President Biden said on Thursday he did not want to hurt China and wanted a rational relationship with the country, but had a dire prediction about the country’s future.
Salt Lake City : US President Joe Biden on Thursday called China a “ticking time bomb” because of economic challenges including weak growth, but misquoted the country’s growth rate. “They have got some problems. That’s not good because when bad folks have problems, they do bad things,” Joe Biden said at a political fundraiser in Utah.
President Biden said on Thursday he did not want to hurt China and wanted a rational relationship with the country, but had a dire prediction about the country’s future.
“China is a ticking time bomb … China is in trouble. China was growing at 8% a year to maintain growth. Now close to 2% a year,” he said.
Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics showed the economy grew 4.5% in the first quarter and 6.3% in the second, with gross domestic product up just 0.8% in April-June from the previous quarter after a 2.2% expansion in the first quarter.
There was no immediate comment from China’s foreign ministry.
Joe Biden’s remarks were reminiscent of comments he made at another fundraiser in June when he referred to President Xi Jinping as a “dictator.” China called those remarks a provocation.
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is among the highest-paid athletes in the world. The star India batter reportedly earns more than Rs 1,000 crore a year. His earnings come from various sponsorship deals, businesses he runs, cricket salarie as well as social media posts. Kohli has invested in many companies too. His biggest earning business is One8 Commune restaurants, which has many of its branches spread across the country. It is also true, however, that Kohli is not the highest paid when it comes to get salary from cricket. Neither are the other Indian cricketers. We will tell you how in the story ahead.
Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are Grade A+ cricketers in Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Contracts. The Grad A+ cricketers get paid Rs 7 crore per year. All Indian cricketers playing internationals get paid per match separately. Kohli earns Rs 6 lakh per ODI, Rs 3 lakh per T20I and Rs 15 lakh per Test match respectively. However, this is not the highest salary any cricket board in the world gives to the cricketers.
The England And Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has the highest annual contract for its players. Four of England’s cricketers earn way more than Kohli from their board. For example, Joe Root, former Test captain of England earns gets Rs 9.61 crore as part of the Annual Contracts, which is Rs 2.62 crore more than Kohli. Root is not alone. Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler. There is an Australian cricketer as well who gets more salary than Kohli. He is Kohli’s best friend Steve Smith. As per a report, Smith takes out Rs 7 crore and fifty six thousands sum from Cricket Australia as per the Central Contracts.
Rs 1,000 Crore Worth Virat Kohli Earns Less Than These FIVE Cricketers In Salary; They Are Not Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya
there is no let-up in the offensive between the government and the opposition.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp attack at the opposition, especially the Congress, in his Lok Sabha speech, Rahul Gandhi today returned fire, once again accusing the Prime Minister of being insensitive to the violence in Manipur.
His remarks evoked strong response from the BJP. While parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said Rahul has “lost his mental balance”, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the Congress leader was “blabbering like a dement.”
Addressing a press conference today, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister “wants Manipur to burn and allows it to burn”. He asserted that if the Modi government wanted to stop the violence, there are tools in the hands of the government that can stop it immediately.
He accused the government of not using army to control the violence in Manipur. “I have full faith in Indian Army, everyone knows it can stop Manipur violence the moment it is asked to, but the govt is not doing so,” he alleged.
“Women and children are dying over there, women are being molested and raped and the Prime Minister of India is sitting in the middle of Parliament and laughing. This is not about Rahul Gandhi, it is not about the Congress, it is not about opposition, it is about India, it is about our country. A state has been decimated, it does not exist anymore and it has happened because of the politics of the BJP — divide and rule and burn,” Rahul said and added “it does not behove the Prime Minister to laugh and crack jokes in Parliament when the state has been “on fire” for the past four months.”
Hours after Rahul Gandhi’s strong attack, several BJP leaders trained their guns at the Congress leader.
“It appears from whatever statements he (Rahul Gandhi) has made today that he has lost his mental balance,” Pralhad Joshi said.
The minister took a swipe at the Congress saying it is a good sign that the opposition party has started talking of ‘Bharat Mata’ and raising the slogan of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP dispensation.
