Latest news with #Monument
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Break it Down: Advisor leads gold growth at Genesis' small cap neighbour
Verity Resources has appointed Xirlatem and Dr Rick Gordon to oversee expansion plans at Verity's Monument Gold Project.
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Section 8 Housing Landlord Requirements in 2025: A Complete Guide for U.S. Property Owners
06/25/2025, Monument, Colorado // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // In 2025, federal housing assistance programs such as Section 8 are undergoing significant changes that will affect both landlords and tenants. As new regulations and budget adjustments roll out, property owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program must stay informed about how these changes may impact their rental operations and responsibilities. Among the proposals under review is the potential of cutting the HUD budget almost in half, which could limit voucher availability, delay payment processing, and increase reliance on state-managed housing initiatives. Landlords are advised to review program updates closely to adapt effectively and continue offering stable, affordable housing. What Is Section 8 Housing? Section 8, officially known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, provides rental assistance to low-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. Instead of living in public housing, qualified tenants can choose their own housing in the private market, and the government pays a portion of their rent directly to landlords. This differs from Section 42 housing, which ties affordability to specific units through tax credits rather than tenant-based assistance. With Section 8, tenants can move freely, and landlords retain control over screening and lease enforcement. Key Section 8 Landlord Requirements in 2025 To rent to Section 8 tenants, landlords must comply with several federal and local guidelines: 1. Pass a Health and Safety Inspection Each rental unit must meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Inspectors from the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) evaluate the property before a tenant moves in, checking for safety, functionality, and habitability. Common inspection areas include: 2. Charge a Reasonable Rent The rent you charge must be in line with similar units in the local market. The PHA conducts a comparison to ensure your rent is fair and that government funds are not being misused. 3. Sign a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract After passing inspection, landlords sign a HAP contract with the PHA to receive direct payments. You'll also sign a standard lease with the tenant outlining their obligations. 4. Participate in Ongoing Inspections Most PHAs conduct annual inspections or respond to tenant complaints. It's your responsibility to maintain the property year-round so it continues to meet HUD standards. 5. Conduct Tenant Screening While PHAs determine tenant eligibility for housing vouchers, tenant background screening is entirely the landlord's responsibility. Screening protects your property and ensures that tenants are a good fit. How to Effectively Screen Section 8 Tenants Landlords often ask how to effectively screen Section 8 tenants without violating fair housing laws. Here's how to do it right: By following these steps, you can effectively screen Section 8 tenants while complying with housing regulations and protecting your rental investment. Budget Reductions and Their Impact Recent federal proposals aimed at cutting the HUD budget almost in half would significantly alter how housing assistance is administered. If implemented, these changes could reduce the number of available vouchers, slow approval processes, and shift funding decisions to state and local governments. Proposed changes also include: Implications for Landlords and Tenants For Landlords: For Tenants: Best Practices for Navigating the Section 8 Program To stay ahead in 2025 and beyond, landlords should: Conclusion As housing assistance programs shift and budgets fluctuate, landlords must remain adaptable. While changes such as cutting the HUD budget almost in half present challenges, they also reinforce the need for smart property management, consistent tenant screening, and strong working relationships with PHAs. With proper preparation and a commitment to fair housing, landlords can continue to succeed in the Section 8 program—offering valuable support to families while protecting their own business interests. Source published by Submit Press Release >> Section 8 Housing Landlord Requirements in 2025: A Complete Guide for U.S. Property Owners
Euronews
25-06-2025
- Euronews
Fact-checking claims about the 'panther' on the loose in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has been on high alert in recent days following the alleged sighting of a large black cat or "panther" in the eastern city of Shumen. Authorities began searching for the animal after a video appeared on social media showing a black silhouette with a tail roaming a park near the Monument to the Founders of the Bulgarian State. Paw prints and the remains of prey were also reportedly spotted near the monument. Such big cats generally feed off animals like rodents and deer and while there have been reported wild black cat attacks on humans in Europe before, they are unverified. Regardless, the situation in Bulgaria has prompted a stream of images, memes and dubious claims online worthy of debunking. To begin with, yes, Bulgarian authorities really do suspect that a large, black cat is on the loose. According to Euronews' Bulgarian service, regional police in Shumen have warned against visiting the park where the animal was