Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Muhammad Ilyas Nadeem, PhD Candidate in Obesity & Diabetes | Public Scholar (2024-2025), Concordia University
For too long, societal attitudes have focused on blaming individuals for poor lifestyle choices, ignoring the deeper, multifaceted causes of obesity.(Shutterstock)
Many people who have struggled with their weight have been told to “eat less and move more.” Others have spent years juggling trendy diets, from keto to fasting, with minimal results. Despite their best efforts, what they often hear from physicians, friends, family and even strangers, is that they lack discipline. However, for many people with obesity, their bodies are fighting against them — a battle dictated by biological mechanisms beyond sheer willpower.
Obesity is a critical public health concern affecting millions worldwide. Yet, it is often oversimplified as an issue of personal choice. Canadian data highlights the staggering prevalence of obesity (26.6 per cent) and diabetes (8.1 per cent). For too long, societal attitudes have focused on blaming individuals for poor lifestyle choices, ignoring the deeper, multifaceted causes of the condition.
The need to understand obesity beyond lifestyle changes is urgent — particularly through scientific inquiry into its genetic, environmental and physiological roots. It is beyond the simple equation of calories in versus calories out; this perspective only serves to create stigma by oversimplifying the science.
Through identifying these specific dysfunctions, researchers can work towards therapies that restore SAT function rather than simply reducing body weight.
Researchers are exploring the cellular and genetic aspects of these different fat depots, and their link with obesity and diabetes. (Shutterstock)
Research from our metabolism, nutrition and obesity (MON) lab at Concordia University focuses on understanding the adipose tissue (fat tissue) environment to uncover how these complex mechanisms and their interactions can lead to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The goal is to eventually use our discoveries to provide more effective treatment approaches based on individual differences.
One aspect that can contribute to individual differences is where fat is stored in the body. SAT from the lower body, around the hips and thighs, seems to function differently from SAT around the belly in the upper body. We are exploring the cellular and genetic aspects of these different fat depots, and their link with obesity and diabetes.
Instead of blaming individuals, we need to shift the conversation towards understanding these pathophysiological mechanisms. By doing so, we can develop targeted treatments that address the root causes of obesity rather than relying on generic, often ineffective solutions.
The need to shift our perspective on obesity is not solely a medical necessity but a societal one. (Shutterstock)
Obesity Canada reports that failing to treat obesity costs Canada $5.9 billion in health care and $21.7 billion in lost workplace productivity annually, with a $5.1 billion hit to government revenue from premature deaths and reduced workforce participation. Women with obesity face disproportionate impacts, earning four per cent less and being 5.3 per cent less likely to be employed than those with a healthy weight.
In 2023, obesity-related diseases placed over 10,000 seniors in long-term care, costing $639 million. Yet, fewer than 20 per cent of privately insured Canadians have access to approved treatments, and bariatric surgery wait times stretch up to eight years — reinforcing harmful stigma and delaying essential care.
The need to shift our perspective on obesity is not solely a medical necessity but a societal one. The stigma attached to excess weight and obesity prevents people from receiving medical treatment, drives mental illness and perpetuates damaging myths. A more empathetic, science-based approach could help reshape public attitudes and clinical practices.
Millions of people have been misled by the myth that self-control can cure obesity. Seeing obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a moral one is a way forward for effective remedies. The future of obesity treatment depends on research-driven, personalized interventions — ones that substitute blame with knowledge and stigma with support. Only then can we fully address this global public health crisis.
Sylvia Santosa receives/has received funding from NSERC, CIHR, CRC, MITACS, CFDR, QBIN, HSF. She is affiliated with Obesity Canada, and Canadian Nutrition Society.
Cristina Sanza and Muhammad Ilyas Nadeem do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
What you need to know:California enforcement officials have seized an estimated retail value of $534 million of unlicensed cannabis in 2024. Since 2019, officials have seized approximately $2.8 billion in illegal cannabis.
Sacramento, California – Reinforcing the state’s commitment to public safety, public health and the legal and regulated cannabis market, officials in 2024 seized $534 million worth of illegal cannabis. Through Governor Gavin Newsom’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force co-led by the Department of Cannabis Control, officials worked together to take down illegal cannabis operations, including residential illegal cultivation, and unlawful retail and delivery services.
We will continue to target illegal cannabis operations and cut off the illicit revenue streams of transnational criminal organizations who prey on workers, our environment, and kids. Enforcement officials have been on the frontlines – with local, state and federal partners – to bolster our legal cannabis market.
Governor Gavin Newsom
The top 10 counties for enforcement activity in 2024 (according to the value of cannabis seized in 2024) were:
Los Angeles: $103,682,619
Alameda: $100,574,941
Mendocino: $52,524,945
Shasta: $26,375,085
Kern: $10,980,530
San Bernardino: $35,718,089
Nevada: $28,897,700
Orange: $24,475,013
Stanislaus: $22,591,500
Contra Costa: $17,030,343
In 2024, enforcement teams served 425 search warrants across the state, focusing on three types of illegal operations:
Indoor Cultivation
155warrants served
$268,897,761 worth of unlicensed cannabis seized
162,887pounds of cannabis confiscated
288,904unlicensed cannabis plants eradicated
61firearms seized
28arrests
Outdoor Cultivation
143warrants served
$198,305,250worth of unlicensed cannabis seized
122,673pounds of cannabis confiscated
190,812unlicensed cannabis plants eradicated
30firearms seized
57arrests
Retail
87warrants served
$17,289,441.50worth of unlicensed cannabis seized
8,821pounds of cannabis confiscated
1,275unlicensed cannabis plants eradicated
22firearms seized
28arrests
California’s regulated cannabis market is the largest in the world, fostering environmental stewardship, compliance-tested products, and fair labor practices, while driving economic growth and funding vital programs in education, public health, and environmental protection. The Department recently released a market outlook report that shows prices are stable, industry value is up, and the licensed market is growing.
“These enforcement efforts highlight California’s continued focus on maintaining the integrity of the legal market, supporting licensed operators, and protecting consumers and communities from the harms associated with unregulated cannabis activities,” saidDepartment of Cannabis Control Director Nicole Elliott.
A unified strategy across California
Since 2019, officials have seized and destroyed nearly 800 tons, or about 1.6 million pounds, of illegal cannabis worth an estimated retail value of $2.8 billion through over 1,400 operations. The Department of Cannabis Control has also eradicated nearly 2.8 million plants, seized 632 firearms, and arrested 733 individuals.
Thecannabis task forcewas established in 2022 by Governor Newsom to enhance collaboration and enforcement coordination between state, local, and federal partners.Partners on the task forceinclude the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, among others.
Addressing community safety and products that target children
As a result of enforcement actions,105 locations were red tagged for code violations, including improper electrical wiring, mold, and illegal chemical use. Additionally, operation “Grab Bag” seized over 2.2 million pieces of illegal cannabis packaging in Los Angeles’s Toy District, designed to target children, along with counterfeit labels bearing forged California state seals.
Protecting California’s consumers
In September, Governor Newsomannouncedemergency hemp regulations in response to increasing health incidents related to intoxicating hemp food and beverage products, which state regulators found sold across the state. The new regulations ban any detectable quantity of THC from consumable hemp products to protect youth and mitigate the risk of adverse health effects. The emergency regulations better align the sale of hemp products with restrictions currently seen in the California legal cannabis market by limiting serving and package size and establishing a minimum age of 21 to legally purchase industrial hemp food, beverage and dietary products.
In October, Governor Newsomissued a statementfollowing the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s recent decision to reject the industry’s attempt to block enforcement of the regulations.
Since the emergency hemp regulations were put in place, agents from California’s Alcoholic Beverage Controlhave visited 9,251 locationsand seized 7,007 hemp products from 141 violators.
To learn more about the legal California cannabis market, state licenses, and laws, visitcannabis.ca.gov.
Press Releases, Public Safety
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DLNR News Release- Film and TV Stars Ignite Social Media Furor with Turtle Touching, Mar. 3, 2025
Posted on Mar 4, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
DAWN CHANG CHAIRPERSON
FILM AND TV STARS IGNITE SOCIAL MEDIA FUROR WITH TURTLE TOUCHING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2025
(HONOLULU) – Two actresses and their father/manager contacted the DLNR this afternoon, to apologize for creating a social media outburst by posting one of the women touching a sea turtle, while the other videotaped.
The Instagram post by actress China McClain was taken down as of midday, after garnering tens of thousands of likes and more than, 2,000 comments, many of which pleaded for the video to be taken down and for them to apologize for potential cultural insensitivity. That included Governor Josh Green, M.D.
China McClain told the DLNR, “I was not fully aware of the situation until today, and I certainly wasn’t aware of the laws. The video was from two years ago when we visited Hawai‘i and I came across it in my phone and decided to post it.” McClain has more than seven million followers on Instagram.
China and Sierra McClain both say they are sorry, as they didn’t understand the impact the video had. “It’s the people I don’t want to hurt. I understand respecting culture, and I understand the pain that comes with not having your culture respected. Those are never lines that we cross intentionally, so that part of this situation is hurting us right now. I adore these beautiful turtles, and the people of Hawai‘i. We’re very sorry,” China said.
“We have an immense amount of respect for the residents of Hawai’i and their intent to safeguard their land & their wildlife, and we plan to take the necessary precautions in the future when traveling,” Sierra said.
State and federal agencies charged with protecting marine species like Hawaiian sea turtles became aware of the post on Monday. The DLNR made multiple phone calls and sent e-mails to the McClain sisters, their managers, publicists, record labels and production companies to ask that the post be taken down.
Michael McClain, the sister’s father and manager said, “We want people to know that China was not aware of the laws, and we appreciate that people and the agencies reached out.”
“All our family loves and respects Hawai‘i and we apologize for inadvertently causing this pain,” he added.
Touching turtles is not necessarily breaking the law, unless law enforcement agencies determine that the actions are a “take.” For example, if a person’s actions in some way harm a turtle or alter a turtle’s behaviors, there are a variety of state and/or federal laws that a person could be charged with.
The DLNR said, “On its face their activity may not have been a violation of state or federal rules that protect endangered or threatened species like turtles, but it certainly ignored wildlife viewing guidelines developed by NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the DLNR.”
Keep at least 10 feet away from sea turtles
Avoid touching, chasing, feeding, or interfering with adults and hatchlings
Avoid blocking their access to or from the ocean
As this was not directly witnessed or reported by someone, it is difficult for state or federal conservation law enforcement agencies to establish intent.
For many years, the agencies have conducted extensive outreach on Hawai‘i wildlife viewing protocols.
Brian Neilson, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator said, “Although we understand it was probably not intentional, this is not a pono way to interact with Hawaiian wildlife. We encourage the sharing of positive behaviors on social media to inspire others to appreciate and protect our beautiful surroundings.”
# # #
RESOURCES
Learn how you can help protect Hawaiʻi marine wildlife through reporting:
Tampering with a Monitoring Device/Clean Air Act, Conspiracy
Trials
United States v. Jason Lee Wagner
No. 3:22-CR-01754(Western District of Texas)
ECS Senior Litigation Counsel Todd Gleason
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner
ECS Paralegal Chloe Harris
On February 7, 2025, a jury convicted Jason Lee Wagner of conspiracy and 12 smuggling violations (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 545, 2). Sentencing is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
Between March 2015 and December 2019, Wagner and others bought and sold endangered reptiles from individuals in Mexico. Wagner and other co-conspirator suppliers and middlemen used social media to offer reptiles for sale and to negotiate the terms of the sale and delivery with customers in the United States and Mexico. His co-conspirators also used international money transfers to provide for “crossing fees,” sales and purchases, and other expenses. They then packaged and re-packaged the reptiles for illegal crossings using USPS and other courier services to transport them between Mexico and the United States.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
Indictments
United States v. Roy Ladell Weaver, et al.
No. 1:25-CR-00048 (Middle District of Pennsylvania)
ECS Trial Attorney Ron Sarachan
AUSA David Williams
RCEC Patricia Miller
On February 19, 2025, a grand jury indicted Roy Ladell Weaver and his company, Pro Diesel Werks, LLC, with conspiring to impede the lawful functions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA), and substantive CAA violations (18 U.S.C. § 371; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).
Pro Diesel Werks provided vehicle repair and maintenance and performance enhancement services, including services on diesel engines and vehicle emission systems. The indictment alleges that between 2013 and March 2024, Weaver and the company, along with co-conspirators, disabled the hardware emissions control systems on the diesel vehicles of Pro Diesel Werks’ customers (a practice referred to as a “delete” or “deleting”), defeating the systems’ ability to reduce pollutant gases and particulate matter released to the atmosphere. The defendants are also alleged to have tampered with the monitoring device and method required under the CAA, that is they disabled the onboard diagnostic system on vehicles preventing the system software from monitoring the emission control system hardware deletes (a practice referred to as a “tune” or “tuning”).
The defendants charged customers between approximately $2,000 and $4,000 per vehicle to remove and disable the emission control systems on motor vehicles with diesel engines.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.
On February 7, 2025, Corey Potter pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act for illegally transporting crab from Alaska (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(2)(A), 3373(d)(1)(B)). Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2025. Kyle Potter, his son, was previously sentenced to pay a $20,000 fine and complete a five-year term of probation. A third defendant, Justin Welch, was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and complete a three-year term of probation.
Corey Potter owns two crab catching vessels; Kyle Potter and Welch worked as vessel captains. In February and March 2024, the vessels harvested more than 7,000 pounds of Tanner and Golden king crab in Southeast Alaska. Corey Potter directed Welch and Kyle Potter to land the crab to Seattle, Washington, where they intended to sell it at a higher price than they would have in Alaska. Neither captain landed the harvested crab at a port in Alaska, and they never recorded the harvest on a fish ticket, as required under state law.
A large portion of the king crab that arrived in Seattle from Alaska had died and was unmarketable. Corey Potter knew that some of the crab aboard was infected with Bitter Crab Syndrome (BCS), a parasitic disease fatal to crustaceans. Officials were forced to destroy more than 4,000 additional pounds of Tanner crab due to the risk of BCS infection. If the defendants had properly landed the crab in Alaska, authorities could have inspected the harvest and removed the infected crab before leaving Alaska.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
United States v. Kendall Glenn Hacker
No. 5:25-CR-00002 (Eastern District of Kentucky)
AUSA Emily Greenfield
On February 7, 2025, Kendall Glenn Hacker pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to violating the Animal Crush statute (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 48(a)(2), (a)(3)).
