Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
A 65-year-old female has now died in hospital following a pedestrian strike in Palmerston on Thursday last week.
The 43-year-old male allegedly driving the vehicle is assisting police with enquiries and charges are expected to follow.
The lives lost on Territory roads now stands at 16.
Source:
21 May 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in human resources (HR) to streamline processes and enhance decision-making by helping employers efficiently sift through large volumes of job applications.
However, relying on AI tools alone to screen candidates isn’t enough to improve diversity outcomes in workplaces, according to new research by the University of South Australia.
Human resource management expert Associate Professor Connie Zheng, co-director of UniSA’s Centre for Workplace Excellence, has conducted research into how AI can affect hiring decisions when it comes to improving diversity and inclusion by reaching gender quotas, having racially diverse teams and recruiting LGBTIQA+ employees or people with disabilities.
AI tools are being used by some HR professionals to assist in the recruitment process by screening job candidates, responding to applicant emails, or focusing on specialised tasks such as CV screening, job matching or voice and video analysis.
Assoc Prof Zheng says two separate studies into the use of AI to enhance diversity and inclusion in hiring decisions looked beyond whether humans or AI make better choices.
“We explored what conditions help AI tools to actually support more diverse hiring as we found that simply having a reliable AI tool isn’t enough to improve diversity in workplace recruitment,” she says.
“Diversity only improves when the AI system can explain its decisions in terms of diversity, when hiring focuses on qualitative goals and not just numbers, and when an organisation has clear diversity guidelines.
“These factors encourage HR professionals and decision-makers to reflect more carefully on their choices. In short, AI can help improve diversity in hiring, but only when used under the right conditions and organisational support for the application of new technology, as well as clear diversity, equity and inclusion guidelines.”
Despite the growing popularity of AI in many fields including education, health care, manufacturing and finance, many HR professionals are hesitant to adopt the tools.
Assoc Prof Zheng says some companies have several concerns and are reluctant to invest in AI for hiring decisions because they’re apprehensive about the limitations of the technology, particularly in terms of biased data.
She says many also feel their existing HR teams are competent enough to manage recruitment without AI, despite these concerns shifting if HR departments face staffing reductions, increased workloads or heightened demands for efficiency.
“Despite these reservations, many organisations view AI as a way to significantly save costs by streamlining manual processes. Some companies have the mindset that using AI in HR is efficiency driven – it will make them work faster. The main goal of using AI is to expedite the process, particularly when dealing with large volumes of job applications,” Assoc Prof Zheng says.
“With AI, a hirer can use the technology to filter appropriate applicants rather than sifting through hundreds of CVs and job applications manually. The problem when the main goal is efficiency is that diversity issues often then take a backseat.”
Whether the use of AI tools in recruiting helps reduce discrimination or instead intensifies the problem remains a subject of controversial debate. Assoc Prof Zheng’s ongoing collaborative research with HUMAINE – Human Centred AI Network led by Professor Uta Wilkens at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany – has revealed that simply providing a reliable, AI support tool that is considerate of diversity needs doesn’t automatically lead to diversity enhancement.
“Unless the organisation and its hirers are conscious about diversity and justice issues, using AI for talent acquisition isn’t going to lead to more diverse and inclusive outcomes,” Assoc Prof Zheng says.
To access the research papers:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Contact for interview: Connie Zheng, Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, Co-Director, Centre for Workplace Excellence, UniSA, E: Connie.Zheng@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E: melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Senator Rosen Asked For And Received Unanimous Consent To Pass Her Bill To Eliminate Federal Income Tax On Tips
Watch Senator Rosen’s remarks on the Senate floor HERE.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass her bipartisan No Tax on Tips Act, which would exempt American workers’ tipped wages from federal income tax. Senator Rosen successfully passed the bipartisan legislation after receiving no objections on the Senate floor. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives to be considered.
Nevada has the highest concentration of tipped workers in the nation, and the bipartisan No Tax on Tips Act would allow workers to keep their tips without paying federal income tax on them. This legislation also includes guardrails to ensure that it benefits Nevadans who need it most, and not CEOs and wealthy individuals.
Below are excerpts from Senator Rosen’s remarks:
“No tax on tips” was one of President Trump’s key promises to the American people, which he unveiled in my state of Nevada.
And, I am not afraid to embrace a good idea, wherever it comes from.
So I agreed we need to get this done. It’s not a time for politics, it’s a time for progress for hard-working Americans.
This bipartisan bill is a good idea. It has support from Democrats and Republicans, so we should pass it, well, as soon as possible, without any poison pills.
The problem is that House Republicans have included a version of the No Tax on Tips Act in their bigger budget bill, a bill that cuts Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs families rely on to give more tax breaks for billionaires and the ultra-wealthy.
We shouldn’t be forcing working families to choose between keeping their health care or keeping their tips, which is why we want this bipartisan bill on its own – on its own – not part of a harmful, extreme budget bill.
If we are serious about providing service employees with financial relief, let’s do it now, let’s do it today!
The American people, they get sick and tired of Washington games.
Let’s pass this bill without playing politics or taking away health care and food assistance from families who need it most.
Let’s pass it by itself.
And so that’s why I’m calling on the Senate to pass the bipartisan No Tax on Tips Act right here, right now, as a standalone bill.
We’re going to cut taxes for real hard-working Americans, for Nevadans, for everyone – not just for billionaires.
We’re going to cut taxes on service workers’ tips without cutting Medicaid or SNAP.
And let’s get this done with strong guardrails so CEOs and the ultra-wealthy don’t exploit loopholes meant to help working people. And let’s pass it today.
Nevadans sent me here to fight for them – and I’m going to keep working to lower costs, raise wages, and make sure the people who power our economy, our working families, can keep more of what they earn.
And through this bipartisan bill, it shows that I am not going to allow Washington gridlock and partisanship to block a bill without a fight. That’s why we’re going to pass it today.
I’m taking matters into my own hands with the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass our bipartisan No Tax on Tips Act by unanimous consent.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Defending Our Government’s Electronic data: Bolstering Responsible Oversight & Safeguards (DOGE BROS) Act, legislation to hold Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accountable for their continued efforts to improperly access, and retain, individuals’ personally identifiable information (PII) including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and other financial information.
“As unvetted and unqualified DOGE employees continue to recklessly access the sensitive personal information of millions of Americans, it’s important that we take steps to better protect this data,” Warner said. “For too long, our privacy laws have sat outdated, barely serving as a deterrent for improper handling or potential release of information. This legislation would enforce that privacy must be a priority when handling the data of the American public.”
“Elon Musk and his ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ are wreaking havoc across the government and gaining access to Americans’ sensitive information without proper authorization, which poses significant privacy and national security concerns,” Kaine said. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to increase the penalties for violating privacy laws and help safeguard Americans’ personal information.”
“Elon Musk and his DOGE cronies have been illegally ransacking federal agencies to gain access to troves of Americans’ sensitive personal data – from Social Security numbers to medical records to bank account information. Strengthening penalties for the theft of this data will help further deter these illegal abuses and keep Americans’ private information safe,” Van Hollen said.
“The American people do not want Elon Musk knowing their Social Security numbers and sifting through their financial information. Musk and his team of wildly unqualified DOGE employees have gone too far – and we are sick of it. The Senate needs to prove we care more about those we serve than Elon Musk. Let’s immediately pass this legislation to protect the data and privacy of the American people,” Alsobrooks said.
“From day one, Elon Musk’s DOGE has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government and critical services for the American people, all while carelessly pursuing their sensitive personal data,” Luján said. “Congress must do more to protect that information and keep it out of the wrong hands. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to strengthen our privacy laws and put Americans’ privacy first.”
“Elon Musk’s so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ and his DOGE agents are wreaking havoc on the federal government and the programs millions of Americans rely on. There’s no reason DOGE should gain access to Vermonters’ personal information, and I’m working with my colleagues to hold DOGE accountable and protect peoples’ privacy and data,” Welch said.
The United States has existing laws that are designed to protect personal information held by the government. However, the penalties established in these various laws have not been properly adjusted or increased to account for inflation, making them far less impactful today. The DOGE BROS Act would increase five penalties for violation of federal privacy laws to better protect the sensitive information that DOGE is accessing in their reckless purge of the federal government. Specifically, the DOGE BROS Act would increase the following existing penalties for the unauthorized release of the following information:
Individually Identifiable Information Contained Within Any Agency Record
Code Section: 5 U.S.C. §552a(i)(i, ii, iii)
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $30,000
Information from Any Department or Agency of the United States Obtained Using a Computer Without Authorization
Code Section: 18 U.S.C. 1030(a)(2)(B)
Current Penalty: up to $250,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $750,000
Social Security and Medicare Data
Code Sections: 42 U.S.C. §1306
Current Penalty: up to $10,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000
Tax Return Information
Code Section: 26 U.S.C. §7213
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000
Census Data
Code Section: 13 U.S.C. §214
Current Penalty: up to $5,000
Proposed Penalty: up to $25,000
Copy of the bill text is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) questioned Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at a Senate hearing on why his agency has dramatically stopped research for lifesaving cures and clinical trials for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and more. Last week, a report found the Trump Administration has effectively cut nearly $3 billion in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in the first three months of 2025, which Mr. Kennedy oversees.
