People going out to enjoy major events around our city deserve a train service that will get them home safely.
More in Culture
Scotrail should organise additional late night train services to ensure festival goers get home safely from TRNSMT at Glasgow Green next month, say the Scottish Greens.
The call comes from the party’s co-leader, spokesperson for culture, and MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie, who says that having more train services running would ensure people have the option to get home safely from the festival.
Tens of thousands of revellers are expected to attend the 3-day music event at Glasgow Green in July, with the likes of 50 Cent, Fontaines D.C., Biffy Clyro and Glasgow DJ’s Big Miz and Hayley Zalazzi on the lineup.
“At previous events with such large crowds, the East End of the city becomes totally blocked off for transport and pedestrians, with many waiting hours for taxis or risking walking home in the dark.
“People going out to enjoy festivals, gigs and other events around our city deserve to get home safely and having a reliable late night train service can offer that. I strongly urge them to do so.
“If Scotrail were to run additional train services over that weekend, and later into the night, it would provide a safe, cheaper and climate friendly option to get home from TRNSMT for thousands of people.”
A decrease in penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued, and an increase in awareness, is thought to have resulted in a reduction in illegal pavement parking, the Net Zero, Environment, and Transport committee heard today.
The overall number of monthly penalty charge notices for pavement parking has reduced from around 350 in July and August 2024, to 141 in March 2025, and 111 in April 2025.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Pavements are for pedestrians, including people using wheelchairs and buggies. The pavement parking ban was introduced to make pavements safer and more usable.
“It is good to see the reduction in the number of fines issued since the introduction of the ban. This shows many of the small minority of drivers who used to park on pavements are no longer doing so.”
Committee Vice Convener Councillor Miranda Radley added: “Pavement parking can cause obstructions forcing people with wheelchairs or prams onto the road, exposing them to the danger of oncoming traffic.”
“An increase in awareness of the ban shows the level of support that the Aberdeen public has for keeping our road users safe.”
The restrictions came after the Scottish Government introduced legislation to ban pavement parking in Scotland with implementation by local authorities. Aberdeen City Council carried out a city-wide assessment of roads and associated pavements using the criteria set by the Scottish Government. During this assessment, some pavements were identified for exemption from the prohibition, for example, to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.
A recent survey targeted at pedestrians and people with mobility aids, showed over half of respondents were either in favour of, or neutral to, the changes that have come into effect. Some concerns were raised about areas where space is limited, making parking more challenging, and that there could still be an increase in enforcement.
Train Landscape by artist Eric Ravilious has been named as the world’s best-loved railway artwork in the UK, following a global poll organised by Railway 200 and Art UK to mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. The watercolour is in the collection of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums and has gone on display in Gallery 7 at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Painted in 1940, it shows the chalk white horse of Westbury, Wiltshire, viewed through the window of a third-class train carriage. Tirzah Garwood, the wife of Eric Ravilious, made the collage using elements from different watercolours Ravilious painted whilst travelling on trains.
Ella Ravilious, granddaughter of Eric Ravilious, said:“I’m thrilled that Train Landscape has been voted best-loved railway artwork, as it captures travel through the British landscape in a third-class carriage in the late 1930s. This painting by my grandfather, Eric Ravilious, was created with the assistance of my grandmother, Tirzah Garwood. Eric rode back and forth on the train, making several watercolours, none of which he was totally happy with. Tirzah collaged the best bits of each painting together to create a successful picture. Train lovers might notice that the chalk figure visible from the train window should be the Long Man of Wilmington rather than the Westbury Horse because it was painted on the Brighton to Eastbourne line.”
Railway 200 explores how a British invention changed the world forever and how the railway continues to shape our lives and livelihoods, presenting a constant source of inspiration to artists. The bicentenary commemorates the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825 when George Stephenson drove Locomotion No.1 26 miles between Shildon, Darlington and Stockton. Alan Hyde from Railway 200 said:“Like the amazing artworks, this competition has captured the imagination of people around the world, highlighting an enduring connection between art and the railway. We hope that art lovers, rail enthusiasts and others will enjoy the Railway 200 exhibition on the Art UK website, and travel by train to enjoy these wonderful railway-inspired paintings at first hand during rail’s bicentenary.”
Andrew Ellis, Chief Executive of Art UK, said: “Art UK is delighted to have partnered with Railway 200 to connect the public to a truly wonderful selection of railway-inspired artworks held in collections across the UK. This masterful evocation of a sighting of the Westbury White Horse from a railway carriage by Eric Ravilious is an extremely worthy winner that also throws a spotlight on the rich art collection of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums. We are thrilled that the work will now be on display and we encourage everyone to make the train journey to Scotland and see it.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said:“It’s a tremendous source of pride for all of us here in Aberdeen that the public vote has recognised Train Landscape in this way – to steam into first place ahead of a painting JMW Turner is really quite something. On a personal level, this painting has been a favourite of mine since childhood. It’s just one of the many outstanding treasures visitors to Aberdeen Art Gallery can enjoy free of charge, seven days a week. Art UK does a wonderful job of sharing the country’s public collections online, and we hope that this news will encourage people to travel to Aberdeen to experience Train Landscape in real life, along with all the other outstanding works on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery – just a short walk from the train station!”
Art lovers and rail enthusiasts can now enjoy a curated exhibition of the 20 most popular paintings on the Art UK website at artuk.org until 31 December 2025.
The final order of the top 20 best-loved UK railway artworks:
Train Landscape, 1940, by Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
Following the integration of Birmingham City Council’s Community Libraries and Information services into the new Connected Communities model, there will be changes in Saturday library opening hours.
The new model of opening hours means libraries and community hubs buildings will be open for a set pattern of Saturdays over a two-week period.
Changes to opening days have been made to maximise coverage for residents across the city with changes to opening patterns made using a list of all libraires.
The list was created by mapping each building against characteristics of its local area including the population size, age ranges of residents, number of children and young people in education and the building’s distance from main roads, high streets, and other services open on a Saturday.
Ten community library hubs will be open every Saturday (week one and two). These libraries are:
Acocks Green
Druids Heath
Erdington
Handsworth
Kings Heath
Mere Green
Northfield
Quinton
Small Heath
Ward End
Eight community libraries will be open for alternating Saturdays, with four open on the first Saturday (week one) and four will open on the second Saturday (week two). The pattern for libraries served by alternating Saturdays is:
Week one
Week two
Birchfield
Hall Green
Harborne
Kings Norton
South Yardley
Kingstanding
Sparkhill
Stirchley
There will be additional provision every Saturday by the mobile library service, whose routes will prioritise areas whose libraries remain closed on Saturdays.
