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Buzz Feed
14 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
12 MI6 Facts You Didn't Know But Definitely Do Now
Think MI6 is all tuxedos, fast cars, and shaken martinis? That's just the movie version. The real British intelligence service has a story that's far more surprising, and a lot less glamorous. From spy gadgets hidden in matchboxes to hacking terrorist magazines with cupcake recipes, these are the MI6 facts you probably never heard about… until now. The whole reason MI6 exists? Britain was paranoid about Germany in 1909. MI6 wasn't born out of slick spy missions or dramatic shootouts—it started with good old-fashioned paranoia. In 1909, Britain was convinced that Germany was plotting against them, so they secretly set up what would become MI6 to keep tabs on enemy activity, and let's just say… they've been watching ever since. The head of MI6 isn't called 'M' in real life, it's 'C', and they always use green ink. In the Bond universe, the boss goes by 'M.' But IRL? It's 'C.' That's short for Sir Mansfield Cumming, the very first chief of MI6, who used to sign all his notes with just the letter 'C' (in green ink, no less). The tradition stuck. Every MI6 head since has kept the title and the signature style—yes, they still write in green ink. Very on-brand for a secret agent, honestly. MI6 was a secret for decades, and wasn't officially acknowledged until 1994. MI6 has been around since 1909, but for most of its life, it was like the Voldemort of government departments—never officially named. Originally set up as the Secret Service Bureau, the agency operated entirely in the shadows. It wasn't until 1994—yes, the same year Friends premiered—that the British government publicly admitted MI6 even existed. Talk about a long game. There wasn't just MI6—at one point, there were 19 different MI departments. MI6 didn't always work alone. Back in the day, there were actually 19 different 'MI' branches doing everything from decoding messages to watching the skies. MI1 dealt with information management, MI2 focused on Russia and Scandinavia, MI4 handled aerial surveillance, and MI11 (weirdly enough) took on codebreaking. Over time, most of these departments either shut down or got folded into MI5 and MI6. So no, MI6 isn't just a spy movie thing—it's what's left after a major intelligence agency merger. MI6 HQ isn't just a building, it's basically a fortress. The MI6 headquarters in London is no ordinary office. With 25 types of glass, bombproof walls, and triple-glazed windows, it's built like a tank. Rumors say it even has a shooting range, rooms where eavesdropping is impossible, and a Faraday cage to block radio signals. James Bond could only dream. Some of the greatest spy novelists were actual spies. Yes, really. Before Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy became a classic Cold War thriller, its author, John le Carré was living the spy life for real. Born David Cornwell, he worked for MI6 but had to use a pen name—real agents weren't allowed to publish under their own identities. And le Carré wasn't alone. The Quiet American author Graham Greene was also with MI6. Meanwhile, Ian Fleming—the man behind James Bond—served in Naval Intelligence, which gave him all the material he needed to invent 007 (minus the gadgets and martinis, probably). The first MI6 chief had a wild way of testing recruits. It involved a knife and a wooden leg. Sir Mansfield Cumming, the original head of MI6, had a pretty unhinged method for screening potential agents. In the middle of an interview, he'd suddenly stab himself in the leg to see how the recruit reacted. Don't worry, it was a wooden leg. But if you flinched? You probably didn't make the cut. In 2011, MI6 swapped b*mb instructions with cupcake recipes, yes that happened. MI6 pulled off one of the sassiest cyber moves in spy history. In 2011, agents hacked into an online Al-Qaeda magazine and replaced its bomb-making instructions with… cupcake recipes. Instead of a step-by-step guide to explosives, readers found details for the best cupcakes in America. It was part sabotage, part bake sale, and 100% genius. Real MI6 gadgets existed, just don't expect exploding pens or laser watches. The spy gear wasn't all Hollywood-level madness, but it was real. While James Bond had grenade pens and magnetic watches, actual MI6 agents worked with gadgets that were a little more low-key (and way more practical). Think cameras hidden inside matchboxes, hollowed-out shaving brushes, and other everyday objects turned into tools for espionage. Less flashy, more sneaky. MI6's top spy almost lost his job because of a Facebook post. Back in 2009, the head of MI6—Sir John Sawers—nearly had his career derailed thanks to his wife's Facebook activity. She casually posted their home address, vacation photos, and even details about their kids' locations… all publicly visible. Not ideal for the UK's most secretive spy. The info was taken down eventually, but not before the headlines started flying. Women in early MI6 weren't exactly given spy gadgets; they were used as 'honey traps' or stuck taking notes. Back in the early days of MI6, women weren't sent on glamorous missions or handed briefcases full of gadgets. Instead, they were often used to seduce and compromise targets—what's known as a 'honey trap'—or assigned to secretarial work behind the scenes. It wasn't until much later that women began taking on actual intelligence roles and field assignments. And now? For the first time ever, MI6 has its female chief. Talk about a full-circle moment. MI6 helped train America's first spies, including the predecessor to the CIA. When the U.S. finally joined World War II, it didn't exactly have a seasoned spy agency ready to go. So MI6 stepped in. Britain's top-secret service helped train America's brand-new Office of Strategic Services (OSS)—aka the baby version of the CIA. That early collab laid the groundwork for one of the most enduring intelligence partnerships in the world. So the next time you watch a Bond movie, just remember, the real MI6 doesn't hand out grenade pens or jetpacks (at least not that we know of). From secret aliases and cupcake hacks to wooden leg interviews and green ink signatures, Britain's top spy agency is full of facts stranger than fiction. And now, with its first-ever female chief at the helm, MI6 is proving it knows how to keep secrets and shake things up.
