Latest news with #SPG
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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Why the Government needs to 'save quality journalism education'
The funding cuts come 'at a time when we need trusted news and information more than ever' Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A campaign to 'Save Quality Journalism Education' has been launched following a Government move to cut funding to key training courses. Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) funding is being withdrawn from journalism, media studies and publishing courses for 2025-26. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has instead instructed the Office for Students to redirect this cash to other 'high cost' subjects like engineering, IT, pre-registration nursing, agriculture, forestry and food science. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Industry leaders have branded the move 'irrational and misguided' at a time when trusted news and the provision of more well-trained journalists is needed more than ever. This website - and all our sister titles across National World - is supporting the Save Quality Journalism Education campaign, which is being spearheaded by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). We have long-established links with the NCTJ and many of the reporters who have provided your high-quality, accurate, ethical and trusted journalism over the years will have been through one of its accredited courses. The Government plans to withdraw Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism, media studies and publishing courses this year | (Image: National World/) We work closely with the NCTJ in ensuring today's trainee journalists join our newsrooms with the skills we need and with the knowledge they will continue to support them as they learn and develop with us. A recent survey by the NCTJ showed that 81% of working journalists hold a journalism qualification, with 84% saying it helped them secure their first job. We believe journalism education is essential infrastructure for democracy and deserves proper funding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad NCTJ chief executive Joanne Forbes said: 'The targeted withdrawal of funding suggests the government's value and support for journalism is diminishing at a time when trusted, well-trained journalists are more essential than ever. These cuts risk reducing the accessibility, quality and diversity of journalism education, and threaten the future health of journalism in the UK.' The SPG is not the only source of funding for journalism courses, but it will reduce the resources universities can draw upon to support journalism programmes, at a time when many are already under financial strain. The campaign is backed by the New Media Association (NMA), which represents national, regional and local publishers, and the Society of Editors. NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said the funding cut was 'contrary to the government's stated policy of creating and supporting an environment in which local and national journalism can thrive'. He added: 'At a time when we need trusted news and information more than ever, this misguided and irrational move risks undermining the pipeline of talent into the industry and restricting access to journalism as a career choice. The Education Secretary has got this one wrong and needs to think again.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The campaign is also backed by the Association for Journalism Education, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association and the Professional Publishers Association.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Ballia CHC in-charge jailed on graft charge dies
Varanasi: Ballia district's Bansdih community health centre (CHC) superintendent, Dr Venkatesh Mauwar, who was arrested by a vigilance cell team while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 on June 12, died of illness at SPG divisional hospital in Varanasi on Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now DIG (prisons) Rajesh Srivastava said that Mauwar was suffering from fever, hypertension and anxiety since the day he was lodged in jail. His complications increased on Monday when his wife and other relatives arrived at the jail to meet him. In view of his condition, the jail hospital's doctors referred him to SPG divisional hospital, where he died during the course of treatment. Further legal formalities, including sending his body for postmortem examination, were in progress, he added. On June 12, a 14-member vigilance team from Varanasi arrested Mauwar while accepting a cash bribe of Rs 20,000 from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra operator, Ajay Tiwari, in Ballia district. The CHC superintendent came under the radar of the vigilance cell when Tiwari contacted its officials and alleged that to release the approval letter for operating the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Bansdih CHC, the officials were demanding Rs 20,000. It was alleged that the CHC superintendent was demanding Rs 20,000 on a monthly basis from Tiwari. Tiwari jad paid the amount in past months but refused to continue this payment due to low sales. However, as the superintendent kept pressuring him, he sought the help of the vigilance cell. The in-charge of the vigilance team, inspector Dharmendra Tiwari said that on Tiwari's complaint, a plan was finalised. As per the plan, Tiwari visited the CHC to hand over the chemically coated currency notes amounting to Rs 20,000. When Mauwar, who is a native of Aurangabad in Bihar, received the currency notes, the members of the vigilance cell caught him red-handed. Further legal action was being taken against him at the Varanasi sector office.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Indian Agencies Ask Canada To Bolster Security As Khalistan Spectre Looms Over PM Modi's G7 Visit