Alongside the mobile library service, alternate library access for residents’ whose nearest library will remain closed on Saturday is below:
Library not open on Saturday
Nearest Saturday opening
Walking distance (approx.)
Perry Common Library
Kingstanding library
1.3miles
Yardley Wood Library
Hall Green library
1.4 miles
Weoley Castle Library
Northfield Library
1.9 miles
Shard End Library
Ward End Library
2.8miles
Tower Hill Library
Handsworth library
2.8 miles
Sheldon Library
South Yardley library
1.6 miles
Aston Library
Birchfield Library
0.6 miles
Balsall Heath Library
Kings Heath Library
1.5 miles
Selly Oak Library
Stirchley library
1.4 miles
These changes to opening hours does not reflect the library buildings weekday opening hours and resident can continue to access a 24-hour online service, a citywide book reservation service, self-service, Library Services at Home, and as well as a digital library offering.
Professor Aled Jones, Director of ARU’s Global Sustainability Institute
Professor Aled Jones of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has played a key role in a publication that sets out bold recommendations to help boost the UK economy.
The British Academy’s Economic Strategy Programme aims to unlock long-term economic growth and prosperity in the UK and the newly-published policy insights released by the Programme are the result of collaboration between British Academy Fellows, leading academics and economic policymakers.
The project, which began in 2023, has focused on four critical policy areas: International Trade and Geopolitics; Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation; Skills; and Sustainability and Social Value.
Professor Jones, Director of ARU’s Global Sustainability Institute, was invited to join the Sustainability and Social Value Working Group, which has concentrated on improving social outcomes through investment in the UK economy.
An overarching theme across the four policy areas is that a sustainable economic strategy should be underpinned by investment in the institutional, human and physical capital that in turn makes a place ‘investible’ for the private sector.
Among the recommendations of the Sustainability and Social Value Working Group are the need to consider aspects of people’s lives beyond paid work – as these are fundamental to citizens’ wellbeing and a prosperous, well-functioning society – and the importance of incorporating social investment into a whole-systems approach to the economy, highlighting the interconnected nature of the challenges faced.
The policy insight sets out how investment in health, education, wellbeing and social cohesion can provide a foundation to improve economic performance, while also strengthening societal resilience and capacity for change. The experts believe these investments can deliver economic gains through improved productivity in the long run.
“It is great to see the final report being published, highlighting the importance of social investment in health, education, social security and social cohesion to underpin economic resilience.
“Without recognising that good work and social infrastructure is interwoven with solutions to climate change and environmental degradation, the government will not be able to unlock a transformation of the UK economy that delivers prosperity for all.
“A true systems approach, that measures and values what people care about, and care for, can deliver tangible outcomes for communities right across the UK.”
Professor Aled Jones, Director of ARU’s Global Sustainability Institute
RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on modifications to Leicester’s Local Plan.
A consultation is giving people the chance to comment on the recommendations planning inspectors have made on the Local Plan.
In September 2023, Leicester City Council submitted its Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for independent examination. Public examination hearings were held late last year, led by Government-appointed planning inspectors.
Following these hearings, inspectors have now agreed a number of amendments – known as ‘main modifications’ – to make the plan sound.
These modifications are detailed, and cover a wide range of topics, such as sustainability, climate change, the use of brownfield sites, transport and the local economy.
The modifications build on policies, regulations and supporting documents that inform the Local Plan and make recommendations on how they should be applied in the future.
City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This is the next stage of our Local Plan, and it’s important to note that residents are only able to comment on main modifications to the Plan at this stage. This is because the development of a Local Plan follows a strict process, which is set nationally, and prescribes what we can consult on at each stage.
“We have already held several consultations on the Local Plan, and the comments and representations we previously received have already been considered and included in our evidence.
“Once the responses from this latest consultation have been considered, we should be getting close to being able to adopt a new Local Plan for Leicester.
“A robust Local Plan is a vital tool that helps us to shape housing, our local economy, community facilities and infrastructure for our city. It will set out our strategy for growth up until 2036, as well as helping us to conserve and enhance our natural and historic environment.”
Once the consultation is complete, comments are sent back to the Government planning inspectors for consideration. They will then determine whether the Local Plan is ‘sound’ and produce a written report outlining their final recommendations.
A series of ads for Brazilian butt lifts (BBL) on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook were recently banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). These ads were found to be misleading and irresponsible, often downplaying serious health risks and pressuring consumers with time-limited offers.
This move highlights growing concerns over how cosmetic surgery is marketed online and the safety of BBL procedures. But BBLs are not the only cosmetic surgeries under scrutiny.
According to recent data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), there were 27,462 cosmetic procedures performed in 2024 – a 5% rise from 2023. More than nine out of ten (93.5%) of these procedures were performed on women.
Body contouring – including liposuction, abdominoplasty and thigh lifts – are the most popular surgeries, while facial rejuvenation procedures, particularly face and neck lifts, brow lifts and eyelid surgery have all increased in popularity since 2023.
Risk factors
Many of these popular procedures are also among the riskiest. Body contouring surgeries like liposuction, tummy tucks and fat grafting, for example, are major operations that typically take hours and involve general anesthesia.
And the aesthetic outcomes are not always as expected either. Fat removal can sometimes lead to uneven body contours, lumps, or skin irregularities, which may worsen as the body continues to age.
One of the most dangerous risks is pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs. In the US, around 18,000 cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) occur annually among plastic surgery patients, with about 10% resulting in death within just one hour of symptoms appearing.
This already serious threat has become even more pressing in the post-COVID era, as VTE cases are rising. COVID is known to increase the body’s tendency to form blood clots – even in those with mild or no symptoms.
These lingering effects can persist for weeks or months and, when combined with the usual surgical risks like immobility, tissue trauma and inflammation, they significantly increase the likelihood of a life-threatening event like a pulmonary embolism. As a result, people undergoing plastic surgery today may face a higher baseline risk than before the pandemic.
Fat embolism is another potentially deadly complication, often associated with procedures like liposuction or BBLs. This occurs when fat particles enter the bloodstream and travel to vital organs, leading to serious medical emergencies.
After surgery, some patients may wake up disoriented, confused, or with lingering neurological symptoms – signs of a serious medical emergency. Fat embolism can have immediate, life-threatening effects and, in severe cases, can cause permanent brain damage, organ failure, or sudden death.
