Source: Government of Canada regional news
Minister of Justice and Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“On Thursday, October 17, a proposed Plan of Compromise and Arrangement was filed with the courts detailing a resolution for ongoing tobacco litigation in Canada.
Source: European Parliament
Since Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine by illegally annexing the Crimean peninsula, it has been seeking to foster relations with countries in the Global South that are not firmly aligned with the Western world. In 2023, a change in Russia’s foreign policy of 2016 placed a greater emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Africa, where the Kremlin has been building influence since the Soviet era. Russia’s strategic goal is to counter the United States presence in the neighbourhood and to ensure that Latin America and the Caribbean remain geopolitically neutral. Russia is also pursuing the goal of building a new multipolar world order. Russia’s longstanding political and security partners in LAC are Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, each under an authoritarian regime. Russia is also trying to strengthen its political ties with other LAC countries such as Bolivia, Brazil and El Salvador. With all LAC countries, Russia works through bilateral agreements and intergovernmental forums, in particular BRICS and the G20. From an economic perspective, Russia’s footprint in the region is very limited: its trade with LAC countries accounts for a mere 2 % of its global trade. Nevertheless, Russia has gained political leverage through its economic ties, especially due to key LAC countries’ reliance on Russian fertilisers and diesel. In addition to political and economic relations, Russia has signed several military cooperation agreements with Latin American countries over the past two decades. Currently, military cooperation is primarily limited to Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Russian arms sales to the region have steadily declined since Russia’s invasion of Crimea and are now insignificant. Alongside political, economic and military ties, Russia employs disinformation campaigns to undermine liberal democracies and promote Russian propaganda narratives.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Reno, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced that the Nevada Department of Transportation will receive more than $275 million in federal funding to widen I-80 from Vista Boulevard to USA Parkway between the Reno-Sparks metro area and Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. The improvements funded by this award include an additional lane in each direction, shoulder widening, bridge reconstruction, new pavement, and intelligent transportation system facilities. Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen advocated specifically for this project, and the funding was made possible thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law they helped pass.
“Interstate 80 is a critical corridor for so many Nevadans—that’s why Senator Rosen and I worked in a bipartisan way to help secure these federal dollars coming to Northern Nevada to ease congestion, drive economic growth, and save lives along the corridor,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This investment is essential for our communities, and it was made possible thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Senator Rosen and I fought to pass. I commend her steady partnership in improving transportation access for hardworking Nevadans, and we’ll keep fighting to deliver the infrastructure investments that Nevada needs.”
“I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to secure more than $275 million in federal funding to widen I-80, which will help reduce traffic and support local economic growth,” said Senator Rosen. “This funding was made possible thanks to the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped write and pass. I’ll keep working with Senator Cortez Masto and our bipartisan Congressional delegation to deliver real results for Nevadans.”
Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create good-paying jobs and upgrade road infrastructure in Nevada. Both Senators have secured funding to improve pedestrian safety, expand clean energy public transit, and modernize and expand critical roadways to shorten commute times and improve driver safety. Last month, they announced $4.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to enhance road safety in Northern Nevada.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 4:22PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar would be formally inaugurating the 21st Divya Kala Mela at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, tomorrow. The event is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), from 17th October to 27th October 2024. This event would be a grand celebration of talent, entrepreneurship, and craftsmanship of Divyang artisans from across the country.
Over 100 Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from more than 20 States and Union Territories will gather at this 11-day mela to showcase an impressive range of locally-made products. These will include home décor, handlooms, handicrafts, jewellery, packaged food, and eco-friendly items, all representing the resilience and creativity of persons with disabilities. The event will also emphasize the Vocal for Local initiative, spotlighting the importance of supporting indigenous products.
The mela will feature dedicated stalls and exhibitions for Divyang artists to showcase their creative prowess and offer a glimpse into the incredible artistic expressions of this community. These events will run alongside the vibrant marketplace for all 11 days, allowing visitors to witness the diverse talents of disabled entrepreneurs and artists.
In addition to being a platform for entrepreneurs, the Divya Kala Mela will offer a robust array of side events:
A major highlight will be the ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ cultural programme on 27th October 2024, featuring captivating performances by Divyang artists from across India, celebrating their talent and dedication. In addition, the mela will offer a wide variety of regional delicacies, providing visitors with a chance to savor the culinary diversity of India, creating an enriching cultural experience. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Divya Kala Mela 2024 is set to be a truly memorable celebration of inclusivity, talent, and cultural heritage.
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VM
(Release ID: 2066078) Visitor Counter : 92
Source: United Nations – Geneva
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the ninth periodic report of Cuba, with Committee Experts praising the State’s high percentage of women in Parliament, and asking about measures to protect women and girls from sex trafficking and reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women. Committee Experts also discussed the impact that the United States’ economic blockade had on Cuban women’s rights.
A Committee Expert welcomed that Cuba currently had one of the highest rates of female participation in Parliament worldwide.
Rhoda Reddock, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, raised the issue of the economic blockade on Cuba by the United States, which she said was estimated to have cost Cuba a significant percentage of its gross domestic product. Had the State party had been able to address all the challenges that came with the blockade?
One Committee Expert said there were concerning reports of sexual abuse of girls in the tourism industry and of criminalisation of women victims of sex trafficking. When would the State party adopt a comprehensive law on trafficking with clear provisions on prevention and reparation for victims?
Another Expert said women spent twice as much time doing domestic and care work compared to men, and there had been successive cuts to social care programmes. How did the State party intend to sustain these programmes?
Introducing the report, Inés María Chapman Waugh, Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba and head of the delegation, said women accounted for 56 per cent of members of Cuba’s Parliament, the second highest percentage in the world. Around 80 per cent of judges in the judiciary were women; eight in every 10 prosecutors were women; and women made up 60 per cent of university graduates. The State also had a high representation of women in its science and technology sector, she noted.
Ms. Chapman Waugh said the United States’ financial blockage against Cuba was a flagrant violation of the rights of Cubans and it had disproportionately affected women. It had led to devastating shortages in medication, food and energy. Progress in distributing the human papilloma virus vaccine, for example, had been hampered by the blockade.
The delegation said Cuba had a zero-tolerance policy regarding all forms of trafficking. Trafficking in persons had been included as a crime in the Criminal Code, as had forced labour. The State did not criminalise women victims of trafficking. Detection and combatting systems were in place in the tourism industry.
The Government was calling for fair distribution of household and care work between men and women, the delegation said. A recent decree on the national care system provided for a more equitable approach to care. The State was training carers to provide formalised care for the aging population and raising awareness about the need for men and women to spend equal time on care duties.
In closing remarks, Ms. Chapman Waugh said Cuba valued the recommendations of the Committee, which would be scrutinised with due rigour. The Government was committed to implementing the Convention and promoting women’s rights. It would do its utmost to achieve its goals in this regard, despite the economic blockade imposed by the United States.
Ana Peláez Narváez, Committee Chair, in concluding remarks, said that the Committee commended Cuba for its efforts and called on the State party to implement the Committee’s recommendations for better implementation of the Convention for the benefit of all women and girls in the State.
The delegation of Cuba consisted of representatives from the National Assembly of People’s Power; Ministry of Justice; National Secretariat of the Federation of Cuban Women; Ministry of Education; University of Havana; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Cuba at the end of its eighty-ninth session on 25 October. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.
The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Monday, 21 October to consider the fifth periodic report of Benin (CEDAW/C/BEN/5).
Report
The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of Cuba (CEDAW/C/CUB/9).
Presentation of Report
INÉS MARÍA CHAPMAN WAUGH, Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba and head of the delegation, said gender equality and the eradication of all forms of violence against women were objectives that Cuba and the Committee shared. Almost 80 per cent of the Committee’s recommendations from the last review had been complied with. Cuba was steadfastly committed to complying with its obligations under the Convention.
Since 2019, Cuba had undergone a far-reaching process to strengthen its legislative framework. The 2019 Constitution promoted the right to equality and the prohibition of discrimination. Direct and indirect discrimination had been prohibited in the Criminal Code. The newly adopted Family Code defended women’s rights, permitted same-sex marriage, and set the age of marriage at 18.
The national programme for the advancement of women was implemented in 2021. It included 46 measures promoting women’s advancement and established a follow-up mechanism to ensure its implementation. Under the programme, the State party adopted polices to promote the inclusion of women in the labour market. Around 250 creches had been established to support working women.
A Cuban association for persons with disabilities had been established, and the social assistance programme provided support for the children of women with disabilities. Around one quarter of women were self-employed. The State’s unemployment rate was low, at around two per cent. Six decree laws were recently adopted that promoted the protection of women working in the private sector. The national response to the COVID-19 pandemic included benefits provided to working women and women who lost their jobs. Over 60 per cent of persons who coordinated COVID-19 vaccination development in Cuba were women.
