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The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
GMC to enforce ban on single-use plastic from August 1
The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) announced a series of initiatives aimed at improving urban health, environmental standards, and civic infrastructure. A complete ban on single-use plastic will come into effect across the city from August 1. GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu on Monday stated that rallies, public meetings, and awareness drives have been conducted for the past three months to prepare residents and businesses for the transition. Special task forces will enforce the ban through inspections and impose heavy penalties on violators. The civic chief urged citizens to shift to cloth or jute bags. Meetings with hotel, restaurant, and curry point owners, followed by plastic manufacturers and the Chamber of Commerce, are scheduled for July 29 to ensure cooperation. Simultaneously, the GMC has issued a three-day ultimatum for the voluntary removal of road and drain encroachments on Kakani road and Ponnur road. Unauthorised structures are obstructing desilting works, leading to waterlogging, traffic issues, and flooding in low-lying areas, he explained. In another development, Mr. Srinivasulu instructed engineering teams to accelerate construction of the Garbage Transfer Station at the Etukuru road compost yard. Segregated waste collection from households and commercial units will also begin on August 1.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Just Rs 7,500 for a life in Germany? Why the Freelance Visa is expected to be a big hit
Germany is now offering a Freelance Visa, officially known as the 'Freiberufler Visa', which allows individuals to live and work there for up to a year, or potentially longer. This visa lets eligible applicants work independently without needing a full-time employer, provided they can show proof of income and adequate financial resources. The visa fee is 75 euros (roughly Rs 7,500), which is considerably lower than what many other countries charge read more This residence permit allows non-EU citizens to legally live and work in Germany. AFP/File Photo In what is being seen as positive news for many Indian travellers, Germany has started offering a Freelance Visa, officially called the Freiberufler visa. Germany is a popular choice for both visitors and creative workers because of its cultural appeal and standard of living. For many, it has always been a place for short trips, Schengen stamps, and winter holidays. Now, with this visa introduced by Berlin, you can live and work in Germany for up to one year, or possibly longer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, what is this visa? How can you apply for it? Who can apply? Let's take a look: What is Germany's Freelance Visa? The visa lets individuals work independently in the country without needing a full-time employer, as long as they can provide proof of employment and sufficient financial resources. This residence permit allows non-EU citizens to legally live and work in Germany, provided they belong to certain professional groups. Unlike a tourist visa, which does not allow any kind of work, or a work visa that ties you to a specific employer, this visa gives eligible individuals the flexibility to manage their own profession. For many, it has always been a place for short trips, Schengen stamps, and winter holidays. AFP/File Photo It is aimed at people in liberal professions, such as journalists, researchers, artists, and those in regulated fields like engineering, law, and medicine, who are looking to live and work in one of Europe's strongest economies. Who is eligible? As per the German Missions in India, Section 18 of the German Income Tax Act recognises the following professions as freelance employment: Independent researchers and scientists Artists, musicians, and teachers Lawyers, notaries, and tax advisers Patent lawyers Engineers and architects Journalists and photojournalists Interpreters and translators Physiotherapists and medical workers Economists and business consultants Dentists and veterinarians Commercial chemists Accountants Pilots Some professions may have additional rules or conditions. It is important to consult the relevant German authorities, such as the Aliens Authority or Chamber of Commerce, to confirm your eligibility before applying. What documents are required for the application? To apply for the German Freelance Visa, you must submit several documents to show that you are professionally qualified and financially independent. Below is the complete list: A valid passport with at least two blank pages, issued within the past 10 years Proof of freelance work and educational qualifications, such as a university degree or other recognised higher education certificate Evidence of financial stability for one year, showing a minimum monthly income of approximately 1,280.06 euros (around Rs 1.27 lakh) A clear and detailed outline of your freelance plans, along with