Latest news with #CentralLibrary
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Adoption Of 2025/26 Annual Plan
Hamilton City Council has finalised its work programme and budget for the next financial year, progressing the projects and investment set in the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan. The 2025/26 Annual Plan includes $255.3 million of capital expenditure, almost three quarters of which will go towards transport and three waters infrastructure. Work to maintain prominent facilities will see upgrades to the Central Library, Celebrating Age Centre, and Frankton Railway Hall, while seven other community buildings will receive renewals. The new Pukete Neighbourhood House will open, and eight playgrounds across the city will be refreshed, including the Parana Park destination playground. Mayor Paula Southgate is pleased with the balance of investment in the final Annual Plan of her mayoralty. 'This is largely business as usual, given the extraordinary cost increases and pressures that we have faced,' said Mayor Southgate. 'The public can have confidence that we are working hard to maintain a balanced budget, deliver core infrastructure and deliver on community expectations.' The rates increase set for 2025/26 in the Long-Term Plan was confirmed, with an average increase of 15.5% for existing ratepayers. This keeps Council on track to balance its books (meet everyday costs with everyday revenue) in 2026/27. However, this could be impacted by the outcome of the revaluation of Council's stormwater assets. Rates for a median value residential property in 2025/26 are $3779, a weekly increase of around $9.70 from 2024/25. Rates will be structured differently in 2025/26, as separate rates are introduced for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. The separate rates are necessary under the government's Local Water Done Well legislation, as part of preparing to transition water services to IAWAI Flowing Waters from next year. The 'general rate' portion of a property's rates will be reduced in 2025/26 (by approximately 28%) to accommodate the new separate rates. The 2025/26 Annual Plan was adopted unanimously.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
It sure was a hot one: Sampling temperatures in downtown Rochester during a heat wave
It's the kind of heat that wraps around you like a blanket. A weighted, smothering blanket. But how hot was it on June 23 in Rochester? I decided to find out for myself. I went for a stroll from the Democrat and Chronicle's downtown offices to get a firsthand read on the temperatures. I had a tidy 1.5-mile route planned out with a few different stops in public spaces, armed with an indoor temperature and humidity monitor. The office was a comfortable 74 degrees, though a bit humid according to the monitor. When I stepped out onto Clinton Square, I was greeted by a blast of furnace-like heat and bright, hazy skies. For all of the days that are cloudy in Rochester — roughly 200 on average — it couldn't be this one. So I retreated to the western side of the street, enjoying some shade from tall buildings. My first stop was the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, one of the designated cooling locations in the city. While it was apparent how hot it was outside, there are public spaces to beat the heat. (Although not at any of Rochester's R-centers this week due to scheduled summer preparation.) Inside, I grabbed a desk next to some of the denizens of the George W. Cooper Doll Collection. I propped up my temperature monitor and killed some time. I wanted to spend about 15 minutes at each location to ensure it had time to acclimate to the ambient temperatures. There were a few people taking advantage of the cooler indoor space, though the library was, by and large, quiet and empty. After reading about Gov. Kathy Hochul's desire to open a new advanced nuclear facility in upstate New York somewhere and at some point in the distant future, I checked the monitor and found it was 82.6 degrees inside. So quite a bit cooler than the outside, but not the meat locker chill found in some air conditioned spaces. My next stop was Washington Square Park, which offers plenty of shade and additional seasonal seating. There were only a handful of people in the park, though the more time I spent in the outside air, the more I appreciated the gusty breeze powering through downtown. Despite the shade and healthy bit of breeze, the heat was still noticeable and oppressive, as if held at arms-length by those favorable circumstances but not gone. At the end of the waiting period, the shady wooden table I sat was still at 94 degrees. That's warmer than the official weather station temperature at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport at the time (just 91 degrees). It wasn't unpleasant to be outside moment to moment, but it was the kind of heat you could feel would weigh on you. And make no mistake, there hasn't been much respite from the heat during this particular heatwave. There were two temperature records set in Rochester on June 22, and neither was the maximum temperature. Instead, it was for high low temperature at 77 degrees (besting the previous record of 72 degrees) and average temperature at 83.5 degrees. Those warmer overnight lows are a climate change indicator and they're increasing more rapidly than daytime temperatures. There's nowhere to go from the daytime heat when the nighttime temperatures are still warm unless you have air conditioning. The humidity doesn't help, as anyone who has experienced a New York summer can attest. The June 23 humidity wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't dangerously high, either. According to the