Source: United Nations secretary general
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana. The Secretary-General and the President exchanged views on the peace and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, the Summit of the Future, and the global financial architecture.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jade Power Trust (“Jade Power” or the “Trust”) (TSXV:JPWR.H) is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement of 6,666,666 units (the “Units”) at a price of C$0.075 per Unit (the “Offering”).
Each Unit consists of one trust unit in the capital of the Trust (the “Trust Units”) and one half of one Trust Unit purchase warrant (each a “Warrant”). Each whole Warrant is exercisable for a period of one year from the date of issuance to purchase an additional Trust Unit at a price of C$0.10. Net proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Closing of the Offering remains subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the final approval of the NEX Board and the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
For further information please contact:
David Barclay
Chief Executive Officer
+1 954-895-7217
david.barclay@bellsouth.net
About Jade Power
The Trust, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries in Canada, the Netherlands and Romania, was formed to acquire interests in renewable energy assets in Romania, other countries in Europe and abroad that can provide stable cash flow to the Trust and a suitable risk-adjusted return on investment. All material information about the Trust may be found under Jade Power’s issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the Canada and which are based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management of the parties as of the date of this news release unless otherwise stated. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “could”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Details of the risk factors relating to Jade Power and its business are discussed under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties” in the Trust’s annual Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, a copy of which is available on Jade Power’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Trust. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, Jade Power expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSXV nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nano Labs Ltd (Nasdaq: NA) (“we,” “the Company,” or “Nano Labs”), a leading fabless integrated circuit design company and product solution provider in China, today announced that it will hold its 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) at 10 A.M. on October 23, 2024, Beijing time (10 P.M. on October 22, 2024, U.S. Eastern time) in China Yuangu Hanggang Technology Building, 509 Qianjiang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People’s Republic of China. The Company has established the close of business on September 27, 2024, Eastern time (the “Record Date”), as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The purpose of the Meeting is:
(1) to effect a share consolidation of every ten shares with a par value of US$0.0002 each in the Company’s issued and unissued share capital into one share with a par value of US$0.002 (the “Share Consolidation”), so that immediately following the Share Consolidation and the Share Re-designation, the authorized share capital of the Company shall be US$50,000 divided into 25,000,000 ordinary shares of par value of US$0.002 each, comprising (i) 12,141,093 Class A ordinary shares of par value of US$0.002 each, (ii) 2,858,908 Class B ordinary shares of par value of US$0.002 each, and (iii) 9,999,999 shares of a par value of US$0.002 each of such class or classes (however designated) as the board of directors of the Company (the “Directors”) may determine in accordance with the Company’s New M&A (as defined below).
(2) to amend the Company’s memorandum and articles of association currently in effect (the “Current M&A”) by the adoption of a new memorandum and articles of association to reflect the Share Consolidation (after the amendment, the “New M&A”); and
(3) to approve the appointment of MaloneBailey, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
Subject to obtaining the relevant shareholders’ approval at the Meeting, the Share Consolidation will be effective at 5 P.M. on October 29, 2024, U.S. Eastern time, and the Class A ordinary shares are expected to begin trading on a post-Share Consolidation basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market when markets open on the next business trading day under the new CUSIP/ISIN numbers. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Share Consolidation. All fractional shares will be rounded up to the whole number of shares. Copies of the notice of the Meeting and the form of proxy are available on the Company’s corporate investor relations website at https://ir.nano.cn.
About Nano Labs Ltd
Nano Labs Ltd is a leading fabless integrated circuit (“IC”) design company and product solution provider in China. Nano Labs is committed to the development of high throughput computing (“HTC”) chips, high performance computing (“HPC”) chips, distributed computing and storage solutions, smart network interface cards (“NICs”) vision computing chips and distributed rendering. Nano Labs has built a comprehensive flow processing unit (“FPU”) architecture which offers solution that integrates the features of both HTC and HPC. Nano Lab’s Cuckoo series are one of the first near-memory HTC chips available in the market*. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: ir.nano.cn.
*According to an industry report prepared by Frost & Sullivan.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s plan to appeal the Staff’s determination, which can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.
For investor inquiries, please contact:
Nano Labs Ltd
ir@nano.cn
Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com
Source: African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank Group, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and the Rockefeller Foundation are hosting a roundtable discussion on the theme: “Leveraging the African Development Bank Group and Philanthropies’ Strengths and Capital to Seize Africa’s Opportunities for…
Source: African Development Bank Group
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and top UN officials met with the Heads of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Group on Sunday in a joint effort to better support countries in accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Source: African Development Bank Group
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved a loan of $67.3 million to Madagascar on 20 September 2024 to implement the first phase of its economic growth-inducing Financial Management and Resilience Support Programme for 2024-2025.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
RED BANK, N.J., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC), the holding company for OceanFirst Bank, today announced that it will issue its earnings release for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 on Thursday, October 17, 2024 after market close. Management will then conduct a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Friday, October 18, 2024 to discuss highlights of the Company’s quarterly operating performance.
The direct dial number for the call is 1-833-470-1428, toll free, using the access code 257920. For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available. To access the replay, dial 1-866-813-9403, Access Code 120573, from one hour after the end of the call until November 15, 2024.
The conference call will also be available (listen-only) by accessing the Company’s Web address: www.oceanfirst.com – Investor Relations. Web users should go to the site at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. The webcast will be available for at least 30 days.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank N.A., founded in 1902, is a $13.3 billion regional bank providing financial services throughout New Jersey and the major metropolitan markets of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Boston. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing, treasury management, trust and asset management, and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s press releases are available at http://www.oceanfirst.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “view,” “opportunity,” “potential,” or similar expressions or expressions of confidence. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to: changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, levels of unemployment in the Bank’s lending area, real estate market values in the Bank’s lending area, future natural disasters and increases to flood insurance premiums, the level of prepayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent securities filings and should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Naugle, PhD Candidate in Coral Ecology, Southern Cross University
Just as individual humans handle stress differently, so do corals. Even coral colonies of the same species, growing side by side, vary in their tolerance to pressures such as heatwaves.
In research published today, we discovered surprising new evidence of variable heat tolerance in corals. As the world’s oceans warm, these differences are important.
Earlier this year, the world’s fourth global mass bleaching event was declared. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered five mass bleachings since 2016 – most recently this past summer. The declarations followed the world’s warmest year on record.
To keep the world’s coral reefs healthy and functioning, global carbon emissions must be dramatically curbed to reduce the rate of ocean warming. As humanity works towards that goal, interventions may buy time for corals to survive in their warming environments.
The heat tolerance of corals can be measured by analysing their responses to elevated water temperatures. Our research involved measuring the bleaching thresholds of more than 500 colonies of the tabular coral, Acropora hyacinthus.
Acropora hyacinthus is a common coral that forms “tables” of tiny branchlets. This species is both ecologically important and highly vulnerable to heat waves, making it a prime candidate for conservation.
The characteristic colour of coral is provided by algae living inside its tissue. The algae also provide most of the coral’s nutrition. When water temperatures get too high for too long, the coral expels the algae, causing it to bleach and starve.
While at sea, we visited 17 reefs to scuba dive and search for Acropora hyacinthus. We then brought samples of these corals on board a research vessel to conduct experiments.
Our specially designed portable experiment system contained 12 tanks set to four different temperatures. Coral fragments were placed in each tank and subjected to short-term heat stress at different temperatures.
Afterwards, we measured the amount of pigment left in the coral fragments, which directly aligns with the amount of algae left in the coral’s cells.
We then determined each coral’s bleaching thresholds – in other words, the temperature at which the coral’s pigmentation drops to 50% of its healthy level. This allowed us to understand how much variation exists and where the most heat-tolerant colonies live.
So what did we find? Under our experiments, the amount of pigment retained under high temperatures varied from 3% to 95%. This means at high temperatures, some coral colonies completely bleached while others seemed barely affected.
Of the 17 reefs we studied, 12 contained colonies with bleaching thresholds in the top 25%. This means heat-tolerant corals could be found at most of the reefs we sampled.
