Latest news with #P3
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Regina Red Sox-commissioned study urges P3 model for potential new stadium in The Yards
Alexander Quon Proposed facility would built in phases with field, seating and essential infrastructure costing $15 million A study commissioned by the Western Canadian Baseball League's Regina Red Sox endorses a plan to build a new baseball stadium using a private-public partnership (P3), as proposed by influential businessman and soon-to-be-team-owner Shaun Semple. P3s are partnerships between government and private business to build public infrastructure. The feasibility study, carried out by DCG Philanthropic and partially financed by the City of Regina, recommends the new stadium be constructed at The Yards, a piece of land located downtown between Casino Regina and Dewdney Avenue. The proposed facility would be built in phases, with the field, seating and essential infrastructure coming first and costing $15 million. Future phases — expanding the facility to include enhanced training areas, concessions and community gathering spaces — would raise the total cost to $30 million. The study says a P3 would provide benefits such as a reduction in direct costs for the City of Regina, a sped-up timeline for construction and no taxpayer also says a traditional fundraising campaign could contribute $4 million to $8 million to the effort. Stakeholders interviewed as part of the study spoke about the potential to transform the Railyards area. "It is viewed as a potential catalyst for downtown revitalization, youth retention, tourism growth, and civic pride," the study concludes. Mayor Chad Bachynski spoke with CBC's The Morning Edition about the proposal on Thursday. He agreed that the project could potentially be a game-changer for the Warehouse district along Dewdney Avenue, but said he needs more details. "From my perspective, I want to make sure that the city is doing its part to make sure that we understand who all is interested in different areas in the city that would bring more vibrancy and opportunity," he said. Bachynski stressed that he views core infrastructure as the priority for the city. He said that while private funding can be a good thing, the city must carefully weigh all of the consequences — such as potential operating costs — before moving forward. "If someone's willing to invest, we want to hear that. We want to make sure we're seeing if there is a possibility to add another vibrant attraction to the city," Bachynski said. The Regina Red Sox currently play at Currie Field, a stadium that is more than 60 years old and in need of repairs. The sale of the Red Sox to the Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group was approved by the Western Canadian Baseball League this week. The group, which is fronted by Semple, also owns the local WHL hockey team the Regina Pats. Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group will take 100 per cent ownership of the Regina Red Sox on Oct. 1, 2025, at the end of the current season, and turn it into a private, for-profit business.
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT eyes 1M SIM cards for students, teachers in remote areas by 2026
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is subsidizing internet connectivity of students and teachers in far-flung areas through the distribution of SIM cards with free data as it aims to bridge the digital gap in far-flung communities. At a press chat in Quezon City on Thursday, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Faye Condez-de Sagon said the agency has a budget of P3 billion for the rollout of the "Bayanihan SIM" initiative. Under the program, the DICT is targeting to distribute about one million SIM cards, by at least early 2026, to students, teachers as well as non-teaching staff of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). "We are targeting to distribute about 600,000 SIM cards by the end of the year. The total number of SIM cards that would be distributed are 1,008,000 or about one million SIM cards by next year," Condez-de Sagon said. "The expected number of beneficiaries is roughly five million Filipinos," the DICT official added, noting that one SIM card can benefit an entire family or household. Each SIM card would be loaded with 25 gigabytes (GB) of data monthly for a period of one year. "Automatic renewal every month from the time na ma-activate… 12 months bayad na ang subscription," she said. (Automatic renewal every month from the time the SIM is activated... the subscription is already paid for a period of 12 months.) "Technically pinrocure natin ang mga SIM card sa mga telcos, ang benta po nila sa atin is mas mura sa market price. Ang isang SIM card na may 25GB is approximately P300, nabenta po nila sa atin nang P250," she added. (Technically, the government procured the SIM cards from telcos at lower than market prices. Each SIM card with 25GB sells for approximately P300, but were sold to the government for P250.) Apart from free SIM cards with subsidized monthly data load, the DICT official said telecommunication companies have committed to build about a hundred common towers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) sites where the SIMs would be distributed. Condez-de Sagon said the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are the partner-agencies in charge of identifying the beneficiary-schools and GIDA areas for the distribution of the free SIM cards. "For a following year, (so it may) continue, the government will have a budget again provided that rollout plan and the project is successful," she said. For his part, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said mobile internet connectivity "would not be forever." "Assumption is once they are connected… e-commerce will come in… After two years, when the economic activity in the place booms their internet connectivity would be self-sustaining. We're just starting them off with connectivity," Aguda said. The "Bayanihan SIM" program was officially launched in Kalawakan Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan—an identified GIDA site. The ceremonial launch marked the distribution of Globe-powered TM SIMs, each loaded with 25GB of monthly open-access data, to 500 students, teachers, and parents. For the coming days, the DICT is pilot-launching the project in Bani National High School Coto Annex, Masinloc, Zambales and San Nicolas Integrated School, General Luna, Quezon. About 1,500 SIM cards would be distributed by the agency in the selected schools for the initial rollout of the program. "Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that no Filipino is left offline, this initiative goes beyond simply distributing SIM cards, it is a bold step toward closing the digital divide for millions of our countrymen," said Aguda. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, and aims to promote digital inclusion by enabling learning, livelihood, and access to essential government services in far-flung communities. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Heads up: NASA aircraft to perform low-level maneuvers over California for science
