Latest news with #Booth
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
School turns pink to teach democracy during student polls
Mangaluru: In a display of creativity and learning, government high school, Machina, in Belthangady taluk, recently transformed into a pink-themed polling centre to conduct its student parliament elections. The unique initiative aims to instil democratic values among students, while promoting gender sensitivity. Inspired by the Election Commission of India's Pink Booth concept, where polling stations are entirely managed by women to encourage female voter participation, the school adopted the model for its campus elections. The idea was brought to life by Venkappa B, the school's social science teacher, with support from staff and students. With 172 students from classes 9 and 10, including 96 girls and 76 boys, the entire election process mirrored that of a real-life democratic setup. The campus was decked in pink, from table covers and chairs to the attire of teachers acting as polling officers, bringing to light the school's commitment to creating a child-friendly and gender-aware environment. The election process followed a strict timeline, beginning with a notification on June 9, nomination filing on June 11, scrutiny on June 12, withdrawal on June 13, campaigning on June 17, and polling on June 18. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ask A Pro: "I'm 70 with $1.4M in IRAs. Should I convert $120K/Year to a Roth?" SmartAsset Undo Voting was conducted through an EVM app on tablets, and students were required to present their Aadhaar cards, offering a real-world voting experience. For school chief minister's post, four candidates contested, and students even had the NOTA option. Of the 172 students, 164 cast their votes, recording an 95% voter turnout. Yajnesh of class 10 won with 54 votes and was sworn in as chief minister. Aseera Banu secured 41 votes to become the opposition leader. Prathvik and Ashwija polled 39 and 27 votes respectively, with three NOTA votes also registered. Other cabinet positions were filled, and an oath-taking ceremony was held.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plea to Aussies as common garden plant explodes in major city: 'Becoming a problem'
Aussies have been urged to inspect their own backyards as an escaped garden plant continues to wreak havoc in a major city. Spanish Moss, a hanging plant that thrives in warm, humid environments, is exploding in Sydney after months of heavy rainfall, prompting a warning to residents from local councils and landcare groups. The ornamental, which is native to tropical and subtropical America, is a common addition for those with a green thumb, but there are concerns gardeners are unaware of just how quickly it can spread and overwhelm larger trees. 'Bush regenerators are raising the alarm as Spanish moss spreads more widely,' Dr Carol Booth, the Invasive Species Council's policy director, told Yahoo News. 'It's an epiphyte — a plant that grows on other plants — and it can infest dozens of native tree species. We've seen turpentines, brush boxes, lilly pillies and cheese trees all severely impacted. It can grow thickly, smothering trees, blocking sunlight, breaking branches and sometimes killing the host by preventing photosynthesis.' Recently, Willoughby City Council in the city's lower north shore urged residents to keep an eye out for the plant, noting it is 'becoming a problem'. 'Please remove it if you can, don't purchase or share the plant. Help protect our trees!' it said online. Nearby Lane Cove Council has issued a similar warning stating Spanish Moss 'is becoming increasingly common in the Sydney region' and 'threatens the local critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and Blue Gum High Forest communities'. 'If you have Spanish Moss growing in your garden, it is recommended that you remove it and dispose of it in your green waste,' the council said. The plant is increasingly being recognised as an environmental weed — particularly in the Sydney region — but it's not currently declared under any laws, Dr Booth said. It has established in the wild in parts of Queensland and NSW, including the Lismore area and Lord Howe Island. 'It spreads readily through fluffy wind-borne seeds or fragments carried by birds, wind or human movement. That makes it particularly hard to contain once it's in the landscape,' Dr Booth told Yahoo. 'Despite the risks, it remains a popular ornamental plant that can be legally sold across the country.' And it's far from the only one, with experts sounding the alarm over another nasty weed — gazania — earlier this month. Despite the South African native flower emerging as a serious invasive threat to native grasslands and grain-growing regions, it's still being sold at nurseries. Escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds in Australia, with a whopping three-quarters of all environmental weeds starting out as ornamentals. This has prompted the Invasive Species Council to campaign for stricter regulations on the nursery industry to stop the selling and spreading of such plants, which contribute to over $5 billion in losses each year. 'More than 30,000 plant species have been imported into Australia for gardening, but fewer than a quarter have been assessed nationally for their weed risk,' Dr Booth said. 'Some of our worst invasives — like lantana and blackberry — were once common garden plants. 'Unless governments act, we'll keep selling the next potentially disastrous plant, putting our bushland and protected areas at risk.' 🌼 Imported flower escalating $5 billion threat in Australia 🌳 Woman's 'incredible' 500-year-old discovery hidden behind invasive weed 🌸 Desperate plea over invasive plant threatening 'beauty' of Australia Anyone who finds Spanish moss in their garden is encouraged to remove it, even if they don't live near bushland. 'It can be removed by hand, though this can be difficult on tall trees,' Dr Booth said. 'Herbicides may also work, but there's a risk they could harm the tree it's growing on — so mechanical removal is the safer option where possible.' Residents who are unable to extract the plant themselves can contact their local council for advice. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dunlop and Booth receive MBEs in King's Birthday Honours
