It should surprise no one that the body of the violin has changed very little over 400 years since the instrument was invented in 16th century Italy, as generations of violinmakers have simply copied the creations of masters such as Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737). But a new analysis, published this week in PLOS ONE, suggests that violins come in four slightly different basic shapes. Unlike other factors such as wood properties and bow pairing, the exact outline of a violin bears little influence on its acoustic quality, reflecting instead the historical period and idiosyncrasies of its maker. To study how violin contours change over time, Dan Chitwood, a plant biologist and avid viola player at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, analyzed photographs of more than 7000 auctioned violins made between the years of 1560 and 2003. Chitwood used a statistical technique called elliptical Fourier descriptor analysis to quantify the entire outlines of the violins for comparison. He found that the violin shapes fall into four major groups, typified by the creations of Giovanni Paolo Maggini (1580–1630), Stradivari, Nicolo Amati (1596–1684), and Jacob Stainer (1617–1683), an Austrian violinmaker who created the fiddle above. Violinmakers of the same extended family tend to create similarly shaped instruments, Chitwood found. Curiously, he found no characteristic shape for the Guarneri family, which included Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu (1698–1744), the violinmaker whose reputation rivals Stradivari’s. Instead the violins made by the numerous Guarneris fell into two shape categories: the Amati and the Stradivari. Chitwood says the statistical technique used in the violin analysis will also help him in future studies on how the shape of leaves evolve.
Militant killed, another held in Valley
One militant, attempting to attack local police recruits, was arrested and another militant killed in two separate incidents in Kashmir on Monday.A police official said the militant was held when he was carrying a live grenade during a special police officer (SPO) recruitment in Baramulla. “The militant was caught threatening candidates wile they were filling the applications. On his disclosure his three associates were also taken into custody. Questioning is on,” the Srinagar-based police spokesman said.Preliminary reports suggest he was from Baramulla’s Rafiabad and belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter in Pulwama’s Drubgam area. “The body is yet to be retrieved. One more militant is believed to be trapped in the cordoned area,” a police officer said.The encounter started when a joint team of security forces laid a siege on the basis of specific input about the movement of militants. Arun Kumar Sharma, ADG CRPF, met Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu in Jammu. An official said Mr. Murmu called for “heightened surveillance on all fronts”. Dilbag Singh, DGP, also briefed Mr. Murmu. “The Lt. Governor emphasised the importance of regularly reviewing and effectively ensuring the security of all protected premises,” said the spokesman.
Mallya slams IPL auction, calls for transparency
Formula One bosses disagree on qualifying, compromise proposed
Formula One teams and stakeholders failed to agree a fix for the sport’s failed new qualifying format at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday and agreed instead to go away and consider a compromise by next Thursday.”No decision has been made, we haven’t reached the conclusions on how we want to continue yet,” said Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff after an hour and a half long meeting at the Sakhir circuit that hosts the season’s second race.Team bosses said various new formats were discussed, as well as staying with the current one, but there would be no going back to 2015 qualifying because both the governing FIA and commercial rights holder were opposed.”It’s not on the table,” Wolff said of going back to the 2015 format, a move that the teams had proposed unanimously after the new system was panned on its debut in Australia on March 19.Williams deputy-principal Claire Williams said there was a belief that “just going back to 2015 will create more confusion than is necessary.”The new elimination format, which sees drivers knocked out at timed intervals during the three sessions, was introduced hurriedly before the start of the season in a bid to add excitement and shake up starting grids.Instead, drivers have been eliminated while sitting in the garages in the final stage rather than battling for pole on track as in the past.The situation has been a major talking point of the season so far, triggering uproar on social media and dominating much of the talk in the paddock.advertisement”They (the FIA and Ecclestone) said that 2015 was not acceptable to them as it was not good enough. We have to just acknowledge that,” said Wolff, who added that teams felt the sport could not afford any more experiments.Red Bull principal Christian Horner said a new proposal had been presented by the FIA but would not give details.”It just needs a bit more investigation perhaps with an aggregate time of two laps rather than a single lap,” he told reporters.He swerved a question about whether the situation was more to do with a ‘power play’ over who calls the shots in the increasingly-troubled sport.”The bottom line is, if we don’t agree to a compromise then we are stuck with what we’ve got and I think everyone agrees that what we’ve got isn’t right,” said Horner.Former world champion Niki Lauda, who attended the meeting as non-executive chairman of the Mercedes F1 team, told Reuters all options had been discussed.”We went forward and backward and then we said we have to stop now because the race is on,” said the Austrian. “Next Thursday we are going to see what is going to happen.”Any change to the 2016 regulations needs to be approved unanimously by teams.
