NEW DELHI: INS Tushil, the country’s latest stealth missile frigate that was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia on December 9, is expected to reach the country’s western coast in mid-February, officials aware of the development said on Sunday. It will be a part of the Mumbai-based Western Fleet, the officials said. It was commissioned in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh, who described the warship as a “proud testament” to India’s growing maritime might and a “significant milestone” in the long-standing friendship between the two countries. As part of strengthening the bilateral relations and naval cooperation between India and Morocco, INS Tushil arrived at Casablanca, Morocco, on December 27, on its way to India. The warship will also carry out anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Guinea off the west African coast before it arrives in India, the officials said. In October 2023, India and the European Union carried out their maiden naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea to boost maritime security cooperation including fighting piracy. INS Sumedha, an offshore patrol vessel, was then joined by Italian, Spanish and French warships for the drills. Tushil (or the protector shield) is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of Project 1135.6, and six such vessels are already in service --- three Talwar class ships, built at Baltic shipyard in St Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at the Yantar shipyard. Tushil has an indigenous content of around 26%, double that of the previous Teg-class frigates. This includes contributions from 33 firms including Bharat Electronics Limited, BrahMos Aerospace (an India-Russia joint venture), and Nova Integrated Systems (a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Advanced Systems Limited). Tushil is part of an over $2.5-billion deal with Russia for four more Krivak/Talwar class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy, two of which were to be constructed at the Yantar shipyard and the remaining two will be built at the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with technology transfer from Russia. The second Russia-made frigate. Tamal, is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in mid-2025. INS Tushil is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions --- air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic. It is armed with a range of advanced weapons, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles with enhanced range, upgraded medium-range anti-air and surface guns, optically controlled close-range rapid fire gun system, torpedoes, rockets, and advanced electronic warfare and communication suite.James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr., the 39th president of the United States, has died, the announced. He had since February 2023, and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, in November 2023. The former president was 100 years old. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” one of Carter’s sons, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, said in a statement. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Hailing from a peanut-farming family in rural Georgia and a distant cousin of , Jimmy Carter had a unique affinity for music that he carried all the way to the White House, emphasizing music as an important cultural presence and point of connection for all people. He was especially close with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and the Allman Brothers. Carter’s genuine passion for music provided him an avenue of association with his colleagues and constituents alike, which became an important soft-power tool in the wake of Richard Nixon’s ignominious administration. His affection was captured in the 2020 documentary . Carter began his political career in 1962, winning a seat in the Georgia State Senate. His love for music was formative from a young age, beginning with his upbringing around gospel songs in church. He gospel “rural music,” saying, “it has both Black and white derivations. It’s not a racial music... it’s a music of pain, of longing, of searching, of hope, and of faith.” Carter’s rise in politics coincided with the civil rights movement, and, as a white man in Georgia politics, he spoke with uncommon clarity and resolve against racial segregation. By the time Carter was at the forefront of the New South movement in the early 1970s, his home state was known as a hotbed of powerful musical output, including James Brown, Ray Charles, and Otis Redding. The Allman Brothers, who made a home of Macon, Georgia, were recognized as being one of the first racially integrated rock bands by 1970, and the group’s blend of rock with rhythm and blues appealed to Carter easily. His love for all types of music aligned with his fervently held belief that humans have a universal right to dignity and free expression. When Carter took office as the governor of Georgia in early 1971, he declared in his inaugural speech, “The time of racial discrimination is over.” During his term as Georgia’s governor, Carter found further wisdom and relief in the music of Bob Dylan, which he learned about through his sons. He invited Dylan and his bandmates to visit the governor’s mansion in Atlanta, where Carter said Dylan asked him about his religious beliefs. Dylan said the encounter was the first time he realized that his music had crossed over to the “establishment,” rattling him slightly. “[Carter] put my mind at ease by not talking down to me, and showing me that he had a sincere appreciation of the songs I had written,” Dylan attested in . “He’s a kindred