German music producer Frank Farian, best known as the founder of the disco band Boney M, has died at the age of 82. His family confirmed the news through a statement released by Farian’s agency on Tuesday, revealing that he passed away at his residence in Miami.
Boney M, formed in 1976, rose to fame with a series of hit singles, including popular tracks like Daddy Cool, Rasputin, and Rivers of Babylon. Farian, born Franz Reuther in 1941 in Kirn, Germany, initially pursued a career as a singer before transitioning into the role of a successful producer.
In addition to Boney M, Frank Farian founded the duo Milli Vanilli, which gained notoriety in 1990 due to a lip-synching scandal. The revelation that Milli Vanilli did not sing on their records led to the revocation of their Grammy Award for best new artist. Farian’s career also included collaborations with artists such as Meat Loaf and Stevie Wonder, contributing to an estimated 800 million records sold worldwide.
In 2022, Frank Farian shared details about undergoing heart surgery, during which a pig heart valve was inserted. He credited this medical intervention with saving his life, reflecting on his health struggles in later years.
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In a Moscow function room, a group of women, known as The Way Home, publicly criticizes the Russian authorities for keeping their husbands, part of the 300,000 reservists mobilized for the war in Ukraine, away from home. The women, who met through social media, have different views on the war but share the belief that their husbands have fulfilled their military duty and should return.
The women express frustration with the government and its lack of consideration for the soldiers’ well-being. They meet with local councillor Boris Nadezhdin, a rare government critic who has been allowed on national television. Nadezhdin, critical of the military operation, believes the war has damaged Putin’s domestic popularity.
Critics of the war blame the mobilized men, while Kremlin supporters label the women as Western puppets. Russian MP Andrei Kartapolov suggests that calls for demobilization are orchestrated by Russia’s enemies, linking it to World War Two. The women find such comparisons insulting, emphasizing that the current conflict is different.
Maria Andreeva, a member of The Way Home, not only advocates for her family’s return but also aims to prevent further call-ups. The group stages peaceful protests by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Despite their efforts, the women feel a lack of support from society. Antonina, whose partner was drafted, shares her disappointment in the changing perception of her husband among friends. She emphasizes the desire for the return of husbands who did not volunteer for the front line, questioning Putin’s attitude towards citizens who once supported him. The women fear the possibility of a second wave of mobilization, despite Putin’s earlier assurances.
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A devastating fire has ravaged the majority of Abkhazia’s art collection in the National Art Gallery in Sukhumi, the capital of the breakaway region controlled by Russia. The blaze, which destroyed over 4,000 paintings, is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit in the early 20th-century wooden building that housed the valuable collection. Among the lost artworks were 300 pieces by the renowned artist and stage designer Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze. The gallery’s director, Suram Sakanya, lamented the irreparable loss, emphasizing that the collection had withstood Abkhazia’s civil war with Georgia in the 1990s.
Local artists had long advocated for a more suitable storage location, and a video before the fire revealed cramped rooms with insufficient protection for the paintings. Abkhazia, receiving support from Moscow, is situated in the north-western corner of Georgia and shares a border with Russia. Despite the region’s declaration of independence in 1999 after a war of secession with Georgia, it lacks widespread international recognition. Following the Georgian-Russian war in 2008, Moscow recognized Abkhazia as an independent state, while Georgia contends that Russia occupies the region.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed sorrow over the tragedy, attributing it to the neglect of cultural identity by both the de facto leadership and Russian occupants. Russia has pledged to dispatch specialists to Sukhumi to aid in the restoration of the surviving 150 paintings rescued from the fire.
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Jude Bellingham played a crucial role in inspiring Real Madrid to a comeback victory against Almeria, who initially took a surprising 2-0 lead at the Bernabeu with goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez. Bellingham scored a penalty in the 57th minute, and Vinicius Jr equalized 10 minutes later. In the ninth minute of added time, Bellingham’s header set up Dani Carvajal for the winning goal.
The dramatic win briefly put Real Madrid at the top of the table, but Girona reclaimed the summit with a 5-1 win over Sevilla. Both Bellingham and Artem Dovbyk of Girona now share the top scorer spot in La Liga with 14 goals each.
Almeria’s midfielder Gonzalo Melero expressed frustration, claiming his team was “robbed” due to several VAR decisions going against them. Goalscorer Gonzalez also emphasized the need for fairness in the competition. Despite Real Madrid being expected to dominate against Almeria, the visitors shocked the hosts with an early goal and extended their lead in the 43rd minute.
