Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for the work of the United Nations, including UN peacekeeping operations.
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister exchanged views on developments in the region, including Afghanistan and the Middle East, and on other issues of common concern.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced an award of $675,000 to Enhancing and Strengthening North Dakota Nonprofits and Communities in Minot, N.D. This award will help construct a regional processing facility for local foods, providing classrooms, kitchen facilities, warehouse space and more in Baldwin, N.D.
The grant is expected to create 47 jobs and generate $1.8 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“North Dakota excels at value-added agriculture,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). “Investments like this drive innovation, boost economic development in our communities, and help families put food on the table. North Dakota stands to gain for many years to come as a result of the construction and use of this facility.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
09.24.24
WASHINGTON—In an interview this morning with Harris Faulkner on Fox News Channel, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), the Republican Senate representative to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, condemned the misguided foreign policy priorities highlighted in President Biden’s final speech to the UN on Tuesday. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed last weekend, Sen. Sullivan urged President Biden to use the speech as an opportunity to course correct on the administration’s failed appeasement policies toward Iran, which have emboldened the terrorist regime and its proxies and spread chaos throughout the world.
“President Biden mentioned climate change six times and Iran just twice in his speech to the UN. If that’s not indicative of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities, I don’t know what is,” said Sen. Sullivan. “What we’ve seen is chaos throughout the world. This is his last foreign policy speech. Americans and people around the world need to ask this question: Are Americans and our allies safer today than we were four years ago? The answer is absolutely not. One of the biggest areas in which this has been true, and is a failure of this administration, is the appeasement of Iran. Iran is the agent of chaos everywhere—and this administration has appeased Iran in every sphere.”
Senator Sullivan has frequently criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s weakness exhibited toward Iran and pushed for a return to Trump-era sanctions aimed at re-establishing deterrence against Iran and its terrorist proxies.
[embedded content]
Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s interview.
SULLIVAN: The Biden-Harris Administration has Appeased Iran in Every Sphere
HARRIS FAULKNER: We don’t know what Kamala Harris’ foreign policy is going to be. We just saw the last speech by the sitting president, and it was not strong considering the breaking news right now. There is a war now across that line between Lebanon and Israel. If this is what we get under President Biden, what in the world would we get under Vice President Kamala Harris if she wins the White House?
SENATOR SULLIVAN: It’s such an important question. You just saw the speech, right? Biden mentions climate change six times and Iran twice. If that’s not indicative of this administration’s priorities—Biden-Harris—I don’t know what is. What we’ve seen is chaos throughout the world. This is his last foreign policy speech. I think Americans and people around the world need to ask this question: Is America and our allies safer today than we was four years ago? The answer is absolutely not. And one of the biggest areas in which that has been true, and a failure of this administration, is the appeasement of Iran—that Iran is the agent of chaos everywhere. Your reporting right now is just showing that. They have appeased Iran in every sphere.
As you mentioned, I think with Kamala Harris, it would be way worse. You have to compare the record of the Trump administration with regard to Iran where we reestablished deterrence, put them in a box, crushed them economically, killed their terrorist leaders, and launched a peace initiative with the Abraham Accords. It’s such a contrast in terms of records.
…
SULLIVAN: Trump-Era Sanctions Against Iran are the Most Effective Tools in Re-Establishing Deterrence
FAULKNER: All right. I want to get to two things. First of all, Major General Ryder told us yesterday, and then filled in the blanks a little bit, saying, “Well, it’s a small number that they’re sending to the Middle East to shore up the 40,000 who are there.” Well, that’s anything less than 40,000. What is happening—you’re on Armed Services—what is happening that you can tell us that’s next for the United States in that region? And keeping in mind we have to back Israel.
SULLIVAN: We 100 percent have to back Israel. One of the things that’s been so frustrating with this administration is that some of the most effective tools that we have in terms of backing Israel and in re-establishing deterrence with regard to Iran, aren’t necessarily military tools. Let me give you the best example. The Trump administration undertook maximum sanctions against the Iranian oil and gas industry.
By the end of the Trump administration, Iran’s economy was in free-fall. They were exporting only about 200,000 barrels a day. They had about $4 billion in foreign reserves, which was nothing. The Biden-Harris administration comes in, day one, they stop enforcing these sanctions. What does that do? Iran is exporting almost 3 million barrels a day, has close to $100 billion in foreign reserves. What are they doing with that? They’re funding and equipping and training Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas.
So a lot of this appeasement has been just reversing what the Trump administration did so well and you’re seeing the chaos all over the Middle East. Biden and Harris should at least reimpose these sanctions.
SULLIVAN: Russian-Chinese Incursions into Alaska are a Sign of Weakness of Biden-Harris Administration
FAULKNER: You broke some news with me in the hallway as we were coming to set. I want to just take a moment. Russia. We cannot take our eyes off Russia. You said a fourth incursion. What’s happening in Alaska?
SULLIVAN: It’s actually 5. In the last two weeks, we’ve had five Russian bear bomber incursions into our ADIZ—our airspace. Our great men and women in the military have gone up and intercepted these aircraft. By the way, Harris, just about a month and a half ago, we had a joint Russian Chinese bear bomber incursion into the Alaska airspace. Strategic bombers with fighters. We had to go turn them around.
But, again, this is showing the weakness of the Biden-Harris administration. This level of aggressiveness from the two biggest adversaries in my part of the world, Alaska, the Arctic, the North Pacific, is unprecedented. They’ve never done these kind of joint patrols. They’re doing it with regard to the Navy too in Alaska waters. We have a lot going on in terms of aggressiveness of our adversaries. The best way to address that is to regrow our military. This administration won’t do that.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
09.23.24
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) joined his Republican colleagues, led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), in sending a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors.
More than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, while cartel trafficking activity surged an estimated 2,500 percent. Amid this crisis, the lawmakers note that the Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.
The lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to “make changes to [their] policies and procedures” in order to “end this public safety crisis.” They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to share information with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS’s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests, which they have so far refused to do.
“[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,” the lawmakers concluded.
Read the full letter HERE.
Joining Sens. Sullivan and Grassley on the letter are Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) spoke on the House Floor to honor the victims of Saturday night’s mass shooting in Birmingham’s Five Points South. She called on her colleagues in Congress to pass common sense gun safety measures, including universal background checks, red flag laws, and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. She also called on state officials to reverse the state’s 2022 permitless carry law. This morning, Sewell was briefed by the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steven Dettelbach, regarding the federal response to the shooting.
Watch it on YouTube here.
Rep. Sewell: Mister Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to honor the victims of the horrific mass shooting that rattled the Birmingham community over the weekend.
On Saturday night, just after 11:00 p.m., twenty-one people were shot in Birmingham’s Five Points South entertainment district. Four of them tragically lost their lives.
Let me be clear. This, indeed, is a senseless violence and unacceptable and it must stop.
Our thoughts are with the families as they endure this unimaginable loss. Nothing compares to the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence. We stand with them in this time of great sadness, and we pray for a speedy recovery for those that were injured.
I join in expressing my gratitude to the police officers and first responders, as well as our county, state, and federal partners, for their quick response.
My staff and I have been closely monitoring the situation, and we stand ready to assist the City of Birmingham in any way that we can.
While this horrific tragedy has focused the eyes of the nation on Birmingham, Alabama, the surge of gun violence is a reality that far too many of my constituents endure every day.
Our communities are crying out for change, and we as elected officials owe it to them to do all that we can—at every level of government—to keep them safe.
