Source: City of Coventry
The latest episode of the Wall of Shame is out now.
Fly-tippers continue to plague the city. We continue to expose them. We need you to help us catch them.
Watch this month’s episode below or on YouTube now.
If you recognise anyone on this video, please email flytipping-cctv@coventry.gov.uk so we can take action.
You can also look at previous episodes to see if you recognise anyone.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
OTTAWA, May 23 (Xinhua) — Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for unity to address current global challenges on Thursday following their annual meeting in Banff, Canada.
According to a press release from the Department of Finance Canada, a communiqué was issued following the meeting, stressing the importance of G7 unity in the face of complex global challenges.
The meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors took place ahead of the June G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. The participants had productive and frank discussions on the global economy, unsustainable global imbalances, development assistance and productivity, the press release said.
“Canada approaches this 50th meeting with clear priorities, such as stimulating growth and restoring stability to the global economy,” said Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.
The G7 is an informal grouping of major global economies designed to coordinate responses to global crises. It includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors meet annually to discuss key economic policy issues. –0–
Source: US FBI
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 19, 2024
SAN DIEGO – Matthew Isaac Wolfe was sentenced in federal court today to 14 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy with Michael Pratt, owner of the website GirlsDoPorn, and others, to deceive and coerce young women into appearing in pornographic videos. A restitution hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2024 at 10 a.m.
The conspiracy included recruiting the victims from throughout the United States and Canada using internet advertisements for clothed modeling jobs. Even after the victims learned the gig involved an adult video-shoot, Wolfe admitted to persuading women to appear in the videos by telling them that the videos would never be posted online, that the videos would never be released in the United States, and that no one who knew the women would ever find out about the videos, representations he knew to be false. In truth, the videos were exclusively marketed and distributed on the internet. Not only did Wolfe lie to the women, he also instructed others to do so. Wolfe told co-defendant Theodore Gyi, the cameraman on hundreds of GirlsDoPorn video shoots, that if asked, he should lie to the women and tell them the videos would not be posted on the internet.
Most of the video shoots took place in San Diego – at local hotels and short-term rental units. Although the women were promised that the video shoots would be brief, they often took hours. Once the video productions began, some women were not permitted to leave the shooting locations until the videos were completed; some were threatened with lawsuits or cancelled flights home if they did not complete the videos; and others were allegedly forced to perform certain sex acts, which they had earlier declined to do.
After the victims returned home, still believing that they would remain anonymous, clips of the videos were posted on heavily trafficked adult film sites, like Pornhub, meant to funnel viewers to the full-length versions of the videos on Pratt’s website, GirlsDoPorn. Pratt charged visitors to GirlsDoPorn a subscription fee and generated more than $17 million in revenue.
Wolfe pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on July 26, 2022, admitting he moved to the United States from New Zealand in 2011 to work for Pratt and had a wide range of responsibilities. He filmed approximately 100 videos; uploaded finished videos onto the internet; oversaw the company’s financial books; and operated various business entities that were used to promote the business. Wolfe worked at GirlsDoPorn from 2011 until his arrest in October 2019.
During hearings today and on January 22, 2024, approximately 30 survivors asked a federal judge to impose a significant sentence, describing how the actions of Wolfe and his co-defendants destroyed their lives. Survivors, many of them college students at the time, described answering what they thought were legitimate modeling ads and flying to San Diego for paid modeling gigs, only to be forced to perform sexual acts on camera.
The women spoke of struggling with substance and alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and post-traumatic stress syndrome in the aftermath of their videos going viral. Some spoke of lost relationships with friends and family; others dropped out of school; and others went into hiding.
One of the women said: “I was robbed of my privacy, my dignity, and my peace of mind… But worst of all, I was robbed of my identity. I was once viewed as a beautiful, fun-loving and strong woman who was known for her athleticism and ability to make just about anyone laugh. I was a caring friend and a daughter my parents were proud of. Mr. Wolfe shattered who I was…Today I’m taking my identity back. I am not a victim. I’m a survivor.”
One woman recalled the day she learned that her pornographic video received more than 300 million views on Pornhub, one of the most-visited websites in the world.
“That ad seemed harmless, but it wrecked my entire life. In an instant, the life I had was gone: My hopes gone, my relationships gone, everything was gone…The fall-out from the videos spread to every part of my life like cancer, and that cancer remains to this day, making it virtually impossible for me to start a new life. I lost my modeling career, my college years, my whole twenties, my name, my career path, my friends, and my family. Everything I had built was gone, and so too was my future. Doors that were once opened were slammed in my face…Matthew Wolfe stole my life, and it wasn’t just my life. He stole hundreds of lives. What kind of price do you put on a life? Mr. Wolfe deserves a jail sentence that accounts for each and every life he has stolen.”
Another woman told the court: “It’s been nearly 3,650 days of living in a tortuous purgatory, but today marks a major milestone in my recovery. Today there’s a shift in the winds. Today is the day all the survivors get their voices back. Today is the day we get to be heard.”
Wolfe also admitted he was aware that personal identifying information and social media accounts for some women were being posted on pornwikileaks.com, a site controlled by Pratt and dedicated to “exposing” the true identities of individuals appearing in pornographic videos, causing the victims to be subjected to severe harassment. Even after Wolfe became aware of this, he and others continued to assure prospective models that no one would ever find out about their video shoot or learn their identity.
“We applaud all survivors who courageously speak out in pursuit of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Their voices rang out in the courtroom today, and we stand beside them in holding Mr. Wolfe accountable for the incredible pain and suffering he caused.”
“Matthew Wolfe’s willingness to use deception, coercion and intimidation to exploit young women paints a sordid picture of the lengths some people will go just to make money,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Wolfe’s sentencing today, and any past or future sentencings related to this case, are small slivers of justice for the victims, but ultimately don’t fully heal the deep pain spawned by Mr. Wolfe and the other defendants.”
Co-defendant Michael Pratt made his first appearance today after being extradited from Spain following more than three years as an international fugitive. In 2022, Pratt was named to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list.
Ruben Andre Garcia, the recruiter and male model, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 14, 2021. Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years in prison on November 9, 2022. Valorie Moser, the office manager, is set for sentencing on August 9, 2024.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 19cr4488
Michael James Pratt Age: 36 Unknown
Matthew Isaac Wolfe Age 37 San Diego, CA
Ruben Andre Garcia Age: 31 San Diego, CA
Theodore Gyi Age, 46 Solana Beach, CA
Valorie Moser Age: 37 San Diego, CA
CHARGES
Count 1
Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1594
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison, $250,000 fine.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
FBI – Southern District of California
U.S. Marshals Service
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: US FBI
SAN DIEGO – Michael Pratt, the alleged mastermind behind the GirlsDoPorn commercial sex trafficking ring, made his first appearance in federal court today following his extradition from Spain Monday night.
Pratt, who was the owner of the website GirlsDoPorn, was charged in October 2019 in the Southern District of California with sex trafficking crimes in connection with a scheme to deceive and coerce young women to appear in pornographic videos. Pratt was an international fugitive for more than three years before he was arrested in Spain in December 2022. Earlier in 2022, he was named to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list.
At today’s hearing, Pratt was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher. A detention hearing is scheduled for March 21 at 3 p.m. before Judge Butcher, followed by a motion hearing/trial setting on April 19 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.
“We cast a wide net in search of Mr. Pratt and now that he is in San Diego, we are prepared to bring him to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath. “We extend our deep appreciation to the government of Spain for its assistance in securing his arrest and extradition.”
“Michael Pratt’s initial appearance in San Diego is tangible proof that the pursuit of justice never stops, regardless of length of time or location,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge, Stacey Moy. “Pratt’s arrest and extradition back to the United States reflects a great collaboration among multiple agencies, both in the United States and Spain who were dedicated to seeking justice for the young women he allegedly victimized. This large, internationally coordinated effort could not have been successful without support from our law enforcement partners in Spain, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
According to public court filings, Pratt and his co-defendants used force, fraud, and coercion to recruit hundreds of young adult women – most in their late teens – and at least one minor victim, to appear in GirlsDoPorn videos.
Pratt is accused of recruiting the victims from throughout the United States and Canada using internet advertisements for clothed modeling jobs. Even after the victims were told the gig involved an adult video-shoot, Pratt and his co-defendants convinced the women that their videos would be provided solely to private collectors on DVD in foreign countries, that they would remain anonymous, and that the videos would not be posted on the internet – assurances that Pratt and his co-defendants knew to be false.
Most of the video shoots took place in San Diego – at local hotels and short-term rental units. Although the women were promised that the video shoots would be brief, they often took hours. Once the video productions began, some women were not permitted to leave the shooting locations until the videos were completed; some were threatened with lawsuits or cancelled flights home if they did not complete the videos; and others were allegedly forced to perform certain sex acts, which they had earlier declined to do.
After the victims returned home, still believing that they would remain anonymous, Pratt and his co-defendants posted clips of the videos on heavily trafficked adult film sites, like Pornhub, to funnel traffic to the full-length versions of the videos on his website, GirlsDoPorn. Pratt charged visitors to GirlsDoPorn a subscription fee. The site generated more than $17 million in revenue for Pratt.
Pratt faces 19 felony counts stemming from the operation of GirlsDoPorn. The charges include:
• Fifteen counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion;
• Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion;
• Production of child pornography;
• Sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, and coercion; and
• Conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California recognizes the outstanding efforts of the FBI in San Diego; the FBI Legal Attaché in Spain; the U.S. Marshals Service; Spain’s Ministry of Justice; and law enforcement officials in Spain and Portugal; as well as the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, for their substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Pratt.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 19cr4488
Michael James Pratt Age: 36 Unknown
Matthew Isaac Wolfe Age 37 San Diego, CA
Ruben Andre Garcia Age: 31 San Diego, CA
Theodore Gyi Age, 46 Solana Beach, CA
Valorie Moser Age: 37 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES IN SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT
Count 1
Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1594
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison, $250,000 fine.
Counts 2-16
Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion 18 U.S.C. §1591(a) and (b)(1)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine.
Count 17
Production of Child Pornography, 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: thirty years in prison, $250,000 fine.
Count 18
Sex Trafficking of a Minor and By Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a)(1), (a)(2), and (c)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine.
Count 19
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(i) and 1956(h).
Civil penalty of the greater of (A) the value of the property, fund or monetary instruments involved in the transaction or (B) $10,000
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
FBI – Southern District of California and Legal Attaché in Spain
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs
Spanish National Police
Spain’s Ministry of Justice
Spain’s Ministry of Interior
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: US FBI
LOS ANGELES – A man who last year shot and wounded two Jewish men as they left religious services in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles was sentenced today to 420 months in federal prison.
Jaime Tran, 30, formerly of Riverside, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu, who set a restitution hearing for December 2, 2024.
Tran pleaded guilty on June 3 to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Targeting people for death based solely on their religious and ethnic background brings back memories of the darkest chapters in human history,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Such hate-fueled violence has no place in America. We hope the sentence imposed today sends a strong message to all in our community that we will not tolerate antisemitism and hate of any sort. For those who engage in hate crimes, the punishment will be severe.”
“After years of spewing antisemitic vitriol, the defendant planned and carried out a two-day attack attempting to murder Jews leaving synagogue in Los Angeles,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Vile acts of antisemitic hatred endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities, and allowing such crimes to go unchecked endangers the foundation of our democracy itself. As millions of Jewish Americans prepare to observe the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Justice Department reaffirms its commitment to aggressively confronting, disrupting, and prosecuting criminal acts motivated by antisemitism, or by hatred of any kind. No Jewish person in America should have to fear that any sign of their identity will make them the victim of a hate crime.”
“This country was founded by many who fought for religious freedom, and practicing our religion continues to be a sacred and fundamental right,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will always defend that constitutional right. Those who violate the First Amendment by violent acts, those who would target the innocent based on hatred, will be held accountable.”
“While this sentencing cannot fully restore the sense of safety stolen from the two victims and the Jewish community, it is a decisive step towards justice and a clear message that such acts of hate and violence will not be tolerated,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi.
According to the government’s sentencing position, Tran obsessed over his antisemitic hatred for years leading up to the attack. In 2018, Tran left graduate school after making antisemitic comments about other students. From August 2022 to December 2022, Tran’s antisemitic statements escalated and included increasingly violent language, including messages to former classmates such as “I want you dead, Jew,” and “Someone is going to kill you, Jew.” Tran described himself as a “ticking time bomb” and maintained social media accounts with the handle “k1llalljews.”
In November 2022, Tran emailed two dozen former classmates a flyer containing antisemitic propaganda, including the statement, “EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THE COVID AGENDA IS JEWISH.” The following month, Tran emailed his former classmates excerpts from an anti-Semitic website further denigrating Jewish persons.
