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Ilyas Kurbanov

As a passionate journalist, Ilyas endeavours to share captivating narratives, offering comprehensive analysis and thoughtful perspectives in journalism. He actively engages with influential figures, communities and the industry to enhance his understanding and deliver valuable insights to his audience.

News Reporting

The Signal •

Students stranded in Halifax for the holidays find new ways to celebrate

Students stranded in Halifax for the holidays find new ways to celebrate

Students stranded in Halifax for the holidays are planning dinners with friends instead of family as COVID-19 restrictions keep them from home.

“This holiday season is going to have to look different,” Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Strang, said in a press conference on Nov. 9. He even advised students that are out of the province at the moment to stay put and not come back.

Isolation requirements in Nov
The Signal •

‘Second mom’ basketball coach set to retire from Tigers

When Anna Stammberger steps down as head coach of Dalhousie University’s women’s basketball team, she’s leaving more than basketball behind.

“You are not coaching the game of basketball,” Stammberger told The Signal. “You are coaching young women, and that’s what really is most important.”

With the Tigers, Stammberger was named Atlantic University Sport 2015-16 Coach of the Year. She led the team to multiple playoff appearances, but most importantly, she was able to educate, empower, and care
The Signal •

Streets in the Spring Garden area go one-way as Halifax begins traffic changes

One-way streets will have more parking and loading space, says municipality

Birmingham Street and Dresden Row became one way streets this week as part of the municipality’s Imagine Spring Garden Road project.

The goal of that plan, approved by regional council in April 2019, is to improve the busy section of Spring Garden Road between South Park and Queen streets by moving parking to side streets, extending the sidewalks for increased pedestrian safety and calming traffic in the area.

“One of
The Signal •

AUS cancels winter sports season

Atlantic University Sport has cancelled conference-sanctioned sports competition and championship play this coming winter season.

AUS announced the decision Wednesday, a day after a meeting with the 11 member universities.

“We had hoped to be able to get to a place where we could see some semblance of a regular season and postseason take place for our winter sport student-athletes,” Phil Currie, AUS executive director, said in a news release.

“Unfortunately given the current realities in many
The Signal •

Nova Scotia’s Nate Darling makes the jump to the NBA

Nate Darling has signed a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets after going undrafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft.

The two-way deal will allow the Nova Scotian to play with Charlotte and the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ affiliate team. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news on Twitter early Thursday morning following the NBA draft Wednesday night.

According to Darling’s trainer, it was his hard work and dedication that put him in that position.

“I n
The Signal •

Diversity and inclusion survey offers advice for Hockey Nova Scotia

Hockey Nova Scotia’s diversity and inclusion task force is hearing finances, scheduling and sense of belonging are the main issues faced by underrepresented groups.

Hockey Nova Scotia, the governing body of amateur hockey in the province, launched a survey to solicit opinions from people in Indigenous, African-Nova Scotia, LGBTQ2+ and other underrepresented communities.

“The work so far has been to go to the first voice; they will have the answers as to how do we address racism and discriminat
The Signal •

‘Pay our respects’: Remembrance Day in Halifax

O Canada played, the two minutes of silence passed, and Andreas Foerster stood still at the monument to fallen soldiers.

The Nova Scotia government urged people to stay home and watch Remembrance Day ceremonies online as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But Foerster had his own reason to be in Grand Parade in downtown Halifax on Wednesday.

“When I was talking to my friends about coming here, I told them I’m coming because I’m a veteran,” Foerster said.

Foerster, a master’s student at

Sports Writing

The Signal •

Nova Scotia’s Nate Darling makes the jump to the NBA

Nate Darling has signed a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets after going undrafted in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft.

The two-way deal will allow the Nova Scotian to play with Charlotte and the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ affiliate team. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news on Twitter early Thursday morning following the NBA draft Wednesday night.

According to Darling’s trainer, it was his hard work and dedication that put him in that position.

“I n
Dalhousie Gazette •

One last ride

Courtney Baker and Victoria Haworth stepped on the court for one last regular season home game on Feb. 15. The two fifth-years on the Dalhousie University Tigers women’s volleyball team have been integral to the team’s success.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Baker, a setter. “I’m really grateful for the last five years that I had here, but I’m also excited for the future with volleyball and everything else my life brings to me.”

The seniors still have regular season games, the Atlantic University Sp
Dalhousie Gazette •

Tigers take a trip to Naples

Representing your country is something most athletes dream of for their entire life. This July, that came true for four Dalhousie University Tigers athletes as they were selected to represent Team Canada at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer Universiade 2019 in Naples, Italy. The Summer Universiade is an Olympics-like event for university athletes that is held every two years in a different city.

