Latest news with #BEM
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Tiang: Let art be the bridge that unites Sarawakians
Tiang (third right) with (from left) Ling, Ngu, Pastor Hii Mee Yieng and local community leaders in a photo-call featuring one of the artworks. SIBU (May 30): State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang has called upon fellow Sarawakians to embrace the unifying power of art as a bridge between diverse communities and a catalyst for positive societal change. Speaking at the launch of the 'Encounter' art exhibition, co-organised by the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) and Hosanna Christian Church, he praised local artists Clara Ling and Ngu Nei Cui for their joint curation, describing it 'a meaningful expression of a cultural and spiritual journey'. 'Art – whether it is music, dance, theatre, painting, literature, or film – is a universal language. 'It crosses borders, transcends politics, and goes beyond race, religion, and background. 'In a world that often emphasises differences, art reminds us of our shared humanity. It plays an incredibly important role in promoting cultural understanding and community unity,' said the Pelawan assemblyman. Adding on, Tiang noted that in Sarawak, where more than 30 ethnic groups coexisted with their own unique languages, customs and heritage, art could serve as a powerful force to bind people together. 'Art tells stories of who we are, where we come from, and where we hope to go. It allows us to experience life through the perspectives of others, and provides a safe space for dialogue and expression.' Tiang emphasised the government's ongoing support for the creative sector, citing major projects such as the Borneo Cultures Museum – completed in 2022 and is Malaysia's largest museum and the second-largest in Southeast Asia – and the upcoming Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, expected for completion by 2027. However, he stressed that promoting art was not solely the government's responsibility, saying: 'It is a shared mission for everyone living in this beautiful and diverse land.' Tiang expressed hope that art exhibitions like 'Encounter' would inspire people to 'live with integrity and compassion, moved by divine revelation and the pursuit of justice'. 'Let this be the beginning of something impactful, that through art inspired by faith, we cultivate good citizens who uphold righteousness and live to glorify God,' he said. ART Michael Tiang Sibu unity
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow City Council criticised over working hours lost to stress
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request has revealed that in 2024 alone, the local authority had to cope with 1612 instances of absence – the highest figure since 2017. The document also revealed that already in 2025, at least 636 reports of stress-related sickness have been lodged as departments face an ever-increasing workload across education, children's services, social care and health. The figures show that the cumulative time annually lost due to stress has been steadily rising, going up from 963 instances of absence in 2017 to 1478 in 2023. The total number between 2017 and now is a staggering 10,192. Drumchapel and Anniesland councillor Paul Carey BEM believes the data is the result of excessive demands being placed on already-stretched frontline staff. He says people are being asked to cope with a growing burden of more and more work and that these new figures must act as a 'wake-up call' to council chiefs. Cllr Paul Carey (Image: Colin Mearns) He told the Glasgow Times: 'It is not surprising to me that stress-induced absence among staff has continued to rise year upon year. Council bosses must pay close attention to this because we have already experienced a worrying shortfall of teachers, cleaning workers, classroom assistants and home-helps. If more people are off sick, this becomes a vicious circle because those left to pick up the slack then also end up struggling. 'The figures clearly show that frontline workers are being stretched to their absolute limit and feel so stressed out they are forced to take time away from their jobs to recover.' He added: 'I am constantly hearing from employees who feel under strain because of the pressure around their roles. Years of cuts to budgets has piled on the pressure and it's clear from the data here that much of the council's workforce feels exhausted.' However, council bosses say they are committed to supporting staff whose health and wellbeing is being impacted in any way by stress. A spokesperson added: 'Our priority is providing a supportive work environment for all employees. 'Our absence policy focuses on early intervention and supporting staff with their health and wellbeing. The council also has a counselling and information service available to support employees, and line managers are instructed to ensure staff are aware of it and know how to access the help it can provide. 'The council is a large organisation - the largest local authority in the country - with over 25,000 employees and this is reflected in these figures.' We previously told how the cash-strapped local authority was under-fire after paying out more than half a million pounds to staff injured in workplace accidents. READ NEXT: Glasgow City Council paid £600k to employees hurt at work The council has been forced to fork out an eye-watering £629,291 over the last three years to workers injured in slips, trips, falls and manual handling of defective equipment while at work. The highest pay out to staff was £447,487 in the financial year 2022/23, while £181,804 was handed to claimants during 2023/24. Physical injury was the most common reason for action being taken, with a total of 161 claims submitted. This number was followed by physical and psychological injuries, with 45 employees successfully lodging actions.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
RAF vet, 100, puts longevity down to daily cycling