Corals handle stress differently for two reasons: nature and nurture.
Each coral has a unique “nature” or genetic makeup that can affect its heat tolerance. Our results suggest corals found across the entire Great Barrier Reef may hold unique genetic resources that are important for recovery and adaptation.
However, aspects of the marine environment may nurture, or hinder, a coral’s heat stress response. These include water temperatures, nutrient conditions, and the symbiotic algae living inside coral tissue.
We found corals living in warmer regions, such as the northern Great Barrier Reef, can handle higher water temperatures. However, because the water is so warm in these areas, the corals are already pushed close to their temperature limits.
Corals in the southern Great Barrier Reef cannot handle temperatures as high as their northern neighbours. Our findings suggest these corals can tolerate more warming above their local temperatures than corals to the north.
These tolerance patterns may affect which corals survive marine heatwaves.
Our findings have potentially important implications for the ability of corals to adapt to warmer seas under climate change.
The results may also inform reef restoration and conservation efforts. For example, heat-tolerant parent corals could be selectively bred to produce offspring better suited to warmer waters.
The success of such programs depends on the extent to which a coral’s genetic makeup controls its tolerance to heat. So, the next step in this research is investigating these genetic differences.
Selective breeding trials are already underway, using the most heat-tolerant corals identified in this study.
When it comes to protecting our coral reefs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is imperative. However, interventions such as selective breeding may be useful supplements to give coral reefs the best future possible.
Melissa Naugle receives funding from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, funded by the partnership between the Australian government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Emily Howells receives funding from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, funded by the partnership between the Australian government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
Line Bay works for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, a publicly funded research organisation that receives funding from the Australian government, state government departments, foundations and private industry. She receives funding from the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, a partnership between the Australian Governments Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Revive and Restore, the Paul G Allen Family Foundation and BHP.
– ref. Scientists discover heat-tolerant corals hidden in plain sight. Could it help protect the Great Barrier Reef? – https://theconversation.com/scientists-discover-heat-tolerant-corals-hidden-in-plain-sight-could-it-help-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-231823
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By George Buchanan, Deputy Dean, School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University
This piece is part of a series on the great internet letdown. Read the rest of the series.
The internet can be a toxic place. Disinformation, hate speech and trolling are not just abundant – they are encouraged by the economy of clicks which governs many online platforms. There are no good clicks, no bad clicks, only clicks. By that metric, mutual hostility is great, because it results in lots of clicks.
But this is only one side of the web.
As I have discovered in my research there are also lesser-known places on the internet where mutual care flourishes.
These online oases are built, carefully tended, and fiercely protected by dedicated people who usually share a niche interest. Members connect and share information with each other that can often be life-changing, helping them overcome personal barriers both great and small.
“Informal networks” are social connections that allow people to share information around a common interest or need.
In the past, a version of this would be village gossip. In times of urgency, this grapevine of social connections ensured people could respond without waiting for the next newspaper – or attend to matters the newspaper would not even cover.
Today, while geographically bounded informal networks are dissolving, they are forming online.
For example, people who have relatively rare chronic conditions can find others on Facebook or in online forums who can provide information on lived experience, tips on how to get quality medical care or ideas for how to continue with a sport.
These networks often exist in a dual world, both online and in person.
Diabetes is an increasingly common condition, and it makes everyday life more complex and challenging.
In my own research, I discovered a group of keen runners with diabetes who were initially strangers but became connected through chance social encounters. They bonded over a shared challenge: how to find the right diet and manage blood sugar levels so they could keep running.
One runner explained that “finding the right people saved the life I loved, maybe even my life”. This network includes a dietitian and a sports scientist, and provides information and guidance that would never appear in a book.
Local and family history is another topic around which online informal networks form.
Often, specific knowledge is key, as one member of an online local history group explained:
when I was trying to get access to the [local archive] I found it really difficult to get the archivist to be helpful […] I got guidance [via an online group] on how to get on her right side, so I could get what I was after.
Again, this isn’t the sort of knowledge that is going to be published. But it is vital for those pursuing it out of interest.
These informal networks present a stark contrast to the divisive pattern found in some parts of the web. Too-frequent posting and divisive or offensive attitudes are quickly going to get you expelled.
Those who run the Facebook groups and online forums I research are usually volunteers. The main source of information is other members, so there is an inherent need to be a good citizen. As one person explained:
I want the community to work, but I have no time or patience for people who are being disruptive.
Status comes from being friendly, constructive and informative, and there is an expectation of reciprocal behaviour. Many groups, such as the runners with diabetes, encounter each other in real life and are located in a set geographical area.
Discussions often occur across time, spanning in-person chats over coffee, chance encounters at an event, online one-to-one messaging and forum posts. The network spans different social and technological contexts.
The value of these online informal networks is getting knowledge of real experience, and often the emotional support needed to put that experience into practice.
While commercial online platforms value conflict, as it produces enraged engagement and higher advertising revenue, the currencies of these networks are empathy and insight.
However, the pressures of the world outside the online oasis still exist. Most groups need occasional policing. For example, moderators of a diabetic discussion forum have continually had to expel people touting “snake oil” solutions.
More often, though, anti-social behaviour results in participants being ignored and left on their own. A rogue post will more likely result in a telling off from other posters than the moderator needing to step in. Everyone is involved in both creating and defending the value of the informal network.
Unlike many parts of the internet, online informal networks don’t care about clicks: they survive on real-world benefit. They dissolve when they no longer deliver the benefits people want or need.
Instead of just thinking about clicks, the companies controlling major online platforms could help improve the internet by learning from what is valued in informal networks.
George Buchanan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. The internet can be toxic. But there are also online oases where mutual care flourishes – https://theconversation.com/the-internet-can-be-toxic-but-there-are-also-online-oases-where-mutual-care-flourishes-237769
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) stood in strong opposition to Florida’s Constitutional referendum process, as well as Amendments 3 and 4, during a Special Order Hour on the U.S. House Floor.
Watch the full remarks:
[embedded content]
“This November, Floridians are being asked to vote on state Constitutional amendments,” said Rutherford. “Not only am I opposed to both Amendments 3 and 4, but I am vehemently against using the referendum process to legislate.
“We have a legislature. We have a process to pass laws that does not involve radically changing our Constitution. The referendum process seeks to circumvent Florida’s legislative process by offering quick, ‘easy,’ and often worse fixes to complicated problems.
“Referendums are shortcuts to hard answers. In order to govern well, we must leave the legislating to our legislature, not special interest groups.”
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Alberta’s government has built a system of care based on the belief that recovery is possible for those suffering from the disease of addiction. The focus has been on reducing barriers to recovery by increasing capacity and ensuring that no one is forced to pay for life-saving addiction treatment. Since 2019, the province has added more than 10,000 new addiction treatment spaces. It has also removed financial barriers and pioneered a program for immediate, same-day access to life-saving evidence-based treatment medication.
Red Deer is home to Alberta’s first of 11 recovery communities being built by the province. This facility opened its doors in May 2023 and has become a beacon of hope for those suffering from addiction, along with their families. Red Deer was also the first in Alberta to open a Therapeutic Living Unit within its correctional center. This means the recovery community model of treatment has been adopted in corrections, lowering the chances of reoffending and breaking the cycle of addiction and crime in individuals’ lives. Access to opioid agonist therapy has been expanded to police cells through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program and can also be administered by specialized paramedics with support from the province.
Earlier this year, Red Deer city council put forward and passed a motion requesting a transition of the drug consumption site to instead implement options focused on health, wellness and recovery.
In response to this request, Alberta’s government has committed $3.4 million to provide the following:
In addition, Alberta’s government recently provided more than $1.2 million over the next two years to the Red Deer Dream Centre to support 20 additional publicly funded addiction treatment beds.
“Our government will always listen to and take seriously the feedback we receive from elected local leaders. This is a well-thought-out plan that aligns with Red Deer’s needs and requests, which is why the province is making these changes and increasing support for the community. We remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of Albertans while actively supporting connections to treatment and recovery.”
