Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
November 01, 2024
EAST HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03) announced the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) has been selected to receive $250,000 in federal grants to provide technical assistance to help Connecticut businesses develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities.
CT DEEP will partner with the Toxic Use Reduction Institute at University of Massachusetts Lowell to identify safer cleaning and sanitizing products for craft beverage manufacturers in Connecticutto reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, solid and hazardous waste, water pollution and toxic chemicals. CT DEEP will also continue to work with other New England states to offer the BetterBev recognition program, which incentivizes businesses to carry out pollution reduction measures. Facilities in or adjacent to communities with environmental justice concerns will be prioritized.
“We won’t achieve our climate goals unless everybody is involved in the fight, but small businesses often face greater barriers to making the upfront investments for cleaner practices. By providing direct technical support to Connecticut’s local craft beverage manufacturers, this $250,000 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help small business owners across our state adopt more sustainable, cost-effective practices that reduce harmful emissions, strengthen our economy, and safeguard the health of our communities for generations to come,” said Murphy.
“This investment in greener craft breweries and wineries will help them be even more successful as environmental stewards. With greater technical aid, beverage businesses can expand consumer appeal by reducing pollution and protecting natural resources. It’s a boost for our economy and environment,” said Blumenthal.
“Addressing pollution at the source is key to protecting community health and taking on the threat of climate change,” said Larson. “I have been proud to work with the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation to deliver federal funding for projects to combat pollution and ensure all communities have access to clean air and water. This funding will support ongoing work at the state and local level to invest in innovative solutions that protect our environment, combat pollution, and help reduce energy bills.”
“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CT DEEP can bolster its work with businesses across our state to reduce pollution,” said DeLauro. “These funds will help drive economic growth and ensure Connecticut leads the way in combatting pollution. The climate crisis is here, and it is an existential threat. We must do all we can to reduce pollution and protect our planet for generations to come.”
“Every community deserves clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment—and pollution prevention grants help achieve that by reducing waste at the source. By adopting smarter and innovative practices that limit the use of toxic materials and conserve resources, these investments are helping our partners to support New England businesses to cut costs, grow sustainably, and protect the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, together we’re creating lasting benefits for local economies and ensuring that environmental progress and economic growth go hand in hand and reach all communities, including those that need it most. That’s Investing in America.”
EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. In total, EPA has announced 48 selectees across the country that will collectively receive nearly $19 million in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices in local communities. This includes any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the funds awarded this year were made available with no cost share/match requirement.
Between 2011-2022, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in 31.9 billion kWh in energy savings, eliminated 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 52 billion gallons of water, reduced 1 billion pounds of hazardous materials, and saved businesses more than $2.3 billion.
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
November 01, 2024
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Friday joined U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03) to announce that the Connecticut Port Authority and Gateway Terminal, in partnership with the New Haven Port Authority, have been selected to receive nearly $40 million in total through EPA’s Clean Ports Program to support the deployment of zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure.
“Our ports are the driving force behind Connecticut’s blue economy, but the diesel-powered equipment we use to move goods through them is polluting nearby communities and taking a toll on public health. By replacing aging, polluting equipment with cleaner, zero-emission alternatives, this $39 million in federal funding will help keep ports in New Haven and New London running smoothly while improving quality of life, creating good-paying jobs, and moving us closer to achieving our climate goals,” said Murphy.
“This milestone investment will make our ports cleaner and healthier – using zero-emission equipment. Stopping air pollution while modernizing and enhancing port facilities is a gigantic win for both our environment and economy. Communities around the ports will have better air and jobs,” said Blumenthal.
“The redevelopment and modernization of State Pier New London in 2019 dramatically increased its square footage and weight bearing capacity, with an eye to both increased cargo activity, as well as wind turbine assembly. With this $5 million new federal investment funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the pier can now install zero-emission power equipment so that docked ships can power onboard services. This upgrade will keep New London State Pier competitive with the maritime industry and protect water quality in the Thames River,” said Courtney.
“I am pleased to announce that Gateway Terminals and the Connecticut Port Authority will receive vital grant funding that will reduce diesel emissions, lower health risks and noise pollution for port workers and near-port communities, and decrease pollution in the Long Island Sound,” said DeLauro. “In New Haven, Gateway Terminal will be using this funding to replace four aging diesel-powered cranes with all-electric machines, deploy 10 all-electric tractors for terminal drayage services, and install solar infrastructure. These efforts will reduce their reliance on the electric grid and the need for fossil fuel dependency while greatly improving air quality for residents of the City.”
The grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel air pollution from U.S. ports and near surrounding communities while promoting good-paying and union jobs that help America’s ports thrive.
The Connecticut Port Authority has been selected to receive an anticipated $5,357,103 to acquire a mobile shore power unit and install supporting shore power infrastructure at the New London State Pier. The project will reduce diesel emissions by providing power to vessels at berth, enabling docked marine vessels to connect to the local electric grid to power onboard services instead of running their diesel engines, thereby decreasing health risks and noise pollution for port workers and the near-port communities. The State Pier was recently upgraded to enable it to serve as a marshalling port for offshore wind facility operations. CPA will engage stakeholders in New London to increase public awareness education, and ongoing communication. A workforce training program developed in coordination with unions and other stakeholders will help prepare the local labor force to fill high-quality jobs created by this project.
Enstructure New Haven Holdings’ Gateway Terminal, in partnership with the New Haven Port Authority in Connecticut, has been selected to receive an anticipated $34,032,340 for the purchase and deployment of zero-emission cargo handling equipment with supporting charging infrastructure, as well as rooftop solar generation and battery energy storage systems to supplement grid power for the mobile equipment. The project also includes scrapping several pieces of diesel-powered cargo handling equipment to reduce air pollution at the port and in the surrounding area. Training on the all-electric equipment will be provided to the existing workforce, and the community will be engaged in project implementation and in sourcing workers for new good-paying jobs. Gateway recently joined Green Marine, a voluntary environmental benchmarking and continuous improvement program, which requires participants to annually measure, certify and publish their performance indicators, including emissions reduction and community relations.
EPA’s Clean Ports Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from cleaner air and access to high quality jobs that will be created to operate zero emissions technologies at ports.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined fourteen of her colleagues in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) urging him to prioritize multi-year funding for teaching health centers across America. These centers and the physicians they train are a critical component of Miami and Florida’s healthcare system.
Last year, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378), legislation that included a reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program through Fiscal Year 2030. The THCGME program supports the training of future physicians in community settings, providing greater access to primary care, dental care, and behavioral health services. A multi-year reauthorization will provide adequate resources for future physicians, ensuring these programs have the certainty to continue while still helping those with limited financial resources gain access to critical care.
“As you consider possible legislation for later this session, we urge you to include in any broader legislative package a multi-year reauthorization for the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program,” wrote the legislators. “Teaching health centers are a vital response to the primary care physician shortage, placing doctors in rural and underserved communities where they are needed most.”
The letter has the support of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), the American Association of Teaching Health Centers (AATHC), and the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC). Rep. Salazar was joined in the letter by Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), David Valadao (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Dan Meuser (R-PA), and Michael Guest (R-MS).
“We are grateful for Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar’s dedication to the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. Her and her colleagues’ advocacy for a long-term extension and increased funding reflects their commitment to resolving the primary care workforce shortage across America. Their support will ensure we can train and retain the next generation of providers to improve the well-being of our nation,” said Joe Dunn, Chief Policy Officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers.