The hearing was in front of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, where Senator Baldwin serves as Ranking Member. A recent report found that Trump officials effectively cut $2.7 billion in NIH funding in the first three months of 2025 – including a 31 percent cut to cancer research through March, compared to the same timeframe last year. Those cuts have resulted in 3,288 fewer disease studies and research projects being funded compared to last year. Senator Baldwin led a forum earlier this year to spotlight how cuts are impacting researchers and Americans in clinical trials.
Last week, Senator Baldwin pressed Secretary Kennedy on how staffing cuts at HHS has slowed Milwaukee’s response to a lead crisis in schools and how frozen funding for Wisconsin Head Starts threatened critical care for families.
A recording of Senator Baldwin’s questions is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Tuesday’s forum featured former agency officials from FDA, ACF, CMS, and HRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) today led their colleagues in kicking off a two-day spotlight forum, entitled “Trump’s Destruction of HHS: Mass Firings, Reorganization, and the Human Harm Caused.” The forum is examining the human harm caused by the Trump Administration’s sweeping reorganization and mass terminations at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“The whole point of what we’re doing is to try to bring to the attention of the American people what the reality is of the Trump Administration’s attack on the federal workforce and many federal programs. These are programs that are not abstract in what they do—they really affect the lives of young people and the wellbeing, the health of our country. And these things have to built overtime—to get the expertise, the have the infrastructure, to have an established set of procedures where you can actually deliver services that make a difference…” said Senator Welch. “It’s a real threat because when you erode that foundation that has been established over time at an institution, it’s not as though a year later, two years later, you can come in and flip a switch and you’re back to where we were. Damage is done.”
Watch the livestream here:
Senator Welch also thanked fired federal workers, many of whom have traveled to the Capitol every week to meet with lawmakers and raise awareness of the harm caused by Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce.
The first day of the two-day forum featured testimony from Dr. Robert Califf, the former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dr. Meg Sullivan, the former Acting Secretary for Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Ms. Chiquita Brooks La-Sure, the former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and Ms. Carole Johnson, the former Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Tomorrow’s forum will feature Dr. Anne Schuchat, the former Principal Deputy Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Ms. Trina Dutta, the former Chief of Staff, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Dr. Sean Bruna, the former Senior Advisor, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Professor Alison Barkoff, the former Administrator for Administration for Community Living (ACL); and Dr. Jeremy Berg – former Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at NIH.
Senator Welch was joined today by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
Watch the livestream here.
Jerusalem, 21 May 2025 – An insufficient amount of aid is being allowed into the Strip, merely a smokescreen to pretend the siege is over.
“The Israeli authorities’ decision to allow a ridiculously inadequate amount of aid into Gaza after months of an air-tight siege signals their intention to avoid the accusation of starving people in Gaza, while in fact keeping them barely surviving”, says Pascale Coissard, MSF emergency coordinator in Khan Younis. “This plan is a way to instrumentalise aid, making it a tool to further Israeli forces’ military objectives.”
Before October 2023, 500 aid trucks were entering Gaza every day, according to the UN. The current authorisation for 100 per day, when the situation is so dire, is woefully inadequate.
Meanwhile, evacuation orders are continuing to uproot the population, while Israeli forces are still subjecting health facilities to intensive attacks.
On 19 May, between 6am to 6.30, MSF teams reported hearing almost one strike per minute in Khan Younis. One of these strikes hit Nasser hospital compound, 100 metres away from the intensive care unit and the inpatient department that are run by MSF. This is the third time in two months that Nasser hospital compound has been struck, once again depriving people of treatment and care. To reduce exposure, our teams were forced to temporarily close both the outpatient department and sedation room for patients awaiting or recovering from surgery, as well as suspend physiotherapy and mental health activities, which are essential for burn patients – most of whom are children.
Yesterday’s strike also severely damaged the Ministry of Health pharmacy store in Nasser Hospital. This puts additional pressure on supplies at a time when medical stocks are running critically low due to the siege.
As part of the expansion of their ground operations, Israeli forces have issued widescale evacuation orders, further limiting people’s access to medical care and MSF’s ability to provide it. On 19 May, for example, an evacuation order covering almost the entire eastern part of Khan Younis, at the edge of Nasser hospital, forced people to immediately move towards Al Mawasi area.
The Site Management Cluster estimates that over 138,900 people were forcibly displaced between 15-20 May. The intensified Israeli bombardments and evacuation orders across Khan Younis have forced MSF to maintain only lifesaving activities in the emergency rooms of Al Attar and Al Mawasi clinics. Since yesterday, Al Hakker clinic, in Deir Al Balah, has also been closed. Before that, MSF teams had been providing more than 350 consultations per day for paediatric, antenatal and post-natal care, psychological first aid and ambulatory nutritional treatment among other things.
A few days earlier, on 15 May, Israeli authorities issued an evacuation order to Sheikh Radwan basic healthcare centre in Gaza City, which led to the closure of the facility. Before that, with MSF’s support, the Ministry of Health teams were providing around 3000 consultations per day in an area with estimated 250,000 people. This was the last fully functional public basic healthcare clinic in the area.
According to the Ministry of Health, following the besiege of the Indonesian Hospital, all public hospitals in North Gaza are now out of service The MSF field hospital in Deir Al Balah has seen its bed capacity rise to 150 per cent over the last few days, forcing them to add additional staff and increase their baseline by 20 beds. According to the UN, there are currently around 1,000 functional hospital beds across the Strip, while previously to the war the bed capacity was 3500.
Attacks on civilians and healthcare must stop now and aid must enter Gaza in sufficient quantities and in a way that allows it to reach those who need it. Israel’s allies must exert all their pressure to make this happen as a matter of extreme urgency. Every day that is lost reinforces their complicity in the annihilation of the people of Gaza.
MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au
Source: US State of Oregon
embers of Oregon’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community gathered at the Breaking Barriers: Life Beyond Labels conference in late April. The Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) hosts the annual event in Redmond. The network’s executive director, Dianna Hansen, said, “It’s important for us as families, people with disabilities, service providers and educators to come together and learn from each other.”
I went with coworkers from the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS). We enjoyed learning from 58 presenters. They included self-advocates, family members, care professionals and other allies of the I/DD community. They shared their experiences at 32 sessions. Seventy-five vendors had exhibition tables. Twelve vendors were self-advocates who sold their art.
Hansen said attendance was at full capacity: 600 attendees! The top four words people used on their evaluations to describe their experience were encouraged, connected, excited and inspired. If you want to go next year, save the date for April 21, 2026.
Ramonda Olaloye is the assistant superintendent of the Oregon Department of Education’s Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities (OESO). She opened the conference with a speech. Olaloye works to create an education system where every child reaches their full potential.
Olaloye spoke about some challenges of I/DD service system. She has two daughters. Her youngest has autism. One day at school, a teacher asked her, “Why can’t you be like your older sister?” After that, Olaloye noticed her daughter acting out at school. A self-described “ferocious advocate” for her daughters, Olaloye spoke to the teacher. Reflecting on this experience, she said:
“Educators shape experiences with their words. Because their words — our words — carry weight. Our children deserve to be recognized as individuals, not compared and not dismissed. Breaking barriers means challenging the way we communicate, the assumptions we make and the systems we uphold. And, it starts with seeing each child for who they are, not who we expect them to be.”
Hansen spoke to me about a similar experience. Her daughter has Down syndrome. When they’re out at a restaurant, servers often ignore her daughter and ask Hansen, “What does she want?”
Her daughter is a second-year culinary student. She cooks her own meals. She graduated high school with honors.
People often presume someone who experiences I/DD can’t speak for themselves. Hansen encourages everyone to presume competence in people. This is one of the main values she hopes people took from the conference: “Giving that dignity to people — that they are able to answer and make their own decisions.”
Keynote speaker Alva Gardner challenged people’s understanding of independence. “Independence doesn’t always mean doing everything yourself,” she said. “We, as a system, need to forget about that traditional definition of independence. No one lives a life that is 100 percent independent of other people 100 percent of the time. We are all interdependent in some way throughout our life.”
Gardner has been a public speaker since she was 8 years old. She runs her own company, The 4*3 Perspective LLC. She works with organizations to make systemic changes that support all people, especially people with disabilities. She was the first person with a developmental disability to become a certified person-centered thinking (PCT) trainer.
Gardner has cerebral palsy. She spoke about the supports she gets. She works with personal attendants for 100 percent of her personal care. The supports that she uses free her to go about her day, care for her family, and run her business. She asked attendees what kind of supports they use in their lives: haircuts, car services, childcare, doctor visits, etc. Then, she redefined independence.
“Independence comes from living a self-directed life and utilizing the supports that are available to you in order to do that,” she said. “In the person-centered thinking training, we ask people to identify what is important to them and how they want to be best supported, and get really specific on how they define supports for themselves. As a system, when truly taking a person-centered approach, I believe we need to start by being intentional about how people define independence for themselves. What does independence look like and mean for that person?”
Both keynote speakers encouraged parents to teach independence and self-advocacy to their children.
Olaloye gave her daughter age appropriate roles in her Individual Support Planning (ISP) meetings. This is a meeting where individuals plan their services and supports each year. In elementary school, her daughter was part of a conversation about moving from one-on-one instruction into a classroom where an aide helped the entire class. Olaloye has been using the ISP process to help her daughter learn to express her needs. She has given her daughter bigger roles in her ISP meetings as she aged. Now a sophomore in high school, Olaloye’s daughter is prepared to manage her own supports when she goes to college.
