Latest news with #HOS
eNCA
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Croatia govt lashed over 'disgraceful neo-fascist Woodstock'
A massive concert in Croatia by a singer notorious for his pro-Nazi sympathies was branded a "neo-fascist Woodstock" Monday, with the opposition calling it a "global disgrace" that the prime minister was photographed with him beforehand. Marko Perkovic, known by his stage name Thompson, drew nearly half a million fans to the show Saturday despite having been banned from performing in several countries because of his sympathies for Croatia's World War II fascist Ustasha regime. The Ustasha persecuted and killed hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croatians during the war, and sent others to concentration camps. The folk-rock icon became popular for his nationalist songs in the 1990s during the country's war of independence as Yugoslavia broke up. During Saturday's concert at the Zagreb hippodrome Thompson sang one of his most famous songs that starts with the illegal Ustasha salute -- "Za Dom, Spremni" ("For the Homeland, Ready") -- and the crowd responded. - 'Global disgrace' - AFP | DAMIR SENCAR The salute was also used by the far-right paramilitary unit HOS during the 1990s war, and the singer argued earlier the song referred to that war. Many fans at the show were dressed in black T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan and dozens sang pro-Ustasha songs in central Zagreb on the eve of the event. Conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attended the rehearsal and had a photo taken with the singer, while parliamentary speaker Gordan Jandrokovic was at the event. The massive use of the Ustasha symbols and slogan at the concert was slammed by left-wing opposition, NGOs and the EU nation's ombudswoman. But Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said he "cannot understand those who try to portray half a million people as extremists or radicals". The main opposition Social Democrats said "we witnessed a global disgrace in which extremist messages received state logistics and direct support from the top of the government." And a columnist in the Jutarnji list daily lashed Plenkovic's visit on the eve of the concert as "coming to worship... a neo-fascist Woodstock". The Youth Initiative for Human Rights NGO called the event "the largest fascist rally held in Europe since World War II" and said it represented a "direct attack on the fundamental values of the European Union." AFP | DAMIR SENCAR Ombudswoman Tena Simonovic Einwalter warned about condoning a large crowd using the Ustasha salute "as if it were something acceptable and legal. "A sufficiently clear message was not sent that all expressions of hatred and glorification of the darkest periods of the past are unacceptable and illegal." In recent years, more people have been pushing for Croatia to stop demonising and embrace its pro-Nazi past, presenting the Ustasha as the nation's founding fathers, with critics accusing the authorities of failing to sanction the use of their emblems.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Croatia Govt Lashed Over 'Disgraceful Neo-fascist Woodstock'
A massive concert in Croatia by a singer notorious for his pro-Nazi sympathies was branded a "neo-fascist Woodstock" Monday, with the opposition calling it a "global disgrace" that the prime minister was photographed with him beforehand. Marko Perkovic, known by his stage name Thompson, drew nearly half a million fans to the show Saturday despite having been banned from performing in several countries because of his sympathies for Croatia's World War II fascist Ustasha regime. The Ustasha persecuted and killed hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croatians during the war, and sent others to concentration camps. The folk-rock icon became popular for his nationalist songs in the 1990s during the country's war of independence as Yugoslavia broke up. During Saturday's concert at the Zagreb hippodrome Thompson sang one of his most famous songs that starts with the illegal Ustasha salute -- "Za Dom, Spremni" ("For the Homeland, Ready") -- and the crowd responded. The salute was also used by the far-right paramilitary unit HOS during the 1990s war, and the singer argued earlier the song referred to that war. Many fans at the show were dressed in black T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan and dozens sang pro-Ustasha songs in central Zagreb on the eve of the event. Conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attended the rehearsal and had a photo taken with the singer, while parliamentary speaker Gordan Jandrokovic was at the event. The massive use of the Ustasha symbols and slogan at the concert was slammed by left-wing opposition, NGOs and the EU nation's ombudswoman. But Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said he "cannot understand those who try to portray half a million people as extremists or radicals". The main opposition Social Democrats said "we witnessed a global disgrace in which extremist messages received state logistics and direct support from the top of the government." And a columnist in the Jutarnji list daily lashed Plenkovic's visit on the eve of the concert as "coming to worship... a neo-fascist Woodstock". The Youth