Shinsuke Nakamura beats John Cena, to face Jinder Mahal at WWE SummerSlam
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated John Cena via pinfall to set up a title clash with Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at the biggest party of the summer — WWE SummerSlam.Advertised as the ‘Dream match’ by SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan last week, the match was a tad underwhelming but surely had its moments that would make the wrestling fans appreciate the two stars.A 16-time Champion and a veteran, Cena, was facing the ‘King of Strong style’ for the first time in his career and the stakes were high as the winner would get a shot at Mahal’s title. While it was going to be Cena’s chance to get his record 17th title and become the greatest-ever champion by eclipsing Ric Flair, who also has 16 to his name, for Nakamura it was going to be his first-ever title shot.Both the wrestlers gave their all and displayed some wonderful moves. While Cena showed his brute strength, the Japanese glided along the ring, putting up a show with his hard-hitting kicks and athleticism.Ultimately, it was Nakamura who prevailed. Cena was looking to put Nakamura away for second Attitude Adjustment but Nakamura somehow got down and slammed Cena, which hurt the veteran’s neck. It was a perfect set-up for him to hit his finishing move — the Kinshasa. He did so and picked up the win and confirmed his ticket to SummerSlam.However, his party was cut short as Money in the Bank holder Baron Corbin attacked him from behind but Cena came to his rescue and put the ‘Lone Wolf’ through the announcers table to save Nakamura from any serious assault.advertisementSumemrSlam will take place on August 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Losing vision but Bahetis vigour intact for marathon of life
Philem Dipak SinghNew Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) His life was turned upside down by progressive loss of vision but Sagar Baheti refused to let that become a hurdle in the pursuit of his sporting dreams, which range from running marathons to learning cricket.Baheti, now 32, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive deterioration of the central portion of the retina, in 2012.But instead of resigning to his fate, he took to marathon running and became the first visually impaired Indian to run in the prestigious Boston Marathon in April. He is set to compete in the Delhi Half Marathon on November 19 in the Champions with Disability section. An industrial engineering graduate, Baheti is not entirely blind but his vision will continue to deteriorate and he would not be able to see past a few centimeters in future. As of now, he can see up to a distance of one meter. “My doctor told me my eyesight will deteriorate progressively. That was in 2012 and by 2014 there was a lot of degeneration and that forced me to change my lifestyle in many ways. It became more difficult to read, drive and do a lot of normal activities. Life changed for me but I will not curse my fate,” Baheti told PTI in an interview. “It was a struggle (from 2012 to 2014) but at some point, life has to go on and I am a kind of positive person who takes life as it comes. When something out of your control happens, you have to make the best out of it rather than complain. You cant have everything but you have to make the best out of what you have,” said Bahrti who has also run the Ladakh Marathon, Coorg Escapade and Bangalore Ultra-Marathon.advertisementBaheti played cricket for a club in Bangalore and grew up as a Sachin Tendulkar fan. But in 2012, before the start of the new cricket season, he noticed that he had trouble sighting the ball while trying to catch it.”I thought I was a bit rusty and due to lack of practice. But it persisted. I went to a specialist, had my test done and then got to know about my situation when my family doctor told me. Those two years were hard but now all right now,” he said. The course distance for Champions with Disability section is 2.2 km and Baheti is running on behalf of NGO Planet Abled which will raise funds for charity. In Boston Marathon, the oldest in the world, he finished 18th in his category, covering the 42.195 km distance in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 7 seconds. He crossed the line holding the tricolour up in the air. He ran for Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) and raised USD 10,000 for charity.An adventurous spirit that he is, Baheti did skydiving but met with an accident recently near Seville in Spain and broke his cervical spine. He had to undergo an emergency surgery in Seville and was lucky to survive without any long lasting health problems.”I had to be taken by an air ambulance and an emergency surgery was done. The doctors had to put together with plates and screws. There was a second surgery in Bangalore. After that I was in bed rest for four months and three months of rehab,” he said.”I am yet to regain full fitness but hopefully this run will lift the mental barrier of having met with an accident. If I do well here I am planning to run a full marathon in California next month.”Baheti ruled out competing in Paralympics, saying that he would want to balance his business with running and working for the betterment of visually impaired people.”I have to balance sports and business. At the end of the day you have to earn your living also.”His love for cricket remains in tact and Baheti still goes to stadiums with friends to have a feel of the atmosphere during matches. “I grew up as a Tendulkar fan and an admirer of Dravid, Kumble and Srinath. I still follow Virat and Dhoni. I went to the Ashes at Lords in 2015 and to Eden Gardens for the India- Pak T20 semifinals. I am learning how to play blind cricket also.” PTI PDS PM PM
Eovaldi Strong, Yanks Clip Phils, 3-2
TAMPA, Fla. — Nathan Eovaldi gave up two hits over four shutout innings and the New York Yankees beat a Philadelphia Phillies split squad 3-2 on March 15.Eovaldi retired seven in a row before Cameron Rupp flared a single to center in the third. Cody Asche singled to center during the fourth.Eovaldi, acquired from Miami in December, went 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA in 33 starts last year. In three outings this spring, the right-hander has given up one run and seven hits in nine innings.Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez grounded out and walked. A-Rod is 6 for 17 (.353) with four walks overall. Chase Headley hit a solo homer.Domonic Brown had an RBI single in three at-bats for the Phillies. Ben Revere went 1 for 2.(MARK DIDTLER)TweetPinShare0 Shares