Between November 2021 and June 2022, Hacker sent money through online payment applications, such as PayPal and Venmo, to Michael Macartney, an online chat group administrator. The members and participants of these groups funded, created, obtained, received, exchanged and/or distributed animal crush videos.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
United States v. Chamness Dirt Works, et al.
No. 3:24-CR-00430 (District of Oregon)
AUSA Bryan Chinwuba
RCEC Karla Perrin
On February 7, 2025, property management company Horseshoe Grove, LLC, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos work practice standards (42 U.S.C. §§ 7412(h),7413(c)(1)). Horseshoe Grove’s owner and operator Ryan Richter pleaded guilty to a CAA negligent endangerment violation (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(4)). Construction and demolition company Chamness Dirt Works, Inc., pleaded guilty to violating the CAA NESHAP for asbestos, and company owner and president, Ronald Chamness, pleaded guilty to a CAA negligent endangerment violation (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(4)). Sentencing is scheduled for April 3, 2025.
In November 2022, Horseshoe Grove acquired a property in The Dalles, Oregon, which included a mobile home park and two dilapidated apartment buildings. The previous owner provided the new buyers with an asbestos survey from December 2021, which identified more than 5,000 square feet of friable chrysotile asbestos within the two deteriorating buildings, with levels ranging from 2% to 25%. The survey also noted non-friable asbestos in various building materials, including siding and flooring, throughout the apartments. Despite these findings, Horseshoe Grove failed to implement the necessary precautions for asbestos removal.
In March 2023, Chamness Dirt Works began demolishing the two asbestos-laden structures without following proper removal procedures. Chamness did not engage a certified asbestos abatement contractor, did not wet the asbestos-containing debris, and dumped the material in a regular landfill.
Horseshoe Grove paid Chamness Dirt Works a total of $49,330 for the demolition, which did not meet the required safety standards.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.
Nos.4:25-CR-00018, 4:24-CR-00006, 00084 (District of Montana)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan
ECS Trial Attorney Sarah Brown
AUSA Jeff Starnes
ECS Paralegal Tonia Sibblies
On February 10, 2025, Hollis G. Hale pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1538(a)(1)(G), 3372(d)(2), 3373(d)(3)(B)). Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2025.
Hale conspired with Jack Schubarth to create giant hybrid sheep for captive hunting. Schubarth smuggled Marco Polo argali sheep parts from Kyrgyzstan into the United States. This protected species of sheep, native to high elevations in the Pamir region of Central Asia, is deemed the largest in the world.
In 2013, Schubarth provided genetic material to a third-party cloning facility, and, in 2016, received successfully cloned pure Marco Polo argali embryos. Schubarth raised a pure male argali clone that he named “Montana Mountain King.” In 2018, Schubarth began breeding Montana Mountain King with other species and selling the offspring throughout the U.S. To evade detection, Schubarth falsely labeled the offspring on Certificates of Veterinary Inspection and other official forms.
In June and July 2020, Hale facilitated the purchase and interstate transport of twelve hybrid Marco Polo argali sheep from Schubarth and falsely identified 43 species of sheep on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Hale falsified these documents knowing these sheep are prohibited in Montana. Schubarth was sentenced in September 2024 to six months’ incarceration, followed by three years’ supervised release.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks conducted the investigation.
United States v. Zackery Brandon Barfield
No. 5:25-CR-00011 (Northern District of Florida)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan
AUSA Joseph Ravelo
On February 12, 2025, Zachary Brandon Barfield pleaded guilty to three counts of poisoning and shooting dolphins in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1372(a)(2)(A), 1375(b); 7 U.S.C. §§ 136j(a)(2)(G), 136l(b)(2)). Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Barfield is a charter and commercial fishing captain operating out of Panama City, Florida. In the summer of 2022, Barfield became frustrated with dolphins eating red snapper from the lines of charter fishing clients. Between June and August 2022, Barfield and others placed a commercial methomyl insecticide inside bait fish to feed to and poison the dolphins that surfaced near his boat.
While captaining another fishing trip in December 2022, Barfield saw dolphins eating snapper from fishing lines. This time, he used a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot and kill a dolphin that surfaced near his vessel. In the summer of 2023, while on a charter fishing trip, Barfield used the same shotgun to shoot a dolphin that surfaced near the lines of clients.
The National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation with assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
United States v. James H. Spencer
No. 23-CR-00015 (Western District of Virginia)
AUSA Michael Baudinet
On February 21, 2025, James Howard Spencer, the Mayor of Glen Lyn, Virginia, pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A)). Spencer admitted to directing employees of the Town of Glen Lyn to illegally discharge raw sewage and other pollutants into the East River, a tributary of the New River, on three occasions- in the summer of 2019, December 2020, and June 2021.
The discharges occurred at a pump station located behind the Glen Lyn Post Office, which was not an authorized discharge point of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Glen Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The East River, a perennial stream and a tributary of the New River, is a protected waterway under the CWA.
Spencer knowingly violated multiple conditions of the NPDES permit, including discharges from unauthorized locations and failing to report the discharges to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.
United States v. Liza Hash
No. 1:25-CR-20007 (Southern District of Florida)
AUSA Tom Watts-FitzGerald
On February 25, 2025, Liza Hash pleaded guilty to discharging oil into United States and contiguous zone waters, violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1319(c)(2), 1321(b)(3)). Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Hash was the owner and operator of the S/V Juliet, a sailing vessel used for multi-day scuba diving trips between Miami and the Bahamas. Over the course of approximately six years, Hash’s vessel carried up to 12 passengers per trip, along with the crew, between the U.S. and the Bahamas.
On June 16, 2023, U.S. Coast Guard investigators boarded the Juliet following its return from the Bahamas. After noticing an active oil sheen originating from the vessel, they conducted a safety examination.
During the inspection, they noted oily water in the bilge, and a pump connected to the vessel’s grey water tank, to facilitate illegal overboard discharges. Hash had used the vessel’s grey water tank (which is intended to hold liquid waste from the boat’s washer, dryer, sinks, and showers) to store oil-contaminated bilge water and discharge overboard.
Investigators estimate that Hash discharged approximately 26,000 gallons of oily water during the five-year period.
The United States Coast Guard conducted the investigation.
United States v. Old Dutch Mustard Company, Inc., d/b/a Pilgrim Foods Company, et al.
No. 1:25-CR-00002 (District of New Hampshire)
ECS Trial Attorney Ron Sarachan
AUSA Matthew Hunter
ECS Paralegal Tonia Sibblies
On February 24, 2025, The Old Dutch Mustard Company, d/b/a Pilgrim Foods Company (Old Dutch), and company owner and president Charles Santich, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1311(a), 1319(c)(2)(A)).
Old Dutch manufactured vinegar and mustard products, generating acidic wastewater during the process. Much of this wastewater consisted of spilled or leaked vinegar, or discarded vinegar that did not meet specifications. Old Dutch did not have a permit to discharge process wastewater. Instead, it stored the process wastewater in tanks and a trucking company hauled one or two truckloads of the wastewater off-site daily to the Rochester Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). Old Dutch paid the trucking company for transporting each load. A second wastewater stream consisted of stormwater that became acidic after flowing through areas of the facility (especially the tank farm) where vinegar spilled. Old Dutch also paid the trucking company to haul the acidic stormwater to the POTW.
Santich decided to reduce costs by ordering workers to discharge some of the wastewater to a manmade ditch formed by an abandoned railroad bed at the top of a hill behind the facility, from which the wastewater would flow into the Souhegan River. In May 2017, Santich hired an excavation company to extend an underground pipe to the top of the hill behind the facility. He then directed an employee to repeatedly pump wastewater through the underground pipe to the abandoned railroad bed. Once the process wastewater or contaminated stormwater discharged at the top of the hill, it flowed to the river. Old Dutch did not have an NPDES or any other permit to discharge pollutants into the river.
In March 2021, Santich directed the same excavation company to install a sump at the corner of the tank farm area to collect the acidic stormwater and pump it directly up the hill through the buried pipe. Similarly, during the Fall of 2022, Santich hired the excavation company to clean out the undergrowth in the manmade ditch at the top of the hill and line it with riprap to create a better drainage ditch and facilitate the flow of wastewater to the river.
On August 2, 2023, EPA agents executed a search warrant at the Old Dutch facility and witnessed this illegal activity. Agents observed liquid that smelled like vinegar discharging from the end of the underground pipe into the riprap-lined ditch. The wastewater discharge had a pH of 3.6. The agents then conducted a dye test starting at the sump outside the corner of the tank farm area. The dye discharged from the underground pipe at the top of the hill and flowed along the riprap-lined drainage ditch and down to the river.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
On February 26, 2025, Fabcon Precast LLC (Fabcon) pleaded guilty to willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation (29 U.S.C. § 666(e)). The criminal charge is related to an incident where an employee was killed when a pneumatic door closed on his head.
Fabcon operates several facilities in the United States, including one in Grove City, Ohio, that manufactures precast concrete panels. At Fabcon, employees known as batch operators were responsible for the operation and cleaning of the facility’s only concrete mixer. Concrete was discharged from the bottom of the mixer through a pneumatic door. By design, the mixer had an exhaust valve that released the pneumatic energy powering the discharge door, rendering it inoperable. Some months prior to June 6, 2020, the handle that operated the valve broke off and was not replaced.
On June 6, 2020, Zachary Ledbetter, a batch operator since January 2020, was on duty when the discharge door failed to close after releasing a batch of concrete. Because the valve was broken, Ledbetter could not perform the proper procedure to make the door safe to work around. When he attempted to free the door it closed on his head, trapping him. Eventually, Ledbetter was freed and transported to a hospital where he died five days later.
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
No. 3:24-CR-00618 (Southern District of California)
ECS Assistant Chief Stephen DaPonte
On February 27, 2025, a court sentenced Vyacheslav I. Piglitsin to time served and to pay $4,355 in restitution. On March 2, 2024, Piglitsin drove over the border from Mexico with Mexican pesticides that he failed to present for inspection (19 U.S.C. §§ 1433 and 1436). Inspectors found seventy-two 1-liter bottles of “Bovitraz” in his vehicle.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Sentencings
United States v. Michael Hart
No. 3:24-CR-00383 (Southern District of California)
ECS Assistant Chief Stephen DaPonte
Former AUSA Melanie Pierson
AUSA Mark Pletcher
On February 3, 2025, a court sentenced Michael Hart to time served followed by one year of supervised release. Hart also will pay $1,500 in restitution. Hart pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally import hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into the United States from Mexico and sell them in violation of law (18 U.S.C. § 371). In addition, Hart admitted to conspiring to illegally import hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), namely HCFC 22, which is banned under the Clean Air Act.
Between June and December 2022, Hart purchased refrigerants in Mexico and smuggled them into the United States in his vehicle, concealed under a tarp and tools. Hart posted the refrigerants for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and other sites, and sold them for a profit.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.
United States v. Thalia Zambrano
No. 3:24-CR-01552 (Southern District of California)
ECS Assistant Chief Stephen DaPonte
On February 6, 2025, a court sentenced Thalia Zambrano to time served, after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371).
On June 28, 2024, authorities apprehended Zambrano when she drove into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry with 18 bottles of undeclared “Taktic” (Amitraz) concealed beneath a blanket on the back seat her car. Regulators in the United States canceled this pesticide due to the high concentration of amitraz.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.
United States v. Andrew Laughlin
No. 2:24-CR-00104 (Eastern District of California)
AUSA Kathryn Lydon
On February 10, 2025, a court sentenced Andrew Laughlin to pay a $5,000 fine, complete a two-year term of probation, and pay $4,209 in restitution into the Lacey Act Reward Fund. Laughlin pleaded guilty to one count of smuggling reptiles into the United States (18 U.S.C. § 545).
In 2017, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents identified Laughlin as part of a nationwide investigation into the smuggling of turtles from the United States to an individual in Hong Kong (Individual A). Individual A met and maintained contact with certain wildlife-smuggling associates via Facebook. Investigators identified Laughlin as a suspect in the wildlife smuggling ring from Individual A’s Facebook contacts and communications with covert agents. In addition to corresponding on Facebook, Laughlin also sent text messages to Individual A and co-conspirators.
Between March and April 2018, Laughlin acted as a “middleman” in an international amphibian smuggling ring. During a conversation with an undercover agent, Laughlin said that he participated in the ring in order to acquire hard-to-find newts. He shipped or received at least four packages of amphibians, including packages to or from individuals located in Hong Kong and Sweden. The packages were falsely labeled as items including a “toy car,” “rubber toys,” or “a ceramic art piece.” The boxes actually contained live animals, including eastern box turtles, spotted turtles, and a variety of newt species.
A search warrant executed at the defendant’s residence uncovered 80 live newts of various species. Some of them tested positive for a virulent fungus which originated in Asia and has spread throughout the illegal pet trade. The restitution covered expenses incurred to store and test the animals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
Photo of newts seized from Laughlin’s residence; photo included in case press release at time of guilty plea
Nos. 1:22-CR-00131, 00132 (Eastern District of California)
AUSA Karen Escobar
On February 10, 2025, a court sentenced Jose Angel Beltran-Chaidez to 24 months incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release. Beltran-Chaidez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin in this multi-defendant case involving drugs and animal welfare violations (21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), (b)(1)(A)).
Between March and April 2021, Jorge Calderon-Campos (who calls himself “Americano”) supplied 26 pounds of methamphetamine to co-defendants Mark Garcia and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, and an additional 60 pounds to Francisco Javier Torres Mora. Between January and April 2022, Calderon-Campos also possessed roosters he used to participate in an animal fighting venture.
During a search of his residence on April 26, 2022, law enforcement officers found numerous hens and roosters, various cockfighting implements (including razors and spurs) and six cockfighting trophies, including several with plates inscribed with “Team Amkno” (shorthand for “Team Americano”). At Calderon-Campos’s “stash house,” law enforcement officers found 14 hens and 77 roosters, cockfighting leashes, a cockfighting trophy, and a variety of syringes and pill bottles containing substances related to cockfighting supplements.
Jorge Calderon-Campos was sentenced in November 2024 to eight years and one month of incarceration. Calderon-Campos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and to violating the Animal Welfare Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), (b)(1)(A)); 7 U.S.C. § 2156(b); 18 U.S.C. § 49(a)).
