Forests, Illegal Logging, Illegal Timber Trade, Rainforests, Saving Rainforests, Timber Laws, Tropical Forests Article published by Genevieve Belmaker Popular in the CommunitySponsoredSponsoredOrangutan found tortured and decapitated prompts Indonesia probeEMGIES17 Jan, 2018We will never know the full extent of what this poor Orangutan went through before he died, the same must be done to this evil perpetrator(s) they don’t deserve the air that they breathe this has truly upset me and I wonder for the future for these wonderful creatures. So called ‘Mankind’ has a lot to answer for we are the only ones ruining this world I prefer animals to humans any day of the week.What makes community ecotourism succeed? In Madagascar, location, location, locationScissors1dOther countries should also learn and try to incorporateWhy you should care about the current wave of mass extinctions (commentary)Processor1 DecAfter all, there is no infinite anything in the whole galaxy!Infinite stupidity, right here on earth.The wildlife trade threatens people and animals alike (commentary)Anchor3dUnfortunately I feel The Chinese have no compassion for any living animal. They are a cruel country that as we knowneatbeverything that moves and do not humanily kill these poor animals and insects. They have no health and safety on their markets and they then contract these diseases. Maybe its karma maybe they should look at the way they live and stop using animals for all there so called remedies. DisgustingConservationists welcome China’s wildlife trade banThobolo27 JanChina has consistently been the worlds worst, “ Face of Evil “ in regards our planets flora and fauna survival. In some ways, this is nature trying to fight back. This ban is great, but the rest of the world just cannot allow it to be temporary, because history has demonstrated that once this coronavirus passes, they will in all likelihood, simply revert to been the planets worst Ecco Terrorists. Let’s simply not allow this to happen! How and why they have been able to degrade this planets iconic species, rape the planets rivers, oceans and forests, with apparent impunity, is just mind boggling! Please no more.Probing rural poachers in Africa: Why do they poach?Carrot3dOne day I feel like animals will be more scarce, and I agree with one of my friends, they said that poaching will take over the world, but I also hope notUpset about Amazon fires last year? Focus on deforestation this year (commentary)Bullhorn4dLies and more leisSponsoredSponsoredCoke is again the biggest culprit behind plastic waste in the PhilippinesGrapes7 NovOnce again the article blames companies for the actions of individuals. It is individuals that buy these products, it is individuals that dispose of them improperly. If we want to change it, we have to change, not just create bad guys to blame.Brazilian response to Bolsonaro policies and Amazon fires growsCar4 SepThank you for this excellent report. I feel overwhelmed by the ecocidal intent of the Bolsonaro government in the name of ‘developing’ their ‘God-given’ resources.U.S. allocates first of $30M in grants for forest conservation in SumatraPlanet4dcarrot hella thick ;)Melting Arctic sea ice may be altering winds, weather at equator: studyleftylarry30 JanThe Arctic sea ice seems to be recovering this winter as per the last 10-12 years, good news.Malaysia has the world’s highest deforestation rate, reveals Google forest mapBone27 Sep, 2018Who you’re trying to fool with selective data revelation?You can’t hide the truth if you show historical deforestation for all countries, especially in Europe from 1800s to this day. WorldBank has a good wholesome data on this.Mass tree planting along India’s Cauvery River has scientists worriedSurendra Nekkanti23 JanHi Mongabay. Good effort trying to be objective in this article. I would like to give a constructive feedback which could help in clearing things up.1. It is mentioned that planting trees in village common lands will have negative affects socially and ecologically. There is no need to even have to agree or disagree with it, because, you also mentioned the fact that Cauvery Calling aims to plant trees only in the private lands of the farmers. So, plantation in the common lands doesn’t come into the picture.2.I don’t see that the ecologists are totally against this project, but just they they have some concerns, mainly in terms of what species of trees will be planted. And because there was no direct communication between the ecologists and Isha Foundation, it was not possible for them to address the concerns. As you seem to have spoken with an Isha spokesperson, if you could connect the concerned parties, it would be great, because I see that the ecologists are genuinely interested in making sure things are done the right way.May we all come together and make things happen.Rare Amazon bush dogs caught on camera in BoliviaCarrot1 Feba very good iniciative to be fallowed by the ranchers all overSponsored
According to Global Witness, over 60 percent of the timber inspected by Peru’s Agency for the Supervision of Forest Resources and Wildlife (OSINFOR) in the Loreto and Ucayali regions has illegal origins.A variety of logging permits have been used to launder about $112 million in timber. According to a recent report by Global Witness, there is evidence of disarray and illegality in Peru’s timber industry.The report focuses on the regions of Loreto, Ucayali, and Madre de Dios, which are Peru’s three most important regions for timber extraction. According to the report, which is entitled “The Forest Avengers,” all three regions have high rates of illegal timber extraction practices.Inspectors supervise loggers in the forests of Peru. Photo courtesy of OSINFOR.One of the findings is that over 60 percent of the timber inspected by Peru’s Agency for the Supervision of Forest Resources and Wildlife (OSINFOR) in the Loreto and Ucayali regions has illegal origins. That timber was extracted from land owned by people who have been sanctioned for serious violations of forest legislation.However, this figure has been deemed conservative because it only reflects the forested areas that have been supervised by OSINFOR, which are only about 40 percent of Peru’s forests, according to the report.Laura Furones, the director of the Peru campaign by Global Witness, says that the results of the analysis demonstrate a strong trend because they include data from the last 10 years. “This is not an anecdote or an eventuality; instead, these are high rates of illegality based on the evaluation of official data,” says Furones.In 2015, the largest seizure of Peruvian timber in history occurred aboard the Yacu Kallpa. Photo courtesy of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).Global Witness, which works to defend human rights and protect the environment, offered a panorama of the ways in which the timber is processed, the role of forest regents, and the participation of sawmills in the illegal industry. The report also includes the statements of some loggers who were recorded by hidden cameras. Some of them revealed that they know of many methods that are used to break the law.How illegal timber is processedFor many years, loggers in Peru have been transporting large quantities of illegally-sourced timber using methods that make the timber appear to be legal. They move the timber through a series of canals, often with the help and complicity of lax supervision, according to “The Forest Avengers.”The report also provided details on a variety of logging permits that have been used to launder about $112 million in timber, including permits that allow land to switch between agricultural, forest, and private use.Auditors search a forest for any irregularities in timber extraction. Photo courtesy of OSINFOR.Julio Guzmán, a lawyer with the Ministry of Environment of Peru, is very familiar with the loggers who are on the hunt for different methods to help them continue with their illegal activities. “The illegality keeps changing,” says Guzmán. He says there is a need for the implementation of reliable mechanisms to assist in the traceability of timber, which could help to reduce these crimes.One illegal activity involves “ghost trees.” The illegal loggers declare false locations in a forest, then move to a different location to secretly cut down trees. In the past decade, at least 88 million cubic feet of timber have been destroyed using this method. This corresponds to about 113,300 trees.Another illegal method involves local forests, which are typically managed by municipal governments or small committees. About $85 million in timber has been processed from these local forests in all of Peru. Furones, of Global Witness, says that 95 percent of the operating plans inspected between 2010 and 2017 included timber taken from other locations.