The women’s wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal staged a protest outside Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s residence here on Thursday, demanding strict action against a Minister accused of sending objectionable messages to a woman government official.Shouting slogans against the Congress government, members of the Istri Akali Dal demanded immediate dismissal of the Minister from the government.The protesters also submitted a memorandum, asking the Chief Minister to ensure a ‘safe workplace’ environment to all women employees.‘Disclose name’Istri Akali Dal, Mohali (Urban), president Kuldeep Kaur Kang said the name of the Minister against whom the allegations have been levelled should be immediately disclosed by the Chief Minister. The memorandum also called for dismissal of the Minister and registration of an FIR against him.In a statement on Wednesday, Capt. Amarinder had said that the matter relating to the reported objectionable messages of the Minister to a woman government official had been taken very seriously and, to the best of his knowledge, resolved to the official’s satisfaction.
Indian Man Deported from Australia Over Child Exploitation Content on Phone
An Indian man was deported from Australia shortly after his arrival in the country after child exploitation material was found on his mobile phone. The man, who was not identified, landed in Perth on a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa last week, and was sent back on June 25, perthnow.com.au reported.The 30-year-old Indian man arrived in Australia on board a flight from Singapore. He was stopped at the Perth airport by Border Force officers for a baggage check. The officials inspected his three mobile phones, one of which was found to contain objectionable material related to child exploitation, the report said. The man’s phone was confiscated and his visa was cancelled. He was detained and held at the Perth Immigration Detention Centre before being deported from the country.The man’s removal reflected the absolute commitment of the Australian Border Force (ABF) to prevent the importation of such prohibited material, Mark Wilson, the Acting ABF Regional Commander for Western Australia, said in a statement. “Visitors to Australia engaging in this behavior risk forfeiting their right to be here,” he added.“We also work closely with our law enforcement partners both here and abroad to share information relating to these persons to ensure we are protecting not only Australian children, but potential victims offshore,” Wilson said, according to the report.Wilson added that the border force would follow up with relevant authorities in Singapore, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.ABF officials are authorized to ask travellers for their phones or laptops to conduct a search.The ABF’s powers are “relatively broad,” Zaahir Edries, the president of the Muslim Legal Network of New South Wales, Australia, was quoted as saying by ABC News in an earlier report. “Anything you have on your phone, as a passenger, is open to scrutiny or interrogation by ABF officials,” Edries added.Airport authorities also have the right to seize devices and copy their contents. After examining an item, Border Force officers may copy a document where they are satisfied that the document may contain information relevant to prohibited goods, an offence against the Customs Act or a prescribed Act, or to certain security matters. A “document” includes information stored on mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, personal electronic recording apparatus and computers, according to information on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.The ABF officers may question travelers and inspect items upon suspicion of breach of immigration, customs, biosecurity, health and national security laws by a person. “For example, objectionable goods, such as child exploitation material, are prohibited from importation into Australia,” the ABC News report had cited ABF as saying. “Our officers are alert to the indicators that persons may be seeking to travel with this abhorrent material both in and out of Australia.” Related ItemsAustraliaDeportationperth
PBA player agent Sheryl Reyes dies after battle with cancer
MANILA, Philippines—Sheryl Reyes, a player agent in the PBA, has passed away after a bout against cervical cancer. She was 39.Reyes was known for bringing the likes of Justin Brownlee, Renaldo Balkman and among others to the Philippines and play in the PBA.ADVERTISEMENT Ethel Booba twits Mocha over 2 toilets in one cubicle at SEA Games venue June Mar Fajardo has no ill will toward Spider-Man-clad PBA crasher SEA Games hosting troubles anger Duterte LATEST STORIES Cayetano: Senate, Drilon to be blamed for SEA Games mess Private companies step in to help SEA Games hosting Brownlee has led Barangay Ginebra to three PBA championships since he made his debut in 2016. He and Balkman also joined forces to help Alab Pilipinas win the Asean Basketball League crown in 2018.An outpour of condolences came after news about her passing surfaced on social media.