reportedly seen. The head of Bulgaria's Central Balkan National Park also said it has enlisted the help of the hunting sector and experts from South Africa as authorities continue their search. The investigation has sparked a number of uncaptioned photos of the alleged panther to be posted online in relation to the story, but most of these are just generic stock images of a large black cat used for illustrative purposes in news reports. Another video has since emerged, allegedly showing either the much younger animal wandering around the Bulgarian countryside two years ago, or another large black cat entirely. However, EuroVerify spoke to big cat experts who said that it's more likely a domestic cat in this video, because big cats typically have larger heads and longer tails. "There are large cat breeds such as a Maine Coons which can reach 6-10kg and stand 40cm tall and reach almost a metre in length," said Dr Tara Pirie, lecturer in ecology and conversation at the University of Surrey. "If it were a big cat, I would be looking for a long, sleek tail and relatively large head." "I would recommend to people, if they do find a big cat, to give it space, and do not approach it," she added. "If they are able to go to where the animal was a while after it leaves and take a number of pictures of the tracks with something for a measurement reference in the picture, that could help with the ID." The animal has also sparked numerous AI-generated images to go viral on social media, depicting a black cat exploring Shumen, taking selfies and trying local food, but these are typically easy to identify. When considering the search for the animal in general, experts said that it's possible that it escaped from captivity, backing police suspicions that it ran away from an illegal, private zoo owned by organised crime figures. The hypothesis lines up with similar cases in other European countries in recent years. Some wild big cat sightings in the likes of the UK and Spain ended up being likely exotic pet escapes, while occurrences in the Netherlands and Germany turned out to be other misidentified animals. Four lynx were spotted in the Scottish Highlands in January, with authorities stating at the time that they believed they had been illegally released into the wild due to their tameness and straw bedding that had been left nearby. Experts in Spain, meanwhile, said that a big cat supposedly spotted in Guadalajara in 2018 was likely from an illegal private collection. In 2023, German officials called off their search for a suspected lioness on the loose in Berlin after concluding that the animal that had been seen was most likely a wild boar.
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi pays tribute at Zagreb's Monument to the Homeland
Zagreb [Croatia], June 19 (ANI): In a gesture underscoring mutual respect and shared historical values, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, paid tribute at The Monument to the Homeland in Zagreb on Wednesday, honouring brave soldiers and reinforcing the deep cultural and emotional ties between the two nations. 'The Monument to the Homeland holds immense importance to the people of Croatia. A short while ago, laid a wreath there,' Prime Minister Modi posted on X. The Monument to the Homeland in Zagreb stands as a powerful symbol of Croatia's struggle for independence and is dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Building on the spirit of this shared respect and remembrance, Prime Minister Modi later met the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, laying the foundation for a renewed partnership between the two nations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening India-Croatia ties across trade, technology, and cultural cooperation, and expressed their shared commitment to democratic values and global peace. 'Met Mr. Zoran Milanovic, the President of Croatia. Had extensive discussions on the full range of India-Croatia friendship, including ways to boost linkages of commerce and culture,' Prime Minister Modi posted on X, reflecting the depth and scope of the discussions held between the two leaders. Capping off this meaningful and historic visit, which marked multiple firsts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday concluded his tour of Croatia, calling it a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. He was on a three-nation tour. His first stop was Cyprus, followed by Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit, and then Croatia, making it the first visit by an Indian PM to the European Nation. During his visit, PM Modi was warmly welcomed by the people and Government of Croatia. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the visit's significance in ushering in a new chapter in the shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation between India and Croatia. 'Grateful to the people and Government of Croatia for the warm welcome during what has been a truly landmark visit. This visit ushers in a new chapter in our shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation,' PM Modi posted on X. He shared his positive experience of visiting Zagreb, appreciating the city's culture, people's lifestyle, and warmth, feeling at home during his stay. 'I am happy that I got the opportunity to come to this beautiful city of Zagreb. Even though this visit is a small one, I got to experience the city's culture, people's lifestyle, and warmth. I felt at home...,' he said. PM Modi noted that the visit marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with many significant decisions made to strengthen India-Croatia ties. 'Today was an important milestone in our bilateral relations. We made many important decisions that will strengthen India-Croatia relations and open new avenues for working together in many areas...,' he added. His remarks came after a day of high-level engagements, including talks with his Croatian counterpart Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and a ceremonial welcome in the capital city of Zagreb, which he shared highlights of on Wednesday. (ANI)
