Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are responding to a two-vehicle crash in Hei Hei this afternoon.
Police were called to Buchanans Road at around 1.40pm.
Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.
Buchanans Road is closed between both Vanguard Road intersections and the intersection with Hei Hei Road.
Motorists are advised to take an alternate route and expect delays.
ENDS
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yarmouth Town RCMP Detachment is asking for the public’s assistance to locate 47-year-old Rose Marie Gaudet (Stark).
Gaudet is described as 5-foot-6, 150 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on January 22 walking near Vaughne Crt. and Brunswick St. in Yarmouth wearing dark clothing and a dark jacket. She was carrying a small beige bag.
When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rose Marie Gaudet (Stark) is asked to contact Yarmouth Town RCMP at 902-742-8777. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Resolution Text (PDF)
Washington (January 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-author of the Green New Deal resolution and member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced the We Are Still In resolution with 21 colleagues to express support for continued work on every level to achieve the goals set out in the Paris climate agreement, in response to President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from the agreement through a day-one executive order. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) is leading a similar effort in the House.
The We Are Still In resolution signals ongoing support for U.S. climate ambition by leaders in Congress, who are continuing to work with and highlight local, state, regional, Tribal, and nongovernmental climate partners. The resolution underscores significant climate and clean energy actions taken by local and state governments, critical investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, and widespread support for the Paris climate agreement garnered through the America is All In coalition. With President Trump’s withdrawal, the United States joins Iran, Yemen, and Libya as the only countries in the world not party to the Paris climate agreement.
“Over the past four years, the United States has supercharged its international climate leadership with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate and clean energy investment in history, which has already created more than 400,000 jobs and unleashed $420 billion in clean energy investments nationwide. By withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, President Trump is attempting to sacrifice our leadership on the world stage and put our livable future at risk—all for the benefit of Big Oil billionaires,” said Senator Markey. “But our national climate agenda doesn’t live or die by President Trump’s pen, which is why I am reintroducing the We Are Still In resolution, signaling that climate action will continue to create good-paying jobs and a healthy environment regardless of our official stature within the Paris climate agreement. To our international allies: when it comes to fighting the climate crisis by your side, we still mean business.”
“The climate crisis unfolding before our eyes is already costing the U.S. tens of billions of dollars every year, which is why Congress has passed historic investments over the past four years to transition to a clean energy economy, slow climate change, and create good-paying jobs. Legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act demonstrated America’s commitment and leadership to the rest of the world. President Trump’s irresponsible decision to pull out of the Paris agreement sends a shameful signal to our allies and adversaries alike, showing that the U.S. is turning its back on the health and safety of our planet. This ill-considered decision puts us at a competitive disadvantage to adversaries like China and will certainly lower global ambitions to tackle climate change with the seriousness and urgency it demands,” said Congressman Schneider.
Cosponsors include Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
The resolution is endorsed by Union of Concerned Scientists and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
On November 4, 2020, the first Trump administration withdrew the United States from the Paris climate agreement. The Biden administration re-entered the United States back into the agreement in January 2021. In December 2024, the Biden administration released an updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris climate agreement, which established an emission-reduction target of 61 to 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.
Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh
Councillors have formally agreed to introduce Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy scheme.
Hailed as a ‘historic moment for Edinburgh’, the decision was taken during a special meeting of the Council held online today (Friday 24 January) .
From 24 July 2026, a 5% fee will be applied to the cost of overnight accommodation in Edinburgh, capped at five nights in a row. Businesses will need to apply the levy to any advance bookings made as of 1 October 2025 for stays on or after 24 July 2026.
The levy is projected to raise up to £50 million a year once established, for the city to invest in protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to live and visit.
The final proposals for the scheme have been updated to provide accommodation providers and booking agencies with extra time to prepare systems for advance bookings ahead of next summer’s launch.
Responding to today’s decision, Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
What an historic moment for Edinburgh. Introducing this ground-breaking visitor levy means realising a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest tens of millions of pounds towards enhancing and sustaining the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round.
The scheme has been many years in the making and I’m grateful to Council officers, businesses and residents who have helped shape it, every step of the way. Its introduction is declared today with a huge amount of backing, not least from local residents.
At all stages we’ve listened to and taken account of the views of industry and other stakeholders. It’s in this spirit that we’ve also extended the amount of time hoteliers and small businesses will have to prepare for the changes that are coming in.
It’s vital that we continue to work closely as we get ready to launch this scheme and deliver the many benefits it is going to bring. We’ve always said this is a city fund and spending decisions need to be taken with a whole city mindset, and we’ll soon be establishing a Visitor Levy Forum with an independent Chair. We’ll also be reporting next steps to executive Council committees.”
Neil Ellis, Chair of the Edinburgh Hotels Association, said:
Edinburgh Hotels Association welcomes the introduction of the visitor levy for its intended use of improving the experience of all visitors – local, national or international – through additional spending. This is a fantastic opportunity to further enhance Edinburgh’s reputation on the World stage as a must visit destination.”
Donald Emslie, a representative of Edinburgh’s tourism industry, said:
This new income stream presents a unique opportunity to generate significant funds for the city’s long-term development. The levy’s potential to generate transformative funds for the benefit of all who live, work, and visit Edinburgh is well recognised and I’m pleased to see a decision made to declare a scheme which will not only support spending on city operations and infrastructure, but sustain Edinburgh’s cultural offering and destination and visitor management.”
The agreed Visitor Levy for Edinburgh scheme:
Scheme Objectives
The overarching aim of the Scheme is to sustain Edinburgh’s status as one of the world’s greatest cultural and heritage cities and to ensure that the impacts of a successful visitor economy are managed effectively and in support of the priorities as set out in the Council’s Business Plan (or equivalent).
The objectives of the Scheme are therefore to Sustain, Support and Develop:
Scheme area, start date and duration
The Scheme covers the entirety of the City of Edinburgh Council boundaries and will apply to overnight stays from 24 July 2026, booked and paid for (in part or full) on or after 1 October 2025. It will apply indefinitely, or until the Council decides to end or amend it, and at all times of the year.
The levy rate
The levy rate will be 5%, payable for a maximum of five consecutive nights and will apply at the same level, year-round, across the entire City of Edinburgh Council boundary area.
Accommodation liable for the levy
The levy will apply to all overnight accommodation, including those with an annual turnover below the applicable VAT threshold, based within the City of Edinburgh Council boundary.
This includes:
Certain accommodation providers may apply to the Council for a discretionary site exemption if they meet both of the following criteria:
This discretionary exemption is aligned with the cases where charities may receive mandatory relief from paying Non-Domestic Rates and may be cross-checked with that register.
Accommodation providers who do not charge for overnight accommodation, or who cater fully for individuals who are exempted from paying the levy are not liable for the levy.
Individuals exempted or excluded from paying the levy
The Visitor Levy is payable by anyone staying in accommodation which is not their only or usual place of residence (temporary or otherwise). Individuals who do not have an only or usual place of residence are therefore not required to pay the levy. This includes people who are homeless, refugees and asylum seekers and people whose homes are unfit or unsafe for habitation. In addition, individuals defined in s. 14 (1) of the Act are exempt from paying the levy.