Women accounted for 56 per cent of members of Parliament, the second highest percentage in the world. In the Supreme Court, women accounted for 53 per cent of judges, while around 80 per cent of judges in the judiciary were women. Eight in every 10 prosecutors were women. Women made up 60 per cent of university graduates. The State also had a high representation of women in its science and technology sector. Care services accounted for a high percentage of the State budget. The State party continued to work to collect cross-cutting and intersectoral data on women.
Cuba had developed robust legislation and a national action plan to tackle gender-based violence. It addressed direct and indirect violence in all settings. In 2022, the murder of women was specifically criminalised in the Criminal Code. Education measures played a key role in preventing gender-based violence in the State. In the coming days, Cuba would set up a data mechanism that would provide real-time information about violent deaths of women and girls, and a hotline for reporting violence against women. Measures would also be implemented to address the disproportionate burden of care placed on women.
The United States had been imposing a financial blockage against Cuba for several decades. This was a flagrant violation of the rights of Cubans and it had disproportionately affected women. It had led to devastating shortages in medication, food and energy. Progress in distributing the human papilloma virus vaccine, for example, had been hampered by the blockade.
The Government was working to address macho stereotypes, and support women’s access to health, education and land. Measures were implemented to support the many rural women who were engaged in low paid or unpaid work. Programmes had also been implemented to address the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies. Cuba promoted women’s bodily autonomy and allowed women to decide regarding abortion.
Seventy per cent of the people murdered in the Gaza Strip were women and girls. Ms. Chapman Waugh appealed for peace in the Middle East.
Cuba, on the basis of its international commitments and in spite of the blockade placed upon it, would continue to do its best to implement the Convention and protect the rights of all women in its territory.
Questions by a Committee Expert
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, congratulated Cuba on its achievements over the years. Cuba was the first country to sign and the second to ratify the Convention, and several Cuban experts had served on the Committee. The economic blockade on Cuba by the United States had been in place since the 1960s. It was estimated to have cost Cuba a significant percentage of its gross domestic product. Cuba had also been added to the United States’ list of States that sponsored terrorism, further hindering Cuba’s access to resources. Women were worst affected by this situation. They were forced to spend most of their time working to obtain resources to support their families, and more than one million women and girls had fled the State to seek a better life.
Ms. Reddock welcomed that the State party had introduced several laws to address discrimination and violence against women. It was also promising that a National Ombudsperson’s Office had recently been established.
The death penalty remained in place for more than 20 offences. Were there plans to implement a moratorium? The July 2021 protests against increasing shortages of fuel and food were met with disproportionately violent responses by State agents. Many women protesters reportedly remained in detention. There were also reports of poor conditions for women in Cuban prisons. Were there plans to release the women protesters detained since 2021? Was there a right of appeal for detained protestors? What was the status of the National Ombudsperson? Had it received complaints from women?
Another Committee Expert welcomed efforts by the State party to disseminate the Convention and provide training for State agents on the Convention. What concrete steps had been taken to enhance women’s awareness of their rights under the Convention? How was the Committee disseminating the Convention among politicians and the judiciary? What was the national mechanism for monitoring the Committee’s recommendations? What was the position of the State party on the ratification of the Optional Protocol?
The Committee was concerned that the State party had failed to incorporate a comprehensive definition of discrimination against women in the Constitution or in State legislation. Why was this? What legislative and policy measures were in place to address intersectional discrimination against women?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said access to justice was a constitutionally recognised right for all Cubans. Men and women enjoyed the same legal status and the same rights with regard to succession. Exorbitant fees could not be charged for legal aid services. Around 700 pro-bono services were made available in 2024, the majority of which related to gender-based violence cases.
The National Ombudsperson was established in June 2023. Its role was to protect and restore the rights of marginalised people, including women, young people, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. It had received 102 complaints of violence and discrimination. Forty-eight of these cases had been resolved; the rest were being reviewed.
No authority could modify the rulings of courts or instruct judges. The judiciary’s independence met the highest international standards. The public was actively engaged in trials and rulings could be appealed.
Cuba was in favour of removing the death penalty when the conditions were favourable to do so. It had not been applied or handed down as a sanction for 20 years and had never been issued against a woman. Four crimes had been removed from the list of crimes for which the death penalty could be applied.
There were no political prisoners in Cuba. All prisoners had been sentenced for violating the law and had benefited from fair trial guarantees. In the 2021 riots, there was vandalism and public and private property was destroyed. No country would allow such actions to go unpunished. Criminal trials of persons who committed such actions were fair; rioters were prosecuted based on their actions, not their gender.
Cuba engaged in ongoing awareness raising and training on the Convention and other international human rights instruments for civil servants and the judiciary. There was also an awareness raising campaign for women and vulnerable groups. The State party worked with local media and civil society to support this work. There were also post-graduate courses in universities on women’s empowerment and gender-based violence.
The State party did not recognise the competence of any international treaty bodies to receive individual communications. This was a long-standing position of the Government and there were no plans to change it.
The State party had a follow-up mechanism to assess the implementation of the Convention and the national programme for the advancement of women. It was working to ensure that women could play their full roles in the family, the economy and society. The mechanism included representatives of all government bodies and civil society organizations.
Cuba prohibited all forms of discrimination. State legislation addressed discrimination based on sex and gender identity, amongst others. The 2019 Constitution stated that international treaties ratified by Cuba were directly applicable in the State. The State party had adopted over 400 decrees promoting gender equality. An important example was the new Family Code, which placed gender equality at its core. Members of parliament were provided with training on this legislation to ensure that they were able to apply it. The national programme against racism and discrimination also addressed intersectional forms of discrimination.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert asked about the State party’s assessment of its efforts to disseminate the Convention. The Optional Protocol put into practical effect the rights of the Convention and would be of benefit to Cuba if it were ratified.
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, asked if the State party had been able to address all the challenges that came with the United States’ blockade.
Another Committee Expert shared deep concerns about the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights. Businesses and multilateral actors needed to consider the impacts of overcompliance with sanctions, and States needed to act in line with their international obligations.
One Committee Expert said the Federation for Cuban Women coordinated the national programme for the advancement of women. How did the Federation mainstream gender equality across different sectors and promote the participation of women of African descent and women with disabilities in the creation of public policies? How did it assist civil society organizations in efforts to promote gender equality?
Cuba did not have a national human rights institute, but the National Ombudsperson might be a first step towards this. How many complaints had it received from women? To what extent had gender sensitivity training been provided? Did the State party plan to establish a national human rights institute in accordance with the Paris Principles?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said that specialised training on international treaties was a challenge. To address this, the State party had stepped up training of police, journalists and other stakeholders on the Convention, including in rural areas. A gender approach was gradually being implemented in university textbooks. There was a communication strategy in place to promote positive portrayals of women in the media and prevent gender stereotypes.
The State party did not recognise the competence of the treaty bodies to receive individual communications as Cuba believed that its national rights protection framework was sufficient.
The economic blockade had primarily impacted women and families. Banks did not allow Cuba to conduct many transactions, due to the State having been classified as a co-sponsor of terrorism. This had hampered efforts to invest in energy and infrastructure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shortage of ventilators in hospitals, and the Government was unable to acquire them due to the blockade. Twenty-five days of the blockade represented a year’s worth of financing required to acquire the basic basket of food and medical supplies for one year. Eighteen days of the blockade covered a year’s worth of investment in fuel. Thirty-six hours of the blockade represented the annual cost of education materials in the country.
Since the establishment of the Ombudsperson, it had dealt with 1,001 cases, 616 of which it had accepted for follow-up. Over 300 of these cases had been resolved. Two national workshops had been held to strengthen the capacity of Ombudsperson Office staff. The State was working to ensure that women were aware of the national programme for women’s empowerment. National and local groups provided follow-up on human rights issues affecting certain communities; these issues included racism, women’s empowerment, and the rights of persons with disabilities. In all these fora, civil society participated actively.
Among Cuban members of Parliament, there were 149 Afro descendants, representing over 30 per cent of members. Around 56 per cent of women members of Parliament were Afro descendants. The State party was working to address discrimination and racism against this group. A national observatory on racism had been established and there was a reporting line for lodging complaints of racism. A national day for Afro-Latina and Afro-Caribbean women had been established. Over 60 civil society organizations representing these women participated in celebrations of this day.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said the Federation of Cuban Women was very strong. How did it support independent civil society organizations which did not belong to the Federation?
