Source: Europol
With serious and organised crime posing an increasing threat to communities across Europe, discussions focused on the Agency’s operational impact, strategic direction and future role in tackling criminal networks.The meeting comes ahead of the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU SOCTA) 2025, scheduled for publication on 18 March. This report will outline the most pressing security threats facing…
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TRM Labs, the leader in blockchain intelligence solutions, today announced an expanded use case for its Wallet Screening solution, enabling fraud prevention teams at financial institutions and crypto exchanges to proactively block fraudulent crypto transfers before funds leave customer accounts. With fraudsters stealing at least USD 10.7 billion from crypto users in 2024 alone — representing 24% of total illicit crypto volume — Wallet Screening provides timely and critical intelligence to protect institutions and their customers.
Commonly used by compliance teams, TRM Wallet Screening leverages exclusive scam intelligence, including nearly one million firsthand victim reports from Chainabuse, AI-driven “scam bots” that detect malicious sites instantly, and expert human threat hunting to identify scam-related wallet addresses in real-time. This enables fraud teams to stop authorized push payment (APP) fraud — one of the most difficult types of scams to detect — and empowers institutions to intervene at the critical moment before irreversible losses occur.
“Crypto scams continue to pose a significant threat, with APP fraud among the most damaging due to the trust element involved,” said Esteban Castaño, CEO of TRM Labs. “By extending Wallet Screening’s capabilities to fraud teams, we empower institutions to intervene at the critical moment before irreversible losses occur, enhancing customer protection and trust.”
Key benefits for fraud prevention teams:
Unique intelligence and AI-driven insights:
TRM Wallet Screening for Fraud Prevention is immediately available to existing and new customers via an easy-to-integrate API, allowing institutions to rapidly bolster their fraud prevention measures.
For more information, click here or contact press@trmlabs.com.
About TRM Labs
TRM Labs provides blockchain intelligence solutions trusted by financial institutions, crypto businesses, and law enforcement to detect, investigate, and prevent crypto-related financial crime. TRM combines advanced analytics with human expertise to build a safer financial system for everyone. Learn more at www.trmlabs.com.
Media contact: press@trmlabs.com
Source: US State of Connecticut
Bridgeport sits at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, providing it with the longest waterfront in the state.
However, due to historical and ongoing under-resourcing, 70% of the waterfront is currently inaccessible. This has perpetuated racial and socioeconomic disparities that affect access to the ecosystem and public services in Connecticut.
Researchers, students, and alumni from the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) are working to create and implement plans that would make waterfront areas accessible for Bridgeport residents. The faculty leads on this effort are Jill Desimini, director and associate professor of landscape architecture, and Sohyun Park, associate professor of landscape architecture.
This work aims to make two key portions of Bridgeport’s waterfront accessible. The first is the area known as the “sliver by the river,” in downtown Bridgeport by the train station, and the second is along Yellow Mill Channel, on the east side of the city.
“The impact on the community will be huge,” Park says. “In the past, they did not have access to the waterfront, and now we are opening the access points and revitalizing some vacant land and public spaces to be more resilient and socially functioning.”
As part of their landscape architecture studio, undergraduate students were divided into groups to generate proposals for the areas which have served as the basis for actual work on these sites.
“It was a really exciting project to get to be a part of,” Kayla Villareal ’25 (CAHNR) says. “Being able to see the evolution and implementation of past suggestions was extremely motivating and served as inspiration to the work produced by my cohort. The best part about the work we completed was seeing the impacts it could have in various communities in Connecticut, as well as other states in the future.”
The goal is to not only create a continuous path of access to the waterfront, but to provide community services along the pathway as well. Some amenities included in the plan are kayak launches, benches, parks, and areas for fishing.
The marshlands on the north side of the “sliver by the river” also have the potential to offer important ecosystem services such as improving water quality, erosion control, habitat, and flood abatement once restored.
On the Yellow Mill side, the group has introduced native plants, pollinator gardens, parking, and increased accessibility to the existing waterfront park there. They have also proposed various site activation and place-making strategies, like art walk, painted asphalt, underpass gallery, pop-up skate park, educational signage, guerilla gardening, and more.
“Their ultimate goal is to provide continuous access along the waterfront to the residents of Bridgeport, both to improve the ecological health of the waterfront and the human health of the residents,” Desimini says.
Park says she hopes this work helps inspire community members to continue pushing to improve their neighborhoods.
“You actually spur community engagement further if they see some color on the pavement,” Park says. “I hope the small things we do can have some snowball effect and engage more people in their neighborhood.”
The nationally accredited landscape architecture program at UConn has a longstanding relationship with groups including Groundwork Bridgeport, Trust for Public Land, National Park Service, and the Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, all of which have been partners for this effort.
Within these organizations and beyond, many CAHNR alumni have been involved in the effort.
“It’s an honor to be involved in such a transformative and beautiful project right in the city I grew up in,” says Ely-Anna Becerril ’21, landscape designer at William Kenny Associates, LLC. [My colleague] Tom Tavella and the students of the Landscape Architecture program provided the fantastic initial ideas and saw the potential for this space to be something special. I’m excited to help push this project forward to becoming a reality for the Bridgeport community to enjoy.”
This project is funded by the City of Bridgeport and various grants from the National Park Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Long Island Sound Futures Fund, and the National Coastal Resiliency Fund.
This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Follow UConn CAHNR on social media
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
Every year, thousands of applicants face the choice of what profession to choose. One of the options to take a confident step into the profession is targeted training.
What is Targeted Learning
The applicant enters into an agreement with the customer – a federal ministry, department, regional authority, state or municipal institution, enterprise with a state share, private company, individual entrepreneur. Except for the last two cases, the applicant will enter the university not on a general basis, but through a separate competition (target quota). An agreement for training outside the target quota can also be concluded with state institutions throughout the entire period of study.
The graduate undertakes to work in the customer’s company for three to five years after receiving his diploma.
If a student is admitted under a quota, then his/her tuition is paid for by the federal budget. The customer pays for the scholarship and other support measures at his/her discretion. If a student is admitted without a quota, then tuition may be paid for by the customer.
Benefits of Targeted Training
Targeted training provides the opportunity to study for free. After completing the training, the graduate is guaranteed a job. The contract may specify the possibility, by mutual agreement of the parties, to transfer to another branch of the same company or to another organization subordinate to the same government agency.
How to apply for targeted training
Those wishing to enroll in targeted training should study the offers on the Work in Russia platform. Then you need to submit an application for a targeted training agreement. This can be done either through the Work in Russia platform, or through the government services portal, or directly at the educational institution (in person, by mail).
The conclusion of an agreement on targeted training occurs after enrollment, but before September 1.
The contract may be concluded between the customer and the citizen, between the customer, the citizen, the employer, the educational organization, or between the customer, the citizen and the employer.
Regulatory legal acts governing targeted training: Federal Law of 29.12.2012 No. 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation”; Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 27, 2024 No. 555 “On targeted training in educational programs of secondary vocational and higher education”.
Targeted training at SPbGASU
Olga Tatarinova
The Admissions Committee is responsible for organizing and conducting admissions within the target quota at our university. Olga Tatarinova, Deputy Secretary of the Admissions Committee, reported that in 2024, the ranks of students were replenished with more than 45 target students.
“If an employer is ready to sign one contract, but several people responded, the university holds a competition and enrolls the strongest. In this case, the target individual achievements of the applicant who took part in the company’s events are taken into account.”
Olga Afanasyevna informed that if someone does not find a job after completing their studies, they pay a fine to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the amount of the costs incurred by the state for their training, and also return the amount spent by the employer on paying a scholarship and social support measures. If a company refuses to hire a graduate, it pays a fine in the same amount and compensation in an amount equal to three times the average monthly accrued salary in the subject of the Russian Federation, in the territory of which the citizen must be employed in accordance with the contract for targeted training.
The conclusion of contracts for targeted training with students who are already studying at SPbGASU is coordinated by the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career.
Ekaterina Abolina
Ekaterina Abolina, director of the student entrepreneurship and career center, said that currently there are more than 130 target students studying at the university. For the successful implementation of target training, the interaction of the company and the student plays a huge role. Ekaterina Arvidovna especially noted the Titan-2 company, which actively works with its target students, maintains contact with them and immerses them in the profession. Last semester, the company organized an off-site meeting, where students visited a construction site, a workshop, a history museum, and also took part in educational programs.
“Targeted training is a good tool for both the student and the employer. The student has the opportunity to be closer to the industry, receive support from the company and be confident in his professional future. The employer, through practice and the topic of the final qualifying work, can influence the content of the training and, upon graduation, receive an employee who is already familiar with the company and involved in its activities, thereby reducing the time for the adaptation of a young specialist.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
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Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko welcomed the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”. The conference was held at the site of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) with online participation of representatives of 86 subjects of the Russian Federation.
“President Vladimir Putin supported this large-scale project. “Berloga” involves the younger generation in the sphere of technology through games. The Republic of Bashkortostan became a pioneer in the implementation of the cyber-physical platform. There, educational institutions and technology companies joined “Berloga”. This allowed us to take the technological education of schoolchildren to a new level. And also to use games as a powerful tool for involving young people in themes that are priority for the region. This experience was picked up by other regions,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.
He also noted that the project’s geography already covers 21 regions and the Berloga team, together with local representatives, is actively developing regional “road maps” that include creating new useful games, opening a network of clubs, launching educational programs and training teachers. According to him, this work is being carried out especially actively in Novosibirsk Oblast, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Kamchatka and St. Petersburg.
