Fourth Mr. Basketball for Fajardo
Google honors food scientist, banana ketchup inventor and war hero Maria Orosa Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Read Next Lady Eagles soar to third straight victory; Lady Spikers back in orbit after first loss Pussycat Dolls set for reunion tour after 10-year hiatus Fajardo duplicated the four MVP awards of legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio.Last year, Fajardo steered the Beermen to a record-tying three straight Philippine Cup championships that allowed the franchise to become only the second team in PBA annals to bring home the June Bernardino Perpetual trophy after TnT KaTropa.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSLillard, Anthony lead Blazers over ThunderSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout Families in US enclave in north Mexico hold sad Thanksgiving John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.netSan Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo will be bestowed the Mighty Sports Mr. Basketball award during the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Awards Night at the Maynila Hall of Manila Hotel on Feb. 27.The 6-foot-10 Cebuano will be feted in the event presented by Milo and Cignal TV for bagging an unprecedented fourth straight PBA MVP trophy.ADVERTISEMENT Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles01:42Despite decorated career, June Mar Fajardo is not yet done: ‘I don’t want to be stagnant’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH 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 City AFP official booed out of forum LATEST STORIES Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH LOOK: Iya Villania meets ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ cast in Mexico MOST READ View comments
New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) Jordi Camps, FC Barcelona’s Asia Pacific director general, expressed optimism that India will be part of the Catalan club’s preseason plans before its talisman Lionel Messi brings the curtains down on his glorious career. He also said it’s a matter of time before an Indian plays in Spanish top-flight. La Liga club Girona FC was in India this summer to play in an exhibition tournament in Kochi. Asked about Barcelona’s prospects of playing in India, which is one of its strategic markets, the club official sounded positive. “Of course as I said India is one of the top players in the markets and for sure our team in Barcelona and Hong Kong is working to have the opportunity or bring the opportunity to the India fans, to watch our players live and we are working on it,” Camps said. He added, “I don’t know if it will happen the next year or the following year or the year after that but we will have them here for sure. We had the legends in India two months ago and we have the schools so little by little we are coming but I hope we have Messi here before he ends his career.” A team of the former stalwarts of Spanish giants FC Barcelona was in Kolkata in September to play a friendly ‘legends’ match against a combination of former players of Mohun Bagan. Chants of ‘Barca, Barca’ were heard loud and clear from the stands of Salt Lake Stadium as the Barcelona greats stole the show in the exhibition game.advertisement Aiming to tap the Indian market, Camps believed the Asian country will become one of the most important football destinations in the world in the near future. “Football in India is growing like anything and of course cricket and other local sports are important but the work that ISL and the national team are doing, and with how they are treating the grassroots programmes and more, India will become one of the most important countries. “That’s why we need to be here in advance and that’s why we launched our economies eight years ago so we are not new in the market and we are supporting the Indian football atmosphere, environment and industry to get to this target.” Last month, top officials from 18 Spanish La Liga clubs got together in the capital, ramping up their activities in the country. “Everything that we do we do for the international market and we have also chosen 10 strategic markets, one of which is India. Our main focus is the US and China but in the second tier is India. “We are also the most admired and beloved global sports brand in the world and to get into the 1 billion viewers and India is going to be a very important part of it,” he said. During last month’s meeting, dignitaries from renowned clubs such as Atletico de Madrid, Vilarreal, Valencia and Deportivo Alaves, among others, studied the Indian market and draw a future course of action for what is a potential market that needs to be tapped. “In India there are many good talents so we compare India to other Asian markets and you realise in India they have talent of course, they don’t get the full football culture so it’s up to us to teach them, help them and develop this talent,” Camps said. “We have cases like this when four years ago in Goa with a kid training at the Barca academy. He was very good and our dream is to have an Indian player someday (play in Spain), it’s going to happen, it’s matter of when and not how.” PTI AH ATKATK
