Latest news with #OBE
Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Coempt Edutek Recognised with 'EdTech Excellence Award of the Year' for Transformative Contributions to Digital Learning in India
StarFishGlobal Communications LLP Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 25: Coempt Edu Teck, a trailblazer in India's education technology landscape, has been honoured with the 'EdTech Excellence Award of the Year' by Outlook Magazine. recognising its significant role in redefining how educational institutions adopt, implement, and scale examination solutions. Established with a vision to enable transparent and error free evaluation and examination processing, Coempt Edu Teck has been at the forefront of innovation in the education sector. Its robust platforms power seamless examination management across universities, professional institutes, and corporate training environments. The company is led by Mr. V S N Raju, Founder, Director, and Chief Executive Officer, who brings decades of expertise in education, training, and technology. Under his leadership, Coempt Edu Teck has grown into a trusted partner for institutions seeking scalable, tech-enabled transformation in assessment and examination. "This recognition is a reflection of our team's deep commitment to solving real-world education challenges using technology," said V S N Raju. "At Coempt, our focus has always been on creating user-centric solutions that are easy to implement, effective to scale, and impactful in outcomes. The journey ahead is equally exciting as we continue to work with institutions to build future-ready ecosystems for certificate awarding bodies across India." Coempt Edutek offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including AI-powered assessment tools, and evaluation cum examination processing platforms. Its solutions have helped educational institutions streamline operations, error free outcomes, and adopt national frameworks like Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and NEP 2020. The 'EdTech Excellence Award of the Year' is a proud moment in Coempt Edu Teck's journey and serves as a strong validation of its continued efforts to drive digital transformation in the Indian education sector. About Coempt Edu Teck is a leading provider of technology-enabled evaluation and examination solutions. With a mission to enhance the quality and reach of education through innovative tools and platforms, the company has established itself as a reliable partner to some of India's most progressive institutions and certificate awarding bodies.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne's abandoned F1 grid walk interview and X-rated answer stunned Martin Brundle
F1 legend Martin Brundle got in trouble with TV bosses for what Ozzy Osbourne said to him during a brief but iconic grid walk interview at the Canadian Grand Prix Ozzy Osbourne provided Martin Brundle with one of his most memorable Formula 1 grid walk encounters. The iconic Black Sabbath frontman, who has died at the age of 76, wasn't particularly known for his passion for F1, but he did make an appearance at least once at a grand prix. The Birmingham-born rock legend was a VIP guest at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. He turned up on the grid before the race began, with reporters eager to speak to him. Brundle, the voice of ITV's F1 coverage at the time, positioned himself perfectly for an interview, only to find himself battling to extract anything sensible from the star. In a moment that has become legendary, Brundle quipped: "I'll try and think of a question to that answer." He was then forced to end the chat abruptly after Osbourne let slip a swear word on live television, which got Brundle into trouble with his superiors. Reflecting on the incident, Brundle once said: "He wasn't fully with it, shall we say. I asked him a question and he gave me a very long, incomprehensible answer. "I said to him, 'I'll try and think of a question to that, but in the meantime how are the dogs?' And he said, 'They are at home s****** on the carpets.' It went out live to millions of people and I got in trouble because I was supposed to have known he would swear if I asked that question." Osbourne did at least engage with Brundle, who has branded his grid walks in general as "car crash television". While many stars are happy to converse with the ex-F1 driver on the grid, some have notoriously snubbed him. Over two decades since that encounter, Sky Sports ' Brundle can look back with a sense of humour, though he'd rather be remembered for his racing career. Earlier this year, he told the Daily Mail:"The grid walk actually really annoys me because that's what I'm known for now. "The whole thing is still a mystery. I won a lot of races as a driver and was on the F1 podium. I was World Sportscar Champion, winner at Le Mans, beat Ayrton Senna a lot of times in F3. "I was a reasonably handy racing driver and I'm a reasonably handy commentator but all I'm going to be remembered for is getting ignored on the grid by the Megan Thee Stallion and other people I'd never heard of until that moment. "It's quite a funny thing but I can't knock it, heading towards 66, I'm lucky to still be in live sport and that's why I was pleased with the OBE because it wasn't an OBE just for grid-walking." Osbourne passed away just weeks after a reunion gig in Birmingham. The Prince of Darkness, who had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2019, died "with his family and surrounded by love". A family statement, issued on Tuesday, said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Candidates confirmed ahead of by-election in Barrhead
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, August 21 to elect a new councillor following the death of Cllr Betty Cunningham. The long-serving Labour councillor, who represented the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor ward, passed away in May at the age of 79 after a period of ill health. Labour has selected Julie Ann Costello McHale to contest the seat while the SNP will be represented by David McDonald. READ MORE: Date revealed for Barrhead by-election following death of councillor Farooq Choudhry is the Scottish Conservative candidate, Karen Sharkey will stand for the Scottish Greens and Andy MacGibbon has been picked by Reform. Abolish the Scottish Parliament party is also contesting the election and has selected Gus Ferguson. The council is currently led by a minority Labour-independent administration, which includes independent councillor Danny Devlin. There are now four Labour councillors, three independents, five SNP and five Conservatives. At the last election in 2022, Cllr Devlin picked up the most first preference votes in the ward (1,753), followed by the SNP's Angela Convery (1,639). Cllr Cunningham and Cllr Chris Lunday, SNP, were also elected. Polls will be open between 7am and 10pm on August 21 and residents have until midnight on Tuesday, August 5 to register to vote. The count will take place on the morning of Friday, August 22. READ MORE: Campaigners to challenge Eaglesham battery plant ruling Following Cllr Cunningham's death, tributes were paid from across the political spectrum. Council leader Owen O'Donnell said: 'Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. 'She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! 'She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with.' Cllr Cunningham was first elected in 1999 and served as Provost from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi, having first travelled to the African country in 2007. Her charity, the Betty Cunningham International Trust, built a health clinic and nursery schools.