As a result of previous mental health holds, as of 2023, Tran was prohibited from purchasing firearms. In January 2023 in Phoenix, Tran asked a third party to buy two firearms for him. Tran selected the firearms he wanted and paid approximately $1,500 in cash to the third party, who then purchased them. Law enforcement identified the third party, who has now pleaded guilty in Arizona to illegally selling Tran the firearm used in the shootings. Messages later retrieved from his phone reflected that Tran had asked multiple people to purchase firearms for him and had offered to pay more if no background check was performed.
In early February 2023, Tran sent an online message stating: “it’s time to kill all Jews.” On the morning of February 15, 2023, Tran used the internet to research locations with a “kosher market,” planning to shoot someone near a kosher market because he believed there would be Jewish people in the area. Tran drove to Pico-Robertson and shot a Jewish victim wearing a yarmulke as he was leaving religious services at a synagogue. Tran, believing the victim was Jewish, shot him at close range centimeters from his spine, intending to kill him. Tran then fled the scene in his car.
The next morning, February 16, 2023, Tran returned to the Pico-Robertson area, intending to shoot another Jewish person. Tran shot a second Jewish victim, also wearing a yarmulke and leaving a synagogue after attending religious services. Tran shot the victim at close range, intending to kill him, as the victim crossed the street. Tran again fled the scene.
Both victims survived the attacks. Law enforcement arrested Tran on February 17, 2023, after a witness reported seeing someone shooting a firearm behind a motel. When he was arrested, Tran told law enforcement that he was “practicing” with his assault weapon. In its sentencing position, the government argued that “[h]ad [Tran] not been caught the night of his second shooting, his campaign of terror would likely have continued.”
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Cathedral City Police Department, the Fountain Valley Police Department, the Beverly Hills Police Department, and the UCLA Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section and Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The company owed hundreds of thousands of pounds to creditors at the time
Mother and daughter Hazel Lamont and Nicola Murray decided to wind-up their Scotparts UK Ltd. company in 2023 as it was insolvent
However, Lamont paid her daughter almost £200,000 in company money in the days following their decision to cease trading
More than £300,000 had been paid into Scotparts’ bank account in the days before their decision to shut the company down
A Scottish mother paid nearly £200,000 to her daughter using funds due to a supplier just days after they decided their company was insolvent and would cease trading.
Hazel Lamont, 74, and her daughter Nicola Murray, 54, were directors of Scotparts UK Ltd., which was described on Companies House as being involved in the sale of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft.
The company, which had been trading since March 2006, was in financial trouble by October 2023 and both Lamont and Murray jointly decided Scotparts should stop trading due to debts it was unable to pay.
However, just two days earlier, the company received more than £300,000 from a customer.
Within one week of this payment, Lamont gave Murray £194,400 knowing that the company was insolvent and owed money to creditors.
Further amounts totalling £148,144 were paid by the pair to two connected companies during the same period.
Lamont, of Elliston Road, Howwood, Renfrewshire, and Murray, of Manse Road, Motherwell, have been banned as a directors for the next nine years.
Scotparts owed more than £900,000 when it went into liquidation in January 2024.
Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Hazel Lamont and Nicola Murray knew, or at the very least, ought to have known that their company had significant liabilities to creditors.
Despite knowing the perilous financial state of their company, Lamont paid £194,400 to her daughter. This was not her money – it was company money which should have been paid to customers and suppliers.
The pair also transferred money to two connected companies, again depriving creditors of these funds.
Lamont and Murray have now been banned as company directors until May 2034 following our investigations into their misconduct.
Scotparts received £301,543 from a customer during the period of 18 and 19 October 2023.
The company also owed another creditor – a manufacturer of goods – £362,585 in outstanding invoices.
Lamont and Murray decided that Scotparts would cease trading on 20 October.
However, between that date and 25 October, Scotparts paid £194,400 to Murray.
In the week following the pair’s decision to place the company into liquidation, £96,899 was also transferred to I&H Distribution and Scotparts UK Ltd where Murray was a director.
An additional £51,245 was transferred to Scotparts Holdings Ltd, which listed Lamont as one of its directors.
No refunds or payments were made to either the buyer of goods or the manufacturer.
Six creditors submitted claims with a total of £916,899 when Scotparts went into liquidation.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted disqualification undertakings from Lamont and Murray, and their bans started on Tuesday 20 May and Friday 23 May respectively.
The undertakings prevent them from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.
Hazel Lamont is of Elliston Road, Howwood, Renfrewshire. Her date of birth is 13 August 1950
Nicola Murray is of Manse Road, Motherwell. Her date of birth is 27 August 1970
Scotparts UK Ltd. (company number SC298273)
Individuals subject to a disqualification order or undertaking are bound by a range of restrictions
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
HM Land Registry has started sharing data with its customers that, combined with the free training it offers, can help law firms get applications right first time.
Chay_Tee/shutterstock.com
HM Land Registry is doing all it can to improve the service for customers. Its first priority is to increase the speed of service.
The organisation has focussed on having the right numbers of people with the right skills to process cases – and turnaround times are coming down, as Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar Simon Hayes reported in his recent email to customers and a blog.
Additionally, HM Land Registry is continually seeking ways to make its processes easier for customers. The aim is for registrations to be processed first time, without the need for clarification or further information to support the application (called a ‘requisition’).
In response to customer feedback, HM Land Registry is now sending data to customers on the percentage of their applications where these requisitions could be avoided before the application is submitted.
In autumn this year, HM Land Registry will publish this data on avoidable requisitions. This will bring greater clarity to the data on overall requisition rates which is already published.
Not only have customers been asking for this data, the move is also supported by trade bodies and industry and aligns with the Government’s priorities for HM Land Registry, set out in Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s letter of 4 February.
According to HM Land Registry researchers, requisitions cost the sector an estimated £19m a year. They also delay application processing which in turn reduce the speed of registration.
Last year, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) highlighted concerns about the quality of applications in its risk agenda report, while the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) also drew attention to the benefits of right first time applications and urged the sector to “give this important aspect of our work the attention and resource that it deserves” in a statement published last November.
Welcoming the added support for customers, the CLC’s Chief Executive, Sheila Kumar, said:
Good quality title applications are the culmination of the conveyancing process and are the final, vital step to ensure that the interests of buyers and lenders are protected, so this is an area of focus for the CLC.
Many conveyancing practices are doing a great job and we have seen others make recent progress too, so we know there is scope for practices that are not performing as well to improve. We are already using data from HM Land Registry as part of our risk profiling of individual practices and we expect conveyancers to make use of this data and the training available from HM Land Registry to improve their services.
Paul Philip, Chief Executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, said:
The public need easy-to-access relevant information to help them shop around for legal services. The more useful and accurate information that is available, across a range of potential indicators on quality or cost, the better for consumers to be able to choose the right service for them.
Many firms are already making positive changes through training, new systems and using HM Land Registry services. Case studies from Enact, Simply Conveyancing, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Blake Morgan showcase effective approaches.
Ahead of publication in six months’ time, HM Land Registry has revamped its customer training hub to ensure everyone has access to all the tools and guidance they might need, starting with a new page on GOV.UK. Tackling avoidable requisitions provides links to training, tools, tips and guidance on all 32 ‘avoidable requisitions’ in one place.
Customers are also urged to take advantage of HMR’s free workshops, which take a close look at the top five avoidable requisitions and how to reduce them, as well as offering a live Q&A with expert caseworkers. Details are available on HM Land Registry’s training hub on GOV.UK.
Source: US FBI
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud insurance regulators and policyholders through a web of companies based in North Carolina, Bermuda, Malta, and elsewhere, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to court documents, from no later than 2016 through at least 2019, Greg Lindberg, 54, of Tampa, conspired with others to defraud various insurance companies, other third parties, and ultimately thousands of insurance policyholders. Lindberg and others conspired to deceive the North Carolina Department of Insurance and other regulators, evaded regulatory requirements meant to protect policyholders, concealed the true financial condition of his companies, and improperly used insurance company funds for his personal benefit. Lindberg and his co-conspirators caused companies he controlled to invest more than $2 billion in loans and other securities with his own affiliated companies and laundered the proceeds of the scheme. As set forth in the indictment, Lindberg directed the scheme and personally benefitted from the fraud in part by “forgiving” more than $125 million in loans to himself from the insurance companies that he controlled.
To carry out the conspiracies, Lindberg and others engaged in circular transactions among Lindberg’s web of entities using insurance company funds and made and caused to be made various materially false and misleading statements and representations to and omitted material information from regulators, various ratings agencies, insurance companies, insurance policyholders, and others regarding these transactions.
As a result of Lindberg’s conduct, his insurance companies, third-party entities, and policyholders suffered substantial financial hardship, and some of his insurance companies have been placed in rehabilitation and liquidation.
“Greg Lindberg and his co-conspirators misused $2 billion of company funds in their international scheme to defraud corporate victims, regulators, and policyholders,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Thousands of policyholders suffered substantial financial hardship as a result of Lindberg’s fraud scheme, which left multiple companies in or on the brink of liquidation. The Justice Department will not hesitate to hold corporate executives accountable when they threaten critical sectors of the economy, like the insurance industry, to enrich themselves.”
“Lindberg created a complex web of insurance companies, investment businesses, and other business entities and exploited them to engage in millions of dollars of circular transactions. Lindberg’s actions harmed thousands of policyholders, deceived regulators, and caused tremendous risk for the insurance industry,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Today’s guilty plea affirms our commitment to protecting the public from predatory financial schemes and bringing to justice those who betray public trust for personal gain.”
“Lindberg’s elaborate network of investments, insurance companies, and financial deals was designed to exploit the insurance system and drain millions from policyholders to enrich himself at the public’s expense,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office. “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to root out financial fraud.”
Lindberg pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, including wire fraud, investment adviser fraud, and crimes in connection with insurance business, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States count and 10 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy count. In addition to pleading guilty to these charges, on May 15, following a retrial, Lindberg was convicted by a federal jury in Charlotte of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds for orchestrating a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions, aimed at bribing the elected North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance to influence the regulation of Lindberg’s insurance companies. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine Lindberg’s sentence in both cases after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors in each case. Lindberg was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals.
In December 2022, one of Lindberg’s top executives, Christopher Herwig, pleaded guilty in a related case to conspiring with Lindberg and others to commit offenses against the United States, including wire fraud, investment advisor fraud, and money laundering, as well as to the making of false statements in the business of insurance. Herwig is also awaiting sentencing.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office is investigating the case. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Chicago Regional Office provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Ryan and Taylor Stout for the Western District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Environment Agency and Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit apprehend a 34-year-old man in Leeds
A Leeds local has been arrested for conspiracy to commit money laundering, as part of an active Environment Agency investigation into illegal recycling export paperwork.
In a joint raid earlier this week (Wednesday 21 May), Environment Agency officers worked with the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit to apprehend a 34-year-old man at a property in Leeds.
After being interviewed, the suspect has been released pending ongoing investigations and evidence gathered during the arrest will support action going forward.
The arrest forms a crucial part of an ongoing investigation by the Environment Agency and Joint Unit for Waste Crime into fraud, money laundering and offences under the producer responsibility regulations. This now brings the total number of arrests to seven, after four individuals across Leeds, Doncaster and Calderdale were arrested in April last year, and two others being arrested in 2023.
Emma Viner, Enforcement and Investigations Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
We are calling time on fraud in the recycling sector, which undermines hard-working businesses and trashes our natural environment.
Our teams are thoroughly examining all the evidence gathered in the raid to further progress the investigation and help put an end to this unacceptable, organised criminal activity.
The Packaging Producer Responsibility Regulations were introduced to oblige the producers of waste packaging made from materials such as plastic, glass and cardboard to contribute towards the financial cost of recycling and disposing the waste.
Businesses that meet the criteria are required to prove they have made a financial contribution by purchasing credits, known as Packaging Export Recovery Notes, from waste reprocessors or exporters. However, the credits have a monetary value which means organised criminal gangs can look to infiltrate the sector and engage in high value fraud and money laundering.
In 2024, the Environment Agency launched a new Economic Crime Unit to boost its efforts to tackle money laundering and carry out financial investigations in the waste sector. This arrest marks another vital step in the unit’s work to ensure those working in waste management do the right thing and waste criminals are rooted out of the sector.
If a member of the public has any information that may assist with this investigation, they should call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. They can also report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Crimestoppers website.
Source: Northern Ireland Direct
Date published:
If you want to go angling, you can buy a rod licence and a permit online to allow you to fish the public angling estate.
You need a rod licence and permit to fish in freshwater lakes, loughs and rivers in Northern Ireland.
The licence is for the fishing rod and the game or coarse fish you’re allowed to catch.
A permit grants you the right to fish in a particular fishery.
You can buy a licence or permit online through this page:
Licence holders legally must make a catch return, as these help to manage fish stock.
You can search by county to find out what angling waters are available in your local area.
You can also find out which waters have recently been stocked and what sort of fishing is allowed there.
