Stunner milky chance

Dr Utane Sawangwit, 33, has been an astronomer at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) since 2012. He is a Phuket native who earned a PhD in Physics from Durham University in the UK in 2011 and his Bachelors and Masters of Science from the University of Cambridge. Here, he talks about how astronomy should be incorporated into tourism. PHUKET: When most people think of astronomy, they think of things that are very far away from us. What they don’t realize is that it is a part of our everyday lives and has the potential to be a positive facet of the tourism industry. Though the light pollution in Phuket is not as bad as other big cities, in terms of the potential for astronomy tourism, it is very bad, as it is hard to see the stars from most parts of the island. With this pollution, how can Phuket children describe what the Milky Way looks like? Years ago when I was growing up in Phuket, it was very easy to see the beauty of the Milky Way. Even during … [Read more...] about Opinion: Tourism to the stars

MANILA, Philippines–Four of the country’s top shooters will gun for Olympic berths from Nov. 2 to 11 in Doha, Qatar. Eric Ang, Carlos Carag, Jethro Dionisio and Hagen Topacio will carry the country’s colors in the Doha event, which is the last Qualifying event for Asia by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. The four will be supported by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines, Inc., which count the national athletes as its members. ‘‘We wish our shooters the best of luck,’’ said AlaricTopacio, brother of Hagen and president of Afad during a media event hosted by the group at Milky Way cafe in Makati City. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, the country’s chef de mission in the Southeast Asian Games, is confident that the Philippine National Shooting team can book Olympic berths. “We now have two Olympians in Tokyo, but we need more. That is why the PSC is supportive of all these … [Read more...] about PH shooters hunting for Olympic berths get backing of gun dealers’ group

'He was cautious at the beginning and then he actually flourished like we know Rishabh can' 'The partnership between Washington and Rishabh was so important from the team's perspective. They put us in the driver's seat' IMAGE: Rishabh Pant defended when it was necessary but unlocked his brutal attacking instincts when required. Photograph: BCCI Rishabh Pant's attacking style of batting has the Indian team management's mandate as long as he gets the 'job done' more often than not and people should cut him some slack when there is an odd failure, feels senior batsman Rohit Sharma. "Pant has his own style of batting. Obviously there have been messages, as to how he needs to approach his innings. He seems to be batting in his own style which is great from our perspective as well, because he seems to be getting the job done, which is more important," Rohit said at the post-match press conference. Rohit could empathise a lot with Pant as he too has seen the … [Read more...] about Pant showed great courage, probably his finest knock: Rohit

IMAGE: FC Goa squandered a lead twice in their 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC. Photograph: ISL/Twitter FC Goa missed the chance to enter the second leg of the Indian Super League semifinals with an advantage as they squandered a lead twice in their 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC, in Margao, on Friday. Goa broke the deadlock through Igor Angulo's penalty (20') before his goal was cancelled out by Hugo Boumous (38'). The Gaurs then took the lead again through Saviour Gama (59') but Mourtada Fall (62') soon netted a vital equaliser to help the Islanders escape with a vital point. Mumbai keeper Amrinder Singh was called into action early on, making a routine save in the fifth minute. Jorge Ortiz's cutback found Gama whose effort was parried away for a corner. But, just moments after being denied a penalty, Goa were awarded one when Mandar Rao Dessai clipped Ortiz in the box. Angulo stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Amrinder the wrong way to notch up his … [Read more...] about ISL semis: FC Goa, Mumbai play out draw in first leg

Inside the narrow alleys of the basti, two CRPF companies -- around 150 armed guards -- have been deployed to keep a check on any unnecessary movement, reports Ruchika Chitravanshi. IMAGE: Forensics and crime branch officials arrive at the Nizamuddin Markaz for investigations, during the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo The historic site of the Nizamuddin dargah resembles a fortress these days. Days after the Markaz mosque, which became Delhi’s epicentre of the coronavirus disease, was evacuated and sanitised, an eerie silence hangs over the area, with armed men wearing protective masks dotting the perimeter and barricades all over. All entry and exit points of the dargah leading up to the basti have been sealed. The tent pitched by a team of doctors outside the Markaz mosque -- to test people at the site where a religious meeting was held last month and multiple persons who attended the meeting … [Read more...] about Days after Markaz event, eerie silence hangs over Nizamuddin