Glowing sand was your cradle, claimed The Telegraph. “The sifting and collection of radioactive material by powerful tides could have generated the complex molecules that led to the evolution of carbon-based life forms –including plants, animals and humans.” The article acknowledged that “radiation may seem an unlikely candidate to kick-start life because it breaks chemical bonds and splits large molecules,” but thought some of the energy could be used productively. Radioactive grains in the sand could provide the chemical energy to build sugars, amino acids and soluble phosphates needed for life as we know it. This scenario is the brainchild of Zachary Adam, an astrobiologist at the University of Washington. His idea can “be added to the existing long and varied list of hypotheses.” Reporter Nick Fleming listed the usual suspects: Oparin, Miller, the clay hypothesis, panspermia, “and the intervention of a divine, intelligent designer.” The article is accompanied by a picture of humans at the beach. No claim was made whether the energy from sunlight was helping them evolve.Somebody else needs a kick-start. At least intelligent design wasn’t excluded from the list of possibilities this time. It’s the only contender that isn’t deaf, dumb, blind and lazy from the starting gate. (Clarification: speaking of the hypotheses, not their proponents).(Visited 9 times, 1 visits today)FacebookTwitterPinterestSave分享0
Hometown hero Greg Minnaar is only the third person in history to win a world championship on home soil. Photo: Darren Goddard / Gameplan Media By Brad Morgan9 September 2013It has been almost a week and I still get a buzz out of it. Just thinking back or watching YouTube videos brings a smile to my face. You see, I was there on Sunday, 1 September, when South Africa’s Greg Minnaar blasted his way to victory in the downhill at the 2013 UCI MTB & Trials World Championships in Pietermaritzburg.That victory made him a three-time world champion. He’s also a three-time runner-up in the World Championships. In addition, Minnaar has won the overall World Cup title three times and finished as runner-up four times. He has more World Cup podium finishes than anyone in history.All of those achievements put him in the conversation as one of South Africa’s greatest sportsmen ever.Other stars that come to mind include golf legend Gary Player; cricket all-rounder Jacques Kallis; batsmen Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards; rugby’s Danie Gerber, Naas Botha and Frik du Preez; swimmers Natalie du Toit and Penny Heyns; boxers “Baby Jake” Matlala and Vic Toweel; and footballers Ace Ntsoelengoe, Lucas Radebe and Kaizer Motaung.You can pick your favourite from whatever sport, but with a record like his, Minnaar has to be in the conversation.Two years ago, Greg Minnaar was a great of downhill racing. By winning two World Championships and finishing runner-up in the World Cup twice since, he has become a legend of the sport.France’s Nicolas Vouilloz is the only other man in the conversation when it comes to the greatest downhill racer of all time – although Australia’s Sam Hill is a narrow third. Vouilloz won the World Championships a record seven times and topped the World Cup standings five times. At first glance, this trumps Minnaar’s achievements, but Vouilloz was dominant mostly in the sport’s early days, when the competition was not as tough as it is today.It’s the old story of it being difficult comparing athletes from different eras. Take the example of Sir Donald Bradman, by common consensus the greatest cricketer of all time. His batting average of 99.94 is way ahead of the number two man on the list, Graeme Pollock, who averaged 60.97. Yet only a fool would believe Bradman could achieve such dominance in this day and age.It was Minnaar who brought to an end Vouilloz’s run of five World Championship downhill titles in six years back in 2003. It took him another nine years before he won a second rainbow-striped jersey, but in that time he narrowly missed out three times, when he finished second, and won three World Cup overall titles.To my mind, the way Minnaar wins reminds me of Roger Federer. The man from Pietermaritzburg is tall at 1.90m (6 foot 3), but he has a grace and technical brilliance, even in the pursuit of speed, that stands out and confirms his status as special.Read more on SouthAfrica.info: Minnaar: one of South Africa’s greats
Questions you should think about while planning: Read the tips for hosting an event.Submit your event listing on Geocaching.com at least two weeks prior to the date of your event and wait for it to be published by a Volunteer Reviewer.Once your event is published, fill out the GIFF Sign Up Form.Wait for your event to be approved via email by the GIFF team at HQ. Approved events will be added to the GIFF 2019 List and will receive the GIFF film reel file prior to the event. The Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF) is still three months away (November 7-17) but now is the perfect time to start planning your event. Don’t know where to start? Look here for help. Are you looking for GIFF Geocoins or other merchandise items? Check out our Shop.Share with your Friends:More How to host a GIFF Event:
What equipment will you use to show the finalist films?How many people will come and how many seats do you need?Will your film night have a theme, snacks, or film judging? GIFF is your only chance to earn a special souvenir by watching a whole series of unique and fun geocaching movies. For more inspiration, check out these 39 amazing moments from GIFF 2017. SharePrint RelatedAnd action! It’s time to start planning your GIFF event!August 7, 2017In “GIFF”Ready, Set…Plan Your GIFF Event!August 14, 2018In “News”GIFF Weekend 2015August 24, 2015In “GIFF”
Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games NGCP on security risk: Chinese just technical advisers Portugal’s Ines Henriques celebrates after winning the gold medal and setting a new world record in the women’s 50-kilometer race walk during the World Athletics Championships in London Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)LONDON — The first women’s 50-kilometer walk at the world championships produced a world record.Ines Henriques of Portugal bettered her own mark on Sunday by finishing in 4 hours, 5 minutes, 56 seconds on the two-kilometer loop in central London.ADVERTISEMENT NATO’s aging eye in the sky to get a last overhaul Football, Netball, Water polo bets open PH bid Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong protesters LATEST STORIES The Frenchman’s time was the second fastest in history. Diniz set the world record of 3:32:33 in 2014.“A lot of training has gone into this – cycling, swimming – everything for this 50 (kilometer) walk,” Diniz said. “Last night I kept away from watching the TV because I did not want to get too excited. I went to bed at 9 because I knew it was going to be my day today.”Hirooki Arai was second in 3:41:17, two seconds ahead of Japanese teammate Kai Kobayashi in third.The 20-kilometer walks were also held Sunday. Yang Jiayu of China won the women’s event in a personal best time of 1:26:18. She beat Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez of Mexico by only 1 second.Antonella Palmisano of Italy was third in 1:26:36.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. DILG, PNP back suspension of classes during SEA Games
