EIT Emeritus Professor (One Welfare) Nat Waran has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to equine welfare, research and education, in the United Kingdom’s King’s Birthday Honours list.
The prestigious honour was announced on June 13 in the United Kingdom and recognises Professor Waran’s global contribution to equine welfare through education, research and advocacy.
EIT Emeritus Professor Nat Waran has been awarded an OBE in the UK King’s Birthday Honours for her services to equine welfare, research and education.
Professor Waran, who previously served as Executive Dean at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), said the award was an unexpected but deeply meaningful recognition.
“This reflects not only my work but, most importantly, the collaborative efforts of colleagues, students and organisations who have worked so hard to advance horse welfare and better understand their needs,” she said.
“EIT has played a significant part in this achievement by supporting my animal welfare work, both during my time as Executive Dean and now as an Emeritus Professor.”
Originally from the United Kingdom, Professor Waran began her academic career at the University of Edinburgh, where she launched the world’s first postgraduate programme in animal behaviour and welfare. Over the decades, her academic and advocacy work has taken her across continents, influencing education and practice in both developed and developing countries.
At EIT, she championed the One Welfare framework, which recognises the interconnected wellbeing of animals, people and the environment. She also led major research initiatives and supported global collaboration in animal welfare science.
Professor Waran remains based in Hawke’s Bay and is Director of the Good Life for Animals Centre at Companion Animals New Zealand. Her current work includes international research on equine emotion and welfare, the role of exercise in canine wellbeing and the impact of indoor living on cats.
“I’ve always been driven by a deep commitment to improving animal welfare. I don’t need an award to stay passionate about the work, but I do hope this recognition helps bring greater visibility to the importance of research, education and compassion in how we treat animals around the world.”
EIT Operations Lead Glen Harkness congratulated Professor Waran on her achievement.
“Nat has achieved remarkable success across multiple domains, but her transformative work in equine welfare stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to evidence-based practice,” he said.
“Her contributions at EIT and internationally have not only improved animal welfare standards but have fundamentally shaped how we educate, advocate and innovate in this space.”
Professor Waran is expected to travel to the UK later this year to receive the honour at an official investiture ceremony.
Pharmac’s Board has appointed a new Chief Executive to lead the organisation.
Canadian Natalie McMurtry will join Pharmac on Monday 15 September after an extensive recruitment search within New Zealand and overseas.
Board Chair Paula Bennett says Ms McMurtry brings significant front-line and health leadership experience to the Pharmac role.
“The level of interest in this role and the calibre of applicants was really high but in the end the Board was impressed by Natalie McMurtry’s depth of strategic and operational experience, intelligence, people focus and empathetic approach.
“This is exactly what Pharmac needs as a more transparent, inclusive and outward-focused organisation.”
Natalie McMurtry is currently the Chief Transition Officer responsible for launching a new Acute Care Agency in Alberta, Canada. Prior to that she was the Assistant Deputy Minister for Pharmaceutical and Supplementary Health Benefits with the Alberta Government. She began her career as a paediatric critical care pharmacist at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and has since held a variety of strategic and operational roles across the health system. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Dalhousie University and an MBA in Innovation Leadership.
She says she is looking forward to joining Pharmac.
“I am honoured and excited to be joining the Pharmac team at such a pivotal time. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that plays such a vital role in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.”
Ms McMurtry will replace Acting Chief Executive Brendan Boyle, who was appointed for a fixed term while recruitment was underway to fill the vacancy left by former Chief Executive Sarah Fitt. Paula Bennett thanked Brendan Boyle for his work in the interim.
“We have been very fortunate to have his extensive public sector experience available to lay strong foundations for the new Chief Executive.”
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, conducted a joint operation targeting an illegal animal fighting exhibition in Blount County, Alabama June 14. The multiagency team executed search warrants related to the prohibition of animal fighting ventures, presence of illegal aliens, and the prohibition of illegal gambling. The Homeland Security Task Force is comprised of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, IRS, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and supported by the United States Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Results of the operation include:
60 people arrested
55 illegal aliens
Five U.S. citizens
More than $100K in bulk currency seized
Two firearms recovered
Five pending federal indictments for the U.S. citizen criminal organization organizers
Four aliens charged for illegal reentry after deportation
“This illegal cockfighting operation wasn’t just about animal cruelty — it was tied to a broader network of serious crimes, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and violent offenses,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “These criminal enterprises endanger our communities, and HSI remains steadfast in its mission to disrupt and dismantle them. This operation underscores our commitment to public safety and the strength of our law enforcement partnerships.”
This case will be prosecuted in the Northern District of Alabama.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TWIN FALLS, ID – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached an agreement with a south-central Idaho grocery store requiring the employer to pay $250,833 in civil money penalties, $5,078 in back wages and damages, and take steps to ensure future compliance with federal child labor lawsafter investigators found child labor and wage violations at numerous locations.
The settlement follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division that determined Swensen’s Magic Markets LLC violated federal child labor laws by allowing six minor-aged workers to work in hazardous duties, such as cleaning meat slicers, meat tenderizers and grinders, loading trash compactors, and operating a rotisserie. Swensen’s Magic Markets also required youth to work outside of legally allowed hours and employed a 13-year-old child, which is under the legal age of employment in non-agricultural jobs.
“Early work experience should not come at the expense of a child’s well-being and educational opportunities,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Katherine Walum in Portland, Oregon. “Federal law protects young workers from the dangers involved in the operation and maintenance of commercial-grade equipment, and ensures they are not working late hours on school nights. Employers who are unclear about child labor laws should contact the U.S. Department of Labor to get their questions answered.”
In addition to the child labor violations, the division found that Swensen’s Magic Markets failed to combine all work hours from various locations, resulting in overtime violations for three workers who did not receive additional half-time pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The division recovered $2,539 in back wages and an equal amount in damages for those workers.
“Employers must abide by child labor laws and regulations,” added Walum. “Employers, parents, and school personnel should visit our YouthRules.gov website to learn how to protect young workers.”
Swensen’s Magic Markets LLC has about 80 workers across its locations in Hagerman, Paul, and Twin Falls.
The Department of Labor’s YouthRulessite is a free, online guide that offers information about protections for young workers to youth, parents, employers and educators. Through the YouthRules initiative, the department and its partners promote developmental work experiences that help prepare young workers to enter the workforce. The Wage and Hour Division has also published Seven Child Labor Best Practices for Employersto help employers comply with the law.
Learn more about the Wage and Hour Divisionand the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions. Employers and workers can call the division with questions and requests for compliance assistance through the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Download the agency’s free Timesheet App for iPhone and Android devices to track hours and pay.
ADVISORY – HARRISBURG – Shapiro Administration to Discuss Importance of SNAP in Feeding Pennsylvanians Amid Proposed Federal Funding Cuts
The Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Agriculture, alongside local charitable food partners, will discuss proposed federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the importance of this program in helping nearly two million Pennsylvanians buy groceries and feed their families.
SNAP is a 100% federally funded program that helps Pennsylvanians afford food, lowers health care costs in the Medicaid program, supports farmers and the agricultural economy, and offsets strain on the charitable food network. SNAP benefits bring in approximately $365 million each month to Pennsylvania’s economy, and any potential SNAP changes or cuts would lead to fewer resources for those who need the most help.
WHO: DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding Central PA Food Bank President Shila Ulrich Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft Senator Patty Kim
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM
WHERE: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank 3908 Corey Road Harrisburg, PA 17109
MEDIA RSVP: Press interested in attending must RSVP with the name of photographer/reporter to ra-pwdhspressoffice@pa.gov
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside attorneys general nationwide, submitted four joint comment letters opposing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s proposal to roll back regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These regulations are critical to protecting Californians from sex discrimination, disability discrimination, race and national-origin discrimination, and other forms of discrimination. In the comment letters, the coalition of attorneys general highlight how these unlawful rollbacks would strip away Americans’ rights to equal access, protection from discrimination, and federal accountability—undermining decades of civil rights progress.
