovite forces led by Elon Musk are preparing to march on Washington." The term Muskovite has been used before by Russian state television. In October 2023, they hailed the world's richest man after he posted a meme of himself ridiculing Ukraine for asking for US aid during the war. In response, Kremlin TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva described the tech mogul as "Elon the Muscovite" on Russia-1. Billionaire for billionaire As Trump and Musk's relationship capitulated before the internet's eyes, many users jumped at the chance to speculate on a potential replacement to join Trump's inner circle. The leading candidate was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Zuck and Elon already share a number of similarities. They both sit at the very top of the official world's rich list with Musk at number one and Zuckerberg sat just behind in second. 15 Some speculated that Trump may simply replace Musk with Mark Zuckerberg Credit: X 15 Zuckerberg and Musk were joined by fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai at Trump's inauguration ceremony Credit: AP And both men own major social media platforms. Musk famously acquired Twitter and transformed it into X whereas Zuckerberg created Facebook, now Meta, in 2004. Trump already has a growing relationship with Zuckerberg after Meta donated $1m (£786,000) to an inauguration fund for the president. The pair also shared dinner together at Mar-a-Lago in November. But much like with Musk, the two have shared a turbulent past. In 2017, Trump hit out at Facebook for being "anti-Trump" after the platform banned his account following the Capitol riots on January, 6, 2021. Cybertruck conundrum Two of the most liked memes circulating around the internet on Thursday featured Tesla Cybertrucks. The powerful beasts are the brainchild of Musk and his remarkable staff at Tesla factories across the US. But for one unlucky motorist his Cybertruck may be forced to stay in the garage forever after the public spat. An image shows a parked up Tesla with the American flag emblazoned on the side in truly patriotic fashion. 15 15 Musk even joined Trump back on the stage where the president was shot Credit: AFP But superimposed over the top is the image of a defiant Trump just seconds after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. The legendary photo shows the bleeding Republican with his fist raised high in the air as secret service agents crowd around him. The moment is notable in regards to the Trump/Musk feud as the assassination attempt is believed to be one of the main reasons why Musk joined team Trump. 15 The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Credit: X It has even been revealed that Trump is yet to remove the Cybertruck he was gifted by Musk from the White House parking garage. The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. The image is taken from the tragic New Year's Day incident when former soldier Matthew Livelsberger shot himself in the head just seconds before blowing up the Tesla. The X user suggests the flaming Cybertruck is comparable to how Musk has ignited a fiery feud with Trump.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
From ‘Mean Girl' Trump to Musk leading a Russian coup – internet's best reactions to the explosive Don v Elon clash
ELON Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X. The US president was quick to hit back at the Tesla boss with several bitter barbs of his own as their Advertisement 15 Elon Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X Credit: AFP 15 Social media exploded as Trump and Musk publicly went at each other online Credit: X 15 Some described it as 'the MAGA powers exploding' in a clever call back to one of the most iconic wrestling feuds between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage Credit: X The internet had been eagerly watching the nuclear dispute as it unfolded after Trump hit back on Truth Social saying Elon was "wearing thin" around the White House. He later warned the US government could end all federal contracts with Musk's companies if the insults continued to fly. Here are social media's best reactions to the intense clash between the two mega powers. Advertisement READ MORE IN MUSK VS TRUMP Mean girl Trump Famous 2004 film Mean Girls has managed to create a long lasting legacy online with the Trump/Musk feud now even being linked to the movie. The picture shared online is taken from the perspective of Musk who is looking at the iconic "Burn Book" from the film. 15 Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George Credit: X Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George. Advertisement The text above the image is the exact same as in the movie which says: "This girl is the nastiest skank b***h I've ever met. Do NOT TRUST HER. She is a fugly s***!" Most read in The US Sun Trump's Stalinist purge One of the quickest memes to emerge from the explosive fallout was an expertly AI generated image of a steely-faced Trump dressed as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin. A smiley Musk was stood next to him. But a second image posted alongside it showed Musk suddenly disappearing from the picture. Advertisement The two-part joke was hinting at a possible 15 A clever AI generated image portrayed Trump as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin and Musk as one of his purged officials Credit: X 15 The real picture of Stalin which was edited with the faces of Musk and Trump Credit: Alamy The purge - also known as the Great Terror - is a damning historical period which saw Stalin axe dozens of his political allies in the Soviet Union. Advertisement Any threat to Stalin's regime was made to go through sham trials which resulted in them being removed from any form of power. The government claimed they were getting rid of suspected party dissenters . The meme was posted shortly after Trump announced on Truth Social that he in fact asked Musk to leave his role within the US government. The president said the SpaceX chief was "wearing thin" and "went crazy" during his final weeks close to the White House. Advertisement Musk's Russian-style coup Musk is a famously persuasive man with him even claiming on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump. This created a whole load of hilarious comments and tweets on X as some jokingly ordered Musk to launch a coup on Washington. One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera. 15 One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera Credit: X Advertisement 15 The pose was an echo of Wagner leader Prigozhin when he launched a botched coup on Moscow 15 Musk claimed on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump Credit: X The pose and outfit had a striking similarity to Wagner group leader Prigozhin who launched a botched coup against Putin by marching on Moscow. It was followed by the caption: "Reports that Muskovite forces led by Elon Musk are preparing to march on Washington." Advertisement The term Muskovite has been used before by Russian state television. In October 2023, they hailed the world's richest man after he posted a meme of himself ridiculing Ukraine for asking for US aid during the war. In response, Kremlin TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva described the tech mogul as "Elon the Muscovite" on Russia-1. Billionaire for billionaire As Trump and Musk's relationship capitulated before the internet's eyes, many users jumped at the chance to speculate on a potential replacement to join Trump's inner circle. Advertisement The leading candidate was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Zuck and Elon already share a number of similarities. They both sit at the very top of the official world's rich list with Musk at number one and Zuckerberg sat just behind in second. 15 Some speculated that Trump may simply replace Musk with Mark Zuckerberg Credit: X Advertisement 15 Zuckerberg and Musk were joined by fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai at Trump's inauguration ceremony Credit: AP And both men own major social media platforms. Musk famously acquired Twitter and transformed it into X whereas Zuckerberg created Facebook, now Meta, in 2004. Trump already has a growing relationship with Zuckerberg after Meta donated $1m (£786,000) to an inauguration fund for the president. Advertisement The pair also shared dinner together at Mar-a-Lago in November. But much like with Musk, the two have shared a In 2017, Trump hit out at Facebook for being "anti-Trump" after the platform banned his account following the Capitol riots on January, 6, 2021. Cybertruck conundrum Two of the most liked memes circulating around the internet on Thursday featured Tesla Cybertrucks. Advertisement The powerful beasts are the brainchild of Musk and his remarkable staff at Tesla factories across the US. But for one unlucky motorist his Cybertruck may be forced to stay in the garage forever after the public spat. An image shows a parked up Tesla with the American flag emblazoned on the side in truly patriotic fashion. 15 Advertisement 15 Musk even joined Trump back on the stage where the president was shot Credit: AFP But superimposed over the top is the image of a defiant Trump just seconds after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. The legendary photo shows the bleeding Republican with his fist raised high in the air as secret service agents crowd around him. The moment is notable in regards to the Trump/Musk feud as the assassination attempt is believed to be one of the main reasons why Musk joined team Trump. Advertisement 15 The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Credit: X It has even been revealed that Trump is yet to remove the Cybertruck he was gifted by Musk from the White House parking garage. The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas . The image is taken from the tragic New Year's Day incident when former soldier Advertisement The X user suggests the flaming Cybertruck is comparable to how Musk has ignited a fiery feud with Trump. 15
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Conducting across borders: Roderick Cox makes Asia debut with visionary Shostakovich performance
American conductor set to lead SPO in performing William Kentridge's 'Shostakovich 10: Oh To Believe in Another World' Roderick Cox, a rising American conductor based in Berlin, is set to make his long-anticipated Asia debut with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on May 30, leading a performance of 'Shostakovich 10: Oh To Believe in Another World' — a visually reimagined rendition of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 by renowned South African artist William Kentridge. Cox, making his first appearance in the region, was drawn to the project not only by his long-standing affinity for Shostakovich, but also by curiosity sparked by the interdisciplinary nature of the work. 'Sometimes one can be quite cautious when pairing a great symphony with something else — a piece of art that already stands powerfully on its own,' he said during an interview Tuesday at GS Arts Center in Seoul. 'But in this case, it looked very interesting, very new and something that could be very intriguing for our new audiences in 2025." While Cox has previously worked on programs that included video elements aimed at reaching younger listeners, this marks his first experience with a full-scale visual collaboration of its kind. Behind the orchestra, Kentridge's film — featuring cardboard sets, cut-out masks and stop-motion animation — creates a constructivist aesthetic that echoes the stark imagery of Stalinist Russia. 'I think it's fascinating when you can engage multiple senses — to hear and see simultaneously. Maybe it allows for deeper connections, especially for those already familiar with this work. I'm looking forward to exploring that shared experience with our audience,' Cox added. Still, Cox acknowledged with a laugh — and a note of concern — that the immersive visual setting might present an unusual challenge. 'I'm hoping that the video is not so interesting that it takes my focus off the actual music,' he said. 'Because performing Shostakovich's music requires such intensity, focus and concentration to really enter into this dark world the composer is conveying.' Cox's career took off after winning the 2018 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, one of the most prestigious honors for young conductors in the United States. The award provided him with international mentorship and the opportunity to expand his artistic horizons across Europe. He has since led performances with major orchestras and opera houses and is now the director of Opera National Montpellier Occitanie in France. Raised in Macon, Georgia, Cox first encountered classical music through public school and community programs at the age of 8. Initially planning to become a teacher, he became intrigued by conducting in high school after watching his instructors shape sound and guide ensembles with physical gestures. 