Gardner spoke about the challenge of constantly advocating for oneself: “Having to share our preferences with all of the various DSPs [direct support professionals], case managers, personal care attendants, etc. that come in and out of our lives … It gets incredibly tiring and incredibly draining, and frankly boring. I don’t want to have to repeat the same thing over and over again. I have better things to do.”
One way she eases this burden is by creating one-page descriptions for each aspect of her life. She has different versions for home, work, and other situations. On them, she describes her support needs, preferences and what’s important to her about that aspect of her life. She said that doing this “is especially important when you might just be learning what those [preferences and desires] are and how to communicate those for the first time.” She recommends updating this information as one’s needs change.
ODDS and the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition (OSAC) shared a new tool: the Self-Advocate Guide for I/DD Services. They created it to make planning easier.
The guide is a workbook. It takes self-advocates through the service planning process. It asks questions to help people communicate their desires, needs and goals. It helps people lead their service planning.
OSAC Executive Director Gabrielle Guedon spoke about the planning process: “It’s about looking at what you really want or don’t want in your life. We’re going to continuously change. Every year you have an opportunity to change. I know it’s a hard process that we have to do, but there are opportunities to put in what you want and don’t want. Be honest and clear.”
Find the guide on the ODDS website. You can download it. It’s available in a number of languages. Parents, family members and case managers can also use the guide to improve their support of self-advocates.
Felicity Woods, a self-advocate and CODSN board member, also spoke about the Self-Advocate Guide. Woods shared how some at her school misunderstood disability. She, like many children with I/DD, was bullied in elementary school. She said learning to share one’s story — the successes and barriers one faces — is an important part of self-advocacy. She encouraged people to use the Self-Advocate Guide.
“I want to make my own choices and decisions about what I want,” Woods said. “It’s up to me and you, individuals, to make the choices for what we want.”
Speaking of bullies, Guedon added, “Don’t let a bad experience stop you. Let it fuel you.”
Felicity Woods and Jordan Ohlde are members of High Desert Self Advocacy. This is a peer group of self-advocates in the Bend/Redmond area. They presented, “Growing Stronger and Time to Thrive.” ODDS employee Ryley Newport joined them. They spoke about how to expand and empower self-advocacy. To do this, High Desert Self Advocacy created a Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) plan.
PATH is a creative planning tool. Two trained facilitators from ODDS led the group through the PATH process. They used graphics and discussion to help the group envision their future. Then, they worked backwards from that vision to form a plan to reach their goals.
As a result, High Desert Self Advocacy spoke at Breaking Barriers. They will also be at the Oregon State Capital on June 12 to lobby for disability rights. They are presenting at The Arc Oregon’s Self-Advocacy Convention that week.
Woods and Ohlde encouraged self-advocates to reach out to them at High Desert Self Advocacy. They want to help their peers form self-advocacy groups around the state. Connect with them via their Facebook page.
CODSN modeled accessibility at the conference. Hansen said CODSN made the conference accessible to people of all financial means. CODSN provided scholarships for 176 self-advocates and 130 families. They also made the space physically accessible to all. A sensory room gave people a space free from the noise and crowd. A changing room gave attendees a private space for personal care.
The conference also modeled how to provide language access for Spanish speakers. Interpreters Isabel Ramirez and Joy Christian, a team from Grapevine Aliados, provided Spanish and English interpretation for the last three conferences. They said the conference offers a full track of sessions in Spanish. Attendees can sign up for the Spanish track when they register. They can also request Spanish interpretation for English-language sessions.
Self-advocate Jordan Ohlde was one of eight individuals that sued the Oregon Department of Transportation. They wanted to make a crosswalk in their neighborhood accessible to all, including those who use wheelchairs. It took time and perseverance, but in the end, they won. The street is now passable to all.
“Self-advocacy never stops. There’s aways a different start, another path. Your job never stops,” Ohlde said. “A lot of kids are told, your voice doesn’t matter, when really, your voice does matter. You just have to figure out how it matters to you.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police have seized over $48,000 in cash, along with quantities of kava, cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol during targeted traffic stops in the Central Arnhem Region.
On 19 May 2025, Ramingining Police intercepted a green Toyota Hilux on the Ramingining Access Road, approximately 20km from the community. During the traffic stop a passenger fled on foot into bushland nearby. Police conducted a lawful search of the vehicle and subsequently seized quantities of alcohol, cannabis, and kava. A 30-year-old man located in the vehicle tray was arrested and charged with Possess Property in relation to the Commission of an Offence after officers located over $48,000 in his possession. He was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on 8 July 2025.
Shortly after, police stopped a second vehicle on the same track. A search uncovered tobacco, kava, alcohol, and items indicative of drug supply. Three men and one woman, aged between 41 and 65, were arrested and charged with multiple offences including:
They were remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court yesterday.
Ramingining Police continue to target the unlawful supply of alcohol and drugs into remote communities.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
WASHINGTON – Following last week’s communications outage at Denver International Airport (DEN) and the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Joe Neguse and Diana DeGette sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The Colorado lawmakers called on the officials to take decisive action to alleviate heightened air travel concerns, including immediately reinstating FAA personnel terminated to address low staffing levels at air traffic control towers and make much-needed updates to aging aircraft communications infrastructure.
“The Department of Transportation must take immediate action to restore the American people’s faith in safe air travel,” wrote the lawmakers. “While we are fortunate that our pilots safely managed this potentially catastrophic situation in Denver, this incident is part of an unacceptable pattern that many airports across the country are experiencing.”
They continued: “While investigations of the incident are underway, the Department needs to take immediate action to address the aging infrastructure and low staffing levels at air traffic control towers. Additionally, the Department must restore the FAA personnel that DOGE terminated earlier this year – it is clear that adequate staffing at the FAA is critical to ensuring safety. Put simply, this administration’s actions are making American airspace less safe and putting American lives at risk every time they travel.”
According to the FAA, the outage resulted in pilots flying into Denver International Airport being unable to communicate with air traffic controllers.
Read the full letter HERE and below:
Dear Secretary Duffy and Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau,
We write to express our deep concern regarding the communications outage at the federally managed air traffic control tower in Longmont, Colorado for Denver International Airport (DEN) on Monday May 12, 2025, which reportedly left up to 20 pilots unable to contact air traffic control for up to six minutes while in flight. The Department of Transportation must take immediate action to restore the American people’s faith in safe air travel.
While we are fortunate that our pilots safely managed this potentially catastrophic situation in Denver, this incident is part of an unacceptable pattern that many airports across the country are Experiencing.
While investigations of the incident are underway, the Department needs to take immediate action to address the aging infrastructure and low staffing levels at air traffic control towers. Additionally, the Department must restore the FAA personnel that DOGE terminated earlier this year – it is clear that adequate staffing at the FAA is critical to ensuring safety.
Put simply, this administration’s actions are making American airspace less safe and putting American lives at risk every time they travel. We respectfully request the Department provide the undersigned a full accounting of the events referenced above, and detailed information as to what steps the Department intends to take to prevent future outages and ensure public safety at DEN.
We appreciate your attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
As the Government prepares to release a Budget that will deliver further cuts to public services an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders support increased spending on those services, according to a new poll commissioned by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign.
The Talbot Mills Research poll asked whether government spending on key public services such as hospitals, schools, and the police should increase (a lot or a bit), stay the same or decrease (a bit or a lot). 83% of respondents supported increases in public spending, and this support remained high across the political spectrum with even 62% of ACT supporters endorsing an increase.
“This poll shows that there is widespread support for greater investment in our public services to meet the needs of New Zealanders, such as in healthcare, and education,” says Glenn Barclay spokesperson for the Better Taxes campaign.
“It’s clear that, even in these tough economic times, people across the political spectrum realise investment in public services now is important to help build a better future.”
The poll also asked if wealthier New Zealanders (e.g.people who earn over $180,000 per year and/or have assets worth more than $5m) should pay more, the same, or less tax than they do at present. A majority (57%) supported the wealthy paying more tax.
“This may not be a surprising result for Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori supporters, yet even a majority of National Party supporters favour the wealthy paying more tax,” says Glenn Barclay.
“The IR report into High Net Worth Individuals in 2023 demonstrated that the wealthiest 310 families in New Zealand had an effective tax rate of 9.4% compared to over 20% for the average New Zealander and it is clear that there is support for rectifying this imbalance,” says Glenn Barclay.
“The responses to these two questions send a clear message that New Zealanders don’t want to see cuts to essential public services, and the government needs to be looking at other ways to generate the revenue we need to provide services that will enable all New Zealanders to succeed,” says Glenn Barclay.
“We encourage the Government and opposition parties to be looking at tax changes that would ensure those that have more to contribute, make that contribution. Gathering more revenue from wealth and gains from wealth would put us in a better position to address the challenges we face in delivering public services, addressing poverty and climate change, and funding major infrastructure.”
The Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign is a coalition of over 20 organisations led by Tax Justice Aotearoa.