“We see that the project is gaining more and more popularity. Users have already downloaded the Berlogi games more than 320 thousand times. But our plans are even more ambitious. It is necessary to scale the project to other regions of the country,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
ASI General Director Svetlana Chupsheva reported that in a year and a half, four flagship free video games dedicated to the development directions of Russia’s technological sovereignty have been released on the Berloga platform. New formats are being developed – the Workshop of Cyberphysical Innovations, tournaments of young cyberphysicists, etc. Russian indie developers have also joined in the creation of useful games, having already released 14 mini-games on the platform.
“For the first time the idea of creating”Dens” was presented to the President of the Russian Federation at the forum “Strong Ideas for a New Time” in 2023 as a tool for involving schoolchildren in new technologies and programming through mobile games. This is an excellent example of how, together with our colleagues from the NTI Circle Movement, with the enormous support of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the NTI Platform and University 2035, we were able to grow an entire ecosystem from an idea. Now the key task for the regions is to create infrastructure and opportunities for schoolchildren to try to join the project for the first time. At the same time, young people can try themselves not only as programmers, but also choose the role of a designer or analyst. The project expands the range of opportunities for the manifestation of children’s talents,” noted Svetlana Chupsheva.
The National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” is being implemented by a team of ASI, the National Technology Initiative (NTI) Platform, the NTI Circle Movement and University 2035 with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation; the Republic of Bashkortostan acted as the pilot region for the project launch.
Prime Minister of Bashkortostan Andrey Nazarov noted that the republic pays special attention to engineering and information technology. It is actively developing them within the framework of additional education, which covers more than half a million children and adolescents. Schoolchildren of Bashkortostan choose information technology, unmanned aircraft systems and robotics. Since 2023, a network of 100 Berlogi technology clubs and 20 support sites in different districts has been developing in Bashkortostan – in them, schoolchildren undergo educational programs in cyberphysics, programming, robotics, electronics, UAS, etc. The Cyberphysical Innovation Workshop in Ufa has opened laboratories and youth design bureaus, which are becoming a point of attraction for schoolchildren, students, representatives of the technology business, young scientists and developers of the region.
“Thanks to the assistance of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Bashkortostan has become a pilot region for the implementation of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” project. Over two years, more than 6.5 thousand schoolchildren have been involved in the project. We opened a Cyber-Physical Innovation Workshop at the Ufa Interuniversity Student Campus. It has become the all-Russian methodological coordination center of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”. In addition, we help other regions create such workshops in their own regions, including in Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic and Altai,” said Andrey Nazarov.
According to Gennady Bukaev, Vice President of PJSC NK Rosneft and General Director of JSC Rosneftegaz, following the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan, all Russian regions can build a new system of technological education based on the Berloga NKFP, promote priority areas of development through game formats popular with young people, and introduce their cultural and historical features.
“The project team is currently working on launching a new direction of game development. These games will simultaneously immerse children in the study of school subjects – including physics, chemistry – and introduce them to real professions, give them the opportunity to try themselves in one role or another, in solving a real production problem. Such games can become a tool for long-term career guidance and the formation of a personnel reserve for specific tasks – for the needs of regions in partnership with technology companies that are interested in working with young people, in the fight for talent,” emphasized Gennady Bukayev. “I urge representatives of regional teams and enterprises to use this opportunity at the start and become flagships of the new direction.”
As noted by the Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the leader of the NTI Circle Movement Dmitry Zemtsov, the Berloga project began with one game teaching schoolchildren the basics of programming. Now the platform has already released two dozen useful games, including those from young indie teams – schoolchildren and students, finalists of the National Technology Olympiad and the All-Russian Developers Competition, which was held jointly with VK Play.
“The National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” today is an entire ecosystem that involves young people in the field of technology, it includes useful games – with training in programming, engineering, UAV piloting, chemistry – as well as phygital formats, clubs, educational programs and technological solutions. The setting of “Berloga” is best suited for talking to the younger generation about the future of technology, our country and the whole world. At the same time, the world of “Berloga” is constantly evolving, enriched thanks to new games and the All-Russian Science Fiction Competition, which we launched together with ASI this year,” added Dmitry Zemtsov.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Israel has now banned another European Union parliamentarian from entering the country, reports Al Jazeera.
The government gave no reasons why Lynn Boylan, who chairs the European Parliament EU-Palestine delegation, was denied entry.
“This utter contempt from Israel is the result of the international community failing to hold them to account,” Boylan, an Irish MP in Brussels, said in a statement.
“Israel is a rogue state, and this disgraceful move shows the level of utter disregard that they have for international law.
“Europe must now hold Israel to account.”
Boylan said she had planned to meet with Palestinian Authority officials, representatives of civil society organisations, and people living under Israeli occupation.
She is a member of the Sinn Fein party in Ireland, which has been among the most vocal countries in criticising the Israeli government over its treatment of Palestinians.
France’s Hassan also refused
Earlier, EU lawmaker Rima Hassan was also refused entry at Ben-Gurion airport and ordered to return to Europe.
“Hassan, who is expected to land from Brussels in the coming hour, consistently works to promote boycotts against Israel in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews,” said Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel’s office.
Hassan is a French national of Palestinian origin known for her support of the Palestinian cause and for speaking out against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, outlined a range of worries about the situation in war-battered Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“We have constantly called on all parties, including Israel, to respect international humanitarian law,” she said, adding that Europe “cannot hide our concern when it comes to the West Bank”.
ICC raps Merz over warrants
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has declared that states cannot unilaterally “determine soundness” of its rulings
Earlier, it was reported that Germany’s election winner Friedrich Merz was saying he planned to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the country — despite an ICC war crimes warrant issued for his arrest, which Merz claimed did not apply.
The ICC responded by saying states had a legal obligation to enforce its decisions, and any concerns they may have should be addressed with the court in a timely and efficient manner.
“It is not for states to unilaterally determine the soundness of the court’s legal decisions,” said the ICC in a statement.
Israel rejects the jurisdiction of the court and denies war crimes were committed during its devastating war on Gaza.
Germans feel a special responsibility towards Israel because of the legacy of the Holocaust, and Merz has made clear he is a strong ally. But Germany also has a strong tradition of support for international justice for war crimes.
Amnesty slams ‘shameful silence’
Amnesty International and 162 other civil society organisations and trade unions have signed a joint letter calling on the EU to ban trade and business with Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
“Despite EU consensus about the settlements’ illegality and their link to serious abuses, the EU continues to trade and allow business with them,” the letter said.
This contributes to “the serious and systemic human rights and other international law abuses underpinning the settlement enterprise”, it added.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July issued a landmark advisory opinion affirming that states must not recognise, aid or assist the unlawful situation arising from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.
The EU’s shameful silence on threats to the ICC gives the firm impression that the EU has prioritized relations with a government implicated in the commission of genocide and war crimes, over support to an institution which is pursuing individual accountability for these crimes.
— Amnesty EU (@AmnestyEU) February 24, 2025
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
Source: US State of Hawaii
Posted on Feb 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
SYLVIA LUKE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA
STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCE DIGITIZATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS DECLARATION FORM
ʻAkamai Arrival’ Pilot Program to Launch on March 1 on Select Domestic Flights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025
HONOLULU – State leaders today announced the launch of ʻAkamai Arrival,’ a pilot program that will digitize Hawaiʻi’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands. The initiative, authorized under Act 196 (2024), marks a significant step toward modernizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts, by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species.
Beginning March 1, 2025, the pilot program under the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will roll out on select domestic flights in partnership with major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Participating airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes, giving passengers a more efficient way to submit required agricultural declarations before landing in Hawaiʻi.
“Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future. The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections. This initiative is another step toward preserving our islands for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.
This concerted effort to modernize and adapt technology is an important step to further protect Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, together with legislators, HDOA, airline partners, and stakeholders, developed the digital agriculture form pilot program. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public. Every one of us, whether coming home or traveling to Hawaiʻi, is very familiar with filling out the paper agriculture form. By digitizing this form, we’re making compliance easier for travelers while using technology to protect what makes Hawaiʻi so special,” said Lieutenant Governor Luke.
Airlines participating in the pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will serve as a hub for passengers, providing access to the digital form, flight information and an FAQ page to assist travelers.
“U.S. airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi, and the transition from paper to digital agriculture declaration forms is a significant step toward modernizing the travel experience. We’re proud to support the ‘Akamai Arrival’ program, making the arrival process more seamless and efficient for travelers,” said Sean Williams, Airlines for America vice president of State and Local Government Affairs.
“The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years. Five years ago, I advocated for the digitization of the declaration form, but was met with resistance. Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage the migration from paper to an app,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. “The ʻAkamai Arrival’ program will inform passengers about what’s not acceptable to bring to Hawaiʻi BEFORE they board the plane, rather than when they’re scrambling for a pen over the Pacific.”
“Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts and protecting our islands from invasive species requires modern solutions, and the implementation of a digital form is long overdue,” said Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. “I appreciate the collaboration among stakeholders to streamline the screening process and strengthen our state’s ability to ensure safe arrivals.”
The pilot program will run from March 1 through May 31, 2025. Monthly progress updates will be shared with participating airlines and data collected will help determine potential expansions of the program in the future.
For more information about the digital declaration form and the ʻAkamai Arrival’ initiative, visit: https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/
For questions from the public, please email: [email protected]
A link to the fact sheet can be found here.
The slides presented at the news conference can be seen here.
Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Erika Engle
Press Secretary
Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
Office: 808-586-0120
Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
Cell: 808-265-0083
Email: [email protected]
Shari Nishijima
Communications Director
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Cell: 808-978-0867
Email: [email protected]
Source: US State of Hawaii
Posted on Feb 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
SYLVIA LUKE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA
STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCE DIGITIZATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS DECLARATION FORM
ʻAkamai Arrival’ Pilot Program to Launch on March 1 on Select Domestic Flights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025
HONOLULU – State leaders today announced the launch of ʻAkamai Arrival,’ a pilot program that will digitize Hawaiʻi’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands. The initiative, authorized under Act 196 (2024), marks a significant step toward modernizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts, by improving form completion rates and strengthening protections against invasive species.
Beginning March 1, 2025, the pilot program under the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will roll out on select domestic flights in partnership with major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Participating airlines will integrate the digital form into their arrival processes, giving passengers a more efficient way to submit required agricultural declarations before landing in Hawaiʻi.
“Protecting Hawaiʻi’s unique environment from invasive species is critical to our way of life, our economy, and our future. The ‘Akamai Arrival’ program is a forward-thinking approach that modernizes our biosecurity efforts while making it easier for travelers to comply with our agricultural protections. This initiative is another step toward preserving our islands for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.
This concerted effort to modernize and adapt technology is an important step to further protect Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, together with legislators, HDOA, airline partners, and stakeholders, developed the digital agriculture form pilot program. “This is what government should be doing — utilizing technology to improve our state processes and better serve the public. Every one of us, whether coming home or traveling to Hawaiʻi, is very familiar with filling out the paper agriculture form. By digitizing this form, we’re making compliance easier for travelers while using technology to protect what makes Hawaiʻi so special,” said Lieutenant Governor Luke.
Airlines participating in the pilot have discretion over flight selection and implementation methods. The ʻAkamai Arrival’ website will serve as a hub for passengers, providing access to the digital form, flight information and an FAQ page to assist travelers.
“U.S. airlines play a critical role in connecting travelers to Hawaiʻi, and the transition from paper to digital agriculture declaration forms is a significant step toward modernizing the travel experience. We’re proud to support the ‘Akamai Arrival’ program, making the arrival process more seamless and efficient for travelers,” said Sean Williams, Airlines for America vice president of State and Local Government Affairs.
“The Department of Agriculture has been addicted to paper for nearly 60 years. Five years ago, I advocated for the digitization of the declaration form, but was met with resistance. Lawmakers had to pass a law last year to encourage the migration from paper to an app,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. “The ʻAkamai Arrival’ program will inform passengers about what’s not acceptable to bring to Hawaiʻi BEFORE they board the plane, rather than when they’re scrambling for a pen over the Pacific.”
“Enhancing our state’s biosecurity efforts and protecting our islands from invasive species requires modern solutions, and the implementation of a digital form is long overdue,” said Representative Kirstin Kahaloa, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. “I appreciate the collaboration among stakeholders to streamline the screening process and strengthen our state’s ability to ensure safe arrivals.”
The pilot program will run from March 1 through May 31, 2025. Monthly progress updates will be shared with participating airlines and data collected will help determine potential expansions of the program in the future.
For more information about the digital declaration form and the ʻAkamai Arrival’ initiative, visit: https://akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov/
For questions from the public, please email: [email protected]
A link to the fact sheet can be found here.
The slides presented at the news conference can be seen here.
Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Erika Engle
Press Secretary
Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
Office: 808-586-0120
Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
Cell: 808-265-0083
Email: [email protected]
Shari Nishijima
Communications Director
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Cell: 808-978-0867
Email: [email protected]
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi
The Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of Indian Army Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, visited Manipur on 24 and 25 February 2025 to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) and insights into the status of ongoing border infrastructure developments in the state.
During his visit, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai called on the Honourable Governor of Manipur Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the State Security Advisor, the Chief Secretary of Manipur and the Director General of Police Manipur. The DGMO focused on the operational preparedness of the Indian Army, carried out an assessment of the security situation along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB), and the current security dynamics in the state, including fringe areas. He also emphasised on a ‘whole of Government approach’ during interactions with key stakeholders. The discussions centred around the normalisation of prevailing security situation in the state, particularly the need to enhance border management and strengthen security infrastructure along the IMB.
Lieutenant General Ghai’s visit highlighted the collaborative approach between the military and state officials to implement strategic initiatives aimed at promoting stability and the welfare of the people of Manipur.
_____________________________________________________________
SC
(Release ID: 2106103) Visitor Counter : 18
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 2:42PM by PIB Delhi
Nestled in the northeastern hills of India, Mizoram is known for its scenic landscapes and close-knit communities. Mizoram is also becoming an inspiration for its fight against HIV/AIDS. Mizoram has been dabbling with the problem of being the state with the highest HIV prevalence in India, with a significant portion of the affected population being young adults. The traditional methods of HIV testing—often requiring individuals to visit healthcare centers—have proven to be inadequate due to stigma and logistical challenges. Against this backdrop, the introduction of HIV self-testing (HIVST) has emerged as a revolutionary approach, offering a more private, convenient, and effective means of diagnosis.
Mizoram has consistently recorded alarming rates of HIV infections, far surpassing the national average. The primary modes of transmission have been identified as unprotected sex and intravenous drug use. Despite awareness campaigns, many individuals remain hesitant to get tested, leading to delayed diagnoses and an increased risk of transmission. Hence, a new approach was necessary—one that could empower individuals to take control of their health without fear of stigma or logistical challenges. This is where HIV self-testing has proven to be a game-changer.
HIV self-testing allows individuals to test themselves in the privacy of their homes using easy-to-use kits. These kits typically involve collecting a saliva or blood sample and obtaining results within minutes. This approach has been successfully implemented in several countries, and its introduction in Mizoram has sparked hope in the fight against HIV. The benefits of HIV self-testing include tackling stigma and empowering people to take proactive steps in managing their health by visiting a healthcare professional once they detect a positive result. Additionally, HIVST bridges the logistical gap by bringing testing to people’s homes, ensuring that even those in the most remote locations can test themselves without traveling long distances.
The success of HIV self-testing in Mizoram offers a valuable blueprint for other states facing similar challenges. If scaled up properly, HIVST can transform HIV prevention strategies across India, particularly in regions with high infection rates and limited healthcare access. Tailored public awareness campaigns focusing on localized issues and breaking down stigma through targeted messaging can be effective. Leveraging digital health solutions by integrating HIVST with mobile apps and telehealth services for counseling and follow-up support can improve accessibility. Public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in expanding reach and availability by collaborating with private healthcare providers and NGOs.
The Government of India has been actively working to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic through various initiatives. One of the most significant efforts is the National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) Phase-V, a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the government with an outlay of Rs 15,471.94 crore. The programme extends the national AIDS and STD response till the Financial Year 2025-26 and aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.3, which aims to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
Building upon past initiatives like the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act (2017), Test and Treat Policy, Universal Viral Load Testing, Mission Sampark, and Community-Based Screening, NACP Phase-V introduces newer strategies to consolidate and augment progress. A key component of this phase is the Sampoorna Suraksha Kendras (SSK), which operate as single-window service centers for individuals at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These centers provide a holistic set of services tailored to clients’ needs, ensuring strong linkages and referrals within and outside the healthcare system. Through a comprehensive prevention-test-treat-care continuum, the government is ensuring that HIV detection and treatment reach every corner of the country, including remote states like Mizoram.
Further, in Mizoram, the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) has several schemes for HIV/AIDS prevention and testing, including mobile testing centers, counseling, and treatment. The efforts of MSACS and the Mizoram state government in combating HIV infection among people, especially in prisons, have been acknowledged by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
HIV self-testing is proving to be a revolutionary tool in Mizoram’s fight against HIV/AIDS. By addressing the twin challenges of stigma and accessibility, HIVST empowers individuals to take charge of their health, promotes early diagnosis, and ultimately reduces transmission rates. As Mizoram continues to lead the way in implementing self-testing, its success story serves as an inspiration for other states and regions looking to adopt innovative, community-driven approaches to public health. With the right policies, support, and awareness, HIV self-testing could well become a national strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, turning the tide in one of India’s most pressing health crises.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835815/
https://naco.gov.in/national-aids-control-programme-v
https://www.unodc.org/southasia/frontpage/2010/november/mobile-ictc-in-mizoram-prison.html
https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/
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Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal
(Release ID: 2106075) Visitor Counter : 53
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the opening address by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Competition Exchange 2025 today (February 25):
Samuel (Chairman of the Competition Commission, Mr Samuel Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. Welcome to the Hong Kong Competition Exchange 2025. It is my great honour to join you here today.
This is the second time this event is organised in Hong Kong. This conference provides an excellent platform to discuss how competition and innovation can complement each other with respect to competition law and policy. I was told that today we have over 300 industry leaders, regulators, scholars and experts from all over the world joining the discussion. They include internationally renowned and reputable speakers who will share with us their insights. Thank you for your support and welcome to Hong Kong.
Indeed, competition is a global issue. In a local economy, it is also a cross-sector one. I understand that the conference will talk about competition in a wide range of sectors including financial services, technology, green industry, as well as aviation.
Hong Kong is a free market economy. We are consistently ranked by the Fraser Institute as the freest economy in the world. We also support free trade. A range of freedoms are guaranteed in the Basic Law, such as the freedom of speech, of the press and of publication. In addition, many of you may know, Hong Kong has free flow of capital, information and talent, which are the key factors behind Hong Kong’s success. The word “free” is in the spirit of Hong Kong.
In an economy so free like ours, we need a competitive market that is healthy, and can lead to better prices, products and choices for everyone. We fully recognise how important it is. To this end, we enacted the Competition Ordinance in our laws in 2012. The Competition Commission, which is the host today, was established in the year that followed.
The work of the Competition Commission is not easy. As our independent competition agency, the Commission has a mandate to investigate anti-competitive conduct; educate the public on the competition laws; and advise the Government on competition matters.
