An Australian teenager who tragically died from suspected methanol poisoning "was on the trip of a lifetime" with one of her best friends, her heartbroken dad has said. Bianca Jones and her pal Holly Bowles, both 19, fell ill after a night out in Vang Vieng, a Laos town popular with tourists. Ms Jones died on Thursday and her friend on Friday. Now, Bianca's father, Mark Jones, has spoken out after the tragedy as he urged the government of Laos to investigate what happened. He also said his daughter "wanted to explore the world , meet new friends, lead and create change for good" and hoped to build "lifelong memories" during her trip which "was to be the first of many." Mr Jones told The Age : "This was meant to be a trip full of lifelong memories, and was to be the first of many. Bianca wanted to explore the world, meet new friends, lead and create change for good." In a plea to the Laos government, the grieving father added: "I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Laos government to investigate this to the fullest extent, to make sure this incident doesn't happen again. We can't have the passing of our daughter ... not lead to change to protect others." It comes after Holly's family said she was "living her best live" while travelling through South East Asia, "meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences." They added: "We are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace. We find comfort and solace in knowing Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people." Among the six victims of the suspected poisoning was also 28-year-ol British lawyer Simone White, whose family said in a statement: "We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter Simone. Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life. She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues. "Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family. Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy." The other three travellers who have died are an American and two Danish tourists. Earlier today, the Laos government said it is "profoundly saddened" and is investigating the deaths of six people from suspected methanol poisoning. Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of a hostel over the six travellers' deaths. In a statement released to the media, the Laos government said it was "profoundly saddened" over the deaths of foreign tourists and offered its condolences to their families. It added that is has been investigating "to find causes of the incident" and to "bring the perpetrators to justice." An officer at Vang Vieng's Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a "number of people" have been detained in the case. Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning. Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them. He said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier. He said no other guest reported any issue, adding the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told his country's parliament that 19-year-old Bianca died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment in a Thai hospital. Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones died because of a "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system." Landlocked Laos is one of south-east Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports. Officials in Laos have released almost no details about the case, with the government keeping a tight lid on information. The country is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition.nice88 bet sign up bonus philippines 。

Saturday, November 23, 2024 Hitachi Rail has secured a contract to implement its European Train Control System (ETCS) digital signaling technology on two significant rail infrastructure upgrades in Thailand, aimed at boosting speed, dependability, and safety. The company’s ETCS Level 1 system is set to be installed along 281 kilometers of track on the Northeast Line between Nong Waeng Rai and Nong Phok, and on the North Line from Den Chai to Ngao, in addition to being equipped on three train sets. These enhancements are integral to Thailand’s ambitious double-track railway expansion plan designed to bolster intercity rail service by safely increasing train speeds. This national strategy, led by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), involves the construction of additional tracks, modernization of stations, and overhaul of existing signaling and telecommunication systems, culminating in the adoption of ETCS as the standard train control system across the network. ETCS improves rail operations by facilitating direct communication between trackside infrastructure and trains, managing their movement and enforcing speed constraints. This system not only enhances train safety and reliability but also allows for higher speeds and increased rail capacity. The initiation of these projects marks the second phase of Thailand’s comprehensive rail development program, positioning Hitachi Rail as a prominent ETCS provider in the region. This status is supported by Hitachi Rail’s strong track record of delivering cutting-edge digital signaling solutions, including the pioneering introduction of ETCS in various Asian markets. Hannes Boyer, VP Mainline Signalling, Hitachi Rail, said: “We are proud to continue enhancing safety on Thailand’s rail network. From solution design and equipment supply to installation support, testing, and commissioning, our experts deliver a proven solution for both passengers and freight, which is installed on over 26,000 kilometres of mainline railway signalling systems around the world.” The contract for these projects was executed with South Korean firm LS Electric Co. Ltd., which holds responsibility for all signaling and telecommunication tasks on the specified routes.It should come as no surprise, but White Out mode has officially been activated for Penn State’s home playoff game. The Nittany Lions’ social media accounts announced Sunday that Beaver Stadium will host a White Out on Dec. 21 against SMU. The sixth-seeded Lions will host the 11th-seeded Mustangs at noon on TNT and MAX. The first playoff game (and probably any playoff game) held on Penn State’s campus made sense as a White Out, but it’s extra interesting, as it’s the first time a White Out will be held at a noon kickoff since 2015, a loss to Michigan. It will also be the third White Out of the season, an extremely unique circumstance for Penn State. The official event was on Nov. 9 against Washington, a 35-6 blowout. But James Franklin also lobbied for an unofficial White Out against Illinois on Sept. 28 because the Fighting Illini were ranked. A 21-7 Penn State win was well-attended and resembled a normal White Out. The weather could feature “16 inches of snow” on Dec. 21, as Franklin joked after losing the Big Ten Championship to Oregon on Saturday, but SMU will have to deal with at least one form of White Out conditions no matter what.