Another Committee Expert asked whether the State party believed that there was a need to enact temporary special measures to support young girls and older women? Were temporary special measures planned to address the phenomenon of rural to urban migration?
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, commended the State party for continuing efforts to eliminate gender discrimination of women and carry out training and sensitisation programmes on gender discrimination. How effective had these programmes been? Would the State party consider establishing a multi-sectoral strategy to eliminate patriarchal stereotypes? What work on gender stereotypes had been carried out with men and boys? Schools reproduced gender ideologies. To what extent were gender studies part of the teacher training curriculum?
There were many legislative changes put in place related to gender-based violence since the last dialogue. To what extent had the implementation of this legislation been affected by the economic blockade? Were there official shelters for victims of gender-based violence and did the State party collaborate with civil society organizations that supported victims? Was there a reparations procedure for victims? Did the State party have an aversion to addressing femicide in its legislation? What was the social perception of this phenomenon?
One Committee Expert said that the State party had a zero-tolerance policy to trafficking. However, there were concerning reports of sexual abuse of girls in the tourism industry and of criminalisation of women victims of sex trafficking. When would the State party adopt a comprehensive law on trafficking with clear provisions on prevention and reparation for victims? When would it review its Penal Code to criminalise the use of services of trafficking victims? How would it prevent the revictimisation of trafficking victims? How many victims had been identified and assisted in the past year, and how many perpetrators had been prosecuted? Did the State party intend to include women’s non-governmental organizations in the process of identifying and preventing trafficking? How was the State party training officials to respond to trafficking, including online trafficking activities? What awareness raising campaigns were in place regarding trafficking? How many shelters were available for victims of trafficking and what services did they provide?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said more than four million Cubans belonged to the Federation of Cuban Women. The Federation of Cuban Women coordinated a working group on implementing the national programme on women’s empowerment, which also included civil society organizations that were not part of the Federation.
Cuba had a tradition of enacting temporary special measures when needed. For example, it had reopened children’s creches in workplaces. Measures were also being implemented to support women’s access to the basket of foodstuff and employment, and to support women and girls migrating from rural areas to cities. The Government was supporting rural women to access livelihoods to reduce their need to migrate from rural areas. There was a working group in place that addressed internal and external migration, developing policies to support migrants and manage urban development
The national education system was being reviewed in 2023 and 2024 to strengthen guidelines for teachers. Issues such as gender inequality and sexual division of labour were being incorporated in students’ education. Intergenerational meetings were held with men and boys, in which elderly men taught boys about the importance of tackling gender stereotypes.
The State party had a comprehensive legal framework and a national strategy to address gender-based violence. One of the goals of the strategy was to develop a comprehensive law on violence against women. The Criminal Code imposed severe sanctions for the crime of murder of a women motivated by gender. There were shelters for female victims of violence provided by grassroots organizations. Workshops were held to coordinate the Government and civil society’s responses to gender-based violence. Comprehensive reparations for violence could be sought through civil courts. Members of parliament had discussed but had not agreed to include the concept of “femicide” within legislation.
Cuba had a zero-tolerance policy regarding all forms of trafficking and was a State party to international instruments addressing various forms of trafficking. Trafficking in persons had been included as a crime in the Criminal Code, as had forced labour. There was a very low incidence of human trafficking in Cuba, thanks in part to the absence of significant organised crime networks. Cuba had a national action plan and a national working group addressing trafficking. The national action plan included strong measures promoting support for victims. The State did not criminalise women victims of trafficking.
State regulations prohibited sex tourism. Detection and combatting systems were in place in the tourism industry. The State party had identified a small number of foreigners in the country who were involved in facilitating child sex tourism, who were duly sentenced. Over 700 training sessions had taken place for 7,000 workers in the tourism sector on the prevention of trafficking.
Cuba had published an annual report on trafficking that contained data on cases of trafficking before the courts. There were 14 prosecutions for trafficking crimes in 2023. The State party did not criminalise prostitution but did punish pimping with severe penalties. Social workers were supporting sex workers and the State was working to eradicate the root causes of women becoming involved in prostitution.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert welcomed that Cuba currently had one of the highest rates of female participation in Parliament worldwide. However, a gender gap persisted in cabinet ministries, with only 18.5 per cent of ministerial positions being held by women. Men were concentrated in the most influential spheres of Government. How was the State party measuring the number of women in executive posts in the private sector? Was it encouraging private sector bodies to promote women’s representation? How many heads of standing committees in Parliament were women? How many women civil society organizations were there and were they affected by laws preventing access to foreign funding?
Another Committee Expert asked about circumstances in which Cuban women could lose their nationality. Could the State party strip people of their nationality? Was there a mechanism for Cuban women born abroad to regain their nationality?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Cuba had made significant progress over the reporting period regarding the representation of women in Parliament. Three women played a key role in leadership of the Central Communist Party Committee and 46 per cent of members of this committee were women. Six provinces had female governors; 80 per cent of vice-ministerial posts were held by women; and six of the 11 standing working committees of Parliament were led by women. The State party had put in place an action plan to increase the representation of women in non-traditional sectors and in leadership positions, and to increase the number of women-owned enterprises.
Civil society organizations could receive foreign funding, but not financing for activities that subverted the constitutional order.
The Constitution regulated how citizenship was acquired. The acquisition of citizenship of other States did not lead to the revoking of Cuban citizenship. A new law on citizenship had been adopted but had not yet come into force. The law would require persons who applied to renounce Cuban nationality to hold another nationality.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert asked if there was a follow-up mechanism in place to assess the number of women in executive posts.
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, said that the President could issue decisions on the removal of citizenship. Could this lead to statelessness?
One Committee Expert commended Cuba for its efforts to make the right to education free and universal and to promote women’s academic achievements. The Expert cited reports of an increased rate of teenage pregnancies in rural and remote areas, particularly for people of African descent. When would the State party start implementing a sexual education programme? How was it working around the economic blockade to support rural and Black women? How many rural and marginalised women were attending university? Did the State party have legislation and policies that addressed bullying in schools and cyber bullying? How did the State party ensure that women and men earned the same in the education sector?
Another Committee Expert said women’s labour force participation rate was relatively low, at 39 per cent. How would the State party increase this rate, particularly in the formal sector, and ensure that women in the informal sector had the same access to protections as in the formal sector? What measures were in place to address the segregation of women in the workforce and to promote the employment of women of African descent and women with disabilities? The State party had prohibited discrimination on the basis of employment. How was this being implemented? Women spent twice as much time doing domestic and care work, and there had been successive cuts to social care programmes. How did the State party intend to sustain these programmes?
How effective was legislation promoting shared parental responsibility? How was the State party working to prevent workplace sexual harassment? How many complaints of workplace harassment had been received since 2019? What were the obstacles to the State party ratifying International Labour Organization Conventions 189 and 160?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the national programme for the advancement of women included measures to assess the representation of women in construction, agriculture, mining and water resource fields, in which there were fewer women in executive posts. The ministries of transport and energy and mining had vice-ministers who were women. The Government would continue to undertake actions to incentivise women’s participation in non-traditional sectors.
Citizens needed to comply with specific requirements to renounce nationality. There needed to be serious circumstances, such as membership of an armed group that had attacked the State, for nationality to be deprived. The President authorised the deprivation of nationality.
For the current school year, the State party had incorporated comprehensive sexual education into the common compulsory syllabus at both primary and secondary levels. Students and their families had contributed to drafting a protocol to tackle violence in schools. Capacity building on responding to violence was provided through conferences and training for teachers. There was only a small number of girls who dropped out of school, but every effort was taken to encourage them to return. This had led to a decline in the dropout rate in recent years. At the secondary level, around 1,500 students with disabilities had graduated in the most recent school year. There was no gender wage gap in the educational sector.
Cuba was promoting the prevention of cyber violence. The law on social communications established that online content could not be used to discriminate against any group on any grounds. Online advertising could not employ stereotypical depictions of women. There was also legislation sanctioning online child pornography and bullying. The Criminal Code addressed criminal activities using digital spaces. In the 10 years since the last review, access to the internet in Cuba had improved significantly, despite the United States’ blockade, which affected the telecommunications industry.
The Government was calling for the fair distribution of household and care work between men and women. A recent decree on the national care system provided for a more equitable approach to care. The decree recognised that carers’ unpaid work made valuable contributions to society. The State was training carers to provide formalised care for the aging population and raising awareness about the need for men and women to spend equal time on care duties.
The Labour Code included a definition of workplace harassment. If the victim was a subordinate to the perpetrator, or if the harassment was based on gender, higher sanctions were implemented. Mechanisms for reporting harassment were in place in each workplace and complaints could also be submitted directly to the Government.
