McALLEN, Texas – The former elected Starr County Attorney has been sentenced for extortion under color of law, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Victor Canales Jr., 51, pleaded guilty Sept. 5, 2023.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Canales to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard testimony from an auditor with the Texas Attorney General’s Office describing the cash deposits made into Canales’s personal accounts and his use of funds from the Starr County Attorney’s account. In imposing the sentence, the court determined the amount of the bribes at $44,000. The court also noted comments about the culture of corruption in Starr County, and said today’s sentence would act as a deterrent to that corruption.
“Prosecutors of all stripes, whether at the federal, state or city level, are defined by an oath, one to serve and protect their communities. It’s an oath that seeks only one thing—justice,” said Hamdani. “Victor Canales Jr. violated that oath and the trust of Starr County’s residents in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. As an office of dedicated public servants, including 200 prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District has little patience for corrupt officials, especially when a prosecutor trades his authority, his oath, for personal gain.”
“Today’s sentencing highlights the FBI’s commitment to combat public corruption at every level. Citizens in the Rio Grande Valley deserve local government officials who can be trusted,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI would like to thank our Operation Ice River partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as Texas Office of the Attorney General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers for their continued collaboration in rooting out corruption and keeping our communities safe.”
Canales was the Starr County Attorney from 2005 to 2022. In that role, he was responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor crimes.
In September 2021, a woman reached out to Canales for assistance because her son had been charged with three misdemeanor offenses in Starr County. He said he could help her and that for $1500, he could take care of the Starr County tickets.
The mother gave Canales three money orders totaling $1500. He deposited the proceeds into his own checking account and used it for his own personal needs rather than depositing the monies into the Starr County account.
Canales then sent a series of letters to Cameron County indicating the three charges against the woman’s son would be dropped.
Canales was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI worked in partnership with the Texas Attorney General’s Office to conduct the Border Corruption Task Force investigation with the assistance of Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations and Texas Rangers.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit prosecuted the case.
Last week Police across Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Waitemata Districts executed over 30 search warrants at addresses around the Districts, targeting an organised crime group using residential properties to set-up sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems.
The termination has resulted in a significant seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 people. 3,385 cannabis plants at various growth-stages have been seized and destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis. The estimated total value of the seizures, based on estimated yield of the plants, is $18 million.
The majority of those arrested were in New Zealand illegally and a result, Immigration New Zealand has deported 11 Vietnamese nationals. All 11 have left New Zealand and are back in Vietnam.
Enquiries are ongoing utilising intelligence gathered during the operation and Police cannot rule-out the possibility of further arrests.
Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand of Auckland City Police says the arrests come as a result of an investigation that has spanned Tamaki Makaurau and which targeted a sophisticated and profit-driven criminal syndicate.
“This group were cultivating and dealing in large amounts of cannabis and their actions mirror similar operations recently uncovered in Australia where criminal groups, primarily of Vietnamese descent, were running a large number of indoor cannabis growing operations,” says Acting Detective Inspector Brand.
“Make no mistake, these syndicates are well connected to gangs and this cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.
“Often the properties used by these groups will appear innocuous and will not really attract neighbours’ attention. However the operations that are set-up within are capable of producing large quantities of cannabis to sell.
“These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis with extremely dangerous electrical installations.
“Not only is this extremely dangerous and creates a significant fire risk, we’d estimate millions of dollars’ worth of electricity is being stolen every year to run these operations.”
Police is working alongside Immigration New Zealand in relation to the foreign nationals involved in this investigation, as we want to ensure migrant communities are kept safe from those who would exploit the conditions of their work visas.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Police are reminding landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties.
Ensure there are regular property inspections.
Carry out thorough vetting: get two forms of photo ID and sight the original document, compare the photo with the applicant.
It’s important for the community to remain vigilant as well.
If you see suspicious activity, such as deliveries of easy grow and fertilizer bags being dropped off, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, please contact Police.
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Aimee Whitley, Hamilton City Area Response Manager:
Two people, including a gang member, have been arrested and a homemade firearm seized following an incident in Hillcrest, Hamilton.
Around 2pm yesterday, Police responded to Masters Avenue following a report of a disorder involving a firearm. No-one was injured.
A person believed to be in possession of a firearm left the scene in a vehicle.
Police swiftly responded, armed as a precaution, searching the Hillcrest area and locating the vehicle of interest further down Masters Avenue.
The vehicle was stopped and two people from the vehicle were arrested without incident.
A small home-made pistol, capable of firing .22 calibre rounds, was located and seized, along with 203 grams of cannabis also located in the vehicle.
A 30-year-old Waikato man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday 1 November on charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm and unlawfully possessing ammunition.
A 23-year-old Waikato man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday 5 November on a charge of possessing a cannabis plant.
Thanks to the detailed and prompt report made by a member of the public, Police were able to swiftly locate the vehicle of interest, taking one more firearm off the street.
Police work hard to hold offenders to account, especially those with the potential to cause serious harm in our communities, such as those unlawfully in the possession of firearms, or those who take it upon themselves to craft homemade firearms.
Homemade firearms have the potential to cause serious harm, not only to officers and the community but also to those using them.
If you witness any unlawful activity and it is happening now, please contact Police on 111 as soon as possible with as much information as possible, including descriptions of the offenders, their vehicles, and what direction they may have travelled in.
Information can also be reported to Police online or by calling 105.
Alternatively you can report any information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Following is a question by the Hon Lilian Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question: There are views pointing out that domestic violence is of grave concern in the community. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective numbers of requests for assistance and reported cases in relation to domestic violence received by the Government in each month of the past five years, as well as the number of persons convicted; (2) as it is learnt that when handling domestic conflict reports, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) will refer cases in need to the Social Welfare Department for follow-up actions once consent is sought from the parties concerned, and for persons who refuse to accept the referral service, HKPF will provide them with a “Family Support Service Information Card” so that they can seek assistance on their own, whether the Government has continuously followed up and provided support for those persons who refused the referral service; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; (3) of the waiting time for and the average number of sessions of psychological counselling and emotional support services provided by the Government to victims in domestic violence cases; (4) given that the Police currently classify domestic conflict reports into “Domestic Violence (Crime)”, “Domestic Violence (Miscellaneous)” and “Domestic Incidents” based on their degree of seriousness, whether the Government will regularly review and update the relevant classification criteria and guidelines; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (5) of the Government’s education and publicity efforts on the prevention of domestic violence in the past three years (set out by item); whether it has assessed the effectiveness of such work? Reply: President, The reply to the Member’s question, in consultation with Security Bureau, is as follows: (1) In the past five years, the numbers of cases involving spouse/cohabitant battering and child protection received and handled by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are tabulated below:
Case type Year
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Number of spouse/cohabitant battering cases 2 920 2 601 2 715 2 077 1 938
Number of child protection cases 1 006 940 1 367 1 439 1 457
The SWD does not have information on the monthly number of such cases. As at September 2024, the respective numbers of cases of domestic violence (including Domestic Violence (Crime) and Domestic Violence (Miscellaneous)) and Domestic Incidents handled by the Police are set out at Annex. As domestic violence cases involve various criminal offences and different ordinances, the Police do not maintain statistics on the relevant number of convictions. (2) When handling domestic conflict reports, once consent is sought from the parties concerned, the Police will refer cases in need to the SWD for follow-up actions, including arranging for the persons in need for admission to refuge centres or immediate intervention by outreaching social workers, etc by the SWD. Depending on the circumstances, the Police refers the victims and/or assailants to other appropriate follow-up services, such as joining hands with the SWD to assist them in contacting relevant social welfare organisations for counseling and other supports, with a view to strengthening protection for victims and preventing recurrence of domestic violence. For persons who refuse to accept referral services, the Police provides a “Family Support Service Information Card” jointly produced with the SWD, to facilitate the persons concerned to contact service agencies direct for assistance. If a case is assessed as high-risk, the Police will take the initiative to refer the case to the SWD to ensure that the case receives timely follow-up. Upon receiving the Police’s referral, the SWD will make crisis intervention and provide necessary support having regard to the circumstances and welfare needs of the case. (3) The SWD provides a wide range of preventive, supportive and specialised services to victims of domestic violence and families in need through different service units. These services include Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Family and Child Protective Services Units, Clinical Psychology Units, Family Support Networking Teams, Refuge Centres for Women, Family Crisis Support Centre, Multi-purpose Crisis Intervention and Support Centre, Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence, residential child care services and child care centres. The emergency support services provided by these service units to the victims of domestic violence cases do not require waiting. The SWD does not have the information on the average times of service for each case. (4) The Police have clear professional guidelines for the classification and handling of cases. Irrespective of the classification of a case, police officers will handle and investigate cases with empathy, understanding, professionalism, fairness, and impartiality. The Police attach great importance to the problem of domestic violence. Through an inter-departmental and multi-disciplinary approach, the Police handle domestic violence cases with joint efforts, with a view to achieving the dual objectives of protecting the personal safety of the victims and their families as well as bringing the offenders to justice. The Police have formulated a set of policies and procedures for effective handling of domestic violence cases, ensuring that officers respond to all reports promptly and take appropriate enforcement actions, and ensure the immediate safety of victim and his/her children to prevent further harm. (5) The SWD has been launching the publicity campaign on “Strengthening Families and Combating Violence”, which include promotion through television, radio, various public transport network, online platforms and social media, to raise public awareness on the understanding of the problems of domestic violence and the prevention of domestic violence. The SWD also organises various mass events and diversified district-based public education programmes with a view to encouraging the persons in need to seek early assistance, preventing resorting to violence against family members and promoting the message of family harmony. In addition, the Police have also effectively utilised various channels, including seminars, workshops and online platforms to provide training to different sectors such as social welfare and education, in order to raise public awareness and prevent domestic violence cases. The Government would regularly review the effectiveness of the work and refine the promotion strategies at appropriate time.
