Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Following Georgia’s elections, ODIHR reiterates concerns over pressure on voters and independence of state institutions and calls for concrete action
Following Georgia’s elections, ODIHR reiterates concerns over pressure on voters and independence of state institutions and calls for concrete action | OSCE
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Home Newsroom News and press releases Following Georgia’s elections, ODIHR reiterates concerns over pressure on voters and independence of state institutions and calls for concrete action
H.R. 8235 would update the requirements rural hospitals must meet to receive specific Medicare funding for graduate medical education. The bill would affect which hospitals are eligible to receive such funding but would not change the total amount of funding available. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 8235 would not affect direct spending or revenues. CBO has not estimated the bill’s effects on spending subject to appropriation. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
H.R. 8244 would increase the limit on the amount of civil monetary penalties a skilled nursing facility may have assessed against it while maintaining approval to operate a nursing aides’ training program. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 8244 would not affect direct spending or revenues. CBO has not estimated the bill’s effects on spending subject to appropriation. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
H.R. 8245 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to certain rural hospitals to promote the availability of services. Hospitals could use those grants to recruit new staff or acquire equipment, for example. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. The bill would authorize $20 million annually over the 2026‑2029 period for the new program. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would increase spending subject to appropriation by $80 million over the 2025-2034 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
H.R. 8246, the Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act, would allow critical access hospitals and certain small rural hospitals that closed between January 1, 2014, and December 26, 2020, to reopen as rural emergency hospitals. Those facilities would qualify for additional Medicare payments, including higher reimbursement rates and annual facility payments, depending on their distance from other hospitals. Based on an assessment of the number of additional locations that would become eligible for monthly payments, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would result in about 6,000 additional monthly payments to rural emergency hospitals, increasing Medicare fee-for-service spending by $2 billion. That change also would increase payments to Medicare Advantage plans. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 8246 would increase total direct spending by $3.4 billion over the 2025‑2034 period and that enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act of 2024, would modify rules for determining national and local coverage in Medicare’s programs and revise certain Medicare payments and benefits. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would decrease net direct spending by $129 million over the 2025-2034 period. The bill would provide $5 million to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which CBO estimates would increase direct spending by the same amount over the 2025-2034 period to implement changes to the national and local coverage process. The bill also would expand Medicare coverage for the home infusion of drugs. CBO estimates that enacting that provision would reduce direct spending by $134 million over the 2025-2034 period. The bill also would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a four-year demonstration project offering medically tailored, home-delivered meals to beneficiaries with heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions. CBO estimates that enacting the medically tailored meals demonstration would not significantly affect direct spending over the 2025‑2034 period. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
Tyler Coleman holds two harvested ducks that have been banded. Coleman wears a necklace of bands he’s collected over the years.
Each Band is a Memory and a Story
For lifelong waterfowl hunter Tyler Coleman, bird bands hold a special fascination. “Bands can be a prize, but equally divisive,” said Coleman. “Bands have a purpose, and when you try to understand the science of waterfowl, you can better understand that banding plays an important role in their conservation.”
Tyler grew up in Lebanon, PA, and graduated from Penn State with an Agricultural Science degree. After college, he worked in a local taxidermy studio before starting his own business that specializes in waterfowl taxidermy with a small retail front geared toward duck and goose hunters.
Tyler describes the raw emotion of flipping over a bird, or watching his dog return with a banded bird, as being hard to beat. He knows that many hunters look at bands as prizes or tokens from a hunt. But for Tyler, each band tells a story. “I can look at my lanyard, point to any duck band, and recall the amazing details of that particular hunt,” said Coleman. “It could have been a ‘dogs retrieve on a bird that was a goner,’ a memorable destination hunt, or just a fun hunt with friends and family. I love to look at a band as a memory and story that will outlive me in many regards.”
As a hunter, Tyler genuinely appreciates the banding data certificate he receives from a harvested banded bird. He views it as unique way of bringing the bird’s story full circle: from where it was first banded to where it traveled either locally or far and wide. “I don’t quite understand why hunters do not want to report bands; maybe there is a disconnect to the importance of reporting? Or no real incentive in reporting, unless you fully understand the importance and overall goal,” said Coleman. He believes there is an opportunity to teach more waterfowl hunters about the value and science behind bands so that reporting becomes almost second nature.
Over the years, Tyler has witnessed bird bands go from being a pleasant surprise on a hunt, to becoming the main purpose with hunters trying to target a band. He wonders if this shift takes away some authenticity from the purpose of the bands, or at the very foundation, somehow negatively affects the data being collected. “I have been blessed to have harvested many bands in my life. I love flipping a bird over, or snagging it from my Spaniels grin, and seeing their leg sporting something extra,” said Coleman. “Bands are a bonus and shouldn’t be the only purpose to hunt and by no means should be treated as a ‘status symbol’ in the waterfowl community.”
Preacher, Tyler Coleman’s Boykin spaniel, holds a harvested and banded bird in his mouth.
Every Report Matters
Reporting waterfowl bird bands in North America is crucial for tracking populations, understanding movements, and supporting conservation and management efforts by state, federal, private, and tribal entities. The data collected from these reports plays a vital role in monitoring habitat use, population dynamics, and disease trends—all factors that biologists use to make decisions on wildlife management issues. Additionally, encouraging band reporting fosters public involvement in conservation and informs policies that protect waterfowl and their habitats for future generations.
Even a single report can provide valuable insights. When waterfowl bands are reported to the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory, researchers can link the banding data—including the bird’s age, sex, and the location where it was banded—to subsequent reports of that bird at different times and potentially different locations. These paired data points, accumulated across thousands of reports, enable researchers to uncover crucial information that supports wildlife conservation, scientific research and the effective management of bird populations.
For example, if a bird travels long distances during migration, reporting the band provides researchers with the opportunity to track its movement patterns, migratory routes, and seasonal behavior. This helps scientists understand how waterfowl use different habitats throughout their lifecycle, including their migration strategies and stopover locations.
Additionally, reporting where and when banded waterfowl are spotted or harvested allows researchers to estimate key population parameters, such as survival rates, and monitor changes in population numbers over time. This helps determine whether certain species are thriving or declining and provides insight into how environmental factors like habitat loss or climate change are affecting waterfowl populations.
A Rich History in Banding Ducks
For decades, banding waterfowl has been one of three core monitoring programs that underpin modern, scientific approaches to waterfowl management. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Division of Migratory Bird Management is involved in both the collection and analysis of banding data. USFWS staff coordinates with banders from various state, federal, private, and tribal agencies in ongoing, annual banding efforts. For example, banding data play a critical role in developing harvest management plans for many goose populations, such as snow geese, and Canada geese across North America. Another example is the Western Canada Cooperative Waterfowl Banding Program which focuses on banding waterfowl throughout the Canadian prairies and Canadian boreal forest. During banding operations, crews capture waterfowl where they congregate to molt or stage prior to fall migration and apply uniquely numbered metal leg bands.
The banding efforts that take place in August are considered “preseason” banding in that they precede the hunting season. In estimating harvest rates, its advantageous that banding occurs just prior to migration and the hunting season so that little natural mortality occurs between the time birds are banded and hunting seasons begin. Not only does this information provide critical scientific data about the percentage of birds that are harvested, where those birds came from originally, and survival rates, but over the years, tens of thousands of birds have been banded, an incredibly impressive number of birds providing a robust data set for biologists. Find out more about the program and read the stories of banding crews in the field.
Some of Tyler Coleman’s banded, harvested birds.
Banded ducks may be recaptured in the future by biologists or get harvested by hunters, who then report these bands to the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory (or Canada’s Bird Banding Office), which provides information about where the bird was banded, where it was recovered, and how long it lived.
This information helped biologists learn what migratory pathways ducks were taking and what habitats they use, which helped them ultimately create the administrative Flyway system. That same system is now what we use to manage those birds, prioritize conservation projects, and set regulations based on those migratory flyways. The Flyway system, established in the 1950s, has been instrumental in developing a strong working relationship between the Service and states. Originally focused solely on waterfowl habitat conservation, the Joint Ventures now provide the science and coordination to protect and restore habitat for all bird species in the United States. The effectiveness of these partnerships, and particularly the Flyway system, is best demonstrated by the fact that waterfowl are one of only two groups of birds (raptors being the other) that have increased in abundance since the 1970s.
