During the Town of Amherst’s final town council meeting of the year on Dec. 16, a motion was passed approving funding for two initiatives. The Community Support Grants Policy, Social Equity Fund allowed for a $5,000 contribution to be made to the Amherst Community Christmas Dinner. The free dinner is open to anyone in the town and beyond providing an inclusive environment for anyone experiencing food insecurity. The welcome holiday meal is free and open to anyone. Another contribution was made on behalf of the Social Equity Fund in the amount of $3,100 being made to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Amherst. The library provides books to more than 220 children in the area to inspire their quest for learning. Council appointed Rae Burke as a citizen member of the Town of Amherst Audit Committee for a term ending on October 31, 2025. The seat was vacant following the election of Rob Small as mayor. An expression of interest was advertised in local media and on the Town of Amherst social media pages. Amherst Town Council believes involving youth in the community adds value to youth development. They also want to empower young people to be active participants in their community and democracy. Council believes the youth perspective is an important one in the decisions they make everyday and welcome their opinions. That’s why in June 2024 an expression of interest was highlighted for young people to join the Amherst Youth Town Council. The seats are capped at 15 members and there were seven interested applicants over the summer. Last week, two new students were recruited, bringing the total number of members to nine. Town Council appointed Isla Crocker and Hanna Brunt to the Amherst Youth Town Council last week. Town Council approved the purchase of 10 body-worn cameras for Town Police in the 2024/25 Capital Budget. The amount to purchase the devices was estimated at $50,000 but the prices have changed considerably since the approval. Staff are now recommending the equipment be leased now instead of purchasing it. Council passed a new motion to remove the purchase of 10 police body worn cameras from the 2024/25 Capital Budget and authorize the lease. The new lease will be for 12 police body-worn cameras at a cost of approximately $20,000 annually. This new approval will be funded from the Police Department Operating Budget. In leasing the equipment, the provider will make sure the existing technology, data storage in the cloud, repairs and equipment replacement will be up to date.
Breach of licence by cutting programming at Radio Foyle shows north west ‘not a priority’ for BBC, says MPAP Business SummaryBrief at 10:55 a.m. EST
Kazakhstan andCroatia agree to enhance diplomatic dialogue and economicpartnership, reports. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, MuratNurtleu, on the second day of his official visit to Croatia, wasreceived by Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, AndrejPlenković. Continuing the bilateral talks between President of Kazakhstan,Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the head of the Croatian government,which took place during COP29 in Baku in November this year, theparties discussed further steps aimed at strengthening politicaldialogue and expanding business ties between the two countries. In particular, the minister briefed his counterpart on theinstitutional political and socio-economic reforms taking place inKazakhstan. Nurtleu invited Croatian companies to establish and developtrade and investment partnerships with Kazakhstan, highlightingpromising sectors such as energy, transportation and logistics,agriculture, information technologies, education, and tourism. In this context, both sides expressed a shared opinion that thegrowth of business relations should be facilitated by the work ofthe Kazakh-Croatian Intergovernmental Commission on EconomicCooperation and the Business Council “Kazakhstan-Croatia,” with thenext meetings scheduled to be held in Astana in 2025. For his part, Plenković confirmed the mutual desire tostrengthen political dialogue and mutually beneficial partnershipsbetween Astana and Zagreb, based on trust and mutual support. As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to continueconstructive cooperation between the two countries, includingthrough organizing and holding high-level visits. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairsof the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, met with CroatianMinister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman, wherediscussions focused on the significant potential for expandingmutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Croatia inareas such as energy and transportation.
Despite the decrease in large-scale fighting, the city of Damascus is far from being completely stable. Small-scale disturbances and sporadic clashes continue to erupt in various parts of the city, keeping tensions high and residents on edge. These smaller confrontations may not make the headlines like major battles do, but they still have a significant impact on the daily lives of those living in Damascus.Cooper, Batcho lead Louisiana Tech past Richmond 65-62
The decision to implement a higher mortgage interest rate in Qingdao may be influenced by various factors, including the overall economic environment, inflation rates, and the policies of financial institutions. As interest rates are a key component in determining the cost of borrowing, changes in these rates can impact the housing market and the purchasing power of consumers.As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes are on Barcelona and their handling of the situation with Ousmane Dembélé. The clock is ticking, and the club must make a decision that will shape their future and determine the fate of one of their key players. Only time will tell how this dilemma will unfold and what it means for Barcelona's ambitions on and off the field.
On the other hand, K77, an up-and-coming winger with speed and flair, has also caught the eye of Liverpool's scouts. His potential partnership with Salah on the flanks could create a formidable attacking duo that would strike fear into the hearts of opposition defenders.Hemant orders crackdown on rampant illegal sand mining in state
In the volatile world of stock markets, one thing remains certain - the power of innovation and forward-thinking policies to drive the resurgence of growth stocks. The recent surge in post-market trading activity has sent a clear signal to investors: the future belongs to companies at the forefront of technological innovation.The individual in question, whose identity we shall keep anonymous, had amassed a significant following online through their flashy Instagram posts and YouTube videos. Sporting an air of confidence and charisma, they positioned themselves as a mentor for those seeking to improve their dating lives. However, it was their latest remarks that landed them in hot water.
