Latest news with #McGroarty
The Star
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
WFP faces 274-mln-USD funding shortfall for humanitarian aids in South Sudan
JUBA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday warned of a funding shortage hindering humanitarian efforts in South Sudan. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, country director for the WFP in South Sudan, said the agency is facing a 274 million U.S. dollar shortfall in funding for food aid to help vulnerable South Sudanese. "We are reducing the level of assistance. We are reducing the rations. In most of our programs now, we are only giving about 50 percent of what is required, except in those cases that are very high risk, at the risk of famine where we give a 70 percent ration," McGroarty told reporters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. She said the WFP originally planned 750 million dollars in food aid for South Sudan this year, which was later revised to 630 million dollars, still leaving a shortfall of 274 million dollars to meet the target. McGroarty said the situation in the country is driven by the absence of livelihoods, poverty, floods, climate shocks, and ongoing conflict. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over half of South Sudan's population is experiencing severe food insecurity. With clear signs of famine risk in specific areas and a widespread crisis elsewhere, the situation demands urgent, multi-sector humanitarian intervention to prevent further deterioration and loss of life, the WFP said.
Arab News
09-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
South Sudan at ‘critical tipping point' as extreme hunger reaches its peak, World Food Program warns
NEW YORK CITY: South Sudan is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as escalating violence in the country, particularly in the conflict-ridden Greater Upper Nile region, exacerbates a dire situation of food insecurity, the UN's food agency said on Wednesday. The World Food Program warned that nearly 7.7 million people, more half of the country's population, are currently facing crisis, emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the WFP's representative and country director for South Sudan, painted a grim picture of the deteriorating situation as she highlighted the compounded challenges the country faces as it enters its annual lean season, the time of year when hunger reaches its peak. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes by the violence, political fragmentation and security instability, including more than 100,000 in the Upper Nile region alone. 'These are some of the most vulnerable and food-insecure areas of South Sudan, and the impact of conflict is only making matters worse,' McGroarty said. More than 40 percent of the 7.7 million food-insecure people are concentrated in the Greater Upper Nile area, she added, where more than 60 percent of the population struggles to find a meal. The worsening violence has also hindered humanitarian efforts, forcing the WFP to pause its operations in several regions. In total, more than 213,000 people in six counties are cut off from critical food aid. These areas, which lack roads or transportation infrastructure, rely on deliveries by river and air but active conflict means access is nearly impossible. 'The situation is catastrophic,' McGroarty said. 'We've seen over 100 metric tons of food, including vital nutrition supplies for children, looted during recent clashes. 'These resources, which we cannot replace, were meant to feed children in a country where 17 percent of children are already malnourished.' Beyond hunger, South Sudan is also grappling with a cholera outbreak that has compounded the public health crisis. The ongoing violence, coupled with mass displacement, is driving the spread of disease, further endangering the lives of vulnerable populations. The war in neighboring Sudan adds an additional level of complexity. Since the conflict there began, more than 1.1 million refugees and South Sudanese returnees have fled across the border, many of them arriving with few or no possessions. McGroarty said that these individuals, who have endured harrowing journeys, add to the already immense pressure on resources and infrastructure in South Sudan. 'The economic toll of the Sudanese conflict is also being felt here,' she added. 'Food prices in the border states have soared, with some rising by as much as 200 percent. Disrupted supply chains are forcing us to bring food from the south, significantly increasing costs.' South Sudan's vulnerability to climate change, manifested in both severe flooding and droughts, has further eroded the resilience of the country, leaving it ill-equipped to cope with escalating conflict. 'We are at a critical tipping point,' McGroarty warned. 'The people of South Sudan, already trapped in the cycle of conflict and hunger, deserve freedom from these crises. They need our attention and support now more than ever.' With humanitarian resources stretched thin and urgent needs continuing to rise, McGroarty told Arab News that the WFP needs $396 million in funding to enable it to reach 4.5 million people in need. 'That means, out of 7.7 million people, we will be leaving people behind,' she said. Her organization needs to 'preposition the food stocks as we approach the rainy season, so that communities that are food insecure have resources throughout (that) season,' she added.
