FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian catcher Luis Trevino is the Southland Conference Hitter of the Week and New Orleans hurler Brandon Mitchell is the Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Monday. Southland Conference Players of the Week are presented by MidSouth Bank. Hitter of the Week – Luis Trevino, Abilene Christian – Senior – Catcher – Mission, TexasTrevino started the week with a 2-for-3 performance against TCU with a run driven in and a run scored. He followed it up with another two-hit outing in the series opener against UNO, homering off Mitchell for ACU’s first run of the ballgame. Trevino hit .643 (9-for-16) from the plate, reaching base at a .700 clip and slugging 1.571 over four games last week. He set a Division I era school record with three home runs in a 7-3 win over New Orleans on Saturday. The senior catcher and designated hitter drove in six runs, scored six on his own and drew five walks. Pitcher of the Week – Brandon Mitchell, New Orleans – Freshman – Pitcher – Houston, TexasMitchell scattered five hits and punched out seven Wildcats over five scoreless innings before ACU got on the board with a Trevino home run. The Houston, Texas, native responded by retiring six-straight batters and finished his day with just one walk, opposite of 10 strikeouts. Honorable Mention: Colton Cowser, Sam Houston State; Shea Gutierrez, Incarnate Word; Salo Iza, New Orleans; Clayton Rasbeary, McNeese; Chase Talbot, Houston Baptist. The Wildcats (23-23, 10-14 Southland) take on Central Arkansas in a three-game weekend series, beginning at 6 p.m. CT on Friday in Conway, Ark. With a sweep, ACU would match its program record for Southland Conference wins after posting 13 in 2015. Mitchell posted career-high numbers in innings pitched (8.0) and strikeouts (10) in the series opener against ACU last Friday, improving to 3-3 in his first year. His eight innings tied the most by a Privateers starter this season and his 10 strikeouts marked the second-most by a UNO hurler. Honorable Mention: Jared Biddy, Southeastern Louisiana; Jason Blanchard, Lamar; Zach Carter, Houston Baptist; Rhett Deaton, McNeese; David Hodo, Northwestern State. In his first two at-bats of Saturday’s contest, Trevino rounded the bases and added a third for good measure in the seventh to finish 4-for-4. The Mission, Texas, native led off the sixth inning with a base knock and scored on a sac fly for the eventual gamewinning run. Pitchers’ reluctancy to face the slugger showed in the series finale as Trevino drew four free passes, including three intentional walks. The Privateers (24-24, 9-15 Southland) wrap up a seven-game homestand against Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday before hosting Houston Baptist for a three-game weekend slate, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on Friday. Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
The Liberian Government has bestowed upon outgoing European Union Ambassador, Attilio Pacifici, one of the nation’s highest distinctions for his numerous contributions and services to Liberia.Amb. Pacifici, who has served in the country since 2009 and has, in collaboration with government entities, overseen several development initiatives, was conferred upon by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf the distinction of Grand Commander in the Order of the Star of Africa.The ceremony took place at a farewell reception held in his honor in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.As EU Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Pacifici’s first engagement was to spearhead the restoration of Liberia’s ownership of EU development interventions through the re-opening of the National Authorizing Office (NAO). The NAO powers had been revoked during the crisis in the country. He met an NAO that fell short of the standard of a full Embassy in terms of staffing and capacity. His first milestone was the signing of a Financing Agreement that would inject EUR 20 million into Liberia’s National Budget as a grant for macroeconomic stability.President Sirleaf, in her remarks before conferring the distinction, described the Italian-born EU diplomat as a great man who had accomplished a lot for Liberia and its people.She said during Amb. Pacifici’s tenure, the EU was transformed into a full-fledged diplomatic mission and from a humanitarian institution to a development oriented body. It was also during his tenure that the Liberia-EU dialogue and many other initiatives were realized.She regretted that the astute Ambassador was leaving at a time when the country was still facing the onslaught of the Ebola virus disease thereby resulting in an atmosphere of a low key celebration. Finance and Development Planning Minister Amara Konneh, too, described the outgoing EU diplomat as not just a partner, but a dependable friend and a true advocate for Liberia.Min. Konneh noted that through the Ambassador’s advocacy and commitment to Liberia, the country has witnessed a gradual increase in direct budget support amounting to EUR 40 million and EUR 35 million in budget support for the health sector from the European Union.