The following pages should be useful:
Maps of fishing waters in the public angling estate are also available to view at this link:
You can help protect fisheries by reporting illegal activity and pollution incidents.
By reporting these incidents, you can help to improve and protect angling for the future.
If you want to fish in the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas, you will need to contact the Loughs Agency.
They set their own licence duties for fishing in those areas.
Source: US FBI
A California man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his role in a $2.8 million fraud scheme in which Medicare was billed for hospice services that the patients did not need.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, John Thropay, M.D., 75, of Arcadia, was the medical director of multiple hospice companies, including Blue Sky Hospice Inc., located in Van Nuys, California. From October 2014 to March 2016, Thropay fraudulently certified Medicare patients of Blue Sky Hospice as having terminal illnesses that the patients did not have so that the company could bill Medicare for hospice services. In 2015, Thropay was listed as attending provider for more hospice claims paid by Medicare than any other provider in the nation.
Thropay was convicted at trial in the Central District of California of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four counts of health care fraud on Feb. 15.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, Acting Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Timothy DeFrancesca of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)’s Los Angeles Regional Office made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Assistant Deputy Chief Niall M. O’Donnell and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Source: US FBI
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 15, 2024
SAN DIEGO –Eduard Buse and Florentina Sima pleaded guilty in federal court today to fraud and money laundering charges, admitting they participated in a scheme to steal more than $5 million in California unemployment benefits intended to help workers affected by the pandemic.
Buse and Sima were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023 along with 12 others. The indictment alleged that the fraud scheme involved helping hundreds of undeserving applicants apply for benefits using fraudulent documents. In their respective plea agreements, Buse and Sima admitted the fraud resulted in almost $5.2 million in bogus claims paid by the state of California.
“These covid relief funds were meant to provide critical financial relief during the pandemic. Instead, the money was used to buy luxury cars and jewelry,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “We will not only continue to prosecute those who diverted money intended to serve as a lifeline, but we will pursue every avenue to recover and return that money to public use.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic placed an enormous financial strain on millions of Americans; however, some individuals decided to use other people’s pain as an opportunity for financial gain,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Our pursuit of justice for those affected by fraud during the pandemic will not stop until each and every person who took advantage of individuals during this critical time is prosecuted for defrauding the U.S. government and innocent people.”
“The defendants’ abuse of programs designed to help people in need during and in the wake of the Covid pandemic is particularly despicable,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Even worse, they took money intended to help people keep their heads above water and showered themselves with luxury items. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to rooting out this sort of evil by following the money to bring people like these defendants to justice.”
According to Buse’s plea agreement, he not only collected $28,350 in undue EDD benefits for himself but also facilitated payouts of $244,050 to 14 co-conspirators, including Sima. Buse then sent $128,902.99 and Sima sent $58,881.53 of fraud proceeds to their associates in Romania through money service businesses.
Buse admitted that he purchased a 2020 BMW X6 for $105,044 in Glendale, California, with proceeds from the fraud and shipped it from San Diego to Romania on April 28, 2023.
On November 13, 2023, Romanian authorities served search warrants on addresses affiliated with Buse at the request of the United States. They seized the BMW with California license plates along with approximately $9,476.50 in U.S. currency; a Rolex Yacht Master II and a rose gold luxury men’s watch purchased for $15,550 U.S. dollars; a Rolex Sky Dweller watch; a Breitling 1884 men’s watch; and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date women’s watch.
As part of their plea agreements, Buse and Sima agreed to forfeit the BMW, cash and luxury watches, along with all other property seized in connection with the case.
Buse also agreed to forfeit $128,902.99 and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $244,050 to the State of California Employment Development Department. Sima agreed to forfeit $58,881.53 and pay the same amount in restitution to the State of California Employment Development Department.
Buse and Sima are scheduled to be sentenced on May 20, 2024, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Adeline Schulberg and Valerie Chu.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23CR2090-LAB
Eduard Buse Age: 30 Transient, Romanian
Florentina Sima Age: 29 Transient, Romanian
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C. § 1349 — Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Title 18, U.S.C. § 1343 — Wire Fraud
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, $1 million fine
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) — Laundering of Monetary Instruments
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
IRS Criminal Investigation
California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation
23rd May 2025
Unit will ensure the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus within the Department and across Government
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, TD, has announced the establishment of a dedicated Small Business Unit, based in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Welcoming the establishment of the Unit, Minister Burke said:
“Since my appointment as Minister I have put small businesses front and centre of my priorities.
“The Programme for Government sets out clearly how the needs of small businesses must have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government.
“The Small Business Unit will focus on rigorously implementing the SME Test, to ensure the perspectives of small businesses are considered across Government before new legislation or regulation is introduced. The Unit will oversee the simplification of information and access to grants and supports for businesses though the National Enterprise Hub. It will also ensure the Local Enterprise Offices are properly resourced to help small businesses.
“Small businesses employ two thirds of our population and keep our local communities and economies vibrant and strong. Government must recognise this, and ensure we are providing the support that SMEs need to run their businesses successfully and continue to provide vital employment and economic benefit across the country”.
The move was noted by Government on Tuesday 20th May and fulfils a key commitment in the Programme for Government
The establishment of the Small Business Unit comes in addition to the Government agreeing, in April, to expedite the development of the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivi as well as adopting a series of short-term measures to address the competitiveness challenges facing Ireland.
Notes
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (
Source: Small and Medium Enterprises Business in Ireland 2021 – Detailed Results – Central Statistics Office
ENDS
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Helen Vassallo, Associate Professor of French and Translation, University of Exeter
Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq has won the 2025 International Booker prize. Here, our literature experts review the book and the other five novels that were shortlisted for the prize.
Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp shines a light on the lives of Muslim women in rural India. In a bold and memorable translation from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, this quietly powerful collection of short stories opens up the intimate space of domestic rituals and family tensions.
Mushtaq’s fervent advocacy of women’s rights is evident in the compassion with which she brings to life the women in the stories: from the lack of autonomy suffered by young girls forced into wedlock to the indignity of an older woman obliged to accept her husband taking a second wife or a widow whose son arranges a new marriage for her, the women’s lives are dictated by men.
Heart Lamp is perhaps best summed up in the final story, “Be a Woman Once, O Lord!” Throughout these stories, Mushtaq invites us – and whichever male deity might be listening – to walk in the shoes of women overlooked by an unquestioned patriarchal hierarchy.
Helen Vassallo, Associate Professor of French and Translation
Hiromi Kawakami’s Under the Eye of the Big Bird offers us glimpses of one imagined future for earth and humanity.
Its vision could be described as post-apocalyptic. After unspecified cataclysmic events, humans exist only in tiny, scattered communities and extinction seems imminent. But this is also a beautiful, if dreamlike, world and one in which humanity still has the potential for astonishing growth and change.
Each chapter introduces something new and startling to the reader. Many of the tropes are familiar – cloning, superpowers, mutation, AI. Yet they are configured in unfamiliar ways and prompt reflections on the nature of humanity and our relationship with the rest of creation – as well as on time, religion and the possibility of an afterlife.
Despite grappling with so many huge questions, Under the Eye of the Big Bird is an accessible and absorbing novel. And, although tragedy is never far away, there remains humour – and hope.
Sarah Annes Brown, Professor of English Literature
Published in France in 2008 as Un chapeau léopard, A Leopard-Skin Hat is a novel about a friendship spanning 20 years between a woman called Fanny and a man known throughout only as “the Narrator”. He is not, though, the narrator of the novel. Rather, an unknown storyteller tells us how the Narrator sees Fanny gradually lose the fight against madness (the novel’s word) and, in the end, death.
This is a novel about the mystery of other people, about how unknowable others are to us. It explores how we narrate to try to understand people who are not us, but whom we love. What is most extraordinary about Serre’s novel is the way it shows us two friends doing very ordinary things – going out for dinner, going on holiday, walking in the countryside and swimming in lakes – but shows us through this the strangeness and complexity of friendship, love and life.
Leigh Wilson, Professor of English Literature
Perfection is a slim account of the way that time “disappears” for Anna and Tom, an expat couple living in Berlin as creative freelancers in the 2010s.
Written in homage to Georges Perec’s Things: The Story of the Sixties (1965), the novel opens with an overbearing description of the items in their apartment, moving in and out of the characters’ dissatisfaction with the aesthetic, social, creative, economic and political routes open to them in 120 pages spanning a little over 10 years.
As international elections, the European refugee crises and climate catastrophe dance in and out of their peripheral vision, Anna and Tom find neither satisfaction with their current moment nor successfully imagine a better one. As such, Latronico gently, but with an increasing sense of fatalism, considers the stagnation of a millennial creative class whose views on influence, status, power and happiness remain deeply linked to the “new emotions” of digital mediation.
By Rachel Sykes, Associate Professor in Contemporary Literature and Culture
In On The Calculation of Volume, a woman, Tara Selter, finds herself trapped in an endlessly repeating day, November 18. Volume I, the first of seven books, recounts the first 365 days of this time loop, with Tara attempting to make sense of her predicament, to explain it to her husband – who is still bound by the normal rules of time – and to try to fix whatever has initiated this situation.
As the novel continues, it becomes less focused on the novelty of the situation and more on the philosophical questions it raises: the alternate claustrophobia and liberation of replaying the same day; how our friends and partners sometimes feel like they inhabit a different reality; the way in which time pulls things and people apart; of the importance we place in the idea of “tomorrow”.
What’s remarkable about Balle’s novel is how compulsive it is – even though we know time is standing still, we still want to know what will happen next.
David Hering, Senior Lecturer in English Literature
Vincent Delecroix’s Small Boat is a slim, bruising novel that centres on a real horror: the drowning of 27 migrants in the English Channel in November 2021. In a small, inflatable craft, they reached out over crackling radio lines, asking for help that never came.
Small Boat focuses not on the migrants themselves, but on a French coastguard operator who spent that night on the radio, fielding their calls for rescue. Delecroix’s brilliance lies in showing how violence at the border is carried out not by villains, but by workers. It was not evil that allowed those people to die in the water, it was a string of decisions made by people in warm rooms who believed they were doing their jobs.
In a world ever more brutal towards those who flee war, hunger and despair, Delecroix’s novel is a necessary – and merciless – indictment. It reminds us that the shipwreck is not theirs alone. It is ours too.
Fiona Murphy, Assistant Professor in Refugee and Intercultural Studies
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.
– ref. International Booker prize 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels, including winner Heart Lamp – https://theconversation.com/international-booker-prize-2025-six-experts-review-the-shortlisted-novels-including-winner-heart-lamp-255464
Source: US FBI
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Isolino S. Presutti, Jr., 36, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas M. Testani and Meghan K. McGuire, who are handling the case, stated that in March, 2023, Presutti possessed three desktop and two laptop computers, which contained approximately 5690 images and 28 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct and violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2024, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
# # # #
Source: US FBI
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Manuel Chang, the former Finance Minister of Mozambique, was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to a term of imprisonment of 102 months and ordered to pay $7 million in forfeiture. The restitution amount will be determined at a later date. Chang was convicted after a four-week trial in July and August 2024 of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with his role in a $2 billion international fraud, bribery and money laundering scheme that victimized investors in the United States and elsewhere. He was arrested in December 2018 in South Africa, pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued at the request of the United States and extradited to the Eastern District of New York in July 2023.
Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brent S. Wible, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence shows that foreign officials who abuse their power to commit crimes targeting the U.S. financial system will meet U.S. justice,” stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny. “My Office will continue to pursue those who violate our laws and harm U.S. investors regardless of their power, position or title.”
“Manuel Chang abused his position as Finance Minister of Mozambique by obtaining $7 million in bribe payments in exchange for helping secure more than $2 billion in loans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Chang’s brazen misconduct betrayed his duty to the people of Mozambique and defrauded investors, including those in the United States, of substantial amounts. With today’s sentence, Chang has been held accountable for his violations of U.S. law.”
“Manuel Chang abused his authority as the former Mozambique Finance Minister by helping to obtain billions of dollars in loans, a large portion of which was diverted from its intended purposes to satisfy bribe payments, ultimately causing significant financial loss to U.S. and global investors,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “With the support of his co-conspirators, Chang violated the trust of his office and wielded his position to enrich himself and other Mozambican officials. May today’s sentencing reiterate the FBI’s commitment to dismantling all corruptive malpractices orchestrated by foreign governments, especially those targeting our country as their personal piggy bank.”
As proven at trial, Chang received $7 million in bribes in exchange for signing guarantees on behalf of the Republic of Mozambique to secure funding for three loans for maritime projects. As part of the scheme, Chang and his co-conspirators falsely stated to banks and investors that the loan proceeds would be used for the projects and that the borrower would not pay bribes to Mozambican government officials. In fact, however, Chang and his co-conspirators facilitated the criminal diversion of more than $200 million of the loan proceeds that were used to pay bribes and kickbacks to Chang and others.
