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• April 7, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIndigenous deaths in custody haunt AustraliaPublished15 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, SuppliedImage caption, Raylene Nixon’s son Steven died after being put in a chokehold by a Queensland police officerBy Hannah RitchieBBC News, Sydney”It’s a pain you can’t describe,” Raylene Nixon says quietly.”It’s something that you feel deeper than a broken heart – it’s pain in your soul.”In 2021, she sat in a sterile room and watched Australian police footage of her son’s death in real time, as he gasped for air and pleaded for help.”Choke him out,” one officer can be heard yelling in the body camera video, before another places Steven Nixon-McKellar in a chokehold. Moments later, the 27-year-old Aboriginal man lost consciousness. Paramedics failed to resuscitate him, as his throat was obstructed by vomit.Mr Nixon-McKellar is one of 562 Indigenous Australians to die in police custody since 1991 – the year a landmark inquiry, intended to turn the tide on the issue, released hundreds of recommendations. But few of those proposals have been implemented, studies suggest, and Indigenous people continue to die at alarming rates in prison cells, police vans, or during arrest. Last year was the most lethal on record, according to government data. Police advocates insist officers are using necessary force when confronted with life-threatening situations, and that each death is thoroughly examined.But critics say there is a “culture of impunity” in which “police are investigating police” in cases alleging excessive force. They point out there has never been a conviction of a police or corrections officer over an Indigenous death in their care. “We’re sending a message to society about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour,” criminologist Amanda Porter says.”And in Australia at the moment – it’s open season.”‘They only knew the colour of his skin’Mr Nixon-McKellar died during his attempted arrest following an anonymous call to Queensland police suggesting he had been driving a stolen vehicle. The officers involved have defended their use of the neck hold – which is now banned – on the basis that he was “fighting” them at the scene, making it difficult to deploy a taser or pepper spray. Image source, Dhadjowa FoundationImage caption, A coroner’s findings into Steven Nixon-McKellar’s death will soon be releasedBut Ms Nixon questions whether they might have acted differently had her son been white. “The only thing they knew about him was the colour of his skin,” she tells the BBC.The findings from a coroner’s inquiry into his death will soon be made public. His case bears similarities to the death of David Dungay Jr inside a Sydney prison in 2015, a nationally famous incident which has been compared to George Floyd’s death in the US.Like Mr Floyd, Mr Dungay also repeatedly yelled “I can’t breathe” in his final moments. A diabetic, the 26-year-old had been trying to eat a packet of biscuits when six guards entered his cell with a riot shield to restrain him. Five of them pinned him face down on a bed and sedated him. “You’re the one who brought this on yourself Dungay,” one officer can be heard saying in footage of the incident. “If you’re talking you can breathe,” another adds.Corrective Services New South Wales has maintained that the death was not suspicious, and an internal investigation found no criminal negligence. A coroner did find that “agitation as a result of the use of force” was a contributing factor, along with Mr Dungay’s pre-existing health conditions – but declined to send the case to prosecutors.Mr Dungay’s family has run a years-long campaign calling for charges to be laid against the officers involved. It led to a petition with over 110,000 signatures being sent to the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The office did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Leetona Dungay has been prominent in Australia’s Black Lives Matter movement since her son’s deathThe over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s criminal justice system is a key driver of Indigenous deaths in custody.That was one of the central findings of the 1991 inquiry – and it has worsened with time. Today Indigenous people comprise 33% of Australia’s prisoners, though they are just 3.8% of the national population. Socio-economic disadvantage and “over-policing” are central to the disparity, numerous investigations have heard.”There’s a legacy of colonisation in Australia where First Nations people have always been disproportionately segregated and controlled,” says Thalia Anthony, a law professor at the University of Technology Sydney. She and others argue this has injected racist stereotypes into policing, leading to Indigenous Australians being treated as “deviant, drug addicted, or alcoholics” and paid undue attention. Reviews are currently under way in Queensland and the Northern Territory to address allegations of widespread racism within both forces. Western Australia Police has introduced strategies to address institutional racism, and Victoria Police’s chief commissioner recently offered an unreserved apology to Aboriginal families for “undetected, unchecked and unpunished” systemic discrimination. Federal and state governments have introduced some services aimed at lowering Indigenous incarceration rates. Most recently, Canberra committed to funding community-led programmes designed to tackle the root causes of offending and disadvantage.”Too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are being robbed of their futures by a system that has let them down,” Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney told the BBC.Experts have welcomed such initiatives, but many also call for broad reforms to bail conditions and the decriminalisation of minor offences which they say stem from issues such as homelessness.Ms Burney said that state governments, which oversee local laws and policing, hold “most of the levers”.