“This EUR 75 million constitutes support provided through our budget, and is only part of the total EUR 161 million we have received through the 10th EDF as support to the health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, fisheries and forestry sectors; and to capacity building for the General Auditing Commission and the Bureau of Customs and Excise,” Min. Konneh said.He indicated that upon Amb. Pacifici’s arrival in 2009, the country’s engagements with the EC were limited because there was not a full EU Delegation in Liberia; and more importantly, the EU Delegation in La Côte D’Ivoire was performing the duties of the NAO for Liberia, in managing the European Development Fund (EDF) allocation for the country because our NAO powers were revoked.“We met, and decided that our first goal as counterparts was to restore country ownership of EU development interventions, so that Liberia could optimally benefit from EU’s support to our national recovery and development agenda,” the Minister said.He recalled that in 2013, Liberia and the EU signed the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) allowing Liberia to export its forestry materials to EU at no cost. “This agreement has a six-year life span 2014-2020, during which we expect substantial revenue and job creation as we gain access to international markets for our natural resources.”He noted that with Amb. Pacifici’s leadership, Liberians are assured of the strong continuity of this level of support from the EU, as substantive investments were made in terms of financial and technical support to build the capacity of the NAO which manages the EDF and ensures transparency, mutual accountability and optimal allocation toward viable, impactful projects and programs.“Having supported us in building a credible and competent NAO, we can now look forward to the next envelope of EU support in the amount of EUR 279 million, which constitutes the 11th EDF, set for implementation from early next year up to 2020. This represents a 73 percent increase in the EDF allocation for Liberia.”Another immense contribution of the outgoing diplomat was what Minister Konneh termed, as the swiftness and impact of the EU’s support to Liberia at a time “when we needed all of our friends the most – when the Ebola Virus invaded our country.”“The Ambassador responded quickly,” he said, “by advocating strongly with the EU Headquarters for increased budget support for Liberia. As a result, we have received more than US $35 million as grant directly into our budget, since the beginning of the crisis.The EU Ambassador thanked the government for the honor and said that it has always been part of his nature to serve humanity, noting that when one wants to be a good diplomat, he/she should try to understand the culture and makeup of the people whom one works with.The Outgoing EU boss noted that most of his interactions with the government have culminated in actions that are critical for the future of the nation.He noted that he has always stood out as a diplomat because he likes what he does, interacting and knowing the needs of people. “There is nothing worse in life than doing something you don’t like.”He praised the Liberian people for the level of impression they had on him during his tour of duty in the country.Meanwhile, the traditional people of Liberia, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, gowned the outgoing EU Ambassador and gave him the title of Paramount Chief of the newly created Tehr district in Bomi County. The district was recently created by the Johnson Sirleaf administration. The word “Tehr” is a Gola name meaning “Center.”The ceremony was attended by an array of high profile government officials, especially from the Executive branch including the conferrer, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Internal Affairs, Agriculture and many others.The Doyen and several members of the Diplomatic Corps were also in attendance. The Chairman of the Governance Commission, Amos C. Sawyer, and several other eminent Liberians were also present.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
One year into a $12 million photo-enforcement program to catch Los Angeles motorists who run red lights, fewer than half of the cameras are in place and revenues from the program are falling short of city projections. Of 32 planned cameras, just 13 have been installed since last April because of engineering and other setbacks. And of $124,000 in photo-related fines collected last year, city government got less than half under a state law that gives some of the revenue to state and county coffers even though they contribute nothing to the expensive camera system. The city budgeted $2.2 million in camera citation revenues for fiscal 2007, but officials acknowledge they may not meet that, and the general fund could end up subsidizing the program. As an unofficial June deadline nears, officials have voiced concerns about the program, saying city staff and contractors have not provided fiscal and performance reports. “We’ve asked for timely reports, and we haven’t gotten them,” said City Councilman Dennis Zine, a retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant who now sits on the Public Safety Committee. “We want (the cameras) up and operating to save lives. “They said this was the best system. … We really trusted the cameras would be in focus, that they would capture the front and back license plates. I’m very disturbed if this doesn’t measure up.” The issues are the latest in long-running efforts to establish a red-light photo-enforcement program at the city’s most dangerous intersections. The first attempt ended when a contract with ACS expired amid complaints that its technology wasn’t digital and did not photograph rear license plates. In late 2005, the