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Organisers of Back Doune the Rabbit Hole confirm festival will go ahead after The Fratellis withdraw from line-up
The organisers insist the revamped Back Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival will go ahead despite The Fratellis cancelling their set over an unpaid deposit. The team behind Back Doune the Rabbit Hole music festival have said they remain committed to pushing forward with this year's event, despite The Fratellis withdrawing from their headline slot due to an issue over an outstanding deposit. The Stirling Observer reported last week that the 'Chelsea Dagger' hitmakers had backed out of their scheduled set at the upcoming Back Doune the Rabbit Hole (BDTRH) festival citing failure on the side of the promoters to 'fulfil contractual obligations to pay deposits to confirm the band's appearance'. The organisers, who said they arranged the band's participation through an external third-party promoter, expressed their regret, stating it is 'sad to share' that The Fratellis will not perform at the event, attributing it to 'circumstances outside our control'. In a post on their official website, The Fratellis said: 'Unfortunately our planned Summer festival appearances at the recent Stone Valley South, and forthcoming Monument, Back Doune The Rabbit Hole and Lindisfarne Festival will not be going ahead. 'This is due to the promoters of each event not fulfilling our contractual obligations to pay deposits to confirm the band's appearance.' The BDTRH festival organisers have since released an update addressing the concerns of disappointed fans, shedding light on their stance. In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, they acknowledged the fans' frustration, saying: 'We care deeply about this festival and the community around it, and we want to be transparent about what has been going on and how we are moving forward. 'Back Doune the Rabbit Hole is independently owned and operated by Brian Harkin, Colin Black and Paul Aspey through Back Doune Ltd. We took this on because we love Scotland's music scene and saw a real opportunity to create something meaningful and homegrown.' The organisers went on to explain: 'We were aware of the history that came with this festival name, but we also believed it was worth trying to build something better from it. That belief has not changed.' Regarding the involvement of external parties, the statement elaborated: 'In the early planning stages, we brought in external support from several individuals to help with logistics, ticketing and artist bookings. 'We want to be really clear that these individuals were never directors or owners of Back Doune the Rabbit Hole. At the time, there were no obvious signs of the problems that later came to light at the other events they were involved with. Like many others, we have had to deal with the consequences of how they operated, and that has included the cancellation of The Fratellis performance.' The team behind BDTRH are steadfast in their commitment to proceed with plans for this year's festival. They acdded: 'We know that is disappointing news. We feel it too. But we want to reassure you that this is not part of a wider problem with the event. Everything else is on track, and we are already working on a brilliant new Saturday night headliner. 'Back Doune the Rabbit Hole is fully independent, and we are proud of that. In a time when true independence is rare, it gives us the freedom to stay focused on what matters most. That focus now is on delivering an amazing weekend in August. We are in a strong position, and we are moving forward with the support of a brilliant team around us.' The much-awaited event is scheduled to take place at the Cardross Estate, Port of Menteith, in Stirling, slated for August 1-3. Event director Brian Harkin commented on the festival's progress, saying: 'This has been a challenging moment, but our commitment to the festival and its future hasn't changed. We took on Back Doune the Rabbit Hole because we believe in the power of independent music events and the community they bring together. 'Being independent means we are able to stay true to our values and keep building something real, even when things get tough. 'The rest of the lineup is solid, and we're focused on delivering the weekend we've promised. We're in this for the long haul, and doing everything we can to create a festival that our audience, artists, team and local community can be proud of.' This year marks the debut of the revamped festival under new stewardship, following up from its predecessor, the Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival. Doune The Rabbit Hole had previously secured its spot as a highlight within Stirling's cultural agenda before encountering difficulties and inevitably folding. The festival was previously managed by Jamie Murray – who ran up nearly £1million in debts with only £2.38 in the company account to settle with creditors. A number of disgruntled performers, staff and businesses remained unpaid when Mr Murray closed the company behind the festival in 2022. His father, the jailed Salmond blogger Craig Murray, assumed control over the 2023 festival under a new company, aiming to clear the debts owed by his son's former firm using profits generated by the festival. However, the event was scrapped a month prior to its scheduled date, leaving creditors in the dark.