“The American Association of Teaching Health Centers is extremely grateful to Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar for her leadership in coordinating such an important expression of Congressional support for the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education program and to her 13 colleagues who also signed this letter to the Speaker of the House. The letter demonstrates that in medically underserved and rural communities across the nation, the residency programs our members operate are making a significant and positive impact by training the next generation of providers, whom history has shown will typically remain in such communities and reduce the physician and dentist shortage. This program has enjoyed sustained bipartisan support and in 2023, both the House and Senate took initial steps to extend it and provide a robust funding increase. As Congresswoman Salazar and her 14 colleagues indicate in the letter, it’s time for Congress to finish its work on the THCGME reauthorization and provide much-needed certainty to the organizations operating these programs across the country,” said Cristine Serrano, Executive Director of the American Association of Teaching Health Centers.
“The Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program not only cultivates skilled healthcare professionals but also reinforces the vital connection between education and community health, ensuring that quality care reaches those who need it most. Representative Salazar’s commitment to increasing funding for the THCGME program demonstrates a powerful dedication to enhancing healthcare access and ensuring that future generations of physicians are trained in community-focused environments. Supporting her efforts is essential for strengthening our healthcare system and meeting the needs of underserved populations,” said Jonathan Chapman, President and CEO of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC).
Congresswoman Salazar has been a leader in Congress in ensuring community health centers and other important health institutions in Miami have access to adequate funding.
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that a Lexington County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for trafficking cocaine in Kershaw County. On October 31, 2024, Walter Goad was found guilty of trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine in Kershaw County.
In August of 2016, agents started investigating a suspected cocaine distributor in Kershaw County. During their investigation into this individual, they became aware that his supplier was Walter Goad. On or about September 22, 2016, Goad was observed by law enforcement arriving at the residence of the suspected cocaine dealer on Ward Road in Lugoff. Goad remained there for a few minutes and then left. Agents followed Goad and visually identified him. At the same time, the suspected cocaine dealer called a law enforcement confidential informant and told him that he “just got his hands on” the cocaine he was waiting for. Within minutes, agents executed a search warrant on the Ward Road residence and recovered approximately ten ounces of cocaine. The suspected cocaine dealer implicated Goad as his supplier and told agents that Goad had just delivered the cocaine. The cocaine was still in its brick form when agents recovered it, and the packaging it had been delivered in was on the floor next to the cocaine.
Agents utilized the suspected cocaine dealer to conduct a monitored and recorded phone call with Goad. In the phone call, Goad asked where his money was and referred to the cocaine he had delivered. Immediately after hanging up, Goad called back and asked if he needed to send people over to Kershaw County to put guns in people’s faces to make them pay their drug debts.
On October 3, 2016, DEA agents along with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Goad’s home in Lexington County. During the search, a K9 Officer alerted to the odor of narcotics on a large black bin in the garage. Inside the bin, agents found industrial-sized packaging materials that matched the packaging of the cocaine, along with a very large digital scale. Agents also recovered a suspected drug ledger.
After a four-day trial, a Kershaw County jury found Goad guilty of trafficking between 200 and 400 grams of cocaine. The Honorable Judge Jocelyn Newman sentenced Goad to 25 years in prison and imposed a $100,000 fine. Goad was given credit for the two days he spent in jail immediately following his arrest. Goad will be required to serve at least eighty-five percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Following Goad’s conviction, Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan said, “We are always thankful to see drug traffickers get prosecuted and sentenced to prison. These crimes often get forgotten because drug trafficking can be seen as a victimless crime. It is not.”
Assistant Attorneys General Christina Gatte and Jennifer McKellar of the State Grand Jury Section prosecuted the case for the State. The case was investigated by Michael Sellers, formerly of the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Special Agent Adam Hardin of the DEA, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Andrew Scott Walker pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree, and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 3rd Degree in Greenville County on October 31, 2024, before Judge Perry Gravely.
In January 2021, the Simpsonville Police Department responded to a residence after receiving a report from a concerned citizen that she discovered nude images of children on the phone of a man she knew. The Simpsonville Police Department seized the cell phone and searched the device, in which more pictures and videos were discovered of Walker sexually assaulting one of the children, and his voice was identified. The children were also identified.
Judge Gravely sentenced Walker to 10 years in prison on the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree charge, which is to run consecutive to the Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 3rd Degree charge, for which he received 15 years, for a total sentence of 25 years. He must register as a sex offender upon his release, consented to a forfeiture order, and a permanent restraining order was signed for the victims.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Johnson prosecuted the case.
Attorney General Wilson thanks Investigator Jim Donnely from the Simpsonville Police Department, the Simpsonville Police Department, and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office who assisted in the investigation.
Columbus, OH – The U.S. Marshals Service Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) arrested 53 violent Felony Domestic Violence and Felony Family Violence fugitives during a fugitive apprehension initiative called Operation Safe Haven.
Enforcement activities covered 31 operational days, from Oct 1 to Oct 31, and targeted fugitives with Felony Domestic Violence and Felony Family Violence arrest warrants, prioritizing those who used firearms in the commission of crimes or signaled high-risk factors for violence. Operation Safe Haven resulted in the arrest of fugitives on charges to include homicide, forcible sexual assault, domestic violence, aggravated assault, and child abuse.
Notable arrests included: On 10/17/2024, Columbus SOFAST arrested Justin Woolum. Woolum was wanted by the Kenova Police Department (WV) for Rape of a Minor. Columbus SOFAST arrested Woolum in Lancaster, OH.
On 10/30/2024, Dayton SOFAST arrested James Wilson. Wilson was wanted by Dayton Police Department for Felony Domestic Violence and Strangulation. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio also issued an arrest warrant for Wilson charging him with a Supervised Release Violation.
On 10/01/2024, Columbus SOFAST and FCSO (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office) SWAT arrested Aaron Rice. Rice was wanted by the Springfield Police Division for Felonious Assault and Weapons Offenses. Rice was indicted for Abduction and Kidnapping. An investigation indicated that, while Rice was a fugitive for the Felonious Assault case, he kidnapped the victim and a small child. Rice drove the victims from Ohio to Tennessee where they escaped. Rice was also facing Felony Domestic Violence charges in the State of Tennessee at the time of his arrest.
On 10/18/2024, Cincinnati SOFAST arrested Timothy Cromwell. Cromwell was wanted by the Colerain Township Police Department for the Abduction and Kidnapping of the victim at gun point.
On 10/25/2024, Cincinnati SOFAST arrested Jurabek Sherov. Sherov was wanted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for kidnapping the victim and holding her hostage for several days at gun point. Sherov was also charged with Rape, and Strangulation.
“Every day our Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force officers are out locating and apprehending our most violent offenders. As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners focused on locating those suspects accused of violent crimes relating to domestic violence. Removing these dangerous fugitives from our community can hopefully bring some peace to the victims and serve as a deterrent to others to not commit these sorts of crimes”. – Michael D. Black, U.S. Marshal, Southern District of Ohio.
Columbus SOFAST is a fugitive-focused, U.S. Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state and federal authorities including the Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bexley Police Department, Capital University Police Department, Delaware County Probation Office, Groveport Police Department, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, Ohio Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration, United States Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Whitehall Police Department, and Zanesville Police Department.
Dayton SOFAST is a multi-jurisdictional, U.S. Marshals Service- led task force comprised of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Division of Police, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry Township Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Springboro Police Department, Franklin Police Department, United States Secret Service, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, West Carrollton Police Department, and the Xenia Police Department.
Cincinnati SOFAST is a U.S. Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state, and federal authorities including the Adult Parole Authority, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Butler County Probation Office, Colerain Township Police Department, Department of Homeland Security/ Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Golf Manor Police Department, Harrison Police Department, Mount Orab Police Department, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Trenton Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English
Federal Councillor Beat Jans met with representatives of Europol, Eurojust, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in The Hague and Rotterdam on 31 October and 1 November. During his visit, Mr Jans visited the port of Rotterdam, where he was shown how the authorities are combating organised crime and international drug trafficking. In addition, the Dutch authorities provided an insight into their Passenger Information Unit (PIU), which processes air passenger data. Switzerland is currently working on legislation to establish its own PIU presumably from 2026.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Location:
United Nations, New York
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
The UK welcomes the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR Althea today, and I join others in thanking France for its efforts as penholder on the text. EUFOR’s presence continues to play a vital role in safeguarding peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I also express my thanks to High Representative Christian Schmidt for his latest report and I welcome his excellency Mr Denis Bećirović in our meeting today.