Again, I want to be clear. This senseless violence is unacceptable and it must stop.
That means bringing more resources to community organizations fighting to break the cycle of violence. It means teaching our children about alternatives to gun violence. And yes, it means passing common sense measures to keep weapons off the streets of America.
Mister Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are important. They are needed. But they will not bring back the lives of those lost to gun violence, nor will they prevent such tragedies from happening again.
The members of this body cannot continue to sit by as family after family, community after community are torn apart. It is time for Congress to finally pass universal background checks, red flag laws, and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
It is also time for state officials in the State of Alabama to reverse the permitless carry law, which has allowed the unchecked proliferation of guns on our streets.
Only by taking meaningful action can we stem this needless loss of life.
I ask my colleagues to keep the entire Birmingham community in your prayers, and I hope that we can come together and turn this pain into purpose and do something about it.
Thanks, and I yield back.
###
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) yesterday led 42 bicameral Republican colleagues in a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s attempted cover-up of the crisis. More than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, while cartel trafficking activity surged an estimated 2,500 percent.
“As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with ‘stemming the migration’ at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations,” reads the letter.
“We request that you immediately instruct HHS Secretary Becerra to take urgent steps to this end: HHS must provide access to the UAC Portal, HHS’s system of record for UACs, to federal law enforcement, HHS’s Inspector General, and Congress, allowing them to quickly conduct investigations and oversee the UAC placement program, and to analyze data regarding suspicious UAC placements; it must fully cooperate with DHS’s HSI and other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies seeking to locate children and investigate trafficking, smuggling, and other forms of child exploitation; and it must thoroughly respond to congressional oversight requests and instruct HHS’s contractors and grantees to do the same,” the lawmakers said.
“[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,”the lawmakers concluded.
Full text of the letter is here and below.
Joining Senator Cornyn and Grassley on the letter are Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Lee (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Additional co-signers in the House include Reps. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Chip Roy (R-TX), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Cliff Bentz (R-OR.), Ben Cline (R-VA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Russell Fry (R-SC), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Michael Rulli (R-OH).
September 23, 2024
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of the United States
The White House Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Kamala D. Harris
Vice President of the United States
The White House Washington, D.C.
President Biden and Vice President Harris:
As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with “stemming the migration” at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations. These UACs often experience horrible sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on the journey and are victims of cartel trafficking and exploitation, a business that surged an estimated 2,500 percent from the Trump Administration to the middle of your term in 2022. Sadly, the suffering these children endure does not end at the border. Your Administration also fails them when they arrive in the United States by rushing them out of the custody of your Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) into the hands of unvetted sponsors who often continue to exploit and abuse them.
Even as the trafficking business and the number of children entering the U.S. surged, HHS ORR cut back significantly on background checks and vetting procedures to speed up the process, despite knowing children were being trafficked through HHS ORR’s UAC program. Your Administration likewise continued Vice President Harris’s longtime priority of cutting back on information sharing between HHS ORR and law enforcement related to unaccompanied children and sponsors. When the Trump Administration implemented a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide for robust information sharing between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and HHS ORR, then-Senator Harris called this attempt to protect children and communities “outrageous.” She also introduced legislation in response to the Trump MOA that slashed funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $220 million. Her bill was so extreme it failed to allow HHS information to be used by DHS for immigration enforcement even for potential sponsors and household members with convictions or pending charges of child abuse, sexual assault, child pornography, or any other crime. Even House Democrats considered Harris’s approach too radical and added these exceptions to counteract the extreme nature of her legislative proposal. Their approach, unlike Harris’s, allowed HHS information to be used to deport child predators and those convicted of serious felonies. Given her stated policy priorities, it is no wonder your Administration later revoked the Trump Administration’s MOA, seriously hampering the work of law enforcement, and promulgated a final rule enshrining the bar on sharing such information with law enforcement officials.
Your Administration further stripped Customs and Border Protection officials of their ability to conduct familial DNA testing, as was implemented by the Trump Administration to verify adults’ claims that they are related to children they bring across the border. This made the smuggling and trafficking of these kids that much easier. Early into your term, your Administration also canceled protections the Trump Administration proposed to provide post-release services for all children placed with sponsors, including in-person visits and extended follow-up after placement. These protections would have helped ensure children were safe. Instead, the actions of your Administration have been disastrous and now, HHS ORR is actively attempting to cover up the results of its egregious decisions. We call upon you to put an end to that cover-up.
When Senator Grassley and Senator Cassidy, ranking members of the Senate Budget Committee and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, asked HHS ORR contractors and grantees whether they took necessary steps to protect children, HHS obstructed those inquiries, directing the entities not to respond. This included Southwest Key, which Senator Grassley asked, among other things, about its vetting of staff before they have access to minors. The Department of Justice has since sued Southwest Key for turning a blind eye to nearly a decade of child rape and sexual abuse by its staff. During this same time, HHS ORR provided Southwest Key with more than $3 billion to house UACs. These contractors and grantees receive large sums of taxpayer dollars, a lucrative business that has boomed during your Administration. Yet HHS ORR told them not to answer Congress when it asked whether basic protections were afforded to these kids. This is completely unacceptable.
At the same time, since early 2023, the House Judiciary Committee has sought information on the total number of UACs HHS ORR has lost contact with after placement during your Administration. According to the New York Times, as of February 2023, ORR had been unable to contact at least 85,000 UACs after placement with sponsors, or roughly 34 percent of total UACs released up to that point in your term. Applying the 34 percent figure to the most up-to-date number of 432,938 UACs the Administration has released to sponsors, we estimate ORR has been unable to contact nearly 150,000 UACs through Safety and Well-being calls after their release. When confronted by the House Judiciary Committee with an estimate based on the Times’s findings, ORR did not dispute it. Although the House Judiciary Committee twice subpoenaed HHS for internal agency data relating to the total number of UACs with whom it has lost contact after placement, HHS has refused to provide the subpoenaed data.
Unfortunately, the cover-up does not end there. Recently, DHS informed Senator Grassley’s office that HHS ORR has not sufficiently complied with two out of every three subpoenas and other information requests that resulted from his referral of possible child trafficking rings across the U.S. to DHS in January. By not supplying the information law enforcement requested, ORR denied Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents critical information, including the last known addresses of children and sponsors and the identity of other household members. In part because of HHS ORR’s lack of cooperation, DHS has so far only been able to locate less than four percent of sponsors identified as investigative targets, and a similarly small number of UACs.
At a recent Senate roundtable forum, “The Exploitation Crisis: How the U.S. Government is Failing to Protect Migrant Children from Trafficking and Abuse,” senators and members of the public heard from a panel with direct knowledge of this crisis. What the witnesses told the oversight panel was shocking. For example, HHS retaliated against one of the witnesses, Ms. Tara Lee Rodas, after she blew the whistle and tried to stop the placement of young children with a household in Ohio connected to the violent MS-13 gang. In addition, witnesses described how HHS and its contractors prioritized UAC placement speed over UAC safety by failing to verify the legitimacy of identity documents, failing to obtain criminal history from the countries of origin of UACs and sponsors, and failing to conduct legally required home studies for UACs who had endured sexual or other abuse. Other whistleblowers continue to come forward with similar information. Congress has the right to obtain information necessary to conduct oversight of these widespread failures to protect the lives of children without HHS standing in the way.
