Latest news with #Chambers
Scoop
35 minutes ago
- Scoop
New Beat Team For Rotorua And One Year Anniversary Of Community Beat Teams
Rotorua has a team of six Police starting on the beat across the CBD. 'Rotorua is launching their first beat team and later in the quarter we will see other beat teams operating across the Bay of Plenty and other districts,' says Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. The city becomes the fifth to have a dedicated beat team. 'The public and retailers have welcomed the beat teams in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and other centres will benefit from them too. A beat team has also just been launched in New Plymouth. 'We know that certain crime types have gone down in the areas beat teams operate. That shows the impact visible policing has. We want to see other communities experience that too. 'While the results from the first year of beat teams are encouraging, it is also clear ongoing focus is needed to drive down theft and violent crime. This remains a priority for Police,' says Commissioner Chambers. Crime reductions by beat location of the last 12 months to April 2025 compared with previous 12 months: • Auckland has seen a reduction in assault by 9%, theft by 21%, and robbery by 25% • Wellington has seen a reduction in sexual assault by 21%, robbery by 22% and unlawful entry by 7% • Christchurch has seen a huge reduction in robbery of 67%, unlawful entry by 29% and sexual assault by 16%. 'It's great to see hard work from our staff is paying off and I expect to see similar results around the country as more teams roll out,' says Commissioner Chambers. The three new beat teams have done 14,108 hours of foot patrols on the beat since starting in July last year to end of April this year. This is an increase of 189% from the same period in 2023-2024. Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says it's great to be starting a team in Rotorua. 'We have already done a lot of work with our partners over the recent years to improve safety in our city. With the Rotorua Lakes Council and Māori wardens we created a CBD safety plan that has already shown results for the people and businesses in our city. 'Now we'll have a beat team to support this ongoing work to keep our residents, retailers, and businesses safe.' 'We all know we face some complex issues in our city which require a joint approach of agencies, iwi, and community groups working together to solve them. For our part, we want to ensure everyone who comes into our city feels safe – whether they live here, work here, or are visiting. I'm feeling really excited about having our team in place and I'm already looking forward to the next teams we'll roll out,' says Superintendent Anderson.
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
No decision yet to revert student fees to €3,000
Tánaiste Simon Harris has told the Fine Gael parliamentary party that no decision has been made to return student contribution fees to €3,000 for a full college year. The Fine Gael leader said that any support for students will have to be part of the regular budget package. On Sunday, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless said that "as things stand" third level students will have to pay an extra €1,000 in fees this year compared to last year, which would see the contribution return to a figure of €3,000. Mr Lawless said that last year's reduction was a part of a cost of living package that included other supports. Mr Harris this evening pointed to the Programme for Government saying that student contribution fees will be reduced over the Government's lifetime to ease the financial burden on students and families. He said that not having a separate cost of living package does not equate to not helping people with the cost of living. Mr Lawless this evening told a meeting of his parliamentary party tonight that most of the student initiatives in previous years were funded from one-off measures which meant he had to start now from a low funding base. He said he would be making the case across budget negotiations for the best possible outcome for students to make up these shortfalls, adding that he wanted to overhaul student supports and to address the cost of college for all. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil earlier this afternoon that parents need to know what student fees they will have to pay in September. Ms McDonald said that the Government had no problem upping the pay of executives at bailed out banks and that of its own junior ministers, but it pleads the poor mouth when it comes to students. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said that any changes to fees would be made in a sustainable and permanent way. He confirmed that Mr Lawless will engage with stakeholders and bring forward options. The Government has to be cautious, Mr Chambers said, given the "uncertainty around us" and just like in previous years, final decisions will be taken in the next budget. He added that ministers are aware of the pressure that families are under and they want to make public services more affordable. Govt 'just doesn't get it' - Social Democrats Social Democrats' acting leader Cian O'Callaghan claimed the Government is in "complete disarray" over third level fees and that any change is part of the budgetary process is a "spin" that "nobody is buying". He said that Mr Chambers did not tell people during the general election campaign that a vote for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would be one to increase college fees. "Your Government promised to continue to reduce student fees and you're now threatening to break the promise and increase them by a whopping 50%," Mr O'Callaghan said. "It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Government just doesn't get it. You don't get the immense pressure on students an families from soaring costs." Households' budgets rely on a promise to reduce student costs, Mr O'Callaghan added. Mr Chambers responded, saying that budgetary planning cannot be dismissed as it is an "important part of how Government operates and how politics should operate". He acknowledged the pressure that many families are under and decisions will then be made around affordability of public services, including further and higher education. Mr Chambers said the Government is moving away from once-off measures towards "continued and permanent" changes.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
AP Chambers seeks Centre's support for tourism projects in AP
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) presented a proposal to Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during his visit to Vijayawada on Thursday. The minister welcomed the ideas and invited a delegation to meet him in New Delhi to discuss them further. AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao noted Andhra Pradesh's prime location, extensive coastline, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual tourism sites, positioning the state as a strong tourism hub. The Chambers urged the Union government to fund key tourism projects in the state. Rao proposed a coastal beach corridor between Suryalanka (Bapatla District) and Vodarevu (Chirala, Prakasam District), a 10-km stretch with 40-50 mid-scale resorts owned by local entrepreneurs. Without a proper beach road, development is limited. A new road could attract 20-25 high-end resorts, transforming the area into a Mini Goa-like destination. Rao suggested promoting Visakhapatnam as the 'Gateway to Andhra Pradesh' through government marketing efforts. He recommended an 'Open Sky Policy' for Visakhapatnam International Airport with a hub-and-spoke model to increase tourist arrivals. Visakhapatnam beach should gain 'Beach Destination' status alongside Goa and Kovalam in the Union Ministry of Tourism's 'Incredible India' campaign. The Chambers proposed developing Manginapudi Beach at Machilipatnam as a beachfront tourism destination under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, aligning with the upcoming Machilipatnam Greenfield Port and modern Fishing Harbour to boost connectivity and tourism. Monuments and natural sites like Lepakshi Group of Temples, Gandikota Grand Canyon and Fort, Belum Caves, Guntupalli Group of Monuments, and Salihundam Group of Buddhist Monuments could attract UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Chambers urged the Union government to pursue these designations. Major pilgrimage sites like Tirupati, Srisailam, Simhachalam, and Amaravati need focused promotion under the PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes. Rao proposed developing the 'Indrakeeladri-Berm Park-Bhavani Island' area in Vijayawada as a Riverfront Mega Tourism Hub, integrating spiritual, wellness, adventure, culinary, ropeway, boating, and water fleet components with the Amaravati Capital Region. The Chambers also suggested a 'Visakhapatnam-Bhimili-Bhogapuram beachfront corridor' as a Mega Beachfront Tourism Corridor with central funding, aligning with ongoing tourism infrastructure upgrades in the north coastal region. Finally, the 'Godavari Riverfront Districts' could become a 'Konaseema Agri and Rural Tourism Corridor' with central financial support, leveraging the ecotourism potential of the Godavari River and its tributaries.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AP Chambers seeks central support for tourism projects in state
Vijayawada: The AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation sought unconditional support of the Union govt for the development of various tourism projects across Andhra Pradesh. In this regard, the AP Chambers representatives submitted a representation to Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighting the vast tourism potential of the state. They detailed the support needed from the Centre for the development of tourism in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to Vijayawada on Thursday. In its representation, the AP Chambers urged the Centre to support the following key tourism projects in the state through adequate financial support. The Chambers urged the Union govt to develop a Coastal Beach Corridor between Suryalanka in Bapatla district and Vodarevu in Chirala of Prakasam district as this coastal stretch has immense potential for tourism-driven growth. This 10-km beach stretch is