“When OSINFOR intensified their enforcement actions in forest concessions, native communities, and other places from which timber is extracted, the illegal activity moved into local forests,” explains Guzmán.Various types of logging permits are used to launder timber. Photo courtesy of OSINFOR.Forests that are subject to changes in land use, in addition to forest plantations, are also sometimes used for illegal logging practices, according to Furones. Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 5,000 forested areas (covering just under 70,000 acres) were created, which, according to Furones, is “an open door to illegality.” Sawmills and forest regentsForest regents —referred to as “consultants” before 2014— can also play a key role in these illegal practices. A in 2018 explained how communities can sometimes be left to pay fines because of the actions of forest regents.Forest regents are responsible for the information recorded in management plants. They sometimes take advantage of their roles and record false data in extraction permits. The cycle of illegal activity is then completed with the support of regional officials.It is believed that the data in the report reflect lower rates of illegal logging than the true rates. Photo courtesy of OSINFOR.An example discussed in the Global Witness report is that of Roldán Pinedo Ríos. In 13 different operational plans that were approved by the government in the Loreto region in 2017, after Pinedo Ríos had obtained his regent’s license, 100 percent of the trees inspected were nonexistent. Those operational plans were used to launder almost 1.6 million cubic feet of illegal timber with an estimated value of $7 million.Pinedo Ríos’ case is far from the only example. There are 10 additional people, from forest regents to other officials, who signed dozens of management plans that include nonexistent trees. Nine of them have already faced legal proceedings for lying in the documents. In total, there are 572 operational plans that include these “ghost trees.”“The information about the consultants and regents is a reflection of the level of impunity,” says Julia Urrunaga, the director of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)’s Peru program. “For years, they have been validating nonexistent trees to launder millions of dollars in illegal timber,” she adds. Seven sawmills in the Ucayali and Loreto regions were investigated for the report by Global Witness. Photo courtesy of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).On a separate note, some of the largest sawmills in the Ucayali and Loreto regions have received enormous shipments of illegal timber. Eight of these sawmills (four in each of the two regions) were analyzed in the report by Global Witness. Based on data from forest transport guides and inspection reports from OSINFOR in 2016, 60 percent of the timber processed in the sawmills in Loreto, and 50 percent of that from Ucayali, had illegal origins. The total value of the illegal timber processed in these eight sawmills, in 2016 alone, was $16 million.“I believe it is important to see the quantity of illegal timber that enters the sawmills, where so much of this resource is processed,” says Urrunaga, who questions the idea that OSINFOR does not have the ability to oversee this business.Loggers share detailsGlobal Witness’ report also involved statements by undercover investigators. Furones explained that the use of a hidden camera to record conversations with loggers in the timber industry allowed the researchers to discover whether they were aware of the illegal activity in the industry.The statements are part of a video in which some loggers can be heard commenting on how environmental audits were conducted when OSINFOR was under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.Sections of tree trunks and large branches are taken to sawmills and collection centers. Photo by Omar Coloma.One of those loggers revealed that when the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) was in charge of the audits and supervision, the loggers themselves covered the expenses of the inspections. Another logger mentioned that they sometimes weren’t inspected at all; the inspector may be in an entirely different location, but would sign the certificate as if they had arrived to the forest. A third logger recounted that before 2009 —when OSINFOR became affiliated with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) of Peru— everything was “very free” because any person could cut down a tree and send it to a sawmill.The loggers also discussed OSINFOR. “Now, they do inspections,” said one of them. Another commented that with the state agency, their work is more difficult because they cannot take out as much timber as before. “We have had to adjust,” said a third logger.In December 2018, the Peruvian government ruled that OSINFOR would leave the PCM and become part of the Ministry of Environment. This ruling has sparked controversy within the country because some sectors feel that it takes away independence from the organization.That controversy is not the only opposition to the new measure. has expressed disapproval because, according to them, the new policy violates the environmental agreements in the United States–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, which was implemented in 2009.In the Office of the United States Trade Representative, a consultation process about the ruling has already begun. However, the administration surrounding Peru’s president, Martín Vizcarra, has defended it.OSINFOR must ensure that the timber that leaves the forest corresponds to accurate documents. Photo by Vanessa Romo for Mongabay Latam.The report by Global Witness also questioned the measure because, according to Furones, it could weaken OSINFOR. “In the last 10 years, OSINFOR has demonstrated that it is doing good work. It is essential that its independence is restored and that its powers are expanded to be able to confront the new forms of timber laundering that are emerging.For Urrunaga, the report serves to demonstrate the importance of maintaining an independent supervising organization. “The government should reconsider and return OSINFOR to the PCM. Without an independent institution, there cannot be traceability, nor can there be believable legal timber.”Attorney Guzmán proposed profound changes. “Peru should update its strategy against illegal logging. The current strategy was approved in 2002 and is no longer accurate to today’s reality. We should also make a coordinated effort that includes every institution. Otherwise, we will continue to have isolated proposals within each institution in the country, and we will not confront the problem in an appropriate way.”