On August 26, 2024, a court sentenced Antonio Beltran-Chaidez to 46 months’ incarceration, followed by 24 months’ supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute (21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)).
In January 2024, co-defendant Gomez-Santiago was sentenced to four years and nine months incarceration, followed by 60 months supervised release. Mora was sentenced to four years and nine months incarceration. Horacio Ortega-Martinez, another associate of Calderon-Campos, was sentenced in April 2023 to 18 months incarceration, followed by 36 months supervised release, after pleading guilty to possessing gamecocks for an animal fighting venture (7 U.S.C § 2156 (b)).
Co-defendant Garcia pleaded guilty and was sentenced on March 3, 2025, to 24 months’ incarceration, followed by two years of supervised release. Byron Adilio Alfaro-Sandoval is scheduled for status conference June 18, 2025.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Kern County Probation Department, and the Bakersfield Police Department.
On February 11, 2025, a court sentenced Christopher Lee Carroll to serve nine years of incarceration and to pay $3 million in restitution. A jury convicted Carroll in August 2024 of three counts of bank fraud, three counts of making false statements to a financial institution, one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA), 13 violations of the CAA, and two counts of threatening a witness (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2, 1014, 1512 (b)(3), 1344; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).
Carroll and his business partner, George Reed, owned a time share exit company called Square One Group LLC. In April of 2020, they submitted a false and fraudulent application for a $1.2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The loan application falsely stated that the spouses of Reed and Carroll owned the company to conceal Carroll’s status as a paroled felon, which would have precluded his company from receiving PPP funds. Carroll also used his wife’s name to avoid any potential liability for the fraud.
The PPP loan was supposed to help save businesses and jobs, but Carroll did not use the money to pay dozens of employees who were out of work or keep paying for health insurance for 17 of those employees. Instead, he used it to start a trucking company, Whiskey Dix Big Truck Repair LLC. Carroll and Reed then applied for loan forgiveness, falsely claiming that they’d spent the money on payroll and other permitted expenses. Additionally, Reed and Carroll later sought a second loan of more than $1.6 million, taking a total of $660,000 in “owner draws” from the company after the loan was approved.
From May 2020 through December 2021, Carroll and Whiskey Dix violated the CAA by unlawfully removing the emissions control systems from more than 30 diesel-fueled trucks. In January 2022, Carroll tried to pressure two employees to take responsibility for the emissions tampering. When one of the employees said he was going to talk to federal investigators, Carroll threatened to stop paying for the employee’s attorney.
The court sentenced Whiskey Dix to complete a three-year term of probation after the jury convicted the company on 16 CAA violations. Reed pleaded guilty to bank fraud in September of 2022 and was sentenced January 23, 2025, to time served, and five years of supervised release. Reed was held jointly liable for $3 million in restitution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.
On February 13, 2025, a court sentenced Jeffrey Radtke to 21 months’ incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Radtke pleaded guilty to conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos (18 U.S.C.§§ 371, 48(a)(2), (a)(3)).
Between June 2021 and August 2022, Radtke sent more than 40 payments (ranging from $1 through $300) he received from co-conspirators to pay videographers in Indonesia and other locations outside of the United States to create videos depicting the torture and deaths of juvenile macaque monkeys.
During the execution of a search warrant in April 2023, law enforcement found more than 2,600 videos and 2,700 images depicting animal crushing on Radtke’s computer.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
United States v. Jonathan Achtemeier
No. 3:24-CR-05072 (Western District of Washington)
AUSA Seth Wilkinson
AUSA Lauren Staniar
SAUSA Karla Perrin
On February 14, 2025, a court sentenced Jonathan Achtemeier to pay a $25,000 fine and serve four months’ incarceration, followed by one year of supervised release. Achtemeier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) for his role in tampering with required monitoring devices on diesel trucks (18 U.S.C. § 371).
Between 2019 and 2022, Achtemeier modified the software on hundreds of trucks nationwide to prevent the monitoring devices from detecting the removal of emissions controls. Achtemeier conspired with mechanics and truck fleet operators, instructing them on how to remove or disable anti-pollution hardware on diesel trucks, a process known as “deleting.” Achtemeier tampered with the monitoring device on his clients’ trucks by connecting laptops to the trucks’ onboard computers and remotely “tuning” the vehicles’ computers, which rendered required monitoring devices inaccurate. This allowed the trucks to run without functioning emissions control systems and resulted in the trucks emitting significantly more pollution than legally allowed.
Achtemeier charged as much at $4,500 per truck for work that often took him two hours or less. He advertised his services on social media nationwide, doing business as Voided Warranty Tuning or Optimized Ag. Between 2019 and 2022 his company took in more than $4.3 million in gross profits.
The Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.
Assistance from ECS Senior Counsel Elinor Colbourn
On February 18, 2025, a court sentenced Andres Alejandro Sanchez to complete a three-year term of probation to include six months’ home detention. Sanchez pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act for illegally importing a spider monkey into the United States (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2)).
On October 7, 2024, Sanchez travelled from Mexico to Laredo, Texas, and failed to declare a spider monkey he had in his vehicle to Customs and Border Protection officers as he attempted to cross the border.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
Case photo of baby spider monkey rescued by authorities
United State v. Jose Carrillo
No. 8:23-CR-00222 (Middle District of Florida)
ECS Senior Trial Attorney Matt Morris
AUSA Erin Favorit
ECS Paralegal Jonah Fruchtman
On February 18, 2025, a court sentenced Jose Carrillo to 84 months’ incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Carrillo pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and knowingly possessing a firearm after a felony conviction (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 922(g)(1) and 924(d)).
On June 7, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at Carrillo’s residence, seizing a total of 10 pit bull-type dogs. Several of the dogs exhibited scarring consistent with dogfighting. Authorities also discovered a .22 caliber rifle, a bloodstained wooden dogfighting “pit,” syringes, veterinary medications, a skin stapler, break sticks used to separate fighting dogs, and other suspected dogfighting paraphernalia.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with assistance from the following agencies: Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshal Service; and the Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office.
Photo of dogs from Carillo’s home included in press release, link below.
Nos. 2:23-CR-00600, 2:24-CR-00890 (District of Arizona)
AUSA Glenn McCormick
On February 18, 2025, a court sentenced Eric T. Scionti to 47 months’ incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Scionti pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and Animal Crushing in two separate cases (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(8), 48(a)(1)).
In December 2022, federal authorities received an anonymous tip that Scionti, a convicted felon, possessed a number of handguns, as well as grenades and bullet-proof body armor. On January 18, 2023, agents executed a search warrant, seizing six firearms and 1,826 rounds of ammunition from areas of a residence controlled by the defendant. Scionti has multiple Arizona state felony convictions and was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
While researching the defendant’s online activities, agents found video evidence depicting Scionti torturing pigeons. Agents executed a subsequent search warrant on September 29, 2023, for records and information associated with Scionti’s email account. During that search, agents seized approximately 168 videos and 89 digital photographs depicting Scionti torturing and mutilating live pigeons.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigations in these cases.
On February 19, 2025, a court sentenced Manuel Domingos Pita to 48 months’ incarceration and to pay more than $55 million in restitution. Also, Pita will forfeit real estate and cash/bank accounts. Pita pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and a willful violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act for causing the death of an employee (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1343; 29 U.S.C. § 666(e)).
Pita created and operated several shell construction companies, including one named Domingos 54 Construction, Inc. Pita used Domingos 54 to provide workers, including undocumented aliens, with construction jobs. However, Pita failed to secure the required workers compensation insurance coverage for these employees by falsifying the number of workers for which he sought coverage in worker’s compensation insurance applications. In addition, Pita failed to pay any federal employment taxes on the wages that these workers earned during the course of the scheme between 2018 and 2022.
Pita failed to disclose the number of workers he had. Had he properly disclosed the number of workers, he would have paid an additional $22.7 million+ in premiums. Additionally, Pita failed to pay to the IRS over $33.7 million in federal employment taxes on those workers’ wages.
Between February and July 2019, investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued six citations to Domingos 54 for failure to provide fall protection to workers. Even after being cited for these violations, Pita continued to ignore OSHA requirements. In March 2020, Pita assigned a worker and three other carpenters to install sheeting on the roof of a residential home in windy conditions without providing the required fall-protection gear or ensuring its use. As a result, one of the workers was blown off the roof and died from his injuries.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Insurance Fraud-Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
Nos. 3:24-CR-00101, 00116 (Northern District of Florida)
ECS Deputy Chief Joe Poux
ECS Paralegal Jonah Fruchtman
On February 20, 2025, a court sentenced Fernando Cruz Rubio to time served. Rubio pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) for failing to maintain an oil record book (ORB) (33 U.S.C. § 1908(a)).
Rubio worked as a chief engineer on the M/V Suhar, a Panamanian-flagged ocean-going bulk carrier that routinely hauled cement from Tampico, Mexico, to Pensacola, Florida. The ship was managed by Gremex Shipping S.A. de C.V., which was responsible for the ship’s day-to-day operations, including hiring all crew, and ensuring compliance with all environmental and international regulations.
The Coast Guard inspected the ship when it arrived in Pensacola on August 25, 2023. Inspectors determined that the vessel’s crew regularly discharged untreated oily bilge water overboard, bypassing onboard pollution control equipment, and falsified the ship’s ORB to conceal these discharges. On various trips, between March 2021 through August 25, 2023, Rubio, as the Suhar’s chief engineer, failed to accurately maintain the ORB and did not record overboard bilge water discharges.
Gremex was sentenced in October 2024 to pay a $1.75 million fine, serve a four-year term of probation, and implement an environmental compliance plan. The shipping corporation also pleaded guilty to violating APPS.
The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted the investigation.
United States v. Clancy Logistics, Inc., et al.
No. 3:24-CR-00344 (District of Oregon)
AUSA Andrew Ho
RCEC Gwendolyn Russell
On February 25, 2025, a court sentenced to Clancy Logistics, Inc., and owner Timothy C. Clancy, to each complete three-year terms of probation. They were also ordered to pay a fine of $101,510.00, jointly and severally. The defendants pleaded guilty to a felony count of tampering with a Clean Air Act monitoring device (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).
Between October 2019 and July 2023, Timothy C. Clancy tampered with the onboard diagnostic systems (OBDs) and caused others to tamper with the OBDs, of at least 13 Class 8 diesel semi-trailer trucks owned or operated by his companies, Clancy Transport, Inc., and Clancy Logistics, Inc. The defendants’ actions prevented the OBDs from detecting malfunctions caused by the deletion of the vehicles’ emission control systems, in violation of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).
As part of this process, Clancy directed his employees to disable and remove the emissions hardware from his companies’ vehicles. This involved removing exhaust systems and their corresponding emissions control components from the vehicles, hollowing out the functioning portion of the devices so that only the casing remained, and re-installing the casing to create the appearance that the emissions controls were intact. The vehicles’ OBDs were then tuned so that they could no longer detect the removal of the control equipment.
Clancy and his companies tampered with the OBDs on their diesel semi-trailer trucks so that they could operate the vehicles with real or perceived increased performance and fuel efficiency and reduce or eliminate the cost and burden associated with maintaining the vehicles. As a result, a greater volume of pollutants was emitted from the vehicles.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.
No. 5:24-CR-00028 (Western District of North Carolina)
AUSA Katherine T. Armstrong
On February 27, 2025, a court sentenced Robert G. Gambill to pay a $9,500 fine and to forfeit a rifle, scope, and ammunition for killing a bald eagle in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668(a)). As required under provisions of the Act, $2,500 of the fine will be apportioned equally between two witnesses who reported the shooting.
On June 5, 2024, Gambill set his firearm on a fencepost and targeted, shot, and killed a bald eagle that was perched in a tree near a bridge in Sparta, North Carolina. After killing the eagle, Gambill drove away from the scene, abandoning the carcass on the bank of the New River. Two witnesses recovered the carcass and turned it over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The U.S. FWS forensic laboratory determined that injuries suffered by the bald eagle were consistent with a gunshot wound from a high-powered rifle.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation, with assistance from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 28, 2025, a court sentenced Willie Russell to 24 months’ incarceration, followed by three years’ supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and exhibiting dogs in an animal fighting venture (7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(1); 18 U.S.C. § 371). Russell is the fourteenth and final defendant to plead guilty in this federal dog fighting case. The other co-defendants are: Tamichael Elijah; Marvin Pulley, III; Brandon Baker; Christopher Travis Beaumont; Herman Buggs, Jr.; Terrance Davis; Timothy Freeman; Terelle Ganzy; Gary Hopkins; Cornelious Johnson; Rodrecus Kimble; Donnametric Miller; Willie Russell; and, Fredricus White.
On April 24, 2022, the defendants converged on a property in Donalsonville, Georgia, where they held a large-scale dog fighting event. They brought a total of 24 pit bull-type dogs to fight in a series of matches over that weekend. Law enforcement personnel who disrupted the event found numerous dogs inside crates in cars on the property.
The participants used their cars to store dogs who had already fought, as well as those awaiting their turn in the fighting pit. Some dogs were kept on chains on the property. Law enforcement rescued a total of 27 dogs, including a badly injured dog that later perished from its injuries. Dogs in the cars also bore recent injuries and scars.
All defendants but Freeman pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibition of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Defendants Beaumont and Miller also pleaded guilty to sponsoring or exhibiting (i.e., handling) a dog in a dog fight. Defendants Baker, Davis, Ganzy, Johnson, Pulley, and White further pleaded guilty to possessing and transporting a dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture. Freeman pleaded guilty to spectating at an animal fight. Defendants Miller and Pulley also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony conviction.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General; and the Seminole County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Bay County, Florda, Sheriff’s Office.
CALGARY, Alberta, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blueprint Digital Marketing, in collaboration with Trusted Experts, today unveiled key tips to help consumers safely choose home services and wellness providers. With scam reports on the rise in these industries, many homeowners and renters have fallen victim to fraudulent builders, unlicensed movers, and unqualified repair technicians. To address these concerns, industry experts from across North America have shared essential questions consumers should ask to ensure they hire reputable and trustworthy service providers.
A photo that says people should ask an expert
These practical tips from experienced professionals in home building, moving, appliance repair, and wellness services will help you spot potential scams before they happen. By knowing exactly which questions to ask—and recognizing when something doesn’t seem right—you can feel confident that you’re choosing a legitimate service provider, whether you’re moving across the country, repairing your appliances, buying a new home, or booking your next massage.
