Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
President Biden hosts a bilateral meeting with His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates.
The White House
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10) introduced the Fair Future Act, legislation to repeal an amendment to the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 that has led to permanent denial of rental housing to people with prior drug convictions regardless of the severity of their offenses or the length of time that has passed since their conviction.
The current law has meant that the over 9 million people who have been previously convicted of drug offenses in the United States can be denied rental housing.
“No one should be permanently denied a place to live because of a prior drug conviction,” said Senator Booker. “Right now, housing laws have denied people with prior drug convictions the ability to live in rental housing and in turn, denied them a fair chance at reentering society. The Fair Future Act will eliminate this discriminatory barrier to housing and help us put an end to our nation’s cycle of poverty and recidivism.”
“People who have served their time, repaid their debt to society, and are looking to re-enter our communities cannot do so when the deck is stacked against them,” said Congressman Frost. “Housing is the foundation of a safe and secure life – yet outdated housing laws and conflicting state laws on marijuana mean that someone could go to jail, serve time, and be denied housing in one state, while someone carrying the same amount of marijuana in another state is abiding by the law. It’s time we allow folks a fresh start and put an end to housing exclusion for folks who have paid for their crimes and are rebuilding their lives.”
The Fair Future Act was inspired in part by the personal testimony of people impacted by this flawed policy, like Yusuf Dahl, a Milwaukee native who served a five-and-a-half-year sentence and went on to become an outstanding member of society, receiving an Ivy League education and leading a center for entrepreneurship, only to be denied housing while attempting to rent a home for him and his family in Pennsylvania.
“The Fair Future Act is a common-sense reform that ensures housing applicants are judged by their income, credit history, and rental record—not automatically denied by an algorithm based solely on a decades-old drug conviction,” said Yusuf Dahl. “Given housing’s crucial role in economic mobility and stability in today’s competitive rental market, the Fair Future Act offers a necessary fix to a federal policy that unfairly punishes formerly incarcerated individuals who have already paid their debt to society. When people have turned their lives around, we shouldn’t keep them tethered to their past by denying them one of the most fundamental rights: the right to live where they choose.”
The Fair Future Act has been endorsed by the National Housing Law Project.
“Everyone, no matter their race, place, or party deserves safe, stable, and healthy housing. But for almost 30 years, a racist and discriminatory provision has robbed people who had been convicted of drug distribution of their fair housing protections. Today, we’re proud to support Representative Frost and Senator Booker’s legislation to repeal the Thurmond amendment and affirm that all Americans deserve Fair Housing. NHLP will continue fighting for a more fair future for all,” said National Housing Law Project Executive Director Shamus Roller.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) teamed up with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day.
Earlier this year, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act—led by Merkley in the Senate and Hinson and Adams in the House—was signed into law by President Biden to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America. With at least 25 percent of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the need for continued stillbirth prevention activities in the United States.
“Thousands of families grapple with the unimaginable pain of stillbirths, and, devastatingly, Black women and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by these tragedies,” Booker said. “By designating September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day, we will help raise awareness, promote research and develop solutions so all mothers and babies, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the care and support they deserve.”
“A single family affected by stillbirth is one too many. Yet this tragedy impacts thousands across America, upending the lives of individuals and families from all walks of life,” Merkley said. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we must do more to reduce the alarming rate of stillbirth, which disproportionately impacts Black, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native women. This National Stillbirth Prevention Day we recommit to doing everything we can to end this public health crisis, so no one again ever has to experience the trauma of stillbirth.”
“Iowa has made strides towards reducing stillbirths in our state. This bipartisan resolution recognizes researchers like we have in Iowa, as well as care providers and advocates. It also reaffirms our goal to improve maternal care resources, particularly in rural areas,” Grassley said. “No mom should know the heartbreak of a stillbirth. I’m glad to be partnering on a number of federal legislative efforts to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives.”
“Over 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year. This rate is unacceptably high, and we must do more to ensure more women experience healthy pregnancies and have healthy babies. I am proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to recognize September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention so we can help save more moms and babies,” Hinson said.
“I was proud to co-lead the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and see it pass into law this year, which will increase awareness for families on how to prevent this painful, yet common experience. Today we recommit to ending stillbirth and to giving more families a chance to be whole. This is just the beginning, and I am committed to doing my part on behalf of all of America’s families,” Adams said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 175 U.S. births tragically result in stillbirth—accounting for nearly 21,000 stillbirths a year—more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries.
“For the third year in a row, and under Senator Merkley’s leadership, we pause to recognize the crisis of stillbirth in this country and celebrate progress on stillbirth prevention efforts. When Congress recognizes this important day, when buildings and bridges are lit up across the country, and moms and dads make their voices heard through OpEds and sharing their personal stories of loss — progress happens and lives are saved. We mourn the tens of thousands of babies who should be with their families right now and accelerate progress so no other family has to endure the tragedy of stillbirth,” said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day Inc. CEO.
In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). Healthy Birth Day Inc., Charles Martin Corvi Fund, Birth and Breastfeeding in Color Inc, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Aaliyah in Action, Yale University Reproductive and Placental Research Unit, Yale University, The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation, Nitamising Gimashkikinaan Our First Medicine Indigenous Perinatal and Lactation Support Circle, Division of Indian Work, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 1st Breath, 2 Degrees, Dieudonne Foundation, Jace’s Journey, Start Healing Together, In the Arms Of Jesus Grief Support, Healing Our Hearts Foundation, Matties Memory, Society for Reproductive Investigation, March of Dimes, Measure the Placenta, Nurturing Babyhood N’ Beyond LLC, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, March for Moms, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Gifts from Liam, Mera’s Mission, and Kansas Birth Justice Society also endorsed the resolution.
Previous Efforts
Last year, Booker reintroduced the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, legislation that aims to reduce the alarmingly high U.S. stillbirth rate. Named after Autumn Joy, a New Jersey baby who was stillborn in 2011, the bill would provide critical resources to states, local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other related federal agencies to improve data collection and increase education and awareness of stillbirth in the United States.
The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
Building on the common vision of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to advance safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan and UAE National Security Advisor H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the shared intention of the United States (U.S.) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to promote cooperation in AI and related technologies. This statement also signals our shared commitment to develop a government-to-government memorandum of understanding on AI between the U.S. and the UAE.
Common Principles for Cooperation
We recognize the tremendous potential of AI for good, including to accelerate economic growth, transform education and healthcare, create jobs, and drive environmental sustainability. At the same time, we acknowledge the challenges and risks of this emerging technology and the vital importance of safeguards and protections with respect to the most advanced technologies.
Recognizing the importance for each of our nations to pursue their own national AI and advanced technologies strategies, and in order to fully realize the benefits of AI and technology, the U.S. and the UAE affirm the importance of deepening bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation between our governments, companies, and workforces.
In particular, we intend to closely collaborate to:
Advance Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI: Foster acceptance of international AI frameworks, principles, and standards to help ensure the responsible and reliable development and use of AI technologies that are explainable and equitable, that safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms, that promote international norms, best practices, and the interoperability in AI governance.
Align Regulatory Frameworks to Strengthen Innovation Ecosystems: Further the alignment of regulatory frameworks and rules for AI and related technologies to safeguard national security interests, enable trusted investments and entrepreneurship, and facilitate cross-border innovation, while facilitating protection of advanced technologies and respect for international principles and best practices
Promote Ethical AI Research and Development: Conduct ethical AI research and development by prioritizing research addressing bias, discrimination, and ensuring fairness in AI algorithms.
Broadening and Deepening Cooperation in AI Protection and Cybersecurity: Promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable cybersecurity environment and cyber incident response strategies that foster efficiency and resilience of critical infrastructure, whilst managing related emerging technology risks.
Facilitate Opportunities for Trusted Trade and Investment: Support and facilitate bilateral investment and efficient licensing to seize opportunities for developing robust and secure AI infrastructure.
Talent Development and Exchange: Foster talent development to facilitate knowledge exchange and development between the nations through joint training programs and workshops for AI researchers, engineers and policymakers.
Promote Clean Energy for the AI Future: Build on our ongoing bilateral cooperation through the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) to meet the energy demands of AI systems with clean energy sources, consistent with our shared commitment to combatting climate change.
Support AI for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries: Foster inclusive, responsible, and sustainable capacity building with respect to AI and AI infrastructure to address the world’s greatest challenges, and close digital divides, globally, and in particular across the Middle East and North Africa.
Conclusion
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed relevant officials to develop a U.S.-UAE government-to-government memorandum of understanding to build upon this shared vision overseen by a High-Level Mechanism which includes the appropriate talents and experience to accomplish the task.
The U.S. and the UAE look forward to deepening collaboration across AI and related technologies to propel their strategic partnership forward, delivering a more prosperous, secure future for their peoples, underpinned by a shared commitment to safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
Jake Sullivan U.S. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Tahnoon bin Zayed Al NahyanUAE National Security Advisor
Source: Securities and Exchange Commission
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Texas-based registered investment adviser Atom Investors LP for its failure to maintain and preserve off-channel communications in violation of the recordkeeping provisions of the federal securities laws. The Commission did not impose a penalty because Atom Investors self-reported the conduct, promptly remediated the violations, and provided substantial cooperation to Commission staff in an investigation of another entity.