Individuals who are exempt or excluded will need to pay the levy to the accommodation provider and request reimbursement from the Council, unless their accommodation has been arranged and paid for directly via the Council. Reimbursement can be applied for online, submitting relevant evidence (as detailed below and on the Council’s website) and bank details (to enable payment via BACS). Alternative provision can be made for those who do not have internet access.
Evidence which will be required to be submitted includes:
The Council will assess the evidence received and pay the reimbursement via bank transfer within 5 working days if the applicant is found to be eligible.
Collecting and enforcing the levy
Accommodation providers within the local authority area will be liable for the levy. They will be required to submit quarterly reports, detailing the total accommodation charges and the total levy collected to a national online visitor levy portal. The levy will be payable at the same time as submitting returns.
Accommodation providers are required to keep accurate records of all transactions that are subject to the levy. The Council will conduct inspections, as required, to ensure compliance with the scheme and remittance requirements.
Accommodation providers who fail to comply may be subject to penalties.
Appeals relating to decisions made by the Council on the operation and/or enforcement of the scheme can be registered following the Visitor Levy appeal process detailed on the Council’s website. The Council will aim to review and process such appeals within 28 calendar days.
Use of net proceeds
The Act stipulates that the net proceeds of a visitor levy must be spent on facilitating the achievement of the scheme’s objectives and on “developing, supporting and sustaining facilities and services which are substantially for or used by persons visiting [overnight] for leisure or business purposes (or both)”.
After administration costs, which includes the establishing and maintenance of a contingency fund, a fixed amount will be assigned to:
The remaining funds will then be split into the following investment streams:
The Council will make decisions on the use of funds after consultation with the Visitor Levy Forum (see details below), with these decisions delegated to the relevant executive Committees.
Reviewing and changing the scheme
The Council will review the scheme every three years to assess whether it is successfully achieving its objectives and to measure the impact of the scheme on businesses, visitors and communities. The review will be published along with a report detailing how the income has been spent and the benefits which the VL-funded projects have brought.
If the Council wishes to make changes to the scheme following the review, it will publicly consult on the change and publish a report detailing the decision and its justification. Significant changes to the scheme will require an 18-month implementation period.
Significant changes to the scheme include:
Visitor Levy Forum
A Visitor Levy Forum will be established to discuss and advise on the VL scheme, including the review of the scheme and any modifications to the scheme. The Forum will also be consulted on how the VL funds will be spent.
The Forum will be made up of an equal number of representatives from the community and from businesses in the city’s visitor economy and at least 40% of the representatives must be women. Council officers responsible for the investment streams and officers from the Council’s Programme Management Office will be in attendance at Forum meetings and may make recommendations to the Forum but will not be members of the Forum itself.
The Council will report publicly and to the Scottish Government on
Source: US State of New York
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the expansion of the Suffolk Crime Analysis Center, one of 11 in the nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind network funded and supported by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services in partnership with local law enforcement agencies statewide. New York State invested nearly $1 million to triple the center’s size and double the number of professionals who respond to requests for assistance and provide investigative support that helps local law enforcement agencies solve, prevent and reduce crime. Preliminary data show 44 shooting incidents with injury reported last year by the Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Hempstead police departments, the fewest on record since 2006, when the three departments began reporting this data to the State. Meanwhile, preliminary data from January through September 2024, the most recent available, showed a 7 percent reduction in reported crime on Long Island when compared to the same nine-month period in 2023.
“Public safety is my number one priority — and this expansion enables law enforcement to share intelligence, analysis and support to identify hotspots and crime patterns that help them work smarter,” Governor Hochul said. “The intelligence-sharing and coordination facilitated by these centers allows law enforcement agencies across the State to focus resources where they are needed most, maximizing our ability to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Located at the Suffolk County Police Department Headquarters in Yaphank, the Suffolk Crime Analysis Center is more than triple its original size: 5,000 square feet compared to 1,700 square feet when it was first established in 2019.The Center now accommodates seating for 45, up from 16, and features a state-of-the-art, 24-foot-wide, 4.5-foot-high video wall. The Center is staffed with crime analysts and law enforcement personnel, funded by State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS); the Suffolk County Police Department; the county’s District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and Child Protective Services; Nassau County Police Department; the New York City Police Department; MTA Police Department, the New York State Police; the New York Air National Guard; the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Crime analysts play a critical role in supporting law enforcement investigations. At our Crime Analysis Centers, these professionals work with local, state and federal law enforcement personnel who share their knowledge and expertise and leverage technology to access information and data that results in a more targeted, strategic approach to solving and deterring crime. I applaud the work of these dedicated public servants, commend our partners in Suffolk County and across the state for their continued collaboration and support, and thank Governor Hochul for her investment in this vital work and commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her continued support and for recognizing the critical role that crime analysis plays in solving and addressing the crimes that impact our neighborhoods and communities daily. Resources like the Suffolk Crime Analysis Center are imperative to collecting and sharing crucial data with our law enforcement partners so that together, we can solve crimes more quickly and prevent future incidents.”
The Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Hempstead police departments are among the 28 police departments and other law enforcement agencies in 21 counties that receive nearly $36 million through the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative to reduce shootings and save lives. Those three Long Island agencies collectively reported double-digit declines in the shooting metrics GIVE agencies are required to report to the State. When comparing last year to 2023:
Preliminary index crime reported by police agencies on Long Island showed a 7 percent reduction from January through September 2024 vs. 2023. Violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) decreased 4 percent and property crime (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft) declined 7 percent.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, DCJS has received record-level funding for the Crime Analysis Center Network ($18 million), GIVE ($36 million), SNUG Street Outreach Program ($21 million) and Project RISE ($20 million), four key initiatives that provide funding and support to local law enforcement and community partners working to address the causes and consequences of gun violence and other crime.
In her FY26 Executive Budget, Governor Hochul continues those investments and adds another $13 million to establish the New York State Crime Analysis and Joint Special Operations Command Headquarters. The command headquarters would be a strategic information, technical assistance and training hub for the 11 centers and enhance existing partnerships and expand information sharing with the New York State Intelligence Center operated by the State Police, the locally run Nassau County Lead Development Center, and the State’s Joint Security Operations Center, which focuses on protecting the State from cyber threats.
Last year alone, staff at the Suffolk Center received 30,010 requests for service – nearly a quarter of the 130,928 total requests received by the network – and assisted 70 different law enforcement agencies with cases ranging from hit and run crashes to murders. An executive board of directors oversees the center, composed of officials from DCJS, the Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and Shelter Island Police Department, which represents the Suffolk County Chiefs of Police Association.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “Suffolk County’s number one priority is to keep our communities safe. As host to one of the largest intelligence centers in the state, we further our commitment to public safety through the implementation of advanced technology and allocation of necessary resources for our local law enforcement agencies to effectively investigate and deter crime.”