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 11:08
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ21: Illegal carriage of passengers for reward by van-type light goods vehicles and cross-boundary private cars LCQ21: Illegal carriage of passengers for reward by van-type light goods vehicles and cross-boundary private cars ******************************************************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question: The Government released in July this year the preliminary findings on the study on combating illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward and regulation of online hire car hailing platforms. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) whether the aforesaid study has covered any study on the operation mode of illegal carriage of passengers for reward by van-type light goods vehicles (vans) and cross-boundary private cars (PCs); if so, of the preliminary findings, and whether any conclusion has been drawn on the factors affecting the regulation of online hailed cars; if not, the reasons for not including such study; (2) of the number of prosecutions and convictions involving illegal carriage of passengers for reward by vans in the past three years, and the penalty imposed in each of the convicted cases; (3) of the number of prosecutions and convictions involving illegal carriage of passengers for reward by cross-boundary PCs in the past three years, and the penalty imposed in each of the convicted cases; whether any unlawful employment was involved in such cases; if so, of the number; and (4) of the number of cross-boundary PCs in Hong Kong that may legally carry passengers for hire or reward; whether there are any measures to combat illegal carriage of passengers for reward by cross-boundary PCs? Reply: President, Having consulted the Transport Department (TD), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Immigration Department, our reply to various parts of the question raised by the Hon Andrew Lam is as follows: (1) The Government strives to enhance personalised point-to-point transport services. As reported to the Panel on Transport of the Legislative Council in July this year, the Government is proactively conducting a study with a view to formulating legislative proposals on the regulation of online hailed car platforms and improving the legislation to combat illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward. The TD is studying and examining the overall demand and supply of local personalised point-to-point transport services, including conducting surveys on passenger demand and changes (which cover various types of online hailed cars); as well as considering relevant information including the current operation modes and regulatory arrangement in respect of the provision of personalised point-to-point transport services in Hong Kong and other places. After taking into account findings of the study in a holistic manner and listening to the views of stakeholders, the Government will formulate legislative proposals on the regulation of the types and number of vehicle for providing compliant services through online hailed car platforms, as well as the licensing requirements for the vehicles and drivers, etc. in 2025. (2) and (3) The numbers of convicted cases involving illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward by light goods vehicles and cross-boundary private cars in the past three years (from mid-2021 to mid-2024) were 23 and four respectively. Subject to the circumstances of individual cases, the penalties imposed by the courts included fines and disqualifying the drivers involved from driving temporarily, as well as suspension of vehicle licences and impoundment of vehicles involved following the statutory periods specified under the law. The Government does not maintain other information requested in the question. (4) As at September 2024, there were 524 cross-boundary hire cars holding regular quotas for cross-boundary hire cars, closed road permits (CRP) and private service (limousine) (cross-boundary service) hire car permits. The HKPF will continue to combat the offences of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward by cross-boundary private cars. Upon the public’s provision of information to report illegal activities , the HKPF will follow up and investigate in a serious manner, and take enforcement actions against relevant activities if there is sufficient evidence. To enhance the deterrent effect, the Government increased the penalties for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward by motor vehicles in December 2023. These include increasing the maximum fine and term of imprisonment, as well as lengthening the period of suspension of vehicle licences and impoundment of vehicles. On the other hand, for cases of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward by cross-boundary private cars, the TD will revoke the CRP of the subject vehicle on the ground of breaching CRP conditions. Moreover, the TD has strengthened its publicity efforts since the second quarter of this year through displaying posters and notices at various land boundary control points and the airport, as well as sending e-mails and distributing leaflets, etc, to remind CRP holders and relevant operators not to engage in illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, and remind them of the consequences and penalties of engaging in such illegal activities.
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 11:30
Domestic and family violence (DFV) has received increasing attention in recent years. It is most commonly associated with intimate partner violence between current and former partners, followed by abuse perpetrated against children by their parents and carers.
But what about sibling violence?
International estimates suggest that sibling violence (also known as sibling-to-sibling violence) is one of the most common forms of DFV globally. Yet in Australia and internationally, there is very little conversation or research about it. This means our understanding of when, why and how it occurs remains underdeveloped, and this in turn affects the development of effective policy and practice.
To improve understandings of sibling violence in Australia, we analysed data collected as part of a national study of 16–20-year-olds’ use and experiences of DFV in the home. Of the 5,021 young people we surveyed, 4,340 said they had siblings.
What is sibling violence?
One of the biggest barriers to better understanding sibling violence is differentiating between sibling rivalry and conflict, and abuse. Research suggests abuse is often minimised by family members and clinicians, even when the behaviours are described as “extreme” and persistent.
For our study, guided by the literature, we defined sibling violence as involving serious and high-harm behaviours. This includes:
threats to kill
threats to hurt someone close to the young person
non-fatal strangulation or sexual abuse
persistent and frequent forms of other abusive behaviour (for example, verbal, emotional physical, property damage and threats to harm/hurt a sibling).
Overall, 303 young people in the sample self-reported they had been subjected to or used sibling violence by the time they were 18. Within this, 58% said they had used sibling violence, 60% said they had been subjected to it, while 18% said they experienced both victimisation and perpetration.
Sibling violence is multifaceted
The most common form of sibling violence reported by young people was verbal abuse. Of our respondents, 72% reported experiencing verbal abuse from a sibling, while 74% reported using verbal abuse against a sibling. Physical violence was the next most common form of sibling violence reported, with 64% reporting experiencing physical abuse from a sibling, and 73% reporting using physical abuse against a sibling.
Although less common, a significant proportion of young people also reported experiences of:
threats to kill (victimisation: 26%; perpetration: 9%)
sexual abuse (victimisation: 13%; perpetration: 2%).
Almost all young people who had experienced sibling violence reported experiencing multiple and overlapping forms of abuse. Indeed, our study finds that sibling violence is rarely experienced as an isolated act of abuse. Rather, it is often experienced as part of a broader patterns of behaviours encompassing physical, sexual and non-physical abuse.
More than half young people who had experienced sibling violence also experienced violence from another family member. Shutterstock
Sibling violence is gendered
The findings from our study highlight that like other forms of DFV, sibling violence is gendered.
A significantly larger proportion of cis female (47%) and trans/non-binary young people (50%) reported they had been subjected to sibling violence, compared to cis males (25%).
Meanwhile, a larger proportion of cis males (59%) said they had used sibling violence compared to cis female (35%) and trans/non-binary young people (32%).
Sibling violence often co-occurs with other forms of DFV within families
Over 90% of young people in our study reported they had experienced DFV between other family members, such as intimate partner violence between their parents.
Also, over half of the young people who had been subjected to sibling violence reported they had experienced other forms of maltreatment by another family member, most frequently by their mothers and fathers.
Sibling violence has significant impacts on young people
Young people in our study reported that sibling violence and other forms of DFV had significant impacts on them. It affected their social, emotional and physical wellbeing, and education achievements.
Relationships between siblings have important developmental implications for young people’s understandings of familial relationships. The strength of sibling relationships has been linked to longer-term health and social wellbeing outcomes. While our siblings can sometimes feel like our greatest enemies, they can also be our strongest supports in life.
An emerging body of research has also found that young people who use sibling violence are at higher risk of perpetrating abusive behaviours against their intimate partner(s) and family members later in life.
Sibling violence can have significant impacts, including trauma, anxiety and poor mental health, eating disorders, and the misuse of alcohol and drugs on those who experience it.
What is needed?
Our study builds new understandings of sibling violence in Australia. It highlights the importance of early interventions for young people who experience DFV during childhood. This includes ensuring effective responses for young people who use violence against their siblings.
Without effective early intervention, we are missing opportunities to address the negative consequences of such experiences, including an increased risk of future perpetration of intimate partner violence.
To facilitate improved identification and early intervention, frontline screening for DFV among individuals and families must include sibling violence.
Given the substantial overlap of intimate partner violence, other forms of child maltreatment, child-to-parent abuse and sibling violence, we need holistic interventions that address the support needs of all family members.
These responses must extend to supporting children and families’ recovery from DFV and seek to break the cycle of inter-generational violence in the home.
Hayley Boxall currently receives research funding from the Queensland Law Reform Commission, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety and the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
Kate has received funding for family violence-related research from the Australian Research Council, Australian Institute of Criminology, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Victorian, Queensland and ACT governments, the Commonwealth Department of Social Services and the Victorian Women’s Trust. This piece is written by Kate Fitz-Gibbon in her role at Monash University and is wholly independent of Kate Fitz-Gibbon’s role as Chair of Respect Victoria.
Silke Meyer currently receives research funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Queensland Mental Health Commission, and the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (Qld).
The inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has released her long-awaited report on the failure of the commission to investigate the Robodebt scandal.
The report finds the commissioner of the NACC committed “officer misconduct”. He failed to fully remove himself from the decision not to investigate the scandal.
In response, the NACC has agreed to appoint an “independent eminent person” to reconsider its decision not to investigate the Robodebt scandal.
It’s an embarrassing moment for the Commonwealth’s newly created anti-corruption watchdog.
But it’s also an opportunity for the NACC to do what the public expects of it: act decisively to protect public trust in government.
How did we get here?
The NACC was created in 2022 after a federal election campaign that often focused on transparency and integrity in government.
Earlier this year, the commission announced it would not be looking into the Robodebt scandal.
This was despite the Royal Commission into Robodebt referring six people to the commission for further investigation.
The commission is monitored by an inspector, independent of the commission and the government. After receiving hundreds of complaints, Inspector Gail Furness launched an investigation into why the NACC didn’t look into Robodebt.
The issue was the first big test for the oversight body.
The inspector is legally limited as to what it can look at, but its finding of “officer misconduct” offers a broader opportunity for NACC to change course.
Robodebt was a clear breach of the public trust, with thousands of Australians feeling betrayed by the way the Morrison government acted. NACC now has a second chance to look into the scandal.
Unique anti-corruption tradition
NACC’s decision not to investigate was a departure from a long history of anti-corruption oversight in Australia.