Reuters
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Blues top Penguins in OT, tie team mark with 11th straight win
April 4 - Robert Thomas' power-play goal with 3:48 left in overtime helped the host St. Louis Blues tie a franchise record with their 11th straight victory, 5-4 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Thomas also added an assist for the Blues (42-28-7, 91 points). Jake Neighbours scored twice, and Jordan Kyrou finished with a goal and assisted on the game-winner. Joel Hofer made 24 saves to earn his fifth straight victory. Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Rutger McGroarty all tallied a goal and an assist for the Penguins (30-34-12, 72 points), who have lost four of their last five (1-2-2). Connor Dewar also scored, and Sidney Crosby notched his 55th assist of the season to earn a point for the 11th straight game. Tristan Jarry stopped 14 shots, losing for the fifth time in the past six starts (1-4-1). After forcing overtime with a last-minute goal in their last game, the Blues needed to overcome one to match the mark set by the Stanley Cup champions six seasons ago. St. Louis saw a 4-2 advantage it held midway through the third period evaporate after Rakell and McGroarty rallied the Penguins. McGroarty, a rookie playing in his fifth game, earned his first two points. His first goal came with just 25 seconds left in regulation. The Blues controlled the puck for most of the extra session, and Kyrou forced Kris Letang to slash him with 3:32 to go, allowing the Blues to get an extra skater on the ice. Rust gave the Penguins the lead with 16:28 left in the first period. That lead held until the first horn. The Blues scored three times in the middle frame. Neighbours tied it in the opening minute, but Dewar reclaimed the lead for Pittsburgh four minutes later. The Blues, though, got goals from Buchnevich and Kyrou 77 seconds apart to go up 3-2 with 11:55 left in the period. Neighbours made it a two-goal lead less than six minutes into the third. McGroarty wasn't the only rookie to celebrate a first on the ice. St. Louis' Jimmy Snuggerud also tallied an assist in just his second game.
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Sid the Kid shows the kids how it's done in overtime: Yohe's 10 observations
PITTSBURGH — The kids were alright. The Kid was, too. It's been a long time since it was prudent to refer to Sidney Crosby as Sid the Kid, but he's looked nothing like his age in recent weeks and dazzled all day on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena before burying the game-winner in overtime for the game's only goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators 1-0. SUDDEN DEATH FOR SIDNEY! 🚨 — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 30, 2025 Heralded prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen joined the Penguins from Wilkes-Barre (AHL) on Sunday. McGroarty, celebrating his 21st birthday, played in his fourth NHL game and his first alongside Crosby on the top line. Koivunen made his NHL debut. Everyone was impressed with the rookies. Advertisement 'I thought he (McGroarty) played well,' Crosby said. 'He was in on the puck, in on the forecheck, created turnovers, had a couple of chances around the net. He competed really hard.' McGroarty had three shots on goal and registered four hits. Koivunen threw two shots on net and was noticeable all evening, his speed and pesky puck pursuit quite evident throughout. Mike Sullivan clearly liked what he saw in Koivunen's game. 'I was curious to see how Ville would handle the size and the speed and I thought he handled it extremely well,' Sullivan said. 'I'm looking forward to watching him more.' While those two were the main story, Tristan Jarry rebounded with an unexpected 31-save shutout after being yanked in consecutive starts. And then there was Crosby. He now has a 10-game scoring streak and has produced at least one point in 16 of 18 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off. With the game tied late in the third period, Crosby absorbed a nasty slash to the left arm from Ottawa defenseman Artem Zub. Crosby retaliated with a punch and both were sent to the penalty box. Artem Zub and Sidney Crosby were going at it 😳 — Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 30, 2025 It served as a lesson for the rookies: When Crosby gets angry, something good is usually about to happen. And so it did. Crosby responded by leaving the penalty box in the final seconds of regulation and drawing a Ridly Greig penalty with three seconds remaining in regulation. The game's conclusion was pretty predictable at that point. Standing in the right circle, Crosby ripped a one-timer past goaltender Anton Forsberg to send the home crowd home happy. For a team that has only won 30 games all season, it should be noted this was Crosby's seventh game-winning tally. Was there a bit of anger behind that shot? Advertisement 'Nah,' Crosby said. 