I would like to thank Samuel, the Chairman of the Commission, and Rasul, the CEO (Chief Executive Officer of the Competition Commission, Mr Rasul Butt), for the excellent work you have done for Hong Kong. A robust competition regime is one of the ingredients contributing to our success. Our competition legislation was ranked seventh in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook. Hong Kong is attractive to foreign investments because our market is free, fair, and rule-based. These qualities are important to enterprises. As at end 2024, we had about 10 000 companies coming from outside Hong Kong. It was a record high, and up 10 per cent from a year before that. This is a vote of confidence in Hong Kong. We are grateful for that, and we will continue to do our best to make Hong Kong a prime investment location.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is never an easy task to establish an effective competition regime from scratch that fully adapts to the local context and compatible to international norm. But I am proud to say that Hong Kong has made good progress and is on the right track. In future, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to support the work of the Commission. We will also continue to embrace competition, empower the Commission, and embark on more competition campaigns.
I hope you will all find the discussion sessions arranged by the Commission in the coming two days insightful and fruitful. Together, let us work towards the common goal of building a future that is not only brighter, but also fairer.
Thank you.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Speech by Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the NFU Conference
Thank you very much Tom for inviting me to speak today.
I’ve been to the NFU Conference before of course – but this is my first time attending as the Secretary of State for Defra. I want to personally thank Tom for our work together since I took up this role last July.
You were the first visitor to my office after the election and you’ve been back more since then than anyone else since. That conversation between us is invaluable as we navigate the farming transition together.
And I’m grateful for your views Tom – even where we’ve disagreed.
You set that out in your speech and I was listening to it, plain speaking as you always do. And I know it’s reflected here today, and the protests in Westminster and around the country. But even if the conversation gets difficult – I will always show up to have it. Because I respect this union and I respect British farming.
Now, I can’t give the answer I know many of you want on inheritance tax. But I want you to know that I understand the strength of feeling in the room and in the sector, we can see and example of that right in front of me right now. And I am sorry it’s a decision that we’ve had to take.
Like I said I am always going to turn up to have the conversation with you, there’s an opportunity to ask questions afterwards and it might be better to ask them in that way because I have an awful lot that I think will be of interest to other people who are here in the room today that might want to hear what I have to say about that.
Now I’ve heard many farmers describing that decision as ‘the final straw’ – and the truth is those straws have been piling up for many years. Tom you were outlining many of them in your speech.
This sector is facing high input costs, tight margins, and unfairness in the supply chain. You’ve struggled to get enough workers to pick your fruit and veg. Frankly, you’ve been sold out in past trade deals. Farmland is increasingly at risk from severe flooding and drought.
And this all comes as we face the biggest transition for farming in generations, moving away from the Basic Payment Scheme to more sustainable methods of farming.
The underlying problem in this sector is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment that they put in.
I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers up and down this country.
Today I can announce I will set up a new farming profitability unit within the department to drive that goal. I want to outline what the Government is doing to tackle the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back. Because time and again, I hear farmers say that they do not make a fair profit for the food they produce. And it is only by overcoming these long-standing challenges that we can create the conditions for your farming businesses to succeed. Achieving this starts by treating farms as the businesses they are. That’s something, in my view, the previous government forgot.
Farmers have repeatedly told me they want to stand on their own two feet. They are proud people and rightly so. But it is paternalistic and patronising for government to treat farmers as if they are not operating in a marketplace in which they need to turn a decent profit.
I worked in business for 16 years, with responsibility every year for driving up profit and driving down cost. British farming has some of the hardest working, most creative people anywhere in the British workforce. But a sector that isn’t profitable doesn’t have a future. I know that from my own long experience in business.
My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable – because that is the best way to make your businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs.
This approach will underpin our 25 Year Farming Roadmap and our Food Strategy, where we will work in partnership with farmers to make farming and food production sustainable and profitable. We will work with farmers and stakeholders to build the roadmap together, covering every part of the sector, and the first workshops will start next week.
The roadmap stands on three principles.
First, a sector that has food production at its core. The role of farming will always be to produce the food that feeds our nation. The instability we see across the world shows us why it’s so important we help farmers to get this right.
Second, a sector where farm businesses are more resilient in withstanding the shocks that periodically disrupt farming – severe flooding, drought, animal disease. We will help farmers who want to diversify their income to put more money into their business so they can survive these more difficult times when they come.
Third, a sector that recognises restoring nature is not in competition with sustainable food production, but is essential to it.
It is only by pursuing all three of these principles – and recognising that farms are businesses that need to be profitable, that we can guarantee national food security and a thriving food production and farming sector.
Our New Deal for Farmers is supporting farmers to produce food sustainably and profitably.
It won’t all happen overnight, but we are already making changes.
Tom has repeatedly told me farmers need certainty about seasonal workers. I’ve listened Tom, and I’m pleased to announce that we’re extending the Seasonal Worker visas for five years. That on it’s own is not the long-term solution. We will reduce the number of seasonal workers coming to the UK in the future.
But I recognise your business needs stability over the coming years as we work at pace to embrace innovation, develop the agri-tech and invest in farming practices so you can reduce your reliance on seasonal workers as quickly as possible.
We are making the Supply Chain fairer, with new regulations for the pig sector coming in by the end of next month in March to make sure contracts clearly set out expectations and only allow changes if they’ve agreed by all parties. We are engaging with industry on similar proposals for eggs and fresh produce.
For the first time ever, we are measuring where the public sector buys food from so we can use the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce wherever we can. I have worked with my colleague Pat McFadden in the Cabinet Office to create new requirements for government catering contracts to favour high-quality, high-welfare products that British producers are well placed to meet.
This means British farmers and producers can compete for a fairer share of the £5 billion pounds a year the public sector spends on food. That’s money straight into farmers’ bank accounts to boost turnover and boost profits.
Ours is an outward-facing trading nation. But I want to be clear, we will never lower our food standards in trade agreements. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally and will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. British farming deserves a level playing field where you can compete and win and that is what you’ll get. We will use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors.
Innovation and technology will help farmers produce more food more sustainably and more profitably. I’m delighted to announce the legislation to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England has been laid in Parliament today. This offers huge potential to transform the plant breeding sector in England by enabling innovative products to be commercialised in years instead of in decades, and we are reinstating the Precision Breeding Industry Working Group so the whole food supply chain can work together to bring new food and feed products to market faster.
We are investing in the UK Agri-Technology sector with a further £110 million pounds in farming grants being announced today. In Spring we will launch new competitions under our Farming Innovation Programme for groundbreaking research that will help the sector transition towards net zero, and unlock opportunities from the Precision Breeding Act.
This is not just for the biggest farms. We will help farms of any size access technology that makes a real difference to the bottom-line over the years ahead. Like the chemical-free cleaning for integrated milking equipment by Oxi-Tech – funded through FIP, which boosts profits by lowering energy costs and chemical use. Our new ADOPT programme will fund farmer-led trials that bridge the gap between these new technologies and their use in the real world, showing farmers that their investments in technology will deliver financial returns and boost profits. And once technologies and equipment hit the market, we are making them available through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Products like the electric weeder developed by Rootwave to reduce chemical use. We will launch another opportunity this Spring to bring more products to the farmgate.
Farms must be resilient to future challenges if they are to remain financially viable and strengthen food security. That includes severe flooding and droughts through to animal disease, and geopolitical tensions that increase demands on our land for energy generation.
I know new tech doesn’t bring the same benefits for every type of farm. We are investing to help farm businesses build resilience against animal diseases that can devastate livelihoods and threaten our entire economy. Like the Bluetongue Virus, Avian Flu, or the recent case of Foot and Mouth that we saw in Germany.
That’s why we’re investing £208 million pounds to set up a new National Biosecurity Centre, modernising the Animal and Plant Health Agency facilities at Weybridge, to protect farmers, food producers and exporters from disease outbreaks that can wipe out businesses in a moment.
We are helping keepers of cattle, sheep and pigs in England improve the health, welfare and productivity of their animals by expanding the fully funded farm visits offer.
Tom had raised with me, and he just did in his speech, the risk from illegal meat imports. More than 92,000 thousand kilograms of illegal meat products were seized at ports across the UK over the last year. They carry huge risk of diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth getting into the country. We can’t tolerate this.
I am working with the Home Office and Border Force on plans to seize the cars, vans, trucks and coaches used by criminal gangs to smuggle illegal meat into our country and crush them so they can’t be used again.
I’ve listened to your concerns about other forms of crime as well. Crime damages farm profitability as you are forced to wait for farm or construction machinery to be replaced, or clear rubbish that has been dumped in your gateways or on your land. The National Rural Crime Unit is already supporting forces to tackle rural crime around the country.
To strengthen our approach and protect your profits, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will lay the legislation this year to better protect agricultural equipment like all-terrain vehicles, by requiring immobilisers and forensic marking as standard.
At the Oxford Farming Conference earlier this year, I announced new ways to help farmers remain profitable and viable, even in a challenging harvest. We will consult on national planning reforms this Spring to make it quicker for farmers to build new buildings, barns and other infrastructure to boost food production. And ensure permitted development rights work for farms to convert larger barns into a farm shop, holiday let, or a sports facility if that suits their business planning. We will get red tape out of the way so you can invest to become more profitable.
I’m working with Ed Miliband and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero so more farm businesses can connect their own electricity generation to the grid much faster, so you can sell surplus energy and diversify your income.
The third element of our vision is nature. Restoring nature is vital to food production, not in competition with it. It is healthy soils, abundant pollinators and clean water that are the foundations farm businesses that they rely on to produce high crop yields and turn over a profit. Without nature thriving, there can be no long-term food security.
