USCG Issues Updated BWMS Approval to Sunrui
zoom The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Center has issued an updated type approval certificate to China-based Sunrui Environmental Engineering for the company’s BalClor ballast water management system (BWMS).As informed, the updated certificate was issued to clarify the hazardous location installation requirements on board foreign flag vessels.A BWMS installed in a hazardous location on a US flag vessel should comply with the relevant hazardous location requirements of 46 CFR 111.105. Installations on foreign flag vessels need to meet the requirements for hazardous locations as set forth by the vessel’s flag administration, according to the USCG.Approved earlier this month, the Sunrui BalClor system incorporates a three-step process consisting of filtering and electrolysis during uptake and neutralization at discharge. The approval covers fourteen models with maximum treatment rated capacities between 170m3/h and 8,500m3/h.Apart from Sunrui, the USCG has granted type approval certificates to three firms, Optimarin, Alfa Laval and OceanSaver.
zoom The dispute between cash buyer GMS and NGO Shipbreaking Platform seems to have reached a tipping point as both sides resort to legal counseling following the NGO’s claims that the company enabled beaching of ships on several occasions.The latest example saw GMS being linked to Seatrade’s four reefers being sold for demolition to yards in countries with poor working conditions and substandard environmental practices.The company vehemently opposed the accusation which was later withdrawn as incorrect with NGO Shipbreaking stating that GMS was not the end-buyer of Seatrade’s vessels.However, the Platform claims that GMS was confirmed as cash buyer in several other cases involving illegal hazardous waste exports that are being/have been investigated by authorities and the police in several countries.In the latest turn of events, GMS sent a letter to the Platform saying it would sue the NGO unless the Platform removes all mention of GMS from their website, the Platform said.“We have no intention to remove truthful information from our website and will not apologize for reporting on the business of trafficking ships for dirty and dangerous breaking. It is our organization’s mission to provide authorities, journalists, and industry stakeholders with information on the deplorable realities of current shipbreaking practices which encourage the circumvention of existing labor and environmental protection laws,” Ingvild Jenssen, Founder and Director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, said.Furthermore, the Platform dubbed the move “harassment by GMS” which came on the back of an earlier threat to sue the Platform made by PHP, a Bangladeshi shipbreaking yard.In a letter released by the NGO addressing GMS-DMCC Dubai’s legal representative, GMS requested removal of all defamatory articles and their recirculation, among other things.
zoomImage Courtesy: Maersk Danish shipping giant Maersk has unveiled its plans to install exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on a part of its containership fleet. In an email sent to Reuters, Niels Henrik Lindegaard, Head of Maersk Oil Trading, a division of Maersk, said that the shipping major decided to invest in the scrubber technology on a limited number of vessels in its fleet of around 750 container vessels.Lindegaard added that the investment in scrubbers is a just a part of the company’s effort to meet the International Maritime Organization’s upcoming sulfur regulations, scheduled to take effect in January 2020. He informed that the company will continue to explore how to best comply with the sulphur cap,Maersk’s decision comes on the back of a series of scrubber retrofit contracts signed for existing vessels. Apart from scrubbers, the available options for meeting the new regulations are low sulphur heavy fuel oil (LSFO), marine gas oil (MGO) or other alternative fuels, such as LNG, hydrogen and methanol.During Singapore Maritime Week 2018 in April, Soren Skou, CEO of Maersk, said that low sulphur fuel is the best way for the shipping industry to meet IMO’s sulphur cap.“It makes sense for refineries to remove sulfur from fuel and sell it to us instead of us setting up refineries aboard ships,” Skou was earlier cited by Platts.Just last month, Maersk teamed up with Royal Vopak, an independent tank storage operator, on a project aimed at launching 0.5 percent sulphur fuel bunkering facility in Rotterdam.“We trust that this initiative will put to rest some of the concerns the industry has on fuel availability as well as secure our continued competitiveness in the market,” Lindegaard earlier said.World Maritime News Staff
