Latest news with #APL
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Seven teams to compete in APL Season 4
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Premier League (APL) is gearing up for another edition as Season 4 drew an encouraging response from franchisees across the State. From six teams in the previous edition, this year, the league is poised to scale new heights as it is featuring seven teams, a strong indicator of the league's surging popularity in the domestic cricket circuit. Organised by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) and sanctioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the APL steadily evolved since its inception in 2022, emerging as a premier T20 franchise tournament in Andhra Pradesh. Franchises representing all the three regions of the State stepped up with renewed enthusiasm. From the south zone, teams include RK Sports, Akshara Enterprises India Pvt. Ltd., and Vijetha Super Market Pvt. Ltd, the Central Zone is represented by Aparna Marine Exports and Mythri Movie Makers, and the North Zone features Marlin Global Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Steel Exchange India Ltd. The commencement date of the tournament will be announced shortly. In a commendable initiative, the APL governing council has announced that revenues from Season 4 will be directed towards the development of grassroots cricket with special emphasis would be laid on supporting young boys and girls across the State. With excitement mounting among fans and stakeholders alike, APL Season 4 promises to be a vibrant exhibition of local talent, offering a vital platform for aspiring cricketers in Andhra Pradesh to shine on a competitive stage. Speaking on the occasion, chairman, Governing Council, APL Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao said, 'A new era begins. We welcome our franchise teams to a league built on dreams, grit and glory.' Honorary president of ACA Kesineni Sivanath mentioned that a bold chapter begins with the arrival of the franchise teams as it marks the rise of a new cricketing spirit in Andhra Pradesh. 'Together, we are not just building a league but also crafting a legacy as the Andhra Premier League is poised to unite communities, ignite dreams and empower future champions.' Honorary secretary of ACA Sana Sathish Babu stated that the enthusiasm and professionalism shown by each franchise is a reflection of the bright future ahead.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Venomous spider with 'sinister bite' spotted in South Island
Researchers are warning about the spread of a venomous spider with a "potentially sinister bite" which has officially established itself in New Zealand. The noble false widow spider has been sighted in Christchurch and Nelson after first being seen in Wellington last December. Professor Steven Trewick, an evolutionary ecologist at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University said the spider was not aggressive but may bite in self defence. "Most bites result in mild symptoms such as swelling, redness and pain. "However, some have been linked to more serious effects including tissue necrosis, nausea, hypotension, impaired mobility and secondary bacterial infections that may be resistant to standard antibiotics." The invasive arachnid has been dubbed "Britain's most dangerous spider' after a bite left a man struggling to walk. Prof Trewick led efforts to confirm the spider's identity by comparing its physical features and analysing DNA from a sample collected in Porirua. Since the initial Porirua sighting, the spider has also been confirmed in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. "It appears to be thriving in urban environments, particularly around gardens and outdoor furniture. "It is most often found under plant pots, tarpaulin and in fence crevices, while males are seen at night on exterior walls or the ground." Although considered less dangerous than black widows, the venom of the noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) contained similar toxins. "Particularly concerning is its association with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infections resulting from bites don't always respond to treatment, and that's a significant medical concern,' Professor Trewick said. Originally from the Canary Islands and Madeira, the spider has become well established in Europe, North and South America and now New Zealand. While the full impact of this spider on native wildlife was yet to be fully understood, Professor Trewick says its arrival reflected broader global patterns. 'This is part of a wider pattern of biodiversity loss and rapid environmental change. Invasive species like this one highlight how globalisation and climate shifts are reshaping our ecosystems, often at the expense of native wildlife.' Suspected sightings of this spider can be freely uploaded to iNaturalist NZ and help researchers discover the extent of the invasion. - APL
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Good start for juniors
The Junior Tall Blacks made an impressive start to the Fiba Under-19 World Cup with a 77-72 win over Argentina in Switzerland at the weekend. Jackson Ball had 17 points and five rebounds for the Junior Tall Blacks, who trailed 31-18 after the first quarter but dominated much of the rest of the game. — APL
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Audit opinion ‘absurd'
The Gore District Council has received an adverse audit opinion for its long-term plan — a move labelled "absurd" by the district's mayor. The council said yesterday it received the adverse audit opinion for its decision to include water services ahead of Southern Water Done Well consultation outcomes, a step taken to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the process. The 2025-34 long-term plan, scheduled for adoption today, includes the council's current in-house water services delivery model across the nine-year life of the plan. The Office of the Auditor-General had advised councils that if they were consulting on a preferred water services delivery option, under the government's Local Water Done Well legislation, that preferred option should be reflected in their long-term plans. Council chief executive Debbie Lascelles said the decision to include the current in-house water services model in the plan was based on legal advice and reflected the council's commitment to open and honest communication. "We made a deliberate choice to include water services in the long-term plan because to do otherwise would pre-empt the outcome of the Southern Water Done Well consultation and risk judicial review." She stressed the underlying financial information for the first two years of the plan was robust and based on the best information the council had available at the time. Gore District Mayor Ben Bell said the decision to retain water services in the plan had the unanimous support of elected members. "It's frankly absurd that the auditor-general is penalising us for being transparent with our community." — APL
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Buchanan walks away from 245kmh crash
Cormac Buchanan. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Southland rider Cormac Buchanan escaped serious injury after crashing at 245kmh in the latest round of the Moto3 World Championship. A high-speed crash when his front wheel was taken out denied Buchanan the chance of a strong finish in round 10 of the championship in the Netherlands. He was in a points-scoring position when his wheel was hit by the bike of Nicola Carraro on lap 13, sending both crashing on the fastest corner of the Assen circuit. Fortunately, they escaped serious injury. "It's a real shame because the pace and potential was there for a decent finish," Buchanan said. "After a disappointing qualifying, we were making another great comeback, battling from 22nd to join the leading group after a decent start. "I felt quite strong, even when the tyre started to drop a little, lapping faster than I have all weekend." When the group split in two, Buchanan was determined to bridge the 2sec gap to the leaders. "Unfortunately, at corner 15, the fastest place on the circuit, I had my front wheel swiped out from underneath me by a rider trying to overtake me, and crashed at 245kmh — for sure, one of the fastest crashes of my career. "I'm glad to walk away with only minor injuries. "Naturally I'm quite upset as, in my opinion, this overtake wasn't correct, and extremely unnecessary and dangerous. However, racing can go like this sometimes." Buchanan, 18, arrived at Assen with ambition and determination. He started strongly on a wet track, achieving a promising P4 in FP1, under difficult conditions. However, as the Assen layout dried out, finding rhythm was more difficult. and he did not directly advance to Q2. Buchanan's next assignment is the Grand Prix of Germany from July 11-13. — APL