“Let me be clear: these rollbacks don’t ‘Make America Great Again.’ These rollbacks are nothing less than an attack on the fundamental American promise of equal opportunity,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will not stand by while the federal government continues to chip away at Americans’ civil rights. That’s why I, alongside attorneys general nationwide, are submitting these comment letters to ensure equity, dignity, and justice for all.”
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 have long served as the bedrock of equity and access in education, healthcare, housing, and other federally funded programs. These laws ensure that all Americans have an equal opportunity to access and participate in federally funded programs and activities and that federal funds are not used to subsidize discrimination. The Trump administration’s decision to weaken the regulations strips away decades of protections and government accountability.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed sweeping rollbacks, where they improperly used a direct final rule, also known as the DFR process, which creates a shortened 30-day period for public comment, and puts the new rule into effect after 60 days unless “significant adverse comments” are received. These rollbacks would eliminate the Department’s regulatory standards that prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, and disability in federally funded programs and buildings-including repealing Section 504 requirement that new or altered DOE facilities constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient of DOE comply with federal accessibility standards. Additionally, the DOE has failed to – as required under the Administrative Procedure Act – provide sufficient evidence that this rulemaking is evidence-based and is not arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to constitutional rights.
In the comment letters, the coalition of attorneys general write that:
Without implementing regulations under Title VI and Title IX, the Department of Energy and recipients of federal funding would lose key tools for investigating and stopping race, national origin, and sex-based discrimination in federally funded programs and activities.
Repealing Section 504 regulations would eliminate federal requirements for accessible design in buildings constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a recipient of DOE, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities to access schools, labs, and energy facilities.
Rolling back these regulations violate the Administrative Procedure Act.
Copies of the letters can be found below:
Significant Adverse Comment and Request for Immediate Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule “Rescinding New Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities”
Significant Adverse Comment to Direct Final Rule Rescinding Regulation Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Comment on Direct Final Rule Regarding Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities
Significant Adverse Comment to Direct Final Rule Rescinding Regulation Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Sports Programs Arising Out of Federal Financial Assistance
Two California businessmen were sentenced in Los Angeles, California, today for conspiracy and failing to report information related to defective dehumidifiers linked to multiple residential fires.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer sentenced Simon Chu, 70, of Pomona, California, and Charley Loh, 67, of Arcadia, California, to serve 38 and 40 months in prison respectively, plus three years of supervised release, for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and in failing to furnish information as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). The Court also ordered Chu and Loh to pay fines of $5,000 and $12,000, respectively, as part of their sentences. Chu and Loh were convicted on November 16, 2023, following trial in Los Angeles.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Loh was part owner and chief executive officer of Gree USA Inc. (Gree USA), and another corporation in City of Industry, California, both of which imported and sold residential dehumidifiers that were made in China by Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai (Gree Zhuhai). Chu was part owner and chief administrative officer of the same two corporations.
The CPSA requires manufacturers, importers and distributors of consumer products to report “immediately” to the CPSC information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. This duty also applies to the individual directors, officers and agents of those companies. According to evidence presented in court, by September 2012, Chu, Loh and their companies had received multiple reports that their Chinese dehumidifiers were defective, dangerous and could catch fire. They also knew that they were required to report this product safety information to the CPSC immediately. Despite knowing about dehumidifier fires and tests showing defects in the dehumidifiers, Chu and Loh failed to disclose those defects and hazards for at least six months while they continued to sell their products.
“Federal law requires companies to report potentially dangerous products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to help protect consumers from harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and bring to justice companies and individuals who willfully evade these requirements and put the public in danger.”
The defective dehumidifiers sold by Chu and Loh’s two corporations were included in multiple recalls of a larger number of defective dehumidifiers manufactured by Gree Zhuhai. According to the recall notices, more than 450 reported fires and millions of dollars in property damage were linked to the recalled Gree dehumidifiers.
The most recent recall announcements for the Gree dehumidifiers can be found here: www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Gree-Reannounces-Dehumidifier-Recall-Following-450-Fires-and-19-Million-in-Property-Damage-0 and here:
The CPSC’s most recent warning about the recalled Gree dehumidifiers is here: www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/2023/CPSC-Warning-Stop-Using-Recalled-Gree-Dehumidifiers-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-4-Deaths-May-be-Tied-to-Recalled-Units.
“Corporate executives who choose to ignore the law will be held accountable – especially when death and serious injuries result,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “By putting profits over the safety of others, these defendants created serious risks to consumers, and we will continue to prosecute those who endanger the public.”
“These Chinese-made products were hazardous, and the defendants knew it,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “Today’s sentences are a clear message that the CPSC will take a hard line against executives who break American laws and endanger families. I commend the CPSC and Justice Department teams for their work to secure this outcome.”
Gree USA was sentenced in April 2023 to pay a $500,000 criminal fine after pleading guilty to failing to notify the CPSC about the problems with the dehumidifiers. The fine, along with provisions to pay restitution to victims, was part of a $91 million criminal resolution with Gree USA, Gree Zhuhai and another related Gree company, Hong Kong Gree Electric Appliances Sales Co. Ltd. This resolution is the first corporate criminal enforcement action ever brought under the CPSA.
Homeland Security Investigations of the Department of Homeland Security investigated the case.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Natalie Sanders, Speare Hodges, and Stephen Gripkey of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell of the Central District of California, with the assistance of Patricia Vieira of the CPSC’s Office of General Counsel.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-cdca.
Two California businessmen were sentenced in Los Angeles, California, today for conspiracy and failing to report information related to defective dehumidifiers linked to multiple residential fires.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer sentenced Simon Chu, 70, of Pomona, California, and Charley Loh, 67, of Arcadia, California, to serve 38 and 40 months in prison respectively, plus three years of supervised release, for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and in failing to furnish information as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). The Court also ordered Chu and Loh to pay fines of $5,000 and $12,000, respectively, as part of their sentences. Chu and Loh were convicted on November 16, 2023, following trial in Los Angeles.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Loh was part owner and chief executive officer of Gree USA Inc. (Gree USA), and another corporation in City of Industry, California, both of which imported and sold residential dehumidifiers that were made in China by Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai (Gree Zhuhai). Chu was part owner and chief administrative officer of the same two corporations.
The CPSA requires manufacturers, importers and distributors of consumer products to report “immediately” to the CPSC information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. This duty also applies to the individual directors, officers and agents of those companies. According to evidence presented in court, by September 2012, Chu, Loh and their companies had received multiple reports that their Chinese dehumidifiers were defective, dangerous and could catch fire. They also knew that they were required to report this product safety information to the CPSC immediately. Despite knowing about dehumidifier fires and tests showing defects in the dehumidifiers, Chu and Loh failed to disclose those defects and hazards for at least six months while they continued to sell their products.
“Federal law requires companies to report potentially dangerous products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to help protect consumers from harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and bring to justice companies and individuals who willfully evade these requirements and put the public in danger.”
The defective dehumidifiers sold by Chu and Loh’s two corporations were included in multiple recalls of a larger number of defective dehumidifiers manufactured by Gree Zhuhai. According to the recall notices, more than 450 reported fires and millions of dollars in property damage were linked to the recalled Gree dehumidifiers.
“Corporate executives who choose to ignore the law will be held accountable – especially when death and serious injuries result,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “By putting profits over the safety of others, these defendants created serious risks to consumers, and we will continue to prosecute those who endanger the public.”
“These Chinese-made products were hazardous, and the defendants knew it,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “Today’s sentences are a clear message that the CPSC will take a hard line against executives who break American laws and endanger families. I commend the CPSC and Justice Department teams for their work to secure this outcome.”
Gree USA was sentenced in April 2023 to pay a $500,000 criminal fine after pleading guilty to failing to notify the CPSC about the problems with the dehumidifiers. The fine, along with provisions to pay restitution to victims, was part of a $91 million criminal resolution with Gree USA, Gree Zhuhai and another related Gree company, Hong Kong Gree Electric Appliances Sales Co. Ltd. This resolution is the first corporate criminal enforcement action ever brought under the CPSA.