A retired Royal Air Force flight sergeant who has just turned 100 years old puts his longevity down to one thing - cycling. Geoffrey Bolton, who was born on 21 May 1925, still cycles on an indoor exercise bike and clocks up 10 miles (6 km) a day at his home in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Mr Bolton joined the RAF when he was 16 and went on to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts in helping develop the Harrier jump jet as part of the technical team. He says he does not like any fuss and feels "no different at 100... it's just a number". He celebrated his big day with his family around him as he received a card from King Charles III, and, of course, did his 10-mile bike hike. During World War Two, Mr Bolton says he served mostly in the UK, keeping aircraft up to scratch for aerial missions to Europe. As his career progressed he became an electronic fitter for navigational instruments and was part of the technical team working on the Harrier jump jet. Mr Bolton is modest about getting his BEM in 1972. "I wasn't a special person, I was just doing my job along with all the others and was lucky enough to get a medal which was presented to me by the British ambassador in Bonn," he said. Mr Bolton met his bride-to-be when he was posted to Sylt - a German island close to the border with Denmark. He married RAF Cpl Joyce Tayler in 1947 and enjoyed 72 years of marriage which produced three children. His daughter Jill Bolton, 63, lives with her father and cares for him. She says he is "a very special man". Jill adds that her dad was an old romantic when her mum was alive. "He would cycle out on their anniversary day about 14 miles to a florist shop in St Neots where my dad would buy a single white rose that the owner would fix to his his handlebars and he would duly ride back to present it to my mum," she says. "It was a tradition that went on for many, many years." Mr Bolton says he still completes crosswords and other puzzles each day and reckons it is his many interests and active exercise regime that has contributed to his long life. "I have always led a very healthy, moderate life and my daughter Jill, who looks after me beautifully, makes sure I eat my fruit and veg," he said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Birthday card appeal for woman's 100th birthday Bletchley Park veteran celebrates 100th birthday World War Two decoder celebrates 100th birthday
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
St Ives RAF Harrier veteran turns 100 and cycles 10 miles a day
A retired Royal Air Force flight sergeant who has just turned 100 years old puts his longevity down to one thing - Bolton, who was born on 21 May 1925, still cycles on an indoor exercise bike and clocks up 10 miles (6 km) a day at his home in St Ives, Bolton joined the RAF when he was 16 and went on to be awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts in helping develop the Harrier jump jet as part of the technical says he does not like any fuss and feels "no different at 100... it's just a number". He celebrated his big day with his family around him as he received a card from King Charles III, and, of course, did his 10-mile bike hike. During World War Two, Mr Bolton says he served mostly in the UK, keeping aircraft up to scratch for aerial missions to Europe. As his career progressed he became an electronic fitter for navigational instruments and was part of the technical team working on the Harrier jump Bolton is modest about getting his BEM in 1972."I wasn't a special person, I was just doing my job along with all the others and was lucky enough to get a medal which was presented to me by the British ambassador in Bonn," he said. Mr Bolton met his bride-to-be when he was posted to Sylt - a German island close to the border with married RAF Cpl Joyce Tayler in 1947 and enjoyed 72 years of marriage which produced three children. His daughter Jill Bolton, 63, lives with her father and cares for him. She says he is "a very special man". Jill adds that her dad was an old romantic when her mum was alive."He would cycle out on their anniversary day about 14 miles to a florist shop in St Neots where my dad would buy a single white rose that the owner would fix to his his handlebars and he would duly ride back to present it to my mum," she says."It was a tradition that went on for many, many years."Mr Bolton says he still completes crosswords and other puzzles each day and reckons it is his many interests and active exercise regime that has contributed to his long life."I have always led a very healthy, moderate life and my daughter Jill, who looks after me beautifully, makes sure I eat my fruit and veg," he said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Russia Today
German e-mobility association files for bankruptcy
A German association bringing together companies linked to electric car production has filed for bankruptcy, the newspaper Die Welt reported on Sunday, citing court data. The organization represents a total of 450 companies from various parts of the world, including Mitsubishi and Kia, and acts as a lobbying group for them. Founded 16 years ago, the German Federal eMobility Association (BEM) describes itself as a network of stakeholders along the entire electric car value chain and claims it is 'actively driving the transition to a sustainable mobility and energy system based on renewable energy.' According to Die Welt, its members have a turnover of $114 billion and employ around a million people in total. It also reportedly has its own parliamentary advisory board. Now, the 'struggling' association has been assigned a provisional insolvency administrator by the Berlin-Charlottenburg insolvency court, the daily reported. It did not elaborate on the reasons that prompted the association to take this step. A BEM board member, Markus Emmert, declined to comment on the matter in response to a request by Die Welt. Germany's automotive sector has long been mired in stagnation. In March, Bosch, the world's largest automotive supplier by revenue, announced additional job cuts potentially affecting thousands of employees. Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung attributed the decision to the sluggish global economy, the stagnating automotive sector, as well as increasing competition from China. The industry has also been seeing a slower than expected transition to electric vehicles, according to Hartung. Shutdowns and bankruptcies have also been affecting major German car manufacturers. In January, Reuters reported that Chinese car giants were eyeing Volkswagen factories in Germany that had been slated for closure. The previous government led by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz set a goal of having 15 million fully electric cars on Germany's roads by 2030. However, according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, as of January 1, only 1.6 million such vehicles were registered, accounting for just 3.3% of the nation's passenger car fleet. Electric car sales collapsed after Scholz's cabinet decided to end government subsidies for EV purchases following the budget crisis in 2023. Earlier this year, Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) warned that the German economy is on track for its longest post-war recession. A third consecutive year of contraction is projected for 2025.