Fifth Avenue Homes (Calgary, Alberta)
Expert Tip: Always confirm a builder’s license and recent project references.
Detailed Advice: “Homebuyers often believe that once a project starts, it’s automatically guaranteed to be completed, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case,” says a representative from Fifth Avenue Homes. “To safeguard yourself, always verify that your builder holds proper licensing, request examples or tours of recent projects, and check their registration with organizations like the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) or Alberta’s New Home Warranty Program. Speaking directly with past clients about their experiences is also strongly recommended.”
M&M Best Movers (Edmonton, Alberta)
Expert Tip: Avoid paying large deposits up front. Legitimate movers typically ask for minimal deposits of 10% or less.
Detailed Advice: “One common scam involves movers asking for 50% or more as a deposit,” says M&M Movers. “A legitimate moving company won’t ask for significant sums up front. Unfortunately, we’ve encountered situations where customers lost over $1,000 to fraudulent movers.”
Pro Tips to Avoid Scams:
Insist on paying most of the bill upon job completion.
Always obtain a written contract detailing costs, inventory, and delivery timelines.
Walk away if the mover refuses to provide clear documentation.
Household Refrigeration & Appliance Service (Calgary, Alberta)
Expert Tip: Verify technician certifications and insist on a detailed work order before repairs start.
Detailed Advice: “A credible technician always provides a clear work order outlining required parts and labor before beginning work,” advises a representative from Household Refrigeration & Appliance Service. “Be cautious of ‘technicians’ who offer quotes over the phone without inspecting the appliance in person. Scammers frequently insist on cash payments to avoid accountability.”
Pro Tips:
Always request proof of industry-recognized credentials like Red Seal certification or provincial trade licenses.
Be cautious of any technician insisting on cash-only payments or who refuses to offer a printed or emailed quote.
All Appliance Tech & Repair (Ottawa, Ontario)
Expert Tip: Always require an in-person inspection before agreeing to a repair quote.
Detailed Advice: “Legitimate appliance repair companies won’t provide a quote without inspecting the appliance firsthand,” explains a representative from All Appliance Tech & Repair. “Avoid businesses that quote over the phone without seeing the issue. In-person inspections ensure accuracy and protect against hidden costs.”
Pro Tips:
Insist on clear explanations using simple, understandable language about the repairs required.
Request a written or emailed estimate detailing parts, labor, and costs before approving any repairs.
Maggie’s Therapeutic Massage (Calgary, Alberta)
Expert Tip: Always ask massage therapists to provide proof of Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) certification before booking appointments.
Detailed Advice: “Not every massage therapist is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT),” says Maggie’s Therapeutic Massage. “Only certified RMTs are eligible for health insurance claims and adhere to professional quality standards.”
Be cautious if a therapist can’t or won’t provide proper certification, as this can impact insurance coverage and quality of care.
Stay Informed and Protected
Knowledge is the most effective tool for avoiding scams. Awareness of common red flags—such as excessive upfront payments, reluctance to provide licenses or certifications, refusal to offer detailed written estimates, or an unwillingness to explain their process—can protect you from significant losses and frustration.
If you encounter businesses or technicians who raise these concerns, trust your instincts and continue your search for a reputable provider.
With expert insights from Fifth Avenue Homes, M&M Best Movers, Household Refrigeration, All Appliance Tech & Repair, and Maggie’s Therapeutic Massage, homeowners, renters, and consumers can confidently make safe and informed decisions.
About Blueprint Digital Marketing
Blueprint Digital Marketing is a Calgary-based agency specializing in results-driven online growth strategies since 2012. With a flexible, no-contract model, the company adapts to evolving digital trends, helping businesses stay competitive and maximize opportunities in the local market.
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They outlined a worsening picture of food insecurity, poverty, homelessness, health inequalities, and educational outcomes, which impact those communities already marginalised, such as single mothers, racialised communities, gypsy Roma and traveller communities, and people seeking asylum.
Amnesty UK presented evidence to CESCR in Geneva in February 2025 on the government’s failure to protect fundamental human rights, outlining the domino effect of poor housing, a broken social security system, and inadequate healthcare in communities.
Jen Clark, Economic and Social Lead at Amnesty UK, said:
“The UN committee set out clearly how a devastating domino effect of unmet rights leads to destitution and hardship, a conclusion borne out by our own research.
“Reading between the lines of the committee statement, you get a sense of frustration that little progress has been made since they last reviewed the UK performance in 2016.
“They call again for independent evaluation on the impact of austerity on the most disadvantaged groups and communities to be undertaken as a matter of priority and for the punitive nature of sanctions and deductions from social security payments to be reviewed.
“Like Amnesty, the UN is calling for the end to the two-child limit, benefit caps, and five-week wait for benefits. They are concerned that social security is already not paid at a level that enables an adequate standard of living for essentials such as food, utility bills, and clothing.
“It is all tied together by addressing that our human rights are not adequately protected in the UK. The government has failed to provide legal protections for these rights under the covenant, meaning people who experience violations cannot access justice. Amnesty echoes their call on the government to undertake an independent review of how legal status can be given to these rights to provide routes to justice and safeguards against further rollback of these rights.”
Additional elements addressed in the report include:
Concern regarding the specific plight of people with certain immigration status who have no recourse to public funds and that people experiencing homelessness are criminalised by punitive policy.
To address depleted public services and struggling local authorities, CESCR calls on the government to shift fiscal priorities away from tax freezes and toward measures that will broaden the tax base and increase the funding available for them (such as capital, corporate, and property taxes).
The UK’s failings at home were not the only concern of the UN Committee. They too share concerns about the UK’s role in ensuring these rights abroad, citing the need to address the extent to which the ODA budget has slipped away from the target (at the time of reporting this was to 0.5%) and call for the UK to take a stronger approach on the world stage in relation to tackling debt in the global south and taking more decisive leadership to ensure that the UK addresses tax evasion from multinational companies.
The three top priorities that the UK Government must report back on in the next 24 months:
Conduct an independent, participatory impact assessment of the extra-territorial effects of its financial secrecy and corporate tax policies on the economies of developing countries.
Conduct an independent assessment of the cumulative impact of austerity measures introduced since 2010 on economic, social, and cultural rights, focusing on disadvantaged groups, regional disparities, and the effects of subsequent policy shifts
Assess the impact of welfare reforms introduced since 2010 on the most disadvantaged groups and take corrective measures, including reversing policies such as the two-child limit, the benefit cap, and the five-week delay for the first Universal Credit payment.
Amnesty’s complete submission to the United Nation’s Committee for Cultural, Economic, and Social Rights can be read here.
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Anthony Ngororano of Rwanda as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 March 2025.
Mr. Ngororano has over 20 years of experience in sustainable development in leadership roles across the UN system and prior to this in the private sector. Most recently, he served as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Kenya. Prior to that, he served as UNDP Resident Representative to Mauritania.
Before his role in Mauritania, Mr. Ngororano served as Chief of the Executive Board Branch in the Office of the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York and he held several posts in UN-Women, including Country Representative in Haiti and Chief of the Africa Section in New York.
He served as the Senior Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Rwanda with the rank of Permanent Secretary and prior to that he held diverse positions with UNDP including Country Adviser in the Regional Bureau for Africa in New York, and in a range of policy, planning and programme roles in Nigeria, Zambia, and Rwanda.
He also worked as an investment banker with Citigroup N.A in Kenya and Tanzania after starting his career as an economist in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Uganda.
Mr. Ngororano holds masters’ degrees in development economics and international relations from the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex respectively. He also holds a Master of Arts degree with honours in economics from the University of Edinburgh.
New Plymouth, New Zealand – 5 March 2025: Family-owned equipment hire company, Kennards Hire, is expanding its footprint into New Plymouth, opening its first branch in the Taranaki region with the strategic acquisition of Kiwi Hire Group.
Following recent openings in Napier and Taupō, the move into New Plymouth marks Kennards Hire’s 31st branch in New Zealand, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to building local communities and industries across the country.
The origins of Kiwi Hire Group go back to 2016 when the Potter family first started building up the business. Over the years, it grew into a trusted name in the Taranaki region, providing specialist gear to local businesses, construction professionals, and DIY customers.
Previously owned and operated by Brad and Christine Potter, the husband-and-wife team will now continue to manage the new Kennards Hire branch. The Potter duo was also delighted to have the majority of the Kiwi Hire Group decide to join the Kennards Hire family in this new chapter.
Brad Potter, Branch Manager of Kennards Hire New Plymouth, said: “Through this acquisition, our goal is to ensure that our customers, and staff, continue to be well looked after. Kennards Hire is a family-owned business with the same aligned values as Kiwi Hire Group – and this has made all the difference.
“Beyond that family connection, our combined expertise and an expanded range of quality equipment will allow us to provide the best possible service to the community for many more years.”
Speaking about the acquisition, Tom Kimber, General Manager of Kennards Hire New Zealand, said: “Following recent branch openings in Taupō and Napier, this new location establishes a key foothold on the west coast of the North Island. Its strategic positioning enhances connectivity between major regional centres, including Taupō, South Waikato, Palmerston North, and Whanganui, enabling us to better support local businesses and communities.
“What makes this expansion even more special is the strong family connection between our businesses. Like Kennards Hire, Kiwi Hire Group is a family-run company built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and customer-first service. We’re proud to continue their legacy and bring our shared values to the New Plymouth community.”
In partnership with KidsCan, Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading charity dedicated to helping children affected by poverty, Kennards Hire New Plymouth will be actively supporting the local community, including partnerships with 11 schools in the region through the KidsCan School Buddy Programme.
Talking to this community engagement, Brad Potter said: “Kiwi Hire Group has always championed our local community, and now, as part of the Kennards Hire family, those values will live on – whether through sponsoring local events like Americarna or supporting schools through the KidsCan partnership. We are immensely proud to contribute to this commitment.”
Christine Potter, Assistant Branch Manager of Kennards Hire New Plymouth, also added: “Becoming part of the Kennards Hire family marks an exciting new chapter in our journey. It will enable us to share our expertise, strengthen the team, broaden our offerings to the local community, and above all, continue delivering outstanding service to our customers.”
The new branch will offer a wide range of high-quality equipment hire products and services as well as access to specialty branches in the region, all made easier through Kennards Hire’s online booking platform.
About Kennards Hire – New Zealand Kennards Hire is a family-owned and operated company that has been in the hire industry for more than 75 years, with over 215 sites and branches across New Zealand and Australia. Since 1948, its diverse product range extends from general hire equipment for the home renovator and professional tradesperson to specialist equipment and heavy machinery used on some of the largest civil infrastructure and commercial construction projects in two countries. Eden Park Icon Partner, Forsyth Barr Stadium Partner, proud member of the Family Business Association, Member of Hire Industry Association New Zealand, major supporter of KidsCan and Springboard Community Works. Kennardshire.co.nz
Kennards Hire New Plymouth is now open at open at 643 Devon Rd,
About the KidsCan School Buddy Programme:
KidsCan is supported by Kennards Hire and the Kennards Hire Foundation.
Kennards Hire has been running the KidsCan School Buddy Programme since 2014, to help enhance learning environments by offering essential equipment, expert guidance, and volunteer support. Today, up to 367 KidsCan-affiliated schools across the country benefit from this Programme.
To find out more about the valuable work that KidsCan does, visit their website: https://www.kidscan.org.nz/
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation in Kwai Chung today (March 4). A total of eight suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided a unit of the industrial building. A total of eight suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers were all Filipinos, comprised seven men and one woman, aged 34 to 60. Among them, six men were holders of recognisance form, which prohibits them from taking any employment, one man was a current foreign domestic helper and one woman was an overstaying former domestic helper. The eight suspected illegal workers were found performing transporting and wrapping duties. Furthermore, a Hong Kong male resident, aged 51, who was suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested. “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties,” an ImmD spokesman said. The spokesman warned that, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at anytime thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years.” The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences. Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
India’s circular economy to generate a market value of over $2 trillion and create close to 10 million jobs by 2050 – Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
Delegates visits Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Albert Hall, and Patrika Gate
Posted On: 04 MAR 2025 6:39PM by PIB Delhi
India’s circular economy could generate a market value of over $2 trillion and create close to 10 million jobs by 2050. Expressing this view, while speaking at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav said, the ‘circular economy’ may be about to drive one of the biggest transformations in business since the Industrial Revolution 250 years ago. Through a radical departure from the traditional ‘take, make, waste’ production and consumption models, the circular economy could provide a potential $4.5 trillion in additional economic output by 2030 world over.
Addressed the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, in Jaipur today.
Stated that PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s call for building a ‘waste to wealth’ circular economy ensures the driver for adopting circular economy isn’t scarcity – it’s opportunity.… pic.twitter.com/LkDd8RCcp1
Shri Yadav also informed the forum about India’s candidacy for organising the World Circular Economy Forum in the year 2026.Every year, World Circular Economy Forum is organised and in this year, 2025 it is being organized in Sao Paulo, Brazil. India has expressed the willingness to host World Circular Economy Forum 2026.
Emphasising on the steps taken, the Minister said, India remains committed to addressing plastic waste challenges and their associated ecological impacts. The Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) have led to significant measures targeting municipal, industrial, residential, and commercial sectors. India has banned certain categories of single-use plastics through notification in 2022. In alignment with the Mission ‘LiFE’ initiative, MoEFCC has notified the Eco-Mark Rules to encourage demand for environmentally friendly products while promoting energy efficiency and circular economy principles.
He further said, Circular Economy Action Plans for 10 waste categories have been finalized, for which regulatory and implementation framework is under progress. India has already notified various waste management and extended producer responsibility rules in certain sectors, such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules, e-Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, and Metals Recycling Policy, among others.
Paid a visit to the exhibition on the sidelines of the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, in Jaipur today.
Thrilled to witness the innovation at display, ready to drive the waste to wealth economy as we move towards realising the vision of… pic.twitter.com/XQFdhNAeq8
Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Srinivas Kathikala, and Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, Shri Sudhansh Pant jointly chaired a significant session today, focusing on advancing waste management and circular economy initiatives. The session saw the launch of several key reports, best practices and the signing of important agreements aimed at strengthening India’s waste management ecosystem.