He also countered Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that the term Bharat Mata had been expunged from Parliament and said “The term ‘Bharat Mata’ has not been expunged. What was unparliamentary has been expunged.”
Rahul during his speech in Lok Sabha had said that “Bharat Mata has been murdered in Manipur.” This led to a strong retort from several ministers, including the Prime Minister, who questioned the language of the Congress leader.
Rahul during his speech in Lok Sabha had said that “Bharat Mata has been murdered in Manipur.” This led to a strong retort from several ministers, including the Prime Minister, who questioned the language of the Congress leader.
Union minister Anurag Thakur also targeted the Congress leader over his Bharat Mata remarks and said “Only supporters of ‘Tukde-Tukde’ gang can think of dividing, killing ‘Bharat Mata’. They are not concerned about the women of Manipur. They talk about the murder of Constitution, Bharat Mata. Rahul Gandhi is not worried about the women of Rajasthan, you differentiate between the women of West Bengal, Bihar, Manipur.”
Rahul, however, defended his remarks and claimed what he had said were not hollow words as he had for the first time in his 19 years in politics been told in a state that if he takes a person from one community in his security detail to the area of another community, they will shoot that security personnel.
“Wherever and whenever there is an attack on ‘Bharat Mata’, you will find me trying to save her,” he added.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also slammed Rahul Gandhi.
“Rahul Gandhi, who didn’t have the decency to sit through the entire no-confidence motion, moved by the opposition, skipped Home Minister’s speech and walked out when Prime Minister spoke, worse, like a ‘lukha’ (rough) was blowing flying kisses in the Parliament, when it was, ironically, among other things, discussing women security and safety, has the audacity to come out and blabber like a dement,” Malviya tweeted.
The CEO of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Elon Musk on Friday said that the fight between him and CEO of rival social media platform Meta will be held in
Taking to social media platform X, Musk said he held a conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the nation’s culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano about the fight and its location.
“The fight will be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC). Livestream will be on this platform and Meta. Everything in the camera frame will be ancient Rome, so nothing modern at all. I spoke to the PM of Italy and the Minister of Culture. They have agreed on an epic location. Everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy,” Elon Musk said in a series of tweets.
The feud between the two tech titans began following the launch of X’s rival Threads which Musk alleges has copied a lot of its features from X. In June 2023, Elon Musk while interacting with X, then Twitter, users said he is up for a ‘cage fight’ if Mark Zuckerberg is ready.
Zuckerberg responded by saying, “Send me location”.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White, who earlier proposed to facilitate the fight between both billionaires, said both of them are dead serious about the fight.
Zuckerberg, 39, is an amateur mixed martial arts fighter and trained in jiu-jitsu and was seen training with two world-class UFC fighters namely Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.
Musk is a self-proclaimed street fighter and was spotted training with MMA legend Georges St-Pierre, renowned jiu-jitsu and martial arts coach John Danaher and podcaster Lex Fridman.
A report by entertainment news website TMZ said last month that the fight could be held in the Coliseum.
Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Its nickname is “The Valley Isle,” which describes its geography as a large valley between two dormant volcanoes — Haleakala in the east and Mauna Kahalawai in the west. Haleakala’s name means “House of the Sun,” and it’s the largest dormant volcano in the world at 10,023 feet high, 4,000 feet deep, and 21 miles across its crater. Mauna Kahalawai, an eroded volcano, is referred to as the West Maui Mountains.
Maui is known for its beaches, with over 120 miles of shoreline and 80 beaches — more than any other island in Hawaii. Maui’s beaches vary from gentle surf to crashing waves, with fine white sand and even rare black and red sand beaches near Hana.
Kahului Airport is located in Central Maui on the northern edge of the land between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. Five regions define the island. West Maui is home to the resort areas of Kaanapali, Kapalua, and the town of Lahaina. The resort communities of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena are located in South Maui.
The road to Hana and Haleakala State Park are in East Maui. Upcountry is located on the higher elevations around Haleakala, where farms, dairies, and ranches take advantage of the volcanic soil and wetter weather. In Central Maui, Iao Valley State Park offers hiking trails, forests, and running streams.