Suffolk County Acting Police Commissioner Robert Waring said, “The Crime Analysis Center is a great resource that brings representatives from law enforcement agencies together in one location, allowing for easy communication and shared resources. By having the technology in this center, along with analysts identifying trends and patterns, we are furthering our mission of solving and deterring crime.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said, “The expansion of the Suffolk Crime Analysis Center (CAC) is a great step towards transparency and collaboration with all our law enforcement partners. The CAC is a vital support system for the men and women in law enforcement and who are out in the field day in and day out putting their lives on the line for the citizens of Suffolk County. Having representatives from multiple organizations in the same room sharing intelligence in real time is the key to effective policing. There is no replacement for communication, collaboration and the open flow of information between all law enforcement agencies. It is a key to success.”
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said, “The expansion of the Suffolk Crime Analysis Center is a strategic investment in public safety and will further improve the effectiveness of law enforcement operations. By increasing staffing and expanding the center’s footprint, Suffolk County law enforcement agencies will be better equipped to coordinate intelligence, streamline investigations, and bring more criminals to justice. Thank you to Governor Hochul and our New York State partners for their support in ensuring Suffolk County remains at the forefront of innovation to keep our communities safe.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
CLEVELAND, OH—January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to shed light and raise awareness in our communities about a prevalent crime that violates the most basic of human rights—freedom.
Human trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, and it can occur in any U.S. community—cities, suburbs, and even rural areas.
Human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for profit. Whether it’s domestic servitude, forced labor, or sex trafficking of children and adults, it is a borderless crime without regard to who, what, or where the victims come from.
“Human trafficking is happening across the United States and worldwide, robbing victims of a peaceful life while degrading their existence to a world of dependence. Northern Ohio is not exempt from these dreadful crimes,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen.
The FBI works human trafficking cases under its Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking program. Here in the United States, both U.S. residents and foreign nationals are being bought and sold like modern-day slaves. Traffickers use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to exploit victims. Victims are forced to work as prostitutes or to take jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits the most vulnerable in society.
“The FBI is laser-focused on finding and identifying the perpetrators associated with human trafficking organizations and stands lockstep with its federal, state, and local partners to not only ensure the safe recovery of survivors, but also collaborate with trauma-informed service providers to protect survivors and connect them with the resources and support that they need and deserve,” Nelsen added.
Under the human trafficking program, the FBI investigates:
Indicators of Human Trafficking
Report Trafficking & Get Help If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information that is provided to the CyberTipline.
Additional information can be found at Fbi.gov/humantrafficking
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
AKRON, OH—The FBI Akron Resident Agency and the Hudson Police Department are renewing their request seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male subject in connection to an April 6, 2024 robbery at Key Bank, 120 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson. The request comes as law enforcement recently released images of the vehicle the robbery suspect entered when he fled the bank.
The vehicle is described as a dark color Kia Sorento SUV. There is reason to believe the suspect was driven to and from the bank by an accomplice. The FBI is asking anyone with information about the suspect, the vehicle, or potential accomplice(s) to the crime, to contact the FBI.
The subject is described as:
On April 6, 2024, at approximately 10:29 a.m., the subject entered the bank, approached the victim teller, and produced a demand note. He then fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and entered the Kia Sorento SUV.
The FBI encourages anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Your identity can remain anonymous when submitting tips to the FBI.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah businessman pleaded guilty today to securities fraud and money laundering after admitting he lied to investors and fraudulently sold investment contracts, which are securities, through his company Alpha Influence, LLC for “Alpha Automated Stores.”
Jeremiah Joseph Evans “The Bull,” 29, of Utah County, was charged by felony information on January 21, 2025.
According to court documents and admissions made at the change of plea hearing, from July 2019 to July 2022, Evans fraudulently sold investments in e-commerce stores through Alpha Influence, LLC., a registered Utah corporation. As part of the scheme to defraud, Evans promised investors to secure money in exchange for the Alpha investments. Evans fraudulently obtained approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors. As alleged in court documents, Evans lied to investors about how successful his company was and how long it was in operation. Evans sold the e-commerce stores to purchasers as a passive investment and promised that the stores would make consistent, predictable, monthly returns despite knowing this was false. He failed to disclose that the majority of the invested funds went directly to Alpha Influence, LLC, and were primarily distributed as commissions to those selling the fraudulent investment and himself, with only a small portion sent to the servicer of the investors’ stores.
Evans is scheduled to be sentenced April 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Woolf, Brian Williams, and Jennifer E. Gully of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
Release No. 25-05
Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2
nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as his Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
She succeeds Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal, who served as Special Envoy and Head of UNSMIL until May 2024. The Secretary-General is grateful for his leadership, as well as to Deputy Special Representative, Stephanie Koury, who led the Mission in the interim period as Officer-in-Charge.
Ms. Tetteh brings to this position decades of experience at the national, regional and international levels, including most recently as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa from 2022 until 2024. Prior to this, she was the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) from 2018 to 2020, having earlier served as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi.
Before joining the United Nations, Ms. Tetteh was a senior member of the cabinet of the Government of Ghana as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017, and member of the National Security Council and the Armed Forces Council. She also served as Minister for Trade and Industry from 2009 to 2013. During her tenure as Foreign Minister from 2014 to 2015, she was the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers as well as Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). During her term as Minister for Trade and Industry, she was also a member of the Government’s economic management team, a member of the board of the Millennium Development Authority, a member of the National Development Planning Commission and the Chairperson of the Ghana Free Zones Board.
Ms. Tetteh served as Member of Parliament in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Awutu Senya Constituency from 2000 to 2005. She later returned to Parliament as the NDC Member of Parliament for the Awutu Senya West Constituency from 2013 to 2017. She was subsequently appointed as Co-Facilitator in the High-Level Forum for the Revitalisation of the Agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.
Ms. Tetteh holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana, Legon and after her post-graduate legal studies at the Ghana School of Law was called to the Bar in 1992. She is fluent in English, Hungarian and Fante.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can confirm that one person died following a crash at Bunnythorpe, Palmerston North last night.
Emergency services attended the crash involving a car and a motorcycle at the Clevely Line and Railway Road intersection in Bunnythorpe reported at around 8.35pm on Friday 24 January.
Sadly, the motorcyclist died at the scene. No other injuries are reported.
The intersection was closed while emergency services attended and Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. It re-opened in the early hours of this morning.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
From January 26-31, 2025, a large-scale, multi-agency nuclear incident training exercise will take place in the vicinity of Schenectady, New York, and surrounding counties of Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady. The training exercise will not pose any risk to area residents; the public does not need to be alarmed by training-related activity, including the presence of military personnel and aircraft, and people in protective equipment.
The Departments of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and state and local partners will conduct the exercise in several areas of Schenectady and Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties as part of a series of regularly scheduled U.S. government biannual exercises. Similar trainings have been conducted in various regions across the United States since 2012.
The general areas in which the training exercise will take place include areas around Albany Airport to Stratton Air National Guard Base to northern Saratoga County.
Several local and state law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and public health agencies will also be participating in the training, including the New York State Police, Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady County Sheriff’s Offices and the Albany Police Department.
Exercise participants will conduct operations in personal protective equipment to simulate realistic conditions. It will also include aircraft from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The exercise is an opportunity for participating entities to practice and enhance operational readiness to respond in the event of a nuclear incident in the United States or overseas.
Due to the sensitive nature of the capabilities being implemented, the training activities are not open to the public or media.
