Latest news with #PaulWhite
The Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Ferns crowned SA Men's Open singles bowls champion in thrilling Westview finale
Brendan Ferns etched his name into the record books as he claimed the Bowls SA Men's Open Singles title in a gripping showdown against Wayne Perry at the Westview Bowling Club in Gqeberha on Sunday. The final, played in blustery conditions, saw both players locked in a tense race to 21 shots, with the scores remaining neck-and-neck in the early stages. Perry, representing the Wingate Park Country Club, matched Ferns for much of the match with precision draw shots and measured composure. But as the game entered its crucial phases, Ferns — also playing out of the Wingate Park Country Club — found another gear. A string of telling shots allowed him to build a steady lead, applying scoreboard pressure which ultimately proved too much for White to overcome. Ferns sealed the victory 21-16, earning not only the coveted singles crown but also a berth in the prestigious World Champion of Champions event set to be played later this year in Sydney. In the fours final, Paul White's Westville team let an early 8-0 lead slip against the powerhouse quartet led by fellow Gold Squad member Niksa Benguric. Backed by the formidable trio of Driaan van Niekerk, Perry and CP Mathewson, Benguric's side stormed back with clinical shot-making and relentless pressure to claim a resounding 24-14 win. The pairs final saw the Knysna Bowling Club shine brightly as Billy Radloff and John Rimbault delivered a dominant performance. Their aggressive, front-foot style proved too much for Logan Sobramony and Mike Underwood, who struggled to keep pace. Radloff and Rimbault surged to a convincing victory, sealing a proud moment for the coastal club who celebrate their centenary this year. In the veterans' final, it was Otto Holicki who prevailed over Arnie Muscat after soaring out to an initial lead which he never let go of. — Bowls SA
Glasgow Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Adviser to ex-Ukrainian president Yanukovych shot dead outside school in Spain
Andrii Portnov, 51, was identified as the victim by Spain's Interior Ministry. He was shot at 9.15am local time (0815 BST), authorities said, after apparently dropping his children off for class. Members of the judicial police at the scene after an adviser to former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych was shot outside a school in Madrid, Spain (Paul White/AP) Witnesses reported that Mr Portnov was shot 'several times' in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into his car, a black Mercedes-Benz, police said. The assailants then fled on foot. Madrid's emergency services said that he was found dead when medics arrived with at least three shots to his body. Mr Portnov is a former Ukrainian politician closely tied to Mr Yanukovych, having served as deputy head of the presidential office from 2010 to 2014. During Mr Yanukovych's presidency, Mr Portnov was widely viewed as a pro-Russia political figure and was involved in drafting legislation aimed at persecuting participants of the 2014 revolution in Ukraine. Luis Rayo, 19, who lives in a building next to the school, said that he was sleeping when he heard the sound of gunfire. 'I heard five bullets and then came here to see what happened,' Mr Rayo said. Police cordoned off a crime scene in a car park around 150 metres (500ft) outside the gate of the American School of Madrid, located in the upscale Pozuelo de Alarcon neighbourhood north of the city centre. Police officers cordon off the area in Madrid (Paul White/AP) Parents told The Associated Press that Mr Portnov had children studying at the private school. The school declined to confirm whether his children were enrolled. Timur Ayaokur, 17, said he was 20 minutes into his first class of the day when he and his classmates heard of the shooting. After a few minutes, the school's administrators told students that a man had been shot and pronounced dead outside. 'I thought it was a drill,' Ayaokur said of the initial announcement. 'I was worried because at first I thought it might be a parent of someone I know.' His mother Elina Ayaokur, originally from Azerbaijan, said she knew the victim through the Russian community though she did not know him well. 'I didn't know there were Ukrainian politicians there,' Ayaokur said, adding that the victim had a son in the fourth grade. The incident happened outside the American School of Madrid (Paul White/AP) 'I was in shock, like how is it possible that this happens here?' Ayaokur said. After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, Mr Portnov reportedly lived in Russia in 2015 before relocating to Austria. It was not immediately clear when he moved to Spain. In 2018, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) opened an investigation against him on suspicion of state treason, alleging his involvement in Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The criminal case was closed in 2019. In 2021, the United States imposed personal sanctions on Mr Portnov, designating him as someone 'responsible for or complicit in, or (who) has directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets, the expropriation of private assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, or bribery'.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
WestJet joins global initiative to support guests through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program Français