I want to thank everyone – upland, tenant, grassland farmers and others – everyone who is involved in our farming schemes. Almost 50 thousand farm businesses are now in schemes and around half of farmed land in England is being managed to enhance nature while producing food.
I recognise the frustration when we had to pause the Capital Grants offer last year without proper warning because of unprecedented demand. I promised to update you as soon as I could. And I can confirm today that every application submitted for capital grants before the pause in November will be taken forward, and following this, we will reopen the ELM capital grants offer this summer.
I’m also pleased to announce that we’re investing £30 million pounds to increase payment rates in Higher Level Stewardship with immediate effect to bring them more closely in line with our other farming schemes. Something the NFU and others have long called for. You just called for it again, Tom. These farmers are the pioneers of nature-friendly farming, often based in upland areas. They deliver high-quality environmental outcomes; now, finally, they will get a fair price for their work.
There’s a lot to be done to make British farming profitable and viable for the long term. I know we can only get there if we build the future together.
We will work with Tom, the NFU and farmers around the country to support farmers to keep producing the food we love to eat. This requires a new approach that recognises farms are businesses, and businesses need to turn a fair profit.
I’ll play my part in creating the conditions for that to happen. I know you’ll play your part in building resilient businesses that will innovate and succeed. Together, we will overcome the challenges this sector faces and give British farming the bright future this country knows you deserve.
Published 25 February 2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000741/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Thomas Bajada (S&D)
Several studies carried out in Salto di Quirra, Sardinia, have raised concerns about environmental, food safety and human health risks. In 2010, a technical committee of experts in the Italian Senate (III Committee on Depleted Uranium, DU) suggested the potential presence of high levels of thorium, cadmium and lead in soil. The 2010 veterinary report by the Cagliari and Lanusei local health board warned that these substances might also have entered the local food chain. Additionally, the Senate’s III Committee on DU reported elevated levels of particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 in the area and the presence of anthropogenic nanoparticles in human tissue.
In the light of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, the Environmental Liability Directive, the Environmental Crime Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive:
Submitted: 18.2.2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000726/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE)
Article 122(2) of the current Italian Highway Code (Law Decree 121/2021, as amended by Law 177/2024) states that a person over 65 years of age may not accompany a learner driver practising for their test. This rule does not apply to professional driving instructors.
In view of this, can the Commission say whether it considers this rule to be compatible with Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which prohibits any form of age-based discrimination?
Submitted: 18.2.2025
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
The Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Dame Lynne Owens, is to retire from policing after a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years.
It’s a career that began in the Met in 1989 as a constable in Catford before taking in an array of high-profile roles, including as the first female Chief Constable of Surrey Police and Director General of the National Crime Agency.
She retired from that role in 2021 for health reasons before returning to the Met in 2022 as Deputy to support the then newly appointed Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley.
Dame Lynne leaves shortly after Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) acknowledged the major progress made by the force in improving its service to Londoners. As a result, the Met was moved out of enhanced monitoring status, known as ‘Engage’, or more informally ‘special measures’, in January.
Dame Lynne, who will retire in late May, said: “It has been an honour and privilege to return to the Met to support Sir Mark in making the changes that were needed, and which crucially were wanted by our officers and staff.
“I am proud of the progress we have made and our people deserve so much credit for their role in identifying what needed to be done and then delivering that for Londoners.
“Of course, there remains much, much more to do and I know my successor, once appointed, will build on what we have achieved so far.”
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Dame Lynne Owens is one of the most talented and dedicated police officers of her generation. Her commitment to communities, officers and staff is unwavering and illustrated by her determination to step back into policing months after recovering from cancer, when the Met was at a critical moment.
“Her contribution to policing is astonishing and cannot be underestimated. Dame Lynne has achieved so much in public life, particularly as Director General of the National Crime Agency and as Chief Constable of Surrey.
“She has shown her relentless passion for policing by playing a pivotal role in leading the officers and staff of the Met to improve our service to Londoners. This has culminated in our exit from ‘special measures’ as accredited by HMICFRS. Dame Lynne is unique in having both an unparalleled eye for detail and an ability to exude compassion and empathy for all colleagues.
“I hugely admire Dame Lynne, and I am profoundly grateful personally and professionally for her immense support working together over the past two-and-a-half years. London has a far better police service because of her.”
The process to appoint the next Deputy Commissioner will be discussed by the Commissioner, Home Secretary and Mayor. Details will be provided once agreed.
Career
The Deputy Commissioner’s remarkable career began in the Met in 1989 as a constable in Catford, before a move to Kent Police as a sergeant and progression to detective chief inspector in Kent’s major crime department as a senior investigating officer.
In 2002 Dame Lynne moved to Surrey Police, where she served as Divisional Commander of North Surrey before being promoted to Assistant Chief Constable. Awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in the 2008 New Year’s Honours for distinguished service, she went on to become temporary Deputy Chief Constable the same year – the youngest person to hold that rank at the time.
Dame Lynne returned to the Met in 2009 as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner responsible for operations within territorial policing. She gained promotion to Assistant Commissioner in 2010, only the second woman to hold that rank in the Met’s history.
When Sir Mark Rowley left as Chief Constable of Surrey to become Assistant Commissioner at the Met in October 2011, Dame Lynne was selected to succeed him and took up the position a few months later as Surrey Police’s first woman Chief Constable.
In 2015 Dame Lynne became the most senior woman in British policing when she was appointed as Director General of the National Crime Agency by then Home Secretary Theresa May, beating a field of international candidates.
While she retired from that role in 2021 for health reasons, Dame Lynne returned to the Met over two-and-a-half years ago as Deputy Commissioner to support the then newly appointed Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley.
Honours
Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) in the 2021 New Year Honours for service to law enforcement
Source: Mayor of London
Following the murders of Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, Sarah Everard, Maria Rawlings, Sabina Nessa and others, reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been a priority issue in London.
The Mayor’s draft Police and Crime Plan 2025-29 states that one of the four priority aims for reducing violence and criminal exploitation is to “bring more perpetrators of VAWG to justice and increase preventative efforts to tackle misogyny.”1
VAWG is an important issue for young people in London. 16-19 years old is the most common age for perpetration of rape and serious sexual offences.2 According to figures from the Youth Endowment Fund, 52 per cent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse and exploitation were children aged 10-17, with the most common age being 14 years old.3
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will tomorrow begin an investigation into VAWG, focussing on the impact on young people. The Committee will question guests on the experiences of young people, and how the Mayor can ensure that prevention-based education programmes and initiatives are reaching boys and young men in London.
The guests are:
Panel 1 (10:00am – 11:15am):
Panel 2 (11:20am – approx. 12:30pm):
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 February 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Salla Saastamoinen as new Deputy Director-General, effective 16 February 2025. Ms Saastamoinen will contribute to strengthening OLAF’s anti-fraud role thanks to her extensive experience in the areas of justice, rule of law, and fundamental rights.
Commenting on her new assignment, Salla Saastamoinen said: “I am honored to join OLAF and contribute to its essential mission. Fraud and corruption not only cause financial losses but also weaken public trust in the EU institutions. A strong and effective anti-fraud architecture is crucial to protect EU funds and ensure accountability. I look forward to working closely with OLAF’s investigators and policymakers to further strengthen existing fraud prevention measures, enhance legal frameworks and reinforce the EU’s ability to counter fraud against the EU budget.”
Ms Saastamoinen, a Finnish national, transitions from her role as Deputy Director-General at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) where she was in charge of five scientific directorates. The JRC is the Commission’s science and knowledge service.
With over 25 years of service within the European Commission, Ms Saastamoinen offers broad expertise in the areas of legislation and international negotiations. Her background includes serving as acting Director-General in the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST). In addition, she was Director for Civil and Commercial Justice in charge of the development of the European area of civil justice. Prior to that, she was Director for Equality. Previously, she also served as Head of several units in the same DG JUST.
Before joining the Commission, Ms Saastamoinen was a Partner in a business law firm, a Researcher in law and Author of several books on environmental law and EU law.
Ms Saastamoinen speaks Finnish, English, French, German and Swedish.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
In one of the biggest legislative updates to policing for decades, a package of new laws will tackle antisocial behaviour, shop theft and street crime.
The Crime and Policing Bill, which is central to the government’s Plan for Change and Safer Streets mission, will be introduced in Parliament today and begins its journey to becoming law.
It will also include measures to address the highest-harm crimes impacting society, such as knife crime, violence against women and girls, cybercrime, child sexual abuse, and terrorism.
In new measures announced today, police will be given enhanced powers against theft of mobile phones – no longer needing a warrant to search properties where stolen items have been electronically geolocated.
Under the new warrantless powers of entry, officers will be able to enter premises identified by electronic mapping if stolen items are believed to be there and it is not practicable to obtain a warrant from a court. This can be done through a ‘find my phone’ app, WiFi access points, Bluetooth, mobile network technology or tracking devices attached to any other possession or vehicle.
It will support the police to act swiftly in the ‘golden hour’ of investigations, which is particularly crucial for investigations into theft, helping to provide swifter seizures of stolen property and providing a better service to victims.
Sitting at the heart of the government’s Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change, the new bill will help tackle the crimes that matter most to communities but have been ignored for too long. The new laws will be backed up by the recruitment of 13,000 extra neighbourhood policing roles, with a named officer in every community.
On the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
This flagship Crime and Policing Bill is at the heart of our mission for safer streets and this government’s Plan for Change.
For too long communities have had to put up with rising town centre and street crime, and persistent antisocial behaviour, while neighbourhood police have been cut. And for years too little has been done to tackle the most serious violence of all including knife crime and violence against women and children.