England’s embattled Ashes tour took a nosedive on Saturday after Ben Duckett was ejected from the weekend’s tour match in Perth and the Lions batsman left facing disciplinary action for pouring a drink over Jimmy Anderson in a bar.Trevor Bayliss, the head coach, was left fuming by this latest alcohol-related episode and is ready to end certain international careers, not least since it comes with the Test side 2-0 down in their Ashes defence, a campaign already in the spotlight following the Ben Stokes incident and Jonny Bairstow’s bizarre “head-butt” on the first night of the tour.Duckett’s decision to tip his drink over Anderson – said to be a case of high jinks and quickly snuffed out by the team’s security staff present – took place in the same Avenue bar in Claremont as Bairstow’s error of judgment, coming in the early hours of Friday morning, the first night that the squad’s midnight curfew was relaxed. Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger Share on Pinterest “It’s trivial, but in the current climate not acceptable,” said Bayliss. “Everyone has been warned that even small things can be blown out of all proportion. They can’t keep making the same mistakes.“The ECB have also been quite strict with the boys with their message. Most of the guys are fine but somewhere along the line some of them have to pull their heads in.”Bayliss is now understood to be considering dropping two or three players at the end of the tour, regardless of it weakening the team, in an attempt to reassert his authority. Talk of a drinking culture continues to be rebuffed, with the message being that it is a case of a small core of troublemakers souring an otherwise responsible setup.Andrew Strauss, the team director, is currently back in the UK but will doubtless share Bayliss’s anger. Bayliss spent time on Saturday liaising directly with Tom Harrison, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, while the team, captained by Moeen Ali, were playing their two-day match against a Cricket Australia XI in Perth.While Moeen made 24, Gary Ballance scored only one and Chris Foakes two, but the Lions Keaton Jennings (80) and Tom Curran (77*) helped the tourists make 314 for nine. Curran then dismissed Josh Philippe for 18 as the home side reached 62 for one.Duckett was due to be one of the Lions called into the XI while the senior players are resting between Ashes fixtures. After being replaced in the side by Joe Clarke, he now faces the prospect of being sent home, with his internal disciplinary case handed over to Andy Flower, the Lions head coach. … we have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay.The Guardian will engage with the most critical issues of our time – from the escalating climate catastrophe to widespread inequality to the influence of big tech on our lives. At a time when factual information is a necessity, we believe that each of us, around the world, deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart.Our editorial independence means we set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Guardian journalism is free from commercial and political bias and not influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This means we can give a voice to those less heard, explore where others turn away, and rigorously challenge those in power.We hope you will consider supporting us today. We need your support to keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. Support The Guardian Share on Facebook The incident in question came after Joe Root’s squad had arrived in Perth on Thursday following their defeat in the second Test at Adelaide. That evening management and players held a quiz night, after which 10 of the latter and a number of Lions cricketers – the reserves who are training in Australia – went out for more drinks.What followed at the Avenue bar did not involve any members of the public and police were not called. Though on the receiving end of Duckett’s drink, Anderson is not thought to be in any trouble himself and had such an incident occurred on a previous tour, it may well have been kept as an internal matter. rather than made so public.However, the England management had already been burned by Bairstow’s curious “head-butt” on Australia’s Cameron Bancroft on the first night of the tour. That did not come to their attention until four weeks after the event, with the story dominating the end of Gabba Test despite all parties later agreeing it was merely playfulness and not malicious.Strauss, speaking at the end of that 10-wicket defeat, said: “I think the players needs to be smarter. That’s the reality, they are adults, intelligent adults, and at times they are not using that intelligence in the right way.”It had touched the rawest of nerves in English cricket, however, given the squad had already travelled out to Australia without its suspended vice-captain, Stokes, following his arrest in Bristol on 25 September. Strauss and the coaching staff then moved to impose a midnight curfew, only to loosen it upon arrival in Perth and then see it backfire immediately. Cricket Share via Email news England cricket team Topics The Ashes England’s problem this Ashes may be drinking unwisely rather than too much Ashes 2017-18 Sign up to the Spin – our weekly cricket round-up Vic Marks in Perth Australia sport Share on Twitter Since you’re here… Read more The Observer Read more Share on LinkedIn Reuse this content
