Seanergy Maritime Buys Capesize Duo
zoom Greek dry bulk shipping company Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. confirmed that it has purchased two secondhand Capesize bulk carriers, each with a cargo-carrying capacity of around 180,000 dwt.Built at South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in 2010, the vessels were bought for a price of USD 20.75 million each.The company said that the new bulkers are expected to be delivered between mid-November 2016 and early January 2017, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.Seanergy Maritime expects to fund the gross purchase price by secured loans from financial institutions and financing arrangements with its sponsor.According to data provided by VesselsValue, the ships in question are the ER Bayern and ER Bavaria, which feature a length of 292 meters and a width of 45 meters.The vessels are a part of Hamburg-based ship management company E.R. Schiffahrt’s fleet of 20 bulk carriers which have a total carrying capacity of 2.2 million dwt.World Maritime News Staff
zoom Singapore-headquartered owner and operator of petroleum and chemical tankers AET has decided to equip up to four of its new Aframax tankers currently being built by South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual fuel option.The 113,000 dwt vessels, scheduled for delivery from Q3 2018, will replace existing tonnage as part of the company’s ongoing fleet renewal program.AET, part of Malaysian energy shipping corporation MISC Berhad, anticipates that up to half of its Aframax fleet and other petroleum assets, including very large crude carriers (VLCCs), will also adopt the LNG dual fuel option over the next few years.Fitted with twin LNG tanks, the vessels will be able to trade on LNG fuel for about a month before refueling and will likely operate in North America, Northwest Europe and Asia, AET said.Apart from the dual fuel LNG engines, the new Aframaxes will be fitted with a range of eco solutions aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency and minimizing their emission impact. Additionally, they will be fitted with an International Maritime Organization (IMO) -compliant ballast water management system, according to the company.The company said it has been working on a Green Sustainable Agenda to control the emission of particulate matters (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon (CO2).AET anticipates significant growth in the global fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels, having conducted its own LNG fueling feasibility study. The shipping company has also conducted a fleet review that has mapped expected LNG bunkering infrastructure expansion across strategic locations, alongside traditional bunkering for LSFO and MGO, in an effort to ensure secure supply and optimum operational efficiency across its global operations from 2020 onwards.“We have complete confidence that LNG will play a significant part in the marine fuels mix in the coming years and we have been reviewing the feasibility of developing a dual fuel LNG fleet since 2015,” Yee Yang Chien, AET Chairman and MISC Berhad President/Group CEO, commented.
zoom The Japanese whaling fleet has reached its self-allocated quota of killing 333 minke whales in the Southern Ocean as part of the country’s latest “research mission,” the marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd informed.Japan reached its goal “despite our efforts to once again disrupt the slaughter of whales,” Sea Shepherd said, adding that the organization has called an emergency meeting of the Global Board of Directors in Amsterdam this weekend to review its whale defense strategy in the Southern Ocean.Sea Shepherd earlier informed that the whale poachers expanded their killing fields to twice as big as before, and as a result, the organization’s patrol vessels “were searching for a handful of trucks in an area twice as big as Australia.”“We were aware of the challenges from the outset of the campaign – the doubling of the whaling area and the reduced quota that would be easier to reach – but we did our best despite the odds because it was the right thing to do. And – as usual – we did it alone. It is a reminder that the needless slaughter of marine life will continue unless governments stop making hollow statements of disapproval and start taking action to hold Japan accountable,” Sea Shepherd said.In early December 2016, the patrol vessels Steve Irwin and Ocean Warrior started their voyage to the Southern Ocean as part of the 11th Antarctic whale defense campaign, Operation Nemesis, in an effort to intercept the Japanese whaling fleet and stop the slaughter of minke whales.On December 22, the Ocean Warrior intercepted the Nisshin Maru, one of the harpoon ships of the Japanese whale-poaching fleet in the Australian Whale Sanctuary, with a dead minke whale on the vessel’s deck.The images of the dead whale on the deck of the Nisshin Maru were the first which document the Japanese whaling fleet’s killing of whales since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled their whaling program illegal in 2014 and the Australian Federal Court found the Japanese whaling industry in contempt for killing protected whales in the Australian Whale Sanctuary.Prior to the launch of the whaling season in 2015, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country plans to catch up to 333 minke whales on an annual basis in the following 12 years.
