Latest news with #IDP
The Citizen
a day ago
- General
- The Citizen
Outages worsen amid equipment shortages, staff go-slow
Waterkloof Ridge residents recently faced a 12-day power outage, with some expressing outrage over the Tshwane metro's delayed response and poor communication throughout. According to residents, electricity was first lost on June 25 in parts of Waterkloof Ridge Ext 2, particularly along Aquila Avenue. While power was eventually restored earlier this month, frustrations continue to mount over what residents describe as a sluggish and inefficient repair process. The metro explained that the complexity of the fault made it more difficult for technicians to locate the problem, which led to the extended power outage in the area. Ward 42 Councillor Shane Maas, who actively escalated the issue on behalf of affected residents, said the delay was worsened by the metro depot not having the proper equipment to locate the damaged cable. He explained that the depot lacked a diagnostic tool known as a 'mega' and had to borrow it from another depot before repairs could move forward. Maas confirmed this detail after engaging with both metro staff and concerned residents. 'I escalated it daily from the second day up until it was eventually fixed,' he said. He also pointed out that this was not an isolated case. 'There's currently another resident with a similar issue who hasn't had power for 27 days. Technicians came, identified a cable fault, and then left. It appears they now need a mega again to locate the fault. The cycle just repeats.' Maas said the average turnaround time for electrical faults has worsened significantly and is now around three days, although in some cases, residents are being left without electricity for several weeks. He noted that councillors are often expected to act as operational managers, despite having no authority over metro departments. 'Residents think I have a team of electricians or a budget to control. But all I can do is keep pushing department managers and hope someone finally takes action.' He added that the situation is further complicated by a go-slow protest by metro staff in response to overtime compensation disputes. 'They're not responding with urgency or using proper fault-finding techniques. That also frustrates us as councillors and frustrates residents too.' According to Maas, residents do not know the limits of a ward councillor's role. 'They assume we have all the power, but we don't. We make submissions to the IDP [Integrated Development Plan] and vote on the budget in council. That's where it ends.' Tshwane metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, confirmed that the outage was caused by multiple cable faults. 'Due to the complexity of the fault, it took longer than usual for the team to locate and repair it,' said Mashigo. He confirmed that once the fault was identified, power was restored in the area. Mashigo added that the outage was linked to fibre installation work that had damaged power infrastructure. According to Mashigo, the metro has strengthened its due diligence processes to ensure that contractors comply with regulations when installing such infrastructure. He also stated that the metro continues to communicate service interruptions through its official platforms and encouraged residents to report faults online or through the city's customer care line. 'Residents are encouraged to report complaints through our Customer Care Centre or online, and also through their ward councillors for escalation.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Karnataka govt to launch employability assessment for STEM graduates in Kalaburagi
In an effort to bridge the employability gap among graduates in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the government of Karnataka will launch a structured, assessment-led model to evaluate and enhance job readiness among STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates. The initiative will begin with a pilot assessment drive in Kalaburagi on August 9 and 10. Addressing a press conference at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Kalaburagi on July 29, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Kalaburagi district In-charge Priyank Kharge said the initiative is being rolled out under the State's flagship Nipuna Karnataka programme, through the Department of IT/BT, and the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC). The effort is also supported by Kalaburagi MP Radhakrishna Doddamani. The pilot programme will target 2,500 STEM students in Kalaburagi in the first phase. Based on its success, the model will be adapted and scaled across other districts, making Karnataka the first State in India to launch a data-driven, localised employability assessment programme tailored specifically for STEM graduates. 'This is not just another skilling programme. We are introducing a diagnostic-first approach. Candidates will undergo a 90-minute online test to assess aptitude, communication, digital literacy and behavioural readiness. The assessments will be conducted by Unstop, a national engagement and hiring platform, and each participant will receive a personalised skill-gap report along with an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This will allow for further training and placements to be customised based on individual needs, shifting away from a one-size-fits-all approach,' said Mr. Priyank. The assessments will be held at Shetty Institute of Technology in Kalaburagi. There will be four slots each day (10 am, 12 noon, 2.30 pm, and 4.30 pm). Candidates must report at the venue by 9 a.m. Registration opens on July 29, and will remain open until August 7, via this URL, or by scanning a QR code. Slots will be allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with preference given to STEM graduates who had registered for the Kalaburagi Udyoga Mela held earlier this year. Assessment hall tickets will be issued via SMS and email on August 7 and 8. The Minister noted that a recent analysis during the Udyog Mela showed that 70% of students scored below 50% in aptitude and 63% in communication skills. The pilot initiative is aimed at closing such gaps systematically and measurably. The programme is also expected to improve hiring outcomes for employers by offering job-ready candidates, and enable educational institutions to better align their training with industry expectations. 'This initiative is not just about jobs, it is about holistic talent development and preparing our youth for the future,' the Minister said. Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, MLAs Allamprabhu Patil, M.Y. Patil, Kalaburagi Urban Development Authority Chairman Mazhar Alam Khan, Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa, Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu were present.