your curriculum vitae (CV) Proof of contacts or commitments from potential clients in Germany or Europe Valid health insurance coverage For applicants over 45, documents related to pension plans, savings, or retirement benefits Confirmation of accommodation or address in Germany Payment receipt for the visa fee (75 euros or around Rs 7,500) The visa lets individuals work independently in the country without needing a full-time employer. AFP/File Photo How can Indians apply for the visa? For Indian applicants, the process generally starts with applying for a National D Visa before entering Germany. Here is a step-by-step guide: Step 1: Fill out and print the National D Visa application form. Step 2: Book an appointment at the nearest German embassy or consulate, such as the German Missions in India. Step 3: Gather all required documents mentioned above. Make sure they meet the embassy's format and language guidelines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Step 4: Visit the embassy or consulate in person to submit your application. Your biometric data will also be collected during this visit. Step 5: If approved, the National D Visa will be issued for a period of three to six months. Step 6: After reaching Germany, register your local address and apply for a long-term freelance residence permit at the nearest Foreigners' Office within two weeks. Types of Freelancer Visas in Germany Your eligibility for a freelancer visa in Germany depends on the kind of work you do. There are two main categories: Freelancer (Freiberufler) This category includes professionals who offer their services independently, often within the liberal professions. Examples include teachers, journalists, translators, therapists, engineers, IT experts, architects, lawyers, and doctors. Self-employed (Selbständiger/Gewerbetreibender) If your work does not fall under the liberal professions, you may be considered self-employed. This typically applies to those who run a business or hold a trade licence. Can you work for a German company on this visa? No, this visa is meant for independent work only. If you plan to take up part-time or full-time employment with a German company, you will need to apply for a separate work visa that allows for employer-based jobs.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Elon Musk is building a supercomputer in Memphis. Not everyone is loving it.
The images of xAI's Colossus supercomputer versus Memphis' Boxtown neighborhood are stark. David versus Goliath. Power versus pride. Far from the media spotlight where Elon Musk feuds with a sitting president and talks of starting a new political party, a largely unknown controversy is playing out in Memphis as the world's richest man builds what he calls the world's biggest supercomputer. The project is happening in Boxtown, a South Memphis neighborhood that is 99% Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly half of Boxtown's 2,865 residents have annual household incomes below $25,000 a year, yet many are homeowners. The images of xAI's Colossus supercomputer versus Boxtown are stark. David versus Goliath. Power versus pride. The indeterminate future of artificial intelligence versus the tawdry reality of majority African American neighborhoods becoming home to industrial polluters. Clumsy communications and lack of transparency have eroded the project's political support. Answers to the public's questions about environmental damage have been obscured by nondisclosure agreements with public agencies, redacted public documents and explanations coming from the Chamber of Commerce and mayor's office instead of from xAI itself. Michelle Taylor, the Shelby County Health Department director, has criticized the project's lack of transparency, saying her department was kept out of the loop in the early stages of its development. Why is a Memphis community fighting Elon Musk's supercomputer? After months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced in June 2024 that xAI would build the "world's largest supercomputer" in Memphis. Chamber representatives have often acted as de facto spokespeople for the project, rather than allowing xAI officials to respond for themselves. The project, which has increased in scope since that announcement, has raised many questions about air pollution, water usage and the equity of government incentives for the project. Neighborhood residents and environmental advocates have fought back, but it isn't easy. The swiftness of the project's progress leaves few options for stopping it. Desperate opponents like the Southern Environmental Law Center and NAACP plan to sue, and the nonprofit Memphis Community Against Pollution has organized to fight the project. Opinion: AI is changing our world. At what point will it change our reality? Colossus critics cite sweetheart deals and environmental racism A leader for the opposition group is state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat from Memphis, who became nationally known when the Republican supermajority in the legislature expelled him after