Latest news with #CACs
Vancouver Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. court tells Langley Township it can't collect certain developer fees. The fallout is uncertain
A recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling that found a developer is not obligated to pay millions in fees to the Township of Langley to help fund community amenities does not necessarily mean that other developers are off the hook. In late June, a B.C. judge decided that Langley Township's policy for collecting community amenity contributions (or CACs) — which are intended to support the building of things such as parks, libraries, child-care facilities and recreational centres — is invalid because it is a 'mandatory amenity payment regime beyond Langley's legal authority.' Lorval Developments, together with Martini Film Studios, wants to build a massive sound studio with 16 stages on 70 acres of land they have assembled. They sued the township after pushing back against what they said would have been between $32 million and $39 million in CACs in order to proceed with building the 735,000-sq.-ft. film complex project. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The CAC policy represents more than administrative guidance,' Justice Simon Coval wrote in his decision. 'Read as a whole, it indicates a mandatory fee regime, in that it suggests the specified contributions will generally be required as a condition of rezoning approval. It is therefore invalid for lacking the requisite statutory authority.' Lorval told Postmedia through its lawyer, Peter Kenward, that while the court's decision is about Langley Township's CAC policy, 'It does have broader implications, because its reasoning is rooted in the provisions of the Local Government Act and Community Charter and a number of court decisions, which are applicable to most municipalities across the province.' The township has said it will appeal the ruling, and has until July 20 to do so. In the meantime, some developers have agreed to pay CACs as part of their rezoning processes despite the ruling that the policy for collecting them is invalid, according to Langley Township Mayor Eric Woodward. 'Even since the court case, multiple developers have agreed to make community amenity contributions to make Langley a better community. Lorval is obviously not one of these companies.' Lorval didn't reply by deadline in response to this comment. Langley Township has required the developers who wish to proceed with paying the CACs sign agreements acknowledging the court ruling and that they have received legal advice and will forgo any future litigation. Anne McMullin, CEO of the Urban Development Institute, which represents developers and builders, said some developers have signed these agreements in order to continue with rezoning application processes that are already underway because they don't want to risk further delays. 'They know you have got to get (their applications) through. The costs are going up. The longer they wait, they'll miss the market and (have to deal with) cost escalation. So they say, 'Fine, I'll make it work, plug my nose and sign it,'' said McMullin. The court decision comes as the provincial government has been trying to introduce a new way for municipalities to collect fees to fund public amenities that it calls amenity cost charges or ACCs. These ACCs have mechanisms, such as set rates for various kinds of units and money targeted to specific community benefits or projects, to 'ensure transparency and cost certainty,' according to the province. It is intended as a way to eliminate CACs and avoid real estate developers and municipal governments spending years negotiating what fees get paid to support the building of public amenities. Municipalities charge these CACs in exchange for granting the right to build more density or to change what a piece of land can be used for and potentially increase its value. Some municipalities, such as North Vancouver, Mission, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford, Burnaby and Coquitlam, have brought in ACC bylaws and started the new regimes, while others are still exploring and consulting their communities. There is no deadline for municipalities to adopt using ACCs and they are not required by legislation to do so. Woodward said Langley Township is exploring ACCs. In the meantime, it approved a new interim CAC policy in early July, after the court ruled its existing policy was invalid. The new version allows staff to discuss with applicants the prospect of making community amenity contributions, negotiate with them on a case-by-case basis, or allow CACs to either be raised by the applicants or be included as part of rezoning negotiations. McMullin acknowledged the current situation is 'messy' and that UDI will be examining it into the fall. Woodward said other municipalities that want to continue collecting CACs may want to use a release agreement the way his township has with developers 'to insulate themselves from court cases.' The Union of B.C. Municipalities said it does not have an opinion on whether this ruling impacts the ability of local governments to collect CACs as the transition to the new ACC regime continues. Regardless of what fee structure is used, 'development cost tools shield property taxpayers from paying for new development,' UBCM president Trish Mandewo said in a statement. 'Without effective tools to recover development costs, property taxpayers would face hefty increases to pay for new infrastructure to support growth. The principle of 'development paying for development' is long established in B.C., and steps that erode this principle will impact affordability for all homeowners in the long run.' jlee-young@
