Latest news with #IFAS
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Rhythmic Remedies blends Music and Science in Bahrain's first wellness workshop of its kind
The Indian Fine Arts Society (IFAS), Bahrain, is set to host a landmark wellness initiative, 'Rhythmic Remedies – A Journey of Healing Through Music and Rhythm,' this Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Ramee Grand Hotel, Seef. Designed by Ms. Vinaya Karthik, Co-founder of World of Wellness, this unique experiential workshop blends ancient Indian rhythmic traditions with modern neuroscience to improve mental focus, emotional balance , and overall well-being. The event offers separate morning and evening sessions tailored for students, professionals, educators, and wellness enthusiasts. ' This is the first time Bahrain will experience music not just as art, but as therapy, as science, and as a tool for productivity and mindfulness,' said Nirmala Varadharajan, President of IFAS Bahrain. 'We are excited to introduce the community to the transformative power of rhythm.' Event Details Venue: Ramee Grand Hotel, Seef Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Timings: Morning Session: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (followed by lunch) Evening Session: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Metro
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Survivors of strangulation are being let down when they turn on their TVs
The first time I saw someone being strangled on TV was in EastEnders. I was 16 in 2005, when gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray) held Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) against the wall by her throat, yelling threats into her face before she revealed she was pregnant. The scene did not really stick out to me back then, nor did I find it shocking or moving. But therein lies the problem. To me, it seemed like Sharon walked away with no shock afterwards, confusion, trauma, or flashbacks. It was something that just happened – a small piece in a bigger storyline. Two decades later, the same thing happened when Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) strangled Sharon until Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) stopped him before it was too late. But the thing is, strangulation is rarely broken down and seen for what it actually is. I'm the Communications Manager of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) and I want you to really picture it. The person you trust most in the world has their hands around your throat, restricting your breathing and is looking directly into your eyes as they do this. Fear is running through you, and you believe with every fibre of your being that you will die. These are your last moments. Only they are not. You survive. But this moment is lodged into your memory forever. This is what it means to be a victim-survivor of strangulation. So why can't popular culture reflect this accurately? The best we can seem to muster is that it's a harmless sexual act, which is not only alarmingly inaccurate but also minimises the health risks. Films such as Lady Chatterley's Lover, Obsession, and 365 Days all feature strangulation as a normal part of sexual experiences. But watching these scenes, you would never know how easily the act of strangulation can cause harm. Then there's strangulation as a purely violent act, as seen in the TV series, Mr Bigstuff, where Danny Dyer's character is strangling someone using a hammer handle. But what sits between these extremes is much more complex, widespread, and dangerous. Strangulation often occurs as part of domestic abuse or sexual violence, often perpetrated by someone you know or maybe even love and trust. It is the ultimate control you can exert on another human being. By applying pressure to the neck – a vulnerable area – and restricting someone's breath, you are showing you have final say over whether they live or die. That's why I want to see more scenes in popular culture of strangulation that take it seriously in domestic abuse contexts. Because the stats are truly sobering. Research has shown that a person can lose consciousness in around seven to 10 seconds of being strangled, damaging blood vessels in the neck, leading to blood clots forming, which may result in a stroke. In fact, evidence suggests it's the second most common cause of stroke in young women. IFAS analysed data from Domestic Homicide Reviews, which showed that prior controlling behaviours were present in two third of cases where the victim was fatally strangled. Over half of those who were fatally strangled had experienced non-fatal strangulation prior to their death. On top of that, of the 2,000 women aged 14 years and above who were killed in the UK since 2014, strangulation was used in 550 killings; 372 of those women killed were strangled by an intimate partner. One in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives ONS research revealed that, in 2023, the police recorded a domestic abuse offence approximately every 40 seconds Yet Crime Survey for England & Wales data for the year ending March 2023 found only 18.9% of women who experienced partner abuse in the last 12 months reported the abuse to the police According to Refuge, 84% of victims in domestic abuse cases are female, with 93% of defendants being male Safe Lives reports that disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic abuse as non-disabled women, and typically experience domestic abuse for a longer period of time before accessing support Refuge has also found that, on average, it takes seven attempts before a woman is able to leave for good. Shockingly, there were a total of 23,817 offences of strangulation and suffocation recorded in England and Wales in the first year of strangulation and suffocation becoming a stand-alone offence. Given how widespread strangulation is, media reporting on these cases is seriously lacking. To tackle this, organisations like End Violence Against Women (EVAW) – a UK-based organisation that campaigns to end all forms of violence against women – offers guidelines on how to report on this subject matter, which emphasise the importance of prioritising the voice of the victim or