Last Updated: Agencies have assessed that PM Modi's presence in Canada—a country where Khalistani groups have dominance—could be exploited for disruptive demonstrations or worse Khalistani organisations have planned protests in Canada from the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the country for the G7 Summit, raising serious security concerns. Intelligence reports confirm that India's central agencies have issued detailed missives to Canadian authorities, cautioning about threats and asking them to ensure stronger security measures. The warnings come amid growing activities by pro-Khalistan terror outfits in the region, which have frequently targeted Indian diplomatic missions and officials in the past. Agencies have assessed that PM Modi's presence in Canada—a country where Khalistani groups have dominance and have seen a resurgence in recent years—could be exploited for disruptive demonstrations or worse. 'Threats were taken seriously," said a senior government official, speaking confidentially. 'Canadian officials have been requested to expand perimeter security and to closely monitor groups or individuals with known extremist associations." A video was also released by declared terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to send a message to cadres ahead of PM Modi's visit to Canada. The prime minister's personal security is with the Special Protection Group (SPG), which has carried out a thorough threat assessment and will follow a stringent, pre-planned security protocol during the visit. The movement will be restricted and regulated, with the pre-determined route comprehensively sanitised, according to sources. There are no further public interactions or further events planned, keeping exposure to a minimum. This follows wider fears in India of Canada being too soft on anti-India forces based out of its territory. Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent months, especially after incidents involving Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto. This trip will challenge both Canadian desires to act on India's grievances and its capacity to deal with extremist forces during high-profile global events. Canadian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the intelligence alerts or certain security arrangements scheduled for the G7 summit, which will be attended by the leaders of the world's economies. PM Modi will attend the G7 Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney. The summit will provide space for the exchange of views on pressing global issues and the priorities of the Global South. On June 18, Modi will visit the Republic of Croatia and hold meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Both countries enjoy centuries-old close cultural links. As the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Croatia, it will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. A key highlight of PM Modi's trip will be his first meeting with Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. The External Affairs Ministry views this meeting as a chance to reboot India-Canada relations, built on mutual respect, common interests, and consideration for each other's concerns. Notably, this will be PM Modi's first visit to Canada in 10 years. First Published: June 16, 2025, 08:31 IST
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mizuho upgrades Macerich as its sees risk-reward favorable
-- Mizuho upgraded mall operator Macerich Co (NYSE:MAC). to Outperform from Neutral and set a $18 price target, citing an improved risk profile, and upside potential from leasing and asset sales. Macerich shares have lagged in 2025, down roughly 18 percentage points versus the MSCI U.S. REIT and 13 points behind peer Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG). Mizuho views this underperformance as an attractive entry point for investors seeking long-term upside. The stock trades at a significant discount to its historical and peer valuations, as per the analysts at Mizuho pointing to a current multiple of about 10x forward FFO, versus a 20x sector average and 13x for SPG. The upgrade follows strong progress under Macerich's 'Path Forward Plan' announced in 2024, including asset sales, leasing gains, and leverage reduction. Mizuho noted the company is ahead of internal targets on leasing execution and expects leverage to decline from about 8x today to its target range of 6–6.5x by 2027 or 2028. Macerich recently released a multi-year net operating income (NOI) bridge, and Mizuho sees upside to the plan's assumptions. The firm forecasts a more than 5% CAGR in NOI through 2028 and estimates MAC could exceed its 2028 NOI goal of $880 million, potentially reaching $930 million. MAC's recent acquisition of Crabtree Mall and a pipeline of sales and give-backs totaling over $1 billion are also expected to support the turnaround. Remaining planned dispositions are viewed as lower-risk, with greater institutional investor interest anticipated. Despite lowering its prior price target from $22 to $18 to reflect a reduced valuation multiple, Mizuho sees potential for 30–40% long-term upside if execution continues and investor sentiment improves. Related articles Mizuho upgrades Macerich as its sees risk-reward favorable Snap to launch consumer smart glasses in 2025, rivaling Meta BlackRock portfolio managers 'laser focused' on capturing market opportunities Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PM writes to Kanpur student who gifted him ‘Op Sindoor' painting
1 2 3 4 5 Kanpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Shivanya, a class VII student, who gifted him a painting titled on Operation Sindoor during a public rally at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology ground on May 30. He praised the emotions depicted in her artwork and mentioned that she has presented a picture of a strong and changing India. On May 30, Shivanya showed her painting on Operation Sindoor to PM Modi on stage. The PM'a letter reached her home on Monday. To recall, during his address, PM Modi appreciated the student's effort and instructed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to collect the paintings from her. He had also promised to write her a letter. Daughter of Ashish Tiwari, Shivanya, resides in Panki Gangaganj and studies at Virendra Swaroop Education Center. She has been passionate about painting since childhood. Shivanya informed the media that when she learned that the Prime Minister was coming to Kanpur, she prepared a painting titled 'Operation Sindoor.' In her painting, she made a sketch of the Prime Minister and wrote 'Welcome to Kanpur.' She didn't expect the Prime Minister to take her painting, but as soon as he began his address, he requested it through the SPG. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Capital Gains Exemptions for Seniors SmartAsset Learn More Undo He also asked her to write her address on the back, promising to send a reply. On Monday, she received a letter from the Prime Minister via mail. In his letter, the PM wrote that he was impressed by how she has expressed her feelings on canvas through 'Operation Sindoor.' He acknowledged that her painting presented a strong and transformed image of India and expressed confidence that young individuals like her would play a significant role in achieving this vision.