Homeland Security Investigations of the Department of Homeland Security investigated the case.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Natalie Sanders, Speare Hodges, and Stephen Gripkey of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell of the Central District of California, with the assistance of Patricia Vieira of the CPSC’s Office of General Counsel.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-cdca.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) posed questions to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John Daniel Caine, the highest-ranking civilian and U.S. military leaders, respectively. The hearing aimed to hear from the witnesses about the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense budget proposal, which has not yet been fully released.
Congressman Davis focused his questions on how the U.S. Department of Defense can ensure Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is positioned to maintain and expand both its training and combat missions as a leader in overseas deployment.
[Congressman Davis along with other members of the House Armed Services Committee poses questions to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.]
“Seymour Johnson Air Force Base must remain an essential pillar of eastern North Carolina and our national defense for generations to come,” said Congressman Davis.“The airmen and military families who make the base what it is today have been there for deployments more than 50 percent of the time, during war and peace. Because of our history, the base must be a top candidate for an expanded combat mission as we move forward with next-generation air defense.”
A transcript of Congressman Davis’s line of questioning and responses from Secretary Hegseth and Chairman Cane can be found here.
Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) voted for a third time to support a version of S. 331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which passed the House by a margin of 321-104.
The bill permanently classifies all fentanyl-related substances as the most dangerous type of drug, Schedule I, unless specifically listed otherwise. The bill also makes it easier for researchers to get permission to study these substances. A temporary law that did this expired on March 31.
“We must continue taking action to stop fentanyl and other illegal drugs from infiltrating our communities across eastern North Carolina and America,” said Congressman Don Davis.“By passing the HALT Fentanyl Act, we can combat drug trafficking while working to ensure that families, including children, no longer have to suffer from devastating poisonings and overdoses.”
Congressman Davis has made addressing the fentanyl crisis in eastern North Carolina a top priority. He has met continuously with local law enforcement officials to hear firsthand accounts of the drug’s toll on the region. He has spoken on the House floor about its impact on rural communities, advocating for families and individuals affected by fentanyl. The congressman has also visited the southern border and multiple detention centers to better understand how fentanyl is entering the country and dispersing throughout the state of North Carolina.
Congressman Davis has been a leader in the fight to combat the opioid and crisis, including:
SponsoredH.R. 1060, the Modern and Authentication of Pharmaceuticals (MAP) Act, to enhance federal data collection and response.
CosponsoredH.R. 2964, the Fight Fentanyl Act, to expand overdose prevention and community-based education.
Co-led H.R. 1294, the BEST Facilitations Act, to improve fentanyl detection and screening at ports of entry.
H.R. 1569, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, to support local anti-drug efforts through law enforcement partnerships.
Congressman Davis previously voted for previous versions of S. 331, including H.R. 467 in the 118th Congress and H.R. 27 in the 119th Congress, the latter of which passed the House on February 6, 2025, by a margin of 312-208.
Congressman Davis continues to advocate for funding involving addiction treatment, prevention programs, and rural health systems, emphasizing the urgent need to combat the fentanyl epidemic head-on in eastern North Carolina and throughout the United States.
Washington, DC – It was a day of creativity and celebration asCongressman Don Davis (NC-01)welcomed outstanding student artist Valerie Jacobson of Martin County to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, June 11, for the Congressional Art Competition’s National Reception.
[Congressman Don Davis & Congressional Art Winner Valerie Jacobson]
“I feel really excited about being in D.C.,” said Valerie Jacobson,first-place winner of North Carolina’s First Congressional District’s Congressional Art Competition. “I’m excited to be surrounded by all of the art and the city’s incredible architecture.”
Jacobson, a homeschool student from Farm Life Country Day School in Martin County, earned first place in the North Carolina Congressional Art Competition this April with her powerful piece“The Unbothered Sister.”The artwork will be displayed for the next year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, a passageway traveled daily by Congressman Don Davis, fellow members of Congress, staff, and visitors from around the world.
“Eastern North Carolina is so proud of Valerie for her incredible artwork,”said Congressman Davis. “For the next year, each time I walk to the House floor, I’ll get to see her art and be reminded of the power of young artists in the East. Her piece beautifully represents the best of eastern North Carolina’s talent.”
The national reception at the Capitol Visitor Center brought together student artists nationwide to view their winning pieces and meet Members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff. Jacobson also enjoyed a special tour of the Capitol given by the Office of Congressman Davis, highlighting the beauty and history of the iconic Capitol building.
“I think it’s super cool that my art is hanging up in the Capitol,” said Jacobson. “It’s really interesting to see other people’s art from around the country and see how I can improve after winning this and where I want to go from here.”
“I am so proud of my daughter,” said Mary Jacobson, mother of Valerie Jacobson.“She put so much hard work into creating this piece. It has been very exciting to be here, to walk through the Gallery, and see her artwork hanging in our country’s Capitol.”
More than 30 students from across eastern North Carolina submitted entries for the Congressional Art Competition, which showcased the region’s strong tradition of talent and creativity and built on its rich artistic heritage.
The Congressional Art Competition, launched in 1982, offers high school students in each congressional district the chance to showcase their creativity nationally. The next Congressional Art Competition will be held in Spring 2026.
For more information on the Congressional Art Competition, please visit www.dondavis.house.gov.
Peru’s mining wealth holds the promise to substantially accelerate potential growth. However, many mining projects have been stalled for several years due to conflicts with local communities that feel excluded from the benefits. Although local governments receive nearly 2 percent of GDP in natural resource revenues per year and comprise over 40 percent of public investment, poor execution and institutional challenges limit their impact. To secure the country’s future as a critical mineral exporter, Peru needs to amend its fiscal decentralization framework to ensure that mining dividends translate into greater development for all citizens. Efforts should focus on improving the distribution of resource-based revenues, replacing discretionary transfers with rule-based transfers, strengthening central government oversight, and increasing capacity and coordination at the subnational level to support public investment efficiency.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 16 (Xinhua) — China hopes to make greater contributions to peace and development in the region and around the world together with Kazakhstan through stability and positive energy in bilateral relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Astana on Monday.
Xi Jinping made the corresponding statement during talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before the start of the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit.
The Chinese leader noted that Chinese-Kazakh relations have stood the test of changes in the international situation and always maintain a high level of development. This is explained by the geographical proximity and long-standing friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and is also a logical choice in the desire of both countries for joint development, the PRC Chairman stated.
According to Xi Jinping, in recent years, thanks to the joint planning of the leaders of the two countries, the China-Kazakhstan community of shared future has become more valuable in quality and richer in content. Tangible and beneficial results have been constantly emerging, which has greatly increased the sense of satisfaction of the people of both countries.
China always views and develops its relations with Kazakhstan from a strategic height and in the long term, and is willing to steadily strengthen the friendship between the two countries, Xi Jinping said.
Both China and Kazakhstan are at key stages of their development and rise, he stressed, adding that the two countries should jointly advance comprehensive cooperation.
First, as the Chinese President pointed out, high-level strategic mutual trust should guide the development of bilateral relations. The two countries should continue to support each other on issues affecting their core interests and major concerns, promote the alignment of development strategies, be a reliable backbone for each other in an unstable international situation, and provide mutual assistance for the development and rise of both countries.
Secondly, Xi Jinping said that high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road should be used to qualitatively improve bilateral cooperation. Efforts should be made to strengthen the strengths of traditional cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and energy, promote cross-border railway projects and the upgrading of checkpoint infrastructure, enhance connectivity, expand high-tech cooperation, and promote green and sustainable development.
Thirdly, the Chinese President continued, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive cooperation in the field of security to maintain peace and stability in both countries, expand exchanges in the areas of law enforcement and defense, jointly combat the “three evil forces” (terrorism, separatism and extremism), deepen cooperation in the field of emergency management, disaster prevention and minimization.