I would like to use my remarks today to make three points:
First, the UK fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspirations to make progress towards greater European integration.
Pursuing a reform path will help to achieve this goal and will boost stability and prosperity. We encourage continued progress on key steps that will unlock long-term benefits for all of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens.
Second, Bosnia and Herzegovina must avoid actions which undermine this progress. We remain deeply concerned by secessionist rhetoric and actions from the Republika Srpska Entity, designed to undermine the unity and function of the state.
One such example is the proposed agreement on peaceful disassociation. We are also concerned by elements of the All-Serb Declaration which we assess do not align with the Dayton Peace Agreement.
And we regret the reported rise in genocide denial and glorification of war criminals. This has no place in a modern, inclusive and multi-ethnic society.
Third, this mixed picture reinforces the ongoing vital role of the High Representative, who is tasked with upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The international community must enable an environment in which Bosnia and Herzegovina can make progress on reforms and advance its European ambitions. As such, we must continue to promote domestic responsibility and accountability.
We particularly welcomed the High Representative’s recent changes to the Election Law, which contributed to the more positive atmosphere in which the recent local elections were held.
In closing, it is important to emphasise that Bosnia and Herzegovina is and must remain a single, sovereign and multi-ethnic country.
The UK encourages all politicians to put aside their differences and show the political courage to work together towards a more stable and prosperous future for all citizens.
On October 31, 2024, Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission, was granted Royal Assent. The activities of Canada’s law enforcement agencies will now be subject to greater accountability and transparency.
November 1, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario
On October 31, 2024, Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission, was granted Royal Assent. The activities of Canada’s law enforcement agencies will now be subject to greater accountability and transparency.
The passage of this bill represents a major milestone in the realm of civilian law enforcement review in Canada. It will create the first-ever independent complaints and review body for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in addition to enhancing the existing review mechanism for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The establishment of the new Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC) will increase public trust in our law enforcement institutions by providing an avenue for the public to submit complaints, should they have concerns about the conduct of an RCMP or CBSA officer, or the level of service they provided. Further, the PCRC will have the ability to conduct systemic reviews of the activities of the RCMP and the CBSA.
The PCRC Act will be the first federal statute to require the collection, analysis and reporting of demographic and race-based data on complainants, an important step that will contribute to identifying systemic issues within our law enforcement and develop better-informed solutions to combat them.
The new legislation will also enact mechanisms for additional accountability and transparency, such as a more robust reporting framework around review processes and mandatory timelines for RCMP and CBSA responses to PCRC reports, reviews and recommendations.
Bill C-20 is the result of extensive consultations and engagement with various stakeholders, including experts, academics, civil rights organizations, and vulnerable communities. It reflects the many voices that have raised concerns around systemic issues within our law enforcement institutions and have called for increased transparency and accountability.
Public confidence in the RCMP and CBSA is crucial to the health of our democracy. This independent body will ensure Canadians values, rights and freedoms are being upheld.
Gabriel Brunet Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs 819-665-6527 gabriel.brunet@iga-aig.gc.ca
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, Nov. 2 in honor of Senior Investigator John L. Carey — a retired New York State Police member who passed away from illness linked to his assignment at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“Senior Investigator Carey was a dedicated member of the New York State Police, and his passing is a reflection of the relentless bravery and unimaginable sacrifice that defines both a public servant and a hero,” Governor Hochul said. “The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have claimed the life of another New Yorker, a New Yorker who will always be remembered for protecting his community and for his fearlessness in service.”
Senior Investigator Carey joined the State Police in 1982 and served for 32 years until his retirement on July 30, 2014. In September 2001, he was sent on a two-week assignment to Ground Zero to identify victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center, where he was then exposed to the toxic chemicals and fumes at the scene.
Senior Investigator Carey is survived by his wife, Christine; their four children, Andrew, Ashley, Adam and Jennifer; and his granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
Wray discussed the region’s biggest challenges and emphasized that a continued focus on partnerships was critical to staying ahead of the threat
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks with law enforcement partners during a meeting at the FBI Boston Division’s Bedford Resident Agency in New Hampshire during an October 2024 visit to New England.
This week, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited the Burlington, Vermont; Bedford, New Hampshire; and Providence, Rhode Island, resident agencies. He met with employees, U.S. attorneys, and a number of key law enforcement, private sector, and community partners from across the region.
During these partner meetings, Director Wray talked about the Bureau’s work in the region and reaffirmed our commitment to supporting our state and local partners on issues such as violent crime, election security, threats to critical infrastructure, national security at the northern border, and emerging challenges, such as the impact of artificial intelligence on elder fraud and scams.
“As a country and as a profession, we’re dealing with all sorts of challenges,” Director Wray said. “But our partnerships—with law enforcement, the private sector, and the communities we serve—give me confidence that we can stay ahead of the threats out there.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Junction City, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court in Columbus today to 276 months in prison for sexually exploiting minors and possessing child pornography.
Since 2018, Clay Thomas Wolfe, 28, solicited child pornography from more than 300 victims via the mobile application Snapchat. Approximately 100 exploitation victims who provided sexual content to Wolfe have been identified by law enforcement as minors thus far from across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Wolfe pretended on Snapchat to be a 15-year-old female named “Ally” who lived in Ohio and used this persona to solicit child pornography from primarily middle school and high school aged boys. Wolfe’s Snapchat account also contained sexually explicit photographs and videos of minor males as young as 10 and 11 years old.
The investigation was initiated in April 2022, when law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania learned that a sixth-grade student was sharing a nude photograph of a classmate that he had received from Wolfe while Wolfe was pretending to be “Ally.”
As part of his online persona, Wolfe sent the male victims photos and videos of pubescent female’s naked breasts and genitalia that he found on adult pornography sites or public social media accounts. He would use that content to entice the minors he chatted with to send content of their own including image and video files of primarily minor males, some as young as twelve-years-old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct such as bestiality, masturbation, and sexual acts including oral and anal penetration. Wolfe would also extort the victims by threatening to send the nude images of his victims to their friends and family unless they sent him additional images.
In total, Wolfe received approximately 850 images and 570 videos depicting child pornography.
Wolfe was arrested and charged federally in June 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. U.S. Attorney Parker and Special Agent in Charge Iatarola commended the cooperation of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Perry County Prosecutor. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch and are representing the United States in this case.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Berlin, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visited a multi-unit public housing development undergoing weatherization installations to improve energy efficiency and lower monthly costs. During a tour of the complex, Shaheen discussed the benefits of weatherization with residents, as well as participants in the Tri-County Community Action Program’s Registered Apprenticeship for weatherization installers, which is the first of its kind in New Hampshire. As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion for weatherization assistance nationwide, including more than $18 million for New Hampshire. You can find photos from the event here.
“Weatherizing homes is one of the best things we can do to reduce monthly energy costs, all while making progress toward our climate goals and keeping Granite Staters safe from extreme temperatures,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to have secured funding for New Hampshire’s weatherization efforts through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is supporting this new apprenticeship program to expand the weatherization workforce. I’ll keep working in Congress to find ways to upgrade our infrastructure while saving money for Granite State households.”
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding helps homes become more energy efficient through measures like installing insulation, updating heating and cooling systems and updating electrical appliances. For every dollar invested by WAP, $4.50 is generated in combined energy savings and non-energy benefits such as improved health and job creation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. If you think you may be eligible for WAP funding, apply through your local Community Action Agency at CAPNH.org and check out Senator Shaheen’s recently updated Federal Energy Guide for more ways Granite Staters can save money on their utility bills.