The province is seeking public input to revise its provincial energy policy and create a greenhouse-gas action plan. A public workshop is scheduled for 4 p.m to 7 p.m., Thursday,Nov. 22, in Room 2101 at the Nova Scotia Community College, Kentville. Dalhousie University oceanography professor Bob Fournier will chair the meeting. “The province has set a deadline of 2020 for cutting greenhouse gas emissions 10 per cent below 1990,” said Jamie Muir, acting Energy Minister. “We’re committed to achieving that goal while maintaining a strong and growing economy.” Mr. Fournier, who recently chaired an environmental assessment of the proposed White’s Point Quarry near Digby, said meeting those goals presents challenges for policy planners. “Our electricity, which is mostly coal-fired, generates about 42 per cent of our greenhouse gases,” said Mr. Fournier. “How do we reduce our use of coal without driving up electricity prices? How do we balance our need for wind power with our ability to provide adequate back-up power? What new technologies or initiatives should we be promoting to meet our green energy needs? “These are challenging questions and we want public input before we generate a policy that is to guide the province for years.” The province has created two documents, Consultation Paper: Nova Scotia’s Renewed Energy Strategy and A Background Paper to Guide Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan, to help inform public discussion. The first deals with broad energy policy and the second with climate change — especially action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The documents can be found online at www.gov.ns.ca/energy/energystrategy . The province will also accept written submissions on energy strategy and greenhouse gas reductions until Dec. 19. The Kentville workshop is one of 12 similar sessions being held around the province. Information gathered from the public-consultation sessions will be used to create the Energy Strategy and the Climate Action Plan, scheduled for release in the spring. Under the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, Nova Scotia has established a target to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.
An author of children’s books, a world-class orthopaedic surgeon, and a champion for women’s politics and human rights are among those who have received the province’s highest honour for achievement. Author Joyce Barkhouse, surgeon William Stanish and humanitarian Flora MacDonald are a few of the outstanding Nova Scotians who have been inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia. And it’s time for more deserving Nova Scotians to join the list. People are reminded to nominate or renominate someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their community for the 2008 Order of Nova Scotia. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 21. “Forty people have been invested into the Order of Nova Scotia since it began in 2002,” said Bill Dooks, Minister responsible for the administration of the Order of Nova Scotia Act. “I encourage all Nova Scotians to nominate someone they feel has made a significant contribution to their community.” Recipients are selected each year by the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. In 2007, the Order of Nova Scotia was amended to include a recipient under the age of 26, making a maximum of six people eligible to be inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia each year. “The amendment allows us to recognize the outstanding achievements being made by youth in our communities,” said Sister Dorothy Moore, chair of the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. “We encourage people to consider young people for nomination and anyone who has made a positive impact on our communities. We also want to remind people to renominate those who have been considered in the past.” Nova Scotians can be nominated for several reasons. They may work to protect human rights or preserve the cultural identity of their communities. They may be teachers, community leaders or inventors. Others might include peacekeepers, communicators or those who work to preserve the environment. People who wish to renominate someone can fill out a new nomination form and submit a photocopy of the nomination package from the last nomination. Nomination forms can be picked up at all Access Nova Scotia centres. They are also available at Province House, offices of all members of the legislative assembly, Nova Scotia members of parliament and senators, and municipal offices. For more information contact the Protocol Office at 902-424-4463, e-mail orderofns@gov.ns.ca or see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/prot/order.htm .