According to the order, in 2021, the Commission staff issued a subpoena to Atom Investors for documents in connection with an investigation into a third party. In responding to the subpoena, Atom Investors discovered that, over a more than three-year period, it had failed to preserve records subject to the recordkeeping requirements of the federal securities laws, including records that were responsive to the Commission staff’s subpoena. This included communications by personnel at senior levels of the firm. Some of these records related to recommendations and advice to purchase or sell securities.
“This enforcement matter highlights the risk to investors when firms don’t comply with their recordkeeping obligations: because of Atom Investors’s longstanding failures to preserve required communications, including communications by Atom Investors’s senior personnel, we were hampered in our investigation into a third party,” said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “At the same time, this resolution shows that the full benefits of cooperation are available in recordkeeping matters. Atom Investors’s self-reporting and prompt remedial efforts weighed heavily in the Enforcement Division’s decision to recommend that the Commission not impose a penalty, which the Commission accepted. This resolution should serve as a model for other investment advisors that are not currently in compliance with federal recordkeeping requirements.”
The SEC’s order finds that Atom Investors violated the recordkeeping provisions of the federal securities laws. Without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings, Atom agreed to cease and desist from further violations of the securities laws and to a censure.
The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Wendy E. Pearson and Sarah S. Nilson, assisted by Stephen Kam, and supervised by Finola H. Manvelian, all of the Los Angeles Regional Office.
Source: US State of Rhode Island
On Friday, September 27 at 8 p.m., the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin a weekend closure of a portion of Main Road (Route 77) in Tiverton for the rapid replacement of a culvert for Quaket Creek, which runs under the road just south of its intersection with Nanaquaket Road. The road will reopen by 6 a.m. on Monday, September 30.
During the weekend, motorists will be required to detour using Bulgarmarsh Road (Route 177) to the north of the closure area or East Road (Route 179) south of the closure area to reach Crandall Road (Route 81). RIDOT will post trail blazing detour signage so drivers can easily follow the detour. Motorists should plan additional travel time.
While the road is closed, RIDOT will demolish the old culvert and install prefabricated box culvert sections and repave the road. This approach avoids three months of lane closures which would be more disruptive to residents and businesses.
RIDOT may have temporary single-lane alternating traffic patterns at the culvert leading up to the closure and for two weeks after it. The full closure will be limited to the September 27-30 weekend.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.
The replacement of this culvert is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
Source: US State of California 2
What you need to know: California is launching a campaign to empower one million Californians to take climate action in their communities.
SACRAMENTO – During Climate Week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new state initiative to mobilize one million Californians to take climate action at home and in their neighborhoods to help build resilient communities.
California’s Climate Action Counts initiative aims to educate and inspire people to reimagine the power of volunteerism by taking impactful, everyday actions in their communities.
Governor Gavin Newsom
The campaign highlights 10 priority actions and encourages participants to take the pledge to action. Those taking the pledge join hundreds of California Climate Action Corps fellows in efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
👗 Reduce waste: Donate, upcycle and thrift.
🍎 Compost food scraps: Toss in your green bin or compost in your yard.
🛒 Support local farmers: Shop at local farmers markets or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
🚲 Green your ride: Walk, bike, use public transit, carpool whenever you can – or consider a zero-emission vehicle.
🌱 Get planting: Plant trees and native plants or start a community garden.
🔥 Be disaster ready: Be prepared for wildfire and extreme heat.
💡 Save energy, water and money: Use a smart thermostat, conserve water and capture savings.
🌄 Discover nature: Enjoy nature at your local parks and trails.
📣 Tell a friend: Encourage your friends and family to take part in Climate Action Counts.
💚 Get connected: Sign up to serve or volunteer in your community!
Campaign partners span cities, colleges and universities, state agencies, community-based organizations, business and climate leaders, including the cities of Long Beach, Riverside and Sacramento, California Community Colleges, University of California, California State University, California Natural Resources Agency, CalRecycle, California ReLeaf, Sierra Club, Jane Goodall Institute and Patagonia.
“This campaign will inspire hope – showing when it comes to the climate crisis, we are not powerless,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We are calling on one million Californians to take simple, everyday actions for collective impact.”
“The best solutions to the climate crisis come from the grassroots,” said Corley Kenna, Vice President of Communications and Public Policy at Patagonia. “We’re partnering with the Climate Action Counts campaign to help one million Californians build thriving communities while protecting the natural world. Everyone has a role to play in this movement.”
As a part of California’s comprehensive strategy to address the climate crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Climate Action Corps in 2020 – the nation’s first state-level service and volunteer program focused on combating climate change. Since then, numerous states have adopted California’s model to establish their own Climate Corps.
What you need to know: The passage of Proposition 1 by California voters adds rocket fuel to Governor Gavin Newsom’s transformational overhaul of the state’s behavioral health system. These reforms refocus existing funds to prioritize Californians with the most serious mental health and substance use issues, who are too often experiencing homelessness. They also fund more than 11,150 new behavioral health beds and supportive housing units and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots.
Los Angeles, California – California took a major step forward in correcting the damage from 50 years of neglect to the state’s mental health system with the passage of Proposition 1. This historic measure — a signature priority of Governor Gavin Newsom — adds rocket fuel to California’s overhaul of the state’s behavioral health systems. It provides a full range of mental health and substance abuse care, with new accountability metrics to ensure local governments deliver for their communities.
This is the biggest reform of the California mental health system in decades and will finally equip partners to deliver the results all Californians need and deserve. Treatment centers will prioritize mental health and substance use support in the community like never before. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and begin implementing this critical reform – working closely with city and county leaders to ensure we see results.
Governor Gavin Newsom
What they’re saying:
Bigger picture: Transforming the Mental Health Services Act into the Behavioral Health Services Act and building more community mental health treatment sites and supportive housing is the last main pillar of Governor Newsom’s Mental Health Movement – pulling together significant recent reforms like 988 crisis line, CalHOPE, CARE Court, conservatorship reform, CalAIM behavioral health expansion (including mobile crisis care and telehealth), Medi-Cal expansion to all low-income Californians, Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (including expanding services in schools and on-line), Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, Veterans Mental Health Initiative, Behavioral Health Community Infrastructure Program, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing, Health Care Workforce for All and more.
More details on next step here
Source: Securities and Exchange Commission
TLDR: The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy continues to urge investors to be cautious if considering an investment involving crypto asset securities. Investments in crypto asset securities can be exceptionally volatile and speculative, and the platforms where investors buy, sell, borrow, or lend these securities may lack important protections for investors. The risk of loss for individual investors who participate in transactions involving crypto assets, including crypto asset securities, remains significant. The only money you should put at risk with any speculative investment is money you can afford to lose entirely. Investors should understand that:
1. Those offering crypto asset investments or services may not be complying with applicable law, including federal securities laws. Under the federal securities laws, a company may not offer or sell securities unless the offering is registered with the SEC or an exemption to registration is available. Similarly, the law requires parties such as securities broker-dealers, investment advisers, alternative trading systems (ATS), and exchanges to register with the SEC, a state regulator, and/or a self-regulatory organization (SRO), such as FINRA. Moreover, entities and platforms involved in lending or staking crypto assets may be subject to the federal securities laws.
Registration of a securities offering requires the issuer to disclose important information about the company, the offering, and the securities offered to the public. Unregistered offerings in crypto asset securities may not provide key information that investors need to make informed decisions. For example, registration typically requires an issuer to include financial statements audited by an independent public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Audited financial statements play an important role in making sure investors are provided the information they need to understand the securities in which they want to invest. Issuers of unregistered crypto asset securities offerings might not provide audited financial statements, depriving investors of this key information.
In addition, a proof of reserves is not as rigorous, or as comprehensive, as a financial statement audit and may not provide any level of assurance. For example, audited financial statements typically require audits of a complete set of financial statements performed by a registered public accounting firm in accordance with PCAOB auditing standards. With so-called proof of reserves, there are no specific audit requirements for the engagement or the information reported, allowing an entity full discretion to manage the terms of the engagement. For example:
Investors should be aware that this level of management discretion undermines any suggestion that a proof of reserves offers protections similar to a financial statement audit. In sum, investors should exercise extreme caution when relying on proof of reserves to conclude that a crypto asset entity has sufficient reserve assets to meet customer liabilities.
Similarly, registration with the SEC by an entity as a “broker-dealer” and/or “investment adviser” provides important protections for investors. Some of those benefits include rules around custody of assets, fees, conflicts of interest, standards of conduct, and minimal capital requirements for broker-dealers. For example, a broker-dealer must comply with custody requirements such as the customer protection rule, which requires broker-dealers to safeguard customer assets and to keep customer assets separate from the firm’s assets – increasing the likelihood that customers’ securities and cash can be returned to them in the event of the broker-dealer’s failure. In addition, a broker-dealer making recommendations of securities or investment strategies involving securities (including crypto asset securities) to retail customers is subject to Regulation Best Interest, which requires broker-dealers to make recommendations in the retail customers’ best interest, and requires compliance with specific disclosure, care, conflict of interest, and compliance obligations.
Recordkeeping and reporting rules require a broker-dealer to make and keep current ledgers reflecting all assets and liabilities. Moreover, financial responsibility rules require that broker-dealers routinely prepare financial statements. These books, records, and financial reporting requirements assist securities regulators in examining for compliance with the federal securities laws. Crypto asset entities not offering these types of protections put investors at risk.
ATSs, which are marketplaces for securities, must be registered broker-dealers and members of an SRO, such as FINRA. In addition to complying with federal securities laws and its SRO’s rules, an ATS must comply with Regulation ATS, which includes filing disclosures with the SEC about the ATS’s operations and securities trading and protecting its users’ trading information.