survivor. Their voices can help educate the public about the risks around strangulation and provide much needed context to the one-dimensional strangulation scenes we are often exposed to in film and TV. Overall, British soaps have done well to increase understanding of violence against women and girls. This is especially so around coercive control, like during Mo and Trevor's domestic abuse storyline in 2001. Through physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, Trevor terrorised Mo. This was in the form of coercive control by not letting her see family and friends, rape, and violent acts of aggression like pulling her hair or making her eat Christmas dinner off the floor. For British audiences at the time, it helped people to recognise signs of abuse in their own relationship and access support. In fact, one domestic abuse organisation stated that it was 'ground-breaking' and the most significant TV portrayal of violence in the home in 30 years. Since then, domestic abuse has thankfully been covered much more widely in TV and film, like coercive control in the film Alice, Darling, honour-based violence in ITV's Honour, and stalking in Netflix's Baby Reindeer. But more needs to be done to ensure strangulation is depicted realistically. Watching scenes play out on the big screen, I wonder how many of these producers, directors, or even actors have actually spoken to anyone who has experienced strangulation. More Trending The irony is that many of the scenes of late showing strangulation would likely have required intimacy coordinators on sets – and rightly so – to protect the actors' wellbeing through creating a safe, consensual, and respectful environment. But what about the audience watching strangulation scenes? Don't we need to be protected from misinformation, misrepresentation, and minimisation of what strangulation actually is and the harm it causes? TV and film have the power to help raise awareness of the risks around strangulation and move conversations forward. View More » But this starts with speaking to those who have lived experience. Only through these dialogues can we create complex, nuanced, and moving depictions of strangulation. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: My boyfriend poked my back with his penis – his seduction technique needed work MORE: We're living in the Handmaid's Tale – Adriana Smith proves it's true MORE: Man jailed for at least 29 years for stabbing Cher Maximen to death at Notting Hill Carnival
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chipley buzzing with 2025 Panhandle Bee Conference
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – There are about 5000 beekeepers in the state of Florida, managing around 750,000 bee colonies. The bees benefit not only the environment but the economy as well. 'Honeybees specifically are very important for specialty crops and pollination purposes in our nation. So, without bees, there would not be a lot of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that you see at the grocery store. And we have our beekeepers to thank for that,' UF/IFAS State Specialized Extension Agent Amy Vu said. 'Everything they do helps everything else in the environment. You know, the pollination services, the honey creation, the wax, I mean, literally every aspect of their life is beneficial to people and the ecosystem,' AA Live Bee Removal Owner Emil Albrecht said. Whether beekeeping is your hobby, your business, or just a venture you're thinking about exploring, the Panhandle Bee Conference is for you. Bay County candidates discuss city's future at First Friday 'We can either help somebody who hasn't even started beekeeping yet, or who have some intermediate or advanced skills. So we really wanted to make it welcoming to anybody at any level,' UF/IFAS Horticulture & Regional Specialized Agent Julie McConnell said. Those in attendance were able to listen to expert speakers, take classes, and receive a live hive demonstration where they could spot the queen bee. Danny Bost attended the event in 2019 with the idea of getting into beekeeping. Now, he's the president of the Central Panhandle Beekeepers Association. 'Beekeeper needs the right tools to be able to do what they do successfully. If not, then the only thing they're going to do is they're going to get frustrated,' Central Panhandle Beekeepers Association President Danny Bost said. Bost now shares those tools with the beekeeping community. 'The number of beekeepers that we have in Florida is constantly growing. So, any time that you increase the number of bees, you also increase the amount of honey that comes in. Honey isn't doing nothing but going up in value,' Bost said. Remember, it is springtime, and the professional pollinators are out and about. 'The bees are getting really excited. It's starting to warm up outside. And so as flowers start to bloom, those bees are foraging and looking for the resources out there so that they can be productive in their own homes,' Vu said. 'Bonded by Blue' event raises awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month 'This is something not to be scared of. They're docile during this time period. And if you do see that and you don't want the bees and the surrounding area, call a beekeeper; they'll come and get them for you,' Bost added. The second day of the conference starts Saturday at 9:00 a.m. You can buy tickets at the door until 10:30. To learn more about honey bees click here, if you need them removed from your home, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Tribune
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Indian Fine Arts Society Announces Executive Committee for 2024-2026