It has its roots in corruption scandals in the late 1980s in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales.
These scandals involved the vast misuse of public power and resources by powerful executive branch officials. The response was far-reaching.
In Queensland, explosive allegations of police and government involvement in gambling and corruption led to the creation of an inquiry led by Tony Fitzgerald.
This inquiry made a number of wide-ranging recommendations, including the creation of a commission. It would eventually would become today’s Crime and Corruption Commission.
In NSW, high-ranking ministers and police were caught embezzling funds and misusing public influence.
Public outrage led to the creation of Australia’s first anti-corruption commission, the powerful Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In parliament, the NSW premier explained that ICAC was established “independent of the Executive Government and responsible only to Parliament”.
He went on to argue that its role was not to prosecute crime, but instead to enforce the public trust and dispel a “cloud of suspicion” that hung over the NSW government.
In WA in the 1980s, allegations emerged that executive branch officials were using their control of public resources to enrich themselves and preserve their own power.
In response, a royal commission in the early 1990s made a number of recommendations, including the creation of an anti-corruption commission. The commission would be an “independent parliamentary agency” responsible to parliament in carrying out its oversight duties.
Since then, all ten Australian jurisdictions have adopted anti-corruption commissions. Many of these commissions are described as officers of parliament intended to investigate breaches of the public trust.
In all states and territories, excluding Victoria and (recently) South Australia, “breaches of the public trust” or “dishonest or improper” conduct can be investigated by these agencies. Anti-corruption agencies have therefore emerged as important guardians of public trust in government.
Anti-corruption amnesia
However, we seem to have forgotten this tradition in recent years.
In South Australia, a 2021 law strippedthe state’s intergrity body of the power to investigate “maladministration” and “misconduct” in public administration and confined its scope to criminal activity.
In Victoria, then-Premier Daniel Andrews downplayed the significant breaches of public trust found by Victoria’s anti-corruption agency as being merely “educational”.
Most recently, the NACC’s refusal to review the Robodebt scandal also suggests it is unaware of the traditional purpose of Australian anti-corruption oversight.
The Robodebt scandal rivals the scandals of the 1980s in its threat to public trust.
One submission to the Royal Commission report put it clearly:
I feel utterly betrayed by the government for this […] myself, and everyone else who turned up to every meeting they had to, jumped through every hoop and tried to do the right thing, were treated like criminals and cheats, when all the while it was the department’s scheme that was illegal.
The NACC now has the opportunity to change course and broadly inquire into the Robodebt scandal.
This includes more than just an inquiry into the referrals from the Robodebt Royal Commission. It can also look into the way that a scandal of this magnitude happened and how we can prevent it in the future.
Failing to ask these questions endangers what the WA Royal Commission 30 years ago described as the “trust principle”. It said:
institutions of government and the officials and agencies of government exist for the public, to serve the interests of the public.
The NACC has been given a second chance to serve the public through properly investigating Robodebt.
If it chooses to take it, it will signal that the commission understands it plays a key role in preserving one of the most valuable commodities in Australian democracy: trust in government.
William Partlett is the Stephen Charles Fellow at The Centre for Public Integrity.
Headline: Justice Michael Ball appointed to Court of Appeal
Published: 30 October 2024
Released by: Attorney General
Experienced lawyer, Justice Michael Ball, has been appointed to be a Judge of the Court of Appeal, part of the Supreme Court of NSW.
His Honour brings more than 45 years of legal expertise to the state’s top appellate court. Prior to being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2010, he spent most of his career working in Sydney as a solicitor with international commercial law firm Allen Allen & Hemsley/Allens Arthur Robinson.
Since 2014, Justice Ball has sat in the Commercial and Technology and Construction Lists. He became the List Judge for those lists and the Commercial Arbitration List in 2022.
His Honour started his career in South Australia with Mollison Litchfield in 1980 while also tutoring commercial law at the University of Adelaide. The following year he joined the Australian Law Reform Commission, where he worked on the Insurance Contracts and Evidence Law references. He became a solicitor at Allen & Hemsley in 1983.
Justice Ball was appointed Senior Associate two years later and in 1987 made a Partner in the litigation department.
During his 27 years with the firm, his Honour was involved in several high-profile cases in competition and insolvency law. This included C7, Antico v Heath Fielding Australia, the Linter litigation, Pioneer and Giant Resources litigation and Trade Practices Commission v Australian Meat Holdings.
His Honour graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1978 with a combined degree in Arts and Law. He is a co-author of ‘Kelly and Ball Principles of Insurance Law’, a leading text on Insurance law in Australia.
Justice Ball will be sworn in as a Judge of Appeal on 4 November 2024.
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Justice Michael Ball to the Court of Appeal bench.
“His Honour is a highly respected lawyer and member of the Supreme Court, and his expertise will be invaluable to the Court and everyone who interacts with it.
“I congratulate Justice Ball on this well-deserved achievement.”
MIL OSI Translation. Timor-Leste Portuguese to English –
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
……………………………………………. ……………………………………………. …………………….
Press release
Council of Ministers meeting on 30 October 2024
The Council of Ministers met at the Government Palace, in Dili, and approved the draft Government Resolution that extends, until April 10, 2025, the suspension of the teaching, learning and practice of martial arts and the temporary closure of all places and facilities intended for the teaching, learning and practice of martial arts, initially approved by Government Resolution No. 45/2023, of November 10, and extended by Government Resolution No. 17/2024, of April 24.
This Government Resolution aims to consolidate and reinforce the social peace achieved since November 2023. With a measured and controlled approach, it is intended, in the future, to allow the practice of martial arts exclusively in the context of sport, promoting healthy exercise and contributing to the civic and humanistic education and training of young people. However, at this time, the suspension of the teaching, learning and practice of martial arts and the temporary closure of the respective facilities remain.
The Government congratulates the population, particularly young people, for their collaboration in complying with Government Resolution No. 17/2024, of April 24, which has contributed significantly to maintaining order and social peace throughout the country.
*****
The draft Decree-Law, presented by the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, and by the President of the Civil Service Commission, Agostinho Letêncio de Deus, regarding the Seniority Promotion Regime for Public Administration career personnel, was also approved.
This legislative initiative aims to ensure career progression for those who, for various reasons, have been unable to achieve merit-based promotions in recent years. The system is based on criteria such as seniority, performance evaluation, age, professional training, service provision in remote areas, good behavior and attendance. The law establishes that promotion based on seniority will occur annually, and will be carried out through an internal competition regulated by the Civil Service Commission, which determines the vacancies available for each grade and professional category.
It is expected that this seniority-based promotion regime will reduce stagnation in the careers of civil servants, valuing the dedication of many years to public service, especially for those who face difficulties in participating in conventional competitions.
*****
Finally, the Government Resolution project, presented by the Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Verónica das Dores, regarding compliance with the registration regime and contribution obligation within the scope of the Social Security Contributory Regime, was approved.
This legislation reinforces the State’s duty, enshrined in Article 56 of the Constitution of the Republic, to organize a social security system that protects all workers in the country, in the public and private sectors, and ensures the right to social security and assistance. Established by Law No. 12/2016, of November 14, the social security system has been in force since 2017 and defines the responsibilities of employers, including the registration of workers and the monthly submission of remuneration statements to the National Institute of Social Security (INSS).
This Government Resolution determines that all entities of the direct and indirect State Administration must regularize the registration of their workers with the INSS by November 15, 2024, as well as submit monthly remuneration statements by the 15th of each month. The INSS provides the necessary tables on its website and, by November 30, 2024, will present to the Council of Ministers a list of entities in non-compliance.