Even if surgery doesn’t result in major complications, many patients still walk away unhappy. A common issue is that procedures don’t account for how the body continues to age. A facelift or tummy tuck might look great initially, but the natural ageing process can quickly undo or distort those results.
The problem is that many cosmetic procedures fail to account for the inevitable changes our bodies undergo with age. Our bodies change over time – skin loses elasticity, fat distribution shifts and trends evolve. What feels like a good decision in your 20s might look very different in your 40s.
Non-surgical treatments
One of the most troubling issues in the cosmetic industry is the lack of consistent regulation. This is particularly true for non-surgical treatments, where injectable products can be administered by anyone, from trained doctors to self-taught beauty influencers. Cosmetic tourism adds another layer of complexity. Many people travel abroad for cheaper procedures, only to face complications once they return home – with limited recourse or support.
Non-surgical treatments like dermal fillers and Botox have become increasingly popular due to their quick results and minimal downtime. However, they are not without risk.
Modern fillers like hyaluronic acid are generally safer than older materials such as silicone. They’re less likely to cause issues like granulomas – as long as they don’t become infected – and they can even be reversed if needed. However, when injected incorrectly, especially into a blood vessel, fillers can cause serious complications like tissue death, permanent scarring, or even blindness.
Botox injections also carry risks, including muscle paralysis, nerve damage, and uneven facial results – particularly when performed by unqualified practitioners.
Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure – whether surgical or non-surgical – it’s essential to research a qualified practitioner, understand the risks and set realistic expectations.
Cosmetic surgery can be empowering for many people, helping them feel more confident in their own skin. But the decision to alter your appearance permanently should never be taken lightly. Behind the glamour and glossy Instagram stories lies a more serious picture – one where the risks are real and the consequences, sometimes irreversible.
James D. Frame, Professor of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Anglia Ruskin University
A new report has set out the impressive results being achieved by Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP) – and the plans that mean the city is perfectly placed to keep building on that success.
The report shows that a total of 788 affordable homes – all for rent by council tenants – have been built or acquired through the CHGP over the last five years.
A further 284 affordable homes – which are again being delivered by the CHGP for rent by council tenants – are currently under construction or in the process of being acquired, with Armley, Gipton and Swinnow among the communities where major new-build schemes are taking shape.
Another 156 homes have been identified for delivery as part of the programme’s five-year first phase but have yet to commence construction.
The report – due to be considered by Leeds City Council’s executive board at a meeting next Wednesday (June 18) – also details a number of sites that have been provisionally earmarked for the development of new housing during the second phase of the CHGP, which runs from 2026 to 2031.
The sites include the derelict Kingsdale Court flats in Seacroft, land at Acre Mount in Middleton and the former Osmondthorpe One Stop Centre.
Subject to the necessary feasibility, funding and planning approvals, schemes at these three locations alone could deliver more than 100 council homes.
Other places lined up for new housing as part of phase two of the programme include Ramshead Approach in Seacroft, Cartmell Drive in Halton Moor and land formerly occupied by the demolished Highways tower blocks in Killingbeck.
The vast majority of the funding for the completed CHGP homes – many of which are for social rent, the most affordable tenure – has been provided by the council’s housing service via Right to Buy receipts and borrowing.
Other key points contained in the report include:
More than 400 of the 788 homes delivered by the programme to date were newly-built properties;
The council’s new-build homes use low-carbon heating and other energy efficiency measures to support Leeds’s net zero ambitions while also helping tenants with the cost of living;
CHGP schemes are, where appropriate, delivered through local contractors and supply chains, generating training and employment opportunities for people in Leeds.
The council has additionally, through the use of its land and ‘commuted sums’ funding resources, facilitated the building of around 400 homes by registered affordable housing providers such as housing associations.
This means that around 1,600 homes have either been completed, acquired, identified for delivery, facilitated or had construction begin during phase one of the CHGP.
The number of affordable homes delivered in Leeds over the last five years by all providers, meanwhile, is over 2,900 – more than in any other large city in the country outside London.
That same combination of council, registered provider and private sector activity is projected to deliver an average of 780 affordable homes in the city over each of the next three years.
The results achieved to date by the council’s CHGP, notes the report, have come in spite of the challenging conditions faced by the construction market in recent times.
The report also acknowledges that “significant resource and investment” from central government and other partners will be required if the current momentum is to be maintained.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:
“As a council, we are determined to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that people across Leeds are living in the kind of safe, warm and welcoming homes where they can flourish and feel secure.
“Key to this work is our Council Housing Growth Programme and the hundreds of affordable homes it has delivered – and is continuing to deliver – for the city.
“These homes are more than just numbers, they represent lives changed for the better and I’m proud of the success we have achieved to date. I’m also really pleased that, by making many of the homes available for social rent, we’ve been able to give a helping hand to those on lower incomes.
“We know there is still much to do, however, with the city continuing to face significant housing needs at a time when affordable homes are in particular demand.
“Our plans for phase two of the programme underline our commitment to meeting those needs by providing good-quality, energy-efficient and affordable housing that will in turn help build thriving, inclusive communities.”
Locations where new housing has recently been delivered by the CHGP include Barncroft Close in Seacroft and Scott Hall Drive in Chapel Allerton as well as a site in Middleton formerly occupied by Throstle Recreation Ground and Middleton Skills Centre.
In a sign of the council’s determination to ensure its schemes meet a range of needs, the Middleton development includes Gascoigne House – a 60-apartment extra care facility – as well as 100 family homes and 16 wheelchair-accessible bungalows.
The report being considered at next week’s executive board meeting is entitled ‘Council Housing Growth Programme Update and Phase 2 Proposals’ and can be found in full here.
Notes to editors:
The term ‘affordable housing’ refers to homes that are available for rent at below market value or low-cost ownership. When affordable housing is made available for rent, potential tenures include ‘affordable’ and ‘social’. Affordable rent is discounted by at least 20 per cent from the prevailing local market rate. Social rent is lower than affordable rent and set by a formula tied to local incomes, property size and property value.
The council’s commuted sums funding stream supports affordable housing delivery using pooled financial contributions paid by developers as part of planning agreements.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Jo Farrar appointed as new Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary
Dr Farrar is the current Chief Executive at NHS Blood and Transplant.
The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Dr Jo Farrar CB OBE as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice to help deliver on the Plan for Change mission to make the country’s streets safer.