Share on Facebook Share on Messenger Share on WhatsApp news Read more Support The Guardian Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter … we have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Guardian’s independent, investigative journalism than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay.The Guardian will engage with the most critical issues of our time – from the escalating climate catastrophe to widespread inequality to the influence of big tech on our lives. At a time when factual information is a necessity, we believe that each of us, around the world, deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart.Our editorial independence means we set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Guardian journalism is free from commercial and political bias and not influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This means we can give a voice to those less heard, explore where others turn away, and rigorously challenge those in power.We hope you will consider supporting us today. We need your support to keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. Since you’re here… Reuse this content Canelo Álvarez On Tuesday, Álvarez maintained he had not taken banned substances deliberately. “I am truly shocked about what has happened and for those who have doubts and suspicions about my integrity I have always been and always will be clean fighter,” he said. “I want to apologize to HBO, Tecate and Hennessy and all my other sponsors, the media and to everyone who is involved in the promotion of this event and especially to the fans. I respect this sport. I will always be a clean fighter.”Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez said the doping hearing made it difficult to promote the fight. “We’re going to have to cancel the 5 May rematch,” he said. “As you all know there is a hearing on 18 April and it’s extremely unlikely this will get resolved by then properly and we need enough time to promote this fight.”Golovkin still plans to fight on 5 May, and is looking for a new opponent, while Golovkin and Álvarez are still likely to fight again in the near future. A first offense rarely lands a ban of longer than a year, and the Mexican fighter can reduce that if he complies with the terms of the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension. Golovkin, for his part, called his opponent a cheat last month. “Again with Mexican meat? Come on,” Golovkin said.“I told you, it’s not Mexican meat,” Golovkin added. “This is Canelo. This is his team. This is his promotion … Canelo is cheating. They’re using these drugs, and everybody is just trying to pretend it’s not happening.” Share on Pinterest Topics Gennady Golovkin Boxing One of the most anticipated fights of the year is off after Canelo Álvarez withdrew from his rematch with Gennady Golovkin.Álvarez was under a temporary suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in connection with a pair of failed drug tests in February. Àlvarez claims the results were due to contaminated meat he had eaten in Mexico but he may face a ban of nine to 24 months at a hearing scheduled for later this month. Even a reduced suspension would have precluded Álvarez from participating in the scheduled 5 May fight in Las Vegas, a sequel to last year’s controversial draw at the T-Mobile Arena. Share via Email Deontay Wilder ‘accepts the challenge’ to fight Anthony Joshua in the UK US sports
3D Printed House is Ready for the Zombie Apocalypse Close Ride Out the Apocalypse With the 1,000-Horsepower Rezvani Tank X SUV The Bond-Inspired AddArmor Audi RS7 Is the World’s Fastest Armored Car Learn Guitar (and Don’t Give Up) With the Fender Play App 4 Tiny Houses You Can Buy on Amazon 
Editors’ Recommendations The world of prefab homes is exploding in recent years, so it’s hard to find anything innovative in the field. PassivDom, however, is managing to make a name for itself with their 3D printed house, modulOne, and its series of completely unique add-on packages, including a zombie apocalypse survival kit. That alone is enough to make us want one!All of the standard prefab amenities are available in their modulOne. It is ready-built, transportable, sustainable, and outfitted with heat, ventilation, air-conditioning, water, and sewage. PassivDom finishes the interior and exterior of each building and their standard model also comes with furniture, appliances, and kitchen utensils. Several buildings can be combined together to create one large home – again, standard in the prefab world. Where PassicDom really shines though, is in the extras.For starters, the buildings are 3D printed and come with a five-year warranty. Every home is equipped with a house management system that can be accessed through your iPhone or Android. This is typically an add-on with other prefab companies. They also hook up each house with a high-quality surveillance system, also accessible through your phone. With all of this comes one year free mobile internet for the house, something no other prefab company is currently offering. All of this is enough to make PassivDom stand out, and we haven’t even gotten to the add-on packages yet.Each modulOne can be customized to fit your lifestyle, or paranoia, depending on which package you choose. They offer everything from the “Comfort” package, which includes a fireplace and deck, to the “Tamagotchi” package, which is the ultimate smart house giving you electronic control over every system in the house, including the window blinds and even the humidity level. While these are all impressive, they’re nothing compared to our favorite add-on package: the “Zombie Apocalypse.”PassivDom outfits their basic 118 square foot home with the latest in security technology, including a GSM-enabled system to guarantee access to emergency services when the zombies finally come. Be alerted to any walking dead intruders on your property with the circular perimeter alarm system. Should the zombies make it past your defenses, the home is equipped with armored glazing – at least they won’t be getting through the windows! And finally, PassivDom thought of the most important item that is always overlooked in every apocalypse movie: toilet paper. Their Zombie Apocalypse add-on comes with extra toilet paper storage so you will never have to resort to using old magazines or dry leaves. Live Out Your Westworld Dreams at Casteel Creek Retreat 