Failure to comply with this Resolution will result in civil, financial, reintegration and disciplinary liability for those responsible for services and entities of the direct and indirect State Administration with jurisdiction over the registration of workers and the monthly submission of Remuneration Declarations, as applicable. END
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ8: Members of public engaging in outdoor activities under inclement weather LCQ8: Members of public engaging in outdoor activities under inclement weather ******************************************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question: It has been reported that whenever a typhoon hits Hong Kong, some members of the public will recklessly disregard warnings and purposely go to the seaside to “chase wind”, and some people will even engage in outdoor activities such as hiking and surfing under extreme weather. There are views pointing out that such behaviour not only endangers their own lives and safety, but also wastes the Government’s rescue resources and leads to casualties among rescuers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the following information on cases received by the Government in each of the past five years where members of the public encountered danger and sought assistance while engaging in outdoor activities when weather warnings were in force: the number of such cases, the types of outdoor activities involved, the number of search and rescue (S&R) personnel, the casualties among the S&R personnel, and the public expenditure involved; (2) given that the existing legislation empowers the authorities to close beaches or country parks when necessary, and it is an offence to enter such closed beaches or country parks without permission, of the number of prosecutions instituted by the authorities in the past three years in respect of the aforesaid offence; (3) of the work undertaken by the Government in the past three years to prohibit members of the public from entering dangerous areas such as waterfronts, riversides and hills when weather warnings were in force (including putting up notices and disseminating warning messages through the media), as well as the expenditure involved (with a breakdown by work initiative); and (4) whether it has considered imposing charges on those members of the public who encounter danger and seek assistance as a result of riskily engaging in outdoor activities under inclement weather (e.g. requiring them to bear a certain proportion of the S&R expenditure), so as to achieve a deterrent effect; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply: President, The Government strongly discourages the public from taking risks to engage in outdoor activities under inclement weather. It will continue to remind members of the public through various channels of the risks of engaging in outdoor activities under inclement weather, and step up enforcement actions. Under extreme weather conditions, such as when the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or the Black Rainstorm Warning are in force, mountain-climbing or other water sports activities will become even more dangerous. In case of an accident, it will also put rescuers in a dangerous situation. In consultation with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Environment and Ecology Bureau, our consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Steven Ho is as follows: (1) Between January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2024, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), and the Government Flying Service have been deployed for mountain rescue arising from camping or hiking and immersion incidents arising from swimming or surfing when an Amber, Red or Black Rainstorm Warning, or Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or above was in force. Details are as follows:
Year Number of mountain rescue incidents Staff deployed Number of immersion incidents Staff deployed
2020 1 22 2 32
2021 5 58 2 38
2022 10 71 1 33
2023 23 352 16 334
2024(as at September 30) 21 146 3 72
The above deployments did not result in any casualties among the rescuers. The rescue teams have not maintained a statistical breakdown of the operating cost. (2) As far as temporary closure of beaches is concerned, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has, in addition to giving advice on multiple occasions, issued a total of four verbal warnings in the past three years to persons entering/intending to enter temporarily closed beaches for water sports activities. During the period, no prosecution was instituted against non-compliance with the temporary closure of beaches. As regards the hoisting of red flags at unclosed beaches, the LCSD has, in addition to giving advice on multiple occasions, successfully instituted one prosecution against water sports activities illegally conducted within the area of gazetted beaches in the past three years. Furthermore, during the law enforcement operation at Big Wave Bay Beach on October 25, 2024, two members of the public were found to have committed the acts of illegal surfing during hoisting of red flags at the unclosed beach, suspected of contravening the Bathing Beaches Regulation. An investigation by the LCSD is underway into such a case and prosecution is under consideration. On the other hand, in the past three years, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) had not closed country parks due to inclement weather. The AFCD will consider the closure of country parks having regard to the actual situation and when necessary. (3) During temporary closure of beaches and hoisting of red flags at unclosed beaches, beach staff will advise or verbally warn members of the public who are oblivious to the dangers at sea for their action jeopardising their own safety and that of rescuers. The LCSD will also consider instituting prosecutions against wrongdoers to serve as deterrence. Generally, members of the public heed the advice from the staff in virtually all cases. The above work does not involve additional expenditure. When adverse weather warnings (such as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 or Rain Storming Warnings) are about to be issued or while these are in force, the AFCD will appeal to members of the public to refrain from going to the country parks through news broadcasts and social media platforms. Moreover, the AFCD will regularly utilise the social media and other communication channels to promote hiking safety, and remind members of the public to avoid visiting country parks during adverse weather. The above work forms part of the AFCD management of country parks, and therefore does not involve additional expenditure. Whenever a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal is in force, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will remind the public to stay away from the shoreline and refrain from conducting any water sports activities. When a Rainstorm Warning Signal is in force, the HKO will remind the public to stay away from watercourses, and to stay alert to the possible dangers of flooding of the watercourses even after the Rainstorm Warning is cancelled. Other weather warnings or alerts are also accompanied by corresponding points to note. The HKO currently disseminates the above information to the public through various channels, including the HKO’s website, the mobile application MyObservatory, and social media platforms. The relevant operation and maintenance expenses have been subsumed into the recurrent cost of the HKO which cannot be further broken down. (4) The Government has always accorded top priority to public safety and the protection of people’s life and property. When calls for various emergencies are received, the HKPF and the FSD will immediately assess the nature of each incident and deploy appropriate resources to the scene. The Government strongly discourages the public from taking risks to perform outdoor activities under inclement weather, as these activities will bring significant risks not only to the members of the public themselves, but also to the rescue personnel deployed in case of emergency. Notwithstanding the above, people’s lives are a top priority, and the Government will provide effective, reliable and efficient emergency services to people in distress or in need under all circumstances. The last thing we want to see is those in need being deterred from seeking emergency call services due to any reasons, including the charging of a levy.
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 12:20
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Over 30,000 students from more than 60 educational institutions in the city joined the Moscow Youth Days this year. Events in this format have been held in the capital since 2023.
“The Days of the Moscow Youth are an important communication platform for interacting with students. Here, kids can get to know the areas that interest them better, and also learn a lot of useful information about large-scale events and city projects,” she noted.
Ekaterina Dragunova, Chairman of the Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy of Moscow.
The project days are held at the capital’s universities and colleges throughout the academic year. In 2023, more than 22 thousand students took part in them. In 2024, the Moscow Youth team visited more than 60 educational institutions in Moscow, including the National University of Science and Technology MISIS, the Russian State University for the Humanities, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the Moscow Aviation Institute and many others. The last day of Moscow Youth this year was held on October 30 at the Kutafin Moscow State Law University.
Representatives of the “Youth of Moscow” spoke about key events and student competitions. After that, the students visited a project fair, where they talked to teams, took part in various events and themselves became activists. Here you could find a community of interests and, together with like-minded people, engage in career advancement, stand-up comedy, public speaking, street sports and much more.
Students also had the opportunity to join the Youth of Moscow team and become ambassadors of the project. At the moment, more than 120 people have joined their ranks. They introduce other students to the opportunities the city provides to young Muscovites, such as campaigns, useful resources, innovative sites, educational programs and large-scale events. To join the team of ambassadors, you must submit an application on a special page.
Days of Moscow Youth are a convenient platform for direct interaction with the active youth of the city. Every semester, educational institutions of the capital host off-site events, where students are introduced to various projects. Moscow Youth is constantly working in 11 areas. The team has organized over 3.5 thousand events, in which more than two million people took part.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
From 6 December 2024, the South Australia Police mobile application will no longer be available to download.
Members of the community can access the same information from the SAPOL website.
Launched in 2016, the app initially offered users an alternative to the SAPOL website, with about 8,000 having downloaded the app.
Those with the app remaining on their device should be aware that the application will no longer be updated or supported and the recommended action will be to uninstall the app.
All the functions/applications within the app can be accessed directly from the SA Police Website via desktop or mobile – SAPOL – Home (police.sa.gov.au)
Major Crime Investigation Branch and Port Augusta CIB detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26 year-old woman from Port Augusta.
The woman, who had physical and intellectual disabilities, died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on Monday night (October 28).
She was taken to Port Augusta Hospital on October 24 after SA Ambulance attended at her Edinburgh Terrace home. She was found to be seriously ill with significant infected wounds.
On October 25, the woman’s condition deteriorated, and she was transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Port Augusta CIB detectives were advised and commenced a criminal neglect investigation and searched her home.
The woman’s death has been declared a major crime.
Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the investigation was in its early stages and the examination of the house was expected to take several days.
Major Crime detectives and Forensic Response Section officers have been in Port Augusta working with local police since yesterday.
“There are significant indicators of criminal neglect, but it is not yet clear if that caused the woman’s death,’’ he said.
“Because of this there is a simultaneous criminal and coronial investigation underway that involves a significant commitment of resources.
“The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death. I expect that will take some time.’’
“I would urge anyone who knows the victim that had raised concerns about her care to contact police.’’
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Telegram of the Holy Father on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, 29.10.2024
The following is the telegram of condolence on the death on Monday 28 October 2024 of His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, protodeacon of San Francesco di Paola ai Monti, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, sent by the Holy Father Francis to the late Cardinal’s brother, Marcello Martino:
Telegram of the Holy Father
MR. MARCELLO MARTINO00012 GUIDONIA MONTECELIO
ON LEARNING OF THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF YOUR BROTHER, CARDINAL RENATO RAFFAELE MARTINO, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU, TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SALERNO-CAMPAGNA-ACERNO OF WHICH HE WAS A RESPECTED PRESBYTER. AS I REMEMBER THIS ZEALOUS PASTOR WHO SERVED THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH, I THINK WITH GRATITUDE OF HIS LONG AND DILIGENT COLLABORATION WITH MY PREDECESSORS AS APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO A NUMBER OF ASIAN COUNTRIES AND ESPECIALLY TO THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION, WHERE HE SPARED NO ENERGY TO BEAR WITNESS TO THE POPE’S PATERNAL CONCERN FOR THE FATE OF HUMANITY, AND FINALLY AS PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE. IN THE VARIOUS ROLES ENTRUSTED TO HIM, HE WORKED WITH GREAT DYNAMISM FOR THE GOOD OF PEOPLES, CONSTANTLY PROMOTING DIALOGUE AND CONCORD. I ASK THE LORD TO WELCOME THIS FAITHFUL SERVANT OF HIS TO THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM AND FROM MY HEART I IMPART MY BLESSING TO THOSE WHO MOURN HIS DEPARTURE, WITH A GRATEFUL THOUGHT FOR THOSE WHO CARED FOR HIM.