That is why the new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centres, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.
On the new warrantless powers of entry, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
For the last few years, our towns and cities have seen street theft shoot up, as organised gangs have been targeting mobile phones.
But it is extremely frustrating for victims when they can see exactly where their stolen phone has gone but nothing is done.
That is why we are determined to give the police the powers they need to move fast to crack down on these crimes that are blighting our communities.
It places significant focus on protecting high streets. The effective immunity for shop theft of goods below £200 will be scrapped and retail workers will be better protected from assault.
There will also be increased powers to crack down on repeat antisocial behaviour offenders, with new Respect Orders banning those prolific offenders from our town centres.
Police will be given the power to seize vehicles that cause havoc to communities, allowing them to deal with the scourge of off-road bikes in public parks and dangerous e-scooters on pavements.
The bill will treat VAWG as the national emergency it truly is, ensuring tougher enforcement action against perpetrators and better protection for victims. It will strengthen Stalking Protection Orders, introduce a new criminal offence covering spiking and bar registered sex offenders from changing their name where they continue to pose a threat.
Implementing a flagship recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the bill will create a new duty to report child sexual abuse, backed up by criminal sanctions for those who seek to cover up abuse.
To help rebuild confidence in police, chief constables will be enabled to remove officers who are unfit to serve by allowing them the right to appeal the result of misconduct boards to the Police Appeals Tribunal.
In the year ending September 2024, police recorded one million incidents of antisocial behaviour. In the same period, they recorded over 490,000 shop theft offences, an increase of 23 percent over the previous 12-month period. Instances of theft from a person increased by 22 percent, while there were also over 55,000 recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument.
Other measures that have already been announced by the government, such as the presumption of anonymity for firearms officers facing criminal proceedings relating to the use of lethal force in the line of duty, will be introduced later in the parliamentary process. This also includes Ronan’s Law clamping down on the online sales of knives, announced last week.
Clare Sumner, Chief Policy & Social Impact Officer at the Premier League said:
The Premier League welcomes the government’s commitment to making communities safer for all through the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill. The Premier League and our clubs – together with our partners across the game – are committed to using the power of football to provide positive opportunities for young people.
Launched in 2006 with the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police, Premier League Kicks is one of our flagship programmes delivered by 93 professional football club charities across the country to support young people in high-need areas. The programme provides free, weekly football sessions in safe environments offering mentoring, personal development opportunities and positive pathways for young people.
Asda Chief Commercial Officer (Non-food and Retail), Liz Evans, said:
The Crime and Policing Bill is a major step forward, which builds on the measures that this government has already introduced to deliver the Safer Streets mission. Recent interventions, like the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help us to directly tackle two significant challenges that we are facing as a business – incidences of assault and shoplifting are daily challenges across our estate, which have a devastating impact on colleagues and customers.
More police working in our communities will have a positive impact as we continue to mitigate those challenges. That is why we warmly welcome this bill and recognise it as a key milestone in combatting retail crime and antisocial behaviour. As I have said before, Asda is ready to work in partnership with our new neighbourhood officers to help reduce crime and improve safety in the areas we serve.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said:
We strongly welcome the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill, which we hope will send a clear message that shop theft and assaults on retailers will be taken seriously by both the police and the justice system.
People running and working in shops deserve to be treated with respect, and we believe this bill takes important steps toward that goal.
CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, John Hayward-Cripps, said:
Neighbourhood Watch is delighted that the government is continuing to show its commitment to neighbourhood policing. The focus on addressing and reducing the epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft, and shoplifting that we all witness in our town centres and communities will play an important role in increasing feelings of confidence in the police, and feeling safer in our local communities.
The reduction in police funding over the last 15 years has been particularly felt in neighbourhood policing, resulting in low public confidence and crimes going unreported, due to the perception that the police do not have the resources to investigate.
The Crime and Policing Bill combined with the additional resources being introduced will enable the police to do the job they want to do, rather than only focusing on their biggest priorities, and signals the government’s commitment to improving our communities and making us all feel safer and more connected.
Dawn Dines, the CEO of Stamp Out Spiking welcomes the introduction of the Crime and Policing Bill with its clear indications that government policy is addressing violent crime, antisocial behaviour, and spiking, as a matter of priority.
Increasing public confidence and the sense that people will be safer on our streets, without the fear of being attacked, together with enhanced police visibility, will go a long way to create community cohesion and confidence in Home Office strategies.
Dawn said:
The key to combatting predators of these spiking crimes, to enhance public protection and to reduce antisocial behaviour, is proactive education. A collaborative approach is essential to satisfy the needs of different communities, environments and changing trends. It is paramount for service providers to have the confidence of receiving current, concise information from key stakeholders, who deal with victims and security, in the day and nighttime economy.
Clearly the detection and prevention of crime is not only a matter for the police. It is the duty of us all, as caring, compassionate citizens, not tolerating a culture of violence where these acts can be committed.
This bill will create a positive impact on encouraging victims – especially of spiking – to come forward, to report, clearly indicating that offending is not acceptable and will have severe consequences.
The full scope of legislation at introduction includes:
Tackling antisocial behaviour by:
Tougher action on knife crime, including:
Protecting retail workers by:
Protecting vulnerable children and adults by:
Tackling child sexual abuse, including implementing recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse by:
Tackling violence against women and girls by:
New powers to tackle serious crime, including:
Strengthening the supervision of offenders in the community by:
Introducing new public order and safety powers, including:
Tackling fraud and economic crime by:
Giving police the powers they need, including:
Tougher action on drugs, including:
Enhancing public confidence in policing by:
Update counter-terrorism powers by:
Published 25 February 2025
Source: Scottish Government
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Recorded Crime in Scotland, year ending December 2024.
In the year ending December 2024:
The police in Scotland recorded 298,308 crimes. This was 1% lower than the 302,076 crimes recorded in the year ending December 2023, but 1% higher than the 296,263 crimes recorded in the year ending December 2020.
Non-sexual crimes of violence were 2% lower compared to the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 71,900 to 70,637 crimes), but 10% higher compared to the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 63,938 to 70,637 crimes).
Sexual crimes were 2% lower compared to the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 14,894 to 14,539 crimes), but 11% higher compared to the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 13,106 to 14,539 crimes).
Crimes of dishonesty were less than 1% lower compared to the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 111,682 to 111,265 crimes), but 16% higher compared to the year ending December 2020 (increasing from 96,286 to 111,265 crimes).
Damage and reckless behaviour was 7% lower compared to the year ending December 2023 (decreasing from 42,124 to 39,249 crimes), and 12% lower compared to the year ending December 2020 (decreasing from 44,419 to 39,249 crimes).
Crimes against society were 2% higher compared to the year ending December 2023 (increasing from 61,476 to 62,618 crimes), but 10% lower compared to the year ending December 2020 (decreasing from 69,241 to 62,618 crimes).
The number of offences recorded by the police in Scotland was 177,172. This is 1% lower than the 179,616 offences recorded in the year ending December 2023, and 6% lower than the 187,752 offences recorded in the year ending December 2020.
Background
Contact: Susan Carsley : 0131 244 1451
Internet: Recorded Crime in Scotland: year ending December 2024.
Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English
The disciplinary fine order related to a breach of section 325 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch – HGB). Gateway Real Estate AG failed to submit its accounting documents for the financial year 2023 for the purpose of disclosure to the operator of the German Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) in electronic form within the prescribed period. The legal basis for the sanction is section 335 of the HGB.
The company did not lodge an appeal against the Federal Office of Justice’s decision to impose a disciplinary fine.
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and any road users with footage following a fatal collision in Harrow.
Police were called at 21:19hrs on Monday 24 February to reports of a collision on Bessborough Road, Harrow involving a car, a bus and pedestrians.
Offices, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance all attended. Despite the best efforts of emergency services one of the pedestrians, a woman aged in her 40s, sadly died at the scene.
The two other pedestrians were taken to hospital for treatment – their conditions are not life threatening.
The driver of the car stopped at scene and he was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He remains in custody.
Road closures were put in place while the scene was dealt with but have since been lifted.
Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage of this incident, including drivers with dashcam footage, to contact police on 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC quoting CAD 7193/24FEB25. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can confirm one person has died following a single-vehicle crash near Pahiatua this afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted to the crash on Pahiatua-Mangahao Road, between Ridge Road North and Soldiers Road, about 5pm.
Two people are being treated for minor injuries. Sadly, another occupant died a short time later.
The Serious Crash Unit is conducting a scene examination and the road remains closed.
Support is being offered to the victim’s family and the death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Saipan – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Kangle Jiang, age 22, citizen of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment by the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (v)(I) and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, in violation of 18 § U.S.C. 37. The court also ordered one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment fee.
On December 9, 2024, Kangle Jiang conspired with a man in Saipan to transport himself and seven other Chinese nationals to the Territory of Guam by boat. They intended to avoid detection by law enforcement to further their unlawful presence in the United States. Jiang, who had only been in the CNMI since October 31, 2024, paid $6,000 for the illegal trip to Guam. As the boat approached the shore, the boat’s operators pushed and threatened the passengers to jump into the water, even though some of them could not swim. Most of the passengers were later encountered in or near sensitive military installations.
“Combatting unlawful immigration is the top priority of the Department of Justice,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “The defendant took advantage of unique federal immigration regulations that permit certain foreign nationals to visit the CNMI as tourists. Any local economic benefits from these provisions are lost when those persons later attempt to unlawfully enter another part of the United States. The defendant and his co-conspirators also placed themselves and others at great risk of personal harm due to the nature of their travel at sea. Our enforcement efforts will continue to focus on safety, deterrence, and maintaining the integrity of our immigration system in the Western Pacific.”