Initiative for Human Rights NGO called the event "the largest fascist rally held in Europe since World War II" and said it represented a "direct attack on the fundamental values of the European Union." Ombudswoman Tena Simonovic Einwalter warned about condoning a large crowd using the Ustasha salute "as if it were something acceptable and legal. "A sufficiently clear message was not sent that all expressions of hatred and glorification of the darkest periods of the past are unacceptable and illegal." In recent years, more people have been pushing for Croatia to stop demonising and embrace its pro-Nazi past, presenting the Ustasha as the nation's founding fathers, with critics accusing the authorities of failing to sanction the use of their emblems. Some fans gave the banned Ustasha salute during and before the concert AFP Controversial: Croatia's nationalist singer Marko Perkovic Thompson AFP
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Driver Coaching Scripts That Actually Improve CSA Scores
Most fleets don't have a safety problem—they have a communication problem. Unsafe driving, HOS violations, maintenance issues—those don't happen in a vacuum. They happen when expectations aren't clear, coaching is inconsistent, and drivers feel like they're being scolded, not supported. If you want to improve your CSA scores, it's not about throwing another training module at your team. It's about coaching with purpose. It's about having real conversations that drivers actually respond to—conversations rooted in clarity, accountability, and respect. You don't need a safety department the size of FedEx to make this work. You need leadership. You need systems. And most importantly, you need a script that doesn't just recite violations—but actually helps drivers fix them. Let's break down exactly what those coaching scripts look like, how to deliver them, and how they drive real results across your safety scores. Here's the problem: too many safety talks sound like this— 'You've got to stop speeding.''Your logs were off again.''This truck should've never gone out with that violation.' That's not coaching. That's criticism. When drivers feel attacked, they shut down. When they feel like they're just being written up, they focus on staying off your radar—not actually fixing behavior. Good coaching does three things: Acknowledges the issue Breaks down the root cause Offers a clear plan to correct and prevent it If your safety scores aren't where they should be, look at your conversations first. Because coaching—done right—is the fastest way to close the gap between performance and expectation. Before we dive into the actual scripts, let's get something straight. Every coaching conversation should follow this basic framework: Connect – Open the conversation without judgment. Build trust first. Observe – Bring up the issue clearly and factually. Ask – Give the driver space to explain. Don't assume. Educate – Tie the behavior to its consequences (CSA, downtime, legal exposure). Commit – End with a clear, mutual action step. Think of it as the COACH model—Connect, Observe, Ask, Clarify, Help. Now let's look at how to apply this in real conversations that actually improve behavior and move the needle on your CSA profile. The Situation: Your driver was cited for speeding in a 55 mph zone during a roadside inspection. The Wrong Way: 'You can't be speeding like that. That violation hit our CSA score hard. It's unacceptable.' The Right Way: 'Hey [Driver Name], I wanted to check in about that inspection last week. I saw the officer clocked you at 68 in a 55. Before we jump in, how's everything going on that route? Anything unusual happened that day?' [Let them talk. Then continue.] 'Thanks for sharing that. Look, I know you've been solid on most runs, and I appreciate that. But this violation puts points on our Unsafe Driving BASIC—and it stays there for two years. That impacts our insurance, our ability to land new freight, and our inspections moving forward.' 'I want to make sure we're both on the same page. Can you walk me through what happened in that moment? Was it signage, time pressure, something else?' 'Going forward, let's make a habit of setting that cruise at 5 under the limit in known inspection zones. I'll get you a map of hot spots we've seen violations pop up in. Let's knock this down together.' Why It Works: You're not lecturing—you're collaborating. You show awareness of the issue, open the door to feedback, and tie the behavior directly to operational outcomes. The Situation: Your driver had several logbook errors flagged—missing location entries and off-duty gaps. The Wrong Way: 'You've got to clean up your logs. This is basic stuff. I can't keep getting dinged for this.' The Right Way: 'Hey [Driver Name], I noticed a few things on your logs from last week—some missing location data and an off-duty segment that didn't match up. I wanted to see if we could take five minutes to look at it together.' [Open the logbook together and review.] 'I know the ELDs can be a pain, and they're not always intuitive. But this stuff impacts our HOS score—and that's one of the first things DOT checks during an inspection.' 'What's been your process lately when changing duty status or taking breaks? Are you using the app on your phone or the tablet in the cab?' 