Real Madrid’s debatable penalty, awarded after VAR intervention, allowed Bellingham to score from the spot. Controversial goals, including one from Vinicius Jr initially ruled out for handball, further fueled Almeria’s discontent. Almeria boss Gaizka Garitano was sent off for dissent as Real secured the victory in the ninth minute of injury time.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged Almeria’s frustration but defended the VAR decisions, describing the game as strange and citing fatigue in his team during the first half.
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An explosion at a significant gas export terminal near St Petersburg in Russia has reportedly been orchestrated by Ukrainian drones, as informed by sources to BBC News. The incident, which caused a large fire at the Ust-Luga terminal, resulted in no injuries according to Russian officials. Ukrainian sources from Kyiv claim that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a “special operation” using targeted drones. Both Russia and Ukraine have utilized drones in the ongoing conflict.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia began nearly two years ago, with limited progress reported in recent months. The explosion near St Petersburg occurred at the Ust-Luga terminal of gas producer Novatek, prompting a “high alert regime” in the region. Novatek suspended operations at the terminal, attributing the fire to “external influence” without providing specific details.
According to Ukrainian sources, the fuel processed at the attacked plant supplied Russian troops in the ongoing conflict, and this strike is said to significantly complicate military logistics. The attack is also characterized as an economic blow to Russia, a major fuel exporter from the terminal.
Reports from Russia’s Fontanka.ru include video footage of tankers near the fire, revealing that two drones were observed heading towards St Petersburg before altering their course towards the Ust-Luga port. Witnesses reported feeling the ground shake with explosions, and about 150 staff were evacuated from the terminal.
The Russian defence ministry stated it shot down three Ukrainian drones in the Smolensk Region near the Ukrainian border on Saturday night, following earlier reports of downed drones in Tula and Oryol in western Russia. No casualties were reported.
Additionally, on the same day, a shelling incident in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine resulted in at least 25 deaths and 20 injuries at a busy market. Russia and Ukraine have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, with a recent fire at an oil depot in Bryansk, southwest Russia, blamed on a Ukrainian drone strike. This follows an attack on a major oil loading terminal in St Petersburg and Russia’s claim of capturing a village near Bakhmut, which Kyiv has not confirmed. Ukraine, facing ammunition shortages, has expressed intentions to domestically produce a million drones this year.
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Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the world number one, suffered a surprising defeat in the third round of the Australian Open to 19-year-old Czech player Linda Noskova. Despite initially appearing in control, Swiatek faltered against Noskova’s power, eventually losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. Noskova, ranked 50th in the world, expressed her disbelief and joy at reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time.
Noskova, making her main draw debut in Melbourne, broke Swiatek in the deciding set and secured the victory on her first match point. This loss also ended Swiatek’s 18-match unbeaten streak. Other top seeds, including Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Ons Jabeur, had already been eliminated in earlier rounds.
Noskova will face either Ukrainian 19th seed Elina Svitolina or Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic in the next round. In other matches, China’s Zheng Qinwen, the 12th seed, won a third-set tie-break against compatriot Wang Yafan. Zheng will play French player Oceane Dodin in the fourth round. Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
Russian Anna Kalinskaya defeated American Sloane Stephens, setting up a clash with Italian Jasmine Paolini. This ensures a first-time major semi-finalist in Zheng’s section of the draw. Paolini will face Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who overcame American 27th seed Emma Navarro.
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France has implemented a temporary ban on nearly all commercial fishing activities in the Bay of Biscay, starting from Monday and extending until 20 February. The ban covers fishing grounds along the country’s Atlantic coast and is aimed at protecting dolphins. French marine experts estimate that around 9,000 dolphins die each year in the bay due to accidental entanglement in fishing gear.
Local fishermen have expressed discontent with the ban, labeling it as “absurd.” They are concerned about potential financial losses during the suspension period. The fishing ban is expected to significantly impact the industry, with reports suggesting that approximately 450 French vessels, longer than 8m (26.2ft), will be out of action. Fishermen argue that vessels between 9 to 11m (29.5ft to 36.1ft) are not typically engaged in dolphin fishing.
The French government has responded to the concerns of the fishing industry by promising compensation. Minister Christophe Béchu assured that up to 75% of the losses incurred during the ban will be covered, with payments to be made “as quickly as possible.” Despite the compensation offer, some in the industry feel that the financial support provided is insufficient.