Style Blueprint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
A Famed Nashville Chef's STUNNING Indian Wedding
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit If you're a culinary enthusiast, a Nashvillian, or both, the name Vivek Surti likely rings a bell. As the acclaimed chef and founder of Tailor, Vivek is a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, with The New York Times naming Tailor among Nashville's 25 best restaurants. But beyond accolades in the kitchen, Vivek recently stepped into an entirely new role: newlywed! Vivek tied the knot with podiatric surgery specialist Sheela Chockalingam in the fall of 2024. From swiping right on Hinge to an exquisite four-day wedding celebration, we got an inside look at Vivek and Sheela's love story. Pin The couple's story began in a thoroughly modern way: swiping on Hinge. But the romance that followed was anything but ordinary, and before he knew it, Vivek was planning a proposal during a trip that included stops in Baton Rouge and Los Angeles. 'As I was discussing plans with my sister, we decided on surprising Sheela during a day trip to Malibu on the beach,' Vivek recalls. However, nature had other plans. 'On the morning I was going to propose, the tide was so high that it flooded the beaches to the street.' His sister quickly organized a backup plan at Point Dume, a scenic overlook above the Pacific Ocean. 'There was a point where Sheela had to climb a few steps before she saw a ring of flowers — marigolds, magnolias, and roses — as the sun was just starting to set,' Vivek describes. 'As I led Sheela to the flowers, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She said, 'Yes! I will!' Almost immediately, two dolphins jumped out of the water below us.' How picture-perfect is that? Pin Then, in November of 2024, Vivek and Sheela would embark on a four-day series of events that blended rich cultural traditions with personal touches — and a stunning array of wardrobe changes. The celebration began with a Ganesh Puja and Mehndi in Brentwood, TN, followed by the Pithi ceremony the next day. Each ritual was steeped in tradition, leading up to their wedding day and culminating in a grand reception. Vivek kicked the celebrations off in style by riding in on a horse. Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin According to Hindu tradition, planning began with a carefully chosen date. 'Our first steps were securing a date that was suitable for our families,' Vivek explains. 'In Hinduism, there are holy and auspicious days on the calendar, with certain days being ideal for weddings. Luckily for us, November 8, 2024, was such a date.' Once the date was set, they enlisted Premier W.E.D. to help bring their vision to life. The wedding ceremony itself took place at the Sri Ganesha Temple. 'This temple has been one that Vivek's family has been going to for over 40 years, and it's also the place where our parents met for the first time,' Sheela shares. Pin For her wedding attire, Sheela honored her family by wearing her mother's Kanchipuram wedding saree, an heirloom her mother originally wore 45 years ago. 'This saree, a stunning deep yellow adorned with intricate gold zari designs, embodies the artistry that makes these silks India's most captivating and timelessly beautiful,' she tells us. Pin The morning of the wedding reflected their personalities: Sheela's began at 5 a.m. with hair, makeup, and a heartfelt handwritten letter to Vivek. Meanwhile, Vivek enjoyed a champagne breakfast with his groomsmen, featuring his favorite Krug and breakfast sandwiches from FatBelly Deli. Pin The wedding's aesthetic was a love letter to their heritage. 'We wanted to highlight the traditional beauty and romance inherent in a Hindu wedding,' Sheela says. 'Our inspiration stemmed directly from the rich cultural heritage, the timeless rituals, and the deep symbolism that define these sacred ceremonies.' The floral arrangements were equally thoughtful. 'During the wedding ceremony, we had garlands made of roses and baby's breath, which were shipped from Madurai, India, which is where Sheela's parents grew up,' Vivek says. The mandap was adorned with marigolds, roses, and jasmine flowers. Pin The reception was held at OZ Arts Nashville, chosen for its versatile space and stunning sound and lighting capabilities. 'For the reception, we kept true to having a cocktail hour, announced entrances, a first dance, speeches, and a cake cutting,' Vivek tells us. Guests enjoyed a lively cocktail hour, though rain forced them indoors. The cocktail hour featured a vibrant array of flavors: Pani Puri, lamb Mamana kebabs, black-eyed pea salad in watermelon radish cups, and Lata's (Vivek's mom) catfish. Pin Pin Pin Naturally, Vivek was intimately involved in the planning of the seated dinner. 'I was so excited to work with my friends on this menu — including Molly Martin of Juniper Green and Patrick McCandless of Rambler — two people who I knew I wanted to cater from the beginning,' says Vivek. 'The most important aspect of the food for me was making sure we had something that was a nod to our Indian heritage, while showcasing the bounty of amazing produce and community that we have built at Tailor,' he adds. The meal included fall squash salad, grilled chicken roulade, and vegetable biryani. 'Our wedding cake was the best ever because it was made by the supremely talented Rebekah Turshen, pastry chef at City House,' Vivek gushes. 'The base was a carrot cake, infused with chai masala. The cream cheese and yogurt frosting was accented with boondi (crispy chickpea balls), mamra (crispy rice), and nuts for texture.' Pin While the ceremony was guided by tradition, the reception was more modern. 'With the decor, we tried to modernize the feel of this event versus the wedding,' explains Vivek, 'installing an amazing vinyl wrap as the dance floor, having many chandeliers in the space, as well as some late-night chicken sandwiches from S.S. Gai.' Pin Pin Though a sparkler exit was planned, a torrential downpour meant a spontaneous indoor send-off instead. Guests cheered the happy couple down the hallway before they dashed into their getaway car. Pin Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your special day with us! RESOURCES Ceremony Venue: Sri Ganesha Temple Reception Venue: OZ Arts Nashville Photographer & Videographer: Jim & Ilde Cook, SheHeWE Photography Planner: Katy Pena, Premier W.E.D. Florals: T Villager Designs Catering: Nawabi Hyderbad House (wedding lunch), Juniper Green Catering (reception), Rambler Events (reception), S.S. Gai (late-night eats) Cake: Rebekah Turshen of City House Invitations, Programs, & Menu Cards: Sheela Bride's Makeup & Hair: One10 Beauty Bridal Gown: Custom Groom's formalwear: Custom DJ: DJ iLLEST Rentals: Please Be Seated, White Door Events, BBJ la Tavola STYLEBLUEPRINT RESOURCES: Planning a wedding? Check out StyleBlueprint's two Wedding Resource Guides. (More to come!): ********** Discover more fabulous wedding inspiration in our archives HERE! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Temple vigil held for India plane crash victims
Prayers were held at a Hindu temple in Lancashire for those who lost their lives in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The London Gatwick-bound flight crashed soon after take-off from the city's airport in the western state of Gujarat at about 09:00 BST on Thursday, killing 242 people on board. One person - a British man - survived. Crowds gathered at the Gujarat Hindu Society Temple in Preston on Friday to pray for those who had died and their loved ones. Temple president Ishwer Tailor said he hoped the vigil would give people some "consolation". Mr Tailor said Preston has a large Gujarati community and admitted he wanted to do something sooner than the weekend "with people being in shock". "It is a catastrophe not just for people who have passed away but also for India," he said. "We have had several people coming up to us and telling stories of some of their friends and relatives who have perished in this terrible accident and the stories keep coming." He said the temple doors would remain open for all communities. "Whole families have been destroyed. All we can do in this moment in time is pray and make sure we remember them in our prayers," he said. There were 53 Britons on board the flight, along with 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. One couple who died in the crash - 72-year-old Adam Taju and his wife Hasina, 70 - were described as the "foundation of our family" by their granddaughters, from Blackburn, Lancashire. Additional reporting by Anna Jameson and Nishma Hindocha Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Minister says black box found at Air India crash site as grieving families await answers 'Traffic saved me': Student missed Air India crash by just 10 minutes 'I walked out of rubble': Survivor on how he escaped Air India wreckage What we know so far after Air India flight to London crashes in Ahmedabad Gujarat Hindu Society
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Tailor Launches Operations Resilience Grant for U.S. Retailers Impacted by Tariffs and Supply Chain Disruptions