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSPalace wants Cayetano’s PHISGOC Foundation probed over corruption chargesSPORTSSingapore latest to raise issue on SEA Games food, logistics Hontiveros presses for security audit of national power grid Panelo: Duterte ‘angry’ with SEA Games hosting hassles DA eyes importing ‘galunggong’ anew So glad I had an opportunity to tell you how much I appreciated ALL your help thru the years @femaleagentsr, especially during my 1st season as a head coach. From this early morning… https://t.co/1qeiTVvnI0— Jimmy Alapag (@JAlapag3) May 11, 2019 MOST READ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next May you Rest in Peace @FemaleAgentSR 😔 no more pain and suffering for you to deal with🙏🏾— Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (@ray1parks) May 11, 2019Reyes was also responsible for flying in former NBA stars Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury and Lamar Odom to the country.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games02:11Trump awards medals to Jon Voight, Alison Krauss Philippine Arena Interchange inaugurated View comments
Keysight: end-to-end 5G NR-ready channel emulation solutions
Continue Reading Previous MIPS: I7200 multi-threaded processor for advanced LTE/5G and networking IC designsNext DDC: compact, high power density BLDC motor controller Keysight Technologies announced PROPSIM F64 5G Channel Emulation Solution – the industry’s first 5G New Radio (NR)-ready channel emulation solution. Keysight’s PROPSIM F64 5G Channel Emulation Solution enables chipset, device, and network equipment manufacturers to characterize end-to-end system performance of the latest 4G and 5G base stations and mobile devices by emulating real-world radio conditions in the lab.5G NR deployments require advanced technologies to achieve higher data rates of up to 20 Gbps. The use of wider signal bandwidths, mmWave frequencies, and Massive MIMO with hybrid beamforming, leads to more effective use of the wireless propagation channel to enable these higher data rates. Consequently, designers need to validate the end-to-end performance of multi-mode devices and base stations under real-world complex 3D fading and interference channel conditions.To address this growing need, Keysight’s PROPSIM F64 5G Channel Emulation Solution supports all 5G NR signal bandwidths, carrier aggregation (CA) schemes, and offers the highest number of channels for massive MIMO channel emulation and testing. The solution integrates state-of-the-art channel modeling tools for user-defined 3D spatial scenarios and dynamic modeling of movement. It supports both conducted and Over-The-Air (OTA) testing across sub 6 GHz and mmWave frequencies.The PROPSIM F64 5G integrates seamlessly with Keysight’s end-to-end network emulation portfolio to address the entire device workflow from R&D to design validation to manufacturing. This enables users to validate protocol layers and radio frequency performance of a 5G NR device as well as gain access to key performance indicators for beam management, data throughput and stability under 5G fading channel conditions.Share this:TwitterFacebookLinkedInMoreRedditTumblrPinterestWhatsAppSkypePocketTelegram Tags: Tools & Software 
Jasprit Bumrah wants to learn ball control from Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Chris Gayle to retire from international cricket after home Tests vs India
West Indies batting star Chris Gayle will retire from international cricket after the home Test series against India in August-September. Gayle is currently playing the World Cup in England.In February, Gayle had announced the World Cup would the last time he played ODIs for West Indies. But it seems that he has changed his mind and wants to turn up for the Windies one last time in the home series against India. Gayle has so far scored 2 half-centuries in England but has not been at his destructive best.”It’s still not the end. I still have a few games to go. May be another series to go, as well. Who knows, we will see what happens. My plans after World Cup? I may play a Test match against India and then I will definitely play the ODIs against India. I won’t play the T20s. That’s my plan after the World Cup,” Gayle said.India’s tour of West Indies comprises three T20 Internationals, three ODIs followed by a couple of Test matches.The T20Is will open the tour from August 3, the ODIs are lined up from August 8 and the Tests will take place from August 22 to September 3.West Indies media manager Philip Spooner later confirmed that the assignment against India will be Gayle’s last in national colours. “Yes, Chris will play his last series against India,” Spooner told PTI.Chris Gayle played the last of his 103 Tests for West Indies back in September 2014. Even with 7214 runs and 15 hundreds in Test cricket, it remains to be seen whether West Indies consider Chris Gayle for a Test series against India, the format’s top-ranked team.advertisementGayle has a career-best of 333 in Test cricket and is one of an elite list of batsmen to have scored a double hundred in ODIs.However, Chris Gayle is likely to ply his trade in T20 leagues across the format. He is a key player for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League where he became the fastest to 4000 runs. He is also the only batsman to hit 300 sixes in the IPL.