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the “government will be there for Kemoy Campbell,” the Jamaican runner who collapsed during competition in the United States on the weekend.Campbell has been hospitalised since the incident on Saturday.Minister Grange says she has reached out to the athlete’s family and management and has been “making arrangements to assist with Kemoy’s care.”Minister Grange notes that Kemoy Campbell is registered with the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Programme and is able to access benefits under the scheme. In addition, the Minister has mandated the Sports Development Foundation to be ready to assist with his immediate needs.“We continue to pray for Kemoy’s recovery and assure him and his family that Jamaica will be there for them during this time. We have been in discussions about what he requires now and we are committed to doing what is necessary to see that he gets the best care and achieves a full recovery,” said Minister Grange.
On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of Jamaica on the passing of the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honorable Edward Phillip George Seaga, revered as one of the country’s strong pro-democracy, independence-era leaders and as a bulwark for free market economic reforms.Born in Massachusetts, Prime Minister Seaga was a close friend and valued partner of the United States. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan awarded him the 1982 Freedoms Foundation American Friendship Medal by for his courageous leadership and work to strengthen democratic institutions and the free market economy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fellow citizens as they mourn his passing.
Mr. John Hadjipateras, Chairman of Dorian LPG, commented, “The men and women of Dorian are stewards of a legacy which carries a heavy responsibility: to protect the sea and those who serve it. Our dedication to provide our customers with safe, efficient and trouble free transportation is the best means of creating value for our shareholders.”The company currently owns and manages a fleet of five modern VLGCs, including two new fuel efficient ECO type VLGCs that it took delivery of during 2014 and one pressurized LPG carrier.Following the completion of its newbuilding program and delivery of an additional 17 new fuel efficient ECO design VLGCs expected between January 2015 and January 2016, the company will be one of the world’s largest owners of VLGCs. zoom Liquefied petroleum gas shipping company Dorian LPG Ltd. has been selected as “Tanker Company of the Year 2014” at the annual Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards that took place in Athens on December 5, 2014.The award cited Dorian’s history, the company’s IPO in May of 2014, its collaboration with Phoenix Tankers and strategic partnership with the HNA Group.
zoom US-based container carrier Matson reported a 40 percent drop in its net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, due to lower freight volumes.The company’s net income fell to USD 25 million in the third quarter of this year from USD 41.5 million recorded in the same quarter last year.Moreover, consolidated revenue for the third quarter 2016 was USD 500.4 million against USD 544.3 million reported for the three-month period last year.The company’s third quarter 2016 Hawaii container volume declined year-over-year, “due to the moderation of competitive gains and a lull in the market.”In China, the Matson’s container volume in the third quarter 2016 was slightly lower year-over-year, as continued market softness in the first two months of the quarter was partially offset by increased demand for the company’s expedited service offering related to the market dislocation that followed Hanjin Shipping’s bankruptcy filing.Container volume in the third quarter 2016 in Guam was modestly lower on a year-over-year basis. According to Matson, it is the result of competitive losses to a bi-weekly US flagged containership service that commenced in January 2016.Alaska volume was lower than expected due to energy sector related macroeconomic headwinds and lower seafood harvest in 2016.“Despite these challenges, we are encouraged by the strong demand for our highly differentiated expedited China service and our steady performance in Guam,” Matt Cox, Matson’s President and Chief Executive Officer said.For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Matson reported a net income of USD 61.1 million, against USD 76.4 million in 2015.Additionally, the company’s consolidated revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, was USD 1,422.3 million, compared to USD 1,390.1 million in 2015.In its outlook for the fourth quarter of 2016, the company expects its Hawaii container volume to be lower than the fourth quarter 2015, which benefitted from volume gains associated with a competitor’s service reconfiguration and related issues.For the fourth quarter of 2016, the company expects the ongoing muted economic activity in Alaska to result in container volume that approximates the level achieved in the fourth quarter 2015.“For the balance of 2016, we expect our core businesses to continue generating strong cash flow which, combined with available capacity under our USD 400 million revolving credit facility and additional debt financings, will provide for our fleet renewal investments and the return of capital to shareholders,” Cox said.