Government House added a little piece of the present as it readies for the future. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks and staff today, Oct. 22, placed a time capsule into walls as Government House prepares to re-open after almost three years of renovations. “I think this is a terrific way to mark the end of this significant project,” said Mr. Estabrooks. “These renovations will preserve this historic building for future generations.” Project manager Ron Jeppesen and his team have selected several items that represent what life is like in Halifax in 2009. “We tried to pick a variety of everyday items including a Tim Hortons cup, a newspaper, postage stamps, coins, a photo of the lieutenant governor and a copy of the project plan,” said Mr. Jeppesen. “Minister Estabrooks also contributed a small painting representing the provincial legislature.” The time capsule was placed in the old kitchen of the house, which will now be an artifact room. Government House is Canada’s oldest occupied government residence and a National Historic Site. The residence belongs to the people of Nova Scotia and is maintained by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Government House is an intrinsic part of Nova Scotia history and is near the end of an estimated $6-million renovation. Its last major renovation was in the 1950s.
VICTORIA COUNTY: Englishtown Ferry Repairs have been completed and the Englishtown ferry is now back in service. Local Area Office: 902-860-2430 -30-
Nova Scotians wanting to learn camping basics and experience the excitement of exploring a provincial park are invited to apply for the Learn 2 Camp program. The program teaches camping essentials like how to build a fire, cook a meal, set up a tent, and choose and use equipment. They can also enjoy activities like geocaching or guided nature hikes. The weekend program takes place at Dollar Lake Provincial Park, July 21 and 22 and includes a night of camping. Learn 2 Camp is delivered in partnership with Scouts Canada. “Youth in Scouting have fun discovering new things and sharing new experiences. Scouters have the training to help youth and adults enjoy the wonders of camping in our beautiful Nova Scotia provincial parks,” said Ian MacDonald, club leader of the Wolfville Scouts Club. “Scouters love to teach and pass on their experiences to others so it is a natural partnership: Scouters want to share the joys of camping and Nova Scotians want to learn to camp.” The program is open to everyone. “This is our second year partnering with the province on Learn 2 Camp. Our participants have never been camping in a provincial park before, so to have the opportunity to learn how to camp without having to purchase the equipment is fantastic,” said Lani Poce, community connections coordinator at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. “It’s one of our most popular events. The families love to get out of the city and spend time connecting with nature and with other Canadian families.” Applications are being accepted until July 13. Registration information is found online at http://parks.novascotia.ca/learn2camp .
The 260th anniversary of the House of Assembly, making it the oldest elected assembly in Canada and one of the oldest in the Commonwealth was marked today, Oct. 2, by speaker Kevin Murphy. “The House of Assembly met for the first time in the courthouse at the corner of Argyle and Buckingham streets in Halifax,” said Mr. Murphy. “After a succession of temporary accommodations, construction began on a permanent building in 1811 and the legislature met for the first time on February 11, 1819, in the building we are in now, Province House.” On Feb. 11, 2019 the province will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House. “Great effort has been made in recent years to protect and maintain Province House as the symbolic home of all Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Murphy. “The anniversary will emphasize its role in the constitutional evolution of Canada, its rich history and unique architecture, and its continuity as the seat of government and an important cultural asset to the province.” Province House is one of the most historic buildings in Canada. During the 175th anniversary in 1994 Province House was commemorated as a National Historic Site when Queen Elizabeth II visited, and was cited for both its architectural and historical significance. To celebrate the 200th anniversary a new logo has been designed that represents its architecture and unique details. To learn more about the logo, visit https://nslegislature.ca/content/province-house-200 . The anniversary will also be marked with a number of public events and activities. Information will be posted online as it becomes available at, 
Singapore: Flight operations at the international Changi Airport here were affected due to unauthorised drone activities, days after one of its runways was shut down due to unmanned aircraft sightings, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said. The CAAS told Channel News Asia (CNA) that approximately 15 departures and three arrivals were delayed, while seven flights were diverted on Monday. Last week, 38 flights were affected when drones were sighted in the vicinity of the airport, forcing one of its runways to shut down. Also Read – Merkel warns UK Brexit deal ‘unlikely’ without compromise: London “As a precautionary measure, arrival and departure flights were carefully regulated for short periods of time between 8.07pm and 9.07pm,” the CAAS said. One of those affected was Singapore Airlines which diverted its flight scheduled from Jakarta to Singapore on Monday night. The flight “experienced an extended holding period at Singapore Changi Airport and was subsequently diverted to Batam,” an SIA spokesperson was quoted as saying. The CAAS said that investigations into the matter were going on and the authority will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those responsible for such acts that pose a threat to aviation and endanger security and safety of others. Offenders could face a fine of up to USD 14,788 or a jail term of up to 12 months, the CNA report said. Singapore prohibits flying of drones within 5km of the airport without a permit.