HHS’s failure to ensure UACs are in appropriate placements and to adequately vet sponsors is harmful not only to the UACs, but also to American citizens. As the Attorney General under the Trump Administration recognized, the UAC program has for years suffered from exploitation by criminals, including “gang members who come to this country as wolves in sheep[’s] clothing” and “use th[e UAC] program as a means by which to recruit new members.” As the House Judiciary Committee’s oversight has shown, under Secretary Becerra’s leadership, HHS has ignored the potential criminality and gang affiliation of UACs.
Indeed, as revealed in the House Judiciary Committee’s May 2023 interim report, in May 2022, HHS ORR released to a sponsor a UAC with a previous arrest record for “illicit association with MS13.” That UAC, released by your Administration, went on to brutally assault and murder 20-year-old American citizen Kayla Hamilton. Incredibly, HHS noted on several occasions to the House Judiciary Committee its focus on protecting the privacy of Kayla’s murderer. Although local police quickly identified Walter Javier Martinez as the primary suspect in the murder and expressed their concern about the threat he posed to society, according to new investigative reporting, Martinez was placed in a Maryland foster home with other children and enrolled in high school. Later, while in custody for murdering Kayla, the alien authored a letter in which he “admitted to committing [four] murders, [two] rapes, and additional other crimes.” Martinez has since been sentenced to more than 70 years in prison.
Despite having released to a sponsor a UAC with gang tattoos and a history of “illicit association” with MS-13, HHS told the House Judiciary Committee that it does not have a policy to refer known or suspected gang members to the Justice Department for investigation or, where appropriate, prosecution. At the same time, ORR Director Robin Dunn Marcos, the HHS official in charge of the UAC program, admitted that, while HHS sometimes contacts the consulate or embassy of a UAC’s country of origin or last habitual residence to verify some documents or claimed familial relationships, HHS does not even request UACs’ criminal records. Troublingly, HHS has also admitted that it does not currently have any secure facilities “in-network”—that is, facilities designed for the secure placement of UACs who pose a danger to themselves or others or who have been determined to have a criminal record.
An August 2024 House Judiciary Committee report highlighted yet another case of UAC criminality, detailing how Juan Carlos Garcia Rodriguez, a UAC from Guatemala released by your Administration, horrifically assaulted and murdered 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez. Maria’s father found “his daughter’s body wrapped in a trash bag and stuffed in a laundry basket that was put beneath her bed.” Garcia Rodriguez was encountered by Border Patrol after entering the U.S. illegally in El Paso in January 2023, smuggled to the U.S. border by a “guide” paid for by his parents. Despite being overheard commenting about his desire to run away while in HHS custody, HHS placed Garcia Rodriguez with an unrelated adult sponsor who had twice previously sponsored unrelated UACs. Unsurprisingly, shortly after the Biden-Harris Administration’s release of Garcia Rodriguez, he became one of the estimated 150,000 UACs with whom HHS has lost contact. Just months after HHS lost contact with Garcia Rodriguez, he ran away from his sponsor. Not long after his 18th birthday, and mere months after his release from HHS custody, Garcia Rodriguez, brutally assaulted and murdered Maria.
This is not a partisan issue. It can and should bring us together, as we try to protect Americans and UACs placed in HHS ORR custody alike. Your Administration must make changes to its policies and procedures for UACs to end this public safety crisis. It must also take urgent steps to provide information to law enforcement and Congress, to reveal the crisis’s full scope. We request that you immediately instruct HHS Secretary Becerra to take urgent steps to this end: HHS must provide access to the UAC Portal, HHS’s system of record for UACs, to federal law enforcement, HHS’s Inspector General, and Congress, allowing them to quickly conduct investigations and oversee the UAC placement program, and to analyze data regarding suspicious UAC placements; it must fully cooperate with DHS’s HSI and other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies seeking to locate children and investigate trafficking, smuggling, and other forms of child exploitation; and it must thoroughly respond to congressional oversight requests and instruct HHS’s contractors and grantees to do the same.
HHS must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
/s/
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Seth Magaziner (D-RI) in introducing a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 22 – 28, 2024 as National Fall Prevention Awareness Week. The resolution seeks to raise awareness, encourage the prevention of falls among older adults, and highlight evidence-based programs that help reduce fall risks and save the lives of seniors.
“It’s no secret the U.S. population is aging, and it’s important to ensure there are enough resources and education for seniors as they are more at risk of falling. By designating a National Fall Prevention Awareness Week, we are bringing awareness to this important issue that affects many of our constituents. I’m glad to join my colleagues in sponsoring this resolution to help prevent falls and protect seniors as they age,” said Congresswoman Miller.
“With over 365,000 seniors in Palm Beach County, this issue is near and dear to my heart. Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults over 65. They can be debilitating, heartbreaking, and expensive, but the good news is they are preventable! This year, we’re marking National Fall Prevention Awareness Week to spread the word that tools and resources are available to help prevent falls before they happen, ensuring our seniors can live with the safety and dignity they deserve,” said Congresswoman Frankel.
“As our loved ones get older, we must ensure they have the resources and support to age in place safely, independently, and with dignity. Falls can be scary and have serious health consequences for older individuals. It’s critical we do everything we can to promote fall prevention to help save lives and give seniors and their loved ones some well-deserved peace of mind. I’m proud to join my colleagues in support of this resolution, and I look forward to working with them to secure resources and support for older Americans,” said Congressman Morelle.
“As someone who has experienced a fall that resulted in broken ribs, I am very familiar with the pain that often comes from a fall. The risks associated with falling are especially high for seniors over the age of 65. According to the CDC, 36 million seniors fall each year. Tragically, these falls result in 34,000 deaths and three million serious injuries that require an emergency room visit. The good news is that falls are preventable and do not need to be an inevitable part of aging. I encourage all seniors and their loved ones to learn more about how to stay safe and active by taking advantage of the fall prevention programs offered in their community. Local Area Agency on Aging organizations have wonderful resources that can help save lives,” said Congressman Bilirakis.
“Falls can be serious—and even deadly—for older Americans, and Congress must consider this issue as seriously as we would for any other medical condition. Designating a National Fall Prevention Awareness Week will help bring attention to this critical issue and support programs that protect seniors, reduce falls and save lives,” said Congressman Magaziner.
“The cost of falls among older adults is staggering: $80 billion/year, and untold suffering and pain. We welcome this Congressional resolution to draw attention to the fact that falls can be prevented. There are proven, cost-effective ways to reduce fall risk. We are grateful to Rep. Frankel for championing this issue and her steadfast leadership throughout the Capitol and across party lines,” said Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging.
The resolution is supported by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and AARP.
Click here for bill text.
Background:
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means hearing that focused on the misuse of welfare funds and the need to reform Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) non-assistance funds to ensure the money goes to families in need, connects people to work, and improves accountability.
Congresswoman Miller began her remarks by highlighting how TANF fraud has been committed within different states including West Virginia. She asked former professional football player, Brett Favre, to share his concerns about the misuse of these funds spreading throughout the country.
“I was reviewing the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) statement for the record highlighting the forthcoming report Chairman Smith and Chairman LaHood requested investigating TANF non-assistance spending. One thing that disturbed me was how widespread and repetitive TANF waste, fraud, and abuse is in the country and how weak our accounting systems are to catch and correct it. According to the GAO, 99 of the 155 audit findings have repeated for at least 1 year. West Virginia has had the same internal control deficiency finding reported for 15 years and nothing has been done to correct it. Mr. Favre, do you believe more scandals like the one you found yourself involved in is possible across the country if we don’t act now to reform and bring more transparency and accountability to the TANF program?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“100% absolutely. If it can happen in my state, it can happen in any state. You just spoke on the statistics and it’s kind of frightening to be honest with you what is being wasted,” responded Brett Favre.