This LEGO Reenactment Of “The Play” Between Texas And Oklahoma Is Incredible
Instagram/UofOklahomaLEGOs are cool, but they’re even cooler when reenacting one of the greatest plays in college football history. It’s “The Play” between Texas and Oklahoma.Texas and Oklahoma will do battle in the Red River Showdown this weekend marking the 111th meeting between the two schools. The two teams share a long history together, but there is one play that has stood the test of time for 15 years now.We present to you “The Play” with a little help from some LEGOs and incredible camera work:This is just so well done.“The Play” occurred in 2001 when the Sooners led the Longhorns 7-3 with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter. Texas was backed up on their own three-yard line and couldn’t afford a mistake.As soon as Chris Simms got the snap, Roy Williams was already mid-air in a Superman like position. He proceeded to pop the ball right into Teddy Lehman’s hands who scampered into the end zone securing the Sooner victory.The Longhorns and Sooners kick off at 12:00 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Video: Stephen A. Smith Speaks To The Alabama Football Team
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 30: TV sports personality Stephen A. Smith speaks with youth from the Hidden Genius Project prior to Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)Several days ago, Nick Saban had a sitdown with boxing legend Mike Tyson. As for the rest of the Alabama football team, they got treated to a speech from ESPN personality Stephen A Smith.In a video he released on Twitter, Stephen A presented the Crimson Tide with a motivational anecdote. He retold a story of when he spoke with Kobe Bryant about Michael Jordan, and Kobe declared that he would have “busted MJ’s a**” when he was in his prime.Stephen A found the idea funny, and said he called Jordan to see if the Bulls legend agreed. Jordan revealed that Kobe told him all the time that he would have busted him up if they were both in their prime.The ESPN personality explained that Kobe’s obsession with beating Jordan was due to wanting to reach the incredibly high standard that Jordan had set in his career. Kobe lamented that because Jordan was past his prime at that point, and therefore could never prove he was greater. Told the Alabama Football players this story about Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan! pic.twitter.com/aTSqLDwp2q— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 12, 2019Stephen A related the story to Alabama by explaining that others hold them to an equally high standard.He concluded that much like Kobe’s “maniacal approach” to Jordan, Alabama should have that same mentality against any opponent trying to challenge them or that they strive to beat.It’s a powerful message from Stephen A, and one that should resonate with any athlete or team striving to be the best.
Flair apologizes after calling RCMP on passengers following 12hour flight delay
Flair Airlines is apologizing for a situation at Vancouver International Airport that saw a pilot call the police to deal with frustrated passengers at the gate, some of whom had been waiting 14 hours before their flight was cancelled.The Flair flight, scheduled to depart at noon on Tuesday, was delayed repeatedly due to maintenance issues before being cancelled at about midnight. RCMP officers arrived at the gate after 11 p.m. and explained re-booking and accommodation options to passengers, according to the RCMP and a Flair customer who filmed part of the encounter.Caroline Tess, who posted the video to Facebook, was critical of the use of police to communicate airline policies to passengers and says that while some passengers were rude to airline staff at the gate desk, none of them posed a threat.The RCMP says it responded to a disturbance call at the gate and that several officers listened to passengers’ concerns and offered the information they had.Flair spokeswoman Julie Rempel says a pilot called the RCMP, but he did not ask the officers to relay customer service information to passengers. She says the airline apologizes for how things played out and is looking into how it can better manage the situation in the future.Passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs calls the incident “egregious” and says police should steer clear of civil matters between passengers and airlines.___On the web: https://bit.ly/2qZ9csm The Canadian Press
Tribes emerge as key players in debate over sports betting
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Native American tribes have emerged as key players in the legislative debates over whether states should legalize sports betting, with some opposing the idea because it could threaten their casinos and others supporting legalization but only if they retain a monopoly.In many states, tribes are fighting sports betting or taking a go-slow approach because they worry it could force them to reopen decades-old agreements that give them exclusive rights to operate casinos and offer certain forms of gambling.“The tribes have a major-league seat at the table,” said Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist for gambling interests seeking legalized sports betting across the country.Six states have joined Nevada in allowing sports gambling since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year opened the door to its expansion, and legalization is being considered in more than 20 other states.In Minnesota, a bill seeking to legalize sports betting cleared its first hurdle earlier this year, passing a committee in the state Senate. But that’s likely to be as far as the measure goes, in large part because the state’s politically potent tribes oppose it.Gambling “is the only successful economic development tool the tribes have ever had,” John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, told the committee.The tribes, which operate 21 casinos and have given millions in campaign donations, are especially concerned about allowing sports betting on mobile devices, which they fear could invite wider internet gambling that could threaten their casinos.In Texas, the only sports betting bill is almost certain to die. It was introduced by a Democrat, the minority party, in a state where casino operators from neighbouring Oklahoma and Louisiana have donated millions to keep gambling out. Two Oklahoma tribes, the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, have given more than $5 million to Texas officeholders and candidates since 2006.Sports betting measures introduced in Arizona and Washington state are also considered longshots, mostly because of tribal ambivalence or opposition.In some states where tribal gambling is prevalent, sports betting bills have not been introduced at all. That’s the case in Oklahoma, as well as California and Florida, which are home to politically influential tribes that have been cool to the idea.But elsewhere, casino-operating tribes are the ones leading the legalization efforts.The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes have exclusive rights to casino gambling in Connecticut and are working with the governor’s office to add sportsbooks. Two tribal casinos in New Mexico began running sportsbooks after the Supreme Court decision, even though the tribes never received explicit permission from the state.In North Carolina, a bill pushed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians would allow the tribe to offer betting on sports and horse races at its casino near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, without forcing it to make any substantial concessions.Conservative religious groups have warned about the dangers of more gambling, but the legislation has so far sailed through committees in the state Senate. The tribe is one of the state’s top political contributors.The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Jim Davis, lauded the tribe for bringing jobs to an otherwise distressed portion of western North Carolina.“They’ve been incredibly good stewards of the revenue, and it’s transforming that community,” he said.Like other powerful interest groups, tribes ensure they have access to lawmakers and governors through political contributions. Tribal governments have contributed more than $114 million to state-level candidates and political committees over the past decade, according to an Associated Press analysis of data compiled by the National Institute on Money in Politics.In some states, including California, allowing sports betting would probably require a constitutional amendment. That and tribal reluctance means the NBA’s Sacramento Kings will have to wait longer, perhaps indefinitely, to allow gambling in a suite the team dedicated for that purpose inside the Golden 1 Center arena.Arizona is the rare example of a state where tribes are the key players in the legalization debate but are on opposite sides.The Navajo Nation is pushing for a measure that would give tribes the exclusive right to operate sports betting off their reservations in exchange for sharing winnings with the state. Tribes could put betting kiosks in non-tribal bars and private clubs.But other Arizona tribes oppose the legislation, saying it could hurt existing casinos on reservations.Lawmakers in many states are not eager to push the issue without support from tribes, said Hilary Tompkins, a former solicitor with the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs.“It’s not worth the pain of engaging in a fight with the tribes in their states,” Tompkins said. If states “open the door to non-tribal sports betting, the tribes are going to say, ‘We’re going to reduce our revenue to you.’ And that could end up in court.”Minnesota state Sen. Roger Chamberlain, chairman of the tax committee that passed this year’s sports betting bill, acknowledged that it will be virtually impossible for the measure to succeed without backing from the tribes.“They’ve got momentum and are telling folks they don’t want it to go anywhere,” he said. “I think that’s a little unfair, but we’re willing to talk with them and protect their interests.”___Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix; Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona; Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City, Gary Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Paul J. Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this article.___Follow Karnowski at http://www.twitter.com/skarnowski and Mulvihill at http://www.twitter.com/geoffmulvihill .Steve Karnowski And Geoff Mulvihill, The Associated Press
UN envoy for Haiti urges speedy disbursal of donor pledges
