If we had not seen so many previous "turning points" in the NHL's erratic fight against gratuitous violence, the long suspension of the Pittsburgh Penguins winger Matt Cooke on Monday might be hailed as a sea change.
Described as a "serial headhunter" by one analyst, Cooke was banned for at least 14 games — the balance of the regular season and the first round of the play-offs — for throwing an elbow to the head of the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh.
The irony of the situation: it was Mario Lemieux, the Pittsburgh owner, who blasted the league for not policing itself after a riotous game between the Penguins and Islanders, opening a debate that led to the long suspension of one of his own players. Lemieux, to his credit, hailed the decision.
Cooke, who will lose US$220,000 (Dh808,000) in salary during his absence, is a repeat offender in inflicting head injuries. This was his fourth suspension in little more than two years and should have been his fifth; his vicious shot to the head of Marc Savard sidelined the Bruins forward for two months last season but didn't draw even a two-minute penalty.
If the NHL only now is waking up to the dangers of concussions, at least it came down hard enough on Cooke that other "serial headhunters" may think twice before their next cheap shot.
The idea is not to turn the NHL into a prim and proper ice show. It is to ensure the health and availability of its best players by limiting head injuries. If this is now, indeed, the league's policy it will be a turning point after all.
Sukuk
An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50