FRANCIS
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Heritage Museum Buddhist artefacts exhibition displays 70 treasures including thangka paintings and gilt-bronze Buddhist statues (with photos) Heritage Museum Buddhist artefacts exhibition displays 70 treasures including thangka paintings and gilt-bronze Buddhist statues (with photos) ******************************************************************************************
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) will stage the exhibition “Buddhist Pilgrimage: Treasures from the Donation of The Tsui Art Foundation” starting tomorrow (October 30) by selecting 70 Buddhist treasures from the ancient Chinese artefacts collection donated by the late Dr Tsui Tsin-tong for display. Precious exhibits include thangka paintings, gilt-bronze Buddhist statues and rare artefacts such as ritual objects and scriptures. With a multimedia educational display zone, the exhibition, with free admission, aims to present the introduction of Buddhism to China, its influence from the historical, artistic and cultural perspectives, as well as its impact on cultural exchanges between China and other countries. The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held today (October 29). Addressing the ceremony, the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam, said that during the early stage of the development of the HKHM, Dr Tsui provided full support in establishing the T. T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, where the precious artefacts he donated to the HKHM were on display. Having witnessed the dispersal of Chinese artefacts abroad, Dr Tsui determined to protect the treasures. Through years of dedicated study and acquisition, he gradually built an extensive thangka art collection. Dr Tsui’s passion for collecting Chinese artefacts transcends mere personal interest, embodying his significant contribution to the cause of Chinese national rejuvenation. Other officiating guests included representatives of the Tsui Art Foundation Mr Tsui Ho-chuen and Ms Tsui Ching-ming; the Chairman of the History Sub-committee of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Joshua Mok; and the Museum Director of the HKHM, Mr Brian Lam. The Tibetan Buddhist artefacts showcased in this exhibition are all acquired by Dr Tsui through his extensive travels and purchases since the 1970s, including 29 exquisite thangka paintings from the 17th to the 20th century, 18 gilt-bronze Buddhist statues and 23 rare ritual objects, scriptures and other items. Being an artistic form unique to Tibetan Buddhism, thangkas typically portray major Buddhist deities or respected religious patriarchs surrounded by a divine entourage on cotton or silk, to illustrate the stories of their lives or the realms over which they preside. The gilt-bronze Buddhist statues demonstrate the artisanship and the ingenuity of the metalworking craft, reflecting the mutual influence exerted by the cultures of the region throughout various periods. Highlight exhibits include “Votive thangka of Padmasaṃbhava”, which is the largest thangka on display at this exhibition, measuring 254.5 centimetres high and 202cm wide. The content of this thangka is based on the “Pad-ma thang-yig” (Life of the Master Padmasaṃbhava), and describes the charitable and pious deeds performed during the life of a great religious master. Another thangka, “Amitābha”, portrays the main deity Amitābha in the centre and being surrounded by the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. The layout of the work is extremely detailed and powerful. The delicately painted “Eleven-faced Avalokiteśvara”, with vivid colours, depicts an Avalokiteśvara with eight hands. The first pair of hands is held together in front of the chest, holding a precious jewel. The three hands on the right hold crystal beads, the Wheel of the Law, and the lower hand is in the “abhaya mudrā”. On the left, the hands hold a lotus, a bow and arrows, as well as a kuṇḍikā. “Gilt-bronze figure of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara” wears a pair of big earrings, and his exposed chest is adorned with strings of jewellery inlaid with turquoise. In addition, an exquisitely decorated “Conch shell” and a hand written “Buddhist sutra” with illustrations are also on display. The curatorial team of the HKHM specially designated a multimedia educational display zone, utilising presentation techniques and multimedia installations alongside the artefacts on display, with a view to deepening visitors’ understanding of the inclusiveness of Chinese culture and enhancing their interest in Chinese history and culture. The HKHM also commissioned designer Chiu Kwong-chiu and his team to produce an animation to interpret the pilgrimage to India of the great Buddhist master of the Tang dynasty, Xuanzang, and the contribution he made to cultural exchanges between China and the world. The multimedia installations manifest the influence of Buddhist culture in daily life in a lively way, such as pointing out the Buddhist origins behind everyday expressions, and briefly describing the content of the Heart Sutra and displaying the beauty of calligraphy. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/exhibitions/data/buddhist2024.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries. The exhibition is one of the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.
Reacting to the news that the Israeli parliament has passed a law to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating inside Israel, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, said:
“This unconscionable law is an outright attack on the rights of Palestinian refugees. It is clearly designed to make it impossible for the agency to operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory by forcing the closure of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem and ending visas for its staff. It amounts to the criminalization of humanitarian aid and will worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
“UNRWA has played an indispensable role in offering, food, water, medical aid, education and shelter to the nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been forcibly displaced, subjected to an engineered famine, and stand at serious risk of genocide as a result of Israel’s relentless offensive in the last 12 months. This law flies in the face of the International Court of Justice order to Israel to ensure sufficient humanitarian assistance and facilitate basic services.
“UNRWA has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank and in neighbouring countries throughout the 75 years since its foundation. The plight of the Palestinian people would be even more severe if not for UNRWA’s tireless work over the last three quarters of a century.
“This appalling, inhumane law will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians, who have endured unimaginable hardship since the horrific attacks by Hamas and other armed groups in southern Israel one year ago, and whose need for global support is greater than ever. The international community must be quick to condemn it in the strongest possible terms and exert any influence they have on the Israeli government to repeal it.”
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today attended the 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in Singapore, where he delivered a speech at the plenary session.
The conference, organised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore, brought together officials, prosecutors and legal experts from 13 delegations to share their views on the conference’s theme “Fostering Co-operation on Combating Financial Crimes”.
Addressing the plenary session, Mr Lam elaborated that Hong Kong has been adopting a multipronged approach in combating financial crimes with international elements, including adopting international regulatory standards, establishing a collaborative network for effective prosecution and asset recovery, making better use of emerging technologies and encouraging knowledge and experience sharing, in order to build a trustworthy and secure financial environment.
He also mentioned that Hong Kong has established a comprehensive co-operation regime for the mutual legal assistance and surrender of fugitives, and that geopolitical considerations should not be allowed to hinder international co-operation in fighting financial crimes.
The fight against financial crimes with international elements is a daunting and ongoing challenge, Mr Lam said, adding that he hoped Hong Kong and all other jurisdictions will continue to strengthen collaboration to jointly combat related crimes.
At the conference’s closing session, the justice chief remarked that the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference will be held in Hong Kong next year.
During his visit to Singapore, Mr Lam attended other related activities. As a member of the Chinese delegation, he attended bilateral meetings between the delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Thailand, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
Yesterday, he attended a lecture given by Prosecutor-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Ying Yong on the theme “The Chinese Prosecutorial System in the Process of Comprehensive Implementation of the Rule of Law”.
Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Singapore tomorrow and return to Hong Kong.
Shelburne RCMP Detachment has charged a man with attempted murder after a stabbing in Shelburne.
On October 27, at approximately 2:50 a.m., officers responded to a report that a man had been stabbed at a home on Shore Rd. Upon arrival at the residence, they located a man with serious injuries; he was transported to hospital by EHS. The suspect and victim were known to each other, and the suspect had fled the home before police arrived.
Officers, including RCMP Police Dog Services, followed up at another home in Shelburne, where they located and safely arrested one man related to this incident.
Jason Morash, 41, of Shelburne, has been charged with Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, and Aggravated Assault. Morash had a first court appearance in Yarmouth Provincial Court on October 28 and was held in custody pending his next court appearance on November 4.
Detectives are appealing for help to identify a woman in connection with a hate crime where a man was assaulted in Homerton.
The victim was walking along Homerton High Street at about 05:15hrs on Sunday, 27 October when he was verbally abused before being seriously assaulted with a glass bottle by an unknown woman. She then left the scene.
The victim presented himself at hospital with serious injuries to his face.
Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.
At this early stage in the investigation, the assault is being treated as a hate crime.
Detectives are now appealing for the public’s help and have today released an image of a woman who they would like to speak with in connection with the investigation.
If you recognise her or have any information which could assist the investigation, please contact us by calling 101 or message @MetCC on X and quote CAD 1890/27Oct.
You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
UNRWA has long served as a sole lifeline to Palestinian refugees offering indispensable humanitarian aid, education and shelter
The UN agency also provides desperately needed aid for millions of other Palestinian refugees living in neighbouring Arab countries
‘This appalling, inhumane law will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians who have endured unimaginable hardship’ – Agnès Callamard
In response to the news that the Israeli parliament has passed a law to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating inside Israel, Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:
“This unconscionable law is an outright attack on the rights of Palestinian refugees. It is clearly designed to make it impossible for the agency to operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory by forcing the closure of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem and ending visas for its staff. It amounts to the criminalisation of humanitarian aid and will worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
“UNRWA has played an indispensable role in offering, food, water, medical aid, education and shelter to the nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza who have been forcibly displaced, subjected to an engineered famine, and stand at serious risk of genocide as a result of Israel’s relentless offensive in the last 12 months. This law flies in the face of the International Court of Justice order to Israel to ensure sufficient humanitarian assistance and facilitate basic services.
“UNRWA has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank and in neighbouring countries throughout the 75 years since its foundation. The plight of the Palestinian people would be even more severe if not for UNRWA’s tireless work over the last three quarters of a century.
“This appalling, inhumane law will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians who have endured unimaginable hardship since the horrific attacks by Hamas and other armed groups in southern Israel one year ago, and whose need for global support is greater than ever.
“The international community must be quick to condemn it in the strongest possible terms and exert any influence they have on the Israeli government to repeal it.”
UNWRA
Founded in 1949, UNRWA is a UN agency that supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States. UNRWA has defined Palestine refugees as “persons whose regular place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.”
At a time when Israel, the occupying power, continues to flagrantly violate its obligations vis-à-vis Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, UNRWA has long served as a sole lifeline, offering indispensable humanitarian aid, education and shelter. The agency also provides desperately needed aid for millions of other Palestinian refugees living in neighbouring Arab countries.
In January 2024 over a dozen states and the EU announced the suspension of funding to UNRWA following allegations that individual staff members were involved in the 7 October attacks carried out by Hamas and other armed groups in southern Israel. UNRWA immediately dismissed nine employees over the allegations at the time.
Almost all of the countries that had previously suspended funding for UNRWA have since reinstated their financial support, aside from the United States, where funding remains frozen until at least March 2025.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000 for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook.
Fines and costs totalling over £90,000 imposed by court
Human error and corporate failings caused 3 kilometres of brook to be impacted
Case heard at Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024
A prosecution by the Environment Agency has resulted in the conviction of 2 companies for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook. The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000.
At Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024, Elisabeth The Chef (ETC) and Civil Environmental Project Services Ltd (CEPS) were sentenced for causing the discharge into the Laugherne Brook in September 2017.
ETC, a food manufacturer operating in Lower Broadheath, was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £52,000. CEPS, an engineering company in Bidford-upon-Avon was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £20,000.
The discharge
The Court was told that the discharge caused the deaths of a significant number of fish and that it followed a series of human and corporate failings.
The manufacturing process at ETC produces around 40,000 gallons per day of trade effluent and human sewage.
CEPS provided quarterly maintenance, and a telemetry monitoring service, for a pumping station at ETC’s premises. It was designed to pump trade effluent and sewage from the works to a foul sewer.
On 1 September 2017, an employee of CEPS attended the ETC site’s pumping station to conduct routine maintenance. Following completion of the maintenance work, the employee failed to switch the pumps within the pumping station back on.