A telephone reporting system, the second stage of the province’s improved road-information system, is now up and running to help drivers in Nova Scotia prepare for a safe trip. By dialing 1-800-307-SNOW (7669) travellers can connect to a bilingual, interactive response system. Punching in a highway number will give them an up-to-date report on the driving condition on that highway. “This is the next step for our new road-reporting system,” said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. “If you’re not near a computer you can still get a timely, accurate report from any touch-tone phone.” Callers using the new system can choose to hear detailed, up-to-date information on specific road sections or select general road reports updated three times per day. Both the telephone system and the previously announced online system ( www.gov.ns.ca/tran/winter/roadconditions.asp ) were developed by Winnipeg based Telenium Inc. “We’re working hard to give Nova Scotians useful and timely information on the condition of our roads,” said Paul Richard, manager of maintenance and operations, Transportation and Public Works. “During the construction season this same system will be used to update the public about the location of road-construction projects that may affect their travel.” FOR BROADCAST USE A telephone reporting system, the second stage of the province’s improved road-information system, is now up and running to help drivers in Nova Scotia prepare a safe trip. By dialing 1-800-307-SNOW travellers can connect to a bilingual, interactive response system. Punching in a highway number will give them an up-to-date report on the driving condition on that highway. Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, says this is the next step in the department’s online road reporting system and will provide timely, accurate reports to people who are not near a computer. During the construction season this same system will be used to update the public about the location of road construction projects that may affect their travel. -30-
FREDERICTON – People are being asked to perform acts of kindness in remembrance of a young New Brunswick woman who inspired good deeds before dying of cancer.The provincial government has proclaimed Sept. 15 the second annual Becca Schofield Day.Schofield, who lived in Riverview, started a campaign to encourage kindness after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2016.People were asked to perform random acts of kindness and share them on social media using the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo.It became a global movement, inspiring thousands of people around the world before Schofield died on Feb. 17, 2018, at age 18.In 2017, the legislative assembly unanimously passed a motion recognizing the third Saturday of September as Becca Schofield Day.
Dennis Ward APTN National NewsAll week, APTN National News has been bringing you stories from communities unable to drink the water coming from their taps.A company in Manitoba believes it may have found a solution to some of those water woes.See related stories: Waterdward@aptn.ca
Beijing: China will stay on the path of “peaceful development” and continue to be a “positive force” and contribute for regional and global peace, Premier Li Keqiang said here on Friday, amidst global concern over Beijing flexing its muscles in the region. Li, who addressed over two-and-a-half-hour press conference at the end of the Chinese legislature the National People’s Congress, mostly answered selected questions on China’s economy and internal social issues as well as ties with the US, Russia and the EU. Also Read – US blacklists 28 Chinese entities over abuses in Xinjiang However in his closing remarks, he said that China will continue to follow the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in developing relations with its neighbours. “China will stay on the path of peaceful development and continue to be a positive force and contributor for regional and global peace,” he said. China asserts nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea as its territory, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam have counter claims over the area. Also Read – Want to bring back US forces engaged in endless wars: Trump The US has been conducting regular patrols in the South China Sea to assert the freedom of navigation in the area where Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. When asked about China’s priority regarding the conclusion of the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Li said it will depend on the efforts made by parties concerned. “Whichever will be concluded first, China will take a welcome attitude to the development,” Li added. Though he did not comment on the current situation in South Asia, Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his annual press conference last week said that India and Pakistan should quickly turn the page after the Pulwama terror attack, meet each other halfway and transform the present crisis into an opportunity for a long term and fundamental improvement in their bilateral relations.