Launch of SBM Waste to Wealth PMS Portal
A major highlight of the session was the launch of the SBM Waste to Wealth PMS Portal, an innovative online platform developed under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). The portal is designed to enhance project monitoring, streamline data management, and facilitate resource sharing, thereby supporting the mission’s broader objective of transforming waste into valuable resources. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to sustainable urban development and effective solid waste management.
Release of IFC Document Reference Guide
The session also marked the release of the IFC Document Reference Guide: Business Models and Economic Assistance for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Projects. This guide provides comprehensive insights into various business models for MSW processing, including waste-to-electricity, biomethanation, and bioremediation. The document serves as a crucial resource for municipalities and private players looking to implement effective and economically viable waste management projects.
MoU Between CSIR and MoHUA
In a significant step toward fostering scientific collaboration in waste management, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This partnership will facilitate research-driven solutions and innovative technologies to enhance urban waste management practices across India.
Release of ‘India’s Circular Sutra’
The event also saw the release of ‘India’s Circular Sutra: A Compendium of Best Practices in 3R & Circular Economy’. This compendium documents successful case studies and innovative approaches in the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R) framework, providing valuable insights for urban local bodies and stakeholders looking to implement circular economy solutions.
These initiatives mark a significant step forward in India’s efforts to promote sustainable waste management, encourage innovation, and drive the transition toward a circular economy.
CEEW Report on Solid Waste Management in Million-Plus Cities
The Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) presented its latest study, which offers a detailed outlook on solid waste management (SWM) practices in cities with populations exceeding one million. The report highlights sustainable waste management strategies, circular economy principles, and decentralized solutions that can be tailored to meet the unique challenges of India’s rapidly urbanizing regions.
Technical and Heritage Visit of Delegates
The delegates undertook a technical site visit to key waste management and sanitation facilities in Jaipur, including the Waste to Energy Plant and Sanitary Landfill Site at Langariyawas and the Dehlawas Sewage Treatment Plant. These visits provided firsthand insights into innovative waste processing techniques, energy recovery from waste, and efficient sewage treatment mechanisms.
In addition to the technical visits, the delegates also explored Jaipur’s rich cultural heritage, visiting iconic landmarks such as Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Albert Hall, and Patrika Gate. These heritage visits offered a glimpse into the city’s architectural grandeur and historical significance, providing a holistic experience that blended urban infrastructure advancements with Rajasthan’s vibrant cultural legacy.
PM Shri Narendra Modi addresses Post Budget Webinar on Manufacturing, Exports and Nuclear Energy Stakeholders discuss export ecosystem and e-commerce growth at the Webinar
Export Promotion Mission (EPM), a proposed ₹2,250 crore initiative, to boost India’s exports: Experts
Posted On: 04 MAR 2025 6:22PM by PIB Delhi
As part of the Post-Budget Webinar on the Union Budget 2025-26, organized by NITI Aayog, various outreach sessions on Theme 3 comprising of discussions on the topics – Manufacturing, Exports and Nuclear Energy Missions, were successfully held on March 4, 2025. The Exports session, led by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in consultation with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), brought together key stakeholders, including industry leaders, exporters, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, to deliberate on strategies to enhance India’s export capabilities and fortify the country’s global trade position.
At the outset, Prime Minister of India addressed the participants of the Webinar. He highlighted the reforms undertaken by the Government to create an enabling and nurturing ecosystem for promoting Manufacturing and Exports in the country. He highlighted the transformative approach of the Union Budget 2025-26 which is in line with the reform-oriented agenda undertaken of the Government. He encouraged the participants to come forward with fresh and innovative ideas and contribute to policy formulation and implementation on the themes of Manufacturing, Exports, and Nuclear Energy with a view to promote India’s Exports to the world. His ideas were appreciated by all the stakeholders and shaped the subsequent discussion on various themes.
Subsequently, the Breakout session on Exports was moderated by Shri Sanjay Nayyar, President ASSOCHAM, with an esteemed panel comprising of Shri Rajesh Nambiar, President, NASSCOM, Shri Ajay Sahai, Director General, Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO), Shri Pankaj Mohindroo, President, Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), Shri Kalyan Basu, Managing Director, MonetaGo, Ms. Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI, and Ms. Nivruti Rai, CEO, Invest India. Their insights and expertise contributed to meaningful discussions on fostering a conducive ecosystem for exports and driving economic growth through policy interventions and digital innovation.
During the deliberations, several key initiatives were discussed as potential pathways to strengthening India’s exports. Among them was the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), a proposed ₹2,250 crore initiative aimed at boosting India’s exports, particularly for MSMEs, by providing financial incentives, market access support, and compliance facilitation. Participants emphasized that a partnership-driven, whole-of-government approach is needed to address market access issues and facilitate the growth of new and e-commerce exporters.
Additional strategic policy recommendations included expanding Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) coverage to high-risk markets, enhancing collateral-free export credit through EXIM Bank, and providing incentives for MSMEs to adopt sustainability standards and global certifications. Industry experts also stressed the need to strengthen the Driving International Holistic Market Access Initiative (DISHA) to offer sector-specific MSME support.
Participants also highlighted the importance of Export Readiness Programs to train MSMEs in e-commerce, digital marketing, and international trade regulations. The expansion of the E-Commerce Niryat Credit Card Scheme was another key area of discussion to bolster cross-border digital trade.
Another major point of discussion was BharatTradeNet (BTN), envisioned as a pioneering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative designed to create a seamless, electronic and paperless trade ecosystem for international trade and trade finance. Institutionalizing BharatTradeNet as India’s Digital Public Infrastructure for Trade, integrating it with Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UPI, and other digital platforms, and aligning it with financial institutions for seamless trade finance approvals were also considered integral to simplifying export operations. Strengthening State/District Export Cells, expanding Buyer-Seller Meet (BSM) Programs, and developing a Central Trade Registry and Interoperability Framework for BharatTradeNet were seen as critical steps toward increasing efficiency in trade facilitation. Stakeholders suggested that by aligning with global trade facilitation standards, BTN could help streamline trade documentation, enhance trade financing, and deepen export credit accessibility. It was also suggested that one of the ways to prioritise implementation of BTN would be, by establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
A structured plan under the National Framework for GCCs was also discussed to expand Global Capability Centres (GCCs) beyond Tier-1 cities by re-orienting regulations, taxation policies, and infrastructure. Based on the discussion, the following recommendations were made by the panellists for the dispersal of GCCs into emerging GCC cities: reducing compliance burden and ease of doing business, building a quality talent pool and talent pipeline, GCCs partnerships in R&D with academia, a national framework on GCC and dedicated policy interventions, the GIFT city model for emerging Tier 2 cities, tax incentives for GCCs in SEZ in Tier 2 cities, a national policy to streamline incentives for GCCs such as incentivizing employment generation, R&D activities, and skilling, transfer pricing rationalization, improving physical and digital infrastructure in emerging Tier-2 hubs for GCC, partnership with National Mission e.g. AI and Quantum, and marketing and branding of GCCs in India and emerging Tier 2 cities.
The session concluded with a final address by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, who highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to creating a globally competitive export ecosystem and ensuring the seamless integration of Indian enterprises into global value chains.
The Breakout Session on Exports successfully provided a forward-looking actionable roadmap, capturing key insights and recommendations from industry experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. These discussions will play a crucial role in shaping future policies for strengthening India’s exports through policy reforms, infrastructure development, and digital transformation. The key takeaways from the session shall be implemented by the respective departments.
In a landmark development towards India’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi flagged off the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks launched by Tata Motors in New Delhi, today.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Nitin Gadkari said, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such Initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking, and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogen-powered green and smart transportation.”
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy,Shri Pralhad Joshisaid,“Hydrogen is an important fuel for India’s transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort.”
The historic trial, marks a significant step towards sustainable long-distance cargo transportation in the country, as Tata Motors underscores its commitment to leading the charge in sustainable mobility solutions, aligning with India’s broader green energy goals. The company was awarded the tender for this trial, which is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It marks a significant step forward in assessing the real-world commercial viability of using hydrogen powered vehicles for long distance haulage as well as setting-up the requisite enabling infrastructure for their seamless operation.
The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities. These trucks, equipped with new age Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will be tested on India’s most prominent freight routes, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar.
Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, highlighted Tata Motors’ preparedness saying, “Tata Motors is deeply honored to be at the forefront of driving India’s transformation towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. As a company with a long-standing commitment to nation-building, we have continuously embraced innovation to develop mobility solutions that contribute to India’s growth and development. Today, with the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we are proud to further this legacy by pioneering the transition to clean, zero emission energy for long haul transportation. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future readymobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency.”
Nuclear Energy is Critical for India’s Net Zero Goal, Major Expansion Planned: Dr. Jitendra Singh India to Open Nuclear Sector for Private Players, Key Legislative Changes on the Horizon
Government Unveils Nuclear Power Roadmap: Private Investments, SMRs, and 100 GW Goal by 2047
Public Awareness Drive on Nuclear Energy Crucial for India’s Clean Energy Transition: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 04 MAR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi
Addressing a post-budget webinar organized by NITI Aayog, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that Nuclear Energy is critical for India’s Net Zero goal.
He highlighted the Union Budget 2024-25’s vision for India’s nuclear power expansion, which sets a target of achieving 100 GW by 2047.
Pointing out the crucial role of nuclear energy in India’s transition to clean energy and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, he called for private sector participation, regulatory reforms, and sustained public engagement.
Highlighting the growing energy demand, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India’s electricity needs are expected to increase four to five times by 2047. While renewable energy sources are expanding, they alone cannot meet the base-load demand, making nuclear power a key component of India’s energy strategy. “Achieving 100 GW of nuclear power will require a focused and determined approach, adding around 4 GW annually from now onwards,” he said, expressing confidence in meeting the goal with proper planning and execution.
A major shift in India’s nuclear policy is the proposed involvement of the private sector in designing, building, and operating nuclear power plants. Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged that legislative amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, and Electricity Act would be required to enable this participation. “Opening up the nuclear sector will send a strong policy signal to industry players, boosting investor confidence and encouraging long-term investments,” he noted.
He also highlighted that NPCIL, along with its subsidiaries, aims to contribute nearly half of the 100 GW target by leveraging domestic and international partnerships. Meanwhile, NTPC’s joint venture, Ashwini, has already taken the lead in constructing four 700 MWe PHWRs at Mahi-Banswara.
The Minister further announced the launch of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) R&D Mission, with the objective of developing five SMRs by 2033. These reactors, known for their adaptability, could be deployed in industrial zones, remote areas, and hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel manufacturing.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India’s nuclear energy journey, pioneered by Dr. Homi Bhabha, was often met with skepticism, both domestically and internationally, due to restrictive global policies and misplaced concerns over nuclear proliferation. However, he noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership since 2014, India has witnessed a paradigm shift, with greater acceptance of its nuclear energy program as a key component of clean and sustainable power generation. He pointed out that unlike in the past, the announcement of a 100 GW nuclear target has not faced any negative implications, reflecting India’s growing credibility in the global nuclear community and the recognition of its responsible and transparent approach to nuclear energy development.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also underscored the need for a nationwide awareness campaign to address public concerns regarding nuclear energy. “A much more vigorous and sustained public outreach program is necessary to dispel fears and highlight nuclear power as a safe and clean energy source,” he said, urging collaboration among government agencies, private players, and environmental groups.
With a roadmap now being formulated in consultation with stakeholders, the Minister affirmed that while challenges exist, achieving the 100 GW target by 2047 is both ambitious and achievable.
“PM-SYM will assure monthly pension for the enrolled unorganized sector workers during their old age. It is for the first time since independence that such a scheme is envisaged for the crores of workers engaged in the informal sector.”
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Introduction
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme launched by the Government of India to provide social security to unorganised workers. This scheme ensures a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 for workers who belong to the unorganised sector and have a monthly income of up to ₹15,000. The scheme is a tribute to the workers in the Unorganized sectors who contribute around 50 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Unorganized Workers are mostly engaged as home-based workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, rickshaw pullers, landless laborers, own account workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio-visual workers or workers in similar other occupations. As per the e-Shram portal, there are over 30.51 crore unorganised workers registered, as on 31 December 2024.
PM-SYM was introduced in the Interim Budget 2019. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Common Service Centres e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) for seamless implementation. LIC is the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out. The scheme is a part of the government’s broader social security initiatives and aligns with the vision of universal pension coverage for workers in the unorganised sector.
Key Features of PM-SYM
The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme provides numerous benefits, ensuring financial security in old age for unorganised sector workers.
Minimum Assured Pension: ₹3,000 per month after 60 years of age.
Government Contribution: The Government of India matches the worker’s contribution on a 1:1 basis.
Voluntary and Contributory: The scheme is voluntary, allowing workers to contribute based on their affordability and requirement.
Family Pension: If the beneficiary passes away, the spouse receives 50% of the pension amount as a family pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse.
Exit Provisions: Participants can exit the scheme under specified conditions (detailed in section 9).
Easy Enrolment: Eligible workers can register at Common Service Centres (CSCs) or through the Maandhan portal.
Fund Management: The scheme is administered by LIC, ensuring financial stability and credibility.
Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in PM-SYM, individuals must meet the following eligibility conditions:
Age Requirement: 18 to 40 years.
Income Limit: Monthly income should be ₹15,000 or less.
Unorganised Sector Employment: Workers engaged in professions such as:
Street vendors, rag pickers, rickshaw pullers
Construction workers, daily wage labourers
Agricultural workers, beedi workers
Domestic workers, weavers, artisans, fishermen, leather workers, etc.
Exclusion Criteria:
Should not be covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), or National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Should not be an income taxpayer.
Should not be receiving benefits from any other government pension scheme.
Documents Required:
Aadhaar Card
Savings bank account or Jan Dhan account details with IFSC
The contribution amount varies based on the age at the time of enrolment. The earlier a worker enrolls, the lower the monthly contribution.
Age at Entry
Monthly Contribution (by Worker)
Equal Contribution by Government
18 years
₹55
₹55
20 years
₹65
₹65
25 years
₹80
₹80
30 years
₹105
₹105
35 years
₹150
₹150
40 years
₹200
₹200
Upon reaching 60 years of age, beneficiaries start receiving a fixed pension of ₹3,000 per month for their lifetime.
Enrolment Process
Enrolment in PM-SYM is facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) across India. The steps include:
Visit a CSC with Aadhaar and a savings bank account.
Provide biometric authentication using Aadhaar.
Fill the online registration form.
First subscription is to be paid in cash.
Choose the auto-debit facility from the bank account.