Congresswoman Miller asked Sam Adolphsen, the Policy Director for the Foundation for Government Accountability, about what necessary steps the Federal Government should take to ensure that TANF non-assistance funds are going to the right places.
“TANF is our nation’s primary welfare program, but it’s my understanding that there are no federal guidelines about eligibility and that there are issues with how funding is allocated to states. Based on your testimony, we know that you believe TANF could be better utilized if that were the case. For example, West Virginia has historically had a higher poverty rate compared to the rest of the country. That would mean that my home state would need more funds to address the unique challenges and demographic of my rural community. What can we do at the federal level to make sure TANF money is actually getting to families in poverty and to states with the highest rates of poverty?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“One of the things we could do to stop this from happening is to actually enforce some of the rules we do have. California has been out of compliance for 15 years with their work participation rate. [The Department of Health and Human Services] HHS has said that there’s $1 billion in fines, essentially that they should levy, but they’ve written that down to $60 million. We have these audits, that you mentioned, that the GAO is looking at. The first and easy step is just to act on those basic oversight measures that we can already take. I think just the question of the funding is exactly the right question. How do we make sure there’s money in these programs, right? There are unobligated funds, there are carryover funds, there is a large outlay of funding to the states. We need to make sure it gets targeted down to the folks who need it the most. We need to get into the rural areas of each state with the highest levels of poverty where they need some assistance to help get back on their feet. The way that can be done is by making sure states use most of that funding to meet the core objectives because those are going to target those in poverty directly,” responded Mr. Adolphsen.
Congresswoman Miller proceeded to ask Mr. Adolphsen to identify what other possible factors to consider when deciding who is eligible for TANF funds.
“Is there any criteria other than ‘poverty rates’ that you believe could be prioritized when determining which families receive TANF funds, so we ensure that the neediest families [are adequately supported]?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
“It should be. There should be some income thresholds associated with this support and not just the cash support in the states, but also these other job assistance programs, education attainment. Again, California spends $1 billion a year on tuition for a higher education, for college. That is not directly for the purpose of the program when that has no income threshold on it and you have families well above the poverty line, 6 figures getting those tuition grants they’re working in the system. That has to stop in order to make sure we can target the funds to those who are truly in need,” responded Mr. Adolphsen.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting notice of a new grant of $500,000 in federal funding for local mental health and substance abuse services, specifically opioid efforts.
This award is from the local application efforts of Fiso Talalupelele and the American Samoa Department of Health, led by Director Motusa Nua. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as directed by Congress in authorizing and appropriating health funds, through the HHS Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
“Thank you especially to Fiso Talalupelele for the effort to secure a new grant, so these much-needed funds can be put to good work,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to HHS leadership for this support, and congratulations to Director Motusa Nua.”
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting two more grants from the U.S. Department of Justice for American Samoa. The grants, from different programs, include a grant for the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence of $367,379 for the next year of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program.
“Thank you to the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Fuatino Jennifer Tofaeono for her dedication,” said Aumua Amata. “Next month, October, is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we all can help support these efforts for prevention, safety, and our awareness to recognize those vulnerable to mistreatment.”
The other grant, from the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs, is for the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency in the amount of $20,074 toward retention in the prosecutor and public defender offices.
“Congratulations once again to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency and Director Mariana Timu-Faiai, as they’ve had a series of grant announcements in recent weeks,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “These grants, through the Department’s efforts, support various programs in the Territory. I appreciate these recognitions of American Samoa’s needs from the DOJ.”
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amataspoke on the House floor on Monday, emphasizing the importance of U.S. efforts to protect religious freedoms worldwide, while serving as Floor Manager for House passage of the reauthorization of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), S. 3764, a bipartisan effort which passed by a vote of 365-20.
Congresswoman Amata speaking in the House on protecting religious freedoms worldwide
Video of her floor speech is available HERE.
“Religious persecution is a tragic reality in many parts of the world – whether it be against Uyghur Muslims in China, Christian minorities in parts of Africa and the Middle East, the Baha’i in Iran, or religious communities attempting to worship without official control by repressive regimes in Burma, China, or North Korea; and anti-Semitism is on the rise,” said Congresswoman Amata. “This bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the Senate, will continue the good work of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF. Congress created USCIRF as an independent federal entity in 1998; although the fundamental freedom of religion was under siege around the world, it did not receive enough attention in U.S. foreign policy.”
She continued, “USCIRF is a body of experts who speak out on behalf of persecuted believers of any faith, and push for accountability beyond what the State Department or the White House may view as diplomatically comfortable. The Commission’s independent voice remains critical today, as the State Department too often pushes religious freedom to the side. Although the law requires the Department to designate ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ for religious freedom violations, their list of CPC countries never includes all the countries that meet the statutory criteria.”
“Thankfully USCIRF continues its truth-telling to identify the other persecutors that should be designated. Those countries include Vietnam, where communist authorities severely repress Christians, Buddhists, and other believers who attempt to worship outside of state control. They also include Nigeria, where Islamist militias murder Christians with impunity. They include Afghanistan, where the brutal Taliban have re-taken power and moved that country back to an intolerant darkness. If any countries are ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ for serious violations of religious freedom, those should be among them,” Amata stated.
“S. 3764 is a simple extension of USCIRF’s statutory authority so that the Commission can continue its bipartisan, non-sectarian work on behalf our nation’s ‘first freedom’ – religious liberty,” said Aumua Amata. “I am very pleased that this is a clean reauthorization and does not include any of the previous attempts by some in the other body to make USCIRF more partisan, or to dilute its mandate with extraneous issues. Through robust oversight, we also must work to ensure that USCIRF remains focused on its true, bipartisan statutory mandate. Namely, ‘the annual and ongoing review of the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom.’”
“I want to thank Senator (Marco) Rubio and his bipartisan colleagues who introduced this bill in the Senate, where it received unanimous support. I also want to recognize the important work of the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs human rights subcommittee, the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. (Christopher) Smith, the author of the House-side reauthorization. He has been a leader on religious freedom issues throughout his 43-year career in this House,” she concluded. “We need to pass this bill immediately, to help ensure that freedom of religion – under threat from extremists and authoritarian governments around the world – remains front and center.”
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Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Within the revised plan is a proposal for a new policy that would allow people to travel with domestic pets. In other cities in Aotearoa New Zealand trials of pets on public transport have been successful, with no issues and few complaints.
“We’re keen to understand what controls are needed for our customers in Greater Christchurch and Timaru to be comfortable with pets on public transport,” Councillor Joe Davies said.
Conditions being proposed would allow adult passengers to bring a single pet on board, as long it is in an approved carrier at off-peak times (weekdays 9am-3pm, all-day weekends).
“We want to gauge how people feel about this proposal and also how they would feel about potentially lessening those restrictions in future to allow for leashed and muzzled dogs or increasing the limit to two pets per passenger,” he added.
Environment Canterbury © 2024
Retrieved: 9:25am, Wed 25 Sep 2024
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/consulting-on-a-ten-year-plan-for-public-transport-in-canterbury/
Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
“The forecast was for around 300mm of rain in 24hrs, and what we ended up getting was 500mm of rain over 48hrs, spread everywhere from Waimakariri to Mackenzie.”
The extreme rainfall caused widespread flooding and prompted a region-wide state of emergency. The floods caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, as well as critical infrastructure including stopbanks, riverbanks, and flood protection vegetation.
