Author: Indmedia

Michael Jackson’s sprawling Neverland Ranch in California benefited for years from a state agricultural land-preservation programme that reduced its property-tax burden, but the arrangement came under scrutiny after county officials discovered extensive development on parts of the estate. The roughly 2,700-acre ranch in Santa Barbara County included Jackson’s home, an amusement park, zoo and other entertainment facilities, while much of the property was also used for cattle grazing. In 2003, county officials said Jackson had failed to obtain required permits or comply with zoning rules for a number of developments built over the previous decade. The dispute eventually led to…

Four parking charge notices were issued by APCOA between 28 June and 13 August. David said he had receipts to show they had paid for parking permits on each of the dates the fines had been issued.”We’ve gone through the most difficult year of our lives – nothing to what Kate’s gone through – but to have this on top is just like a straw that breaks the camel’s back,” he said.”I spent the other day writing a complaint to APCOA when I should have been at my daughter’s bedside.”In a joint statement, the NHS Humber Health Partnership and APCOA…

Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘nana’. Image Credit: ERA Nurseries Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity, hoping that thirsty, deep-rooted vegetation could help control the groundwater processes behind the problem. A long-running experiment in south-western Australia later showed that the effects of such plantations were more complicated than simply planting trees and waiting for the land to recover. Researchers established a mixed eucalyptus plantation above a saline seep in 1976 and monitored how the trees affected groundwater levels and salt movement for 15 years. The study found clear signs that the plantation used more water than nearby crops and pasture,…

Ben Stokes is set for a long-awaited return to the Big Bash League after signing with Adelaide Strikers for the entirety of the 2026-27 season, giving the competition one of its most recognisable overseas recruits in recent years. The former England captain, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, will be available throughout BBL 16, beginning with the Strikers’ opening fixture against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on December 16. Should Adelaide progress all the way, Stokes is also expected to remain with the franchise through the knockout phase and the final, scheduled for January 26, 2027.Ben Stokes joins the…

Life plans often change unexpectedly, causing uncertainty and doubt. Proverbs 3:5-6 offers guidance on trusting divine direction through difficult times. This biblical passage encourages acknowledging God in all actions and decisions. Responsible action combined with faith helps navigate unforeseen circumstances and challenges. Acknowledging God’s guidance can lead to better beginnings and opportunities. Sometimes life does not follow the plan you have carefully drawn. A job is in limbo. Money becomes uncertain. The relationship changes. No rhyme or reason, a chance goes astray. In times like this, Proverbs 3:5-6 provides one of the clearest lessons in the Bible on trust, uncertainty…

Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said tourist visits could provide “big support” to Nepal Nepal is facing one of the most difficult moments in its recent history. Settlements have been swept away, roads and bridges have disappeared under floodwaters and rescue teams are still searching for missing people. Yet, amid the devastation, the country has a message for tourists: “do not stay away.”Nepal’s tourism authorities are urging international travellers to continue visiting the country, arguing that tourism could provide much-needed support as the Himalayan nation begins the long and expensive process of recovery.“Our mountain trails and trekking routes are still…

New Delhi, Insolvency tribunal NCLT on Tuesday barred Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra from alienating his assets and stayed an order allowing him to settle claims arising from personal guarantees on group borrowings for about Rs 6.5 crore, against claims of roughly Rs 22,006 crore.A five-member special bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), headed by President Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, said there was no clear majority view on the repayment plan and therefore the order could not be given effect.”It is manifest that as per Section 419(5) of the Companies Act, there is no clear majority view capable…

Srinagar, Sep 02 : Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said the party would continue its peaceful struggle for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, asserting that “every day is a day of protest” for the party.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NC protest in Srinagar, Minister itoo per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the demand for restoration of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir had continued since 2019 and would be pursued at every level.“The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose it and they…

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in parts of Delhi on Wednesday.Commuters seen during sudden rains at South Extension in New Delhi. (Hindustan Times)Palam recorded 64.2mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8:30am on Wednesday, even as the Safdarjung observatory, the official marker for the national Capital, recorded no rain during the period.Aya Nagar recorded 1.9 mm of rainfall, while Lodhi Road received only a trace. No rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung and Ridge during the 24-hour period. Notably, the weather stations recorded no rainfall between 8:30am and…

Almost half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every single year, a study has found.Using publicly available data from 2006-2023, the study, which was commissioned by Pesticide Action Network, found there to be an estimated 402-433m cases of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning of farmers and farm workers every year.Based on a worldwide farming population of 934 million, this means approximately 46% of farmers are being poisoned every year. The greatest estimated number of poisonings was in southern Asia, followed by south-east Asia and east Africa.The overall highest national incidence of poisoning was in Burkina Faso in west Africa,…