Latest news with #Down
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP begins ‘countdown' for LSG polls in Kerala
KOTTAYAM: The state BJP has started elaborate preparations to face the local self-government polls to be held this year end and the assembly polls to be held next year. As part of it, party state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar activated a countdown clock at the party's Kottayam west district committee office on Wednesday. The 'Mission 2025 Count Down' was kickstarted with a 100-day timeline leading up to the elections to boost the enthusiasm of workers for the election preparations. Similar countdown clocks will be installed at all district offices of the party across the state. This was decided at a state-level leadership workshop held at the party's district committee office in Kottayam on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, state general secretaries, prabharis, zonal presidents, and presidents and general secretaries of various organisational districts. The workshop focussed on strategies to be adopted in the upcoming elections. The workshop decided to set the strategies on 'Vikasita Keralam' programme in line with 'Viksit Bharat 2027' mission of PM Modi. The party intends to make significant advances in the local body polls as a precursor to the assembly elections. The state leadership called on the district-level office-bearers to start preparatory activities for LSG elections that include adding voters to the electoral roll, taking up localised issues such as drinking water crisis, and envisioning development of the region. 'The campaign will highlight the necessity of the BJP coming to power to catalyse development,' said Lijinlal, BJP Kottayam west district president. The BJP state chief also inaugurated a help desk at the party Kottayam district committee office. 'The help desk will ensure that various development projects and initiatives of the Centre will reach every citizen. It will function as a link between the development vision of Narendra Modi and the public,' Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. The party leaders said the objective is to decentralise the Viksit Bharat and Vikasita Keralam Mission to the grassroots level. 'Under the mission, the party aims to ensure the development of each panchayat and municipality. We will formulate an action plan at the district and panchayat levels as part of the initiative,' said Lijinlal.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WNBA Fans Loving Indiana Fever's New Uniforms
WNBA Fans Loving Indiana Fever's New Uniforms originally appeared on The Spun. The Indiana Fever will enter the Upside Down before they take on the Las Vegas Aces this Thursday night. On Wednesday morning, the Fever announced they'll wear their "Stranger Things" uniforms in honor of the fifth and final season coming out later this year. This is the second time the Fever have collaborated with the beloved Netflix series. "This jersey represents the fierce spirit of our team and the fearless energy of Stranger Things – two forces that never back down," Fever general manager Amber Cox said. "As we celebrate our team and the cultural phenomenon that is Stranger Things, we're thrilled to bring back this awesome collaboration with Netflix." The Fever won't just wear their "Stranger Things" uniforms on July 24, they'll also showcase them for the following dates: July 30 vs. Phoenix Mercury August 9 vs. Chicago Sky August 12 vs. Dallas Wings August 26 vs. Seattle Storm August 29 at Los Angeles Sparks September 9 vs. Minnesota Lynx Immediately after the Fever unveiled their alternate uniforms, WNBA fans went on social media to share their thoughts. The overwhelming majority approve of this look. "These are hot," one fan said. "These jerseys so tough man," a second fan declared. "Replace the rebel reds with these jerseys," a third fan commented. "I've never purchased something so fast," another fan wrote. Fever fans can purchase their own "Stranger Things" jersey online or at the team store at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. An adult jersey is listed at $130. The WNBA world will get to see these uniforms in action when the Fever and Aces tip off at 7 p.m. ET. As for the final season of "Stranger Things," Volume 1 will release on Nov. 26 on Fans Loving Indiana Fever's New Uniforms first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Four years ago, Genny's brother went fishing but never came home. She still doesn't know why
'Torrie was 26 and the kind of person who would walk into a room and light it up. He had a contagious energy. Losing our dad to suicide at a young age, Torrie became close to Mum and all four siblings, particularly me, as we were the babies of the family. He was living with his partner, their infant son and newborn baby girl. He also had an older daughter. Torrie loved being a dad and had big plans for the future. The last time I saw Torrie was at Mum's house, the night before he was reported missing. Torrie was happy. He told me about a spearfishing trip he was going on the next day. The following evening, I was at Mum's again, and the police knocked on the door. They told us that his colleague had reported him missing – that he did not resurface. We posted on social media, asking if anyone had seen Torrie out there on the waters. We messaged friends and family, tried calling Torrie's phone and his colleague. We had a million questions. We searched