New Delhi: The Station House Officers (SHOs) were given directions to constitute with the government agency in identifying locations in the city for installation of CCTV cameras as planned by the Delhi government.Sources told Millennium Post that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Commissioner of Police rank officer on June 6 around 4 pm in his office at police headquarters in connection with issues raised by the a government agency related to installations of 1.40 lakh cameras. Also Read – Kejriwal ‘denied political clearance’ to attend climate meet in DenmarkThe meeting was attended by six Joint Commissioner of Police, one DCP and senior officials from the government agency. Sources further added that one of the discussions were regarding the installation of the cameras. “As requested by the agency direction is being given to Local SHOs (police station) to associate with the PWD authorities, contractor and other representatives of the committee, constituted by the government authority, in identifying the locations in the area of RWA/MWS for installation of CCTV cameras as planned by government,” sources said quoting meeting Also Read – Bangla Sahib Gurudwara bans use of all types of plastic itemsagendas. Sources further added that it was also discussed that cameras already installed by Delhi Police through a firm and other projects, which are in pipeline, should be taken under consideration to avoid duplicacy. “Special regard may be given for maintaining the privacy of individuals and CCTV shall be installed in public areas without encroaching on any private rights of individual,” sources said quoting the one of the discussions point. Officials also discussed that feed of the cameras may not be given to any private person so as to maintain dignity and privacy issue. “Feed may be provided to Delhi Police as per demand and requirement of local police was another point during discussion,” sources further disclosed. The city-wide closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) surveillance has helped the police to solve 102 criminal cases in three months of 2019. Police said that the “third eye” is an excellent aid to police investigations and efforts are on to add more CCTV cameras with recording facilities all over the city. Currently, Delhi is being guarded by more than two lakh private cameras. Last year, a theft case of Rs 8 lakh in West Delhi’s showroom was solved with the help of the Nigehban camera. In another case, a gang of six burglars were nabbed with the help of CCTV footage in north D elhi.
Mumbai: The microfinance industry’s total loan portfolio grew 40 percent to Rs 1,78,587 crore in FY19, with top 10 states accounting for 83 percent of the gross loan portfolio, says a report. In FY18, total loan portfolio of the industry had stood at Rs 1,27,223 crore. “Market share of top 10 states in portfolio outstanding at Rs 1,48,440 crore is 83 percent as of March 2019,” according to a joint report by Equifax and Sidbi. Bengal and Tamil Nadu contributed 34.7 percent of the top 10 states. Followed by Bihar, and Karnataka are having portfolio of over 15,000 crore, indicating a highly concentrated market. Also Read – Maruti cuts production for 8th straight month in SepBihar saw the highest growth at 54 percent in FY19. Sidbi chairman Mohammad Mustafa said, “growth in the overall microfinance portfolio is encouraging.” In FY19, fresh loan disbursal stood at Rs 213,074 crore, an increase of 36 percent over FY18, while disbursal in terms of volume grew 20 percent. NBFC-MFIs hold the largest share of portfolio in micro-credit with total loan outstanding of Rs 68,156 crore, accounting for 38 percent of the total industry portfolio. Also Read – Ensure strict implementation on ban of import of e-cigarettes: revenue to CustomsDelinquency level improved across all the days past due buckets. Portfolio at risk, which indicates the early delinquency rates, has come down from 4.74 percent in FY18 to 1.40 percent in FY19. Risk level in the 60-89 days past due bracket has come down from 2.41 percent in FY18 to 0.24 percent in FY19, the report said. The industry is present in 619 districts and the top 30 districts comprised 25 percent of portfolio outstanding whereas 213 districts contributed 80 percent of the portfolio.