Between approximately 2013 and 2016, in his capacity as Mozambique’s Minister of Finance, Chang, together with his co-conspirators – including executives of Privinvest Group, a United Arab Emirates-based shipbuilding company – ensured that Credit Suisse AG, through its subsidiary in the United Kingdom, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited (CSSEL), and another foreign investment bank would arrange for more than $2 billion to be extended to companies owned and controlled by the Mozambican government: Proindicus S.A. (Proindicus), Empresa Moçambicana de Atum, S.A. (EMATUM), and Mozambique Asset Management (MAM). The proceeds of the loans were intended to fund three maritime projects for which Privinvest was to provide the equipment and services. Specifically, Proindicus was to perform coastal surveillance, EMATUM was to engage in tuna fishing, and MAM was to build and maintain shipyards.
Instead, Chang and his co-conspirators illegally facilitated Privinvest’s diversion of more than $200 million of the loan proceeds to bribes and kickbacks. These funds included more than $150 million that Privinvest used to bribe Chang and other Mozambican government officials to ensure that companies owned and controlled by the Mozambican government would enter into the loan arrangements, and that the government of Mozambique would guarantee those loans. The loans were subsequently sold in whole or in part to investors worldwide, including in the United States. In doing so, the participants in the scheme conspired to defraud these investors by misrepresenting how the loan proceeds would be used. Ultimately, Proindicus, EMATUM, and MAM each defaulted on their loans and proceeded to miss more than $700 million in loan payments, causing substantial losses to investors.
In October 2021, Credit Suisse AG and CSSEL admitted to defrauding U.S. and international investors in the financing of an $850 million loan for the EMATUM project. CSSEL pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and Credit Suisse AG entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (Fraud Section) and the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). As a part of the resolution, Credit Suisse AG and CSSEL paid approximately $475 million in penalties, fines, and disgorgement as part of coordinated resolutions with criminal and civil authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Office’s Business & Securities Fraud Section is handling the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Hiral D. Mehta, Genny Ngai and Jonathan Siegel, and Trial Attorneys Peter Cooch of the Fraud Section and Morgan Cohen of MLARS, are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Timothy Migliaro. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department appreciates the assistance of South African authorities, particularly those in the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the South African Police Service, as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.
The Defendant:
MANUEL CHANG
Age: 69
Mozambique
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-681 (NGG)
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A father and son who assaulted 2 Environment Agency water bailiffs at a Shropshire fishery have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling more than £12,000.
An Environment Agency bailiff being assaulted.
Fines and costs totalling £6,937.00 were imposed on Andrew Bowman, 44 , of Cross Place Dudley.
This was made up of a £488 fine for assault, £146 for fishing without a licence, a victim surcharge of £253 and costs of £6,000. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to one of the water bailiffs he assaulted.
He had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to assaulting the officers at Poole Hall Fishery on 6 September 2023. This case was heard by Telford Magistrates court on April 25 2025.
His father, Sidney Bowman, 75, also of Cross Place Dudley, had admitted similar charges in a hearing on 3 October 2024.
He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £5,128. This was made up of a £660 fine for assault, £146 for fishing without a licence, a victim’s surcharge of £322 and costs of £4,000.
Environment Agency water bailiffs are deemed to be constables for the purposes of enforcing fisheries legislation and are also protected under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
The court was told that the pair were fishing when approached by the 2 bailiffs who were checking fishing licences.
Andrew Bowman refused to give the officers his details and advised his father not to do so as well. Failing to provide name and address details, when requested by a water bailiff, is an offence.
After the officers cautioned Andrew Bowman for not providing his details, he became verbally and physically threatening and began to move his equipment.
The officers fearing for their safety moved a fishing knife away from the defendants. Andrew Bowman then assaulted one officer by striking him in the face after the bailiffs said they were removing their fishing gear for evidence.
This was followed by Sidney Bowman also assaulting the officer by attempting to grab his chest, where the officer’s radio was, and in doing so poked him in the eye with flailing arms.
The court was told as the incident continued Andrew Bowman had to be taken to the ground after he refused to allow the officers to put handcuffs on him.
Andrew Bowman gave the officers incorrect details, stating he was called David Wilkes and a wrong address.
The incident ended with police attendance resulting in Andrew and Sidney Bowman providing their correct details.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
These sentences handed out show that the courts will not allow assault of public servants to go unpunished.
It sends out a strong message to other people trying to stop our officers from performing their duties.
Our officers do endure abuse and threats of violence in carrying out important work to protect people and the environment.
The Environment Agency will not hesitate to prosecute those that obstruct or assault its staff.
If people suspect illegal fishing incidents they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060.
The charges:
Andrew Bowman
On the 6 September 2023, assaulted an emergency worker, namely a person (other than a constable) who has the powers of a constable, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him. Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
On 6 September 2023, assaulted an emergency worker, namely a person (other than a constable) who has the powers of a constable, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker. Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
On 6 September 2023, obstructed a Water Bailiff, a constable in the execution of his duty. Contrary to Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996.
On 6 September 2023, obstructed a Water Bailiff, a constable in the execution of his duty. Contrary to Section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996.
On 6 September 2023, at Poole Hall Fisheries, Alverley, in a place where fishing is regulated, was fishing and he was not entitled to do so by virtue of a fishing licence. Contrary to section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Sidney Bowman
On 6 September 2023, assaulted an emergency worker, namely a person (other than a constable) who has the powers of a constable, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him. Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
On 6 September 2023, assaulted an emergency worker, namely a person (other than a constable) who has the powers of a constable, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker. Contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
On 6th September 2023, in a place where fishing is regulated, was fishing and he was not entitled to do so by virtue of a fishing licence. Contrary to section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent
Published: Friday, 23rd May 2025
An action plan has been drawn up to increase the number of new homes built in Stoke-on-Trent.
The city council has compiled the plan to outline how it will increase the delivery of new homes in the city in future years.
It includes a number of measures, such as reviewing the planning application process, engaging with developers and progressing with the local plan.
The authority will also seek to close the “viability gap” for potential developers by unlocking development on council-owned land and collaborating with Homes England to deliver a number of sites.
The plan will be supported by £60 million of grant funding which has been secured to speed up housing delivery. The money comes from a number of government-funded national pots including the Housing Infrastructure Fund, the Brownfield Land Remediation Fund and the Affordable Homes Programme.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are committed to giving residents more choice by providing them with a wide range of high-quality and affordable housing options.
“We have faced a number of challenges when it comes to home-building in the city, including the lack of available sites, developers failing to deliver after being granted planning permission and a viability gap for some developments caused by historically low house prices.
“Our action plan sets out the steps we are taking to improve housing delivery in the city, enabling us to provide new homes for people of all backgrounds.”
The action plan has been developed on the back of the government’s Housing Delivery Test (HDT) which measures housing delivery in a local authority area.
The latest HDT found that the city council is currently performing at 91 per cent, delivering a total of 1,397 new homes between April 2020 and March 2023, compared to the required 1,536 homes.
Cabinet is being asked to approve the Stoke-on-Trent Housing Delivery Action Plan at a meeting on Tuesday 27 May.
Source: Aisle of Wight
A potentially devastating wildfire in Sandown was swiftly brought under control last week, thanks to the quick thinking of a local environment officer and the rapid response of Island firefighters.
While on a routine inspection last Friday, Davide Fossa spotted smoke rising from the undergrowth near to Browns Golf and Dinosaur Isle.
Recognising the danger, he immediately called 999 and began directing people away from the area to ensure their safety.
“I knew every second counted,” said Davide. “I made the call, then focused on keeping people at a safe distance until the fire crews arrived. It could have spread so quickly.”
Within minutes, firefighters arrived and launched what Davide described as a “military-style operation.”
“They knew exactly what to do,” he said. “It was like watching a well-drilled unit in action. They moved with precision, coordinated their efforts seamlessly, and brought the fire under control before it had a chance to spread. It was incredibly impressive.”
Thanks to their swift and strategic response, the blaze was contained and extinguished before it could threaten nearby homes, businesses, or the wider nature reserve.
Davide is one of four dedicated environment officers working for the Isle of Wight Council. This small but highly skilled team play a vital role in safeguarding the Island’s natural environment and making the Island a cleaner, greener place to live and visit.
The environment officers undertake a number of duties, including inspection of playgrounds, parks and open spaces, and enforcing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
The team also enforces a range of environmental regulations, including those related to waste management, fly-tipping and littering, helping to maintain standards and prevent harm to the environment.
In addition to their enforcement duties, they work closely with the community to promote sustainable practices, offering guidance and education to encourage greater environmental awareness and responsibility among residents and visitors alike.
Their work often takes them into remote or ecologically sensitive areas, where early detection of issues like wildfires can make a critical difference.
Some town, parish, and community councils — including Sandown — invest in an enhanced environment officer service, supplementing the core provision offered by the Isle of Wight Council.
This enhanced service can include additional patrols, one of which led to the early discovery of the fire.
Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said: “Davide’s vigilance and calm response under pressure made all the difference. And we are deeply grateful to the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for their swift and professional response.
“Their teamwork ensured this incident didn’t escalate into something far more serious.”
Sandown Mayor, Councillor Alex Lightfoot, said: “We are grateful for the actions taken by Sandown’s environment officer, and the swift response from our fire service.
“This just demonstrates the value of our partnership working between Sandown Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council.”
A spokesperson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) added: “Our crews worked extremely hard in the hot weather to contain and extinguish the fire and protect neighbouring heathland.
“This fire destroyed a large area of grassland, and is just one example of the devastation these outdoor fires can have, damaging our green spaces.
“Although we don’t know what caused this blaze, we ask that when you’re out enjoying the countryside that you do so responsibly and help prevent wildfires by following our safety guidance.”
Authorities are reminding residents and visitors to remain vigilant during dry weather and to report any signs of smoke or fire immediately.
Staying Safe During Dry Weather: Fire Prevention Tips
With warmer, drier summers becoming more common, the risk of wildfires increases. Here are some simple but important steps everyone can take to help prevent fires:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Trade deals with India, US and the EU that have seen tariffs on key industries slashed are set to help drive growth in Greater Manchester.
Trade deals with India, US and the EU that have seen tariffs on key industries slashed are set to help drive growth in Greater Manchester.
Reductions in tariffs on automobile exports have provided security for 15,000 workers.
Opens up the region to greater investment to grow the economy, raise living standards and put more money into working people’s pockets – priorities of our Plan for Change.
The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for the automotive sector in the region that employs 15,000 workers.
It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.
These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across Greater Manchester.
32,962 people employed in agriculture across the North West will also benefit from our trade deal with the EU. It will reduce checks and red tape, meaning produce grown and farmed in the region has easy access to the UK’s biggest trading partner.
British steel exports are also protected from new rules and restrictive tariffs from the EU, supporting 4,300 people working in the steel industry across the North West.
The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.
He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.
The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.
We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in Manchester, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.
India is a significant marker for the Northwest where over 900 business exported goods worth £412 million last year.
Home to iconic car companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley, this sector will benefit from measures that reduce automative tariffs from over 100% to 10% under a quota.
This is in addition to the region welcoming investment from businesses in India with IndiGo, India’s biggest airline carrier choosing Manchester as its first ever European destination.
At Manchester Airport, our mission is to connect the North with the world, helping people visit new places, connecting businesses with key global markets, and welcoming tourists and investors to our region.
That is why I am proud that IndiGo – India’s biggest carrier – has chosen Manchester, alongside Amsterdam, as its first ever European destinations.
We know connectivity is a key enabler of trade and productivity. By providing direct access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy, this route will deliver a significant boost to the government’s economic growth mission and coincides perfectly with new of a new UK-India trade deal.
In the same week as the agreement with India, we negotiated the first of its kind deal with the US to reduce tariffs on car exports. Both of these arrangements secure greater certainty for the sector, the 15,000 workers and their families, while also enhancing opportunities for manufacturing in the region to grow.
Manchester will also benefit from access to India’s growing telecommunications market and the commitment in our US deal to increase digital trade and access for the world leading industries in the city.
Just this week, the Prime Minister confirmed a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, create more jobs in South Yorkshire, raising living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.
At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Hull and East Yorkshire’s top job creators including the life sciences and auto industry are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India and the US that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy.
Hull and East Yorkshire’s top job creators including the life sciences and auto industry are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India and the US that slashes tariffs and boosts access to the world’s fastest growing economy.
The US deal negotiated by the Prime Minister deliver long term certainty for 3,000 people employed in the auto industry locally and almost 2,000 in pharmaceuticals.
It also will deliver opportunities for major job creators in the region such as Smith + Nephew and Advanced Wound Management to grow – the first priority of our Plan for Change.
The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability in the automotive and pharmaceuticals industry in Hull and East Yorkshire that employs 5,000 people.
It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.