Role of Banding Data in Harvest Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program biologists and their counterparts in the U.S. Geological Survey have led the way in developing models that utilize banding and recovery data to predict the impacts of harvest and other take, as well as develop an understanding of environmental factors that drive migratory bird populations.
When hunters harvest the banded birds and report the band number, waterfowl managers can use that information to estimate important population parameters such as survival rates and harvest rates. Banding recovery data are also important for assessing the if there are differences in the ages or between sexes of ducks of being hunted. This information is instrumental in the development of Adaptive Harvest Management and are used by biologists to set annual waterfowl hunting regulations.
The Federal Framework Regulations are the main foundation of annual regulations and consist of the boundary dates for opening and closing seasons, season length, daily bag and possession limits, and shooting hours. To ensure that hunting regulations are based on the best available and mostly timely scientific information, USFWS use data from annual monitoring programs to determine the birds’ status, and ultimately if hunting can be sustained. Specifically, the results of annual survey and monitoring programs including bird banding, waterfowl breeding population and habitat surveys, and harvest surveys, as the basis for establishing the annual federal frameworks.
Tyler Coleman holds two banded ducks.
Impact on Conservation and Management
The data collected through reported bands is essential for adjusting conservation and management strategies. For instance, it can guide decisions about habitat restoration, the establishment of protected areas, and wildlife protection programs. Reporting banded birds also helps researchers assess population health, survival rates, and reproductive success, which are essential for maintaining stable and sustainable waterfowl populations.
Importantly, reporting banded birds is crucial for ensuring sustainable hunting practices. For hunters, submitting band reports is a way to contribute to the conservation of waterfowl species. By tracking banded birds through harvest reports, wildlife agencies can better understand hunting’s impact on populations and adjust regulations—such as hunting seasons and bag limits—to prevent overharvesting and protect vulnerable species.
Overall, reporting banded waterfowl through the federal bird banding report website is a critical tool for informing conservation and management decisions. By knowing where and when banded birds are observed, wildlife agencies can prioritize conservation efforts and make informed decisions about habitat protection and species management, helping to safeguard waterfowl populations for future generations.
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts was packed with family, friends, and supporters of this year’s largest BS/Certificate of Entry into Nursing (CEIN) graduating class on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
CEIN students go from having a bachelor’s degree in another field to becoming a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in Connecticut in just one year. It is a rigorous accelerated program, (the longest-running one of its kind in the state), that provides a pathway for students of all ages and backgrounds to join the nursing profession.
Achieving this feat in such a compact time frame requires an enormous level of dedication, especially for students who are returning to higher education after a gap period, caretaking, or working – sometimes all three.
The program is offered in Storrs as well as at three of UConn’s regional campuses – Stamford, Waterbury, and Avery Point – and runs from January to December.
Class of 2024 BS/CEIN graduates enjoying some sun before heading onto stage
This cohort was the 22ndaccelerated nursing class to graduate from the School of Nursing. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony began with a greeting from Del Siegle, Ph.D., MS, BS, University Marshal who serves as the Lynn and Ray Neag Endowed Chair for Talent Development.
The School of Nursing’s Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson, Ph.D., RN, FAHA, FAAN led the processional welcome and introduced this year’s commencement speaker Lucinda Canty, Ph.D., CNM, FACNM, FAAN, FADLN, recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award.
We chose to be nurses. We chose to be the ones in scrubs, the ones at the bedside, the ones who care deeply and serve selflessly. – David Broughton, ’24 (NUR), CEIN Class President
This year’s Pellegrina (Peggy) Lacovella Stolfi Clinical Teaching Awards went to Melissa Rembish, MSN, RN-BC, (Health Assessment Instructor); Sherene Fagon, RN, MSN, C-EFM, (Population-based Course Instructor); and Lori-Anne Lowry, MSN, RN-CVBC, CNL, (Adult Care/Community Health Instructor).
CEIN’s class president, David Broughton, delivered a speech of encouragement and hope to his fellow graduates. “We’re ready not only because we’ve gained the knowledge and skills, but because we have the resilience, the heart, and the support of each other,” Broughton said. “Yet, in a world filled with choices, we all found our way to the same path.We chose to be nurses. We chose to be the ones in scrubs, the ones at the bedside, the ones who care deeply and serve selflessly.”
Students from all four campuses lined up to enter the stage and receive their pins – some from family members, friends, and spouses. Elizabeth Mayerson, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, president of the Sigma Theta Tau Mu Chapter, presented the candidates; over 80 CEIN students (more than half) were inducted into this international honor society in November, which has more than 10,000 active members worldwide.
Nine students received acknowledgement for their veteran or active-duty service, and students with a 4.0 GPA, (who are automatic members of the American Holistic Nurses Association), were recognized for their excellence in academic achievement. The Sigma student award was received by Stamford student Morgan Moltzau.
As you transition from nursing student to professional nurse, always remember that you are UConn nurses, our best and our brightest, and that we will always be proud of you. – Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson
After each student crossed the stage, the UConn Nursing PRAXIS pledge was led by president of the School of Nursing alumni board, Diana Filipek-Oberg, BSN.Vice provost for health sciences, Amy Gorin, Ph.D., followed with the time-honored Conferral of Degrees before closing remarks by Dean Dickson.
Dean Dickson imparted a message of pride and inspiration as these students enter the next chapter in their nursing journey. “As UConn nurses, you are essential to the future of nursing and of health care,” she said. “You are well-prepared to care for individuals, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds to optimize well-being.As you transition from nursing student to professional nurse, always remember that you are UConn nurses, our best and our brightest, and that we will always be proud of you.”
She went on to say, “Graduates – I charge you now to fully assume the responsibilities of your new status … to build upon the foundation of knowledge through a commitment to lifelong learning and to seek out opportunities through practice and service to exemplify the vision of UConn Nursing: innovative, evidence-based, and caring nurses transforming health care and promoting health equity for all.”
In response, the words of class president David Broughton ring true. “We are the UConn Husky Nurses, today, tomorrow, and forever, and we carry that pride with us as we step forward into our futures.”
To learn more about UConn’s second bachelor’s degree in nursing program, visitHome | Certificate Entry into Nursing (CEIN) Program.
Junior Chapal Bhavsar is interested in big, sustainable-technology projects, including the creation of climate-friendly power plants, and is eager to use his finance knowledge to find ways to fund their construction.
As one of 14 UConn students, and five faculty and staff, to attend the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan last month, Bhavsar met many people—including some international power figures—who share his ideology.
“At COP, I wanted to connect with people in the business space. I went in with an open mind and was happy to talk to anyone. I was in the room with the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan and with a Saudi delegation working on a clean-energy pipeline. It was fascinating to talk about how financing is changing in the sector, with private industry replacing government entities to advance these projects.’’
“Perhaps the highlight was being able to connect with the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mark Libby,’’ Bhavsar said. “He’s from Southbury and I grew up in Danbury, so we had that in common. I was excited to connect with someone who is so key in the climate-protection movement, a top guy who is very successful. He invited us to a roundtable where he answered all kinds of questions.’’
Bhavsar was joined by two other UConn business students, senior Jackie Flaherty, who is majoring in marketing and urban and community studies and minoring in geographic information science; and senior Naiiya Patel, who is studying accounting, with minors in philosophy, and social responsibility and impact in business. All three are members of the UConn Honors program.
‘Committed to Purposeful Change’
Arminda Kamphausen, director for Global & Sustainability Initiatives at the School of Business, said the COP 29 conference offered students an extraordinary experience. UConn business students have been participating since 2021.
“This once-in-a-lifetime experience ticks all the boxes: international travel, cultural awareness, and growth through exposure to and interaction with critical real-world issues,’’ she said. “The conversations I have had with these students since their return underscores the importance of experiential learning to a complete education. I am so glad we prioritize that here at the UConn School of Business.’’
