Latest news with #NPD
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
N81 upgrade in west Wicklow at risk of facing further delays
Fine Gael TD Edward Timmins highlighted a range of studies which have identified the N81 as 'one of the most dangerous roads in the country.' He outlined to the chamber that a preferred route option for an upgrade had been selected but was shelved in 2018 and called for its reinstatement in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP). 'The N81 is the only national road out of Dublin that has never been upgraded,' Timmins said. 'This needs to be put into the national development plan, NDP. I ask that it be considered for inclusion in the new NDP.' In response, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said several safety measures have already been introduced or are in the process of being delivered. These include €400,000 in funding for a realignment project near Stratford-on-Slaney; appointment of technical advisers to progress the scheme through planning; traffic-calming works near Hollywood village; and smaller interventions at Blessington and Baltinglass. Deputy Chambers confirmed that further decisions regarding the N81's inclusion in the new NDP would be made by Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien. Minister O'Brien previously told Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady that the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood upgrade was not included among the projects identified in the updated NPD that was published in 2021. 'As such, until a full review takes place, the advancement of the proposed scheme cannot be accommodated in the National Roads Programme.' The scheme was not included in projects identified in 2019 for development during the 2018-2027 period of the NDP, meaning it will face delays until at least 2027. Meanwhile Baltinglass Municipal District Councillors have called on their fellow local representatives to lobby for the upgrading of the road along the preferred route. Speaking during the July monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Avril Cronin said the council need to fight the corner of the people in west Wicklow and ensure that the N81 gets back on the agenda. 'Sometimes it feels like we are fighting a losing battle here and I would hope that we have the support of management and that a submission has also been made in relation to that review.' 'I along with Councillor Patsy Glennon are members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and we put forward a submission to try and get the N81 back on the table. It's something that the six councillors in the Baltinglass Municipal District raised time and time again.' Cllr Glennon echoed those sentiments calling on the council executive team to get behind it and get something moving on it. 'We get tired of listening about congestion on the N11. I know it is a big fact for lots of our colleagues here, but we don't seem to get fair traction for our problems out our side.' In response, Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O'Gorman said they will push for the upgrade to be included as part of the plan 'We have consulted with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. We are very happy to support the submission and delighted to have it included and we will push for that inclusion as well ourselves. It is important. The N81 is a national primary route on paper and on paper alone so changes need to happen to it.' 'I think it is hugely important that the N81 is upgraded and brought to a standard that is reasonable, you know the same standard as the other national routes in the county.' she added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Customs officials accused of illegally selling luxury smuggled vehicles
KARACHI: Customs officials have allegedly sold hundreds of high-end luxury smuggled vehicles worth billions by illegally declaring them as 'auctioned vehicles'. This high-magnitude corruption scandal has jolted the Pakistan customs, as hundreds of high-end luxury smuggled/Non-Duty-Paid (NPD) vehicles worth billions have allegedly been sold illegally by a network involving customs officials, car dealers, and high-influential figures. According to documents exclusively available to the Daily Business Recorder, smuggled/NPD vehicles, which should have been auctioned after paying proper duties and taxes, were instead sold directly in the market in collusion with customs officials. Smuggled vehicles: FBR says there's no amnesty scheme in the offing The scandal came to the surface when the Directorate General of Reforms & Automation (Customs), Karachi, sent an alarming incident report on July 9, 2025, to the Customs Operations Wings (COW), highlighting systematic data manipulation in the WeBOC system. The report revealed that data manipulation was conducted through user IDs of Assistant Collectors and Deputy Collectors, allowing hundreds of luxury smuggled vehicles to leave customs premises without fulfilling legal obligations. The Directorate has scrutinized the data of over 1,900 smuggled/ NPD vehicles. Of these, approximately 350 high-end luxury vehicles that were never actually auctioned and had no duties or taxes collected were fraudulently entered as 'auctioned vehicles' in the WeBOC system. Sources confirmed that this was not an isolated incident, suggesting a deep-rooted influential network connected with customs officials from multiple FBR collectorates. While intelligence departments have put the collectorates in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala on radar, these vehicles have disappeared from the Multan collectorate, sources informed. Sources were of the view that this illicit activity was conducted in phases over several months, with vehicles first being removed from customs premises and sold secretly. Subsequently, fake bidder details were entered into the system to create fraudulent auction records, enabling the issuance of customs auction documents required for excise registration, they added. 