“The arrest of Mr. Jiang exemplifies HSI’s commitment to enforcing federal immigration laws in an effort to prevent human smuggling,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “By going after violators like Mr. Jiang, we protect our communities by trying to prevent the inherent dangers posed by smuggling.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Eric S. O’Malley, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Source: Greenpeace Statement –
Mandan, North Dakota — Ten years after the world watched the Indigenous-led protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline unfold, representatives from Greenpeace International (GPI) and two Greenpeace entities in the United States arrive at a Morton County courthouse to fight a meritless lawsuit brought by Energy Transfer (ET), today.
The trial is currently open to the public in the North Dakota courthouse. Multiple attempts by media and watchdog groups to petition the court for greater transparency and accessibility to the trial proceedings have been denied. The Greenpeace parties’ request for public livestreaming was denied, and a request for expanded media cover by a number of outlets and journalists was also recently denied.
The US-based fossil fuel pipeline company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline is seeking US$300 million in damages in one of the world’s most brazen examples of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). ET’s lawsuit attempts to rewrite the history of the Indigenous-led protest at Standing Rock and could have a chilling impact on free speech in the US and beyond. Since 2017, GPI and Greenpeace organisations in the US have been defending against ET’s lawsuits[1], which ridiculously claim the protests were orchestrated by Greenpeace.
Deepa Padmanabha, Senior Legal Advisor, Greenpeace USA said: “Beyond the impact that this lawsuit could have on the Greenpeace entities, one of the most worrisome things about the case is that it could establish dangerous new legal precedents that could hold any participant at protests responsible for the actions of others at those protests. And you can imagine that this would have a serious chilling effect on anybody who wants to engage in protest.”
Kristin Casper, General Counsel, Greenpeace International said: “We are confident Greenpeace International, along with our co-defendants in the US, will ultimately prevail. We will defend Greenpeace International at trial, while also pursuing efforts to recover the costs incurred as a result of ET’s SLAPP suits in the US through legal proceedings in the Netherlands. We are grateful for the support we are receiving from around the world, because when the movement acts together, we win.”
GPI initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against ET earlier this month. GPI seeks to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace organisations in the US.[2]
Energy Transfer’s lawsuits are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs.[3] ET’s lawsuits have been an attempt to bury nonprofits and activists in legal fees, push them towards bankruptcy and ultimately silence dissent.
ENDS
Notes:
1. ET’s first lawsuit was filed in federal court under the RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a US federal statute designed to prosecute mob activity. The case was dismissed, with the judge stating the evidence fell “far short” of what was needed to establish a RICO enterprise. The federal court did not decide the defamation or conspiracy claims so ET promptly filed a new case in a North Dakota state court with these and other state law claims
3. A report by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) documented 1049 SLAPP suits in Europe in the period 2010-2023, with 166 lawsuits initiated in 2023. Big Oil companies Shell, Total, and ENI have also filed SLAPPs against Greenpeace entities in recent years, with attempts at silencing ending in embarrassment for Shell and Total.
Contacts:
Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined Democratic leaders of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees in denouncing President Trump’s transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo as unlawful and demanded answers to basic questions regarding these unlawful transfers.
The Senators outlined the illegal and unjustified nature of the directive transferring immigrants to Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, which followed President Trump’s directive to the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to prepare the base to hold tens of thousands of noncitizens. The Senators emphasized that noncitizens inside the United States are entitled to legal protections under American immigration law and the Constitution, including due process.
“These actions are unprecedented, unlawful, and harmful to American national security, values, and interests. The United States has never sent anyone from the United States to be detained at Guantánamo before now,” wrote the Senators. “… There is no basis in U.S. immigration law for transferring noncitizens arrested inside the United States to a location outside of the United States for detention prior to or for the purposes of conducting removal proceedings.”
“Such hasty and unlawful actions will cause harms to the United States for years to come. As those familiar with the long history of operations at Guantánamo can tell you, detaining individuals there is not a quick fix. Congress has not appropriated funds for such purposes for good reason,” continued the Senators. “Given the isolated location of the base, its controversial history, and the lack of legal authority to detain noncitizens there, continuing down this path will invite more litigation, drain resources, place undue strain on our servicemembers, diminish military readiness, undermine support from our allies, and harm our standing in the world.”
The Senators also refuted a false Department of Homeland Security statement to the Committee that suggests immigrants with final orders of removal do not need access to counsel. They said that individuals in civil immigration detention have a right to access counsel under ICE detention standards and immigration law even if they have a final removal order, and impeding this access to counsel could violate the Constitution.
Additionally, they countered the Trump Administration’s false claim that only high-risk, “worst of the worst” criminals are being detained. In fact, public reporting has shown that noncitizens who DHS itself deemed low risk were sent to Guantánamo, and the Administration has not ruled out detaining children and families at Guantánamo, declaring its decisions would be made on a “case-by-case basis.”
Padilla joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as well as Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in signing the letter.
Full text of the letter to President Trump is available here and below:
Dear President Trump:
We write to object to your illegal and unjustified transfers of noncitizens from the United States to the detention center at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, which follows your directive to the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to prepare the base to hold tens of thousands of noncitizens. These actions are unprecedented, unlawful, and harmful to American national security, values, and interests.
The United States has never sent anyone from the United States to be detained at Guantánamo before now. More than three decades ago, the base was used temporarily to house sudden influxes of migrants from Haiti and Cuba who were interdicted at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard. Since then, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have jointly provided housing and other services for a small number of migrants interdicted at sea at the Migrant Operations Center (MOC). Operations supporting even this limited number of migrants have proven challenging and there have been serious concerns regarding the living conditions of the MOC and insufficient access to basic legal rights and services.
There is no basis in U.S. immigration law for transferring noncitizens arrested inside the United States to a location outside of the United States for detention prior to or for the purposes of conducting removal proceedings. Noncitizens inside the United States are entitled to numerous protections under U.S. immigration law and the U.S. Constitution. For example, removal processes under our immigration laws afford noncitizens due process and an opportunity to seek protection from removal to a place where they could face persecution or torture. These rights cannot be extinguished by transfer to a location outside the United States. Simply put, if the processes for obtaining a lawful removal order have not been followed, the forcible removal of a noncitizen to Guantánamo violates U.S. immigration law.
Moreover, U.S. immigration law does not provide authority to detain noncitizens after their removal from the United States following a final order of removal. Immigration custody authority is based on immigration enforcement powers to seek and execute a removal order. Once an individual with a removal order departs the United States and arrives in a location outside the United States, the removal order has been executed. After that point, there is no basis under immigration law to retain custody of the individual. In addition, individuals in civil immigration detention have a right to access counsel under ICE detention standards, and immigration laws governing removal proceedings. Impeding access to counsel for detained noncitizens also may violate the Constitution in some circumstances. In addition, individuals in immigration detention may have appeal or other review rights and cannot be held indefinitely, and the only effective means by which a detained individual could assert these rights would be through access to counsel.
Based on information provided to the Judiciary Committee and in court filings, we are concerned that your Administration did not consider these serious legal concerns or have any plan to address them prior to transferring noncitizens from the United States to Guantánamo. In response to the Judiciary Committee’s inquiry regarding how noncitizens will access counsel once on the base, DHS stated, “Removable aliens housed will be those with final orders pending removal.” This suggests that noncitizens with final orders of removal do not need access to counsel, which is inaccurate. After individuals and legal organizations filed suit seeking access to the noncitizens, the Department of Justice filed a brief arguing that these noncitizens’ constitutional rights were not violated, because, though they did not have a right to meet with attorneys in person under the circumstances, other means of communicating with counsel, such as by telephone, were available. Yet just the day before, when the Judiciary Committee requested details regarding how noncitizens being held at Guantánamo could contact counsel when granted access to a phone, DHS did not know what, if any, procedures were in place to notify them of their rights or provide them with contact information for legal services. Your Administration’s actions and these responses raise serious legal concerns and call into question what effort, if any, was put into ensuring that the transfer of noncitizens complied with applicable laws and regulations.
While such clarification should be unnecessary, we must also emphasize that there is no colorable argument that noncitizens, including those convicted, accused, or suspected of crimes or criminal associations, can be held in law of war detention or in Department of Defense custody, whether at Guantánamo or anywhere else. The law of war detention facility at Guantánamo has been used to hold alleged members of al Qaeda and “associated forces” in connection with the armed conflict between the United States and these groups following the 9/11 attacks. While these detention operations have been the subject of significant controversy and criticism, these detainees have all been captured abroad and detained pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and Section 1021 of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.
While no noncitizen should be sent from the United States to Guantánamo, it also appears that your Administration’s claims that it was sending “worst of the worst” there are misleading. Public reporting indicates that noncitizens who DHS deemed low risk were sent to Guantánamo. In response to inquiries from Judiciary Committee staff, your Administration has even left open the possibility that families, including children, will be detained at Guantánamo, stating that future decisions regarding detention would be made on a “case-by-case basis.”
Your efforts to house or detain noncitizens forcibly removed from the United States at the MOC and the Camp 6 law of war detention facilities at Guantánamo are cruel, unlawful, and unprecedented. Such hasty and unlawful actions will cause harms to the United States for years to come. As those familiar with the long history of operations at Guantánamo can tell you, detaining individuals there is not a quick fix. Congress has not appropriated funds for such purposes for good reason. Given the isolated location of the base, its controversial history, and the lack of legal authority to detain noncitizens there, continuing down this path will invite more litigation, drain resources, place undue strain on our servicemembers, diminish military readiness, undermine support from our allies, and harm our standing in the world.