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First Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Brazil's gun sales fall 90% under Lula after soaring under Bolsonaro
Only 39,914 firearms were purchased in 2024, compared to 448,319 in 2022, Bolsonaro's final year in office, according to a report, citing official data read more Gun sales in Brazil have plummeted by 91% since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva imposed new restrictions on firearms, reversing the looser regulations introduced during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro. According to Brazilian daily newspaper Folha de citing official data, only 39,914 firearms were purchased in 2024, compared to 448,319 in 2022, Bolsonaro's final year in office. The figures, obtained by the news outlet through a Freedom of Information Act request and analysed in partnership with the Sou da Paz Institute, reflect one of the most dramatic shifts in Brazil's gun policy in recent years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The decline in gun purchases began in 2023, Lula's first year back in office, when his government started rolling back Bolsonaro-era measures that had made it easier for hunters, sport shooters, and collectors (CACs) to acquire weapons. That year saw 176,870 firearms sold — a 60% drop from 2022, and a further 77% decline followed in 2024, reported Folha de Despite the broader downward trend, one category bucked it: rifle sales. In just the first four months of 2025, Brazilians bought 1,248 rifles, surpassing the total of 1,063 rifles sold in all of 2024 — a 17.4% increase. Bruno Langeani, senior consultant at Sou da Paz, attributed the overall plunge to stricter regulations introduced since 2023. These include more rigorous background checks, tighter control over CAC registrations, and a rollback of policies that had allowed the expansion of personal arsenals. The figures come as Lula's administration seeks to reduce the proliferation of firearms across Brazil, arguing that Bolsonaro's permissive approach fueled illegal gun trafficking and violence. The Brazilian Army, which oversees the registration and control of civilian weapons for CACs, supplied the data. While gun rights advocates argue the changes undermine personal freedoms, public safety groups have welcomed the shift as a necessary step to curb violence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Business Wire
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Sembrando Vida and Mexinol establish the first public-private partnership in Sinaloa to build local capacity
TOPOLOBAMPO, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sembrando Vida Program and Pacifico Mexinol (Mexinol), a subsidiary of Transition Industries, have signed the first partnership agreement between the Sembrando Vida program and a private company in the state of Sinaloa, marking a milestone in the connection between the public and private sectors for sustainable community development. Sembrando Vida is more than a program: it is a commitment to social well-being and environmental sustainability in rural communities in Mexico. This agreement establishes the foundation for training, community engagement, and technology transfer in various communities, with the goal of strengthening sustainable and community development in Rural Learning Communities (CACs). This initiative is part of Mexinol's Good Neighbor Program, in which Mexinol will share the knowledge and experience from institutions, staff, and partners to develop and improve capacities in marketing, project management, and environmental and social issues. 'The Sembrando Vida program seeks to transform the lives of farmers by cultivating agroforestry systems that regenerate the land and strengthen the local economy,' said Alejandro Acosta, Territorial Coordinator of the Sembrando Vida Program in Sinaloa. He added: 'Sembrando Vida is more than a program: it is a commitment to social well-being and environmental sustainability in rural communities in Mexico.' The activities will take place in the Benito Juárez, Plan de Guadalupe, and Tortugas Número 2 ejidos (common lands) in the municipality of Ahome, Sinaloa, and will be implemented through the CACs. The 2025 Training Plan includes actions aimed at strengthening productive and social capacities in the communities, including the identification of crops and products with commercial potential, workshops on production, conservation, and labeling, technical training in saline soil management, marketing strategies, and awareness-raising activities on the prevention of harassment and gender-based violence. 