'This crime was done in phases and took months, but it was astonishingly not noticed,' sources said, pointing to a systematic nature of the corruption. 'Although the COW has directed the concerned collectorates and field formations to expedite the recovery process, no single vehicle could be seized as the department has no mechanism to track and trace the vehicles, which were cleared as auctioned vehicles,' sources said. The situation is further complicated by the fact that all of these vehicles have now been registered with provincial excise departments against the illegally obtained customs auction documents. Therefore, these vehicles are now legally registered in provincial excise departments, and any forced confiscation could result in court battles, as these vehicles have now appeared to be owned by 'genuine buyers'. Although one female Deputy Collector has reportedly been suspended in connection with the case, sources ruled out the possibility that this large-scale scandal involving around 350 vehicles could be facilitated by a single officer. 'The suspended official is being made a scapegoat for what requires a well-organized network spanning multiple levels of the customs hierarchy,' sources said, urging the FBR to address internal systemic issues before launching crackdowns against car dealers and buyers who may have unknowingly purchased these vehicles. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
New Paper
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Paper
NDP 2025: Leopard tank that hit traffic light to return to mobile column after fault identified
A Leopard tank went momentarily out of control during a National Day Parade (NDP) National Education show on July 5 will resume its role in the NPD mobile column and heartland celebrations. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef), in a statement on July 11 after the Singapore Army concluded its investigations into the matter, said the incident happened because an internal component within the transmission had malfunctioned. This resulted in a loss of transmission oil pressure, causing the tank to experience a partial loss in its steering and braking power. The tank was found to have sustained no major damage and the traffic light has since been repaired. The cause of the malfunction was traced to a failure in the channel taking the transmission fluid to the service brake, Mindef added. The tank operator, a full-time national serviceman, responded according to standard procedures and activated the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. The Leopard 2SG main battle tank, which features in the NDP mobile column, hit a traffic light on July 5 while making a turn near Parliament House and the Supreme Court. The incident took place at about 7.20pm in North Bridge Road, just after the mobile column segment of the show had ended. The tank was moving within the 20kmh speed limit inside a cordoned area, and no injuries were reported. The next day, Mindef said the vehicle had experienced a technical issue which resulted in the accident. In video footage of the incident, put up later that day on the SGRV Facebook page, the tank can be seen making a right turn before hitting the traffic light, leaving it slightly askew. The clip was widely watched online, racking up nearly half a million views overnight. Several people online speculated that the cause could be a mechanical fault, including a possible steering issue. Preliminary findings on July 8 said a "faulty component" caused the tank to lose both steering and braking power. Colonel David Kwek, co-chairman of the NDP 2025 Heartland Celebrations Committee, said the issue was linked to "an isolated component" in the Leopard 2SG, and that safety checks are ongoing. Mindef, on July 11, said this is the first time the army has experienced such a fault in its Leopard 2SG fleet. The affected tank underwent standard checks before deployment and no issues were detected. The ministry said: "Comprehensive checks performed across the L2SG fleet since the incident have determined that it was an isolated one." Renk, the German manufacturer of the tank's transmission system, said the malfunction had not previously occurred in its systems. It will work with the army to establish a maintenance regime for the affected component. All transmissions in the fleet have since been verified to be in good working order.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- New York Post
Ronald McDonald statue stolen from Pa. McDonald's in broad daylight: ‘This was a full-blown McNapping'