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Protests have decried the deaths of Indigenous Australians in custodyAnd voter sentiment is one reason why states are often creating “new offences, increasing sentences and building more jails” despite falling crime rates, explains Prof Luke McNamara from the University of New South Wales.He describes the conflict between the two approaches as “an unresolved paradox” playing out in real-time. ‘No-one gets justice’ David Dungay Jr’s mother, Leetona, has now taken his case to the United Nations, filing a motion against state and federal governments for violating her son’s right to life. It will be decided in the coming weeks.She hopes it will force Australia to confront its record on Indigenous deaths in custody and fix “systemic failures”.”I want to get justice for David,” Ms Dungay tells the BBC. “It was murder. No-one attempted to help my son.”But if you ask Corina Rich, “no-one gets justice”. Her son Brandon died after a prolonged struggle with police at his grandmother’s property in rural New South Wales in 2021.Two officers had been called to respond to a domestic dispute. Their attempts to arrest Mr Rich ultimately resulted in him being stripped of his clothes, pepper sprayed, and pinned down.When he lost consciousness, police say they immediately tried to resuscitate him and failed. But they didn’t wear body cameras – despite it being policy – meaning the details of the 29-year-old’s final moments rely almost solely on the officers’ testimony.NSW Police said that “remedial action” was taken against both for the camera violation. Last month, a coroner found Mr Rich had died of physical exertion and stress, but that it was not possible to determine whether the use of force applied by police was a contributing factor.Image source, Supplied: Corina RichImage caption, Brandon Rich, pictured with his nephew, died after a prolonged struggle with two police officersFor Ms Rich, questions remain, and she relives that day on repeat – often in violent nightmares.”I’m in my son’s position, when he’s dying on the ground. I don’t have a life any more. Your whole world is gone, broken.”When asked about the possibility of legal action, she almost laughs: “Nothing’s going to happen to the police. It never does.”I don’t think we’ll ever see change, as much as we want it. The whole system sucks.”It’s a view shared by many Indigenous families and advocates, who feel hope is hard to come by. But several experts told the BBC that in the short team, a warranted conviction of a police or prison officer over an Indigenous death in custody could be “groundbreaking”. “It would send a message that police are not immune from the criminal justice system,” Prof Anthony says.She adds that few cases make it to trial and when they do it’s rare for “police not to be believed” by what are usually “non-Indigenous juries”.Australia’s national police union declined to answer questions from the BBC.Ms Nixon says a reckoning won’t come until there’s sustained public outrage over every Indigenous death.”When you’re only 3% of the population, you rely on the other 97% to do the right thing,” she says.”It comes down to human compassion [but] there’s still a blame the victim mentality – as though what happens to us is what we deserve. Maybe future generations will change that narrative.”Related TopicsIndigenous AustraliansNew South WalesQueenslandAustraliaMore on this storyAustralia mother takes custodial death fight to UNPublished10 June 2021Australia’s ‘system is continuing to kill us’Published15 April 2021Top StoriesJeremy Bowen: Obstacles to peace seem larger than everPublished2 hours agoLive. Israelis demand hostage deal six months on from Hamas attacksPM marks six months of Israel-Gaza war as UK sends Navy ship for aidPublished4 hours agoFeaturesThe eclipse’s 4-minute window into the Sun’s secretsThe Papers: ‘Gaza famine’ warning and Corrie ‘budgeting row’Where in the UK can you see Monday’s solar eclipse?7 lessons from my first series of University ChallengeThe singer-songwriters who are pop’s new breakout starsIndigenous deaths in custody haunt AustraliaSix months on, how close is Israel to eliminating Hamas?Path of darkness – scroll every mile of total eclipse’A game of Jenga’: Inside the perilous Baltimore bridge clean-upElsewhere on the BBCGet a job, pay the bills. Sounds simple, right?Fresh, surreal comedy from the mind of Lucia KeskinAttributioniPlayerThis family bonds over Race Across the WorldThese are the the things we love on the BBCAttributioniPlayerOne of the most talented bands to never make it…Why did trailblazers Microdisney fail to achieve the commercial success they deserved?AttributioniPlayerDid you know these scenes were filmed in… Glasgow?!Ali Plumb travels through the city’s silver screen sightsAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Where in the UK can you see Monday’s solar eclipse?2’Gaza famine’ warning and Corrie ‘budgeting row’3Woman dies after stabbing in busy city centre4Hardest Geezer: The man who ran the length of Africa5Post Office bosses earned millions despite scandal6Bowen: Obstacles to peace seem larger than ever7Incinerator opposed by Barclay sees permit delayed8Are you happy to pay more to have your nails done?9Dozens of UK flights cancelled as storm sweeps in10Russia-friendly populist elected Slovak president

[ad_1] Last year saw the most Indigenous people on record die in police custody – and families want answers.