As a result, trade effluent built up in the pump well rather than being sent to the foul sewer. This caused an overflow of trade effluent from the pumping station into a containment lagoon.
The containment lagoon filled up and then discharged the pollutant through a broken sluice gate and into a ditch running alongside the factory.
This pollution discharge flowed from the ditch into the Laugherne Brook, flowing towards Worcester and the River Teme in the south of the city.
The situation was compounded by the same CEPS employee reporting to ETC on 4 September 2017, whilst the pollution was going on, stating that it was ‘working ok’.
The same employee had also attended the ETC site in April 2017 and erroneously fitted an alarm too high within the pumpwell. This meant that the alarm did not function properly and consequently ETC was not notified that the pumping station was not working.
Environment Agency response to the incident
On 5 September 2017, members of the public contacted the Environment Agency to report that the Laugherne Brook was cloudy and dead fish were on the surface.
The Environment Agency managed the response to the incident and identified the source of the pollution and ETC then took action to stop the pollution.
Officers carried out water quality testing and found that there had been a severe short-term impact covering some 3 kilometres of the Laugherne Brook.
Some 86 dead fish were counted in the accessible sections of the Brook, including brown trout, bullhead, dace, and gudgeon.
Hundreds of fish were estimated to have been killed as a result of the incident.
ETC, a company with previous convictions for environmental offending, initially blamed CEPS for the incident.
But subsequently accepted that it had failed to put in checks and procedures to ensure its on-site pumping station was working correctly.
The company also accepted that it had failed to conduct day-to-day physical checks of its pumping station and containment lagoon.
CEPS was vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. It had failed to put in place appropriate checks and monitoring to instruct its employee to ensure that work was done competently.
The sentence
In sentencing, the Court remarked that the state of rivers were ‘at the front of the public consciousness’ and that this was a ‘serious breach of law’.
In mitigation, the Court remarked that both companies had undertaken investigations and taken all remedial action to prevent a recurrence.
The Court noted that ETC had been under different ownership when the pollution event occurred. But the new owners were taking the company’s environmental responsibilities seriously.
The Court also noted that there have been no further pollution events at the site since 2017.
CEPS admitted responsibility for the incident at an early stage.
The Court noted that the company’s engagement and co-operation with the Environment Agency’s investigation was ‘impressive.’ It had no previous convictions of any kind.
Kelly Horsley, an Environment Officer for the West Midlands Environment Agency, said:
We welcome this sentence as this was a serious pollution which caused considerable disruption besides fish deaths.
The Environment Agency will pursue any company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties.
Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.
If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
The Charge
Between 1 September 2017 and 5 September 2017, (1) Elisabeth the Chef Ltd and (2) Civil and Environmental Project Services Ltd caused a water discharge activity.
This was namely a discharge of polluting trade effluent into a ditch adjacent to and joining the Laugherne Brook, Worcester.
This was not authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 38(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
Clarenville RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in relation to property damage that occurred yesterday, October 27, 2024, at the Canadian Tire Gas Bar on Manitoba Drive in Clarenville.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Clarenville RCMP received the report of property damage. Surveillance footage obtained from the business showed a man throwing firewood at the front entrance of the gas bar at approximately 4:00 a.m. A copy of the surveillance video is attached.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone having information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Clarenville RCMP (709-466-3211). To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
Video
Video description
An unknown male can be seen throwing an object at the front entrance of a gas bar.
RedLine and META Infostealers stole information from millions of victims around the world; U.S. complaint charges developer and administrator; U.S. law enforcement seizes infrastructure
AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice joined the Netherlands, Belgium, Eurojust and other partners in announcing an international disruption effort against the current version of RedLine Infostealer, one of the most prevalent infostealers in the world that has targeted millions of victim computers, and the closely-related META Infostealer.
The Justice Department, FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division joined international partners in the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (“JCAT”) Operation Magnus (supported by Europol) to seize domains, servers, and Telegram accounts used by the RedLine and META administrators to disrupt the operations of the infostealers.
International authorities have created a website at www.operation-magnus.com with additional resources for the public and potential victims.
Infostealers are a prevalent form of malware used to steal sensitive information from victim’s computers including usernames and passwords, financial information, system information, cookies, and cryptocurrency accounts. The stolen information—referred to as “logs”—is sold on cybercrime forums and used for further fraudulent activity and other hacks. RedLine has been used to conduct intrusions against major corporations. RedLine and META infostealers can also enable cyber criminals to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) through the theft of authentication cookies and other system information.
RedLine and META are sold through a decentralized Malware as a Service (“MaaS”) model where affiliates purchase a license to use the malware, and then launch their own campaigns to infect their intended victims. The malware is distributed to victims using malvertising, e-mail phishing, fraudulent software downloads, and malicious software sideloading. Various schemes, including COVID-19 and Windows update related ruses have been used to trick victims into downloading the malware. The malware is advertised for sale on cybercrime forums and through Telegram channels that offer customer support and software updates. RedLine and META have infected millions of computers worldwide and, by some estimates, RedLine is one of the top malware variants in the world.
Through various investigative steps, law enforcement has collected victim log data stolen from computers infected with RedLine and META. While an exact number has not been finalized, agents have identified millions of unique credentials (usernames and passwords), email addresses, bank accounts, cryptocurrency addresses, credit card numbers, etc. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the stolen data and continues to investigate.
The Department has unsealed a warrant issued in the Western District of Texas that authorized law enforcement to seize two domains used by RedLine and META for command and control.
In conjunction with the disruption effort, the Justice Department unsealed charges against Maxim Rudometov, one of the developers and administrators of RedLine Infostealer. According to the complaint, Rudometov regularly accessed and managed the infrastructure of RedLine Infostealer, was associated with various cryptocurrency accounts used to receive and launder payments and was in possession of RedLine malware. For his actions, he has been charged with access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029, conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030 and 371, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956.
If convicted, Rudometov faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for access device fraud, five years in prison for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, and 20 years in prison for money laundering. The complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case. The Task Force participants include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division, among other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust and Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
The disruption effort announced today was in conjunction with Operation Magnus, a JCAT law enforcement operation to investigate RedLine and META Infostealers. The participating agencies included the Dutch National Police, Belgian Federal Police, Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, United Kingdom National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, Portuguese Federal Police, and Eurojust.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Darnell Bishop, 32, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“Mr. Bishop’s criminal scheme, had it succeeded, would have flooded the streets of southwest Michigan with illegal guns,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The proliferation of illegal guns is one cause behind the gun violence epidemic we are experiencing in Benton Harbor, across the state, and across the nation. I am grateful to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their swift and smart response that prevented the worst from happening. Moving forward, we will continue to focus our efforts on those few individuals who are driving gun violence in their communities.”
Bishop was charged along with his brother and codefendant, Dontrell Nance, for the theft of 123 handguns from Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports Store. Bishop and Nance kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside the manager’s home using a pistol, blindfolded and handcuffed him, took him to a second location, and threatened the manager into providing the alarm code for Dunham’s. Bishop then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement has since recovered all the firearms.
Nance previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
“Today’s sentence is an example of our commitment to our industry partners and their employees, that their safety and security is one of ATF’s top priorities,” said Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Bishop and his cohorts need to be held accountable for their actions and represent the most deserving of Federal prosecution. They are criminals who put personal greed before the safety of Dunham’s employees and their families. Now, they will have plenty of time in prison to reflect on their wrongdoing.”
“Mr. Bishop’s sentencing brings closure to a community left rattled by a violent attack against Dunham’s Sports and its manager in a plot to traffic over 100 illegal guns into our streets,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I am thankful for the cooperation of our law enforcement partners, especially the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force, whose prompt response thwarted this plot and averted potentially devastating consequences.”
This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI.
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The previous press releases, complaint, and press conference can be viewed at the following links here, here, here, here, and here.
TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xtract One Technologies Inc. (TSX: XTRA) (OTCQX: XTRAF) (FRA: 0PL), a leading technology-driven threat detection and security solution that prioritizes the patron access experience by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), today announced that Peter Evans, CEO will present live at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on October 31st, 2024.
This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.
It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.
About Xtract One Technologies Xtract One Technologies is a leading technology-driven provider of threat detection and security solutions leveraging AI to deliver seamless and secure experiences. The Company makes unobtrusive weapons and threat detection systems that enable facility operators to prioritize and deliver improved “Walk-right-In” experiences while providing unprecedented safety. Xtract One’s innovative portfolio of AI-powered Gateway solutions excels at allowing facilities to discreetly screen and identify weapons and other threats at points of entry and exit without disrupting the flow of traffic. With solutions built to serve the unique market needs for schools, hospitals, arenas, stadiums, manufacturing, distribution, and other customers, Xtract One is recognized as a market leader delivering the highest security in combination with the best individual experience. For more information, visit www.xtractone.com or connect on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
About Virtual Investor Conferences® Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.
Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.
CONTACTS: Xtract One Investor Relations Chris Witty Darrow Associates 646-438-9385 cwitty@darrowir.com
Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com
People who are convicted of felonies might think they can’t vote.
Even in California, where they do have the right to vote, people convicted of felonies cite cases in Florida and Texas where people with felonies who have completed their sentences have been arrested and sentenced to prison for trying to vote illegally.
It’s almost an article of faith that a person loses their right to vote once they have been convicted.
The reforms reflect the growing recognition by some politicians that felony disenfranchisement laws often excluded people from voting long after they served their sentences. Rooted in historical racism that restricted access to the ballot box, these laws are at odds with the idea that punishment should end after someone completes their sentence.
But with these reforms comes a new challenge – ensuring that people who have the right to vote are aware that they can.
Different states, different laws
A popular assumption among the general public, and even among those convicted of felonies, is that they can’t vote for life.
During our research, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 137 people, as well as text message conversations with over 1,800 people across five states (California, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas). Delia, a 40-year-old Hispanic woman in Texas, explained: “It’s very confusing on purpose. The majority of people that I know, who get booked in and are going to jail, one of the biggest things is, you can’t ever vote again. Right. And so, that’s what I believed.”