“Initially we focused on damage reconnaissance, identifying damaged infrastructure across the region so we could prioritise and design repairs for each site,” Shaun said.
“While our scope was to restore the resilience that existed before, on some sites we were able to mitigate the increasing challenges posed by climate change. This includes the room for rivers concept, which reduces pressure on flood protection assets and provides for a healthier waterway.”
The project focused on more than 400 individual repair jobs across the region, including repairs to more than 5kms of stopbanks and planting more than 60,000 native and exotic trees.
“In many cases, we were using existing vegetation that was still standing or that had washed out in the flood. We were able to drag it back in while it was still alive and replant it, turning a liability into an asset.
“The other big part of work was erosion and scour protection. In some of the more constrained areas, such as through Geraldine township, we used rock protection to protect riverbanks from erosion.”
While the project is complete, some sites remain vulnerable and continue to be monitored closely particularly while new vegetation becomes established. Recent flood events have tested these areas, providing valuable information for ongoing improvements.
Councillor Ian Mackenzie, lead for Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards, said completion of the project marks a significant milestone in building future resilience for the safety of our communities.
“This achievement not only protects our residents but also ensures the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure. We’re proud of the collaborative effort that has gone into this project and remain committed to serving our communities by continually improving our preparedness for environmental challenges.”
Mark Faichnie, area supervisor – central, worked on the project from emergency response flood patrol to the reinstating of damaged sites across Ashburton. “It was an amazing sense of achievement, to have delivered all that work. I hope it provides landowners and farmers some security and reassurance.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) co-funded approximately $8.3 million of the total cost of $22.6 million, through a one-off emergency fund.
Source: ProCare
Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, has announced changes to its Health (PHO) Limited Board – effective 3 September.
Donovan Clarke has been appointed as a Director on the Health Board following the resignation of Ann Davis, who has acted as a Nurse Representative since March 2022.
Tevita Funaki, Chair of ProCare’s Health Board, acknowledges Ann’s contribution to the Board: “Ann has been a fantastic addition to our Board as the first Nurse Representative. We thank her for her service to ensure the provision of essential primary healthcare services to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Her dedication and knowledge are second to none, and we wish her all the best for her future endeavours,” points out Funaki.
Commenting on Donovan’s appointment Funaki says: “Donovan has been a Director on the ProCare Network Board for several years, so knows ProCare and the primary care landscape well. Donovan has led significant change across governance structures and is passionate about making an impact on health outcomes in a community.
“He is a transformational leader having championed key projects across primary care, mental health and addictions, and the disability sector. We are thrilled to have him join our Health Board and help shape the way we operate,” concludes Funaki.
Commenting on his appointment, Clarke says: “I am pleased to be welcomed onto ProCare’s Health Board to work alongside our other fantastic Board members. It is a challenging time in health right now, especially in General Practice, so I am committed to doing what I can to advocate on behalf of our practices and community. I look forward to navigating the changes that primary care faces and ensuring that we continue to best serve our practices, patients, whānau and communities.”
About ProCare
Source: Fonterra
Profit after tax: NZ $1,168 million
Continuing operations EBIT*: NZ $1,560 million
Continuing operations earnings* per share: 70 cents per share
Return on capital: 11.3%
Total dividend: 55 cents per share, comprising:
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today reported strong FY24 full year financial results, including a final 2023/24 season Farmgate Milk Price of $7.83 per kgMS and a total dividend of 55 cents per share.
CEO Miles Hurrell says the payout reflects both Fonterra’s continued strong earnings performance and the long-term resilience of the Co-op.
“We’ve maintained the positive momentum seen in FY23 and delivered earnings at the top end of our forecast range.
“Our total dividend of 55 cents per share is the second largest since Fonterra was formed. It includes a 15 cent interim dividend and a 25 cent final dividend driven by strong FY24 earnings.
“In addition, our capital management efficiency and ongoing balance sheet strength have enabled us to return an extra 15 cents per share to farmer shareholders and unit holders through a special dividend.
“The final Farmgate Milk Price for the 2023/24 season finished at $7.83 per kgMS. This, combined with the 55 cents per share dividend, provides a total cash payout to a fully shared up farmer of $8.38 per kgMS.
“Our Co-op is in good shape, and I’m pleased to have delivered another year of solid returns to farmer shareholders and unit holders.
“Looking ahead, we’re well placed to consider the next phase of our strategy to grow long-term value for the Co-op,” says Mr Hurrell.
Business performance
The Co-op reported a return on capital for FY24 of 11.3%, above the target range for FY24.
Earnings (EBIT) from continuing operations were $1,560 million and continue to be well above previous years, albeit down on FY23 which benefited from elevated price relativities.
Fonterra’s profit after tax from continuing operations was $1,168 million, equivalent to 70 cents per share.
“Our FY24 earnings were driven by higher margins and increased sales volumes in our Foodservice and Consumer channels. Our Ingredients channel also continued to deliver strong returns, although down when compared to the record result seen in FY23,” says Mr Hurrell.
Sales volumes from continuing operations were down 1% to 3,470 kMT and gross margins were maintained at 17%.
“We remain focused on making progress against our two efficiency metrics while also investing in the areas that will improve long-term performance and the resilience of the Co-op.
“Our core operations manufacturing costs per kgMS reduced year-on-year by 2% to $2.58 per kgMS, reflecting both operational improvements and improved input costs.
“Across the year we also achieved savings in our operating expenses which largely offset the impacts of inflation. However, our cash operating expenses per kgMS are up mainly due to our investment in IT and digital transformation projects.
“Our balance sheet position remains strong, providing optionality and flexibility for the future and resilience against volatility.
“We have net debt of $2.6 billion, $600 million lower than last year, due to strong underlying operating performance.
Our gearing ratio of 24% reflects our lower net debt position and higher equity from strong earnings,” says Mr Hurrell.
Co-op strategy
This year, Fonterra completed a strategic review that reinforced the role of its Foodservice and Ingredients channels and confirmed its strengths in partnering with customers to produce world-class, innovative dairy.
As a result of this work, in May the Co-op announced that it is exploring divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka.
“Over the last few months, we have appointed advisors to assist with assessing divestment options for our Consumer businesses and this work is ongoing,” says Mr Hurrell.
“As we can see from today’s result, the businesses in scope for potential divestment are performing well. We remain committed to a pathway that would maximise value of these businesses for our farmer shareholders and unit holders.
“Alongside this, we have revised our strategy to have a sharper focus on the Co-op’s strengths and where we can best create value.
“We will be sharing this revised strategy, as well as the outcomes shareholders and unit holders can expect from the Co-op, next week,” says Mr Hurrell.
*Excludes earnings from discontinued operations. In FY24 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil and in FY23 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil, Soprole and China Farms.
Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.
If you no longer wish to receive media releases from Fonterra, please click here to opt out.
Non-GAAP financial information
Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. Non-GAAP measures are not defined or specified by NZ IFRS.
Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.
Non-GAAP measures are not subject to audit unless they are included in Fonterra’s audited annual financial statements.
Source: Fonterra
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today announced a 50 cent lift in its 2024/25 forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint to $9.00 per kgMS and FY25 earnings guidance of 40-60 cents per share.
CEO Miles Hurrell says the lift in this season’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price follows further recent strengthening in Global Dairy Trade prices and constrained milk supply in key producing regions.
“I’m pleased to be announcing an increase in this season’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price, which I’m sure will be welcome news for farmers, particularly when combined with the 55 cent total dividend for FY24 also announced by the Co-op today,” says Mr Hurrell.