“Our council is pleased to see this new path forward for recovery-oriented services in Red Deer. At the heart of our council’s and community’s efforts is the belief that recovery is possible for everyone, especially the most vulnerable. This is a complex challenge and only by working with all our partners at the province, agencies, businesses, faith communities and all Red Deerians will we create a safe, healthy and prosperous community. We look forward to close collaboration with the province as these changes are made.”
Alberta’s government is working closely with the City of Red Deer, Safe Harbour Society, Recovery Alberta and others to implement these supports starting this fall.
Since October 2018, the Red Deer drug consumption site has been operating at a temporary site within an ATCO trailer in the parking lot next to Safe Harbour Society’s detox building. As requested by the city council, the drug consumption site will be transitioned out of Red Deer once all other services are operational, which is anticipated to be in spring 2025. The program expansion for recovery services represents a net increase in programming and staffing.
“We look forward to bringing a new service to Red Deer with the opening of a Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic. With this and the new outreach services being put in place, Recovery Alberta will provide opportunities for those facing addiction and mental health issues to access support on an ongoing basis.”
“I am pleased to see that Alberta’s government is working collaboratively with our local government and service providers. This plan ensures we prioritize Red Deer’s needs while also supporting individuals in their pursuit of recovery.”
“Red Deer is a beautiful community with wonderful families and individuals. Transitioning the drug site out of Red Deer and focusing on recovery is the right thing to do. Thank you to the Government of Alberta and Red Deer City Council for leading, listening and doing what is right.”
“We are pleased to partner with Alberta’s government, Recovery Alberta and the City of Red Deer to increase access to addiction and detox services for those accessing supports at Safe Harbour. This partnership profoundly enhances our capacity to meet the needs of community members challenged by addiction and to support them in their recovery journey.”
Alberta is making record investments and removing barriers to recovery-oriented supports for all Albertans, regardless of where they live or their financial situation. This includes the addition of more than 10,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, expanded access to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program—which provides same-day access to life-saving treatment medication—the removal of daily user fees for publicly funded live-in treatment, and the construction of 11 world-class recovery communities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)
Today, Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) introduced the School Resource Officer (SRO) Funding Protection Act with original cosponsors Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Lisa McClain (R-MI) and support of First District State Legislators, as well as law enforcement. The bill would require states to maintain funding for SRO programs at or above the amount spent in their previous fiscal year to remain eligible for full federal aid for elementary and secondary education.
“The horrific epidemic of school shootings requires all of us to put people above politics and action behind words in wake of these tragedies. Lagging school safety measures aren’t going to cut it – children can’t be sitting ducks, unprotected from evil intruders due to budget cuts. My bill will ensure that states maintain a sufficient budget for school resource officers and related programs, because our children deserve to feel safe and be protected,” Representative Bergman stated.
State Senator John Damoose noted, “We have all seen the devastation caused by school violence and a spiraling mental health crisis amongst our kids. Cutting funding for school resource officers and mental health care was just plain irresponsible. I applaud Congressman Jack Bergman for taking the lead to protect our kids and doing the job our state legislature should have done in the first place.”
State Senator Michelle Hoitenga asserted, “When Democrats in Lansing slashed school safety funding, they put Michigan’s students and teachers at risk. Congressman Bergman’s School Resource Office Funding Protection Act would safeguard our students and staff, by investing in the security and well-being of our children.”
“Unbelievable that at a time our students need more support, the Democratic leadership in Lansing removed over 90% of the funding for mental health support in our schools. We need to support our kids. This legislative proposal by Rep. Bergman will provide important checks and balances at the federal level to ensure our children are safe at school,” said State Representative John Roth.
“I’ve been working with my colleagues on a bipartisan school safety package, House Bills 4088-4100, to improve communication, mental health resources, and staff training in schools,” State Representative Cam Cavitt remarked. He continued, “Congressman Jack Bergman’s efforts at the federal level will provide critical support to these initiatives, ensuring schools have the tools to address threats and mental health concerns more effectively. Together, these efforts will create safer, more supportive environments for our kids, both physically and emotionally.”
“Commonsense legislation such as this is what our kids really need instead of the political games that Lansing politicians have played with their lives. During a time of heightened security threats in our school systems, we need more safety resources and funding for key programs, not less. I commend Rep. Bergman for his work on this issue and I’ll continue to work alongside him to keep our schools safe,” State Representative Ken Borton stated.
“As a former Special Education teacher I am troubled by the cuts in School Resource Officer funding,” State Representative Ed Markkanen added. “This legislation will ensure our schools have SRO’s present across the U.P. and the rest of Michigan.”
Speaking to the budgetary importance of SRO funding, Kenneth Grabowski, Legislative Director, Police Officers Association of Michigan said, “Everyone wants to talk about school safety, but far too often politicians fail to put their money where their mouth is. This year, the state changed budget priorities and cut millions of dollars in dedicated school safety funding, putting our students and teachers at risk. We commend Rep. Bergman for stepping up and introducing the School Resource Officer Funding Protection Act to ensure our kids are safe at school and our SRO’s are properly funded.”
“Funding for School Resource Officers and mental health are a critical part of keeping our children safe. Cuts in these areas make it difficult for police departments and school districts to keep this lifesaving service available in our state. In rural communities, where police response if often delayed due to a limited amount of law enforcement, these cuts make it next to impossible to provide adequate security for our students and faculty,” Gaylord City Police Chief Frank Claeys stated.
Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin expressed his support, “Our students are our future. Protecting them is one of the most important jobs we have. Restoring full funding for our School Resource Officers is critical at a time when threats are at an all time high. I applaud Rep. Bergman for introducing this badly needed legislation.”
“As Sheriff, one of the most important jobs I have is protecting our children at our schools. I’m grateful that Representative Bergman introduced this legislation to protect our School Resource Officers following massive cuts at the State level,” said Otsego County Sheriff Matthew Nowicki.
The State of Michigan’s fiscal year 2025 budget slashes nearly $302 million in school safety and mental health funding. The funds will be reduced to $26.5 million come October 1, 2024, a 92% decrease. Rep. Bergman’s legislation will ensure that any state which fails to maintain the required funding levels for SRO programs will see its federal education aid reduced, unless a waiver has been granted. Waivers can be granted by the Secretary of the Department of Education on a case-by-case basis.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)
Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member released the following statement after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced enforcement action under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA):
“Today’s timber enforcement action demonstrates the unwavering commitment of USTR and the Biden-Harris Administration to protecting our workers and environment. Step-by-step the Administration and House Democrats are shaping international trade to be a force for good in our communities, with House Democrats leading the effort to include the first-of-its-kind timber agreement in the Peru FTA. We structured the agreement to ensure that Peruvian timber doesn’t contribute to deforestation and that illegal loggers who do engage in unfair trade practices are held accountable. With this strong enforcement, we are standing up for American workers, our industry, and environment.
Ways and Means Ranking Member Neal continued, “The U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, deserves credit for her unfailing commitment to enforcing trade rules, with Congressman Earl Blumenauer as the driving force behind the Peruvian Forestry Annex when it was negotiated and leading on every major environmental advancement in trade policy for the two decades. Earl’s leadership will be sorely missed, but his legacy will endure and House Democrats will proudly carry his mantel forward.”
The PTPA contains a landmark Environment Chapter and Forest Annex, which includes a requirement for Peru to conduct audits and verifications of particular timber producers and exporters upon request from the United States. The agreement also provides for U.S. participation in the verification process and permits the United States to take compliance measures based on the results of a verification. Since the signing of the PTPA, the United States and Peru have cooperated in efforts to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, however serious concerns about illegal logging in Peru remain.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Gwen Moore (WI-04), along with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), introduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act to establish provisions that promote the safety and security of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking.
The 2024 SAFE for Survivors Act allows victims to take time off from work without fear of penalty, requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to assist survivors dealing with the aftermath of violence, provides access to unemployment benefits for survivors, and establishes insurance protections to support survivors–ensuring that victims are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.