French GP: Lewis Hamilton grabs pole as Mercedes lock front grid
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton roared back to form on Saturday to put his Mercedes on pole position for the first French Grand Prix in a decade.Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas, who had gone top moments earlier, had to settle for second — just 0.118 of a second slower — as the Silver Arrows locked out the front row in style.Ferrari’s championship leader Sebastian Vettel, a point ahead of the Briton after seven of 21 races, qualified in third place.Sunday’s race will be the first French Grand Prix since Magny-Cours in 2008 and the first held at the southern Le Castellet circuit since 1990.”It feels great to be back in France. It’s such a beautiful place. I got a great response from the crowd and I’m delighted to be here for the first time,” said Hamilton, who described his final session as ‘so-so’.The pole, in a time of one minute 30.029 seconds, was his third of the year and pushed his Formula One record to 75.Jump on board for your ultimate @PaulRicardTrack experienceAs Lewis Hamilton takes his first pole position in France#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ALHgXIr8KXFormula 1 (@F1) June 23, 2018The battle of Formula One’s four-times champions has ebbed and flowed, with Vettel taking back the lead in Canada after Hamilton had to make do with an engine reaching the end of its life while rival teams had upgrades.He finished fifth in Montreal, a favourite track, in his worst showing of the season so far.advertisementMercedes brought an upgraded power unit to Le Castellet and Hamilton, who has yet to win in France, has been consistently quick.”I did push everything in the last attempt but pushed too much,” said Vettel. “After the first attempt I thought ‘with a really amazing lap we have a chance’ but P3 I’m happy with because the car should be good in the race.”Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified fourth with Australian team mate Daniel Ricciardo fifth and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen sixth.Two youngsters were right behind, with Renault’s Carlos Sainz seventh fastest and Sauber’s Charles Leclerc an eye-catching eighth with a lap that will only have impressed Ferrari.END OF QUALIFYINGTOP TENHAMBOTVETVERRICRAISAILECMAGGRO#FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aRBE8Hx0eCFormula 1 (@F1) June 23, 2018The 20-year-old Monegasque rookie is already seen as the likely replacement for 2007 world champion Raikkonen at Ferrari next year.Frenchman Romain Grosjean brought out red flags when he lost control and hit the tyre wall with just under eight minutes remaining of the final session.He will still start 10th, the highest of the three home drivers.There was gloom at McLaren, with last weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours winner and double world champion Fernando Alonso managing only the 16th best time. His Belgian team mate Stoffel Vandoorne was 18th.That was still better than former champions Williams, who had Russian Sergey Sirotkin 19th and Canadian Lance Stroll 20th.Brendon Hartley will start behind them for Toro Rosso due to penalties arising from a breach of the engine regulations, with the New Zealander using his fourth of the season.
Southgate compares Stones to Pique and Boateng
England Southgate gushes over Stones, compares him to Pique and Boateng Rob Lancaster Last updated 2 years ago 08:36 11/10/17 FacebookTwitterRedditcopy Comments(0) 
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images England England v Germany Germany Friendlies The Manchester City centre-back has overcome setbacks and the England manager now sees him developing into one of the game’s greats Gareth Southgate compared John Stones to Jerome Boateng and Gerard Pique – and the England manager believes the in-form defender can get even better.After a topsy-turvy first season at Manchester City, the 23-year-old Stones has become a key component of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side, forming a solid partnership with Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence.Southgate is also likely to lean on Stones for England’s World Cup campaign in Russia next year and, having previously worked together at under-21 level, the national team boss is delighted with the player’s progression. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Lyon treble & England heartbreak: The full story behind Lucy Bronze’s dramatic 2019 Liverpool v Man City is now the league’s biggest rivalry and the bitterness is growing Megan Rapinoe: Born & brilliant in the U.S.A. A Liverpool legend in the making: Behind Virgil van Dijk’s remarkable rise to world’s best player Stones 10/1 to score v GermanyA defender in his playing days, Southgate offered Bayern Munich’s Boateng and Barcelona’s Pique – considered two of the best in the position in Europe – as prime examples of ball-playing centre-backs who blossomed despite shaky moments in their early years.”I’ve always said to him people will talk to you about just kicking the ball out,” Southgate told reporters.3 – John Stones has scored three Champions League goals this season; more than any other Man City player. Prolific. pic.twitter.com/5UvXCqNBpv— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2017″For me, if you want to do that, that’s fine. You’ll be the same as many others. But if you want to play for me with the under-21s, I want you to keep doing the things that make you different. And I think he is different.”He has as much composure as any defender I’ve seen in Europe.”I saw Boateng at Manchester City when he was a kid and nobody would have predicted him going on to do what he has done.”I saw Pique at Middlesbrough when he was playing at Manchester United and he was at fault for a couple of the goals. You never would have seen him being where he was a couple of years later.”And John has attributes that those guys have. He has presence in the opposition penalty box now. He has the mindset that he wants to learn and improve.”He’s got a really bright future and he’s the type of defender we want playing for our country.”