'I had moved on. Just a nice pass from (Erik Karlsson). He put it on a tee.' • McGroarty's skating is never going to be the trademark of his game but it's notably better than it was in training camp. This tells me that more than anything, he's putting in the work. When you're watching McGroarty play, you'll note his hockey IQ is really high. He always knows where to go. I thought he was perfectly solid in his first NHL game since October. Playing with Crosby is no easy task and has to be a bit intimidating for someone of his age, but he handled it well. I think the speed of the NHL game is going to take some getting used to for him. He sometimes holds onto the puck for a split second longer than he should. This isn't a criticism, but merely an observation. It's going to come, I believe. He just needs to play. • Koivunen isn't a particularly big guy, but I love everything about his game. He's got a pesky way about him on the ice, which makes sense, because Finnish players all seem to possess that attribute. He has a great pair of wheels, which was obvious all game. This is an excellent skater, both in terms of pure speed and agility. He was very close to connecting on a couple of good-looking plays. This is a player with a dynamic flair to his game who is oozing with offensive upside. All things considered, I thought he was very good in this game and like Sullivan, I want to see more. • What Crosby is doing right now is going under the radar. No, I'm not talking about the point-per-game record that he set on Thursday in Buffalo, or even his current 10-game scoring streak. I'm simply talking about quality of play. This was one of his best games of the season. He is utterly locked in right now like we haven't seen in quite a while, and probably not since the stretch drive last season. Every pass was perfect. Every decision was perfect. Everything about his game right now is absolutely perfect. Advertisement And that shot was something to see in person. Rarely does he fire a rocket quite like that. Just a thing of beauty. • Rickard Rakell almost scored on a couple of occasions and, all things considered, played well at center. This isn't his natural position and it takes a lot of professionalism for an All- Star-caliber winger to simply shift to center in the 75th game of the season. Without the injured Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins don't have many answers down the middle behind Crosby. Rakell is a pro and handled it well. • Try to figure out Jarry one day, and he'll surprise you the next. Jarry was spectacular for two weeks after his recall from Wilkes-Barre. Then he had two absolutely brutal outings in Tampa Bay and Buffalo, getting yanked in both games. I was surprised that Sullivan went back to him. To Jarry's credit, he proved the decision to be an accurate one. Making 31 saves on 31 shots speaks for itself. He was outstanding. What will he do in his next start? Your guess is as good as mine. • I thought the slash by Zub was way over the top and that the Penguins should have received a power play even though Crosby retaliated. That's a dirty, dangerous slash and it simply wasn't warranted. Crosby barely touched the goaltender's glove on that play and the tradeoff at that stage of the game is obvious, and something a veteran official like Dan O'Rourke needs to be aware of. Also … I hate to sound like a Neanderthal, but I'm pretty adamant about this. If I'm on the ice while a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and someone slashes 37-year-old Sidney Crosby in that fashion, I absolutely lose my mind and make sure Zub knows who I am in very short order. Especially when the results of the game don't really matter for the Penguins at this stage. Yes, McGroarty is a kid. Bryan Rust, Karlsson and Matt Grzelcyk, who aren't exactly known pugilists, were the only other players on the ice. But still. I just don't like it. Crosby has absorbed abuse like that for his entire career and far too often he's been forced to deal with it by himself. I'll never understand why this is OK with the Penguins. Advertisement • Say what you will about Noel Acciari. The fact is, he's just so slow that he struggles to be an effective NHL player at this stage of his career. You can't say he doesn't work hard, though. He was credited