Fourth, Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to conduct various cultural and humanitarian exchanges to consolidate the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship. He called for properly organizing the China Tourism Year in Kazakhstan, encouraging more active youth, media, inter-regional and think tank exchanges.
Xi Jinping stressed that in the context of chaotic changes in the international situation, China and Kazakhstan should firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, put genuine multilateralism into practice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
China highly appreciates the extensive preparatory work done by Kazakhstan ahead of the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit and believes that the current summit will write a new chapter in the history of cooperation between China and Central Asia, the Chinese President said.
In addition, China, as the current chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is willing to work with all SCO member countries to take advantage of the organization’s upcoming summit in Tianjin this year to strengthen the SCO and showcase its new development, new breakthroughs and new image, Xi added.
K.-Zh. Tokayev, for his part, stated that China is a friendly neighbor, close friend and reliable partner of Kazakhstan.
According to him, the Kazakh-Chinese relations of eternal comprehensive strategic partnership are entering a new golden era, contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of both countries, benefiting their peoples and setting a model for interstate relations.
Noting that Kazakhstan and China have a strong political will to strengthen cooperation, K.-Zh Tokayev noted that the two countries invariably support each other on issues affecting their core interests, such as sovereignty and security, regardless of changes in the international situation.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that under the wise leadership of Chairman Xi Jinping, tremendous successes have been achieved in building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Kazakhstan is sincerely pleased with these achievements and firmly believes that China will continue to achieve even greater success in development, K.-Zh. Tokayev emphasized, adding that Kazakhstan is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust and comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation with China, taking bilateral relations to a new level.
The two sides, he continued, should jointly promote high-quality cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road, expand cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy and transportation, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in such areas as culture, education, sports and tourism.
The Kazakh side highly values and actively supports China’s responsibility and efforts to ensure international fairness and justice, and is ready to continue to closely cooperate with China and support each other within the framework of multilateral structures such as the UN, SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia mechanism, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, in order to advance the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, K.-Zh. Tokayev pointed out.
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of more than 10 documents on bilateral cooperation, covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism and media. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, June 16 (Xinhua) — A new salvo of rockets was fired into Israel from Iran on Monday evening, triggering air raid sirens in Haifa and dozens of other cities and towns in the north of the country and the occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli military said.
According to the Israeli emergency medical service Magen David Adom, there have been no reports of casualties so far.
According to the state television channel Kan, three missiles were fired from Iranian territory, one of which was intercepted, while the other two fell in open areas. As specified, fragments of the downed shell fell in the city of Safed, causing a fire.
The current rocket attack is a continuation of the air attacks that Iran and Israel have been exchanging in recent days following the Jewish state’s devastating surprise airstrikes on the Islamic Republic on June 13. –0–
This June, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix concluded a four-day visit to Viet Nam, reaffirming the UN’s strong partnership with the country and spotlighting Viet Nam’s leadership in promoting women’s participation in peacekeeping.
The visit coincided with Viet Nam’s hosting of an international forum on enhancing the participation of female police officers in UN peacekeeping operations, jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and UN Women. The event brought together over 100 participants from around the world, including high-level national officials, international partners, police peacekeepers, and UN leadership, to identify ways to promote more participation of women in UN peacekeeping.
Women peacekeepers in civilian, military, and police roles have been rising steadily over the last several years but remain underrepresented, despite evidence that peacekeeping missions are more successful when women are meaningfully represented, including at the senior leadership level. Member States play a critical role in helping to address these gaps.
USG Lacroix thanked the Government of Viet Nam for its longstanding commitment to UN Peacekeeping and for championing the UN’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which calls for increased participation of women at all decision-making levels, protection of women and girls from gender-based violence, and the integration of gender perspectives in peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts. He noted the timely significance of the forum as the global community marks 25 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which laid the foundation for the WPS agenda.
“Viet Nam is a strong supporter of [the Women Peace and Security Agena]” Mr. Lacroix affirmed. “I look forward to continuing to strengthen our already excellent partnership in training, leadership development, and inclusive work environments.”
The forum highlighted Viet Nam’s impressive deployment of female police officers, with women comprising over 30% of its police peacekeepers—exceeding the UN’s minimum target of 20%. Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung underscored the Ministry of Public Security’s proactive policies to empower female officers and integrate gender equality into Viet Nam’s security architecture.
Discussions at the event explored global and national experiences, challenges, and policy gaps related to the deployment of women in peace operations, offering actionable recommendations to further elevate their roles and leadership.
Advancing the WPS agenda is a critical part of initiatives like Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and its implementation strategy, A4P+, which seek to continually strengthen our operations and ensure we can continue to meet evolving security threats.
During his visit, Mr. Lacroix also visited a moving exhibition organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam and Viet Nam National Mine Action Center, showcasing artwork by children from areas heavily contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war. With nearly 20% of Viet Nam’s territory affected, the USG commended national and international efforts—particularly in Mine Action, advanced technologies, and the training of women deminers—to build safer, more resilient communities. “Support to Mine Action is critical to ensure safer futures for these younger generations,” he said.
This year also marks 50 years since the end of the war in Viet Nam. Against this backdrop, Mr. Lacroix’s meetings with Vietnamese officials served as a powerful reminder of the country’s transformation and enduring contributions to international peace and security.
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers at Currency Creek. They’re joined by Dr Rob Whait from UniSA and Dr Connie Vitalie from WSU.
Finance experts are calling on the Federal Government to make it easier for Pacific and Timor-Leste workers that come to Australia to access unclaimed superannuation once their visa expires.
More than 31,000 workers participated in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in rural and regional Australia in March 2025, helping to fill labour gaps in agriculture, aged care, hospitality and tourism.
PALM workers on a nine-month visa can typically accumulate between $3000-4000 in superannuation before tax, while those on four-year visas can accumulate up to $16,000. It can only be claimed after their visa expires and they’ve returned to their home country, and the process of accessing the funds is difficult and time consuming.
Many PALM workers are unaware that these funds can be repatriated. Plus, complex legislative requirements, administrative red tape, access to computers and the internet, lack of financial capability, and cultural and language barriers, mean that millions of dollars in superannuation go unclaimed.
UniSA Senior Lecturer and Manager of the UniSA Tax Clinic, Dr Rob Whait, says the Australian Tax Office holds millions of dollars of unclaimed superannuation owned to workers from the PALM scheme.
“Completing the required paperwork requires workers to be proficient in English, seeing as the forms aren’t available in other languages. It also requires access to a computer and the internet as the forms can’t be downloaded and need to be completed online, then emailed to the relevant authority,” he says.
“In PALM countries, English is a second language, and the internet is not as readily accessible as it is here. The responsibility for making a claim lies solely with the worker, and there is no obligation for the employer here in Australia to provide information about how workers can claim their superannuation.”
Dr Whait and Dr Connie Vitale from Western Sydney University are recommending policy reforms to make it easier for PALM workers to have their superannuation directly paid into their own super fund in their home country while working in Australia, or have the funds paid as part of their wages in lieu of superannuation.
Analysis by Dr Whait and Dr Vitale of the issue revealed several recommended policy reform options to make it easier for PALM workers to claim their superannuation once their visa expires. It was found that allowing workers to automatically have their superannuation paid directly into their own fund in their home country while working in Australia would be the most logical option.
The two researchers travelled to PALM worker locations across SA and NSW late last year to support workers to prepare their Departing Australia Superannuation Payments (DASP) claims and other documentation before leaving Australia.
He says the recent visits to the PALM worker locations revealed that paying superannuation into a super fund in their own country was not the most preferred option by the workers themselves and that payment added up front to their wages was most desired.
“A leader among the PALM workers said that he would prefer Australia to follow the New Zealand approach where superannuation is not paid at all, and instead, they get all their money paid as wages. Another PALM worker said that the superannuation funds in their country are not being managed in their best interests,” Dr Whait says.