Again, the training exercise will not pose any risk to the public.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Jackson, TN – A Dyersburg man was recently sentenced to prison in both federal and state courts for sexual abuse. Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, and Danny H. Goodman, Jr., District Attorney General for the Twenty-Ninth Judicial District, jointly announced the sentence today.
According to the information presented in court, Robert Galler, 52, traveled to Iowa in 2020 and returned to Tennessee with a victim, identified as Minor A in the indictment. In 2022, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services received a referral of sexual abuse at Galler’s residence in Dyersburg. Upon arrival, DCS workers encountered three minor females who each alleged sexual and physical abuse by Galler. The victims underwent forensic interviews with the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse detailing the abuse, which had occurred continually over four years.
On September 11, 2024, Galler pled guilty in federal court to transporting a minor with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. On January 8, 2025, Senior United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Galler to 300 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release and lifetime placement on the sex offender registry. There is no parole in the federal system.
Following federal sentencing, Galler returned to state custody. On January 21, 2025, he entered guilty pleas to one count of rape of a child and one count of rape. Dyer County Circuit Court Judge Mark Hayes sentenced Galler to 25 years’ imprisonment, placement on the sex offender registry, and lifetime supervision. Pursuant to state law, Galler must serve 100% of the sentence. The sentences between both courts were ordered to run concurrently.
District Attorney General Danny H. Goodman, Jr., who assigned Andrew Hays as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, stated, “I would first like to thank Assistant District Attorney, Andrew Hays, for the time he dedicated to this case. The goal of the Office of the District Attorney General is to seek justice on behalf of the State of Tennessee and victims of crime. This case is a perfect example of how the partnership with our office and the United States Department of Justice allowed us to accomplish that goal. This office will always prosecute crimes involving children with as much zeal as possible.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, and the Dyersburg Police Department.
Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Hays for the Western District of Tennessee, who prosecuted the case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated it.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Following a frigid night spent outside in a cabin area between Gander and George’s Point, a 73-year-old man, was safely located by searchers.
Gander RCMP received the report of the missing man on the evening of January 22, 2025. The man and his family dog became lost while walking in a cabin area near Weir’s Pond, which is located off Route 330. Family and local residents contacted police for assistance after they were unable to locate the missing man.
Ground Search and Rescue teams from Triple Bay Eagles Ground Search and Rescue and Exploits Search and Rescue attended the area and searched for the missing man and his dog throughout the night, along with RCMP Police Dog Services. RCMP Traffic Services Central also responded and assisted in the search with the use of a drone. Aerial searches were conducted overnight and continued into the morning. A second RCMP Police Service Dog team joined in on the search.
At approximately 11:00 am. on January 23, the man and his dog were safely located walking out of a wooded area, several kilometers away from his cabin. A local resident had led searchers to an area that had not yet been searched. The missing man and his dog appeared in good spirits. The man, who was cold and dehydrated, was assessed by Emergency Medical Services at the scene and was further transported to the hospital. The family was also happily reunited with their dog, who remained a loyal partner to the elderly man throughout the night.
Gander RCMP thanks all involved in this successful search, including local residents and family, Triple Bay Eagles Ground Search and Rescue, Exploits Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, 103 SAR Helicopter crew, Universal Helicopters, RCMP Police Dog Services from Clarenville and Grand-Falls Windsor, and RCMP Traffic Services Central.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison as the final defendant in a case involving a five-man burglary crew.
According to court documents, Victor Valenciana aka Vick, 30, and his four co-conspirators targeted and burglarized Ford pickup trucks in the parking lots of retail locations, malls and restaurants. Together they stole firearms, high-value items and occasionally the vehicles themselves. To evade law enforcement detection, the individuals would rent vehicles and use them to travel to the burglary locations. Additionally, they would steal license plates from similar-looking vehicles and install the stolen license plates on the rental vehicles. In all, the group stole and sold more than 100 firearms from vehicles in the San Antonio area between July 2021 until January 2022.
On Oct. 5, 2022, Valenciana, Alejandro Arias, 26, Richard Hernandez aka Panek, 26, Andrew Blue Riojas, 26, and Aureliano Villareal aka AJ, 28, all from San Antonio, were charged in a 17-count indictment, which included on count of conspiracy to receive and possess stolen firearms and multiple counts of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. Valenciana was arrested Nov. 17, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. He pleaded guilty Aug. 14, 2024, to the conspiracy charge and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
“These five criminals will spend a combined 53 years in federal prison for their activity thanks to the investigative work and partnerships of our outstanding federal and local law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I continue to ask residents to ensure that, if you must leave a firearm in your vehicle, you do so safely and properly. Thieves continue to target specific vehicles and can successfully break in and escape in a matter of seconds.”
“This sentence serves as notice to would be offenders that ATF is committed to breaking the cycle of firearms trafficking no matter how it occurs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “The vast majority of firearms stolen from vehicles, end up being used as crime guns. We encourage gun owners to practice safe storage of firearms and to remember that your vehicle is not a safe. ATF will continue to leverage every resource that we have to see to it that each offender is held to account for their criminal behavior.”
“Criminal networks that steal firearms and high-value items not only jeopardize public safety, but also fuel illegal activity across our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “These defendants were part of a poly-criminal organization that targeted vehicles to steal firearms, which were then sold and trafficked, some recovered in Mexico, posing a serious threat to public safety. This sentencing underscores HSI’s commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting the American public.”
“We sincerely thank our federal partners for their vital support in cracking down on vehicle burglars targeting firearms,” said Chief William McManus for the San Antonio Police Department. “Their collaboration is making our community safer.”
Valenciana and his co-conspirators received a combined 639 months in federal prison. Arias was sentenced to 150 months on Jan. 16; Hernandez was sentenced to 78 months in prison Dec. 19, 2024; Riojas was sentenced to 151 months Aug. 15, 2024; and Villareal was sentenced to 140 months July 16, 2024.
ATF, HSI and SAPD investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Nowinski prosecuted the case.
###
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Alexis Danielle Flanner, 26, to 240 months followed by five years of supervised release.
In July 2022, Tulsa Police officers were dispatched for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found Estrella Mendoza, deceased from a gunshot wound. Officers watched security footage that showed Flanner and Estrella enter the store together. After the pair left the store, Estrella was seen crawling away from Flanner before she collapsed. Flanner was seen fleeing the scene.
A witness stated that he tried to help Estrella. Before going unconscious, Estrella said that Flanner shot her. Officers went to Flanner’s residence, where they found the vehicle she left in that had fresh blood splatter and the firearm used.
Flanner told officers that she was mad at her sister-in-law, Estrella because she would not return her marijuana grinder.
Flanner is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Valeria Luster prosecuted the case.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tylan Joseph Walker, age 21, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 15, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Walker to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Walker’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On March 30, 2024, Walker was drinking and socializing with friends. At one point, he and a female friend met up with a 19-year-old Winnebago man and spent time drinking and talking. After a minor disagreement between the two men, Walker started a fist fight and then stabbed the 19-year-old male in the upper thigh area. The victim bled profusely and was unresponsive by the time emergency services arrived on scene. Despite extensive efforts by emergency services and medical staff at two hospitals, the victim ultimately succumbed to his wounds and died on April 3, 2024. Before handing down Walker’s 97-month sentence, Judge Buescher heard testimony from several members of the victim’s family, who asked the court to consider the deep pain and trauma experienced by their family and the Winnebago community as a whole because of Walker’s actions.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad have arrested three people following a spree of armed robberies in southeast London.