Two specialized NASA research aircraft will be carrying out low-level flights and maneuvers over California next week to collect data on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, the agency has announced. The research flights will take place between June 29 and July 2 over the Los Angeles Basin, the Central Valley, and the Salton Sea. "Pilots will operate the aircraft at altitudes lower than typical commercial flights, executing specialized maneuvers such as vertical spirals between 1,000 and 10,000 feet, circling above power plants, landfills, and urban areas," according to a NASA statement. "The flights will also include occasional missed approaches at local airports and low-altitude flybys along runways to collect air samples near the surface." The aircraft, a NASA-owned P-3 and a NASA-contracted King Air B200, will make their appearance in the skies over California after completing similar research over the East Coast on June 26, officials said. The planes have been gathering data over Philadelphia, Baltimore and several cities in Virginia since June 22. The upcoming missions are being conducted under NASA's Student Airborne Research Program, NASA representatives said. "The program is an eight-week summer internship program that provides undergraduate students with hands-on experience in every aspect of a scientific campaign," according to the statement. Students will help operate the suite of scientific instruments carried aboard the airplanes to gather atmospheric data. The program both gathers important scientific data and provides young scientists with valuable experience, according to NASA Wallops Flight Facility Chief of Flight Operations Brian Bernth. "The SARP flights have become mainstays of NASA's Airborne Science Program, as they expose highly competitive STEM students to real-world data gathering within a dynamic flight environment," he said. "Despite SARP being a learning experience for both the students and mentors alike, our P-3 is being flown and performing maneuvers in some of the most complex and restricted airspace in the country," Bernth added. "Tight coordination and crew resource management is needed to ensure that these flights are executed with precision but also safely." More information on NASA's Student Airborne Research Program is available online at Related: Is the air quality bad in California? Report finds harmful pollutants plague these areas Nine California metro areas were ranked in the American Lung Association's 25 worst cities for ozone. Here's which: Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 1 Visalia: No. 2 Bakersfield-Delano: No. 3 Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 5 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad: No. 8 Sacramento-Roseville: No. 11 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 14 El Centro: No. 17 Redding-Red Bluff: No. 24 The American Lung Association also released the worst 25 cities nationwide pertaining to year-round particle pollution. Here are the places in California that made the list. Bakersfield-Delano: No. 1 Visalia: No. 2 Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 3 Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 5 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 6 Sacramento-Roseville: No. 14 El Centro: No. 23 The American Lung Association also released the worst 25 cities nationwide pertaining to short-term particle pollution. Here are the places in California that made the list. Bakersfield-Delano: No. 1 Visalia: No. 3 Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran: No. 5 Reno-Carson City-Gardnerville Ranchos (both Nevada and California): No. 6 Los Angeles-Long Beach: No. 7 Sacramento-Roseville: No. 10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland: No. 11 Redding-Red Bluff: No. 16 California Connect reporter Paris Barraza contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Heads up: NASA aircraft to perform low-level maneuvers over California
GSM Arena
25-06-2025
- GSM Arena
Realme P3 and P3 Ultra launch globally focusing on online retail channels Comments
25 June 2025 The P3 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 SoC under the hood, while the P3 Ultra is powered by the Dimensity 8350 Ultra.
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Agri chief seeks CCAP backing for cold storage infra development
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has called on the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to back the Department of Agriculture's (DA) initiative in accelerating the development of cold storage infrastructure in the country. 'It is a foundation for transforming the agricultural landscape, minimizing post-harvest losses, increasing incomes for farmers and fisherfolk, and delivering safe, high-quality food to Filipino families,' Tiu Laurel told CCAP during its annual membership meeting in Boracay island Malay, Aklan on Thursday. The Agriculture chief said the DA is fast-tracking its cold chain expansion through the rollout of modular and mega cold storage warehouses (CSWs) in major agricultural regions. 'These facilities are designed to be scalable and adaptable, with modular features that accommodate local conditions while maintaining operational efficiency and integrity,' he said. Tiu Laurel said the 'mega CSWs' are being developed to handle large-volume storage, with capacities ranging from 1,700 to over 8,000 pallet positions, serving key production and distribution hubs nationwide. To support a comprehensive logistics ecosystem, the infrastructure will also include refrigerated vans, dryers, tramlines, packaging equipment, and ice plants, according to the DA chief. Tiu Laurel said the DA has allocated P3 billion to build, starting this year, around 99 cold storage facilities aimed at extending the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and other high-value crops. These planned refrigerated warehouses will feature hybrid systems, designed to operate on both renewable energy sources—such as solar and wind—and electricity from the main power grid. This approach ensures efficient and environmentally sustainable operations, especially in remote or underserved agricultural areas. 'We also recognize that cold storage infrastructure is only one part of the equation,' Tiu Laurel said. 'The development of food hubs and agri-fisheries ports—while more extensive in scope and requiring longer timelines—remains a critical long-term priority,' he added. Beyond boosting storage capacity, the Agriculture chief said the network of facilities will help strengthen regional aggregation, streamline distribution, and improve market access—connecting producers directly with consumers to stabilize supply and lower food prices. Tiu Laurel also emphasized the importance of such investments in empowering rural communities, promoting price stability, and reducing food waste, while building a more resilient and climate-smart agri-food system. He said that CCAP's technical expertise and support are vital in turning this strategic infrastructure program into reality. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