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• 12yearold
• 2310003Women
• March 22, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSenegal election dominated by freed prisoner Faye and heir apparent BaPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Khadidiatou CisséBBC News, DakarIt is a crowded field of 18 in the battle for Senegal’s top job, but two men – recently freed opposition politician Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the ruling party’s heir apparent Amadou Ba – look most likely to win over voters in Sunday’s presidential election.Their rivalry underpins a massive divide and clash of outlook in the country, usually regarded as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, especially over its relationship with France, the former colonial power.The poll is a rushed job – the date was announced with less than three weeks’ notice, following a month of confusion and violent protests. What seems to unite most Senegalese is the anger directed at outgoing President Macky Sall who tried to postpone the election – originally scheduled for 25 February – until December. Mr Sall has told the BBC he acted to protect the integrity of the vote after allegations of corruption and disputes over the eligibility of some presidential candidates. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Senegal President Macky Sall: ‘I will not apologise because I did nothing wrong’However, critics accused him of seeking to extend his term in office or stop the clock to better prepare his candidate – which he denies.It led to political turmoil, the intervention of the Constitutional Court, the president agreeing to leave office next month when his term officially ends, and a new election date.Then last week, some of his fiercest critics – those involved in political protests over the last few years – were freed in a presidential amnesty in order to calm tensions.This included firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who came third in the last election and is hugely popular with young people eager for change.But the 49-year-old is barred from running as a candidate this time, due to a series of charges he says were politically motivated.Instead, he is throwing his considerable clout behind Mr Faye, who like him is a former tax inspector and was released from detention at the same time – he was awaiting trial on charges of defamation and spreading fake news.The two met while working at the tax office and Mr Faye, who turns 44 the day after the election, was previously secretary-general of Mr Sonko’s Pastef party, which was dissolved by the government last year over allegations it had called for an insurrection.Their slogan “Sonko is Diomaye, Diomaye is Sonko” has gone viral on social media in the last week.Image source, AFPImage caption, Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and opposition leader Ousmane Sonko are popular with younger votersThe pair – greeted on their release by celebrating crowds – are pushing their anti-establishment vision for institutional reforms. It is an Afrocentric and nationalist agenda, including plans to renegotiate the country’s mining and energy contracts.Mr Faye also wants Senegal to stop using the CFA franc – the West African single currency that is pegged to the euro, with the financial backing of the French treasury, and which is regarded by his supporters as a relic of the colonial era.The proposal has been labelled as irresponsible by his opponents, although Mr Sonko has sought to quell such fears by saying they would seek to reform the regional currency first and only consider introducing a national currency if that should fail. In contrast to this radical path, Mr Ba, prime minister until he resigned to contest the election, seeks to represent continuity and stability.At his rallies, the 62-year-old has hit out at the former Pastef pair, labelling them “bandits” and saying a vote for him is a vote for “greater peace and prosperity”.He argues his ministerial track record proves he will oversee development and create one million jobs in five years – as the staid statesman woos the youth vote.Mr Ba may have been on the political scene for the last decade, but he is a bit of a closed book for most. He has tried to open up as a man of the people, revealing his love for reggae music and Bob Marley.With more than half of Senegal’s population under the age of 25 and growing frustration over unemployment and boats full of migrants heading for Europe, it is an important demographic.Image source, AFPImage caption, Amadou Ba says a vote for him is a vote for peace and prosperityArame Gueye Sene, executive director of the youth group Social Change Factory, told the BBC that young people were engaged in campaign issues, although the majority of the seven million registered voters were aged 35 and over.”We see them on the streets, but we’re not sure that a lot of them are able to vote next Sunday,” she said.A significant challenge for all candidates has been that the postponed election has fallen in the middle of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.In Senegal, 95% of the population is Muslim and consequently key cities like the capital, Dakar, and Thiès are unusually quiet for an election campaign.People tend to save their energy until they break their fast at sunset, meaning candidates are having to rethink their campaign strategies. Booklets detailing proposed policies have been shared online, as well as live recordings of rallies. Image source, AnadoluImage caption, Campaigning has been quiet in Dakar, seen here behind the Renaissance Monument, because of Ramadan”We have to double efforts to mobilise voters,” Anta Babacar Ngom, a business executive and the only woman in this race, told the BBC.Candidates are still making an effort to tour the country – as Mohamed Ly, a member of Khalifa Sall’s campaign team, said that undecided voters could prove key.Mr Sall, the 68-year-old former mayor of Dakar and no relation to the president, is one of two candidates who could prove a kingmaker or push the vote into a second round. To win outright, a contender must obtain more than 50% of the vote.The other such candidate is Idrissa Seck, the 64-year-old former mayor of Thiès. Both have loyal followings.Another