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This is the first time an Indian airline has voluntarily sought bankruptcy protection to renegotiate contracts and debt. But if bankruptcy protection is granted, those laws supersede lessors' repossession requests. Go First's lessors include major global names such as Jackson Square Aviation, SMBC Aviation Capital and CDB Aviation's GY Aviation Leasing. Two advisers to some lessors said there were major concerns that the granting of bankruptcy protection for Go First could force the lessors to embark on lengthy litigation to repossess planes. The person added that the development could lead to higher lease rates for Indian airlines in the future.

India has made it easier for lessors to take back planes if airlines default on payments after joining an international treaty known as the Cape Town Convention. But lack of a proper legislation to enforce the treaty means India's bankruptcy law will supersede lessors' repossession requests, lawyers said. Go First's lessors include major global names such as Jackson Square Aviation, SMBC Aviation Capital and CDB Aviation's GY Aviation Leasing. Bigger rivals IndiGo (INGL.NS) and Tata Group's Air India are charting major expansion plans with hundreds of new planes on order as domestic air travel in India surpasses pre-pandemic levels. Air India did not immediately respond.

☆ Fact Check-Images of purported ‘satanic teachings’ in public libraries are AI-generated
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Images circulating online apparently capturing devil-like subjects sitting with children at public libraries were created with artificial intelligence (AI) and do not depict real events, as claimed in social media posts. God help us!” one Facebook user commented. The fourth image captures a group of children sitting on top of a red pentagram. I created these pics with AI (artificial intelligence) software,” part of it reads. These images do not depict a real event, they were created with artificial intelligence.

☆ Virginia Teenager Dies After He Is Buried in Sand From Dune Collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( April Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A teenager from Chesapeake, Va., died after he was buried in several feet of sand on Saturday inside a hole that had been dug in a back-dune area at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, officials said. The 17-year-old boy, whose identity had not been released by the authorities, was trapped underground when sand from the adjacent dune collapsed into the hole, the National Park Service said in a statement. The back-dune area where he was caught was not visible from the beachfront, the service said. The hole was about a tenth of a mile east of an off-road vehicle ramp in Frisco, N.C., a community on Hatteras Island. “Rangers worked with family members to extract the teen while simultaneously performing CPR,” the service said in a statement.

☆ At Charles’s Coronation, Everything Olde Was New Again
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Sarah Lyall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The coronation of King Charles III was billed as a chance to usher in a new kind of monarchy — slimmer, more accessible and more inclusive — for the 21st century. Though Saturday’s ceremony had its share of modern flourishes, it was hard to escape the sense that they were mostly tweaks to an ancient ritual which, like the monarchy itself, can’t escape the heavy burdens of the past. As it happened, the coronation was a huge success by most measures. King Charles looked burdened, and then relieved, by the responsibility of it all; Queen Camilla looked radiant. “The Penny is mightier than the sword,” Chris Bryant, a Labour member of Parliament, tweeted.)

CNN —Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea reported on Sunday that their air defense forces and electronic warfare units had fended off at least three Ukranian drone attacks in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol. The Russian-back governor of the city, Mikhail Razvozhaev said that “more than ten drones” were sent to Crimea and Sevastopol overnight. “The air defense forces and electronic warfare units prevented another attack on Sevastopol,” he said in a statement shared on Telegram. An important port and a major naval base for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol city has been the site of multiple suspected Ukrainian attacks. Last week saw reports of a suspected drone strike which sparked a huge fire at a fuel storage facility in Sevastopol.

☆ Coronation Style | All the Royal Fashion on King Charles’s Big Day
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Sarah Ball | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

First lady Jill Biden, in a Ralph Lauren cornflower-blue skirt suit and matching gloves, accompanied by granddaughter Finnegan Biden in a Markarian primrose-yellow cape-dress and Gigi Burris headband. Wearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag, the Bidens were seated next to Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska. Andrew Matthews/Zuma Press

London CNN —The coronation of King Charles III on Saturday was a historic day, jam-packed with events – some planned, others not. The crowning eventCharles was hidden from view for the most dramatic part of the service at London’s Westminster Abbey on Saturday. King Charles III sits as he receives The St Edward's Crown during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. Lady in bluePenny Mordaunt leads King Charles III during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive for their coronation at Westminster Abbey.