Two men, both aged 26, and a 28-year-old woman were all arrested on Thursday, 23 January on suspicion of conspiracy to rob. They all remain in custody.
The arrests came in response to incidents where a shop in Belvedere was targeted. The first incident took place on 6 January when a man, armed with a handgun, entered the shop and threatened staff. He made off with a quantity of cash.
On 14 January a man attended the same shop in possession of a firearm and attempted another armed robbery but was deterred by staff.
On 23 January, the two men and the woman, attended the same shop in Belvedere but did not enter. However, they then drove to a shop in Swancombe, Kent and were intercepted by officers as they attempted to rob the venue.
All three were arrested and a firearm was recovered.
No shots were fired in any of the incidents.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier of the Met’s Flying Squad said:
“I want to reassure the public that the Metropolitan Police are committed to tackling serious and organised crime and those people who cause the most harm within London’s communities.
“The Flying Squad are uniquely placed to investigate armed robberies through a proactive and precise approach and tackling such offending remains a priority.”
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Carmen Corbin dreamt of serving with the United Nations from an early age. Now head of transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking and terrorism prevention programs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in East Africa, she is dedicated to protecting children from shocking online exploitation.
“We won’t know who is real and who is not real. We can’t keep up. All of us, in some way, shape or form, will potentially suffer from the fact that we won’t be able to trust anyone or trust anybody that we meet, because you’re never sure if that person is truly who they say they are.”
The UNODC supports law enforcement efforts in tackling all transnational organized crime and counter terrorism, including cybercrime. In this episode, Carmen Corbin reflects on the challenges of overseeing a wide portfolio, on the psychological strain of prosecuting the worst kinds of cybercrimes and shares her advice for a successful international career.
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #UNODC #cybercrime
Full episode: https://youtu.be/sXlBL5cTmLo
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for wind affecting most of central and southern Scotland from 10am until 5pm today, Friday 24 January. This means very dangerous conditions and significant disruption, particularly in coastal areas.
Police Scotland are advising the public not to travel in, or to, the areas affected by the red warning during the period of the weather.
Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland is mobilised and ready to deal with whatever Storm Éowyn brings to North West Scotland’s trunk roads, where safe to do so.
All road works that were scheduled today have been postponed and new programme dates will be shared in due course.
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West representative, said: “Conditions are expected to be hazardous across the network and Police Scotland have issued a warning not to travel to the areas affected by the red weather warning. We urge the public to pay close attention to weather warnings and comply with police advice to avoid travel during the storm.
“Our teams will be fully mobilised to respond to and deal with any issues that arise on the trunk road network, such as fallen trees, flooding or bridge closures.”
A video explaining how BEAR Scotland monitors and prepares for storms can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ffmNM1HxX2Y
Live traffic information is available from Traffic Scotland at http://www.traffic.gov.scot or on X at @trafficscotland.
24 Jan 2025
Source: US State of California Department of Justice
OAKLAND — On behalf of California and leading a multistate coalition of 15 attorneys general, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)’s fuel-economy standards for passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. The NHTSA standards are designed to enhance fuel efficiency for vehicles and benefit consumers across the country. Currently, Republican-led states and oil industry groups are not only challenging these federal fuel-economy standards but also using their lawsuit to attack California’s unrelated zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standards. The amicus brief explains why that attack on state-law emission standards—designed to reduce smog-forming and planet-warming air pollution—has no place in a challenge to federal-law fuel efficiency standards.
“Efficient vehicles and clean vehicles should not be partisan issues. Yet, we continue to see politically motivated attacks,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We are at a critical juncture in protecting our people and the environment, and that’s why, I, alongside attorneys general nationwide, are unwavering in our commitment to defend these standards that will better protect our communities.”
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) requires NHTSA to prescribe Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at the “maximum feasible” average fuel economy level that manufacturers can achieve. These standards are intended to conserve fuel, which, in turn, saves consumers money at the pump, insulates the U.S. from global oil price instability, and reduces the impact of oil consumption on public health and the environment. Last June, NHTSA announced updated standards for model years 2027 to 2031 requiring automakers to achieve higher fuel efficiency across their fleets of cars as well as light and heavy-duty trucks. NHTSA projects that the 2027-31 standards will save consumers nearly $23 billion in fuel costs by reducing gasoline consumption by about 70 billion gallons, which will also prevent 710 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through 2050.
In trying to undo those fuel-economy standards, the challengers argue NHTSA is required to develop CAFE standards as if the millions of electric vehicles that automakers sell do not exist. That fiction would lead to artificially low, do-nothing standards, and NHTSA was right to reject it. The challengers also fault NHTSA’s model of the auto industry for recognizing that automakers are already selling electric vehicles at levels consistent with California’s ZEV standards. The challengers have used NHTSA’s modeling as an excuse to attempt to shoehorn into their lawsuit a claim that California’s ZEV standards are unlawful based on a baseless theory that courts rejected over a decade ago.
California’s ZEV standards are a critical component of California’s vehicle emissions program that protects Californians against the health and environmental effects of vehicle exhaust pollutants including ozone, particulate matter, and toxic emissions. These emission standards have nothing to do with federal fuel-economy standards, and the Clean Air Act explicitly allows California to set its own vehicle emissions standards. The Clean Air Act also allows other states to adopt those standards for themselves if they choose.
In the amicus brief, the coalition expresses support for NHTSA’s stringent fuel-economy standards while defending California’s ZEV standards against the challengers’ improper collateral attack. Specifically, the amicus brief highlights that a federal rule challenge is the wrong place to attack state laws.
Attorney General Bonta leads the attorneys general of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia in filing this amicus brief.
A copy of the amicus brief can be found here.
Source: US State of California
SAN DIEGO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today held the fifth and final in a series of regional convenings with immigrant rights groups, elected officials, and others in San Diego, California. During the convening, the Attorney General and California Department of Justice (CADOJ) staff shared resources, heard concerns, and discussed CADOJ’s ongoing efforts to protect California’s immigrant communities. Over the past two months, the Attorney General has released a number of guidances to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law and assist law enforcement, prosecutors, and public institutions in complying with state law. The resources, many available in multiple languages, can be accessed at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.
“We’ve been preparing for this day for months – hearing concerns through these regional convenings and issuing guidance for immigrants, local law enforcement, prosecutors, school officials, and public institutions, all in anticipation of the President attempting to see through his destructive immigration agenda,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I’m disappointed, but not surprised, by the President’s executive orders. But I want to be clear that California will not waiver in its commitment to upholding the rights and protections of all of our residents, including the nearly 11 million immigrants who call this state home. We hear your concerns, and we will continue to use the full force of the law and tools of this office to stand up for you.”
