Latest news with #TAF
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
USC Trojan Athletic Fund unveils new season ticketing model for football and basketball
For nearly two decades, USC's Trojan Athletic Fund has used the same model for season tickets. However, that is about to change. On Thursday, the TAF unveiled a new model for football, men's basketball, and women's basketball season tickets that will go into effect beginning with the 2025-2026 basketball season and the 2026 football season. The new system is designed to make things simpler for season ticket holders. Previously, many season tickets included up to three separate required payments: the actual cost of the tickets, a Trojan Athletic Fund contribution, and a Coliseum restoration gift. Under the new system, however, the cost of the seats and any required per-seat gift will be combined into one, making things easier for fans. In addition, the new model will utilize a system known as 'Victory Points.' Fans can earn Victory Points both by purchasing season tickets and by donating money to USC Athletics. Victory Points will be used to determine priority order for things such as seat upgrades and away/neutral site game tickets. 'Thank you to all of our donors,' USC Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen wrote on social media. 'We're excited to share the new Trojan Athletic Fund designed to elevate our stewardship, improve your fan experience, and support our student-athletes! Nothing compares to the power of the Trojan Family. Together, we will #WinTheEra' Those looking to learn more about the new model, including a list of frequently asked questions, can do so here.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Turkey: 12 soldiers killed after being exposed to methane gas during rescue mission
Ankara: Turkey's Ministry of Defence on Monday said that 12 soldiers of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), who were affected by methane gas during a search operation conducted to find the remains of another Turkish soldier in a cave in northern Iraq, have died in the line of duty. "On July 6, 2025, in the Operation Claw-Lock region, four more of our heroic comrades-in-arms who were affected by methane gas were martyred in a search and screening operation carried out in a cave used by members of the separatist terrorist organisation at 852 Altitude Hill, and the number of martyred personnel increased to 12," the Ministry stated on X. It mentioned further that Turkey's Defence Minister Yaşar Guler went to the region with the TAF command level to conduct inspections and attend the farewell ceremonies of the soldiers who passed away in the incident. The ministry said that the incident took place on Sunday, when the rescue mission started to find the soldier's remains who was killed during a military operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Around 19 soldiers, who were exposed to the gas in the cave, were immediately rushed to the hospital for the required treatment, the ministry said. Although the cave was cleared by Turkish soldiers, it was known to have been used in the form of a hospital by the PKK in the past, being at an altitude of 852 metres (2795 feet). In May, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had announced its decision to disband and disarm, ending the four-decade long conflict with Turkey. The decision came after PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, in February urged the group to meet and formally decide to disband. The leader has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul, Turkey, since 1999. "The 12th PKK Congress has decided to dissolve the PKK's organisational structure and end its method of armed struggle. The process initiated by Leader Abdullah Ocalan's statement on February 27, and further shaped by his extensive work and multidimensional perspectives, culminated in the successful convening of our 12th Party Congress between May 5–7," read a statement from the group which was carried by pro-Kurdish news agency ANF. "Despite ongoing clashes, aerial and ground attacks, continued siege of our regions, and the KDP embargo, our congress was held securely under challenging conditions. Due to security concerns, it was conducted simultaneously in two different locations. With the participation of 232 delegates in total, the PKK 12th Congress discussed Leadership, Martyrs, Veterans, the Organizational Structure of the PKK and Armed Struggle, and Democratic Society Building, culminating in historic decisions marking the beginning of a new era for our Freedom Movement," the statement further said, according to ANF. The PKK, which is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for the last more than 30 years. Turkish security forces frequently conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq, targeting PKK hideouts and bases.