City Council awarded a $12 million three-year contract — with two one-year extensions — to Nestor Traffic Systems. Glenn Ogura, principal engineer with the city’s Department of Transportation, said a push is on to try to meet the June 30 deadline. He said problems with the system and cameras have been minor, such as engineering issues that forced the department to substitute two intersections for two in the original plan. He said the problems haven’t been reported to the City Council because they were being resolved with the contractor. “You don’t want to tell council members you’re having problems with the program,” he said. “You’re supposed to work through them with the contractor so that you get them resolved.” Ogura acknowledged the council needs an update, and work still needs to be done with the contractor to improve the system. City Councilman Bernard Parks, who chairs the Finance and Budget Committee and serves on the Transportation Committee, said revenue is not a driving force behind the cameras. But he said updates are needed on the construction schedule, budget and performance to determine if the cameras are improving safety. “There needs to be a debate,” he said. “Is the system functioning as it should?” City officials said last week that Nestor Traffic Systems’ technology is better than a previous contractor’s, despite early problems in focusing the cameras and getting flashes to work properly. “We got off to a rough start, but it’s getting better,” said Nestor Traffic Systems project manager Jennifer Rehoreg. “We had to switch out a lot of cameras.” Officials said they hope to have the 19 remaining cameras in place by the end of June, although only three intersections currently are ready for installation. Ultimately, eight intersections in the San Fernando Valley will be equipped with the cameras. So far, the nearly dozen cameras in use citywide captured 5,822 violations during the last eight months of 2006, according to police records. Just 54 percent — or 3,150 — resulted in citations either for running a red light or not coming to a complete stop before turning right on red, records show. Sgt. Matthew MacWillie, who oversees four LAPD officers who review the cases, said the citation ratio is higher than the previous vendor’s 45 percent. He said officers review footage from the digital cameras, which lock onto fast-moving vehicles and take three to five seconds of video. Officers review the video to establish whether a vehicle was behind the crosswalk line when a light turned red — the criterion for a violation. The city gets $157 of every $381 fine for running a red light and $58 of every $159 fine for making an illegal rolling right turn on red. The LAPD’s MacWillie said the program is projected to become cost-neutral after all 32 intersections are activated. And even though the city may end up subsidizing the program in the short term, assistant City Administrative Officer Ellen Sandt said the effort was intended more to improve safety than generate revenue. “We have a $6 billion budget so $2 million out of $6 billion is not a big revenue stream,” Sandt said. “It’s designed to prevent traffic collisions at the intersections. … How do you value avoiding an accident?” MacWillie said collisions have declined 5 percent to 10 percent at intersections where the cameras are in use. “Basically it boils down to when people know there’s a photo red light in the neighborhood, it changes the behavior of people who travel to and from work. … It has an impact on the motoring public,” he said. Ogura said officials are planning to report on the system to the City Council as more cameras are installed. “We’ve told the council this program is not intended to be a revenue generator; it’s all about safety,” Ogura said. “We’re in it to save lives.” — Beth Barrett, (818) 713-3731beth.barrett@dailynews.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Following a positive second quarter Encana delivered their seventh consecutive quarterly increase of liquid volumes after beginning a strategy to increase high margin production. Overall liquids production was at approximately 127,300 barrels per day, a year over year increase of 87 per cent.In a release Encana president Doug Suttles said, “Following our successful portfolio transformation in 2014, we continue to lower costs, improve well performance and increase well inventory in our four most strategic assets. We exited the second quarter with significant operational momentum and we expect to accelerate liquids growth through the second half of the year.”Other highlights from the past quarter include significant expansion of liquids inventory in the Montney, with higher condensate yields in Dawson South and two recent Pipestone area wells each producing over 1,000 bbls/d.- Advertisement –
Ched Evans 1 Convicted rapist Ched Evans’ proposed signing for Oldham has fallen through due to the uproar that has surrounded the negotiations.CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT EVANS’ APOLOGYSources close to the negotiations have confirmed to various outlets that the Latics have decided against the move, despite joint-owner Simon Corney confirming a deal was 80 per cent complete.Shadow sports minister Clive Efford told talkSPORT on Wednesday evening the FA were ‘neglecting their duties’ to the sport by allowing the convicted rapist’s proposed move to go through.And it appears the pressure has told, as the League One side have pulled out of the deal.
