Latest news with #Nations
Biz Bahrain
5 days ago
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
BDB Highlights the Impact of Its Farmers Market Initiative in Boosting Local Agriculture and Food Security
Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), the Kingdom's leading bank dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has released its latest insights on the impact of its Farmers Market initiative in Hoorat A'ali — a key platform driving local agriculture, empowering Bahraini farmers and families, and enhancing food security. This key initiative plays an essential role in providing direct, year-round access to a diverse selection of fresh, locally produced goods, offering farmers a valuable platform to grow their businesses and increase sales. The Farmers Market initiative reflects BDB's active role in supporting national efforts to boost food security, while also advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — including: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Partnerships for the Goals. The Farmers Market is considered one of the Kingdom's most successful local initiatives, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. It features more than 50 kiosks, cafes, and restaurants serving freshly prepared local dishes. The market also supports 21 local farmers, 18 Bahraini productive families, and three commercial ventures, all of which contribute to increased domestic production and stimulate the national economy. Given that Bahrain currently imports around 95% of its food requirements, the Farmers Market plays a crucial role in reducing this dependency by nurturing the local agricultural sector. It also encourages the growth of SMEs, in line with the Kingdom's broader economic vision to achieve sustainable development in agriculture.
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Lil'wat Nation announces more closures at Joffre Lakes for 2025
Lil'wat Nation has announced further temporary closures at Joffre Lakes Park for 2025, following the April 25 to May 19 reconnection period. The popular recreation site will be closed to the public from June 13 to 17 and Aug 22 to Oct 23 as part of an ongoing partnership agreement between BC Parks and the Lil'wat and N'Quatqua Nations. During those times, both Nations will engage in spiritual activities and carry out cultural practices like hunting, fishing and harvesting medicines. 'Community members are getting to utilize areas where they were previously removed or denied access,' according to a release from Lil'wat . 'This reconnection is integral to the well-being of the two Nations' community members as they look for traditional methods to help cope with grief, addictions, suicide and mental health.' The Nations first employed these temporary closures in Joffre, known as Pipi7íyekw, in 2023 . The Nation said that the reconnection periods, carried out in conjunction with a joint provincial visitor use management strategy , are already 'demonstrating tangible differences' on the park's ecosystem. 'We are noticing the Whiskey Jacks are becoming less conditioned to approach people for food, and the Pikas are being seen in greater numbers without dogs visiting the park' says Casey Gonzalez, director of Title & Rights at Lil'wat Nation, in a statement. The Nations emphasized that they would like to see recreation and cultural land use prioritized equally, moving forward. They added that while efforts to reduce human impacts on the park—including daily visitor limits and mandatory day use passes during peak season—are being made, there is 'still much room for improvement.' 'These changes wouldn't happen if we don't assert our inherent rights,' said Lil'wat Nation's political chief Kúkwpi7 Skalúlmecw Dean Nelson. 'It's our responsibility as stewards to protect the land; it's been overused for too long by too many people.' Joffre Lakes Park has seen a massive increase in traffic over the last decade. The park reached an all-time high of 196,300 visitors in 2019, prompting the province to introduce the day pass system in 2021. As of May 17, day passes are required to visit Joffre. The passes can be reserved online at 7 a.m. up to two days before a planned visit on BC Parks' website .