“Financial abuse occurs in nearly every case of domestic violence. So many survivors are financially tied to their abuser, which ends up being one of the main reasons survivors stay with an abusive partner,” Dingell said. “Survivors have unique needs in their journey to economic independence, and the provisions in this bill will support their ability to provide for their families safely and independently, whether they choose to enter, remain, or take time off from the workplace.”
“Domestic violence survivors shouldn’t face financial hardship as they work to pick up the pieces after experiencing abuse,” Moore said. “But too many endure a financial cost, which is why we must work to remove these barriers, so that survivors can access the resources they need. That’s why I am thankful to partner with my House and Senate colleagues in much-needed legislation to strengthen survivors’ access to health care, unemployment benefits, and paid leave.”
“No survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault should be forced to choose between their safety and their paycheck, job, or ability to support their family,” Murray said. “Survivors who are dealing with the mental and physical impacts of assault and violence often can’t afford to miss a day of work or can’t provide for their families on their own if they choose to leave a dangerous situation. We must do everything we can to change this heartbreaking reality. The SAFE Act for Survivors Act would take a huge step toward ensuring no woman or person is stuck between worrying for their safety and making ends meet.”
One in four women in the U.S. experience physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime and one in four women report an attempted or completed rape during their lifetime. Individuals who experience intimate partner violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence and stalking often find that abuse and threats follow them from home into the workplace. This type of violence has direct consequences for survivors’ economic security, which can affect their ability to recover, provide for their families, and remove themselves from dangerous situations.
According to the Domestic Violence Hotline, 44% of full-time employed adults in the US reported experiencing the effect of domestic violence in their workplace; 21% identified themselves as victims of intimate partner violence. Domestic violence issues lead to nearly 8 million lost days of paid work each year, the equivalent of over 32,000 full-time jobs.
Highlights of the 2024 SAFE for Survivors Act include:
Increased Access to Leave
Enhanced Workplace Protections
Access to Unemployment Benefits
Insurance Protections for Survivors
A section by section of the SAFE for Survivors Act is available HERE.
In the House, the SAFE for Survivors Act is cosponsored by: Ann Kuster (NH-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Barbara Lee (CA-12)
In the Senate, the SAFE for Survivors Act is cosponsored by: Baldwin, Blumenthal, Casey, Hirono, Klobuchar, Padilla, Sanders, Shaheen.
The SAFE for Survivors Act is endorsed by: National Partnership for Women & Families, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Ascend Justice, Just Solutions, Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, Family Values @ Work, Center for American Progress, Futures Without Violence, A Better Balance, Legal Aid at Work, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, MomsRising, Center for Law and Social Policy, Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Women Employed, Project Safeguard, The Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC UNITED), Family Forward, Caminar Latino-Latinos United for Peace and Equity, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
“In Illinois, we are fortunate to have job-protected leave for survivors under the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act,” said Katherine Gaughan-Palombi, Senior Attorney of Economic Justice Project, Ascend Justice. “However, passage of the Federal SAFE Act would enhance employment protections and economic security for survivors in Illinois – such as including paid leave. It would also provide crucial safe leave and job protections for survivors across the nation.”
“In our decades of work to enact workplace protections for survivors of gender-based violence and harassment, Legal Momentum has seen how essential these laws are to ensuring the safety of survivors. Yet, the slim patchwork of state and local laws leaves too many survivors at risk,” said Seher Khawaja, Director of Economic Justice, Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund. “We are grateful to Representative Dingell, Representative Moore, and Senator Murray for their leadership in introducing a comprehensive bill that would establish federal paid safe leave, anti-discrimination protections and reasonable accommodations in the workplace, and access to unemployment insurance for survivors. These protections are at the heart of safeguarding and empowering survivors, and we are proud to endorse the SAFE Act.”
“At The Hotline, we hear time and time again that economic insecurity is the largest barrier preventing survivors from leaving abusive situations,” said Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline. “The SAFE for Survivors Act, introduced by Senator Murray, and Representatives Dingell and Moore, answers this call by giving survivors the protections they need—whether it’s leave from work, unemployment benefits, or increased protections—they can better focus on their safety and recovery. We commend their efforts to prioritize survivors’ economic security,”
“Family Values @ Work is proud to support Representatives Dingell and Moore’s and Senator Murray’s SAFE For Survivors Act of 2024,” said Family Values @ Work (FV@W) Deputy Director Erica Clemmons Dean. “We have long championed and advocated for the need for paid sick and safe time for all, and ensuring victims of domestic violence have access to paid sick and safe time is good policy. For 20 years, FV@W has worked to win paid time to care for all workers. We’ve been fortunate to have the support of the Congresswomen and Senator, and are proud to endorse the SAFE Act as well.”
“Survivors deserve the opportunity to seek the care they need to leave their abusive partner without the looming fear that they will lose their job or income, and job-protected, paid safe leave provides that opportunity,” said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “We thank Senator Murray and Representative Dingell for their tremendous efforts to protect survivors and to support vulnerable workers and their families.”
“Survivors of domestic and sexual violence deserve paid leave from work so they can be safe and seek justice and healing while still being able to keep their jobs,” said Esta Soler, President and Founder of Futures Without Violence. “Thank you Senator Murray and Representatives Dingell and Moore for introducing the SAFE for Survivors Act and always fighting for the economic security of all of survivors.”
“For survivors of violence, safety and economic security go hand in hand,” said Molly Weston Williamson, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress. “The SAFE for Survivors Act would give survivors the tools they need to pursue safety without compromising their economic independence, including paid, protected safe leave from work for needs like relocating to safety or accessing legal or support services.”
“Through our free and confidential legal helpline, A Better Balance hears far too often from workers who are forced to choose between their jobs and their personal or family safety,” said Jared Make, Vice President of A Better Balance. “It is imperative to provide safe leave to workers across the United States, to ensure that survivors of domestic and sexual violence are able to stay connected to the workforce while also remaining safe.”
Dingell has long been a leader in Congress in combating domestic violence. She has led the Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act to close the boyfriend loophole and keep guns out of the hands of abusive dating partners and stalkers. In 2018, she established the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence to bring together a bipartisan group of members to identify ways to strengthen resources and protections for survivors and their children.
She has been working to address funding shortfalls in the Victims of Crime Act’s (VOCA) Crime Victims Fund (CVF), the largest source of federal grant funding for victim services organizations, including organizations supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes.
In April, Dingell led a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, urging the Commission to take proactive measures to address the threat of domestic abusers exploiting connectivity tools in vehicles to harass and intimidate their partners.
This year she co-led the Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act, which authorizes the court to impose a sentence that is below the mandatory minimum if the offender’s crime is connected to their survivor status, and the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which bans the publication of non-consensual intimate images (also known as deepfakes) prohibits their distribution and creates a criminal penalty for doing so, and requires websites to have a removal process.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today announced Cabot Corporation will receive $50 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) to build the first commercial-scale facility in the U.S. to produce critical components for lithium-ion batteries in Van Buren Township. The grant was awarded under the DOE’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing funding opportunity as part of a $355 total million investment in battery manufacturing in Michigan.
“Our state is driving the next generation of auto innovation and technology, and there’s no better place for this plant than here in Southeast Michigan. To keep America a global leader in EVs and manufacturing, we must ensure electric vehicles, their batteries, all their components, and their infrastructure are built here at home,” Dingell said. “This investment will strengthen our domestic battery supply chain, create good paying union jobs, support Michigan’s auto leadership, and advance our transition to a clean-energy future.”
“We are grateful for the Department of Energy’s support in selecting Cabot Corporation for this significant grant, which underscores the importance of building a strong domestic supply chain for critical battery materials in the U.S. With the strong support of Congresswoman Dingell and other congressional leaders, we are confident this project will contribute meaningfully to the future of clean energy and drive sustainable innovation in Michigan and the U.S.,” said Martin O’Neill, Cabot Corporation, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer. “This funding accelerates our efforts to establish the first U.S. commercial-scale production facility of battery-grade carbon nanotubes and conductive additive dispersions located here in Michigan. We are excited about the opportunities this project brings to the state, not only in terms of job creation and local economic growth, but also in advancing the clean energy transition.”