These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Over 31,000 people employed in agriculture across the region will also benefit from our agreement with the EU. It will reduce checks and red tape, meaning regional specialties like crab, Yorkshire Pudding and cheeses will have easy access to the UK’s biggest trading market.
The agreement also protects British steel exports from new EU rules and restrictive, providing further security for 8,400 jobs in the steel industry across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.
He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.
The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.
We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in East Yorkshire, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.
Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing major economy, including Hull and East Yorkshire. In the same week, we negotiated the first of its kind agreement with the US that will reduce car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10% – providing 3,000 workers in Hull and East Yorkshire with long-term security and certainty.
The agreement also secures the UK preferential access to the US market for pharmaceuticals in the case of new US tariffs in coming weeks, and we are working closely to get the best deal for our pharma industry that supports 2,000 jobs in Hull and East Yorkshire.
Just this week the Prime Minister acted in the national interest by confirming a new agreement with the EU that will deliver on our core mission to grow the economy, creating more jobs in Hull and East Yorkshire and putting more money in people’s pockets.
At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit manufacturing that employs nearly 10% of all people in West Yorkshire.
The three trade deals that we have struck in three weeks will benefit manufacturing that employs nearly 10% of all people in West Yorkshire.
Reducing India’s tariffs on machinery, slashing tariffs on car exports in both deals and our agreement with the US to remove the 25% tariff on steel provides stability for the biggest employers in the region like Hitachi, Bombardier and Siemens.
This means greater job security for workers, stronger economic growth to create more jobs and higher living standards across West Yorkshire.
The trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for manufacturing in West Yorkshire that employs 10% of people in the region.
It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.
These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve people’s lives across West Yorkshire.
Over 31,000 people employed in agriculture across the region will also benefit from our agreement with the EU. It will reduce checks and red tape, meaning regional specialties like crab, Yorkshire Pudding and cheeses will face easy access to the UK’s biggest trading market.
The agreement also protects British steel exports from new EU rules and restrictive, providing further security for 8,400 jobs in the steel industry across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.
He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.
The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.
We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in West Yorkshire, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.
Our increased trade with India will unlock opportunities for every region in the UK to access the world’s fastest growing economy, including West Yorkshire. Aeroservices, a leading global player in the aviation industry headquartered in Leeds, has also praised the India trade deal, which will enable them to level up the office they opened in Bangalore back in 2022.
Under the Free Trade Deal that was concluded, India has agreed to reduce tariffs on products including machinery, enhancing the region’s renowned engineering sector.
Based on 2022 trade alone, India will cut tariffs worth over £400 million when the deal comes into force, which will more than double to around £900 million after 10 years.
Formed in 1824, Group Rhodes designs and manufactures advanced metal, heavy ceramic and composite forming machinery.
As a manufacturer of advanced metalforming machinery used in the forming and lightweighting of aircraft, India is a strong market for Group Rhodes and offers significant growth potential.
The recent UK-India trade deal not only sets the scene for reduced tariffs on machinery but also serves to both enhance our competitiveness as a UK exporter and reduce the complexity of trade with this fast-growing market.
In another win for a historic part of the West Yorkshire economy, India has committed to reducing tariffs on UK textiles – that will give local firms access to India’s booming middle class.
In the same week, we negotiated the first of its kind agreement with the US that will reduce tariffs on UK car exports and remove tariffs on steel, protecting two key industries in the region that employ thousands of people.
The US deal also contains provisions to streamline custom rules on textiles and clothes made in West Yorkshire, making it easier for small and medium sized businesses to enter the US market.
Just this week, the Prime Minister confirmed a new agreement with the European Union that will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, create more jobs in West Yorkshire, raising living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.
At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Manufacturing and farming in Greater Lincolnshire are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India, the US and EU.
Manufacturing and farming in Greater Lincolnshire are set to benefit from the UK’s new trade deals with India, the US and EU.
The deals negotiated by the Prime Ministers deliver long-term certainty for 39,000 jobs in Greater Lincolnshire’s manufacturing sector, including 2,700 steel workers in Scunthorpe.
Our deal with the EU will benefit around 100,000 people (including in food retail) that are employed in the county’s food sector. It means less checks and red tape so that farmers and producers who grow food in Lincolnshire now have easy access to the EU, the UK’s biggest trading partners.
These trade deals that we have closed delivers stability for 39,000 workers employed in the manufacturing sector in Greater Lincolnshire.
It also will create opportunities for more seamless trade, attracting inward investment that will grow the local economy and make a difference to people’s lives.
These changes will be felt everywhere, whether it’s lower food prices at the checkout, more choice for consumers and higher living standards that will improve livelihoods across Greater Lincolnshire.
The Prime Minister will tell the English Mayors and the Leaders from the Devolved Governments at a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in London today (Friday 23 May) that his trade deals with India, the United States and the EU will deliver economic growth that will improve people’s lives at home.
He will challenge those in attendance to drive economic growth in their local areas to deliver for working people.
The three landmark deals secured this month with the US, India, and the EU have shown this government is serious about striking the deals that our businesses want and need.
We are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year as part of our Plan for Change. For businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, these deals will mean stability and jobs protected as they seize new opportunities to sell to some of our biggest trading partners.
Just weeks after he stepped into support the UK steel industry that was on the brink of collapse, the Prime Minister has negotiated the 25% tariff down to zero, meaning that UK steelmakers, like British Steel in Scunthorpe can carry on exporting to the US.
The UK exported £343 million in primary steel products to the US in 2024, so the deal agreed supports the viability of 40,000 jobs in the industry nationwide, including 2,700 workers in Scunthorpe and their families.
Europe is a strategically important market for our business, so we whole-heartedly welcome this agreement and the new working relationship between the UK and EU.
It will enable us to deliver more of the high-quality products synonymous with the British Steel name and support our drive to be one of the world’s leading manufacturers of steel.
In the same week, the Prime Minister agreed a trade deal with India that could see cheaper prices and more choice on products including clothes, footwear, and food products.
From this position of strength, we also upheld our red lines on standards including in agriculture, meaning that produce farmed in Greater Lincolnshire has been protected.
At today’s meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions the Prime Minister will also lead discussions about spreading AI to help working people access the services that they need in their local areas.
Source: World Health Organisation
At an award ceremony taking place during a Plenary of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in Geneva on Friday, 23 May 2025, public health prizes and awards were presented to persons and institutions from around the world for their outstanding contributions to public health.
The six 2025 laureates received their awards from the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly President Teodoro J. Herbosa, together with high-level representatives of the foundations that established these public health awards and prizes, and WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In February 2025, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization decided to distinguish six laureates to celebrate their unique role for public health in their countries, their regions and globally.
They come from four WHO Regions: Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe and Western Pacific.
The Sasakawa Health Prize is awarded for outstanding innovative work in health development to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, or a nongovernmental organization or organizations. Such work includes the promotion of given health programmes or notable advances in primary health care.
The Executive Board awarded the Sasakawa Health Prize for 2025 to Dr Merete Nordentoft from Denmark for her outstanding innovative work in health development.
Dr Merete Nordentoft giving the opening speech at the welcoming reception at the IEPA (International Early Psychosis Association) congress in Tokyo. IEPA has played a pivotal role in implementing specialized early intervention services in many countries around the World. Merete Nordentoft was president for IEPA 2014–2016, and she was chairing the scientific committee. © 2014, Courtesy of Merete Nordentoft
Dr Merete Nordentoft has made important contributions to mental health care by providing concrete, primary health-care-based solutions to address gaps in the chain of care. In 1998, she created the OPUS outreach treatment programme that has resulted in significantly improved outcomes for young people with first-episode psychosis, demonstrating substantial achievements in advancing mental health programmes and improving the quality of care. One of OPUS’s key success factors is the direct involvement of communities and family members. The concept has since served as inspiration for many countries throughout the world. Her intervention research on suicide prevention has directly informed Denmark’s national action plan for suicide prevention, which includes regional suicide preventive clinics and collaboration between helplines run by nongovernmental organizations and professional helplines.
The focus on early intervention and increasing the accessibility of mental health services at the community level benefits vulnerable groups.
“With the right support, early enough, recovery is not only possible – it is likely,” said Dr Merete Nordentoft.
The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize is awarded for an outstanding contribution to health development to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, or a nongovernmental organization or organizations.
The Executive Board awarded the 2025 Prize to Dr Jožica Maučec Zakotnik from Slovenia for her outstanding contribution to health development.
Dr Zakotnik (to the right) at a press conference to launch a new national plan on mental health. © 2017, Courtesy of Jožica Maučec Zakotnik
Dr Jožica Maučec Zakotnik has made exceptional contributions to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and to ensuring equal access to preventive services in health care for all. She co-developed an innovative model of multidisciplinary, free-of-charge health promotion centres that include access to mental health services, breaking access barriers for the most vulnerable through collaboration with social services and schools.
She also led the establishment in 2005 of the MURA Health and Development Centre, meant to address social determinants of health in an impoverished region, that became a WHO collaborating centre in 2009 for cross-sectoral approaches to health and development. At the National Public Health Institute, Dr Zakotnik collaborated with firefighting associations to increase awareness of colorectal cancer screening amongst men. As a State Secretary (2001–2004 and 2017–2018), she helped to scale up successful pilot programmes at the national level, including for the first national programme on nutrition, the strategy for promotion of health-enhancing physical activity and the MURA mental health programme.
“Together we can make a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals – at home and beyond,” said Dr Jožica Maučec Zakotnik.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing is awarded to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, or a nongovernmental organization or organizations who have made an outstanding contribution to research, health promotion, policy and/or programmes on healthy ageing.
The Executive Board awarded the 2025 Prize jointly to Professor Huali Wang (China) and the Geriatric Healthcare Directorate of the Ministry of Health (State of Kuwait) for their outstanding contributions to healthy ageing.
Professor Huali Wang (middle, the front row) advocated for raising awareness of dementia care and prevention. © 2019, Dementia Care and Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health
Professor Huali Wang has made significant contributions to healthy ageing at the national and global levels. She helped shape China’s national healthy ageing strategic plan and national dementia action plan, developing a comprehensive approach for mental care. The approach, now active across 27 regions, has resulted in dementia screenings for over 100 000 older adults, as well as health education campaigns and interdisciplinary, community-based service models that integrate professional and family support. Professor Wang also pioneered the development of dementia caregiver support groups, establishing in 2000 China’s first Memory Café, which promotes community involvement and has since become a national model. Professor Wang has championed cognitive stimulation therapy training and implementation in over 20 provinces. Professor Wang has collaborated with WHO on global dementia guidelines and on the iSupport online course, helping to extend caregiver support worldwide. The social prescribing pilot programme that Professor Wang initiated in Shangrao has received global recognition.
“This award is not just a recognition of our past work but a call to action for future endeavours – together, we can make a difference in the lives of many,” said Professor Huali Wang.
On-site training of the adopted Kuwait version of the WHO Global Ageing Population Survey (WHO-GAPs) methodology – Kuwait Older Adults Health Survey (KOAHS). © 2024, Courtesy of Fatemah Bendhafari
The Geriatric Healthcare Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Kuwait, has designed a multifaceted and comprehensive approach to healthy ageing. It developed a National Health Strategy for Older Adults (2024–2030) that provides a clear framework for the provision of accessible, high-quality integrated care and the promotion of active and healthy ageing. The implementation of the Kuwait Older Adults Health Survey has helped to inform policies and improve service delivery. Innovative mobile vaccination campaigns have benefited an additional 1000 older adults and caregivers. Comprehensive training programmes on healthy ageing, benefiting over 1000 caregivers, physicians, pharmacists and nurses are reported to have improved health-care delivery and coverage for older adults by 40%. The Directorate carries out community engagement initiatives to create inclusive and accessible environments that are responsive to the needs of older people and it also collaborates with nongovernmental organizations to foster community support.
“This recognition is not only a reflection of our efforts, but a renewed responsibility to continue striving for excellence in elderly care, preserving dignity and honouring their lifelong contributions,” said Dr Fatemah Bendhafari from the UAE Geriatric Healthcare Services Directorate of Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.
The Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health is awarded to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, a governmental or nongovernmental organization or organizations, who have made an outstanding contribution to public health.
The WHO Executive Board awarded the 2025 Prize to Professor Helen Rees (South Africa) for her outstanding contribution to public health at the local, national, regional and global levels.
Professor Helen Rees in one of Wits RHI’s Clinical Trial Laboratories. © 2015, Anthea Pokroy
Professor Helen Rees founded the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) in 1994, which has treated over 650 000 people living with HIV and which operates in 52 sites across South Africa with regional partnerships in 23 countries. In 2004, she created the Hillbrow Health Precinct, an innovative model that integrates urban regeneration, medical research and community-based health services, such as care for adolescents living with HIV and vaccination services, and that provides essential health services to some of Johannesburg’s most marginalized residents. Professor Rees has also made major research contributions covering HIV prevention, vaccines against human papillomavirus and COVID-19 and her research on HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis and long-acting injectable treatments, has transformed HIV-prevention strategies for vulnerable populations.