We believe that tax reform is the only solution to the current challenges facing Aotearoa NZ. We need the tax system to:
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
SENATOR SAYS THIS WEEK IS PIVOTAL AS HOUSE RUSHES TO PASS DEVASTATING CUTS; DEMANDS NY HOUSE REPUBLICANS WITHHOLD VOTES & REJECT CUTS TO TAKE AWAY HEALTHCARE FROM THOUSANDS OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS
This Week House Republicans Are Planning Vote To Pass The Largest Cut To Medicaid In American History To Fund Trump’s Tax Breaks For Corporations & Billionaires; Terminating Health Insurance For 1.5 Million NY-ers, Decimating Local Hospitals, Nursing Homes, & Rural Health Clinics From Long Island To The North Country
Schumer Says $13.5 Billion Would Crater NY Healthcare, Leading To Layoffs & Closures – With Margins So Tight In House, Senator Says NY GOP Reps Can Stop This – And Should Because Thousands Of Their Constituents Will Be First To Suffer
Schumer: This Is THE Week. We Are In The Fight Of Our Lives To Save Healthcare For 1.5 Million New Yorkers
With the House planning to vote this week to pass the largest Medicaid cut in American history and gut the healthcare system – all to fund Trump’s tax breaks for billionaires and wealthy corporations – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer broke down shocking new district-by-district data revealing this cruel GOP plan could rip away health insurance for 1.5 million New Yorkers and lead to a $13.5 billion funding crater that could cripple NY’s hospitals and healthcare economy.
“This is as cruel and heartless as it gets. Trump and House Republicans want to kick 1.5 million New Yorkers off their health insurance and rip away $13.5 billion from NY’s hospitals and healthcare economy so they can have bigger tax breaks for billionaires & corporations. NY House Republicans promised for months they would protect Medicaid, but now New Yorkers know the truth: they never intended to keep that promise, and this confirms it,” said Senator Schumer. “We cannot let this plan go under the radar. From Long Island to the North Country, people will lose their healthcare, hospitals and nursing homes will shutter, premiums will go up, and health care workers will lose their jobs. This week is when House Republicans plan to vote on these cuts and NY House Republicans have the votes to stop it. We need everyone to make their voices heard and tell NY’s House Republicans to stand up to Trump, and stop the largest cut to healthcare in American history, because thousands of their constituents will be the first to suffer.”
Schumer said the proposed $900+ billion cut from Medicaid and the ACA would directly impact healthcare for nearly 14 million Americans. The bill would shift billions of dollars in Medicaid costs to New York State, while simultaneously changing rules that would result in thousands of New Yorkers losing health coverage.
A new report from NY State shows just how devastating the GOP healthcare cuts would be for local hospitals in NY and the thousands of New Yorkers in every Congressional District, which can be found below:
NY Congressional District
Projected Losses For Local Hospitals
People At Risk Of Losing Health Insurance Coverage
NY-1
$29,066,244
47,515
NY-2
$35,322,184
47,935
NY-3
$49,612,361
37,435
NY-4
$39,079,356
44,065
NY-5
$22,378,442
79,316
NY-6
$161,956,005
89,975
NY-7
$26,071,884
81,082
NY-8
$22,474,403
79,672
NY-9
$120,606,309
88,530
NY-10
$82,240,122
64,165
NY-11
$19,435,181
51,984
NY-12
$311,229,420
28,520
NY-13
$16,583,715
96,741
NY-14
$24,655,008
92,929
NY-15
$108,472,912
106,903
NY-16
$30,239,334
54,798
NY-17
$32,088,650
31,189
NY-18
$21,668,362
38,392
NY-19
$24,813,186
37,453
NY-20
$30,149,640
32,224
NY-21
$25,343,510
44,082
NY-22
$34,359,346
38,000
NY-23
$13,483,095
34,672
NY-24
$11,949,091
31,388
NY-25
$45,044,227
40,542
NY-26
$32,225,707
45,232
NY Total
$1,370,547,694
1,464,739
Overall, New York State estimates that the state will lose $13.5 billion if House Republicans’ proposed cuts go through. That includes:
More than $7.5 billion due to cuts to Essential Plan funding.
Nearly $3 billion due to the federal government shifting costs to the state.
Over $3 billion due to new administrative burdens for running the Medicaid program, including burdensome work reporting requirements.
Schumer warned that Medicaid serves as a lifeline for more than 7 million New Yorkers and provides care to seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans across the state. Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States, including at nursing homes and for people living at home. Medicaid pays for services for 2 in 3 nursing home residents. Almost half of all kids in the country rely on Medicaid, and 1 in 3 people with disabilities look to Medicaid for their insurance coverage. Cutting this program will leave families with nowhere to turn when they need care.
Schumer said while some Congressional Republicans claim this plan won’t cut Medicaid, this new data proves otherwise and there is no way to protect Medicaid benefits if Republicans pass these cuts. These cuts will not only hurt people who get their health insurance through Medicaid, but create new challenges for the state’s entire healthcare system. Costs will go up for everyone, with higher premiums a result of the new strain on providers like hospitals and community health centers. This bill creates burdensome red tape requirements not only for people with Medicaid, but also for people who buy insurance themselves in the marketplace.
Schumer added, “This isn’t targeting waste and fraud, this is a rushed plan to bankroll Trump’s tax breaks for the ultra-rich paid for by ripping away healthcare for New Yorkers.”
GOP cuts include hundreds of billions from the Affordable Care Act, terminating coverage for Americans who purchase their own health insurance like small business owners and family caregivers, as well as taking away tax credits that help them afford this coverage.
GOP healthcare cuts will hit rural hospitals in the North Country and Southern Tier particularly hard. The bill will end provider taxes, which allows New York to directly fund providers like rural emergency departments, and limits state-directed payments which allow hospitals to provide maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care, which is especially helpful in rural areas where these services can be more difficult to find.
Schumer said the GOP healthcare cuts would inevitably shift the costs of care to local governments, resulting in agonizing decisions with county executives and state legislators forced to decide where to make up for the huge budget hole caused by the staggering loss in federal funding. Counties could be forced to shoulder the burden of increased costs in Medicaid, using more local dollars to manage people’s coverage with less federal funding will be coming in. This will squeeze budgets across the state, meaning the possibility of higher taxes or cuts to other programs that communities rely on, like education or public safety.
Schumer concluded, “This is as backwards as it gets. Stealing from Medicaid, taking resources away from our hospitals to pay for Trump’s tax cuts for wealthy corporations and billionaires. It is just plain wrong. NY Republicans are tying themselves in knots to try to justify these cuts, but the data shows this will hurt our seniors, kids, families, and healthcare providers who rely on Medicaid.”
An overview of the various healthcare cuts included in the current GOP bill can be found HERE.
Source: US State of New York
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 30 transformational projects for the Capital Region as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. Thirteen projects were announced for Lake George, the Round 7 winner of a $10 million DRI award; 11 projects were announced for Hoosick Falls, a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and six projects were announced for Schuylerville, also a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.
“Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, we are empowering local leaders, driving smart growth, and creating vibrant, resilient downtowns where people want to live, work, and visit. This is how we build a stronger New York — one community at a time,” Governor Hochul said. “These 30 transformative projects are a testament to our commitment to strengthening communities across the Capitol Region.”
Town/Village of Lake George
The Town and Village of Lake George’s vision focuses on improving the quality of life and sense of place for the Canada Street corridor and adjacent waterfront. The DRI projects will create a more vibrant and prosperous downtown, assist a growing population and enhance the “visitor experience.”
The 13 Lake George DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:
Village of Hoosick Falls
The Village of Hoosick Falls’ vision focuses on creating safe, walkable and accessible corridors that will serve as transformative connectors among past and future public, private and non-profit projects. Connecting these projects will transform Hoosick Falls into a cohesive economic generator to grow the job and population base locally, with positive ripple effects for the Capital Region’s vision and strategies.
The 11 Hoosick Falls NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:
Village of Schuylerville
The Village of Schuylerville’s vision focuses on building upon previous investments and partnerships to increase housing opportunities that will attract more residents; offer new public park and event amenities; create more commercial tourist attractions and overnight lodging; and improve historic signage and wayfinding.
The 6 Schuylerville NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:
In the FY2025 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul made the “Pro-Housing Community” designation a requirement for cities, towns and villages to access up to $650 million in State discretionary programs, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward. To date, more than 300 municipalities across the State have become certified. To further support localities that are doing their part to address the housing crisis, Governor Hochul secured $100 million in the FY2026 Enacted Budget to create a Pro-Housing Supply fund to assist certified Pro-Housing Communities with critical infrastructure projects necessary to create new housing, such as sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “When we invest in our downtowns, we’re investing in the heart of our communities. Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, we’re not just funding projects – we’re fostering vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that spur economic growth, enhance quality of life for residents and preserve the unique character of each municipality and region. These signature programs exemplify our commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker, in every corner of our State, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are transforming communities across New York State by turning local visions into bold investments to generate place-based economic development. These projects will create new opportunities for businesses, support vibrant public spaces, and attract residents and visitors alike – laying the foundation for sustainable growth and stronger regional economies.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “All across this State, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are strategically prioritizing communities, growing economies with targeted awards, creating more housing opportunities that improve affordability for New Yorkers where it is most needed, and building on the diverse character of our neighborhoods. By working with local and municipal partners, these awards continue Governor Hochul’s commitment to developing the full potential of our downtowns as economic drivers and attractive places to live.”