Cabot Corporation will build and operate a plant capable of producing an initial ~1,000 tons per year of battery-grade carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and up to 12,000 tons per year of conductive additive (CA) dispersions at a commercial scale to support the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain. Conductive additives, including CNTs, are indispensable ingredients in battery electrodes, connecting active materials within a conductive matrix. Without conductive additives, lithium-ion batteries do not work. Cabot’s plant will be the first production-scale facility to manufacture and supply battery-grade CNTs and CA dispersions in the U.S., expanding U.S. capabilities in advanced battery manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening national security.
The facility is expected to employ approximately 85 permanent workers and more than 250 tradespeople during construction. Cabot will work with the local government to sign a Good Neighbor Agreement and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) for construction of the facility and a neutrality agreement with the International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC) for the operations of the facility. Cabot will also partner with local and regional universities, colleges, and trade schools to implement internship programs, support STEM career development, and promote training opportunities to develop a qualified and skilled domestic workforce.
Learn more about the project here.
Source: New Zealand Labour Party
The real problem in the public sector is ongoing job losses and cuts to the front line.
“Having people work in the office does have benefits, but when you’re laying people off indiscriminately that will have a much greater effect on team dynamics, productivity, and the local economy,” Acting Labour Leader Carmel Sepuloni.
“There are plenty of valid reasons to work from home. There are also lots of benefits to having people come into the office. It should be up to employers to get that balance right, not some performative government direction.
“Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis are blaming those who work from home for parts of the week for their problems, rather than acknowledging the more than 6000 people who have been laid off as a result of their government’s decisions.
“They also made this announcement without any hard data telling them there was a problem in the first place.
“They should take a step back and consider what their layoffs are doing to morale and to whether people want to be in the office.
“When people don’t have a job and an income, or are worried they won’t have one soon, they are also less likely to spend money and support their local economy,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
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Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alexander E. Gates, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University – Newark
Climate change can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, if you look closely at its causes, you’ll realize that history is filled with similar health and environmental threats that humanity has overcome.
The main cause of climate change – carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels – is really just another pollutant. And countries know how to reduce harmful pollutants. They did it with the pesticide DDT, lead paint and the power plant emissions that were causing acid rain, among many others.
In each of those cases, growing public outcry eventually led to policy changes, despite pushback from industry. Once pressured by laws and regulations, industries ramped up production of safer solutions.
I am an earth and environmental scientist, and my latest book, “Reclaiming Our Planet,” explores history’s lessons in overcoming seemingly insurmountable hazards. Here are a few examples:
DDT was the first truly effective pesticide and considered to be miraculous. By killing mosquitoes and lice, it wiped out malaria and other diseases in many countries, and in agriculture, it saved tons of crops.
After World War II, DDT was applied to farms, buildings and gardens throughout the United States. However, it also had drawbacks. It accumulated in mother’s milk to levels where it could deliver a toxic dose to infants. Women were advised against nursing their babies in the 1960s because of the danger.
In addition, DDT bioaccumulated up the food chain to toxic levels in apex species like raptors. It weakened the eggshells to the point where brooding mothers crushed their eggs. Bald eagles were reduced to 417 breeding pairs across North America by 1967 and were placed on the endangered species list.
Biologist Rachel Carson documented DDT’s damage in her 1962 book “Silent Spring” and, in doing so, catalyzed a public environmental movement. Despite disinformation campaigns and attacks from the chemical industry, tremendous public pressure on politicians led to congressional hearings, state and federal restrictions and eventually a U.S. ban on the general use of DDT in 1972.
Bald eagles recovered to 320,000 in the United States by 2017, about equal to populations from before European settlement. The chemical industry, facing a DDT ban, quickly developed much safer pesticides.
Lead use skyrocketed in the 20th century, particularly in paints, plumbing and gasoline. It was so widespread that just about everyone was exposed to a metal that research now shows can harm the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system and children’s brain development.
Clair “Pat” Patterson, a geochemist at the California Institute of Technology, showed that Americans were continuously exposed to lead at near toxic levels. Human skeletons from the 1960s were found to have up to 1,200 times the lead of ancient skeletons. Today, health standards say there’s no safe level of lead in the blood.
Despite threats both personally and professionally and a disinformation campaign from industry, Patterson and his supporters compiled years of evidence to warn the public and eventually pressured politicians to ban lead from many uses, including in gasoline and residential paints.
Once regulations were in place, industry ramped up production of substitutes. As a result, lead levels in the blood of children decreased by 97% over the next several decades. While lead exposure is less common now, some people are still exposed to dangerous levels lingering in homes, pipes and soil, often in low-income neighborhoods.
Acid rain is primarily caused when sulfur dioxide, released into the air by the burning of coal, high-sulfur oil and smelting and refining of metals, interacts with rain or fog. The acidic rain that falls can destroy forests, kill lake ecosystems and dissolve statues and corrode infrastructure.
Acid rain damage across Europe and North America in the 20th century also showed the world how air pollution, which doesn’t stop at borders, can become an international crisis requiring international solutions.
The problem of acid rain began well over a century ago, but sulfur dioxide levels grew quickly after World War II. A thermal inversion in London in 1952 created such a concentration of sulfur dioxide and other air pollutants that it killed thousands of people. As damage to forests and lakes worsened across Europe, countries signed international agreements starting in the 1980s to cut their sulfur dioxide emissions.
In the U.S., emissions from Midwestern power plants killed fish and trees in the pristine Adirondacks. The damage, health concerns and multiple disasters outraged the public, and politicians responded.
Sulfur dioxide was named as one of the six criteria air pollutants in the groundbreaking 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act, which required the federal government to set limits on its release. Power plants installed scrubbers to capture the pollutant, and over the next 40 years, sulfur dioxide concentrations in the U.S. decreased by about 95%.
There are many parallels between these examples and climate change today.
Mountains of scientific evidence show how carbon dixoide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in vehicles, factories and power plants are warming the planet. The fossil fuel industry began using its political power and misinformation campaigns decades ago to block regulations that were designed to slow climate change.
And people around the world, facing worsening heat and weather disasters fueled by global warming, have been calling for action to stop climate change and invest in cleaner energy.
The first Earth Day, in 1970, drew 20 million people. Rallies in recent years have shifted the focus to climate change and have drawn millions of people around the world.
The challenge has been getting politicians to act, but that is slowly changing in many countries.
The United States has started investing in scaling up several tools to rein in climate change, including electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Federal and state policies, such as requirements for renewable energy production and limits on greenhouse gas emissions, are also crucial for getting industries to switch to less harmful alternatives.
Climate change is a global problem that will require efforts worldwide. International agreements are also helping more countries take steps forward. One shift that has been discussed by countries for years could help boost those efforts: Ending the billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded fossil fuel subsidies and shifting that money to healthier solutions could help move the needle toward slowing climate change.
Alexander E. Gates is affiliated with The Newark Green Team.
– ref. Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries know how to deal with pollution threats – think DDT and acid rain – https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-a-pollution-problem-and-countries-know-how-to-deal-with-pollution-threats-think-ddt-and-acid-rain-236479
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
WASHINGTON, September 20, 2024
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement condemning the National Review cartoon depicting Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).
“This cartoon is vile, Islamophobic, racist, hateful, and unequivocally false. At a time when we must be combating all forms of hatred and xenophobia, this inflammatory depiction does the opposite. Though the harm already done cannot be reversed, the cartoon should be removed, and the National Review and the artist owe Rep. Tlaib an apology. Rising hatred, anger, and discrimination of all kinds, including Islamophobia and antisemitism, are inciting violence across the country and putting communities in real danger, including many in my district. I stand against any attack against any member of my community. This must stop.”
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law & Graduate School
Plastic is a fast-growing segment of U.S. municipal solid waste, and most of it ends up in the environment. Just 9% of plastic collected in municipal solid waste was recycled as of 2018, the most recent year for which national data is available. The rest was burned in waste-to-energy plants or buried in landfills.