monitor, humidity hovered in the mid to upper 40s during my walk-and-stop journey. This compared favorably to the figures at the airport. Still, the heat index, a measure factoring in temperature and humidity, exceeded the air temperature. Here are the heat index figures at the stops on my walk, using the National Weather Service's heat index calculator: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County: 83.6 degrees Washington Square Park: 100 degrees Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park: 100.9 degrees Parcel 5: 99.3 degrees I walked next to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square, where the spray elements of the reflecting pool were working, including a particularly large one on the north end. A few kids were splashing in the fountain, buffeted by the geyser of water, while others floated in the shallows. Older adults stuck to the shady benches and tables, myself included, where some indirect cooling was provided by spraying or misting water. The results from the two parks were about the same in terms of heat index, an uncomfortable 100 degrees. The heat index is considered dangerous once it reaches 103 degrees, leading to heat cramps or heat exhaustion. Even short of that, anything in the 90- to 105-degree heat index space presents a risk of sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion with prolonged exposure or physical activity. Needless to say, I was taking it easy and brought water along with me. I walked past the site of the Rochester International Jazz Festival but opted against taking any readings there since the venues weren't active. By the time things heat up at the jazz festival, temperatures would cool a bit. So my final stop was Parcel 5, which remains an open expanse of grass, bordered by benches and trees. The parcel was completely empty aside from myself and I snagged a bench in the small bit of shade afforded by the trees there. The results again mirrored the shade at other parks nearby, providing a measure of relief. Though the air temperature in the shade is often the same as direct sunlight, it can feel cooler by reducing direct sun exposure and protecting you from radiant heat from nearby objects. Shade can reduce heat stress by roughly 25% to 35% throughout the day. It was hot again on June 24 and will be at other times throughout the summer, so remember to seek shade, drink water and find indoor places to cool down if you don't have access to air conditioning at home. Stay safe out there, Rochester. — Steve Howe reports on weather, climate and the Great Lakes for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Downtown Rochester was sweltering. How hot it got
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Why Reading Books Is Worth Every Penny
Central Library Cape Town Step into a world of books and discover infinite lives, wisdom and wonder bound between the pages. An invitation to wander through stories that expand the mind and stir the soul. Later, the Central Library in Cape Town became my sanctuary. It was a vast, living archive where I wandered the aisles, finding books that challenged my thoughts, held my attention, or made me rethink everything I knew. These weren't just pages; they were the remnants of lives lived, struggles faced and creativity unleashed. My journey began with a library card. School libraries were my first escape routes—no cost, no gatekeeping, just shelves brimming with ideas. I would pull out whatever caught my eye: dinosaurs one week, ancient myths the next, and then a strange novel that left me with more questions than answers. I loved that feeling of discovery. She wasn't wrong. Books often come with hefty price tags, but the value they provide is immeasurable. Reading has the power to change your life and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. ' Books are so expensive!' My friend exclaimed, her voice echoing through the bookstore as she clutched a paperback, feeling betrayed by its price. Reading connects us to people who have experienced full, complex lives. Nelson Mandela read in prison to keep his mind sharp and his spirit intact. Barack Obama credits books with helping him govern with empathy and depth. Oprah Winfrey built a movement around reading, offering stories that reflected and elevated people's experiences. Elon Musk claimed he learned how to build rockets through reading. They all understood something crucial: reading is not merely consumption; it is expansion. 'The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.' – Dr. Seuss 'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.' – George R. R. Martin Books can inspire, challenge, comfort and disrupt. They force you to slow down and offer silence when the world is loud. They ask you to pay attention—not to notifications, but to yourself. Reading sharpens your mind, fosters empathy and enhances discernment. It invites you to wrestle with complexity, history and human nature. That kind of learning is never a waste. The best part? You don't need to spend a cent. Libraries remain free, and apps like Libby or Borrow Box allow you to check out books digitally. There are second-hand bookstores, book swaps and friends with overflowing shelves. So yes, while books may be expensive, reading is one of the most generous things you can do for your mind and soul. It requires time and attention, but it rewards you with perspective, vocabulary, self-awareness and imagination. It deepens your inner world, enabling you to navigate the outer one more effectively. If you've been feeling restless or uninspired, perhaps what you need isn't more noise—it's a good book. Reading won't fix everything, but it will expand everything. And that's a very good place to start.