Women workers enjoyed the right to maternity leave, which had recently been extended to 15 weeks after the birth of a child. The posts of women who took maternity leave were reserved for when they returned. The Government was also encouraging sharing of parental leave between mothers and fathers. It had opened early childhood facilities across the country, increasing places in those facilities ten-fold. Workplace creches provided childcare for 5,000 children. Wage equality between men and women was established as a right within legislation.
Cuba did not believe it was currently necessary to ratify International Labour Organization Convention 160. It was a party to the main eight International Labour Organization Conventions.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed actions taken by the State party to reduce under five mortality rates. The life expectancy in Cuba had reached 81 years, which was remarkable. The Government provided a public and free health care system. Did it cover the needs of poor and rural women? How did the State party succeed in being the first country to eradicate mother-to-child HIV and syphilis transmission? There was a high level of teenage pregnancy in Cuba. What measures were in place to provide affordable contraception to women and girls who needed it? How was the State party reducing post-partum complications and ensuring the availability of family doctors in rural and remote areas?
Another Committee Expert noted that there were multiple initiatives to promote women’s access to employment in fields such as agriculture. The Government had promoted 20 affirmative actions in the rural sector to advance the empowerment of women. What resources were available to women to succeed in business initiatives? Were there opportunities for women to participate in the blue economy? A law on the transfer of agricultural land had recently been enacted; how had it assisted rural women to access land? To what extent had Cuba provided loans and credit for women? Were there plans to improve data on women’s access to credit?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said that in 2023, there were around 27,500 general practitioners in the State party. Priority was attached to providing health services in rural areas.
The State party needed to continue to increase the percentage of women in agriculture and the percentage of women landowners. The Government was supporting women to access bank loans. It planned to collect data on recipients of bank loans, disaggregated by sex and ethnicity.
Cuba had managed to keep prevalence rates of HIV at the lowest rates in Latin America through prophylaxis measures implemented with the support of the World Health Organization. There were several programmes in place for the prevention and monitoring of sexually transmitted infections.
Questions by Committee Experts
RHODA REDDOCK, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Cuba, said that only 10 per cent of the agricultural land distributed by the Government had been distributed to women. What factors were affecting women’s involvement in agriculture and their access to land?
Another Committee Expert said that there were restrictions on people changing residence, particularly affecting women in the eastern part of the island. Institutions had been authorised to find and deport people to their places of origin. How would the State party guarantee the right to internal migration?
Women deprived of liberty reportedly faced violence from staff and inmates. How did the State party work with civil society to oversee prisons? Was prenatal care provided to pregnant women in prisons?
How was the State party providing elderly women with basic care, food and services? What steps had been taken to ensure substantive equality for women of African descent? What services were provided for women with disabilities in rural areas? How was the State party promoting the right to identity for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women?
One Committee Expert said that the economic blockade on Cuba was a flagrant violation of the rights of Cubans, damaging their rights to food, education, health and other areas. The Expert commended legislation that increased the age of marriage to 18. How did the State party plan to address de facto unions with children? How many criminal cases related to child marriage had there been in the last four years?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the gender observatory was compiling data on women who owned land and worked in agriculture. The Government was working to support more rural women to gain access to land, State services and economic empowerment.
The national health system had 53 different services for older persons delivered at the community level. Cuba continued to promote access to services, cultural spaces and employment for persons with disabilities. The State party was taking steps to ensure that Afro descendant women played their full role by supporting access to education and breaking down stereotypes.
The treatment of detainees in Cuba was in line with the Mandela and Bangkok Rules. The right to free medical care was provided in places of detention, along with recreational activities. Women prisoners received differentiated treatment. Support and care for children staying in prisons with their mothers was provided.
The Family Code recognised same-sex marriage and assisted reproduction. There had been 85 same-sex marriages between women in the last year. The State party was providing care and support for trans women. Campaigns to tackle homophobia and transphobia were being rolled out across the country.
Concluding Remarks
INÉS MARÍA CHAPMAN WAUGH, Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue. Cuba valued the recommendations of the Committee, which would be scrutinised with due rigour. The Government was committed to implementing the Convention and promoting women’s rights. It would do its utmost to achieve its goals in this regard, despite the economic blockade imposed by the United States.
ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chair, said that the Committee commended Cuba for its efforts and called on the State party to implement the Committee’s recommendations for better implementation of the Convention for the benefit of all women and girls in the State.
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
CEDAW24.030E
Source: Tasmania Police
Kingston police investigating burglaries as total offences drop
Saturday, 19 October 2024 – 8:22 am.
While the Kingston area has had a significant drop in total offences, police are investigating a series of recent burglaries.
Inspector Colin Riley said total offences in the area have dropped 32 per cent, compared to the same time last year.
“There has, however, been a distinct and uncommon pattern of burglaries and stealing in the area over the past two weeks, and police are investigating,” he said.
The matters include:
Wednesday 9 October
Between 1pm and 4pm a home burglary on Garnett Street, Blackmans Bay with jewellery stolen (reference 756024).
Between 8am and 8pm a home burglary on Hutchins Street, Kingston with jewellery and a laptop stolen (reference 756030).
Tuesday 15 October
Overnight into Wednesday morning a shed burglary on Tinderbox Road, Tinderbox with power tools stolen (reference 756546).
Wednesday 16 October
Between 8.30am and 5.40pm a home burglary on Tinderbox Road, Tinderbox with electrical items stolen (reference 756585).
Overnight into Thursday morning a vehicle was entered on Wells Parade, Blackmans Bay with a credit card and gift voucher stolen (reference 75668).
Friday 18 October
Between 8am and 4.30pm a home burglary on Hutchins Street, Kingston with a sound system and jewellery stolen (reference 756724).
“Investigators are seeking any information from the public that might assist with apprehending the person or people responsible for these matters,” Inspector Riley said.
“Please quote the reference numbers when providing information.”
“Importantly, police are requesting that members of the public remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police, particularly in these areas.”
“If the suspicious activity is occurring at the time of reporting, contact Triple-Zero (000).”
“If the information is not time critical, please call 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.”“We are confident that we will apprehend this offender or offenders and bring this crime pattern to a conclusion quickly.”
“As the activity seems to be continuing, any information from the public, about suspicious activity or people observed, regardless of how insignificant it appears, is wanted by us to aid in that quick apprehension.”
“If you have CCTV cameras, please ensure they are operating and recording, please also ensure doors remain locked and the house is secure when you are not home”.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
LITTLE ROCK—Jason Davis, a multi-convicted felon, will spend more than 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.
In addition to the 188 months’ imprisonment, Chief Judge Baker sentenced Davis, 43, of Benton, to five years supervised release. Davis will begin serving his federal sentence only after he serves his current six-year state sentence for first degree domestic battery, which began in 2023. During Davis’s federal sentencing, Chief Judge Baker took into consideration Davis’s lengthy and violent criminal history.
Davis was indicted on June 6, 2023, in a two-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. On October 16, 2024, Davis pled guilty to both counts in the indictment. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on May 3, 2023, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AG&F) received a call reporting four people that were trespassing on private property in Saline County. Officers with AG&F initiated contact with all four suspects and identified Davis as the owner of the vehicle on the property. While speaking with the suspects, officers observed a sawed-off, 20-gauge Harrington and Richardson shotgun in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Officers then located 20-gauge shotgun shells in the vehicle that matched the live round found in the shotgun.
Chief Judge Baker determined Davis to be an Armed Career Criminal due to numerous prior violent convictions, included four different convictions for second degree battery, two different convictions for first degree domestic battery, and convictions for third degree battery, third degree domestic battery, aggravated assault, and terroristic threatening.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the AG&F. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katie Hinojosa.
# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
X (formerly known as Twitter):
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Funding Will Improve Grid Resiliency Against Strong Storms And Invasive Species In Rural Areas Of New York
Today, Senator Gillibrand announced $27,681,725 in federal funding for the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DCEC). DCEC provides electricity to over 5,000 families, farms, and local businesses in four New York counties – Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie. With this funding, awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, DCEC will lead a partnership composed of six small electric cooperatives to increase grid resilience against outages caused by weather events and tree damage caused by invasive species. This partnership will also serve the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Orange, Schuyler, and Steuben, in addition to rural areas of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“Strong energy infrastructure is critical to the stability of our rural communities, especially given the threats that extreme weather and invasive species pose,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will create good-paying union jobs and deploy advanced technology to support rural communities. I am proud to have voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to secure this funding. I will continue working to make sure that New Yorkers have reliable access to strong energy infrastructure.”