They were also advised to swap showers for baths, use sponges instead of hoses to clean cars and to plant plants such as geraniums, marigolds, alyssum and petunias, which resist droughts.Providers including Southern, Affinity and Thames Water said they were monitoring the situation.In Seathwaite, villagers have not been given any specific advice but say they are concerned about the unusual situation.Peter Edmondson, who runs Seathwaite Farm Camping, told The Telegraph the river had been “bone dry” for more than a month. “It is very unusual for this to happen in springtime,” he said. “Everything is usually under water. It has been wall-to-wall sunshine here. Over the years, I have seen times when it has rained for three weeks solid but in the last year or two it has just got drier.” He added that this was due to high pressure over Iceland and low pressure in the Atlantic. “This means that the air is moving from the north east towards the south west, which is an unusual way round. Normally, it is the other way round which brings a lot of rain and wind to the west coast,” he said.“In the west, it has been warmer than average, whereas London and Lincolnshire have had cool, cloudy and breezier weather.”An Environment Agency spokesman said: “Following a dry winter, some rivers, groundwaters and reservoirs are lower than normal for the time of year.“We always advise that everyone uses water wisely – especially during a period of dry weather – and to follow the advice of their water company should water saving measures be required.“The Environment Agency, water companies, businesses and farmers are working together to minimise any potential impacts to people and the environment should the dry weather continue.”Forecasters said it was expected to stay dry and bright until Thursday, when it will become more unsettled. It comes amid fears that the country may be subjected to a summer drought, with rivers and reservoirs experiencing dwindling water levels following one of the driest winter in more than 20 years.The Daily Telegraph reported last week that some homeowners had been told to cut down on water consumption by waiting until their washing machines and dishwashers are fully loaded before running them. 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. Duncan Ellwood, the owner of the Grange Bridge Cottage Tea Shop, described the situation as “worrying” as he said the water levels were stopping boats from dropping tourists around the area, with even the shallow vessels struggling to get to their landing stages.A Met Office spokesman said the area had seen 36 per cent rainfall in April, which is almost two-thirds less rainfall than average.Temperatures on the west coast of England and Scotland, meanwhile, have been up to 3C higher than normal. 
The wettest inhabited place in England is “bone dry” as the prospect of a summer drought loomed closer.Seathwaite, in Borrowdale, Cumbria, typically receives between two and three metres of rainfall per year. But the River Derwent has gone for so long without sufficient rain, its rocky bed is exposed.Meanwhile, gorse fires in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, forced a beach to be evacuated over the weekend as temperatures soared to an unseasonal 18C. The River Derwent at its usual levels Credit:Paul Kingston / NNP 
A gorse fire at the popular seaside beach at Ganavan Sands, Oban forced the evacuation of the beachCredit:Stephen Lawson
Large mine sites generally utilise a number of service trucks to refill vehicles. A site with three service trucks may have as many as 14 different service operators running these vehicles, and each vehicle can cost up to A$3 million a year to operate. In one benchmarking study conducted by FluidIntel, the average productivity of a service truck varied from 15,000 litres of fuel dispensed per day to 22,500 litres. Given this variation, it can be very challenging for mines to determine exactly how many service trucks they require in order to be as productive as possible.FluidIntel states: “We reviewed data for each service truck transaction per shift across two large mining operations. For these mine sites, we had previously fitted their service trucks with AdaptMAC hardware, which transmitted data to AdaptIQ for storage and reporting. The data revealed that one mine that had not been using the data to improve performance showed a great variation in output per shift and indicated a major difference in the performance of operators. The second mine, which had been using the data to improve their productivity, had a significantly higher productivity and smaller variation between operators.”