'I remember thinking, 'I want to do that,'' he recalled. That early exposure gave him time to internalize the physical language of conducting before settling into fixed habits. 'Just like with an instrument, the earlier you start, the more natural it becomes.' He went on to study at Northwestern University, where two key mentors — Mallory Thompson and Victor Yampolsky — shaped his path. Yampolsky, in particular, encouraged him to take conducting seriously and pursue it professionally. Cox admitted that he was in a bubble while studying. Pointing out that the majority of his most influential teachers were female, he later found it surprising that there was an issue of a shortage of female conductors. Thompson, he recalled, always told him to never ever think he got or did not get an opportunity because of his identity. 'I think that sort of training at an early age really helped me not dismiss my identity or forget about it, but really focus on the music and the art and trying to be the best artist I can be,' he added. Cox later served as assistant conductor at the Minnesota Orchestra under music director Osmo Vanska, further refining his skills in front of a top-tier ensemble. Vansaka served as the music director of the SPO from 2020 to 2022. Having once received support from a local foundation when he chose to pursue music, Cox felt compelled to pay it forward. Nearly two decades later, he founded the Roderick Cox Music Initiative — a nonprofit that offers scholarships and mentorship to young musicians from historically underrepresented communities. 'It's about opening doors,' he says, 'for students who might not otherwise see a place for themselves in classical music.' gypark@
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Russia reiterates commitment to uncompromising fight with India against terrorism
Moscow on Friday (May 23, 2025) reiterated its decisive commitment to an uncompromising joint fight with New Delhi against all forms of terrorism, as an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation held wide-ranging discussions on combating terrorism and briefed the Russian side on Operation Sindoor. Russian Foreign Ministry statement, issued after Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko met with the visiting parliamentary delegation, expressed readiness to increase close cooperation on the issue at regional and global venues. The delegation, led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, is in Russia to sensitise the diplomatic leadership about terror emanating from Pakistan, a month after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. 'A decisive commitment to an uncompromising joint fight against all forms of terrorism was confirmed. Readiness was expressed to increase close cooperation on these issues at regional and global venues, primarily in the UN, BRICS and [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation],' the Russian Foreign Ministry statement said. Mr. Rudenko expressed hope for a speedy de-escalation of tensions in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad through peaceful diplomatic means. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Rudenko at the Smolenskaya Square high-rise building, built during the Stalinist era for the Foreign Ministry. 'The participants exchanged views on the prospects for increasing cooperation between legislative bodies and emphasised the importance of intensifying the work of the bilateral Inter-Parliamentary Commission,' the Foreign Ministry statement noted. The Indian parliamentarians also had 'a fruitful interaction' with Mikhail Fradkov, former Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, who heads the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies (RISS), the Indian Embassy in Russia said in a post on X. 'They discussed the current global situation, particularly, the threats posed by terrorism,' the post added. The delegation had a detailed exchange of views at a round-table meeting with all-party members of the Russian Federation Assembly (Parliament), led by Leonid Slutsky, chairperson of the Duma (lower house) International Affairs Committee and member of the Liberal-Democratic Party. The delegation also met with Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council (upper house) Committee on Foreign Affairs, and other senators of the Russian Federation, according to the post from the Indian Embassy. Quoting the Russian side, the embassy post added: 'The Russian side condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and stated that Russia stands in solidarity with India for elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations! Russia and India have a shared position in the fight against terrorism. Russia, India, together in the fight against terrorism!' Earlier, the delegation arrived in Moscow late on Thursday (May 22, 2025) night amid Ukrainian drone attacks. Later on Friday, the Indian team is scheduled to interact with top India and South Asia experts from local think-tanks. On Saturday (May 24, 2025), they are scheduled to address a press conference and interact with the local media before departing for Slovenia. The Indian delegation is also scheduled to visit Greece, Latvia, and Spain as part of the Government of India's diplomatic outreach post-Pahalgam, after which Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a 'new normal' wherein New Delhi will consider any act of cross-border terrorism as an act of war against India. The delegation that Ms. Kanimozhi is leading is one of seven multi-party delegations visiting 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror. The other members of the delegation are Rajiv Rai of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Mian Altaf Ahmad of the National Conference (NC), Capt. Brijesh Chowta of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Ashok Kumar Mittal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Ambassadors Manjeev S. Puri and Jawed Ashraf.