☆ England fast bowler Sciver-Brunt retires from international cricket
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Cricket - ICC Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup - England v Pakistan - Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa - February 21, 2023 England's Katherine Sciver-Brunt takes a catch to dismiss Pakistan's Sidra Ameen off the bowling of Charlie Dean REUTERS/Nic BothmaMay 5 (Reuters) - England right-arm seamer Katherine Sciver-Brunt announced her retirement from international cricket on Friday, bringing the curtain down on her 19-year career during which she took 335 wickets across all formats. The 37-year-old, who made her England debut in 2004, has also won four Ashes series and has been capped 267 times. I thought I'd never be able to reach this decision but I have and it's been the hardest one of my life," Sciver-Brunt said. Sciver-Brunt is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in women's Twenty20 cricket, with 114 wickets across 112 matches. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ South Africans call for UK to return diamonds set in crown jewels
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The diamond, which weighs 530 carats, was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and presented to the British monarchy by the colonial government in the country, which was then under British rule. "The diamond needs to come to South Africa. Officially known as Cullinan I, the diamond in the sceptre was cut from the Cullinan diamond, a 3,100 carat stone that was mined near Pretoria. A smaller diamond cut from the same stone, known as Cullinan II, is set in the Imperial State Crown which is worn by British monarchs on ceremonial occasions. A replica of the whole Cullinan diamond, which is about the size of a man's fist, is displayed at the Cape Town Diamond Museum.

☆ The Star Wars timeline: All movies and shows in chronological order
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as experts from outlets like USA Today and the AV Club. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’"Solo" shows how Han and Chewie became best friends. ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

☆ ‘Queens of the Qing Dynasty’ Review: Secret Soul Mates
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Beatrice Loayza | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The pair make an odd couple, and yet their bond is intuitive, electric. The story kicks off in the aftermath of Star’s suicide attempt, the film’s tone at once bleakly clinical and deadpan absurd. Star, a neurodivergent foster kid with a sardonic sense of humor, clearly doesn’t register the gravity of her actions. Eyes glazed, she seems out of touch with her own body, and she’s not one for rules, like when she’s kicked out of an apartment for opening it to partiers. Walker, captivatingly raw, makes Star both charming and frustrating in her aloofness.

☆ South Africa’s most epic hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Here are nine of South Africa’s best multiday backpacking trails:Otter TrailThe coastal Otter Trail takes in some of South Africa's most beautiful coastline. South African TourismSouth Africa’s oldest (established in 1968) and most celebrated hiking route, the Otter Trail runs along the Eastern Cape coast between Storms River Mouth and Nature’s Valley in Garden Route National Park. South African TourismSummit the legendary Drakensberg escarpment on a vertiginous route that rises high above Thendele Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal province. Distance: About 25 kilometers (16 miles)Time: 2 daysInfo: hikingsouthafrica.co.za/kgaswane-summit-trail/Tsitsikamma TrailThe Garden Route National Park is an advenure sport paradise. Each traverse takes seven to 10 days during the South African spring (September-November).

☆ Kolisi's World Cup in the balance after SA Rugby confirm surgery
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CAPE TOWN, May 3 (Reuters) - South African Rugby confirmed on Wednesday that Springboks captain Siya Kolisi underwent knee surgery last week and said it is unclear if he will be fit for this year's Rugby World Cup. "Mampane said it was too early to make any reliable forecasts on when Kolisi may be able to return to play." SA Rugby and Kolisi's club had remained tight-lipped about his condition over the last 10 days. Kolisi, one of the most respected figures in the game, is due to move to French club Racing 92 after the World Cup, which runs from Sept. 8-Oct. 28. South Africa, who name their final 33-man squad on Aug. 8, begin their title defence against Scotland in Marseille on Sept. 10.

