ZARCILLA DE RAMOS, SPAIN - JULY 28: A burned tree is seen on July 28, 2017 in Zarcilla de Ramos, ... [+] Spain. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, unseasonal heavy rain and droughts have been increasingly common in Europe in the last few years. As such, southern European countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal have been focusing more on implementing climate change strategies to meet these changing conditions. Here are the top five lessons to be learnt from how southern Europe is fighting climate change: Innovative Irrigation Saves Crops Spain has been dealing with a number of water issues in the last few years. To counter these, it has implemented innovative water management technologies such as better recycling systems and desalination plants, as well as enhanced irrigation methods. These help contribute to better agricultural productivity and less water wastage. Irrigation systems in Spain have been expanded for crops such as olives and vineyards, which typically need more water, to help mitigate the effects of long droughts. Portugal has employed drip irrigation systems, which helps decrease water loss from runoff and evaporation, while also boosting plant growth and cutting the risk of diseases. Not only that, but drip irrigation also brings down greenhouse gas emissions from soil, by reducing nitrogen loss from plant roots. Portuguese municipalities such as Guimarães are using water discharged from municipal pools to clean streets. The municipality has also deployed active leak detection teams, to spot and fix leaks promptly, especially in older infrastructure. iOS 18.1.1—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Leak Reveals Trump Crypto Bombshell As Bitcoin Suddenly Surges Toward $100,000 Price Could Matt Gaetz Get His House Seat Back—Or Be Named Senator? What To Know After He Bails As Trump’s Attorney General Pick Italy has made a significant effort to ramp up digital tools and smart water systems to give users access to real-time insights on their water usage, with 20% of Italians having a smart water meter installed, according to SIT Group. Although this is less than the European average of 30% of users, it is still a step in the right direction, when combined with Italy’s other water conservation efforts. This includes the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan setting aside €900m for projects which decrease water distribution network losses, as well as invest in network monitoring and digitization, according to the United Nations. Heat And Drought-Resistant Crops Prevent Grocery Price Spikes To help counter aridity and reduced rainfall, more Spanish and Italian farmers and companies are working on building heat and drought-resilient crops. Max Dugan-Knight, a climate data scientist at Deep Sky, told me in an interview that, “Industries like wine production are experimenting with grapes that can better survive these conditions. If they fail we will see grape-growing move north and vineyards in southern Europe suffer.” The amount of irrigated farming land in Spain has also increased in recent years, with crops such as strawberries and tomatoes being moved to greenhouses from open fields. Several farmers are also moving crops such as wheat, tomatoes, wine grapes and oranges away from drought-hit southern areas to northern regions, where both water supply and climate are relatively better. Other adaptive agricultural practices being applied in southern Europe include regenerative farming techniques such as using cover crops, maintaining living roots, composting, carbon sequestration and more. This helps maintain soil health, as well as save water. Italian farmers have changed their planting and harvesting dates to avoid extreme weather. The agricultural sector accounts for about 2% of the country’s gross domestic product, with the agri-food system contributing about 15% to GDP, according to the European Commission. This makes Italy one of the biggest food processors and agricultural producers in the EU. Italy’s farmers are also diversifying and rotating their crops more, opting for sorghum and millet, instead of maize, for example, which helps replenish soil nutrients while also needing less water. Italy produced 40,000 hectares of grain sorghum in 2023, as well as 25,000 hectares of feed sorghum, according to Sorghum ID. Portugal also uses livestock such as sheep to conserve soil and control vegetation, while also maintaining ground stubble, which leads to low soil mobility. This is because of its ability to reduce soil surface wind speeds and runoff. For example, Iberdrola has launched solar grazing , which involves grazing on photovoltaic plants, in Portugal, with approximately 300 sheep. The company also has plans to add another 200 sheep to the program. Not only does this help reduce the need for chemical vegetation control, it also keeps grass low, thus decreasing shading that can hamper solar energy production. This process also boosts biodiversity and soil fertility. The country also uses agroforestry, in areas such as Montado and Lameiros, amongst others. Implement Stronger Agricultural Policy Frameworks Southern European countries have relatively robust agricultural policies, which provides adequate funding, as well as room for experimentation and innovation. Spain , Portugal and Italy’s agricultural frameworks are all aligned with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy , which focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity, helping maintain a stable food supply, reducing climate change impact and protecting rural areas. Apart from