“After visiting PALM worker locations, we were left with the impression that many PALM workers would rather have immediate access to their money to help their families and communities now, rather than wait for retirement. Further research can confirm these preferences and impressions.”
Dr Whait says the PALM scheme is arguably of great strategic importance to Australia since it helps to build and maintain positive relationships with the Pacific region.
“Enhanced economic prosperity arises from PALM workers taking the skills they’ve learnt in Australia back to their own communities, he says.
“PALM workers are collectively leaving many millions of dollars in superannuation unclaimed, but any potential reforms must consider recent political tensions in the Pacific,” Dr Whait says.
“If done correctly, PALM superannuation policy reform presents Australia with an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen relationships with its Pacific neighbours.
The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia’s new major university – Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on theAdelaide University website.
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Contact for interview: Dr Rob Whait, Senior Lecturer, UniSA Business and Manager, UniSA Tax Clinic E:Rob.Whait@unisa.edu.au Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E:melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Proposal Would Increase Costs, Put Rural Hospitals At Risk Of Closure, Threaten Nursing Home Operations, And Make It Harder For Kids To Access Care
If Bill Passes, An Estimated 40,000 People Would Lose Health Insurance And 25,000 Risk Losing Some Or All SNAP Benefits In Rochester Area Alone
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Jordan Health’s Woodward Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt Rochester hospitals and families. If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients. This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care. Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
New York-based community health centers, like Jordan Health, that care for every patient who walks through their doors are estimated to lose $300 million annually as a result of this bill. The impact will vary by health center, but losses will range from 6 to 17%, depending on how many of their patients are covered by Medicaid or New York’s Essential Plan.
Health centers already operate on a shoestring budget, and this kind of funding cut will have very serious consequences. Already, over 60% of health centers have less than 90 days of cash on hand, and more than 20 percent have reduced staffing or closed sites in the past year due to financial strain. Cuts of this magnitude will cause more closures, more staffing cuts, and reduced access for the 2.4 million patients that our New York community health centers serve.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,”said Senator Gillibrand.“This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
Gillibrand was joined by Jordan Health President and CEO Dr. Linda Clark and State Senator Jeremy Cooney.
“Here are the facts: One in every eight people in New York State relies on a Community Health Center for care, and more than 60% of those people are covered by Medicaid, so nearly half of all health center funding comes from Medicaid,”said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO.“We’ve done the math – the proposals included in the House bill will cost New York’s community health centers $300M annually. If you limit access to Medicaid, you hurt Community Health Centers and the people they serve. That’s a fact.”
“We are in a critical state when it comes to the proposed Medicaid program funding cuts and changes,”said Dr. Linda Clark, president and CEO of Jordan Health.“More than 70% of our patients are enrolled in a Medicaid program and depend on funding to cover the costs of their care. Access to high-quality healthcare is not a privilege it is a necessity and impacts our community as a whole.”
“There is nothing big or beautiful about the Republican tax bill being discussed in Congress,”said State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Now more than ever, we need to stand up on behalf of our vulnerable populations and make it clear that cutting Medicaid is inhumane and unacceptable. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Gillibrand in pushing back against the President’s reckless policies and for defending the values that Rochesterians hold dear.”
“Medicaid is a lifeline for countless working families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals in our community. The proposed GOP reconciliation bill represents a direct attack on their health, safety, and dignity,”said New York State Assemblyman Demond Meeks. “Cuts to Medicaid would mean fewer doctor visits, longer wait times for care, and the closure of community health centers that serve as the only option for many in underserved areas. This is not just bad policy—it’s a moral failure. I applaud Senator Gillibrand for taking a stand and bringing national attention to what these cuts would mean for real people. We must not allow partisan politics in Washington to strip away essential care from those who need it most.”
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Proposal Would Increase Costs, Put Rural Hospitals At Risk Of Closure, Threaten Nursing Home Operations, And Make It Harder For Kids To Access Care
If Bill Passes, An Estimated 40,000 People Would Lose Health Insurance And 25,000 Risk Losing Some Or All SNAP Benefits In Rochester Area Alone
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Jordan Health’s Woodward Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt Rochester hospitals and families. If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients. This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care. Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
New York-based community health centers, like Jordan Health, that care for every patient who walks through their doors are estimated to lose $300 million annually as a result of this bill. The impact will vary by health center, but losses will range from 6 to 17%, depending on how many of their patients are covered by Medicaid or New York’s Essential Plan.
Health centers already operate on a shoestring budget, and this kind of funding cut will have very serious consequences. Already, over 60% of health centers have less than 90 days of cash on hand, and more than 20 percent have reduced staffing or closed sites in the past year due to financial strain. Cuts of this magnitude will cause more closures, more staffing cuts, and reduced access for the 2.4 million patients that our New York community health centers serve.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
Gillibrand was joined by Jordan Health President and CEO Dr. Linda Clark and State Senator Jeremy Cooney.
“Here are the facts: One in every eight people in New York State relies on a Community Health Center for care, and more than 60% of those people are covered by Medicaid, so nearly half of all health center funding comes from Medicaid,” said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO. “We’ve done the math – the proposals included in the House bill will cost New York’s community health centers $300M annually. If you limit access to Medicaid, you hurt Community Health Centers and the people they serve. That’s a fact.”
“We are in a critical state when it comes to the proposed Medicaid program funding cuts and changes,” said Dr. Linda Clark, president and CEO of Jordan Health. “More than 70% of our patients are enrolled in a Medicaid program and depend on funding to cover the costs of their care. Access to high-quality healthcare is not a privilege it is a necessity and impacts our community as a whole.”
“There is nothing big or beautiful about the Republican tax bill being discussed in Congress,” said State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Now more than ever, we need to stand up on behalf of our vulnerable populations and make it clear that cutting Medicaid is inhumane and unacceptable. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Gillibrand in pushing back against the President’s reckless policies and for defending the values that Rochesterians hold dear.”
“Medicaid is a lifeline for countless working families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals in our community. The proposed GOP reconciliation bill represents a direct attack on their health, safety, and dignity,” said New York State Assemblyman Demond Meeks. “Cuts to Medicaid would mean fewer doctor visits, longer wait times for care, and the closure of community health centers that serve as the only option for many in underserved areas. This is not just bad policy—it’s a moral failure. I applaud Senator Gillibrand for taking a stand and bringing national attention to what these cuts would mean for real people. We must not allow partisan politics in Washington to strip away essential care from those who need it most.”
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Proposal Would Increase Costs, Put Rural Hospitals At Risk Of Closure, Threaten Nursing Home Operations, And Make It Harder For Kids To Access Care
If Bill Passes, An Estimated 40,000 People Would Lose Health Insurance And 25,000 Risk Losing Some Or All SNAP Benefits In Rochester Area Alone
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Jordan Health’s Woodward Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt Rochester hospitals and families. If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients. This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care. Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
New York-based community health centers, like Jordan Health, that care for every patient who walks through their doors are estimated to lose $300 million annually as a result of this bill. The impact will vary by health center, but losses will range from 6 to 17%, depending on how many of their patients are covered by Medicaid or New York’s Essential Plan.
Health centers already operate on a shoestring budget, and this kind of funding cut will have very serious consequences. Already, over 60% of health centers have less than 90 days of cash on hand, and more than 20 percent have reduced staffing or closed sites in the past year due to financial strain. Cuts of this magnitude will cause more closures, more staffing cuts, and reduced access for the 2.4 million patients that our New York community health centers serve.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,”said Senator Gillibrand.“This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
Gillibrand was joined by Jordan Health President and CEO Dr. Linda Clark and State Senator Jeremy Cooney.
“Here are the facts: One in every eight people in New York State relies on a Community Health Center for care, and more than 60% of those people are covered by Medicaid, so nearly half of all health center funding comes from Medicaid,”said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO.“We’ve done the math – the proposals included in the House bill will cost New York’s community health centers $300M annually. If you limit access to Medicaid, you hurt Community Health Centers and the people they serve. That’s a fact.”