'Let's set a quick routine. Before you go off-duty, take 10 seconds to double-check your status and log a location. I'll send out a cheat sheet today just as a reminder. It's small stuff—but it adds up fast.' Why It Works: You're teaching, not blaming. You ask about their process, offer support, and introduce a repeatable habit. That's how you reduce violations over time. The Situation: A roadside inspection took your truck out of service for a worn tire and a faulty light. The Wrong Way: 'This should've been caught on your pre-trip. Are you even doing your inspections?' The Right Way: 'Hey [Driver Name], I wanted to circle back to the roadside inspection from last Thursday. We got hit with two violations—tread depth and a marker light. Can we talk through your pre-trip that morning?' [Let them explain.] 'I know you've got a lot on your plate, and we're all trying to get rolling early, but these issues put us out of service. That costs time, money, and hurts our Maintenance BASIC.' 'Let's do this: starting this week, I want you to snap a photo of your tires during your pre-trip and text it in. Same thing if you find a light issue. That way, we have a visual record—and we can catch things before DOT does.' 'I'm not coming down on you. I just want to make sure we're both doing everything we can to keep those trucks rolling clean.' Why It Works: You reinforce expectations without accusation. You introduce a simple accountability system that benefits everyone. And you keep it team-oriented. The Situation: A backing accident at a customer yard. No injuries, minor damage, but still DOT reportable. The Wrong Way: 'You've got to be more careful. This kind of stuff is unacceptable.' The Right Way: 'Hey [Driver Name], I appreciate you reporting the incident last night. First off, are you okay? I know even small accidents can shake you up.' [Let them speak. Acknowledge.] 'Thanks for walking me through that. Backing at that location has been tight for years—I've seen other drivers struggle there too.' 'Still, every crash puts a mark on our record. It hits our Crash Indicator score and can trigger more inspections—even if it wasn't entirely your fault.' 'Let's work together on a checklist for tight docks. Maybe we set a policy—if the space is blindside or below a certain width, you call dispatch and we walk it out together over the phone before backing.' 'The goal isn't to point fingers. The goal is to protect you, the truck, and our record. You with me?' Why It Works: You focus on the driver's well-being, acknowledge the challenge, then co-create a solution. That's real leadership. Be consistent. Don't wait for violations to coach—have monthly performance check-ins. Track trends. If multiple drivers are making the same mistake, your process is broken—not the driver. Document the conversation. Not for punishment—but for improvement tracking and legal protection. Follow up. Check back in after two weeks. 'Hey, how's that new log process working for you?' When drivers know you're invested in their success—not just their mistakes—you build a safety culture that lasts. Your CSA score isn't just a number—it's a reflection of your leadership. And leadership shows up in how you coach your drivers when things go wrong. Don't lead with blame. Lead with purpose. Use every violation as an opportunity to teach, support, and strengthen your team. Because when coaching is done right, it doesn't just fix prevents them. The post Driver Coaching Scripts That Actually Improve CSA Scores appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mastering Recap Hours and Sleeper Split Rules in 2025
Compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules is how drivers keep their schedules legal, fleets avoid violations and everyone stays safe fighting the fatigue epidemic. After all, HOS violations are double-weighted. Recap hours and split sleeper berth exemptions are two of the most underutilized tools in a driver's logbook. Too many drivers are either confused by them or unsure how to apply them in real time. Let's break them down and explain why understanding these rules matters more than ever in 2025. If you're running under the 70-hour/8-day rule (common for most interstate operations), you're limited to 70 hours of on-duty time in any rolling eight-day period. Each day, the hours you worked eight days ago 'fall off' and are added back into your available time. That's your recap. Understanding this is critical for HOS management and for drivers who operate without a 34-hour restart. If you're running hard and skipping the restart, knowing what hours will be added back each day gives you a tool for long-haul planning. You ask, 'So, a 34-hour restart isn't required?' No, it's not. Argue if you want to. I said what I said. They extend your work cycle without requiring a restart. They help fleets maximize available hours without burning out drivers. They prevent unintentional HOS violations from poor planning. The chart above shows a sample 14-day pattern of daily hours worked under the 70/8 rule. Notice the fluctuations and imagine how a smart dispatcher could route loads based on upcoming recap returns. Drivers using a sleeper berth can split their required minimum 10-hour break into two qualifying periods: One of at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper. One of at least two hours (off duty or sleeper berth). Combined, they must total at least 10 hours. These breaks pause the 14-hour on-duty clock, meaning you can regain drive time in ways you wouldn't with a 10-hour break. A driver might work seven hours in the sleeper (midnight to 7 a.m.), drive for eight hours and then take three hours off duty later. As long as the seven+three meets the requirements, the driver can reset the 14-hour clock from the end of the first qualifying period. The chart above visualizes how that might look on a grid log. While the math and rules can be confusing, most modern ELDs (like Motive) handle these calculations automatically if drivers are appropriately trained. FMCSA roadside violations still list HOS issues, especially 14-hour violations and log falsification, among the most cited infractions. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Roadcheck blitzes and other initiatives seem never-ending and are becoming more aggressive. Fleets that don't teach sleeper splits or recap management risk not only fines but OOS violations, lost revenue and increased insurance rates. Motive's ELD, Free Electronic Logbook App for short-haul and other exemptions, as well as the Fleet Dashboard automatically: Alert drivers of available hours. Track qualifying sleeper berth splits. Calculate recap hours. Prevent HOS violations before they happen. Why did I mention Motive specifically? Many fleets operate under an hours-of-service exemption, and few allow for or provide an editable, nontracked method for timesheet record-of-duty calculations. Whether short-haul, driveaway, agricultural or other exemption. An ELD isn't always available, not all fleets have them but the free electronic logbook app is. Meanwhile, training platforms like Luma Brighter Learning allow fleets to onboard drivers with interactive hours-of-service modules tailored to real-world scenarios. Understanding sleeper splits and recap hours is a smart operational strategy in a world of rising litigation, nuclear verdicts and compliance crackdowns. Drivers who understand these rules can avoid unnecessary restarts and violations. Fleets that teach and track them avoid fines, improve retention and build a culture of operational excellence. These rules guide legal, efficient and profitable movement in the cab, dispatch office or safety department. The post Mastering Recap Hours and Sleeper Split Rules in 2025 appeared first on FreightWaves.
Pembrokeshire Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Haverfordwest Operatic Society revives Edwardian favourite
The Arcadians returns with local star and timeless charm THIS summer, Haverfordwest Operatic Society invites audiences on a whimsical journey to Arcadia—the land that time forgot—where truth reigns, youth never fades, and harmony is the law of the land. But paradise is thrown into turmoil when a Londoner crash-lands in Arcadia, bewildering the locals with tales of modern wickedness and city life. Determined to restore balance, Arcadian sisters Sombra and Chrysea travel to London, hoping to civilise the metropolis with their values of honesty and simplicity. Originally opening in the West End in 1909, The Arcadians enjoyed an extraordinary 809-performance run before transferring to Broadway. With music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot and lyrics by Arthur Wimperis, it remains a sparkling example of Edwardian musical theatre. The Stage once described the score as 'an absolute winner.' This summer's revival has been adapted by Ifor Phillips, who marks his 60th production with Haverfordwest Operatic Society. He also serves as Musical Director. 'After so many years with HOS, I still find immense joy in watching a show come together,' said Mr Phillips. 'The Arcadians reminds us how uplifting theatre can be. It's classic Edwardian charm with plenty of laughs and a touch of magic.' The production includes musical numbers such as The Pipes of Pan, The Girl with The Brogue, and the showstopping All Down Piccadilly. In a special guest appearance, Pembrokeshire's own Emily Davis returns to the local stage in the lead role. Known to audiences as cabaret performer 'Blodwen,' Emily began her journey with HOS before launching a successful career that has included performances at the Wales Millennium Centre and the Edinburgh Fringe. 'It's lovely to be back with HOS,' said Emily. 'The Arcadians is such a fab show and I'm having so much fun popping down to Pembs and revisiting my old haunts!' Mr Phillips added: 'It's always a source of pride to see former members flourish. It's even better when they return to share their gifts with the community that nurtured them.' Performance dates and venues Tuesday 3 June @ 7:30pm – Broad Haven Hall Thursday 5 June @ 7:30pm – Clarbeston Road Hall Saturday 7 June @ 7:30pm – Fishguard Masonic Hall Tuesday 10 June @ 7:30pm – Torch Theatre (Studio) Running time: 2 hours (including interval) Family-friendly. Tickets: £10 (cash on the door). Torch Theatre tickets via Box Office. Cast and crew: Performer: HOS Musical Theatre Company Guest star: Emily Davis ('Her secret weapon, unquestionably, is her voice' – Cabaret Scenes) Musical Director/Director: Ifor Phillips Assistant Director/Producer: Tracey Crane Pianist: Gerry Nicholas
