Latest news with #APA
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Sajan Prakash finishes 43rd in 200m freestyle at swimming Worlds
Singapore, Jul 28 (PTI) Seasoned Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash failed to make the semifinals of the men's 200m freestyle event at the World Aquatics Championships here on Monday. The 31-year-old butterfly specialist, clocked 1:51.57sec to finish fourth in his heat and 43rd overall. The top 16 swimmers advanced to the semifinals. Romania's David Popovici went fastest in the heats, clocking 1:45.43s while Italy's Carlos D'Ambrosio (1:46.67s) was the last swimmer to make the cut for the semifinals. Prakash, a two-time Olympian, will next be in action in the 200m butterfly event on Tuesday. PTI APA PM APA PM PM Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
400 passengers stuck in train freed from tunnel in Vienna
DPA Vienna Some 400 rail passengers were rescued from a high-speed train near Vienna after a technical fault, according to a spokesman for the Austrian railways ÖBB who spoke to the APA news agency on Saturday. The passengers heading for Hamburg in Germany when the train came to a halt in a railway tunnel. The passengers were transferred to a replacement train. The train departed at 13:13 (1113 GMT) and the fault occurred at 13:30, the spokesman said. The evacuation was still ongoing in the early evening. Initially, engineers considered towing the train but eventually decided to provide a replacement train. A spokesman for German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said in the evening that a technical fault had occurred with the train. However, he noted that the operators on the section in the neighbouring country were the Austrian Federal Railways. Passengers were stuck for hours, partly in the dark and without air conditioning, reports said. Numerous rescue workers were deployed. There was no information about any injuries initially.
Japan Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Friend of Taylor Swift attack suspect sentenced in IS case by Austrian court
FILE PHOTO: A police vehicle patrols as fans of the singer Taylor Swift gather following the cancellation of three Taylor Swift concerts at Happel stadium after the government confirmed a planned attack at the venue, in Vienna, Austria August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Elisabeth Mandl/File Photo By Francois Murphy A teenage friend of the man suspected of planning a foiled attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last year was given a two-year prison sentence on Friday for being a member of Islamic State, the teenager's lawyer and a court official said. The 18-year-old, identified as Luca K, was sentenced for belonging to a terrorist and criminal organisation, said a spokesperson for the court in Wiener Neustadt near Vienna. He was found to have shared the militant group's material online and praised a jihadist gunman who killed four people in an attack in Vienna in 2020, local media reports said. He pleaded guilty and has renounced Islamist ideology, his lawyer Michael Dohr told reporters at the court. Luca K was arrested the same day as Beran A, the 20-year-old identified as the chief suspect as prosecutors continue to investigate the alleged plot to attack the U.S. singer's concert last August. Both have been in custody since then. Luca K's lawyer said that his client had a summer job building the stage for Swift's concerts, but had not been linked to the planned attack. "There is absolutely no evidence that he was involved in the attack plans," Dohr was quoted as saying by the APA news agency. He also played down the men's friendship, saying they were simply part of the same social circle. © (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.