THE US SPACE shuttle Endeavour has finally reached its California retirement home, after taking three days instead of two for its last-ever journey – 12 miles (19 kilometres) across Los Angeles.Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hailed the “mother of all parades” which saw more than a million Angelenos cheer the vast white spacecraft through LA’s streets, at the slower than jet-propelled speed of less than 1 mile per hour.DelayThe Endeavour had been due to arrive at the California Science Center early Saturday evening, but was repeatedly delayed as organisers had to squeeze it past buildings, power lines and trees, sometimes with only inches to spare.It eventually arrived lunchtime Sunday, to even bigger cheers from the crowds, and relief from officials who held a postponed ceremony to welcome it to its final home.“Is this amazing or what?” said LA Fire Department chief Brian Cummings, looking across the crowd at the vast winged vehicle. “I feel like a kid standing up here watching this come in here.”“Today everyone in the city of Los Angels is an astronaut .. and every young man and young woman out there is one step closer to the stars,” he added.The orbiter – which zoomed at 17,500 miles per hour when in Earth’s orbit – arrived in Los Angeles last month, piggybacking on top of a 747. It was stored in a hangar at LA international (LAX) airport until early Friday.Party atmosphereThe first 24 hours of its trip went off relatively smoothly, in a party-like atmosphere, and organisers at one point even forecast that it would reach its destination ahead of time.But things started going wrong Saturday afternoon as the enormous 78-ton vehicle, mounted on a huge, computerized, multi-part transporter, began negotiating some of the narrowest stretches of its route during the day.Some 400 trees had to be cut down – initially provoking protests from locals, placated by officials’ vows to plant several new saplings for every tree felled – and several more were trimmed at the last minute.On the final straight it was brought to a halt several times, as the spacecraft’s wing-tips brushed inches away from apartment buildings, electricity poles and other obstructions.A future generation of astronautsFormer shuttle commander Mark Kelly, who captained Endeavour’s final flight, said he hoped the craft – which flew more than 115 million miles in its two-decade career – would inspire future generations of astronauts.“Maybe someday one of these kids that see Endeavour, look up at it at the California Science Center, will be that person that walks on the planet Mars,” he told CNN, adding: “That would be a great thing to see.”After NASA brought an end to the 30-year shuttle program last year, major US cities battled for the right to house the four retired vehicles.Enterprise, which never flew into space, is now on permanent display on the runway of the Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York. The Kennedy Space Center will keep Atlantis, and Discovery is on display at a museum outside Washington.Two other shuttles were destroyed in flight. Challenger disintegrated shortly after liftoff in 1986, and Columbia broke apart upon re-entry to Earth in 2003. Both disasters killed everyone on board.On Sunday, there was palpable relief when the Endeavour finally arrived at its destination.“What a phenomenal three days,” said California Science Center chief Jeff Rudolf, adding: “I may get kicked for it, but it was the mother of all parades!” – a refrain taken up by Villaraigosa.“I may need some sleep, but what a great three days,” Rudolf added.- © AFP, 2012
Dutch anti-Islam politician to snub his own hate speech trial Geert Wilders is facing charges over comments made in 2014 about Moroccan residents in the Netherlands. 9,931 Views Friday 28 Oct 2016, 3:26 PM Image: Jens Meyer DEFIANT DUTCH ANTI-Islam politician Geert Wilders said he will refuse to attend his hate speech trial next week, dubbing it a travesty aimed at silencing him.The trial opens on Monday before a three-judge bench with the far-right politician facing charges of insulting a racial group and inciting racial hatred for comments he made about Moroccans living in the Netherlands.“It is my right and my duty as a politician to speak about the problems in our country,” Wilders said in a statement , dubbing the case “a political trial, in which I refuse to cooperate”.It comes as opinion polls have shown his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) doing well ahead of March elections.After riding high amid the migrant crisis, the party is now polling neck-and-neck with Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Liberals each predicted to win between 25 to 29 seats in the 150-seat parliament. Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party, speaks at a rally. Source: Jens Meyer/PASet to last until 25 November , the trial focuses on a comment made at a March 2014 rally when Wilders asked supporters if they wanted “fewer or more Moroccans in your city and in the Netherlands?”When the crowd shouted back “Fewer! Fewer!” Wilders answered: “We’re going to organise that.”It is the second such trial for the politician who was acquitted on similar charges in 2011.Wilders said this afternoon he would leave his defence in the hands of his lawyer Geert-Jan Knoops and instead “go to work” in the parliament in The Hague. http://jrnl.ie/3052139 Image: Jens Meyer 126 Comments 
