Latest news with #JCD
Irish Examiner
06-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Funding for 800 homes in Cork with one scheme to include Ireland's tallest building
More than €300m in government funding has been approved to kickstart the delivery of two large and long-awaited social housing projects in Cork City — including one in what will be Ireland's tallest building. Combined, the two schemes, which have planning, will deliver just over 820 social or cost-rental apartments on two high-profile vacant sites. The department of local government signed off on the funding packages on Wednesday for both the Railyard Gardens residential scheme, which is earmarked for the site of the former Sextant pub at the gateway to the city's south docks, and for the Creamfields development, which is earmarked for the former CMP Dairies site on the Tramore Road. The 217-unit Railyard Gardens scheme includes plans for 99 social and 118 cost-rental apartments in a 24-storey residential tower, which will become Ireland's tallest building. The project, which secured Part 8 planning from Cork City Council in October 2024, will be delivered by JCD Developments for Clúid Housing, with hopes that enabling works could start on site in September. It could take at least two years to build. The 606-unit Creamfields scheme will deliver a total of 225 social and 381 cost rental apartments on a site opposite Musgrave Park and close to the South Ring Road and Tramore Valley Park. The former CMP Diary site on Tramore Road, being developed as Creamfields. Picture: Larry Cummins The project, which secured planning from the former An Bord Pleanála in June 2022, is the largest collaboration yet for Cork City Council's housing directorate. The scheme will be delivered by Cairn Homes Plc for Respond Housing and Dairygold, in a project that is being facilitated by the council's housing directorate. Enabling works are already underway on site, and the project could take up to three years to deliver. The former Sextant site has lain vacant since the landmark pub was demolished almost five years ago for JCD's original 200-unit build-to-rent apartment scheme. But there was controversy when JCD abandoned that residential project citing the financial non-viability of apartments, switching to an office project instead which was granted planning in March 2022, but never progressed, before it reverted to a residential scheme which became viable thanks to a change in government housing policy. The Railyard Gardens scheme will consist of a landmark, slender 24-storey tower on Albert Quay/Albert Street, which will step down to 12 floors and then nine floors. An area on the ground floor will be dedicated to exclusive use by both the local community and the arts. Cork City Council assistant chief executive Brian Geaney welcomed the funding approval. The city official, who guided the Railyard Gardens scheme through the Part 8 process, described it as 'a game changer' for that side of the city centre. 'In addition to providing much-needed accommodation for a young workforce, it is adjacent to all transport hubs—it truly ticks all the boxes,' he said. 'Our collaborations with Clúid Housing and the pioneering investment by JCD Developments have been instrumental in modernising Cork, and this project sets a new benchmark for city centre living in the gateway to the Docklands.' In relation to the Creamfields scheme, he said the project's "scale and ambition" will "make a significant impact on our housing landscape".
United News of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Bangladesh: Thousands of BNP youth members demonstrate in Dhaka
Dhaka, May 28 (UNI) Thousands of youth activists from three major affiliate organisations of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party)—Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—convened in Dhaka's Nayapaltan to hold a mass demonstration demanding the restoration of political rights for young Bangladeshis. The rally, themed 'Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth', marks the climax of an eight-day campaign spanning four divisions. The procession was kickstarted by cultural performances and recitations from the Quran, as crowds began gathering in early morning hours. Participants from Dhaka, Sylhet, Faridpur, and Mymensingh flooded the capital, parading with party flags, banners, and portraits of BNP founder and the country's former leader, President Ziaur Rahman, BNP Chairperson and former PM Khaleda Zia, and the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reports The Daily Star. A massive stage was erected opposite BNP's central office served as the rally's focal point, with loudspeakers installed across the area to reach the massive crowd. The mass political procession brought all traffic to a halt in the capital, as key intersections became rally points broadcasting speeches live from the stage. 'This is more than just a political programme,' said SM Jilani, President of Swechchhasebak Dal. 'It's a youth awakening. We expect over 1.5 million participants.' BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was set to join virtually as chief guest, alongside senior leaders including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed. His speech is expected to outline the party's roadmap for youth political empowerment. 'Young people can no longer speak freely or vote,' said JCD leader Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahiya. 'This rally transforms our silent frustration into a united voice.' Abdul Gaffar, a Chhatra Dal activist, echoed the urgency: 'There are 3.5 crore voters aged 18 to 33. Without their right to vote, there is no democracy. We demand elections under a neutral government—and we demand it now.' The BNP's youth rally in Dhaka underscores its demand for a non-partisan interim government, amid growing feelings of political and youth disenfranchisement. This comes in the wake of the party's growing hostilities with the Yunus administration due to its lack of an election roadmap, and many of its unfulfilled promises. UNI ANV SSP
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Dhaka University student stabbed to death near campus gate, BNP demands VC's resignation