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
E Tiriti Through Two Lenses: A Kōrero Between Tangata Whenua And Tangata Tiriti
Whare Wānanga, Central Library, Level 2, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD Saturday 28 June 2025 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm This Matariki season, Aucklanders are invited to deepen their understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Ka mua ka muri: Moving forward with Te Tiriti o Waitangi — a timely and energising conversation between two of Aotearoa's most thoughtful commentators on Tiriti justice, education, and the evolving relationship between Māori and Pākehā. Held in the Whare Wānanga at Auckland Central Library as part of the Tāmaki Untold series, the event features Roimata Smail, author of Understanding Te Tiriti, in conversation with Avril Bell, author of Becoming Tangata Tiriti. Together, they will explore the significance of Te Tiriti in 2025: how we honour its principles, hold power to account, and move forward in partnership — ka mua, ka muri — by learning from our past. Roimata Smail (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, England, Scotland, Ireland) is a lawyer who has specialised in Te Tiriti o Waitangi for over 20 years. She represented lead claimants in the Waitangi Tribunal's WAI2575 inquiry, which led to the establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. Her commitment to public education is reflected in her Tiriti workshops ( and the creation of a free online resource for schools covering Te Tiriti, New Zealand history, te reo Māori, and financial literacy. 'What most surprises me about the response to Understanding Te Tiriti,' says Roimata, 'is how good it seems to make people feel. Even though it covers some very dark parts of our history, the consistent feedback is that it leaves people feeling hopeful, positive and energised — simply by knowing the facts.' She adds, 'It feels really special to be presenting this kōrero with Avril. Having Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti together, each bringing a different perspective and book, is exactly the kind of partnership Te Tiriti calls for.' Joining Roimata is Avril Bell, a Pākehā sociologist and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, whose work explores Pākehā identity and the long shadow of colonialism. Her latest book, Becoming Tangata Tiriti (Auckland University Press, 2024), invites Pākehā to engage in the hard but necessary work of becoming genuine Tiriti partners. 'One thing my research has taught me, is how lucky we are to have Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a guide to what our relationships might be. And, like Roimata, I have been struck by how positive and hopeful people are in response to Becoming Tangata Tiriti. There is definitely a growing understanding of how significant te Tiriti is for all of us and interest in contributing to a more positive future of Tangata Whenua-Tangata Tiriti relations.' Reflecting on the road ahead, Roimata says, 'I think what's next for Aotearoa is more of what has already begun — especially in response to the Treaty Principles Bill. People are starting to expect more from our politicians and are holding them to a higher standard, in how we treat each other and honour Te Tiriti in real, everyday ways.' This event marks Roimata's third collaboration with Auckland Libraries. 'It's always been a really positive and energising experience — great people, good kōrero,' she says. 'And this time, it's going to be fun to have a friend and partner with me for the conversation.' Avril likewise says 'I'm really looking forward to this conversation with Roimata – and those who come to the event. I love the fact that te Tiriti always gives us plenty to talk about.' Tāmaki Untold is a curated monthly talk series hosted by Auckland Libraries' Research and Heritage Services, celebrating the taonga, stories and creativity of Tāmaki Makaurau.
News18
18-06-2025
- General
- News18
Net Worth Of Over Rs 20L Cr But Smoked Cigarette Stubs Left By Guests: This Hyderabad Man Is...
Last Updated: The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, also wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, is remembered not only for his vast fortune but also for his surprisingly modest lifestyle. At one point, he was considered the richest man in India. He became the ruler of Hyderabad in 1911, following his father's death, and remained in power until 1948, when the princely state was integrated into independent India. During his 37-year reign, his wealth grew to astonishing levels. As per multiple reports, his total fortune was estimated at nearly ₹17.47 lakh crore (approximately $230 billion), putting him on par with some of the richest individuals in the world. Despite this, the Nizam was known for his frugality. He owned gold worth over $100 million and jewellery valued at $400 million. One of his most treasured possessions was the famous 185-carat Jacob Diamond, which today is estimated to be worth around Rs 1,350 crore. Still, in his personal life, he spent very little on himself. Authors Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, in their book Freedom at Midnight, wrote that the Nizam used to collect used cigarette stubs left by guests and smoke them. Not only this, he wore the same cap for 35 years and never got his clothes ironed. He also ate from old tin plates despite owning golden utensils enough to serve 200 people. He had dozens of luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces. But instead of using them, he usually travelled in an old, worn-out car. If he saw someone driving a beautiful car, he would ask them to gift it to him and most people agreed out of fear or respect. But he rarely used those cars himself. Journalist Luke Harding mentioned in The Guardian in 2001, 'A frail, tiny man, and a devout Muslim, he was notorious for his meanness — he wore the same tattered fez for 35 years, dressed in rumpled cotton pyjamas, and ate all his meals off a tin plate while sitting on a mat in his bedroom surrounded by overflowing wastepaper baskets. But he was also, back then, the richest man on the planet." But beyond his eccentric personal habits, he was also known for his contributions to Hyderabad. He helped build many public buildings like the High Court, Central Library, Assembly Hall and State Museum. He is also said to have played a key role in designing India's first airport in Hyderabad. During the 1965 war with China, he donated five tons of gold to the Indian government. No one else had made such a big donation. Mir Osman Ali Khan passed away in 1967 at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy of wealth and contributions to society.