As DCEC works to improve New York’s grids, it will deploy advanced software to enable proactive grid management, as well as hardware such as grid sensors and drones to provide real-time data and monitoring capabilities. The new technology is anticipated to improve grid reliability and resilience, reducing major outage events by 50%, and help save the local economy millions of dollars per year in outage costs. DCEC will work with five other small electric cooperatives, including Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative, Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc., Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
This project will also create an estimated 20 jobs, many of which will be high-quality union positions, and will leverage a workforce career training center that is under development in collaboration with the State University of New York–Delhi.
“The rural electric cooperatives of New York are not-for-profit distribution companies and serve some of the areas hardest hit by the impacts of extreme weather and invasive species,” said John Gasstrom, CEO of DCEC. “This grant will enable the co-ops to make resiliency improvements to ensure that we continue to deliver safe and sustainable electricity to our members who rely on it. We also appreciate the support and encouragement we have received from Senator Gillibrand in bringing this funding to the electric cooperatives as we find solutions together to meet our energy challenges and goals.”
“At Otsego Electric Cooperative, we believe in forward-thinking solutions that safeguard our grid and enhance reliability for rural communities,” said Tim Johnson, CEO of Otsego Electric Cooperative. “This project represents a vital step toward building a resilient electric network that can withstand future challenges while supporting sustainable growth. We are especially grateful for the Beneficial Electrification League’s detailed support and expertise throughout the application process.”
This project is part of a $2 billion U.S. Department of Energy investment in 38 projects across 42 states and the District of Columbia to protect the U.S. power grid against growing threats of extreme weather, all funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s GRIP program. The selected projects will lower costs for communities and enable additional grid capacity to meet load growth stemming from an increase in manufacturing and other strains on the electric grid. The selected projects will deploy new, innovative transmission and distribution infrastructure and technology upgrades to enable over 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of grid capacity.
Earlier this year, Senator Gillibrand wrote to Secretary Granholm in support of DCEC’s funding application. Senator Gillibrand’s letter can be read below:
Dear Secretary Granholm,
I write in support of the application submitted by the Delaware County Electric Cooperative (DCEC) for funding from the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. This funding will be used to improve grid resiliency against strong storms and invasive species in rural areas of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Established in 1942, DCEC provides electricity to more than 5,200 families, farms, and local businesses across Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties. For a larger project that will enhance the protection of local electric grids, DCEC plans to partner with the Oneida-Madison Electric Cooperative, Otsego Electric Cooperative, Inc., Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. These five other non-profit electric cooperatives collectively serve tens of thousands of members across Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties in New York.
The requested funding will be used to safeguard rural electric grids from invasive species and intense storms that are causing long-lasting power outages and hurting rural economies. For instance, DCEC has experienced four multi-day power outages since December 2023 due to the proliferation of emerald ash borer–infested trees, which have toppled powerlines, coupled with the increasing threat of extreme weather conditions and other natural hazards. The six electric cooperatives’ proposed project will deliver much-needed upgrades to rural electric grids in three states and enable load growth that the region’s aging electric infrastructure has otherwise constrained. In addition, the project promises to benefit more than 43,000 customers, stimulate regional economic growth, and bring approximately 20 high-quality, clean-energy jobs to areas where the loss of coal power plant and rail jobs, along with a decline in employment opportunities for supporting industries and services, has led to the displacement of the working-age population and high levels of poverty.
I ask that you please give this application your full consideration. If you have any questions or desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff at (202) 224-4451.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)
Today, Congressman Mike Lawler rolled out a multi-faceted housing plan alongside elected officials and realtors from across the Hudson Valley, addressing housing challenges impacting Hudson Valley residents and families across the United States – the Revitalizing America’s Housing Act. The plan calls for a series of bipartisan reforms and policies that would incentivize construction and reduce the lack of affordability, improve the availability of supplies, land, and financing, address the health and safety of our communities’ housing, and vastly improve oversight to ensure resources are being properly utilized and going where they’re needed.
“I’m proud to be introducing the Revitalizing America’s Housing Act,” said Congressman Lawler. “This plan calls for a series of bipartisan reforms and policies that would incentivize construction and reduce unaffordability, would improve the available of supplies, land, and financing for builders, owners and purchasers, would address the health and safety of our communities’ housing, and would vastly improve oversight to ensure resources are being properly utilized and going where they’re needed.
“The issues confronting our housing system are myriad and manifold,” Congressman Lawler concluded. “They require a comprehensive set of policy prescriptions to address. The Revitalizing America’s Housing Act will do exactly that. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in both parties to advance this important measure, and I’m going to keep working on common sense solutions to the issues of the day, including our housing crisis, in order to benefit hard-working Hudson Valley families.”
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.
Text of the bill is included HERE.
A section-by-section breakdown is HERE.
Footage of today’s announcement can be watched HERE.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division is investigating two suspicious deaths that occurred in Enfield.
On October 18 at approximately 10:45 a.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a request to check on the wellbeing of two people at a home on Rockcliffe Dr. in Enfield. Responding officers found the remains of two adults deceased in the residence. The deaths are being treated as suspicious, the individuals were known to one another.
The ongoing investigation is lead by the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division and supported by the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, Nova Scotia RCMP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service. There is no evidence at this time to suggest any risk to the public.
The investigation is in the initial stages and no further information will be released at this time.
Our thoughts are with the deceased’s families at this difficult time.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Halifax Regional Detachment at 902-490-5020 and reference file number 24-143338. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Source: South Australia Police
South Australia Police searched 161 homes of Serious Registrable Child Sex Offenders during the third Operation Child Safe.
Between August and September, SAPOL conducted 16 days of action to ensure 277 offenders on the Australian National Child Offender Register (ANCOR) were complying with the strict conditions imposed on them.
Acting Officer in Charge of Public Protection Branch, Chief Inspector Kellie Watkins said 46 people were charged with breaching ANCOR obligations under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act.
“These obligations include notifying police of any change of address or vehicle and disclosing their email addresses. Importantly the offenders must report any contact with children to police,” Chief Inspector Watkins said
During the operation police located eight Serious Registrable Offenders who had failed to report contact with children and six in possession of child exploitation material. Two mobile phones, five tablets/laptops, two hard drives and 71 storage devices were seized, along with cannabis and related equipment.
“Police will continue examining a number of items seized which may result in further charges being laid,” Chief Inspector Watkins said.
“Checks on all registered child sex offenders are a matter of routine for police. The public should be reassured that SAPOL will take every opportunity to police child sex offenders and ensure they comply with their legal obligations.”
Anyone found guilty of an offence against this Act is liable to up to 10 years imprisonment.
Source: US Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued their final four-part joint public service announcement (PSA) today titled “Just So You Know: Foreign Threat Actors Likely to Use a Variety of Tactics to Develop and Spread Disinformation During the 2024 U.S. General Election Cycle.” This PSA highlights efforts by foreign actors to spread disinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. general election with the goal of casting doubt on the integrity of the democratic process and sowing partisan discord. Foreign adversaries are using a variety of sophisticated disinformation campaigns, often leveraging new tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), to craft and spread misleading content.
“As we approach Election Day, it is important to remember that while elections are political, election security is not. Election security is national security. Our foreign adversaries are looking to attack our democratic process to further their own objectives, and we need the help of all Americans in ensuring they are not successful,” said CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley. “There has been incredible effort across local, state and federal governments to ensure the security and integrity of our nation’s election infrastructure. Americans should be confident that their votes will be counted as cast. They should also know that our foreign adversaries will try to make them believe otherwise. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, verify the information they consume, and rely on trusted sources like their state and local election officials.”
The PSA highlights specific examples of tactics we have seen used by Russia and Iran during the 2024 election cycle to target all Americans. These include things from mimicking national level media outlets like the Washington Post and Fox News and creating inauthentic news sites posing as legitimate media organizations to using paid influencers to hide their hand. It is important for voters to critically evaluate information sources, particularly as disinformation campaigns evolve to use AI-generated content. Both agencies urge the American public to rely on trusted information from state and local election officials and to verify claims through multiple reliable sources before sharing them on social media or other platforms.
For more information on how to protect yourself from disinformation, visit the official websites of the FBI and CISA’s dedicated election security webpage, cisa.gov/Protect2024.
###
About CISA
As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.
Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected a coalition of public energy utilities – including NV Energy and other partners – to receive more than $77 million to protect the Western power grid against extreme weather, improve grid reliability, and lower costs for consumers. This investment stems directly from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Lee helped negotiate and pass. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
“Southern Nevada is on the front lines of the climate crisis, and as we invest in clean energy projects that create jobs and lower costs, we must also continue to strengthen our power grid to withstand some of the worst impacts of this crisis, including extreme heat and wildfires,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I helped negotiate and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring much-needed investments in our infrastructure and long-term savings to Nevada communities. Today’s award does exactly that, and I will continue working to ensure that Nevadans have the support they need to thrive.”