CALGARY, AB, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, WestJet launched its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, enhancing its commitment to providing a welcoming and comfortable experience for all guests. The Sunflower program allows guests with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may require more assistance while travelling, including extra time, patience and support. "Through our participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, we are proud to further our commitment to providing convenient and accessible services that meet the unique needs of our guests," said Jacqui McGilliivray, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer. "The Sunflower lanyard provides a visual cue to help those with non-visible disabilities communicate their needs and navigate their environment with confidence, significantly improving their overall guest experience and making travel more accessible for them." The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program is a globally recognized program that uses the Sunflower symbol to help travellers make their needs known. Guests can choose to wear the Sunflower lanyard, or other Sunflower branded products such as a pin or wristband, both in airports and on WestJet flights to indicate to WestJet employees that they may have a specific need or require additional assistance. "We are delighted to welcome WestJet to the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. Non-visible disabilities can be neurological, cognitive and neurodevelopmental as well as physical, visual, auditory and including sensory and processing difficulties. They can also include respiratory, heart, rare diseases and chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic pain. It is wonderful to see how WestJet have committed time and energy to implement the Sunflower training to ensure that travelling Sunflower wearers are recognised by their staff to receive the additional help, understanding and kindness they may need." - Paul White, CEO Hidden Disabilities Sunflower As part of WestJet's commitment to improving accessibility, Sunflower lanyards are now available upon request at WestJet check-in counters across Canada. Guests are also encouraged to reuse their Sunflower lanyards on future flights or wherever the Sunflower is recognized and helps them receive the assistance they need. About WestJet WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Following integration with Sunwing in 2025, more than 14,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. As a major Canadian employer that includes WestJet Airlines, Sunwing Vacations Group and WestJet Cargo, the WestJet Group is Canada's leading low-cost airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians. Learn more about WestJet at (also available in French) Follow WestJet on Facebook at Follow WestJet on X at and Follow WestJet on Instagram at Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at About the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower enables individuals to discreetly indicate that they have a non-visible disability and may need additional assistance, understanding, or more time. Since Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was established in the UK in 2016, it has been adopted globally by businesses and charities to support their colleagues and customers. The Sunflower is recognized across a broad range of sectors - ranging from retail, financial services, transport including over 220 airports, travel and tourism, education, government, as well as healthcare, emergency service and entertainment. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is available globally and has been launched locally in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Latin America, Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UAE, the UK and USA.
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Paul White obituary
My father, Paul White, who has died aged 74, spent his working life at the University of Sheffield, starting in 1974 as a lecturer in the geography department and ending as deputy vice-chancellor. His career may have been based at Sheffield, but it encompassed a truly international outlook. With interests including migration, demographic change and social exclusion, he carried out research covering a huge range of topics, including tourism in rural Switzerland, Japanese communities in London, social segregation in European cities and perceptions of rurality in China. Teaching and improving the student experience were his real passions. As professor of European geography from 1997 until his retirement in 2016, he passed on his enthusiasm for other cultures to his students, including through field classes to Paris and Berlin. He was a highly valued PhD supervisor, overseeing more than 36, and was passionate about teaching students to find out and think for themselves. In 2004 he became pro vice-chancellor for learning and teaching, and embarked on a mission to improve teaching quality. He was a leader in higher education policy, too, both nationally and internationally. He chaired the Russell Group's learning and teaching network, and the learning and teaching group of the Worldwide Universities Network, an alliance of 17 universities across four continents. For nine years he was a member of the all-party parliamentary group on higher education and, in retirement, supported a number of universities with their quality inspections. In all of these activities, his focus was on ways to drive up teaching quality. He was appointed OBE for services to higher education in 2016 and was awarded an honorary degree from Sheffield University in 2022. He also took great pleasure in his roles as vice-chair of the trustee board of Sheffield Student Union, and in leading citizenship ceremonies as a deputy lieutenant for South Yorkshire. Born in Luton, the son of Cyril White, who worked in printing, and Ethel (nee Ellis), Paul moved with his family at the age of five to Twickenham, south-west London. His success in the 11-plus led to a direct grant place at Latymer Upper school in Hammersmith. A degree and PhD in geography at Hertford College, Oxford, followed. It was during this period that he met Liz Taylor, a teacher of Italian, whom he married in 1973. Music played a very important role in my father's life. He played the piano to a high standard and loved opera, particularly visits to Glyndebourne. He took particular joy from playing music with others, especially family members. He loved exploring foreign cities, continuing to travel widely after retirement, and enjoyed walking – including one expedition on foot in 2017 from Sheffield to visit the homes of me and my sister, Helen, in London, a distance of 215 miles, which he completed in 17 days. He is survived by Liz, Helen and me, and two grandchildren, Toby and Alice.