Peru: Report reveals high rates of illegality in timber extraction
February 10, 2020
The official launch of the ‘High 5 for Conall’ campaign took place on Monday last organised by the ‘Friends of Conall’. Family, friends and work colleagues gathered in the Mount Errigal Hotel on February 18th as it marks exactly five months to Conall Shiels’ fifth birthday.Siobhan McKeague, the chairperson of the committee, outlined the aim of the new campaign. She said: “We are a group of friends and family who want to help Kieran, Aoife, Cara and Senan by adapting their family home to suit Conall’s needs.“Conall was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to build up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain. He is a 24-hour palliative care child.“At a routine scan during Aoife’s pregnancy, she and Kieran were told that the prognosis for surviving past birth was poor. For them, this was the most devastating news.“The good news, however, is that Conall is a fighter and has survived and astounded all who care for him. He is a remarkable and special little boy. “What a fifth birthday present this would be if we can get the Letterkenny and Donegal communities to help the Shiels’ in their hour of need.”The ‘Friends of Conall’ want to ease the financial pressure of adapting their home.They have sought quotes and are looking to provide Conall with bathroom facilities and a fully furnished room to the ‘Laura Lynn’ specification standard, where Conall goes for respite from time to time.They want to raise €55,555 (all the 5’s for Conall) and carry out and complete work before his fifth birthday.Alma Kavanagh, a secretary, spoke of the generosity shown so far, she said: “Already €15,859 has been donated. But there have been so many offers from people to fundraise in the coming months, with bunnyhops at Easter, 5ks and sponsored cycles to name but a few, all being organised. “Ann Touhy (Room Junkie) will host a masterclass that will benefit Conall and she has kindly offered her services to design the room,” she added.“Forker Blinds are kind-heartedly providing the window dressings, local schools have pledged to host coffee mornings and non-uniform days. Sinead Shiels will seek sponsorship for a haircut and John and Nicola Harran (Little Angels) will host an evening in their house to raise funds for this campaign.“A special mention must also go to the ‘Letterkenny Babies’ Facebook page. They have already posted a bric-a-brac thread on their page with sales being donated to the fund. And in conjunction with the page, Sweeney Maintenance Services will raffle a five-hour house clean.“We have also had numerous offers from tradespeople who will paint, plaster, and a very generous pledge from electrician Steven Hassan to provide any electrical work that needs to be done,” Kavanagh said. “We will explore every avenue for funding, and we must thank Jimmy Kavanagh for pointing us in the right direction as we begin this task.“From the moment Conall was born we all felt that we wanted to do something, but we held off as Conall’s prognosis was so bleak. Thankfully though, he is here, he is happy, he is our hero and 2019 is going to be his year.”In addition to raising funds for the adaptation, the TY students in Loreto Convent, as part of the YSI, have formed a group called ‘Friends of Conall – A Voice for All.They will be lobbying for a nurse to be employed at Little Angels SS, for cross-border respite for children with complex needs and for a change in protocol for families seeking funding for home adaptations.Conall’s father Kieran thanked everyone for their continued generosity and goodwill: “From the minute Conall was born, Aoife and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity, friendship and goodwill that we have received from our friends and family.“Conall has proven to be a real fighter and through this fundraising campaign, we will be able to care for him going into the future.“We appreciate everyone’s donations and offers of help, Conall is such a lucky boy to have friends, family and a community that cares so much.“I’m sure that if he could he would say a huge thank you himself.”To donate you can visit the Go Fund Me or if you would like to fundraise or make a direct donation you can contact Siobhan (086 170 2787), Alma (087 695 2551) or any committee member.High five for Conall: Campaign launched to help young boy and family was last modified: March 1st, 2019 by Shaun KeenanShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:High Five for Conall
25 May 2011When the world’s biggest retail company, the US-based Walmart, announced in September 2010 a plan to buy South African retailer Massmart for a staggering US$4.2-billion, eyebrows were raised. Foreign investors in Africa have tended to put their money in the riches that lie beneath its soil, where the profits are higher.In fact, the steady growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the continent during most of the past decade has mostly been concentrated in extractive sectors, especially oil (see Africa Renewal, January 2005).Yet, much like Walmart, a growing number of major investors are now betting on the continent’s ultimate wealth, Africans themselves, according to the World Investment Report 2010 by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).And for all the shock that Walmart’s foray into Africa initially prompted, when it announced in December that it was seeking to acquire only 51 percent of Massmart’s shares for $2.5-billion, the transaction was still second to the continent’s biggest business deal unrelated to natural resources. Late in March 2010, a record $10.7-billion transaction took place as Kuwait’s telecommunication company Zain sold its African assets to Bharti, an Indian competitor.Investors eye new sectorsOverall, the Unctad report notes, amidst a recent slump in FDI flows to Africa (see graph): “The services sector, led by the telecommunications industry, became the dominant FDI recipient.”Across the continent, new deals involving major foreign corporations are becoming a common occurrence in sectors previously considered unattractive to investment heavyweights. Nestle, a Swiss food company, announced plans to spend $1-billion by 2013 for acquisitions in various African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Angola. Less than two years ago, Nestle’s main competitor, France’s Danone, bought the yoghurt and desserts division of Clover, South Africa’s leader in fresh cultured dairy products.Such developments call “for reassessment of FDI in Africa, as a different picture emerges,” the Unctad report argues. Potentially, development experts note, an increase in FDI flows to infrastructure, services and retail sales could have a far more positive impact on African economies. Unlike investments in the extractive industries, investments in consumer-oriented sectors often lead to the creation of many more jobs and stimulate consumer spending.Rise of the African middle classAfrica’s booming middle class, with its recently acquired purchasing power, is the main reason behind the new FDI trend on the continent. Various researches suggest that the number of Africans who can afford to buy more than the necessities of daily life is rising rapidly.A much-talked-about report by McKinsey, a US-headquartered multinational consulting firm, estimates that the continent is home to around 50-million middle-class households (defined as those with incomes of at least $20 000), as many as in India. (The report, entitled “Lions on the Move: The Progress and Potential of African Economies”, was published in June 2010.)One in every 10 Africans, says a different study by a French aid agency, is already a “solvent consumer” – one who can afford the latest smartphones, the newest computers and dinners at trendy restaurants.The rise of this middle class is linked to the strong economic performances recorded in many African countries since the end of the 1990s. Average economic growth has been around 5 percent a year, while the average inflation rate fell to 8 percent from an earlier high of 22 percent.From 2000 to 2010, six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies were in sub-Saharan Africa, reports The Economist, an authoritative London weekly. In fact, the publication argues that Africa is the site of “the surprising success story of the past decade,” high praise from a magazine that is generally not very enthusiastic about the continent.Strong and sustained growth rates – and not only in the oil-rich countries that benefited from booming demand from emerging economies – provided a platform from which numerous households moved upwards in income.And while growth in oil-producing countries usually did not result in massive job creation, growth in other countries did create some employment, in turn boosting domestic consumption. In South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco, Africa’s four most advanced and diversified economies, domestic consumption became the largest contributor to growth in recent years, says the McKinsey report.Policies, peace and governanceAfrica’s improved economic performances are also a result of good economic policies and improved political contexts, maintained the World Bank in its report Africa Development Indicators 2007. In Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania, for example, business-friendly policies opened new markets to investors. Angola and Rwanda became fast-growing economies after long civil wars.Some also argue that a continental development plan has helped as well. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), adopted by African leaders in 2001, “did help shape a new, more positive perception of Africa,” argues Patrick Osakwe, an economist with the UN Economic Commission for Africa and co-author of a study on FDI to Africa.By emphasising the importance of good governance, Osakwe told Africa Renewal, the plan illustrated a momentous shift in the way Africans seek to interact with the rest of the world.Expanding prosperityFor a continent so long regarded by outside observers as “hopeless,” the coming years will bring more good news, various analysts say. Africa weathered the global recession better than most regions of the world, and its recent economic performance is second only to that of Asia, according to several international institutions. Over the next five years, The Economist recently projected, “The average African economy will outpace its Asian counterpart.”Such promising prospects are central to Walmart’s expansion plans in Africa. Other major Western investors are likely to follow the US giant, analysts say. One reason is that the continent’s combined consumer spending is forecast to reach $1.4-trillion by 2020, up from $860-billion in 2008. Companies from emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil are already strengthening their positions in the region.As foreign investors rush to benefit from the rise of the new categories of African consumers, prosperity still remains elusive for too many other Africans. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, 250-million people in Africa are undernourished.“To expand prosperity, African leaders need to invest in infrastructure and education, to diversify their economies, so that many more people can benefit from growth,” argues Osakwe.Others note that improving the standard of living of the poor not only makes business sense, but is also a political necessity, as suggested by the recent waves of protests across North Africa. Not addressing people’s economic rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay pointedly remarked this January, causes grievances “to fester and eventually erupt on a large scale.”This article was first published in Africa Renewal – produced by the Africa Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information, Africa Renewal provides up-to-date information and analysis of the major economic and development challenges facing Africa today.