'At Mexinol, we are guided by core values and want to ensure we are a Good Neighbor, which involves listening, engaging in dialogue, and actively collaborating to promote sustainable development, both with and for the community. We fully share the principles of the Sembrando Vida program, as our purpose is to operate with environmental responsibility, social commitment, and closeness to the communities,' said Lucero Gastelum, Community Affairs and Gender Manager, Pacifico Mexinol. This agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening local capacities and promoting a sustainable, inclusive, and collaborative rural development model. About Pacifico Mexinol Transition Industries is jointly developing the Pacifico Mexinol project with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. When it initiates operations in 2029, Pacifico Mexinol is poised to be the largest standalone ultra-low carbon chemical production facility in the world – producing approximately 350,000 MT of green methanol and 1.8 million MT of blue methanol annually from carbon capture and natural gas. About Sembrando Vida Sembrando Vida is a priority program of the Government of Mexico that promotes sustainable rural development through financial support, technical training, and agroforestry systems. By 2025, it will operate in 24 states, benefiting people in rural areas facing social disadvantages by promoting food self-sufficiency, regenerating social fabric, and protecting the environment. About Transition Industries Transition Industries LLC, based in Houston, Texas, is a developer of world-scale, net-zero carbon emissions methanol and green hydrogen projects in North America to address climate change and promote environmental and social sustainability. For additional information about Pacifico Mexinol or Transition Industries, email inquiries@
India Gazette
04-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India's historical linkages with Central Asian Countries being fostered through cooperation in defence, several other areas
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on June 6. India's historical and cultural linkages with the Central Asian Countries are being fostered with cooperation in a range of areas, including defence. India shares historical and cultural linkages with the Central Asian Countries (CACs) going back to several millennia. Buddhism spread from India via Tibet to Central Asia, establishing strong spiritual ties. Indian monks founded monasteries and translated texts across Central Asia. Key Buddhist sites like Termiz, Fayaz Tepe, Kara Tepe, and Adzhina Tepe reflect this influence. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the CACs in 1992 following their emergence as independent countries after the collapse of the erstwhile USSR. India has concluded strategic partnerships with all the CACs, except Turkmenistan. There have been several high-level visits between India and Central Asia countries bilaterally. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to all CACs in July 2015, India's ties with these countries have been put on a much higher trajectory and many new areas of cooperation have emerged. PM Modi also visited many Central Asian capitals/cities to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summits in Tashkent (2016), Nur-Sultan (2017), Bishkek (2019), and Samarkand (2022). Similarly, there have been regular visits to India by Central Asian leaders. India-Central Asia Summit, at leaders level, is the highest level of engagement between India and Central Asia. The inaugural Summit was held virtually in January 2022. It marked a pivotal step in strengthening India's ties with the region. It was chaired by PM Modi and attended by the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Summit adopted the 'Delhi Declaration,' institutionalizing biennial summits and regular ministerial dialogues. The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in January 2019 in Samarkand, is a meeting of Foreign Ministers. It serves as a key platform for strengthening ties between India and Central Asia. The second meeting took place virtually in October 2020 and focussed on regional security, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure development. The third meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2021 and emphasised connectivity to further deepen the ties between India and Central Asia. The fourth edition of the Dialogue is taking place in New Delhi on June 5-6. The India-Central Asia NSA's meetings, inaugurated in December 2022 in New Delhi and followed by a second meeting in October 2023 in Astana, serves as a vital platform for regional cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, cybersquatting, and connectivity. It also proposed capacity building programme for Central Asian officials on various aspects such as Drug Law Enforcement, preventing Terror Financing etc. Defence cooperation is an important pillar of India's strategic partnership with the CACs. India has annual military exercises 'KazInd' with Kazakhstan, 'Khanjar' with Kyrgyz Republic and 'Dustlik' with Uzbekistan. Training of defence personnel of CACs in Indian premier defence training institutes and deployment of Indian Military training teams in some countries is another important aspect of India's defence cooperation. India has been assisting the CACs through developmental projects, capacity building and human resource development since their independence. India has extended about 6500 ITEC slots and 1500 ICCR scholarships to the professionals and students from the CACs. India has set up IT Centers in all the CACs. India's major grant projects include Mountain Bio-medical Research Center in the Kyrgyz Republic, setting up of Modern Engineering Workshop, Computer Labs in 37 schools and renovation of Varzob-1 Hydro Power Plant in Tajikistan, Entrepreneurship Development Center in Uzbekistan and an Industrial