North Western Golfing Alliance played at Ballyliffin (Glashedy) Golf Club20th October 2012 Par 72 SSS721ST Nett Kieran O’Neill (13) Strabane G.C. 39 Pts bot 2nd Nett Eamonn McGlinchey (8) Letterkenny G.C. 39 pts bot3rd Nett Pat Corry (10) Strabane G.C. 38 Pts4th Nett Marty McDermott (5) Strabane G.C. 37 Pts bot5th Nett Maurice McGettigan (16) Strabane G.C. 37 Pts bot 6th Nett Seamus Herraghty (14) Rosapenna G.C. 37 Pts bot1st Gross Enda Kennedy (+1) Rosapenna G.C. 692ND Gross Michael McGeady (+3) McCambridge-Duffy 72 bot3RD Gross Keelan Quigg (1) City of Derry G.C. 724TH Gross Brian McElhinney (+3) Golf Ireland 73 5th Gross John P.Dolan (Scr) Ballybofey/Stranorlar 746th Gross John Harding (3) City of Derry G.C.2’s winners were E.McGlinchey,D.Montgomery,J.Harding,J.Kelly,K.Lapsley,M.Feeney.M.McGeady, D.McNeill, J.McCaughan, B.Boyle, E.O’Carroll, P.O’Doherty and J.Park. What a great day Saturday turned out to be for playing Golf, fine weather a great course in splendid condition and an excellent field of golfers to take advantage of the benign conditions.It was obvious from the off that today was going to be a day for low scoring. The winner Enda Kennedy began with a bogey and then went birdie, birdie eagle continued with three pars another birdie and finished the first 9 off with a par to be 3 under .Hot on his heels was Keelan Quigg who had 2 birdies and 7 pars to turn in 33. In third position was Brian McElhinney who had a single birdie and 8 pars to be one under.as if that was not enough there were three other competitors on level par Derek McNeil, John P.Dolan and John Harding.It is a long time since so many players were producing such low scores.Enda continued to reel off the pars until the 16th par four when he dropped his only shot of the back nine .He got it back with a birdie at the par 5 17th, finished with a par for a marvellous round of 69 which is 3 under.Michael McGeady who had been well out of it after an indifferent 2 over on the front nine got going with 2 birdies and 7 pars to finish on level par 72, Keelan Quigg who had been doing so well also finished on 72 but an unfortunate poor run where he dropped 3shots at 14, 15 and 16 saw him take 3rd place on the break of tie. Brian McElhinney spoiled his chances when he took a double bogey on 15 to blemish an otherwise splendid back nine of 8 pars to finish one ahead of John P.Dolan, who had got to one under after 12 only to double bogey the par 5 13th He dropped one further stroke to end up with a 74 John Harding was one under with 4 holes to play when it all came unstuck and he finished with a double bogey and 3 bogies for a 76.In the nett section Kieran O’Neill pipped playing partner Enda Kennedy on break of tie to take the top placing. Kieran finished 2 under his handicap for a splendid round .He had also edged out Eamonn McGlinchey on the break .Eamonn had gone out in one over for 21 points and marred his card with a double bogey on 13th He did however regain his composure to finish with 39 points . Pat Corry was 3rd with 38 points and he will rue a run of bogies on 16 and 17.In the golfer of the year competitions John P.Dolan leads the Nett on 16 Enda Kennedy is on 11 and on 10 are Kieran O’Neill, Stephen McHugh Michael Collum and Maurice McGettigan.In the Gross section Brian McElhinney has 26 John P.Dolan 25 and Enda Kennedy is on 22.And Competition Nairn/Portnoo G.C. on 3Rd November 2012.GOLF: NORTH WESTERN GOLFING ALLIANCE NEWS AND RESULTS was last modified: October 21st, 2012 by BrendaShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:GOLF: NORTH WESTERN GOLFING ALLIANCE NEWS AND RESULTS