Dhaka: Shahriar Alam Samya, a Dhaka University student and leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was stabbed to death following an altercation due to a motorbike collision. Several leaders and activists of the BNP and JCD on Wednesday staged a protest procession in response to the murder of Alam Samya. The protesting leaders demanded the resignation of the university's Vice-Chancellor and Proctor over the incident. Alam Samya, a student of the Education and Research department of the university, was murdered in Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan, just a short distance away from the campus gate, on Tuesday night, local media reported. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Wednesday morning confirmed the incident and announced that they have arrested three individuals in connection with the murder. Meanwhile, speaking at the protest rally, JCD's Dhaka University unit President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon alleged that the Vice-Chancellor and Proctor failed to ensure safety for the students in the university. The protesting leaders raised slogans such as 'One point, one demand, VC's resignation', 'My brother's body is lying, what is the administration doing', 'Two murders in nine months, VC-Proctor's many virtues'. "We are requesting the government to remove this VC and proctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will be forced to remove this interim government," Bangladeshi leading daily Prothom Alo reported, quoting a student, Ganesh Chandra Roy, as saying. Addressing the rally, JCD leader Nasir Uddin Nasir said the interim government was not appointed to serve the interests of any particular group. Additionally, the students of the Education and Research department of the university announced a class boycott on May 15 and called on the students to gather at VC Chattar to demand justice for the killing of their classmate and to ensure safety on campus. In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in student protest movements under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government amid a deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Jordan Times
JCD foils attempt to smuggle 16kg of marijuana at Queen Alia Airport
The Jordan Customs Department (JCD), in cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) and security agencies, on Sunday thwarts an attempt to smuggle 16 kilogrammes of marijuana through Queen Alia International Airport's passenger terminal (Petra photo) AMMAN — The Jordan Customs Department (JCD), in cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) and security agencies, on Sunday thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 kilogrammes of marijuana through Queen Alia International Airport's passenger terminal. In a statement, the JCD said that a passenger of East Asian nationality, arriving from an Arab country, was flagged as suspicious by customs and security personnel. A detailed search of the individual's luggage revealed a quantity of marijuana concealed in their belongings. The suspect was immediately arrested, and the narcotics were handed over to the AND for further legal action. Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the JCD emphasised its continued readiness to combat the smuggling of prohibited or harmful substances in cooperation with security agencies at all border crossings.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: JCD processes over 950,000 customs declarations in 2024 — Director-general
AMMAN: Faced with a 'record-breaking' volume of customs activity, Jordan Customs Department (JCD) is undergoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and investor confidence, JCD Director-General Maj. Gen. Ahmad Akalik said on Wednesday. Speaking at a government communications forum titled "Achievements of the Jordan Customs Department", Akalik said that the department processed more than 950,000 customs declarations in 2024, figures he described as a "compelling reason" to adopt new working methods in line with the best global practices and digital transformation. "These changes are not cosmetic. They reflect His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to modernise public services and empower the private sector," he said as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Akalik revealed that 91 per cent of tariff lines are fully or partially exempted from customs duties, mainly raw materials that are essential for local production, noting that only 9 per cent of items are subject to tariffs ranging from 0 to 25 per cent, and national exports are completely exempted. "These exemptions aim at reducing production costs, increasing competitiveness and creating a more attractive environment for local and foreign investment," he said, stressing that the remaining tariffs are structured to protect domestic industries. He also highlighted that the JCD continues to regularly review its policies to align them with national development goals, highlighting that the reforms are part of a broader economic modernisation drive aimed at positioning Jordan as a 'productive, export-oriented' economy. Addressing speculation about the reopening of the Ramtha customs centre, Akalik pointed out that any decision would have to be coordinated with Syrian authorities and that the issue was not currently under consideration. He also noted that the old Amman Customs Centre has not been completely vacated, with some departments, such as foreign vehicle registration and customs licensing, still operating on site. Highlighting the department's efforts to banking on infrastructure upgrades and technological innovation to cement Jordan's position as a regional logistics hub, he said that the new Amman Customs Centre in Madouneh, which covers 950 dunums, can accommodate inspections of up to 192 trucks at a time and features 'state-of-the-art' AI-driven systems. Akalik added that the changes will also benefit Jordan's development and industrial zones, whose products will now be treated as national goods, simplifying market access and reducing logistical bottlenecks. Among the most significant reforms are amendments to the Customs Law, which will shift from a pre-clearance inspection model to post-clearance audits, the director-general said. This shift will allow compliant traders to obtain immediate release of goods while preserving the authority of the department to verify documentation at a later date, a move Akalik described as a "game changer" for trade facilitation. The department is also using artificial intelligence to improve risk management, analyse data and replace manual inspections with remote monitoring systems, he said. According to Akalik, this move is crucial to improving transparency and closing the door to fraud and manipulation. Noting that the JCD has already received international recognition for its efforts, he said that the department won the King Abdullah II Excellence Award for e-services, and the World Customs Organisation has adopted its model as a global reference. Despite the progress, Akalik acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges is changing the culture around customs operations within the department and among stakeholders. He noted that to address this, the department plans to launch public awareness campaigns to explain the benefits of the new systems. Supporting the department's vision, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communications Zaid Nawaisah said that the JCD has emerged as a national leader in streamlining trade, stimulating the economy and promoting a fair business environment. "The ministry has a critical role to play in highlighting these successes and building public confidence in government institutions," Nawaisah added. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