Receive a PM-SYM card upon successful enrolment.
Alternatively, eligible workers can enroll through the Maandhan portal (https://maandhan.in/).
All the Labour offices of State and Central Governments, all the branch offices of LIC, the offices of ESIC/EPFO will act as Facilitation Centres to give full information to the unorganised workers about the Scheme, its benefits and the procedure to be followed, at their facilitation desks/ help desks. Customer Care number 1800 2676 888 (available 24*7) and web portal has the facility for registering the complaints.
Implementation and Current Status
The steps taken by government to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach the unorganized sector workers are:
Holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs.
Regular meeting with state Common Services Centre (CSC) heads.
Launch of new features such as Voluntary Exit, Revival Module, Claim Status and Account Statement.
Extension of revival of dormant accounts from 1 year to 3 years.
Two-way integration of PM-SYM and e-Shram.
SMS campaign to create awareness.
Communication with Chief Secretaries of States/UTs regarding enrolment under PM-SYM scheme.
Launch of Donate-a-Pension Module to encourage the employer to pay the premium of their staff under PM-SYM pension scheme and increase the enrolment.
Interaction with Department of Financial Services, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy to increase the outreach of the pension scheme.
Exit and Withdrawal Provisions
Considering the hardships and erratic nature of employability of unorganised workers, the exit provisions of scheme have been kept flexible.
Exit Before 10 Years: If a worker exits the scheme before 10 years, the contributed amount is refunded with savings bank interest rate.
Exit After 10 Years but Before 60 Years: The beneficiary receives his/her share of contribution along with accumulated interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate, whichever is higher.
Death Before 60 Years or Permanent Disability caused by an accident:
The spouse can continue the scheme or
Withdraw the contributed amount with interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher.
Death After 60 Years: The spouse receives 50% of the pension as a family pension.
After the death of subscriber as well as his/her spouse, the entire corpus will be credited back to the fund.
Situation of Default: If a subscriber has not paid the contribution continuously, he/she will be allowed to regularize his contribution by paying entire outstanding dues, along with penalty charges, if any, decided by the Government.
Conclusion
PM-SYM is a landmark initiative that provides financial security to millions of unorganised workers. By ensuring a monthly pension of ₹3,000, it helps workers lead a dignified life post-retirement. With large number of enrolments and ongoing promotional efforts, PM-SYM aims to provide universal pension coverage, creating a more inclusive social security framework in India.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) hosted the Women’s Health & Tech Forum 2025 today (March 4), bringing together distinguished speakers from the Government, academia, and the private sector to explore the intersection of technology and women’s health. The forum featured comprehensive sessions and media opportunities covering policy initiatives, clinical research translation, and ecosystem development, attracting key stakeholders from Hong Kong’s rapidly evolving health sector. Government’s strategic vision for advancing women’s health The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has positioned health innovation as a key driver of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong, with a clear vision to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub. Through comprehensive reforms in drug and medical device approval mechanisms, enhanced clinical trial capabilities, and accelerated research translation, the Government is creating a robust foundation for innovation in crucial sectors including women’s health. The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, stated, “The HKSAR Government is committed to complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation, developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. As we move forward, we must continue to prioritise health and well-being of people in our innovation agenda. This requires collaboration across sectors – Government, academia, healthcare providers, and the private sector – all working together to address unmet needs and create sustainable and scalable solutions. Together, we can harness technology to improve health outcomes, empower women, and build a healthier society for all.” InvestHK’s pivotal role in fostering innovation Hong Kong’s growing prominence in health technology is supported by InvestHK’s strategic initiatives to attract and facilitate innovative companies. The agency’s comprehensive approach combines with Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure development, talent pool, and comprehensive ecosystem, developing Hong Kong as a leading health tech hub. The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, commented, “As a global innovation and technology hub, Hong Kong is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and world-class expertise to advance women’s healthcare. With the global femtech market expected to grow substantially, InvestHK is dedicated to attracting pioneering solutions to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in Hong Kong and across Asia.” Advancing women’s health through academic-government collaboration Primary healthcare has become the backbone of Hong Kong’s public health initiatives. A significant development announced at the forum was the collaboration between the District Health Centre and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to introduce post-natal health services within the primary healthcare framework, showcasing how academic-government partnerships can effectively serve the unmet needs in local communities. The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Pang Fei-chau, emphasised, “Primary healthcare has become the foundation of our public health initiatives, bringing essential services closer to the community through the District Health Centre Scheme. The Government has launched the Life Course Preventive Care plan. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated according to the latest evidence to establish healthy lifestyle patterns and raise self-health management awareness among citizens of different age groups, thereby improving the overall health of the population, providing accessible and coherent healthcare network services, and establishing a sustainable healthcare system.” The Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the CUHK, Prof Liona Poon, highlighted, “This collaboration helps address the unmet needs in post-natal health, which represents a significant step forward in women’s healthcare delivery. This partnership combines the CUHK’s pioneering clinical expertise with the Government’s community outreach capabilities. Through this integrated approach, we can better support women’s health needs at the community level.” Driving innovation in women’s health tech Hong Kong’s health tech ecosystem continues to attract and nurture innovative companies addressing critical women’s healthcare needs. WomenX Biotech Limited, a Hong Kong-based start-up inventing non-invasive HPV test using menstrual blood, and EveryBaby, an Irish health tech company specialising in preterm birth prevention through cervical tissue analysis, exemplify how both local and international companies are leveraging the city’s advantages to advance women’s health technologies. The Founder of WomenX Biotech Limited, Dr Choi Pui-wah, shared, “The city’s research capabilities and clinical resources have been crucial in developing our technology for early disease detection. Hong Kong’s supportive ecosystem has enabled us to transform monthly menstrual blood collection into a powerful tool for women’s health monitoring.” The CEO of EveryBaby, Mr Dabriel Choi, added, “We chose Hong Kong as our Asian headquarters because of its strong healthcare foundation and strategic position for entering the Mainland China market. The ecosystem here facilitates meaningful partnerships between start-ups, researchers, and healthcare providers, which is essential for developing and validating our innovative preterm birth prevention technology.”A hub for women’s health innovation The Women Health & Tech Forum 2025 has effectively demonstrated Hong Kong’s commitment to advancing women’s health through technology. By fostering collaboration between the Government, academia, and the private sector, and by leveraging the city’s strengths in life and health science, Hong Kong is establishing itself as a leading hub for women’s health innovation. This commitment to combining technological and institutional innovation aligns with the Government’s broader vision of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, creating impact both locally and across the region.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Renowned Japanese technology service provider Ricoh establishes international InnoAI Center in Hong Kong (with photo) ******************************************************************************************
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that a renowned Japanese technology service provider with a presence in Hong Kong for over 60 years, Ricoh Hong Kong, organised a launching ceremony of its new Ricoh InnoAI Center as well as the Ricoh InnoAI Program in Cyberport today (March 4). These initiatives aim to provide technical support to local companies as well as empower start-ups by providing them with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) resources and support, enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion for InvestHK Mr Charles Ng, said at the launch ceremony, “We congratulate Ricoh on this significant milestone. The establishment of the Ricoh InnoAI Center is a testament to Hong Kong’s thriving start-up ecosystem and its confidence in the city’s status as an international I&T hub. We are excited to support initiatives that enhance Hong Kong’s reputation as a leader in technology and innovation.” The Managing Director of Ricoh Hong Kong Limited, Mr Ricky Chong, said, “Hong Kong is a multicultural and vibrant city with a mature business environment and a deep talent pool. Aligning with the objectives outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which supports Hong Kong’s development as an international centre in eight key areas, including as an international I&T centre, Hong Kong plays a vital role in helping enterprises ‘come in’ and ‘go global’. These present favourable conditions for Ricoh Asia Pacific to choose Hong Kong as its operational base, attracting talent from the Greater Bay Area and around the world.” He added, “With the rapid development of AI technology, businesses really need more innovative and forward-looking solutions to adapt to the ever-changing market demands and consumer behaviors. Therefore, we launched our Ricoh InnoAI Program with HK$50 million as the estimated capital in the first year for office set up, staff recruitment, and infrastructure configuration. The Program aims to provide comprehensive support to local start-ups, helping them stand out in a highly competitive business environment.” As a global leader in technology, Ricoh is committed to enhancing companies’ business efficiency and operational effectiveness through digital transformation. The new Ricoh InnoAI Program will bring new business opportunities to Ricoh Asia Pacific, enhance its product diversification, and serve as a hub for collaboration, offering start-ups access to advanced AI tools, expert guidance, and a vibrant workspace designed to nurture creativity and innovation. For more information about Ricoh Hong Kong, please visit www.ricoh.com.hk. To obtain a copy of the photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720324130898.
As announced by President of the Commission in the Political Guidelines in July 2024[1], as part of a wider comprehensive EU-Middle East strategy, the Commission committed to work on a multi-year support package for an effective Palestinian Authority (PA), on the basis of agreed reforms, and to help pave the way for a two-state solution, as the best way to ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians, strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders.
The PA is facing a critical budgetary crisis, which risks destabilising the West Bank and the broader region. In this context, the Commission proposed a two-step approach composed of the emergency short-term financial assistance (EUR 400 million) to cover urgent financial needs, thereby paving the way for a longer-term Comprehensive Programme for Palestinian Recovery and Resilience.
The letter of intent[2] signed between the Commission and the PA on 17 July 2024 outlines a strategy to address the PA’s financial challenges and includes all agreed milestones related to the disbursement of the emergency support. The third and final tranche of emergency support was disbursed on 18 November 2024.
In parallel, work continued on the second element of the two-step approach, with significant progress made, including the agreement on 31 October 2024 on the Palestinian Reform Matrix, which will underpin the multi-year comprehensive programme.
The Reform Matrix, which is based on the PA’s own reform agenda, was developed in close cooperation between the PA and the Commission and was discussed with Member States.
The aim of the comprehensive programme would be to stabilise the PA’s fiscal situation and strengthen governance, fiscal policy, the business environment, and service provision over the medium to long term, in line with the EU’s wider EU-Middle East Strategy.
Question for written answer E-000794/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Denis Nesci (ECR), Giovanni Crosetto (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR)
The recent liquidation of FWU Life Insurance Lux S.A., an insurance company based in Luxembourg, affected a large number of Italian savers, who signed life insurance policies through financial intermediaries operating in Italy. An explanatory note from the national supervisory authority, the CAA, clarifies that policyholders (or, possibly, their beneficiaries) will not lose all of their savings as a result of this liquidation. The situation has nevertheless led to concerns regarding consumer protection and supervision of insurance companies operating on a transnational basis in the EU, as well as uncertainty surrounding possible winding-up proceedings that could help consumers when exercising their rights.
In view of the above:
1.What measures will the Commission take to better protect EU consumers affected by the liquidation of insurance companies established in other Member States?
2.Does it plan to review the rules on the supervision of insurance companies operating in more than one Member State in order to ensure more effective and coordinated supervision?
3.How will it increase transparency and inform consumers about the risks involved when taking out insurance policies with companies established in other Member States?
Question for written answer E-000812/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Marco Falcone (PPE), Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)
In a letter to Vice-President Ribera, Commission President von der Leyen called for a new approach to competition policy to enable European businesses and consumers to reap the full benefits of competition while protecting them from speculative price increases.
In recent years, Visa and Mastercard have consolidated their dominant position in the payment card market. The ECB has also stressed that card payments have acquired a market share of 64% in the eurozone and that 13 Member States have no local competitor to these companies. This has led to a significant increase in the commissions charged by international networks to payment providers (estimated to have increased by EUR 1.5 billion from 2016 to 2021).
These rising costs are making life difficult for European businesses and directly affecting consumers since part of the rise in fees is ultimately passed on to them in the prices of goods and services, thus reducing their disposable income. Consumers have sounded the alarm about the economic impact of these increases and are calling for urgent action.
In the light of this, can the Commission answer the following questions:
1.Does it intend to conduct an in-depth market survey to identify any unjustified increases in prices in Europe?
2.What specific measures will it take to respond to this pressing problem?
Question for written answer E-000570/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Isabel Benjumea Benjumea (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE)
The Spanish Government has allocated over EUR 117 million in Recovery and Resilience Facility funding to the Spanish broadcasting company Radio Televisión Española (RTVE). This would make RTVE, a public entity, one of the main beneficiaries of those EU recovery funds.
The various projects RTVE has financed using those EU funds have not had the impact expected – they have actually been very controversial owing to breaches of regulatory requirements, the return of some of the funding, and the state of RTVE’s finances.
In light of the above:
1.Does the Commission know the total amount of EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funding that has been allocated to RTVE, the names of the companies subcontracted to carry out the projects, and how much money each subcontractor received? Does the Commission know how much progress was ultimately made on the projects?
2.Has the Spanish Government provided the Commission with an assessment of the various RTVE projects funded via the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the viewing figures, the airtime and the targets achieved?
Question for written answer E-000840/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D)
The European Union is facing a crucial moment in its regulation of big technology companies. The owners of X and Meta are leading the main opposition to our digital legislation, attacking European sovereignty and threatening our democracies. Despite this, the European Commission’s response has been, on the one hand, to indicate that it will reassess its investigations into large platforms and, on the other hand, to withdraw legislative proposals to regulate them.
The withdrawal – under the pretext of stimulating investment – of its proposed Directive on Liability for AI, designed to make technology companies pay for any damage caused by AI tools or systems, sends out the dangerous message that European digital regulation is a bargaining chip in the new international arena.
In light of the above:
1.Is the Commission considering reassessing the investigations into large digital platforms and their compliance with the Digital Services Act?
2.Does the Commission plan to change its regulatory approach to the digital domain under the announced digital package, and if so, how?
3.How does the Commission plan to ensure compliance with and legal certainty of European digital laws with the new digital package?
Defendant alleged to have received and transmitted victim funds to fraudsters.
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has sentenced Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Milford Mill, Maryland, to 42 months in federal prison. Warrior served as an unlicensed money transmitter in connection with various romance, business email compromise, and investment schemes.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed, FBI Salt Lake City Field Office; and Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Ajay Lall, U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division.
According to the plea agreement, beginning in March 2018, and continuing through at least August 2021, Warrior received victims’ funds and transferred them to other scheme participants through federally insured financial institutions in exchange for a percentage. Warrior opened personal and business bank accounts and formed the limited liability company, The Golden Voice of Orientals, to conduct, control, manage, and direct his unlicensed money transmitting business.