DOE is providing this $77,021,741 grant to the coalition including NV Energy, Idaho Power, Northern Lights, and Puget Sound Energy through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, which was established and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant is part of a broader investment in 38 projects across 42 states that will upgrade nearly 1,000 miles of transmission infrastructure.
You can read more about the GRIP program here.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
October 18, 2024
Bill applies to pharmaceutical companies who are found guilty or are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government.
Bill Text (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)
Boston, MA – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), along with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced the Medical Innovation Act of 2024 to increase funding for medical innovation by requiring large pharmaceutical companies that are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government to reinvest a small percentage of their profits into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In 2023, the NIH only had funds for 23% of the applications it received, contributing to a huge medical innovation gap. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies have been accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, marketing drugs for unapproved uses, illegally incentivizing doctors to prescribe drugs, lying about the safety of their drugs, and violating other criminal and civil laws. The companies have settled many of these claims with the federal government, treating the fines as a cost of doing business. Most recently, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the Justice Department $450 million to settle a set of lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded Medicare and conspired with other drug-makers to illegally inflate the prices of two generic drugs.
Between 2019 and October 2024, the Department of Justice pursued new actions against or settled cases with at least 40 pharmaceutical companies.
The Medical Innovation Act would:
“Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to defraud the federal government and get away with just a slap on the wrist,” said Senator Warren. “This bill will help us save lives by ensuring giant drug companies that enter into settlement agreements with the federal government chip in to fund the next generation of medical research.”
“The Medical Innovation Act is a commonsense way to advance more medical research by holding shady pharmaceutical companies accountable when they break the law,” said Senator Welch. “I led this bill as a member of the House and am fighting today with my colleagues Senator Warren and Representative Schakowsky to maintain America’s leadership in biomedical science.”
“For too long, drug companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop their blockbuster drugs have gotten away with defrauding consumers and taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The Medical Innovation Act would make it more difficult for these drug companies to game the system by requiring them to provide a share of their profits to increase investments in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. We can continue to be a leading force in medical innovation and this legislation will help ensure that we have the means to cure diseases and save lives.”
Senator Warren first introduced the Medical Innovation Act in the 114th Congress and has pushed for its passage in every Congress since.
The following Senators also co-sponsored the bill: Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Health Network, AIDS United, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Families USA, Public Citizen, and Massachusetts Medical Society.
“The Medical Innovation Act reinvests in vital research. This legislation is a crucial step toward holding the pharmaceutical industry accountable while ensuring that taxpayer-funded research leads to tangible advancements in health. With women historically underrepresented in clinical trials, it’s imperative that we close the innovation gap. The Network thanks Senator Elizabeth Warren for her leadership on this issue and we are hopeful that together, we can create a healthier future for all women,” said Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth, Executive Director, National Women’s Health Network.
Source: United States Navy
he visit focused on regional security and stability, as well as the defense of American interests and our allies and partners.
“The United States has always been and remains a Pacific power,” said Mancinelli. “American prosperity and security depend on free and open oceans, and Guam is a strategic hub for critically important activity for the Navy and for our Department of Defense.”
During his visit to Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio to express appreciation for their continued support of the military, service members, and their families.
“I’m grateful for the close partnership that the Department of Defense shares with Governor Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Tenorio, and other local leaders on island. Together, we are committed to ensuring that Guam remains secure and resilient,” said Mancinelli. “So I thank the Governor and the Chamorro people for their contributions to U.S. national security, and for their strong and consistent support of the military presence on Guam.”
The Governor discussed her priorities, emphasizing defense and the importance of balancing community needs with national security demands.
“Our administration remains fully committed to promoting peace and stability in the region, with a primary focus on ensuring Guam’s security in the face of growing threats,” said Leon Guerrero. “The relationships we’ve established with the Department of Defense and our federal partners create a strong foundation for advocating for the needs of the people of Guam while navigating the unprecedented military expansion on the island. It is vital that we continue building upon these partnerships, from our local federal and DoD collaborators to INDOPACOM and the Pentagon.”
Lt. Governor Tenorio added, “While we understand that the Department of Defense may not have statutory authority over some of our needs, they can serve as advocates in securing other federally funded resources, including congressional authorizations and appropriations that are essential for the people of Guam.”
Mancinelli discussed the ways in which the Department of Defense will continue to work together with the Governor’s office to understand how the military build-up on Guam can be done in partnership with the on-island community.
He added, “We won’t do anything about Guam without Guam.”
The acting UNSECNAV’s engagements in Guam also included meetings with Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman; Commander, Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Rear Adm. Brent DeVore; Guam Del. James Moylan; and leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. He also spoke with service members at Naval Base Guam, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Task Force Talon’s Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) site, Andersen Air Force Base, and met with the Armed Forces Committee of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.
During his time in Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum received updates on infrastructure, missile defense, housing, schools, shipbuilding, recruiting, and Typhoon Mawar recovery. The Acting UNSECNAV highlighted the Department of the Navy’s commitment to quality of life initiatives and the essential role Guam plays in Indo-Pacific defense efforts.
“Guam is part of the U.S. homeland. It is physically closer to Beijing than Hawaii,” said Mancinelli. “Our efforts here are designed to deter regional aggression and safeguard the interests of the United States as well as our allies and partners. If deterrence fails, we will fight from Guam, and we will fight for Guam.”
In Hawaii, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with senior military leaders, including Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Stephen Koehler; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Lt. Gen. James Glynn; U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief of Staff Major Gen. Joel Carey; and Director, Maritime Headquarters and Theater Sustainment, U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Christopher Nash. Mancinelli received operational briefings, visited local commands, and toured installations, meeting with Navy, Marine, Army, and Air Force personnel.
At the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, Mancinelli was briefed on experimentation, capabilities, and training to further enhance maneuver and maritime operations. He and Ms. Rosenbaum also toured Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), where Mancinelli received an update on construction efforts to modernize the yard’s infrastructure. He also observed submarine maintenance and spoke with ASC [formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation] employees conducting training at the shipyard as part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
“AUKUS is crucial to enhancing our maritime capabilities,” Mancinelli explained. “The Navy is working closely with our partners to help Australia develop, operate, and maintain its own sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines – a generational opportunity to strengthen our alliance. It was excited for me to speak with the growing number of Australian engineers and craftsmen working alongside Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard’s experts to learn how to maintain the cutting-edge technology on U.S. Navy fast attack submarines.”
Mancinelli and Rosenblum also met with Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander of the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, as well as Deputy Commander NCTF-RH Rear Adm. Marc Williams. They discussed environmental assessments, water monitoring initiatives, and the Navy’s commitment to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks designated the Under Secretary of the Navy as DoD’s Lead Senior Defense Official for Guam in January. In this capacity, Mancinelli is responsible for engaging key leaders in Guam; providing oversight, advocacy, and support to Commander, Joint Region Marianas in the execution of its installation management mission; and aligning efforts across DoD to meet operational and resourcing requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy, while developing and delivering new capabilities to meet logistics, environmental and infrastructure requirements.
This was Mancinelli’s first official visit to Guam and Hawaii as Acting Under Secretary of the Navy.
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a component agency of the Department of Homeland Security, working in close coordination across the department, including with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, continued to facilitate removal flights of single adults and family units between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18.
Those included removal flights to Brazil, Central America, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Mexico and Peru. If a noncitizen arrives and has no legal basis to remain in the United States, they are processed and removed quickly, consistent with U.S. law.
Since the Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule went into effect on June 5, through the end of September, DHS has removed or returned more than 160,000 individuals to more than 145 countries, not including repatriations of people encountered at airports or the northern border. ICE ERO has operated more than 495 international repatriation flights in that period, while DHS has tripled the percentage of southwest border encounters processed for expedited removal. Overall, preliminary data show that DHS completed over 700,000 removals and returns in fiscal year 2024, more than any prior fiscal year since 2010. That included more removals to countries other than Mexico than in any prior year ever. DHS has also reduced the time it takes to remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States by more than half from its historical average.
In keeping with standard practice, the United States ensures that all noncitizens without a legal basis to remain in the United States are properly screened for valid protection claims and withholding of removal in accordance with our laws and U.S. international obligations. This applies to all noncitizens, regardless of nationality, to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer and removal of single adults and family units.
Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings present their claims for relief or protection from removal before immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Due to operational security reasons, ICE does not confirm or discuss future or pending transportation operations.
ICE Air Operations facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives. In fiscal year 2023 , ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions to more than 170 countries worldwide.