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The New England Patriots ’ players did not have to report to Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, but the team as a whole was still quite busy, making four total transactions. Offensive lineman Cole Strange was activated from the physically unable to perform list; wide receiver K.J. Osborn was waived; kicker John Parker Romo was signed to the practice squad; outside linebacker Keshawn Banks was released from the practice squad. With the dust settling, the Patriots still have a full 53-man roster and 16-player practice squad. What else do the moves mean for the team, though, especially those regarding Strange and Osborn? Let’s take a closer look at them. Improvement up front: Even though he has been the subject of frequent criticism since arriving in New England as the 29th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, there is no denying Strange is a talented football player. Adding him to the Patriots offense is therefore a definitive improvement for a unit in need of all the help it can get. After all, he has the athletic skillset to perform in the team’s zone-focused blocking scheme, and has more starts on his career résumé than all but one member of the team’s current O-line. While it remains to be seen how long it will take him to shake off the rust, or indeed which position he will ultimately play, his presence is making the entire group a better one. Another new configuration: All 27 of Strange’s career starts so far have come at left guard, and inserting him in that position over rookie Layden Robinson would make sense; the former has proven his starter qualities at the NFL level, the latter has not. However, it appears New England is adamant that Robinson deserves to see reps with the first-team offensive line regardless of his uneven play. As a consequence, the Patriots might move Strange to center to replace eight-game starter Ben Brown. Inserting him in that spot is more of a gamble — Brown has played better than Robinson, and Strange has no in-game experience at center — but apparently one the team is willing to take with the future in mind. Regardless of where the 26-year-old ends up, though, the Patriots will continue playing their game of musical chairs up front deep into the season. So far, the team has already started 11 players along its offensive line this year. Strange will be No. 12. Crowded interior offensive line: While there are definitive and legitimate questions about quality, the Patriots do have quantity along their interior O-line. With Strange added to the mix, New England now has seven(ish) guards or centers on its 53-man roster plus another on the practice squad. The group as a whole looks as follows, with Strange projected as the starting center: 53-man roster (7): Layden Robinson (64 | LG), Cole Strange (69 | C), Michael Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77), Lecitus Smith (68), Lester Cotton (61), Tyrese Robinson (65) Practice squad (1): Liam Fornadel (63) Injured reserve (2): David Andrews (60), Jake Andrews (67) In addition to those eight players, second-year lineman Sidy Sow also could be added to the mix as a guard-tackle hybrid. Even if he remains more of a tackle moving forward, the Patriots have numbers son the interior. Whether that makes the position group a strength is a different story. One-year saga is nearing its end: Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in Week 15 last season, and the injury will have kept him out for an entire year. He went down on December 17 and could be in line to make his comeback on December 15, which would be the same Sunday just one (leap) year removed. Of course, there is no telling whether or not he will actually suit up, let alone play, this week against the Arizona Cardinals ; his return window closing could simply have forced New England’s hand. That said, his activation is in itself a big step for the former first-round draft pick. No surprise: The Patriots announcing their parting of the ways with Osborn comes as no real surprise considering his impact so far this season. While joining the team in the offseason with the hopes of contributing as a Z-receiver with some inside-out capabilities, he never managed to earn himself a consistent role. His final numbers make this painfully clear. Osborn’s tenure ends with the same number of in-game appearances and receptions — seven each — as well as only 57 receiving yards and one touchdown. In total, he was on the field for 232 offensive snaps including zero in four of the last five games. Even with rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker struggling, the Patriots continued to give them snaps over the veteran. The writing was therefore very much on the wall. Wide receiver depth takes a hit: The Patriots entered the week with six wide receivers on their active roster plus two more on the practice squad. Removing Osborn reduces the numbers, but given his recent usage (or lack thereof) the actual impact will be more theoretical than anything. Still, there are new “next men up” in case the injury bug decides to bite higher up on a depth chart that now looks as follows: 53-man roster (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), Kendrick Bourne (84), DeMario Douglas (3), Ja’Lynn Polk (1), Javon Baker (6) Practice squad (2): John Jiles (83), Braylon Sanders (80) Injured reserve (1): JaQuae Jackson (82) Leadership questions: Osborn may not have been part of the game plan lately, but as one of the two most experienced