ITV News
3 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Commissioner Max Caller brought in to oversee £300m in cuts to Birmingham's services to step down
The lead commissioner of Birmingham City Council, who has been overseeing £300m of cuts to council services over the last two years, is stepping down from his role. Max Caller, who has been referred to by campaigners across the city as 'Max the Axe', has announced plans to retire. He was sent in by the Government in 2023 to make hundreds of millions of pounds worth of cuts to services after the authority effectively declared bankruptcy. He will be replaced by Tony McArdle OBE, who is the former chief executive of Lincolnshire County Council, and Wellingborough Council. He also led the recent intervention at Nottingham City Council to help solve their financial problems two years ago. It's understood Mr Caller has written to deputy prime minister Angela Rayner confirming his retirement comes in the midst of a hugely damaging bin strike in the city, which is understood to have cost the council and taxpayers £4 million. Mr Caller had said last year that he intended to step down as soon as he felt the council's recovery and improvement was secure. He had said it would be a "disaster" if he stayed on for longer as it would show the council was not getting a statement Jim McMahon, minister for local government and regional devolution at the Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities has said: 'Max Caller has made a significant contribution to local government throughout his career including leading efforts to put Birmingham City Council on a sustainable footing. "We thank him for his work and wish him well in his retirement."While the city's recovery remains fragile, marked progress was made under his leadership including developing a stable medium-term financial plan, making progress towards resolving the outstanding equal pay situation, and re-implementing the Oracle IT programme."The government's priority is to ensure this work continues."I am confident that will be the case under the new lead commissioner Tony McArdle OBE who brings a huge range of experience to the role having been a well-respected council chief executive and leading interventions at other local authorities." His departure comes just one day after campaigners lost their legal battle over his decision to shut four day centres in the city for people with disabilities: Beeches GOLDD, Fairway, Harborne, and Heartlands. Mr Caller had blocked an attempt by councillors to scrutinise the controversial decision. The closures were part of a wider effort to address a £1.95 million budget gap for 2024–25 and £3.35 million in 2025–26. Following the cabinet's decision to close the centres, six councillors sought to have it reviewed by a scrutiny committee through the formal 'call-in' process. But Max Caller overruled them, blocking further examination by the scrutiny Mr Caller well, the council leader, Councillor John Cotton, said: "I want to place on record our best wishes to Max for his retirement and I have thanked him for his valuable contribution in helping Birmingham's improvement over the past two years."I have this morning also received a letter from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP. The Minister has informed us that he has appointed Tony McArdle OBE as the new Lead Commissioner at Birmingham City Council."I am clear that the council still needs external support and the challenge of critical friends, but we need to ensure that they are aligned to our shared priorities as we move to the next stage of the council's improvement journey."We are very keen to continue the pace of progress and ensure it does not slow down during these changes. That is why work on producing next year's budget continues at pace." Since being appointed by the then Secretary of State Michael Gove in October 2023, Mr Caller has overseen a string of major cuts to the council's services. As commissioner, his role included ensuring financial sustainability was delivered, closing budget gaps, agreeing changes to the authority's operating model to ensure financial sustainability.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell's mum makes vow after shock revelation
Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell's mum received national praise for giving the youngster a second chance after the abuse he suffered at the hands of his birth parents The mum of Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell has vowed to "give this the biggest fight of my life' after sharing that she is now fighting stage four lung cancer. Paula Hudgell, who gave Tony a second chance at life and has won national praise for her tireless campaigning on child abuse laws, has revealed the sad news that her cancer has returned and spread, nearly two years after she was first diagnosed. The 57-year-old former nurse adopted Tony in 2016 after he was left with life-changing injuries by his birth parents. The abuse little Tony suffered was so severe that both of the youngster's legs had to be amputated. Paula was honoured with an OBE in 2022 for her fight to bring about Tony's Law. But that same year she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and in a moving social media post on Saturday, she told followers the disease has now returned and spread. 'It's been a really tough few weeks,' she wrote in an emotional Instagram message. 'In 2022, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer - and after feeling the best I have in years, I've now been hit with the heartbreaking news that it's returned, and this time it's also in my lung. Stage 4. It's been a huge shock, and it's taken some time for us to get our heads around it.' Sharing a photo of the marking left on her chest from the portacath used to deliver treatment, she added: 'In ten days, I'll start aggressive chemo. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but I'm ready to give this the biggest fight of my life.' Paula lives in Kent with her husband Mark and their children, including Tony, now 10. The couple adopted him after he survived unimaginable abuse as a baby - suffering fractures, sepsis, organ failure, and ultimately losing both legs. But despite his brutal start in life, Tony has defied all odds. He has walked on prosthetics, raised over £1.8 million for charity, and become a national hero - winning a Pride of Britain award and receiving heartfelt praise from the Prince and Princess of Wales. Paula's relentless campaigning alongside MPs and child protection charities led to the introduction of Tony's Law in 2022, increasing the maximum jail terms for those who cause or allow serious harm or death to a child. Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Tony Smith, 54, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018. But Simpson was freed from prison on June 30 following a risk assessment by the Parole Board. She will face strict conditions including on her movements and contact with others. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Mirror: "This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones. Now that Jody Simpson has been released as directed by the Independent Parole Board, she will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules."