Jo is currently the Chief Executive Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant and previously served as Second Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice with a remit covering HM Prison and Probation Service, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Legal Aid Agency, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Jo will take on the post previously held by Dame Antonio Romeo DCB, who was appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Home Office by the Prime Minister earlier this year.
Through the Plan for Change, the Ministry of Justice is focused on the ‘Safer Streets’ mission—working to reduce serious harm and increase public confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, said:
I am delighted to welcome Jo back to the Ministry of Justice at such a pivotal time for the department. I know that she shares my passion for reforming the justice system, protecting the public by cutting reoffending and supporting victims.
I am also extremely grateful to Amy Rees for her exceptional leadership as Interim Permanent Secretary during such a significant spring and summer for the department, and that she has agreed to continue in that role until Jo is in post.
Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said:
I would like to congratulate Jo Farrar on her appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. Jo’s deep experience of the justice sector and impressive track record on delivery make her excellently suited to lead the Ministry of Justice at this time and drive delivery of the department’s missions under the Plan for Change.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Antonia Romeo for her excellent leadership of the Ministry of Justice over the last four years and Amy Rees for her role as interim Permanent Secretary.
Dr Jo Farrar said:
It is a genuine privilege to be appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. I have seen first-hand the remarkable dedication and expertise that colleagues bring every day—protecting the public, supporting victims, and upholding the rule of law.
I am full of pride and excitement to lead the department and work with the Lord Chancellor and Ministers to deliver our vital mission.
Interim Permanent Secretary Amy Rees CB will continue in her role until Jo takes up the position. Phil Copple and Michelle Jarman-Howe will continue as Interim Chief Executive and Interim Director General of Operations at HMPPS, respectively.
The UK cannot continue to support Israel while it openly breaks international law.
More in External Affairs
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has condemned the capture of a British registered ship the ‘Madleen’ that was carrying 12 humanitarian aid volunteers, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan MEP, by Israeli forces in international waters.
At 02:50am (EEST) Israeli forces began an ‘assault’ in international waters on the Madleen according to the organisation behind the aid effort, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. It was reported that the ship was boarded and its volunteers taken by Israeli authorities.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea prohibits the interception of vessels in international waters without lawful cause. It was also reported that just hours before the Israeli forces boarded the ship carrying crucial humanitarian aid that a UK spy plane was sent over the Palestinian territory.
Responding to the news of the Madleen’s capture, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“This is another horrifying violation of international law by the Israeli authorities. There can be no justification for capturing an unarmed humanitarian aid ship in international waters, and we can’t let them get away with this yet again.
“We must see the immediate and unconditional release of all Madleen crew members. And we desperately need immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Palestinians urgently need food, water, and medical supplies but it has been denied time and again by Israel. The objective of this flotilla was to put all eyes on Gaza and end the illegal Israeli aid blockade, that must now happen. The world needs to act.
“Yet, the UK Government remains complicit in the Israeli regime’s horrific war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, from arms sales to reconnaissance missions. The UK Government has blood on its hands.
“Now with a British vessel being boarded and captured by Israeli military forces this Labour government’s silence says it all.
“All governments must stand up to Israel, stop all funding and support for Netenyahu’s genocidal regime, and ensure urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.”
Damage has already been done; families will have lost loved ones and illnesses will have been caused over the winter months because of Labour’s brutal decision
The UK Government has announced that they will u-turn on their decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, reintroducing the scheme for 75% of people previously eligible.
Reacting to the reinstatement Scottish Greens Social Security spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP said:
“Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment was one of the first acts of this Labour government. Elected on a promise of ‘change’ they brought in sweeping austerity that harmed older people across the UK at a time when the cost of living remains sky high.
“There is no doubt that the damage has already been done, families will have lost loved ones, and illnesses will have been caused over the winter months because of the brutal decision by Rachel Reeves and the Labour Government.
“Labour’s cutting of the Winter Fuel Payment, refusal to end the two-child benefit cap and regressive austerity measures are forcing people into poverty in Scotland and across the UK
“The reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment for some is a welcome move, but we must go further, the Labour government must end the two-child benefit cap which hits working class families the hardest, and they must reverse their cruel austerity policies.
“Poverty isn’t inevitable; it’s a political policy, a policy which Rachel Reeves has forced upon hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. If Keir Starmer has any shame, he would finally call an end to her disastrous time as Chancellor.”
An arm of West Hoe pier is being fenced off as a safety measure ahead of repair work which is expected to start this summer.
Heras fencing is being erected at the shore end of the pier this week and signs put up to stop people from using the pier which has become unstable. It will remain out of bounds until the work has been completed.
This north east leg is used mainly by anglers and people simply enjoying the scene, but the pier on the other side of this tiny harbour – where Rusty Reg or Look II stands – will still be accessible.
The pier is a Grade II listed structure and was built in the 1880s. It has been subject to various repairs over the years, but its location means that it is subject to continuous wave action.
The Council has been monitoring its condition for some time and commissioned a survey to review next steps.
It has now received recommendations for the work, which will involve replacing various granite steps and blocks that have fallen away, refilling voids that have been created by the sea, repointing as well as replacing timber strakes.
We are currently finalising the detail and programme of the work with a specialist marine engineering company.
The pier in question is NOT the one which is home to Rusty Reg or Look II as it is formally known. Work was carried out in 2020 ahead of the installation of the figure.
We have also taken the precaution of fencing off the statue of Lady Nancy Astor on the Hoe following reports of instability from a concerned member of the public.
Further site investigations have confirmed that some adjustments need to be made.
As a courtesy, we have contacted the sculptor and the fundraiser to agree any necessary changes and once these have been agreed, will make the necessary adjustments to the statue.
The statue was unveiled in November 2019 by the former Prime Minister Theresa May following a successful crowdfunding campaign, organised by Plymouth Women in Business Networking. It was installed by a third-party contractor.
Nancy Astor was the first female to take a seat in the House of Commons and served as an MP for the city of Plymouth for 26 years.
The statue is currently not accessible due to the Summer Sessions security measures.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government pledges £5 million to transform public space in memory of Bebe King, Elsie Stancombe & Alice Aguiar
The funding will contribute to the renovation of Southport’s Town Hall Gardens, which became a beacon of support and solidarity in Southport last year.
The families of Bebe King, Elsie Stancombe and Alice Aguiar will take a leading role in shaping the renovation of Southport’s Town Hall Gardens as a thank you to the community who have supported them.