Know Your Immigration Rights and Protections Under the Law
Guidance for Immigrant Students and Families
Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams
If you need help applying for immigration relief, be careful who you hire. Watch out for immigration scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and/or harm your immigration status! Here are some tips and resources to help:
Resources for the Reporting of and Response to Hate Crimes
In light of the President’s xenophobic rhetoric and an anticipated uptick in hostility toward immigrant communities, the Attorney General issued updated guidance and resources for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victims of hate crimes:
Guidance and Model Policies for Public institutions
Attorney General Bonta issued updated guidance to help staff develop practical plans to protect the rights of immigrants and their families to safely access public institutions by limiting support of immigration enforcement activity at these institutions. While the guidance is tailored to certain types of public institutions, any institution that is accessible to the public may choose to adopt a similar policy to protect the rights and safety of their patrons.
Guidance for State and Local Law Enforcement
Attorney General Bonta issued an updated bulletin describing local and state law enforcement agencies’ obligations under SB 54, which prohibits the use of state and local resources to assist with federal immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions. The bulletin can be found here.
Guidance for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel
The Attorney General issued new guidance to provide defense counsel and prosecutors with information regarding their obligations under Section 1016.3 of the Penal Code to affirmatively let defendants know about the immigration consequences of a proposed plea deal. A copy of the guidance is available here.
Access Free and Low-Cost Legal Assistance
Visit Law Help CA or Immigration Law Help to find immigration assistance near you.
File a Complaint
If you believe your rights have been violated, report it to the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report.
If you believe you were subject to discrimination, harassment or retaliation, report it to the California Civil Rights Department at calcivilrights.ca.gov/complaintprocess/.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
As Nova Scotia’s Provincial Police, road safety is a top priority. To keep citizens informed about enforcement on our roadways, the Nova Scotia RCMP is releasing statistics for all RCMP detachments in Nova Scotia for 2024 on drivers charged for driving impaired by drugs or alcohol.
In 2024, Nova Scotia RCMP charged 1398 drivers with impaired related offences:
“Public education and awareness campaigns have been ongoing for many years, and still almost 1400 people were caught committing impaired driving offences in 2024,” says Constable Bryan Martell with the RCMP’s Southeast Traffic Services.
Every year the Nova Scotia RCMP participates in MADD Canada’s Candlelight Vigil, remembering and honouring the victims and survivors of impaired driving.
“I encourage everyone to visit MADD Canada’s memorial and tribute website (Tributes – MADD Canada Tributes) to look at the pictures and read the stories,” says Constable Martell. “It is a sobering reminder that these are family members, friends, coworkers – real people whose lives were cut short or otherwise affected by someone’s choice to drive impaired.”
Remember too that road safety is a shared responsibility. The public is asked to call 911 immediately if you see a driver who is driving erratically or unsafely. Here are some signs of an impaired driver:
Once you call 911, you will be asked to provide the following, if possible:
Source: European Parliament
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on historical remembrance,
– having regard to the Charter of the United Nations,
– having regard to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC),
– having regard to the Geneva Conventions,
– having regard to Rule 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas on 24 February 2022, the Russian regime declared the start of a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine based on false claims that it needed to protect civilians;
B. whereas, in fact, since 24 February 2022 the Russian Federation has been waging an unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, in continuation of previous aggressions since 2014, and continues to persistently violate the principles of the UN Charter through its aggressive actions against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to blatantly and grossly violate international humanitarian law, as established by the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in particular through the massive use of targeted attacks against the civilian population, residential areas and civilian infrastructure;
C. whereas the UN General Assembly, in its resolution of 2 March 2022, immediately qualified Russia’s war against Ukraine as an act of aggression in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and, in its resolution of 14 November 2022, it recognised the need to hold the Russian Federation accountable for its war of aggression, as well as legally and financially responsible for its internationally wrongful acts, and that Russia should pay reparations for the injuries and damage caused;
D. whereas Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not an isolated act but a continuation of its imperialistic policy, which has included a war against Chechnya and military aggression against Georgia in 2008, and the occupation of Crimea and the start of a war in the Donbas in 2014;
E. whereas the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against neighbouring Ukraine was preceded by several public declarations by the president of the Russian Federation seeking to justify its use of force by means of historical revisionism, false claims and illegitimate demands for the recognition of its exclusive interests in Ukraine and other neighbouring countries;
F. whereas the Russian regime has been making widespread use of disinformation, including based on distorted historical arguments, and foreign information manipulation and interference in an attempt to justify its crime of aggression, to incite the Russian population to support its illegal regime and illegal war of aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries and to reduce support among their populations for continued international assistance and support for Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression; whereas the Russian regime denies Ukraine’s distinct national identity, falsely claiming it as part of the Russian world (‘Russkiy mir’), a narrative rooted in imperialistic ideology; whereas Russia is demolishing Holodomor memorials and restoring demolished monuments to Lenin in the occupied territories of Ukraine;
G. whereas Russia has not only failed to acknowledge the unforgivable initial role of the Soviet Union in the early stages of World War II, for example through the 1939 Treaty of Non-Aggression between Nazi Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union) and its secrets protocols, commonly referred to as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, in which both totalitarian regimes conspired to divide Europe into exclusive spheres of influence, and failed to assume its responsibility for the many atrocities and mass crimes committed in territories occupied by the Soviet Union, but the current Russian regime has also instrumentalised history and created a cult of ‘victory’ around World War II to ideologically mobilise citizens and manipulate them into supporting an illegal war of aggression;
H. whereas Russia has developed a growing disinformation campaign of historical revisionism for the purpose of denying Ukraine its national identity, statehood and very existence, and with the aim of justifying its claims to exclusive spheres of influence, which is reminiscent of how the Soviet Union agreed with Nazi Germany to invade and occupy parts of Poland and Romania as well as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact; whereas today, Russia poses a particular threat to Poland and the Baltic States and their sovereignty through this type of historical revisionism;
I. whereas Victory Day, celebrated annually on 9 May, has been turned by the current Russian regime into a tool of war propaganda in Russia, by exploiting the narrative of the ‘liberation of Europe from Nazism’ and thus ignoring the subsequent Soviet occupation of the Baltic States and the subjugation of central Europe; whereas this narrative of liberation from Nazism is being used today in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;
J. whereas in some Member States, communist symbols, as well as the symbols of the ongoing Russian aggression, are prohibited by law; whereas since 2009, 23 August has been commemorated across the EU as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of all Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes; whereas since 2003, Parliament has held an annual commemoration for the victims of mass Soviet deportations;
1. Reiterates its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine; calls on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities in Ukraine and to completely and unconditionally withdraw all forces, proxies and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, to end its forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians and to release all detained and deported Ukrainians, particularly children;
2. Rejects the various claims made by the Russian regime as futile attempts to justify an illegal war of aggression that constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter and of the responsibility of the Russian Federation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to maintain peace and stability and that was immediately recognised as such by the other permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with an overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly; recalls that no consideration of whatever nature, whether political, economic, military, historic or otherwise, may serve as a justification for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine;
3. Condemns the Russian regime’s systematic falsification and use of distorted historical arguments, such as those related to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, in its attempt to manipulate Russian public opinion into supporting criminal actions such as the illegal war of aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, to undermine international support and assistance for Ukraine and to erase Ukraine’s distinct cultural and historical identity; denounces Russia’s claim that it is entitled to zones of exclusive interest at the expense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states as incompatible with international law;