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tailor, the headless ERP platform for modern retail and ecommerce operations, announced the Tailor Operations Resilience Grant, a financial support program for U.S.-based retailers. The company has extended the application deadline to June 20, 2025, in light of ongoing tariff and supply chain volatility. 'Economic shocks like this year's new tariffs often hit SMB retailers the hardest, especially those that already operate complex, omnichannel supply chains." The initiative is designed to support ecommerce and retail operators navigating increased sourcing costs, vendor price hikes, and fulfillment disruptions, particularly in verticals most affected by recent economic policy shifts. 'Economic shocks like this year's new tariffs often hit SMB retailers the hardest, especially those that already operate complex, omnichannel supply chains,' said Tailor Co-founder and CEO Yo Shibata. 'Our intention behind this program is to help business owners and operators focus more on adapting to rapidly changing market conditions, and not only absorbing losses.' Grant Details and Eligibility Applications are open to U.S.-based ecommerce and omnichannel retailers that made at least $1 million in annual revenue in 2024 and are planning or currently undergoing supply chain transformation in 2025. Award amount is $5,000; recipients will be selected based on need and impact Open to current Tailor customers and non-customers alike Deadline: June 20, 2025 Recipients will be notified by email 1-2 weeks following the application deadline Strongly encouraged for companies in affected categories such as home goods, apparel, electronics, beauty, and custom products Short, 5-minute application: About Tailor Tailor is the headless ERP for modern mid-sized and enterprise businesses. Purpose-built for operators in retail, ecommerce, and supply chain, Tailor enables companies to automate workflows and quickly adapt to change. Tailor's composable architecture empowers companies to streamline operations with customizable modules for inventory, purchasing, fulfillment, finance, and omnichannel management. Tailor is backed by Y Combinator, Global Brain, ANRI and Spiral Capital.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tailor Launches Operations Resilience Grant for U.S. Retailers Impacted by Tariffs and Supply Chain Disruptions
Grant applications now open through June 20, 2025 SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tailor, the headless ERP platform for modern retail and ecommerce operations, announced the Tailor Operations Resilience Grant, a financial support program for U.S.-based retailers. The company has extended the application deadline to June 20, 2025, in light of ongoing tariff and supply chain volatility. The initiative is designed to support ecommerce and retail operators navigating increased sourcing costs, vendor price hikes, and fulfillment disruptions, particularly in verticals most affected by recent economic policy shifts. "Economic shocks like this year's new tariffs often hit SMB retailers the hardest, especially those that already operate complex, omnichannel supply chains," said Tailor Co-founder and CEO Yo Shibata. "Our intention behind this program is to help business owners and operators focus more on adapting to rapidly changing market conditions, and not only absorbing losses." Grant Details and Eligibility Applications are open to U.S.-based ecommerce and omnichannel retailers that made at least $1 million in annual revenue in 2024 and are planning or currently undergoing supply chain transformation in 2025. Award amount is $5,000; recipients will be selected based on need and impact Open to current Tailor customers and non-customers alike Deadline: June 20, 2025 Recipients will be notified by email 1-2 weeks following the application deadline Strongly encouraged for companies in affected categories such as home goods, apparel, electronics, beauty, and custom products Short, 5-minute application: About Tailor Tailor is the headless ERP for modern mid-sized and enterprise businesses. Purpose-built for operators in retail, ecommerce, and supply chain, Tailor enables companies to automate workflows and quickly adapt to change. Tailor's composable architecture empowers companies to streamline operations with customizable modules for inventory, purchasing, fulfillment, finance, and omnichannel management. Tailor is backed by Y Combinator, Global Brain, ANRI and Spiral Capital. View source version on Contacts Abby Nitta, Marketing Manager, Tailorabby@ (414) 243-7013https:// Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
