Latest news with #Mass
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Post stampede, Karnataka drafts tough crowd-control bill
Bengaluru Stampede BENGALURU: Karnataka govt has drafted a sweeping crowd-management bill holding event organisers criminally and financially liable for stampedes and crowd surges at mass gatherings, weeks after 11 people were crushed to death and over 75 injured outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during RCB's IPL victory celebrations on June 4. The Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025, accessed by TOI, proposes up to three years in jail and a Rs 5 lakh fine for commercial event organisers violating safety rules. Non-commercial organisers - including political and religious groups - face the same jail term or a smaller fine of Rs 5,000, or both. The bill mandates that event organisers apply for permission from the jurisdictional police station, which may alter the venue in case of risk or emergency. Local police and district magistrates - typically deputy commissioners - are granted wide-ranging powers to curb, cancel, or relocate events, and to intervene if there is even an apprehension of disorder, violence, or communal tension. Once issued, orders from district authorities will remain in force for 30 days, extendable to 60 days in special cases. In the event of a stampede, the bill mandates punishment for planners and anyone who aids or abets them. It also directs organisers to pay compensation to victims. If compensation isn't paid, govt may recover it as land revenue dues - including auctioning the organiser's property. The draft legislation will be released publicly in the coming days. If passed, it is expected to impact the way large gatherings are held in Karnataka, including political rallies.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Priests' meet proposes solution to ongoing Holy Mass dispute
1 2 3 4 Kochi: A crucial meeting of priests led by major archbishop Raphael Thattil and his vicar Mar Joseph Pamplani on Thursday proposed a solution to the ongoing Holy Mass (liturgical) dispute in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese. "As per the discussions, it was agreed by all parties to hold unified mass on Sundays between 5.30am and 10.30am and between 3.30pm and 6pm," Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese Presbyteral Council Secretary Fr Kuriakose Mundadan told TOI. Mundadan said 315 priests attended the meeting held at the Renewal Centre in Kaloor. All issues relating to liturgy were discussed at the meeting held with police protection. "The discussions ran from 10.30am to 5pm, during which several priests expressed their deep concerns and anxieties regarding the liturgical conflict. The meeting concluded with a general agreement among bishops and priests to implement a formulaic resolution before July 3," said Mundadan. A press release issued by the Archdiocese Protection Council said the proposals put forward by Pamplani had the knowledge and approval of both the Synod of Bishops and the Vatican's Dicastery for Eastern Churches. "In his keynote address, Thattil stressed the importance of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese within the Syro-Malabar Church and highlighted the urgent need for resolving the current liturgical crisis," stated the press note.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Council's controversial £17m plan for new Newry HQ voted through by fewer than half of planning committee members
Downpatrick Alliance councillor Cadogan Enright walked out of the meeting following legal advice provided in confidential session away from public view saying: 'I urge you all to do the same.' Out of the 12 councillors on the committee, only six turned up for the noon decision. When put to a vote four members (three Sinn Fein and one SDLP) voted in favour of the application, one was against (DUP) and one abstained (SDLP). Proposing the recommendation, Slieve Gullion councillor Declan Murphy said: 'We've heard the arguments for and against this quite a number of times, so whatever decision we make it is based on a lot of scrutiny and means our decision will be robust. 'I am satisfied that the recommendation by the planners for approval and we should accept that recommendation. 'There will be concerns – whether they be from Protestant, Catholic or Dissenter – they all have to be taken into consideration, and I think from the evidence put forward that has been done.' The proposal was seconded by Newry Sinn Fein councillor Cathal King with Mournes DUP councillor Glyn Hanna calling for a recorded vote. The application first lodged in 2019 is set to be the new headquarters for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) and its 215 staff. However, there will only be 162 desks provided as the council has alluded to its 'hybrid working conditions' for employees. The Newry city civic centre has been dogged by controversy with more than 2,500 parishioners at the nearby Cathedral signing a petition opposing the building amid claims it will leave them no where to park during Mass. NMDDC has previously referred to a 2023 parking survey of the Abbey Way site and has amended its HQ plans to provide 138 car park spaces at the site, which it says is above the maximum occupancy rates of mass-goers recorded. A predetermination hearing had been held earlier in the morning from 10am to listen to the final arguments from all parties concerned. A council officer presenting the recommendation told the chamber, 'the case officer's report details and considers all the issues'. In concluding comments, both the applicant, NMDDC, and the objectors, Newry Parish Cathedral, continued to call out each other's view of facts and opinions on the processes carried out on the long running application.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
HMC successfully performs bariatric surgery using magnetic anastomosis technology