“The conversations also reinforce my hope in this generation of young people who are committed to purposeful change and positive impact. Experiences like this give them the tools they need to do just that,’’ she said.
Kamphausen said the UConn Office of Sustainability deserves credit for its work to make this adventure happen, and particularly for its ability to arrange for our students to enter the exclusive arena where the most meaningful negotiations occur.
Sustainable Initiatives That Could Apply to Gampel
Patel enjoyed the conference and said one of the highlights for her was having the opportunity to meet the former President of Finland, Tarja Halonen. She told Halonen how much she enjoyed her presentation on the importance of a greener future and need to act decisively.
“It was very cool; I never expected to meet someone so important,’’ Patel said.
Patel said she arrived at COP 29 thinking that she would focus on youth impact and teaching, but found many other interests there as well.
“The themes covered so many fascinating topics from water security to biodiversity to transportation and tourism. It felt so cool because so much of it could be applied right here at UConn,’’ she said.
Patel was intrigued by a presentation from an executive with the Liverpool soccer team, who talked about initiatives to keep the facility and the patron experience more sustainable and climate friendly.
“I thought it would be a great match at UConn and perhaps we could adopt some of those ideas at Gampel,’’ she said. “It was an interesting conference and I didn’t expect that much access to information nor to be around so many important people. Every day there were new panels and an amazing schedule of events. I loved the freedom to seek the information that was of most interest to me.’’
Patel’s professional interests include business, sustainability and education. She hopes to work for one of the Big 4 accounting firms, and said having knowledge about climate-change initiatives will be an advantage in securing her first job and advancing in the industry.
Flaherty Built New Network of Friends, Colleagues
Flaherty has worked in the Office of Sustainability in various capacities since she came to UConn.
“My interest began senior year in high school when I took environmental science and human geography courses,’’ she said. “I really enjoy both communicating information and working with people.’’
The trip to COP 29 was particularly enjoyable for Flaherty, who hasn’t traveled extensively. She loved both the food and the people. “I also enjoyed meeting representatives from around the world and hearing their perspectives,’’ she said.
She hopes to work in sustainable urban planning or communications following graduation.
“This will be such a nice experience to talk about in my future career. I’m so grateful to UConn to have offered this opportunity. It is so important going forward in my career to have had this experience,’’ she said. “I also found a great new network of UConn friends to build both professional relationships and friendships.’’
One of the things that surprised her was seeing oil companies and other lobbyists at the event.
Flaherty and her peers both wished that the conference had generated more substantial change, as the 2015 COP agreement did, resulting in the Paris Agreement. But only about 20 percent of the original finance goals were adopted at the conference.
“At first, I was very disappointed in the outcome. But now I think it is important to focus on what we can do in our communities and to push local leaders to advocate and pressure for national initiatives and investments,’’ Flaherty said.
“Regardless of some frustrations, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to interact with people from around the world and it was tremendously eye-opening,’’ she added.
Bhavsar, a Fulbright scholar with a particular interest in banking and analyst roles, said he still felt optimistic after the event. “Its important that we make progress. It can always be better but it is a big step to make and build connections,’’ he said. “I think these nations are on the right track and moving in the right direction.’’
Bhavsar said he will long remember the people he met at the conference and in the country, visiting a palace, a fire temple, a mosque and exploring Baku.
“UConn support helped us attend COP but also have a tremendous cultural experience as well,’’ he said. “I met one guy who went home and got his brother, who spoke English and could translate for us. We all went out for tea! The Azerbaijani people are very, very nice.’’
On December 14, 2024, at approximately 1:15 am, Powerview RCMP received a weapons complaint in the community of Manigotagan.
While patrolling the area, officers conducted a traffic stop and recognized the male driver of the vehicle as a person with an outstanding warrant.
As the officer was placing the driver under arrest, another traffic stop was being conducted nearby with assistance from Hollow Water First Nation Safety Officers.
Two males from the second vehicle were arrested and when searching the vehicle, officers located a loaded firearm.
RCMP arrested Cole Arthurson, 28, from Selkirk, Kyle Clarke, 34, from Winnipeg, and Keanu Simard, 28 from Hollow Water. All three were charged with a number of firearm-related offences.
On December 16, 2024, at approximately 12:00 am, Powerview RCMP conducted a traffic stop while on patrol in the community, stopping a vehicle with three occupants on Cedar Street.
As the officer approached the vehicle, the male driver informed police he did not have a valid license. After speaking with the other male occupants in the vehicle – officers noticed what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun in plain view in the back.
All three occupants were arrested without incident at the scene.
Clements Swampy, 29, Matthew Boyd, 32, both of Fort Alexander, and Brennon Beaulieu (22) from Winnipeg were all charged with numerous firearm-related offences.
With the assistance of the public, the second individual responsible for the break, enter and theft from NF Power communications site in Old Perlican, 42-year-old David Joseph Traverse of Heart’s Delight, was arrested by Harbour Grace RCMP.
On December 16, 2024, two suspects were caught on surveillance stealing copper wire from the NF Power communications site in Old Perlican. One suspect, 40-year-old Hope Cox, was arrested departing the scene in a vehicle. The other suspect, later identified as Traverse, fled the scene on foot.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Traverse was arrested without incident on December 18, 2024. He is charged with the following criminal offences:
Break and enter
Theft over $5000.00
Michief over $5000.00, damage to property
Possession of break in instruments/tools
Wearing a disguise
Failure to comply with a condition of a release order
Traverse appeared in court in Harbour Grace yesterday and was held in custody overnight. He will appear in court today.
RCMP NL thanks the public for assistance provided during this investigation.
Ten councils in Hertfordshire have released a joint statement on local government reform:
“Following the publication of the Devolution White Paper, and subsequent statements by the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, we would like to make it clear that we do not support the creation of one unitary council for Hertfordshire.
“Our county is diverse and made up of over 1.2 million residents across urban, suburban, and rural areas. Any reform of local government in Hertfordshire should follow a period of proper consultation with residents, businesses, elected representatives and stakeholders. Looking at the evidence, we should decide collectively what is best for our area. A single unitary council for the county risks diminishing local representation, with decision-making that is remote from the communities we serve.
“We do not support postponing the county council elections scheduled for May 2025. The government has indicated that this will only happen in priority areas who have clear and agreed plans. This is not the case in Hertfordshire, so we cannot be in the first phase of these reforms.
“We recognise that the government’s white paper sets a clear direction of travel. As Hertfordshire’s district and borough council leaders, we want to work collaboratively with others to agree how we respond to this. Any changes must be carefully considered, transparent, and inclusive, ensuring that residents and businesses are fully engaged in shaping the future governance of Hertfordshire.
“Our objective must be to get this right for our residents and businesses. That cannot be achieved if we make rushed decisions that have not been given the serious consideration that they deserve.”