with seven hits in this game, blocked two shots and worked his tail off like he always does. He's not pretty to watch, but he's an easy player to respect. • I don't like Kris Letang's game at all right now. Something is very off with him. He was assessed a game-high five giveaways, which sounds about right. He struggled mightily and hasn't looked good in more than a month. • The Senators look like a safe bet to make the playoffs and here's hoping Toronto wins the Atlantic Division so we get the battle of Ontario in the first round. I think Ottawa is a scary first-round matchup and I won't gauge them by this lifeless performance. They played in Detroit on Thursday, back home on Saturday, and then had to play 22 hours later in Pittsburgh. That's brutal and unfair scheduling. Every team has to deal with it on occasion, but the relative no-show from the Senators is understandable. • The Penguins have two stretches of three days off over the rest of the season, which is a peculiar scheduling quirk. Up next is a game in St. Louis on April 3 against the red-hot Blues. (Top photo of Sidney Crosby evading two Senators: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
New York Times
30-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen fitting right in as Penguins embrace youth movement
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — There was a moment in the Penguins' locker room following Saturday's practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex that was too precious to ignore, and also may have subsequently told the story of the day. Rutger McGroarty, who immediately became the best Penguins' prospect when he was acquired in August, finds his stall beside Sidney Crosby's in the locker room. Even better, McGroarty looks to be playing on Crosby's left wing when the Penguins host the Senators on Sunday, which happens to be McGroarty's 21st birthday. Advertisement McGroarty's personality is larger than life. He's smart. He's funny. He's personable. He's got loads of charisma. He's so cool, the kids would say he's got rizz. If he can play at all — and I think he can — he's going to be a very popular young man in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. There's only one recent problem: McGroarty fought once in the AHL, and it didn't go so well. FIGHT. Rutger McGroarty vs Michael Buchinger! McGroarty made contact with Thunderbirds goaltender Colten Ellis at the side of the net, drawing the ire of Buchinger. McGroarty eventually obliged the request, but didn't fare well against Buchinger in the fight. @InsideAHLHockey — Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) February 23, 2025 McGroarty had already met with the media, who had walked about two feet to the left for the usual gathering with Crosby. Before Crosby could start, however, McGroarty was still chatting away. 'Anyone see my fight?' I'm not sure who he was talking to, maybe all of us. We nodded. 'It was so bad,' he said with a laugh. 'I ran their goalie, and then we fought. And …' McGroarty explained that he couldn't get himself maneuvered properly to throw a punch. 'And he just hammered away,' McGroarty said with a laugh. 'It was awful.' Crosby, who was patiently waiting for the questions from the media while we were all enjoying McGroarty's undeniable enthusiasm, finally chimed in. The Penguins' captain looked at McGroarty and asked, 'Was he bigger than you at least?' Michael Buchinger, who pummeled McGroarty, is listed at 6 feet and 185 pounds. McGroarty is listed at 6-1, 203. 'Yeah, it's always worse when the other guy isn't bigger,' Crosby said with a grin. The interaction between the two was endearing, and it's also necessary. What parts of Sidney Crosby's game does Rutger McGroarty want to try and emulate? 'I mean, seriously, everything. Like, actually, everything." Potentially playing on a line with the captain in an NHL game on his 21st birthday is one heck of a gift. Hear from the rookie ⬇️ — Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 29, 2025 This is an organization that is desperate for an infusion of youth. And not just young players, but talented young players. And young players who feel like they belong. McGroarty feels like he belongs. He doesn't come off as the least bit arrogant or entitled. There's just a confidence about him that you don't typically see in prospects, especially when sitting within five feet of a living legend. Advertisement To McGroarty's left sat Ville Koivunen, who will make his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. He'll be playing on the second line with Rickard Rakell serving as his center. Only eight