Canada Standard
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Green Building Standards Unaffected by Controversial Provincial Legislation, Toronto Says
After Ontario's Bill 17 was fast tracked to royal assent, Toronto city staff say the new legislation won't affect the city's standards for green buildings. The Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act was rushed through to approval June 3 without the typical public hearings and standing committee review. It drew opposition for provisions that some organizations said would strip municipalities of their power to enforce green building standards-rules requiring developers to design buildings in ways that conserve water and energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, for example. Cities like Toronto have relied on the Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act to support standards like its Toronto Green Standard (TGS). But that authority was based on a "grey area" of the provincial Building Code Act that was "generally interpreted to mean that if a building code requirement actively conflicts with a municipal bylaw, then the building code requirement takes precedence," Bryan Purcell, vice-president of policy and programs at The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), told The Energy Mix in May. Organizations like TAF warned that Bill 17 risked undermining that authority by clarifying the grey area. With the new legislation, the Building Code Act now states that "certain sections of the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006 do not authorize a municipality to pass by-laws respecting the construction or demolition of buildings." View our latest digests Alexandra Sanita, a spokesperson for Ontario's municipal affairs and housing minister Rob Flack, said in a statement to The Narwhal that the legislation "standardizes construction requirements and provides consistency, clarifying that no municipality has the authority to enforce a by-law that supersedes the Ontario Building Code." "Through these changes, the City of Toronto's Tier 1 of the Green Building Standard would not be allowed as they mandate requirements for new development planning applications that go beyond the Ontario building code." Tier 1 is a list of mandatory green building requirements. Other tiers, which set incentives but are not mandatory, would still be allowed. But Toronto city staff later released an assessment of the Act's impacts. They determined that "there is no impact to the City's ability to continue to apply the TGS to new development." When asked how the Act's impacts on other legislation, like the Municipal Act , might affect the TGS, the City told The Energy Mix it "cannot provide further comment on the topic at this time" because of legal action against the TGS filed last year. Comments submitted to the legislature by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) state that the new amendment does not change the legislative powers of the province to set construction standards, and that municipalities can pass by-laws in pursuit of economic, social, and environmental, including for climate change. "Municipal action in pursuit of those listed goals, as long as they do not require specific construction standards, will not conflict or overlap with provincial authority," says CELA. However, CELA criticizes other parts of the Act that limit cities' access to information about new buildings. Source: The Energy Mix
Canada News.Net
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Green Building Standards Unaffected by Controversial Provincial Legislation, Toronto Says
After Ontario's Bill 17 was fast tracked to royal assent, Toronto city staff say the new legislation won't affect the city's standards for green buildings. The Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act was rushed through to approval June 3 without the typical public hearings and standing committee review. It drew opposition for provisions that some organizations said would strip municipalities of their power to enforce green building standards-rules requiring developers to design buildings in ways that conserve water and energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, for example. Cities like Toronto have relied on the Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act to support standards like its Toronto Green Standard (TGS). But that authority was based on a "grey area" of the provincial Building Code Act that was "generally interpreted to mean that if a building code requirement actively conflicts with a municipal bylaw, then the building code requirement takes precedence," Bryan Purcell, vice-president of policy and programs at The Atmospheric Fund (TAF), told The Energy Mix in May. Organizations like TAF warned that Bill 17 risked undermining that authority by clarifying the grey area. With the new legislation, the Building Code Act now states that "certain sections of the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006 do not authorize a municipality to pass by-laws respecting the construction or demolition of buildings." View our latest digests Alexandra Sanita, a spokesperson for Ontario's municipal affairs and housing minister Rob Flack, said in a statement to The Narwhal that the legislation "standardizes construction requirements and provides consistency, clarifying that no municipality has the authority to enforce a by-law that supersedes the Ontario Building Code." "Through these changes, the City of Toronto's Tier 1 of the Green Building Standard would not be allowed as they mandate requirements for new development planning applications that go beyond the Ontario building code." Tier 1 is a list of mandatory green building requirements. Other tiers, which set incentives but are not mandatory, would still be allowed. But Toronto city staff later released an assessment of the Act's impacts. They determined that "there is no impact to the City's ability to continue to apply the TGS to new development." When asked how the Act's impacts on other legislation, like the Municipal Act, might affect the TGS, the City told The Energy Mix it "cannot provide further comment on the topic at this time" because of legal action against the TGS filed last year. Comments submitted to the legislature by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) state that the new amendment does not change the legislative powers of the province to set construction standards, and that municipalities can pass by-laws in pursuit of economic, social, and environmental, including for climate change. "Municipal action in pursuit of those listed goals, as long as they do not require specific construction standards, will not conflict or overlap with provincial authority," says CELA. However, CELA criticizes other parts of the Act that limit cities' access to information about new buildings.
Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
The Arts Family Announces Winners of 2025 Emerging Artist Award
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 10: The Arts Family (TAF), a London-based nonprofit, proudly announces the winners of the 4th edition of the TAF Emerging Artist Award - South Asia 2025. Recognising innovation and originality, the Award honours rising talent from South Asia and the diaspora. This year's winners were selected from nearly 1,000 submissions across painting, sculpture, digital art, and installation. Deena Pindoria (India) is the First Place winner, acclaimed for her textile-based works exploring women's labour, identity, and invisibility. Based in Baroda and originally from Kutch, Pindoria's practice reclaims indigenous materials like kala cotton and natural dyes to address undervalued female narratives. Second Place is jointly awarded to Akshay Bhoan, a new media artist based in London and Delhi, and Ritika Sharma, a Delhi-based artist investigating memory, care, and social hierarchies through localised experiences. Mohit Shelare receives Third Place for his multidisciplinary work addressing caste, labour, and resistance. The TAF Young Artist Mention goes to Deshna Shah, a UK-based artist, researcher, and educator noted for her participatory, experimental works and academic excellence. TAF also offers artist residencies, mentorship with Sotheby's Institute of Art, and participation in international exhibitions. Its educational initiative, TAF TALKS, provides shortlisted artists with industry insights from global art professionals. "We look forward to working with these artists in 2025 and beyond, and providing them with international exposure and opportunities to showcase their work in London, South Asia, Europe and beyond," said Neha Jaiswal, Founder of The Arts Family.