this, they also have their own national CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) to implement the CAP policies domestically. Italy also has five national eco-schemes which help farmers implement sustainable measures. Spain has a farm information system called the Agrarian Holding Information System (SIEX), which allows farms to digitally submit reports on plant protection plans. Portugal has the Rural Development Programme (RDP), which enables access to on-farm investments, as well as provides farmer training and advances agricultural sector competitiveness. Increase Investments In Renewable Energy Prompted in part by the European Green Deal , southern Europe has invested heavily in renewable energy in the last few years, especially in wind and solar energy. Spain is the third-largest generator of renewable energy in Europe, while also being second in the continent for wind power capacity. Renewable energy made up 50.3% of its overall electricity generation in 2023, according to Spain’s national electricity provider, Red Eléctrica. The country also already has a green hydrogen capacity of about 15.5GW, which is more than its 2030 target. Wind energy made up 29% of Portugal’s electricity demand in 2023, with the country aiming to have renewable energy meet 85% of its overall electricity demand by 2030, according to an article by Brussels-based wind power association, WindEurope. Although Italy has been a little slower than its other Southern European peers in phasing out fossil fuels, renewable energy still made up 36.8% of the country’s overall electricity demand last year. Urban Green Spaces Boost Public Health And The Planet Southern Europe employs a number of urban adaptation strategies to combat climate change. These include increasing green spaces, introducing real-time and early warning systems and adapting buildings. This helps keep ground temperatures lower, and contributes to carbon sequestration, thus reducing the impact of extreme weather events. João Dias Da Silva, the codirector of the executive master in sustainability management at Porto Business School, said in an email, “Cities such as Valencia or Madrid have developed comprehensive urban adaptation plans that address the impacts of climate change through improved water management, increased green spaces and sustainable urban development.” Dugan-Knight believes that drainage system designs and insurance coverage are key in dictating the impact of floods, especially in the wake of the recent Spain floods. He said, “As the recent flooding has made clear, we cannot expect future weather events to mirror the past. Even if precipitation overall will decrease in the region, the risk of extreme precipitation events is increasing. “The flooding that follows can be made better or worse by the design of the drainage system and also insurance coverage,” he continued. In Portugal, the Life Lungs project, attempts to harness green infrastructure to increase Lisbon’s resilience to climate change. It uses methods such as increasing tree coverage, tackling rainwater waste and developing flood resistance measures. The project aims to plant about 240,000 trees in total, out of which approximately 97,255 have already been planted. Out of its target of having 10.6 hectares of biodiverse rainfed meadows, it has already implemented 9.3 hectares. Italy is implementing steps to reinforce roads and buildings, making them better able to tolerate extreme weather. Challenges In Replicating Southern Europe’s Climate Change Response Carsten Brinkschulte, the CEO and cofounder of Dryad Networks, a wildfire prevention technology company, told me in an interview that, “Southern Europe’s experience highlights the importance of integrating climate resilience into food production systems and supporting adaptation with investments in infrastructure and resource management.” However, other countries could have a harder time duplicating the above measures. One of the main challenges while doing so is funding and policies, with southern European countries potentially having stronger environmental and agricultural policies than other countries. They also have a wider range of both investors and government funding available. Developing countries may not have access to enough infrastructure, or technical knowledge, making it much more difficult to experiment with innovative climate technology. Local support and approval in these countries could also be more difficult to obtain. Different climates in other countries also means that some Southern European climate change strategies may have to be adapted accordingly, depending on the severity of heat, water scarcity and aridity, for example.Eddie Howe says ‘a lot more to come’ from Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
Rest in peace, Dr Manmohan Singh | From September 26, 1932 to December 26, 2024Wall Street ends higher as Santa rally beginsVictor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York
Manmohan Singh dies at 92; former Indian prime minister brought economic reforms to his nation