Vancouver Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
City to vote on installing permanent Vancouver sign at Canada Place waterfront
Visitors to Vancouver may soon be able to take a selfie with a giant sign bearing the city's name in block letters, with the ocean and mountains providing a spectacular backdrop. City council will vote Wednesday on whether to install a permanent VANCOUVER sign at 1055 Canada Place — a move inspired by a temporary Vancouver sign erected in the winter of 2023 and 2024. The sign, which was part of a holiday event and not meant to be permanent, was briefly altered to read Swiftcouver during megastar Taylor Swift's Eras concert tour in December . Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. However, a staff report to city council recommends council approve the location as a permanent home for a new Vancouver sign and that construction be finished by the end of next year. Vancouver staff estimate the new permanent sign would be about 13.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres tall, and cost up to $1 million. The report says $400,000 in partnership funding has already been secured for the sign, which would be located on the waterfront pathway between the Vancouver Convention Centre West building and Canada Place. Benefits of a sign at Canada Place include a connection to iconic Vancouver scenery and landmarks, and ease of access because it is close to transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, according to the report. The concept and design are yet to be determined. However, the report notes the sign would be made with a steel frame, aluminum cladding, and translucent polycarbonate, and be customizable with LED lighting. Staff recommend council sets aside up to $300,000 towards the capital costs and an additional $50,000 for maintenance. The report also recommends council direct staff to discuss opportunities with local First Nations on representation as part of the VANCOUVER sign project. 'Depending on level of interest, further calls for expression by local Nations artists to include meaningful and permanent cultural representation are anticipated,' staff say in the report. ticrawford@
India Today
21-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
India, Taiwan team up on solar tech to turn carbon emissions into green energy
In a promising development in the fight against climate change, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai, has created a photocatalytic system that uses sunlight to convert harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable renewable fuels. The research, done in collaboration with National Taiwan University, is published in the respected journal Nano Energy and marks a significant step forward in green Indrajit Shown and his team, along with Dr Li-Chyong Chen's group, engineered a novel material called ZnS/ZnInS (ZIS) heterostructure material uses solar energy to efficiently transform CO into hydrocarbons, specifically acetaldehyde -- a useful chemical for producing sustainable fuels. HITS Professor in collaboration 200x EFFICIENCY BOOST IN CO2 CONVERSION The researchers developed this ZnS/ZIS composite through a simple one-pot hydrothermal method, introducing a new mechanism called the strain-induced direct major development has boosted the efficiency of CO2 conversion by 200 times compared to older ZnS-based systems.'Our work aims to go beyond scientific curiosity,' said Professor Shown. 'It focuses on practical solutions to reduce CO2, a major greenhouse gas, and turn it into something valuable. This research highlights the strength of international teamwork between HITS and National Taiwan University in addressing global environmental challenges.'advertisementOne of the key achievements is that the system uses visible light to produce acetaldehyde selectively, a critical feature for developing green fuel testing using isotope-labeled CO2 confirmed that the hydrocarbons generated come directly from CO2, ruling out innovation supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action, Industry Innovation, and Responsible team now plans to further develop this technology for real-world applications, potentially transforming how we tackle carbon emissions and energy Watch
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Nick Thomas wins fitness race for World Rugby U20 Championships
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Rodney Parade club last December, had an operation after injuring his left ankle against France in the Six Nations. Thomas is on course to return in the summer championships in Italy when Wales go up against France, Argentina and Spain in the group stages. Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a 45-strong training squad and 11 Dragons are included. INFLUENTIAL: Harry Beddall on the charge for Wales against England (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) Flanker Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester, is named along with Thomas, props Owain James and George Tuckley, back rowers Ryan Jones, Evan Minto and Cerrig Smith, scrum-half Logan Franklin, fly-half Harri Ford and wings Harry Rees-Weldon and Ioan Duggan. Beddall, Thomas, James, Minto, Franklin, Ford and Rees-Weldon all featured in the Six Nations. The youngsters will get the chance to impress when Wales take on England at Pontypool Park on Friday, June 6 with a meeting with Italy at Cardiff Arms Park seven days later. The official 30-player squad to travel to Italy for the Championship, which runs from June 29 to July 19, will be announced between the two warm-up fixtures. Whiffin said: 'This 45-man training squad is a mixture of guys that did really well during the Six Nations for us and then the U18s and U19s had a really good block post-Six Nations. 'The U18s went and won all three games out in Vichy and there's a number of those guys that stepped up. 'You also have the culmination of Super Rygbi Cymru – there are boys that have been putting their hand up in the last few weeks in that competition. 'It gives us an opportunity to put a bit of pressure on the guys that had the jersey in the Six Nations and also prepare for what guys might step up next year.' Wales training squad for 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship Forwards (25) Dylan Alford (Scarlets /RGC) Harry Beddall (Dragons RFC) Jake Bowen (Scarlets) Tom Cottle (RGC) Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby) Keanu Evans (Scarlets) Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) Will Evans (Scarlets) Dan Gemine (Ospreys) Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby) Saul Hurley (Aberavon) Caio James (Gloucester Rugby) Owain James (Dragons RFC) Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears) Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC) Evan Minto (Dragons RFC) Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) Sam Scott (Bristol Bears) Cerrig Smith (Dragons RFC) Harry Thomas (Scarlets) Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC) Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears) George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) Cameron Tyler-Grocott (Cardiff Rugby) Evan Wood (Pontypool / Cardiff Met) Backs (20) Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears) Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby) Ioan Duggan (Dragons RFC) Lewis Edwards (Ospreys) Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby) Harri Ford (Dragons RFC) Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC) Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) Ellis Lewis (Neath) Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby) Elis Price (Scarlets) Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC) Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks) Dylan Scott (Cardiff MET) Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