DOHA: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has successfully performed a bariatric surgery using magnetic anastomosis technology which uses medical magnets to safely and accurately connect parts of the small intestine without the need for surgical stapling or sutures. This advanced surgery has shown promising initial results in terms of response and improved health for two patients who underwent the surgery, according to HMC's announcement. Both procedures were performed at HMC's Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital by a specialized surgical team at Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) National Bariatric Center, rendering it one of the first of its kind in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Both patients, both in their thirties, were given modified magnetic duodenal switches using the Modified Duodenal Switch (MDS) technique. The procedure underscores HMC's commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies and innovations in bariatric surgery. Director of HMC's National Bariatric Center, Dr Mohamed Al Kuwari said: "The new technique, known as the Magnet Anastomosis System and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reflects HMC's commitment to delivering advanced treatments that meet the highest international standards," adding that the procedure "eliminates the need for permanent metal implants in the body, which contributes to further enhancing patient safety." Dr Al Kuwari pointed out that "Modified duodenal switch surgery is considered one of the most effective procedures for weight loss in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 50, or in those who did not achieve satisfactory results with other procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, as well as patients with type 2 diabetes." For his part, Senior Consultant Bariatric and Robotic Surgery at HMC Dr Moataz Basha said: "This innovative technique significantly simplified the surgical procedure, especially during the delicate stage of creating intestinal connections, which is traditionally one of the most complex steps. The new technique uses two small medical magnets, each with a diameter of no more than 4cm. The first magnet is swallowed orally by the patient and monitored via radiographic imaging to confirm its arrival in the small intestine." He added that at a later stage, under anesthesia, the second magnet is introduced with a minor surgical procedure. The two magnets are aligned and connected via imaging, which results in a natural digestive connection being formed without the traditional but more invasive surgical intervention. The magnets naturally exit the body after approximately three weeks, requiring no additional procedures. Dr Basha emphasized that this surgical achievement highlights the expertise of HMC's medical teams and reinforces the Corporation's position as a leading regional center in the field of bariatric surgery.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Can gaining even 3-4 kgs of weight increase our risk of kidney disease? How to prevent it
Sometimes, the weighing scale doesn't scream trouble. A few extra kilos, say 3 or 4, might not seem like much. They might even feel like a normal part of festive indulgence or lifestyle changes. But there's a side to this small weight gain that doesn't get talked about enough. The kidneys, those silent, hardworking organs, often bear the hidden brunt. Studies have pointed to a surprising link between even mild weight gain and the risk of kidney-related problems. It's not just obesity that puts pressure on these organs, but even a few extra kilos can trigger imbalances that quietly affect kidney health. The weight-kidney connection It's often believed that only significant obesity impacts kidney health. But that's not entirely true. According to a study even modest weight gain over a short period was linked with early signs of kidney damage, especially in people who were otherwise healthy. Here's what happens: the kidneys work to filter waste and maintain fluid balance. But with more body weight, even if it's just a few kilos, the kidneys are forced to filter more blood than usual. This overwork, medically known as hyperfiltration, may sound efficient—but over time, it strains the kidneys and may lead to reduced function. Inflammation and insulin resistance Gaining even a little weight, especially belly fat, isn't just about numbers. Extra fat tissue, especially visceral fat (fat around the organs), can trigger chronic low-grade inflammation . That inflammation doesn't just stay local; it circulates through the body, subtly disturbing blood vessels and kidney tissue. Also, minor weight gain can disrupt insulin sensitivity. And when insulin doesn't work effectively, it can affect how sodium is retained in the body, raise blood pressure, and alter kidney filtration—all of which are risky for long-term kidney function. This isn't something visible in a mirror. But inside the body, subtle biological chaos may already be underway. The myth of 'healthy weight gain' There's often talk around 'healthy' weight gain, especially among those who are underweight or athletic. While muscle gain is beneficial, not all weight gain is equal. It becomes tricky when fat gain is mistaken as harmless, especially in the absence of visible obesity. Even in those with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), gaining just a few kilos of fat, particularly in the abdomen, has been shown to increase urinary albumin —a protein that, when leaked into urine, may indicate kidney stress. So, looking 'normal' isn't always a free pass for kidney safety. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions worldwide. It is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they are supposed to. Though it is a common condition, many people don't even know they have it. Small preventive habits that actually matter Preventing kidney strain doesn't require a major lifestyle overhaul. A few intentional changes can make a real difference: Morning hydration with a pinch of lemon: This helps kidneys flush out toxins naturally and keeps the internal filter system light and clean. It's gentle but powerful. 30 minutes of movement before breakfast: Be it a walk or gentle stretches, moving before the day begins can activate metabolism and reduce visceral fat accumulation. Swap dinner plates with smaller bowls: This simple trick often leads to consuming 15-20% fewer calories daily without even noticing. Less calorie surplus, less fat accumulation. Mindful salt awareness: Excess sodium silently stresses the kidneys. Instead of focusing only on table salt, keeping an eye on hidden sources—like packaged foods or pickles—can reduce sodium load. Want to live longer? Science says eating more protein might be the answer Getting regular kidney checkups The truth about kidney disease is that it rarely shows symptoms in the early stages. That's why it often goes unnoticed until significant damage is done. Especially after any unintentional weight gain, it's wise to check kidney function through a simple urine test (albumin levels) and blood test (creatinine levels). These small tests often reveal what the body isn't saying. And catching early imbalances gives a real chance at reversing or controlling them before they escalate. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