Manufacturers assert that better recycling is the optimal way to reduce plastic pollution. But critics argue that the industry often exaggerates how readily items can actually be recycled. In September 2024, beverage company Keurig Dr Pepper was fined US$1.5 million for inaccurately claiming that its K-Cup coffee pods were recyclable after two large recycling companies said they could not process the cups. California is suing ExxonMobil, accusing the company of falsely promoting plastic products as recyclable.
Environmental law scholar Patrick Parenteau explains why claims about recyclability have confused consumers, and how forthcoming guidelines from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission may address this problem.
Stating that a product is recyclable means that it can be collected, separated or otherwise recovered from the waste stream for reuse or in the manufacture of other products. But defining exactly what that means is difficult for several reasons:
Different U.S. states have different recycling regulations and guidelines, which can affect what is considered recyclable in a given location.
The availability and quality of recycling infrastructure also varies from place to place. Even if a product technically is recyclable, a local recycling facility may not be able to accept it because its equipment can’t process it.
If no market demand for the recycled material exists, recycling companies may be unlikely to accept it.
Public concern about plastic pollution has skyrocketed in recent years. A 2020 survey found that globally, 91% of consumers were concerned about plastic waste.
Once plastic enters the environment, it can take 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. Exposure through ingestion, inhalation or in drinking water poses potential risks to human health and wildlife.
The Federal Trade Commission’s role is to protect the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and unfair methods of competition. Every year, it brings hundreds of cases against individuals and companies for violating consumer protection and competition laws. These cases can involve fraud, scams, identity theft, false advertising, privacy violations, anticompetitive behavior and more.
The FTC publishes references called the Green Guides, which are designed to help marketers avoid making environmental claims that mislead consumers. The guides were first issued in 1992 and were revised in 1996, 1998 and 2012. While the guides themselves are not enforceable, the commission can use them to prove that a claim is deceptive, in violation of federal law.
The guidance they provide includes:
General principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims
How consumers are likely to interpret claims, and how marketers can substantiate these claims
How marketers can qualify their claims to avoid deceiving consumers
The agency monitors environmentally themed marketing for potentially deceptive claims and evaluates compliance with the FTC Act of 1914 by reference to the Green Guides. Marketing inconsistent with the Green Guides may be considered unfair or deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
Courts also refer to the Green Guides when they evaluate claims for false advertising in private litigation.
Currently, the Green Guides state that marketers should qualify claims that products are recyclable when recycling facilities are not available to at least 60% of consumers or communities where a product is sold.
The FTC is reviewing the Green Guides and issued a request for public comment on the guides in late 2022. In May 2023, the agency convened a workshop called Talking Trash at the FTC: Recycling Claims and the Green Guides.
This meeting focused on the 60% processing threshold for recyclability claims. It also addressed potential confusion created by the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol, which often identifies the type of plastic resin used in a product, using the numbers 1 through 7.
Many critics argue that consumers may see the symbol and assume that a product is recyclable, even though municipal recycling programs are not widely available for some types of resins. Other labels use a version of the symbol for products such as single-use grocery bags that aren’t accepted in most curbside recycling programs but can be dropped off at designated stores for recycling.
The FTC has sought public comments on specific characteristics that make products recyclable. It also has asked whether unqualified recyclability claims should be made when recycling facilities are available to a “substantial majority” of consumers or communities where the item is sold – even if the item is not ultimately recycled due to market demand, budgetary constraints or other factors.
Organizations representing environmental interests, recycling businesses and the waste and packaging industries have offered numerous suggestions for updating the Green Guides. For example:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urged the FTC to increase its threshold for recyclability claims beyond the current 60% rate. The EPA said that products and packaging “should not be considered recyclable without strong end markets in which they can reliably be sold for a price higher than the cost of disposal.” It also recommended requiring companies’ recyclability claims to be reviewed and certified by outside experts.
The Consumer Brands Association, which represents the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Plastics Industry Association and other commercial interests, called for more research into public understanding of environmental marketing claims. To help companies avoid making deceptive advertising claims, it urged the FTC to provide more detailed explanations, with examples of acceptable marketing.
The Association of Plastic Recyclers encouraged the FTC to increase enforcement against deceptive unqualified claims of both recyclability and recycled content. It recommended providing stronger, more prescriptive guidance; publicizing specific examples from the marketplace of deceptive representations; and sending warning letters when companies appear to be making unsubstantiated claims. It also asked the FTC to maintain its current recyclability claim threshold at 60% and to update the Green Guides again within five years instead of 10.
A coalition of environmental groups, including Greenpeace USA and the Center for Biological Diversity, urged the commission to codify the Green Guides into binding rules. They also argued that for goods that require in-store drop-off, companies should have to prove that processors can capture and recycle at least 75% of the material.
The FTC has not set a date for publishing a final version of the revised Green Guides. All eyes will be on the agency to see how far it is willing to go to police recycling claims by manufacturers in this $90 billion U.S. industry.
Patrick Parenteau does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Can you trust companies that say their plastic products are recyclable? US regulators may crack down on deceptive claims – https://theconversation.com/can-you-trust-companies-that-say-their-plastic-products-are-recyclable-us-regulators-may-crack-down-on-deceptive-claims-239156
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement on the Department of Commerce’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would prohibit the sale or import of connected vehicles integrating specific pieces of hardware and software, or those components sold separately, with a sufficient nexus to the People’s Republic of China or Russia.
“As our vehicles become smarter, safer, and increasingly connected, it’s important we’re taking action to mitigate security risks, especially when this technology is coming from countries of concern, like China and Russia. An investigation by the Department of Commerce concluded that technology from these adversarial countries poses a real risk both to consumers and to American infrastructure. For example, we know that Chinese automakers are deploying autonomous vehicles in the U.S. for surveillance and data collection, meanwhile banning American vehicles from their own streets. Today’s NPRM is an important step to combat the real threat this poses. We must maintain our leadership at the forefront of the global auto industry in a way that protects Americans’ privacy and safety and strengthens our national security.”
The proposed rule focuses on hardware and software integrated into the Vehicle Connectivity System (VCS) and software integrated into the Automated Driving System (ADS). These are the critical systems that, through specific hardware and software, allow for external connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities in connected vehicles. Malicious access to these systems could allow adversaries to access and collect our most sensitive data and remotely manipulate cars on American roads. The proposed rule would apply to all wheeled on-road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses, but would exclude vehicles not used on public roads like agricultural or mining vehicles.
The rule would also prohibit manufacturers with a nexus to the PRC or Russia from selling connected vehicles that incorporate VCS hardware or software or ADS software in the United States, even if the vehicle was made in the United States.
The prohibitions on software would take effect for Model Year 2027 and the prohibitions on hardware would take effect for Model Year 2030, or January 1, 2029 for units without a model year.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. , September 23, 2024
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement on two reported incidents in Ann Arbor.
“Over the weekend there were two more reported incidents of assault against individuals potentially because of their faith or religion. As a community we must support law enforcement in investigating the facts and holding all perpetrators accountable. Violence, hateful language, or threats toward anyone are unacceptable and each of us must stand up against them to protect our neighbors. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and sexism are happening too often and have no place in our communities or anywhere in our country. We cannot allow this behavior to be normalized, ignored, or tolerated, and most importantly, we cannot let this define who we are. I am concerned about increasing incidents of hate and people being pitted against each other, and about the factors at work stirring up hate and division. We must remain especially vigilant as we grow nearer to the election and outside forces may seek to inflame hatred, division, and controversy.”
You can anonymously report any information you wish to share with police at aapd.a2gov.org/silentwitness.
Source: ACT Party
ACT has obtained a copy of AUT’s policy for funding researcher travel, which allocates 30 percent more points to travel applications for researchers who identify as Māori, and 20 percent more for Pasifika.
“This policy will put some academics at a disadvantage relative to others, simply because they have the ‘wrong’ ancestry,” says ACT Tertiary Education and Skills spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.
“Allocating travel funding based on race is a disrespect to those who would otherwise secure opportunities based on merit, or on the value their travel can offer to the university and society.