B-roll for removal flights is available here. DHS has made additional videos available to the public and the media, including b-roll footage of removal flights, a public service announcement and testimonials from migrants who have been removed.
Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)
Oct. 18, 2024
Release Number 20241018-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2024) – In the past week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed 20 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS) and Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs) in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). These Iranian-supplied weapons, launched episodically by the Houthis and Iranian-Aligned Militia Groups (IAMGs) over several days during the week, posed a significant risk to United States, allies, and partner forces, as well as civilians in the region and beyond. The drones and missiles were downed by a combination of U.S. Air Force and U.S Navy assets deployed to the region.
No U.S. service members were injured in these actions. U.S. and coalition forces remain at a high level of readiness, postured to defend U.S. interests and those of our allies and partners in the region.
Here’s a general timeline of CENTCOM operational activities during the past week:
· As previously released, CENTCOM forces conducted a series of airstrikes Oct. 11 against multiple known ISIS camps in Syria, resulting in at least 35 ISIS operatives killed, to include several ISIS leaders. The strikes will disrupt the ability of ISIS to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against the United States, its allies and partners, and civilians. Battle damage assessments are still underway and do not indicate civilian casualties. U.S. and partner forces continue to execute these critical operations that contribute to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM AOR and the support of regional stability.
###
Editor’s Note: This U.S. Central Command Weekly Update replaces the previous daily updates released by the command regarding significant operational activities within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
Source: United States Coast Guard
10/18/2024 07:23 PM EDT
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Tacoma –A 52-year-old Olympia, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 11 years in prison for a series of arsons and a shooting spree in 2018 that damaged or destroyed several Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Mikey Diamond Starrett, aka Michael Jason Layes, pleaded guilty in May 2024 to four counts of damage to religious property and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “There are significant and troubling facts…. Terrorizing a group of individuals because of their religious beliefs.”
“Mr. Starrett’s attacks irrevocably destroyed the sense of safety and peace that a house of worship is supposed to provide, and caused severe, permanent harm to the Jehovah’s Witness community in Washington,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “These were not crimes against buildings, but a series of attacks against a community and a faith.”
“The defendant in this case committed four attacks on Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls, causing fear and anguish to its members,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The freedom to practice the religion we choose, without discrimination or violence, is a fundamental civil right in our nation and a hallmark of our democracy from its very inception. Violence based on religious prejudice has no place in our society. The Justice Department will continue to prosecute those who target and harm houses of worship.”
According to records in the case, Starrett set fire to Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls on three occasions. On March 19, 2018, he set fire to the Kingdom Halls in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington. On July 3, 2018, Starrett returned to the Olympia Kingdom Hall and burned it down completely. In a fourth attack on May 15, 2018, Starrett used an assault-style rifle to shoot rounds into another Kingdom Hall in Yelm, Washington. Starrett’s attacks caused more than $700,000 in damage to these Kingdom Halls. Starrett admitted in his plea agreement that he defaced, damaged, and destroyed the Kingdom Halls because of the properties religious character.
After an extensive investigation, Starrett was arrested in September 2021 and has been in federal custody since then.
“ATF and our law enforcement partners spent many thousands, if not tens of thousands, of hours investigating these attacks and ensuring that the right person was identified,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “His guilty plea is a validation of the hard work put in by all the law enforcement involved in the investigation, and this sentence is appropriate for his egregious actions. We are all committed to defending the right of people to practice their religion, and investigating when someone acts to deprive them of that right, in this case through acts of arson and use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence.”
Prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo that Starrett “committed several violent, premeditated attacks using fire or a dangerous weapon. His attacks were brazen and show that he believed he could engage in extensive criminal conduct without consequence. Starrett’s disregard for the safety of the Kingdom Halls, its congregants, first responders, and the surrounding area, which is vulnerable to devastating wildfires, underscores the danger that he poses to the public.”
At the sentencing hearing, a spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witness community read a series of statements that had been submitted by community members. They wrote of the fear and anxiety the attack engendered writing: “I wondered if the arsonist would strike again with people inside; any new face at the meeting made me worry: and …the gunshots and bomb left, were clear threats, we worried someone would come to a meeting with a gun.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division, the FBI, the Tumwater, Washington Police Department, and the Olympia, Washington Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonas Lerman of the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
For more information and resources about DOJ’s work to combat hate crimes, visit http://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on October 10, 2024, BRIAN WARD (“WARD”), age 30, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Sentencing is set for January 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.
WARD faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
According to court documents, on January 7,2024, WARD was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department following a physical altercation between WARD and another man in the 300 block of Bourbon Street. During the altercation, WARD produced a firearm he possessed and shot at the man. After WARD’s arrest, his firearm, a Taurus Model PTl40 G2, .40 caliber pistol, was recovered near the tire of a van where WARD had hidden it. Also, law enforcement recovered a spent .40-caliber shell casing from the scene. It was later determined to be a match to the gun recovered. The incident was additionally recorded by RealTime Crime Cameras in the area.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Victims Shot During Early Morning Attack in Northeast D.C.
WASHINGTON – Matthew Walker, 25, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today, to 50 years in prison for shooting two men, killing one, at a temporary labor agency in Northeast Washington D.C. on February 14, 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Walker was convicted at trial in January 2024 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
In addition to the 50-year prison term, Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo also ordered Walker to serve five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:45 a.m. on February 14, 2019, Walker walked into Trojan Labor, a temporary labor agency in Northeast Washington D.C. Once inside, Walker ran directly to the agency’s dispatch office, where he repeatedly shot David Remen, one of the agency’s workers and Michael Hardy, the manager of the agency. Walker then fled away from the scene and discarded his clothing, mask, and firearm nearby. Mr. Remen died on scene. Mr. Hardy died in 2022. DNA evidence from the clothing, mask and firearm, as well as ballistic, video, and other evidence linked the defendant to the shooting.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Prava Palacharla who investigated and indicted the case, Deputy Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Donavan for providing forensic DNA expertise, Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera, Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling, and IT Specialist Charlie Bruce.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Seidel and Alec Levy, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Lameek Everette and a Fellow Bloods Member Killed Two Long Island Residents During a Robbery
Earlier today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Lameek Everette, also known as “La,” a member of the Bloods Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gary R. Brown, to 40 years’ imprisonment. On November 27, 2017, Everette was convicted of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, robbery and attempted robbery. Those charges stemmed from his participation in the September 2, 2016 murders of David Arzu and Janelle Curella, who were each shot by Everette during a robbery as the victims walked to the Long Island Rail Road train station in Bayshore, New York.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Robert Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.
“What started out as a robbery, turned into a double murder with the defendant pulling the trigger over and over to kill his victims simply because they resisted a holdup. Today the defendant faced a reckoning for the devastating harm he has caused,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Gang members’ violent choices will not go unpunished in our district. The substantial sentence handed down today provides some measure of justice following the defendant’s senseless murder of a young man and woman whose families still grieve for the loss of their loved ones. I hope it will also deter others from joining gangs and committing brutal crimes that terrorize our community.”
“Lameek Everette’s blatant disregard for human life was clear not only by the execution of two young victims in cold blood, but also by his decision to spend the remainder of his night at a local club,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker. “While no amount of time or justice can bring back David Arzu and Janelle Curella, preventing future violence is of the utmost priority for HSI New York. We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue violent street gangs and bring them to justice for the greater good of our Long Island community.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated, “Lameek Everette personally appraised the lives of two innocent victims to be less than the potential value of their belongings. His callous actions demonstrate the senseless gang violence that can target random civilians. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to eradicate all gang members threatening the welfare of our communities.”
“Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable dangerous individuals like Everette whose plan for robbery escalated to murder,” stated Acting SCPD Commissioner Waring. “I hope today’s sentence brings some sense of closure to the victims’ family and serves as a reminder we will pursue justice for all victims.”
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on September 2, 2016, David Arzu, Janelle Curella and two friends were walking towards the Bay Shore train station. Unbeknownst to them, Everette and a fellow Bloods member had devised a plan to rob them at gunpoint, and were lying in wait for them. When Everette and his coconspirator spied Arzu, Curella and their friends, they approached the group, brandished firearms and demanded the victims’ money and valuables. Arzu resisted, and a struggle ensued. When Curella attempted to come to Arzu’s assistance, Everette shot and killed her. Everette then shot Arzu multiple times, killing him. Everette later posted pictures of himself of Facebook, flashing hand signals that signified his affiliation with the Bloods and wearing a necklace he had stolen from Arzu when he murdered him.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of a renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Anthony Bagnuola are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
LAMEEK EVERETTE
Age: 31
Bay Shore, Long Island
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-504 (GRB)
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Casey Medina, 33, of Rochester, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with attempted kidnapping, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography, cyberstalking, and aiding and abetting. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2024, the Onondaga County, NY, Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a 31-year-old female (victim), who reported that she had been receiving text messages from unknown numbers that included photographs depicting her face superimposed on various pornographic images made to appear as if she had been engaging in sexual acts. In addition, the victim reported being threatened by the unknown numbers, including being kidnapped, raped, sexually abused and/or killed. In August 2024, the victim indicated to investigators that the text messages in May occurred over the course of approximately 26 days, and, after short break, continued sporadically through June and July 2024. The victim stated that the messages were becoming very concerning, and she had no idea who they were coming from.
