Latest News in General
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Five beautiful photographs of birds taken in Bolton by Camera Club
This week The Bolton News has put together a collection of our Camera Club members' gorgeous images of birds spotted across the borough. The pictures come from all around the area and feature a diverse array of species and environments. Here are five photographs of our beautiful feathered friends. A dunnock bird, taken in Smithills (Image: Michael Callaghan) This picture of a dunnock was taken by Michael Callaghan in Smithills, Bolton. Quiet and shy, the dunnock is often seen on its own, creeping along the edge of a flower bed or near to a bush, moving in a rather nervous, shuffling way, often flicking its wings as it goes. Cygnet (Image: Ste Hulme) These beautiful pictures of cygnets were taken by Ste Hulme. The word "cygnet" comes from various sources, including Middle English (sygnett), Anglo-French (cignet), and Latin/Greek words for swan. Cygnets, taken by Ste Hulme (Image: Ste Hulme) Cygnets are born with the ability to swim and run within hours of hatching, though they are closely protected by their parents for the first few months of their life. An honourable mention, this picture of a wonderful mallard taken by Ste Hulme. This beautiful female mallard was photographed by Ste Hulme (Image: Ste Hulme) Mallards are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. In the UK, Mallards may be resident breeders or migrants – many of the birds that breed in Iceland and northern Europe spend the winter here. This photo of a Swedish yellow duck was taken by Gary Severn (Image: Gary Severn) This rare Swedish yellow duck is a fascinating sight! This picture was taken by Gary Severn outside Tommy's Lodge in Bolton. The Swedish Yellow duck is a rare Swedish breed of domestic duck, known for its yellowish-brown to yellowish-white plumage. The breed was nearly extinct but was rediscovered in a farm in Billinge, Skåne, and is now actively conserved. This sweet robin was photographed by Keith Ryland (Image: Keith Ryland) It may not be winter, but robins are out in full force enjoying the summer sunshine! This photo of a cute little friend was taken by Keith Ryland. The UK's favourite bird. Thanks to its bright red breast, it's familiar throughout the year and especially at Christmas. Males and females look identical, young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. According to the RSPB, robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to streetlights.
Hans India
26 minutes ago
- General
- Hans India
Yoga must be a part of daily life: Minister
Rajamahendravaram: Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh emphasised the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life, noting that it promotes both physical health and mental well-being. He participated as the chief guest at the Yogandhra programme held on Saturday at Sri Satyadeva Nursery in Kadiyapulanka village, Kadiyam mandal, of Rajamahendravaram Rural constituency. The event was organised in Kadiyam Nurseries, a popular tourist destination under the aegis of the Sir Arthur Cotton Nursery Association. Minister Durgesh, along with local MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, District Collector P Prasanthi, and other officials, took part in Surya Namaskar, Pranayama, and various yoga asanas. The Minister called on everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily routines for a healthier life. He stated that yoga, along with meditation and physical exercise, plays a key role in managing stress and improving mental resilience. A poster created by EAGLE (Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement) as part of the anti-drug campaign was released by the Minister at this event. District Collector P Prasanthi said that the Yogandhra campaign, designed as a month-long programme was launched by the Chief Minister to spread awareness on the significance of regular yoga practice. MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary said that India introduced yoga to the world and expressed pride that over 170 countries now observe International Yoga Day annually. As part of the programme, a mango plant was ceremonially named 'Yogandhra 11' by Minister Durgesh, while another plant was named 'PSN 5' by Collector Prasanthi. Vriksha Vilapam song, penned by District School Education Officer K Vasudeva Rao, was also performed. District Yogandhra Nodal Officer and Joint Collector S Chinna Rammudu, nursery owners Kuppala Durga Rao, Pulla Peda Satyanarayana, Merla Krishna, Pulla Veera Venkata Rao, Nursery Association President Ratnam Ayyappa, RDO R Krishna Naik, District Tourism Officer P Venkatachalam, AP MIP PD A Durgesh, District Agriculture Officer S Madhava Rao, Information Officer Ch Srinivas, Horticulture Officer B Sujata Kumari and others participated.
RNZ News
27 minutes ago
- General
- RNZ News
From fine dining to feeding youth in need
Ashlee Savea prepares lunch at the residence. Each teen has a $20 a day budget. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham A set of keys jangling from her pocket to get through the thick, secure doors is a reminder of one Palmerston North chef's job change. After 17 years in fine dining, hotel, and large catering jobs, three years ago, Ashlee Savea took the helm of the kitchen at the city's Oranga Tamariki youth justice facility, Te Au rere a te Tonga. Ashlee Savea has swapped fine dining for working in a youth justice facility. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Savea swapped preparing gourmet creations for paying customers with feeding youth offenders on a $20-a-day per-head budget. Up to 30 young people, aged 12-17, are onsite. "We serve ham and cheese sandwiches, beef tacos. We did a chicken karaage. The kids were like, What's this? We try to do some ethnic foods. We've done sushi, burgers," she said. "I develop the menu myself. I take inspiration a lot from my daughter. She's 9." The budget brought constraints - "I'm not going to order a slab of salmon" - and there was plenty of trial and error. Youth justice residents also had a chance to give feedback on what appealed and what didn't. The 34-year-old said she sometimes went into "mum mode" to remind the teens at Te Au rere a te Tonga to eat their greens and fruit - part of the vocational aspect of the job that appealed to Savea. Te Au rere a te Tonga, the youth justice residence in Palmerston North, can house up to 30 teens. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Also appealing were the daytime hours, after a working life of weekends and evenings, which was hard on her family. She said changing jobs to work at a youth justice facility attracted its share of sideways glances, but she didn't have regrets. "Everyone has opinions about this place. At the end of the day, these are kids. They still need love... Some of them didn't even get fed at home, so this is really great for them," Savea said. "I've never second-guessed my safety or anything here." Sometimes there was an emotional toll. "You definitely hear stories about where these young people have come from, which is really hard to hear. Some of them have come from nothing. They're fending for themselves." Savea had three staff members, as well as casuals, working under her. When RNZ visited the industrial-looking kitchen, a bacon and egg Turkish pocket was on the lunch menu, ahead of southern-style fried chicken for dinner. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
New Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Pondicherry University gets 'A+' grade from NAAC
PUDUCHERRY: Pondicherry University has been awarded an 'A+' grade in the fifth cycle of re-accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), reaffirming its position as a leading central university committed to academic excellence, research, and inclusive development. The university administration announced the achievement with pride, congratulating faculty members, officers, staff, students, alumni, and well-wishers for their collective contribution. In an official statement, the university described the recognition as a reflection of the sustained efforts of its academic and administrative community. 'This significant milestone is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of all those involved in upholding and enhancing the academic standards of the university,' the statement read. Special mention was made of the NAAC coordinator and deputy coordinator, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the registrar and his office, and all statutory officers for their key roles in securing the accreditation. The university urged its academic community to celebrate the accomplishment and remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, aiming to position Pondicherry University as a hub of higher education and innovation both nationally and globally.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- General
- Time of India
Mumbai: Western Railways cracks down on ticketless travellers in AC locals, improves punctuality of trains
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A 15-member squad dedicated to AC local trains in Mumbai has been keeping a check on ticketless travellers for the past one far, 709 ticketless passengers have been fined in AC trains and the squad has collected Rs 2.30 lakh from May 30 to June 5. The squad will be further expanded as the officials believe the move has contributed in improving punctuality of locals, which cost about five times more than regular locals, have become crowded in peak hours due to ticketless commuters. This prevents the doors from closing and in turn there is a delay at the platforms. At least 10 per cent of the 40-50 local trains that are delayed on a daily basis are due to AC trains being stuck at various doors of AC trains are controlled by the guard, who gives a command from a panel in his cabin. The doors open and shut in a synchronised manned. An objection in the way of this process prevents the train from starting, causing average delays of 10 minutes to overall punctuality of trains during peak Western Railway operates 1,406 trains daily, of which 109 are of AC locals. On weekends, the railway operates 65 AC services.