“After hearing reports of the existence of this policy, my office requested a copy of the points system from AUT on Wednesday morning. With no response from the university, I emailed around 500 AUT researchers over the weekend asking them if they knew about the points system and if they could provide a copy. This must have caused a stir, because yesterday morning AUT sent my office a copy of the points system, and the Vice-Chancellor sent an email to researchers and staff defending the policy. However, the Vice-Chancellor opted not to link directly to the points system so staff could easily view and understand it.
“I have now sent a copy of the points system to AUT researchers so they can view it themselves.
“Many researchers told me they were not aware of the points system, which is not listed publicly and is not easily found on internal systems. The University has not been up front with its staff and researchers, who deserve better.
“Last week the Government issued a circular to government agencies setting the expectation that public resources be allocated according to need and value, not race. However, as the Tertiary Education Minister has pointed, universities are given autonomy under the Education Training Act 2020 to adopt their own policies. Of course, academics, politicians, and taxpayers can still – and should – debate and challenge funding decisions.
“ACT will continue to shine sunlight on the discriminatory use of public funds. Having seen the Vice-Chancellor’s defence of the policy, I do not agree with the Tertiary Education Minister’s assessment that AUT’s rationale is ‘good’. ACT is deeply concerned that universities who fail to uphold equal opportunity for students and academics damage their own reputations and place divisive political ideology ahead of value for taxpayers.”
Editor’s note: The AUT points system for travel funding prioritises applications based on a number of criteria, before an ‘equity multiplier’ of up to 1.3x is applied to advantage selected groups. This means that while a Māori-identifying researcher can earn up to 37.7 points, a researcher not eligible for an equity multiplier may only accumulate 29 points. This means, in effect, that an Asian academic seeking to attend a conference to which they are contributing a paper could lose funding to a Māori-identifying researcher who is merely visiting the conference, solely on the basis of race.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)
Today, Representative Lou Correa (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, and Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) led nearly 60 of their colleagues in a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Guatemalan nationals residing in the United States.
“We write to urgently request that your administration provide temporary humanitarian protections for Guatemalan nationals living in the United States by either designating the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or authorizing Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Guatemalan nationals,” the members wrote. “Several significant and overlapping natural disasters are causing substantial disruption and hampering the country’s ability to adequately handle the return of its nationals at this time. Additionally, widespread impunity, corruption, and violence are preventing Guatemalans from returning to the country safely.”
Today, the vast majority of Guatemalans have lived in the United States for many years and are deeply integrated into the fabric of American families, communities, and local economies. Providing these humanitarian protections will reinforce the relationship that the United States is developing with the new, democratically elected government in Guatemala, which has committed to taking steps to try to ameliorate many of the conditions that have long been neglected by previous Guatemalan leaders.
“Granting TPS or DED to Guatemalan nationals in the United States is entirely within the legal authority of this administration and it is both the right and the smart thing to do,” the members concluded. “The problems in Guatemala today are deeply rooted and they pose a threat not only to the safety and security of Guatemalan nationals who have long resided in the United States, but also to the U.S. Government’s efforts to address the root causes of forced and irregular migration in the hemisphere.”
The U.S. Government’s official reports on human rights abuses and violence in Guatemala are unsparing. The State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report cites credible reports of: “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment by the government; harsh and life threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest or detention,” and more.
“The President has recognized the critical role that Temporary Protected Status plays in offering relief to families,” says Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA. “We urge him and the administration to continue to extend relief to those who have been a part of our community for decades. A designation of TPS or DED for Guatemala would ensure that CASA members and Guatemalan families across the country will be able to secure work authorization, allowing them to support their loved ones without the constant fear of being separated. As so many have become fundamental members of communities across the US, we call on the administration to recognize their long-standing contributions and ensure that those who now call the US home can do so with pride and security.”
Led by Correa and Connolly, this letter was endorsed by CASA co-signed by nearly 60 Democratic members of the House of Representatives. A full list of co-signers can be found HERE.
“Due to climate change and natural disasters, Guatemala does not have an infrastructure where people can continue to live, as many communities are destroyed,” said Julian Ramirez, CASA member in Georgia. “In 2020, I watched as Hurricane Eta and Iota destroyed people’s homes. Completely destroyed the agriculture that our people rely on. We immigrants came to this country to contribute to our families and to this country at the same time. We come to work, to support our families, and a TPS would give us the freedom and opportunity to do more than we can now.”
“TPS will give me the protection I need to keep working and supporting my family,” says Jose Berduo, CASA community member in Virginia. “As an essential agriculture worker, it means I can continue contributing to the economy without the constant fear of losing everything—or losing my family to deportation. I immigrated with my family 16 years ago from Guatemala, and ever since then, I’ve been working on America’s farms, helping to feed our communities. TPS would provide the stability I need to keep supporting my family and fulfilling my dreams while giving back to the country that has become my home.”
“A TPS or DED designation from President Joe Biden for the Guatemalans unprotected in our country is the biggest hope they have after decades of contributing to the economy and raising their families here in the US,” says Walter Baltres, President of the Red Migrante Guatemalteco (Guatemalan Immigrant Network). “This is a long overdue act of dignification for our members across forty states. There is no moment better than right now to bring our people out from behind the shadows.”
You can read the full text of the letter HERE.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Emilie El Khoury, Postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University’s Centre for International Policy and Defence (CIDP), Queen’s University, Ontario
The violent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified in recent days. Reports from Lebanon indicate Israeli air strikes have killed 356 people and injured more than 1,200.
These latest air strikes come shortly after thousands of pagers and other electronic devices exploded across Lebanon on Sept. 17 and 18, killing 37 people and injuring thousands.
Hezbollah quickly laid the blame for the explosions on Israel, which has not taken credit for the attack. Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said international humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-trapped devices and that “it is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians.”
Days later, Israel bombed a building in Beirut, killing 45 people, including a Hezbollah commander.
Israeli officials have reportedly said their recent attacks on Lebanon are an attempt to reach “de-escalation through escalation.” However, in response, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets deep into Israel, signalling that Israeli attempts at de-escalatory escalation are unlikely to work.
In a speech following the pager explosions, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Israel had “crossed all red lines,” that the group remained resolved and that it would continue its attacks on Israel.
Since the current Hamas-Israel war began in October 2023, the violent exchanges between Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been based on a logic of deterrence, with each side attempting to discourage the other from widening the conflict.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recently said the focus of Israel’s war effort is moving to the north of the country and that Israel plans to deepen its attacks on Lebanon.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has claimed Hezbollah hides rockets in civilian homes, suggesting they could become targets. Meanwhile, the Israeli education minister has called for “a massive war against Lebanon.” He has also declared: “There is no difference between Hezbollah and Lebanon. The way things are progressing, Lebanon will be annihilated.”
Such comments, along with the attacks on Lebanon, indicate the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel may become more intense in the coming weeks and months. They also exacerbate the level of terror among civilian populations already grappling with the uncertainty and stress the war has wrought.
While Israel has not confirmed it was behind the pager explosions, Israeli jets regularly fly over Lebanon, causing sonic booms as they break the sound barrier. This is a tactic designed to spread fear among the civilian population.
Israel has adopted a similar tactic in Gaza, using drones that produce a loud constant buzzing sound that causes anxiety and a sense of insecurity.
These displays allow Israel to demonstrate the strength of its military capabilities. In this context, Israel is intensifying its attacks across Lebanon to erode the morale of the Lebanese people.
The explosions across Lebanon instilled deep terror among the population. Among the injured and killed were innocent civilians, including children.
This raises the question: Do indiscriminate attacks that spread fear among civilian populations qualify as terrorist if they possess all the characteristics of terrorism but lack a specific objective or motivation given that no one has claimed any?
Politics scholars have attempted to come up with definitions of terrorism. Some argue any action that generates terror or panic and aims to destabilize society can be considered a terrorist act.
However, the lack of a clear claim complicates this classification. These acts seem more akin to criminal acts, as the political or ideological motivations are not formally established.
The concept of terrorism originated during the French Revolution, particularly during the Reign of Terror, a violent period marked by the execution of tens of thousands by revolutionary governments.