Fonterra’s new forecast Farmgate Milk Price range for the 2024/25 season is $8.25-$9.75 per kgMS, with the Co-op continuing to maintain the wide range due to the relatively early stage of the season.
“We’ve also announced today our forecast earnings for FY25 of 40-60 cents per share,” says Mr Hurrell.
“The forecast earnings range reflects an expectation we will maintain strong margins in all three of our sales channels, while also investing in the Co-op’s IT & digital transformation and incurring higher tax expenses,” says Mr Hurrell.
Fonterra advises that, after several years of strong earnings performance, the Co-op exhausted its tax losses in FY24 and will now be paying tax.
Chief Financial Officer Andrew Murray says that “as a result of this change, when we declare a dividend from FY25 and beyond, imputation credits will now be available to be attached to our dividend.
“To enable all shareholders to receive the imputation credits, we are changing how we treat supply backed shares for tax purposes which means that more tax will be paid by Fonterra.
“While this does not impact the operating performance of Fonterra, it will reduce our reported earnings per share in future years, as Fonterra will have paid the tax on the cash to be distributed,” says Mr Murray.
About Fonterra
Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.
Non-GAAP financial information
Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. Non-GAAP measures are not defined or specified by NZ IFRS.
Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.
Non-GAAP measures are not subject to audit unless they are included in Fonterra’s audited annual financial statements.
Source: US State of North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum today congratulated Lincoln Elementary School in Beach, Red Trail Elementary School in Mandan and the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School in Mohall for being recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024.
“This honorable award highlights the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication that the students, teachers and administrators at these exceptional schools bring to the classroom every day,” Burgum said. “We are grateful to Lincoln Elementary School, Red Trail Elementary School and the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School for their commitment to excellence that earned them this well-deserved honor, as well as the schools throughout our state that are adopting and applying innovative approaches to teaching and learning.”
The National Blue Ribbon School recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. There were 356 schools recognized across the nation as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024.
Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Media Contact 202-226-8467
Washington, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting today.
“With the world on fire, President Biden visited UNGA today to tout his administration’s foreign policy ‘success.’ The truth is that President Biden will leave office with the world far more dangerous than when he entered. Under his watch, Putin launched a war in Ukraine; the CCP has increasingly threatened the Philippines and Taiwan; and Iran and its proxies have dramatically escalated their attacks, including Hamas’ massacre of more than 1,200 innocent people in Israel in the largest mass-killing of Jews since the Holocaust.
“This global chaos all points back to President Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he has the audacity to call ‘the right decision.’ His withdrawal left a thousand Americans stranded under Taliban rule, emboldened America’s adversaries, and led to the deaths of 13 valiant servicemembers. Today, thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, Afghan women and girls live under one of the world’s most oppressive regimes. Let’s be clear: The Biden-Harris administration’s weakness enabled this catastrophe and left us with two hot wars and a hot zone. The United States must return to projecting strength to ensure peace prevails.”
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MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French
The new agency will focus on strengthening innovation and industrial capacity in the life sciences and biomanufacturing sector to help Canada prepare for health emergencies.
The new agency will focus on strengthening innovation and industrial capacity in the life sciences and biomanufacturing sector to help Canada prepare for health emergencies.
September 24, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Canadians and their livelihoods. The Government of Canada is taking action to ensure the country is better positioned to respond to future health emergencies, including by building a more robust life sciences ecosystem.
Today, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and the Minister of Health, the Honourable Mark Holland, jointly announced the creation of Health Crisis Preparedness Canada (HCPC), a new federal agency within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada that will work to protect Canadians from future pandemics and help the country achieve its medical countermeasures and life sciences goals.
PCSC will become a national hub for engagement, facilitating the coordination of industry efforts in response to public health needs, while supporting the growth of the national life sciences sector. This new organization will bridge the gap between research and commercialization, ensuring that Canadians can access the most effective vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other products more quickly, particularly when they are needed most.
When the body is fully operational, it will:
will integrate decision-making processes to strengthen the capacity of the life sciences sector; strengthen its partnerships with industry, academia and international organizations with a similar mandate; develop and maintain an industrial action plan to mobilize the research sector and industry in the event of a health emergency; and support world-class innovations that will position Canada as a leader in next-generation technology platforms.
In establishing this body, Canada is following in the footsteps of other G7 countries that have established specialized health emergency preparedness entities, including the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the United States and the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority.
Audrey MilettePress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industryaudrey.milette@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media RelationsInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canadamedia@ised-isde.gc.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French
September 16, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will welcome Yulia Navalnaya, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and widow of former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to Ottawa, Ontario, on September 17, 2024.
Minister Joly will take part in a high-level meeting with Ms. Navalnaya to discuss human rights in Russia and the challenges and risks facing political dissidents.
Minister Joly and Ms. Navalnaya will participate in an informal meeting to discuss the role of Canada and the international community in supporting democracy, justice, and the defense of human rights, as well as Ms. Navalnaya’s resilience in the face of immense personal and political adversity, which has made her a powerful voice in the fight for freedom and justice.
During her visit to Ottawa, Ms. Navalnaya will also meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Yulia Navalnaya is a strong and inspiring voice for the Russian people and those fighting for their right to live in a free and democratic society without fear of reprisal and oppression. I look forward to welcoming Ms. Navalnaya to Ottawa and hearing in person about her experience of continuing her late husband’s legacy in the fight for justice.”
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
On February 16, 2024, after numerous failed assassination attempts by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s henchmen and years of brutal imprisonment, Alexei Navalny died after months of deteriorating health due to poor prison conditions. A symbol of hope in the fight against abuse and tyranny, the news of his death devastated millions around the world.
On March 21, 2021, in response to the poisoning and imprisonment of Mr. Navalny, Canada sanctioned several individuals involved in gross and systematic human rights violations in Russia. In November 2022, August 2023, and June 2024, Canada announced sanctions against members of the Russian justice and security sectors, including police officers and investigators, prosecutors, judges, and corrections officials, as well as senior Russian government officials. These individuals have been implicated in gross and systematic human rights violations in Russia against opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and other Russian citizens.
Ms. Navalnaya has traveled around the world to meet with world leaders and deliver speeches from major platforms denouncing President Putin’s cruel regime and human rights abuses.
Media Relations OfficeGlobal Affairs Canadamedia@international.gc.caFollow us on X (Twitter): @CanadaPELike us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy – Global Affairs Canada
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: US State of North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota University System (NDUS) today announced that the state of North Dakota has officially joined the Complete College America (CCA) Alliance, a national coalition of 53 states, systems, institutions of higher education and other organizations committed to increasing the number of students who successfully complete college and attain degrees or other postsecondary credentials.
“North Dakota’s future success depends on our ability to align higher education with workforce demands and the changing economic landscape,” Burgum said. “Strengthening our commitment to closing workforce and talent gaps is critical to ensuring that we not only adapt but lead the way in the decades ahead. By collaborating with national leaders and experts, we can empower more of our residents with the skills and credentials they need to thrive, while addressing the needs of our students and our state.”
More than half (56.4 percent) of North Dakotans ages 25-64 hold a college degree or postsecondary credential, surpassing the national average of 54.3%, according to a 2023 Lumina Foundation Report. North Dakota aims to increase this to 65% by 2025. A study conducted by the Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce predicts that by 2031, approximately 71% of jobs in North Dakota will require some additional form of education after high school, whether that is a four-year degree, two-year degree or certificate program.