Statement agreed by the following leaders:
Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford (Watford Borough Council) Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader of St Albans City and District Council Councillor Max Holloway, Leader of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Councillor Daniel Allen, Leader of North Hertfordshire Council Councillor Adrian England, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop, Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council Councillor Ben Crystal, Leader of East Herts District Council
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced a final rule to implement requirements for futures commission merchants related to margin adequacy and the treatment of separate accounts of a customer. The rule finalizes the Commission’s proposal, published in the Federal Register in March, to codify the no-action position in CFTC staff letter 19-17 regarding separate account treatment. That staff letter, which was supplemented and extended by CFTC Staff Letters 20-28, 21-29, 22-11, 23-13, and 24-07, was jointly issued by the Division of Clearing and Risk and the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (now Market Participants Division) on July 10, 2019. Letter 19-17 included a DCR staff no-action position stating DCR would not recommend an enforcement action if a derivatives clearing organization permits an FCM clearing member to treat the separate accounts of a customer as accounts of separate entities for purposes of CFTC Regulation 39.13(g)(8)(iii), so long as the clearing member’s internal controls and procedures require it to, and it in fact does comply with certain conditions. In April 2023, the Commission published in the Federal Register its first proposal to codify the no-action position of Letter 19-17. In this first proposal, the Commission proposed to codify the no-action position of Letter 19-17 under its Part 39 DCO regulations, applicable to DCOs, and to their clearing FCMs through the operation of DCO rules. In light of comments received, the Commission withdrew the first proposal, and instead proposed requirements for separate account treatment in Part 1, directly applicable to FCMs. The final rule adopted Regulation 1.44, which will apply to all FCMs, with respect to their customers, a margin adequacy requirement like the one applicable to DCOs in Regulation 39.13(g)(8)(iii). Regulation 1.44 will also permit FCMs, whether clearing or non-clearing, to treat the separate accounts of a single customer as accounts of separate entities for purposes of the new margin adequacy requirement, and will set forth risk-mitigating requirements, based on the no-action conditions in Letter 19-17 and similar proposed requirements in the Commission’s proposals, with which such FCMs must comply in applying separate account treatment. The final rule also amends Regulations 1.3, 1.17, 1.20, 1.32, 1.58, 1.73, 22.2, 30.2, 30.7, and 39.13 to facilitate implementation of Regulation 1.44 and to correct certain inconsistencies identified in the Commission’s existing regulations. The final rule makes modifications in light of comments received, including with respect to:
Proposed requirements related to the treatment of separate accounts of an FCM customer for purposes of certain capital treatment requirements under Regulation 1.17. Proposed definitions of certain terms in Regulation 1.44. Proposed requirements related to a separate account meeting the “one business day margin call” standard, concerning meeting margin calls during foreign banking holidays and untimely payment of margin due to certain administrative errors or operational constraints. A proposed requirement related to the consistent application of separate account treatment.
The compliance date for FCMs that are members of a DCO as of the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register is 180 days after such date of publication, while the compliance date for all other FCMs is 365 days after such date of publication.
SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With home prices on the rise for years, young adults across the Pacific Northwest have found homeownership to be increasingly out of reach. A new poll by PEMCO Mutual Insurance shows that 81% of respondents agree that Gen Z and Millennial adults are far less likely to own a home than previous generations.
The poll of Washington and Oregon residents highlights a drastic increase in this mindset since 2020, when just 68% shared the same sentiment four years ago. A number of factors could be attributed to this drastic increase, including a lack of affordable housing, persistent inflation and stagnant wages.
Current homeowners agree that they would find themselves in a similar boat to today’s renters – more than a third of respondents (38%) reported they would not be able to purchase the home they own for what it’s worth in today’s market.
Does this mean the prospect of owning a home is dying out in the Pacific Northwest? Well, not necessarily. A majority of respondents (65%) reported that they are likely to own a home one day, a theme that’s consistent across both metro and suburban areas. Regardless of where they live, though, adults under 35 are the most confident with 75% of respondents believing they are likely to own a home one day, followed by the 35-54 group at 65%, and the 55+ age group at 47%. Young adults being the most confident in their ability to own a home in the future is consistent from the poll’s 2020 findings, too.
“Homeownership is an evolving landscape, and the path to it has become more complex for younger generations. While factors like affordability and shifting priorities are key, it’s important to remember that it may not be the right choice for everyone,” said Jennifer Hawton, spokesperson for PEMCO. “It’s clear that young adults have adopted a more flexible lifestyle, with the rise of remote work allowing many to bring in a full-time income from virtually anywhere. That could be a significant reason that young adults don’t want to feel tied to one place and instead, opt to remain renters. Whatever the case, we love that young adults in the Pacific Northwest are as confident in themselves as we are in them.”
As for those who currently rent, 73% of residents said the downpayment on a house is what’s stopping them from purchasing a home. Likewise, 59% said the monthly mortgage payments are also a major barrier in becoming a homeowner. Both numbers have risen significantly since PEMCO last asked in 2020 (55% and 51%, respectively).
For a complete summary of PEMCO’s proprietary poll results visit www.pemco.com/blog/nw-polls, where you’ll find responses collected by Qualtrics in July 2024.
About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll PEMCO Mutual Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by Qualtrics, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 420 respondents in the Seattle Metro (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties) region, 402 respondents in the Portland Metro (Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas, Washington Counties), and 383 respondents in the Spokane area (Spokane and Stevens Counties) yields an accuracy of +/- 5.0% respectively at the 95% confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.
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Thehead of theUN migration agency stressed on Friday that Syria is in no position to take back millions of Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, while there is an urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions impacting the war-ravaged country.
“We are not promoting large-scale returns; the communities frankly are just not ready to absorb the people who are displaced and would come home…it will overwhelm the country,” said Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “Many have returned to find their find their homes reduced to rubble,” she noted.
Speaking in Geneva shortly after returning from Damascus where she held talks with representatives of the caretaker authorities, Ms. Pope described how 14 years of war had destroyed “hospitals, schools, community centres” and much else.
“Rebuilding homes is just one part of the solution, but [Syrians] also need access to healthcare and essential services to feel secure and lay the foundations for recovery.”
More than half of Syria’s population has been displaced, some 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance and well over six million Syrian refugees have sought shelter abroad.
‘Enormous’ need for funds
“The needs for funding – both financial resources, political resources – are going to be enormous,” Ms. Pope continued, confirming that IOM “will be part of any effort to help address the situation there”, including potentially at an upcoming Syria reconstruction conference planned by the French Government in January.
And yet the task of rebuilding and investing in Syria following the overthrow of the Assad regime by Hayat-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters and others, remains complicated by sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, following the violent repression of pro-democracy protests in 2011 that escalated into civil war.
On Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for international solidarity with Syrians “until conditions are met for all sanctions to be removed” by the Member States that imposed them, while also insisting on the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid and support efforts to rebuild the economy.
Echoing that appeal, IOM’s Ms. Pope described the impact of sanctions in Syria, where “people do not have access to cash…they do not have access to credit”.
Goods are exchanged rather than purchased and salaries “are extremely low and often insufficient to meet their most basic of needs…So, to rebuild the situation, there will be a need to re-evaluate those sanctions.”
Human rights must be paramount
Also briefing in Geneva, UN human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan insisted that “whoever is in power, the obligations of the States remain the same, and that is protection of all human rights for all Syrians. When it comes to sanctions, it is important that any sanctions imposed by any party take into consideration the importance of humanitarian aid for the civilians. This should not be affected in any way.”
Providing insight into her high-level meetings in Damascus, Ms. Pope described a “sense of openness” to the international community and a willingness to engage with it – a message that was “echoed throughout by all members of the caretaker government to all parties, whether they were other members of the diplomatic corps or other members of the UN family”.
Mass poverty
IOM has been unable to operate in Syria since 2018. Today, more than 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line and 800,000 people have been newly displaced in recent weeks, presenting a massive new humanitarian emergency.
“Frankly, across the board we’ve had some pretty serious challenges meeting those humanitarian needs, largely because of the barriers put in place by the Assad government, but also because of the ongoing conflict,” Ms. Pope explained, in reference to ongoing clashes across Syria.
Important as immediate relief aid is for Syria, the IOM chief said that it should be accompanied by a “stabilizing” of the situation in Syria.
This would need to involve “justice, reparation and inclusivity”, she said, but also housing, land and property rights that are “key and at the heart of community stabilization in the context of the returns that we anticipate”.
Healthcare in peril
Meanwhile, echoing deep concerns over the scale of needs and “tremendous hardships” that Syrians still face, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) launched an appeal on Friday to raise $56.4 million over the next six months.
Displaced communities continue to live in overcrowded conditions in formal camps and shelters, with too little to eat and succumbing to respiratory infections and other communicable diseases including diarrhoea and scabies, warned Dr. Christina Bethke, Acting WHO Representative in Syria.
Speaking from Damascus, Dr. Bethke described one WHO assessment team’s mission to Idlib in the northwest of the country. They spoke to “dedicated surgeons who have worked tirelessly during this escalation over the last three weeks, often under attack and in order to save lives. One surgeon shared the words of these patients, saying, ‘We finally sleep at night, no longer worrying about being bombarded.’”
Funding for WHO’s appeal will sustain critical health services during the transition period, including 141 health facilities in northwest Syria that are at risk of “imminent closure in the coming weeks”, owing to a lack of resources.