Laws on felony disenfranchisement vary by state]. In some instances, people with convictions can still vote while they are serving time in Maine, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Oct. 18, 2022, that the state’s new Office of Election Crimes and Security was in the process of arresting 20 individuals for voter fraud. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, those convicted of felonies have their rights automatically restored in 23 states when released from prison. But in 10 other states, those convicted of certain felonies can lose rights indefinitely or require a governor’s pardon for voting rights to be restored.
Making matters even more confusing is that state laws make different distinctions on who can and cannot vote. In some cases, the distinctions are based on whether the conviction was a felony or misdemeanor.
Other states distinguish between the timing of the end of imprisonment, parole or probation – and whether all fines and fees have been paid.
The Florida eligibility question
In 2018, for example, Florida voters approved a ballot initiative that “restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.”
Known as Amendment 4, the measure excluded people who committed murder or a felony sex offense.
But before the measure went into effect, a legal dispute arose over the definition of what it meant to complete a sentence. In 2019, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law that required payment of outstanding fees and fines before a person convicted of a felony conviction could regain their voting rights.
Though the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the constitutionality of the law in court, a federal appellate court backed the Republican lawmakers.
Over the past nearly 30 years, many states have moved to make it easier for those convicted of felonies to regain their voting rights, starting in 1997 in Texas, where lawmakers eliminated a two-year waiting period before a person convicted of a felony regained their right to vote.
As a result, the number of people with felonies who had lost their right to vote dropped from a high of 6.1 million in 2016 to an estimated 4 million in this election, according to the Sentencing Project. During the U.S. presidential election in 2020, that number was 5.2 million.
So far in 2024 alone, officials in three states have tinkered with their laws on voter eligibility requirements for people convicted of felonies.
In Virginia, lawmakers approved on April 5 a new law that allows registered voters who are imprisoned while awaiting trial or have been convicted of a misdemeanor to vote by absentee ballot.
A month later, in May, Oklahoma lawmakers clarified their existing laws by passing a measure that allows people convicted of felonies to vote under certain conditions, such as receiving a pardon or a reduction of their felony conviction to a lesser misdemeanor.
Though passed by state lawmakers in April 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 16 that the new law could take effect. The law eliminates the two-year waiting period following the completion of a prison sentence before voting rights could be restored.
Increasing voter turnout
Numerous studies of those with felony convictions have shown that they believe the voting process is unclear and confusing.
In our study of voting behavior of people with convictions, we interviewed Raymond, a 49-year-old Black man in Michigan. When asked about the process of registering to vote, he told us: “I ain’t going to say scary, but it was unfamiliar. It can be overwhelming for people who don’t want to do it. You don’t know where to go, you don’t know who to really vote for.”
To get the word out to newly eligible voters, community organizations across the U.S. have launched grassroots operations to inform people with convictions of their voting rights and help guide them through the registration process.
As part of that effort, community organizations such as Alliance for Safety and Justice and TimeDone are working with academic researchers to further understand how different methods of outreach can increase voter turnout among people with felony convictions.
With many people newly eligible to vote in their first presidential election this year, I believe providing them with accurate information about voting and their state’s felony voting laws is critical to ensuring that the idea of a second chance includes the right to vote.
Naomi F. Sugie receives funding from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Council on Library and Information Resources, Orange County, Alliance for Safety and Justice, Crankstart, and Public Agenda.
Cannabis legalization is on the ballot again this November.
Voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota will decide whether to allow adults 21 and up in their states to use cannabis recreationally.
Voters in Nebraska will decide whether to allow medical access under a doctor’s care.
Voters in Arkansas will see a question about medical access on their ballot, but the state supreme court ruled that the votes can’t be counted because the name and title of the measure were “misleading.”
The results of these ballot measures obviously matter to residents of each state, but they also will be telling for the future of the cannabis legalization movement. That’s because these states are all so-called red states where Republicans dominate state politics. They are part of the legalization movement’s biggest obstacle – what I call the “red wall.”
Cannabis legalization hasn’t always been so partisan.
In fact, bipartisanship has been key to the success of the contemporary legalization movement, which began in the 1990s.
How do I know? Because I’ve been told as much by the people who made it happen.
Since 2014, I’ve been researching cannabis legalization in the U.S.. I’ve been trying to understand the contemporary legalization movement’s success and what it means for the future of U.S. drug policy. As an anthropologist, my process is to go where the action is and talk to people with lived experience.
And so I’ve been talking to people in Colorado. In 2012, it became one of the first two states to legalize recreational use of cannabis, also called “adult use.”
Today, 48 states and Washington D.C. have approved cannabis for some kind of medical use, although 10 of those states have legalized only the limited use of oils containing low levels of THC, the active compound in cannabis. Adult use for anyone 21 and older is now allowed in 24 states and Washington.
This is a dramatic change that is undoing decades of prohibition.
Any political movement takes thousands of people to be successful, but it also takes leaders. In Colorado, attorney Brian Vicente and activist Mason Tvert played a pivotal role. With support from the Marijuana Policy Project, they spent most of the 2000s building the movement that made recreational legalization possible in Colorado.
When I asked Vicente and Tvert how they made it happen, they emphasized the same thing: To be effective, they had to build a new kind of coalition. They had to appeal to people who had no personal interest in consuming cannabis.
In Colorado, they made the case that marijuana should be regulated like alcohol, with tax money going to schools. The fact that Colorado allowed ballot initiatives was also key. It let activists take the issue directly to voters, bypassing opposition from the governor and other elected officials.
The strategy worked.
Liberals liked the social justice arguments. Conservatives liked that it enhanced individual liberty. And a broad cross section of voters liked that it would generate tax revenue and let the criminal justice system focus on more serious threats to public safety.
These voters made for a powerful coalition. And for years, such coalitions helped legalization measures pass in blue states like Oregon and California, and in red states like Alaska and Montana.
Hitting the red wall
But since 2020, legalization has become more partisan.
Of the 26 states where cannabis remains illegal for adult use, 20 are red states with a Republican trifecta, meaning that Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office.
Another four – Kansas, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Carolina – have Republican-controlled state legislatures and Democratic governors.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation where legislative control is split. Medical cannabis was legalized there in 2016, but recreational use is not allowed.
And Hawaii is the lone blue state that has yet to legalize recreational cannabis. A slimmer majority of voters support it than in other blue states, and there are unique concerns such as the potential impact on the tourist economy.
All told, 92% of the states where adult use is still illegal are dominated – if not completely controlled – by Republicans who are much less likely to support legalization than either Democrats or independents. This is true of both elected leaders and rank-and-file party members.
What’s more, 16 of the 26 states that have not legalized adult use cannabis don’t have a ballot initiative process, so supporters can’t take the issue directly to voters. The states with measures on the ballot this November are part of the minority that do.
Voters in states without ballot initiatives have no choice but to wait on their state legislatures to act. But most Republican-controlled legislatures have shown little interest in the issue, even when the majority of voters in the state support it – like in Iowa.
Voters in conservative North Dakota have also rejected adult use legalization twice before, which makes success this year unlikely. On the other hand, it has more support from Republican state legislators than in other states, and more voters are undecided on the issue.
And even if it survives legal challenge, that does not mean recreational legalization is around the corner. The most recent polling of Nebraskans shows lower support for recreational use than medical use, particularly among Republicans.
Second, it has divided party leaders, with the state’s two highest-profile Republicans, Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, taking different positions on the issue. Trump says he’s voting yes, while DeSantis is a strong no.
And third, it has drawn the ire of some legalization supporters for potentially giving disproportionate control of the market to a small group of large cannabis companies. The concern is that the amendment as written does not require the state to increase the number of licensed businesses. Only already-licensed businesses would be guaranteed the opportunity to expand into the recreational cannabis market.
Ironically, DeSantis’ No campaign has put concerns about corporate control at the center of its own messaging, creating a potential coalition between people who oppose adult use legalization under any circumstances and those who oppose it when there’s too much corporate control.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nicholas R. Micinski, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, University of Maine
The Israeli parliament’s vote on Oct. 28, 2024, to ban the United Nations agency that provides relief for Palestinian refugees is likely to affect millions of people – it also fits a pattern.
Aid for refugees, particularly Palestinian refugees, has long been politicized, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, has been targeted throughout its 75-year history.
The vote by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to ban the UNRWA goes a step further. It will, when it comes into effect, prevent the UNRWA from operating in Israel and will severely affect its ability to serve refugees in any of the occupied territories that Israel controls, including Gaza. This could have devastating consequences for livelihoods, health, the distribution of food aid and schooling for Palestinians. It would also damage the polio vaccination campaign that the UNRWA and its partner organizations have been carrying out in Gaza since September. Finally, the bill bans communication between Israeli officials and the UNRWA, which would end efforts by the agency to coordinate the movements of aid workers to prevent unintentional targeting by the Israel Defense Forces.
Refugee aid, and humanitarian aid more generally, is theoretically meant to be neutral and impartial. But as experts in migrationandinternational relations, we know funding is often used as a foreign policy tool, whereby allies are rewarded and enemies punished. In this context, we believe Israel’s banning of the UNRWA fits a wider pattern of the politicization of aid to refugees, particularly Palestinian refugees.
What is the UNRWA?
The UNRWA, short for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, was established two years after about 750,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from their homes during the months leading up to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli war.
Prior to the UNRWA’s creation, international and local organizations, many of them religious, provided services to displaced Palestinians. But after surveying the extreme poverty and dire situation pervasive across refugee camps, the U.N. General Assembly, including all Arab states and Israel, voted to create the UNRWA in 1949.
Since that time, the UNRWA has been the primary aid organization providing food, medical care, schooling and, in some cases, housing for the 6 million Palestinians living across its five fields: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, as well as the areas that make up the occupied Palestinian territories: the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The mass displacement of Palestinians – known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe” – occurred prior to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defined refugees as anyone with a well-founded fear of persecution owing to “events occurring in Europe before 1 January 1951.” Despite a 1967 protocol extending the definition worldwide, Palestinians are still excluded from the primary international system protecting refugees.