zoomImage Courtesy: Port of Houston US-based Enterprise Products Partners has added fueling capabilities for deep-draft vessels at its Houston Ship Channel export facility.As of June 1, 2018, the company said it is the exclusive provider of residual marine fuel (RMG 380) and marine gas oil (MGO) at its Enterprise Hydrocarbons Terminal (EHT).Enterprise said that these fuels are the primary transportation fuels used by deep-draft vessels that dock at the EHT facility.“Being able to fuel ships as they load and offload product at our EHT marine terminal significantly streamlines the process, saving our customers time and money by not having to stop at a third party facility,” James Teague, chief executive officer of Enterprise’s general partner, said.RMG 380 and MGO are delivered to the terminal by barge and stored in dedicated tanks with approximately 300,000 barrels of capacity. Pipelines transport the fuels to each of EHT’s seven docks.
zoomIllustration. Image Courtesy of WMN Mexico-based LNG company ÉNESTAS has joined SEA\LNG, a multi-sector industry coalition aiming at accelerating the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.With the addition of ÉNESTAS, the SEA\LNG coalition bolsters its efforts to drive forward LNG as a marine fuel and to progress its role as a viable solution in the energy transition within shipping.As the largest private LNG company in Mexico and with the largest LNG distribution network, ÉNESTAS is expected to support the coalition’s vision of a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping by 2020.Commenting on the latest addition to the coalition, Peter Keller, SEA\LNG chairman and executive vice president, TOTE Inc., said: “SEA\LNG continues to unite organisations from across the LNG value chain to address market barriers to LNG uptake, and to help transform the use of LNG as a marine fuel into a global reality. With several ports under development in North America, including in the Gulf of Mexico, we look forward to leveraging ÉNESTAS’ vast network and capabilities within the region to support the continued growth and investment in LNG bunkering infrastructure.”Since launching in July 2016, SEA\LNG’s membership has grown rapidly from 13 to 34 members, demonstrating the industry’s attention to LNG as a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly long-term bridging solution to a zero-emissions shipping industry.“We expect LNG to become the dominant fuel for transportation by road, rail, and sea. LNG is currently the most safe, clean, and economically viable marine fuel on the market and will continue to substitute diesel as the fuel of choice. We’re excited to be part of SEA\LNG and to work with our fellow members to promote knowledge and understanding of the full benefits that LNG has to offer,” Caio Zapata M, chief executive officer, ÉNESTAS, said.LNG emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx), virtually zero particulate matter (PM), and compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG can emit 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx).With regards to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime sector, reductions of up to 20% are achievable now with LNG. As technology continues to develop, these reductions will increase. Furthermore, LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s decarbonization target of a 40% decrease by 2030 for international shipping.
zoomImage Courtesy: DHT Holdings DHT Holdings plans to fit exhaust gas cleaning systems on two thirds of its very large crude carriers to comply with the impending 2020 sulphur cap.The retrofit program covers 16 ships built between 2004 and 2012, which stand to gain the greatest economic benefits. Additionally, the two newbuildings delivered from Hyundai Heavy Industries this year had scrubbers installed, taking the total to 18 out of 27 ships with scrubbers, the letter disclosed.“As we have stated, we are neither for nor against scrubbers, but deem it our responsibility to position DHT as best as we can ahead of the implementation of the new regulations. We believe scrubbers to be an economical way to comply with the new regulations and want with this communication to share some important details in our scrubber program,” the company’s Co-CEOs Trygve P. Munthe and Svein Moxnes Harfjeld, said in a letter to shareholders.According to Harfjeld, once fitted with scrubbers, the ships are expected create a super-profit through their ability to consume regular heavy fuel oil versus compliant fuels that will be much more expensive.Fifteen of the scrubbers that will be installed will be able to clean the sulphur content in the exhaust gas down to 0.1%, enabling these ships to operate with scrubbers within emission control areas (ECA) and ports, where permitted.“Secondly, we configured our fuel tank lay-out allowing us to carry various grades of fuels facilitating the flexibility to consume compliant fuels with 0.5% or less sulphur content when in emission control areas and in ports that does not permit scrubbers. We have elected this configuration in anticipation of countries implementing stricter rules related to use of scrubbers when ships operate in their respective near seas and ports,” the letter further reads.In September, DHT obtained funds needed for its scrubber retrofit project encompassing twelve of the company’s VLCCs. DHT contracted Swedish company Alfa Laval for the supply of scrubbers and secured shipyard capacity to install all systems within 2019, making them ready for IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap.A month later, DHT entered into agreement to install scrubbers on four additional VLCCs, which will also be installed on ships during 2019.Also in October, DHT took delivery of the 319,000 dwt DHT Mustang, the second of its two VLCC newbuildings from HHI. The first newbuilding, DHT Bronco, was handed over to DHT in July.“We like our current position. With the last newbuilding delivered in October in time for the current market upturn, we now have all ships in the water earning money. Following our financing efforts this year, we have no significant debt maturities until 3Q 2021. We are focused and we work hard to create value to your shareholding by pursuing what we expect to be a rewarding business plan,” the letter reads.