“I hope that commitments made at the meeting will materialize very rapidly to begin implementation of plans presented by the Haitian Government,” Hédi Annabi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative, said.He added that the goal was “not only to respond to the needs for immediate reconstruction after the storms of 2008, but also to attract indispensable investments that would help put the country on a trajectory of sustainable development.” The Special Representative, who also heads the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), stressed that improving the economic and social situation was essential to consolidating stability in the country.He said that he was impressed not only by the results of the conference, but also by the strong attendance there, including high officials of 28 bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as the Secretary-General.“The engagement of donors is a good beginning, particularly in the current international economic context,” Mr. Annabi said.“This involvements illustrates the political will of the international community in Haiti to work together to encourage investment and the creation of employment in the country,” he said.Secretary-General Ban, who visited the country with former United States President Bill Clinton last month, said at the conference that the country stands a better chance than almost any emerging economy, not only to recover from instability and natural disasters but to prosper, because of new, favourable US trade legislation. To lock in the gains, however, he said that the Government requires additional short-term technical and financial assistance. “I firmly believe that Haiti is poised to make more progress over the next two years than it has made in the past two decades,” Mr. Ban told a major donor conference hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington. Reasserting that the country is now at a turning point, a message he has been stressing since his visit there last month, he added that “for all of us, this is the moment, a break-out moment, to help one of the poorest nations lift itself toward a future of real economic prospects and genuine hope.” Following many years of unrest and high crime, last summer”s storms have left $1 billion – equivalent to 15 per cent of Haiti”s gross domestic product (GDP) – of damage in their wake. The global recession has further eroded the country”s socio-economic situation, with remittances, which bring three times the amount of funds to Haiti as international aid, plummeting 14 per cent. 17 April 2009Hailing pledges worth nearly $325 million for Haiti’s reconstruction and development made at a donor conference in Washington last week, the top United Nations envoy to the impoverished country today expressed hope the funds will be quickly disbursed.
Canada to independently evaluate situ
The Government of Canada has taken a firm stance following the conflict in Sri Lanka. Baird has strongly urged the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s report, and develop a complementary road map to that end. The delegation will meet with a range of government officials and non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives of different communities throughout Sri Lanka. The delegates’ findings will help inform Canada’s next steps. Alexander, Dykstra and White will report back to Minister Baird in due course on the findings of their mission, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said. A Canadian Parliamentary delegation on a visit to Sri Lanka will stop in various parts of the country and seek to independently evaluate the situation on the ground, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said.Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has sent parliamentary secretaries Chris Alexander and Rick Dykstra, along with Senator Vern White. Canada has called for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the United Nations Secretary General’s panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated on both sides of the conflict.Canada has also taken a lead in co-sponsoring a resolution to be presented at the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Fishermen protest demanding reduction of price of fuel
Fishermen staged a protest in Colombo today demanding a reduction of the price of fuel.The fishermen blocked the street along Galle Road during the protest, resulting in a temporary closure of the road at Galle Face. The Police closed the road near the Presidential Secretariat preventing the fishermen heading towards the Presidential Secretariat. (Colombo Gazette)
Chennai Police bombarded with hoax calls after Sri Lanka attacks
Following the terror attacks in Sri Lanka, the Chennai police have been on their toes, thanks to ‘hoax’ calls from people who claim to have knowledge about those connected with the blasts, The Hindu newspaper reported.By the end of April, the Chennai police arrested a 40-year-old man who made a call to the police control room and claimed that he was instrumental in the recent blasts in Sri Lanka. He made the call following a fight with his wife. At the same time, the Coimbatore Rural Police arrested a 53-year-old man who made a hoax call that Sri Lankan refugees were plotting to place a bomb at the Pollachi railway station. He made the call to take revenge on his friend, the police said. Similar incidents were reported from other parts of the State. “On an average, the police control room gets 500 to 600 calls every day and over 12,000 calls every month. We used to get very few hoax calls,” said K. Anandakumar, assistant commissioner, modern control. However, after the terror attacks, hoax calls have increased. “Some of them were by persons who wanted to take revenge on their wives or friends. Some are from drunkards who wish to vent their anger against the government. We track the calls and only after thorough investigation do we confirm that its a hoax,” said a senior police officer.The police have warned public not to make hoax calls or they will invite action under various sections of the IPC. “A lot of manpower is wasted when such calls are made,” the officer pointed out.