Michael Dunlop and Neil Booth have spoken of their immense pride after being awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours. Dunlop, 36, is regarded as a road racing great as the record holder for the most number of wins and podiums at the Isle of Man TT, making it 33 victories just last week. The Ballymoney man comes from a family synonymous with motorcycling and tragedy, with his father Robert, brother William and uncle Joey all tragically passing away while pursuing the sport they loved. Michael has remained committed to racing as, in addition to his exploits on the Isle of Man, he has enjoyed success at the North West 200, claiming his first victory just days after his father's death in 2008 when topping the podium in the 250cc race. His most recent outing at the North West saw him secure a hat-trick of wins to bring his tally to eight overall and further cement his legacy in the sport. He now follows in the footsteps of his uncle Joey, who was also made an MBE in 1986 before being presented with an OBE 10 years later. "This is a wonderful honour for me and for my family," he said. "I am proud to represent Northern Ireland sport, and motorcycling in this country. "Our team has had another brilliant year, with a hat trick at the NW200, and smashing into the record books again at the Isle of Man TT. "To be the not just the most successful rider in the history of the TT, but also to have the record number of podiums and to have won on the biggest number of manufacturers is extremely special. "I am humbled to be awarded this honour from the Palace." County Antrim bowler Booth has spoken of his "delight", having been awarded an MBE. The highly-decorated 57-year-old enjoyed a remarkable career on the green and has since brought that expertise into his role as coach of the Irish men's team which opens its 2025 Mainstream International Programme with a test match away to Bowls Jersey over the weekend. Booth will go there with an added spring in his step after news of his recognition was made public on Friday and he admits he was a little shocked when first contacted. "I saw the letter outside the door with 'Cabinet Office' on the front and started to think I was going to be extradited, but I was delighted when I opened it up," he said. "I can't imagine what the whole occasion will be like, but I'm really looking forward to it. We'll make a weekend out of it but I imagine I'll be pretty nervous." Booth recently collected the High Performance Coaching Award at the Sport NI Sportmaker ceremony at Titanic Belfast and this will sit alongside a host of medals and honours collected down through the years. The Portglenone man is a three-time medallist at the World Championships which includes gold in the fours back in 2004 when the Championships were held in Ayr. Booth is also in possession of four Commonwealth Games medals, including gold from the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur and bronze in Manchester 2002 - both in the fours - while taking silver medals in the triples in the Melbourne Games of 2006 and again in Glasgow 2014. As a coach, he helped guide Northern Ireland's men to the men's fours title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Gary Kelly taking silver in the men's singles. In 2020, he completed a charity challenge when playing bowls in 52 clubs throughout Ireland to raise awareness of mental health issues, which underlined his commitment to help others. The awarding of an MBE is the crowning glory and Booth reflected on a superb career, but insists he will accept the award on behalf of the entire sport. "I've probably played at that high level from he late 80s, early 90s, all the way through to 2014," he added. "Since then, the coaching role has gone really well and the men's team is second in the world at the minute, which is exceptional. I'm just delighted as this says a lot about the sport in general. It's come on leaps and bounds over here, so this is an award for the entire sport, as much as it is for myself."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man dies weeks after scooter crash in Stamford
A man who was seriously injured during a crash in Stamford last month while he was riding a stand-up scooter has died, police said. Christian Dinamarca, 46, was pronounced dead on Wednesday after spending the last few weeks in a hospital following a crash on May 29, according to Sgt. Jeffrey Booth of the Stamford Police Department. The collision was reported in the 100 block of Hope Street at 10:59 p.m. when officers responded to the area and found Dinamarca suffering from serious injuries that were initially not believed to be life-threatening, Booth previously said. He was taken in an ambulance to Stamford Hospital. According to Booth, Dinamarca's condition worsened over the past two weeks before he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday evening. Investigators believe Dinamarca was struck while riding a stand-up scooter heading north on Hope Street. He was hit by a 2011 BMW that was also headed north and was being driven by a 17-year-old Stamford resident, Booth said. The collision caused Dinamarca to be thrown from his scooter and onto the road. He was wearing a helmet, Booth previously said. The scooter was heavily damaged and broken into several pieces. The driver of the BMW initially left the area and parked not far away, according to Booth. He walked back to the scene where he spoke to police about the crash. The crash remains under investigation. No charges have been filed. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad at 203-977-4712.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Water, sewage rates spike in Winona leaving residents outraged
WINONA, Texas (KETK) — Winona residents are left outraged after a town hall meeting was held on Tuesday, where they discovered the reason for high water and sewage rates costing them hundreds of dollars Future of NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine in question due to proposed budget cuts The Winona City Council brought in Texas Rural Water Association wastewater specialist Louis Booth to discuss why several residents are seeing an increase in their water and sewage bills. After a rate study was conducted by the association, it was proposed that water and wastewater rates should see increases to generate more revenue for the companies. During the meeting, Booth told residents that their water rate would see a $14.16 increase and their wastewater rate would see a $17.75 increase. These rates are based on the national water usage per residence of 2,000 gallons. Some residents at the meeting pointed out how the $17.75 and $14.16 increases do not match the price on their bills. One resident told Booth they noticed an increase in their bill from $103 to $250, despite not having any leaks. According to Booth, since 2020-2021, everything used in the water and wastewater industry has doubled or tripled in price, and these companies will need to charge more to continue making a profit. Booth said most people do not think of water and wastewater services in the same light as other services that people use every day. 'Most people don't think about water and sewer, and it's unfortunate, but it's a business just like anything else, and the cities have to stay in business to keep providing high-quality service to the customers,' Booth said. Cloudy water found in Lufkin is safe to drink, city officials say Another resident said they suspect a problem with the digital meters used by multiple Winona residents that track how much water and wastewater is being used. The resident explained how on most days, nobody is at their home, but the meter reports high water usage. They also explained they don't have any leaks or running toilets. 'I know there has to be a problem with at least the meter because I can leave in the morning, take a picture of my meter, and nobody is there, there's nothing running,' the resident said. 'I can come back, and my meter has run 84 gallons.' Booth acknowledged these issues by recommending that residents keep track of their water usage and try to conserve whenever possible. He also said that residents can check their toilet pipes by picking up dye tablets at the Winona City Hall that show for possible leaks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