Los Angeles: Filmmaker Tim Miller has revealed that his upcoming directorial “Terminator: Dark Fate” will be an R-rated film. The much-awaited film is a direct sequel to James Cameron’s 1991 “Terminator: Judgement Day” and will retcon the events of last three films of the franchise. Appearing at a panel on San Diego Comic Con, Miller said the R-rating is in the DNA of the franchise, reported Variety. “It’s because it wasn’t always that way, and the fans kind of demanded it. The DNA of ‘Terminator’ is an R-rated f***ing movie,” Miller said. The new film reunites Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who originally starred in the first two films. Edward Furlong, who played John Connor in “Judgement Day”, will also feature in the new movie. In “Dark Fate”, the three actors are joined by newcomers Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna and Diego Boneta. It is set to be released on November 1.
San Francisco: Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes is not just stopping at voicing his opinion favouring the break up of the social network. New reports suggests that he is in talks with influential US government officials who are evaluating the market power of the company. Hughes has argued in favour of breaking up Facebook from Instagram and WhatsApp — companies which the social network acquired, CNET reported on Thursday, citing The Washington Post and The New York Times. Also Read – Swiggy now in 500 Indian cities, targets 100 more this year In an opinion piece in the NYT in May, Hughes said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has yielded “unchecked power” and influence “far beyond that of anyone else in the private sector or in government”. Zuckerberg, however, rejected these calls, saying the size of the social media giant was actually a benefit to its users and the security of the democratic process. Hughes’s lobbying efforts come at a time when the US Department of Justice’s anti-trust division is reviewing whether and how market-leading online platforms have achieved market power and are engaging in practices that have reduced competition, stifled innovation or, otherwise, harmed consumers. Also Read – New HP Pavilion x360 notebook with in-built Alexa in India The review will consider the widespread concerns that consumers, businesses, and entrepreneurs have expressed about search, social media, and some retail services online, the US Department of Justice said this week. Facebook has agreed to pay a historic penalty of $5 billion to settle the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that the company deceived users about their ability to control the privacy of their personal information.
Sydney: Australia’s cricket union Sunday slammed fans at Lord’s for booing Steve Smith after he was felled by a bouncer from fast bowler Jofra Archer, saying the sport deserves better. The star batsman collapsed face forward after a sickening blow to the side of the neck and head when on 80 during Australia’s first innings of the second Ashes Test against England on Saturday. He was eventually able to walk off the field for concussion checks to a standing ovation after another gritty performance. Also Read – Puducherry on top after 8-wkt win over ChandigarhBut when he returned some fans booed him, mirroring the treatment he has received from sections of the crowd in England keen to remind him of his 12-month ban for ball-tampering. The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), which represents players, said it was wrong to hurl abuse at an injured player. “Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord’s, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also,” president Greg Dyer and chief executive Alistair Nicholson said in a joint statement. Also Read – Vijender’s next fight on Nov 22, opponent to be announced later”What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified. “Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest. But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it’s time to call ‘enough’.” Several former Australian greats also condemned the behaviour with Ian Healy calling it “disgusting” while Mark Taylor said it was “very disappointing”. While angry at Smith’s treatment by some fans, the ACA applauded the decision by medics to insist the 30-year-old leave the field for concussion checks, a protocol pushed by Australia following the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014. Hughes, a former team-mate of Smith’s, died after being hit by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match in Sydney. “The events at Lord’s show the importance of the concussion protocols which have been developed in Australia over the last few years,” it said. “Administrators in Australia working with the ACA and now the ICC have done a good job in putting the protocols in place. Plainly, they are necessary to protect the players who are struck. “Let’s remind ourselves — this is a workplace for these players,” it added. “The reality is that cricket can be a dangerous sport, especially when the bowling is as ferocious as it has been in this series. “To see the protocols practised at Lord’s overnight was important and correct.” While Smith was wearing a helmet it did not have the additional neck protection that was introduced after Hughes died, which remains optional. Australia coach Justin Langer said after Saturday’s scare that he can see a time when it becomes mandatory.