Photo by DodgertonSkillhause (Morguefile)An accused shoplifter trying to flee the Bayonne, New Jersey, Walmart Sunday afternoon in her car struck a shopper riding a motorized cart twice before she crashed into a police cruiser and was arrested, Bayonne police said.Siedah S. Smith, 34, of Jersey City, was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and hindering apprehension, Bayonne Lieutenant Eric Amato said.Smith had filled a shopping cart with $235 in merchandise, but left it at a self-checkout lane inside the store while she went outside and grabbed a discarded receipt from the garbage, police were told by a store loss prevention agent. She then returned inside the store and walked out with the stolen goods without paying, ignoring the loss prevention agent’s commands to stop, Amato said.- Sponsor – A responding police officer saw Smith drive her car and strike the person in the motorized shopping cart while trying to flee the parking lot, Amato said. An argument between Smith and the victim ensued, and Smith quickly tried to flee again when she saw the police cruiser, Amato said. Again she struck the shopper in the motorized cart, this time dragging the victim and the cart 10 feet before smashing head-on into the police cruiser. Smith was arrested… NJ.com Stay UpdatedGet critical information for loss prevention professionals, security and retail management delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now
Francisco Ayala Prominent geneticist out at UC Irvine after harassment finding The four complainants, who asked to be identified, are all in the School of Biological Sciences: professor Kathleen Treseder, assistant teaching professor Jessica Pratt, assistant dean Benedicte Shipley and graduate student Michelle Herrera. Treseder and Pratt referred questions to their attorney, Micha Star Liberty, a sexual harassment lawyer based in Oakland, California. Shipley and Herrera could not be reached by deadline.In an interview today, Liberty said her clients–three of the four complainants–are considering “all available legal options.”“It’s frustrating and completely disingenuous for UCI to say they got a complaint in November and took swift action,” Liberty says. “That’s simply not true. They didn’t do an investigation when a complaint was filed 3 years ago.”The university declined to make any comment in addition to Gillman’s statement.Liberty would not identify the complainant of 3 years ago, the nature of that complaint, or the mechanism by which the alleged complaint was made. But she says that complainant is also one of the four women whose complaints launched the probe that began in November 2017.Liberty further alleges: “UCI seemed to care only about making sure that their famous and profitable professor was taken care of, rather than being employee-focused on the employment law rights and the Title IX rights of these women.” Title IX is the federal law that makes sexual harassment in educational settings illegal.Liberty alleges that Ayala’s behavior toward female students, staff, and colleagues was permeated with unwanted touching and sexually based language and statements, often in front of other people. For instance, she says, he once told a professor who was giving a report in a meeting: “Why don’t you sit on my lap while you give the presentation? It would be much more interesting.”Ayala’s attorney, Susan Estrich, says: “The comment about sitting on his lap was a bad attempt at humor in a crowded room in 2015, for which Professor Ayala apologized some years ago.”Liberty also alleged that Ayala discussed in front of Treseder, whom he had nominated for membership in the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS), how blacklisting of nominees was typically carried out—comments that she took as a veiled threat to blacklist her nomination. Ayala is a NAS member and only members can nominate—and vote on—new members.“Professor Ayala has made absolutely clear, repeatedly so, that he would never blackball a candidate for the Academy, much less a candidate he nominated,” Estrich responded. According to Liberty, Ayala’s behavior toward Herrara, the graduate student, triggered the investigation that began in November 2017. Ayala’s actions were witnessed by Herrara’s supervisor, she says, who also complained at that time, in support of Herrara. In the process of the investigation, the two other women came forward as complainants. One was the woman who had complained 3 years before.They came forward, Liberty says, because “they were tired of witnessing this type of behavior, they were concerned about this graduate student, who had a lot less power than they did, being victimized and they wanted this conduct to stop. They were also tired of enduring this behavior themselves.”Liberty alleges that as the investigation proceeded, UCI represented to her that Ayala had threatened to sue the university and the complaining women for defamation.Estrich says: “At no time was suing for defamation ever considered.”Ayala, 84, has become a prominent presence in American biology since he left his native Spain and the Dominican priesthood in 1961 for graduate studies at Columbia University. He did pioneering work in molecular evolution and genetics and made a groundbreaking discovery about the parasites that cause Chagas disease, a sometimes-fatal ailment that afflicts million in the tropics. He is a former president of AAAS, which publishes Science; an NAS member; and a 2010 winner of the $1.5 million Templeton Prize for making an “exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension.” Ayala has been outspoken on the ethical issues related to the study of human evolution, and a prominent spokesperson in the debate between evolution and creationism. He is also a vintner, who at the time of his donation to UCI in 2011 owned more than 2000 acres of vineyards in northern California.Kristen Monroe is one of Ayala’s colleagues and political scientist who directs the UCI Interdisciplinary Center for the Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality, where Ayala regularly attended meetings and was a founding member. She says: “I’m baffled and surprised at the charges against Professor Ayala since nothing in our interactions, over some 20 years, suggests he treats women with anything but respect and courtesy.”Ayala’s colleague Camilo Cela-Conde, an emeritus professor at the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain, who has co-written six books with Ayala on human evolution, put out a statement today under the heading “Professor Ayala’s Sentence.” “I read with stupor, shame and displeasure,” of Ayala’s name being stripped from the UCI buildings, Cela-Conde wrote, noting that Gillman stated that keeping Ayala’s name on the buildings “would be wrong.” Cela-Conde added: “I wonder whether [the university’s] keeping the more than U.S. $4 million donated to UCI by Professor Ayala and destroying his scientific career would be right.”Cela-Conde noted the university’s interviews with more than 60 witnesses. “What the statement does not mention is that only a fraction of the witnesses proposed by Professor Ayala were actually interviewed,” he wrote. “The lack of fairness throughout the whole investigation process is highly evident. Fake news seems to give birth to fake investigations.” Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo Gillman added that Ayala’s name will also be stripped from several graduate fellowships, scholar programs and endowed chairs. Ayala gave the school $10 million in 2011, which was to have been disbursed over 10 years. The university would not comment on how much has been disbursed, or how the remaining portion of the gift will be handled. It also declined to comment on details of the sexual harassment allegations, which were not described in Gillman’s statement.Ayala, who was hired at UCI in 1989, released a statement that reads:
“I deeply regret that what I have always thought of as the good manners of a European gentleman—to greet women colleagues warmly, with a kiss to both cheeks, to compliment them on their beauty—made colleagues I respect uncomfortable. It was never my intent to do so. Nor do I wish to put them, my family, or this institution through the lengthy process of further investigation, hearings, appeals, and law suits. I have too much respect for them, and too much work still to do. I will continue my research with renewed vigor, and I thank my colleagues around the world for their support.” The eminent evolutionary biologist Francisco Ayala has offered his resignation to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) , effective 1 July, the university announced yesterday. The move comes on the heels of an investigation of alleged sexual harassment by Ayala that began last November and included complaints from four women – two professors, an assistant dean, and one graduate student—in the School of Biological Sciences. The biological sciences building was, until this week, named after its benefactor—Ayala.“Given the number and breadth of the substantiated allegations, along with the power differentials at play, I believe that keeping Professor Ayala’s name in a position of honor would be wrong,” UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman wrote in announcing that Ayala is resigning without emeritus status, will “abstain” from future campus activities, and will have his name removed from both the biological sciences building and UCI’s science library.Gillman said the university had interviewed more than 60 witnesses during its probe of the allegations. “While reporting misconduct is always difficult, the actions of these women were particularly courageous because their reports involved one of the most prominent members of our faculty,” Gillman wrote.Sign up for our daily newsletterGet more great content like this delivered right to you!Country *AfghanistanAland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia, Plurinational State ofBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo, The Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCote D’IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and Mcdonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran, Islamic Republic ofIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People’s Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People’s Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMacedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinianPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalQatarReunionRomaniaRussian FederationRWANDASaint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishWallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweI also wish to receive emails from AAAS/Science and Science advertisers, including information on products, services and special offers which may include but are not limited to news, careers information & upcoming events.Required fields are included by an asterisk(*) By Meredith WadmanJun. 29, 2018 , 4:40 PM
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Real Madrid Sergio Ramos controversy: Would Liverpool have complained if Van Dijk injured Ronaldo? Carlo Garganese 17:03 6/15/18 FacebookTwitterRedditcopy Comments(5) 
Getty/Goal composite Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Liverpool Egypt World Cup Mohamed Salah Sergio Ramos Jamie Redknapp says that he would love to have the under-fire Real Madrid defender in his team despite the Champions League final controversy Jamie Redknapp has defended Sergio Ramos following the Champions League final controversy and has questioned whether Liverpool fans would have complained if it was Cristiano Ronaldo and not Mohamed Salah who had been injured.Ramos has become public enemy number one in Liverpool and Egypt after his clash with Salah during the first half of last month’s Champions League final saw the attacker forced off with a shoulder injury.Madrid went on to win the game 3-1 to claim a third straight Champions League crown, while Salah’s participation at the World Cup was also temporarily put in doubt. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Out of his depth! Emery on borrowed time after another abysmal Arsenal display Diving, tactical fouls & the emerging war of words between Guardiola & Klopp Sorry, Cristiano! Pjanic is Juventus’ most important player right now Arsenal would be selling their soul with Mourinho move However, former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp, who made more than 300 appearances for the club over 11 years, has defended the Spain hardman.“His record in terms of getting sent off is not the best but I would have him in my team,” Redknapp told Goal ahead of the Soccer Aid charity match for Unicef last week.“Whether you like him or not, he plays on the edge. But look at his record.“He’s made the most out of his ability. Go and take a look at his trophy cabinet. He’s won everything. He’s a winner.“If Virgil van Dijk had done it at the other end, if he had injured Ronaldo, would Liverpool fans have been complaining?“That’s just football sometimes, it’s not the best thing in the world but that’s how it is. Someone’s got to win at all costs.”Redknapp also looked ahead to next season and he believes that Liverpool can challenge champions and favourites Manchester City for the Premier League title, providing they succeed in the transfer market.
Jurgen Klopp has already strengthened the midfield by signing Fabinho from Monaco and Naby Keita from RB Leipzig but Redknapp says they need more work and particularly need to sign a new goalkeeper following the two blunders Loris Karius made against Real Madrid.“I think they can challenge but Manchester City are going to take some beating and that’s the problem for everybody,” he said.“They need a goalkeeper, that goes without saying. The situation with Karius is a sad one for the kid. I don’t know how he comes back from what happened in the final. Does he play for Liverpool again?“In terms of the defence, they have Van Dijk who is a fantastic player. He’s been a brilliant signing. In midfield there is going to be a lot of competition for places now with Keita and Fabinho being brought in. Maybe they need another wideman, just to give a different option sometimes.“So they are not far away. With the two they’ve signed, I think Liverpool are going to go close.”To donate to Soccer Aid, please visit: www.socceraid.org.uk.