“The health infrastructure is severely strained and we saw in just three weeks during this escalation 36 attacks on health care have been reported and over half the country’s hospitals are non-functional,” Dr. Bethke said.
Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Strategy Details Roadmap to Improved Highways, Airports and Water Infrastructure for Manitobans
New Infrastructure Investment Strategy Will Support Manitoban Economy and Transportation Needs: Naylor
The Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, which outlines planned capital investments for highway, airport, water-related and general infrastructure over the next five years, is now available, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.
“Building the Manitoba of tomorrow starts with this new visionary plan,” said Naylor. “The Infrastructure Investment Strategy outlines our government’s priorities in connecting Manitobans across the province for years to come. Many of these projects will improve road safety, ensuring families can travel safely while also creating new opportunities to expand our economy and create thriving businesses and jobs.”
The strategy provides a comprehensive overview of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s project priorities through to 2029 to improve transparency and provide advance notice to stakeholders and rightsholders, while still providing flexibility to accommodate emerging issues, the minister noted.
Some multi-year project highlights include:
twinning of Trans-Canada Highway from five kilometres (km) west of Provincial Road (PR) 301 to the Ontario boundary to improve public safety and support trade through this major corridor;
interchange construction on the south Perimeter Highway at McGillivray Boulevard and St. Anne’s Road as part of the Perimeter Freeway Initiative;
projects on PTH 75 including a structure renewal at Morris River 0.6 km north of PTH 23 and surface reconstruction from 6.6 km north of PTH 14 to 3.4 km south of PTH 23;
$600 million, conditional on a memorandum of understanding, to enhance flood protection to communities in the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin area and to strengthen Manitoba’s existing network of flood mitigation infrastructure;
progress toward construction of a new airport at Wasagamack Airport;
continued work toward construction of a bridge at Sea Falls;
intersection improvements on Trans-Canada Highway at Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5; and
surface reconstruction on PTH 6 from 0.6 km south of PR 239 to Fairford River.
“We’re pleased to see the Manitoban government outline a strong commitment to improve the infrastructure that keeps Manitobans moving, as we know the importance of our roads, bridges and flood protection systems to creating a strong economy,” said Chris Lorenc, president and CEO, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. “A five-year plan ensures we’re able to meet the demands required by these important projects and we look forward to advancing Manitoba as a transportation hub not just in Canada, but across the continent.”
Projects outlined within this document are organized to reflect projects under four strategic investment categories: infrastructure renewal, economic development, climate resiliency and connectivity and innovation. These investments will strengthen and complement projects under ongoing initiatives such as the Trade and Commerce Grid Initiative, Perimeter Freeway Initiative, and Enhancing National Trade Corridors Strategy, noted the minister.
These investments also build on previously announced projects such $30 million to build a northern corridor to the Port of Churchill to export resources to reflect the Manitoba government’s goal of making Manitoba an inter-continental trade gateway, a commitment of $15 million over several years for the capital redevelopment of the Thompson airport and continued support for the development of the CentrePort Canada Rail Park.
To read the Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/pdf/2024_multi-year_infrastructure_investment_strategy.pdf.
Defendants Allegedly Committed Aggravated Identity Theft by Using Identities of Victims in Connection with a Scheme to Wrongfully Obtain More than $1,000,000 in Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging two Maryland men on federal charges related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $1 million in unemployment insurance benefits. On February 1, 2024, a grand jury returned a sealed indictment of Daiwor Woah-Tee, age 51, of Belcamp, Maryland, and Dekwii Woah-Tee, age 46, of Rosedale, Maryland with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft, respectively, relating to a scheme to obtain more than $1,000,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. The indictment was unsealed upon the arrest of the defendants.
The defendants had an initial appearance on December 18, 2024, in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Austin.
The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations for the National Capital Region (DOL-OIG), and Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, Department Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG).
As detailed in the indictment, unemployment insurance (“UI”) was a joint state and federal program that provided monetary benefits to eligible beneficiaries. UI payments were intended to provide temporary financial assistance to lawful workers who were unemployed through no fault of their own. Beginning in or around March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several federal programs expanded UI eligibility and increased UI benefits, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and the Lost Wages Assistance Program (LWAP).
In Maryland, those seeking UI benefits submitted online applications. Applicants had to answer specific questions to establish eligibility to receive UI benefits, including their name, Social Security Number (SSN), and mailing address, among other things. Applicants also had to self-certify that they met a COVID-19-related reason for being unemployed, partially employed, or unable to work. Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) relied upon the information in the application to determine UI benefits eligibility. Once an application was approved, the MD-DOL typically distributed state and federal UI benefits electronically to a debit card, which claimants could use to withdraw funds and/or make purchases.
As alleged in the indictment, from March 2020 to September 2021, the defendants conspired to commit wire fraud defrauding State Workforce Agencies (SWA), including the MD-DOL, by impersonating victim individuals for the purpose of submitting fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance. The defendants used victim personal identifying information (PII), including name, date of birth, and/or SSN submit applications for UI benefits. The UI benefits obtained through the scheme was more than $1,000,000.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison that runs consecutive to any other sentence. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the DOL-OIG, DHS-OIG, and IRS-CI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John D’Amico and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared W. Murphy, who are prosecuting the federal case.
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Raquel Mosqueda, 36, of Porterville, California, and Jimmie L. Carter, 44, charging them with conspiring to violate the constitutional rights of another inmate at California State Prison-Corcoran, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Mosqueda was a Correctional Officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Carter was an inmate. According to court documents, on or around April 20, 2022, Mosqueda, while serving as a correctional officer at California State Prison-Corcoran, agreed with Carter to permit Carter to “get rid of” the victim. Mosqueda facilitated an assault of the victim by permitting Carter and other inmates to enter the victim’s cell and assault him. The assault caused bodily injury to the victim.
Mosqueda is additionally charged with depriving the victim of his constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, which includes the right to be reasonably protected from the threat of violence by fellow inmates.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar and Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Mosqueda and Carter face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge. Mosqueda faces an additional 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of deprivation of constitutional rights. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The former CEO of a Birmingham IT company has been charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and bankruptcy fraud in connection with schemes to defraud his customers and a Covid-19 program, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
A nineteen-count indictment filed in United States District Court charges Thomas Aaron Kane, 44, with twelve counts of wire fraud related to a scheme to defraud customers, five counts of wire fraud related to a scheme to commit Covid-19 program fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of bankruptcy fraud.
According to the indictment, Kane was the owner and CEO of Keep Information Technology Simple, LLC and later Keepitsimple.us LLC, both of which provided IT services and support for businesses, particularly businesses in the healthcare industry. The indictment brings four different types of charges against Kane. First, the indictment alleges that between at least July 2017 and December 2021, Kane devised a scheme to defraud his customers. Kane’s customers would place a credit card or banking information on file to pay for a monthly service fee and any authorized expenses. However, Kane began using his customer’s credit cards and banking information to make unauthorized charges. When confronted about these charges, Kane would make up an excuse—such as claiming that there had been an accounting error. Kane would also often create false invoices that he would send to a customer. The indictment lists twelve different examples of these unauthorized charges.
Second, the indictment alleges that between April 2020 and May 2021, Kane engaged in a scheme to receive unauthorized funds under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the Small Business Administration. Kane made false representations to obtain three PPP loans totaling more than $625,000 . Additionally, Kane attempted to receive two more PPP loans in the name of his second business, Keepitsimple.us, totaling more than $450,000. Kane made additional false representations in support of these two loan applications and submitted false tax documents with his applications to try and get them approved.
Third, the indictment charges Kane with money laundering based on an unlawful monetary transaction exceeding $10,000. More specifically, Kane used $150,000 in PPP funds to repay a prior victim of his unauthorized-charges scheme.
Fourth, the indictment alleges that Kane committed bankruptcy fraud when he withdrew a cashier’s check in the amount of $20,941.66 from a Keepitsimple.us bank account and deposited these funds into a personal bank account, even though these funds constituted property of the Keepitsimple.us bankruptcy estate and were funds that he was not allowed to use.