“It has always been a goal of mine, I mean to play for Canada and have th
Dalhousie Gazette •

Tigers come up short in semifinals

The Dalhousie Tigers men’s basketball team lost a hard fought game against the Carleton Ravens in the U Sports semifinals by a score of 76-65 on March 10.


Going in as the underdogs, the Tigers stayed competitive all game against the top-ranked team in the nation, and a program that’s won 13 out of the past 16 national championships.


“We have a lot to be proud of and I just told (the players) that they have nothing to hang their heads about,” said Tigers’ Head Coach Rick Plato. “We want t

Game Recaps

The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Panthers beat Tigers 4-3 in overtime

(Halifax, NS) – On Friday evening at the Halifax Forum, the Dalhousie Tigers faced the UPEI Panthers. After two goal comeback, the Tigers forced the game to overtime where the Panthers took the game 4-3.

An aggressive and fast start to the game sent Kyle Yewchuk (Calgary, AB) to the penalty box for hooking and gave the Panthers one man advantage. Owen Headrick (Garden River, ON) scored the first goal of the game. He gave the Panthers the 1-0 lead after the puck rebounded towards him.

The Panth
The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Huskies top Tigers 69-59 in Shoot for the Cure action

(Halifax, NS) – At the annual Shoot for the Cure game, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted Saint-Mary's Huskies at Dalplex on Saturday evening. The Tigers fell short of a come back and lost the game to the Huskies 69-59.

Chloe Wilson (Dartmouth, NS) got on board first with a layup for the Tigers, but it was answered right away by a layup from Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON). The teams came out aggressive on the offensive end of the floor, as both teams converted on their first four attempts of the six
The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Tigers beat cross town rivals 93-53

(Halifax, NS) – The Dalhousie Tigers played host to the visiting cross-town rival Saint Mary's Huskies in Shoot for the Cure action on Saturday night. After a great team defensive play by the Tigers, they won the game with the score 93-53.

The game started at a slow pace. Both teams scored a total of nine points in the first four minutes of play.

Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) started the game off with a layup and set up Sascha Kappos (Miami, FL) and Xavier Ochu (Milton, ON) for a pair of l
The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Provo & Chadwick score 12 in loss to Huskies

(Halifax, NS) – The Saint Mary's Huskies faced their crosstown rival Dalhousie Tigers in the AUS regular season matchup Wednesday evening. Led by Kendra MacKinnon (Pictou, NS), the Huskies took the game with the score of 92-69.

The Huskies came out aggressive on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor. They forced a near 24 seconds shot clock violation, stealing the ball twice and converting on the first six shots. The Huskies took an early 13-0 lead.

Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON) caug
The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Veinot scores 21 in win over Huskies

(Halifax, NS) – In AUS men's basketball action, the Saint Mary's Huskies hosted the Dalhousie Tigers at the Dauphinee Centre and after a strong first half from the Huskies, the Tigers took the game with the score of 88-79.

It was a quick start to the game. Both teams traded a pair of threes. Johneil Johnson (North Preston, NS) went two for two to start the game and give the Huskies an early lead 10-5.

The Tigers were able to pick up the pace on the offence after a former Huskies' player, Brent
The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University •

Hockey Tigers earn 2-1 over Mounties

(Halifax, NS) – In the fourth game between the Dalhousie Tigers and the Mount Allison Mounties, the Tigers were hosts at the Halifax Forum. The Tigers came out on top with a score of 2-1 in regulation in the AUS regular season game.

Both teams came out aggressive, but got called for early penalties. Abby Beale (Sackville, NB) got called for a penalty for pushing the goalie in the back while in the crease. The Mounties were able to kill the power play and moments after, Tigers Natalie Stanwood (

Host of the 94/50 Podcast

Ilyas has completed a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) at the University of King's College

If someone had told me six years ago that I would be pursuing a career in journalism, I would have found it hard to believe. However, life has a funny way of leading us down unexpected paths. It was during my internship with TSN690 in 2017 that I experienced a revelation, realizing that storytelling was my true calling. Since that moment, I have been wholeheartedly dedicated to honing my skills and pursuing excellence in the field of journalism.

Throughout my academic journey, I had the privilege of attending the renowned University of King's College, where I immersed myself in their Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) program. This experience provided me with an exceptional foundation in journalistic principles and practices. While representing the University of King's College men's basketball team, the program offered me the chance to cultivate my skills in one of the most prestigious journalism schools in Canada. There I developed strong team-playing skills, ability to multi-task and with sports and school, I was committed to excellence seven days per week.

Everyone has a story that is worth telling and you are one of the stories.

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