Iraq Business
2 days ago
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Update on Internal Displacement in Iraq
By John Lee. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have published an update on internal displacement in Iraq. Overview 1,031,475 IDPs remain displaced in Iraq. This includes 104,617 people living in the 20 IDP camps, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Of this population, 19,432 IDP families - comprising more than 94,000 individuals - reside in 15 camps across Dohuk Governorate and Zakho Administration, 6,537 individuals remain in two camps in Erbil Governorate, and 4,083 people remain in the three East Mosul Camps. Click here to download the full report. To browse our comprehensive library of reports on Iraq, click here. (Source: ReliefWeb)
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 IDP rankings and draft strategy: The Travis Hunter dilemma and more
Well, folks, it's time for this guy to try to convince fantasy managers to ditch boring and irrelevant team defenses for the additional strategy and excitement of individual defensive player (IDP) leagues. The notion that IDP leagues are too complicated is poppycock (poppycock I say!) — just as we draft wide receivers and running backs who score points for yardage and touchdowns, in IDP, we simply draft defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs who are awarded points for tackles, sacks and interceptions. Advertisement Yes, the draft is longer — but since when do fantasy managers hate draft day? Don't let fear of a new format stop you from having more fun playing fantasy football. With just a few strategy tips and a decent set of rankings, you can roll into your first (or 15th) IDP draft, kick some butt and take some names. The tips and rankings are forthcoming. Whether they are good or not is … I'm sorry. Knowing a league's scoring is one of the most fundamental concepts in fantasy football, yet managers often ignore it. In IDP leagues, it's important to know two things about the scoring. The first is the ratio between the scoring for tackles and big plays like sacks and interceptions. If a league leans toward tackles (a ratio of 3:1 or less), then high-end linebackers are Gwen Stefani, and everyone else is another member of No Doubt who literally no one remembers. If a league slants toward big plays (4:1 or higher), then edge rushers and ballhawk defensive backs get a boost. The second is how the top IDPs score relative to their offensive counterparts. Elite defensive players often score on par with a high-end WR3, which can hint at when top defenders will start coming off draft boards. If players like Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin crack the top-12 overall? Well then, it's on like Donkey Kong. It's the magic question — the one I am asked more often than any other by fantasy managers new to the format. Unfortunately, there's no pat answer. In the Huddle IDP Expert League (a long-standing IDP league with a fairly standard setup), the first defensive player (Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith) was drafted with the first pick of Round 6 last year. But in the King's Classic Dick Butkus Division (a league where the IDP scoring is, um, juiced), four defenders were taken in Round 1 in 2024. Advertisement In a fairly standard IDP league (two starters at defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and maybe a flex spot), the top defenders will usually start being drafted in Rounds 4-6. That's not especially specific, but there's a silver lining — you don't have to set the pace on defense to field a solid lineup of IDPs. I'm rarely the manager to break that seal. After the first defensive player is selected, a handful of other elite options will trickle off the board. Then, after a round or so, the first real run on IDPs will take place. Get in on that run, and it's all good. You'll have your centerpiece. There was a time not that long ago when the keyword with defensive linemen was scarcity — with so many edge rushers like T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers classified as linebackers, there weren't enough reliable starters up front to go around in many formats. That second starter's spot could be problematic if you weren't aggressive at the position. However, the advent of 'True Position' (thus including players like Watt with the defensive linemen) has changed that dynamic. The player pool along the defensive line is significantly deeper than it once was. A compelling case can still be made for rostering at least one high-end defensive lineman — the weekly consistency they provide can be welcome at a position where there can be quite a bit of variance. But IDP drafters can show some patience at the DL2 slot while hammering away at linebacker without creating an issue up front. The first overall pick in the 2022 draft, Walker has yet to have a truly gonzo season, but he has topped 50 tackles with double-digit sacks each of the past two years — including career-highs in stops (61) and sacks (10.5) a year ago. Those numbers were good enough for a DL9 finish in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring — yet Walker will often be available well into DL2 territory on draft day. Advertisement Hendrickson is rapidly nearing the tipping point between 'risky pick' and 'stay far away.' Yes, Hendrickson has posted 17.5 sacks and top-10 IDP numbers each of the past two seasons. But he is on the wrong side of 30, has never posted big tackle numbers and remains embroiled in the kind of nasty contract impasse that wrecked Haason Reddick's 2024 campaign. Young was my pick in this very column in this spot a season ago, and given that he finished as DL24 in 2024, it was a 'win' in a column short on them (What? I already said I'm sorry). But while Jared Verse is being drafted among the top-10 defensive linemen in some leagues, Young is an afterthought. He has tallied at least 60 tackles and 7.5 sacks in both NFL seasons. That's the kind of 'depth' IDP managers should crave. In most IDP leagues, the linebacker position is like running backs in fantasy in the 1990s. Like Godzilla rampaging through Tokyo (After about the third time? Move. It's his island). The linebackers are generally the highest-scoring defensive players and the most consistent, thanks to their big tackle numbers. Simply put, you can never