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South Wales Argus
a day ago
- South Wales Argus
Viral video shows rubbish dumped into River Usk, Newport
The footage, posted on Facebook on July 26, shows a woman emptying a large carrier bag of waste directly into the river. The fly-tipping incident happened in broad daylight, along a section of the river in the city centre and near Newport's Riverfront Theatre. Newport City Council has condemned the act of fly-tipping, describing it as "a blight on the environment and communities." The council has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway, and Natural Resources Wales, along with Fly-Tipping Action Wales, have been informed. The rubbish that was dumped in the river in the video (Image: Supplied) A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "[[Newport City Council]] is investigating the incident and has informed NRW and Fly-Tipping Action Wales. "We absolutely condemn fly-tipping as it is a blight on the environment and communities. "There is no excuse for it. "A wide range of items that can be recycled are collected weekly from people's homes in the city." The council also highlighted their efforts in combating fly-tipping in the city, stating a significant increase in enforcement action and a reduction in incidents. They urged residents to report any instances of illegally dumped waste through their website or by calling 01663 656656. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said in an official Cabinet statement: "Littering and fly-tipping is a blight on our communities. "It costs money to remove and damages our environment. "Yet it is completely avoidable, and everyone stands to gain from a clean and safe environment. He continued: "We are working with communities, businesses, organisations, and local authorities to provide cleaner and greener natural spaces to improve people's mental and physical well-being." Mr Irranca-Davies also mentioned the legislative efforts to curb the issue, including the introduction of The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 and The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025. He added: "Whilst legislation can provide an effective deterrent, it cannot operate in isolation. "We continue to provide grant funding to partners such as Keep Wales Tidy and Fly-tipping Action Wales, who work with organisations and communities to help educate and encourage positive behavioural change." Fly-tipping Action Wales is working in conjunction with local authorities to improve the quality and robustness of the annual data published on Stats Wales. This initiative aims to give local authorities a better understanding of the types of incidents occurring, so they can work with communities to target specific hotspots. There was a variety of rubbish dumped into the river (Image: Supplied) The Deputy First Minister further stated the importance of enforcement action, acknowledging its complexity and challenges. He said: "Fly-tipping Action Wales continue to support local authorities with their investigations, including providing access to free legal advice from specialist environmental lawyers and offering dedicated enforcement officer support." The council's crackdown on fly-tipping extends beyond mere enforcement. In 2024, Keep Wales Tidy was funded to develop a new litter survey methodology. The Geospatial Litter Analysis (GLN) tool expands on the existing litter data and monitoring system to better reflect the scale and scope of litter and related issues. So far this year, an area greater than 1 million metres squared has been surveyed. Keep Wales Tidy has also been instrumental in supporting community groups, with 1,334 registered litter champions and 245 litter hubs. Their initiatives aim to improve the local environment and encourage others to take action. The ongoing efforts highlight the importance of preventing the illegal disposal of waste in the first place. In 2024-25, Keep Wales Tidy worked with local authorities on more than 500 occasions on practical improvements to local neighbourhoods. The forums helped identify litter and fly-tipping hotspots, leading to targeted clean-ups and local campaigns. The council believes that consistent collaboration with local authorities, businesses, private landowners, third sector organisations, and communities is laying the foundations for preventing littering and fly-tipping in Wales.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Ignorance of no-smoking sign rule is no excuse, says Melaka exco man
MELAKA: Ignorance is no defence when it comes to complying with the mandatory display of no-smoking signs at designated premises, says a Melaka exco member. State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said he is fed up with receiving calls from people seeking to have compound notices for non-compliance withdrawn. He said many of these calls come from community leaders and politicians claiming that the people in their respective areas were unaware of the legal obligation, despite widespread advocacy and media coverage. ALSO READ: Act 852 receives positive reaction from community but more awareness needed 'Most of the time, these callers say they didn't know the signs had to be displayed, but this is not a valid excuse. "This requirement has been widely highlighted in the media, and all these people had to do was (read about it)," he told The Star on Wednesday (July 2). Ngwe said that the obligation applies to all workplaces, including government and private buildings, food outlets, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, convenience stores, public vehicles, and self-service premises such as laundrettes. "The signs must comply with specifications set by the Health Ministry. "This obligation falls under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health (No-Smoking Warning Signs) Regulations 2024," he said. Ngwe noted that the regulations require signs of standard size and design to be placed at visible locations such as main entrances and areas frequented by customers and guests. "The signs must also clearly prohibit both smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes,' he said. Ngwe said full enforcement of this regulation started on April 1 under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. ALSO READ: Business owners, public laud smoking ban at laundromats He said that from January to May, 5,828 premises were inspected across Melaka. Enforcement officers issued 222 compound notices totalling RM55,000 to premises that failed to display the signs according to the latest specifications. This number comprised 116 workplace premises, 102 food outlets, and four laundrettes. 'If any premises are found not complying with this legal duty, the individual or owner may be issued a compound notice or face court action that could result in a fine not exceeding RM5,000,' he added. Ngwe urged all premises operators to act swiftly to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary penalties, stressing that the law exists to protect public health, not to punish.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Selangor warns against misuse of MAIS teaching credentials