Environmentalists and advocates for marine conservation have emphasized the importance of the fishing ban in preventing further dolphin deaths caused by entanglement. They argue that animals can become trapped in nets, ropes, and lines from fishing vessels, leading to immediate death for smaller species and prolonged suffering for larger animals. Philippe Garcia, head of the marine conservation group Défense des Milieux Aquatiques, stressed the need for fishermen to comply with the ban to avoid strengthening the case for environmentalists advocating for stricter protections.
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In a world where professional trajectories often follow predictable paths, there emerges an extraordinary individual who defies convention and navigates the intricate landscape of diverse careers with unparalleled grace. Meet Nivedya Sohan Roy, a luminary whose journey unfolds as a captivating tapestry, seamlessly blending the realms of marine engineering, clinical hypnotherapy, podcasting, and holistic well-being along with running a dental and aesthetic clinic. Her narrative, far from a conventional tale, mirrors the harmonious integration of passions and professions, guided by a profound commitment to transformative wellness. As we delve into the remarkable odyssey of Nivedya Sohan Roy, the symphony of her multifaceted career echoes with resilience, innovation, and an unwavering pursuit of happiness and success.
Her journey, a mesmerizing tapestry of skills and passions, began with a degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from the renowned University of Southampton in the UK. It was a path seemingly ordained by familial ties to the marine industry, but as the currents of her career unfolded, Nivedya discovered a different calling echoing from the depths of her childhood dreams.
Her initial foray into the realm of marine engineering left her feeling adrift, like a ship without a compass. It was then that Nivedya, guided by the echoes of a long-nurtured aspiration, decided to embark on a transformative journey. A journey that intertwined the rigors of engineering with the subtle nuances of the human mind – a journey into Clinical Hypnotherapy.
With determination as her North Star, Nivedya delved into the intricacies of therapy. Handwriting analysis, transpersonal regression therapy, and the mystical dance of energy work became the tools she wielded in the realm of transformative wellness. Her engineering background, far from being abandoned, became the hidden wind in her therapeutic sails.
Nivedya’s unique approach to therapy was akin to solving an intricate engineering puzzle. Her problem-solving mindset, cultivated in the world of shipbuilding, seamlessly merged with the nuanced art of identifying the root causes of emotional turmoil. Contrary to popular misconceptions, hypnotherapy, under her guidance, was not a mere surface-level intervention but a deep dive into the origins of issues, an exploration echoing the meticulous scrutiny of an engineer examining the blueprint of a complex structure.
Nivedya Sohan Roy
Podcasting became her stage, where she showcased her expertise in hypnotherapy, holistic well-being, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Her credentials painted a vivid canvas of mind sciences, encompassing an array of modalities from Clinical Hypnotherapy to therapeutic tarot reading. In the cinematic realm, her involvement in DAM999, a poignant tribute to the Banqiao Dam disaster, spoke volumes about her commitment to impactful storytelling and historical awareness.
Nivedya’s therapeutic prowess extended into the realm of chronic pain and disease management. Here, she bridged the gap between the physical and the emotional, unveiling the intricate connections between unresolved emotional distress and physical manifestations. Hypnotherapy, in her hands, emerged as a powerful tool for healing, offering a profound alternative to traditional approaches.
The battlegrounds of anxiety disorders and addictions found a skilled warrior in Nivedya. For anxiety, she navigated the labyrinth of root causes, gently restoring the balance of the parasympathetic nervous system. Addictions, she believed, were shadows cast by unfulfilled aspects of life, and her therapeutic approach aimed at identifying and addressing these roots, guiding clients towards a healing path.
In a world where skepticism surrounded hypnotherapy like a dense fog, Nivedya stood as a beacon of clarity. Addressing phobias, fears, and the cessation of smoking, she demystified the process, showcasing its effectiveness in altering thought patterns and behaviors by tapping into the subconscious mind.
For Nivedya, success wasn’t measured in accolades but in the transformative tales she encountered. Cases referred by psychologists, psychiatrists, or doctors became milestones, especially in realms where traditional approaches faltered, such as eating disorders and mysterious physical ailments.
Nivedya Sohan Roy
As the Chief Happiness Officer of the Aries Group’s Happiness Division, Nivedya orchestrated a delicate dance between corporate responsibilities and therapeutic endeavors. Her secret weapon was meticulous time management, allowing her to contribute meaningfully to both realms and infuse her therapeutic expertise into holistic well-being initiatives.