zoomImage Courtesy: Aker Floating Production Norway-based shipping company Ocean Yield has extended the option for long-term charter for the FPSO Dhirubhai-1 by 30 days.The company entered into the option agreement with Aker Energy in February 2019, for which Aker paid USD 3 million.Under the deal, the initial option period was to expire on May 1, 2019, with an extension period of up to 30 days against an additional compensation.If exercised, Aker Energy would bareboat charter the FPSO for a period of 15 years, to be used for an early-production project offshore Ghana.Ocean Yield earlier said that it would finance the modification of the FPSO against a competitive charter rate that reflects the book value of the unit and the cost of the modification if Aker Energy exercises the option. The company added that it would not be exposed to risks related to the modification or be involved in the operation of the vessel.
Two Nova Scotia companies have received national recognition fortheir leadership in upgrading the education and literacy skills oftheir employees. Elmsdale Lumber (ELCO) and Minas Basin Pulp andPower Company Ltd. have won Conference Board of Canada awards ofexcellence for workplace literacy. “These awards are a tremendous compliment to the managers andemployees of these two companies,” said Education Minister JamieMuir. “Elmsdale Lumber and Minas Basin Pulp and Power havedemonstrated real commitment to helping employees get the skillsand training they need to be more successful in the workplace.It’s great to see the Conference Board recognize theirachievements as well.” ELCO launched its workplace education program four years ago inresponse to challenges facing the lumber industry. “Internationaltariff and trades challenges made increased productivityessential,” said Gennie Himmleman, office manager with ElmsdaleLumber. “New management techniques, computerization and programs required better trained employees.” Elmsdale Lumber was recognized by the province on InternationalLiteracy Day in September 2003 for their workplace educationprogram. Mel Lively, a 57-year-old lumber mill worker who upgradedhis reading and writing skills through the workplace program, hadjust launched his first book. He wrote Mel’s Story, a chronicle ofhis life in the woods and the lumber mill, with his tutor, KimHutchison. Minas Basin has been recognized for its innovation in training andscheduling workplace education in a production environment thatruns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company worked withpartners to form a project team with the Department of Education,Communications, Energy and Paper Workers (CEP) Local 583 andemployees. A full-time personnel scheduler now helps employees,including those who signed up to be personal tutors, to fitclasses into their work schedules. Mike Smith, a paper mill production worker, is upgrading hisreading and writing skills. Mike dropped out of school in Grade 7,after teachers told him he had gone as far as he could. Now afterworking 26 years at Minas Basin, Mike says he is succeedingbecause of his workplace education instructor Ginny Shultz andtutor Jonathon Lowthers. “Sometimes it’s hard balancing work and studying, but beingtutored by my co-worker Jonathon makes learning easier,” saidMike. “This is a great place to work, and the things I am learningwill help me move up in the company.” The Workplace Education Initiative creates partnerships betweenthe Department of Education, labour groups and companies likeElmsdale Lumber, and Minas Basin Pulp and Power to help workersupgrade reading, writing and math skills. More than 1,200 workers at 50 workplaces have taken advantage ofthe program in the last year. The Workplace Education Initiativeis part of Skills Nova Scotia, which involves training and skillsupgrading, from basic literacy to the use of the mostsophisticated technologies. Awards will be given to recipients on Nov. 30 in Toronto at aConference Board Workplace Education and Learning conferencecalled Investing in People. Workplace Education Program information is available through theDepartment of Education by calling 902-424-0492.