SEC-registered investment advisers that hold or have the ability to obtain possession of their clients’ funds or securities are required to maintain those assets with a qualified custodian, like a bank or broker-dealer. SEC-registered investment advisers that have “custody” of client funds and securities are also generally required to undergo an annual “surprise examination” in which an independent public accountant verifies the existence of these assets and to make and keep records showing all purchases and sales for each client.
Also, unlike SEC-registered entities, crypto asset securities trading platforms or other intermediaries (such as so-called “crypto exchanges”) may offer a combination of services that are typically performed by separate firms that may each be required to be separately registered with the SEC, a state regulator, or a SRO. The commingling of these functions, exchange, broker-dealer and custodial functions, for example, creates conflicts of interest and risks for investors. SEC-registered entities are subject to a number of rules to minimize these risks and conflicts of interests, in some cases by separating the functions into legally separate and unaffiliated entities. Registered broker-dealers, ATSs, and investment advisers are also subject to examination by regulators. None of the major crypto asset entities is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer, exchange, or investment adviser—so investors may not get the protections afforded by the rules applicable to these entities.
In particular, no crypto asset entity is registered with the SEC as a national securities exchange (like, for example, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market). And no existing national securities exchange currently trades crypto asset securities. As a result, investors in crypto asset securities may not benefit from rules that protect against fraud, manipulation, front-running, wash sales, and other misconduct when intermediaries for those products do not comply with the federal securities laws that apply to registered exchanges.
Investors who hold registered securities with registered broker-dealers also generally benefit from protections offered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Similarly, people who place deposits in banks enjoy insurance, up to a defined limit, provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insures deposits in federal credit unions. There are no such protections for accounts that you place with crypto asset entities.
In sum, investors in crypto asset securities should understand they may be deprived of key information and other important protections in connection with their investment.
2. Investments in crypto asset securities can be exceptionally risky, and are often volatile. Over the last year, the crypto asset space has been exceptionally volatile – and a number of major platforms and crypto assets have become insolvent and/or lost value. Investments in crypto asset securities continue to be subject to significant risk, including:
Investors who deposit funds or crypto assets with a crypto asset securities entity might cease to have legal ownership of those assets and might not be able to get those assets back when they want to. Over the past year, a number of crypto asset entities have faced severe financial difficulties, sometimes resulting in suspending customers’ ability to withdraw their assets. Some crypto asset entities have entered bankruptcy proceedings, and it is unclear how much of their holdings (if any) customers might be able to recover. Investors need to be wary of claims that “you always retain ownership of your crypto assets” and “you can withdraw your assets whenever you like.”
3. Fraudsters continue to exploit the rising popularity of crypto assets to lure retail investors into scams, often leading to devastating losses. Crypto asset securities-related investments continue to be replete with fraud, including bogus coin offerings, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, and outright theft where the project promoter simply disappears with investors’ money.
Some promoters use social media to find and entice new investors with testimonials about returns made on deposits and investments, but what is not mentioned is that the promoter is often paying investor withdrawals out of new investor funds – a Ponzi scheme. Moreover, recovering money from the wrongdoers can be nearly impossible. In part, that can be because of the anonymity or pseudonymity associated with crypto assets. However, the SEC and state regulators continue to bring enforcement actions in this space.
Learn more about investment fraud, including how to spot “red flags” of a scam, in our Investor Bulletin, What You Can Do to Avoid Investment Fraud.
4. Having an investing plan, as well as understanding your risk tolerance and time horizon, can be critical to your investing success.
What are the best saving and investment products for you? The answer depends on when you will need the money, your goals, and whether you will be able to sleep at night if you purchase a risky investment (one where you could lose your entire principal). Before making any investment, consider these tips:
Source: US State of Missouri
Missouri’s eight 2024 Gold Star Schools have also been recognized as U.S. Department of Education (USED) National Blue Ribbon Schools. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes individual schools for either their outstanding academic achievement (top 15 percent in the state based on English and mathematics assessment scores and graduation rates) or their performance at high academic levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.
Missouri’s 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools:
“Congratulations to the students, teachers, and staff members at each of these schools for this extraordinary accomplishment,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “These schools go above and beyond to provide the best education possible for their students. We appreciate their commitment and commend them for a job well done.”
In May, these eight schools were honored as Missouri Gold Star Schools, a program established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in 1991. They were then nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which shares the same nomination criteria as the Gold Star Schools award. To date, more than 9,000 schools across the country have been presented with this coveted U.S. Department of Education award.
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools award ceremony will be held November 7 and 8 in Washington, DC. Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available from USED here.
Source: US State of Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 23, 2024 – As the seasons begin to change, it’s time to check out some of the many activities available at state parks and historic sites in the St. Louis region.
The hike to the bone bed will take place on the Wildflower Trail, a 0.5-mile trail with stairs and natural surfaces. Please note that the excavation site is covered; hikers will not be able to see any fossils, artifacts or active digging. Interpreters will not identify artifacts or fossils at this event. Outdoor activities, including atlatl throwing and guided hikes, are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. All activities are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. The event will take place at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Source: US State of Vermont
James B. Nutter & Company, a former mortgage lender located in Kansas City, Missouri, has agreed to pay $2.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 by knowingly underwriting Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that did not meet program eligibility requirements.
“The HECM program helps support our nation’s senior citizens by providing an additional source of funds to supplement their income,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Together with our partners at HUD, we are committed to protecting the financial integrity of this critical program and to pursuing those who seek to abuse it.”
The FHA offers numerous mortgage insurance programs intended to help build and sustain strong communities across America. The HECM program is a reverse mortgage program specifically for senior homeowners aged 62 and older. The program allows seniors to access the equity in their residences, and thereby age in place in their family home, through a mortgage agreement with a lender that is insured against loss by the FHA.
Lenders who participate in the FHA’s HECM program are authorized to underwrite mortgages without first having the government review the loans for compliance with the agency’s underwriting and origination requirements. If an FHA-insured loan defaults, the holder of the loan can then recover from the United States for certain losses. Lenders commit to following FHA rules to ensure that only eligible mortgages are insured by the government.
The settlement announced today resolves the United States’ allegations in a lawsuit filed in 2020 that James B. Nutter & Company knowingly violated FHA underwriting requirements when it allowed inexperienced temporary staff to underwrite FHA-insured loans, and submitted loans for FHA insurance with underwriter signatures that were falsified and/or affixed before all the documentation the underwriter should have reviewed was complete.
“This case sought to redress serious violations of FHA requirements that posed a risk to the HECM program,” said HUD General Counsel Damon Smith. “HUD will continue to protect the integrity of this important mortgage program that serves the interests of our nation’s senior citizens.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to seeking recovery from mortgage lenders who take advantage of FHA programs and ignore essential program requirements,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore for the Western District of Missouri. “The integrity and resources of those important programs must not be put at risk by mortgage lenders who put their own financial interests first.”
“Our office continues its diligent pursuit of mortgage originators that do not play by the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. “If a lender is asking the government to insure its loans, the government expects that lender to employ qualified underwriters to ensure the loans present acceptable credit risks and are supported by sound appraisals of the homes used to secure them.”
“This case and the resulting $2.4 million settlement demonstrate the HUD Office of Inspector General’s commitment to holding lenders accountable when they commit fraud against FHA mortgage programs designed to provide financial assistance to senior homeowners,” said Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis of HUD. “No one is above the law. Our office will continue to work with our partners at the Justice Department to investigate mortgage lenders who jeopardize the integrity of FHA mortgage programs.”
The investigation, litigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Columbia, HUD and HUD’s Office of Inspector General.
Trial Attorneys Christopher Reimer, Kelly Phipps, Yifan Wang and Wilma Metcalf of the Commercial Litigation Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cindi Woolery for the Western District of Missouri and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Hudak and Benton Peterson for the District of Columbia handled the matter. The litigation resolved by the settlement was captioned United States v. James B. Nutter & Co., Case No. 4:20-cv-874-RK (WDMO).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
Settlement
Source: Samsung
As a global company, Samsung believes the key to a greener future begins with an everyday approach to sustainability. Since the launch of our expanded environmental strategy in September 2022, we continue to address the environmental impact in every stage of our product’s lifecycle and place sustainable innovation at the forefront of our products and user experience. Our environmental strategy reflects Samsung’s sustained dedication to being a responsible business – both within the U.S. and around the world.
This updated toolkit is a reference guide highlighting how everyday changes, at Samsung’s scale, result in a meaningful impact on our environment. Highlights include:
Our thoughtfully designed products can help our customers reduce their environmental impact as they go about their daily lives. We also believe in the importance of recycling and reusing materials, and provide ways to close the loop on electronic waste. For instance, our Certified Re-Newed program extends the life of older mobile devices, providing consumers the exceptional performance they expect from our new products by refurbishing with 100% genuine Samsung parts and providing the same warranty as any new device.. And through our community engagement efforts, such as Solve for Tomorrow, Global Goals App and volunteerism we work to improve environmental literacy and support innovative solutions to address society’s greatest challenges – including climate change.
