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Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Go ahead, binge on Fringe
Some people say government should be run more like a business — really? — but, if factors like debt and deficit matter, guess what government should be run more like? The Hamilton Fringe Festival. You read that right. On the cusp of the start of its 2025 edition, July 16 to 27, Hamilton Fringe is breathing easier with the exhalation of an outfit that just wiped out a $50,000 deficit. Such a sum of debt can represent an existential threat to an organization of its size — that deficit was brought on mostly by COVID-related challenges. But they paid it off not over the course of an arduously long austerity plan, but lickety-split — in a single year. How many can boast that? Not that that's what the Fringe is about — it's about creativity, experiment, challenge, fun, and access to all. But, says executive director Chris Stanton, the remarkable rebound is notable even more for social than fiscal achievement. It's a testament, he explains, to the Hamilton community and how valued the Fringe is to it. 'I think the real story here is that the community stepped up,' says Stanton. 'Donors came out of the woodwork and different funders. People really came through for the Fringe.' Indeed, Hamilton does love its Fringe, as the crowds illustrate, as does the volume and vibrancy of the programming. Last year, almost 18,000 people attended Hamilton Fringe, coming from all over Canada, the United States and beyond, and this year, one of the festival's biggest ever and the very biggest by some measures, promises much of the same if not more, with some new wrinkles and some alterations to old ones. To get to the actual meat of the matter, the Hamilton Fringe Festival this month will feature more than 55 performances, covering everything from sketch comedy, improv, theatre, dance, puppetry, magic, musicals and more. General information on discount Fringe buttons, ticket orders, prices, dates, times and locations of all performances and other Fringe events (including kickoff party July 16, Mills Hardware 6:30 p.m. start, and closing parties with DJs and music on Fringe Boulevard, 6 p.m. on July 27) see the Fringe website at: Physical schedules are also available at Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St. E., Ancaster; Crown and Press, 303 Ottawa St. N.; Democracy, 202 Locke St. S.; Detour Café, 41 King St. W., Dundas; Last Supper Books, 148 James St. N.; Mulberry Coffeehouse, 193 James St. N.; Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery, 1020 King St. W.; Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N.; RELAY Coffee Roasters, 27 King Wiliam St.; Tourism Hamilton, 28 James St. N., Village Coffee Roasters, 977 King St. E. 'For one thing, we have two new indie venues,' says Stanton. 'The Gasworks and the Centre for Talking Arts (156 James St. S.), with new partnerships and more players taking part than ever before.' Some of the featured plays/treatments/shows are: 'Minimum' The premier of Ontario finds himself having to live on minimum wage in this outrageous comedy by The Intergalactic Federation of Space Beers production company. 'Brown Noise.' 'Brown Noise' A mix of standup, sketch and storytelling probing the South Asian-Canadian experience from two different sides. Media Arora is first generation Canadian. Rishabh Kalra is older stock, and together they clash, connect and find laughter. 'Once Upon a Pizzeria.' 'Once Upon a Pizzeria' Hamilton's beloved Charly Chiarelli is back with a chase through the city stemming from Nonna Maria's square pizzas and her grandson being bullied because, well, pizzas are round, right? Music, visuals, audience participation. Also featuring Jay Shand. '3 Hours, 10 Minutes.' '3 Hours, 10 Minutes' Two strangers, one painting. What do they see in it? In each other? A look at connection, reflection and the power of shared experience in an age of screens and self-absorption. By Beauchemin Productions. 'Ugly Privilege.' 'Ugly Privilege' An hour of standup comedy by Vancouver comedian Jessica Pigeau featuring discussion of autism, social awkwardness, and growing up gay in rural Alberta. This is just a sampling to give a sense of the wide variety on offer, but there's so much more — as mentioned, more than 55 performances in nine stage locations (Theatre Aquarius, Mills Hardware, Players Guild of Hamilton, The Staircase, The Westdale, Hamilton Theatre Inc., Ringside and, aforementioned, The Gasworks and Centre for the Talking Arts). 'And Fringe on the Streets is back,' says Stanton, 'and we're billing it as a tour (of downtown Hamilton) unlike any other. It starts at the farmers market with performance and fun all the way up King William' to Theatre Aquarius. 