“Public health and human rights are intertwined, driven by the social determinants of health and the access people have to care – let us continue the struggle for health for all,” said Professor Helen Rees.
The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion is awarded to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, a governmental or nongovernmental organization or organizations, who or which has/have made a significant contribution to health promotion.
The Executive Board awarded the 2025 Award to Dr Majed Zemni (Tunisia) for his outstanding contribution to health promotion.
Dr Majed Zemni (front row, fourth from the right), Chief Executive Officer of the Office National de la Famille et de la Population (ONFP) with participants from various African countries at the international training session in the management of sexual and reproductive health programmes, as part of cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tunis 2013. © 2013, Office National de la Famille et de la Population
Dr Majed Zemni has made extensive and impactful contributions to health promotion, particularly in his roles as President of the Tunisian Association of Forensic Medicine and Criminal Sciences and as President of the National Office of Family and Population (ONFP) of Tunisia. He helped issue key legal instruments, such as guidelines for forensic medicine and legislation relating to patients’ rights and medical liability. As part of the National Committee of Medical Ethics, he contributed to the development of protocols for managing the deceased that ensured human dignity during the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked at the Psychological Assistance Centre for Women and Children Victims of Violence. He also maintained the ONFP’s International Training and Research Centre as a WHO collaborating centre. His efforts have helped reorient health services with a patient-centred approach, with particular attention to people living with HIV and persons deprived of their liberty, and through multisectoral engagement involving other ministries and stakeholders in the development and implementation of programmes.
“Health is a common denominator for all humanity, regardless of borders, races or policies,” said Dr Majed Zemni. “We must all strive to establish health security and a healthier future for all.”
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The call for nominations of candidates for each prize is sent out each year after closure of the World Health Assembly. Nominations can be made by national health administrations of a WHO Member State and by any former recipient of the prizes. At its 156th session in February 2025, the Executive Board designated the 2025 winners of the prizes, based on proposals made by a selection panels composed of Executive Board Members, and working independently for each prize.
See more on public health prizes and awards web page.
Read detailed information about the public health prizes and awards process.
Full information can be found in this 78th World Health Assembly document (A78/INF./1).
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of France, Britain and Canada of wanting to help the Palestinian militant group Hamas after they threatened to take “concrete action” if Israel did not stop its latest offensive in Gaza.
The criticism, echoing similar remarks from Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday, was part of a fightback by the Israeli government against the increasingly heavy international pressure on it over the war in Gaza.
“You’re on the wrong side of humanity and you’re on the wrong side of history,” Netanyahu said, accusing the three countries of supporting “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers” in reference to the Oct 2023 attacks on Israel.
As the flow of images of destruction and hunger in Gaza has continued, fuelling protests in countries across the world, Israel has struggled to turn world opinion, which has increasingly shifted against it despite the Hamas attacks.
Israeli officials have been particularly concerned about growing calls for European countries including France to follow others such as Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state, as part of a two-state solution to resolve decades of conflict in the region.
Netanyahu argues a Palestinian state would threaten Israel and framed the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington on Tuesday by a man who allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” as a clear example of that threat.
He said “exactly the same chant” was heard during the attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct 7, 2023.
“They don’t want a Palestinian state. They want to destroy the Jewish state,” he said in a statement on the social media platform X.
“I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others,” he said, adding that any moves by Western countries to recognize a Palestinian state would “reward these murderers with the ultimate prize.”
The Israeli leader, whose government depends on far-right support, said Hamas had thanked French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canada’s Mark Carney over what he said was their demand for an immediate end to the war.
The leaders’ statement on Monday did not demand an immediate end to the war, but a halt to Israel’s new military offensive on Gaza and a lifting of its restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Hamas did issue a statement welcoming the move but Netanyahu gave no evidence of any direct contact with the three countries, which all describe the group as a terrorist organisation which should not have any role in running Gaza after the war.
“By issuing their demand – replete with a threat of sanctions against Israel, against Israel, not Hamas – these three leaders effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power,” Netanyahu said.
“And they give them hope to establish a second Palestinian state from which Hamas will again seek to destroy the Jewish state.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France was “unwaveringly committed to Israel’s security”.
He said it was determined to combat antisemitism and that it was “absurd and slanderous” to accuse supporters of a two-state solution of encouraging antisemitism or Hamas.
Asked about Netanyahu’s remarks, Britain’s armed forces minister Luke Pollard said London stood with Israel in their right to self defence, “but that self defence must be conducted within the bounds of international humanitarian law.”
“At this moment, we stand fast against terrorism, but we also want to make sure that the aid is getting into Gaza,” he told Times Radio.
(Reuters)
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Details
2025-02-27
President Lai presides over third meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
On the afternoon of February 27, President Lai Ching-te presided over the third meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. In his opening statement, the president stated that the best strategies to care for citizens’ health are to increase physical activity, boost food literacy, and improve the domestic food environment, preventing chronic diseases from the front end. The president said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has upgraded preventive health services for adults this year, lowering the age eligibility to 30. He expressed hope that public-private sector cooperation can help reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and their associated disability risks and achieve the goal of lowering the standardized mortality rate for chronic diseases related to the “three highs”(high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar) by one-third by 2030. With regard to the hospital congestion issue, President Lai noted that through local health departments, the government will strengthen the supervision and distribution of emergency room beds, boost the distribution of inpatient beds in medical centers, and enhance joint prevention mechanisms among regional hospitals to reduce the pressure on emergency departments. The president said that the government will continue to incentivize hospitals to hire more nursing personnel and will consider adjusting health insurance coverage to encourage more hospitals to participate in emergency and critical care so as to reduce the pressure on medical institutions. By taking a multi-channel approach, the president said, we hope to resolve the problems facing healthcare in Taiwan, provide the public with better care, and achieve our vision of a Healthy Taiwan. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: Today is the third meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. First, I would like to thank both deputy conveners, our advisors and committee members, and our friends online for their continuing concern about the planning and implementation of the Healthy Taiwan initiative. At the last meeting, we heard a report on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment strategies. Guided by the Executive Yuan, the scope of government-funded major cancer screenings will be expanded starting this year, including expanding the age parameters and the categories eligible for screening. Treatment efforts will focus on genetic testing and precision medicine, and a fund will be established that provides diversified coverage for new cancer drugs. We hope to achieve our goal of reducing the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by 2030. At today’s meeting, the MOHW will deliver progress reports on certain items listed in the second committee meeting, as well as chronic disease prevention and treatment initiatives under the Healthy Taiwan plan including the development of models for healthy living, obesity prevention and treatment, and the 888 Program for prevention and treatment of the “three highs.”Among the top ten causes of death in Taiwan, seven are related to chronic diseases, and five of those seven are related to “three highs” chronic diseases. Annual spending related to treating “three highs” chronic diseases is up to NT$170 billion, and has become a tremendous medical burden. According to the World Health Organization, most non-communicable diseases are the result of four particular behaviors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol. The results of the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan show that most citizens are getting low or moderate amounts of physical activity, and have unbalanced diets that include excessive amounts of sugar and salt, and inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Therefore, the best strategies to care for the health of our citizens are to increase physical activity, boost food literacy, and improve the domestic food environment, preventing chronic diseases from the front end. In a few minutes, the MOHW will give complete explanations for the various chronic disease prevention and treatment strategies, from building healthy lifestyles at the front end to preventing and treating obesity in the middle stage, making every effort to prevent citizens from symptoms of the “three highs.” Beginning this year, the MOHW has upgraded preventive health services for adults, lowering the age eligibility to 30. Among people who already suffer from the “three highs,” the 888 Program for the prevention and treatment of those diseases will identify a target group and then conduct interventions, making every effort to improve symptoms and avoid the development of chronic disease. This kind of action strategy needs to be promoted simultaneously in the workplace, the community, on campus, and in the military. Only through public-private sector cooperation can we reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and their associated disability risks. We have also set a goal to lower the standardized mortality rate for chronic diseases related to the “three highs” by one-third by 2030. I hope that through the expertise of our advisors and committee members, we can provide discussions and suggestions from multiple perspectives to enable the government to propose health policies that meet citizens’ needs. The government will also actively address the hospital congestion issue that everyone is concerned about. The MOHW, in addition to taking preventive measures such as purchasing additional flu vaccines before the Lunar New Year, is addressing the emergency department congestion that occurred from the Lunar New Year until recently, and has formulated a short-term response strategy as well as middle and long-term directions for reforms as directed by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰). Through local health departments, we will strengthen the supervision and distribution of emergency room beds. At the same time, we will continue to boost the distribution of inpatient beds in medical centers, and give full play to our emergency medicine network to enhance joint prevention mechanisms among regional hospitals and reduce the pressure on emergency departments. We will also enhance the public’s access to information about tiered healthcare, and implement a tiered treatment system to make better use of resources. To address middle- and long-term human resource issues, we will continue to incentivize hospitals to hire more nursing personnel to lighten their burdens. We will also consider adjusting health insurance coverage to encourage more hospitals to participate in emergency and critical care. To respond to the challenges of an aging society, home healthcare, acute hospital care at home, Long-term Care 3.0, and post-acute care programs need to be promoted together to reduce the pressure on medical institutions. By taking a multi-channel approach, we hope to resolve the problems facing healthcare in Taiwan, provide the public with better care, and achieve our vision of a Healthy Taiwan. So let us keep working hard together. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the progress of certain items listed in the second committee meeting from Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), who is also the committee’s executive secretary, and a report on chronic disease prevention and treatment initiatives under the Healthy Taiwan plan including the development of models for healthy living, obesity prevention and treatment, and the 888 Program for prevention and treatment of the “three highs” from Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chou Jih-haw (周志浩). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.
Details
2024-11-28
President Lai presides over second meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
On the afternoon of November 28, President Lai Ching-te presided over the second meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. In his opening statement, the president said that we are implementing mental health support programs this year to provide more support for young and middle-aged people, pointing out that the policy has served over 20,000 people since it was implemented just over three months ago. In terms of bolstering mental health resilience, the president said we still have much to do, our government must lead by example, and the public and private sectors must work together, making every effort to ensure that no one is left behind. Noting that our goal is to reduce the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by the year 2030, President Lai stated that next year’s budget for cancer screening will be increased to NT$6.8 billion. He also stated that plans are in the works to establish a fund for new cancer drugs, adding that in the general budget we will allocate NT$5 billion, which will gradually rise to NT$10 billion. At the same time, he said, we are also actively promoting genetic testing and precision medicine. He expressed confidence that expanding preventive screening at the front end and providing advanced treatments at the back end will effectively fight cancer and improve the overall health of our citizens. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: Today is the second meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. First, I want to thank our two deputy conveners, our advisors and committee members, and our friends online for their enthusiastic participation. I also want to welcome Committee Member Chien Wen-jen (簡文仁), who was on leave for the previous meeting. I would also like to introduce three new committee members: Let’s welcome Committee Member Huang Chin-shun (黃金舜), president of the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations. During the pandemic, he led the nation’s pharmacists in promoting services including name-based distribution systems for masks and rapid-test kits and home delivery of medications. I am sure that he will be able to provide many valuable views regarding pharmaceutical safety and supply resilience. Let’s also welcome Committee Member Ko Fu-yang (柯富揚). During his time as secretary-general of the National Union of Chinese Medical Doctors’ Association, he led the Chinese medicine community in the transition from experience-based medicine to evidence-based medicine, and promoted the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. With his participation, the committee will be able to spur research and development in both modern and traditional medicine. Our third new committee member is Liao Mei-nan (廖美南), president of the Taiwan Nurses Association, who was unable to be here today. She has long been dedicated to raising the quality of nursing care and actively promoting a high-quality, friendly work environment for nurses. The committee will rely on her experience to strengthen the link between policy and practice in nursing care. I want to thank all the members of the committee once again for working together with the government. Since the last committee meeting, under the guidance of Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has implemented various policies. At the beginning of October, for example, three major AI centers were set up to resolve three key AI application issues: implementation, certification, and reimbursement, helping advance Taiwan’s smart healthcare ecosystem. At today’s meeting, the MOHW will first deliver a report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting, followed by a joint report by the MOHW and Ministry of Education on bolstering public mental health resilience and a report by the MOHW on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The World Health Organization has affirmed that “there is no health without mental health.” In a fast-changing, fast-paced society, the government should invest more resources in the field of mental health to safeguard the people’s overall health. We are therefore implementing mental health support programs this year and expanding the range of eligibility, from 15 to 30, to 15 to 45 years old, to provide more support for young and middle-aged people. That policy has served over 20,000 people since it was implemented just over three months ago. In terms of bolstering mental health resilience, we still have much to do. From the workplace to the campus and every corner of society, our government must lead by example, and the public and private sectors must work together, making every effort to ensure that no one is left behind. Aside from mental health, in view of cancer being the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 42 consecutive years, our goal is to reduce the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by the year 2030. And so we must expand screening and advance treatment. Last year, the government subsidized screenings for five types of cancer, providing a total of 4.87 million screenings and detecting 11,000 cases of cancer and 52,000 cases of precancerous conditions. We have allocated an additional NT$4 billion beginning next year, bringing the total budget for cancer screening to NT$6.8 billion, to expand the scope of cancer screening eligibility and services. Plans are also in the works to establish a fund for new cancer drugs. In next year’s general budget, we will allocate NT$5 billion, which will gradually rise to NT$10 billion, to provide reimbursement funding for a variety of new cancer drugs and reduce the economic burden on patients. These new measures will be reported on in detail moments from now by the MOHW. At the same time, we are also actively promoting genetic testing and precision medicine. Next generation sequencing, for example, has already been included in National Health Insurance coverage, which will help provide patients with precise, individualized treatment strategies. I am confident that expanding preventive screening at the front end and providing advanced treatments at the back end will effectively fight cancer and improve the overall health of our citizens. Today’s meeting will help the government understand viewpoints from many perspectives so we can promote policies that more closely meet the public’s needs. Let’s keep working hard together. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting from deputy executive secretary and National Health Insurance Administration Director General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良), a joint report on bolstering public mental health resilience from Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) and Deputy Minister of Education Lin Teng-chiao (林騰蛟), and a report on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment strategies from Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Chou Jih-haw (周志浩). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.