13 days agoChelsea striker Giroud warms to MLS move
Chelsea striker Giroud warms to MLS moveby Paul Vegas13 days agoSend to a friendShare the loveChelsea striker Olivier Giroud would consider a move to the USA.The World Cup winner is off contract in June and admits he’s been frustrated playing second fiddle behind Tammy Abraham this season.Le 10 Sport says talk that Chicago Fire are in contact does have some legs.The Fire would seek to bring Giroud to the US for next season, with the veteran receptive to the interest.MLS rivals Montreal Impact are also keen. TagsTransfersAbout the authorPaul VegasShare the loveHave your say
Dry Scalp? Try the Best Dandruff Shampoo for Men and Eliminate White Flakes
Editors’ Recommendations It’s getting to be that time of year when we might not mind seeing some white flakes drifting around…as long as they aren’t the kind that drift down on to our black sport coat, navy sweater, or any other dark clothing that serves as a flashing sign that says “Look world! I have dandruff!”So, What Is Dandruff Anyway? The simple answer: dead skin that flakes off your scalp. The more complicated version of the answer is that Seborrheic dermatitis, as dandruff is known scientically, can happen any time of year and for any number of reasons. If we take a deeper, more scientific dive, we learn that there is a microbe present on everyone’s scalp called Malassezia globosa. It turns out that fully half of us humans are sensitive to it. As the microbe breaks down the sebum hidden on your noggin, it produces oleic acid, which an irritate your scalp and start a chain reaction of bad things that results in your friends brushing off your clothes. (For a more in-depth — and partly animated — explanation, check out this video from Head & Shoulders featuring science vlogger Derek Muller, of the Veritasium vlog. It get into genetics, treatment…and how we share dandruff with the dinosaurs!)If you’re a man experiencing the horror of dandruff, don’t fret. There are shampoos designed to treat dandruff for just about every type of itchy head, utilizing chemicals that help fight back the conditions leading to an itchy scalp and a personal blizzard. Here we’ve gathered a selection of products that are easily available over the counter, for you to look calm, cool, and flake-free.Best Dandruff ShampoosAmerican Crew Anti-Dandruff Plus Sebum Control Shampoo – $14If you’re already an American Crew fan for their styling products, shaving and beard care range, or even fragrances, it’s great to know that they have a great dandruff shampoo, too. Besides addressing the problem at its (ahem) roots, the shampoo also enhances hair strength, repairs damage, adds volume, and packs a one-two punch in that it also conditions hair with each use.Shop NowRecipe For Men Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – $19This rich and potent anti-dandruff shampoo is the latest addition to the Swedish brand Recipe For Men. Its winning ingredient, piroctone olamine, is an anti-fungal agent that fights the yeast that actually makes dandruff atop that head of yours. Add to that an exhilarating tingly peppermint oil that cools and soothes the scalp and you have a head that looks as good as it feels. For extra relief, follow up with their Anti-Dandruff Cooling Tonic.Shop NowSachajuan Scalp Shampoo – $28Another shampoo with piroctone olamine, which works in tandem with climbazole — an anti-fungal agent for dandruff and eczema — this option from Sachajuan removes dandruff with ease. That’s not all when it comes to scalp health either. Rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, and ginger extract soothe irritated, rubescent scalp to help maintain a healthy moisture balance. After washing, use a conditioner to hydrate, smooth, or add thickness to hair.Shop NowHead & Shoulders Full & Thick 2-in-1 For Men – $5We can go no further without mentioning the granddaddy of all dandruff shampoos, Head & Shoulders. The product first launched in 1961 and has been saving reputations ever since. Now a full suite of products for both men and women, you can find Head & Shoulders in various combinations and fragrances, including collabs with another iconic men’s brand, Old Spice. Of course, because we know you like to save time in the morning, we like this 2-in-1 product that includes, of course, dandruff-tackling ingredients, as well as conditioner.Shop NowNeutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Extra Strength – $15Another of the OG dandruff treatments that still competes with the new guys, T/Gel tingles and smells medicinal, but in a good way! The scent of this extra-strength formula says, “I’m not here for games, I’m here to work.” Coal tar, the star ingredient in this molasses-hued head wash is shown to control a flaky, itchy scalp hours after it’s been rinsed out, which means those are hours you can go without being worried about flakes falling. It’s also the number one dandruff shampoo recommended by dermatologists. Guys, if you’re looking for a bang for your buck, you found it.Shop NowDavines Purifying Shampoo – $29Yes, there are a lot of great dandruff shampoos out there, but sometimes you have to break out the big guns. This detoxifying, purifying shampoo from Davines fights microbial attacks and dandruff with selenium sulfide and dandelion root, establishing