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has once again reminded holders of teaching credentials issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) not to misuse them for personal or political gain. State Islamic Religious Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said this was in response to complaints involving credential holders who still held positions in political parties and were not of good moral character. He said other complaints involved actions that incited hatred or insults towards the federal or state governments, as well as raising issues that could fuel prejudice and lead to racial discord. 'Regulation 14(1) of the Tauliah for Islamic Teaching (State of Selangor) Regulations 2024 has clearly set the qualification criteria for those holding credentials. 'Among the conditions are being a Muslim who professes the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah faith, residing in Selangor, not holding any position in a political party, and not being a member of the Senate, Dewan Rakyat or State Legislative Assembly,' he said in a statement today. Mohammad Fahmi said adherence to these conditions was crucial to prevent mosques from being used as venues for political propaganda and disunity, in line with the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, during the opening of the First Meeting of the Sixth Term of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly in 2023. He said the state government, through the MAIS Credentials Committee, would not hesitate to suspend a teaching credential if complaints were received and would revoke it if the allegations were proven to be true. 'I would like to reiterate that religious preachers intending to teach or preach in mosques, suraus or any location in Selangor must uphold good morals and steer clear of partisan politics. 'Those who are not ready to commit are advised not to apply for teaching credentials in this state. A MAIS credential is a responsibility, not a privilege to be misused,' he said. Mohammad Fahmi also urged the public to lodge complaints with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) via its hotline at 1-800-88-2424 if they come across any preacher who has violated the conditions of their credential.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Briton's death: How did backpacker enter construction site, asks Lee
KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities must investigate how a 25-year-old British national managed to trespass onto a construction site before falling into an elevator shaft. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye questioned whether proper safety measures were in place, describing the incident as preventable. "The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the contractors and those managing the work site," he said. "Was there any signage at the site or a barricade? Were there any security personnel present? If they were on duty, they would not have allowed him to go through." He added that the company carrying out construction must conduct an internal investigation to prevent recurrence. Lee, who is also the former chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, stressed that construction sites were legally required to have security measures in place to prevent trespassing. A construction work contractor is required to identify the perimeter of a construction site with a suitable sign and fence the area off under regulation 20(2) of the Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024. Anyone who violates the regulation may be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. On Thursday, the police confirmed that missing British backpacker Jordan Johnson-Doyle was found dead in an elevator shaft of a partially under-construction condominium in Bangsar here. A post-mortem showed that the cause of death was a chest injury due to a fall from height.
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Single use vapes banned in Wales from this weekend
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Public Health Wales has welcomed the introduction of the ban on single use vapes, which comes into force in Wales and across the UK on Sunday 1 June. There is a clear consensus among health experts that the availability and marketing of disposable vape products has driven a significant rise in vaping among children and young people, with almost 1 in 6 (16 per cent) year eleven students regularly using vapes and nearly half having tried vaping*. Most of these young people have never smoked before taking up vaping. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 will address both environmental and health concerns around the proliferation of disposable vapes. These have offered a cheap, easy to use and widely available product which has been both appealing and easily accessible to children and young people, despite it being illegal to sell nicotine vapes to under-18s, or for adults to buy them for this age group. The majority of vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance and regular use can lead to cravings, as well as affecting concentration, memory and the ability to learn. Withdrawal from nicotine can affect sleep, cause headaches, impact on mental well-being and create mood swings. Mary-Ann McKibben, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales, said: 'The evidence is clear: children and young people should not vape. While vaping is safer than smoking for adults, it is not risk–free and we do not yet have a comprehensive understanding of the long-term health effects. 'The ban on disposable vapes is an important step in taking urgent action to prevent a new generation of nicotine-addicted young people. We must ensure we learn from our experience with tobacco and work as hard as possible to prevent the use and uptake of vapes by children and young people. (Image: Getty Images) 'Public Health Wales will soon be launching a new addition to the Help Me Quit website, which will offer a free, personalised digital tool aimed at helping people to safely quit vaping and smoking. This tool is designed to enable people to reduce their dependency on nicotine products and will be launched in the coming weeks.' The forthcoming UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently going through Parliament, will build on the disposable vapes ban and pave the way for further restrictions on the marketing and sale of all tobacco and vape products. This includes a raft of measures to make vapes much less appealing to children and young people. Public Health Wales has produced guidance for parents and carers who are concerned about their child's vaping, which offers practical advice on how to spot signs of vaping and the most effective ways to have conversations with them about vaping. If you're concerned about your child vaping, you can contact Help Me Quit for free advice and support on 0800 085 2219 or at Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