As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long-championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. Last year, Shaheen helped introduce the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, a bipartisan bill that would strengthen the Weatherization Assistance Program and increase the number of homes the program is able to serve. Shaheen also introduced the bipartisan Investing in State Energy Act, legislation to ensure that annual funding for weatherization and the State Energy Program is released to states as quickly as possible.
In response to a shortage of weatherization installers in New Hampshire, Tri-County Community Action Program (TCCAP) launched an apprenticeship program to train new workers in the field. TCCAP’s program is supported by Training and Technical Assistance funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is the first program of its kind in New Hampshire.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
**Shaheen is building on her Cooper Davis Act and leading the push to crack down on drug trafficking through social media**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, is leading a bipartisan letter with U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) calling on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to take action to remove and prevent advertisements for illicit drugs on all Meta platforms. The letter builds on Shaheen and Marshall’s bipartisan Cooper Davis Act to hold social media companies accountable for reporting to law enforcement illicit drug and opioid activities occurring on their platforms.
In part, the Senators wrote: “The United States is in the midst of a drug epidemic, with more than 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses last year, and an alarming amount of these drugs are sold online. It is crucial that everyone work to ensure these illegal drugs are found and taken off the streets. Therefore, we call on Meta to improve its human automated advertising review and content moderation to address these failures that are placing lives at risk.”
According to a Wall Street Journal report from earlier this year, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that Meta has run hundreds of advertisements on Facebook and Instagram that steer users to online marketplaces for illegal drugs. The Shaheen-led letter urges Zuckerberg to support the Cooper Davis Act and work as quickly as possible to prevent further harm.
The Senators continued: “When presented with these disturbing findings, Meta took down some advertisements off its platforms. However, Meta’s refusal to prevent illicit drug advertisements, while accepting advertisement payments that are harming families and in clear violation of Meta’s policies, is particularly alarming. Surely, this is not what Meta means when it states its ‘mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.’”
Text of the letter can be found here.
Shaheen has spearheaded crucial legislation, led efforts and secured funding to stem the opioid epidemic. Earlier this week, the Senator held a roundtable with the Youth CAN coalition leadership team and community partners to discuss the organization’s work to prevent youth substance misuse in New Hampshire. Last month, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act to strengthen efforts to address the substance misuse disorder crisis that is impacting communities across the nation by establishing a new grant program.
The Cooper Davis Act would require social media companies and other communication service providers to turn over information relating to illicit online fentanyl activity to federal agencies to combat the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit and controlled substances occurring on their platforms.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 1, 2024
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representatives Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Nikema Williams (D-GA-5), Thomas Massie (R-KY-4), and Dan Bishop (R-NC-8) filed a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Martin v. United States and address the alarming gap in federal accountability created by the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling in this case.
This case centers around a mistaken, forceful raid by federal agents who entered the wrong home in the early hours of the morning. The family inside was jolted awake by a flashbang grenade exploding within their walls. This raid left the family not only traumatized but physically harmed. Despite the evident toll on these innocent individuals and the assault that they suffered, the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling currently bars them from any avenue for recourse under the FTCA, even though Congress designed this law in the wake of several wrong house raids to ensure accountability for federal overreach.This brief asserts that the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation of the FTCA contradicts the FTCA’s legislative intent and threatens Americans’ protections against federal overreach.
“Congress specifically designed the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to ensure that individuals harmed by government overreach—such as the wrongful raiding of an innocent person’s home—have a means of recourse. By blocking Trina Martin’s right to seek redress, the Eleventh Circuit’s decision not only undermines Congress’ intent and the FTCA’s fundamental purpose but also establishes troubling precedent that places government actions beyond accountability, compromising Americans’ rights. We must ensure that when the government makes a mistake, citizens can hold it accountable and seek justice. This case is a critical step in preserving that protection,” said Dr. Rand Paul.
“Through the Federal Tort Claims Act, Congress provided a remedy for federal wrong-house raids, but the Eleventh Circuit has taken it away,” explained Patrick Jaicomo, a Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice, which represents the innocent family. “The brief filed by members of Congress today confirms the availability of that federal remedy, and that the constitutional role of the courts is to enforce—not revoke—the remedy Congress has provided.”
In Martin v. United States, the Eleventh Circuit ruled that victims of the wrong-house raid could not recover damages due to the Supremacy Clause, despite the FTCA’s purpose to hold federal law enforcement accountable for wrongful actions. Congress introduced the FTCA’s law enforcement provision specifically to protect citizens harmed in cases like these, yet the Eleventh Circuit’s stance nullifies that protection, leaving innocent citizens vulnerable.
The Supremacy Clause was intended to assert the primacy of federal statutes—not to obstruct claims explicitly permitted by Congress. The bipartisan, bicameral brief makes it clear that if the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation is upheld, it will fundamentally undermine the FTCA’s role in federal accountability, allowing agents to act with impunity and without fear of recourse from innocent citizens.
By granting review and overturning the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, the Supreme Court would reinforce the FTCA as Congress intended—empowering Americans to hold federal agents accountable for intentional harms, particularly in cases like these that carry such personal and constitutional significance.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development
Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.
“This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”
“The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”
“To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”
According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.
The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”
Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”
To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.
Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.
The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
Biden-Harris Administration invests in Richmond’s climate resilience and energy efficiency renovations.
Congressman John Garamendi presenting the check with Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Community Housing Development Corporation Executive Director Donald Gilmore, the longest-tenured Pullman Point resident Ms. Linda Daniels, and HUD’s Honorable Adrianne Todman.
Richmond, CA—Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) presented $15,920,000 in federal funding for climate resilience and energy-efficient renovations of affordable multifamily housing units in Richmond, CA.
Specifically, Garamendi presented a $15,920,000 check alongside the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and its 199-unit Pullman Point low-income housing development in Richmond under HUD’sGreen and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). The funding will increase energy and water efficiency, generate renewable energy, reduce housing operating costs, promote the use of green building materials, and improve the quality of life for residents by making these homes more resilient to climate hazards.
This funding is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which established HUD’s GRRP in 2022 to fund energy efficiency and climate resiliency improvements for multifamily properties participating in HUD’s project-based rental assistance programs.
“I am thrilled to support the Community Housing Development Corporation’s work to ensure our community’s access to resilient and affordable housing in the face of the ongoing climate crisis. Today’s funding was made possible thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate history,” Garamendi said. “I am committed to supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to uplift our disadvantaged communities that have been overlooked by federal investment and are now disproportionately facing the effects of climate change.”
“HUD has awarded over $1.1 billion through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to modernize housing for families across the country as the climate crisis continues to affect our most vulnerable communities,” said the Honorable Adrianne Todman, HUD’s senior official. “These awards advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s housing and clean energy goals to ensure families we serve live in resilient, energy efficient, and comfortable homes where they can thrive.”
“The GRRP award partnership with HUD is an investment that will help us succeed in solidifying the goal at the core of our mission – to address the struggles to find safe, affordable housing options – while building resilience against climate impacts to the direct benefit of residents and the broader community,” said Community Housing Development Corporation Executive Director Donald Gilmore. “Our goal at Pullman Point is to use this award to enhance the building’s environmental resilience and reduce its carbon footprint. We want to implement energy and water efficiency upgrades, incorporate renewable energy systems, improve indoor air quality, integrate sustainable materials, and install zero-emission technologies. The Pullman Point GRRP award project represents our commitment and continued effort to improve the lives of individuals and families and create thriving and vibrant communities. We’re proud of that.”
As part of President Biden’sJustice40 Initiative, this funding also advances the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are underinvested and overburdened by pollution. Over $1.12 billion from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act has now been awarded to 225 properties and nearly 26,000 rental homes to make them greener, healthier, and safer for low-income households, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Walter Holt III, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about March 12 and May 27, 2021, Holt prepared and submitted falsified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief loan applications for Charleroi, Pennsylvania, borrowers, for which he took a fee.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for January 31, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Holt.