Additionally, Warrior used WhatsApp to communicate bank account information to other scheme participants and his fee for receiving and transmitting funds from victims, which was usually 20 percent or more. After depositing the funds, Warrior retained a portion of the money as a fee and ensured others received a portion of the fraudulent funds. Warrior also transferred victims’ funds to scheme participants overseas.
In total, Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer more than $700,000 in proceeds from various schemes. Victims lost at least $467,912.
Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.gov. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evelyn Lombardo Cusson and Adeyemi Adenrele who prosecuted the federal case. The FBI’s Baltimore and Salt Lake City Field Offices, along with the St. George Resident Agency, investigated this case.
Question for written answer E-000736/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
In the light of the Commission’s decision to approve State aid for the construction of the Dukovany II nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic (SA.58207) and the related press release dated 30 April 2024[1], we would like to request clarification on the following points:
1.The press release states that ‘market prices provide incentives to reduce production and plan maintenance and refuelling when market prices are low’. Given that nuclear reactor fuel cycles are fixed and outages cannot be flexibly planned based on short-term market conditions, can the Commission explain on what analysis this claim is based?
2.According to the Bank of America report of May 2023 entitled ‘The nuclear necessity’, the real system costs of renewable energy, including grid adaptation and backup costs, are higher than those of nuclear energy. On what basis did the Commission conclude that limiting nuclear production in favour of renewables will lead to lower CO₂ emissions overall?
3.Who specifically on the Czech side approved the final terms of the agreement with the Commission, and was the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) obliged to accept the changes proposed by the Commission, or was there room for negotiation on alternative solutions?
Tampa, FL ― Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced today that the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) collected $47,486,214 related to local criminal and civil matters in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (FY 2024). Of this amount, $16,429,786 was collected in criminal cases and $31,056,428was collected in civil actions.
The MDFL’s Civil Division, led by Civil Chief Randy Harwell, recovered a total of $104,533,923 on behalf of federal agencies and programs in affirmative civil enforcement cases during the last fiscal year. This amount has two components. In addition to its recoveries in local civil cases noted above, the District’s Civil Division also joins forces with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and with the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section to address fraud schemes and illegal practices extending beyond district boundaries. The MDFL’s Civil Division recovered an additional $73,477,495 in FY24 in these jointly handled cases.
“These strong recovery figures show a continued commitment by our office in the critical areas of criminal and civil enforcement,” said Acting United States Attorney Sara Sweeney. “Safeguarding the interests of crime victims, the American taxpayers, and vital public programs will always be a part of our district’s core mission.”
U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigation divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division, led by Chief Laura Taylor, recovered a total of $16,456,189. This amount has two components―criminal monetary penalties and forfeiture. First, in addition to the $16,429,786 in criminal monetary penalties collected in cases prosecuted by the District, the Asset Recovery Division worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $26,403 in criminal monetary penalties pursued jointly by these offices.
Additionally, the District’s Asset Recovery Division, working with partner agencies, forfeited$35,981,653from criminal and civil asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. For instance, in FY 2024, $10,604,039 million forfeited in the MDFL was returned to victims of the criminal offenses, and more than $4 million was shared with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
Significant Affirmative Civil Enforcement Cases
United States ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Case no. 8:20-cv-858 (M.D. Fla.). This qui tam case alleged that between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. Through this practice, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries. Collaborating with the Dept. of Justice Civil Frauds Section and the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Mexico and Eastern District of Texas, we resolved all of the allegations in the qui tam case for $106.8 million.
United States v. Lubin, Case no. 8:21-cv-2231 (M.D. Fla.). This False Claims Act complaint was filed against Dr. Edward Lubin, who was an outlier prescriber of a powerful opioid medication called Subsys which is prescribed primarily for treatment of various oncology conditions. We alleged that Dr. Edward Lubin received kickbacks from the manufacturer of Subsys, Insys, Inc., through a bogus speaker program sponsored by Insys that paid Lubin hundreds of thousands of dollars to incentivize him to prescribe the potent medication. In October 2023, we settled with Dr. Lubin for $1.5 million.
U.S. ex rel. Loscalzo v. Bluestone Physician Services, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-295 (M.D. Fla.). This qui tam case alleged that Bluestone, a geriatric health care provider for residents of assisted living facilities in Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin, submitted false claims to the government by billing monthly medical visits that are either unnecessary or upcoded. In collaboration with the Department of Justice Civil Frauds section and the United States Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we corroborated the allegations and on June 5, 2024, resolved the claims in the qui tam complaint for $14.9 million, on an ability to pay basis.
Dan Hurt. Daniel Hurt owned and operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, that we alleged submitted false claims to Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and that were procured through illegal kickbacks. From January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt allegedly conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests, and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to Medicare. Mr. Hurt pled guilty to criminal healthcare fraud offenses and agreed on an ability to pay basis to settle the civil fraud claims for approximately $27 million.
United States v. Robert J. Remington, et al., Case no. 8:24-cv-511 (M.D. Fla.). This False Claims Act case was initiated by a referral from the Veterans Administration Inspector General concerning Jacksonville and Orlando franchises of New Horizons Computer Learning Center. These schools provide federally subsidized educational programs for veterans. The complaint alleged that both franchises violated subsidy program requirements concerning the percentage of student population that were entitled to receive the subsidies. We filed a complaint against the two schools in February 2024, and on July 10, 2024 reached an agreement that resolved all claims in return for $1,350,000.
United States ex rel. GNGH2, Inc. v. Miles Partnership, LLC, Case No. 8:23-cv-649 (M.D. Fla.). In this qui tam, the relator alleged that Miles Partnership, LLC (“Miles Partnership”) obtained a $2 million second draw Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan by failing to disclose that it was required to register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (“FARA”), 22 U.S.C. § 611 et seq . Any entity required to register under FARA was ineligible for a second draw PPP loan. Based on various contracts it had with foreign tourism boards, including the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the relator alleged that Miles Partnership was required to register under FARA. On Sept. 17, 2024, we settled these claims for $2,281,950.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center. A leading Tampa, Florida cancer research center disclosed issues to the Health and Human Services Inspector General concerning its bills to Medicare associated with clinical oncology trials. Specifically, Moffitt disclosed that it had billed federal healthcare programs for items and services provided as part of clinical trial research that should have been billed to non-government trial sponsors. The research center cooperated extensively with the United States Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice Civil Frauds section, and HHS OIG, ultimately agreeing in January 2024, to pay $19,564,743 to resolve all of the billing issues that it had disclosed.
Baptist Health System A Jacksonville, Florida area hospital network voluntarily disclosed conduct to the Health and Human Services Inspector General that may have violated the federal Anti-Kickback statute. Specifically, Baptist Health disclosed that it had offered discounts to patients as an inducement to purchase or refer Baptist Health services that are reimbursed by federal health programs. Baptist Health cooperated with the government’s investigation into these issues and agreed to resolve them in exchange for $1.5 million.
The IAEA’s International Nuclear Information System, a multi-million strong digital library, has been further strengthened with the addition of a modern repository platform – that offers full text search for the first time.
Founded in 1970, the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) Repository hosts a massive library of nearly five million reports, books, scientific articles, conference papers and other knowledge products covering topics in nuclear science, reactor technology, materials science, medical applications, decommissioning, and all other areas the IAEA is involved in.
Using Invenio, an open-source platform developed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and tailoring it to its own needs the Agency was to make advancements in automation and accessibility as well as a major increase in capacity for handling new knowledge product entries in INIS. The new functionalities built with the platform allow INIS to connect with other repositories, facilitating the sharing of content and expanding the utility of all participating databases. INIS will be the first large repository to implement full-text search with Invenio – searching both the metadata and the text of a PDF.
“In today’s knowledge-based economy, information is considered one of the most valuable resources. It is critical for research, innovation, decision making, efficiency and productivity, knowledge sharing and continuous learning,” said Dibuleng Mohlakwana, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Information Section. “This new platform will help INIS expand its role as a global player in open science improving its capabilities as an information hub that facilitates the pursuit of nuclear science for peaceful purposes.”
INIS relies on contributions from more than 130 countries and 11 international organizations, with well over 100 000 new knowledge products being added each year. INIS staff supplement national contributions by harvesting information from some of the largest publishers, including Elsevier, Nature-Springer and the Institute of Physics.
The landscape of scientific publishing has changed greatly in the years since INIS was founded, with an increasing emphasis on open access. Publishers are providing more information and making it freely available, while repositories such as arXiv, the Directory of Open Access Journals, PubMed, etc. have made scientific knowledge more accessible than ever before.
“One of the great things about this platform is that whatever we develop here can be shared with all the other organizations. So not only are we sharing scientific information with the world, but we’re also sharing what we develop with Invenio,” said Astrit Ademaj, Nuclear Systems Support Analyst and Project Manager for the implementation of Invenio. INIS is the first large repository to implement full-text search – searching both the metadata and the text of a PDF.
Knowledge products entered into Invenio will be automatically categorized and tagged with descriptors. This had previously been done manually in what had been a highly time-consuming endeavour. This work will now primarily be handled by NADIA (Nuclear Artificial intelligence for Document Indexing and Analysis), an AI tool developed by the IAEA. Previously, contributors sent their entries using a unique language and format. Now a user-friendly form is provided, so specialized knowledge and training are no longer necessary.
“Many of the items available on INIS are quite fascinating,” said Brian Bales, INIS Coordinator. “One of the most popular recent additions is the Prospective Study Bluebook on Nuclear Energy to Support Low Carbon – a cooperative effort between nuclear companies in China and France to address the challenges of climate change. Over the last 5 years, we’ve added over 600 000 such knowledge products.”
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the union for voice actors and creatives, recently circulated a video of voice actor Thomas G. Burt describing the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on his livelihood.
Voice actors have been hit hard by GenAI, particularly those working in the video game sector. Many are contract workers without ongoing employment, and for some game companies already feeling the squeeze, supplementing voice-acting work with GenAI is just too tempting.
Audio work – whether music, sound design or voice acting – already lacks strong protections. Recent research from my colleagues and I on the use of GenAI and automation in producing music for Australian video games reveals a messy picture.
Facing the crunch
A need for greater productivity, increased turnarounds, and budget restraints in the Australian games sector is incentivising the accelerated uptake of automation.
The games sector is already susceptible to “crunch”, or unpaid overtime, to reach a deadline. This crunch demands faster workflows, increasing automation and the adoption of GenAI throughout the sector.
The Australian games industry is also experiencing a period of significant contraction, with many workers facing layoffs. This has constrained resources and increased the prevalence of crunch, which may increase reliance on automation at the expense of re-skilling the workforce.
One participant told us:
the fear that I have going forward for a lot of creative forms is I feel like this is going to be the fast fashion of art and of text.
Mixed emotions and fair compensation
Workers in the Australian games industry have mixed feelings about the impact of GenAI, ranging from hopeful to scared.
Audio workers are generally more pessimistic than non-audio games professionals. Many see GenAI as extractive and potentially exploitative. When asked how they see the future of the sector, one participant responded:
I would say negative, and the general feeling being probably fear and anxiety, specifically around job security.
Others noted it will increase productivity and efficiency:
[when] synthesisers started being made, people were like, ‘oh, it’s going to replace musicians. It’s going to take jobs away’. And maybe it did, but like, it also opened up this whole other world of possibilities for people to be creative.
Regardless, most participants expressed concerns about whether a GenAI model was ethically trained and whether licensing can be properly remunerated, concerns echoed by the union.
Those we spoke with believed the authors of any material used to train AI data-sets should be fairly compensated and/or credited.
An “opt-in” licensing model has been proposed by unions as a compromise. This states a creators’ data should only be used for training GenAI under an opt-in basis, and the use of content to train generative AI models should be subject to consent and compensation.
Taboos, confusion and loss of community
Some audio professionals interested in working with GenAI do not feel like they can speak openly about the subject, as it is seen as taboo:
There’s like this feeling of dread and despair, just completely swirling around our entire creative field of people. And it doesn’t need to be like that. We just need to have the right discussions, and we can’t have the right discussions if everyone’s hair is on fire.
Several participants expressed concerns the prevalence of GenAI may reduce collaboration across the sector. They feared this could result in an erosion of professional community, as well as potential loss of institutional knowledge and specific creative skills:
I really like working with people […] And handing that over to a machine, like, I can’t be friends with the machine […] I want to work with someone who’s going to come in and completely shake up the way, you know, our project works.
The Australian games sector is reliant on a highly networked but often precarious set of workers, who move between projects based on need and demand for certain skills.
The ability to replace such skills with automation may lead to siloing and a deterioration of greater professional collaboration.
But there are benefits to be had
Many workers in the games audio sector see automation as helpful in terms
of administration, ideation, workshopping, programming and as an educational tool:
In terms of automation, I see it as, like, utilities. For example, being a developer, I write scripts. So, if I’m doing something and it’s gonna take me a long time, I’ll automate it by writing a script.
Over half of participants said AI and automation allows more time for creativity, as workers can automate the more tedious elements of their workflow:
I suffer like anyone else from writer’s block […] If you can give me a piece of software that is trained off me, that I could say, ‘I need something that’s in my house style, make me something’, and a piece of software could spit back at me a piece of music that sounds like me that I could go, ‘oh, that’s exactly it’, I would do it. That would save me an incalculable amount of time.
Many professionals who would prefer not to use AI said they would consider using it in the face of time or budget constraints. Others stated GenAI allows teams and individuals to deliver more work than they would without it:
Especially with deadlines always being as short as they are, I think a lot of automation can help to focus on the more creative and decision-based aspects.
Many workers within the digital audio space are already working hard to create ethical alternatives to AI theft.
Although GenAI may be here to stay, a balance between the efficiencies provided should not come at the cost of creative professions.
Sam Whiting receives funding from RMIT University and the Winston Churchill Trust. Dr Whiting received funding from APRA/AMCOS and Creative Australia for the project discussed in this piece.
Trump’s actions align with a worldview that emphasises material advantage over values and ideas – the interests of great and regional powers are considered to be the only ones that matter.
The heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28 underscored the crumbling architecture and protocols of the international rules-based order in place since the second world war.
It appears the Trump administration may expect unilateral concessions from Ukraine to Russia for peace. This would likely include ceding significant territory to Russia.
Ukraine borders four EU and NATO-member countries: Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. This poses a serious security risk.