The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
SPCA to investigate Tshwane man who threatened to beat dog
The Tshwane division of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is investigating a viral clip of a man threatening to beat his dog. In a clip posted on X, user @pookiepolls posted a clip filmed by a Johannesburg man who had raised concerns about his neighbour, who had threatened to beat his dog. The neighbour launched a profanity-filled rant in response. He said, 'How is it any of your business? It's not your dog….When you hear my dog screaming next time, you shut your mouth! I'm going to go there and beat it again, because it's my business, it's my dog.' The clip has been widely shared on the X platform, and many South Africans have raised concerns about the animal's welfare. The NSPCA responded to several X posts stating that the Tshwane branch would investigate the man. The SPCA has repeatedly warned the public that animal abusers can be criminally charged under the Animals Protection Act (APA) 71 of 1962. The act – which was established to prevent the cruelty of animals – stipulates that those found guilty can face a fine or imprisonment. Offenders can also face a denial of ownership – preventing them from owning animals – as well as a criminal conviction. According to the SPCA, the APA makes provisions for individuals who also infuriate or terrify animals. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The subtle signs in your walking that could mean you have autism
The way someone walks could reveal if they have autism, a top health expert has revealed. Professor Nicole Rinehart, who has worked as a clinical psychologist for the last 20 years and is based out of Australia, says that having an 'odd gait' is now listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a supporting diagnostic feature of autism. The DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is the standard reference for diagnosing neurological disorders, including autism. Diagnosing autism - which impacts more than 5 million adults and over 2 million children in the US - can be difficult because there is no definitive medical test, such as blood draws or MRI scans, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors instead must look at the child or adult's developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. Professor Rinehart says autism could affect the way someone walks due to a difference in brain development, specifically in areas known as the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The basal ganglia acts as a filter for motor signals, ensuring smooth and coordinated movements, while the cerebellum receives information from the inner ear, eyes, and muscles and adjusts muscle activity to keep the body stable. Some of the most noticeable gait differences among autistic people, as outlined by Professor Rinehart, are toe-walking (walking on the balls of the feet), in-toeing (walking with one or both feet turned inwards), and out-toeing (walking with one or both feet turned out). However, the psychologist says some of the walking styles could be much subtler, especially among those with mild autism. She explains: 'Research has also identified more subtle differences. 'A study summarizing 30 years of research among autistic people reports that gait is characterized by walking more slowly, taking wider steps, spending longer in the 'stance' phase, when the foot leaves the ground [and] taking more time to complete each step.' Professor Rinehart says research has shown that the autistic gait 'persists across the lifespan' and some walking styles can become more distinctive with age. Experts believe a different gait pattern could potentially be a 'game changer' for autism diagnosis, particularly in young children, because it can be observed early and objectively. Those with severe autism, characterized by significant challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior, might have more pronounced gait differences. If someone with autism is exhibiting an altered gait, Professor Rinehart says there is often no need for intervention unless it is interfering with someone's ability to participate in everyday life. She says if the walking style could increase the risk or frequency of falls then it is advisable to seek support. If the gait is preventing someone from participating in the physical activities they enjoy, they could also benefit from intervention. Therapy for autistic gait, particularly toe walking, often involves a variety of approaches including physical therapy and occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on improving muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion, while occupational therapy helps with motor skills, balance, and coordination, often incorporating sensory integration techniques. Other options may include serial casting, orthotics, or even surgical intervention in more severe cases. When it come to children, Professor Rinehart says that rehabilitation doesn't have to occur in a clinical setting and sports and dance classes have been shown to be beneficial. She adds: 'Given children spend a large portion of their time at school, programs that integrate opportunities for movement throughout the school day allow autistic children to develop motor skills outside of the clinic and alongside peers. 'Our community-based intervention studies show autistic children's movement abilities can improve after engaging in community-based interventions, such as sports or dance. 'Community-based support models empower autistic children to have agency in how they move, rather than seeing different ways of moving as a problem to be fixed.' According to the CDC, one in every 31 children aged eight or younger had autism in 2022 - a rate of 32.2 per 1,000. That's up from one in 36 in 2020, and one in 44 in 2018. By comparison, early studies from the 1960s and 1970s estimated autism rates to be as low as 1 in 5,000. The most recent CDC report found wide geographic variation, with diagnosis rates ranging from roughly one in 100 in parts of south Texas to a striking one in 19 in San Diego. Researchers say the sharp rise in recent decades can be partially explained by improved screening, increased public awareness, and better access to services. While some blame an ultra-processed diet, chemicals and pesticides for the rise. The average age for an autism diagnoses is five, though the vast majority of parents notice odd quirks in their children, particularly around social skills, as early as two years old. Looking ahead, Professor Rinehart says more research needs to be done to better understand the autistic gait. This will be particularly beneficial to children so that treatment plans can be tailored for their individual movement styles as they develop.