home to 40-50 mid-scale resorts (MSMEs) by local entrepreneurs. However, there is no proper beach road connecting the beaches in the region. The Chambers requested the development of a beach road between Suryalanka and Vodarevu beaches, which has the potential to attract at least another 20 to 25 high-end resorts in this area, making this entire stretch another 'mini Goa' like destination in AP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo Subsequently, the Union govt has been urged to position and promote Visakhapatnam as the 'gateway to Andhra Pradesh' by all modes of promotion, marketing, and publicity by the govt. The Union govt should accord an 'open sky policy' for Visakhapatnam international airport with a hub & spoke strategy, which will boost tourist inflow into the state phenomenally. The Centre was also urged to provide beach destination status to Visakhapatnam. Other tourism development projects included the development of Manginapudi beach at Machilipatnam as a 'beachfront tourism destination' under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme, in tune with the upcoming development projects in the region, 'Machilipatnam greenfield port' and an ultra-modern 'Machilipatnam fishing harbour', which will significantly enhance the connectivity and tourism potential of the region. The AP Chambers further pushed the Union govt to secure the UNESCO World Heritage Site tags for Lepakshi Group of Temples, Gandikota Grand Canyon & Fort, Belum Caves, Guntupalli group of monuments, Salihundam group of Buddhist monuments, and others which have the best chances for securing the UNESCO tag from the state. Further, the Chambers urged the govt for the development of "Indrakeeladri-Berm Park-Bhavani Island" as a 'riverfront mega tourism hub' in Vijayawada, the development of the 'Visakhapatnam-Bhimili-Bhogapuram beachfront corridor' as a 'mega beachfront Tourism Corridor', and the development of 'Godavari riverfront districts' as a 'Konaseema agri & rural tourism corridor' with central financial assistance.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Jake Paul's trainer admits he REFUSED to coach YouTube star at first… and reveals what convinced him to make U-turn
JAKE PAUL has put his boxing career into the hands of esteemed trainer Theo Chambers - the man who once wanted nothing to do with him. Chambers - nicknamed Third - comes from the legendary Kronk gym in Detroit - made famous by iconic trainer Emanuel Steward. 5 Jake Paul training with coach Theo Chambers 5 Chambers initially refused to work with Jake Paul 5 J'Leon Love, middle, introduced Chambers and Jake Paul The coach has worked with world champions like Andre Dirrell and Cornelius Bundrage - and most importantly J'Leon Love. Love - a former super-middleweight contender from Floyd Mayweather's Las Vegas gym - has been part of Paul's camp since his professional debut. And the assistant coach tried to recruit Chambers to join the YouTuber-turned-boxer's team. But Chambers told SunSport: "I said no! I was training world class fighters, ranked fighters. READ MORE IN BOXING PAUL OVER Furious Jake Paul storms out of Piers Morgan interview after fiery on-air row "I mean, at the time when he said YouTube, I didn't even know what that meant. And then when I actually found out what it meant, then I really wasn't." Eventually, Love persuaded Chambers to watch Paul's 2022 victory over UFC legend Anderson Silva. And after Paul took Tyson Fury's brother Tommy the distance a year later - despite losing a split-decision - he was convinced to accept the gig. Chambers said: "Every fight that Jake had, J'Leon was there so he would always call me before the fights. 'Hey, watch it on TV, watch it, watch it.' CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "And you know, because I love J'Leon, he's my brother and I've been training him since he was 15 years old, so I watched the kid. "And it ain't so much me looking at skill-wise, it's where's his heart? Where's his passion at to even be a boxer. Jake Paul vows to send Julio Cesar Chavez Jr into sad boxing retirement and goads 'I'll be there for you' "But when he fought Anderson Silva, that's what let me know that he had it in him. "Then when he fought Fury, even, even in his loss with Fury with me he won. "So then when they came back around to me, 'Would you train Jake?' I said yes I will train Jake." Paul parted ways with former coaches BJ Flores and Danny Smith after defeat to Fury - with Chambers hired as the replacement. He has cornered Paul to five victories on the spin since - most recently against Mike Tyson who controversially came out of retirement aged 58 in November. Paul, 28, now returns on Saturday against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, back down at cruiserweight. Victory could see Paul handed a shock WBC ranking - putting him in line to challenge for Badou Jack's belt. Chambers said: "I like to be challenged. So I like my guys to be challenged. These MMA guys, they do not stand a chance with Jake Paul. "So I would like to see him fight guys like Chavez, guys like Badou Jack." 5 Jake Paul facing off with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Credit: Getty