The final round of the 32nd Annual New South Wales Touch Association’s Vawdon Cup was played Friday 28 September 2007 at Penrith with an extremely close round in the Men’s Premier League, and some emphatic performances by the competition’s big guns in the Women’s Premier League. The last pieces in the semi-final puzzle were put in place in both Premier divisions and with the regular season now done and dusted, fans can strap themselves in for what looms as an intriguing 2007 Vawdon Cup Finals series.Canterbury, despite suffering a shock loss to Penrith in the final round wrapped up the Minor Premiership in the Men’s Premier League division.Canterbury will meet Wests Magpies in the Major Semi-final after Wests and Hornsby drew in their clash on Friday night to finish on equal competition points.The Magpies have advanced to second spot on the ladder on for and against averages.Third placed Hornsby will meet 2006 Vawdon Cup Premiers Penrith who, with their upset victory over the Dogs, has cemented the final spot in the semi-final line up.In the Women’s Premier League the undefeated Canterbury Bankstown wrapped up the Minor Premiership and will now meet 2006 Premiers the Easts Roosters in Semi-Final One, whilst Wests Magpies will confront the Wollongong Devils who edged out Cronulla in their crunch game on Friday night to snare the prized final place in the top four for 2007.The Vawdon Cup Final series gets underway at Bankstown, home of the Canterbury Bulldogs, Minor Premiers in the respective Men’s and Women’s Premier League Divisions, this Friday 5 October 2007.The big news in the Men’s Premier League was Penrith’s sensational victory over the previously undefeated Canterbury Bulldogs in the 2006 Vawdon Cup Grand Final replay at Penrith in the nightcap timeslot at 9.00pm.Defending champions, the Penrith Panthers have had an indifferent 2007 thus far, but in recent times have strung together some impressive performances that smack of business end of the season form to have all the other teams in the competition sleeping with one eye open as the finals loom large on the horizon.The Dogs, in contrast, have been in outstanding form for the majority of the season, and despite suffering their first defeat of the year at the hands of their 2006 Vawdon Cup conquerors on Friday, are still warm favourites with the bookies to advance to this year’s decider in their semi-final clash with Wests Magpies at Bankstown on Friday night.Canterbury got off to a flyer on Friday night with some great play from 2007 Australian World Cup stars Garry ‘GS7” Sonda and Steve Roberts giving the Dogs a 1-0 lead.The Penrith boys were sticking to their guns and it did not surprise anyone to see the Premiers equalize soon after for 1-1 scoreline.The game was end to end for the rest of the half and the two fierce combatants went to oranges a touchdown a piece with a lot of touch still to be played in the second stanza.The Dogs came out after the break looking to put the bite on the Panthers who, to their great credit, knuckled down and met every Dogs attacking raid with resolute defence.The Doggies were (for the most part), shut out and left to snarl through the slithers of slight hope visible in the robust Panther defence that stood between the Dogs and the retention of their unblemished record in 2007.Canterbury’s big match specialist Joel Willoughby stepped up for the Dogs as only special players can, snaring an intercept before offloading to support to give the Dogs the ascendancy at 2-1.The teams then went touchdown for touchdown, before a trademark Sonda long ball gift-wrapped a 4-3 lead to the Dogs.The touchdown seemed to spur the Panthers into action and the Mountain Men, through some outstanding ball play from Dean Springfield and Scott Buckley conjured three unanswered touchdowns to give the Panthers the 6-4 decision over the previously undefeated Canterbury combination.The win by the Panthers was full of merit given that the outfit’s most experienced players Chris Benfield and Scotty Danswan were unavailable and the 11 man team was top heavy with many youngsters who had come off the back of last weeks X Blades National 18 Years tournament.Penrith did not have a bad player, with their foot speed and unrelenting defence a feature of the victory.The Panthers secured the Forrester/Collins Trophy (contested each time the two clubs meet) for their Coach Dave Collins in his final term as Panthers Coach.Canterbury despite the loss, have claimed the minor premiership, and will welcome back absent form player Stuart Brierty to bolster them for their crucial semi-final against Wests this Friday night.In the other up late clash at 9.00pm, wooden spooners Manly showed great spirit and composure to force a 4 – 4 draw with a disappointing Cronulla Sharks side.The Sharkies entered the contest knowing that they had to rely on Canterbury to beat Penrith by plenty, and they themselves needed to dispatch Manly by a cricket score to sneak into the finals.Cronulla couldn’t get flowing yet held a narrow 3-2 ascendancy at half-time courtesy of a touchdown double to Rhys ‘The Claw” Bevan and Brad Edwards.The Sharkies camp, now resigned to missing the semi-final boat, seemed to be waving goodbye to their finals aspirations as they floated past in the shadows of half time.Cronulla much to their own chagrin, played without conviction in an unconvincing second half.Conversely, the game Manly combination hung tough with Harry and Put Berryman leading the way with young gun Sam Brisby and Daniel Chitty playing with maturity beyond their tender 15 years for the duration of the game.Manly bounced back after the break determined to get back into the contest and finish their season off in style.The Sea Eagles equalized soon after the resumption and hit the front with five minutes remaining.Sharkies Australian Mixed Open World Cup star Matt Tope then donned the superman cape to snare a touchdown and salvage a 4-4 draw for Cronulla.The draw was a disappointing end to the 15-year career of Sharkies and former Penrith stalwart Mark Collins. The uncompromising winger who won both a Vawdon and State Cup will be remembered as a great team person and a true gentleman of the game.In the early clash at 8.10pm the talented Parramatta Eels finished their season on a high by edging out a game Easts Roosters 4-3 in a spirited derby at Penrith.Both teams were down on numbers with the Roosters missing key players who were competing at the Australian University Games on Queensland’s Gold Coast, and Parramatta without Dean Wilbow and Daniel Mahoney.Parramatta got out to a solid 2-0 lead before the Roosters hit back before half time to make the score 2-1 to the Eels. Parramatta’s shining light all season, Australian Men’s Open World Cup star Jamie Stowe, was again calling the shots and directing the young Eels line-up around the park, whilst East’s Mr. Consistency Christian Frost was doing his utmost to keep the Eels in the hunt.Easts were boosted by the half-time appearance of Manu Wakely who had flown back from the Uni-Games to reinforce the depleted Roosters line up.Both combinations scrapped it out in a mistake riddled second half with the two teams trading touchdowns before the Eels emerged 4-3 winners.East’s Jonathon Rook, making a courageous comeback from a delicate sinus operation, answered the call to play for the Roosters and assisted Frost and Wakely to finish the season off with honour.The Easts boys will now break for a week, before concentrating on their State Cup preparations.Parramatta Coach Glenn Fitzgerald has done an impressive job with the young Eels combination that has made a solid start to rebuilding their fortunes in the Premier League with an improved season.The impressive form of “Comeback King” Troy Malcolm