The maximum penalty for wire fraud is twenty years in prison. The maximum penalty for money laundering is ten years in prison. The maximum penalty for bankruptcy fraud is five years in prison.
The United States Secret Service investigated the case with assistance from the Trussville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan S. Rummage is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Paul Creighton (67, Ontario, Canada) to life in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material and enticement of a minor. Creighton entered a guilty plea on August 19, 2024.
According to the plea agreement and evidence presented at sentencing, between 2012 and 2017, Creighton coerced and enticed minor children throughout the United States, including Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and California to create images and videos of themselves performing sexual acts.
One such victim, a 14-year-old girl living in Osceola County, was coerced by Creighton via social media applications. In April 2017, the victim confided in a friend about the relationship she engaged in with Creighton. The friend notified a high school guidance counselor, who notified the victim’s parents, who then immediately called law enforcement. After being discovered, Creighton advised the victim on what to say to her parents, to reset her phone, reformat her hard drive, and delete messages between them. Creighton later threatened the victim, and told her he would share her images and videos if the victim did not continue to speak to him.
In October 2017, FBI agents seized various electronic devices from Creighton. Agents obtained search warrants and conducted forensic reviews of those devices, which revealed photographs of the minor victim, online searches for the victim and their family, as well as numerous searches for other minor children throughout the United States.
On or about October 24, 2017—at the same time that Creighton was flying to
Washington, DC from Toronto—detectives with the Niagara Regional Police in coordination with the FBI, executed a Canadian search warrant at Creighton’s residence in Ontario. In his home, agents recovered hundreds of images of minor children, including images of child sexual abuse of the minor victims.
Creighton was indicted in 2018 and was taken into custody by Canadian authorities on November 12, 2020. On February 8, 2024, Creighton was extradited to the United States, and has been in custody since that date.
“The life sentence will guarantee no other child falls victim to this man’s horrific abuse,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “Our special agents and analysts work these tough investigations with compassion and commitment to ensure justice is served and the innocent are protected from predators.”
This investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tampa Field Office. Significant assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service and the Niagara Regional Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Creighton to the United States. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
ALBUQUERQUE – Federal prosecutors have filed six additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai for kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon. The additional charges are part of a larger series of violent crimes committed by Tsethlikai against Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024. The added charges correspond to 5 additional victims.
Labar Tsethlikai, 51, an enrolled Member of Zuni Pueblo, now faces a 17-count second superseding indictment charging him with five additional counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon as follows:
Count 5: Kidnapping of John Doe 3 on or about May 19, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 11: Kidnapping of John Doe 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 12: Assault with a dangerous weapon (baseball bat) against John Doe 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 13: Kidnapping of John Doe 7 on or about September 7, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 14: Kidnapping of John Doe 8 on or about September 15, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico
Count 16: Kidnapping of John Doe 10 on or about April 5, 2024, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
In total, the second superseding indictment identifies 11 victims of Tsethlikai. The investigation is ongoing.
Tsethlikai was initially charged with second degree murder on April 25, 2024. On July 31, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Tsethlikai in an 11-count superseding indictment with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count assault with intent to commit murder, one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse:
Count 1: On October 22, 2022, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped and murdered John Doe 1.
Count 2: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly murdered John Doe 2 willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.
Count 3: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly killed John Doe 2 during the commission of a kidnapping and sexual abuse.
Count 4: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 2 and death resulted.
Count 6: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 4.
Count 7: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 4 with the specific intent to commit murder.
Count 8: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 4, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
Count 9: On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai kidnapped John Doe 5.
Count 10: On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly sexually abused John Doe 5 by force and threats, and the sexual act consisted of contact between the penis of Tsethlikai and the mouth of John Doe 5.
Count 15: On February 16, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 9 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
Count 17: On April 11, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 11 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
If convicted, Tsethlikai faces a mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder charges, up to twenty years imprisonment on the assault with intent to murder charge, up to ten years imprisonment on the assault resulting in serious bodily injury charge, and any number of years up to life for the kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse charges.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, led by Special Agent Mark Stephenson, is investigating this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, and Air Support Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McGinley and Mark A. Probasco are prosecuting the case, with victim support provided by the FBI’s Victim Services Division, the United States Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit, and Utah Navajo Health Systems, Inc., Victim Services.
The FBI continues to investigate Tsethlikai’s involvement in crimes against other victims. If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim, or have information about Tsethlikai, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
Labar Tsethlikai is approximately 5’7” and weighs 180 pounds. He is heavyset, has short brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. He sometimes wears a gold bracelet. He is from Zuni, but travels extensively around New Mexico, including Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. He is believed to work in the Native American jewelry industry and may be a Zuni jewely artist.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of Indigenous victims and their families.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit West High School teacher has been charged in federal court on charges related to child pornography.
Seth Brummond, 37, of Greenwood, Mo., was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Dec. 19. Brummond will have his initial court appearance this afternoon.
The federal criminal complaint charges Brummond with one count of distributing child pornography over the internet and one count of possessing child pornography from September 1 to December 18, 2024.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Lee’s Summit police officers received a Cyber Tip on Sept. 8, 2024, that a user (later identified as Brummond) had uploaded 12 videos of child pornography via the Kik Messenger application.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, Lee’s Summit law enforcement officers placed Brummond’s residence under surveillance for the purpose of serving federal search warrants. Officers followed Brummond when he left his house and at about 6 a.m. officers conducted a traffic stop and placed Brummond under arrest. Officers seized his iPhone as well as a computer tower that was in the trunk of his car.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes in two separate eastern Idaho cases in which the defendants were sentenced to 25 years and 17.5 years in federal prison, respectively, for sex crimes against minor children.
“It is a sad reality that these types of defendants exist in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Fortunately for Idaho, our office’s team of prosecutors and victim advocates does a fantastic job working with dedicated federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers to hold these criminals accountable. We will continue to do as much as possible to protect Idaho’s kids and support survivors of abuse.”
Rexanna Marie Johnston, 33, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. She was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the victim directly harmed and another $15,000 to five different victims in the images of child sexual abuse material that Johnston possessed.
According to court records, on July 17, 2023, detectives with the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began an investigation after receiving a report that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to an online file storage account. Detectives determined that the account belonged to Johnston. Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on Johnston’s residence and electronic devices. Detectives discovered that Johnston had produced images of child sexual abuse material of an infant that was in her custody. Detectives further recovered online chat communications between Johnston and two other individuals, Nicholas Glen Baker, 37 of Twin Falls, and Dale John Hensel, 54 of Rigby. Baker requested the production of specific child sexual abuse material, which Johnston produced and sent to Baker. Hensel also received images of child sexual abuse material from Johnston.
On September 10, 2024, Baker was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of a child. On October 1, 2024, Hensel pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, and is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for February 12, 2025.
“HSI agents have no tolerance for the exploitation of children and will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice,” said Matthew Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Seattle. “Child sex abuse is one of the most heinous crimes HSI investigates, given the profound and lasting psychological and physical damage it inflicts on victims, and we hope this sentence bring some closure for the victims. We appreciate our law enforcement partners including the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, ICAC Task Force and the Idaho Falls Police Department along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the case.”
In a separate case, Jonathan Douglas Mohr, 46, of Ammon, was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography. Mohr was also ordered to pay $141,500 in restitution to the victims in the images of child sexual abuse material that he distributed and possessed.