The province is making it simpler for Nova Scotia businesses to operate, thanks to a new initiative, Service to Business, launched today, Oct. 16. The first stage of the initiative includes new business services at two Access Nova Scotia centres, a new website and a toll-free information line. “Nova Scotia businesses have told us that they want a single point of contact with government and better access to government forms. We are responding,” said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “Service to Business shows that government departments and agencies want to, and can, partner for the benefit of business.” Government licences, permits, registration and certifications are being bundled and centralized to help make them more accessible and easier for businesses to use. This means that business information will be grouped by industry sector. New business start-ups will be able to receive a complete package of forms and information that will fulfill their registration requirements with the province. Business service areas have been created as pilot locations in the Access Nova Scotia offices in Kentville and Sydney. Trained staff will offer information to help people starting, operating, and growing their businesses. A new website has also been created to provide the most current and relevant business information by sector. The information will also be available by contacting the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations call centre. “This project will offer a business-friendly and simplified service,” added Mr. Muir. “We hope to build on the experiences and expertise gained at these two Access Nova Scotia centres and begin offering these services in other locations in the future.” Surveys and consultations with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business confirmed that business operators believed that it is difficult to do business with government. “Three out of four business owners deal with regulatory requirements themselves, which takes, on average, seven hours per week. This is time they could be investing on their employees, their customers or their operations,” said Stephane Robichaud, vice-president, Canadian Federation of Independent Business Atlantic. “This initiative represents an important step for the province in reducing the compliance cost for small- and medium-sized businesses.” Service to Business is a project being led under the province’s Better Regulation Initiative, an approach involving every government department to help improve business regulations and economic competitiveness. More information on the Service to Business initiative is available on the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations website at www.accessns.ca/business or by calling toll-free at 1-800-225-8227.
All women who have ever had sex need to have a regular Pap test, but the rules about when to start having Pap tests, how often to have them and when to stop having them, have changed. “Regular Pap tests are still the best protection against cervical cancer — preventing up to 90 per cent of deaths from the disease,” said Dr. Robert Grimshaw, medical director, Cancer Care Nova Scotia’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. “Until recently, we recommended annual Pap tests for all women as soon as they became sexually active. The new guidelines, by contrast, are very individual and depend on the results of a woman’s previous Pap tests. However, the changes in no way lessen the importance of regular Pap tests.” This message and details about the new guidelines were shared today, Oct. 19, in Halifax during the launch of Pap Test Awareness Week, Oct. 22 to 28. The new guidelines say: — Women should begin having Pap tests within three years of first vaginal sexual activity or at age 21. This vaginal sexual activity includes vaginal intercourse, vaginal-oral and vaginal-digital sexual activity and use of shared sex toys/devices. — If it has been more than five years since a woman has had a Pap test, she needs to have three yearly Pap tests in a row, until there are three consecutive negative test results. Then, she can have a Pap test every two years. — Women who are on the birth control pill and who have had three consecutive annual negative tests should have a Pap test every two years. — Women who are in a same sex relationship should have regular Pap tests. — Pregnant women should have Pap tests according to the same guidelines as women who are not pregnant. — Women may stop having Pap tests at age 75 only if they have an adequate negative screening history over the previous 10 years (at least three negative tests). — Women who have undergone a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) and who have no history of cervical