The renovation will see the Town Hall Gardens, which became a beacon of support and solidarity in Southport last year, become an inclusive community-focused events space in the heart of Southport Town Centre.
In a meeting with the families today (10 June), the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister expressed their full support for the project and pledged £5 million for its development. This government funding will be matched by £2.5 million each from Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), bringing the total investment to £10 million.
Once complete, the space will be a vibrant, family-friendly destination – hosting open-air performances, markets, and community events – while also offering a unifying setting where people can come together to remember and reflect.
The families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Stancombe said:
This project is a vision we have all shared for some time, which is rooted in love, resilience and unity. We wanted to find a way to thank the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Your compassion has never wavered and your strength has helped carry us forward.
The regeneration of the Town Hall Gardens will become a legacy inspired by our three beautiful and amazing girls and it will be a space that is loved by many generations to come. It will be a place of joy, hope and community. A vibrant place where children and families can feel safe, connected and celebrated in the heart of our town.
We are grateful to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to Sefton Council and to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and each of the region’s Councils, for listening to our voices and helping us achieve the funding we need for this project. This is only the beginning, and we all walk forward together with our amazing community in Southport, with purpose and hope.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, said:
The strength of everyone in Southport has been beyond words and I am delighted that we are able to help with the families’ vision to give back to that amazing community, who continue to give everything they can to those families and victims.
We are committing £5 million to help create a safe community space for connection, reflection, and renewal – a lasting symbol of hope, guided by the strength of the families and wider community.”
Sefton Council will lead the delivery of the project, working in partnership with the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and the LCRCA. Further details on next steps will be announced in due course.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Speech
We cannot achieve sustainable development by leaving young people out of conversations: UK National Statement at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Statement by UK Minister for Equalities, Seema Malhotra, at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities General Debate.
The UK is determined to boost opportunity and champion the rights of disabled people.
The government works closely with disabled people and their representative organisations, ensuring that their views and voices are at the heart of everything that we do.
For instance, we have recently engaged with disabled people through a public consultation and call for evidence for our Equality, Race and Disability Bill.
The Bill will make the right to equal pay effective for disabled people and ethnic minorities, and introduce mandatory disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers.
We have appointed Lead Ministers for Disability who champion the interests of disabled people and disability inclusion and accessibility across their government department.
The UK Government remains strongly committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
We have developed a new training to increase knowledge of the Convention across government. We also recently extended the Convention to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda.
Globally, we are faced with the climate and nature crisis and a greater number of conflicts than at any time since 1945. Disabled people are disproportionately affected by these crises, so promoting disability inclusion internationally is more important than ever.
This year marks the UN’s 80th anniversary. It serves as a reminder that only by acting together can we address global challenges head-on and defend human rights for all.
That is why we must build on the momentum of the Global Disability Summit in April.
At the summit, the UK announced ambitious commitments to mainstream disability in our international work.
This included generating $60m of investment capital from the Private Sector and multilateral institutions through the Assistive Technology Growth Fund; integrating disability inclusion in our ‘Green Cities and Infrastructure Centre of Expertise’; and ensuring that all our international education programming is disability inclusive.
The UK has also announced its co-chairing of the Global Action on Disability network of governments, civil society, foundations and the private sector, through which we will bring partners together in support of our stronger national and international systems that deliver disability rights, leave no one behind and implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In the U.S., both scholars and news media have been highlighting the connections between far-right Christian ideology and politics.
Trump’s first presidential term ended with the Jan. 6, 2021 violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. Scholars like Matthew Taylor, author of The Violent Take it by Force, have pointed to Christian nationalism and other far-right ideologies as factors that motivated the rioters.
American sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry define Christian nationalism as “a cultural framework that blurs distinctions between Christian identity and American identity, viewing the two as closely related and seeking to enhance and preserve their union.”
It’s tempting to read “Christian idenity” and “American identity” and assume it does not affect Canada.
Christian nationalism is not synonymous with Christianity or any specific branch of Christianity, like evangelical Christianity.
According to U.S. sociologist Daniel Miller, Christian nationalism is not a set list of ideological or religious beliefs. Instead, Miller says, Christian nationalism emerges when people identify with “a very narrow, idealized prototype of the ‘real or ‘authentic’ American.”
He says two mechanisms connect people to Christian nationalism. The first is perceived loss of power by the people who historically held power. This is known as a “power devaluation crisis.” The second is a narrative of decline — known as a a “declensionist narrative” — which asserts that American society has declined since the 1960s and needs repair and reclamation.
Poilievre’s signals to Christian nationalists
Poilievre is not open about his religion and does not call for Canada to be a Christian nation. But whether Poilievre intends to stir up Christian nationalists, some of his rhetoric has indicated support for the classic definitions of Christian nationalism.
According to Miller, support for Christian nationalism is not always direct. It can be activated by stoking a crisis of lost power, like the decline of the “traditional” family or by asserting a narrative of decline, like “Canada is broken.”
For example, Poilievre’s 2025 campaign mobilized both of the narrative mechanisms that attract Christian nationalist mentioned by sociologists: a power devaluation crisis and the narrative of decline.
In the lead-up to his 2025 campaign, Poilievre repeatedly calledCanada “broken.”. He cited increased crime, addiction, high grocery prices and more as evidence of Canada’s brokenness, accusing the Liberal government of erasing Canada’s past.
When Poilievre calls Canada “broken,” it affirms the world view of Christian nationalists.
Of course, visits to churches are not enough to signal alignment with Christian nationalists. And Poilievre has not espoused any Christian evangelical ideals in any public speech.
But it’s still important for Canadians to remain alert about Christian nationalists and their ambitions to become part of mainstream politics.
Canadian Christian nationalism
A study from the U.S. has linked the rise in Christian nationalist ideologies to attacks on religious minorities. The 2024 qualitative data from the study indicates that when politicians rhetorically supported Christian nationalist values, there was a increased violence against minority groups.
While I know of no studies showing the rise of the far right is directly leading to violence in Canada, Canadians should be aware of the pattern in the U.S. Research shows that growing Christian nationalists and far-right world views south of the border are, in fact, connected to a rise in violence.
Lisa Gasson-Gardner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jamie Seabrook, Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Professor, Department of Paediatrics; Professor, Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Western University
As cannabis use among youth rises in Canada — and THC potency reaches record highs — emergency departments are seeing a surge in cases of a once-rare condition: cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).