CREDC Co-Chairs Ruth Mahoney and Dr. Havidán Rodríguez said, “The 30 regionally informed and strategic DRI and NY Forward projects will make Lake George, Hoosick Falls and Schuylerville even more vibrant for residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s adding housing, increasing recreational opportunities, or creating spaces for more businesses to grow and thrive, the entire Capital Region will benefit from the vision these initiatives are supporting and making a reality, both now and for a sustainable future.”
Assemblymember Scott Bendett said, “The allocation of $4.5 million for development, and redevelopment in the Village of Hoosick Falls is welcome news for residents who have gone through so much in recent years. This year already brought the good news of a new water supply to the village, and with 11 new, state-funded projects on the horizon, there is even more to look forward to. I appreciate the state taking notice of opportunities in our smaller municipalities, and taking action to see them through.”
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, “The Village of Schuylerville is on the rise! I applaud the vision of the Schuylerville Village Mayor and Trustees, and the community members who contributed to this plan to move the Village forward. With thanks to Governor Hochul for her leadership in supporting the re-investment in historic downtowns across the state.”
Village of Lake George Mayor Ray Perry said, “We at the Village of Lake George and the entire Lake George community are ecstatic to see these projects move forward! We are extremely thankful to the Governor and her team to be able to improve upon the Lake George experience for our residents as well as our visitors! I’m happy to say that there are great things to come!”
Town of Lake George Supervisor Vincent Crocitto said, “We would like to thank the state for believing in Lake George. This initiative represents a shared vision of revitalization that honors the unique character of Lake George while embracing innovation and economic opportunity, with the support of our town, village, county, local business partners and leadership from the state, we’re ready to make meaningful progress for our community.”
Village of Hoosick Falls Mayor Dan Schuttig said, “The New York Forward program will provide an incredible, transformative opportunity for the Village of Hoosick Falls. I would like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for leading the effort to revitalize upstate communities. I would also like to thank the local committee for their hard work putting together such incredible projects that will forever improve the lives of Village residents. This is the first step of many towards the revitalization of our beautiful village here on the Hoosic River!!”
Village of Schuylerville Mayor Dan Carpenter said, “We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to the economic revitalization of small upstate communities like ours. This $4.5 million investment through the NY Forward program will allow Schuylerville to build on our historic charm and community spirit by creating new housing opportunities, enhancing our parks and public spaces, and expanding our commercial and cultural attractions. From the long-awaited Village Community Center to the reconnection of the Old Champlain Canal, these transformative projects will benefit residents and visitors alike. We are excited to get to work and bring these visions to life.”
DRI and NY Forward communities developed Strategic Implementation Plans (SIPs), which create a vision for the future of their downtown and identify and recommend a slate of complementary, transformative and implementable projects that support that vision. The SIPs are guided by a Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives, with the assistance of an assigned consultant and DOS staff, all of whom conduct extensive community outreach and engagement when determining projects. The projects selected for funding from the SIP were identified as having the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.
About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State strengthen its economy, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through nine rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 91 communities across every region of the State.
About the NY Forward Program
First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.
NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through three rounds, the NY Forward program has awarded a total of $300 million to 60 communities across every region of the State.
Source: US State of Missouri
MAY 20, 2025
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-24 to further assist affected individuals whose prescriptions were lost or destroyed, whose records are not available, or whose original prescribing physician is unavailable, to be able to continue to receive prescribed medications.
“To ensure the health and safety of those impacted by these recent devastating storms, we must ensure that Missourians are able to continue receiving prescribed medications in a timely manner,” Governor Kehoe said. “This executive order grants the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the State Board of Pharmacy discretionary authority to temporarily waive or suspend rules and regulations which will allow medical professionals to better assist those affected by storms. We thank the medical professionals across our state who are playing a critical role in helping Missouri communities recover.”
Governor Kehoe first declared a State of Emergency on March 14, 2025, through Executive Order 25-19 in preparation for severe weather. The State of Emergency declaration in Executive Order 25-19 was subsequently extended by Executive Order 25-22 and Executive Order 25-23.
Executive Order 25-24 will expire on June 30, 2025, unless otherwise terminated or extended. To view the Order, please click here.
Additional May 16 Severe Storm Response Updates:
Yesterday, Governor Mike Kehoe also requested President Trump issue a federal Emergency Declaration to expedite FEMA assistance and requested that FEMA participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessmentsfor City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and 6 Southeast Missouri Counties.
A federal Emergency Declaration provides federal resources to support state response operations to protect lives, safeguard public health and provide for public safety. It does not delay or affect the process of pursuing a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which would provide Individual Assistance to help homeowners and renters, and Public Assistance, which would reimburse local governments for emergency response costs, debris removal, and repair and replacement of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. Individual Assistance and Public Assistance require joint preliminary damage assessments by teams made up of representatives from FEMA, SEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management officials, extensive documentation, and a federal review process that can take weeks to complete.
Beginning Wednesday, May 21, six teams will survey and verify documented damage in Cape Girardeau, Iron, New Madrid, St. Louis, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne counties and the City of St. Louis to determine if Individual Assistance can be requested through FEMA. Individual Assistance allows eligible residents to seek federal assistance for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses. Initial damage assessments for roads, bridges and other public infrastructure are ongoing, potentially resulting in a request for PDAs for Public Assistance in the future.
Yesterday, Governor Kehoe also directed the Missouri National Guard provide a Liaison Officer (LNO) to assist the City of St. Louis with evaluating and advising local officials on potential appropriate missions for the Guard. This LNO reported to the St. Louis Emergency Operations Center this morning.
The State of Missouri will continue to provide resources and personnel to St. Louis based on resource requests from the city and identified missions to meet the city’s needs. The Missouri National Guard maintains coordination with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to respond if critical capability gaps occur in the local agencies’ response efforts.
State assistance so far has included the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisting with law enforcement, search and rescue efforts and traffic control; an 84-person Type 1 Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team from Missouri Task Force 1 assisting with highly technical search and rescue efforts; SEMA sending regional coordinators and specialized personnel to assist with mass care, feeding and housing, donations management, and volunteer management. SEMA has also sent tarps and other supplies to assist with immediate needs.
SEMA continues to coordinate with local officials and volunteer and faith-based partners to identify needs and assist impacted families and individuals. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or www.211helps.org or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
For additional resources and information about disaster recovery in Missouri, including general clean-up information, housing assistance, and mental health services, visit recovery.mo.gov.
###
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –
For bidders
We inform you that, based on the letter of the Bank of Russia and in accordance with Part I. General Part and Part II. Stock Market Section of the Rules for Conducting Trading on the Stock Market, Deposit Market and Credit Market of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the order establishes the form, time, term and procedure for holding auctions for the placement and trading of the following federal loan bonds:
1.
| Name of the Issuer | Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation |
| Name of security | federal loan bonds with constant coupon income |
| State registration number of the issue | 26239RMFS from 11.06.2021 |
| Date of the auction | May 21, 2025 |
| Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) | The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble) |
| Trade code | SU26239RMFS2 |
| ISIN code | RU000A103901 |
| Calculation code | B01 |
| Additional conditions of placement | The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%. |
| Trading time | Trading hours: bid collection period: 12:00 – 12:30; bid execution period: 13:00 – 18:00. |
2.
| Name of the Issuer | Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation |
| Name of security | federal loan bonds with constant coupon income |
| State registration number of the issue | 26246RMFS from 08.05.2024 |
| Date of the auction | May 21, 2025 |
| Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) | The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble) |
| Trade code | SU26246RMFS7 |
| ISIN code | RU000A108EE1 |
| Calculation code | B01 |
| Additional conditions of placement | The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%. |
| Trading time | Trading hours: bid collection period: 14:30 – 15:00; bid execution period: 15:30 – 18:00. |
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.MO/N90376
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
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Yuri Trutnev held a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of China
A meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of the People’s Republic of China was held in Moscow. The Russian part of the commission is headed by Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev. The head of the Chinese part of the commission is Vice Chairman of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Guoqing.
“Our meeting is taking place immediately after an important political event – the official visit of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping to Russia and his participation in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The leaders of our countries confirmed their course to strengthen good-neighborliness and cooperation. In late August – early September, Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin plans to visit China to participate in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the celebrations of the anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Relations between Russia and China are an important stabilizing factor in global politics and economics. I am confident that the work of our commission as one of the bridges of cooperation between Russia and China is of particular importance today. In recent years, our countries have faced unprecedented challenges, destabilization of international relations and the global economy. At the same time, Russian-Chinese ties continue to strengthen. In 2024, mutual trade turnover once again set a record, reaching almost 245 billion US dollars. “I am confident that our meeting today will contribute to the implementation of the agreements of the heads of state and government, primarily in the development of cooperation between the Russian Far East and Northeast China,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.
“In recent years, under the strategic leadership of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Sino-Russian relations reached the highest level in their history and have become the standard of cooperation between world powers and neighboring countries. Our leaders set a course and direction for our further interaction, sent the whole world a clear signal about the stable and healthy development of Sino-Russian relations at a high level, which introduced stability and positive to a complex international situation. The key task of today’s meeting is to implement agreements between our leaders and conduct appropriate preparations for the upcoming meeting between them, as well as for regular meetings of the heads of government. Currently, individual countries under various pretexts abuse tariff measures, which grossly violating the laws, rights and interests of other states and seriously contradicts the Rules of the WTO, damages the multilateral trading system, undermines the stability of the global economic order. Such actions have a negative impact on the world supplies and production chains. In these conditions, it is important for us to consistently deepen cooperation in all areas, including the interaction of the north-east of the People’s Republic of China and the Far East of the Russian Federation in order to make an even greater contribution to the development of our countries, ”said Zhang Gotsin.