influential player is Karim Wade. The 55-year-old is the son of ex-President Abdoulaye Wade, though his candidacy was rejected as he had not renounced his French citizenship in time – electoral laws do not allow for dual nationality.His Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) has not put forward an alternative candidate but has traditionally benefitted from the support of the Mourides, the most influential Muslim brotherhood in Senegal. If it publicly backs one of the candidates, that could prove decisive.Most of the electorate may feel bruised by the upheaval of the last month but electoral directorate head Birame Sene is confident they have nothing to worry about.He told the BBC everything was in order and well prepared for Sunday’s vote – when Senegal’s much-vaunted democratic values will be put to the test.More on Senegal’s 2024 election:’We feel betrayed by President Macky Sall”If I were president’: Senegalese children organise own pollOusmane Sonko: Senegalese youth hero or rabble-rouser?Related TopicsSenegalAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastsTop StoriesBlood test reveals best lung cancer treatmentPublished8 hours agoUK’s highest student loan revealed to be £231,000Published8 hours agoThe 12-year-old Gazan girl who lost her family overnightPublished2 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Women ‘owed’ payouts after £35bn ‘Waspi sting”I want the £45,000 state pension that was stolen from me’Weekly quiz: How long did this woman take to climb nearly 300 mountains?Inside the ice cream van feeding familiesApple becomes the latest tech giant under siegeThe 12-year-old Gazan girl who lost her family overnightFleeing Ukraine’s embattled border villages’I couldn’t photograph The Beatles – but I captured Oasis’Why Trump may reap billions in a stock market mergerElsewhere on the BBCAre you ready for a challenge?Test your pop knowledge with Vernon Kay’s music quizAttributionSoundsTracking down online trolls…Behind striker Neal Maupay’s struggle with an extreme case of online hateAttributioniPlayerUnearthing China’s terracotta armyIn 1974 a chance find by Chinese farmers led to an astonishing archaeological discoveryAttributionSoundsMeet some adorable hamsters from Wales…This family loves Casualty, News, Sport and the odd murder show!AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Starmer urges Nike to change new England kit cross2UK’s highest student loan revealed to be £231,0003Women ‘owed’ payouts from £35bn ‘Waspi sting’4Rayner says questions over her tax are a ‘smear’5Blood test reveals best lung cancer treatment6Why Trump may reap billions in a stock market merger7’I want the £45,000 state pension that was stolen from me’8Apple becomes the latest tech giant under siege9Concerns raised over Steve Barclay’s role in waste project10The 12-year-old Gazan girl who lost her family overnight

[ad_1] Their rivalry underpins a big divide in the nation, regarded as a beacon of West African democracy.

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• 2017.Article
• 2020Top
• March 19, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityTechnologyIs TikTok really a danger to the West?Published9 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, AFPBy Joe TidyCyber CorrespondentChina has attacked a bill going through US Congress that could ultimately see TikTok banned in the States, calling it unjust.It is the latest move in a years-long row over safety fears about the app which is owned by a Chinese company.Officials, politicians and security staff in many Western countries have been banned from installing it on work phones.So what are the three biggest cyber concerns about TikTok, and how does the company respond to them?1. TikTok collects an ‘excessive’ amount of dataTikTok says the app’s data collection is “in line with industry practices”.Critics frequently accuse TikTok of harvesting huge amounts of data. A cyber-security report published in July 2022 by researchers at Internet 2.0, an Australian cyber-company, is often cited as evidence. Researchers studied the app’s source code and reported it carries out “excessive data harvesting”. Analysts said TikTok collects details such as location, what specific device is being used and which other apps are on it. However, a similar test carried out by Citizen Lab concluded “in comparison to other popular social media platforms, TikTok collects similar types of data to track user behaviour”. Similarly, a report by the Georgia Institute of Technology last year stated: “The key fact here is that most other social media and mobile apps do the same things.”2. TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to spy on usersTikTok says the company is fully independent and “has not provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we if asked”.Although it irks privacy experts, most of us accept that handing over swathes of private data is the deal we make with social networks.In exchange for giving us their services free of charge they gather knowledge about us and use it to sell advertising on their platform, or sell our data to other firms trying to advertise to us elsewhere on the internet.The issue that critics have with TikTok is that it is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, making it unique as a non-American mainstream app. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, for example, all collect similar amounts of data but are all US-founded companies. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Shanghai tech giant ByteDance owns TikTok and its sister app DouyinFor years, US lawmakers, along with most of the rest of the world, have assumed a level of trust: that the data collected by these platforms will not be used for nefarious reasons which might put national security at risk.Donald Trump’s 2020 executive order alleged TikTok’s data collection could potentially allow China to “track the locations of federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage”. So far, evidence points to this being only a theoretical risk – but fears are stoked by a vague piece of Chinese law passed in 2017.Article seven of China’s National Intelligence Law states that all Chinese organisations and citizens should “support, assist and co-operate” with the country’s intelligence efforts. This sentence is often cited by people suspicious not just of TikTok, but all Chinese companies.The other Chinese apps taking the US by stormWhy does the US want to ban TikTok?However, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology argue this sentence is taken out of context, and note that the law also includes caveats protecting the rights of users and private companies. Since 2020, TikTok executives have repeatedly tried to reassure people that Chinese staff cannot access the data of non-Chinese users. But in 2022, ByteDance admitted that several of its Beijing-based employees did access the data of at least two journalists in the US and UK to track their locations and check whether they were meeting TikTok employees suspected of leaking information to the media.TikTok’s spokeswoman says the employees who accessed the data were dismissed.The firm insists user data has never been stored in China and is building data centres in Texas for US user data, and at sites in Europe for data from its citizens. In the EU the company has also gone much further than any other social network and enlisted an independent cyber-security company to oversee all use of data at its European sites. TikTok says “data of our European users is safeguarded in a specially designed protective environment, and can only be accessed by approved employees subject to strict independent oversight and verification.”3. TikTok could be used as a ‘brainwashing’ toolTikTok argues that its community guidelines “prohibit misinformation that could cause harm to our community or the larger public, which includes engaging in co-ordinated inauthentic behaviour”.In November 2022, Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, told US lawmakers: “The Chinese government could… control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations.” The claim has been repeated many times.Those concerns are further inflamed by the fact that TikTok’s sister app, Douyin – which is only available in China – is heavily censored and reportedly engineered to encourage educational and wholesome material to go viral for its young user base.All social networks are heavily censored in China, with an army of internet police deleting content which criticises the government or excites political unrest. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Chinese version of TikTok, called Douyin, shares the same format and basic engineering codeAt the start of TikTok’s ascendancy, there were high-profile cases of censorship on the app: a user in the US had her account suspended for discussing Beijing’s treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang. After a fierce public backlash, TikTok apologised and reinstated the account.Since then there have been few cases of censorship, other than the sort of controversial moderation decisions with which all platforms have to deal. Researchers at Citizen Lab carried out a comparison of TikTok and Douyin. They concluded that TikTok does not employ the same political censorship. “The platform does not enforce obvious post censorship,” researchers said in 2021.Georgia Institute of Technology analysts also searched for topics such as the independence of Taiwan or jokes about Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, and concluded: “Videos in all of these categories can easily be found on TikTok. Many are popular and widely shared.”Theoretical riskThe overall picture, then, is one of theoretical fears – and theoretical risk.Critics argue TikTok is a “Trojan horse” – although it looks harmless, it could prove to be a powerful weapon during times of conflict, for example. The app is already banned in India, which took action in 2020 against the app and dozens of other Chinese platforms.But a US ban on TikTok could have a huge impact on the platform, since typically US allies often fall in step with such decisions.That was apparent when the US successfully led calls to block Chinese telecom giant Huawei from being deployed in 5G infrastructure – again, based on theoretical risks.It is worth noting, of course, that these risks are a one-way street. China does not have to worry about US apps because access for Chinese citizens has been blocked for many years. Related TopicsSocial mediaTikTokChinaNational securityUnited StatesCyber-securityMore on this storyWhy does the US want to ban TikTok?Published4 days agoIndia bans TikTok and dozens more Chinese appsPublished29 June 2020Top Stories’Only God can change this place’: Haitians see no end to spiralling violencePublished8 hours agoUS reports death of senior Hamas military leaderPublished2 hours agoSex and nudity in films get stricter age ratingsPublished3 hours agoFeaturesWhy Gillian Anderson found it scary to play Emily MaitlisIs TikTok really a danger to the West?The Papers: Kate ‘pictured in public’ and ‘key’ Rwanda vote’Untreated trauma led to our soldier son’s suicide’The highs and lows of First Minister Mark DrakefordBridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan: Why I hate on-screen vanityMiles of new pylons needed for electricity upgradePredicting Putin’s landslide was easy, but what comes next?The US Navy’s relentless battle against Houthi attacksElsewhere on the BBCIs there a link between gardening and your gut?Michael Mosley learns how getting grubby in the garden can improve your overall healthAttributionSoundsThe most famous waterway in the Americas is running dryThe Global Story explores the impact on the international shipping industryAttributionSoundsThe moment a Russian warship sank in the Black SeaThe vessel was destroyed by a Ukrainian drone near the Kerch BridgeAttributioniPlayerAre The Beatles Ireland’s greatest band?Steven Cockcroft and Jason Carty explore the Fab Four’s connection with the Emerald IsleAttributionSoundsMost Read1William homelessness visit as Kate photo published2Kate ‘pictured in public’ and ‘key’ Rwanda vote3Why Gillian Anderson found it scary to play Emily Maitlis4Potholes leave nations’ roads at ‘breaking point’5Sex and nudity in films get stricter age ratings6Unilever to cut jobs and split off ice cream unit7’Only God can change this place’: Haitians see no end to spiralling violence8JD Sports accused of ‘irresponsible’ motorbike ad9US reports death of senior Hamas military leader10Trump unable to get $464m bond in New York fraud case