Aged 79, Joyce Mosweu is raising her HIV-positive grandchild in the South Africantownship of Alexandra. Now 84, Norma Geggie is the founder ofthe Canadian Wakefield Grannies, anorganisation supporting grandmothersraising their Aids-orphaned grandchildrenin Alexandra. Psychiatric nurse Rose Letwaba’s chanceconversation with Norma Geggie in aCanadian supermarket led to theremarkable relationship between thegrandmothers of Wakefield and Alexandra. Some of the Alexandra kids thetransatlantic partnership helps support. Norma Geggie at home in Wakefield. Since 2004 the Wakefield Grannies haveraised funds as only grannies can, withquilt sales, music concerts, book salesand more.Khanyi Magubane“One day, an army of grey-haired women may quietly take over the earth,” said US feminist and writer Gloria Steinem. Today, a remarkable transatlantic partnership of grey-haired women may not be taking over the earth, but are certainly helping to change it.For some four years a group of grandmothers from the small Canadian town of Wakefield have been helping other grandmothers from the South African township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, raise their Aids-orphaned grandchildren.It began in 2004 when Rose Letwaba, an Alexandra-based psychiatric nurse visiting a friend in Canada, struck up a conversation with a stranger in a Wakefield supermarket.Letwaba told the stranger, Norma Geggie, then 80 years old, the story of a group of South African gogos (grandmothers) who had been forced by the Aids-related deaths of their own children to return to parenting. Old women, they were suddenly heading households and raising their grandchildren. Herself a grandmother, Geggie was immediately moved to find a way to help.Geggie spoke to her friends. Soon Letwaba was standing in a church filled with elderly Wakefield women, telling them about her work with the grandmothers, mothers and children of Alexandra.Her talk inspired the Canadians to set up the Wakefield Grannies, an organisation working to provide financial and moral support to the gogos of Alexandra. Over the past four years they have raised funds as only grannies can: a quilt sale, a music concert, book readings. They also launched a range of salsa products, branded as Gogolaka sauces.They’ve used Canadian May Day celebrations to host garage sales, selling crafts and food, and to organise a variety of workshops. The money collected is wired to South Africa; a regular financial report is sent back, detailing how the money was used.The two groups of grandmothers are now the subject of a documentary called The Great Granny Revolution. Made by Brenda Rooney, a founding member of the Wakefield Grannies, and her husband Robert, it follows the story of the remarkable partnership – and friendship – that has grown between the grey-haired women of Wakefield and Alexandra.At one of the first Canadian screenings of the film, Ledwaba told the audience, “If everyone was like the people of Wakefield, the world would be a better place to live in.”The Alexandra granniesThe Alex Aids Orphans Project was started in 2001 when staff at the township’s East Bank Children’s Clinic became aware that many young HIV-positive patients were either missing appointments or dropping out of treatment altogether. As head nurse, Letwaba investigated the matter, discovering that across the township, grandmothers living in abject poverty were raising their Aids-orphaned grandchildren, some of them HIV-positive.What started out with three grandmothers sharing their grief at the loss of their children and supporting each other to care for their orphaned grandchildren has now grown to a group of 40 elderly women. The grannies, whose grandchildren were part of the Alex Aids Orphan Project, then started a group, the Gogo Granny Outreach Project. The 40 gogos are collectively taking care of nearly 160 children orphaned by Aids.Lucia Mazibuko is one such strong woman. In the documentary she’s full of joy and laughter, despite having to raise two grandsons, one of them HIV-positive. Mazibuko has lost both of her daughters and a son-in-law to Aids.Another is Magdeline Ramakobo, now caring for her daughter, who has full-blown Aids. When her daughter succumbs to the disease Ramakabo will be left, in their one-room shack, to raise her daughter’s two children.Each of the Wakefield grannies has paired up with 10 members of the Gogo Granny Outreach Project, with strong friendships developing over the years. The partners write letters and exchange pictures, keeping each other updated about their lives. The Alexandra grannies have started a sewing business and grow vegetable gardens as part of their project, as a means of generating funds.Stepping forwardOn 6 March, the City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the High Commission of Canada and the International Women’s Rights Project, screened The Great Granny Revolution ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. The city flew the Wakefield grannies to South Africa to join their friends in a two-day project, training other elderly women to facilitate the development of the support model of the granny-headed home.