and the irrepressible Stowe, and Dean Wilbow, coupled with the raft of young guns the Eels count in their lower grade ranks augurs well for the future, including the State Cup in December.Wests Magpies and Hornsby played out a thrilling 5 – 5 draw in an 8.10pm clash at Penrith in a game that was tighter than an NRL players footy shorts after an end of season trip.The two sides who have been gunning all season for the prized second spot on the ladder to ensure two bites at the Grand Final cherry, did not, to paraphrase Phil Gould “Let fear hold them back” in going all out to secure the coveted second spot.In one of the fastest games of the season, both teams turned to their big match specialists to pull the trigger on the big plays in an absorbing end-to-end battle.For West’s, Daniel Rushworth was throwing his ridiculously good looking Zoolander long ball, Jason Stanton was doing the sliding dive over, and Jason Yee was more dangerous with the footy than Shane Warne with a mobile phone in his hands.The Fleet of foot Hornsby Lions combination had the holy trinity of Dylan Hennessey and John and Maurice Kennedy running the show with more cheek than a “Chasers Mission”The two teams went to the break deadlocked at 3-3.The game was played with a lot of passion and a couple of the Young Lions were spied growling in the bin after being given periods of time in successive sets.The Lions boys leaked a touchdown in the six on four situation, but bounced back well to recover from the 4-3 deficit to get back into the contest and lock it up at 4-4. The sides traded touchdowns again with Hornsby’s John Kennedy nailing a hat trick to secure the draw for his team.The two teams prodded each other searching for the knock-out punch that never quite came and had to settle for an honourable draw and a “to be continued” epitaph to their growing rivalry.Hennessey, the “5 metre man,” the Kennedy twins, and Mick Abood were the glue that held the Lion’s effort together, whilst the World Cup connection of Dan “The Raging Bull” Rushworth, Jason Stanton, and comeback King Anthony Ziade starred for the Magpies.Ziade, in his first game back since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament five months ago, was a revelation for the black and whites and will be an invaluable weapon in coming weeks for the Magpies during the Finals series.The Magpies will be looking to consolidate their form and put some tough questions to Canterbury in the Major semi-final, whilst the Young Lions will set their sights on a battle to the death with fellow young guns Penrith on Friday night in the minor semi-final.In the Women’s Premier League, Canterbury Bankstown produced a withering 12- 0 touchdown blitz to wrap up the Minor Premiership and demolish Penrith on their home turf in the 7.20pm clash. The Doggies found their rhythm early and raced to a 6-0 lead by oranges.The undefeated minor premiers went right on with the job scoring 6 unanswered touchdowns to ensure the scoreboard attendant earned their keep and the Penrith girls got the chance to commit their tap off plays to memory with more restarts than the Men’s 100 Metre Final at the Sydney Olympics.Louise and Clare Winchester were again dominant for the Doggies in a solid team performance that has them humming along nicely coming into Friday night’s Major Semi-final blockbuster against Easts.Penrith never threw the towel in at any point, and one inspired “sniper” dive on the scoreline by Shannon Hackett on a touchdown bound Kate Fitzsimmons brought the Wests bench to their feet.Hackett was the standout for Penrith along with Stacey Renny and young guns Ali Tairi and Tara Boland who never stopped trying for the youthful Panthers who will be better for their 2007 Vawdon Cup experiences.In the 8.10pm game, Premiers Easts Roosters completed a comfortable 5-2 victory over a gutsy Manly Sea Eagles combination to tune up for this week’s crunch semi-final with the Doggies.The Roosters, who were without their Captain Melissa Pitfield, who was rested due to a troublesome hamstring, swapped one superstar for another when they welcomed prodigal daughter, Australian Women’s Open Vice Captain Amanda Judd back into the line-up.Judd, who has been absent from the Roosters playing roster since Round 5 with a debilitating foot injury, has arrived back at the right time of the season with Easts in need of some big game experience and class as they go into the championship rounds of the competition.The Roosters were up comfortably at the break 4-1, and went on to record a 5-1 scoreline.Kristy Judd, Kristin Boss, and Pepita Macalister-Knight were the Tri-colours best, whilst Rachel Cleave and Kylie Stewart were Manly’s standouts in a gutsy team performance.The Wollongong Devils capped a fantastic debut season in the Vawdon Cup by downing Cronulla Sharks 2-1 in the clutch game for a 2007 Semi-final berth at 8.10pm at Penrith on Friday night.Even though a close loss by ‘The Young Divas” would have seen them qualify for the finals, it was still a game they needed to win to cement themselves in their own minds as legitimate contenders for the 2007 finals series.The Young Divas, who had several players involved in the X Blades National 18 Years and Under Championships in Coffs Harbour, justified their decision to skip seeing ‘SuperBad” at the movies and play Touch instead on Friday night by defeating the Sharkies in a game closer than the Olsen twins.Cronulla, who have at times been underachievers in 2007, have been the “heartbreak kids” of the competition – their lack of numbers has translated into inconsistent performances that hurt the team when all the chocolates were on the line. Sharkies fielded a team without 6 regular players again on Friday night, with wingers Susan Smith and Jaqueline Morris playing the entire game without a substitute.The effort was always going to show on the 9-player Sharks compliment.The Young Divas got out to an early lead in the first half courtesy of a Mel Mc Call acting half burst resulting in a touchdown to Nicole “Captain Serro” Beck.Mc Call showed her class again, cutting a swathe through the Sharkies defence from acting half before linking with Amanda Skwarko for a 2-0 lead.Cronulla drove strongly and hit back with a touchdown before half time to leave the contest delicately balanced at 2-1.The punters however, left the grounds feeling short changed with an uneventful second half that saw neither side trouble the scorers.Mc Call, and Rachel “Baby Serro” Beck were Wollongong’s best, whilst Sue Smith and Jess Howe never stopped trying for the Sharkies who played with a lot of heart to contain the dangerous Young Divas who were full of running.Wollongong will now take on the inform Wests Magpies in the Minor Semi-final to attempt to extend their season and their night time curfew for at least another week.In the “bedie bye” clash at 9.00pm, Wests Magpies tuned up for their Finals campaign with a rolling 8-1 victory over a depleted Central Coast Dolphins line-up who were brave again, despite their dwindling player base.Australian Women’s Open World Cup star Stacey Lapham, Jess Lumby, Diane Doan and the inform Sara Hamilton were prominent for the Magpies whilst the under strength Dolphins battled hard until the full-time siren sounded to end a tough season for the Central Coast combination.With all the preliminaries taken care of, it’s time to get down to business with Touch Football fans about to be treated to an absolute smorgasbord of enticing big match fare on the menu with the Vawdon Cup Finals series beginning in earnest this Friday, and continuing with Preliminary Finals Friday week, culminating with the 2007 Vawdon Cup Grand Final on Friday 19 October, 2007.In Men’s Premier League First Semi-final action, Minor Premiers