Police investigating traffic crash, Cambridge Road and South Arm Highway
Saturday, 2 November 2024 – 8:38 am.
Police are investigating a hit and run crash on the Mornington roundabout (Cambridge Road and South Arm Highway) that reportedly occurred about 2.50pm on Friday 1 November. A Silver Mitsubishi Lancer sedan was struck from behind by a white utility, similar to a Ford Ranger, as they travelled through the roundabout on Cambridge Road towards Rosny. The utility had large white lettering across the top of the front windshield and was seen travelling up the South Arm Highway after the crash. Anyone with information or dash camera footage is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously. Please quote crash report 24006769.
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis released the administration’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal. This strategic budget proposal makes prudent investments that protect Colorado’s funding for education, continue investing in public safety, and prioritize fiscal responsibility to maintain financial reserves and ensure the state is prepared for future rainy days.
“We’ve made real progress on what matters most to Coloradans over the last five years, and this budget is about protecting those investments while ensuring that we are putting fiscal responsibility front and center, driving greater government efficiency, and continuing delivering for Coloradans. This budget reflects tighter budget conditions due to rapidly declining inflation, and I’m proud of the values and priorities represented here,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Since taking office in 2019, the Polis-Primavera administration has delivered on the priorities most important to Coloradans. This includes everything from delivering free, full-day kindergarten and universal preschool; cutting health care costs through Reinsurance, the Colorado Option, Prescription Drug Affordability Board, capping the cost of insulin and more; saving Coloradans money by cutting income, and property taxes; moving closer to the goal of 100% renewable energy while saving Coloradans money on their energy bills, and more. This work all continues.
This budget builds on those investments with continued support to help make Colorado one of the ten safest states. This includes:
$15.0 million to support and sustain Colorado’s emergency and operational communications dispatching system, which is used by 90 percent of the state’s first responders. This will help first responders do their jobs effectively.
$3.4 million to the Crime Prevention Through Safer Streets program. This grant program supports local governments and law enforcement entities in making physical infrastructure and security improvements like improved lighting, which can reduce crime and make neighborhoods safer.
$1.7 million to increase the bed cap for youth detention to reflect increasing demands across the state and provide more services for at-risk youth.
$1.8 million in repurposed funding for Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC) programs to provide community-based placements for at-risk youth.
$2.0 million to the Youth Delinquency Prevention and Intervention program, which supports the collaborative work of community-based organizations and local governments to reduce crime among youth.
$0.9 million for legislation to address the penalty for firearm theft, the connection between motor vehicle theft and firearm possession, and establish an entity to research and make recommendations on criminal justice policy.
$7.6 million to expand capacity at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan for competency restoration, which will accommodate more individuals in the criminal justice system to gain competency and proceed to trial more quickly.
$6.1 million for Community Corrections to expand the capacity at facilities often called “halfway houses,” which are an effective and less expensive alternative to traditional incarceration facilities.
$0.6 million to support crime victims by investing in the Address Confidentiality Program resources. This increase in state investment will backfill declining federal funds so that DPA can continue this program to protect survivors of stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
This budget also prioritizes education funding to ensure the success of students and educators, including:
$115 million from the General Fund to bolster Total Program funding for education in an effort to preserve a significant balance in the State Education Fund to ensure the state never has to go back to a Budget Stabilization Factor.
Proposed changes that move Colorado to the best-practice of a current-year enrollment funding method. Adopting a method based on current-year enrollment more accurately represents the current population of students to better target resources to where kids are. Only nine other states employ a method that averages enrollment over multiple years.
$13.5 million in categorical funding to specific groups of students and student needs, including special education, transportation, English language proficiency, and career and technical education.
$3.4 million in repurposed funding to provide greater support to young students with reading deficiencies (K-3) using evidence-based interventions.
$2.0 million to provide support and new learning opportunities to students attending turnaround and priority improvement schools.
$7.8 million placeholder for Universal Preschool reflecting anticipated Proposition EE and General Fund revenue.
$3.6 million funding increase to support Early Intervention, which provides developmental supports such as speech therapy to children from birth through age two with developmental delays.
Fiscal responsibility is also front and center in this budget with a proposal to maintain a 15 percent reserve level in FY 2025-26. This was made possible by difficult decisions and balancing actions made to balance the budget and protect funding for critical investments in education, public safety and health care.
This budget also requests a number of transfers, efficiencies, and other policy changes to slow the growth in spending and limit spending to create space for critical budget needs.
In addition to these priorities, the budget also makes critical investments in economic growth, housing, child care, higher education, health care and Medicaid funding, support for counties and benefits administration to help connect Coloradans to services faster, support for homelessness, expanding behavioral health care, in Colorado’s state employees, and investments to help Colorado celebrate its 150th birthday and America’s 250th birthday.
In total, this budget requests total expenditures of $46.1 billion, including $17.8 billion General Fund. Read the full budget letter here and view the slide deck here.
First Minister thanks people for patience as recovery operation continues.
A further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) has been chaired by First Minister John Swinney to coordinate the recovery response to Storm Éowyn.
Due to the severity and impact of the storm, there is significant disruption to parts of the country. This includes around 35,000 properties without power and continued transport disruption with road closures and rail, bus, flight and ferry cancellations. It is expected to take some time to get all services fully restored.
Utility companies, national agencies and local authorities are working at pace to restore power and assess the impact, including responding to significant damage, removing fallen trees and debris, to ensure services can fully resume in the coming days.
The First Minister joined a Ministerial COBR meeting chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden earlier this evening. The First Minister also spoke with the Prime Minister today to discuss the ongoing response to Storm Éowyn and the impact on Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney said:
“I want to thank everyone who followed Police Scotland advice not to travel and express my sincere gratitude to the emergency services and to those working in the public, private and third sector who are continuing to support people and communities across the country.
“With yellow warnings in place for wind, snow and ice over the weekend, it is clear the severity of Storm Éowyn will continue into next week and this will have an impact on the speed at which utilities and local services can fully resume.
“Given the damage and disruption facing the network across the United Kingdom, utility companies are under significant pressure and are working in challenging conditions. I have stressed the importance of getting power restored as quickly as is practically possible and have been assured that assessments are being made at pace to ensure power is restored to affected properties in Scotland as soon as possible. Alongside our partners, Ministers are being updated regularly and ensuring all steps are being taken.
“I am pleased at the progress made to restore power to many communities over the course of today however a significant number of properties remain without power. Utility companies are continuing to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.
“I want to thank people for their continued patience and encourage them to take extra care and look out for each other, particularly those who are supporting vulnerable neighbours and family members.
“As we look ahead to Monday, partners are working at pace to ensure services can resume next week. Local authorities – who are responsible for school closures – will be working to ensure all buildings meet the required safety standards to reopen safely to pupils. We would expect decisions on schools to be clearly communicated by local authorities to parents, pupils and staff, with as much advance warning as possible, and would encourage all parents to follow that advice.
“People should prepare for continued disruption, especially in areas that have been impacted by a loss of power, and I encourage everyone to follow advice being issued by local authorities, as well as continuing to follow updates from national agencies.”
Background
SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Contance, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Rural Affairs and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners.
The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.
Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.
Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.
To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website.
During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.
CFA volunteer Fiona Burns was recognised in today’s Australia Day Honours, receiving an Australian Fire Service Medal for her more than 21 years of dedicated service to CFA and her community.
Fiona Burns has been an inspirational member of CFA for more than 21 years, serving as a member of two brigades (Launching Place and Hillcrest) and is the current group officer of Yarra Valley Group.
She has served with distinction as an officer of her brigade and group for 19 of her 21 years of CFA service.