Samsung has a long history of climate action, and we’re proud of the strides we have made to enhance our positive impact. Our comprehensive strategy includes commitments to achieve enterprise-wide net zero carbon emissions for all operations in the Device eXperience Division by 2030 (Mobile eXperience, Visual Display, Digital Appliances, Networks, and Health & Medical Equipment), and across all global operations and the Device Solutions Division (Memory, System LSI, and Foundry) by 2050. Samsung’s sustainability commitments encompass an enterprise-wide effort to enhance resource circularity throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to recycling and recovery. In addition, we’re making bigger investments in new and emerging technologies to reduce emissions from process gases, as well as to conserve and restore water in our operations and to continue to reduce power consumption in consumer products.
But we also recognize there is much more work to be done, and our business must continue adapting to changing societal and consumer needs. That’s why we are working to continue advances in product energy efficiency, expand our use of renewable energy, eliminate all single-use plastic from our mobile packaging by 2025, recycle 7.5 million metric tons of e-waste and reuse 500,000 tons of recycled plastics globally in our products by 2030 – a goal we exceeded last year. We are committed to driving positive changes across our operations while helping our customers reduce their footprint.
We invite you to further explore our sustainability commitments and continued progress in our newly updated 2024 Environmental Toolkit. To download the full toolkit, click here. To download individual briefs, please see Environmental Strategy, Product Energy Efficiency, Product Stewardship, Sustainable Materials, Sustainable Operations, and Sharing Our Values.
Source: Securities and Exchange Commission
You may have recently read in the financial press about the phase-out of LIBOR. You may be affected by the transition away from LIBOR if you hold securities, financial instruments or financial products that have exposure to LIBOR. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) wants to help you understand how the transition away from LIBOR could impact your investments and financial situation, and where you can go for additional information.
U.S.-dollar LIBOR is a benchmark interest rate set by input from a panel of banks. It has been used to set the interest rate in floating rate, adjustable rate or variable rate instruments or loans, in which the interest rate periodically resets (such as every three months or every year) over the life of the instrument or loan. LIBOR was used once in over $200 trillion of financial instruments, ranging from sophisticated financial and investment derivatives to bonds, bank loans and consumer products, like adjustable rate mortgages and student loans.
In recent years, however, U.S.-dollar LIBOR is being phased out in response to concerns that the benchmark was being manipulated. The publication for one-week and two-month U.S.-dollar LIBOR ceased at the end of 2021. The remaining tenors of U.S.-dollar LIBOR are scheduled to cease publication after June 30, 2023.
The end of LIBOR has precipitated the need for an alternative benchmark rate. In March 2022, Congress enacted the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act. This Act provides a process and protections for transitioning to an alternative rate in contracts with terms that do not provide for a clear transition. The Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule in December 2022 implementing the LIBOR Act and specified benchmarks based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as the replacement rates.
Some investments you own, such as mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, business development companies (BDCs), municipal and corporate bonds, and individual stocks, may either be LIBOR-based financial instruments or have exposure to such instruments.
For instruments that are subject to the LIBOR Act, the replacement rate will be a SOFR-based rate. Other LIBOR-based financial instruments that already provide for a clear transition from LIBOR may have other non-SOFR-designated replacement rates, such as the U.S. prime rate.
You may be affected by the transition away from LIBOR if you hold securities, financial instruments or financial products that have exposure to LIBOR.
Municipal, corporate and FHLB bonds. If you are directly invested in a variable or floating rate municipal, corporate or FHLB bond that relies on LIBOR as a component for the periodic variable rate adjustment, then the cessation of LIBOR will have direct implications for you. Review any disclosures provided by the issuer of the bond. You can utilize our EDGAR database to review disclosures by issuers of corporate bonds. For municipal bonds, you may access information at the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA) website. You can find offering disclosure regarding FHLB bonds on their website. In addition, it may be worthwhile to have a discussion with your broker or investment adviser about your specific exposure and how the LIBOR transition may affect your specific bond holdings.
Individual stocks. Many companies use sophisticated financial and investment instruments and derivatives as a means to manage the company’s financial situation and risk profile. Many of these instruments and derivatives may incorporate a variable interest rate based on LIBOR.
To further understand how a company may be affected by the LIBOR transition, you may review the company’s periodic disclosure in our EDGAR database. Companies that have material risk exposure to the LIBOR transition should discuss such risks in their annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. A search for the term “LIBOR” in the document can be a quick way to find the relevant discussions. The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance has encouraged public companies and asset-backed securities issuers to keep investors informed about the progress toward risk identification and mitigation, and the anticipated impact on the company, if material, and expects disclosures to evolve as companies provide updates to reflect transition efforts and the broader market and regulatory landscape.
Asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose income payments come from a pool of specific debt obligations, such as mortgages, credit card obligations or car loans. Mortgage-backed securities (MBSs) issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are types of asset-backed securities. New LIBOR-based securities are no longer being issued by these entities, except for certain re-securitizations, which will cease on June 30, 2023. If you invest in asset-backed securities, then you may want to have a conversation with your broker or investment adviser about how the LIBOR transition may affect your specific holdings of asset-backed securities. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have also prepared frequently asked questions relating to the LIBOR transition that you may want to review.
Mutual funds and ETFs. Mutual funds and ETFs that you own may have invested in individual stocks, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, bank loans and/or securitizations that have risks related to the LIBOR transition. You along with your broker or investment adviser may want to assess the nature and character of the mutual funds and ETFs you are invested in to determine how much exposure to LIBOR transition risk you have. Certain types of a mutual funds or ETFs may merit closer review, particularly those investing in companies in the real estate, banking, or insurance industries or specific municipal and corporate bonds, including floating rate debt, and bank loans.
You can review a fund’s principal strategies and risk disclosure in its prospectus. The SEC’s Division of Investment Management has encouraged funds affected by the LIBOR transition to provide investors with tailored risk disclosures that specifically describe the impact of the transition on their holdings.
Adjustable rate mortgages. Many adjustable rate mortgages—a mortgage where the interest rate adjusts to the then prevailing market rate after a period of time—are tied to LIBOR as the reference rate. In 2016, there was an estimated $1.2 trillion in residential mortgages with an interest rate based on LIBOR.
If you have an adjustable rate mortgage based on LIBOR, consider consulting with your lender or loan servicer or read the documentation to understand how you may be affected by the LIBOR transition. Read this blog from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for more information.
Student loans. Similar to adjustable rate mortgages, student loans can have variable rates based on LIBOR. If you have a variable rate student loan, consult with your lender or loan servicer or read the documentation to understand how you may be affected by the LIBOR transition. If you are planning on obtaining a new student loan or refinancing an existing one, consider the LIBOR transition in your decision making.
Other consumer products. Other consumer credit products such as credit cards, auto loans and personal loans and lines of credit can also have variable rates based on LIBOR. You should review the financial products that you hold, particularly those that operate with a variable interest rate, in light of the LIBOR transition.
To learn how the SEC is addressing the LIBOR transition, see the Staff Statement on LIBOR Transition, the Office of Municipal Securities Staff Statement on LIBOR Transition In The Municipal Securities Market, and the Staff Statement on LIBOR Transition—Key Considerations for Market Participants.
To learn more about adjustable rate mortgages, see the CFPB’s Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages (CHARM) booklet.
For additional investor educational information, see the SEC’s website for individual investors, Investor.gov.
Call OIEA at 1-800-732-0330, ask a question using this online form, or email us at Help@SEC.gov.
Receive Investor Alerts and Bulletins from OIEA email or RSS feed. Follow OIEA on Twitter. Like OIEA on Facebook.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
Published: 09.23.2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program. This bill would improve how FEMA provides assistance to individuals to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a disaster. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there were 28 weather and climate disasters in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 22 in 2020, and with a price tag of at least $92.9 billion in recovery costs.
“Severe weather and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, more catastrophic and more costly, leaving people across the country in need of swift federal resources to help assist their recovery,” said Senator Peters. “My commonsense bipartisan legislation would reform the FEMA disaster assistance process and improve how the agency provides assistance to individuals for home repairs, disaster housing, and mitigation activities.”
The bipartisan Disaster Survivors Fairness Act would reform individual federal disaster assistance programs to best support survivors. The bill would provide FEMA with new authorities to increase its ability to fund disaster mitigation projects and expand support to homeowners. The bill would also enable FEMA to reimburse states that implement their own innovative post-disaster housing solutions and bolster development of post-disaster solutions for renters. The bill requires FEMA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete a series of reports and studies that would identify additional challenges regarding the administration of post-disaster assistance for survivors and boost transparency.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has led several efforts to strengthen our federal disaster preparedness and response. Earlier this year, Peters’ bipartisan bill to create one deadline to apply for two FEMA disaster assistance programs was signed into law. Peters’ bipartisan bill to simplify the federal application process by creating a universal FEMA application across federal agencies passed in the Senate. Peters secured $500 million in funding as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill for a program he created to help states establish revolving loan programs for local governments to carry out mitigation projects that reduce the risk of shoreline erosion, extreme flooding, and other natural disasters. Peters’ bipartisan legislation to protect FEMA Reservists from losing their full-time employment when they are called up to assist communities with disaster response was also signed into law. Finally, Peters’ bill to help protect pets and other animals during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and emergencies was also signed into law.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced and voted to pass the bipartisan resolution formally recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. The resolution passed unanimously.
“There is so much to celebrate about the Hispanic community’s deep roots in Colorado,” said Bennet. “This month, I’m grateful for the contributions of the more than 1.2 million Hispanic Americans who call our state home.”
“¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Colorado’s rich Latino community defines our state and has helped make it the best place to live,” said Hickenlooper.