dysplasia/cancer, probably do not need to have Pap tests. If they are uncertain, they should check with their health-care provider. “We know that Pap test can save lives and do,” said Health Minister Chris d’Entremont. “These new guidelines reinforce that and place even greater emphasis on why it’s important for women to get one.” A group of cancer specialists, family doctors and others worked with the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program to develop the new guidelines. They reviewed the existing guidelines, which had been in place since the program was established in 1991. They also assessed guidelines of other screening programs, researched evidence about the development of cervical cancer, and studied Nova Scotia’s cervical cancer statistics. “I recently told a patient that doing Pap smears are a bright light in my day. As a doctor, I would far prefer to see a woman for a procedure like this when we have a 95 per cent chance of preventing a horrible illness,” said Dr. Rhonda Church, president of Doctors Nova Scotia. “Like many doctors, I often suggest to women that they plan to have their Pap test during their birthday month. That way, it’s easy to remember and they can consider it a gift to themselves and the people who care about them.” The new provincial guidelines recommend that all women who have ever had sex have regular Pap tests. Women are encouraged to speak with their family doctor or health-care provider about what ‘regular’ means for them. They may also call the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program at 1-888-480-8588 to find out more about Pap testing or to learn about the results of their previous Pap tests. “This year it is estimated that every week, one woman in Nova Scotia will be diagnosed with cervical cancer,” said Maureen Summers, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society – Nova Scotia Division. “The rules have changed, but one thing remains the same, prevention and early detection are key, especially when you consider that at least 50 per cent of cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the public. This includes following cancer screening guidelines, such as having a regular Pap test.” Each year during Pap Test Awareness Week, Cancer Care Nova Scotia’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Program partners with community groups and organizations, including the Department of Health, Doctors Nova Scotia, the Canadian Cancer Society – Nova Scotia Division, and the Nova Scotia College of Laboratory Technologists, to raise awareness about the benefits of regular Pap tests. Over the next two weeks, information about Pap tests and the new guidelines will be shared with women throughout Nova Scotia through print and radio advertisements, and informational brochures. Cancer Care Nova Scotia’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in Nova Scotia. Strategies are aimed at educating women about the importance of regular Pap tests, and putting measures in place to support women taking appropriate action. Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health-care system through prevention, screening and research. It also aims to lessen the fear of cancer through education and information. Its programs are community-centred, compassionate to patients, cost-effective and based on sound research. The Department of Health, through leadership and collaboration, works to ensure an appropriate, effective and sustainable health system that promotes, maintains and improves the health of Nova Scotians. Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association that represents more than 3,000 physicians, medical students and residents in the province. The association works with other health-care organizations to enhance the quality of medical care for Nova Scotians through health promotion, development of health-care policies, medical education and negotiations with government on behalf of its members. The Canadian Cancer Society – Nova Scotia Division, is a community-based, non-profit organization that partners with communities to overcome cancer and create healthier lives for all Nova Scotians. The society achieves its mission through research, programs that bring help and hope to people affected by cancer, and prevention initiatives that help people reduce their cancer risk. Women should have three yearly Pap tests in a row. If all three of those tests are negative (normal) they only need to have a Pap test every two years, unless: they have ever been treated (by LEEP, laser, conization, cryotherapy, cautery, or hysterectomy) for cervical dysplasia or cancer of the cervix or they are immuno-suppressed (HIV positive, transplant patients). These women should have yearly Pap tests for life. 