have too many good ones. The flip side of 'True Position' is that for every linebacker who switched designations, the pool at the position became shallower. Those big-play edge rushers were more inconsistent, but still, the questions start piling up fairly quickly at linebacker now. The players to target in this era of the nickel as the NFL's base defense are the 'every-down' linebackers — players who rack up snap shares north of 90% and don't leave the field in obvious passing situations. If that linebacker wears the 'green dot' helmet communicator, all the better. Attack the position with at least two of the first three defensive picks. Those 'three-down' players are valuable commodities. Someone explain why Sherwood is falling as far as he is in drafts. Explain it to me like I'm 5 years old. All Sherwood did last year was lead the entire NFL in solo tackles with 98. He ranked ninth in fantasy points among linebackers. He was just handed a three-year, $45 million extension and will be New York's 'green dot' linebacker again in 2025. And yet he's available outside the top-20 at his position with regularity. Advertisement To be clear, Bolton is an excellent NFL linebacker with three 100-stop seasons in four years. In 2022, he posted 108 solos, a gonzo 180 total tackles and finished third among all linebackers in fantasy points. But if last year's so-so numbers are any indication, Bolton's role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense now is more about making an NFL impact than racking up stats. Roberts garnered some early offseason buzz as the proverbial last man standing at linebacker in Las Vegas, but after the team signed Germaine Pratt, many IDP managers just sighed and relegated Roberts back to the scrap heap. But as things stand right now, Roberts is still wearing the dot in Sin City, and if that carries into the regular season, he'll destroy his modest asking price. In IDP leagues, defensive backs are two things. The first is plentiful — as so many teams play with five or more defensive backs, it is far and away the deepest IDP position. The second is unpredictable — DB is easily the position with the most variance from year to year. The top-10 at the beginning of the year and the top-10 at season's end are very different lists. Every. Single. Year. Some players have shown they can be relatively reliable IDP options over multiple years, but it's a short list. Big names will fall flat on their faces statistically in 2025. There will be surprise standouts who emerge from nowhere to post top-10 numbers. It happens every single season. Given that, patience is generally a virtue with defensive backs. Fill out the defensive line and linebackers. Maybe even add a reserve. And then target upside plays late. If they hit, jackpot. If they don't, startable DBs will be available on the waiver wire well into the regular season in most formats. Generally speaking, safeties who spend a lot of time near the line of scrimmage are the players to target, and cornerbacks are wildly inconsistent options best avoided unless required in your league. Advertisement With that said, there might be one massive exception this year. I have already written at length about Hunter here at The Athletic. Here's the Cliffs Notes version. If Hunter plays predominantly wide receiver (the more the better), is half the talent we think he is and has positional eligibility as a defensive back, he could be to defensive backs (and even IDPs overall) what Travis Kelce was to tight ends in his heyday. That's right. I said it. *If Hunter is DB-eligible From an NFL perspective, Cross isn't a great safety or even an especially good one in coverage. But folks who view the signing of Camryn Bynum as evidence of Cross' IDP demise are missing a crucial point. That Bynum is so much better than Cross in coverage could easily mean more snaps in the box for Cross. There's a disconnect between NFL-good and IDP-good at defensive back. Take advantage of it. This has nothing to do with Baker as a player. He's one of the rare defensive backs who has shown the ability to consistently do damage, including a staggering 164 total tackles last year — the most of any defender in the NFC. But that season will be nigh impossible to duplicate, and even if Baker is a top-five defensive back again, he's being drafted at his IDP ceiling. After bouncing around the NFL for the first five seasons of his career, Elliott appears to have found a home with team No. 4 — the 28-year-old got an extension from the Steelers after recording a career-high 108 total tackles in his first year in Pittsburgh in 2024. That production was good enough for a top-10 fantasy finish in fantasy points per game, and with Minkah Fitzpatrick gone, Elliott's opportunity should get a bump this season. As always, this list of the top 100 IDPs in 2025 isn't a 'draft by numbers' list where IDP managers should just take the highest player listed on the board when they decide to make a selection on the defensive side of the ball. That sort of rigid draft strategy is a bad idea. It's a barometer for how the positions stack up against one another — nothing more. Advertisement Draft flow, league scoring and roster requirements matter, of course. Flexibility while drafting is as crucial to success in IDP as when drafting offensive players. But there's a relatively simple blueprint to a solid defense. Get after the linebackers — a pair of the top-15 at the position are good, and three inside the top-20 (if one drops) is all the better. Have one defensive lineman around whom you can anchor the position. Get Zen with the defensive backs and wait for late values — unless you want to pay the loophole tax that comes with Travis Hunter. We'll all be seeing how that goes together, y'all. Anyone who says they know for certain is either psychic or fibbing. If you do that, your team should be in every IDP draft, no matter how many you have participated in. And as IDP veterans know, once you're in it, there's no escape. You'll be at the cool kids' table. *If Hunter is DB-eligible **If Hunter is not DB-eligible Gary Davenport ('The Godfather of IDP') is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPGodfather. (Photo of Travis Hunter: James Gilbert / Getty Images)
The Star
22-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Decades of faith and hard work transform Sibu's Hindu temple.