“I feel so proud,” filmmaker Brenda Rooney said at the screening. “My eyes are full of tears and my mouth is full of smiles. If we all step forward I’m sure we can do enough to make things better.”Related articlesHIV/Aids in South AfricaHIV vaccine breaks new groundUseful linksThe Wakefield GranniesCanadian High Commission in South AfricaAlexandraCity of Johannesburg
SAAF Gripens patrol the skies overJohannesburg’s Soccer City during the2010 Fifa World Cup. (Image: Gripen) Major Catherine Labuschagne disembarksfrom the Gripen 39C after successfullycompleting her first solo flight. (Image: SAAF) MEDIA CONTACTS • Anne Lewis-OlssonGripen Communications Director, SA+46 13 18 13 55 or +46 734 181 355 RELATED ARTICLES • Ninety years on golden wings • Air show gives wings to young dreams • Swedish army prefers SA vehicle • Choppers to curb 2010 crimeJanine ErasmusMajor Catherine Labuschagne completed her maiden solo flight in October 2010 in the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) Gripen Jas 39C.When Labuschagne touched down at Makhado Air Force Base in Limpopo province, she had become the first woman fighter pilot ever to fly solo in the supersonic aircraft. Formerly known as Air Force Base Louis Trichardt and today also called the Fortress of the North or Castrum borealis, Makhado is the most northerly of South Africa’s bases.Labuschagne, who is identified by her call sign of Siren, is now the only female member of the SAAF’s elite 2 Squadron. The squadron, which flies the single- and dual-seat Gripens, is based at Makhado. Established in the 1940s, 2 Squadron has earned many battle honours, including El Alamein in 1942, South East Europe in 1944 and 1945, and Korea from 1950 to 1953. Lieutenant Colonel Glen Gibson is the unit’s officer commanding (OC). Labuschagne trained on the venerable Impala jet before graduating to the Hawk 120 lead-in fighter trainer in preparation for the step up to South Africa’s most formidable aircraft. Pilots are required to accumulate about 430 hours on the Hawk and pass several courses before they can sit behind the controls of a Gripen. Dedicated and meticulousShe got her wings in 2000 and a decade later is one of South Africa’s most highly skilled women pilots. Although she’s never felt that she’s had to work as hard as her male colleagues, the going has been tough, Labuschagne admits. “You need to be dedicated; you need to be meticulous; you need to work hard, be committed to what you do; and definitely must have passion for what you do,” she said in a recent television interview.Labuschagne boasts 1 900 flying hours, of which 1 000 are on military jets.Back in 2004 she made military history as the first woman to fly in a Gripen, but it was from the back seat of the two-seater 39D. Today she is among the first group of locally trained Gripen pilots to complete their operational conversion course – the initial six received their training in Sweden.The other local graduates are Lieutenant Koobendra Chetty (Saffron) and Lieutenant Colonel Gys van der Walt (Samurai). The three will complete their training in 2011, with Major Lance Mathebula (Lancelot) who trained in Sweden.Gripen instruction takes place at 85 Combat Flying School, based at the Centralised Training Centre at Makhado and operating under the motto Detrimento sumus (Destruction is our business). The centre offers a computer-based instruction system and a virtual aircraft training facility, also known as a simulator.According to 2 Squadron’s OC Gibson, the approximate ratio of air and simulator sorties is 50:50.SAAF setting the exampleThe Gripen is a single-engine fighter built by Swedish manufacturer Saab. Besides the SAAF, which was Gripen’s first export client, the craft are currently in service in the Czech, Hungarian and Swedish Air Forces.The SAAF has placed an order for 17 single-seater 39C craft and nine two-seater 39D craft, and in April 2008 took delivery of its first Gripen. To date 15 of the nimble fighters have arrived in South African airspace and the order is expected to conclude in 2012. The Gripens will replace the fleet of Cheetah fighters, some of which have been in service since 1986. The Cheetahs, which are basically refurbished Mirages, have now been retired.Before the Gripens could formally join the SAAF fleet, they had to pass a stringent two-year test programme to adapt the craft to local systems.