Europe’s foremost security challenge is to deter Russia from further offensive action on the continent.
European countries have a direct interest in stopping the war, because a continuing conflict presents a costly threat, draining resources in military and humanitarian aid.
European countries want to see an end to the war that leaves Ukraine a safe and sovereign nation state. For European countries, it is crucial that any political settlement effectively deters Russia from further incursions into Ukrainian or Eastern European territory.
Without deterrence measures in place, there is no guaranteed prevention of wider state-to-state conflict on the European continent in future.
On the one hand, Europe needs the US military and economic might. On the other hand, Europe has pressing security concerns that drive a divergence from the US in its position on Ukraine.
How far will Trump go with Russia?
A key question on European leaders’ minds is: will the NATO alliance hold if there is an incursion into NATO-member territory?
If the borders of Poland or a Baltic state are violated, NATO’s article 5 will be triggered. This article requires the collective defense by all NATO allies of any ally under attack.
This could mean the US is obliged to join a direct confrontation with Russia.
Would Trump actually commit US military support to a fight with Russia? Or would the US abandon their NATO treaty obligations?
In terms of defence, strategic autonomy means Europe taking more responsibility for its own security. Former European Defence Agency chief Jorge Domecq notes this includes having the ability to “develop, operate, modify and maintain the full spectrum of defence capabilities”.
Effective deterrence of further Russian aggression on the continent requires providing substantive security guarantees to Ukraine. This may include a multilateral security structure for European countries (without the US) that could guarantee Ukraine’s security.
The idea of a European Army has also reemerged. This would go beyond defence cooperation to full military and strategic integration. Such an entity could underpin a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
At a summit in London on March 2, EU countries and the UK proposed a one-month truce that could be followed by European troops on the ground in Ukraine to maintain the peace.
What does Ukraine want from Europe?
A Gallup survey in late 2024 suggests the percentage of Ukrainians who want a negotiated end to the war has increased from about 20% in early 2022 to more than 50% in late 2024.
Over the same period, those who favour fighting for a military solution has declined from more than 70% to just under 40%.
The same survey revealed most Ukrainians prefer a key role for the EU in negotiations (70%) and the UK (63%), with less than half preferring a significant role from Trump.
Interestingly, more than 40% supported a central role for Turkey in negotiations.
China: a country to watch
China’s approach to Russia and the war could have an impact on Europe’s security and political stability.
China is mostly concerned with domestic economic growth and regime stability, and it has not directly involved itself in the war in Ukraine.
However, China is a close friend of Russia and a security ally of North Korea, which is currently fighting in the Kursk province of Russia against Ukrainian forces.
In 2023, China put forward its own “peace plan” proposal for Ukraine.
A rapprochement between the US and Russia may be viewed unfavourably by China which could see this as a threat to its own regional geopolitical influence.
China maintains significant influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin due to economic and security ties.
If China senses a fundamental shift in the international order, it may become more assertive in attempting to influence Russia and the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.
Jessica Genauer 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.
Caspar David Friedrich / The Conversation, CC BY-SA
In 218 BC, the Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed the Alps against the advice of his men, who claimed it was impossible. “Aut inveniam viam, aut faciam,” Hannibal is said to have replied: “I shall either find a way, or make one.”
Though apocryphal, Hannibal’s bold statement captures a trait much sought in the tech industry today: “high agency”. This means being able to positively influence yourself or the world around you.
Psychologists use a range of other terms to refer to this kind of trait — including perceived control, mastery, and efficacy. All of them boil down to being able to achieve the things you want, when you want.
Recognising agency
In the business world, the term high agency is used in much the same way as “disruptor”, “game-changer” and “self-starter” were before it. As you might expect from those comparisons, high agency is a catch-all phrase for people who see and take opportunities where others see roadblocks.
More than this, high agency describes a person who creates their own opportunities where there appear to be none.
High agency is beneficial in more than the professional sphere, however.
Research shows that feeling able to achieve important goals is a building block for motivation in most domains of life, including education, health and political action. This is because people who feel “in control” set higher goals, are more committed those goals, and exert greater effort to achieve those goals than people who feel “out of control”.
Agency differs by demographic, including factors such as age. Some research suggests people feel more in control of their life circumstances and outcomes in middle age than in old age.
Socioeconomic factors such as education, income and work history also play a role. Put simply, people who are “better off” feel more agentic.
Mental health seems to be both an outcome and a predictor of high agency. People who are less depressed feel more in control of their lives, and those who feel more in control are less depressed.
Rethinking agency
The concept of “high agency” is an amalgamation of, or an umbrella term for, a range of traits that psychologists have studied for decades. Related concepts include the prized “growth mindset” (the belief that one’s talents are developable rather than innate), “proactivity” (acting in advance of, rather than reacting to, situations), and the somewhat controversial “grit” (perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals). Note, however, that some argue grit is just a rebranded version of the personality trait “conscientiousness”.
High agency, as the tech world sees it, appears to borrow from all these concepts, wrapped up in one convenient package. Agentic people are those who see possibility where others see barriers, take action rather than wait to be told what to do, and aren’t afraid to go after what they want.
These traits are also stereotypically associated with particular people in society: members of advantaged majority groups, such as men, those with high socioeconomic status, and white people.
In many ways, high-agency behaviour is an act of privilege. It involves trusting that others will react well to your efforts to try a new approach or disrupt the status quo.
The reality is that the way other people respond will depend at least in part on factors outside our control. This may be particularly true for less privileged people, who tend to see less opportunity to exert choice and influence the world due to the very real structural barriers they face. This means acting “high agency” may be a risk for some people: actions that see one person praised as a “game changer” could easily see another labelled a “troublemaker”.
Taken to an extreme, high agency could read as “alpha” – the kind of person who takes charge and is a natural leader. Alpha is a gendered term, most commonly applied with a suffix such as male, bro or dude.
The already male-dominated tech industry should be wary of baking gendered traits into personnel selection procedures. If high agency is understood to mean a certain type of person rather than just a type of personality, it could be a problem for equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Realising agency
Given the rising value of high agency in professional settings – not to mention its personal emotional and motivational benefits – you might wonder how people can become more agentic.
Many proponents of high agency emphasise its value for looking at the world in a different way. So too it might be valuable to look at high agency in a different way: not what makes an individual agentic, but what are the conditions that allow agency to thrive.
Research shows that certain types of environments set people up for success. Environments that allow people to thrive are those that meet three basic psychological needs.
The first is the need for autonomy: the ability to freely choose what we do and when we do it. The second is the need for competence: the feeling of being capable of performing desired actions. Finally, there is the need for relatedness: the feeling of being connected to others.
While high agency may seem like an innate personality trait, emerging research suggests the people around us may be a powerful source of personal agency. People who are better able to influence their own outcomes are often those who can turn to, or recruit, others to help them achieve those outcomes.
Paradoxically, this means that “high agency” might not (just) be a quality of you personally, but a quality of the people around you.
Katharine H. Greenaway 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.
Today, the North Dakota Department of Commerce is launching the Relocation Opportunity for Outstanding Talent Grant Program (ROOT) to help businesses attract and retain skilled workers by offering relocation incentives.
“North Dakota employers are facing critical workforce shortages, and the ROOT program is designed to bridge that gap,” Commerce Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe said. “By supporting relocation efforts, we’re ensuring businesses can grow while strengthening our communities.”
Through the program, employers must provide a one-to-one match in relocation incentives, such as hiring bonuses, licensing fees, or moving expenses. Funding is available until all allocated funds are distributed, and funds will be disbursed after the employee has relocated and completed their first pay period. Businesses must retain employees for at least one year, and if an employee leaves voluntarily before that period, the employer may be responsible for a prorated reimbursement.
Applications will be reviewed in the order received, with priority given to businesses demonstrating critical vacancies, relocation feasibility, and the ability to provide matching funds.
Employers can apply at https://ndgov.link/ROOTgrant.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that Aux Cayes Fintech Co. Ltd, d/b/a “OKEx,” d/b/a “OKX” (“OKX”), a Seychelles-based entity, that since at least 2017 has operated OKX, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, pled guilty today to one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. In connection with today’s guilty plea and sentencing, OKX agreed to pay monetary penalties totaling more than $504 million. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who presided over today’s guilty plea and sentencing.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “For over seven years, OKX knowingly violated anti-money laundering laws and avoided implementing required policies to prevent criminals from abusing our financial system. As a result, OKX was used to facilitate over five billion dollars’ worth of suspicious transactions and criminal proceeds. Today’s guilty plea and penalties emphasize that there will be consequences for financial institutions that avail themselves of U.S. markets but violate the law by allowing criminal activity to continue.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “For years, OKX flagrantly violated U.S. law, actively seeking customers in the United States—including here in New York—and even going so far as to advise individuals to provide false information to circumvent requisite procedures. Furthermore, in their failure to adhere to U.S. law, significant illicit transactions which furthered other criminal activity went undetected on their platform. Blatant disregard for the rule of law will not be tolerated, and the FBI is committed to working with our partners across government to ensure that corporations that engage in this type of conduct are held accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents and admissions:
OKX is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms, with billions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency transactions occurring daily on its platform. OKX allows registered users to place orders for spot trades in over three hundred cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. OKX users can also place orders for derivative products, including futures contracts, tied to the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Financial institutions that operate wholly or in substantial part in the United States must register with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) as a money services business (“MSB”) and comply with federal anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act. These laws require the filing of suspicious activity reports and the maintenance of an adequate AML program, including an effective know-your-customer (“KYC”) program. AML programs are critical to ensure that entry-points into the U.S. financial system do not become tools criminals can use to profit from illicit activity.
Since 2017, OKX has had an official policy preventing U.S. persons from transacting on its exchange. But contrary to this official policy, OKX sought out customers in the United States, including in the Southern District of New York.
From in or about 2018 through in or about at least early 2024, OKX served U.S. retail and institutional customers that engaged in over one trillion dollars’ worth of transactions through OKX. Transactions from those U.S. customers generated hundreds of millions of dollars in trading fees and profits for OKX.
Because OKX served U.S. retail and institutional customers, OKX knew it was required by U.S. law to register as a money services business with FinCEN, but OKX chose not to do so.[1] In fact, despite OKX’s official policy prohibiting U.S. persons from transacting on the exchange, OKX was fully aware that individuals in the United States could, and did, easily create and use OKX trading accounts. From OKX’s founding in approximately 2017 through approximately November 2022, OKX allowed retail customers the option to create an account, receive and transfer funds, and place trades without completing a KYC process. This meant that OKX, a large financial institution, facilitated transactions on behalf of customers that it could not identify. Further, while OKX implemented a policy blocking customers with U.S.-located IP addresses from trading or depositing assets onto OKX (the “IP Ban”), OKX knew that the IP Ban could be circumvented through cheap, widely available VPN technology. Also, through at least early 2023, OKX allowed existing accounts to continue to receive and transfer funds, and place trades, all without completing a KYC process. And until approximately early 2024, OKX also allowed customers to place trades on the exchange through third-party entities known as “non-disclosure brokers” without the third-party entity disclosing any identifying information to OKX about the customers on whose behalf the trades were placed.
Even after OKX began requiring all customers to provide some KYC information to trade, OKX employees on certain occasions advised customers how to provide false information to circumvent the company’s KYC process and official policy prohibiting U.S. customers. For example, in April 2023, an OKX employee encouraged a potential U.S. customer to open an account by providing false information about the customer’s nationality during the KYC processing, writing “I know you’re in the US, but you could just put a random country and it should go through. You just need to put Name, nationality, and ID number. You could just put United Arab Emirates and random numbers for the ID number.” At that time, OKX did not verify the information that customers provided to open an account to trade. In January 2024, the same employee wrote to another potential U.S. customer and asked if the individual had “any workaround on KYC outside of the US to make it potentially work.”
During the relevant period, OKX advertised in the United States, sponsoring the Tribeca Film Festival, for example, and used affiliate marketers based in the United States to promote the exchange. OKX also allowed existing customers to promote the exchange, and provided such customers benefits for recruiting additional users. At least one such OKX customer produced a publicly-available, step-by-step instructional video educating U.S. customers about how to register with OKX using a VPN to conceal their U.S. presence.
OKX also focused its efforts on attracting and retaining certain U.S. institutional customers, including large institutions who could provide liquidity and help OKX become one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by making a broad range of cryptocurrencies available at competitive rates. OKX’s U.S. institutional customers were some of OKX’s largest customers, with one such firm alone generating more than a trillion dollars in spot and derivatives transactions on OKX during the relevant period. They provided significant liquidity, volume and trading fees for the platform, despite OKX’s knowing failure to register as an MSB and OKX’s “official” policy banning U.S. customers.
Until approximately May 2023, OKX did not adequately or consistently use commercially available software to monitor and detect suspicious activity, including money laundering, and OKX did not have adequate controls to determine whether either party to transactions on the exchange was potentially subject to sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department. As a result, through at least early 2024, OKX was used by numerous customers as a vehicle for laundering the proceeds of suspicious and criminal activities, including more than five billion dollars of suspicious transactions and illicit proceeds, based on a review of third-party transaction data.
In early 2024, OKX retained an external compliance consultant (the “Consultant”) to advise OKX on policies and controls reasonably designed to prevent U.S. persons from engaging in transactions on OKX’s platform through accounts held at OKX. As part of the plea agreement, OKX is continuing to retain the Consultant, at its own cost, through February 2027, and has agreed to continue to cooperate with the United States Attorney’s Office.
* * *
In addition to the guilty plea, OKX, a Seychelles-based entity, also agreed to criminally forfeit $420.3 million and pay a criminal fine of approximately $84.4 million. OKX received credit for its cooperation with the investigation and timely engaging in remedial measures, resulting in a 25% reduction off the bottom of the otherwise applicable recommended fine range.
Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Field Office.
This matter is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Brumwell, Eli J. Mark, and Vladislav Vainberg are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] OKX has an affiliate U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange named OKCoin USA, Inc. (“OKCoin”) which, in contrast with OKX, has registered with FinCEN as a MSB. OKCoin serves customers globally, including in the United States, and offers retail and institutional customers the ability to spot trade, including purchasing cryptocurrency using U.S. dollars. The conduct described herein that gives rise to the charge in the Information, and to which OKX pled guilty, is solely that of the unregistered MSB, Aux Cayes Fintech Co. Ltd., d/b/a “OKEx,” d/b/a “OKX,” the defendant.