he used a megaphone during a gun control protest on the House floor in 2023. Pearson, who was reappointed to the state office by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, brings star power to his role with anti-supercomputer protests. He says African Americans are 75% more likely to live near toxic hazardous waste facilities and have higher cancer rates than White Americans. xAi in Memphis: Unpacking how Elon Musk's xAI supercomputer project in Memphis unfolded over the past year Already located near Boxtown are some of the region's largest emitters of hazardous chemicals: Tennessee Valley Authority's Allen Combined Cycle Plant, Valero Memphis Refinery and Nucor Steel. Yet, the nearest air monitoring station is 9 miles away in downtown Memphis. Fueling the opposition is a lack of convincing answers about issues like whether xAI should receive an air-emissions permit for 15 natural gas turbines as a backup energy source, and whether the turbines that have been operating at the site for a year are legal. Supercomputer's opponents face a colossal battle The addition of Colossus in Memphis raises two inconvenient truths: the city's failing grade in air quality (in 2021, the American Lung Association gave Shelby County an "F" grade) and charges of environmental racism in light of the history of locating polluting industries in African American areas of the city. When Memphis Mayor Paul Young hired a firm that concluded there were no dangerous levels of pollutants in Boxtown, critics dismissed it as a political stunt since the results supported the mayor's point of view. Memphis Community Against Pollution has announced that it will pay for air quality sensors for the Boxtown area. Young and others have made much of the fact that Colossus will pay $33 million in city and county taxes. But while the mayor says Musk's operation will get no tax breaks, the $12 billion project is assessed for property taxes at $2.2 billion. In addition, my research found that xAI buys electricity − enough for a city of more than 200,000 − from the local utility at the industrial rate of $64 per megawatt hour. Meanwhile, residents of Boxtown and all other residential customers in Memphis and Shelby County pay almost twice as much, at $122 per megawatt hour. In the rush to support the project, there's been little public discussion about tying the Memphis brand to Musk and becoming home to Colossus, which serves as the engine for what he has called the development of 'truth-seeking' systems. Yet, there's an air of inevitability about the completion of Colossus as it becomes a reminder about how powerful teams of lobbyists and public relations consultants get what they want, while grassroots groups can offer little resistance. Regardless of xAI's success in Memphis, it's clearly created division in a city in need of harmony. Tom Jones is the principal of Smart City Consulting, which focuses on public policy development and strategic planning. He writes a monthly column for Memphis magazine and has written the Smart City Memphis blog for 20 years.
Global News
7 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
How have 2025's smoky skies in Saskatchewan affected Waskesiu?
The Buhl wildfire is approximately 30 km from Waskesiu, Sask., but Parks Canada has reissued a pre-evacuation alert for Prince Albert National Park. This pre-evacuation notice has had a big impact on Waskesiu, one of Saskatchewan's most popular summer locations. Due to this, not many people are filling up the grounds, leaving businesses worried about their finances. However, there is still hope among the community that with a bit of rain, things can pick back up again. 'We need rain. If we can get rain we can have a really good end to the summer,' said Jim Kerby, the recreation association director for Waskesiu. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Despite the smoke, popular areas like the pickleball courts and the golf course are still filled with families looking to enjoy their summer. 'I think a lot of people are understanding that there is no immediate threat to the community. Mostly it's the smoke and which way the wind direction is coming,' said Tyler Baker, the general manager for the Waskesiu Golf Course. Story continues below advertisement Chris Astle is the Chamber of Commerce president for Waskesiu, and also owns the local movie theatre and candy store. Astle shared that this summer has had its highs and lows, with his shop only operating at 80 to 90 per cent of its usual sales. He said many business owners have expressed to him their concerns about making a profit this year as their stores only stay open for a two-month season. With August still to come, Astle is hopeful it will bring more customers to the community. 'We are seeing visitors come back now, the air is clearing a little bit, so we are seeing some of those visitors come back which is great.' added Astle. But despite the weather woes, Waskesiu is expecting to see at least 5,000 visitors for their 10th annual Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival.