Acknowledging her father, Sir Sohan Roy, as a guiding force, Nivedya embraced the lessons of hyper-efficiency, growth-oriented mindset, and proactive problem-solving. Her entrepreneurial ventures reflected her commitment to innovation and accessibility in healthcare, with investments in ventures like Wolf/Tenshield Airmasks, AM Health Hub, Cliniqally, and Aries Dental and Aesthetic Clinic.
Behind the veil of professionalism, Nivedya found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Salsa and bachata dancing, the warmth of family, and the companionship of dogs became her sanctuaries. Outdoor pursuits and the gentle embrace of yoga completed her holistic approach to well-being.
In the dynamic landscape of leadership, Nivedya’s voice echoed wisdom to aspiring leaders. Embrace a growth mindset, persevere through storms, and constantly explore new strategies, she advised. In the symphony of entrepreneurship, resilience and a commitment to finding solutions were the notes composing the sweet melody of success.
And so, Nivedya Sohan Roy’s journey unfolded, a harmonious composition of diverse professions and passions. Her tale echoed through the corridors of resilience, innovation, and a relentless commitment to personal and societal well-being.
Dog lovers in Russia’s Far East are rallying to save hundreds of stray dogs facing euthanasia by local authorities. Ulan-Ude, a town in Eastern Siberia near the Mongolian border, has already culled 18 dogs, prompting urgent efforts to relocate 600 dogs to new homes or shelters within Russia. Volunteers are traveling by train to cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok to ensure these dogs escape the grim fate of being put down. The severe winter weather, with temperatures as low as -20°C, adds urgency to the rescue mission.
The decision to euthanize strays in Ulan-Ude reflects a broader issue in Russia’s republic of Buryatia. In 2020, a national law aimed to address the problem by implementing humane practices such as catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and releasing stray dogs. However, concerns about potential attacks led to the rollback of the law in Buryatia, reviving the controversial practice of culling. The root cause, according to activists, lies in neglect, with dogs being abandoned or discarded by owners.
Local laws in Buryatia lack accountability for irresponsible pet ownership, contributing to an ongoing cycle of stray dogs. Activists argue that, despite the culling efforts, more dogs will continue to populate the streets due to this neglectful behavior. While hundreds of dogs have been saved, the financial burden of rescue efforts is significant, with each dog’s journey to safety costing approximately 5,000 roubles (£44; $55). Generous financial support and volunteers willing to cover the costs have played a crucial role in the success of the rescue mission.
Despite the successful relocation of many dogs, challenges persist, leaving some with uncertain fates. Animal welfare volunteer Stella Ovsoyan highlights the emotional toll of having to choose which dogs to send to safety, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation. However, the hope of providing a new and improved life for these dogs keeps volunteers committed to their mission, even in the face of adversity.
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Pope Francis delivered a Vatican address addressing sexual pleasure as a “gift from God” that requires discipline and patience. He cautioned against the dangers of pornography, describing it as providing satisfaction without genuine relationships and posing the risk of addiction. The sermon was part of a series on vices and virtues, particularly focusing on what the Pope referred to as “the demon of lust.”
The Pope’s remarks followed criticism by conservative Catholics regarding Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the newly appointed head of doctrine. Cardinal Fernández had faced backlash for a book he wrote in the late 1990s, titled Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality, which explored human sexuality and contained explicit descriptions of orgasm experiences. He defended the book, stating he wouldn’t write it now and explaining that it was written when he was younger.
Conservative commentators deemed the book “perverse,” with some questioning Cardinal Fernández’s suitability for his role. Pope Francis, in a separate instance, had addressed the vice of gluttony in the previous week, but there was no indication that his sermon on lust was connected to the criticism of Cardinal Fernández.
During the sermon, Pope Francis emphasized that lust can devastate relationships and pointed to real-life examples of toxic relationships. This incident was not the first time both Pope Francis and Cardinal Fernández faced opposition from conservative members of the Catholic community. In December, Cardinal Fernández introduced guidelines, approved by the Pope, allowing priests to bless same-sex relationships, leading to strong criticism from conservative figures within the Church, including Cardinal Gerhard Müller.
Cardinal Müller denounced the Vatican’s decision, stating that blessing a homosexual union would be a “sacrilegious and blasphemous act.” The tensions escalated, culminating in Pope Francis evicting outspoken critic US Cardinal Raymond Burke from his Vatican apartment and revoking his salary.
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