[ad_1] The issue that critics have with TikTok is that it is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, making it unique as a non-American mainstream app. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and…

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 51yearold
• access
• March 17, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIdris Elba ‘dreams big’ with Sierra Leone eco-city plan for Sherbro IslandPublished44 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy David WaddellBBC NewsHollywood actor Idris Elba has a “big dream” for Sierra Leone, the West African nation where his father was born – to regenerate a beautiful island off its coast and turn it into an eco-friendly “smart city”.”Originally we went there thinking how could we bring tourism to the most incredible 19 miles of beachfront,” the British star told the BBC about Sherbro Island.But as the idea was explored, a more innovative plan came into play – to bring in partners and seriously develop the area in a sustainable, eco way. The project now also intends to bring wind-powered renewable electricity for the first time to Sierra Leone.”It’s a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business,” says Elba, best known for his roles in Luther, the Wire and for playing Nelson Mandela. The 51-year-old actor wants to make people believe this can happen – and change perspectives.”It’s about being self-reliant, it’s about bringing an economy that feeds itself and has growth potential. I’m very keen to reframe the way Africa is viewed… as an aid model.”This opportunity is completely different.”Elba was brought into the project by his childhood friend Siaka Stevens, the grandson of a former Sierra Leonean president of the same name.The pair grew up together in east London, both have worked as DJs and their paths often cross in the entertainment world. For the last decade, Stevens has been spending more time in Sierra Leone and had initially wanted to establish a boutique hotel there. However he told the BBC his background in luxury hospitality and entertainment made him quickly realise “Sierra Leone wasn’t ready for that level of tourism”.This is what spurred thoughts of developing Sherbro Island and with encouragement from a friend who worked on the Saudi Red Sea enterprise, a tourism megaproject, he approached Elba.Image source, Sherbro Alliance PartnersImage caption, Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens are determined to preserve the beauty of Sherbro IslandTwo years later Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) was born and in 2019 a deal was struck with the Sierra Leonean government to develop Sherbro, which falls within the home district of current President Julius Maada Bio.”We believe that Sherbro Island City will be an economic engine for our country and neighbours,” the president said at the time.The island had a population of around 30,000 people in 2013, when the latest available data was recorded – and is approximately 600 sq km (230 sq miles). That is a little bigger than the Isle of Man off the UK and about twice the size of Malta.Stevens says development is to begin around the main town of Bonthe, but the whole island is within the scope of the project – “potentially accommodating a population of up to a million people”. However, Elba insisted “the character of the island hopefully will remain intact. It’s a beautiful, green part of the world and we don’t want to disturb that.”The project is to be financed through a public-private partnership, and the island will be designated a special economic zone with a separate legal and economic system from the rest of Sierra Leone.Stevens likens its status to that of Walt Disney World in Florida. In addition to tax incentives, Disney was granted regulation exemptions and significant autonomy over planning. The wind and solar farm, to include five wind turbines, an array of solar panels and battery storage, will be built by Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest investors in renewable energy.Stevens says their involvement was secured after Elba and his wife Sabrina met top Octopus officials Greg Jackson and Zoisa North-Bond at a party where they were “super interested” in Sherbro.Octopus said construction was scheduled to begin later this year, though the timing depends on weather conditions. Sierra Leone’s rainy season typically runs from May to November.The company says “onshore wind and solar power are some of the quickest sources of energy we can build” and the windfarm should be complete in a matter of months. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Idris Elba and his Sherbro partner Siaka Stevens (L) have signed a deal with Octopus Energy to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farmThis is an exciting prospect for Sierra Leone, where only 28% of the population currently has access to electricity – and rural areas like Sherbro Island have no mains power.Ms North-Bond, Octopus Energy CEO, told the BBC the company was considering two ways to distribute power across the island. One was a micro-grid. The other was to function as an “energy island”, enabling local business to bring electric vehicles – both cars and motorcycles – to charge up from on-site battery stations and then deliver energy to domestic batteries in people’s homes. Octopus’s work on Sherbro Island was a pilot and would serve as an exercise in data collection and potentially a model for other parts of Sierra Leone or elsewhere on the African continent, Ms North-Bond said.On the wider vision for Sherbro, Stevens told the BBC he wanted it to be an “Afro-dynamic eco-city” to be based on African cultural values, prioritising community, collaboration and respect for nature.It should also be able to adapt to changing social, economic and environmental conditions and be built sustainably – an energy-efficient set-up, resilient to climate change. As the co-ordinator, Sherbro Alliance Partners has not specified a single budget, but investment would be drawn from a wide range of sources and is likely to run to billions of dollars. In addition to the partnership with Octopus, it has signed contracts with a series