☆ Doja Cat and Jared Leto dressed like Choupette the cat for the Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette, did not make an appearance at the Met Gala, despite the event’s theme honoring her late owner. Doja Cat and Jared Leto both channeled the blue cream Birman with their Met Gala looks, transforming into Choupette in a mishmash of camp, couture and cat. The Grammy-winning rapper wore a silvery hooded Oscar de la Renta gown — complete with cat ears — along with feline facial prosthetics and sharpened talons on her nails. Choupette, 11, was expected by many to attend this year’s event given how important she was to Lagerfeld, who died in 2019. But she opted to “stay peacefully and cozy at home,” her agents said Monday, rather than hog the spotlight at the Met.

NEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - Subway, which is exploring a potential $10 billion sale, further shrank last year in the United States as franchisees closed 2.7% of the brand's sandwich shops, squeezing its royalties and fees. The chain shed another net 571 locations in 2022 after even steeper closings in previous years in the United States, its largest global market, according to the latest disclosure document it provides to franchisees who are interested in buying locations. Subway has closed thousands of U.S. locations in recent years due to over-expansion, outdated operations and decor, stale menus and $5 footlong deals that eroded franchisees' profits. Subway franchisees closed more than 1,000 net U.S. locations in 2021 and 1,609 in 2020. At the end of 2022, Subway had 20,576 shops in the United States.

☆ 2023 Met Gala: Red Carpet Roundup
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( The Styles Desk | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The worlds of celebrity, fashion, politics, sports, business and art collide at the Met Gala, always held on the first Monday in May. The invitees posed, giving the crowds and cameras angle after angle for prime gawking. Mr. Leto wasn’t the only one who deconstructed an outfit. Janelle Monáe’s Thom Browne hoop skirt transformed into a sequined bikini. And Lil Nas X didn’t have much to take off, having arrived in full silver body paint, bejeweled thong and an elaborate mask.

☆ Environmental groups are suing the FAA over SpaceX's failed Starship rocket launch over Texas
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Environmental groups are suing the FAA over SpaceX's giant rocket launch in April. Debris from the Starship explosion was hurled thousands of feet from the launch pad, officials said. SpaceX's Starship rocket exploded over the Gulf of Mexico on April 20 after soaring 24 miles (39 kilometers) into the sky. The launch pad is on a remote site on the southernmost tip of Texas, just below South Padre Island, and about 20 miles from Brownsville. It was the first launch of a full-size Starship, with the sci-fi-looking spacecraft on top the huge booster rocket.

☆ Airman in Leaks Case Worked on a Global Network Essential to Drone Missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( John Ismay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — On an Air National Guard base in Cape Cod, Mass., more than 1,200 military service members and civilians maintain one of the largest support systems for Pentagon drone missions around the world. One of the workers was Airman First Class Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old accused of posting top-secret military reports online. It is also the result of a dramatic reorganization in the Air National Guard nearly two decades ago that left small, far-flung air bases in need of new responsibilities. The one on Cape Cod and many others became intelligence outfits. His arrest and subsequent Justice Department disclosures shined a light on a little-known Air Force mission that began in the 1990s and grew rapidly, eventually spreading to the base on Cape Cod.