'And people can hop on and off as they like and come back later.' Fringe on the Streets, free and in partnership with City of Hamilton and with support from Downtown Hamilton BIA, is an immersive walking experience punctuated with live art and performances along a 75-minute route, featuring music, burlesque, women of vaudeville behind the Tivoli, and a grand finale of dancing at King William. Some of the tour acts are Cesar C. Cordoba (accordion, keyboard, storytelling, bird puppetry); Claud Spadafora (cabaret/burlesque/theatrical comedy/storytelling): Sheep's Clothing Theatre (Pony Girls vaudeville); Flesh & Wire Co. (puppet show celebration of Elizabeth Bagshaw, Hamilton feminist icon/doctor/birth control pioneer); Devin Bateson ('Everything Is a Condo' enactment of time traveller beaming down from the future to give ghost tour of urban development); and Bloom (dance imagining of garden planted in concrete of downtown, with choreographers Skye Rogers and Vik Mudge. Tours depart the Hamilton Farmers Market, 35 York Blvd., at 3 p.m. and/or 6 p.m. most days. Check the festival's website for more, including stops along the route. Replacing single space Fringe Club of the past is this year's more expansive Fringe Boulevard, along King William and James Street North. It is a pedestrian-friendly hub of music, dance, drag, film painting and performance, sprinkled with local artisans in marketplace tents, on both the Saturdays of Fringe (19, 26) and an Indigenous marketplace on Saturday, July 26. The boulevard is designed to maximize integration of the festival with the neighbourhood and area food culture, typified by restaurants like The Mule, The French, RELAY, The Diplomat; HAMBRGR, Undefined, The Standard, Electric Diner, Parma and Piccolo, as well as other businesses and organizations along the strip. A feature of Fringe Boulevard will be the RELAY Licensed Patio, open 6 to 10:30 p.m. every night at RELAY Coffee Roasters, 27 King William St. Two other features of the festival this year: Visual Fringe Work by nine visual artists at RELAY Coffee Roasters. Film on the Fringe Short showcase competition, sponsored by the Downtown Hamilton BIA on Thursday, July 17, after 9 p.m. with entrants' films shown under the stars on Fringe Boulevard.
India.com
10-07-2025
- Science
- India.com
NEST 2025 Result OUT: Check steps to download result and eligibility criteria for admissions
Picture for representation only NEST 2025 Result Out: The result for National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) has been declared today July 10,2025. The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS) declared the result together as NEST is held for admissions in these two institutes. Candidates can access and download their results on the official website - The entrance was held on June 22 with the answer key and objection window opening between June 25 and 26. NEST 2025 Result Out: Eligibility Criteria for Admissions With no maximum age limit set, candidates need to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for admissions: ⦁ The Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) is one of the most significant factors of cut-off in the NEST 2025 Result. Students who fail to qualify MAS are not considered in the final merit list. ⦁ The candidate must pass Class 12 or any other equivalent examination in 2023 or 2024. ⦁ Candidates appearing for the exam in 2025 are also eligible for admission to the Integrated program of NISER/CEBS in 2025. ⦁ Candidate must have scored at least 60% marks (aggregate) in Class 12th from any recognized Indian Board. ⦁ Candidates from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Divyangjan categories enjoy a relaxation of 5% making the minimum required marks to 55%. ⦁ Candidate should also secure a position in the NEST 2025 merit list. NEST 2025 Result Out: Steps to Download For the convenience of students, we have mentioned the steps through which they can easily download their NSET 2025 results: Step 1. Go to the official website – Step 2. On the homepage, click on the 'NSET Result 2025' link. Step 3. Enter the asked credentials (application number/user id and password). Step 4. Click on 'Login' to view your result. Step 5. Print your marksheet for future reference. NISER, Bhubhneswar has released their merit list while University of Mumbai is expected to release their merit list soon. Candidates are advised to visit the official website for further information and any updates.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Former Andhra CM Jagan Reddy demands mango procurement at Rs 12 kg, slams Naidu govt over farmers' distress
Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded that the coalition government immediately procure the entire mango produce from farmers at Rs 12 per kilogram. Expressing solidarity with distressed cultivators, Reddy alleged that the government is using coercive methods to suppress the farmers' voices and asserted that he would continue to raise their concerns. Speaking at the Market Yard in Chittoor on Wednesday, Jagan said, 'Over 76,000 mango farmers in the region had cultivated the fruit on more than 2.20 lakh acres, yielding an estimated 6.45 lakh tonnes. However, farmers were forced to sell their produce at distress prices as they were not being offered a Minimum Support Price (MSP). He questioned why mango procurement, typically carried out in early May, was delayed this year, leading to a glut and a sharp fall in prices.' The former CM demanded, 'The government purchase the entire produce at Rs12 per kg to support the farmers. He also recalled that during the YSRCP's tenure, mango farmers had received Rs 29 per kg, and Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) had actively monitored the crop throughout the season.' He also criticised the delay in procurement this year, which he claimed reflected the inefficiency of the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition. 'In just one year, prices dropped after the coalition government took office. Usually, mango procurement should take place in early May, but this time it was not undertaken, resulting in a buildup of produce and a drastic fall in price, which highlights the Chandrababu Naidu government's inefficiency,' he added. 