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2024-08-22
President Lai presides over first meeting of Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee
On the afternoon of August 22, President Lai Ching-te presided over the first meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. As the committee’s convener, the president presented committee members with their letters of appointment, and explained that the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee is not just about promoting a Healthy Taiwan, but also achieving a Balanced Taiwan. The president stated that the committee spans various areas of expertise, and also considers the balance of Taiwan’s northern, central, southern, and eastern regions. The president expressed confidence that by soliciting a wide range of suggestions, engaging in diverse dialogue, and forging a consensus, the committee can help to realize health equality and further elevate the standard of medical care in Taiwan. President Lai indicated that next year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s total budget will be increased, along with expanded investment in medical treatment and care. In addition, he reported that the central government budget has also added a National Health Insurance (NHI) financial assistance program, which will help to enhance the work environments of healthcare professionals. The president stated that we will also launch the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan to help rear talent and develop smart medicine. These budgets and programs, President Lai stated, reflect the government’s determination to create a Healthy Taiwan, and prove that “Healthy Taiwan” is not just a slogan, and has already been turned into concrete action. A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows: At the end of my first month in office, I announced that the Presidential Office will establish three committees in response to three major global issues of nationwide concern: climate change, health promotion, and social resilience. These committees will consolidate forces from different sectors to strategize on national development. At the beginning of this month, we convened the first meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. Today, we convene the first meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. I would like to thank the three deputy conveners and all advisors and committee members for making a commitment to the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. I also want to thank our fellow citizens and friends joining us online to follow the committee’s proceedings. During my campaign, I was constantly thinking about what I could contribute to our people that is different from past presidents if I were fortunate enough to be elected. After a lot of thought, I felt that as a physician, I should utilize my professional background in health care and work together with people from all sectors of society to help create a Healthy Taiwan. Healthy Taiwan is our goal, and health is both a basic human right and a universal value. Health promotion not only involves the well-being of a nation’s people, but is also of great concern to humankind so that we may survive and thrive. Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community. Amid the challenges of the pandemic over the past few years, we have shared disease prevention supplies, technology, and experience with countries around the world, and have continued to contribute to the global public health system. Going forward, Taiwan must actively address critical health-related challenges, including cancer, transnational communicable diseases of unknown origin, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, a low birth rate, and an aging society. We are confident that, sharing countermeasures and experience with countries around the world, we can keep people healthy and make the nation stronger so that the world embraces Taiwan. I want to thank former Superintendent of National Cheng Kung University Hospital Chen Jyh-hong (陳志鴻), who is also a mentor of mine, for organizing five regional forums and a national forum for the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Alliance this past March and April. Over 1,200 healthcare professionals from all over the country attended the forums and shared their views. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), and I were also invited to attend the national forum and participate in full. I also want to thank the experts from various fields for their suggestions throughout this process, which became key reference points for promoting policies after we took office on May 20. The position paper on the table in front of you is a compilation of those valuable insights, which will be the foundation of our future actions. To implement the Healthy Taiwan initiative, we must also achieve a Balanced Taiwan. Therefore, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee established today not only spans various areas of expertise, but also considers the balance of Taiwan’s northern, central, southern, and eastern regions to achieve nationwide health equality. I want to thank the nine advisors here with us today: Superintendent Wu Ming-shiang (吳明賢), Superintendent Chen Wei-ming (陳威明), Chairman Cherng Wen-jin (程文俊), President Chiu Kuan-ming (邱冠明), and Chairman Chang Hong-jen (張鴻仁) from northern Taiwan; Superintendent Chen Mu-kuan (陳穆寬) from central Taiwan; Superintendent Lin Sheng-che (林聖哲) and President Yu Ming-lung (余明隆) from southern Taiwan; and Superintendent Lin Shinn-zong (林欣榮) from eastern Taiwan. Your participation will give us a better understanding of viewpoints from around the country. The objective of Healthy Taiwan is to raise the population’s average life expectancy while simultaneously reducing time spent living with illness or disability, while also caring for physical, mental, and spiritual health. The 20 members of the committee are therefore drawn from a variety of fields of professional expertise. We have Superintendent Chen Shih-ann (陳適安) in the field of smart medicine, Vice-Superintendent Susan Shur-fen Gau (高淑芬) in pediatric psychiatry, medical and long-term care service integration specialist Superintendent Chan Ding-cheng (詹鼎正), and emerging infectious disease specialist Director Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬). We have also invited Professor Tsai Sen-tien (蔡森田) to provide suggestions on optimizing healthcare services and health insurance sustainability, and invited President Chou Ching-ming (周慶明) and President Huang Cheng-kuo (黃振國) to continue promoting The Family Doctors’ Plan 2.0 and report on primary care issues. We have also recruited President Li Yi-heng (李貽恒), who put forward the 888 Program for prevention and treatment of the “three highs” (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar) and kidney disease, pediatric health specialist President Ni Yen-hsuan (倪衍玄), women’s health care specialist Secretary-General Huang Jian-pei (黃建霈), and President Hung Te-jen (洪德仁), who is focused on community development. We also have Dean Shan Yan-shen (沈延盛) from the field of cancer prevention and treatment, psychiatric and mental health specialist Professor Su Kuan-pin (蘇冠賓), epidemiology expert and Emeritus Research Fellow Ho Mei-shang (何美鄉), and biomedicine and regenerative medicine specialist Professor Patrick Ching-ho Hsieh (謝清河). The committee also includes specialist in nutrition and health for all ages President Kuo Su-e (郭素娥), and expert in the promotion of physical activity and health Vice Chairman Chien Wen-jen (簡文仁). I also want to thank Chairman Lin De-wen (林德文) for participating as we work together to enhance the health and well-being of indigenous peoples. In addition, public sector participants include Minister of National Development Liu Chin-ching (劉鏡清) and Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀), as well as Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), who is serving as executive secretary, and NHI Administration Director General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) serving as deputy executive secretary. Over 80 percent of the committee’s members are from the private sector, and I will take advantage of this opportunity to continue to combine the strengths of all stakeholders throughout society to promote a healthy lifestyle for one and all, and enhance medical care for all ages. At today’s first meeting of the committee, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will brief us on two topics: the first is the Healthy Taiwan vision plan, illustrating Taiwan’s current challenges and opportunities, as well as an action blueprint. The second issue is reform and optimization for NHI sustainability. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of our NHI system. NHI is the pride of Taiwan, because health insurance can free citizens from the vicious cycle of poverty caused by illness, or illness caused by poverty. Since 2020, the NHI system has achieved a public satisfaction rate of over 90 percent. Next year, Taiwan will also become a “super-aged society,” which means that one of every five people will be a senior citizen 65 or older. Due to new pharmaceuticals of all kinds, the development of new technologies, and citizen expectations for an optimized medical practice environment, many aspects of health insurance operations will face an increasing number of challenges. The NHI system’s core values are health equality and mutual assistance for all. Better care for everyone, however, depends on sustainable NHI operations. We closely monitor NHI system point values, but also want to embody the greater values of the system. The government will continue to refine the budget system and management, rationally distribute medical resources and stabilize point values, and continue to optimize NHI finances to enhance the efficiency and quality of services. We also look forward to working with everyone to achieve sustainable NHI development, enhance health equality, and further elevate the standard of medical care in Taiwan. I also want to report that next year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s total budget will reach NT$370.2 billion, an increase of NT$31.8 billion over this year. The total budget is expected to allocate NT$60.7 billion to expand investment in medical treatment and care to create a Healthy Taiwan. The central government budget has also added an NHI financial assistance program that includes incentives for maintaining specified nurse-patient ratios across all three shifts and rotating night-shift nursing staff, and promoting smart information upgrades at medical facilities to enhance the work environments of healthcare professionals. We will also launch the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan, investing funds to support medical institutions at all levels nationwide, rear talent, and develop smart medicine. Regarding the fund for new cancer drugs that many cancer patients care deeply about, in next year’s general budget we will allocate NT$5 billion for health insurance funding. In 2026, that figure is expected to reach NT$10 billion. We will also promote the fifth-stage national plan for cancer prevention and treatment, and beginning next year the budget for cancer screening will be increased by NT$4 billion, reaching NT$6.8 billion, to boost screening rates. I want everyone to know that these budgets and programs reflect the government’s determination to create a Healthy Taiwan. Since I took office, the government has created plans and programs to increase nursing staff levels and promote public mental health. We also launched an Acute Hospital Care at Home pilot project to provide integrated long-term and medical care services. Once again, I would like to thank everyone here today for participating, and thank our fellow citizens for their support. I also want our fellow citizens to know that Healthy Taiwan is not just a slogan, and has already been turned into concrete action. These are all concrete, substantive actions by a government team that has been in office for less than 100 days. I am confident that with the support and participation of our committee members and advisors, and through soliciting a wide range of suggestions, engaging in diverse dialogue, and forging a consensus, our actions to create a Healthy Taiwan will more closely align with society’s expectations, and we will move more quickly and steadily toward realizing our vision. Thank you. Following his statement, President Lai presented letters of appointment to the committee members, heard a report from Minister Chiu illustrating the Healthy Taiwan vision plan, and heard a report from Director General Shih on reform and optimization for NHI sustainability. Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the two reports and the Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Office of the President Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee.
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2024-06-20
President Lai attends opening of International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2024
On the morning of June 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM) 2024. In remarks, President Lai stated that one goal of his administration is to create an even healthier Taiwan and that we will continue to strengthen our capabilities in medicine and public health to enhance health for all and help make the world a better place. The president emphasized that the global disease prevention network is something every country should be a part of, and that if any country is missing from this network, the rest of the world will be at a disadvantage. The president then asked for the participants’ support for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Organization so that we may contribute even more to the global public health system. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to begin by welcoming all guests from overseas to Taiwan. ICEM is the world’s largest conference on emergency medicine. Over 2,500 experts and academics from home and abroad have gathered here for this year’s conference. This not only underlines the importance of emergency medicine, but is also a testament to global cooperation in medicine. This year also marks TSEM’s [Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine] 30th anniversary. I would like to thank Chairperson Ng Chip-jin (黃集仁), President Hsu Chien-chin (許建清), and everyone who helped bring ICEM to Taiwan. This conference will help expand people-to-people diplomacy, showing Taiwan’s development and contributions in emergency medicine to the world. I am confident that everyone here shares my belief that health is a basic human right. And to ensure this right, emergency medical professionals are indispensable. Before entering politics, I myself worked as a clinician. I know well that emergency rooms are at the frontline of hospitals, and often the last hope for those who need lifesaving care. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we all witnessed the rapid response and important support of emergency medical professionals, who gave their all for the health of others. I want to take this opportunity to express my utmost respect for your work. The theme of ICEM 2024 is Glocalization of Emergency Medicine: Global Wisdom and Local Solution. With that in mind, I hope that through clinical research, public health, smart tech, and other strategies, we can help reduce disparities in emergency medicine around the world. Here in Taiwan, we have made major progress in emergency medicine, from developing a cutting-edge trauma care system to implementing advanced strategies for disaster response. We are also committed to training highly skilled professionals in the field, as well as developing an advanced medical infrastructure. This conference will give Taiwan the opportunity to share our experience, and allow everyone to exchange best practices, engage in discussions, and promote the global development of emergency medicine. One goal of my administration is to create an even healthier Taiwan. We will continue to strengthen our capabilities in medicine and public health to enhance health for all and help make the world a better place. A healthier Taiwan also means a booming medical sector, and an even higher quality and diversity of medical services. Taiwan has had, and will continue to have, many medical accomplishments to share with the world. Today, all of you gather here to continue making global contributions through emergency medicine. The mission of IFEM [International Federation for Emergency Medicine] is to create a world where all people, in all countries, have access to high quality emergency medical care. On this point, the global disease prevention network is something every country should be a part of. If any country is missing from this network, the rest of the world will be at a disadvantage. I would like to ask for your support for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Organization, so that we may contribute even more to the global public health system. And as President Hsu Chien-chin has said, although the road is long, if we travel together, we can travel far. With this vision as our guide, alongside our friends from around the world, Taiwan will strive to achieve our common goals and realize quality healthcare for all. I wish ICEM 2024 great success, and all participants a rewarding experience. I also invite you to travel around Taiwan during your stay, and get to know our beautiful nation. Following his remarks, President Lai and the distinguished guests took part in the kick-off ceremony for the conference. IFEM President Ffion Davies was also in attendance at the event.
