A housing developer has prompted fury after it backtracked on its promise to contribute funding to schools and facilities for a major new housing scheme. Hodson Developments has been accused of reneging on an earlier pledge to invest millions in services and infrastructure for a 6,000-home development in Ashford, . Work has already begun on Chilmington Green development and Hodson has additional plans approved for another 665 new builds nearby. But the firm has now applied to the Planning Inspectorate to ditch or alter 33 of the funding commitments it made as part of its original planning agreement. It intends to save £50 million by not contributing to the building of schools and funding of social care and community projects. Hodson is reportedly planning to save a further £30 million by not providing funding to turn the A28 into a dual carriageway, leading to what residents fear will be increased congestion. It also wants to cut £14.9 million of funding, including scrapping an entire primary school, arguing that the development will only have 6,000 homes rather than the original plan for 7,000. Other cuts in promised funding will also include £213,000 to adult learning, £900,000 of library funding and £239,000 for youth services. Hodson had signed a legally binding Section 106 Agreement with Kent county council (KCC), but has now reportedly claimed that such funding is no longer possible in the current financial climate and would be prohibitively expensive and self-defeating. KCC has threatened legal action against the developer unless it reinstates its earlier agreement to fund road improvements. A spokesman for KCC told The Telegraph: “The county council as local highway authority has a duty to protect the network from the negative impacts of traffic generated by new development. “We will vigorously defend the legal obligations already placed upon this developer by and ourselves to secure the necessary infrastructure to prevent the A28 from becoming permanently gridlocked. “We are currently in negotiations with Hodsons to find a way forward, but if necessary will contest the issue in a Public Inquiry and a court of law.” Cllr Linda Harman, the portfolio holder for planning at Ashford borough council, backed KCC’s stand and said it would “appeal robustly against the proposed changes”. She said: “We do not feel they will benefit local residents or [the] wider community of Ashford at all. “We want Chilmington Green to be the sustainable development it was planned to be, with all the community facilities intended, so we will make the case that the proposed amendments to the S106 agreement will only short change residents.” Officials from the Planning Inspectorate are set to assess in February next year whether Hodson can back out of its promised funding. The firm is also understood to be seeking to set aside its original commitment to spend £800,000 towards a new graveyard for the area, contribute towards footpaths and cycling routes and provide £2.5 million of bus vouchers for homeowners. The backtracking has angered residents, who say that without the promised community facilities the new development will place an intolerable strain on existing services. Michael Ross, 76, a retired building manager, said: “Developers think they can do what they want. The considerations of local people are never thought about. It’s insanity to build thousands of new homes and not consider what infrastructure is needed as well.” Mr Ross told MailOnline: “The needs of locals are always just an afterthought. That’s really bad. Public services will collapse. The roads are so busy as it is. Getting anywhere is already a nightmare. There should be proper obligations in place to ensure these things are met.” Hodson Developments has defended the proposed changes, saying the cost and burden of the S106 infrastructure contributions are “undermining viability” and “deliverability” of the development, though it insists “none” of the changes relate to it wanting to “enhance its profit margin”. In submitted documents, Hodson stated: “The S106 agreement was drafted in relation to a fundamentally different development than that which has emerged. “The modifications and/or discharge of obligations are necessary in order to address critical viability and deliverability challenges that have arisen as a result of a range of circumstances beyond the appellant’s control. “The proposed changes enable the delivery of the development and wider scheme. Provided peak debt levels can be reduced in accordance with the variations requested, the scheme can be delivered by the appellant and will ultimately prosper in a way that will offer the opportunity in later Review Phases to increase the affordable housing provision, whilst ensuring the delivery of all essential infrastructure.” Hodson Developments has been approached for further comment.( MENAFN - IANS) Seoul, Dec 30 (IANS) World leaders have expressed condolences and solidarity with South Korea after the tragic airplane crash in Muan claimed more than 170 lives. In a statement released by the White House, US President Joe Biden on Sunday expressed his grief over the accident and pledged support to South Korea. "Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred as a result of the Jeju airlines accident in Muan, South Korea. As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship with the South Korean people, and our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragedy. The US stands ready to provide any necessary assistance," the White House statement said. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru extended his sympathies to the bereaved families on behalf of the government and the people of Japan. "I am deeply saddened by the loss of many precious lives due to the airplane accident that occurred in South Korea. On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I wish to express my sincere condolences for the loss of life and send my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. My thoughts go out to all those who were injured, and I sincerely hope they will make a swift recovery," the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan said. India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, also expressed deep sorrow over the airplane crash. David Lammy, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, and Penny Wong, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, offered their condolences on the tragic accident. Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was "shocked" to learn of the crash, in a message to South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok. "I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," he said, quoted by China's state broadcaster CCTV. In a statement late on December 29, a spokesperson for Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry said: "The Singapore Government is saddened by the news of the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on December 29, 2024. We convey our deepest condolences to the government of South Korea and the families and loved ones of those who have perished. We wish the survivors a full recovery." "We are in contact with the South Korean authorities and there were no reports of Singaporeans on board the flight." EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was "heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan". "As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief," the European Commission President said. Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican he joins "in prayer for the survivors and the dead". "My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash," Pope Francis said. France's Foreign Ministry said that Paris learnt "with great emotion the terrible toll" and sends condolences to the affected families. Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is "yet another blow to the nation's heart" after "a difficult period" -- alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul. "This is an incredible loss and pain" for the friends and families of those killed, Steinmeier said. "Profoundly saddened by the tragic incident," Greece's Foreign Affairs Ministry said on X, sending condolences "during this difficult time". Earlier, the South Korean authorities confirmed that 179 people were killed and two people were rescued out of 181 aboard following a plane crash in South Korea's Muan region, Yonhap news agency reported. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a Jeju Air passenger jet, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, belly-landed and exploded at Muan International Airport, the Yonhap news agency reported. The aircraft veered off the runway while landing, with its landing gear not deployed, skidding across the ground, hitting a concrete wall, and bursting into flames. South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok, also declared Muan County a special disaster zone and visited the crash site to direct search operations. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae further issued an apology and expressed condolences to the victims' families, taking full responsibility for the incident. The airline has promised full support for the surviving families, including financial assistance, citing its $1 billion insurance plan. "Regardless of the cause, I take full responsibility as the CEO," Kim said. MENAFN29122024000231011071ID1109040084 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Christmas decor over the last few years has followed a more minimalist style, with pared-back designs and muted color palettes proving most popular. But this year, outdated Christmas decor is making a comeback, and it's all about embracing color and nostalgia. It's fair to say we've all recovered from the Instagram Christmas aesthetic that was void of any personality or character – and this year's Christmas decor ideas prove it. From oversized bows and mismatched designs to the return of more traditional color palettes, these are the outdated Christmas decor trends making a comeback this year – and designers just can't get enough. Nothing stays outdated for long. This year's revived trends hail from the '90s and beyond, bringing back the nostalgic looks of a classic childhood Christmas. From tinsel to kitschy decor, there's plenty here to bring back all those holiday memories. 1. Kitschy holiday decorations Nostalgia is the buzzword of Christmas 2024, with revived trends of decades past becoming favorable once again. And kitschy decor is back in full force, with color and mismatched designs proving incredibly popular. 'We're noticing a resurgence of kitschy holiday decorations – but this time, they’re being used in a more intentional and stylish way. Think oversized red bows, jingling bells, mismatched stockings, and even the ever-polarizing Elf on the Shelf. These nostalgic touches are making their way back into homes, and we’re absolutely here for it,' says Kailee Blalock, co-founder at House of Hive Design Co . 'The beauty of this trend is its flexibility. Introduce these elements in ways that feel natural to your space. Maybe it’s a big red bow on your entryway wreath, vintage bells hung on your tree, or simply a mix of stockings that tell the story of your family. Let your home’s unique character shine through with thoughtful, nostalgic touches!' This set of six clip on bows features different colors for an eclectic holiday design. A tarnished brass bell garland looks so festive paired with red and green decor. These stockings epitomize a classic Christmas – and they can be personalized! 2. Icicles and teardrop ornaments A lot of the outdated Christmas decor making a comeback this year revolves around the tree – and glass hanging ornaments in particular are having a moment this year. '2024 seems to be the year of the retro Christmas revival, and I'm so here for it,' says Charlotte Olby , H&G's style and trends editor, who's bringing in several revived trends to her Christmas decor this year. 'Pining for a dose of '90s festive nostalgia, I'm looking to bring back icicles on my tree this year and will be adding glass teardrop ornaments,' she explains. Elegant and smooth, these icicle ornaments are an utterly chic addition to your decor. This swirled glass design is a beautiful, textured take on classic teardrop ornaments. For something a bit different, these twisted icicles are an unexpected way to bring in the trend. 3. Generational heirlooms For so long, decor trends focused on the new and shiny, and those sentimental pieces inherited from earlier generations were left in boxes rather than used in holiday displays. But this year, heirloom decor is front and center of our homes. 'As our generation starts to inherit cherished decorations from grandparents and parents, we’re seeing a shift toward incorporating these heirlooms. They may not be perfectly "on-trend," but they carry sentimental value that makes a house feel like home during the holidays,' says Kailee. 'There’s something refreshing about breaking away from the pressure of maintaining a picture-perfect, ultra-curated aesthetic. Mixing in meaningful, fun, and nostalgic elements adds personality and heart to your holiday décor. It’s not about being tacky; it’s about embracing what feels authentically Christmassy to you,' she explains. 4. Colorful Christmas tree lights While the more neutral decorators among us probably won't be on board with this revived trend, anyone who loves a maximalist Christmas will be no stranger to it. Colorful Christmas lights are back in a big way – especially multi-colored string lights. Cool white lights have had their day, replaced by a warmer glow, or in this year's case, bright and colorful ones. And though they might be proving popular as tree lights, they can also be introduced to garlands on Christmas fireplaces and stair banisters, or even draped along your bookshelves. 5. Tinsel Perhaps a controversial Christmas decoration, tinsel has been out of style for quite some time now, considered tacky and dated. But this year, it's being used in a more considered way, and it's catching the attention of homeowners and designers alike, 'As well as icicles, I'm adding (shock horror) kitsch, slightly tacky lametta tinsel to drape over the branches of my tree to give it a magical, frosted effect. It's certainly not going to be a minimalist Christmas at my house,' says Charlotte. Instead of randomly covering your tree in tinsel, opt for a more considered approach. Bundles carefully draped in half over the end of branches give that layered, draped look that adds a touch of sparkle to your decor. These premium icicle tinsel strands are the perfect festive color and arrive in time for Christmas. Whether you want to add subtle hints of nostalgic decor with glass icicle ornaments or go all in with mismatched stockings and lametta tinsel, these more elevated take on outdated Christmas decor are a welcome change to holiday trends.
KUWAIT: The higher education ministry is planning to open support offices for its cultural offices abroad, Dr Nader Al-Jallal, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, announced Sunday. This initiative aims to enhance the ministry’s engagement with Kuwaiti students studying abroad, further supporting the country’s ongoing efforts to develop national competencies. The announcement followed a virtual meeting with the heads of the ministry’s cultural offices, where key topics included the number of Kuwaiti students studying abroad, particularly in fields like medicine, and how these numbers align with the needs of Kuwait’s local workforce. At the meeting, Dr Al-Jallal acknowledged the academic challenges faced by students abroad, particularly regarding English language proficiency, and proposed revisiting the IELTS score requirements for scholarship eligibility. The minister also stressed the need for increased collaboration with international universities. He emphasized that expanding scholarship opportunities and forming new academic partnerships would provide Kuwaiti students with greater access to diverse educational opportunities and enhance their global competitiveness. The meeting was attended by Acting Undersecretary Lamia Al-Melhem, Director General of the National Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education Dr Jassim Al-Ali, and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Scholarships Ghaida Madhkour. During the meeting, Dr Al-Jallal emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader, comprehensive strategy to enhance the study-abroad scholarship program, which plays a key role in building the Kuwait’s human capital. He stressed that the program is critical to developing Kuwait’s educational sector and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development and a knowledge-based economy. Dr Al-Jallal also discussed the crucial role that cultural offices play in the academic journeys of Kuwaiti students abroad. These offices serve as vital links between students and international educational institutions, as well as connecting them to the Ministry of Higher Education. The Minister noted that the new support offices would strengthen this network and ensure better communication, allowing for the rapid resolution of any academic issues that students may face. One of the key topics raised during the meeting was the need to align the number of students sent to study in medical fields with the Ministry of Health’s anticipated needs over the next five years. The officials also discussed the number of students being sent to study in other disciplines and whether those numbers align with the requirements of various sectors within the country. The minister acknowledged some academic challenges faced by students, particularly in relation to English language proficiency, and proposed reviewing the English language requirements, such as the IELTS score needed for scholarship eligibility. Dr Al-Jallal also encouraged further collaboration with international universities, aiming to expand scholarship opportunities and create more academic partnerships that would benefit Kuwaiti students. He emphasized the need for these collaborations to align with the nation’s strategic objectives, ensuring that the next generation of graduates is well-equipped to meet the demands of Kuwait’s economic and social development. Al-Ali emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of education at foreign institutions, stressing the ministry’s efforts to ensure that only accredited universities are included in Kuwait’s scholarship program. He outlined efforts to monitor academic institutions abroad and provide continuous quality assessments to ensure Kuwaiti students receive high-quality education. Madhkour said the scholarship sector is undergoing significant transformation, with continued efforts to improve the services provided to students. She emphasized that the ministry is working hard to develop a supportive environment for students to thrive in their academic pursuits. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all parties to continue enhancing the scholarship system, strengthen communication between the Ministry and cultural offices, and ensure that Kuwaiti students abroad have the resources and support they need to succeed academically and contribute to Kuwait’s future development. — KUNA
Senate Criticizes FBI, DHS for Refusing to Testify on Security RisksPolitics / BREAKING: Matt Gaetz Quits, and Journalism Still Matters—a Lot Matt Gaetz speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's embattled nominee for attorney general of the United States, today withdrew his name from consideration to lead the new administration's Department of Justice. The decision came just 45 minutes after Gaetz, a former Florida congressman whose nomination sparked widespread objections relating to reports of sexual misconduct, was told by CNN that additional shocking allegations were forthcoming. The decision by Gaetz, the most scandal-plagued of Trump's many scandal-plagued nominees, to stand down throws the president-elect's efforts to form a cabinet into even more chaos. Trump's nominees for secretary of defense, secretary of health and human services, national intelligence director, and other posts are at the center of rapidly evolving controversies about their personal lives, ties to foreign governments, and political stances. If Gaetz, a Trump favorite, is out, then will other nominees also be forced to quit? That question will be answered in the weeks and months to come. But any air of invincibility associated with the new administration was pierced by the scuttling of the nominee for attorney... https://www.thenation.com/authors
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