Fiona has distinguished herself through her outstanding ability and reputation as an extremely capable member of incident management teams. As a result, she was chosen to take on Level 3 planning officer role in incident control centres (ICC) at large and prolonged, multi-agency campaign fires in 2013, 2019-20 and again in 2024 in Gippsland and the Grampians.
In addition, she has represented CFA internationally as a planning officer undertaking two five-week stints to support fire suppression in Canada in 2014 and 2015. She has been a Level 3 accredited planning officer for 10 years.
“I love the planning officer role because I can take my fireground skills and use them in ICCs to support our firefighters on the front line,” Fiona said. “It’s a demanding role but I really enjoy the challenges.”
Fiona is also an experienced fireground commander where she identifies emerging operational leaders with whom she willingly shares her significant experience.
Her extensive fire management experience and analytical ability were influential during the successful transition of the former Launching Place and Woori Yallock brigades into one new brigade – Hillcrest Fire Brigade – in 2007.
As brigade captain, Fiona was responsible for driving the creation of an emergency services hub with Ambulance Victoria, co-locating an ambulance at Hillcrest Fire Station to allow better medical response for the Yarra Valley and surrounds.
Fiona was a foundation mentor in CFA’s statewide Women In Leadership mentoring program, and she is still involved in this important initiative. She is also part of the District 13 Captains’ Leadership Mentoring Program, providing guidance to new captains about leadership and administration. These programs align with Fiona’s leadership philosophy.
“Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors and supporters who share their knowledge and experiences with me, and I believe that it’s my responsibility to do the same for emerging leaders.
”By sharing my experiences and insights, I hope to inspire others to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to CFA and beyond.
“I gain as much from the people I mentor as they get from me. It’s not a one-way street.
As a mentor, Fiona encourages diversity and opportunity to the women of CFA and is helping to future-proof CFA by developing a pool of future leaders to replace those currently holding leadership roles.
She has been a CFA trainer and assessor since 2013 and continues to combine her practical skills and knowledge to deliver training in District 13 on General Firefighter, Low Structure and Introduction to AIIMS courses, as well as leading skills maintenance and specialised bushfire training for brigades in the group and other local brigades.
Fiona has made significant contributions to community safety and education. She is a founding committee member of the Teenage Road Information Program (TRIP) and has been the chair of TRIP for the past six years. TRIP is presented by people who have lived the experience of a road crash. It includes all the emergency services agencies who attend a crash and have to deal with the resulting devastation. It’s a hard-hitting program that’s delivered in a funeral home.
“TRIP is my passion. It is primarily aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds because statistics show they have more crashes,” Fiona said.
“The program is designed to be thought-provoking and initiate conversations between mates and families about making good decisions while driving. There are consequences to decisions that drivers make. For every road fatality about 800 people are impacted.”
Along with TRIP, Fiona is an ongoing advocate of creating links to local Yarra Valley community groups that has ensured the development of more integrated emergency preparedness and response planning processes between Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service, local government, community groups and the local schools.
Post Black Saturday, Fiona recognised that some lives were lost by people who tried to stay to rescue their pets. The Grab and Go Pet Bag concept was developed as a result of a local school art competition. The bags, which are made from reusable calico, include a checklist for pet owners who need to evacuate.
“It was an absolute delight for me to present a framed Grab and Go Pet Bag to the winning student at their school assembly.
“I want to take moment to acknowledge those who have played a significant role in shaping my CFA journey. Brian Willians, my first captain, set a strong foundation for me. Graeme Bourne offered unwavering support during my early captaincy days. Lex de Man for his support to establish and develop Hillcrest brigade, whilst Geoff Conway and Graeme Armstrong provided me exceptional leadership and guidance. Locally, Don Bigham and Roly Rak challenged and supported me, pushing me to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined and seek opportunity to enhance our local brigades’ capacity and capability.
“Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank my mum. None of us can volunteer without the unwavering support of our loved ones, and her encouragement and support has been a cornerstone of my journey.”
The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss.
Newly-elected Premier David Crisafulli, who was sworn into office this week, said yesterday he will follow through on his election promise to end the Queensland’s truth- telling inquiry, which is underway, and repeal its treaty legislation.
Commissioner Kiss, a proud Kaanju and Biri/Widi woman who grew up in Rockhampton on the lands of the Darumbal People, was previously the Executive Director of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body supporting Queensland’s Path to Treaty.
“The decision to scrap the Inquiry, denying our First Nations People a chance to share their stories to help accurately convey our state’s history, is extremely disrespectful and harmful,” Commissioner Kiss said.
“It is disrespectful to communities, but also to the many people who put in years of work to make this Inquiry happen. This includes the contributions of everyday Queenslanders – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who provided invaluable input to support truth, justice and healing.
“The inaugural truth-telling hearings of the Commission that occurred in September showed the enormous contribution that this process can make to public understanding of the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, building a basis for dialogue, understanding and compassion. These hearings showed the immense benefits truth-telling has for everyone.
“The Path to Treaty was something our People have long called for. They believe this is what is needed to bring Queenslanders together in a way that fosters unity, understanding, respect, dignity and wellbeing for all. In particular, those Elders who have lived experience of the impacts of colonial policies and practices of the past, and our families and communities who experience the ongoing trauma and effects.
“Now more than ever, we need policies that promote reconciliation and unity – not division and discord. First Nations Queenslanders deserve and need to have their rights upheld and their stories heard.”
Commissioner Kiss has written to Premier Crisafulli, urging him to reconsider his decision and offering to work collaboratively with his government to achieve better outcomes for First Nations people in Queensland.
“I am very keen to establish a positive working relationship with the new Queensland Government – supporting it to advance the human rights of First Nations people. Truth-telling about past and ongoing injustice is critical to advancing human rights and building a better future for First Nations people and all Queenslanders. I urge the Premier to reconsider his decision,” Commissioner Kiss said.
“With the absence now of a First Nations member in the new Queensland Government, it is of great importance to include First Nations People in decisions that affect them. That means meeting with us, talking with us and hearing and incorporating our views into decisions that will impact us all.”
BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s great to be here with Louise Glanville, who is the National Quality and Safeguards Commissioner for the NDIS, and also with Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade. Two bits of good news for Australians with disability and indeed for Australians generally. The first is that the National Disability Insurance Agency has released its Annual Financial Statement, the AFSR, and it demonstrates that because of the reforms that we’ve undertaken in the last nearly three years, that the Scheme is going to spend $1 billion less in the last 12 months than was expected.
So, Treasurer Chalmers said the forecast was that the Scheme for financial year 2023/24 would be $1 billion higher than it actually was. Now the Scheme is looking after more people than ever in the last 12 months, there’s 660,000 Australians receiving valuable and life changing support on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. What we were able to do is invest in outcomes and actually spend a little less than we forecast we would. So great news for the future sustainability of the Scheme. And it reflects well on the changes which Labor’s been making.
The other bit of really good news is that the National Quality and Safeguards Commission has released its annual statement, its annual report, and it demonstrates that for the first time really since the creation of the NDIS, we’re coming to grips with handling complaints. Complaints are up 78%, not because there’s been a 78% jump in problems, but rather that for the first time, a properly resourced Quality and Safeguards Commission is able to investigate 111,000 different matters.
The Scheme is changing lives, but there have been problems with it. There have been problems because the Scheme’s been treated as the only lifeboat in the ocean for Australians with disability, because there hasn’t been proper scrutiny of the payment system, because whilst most providers are doing a great job, some are not. But what we’re able to say today is that the reforms which Labor has put in place with people with disability, with states and territories, is improving the bottom line of the Scheme. We’re getting better outcomes without having to spend quite as much money as we expected to, which is good news for taxpayers and for people on the Scheme, because quality is being emphasised. But also, the National Safeguards Commission, who is the watchdog, to make sure that participants on the Scheme are both safe and receiving quality services Labor has invested significantly, we’ve doubled their staff, we’ve majorly increased their funding. What it means is we’re now able to ensure that we are now seeing greater attention paid to the quality and the safeguarding of NDIS participants.