UN experts voice concern over detention conditions in Australia
At a press conference, Justice Louis Joinet, the head of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which is visiting Australia at the Government’s invitation, highlighted concerns about the confinement of children, the disabled and the elderly.The most delicate issue was the “collective depression syndrome,” he said. “We believe that the syndrome may be attributable to the fact that detainees live day in, day out with an agonizing uncertainty.”The UN Working Group’s visit, which was mandated by the Geneva-based UN Commission on Human Rights, included stops at five detention centres throughout Australia. In addition to talking to government officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the members interviewed several hundreds detainees.The Group will present its final report on the Australia visit to the Commission’s next session, which opens in March in Geneva. It has conducted previous fact-finding trip to Romania, the United Kingdom, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Nepal, Peru and Viet Nam.
Proposed cobalt plant in Saskatchewan passes environmental study
Proposed cobalt plant in Saskatchewan passes environmental study by The Canadian Press Posted Apr 4, 2014 4:26 pm MDT AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email LANGHAM, Sask. – A cobalt plant proposed by Fortune Minerals near Langham northwest of Saskatoon has passed an environmental study.CEO Robin Goad says the review showed there wouldn’t be any impact on the water table.He also points out that there would be no asbestos in the company’s materials.Goad says the next step is to apply for rezoning with the aim to begin construction sometime next year.The plant would process cobalt which is needed to manufacture lithium ion batteries.Global electric car company Tesla Motors plans to build a huge battery factory in the U.S. and has said it would like a processing plant in North America that could supply its needs.“They have stated specifically that they prefer North American suppliers and to the best of our knowledge we will be the only North American supplier that is specifically producing battery-grade chemicals,” Goad said Friday.It’s a good opportunity to diversify industrial activity in Saskatchewan, he suggested.The plant would provide about 100 permanent jobs, he said.(CJWW)
Purposebuilt buses and coaches enjoy sixth rise of the year in November
Registrations of purpose-built buses and coaches grew 63.1% in the month and 6.3% for the year-to-date.The whole bus and coach sector is still struggling despite some welcome rises in the month:Bus registrations rose 43.5% in November, but are still down 14.5% for the year-to-date.Coach volumes down 17.2% in the month and by 9.1% for the year-to-date.November’s overall bus and coach volumes were up 39.6%, but down 13.8% for the year-to-date. “The purpose-built bus and coach sector dipped in only four months this year and has been stable since May, demonstrating that operators are keen to upgrade products, despite uncertainty in the sector,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “Single-deck buses grew strongly in the month up 42% against the full year decline of 25% but coaches fared less well, down 17% in November and 9% for the year-to-date. Maintaining the upward trend next year will be challenging, but government’s Green Bus Fund will provide a much-needed stimulus to the market, rewarding the low carbon innovations manufacturers are making across the sector.”Click through to download the full November 2011 bus and coach registrations news release and data tables, which includes a more detailed analysis of the figures. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Football Ohio State vs Iowa – By the Numbers
Ohio State redshirt senior quarterback (16) looks to throw a pass in the second quarter of the Ohio State-Iowa game on Nov. 4. Ohio State lost 24-55. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo EditorIOWA CITY, Iowa — Almost nothing went right for No. 6 Ohio State in its crushing defeat to Iowa 55-24. The Buckeyes were outgained 487-371 and were seemingly in the game for only the first half. Here are some important statistics to take away from Ohio State’s loss. 226 – Passing yards by Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley. Ohio State’s secondary was picked apart Saturday night as it allowed 226 passing yards and broke up only three passes. Receivers were able to find separation from defenders and find room in the middle of the field on seam routes down the field. Ohio State’s secondary and linebackers had no defense against the two leading tight ends for the Hawkeyes — Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson — who finished with a combined nine receptions for 125 yards and four of the five receiving touchdowns. Eight receivers finished with at least one reception in the game, providing Stanley with a wide array of targets. The secondary had been exposed before, but only once had it truly cost the team. This loss marks the second time Ohio State has been beaten through the air. 1 – Sacks on Stanley. Part of the reason Stanley was able to pass so efficiently was that he received little pressure all game from Ohio State’s front seven. The defensive line and linebackers only sacked Stanley once and had only three quarterback hits. The secondary will be the primary recipient of the blame levied on Ohio State for its inability to defend against the pass, but this is the same secondary that had surrendered 420 and 386 passing yards to Indiana and Oklahoma, respectively, earlier in the season. The reason the secondary’s struggles were mitigated was a defensive line that had been largely the product of a defensive line that pressured opposing quarterbacks and kept them uneasy in the pocket, forcing quick, inaccurate passes. That was not the case Saturday as Stanley stood comfortably in the pocket all game and escaped the pocket with relative ease to free receivers down the field. 