of specialist partners including:Lloyds will “support economic growth opportunities” and provide expertise on insurance and riskSasaki Associates and Foster & Partners will oversee the overall master plan and landscape architecture. Fosters is renowned for a wide range of global projects including London’s Gherkin, City Hall and Millennium BridgeMIC-HUB, a transport planning company, has been charged with administering efficient transport to and from the island, along with eco-friendly travel on SherbroAnd coastal engineer PRDW is to consider climate change impacts and how sea level variations may impact the island. The success of this project can only be judged with hindsight, but it is a huge undertaking. Some other African projects with a similar ethos are yet to reach their potential. There have been questions about the feasibility of Senegal’s Akon City or the Malaysian Eco-Satellite City in Uganda. But in Sierra Leone, the metric of success goes way beyond the bottom line. Elba seems doubtful about ever turning a profit – but as he said, it is about making it work.”Part of me wants to build that beautiful retirement home for my mum,” he said. “Never in my lifetime would I have thought I could build the foundation for a new smart-city… I’m not qualified for that. But I am qualified to dream big.”Reflecting on his late father, Elba said he would probably think the dream was too big, but he would be proud and have some sound advice: “If you’re going to do it, make sure you do it properly.”You do it good, you do it with all your heart because that’s the best you can do.”You may also be interested in:Idris Elba given Sierra Leone citizenshipSierra Leone’s tourist industry recovering from EbolaAkon’s Wakanda, grazing goats and a crypto dreamRelated TopicsSierra LeoneIdris ElbaBusiness in AfricaEco-tourismAround the BBCFocus on Africa podcastsTop Stories’He will come back’ – Israeli hostage families cling to hope, and demand a dealPublished1 hour agoEvacuations as Iceland volcano erupts againPublished1 hour agoIreland beat Scotland to retain Six Nations titleAttributionSportPublished6 hours agoFeatures’He will come back’ – Israeli hostage families cling to hope, and demand a dealThe Papers: ‘Shapps missile threat’ and ‘Strictly stars summit’The ‘insane’ plan to save the Arctic’s sea-iceShould adult Harry Potter fans ‘grow up and get over it’?Chris Mason: How will Welsh Labour change under Gething?Born on 7 October: Gaza mum’s fight to feed her babyWorkaholics Anonymous: ‘I couldn’t step away from the computer’What we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brandRos Atkins on… Why one in five people do not work. VideoRos Atkins on… Why one in five people do not workElsewhere on the BBCThe ultimate bromanceWatch the masters of satire Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with a look back through the archivesAttributioniPlayerThe mystery of a devastating helicopter crash…A weekend away for those leading the intelligence war in Northern Ireland turns to disasterAttributioniPlayer’A few people laughed, a few cried, most were silent’The extraordinary story of the rise and fall of the inventor of the atomic bomb, J Robert OppenheimerAttributioniPlayerFancy a film tonight?There’s something for everyone on BBC iPlayerAttributioniPlayerMost Read1’Shapps missile threat’ and ‘Strictly stars summit’2Derek Thompson’s Casualty exits after 38 years3Evacuations as Iceland volcano erupts again4’Unprecedented’ M25 closures enter third day5Residents ‘terrified’ after crossbow attacks6Diana’s press attention more dangerous than Kate scrutiny – Spencer7Ed Davey calls for ‘once in generation’ election8Councils told to consider residents’ support of LTNs9Russian schools shut after air strikes in Belgorod10’He will come back’ – Israeli hostage families cling to hope, and demand a deal

[ad_1] The actor aims to regenerate an island off Sierra Leone and start the country’s first wind farm.

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• 2023Top
• 357bn
• March 9, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUS lawmakers vote to avert government shutdownPublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS government shutdownImage source, Getty ImagesUS lawmakers have passed a government spending package shortly before a midnight deadline, averting a partial government shutdown.The Senate passed six bills totalling $459bn (£357bn) which funds nearly 30% of the government.It faced opposition, however, from some Republicans who argued the measure did not do enough to cut federal spending.Republicans also wanted the bills to include stronger measures to address immigration at the southern border.The set of compromise bills passed the Senate by a vote of 75-22 on Friday, following hours of last minute debate. The bipartisan deal was struck by House and Senate negotiators last week, one day after congressional lawmakers travelled to the White House to meet President Joe Biden.If a deal had not been reached, roughly 20% of government departments, including agencies that oversee agriculture, transportation and veterans affairs, would have to temporarily close by 12:01 (05:01 GMT) on Saturday.Other federal funding, including defence spending and homeland security and state department budgets, would have expired a week later. Past shutdowns have led to furloughs of government workers and the closure of national parks.Republicans control the House by a slim majority, while Democrats hold the Senate by a single seat. Spending bills to keep the US government open require buy-in from both parties in order to advance through both chambers to the president’s desk for signature.There have been 10 US government shutdowns or partial shutdowns over the past four decades.Why shutdowns seem to only happen in USA larger fight now looms ahead of a 22 March shutdown deadline. Congress must now find a way to agree on a budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration – a contentious political issue, especially in an election year. The Pentagon’s budget must also be decided before the deadline arrives in just two weeks. “Today, we got the first half of the job done – passing a serious bipartisan package to fund key parts of our government,” said Democratic Washington state Senator