Training Center in Turkmenistan. Framework MoUs for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) with India's grant assistance have been signed with all the CACs. India Central Asia trade reached a high of USD 3 billion in 2019-20. India's total trade with Central Asian region in FY 2024-25 was around USD 1.2 billion. Lack of overland connectivity between India and Central Asia and lack of awareness among businesses on the both sides about opportunities available are among impediments. To improve connectivity between India and the region, India has invited the Central Asian countries to be part of the International North South Transport Corridor and the Chabahar port development. India and the CACs enjoy close cultural relations. Several Buddhist sites throughout Central Asia testify to the spread of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and beyond. Yoga, Indian dance and music and Bollywood remain extremely popular in the CACs. The Indian community in Central Asia comprises approximately 45,000 individuals, primarily medical students, distributed across the region as follows: Kazakhstan (10,500), Kyrgyzstan (12,860), Tajikistan (1,600), Turkmenistan (100), and Uzbekistan (15,000). This diaspora includes students, entrepreneurs, professionals in sectors such as oil, IT, banking, hospitality, and representatives of Indian or multinational corporations. Apart from this, more than 2 lakh Indians visited the Central Asian countries (mainly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) in 2024. As of May 2025, Indian citizens can visit Central Asia with visa-free entry to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for up to 14 days and 7 days respectively and e-visas are available for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Four Central Asian Countries (except Turkmenistan) are fellow members of SCO, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and CICA. All the CACs support India's permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. CACs generally support India's candidates in the elections to UN bodies. At the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on June 6, the Ministers will discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with particular focus on trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation. They will also share perspectives on challenges to regional security and other regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Ministers will also participate in the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting being held on June 5 by MEA in collaboration with FICCI. (ANI)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
REAL ID requirements take effect at Susquehanna DLA Center
(WHTM) — Visitors to the Defense Logistics Agency Defense Distribution Center in Susquehanna will now see the new enforcement of the REAL ID Act. Individuals 18 years old or older will now be required to have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or an alternative acceptable form of ID (a passport, Common Access Card, military ID, or other approved forms) for accessing military and federal installations, as well as boarding domestic commercial flights. Can you fly without a REAL ID after the May deadline? Starting today, May 7, REAL IDs will be required for the following: Domestic Air Travel: Boarding commercial flights within the United States. Federal Facility Access: Entering secure federal facilities, including all DLA and other military installations. Nuclear Facility Access: Accessing certain nuclear facilities. 'Starting May 7, our police officers will be implementing the REAL ID requirement at the Truck Gate for all commercial drivers and contractors,' said Police Chief Douglas Schraeder, DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna. 'Our team has received several briefings on the Real ID requirements and are prepared to enforce this Department of Homeland Security requirement that has been in the works for years.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The following forms of identification will be accepted for access to DLA and other Defense Department installations: DOD Common Access Cards (CACs) DOD Uniformed Services ID Cards (including military retiree and dependent IDs) Local DOD Access Cards and Passes (e.g., DBIDS cards, visitor passes) Real ID-compliant driver's licenses, enhanced driver's licenses, or non-driver's identification cards U.S. or foreign passports or passport cards Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) Veteran's Health Identification Cards (VHIC) Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards and Non-federal PIV-interoperable cards First-time visitors and personnel with expired passes must register their REAL ID (or other acceptable form of ID) online or at the Visitor Center before arriving at the DLA. Pre-approval requests can be submitted to expedite this process. 'Since we've been observing the REAL ID requirements since initiation, we don't expect major changes to operations,' said Steven Schorkhuber, chief, Security Management Branch, DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna. To visit the pre-enrollment website, click here. To see how to get a REAL ID, click here. Visitors who do not present a REAL ID-compliant credential or an acceptable alternative will be denied unescorted access to DLA/DOD installations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
