Latest news with #AAS
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian country superstars perform in Lachute
On Friday, July 4, Canadian superstars The Reklaws, Matt Lang, and Justine Blanchet performed country hits for the crowd at the Lachute Fairgrounds. The event was organized by the Argenteuil Agricultural Society (AAS) and served as a lead-up to the 200th Expo Lachute Fair, scheduled to take place from July 10 to 13 at the same location. The evening opened with Justine Blanchet, a new Québec country singer-songwriter. Lang, who is from Maniwaki, then took the stage to entertain the crowd and delivered a mix of fan favourites. Closing out the night was The Reklaws, the brother-sister duo from North Dumfries, Ontario, who engaged attendees with their country-rock set. Photos by Philip Oddi: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
U20 Worlds silver medallist wrestler gets 4-year doping ban
Representative image (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: A former U20 World Championships finalist wrestler and a junior Nationals medallist boxer have been sanctioned by the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada) after traces of prohibited substances were found in their respective urine samples. Delhi's Nitika, last year's U20 Worlds silver medallist in the women's 62kg, has been banned for four years by the Nada's anti-doping disciplinary panel (ADDP) after returning positive for androgenic steroids (AAS). She was tested out-of-competition by the Nada's dope control officers. Her ban period retrospectively kicked off from May 28, 2024. Nitika, who is a Delhi University (DU) student, was considered a strong force in the 62kg division, having secured a gold medal at the U23 Asian Championships in Jordan last year. She had also won a gold in the juniors category (U20) at another Asian meet in Thailand. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Gukesh reminds me of myself from 2008-2009, says Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen believes the next generation of chess superstars, including reigning world champion D Gukesh, is on the right track. But, the five-time world champion opined that the youngsters have a lot more ground to make up in many aspects of the game in order to catch up with the experienced set, including himself, Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen also likened Gukesh's current playing style to his from over 15 years ago, in terms of the lack of control over games. 'I think the kids are on track, but they're not way ahead of schedule. Looking at Gukesh play, I feel it's quite similar to what I was doing in 2008-2009, when I was breaking through. It wasn't always so pretty. There was this tournament for instance, Linares 2008, where Vishy [Viswanathan Anand] was cruising in first place and I was just like playing crazy games and honestly getting more out of the positions than what my pure chess skill suggested,' said Carlsen after winning Norway Chess 2025. FILE - Magnus Carlsen, in action against Russian Grand Master Peter Svidler during the Aker Chess Challenge in Gjoevik, central Norway, on January 2, 2009. | Photo Credit: AAS, ERLEND/AFP Earlier in the tournament, Gukesh had claimed his first classical win over Carlsen and was in the race for a maiden Norway Chess title going into the final round. But the Indian Grand Master succumbed to a defeat to Caruana and eventually settled for third in the standings. MORE DETAILS | Norway Chess 2025: Gukesh, Humpy finish third after late slip-ups; Carlsen, Muzychuk win title Carlsen lauded Gukesh's ability to stay in title contention in elite tournaments, despite his error-prone ways. 'You can see in certain parts of the game, Gukesh and Arjun are far behind myself, Fabiano, and Hikaru. But we're also the very best players in the world. They're not supposed to be our equals in every part of the game. The fact that Gukesh can actually fight for tournament victory despite having so many bad positions which he will probably not be happy with it himself; but it is encouraging and I think it's typical, that's what kids do as part of the process,' added Carlsen.
The Star
27-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sabahan lecturer leads US-based Southeast Asia Council
Dr Vilashini Somiah, 41, had just wrapped up her classes at Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur and was deep in conversation with one of her research assistants. It was all part and parcel of her packed schedule - now even fuller following her appointment as the first South-East Asia-based scholar elected Chair of the Southeast Asia Council (SEAC) under the Association for Asian Studies (AAS). As a senior lecturer in the Gender Studies programme at the varsity's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, she balances her academic responsibilities with a growing role on the international stage. The AAS is a non-profit, non-political professional association dedicated to the study of Asia. Over 60 years old, the scholarly organisation is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the United States. Vilashini (second from right) proudly showcases her Sabahan heritage in traditional Sinuangga attire while pitching for the 2023 Wellcome Discovery Grant in London. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah-born Vilashini admits that news of her being elected as the chair came as a surprise. "Honestly, I never expected to be selected as SEAC Chair. I have always worked away from the spotlight, so this appointment feels both surreal and affirming. Coming from Borneo - often overlooked even within South-East Asia - I never imagined helping to shape regional discourse. But this shows the power of persistence and community," she says during an interview recently. "Scholars from the periphery can, and must, lead. I am deeply grateful to those who supported me - from the friends who first voted me onto the council to the members who elected me Chair. Being entrusted with a leadership role in AAS is something I carry with a lot of responsibility, and of course, hope," says Vilashini, whose term runs till 2028. The Sabahan anthropologist, who is of Indian and Sino-Kadazan parentage, sees her role as both administrative and advocacy-driven. While much of the work happens behind the scenes, it's rooted in a deeper commitment to representation and equity. Vilashini (second from left) with several Malaysian students at the Harvard University Asia Center in Massachusetts, the United States. "Part of the job involves coordinating the council's work, shaping the AAS annual conference programme, and ensuring South-East Asia stays visible and dynamic in Asian studies. It is mostly behind-the-scenes governance - organising meetings, managing agendas, drafting policies and liaising across time zones. "It's not glamorous, but it puts me in rooms where I can advocate for more equitable representation and help ensure marginalised voices from Malaysia and the region are heard and supported. For me, it is not just administrative - it is about opening doors and lifting others into spaces where representation is still lacking," explains Vilashini, who holds a PhD in South-East Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore. Earlier this year, she was also appointed a Harvard University Asia Center associate in Massachusetts, US. With so many hats to wear – lecturer, researcher and council chair – one can only wonder how the jovial woman manages it all. "I don't sleep lah," she says with a laugh. "When I need a break, I just unwind with some good Indian food. I won't lie, it's been an ambitious few years. Sometimes the weight of it all does scare me. But I've worked hard for these opportunities, and I do love the work. That makes a difference. "I am not a parent, which means I have got more time than many of my peers, and I try to use that privilege wisely. I never want to look back and feel I squandered the chance to learn, to contribute, to grow. That's what keeps me going - the knowing that this all means something," says Vilashini, who grew up in Penampang, KK. Advocating change Over the past 15 years, Vilashini has produced nearly 50 publications, many of which have been research based such as journal articles, books and reports. They include Unmoored Boundaries: Bajau Laut And Mobility Perspectives In Maritime Southeast Asia (2025), The Sea Is Indigenous 'Land' Too (2022), and Discovering From The Margins: Migrant Mothers And Covid-19 Vaccines In Sabah (2023). She is also the author of the book Irregular Migrants And The Sea At The Borders Of Sabah, Malaysia: Pelagic Alliance . Vilashini credits her mixed heritage and upbringing in Sabah for shaping her scholarly lens, particularly her focus on Bornean women, migration and identity. Her eyes beam with enthusiasm as she speaks about issues close to her heart. "I am very proud of my Tamil heritage, but Sabah is in my bones. It is a place of layered identities, fluid borders, and daily negotiations of belonging. Growing up mixed and multilingual, aware of both privilege and precarity, taught me to listen, to honour complexity, and to push against binaries. 'There's a data vacuum in Malaysia. We want to create spaces where underrepresented voices are heard,' says Vilashini. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon "I think when you grow up in a place where so many live in-between - between areas and territories, between identities, between rights - you internalise the struggles of being seen and acknowledged. "But I have watched communities from both sides of my family survive invisibility and thrive in spite of it. That kind of everyday resilience shapes how I approach my writing and research. It is never about extracting stories but it's about bearing witness and returning the gaze with respect," says Vilashini, the older of two siblings. She hopes her new role can open more doors for more Malaysian scholars - especially those who are indigenous, disabled, or from rural and remote communities - take up space in global academia. "Their work is often brilliant and rooted in lived realities, but it is still underrepresented. I also hope SEAC can foster true intergenerational collaboration, where senior scholars offer real support through access, funding and mentorship that lasts," shares Vilashini, who was a former participant of The Star 's BRATS Young Journalist Programme. Last year, Vilashini and her husband, lecturer Benjamin Loh, co-founded The Datum Initiative (TDI) - a grassroots effort to equip marginalised communities with ethical, accessible data skills."TDI was born from years of working with people who had powerful stories but lacked the tools to protect or use their data. We want to change that," she says. "There's a data vacuum in Malaysia. We keep recycling the same policy debates because we have excluded voices from the margins. I want to create spaces where underrepresented scholars and communities can shape the narrative - and be heard." She is especially excited about upcoming TDI projects on data competency for women with disabilities and indigenous communities aimed at building a nationwide network of empowered advocates. "It is still small, but change is happening. Alongside that, I am also working on a feminist autoethnography and a new project on gendered space in rural Borneo. Personally, I am learning to be more present - and to trust that even small efforts can ripple outward," she concludes.
New Paper
26-05-2025
- New Paper
From two hours to minutes: How SPF uses vending machine-like systems to dispense weapons faster
Police officers used to take two hours to draw their arms and equipment, but they can now do it in minutes. The once manual process has since been streamlined due to an automated equipping system (AES) and automated armoury system (AAS). These eliminate the need for queueing, and were showcased to the media on May 21. Similar to a vending machine, they consist of individual lockers that can be unlocked by officers to dispense the necessary gear needed for their shifts after a quick identity-verification process. The AES dispenses various pieces of equipment, such as ballistic vests and helmets, handcuffs and batons, which are the more commonly used gear. These are packed in a single locker for simultaneous withdrawal. The system was implemented on Dec 1, 2021. The AAS dispenses arms, ammunition and tasers, with facial recognition required as part of a two-factor authentication process. Unveiled at the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) 2023 Workplace Seminar, it was implemented at Woodleigh Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) on Aug 19, 2024. Sergeant Farhan Shah, a ground response force officer there, said the AES and AAS have significantly reduced the paperwork and time involved in drawing daily equipment. "Previously, we needed to queue. However, with the new system, there is no need for any queueing." he said. SGT Farhan Shah selecting the equipment he needs for his shift using the automated equipping system. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH The police said the original method to dispense gear and arms was run manually by a maintenance officer for equipment and a duty armourer. These processes would take up to two hours as there was only one counter for withdrawal. With the new systems, officers can withdraw and return their gear at any time. For faulty equipment, officers can return it and withdraw replacement gear independently. SGT Farhan Shah demonstrating withdrawing his equipment for patrol using the automated equipping system. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Multiple officers can do so at the same time. There is also increased accountability as all equipment and arms are tagged with radio-frequency identification technology. This allows for quick stock-taking, where an officer can know how many items have been withdrawn and by whom. The police said they ensured that officers who used the AES and AAS in the pilot phases gave feedback, so that the prototypes could be improved to ensure the systems suited officers' operational needs. "While the equipping process is now faster, there is greater responsibility on the officers to make sure the items drawn are correct and in working condition before they go on patrol," added the police. The AES dispenses various pieces of equipment, such as ballistic vests and helmets, handcuffs and batons, which are the more commonly used gear. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH As at May 2025, 30 out of 34 NPCs have been equipped with the AES, and four NPCs have the AAS. All NPCs will be equipped with the AES by June 2026. By December 2027, all NPCs will have the AAS. The systems have other benefits, said the police. Superintendent Sabrina Wong, Woodleigh NPC's commanding officer, said: "Officers can be redeployed to support other front-line duties while the rest can utilise their time more meaningfully."