In response to state terror, groups identifying as revolutionaries emerged, employing similar tactics to resist their authorities, and these groups were seen as terrorists.
Since then, terrorism has been viewed as a form of violent communication directed at a state, using lethal means to instil fear and achieve specific ideological or political goals.
In 1979, the United States government began designating certain countries as “state sponsors of terrorism,” with Iran notably implicated in supporting such activities following the Iranian Revolution.
Today, the question of whether states employ tactics akin to terrorism is complex and widely debated. Anti-terrorism strategies typically aim to protect nations from immediate threats, while counterinsurgency focuses on stabilizing and supporting existing governments.
But violent counterinsurgency raises ethical dilemmas. It can perpetuate cycles of violence, cause more terror and reinforce rebellion among affected populations.
If the goal is to spread fear, then these attacks are successful. The explosions triggered scenes of panic in public places as shops, restaurants, schools and hospitals became sites of terror.
However, if — as the Israeli government has suggested — the attacks seek to weaken Hezbollah’s support among the Lebanese population, they can have the opposite effect. Although many Lebanese people have been critical of Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict, these recent attacks are perceived as targeted against all Lebanese.
Many innocent civilians were killed or injured, including women, children and health-care workers. People from all walks of life felt a palpable threat, giving rise to unprecedented solidarity.
From an anthropological perspective, Israel’s latest attacks have galvanized a greater sense of solidarity within the Lebanese population. Following the attacks, calls for blood donations poured in, while various political parties and religious groups expressed support for the victims.
For Hezbollah, these attacks, despite the significant human losses, can bolster it politically. They reinforce its narrative of martyrdom and portray the group as a defender of Lebanon to its supporters.
The cross-border attacks by Israel and Hezbollah are in part designed to pressure the civilian populations, and in turn, the opposing side. However, this psychological war has not yielded the expected results for either side. Thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have had to flee their homes. However, neither side has seemingly been deterred.
As the attacks become more deadly and rhetoric more inflammatory, there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions, abandon this violent approach and return to diplomacy.
Emilie El Khoury receives funding for her postdoctoral research at Queen’s University from Queen’s Research Opportunities Postdoctoral Fund.
– ref. After recent attacks, the Hezbollah-Israel confrontation could become more intense – https://theconversation.com/after-recent-attacks-the-hezbollah-israel-confrontation-could-become-more-intense-239554
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)
WASHINGTON – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Dean Phillips (MN-03), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, introduced the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act (H.R. 9564). The legislation will address human rights abuses, student indoctrination, and attempted aid diversion by the Houthis in Yemen. The legislation has been noticed for markup in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, September 24.
“The Houthis campaign of terror has expanded from a serious regional concern to a daily crisis in a part of the world that is increasingly unstable with armed conflict across multiple nations,” said Rep. Issa. “Their blatant human rights abuses, teaching of antisemitic hate, and outright theft of international aid are happening every day, and the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act puts a spotlight where it belongs, tells the truth about these terrorists, and will put our national interest on a better course to deal with it.”
“The Houthis, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, wreak havoc not only across the region through its relentless attacks in the Red Sea, but also on the Yemeni people,” said Rep. Phillips. “I am appalled by the Houthis’ continued human rights abuses against Yemeni civilians, especially children, as well as the continued detention of international aid workers. This brutal behavior must be held to account, which is why I am pleased to introduce the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act with Rep. Issa.”
The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansarallah, is a longtime terrorist group based in Yemen. It has also received material and monetary support from Iran for the express purpose of committing terrorism within Yemen as well as regionally. Additionally, since October 7th of last year, the Houthis have carried out a daily campaign of firing drones, rockets, and missiles to significantly disrupt international shipping in and around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden while frequently attacking U.S. Navy vessels.
Specifically, H.R. 9564:
The text of the bill can be found here.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting around 153,000 people in the UK. It affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and leads to many symptoms, mainly tremor, slowness of movement, and rigidity.
Currently, there are no specific diagnostic tests or disease-modifying drugs available to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s. Diagnosis is based on medical history, symptoms, and a neurological and physical exam. Treatments focus on replacing the lost dopamine but are associated with long-term side effects and do not stop remaining neurons from dying.
Remarkable progress is being made by scientists in the UK and globally to understand the mechanisms of neurodegeneration, develop diagnostics, stratify patients, and prevent/treat Parkinson’s. Journalists came to this Science Media Centre briefing to hear three leading experts discuss the current research landscape, including early detection, models to test the effect of genetics and environment and test new therapies, and the new Landmark programme; a consortium led by Parkinson’s UK using big data to accelerate treatments.
Speakers included:
Professor David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK
Professor Alastair Noyce, Professor in Neurology and Neuroepidemiology at Queen Mary University of London and Consultant Neurologist at Barts Health NHS Trust
Professor Sonia Gandhi, MRC Senior Clinician Scientist, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology & Senior Group Leader, The Francis Crick Institute
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken delivers remarks at the Summit of the Future in New York City, New York, on September 23, 2024.
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Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Navy veterans Congressmen Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) introduced the Strengthening Our Servicemembers with Milk Act. This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense to provide fluid or powdered milk to members of the Armed Forces at dining facilities on military installations.
“The milk produced by our hardworking dairy farmers is a vital source of nutrients, playing a critical role in supporting the health and strength of our servicemembers,” said Van Orden. “By mandating milk on military installations, we are ensuring our men and women in uniform have access to healthy food options while serving our country.”
“Milk plays an important role in America’s success— providing vital nutrients to the American people with the help of our dairy farmers in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and across our nation,” said Reschenthaler. “I am proud to introduce this legislation with my fellow Navy veteran to ensure our servicemembers have access to a variety of milk options while also supporting our dairy farmers.”
To read the full bill text, click here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) led a letter to Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging a change to the CDC’s Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) guideline manual to allow service dogs in laboratories for individuals with disabilities who utilize them.
The current guidance states, “Animals and plants not associated with the work being performed are not permitted in the laboratory.” This leaves no room for objective assessment for equal or equitable access and opportunities for those with disabilities who utilize a service dog.
Ciscomani encourages the CDC to amend the current BMBL guidelines to state, “Animals and plants not associated with the work being performed are not permitted in the laboratory; service dogs may be an exception based on an individualized risk assessment.”
“Individuals who utilize service dogs who study or work in laboratories should not be judged or discriminated against due to their disabilities,” said Ciscomani. “Whether they need new assistance due to an accident, or have a lifelong disability, this guideline is denying these individuals reasonable accommodation and forcing them to put their ambitions and career on hold. My proposed solution would expand equitable access to students and working professionals in the science industry who rely on a service dog for medical assistance.”
Ciscomani was joined by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), David Valadao (CA-22), Brandon Williams (NY-22), and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) in this effort.
Full text of the letter is available here.
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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police have unscrewed a pair’s plans after two men allegedly stole tools from a hardware shop and presented a firearm at store workers in East Tāmaki yesterday.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright, from Counties Manukau CIB, says the incident at a commercial address on Harris Road was reported to Police at around 3.42pm yesterday.
“A man has entered the store and walked around for close to an hour before allegedly leaving the store with tools that weren’t paid for.
“Two employees have then chased after the alleged offender as he was leaving.”
Detective Inspector Bright says the man has run to a vehicle where another man was waiting.
“The person in the car is alleged to have presented an imitation firearm towards the workers before the pair fled in a black Subaru.
“Our staff managed to track the vehicle and the Police Eagle helicopter quickly located at an address on Kemble Close, Māngere.
“They have attempted to leave that address, however an armed vehicle stop was conducted and both males were taken into custody.”
She says the stolen power tools and a replica pistol were located.
“This was exceptional work by the officers involved, and thankfully no one was injured.
“But this incident should serve as a reminder, we take any incident where there are threats of violence or presentation of firearms towards the community seriously.”
Two men, aged 38 and 27, will appear in Manukau District Court on Thursday facing charges including aggravated assault, shoplifting and presenting an object like a firearm.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
