Latest news with #Staff
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Stouffville Pursuing Centralized Drop-Off Bins for Downtown Business Garbage Collection
● Stouffville Council has directed Town Staff to develop a full implementation plan for centralized, in-ground garbage drop-off bins for Downtown businesses. ● The decision comes ahead of Ontario's 2026 Blue Box program, which will shift recycling collection responsibilities to producers. ● In accordance with the regulations, the Town opted to end all municipal waste collection for businesses, prompting Council to explore alternative solutions for Main Street merchants. ● The selected bins would be locked and accessible only to local businesses, with no recycling collection included following an amendment by Councillor Sue Sherban. ● Her amendment also ensures associated costs would be recovered through the Downtown's special service levy, which is paid exclusively by Village businesses. ● The Village of Stouffville Advisory Committee (VSAC) preferred maintaining curbside collection. ● A report to Council later this year will detail final costs and be presented to VSAC prior to any final approval. Town Council has taken another step toward assisting Stouffville's Downtown with waste collection, opting to investigate a common garbage drop-off area for Main Street businesses set to lose collection services next year. If approved, the model would see shared garbage containers installed at a centralized location, likely alongside 6240 Main Street or in the Park Drive municipal lot. Business owners between Albert Street and Park Drive would hold keys to access the locked bins and be responsible for transporting their own garbage for disposal. A unanimously approved motion from Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban has directed Staff to develop a full implementation plan and cost breakdown for the program before final approval. While the option originally included recycling collection, Sherban's amendment red-lined that portion of the proposal. 'Staff have researched…in-ground bins similar to the bins located at the Leisure Centre and Ballantrae Community Centre. These bins are contained within the ground and have an aesthetically pleasing look and minimizes odours as opposed to metal front-end bins,' a related Staff report explains. 'This option could also be beneficial for garbage disposal during the upcoming Main Street construction project,' it adds. The decision is the latest in a months-long review sparked by pending changes stemming from Ontario's Blue Box program. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, producers of paper and packaging products will become solely responsible for collecting and processing residential blue bin materials. While residential collection will continue, the program specifically excludes certain non-eligible sources, such as businesses. Falling in line with those regulations, Stouffville decided to end all municipal waste collection for non-eligible properties. However, through a February Council decision, Staff were instructed to provide municipal collection options for Downtown businesses. In their report to Council, Staff presented four choices, each with varying service types and financial implications. The selected Option A carried an original estimate of $80,000 in installation costs for three garbage bins and three recycling bins, as well as $3,200 in annual garbage collection fees and $7,500 in recycling collection fees. Those costs will be reassessed following Sherban's amendment, and additional resources and expenses would also be necessary to obtain permits and install security cameras to discourage illegal dumping and misuse. Upwards of 12 parking spaces will need to be removed to make room for the bins. Staff cautioned that continuing service for some non-eligible users could trigger demands for similar support from other excluded properties, potentially creating significant financial pressure. They also warned that ratepayers might view such arrangements as unfair subsidies for commercial operators, leading to public complaints. Sherban's motion addressed those concerns by ensuring all costs associated with Option A be fully recovered through the Downtown's special service tax levy. The charge is mandated by the Town and paid exclusively by businesses within the Village core to support work conducted by the Village of Stouffville Advisory Committee (VSAC). Option B, which was strongly preferred by VSAC, would have retained curbside collection using 95-gallon carts placed along Main Street. This approach was projected to cost approximately $260,000 annually, with further expenses if the Town opted to supply the carts to businesses at no charge. Option C proposed deploying Town Staff and a new collection vehicle dedicated to Downtown pickup. That model required a $275,000 capital investment and about $364,000 in annual operating costs. Option D, the most cost-neutral path, would have seen the Town end waste collection for all non-eligible sources, placing full responsibility on Downtown businesses to arrange their own disposal services. Council had initially received the report earlier this month but delayed making a decision until members of VSAC could formally weigh in. While accepting Option A as an adequate fallback, they noted operational inconveniences, winter access challenges, and a possible increase in the amount of waste placed in public garbage bins along Main Street. The strategy will be refined over the coming months and put forward to VSAC before coming to Council for final approval. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to evacuate citizens in Iran via Turkmenistan route
KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry is working to evacuate Malaysians, including embassy staff, from Iran. The plan involves overland travel northeast of Tehran towards the Turkmenistan border. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the group would then proceed from the border to the city of Ashgabat. He said 19 people are slated for evacuation, including one Malaysian permanent resident, two Iranian couples, and one Singaporean. "Four Malaysian students have opted to remain in Iran and will not be part of the evacuation mission. Three are currently in Qom, while one is in Isfahan. "We will obtain an indemnity letter from each individual who declines to be evacuated," he said. Mohamad added that, as of yesterday, 20 Malaysians were registered with the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran. This includes nine Home-Based Staff (HBS) and their family members. Malaysia's Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, said the situation in Tehran remains tense due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, but said situations are still under control. He confirmed that all Malaysians in the country are safe and are taking necessary precautions. He said that, as of June 18, the total number of registered Malaysians stood at 20, including nine embassy officials and their family members. "Everyone is safe and continues to take necessary precautions. We remain in close contact with the embassy and are following instructions issued by the Iranian authorities. "Phone lines, internet access, and other communication channels are severely affected and unstable. "Apologies for not being able to answer calls at the moment," he added. Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday had said Malaysians currently in Iran are expected to be evacuated by Friday. The communications minister added that necessary arrangements are being made in light of escalating tensions in the region.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says he wants "real end" to Iran's nuclear program
President Trump says he wants "a real end" to Iran's nuclear problem, with Tehran abandoning it "entirely," and not just a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Speaking on Air Force One after cutting short his time at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies, Mr. Trump told reporters, including CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs that, "I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire." Earlier, the president said on his Truth Social platform that, "Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a "cease fire" between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that." Mr. Trump said on Air Force One that he wants "a real end," with Iran "giving up entirely" on its nuclear program. He predicted that Israel won't be slowing up its barrage on Iran. "You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far," he said. The president said he'll be in the White House Situation Room Tuesday morning, as opposed to being in Canada, monitoring developments in Middle East. He can be "well versed" in the White House, he noted, and not have to rely on phones to know what's happening. When asked about his thinking in calling for the evacuation of Tehran, Mr. Trump said he wants "people to be safe." During his session with reporters on the plane, he sounded undecided about sending special envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance or both to meet with Iranian negotiators. "I may," he said, but "it depends what happens when I get back" to Washington. Addressing any possible threat to U.S. interests, Mr. Trump said Iran knows not to touch U.S. troops. The U.S. would "come down so hard if they do anything to our people," he warned. Mr. Trump declined to say if the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Lt. Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have provided him with options in the event Iran attacks U.S. bases in Middle East. "I can't tell you that," he said. The president said "we'll be talking to them" when asked if the "Gang of Eight" congressional leaders had been briefed on anything yet. But "it's not necessary," he added. And when asked if the U.S. would get involved in destroying Iran's nuclear program, he said he hoped it "is wiped out long before that." Iran is "very close" to having a nuclear weapon, Mr. Trump asserted. "I don't care what she said — I think they were very close to having them," referring to testimony by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in March. On efforts to help Americans leave the Mideast, with much of the commercial airspace in the region closed, Mr. Trump said the administration is "working on that. We're doing the best we can." And on any signs of North Korean or Russian involvement in aiding Iran, Mr. Trump said, "I haven't seen it." Harry Chapin: Songwriter, activist and father How the U.S. Army was born Consumers warned about "gas station heroin"
Roya News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
King chairs National Security Council meeting on 'Israeli' aggression against Iran
His Majesty King Abdullah II chaired a National Security Council meeting on Saturday, which covered 'Israel's' aggression against Iran and the consequences for the region. His Majesty said the 'Israeli' attack, which violates international law and constitutes an infringement on Iran's sovereignty, will have increased tensions and instability in the region, reiterating Jordan's firm stance that it will not be a battleground for any conflict. During the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the King said diplomacy, negotiations, and respect for international law are what achieve security and stability, noting that the Kingdom continues to coordinate regionally and internationally to reach comprehensive calm in the region. His Majesty directed Prime Minister and Defence Minister Jafar Hassan to maintain the highest levels of readiness and coordination between all state agencies in dealing with the current events, including taking all measures to ensure Jordan's security, stability, and the safety of its citizens. The King stressed the need to continue urging Jordanian citizens to adhere to safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, Public Security Department Director Maj. Gen. Obeidallah Maaytah, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Defence production surged 174%, exports grew 34-fold in 11 years of Modi government
The Narendra Modi-led central government, which has completed 11 years, has brought about a significant transformation in India's defence sector, focussing on self-reliance, modernisation and exports of arms and instance, Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, showcased India's growing self-reliance on defence production and its ability to respond effectively to security are the key achievements of the Modi government in the defence sector in the past 11 years: 1. Record defence production - India's defence production has surged 174 per cent since 2014, reaching Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24. This growth is attributed to the government's emphasis on indigenous design, development and manufacturing.2. Defence exports - India's defence exports have grown 34-fold, reaching Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25. The country now exports defence equipment to over 85 countries, including the US, France and Armenia.3. Indigenous defence systems - The operation utilised indigenous systems, such as the Akash surface-to-air missile platform, BrahMos missiles and loitering munitions, showcasing India's advancements in defence technology. The government has promoted the development of indigenous technologies, including the BrahMos missile system, Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).advertisement4. Defence industrial corridors - Two dedicated defence industrial corridors have been established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, attracting investments worth over Rs 8,658 crore and signed 253 MoUs with an estimated investment potential of Rs 53,439 AND REFORMS1. Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) - The DPP has been streamlined to prioritise indigenous procurement and promote Make in India initiatives.2. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) - The appointment of CDS has improved coordination and decision-making among the services, enabling faster response to evolving security threats.3. Theatre command - The government is working towards implementing the theatre command concept, which will enhance synergy and resource allocation during EMPOWERMENT IN DEFENCE FORCES1. Increased representation - In the past 11 years, the number of women officers in the defense forces has tripled, reaching over 11,000.2. Permanent commission - The government has granted permanent commissions to 507 women officers, allowing them to pursue long-term careers in the defence AND INTERNAL SECURITY1. Surgical strikes - India has conducted surgical strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) in response to the 2016 Uri attack, demonstrating its resolve to counterterrorism.2. Operation Sindoor - The armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and POK. The mission was launched to avenge the deaths of 26 people by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Sindoor demonstrated India's military capability and its ability to respond effectively to security threats, sending a strong message to its PLAN AND CHALLENGE1. Export target - The government aims to cross Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, positioning India as a global hub for defence production.2. Research and development - The government needs to allocate more funds for research and development to achieve true self-reliance in defence and stay competitive in the global Watch IN THIS STORY#Narendra Modi