The Indian Fine Arts Society (IFAS), the oldest institution in Bahrain dedicated to the promotion of classical fine arts, has announced its Executive Committee for the term 2024-2026. Mrs. Nirmala Varadharajan has been appointed as the Honorary President, leading a distinguished team committed to preserving and advancing the rich cultural heritage of India in Bahrain. Executive Committee 2024-2026: Seated (from left to right): Mr. Boban Idiculla – Honorary Vice President Mrs. Nirmala V. Rajan – Honorary President Mr. Shyam Krishnan – Honorary General Secretary Standing (from left to right): Mrs. Kavita Srinivasan – Executive Committee Member Mr. Kunal Damle – Executive Committee Member Mrs. Shanta Venkitachalam – Executive Committee Member Mr. Mani Lakshmana Moorthy – Honorary Treasurer About IFAS & Upcoming Events Established in 1974, the Indian Fine Arts Society is one of Bahrain's oldest registered institutions dedicated to promoting classical music, dance, painting, drama, and other art forms. Over the decades, IFAS has upheld its mission of fostering cultural ties between India and Bahrain, reinforcing a message of love, unity, and artistic excellence. Recognizing its contributions, the Indian Embassy has designated IFAS as the official representative of India at Bahrain's annual International Music Festival. Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2025 Marking over 50 years of artistic legacy, IFAS will commemorate its milestone anniversary with a series of events celebrating tradition, harmony, and cultural fusion. Upcoming Highlights: Rhythmic Remedies – A Transformative Music Workshop (May 17, 2025) Designed by Mrs. Vinaya Kartik, Co-founder of World of Wellness and affiliated with The Yoga University of the Americas (Florida). The workshop explores music's therapeutic potential for stress relief, geriatric care, speech therapy, and corporate productivity. West Meets East – A Classical Fusion Concert (June 2025) A groundbreaking collaboration featuring renowned Western classical violinist Alexandra Tirsu, alongside tabla, sitar, and Carnatic improvisation. A unique convergence of cultures, blending Eastern and Western musical traditions to create an enchanting experience. With a commitment to innovation and cultural preservation, IFAS continues to be a beacon of artistic excellence in Bahrain. The 2025 season promises to be a transformative journey where music heals, inspires, and unites audiences across generations and geographies.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Find the right plants for your yard with Duval master gardeners at annual plant sale
Have you window-shopped at a plant nursery and bought a pretty plant, only to get home and realize you don't have the appropriate place for it? Are you concerned about the loss of plant habitats and the loss of pollinators? A lot of our food needs pollination by insects. Do you garden for butterflies, but run out of milkweed for the monarchs? The Duval County Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale is March 15 and they can help with the pretty plant, the practical plant, the necessary plant and some food plants. The UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers are encouraging planting more native plants to increase wildlife habitat. Privacy hedges can be mixed species to attract birds and borders can be expanded to include plants of varying height and varieties for butterfly caterpillars and nectar. The plants at the sale will have information sheets posted nearby, and Master Gardener Volunteers will be available for questions. Come prepared with an idea of your yard's situation: is the soil usually dry or moist? Amount of sun/shade? Overhead wires or underground utilities? Pay attention to the mature height and spread of a plant. Plants grow fast in Florida, so plant appropriately. There will be many hard-to-find native plants available. Oak trees provide a prime ecological benefit. The available myrtle oak is a shorter oak tree that is very drought-tolerant and hurricane-resistant. Several large shrubs/small trees will be available: Rhododendron canescens 'Phlox Pink', upright Yaupon holly, Simpson's Stopper, beautyberry, wild coffee, button bush, strawberry bush, firebush (two types), and yellow anise (deer resistant). There will be two varieties of milkweed that sprout early. (Asclepias tuberosa sprouts late, so if you planted it last year, don't weed it out accidently.) Also available will be white twinvine, which host monarchs. Other hard-to-find vines are crossvine, climbing hydrangea, corkystem passionvine, Carolina jessamine and moonflower vine. Some of the lower hedge-type plants are Walter's viburnum 'Densa' and 'Schilers' and Texas sage (with routine pruning). Coontie and muhly grass can also serve the purpose of a lower hedge. Are you growing a food forest? The plant sale will have native blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii), elderberry, wild strawberry and non-native pineapple guava. Plus, spring vegetable plants like tomatoes, peppers, etc. When you are planting your new shrubs the appropriate distance apart, there will be room for wildflowers between and in front of them. There will be a large selection available for both dry soil, moist soil and even rain garden areas. I use a lot of appropriate native plants on my sand hill (no irrigation needed after establishment), but I like pretty hybrid plants also. The plant sale will have a good selection. In addition to our two Florida native hibiscus, you will be able to find tropical hybrid hibiscus, shrimp plants, ixora, thryallis and a good selection of the lower bedding plants as well. Are you looking for lawn substitutes or additions to a freedom lawn? Sunshine mimosa, frogfruit, lyreleaf sage and non-native perennial peanut will be there; and for shade, look for autumn fern, creeping sage and baby rubber plant. The Peperomia rubber plant can even be used as a potted house plant. Don't forget to look for unusual plants Master Gardeners are sharing from their own gardens. The UF Master Gardener Volunteer plant sale is March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do your research and write your list and bring cash or credit card and arrive early as some plants sell out fast. Another hint is the cash line moves much faster than the credit card line. Brenda Daly is a Master Gardener volunteer with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS. For gardening questions, call the Duval County Extension Office at (904) 255-7450 from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and ask for a Master Gardener volunteer. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Duval County Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale is March 15