London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson raised the stakes Monday in a pivotal week of the Brexit saga by threatening to purge ruling party lawmakers who try to block a no-deal divorce with the EU. The warning came as heavyweights from the governing Conservatives such as former finance minister Philip Hammond plotted a way to keep the premier from taking Britain out of the European Union without an agreement on October 31. Johnson insists that he must keep the chaotic option open to get Brussels to relent at the last moment and agree a better economic deal for Britain. Also Read – Saudi Crown Prince ‘snubbed’ Pak PM, recalled jet from USHe poured more oil on the political fire by deciding last week to suspend parliament — a legal but highly contentious manoeuvre — for over a month. This means pro-European lawmakers will have just days to try to tie Johnson’s hands and avoid a painful split from Brussels when they return from their summer break on Tuesday. Johnson has upturned political traditions and inflamed passions on both sides of the Brexit chasm since taking over from Theresa May in July. Also Read – Record number of 35 candidates in fray for SL Presidential pollsHis strategy of counter-punching his domestic opponents and playing a game of chicken with Brussels has helped his flagging party to shoot back up to the top of opinion polls. But he enjoys a majority of just one in parliament — a margin that has prompted many to assume that he wants Brexit to happen by any means possible and then to hold a general election. Trying to stop him will be tricky for MPs like Hammond and former justice minister David Gauke. Their first step on Tuesday will see them try to seize power from the government over what legislation is put up for a vote. Almost two dozen moderate Conservatives have backed similar attempts in the past. About 15 of them were reportedly hoping to meet Johnson on Monday in a bid to avoid the standoff and save the party from potentially splintering in two. The Financial Times said Johnson “abruptly” cancelled the meeting after talks with top members of his team at his Chequers residence on Sunday. “The hard right has taken over the Conservative party,” former Conservative minister Nick Boles told the BBC. “The Conservative party has fallen prey to an almost religious obsession with the hardest form of Brexit.” Johnson has staked his leadership on a promise to get Brexit — already delayed twice due to parliamentary resistence — done at any cost next month. His government unfurled a formal “get ready for Brexit” campaign Monday that included a website advising EU and UK nationals on how to deal with potential problems such as their phones not working abroad. Both Brussels and London now view a no-deal end to the four-decade partnership as the most likely outcome. EU negotiator Michel Barnier wrote in The Sunday Telegraph that the current agreement’s most contentious element — a so-called backstop to keep the Northern Irish border open in all post-Brexit circumstances — was “the maximum amount of flexibility that the EU can offer”. Johnson’s insistence that there were other solutions — including one involving high-tech border technology — was punctured further by the leak of a UK government report showing that none of them worked. “It is evident that every facilitation has concerns and issues related to them,” The Guardian quoted the August 28 dossier as saying. The report added that its findings should be kept private “given (its) potential negative impacts on the renegotiation with the EU”. Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Johnson on Monday of “hijacking” the results of the original 2016 Brexit vote. “We are working with other parties to do everything necessary to pull our country back from the brink,” Corbyn said.
Mumbai: There is no use of raising the EVM-related concerns before the Election Commission as it is not going to listen, NCP leader Nawab Malik said on Wednesday after meeting the poll panel officials over various issues ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The NCP and some other opposition parties in the past raised questions over the veracity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). “We talked about it (EVMs) verbally. But they are not going to listen to us, then why raise the issue?” Malik, who is the NCP’s chief spokesperson, said after meeting the EC officials here, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra polls. Also Read – Uddhav bats for ‘Sena CM’ Malik said his party has also sought that polling be held before Diwali, considering people travel to their native places during the festival time, affecting the voter turnout. “There is 50 per cent urbanization in Maharashtra. People leave for their native places during Diwali. So, polling should be held before Diwali,” he said. He also demanded that the expenditure limit set for a candidate be increased. At present, the expenditure limit is Rs 25 lakh. Also Read – Farooq demands unconditional release of all detainees in J&K “The Supreme Court had ordered that those facing cases should thrice advertise it in prominent newspapers and channels. Now, this alone causes expenses of Rs 5 to 8 lakh,” Malik said. “There are cases against workers when they protest. We said the EC should bear the expenses or in case it does not, the rates charged (for the advertisement) should be as per (those prescribed by) the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, and not commercial ones,” Malik said. The former Maharashtra minister said many a times it was observed previously that security personnel were not aware of all the rules pertaining to elections. Hence, training sessions should be held to ensure the knowledge percolates to their level, he suggested.
FREDERICTON – Two emaciated moose left stranded by floodwaters have been euthanized, in what animal welfare workers say is likely just the most visible symbol of a wider problem for New Brunswick wildlife pushed away from their food sources.Wildlife officials say they had no choice but to euthanize the moose — the sickly animals were too weak to move from the Trans-Canada Highway after they sought out higher ground until they became stranded on a closed highway bridge near Jemseg.One also had an injured leg.Animal welfare workers say it may just be the beginning of the story for animals pushed out of their natural dwellings by record floodwaters this month in New Brunswick.“It can certainly displace them and it may have an effect on the beginning of baby season, especially for the ground dwelling mammals and some of the birds,” said Pam Novak, wildlife care director for the Atlantic Wildlife Institute near Sackville, N.B.“I think the residual effects too would be the health of any wildlife, like waterfowl, that use the water surfaces because they are becoming contaminated.”Unprecedented water levels have begun a steady retreat in parts of flood-stricken New Brunswick, but provincial officials have issued repeated warnings that residents should treat the floodwaters with caution because of possible contamination.Raw sewage has fouled the Saint John River water that is likely also mixed with rotting animal carcasses, fuel and other debris. Health officials say the water could contain harmful bacteria, like salmonella or E. coli.Novak said that could create longer term issues for wildlife.“Waterfowl could show up with higher levels of botulism or E. coli,” she said. “My main concern would be seeing the residual effects from the toxicity levels in the water, so we will wait and see.”She said many animals may also have trouble accessing food that is under water. The decline of prey species, like small rodents killed when their dens became flooded, could limit the amount of food for predators, Novak said.“If there weren’t good rodent populations, then you might start seeing starvation more in the predator species, like birds of prey and other mammal species,” she said.“For some crows and ravens, their young have already hatched and there’s going to be effects there where they’re not able to forage and find food for their own young so we may see those kinds of starvation cases in the next couple of months.”She said pregnant deer and moose will soon be giving birth and a lack of adequate nutrition could affect their health, adding that “it will be interesting to see what the birth rates are going to be this year.”Dwayne Sabine, a biologist with Energy and Resource Development, said the moose shot on Tuesday were two of about eight that were spotted on an exit ramp near a bridge as they searched for dry ground.He said that because the water was so high in the low-lying Sheffield-Maugerville area, there was virtually nowhere for the animals to go for several kilometres. Other moose had also been seen seeking shelter near people’s homes in the area.Sabine said crews had shepherded others off roadways, but the two on the highway were too weak or unable to walk far enough.“Moose are only one of many, many species that have been affected by the rising waters,” he said. “No doubt there’s mortality involved … but those impacts are limited to just those local populations.”Domesticated animals have also been affected by the floodwaters.Tracy Marcotullio, manager of the Oromocto SPCA, said they have been busy rescuing and housing animals that were either left to fend for themselves when their owners couldn’t get home or evacuated but without a place to go.She went out in a boat in the White’s Cove area to retrieve a cat from a home that was completely surrounded by water after the owner couldn’t get home.“The cat was really happy to see us!” she said.The small shelter has taken in about five dogs and about 15 cats since flooding began almost two weeks ago.“I suspect there will be some unhappy endings once the water recedes,” she said. “There will definitely be wildlife that has not made it and domestic animals that couldn’t be found. I dread what will probably come afterwards.”– By Alison Auld in Halifax
MONTAGUE, P.E.I. – A high school has withdrawn from P.E.I. schools’ rugby league for the season following the death of a student athlete who sustained brain injuries on the field.Montague Regional High School has confirmed the death of Brodie McCarthy, 18, from a brain injury sustained during a rugby tournament in Summerside.“Brodie was one of the nicest kids you could ever meet,” Seana Evans-Renaud, the school’s principal, said in a phone interview Monday.She said McCarthy was injured during a routine play at the David Voye Memorial Rugby Tournament which resulted in bleeding from two different parts of his brain.He was taken to a Summerside hospital and then transported to Moncton, where doctors conducted surgery on his brain Friday night.On Saturday, doctors conducted a CAT scan which revealed no brain activity, Evans-Renaud said.Phil Bridges, school sport coordinator for the P.E.I. School Athletic Association, confirmed Monday that the Montague school’s boys and girls’ teams have withdrawn from their leagues for the season.He said that the association has cancelled or postponed rugby games that were scheduled for this week.“Out of respect for the family, for the Montague regional school, the community of Montague and the entire rugby community, the PEISAA has cancelled or postponed the games that were scheduled to be played this week,” Bridges said in a phone interview.Evans-Renaud said McCarthy’s parents donated his organs because, a month earlier, he expressed to them if anything were to happen to him, that’s what he would have wanted.“One of the teachers said, ‘You could never get mad at him.’ He was just always smiling, always being an all-around good guy, good friend and a good brother.”The teenager would have graduated in June.McCarthy was an avid athlete, Evans-Renaud said, and excelled in multiple sports. He helped lead the Kings County Kings Midget AAA hockey team to several victories during the 2017-2018 season.Rob Newson, the executive director of Hockey P.E.I., said he was saddened to hear about McCarthy’s death in a “freak accident.”The boy’s parents were very active in the hockey community; his father, David, was a coach for the midget AA team while mother Lisa was a trainer for the team as well, he said.“It’s going to impact the family and community for a long time to come. We share their pain within the hockey community as well,” Newson said. “When something like this happens, it impacts us all.”A GoFundMe page created to help cover the McCarthy family’s costs had already surpassed its $10,000 goal within 18 hours.According to Statistics Canada, rugby was the third most common sport in which 15- to 19-year-old males sustained concussions and other brain injuries between 2012 and 2014, behind ice hockey and football.In 2013, Rowan Stringer, a 17-year-old high school rugby player from Ottawa, suffered two concussions in one week before sustaining a third during a rugby game that led to her death two days later.In March, Ontario passed Rowan’s Law, concussion safety legislation designed to protect amateur athletes and educate coaches about the dangers of head injuries. It is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.— By Fadila Chater in Halifax
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A judge has declared a University of Michigan doctoral student from China dead more than six months after he disappeared before his plane crashed in Canada.The Detroit Free Press reports Washtenaw County Probate Judge Julia Owdziej signed an order Thursday establishing that 27-year-old Xin Rong died March 15, the day he rented an airplane in Ann Arbor. The plane was found crashed in a densely wooded area of Ontario.His wife, Surong Ruan, filed a court petition seeking the order.Authorities have said they found no signs of Rong at the crash site or footprints in the snow, and the plane was out of fuel. An Ontario Provincial Police spokesman has said authorities believe Rong jumped out at some point during the flight.Rong was studying artificial intelligence.___Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com