“We are in a critical state when it comes to the proposed Medicaid program funding cuts and changes,”said Dr. Linda Clark, president and CEO of Jordan Health.“More than 70% of our patients are enrolled in a Medicaid program and depend on funding to cover the costs of their care. Access to high-quality healthcare is not a privilege it is a necessity and impacts our community as a whole.”
“There is nothing big or beautiful about the Republican tax bill being discussed in Congress,”said State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Now more than ever, we need to stand up on behalf of our vulnerable populations and make it clear that cutting Medicaid is inhumane and unacceptable. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Gillibrand in pushing back against the President’s reckless policies and for defending the values that Rochesterians hold dear.”
“Medicaid is a lifeline for countless working families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals in our community. The proposed GOP reconciliation bill represents a direct attack on their health, safety, and dignity,”said New York State Assemblyman Demond Meeks. “Cuts to Medicaid would mean fewer doctor visits, longer wait times for care, and the closure of community health centers that serve as the only option for many in underserved areas. This is not just bad policy—it’s a moral failure. I applaud Senator Gillibrand for taking a stand and bringing national attention to what these cuts would mean for real people. We must not allow partisan politics in Washington to strip away essential care from those who need it most.”
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Proposal Would Increase Costs, Put Rural Hospitals At Risk Of Closure, Threaten Nursing Home Operations, And Make It Harder For Kids To Access Care
If Bill Passes, An Estimated 44,000 People Would Lose Health Insurance In the 21st Congressional District
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Adirondack Medical Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt North Country hospitals and families. If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients. This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care. Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,”said Senator Gillibrand.“This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
Gillibrand was joined by CEO of Adirondack Health Aaron Kramer and CEO of Hudson Headwaters Health Network Dr. Tucker Slingerland.
Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America
Headline: IPAA Comments to Interior on Regulatory Issues Impacting Onshore and Offshore Producers
Jun 16, 2025 IPAA Comments to Interior on Regulatory Issues Impacting Onshore and Offshore Producers
Although there are a variety of important issues facing independent producers on offshore and onshore federal lands, IPAA wants to raise three specific issues the Trump Administration is working on that are of vital importance to our members. These issues are outlined below:
1. Revising the Risk Management and Financial Assurance Rule for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations
2. Rescission of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America
Headline: In Depth Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program
Jun 16, 2025 In Depth Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), American Petroleum Institute (API), National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Offshore Operators Committee (OOC), U.S. Oil and Gas Association (USOGA), American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), EnerGeo Alliance, Energy Workforce and Technology Council, and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) (collectively, the Associations), offer the following comments on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) request for information and comments on the preparation of the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National Program) published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2025.
The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has today launched the Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan which sets out a five-year whole-of-government approach to preventing suicide in New Zealand.
“I want to acknowledge the people who have lost their lives to suicide, those struggling with their mental health or addiction, and those with lived experience or who have been affected by suicide,” Mr Doocey says.
“New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates. Last year, 617 people died by suspected suicide. Behind that number are grieving families, friends, colleagues, and communities.
“What sets this Plan apart from the last is the actions in the Plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates, and importantly an accountable agency.
“There are 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions in the Plan. The actions overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of, or affected by suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention.
“I am particularly proud that this plan is grounded in lived experience. More than 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including many who have experienced distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas.
“Some key actions include by the end of this year establishing a new suicide prevention community fund. This will provide targeted support that is focused on populations experiencing higher rates of suicidal distress.
“We know one of the biggest barriers to support is our workforce. The Plan includes initiatives that will grow our workforce, such as by expanding suicide prevention training and strengthening existing resources to better equip workforces, communities and families.
“We want people to receive care in the community instead of resorting to an emergency department, that is why by the end of next June, we will have rolled out six crisis recovery cafés that will provide more options for people experiencing distress.
“However, for those who are presenting to emergency departments in mental distress, by the end of December we will establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting with mental health and addiction needs.”
Implementation of the action plan will be supported by existing suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus allocation of an additional $16 million per year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the Plan.
“There is hope and a way forward. Suicide is preventable and we have a duty as a Government, and as a country, to do more to ensure all New Zealanders have the access and support they need to heal and go on to live the life they deserve,” Mr Doocey says.The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has today launched the Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan which sets out a five-year whole-of-government approach to preventing suicide in New Zealand.
“I want to acknowledge the people who have lost their lives to suicide, those struggling with their mental health or addiction, and those with lived experience or who have been affected by suicide,” Mr Doocey says.
“New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates. Last year, 617 people died by suspected suicide. Behind that number are grieving families, friends, colleagues, and communities.
“What sets this Plan apart from the last is the actions in the Plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates, and importantly an accountable agency.
“There are 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions in the Plan. The actions overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of, or affected by suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention.
“I am particularly proud that this plan is grounded in lived experience. More than 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including many who have experienced distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas.
“Some key actions include by the end of this year establishing a new suicide prevention community fund. This will provide targeted support that is focused on populations experiencing higher rates of suicidal distress.
“We know one of the biggest barriers to support is our workforce. The Plan includes initiatives that will grow our workforce, such as by expanding suicide prevention training and strengthening existing resources to better equip workforces, communities and families.
“We want people to receive care in the community instead of resorting to an emergency department, that is why by the end of next June, we will have rolled out six crisis recovery cafés that will provide more options for people experiencing distress.
“However, for those who are presenting to emergency departments in mental distress, by the end of December we will establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting with mental health and addiction needs.”
Implementation of the action plan will be supported by existing suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus allocation of an additional $16 million per year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the Plan.
“There is hope and a way forward. Suicide is preventable and we have a duty as a Government, and as a country, to do more to ensure all New Zealanders have the access and support they need to heal and go on to live the life they deserve,” Mr Doocey says.
Submissions to inform the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which has been launched by the Albanese Labor Government will close at the end of this week.
To date, more than 900 submissions have been received from families, young people, teachers and community members from across Australia.
The majority of submissions have come from parents, who have emphasised the importance of clear communication for the intervention and management of bullying.
Submissions from teachers have highlighted the need for resources and training to help them respond to bullying incidents.
The submissions from young people are highlighting the importance of needing to be heard, listened to and valued.
The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review is a key part of the Government’s plans to develop a consistent national approach to addressing bullying in Australian schools.
The Review, being led by Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, is examining current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours.
The Review will consult broadly with key stakeholders across metropolitan and regional Australia, including parents, teachers, students, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector.
Submissions will help in understanding the different approaches to responding to bullying in schools and the effectiveness of them.
Bullying has no place in our schools. Students, teachers and staff should always feel safe in the classroom.
That’s why we will listen to parents, students, teachers and staff to develop a national standard that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.
The final report of the Review will be presented to all Australian Education Ministers in coming months.
Submissions opened on 20 May and will close this Friday on 20 June 2025.
Visitwww.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review to make a submission, which can be made anonymously if preferred.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
“Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.
“All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.
“That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools.
“Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country.
“We will listen to parents, teachers, students and work with the states and territories to get this right.”
Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a southern suburbs barber shop overnight.
Emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a barbers in a group of shops on Coromandel Parade, Blackwood just before 1.30am on Tuesday 17 June.
CFS crews managed to contain the fire to just the barber shop and quickly extinguished the blaze. Neighbouring premises were affected by smoke. There were no reports of injuries.
Crime scene investigators will attend the scene this morning.
Police are treating the fire as deliberate and ask anyone with information to contact police.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity or has dashcam or CCTV from the area in the early hours of this morning is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kris Roglieri, age 45, of Queensbury, New York, was indicted yesterday on a wire fraud conspiracy charge in connection with the operation and collapse of his purported commercial lending business, Prime Capital Ventures, LLC. Roglieri had been previously indicted on five counts of wire fraud, and yesterday’s superseding indictment added a wire fraud conspiracy charge and seeks the forfeiture of millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles, watches and real estate that Roglieri purchased as part of his fraudulent scheme.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the superseding indictment, Roglieri operated Prime Capital Ventures, LLC (“Prime Capital”) and, between March 2022 and January 2024, conspired with others to fraudulently obtain tens of millions of dollars from Prime Capital’s clients. The indictment alleges that Roglieri and his co-conspirators fraudulently promoted Prime Capital as a lending business capable of making large commercial loans, and deceived clients into sending Prime Capital “Interest Credit Account” (or “ICA”) payments based on false promises that these payments would allow Prime Capital to make these large loans and that the ICA payments would be refunded if those loans did not materialize.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Kris Roglieri perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme against clients across the country that came to Prime Capital Ventures for loans to fund their business projects. Instead of giving these clients legitimate loans, Roglieri gave them lies, and spent millions of dollars on his made-for-Instagram extravagant lifestyle. He spent millions on exotic vehicles and watches, and on private international jet travel, including a vacation to Anguilla that he took as Prime Capital was in bankruptcy proceedings and with the company’s creditors beset with confusion, anger and grief. But today’s indictment shows that these crimes ultimately did not pay for Roglieri, as he now faces the prospect of many years in prison.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Today’s indictment illustrates the staggering depth of the alleged fraud committed by Mr. Roglieri. The FBI takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others.”
The charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The superseding indictment alleges that Prime Capital held itself out as a commercial lending business, but never had the ability to legitimately fund loans. As part of contractual arrangements with its borrower clients situated across the country, Prime Capital obtained upfront interest payments from prospective borrowers while it sought to secure loans for those borrowers; these upfront interest payments were characterized by Prime Capital as the “Interest Credit Account” payment, or “ICA” payment for short. ICA payments did not represent fees to Prime Capital. Instead, each borrower’s upfront ICA payment would be debited over time as the loan was funded and accrued more interest. An ICA payment would also be refundable if Prime Capital failed to secure a loan for the borrower client. Depending on the size of the loan that Prime Capital promised, an ICA payment could be in the millions of dollars. Prime Capital obtained ICA payments as large as $20 million.
The indictment alleges that because Prime Capital never had a source of loan funding, Roglieri used ICA payments from newer borrower clients to partially fund loans to, and to refund ICA payments to, older borrower clients, contrary to promises that each ICA payment would be kept in a pledged account and would be used only for the benefit of the client that made the ICA payment. Roglieri also drew on ICA payments to pay his debts and buy the following, all of which the Government has since seized or secured, and is now seeking to forfeit:
A Ferrari LaFerrari F150, a Ferrari Enzo, a Ferrari 812 Competizione, and a Ferrari engine table (this is a table with a Ferrari engine as its base);
Eight Mercedes Benzes including a Mercedez Benz SLR McLaren;
A Porsche Carrera;
A Maserati MC 12 Corse;
Two Richard Mille watches;
Six Rolex watches;
A multi-million-dollar residential property in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and
$764,000.83 seized from bank accounts.
Roglieri has been in custody since his arrest on a criminal complaint on May 31, 2024. United States District Judge Mae D’Agostino has set a firm trial date of January 5, 2026.
If convicted of wire fraud or wire fraud conspiracy, Roglieri faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The Government is also seeking an asset forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $183,818,821.82.
Two co-conspirators have pled guilty in connection with this case. Kimberly Owen, a/k/a Kimberly “Kimmy” Humphrey, age 41, and her brother Christopher Snyder, age 45, both of Virginia Beach, have each pled guilty to a charge of wire fraud conspiracy. Both Owen and Snyder admitted to conspiring with each other and Roglieri to defraud Prime Capital clients.
The FBI is conducting this ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Michael Barnett are prosecuting this case.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kris Roglieri, age 45, of Queensbury, New York, was indicted yesterday on a wire fraud conspiracy charge in connection with the operation and collapse of his purported commercial lending business, Prime Capital Ventures, LLC. Roglieri had been previously indicted on five counts of wire fraud, and yesterday’s superseding indictment added a wire fraud conspiracy charge and seeks the forfeiture of millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles, watches and real estate that Roglieri purchased as part of his fraudulent scheme.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
According to the superseding indictment, Roglieri operated Prime Capital Ventures, LLC (“Prime Capital”) and, between March 2022 and January 2024, conspired with others to fraudulently obtain tens of millions of dollars from Prime Capital’s clients. The indictment alleges that Roglieri and his co-conspirators fraudulently promoted Prime Capital as a lending business capable of making large commercial loans, and deceived clients into sending Prime Capital “Interest Credit Account” (or “ICA”) payments based on false promises that these payments would allow Prime Capital to make these large loans and that the ICA payments would be refunded if those loans did not materialize.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Kris Roglieri perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme against clients across the country that came to Prime Capital Ventures for loans to fund their business projects. Instead of giving these clients legitimate loans, Roglieri gave them lies, and spent millions of dollars on his made-for-Instagram extravagant lifestyle. He spent millions on exotic vehicles and watches, and on private international jet travel, including a vacation to Anguilla that he took as Prime Capital was in bankruptcy proceedings and with the company’s creditors beset with confusion, anger and grief. But today’s indictment shows that these crimes ultimately did not pay for Roglieri, as he now faces the prospect of many years in prison.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Today’s indictment illustrates the staggering depth of the alleged fraud committed by Mr. Roglieri. The FBI takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others.”
The charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The superseding indictment alleges that Prime Capital held itself out as a commercial lending business, but never had the ability to legitimately fund loans. As part of contractual arrangements with its borrower clients situated across the country, Prime Capital obtained upfront interest payments from prospective borrowers while it sought to secure loans for those borrowers; these upfront interest payments were characterized by Prime Capital as the “Interest Credit Account” payment, or “ICA” payment for short. ICA payments did not represent fees to Prime Capital. Instead, each borrower’s upfront ICA payment would be debited over time as the loan was funded and accrued more interest. An ICA payment would also be refundable if Prime Capital failed to secure a loan for the borrower client. Depending on the size of the loan that Prime Capital promised, an ICA payment could be in the millions of dollars. Prime Capital obtained ICA payments as large as $20 million.
The indictment alleges that because Prime Capital never had a source of loan funding, Roglieri used ICA payments from newer borrower clients to partially fund loans to, and to refund ICA payments to, older borrower clients, contrary to promises that each ICA payment would be kept in a pledged account and would be used only for the benefit of the client that made the ICA payment. Roglieri also drew on ICA payments to pay his debts and buy the following, all of which the Government has since seized or secured, and is now seeking to forfeit:
A Ferrari LaFerrari F150, a Ferrari Enzo, a Ferrari 812 Competizione, and a Ferrari engine table (this is a table with a Ferrari engine as its base);
Eight Mercedes Benzes including a Mercedez Benz SLR McLaren;
A Porsche Carrera;
A Maserati MC 12 Corse;
Two Richard Mille watches;
Six Rolex watches;
A multi-million-dollar residential property in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and
$764,000.83 seized from bank accounts.
Roglieri has been in custody since his arrest on a criminal complaint on May 31, 2024. United States District Judge Mae D’Agostino has set a firm trial date of January 5, 2026.
If convicted of wire fraud or wire fraud conspiracy, Roglieri faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The Government is also seeking an asset forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $183,818,821.82.
Two co-conspirators have pled guilty in connection with this case. Kimberly Owen, a/k/a Kimberly “Kimmy” Humphrey, age 41, and her brother Christopher Snyder, age 45, both of Virginia Beach, have each pled guilty to a charge of wire fraud conspiracy. Both Owen and Snyder admitted to conspiring with each other and Roglieri to defraud Prime Capital clients.
The FBI is conducting this ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Michael Barnett are prosecuting this case.
The United States’ newest federal holiday, celebrated annually on June 19, has quickly become its most puzzling one. Four years after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Americans have wrestled with what to make of the holiday.
This confusion likely emerged because many Americans did not even learn about Juneteenth until around when it became a federal holiday in 2021. Moreover, the Trump administration and state legislatures across the country have further complicated matters with their increased efforts to ban the type of education that led to the national recognition of the holiday in the first place.