“Preparing North Dakotans for the jobs of today and tomorrow means investing in the kind of effective, targeted education and training opportunities needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven economy and workforce,” said Tim Mihalick, chair of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. “Our membership in this national coalition will bring data-informed strategies, research and innovation to our state – and new resources to deliver on the promise of partnering with other states and leaders to implement proven strategies and introduce new practices to prepare more North Dakotans for future jobs.”
By joining the Alliance as the 53rd member, the state will increase its commitment to college completion for the state’s two research universities, four regional universities and five community colleges serving nearly 45,000 students. The initiative also aligns with the state’s Envision 2035 strategic plan, which is focused on ensuring the state’s public higher education system is preparing students for the future of work and lifelong economic opportunity and mobility.
As a member of the CCA Alliance, North Dakota leaders will work with CCA and teams of higher education leaders and state policymakers across the country to implement data-driven and evidence-based policies proven to help more students complete a degree or credential of value on time.
“North Dakota’s Envision 2035 plan is boldly preparing the state’s workforce for an economy that can not only deliver better jobs, but also increase earning potential and career opportunity through an increasingly diverse set of industries and employers,” said Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of CCA. “Complete College America is proud to welcome North Dakota to the Alliance and committed to helping build a system of higher education that is responsive to the needs of this rapidly evolving state economy.”
To schedule an interview with a representative from the North Dakota University System or Complete College America, please email media@completecollege.org.
Source: United States Attorneys General 7
Thank you, Attorney General Garland.
Today, the Department brings this antitrust action against Visa for monopolizing the debit market. Our complaint describes how Visa has maintained this monopoly — not by competing on the merits, but by threatening merchants and banks with higher rates if they do business with Visa’s competitors. And we explain how Visa has further entrenched its dominance by disrupting innovations that threaten to loosen its control.
Visa is a classic example of a middleman that takes advantage of its role as gatekeeper to stamp out competition. Because companies like Visa facilitate commercial transactions, they have the power to exercise considerable control over the markets in which they operate. These middlemen can use that power to make those markets more efficient, offering more choices and more affordable products. Or, like Visa, they can try to use that power to hike fees on customers and stifle innovation.
More and more, we are seeing these kinds of intermediaries gain control in a broad range of industries — from healthcare to online advertising to live music to housing. As today’s action demonstrates, we remain dedicated to stopping these middlemen from exploiting their power to increase their profits while consumers get harmed.
Today’s action also reflects our continued commitment to ensuring economic justice for all Americans and fighting illegal conduct that unfairly raises prices.
Every day, millions of Americans use debit cards to buy groceries, clothing, and other necessities. Many Americans rely exclusively on debit cards. That is particularly true of younger or less affluent individuals who are unable to obtain credit cards or who prefer not to use them. When merchants raise their prices to cover Visa’s exorbitant fees, the burden of Visa’s anticompetitive conduct falls disproportionately on Americans who are less well off, and who feel the impact of high prices most painfully.
Promoting competition through antitrust enforcement levels the playing field and plays a critical part in advancing economic opportunity and equity. But our work to ensure economic opportunity for all Americans, regardless of income status, spans the entire Department. It includes the Civil Division’s work to protect vulnerable seniors from financial fraud. And it includes the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s fight to ensure all Americans, including people in Native communities, have access to clean air, safe drinking water, and a healthy environment. Today’s action against Visa makes clear that we will continue to focus our resources on advancing economic justice and equity.
Before I close, I would like to thank the staff and leadership of the Antitrust Division for their extraordinary work on this matter. The Department is incredibly grateful for your continued dedication and professionalism.
With that, I will turn the podium over to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki.
Source: United States Attorneys General 7
Remarks as Delivered
Good afternoon.
Earlier today, the Department of Justice sued Visa for violating Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
We allege Visa is a monopolist in the debit transaction markets that is violating federal antitrust law and inflicting often hidden, but significant, harm on American consumers and businesses.
Visa operates the largest debit network in the United States.
A debit network facilitates the electronic transfer of funds directly from a consumer’s bank account to the merchant’s bank account in a retail transaction. Millions of Americans prefer to use debit transactions, which are often the primary option for lower income consumers without a credit card.
In the United States, over $4 trillion of debit card transactions take place every year. Over 60% of those transactions, and over 70% of all online debit transactions, are routed through Visa’s electronic payment network.
According to Visa’s own calculations, it is insulated from competition for 75 to 80% of debit transactions initiated with a Visa branded debit card.
We allege that, to maintain this monopoly power, Visa deploys a web of unlawful, anticompetitive agreements to penalize merchants and banks for using competing payment networks.
At the same time, it coerces would-be market entrants into unlawful agreements not to compete by threatening high fees if they do not cooperate and promising big payoffs if they do.
The result is a debit market where Visa has unlawfully amassed the power to extract fees that far exceed what it could charge in a competitive market.
Merchants and banks pass along those costs to consumers, either by raising prices or reducing quality or service. As a result, Visa’s unlawful conduct affects not just the price of one thing — but the price of nearly everything.
When a bank issues a debit card, it chooses which electronic payment networks will be authorized to process the card’s transactions.
When a debit card holder uses that card to buy something from a merchant, the merchant — or, for a smaller merchant, its bank — must choose which of the issuer’s accepted networks it will use to process the transaction.
We allege that Visa has virtually eliminated that choice.
It has done so, not by offering the most competitive rates or the most innovative product, but by unlawfully structuring its contracts to disincentivize merchants and banks from doing business using competitor electronic payment networks.
Visa knows it is a “must carry” network for banks and merchants alike. That means all merchants and banks must contract with Visa because certain purchases using a Visa debit card can only be completed through its network.
Visa uses that leverage to get banks and merchants to agree to what are known as “volume requirements.” These provisions require banks and merchants to direct a large amount of their transactions to Visa or else face higher fees.
As a result, when merchants weigh the decision of which electronic payment network to use for a given transaction, they cannot choose the authorized network with the lowest price or best offering for that transaction. Instead, they operate under the threat that, if they do not process enough of their payments through Visa, they will face exorbitant fees on all Visa debit transactions.
Today, Visa collects more than $7 billion each year in network fees on U.S. debit transactions, with a significant part of that sum resulting from Visa’s illegal conduct.
In addition to entering into anticompetitive contracts for use of its network, we allege that Visa unlawfully uses its monopoly power to discourage potential rivals — particularly technology companies — from competing in the debit transaction market. In a Visa executive’s own words, it views potential entrants with deep merchant consumer networks as an “existential threat” to its debit business.
As outlined in our complaint, Visa has expressed fear that its self-described “frenemies” in Big Tech would launch technology that competes with Visa by enabling payment directly from consumers’ bank accounts.
For example, in the case of Square, the company that operates the digital wallet known as CashApp, Visa has entered into a series of contracts that discourage Square from competing aggressively against Visa. Or as a Visa executive stated, “we’ve got Square on a short leash.”
Entering into contracts with would-be competitors to prevent them from becoming actual competitors is an unlawful agreement not to compete that violates Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. And leveraging monopoly power to limit competitors’ ability to gain market share violates Section 2 of that Act.
I am grateful to the Department’s Antitrust Division for their excellent work on this case over the past three years.
That includes the leaders of the Division who are standing behind me, as well as the dedicated career attorneys and staff who work tirelessly to protect consumers and ensure competitive markets.
Today’s lawsuit against Visa is only the latest example of the Justice Department’s work to enforce the antitrust laws and hold accountable companies that undermine competition and harm the American people.