☆ Spain start World Cup defence against Brazil and Iran, U.S. draw Greece
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 29 (Reuters) - Defending champions Spain will face Brazil in the group stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup while five-times winners United States will take on Greece, after the draw was held in Manila on Saturday. Spain, who are the top-ranked side in the world and seeking a third title, will also face Iran and Ivory Coast in Group G.The United States, ranked second in the world, were also drawn to face Jordan and New Zealand. As well as winning the tournament five times the U.S. are 12-times podium finishers -- both World Cup records -- but were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2019 when they were chasing a third straight title. Argentina, were finalists in 2019 and ranked fourth in the world, failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 41 years. FIBA WORLD CUP DRAWGROUP A (MANILA)AngolaDominican RepublicPhilippinesItalyGROUP B (MANILA)South SudanSerbiaChinaPuerto RicoGROUP C (MANILA)United StatesJordanGreeceNew ZealandGROUP D (MANILA)EgyptMexicoMontenegroLithuaniaGROUP E (OKINAWA)GermanyFinlandAustraliaJapanGROUP F (OKINAWA)SloveniaCape VerdeGeorgiaVenezuelaGROUP G (JAKARTA)IranSpainIvory CoastBrazilGROUP H (JAKARTA)CanadaLatviaLebanonFranceReporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Courtney Dauwalter: The fun-fuelled ultra-marathon star defying science
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Most people’s idea of fun wouldn’t involve running for hours on end through brutal, undulating terrain – but ultra-marathon sensation Courtney Dauwalter is no ordinary person. Dauwalter, a four-time ‘Ultra Running Magazine Ultrarunner of the year,’ holds multiple course records for the obscenely long races around the US and abroad. Pizza and pints"There is no right or wrong path to completing a 100 or 200-mile race," says Dauwalter. Joe Amon/Denver Post/Denver PostTrue to character, Dauwalter has a positive and novel method of coping with the unexpected visions. “For me, training, racing and exploring what’s possible with these ultra-races, the really long trail ones, is fun,” Dauwalter says.

CNN —Growing up, Sindile Mavundla would cycle to school every day on a red BMX bicycle – then a rarity in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, South Africa. In Africa, in addition to Mavundla, there is a bicycle mayor in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, and two in Nigeria. As bicycle mayor of Cape Town, Mavundla is on a mission to create a more diverse and accessible cycling culture in South Africa. He has also worked with mobility non-profit Qhubeka to donate 1,220 bikes to Thembelihle High School, in Cape Town. “If you look at the poorer people in South Africa, a lot of their money goes in public transport.

☆ Pretty Yende, South African opera star will perform at King Charles' coronation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —“Pretty, are you sitting down?” South African soprano Pretty Yende was performing in Vienna last December when she received a call from her manager. She had just been booked for the biggest gig of her life: a performance at the coronation of King Charles III. As one of three soloists at the ceremony, it’s thought that Yende is the first African to be invited to perform solo at a British coronation. The coronation will not be the first time King Charles has watched Yende perform; he saw the soprano sing at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniversary gala, held at Windsor Castle in April 2022. Pretty Yende performs in "Lucia Di Lammermoor" at the Bastille Opera House in Paris in October 2016.

☆ In This Satire, Televised Blood Baths Offer Prisoners a Path to Freedom
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Giri Nathan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

What all these fighters seek is freedom, a word that appears capitalized throughout the book, like a term of art or faith. It comes in two types: Low Freedom (death, however it might find them) and High Freedom (pardon, commutation or clemency after three years survived on the circuit). If you recoil at that unholy fusion, that’s kind of the point; and the author keeps pulling off this shock, page after page. Adjei-Brenyah has a fine intuition, an almost spatial sense for what we need to see and what we don’t. His names are crisp, like Sunset Harkless (a man) and Spinifer Black (a spear), and his compact euphemisms a gift.

☆ Bids for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations offer path for comprise over 2025 hosts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAPE TOWN, April 27 (Reuters) - Algeria head a list of four bids to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations, which the Confederation of African Football announced on Thursday, but Morocco are a surprise omission suggesting a compromise over the 2025 edition has been struck. A statement said CAF had received bids from Algeria, Botswana, Egypt and a joint candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for the 2027 tournament after the expiry of the deadline for declarations of interest. CAF have repeatedly delayed deciding who will replace Guinea as the 2025 hosts. Algeria and Morocco are the top two contenders for 2025 but choosing between the two neighbours has become a political dilemma for CAF, sources have told Reuters. The two North African neighbours have an adversarial relationship, with diplomatic ties suspended, and winning the rights to host the 2025 Cup of Nations would be a matter of national pride and a public relations triumph.

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