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South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong trail runners accuse officials of hosting ‘crazy and dangerous' race
Members of Hong Kong's trail running community have described the local athletics association's decision to host a world championship qualifying race in May as 'crazy and dangerous', saying it put runners' health at risk. On Sunday, hundreds of athletes competed in a 62.4km (38.8-mile) race at the Hong Kong Trail Championships in Tai Mei Tuk, chasing qualification for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain in September. There was also a short-course race of 34.3km, and an 11km 'experience group'. Before the Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) event got under way, local trail runners questioned why the race was taking place when temperatures could soar to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity was high. The HKAAA had yet to respond to the Post's request for comment. A social media post by Asia Pacific Adventure Athletes, attributed to its director Ryan Blair, said: 'This is a perfect case of how a sport gets mismanaged (and in this case worse with serious safety and health risks to athletes). Play 'Firstly, they [the HKAAA] are holding a 60km qualifier race tomorrow [Sunday] – this is so crazy and dangerous in May's oppressive SE Asia summer heat and only puts so many runners' health at risk.'
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Woman kills self over in-laws' harassment
Bareilly: A 22-year-old woman in Moradabad's Bhojpur area died by suicide on Saturday after allegedly being harassed by her in-laws. Before ending her life, she recorded a video accusing her husband, sister-in-law, and father-in-law of mental and physical abuse. Amreen, a resident of Sarai Gulzarimal locality, had married Junaid Khan, son of Shahid, four months ago against her family's wishes. On Saturday around 2:15 pm, she video-called her father, Salim Ahmed, saying she was being beaten by her in-laws. When Salim and other relatives reached her in-laws' home in Pipalsana, they found her body lying on a cot. Villagers claimed she had hanged herself using a scarf. Police sent the body for an autopsy and examined her phone, where they found a 2 minute and 37 second video she recorded before her death. In the video, Amreen says, "I don't know what will happen after my death, but it can't be worse than this life. My husband, sister-in-law, and father-in-law tell me every day, 'Why don't you just die?' They are responsible for my death." The young woman recorded a 2-minute and 37-second video before committing suicide. She also said she had been mentally and emotionally tormented, especially after suffering a miscarriage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It might kill off the whole industry': What's at stake as US-China tariff war hits SE Asia CNA Read More Undo "Sometimes I'm not given food, and sometimes they cut off my electricity. My husband is in Bangalore, but my sister-in-law and father-in-law are at home and have made my life unbearable." "My sister-in-law and father-in-law are responsible for my death. They keep filling my husband's ears against me. Everyone tells me, 'Just die.' My husband is in Bangalore. My father-in-law and sister-in-law are at home and have made my life unbearable." After this, the young woman makes a noose from her suit's scarf and hangs herself. SHO Bhojpur said an FIR has been registered on the father's complaint under sections of abetment to suicide. He added that Junaid had been working as a welder in Bangalore for the past month. The investigation is ongoing.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ICS 2025: Rethinking integrated communications - from advocacy to influence
We're operating in a world where attention is fleeting, media is fragmented, and trust is hard-won. In this environment, building advocacy isn't just about visibility or media coverage — it's about sustained influence. It calls for credibility built over time, consistency across every touchpoint, and clarity in messaging. More than ever, communication leaders are expected to act as strategic advisers who shape narratives, manage reputational risks, and guide stakeholder perception with data-backed insight. At India Communication Summit 2025 , a session titled 'From Advocacy to Influence: Crafting a High-Impact Communication Strategy ' brought together senior communication leaders to discuss what it takes to drive meaningful influence today. The session featured Abhilasha Gupta, head of global corporate communications and public affairs, Tech Mahindra; Neha Singhvi, vice-president – public affairs, communications & CSR, Games24x7; and Ruchika Batra, vice-president – marketing and communications and head of news & PR for SE Asia, Oceania, and India, Ericsson. The discussion was moderated by Mou Chakravorty, director of marketing communications, Deloitte India. Batra highlighted that communication teams today operate in an uncertain, volatile, and rapidly evolving environment. With multiple stakeholders — from internal teams to governments, media, and customers — it's vital to first understand what truly needs to be communicated. She stressed that having clarity and staying true to the brand proposition forms a strong foundation for any integrated communication strategy. 'So how do I see this whole approach to integrated communication?' Batra asked. 'I'd say the three Cs are my mantra — credibility, consistency, and clarity. Communication must be authentic to the brand, consistent across channels, and clear in its message. If you have these three in place, you've got a good start.' Advocacy was once seen as the final goal — a strong campaign with a clear call to action aimed at attentive stakeholders. But in today's hyper-connected and opinion-driven world, advocacy is just the starting point. While its core values of trust, authenticity, and consistency still matter, the scope of influence has expanded. Influence now goes beyond media and policy decisions, encompassing grassroots movements, digital-first efforts, and peer-led engagement that shape how messages are received and acted upon. Singhvi explained, 'If we were to look at the strategic communication cycle, I think it would start with advocacy, move on to engagement, help build trust, and then lead to influence. Advocacy creates awareness, engagement deepens the conversation, trust builds credibility and reliability, and only then can you truly influence people who believe in your message and stand by what you say.' Data plays a crucial role in modern communication, transforming storytellers into strategic advisers who influence boardroom decisions with credibility and transparency. While brands once made broad claims about sustainability or diversity, today's stakeholders demand clear evidence and measurable results. Proper analysis of data not only reveals gaps between a brand's desired image and public perception but also guides future strategies. This enables more targeted campaigns and helps anticipate challenges, making data an indispensable tool for effective communication. Gupta noted, 'Last but not least, data is incredibly valuable in crisis communication . Crisis management is often overlooked, but it's a major part of what we do. Without analysing available data, handling crises effectively wouldn't be possible. Data helps us identify small signs of trouble early on, allowing us to pre-empt bigger issues before they escalate. That's where data truly comes into play.' Effective communication today demands more than clever messaging. It requires trust, insight, and a strategic approach grounded in data. As the panel revealed, brands that aim to influence must go beyond advocacy — by listening better, responding faster, and consistently reinforcing their values in an unpredictable, always-on world.