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson first commemorated Hispanic Heritage by designating “Hispanic Heritage Week.” President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration in 1988 for a full month. Hispanic Americans are the country’s largest racial or ethnic minority group, representing more than 65 million people and comprising nearly a fifth of the U.S. and Colorado’s population.
The text of the resolution is available HERE.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced Beltrami County will receive federal resources to help law enforcement crack down on illicit drug trafficking and address the overdose epidemic through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. The HIDTA Program, funded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), coordinates and assists federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to address regional drug threats and reduce illicit drug production and trafficking. This new designation will allow critical resources to be deployed to law enforcement in Beltrami County working to seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, prevent and reduce gun violence and other violent crime associated with drug trafficking, improve interdiction efforts through enhanced data sharing and targeting, and dismantle illicit finance operations.
“The opioid epidemic is taking lives and tearing families apart. We need to continue to provide law enforcement with the tools they need to fight drug trafficking and the violent crime that comes along with it,” said Klobuchar. “These federal resources will allow for greater coordination among all levels of law enforcement in Beltrami County so they can do their jobs even more effectively.”
“Families across our state are hurting from the opioid epidemic — I want to make sure we’re doing all we can to help law enforcement crack down on drug trafficking in our communities,” said Smith. “These newly unlocked federal resources that will be deployed in Beltrami County will make a big difference in our fight against opioid overdoses.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The British Embassy in Lima is seeking bids for a practical action research project that will build insights to push forward mining and human rights in Peru.
The British Embassy in Lima is seeking bids for a practical action research project that will build insights on how to push forward mining and human rights in Peru. Results from the project should inform partner interventions and policymaking and strengthen the UK’s reputation as an ally to sustainable growth in Peru.
The UK is a global promoter of responsible business practices: it aims to ensure that companies abide by human rights standards in all their activities, as it benefits business and communities, and contributes to the goal of building democratic societies and sustainable development. The UK was the first country to produce a National Action Plan based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is a member of a cross-government Working Group on Business and Human Rights. As such, the FCDO supports countries in adhering to the UNGPs and other voluntary commitments.
Globally, the past years have seen an explosion of mandatory and voluntary regulation regarding responsible business practices, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the ILO’s Tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy. Similarly, the OECD has adopted Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and a Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct.
These regulations play a role in Peru’s business ecosystem. During a 2017 visit by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the government committed to creating a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The final 2021-2025 Plan was published in June 2021 -the second in the region- after multistakeholder consultations. While it is currently in its implementation phase, the Mesa Multiactor has had limited activity. In 2020, the OECD recommended that Peru effectively implement existing laws and policies regarding responsible business practices. Further, CSOs have proposed a bill that would regulate human rights due diligence.
In this context, a critical area of impact for business and human rights is Peru’s mining sector. Mining activity concentrates significant, long-term foreign investment, and is increasingly affected by human rights standards. Despite continued efforts from mining companies, in an environment that is still adapting to responsible mining practices it remains difficult to mitigate the negative externalities of business operations and reduce barriers. These difficulties are compounded by the growth of illegal and informal mining, which represents a significant portion of resource extraction.
Across the region, valuable efforts have been made to map existing National Action Plans, policies, legislation, and best practices (see, for example, Danish Institute of Human Rights, 2019; KAS, 2023; UNHCHR, 2022; Global NAPS; SNMPE, 2023). However, there is space to move research into action to ensure the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, UN Guiding Principles and similar voluntary documents become a reality. As such, the British Embassy would like to support an action research project that would push forward mining and human rights in Peru. This falls in line with Priority Theme 3 (Business and Human Rights) of our country Human Rights and Gender Equality Strategy 2023-2025.
The objective of the work is to support the UK’s commitment to sustainable growth and human rights in Peru. Projects should adopt a practical action research approach, with clear research and programmatic components. Successful bidders will demonstrate a creative, impactful approach to ensure that voluntary standards in business and human rights are clear for Peruvian stakeholders and move the field forward towards effective implementation.
Bids should look to demonstrate their ability to deliver a project that includes:
Project proposals of up to £60,000 = S/274,800 / $72,000. We are looking for projects that can begin in October 2024 and be completed by March 2025. Implementers should spend 100% of their allocation by March 2025.
Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
Please complete the attached “Project Proposal Form” and “Activity Based Budget” using the guidance provided.
Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats in English or Spanish to BEProjectsPeru@fcdo.gov.uk by 11:59pm September 26, with “Call for bids Mining and Human Rights” in the subject line of your email.
Bids submitted after this date will not be considered. Bids can be submitted at any time up to the indicated deadline.
Bidders will be notified via email of the outcome of assessments in early October. Due to the volume of bids expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.
Organisations can submit up to a maximum of 2 proposals; bids for projects that include engagement with stakeholders outside of Lima are particularly welcome.
Please also familiarise yourself at an early stage with the standard ‘Grant Agreement Template’ attached.
What to Include in the Bid Form?
Proposals must be submitted on the authorised forms and include an activity-based budget (ABB) in soles/US dollars. Value for money is an important selection criterion and if you do not submit a detailed ABB then your proposal will not be considered.
Please contact BEProjectsPeru@fcdo.gov.uk. with any questions or queries.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen
September 23, 2024
Legislation closes 8-K trading gap, preventing executives from profiting before significant problems are disclosed to the SEC, public
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, have reintroduced the 8-K Trading Gap Act. This bicameral legislation prevents executives and other corporate insiders, including foreign issuers, from profiting off the gap between the occurrence of a significant event – such as bankruptcy or an acquisition – and its legally-mandated disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the general public. Under current law, companies have four days to file the 8-K disclosure form with the SEC, but they are not barred from trading in advance of the filing – giving them an unfair advantage. The 8-K Trading Gap Act would close this gap by requiring the SEC to write a rule to prohibit insiders from making trades during this four-day period.
“The 8-K trading gap gives corporate executives a major loophole to cash in on their stocks when major changes are about to hit – before shareholders and the public are made aware. With the 8-K trading gap, insiders get a several-day head start to make lucrative financial moves prior to a major stock price-altering announcement. Our legislation will close this harmful loophole to prevent insiders from benefitting from this unfair advantage while ensuring a fairer market for the public,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The integrity of our capital markets rely on transparency and equal access to information and trading opportunities for all market participants,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, investor protection is at the forefront of my priorities. Our capital markets remain the envy of the world because Congress passed laws to make them transparent and fair. This bill is a vital step toward safeguarding our markets and ensuring that everyone plays by the same set of rules.”
This legislation has been endorsed by the Healthy Markets Association.
The text of the bill is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
September 23, 2024
“The absence of robust requirements has severely hindered the effectiveness of 45Q.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Angus King (I-Maine), along with Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), wrote to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging the agencies to develop strong guardrails for the 45Q tax credit, which is designed to encourage carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects.
The 45Q credit was initially designed to incentivize investment in CCS and emission reductions. However, the credit has been primarily used to “increase oil production from aging wells, canceling out most of the emissions reduction benefit.” In 2022, Congress expanded the tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), allowing more companies to claim the credit and receive more money per ton of carbon captured. The IRS is expected to release updated guidelines about the tax credit later this year, and the Department of Treasury has estimated that the 45Q tax credit could cost taxpayers up to $30.3 billion over the next ten years.
In 2020, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) found that between 2010 and 2019, 87% of tax credit claims, worth almost $900 million dollars, were awarded to taxpayers who did not meet the EPA’s verification requirements. Currently, IRS examiners are not required to coordinate with EPA personnel to confirm the amount of carbon sequestered by companies claiming the credit, even allowing self-certification in some instances.
The lawmakers make three recommendations for the tax credit to be effective. First, the IRS should require independent, third-party verification of carbon sequestration. Second, the IRS and the EPA must coordinate effectively through a memorandum of understanding to more effectively share basic data about the credit’s implementation. Third, the IRS should require stricter record-keeping requirements and establish a 12-year recapture period, during which every company receiving the tax credit needs to maintain detailed records of their carbon sequestration amounts.
The following organizations endorsed the letter: Taxpayers for Common Sense, Evergreen Action, the Vessel Project, Port Arthur Community Action Network, Better Bayou, Healthy Gulf, Eco-Justice Collaborative, Science Roundtable on Carbon Capture and Storage, Food and Water Watch, Ohio River Valley Institute, Better Path Coalition, No False Solutions PA, Save Our Illinois Land, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action, Center for Coalfield Justice, Watchdogs of Beaver County, Clean Air Council and Environmental Health Project.
“We need an end to weak oversight and poor safeguards that could allow some of the richest companies in the world to take public money without delivering the real, measurable climate benefits the policy intended. The IRS must act decisively to ensure this tax credit is used only as a genuine tool for carbon reduction by implementing robust, enforceable guardrails. This is the administration’s chance to stop subsidizing climate pollution and ensure the credit has real oversight,” said Craig Segall, Senior Vice President, Evergreen Action.
“Senator Warren, Representative Khanna, and their Congressional colleagues are asking for what every taxpayer deserves – guardrails and transparency measures that ensure the 45Q tax credit is being used appropriately and effectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Autumn Hanna, Vice President of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “To date the vast majority of the carbon capture tax credit has gone to companies pumping carbon into wells to get more oil. But the country can’t afford to give more unchecked subsidies to the oil and gas industry. With an estimated cost of more than $30 billion by 2033, we must take strong steps to avoid any chance of fraud or abuse.”
The lawmakers requested a briefing from the three agencies by October 4, 2024.