4. Condemns the Russian Federation’s failure to establish accountability for Soviet crimes and its deliberate obstruction of historical research by denying access to and closing Soviet archives, as well as the fact that it has enacted legislation criminalising the truthful portrayal of Soviet and Russian crimes and persecuted civil society organisations investigating Soviet crimes, and has glorified Stalinist totalitarianism and re-created its methods; maintains that impunity and the lack of factually accurate historical and public debate and education has contributed to the current Russian regime’s ability to revive imperialist policies and instrumentalise history for its criminal purposes; condemns the persecution of civil society organisations investigating Soviet crimes or the crimes of the current regime, including the liquidation of International Memorial, the Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre, and the Moscow Helsinki Group, as well as the forced closure of the Sakharov Centre;
5. Recalls that the deliberate attacks of the Russian Federation on the civilian population of Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, the use of torture, sexual violence and rape as weapons of war, the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian citizens to the territory of the Russian Federation, the forced transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights constitute war crimes for which all perpetrators must be held accountable;
6. Reiterates, therefore, its full support for the ongoing investigation by the Prosecutor of the ICC into the situation in Ukraine based on alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide; welcomes Ukraine’s formal accession to the ICC as of 1 January 2025 as an important contribution to international efforts to establish accountability for serious international crimes; calls for the EU to make further diplomatic efforts to encourage the ratification of the Rome Statute and all its amendments globally;
7. Furthermore also reiterates its call for the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute the crime of aggression committed by the leadership of the Russian Federation against Ukraine; reiterates its call on the Commission, the Council and the European External Action Service to provide all political, financial and practical support necessary for the establishment of a special tribunal; expresses its full support for the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine, based in The Hague and supporting the ongoing efforts of the Joint Investigation Team, as a first concrete step towards the establishment of the special tribunal;
8. Calls strongly for the EU and its Member States to further increase and coordinate their efforts, including with like-minded partners, to promptly and rigorously counter Russian disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference in order to protect the integrity of their democratic processes and strengthen the resilience of European societies, inter alia by actively promoting media literacy and by supporting quality media and professional journalism, in particular investigative journalism that uncovers Russian propaganda, its methods and networks, and by supporting research into new hybrid influence technologies;
9. Calls for the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns supporting and justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and calls on the Member States to swiftly and thoroughly implement these sanctions and to dedicate sufficient resources to effectively addressing this hybrid warfare; calls for the EU and the Member States to step up their support for the independent Russian media in exile in order to enable diverse voices in the Russian-language media;
10. Expresses deep concern about the recent announcements from social media companies’ leadership concerning relaxing their rules on fact-checking and moderation and how this will further enable Russia’s disinformation campaign around the world; calls on the Commission and the Member States to strictly enforce the Digital Services Act in response to these announcements by Meta and earlier by X, including as an important part of the fight against Russian disinformation;
11. Calls on EU citizens to critically evaluate information by questioning its origins and intentions, particularly when it pertains to narratives linked to Russia, and to crosscheck facts using diverse and reliable sources to resist attempts at manipulation by foreign malign actors;
12. Condemns Moscow’s exploitation of Orthodox religion for geopolitical purposes, notably through the instrumentalisation of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as a tool to influence and exert control over Orthodox populations in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and other countries;
13. Responds to the statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of 2 May 2023 on the ideology of ‘Ruscism’ by condemning the nationalist imperialist ideology, policy and practices of the current Russian regime; stresses the incompatibility of this ideology and policy and these practices with international law and European values;
14. Believes that Russia’s attempts to misrepresent, revise and distort the history of Ukraine undermine the collective memory and identity of Europe as a whole and represent a threat to historical truth, democratic values and peace in Europe; calls on the Member States, therefore, to invest more in education on and research into the common history of Europe and European remembrance, and to support projects that promote a better understanding of the impact of the division of Europe during the Cold War; expresses its support for the building of a pan-European memorial in Brussels for the victims of the 20th century totalitarian regimes; regrets the continued use of symbols of totalitarian regimes in public spaces and calls for an EU-wide ban on the use of both Nazi and Soviet communist symbols as well as symbols of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine;
15. Expresses its wish for the EU and its Member States to promote better knowledge and understanding of the human suffering of Europeans inflicted by the Soviet regime during the 20th century; in this respect, calls for remembrance and respect for the victims of Soviet crimes, such as the mass deportations, including of the Crimean Tatar people and from the Baltic countries, the Gulag system, the Holodomor, massacres such as the Katyn massacre, and the Upper Silesian tragedy;
16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the President, Government and Parliament of Ukraine, and the Russian institutions.
Source: European Parliament
Human dignity, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and of association are respectively protected by Article 1, Article 11 and Article 12 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights[1] (the Charter) and the Commission is committed to ensuring their respect within the remit of its competences. However, according to its Article 51(1), the Charter applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law.
The Italian draft law on ‘Provisions on public security’ lays down, inter alia, national provisions introducing criminal offences related to ‘passive resistance’ or obstructing traffic on roads or railways during demonstrations, and the amount of the penalties for these offences. In so far as such provisions do not relate to a situation within the scope of EU law, they do not seem to fall within the scope of the Charter.
The EU competence in the area of substantive criminal law is set out in Article 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and does not cover the areas of crime concerned by the Italian draft law on ‘Provisions on public security’.
Furthermore, in accordance with Article 72 TFEU, Member States are responsible for maintaining law and order and safeguarding internal security.
Therefore, in these cases, it is for the Member States, including their judicial authorities, to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected, in accordance with their national legislation and international human rights obligations.
As concerns the respect for the rule of law, the Commission monitors the respect for the rule law in all Member States, including Italy, in the context of the annual Rule of Law Report.
Source: European Parliament
As underlined in the Joint Statement by the President of the Commission and the former High Representative/Vice-President on 4 October 2024[1], the EU reiterates the high value it attaches to its strategic partnership with Morocco, which is long-standing, wide-ranging and deep.
Over the years, the EU has established a profound friendship and a solid and multi-faceted cooperation, which it intends to continue strengthening.
The EU takes note of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s judgments joined cases C-778/21 P and C-798/21 P[2], and joined cases C-779/21 P and C-799/21[3] on the appeals against the judgment of the General Court of 29 September 2021 as well as the reply to the preliminary ruling request in Case C-399/22[4] on the labelling of fruit and vegetables from the territory of the Western Sahara.
The Commission is currently analysing the judgments in detail. In this context, the Commission takes note that the European Court of Justice preserves the validity of the agreement on agricultural products for an additional 12 months.
The Commission is not in a position to provide details of companies involved in economic activity under the agreements in question, as it does not hold such information.
With regard to the Honourable Member’s second question, the Commission would like to inform that tariff duties are never paid to exporting countries.
Source: Government of India
The report is expected to include the status of the FIR and compensation if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased
Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:23PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a lineman with the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) died on the spot due to electrocution while working on an electricity transformer in Sikanderpur Badha, Gurugram, Haryana on 21st January, 2025. Reportedly, the electricity supply was resumed even as he was working.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chairman, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the FIR and compensation if any, granted to the next of kin of the deceased.