We urge you to heed these lessons, follow the law, refrain from any further expansion of facilities, and cease transferring noncitizens to Guantánamo. To inform our oversight of this situation, please answer the following questions by March 10, 2025:
1. What is your Administration’s claimed legal authority for transporting noncitizens from the United States to the Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay? Relatedly, what is your claimed legal basis for detaining noncitizens there, whether at the MOC, JTF-GTMO, or other facilities?
2. What are your Administration’s criteria for determining which noncitizens would be sent to Guantánamo?
3. Will you definitively state that families and children will not be sent to Guantánamo?
4. For what crimes, if any, were the individuals previously sent to Guantánamo convicted? Were individuals provided with representation in their criminal proceedings?
5. To what legal processes and rights does your Administration consider individuals sent to Guantánamo to be entitled, including relative to individuals in immigration detention inside the United States and individuals currently housed at the MOC?
6. How will your Administration ensure that these rights, such as access to counsel and administrative and judicial review, are upheld given the restricted access to Naval Station Guantánamo Bay?
7. How many ICE personnel are stationed at the MOC? How many are stationed at Camp 6?
8. What are the projected costs of expanding the MOC and any other operations or actions associated with the transfer of noncitizens to or from Naval Station Guantánamo Bay? How much have the actions already taken cost U.S. taxpayers and how does that compare to the cost of detaining immigrants inside the U.S.? What is the source of funding for these efforts?
9. What impact will these operations and expenditures have on military readiness and availability of funds for immigration detention and enforcement inside the United States?
10. How does your Administration plan to ensure the facilities meet required standards of care for housing, food, medical care, security, sanitation, education, employment, and the like for both detained noncitizens and U.S. military personnel at the base, given the already deteriorated state of facilities at the base? What contingency plans do you have in place for weather conditions or other emergency situations?
11. How does your Administration plan to ensure that Congress and the American people, including the press and civil society, have access to information regarding these operations, including who is, was, or will be detained there and under what conditions and authorities?
12. What is your long-term objective and strategy for these detentions, including your plan for individuals for whom repatriation or resettlement may not be feasible?
13. Reporting indicates that in one case, you have brought a noncitizen you had transferred to Guantánamo back to the United States. Is this true? If so, why, and under what authorities?
We look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Trucks loaded with Chinese aid get ready to set off from the warehouse of Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in Zarqa, Jordan, on Feb. 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China has called on the international community to actively engage in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Initiative, co-launched by China, stressing the importance of joint efforts to uphold humanitarian principles and protect civilians in conflict zones.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, attended a high-level event to galvanize political commitment to IHL. He introduced the IHL Initiative and outlined China’s position on humanitarian issues.
Noting that the current global humanitarian crisis remains dire, Chen emphasized that promoting effective compliance with IHL is “a pressing challenge of our time” that must be addressed and it is also the concern that served as a driving force behind the initiative’s launch. He stated that the IHL Initiative aims to raise awareness of IHL among the international community, particularly among parties to armed conflicts.
He stressed that the international community should foster the spirit of humanity, fraternity, and devotion while ensuring the universal and uniform application of IHL, resolutely rejecting double standards and selective application. He added that the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence must be upheld to avoid the politicization of humanitarian issues, and that support for international humanitarian organizations is essential to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.
Chen invited all parties to participate in the IHL Initiative and actively contribute to its various workstreams based on their expertise. He also emphasized that traditional Chinese values – such as “a benevolent man loves others” and “do not impose on others what you do not want others to do to you” – embody a deeply rooted humanitarian spirit.
He said China will remain an active supporter, participant, and contributor to the international humanitarian cause, upholding its vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
Chen stressed that China remains committed to peace talks, promoting peace and hope in conflict zones, continuing its assistance to Africa and other developing countries, supporting humanitarian organizations to the best of its ability, and alleviating the suffering of people in conflict zones.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Birchall, Senior Lecturer in Law, Macquarie University
In our complex, interconnected world, there are risks of human rights violations throughout global supply chains. Examples include not only modern slavery and child labour, but also gender discrimination and violations of land, food and water rights.
Many people care deeply about whether the companies they support are monitoring and addressing these issues. So, how do some of the biggest Australian companies measure up?
To answer this question, we analysed the human rights commitments of 25 of the top companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), including some of our largest banks and mining companies.
We found Australian companies have a long way to go in “knowing and showing” a commitment to respect human rights, suggesting an urgent need for reform.
One response could be for Australia to follow the European Union’s lead and create a mandatory human rights due diligence regime.
Our analysis used the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Corporate Human Rights Benchmark Core UNGP Indicators.
This benchmark uses 12 indicators that draw on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the authoritative international standard.
The indicators are grouped into three themes:
Companies score between zero and two points on each indicator, depending on how they satisfy its requirements. The maximum possible score is 24.
It’s important to understand that the aim of our study was not to assess whether these companies have been violating human rights. Rather, it was to evaluate whether companies have disclosed their policies and processes to respect human rights.
The UN Guiding Principles expect companies to have suitable due diligence processes in place and make these publicly available in an accessible form.
Ideally, companies should clearly state that they respect all human rights. This includes rights such as nondiscrimination, the prohibition on forced or child labour, freedom to join trade unions, and the right to a clean environment.
They should outline in detail the mechanisms in place to identify and address actual or potential abuses. On top of this, detail which officials in the company hold responsibility for managing these issues.
The better companies would even disclose examples of human rights abuses that they discovered in their operations, such as modern slavery or a gender pay gap.
Our research covered the 25 largest Australian companies by market capitalisation that had not previously been assessed under this benchmark.
This included some of the leading Australian companies from a range of sectors – mining, banks, energy, insurance, transportation, telecommunication, media, health care and pharmaceuticals.
Scores were poor overall. The best-performing company scored eight out of a possible 24 points. The average score was 3.6.
Many companies were found to be making vague or ambiguous human rights commitments or only focusing on a narrow set of modern slavery risks.
No company disclosed all of the human rights due diligence processes needed to identify, prevent, mitigate and remediate human rights risks. Nor did any disclose how they consulted with relevant stakeholders such as workers or displaced communities to help them understand and identify relevant human rights risks in company operations.
Only ten of the 25 companies provided a mechanism for external individuals and communities to raise human rights complaints or concerns.
Companies scored particularly poorly on the second group of indicators: embedding respect through ongoing human rights due diligence. The average score here was 0.58 out of 12.
Many companies only focused on identifying and addressing modern slavery in their operations, to the exclusion of other human rights risks such as sexual harassment or environmental pollution.
It was also concerning that companies we assessed often passed the burden of compliance to suppliers. That is, they established higher expectations for suppliers’ conduct than they set for their own.
Our research found that companies scored well in making human rights commitments where there was a legal obligation to do so.
Every company, for example, scored the point available for hosting a grievance mechanism for workers to raise concerns about the company. This is because Australia’s Corporations Act requires companies to create a whistleblower mechanism.
Similarly, most companies disclosed elements of their modern slavery due diligence process, because this is legally required under the Modern Slavery Act.
It is clear from our research that many large Australian companies are not operating in line with international standards.
That means they also aren’t ready to comply with the ripple effects of the mandatory human rights due diligence laws recently introduced in Europe.
These laws will require large Australian companies that do significant business in Europe to conduct comprehensive human rights due diligence.
Australian companies must take proactive steps to comply with international standards. This means making a public commitment to respect all human rights, establishing and publicly disclosing their human rights due diligence process.
It will also mean involving everyone who is affected by or has an interest in the company’s activities throughout the due diligence process. This includes making sure they have a way to raise concerns and seek remedies.
The Australian government has a vital role in ensuring that companies take their human rights responsibilities seriously. The current reporting regime under the Modern Slavery Act has proven very weak, confirmed under a recent formal review.
Our findings suggest the government should enact a stronger and broader mandatory human rights due diligence law covering all human rights.
David Birchall is Deputy Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie Law School.
Ebony Birchall is the Deputy Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie University. She has previously received research funding from the Australian Government, Macquarie University and the Freedom Fund.
Surya Deva is Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie University. He is currently UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development. He has previously received funding from the GIZ, the UNDP, the Freedom Fund and the International Commission of Jurists. He is part of the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Expert Review Committee. The Lab received funding from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and the World Benchmarking Alliance to cover the costs of hosting an event to launch this report.
– ref. Some of Australia’s largest companies are failing to ‘know and show’ their respect for human rights – https://theconversation.com/some-of-australias-largest-companies-are-failing-to-know-and-show-their-respect-for-human-rights-250055
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are at the scene of a serious single-vehicle crash that has blocked the road between Pahiatua and Palmerston North.
Police were called to the scene, on Pahiatua-Mangahao Road, between Ridge Road North and Soldiers Road, about 5pm.
Two people have minor injuries, and one person is in a critical condition and will be airlifted to hospital.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and the road will likely remain closed for some time.
Motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police are at the scene of a serious crash on Manners Street, central Wellington, following a collision between a pedestrian and a bus.
The incident happened about 4.40pm, between Victoria and Cuba streets.
One person is in a critical condition.
Part of Manners Street will be closed to traffic and pedestrians while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are following strong lines of enquiry in the investigation into arsons at churches in Masterton on the morning of Saturday 22 February.
As part of our enquiries, we are seeking information about a green Ford Festiva which was seen leaving one of those fires.
Police are working to establish the movements of the vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning when the arsons were reported, and the day or days beforehand.
The vehicle was located abandoned on Sunday 23 February on Mikimiki Road, Masterton.
A significant search was deployed into the area, however no occupants of the vehicle were located.
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation, including sightings of this vehicle, is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250222/1673.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre