MUMBAI: Mumbai owes its megacity status to its port; there’s even a theory that its name draws from ‘Bom Bahia’ or ‘beautiful bay’. And yet, this hallmark in the city’s history has been out of bounds to its people. Security concerns and stringent regulations mean that all but a very few are barred. But the winds of change are blowing at last. From Saturday to Friday, The Heritage Project, in collaboration with the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), will take around 1,500 people, in batches, on a tour of the port. Here, visitors will view the vast expanse where ships not only dock but undergo various phases of their lifecycle, getting a glimpse into an institution that has shaped the maritime and trade landscape of the city and the country, at large. The first stop will be the dry docks. “This is where ships are built and repaired. Currently, three ships – a cruise ship and two coast guard ships are under maintenance,” said R D Tripathi, CEO of Mumbai Port Sustainability Foundation (MPSF), the sustainability arm of the MbPT. Smaller ships continue to be built at the Mumbai port, and even some ship-breaking takes place here, although the Alang ship breaking yard in Gujarat is where most ships are dismantled, Tripathi said. Next up are the cruise landing spots, from where many a first-time visitor sets foot in Mumbai. “The terminal for international cruises is near the Green Gate. There is a newer terminal, currently under construction, which will be opened in six months. It will be able to handle 5,000 passengers per ship at a time,” said Tripathi, adding that two floors of this terminal will be open to the public during these tours. But the Mumbai port is all about cargo. According to the MbPT website, 2,014 cargo vessels docked here during FY2023-24. This involved handling a record 67.26 million tonnes of cargo. During this time, only 118 cruise ships docked at the port, 27 of them international and 91 domestic. Critical raw materials needed to build and run the city are offloaded at the Mumbai port. “Liquid bulk, which is petroleum, gasoline and other chemicals, arrive in tankers. They are unloaded and stored at the Jawahar Dweep Oil Terminal and Pir Pau. They are then transported through pipelines to factories and refineries in Mumbai and beyond,” he explained. “Fertilisers and cement are also received. Service offshore vessels are frequent visitors, arriving to stock up on fuel and manpower for offshore drilling vessels.” While the port’s cargo handling is on the rise, a milestone decision was taken in the 1970s, Tripathi says, with an air of mystery. “In its current form, the port has been in development since the 1600s. It was only when the (colonial) British government realised the need for regulation and structure that they notified the MbPT in 1873,” said Tripathi, taking a dive into history. “The 1950s saw the start of containerisation – where goods were not shipped in gunny bags or individually as ‘break bulk’ but in containers. By then, Mumbai had come into its own. So, by the ’70s, the port decided to stop handling containers. It continues to handle other types of cargo.” Tripathi said the decision was meant to prevent the city from being burdened by trucks carrying containers, which would weigh heavily on traffic and the city’s streets. Similarly, to reduce pollution, the MbPT stopped handling coal. The Nava Sheva port, now the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Navi Mumbai, is the landing spot for most goods. Apart from incoming cargo, Tripathi said the Mumbai port also handles cargo that is exported, in particular, cars, heavy machinery and steel. Those who sign up for the tours will also visit other functional spaces, such as warehouses, godowns, ship berths and watch towers, alongside a war memorial, and a memorial commemorating firefighters who lost their lives in the ship 1944 explosion at the dockyard. The tour ends with a visit to a traditional vessel from the Netherlands currently stationed here, the three-masted clipper, Stad Amsterdam. The tour, however, is all sold out. But, as Tripathi and The Heritage Project say, this is only the first step in a phased opening of a key to Mumbai’s history. More to come!
Martinrea International: Undervalued With Strategic Growth PotentialTOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
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Corner kings Arsenal back in title hunt after punishing Man Utd(BPT) - Consumers are facing increasing costs on virtually every purchase these days and auto insurance is no exception. While skyrocketing costs of this auto-related expense can be attributed to everything from parts replacement to service — even health costs as a result of accidents — consumers can better manage these increases with thoughtful study and attention to detail. Some of the common causes for higher insurance rates are Inflation, car accidents, extreme weather conditions such as hail, hurricanes and wind, along with increased vehicle theft claims. Mercury Insurance has partnered with financial literacy influencer Sam Jarman to highlight specific ways consumers can address these rising costs. "Your car is the second biggest expense for most people, right behind your home, and car insurance is a big part of that," said Jarman. "Checking rates and coverage with your Mercury Insurance agent makes sense along with choosing a car with low maintenance costs." According to Consumer Price Index data released earlier this year, car insurance rates are up almost 21% year-over-year for the 12 months which ended in February. The last time car insurance rates rose that much on an annual basis was 1976. Here are some auto insurance statistics recently released from Forbes : "Our goal is to help our customers get the best rates possible because we know that every dollar counts." said Justin Yoshizawa, Director, Product Management, State. "We encourage consumers to build a close relationship with their agent and discuss what discounts they may be eligible to receive. The answer might be surprising." Mercury offers the following tips for lowering your insurance costs: Review your deductibles with your insurance agent – It is recommended that you review your coverage and deductible with your Mercury agent at least once a year. Their wisdom and experience can help you make wise decisions regarding your insurance. Explore car insurance discounts – In addition to bundling your home and auto insurance, Mercury offers discounts for multi-car, good drivers, good students and auto pay. Your agent may have additional discounts to offer. Let Your Insurer Track Your Driving – Most insurers offer discounts for customers who install telematics. This technology allows your insurance company to collect information regarding your mileage and driving habits. This can also provide valuable information regarding your driving as well as saving you money. Drive a safe car with low repair costs – According to Bankrate , some of the cheapest cars to insure are the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot. Also, look for cars with lower repair costs such as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. Doing some research before you purchase a vehicle can save you money over the length of ownership. Install an anti-theft device on your car – Drivers may receive an additional discount on your auto insurance if you install an anti-theft device on your car. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs – You can get a fast and easy quote from your Mercury Insurance agent. To receive a quote, you can reach us at 844-514-2893. To learn more about common types of auto insurance discounts, visit https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/resources/auto/understanding-types-of-auto-insurance-discounts.html . For more information on your auto insurance, you can reference the Insurance Information Institute . Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.
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Donegal Group Inc sees $271,376 in stock purchases by major shareholderThe Los Angeles Angeles Clippers are in good shape despite being short-handed to start the year. Still, the organization could set themselves up for postseason success by acquiring an ex-New York Knicks phenom. “Many have floated this trade around the NBA community, and it is easy to see why,” Fadeaway World’s Cholo Martin Magsino wrote Monday. “The Minnesota Timberwolves can work out another retooling process after the blockbuster trade in the summer of 2024 by rerouting Julius Randle to the Los Angeles Clippers.” “Randle can provide the Clippers with more offensive balance, as he can take the offensive load away from James Harden and Kawhi Leonard when he returns.” “The Timberwolves forward averages 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and four assists. Norman Powell will be missed, but his blazing start to the 2024-25 season might not work out in the long run.” “With Nicolas Batum as a throw-in, the Timberwolves will want to get that 2031 first-round pick. It will be useful in the long run in potential trades Minnesota can do.” While the Timberwolves have performed below expectations during the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, Randle has been a stable contributor through 28 games. Randle, who was traded to the Timberwolves in October, has thrived offensively in Minnesota by utilizing his relentless offensive approach and much-needed scoring ability. Randle averages 20.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest on 47.4% field goal shooting this season. Powell’s career has taken off since Paul George’s departure in July, but with Randle’s impressive track record in the NBA, the Clippers may aggressively pursue the underrated 6-foot-9 forward. More NBA: Lakers could land $107 million Knicks outcast by parting with Gabe Vincent