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2024-06-01
President Lai meets WHA action team
On the morning of June 1, President Lai Ching-te met with members of Taiwan’s World Health Assembly (WHA) action team. In remarks, President Lai stated that standing on the front lines, the team fought for the human right to health for both Taiwan and the world. He also thanked the international community for their support for Taiwan. The president said that Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community when it comes to ensuring global health security. In addition, he said that one of the new government’s goals is to create a healthier Taiwan, as we want our people to live longer and healthier, and that we want to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in public health and medicine. He said we will continue to deepen our partnerships with other countries as we build an even more resilient global public health system, and that a healthy Taiwan will help make the world a better place. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to warmly welcome our partners from the WHA action team back from Geneva, and express my appreciation for your hard work and efforts. Standing on the front lines, you fought for the human right to health for both Taiwan and the world, and we thank you for giving it your all. Your flight only just arrived at 7 a.m., but I can see that everyone is still in high spirits. You have truly put in your heart for Taiwan, and once again, I thank you all. It is regrettable that at this year’s WHA, constrained by political factors, a proposal item for Taiwan to join as an observer was not included in the agenda yet again. However, the hard work of our WHA action team over the years has already borne fruit. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare signed MOUs with the public health agencies of the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and bilateral talks this year included discussion on substantive cooperation. The bilateral talks carried out by our action team in Geneva were not only more numerous this year, but also involved officials of even higher level. The team also held professional forums addressing important issues of the WHA in cooperation with various medical and health organizations. This is all proof of Taiwan’s contribution toward global public health and the human right to health. The steps we take for Taiwan to participate in world health affairs will not falter. Support for Taiwan from the international community grows stronger year by year. This year, 26 member states of the World Health Organization and the European Union, which is an observer, directly or indirectly voiced their support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA. Their support reaffirms that Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community when it comes to ensuring global health security. Health knows no borders. Health is a basic human right. One of the new government’s goals is to create a healthier Taiwan. We want our people to live longer and healthier. And we also want to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in public health and medicine, as we deepen our cooperation with other countries and work together to advance the health of humankind and global sustainable development. I want to thank the member states for their support for Taiwan. I also want to once again thank the members of the WHA action team and our many friends, both here and outside of Taiwan, for their hard work on this issue. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our partnerships with other countries as we build an even more resilient global public health system. So just as democratic Taiwan continues to shine its light upon the world, a healthy Taiwan will help make the world a better place. On that note, let us keep working together toward these goals. After President Lai concluded his remarks, Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) presented a photo collage to show President Lai some of the highlights of the action team’s activities in Geneva.
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2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.
Source: US FBI
In the meantime, O’Donnell and Burke continued their investigation. They believed that interviews with Roggio’s former employees—largely Estonians, but also other Europeans who’d been handpicked by his special assistant—could help strengthen the case. And that gut feeling proved right.
When the duo learned that a former female employee of Roggio’s—an Estonian citizen—was slated to travel through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, they worked with Estonia’s Internal Security Service to interview her about her experience with Roggio. The woman turned out to be the first international employee of Roggio’s weapons facility. She shared enough information with O’Donnell and Burke to justify a trip to Estonia to conduct a more in-depth interview with her in a friendlier setting.
Investigators hoped that the interview could help them put the finishing touches on their counterproliferation investigation. But that trip yielded more than just a follow-up conversation.
It also gave investigators the chance to meet a second former weapons factory employee, who surprised the investigators with a six-year-old cellphone recording that captured Roggio making threats of torture, confessing to that and other crimes, and even speaking to motive.
This was the first time they’d heard torture allegations concerning Roggio.
After interviewing these and other former employees, investigators returned to the U.S. with a case, having identified a new and urgent objective: to seek guidance and expertise from the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit to seek a potential prosecution for torture violations.
The FBI is responsible for investigating torture if the victim is a U.S. person, or if the perpetuator is either a U.S. person or if they’re physically located within our country’s borders. This jurisdiction comes from 18 USC, Section 2340A.
The agents knew they had to act quickly—and carefully.
Careful collaboration between the case team, the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit (part of our Criminal Investigative Division), federal victim services providers, multiple FBI legal attaché offices, the U.S. Department of Justice, and our Estonian law enforcement partners enabled the case team to travel to Estonia to conduct forensic interviews with these subjects.
The investigators got the greenlight to take a joint trip with DOJ prosecutors to explore the matter of torture in great detail. The investigative team leveraged their agencies’ resources and connections, as well as international partnerships, to locate and interview multiple former employees of Roggio’s who may have witnessed or been victims of torture.
FBI Supervisory Child-Adolescent Forensic Interviewer Jacqueline Goldstein—who, at the time, held a similar role at HSI—helped ensure these conversations were cognizant of the trauma that these people’s experiences with Roggio may have left them with, while still being admissible in court and supporting investigative needs.
“It’s designed to pass judicial scrutiny,” she said. “So it’s non-leading, non-suggestive. But it’s also trauma-informed so that the investigative interviewing process is uniquely suited to the developmental, cognitive, clinical needs of that individual, and we’re not creating additional trauma in that investigative process.”
And with that, in August 2021, investigators were finally able to interview Roggio’s victim: a man who’d been held in captivity and subjected to physical and mental torture—including physical beatings, suffocation, and choking—for more than a month.
“He had very vivid recollection,” O’Donnell said. “Some people blacked out everything. This guy remembered every detail of a lot of what happened.”
Law enforcement also captured statements from a wider group of former employees who’d been forced to witness Roggio’s brutality against the victim. They also convinced the witnesses to travel to the United States to testify against Roggio in federal court.
As a result of these efforts, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment in 2022—which added a charge of torture and a charge of conspiracy to commit torture to Roggio’s already long list of alleged crimes—and he was again arrested.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event at the Malaysia Masters 2025 badminton tournament in Bukit Jalil, while HS Prannoy lost his pre-quarterfinals clash, according to Olympics.com.
Former world No. 1 Srikanth, currently ranked 65th in the badminton world rankings, endured a tough battle against Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen before securing a 23-21, 21-17 win at the Axiata Arena in KL Sports City. The contest lasted nearly an hour.
Nhat Nguyen, ranked world No. 33, dominated the early exchanges and led 11-4 at the interval of the first game. However, the Indian shuttler flipped the script completely to register a thrilling victory.
Srikanth’s opponent in the quarter-finals of the BWF Super 500 tournament will be France’s Toma Junior Popov, who defeated Indian player Ayush Shetty 21-13, 21-17 in another round of 16 fixture.
India’s Sathish Karunakaran also bowed out after losing 21-14, 21-16 to Christo Popov, Toma’s brother and doubles partner.
World No. 35 HS Prannoy’s run at the Malaysia Masters ended in the pre-quarterfinals with a 21-9, 21-18 defeat to Japan’s 23rd-ranked Yushi Tanaka in a 39-minute encounter.
The three exits leave Srikanth as India’s lone remaining singles contender at this year’s Malaysia Masters.
None of the Indian women’s singles players, including two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, managed to cross the opening round hurdle.
Meanwhile, India’s doubles challenge will also continue on a single front, with Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila reaching the top eight in the mixed doubles category.
The Indian duo beat France’s Lea Palermo and Julien Maio 21-17, 18-21, 21-15 in a hard-fought match to set up a quarter-final encounter against the People’s Republic of China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, bronze medalists from the 2023 World Championships.
Prerana Alvekar and Mrunmayee Deshpande’s journey in women’s doubles ended after a 21-9, 21-14 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih-Yun, the world No. 17 pair and eighth seeds. (ANI)
ANI
Source: US FBI
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 28, 2024
SAN DIEGO – David Constantin, mastermind of a scheme to steal more than $5 million in California unemployment benefits intended to help workers affected by the pandemic, was sentenced in federal court today to five years in prison and was ordered to pay $ $5,178,276 in restitution to the state.
The co-mastermind of the scheme, Constantin Bobi Sandu, charged separately, was sentenced in 2023 to 40 months in prison.
According to Constantin’s plea agreement, between July 2020 and August 2022, Constantin and Sandu conspired with 213 co-conspirators to fraudulently obtain at least $5,178,276 in California unemployment insurance benefits.
Thirteen other defendants were charged on the same indictment as Constantin with wire fraud and money laundering related to the unemployment fraud scheme. Four of the defendants were sentenced on July 31, 2024, and ordered to pay restitution to the state of California. They are:
Additional defendants include:
According to admissions in their plea agreements, these defendants submitted fraudulent applications to the California Economic Development Department, falsely claiming to be United States citizens who had been employed full time prior to the pandemic, and who had earned substantial income. To substantiate these claims, the defendants submitted false documents, including fake Forms W-2 purporting to be from their prior employers, phony health insurance cards, and fake utility bills to support their claimed residence in California.
These defendants caused the California Employment Development Department to pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent benefits to individuals who were not entitled to those benefits. Many of them laundered their fraudulent proceeds by transferring funds to Romania.
In some cases, while claiming that they needed the funds to take care of their families, the defendants used the proceeds of the fraud to purchase luxury items. Buse, for example, purchased a 2020 BMW for more than $100,000 and shipped it to Romania.
Other defendants are being sought by the United States so that they can be held accountable.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Adeline Schulberg and Valerie H. Chu.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23CR2090-RBM
David Constantin, Aka Vlad Alexandru Age: 28 Transient, Romanian
Eduard Buse Age: 31 Transient, Romanian
Leonard Miclescu Age: 49 Transient, Romanian
Constantin Iosif Constantin Age: 31 Transient, Romanian
Florentina Sima Age: 30 Transient, Romanian
Filip Nicolae Age: 31 Transient, Romanian
Florin Nicolae Age: 34 Transient, Romania
*Additional defendants are not in custody and their names are redacted
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C. § 1349 and 1343 – Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, a fine of $1 million or both;
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1943 – Wire Fraud
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, a fine of $1 million or both;
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A) — Laundering Monetary Instruments
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater;
Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) – Laundering Monetary Instruments
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, transmission, or transfer, whichever is greater;
Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C) and 982(a)(1), and Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c) – Criminal Forfeitures
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
IRS Criminal Investigation
California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
Department of Labor Office of Investigator General
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Source: US FBI
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Orlando Justice, 37, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transmission of threats in interstate commerce and stalking, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on November 23, 2024, a Rochester Police Officer (Victim) participated in the arrest of Justice at the RTS Bus Terminal on St. Paul Street for Trespass and Resisting Arrest. Justice was intoxicated at the time of arrest and was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. While at Strong, he threatened the arresting officers, spit at them, and told officers that he would find them and come to their houses. Justice was charged and issued an appearance ticket. The following day, the Victim received a series of phone calls on his personal cell phone from an unknown number, which he did not answer. After receiving yet another call, the Victim answered, and Justice identified himself as the caller. Justice said, “I told you that I would find you,” and that he knew the Victim’s personal information and where he lived, reciting the Victim’s home address. Justice told the Victim he “messed with the wrong one” and that he was “a different breed of human.” The Victim told Justice not to call him again and hung up the phone. A few minutes later, the Victim received a FaceTime video call from Justice, who was demanding that the Victim give him the names of the other RPD officers who were present during his arrest.
On the evening of November 23, 2024, Greece Police and Rochester Police went to Justice’s residence in an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him. Moments later, the Victim answered a Facetime video call from Justice, who asked, “Why your friends come to my house?” A few minutes later, Justice called 911 and asked to speak with a sergeant, falsely claiming that the Victim was contacting him and harassing him. Justice asked to file a complaint against Victim 1 for use of excessive force. The sergeant, who was unfamiliar with Justice’s prior conduct and interactions with the Victim, offered to send officers to take his complaint, but he refused and insisted he would only meet with the sergeant one-on-one.
Justice made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Payson and was detained pending a detention hearing.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Acting Major Kevin Sucher.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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