Characterized by relentless vomiting, abdominal pain and temporary relief through compulsive hot showers or baths, CHS is increasingly affecting adolescents and young adults. Yet few people — including many clinicians — know it exists.
As public health and substance use researchers, and authors of a recent review on CHS in youth, we are struck by how misunderstood and misdiagnosed this condition remains.
A silent side-effect of heavy cannabis use
Canada ranks among the highest globally for youth cannabis use, with 43 per cent of 16-19-year-olds reporting use in the past year. Usage peaks among those 20–24 years, with nearly half (48 per cent) reporting past-year use.
This rise in regular, heavy use coincides with a 400 per cent increase in THC potency since the 1980s. Strains with THC levels above 25 per cent are now common. As cannabis becomes more potent and accessible, clinicians are seeing more cases of CHS, a condition virtually unheard of before 2004.
What is CHS?
CHS unfolds in three phases:
Prodromal phase: Nausea and early morning discomfort begin. Users increase cannabis consumption, thinking it will relieve symptoms.
Hyperemetic phase: Intense vomiting, dehydration and abdominal pain follow. Hot showers or baths provide temporary relief — a hallmark of CHS.
Recovery phase: Symptoms resolve after stopping cannabis entirely.
Diagnosis is often delayed. One reason is because CHS mimics conditions like gastroenteritis or eating disorders, leading to costly CT scans, MRIs and gastric emptying tests. One telltale sign — compulsive hot bathing — is frequently overlooked, despite its strong diagnostic value.
Nausea and early morning discomfort begin in the early stages of CHS. (Shutterstock)
Some youth use cannabis to self-medicate for mental health concerns and increase their use when symptoms of CHS appear, mistakenly believing cannabis will help. Others are reluctant to disclose their use due to stigma, fear of judgment or legal consequences.
In our recent review, we found that CHS is frequently misdiagnosed as bulimia nervosa because of the vomiting and unintended weight loss. But unlike bulimia, CHS-related vomiting is involuntary and not motivated by body image concerns. A clue is that those with CHS often return to normal eating and bathing patterns during symptom-free periods, which is not typical for an eating disorder.
Compulsive hot bathing is a telltale sign of CHS. (Shutterstock)
A burden on the health system and individual
CHS doesn’t just take a toll on youth — it strains the health-care system. Emergency department visits for CHS have spiked in recent years, with a study in Ontario showing a significant rise after cannabis commercialization following legalization in 2018. Repeated ER visits, missed school or work and emotional distress compound the burden. In rare cases, CHS can lead to kidney failure due to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
The most effective long-term solution to treating CHS is cannabis cessation. For youth who use cannabis to cope with anxiety, quitting can lead to withdrawal symptoms and distress. This makes harm reduction strategies critical: gradual reduction plans, mental health supports and non-judgmental conversations between providers and patients.
Clinicians should systematically screen youth presenting with cyclic vomiting for cannabis use and hot bathing behaviour. Youth are more likely to disclose cannabis use when asked in an empathetic, stigma-free way.
Public health campaigns can play a major role. We need honest, accessible education — in schools, clinics and online — that explains what CHS is, how to recognize it and how to seek help. In our view, the addition of CHS content to youth health curriculums, pediatric training programs and cannabis use screening tools is overdue.
A preventable crisis
CHS is a preventable but growing consequence of chronic cannabis use in young people. As legalization continues to reshape social norms and access, it is essential to ensure that youth — and those who care for them — are informed about the full spectrum of cannabis-related health risks.
This story was co-authored by Morgan Seabrook, an undergraduate research assistant at the Human Environments Analysis Laboratory at Western University.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
These conversations are important, but clinicians’ and patients’ time together is often limited, and it’s hard to demonstrate trustworthiness and build trust. That’s where we believe — and evidence suggests — artificial intelligence (AI) can help.
We’re part of a team researching how chatbots can be developed to help clinicians practise difficult conversations about vaccines. These tools have the potential to provide low-cost, emotionally engaging and psychologically safe simulations for health professionals like doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.
These kinds of tools are especially valuable in rural and remote areas, where access to in-person workshops or continuing education may be limited. Even for busy clinicians in well-resourced areas, chatbots can offer a flexible way to hone communication skills and to learn about circulating concerns.
Chatbots provide an opportunity to deliver this kind of training at scale. In recent work, computational social scientist David Rand and colleagues have demonstrated how AI-based agents can be trained to engage in social conversations and generate responses that effectively persuade.
These principles can be applied to the clinician–patient setting, allowing professionals to test and refine different ways of engaging with vaccine hesitancy before stepping into real-world conversations.
Simulating conversations between clinicians and patients can help clinicians prepare for actual encounters. (Shutterstock)
Practising communication
We believe chatbots can be used to train clinicians in a type of presumptive language known as the AIMS method (announce, inquire, mirror and secure trust). Similar approaches, drawing on motivational interviewing, have been tested in Québec, where it has demonstrated success in helping clinicians increase vaccine confidence and uptake among new parents.
This kind of intervention will simulate conversations with patients with vaccine questions, allowing physicians to practice AIMS techniques in a low-stakes environment. For example, the chatbot could play the role of a parent, and the physician would begin by announcing that it is time for the parents to vaccinate their children.
Then, if the “parent” (the chatbot) expresses vaccine hesitancy, the physician would inquire about what is driving the hesitancy. Importantly, when the “parent” responds to the questions, the AIMS approach teaches the physician not to respond directly to the concerns, but instead first mirror the response to show the parent that they are being heard and understood.
Finally, and sometimes after multiple rounds of inquiry and mirroring, the physician can move on to securing the parent’s trust.
Becoming adept at methods of conversational approaches like AIMS takes practice. That’s what a chatbot can offer: repeated, flexible, low-risk rehearsal. Think of it like a flight simulator for conversations.
Staying ahead of misinformation
The landscape of misinformation is constantly shifting. New conspiracy theories, viral videos and misleading anecdotes can gain traction in days. Clinicians shouldn’t have to confront these narratives for the first time during a brief patient visit.
By having the AI model underlying the chatbot constantly trawling the web for the latest misleading claims and updating chatbot scenarios regularly, we can help clinicians recognize and respond to the kinds of misinformation circulating now. This is especially important when trust in institutions is wavering and personalized, empathetic responses are most needed.
Conversations build trust
While we propose chatbots can be used to teach doctors how to address vaccine skepticism, motivational interviewing has already been employed via AI-based chatbots to address smoking cessation, with some promising results.
Using this approach as part of (continuing) clinical education could help better prepare the frontlines to serve as a successful bulwark against vaccine concerns not rooted in science.
In the face of falling vaccination rates and rising distrust, clinicians are on the front lines of public health. We owe them better tools to prepare and build trust.
Trust isn’t built in a moment. It’s built in conversation. And those can be practised.
Jaigris Hodson is on the advisory board of the Clarity Foundation. She receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Heather Lanthorn is a senior advisor to the Clairity Foundation.
David Rand has received funding from Google, Meta, and the Gates Foundation.
Heather Lanthorn is the Senior Advisor to the Clarity Foundation.
June 10, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario — Women and Gender Equality Canada
Pride Season is a time to raise our voices—and our flags—to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other sexual and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) communities. It is also a time to recommit to building a country where everyone can live in safety and dignity.
Today, as the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag was raised on Parliament Hill, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced $1.5 million to support the security needs of Pride festivals across Canada.
This funding—administered by Fierté Canada Pride through Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate—will help cover the rising cost of safety and insurance planning, so organizers can continue building welcoming and inclusive spaces for all.
As we begin Pride Season, the Government of Canada remains committed to working with 2SLGBTQI+ communities to build a future where no one is left behind.
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and seven Republican colleagues in sending a letter to acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator David Richardson urging the agency to end the Biden administration’s failed Risk Rating 2.0 program.
Under Risk Rating 2.0, an estimated 80 percent of Louisiana National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders experienced monthly flood insurance premium increases in 2025.
“Since the Biden Administration’s rollout of Risk Rating 2.0, premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) increased in every state. By FEMA’s own estimates, 77 percent of all NFIP policies now pay more than under the old system,” the senators wrote.
“The lack of transparency surrounding Risk Rating 2.0 is beyond troubling. FEMA has never allowed for meaningful public comment nor has it published the underlying data or assumptions used to justify the steep premium increases and refuses to disclose its actuarial model. Without transparency, communities cannot plan mitigation projects, lenders cannot accurately underwrite mortgages, and citizens cannot appeal punitive rate increases. Worse still, rising costs encourage policy lapses—shifting risk back to taxpayers when disasters strike,” they continued.
“Each month that Risk Rating 2.0 continues unchecked, more families are forced to abandon their insurance coverage, neighborhoods face economic strain, and entire communities risk collapse after the next disaster,” the lawmakers added.
Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) also joined the letter.
Background:
In 2023, Kennedy introduced the Risk Rating 2.0 Transparency Act, which would require FEMA to publish an explanation of how the agency is determining flood insurance prices under Risk Rating 2.0.
In 2023, Kennedy also introduced the Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which would cap annual flood insurance premium increases.
In 2024, Kennedy spoke in the Senate Banking Committee about FEMA’s dishonesty concerning the Risk Rating 2.0 program, noting that the agency “said a million people of the 5 million people [who hold NFIP policies] will see their rates go down. I haven’t talked to a single person who’s seen their rates go down.”
The full letter is available here.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/MYOzDzhz3mE
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORDAN FLYTHE, also known as “T,” 32, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 31, 2021, Flythe was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 36 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine. He was released from federal prison in September 2022.
In August 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Middletown Police Department determined that Flythe was distributing fentanyl and other narcotics in Middletown. Between August and November 2024, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Flythe. On December 18, 2024, a court authorized search of Flythe’s residence on Adelaide Street in Hartford revealed approximately 240 grams of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and other additives, and approximately 160 grams of cocaine.
Flythe pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Flythe has been detained since his arrest on March 6, 2025.
This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, the Middletown Police Department, and the Hartford Police Department. The task force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.
DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Richard Nieto, age 39, of Morrison, Colorado, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $962,438.85 in restitution for engaging in wire fraud and money laundering in connection with obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the plea agreement, the defendant submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications to a lender seeking $1,117,903.56 and was successful in obtaining two PPP loans totaling $913,551.88.
In the first successful application for $175,384.83, the defendant inflated the number of employees and average monthly payroll for his business, Denver Pro Painting & Contracting, that had operated before the pandemic and fabricated Forms 941 that did not match the tax returns filed with the IRS. He then submitted a second successful PPP application for $738,167.05 to the same lender for another business, DenPro, that had no payroll or employees and was not operating at all. In this second application, the defendant made up $1,771,601.04 in annual payroll while fabricating fourth quarter tax returns to support the lies on the application.
Before making a single payment on either loan, the defendant submitted fraudulent applications for loan forgiveness. In support of the forgiveness applications, the defendant created a total of 87 fake payroll checks and paystubs that falsely indicated that each check related to a specific pay period and employee and that the defendant’s companies had withheld taxes so that they would qualify for loan forgiveness. One of the defendant’s PPP loans was fully forgiven.
Despite telling the lender that he would use the PPP loan money on business expenses, the defendant transferred PPP loan money through multiple intermediate accounts before using it on personal expenditures and investments. Among other transactions, the defendant used loan money to pay a home mortgage, purchase bitcoin, contribute to an investment account, buy gold and silver coins, and invest in a friend’s startup business.
“This is another case of someone using for personal gain a program meant to help people suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “I want the public to know that we are aggressively prosecuting people who stole from this relief program.”
“Mr. Nieto went to great lengths to abuse a program meant for hardworking small business owners, seeking only to enrich himself.” said Amanda Prestegard, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-CI Denver Field Office. “We are proud to partner with the U.S Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue those who defrauded this and other CARES Act programs and hold criminals like Mr. Nieto accountable.”
United States District Judge William J. Martinez presided over the sentencing.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Craig Fansler and Martha Paluch handled the prosecution of the case.
NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Michael M. Simpson announced today that YEON SOOK HWANG, a/k/a “Jackie” (“HWANG”),age 50, was indicted on June 5, 2025 for unlawful procurement of naturalization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1425(b).
According to the indictment, HWANG made false statements on an Application for Naturalization in 2015 in the Eastern District of Louisiana. She falsely claimed she had not committed any crimes, when, in fact, she had. If convicted, HWANG faces up to ten years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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 (TCOs), 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 (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
BILLINGS – A Crow Agency woman accused of making false statements to federal law enforcement admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
The defendant, Micah Taryn Faith LaForge, 24, pleaded guilty to false statement. LaForge faces 5 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not yet been set. LaForge was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on January 18, 2023, a gunshot victim arrived at the emergency room at the IHS Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital in Crow Agency. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was transported to IHS in a vehicle driven by LaForge.