KINGS COUNTY: Route 358 There will be one-lane closures from today, May 21 to Friday, Oct. 31 to repave Route 358 — from Route 341 (Canard Street) north three kilometres to Route 221 in Canning — and Route 358 — from Route 221 (at the town monument) north three kilometres to Woodside Road. Traffic-control people are on site. Work takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local Area Office: 902-542-6344 Fax: 902-542-6342 -30-
Cases of H1N1 (human swine influenza) continue to be reported in Nova Scotia. Seven additional cases were confirmed today, May 12. The seven cases are located within the Capital District Health Authority. One is linked to the original cluster in Windsor, and six are still under investigation. Of the new cases, two started having symptoms within the last seven days. The remaining five were identified either during re-tests for the original samples or the testing of an additional sample as part of standard lab practice. All cases are mild, and those affected are recovered or recovering. People are reminded that the best way to stay healthy is to take preventative action. That means washing hands thoroughly and often, coughing or sneezing into sleeves, and frequently cleaning and disinfecting common surfaces and items such as doorknobs and counters. If people have influenza-like symptoms and have been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with H1N1, they should stay home for seven days from the start of symptoms and minimize contact with family members as much as possible. If symptoms worsen, they should visit their physician or a walk-in clinic. It is important for Nova Scotians to understand that it is safe to go to work and school, participate in school activities and to socialize, if they do not have influenza-like symptoms. The total number of cases reported in Nova Scotia since the outbreak began on April 26 is now 64. A toll-free information line is operational from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., daily. The number is 1-888-451-4222. For more information on H1N1 (human swine influenza), visit www.gov.ns.ca . -30-
Aujourd’hui 29 août, le flambeau des Jeux du Canada a été passé officiellement à Halifax après avoir été éteint dans le cadre des Jeux d’été du Canada de 2009 à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Hannah Vaughan, kayakiste de Dartmouth, a accepté le flambeau au nom des Jeux du Canada de 2011 à Halifax. Mlle Vaughan a remporté trois médailles pour l’équipe de la Nouvelle-Écosse au cours de la deuxième semaine des Jeux de l’Î.-P.-É. Mlle Vaughan s’entraîne sur le lac Banook –– un legs des Jeux d’été du Canada de 1969, les derniers Jeux du Canada qui se sont déroulés à Halifax et à Dartmouth. On a invité à se rendre à Halifax en 2011 toutes les personnes qui ont assisté à la cérémonie de clôture, ainsi que les téléspectateurs, pour participer aux compétitions, contribuer et célébrer les Jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2011. « En fin de compte, le succès des Jeux de 2011 reposera sur la réalisation d’un événement qui aura engagé l’ensemble de la collectivité, et ce, au cœur même de cette expérience. Il s’agit non seulement d’athlètes, mais aussi d’admirateurs, de bénévoles, d’entraîneurs, de commanditaires, de dirigeants communautaires et du grand public, » a dit Jean-Paul Deveau, président des Jeux de 2011. Des athlètes, des admirateurs, des citoyens et des personnes bien connues, comme Sidney Crosby et le premier ministre Darrell Dexter, ont participé à la réalisation d’une vidéo présentée aux cérémonies de clôture pour promouvoir les Jeux de 2011 par l’intermédiaire du thème « Qu’apporterez-vous aux Jeux? » Cette vidéo peut être visionnée en ligne sur le site Web www.jeuxducanada2011.ca. Certains employés et bénévoles de la Société hôtesse des Jeux du Canada de 2011 à Halifax ont été choisis pour assister aux Jeux d’été à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, du 15 au 29 août, afin d’observer l’ensemble des activités, de la compilation des résultats jusqu’aux services d’accréditation et d’hébergement, en prévision du déroulement des Jeux d’hiver. « Nous avons rapporté beaucoup de connaissances de l’Î.-P.-É. et nous avons l’intention de collaborer étroitement au cours de la prochaine année et demie afin de réaliser, d’abord et avant tout, un événement sportif exceptionnel, a dit Chris Morrissey, directeur général des Jeux de 2011. Nous désirons que chaque personne touchée considère les Jeux d’Halifax comme exceptionnels et particuliers. » Les Jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2011 seront le plus important événement multisport jamais tenu à Halifax et les premiers Jeux d’hiver du Canada pour la ville. Plus de 2 700 athlètes seront sur place pour prendre part à des compétitions dans plus de 20 sports attirant ainsi des milliers de visiteurs, de dignitaires, d’officiels et de membres des médias. Au-delà de l’impact sur la communauté sportive, on prévoit que les Jeux rapporteront environ 80 millions de dollars à l’économie locale. De plus amples renseignements sont disponibles sur le site Web www.jeuxducanada2011.ca.