While the UNRWA is responsible for providing services to Palestinian refugees, the United Nations also created the U.N. Conciliation Commission for Palestine in 1948 to seek a long-term political solution and “to facilitate the repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees and the payment of compensation.”
As a result, UNRWA does not have a mandate to push for the traditional durable solutions available in other refugee situations. As it happened, the conciliation commission was active only for a few years and has since been sidelined in favor of the U.S.-brokered peace processes.
Is the UNRWA political?
The UNRWA has been subject to political headwinds since its inception and especially during periods of heightened tension between Palestinians and Israelis.
While it is a U.N. organization and thus ostensibly apolitical, it has frequently been criticized by Palestinians, Israelis as well as donor countries, including the United States, for acting politically.
The UNRWA performs statelike functions across its five fields, including education, health and infrastructure, but it is restricted in its mandate from performing political or security activities.
Initial Palestinian objections to the UNRWA stemmed from the organization’s early focus on economic integration of refugees into host states.
Although the UNRWA officially adhered to the U.N. General Assembly’s Resolution 194 that called for the return of Palestine refugees to their homes, U.N., U.K. and U.S. officials searched for means by which to resettle and integrate Palestinians into host states, viewing this as the favorable political solution to the Palestinian refugee situation and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this sense, Palestinians perceived the UNRWA to be both highly political and actively working against their interests.
In later decades, the UNRWA switched its primary focus from jobs to education at the urging of Palestinian refugees. But the UNRWA’s education materials were viewed by Israel as further feeding Palestinian militancy, and the Israeli government insisted on checking and approving all materials in Gaza and the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.
A protester is removed by members of the U.S. Capitol Police during a House hearing on Jan. 30, 2024. Alex Wong/Getty Images
While Israel has long been suspicious of the UNRWA’s role in refugee camps and in providing education, the organization’s operation, which is internationally funded, also saves Israel millions of dollars each year in services it would be obliged to deliver as the occupying power.
Since the 1960s, the U.S. – the UNRWA’s primary donor – and other Western countries have repeatedly expressed their desire to use aid to prevent radicalization among refugees.
In response to the increased presence of armed opposition groups, the U.S. attached a provision to its UNRWA aid in 1970, requiring that the “UNRWA take all possible measures to assure that no part of the United States contribution shall be used to furnish assistance to any refugee who is receiving military training as a member of the so-called Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) or any other guerrilla-type organization.”
The UNRWA adheres to this requirement, even publishing an annual list of its employees so that host governments can vet them, but it also employs 30,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom are Palestinian.
Questions over links of the UNRWA to any militancy has led to the rise of Israeli and international watch groups that document the social media activity of the organization’s large Palestinian staff.
In 2018, the Trump administration paused its US$60 million contribution to the UNRWA. Trump claimed the pause would create political pressure for Palestinians to negotiate. President Joe Biden restarted U.S. contributions to the UNRWA in 2021.
While other major donors restored funding to the UNRWA after the conclusion of the investigation in April, the U.S. has yet to do so.
‘An unmitigated disaster’
Israel’s ban of the UNRWA will leave already starving Palestinians without a lifeline. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said banning the UNRWA “would be a catastrophe in what is already an unmitigated disaster.” The foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the U.K. issued a joint statement arguing that the ban would have “devastating consequences on an already critical and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in northern Gaza.”
Reports have emerged of Israeli plans for private security contractors to take over aid distribution in Gaza through dystopian “gated communities,” which would in effect be internment camps. This would be a troubling move. In contrast to the UNRWA, private contractors have little experience delivering aid and are not dedicated to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality or independence.
However, the Knesset’s explicit ban could, inadvertently, force the United States to suspend weapons transfers to Israel. U.S. law requires that it stop weapons transfers to any country that obstructs the delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid. And the U.S. pause on funding for the UNRWA was only meant to be temporary.
The UNRWA is the main conduit for assistance into Gaza, and the Knesset’s ban makes explicit that the Israeli government is preventing aid delivery, making it harder for Washington to ignore. Before the bill passed, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller warned that “passage of the legislation could have implications under U.S. law and U.S. policy.”
At the same time, two U.S. government agencies previously alerted the Biden administration that Israel was obstructing aid into Gaza, yet weapons transfers have continued unabated.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pushpay, the leading payments and engagement solutions provider for mission-driven organizations, today announces several new product enhancements, deeper partner integrations, and tangible resources to equip today’s ministry leaders for a remarkable season of generosity. As nearly 30 percent of charitable giving occurs in the month of December, and roughly 10 percent in the last three days of the year, Pushpay’s latest innovations are designed to help churches inspire generosity within their community.
With stock and crypto donations on the rise, today Pushpay announces a deeper connection with Engiven, a leading complex giving provider in the U.S., delivering seamless enrollment for Pushpay customers to receive and quickly process stock and cryptocurrency donations without an additional subscription fee. This includes no additional forms, and streamlined processing for customers and their donors.
“Churches that enable noncash giving are far more likely to receive major gifts, especially at year-end,” said Co-Founder and CEO of Engiven, James Lawrence. “Pushpay has an amazing history of providing innovative solutions to the Church and I’m excited to see new pathways of generosity unlocked as together we make noncash giving more seamless for churches and their donors.”
Acts of generosity—whether time, talent or tithes—are often a reflection of how connected someone is to their Church. In fact, recent Pushpay data shows that 57% of churches see an increase in overall giving when they focus on ways to engage and cultivate relationships with their people. Pushpay is releasing several new product features and enhancements to help increase connection and generosity leading into the 2024 holiday season, including:
Multi-Fund Giving: Allows donors to support multiple causes in one simple flow. Whether it’s missions, building projects, or specific ministries, donors will have the flexibility to distribute their gift across multiple purposes, all within a single, unified experience.
App improvements: The new in-app browser will allow users to securely open all external links—including the giving experience—without ever leaving their church app. The new in-app browser brings giving, forms, and other external links directly into the app experience, simply and securely, while limiting distractions from other browser tabs.
Resi livestream attendance in Pushpay Insights: An engaged community is a generous community. Pushpay customers can now have a holistic view of how people connect with their services—whether they are in the building or viewing from their home or other location. This feature allows churches to track Resi livestream attendance alongside in-person participation, bringing both data points into one easy-to-view platform via Pushpay Insights.
Auto schedule by event and week: Volunteers play a critical role in church, especially during the month of December. This new feature helps administrators efficiently create stronger, more efficient volunteer teams by simplifying the scheduling process. Administrators will be able to schedule volunteers for a single event or an entire week’s worth of services— all in a fraction of the time.
“Our goal at Pushpay is to empower churches with the tools they need to engage their communities. Our latest innovations not only simplify the giving process but also help ministry leaders build deeper relationships with their congregation,” said Molly Matthews, Pushpay CEO. “By making generosity more accessible and seamless, we’re enabling churches to focus on what matters most—their mission and their people.”
Lastly, the Company released a new Generosity Hub, which is an online collection of tools, resources and strategies to help ministry teams cultivate a culture of generosity. From general giving tips, to developing a Giving Tuesday campaign, or ways to leverage technology to deeper donor engagement, resources are targeted to help church leaders develop and execute a successful end of year giving strategy.
Today’s announcement is further reinforcement of Pushpay’s continued commitment to deliver meaningful technology for the Church that helps people connect with people. In fact, 1.3 million moments of connection between churches and their communities are made possible through Pushpay technology every week, which has also resulted in more than $35 billion of generosity to help fuel the mission of the Church over the last five years alone. For more information about Pushpay, visit www.pushpay.com.
About Pushpay Pushpay empowers mission-driven organizations to engage their communities by bringing people together and fostering meaningful connections. Through its innovative suite of products, Pushpay helps create cultures of generosity by streamlining donation processes, enhancing communications, and strengthening relationships. Pushpay’s purpose-built ministry solutions include ChurchStaq, ParishStaq, Pushpay Insights, Resi, and more— all designed to simplify operations and provide data driven insights to support the mission of its customers. Whether managing donations, organizing events, or connecting with community members, Pushpay’s integrated tools enable ministry leaders to focus on what matters most—growing their ministry and deepening engagement. For more information visit www.pushpay.com
Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to our everyday lives, impacting clean water, air, fertile soil, food, medicine, the global economy and climate control. The climate crisis is affecting biodiversity as events like wildfires become more severe and frequent in Canada and around the world.
October 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Canada – Global Affairs Canada
Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to our everyday lives, impacting clean water, air, fertile soil, food, medicine, the global economy and climate control. The climate crisis is affecting biodiversity as events like wildfires become more severe and frequent in Canada and around the world.
This week, delegations from around the world are meeting at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, to advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) to achieve the international community’s goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
Canada is committed to working with all partners to halt and reverse the loss of nature and protect Indigenous rights. That’s why the Government of Canada supports conservation efforts to increase the resilience of communities in many parts of the world.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced 7 projects, worth a total of $62 million, that aim to protect biodiversity in regions around the world, with a particular focus in Latin America. For example, Canada’s contribution will increase the resilience to climate change of Indigenous communities in the Amazon through the integration of ancestral practices to address climate variability.
These projects will be implemented in partnership with the following institutions:
Conservation International – Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
UN Development Programme – Biodiversity Ecosystem Restoration for Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh project
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Supporting the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Within the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean project
WildAid – Strengthening Marine Law Enforcement in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean project
World Food Programme – Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia project
International Union for the Conservation of Nature – Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative
UN Environment Programme – Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation Through the National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans Accelerator Partnership
“Canada recognizes that biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to people, the planet and the global economy. We share the environment and depend on it for our livelihoods, survival and well-being. Canada’s support for Indigenous peoples, women and girls, and all actors working to counter biodiversity loss will help ensure that our communities and ecosystems are resilient and able to thrive.”
– Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