LaForge lied to medical personnel and a BIA Special Agent at the hospital and then later that same day to an FBI Special Agent and a different BIA Special agent. She told all of these individuals she was driving between Crow Agency and Dunmore when she saw the gunshot victim lying in the road. LaForge claimed she stopped and loaded him into the passenger side of her vehicle and drove directly to IHS. LaForge continued with the lie by traveling to the purported location where she claimed that she saw the gunshot victim lying in the road with a BIA Special Agent. The agent noted there was no evidence, i.e., blood, shell casings, sign of a struggle that would support LaForge’s claim that this was the location where she encountered the gunshot victim.
The gunshot victim was actually shot at a house on Crow River Road. The day after the initial statement, LaForge contacted law enforcement and admitted she had lied the day before. Her lie about finding the gunshot victim in the middle of the road stymied the investigation for over 15 hours as the investigators had only the false information she provided about the location, which kept the investigators from going to the residence where the victim was shot and collecting evidence. The firearm was never recovered.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.
WASHINGTON – Norman Morris, 44, of the District of Columbia, was found guilty by a federal jury on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP).
The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, DEA Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sentencing for Morris, aka “Fibble,” is pending and will be set at a later date.
According to court documents and testimony at trial before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, the DEA and the FBI began conducting a criminal investigation in September 2023 of local PCP and fentanyl distributors, a group that included Morris and co-defendants Lamont M. Langston, Kelvin Sanker, and Jamar Bennett.
Morris conducted apparent drug transactions outside of his residence on the 200 block of 58th Street NE. The transactions were monitored by law enforcement from November 2023 to March 2024. During this same period, Bennett and Langston were observed meeting at Morris’s residence to exchange suspected narcotics and cash.
During the investigation, Bennett sold more than two kilograms of PCP to undercover officers over the course of nine transactions. The PCP was supplied by Langston and was stored and prepared by Sanker at Sanker’s home. Morris also retrieved 32 ounces of PCP from Sanker at the request of Langston after Langston was arrested with PCP and two firearms. Sixteen ounces of the PCP retrieved by Morris was sold to an undercover officer by Bennett.
Bennett, 45, of the District, pleaded guilty Apr. 11, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to 121 months in prison.
Sanker, 43, of the District, pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute PCP and was sentencing to 65 months in prison.
Langston, 44, of the District, pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP. Langston’s sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2025.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the the FBI’s Washington Field Office, DEA’s Washington Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Roman of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Division, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Stempel, with valuable assistance from Paralegal Michael Asmutis.
India made a compelling case for urgent global action to protect ocean health at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiling ambitious strides in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic clean-up, and sustainable fisheries. Representing India at the conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, Dr. Singh called for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and introduced the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal, reinforcing India’s leadership in global marine governance.
Speaking under the conference theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean,” Dr. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. He outlined India’s multi-pronged strategy to combat ocean degradation through science, innovation, and inclusive partnerships. A centerpiece of India’s efforts is the Deep Ocean Mission’s ‘Samudrayaan’ project, set to deploy the nation’s first manned submersible by 2026 to explore ocean depths up to 6,000 meters, marking a significant leap in scientific capability.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s progress in tackling marine pollution through the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. A draft marine litter policy is in place, and India is actively supporting negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty to establish a legally binding international framework. Additionally, India has expanded its Marine Protected Areas to cover 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, contributing to global biodiversity goals.
The minister showcased India’s Blue Economy initiatives, driven by the Sagarmala Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Over 600 port-led infrastructure projects worth $80 billion have been operationalized, while $2.5 billion in investments have modernized the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10% rise in fish production and the creation of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations since 2022. India has also restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and implemented shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions, integrating ocean-based climate actions into its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
India’s leadership in global ocean governance was further demonstrated through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica and its participation in high-level events, such as the India-Norway side session on Marine Spatial Planning. The launch of the ‘SAHAV’ portal at UNOC3 enhances India’s commitment to transparent, science-based ocean management.
Urging the adoption of a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan,’ Dr. Singh called for global investment in innovation, ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and finalization of the plastics treaty. “The ocean is our shared heritage and responsibility,” he declared, affirming India’s readiness to collaborate with governments, private sectors, civil society, and indigenous communities for a sustainable ocean future. India’s proactive stance at UNOC3 signals its transformation from a coastal nation to a global leader in shaping ocean policy.
Reiterating that India will not give in to any kind of nuclear blackmail, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday reaffirmed that the country strongly believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“This is not a conflict between two states per se. This is actually a response to the threat and to the practice of terrorism. So, I would urge you to don’t think of it as India-Pakistan, think of it as India and ‘Terroristan’, you would then appreciate,” Jaishankar said while addressing a joint press conference with European Union High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas in Brussels.
Asserting that terrorism is a shared and interconnected challenge for the global community, the EAM mentioned that it is imperative that there must be strong international cooperation and understanding on the matter.
EAM Jaishankar and Kallas were addressing the media after holding the first strategic dialogue between India and the European Union where both sides held an open and productive meeting with discussions focused on defence and security – including maritime, cyber and space.
“Nuclear threats cannot pay off. This is a mutual concern. We see different actors in the world using it. In this global changing world, we need more partners, and therefore we are working to intensify our cooperation regarding security and defence,” Kallas stated.
EAM Jaishankar highlighted that both sides exchanged views on global order, including the situation in Europe, the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Indo-Pacific.
“My visit to Brussels is taking place three months after that of the EU College of Commissioners to India. Even in that time, it was apparent that the world order was in the midst of a profound change. These trends have intensified in many ways. We have entered an era of multipolarity and strategic autonomy, which are two important forces for India and the EU to forge deeper ties. Working towards that goal requires intensified cooperation in many domains,” he stated
“There will be situations when our perspectives will not be entirely identical and which is understandable. But what is important is that we expand common ground and understanding and enhance levels of trust,” he added.
Jaishankar also mentioned that India aims to conclude the ambitious India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.
“Stabilising and de-risking the international economy today is a strategic priority for us. This has many dimensions, including more resilient and reliable supply chains as well as increasing trust and transparency in digital interactions. Creating stronger economic and technology partnerships between major players acquires greater value. It is with that perspective that we support the goal of concluding an ambitious and balanced India-EU FTA by the end of this year,” the EAM remarked.