A ONCE modest house of worship has now blossomed into a grand cultural and spiritual landmark for the Hindu community in Sibu. The newly completed Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, built at a cost of RM2mil, stands not just as a place of prayer but as a powerful symbol of unity, heritage and hope for generations to come. The temple's origins date back to 1920, when it began as a humble hut. In 1971, it moved into a double-storey building donated by the late Soma Sundram. That house and its surrounding land were generously gifted for religious use – a gesture that laid the foundation for the temple's enduring legacy. Manogaran (fifth from left) leading a mini-procession around the temple. Today, after more than a decade of tireless work, community support and government funding, the temple has undergone a complete transformation. Temple president Manogaran Krishnasamy, who took over its management in 2012, described the journey as both challenging and deeply rewarding. 'This temple is built on new ground, literally and spiritually. It is the first Hindu temple in Sibu constructed under the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the Indian community,' said Manogaran, a retired police sergeant. 'It follows traditional Hindu customs, from the statues to the prayers – it mirrors what you would see in Peninsular Malaysia or even India.' The transformation didn't happen overnight. A large crowd of devotees at the consecration of the temple. 'It took years of fundraising, administrative work and sheer determination. Between 2018 and 2024, major construction and decorative work was completed with support from the Sarawak government and the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), which contributed nearly RM400,000. Further help came from local philanthropists and timber businessmen who donated wooden materials valued at over RM120,000. 'Without the support of our elected representatives and the local Chinese and Iban communities, this temple would not exist in its current form,' Manogaran said. 'I am especially grateful to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee for their belief in our vision.' The temple consecration ceremony is steeped in tradition. Initially, 10 skilled workers from India were involved in the project but as it neared completion, only four remained. 'Each worker earns a salary ranging from RM3,000 to RM4,000. 'Yes, they are skilled workers, which is why they all have certificates,' Manogaran explained. He said 16 stone sculptures were brought in from India at a cost of nearly RM22,000 for transport, while 63 statues were built on site by the specialist workers. The temple was consecrated on July 7 in a ceremony that featured 48 days of prayers and the participation of over 30 priests from India and Peninsular Malaysia. Looking ahead, the temple committee has set its sights on an even more ambitious goal: to hold Sibu's first-ever Thaipusam celebration next year. 'In Penang, Thaipusam draws people from all over the world. It's more than a religious event – it becomes a multicultural gathering,' said Manogaran. Musical instruments formed an integral part of the consecration ceremony. 'We hope to replicate that spirit here in Sibu. Our vision is to make it a memorable and inclusive festival that also draws tourists.' Plans are already under way for a local religious procession, with hopes that it could evolve into an annual cultural highlight for Sibu. While traditional chariots pulled by bulls – as seen in Peninsular Malaysia – are impractical in Sibu, the committee is exploring creative alternatives such as airport trolleys to symbolically carry the deity during the parade. In addition to Thaipusam, the temple plans to celebrate other major Hindu festivals like Navaratri, ensuring year-round spiritual activity. The temple is open daily from 7am to 10am and 6pm to 10pm, with a full-time priest from Peninsular Malaysia stationed there to conduct daily rituals. A boy being lifted up by his parents to witness the divine blessings of Goddess Mariamman at the temple. In time, there are plans to open the temple to members of the public with fixed visiting hours. Beyond its religious role, the temple also aspires to serve the wider community. Manogaran hopes to raise funds for a temple van, which could be used to transport devotees or assist in charitable work such as ferrying the sick to hospitals. Still, challenges remain as further work is needed to improve the temple's uneven grounds – but Manogaran remains optimistic. 'Many people have served this community for decades but couldn't achieve this. I've been here just seven or eight years and one day decided: it's time we had a proper temple. With faith and unity, everything is possible.' The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple today is not only a place of worship, it is a living monument to interfaith cooperation, community resilience and cultural preservation. As it prepares to host its first Thaipusam festival next year, Sibu's Hindu community, numbering between 300 and 400 people, has every reason to be proud.