New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpasteGoogle has named Debbie Weinstein, a senior executive for the tech giant in the UK, as its president in Europe , the Middle East and Africa . Until now, Ms Weinstein has been the US firm’s vice president and managing director in the UK and Ireland , having previously worked at Unilever. She said her focus will be on “unlocking AI-powered growth for everyone”, calling the current AI boom a “pivotal” time for the tech giant. Google has joined many of its rivals in launching a string of high-profile generative AI products in recent times, led by the firm’s generative AI-powered assistant, Gemini. “Europe, the Middle East and Africa is an amazingly diverse and varied region, but the enormous growth opportunity that AI can create is universal,” she said. “My focus will be on unlocking that AI-powered growth for everyone – users, businesses, partners and governments across every part of the region. “I’m excited to be stepping into this role at a pivotal time, in a company where I’ve spent the last ten years and leading a region where I’ve spent much of my life.” Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firm’s largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser. Its AI research arm, at Google DeepMind, is also led from London. Philipp Schindler, Google senior vice president and chief business officer, said: “This is the AI era and we are only just beginning to see its transformative impact on business and society. “In such a pivotal moment for technology, I’m thrilled we’ve appointed a visionary leader to be our President of Google EMEA. “Debbie brings a track record of unlocking growth that benefits everyone, alongside the passion and focus needed to help our customers succeed, as we bring the best of Google’s Gemini-era to everyone across EMEA.”Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
Rams can take huge step toward NFC West title by avenging 31-point loss to CardinalsTOKYO , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Corporation announces that it will return to CES 2025 with plans to make a presentation on Woven City during Media Days on January 6, 2025 starting at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time . The presentation will also be livestreamed, as outlined below. Presenting Toyota Executive: Akio Toyoda , Chairman of the Board of Directors (Representative Director) Livestream* details Date/Time : Monday, January 6, 2025 , 13:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) Tuesday, January 7, 2025 , 6:00 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) Video from the presentation will be available on-demand after the livestream. *Livestream link to be shared on this page closer to the date of the event – stay tuned! About Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move. SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/ About Woven by Toyota Woven by Toyota is the mobility technology subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Our mission is to deliver safe, intelligent, human-centered mobility for all. Through our Arene mobility software platform, safety-first automated driving technology and Toyota Woven City — our test course for advanced mobility — we're bringing greater freedom, safety and happiness to people and society. You can learn more about our work at woven.toyota . MEDIA CONTACT Olivia Boisineau-Beckett [email protected] 734-834-0885 SOURCE Toyota Motor Corporation
Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. Related Articles National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting National News | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says National News | Why Finland is vaccinating farmers against bird flu — but California isn't The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy is reprising his role as Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby for the film, which is set following the events of the original BBC drama which ran for six series from 2013 to 2022. Following the film wrapping production, Knight has revealed that it will be around a year before the project is released. Speaking to Times Radio about a future release date, Knight said: “It’s a bit too soon for that, but you know, you can sort of work out that it will be about a year.” Asked if there are any more plans for Peaky Blinders beyond the film, he replied: “It’s interesting you should ask that question because the film is coming out and that won’t be the end.” The screenwriter was questioned if that meant fans could expect more series in the future, but he refused to provide more details. The film is believed to be titled The Immortal Man and has been teased to involve new conflicts for the Shelby family set during the Second World War. THAT'S A WRAP. The Peaky Blinders film has completed production. 📸: Robert Viglasky — Netflix (@netflix) Saltburn and The Banshees Of Inisherin star Barry Keoghan will join fellow Irish actor Murphy in the new film. Earlier this month a photo was shared by Netflix of the pair looking jubilant while wearing flat caps and suits as the streamer confirmed filming had wrapped on the project. Other returning cast members include British actors Stephen Graham as union organiser Hayden Stagg and Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, while Dune actress Rebecca Ferguson and Pulp Fiction actor Tim Roth have also joined the project. Tom Harper, who previously directed episodes in the first season in 2013, will return to helm the film. Knight previously told Netflix’s Tudum site: “It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war.” When the series came to an end in 2022 after nine years, Tommy appeared to put his criminal past behind him. Across the six series, the show tackled the rise of fascism, Irish republican politics and communist activities throughout the period after the First World War – along with Tommy’s ambitions in politics. Knight later created a stage adaptation of the show for a limited-run production, titled The Redemption Of Thomas Shelby, which featured performances from Rambert’s dancers and a soundtrack from a live on-stage band.
