Latest news with #SD
The Wire
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Wire
'Haven of Hope' – Shelter Home for Underprivileged Cancer Patients Inaugurated in Kochi
• The 'Haven of Hope' building, built under South Indian Bank's CSR initiative for underprivileged cancer patients, is now operational. • A new PPP model tailored to the needs of society is the need of the hour, said V. J. Kurian. KOCHI, India, July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the CSR initiative of South Indian Bank, a dedicated shelter home for cancer patients, 'Haven of Hope', was inaugurated today in Kochi. The facility, located near the General Hospital, was formally inaugurated by Mr. V. J. Kurian, Chairman, South Indian Bank. Speaking at the event, Mr. V. J. Kurian expressed immense satisfaction at the Bank's involvement in a project that offers dignity and care to patients battling cancer. "This initiative reflects our commitment to creating lasting social impact by supporting those who need it the most." He further added that it was during his tenure as MD that the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) was completed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. CIAL remains the first airport in the country to operate under such a model. However, there is now an urgent need to develop a new PPP model in the country. "Through a 'Project for Poor People (PPP)', we must aim to ensure the welfare of the underprivileged. For this, the public and institutions must work together with a shared vision," he emphasized. The project was constructed on 13 cents of land owned by the Sisters of the Destitute (SD) congregation, with South Indian Bank contributing over ₹3 crore towards its construction under its CSR initiative. Spanning 10,000 sq. ft., the four-storied shelter home offers a safe and dignified space for cancer patients and their caregivers, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds who struggle to find affordable accommodation during prolonged treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. The facility can accommodate up to 32 individuals at a time. The building is equipped with a kitchen area for preparing meals for patients, adjustable medical beds, and other necessary facilities. The shelter is built in memory of Venerable Fr. Varghese Payyappilly, the founder of the SD congregation and a member of the Ernakulam–Angamaly Archdiocese. In 2018, he was declared 'Venerable' by the Catholic Church in recognition of his life of service to the poor and suffering. Fittingly, the shelter stands opposite the very hospital where he spent his final days, extending his compassion to fellow patients. Mother Raisy Thalian, Provincial Superior of the SD congregation, presided over the ceremony. Mr. P. R. Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank; Mr. M. George Korah, Non-Executive Independent Director; Mr. Paul Antony, and Mr. Benny P. Thomas, Non-Executive Directors of the Bank, Anto George T, COO of South Indian Bank were present as Guests of Honour. Sr. Anisha, Provincial Councillor, Rev. Dr. Fr. Kuriakose Mundadan, Former Director of Naipunnya Public School, Thrikkakkara, Rev. Dr. James Pereppadan, Vicar Lourde Matha Church, Perumanoor, Sr. Tharaka SD General Councillor, Sr. Anna Paul were also the speakers at the event. The facility is expected to commence operations shortly, providing compassionate care to patients in need. For more information, please log on to Photo: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
How to Watch Padres vs. Rangers: TV Channel & Live Stream
Data Skrive Randy Vasquez takes the mound for the San Diego Padres on Friday at PETCO Park against Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET in this first game of a three-game series. Check out everything you need to watch the Padres vs. Rangers matchup. Keep up with MLB on FOX Sports. Check out the best moments between the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies! Padres vs. Rangers Game Information & How to Watch When: Friday, July 4, 2025 at 6:40 p.m. ET Where: PETCO Park in San Diego, California TV: Watch on MLB Network, SDPA, CW33 Box Score: Fox Sports Padres vs. Rangers Prediction Score Prediction: Padres 5, Rangers 4 Total Prediction: Under 8.5 runs Win Probabilities: Padres 53%, Rangers 47% Padres vs. Rangers Head to Head Date Favorite Spread Total Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Result 7/4/2024 Rangers -1.5 7.5 -117 -103 3-1 SD 7/3/2024 Rangers -1.5 9 -159 +135 6-4 SD 7/2/2024 Padres -1.5 7.5 -118 -102 7-0 TEX 7/30/2023 Padres -1.5 9 -197 +166 5-3 SD 7/29/2023 Padres -1.5 9.5 -183 +155 4-0 SD 7/28/2023 Padres -1.5 8.5 -165 +139 7-1 SD Padres Last 10 Game Stats Stat Avg/Total Record 5-5 Runs Per Game 3 HR 8 ERA 4.29 K/9 9.1 Padres Player Insights Manny Machado is the Padres best hitter, putting together an average of .289 while also being the team's top run producer, collecting 50 RBI and crushing 13 round-trippers. Among all MLB hitters, Machado is 25th in batting average, 48th in on-base percentage, and 43rd in slugging. Fernando Tatis Jr. has hit 15 home runs to pace his team. Tatis ranks 34th in homers in