According to court records, in September 2023, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Mohr’s residence in Ammon, after a concerned citizen reported they had observed child sexual abuse material on one of Mohr’s electronic devices. During the search warrant, law enforcement recovered a tablet, which contained more than 26,000 images of child sexual abuse material. Communications recovered from the tablet revealed that Mohr was distributing child sexual abuse material to other individuals using the Telegram messaging application.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Johnston to serve a lifetime of supervised release and Mohr to serve ten years of supervised release following their prison sentences. Johnston and Mohr will be required to register as sex offenders as a result of their convictions.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for their work in both cases and additionally thanked Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Police Department for their investigation in the Johnston case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted the Johnston case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blackadar prosecuted the Mohr case.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
BILLINGS — A Billings woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine from a Billings residence as part of a multi-state organization supplied by Washington sources was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Anita Mae Ballestersos, 36, pleaded guilty in August to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that beginning in September 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a group of meth traffickers, including Ballesteros, in the Billings area and twice purchased meth from Ballesteros in controlled buys. Ballesteros was one of seven defendants involved in a multi-state drug trafficking ring that operated from a residence on Sugar Avenue in Billings. A group of males from Washington brought to Montana pounds of meth that Ballesteros and a co-defendant distributed to their network of dealers. Ballesteros was known to distribute most of the meth from this Washington group and sold in ounce and half-pound quantities. Ballesteros also was obtaining and providing firearms to her Washington sources. A co-defendant described Ballesteros as having enough meth to “keep Billings awake.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The DEA conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Christmas is a season of joy and togetherness. But for many, it’s also one of the most stressful times of the year.
Stress arises from an imbalance between the demands placed on us and our ability to cope with those demands. Psychologically, stress is linked to how we cope in situations – and whether we view them as challenging, threatening or manageable. The more challenging or threatening we see a situation to be, the more likely we are to feel stressed out.
It makes sense, then, that Christmas is such as stressful time of year for many.
The pressure to make the holidays “perfect”, spending more money than we perhaps should to fulfil expectations, the struggle to balance work and study commitments with holiday shopping, decorating and socialising can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
For others, Christmas highlights feelings of loneliness, grief or estrangement from loved ones. The season can be a painful reminder of lost relationships, financial hardships, or unmet life goals – and this can amplify feelings of inadequacy or sadness.
Family visits can also bring tension as we’re forced to interact with relatives whose views or habits may clash – leading to conflicts or rehashing unresolved disputes.
But while some stress during the holidays is inevitable, there are many things you can do to cope – and even prevent this stress in the first place.
Plan ahead
When our brains know what to expect, they require less energy to find solutions. This makes it easier to navigate any challenges we may face. And by planning or thinking ahead, it allows us to take control of our thoughts and minimise potential stressors.
Before the holidays roll around, try spending time thinking about things which tend to be sources of stress to you – and make a plan for how you prevent this stress.
For instance, if cooking Christmas dinner is a source of stress for you, perhaps making a list of specific tasks you can delegate to certain family members will help take some of the pressure off of you.
Set boundaries
It’s important to learn to say “no”, rather than agreeing to everything that might be asked of you. Understanding and respecting your own boundaries will help you allocate your time and resources more effectively – reducing stress.
This skill takes time to develop but can significantly benefit your long-term wellbeing. The more confident we become in our abilities to manage the challenges we face, the better we become at setting boundaries – ultimately becoming better at managing stress.
Some boundaries you might set at Christmas could include setting a budget limit for presents so you aren’t stressed about over-spending or limiting the number of social engagements you attend so you don’t get burnt out.
Manage expectations
It’s important to recognise that not everything is within your control. While there are many things you can plan and prepare for at Christmas, there are just as many things that are out of your hands. For example, you can’t control the way other people may behave at your Christmas dinner, or the way someone may react to a present you’ve bought them.
Setting realistic expectations for the holidays and accepting there are things you just can’t control is key in managing stress levels.
Take time to reflect
Another helpful way to manage holiday stress is to pause and connect with your feelings.
Write down your thoughts on a piece of paper. Then pause and really think about how your feel. Giving your brain a moment to process what’s happening can help you moderate your feelings. Keeping a journal can help improve your thoughts and mood, offering a constructive outlet for emotions.
If you’re finding it difficult to get on with friends and family during the holidays, pause before reacting or saying something you might not mean. This will help you get your emotions under control and may help to reduce your stress.
Coping after the holidays
Some people may experience low mood after the holidays – often termed the “post-festive blues” or “post-holiday blues”.
The holiday season often brings a mix of joy and stress, creating emotional highs that leave our bodies feeling drained and exhausted once it’s over. It’s important to recognise that these feelings are a natural response to the demands of the festive period – not a reflection of personal inadequacy. Taking the time to acknowledge and accept that our bodies and minds are simply recovering is a crucial step toward moving forward positively.
There are many strategies you can use to manage these post-holiday blues. Activities such as regular exercise, setting realistic and achievable goals, and reconnecting with others can significantly improve our mood and boost “happy hormones” such as endorphins.
By consciously planning ways to re-energise and stay connected, we can shift our focus from any lows we may have experienced over the holidays to a more balanced perspective as we step into the new year.
Jolel Miah does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Reflecting on my mother’s decade-long nursing career, I often wonder why so many nurses leave the profession after just a few years.
In the UK, the shortage of nurses has reached alarming levels. Fewer students are enrolling in nursing programmes, and nearly half of newly registered nurses leave within five to ten years.
Meanwhile, the demand for healthcare continues to grow, as outlined in England’s NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, which sets out how the NHS will ensure there are enough nurses and doctors to support patients.
The problem is not confined to the UK: nursing faces a global crisis. The high turnover of skilled professionals has serious implications for healthcare systems worldwide.
The Netherlands is also experiencing troubling trends, with predictions of a significant healthcare staffing shortfall in the coming decades.
I interviewed nurses in the Netherlands about their workplace experiences including burnout for my research.
And I found that one of the main reasons nurses leave is because of the profession’s culture of self-sacrifice. While empathy, compassion, and dedication are hallmarks of nursing, these qualities can lead to them working too hard. Nurses often push themselves so hard to meet their patients’ needs that they neglect their own health. Nursing often reinforces the culture of self-sacrifice, with an unspoken expectation that nurses should prioritise patients’ needs.
My research shows that nurses are actively seeking employment to avoid burnout, but this often involves changing employers – a decision that is personally and organisationally intense and costly. I argue that, to ensure they remain in the workforce long term, nurses should be trained in setting boundaries and prioritising self-care.
Nurses, particularly in long-term care, frequently form strong emotional bonds with their patients, which makes it challenging to draw boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal attachment. Interviews with nurses highlight the emotional toll of this. Several nurses mentioned feeling guilt when calling in sick, knowing their patients and colleagues depend on them. Some described how increased workloads, due to colleagues’ absences, eventually left them too overworked to continue. Others reported being constantly contacted to work extra shifts, even on their days off, due to staffing shortages caused by absenteeism and turnover.
These stories reflect the relentless pressure nurses face. For many, the instinct to help others is both a source of pride and a path to burnout. When nurses don’t to set boundaries, their bodies often force them to stop – through illness and exhaustion.
How to change
Although nurses are the backbone of healthcare systems, the profession is undervalued and often viewed as less professional compared to other medical roles. This perception disrespects the complexity of nursing and discourages young people from entering the field.
To address these issues, nurses need more support from employers and colleagues, including doctors and HR teams. Public campaigns must celebrate nursing as a highly skilled and indispensable profession, challenging outdated stereotypes.
Burnout prevention also requires systemic changes. Nursing education must teach self-care and boundary setting as essential skills. Research indicates that nurses often report improved mental health and job satisfaction after switching employers, suggesting that organisational culture is pivotal in retaining staff – and that some workplaces are already leading the way.
Self-sacrifice culture is a double-edged sword. While it reflects the compassion and dedication that define nursing, it poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the profession. To retain nurses, they need to be viewed as true professionals and be acknowledged for the value they deliver to the overall care processes. By fostering a culture that values personal boundaries, supports wellbeing, and elevates the professional identity of nursing, we can ensure that nurses are cared for just as much as they care for others.
Failure to act will have far reaching consequences not just for nurses but for patients and healthcare systems around the world.
Ester Ellen Trees Bolt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The official announcement that Saudi Arabia would host the 2024 Fifa men’s World Cup came as a surprise to nobody. Hosting rights have been on the country’s geopolitical agenda for many years, and football’s international governing body was more than happy to oblige.
Both parties have come in for heavy criticism as a result.
A joint statement from 21 campaign groups, including Amnesty International, accused Fifa of making “empty human rights commitments”. The apparent lack of a competitive bidding process was ridiculed, and concerns were raised about the the potential environmental impact.
So what was Fifa thinking?
