Alexis hills

LONDON: Lewis Hamilton has been breaking down barriers since he arrived in Formula One and deserves a knighthood for his achievements on and off the track, former world champion Damon Hill has said. Hamilton, the most successful grand prix racer of all time and the only black driver in F1, sealed a record-equalling seventh world title with his victory in Turkey this month, fuelling expectations of a knighthood. The 35-year-old Briton, who comes from an under-privileged, multi-racial background, has used his platform to campaign for racial equality, diversity and sustainability. "Lewis has always been breaking down barriers, the moment he arrived in F1 or even in karting he was breaking barriers and challenging the status quo," the Guardian quoted Hill as saying. "The knighthood will be seen as recognition of not just his driving but also as a black driver that has bust another door open for anyone who is not white. "He has destroyed the preconception that it can't be done, … [Read more...] about F1: Hamilton a fantastic ambassador, deserves a knighthood, says Hill

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden has selected Katherine Tai, the chief trade lawyer for the House Ways and Means Committee, to serve as U.S. trade representative, four sources familiar with the decision said on Wednesday. Tai, 45, who won the backing of congressional Democrats, labor and business circles in recent weeks, played a key role in negotiating stronger labor provisions with the Trump administration in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal. If confirmed as Biden's "trade czar," Tai will play a pivotal role in helping to rebuild ties with key allies, re-energize manufacturing at home and punish Beijing for anti-competitive trade practices. She would be the first woman of color to hold the job. Her name surfaced as the leading contender for the job earlier this month, as reported by Reuters. Biden is expected to formally announce Tai as his top trade negotiator later this week, said one of the sources. A spokesman for the Biden transition … [Read more...] about Biden picks Capitol Hill staffer Tai as US trade ‘czar’ – sources

Christmas Wonderland will be returning to Gardens by the Bay this festive season with its first-ever parade. The sixth edition of the event, which runs from Nov 29 to Dec 26, will feature illuminations inspired by the Italian region of Tuscany and other family-friendly activities, organisers Blue Sky Events said on Friday (Nov 1). The inaugural Christmas Parade will see festive characters on three different floats roving throughout the fairground on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The floats – which feature Santa on his reindeer sleigh, dancing elves and Santarinas, as well as penguins and snowmen – will also spread the holiday cheer on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Santa and reindeer sleigh float will also make an appearance on weekdays. LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW Those who dream of visiting the North Pole can get one step closer to their fantasy at the event’s new interactive Santa’s Workshop. After a walk through the forest and giant "snow" globes, … [Read more...] about Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Wonderland returns with new parade, Santa’s workshop

Kotare Village, nestled in a fertile, picturesque valley in northern Hawke’s Bay, was supposed to be an eco-village for settlers and families “sharing a dream of a regenerative future through independent village living, local economies and co-evolution”. But that dream has ended in bitter argument, claims of deceit and misrepresentation, unhappy residents and court action. The village was an idea hatched by Bob Corker and his wife Kay Baxter, well known for forming the Koanga Institute, a Charitable Trust, that aimed to protect, develop and share New Zealand's heritage food plants, with an emphasis on regenerative systems. In about 2010 Corker and Baxter took their concept further and set about founding a “living model of life-affirming community that meets people’s needs, in a process that is regenerative of both their environment and their social relationships”. READ MORE: How kaitiakitanga can guide us in our approach to the modern world Residents of Atamai eco village … [Read more...] about Idyllic eco-village dream mired in claims of deception and court action

Riot police officers get on a police vehicle during a rally against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 26, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer Myanmar’s U.N. envoy urged the United Nations to use “any means necessary” to stop a military coup there, making a surprise appeal on behalf of the ousted government as police cracked down on anti-junta protesters. The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the army seized power on Feb. 1 and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership, alleging fraud in a November election her party had won. The coup has brought hundreds of thousands of protesters to Myanmar’s streets and drawn condemnation from Western countries, with some imposing limited sanctions. Myanmar’s ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun told the U.N. General Assembly he was speaking on behalf of Suu Kyi’s government and appealed to the body “to use any means necessary to take action against the Myanmar military and to provide safety and security for … [Read more...] about Myanmar envoy appeals to U.N. to stop coup as police break up protests