players in the wide receiver room — the other being Kendrick Bourne — he still played a role as a mentor and leader. Now, it appears even more of those responsibilities will have to fall on Bourne. Underwhelming return on investment: When the Patriots added Osborn in March, they did so via a one-year, $4 million contract that included $3.18 million in guarantees. At a cost of $500,000 per catch, it goes without saying that the price tag and the production did not align. In that regard, Osborn is in some good company. He is one of several free agency signings made by first-year GM Eliot Wolf that did not work out: the 27-year-old joins offensive linemen Chukwuma Okorafor and Nick Leverett as well as defensive tackle Armon Watts as March pickups no longer with the team. Salary cap ramifications: Speaking of the price tag associated with Osborn, waiving him gives the Patriots some more salary cap space to work with (i.e. roll over into 2025). Eight per-game roster bonuses that were originally considered likely to be earned are now no longer on New England’s books, resulting in combined savings of $320,000. Eye on the future? The Patriots signing John Parker Romo to their practice squad seemingly serves two purposes. For one, he will provide depth at kicker behind Joey Slye over the last four weeks of the season. The team additionally will be able to get an extended look at the 27-year-old heading into 2025. Fact is that the kicker position is a need for the Patriots moving toward the offseason. Slye is not just an unrestricted free agent, he also has made just 78.6 percent of his field goal attempts this season. Not all of his six misses this year were necessarily his fault — one was a block, for example, and one a 68-yard try — but they were costly nonetheless for a team not good enough to leave points on the board. Will Romo challenge Slye this year, though? Maybe, but it seems more likely his signing was made with an eye on the future and on possibly limiting Slye’s practice workload in a long season. Core special teamer wanted: The Patriots have gone through multiple core special teamers lately. Raekwon McMillan was the first to go, followed by Joe Giles-Harris. Now, Keshawn Banks is off the team as well after playing a combined 78 percent of special teams snaps in his three game day elevations from the practice squad. The last two weeks, he was employed on five units: kickoff and punt return, kickoff and punt coverage, and field goal/extra point block. The Patriots need to find a way to replace that production, either by finding another practice squad member to regularly elevate for that specific usage or by giving his snaps to others already on the roster.

Techwave opens new global delivery centre & AI engineering hub in Hyderabad, aims for 6K India headcount by 2027The news that PV Sindhu, who has become India's strength on the badminton courts, is getting married had come out recently. The groom is Hyderabad native Venkata Datta Sai, a family friend and executive director of the leading software company Posidex Technologies. Now the engagement pictures of both are going viral on social media. In the picture, PV Sindhu and fiance Venkata Dutta Sai are seen exchanging their wedding rings next to a sign that says 'Miss to Mrs'. Sindhu herself shared the pictures on her official page. Kahlil Gibran's poem "When love beckons to you, follow him, for love gives naught but itself," is given as a caption to the photo. The wedding will take place on December 22 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The ceremonies will begin on the 20th. The wedding reception will be held in Hyderabad on 24th. 29-year-old Sindhu had won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Sindhu, who has won several international medals, including one gold, two silvers and a bronze at the World Championships, has been out of form for some time. She has regained her form by winning the women's title at the Syed Modi tournament. Sindhu has decided to come back to the competition stage in January after her wedding. Sindhu is the daughter of former national volleyball player PV Ramana and P Vijaya.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the limit for lending collateral-free agri loans to farmers from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, the regulations of which will come into effect from January 1, 2025. Considering rising input costs and inflation, the RBI has been raising the limit for disbursing collateral-free agricultural loans since. The collateral-free agricultural loan limit was Rs 10,000 in 2004. Currently, it is at Rs 1.6 lakh which will increase to Rs 2 lakh from January. As per their mandate, banks are not supposed to seek collateral for agricultural loans for the loan limits set by it. However, there have been claims otherwise. This has resulted in many farmers taking hand loans from private individuals at higher interest rates. To support small and marginal farmers who form 86% of the farmers in the country, the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare has sought more contributions from the RBI in the form of collateral-free loans. The ministry has informed the RBI to implement the new regulations swiftly and spread awareness among the farmers about the increased loan limit. The collateral-free agricultural loans could be availed by farmers to purchase seeds and other agricultural inputs, to grow vegetables and other horticultural crops, to raise poultry dairy and other livestock, and for building godowns to store their produce.