Senator Warren has long worked to protect taxpayer money and ensure strong implementation of climate policy:
In June 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.) led a letter to the Federal Reserve Board (Fed), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), urging regulators to stop their obstruction of global financial regulators’ work to tackle climate-related financial risks. The lawmakers also called out the weaknesses revealed by the Fed’s 2023 “pilot scenario analysis” exploring six major banks’ resilience to climate-related financial risks.
In May 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) reintroduced the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to distribute $500 billion over ten years to electrify and modernize public vehicles and rail and build new electric transportation infrastructure across the country. The bill would also create 1 million new jobs, save $100 billion annually in health damages, and prevent 4,200 deaths per year from air pollution.
In April 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), urged the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, composed of the Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to finalize the Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule as quickly as possible.
In March 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), released a statement describing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) finalized climate risk disclosure rule as “the bare minimum.”
In September 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) called on the Treasury Department to take key actions pertaining to climate and climate-related financial risk to avert the impending environmental and economic crises.
In September 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren urged Chair Gensler to quickly finalize a strong climate risk disclosure rule, reminding him that he has a mandate to protect investors and strong public support.
In March 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-M.D.) and 47 of their colleagues sent a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler, urging him to protect investors and finalize a strong climate disclosure rule without further delay.
In September 2022, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren called on SEC Chair Gary Gensler to protect investors and stand up to fossil fuel lobbying by issuing a strong climate risk disclosure rule quickly.
In June 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a comment letter with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) on the SEC’s mandatory climate disclosure rule, highlighting several areas for improvement and key elements that the SEC should preserve in its final rule, including strong Scope 3 emissions disclosure requirements.
In March 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a letter with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) urging the SEC to require disclosure of anti-climate lobbying activities in the Commission’s rule.
In May 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren and then-Congressman Andy Levin (D-Mich.) introduced the Buy Green Act to use the enormous breadth of U.S. federal procurement to help fight the climate crisis, spur innovation, and boost demand for American-made clean energy products at home and in the rapidly-growing markets for green products abroad.
In May 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren and then-Congressman Andy Levin (D-Mich.) introduced the National Institutes of Clean Energy Act of 2021, legislation that would invest $400 billion over the next ten years to establish and operate a new system of institutes at the Department of Energy dedicated to research and development (R&D) of advanced clean energy technologies.
In April 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.) reintroduced the Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2021 which would reduce the chances of environmental and financial catastrophe by requiring public companies to disclose more information about their exposure to climate-related risks.
In March 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren unveiled the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act which would invest $500 billion over ten years in state, local, and tribal projects to jumpstart the transition to all electric public vehicles and rail and help modernize the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
September 20, 2024
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE)—members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee— joined U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) in launching the bipartisan Senate and House Quad Caucuses. This announcement comes ahead of this weekend’s Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where President Biden will welcome heads of state from Australia, India and Japan. The Quad is committed to supporting the region’s development, stability and prosperity to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders’ ambitious efforts include major initiatives on infrastructure, maritime security, public-private partnership, climate, health, critical and emerging technologies and space.
“Over the years, the Quad has represented the United States’ steadfast commitment to the current and future prosperity, strength and stability of the Indo-Pacific region—and proof of our ability to come together with allies and partners to uphold our shared principles,” said Senator Duckworth. “In a strong display of bipartisan support for the region, I’m proud to help launch the Senate’s first-ever Quad Caucus alongside co-chair Senator Ricketts ahead of President Biden’s leaders’ summit this weekend. Together, we’re sending a strong message to our allies and partners—and our competitors—that the United States is here for the long haul.”
“Partnerships like the Quad are our greatest strength in protecting a prosperous, free and open Indo-Pacific against coercion and malign aggression The launch of the bipartisan Senate Quad Caucus should send a clear signal about the growing importance of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India working closely together in the region. We are committed to finding tangible ways to bolster collaboration with our Quad partners,” said Senator Ricketts.
“As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly important to global security and economic prosperity, it is essential that the United States continues to strengthen relationships with our Quad partners,” said Congressman Bera. “The launch of the Quad Caucus underscores our shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development in the region. By promoting collaboration on key issues like maritime security, infrastructure, and climate, we can ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all.”
“Cooperation between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia is crucial for the future stability of the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Wittman. “The Quad’s support for the governance of emerging technologies, countering illegal fishing, and enhanced maritime domain awareness proves that we will build a better future for the region by working together. I am proud to join my colleagues to launch this bicameral, bipartisan Quad Caucus to foster stable collaboration for years to come.”
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth has been a leader in strengthening relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific. In July, Duckworth led an official Senate visit to Laos and Vietnam to reinforce America’s commitment to our partners in ASEAN and strengthen U.S.-ASEAN economic ties. In May, Duckworth led a bipartisan delegation to Singapore to participate in this year’s International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue, where she and other Senators reaffirmed our nation’s strong bipartisan commitment to our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Duckworth met with ASEAN leaders on an official Senate visit to Indonesia to reinforce U.S. partnership throughout the region and find opportunities to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as countering climate change, increasing energy security and ensuring regional stability and freedom of navigation.
-30-
Source: US Department of Homeland Security
First-of-Its-Kind Cybersecurity Grant Program Enters Third Year
WASHINGTON- Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced the availability of $279.9 million in grant funding for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). Now in its third year, this program provides funding to state, local, and territorial (SLT) governments to help reduce cyber risk and build resilience against evolving cybersecurity threats. Established by the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act, and part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the SLCGP provides approximately $1 billion in funding over four years to support SLT governments as they develop capabilities to detect, protect against, and respond to cyber threats.
“In the modern threat landscape, every community can – and too often does – face sophisticated cyberattacks on vital systems like hospitals, schools, and electrical grids,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program empowers key intergovernmental partners with the tools and support necessary to increase resilience and better secure critical infrastructure. Our message to communities everywhere is simple: do not underestimate the reach or ruthlessness of nefarious cyber actors. Through initiatives like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program we can confront these threats together.”
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly administer this program. CISA provides expertise and guidance on cybersecurity issues while FEMA manages the grant award and allocation process. Award recipients may use funding for a wide range of cybersecurity improvements and capabilities, including cybersecurity planning and exercising, hiring cyber personnel, and improving the services that citizens rely on daily.
“These cyber grants are an investment in the security of our nation’s infrastructure, helping to ensure that communities across the country have the tools they need to defend against cyberattacks,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “CISA is proud to offer the SLCGP, helping governments lay a solid foundation for building a sustainable and resilient cybersecurity program for the future.”
“FEMA is committed to helping our partners address and withstand cybersecurity threats to both infrastructure and systems,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, state, local, tribal and territorial governments will be able to build their capacity to better protect themselves from evolving cyber threats.”
Eligible entities have from September 23 until Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 5 pm ET to apply for funds, via FEMA GO. For more information and helpful resources on the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, visit CISA’s webpage: cisa.gov/cybergrants.
Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/23/2024 03:30 PM EDT
09/23/2024 03:02 PM EDT
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Shenandoah man was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography.
According to public court documents, Evaristo Hernandez Flores Carnes, 34, uploaded images and videos containing child sex abuse material to a social media application. Law enforcement executed search warrant at Carnes’s residence and seized a cell phone that was later found to contain images and videos of child sex abuse material.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Carnes will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), DCI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Shenandoah Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigations.
This case was 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, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anjum Naweed, Professor of Human Factors, CQUniversity Australia
How often do you find yourself hitting “play” on an old favourite, reliving the same TV episodes you’ve seen before – or even know by heart?
I’m a chronic re-watcher. Episodes of sitcoms like Blackadder (1983–89), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–21), Doc Martin (2004–22) and The Office US (2005–13) – a literal lifetime of TV favourites – are usually dependable in times of stress.
But recently, ahead of an exceptionally challenging deadline, I found myself switching up my viewing. Instead of the escapist comedy I normally return to, I switched to Breaking Bad (2008–13), a nail-biting thriller with a complex reverse hero narrative – and immediately felt at ease.
What do our re-viewing choices tell us about ourselves? And is it OK that we keep returning to old favourites?
Although one-sided, the relationships we form with characters in our favourite TV shows can feel very real. They can increase a sense of belonging, reduce loneliness – and keep pulling us back in.
When we rewatch, we feel sadness, wistful joy and longing, all at the same time. We call the sum of these contradictions nostalgia.
Originally coined in the 17th century to describe Swiss soldiers impaired by homesickness, psychologists now understand nostalgic reflection as a shield against anxiety and threat, promoting a sense of wellbeing.
We all rely on fiction to transport us from our own lives and realities. Nostalgia viewing extends the experience, taking us somewhere we already know and love.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave of nostalgia viewing.
In the United States, audience analyst Nielsen found the most streamed show of 2020 was the American version of The Office, seven years after it ended its television run. A Radio Times survey found 64% of respondents said they had rewatched a TV series during lockdown, with 43% watching nostalgic shows.
We were suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar situation and in a perpetual state of unease. We had more time on our hands, but also wanted to feel safe. Tuning into familiar content on television offered an escape – a sanctuary from the realities of futures unknown.
Revisiting connections with TV characters gave us a sense of control. We knew what lay in their futures, and the calm and predictability of their arcs balanced the uncertainty in ours.
Nostalgia has been in the DNA of television since some of the earliest programming decisions.
Every December, broadcasters scramble to screen one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ much-retold and family-friendly ghost story, which also features nostalgia as a plot device.