1 2 Nagpur: Nine years of separation and despair came to an emotional end on Christmas as Kaushalya, a 75-year-old missing since 2015, was reunited with her family in Jeruka village, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday. Overwhelmed with joy, her son Ramgopal rushed forward, lifted his mother in arms and carried her home amidst outpouring emotions and cheers from villagers. "I never thought I'd see her again. We believed she was gone forever. This is nothing short of a miracle. I am beyond happy that we've finally found her. When she came home that day, it felt like a dream. She's healthy and doing well, and that's all we could have hoped for," said Ramgopal with tears in his eyes. Kaushalya's ordeal began in 2015, when she left home in search of her son, who had walked away after a family dispute. While the son returned shortly after, Kaushalya did not, leaving the family to grieve her presumed death. She was rescued from the streets of Nagpur in 2016 and admitted to a charity home here. Her mental health condition, combined with partial blindness, age-related deafness, and diabetes, left her vulnerable and unable to communicate her whereabouts. Transferred to Shraddhawan in November this year for specialised care and rehabilitation, Kaushalya's story began to emerge during repeated counselling sessions. With support from the Psychiatric Society, Nagpur, and Baba Amte's Maharogi Sewa Samiti, Shraddhawan worked to stabilise her health and uncover her identity. "Kaushalya had fragmented memories of her family and village. It took almost a month of patient counselling and medical care to piece together her story," said Dr Swarali Kondwilkar, the psychiatrist in charge at Shraddhawan. While talking to TOI, Kondwilkar said, "For the past eight years, she was in a shelter home, but they couldn't identify the cause of her condition without professional assistance. Although she did not suffer from any mental illness, her cognitive impairment due to old age put her at risk of developing dementia if her diabetes, blood pressure, and other age-related issues weren't properly managed." Declared fit for discharge on December 24, Kaushalya embarked on a 600km journey to her home the next day, accompanied by senior nurse Chetana Naitamkar and social worker Pinky Jena. Upon reaching Jeruka, the villagers immediately recognised Kaushalya and called her family. Her son arrived in minutes, lifting her out of the vehicle and carrying her home as the entire family wept with joy. Shraddhawan, inaugurated in April 2024, shelters and rehabilitates mentally ill destitutes, providing medical and psychiatric care until they can be reunited with their families. With regular visits from psychiatrists and a dedicated team of caregivers, the centre has reunited over 100 individuals in just eight months. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .
Is your smartphone eavesdropping on your conversations, here's a simple test that can reveal allWASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Nicola Fox , associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, will travel to Mexico City on Sunday, Nov. 24 , for a multi-day trip to build on previous engagements and advance scientific and technological collaboration between the United States and Mexico . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
The 25-year-old Sweden international took his goal tally for the season to 12 in the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park, 10 of them in his last 10 Premier League games, after a challenging start to the new campaign. Isak managed 25 goals in a black and white shirt last season to further justify the club record £63million the club paid to bring him to Tyneside from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022, but as delighted as he is with his big-money signing, head coach Howe is confident there is even more to come. Murph 🔗 Alex Isak Different game. Same link up. 💪 pic.twitter.com/OMhZf7dtKZ — Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 27, 2024 Asked where the former AIK Solna frontman currently ranks in world football, he said: “My biggest thing with Alex is I am evaluating his game on a daily and weekly basis and I just want to try to push him for more. “Everyone else can say where he is in the pecking order of world football. His game is in a good place at the moment. “My job is to not sit back and appreciate that, my job is to try and find areas he can improve, push him towards that and never stop pushing him. He has all the ingredients in there. Football never stops evolving and changing and he has to evolve with it. “There is a lot more to come from him. Our job is to help him deliver that. “Of course the main responsibility is for Alex to keep his focus, ignore the plaudits and keep helping the team, not be selfish. It is about Newcastle and he plays his part.” It is no coincidence that Newcastle have prospered as Isak has rediscovered his best form, and they will head for Manchester United – where they have won only once in the top flight since 1972 – on Monday evening looking for a fifth successive win in all competitions. He has scored in each of the last five league games having grown into the mantle of the Magpies’ main man, a role performed with such distinction in the past by the likes of Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer, and he has done so with the minimum of fuss. Asked about his character, Howe said: “He is calm, cool – he is what you see on the pitch. “He doesn’t get overly emotional, which for a striker is a great quality because that coolness you see and calmness in front of goal is part of his personality, part of what he is. He seems to have an extra half a second when other players don’t. “With Alex, the beauty of his attitude is that he wants to improve. We give him information and he is responsive. He is not a closed shop. “He is in no way thinking he has arrived at a certain place. He knows he has to keep adding to his game. The challenge is great for him to keep scoring freely as he is now.”
Lisa McHugh reschedules Belfast concert as daughter remains sick in hospitalThe Maharashtra government plans to develop a new city, the initiative will involve extensive land surveys using drones and Lidar technology and is projected to significantly boost the Mumbai Metropolitan Region's GDP. Mumbai : The financial capital may soon witness the birth of a new city adjacent to Navi Mumbai as the government of Maharashtra is planning to start surveys for ‘Third Mumbai project’ also known as the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town. The survery is expected to start from early 2025. The government is targeting to build the city as a major hub for India’s data centre and is expected to host 65 per cent of the future data storage needs. As reported by the Indian Express, the government has invited the private companies to conduct extensive ground research and aerial surveys in area measuring 323 sq km, source from the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra said. The corporation is overseeing the project. Around 50 per cent of this land includes hilly, agricultural land and forests. Initially drone technology will be used to asses the area which will be followed by advanced survey using Lidar Systems. Extensive survey process: Drones, Lidar, and GIS mapping The government will task the responsibility of preparing a vision report, master plan, and development strategy for the new city proposed, as per the report. Consultant agency hired by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will oversee the aerial survey, examine land data on the ground, and gather ownership details. The data collection and planning will include extensive information in Geographic Information System (GIS)-based maps. Timeline and economic impact: Boosting MMR GDP to $300 billion The whole surveying and research is estimated to take around six to eight months for completion. The master plan formed on the basis of survey and research is scheduled to be finished by August 2026, as per the report. The new city is expected to imporve regional connectivity and effectively reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The initiative is closely in line with India’s economic development envisioned by NITI Aayog. The state government’s target is to increase the GDP of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to USD 300 billion by 2029. In September 2024, a memorandum was signed to promote regional economic growth by the World Economic Forum and MMRDA. Click for more latest Mumbai news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Nitin Sen is working as a trainee at News9 Live where he covers news update from key metropolitan cities in the country. He recently completed his post graduation diploma in journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi. Nitin is working on exploring and expanding his academic knowledge for his vision of contributing in journalism of quality and not quantity.