games are remaining in what is a lost season for the Penguins, but it's very much noteworthy that the organization has decided to let McGroarty and Koivunen play out the season in Pittsburgh before returning them to Wilkes-Barre for the AHL postseason. Consider it symbolism. Or a change in philosophy. Or, maybe the Penguins have good prospects on their hands, something that hasn't been the case since Jake Guentzel exploded onto the scene in 2016. • Typically, the Penguins wouldn't recall arguably their two most talented forward prospects with only eight games remaining in the season. • Typically, they wouldn't immediately insert said two players onto the top two lines immediately upon their arrival. • Typically, the Penguins' veterans wouldn't show this much eagerness about pushing for these two kids to receive heavy playing time. Consider the conversation I had with Rakell, who is playing out of position to accommodate these two youngsters. It would be understandable if Rakell were annoyed by all of this, since he's having a career year while playing on Crosby's line. Now, he has to play an unfamiliar position on Sunday because of Evgeni Malkin's lingering injury. If Rakell has a problem with it, he has a funny way of showing it. 'Let me tell you something,' Rakell said. 'These two kids, they should be playing in the top six right now. I'm glad they are. You know why they should be? Because they're going to be top-six guys. They just are. You can see the talent. So why not play them there now? I'm glad.' Rakell played with Koivunen enough in training camp to know what he needed to see. Advertisement 'He's really fast and really good with the puck,' Rakell said. 'He just needs to play. He's really good.' Bryan Rust offered similar sentiments about Koivunen and McGroarty being thrown into the fire. 'I think when you've got guys you plan on potentially down the road playing that role … when they get an opportunity, those are the players they probably play the best with,' he said. The energy that McGroarty and Koivunen brought to the locker room was very clear after Saturday's practice. 'You always pay attention,' Rust said when speaking of the new guys. 'Obviously, prospects of pedigree are a little more interesting.' Koivunen was unable to remove the smile from his face while talking about his pending debut. His parents and girlfriend were en route to Pittsburgh on Saturday. McGroarty couldn't stop commenting on how welcome he felt. 'I've got Sid making small talk with me and Ville,' he said. 'Crazy stuff.' Crosby has been waiting for this day. The Penguins didn't want to rush these two to the NHL, so they've let them strut their stuff in Wilkes-Barre. But make no mistake, Crosby and the veterans on this team who truly matter realize an infusion of youth is mandatory if the Penguins are to make their rebuilding process a brief one. Crosby and the Penguins were in a funk during the 2015-16 season. Then along came Rust, Matt Murray, Conor Sheary, Tom Kühnhackl and Scott Wilson. A few months later, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup, and while that team was a lot better than this one, one thing can't be denied: The youth movement altered the dynamic of the locker room and Crosby, then 28, loved being the old man while showing the kids the ropes. Now, Crosby is 37. The grin on his face while McGroarty was talking was mindful of the time when Rust and the others came along. Advertisement 'Once upon a time,' Rust said, 'I wasn't one of those guys.' Rust was explaining that he hadn't received the hype that McGroarty and Koivunen are receiving. 'Sid treated me just the same,' Rust said. 'That goes a long way.' Rust gets it. So does Rakell. And no one gets it more than Crosby. Those three fully intend on being in Pittsburgh when the Penguins return to glory. So does coach Mike Sullivan. It's noteworthy, then, that Sullivan is throwing the two kids right to the top six. Rust is in favor of it. Rakell, too. And Crosby couldn't take the smile off his face all morning, even staying on the ice with the kids long after practice ended to work with them. The Penguins aren't making the playoffs this season. There's a long way to go. The rebuilding is just beginning. And yet, when you consider the surprising decision to bring these two to the NHL, and you see how welcome they are, and how eager the Penguins' best players are to welcome them, and with Sullivan throwing them into the fire as opposed to bringing them along slowly, you wonder if maybe this isn't a lost season after all. (Photo of Rutger McGroarty: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images