First screened on live TV in New York City in 1944, on the still-new technology, the broadcast continued a 100-year-old tradition of the classic appearing on stage and cinema screens.
Settling in around the telly for A Christmas Carol connects us to the holiday period and a heartwarming metamorphosis. Ebeneezer Scrooge revisits long-lost versions of himself and turns from villain to hero and our old friend in a single night.
For viewers, revisiting this character at the same time every year can also reconnect us with our past selves and create a predictable pattern, even in the frenzy of the silly season.
The neuroscience of nostalgic experiences is clear. Nostalgia arises when current sensory data – like what you watch on TV – matches past emotions and experiences.
It triggers a release of dopamine, a reward-system neurotransmitter involved in emotion and motivation. Encountering nostalgia is like autoloading and hitting play on past positive experiences, elevating desire and regulating mood.
So, nostalgia draws on experiences encoded in memory. The TV shows we choose to rewatch reflect our values, our tastes, and the phases of life we have gone through.
Perhaps this is a reason why reboots of our favourite shows sometimes fall flat, and ultimately set fans up for disappointment.
I still remember the crushing disillusion I felt while watching the reboot of Knight Rider (2008–09). I immediately turned to social media to find a community around my nostalgic setback
Going back to my challenging deadline, what was it about the nostalgic experience of watching Breaking Bad that made it different?
Breaking Bad evokes a particular phase in my life. I binged the first three seasons when writing up my PhD thesis. Walter White’s rise and fall journey towards redemption is enmeshed in the nostalgia of a difficult time I made it through.
The predictability of Walter White’s arc on second viewing was an unlikely haven. It’s escalating high-stakes drama mirrored my rising stress, while connecting me to who I was when I first enjoyed the show.
The result? “Dread mode” switched off – even as my anti-heroes marched again to their dire cinematic comeuppance. Reality, past and present, could be worse.
Anjum Naweed 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.
– ref. The power of nostalgia: why it’s healthy for you to keep returning to your favourite TV series – https://theconversation.com/the-power-of-nostalgia-why-its-healthy-for-you-to-keep-returning-to-your-favourite-tv-series-237753
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Wood, Professor, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney
Vaccination is one of the most effective methods to protect individuals and the broader public from disease. Vaccines are typically given to healthy people to prevent disease, so the bar for safety is set high.
People benefit from vaccination at an individual level because they’re protected from disease. But for some vaccines, strong community uptake leads to “herd immunity”. This means people who are unable to be vaccinated can be protected by the “herd”.
As with any prescribed medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. In the rare case that COVID vaccines did cause a specified serious injury (the scheme listed certain conditions that a person could claim for), Australians have been able to claim compensation. But this ends at the end of this month.
From then, Australians won’t be able to access no-fault compensation for any vaccine injury – from COVID or any others.
Fortunately, serious vaccine injuries are rare. Most are not a result of error in vaccine design, manufacturing or delivery, but are a product of a small but inherent risk.
As a result, people who suffer serious vaccine injuries cannot get compensation through legal mechanisms. This is because they can’t demonstrate the injury was caused through negligence.
Vaccine injury compensation schemes compensate people who have a serious vaccine injury following administration of properly manufactured vaccines.
In 2021, in recognition of the rare risk of a serious vaccine injury, and in support of the roll out of the COVID vaccine program, the Australian government introduced a COVID vaccine claims scheme.
The aim was to provide a simple, streamlined process to compensate people who suffered a moderate to severe vaccine injury, without the need for complex legal proceedings. It was limited to TGA-approved COVID vaccines, and to specific reactions.
The Australian government has said the scheme will close this month and claims need to be lodged before September 30 2024.
Following its closure, Australia will not have a vaccine injury compensation scheme.
Australia lags behind 25 other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand which have comprehensive no-fault vaccine injury compensation schemes. These cover both COVID and non-COVID vaccines.
The schemes are based on the ethical principle of “reciprocal justice”. This acknowledges that people acting to benefit not just themselves but also the community (for the benefit of the “herd”) should be compensated by the same community if it has resulted in harm.
In Australia, people with non-COVID vaccine injuries or COVID vaccine injuries not covered by the current claims scheme must bear the costs associated with their injury by themselves or access publicly funded health care. They will not receive any compensation for their injury and suffering.
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding support to access therapies for people with a permanent and significant disability. However, it does not cover temporary vaccine-related injuries.
Participants with vaccine injuries as a result of taking part in a clinical vaccine trial are compensated. This typically includes income-replacement, personal assistance expenses and reimbursement of expenses resulting from the incident, including medical expenses.
In Australia, we also have strong compulsion for people to receive routine vaccines through legislative requirements such as No Jab No Pay (which requires children to be immunised to receive some government payments) and, in some states, No Jab No Play (which requires children be fully immunised to attend childcare).
Countries such as ours that mandate vaccination without providing no-fault injury compensation schemes for rare vaccine injury could be abrogating the social contract by not protecting the individual and community.
The Australian immunisation system is among the most comprehensive in the world. Our government-funded national immunisation program provides free vaccines for infants, children and adults for at least 15 diseases.
We also have a whole-of-life immunisation register and comprehensive vaccine safety surveillance system.
A recent Senate committee recommended:
the Australian government consider the design and compensation arrangements of a no-fault compensation scheme for Commonwealth-funded vaccines in response to a future pandemic event.
Vaccines are designed to be very safe and effective. But the “insurance policy” of an injury compensation scheme, if designed and communicated appropriately, should build trust and give confidence to health workers and the general public to support our national vaccine program. This is particularly important given the reductions in uptake of routine vaccines.
A no-fault vaccine injury compensation scheme could be funded via a vaccine levy system, as is done in the US, where an excise tax is imposed on each dose of vaccine.
An effective vaccine injury compensation scheme needs to be:
Legislation to introduce and allocate funds to support an Australian injury compensation scheme for all vaccines is overdue. The draft National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030 hinted at the opportunity to explore the feasibility of a no fault compensation scheme for all vaccines the Australian government funds, without committing to such a program.
An Australian vaccine injury scheme, covering all national immunisation program vaccines, not just pandemic use vaccines, should be seen as a crucial component of our public health system and a social responsibility commitment to all Australians.
Nicholas Wood previously received funding from the NHMRC for a Career Development Fellowship and is a Churchill Fellow.
Sophie Wen receives funding from Queensland Government for an Advancing Clinical Research Fellowship and is a Mary McConnel career boost program recipient from Children’s Hospital Foundation. Sophie Wen is an investigator for several industry-sponsored clinical vaccine trials but does not receive any direct funding.
Tim Ford 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.
– ref. In the rare event of a vaccine injury, Australians should be compensated – https://theconversation.com/in-the-rare-event-of-a-vaccine-injury-australians-should-be-compensated-232396
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosts a G7+ Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support in New York City, New York, on September 23, 2024.
Transcript: https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-with-italian-foreign-minister-antonio-tajani-and-ukrainian-foreign-minister-andrii-sybiha-at-a-g7-ministerial-meeting-on-ukraine-energy-sector-support/
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Ailwood, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of Wollongong
This piece is the second in a series on Australia’s defamation laws. You can read the first article here.
Over recent years, forces like the #MeToo movement have shone a light on how Australia’s defamation laws play out for women. These laws influence whether and how women speak about their experiences of violence and harassment.
Multiple high-profile cases have highlighted the gender dynamics at play. Both Geoffrey Rush’s successful defamation claim against the Daily Telegraph in 2018 and Bruce Lehrmann’s ongoing litigation against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson attracted much media attention. This included commentary about how defamation can silence women.
But these laws don’t only affect women speaking out publicly and through the media. They also affect women seeking to report sexual violence to the police and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Defamation law is weaponised against women in a variety of settings across the country. Our politicians have acknowledged this, but there’s been little appetite for fixing it.
To bring a defamation claim under Australian law, a plaintiff must prove a number of things. But one thing the plaintiff does not have to prove is that the publication is false.
Many defendants rely on the “truth defence”, which requires them to prove the substantial truth of the publication. If it’s successful, that wins them the case.
But with allegations of sexual violence, establishing the truth is notoriously difficult. That’s even with a lower standard of proof (the balance of probabilities) than in criminal courts (beyond reasonable doubt).
Look no further than in Lehrmann’s case against Ten. The quality and quantity of the evidence brought by the defence, including extensive audio-visual recordings and the testimony of multiple third parties, shows what’s needed to meet this very high standard.
This means it is relatively easy for an alleged perpetrator to bring a defamation claim against a person who reports sexual violence or harassment, and relatively difficult for a victim-survivor to defend the claim.
The weaponisation of defamation law by perpetrators against women reporting sexual violence and harassment is well documented.
In the Respect@Work Report, the Australian Human Rights Commission heard evidence that women reporting workplace sexual harassment were being threatened with and sued for defamation. The report found Australia’s defamation laws “discourage sexual harassment victims from making a complaint”.
Recent research has revealed that threatening or commencing defamation proceedings is a widely used tactic by alleged perpetrators to silence victim-survivors and pressure them to withdraw complaints.
The destructive effects of defamation litigation for victim-survivors are evident in a 2022 Queensland case called Sherman vs Lamb.
A victim-survivor of coercive control in a relationship that had recently ended reported the violence to a police officer. She was then successfully sued for defamation by the perpetrator at trial.
The judge also found the victim-survivor’s report was malicious. He found “police have no interest in or a duty to receive gossip or adverse commentary”.