He was McFlurried away. åA statue of Ronald McDonald was stolen in broad daylight from a sleepy Pennsylvania town's only McDonald's, leaving local police trying to track down the suspects in the devious 'McNapping.' The lost effigy depicts the famed smiling redhead kneeling in his bright-yellow uniform, according to surveillance footage released by the Nesquehoning Police Department. Advertisement 3 Four young suspects McFlurried off with the statue of Ronald McDonald, as captured on surveillance footage. Nesquehoning Police Department 'We're not clowning around. This was a full-blown McNapping. Ronald was last seen smiling, as usual, unaware of the betrayal. Witnesses say he didn't even put up a fight,' the NPD wrote on Facebook. 'To the suspects: We get it — times are tough, and therapy is expensive. But kidnapping a plastic icon of joy? That's a McFelony.' Advertisement Police are urging the public to keep an eye out for the long-lost Ronald 'maybe at a party, passenger seat of a car, or sitting awkwardly in someone's yard.' 3 The suspects left in a black car with an unreadable license plate. Nesquehoning Police Department The young suspects were captured on surveillance footage fleeing the scene in a black car without a readable license plate. Few McDonald's still feature the fast-food giant's old mascots. Many across the country were modernized over the past decade, which included the removal of Ronald McDonald and others like Grimace, who shot back up to popularity in 2022 after the release of a milkshake in his honor. Advertisement The occasional hangry burglar loves to mess around with the idols. 3 'That's a McFelony,' the Nesquehoning Police Department said. Nesquehoning Police Department In 2017, a pair of 'hamburglars' stole a life-sized McDonald's statue from one of the restaurants in New Jersey. Before that, someone decapitated Ronald and sawed off the statue's feet in Vermont. Advertisement In 2019, one wannabe artist crucified the adored mascot and called the work 'McJesus' — accidentally sparking a religious uproar in Israel. A whole riot broke out as disgruntled Christians demanded that the crucifix be removed, firebombing three police officers in the process. Coincidentally, an identical statue of Ronald is being sold on eBay for $2,500 with a pickup location listed in Langhorne, Pennsylvania — just an hour outside of Nesquehoning. The McMystery continues …
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Fitness Coach Reveals Spiritual Narcissism Red Flags To Watch Out For
Spiritual narcissism can be both captivating and toxic, leaving those around them feeling drained, confused, and even spiritually wounded. The path to spiritual enlightenment is often paved with good intentions, but what happens when the pursuit of higher consciousness becomes a tool for arrogance? When spiritual practices and teachings are used to fuel the ego rather than transcend it, spiritual narcissism can take root. This phenomenon can be both captivating and toxic, leaving those around them feeling drained, confused, and even spiritually wounded. In a post shared on Instagram, fitness coach Luke Coutinho explained the meaning of spiritual narcissism. He wrote, "A spiritual narcissist is someone who uses spiritual or religious beliefs and practices to boost their ego, gain power, control, or admiration, and often to feel superior to others. Unlike genuine spirituality, which emphasises humility, empathy, and connection, spiritual narcissism is marked by self-centeredness disguised as enlightenment." The fitness coach added that spiritual narcissism is not the same as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is a clinical diagnosis. It is rather a "pattern of behaviour that can occur in anyone, especially in spiritual or religious contexts." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luke Coutinho - Official (@luke_coutinho) Traits to identify a spiritual narcissist 1. Superiority complex They act as if they are more spiritually advanced, looking down on others who don't share their beliefs or practices. For example, they might criticise you for not following their specific spiritual diet or meditation routine, claiming it's essential for health or enlightenment. 2. Attention-seeking behaviour They constantly highlight their spiritual achievements (e.g., posting about meditation retreats or spiritual experiences on social media) to gain admiration. They may dominate spiritual gatherings, needing to be the centre of attention. 3. Lack of empathy masked as detachment They dismiss others' emotions, telling them to 'let go' or 'rise above' feelings. They show little genuine compassion instead of offering understanding and support. 4. Manipulation using spiritual language They use spiritual jargon or concepts to control or justify harmful actions, such as shaming others for not following their advice or claiming divine authority. 5. Hypocrisy and resistance to accountability They preach humility or compassion but act arrogantly and reject criticism. They may get defensive or angry when challenged spiritually, claiming their spiritual status exempts them. What can you do? 1. Limit interactions and clearly communicate what is acceptable. Be firm yet respectful. 2. Stay calm and avoid reacting to their provocations or attempts to make you feel inferior. Focus on your own path and your beliefs, taking advice from those who respect and understand you. 3. Seek support, trust your instincts and avoid vulnerable settings. Be cautious in spiritual or wellness groups where narcissists may exploit seekers. 4. Never allow a spiritual narcissist to demean or control, manipulate you in a relationship, work, business or love. Keep these pointers in mind to stray clear of spiritual narcissists. Listen to the latest songs, only on Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