Sudbury Reef [near Cairns], his last known location. His close friends and family helped with the search, trying to work out every possibility of what could have happened. We had faith in him; he was a strong swimmer, and we thought he could have made it to land. We tried to stay positive. The police called the search off after two days; they didn't provide a reason why, so, with the help of the Cairns community, we continued actively searching for about two months. We didn't give up. Because Torrie didn't have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. Genny Tabuai, whose brother, Torrance Sambo, is missing There was a lack of transparency from the police right from the start. We were chasing them quite a lot, and we were only ever given limited information. Because Torrie didn't have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. But we weren't heard, and our needs weren't met, which over the past four years has left us angry and frustrated. Torrie's oldest daughter spends a lot of time with our mob, and she asks questions about him. We keep his memory alive and tell her about his favourite songs, share his jokes, videos and photos. When we were looking for him, some friends found an injured turtle that was taken to a rehabilitation centre near Sudbury Reef. They named him Torrie. This is now his eldest daughter's favourite animal, a symbol for her dad. For me, it is knowing the unknown that's the hardest part – the questions that don't have answers. I just want to bring him home.' 'He would never abandon his family': Stephenie Fielding, 53 Stephenie's brother, Rigby, went missing 10 years ago 'Rigby was a retired chef who had recently returned home to Rockingham [WA] to live and take care of our mum, who had cancer, and our younger sister Tina, who has Down syndrome. He had a magnetic personality. He was incredibly kind, full of humour, and outrageously unique in the way he saw and experienced the world. At the time he went missing, his life was calm. He was surrounded by family, reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying the simple pleasures of being home after years abroad. Rigby and I were very close. I last saw Rigby on August 12, 2015. That day felt perfectly normal – we laughed, reminisced, and he seemed in good spirits. I dropped him off at a friend's house. I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing … I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. Stephenie Fielding, whose brother disappeared 10 years ago Over the next few days, he stayed in touch. He messaged family on August 14 and visited a friend in East Perth that evening. On August 15 at 3pm, he called our mum from Perth and said he was heading back to Rockingham. That was the last confirmed contact we had with him. I formally reported Rigby missing on September 4. I explained to police that this was completely out of character – he hadn't responded to messages, he hadn't returned home, and he hadn't collected essential medication for a neurological condition. I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing if he wished. I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. It was an incredibly frustrating and painful process. In those early days, there was a constant, exhausting urgency. Every message or lead felt like it could be the breakthrough we needed. I clung to hope while navigating an overwhelming sense of helplessness. As time passed, the uncertainty became unbearable. It has affected every part of my life. The grief isn't clean or linear; it's open-ended, unforgiving, without closure. Every day, your mind cycles through possibilities, hoping for something that might make sense of it all. It's the silence and the absence that weigh the heaviest and knowing that someone knows what really happened and isn't coming forward. The reality that we still don't know what happened to Rigby has become harder to bear. A $500,000 reward gives me hope that someone may finally come forward with information. We just want answers. We want to bring him home.' 'I still have nightmares': Kellie Moody, 55 Kellie hasn't seen her son Jack McLennan, 27, since last year 'Jack always had a smile. He came across as larger than life with fierce determination. He was a lively, spirited and cheerful 27-year-old. At the time of his disappearance, Jack was a builder's labourer; he was very fit and enjoying his job. Jack and I were besties, and we were both overprotective of one another because, for 10 years, he was my only baby until his sister, Sydney, arrived. On October 3, we had a long chat about him and his girlfriend, Carlee, breaking up. Jack was going to collect his belongings from the home they shared the following day and come back home to live. He was also a little down over the break-up, but he was not depressed. I saw Jack on the morning of October 4 when I was leaving and said I'd see him later. Our last call was at 9pm, and he said he was going to stay at a colleague's house. I offered to pick him up, and that sticks with me. I wish I had. Loading The following day, I got a call that Jack hadn't picked up his car. My immediate reaction was total fear. I reported Jack missing to Broadbeach police station that afternoon, and they acted quickly, searching for a few weeks with the SES, finding his hat, wallet and shoes, but then they stopped the search. Our family and friends also searched the thick bush. I called out to him in case he was hurt. I hated being in the bush, but I had to find my son. I was in flight or fight mode. After Jack went missing, I began having nightmares, waking up screaming and not having much sleep. I still have them. I have found dealing with the police very frustrating. They say they are investigating, but I don't know exactly what they are doing. Over nine months later, my heart is broken, never to be the same. I wonder if Jack got hurt or if it's foul play; these thoughts and questions gnaw at me constantly. The hardest thing is that we all miss Jack's soul, his laughs, his hugs, and his revving up to do more. He's our hero and our light. As a mother, you will do anything for your baby. I'm on a mission. I am fighting all the way to get answers, and I'll lodge an inquest. I will always adore Jack and I will honour him.' Lifeline 13 11 14