The results and promising areas of joint work in the Russian Far East and the North-East of the People’s Republic of China were discussed. Over 6 years (from 2018 to 2023), the trade turnover of the Russian Far East with the People’s Republic of China increased by almost 2.5 times and exceeded 1.9 trillion rubles in 2023.
In the territories of advanced development and in the free port of Vladivostok, 65 investment projects with a total investment volume of 1 trillion rubles are being implemented with the participation of Chinese capital. Projects with the participation of Chinese companies in the total investment volume in the Far East make up 10%. In a number of large projects, Chinese companies are technological partners, carry out work on the construction of new enterprises, and participate in start-up work.
Work on the creation of a new preferential regime – an international territory of advanced development – is being completed. The regime was developed in cooperation with representatives of China and other countries. The draft law on international territories of advanced development was adopted in the first reading by the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The regime will be created by the end of this year. Chinese companies are showing interest in interaction within the new legal framework. Five companies from China have already applied as residents.
The development of transport infrastructure was discussed. In 2024, the volume of bilateral foreign trade cargo transportation through border crossings and seaports of Russia and China increased by 9% to almost 176 million tons. In 2024, land checkpoints on the border with China increased cargo turnover from 40.4 to 45.9 million tons. A significant contribution to the growth was made by the opening of two new bridge crossings in 2022: Blagoveshchensk – Heihe and Nizhneleninskoye – Tongjiang. In 2024, 6.2 million tons of cargo were transported through them.
The construction of a bridge in the area of the settlements of Jalinda (Russia) and Mohe (China) can contribute to the increase in freight traffic. Amur Region and Heilongjiang Province have formed a promising freight base. The location of the bridge has been agreed upon. On the Russian side, key participants in the project and the main technical parameters have been determined.
The Russian side invited Chinese partners to further develop the Northern Sea Route. In 2024, the number of voyages carried out by Chinese companies in the NSR waters doubled and amounted to 14 voyages.
On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a project to create an innovative scientific and technological center on Russky Island is being implemented. Research and development centers in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, marine engineering, artificial intelligence and big data are being created. The construction of a pilot building is nearing completion. Chinese organizations and departments, representatives of scientific communities have been invited to participate in the implementation of joint projects in these areas.
“This September, the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. This event is invariably an important platform for developing cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. China is traditionally one of the main guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. We invite our Chinese colleagues to take part in the work of the tenth Eastern Economic Forum in September this year,” said Yuri Trutnev.
Summing up the meeting, Yuri Trutnev once again emphasized: “The Russian government is open to dialogue and is ready to provide support to Chinese partners in the Far East.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Defendant allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from relatives with disabilities
BOSTON – A Lexington, Mass. attorney has been charged and agreed to plead guilty in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Massachusetts victims, including two of his own relatives.
David Smerling, 75, has agreed to plead guilty to a Superseding Information charging him with four counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. Smerling was previously indicted in January 2025 on charges of embezzling from a business partner.
“The alleged multi-million-dollar embezzlement that Mr. Smerling was originally charged with was, unfortunately, just the tip of the iceberg. Today’s charges allege that Mr. Smerling also preyed on a family member with special needs and another with dementia, allegedly stealing money these victims needed for their own care,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.
“For anyone with elderly and vulnerable loved ones, these are frightening allegations,” said Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “David Smerling allegedly betrayed the trust of his victims and took full advantage – embezzling from them to line his own pockets while trying to cover up his crimes. The FBI will never stop working to protect the public from criminals like this, and we’re gratified to see him brought to justice.”
According to court filings, between January 2016 and May 2020, Smerling embezzled more than $2.5 million from three Massachusetts companies for whom he worked as a bookkeeper. Specifically, it is alleged that Smerling transferred funds from the victim companies into a separate bank account that he controlled, before moving the money to bank accounts in his own name or directly from the companies’ accounts to bank accounts in his own name. Smerling allegedly concealed his scheme by changing the mailing address on victims’ bank statements to his home address and refusing to share the online banking password for the victims’ accounts.
Court filings further allege that, between May 2020 and August 2021, Smerling embezzled more than $470,000 from a trust established for the benefit of a relative with special needs for which Smerling served as the trustee. Smerling allegedly transferred trust funds to bank accounts he controlled before sending the funds to bank accounts in his wife’s name or using the funds to pay for personal expenses. It is alleged that Smerling concealed his scheme by making lulling payments to the beneficiary so he would not discover the trust had been depleted.
Court filings also allege that, between May 2023 and April 2025, Smerling embezzled more than $150,000 from a relative with dementia for whom Smerling served as the financial power of attorney. Specifically, Smerling allegedly transferred funds from the victim’s accounts to accounts he controlled, used a credit card in the victim’s name for personal purchases and took out a loan in the victim’s name. To conceal this scheme, Smerling allegedly misrepresented the purpose of the transfers to the financial institutions in which the victim’s accounts were held.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the wire fraud and money laundering charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and FBI Acting SAC Milka made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nicholas Mangione, 44, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that in April 2013, Mangione was convicted of possession of child pornography and sentenced to serve 48 months in prison. On August 15, 2024, a federal search warrant was executed at Mangione’s residence after it was discovered he uploaded a file containing child pornography to the Snapchat server. During the search, Mangione’s cellular telephone was seized. An examination of the device uncovered approximately 20 images and 52 videos of child pornography. It was also determined that Mangione distributed child pornography to other individuals using the Telegram application in exchange for other child pornographic files.
On August 16, 2024, the defendant was arrested on New York State charges and was found to be in possession of an additional cell phone, which also contained images and videos of child pornography. Some of the child pornography possessed by Mangione depicted the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler and depictions of violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
# # # #
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Defendant staged armed robberies so that “victims” could apply for immigration benefits in exchange for thousands of dollars
BOSTON – An Indian national, residing in New York, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to staging armed robberies in furtherance of a visa fraud conspiracy.
Rambhai Patel, 37, pleaded guilty to on one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20, 2025. In December 2023, Patel was charged along with a co-conspirator.
Beginning in March 2023, Patel and his alleged co-conspirator set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least nine convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the United States – including at least five in Massachusetts. The purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the store clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa). A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
During the staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video. The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before calling police to report the “crime.” The “victims” paid Patel to participate in the scheme. One purported victim paid $20,000 to participate as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. In turn, Patel paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery.
At least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies.
Singh is scheduled to plead guilty on May 22, 2025.
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of New York and the Western District of Washington; FBI’s New York and Seattle Field Offices; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Massachusetts State Police; Worcester County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hingham, Marshfield, Randolph, Weymouth, Worcester, Upper Darby, (Pa.), West Pittston (Pa.), Louisville, (Ky.) and Bean Station (Tenn.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zyjee Lind, a/k/a “Fredo,” age 30, of Troy, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with possession of firearms as a previously convicted felon, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
If convicted on all charges, Lind would face at least 5 years and up to life in prison, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two men from Springfield, Mo., were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in the Springfield area.
Erik C. Foster, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, to 215 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Foster pleaded guilty on Dec. 16, 2024.
Tilton Chase Tate, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, to 146 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Tate pleaded guilty on October 15, 2024.
Foster and Tate were charged, along with other individuals, in a 24-count superseding indictment on July 25, 2023, for their roles in a drug conspiracy that lasted from Dec. 2020 to Oct. 2022.
Foster admitted to purchasing and delivering methamphetamine for other conspirators to distribute in Southwest Missouri. During the course of the conspiracy, law enforcement seized well over 50 grams of methamphetamine from members of the conspiracy.
According to court records, on Sep. 10, 2022, officers with the Republic, Mo. Police Department located two plastic bags containing at least 844 grams of methamphetamine from inside a speaker during a traffic stop where Foster was the passenger. Foster told officers that he had picked up the methamphetamine in Joplin and was taking it to Springfield to deliver it to a co-conspirator for distribution.
On Oct. 12, 2022, deputies with the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office seized a small plastic bag of what appeared to be black tar heroin, a backpack containing 70 grams of methamphetamine, and over $11,960 in cash from Foster during a traffic stop. During a post-Miranda interview, Foster told officers that he was taking the backpack to a co-conspirator for distribution and that he had made six or seven similar trips to deliver methamphetamine.
Tate admitted to possessing and distributing methamphetamine to others as part of the conspiracy.
On Oct. 19, 2021, during a traffic stop, a Springfield, Mo. Police Department (SPD) detective seized over 440 grams of methamphetamine from Tate.
On April 14, 2022, while executing a search warrant for Tate’s residence, SPD officers located a Ruger LCP 380 handgun and a Stoeger Arms, STR 9C 9mm handgun, as well as miscellaneous pills and suspected methamphetamine.
Later in April, during a post-Miranda interview, Tate admitted to purchasing the methamphetamine seized during the Oct. traffic stop from a co-conspirator. He estimated that he was selling a pound of methamphetamine each week.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Republic, Mo., Police Department, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty to bank fraud involving a scheme to alter and forge stolen United States Treasury checks.