Canterbury will battle against 2006 NSW State Cup champions Wests Magpies at 7.50pm at Bankstown, with the victor winning an automatic passage through to the Vawdon Cup Grand Final on Friday 19 October 2007, whilst the loser will back up Friday week to secure a second crack at a Grand Final appearance.The fleet of foot Hornsby Lions will meet 2006 Premiers the Penrith Panthers at 9.30pm at Bankstown in the Second Semi-final.The winner of this clash lives to fight another Friday night in next week’s Preliminary Final; the loser will be lining up their drinks for “Silly Saturday” and booking their seats on the hill to watch the Grand Final.In Women’s Premier League Finals action, Canterbury Bulldogs and Easts Roosters will both be looking forward to their marquee clash at 7.00pm at Bankstown.Last time the two heavyweights of Women’s Touch met in Round 6 of the Vawdon Cup, inclement weather intervened to force the game into a conservative arm wrestle that demanded a mistake free and measured approach.Observers are tipping a more free flowing game this time with the big guns in either line-up keen to make their mark on the keynote contest.It’ll be standing room only for this one with some of the best players in the Women’s game lining up on either side of the halfway line on Friday.The fierce rivalry between the two great teams of the Vawdon Cup will ensure a fascinating contest that should go right down to the wire.A win secures the Willie Wonka like Golden ticket to the 2007 Grand Final, and both teams will be pulling out all stops to earn the grand final berth and a week’s rest.In the Second semi-final, at 8.40pm at Bankstown, Wests Magpies will take on the Wollongong Devils for the right to extend their season for at least one more week in the Preliminary Final against the loser of the Major Semi-final between Canterbury and Easts.Wests have the personnel to push strongly for the 2007 title, and the Young Divas have nothing but inexperience to lose in what shapes as an intriguing battle.This week’s “Blackest Cat” for the Player of the Round in Men’s Premier League goes to West’s Anthony Ziade who is doubling as the new “Six Million Dollar Man”West’s Coach Paul Sfier was heard to utter the following at Wests training in the early days of Ziade’s rehabilitation from a serious knee injury that required reconstructive surgery to his ACL and included damage to the meniscus and the Medial ligament as well:“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world’s first bionic man. Anthony Ziade will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.”Five months later, Anthony has made remarkable progress to be back in time for the Vawdon Cup finals, and had a great game Friday against Hornsby to mark his return.There is no truth to the rumour Anthony has a bionic eye to see gaps before others see them!The “Go to Girl” for the Player of the Round in the Women’s Premier League division goes to Penrith’s Shannon Hackett, who despite staring down the barrel of a 12-0 result at the hands of a white hot Canterbury line-up, chased Kate Fitzsimmons the length of the field and summoned a huge diving touch to nab her opponent on the scoreline.Great effort from Shannon to exemplify what our game is all about…There is also no truth to the rumour that the thin grass covering on the 5 metre line at the Canterbury scoring end at Penrith was covering over a treadmill track that Fitzsimmons got stuck on enroute to the scoreline…There we go folks, all round games “done and dusted” for the Vawdon Cup in 2007.And then there were four… Get yourself out to Bankstown this Friday night to see all the Semi-final action in all 10 divisions of the Vawdon Cup, remember to book your Finals tickets through Ticketek to avoid disappointment and the cheap seats.Many thanks to all of those who have contributed to the Round 10 wrap, special thanks to all the players, coaches, and officials who are now out of finals contention for all your great work on the field and in supplying information for the wrap this season.It’s finals time so it’s time to up the ante kids, so this week, when in doubt throw the double cut out flick pass.Good luck to all teams for the Finals Series.For all the latest information, draws, and results, please visit the New South Wales Touch Association website: www.nswtouch.com.au
In the thirty-eighth edition of In The Spotlight, Australian Men’s Open player, Mat Bird, speaks about what it means to be representing Australia at the 2011 World Cup and the biggest influences on his Touch Football career. Name: Mat BirdNickname: BirdyAge: 25Affiliate: BulldogsOccupation: Fire FighterPosition: WingDebut for Australia: 2005 Youth World Cup 2010 Men’s Open Trans TasmanCareer highlights so far: Vawdon Cup/State Cup double in 2007, Aussie Men’s Open debut in 2010.How you got involved in Touch Football: Family friend.Favourite player: Daniel Walsh.What does it mean to you to be representing Australia at the 2011 World Cup: A massive privilege, not too many people can say they have represented their country. I’m blessed with the opportunity to be able to do this.Biggest influence on your Touch Football career: Pete Forrester and Daniel Walsh.Favourite sporting moment: Dragons 2010 premiers and Michael Jordan’s entire career. What do you know about Scotland: Great golf courses, castles, coldness, and William Wallace.Any superstitions: None that i know of.Funniest Australian teammate: Ziade (Anthony)Favourite quote: “Dare to dream.”Any travel plans for after World Cup: Running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain then winging it around Europe for five weeks with mates.Stay tuned to the website for the upcoming editions of In The Spotlight, which will feature every Open’s player travelling to the World Cup. With less than a month to go until the 2011 Federation of International Touch World Cup, be sure to be regularly visiting the Touch Football Australia website to keep up-to-date with all of the latest news and information. Don’t forget to become a fan of Touch Football Australia on Facebook and Twitter in the lead up to the 2011 World Cup to find out all you need to know about Australia’s World Cup campaign: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Touch-Football-Australia/384949403384 www.twitter.com/touchfootyaus
Jamaica continues to forge bi-lateral and mutually beneficial cooperation agreements that will allow the country to export technical sport expertise around the world, to assist in the development of sport and physical education.“These kinds of partnerships have the potential for significant foreign exchange earnings, a significant part of which could be repatriated to Jamaica,” stated Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley.She was making her contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on Wednesday, June 5, in the House of Representatives.She noted the work of the Sport Tourism Committee, chaired by Chris Dehring, which was established by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.The committee seeks to ensure full marketing and exposure of the sport component of Brand Jamaica.Mrs. Neita Headley said Jamaica continues to benefit from strong partnerships with sporting goods manufacturers, who see the value of attaching their name to Brand Jamaica.Mrs. Neita Headley said Jamaica continues to benefit from strong partnerships with sporting goods manufacturers, who see the value of attaching their name to Brand Jamaica.“We have the coaches and technical experts; now we need to develop the facilities. We must make note of the fact that, for most non-winter sports, athletes from temperate climates require tropical locations for training, and we must take advantage of that fact,” she stated.Contact: Alphea Saunders