Campaign ME
22-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Doing good is good business
What does it mean for a business to care? For Al Masaood, the answer has unfolded over five decades. Not through words alone, but through a legacy of action rooted in responsibility. From Abu Dhabi's first Chamber of Commerce registration to becoming a diversified industrial group championing clean energy, ethical governance, and community investment – this is a story where doing good isn't a side initiative. It's the business itself. Credibility grows through transparency, commitment and doing good Our sustainability journey is driven by a belief that long-term credibility demands more than ambition. It requires alignment, transparency, and a culture of reflection. For example, take our response to the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 initiative and Vision 2030. Instead of just pledging environmental stewardship, we embedded real values across our divisions – from striving for a plastic-free work environment at the corporate level to going paperless at Al Masaood Automobiles showrooms. In line with Abu Dhabi Environment Vision 2030, Al Masaood Automobiles has successfully reduced its annual waste output to under 250 tons and maintains a minimum 20 per cent recycling rate each year, while also minimising air pollution and noise levels in our workshops. When Al Masaood says it's committed to sustainability, that commitment can be felt in biodegradable bags, solar retrofits, energy-efficient lighting, and waste diverted from landfills. Purpose-driven action builds loyalty For us, sustainability is a mindset that transforms everyday decisions into opportunities for purpose. This approach is reflected in initiatives like distributing reusable bottles through our 'Think. Act. Save.' campaign, launching the 'We Are Responsible' movement to promote sanitisation and wellbeing during the pandemic, embedding ethical standards into every supplier relationship and earning the Corporate Ethics Mark from CIPS, among many more. When customers, employees, or partners see this consistency, it creates trust. And trust builds loyalty. Young generations expect brands to mean what they say A new generation is watching closely – and Al Masaood is listening. Gen Z's values are deeply rooted in transparency and ethics. That's why our CSR strategy focuses on genuine impact such as community engagement during Ramadan, breast cancer awareness campaigns, health webinars, and employee empowerment through mental wellness, diversity, and inclusion. Al Masaood has forged a strong alliance with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC). Together, we support major sporting events in the capital, promoting Abu Dhabi as a leading international sports hub. Such efforts reflect a company growing alongside a society that demands authenticity. When values align internally, the message resonates externally The heartbeat of any brand is its people. That's why we invest in learning, development, and a values-driven culture. With thousands of training hours logged in 2024, career development for Emirati youth via Tawdheef, and inclusive hiring that celebrates cultural diversity and gender equity, we ensure our internal compass points to the same North Star as our external commitments. Ethics drive ecosystems, not just brands The impact of purpose isn't limited to the customer. It ripples across supply chains and strategic alliances. Partners, vendors, and even investors calibrate their confidence based on trust signals. Al Masaood's ethical procurement, ISO-aligned compliance frameworks, and supplier codes of conduct have helped us become a trusted name not just for what we sell, but for how we operate. That's how trust becomes a competitive edge – quiet, but powerful. Sustainability and performance are not opposites Too many still treat sustainability and profitability as trade-offs. Al Masaood sees them as allies. From the introduction of Euro 5 compliant trucks that reduce emissions, to the adoption of sustainable innovation, we continue to scale smartly. Future-proofing our business and expanding resilience extends beyond carbon neutrality. For us, this includes the introduction of electric commercial vehicles such as Dongfeng and Renault Trucks E-Tech Electric Truck, the first electric waste management trucks in the region. The future belongs to conscious brands who are doing good In the marketing industry, branding was a matter of image or messaging. Now it lives in the decisions a company makes each day – in what it builds, how it treats people, and the impact it chooses to have. For brands that act with care and consistency, credibility grows gently over time. It's earned in the details, not just declared in headlines. Stakeholders today are asking smarter questions. They're looking beyond statements to see how values show up in practice. So, the goal is not to appear perfect but to be clear, accountable, and willing to improve. Part of that work is knowing what's working and what's not. Therefore, measurement brings purpose into focus. When companies track what they claim to value – whether it's emissions, equity, or engagement – they give their commitments weight. It makes trust possible. That's why Al Masaood has set an exciting goal of applying pertinent standards for more structured disclosures and key performance indicators as part of our future reporting cycles. For brands, what matters now is not saying more, but proving more – clearly, repeatedly, and without compromise. By Marwa Kaabour, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Al Masaood.