Both of these findings were overturned on appeal, but by then, the costs of the defamation litigation had forced the victim-survivor to declare bankruptcy.
The impact of perpetrators weaponising defamation law is both individual and structural.
On an individual level, it targets victim-survivors reporting and complaining of sexual harassment and violence.
Structurally, it contributes to a culture of fear of speaking out, contributing to the ongoing silencing of violence against women.
Yet the Standing Council of Attorneys-General (the federal attorney-general and those from every state and territory) has chosen not to act to protect women reporting sexual violence and harassment from defamation claims in the workplace.
The council did agree that absolute privilege should be extended to reporting to police. Absolute privilege means a person can’t be help liable for defamation, like in parliament.
So far, attorneys-general in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT have brought in legal protections for women reporting violence to police. That’s a good thing, though other state and territories are yet to follow.
But it obscures the group’s refusal to extend those protections to the workplace, where much of this abuse occurs.
In its review of defamation laws, the council considered how these laws affect workplace sexual harassment. In particular, it considered whether absolute privilege should apply to sexual harassment and violence in particular contexts, like work.
The council found victim-survivors and witnesses of sexual violence, sexual harassment and other forms of unlawful personal conduct are being threatened with and sued for defamation. It found this causes victim-survivors to withdraw reports and complaints, and that it deters them from making reports and complaints in the first place.
A key advantage of extending absolute privilege is that many defamation claim would likely be summarily dismissed without the need for a costly and lengthy trial, which is usually required. This would likely reduce the weaponisation of defamation law by perpetrators.
The council decided not to do this in workplaces. It blamed a division of stakeholder opinion within the consultation process. It also said there weren’t enough protections for alleged perpetrators, like penalties for false reporting.
The rationale appears to be that employers implementing Respect@Work and eliminating sexual harassment from their workplaces will also eliminate the need to report it, in turn removing the threat presented by defamation law.
But the council’s decision also reinforces how important the idea of reputation is within Australian defamation law.
Protecting the reputation of alleged perpetrators of violence is of greater value to Australia’s attorneys-general than protecting the speech of victim-survivors of sexual violence and harassment.
It also reinforces myths about workplace sexual harassment: that men are at significant risk from women making false reports, and that sexual harassment is an individual, interpersonal problem rather than a structural issue that should be addressed by law reform.
Australian women remain at risk of being threatened with or sued for defamation for reporting sexual harassment and violence in the workplace.
This is yet another instance of a law reform process failing to listen and act in response to violence against women. Our chief legal officers have acknowledged the weaponisation of defamation law to silence women in the workplace and refused to do anything to prevent it.
Sarah Ailwood 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.
– ref. Politicians know defamation laws can silence women, but they won’t do anything about it – https://theconversation.com/politicians-know-defamation-laws-can-silence-women-but-they-wont-do-anything-about-it-238079
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken remarks at the Freedom Online Coalition Ministerial Event on AI for Humanity: Charting the Global Course for Human Rights-Based Governance in New York City, New York, on September 23, 2024.
Transcript: https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-freedom-online-coalition-ministerial-event-on-ai-for-humanity-charting-the-global-course-for-human-rights-based-governance/
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) delivered opening remarks at the hearing “The Cost of the Biden-Harris Energy Crisis.”
Opening Statement as Delivered:
“Our hearing today focuses on the fiscal cost and economic consequences of the Biden-Harris Administration’s failed economic and energy policies. Those costs have been significant and measurable, and the consequences have been manifold and dire.
The whole government regulatory attack on conventional fuels, the increased taxes on oil and gas, and massive market-distorting green energy subsidies have choked the lifeblood of the greatest economy in the world. It’s also crushed our working families with a cost-of-living crisis, and it has compromised our national security by making the United States more reliant on foreign adversaries.
The Biden-Harris Administration has issued 250 executive actions against one industry, an industry that employs 10 million people with high wage jobs and represents almost 10 percent of our total economy, and has had, no doubt, a positive impact on every facet of our daily lives by producing the most reliable, affordable, and abundant source of energy as a result of our God-given blessed resources and the most innovative and efficient energy industry operators.
We have the strongest and most dynamic economy in the world. It’s why we have the greatest fighting force in the world, and it’s why we are the world’s superpower. But today, the failed energy policy is driven by what I believe is an extreme climate agenda that has undermined all of the above. It’s resulted in higher gas prices at the pump, as high as over $5 dollars, the highest we’ve ever seen and experienced in this country, on average, it’s been $1 dollar more per gallon in cost than the previous Administration.
The cost of electricity has gone up now 25- 30 percent for families. The total consumption cost for average-income families is almost twice what it was in the previous administration. Policies have consequences, and that consequence for families is a whopping $1,700 per family per year. These costs on the economy and our consumers, the American people, are a direct result of the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration.
On his first day in office, President Biden canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have saved us in transportation cost and safety, $50 billion but it didn’t stop there. It was all critical infrastructure in the links of the supply chain, from export terminals to permitting refineries and other pipelines. Biden-Harris’s moratorium on drilling on public lands will cost $33 billion in lost GDP and roughly 60,000 jobs. There have been overreaching and overburdening emission regulations coming out of the EPA. Think about the methane gas rule. We’ve seen a 66 percent reduction by the industry over the last several years in methane gas emissions.
The EV mandate alone, the tailpipe emissions, cost $870 billion over roughly 20 years. They’ve depleted our strategic petroleum reserves to smooth off the edge of the spike in prices, and we’re now down with the strategic petroleum reserve at a 40-year low. On the subsidy side, there are $800 billion in tax subsidies for green energy corporations, and some studies say that 70 percent of that value will be accrued to China because of their rare earth mineral mining and parts to the renewable energy industry. The EV tax credit is, in many ways, going to upper-middle and upper-income individuals, and I want to dig into that with you. The impact on middle-class families and our minority communities here in the United States is hard.
The fiscal health of our country is in decline. I think we all agree with that. You can’t look at the balance sheet, you can’t look at CBO’s projections, you can’t look at the debt to GDP, which is higher than it’s been since World War II and more. We have to rein-in spending and we have to grow this economy. We must have policies that encourage and foster growth, and central to that are good energy policies. If we can grow 1 percent, we can save $3 trillion to put against the deficit. If we grow 1 percent, we can add $10,000 over 10 years and hardworking Americans’ pocketbooks. We can bring the debt to GDP down by at least 20 percentage points.
Growth is key, and the lifeblood of that growth is energy policies. We’ve seen the opposite of it, disastrous energy policies and disastrous results. We must make a change if we’re going to get our country on a good fiscal path and hand it to our children in the manner that gives them the opportunities and prosperity that we’ve all enjoyed.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — This morning, ahead of the House vote on a six month spending measure to avoid a government shutdown and protect American elections from noncitizen voting, Speaker Johnson joined Fox News’ Fox and Friends and CNBC’s Squawk Box to implore Congressional Democrats to protect American elections, highlight the 2025 GOP economic agenda, and detail plans to expand the investigative scope of the Task Force to Investigate the Assassination of President Trump.
Click here to watch the full “Fox and Friends” interview
Click here to watch the full “Squawk Box” interview
On Congress’s responsibility to protect elections and fund the government:
Listen, Congress has an immediate obligation to do two very important things. We have to keep the government funded, and we need to make sure that our elections are secure. And we have a vehicle today to do both things, because we owe that to the American people and because they demand it. We’re moving legislation today to have a continuing resolution to keep the government going for six months and to make sure that illegals cannot vote, noncitizens cannot vote in the upcoming election. It’s a number one issue around the country.
On the GOP plan for economic growth:
We implement the principles and the policies that we’ve always espoused, and that is less regulation and lower taxes. It’s a pretty simple formula, and it has a great result. So, we want to expand upon the Trump era tax cuts, and we want to do massive regulatory reform. One of the problems we have right now across the free market is that the federal government has been, these agencies have been weaponized against the industries they’re supposed to be assisting and regulating in a meaningful way. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, they have almost smothered the free market. I mean, it’s like the boot of government is on the neck of job creators and entrepreneurs and risk takers who are just trying to do their jobs, and they’ve made it almost impossible. So, we’re going to reverse that.
If you get Republican leadership in the White House, the Senate and the House, unified government, we will put this thing on turbo. You will see massive regulatory reform. We have a great opportunity. The Supreme Court has overturned a Chevron doctrine. We have all the talk about political tailwinds in a moment of opportunity. That’s what we’ll see in the first quarter of next year, and you’re going to see a lot of change that I think will really incentivize more opportunity, more investment, more American manufacturing, detangle from China, get the border under control and stop the illegal immigration and stop the maddening government spending that’s been out of control for the last four years.
On expanding the Task Force Investigating the Assassination of Donald Trump:
I had that conversation with the White House yesterday. I called and demanded that President Trump receive the same level of protection that the sitting president does, because he is under such great threat. I mean, clearly, he’s the most threatened figure in American public life, and the Secret Service has an obligation to protect him, so they need to make every available asset assigned to him right now.
President Trump and I have talked about this, and now I’ve talked about it with the White House. Now, they say they’re going to be cooperative, but they also say there’s a manpower issue. So, Congress is looking at every aspect of this. If we need to add additional funding, we will, but it’s difficult to go hire 2,500 new secret service agents in the next 48 days, right? So, they’re going to have to rely upon, in some cases, to fill the gaps local and state law enforcement. And so, we’re looking at every aspect. This job must be done. President Trump must be protected.