4 – Interceptions by Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett. While Stanley had the best game of his career, Ohio State’s quarterback had one of his worst. Barrett was as inaccurate as he has been all season. He completed a season-low 52.9 percent of his passes (18-of-34) and set a new career-high with his fourth interception of the game. The first interception of the game was returned for a touchdown, and set the tone for the rest of the matchup.Barrett has no one but himself to blame for his inaccuracy. He was often given all the time in the world needed to get the pass off, but often would underthrow his receiver or attempt a pass into double-coverage like he did on his second interception. Though the play calls became progressively more conservative as the game went on with Barrett attempting fewer risky passes that he had in the beginning, part of that could easily be chalked up to the lack of trust the coaching staff had in him after he appeared reckless to begin the game. 20.2 – Average starting field position by Ohio State on kickoffs. When kickoffs are mentioned as part of a problem for Ohio State, they have often been cited on the flip-side, with Ohio State being the team unable to properly defend against kicks. Saturday, the issue was with the return group by the Buckeyes, as redshirt sophomore Mike Weber was unable to provide the same spark the speedy redshirt junior H-back Parris Campbell gave the Buckeyes. Campbell averaged 36.6 yards per kick return when in the role, while Weber was only able to average 17 yards per return.In a game that wound up being so high-scoring, the kick return team was used heavily, and the inability of Weber to find the gaps and give the Buckeyes explosive kick returns held Ohio State back in its starting field position. Though the field position did not have near as much of an impact in the final outcome of Ohio State’s loss to Iowa, the drop-off from Campbell to Weber was certainly noticeable, and did not contribute in any way to the success Ohio State did have Saturday.6 – Carries by Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. Seemingly limited in action once again, Dobbins was held to just six carries for 51 yards. He had just five carries in the first half and one on Ohio State’s first offensive play of the second half and did not see the ball again. He did, however, lead the team with five receptions that he took for 25 yards. Part of that might have been the result of the Buckeyes being forced to play catch-up, but this has been more of a recent trend than anything else. During the first week of the season, Dobbins carried the ball 29 times for 181 rushing yards. Over the past three games, Dobbins has had just 31 carries despite totalling 245 yards (7.9 yards per carry). Ohio State has seemingly shied away from using its star freshman running back as of late despite his continued production.
Football Tyreke Smith learning to play faster as third defensive end for
Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison walks down the sidelines in the first half of the 2019 Spring Game on April 13. Gray beat Scarlet 35-17. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Photo EditorNick Bosa is gone. Jashon Cornell is moving to defensive tackle. Junior Chase Young and senior Jonathon Cooper return as clear starters at defensive end. But the Buckeyes need depth to keep those two fresh.If Saturday’s Spring Game is any indication, sophomore Tyreke Smith is emerging as option No. 3.Smith led all defenders with 1.5 sacks, finishing with 3.5 total tackles in the game. Overall, the Ohio native appeared more confident, growing into his new role as a leader in the room.“Last year I was getting out there like ‘Oh, I don’t know what they’re gonna run,” Smith said. “I feel more comfortable out there, I feel like I can play faster, get off the ball faster.”Coming in as a four-star prospect, Smith went through the typical first-year learning curve with just nine tackles and zero sacks in 2018.Moving forward, he knows there’s plenty of strides to make before he finds a larger role next season.“Trying to hone my technique and just help the unit,” Smith said. “Get some more game-type reps for my guys, go out there and try to get some stops, get a look on how the defense is gonna be.”Head coach Ryan Day recognizes the importance of a strong third defensive end, particularly in the defense Ohio State will run. The Buckeyes have a history of rotating defensive linemen, a philosophy co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has said he intends to stick with this season.That’s why he’s stressed the importance of Smith’s development to the Buckeyes’ veteran defensive linemen. Young in particular said Day told him to take Smith “under his wing.”