After all the controversy over the 2022 tournament in Qatar (and Russia in 2018) has it simply doubled down on being impervious to global criticism? Or is it genuinely trying to perform a balancing act which fairly distributes the geopolitical and economic power of football?
Whatever the underlying reason, Fifa has become well practised at defending itself. It said that for the 2034 tournament, a “comprehensive consultation process” had taken place. Fifa president Gianni Infantino added that he expects Saudi Arabia to deliver “social improvements [and] positive human rights impacts” as “one of the responsibilities of hosting a World Cup”.
And there is some evidence which actually backs up this stance. It has been suggested for example, that after the intense scrutiny around its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar’s approach to human rights and the treatment of migrant workers improved.
It could also be argued that Fifa is opening up the sport to new regions, away from the traditional power bases of football. After all, since the 1930s, Europe has hosted 11 Word Cup tournaments, with five in Latin America. It took until 2002 for Asia to have a turn (in Japan and South Korea), while Africa did not have a host nation until 2010 (South Africa).
Fifa also likes to position itself as a promoter of global peace and international unity. The appointment of former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as chief of global football development was a positive move in this direction. Under his leadership, Fifa has established more consultation processes with fans and national confederations to shape the future of football. It still has a way to go though.
The world is watching
Fifa would probably argue that it is accountable and open. After all, it went to the trouble of publishing a bid evaluation report. This endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid for being “innovative” and “forward looking”, showing strong financial and organisational capacity.
You can understand the “innovative” element. One of the planned stadiums situated on top of a cliff, promises to be a modern marvel. Another will be built 350m above the ground, at the heart of a newly built city.
The “forward looking” part may be a stretch for a country where the royal family remains omnipotent, the security services are powerful, and questioning the ruling elite is simply not tolerated.
Yet sport could also provide an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to change. In recent years, the country has lifted a ban on women drivers, opened up job opportunities, and appointed women to some of the top jobs in government. Women attend football matches, there has been a surge in popularity of female-only gyms, and the country’s gay scene is becoming more visible.
All of this does not match Saudi Arabia to the standards many in the west are used to, but at least it’s a start.
Fifa certainly appears to see it this way. Justifying the country’s successful bid, it said: “This is about making decisions based on evidence of how effectively bidders intend to address human rights risks connected with a tournament. It is not about peremptorily excluding countries based on their general human rights context.”
A league apart?
And it’s perhaps worth noting that few potential host countries would get a completely clean bill of political or societal health. In 2018, when the US, Canada and Mexico were given joint hosting duties for the 2026 tournament, the first Trump presidency had banned travellers from some Muslim countries from entering the country and was sparking huge concerns over the treatment of migrant families at the Mexican border.
Similarly, Canada continues to grapple with its long-term mistreatment of the country’s indigenous population.
In 2024 (so far) across the US and Mexico, there have been more than 45,000 deaths linked to gun violence. That includes dozens of politicians in Mexico, where 163 journalists have been killed since 2000.
The US, Mexico and Canada are also among the biggest oil and gas producing nations in the world. The US has the second biggest carbon footprint of any country, which will be exacerbated by the 78 matches due to be played there during the 2026 tournament.
Few questioned the decision to award the three countries hosting rights. So perhaps the inconvenient truth for purists is that no nation is perfectly suited for this role.
Competing to host major events has become something of a geopolitical tournament in itself, where the prizes on offer include power, prestige and the chance to try and change global perceptions. At the same time, football continues to seek ways to satisfy its hunger for commercial development and revenue growth.
Amid all of this, the hope must be that the world’s favourite sport manages to be a force for social good – wherever it is played.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
You’re running late at the airport and need to urgently access your account, only to be greeted by one of those frustrating tests — “Select all images with traffic lights” or “Type the letters you see in this box”. You squint, you guess, but somehow you’re wrong. You complete another test but still the site isn’t satisfied.
“Your flight is boarding now,” the tannoy announces as the website gives you yet another puzzle. You swear at the screen, close your laptop and rush towards the gate.
Now, here’s a thought to cheer you up: bots are now solving these puzzles in milliseconds using artificial intelligence (AI). How ironic. The tools designed to prove we’re human are now obstructing us more than the machines they’re supposed to be keeping at bay.
Welcome to the strange battle between bot detection and AI, which is set to get even more complicated in the coming years as technology continues to improve. So what does the future look like?
Captcha, which stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, was invented in the early 2000s by a team of computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. It was a simple idea: get internet users to prove their humanity via tasks they can easily complete, but which machines find difficult.
Machines were already causing havoc online. Websites were flooded with bots doing things like setting up fake accounts to buy up concert tickets, or posting automated comments to market fake Viagra or to entice users to take part in scams. Companies needed a way to stop this pernicious activity without losing legitimate users.
The early versions of Captcha were basic but effective. You’d see wavy, distorted letters and type them into a box. Bots couldn’t “read” the text the way humans could, so websites stayed protected.
This went through several iterations in the years ahead: ReCaptcha was created in 2007 to add a second element in which you had to also key in a distorted word from an old book.
Then in 2014 – by now acquired by Google – came reCaptcha v2. This is the one that asks users to tick the “I am not a robot” box and often choose from a selection of pictures containing cats or bicycle parts, or whatever. Still the most popular today, Google gets paid by companies who use the service on their website.
Today’s AI systems can solve the challenges these Captchas rely on. They can “read” distorted text, so that the wavy or squished letters from the original Captcha tests are easy for them. Thanks to natural language processing and machine learning, AI can decode even the messiest of words.
Similarly, AI tools such as Google Vision and OpenAI’s Clip can recognise hundreds of objects faster and more accurately than most humans. If a Captcha asks an AI to click all the buses in a picture selection, they can solve it in fractions of a second, whereas it might take a human ten to 15 seconds.
This isn’t just a theoretical problem. Consider driving tests: waiting lists for tests in England are many months long, though you can get a much faster test by paying a higher fee to a black-market tout. The Guardian reported in July that touts commonly used automated software to book out all the test slots, while swapping candidates in and out to fit their ever-changing schedules.
In an echo of the situation 20 years ago, there are similar issues with tickets for things such as football matches. The moment tickets become available, bots overwhelm the system – bypassing Captchas, purchasing tickets in bulk and reselling them at inflated prices. Genuine users often miss out because they can’t operate as quickly.
Similarly, bots attack social media platforms, e-commerce websites and online forums. Fake accounts spread misinformation, post spam or grab limited items during sales. In many cases, Captcha is no longer able to stop these abuses.
What’s happening now?
Developers are continually coming up with new ways to verify humans. Some systems, like Google’s ReCaptcha v3 (introduced in 2018), don’t ask you to solve puzzles anymore. Instead, they watch how you interact with a website. Do you move your cursor naturally? Do you type like a person? Humans have subtle, imperfect behaviours that bots still struggle to mimic.
Not everyone likes ReCaptcha v3 because it raises privacy issues – plus the web company needs to assess user scores to determine who is a bot, and the bots can beat the system anyway. There are alternatives that use similar logic, such as “slider” puzzles that ask users to move jigsaw pieces around, but these too can be overcome.
Some websites are now turning to biometrics to verify humans, such as fingerprint scans or voice recognition, while face ID is also a possibility. Biometrics are harder for bots to fake, but they come with their own problems – privacy concerns, expensive tech and limited access for some users, say because they can’t afford the relevant smartphone or can’t speak because of a disability.
The imminent arrival of AI agents will add another layer of complexity. It will mean we increasingly want bots to visit sites and do things on our behalf, so web companies will need to start distinguishing between “good” bots and “bad” bots. This area still needs a lot more consideration, but digital authentication certificates are proposed as one possible solution.
In sum, Captcha is no longer the simple, reliable tool it once was. AI has forced us to rethink how we verify people online, and it’s only going to get more challenging as these systems get smarter. Whatever becomes the next technological standard, it’s going to have to be easy to use for humans, but one step ahead of the bad actors.
So the next time you find yourself clicking on blurry traffic lights and getting infuriated, remember you’re part of a bigger fight. The future of proving humanity is still being written, and the bots won’t be giving up any time soon.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