Also in August 2024, law enforcement received a tip from an individual that he had communicated with another individual with username “crcdal” via social media. The other individual, later identified as Medina, was looking for someone to help to harass the victim. Medina provided the individual with the victim’s personal information, including her place of employment, home address, personal cell phone number, and a variety of photos. The individual provided law enforcement with several screenshots of communications with Medina, which included discussions of abducting, drugging, and raping the victim. An undercover law enforcement officer then began communicating with Media online, during which they also discussed abducting, drugging, and raping the victim.
On August 22, 2024, Medina was an Avon Police Department trainee, and was arrested by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office at the Rural Police Training Academy in Livingston County on multiple state charges. Investigators executed a search warrant on Medina’s cell phone and recovered the communications discussing the abduction, drugging, and raping of the victim as well as images and videos of child pornography that Medina shared online.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Onondaga County, NY, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Tobias Shelley, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NORFOLK, Va. – A Woodford man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, on April 7, 2023, Theodore William Cathers, 49, uploaded four files of CSAM depicting prepubescent and pubescent children in sexually explicit behavior. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) forwarded a report of the uploaded material to the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD).
On June 27, 2023, VBPD obtained a search warrant for an online storage account belonging to Cathers and recovered approximately 2,900 CSAM files, including images of pre-pubescent children and depictions of bondage and sadomasochism. A large portion of the CSAM files were collage images of prepubescent and pubescent children, partially or completely nude, engaged in sexually explicit acts.
Cathers is a registered sex offender after having been convicted of two counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with Children Under the Age of 15. In 2012, Cathers was discovered naked in the bedroom of two children aged eleven and seven years old. The eleven-year-old informed law enforcement that Cathers came into their bedroom and got into her bed with her. A short time later, Cathers got into the seven-year-old’s bed and removed all his clothing. Cathers was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to 10 years in prison with 10 years suspended.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Kosky prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-17.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON— A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison today after he previously pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Curtis Davis, 45, of Snow Hill, North Carolina, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, the first six months of which to be served on home detention, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. Davis previously pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers on June 10, 2024.
According to court documents, at about 3:00 p.m., on Jan.6, 2021, Davis entered the U.S. Capitol building via the East Rotunda doors and made his way into the Rotunda, where law enforcement officers were attempting to disperse a crowd of rioters. Inside the Rotunda, while pressed against a line of police officers, Davis forcibly attacked a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer and attempted to grab ahold of the officer’s baton.
At about 3:09 p.m., court documents say that Davis punched an MPD officer in the face shield and refused law enforcement orders to leave the building. A short while later, Davis punched another MPD officer in the head and forcibly pulled away a riot shield from another. Davis then used the shield to press against the backs of a line of rioters in an attempt to resist the efforts of police.
Davis was then expelled from the Rotunda but later returned to the East Rotunda doors. Here, Davis, along with other rioters, attempted to push their way through a line of police officers into the Rotunda. Davis then made his way to the front of the line of rioters and punched a riot shield held by an officer three times.
Court documents say that later that night, Davis filmed a group of police officers with his cell phone camera before turning it around, filming his fist, and stating, “Them knuckles right there, from one of those m—f— faces at the Capitol.”
The FBI arrested Davis on Dec. 8, 2023, in Snow Hill.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina provided valuable assistance.
The FBI’s Charlotte and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Terrance Michael Ciszek a/k/a DrMonster, 34, of Buffalo, NY, with possession of unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making a false statement to an agency of the United States, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the cases, stated that since August 2018, the FBI has been investigating an illicit online marketplace known as Genesis Market, whose operators compile stolen data, such as computer and mobile device identifiers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords, from malware-infected computers around the globe and package it for sale on the market. Purchases made through Genesis Market are conducted using virtual currency, such as bitcoin.
According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, between March 16 and July 29, 2020, Ciszek, a Buffalo Police Detective, purchased 11 packages on Genesis Market that included 194 stolen account credentials. Investigators also determined that Ciszek had bitcoin wallet addresses associated with UniCC, a dark web carding website. Carding websites are illicit marketplaces and/or forums used to share stolen credit card data and discuss techniques for obtaining credit card data, validating it, and using it for criminal activity. On April 15, 2020, Ciszek recorded a video explaining to others how he anonymized his identity on the internet when purchasing stolen credit cards, and described his use of UniCC. In the video, he stated, among other things, “And then I usually get my credit cards from UniCC, which is an amazing place if you guys don’t have it.
On April 4, 2023, Ciszek is accused of making false statements to the FBI, claiming that he had not purchased stolen credentials from the internet, and further stating that his nephew may have been responsible for the online purchase of stolen credentials.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the sexual exploitation of a child.
Ricky Lane Bowers, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 17 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Bowers to 20 years of supervised release following incarceration.
On July 25, 2023, Bowers pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Bowers admitted that he had been in contact with a man who was arrested in Texas, who had sent Bowers images and videos of child sexual abuse. Bowers also admitted that he had taken pornographic photos of a child victim and sent them to the man in Texas.
Investigators seized Bowers’s cell phone that he used to communicate with the Texas defendant. Forensic examiners found files of child pornography on the cell phone, as well as evidence of images and videos of the child victim whom Bowers used to produce child pornography.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) Jordan Harvey, Avi Panth, and Anthony Mozzi will lead the Office’s efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Harvey, Panth, and Mozzi have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Eastern District of Virginia, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Harvey, Panth, and Mozzi will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.”
Contact information for the DEOs is as follows:
Northern Virginia – Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey, 703-299-3700
Tidewater region – Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mozzi, 757-441-6331
Central Capitol region – Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth, 804-819-5400
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI field offices in the Eastern District of Virginia can be reached by the public at:
Washington Field Office – 202-278-2000
Richmond Field Office 804-261-1044
Norfolk Field Office – 757-455-0100
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC, by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Aber. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter demanding transparency from U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken on the Department’s use of taxpayer dollars to pay the salaries of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) employees instead of promoting U.S. security overseas.
Last month, reporting revealed top DEI officials at the Biden-Harris State Department make nearly $200,000 each year – nearly double the pay of average State Department employees.
The State Department Goes to Extreme Lengths to Prioritize Diversity Over Competence
“I write with concern regarding the State Department’s use of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer funds to pay the salaries of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) employees. The State Department’s apparent willingness to go to extreme lengths to prioritize diversity over competence in formulating a workforce for the agency, whose stated mission, in part, is to ‘protect and promote U.S. security,’ is demonstrated by the hefty salaries of top DEI officials. According to financial disclosures, the position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer received an annual salary of $194,510, and the State Department’s Special Representative for Racial Justice and Equity receives $191,000 per year. Conversely, the base salary of the average State Department employee is just $97,000.”
As Iran, China, and Russia Wage War on Democracy, the State Department’s DEI Agenda Is Offensive and Irresponsible
“As you know, the current geopolitical landscape is dangerously volatile, and the United States is entangled in multiple diplomatic conflicts worldwide. Israel, one of our closest allies, is fighting an existential war against Iran’s proxy terrorist groups on several fronts, Communist China continues to threaten Taiwan’s sovereignty and bully nations in the Indo-Pacific into subservience, and Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine has now resulted in at least one million casualties on both sides. During this capricious period, it imprudent and offensive for your agency to allocate hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to support a DEI agenda that does not support, but in fact undermines, America’s interests abroad. The American people deserve transparency over the use of their tax dollars to advance a divisive ideological agenda, particularly when it comes at the expense of protecting and promoting U.S. security overseas.”
Click here for the full text of the letter.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Seneca, Sr., age 64, of Syracuse, pled guilty today to sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Seneca admitted that from approximately 2000 through 2008 he engaged in sexual conduct with V1, starting when V1 was about seven years old. On several different occasions during that period, Seneca created child pornography depicting V1. Seneca also admitted that, on at least one occasion, he distributed the material he created depicting V1 to someone in Canada.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Seneca faces a term of imprisonment of least 15 years and up to 50 years, post-release supervision of between five years and life, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution to the victim. Seneca also will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.