spirit to me of a rare kind.” Phil Walden, Otis Redding’s former manager and president of the Macon-based Capricorn Records, aided in recruiting the Allman Brothers to put on fundraising shows for Carter’s 1976 presidential run. The Allman Brothers stumped for Carter as they toured the United States, helping him get a stronger foothold on the national political stage and giving his campaign a much needed financial boost. Jimmy Buffett, John Denver, Toots and the Maytals, the Marshall Tucker Band, and Charlie Daniels all supported Carter in his successful presidential bid. Both John Lennon and John Wayne attended Carter’s inaugural celebration in early 1977, speaking to Carter’s ability to connect across political lines. Aretha Franklin sang “God Bless America” at Carter’s request, and Paul Simon dedicated “American Tune” to the new president, , “Perhaps a time of righteousness and dignity may now be upon us.” Music remained an important part of Carter’s White House tenure, with his administration hosting concerts that celebrated American music, highlighting gospel, country, blues, and jazz. As Carter welcomed visitors like Dolly Parton, Charles Mingus, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, he remained close with the music-makers he’d befriended in his gubernatorial days. One visit from Willie Nelson has endured in cheeky infamy: The Texas singer-songwriter wrote in his 1988 autobiography that he’d smoked marijuana on the roof of the White House. In 1978, the White House hosted a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, bringing Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Max Roach, and more to the South Lawn. Carter asked Gillespie to play his song “ ,” and Gillespie obliged, on the condition that that the president sing the lyrics along with him. “I’ve got one question: Would you like to go on the road with us?” Gillespie asked Carter at the end of the performance. “I might have to after tonight,” Carter joked in response. Despite his folksy popularity, Carter’s term was disrupted with issues like oil shortages, stagflation, and the Irani hostage crisis. He lost re-election to Ronald Reagan in 1980. Although Carter served only one term as president, in the four decades after he left office, he maintained a commitment to public service and diplomacy, broadly emphasizing human rights and progressive values. Carter’s Habitat for Humanity nonprofit recruited Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Rowland, and more to help build new homes. He advocated for Palestinian independence with his 2007 book , which minted a new friendship with Peter Gabriel, who cited Carter as a major inspiration for his own interest in progressive activism.
Published 5:37 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024 By Jason O. Boyd GREENSBORO, N.C. — Northside High School football coach Keith Boyd has a lot of accomplishments on his resume. However, he’s never coached in an all-star game ... until last Sunday. Boyd was one of the assistant coaches for the East squad in the annual East-West All-Star Game. Football players from around the state were chosen to take part in the event, which used to be played in the summer but has been moved to the winter. It was played last Sunday in its new slot for the second straight year. “ This is my very first experience, and it was great,” Boyd said. “From what I understand, you get nominated by someone throughout the state or in Eastern North Carolina and it goes before other people and then you’re selected. I’m not familiar with the process anyway, but we all got put up and then got called to ask if we’d do it and then you had to accept the nomination.” Boyd said he was chosen for the task over a year ago when the event was still being played in the summer. He and his wife left Tuesday for Greensboro and, with Jacksonville coach Beau Williams — the East head coach — and the rest of the staff began getting the team ready for the game. There was little time for other things like Christmas shopping or seeing the sights of the area. “We practiced Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,” Boyd said. “A couple of those practices being two-a-days and then we played Sunday afternoon. “It was a pretty rigorous schedule. From the time you get up until you get in at 9, 9:30, 10 o’clock, you’re with the team practicing or doing certain events with the teams like bowling or going to the movies. So, you’re basically around them from sunup to sundown.” Each team had 36 players. Teams were limited to the offensive and defensive plays they could run. There was no blitzing and each team had to submit specific offensive formations. “So, you have to really keep it simple and, you know, you just let your players play,” Boyd said. “But within the game planning, you know, we had coaches meetings and stuff like that to figure out, kind of some of the things we wanted to do.” The game didn’t turn out in favor of the East, which dropped a 23-7 decision. Still, Boyd said it was a great overall experience. He even learned a few things he hopes to incorporate into his team for the next football season. “That was the great part about it was, you know, hanging with the coaches and the players, people you didn’t really know,” Boyd said. “You made some relationships that hopefully will carry on. We had an awesome coaching staff, and it was fun hanging out with them and players as well.” Football will remain in his schedule as the family was heading to Annapolis, Md., for the Military Bowl between ECU and N.C. State on Saturday. “ We’re a football family,” Boyd said. “We love it. Life’s short. You better take all the advantages and the opportunities you have to spend time with your family and your friends. That’s what we love doing. We love going and watching the Pirates play.”Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile
With north east Thatcham pencilled for an extra 2,500 homes in the coming years, conservationists are thinking ahead to the impact of an extra 7,000 people using nearby Bucklebury Common. A programme of tree clearing is already under way this winter, and as Local Democracy Reporter Niki Hinman found out, the land management scheme in parts of the common is about 100 years out of date. Bucklebury Common stretches for 900 acres and is one of the largest commons in southern England. Following the distant sounds of a chainsaw, I walk with the Bucklebury Estate steward Alasdair Jones Perrott who hopes the work to clear self-seeding birch saplings will allow a greater diversity of plant and animal life to thrive. “I don’t think much has been done here for about 100 years,” he explains. “We are removing a lot of the birch shrub which has seeded and taken hold because of a lack of grazing. “It is our intention to mechanically remove these saplings, but leaving the older oaks around the edge.” The common is home to the famous Avenue of Oaks at Chapel Row, ancient woodland at Holly Wood and one of the largest areas of heathland in Berkshire. In 2000 a new avenue of oaks was planted at Chapel Row to commemorate the Millennium. In 2011 a further row of oak trees were planted at Chapel Row Green to mark the marriage of Catherine Middleton – whose family live just up the road – and Prince William, now the Prince and Princess of Wales. The common is privately owned by the Bucklebury Estate and stretches from Cold Ash (Bucklebury Alley) in the west to Bradfield Southend in the east. While the common is privately owned, it is free and open to the public. Because it is registered common land, although it is owned by the Bucklebury Estate, everyone has the right to walk anywhere on the common under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Numerous tracks criss-cross the common created by people walking, often with their dogs. In addition, there are abundant public rights of way, giving additional access to those on bikes, horses and in vehicles. It is said that Bucklebury has the densest rights of way network of any parish in England. Sam Kerr is one of the rangers up on the heath, employed by the Bucklebury Estate. She is actually a marine biologist by training, but has opted for a winter of chain saw action in the woods, stripping out the birch shrubs. “I am creating a site of wood pasture, clearing the birch trees and creating more space and light to get more flora and fauna underneath,” she explains. “We have oak trees and big Scots pines we hope to work on too, along with a few birch and beech trees too. “We hope in spring with the extra light we will get more grass and flower species. “It is exciting to see what will pop up in a few months’ time. “It is an awful lot of sawing, but it’s good fun.” She is using the material she cuts down to create living hedges to edge the footpaths. This has a dual function, to encourage wildlife, but also to encourage walkers to keep to the paths and give the new swards a chance. Local ornithologists are helping the estate team by building up a picture or survey on what bird species are returning to the site. Nightjars and woodlarks are among them. There are hopes for more. An important feature of Bucklebury Common is its heathland. Alasdair tells me that before the Second World War, there was continuous heathland between Upper Bucklebury and Chapel Row. During the Second World War the common was requisitioned as a transport depot and as a result invasive vegetation took over during the post war period. The Bucklebury Heathland Group, in co-operation with the Pang Valley Conservation Group, has restored a significant area of heathland over the years. “Heathland in southern England is an extremely important habitat,” explains Alasdair. “Over the last 150 years about 80 per cent of this has been lost to agriculture or forestation.” Just a short walk from the main road, the woodlands open up on to a wide, wet, heather-covered heath. It is interspersed with different mosses and lichen, with bilberry near the woodland edge. It’s a boggy walk, with peaty coloured puddles and heather growing on gravel soil. “Heather grows well on minimal mineral soil,” explains Alasdair, as we sink to our ankles in prehistoric looking swamp. “That’s why it thrives, because it is on poor soil which is free draining because of the gravel. “As part of the scheme of work being carried out over this winter is to extend this magnificent rare landscape by almost doubling what we can see now. “We feel that because this has developed so well over the last 15 years there is no reason why we can’t achieve this. “And the reason that we are doing this is due to the Government’s 25-year environmental plan – and it supports the plans for the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.” In 2018 the 25-Year Environment Plan (25YEP) set out government goals for improving the environment, within a generation, and leaving it in a better state than it found it. Labour has committed to the scheme’s continuance. Its goals are simple – cleaner air and water; plants and animals which are thriving; and a cleaner, greener country for us all. “By using our land more sustainably and creating new habitats for wildlife, including by planting more trees, we can arrest the decline in native species and improve our biodiversity,” says the plan. “Connecting more people with the environment will promote greater well-being. “And by making the most of emerging technologies, we can build a cleaner, greener country and reap the economic rewards of the clean growth revolution.” Willie Hartley Russell is the Lord of the Manor, and the estate, including the common, has been in the family since 1540 and the dissolution of the monasteries. It was acquired by his family from Henry VIII. “It’s been a long road of restoration of the house and the estate over the last 30 years since I’ve lived here,” he says. “Key in that is future proofing Bucklebury Common. “We have the possibility of 2,500 extra houses in north east Thatcham and we have to start considering how those people might interact with the common. “So we are thinking of car parking, cycleways, pathways and so on. “Also how to protect those sensitive areas such as ancient woodland or heathland so we can live side by side but at the same time protecting the area while encouraging people to come and use the common in an appropriate way.” Among the plans, main car parks will be enhanced with new information signs to educate people in a ‘soft’ way. Some access to the common causes damage, such as inappropriate use of four wheel drive vehicles, both on and off the byways, or disturbance to rare ground-nesting birds by uncontrolled dogs. Working in partnership with West Berkshire Council, inappropriate access will be reduced as much as possible. The council has been working with Bucklebury Estate on ensuring that there is constructive response to 4x4 damage of the byways. Typically, this is by placing Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) over the winter months on selected byways, that are easily damaged by 4x4s, as a preventative measure. The council will also raise emergency TROs if actual damage is occurring and reported. The council raised an emergency TRO on the byways on the west end of the common at Ramsbury Corner after antisocial use of 4x4s on the common this summer. The council places bollards and barriers, with notices, at the entrances of the byways from the local roads. “Unfortunately, we have had some antisocial 4x4 drivers ram and push over bollards in the area, causing significant additional cost to the council for repairs,” explains Bucklebury councillor Chris Read, who is also a commons rights holder. “Residents should raise with the police if 4x4s are seen on the common itself or causing damage as this clearly breaks local bylaws. “The majority of 4x4 users use the local byways sensibly and adhere to the TROs and avoid damage to the byways, but unfortunately the common does get a few antisocial users of 4x4s who both the council and the police respond to vigorously.” Other plans include a cycle route between Upper Bucklebury and Chapel Row that will be created, providing a safe alternative to the dangerous road. A number of circular routes will be promoted, highlighting some short walks around the common. “It is a duty to look after the common, and one I relish. I love the common,” says Willie. “I work full time in the City Of London so I walk my dogs up there a lot in my free time. It is a big part of my life. “What upsets me is 4x4 abuse. Some are fine but others not. “Littering is an issue too. We have two litter picks a year with the parish council and we fill a skip up each time.” West Berkshire Council is responsible for way marking of public rights of way, maintaining the Commoners’ Rights register, collecting rubbish and assisting with vegetation clearance. It also maintains car parks and public access. In 2014, it transferred the recreational and access aspects of their management role to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), while retaining the management of rights of way, the Commoners’ Rights Register and the regulation of byelaws pertaining to the common. There are approximately 130 houses in Bucklebury that have Commoners’ Rights. The majority of commoners’ rights are in respect of ‘hedgebote’ or ‘firebote’ – the right of picking up fallen dead wood from the common for the mending of fences and for fires. Approximately 20 households have ‘grazing rights’ but these are generally not exercised as the common is no longer fenced or gated, although the estate wants to bring a small cattle herd back to the common. They won’t be traditionally fenced, but ‘geo-fenced’ with cattle wearing collars which will ‘train’ them to stay in certain areas. “We are engaging with our local community to get a collaborative engagement with all parties including the parish council, Natural England, The Forestry Commission, BBOWT, West Berkshire Council, Rights of Way,” explains Willie. “Over the last 100 years the management of the common has changed dramatically. “Back then it was important for fuel and food and that has changed into more of a recreational area so it needs more work and thought to manage.” The estate puts a lot of its own money into management of the common, but also taps into government schemes as well. The project on the common is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its arm’s-length bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. “I can only echo Willie’s and Alasdair’s words,” adds Chris. “Even though myself and residents of [Upper and Lower] Bucklebury, Midgham, Chapel Row, Woolhampton and Stanford Dingley are opposed to the likely outcomes of the new town of north east Thatcham, we are also behind Bucklebury Estate in enhancing the infrastructure and ecological resilience of the common for the likely increase in visitor numbers and usage. “The common has not been actively managed for a number of years until recently and what the estate is doing and has planned will raise awareness with the public this is a delicate environment and must be looked after, not only for our current use and enjoyment but for future generations as well. “I can only encourage people to take the opportunity to come along to the estate’s future public engagements to hear from the experts and understand future plans.”'Democracy and freedom': Jimmy Carter's human rights efforts in Latin America
In an ODI at the WACA in January 1997, in the dying days of Mark Taylor's ODI career when Australia failed to make the tri-series final that summer, a local larrikin hoisted a home-made sign in the outer during Australia's loss to the West Indies. It read: "LOST - The Plot. If found please return to the Australian dressing room. Ask for Tubby." That same Perth larrikin could have dusted off that same sign and hoisted it at Perth Stadium late on the third afternoon, with "Tubby" crossed out and "Pat" written instead. That might be harsh on the Australian team and their captain . But it certainly seemed that way, at least momentarily, on an afternoon when Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli plundered centuries as India charged to a declaration before Australia lost 3 for 12, including Cummins as a nightwatcher, in pursuit of an astronomical target of 534. Australia have been humiliated by India over three days, with further humiliation set on the fourth but it appears that they will be spared a fifth day. A team normally so calm, so calculated, so well planned and so clinical in their execution, have looked the exact opposite so far. It is so rare to see this team, led by Cummins and Andrew McDonald, look so out of control of a game. It is so rare to see an Australian side so completely outgunned at home. India have thoroughly outplayed them so far. That can happen when India has as much talent as they do. They deserve all the plaudits. Australia are allowed to have an off game. Five-match series allow time to recover. But there were a series of signs from Australia that can only be seen as red flags about their state of preparedness for this series. They hadn't played Test cricket for nearly eight months. They had all that time to prepare their players down to the minute. They carefully plotted each individual's preparation, playing them in specific games, resting them from others. Like Christof's direction in The Truman Show, it was perfectly stage managed down to the most minute of details. But as the lights went on and the cameras rolled it has all unraveled, at least for the moment. They bemoaned conditions changing on them on the second day, unable to adjust to the situation on the run despite claiming to bounce in and out of a number of plans. Jaiswal dominated the game, yet Travis Head, seen pre-series as a potential surprise match-up for the adventurous young tyro, bowled one over at him in the first 77 overs of the innings. Later in the day, the final overs of India's innings summed up Australia's muddled thinking. Marnus Labuschagne came onto bowl an over of bouncers at Kohli with three men in the deep on the legside. He bowled two chest-high long hops, one that Kohli thumped between two of those sweepers to the longest boundary on the ground, the other he pumped through a vacant mid-on. Labuschagne then decided to bowl legspin in his next over. Something he had not prepared for, having bowling almost exclusively medium pace in Sheffield Shield cricket in the lead-up and in the nets. Cummins had even said publicly he prefers Labuschagne bowling legspin. Sure enough, his first leg break from a short run was a no-ball. He had to remeasure his run-up. Four balls later, Nitish Kumar Reddy launched him into the stands. In Labuschagne's next over, Kohli brought up his century with another boundary. Labuschagne was called into the attack because Australia's allrounder Mitchell Marsh had run out of gas. The last three balls of his 12th over were each thumped to the fence by Reddy. One of them was a half-tracker at 119kph. Marsh has taken three wickets in the match including Jaiswal for 161 with what was a pretty gentle short and wide offering. His 17 overs across three days are the most overs he has bowled in a game in three years, having bowled just four since injuring his hamstring in the IPL in April. He played two Shield games before taking a month of paternity leave prior to this Test match, but did not bowl a ball in either of them. He was not the only one who didn't bowl in Shield cricket. Cummins didn't play Shield cricket. He rarely does. He likes to come into a big summer fresh as the best of Australia's bowlers Josh Hazlewood noted, and it has been successful for him in the past. "He looks his normal self to me," Hazlewood said. "I can usually pick up with the other two quicks when they're a little bit off and I didn't see any signs of that, maybe a little bit of rust in the first innings. You sort of take the freshness, I think, over that and throughout this game, he obviously, I think, got better, and you'll just see him get better as he goes along, I think. The freshness, I think, trumps playing that Shield game for him." Cummins bowled 40.4 overs in the match, which as Hazlewood noted, was the most of all three of Australia's quicks. But his accuracy and relentlessness was nowhere near what you expect from Cummins. No Australian quick was driven more often. Driving Cummins in Perth is usually a rarity. Kohli and Jaiswal did it twice in his 19th over in both sumptuous and dismissive fashion. For the record, Cummins has 10 wickets at 43.30 in his last four Test matches, which have mostly been played in helpful bowling conditions. Another rarity was Cummins walking out as the nightwatcher. He has never done it in his career. He has been Australia's lower-order safety valve and match-winner at No.8 in recent times. Australia were aware of how valuable lower order runs would be in this series with Cummins their most important batter amongst the bowlers. Yet when Australia's makeshift opener, Nathan McSweeney, was trapped plumb lbw by Jasprit Bumrah, it was Cummins and not the normal nightwatcher Nathan Lyon who strode to the crease with 20 minutes of batting to go. "We've just been talking the last few weeks about potentially having two options, and [Lyon] obviously put a fair shift bowling," Hazlewood said. "So Pat put his hand up to do it tonight. I think we'll see both guys used throughout the throughout the series." If it was planned, it is a startling plan and further evidence of Australia's uncharacteristic thinking. That a nightwatcher was needed at all so far out from stumps was also further evidence of the worries around Labuschagne. Australia's No.3 has not needed a nightwatcher for three years despite having an occasion to use one for him in Wellington earlier this year. He was asked to bat anyway, as Cummins lasted just eight balls. And Labuschagne proved why Cummins had batted. He tried to leave a ball from Bumrah that thundered into his pads. For the second time in the match he reviewed. For the second time in the match it was smashing the stumps. Labuschagne trudged off as stumps were called having posted his seventh single-digit score in his last eight Test innings.Real estate Q&A: What can we do about neighbor’s smelly and possibly dangerous pets?
Steelers say Pickens a no go for Eagles matchupMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.We have come across several videos of people breaking world records or setting new ones with their incredible talents and skills. Now, India’s Kranthi Kumar Panikera, popularly known as the ‘drill man,’ has achieved a new jaw-dropping feat. Kranthi Kumar Panikera hails from Suryapet, Telangana, and he is known for his daring acts and bold and unconventional stunts. He has now entered the Guiness World Record for stopping 57 electric fan blades using his tongue. He completed the act in just one minute. Watch the viral video of his daring act below. ‘Pushup Man of India’ Rohitash Chaudhary Breaks Pakistan’s Guinness World Record With 704 Push-Ups. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Trump's second term poised to give Republicans historic expansion of powerSite Is in One of The Country's Fastest Growing Areas with One of The Strongest Economy And Provides Easy Access to The Crossroads of America SALT LAKE CITY , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VanTrust Real Estate today announced the acquisition of 32 acres, located at 5998 West Parkway Blvd, in West Valley City, Utah , to build four industrial warehouse buildings. The site's prime location offers easy access to the "Crossroads of America" – a network of interstates, local highways, roads and rail lines that converge in Utah's capital city area. The site is located just south of State Route 201 and west of Mountain View Corridor. It is also near the Salt Lake City International Airport, Interstate 80, Interstate 15, and the Union Pacific Railroad intermodal hub. The site will accommodate four buildings that will provide 600,000 square feet of new Class A industrial space to this growing logistics area. According to Tom Freeman and Travis Healy of Colliers, the leasing team VanTrust has hired to market the buildings, there is consistent demand for space in this area due to its strategic position in the Salt Lake Valley, and because the area is one of the fastest growing and has one of the strongest economies in the country. "We are thrilled to have acquired this advantageously located site on which to build new industrial warehouses," said Chris McCluskey , VanTrust's Executive Vice President of Development for Salt Lake City . "One of our specialties at VanTrust is industrial properties, and we are excited to add this tremendous location to our portfolio." VanTrust anticipates construction on the first two buildings will start in late spring 2025 and deliver late spring 2026. Construction timing on the second two buildings is still to be determined. Specific tenants for the warehouses have not yet been identified. Since its inception in 2010, VanTrust has experienced rapid growth. The full-service real estate development company is based in Kansas City , with offices in Columbus , Dallas , Phoenix , Jacksonville , and Salt Lake City . VanTrust has developed more than 68 million square feet of office, industrial, multifamily, science + technology, and mixed-use development. The company has more than $7 billion of product nationwide. About VanTrust Real Estate VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company. The company acquires and develops real estate assets for the Van Tuyl family portfolio and offers a broad range of real estate services including acquisition, disposition, development, development services, corporate services, and asset enhancement. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use and science + technology. VanTrust works nationally with regional offices in Columbus , Dallas , Phoenix , Jacksonville and Salt Lake City with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri . For more information, visit www.vantrustre.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vantrust-real-estate-acquires-strategically-located-salt-lake-county-site-to-build-four-new-industrial-warehouses-302330708.html SOURCE VanTrust Real EstateThousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall DAMASCUS (AP) — Thousands of Syrians have celebrated in Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The leader of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the Turkish capital of Ankara that there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. The top U.S. diplomat also called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian" interim government. American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to a U.S. official, who says Travis Timmerman was flown out on a U.S. military helicopter. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump's suite at football game FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Daniel Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week. Vance served in the Marine Corps and had commented on the acquittal earlier this week. He said that “justice was done in this case” and Penny should never have been prosecuted. New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House. That's according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of U.S. adults are “not at all confident” in Trump’s ability to appoint well-qualified people for high-level government positions. Only about 3 in 10 are “extremely” or “very” confident that Trump will pick qualified people to serve in his administration. President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. The 73-year-old is a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance and has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority in the National Assembly. Bayrou was recently cleared in a case relating to embezzlement of European Parliament funds. His predecessor resigned last week following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the parliament, leaving France without a functioning government. Macron vowed last week to remain in office until his term ends in 2027. Yankees to get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin, AP source says NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press that the New York Yankees have agreed to acquire All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28.
Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field, a day after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized. Soto chose the Mets’ offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. The 26-year-old’s contract value eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Its length topped Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year agreement with San Diego that runs through 2034. Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal a victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. Raiders player Charles Snowden facing misdemeanor DUI charge after Las Vegas arrest LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders football player Charles Snowden was arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and released from custody. The NFL, the Raiders and Snowden’s attorneys acknowledged Thursday the 26-year-old first-year defensive end was arrested early Tuesday. He faces a scheduled court date in April. It’s not clear yet whether the arrest will affect Snowden’s status with the team. He has played every game this season, and the Raiders' next game is at home on Monday. Commissioner Roger Goodell can impose a three-game suspension without pay for a first violation of the league's alcohol abuse policy.
1 2 Kolkata: To help students avoid missing classes due to various reasons, several city schools are encouraging them to continue their education with live online classrooms . They are introducing apps for submitting classwork and taking online tests as well. South City International School is allowing children to attend live classes if they are not in the city or country, or if there is an emergency. Principal Satabdi Bhattacharjee said, "Earlier, if children had emergencies, including health and family-related matters, they had no other option choice but to miss classes. So, we decided to provide online support that allows them to attend classes along with other students. They can communicate during classes, ask questions to the teachers, and experience the classroom atmosphere while away from the school." From this year, South City International has introduced online admission tests for different classes. Conducting exams, interactions, and publishing results are all done online. "There are many students from outside the city who wanted to take exams but could not because they were unable to attend physically. So, we made it more flexible through our online platform, and several students from outside Bengal were able to participate," Bhattacharjee said. There are several other schools in and around the city are using digital platforms if a child misses classes. Ashok Hall Girls' Higher Secondary School, GD Birla Centre for Education, and Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar have introduced mobile applications to provide class assignments, homework, performance updates, and real-time attendance updates. GD Birla Centre for Education principal Craig Lucas said, "The new website is designed to be more informative, illustrative, and interactive, while our ERP will facilitate better communication, accurate information, and a closer connection between our parents and the school team of teachers and leaders. The changing times demand that we reimagine, reinvent, and redefine the way we transact education. Students will get all the class updates even if they are not in the classroom and will receive details of homework even if they miss attending classes for some reason. Everything will be uploaded immediately after classes are over. Parents can monitor their wards while they are in school through technological support." Ashok Hall Higher Secondary School's principal Atreyee Sengupta emphasised that these tools enhance collaboration and streamline communication for a brighter future.Share Tweet Share Share Email In today’s engineering world, the highest standards of precision and efficient operation are essential. One technology that has emerged as a game-changer is 3D scanning , revolutionizing the way customized engineering designs are approached. By capturing accurate digital representations of physical objects and environments, 3D Scanning Service has unlocked new possibilities for innovation, optimization and problem-solving in engineering projects. What Is 3D Scanning? 3D scanning is a process that uses advanced laser or structured light technology to capture detailed measurements of physical objects or spaces. These measurements are converted into high-resolution digital models, which engineers can use to analyze, design and refine solutions. The result is a seamless integration of real-world data into the digital design process. How 3D Scanning Transforms Customized Engineering Design 1. Unparalleled Accuracy Traditional measurement techniques often leave room for human error, but 3D scanning eliminates this margin of error by capturing precise dimensions down to the millimeter. This accuracy ensures that customized designs fit perfectly and function as intended. 2. Enhanced Design Flexibility With a detailed digital model as a foundation, engineers can explore a range of design options and modifications. This flexibility enables the creation of tailored solutions that meet unique project requirements. 3. Streamlined Workflows 3D scanning accelerates the design process by providing immediate access to accurate data. Engineers can skip time-consuming manual measurements and focus on refining designs, reducing project timelines significantly. 4. Reverse Engineering For legacy equipment or structures without existing design documentation, 3D scanning provides a way to reverse-engineer components. Engineers can create detailed models to replicate or improve upon the original design. 5. Improved Collaboration Digital models generated through 3D scanning can be easily shared among teams, fostering collaboration between engineers, designers and stakeholders. This shared understanding ensures alignment and minimizes errors during implementation. Applications of 3D Scanning in Engineering 3D scanning has a broad range of applications, including: Structural Inspections: Providing detailed visual data for assessing the integrity of existing structures. Customized Equipment Design: Creating bespoke solutions tailored to specific operational needs. Tolerance Verification: Ensuring components meet strict manufacturing and assembly standards. As-Built Documentation: Recording the exact specifications of completed projects for future reference. Asset Integrity Assessment: Monitoring the condition of critical assets over time to inform maintenance strategies. Benefits of 3D Scanning in Engineering 1. Cost Efficiency By reducing errors and rework, 3D scanning minimizes waste and lowers overall project costs. The ability to accurately model designs before implementation ensures a smooth and cost-effective process. 2. Time Savings Faster data collection and streamlined workflows translate into shorter project durations. Teams can move from concept to completion more quickly without sacrificing quality. 3. Innovative Solutions 3D scanning opens the door to creative problem-solving by enabling engineers to visualize and experiment with complex designs that might be difficult to achieve using traditional methods. 4. Enhanced Safety By capturing data remotely, 3D scanning reduces the need for engineers to access hazardous or hard-to-reach areas, improving overall safety during inspections and measurements. Kova Engineering’s Expertise in 3D Scanning At Kova Engineering , we harness the power of 3D scanning to deliver innovative and precise engineering solutions. Our services include: Dimensional Verification: Ensuring designs meet exact specifications. As-Built Condition Recording: Capturing accurate representations of existing structures and environments. Customized Design Support: Leveraging detailed models to create tailored engineering solutions. Asset Integrity Assessments: Using 3D scanning to monitor and optimize critical assets. Why Choose Kova Engineering? State-of-the-Art Technology: We use the latest scanning tools to ensure precision and reliability. Expert Team: Our engineers and technologists have extensive experience in applying 3D scanning to diverse projects. Client-Centric Approach: We work closely with clients to deliver solutions that align with their specific goals and requirements. Conclusion 3D scanning is reshaping the landscape of customized engineering design, offering unparalleled accuracy, efficiency and innovation. By integrating real-world data into the design process, engineers can achieve outcomes that were once unimaginable. At Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. , we are proud to lead the charge in leveraging 3D scanning technology to transform projects and exceed client expectations. Contact us today to discover how our 3D scanning services can elevate your next engineering endeavor. Related Items: 3D scanning , 3D Scanning is Revolutionizing Customized Engineering Design , Customized Engineering Design Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you How do 3D Scanning Technologies Impact Marketing and Advertising? The Evolution of 3D Modeling in Film and Animation: A Look at the Latest Techniques Preserving History One Block at a Time: Interview with Terry Kilby, Co Founder of Blockchain Relics Comments
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.