However, all good things must come to an end, and the time has come for "Suicide Squad: Special Ops" to take its final bow. The decision to stop further updates was not made lightly, but the developers felt that the game had reached its natural conclusion. The upcoming fourth season will serve as a fitting finale, tying up loose ends and providing closure for the beloved characters and storylines.Johny Srouji, currently serving as Apple's senior vice president of hardware technologies, is widely recognized as a key figure behind the tech giant's custom-designed chips that power its flagship products such as the iPhone and iPad. With a background in electrical engineering and over two decades of experience in semiconductor technology, Srouji has been instrumental in driving Apple's shift towards in-house chip development, a strategy that has significantly differentiated the company in the market and enhanced its product performance and efficiency.Liverpool and Atletico Madrid will face off in a highly anticipated Champions League match at Anfield, a showdown that promises to be a spectacle of determination, skill, and passion. For Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and his team, this is not just any ordinary match—it is a chance to make history and showcase their strength against one of the best teams in Europe.
It has been a year since Dong Yuhui, the renowned entrepreneur and founder of a successful tech company, faced backlash over his controversial "short essay" incident. Despite the temporary setback in his reputation, Dong Yuhui has not only weathered the storm but also managed to further expand his business empire in the past year.
In a move to curb the growing menace of illegal rice smuggling, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited Kakinada Port on Friday, overseeing the seizure of a vessel involved in trafficking PDS (Public Distribution System) rice. Pawan Kalyan, accompanied by State Food Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar, visited the, “Stella EL” ship seized with ration rice at Kakinada Anchorage Port in a special boat to inspect the situation. It was caught by district authorities two days ago while en route to the African continent, carrying over 640 tonnes of illegally exported rice. Later speaking to the media, Kalyan highlighted the growing infiltration of organised crime in the region. He emphasised how the mafia, accustomed to systemic crime, was not only smuggling rice but could also potentially facilitate the transportation of dangerous materials like explosives or terrorists through the port. “A smuggler won’t stop at just rice. They will also smuggle drugs and explosives. If officials are negligent due to political pressure, it will become a national security threat.” “We cannot ignore the national security implications of these smuggling operations,” Kalyan said. He further revealed that his attempts to personally inspect the vessel were blocked, even though other officials, including the Civil Supplies Minister and local MLAs, Kakinada Urban MLA, Vanamadi Kondababu, and chairman of civil supplies corporation, Thota Sudhir, were present during his visit. “Despite my position as Deputy Chief Minister, I was denied access to inspect the vessel,” Kalyan stated. “This demonstrates the power of the mafia behind these operations. If such an influential network can obstruct even a government official, one can only imagine the scale of the operations taking place under the radar.” One of Kalyan’s primary concerns was the inadequate security at Kakinada Port. While the port sees over 1,000 trucks arrive daily, the security detail is disturbingly minimal, with only 16 personnel tasked with overseeing such a high-volume operation. In response, Kalyan has vowed to take the issue directly to the Centre. “I will be writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs about the security lapses at Kakinada Port and demand immediate action. This is no longer just about rice smuggling; it’s a national security issue,” Kalyan said. “We will not rest until the individuals behind these operations are brought to justice,” Kalyan asserted. “This is a battle not just for control of the port, but for the safety of our citizens and the security of our nation.” Explaining the issue surrounding PDS rice, Pawan Kalyan said, “The government is spending Rs. 43.50 per kilo to provide rice to the poor, and this is being given to them for free. The ration vehicles introduced by the previous government were meant to allow beneficiaries to purchase rice, but this rice is being diverted into the hands of the rice mafia. Subsequently, large businessmen are sending it from ports to African countries, which is costing the government’s treasury heavily. The money spent on subsidising rice is ending up in the pockets of the mafia. These mafia members are selling the rice in African countries for Rs. 72 to Rs. 74 per kilo. Instead of this, if the Indian government were to export rice at Rs. 42 per kilo to African nations, India’s reputation and prestige on the global stage would grow immensely.”
Sheridan College suspending 40 programs, reducing staff due to drop in enrolmentOne of the key aspects of the evacuation mission was the establishment of green corridors for the safe passage of the evacuees. These corridors, facilitated by diplomatic negotiations and coordination with relevant authorities, provided a secure route for the Chinese nationals to travel through without being caught in the crossfire. The use of green corridors was crucial in ensuring the smooth and timely evacuation of the citizens, minimizing the risks associated with the ongoing conflict.