Time Zone
Hawaii follows Hawaii Standard Time (GMT-10 hours), which is five hours behind Eastern Standard Time and two hours behind Pacific Standard Time. Hawaii does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so add one extra hour to the time difference during this period (March through November).
Best Time to Go
The summer season, mainly April through November, sees higher temperatures and less precipitation. June, July, and August are popular with vacationers when schools are generally out, and the weather is warm and dry.
Winter, from December through March, is cooler, but still warm and sunny although there’s a bit more rain. The weather varies across different areas of the island, and the western and southern shores are generally drier. Lahaina and Kaanapali in West Maui get around 10 inches of rain annually, compared to higher elevations that can see more than 300 inches of rain each year.
Winter is a popular time for visitors to get away from cold weather at home and enjoy Maui’s mild winter. Whale watching season from December through May, peaking from January through March, is also a great attraction during winter.
Things to Know
Haleakala is a dormant volcano, but it’s not extinct. It last erupted between 1480 and 1600, according to the USGS, and is expected to erupt again in the future. At more than 10,000 feet in elevation, its summit sometimes receives snow in winter.
Honokohau Falls plunges 1,119 feet, dropping in two tiers. The tallest waterfall on Maui and one of the highest in the world, Honokohau Falls is located in an inaccessible valley in the West Maui Mountains. A helicopter tour is the best way to see it.
The 15 best hikes in Hawaii for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned trekkers.
Hawaii has long been considered the perfect vacation destination. Just a five- or six-hour flight from the West Coast, with no passport requirements, the Hawaiian Islands offer an ideal tropical vacation that comes with all the simplicity of domestic travel.
Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (often called “The Big Island”), Molokai, and Lana’i are the perfect place for a romantic, family, or solo getaway anytime of year. Whether you’re tempted by one of the luxurious resorts on Lana’i, the up-and-coming North Shore of Oahu, the volcanoes of Hawaii Island, the laidback vibes of Molokai and Kauai, or the ever-romantic Maui escape, now is the perfect time to book your trip.
And while Hawaii is known for its idyllic beaches, you’ll also want to plan your itinerary around the state’s exceptional hiking trails. The best hikes in Hawaii provide a glimpse into the natural wilds of the islands, from trails that criss-cross stunning valleys and traverse ridgelines to those that drop into still-steaming crater floors and ancient lava tubes. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to escape the heat or want to soak up the sun, there are hikes that meander past lush rainforests and cut through arid, Mars-like landscapes — some Hawaii hikes even offer both.
Once you’ve booked your trip, refer to this curated list of the best hikes in Hawaii for all skill levels. All you need to do is slather on some sunscreen, pack a bag with plenty of water and snacks, and get motivated. We promise, these hikes are well worth the effort.
Why Mendocino County is the perfect year-round California destination.
Northern California’s Mendocino County is home to an inordinate number of natural treasures, and so few residents that you’re often completely alone when exploring them. This was the case when I visited the coastal region with my mom and young daughter during peak summer travel season. At Russian Gulch State Park, on the bluffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park, at nearly every stop we made, we were on our own, ramblers in a sea of quiet.
That’s how it should be in Mendocino County because so much of the area is protected. There are 24 state and national parks here, plus hundreds of miles of incredible hiking and biking trails and secluded shores.
This is the ancestral land of the Pomo tribe, but European settlers arrived in the early 1800s and essentially pillaged it for timber. The Mendocino Lumber Company was founded in 1853, and it cut down trees here for almost a full century, until protections came into play. Stunning Hendy Woods State Park, for example, was established in 1958 to preserve old-growth redwood trees. Northern California’s coast is one of the few landscapes in the world where the magnificent redwood grows, and to walk among them is a spiritual experience — many have stood for more than 1,000 years, and they’ll be here long after those who gaze upon them.
For big trees, gorgeous coastal trails, and a peek at Golden State history, here’s how we suggest you explore Mendocino.
Uber is helping residents of San Mateo, Salinas, Aptos, Soquel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Carmel, Livermore, Napa, Half Moon Bay, Cupertino, Monterey, Vacaville, and Watsonville.
Uber is offering free rides for victims of the California wildfires and free meals for first responders as the blazes continue to burn.