Oct 28th 2016, 3:26 PM Geert holds a sign saying No Hate Imams in the Netherlands Source: AP/Press Association ImagesThe court confirmed in a statement that the trial would go ahead, adding like any defendant, Wilders had the right not to appear.While the court can force someone to turn up, “it is not known whether it will do so in this case,” it added.Judges earlier this month dismissed arguments by Wilders’ lawyers that the trial was “politically motivated” adding they did not believe it will impact the PVV’s election campaign.Politicians “are granted broad freedoms of expression because of their official position,” the judges ruled last month.“Precisely therefore politicians have an important role to avoid feeding intolerance by making these kind of public statements.”Wilders hit back saying “it is a travesty that I have to stand trial because I spoke about fewer Moroccans.”“Millions of Dutch citizens want fewer Moroccans,” he claimed.“Not because they despise all Moroccans or want all Moroccans out of the country, but because they are sick and tired of the nuisance and terror caused by so many Moroccans.” Geert Wilders handing out self-defense sprays to women fearful of being attacked by migrants. Source: Peter Dejong/PAWilders drew flak when he unveiled his party’s controversial election programme saying he would confiscate Korans and close mosques if he wins the elections.He is often described as “the most heavily guarded man” in The Netherlands and the trial is taking place in a high-security courthouse in Schiphol.His name has “appeared on hit-lists drawn up by Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and the Islamic State group”, according to his lawyer.If found guilty, Wilders could face up to two years in jail or a fine of more than 20,000 euros ($22,000).Read: Woman who slipped on human faeces at hospital awarded €16,000 >Read: Philippine mayor and nine bodyguards killed in police shoot-out > Share9 Tweet Email By AFP Short URL Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Here’s What Happened Today: Wednesday Here’s what made the headlines today. (Click here if you can’t see the tweet) Wednesday 10 Apr 2019, 8:50 PM https://jrnl.ie/4586386 Share1 Tweet Email Apr 10th 2019, 8:50 PM No Comments lol pic.twitter.com/QVKsUBCkoB— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) April 10, 2019 By Hayley Halpin Source: Daniel Sandford/Twitter Short URL NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news.IRELAND Former FAI chief executive John Delaney on his way into a Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport today. Source: Leah Farrell via RollingNews.ieFormer FAI CEO John Delaney refused to answer questions from the Oireachtas Sports Committee on the issue of his €100,000 loan to the Association.Health Minister Simon Harris has told the Oireachtas Health Committee that he stands over his decision to offer repeat smear tests.A Dublin mother, who was given a three-week jail sentence after her son missed more than 240 school days over two years, has been released to appeal her case.The Attorney General of Ireland has postponed his trip to an event due to be held in the Sultan of Brunei-owned Dorchester Hotel in London. A person has been taken to hospital after presenting to a Dublin garda station with injuries following a stabbing incident. Ryanair has apologised after it refused a prominent Arab Spring activist permission to board a flight in Berlin this morning. An owl which went missing from its home in Co Kildare on Friday evening has been found and returned home. Criminals behind a suspected arson attack on cars believed to belong to off-duty gardaí in county Louth have been condemned.A taxi driver who sexually assaulted three young women within two weeks has had his case adjourned to allow for the preparation of a psychological report.INTERNATIONAL British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sharing some LOLs ahead of today’s summit in Brussels Source: Leon Neal via PA Images#BREXIT: British Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of other EU states are in Brussels this afternoon for an emergency Brexit summit. You can catch live updates here.#ISRAEL: Benny Gantz, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conceded defeat today in the country’s election.#BLACKHOLE: The first ever image of a black hole, showing the event horizon, has been released. PARTING SHOTAs mentioned above, British Prime Minister Theresa May and the leaders of other EU states leaders are at an emergency Brexit summit today. Merkel, May and Tusk shared some actual LOLs ahead of the summit meeting. The German Chancellor showed the other leaders something on her iPad as they gathered, with apparent hilarity ensuing. Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Get our daily news round up: 6,729 Views 