According to the media report, carried on 22nd January, 2025, the family members of the deceased have reportedly alleged that the death occurred due to gross negligence by the electricity department.
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NSK
(Release ID: 2095972) Visitor Counter : 52
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:04PM by PIB Delhi
The campaign of the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman’ is being organised to commemorate 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution and India’s establishment as a Republic. An event to mark the occasion was successfully organised today at the Parmarth Triveni Pushp, Arail Ghat, Prayagraj from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This event was fourth in the series of regional events organised as a part of a year-long nationwide campaign. This event was organised under the aegis of the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme which is implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.
The event was graced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, who delivered the keynote address on the occasion. Shri Meghwal emphasized the importance of Constitutional awareness and legal empowerment. H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan, attended the event as the Guest of Honor. Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, International Director, Parmarth Niketan attended program as an esteemed guest.
Welcoming the dignitaries on the dais and the audience, Secretary (Justice) DoJ, shared about the various elements of the Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman Campaign and the releases of three products which were launched in the event- Achievement Booklet on Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign highlighting the achievements of the yearlong activities, Department of Justice’s Calendar for the year 2025 which captures the glimpses of the important events of the Department of Justice. The third release is the movie on Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign showcasing the activities under the campaign.
The event featured addresses by dignitaries, including keynote address by Hon’ble MoS (I/C) for Law and Justice and Guest of Honour.
Highlighting the significance of the event H.H. Pujya Swami Ji reflected the Constitution of India as fundamental law of the land focussing on “Jaha sab Saman Sabka Samman, yahi hai Bharat ka Samvidhan” He stressed upon that this program is a symbolic significance of Sangam at Maha Kumbh where the message of unity is sent across the world from Sangam. He believed that a nation’s strength lies in its people and character. He also emphasised that we should not concentrate on What’s for me but focus on What’s through me. He also mentioned that we gathered here to respect the 75 glorious years of Constitution of India which have protected the respect of the nation. He also emphasised the need for all the government employees to work on the larger goal of the nation which is by turning the focus from VETAN to WATAN.
Sadhvi Ji highlighted the importance of India’s rich heritage, emphasising its culture, Sanskriti and Dharam, and stated that no other country embodies such profound morals and values. She emphasised “Bharat ka jo culture, Sanskriti, Dharam hai wo aur Vishwa me Kahin Nahi hai”. We must believe in ourselves by trusting the values enshrined in Sanatan and Samvidhan because here lies the ultimate beauty. Country attained Swaraj long ago, now it is time to free our minds from shackles of caste, colour, language and religion.
Addressing the audience, Hon’ble Minister reflected that Constitution of India protects the citizens of the nation. He further mentioned about the importance of Rashtra Gaan which was adopted on 24th January,1950. He stressed that the national flag and Rashtra Gaan though adopted on different dates, compliment and supplement each other at any formal occasion. He said that the three events of ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ of today, Matdata Divas(Voter’s Day) day after and Republic Day on 26th January, represents the symbolic confluence of Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati at Sangam.
He stressed that female students should be empowered and used as a medium to spread to inherent message of Constitution among the masses by making them “Nyaya Sakhis”. He also compared the significance of this event at Maha Kumbh is the symbolic reference to the Triveni -Sangam showcasing the convergences of three organs of the Government i.e. Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.
Under the tenure of current Union Law Minister, one national event and three regional events have been conducted under Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman campaign. Furthermore, to take this initiative forward, the campaign will now be called as “Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Swabhiman”. A copy of the Preamble of Constitution of India as a plaque were presented to the dignitaries of the event. Shri Niraj Kumar Gayagi, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice presented a vote of thanks.
More than 2000 participants attended the event, including Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, members of Allahabad High Court Bar Association, students and faculty of various schools, colleges, along with Central and State government representatives, devotees of Maha Kumbh and the volunteers of Parmarth Niketan. Grassroot functionaries of CSC and general public joined the event virtually which was made live on Facebook, Youtube, Doordarshan etc. In addition, several stakeholders of the Department of Justice joined the event virtually, contributing to the event’s outreach and inclusivity.
The ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign, which was officially launched by the Hon’ble Vice President of India on 24th January 2024 at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, has aimed to promote the understanding of the Indian Constitution and raise awareness about legal rights among citizens. As part of its efforts, regional events have been organized across the country, with Bikaner, Prayagraj, Guwahati already hosting successful events in the past year.
In addition to the regional events, the campaign has also launched sub-campaigns like Sabko Nyaya Har Ghar Nyaya, Nav Bharat Nav Sankalp, and Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyaan, to simplify legal information and spread awareness about citizens’ rights. Active participation is encouraged through the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ portal, where citizens can engage with various resources and legal services.
The success of today’s event further strengthened the campaign’s core message: empowering citizens with the knowledge and tools to protect their rights through legal mechanisms, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility.
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Source: US State of South Carolina
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Wesley Keith Zimmer, 30, of Fort Mill, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the York County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, the Greenup County Sheriff’s Office, and the Russell Police Department, both out of Kentucky, all assisted with the investigation.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Zimmer. Investigators state Zimmer produced child sexual abuse material, distributed and possessed files of child sexual abuse material, and sent sexually explicit images to a minor.
Zimmer was arrested on January 23, 2025. He is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, first degree (§16-15-395), a felony offense punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment; one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; and one count of dissemination of obscene material to a person under age eighteen (§16-15-345), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.
This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
* Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is committed to ensure that there is no place for hate in the EU, whatever form it takes and regardless of whom it is directed to.
The Joint Communication on ‘No Place for Hate: a Europe united against hatred’[1] states that every individual, every community, and every faith deserves equal respect and calls to combat hatred, scapegoating, and the denigration of any person due to their racial and ethnic origin as well as their faith.
The 2008 Framework Decision on combatting racism and xenophobia[2] requires Member States to criminalise hate speech, defined as the public incitement to violence or hatred, on a number of protected grounds, including religion.
Under the Commission’s High Level Group on combating hate speech and hate crime[3], the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights leads a working group to improve hate crime reporting, recording and data collection through standardised methodologies that enable the identification of possible bias motives[4].
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which is an active partner in the High Level Group, collects hate crime data provided by both public authorities and civil society organisations.
The ‘Hate Crime Report 2023’[5], published in November 2024, indicates that on a total of 9 891 reports by civil society organisations and international organisations from 47 OSCE participating states, 583 were cases of anti-Christian hatred.
The Commission will continue prompting harmonised systems for hate crime and hate speech data collection across Member States, with a view to produce comparable data on all grounds of hate speech and hate crime.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
ALBUQUERQUE – A Standing Rock man was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old mother of three.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on December 30, 2023, Jane Doe and her three minor children returned to the home of Sonny Hannah, 75, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, to collect their personal belongings. An argument between Hannah and Jane Doe ensued, leading to Hannah emerging from his home with a rifle. Hannah shot twice, striking Jane Doe in the head from 20 to 35 feet away, killing her instantly.
Upon his release from prison, Hannah will be subject to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
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