Why don’t we leave it at that from me for now. We’re happy to take questions, but I might invite Louise Glanville, the new Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, to explain what’s been happening with how we’re keeping people safe. And then I might invite Natalie Wade, the Associate Commissioner, to add some further remarks.
LOUISE GLANVILLE, NDIS QUALITY AND SAFEGUARDS COMMISSIONER: Thank you for that, Minister. It’s great to be here with you and with Natalie today. And what’s really important about the work of the Commission, that it is building progressively to being a strong regulator. Indeed, we want to be a formidable regulator. We want to ensure that people with disability are receiving the sorts of supports they need and the quality of services that they need. We know there are many providers out there that do fantastic work in relation to the disability space, and we are keen to ensure that that continues into the future.
It’s important that we think about the human rights of people with disability in this respect, and that we deliver on the promise of the NDIS for people to live ordinary lives, like we all do, in every single way. So, it’s wonderful to be here and to watch the way in which the regulatory tools that we can be using to assist with that process are really on the increase and on the improve that the government, the federal government has made substantial commitment to our resourcing to enable us to do that work well. There has been a strong staff grown, and certainly I give credit to my predecessor, Mike Phelan, who has been acting in this space and has done some great work in leading the team at the commission in order to do this very important piece of work that will assist in ensuring the sustainability of the NDIS over time.
NATALIE WADE, NDIS QUALITY AND SAFEGUARDS ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER: Thank you, Minister and Commissioner Glanville. Today’s annual report from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, really highlights that with the increase in complaints there is a demonstrated trust between the Commission, but also the disability community, where people with disabilities are bringing forward to us at the regulator, the issues that they’re facing in receiving quality and safe services.
It is fundamental to our work as a regulator to hear directly from people with disability and for them to trust that when they tell us that there is a problem, that they will be able to receive a response and resolve, and those matters will be [inaudible].
It’s really important to reflect on the increase of regulatory action that has been taken by the Commission in the last 12 months. It is absolutely imperative that providers be supported to understand their role in providing quality and safe services to people with disability. But it’s also fundamental to ensure that when things go wrong or providers do not do what they are expected to do, that regulatory action follows. And today’s annual report really highlights that that is exactly what has been happening in the last 12 months.
Commissioner Glanville and I are very much looking forward to continuing the work from the last 12 months and ensuring that the human rights of people with disability is centred in our work, that providers are most supportive, and that we all move forward to advance the rights of people with disability as we regulate this space.
JOURNALIST: Part of these reports, will anything in the near future be addressing the wait times to get onto the NDIS?
SHORTEN: Yeah, the NDIS has grown remarkably. The year before I became the Minister, it was growing at 23%. That’s too fast. That’s I think reflecting also a lack of other services for Australians with disability. One thing that has happened though in the last 12 months as we’ve been reforming the Scheme, is that there’s been almost the analogy that, there’s almost been a rush for last drinks at the pub, so to speak, by a proportion of providers who have been desperate to try and get some extra money out of the Scheme before they can’t any longer. So that has led to, I think, a surge in people seeking change of circumstances. Listen, long story short, we’ve got to treat every application and every change of circumstance as serious and legitimate until proven otherwise.
But what that has meant is a doubling in the workload of the agency. We’ve surged workforce to help get rid of the backlog of claims. We’re sorry that people have been inconvenienced, but we are now seeing a decrease in the claims coming in and the variations coming in as people calm down and realize that the Scheme isn’t actually just trying to exit a whole lot of people with permanent disability.
And also, some of the shonks are now being chased out. I mean, I think it shows the determination of the Albanese government that we have banned for life, in many cases 200 people, from providing services to the Scheme. 200 plus people have been banned in the last two years, 124 in the last 12 months. This is a clear message that if you just want to use people with disability as human ATMs, if you think that somehow a government Scheme of taxpayer money is easy pickings, you’re wrong. That’s changing.
JOURNALIST: And so, how is that working? How do you monitor those shonks for lack of a better word?
SHORTEN: When I became Minister three years ago, frankly, I was shocked and appalled at what I discovered. The Scheme had been rolled out and there were over half a million people on the Scheme, and that was good by the previous government. But the complete naivety, negligence of a lack of scrutiny of payments meant that people were able to draw down, in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars with no accountability, that there was no pre-checking of the integrity of invoices before they were paid, that we see price gouging, where some service providers will provide an identical service to someone on the Scheme to who’s not on the Scheme, identical, and it could be a shower chair or it could be a some other service, but they charge the NDIS participant more just because they’re on the NDIS.
So, we’ve now got rules against that. We’ve set up what’s called a Fraud Fusion Taskforce. They have got hundreds of investigations underway. It shouldn’t have been the case, but it’s taken until now and this government, to get 21 Commonwealth agencies working with each other. And, you know, we’re now sending people to jail for ripping off the Scheme. I think there was a view in the unethical parts of the community that NDIS is a government Scheme, it’s easy money to cheat. Those wells are drying up, because we are now investing in a state-of-the-art investigation processes. I must always stress though, it is changing hundreds of thousands of lives for the better, and most service providers are doing a good job. But there has been an element of fraud, unethical behaviour, price gouging and opportunism. And we say to those people, get off our Scheme, you’re not welcome, you will get caught.
JOURNALIST: And then just a question, locally in Port Augusta earlier this week, there was the death of a 26-year-old woman with severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Are you aware of that?
SHORTEN: It’s shocking and tragic about Tegan’s passing in Port Augusta. She wasn’t on the NDIS. South Australian Police are investigating it. It’s not compulsory to be on the NDIS, but I think it is a wakeup call for community to look out for each other. This is a more general comment, not reflecting on the NDIS, but just all of us. Someone who’s vulnerable is not someone else’s business. We should all keep an eye out for our neighbours. You can do that without being a nosey parker, but we’ve got to look after each other. SA police will do, I’m sure, an excellent job in getting to what has happened. We certainly will take a keen interest to see what lessons there are.
One thing that the NDIS is doing is that when people are presenting for their plans, we are now – and this is following Annie Smith’s death, that tragedy which was completely avoidable and culpable – what we are now doing is making sure that if you’re on the NDIS, you’ve got more than one relationship. You can’t just be with a carer or just with a family member. We want to make sure that that’s a red flag to us because we it takes it takes a village to support anyone. And that’s what we’ve got to behave. We’ve got to get back to that true Australian value.
JOURNALIST: Are you aware of she was receiving any government payments, Centrelink or?
SHORTEN: I don’t know.
JOURNALIST: And now completely unrelated from Canberra. Um, do you believe the Prime Minister and his claims about contact with Qantas?
SHORTEN: Yes, I do. Um, the Prime Minister has been diligent in reporting, um, any upgrades and disclosures. He’s acted consistently with the standards which are set out for our parliamentarians. The opposition has tried to smear the Prime Minister, but a lot of it seems to have blown back in their own face. Again, you know, Mr. Dutton, he says it’s wrong of Mr. Albanese to accept an upgrade, which he declared. But then again, when you take a favour from Gina Rinehart, you know, is there an expectation? So, their transport spokeswoman, Bridget, just said it came out all guns blazing but managed to shoot her foot off.
So, what Australians want us to do is adhere to proper standards of ethical conduct. What Australians want us to do is be transparent in our dealings with all people, and what they want us to do is get on with the cost-of-living issues. I mean, the opposition, the Liberal Party, has stolen a week of the nation’s life talking about this. All it’s done is probably depress Australians opinions of politicians generally. But in the meantime, people are battling their mortgages. People are trying to make ends meet. That’s where Labor’s head is at. And I think that’s what they expect of all parliamentarians.