the optimal environment for hair growth. For an intense treatment, lather up and leave on for a few minutes two times a week for three weeks. After that, to keep that healthy scalp healthy, use once a week and follow with a good conditioning treatment.Shop NowBotany Tee Tree Oil Scalp Shampoo – $16With a name like First Botany, of course, the company is dedicated to natural and healthy skin care. This shampoo soothes and treats the scalp while taking advantage of tee tree oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties. Plus, the fresh scent will make shampoo-time into spa-time. Great for all hair types, First Botany removes excess buildup, while it strengthens, and supports natural hair growth.Shop NowAnother way to battle dandruff is to make sure you use a great conditioner. Check out our selection of the best conditioners right here. 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NLA Takes Road Show to Linstead
Scores of residents turned out at the St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Linstead, St. Catherine on Thursday (January 31) to take advantage of the services being offered by the National Land Agency’s (NLA) through its ongoing Road Show series. The sessions, held across the island, are aimed at sensitising the public about the process to obtain a registered land title as well as to address any other land-related concerns. Chief Executive Officer of the NLA and Commissioner of Lands, Elizabeth Stair,told JIS News that the NLA has been embarking on this initiative for several years in a bid to extend its reach to more persons. “We recognise that people have a lot of things they want to ask us about land matters, whether it is how to get a title, how to get on the tax roll, dealing with their land settlement issues, because some people have boundary problems or they are not getting their title. So we have these meetings to take our work out to the people rather than to have them come in to us,” she said. She informed that other agencies involved in the land titling process were also invited to take part, such as the Administrator General’s Department (AGD), the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP), National Housing Trust (NHT) and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ). Approximately 136 residents were seen by the various agencies. Mrs. Stair noted that this was the third road show being held since the start of the year, noting that five road shows are planned for between February and March, with the next one scheduled for Montego Bay. The first two were held in St. Ann and Trelawny. To facilitate the high demand for land services in Linstead, the NLA has given its commitment to visit the town at least once per month. “Because of the crowd here, we are going to try and come back because there is a lot of work out here obviously to be done. So we are going to try and come until we see the numbers go down,” she said. Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, who was on hand, said he believed the NLA Road Show “is a very good and important step” in the process of creating an “ownership society” where all Jamaicans, regardless of their background, education or socio-economic standing, can secure land ownership.
Le temps chaud peut entraîner une prolifération dalgues
Alors que la température augmente à l’échelle de la province, on demande aux Néo-Écossais de surveiller la prolifération d’algues bleues dans les lacs et les rivières. « Dans les conditions idéales, la prolifération d’algues peut se produire naturellement dans tout lac ou toute rivière de la province, et il faut éviter le contact avec les algues bleues jusqu’à ce qu’elles disparaissent, a dit le Dr Richard Gould, médecin-hygiéniste. Bien que le risque pour la santé soit plutôt faible, si vous entrez en contact avec les algues bleues et si vous présentez des symptômes qui durent pendant quelques jours, consultez un médecin. » Également appelée « écume d’étang », les algues bleues se reconnaissent par leur couleur bleu-vert. Elles donnent à la surface de l’eau un aspect marécageux et herbeux, et elles peuvent aussi libérer une odeur distincte. Plusieurs types d’algues bleues sont inoffensives, mais certaines peuvent produire des toxines qui présentent un risque pour la santé des humains et des animaux. Il faut éviter de nager dans l’eau, de boire l’eau ou de manger des poissons provenant de l’eau où l’algue bleue est présente. L’eau contaminée par les algues bleues ne doit pas non plus être utilisée pour la cuisson. Les toxines ne sont pas éliminées en faisant bouillir l’eau. Les symptômes liés à la consommation d’eau contenant des algues bleues incluent des douleurs abdominales, la diarrhée, les vomissements et la nausée. Le contact direct avec l’eau contaminée peut causer une irritation de la peau, du nez, de la gorge ou des yeux. Les Néo-Écossais qui constatent une prolifération d’algues peuvent le signaler au bureau du ministère de l’Environnement de leur région. Pour obtenir plus d’information, consultez le site Web du ministère de l’Environnement et le site Web du ministère de la Santé et du Mieux-être aux adresses suivantes : www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/docs/BlueGreenAlgae-Fr.pdf et www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/environmental (en anglais seulement).
The Greenfield University Amendment Bill 2019 passed in state Assembly
Kolkata/Darjeeling: The Greenfield University (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed in the state Assembly on Wednesday with the objective to change the name of Greenfield University to Darjeeling Hills University inrecognition to the persistent demand of the people of the Hills to change the name of the varsity. “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Hills several times since 2011 and has always shown her commitmenttowards development of the Hills and respect to the demand of the local people. The people in the Hills have urged her to change the name of the varsity and so the amendment to change the name has been proposed,” said state Education minister Partha Chatterjee while placing the Bill in the Assembly. Also Read – Centuries-old Durga Pujas continue to be hit among revellersThe minister added that 25 acres of land has been earmarked at Mongpu for setting up the university. The state Higher Education department has already sent its proposal of sanctioning Rs 333 crores for construction of the varsity to the state Finance department. “The Public Works Department (PWD) will execute the construction work,” Chatterjee said. It may be mentioned that the state Assembly had passed a Bill on July 31 last year to set up Greenfield University at Jogighat in Mungpoo. Also Read – Bengal family worships Muslim girl as Goddess Durga in Kumari PujaSoon after the bill was tabled, sections of the hill community were of the opinion that the varsity should be named Darjeeling Hill University so that it would strike a chord with the local people. “It was ready to be tabled in the February session in the Assembly but with the ensuing elections it could not be tabled during that time,” Chatterjee said. Left Front leader Sujan Chakraborty demanded that the Bill should be sent to the select committee to elicit opinion of the MLAs while Congress MLA Nepal Mahato also wanted it to be circulated among the MLAs for eliciting opinion. However, the Bill was passed after majority of the MLAs voted in support of the Bill. Darjeeling has welcomed the change in name of the Greenfield University to the Darjeeling Hill University. The demand for a university in the Hills of Darjeeling has been long pending. Though the Union Government during the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had assured of a Central University for the Hills, it had not translated into action. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Union, State and the GJM that had paved the way for the GTA had also mentioned the creation of a Central University. The state government decided to come up with a new university in the Darjeeling hills. Finally on July 31, 2018, “Greenfield University Bill” was passed in the West Bengal Assembly “I as the MLA, Darjeeling and Binoy Tamang as the Chairman, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had written to the State Government suggesting amendments. We wanted the name to carry the identity of Darjeeling as Darjeeling is known globally as an education hub. Darjeeling in itself is a brand name,” said Amar Singh Rai, former MLA, Darjeeling. The Hills have welcomed the change in nomenclature to “Darjeeling Hill University.” “We thank the state government for the change in name,” Tamang said. He stated that with the change in nomenclature, the state government and the GTA will start construction at the area already earmarked in Jogighat, Mongpu. Till the construction is complete, the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar’s offices will be operating from the existing Tukdah Engineering College on a temporary basis. There are many government buildings vacant in Mongpu, these buildings will also be used for the University on a temporary basis. “Before the elections the process for selection of Vice-Chancellor for the university had begun. Three names have already been empanelled,” stated Tamang.
SJVN PAT up 43 to Rs 421 cr in Q1
New Delhi: With the increase in generation from 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station and 412 MW Rampur Hydro Power Station, SJVN Limited has recorded an17.95 per cent increase in the revenues from operations during the first quarter of FY 2019-20. The revenues from operations of the company have increased to Rs. 724.49 crore from Rs. 614.22 crore during the corresponding quarter of last financial year. With the favorable weather conditions the projects of SJVN generated 3200 Million Units of electricity during first quarter of this financial year while 2404 Million Units of electricity were generated during the corresponding period of last financial year. While the company’s Profit After Tax(PAT) increased 43.23 per cent from Rs.293.60 crore to Rs. 420.54 crore, the PBT (Profit Before Tax) grew 42.84 per cent from Rs. 384.79 crore to Rs. 549.65 crore. Resultantly, the company’s EPS during the quarter has increased from 51 paise to Rs. 1.07.
On 911 US President Trump says will hit Taliban harder than ever
Washington DC: Remembering the victims of the 9/11 attack, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday vowed to hit the Taliban “harder than ever”, just days after he cancelled peace talks with the militants in Afghanistan, where the terrorist group al-Qaida conceived the deadly strike. Addressing a Pentagon ceremony marking the 18th anniversary of the deadly 2001 terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 people, Trump also warned militants of grave consequences if they ever carry attacks on America again. Also Read – Saudi Crown Prince ‘snubbed’ Pak PM, recalled jet from US”They thought they would use this (9/11) attack to show strength, but actually what they showed is unrelenting weakness,” the president said. Trump said if terrorists ever attack on US soil again, the US troops will go wherever they are, “and use power, the likes of which the United States has never used before”. “Over the last four days, we (US troops) have hit our enemy harder than they have ever been hit before. And that will continue,” Trump said referring to the assault that was ordered after he cancelled the peace talks with the Taliban last week in retaliation for a suicide car bomb attack that killed one American soldier in Kabul. Also Read – Record number of 35 candidates in fray for SL Presidential pollsLeading the nation in honouring and mourning the nearly 3000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the president said it was a day filled with shock, horror, sorrow and righteous fury. Warning terrorist groups of any such misadventure in future, Trump said, “And I’m not even talking about nuclear power. They will never have seen anything like what will happen to them.” During his speech, he also explained why he cancelled his peace talks with the Taliban. “We had peace talks scheduled. A few days ago. I called them off when I learned that they had killed a great American soldier from Puerto Rico and 11 other innocent people,” he said. In Saturday last, Trump cancelled a “secret” summit with Taliban leaders and his Afghan counterpart after the insurgent group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Kabul that killed an American soldier and 11 others, dealing a body blow to protracted negotiations that were nearing a peace deal to end America’s longest war. Trump was to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and senior Taliban leaders on Sunday last week at his Camp David retreat.
Nova Scotiaborn champion of gender equity named Commander of British Empire
LONDON, England, United Kingdom – A Halifax-born banker who is a fierce advocate of gender equity in corporate boardrooms has been named a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.Brenda Trenowden is head of the Financial Institutions Group in Europe for ANZ Bank and global chairwoman of the 30% Club, which campaigns for greater representation of women on the boards of the London Stock Exchange’s top performing companies.She says she has been overwhelmed by congratulatory notes and flowers since the Queen’s Birthday Honours List was released this month.“It’s a big deal in the U.K.,” says Trenowden, who can now use the post-nominal initials CBE after her name.Trenowden, who for three years also served as president of the City Women Network — a businesswomen’s group in London — says she advocates for better gender balance on boards and in executive management “not because it’s what’s right but because it’s proven to be better for business.”She says there is a “mountain of research” that shows gender parity in the workplace is good for a company’s bottom line.The 30% Club has nearly reached its goal — with women making up 28.9 per cent of the boards, up from 12.5 per cent when the campaign started in 2010.Despite her adopted homeland, Trenowden calls herself “100 per cent Haligonian” and returns to Nova Scotia every August with her husband and two children.She grew up in the working-class neighbourhood of Fairview, and went to Halifax West High School.After completing a business degree at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., Trenowden was offered a one-year internship with IBM in Hong Kong.“It was 1989, just after Tiananmen Square,” she says, noting that she had never been outside North America. “It was quite a big eye opener for a small town Haligonian who’d lived in Halifax and Kingston.”Trenowden then moved to Toronto, which she says felt boring after a year in Hong Kong.On a whim — and with a ticket from a friend — she went to London for a long weekend and managed to land a job as a technical stock market analyst.“I knew nothing about stock markets at all but managed to learn this job,” Trenowden says. “I did that for almost a year but really didn’t enjoy it at all.”Then she was offered a “brilliant” job as an emerging market equity analyst with Citibank, sparking a passion for international business.Still, she confronted sexism in the corporate sector, with an old boys’ club culture persisting in many of the top financial companies.“The environment in the early 1990s in London on a trading floor was very, very sexist and there were not a lot of women,” she says.She soon fell in love with an Englishman, and had two children. In 2006 she turned to corporate banking and moved to a “very traditional bank” with few female leaders.“I had an opportunity to start paying back and to create mentorship opportunities to help the younger women and hire more women,” says Trenowden.She’ll find out in the coming days whether she’ll go to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle to receive her medal — either from Prince Charles or the Queen herself.Trenowden says her award is “particularly meaningful” now.“I’ve been battling a very rare cancer for the past year and a half,” she says. “My family has been absolutely amazing … I consider the award belongs to them as much as me, especially my husband.”Rather than dial back her work, however, Trenowden says cancer has “helped with my resilience and given me a focus.”“Doing things like this work on gender diversity give you such a sense of purpose.”– By Brett Bundale in Halifax
Manitoba mulling a ban on public consumption of edible cannabis products
WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government is looking at expanding its ban on smoking cannabis in public places to also include consumption of edible products.Two days before the legalization of recreational marijuana, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said the government is actively looking at outlawing the use of cannabis-infused baked goods and other edible items in public.“It’s being considered as we speak,” Cullen said Monday.“In our discussions recently with MADD Canada, they raised the … concern that people were making their own product at home or purchasing, and quite frankly they were over-consuming and ending up in the hospital.”Some other provinces have said they will ban all forms of pot consumption in public, but Manitoba and British Columbia have written their laws to specifically target smoking and vaping.Premier Brian Pallister hinted in June the government might expand the law to edibles, but questioned how it might be enforced.“We talked with the RCMP and other policing authorities and there were concerns about how enforceable is it to have someone in a playground on the weekend, eating a cookie, and do you check to see if it’s got cannabis or do you not? And how much does this cost, and all those questions,” Pallister said at the time.While sales of edible cannabis products will not be legal Wednesday — the federal government has said that could come within a year — nothing will prevent people from buying cannabis at an authorized store or online and making their own baked goods.Cullen also revealed a new round of advertisements Monday to raise awareness of the potential dangers of cannabis use. The ads, to be run by the provincial regulatory agency for gambling, liquor and cannabis, include one that features a picture of a turtle with a warning to “go slowly” when using cannabis.Another ad warns people not to use cannabis and liquor together, while a third warns users of edible products that it can take up to two hours to feel the effects.Combined with an earlier series of ads that is also running on social media, posters and billboards, the Manitoba government is spending $450,000 on public awareness related to cannabis.
Months after false Hawaii missile alert Canada finalizing warning protocol
OTTAWA — Almost a year after a false ballistic missile alert terrified Hawaii, Canada is “finalizing” a protocol for notifying the public of a genuine airborne threat of mass destruction.Internal federal government memos and emails obtained through the Access to Information Act show the early-morning Jan. 13 alert that sent people in the tropical U.S. state scurrying for cover soon had Canadian officials scrambling to figure out their own system for informing the public of an incoming missile.The mistaken Saturday alert from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency urging people to seek immediate shelter was rescinded 38 minutes later, prompting numerous questions.In Canada, federal officials had received at least half a dozen media inquiries by midday Monday asking what the government would do in the event of a nuclear missile attack.Officials scheduled a teleconference to “clarify roles and responsibilities” between Public Safety Canada and National Defence and co-ordinate messaging across both departments, the newly released notes say.Public Safety briefing materials dated Jan. 15 say it was presumed that any early-warning system with respect to a missile launch would rest with Defence and the Canadian Forces, but “this assumption would need to be verified.”The federal Government Operations Centre, a central emergency-management hub, was “currently engaged in developing a notification protocol” with Defence related to a missile attack, the notes add. The protocol would allow information to be shared with federal agencies as well as provincial and territorial emergency management organizations.But there was a snag.Canada’s National Public Alerting System — known as Alert Ready — did not specifically provide for the threat of a potential missile strike, instead focusing on domestic calamities such as floods, fires, severe weather, chemical spills and terrorist incidents. Alerts have been distributed via television and radio broadcasts and, as of recently, through messages to mobile phones. The only federal department connected to the alerting system was Environment and Climate Change Canada, to issue severe-weather alerts.“ECCC has no mandate to issue an alert related to a potential missile strike,” the documents say.Public Safety wasn’t even sure if the department could send out a nation-wide alert instantly. Warnings had generally been localized, proceeding from one province to another with the movement of a weather system.A Canadian alert about a missile strike would likely come from the Prime Minister’s Office, the notes say.Officials had a better sense of the planned Missile Launch Notification Protocol a few days later, more extensive briefing materials dated Jan. 18 indicate.Once a missile was in the sky, the Canadian Forces would tell the Government Operations Centre immediately and the centre would, in turn, inform the emergency management community by email if there were no threat.“If there is a potential or actual threat to Canada or Canadian interests, the (operations centre) will initiate a conference call with the relevant key partners to share information and co-ordinate the appropriate whole-of-government response.”Officials saw several problems with having the Government Operations Centre issue a public bulletin through Alert Ready about a missile strike.There would need to be careful consideration of legal liability and using the centre could create an overlap with established channels, resulting in duplicate messaging “that could potentially add to overall confusion.” Notes prepared some weeks later flesh out the plan.In the event of a missile attack, NORAD, which safeguards North American airspace, would inform Defence, which would then notify “appropriate officials.”“Canadians would then be notified through all available channels, including the media and social media,” the notes say. “Emergency alerts are typically issued by the provincial or territorial emergency management agencies which are responsible for the ‘on-the-ground’ response.”However, some work remains on the finer points.Federal agencies are “finalizing details” of the Missile Launch Notification Protocol said Karine Martel, a spokeswoman for Public Safety Canada.“The details of the protocol will be implemented in due course.”— Follow @JimBronskill on TwitterJim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
Families seek release of sailors
Mr Bisthamy’s family has relatives in Dubai, and he had previously worked with a Dubai-registered merchant vessel.Jawaid Khan, the MV Albedo captain who was among those freed, and Ahmed Chinoy, the lead negotiator, have also pledged to help.“I will do my best to get these men free,” Mr Chinoy said. “The pressure on the men and their families is extreme and people from all communities should come forward.”The 15 hostages had sent a letter to Mr Chinoy through the freed Pakistani sailors, warning that they would not survive the difficult conditions on the ship, and pleading with him to continue his efforts to free them.Meanwhile, Mrs Farhana worries about the health of her father, who turns 60 this year.Mr Bisthamy has a weak arm due to an earlier accident, and she is anxious after learning about the random firing and severe beating the Pakistani crew endured.“I think he was shot in the hand, but he is not telling us everything when he calls,” she said.“He doesn’t want to upset us. My father had some responsibilities because our family home is mortgaged with the bank, so he wanted to save some money. Now, we must borrow again. But money and our income does not matter. We just want our dad back.” (The National) The pirates released the Pakistanis in exchange for a US$1.1 million (Dh4m) ransom raised by Pakistani relatives and businessmen. The amount was part of a total $2.85m ransom that the pirates had demanded. They have refused to release all the sailors until their demands are met. “I can’t express how difficult this is for us. This was supposed to be my father’s last sail. He wanted to rest, and now we have to try everything to get them back. It is really too sad for all our families.”The hostages have been aboard the Malaysian-flagged cargo vessel since November 2010, when it was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden after leaving Jebel Ali port for Kenya. Family members of six Sri Lankan sailors who are still being held hostage aboard the MV Albedo will launch a nationwide appeal today in a bid to raise enough money to free their men.The sailors are among 15 crew still being held captive by Somali pirates on the hijacked ship, after seven Pakistani crew were freed last week. Mr Bisthamy called his wife in Colombo shortly before the Pakistani crew were released, asking her to talk to the government.“A day before the Pakistanis were freed, my dad talked to my mum and asked her to go to the president. He said, ‘Try to do something,’” recalled Mrs Farhana.“We have tried to reach the government but we had no success, so now we are going to the media and to Sri Lankan people anywhere in the world, asking if they can assist us.” Worries about the safety of the remaining hijacked crew resurfaced after news spread about the brutality suffered by the freed Pakistani sailors. Among the sailors still held captive are seven Bangladeshis, six Sri Lankans, an Indian and an Iranian. One Indian sailor was shot dead by pirates last year in an effort to pressure the Iranian owner to pay.The Sri Lankan fund-raising drive aiming to raise $1m will begin today in Colombo with a media conference to be attended by relatives of the six Sri Lankan hostages.The families have asked a former naval officer from their country to act as a mediator in talks with the pirates. “We don’t want them to keep waiting and die there, we must do something,” said Fatima Farhana, a schoolteacher and the daughter of the ship’s second engineer, Segu Mohammed Bisthamy.