“Every chance I get to text Tyreke, or talk to him, try to get some things to work on with him, I’m gonna do it,” Young said. “I want him to be the best player he can be.”Defensive line coach Larry Johnson is also playing a critical role in Smith’s development.Johnson holds a track record of developing defensive fronts, producing six NFL draft picks since arriving at Ohio State in 2014. He’s motivating Smith to continue improving. “I gotta keep pushing, I can’t stop here,” Smith said. “Coach J tells me every day I’ve gotta keep working, just gotta keep going hard, keep going hard, keep using my technique.”As a whole, Ohio State’s defensive line is working on the mental aspects of football as much as they are the physical this spring. Diagnosing a play and knowing opponent tendencies helps a player gain that extra edge: When you know what’s coming, it’s easier to defend.“Athletic ability is a lot, but the mental part is a lot of it too,” Smith said. “When you can see a play before it happens, you can see the back on one side, you know it’s gonna be a stretch, that just helps you play faster.”Young sees Smith as a cog in Ohio State’s defensive line machine this season, one that he hopes will be well-oiled come fall.“The whole summer we gonna be working, we gonna be grinding,” Young said. “I’ve definitely got a confidence in my D-line.”
Expectant mothers to be given same midwife throughout pregnancy in £40million NHS
Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings. All expectant mothers are to be given the same midwife throughout their pregnancy in a £40 million NHS promise.Maternity deaths are expected to fall by 50 per cent after thousands more expectant mothers will be offered a named midwife to guide them through pregnancy. To coincide with International Day of the Midwife 2019 on Sunday, the NHS has said that funding to transform maternity services will be doubled this year to £40 million.A key element of this support will be to give women access to the same midwife or small team of midwives during pregnancy, the birth of their child and post birth.Currently it is not uncommon for a woman to see a different midwife at all nine or ten of her antenatal consultations, and then a further new member of staff at the birth. Continuity of carer means women don’t have to repeat their personal story, which sometimes may be an upsetting personal experience.The government hopes that over a third of women should benefit from the new plans by March next year, rising to more than half by 2021.The Telegraph reported last year how the then Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, had pledged to provide continuity of midwifery care.Speaking at the time he said the aim was to reduce stillbirths, miscarriages and neonatal deaths and “the agony that comes with these tragedies.“There are few moments in life that matter more than the birth of a child,” Mr Hunt added.The continuity of care plan will be prioritised for those women and unborn children who would benefit from it the most, including those who have complex medical needs or are from disadvantaged backgrounds.Evidence shows that for these groups in particular, a long-term relationship with a midwife can help reduce pre-term births, hospital admissions, and the need for intervention during labour, as well as improving the experiences of both pregnancy and childbirth for women.Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, the first chief midwifery officer for the NHS, said: “There has never been a better time to be expecting a child. The safety and quality of maternity services in England continues to improve, as do the choices available to new mums about the care they receive, and we have a growing number of NHS midwives, and those who support them, to thank.“The NHS Long Term Plan sets out an ambition to give every child the best start in life, beginning at conception, and this extra investment in midwives to enhance the care they can provide to mothers is central to how we will achieve that important goal.”The new funding will be used to reduce the rates of stillbirth, neonatal death, maternal death and brain injury during birth by 20 per cent by the end of 2020/21, and 50 per cent by 2025.The number of full time equivalent midwives working in NHS hospitals and community services has grown by over 3,000 over the last decade, to 21,967 in January 2019, an increase of 16 per cent.NHS maternity care includes all antenatal, birth and post-natal care. It is provided free of charge to women who are normally resident in the UK, citizens of the EEA with medical insurance and other women in special circumstances.Women falling outside these groups may be asked to pay for their care, but will not be refused treatment if they are unable to pay at the time.Antenatal care usually costs the taxpayer between £1,590 and £4,233. A birth without complications, resulting in the shortest possible stay in hospital costs around £3,282 and postnatal care can cost around £1,200.The NHS hopes to introduce a range of measures to build on the success of the ‘We are the NHS’ recruitment campaign. Local programmes to improve retention and welcome former midwives back into work have so far been rolled out.
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