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
The official handwritten record of General Order No. 3, preserved at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. National Archives
Though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the enslaved in all the states that had seceded from the U.S., nearly 2½ years earlier, Texas, a Confederate state, rebelled against it.
At the time, Texas had a minimal number of Union soldiers to enforce the proclamation’s emancipation of enslaved people residing within Confederate territory. Consequently, many of those enslaved in Texas remained ignorant of the proclamation’s potential impact on their lives, or of the fact the Civil War had functionally ended two months earlier.
In an interview published in 1941, for example, Laura Smalley of Hempstead, Texas, remembered how her enslaver fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. He returned without informing those whom he enslaved of their freedom. In her interview, she recounted,
“Old master didn’t tell, you know, they was free … I think now they say they worked them, six months after that.”
‘Second Independence Day’
June 19, 1865, a Monday, changed that.
The news of emancipation culminated a generations-long struggle for Black people to obtain a modicum of freedom in the U.S.
For this reason, some refer to Juneteenth as the nation’s second Independence Day. The end of bondage was ostensibly codified in the 13th Amendment ratified later that year.
Spontaneous Juneteenth celebrations emerged almost immediately. Celebrants referred to the day as “Emancipation Day,” “Freedom Day,” “Juneteenth” and “Jubilee Day.” The latter title alluded to the biblical period following seven sabbatical cycles that resulted in canceling debts and freeing the enslaved.
Flake’s Bulletin, a weekly, Galveston-based publication, reported on an Emancipation Celebration occurring on Jan. 2, 1866, that included upward of 800 people. A similar gathering occurred in Galveston on June 19, 1866, in what is now the church known as Reedy Chapel AME. Annual celebrations continued, beginning in southeastern Texas, with events such as historical reenactments, parades, picnics, music and speeches.
While the holiday marked a joyous occasion for some, Juneteenth met early and persistent opposition, particularly in the time following Reconstruction.
For years, local reporting spoke of Juneteenth, as the Galveston Historical Foundation put it, in a “flagrantly racist nature.” Additionally, the racist stereotyping – “idleness” – in the final sentence of Granger’s order simultaneously illustrated its complicated nature while also “[foreshadowing] that the fight for freedom would continue,” National Archives staffer Michael Davis wrote in 2020.
Historian Keisha Blain explains, “The enslavement of Black people in the U.S. may have ended but the legacies of slavery still shape every aspect of Black life.”
Advocates such as Opal Lee, commonly referred to as the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” pressed for Juneteenth celebration to continue and, ultimately, for it to be made a national holiday.
Lee began her advocacy in earnest during the mid-1970s in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. The oldest member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Lee spearheaded several campaigns to draw attention to Juneteenth. These campaigns included initiatives such as an online petition promoting the holiday’s observance launched in 2019 that amassed 1.6 million signatures.
In speaking on the significance of Juneteenth, Lee said, “Freedom is for everyone. I think freedom should be celebrated from the 19th of June to the Fourth of July; however, none of us are free until we are all free. We are not free yet, and Juneteenth is a symbol of that.”
Opal Lee, whose advocacy culminated in Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021, is known as the ‘grandmother’ of Juneteenth. AP Photo/LM Otero
National recognition
Because of this advocacy, Juneteenth has grown from relatively obscure regional celebrations to, starting in 2021, a federal holiday.
The establishment of the holiday was the capstone of initiatives during the racial reckoning. Historians refer to the racial reckoning as the time period beginning in the summer of 2020 until the spring of the following year that witnessed heightened attention to America’s nagging history of racism.
During this time, numerous institutions, ranging from colleges and universities to major companies, made commitments to racial equity. The recognition of Juneteenth represented a symbolic means to honor those commitments.
In remarks marking his signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, Biden said, “Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and subjugation, and a promise of a brighter morning to come.”
President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. Evan Vucci/AP
Backtracking on gains
But within a year, some had already begun to argue the nation had, as community organizer Braxton Brewington wrote, “betrayed the spirit of Jubilee Day.”
Many of the racial equity commitments made during the racial reckoning quickly vanished within a year or two. Economist William Michael Cunningham revealed American companies pledged $50 billion to racial equity efforts in 2020, yet had only spent $250 million by 2021.
And members of the Trump administration have mounted continual attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion policies and used the term as a politically expedient slur to deride Black people. This is also exacerbated by the Trump administration’s challenges to birthright citizenship, a key right that gave citizenship to the formerly enslaved and later guaranteed important rights to the entire populace.
This major shift has fueled arguments that the U.S. has regressed from efforts toward racial equity and thus undermined the meaning of Juneteenth. And such backtracking arguably makes some Juneteenth celebrations performative exercises rather than celebrations of true racial equity.
As one critic asked, has the holiday devolved “into an exploitative and profit-driven enterprise for companies that disregard the true significance of this day to the Black community?”
All of this has led to increasing confusion over how to commemorate Juneteenth, if at all. Juneteenth is not the first federal holiday with a complicated history. Nevertheless, with other complex holidays, Americans had years to process their misgivings. In short, the nation is still deciding what it means to be free.
Between 2021-2023, Timothy Welbeck received honorariums from companies like 1Hotels, AON, Aramark, Campbell Soup, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Merrill Lynch, to deliver invited keynote addresses on subject matter similar to that discussed in this article.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Dragon boat races in Toronto promote athleticism and cultural heritage Organised by the Toronto Chinese Business Association, the mega event attracted thousands of people to celebrate the Chinese tradition that blends athleticism and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Festival, the Acting Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, remarked that the Toronto ETO is pleased to continue supporting the Festival. “Hong Kong brought this water sport to Canada almost four decades ago,” he said. “The dragon boat race signifies the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Canada.”
Mr Yeung shared that Hong Kong, as the events capital of Asia, stands as a globally connected city that hosts world-class events, including mega sports competitions, international conferences and cultural exhibitions, attracting tourists around the world.
“A notable highlight is the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park,” he said. “Spanning over 28 hectares, this multipurpose venue is the largest sports, entertainment and mega event complex in Hong Kong.” Highlighting the concept of “tourism is everywhere” in Hong Kong, he encouraged Canadians to visit Hong Kong and discover the many exciting developments in Asia’s world city.
The Toronto ETO also set up a Hong Kong pavilion with a mini-exhibition to showcase the history of dragon boating in Hong Kong. Cheering for their favourite teams while exploring the cultural favours, visitors enjoyed an unforgettable weekend.
Besides Toronto, the Toronto ETO also celebrated dragon boat festivals in different cities across Canada. The festivals in Vancouver and Ottawa will be held from June 20 to 22 (Vancouver and Ottawa time) respectively. Issued at HKT 5:00
Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC
The federal bank regulatory agencies today announced a request for comment on potential actions to help consumers, businesses, and financial institutions mitigate risk of payments fraud, with a particular focus on check fraud. For purposes of the request for information, payments fraud generally refers to the use of illegal means to make or receive payments for personal gain, including scams.
Because payments fraud may involve multiple institutions and payment methods, no single agency or private-sector entity can address payments fraud on its own. Therefore, the agencies are seeking public comment on discrete actions, collectively or independently, to mitigate payments fraud, including check fraud, within their respective bank regulation and payments authorities.
Input is requested on five potential areas for improvement and collaboration:
External collaboration among the agencies, Federal Reserve Banks, and industry stakeholders;
Consumer, business, and industry education by the agencies and Federal Reserve Banks to educate about payments fraud;
Regulation and supervision to mitigate payments fraud, including opportunities the Board may have related to check fraud;
Payments fraud data collection and information sharing; and
Federal Reserve Banks’ operator tools and services to reduce payments fraud.
In addition to seeking public input, the agencies will also continue looking for additional opportunities to effectively collaborate across other state and federal agencies given the importance of interagency coordination to help mitigate payments fraud.
Comments must be received within 90 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.