In an effort to help those affected or displaced by the fires, the rideshare company is offering free rides for residents of San Mateo, Salinas, Aptos, Soquel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Carmel, Livermore, Napa, Half Moon Bay, Cupertino, Monterey, Vacaville, and Watsonville.
“We’re devastated by the wildfires that continue to rage across the state of California and want to do our part in helping those who are suffering,” Julia Paige, the director of social impact at Uber, told T+L in an email. “We’re leveraging the power of our platform to ensure residents and first responders have access to free rides, free meals and essential goods.”
To take advantage of the free rides for UberX and Uber XL, residents were asked to use the code “CAFIRE2020.” The offer was good for two rides up to $25 each to or from impacted areas.
In addition, Uber is offering 2,000 free meals to firefighters and first responders working to put out the raging fires through Uber Eats. The company said it was distributing these meals through fire departments and other community organizations.
Not everyone has the luxury of spontaneity — to fly by the seat of their pants, booking last-minute trips and making plans as they go. For travelers with disabilities and chronic health conditions, advanced planning is crucial for safety and ease. I live with a neurological condition that, when triggered, can mimic the symptoms of a stroke. Here are my tips for accessible and inclusive travel in Hawaii.
Note small details make a big difference.
Ask questions before booking. For me, this means inquiring about potential triggers such as high altitude, as well as the physical demands of activities and emergency services, in the planning stages.
Asking questions upfront serves an additional purpose: It can help you weed out unqualified tour operators or properties. If they can’t answer your questions or seem annoyed that you’ve inquired, that’s a good indicator of their capacity for compassion and problem-solving.
Marika Devan, creator of Clumsy Girl Travels, recommends overplanning down to the smallest details: “Plan your transfer to and from the airport. Call tour operators to ask if their tour is accessible. Pick some restaurants you want to eat at and see if they are accessible.” Even for a short trip to Hawaii, planning can mean gathering an overwhelming amount of information. Devan’s solution? Keep everything organized in a spreadsheet.
Enlist expert assistance.
Work with an accessible travel provider such as Wheel the World or reach out to companies like The Arc of Hilo, a nonprofit organization on the Island of Hawaii (also referred to as the Big Island) that provides a range of services to people with disabilities. The latter aims to create more accessible experiences in a place where the rugged landscapes and remote location can be understandably intimidating to some travelers. “The island is rich with diverse adventures,” says Robert Efford, CEO of The Arc of Hilo.
All non-essential travelers are asked to leave the island and non-essential travel to Maui was “strongly discouraged.”
A wildfire raging on the Hawaiian island of Maui is tearing through popular tourist areas, leading to dozens of deaths, halting flights, and prompting strong warnings for travelers to evacuate.
The Lahaina fire initially broke out early Tuesday and seemed contained, but hours later officials were met with a flare up, according to the county of Maui. Since then, the fire has spun out of control, burning more than 2,000 acres as gusty winds and dry conditions complicated firefighting efforts, according to Gov. Josh Green’s office.
The death toll has since risen to at least 36 people, according to the government of Maui.
“We have suffered a terrible disaster in the form of a wildfire that has spread widely across Maui and Hawai’i Counties as a result of very strong winds in the region and underlying drought conditions,” Green tweeted.
On Wednesday evening, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority told all non-essential travelers were asked to leave the island and non-essential travel to Maui was “strongly discouraged.” Visitors were evacuated by bus from the popular Kaanapali area on Wednesday and taken directly to Maui’s Kahului Airport. The rescue efforts were expected to resume Thursday morning, according to the government.
Hawaiian Airlines tweeted it added extra flights to help evacuate people from the island, mostly flying them to nearby Honolulu. The airline was selling the seats for $19 through Friday “to facilitate urgent travel from Maui to Honolulu.”
“We continue to operate flights to and from Maui’s Kahului Airport in support of essential travel and are coordinating with the state, county and non-profits to transport first responders, equipment and supplies to Maui,” Hawaiian Airlines wrote. “Our Reservations line remains extremely busy, and we appreciate your patience. Guests with non-urgent requests are encouraged to refrain from calling in so that we can assist those with immediate travel needs.”