Nova Scotians will gain an extra hour of sleep Sunday, Nov. 3, when daylight savings time ends. People are reminded to set their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m., or Saturday evening before they go to bed. Clocks are not the only items that need adjusting. Microwave ovens, car clocks, watches, automatic timer lights, mobile devices, computers and other household devices may need to be turned back. This is also a good opportunity to clean dryer vents to prevent fires, and change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
A program in Cape Breton that focuses on safety, crime prevention, empowerment and well-being for seniors is receiving provincial funding this year. MLA David Wilton, on behalf of Leo Glavine, Minister of Seniors, announced a grant of $20,000 to the Association for Safer Cape Breton Communities. “This program works to understand the safety issues of seniors and then helps to address them,” said Mr. Wilton. “By connecting police and seniors in conversation, seniors in our community can get the programs and services they really want and need.” The Senior Safety Program works in partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Police to promote safety and education, staying active, positive mental and physical health, independence and crime prevention. The program accommodates the diverse interests, needs and abilities of seniors in Cape Breton, by providing specific programming and information sessions upon the public’s request. The use and safety of the Internet and smartphone devices is an area of growing interest. “With this investment we are able to hire a senior safety co-ordinator who is dedicated to the unique needs our aging population has,” said Sgt. Tom Ripley, executive director for the Association for Safer Cape Breton Communities. “The co-ordinator works directly with the Cape Breton Regional Police to provide seniors with support and education on topics like phone and Internet fraud, general safety, and the importance of having a will.” The program is overseen by the community’s senior stakeholders and the Association for Safer Cape Breton Communities committee, which is comprised of over 50 agencies and departments. The funding will be used to enhance and continue the program.
Prototypes can be a product, a process, a policy, a program, or anything in between. The selected participants will actively take part in all aspects of the lab and in making Nova Scotia a sustainable and thriving province. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply. For more information and access to the application form visit, www.novascotia.ca/govlab. developing and testing prototypes integrating those skills and ideas into daily work. Government is seeking individuals with ideas and solutions from the private, public, not-for-profit and academic sectors to participate in a social innovation lab on aging. NS GovLab will test policy, programs, service and process ideas related to the challenges and opportunities of an aging population. “The impacts of an aging population are complex and effect everyone,” said Seniors Minister Leo Glavine. “Bringing academics, community organizations, policy-makers and businesses to the table will generate new ideas and workable solutions. “We want to recruit a diverse group of people to explore opportunities and solutions within this demographic shift – all ages, from all parts of the province, with all levels of work and life experience.” The one-year fellowship is made up of two phases:
New Delhi: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and its partner BP Plc of UK Tuesday announced investment sanction for development of their deepest natural gas discovery in the flagging KG-D6 block by 2022. Reliance-BP will develop the MJ, or D-55, gas find in sync with the previously approved projects to the develop two sets of discoveries in the block that will together add 30-35 million standard cubic metres per day of natural gas production in phases. Also Read – SC declines Oil Min request to stay sharing of documentsMJ gas find, located about 2,000 metres directly below the currently producing Dhirubhai-1 and 3 (D1 and D3) fields in the KG-D6 block, is estimated to hold a minimum of 0.988 Trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of contingent resource. “MJ is the third of three new projects in the Block KG-D6 integrated development plan and its approval follows sanctions for the development of ‘R-Series’ deep-water gas field in June 2017 and for the Satellites Cluster in April 2018,” the company said in a press statement. Also Read – World suffering ‘synchronized slowdown’, says new IMF chiefReliance-BP did not give the individual cost of the three projects but said they together will cost an estimated Rs 35,000 crore. The three projects will develop a total of about 3 Tcf of discovered gas resources. “These projects together, when fully developed, will bring about 1 billion cubic feet a day of new domestic gas onstream, phased over 2020-2022,” the statement said. Reliance and BP had in June 2017 announced an investment of up to Rs 40,000 crore in the three sets of discoveries to reverse the flagging production in KG-D6 block. These finds were expected to bring a total 30-35 million cubic metres (1 billion cubic feet) of gas a day onstream, phased over 2020-22. R-Cluster will be first to come on stream, delivering gas in the second half of 2020-21 fiscal.
Sanaa (Yemen): Yemeni officials and witnesses say rebel attacks have killed at least 10 pro-government forces in the key port city of Hodeida. They say the clashes, which flared up Wednesday, wounded at least seven civilians when shells hit their residential areas in the contested Red Sea city. The officials demanded anonymity because they weren’t authorised to brief reporters. Witnesses asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals. Yemen’s internationally recognised government accused the Houthi rebels of using UN facilities in Hodeida to attack its forces.