In some of the Justice Department’s antitrust enforcement actions, the harm caused by the alleged illegal conduct is more visible — higher prices for air travel, for concert tickets, for smartphones.
The harmful effects of Visa’s alleged anticompetitive conduct are less visible. But they are no less harmful.
While “Visa” is the first name many debit card users see when they take out their card to make a purchase, they do not see the role that Visa plays behind the scenes. There, it controls a complex network of merchants, financial institutions, and consumers.
What the Justice Department sees — and what we allege in this lawsuit — is that Visa is a monopolist that is distorting the marketplace for debit transactions.
It is unlawfully blocking competition. It is depriving American banks, merchants, and consumers of lower costs and product innovation. It is charging a hidden toll on each of trillions of transactions, adding up to billions of dollars of fees imposed annually on American consumers and businesses.
I’m now going to turn the podium over to Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Ben Mizer. Thank you all.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Matt Rosendale (Montana)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) released the following statement after his Forest Information Reform (FIR) Act successfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This critical piece of legislation is part of Chairman Bruce Westerman’s (AR-04) comprehensive Fix Our Forests Act. The FIR Act addresses the regulatory challenges stemming from the United States Forest Service v. Cottonwood Environmental Law Center decision, which has imposed excessive and burdensome regulations for developing key infrastructure and conducting resource management projects on federal lands.
Congressman Rosendale’s FIR Act will successfully streamline the federal process by exempting the U.S. Forest Service from the need to re-consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over new Endangered Species Act data. This amendment will eliminate unnecessary delays and improve efficiency in forest management and infrastructure development.
“I’m proud that the House of Representatives is standing up against unnecessary, burdensome regulations that infringe upon Montanans and our private lands by finally passing the FIR Act,” said Rep. Rosendale. “This legislation is a critical step in protecting our natural resources while ensuring that local communities and tribes throughout the Treasure State maintain control over their land management decisions. Now, it’s up to the Senate to advance this important legislation.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
Prime Minister will travel to New York today to participate in United General Assembly meetings with important international partners.
He will contribute to sessions on major global challenges such as the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and climate change.
PM will pledge to return the UK to responsible global leadership to tackle the issues that rebound on British people at home.
Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
He will use several interventions across his two-day visit to argue that our participation and reputation abroad is directly linked to our security, stability and prosperity at home.
In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, he will say that it is only by being a reliable and trusted international partner, working together to solve global problems such as war, poverty and climate change – that we can build a safer and more prosperous UK.
The Prime Minister will say:
We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. This is the moment to reassert fundamental principles and our willingness to defend them. To recommit to the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law.
Because I know that this matters to the British people. War, poverty and climate change all rebound on us at home. They make us less secure, they harm our economy, and they create migration flows on an unprecedented scale.
The British people are safer and more prosperous when we work internationally to solve these problems, instead of merely trying to manage their effects. So, the responsible global leadership that we will pursue is undeniably in our self-interest.
He will use his speech to set out how the UK will step up to play its part, guided by the rule of law, in tackling these challenges in a world that is increasingly dominated by conflicts – including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan.
It follows a major drive by the Prime Minister in his first few months in office to reset the UK’s relationship with its key allies and prove that Britain is back as a major player on the world stage – a key part of his ambition to drive growth and improve the lives of hardworking British people.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
A gang associate is facing serious charges after firearms were recovered following a fleeing driver incident overnight.
Night shift staff working in east Auckland sighted a vehicle linked to a wanted person travelling along Ellerslie-Panmure Highway just after 1am.
Inspector Jim Wilson, Area Commander for Auckland City East Police, says the vehicle was signalled to stop near Karangahape Road.
“It immediately accelerated away from the unit and the Air Support Unit took over monitoring the vehicle’s direction of travel,” he says.
“The vehicle was driven erratically further west towards Point Chevalier.”
Eagle observed the vehicle stop at a property on Moa Road.
“The driver allegedly handed a bag to a passenger who got out of the vehicle, before he accelerated away from the address,” Inspector Wilson says.
Police did not pursue the vehicle but continued to track its movements.
“On several occasions the driver has been observed driving extremely dangerously through parts of central Auckland and Balmoral, before heading east again.”
Spikes were successfully deployed near Greenlane.
Inspector Wilson says the vehicle carried on until losing control in Saint Johns.
“The incident came to an end at the intersection of Saint Johns and College Roads, with the driver taken into custody shortly afterward.”
Police also caught up with the woman who exited the vehicle in Point Chevalier, who was carrying a bag with two firearms and ammunition inside.
“As a result, we have recovered a pump action shot gun and a cut down .22 calibre rifle along with ammunition for both firearms,” Inspector Wilson says.
Police have laid a host of charges against the 30-year-old man driving the vehicle, who is an associate of the Comancheros.
He will appear in the Auckland District Court today facing multiple firearms offences, along with reckless driving and failing to stop.
The 29-year-old passenger had a number of unrelated warrants to arrest, and she will be appearing in court today.
Inspector Wilson says: “The driver’s reckless behaviour this morning is totally unacceptable, and it is pleasing he will now have his day in court.
“This is a great outcome for the community, with more firearms taken out of circulation and highlights great teamwork by Police working on night shift.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Washington, DC — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today issued an order simultaneously filing and settling charges with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) for repeatedly failing to timely report swap transactions to a registered swap data repository as required by the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC Regulations.
The order imposes a $1.25 million civil monetary penalty and orders CIBC to cease and desist from violating the CEA and CFTC regulations as charged. CIBC also admits the facts detailed in the order.
“Timely swaps reporting is a critical component of the swaps reporting regulatory regime, and it is essential to the overall effectiveness of the swaps reporting system,” said Division of Enforcement Director Ian McGinley. “Where there is substantial cooperation, including significant voluntary reporting of factual findings and remediation, as was the case here, the CFTC will not hesitate to recognize a swap dealer’s engagement and efforts to be in compliance with the law.”
Case Background
The order finds that from at least Jan. 2017 to the present, CIBC was late in reporting various types of data for its swaps transactions, including real time, primary economic terms, confirmation, snapshot and valuation data. CIBC consistently reported swap data outside the time requirements prescribed by Parts 43 and 45 of the regulations regarding millions of required reports. The untimeliness of CIBC’s swaps reporting was pervasive over the course of the relevant period and impacted thousands of swaps.
The reduced civil monetary penalty in the order recognizes CIBC’s substantial cooperation with the Division of Enforcement’s investigation and acknowledges CIBC’s representations regarding its remediation efforts, including retaining a consultant, conducting extensive historical analysis and devoting significant resources to remediation.
The Division of Enforcement staff responsible for this matter are Katie Rasor, Alejandra de Urioste, David MacGregor, Lenel Hickson, Jr. and Manal M. Sultan.
25 September 2024 – Tax Justice Aotearoa welcomes ANZ chief executive Antonia Watson’s call for a capital gains tax, as reported by RNZ today.
“We agree with Antonia Watson that it’s unfair that gains from capital are not taxed the same as gains from income,” says Tax Justice Aotearoa chair Glenn Barclay.
“This just advantages those with capital over those who rely on wages for their income.
“We are also an outlier internationally in not having a capital gains tax and the research from Max Rashbrooke that we released last week demonstrated this (ref. https://www.tjanz.org/news-tax-research-2024?utm_campaign=tja_reacts_anz_ceo&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tja )
“The Government clearly needs more revenue to address the many challenges we face as a country around such things as climate change, quality public services and poverty and inequality and a capital gains tax could help close that gap.”