The Age
17 hours ago
- The Age
Four years ago, Genny's brother went fishing but never came home. She still doesn't know why
'Torrie was 26 and the kind of person who would walk into a room and light it up. He had a contagious energy. Losing our dad to suicide at a young age, Torrie became close to Mum and all four siblings, particularly me, as we were the babies of the family. He was living with his partner, their infant son and newborn baby girl. He also had an older daughter. Torrie loved being a dad and had big plans for the future. The last time I saw Torrie was at Mum's house, the night before he was reported missing. Torrie was happy. He told me about a spearfishing trip he was going on the next day. The following evening, I was at Mum's again, and the police knocked on the door. They told us that his colleague had reported him missing – that he did not resurface. We posted on social media, asking if anyone had seen Torrie out there on the waters. We messaged friends and family, tried calling Torrie's phone and his colleague. We had a million questions. We searched Sudbury Reef [near Cairns], his last known location. His close friends and family helped with the search, trying to work out every possibility of what could have happened. We had faith in him; he was a strong swimmer, and we thought he could have made it to land. We tried to stay positive. The police called the search off after two days; they didn't provide a reason why, so, with the help of the Cairns community, we continued actively searching for about two months. We didn't give up. Because Torrie didn't have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. Genny Tabuai, whose brother, Torrance Sambo, is missing There was a lack of transparency from the police right from the start. We were chasing them quite a lot, and we were only ever given limited information. Because Torrie didn't have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. But we weren't heard, and our needs weren't met, which over the past four years has left us angry and frustrated. Torrie's oldest daughter spends a lot of time with our mob, and she asks questions about him. We keep his memory alive and tell her about his favourite songs, share his jokes, videos and photos. When we were looking for him, some friends found an injured turtle that was taken to a rehabilitation centre near Sudbury Reef. They named him Torrie. This is now his eldest daughter's favourite animal, a symbol for her dad. For me, it is knowing the unknown that's the hardest part – the questions that don't have answers. I just want to bring him home.' 'He would never abandon his family': Stephenie Fielding, 53 Stephenie's brother, Rigby, went missing 10 years ago 'Rigby was a retired chef who had recently returned home to Rockingham [WA] to live and take care of our mum, who had cancer, and our younger sister Tina, who has Down syndrome. He had a magnetic personality. He was incredibly kind, full of humour, and outrageously unique in the way he saw and experienced the world. At the time he went missing, his life was calm. He was surrounded by family, reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying the simple pleasures of being home after years abroad. Rigby and I were very close. I last saw Rigby on August 12, 2015. That day felt perfectly normal – we laughed, reminisced, and he seemed in good spirits. I dropped him off at a friend's house. I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing … I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. Stephenie Fielding, whose brother disappeared 10 years ago Over the next few days, he stayed in touch. He messaged family on August 14 and visited a friend in East Perth that evening. On August 15 at 3pm, he called our mum from Perth and said he was heading back to Rockingham. That was the last confirmed contact we had with him. I formally reported Rigby missing on September 4. I explained to police that this was completely out of character – he hadn't responded to messages, he hadn't returned home, and he hadn't collected essential medication for a neurological condition. I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing if he wished. I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. It was an incredibly frustrating and painful process. In those early days, there was a constant, exhausting urgency. Every message or lead felt like it could be the breakthrough we needed. I clung to hope while navigating an overwhelming sense of helplessness. As time passed, the uncertainty became unbearable. It has affected every part of my life. The grief isn't clean or linear; it's open-ended, unforgiving, without closure. Every day, your mind cycles through possibilities, hoping for something that might make sense of it all. It's the silence and the absence that weigh the heaviest and knowing that someone knows what really happened and isn't coming forward. The reality that we still don't know what happened to Rigby has become harder to bear. A $500,000 reward gives me hope that someone may finally come forward with information. We just want answers. We want to bring him home.' 