MLB, and 87th in RBI. Tatis enters this game looking for his sixth game in a row with a hit. During his last five outings he is hitting .300 with three walks and an RBI. Luis Arraez has 17 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 16 walks while hitting .279. Gavin Sheets is batting .261 with 14 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 24 walks. Padres Recent & Upcoming Games Rangers Last 10 Game Stats Stat Avg/Total Record 5-5 Runs Per Game 5.1 HR 10 ERA 3.67 K/9 7.7 Rangers Player Insights Semien is batting .238 with 10 doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 36 walks, while getting on base at a rate of .316. Among all hitters in the big leagues, Semien ranks 118th in home runs and 70th in RBI. Semien has collected a hit in eight straight games. During his last 10 outings he is hitting .302 with two doubles, two home runs, five walks and eight RBIs. Josh Smith has a club-leading .287 batting average. Smith ranks 159th among all hitters in the big leagues in home runs, and 221st in RBI. Adolis Garcia leads the Rangers with 49 runs batted in. Corey Seager has eight doubles, 11 home runs and 29 walks while hitting .249. Rangers Recent & Upcoming Games FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience San Diego Padres Texas Rangers recommended
Euractiv
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
Weapons, warrants, and whistle protests: the tensions shaping Kosovo's election season
A high-profile police raid on properties linked to a rising Kosovo Serb political figure has stirred fresh controversy weeks ahead of local elections, with authorities citing a cache of heavy weapons and the targeted party denouncing the move as politically motivated. Kosovo's Interior Minister Xhelal Svečla said police discovered rocket launchers and grenades buried in a horse barn during a 22 June search of a weekend cabin used by Serbian Democracy (SD) leader Aleksandar Arsenijević. He was out of the country at the time and denies any link to the weapons, calling the operation a political stunt. 'There is no doubt that this is a setup... the barn is open non-stop; anyone could have planted them,' Arsenijević told NIN. His party says he declined to return to Kosovo, citing safety concerns and the absence of due process. The FBI has been asked to investigate the legality of the search. EULEX, the EU's rule of law mission, confirmed it is monitoring the case. The searches targeted three locations – one in northern Mitrovica and two in Zvečan – and took place while Arsenijević and seven SD members were travelling abroad. SD vice president Stefan Veljković said police informed them of the operation as they returned to Kosovo. Arsenijević, who had left the group earlier for a family trip, opted not to cross the border. Arsenijević's mother, the only family member still in Kosovo, was reportedly not shown a warrant. The police have not confirmed whether one was issued, and the prosecutor's office declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of the case. Under Kosovo law, warrantless searches are permitted only if there is an imminent threat to public safety. Interior Minister Svečla has labelled Arsenijević a 'criminal' and vowed to arrest him if he re-enters Kosovo. Arsenijević has rejected the allegations, saying the campaign against him reflects a broader strategy to intimidate Serbs who challenge the status quo. A disruptive force Though SD holds no seats in Kosovo's parliament, the party has disrupted the political scene by offering an alternative to the dominant Belgrade-backed Serb List (SL) and ethnic Serb parties aligned with Pristina. Its rise reflects growing grassroots frustration among Kosovo Serbs, who feel politically orphaned. SL still occupies nine of the ten parliament seats reserved for Serbs, but its influence has waned following serious criminal allegations – including the September 2023 Banjska attack, claimed by former SL vice president Milan Radoičić. Since then, major parties have refused to work with SL. Arsenijević gained visibility through the 'Pištalka' or 'whistle' protests – noisy demonstrations held during visits by senior Kosovo officials to Serb-majority areas. He has accused Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Minister Svečla of implementing discriminatory policies and says he has been arrested more than 20 times, often violently. The SD leader's growing prominence has coincided with a series of contentious moves by the government targeting Serb communities. These include the closure of Serbian-funded cultural institutions, bans on Serbian flags and symbols – despite constitutional protections – and evictions linked to disputed privatisations. Authorities have also begun deporting Serb-Kosovar dual citizens working in Serbian institutions. While officials cite national security concerns, critics point out that none of the 11 individuals removed has been charged or convicted. Ethnic Albanians in foreign police forces have not faced similar measures. One longstanding grievance remains the stalled implementation of the Association of Serb Municipalities (ASM), guaranteed under the 2013 Brussels Agreement but yet to be established. While the government defends its actions as necessary responses to security threats – citing the Banjska attack and the Ibra‑Lepenec canal bombing – rights groups and opposition figures accuse it of overreach. Controversial incidents include the conviction of an ethnic Albanian officer who shot an unarmed Serb man at a checkpoint and the alleged police beating of a teenage student. Tensions further escalated on 28 June (Vidovdan), when SD vice president Veljković was arrested at the Gazimestan memorial site for wearing a T-shirt with Arsenijević's image and a Serbian flag. Though later released, he was stopped again, interrogated, and allegedly assaulted outside his home. According to SD, two men attempted to run him over with a van; one suspect has been arrested. Marko Prelec, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, has warned that such actions resemble 'a kind of soft ethnic cleansing – not meant to eliminate a minority but to marginalise it.' Mounting discontent The political climate remains tense. Prime Minister Kurti's Vetëvendosje has failed to form a stable government since February's elections, after 40 failed coalition attempts. Popular dissatisfaction is growing as the acting government struggles to manage Kosovo's energy crisis and economic headwinds. Food prices have soared by as much as 19%, while the Turkish-owned operator of Kosovo's energy grid has warned of potential collapse due to overuse and lack of investment. Over 37,000 Kosovars have emigrated in 2024 alone, according to official figures. Compounding the government's challenges is the EU's freezing of €813 million in grants over stalled normalisation with the Serb minority. Serbia, by contrast, has already received its first payout under the EU's new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The government also faces international criticism for plans to build two car bridges next to the iconic pedestrian-only Mitrovica bridge – a symbolic flashpoint between Serbs and Albanians. The EU and other international actors have urged Kosovo to abandon the project, arguing it risks inflaming tensions further. As local elections approach in October, Serbian Democracy's insurgent campaign and Arsenijević's standoff with Pristina and Belgrade may redraw the political map in Serb-majority areas. Whether the party can translate momentum into seats remains uncertain – but the government's handling of the Serb minority will likely remain under scrutiny.
NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
College star Oliver Tarvet wins in Slam debut at Wimbledon and could face Alcaraz next
Oliver Tarvet changed into his University of San Diego gear moments after a straight-set victory in his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon on Monday. The 21-year-old British qualifier, who is ranked No. 733, beat Leandro Reidi of Switzerland 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. A bigger test awaits the communications major in the second round: he'll play either defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or Fabio Fognini. 'I'm just really overjoyed to be in this situation,' he told the BBC in an on-court interview. 'It's my first tour-level event. To come out here, come through qualifying, and also win first round at Wimbledon, have a chance to play maybe Carlos on Wednesday is just truly incredible. It's just a dream come true.' Tarvet hugged friends moments after his victory on Court No. 4 and took a San Diego cap from one of them. He then changed out of his shirt and donned a T-shirt with a similar 'SD' logo. Collegiately, Tarvet was recently named the West Coast Conference player of the year for the second straight year.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Analysts divided on effectiveness of SDs to curb party-hopping in Sabah
KUALA LUMPUR: Political analysts are divided over the effectiveness of signing statutory declarations (SDs) to deter party-hopping, as Umno prepares to make its candidates do so in the Sabah election. Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Azmi Hassan said although the signing of SDs had proven effective in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah's unique political landscape might require tailored measures. "I am guessing that there is fine-tuning for Sabah because the political situation is very unique there, where party hopping is a norm in the state," he said. International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) political analyst Assistant Professor Dr Lau Zhe Wei said the use of SDs in past state elections could not be used as evidence of success to curb party-hopping. "I couldn't recall whether there was potential for party-hopping from Umno during the previous Melaka and Johor elections. It would not have been an issue to begin with," he said. Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the party's candidates in the Sabah election would be required to sign SDs. Asyraf said the contents of the SD were being refined by the party's legal team, including Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, taking into account the current political landscape.