Lyu Xiuzhi had been in line for bronze, but the Chinese walker was disqualified with about 50 meters to go.“In the last 100 (meters) I was in a hurry,” Lyu said. “I forgot that I already had a medal.”The men’s 20K was also close. Eider Arevalo beat 18-year-old Sergei Shirobokov of Russia by two seconds to win gold.The Colombian finished in 1:18:53. Caio Bonfim of Brazil was third in 1:19:04.Action will return to the Olympic Stadium later in the evening on the final day of the championships, and the United States is expected to add more to its medal haul in the 4×400-meter relays.American great Allyson Felix is favored to win a 16th world championship medal.Other finals are in the women’s 800, 5,000 and discus, and the men’s high jump and 1,500.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Robredo should’ve resigned as drug czar after lack of trust issue – Panelo Lacson: SEA Games fund put in foundation like ‘Napoles case’ View comments Robredo should’ve resigned as drug czar after lack of trust issue – Panelo “The last 5 (kilometers) were really tough,” said Henriques, whose previous world record was 4:08:26. “My goal was to go under 4 hours and 6 minutes.”Yin Hang was second in 4:08:58, followed by Chinese teammate Yang Shuqing in 4:20:49.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSWin or don’t eat: the Philippines’ poverty-driven, world-beating pool starsOnly seven women started the race, which was being run at the worlds for the first time, and only four finished.In the men’s 50K, Yohann Diniz of France won in 3:33:12. At 39, Diniz is the oldest man to win a gold medal at the world championships. MOST READ Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes dies at 59 with wife by his side
Story Highlights Programmes offered at the Flanker Skills Training Institute in Montego Bay, St. James, have been boosted with the provision of equipment valued approximately $3 million by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).The donation has been facilitated under a partnership with the Government of Jamaica.Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Institute on Tuesday (July 24), National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, who is also the Member of Parliament for North West St. James where the centre is located, lauded CHEC for their contribution to the community, noting that “they were kind enough when I spoke to them to (commit) to provide training tools”.He pointed out that the gesture by the Chinese firm, which has been integrally involved in infrastructure developments islandwide, will enable the centre to provide skills training for more persons.This, Dr. Chang pointed out, by being utilised in a property management training course, which gets under way shortly in collaboration with the HEART Trust/NTA.The Minister said the course forms part of the Administration’s commitment to ensuring that there is sustainability throughout inner-city communities such as Flanker.Dr. Chang also announced that the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) will set up a simulator in the parish to train and certify individuals in the use of heavy-duty equipment by year end.Meanwhile, Acting Senior Director of the Workforce Development and Employment Division at HEART Trust/NTA, Elain Holloway, pledged the agency’s commitment to ensuring that the skills of youth in Flanker are developed to enable them to create wealth for themselves and their families.“The HEART Trust/NTA is fully supportive of any initiative which will engage our youth in the development of skills. Community training intervention is a major component of our training at the HEART Trust/NTA as we seek to take the programmes more and more into the communities and to expand the access to person’s right across Jamaica,” she explained.In this regard, Mrs. Holloway challenged the trainees to “take excellent care of these tools and equipment and the facilities, because I am sure you want to ensure that others who will come after you will be able to benefit”.For her part, Deputy General Manager of CHEC, Dr. Zhimin Hu, said the firm welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of Flanker.“We are mindful of the fact that sustainable development must be at the centre of the people. This approach to development will not only enable the country to achieve its goals but also help to shape the hearts and minds, values and attitudes. For this reason, we are so happy to donate the gift of tools and equipment to skills training,” she said.Additionally, she said her organisation is more than happy to be able to transfer knowledge and skill to the Jamaican people, and is committed to putting greater effort in having more local communities and people participate in opportunities being created by their projects “through jobs, training and also the company’s use of the local services provided”.“We welcome opportunities to contribute to the effort that enables individuals to grow and develop in this rapidly changing world. We take corporate social responsibility as an integral part of our company’s culture and way of doing business through education and cultural exchange, charitable support and other means. This is why we strive to build relationships based on mutual respect and shared values. Programmes offered at the Flanker Skills Training Institute in Montego Bay, St. James, have been boosted with the provision of equipment valued approximately $3 million by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The donation has been facilitated under a partnership with the Government of Jamaica. Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Institute on Tuesday (July 24), National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, who is also the Member of Parliament for North West St. James where the centre is located, lauded CHEC for their contribution to the community, noting that “they were kind enough when I spoke to them to (commit) to provide training tools”.