JOURNALIST: Someone leaking out of the ministry called the Prime Minister a sook. So, you think that the PM is being a sook in this situation?
SHORTEN: Oh, I’m not even going to respond. I mean, frankly, that is not an accurate characterisation.
Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English
The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns consumers about the website ifsinvesting.com. According to information available to BaFin, the operator is providing financial and investment services on this website without the required authorisation.
The operators of the website refer to themselves only as IFSinvesting without stating the company’s legal form. A business address in London, United Kingdom, is provided.
BaFin has recently become aware of a number of websites with almost identical content and has also warned consumers about them. On all of the websites, the following sentence is displayed at the top of the homepage: “Step Into the Trading Arena with Confidence & [name of website]“.
Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation. Information on whether a particular company has been granted authorisation by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.
Theinformation provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German BankingAct (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).
Please be aware:
BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Delegation of judges and judicial officers departs for Sichuan for exchange visit Delegation of judges and judicial officers departs for Sichuan for exchange visit *********************************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary: A delegation of judges and judicial officers from the Hong Kong Judiciary will depart for Sichuan for an exchange visit programme on Sunday (November 3). The programme is part of the on-going professional exchanges between judges and judicial officers of Hong Kong and the Mainland. The delegation includes 20 judges and judicial officers. It is led by Mr Justice Jeremy Poon, Chief Judge of the High Court, with Madam Justice Carlye Chu, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as the deputy head. During this visit, the delegation will engage in exchanges and attend discussion forums and thematic talks on various topics. These will mainly include the Constitution and the Basic Law, judicial system, experience in handling litigations, company law and insolvency, juvenile court as well as the latest developments of the country. The delegation will also visit court buildings and facilities relating to technology and culture, etc. The delegation will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong on November 10.
Four years on from a fatal shooting in Ilford, detectives are releasing footage of a man they would like to identify.
An investigation was launched on 1 November 2020 when officers were called to Balfour Road, Ilford at 22:14hrs following reports of a disturbance.
Officers arrived at the scene and located Jason Diallo, 30 with multiple injuries. He sadly died at the scene.
A witness told officers that they had seen Jason cycling along the road, when he was knocked off his bike by a car. Two occupants of the car got out and shot Jason in the head before driving away.
Fifteen minutes after Jason Diallo was shot, at 22:29hrs, police were called to a shooting around five miles away in Garvary Road, E16. A 27-year-old man was found with a gunshot injury to his shoulder.
He was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds which were determined not to be life-threatening. When providing a statement to officers, he told them he had been followed by three men driving a car who began shooting at him.
A complex investigation was launched within Specialist Crime North and two men were convicted and sentenced for their involvement.
On Tuesday, 14 June 2022, Mushin Mohamed, 28 (06.04.1996) of Leytonstone Road, E15 was found guilty of murder and attempted murder at the Old Bailey and sentenced to life in prison to serve a minimum of 35 years.
Tyrelle Joseph, 24 (16.09.2000) of Banks Way, E12 was found guilty of assisting an offender and jailed for seven years after being identified as someone who had helped Mohamed and the unidentified suspects leave the scene.
Enquiries have remained ongoing to identify two more suspects believed to be involved in the shootings that night.
Investigating officers are now in a position to release this footage of a man they would like to speak with in connection with this investigation and a financial reward for information is available.
The Metropolitan Police Service is offering a substantial reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for the murder of Jason Diallo and the non-fatal shooting of a 27-year-old man on 1 November 2020.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, the senior investigating officer, said:
“We have continued our momentum behind this investigation to ensure that those responsible for killing Jason Diallo and seriously injuring another man are held accountable.
“Our enquiries have found no evidence to suggest that Jason Diallo or the attempted murder victim were known to one another or those convicted, suggesting that this was a completely unprovoked and violent incident.
“Jason Diallo was described by his family as a devoted father of two who had the softest heart. Our thoughts have remained with his family and friends throughout a difficult four years and we are determined that they see justice.
“We are now in a position to release an image of this man, who we would like to speak with in connection with this ongoing investigation.
“If you know who he is or have any information which could help us, please get in contact.”
Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting Operation Shenley. You can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
The Philippine Supreme Court has granted temporary protection to an environmental activist abducted in Pangasinan earlier this year.
In its resolution dated September 9 — but only made public this week — the court granted Francisco “Eco” Dangla III’s petition for temporary protection, and prohibited the respondents, including high-ranking soldiers and police officers, to be near the activist’s location.
“Furthermore, you, respondents, and all persons and entities acting and operating under your directions, instructions, and orders are PROHIBITED from entering within a radius of one kilometer of the person, places of residence, work, and present locations of petitioner and his immediate family,” the resolution read.
The respondents are:
Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil
Brigadier General Gulliver Señires (in his capacity as 702nd Brigade commanding general Brigadier)
Ilocos Region police chief Police Brigadier General Lou Evangelista
Police Colonel Jeff Fanged (in his capacity as Pangasinan police chief)
Aside from giving Dangla temporary protection, the court also granted his petition for writs of amparo and habeas data. A writ of amparo is a legal remedy, which is usually a protection order in the form of a restraining order.
The writ of habeas data compels the government to destroy information that could cause harm.
These extraordinary writs are usually invoked by activists and progressives in the Philippines as they face intimidation from the government and its forces.
Dangla’s abduction Dangla and another activist, Joxelle Tiong, were abducted in Pangasinan last March 24.
According to witnesses, they saw two men who were forced to board a vehicle in Barangay Polo, San Carlos City.
The two activists, who who had been red-tagged for their advocacies, were serving as convenors of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment.
They “vocally defended the people and ecosystems of Pangasinan against the harms of coal-fired power plants, nuclear power plants, incinerator plants, and offshore mining in Lingayen Gulf,” at the time of their abduction.
Three days later, several groups announced that Dangla and Tiong were found safe, but that the two had gone through a “harrowing ordeal.”
“Bruised but alive” . . . the environmental activists abducted in Pangasinan but found safe, Francisco ‘Eco’ Dangla III (left) and Joxelle ‘Jak’ Tiong. Image: Rappler
The reality The protection given to Dangla is only temporary as the Court of Appeals still needs to conduct hearings on the petition. In other words, the Supreme Court only granted the writ, but the power to whether grant or deny Dangla the privilege of the writs of amparo and habeas data lies with the Court of Appeals.
There have been instances where the appellate court granted activists the privilege of writ of amparo, like in the case of labour activists Loi Magbanua and Ador Juat, where the court issued permanent protection orders for them and their immediate families.
Unfortunately, this was not the case for other activists, such as young environmentalists Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro.
The two were first reported missing by activist groups. Security forces later said they were “safe and sound” and that they had allegedly “voluntarily surrendered” to the military.
However, Tamano and Castro went off-script during a press conference organised by the anti-insurgency task force and revealed that they were actually abducted.
In February, the High Court granted the two temporary protection and their writs of amparo and habeas data petitions. However, the appellate court in August denied the protection order for Tamano and Castro.
Associate Justice Emily San Gaspar-Gito fully dissented in the decision and said: “It would be uncharacteristic for the courts, especially this court, to simply fold their arms and ignore the palpable threats to petitioners’ life, liberty and security and just wait for the irreversible to happen to them.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police have arrested a man in relation to domestic violence related offences that occurred this month.
Around 8:30am, officers from the Territory Safety Division arrested a 24-year-old man at an address on Smith Street, Darwin, after multiple alleged assaults against his partner.
The man remains in police custody and is expected to be charged with Aggravated assault, Armed with an offensive weapon and Possess/carry/used a controlled weapon.
Acting Senior Sergeant Alex Noonan said, “Domestic violence will not be tolerated, and we are committed to bringing these offenders before the courts.
“If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or in an emergency call 000. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”