Mirzapur/Lucknow/New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was Friday detained and stopped from going to Sonbhadra where 10 people were gunned down this week, escalating the political slugfest over the killings there in a land dispute.Gandhi was taken to a guesthouse in Chunar in Mirzapur district after she squatted on the road with her supporters at Narainpur, insisting that she be allowed to proceed and meet the families of those killed on Wednesday. Also Read – Encounter under way in Pulwama, militant killedThe district magistrate and the superintendent of police were talking with her at the Chunar guesthouse to persuade her from travelling ahead, Deputy Inspector General Piyush Kumar Srivastava said. But the standoff showed no sign of ending till late evening. Uttar Pradesh Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Kumar Lallu, who was with her at the guesthouse, told PTI, “We have clearly said, either let us meet the victims or send us to jail.” Rahul Gandhi, who has resigned as the Congress president, called the police action illegal arrest, but officials said she had been taken under preventive detention. Also Read – 14-yr-old girl raped, strangled to death in UP’s ShamliAction has been taken against 151 CrPC and Priyanka Gandhi and other members of the Congress have been stopped from proceeding to Sonbhadra, where prohibitory orders have been promulgated,” Mirzapur District Magistrate Anurag Patel told PTI. She will not be allowed to proceed for apprehension of breach of peace. If she decides to stay back here we will extend security to her,” the DM said. As Congress leaders came out in Gandhi’s support and party workers held protests against the UP government, Trinamool Congress announced in New Delhi that it too planned to send a delegation to Sonbhadra on Saturday. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath blamed the previous Congress governments for the land dispute, citing how the piece of land tilled by the villagers was bought and sold over the decades. Promising justice, he announced in the state assembly that a sub-divisional magistrate and four policemen have been suspended. Twenty-nine people were arrested, he said. Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati issued a statement, asking the state’s BJP government to ensure justice for the Sonbhadra victims. But she blamed both the BJP and the Congress for atrocities on tribals in the past. The party general secretary, who is in charge of eastern UP, had landed in Varanasi and met the injured at the BHU Trauma Centre before beginning the road trip to Sonbhadra, about 80 km away. Gandhi was stopped at Narainpur on the Varanasi-Mirzapur road. She demanded to be shown the orders under which she was stopped. “A boy of my son’s age was shot at and is lying in hospital. Tell me on what legal basis have I been stopped here,” she said. When told about the prohibitory orders preventing the assembly of five or more people in the area, she said she will go to Sonbhadra with a lesser number of supporters. I want to meet the victims… I only want to meet the affected families whose members were mercilessly shot dead,” she said. Meeting party workers at the Chunar guesthouse, she said, “I was told that there are orders from higher-ups but the order stopping me was not shown. “I will not leave without meeting the victims and their families,” she said. “I have come here to tell the country what is happening in this state,” she added. On Twitter, she said, “It is the duty of the UP government to arrest the criminals. My duty is to stand with the oppressed. BJP has failed to control crime but is stopping me from discharging my duty. No one can stop me from standing in support of the victims. Please stop crime. Ten people were killed and 28 injured in the clash between supporters of a village headman, Yagya Dutt, and the Gond tribals in Sonbhadra’s Ghorawal area on Wednesday. Dutt’s supporters allegedly opened fire on the tribals. A committee under the additional chief secretary (revenue) has also been constituted and will give its report within 10 days, Adityanath said in a statement in the assembly. with inputs from pti
San Francisco: Artificial intelligence (AI) augmentation will create $2.9 trillion of business value and 6.2 billion hours of worker productivity globally in 2021, according to a forecast by Gartner. Augmented intelligence refers to a human-centred partnership model of people and AI working together to enhance cognitive performance. This includes learning, decision making and new experiences. “Augmented intelligence is all about people taking advantage of AI,” said Svetlana Sicular, Research Vice President at Gartner. Also Read – Swiggy now in 500 Indian cities, targets 100 more this year “As AI technology evolves, the combined human and AI capabilities that augmented intelligence allows will deliver the greatest benefits to enterprises,” she added. Customer experience is the primary source of AI-derived business value, according to the Gartner AI business value forecast. Augmented intelligence reduces mistakes while delivering customer convenience and personalisation at scale, democratizing what was previously available to the select few. “Augmented intelligence is a design approach to winning with AI, and it assists machines and people alike to perform at their best,” Sicular said.