According to court documents, Jevon P. Crudup, Jr., 28, schemed to defraud financial institutions by passing stolen United States Treasury checks that had been altered and forged. The defendant deposited the altered and forged Treasury checks at ATMs using the bank accounts of other persons he met online. These persons provided the defendant with their account information including debit cards and PIN numbers because they believed Crudup would help them make money.
Crudup would then use these individuals’ debit cards to withdraw funds from the account or the defendant would require these individuals to make cash withdrawals and electronic funds transfers to him using various online payment systems.
On April 12, 2023, Crudup made an ATM deposit on a Treasury check worth $18,348.72 that had been altered and forged into the bank account of an individual he met online. Approximately one week after the deposit, the account holder withdrew $5,550 cash from his account and provided the defendant with $5,050. Over the next two months, proceeds from the altered and forged check were disbursed to Crudup in cash withdrawals and transfers via various online payment systems.
In this manner, Crudup passed at least fifteen stolen and forged United States Treasury checks resulting in a loss in excess of $95,000.
Crudup faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin and for possession of firearms in furtherance of that conspiracy.
Codi J. Monteer, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge D. Greg Kays to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 8, 2024, Monteer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana; one count of maintaining a drug involved premises; one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy; and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Monteer’s participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy lasted approximately one year and he was responsible for conspiring with others to distribute at least 124 kilograms of methamphetamine; 700 grams of fentanyl (powder and pills); and 1.58 kilograms of heroin. He was also in possession of several firearms used in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
On one occasion, in March 2021, Monteer led members of the Kansas Highway Patrol on a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds of approximately 145 miles per hour. The pursuit did not conclude until two of the tires came off Monteer’s vehicle. During the pursuit, drugs were thrown from the vehicle.
Monteer was an associate of Autumn Dicks, Ian Hazel, They Kelley, Marc Downs, and Jamison Hopson-Stephens. Those individuals have already been sentenced for their roles within the conspiracy. Monteer was also an associate of Davion Williams, Curtis Lewis, Daniel Anderson, and Aaron Dorsey in this conspiracy. Those individuals have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department, FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Kansas State Highway Patrol.
Source: United States Department of Justice
WASHINGTON — On May 19, a federal judge sentenced three members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang who were convicted at trial of a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy that included multiple murders, drug trafficking, fraud, and robbery.
Francis Clement, 58, was found guilty by a jury in February of RICO conspiracy and five separate counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Each of these murders was committed while Clement was in state prison. Clement was sentenced to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The jury also found Kenneth Johnson, 63, guilty of RICO conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Johnson was also sentenced to life in prison.
A third defendant, John Stinson, 70, was found guilty of one count of RICO conspiracy. Stinson, who was already serving a lengthy prison sentence in the California state prison system, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Aryan Brotherhood members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, including murder, conspiracy to murder, fraud, robbery, and drug trafficking crimes. Johnson and Clement, who both held leadership roles in the gang, directed crimes committed by Aryan Brotherhood members both inside and outside of prison using cellphones that had been smuggled into prison. Because of his rank in the gang, Clement received a cut from the illegal drug sales and fraud schemes the Aryan Brotherhood committed. According to trial testimony, the Aryan Brotherhood regularly smuggled drugs, including methamphetamine, into prisons throughout the California prison system, which defendants and other gang members then sold to inmates.
In October 2020, Johnson and Clement together ordered one murder during the execution of which another individual was also killed. Johnson and Clement also ordered another murder of an individual who was subsequently killed. It was further proven at trial that in February 2022, Clement ordered the murder of an individual and the following month, in March 2022, Clement ordered the murder of two more individuals. For each murder, the killings were ordered because defendants believed the victims either violated gang rules or owed the gang money.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Stinson was a high-ranking leader of the Aryan Brotherhood and had substantial authority over the enterprise, including sponsoring multiple individuals for membership, resolving disputes among members, and approving the murder of current and former members. During the investigation, Stinson used a contraband cellphone within his prison cell to conduct business on behalf of the Aryan Brotherhood. The jury heard some of these communications from Stinson through court-authorized wiretapped conversations. Evidence was presented that Stinson also engaged in drug trafficking, and that, given his position within the gang, he received a cut of illegal drug sales that took place in prison and out on the street.
“The convicted defendants led a notorious prison gang that committed ruthless murders, widespread methamphetamine trafficking, and perpetuated a culture of mayhem, fear, and disorder within the prison system that bled into the outside world,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Organized crime within the prison system, enabled by the use of contraband cellphones, endangers American neighborhoods by flooding streets with dangerous drugs. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue crime syndicates, like the Aryan Brotherhood and their facilitators, to ensure they go to prison and the harm they inflict on society ends once incarcerated.”
“Today’s sentences are yet another blow to the leadership of a violent criminal enterprise run from inside California prisons and spanning multiple counties and states,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California. “The Aryan Brotherhood has maintained its deadly influence over members, associates and others both inside and outside prison. We are committed to doing everything we can to stop these violent inmates from orchestrating their criminal activities from inside prison walls.”
“These sentences send a clear message: the walls of a prison do not shield violent gang leaders from justice,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “The Aryan Brotherhood’s leadership operated a brutal criminal enterprise from behind bars — ordering murders, trafficking drugs, and fueling violence in our communities. ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent gangs wherever they operate and hold their leaders accountable, no matter where they try to hide.”
The indictment in this case charged 11 defendants with RICO conspiracy and other crimes. There are five defendants awaiting trial and the three defendants have pleaded guilty.
This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the ATF, with assistance from the Office of Correctional Safety (CDCR), U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Pomona Police Department, Torrance Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Stokman and James Conolly for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.
SPECIAL REPORT: By Jeremy Rose
Reading an NBC News report a couple of days ago about a Trump administration plan to relocate 1 million Gazans to Libya reminded me of a conversation between the legendary Warsaw Ghetto leader Marek Edelman and fellow fighter and survivor Simcha Rotem that took place more than quarter of a century ago.
In the conversation, first reported in Haaretz in 2023, Rotem said the Jews who walked into the gas chambers without a fight did so only because they were hungry.
Edelman disagreed, but Rotem insisted. “Listen, man. Marek, I’m surprised by your attitude. They only went because they were hungry. Even if they’d known what awaited them they would have walked into the gas chambers. You and I would have done the same.”
Edelman cut him off. “You would never have gone” [to the gas chamber.] Rotem replied, “I’m not so sure. I was never that hungry.”
Edelman agreed, saying: “I also wasn’t that hungry,” to which Rotem said, “That’s why you didn’t go.”
The NBC report claims that Israeli officials are aware of the plan and talks have been held with the Libyan leadership about taking in 1 million ethnically cleansed Palestinians.. The carrot being offered is the unfreezing of billions of dollars of Libya’s own money seized by the US more than a decade ago.
The Arabic word Sumud — or steadfastness — is synonymous with the Palestinian people. The idea that 1 million Gazans would agree to walk off the 1.4 percent of historic Palestine that is Gaza is inconceivable.
Equally incomprehensible
But then the idea that my great grandmother and other relatives walked into the gas chambers is equally incomprehensible. But we’ve never been that hungry.
The people of Gaza are. No food has entered Gaza for 76 days. Half a million Gazans are facing starvation and the rest of the population (more than 1.5 million people) are suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the UN.
Last year, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was widely condemned when he suggested starving Gaza might be “justified and moral”.
The lack of outrage and urgency being expressed by world leaders — particularly Western leaders — after nearly 11 weeks of Israel actually starving the inhabitants of what retired IDF general Giora Eiland has called a giant concentration camp — is an outrage.
As far as I’m aware there’s been no talk of cutting off diplomatic relations, trade embargos or even cultural boycotts.
Israel — which last time I looked wasn’t in Europe — just placed second in Eurovision. “I’m happy,” an Israeli friend messaged me, “that my old genocidal homeland (Austria) won and not my current genocidal nation.”
A third generation Israeli, she’s one of a tiny minority protesting the war crimes being committed less than 100km from her apartment.
Honourable exceptions
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Irish President Michael Higgins are honourable exceptions to the muted criticism being expressed by Western leaders, although this criticism has finally been stepped up with the threatened “concrete actions” by the UK, France and Canada, and the condemnation of Israel by 22 other countries — including New Zealand.
Sanchez had declared Israel a genocidal state and said Spain won’t do business with such a nation.
And peaking at a national famine commemoration held over the weekend Higgens said the UN Security Council had failed again and again by not dealing with famines and the current “forced starvation of the people of Gaza”.
He cited UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying “as aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened. Gaza is a killing field — and civilians are in an endless death loop.”
Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen argued in his 1981 book Poverty and Famines that famines are man-made and not natural disasters.
Unlike Gaza, the famines he wrote about were caused by either callous disregard by the ruling elites for the populations left to starve or the disastrous results of following the whims of an all-powerful leader like Chairman Mao.
He argued that a famine had never occurred in a functioning democracy.
A horrifying fact
It’s a horrifying fact that a self-described democracy, funded and abetted by the world’s most powerful democracy, has been allowed by the international community to starve two million people with no let-up in its bombing of barely functioning hospitals and killing of more than 2000 Gazans since the ban on food entering the strip was put in place. (Many more will have died due to a lack of medicine, food, and access to clean water.)