'It's disheartening that nowhere else in the country are farmers forced to sell their produce at a distress price of just Rs 2 per kg. Recently, the Karnataka government has sought the Centre's support to procure mangoes at Rs 16 per kg. If Karnataka could do it, what's stopping Chandrababu Naidu? Why hasn't he taken it up with the Centre to ensure fair prices for our farmers?' he questioned 'When YS Jagan comes to express solidarity with the farmers, why should there be so many restrictions, and what is wrong if farmers come to pour their woes when the situation is so bad, with no input subsidy coming and no marketing facilities or MSP being paid?' Jagan added. He further stated, 'Police harassing the farmers, arresting them and detaining over 1,200 farmers speaks of the insensitiveness of the government and YS Jagan will always be there to question the government on farmers' issue, be it mirchi, tobacco, mango or the unfulfilled election Super Six promises of Chandrababu Naidu. Likening farmers with rowdy elements is uncalled for, and the majority of the population of Chittoor district are dependent on agriculture.' Recalling the proactive approach of his government, he noted that under the YSRCP regime, RBKs ensured timely access to quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.'E-cropping was done in a proper manner. The government used to buy the produce through Markfed when the prices fell,' he said. He alleged that the current coalition has failed to ensure MSP or extend incentives to farmers, regardless of the crop. 'Under the coalition government, farmers are not getting MSP for mirchi, tobacco, mangoes, millets or any crop, and farmers are not getting the incentives due to them, he said and warned the government against taking coercive steps against those coming to the rally,' Former CM Reddy said. Responding to Jagan's remarks, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National Spokesperson Jyotsana Tirunagari launched a sharp rebuttal, accusing the YSRCP chief of political opportunism. 'Jagan Mohan Reddy, in my opinion, seems to suffer from what I would call an attention-seeking disorder. Every time he is in power, he neglects the people. And every time he is in opposition, he portrays himself as the messiah of the people. He keeps saying, 'I'm here, I'm here, I'm here,' as though only he can save the state.' She added,' If there were awards greater than the Oscars for acting, I believe Jagan Mohan Reddy would be a top contender. His performances, especially the stark contrast between his time in power and his current theatrics, are truly award-worthy.' (ANI)
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
256 individuals in emergency accommodation in Meath
At the July meeting of Meath County Council, Independent Councillor Alan Lawes called for improved fire safety measures across emergency accommodation facilities, as homelessness figures remain high both locally and nationally. Cllr Lawes raised concerns about the safety of residents living in temporary housing, saying: 'I am calling on Meath County Council to ensure that all emergency accommodation facilities have a current fire certificate.' A Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) is required for all new buildings—including apartments and flats—except for private houses and agricultural structures. It certifies that a building or works comply with Building Regulations and must be obtained before construction begins. In response, the council confirmed that a 'Minimum Standard for Emergency Accommodation' is currently being developed. 'If agreed, and where applicable, the need for a valid fire certificate can be included in the minimum criteria,' the council said. 'It is anticipated that the draft document will be presented at the next meeting of the Housing and Integration SPC.' According to Meath County Council's July management report, 256 individuals, including 122 children, were in emergency accommodation in the county at the end of May 2025. The report also noted that 71 families have been placed in short-term private rented accommodation through the Council's Settlement Team, while seven families are currently housed in Family Hubs. As of May, there were only nine emergency accommodation beds available in the county, spread across Trim, Navan, Athboy, and Drogheda. The council added that it is not the sole user of these facilities, as some property owners also work with neighbouring local authorities, including Louth, Fingal, Westmeath, and Kildare.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Navigating the Ideological Divide: The Litmus Test for Fragile GNU
