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Hamilton Spectator
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Stephen looks to save the International Homecoming Parade
St. Stephen's portion of the International Homecoming Festival parade remains in limbo as the municipality seeks more entries as a last ditch effort to save it. According to Kevin Sumner, the Municipal District of St. Stephen's (MDSS) community services director, the registration date had passed for floats. 'We've seen, as [we did] last year, a significant decrease in the number even from last year,' he said to the council. 'We had some comments last year. There was a lot of positives about, but there were a lot of negatives about it.' The festival brings together St. Stephen and Calais – celebrating the area's unique connection between Canada and the United States, with events taking place on both sides of the border. It has gone on since 1974. 'The downside is if this doesn't happen, it's unlikely that it will be able to come back. Its almost been grandfathered in, quite a unique situation,' he said. Sumner said Michelle Vest – the town's events coordinator – and Patti Anderson have been making calls, sending out emails and posts on social media, but haven't been successful in getting the numbers needed to run the parade. 'It's completely opposite [of] the Santa parade in December,' he said. 'We're seeing 55-plus floats coming out. In summer time, people are busy.' 'It needs something and we're not seeing that right now,' he said. The council was asked to consider cancelling the parade last week at a regular council meeting ahead of an Alertable posted Saturday, asking for more entries. It said it was investigating the possibility of allowing the parade to move forward. Deputy Mayor Ghislane Wheaton said some people have felt crossing the border is too complicated and they are choosing not to be apart of the parade. 'This has happened both on the American side and this side,' she said. 'It's very sad to see it go but I think it would be very small this year.' Coun. Wade Greenlaw asked whether the request was to cancel for this year only. But Sumner said it is only for this year, but U.S. customs has told them it likely will not be allowed again if it is stopped. The Courier has reached out to the U.S. Customs and Border Agency for comment and is awaiting a response. Coun. Emily Rodas said Calais and St. Stephen have both wanted to maintain a close friendship despite the greater exterior political climate. Canada and the U.S. are ensnared in a trade-war, which continues to escalate under Donald Trump's administration. It has meant tensions between the two countries and a high numbers of Canadians choosing not to cross the border. 'For me, I think it speaks to just a larger desire to maintain a strong connection between two countries even in the face of all the hardship happening around it,' Rodas said. She said the decision feels like a devastating one, having grown up in St. Stephen. Coun. Brian Cornish said he felt he didn't want to push the button on this too soon, saying his half a century in the area has him wanting to keep all options open. 'Keep the gates open,' he said. 'Because I feel real bad about what's going on on both sides of the border.' Mayor Allan MacEachern said this might seem like it is connected to what is happening between the two neighbouring countries, but the parade has been dying out for years. 'The only way to liven it up is talk about it here tonight,' he said. 'Maybe that'll kick start some people and understand the importance of how our communities are as one. 'We don't want to lose [something] unique.' The parade is only one aspect of the International Homecoming Festival, Wheaton explained, saying the festival will be great without the parade. The Alertable message shared on Saturday comes after a vote six-to-one to reallocate resources to a street festival. 'After hearing from numerous businesses and organizations who've expressed their willingness to step up and contribute a float, the Municipal District of St. Stephen is now prepared to investigate whether municipal resources can be dedicated to moving forward with this year's parade,' it read. The parade has 12 confirmed entries with 3 floats and nine groups made up of cars, ATVs, trucks and walkers. 'Notably, half of these entries are from our friends across the border who are excited to join us in celebration,' it read. The municipality needs 12 to 15 more entries and it is encouraging business to work together in the event that putting something together in the summer season is challenging. The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Aug. 6 at noon. 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. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Axios
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Philly picks design for new Sadie Alexander statue
Philadelphia has selected the winning design for a statue of civil rights activist Sadie Alexander. Driving the news: Vinnie Bagwell's design — "Philadelphia's First Lady of the Law: Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander" — will stand in Center City's Thomas Paine Plaza beside the Municipal Services Building, the city announced Wednesday. A city committee considered five semifinalist designs. Catch up quick: Alexander, born in 1898, was a Philadelphian who broke barriers in academia and law. She was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in economics in the U.S., and the first Black woman to graduate from Penn's Law School. Plus: She was a founding member of Philly's Commission on Human Relations and the first Black woman to serve as the city's assistant solicitor. Flashback: The city launched its plans for a statue of Alexander late last year. It's one of Mayor Cherelle Parker's long-time goals. Parker pitched the idea of a statue for Alexander in 2018 when she was city legislator, which ultimately fizzled out at the time. Zoom in: Bagwell's bronze Alexander statue will be finished with a black patina and stand 9 feet tall. It depicts Alexander the moment after she graduates from Penn, wearing a graduation robe and a straw hat adorned with flowers. Alexander holds a book on the U.S. Constitution, which is opened to the Fourteenth Amendment. The pedestal will include her quote: "The future of our nation depends upon our willingness to uphold democracy and justice for all." What they're saying: "My subjects have souls, and they're meant to be engaged," Bagwell said in a news release. Zoom out: Two more statues dedicated to historic Black women are in the works for Philly.
Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Miniscule' funding allocated to help brighten up one Tipperary town
At the July meeting of the Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, councillors were told that just €2,124 has been allocated under the Painting Enhancement Scheme. The Painting Enhancement Scheme aims to support property owners in the primary retail areas of towns to improve and enhance their properties and public areas. Grants of up to 50 per cent of the total cost of painting, up to a maximum of €500 are available to property owners to brighten up their properties under the scheme. However, the allocation for Carrick-on-Suir has been criticised as being very limited. Cllr Kieran Bourke said that the funding amount is 'miniscule' and said that painting can be an expensive job. "It seems a miniscule amount of money for a painting enhancement scheme, to get a door painted it could cost you a couple of hundred euro,' he said. The district administrator explained that funding is allocated from Tipperary County Council. "This funding is coming from the economic section and we would say that it's a maximum of €500 or 50 per cent of what you've spent, so in order to get €500, you need to have spent €1,000, if you spend less you can get up to 50 per cent,' the district administrator explained. "But you're essentially only supporting four to five people maximum in the district,' she added. Other districts across Tipperary sometimes chose to match the funding allocation in order to support more people, the meeting was told, but this hasn't been the case in Carrick-on-Suir so far. "My thoughts were to come back to you if we had a huge uptake, and say this is the uptake we have, and do we want to allocate some funds from GMA (General Municipal Allocation) if we didn't get some of the bigger projects that we needed matched funding for perhaps,' the administrator told councillors. The GMA is discretionary funding allocated to municipal district members within a local authority's draft budget. Cathaoirleach of the district David Dunne said that the issue of matched funding could be looked at if there is money remaining in the GMA, but that any funding to help towards the cost of paint is a help to property owners. "If you could get €100 or €200 worth of paint, at least it goes a little bit towards trying to do something, I know it's not a whole lot but that's what we have to deal with unfortunately,' Cllr Dunne said.
Muscat Daily
23-07-2025
- Muscat Daily
Al Manakher: A hidden gem in the heart of Jabal Akhdar
Jabal Akhdar : Tucked away in the eastern heights of Jabal Akhdar in Oman's Dakhliyah Governorate lies the picturesque village of Al Manakher, a destination celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant agricultural life. Often the first village to greet the morning sun, Al Manakher is also the first stop for travelers ascending Jabal Akhdar from the Birkat al Mouz route. Surrounded by wild flora and perennial trees like atam , but , al-'alan , and shahs , the village offers a scenic haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The locals sustain themselves through the cultivation of pomegranates, peaches, apricots, olives, and walnuts, along with livestock farming—activities that provide both sustenance and income. The lush agricultural trails that wind through the village add an element of exploration, offering visitors an immersive experience in a traditional Omani mountain lifestyle. Historical and cultural treasures abound, with seven mosques including the beautifully designed Al Bilad Mosque , and heritage landmarks like the restored Ghaba Tower and Matrah Bokbir , the largest seasonal waterfall in the area. These elements speak to the village's deeply rooted cultural and religious identity. According to Ahmed bin Hamad al Nabhani, Municipal Council member for Jabal Akhdar, Al Manakher is also well connected to nearby wilayats via several mountain roads, making it a strategic hub for hiking and eco-tourism. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has placed signposts along these routes to encourage responsible exploration and highlight the region's historical significance. Mahmoud bin Salem al Tubi, a local resident, emphasized the village's appeal as a sustainable tourism destination, especially during fruit harvest seasons and rose blooming periods. The presence of numerous springs and aflaj—such as Falaj al Manakher , Biban Spring , and Rummanah Dam —not only supports agriculture but adds to the village's natural charm. Al Manakher stands as a symbol of rural resilience and cultural richness, offering a unique experience that blends heritage, adventure, and natural splendor in one unforgettable setting.
Arab Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Now, Saudi Arabia Will Allow Expats To Own Properties
RIYADH, July 11: In a landmark policy shift aimed at boosting foreign investment, Saudi Arabia will permit non-Saudis to own real estate in designated areas across the Kingdom beginning January 2026. The move comes under a newly approved property ownership law, marking a significant milestone in the country's broader strategy to diversify its economy and strengthen the real estate sector. The decision was endorsed by the Saudi Cabinet and announced by Majed Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and Chairman of the Real Estate General Authority, who described the legislation as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's ongoing real estate reform program. Under the new framework, foreign nationals will be permitted to purchase property in specific zones, primarily in Riyadh and Jeddah, while ownership in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina will be subject to stringent regulatory conditions and additional oversight. 'The updated law is designed to expand the real estate supply, attract international investors and developers, and stimulate foreign direct investment in the Saudi market,' Al-Hogail said, adding that the legislation includes procedural safeguards to protect national interests and ensure the integrity of the housing sector. The Real Estate General Authority will play a central role in implementing the law. It will define the geographical zones open to foreign buyers and draft the accompanying executive regulations. These regulations will be made available for public consultation via the 'Istitlaa' platform within 180 days of the law's publication in the official gazette. The guidelines will detail eligibility requirements, application procedures, and compliance mechanisms, ensuring a balanced approach to economic liberalization and social responsibility. The law complements existing frameworks such as the Premium Residency Law and property ownership rights extended to GCC citizens, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia's commitment to regulatory modernization under the Vision 2030 transformation plan. By opening its property market to global investors, the Kingdom seeks to position itself as a competitive real estate destination while addressing domestic housing demand and fueling long-term economic growth.