After more than two months of denying any food or medicine to enter Gaza Israel is now saying it will allow limited amounts of food in to avoid a full-scale famine.
“Due to the need to expand the fighting, we will introduce a basic amount of food to the residents of Gaza to ensure no famine occurs,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained.
“A famine might jeopardise the continuation of Operation Gideon’s Chariots aimed at eliminating Hamas.”
If 19-months of indiscriminate bombardment, the razing to the ground of whole cities, the displacement of virtually the entire population, and more than 50,000 recorded deaths (the Lancet estimated the true figure is likely to be four times that) hasn’t destroyed Hamas to Israel’s satisfaction it’s hard to conceive of what will.
But accepting that that is the real aim of the ongoing genocide would be naïve.
Shamefully indifferent Western world
In the first cabinet meeting following the Six Day War, long before Hamas came into existence, ridding Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants was top of the agenda.
“If we can evict 300,000 refugees from Gaza to other places . . . we can annex Gaza without a problem,” Defence Minister Moshe Dayan said.
The population of Gaza was 400,000 at the time.
“We should take them to the East Bank [Jordan] by the scruff of their necks and throw them there,” Minister Yosef Sapir said.
Fifty-eight years later the possible destinations may have changed but the aim remains the same. And a shamefully indifferent Western world combined with a malnourished and desperate population may be paving the way to a mass expulsion.
If the US, Europe and their allies demanded that Israel stop, the killing would end tomorrow.
Jeremy Rose is a Wellington-based journalist and his Towards Democracy blog is at Substack.
Source: Doctors Without Borders –
While the war and blockade continue to wreak havoc on Palestinians’ health and leave them in desperate need of medical care and food, water, and other necessities, at least 20 medical facilities in Gaza have been damaged or forced partially or completely out of service in the past week alone amid increasing Israeli military operations, intensified airstrikes, and widespread evacuation orders.
Israeli authorities must stop the deliberate asphyxiation of Palestinians in Gaza and the annihilation of their health care system—actions that are underpinning their campaign of ethnic cleansing.
“The Israeli authorities’ decision to allow a ridiculously inadequate amount of aid into Gaza after months of an air-tight siege signals their intention to avoid the accusation of starving people in Gaza, while in fact keeping them barely surviving,” said Pascale Coissard, MSF emergency coordinator in Khan Younis. “This plan is a way to instrumentalize aid, making it a tool to further Israeli forces’ military objectives.”
On May 19, between 6 and 6:30 a.m., MSF teams reported hearing almost one strike per minute in Khan Younis. One of these strikes hit the Nasser Hospital compound, 100 meters away from the hospital’s intensive care unit and the inpatient department, which are run by MSF. This is the third time in two months that the Nasser Hospital compound has been struck, once again depriving people of treatment and care.
To reduce the risks, our teams were forced to temporarily close both the outpatient department and sedation room for patients awaiting or recovering from surgery, as well as suspend physiotherapy and mental health activities, which are essential for burn patients—most of whom are children. This strike also severely damaged the Ministry of Health’s pharmacy store in Nasser Hospital. This puts additional pressure on supplies at a time when medical stocks are already running critically low due to the siege.
As part of the expansion of their ground operations, Israeli forces have issued widescale evacuation orders, further limiting people’s access to medical care and MSF’s ability to provide it. On May 19, for example, an evacuation order covering almost the entire eastern part of Khan Younis, at the edge of Nasser Hospital, forced people to immediately move toward the Al-Mawasi area.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ Site Management Cluster estimates that over 138,900 people were forcibly displaced between May 15-20. The intensified Israeli bombardments and evacuation orders across Khan Younis have forced MSF to maintain only lifesaving activities in the emergency rooms of Al-Attar and Al-Mawasi clinics. Since yesterday, Al-Hekker clinic in Deir al-Balah has also been closed. Before that, MSF teams had been providing more than 350 consultations per day for pediatric, prenatal and post-natal care, psychological first aid, and outpatient nutrition treatment, among other medical issues.
A few days earlier, on May 15, Israeli authorities issued an evacuation order to Sheikh Radwan basic health care center in Gaza City, which led to the closure of the facility. Before that, with MSF’s support, Ministry of Health teams were providing around 3,000 consultations per day in an area with an estimated 250,000 people. This was the last fully functional public basic health care clinic in the area.
According to the Ministry of Health, following the besiegement of the Indonesian Hospital, all public hospitals in North Gaza are now out of service. The MSF field hospital in Deir al-Balah has seen its bed capacity rise to 150 percent over the last few days, forcing it to add additional staff and increase their baseline by 20 beds. According to the UN, there are currently around 1,000 functional hospital beds across the Strip, while prior to the war the bed capacity was 3,500.
Attacks on civilians and health care must stop now.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Partners Value Investments L.P. (the “Partnership”, TSX: PVF.UN TSX:PVF.PR.U) announced today its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.
The Partnership recorded net income of $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net income of $26.3 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was in line with the prior year quarter as higher investment income and valuation gains were offset by the absence of foreign currency gains and tax recoveries recognized in the prior year quarter. Income of $22.2 million was attributable to the Equity Limited Partners ($0.32 per Equity LP unit) and income of $2.4 million was attributable to Preferred Limited Partners.
As at March 31, 2025, the market prices of a Brookfield Corporation (“BN”, NYSE/TSX: BN) and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (“BAM”, NYSE/TSX: BAM) share were $52.41 and $48.45, respectively. As at May 20, 2025, the market prices of a BN and BAM share were $58.98 and $58.82, respectively.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| (Unaudited) For the three months ended March 31 (Thousands, US dollars) |
|||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||
| Investment income | |||||||||
| Dividends | $ | 26,559 | $ | 24,027 | |||||
| Other investment income | 7,179 | 4,035 | |||||||
| 33,738 | 28,062 | ||||||||
| Expenses | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | (1,352 | ) | (2,437 | ) | |||||
| Financing costs | (2,417 | ) | (2,481 | ) | |||||
| Retractable preferred share dividends | (10,041 | ) | (9,736 | ) | |||||
| (13,810 | ) | (14,654 | ) | ||||||
| Other items | |||||||||
| Investment valuation gains | 7,212 | 924 | |||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | (912 | ) | (884 | ) | |||||
| Foreign currency (losses) gains | (124 | ) | 8,899 | ||||||
| Current taxes (expense) recovery | (361 | ) | 8,069 | ||||||
| Deferred taxes expense | (1,102 | ) | (4,158 | ) | |||||
| Net income | $ | 24,641 | $ | 26,258 | |||||
The information in the following table shows the changes in net book value:
| (Unaudited) For the three months ended March 31 (Thousands, except per unit amounts) |
2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
| Total | Per Unit | Total | Per Unit | ||||||||||
| Net book value, beginning of period1 | $ | 8,375,682 | $ | 102.80 | $ | 5,783,620 | $ | 70.74 | |||||
| Net income2 | 22,220 | 24,714 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income2 | (828,447 | ) | 290,050 | ||||||||||
| Adjustment for impact of warrants1 | (173 | ) | (6,120 | ) | |||||||||
| Equity LP repurchases | (2,438 | ) | (3,617 | ) | |||||||||
| Net book value, end of period3 | $ | 7,566,844 | $ | 96.32 | $ | 6,088,647 | $ | 74.52 | |||||
Financial Profile
The Partnership’s principal investments are its interest in approximately 121 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of BN and approximately 31 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of BAM. This represents approximately an 8% interest in BN and a 2% interest in BAM as at March 31, 2025. In addition, the Partnership owns a diversified investment portfolio of marketable securities and private fund interests.
The information in the following table has been extracted from the Partnership’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
| (Unaudited) As at (Thousands, US dollars) |
March 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
|||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 308,077 | $ | 156,977 | |||
| Accounts receivable and other assets | 54,375 | 48,924 | |||||
| Investment in Brookfield Corporation1 | 6,339,885 | 6,949,656 | |||||
| Investment in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.2 | 1,492,635 | 1,669,488 | |||||
| Investment in Brookfield Wealth Solutions Ltd.3 | 428,584 | 471,787 | |||||
| Other investments carried at fair value | 346,818 | 343,090 | |||||
| $ | 8,970,374 | $ | 9,639,922 | ||||
| Liabilities and equity | |||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | $ | 44,194 | $ | 42,055 | |||
| Corporate borrowings | 208,094 | 208,168 | |||||
| Preferred shares4 | 1,074,573 | 939,057 | |||||
| Deferred tax liability | 9,469 | 7,933 | |||||
| 1,336,330 | 1,197,213 | ||||||
| Equity | |||||||
| Equity Limited Partners | 7,452,974 | 8,261,639 | |||||
| Preferred Limited Partners | 152,040 | 152,040 | |||||
| Non-controlling interests | 29,030 | 29,030 | |||||
| 7,634,044 | 8,442,709 | ||||||
| $ | 8,970,374 | $ | 9,639,922 |
For further information, contact Investor Relations at ir@pvii.ca or 416-643-7621.
Note: This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words “potential” and “estimated” and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking information.
Although the Partnership believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond its control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Partnership to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward‐looking statements and information include, but are not limited to: the financial performance of Brookfield Corporation, the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; limitations on the liquidity of our investments; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws; risks associated with the use of financial leverage; catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the Partnership’s documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada.
The Partnership cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Partnership’s forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the Partnership undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.