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a working dinner with leaders of political parties that are signatories to the Government of National Unity (GNU) at Genadendal, the President's official residence in Cape Town on November 11, 2024. Image: GCIS Prof Dirk Kotzé South Africa's second Government of National Unity (GNU) reached its first anniversary this week. Comparisons with the GNU of 1994 were initially made, but the ensuing debates made it clear that they are not comparable. The first point of debate was whether the new multiparty government was indeed a GNU or a coalition government. For some, the distinction was merely a matter of semantics, while for others, it represented a political stance on black unity in government. The fact that the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MKP) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were not included in the new government disqualified it as a national unity government. In the meantime, this debate has petered out, mainly because the ANC and DA continue to use the name GNU. The GNU's formal foundation is very limited in nature: in essence, it is the Statement of Intent first signed by the ANC and DA, and later by the other eight parties. The Statement included ten Foundational Principles, the Basic Minimum Programme of (nine) Priorities and the GNU's Modalities or main procedural arrangements. The programme of priorities came the closest to an agreement about policy matters, though they were formulated in very general terms. Compared with new coalition governments in many parts of the world who first negotiate a coalition agreement over an extended period, a combination of sections 51 and 86 in the South African constitution determines that a new president must be elected by Parliament not more than 14 days after the results of the election were announced. That sets the maximum time available to establish a coalition of at least 50%+1 in parliament that is required to elect a president. The fact that the election of the president is linked to a parliamentary majority (and therefore in some cases a coalition) is because the president is not directly elected. The coalition also does not allow for the outgoing cabinet to continue until a new one is formed by the president but is dissolved when the new president is inaugurated (section 94) five days after the presidential election. The impact of these constitutional arrangements are lessons already learnt from the GNU's first year of existence. Given the fact that coalition governments appear to be the norm in South Africa for the foreseeable future, constitutional re-engineering might be required, because the GNU's early history demonstrated that the Constitution was not designed to include a coalition government. A potential complication for a coalition government – especially for one in a stalemate situation – is the Constitution's section 50(1)(b) which states that an early general election cannot be held within three years after the previous election. It means that no early election can be held before May 2027. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Coalition governments sometimes collapse, like the German one not long ago, and then an early election is held to form a new government. If it were to happen in South Africa before 2027, such an option would not exist. Its desirability in South Africa under new conditions should be considered. A counterintuitive consequence of the GNU's emergence is that it enhanced the prominence of Parliament. In the past, the ANC government (cabinet) dominated Parliament, especially when the opposition was small. The ANC also did not accommodate parliamentary backbenchers who could ask difficult questions. With the GNU, these dynamics are changing. Portfolio committees are now chaired by members of the GNU parties and even other small parties such as Rise Mzansi, BOSA and ActionSA. DA and other GNU parliamentarians play often the role of critical backbenchers. The official opposition (MKP) and the EFF are often vocal in debates but not necessarily an effective opposition that can enhance public accountability by the GNU executive. In this regard, the oversized 70% coalition government suffocates the parliamentary opposition. That might be one of the considerations why GNUs are normally only a one-term government arrangement. It is noteworthy that opinion surveys done by the Social Research Foundation suggest that the bigger parties in the GNU (except for the ANC) have increased their support since the May 2024 elections, while the opposition parties have lost support, notably the MKP and EFF. It suggests that the downside of the GNU already mentioned, as well as the policy differences, the GNU as a concept, is not discredited in the public mind. Despite the absence of a coalition policy agreement – or maybe because of it – policy matters have become very prominent during the GNU lifespan. South African politics are dominated by the socio-economic issues of increasing unemployment, crime, illegal immigration and transformation policies, as well as the governance issues of service delivery and corruption. In the context of the GNU, the policy issues that became prominent have been school education (BELA Act), health care (NHI Act), fiscal policies (Budget), property rights (Expropriation Act) and international relations. In the areas of home affairs, agriculture and trade & industry a process of convergence is seen. While the conventional approach for coalitions is to negotiate an agreement on policy matters, largely as a consequence of the 14-day limitation on the formation of a coalition, the alternative is a piecemeal approach to dealing with policy issues one by one as they emerge. Some of them, like the BELA Act, went to the GNU's 'clearing house' or dispute resolution mechanism, chaired by Deputy President Mashatile, and thereafter to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). The Budget issue was resolved by different negotiation and consultation processes, mainly by the ANC and DA, while other policy matters, like the BELA and NHI Acts as well as the Budget, were taken to court. The result so far is therefore an incremental development of a policy framework in the absence of a comprehensive agreement.