'I still have nightmares': Kellie Moody, 55 Kellie hasn't seen her son Jack McLennan, 27, since last year 'Jack always had a smile. He came across as larger than life with fierce determination. He was a lively, spirited and cheerful 27-year-old. At the time of his disappearance, Jack was a builder's labourer; he was very fit and enjoying his job. Jack and I were besties, and we were both overprotective of one another because, for 10 years, he was my only baby until his sister, Sydney, arrived. On October 3, we had a long chat about him and his girlfriend, Carlee, breaking up. Jack was going to collect his belongings from the home they shared the following day and come back home to live. He was also a little down over the break-up, but he was not depressed. I saw Jack on the morning of October 4 when I was leaving and said I'd see him later. Our last call was at 9pm, and he said he was going to stay at a colleague's house. I offered to pick him up, and that sticks with me. I wish I had. Loading The following day, I got a call that Jack hadn't picked up his car. My immediate reaction was total fear. I reported Jack missing to Broadbeach police station that afternoon, and they acted quickly, searching for a few weeks with the SES, finding his hat, wallet and shoes, but then they stopped the search. Our family and friends also searched the thick bush. I called out to him in case he was hurt. I hated being in the bush, but I had to find my son. I was in flight or fight mode. After Jack went missing, I began having nightmares, waking up screaming and not having much sleep. I still have them. I have found dealing with the police very frustrating. They say they are investigating, but I don't know exactly what they are doing. Over nine months later, my heart is broken, never to be the same. I wonder if Jack got hurt or if it's foul play; these thoughts and questions gnaw at me constantly. The hardest thing is that we all miss Jack's soul, his laughs, his hugs, and his revving up to do more. He's our hero and our light. As a mother, you will do anything for your baby. I'm on a mission. I am fighting all the way to get answers, and I'll lodge an inquest. I will always adore Jack and I will honour him.' Lifeline 13 11 14
7NEWS
a day ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Alphonsine Djiako Leuga and Loraine Choulla: Mother and daughter's bodies found months after ambulance call
An inquest into the death of a mother and her daughter has been told that the mother called for an ambulance that never arrived. The bodies of Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, 47, and Loraine Choulla, 18, were discovered on May 21, 2024 in their Radford, Nottingham home. They were believed to have been dead for 'weeks or months', the BBC reported. Ms Leuga called for an ambulance on February 2 and told the operator she was cold and unable to move, the inquest at Nottingham Coroner's Court was told. The mother's cause of death was pneumonia, while Ms Choulla's remains 'unascertained', according to pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton. Ms Leuga had been admitted to hospital on January 26, 2024 with a lower respiratory tract infection. While in care, she also required blood transfusions because of her low iron levels. The inquest was told the hospital had wanted her to remain in care but that Ms Leuga had 'discharged pragmatically' two days after she was admitted to return to her daughter. There was an agreement that Ms Leuga would return to the hospital the following day, but she did not. Both Ms Leuga's GP and the hospital were unable to contact her. Then, she made the emergency call on February 2, and Dr Hamilton said that he could not rule out that she had died that same day. The inquest was told Ms Choulla was 'entirely dependent' on her mother and that she had Down syndrome and learning disabilities. The transcript of the emergency call was read aloud in the courtroom. The call handler asked Ms Leuga what language she spoke and whether she needed an interpreter. Ms Leuga had not responded to those questions but gave the operator her home address and requested an ambulance. Her final words on the call were 'would you send an ambulance? Please come, please'. Susan Jevons, a paramedic and head of the coroners' service at East Midlands Ambulance Service, told the inquest that an attempt had been made to call Ms Leuga back. Ms Jevons said an ambulance was not sent to the home because the emergency medical adviser thought it was an 'abandoned call' and 'closed the call down'. An internal investigation found that there was a 'missed opportunity' for an ambulance to be sent to the scene, and Ms Jevons apologised on behalf of EMAS for 'all of the errors' it made. The inquest will continue to investigate how the mother and daughter died. There will be an examination of whether Ms Leuga died before her daughter, and if this was the case, whether there were any subsequent missed opportunities to save Ms Choulla. The inquest continues.