“South Africa was the first export customer to select Gripen, and its recognition of Gripen’s capabilities and its faith in Saab has inspired other new Gripen customers,” said Saab president Åke Svensson, “including the Czech Republic, Hungary, the UK’s Empire Test Pilot School and more recently, Thailand.”Svensson added that the success of future negotiations with other countries depends to a degree on the performance of the aircraft in South Africa.BAE Systems South Africa CE Mike O’Callaghan said that the purchase of the Gripens and Hawks has revived the country’s defence and aerospace industry, and enhanced its reputation internationally. The UK-based BAE Systems is that country’s biggest defence contractor, and manufactures the Hawk fighters.With a maximum speed of Mach 2 – twice the speed of sound or about 2 400km/h – and a highly advanced sensor system, the Gripen is widely regarded as the world’s top medium-weight fighter aircraft. During the recent 2010 Fifa World Cup, Gripens and Hawks were responsible for much of the security in the air.
Sachin Tendulkar is set to another feather to his already crowded cap as Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Tuesday announced that the iconic Indian cricketer will be conferred the membership of the Order of Australia, an honour “rarely” awarded to non-Australians.The 39-year-old Tendulkar, who is currently in South Africa playing in the Champions League Twenty20, will become only the second Indian after former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee to get the honour.Sorabjee was made an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for service to Australia-India bilateral legal relations” in 2006.”Cricket is of course a great bond between Australia and India. We are both cricket-mad nations. I am very pleased that we are going to confer on Sachin Tendulkar, membership of the order of Australia (AM),” Gillard, who is on a visit to India, told reporters here.”This is a very special honour very rarely awarded to someone who is not an Australian citizen or an Australian national. The award will be conferred on him by cabinet Minister Simon Crean when he visits India,” she said.”So, a special honour and a very special recognition of such a great batsman. The honour is very special and Sachin is a very special cricketer.”Tendulkar is not the first cricketer to be made an Order of Australia AM as in 2009, West Indies legend Brian Lara was also made an honorary member.Another West Indies legend, Clive Lloyd, is an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia, having been conferred the award way back in 1985.advertisementThe right-handed Tendulkar, considered the finest batsman in contemporary cricket, has 15,533 runs in 190 Tests besides a mammoth 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs.
Kolkata, Apr 10 (PTI) Scoreboard of the IPL cricket match Kolkata, Apr 10 (PTI) Scoreboard of the IPL cricket match between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, here today.Delhi Daredevils:M Agarwal c Hogg b Russell 9Q de Kock c Pathan b Russell 17 S Iyer lbw b Russell 0 K Nair c Pandey b Hastings 3S Samson c Uthappa b Hogg 15 P Negi st Uthappa b Hogg 11C Brathwaite lbw b Chawla 6C Morris b Chawla 11 N Coulter-Nile not out 7A Mishra c Gambhir b Hogg 3Z Khan c Pandey b Hastings 4 Extras (WD-12) 12Total (all out in 17.4 overs) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-25, 3-31, 4-35, 5-55, 6-67, 7-84, 8-84, 9-92.Bowling: A Russell 3-0-24-3, U Yadav 3-0-21-0, J Hastings 2.4-1-6-2, C Munro 1-0-7-0, B Hogg 4-1-19-3, P Chawla 4-0-21-2. More PTI AT AT