Patty Murray, the chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This isn’t the bill I would have written on my own, but this is a strong bipartisan package that sustains vital resources that matter in people’s lives.”This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: How does a government shutdown impact the US?Related TopicsUS government shutdownUS CongressUnited StatesJoe BidenMore on this storyUS lawmakers reach deal to avert government shutdownPublished29 FebruaryWhy shutdowns seem to only happen in USPublished13 November 2023Top StoriesGaza aid ship expected to set sail from CyprusPublished4 hours agoNew life springs from rescued Sycamore Gap treePublished6 hours agoThe Oppenheimer story that won’t win OscarsPublished6 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Camilla to the rescue’ and ‘Budget falls flat’Channel migrant deaths are rising. Who’s to blame?’Wedding photographer caused mayhem – I told him to leave’On patrol with the anti-social behaviour squadThe sisters defying the Taliban by singingFF7 actress’s nervous wait for fan reactionsDid State of the Union change how voters see Biden?Why mass abductions have returned to haunt NigeriaWest Bank violence: ‘My child’s destiny was to get killed’Elsewhere on the BBCSeven times cruises have caused commotionFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…AttributioniPlayerThe mystery of a devastating helicopter crash…A weekend away for those leading the intelligence war in Northern Ireland turns to disasterAttributioniPlayerThe untold story of the first moon landingIt was a journey that changed the way we think about our place in the universeAttributioniPlayerParkinson meets the greatest names in entertainmentHe’s joined by guests Michael Palin, Kate Adie and Ricky GervaisAttributioniPlayerMost Read1New life springs from rescued Sycamore Gap tree2’Camilla to the rescue’ and ‘Budget falls flat’3I was cyberbullied while pregnant, says Meghan4The other Oppenheimer story that won’t win Oscars5Faisal Islam: The Budget was more radical than it looked6American Pie stars reunite for Levy’s Walk of Fame7Destructive Joshua knocks out Ngannou in second roundAttributionSport8’Wedding photographer caused mayhem – I told him to leave’9The Brit up for three visual effects Oscars10Gaza aid ship expected to set sail from Cyprus

[ad_1] The $459bn spending package passed the Senate hours before several federal agencies were to suspend services.

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• 11s
• 2023Top
• February 29, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUS lawmakers reach deal to temporarily avert government shutdownPublished24 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Republican Mitch McConnell (left) and Democrat Chuck Schumer seen in Congress on TuesdayBy Mike Wendling & Max MatzaBBC NewsTop US lawmakers have reached a tentative deal to avert a partial government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline to approve funding.Four funding bills will now be extended to 8 March while the rest of the budget will be extended to March 22.”We are in agreement that Congress must work in a bipartisan manner to fund our government,” top US lawmakers said in a joint statement.The House is expected to vote on the stopgap measure as early as Thursday.Democrats and Republicans have been far apart in the budget negotiations on border security and aid to Ukraine.Republicans control the House by a slim majority, while Democrats hold the Senate by a single seat. Spending bills to keep the US government open require buy-in from both parties in order to advance through both chambers to the president’s desk for signature.There have been 10 US government shutdowns or partial shutdowns over the past four decades. The bipartisan deal was struck by House and Senate negotiators on Wednesday, one day after congressional lawmakers travelled to the White House to meet President Joe Biden.It will be “voted on by the House and Senate this week,” according to a statement released by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.The congressional leaders now face the difficult task of convincing rank and file lawmakers to support the deal. The Speaker faces fierce objections from right-wing lawmakers in his ranks who want spending cuts and insist any further support for Ukraine should be tied to more money for US border security. Those same members booted out the previous Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, in October, after they were angered by a short-term budget deal that Mr McCarthy made with Democrats. If a deal is not reached, roughly 20% of government departments, including agencies that oversee agriculture, transportation and veterans affairs, will temporarily close by 12:01 on Saturday.Other federal funding, including defence spending and homeland security and state department budgets, will expire a week later. Past shutdowns have led to furloughs of government workers and the closure of national parks. Why shutdowns seem to only happen in USThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: How does a government shutdown impact the US?Related TopicsChuck SchumerUS CongressUnited StatesJoe BidenMore on this storyWhy shutdowns seem to only happen in USPublished13 November 2023Top StoriesProtests descending into mob rule, PM warns policePublished1 hour agoFamily’s anger at police failures as Emma Caldwell’s killer is jailedPublished3 hours agoWatch: How I confronted Emma Caldwell’s killer. VideoWatch: How I confronted Emma Caldwell’s killerPublished5 hours agoFeaturesHow police missed the chance to catch Emma’s killerSarah Smith: Protest vote over Gaza is election warning Biden cannot ignoreTwo children ran away. It took 13 years to get home againS Korea doctors face arrest if they don’t end strikeWhy Google’s ‘woke’ AI problem won’t be an easy fixFrench readers enjoy world’s only four-year newspaper’I was inundated with incel messages within an hour’Listen: Panic alarms and bodyguards: How unsafe are MPs? AudioListen: Panic alarms and bodyguards: How unsafe are MPs?AttributionSounds’My mother’s body was left by smugglers in the desert’Elsewhere on the BBCThe powerful emotional impact of Pink Floyd’s musicShine On You Crazy Diamond has helped people through their hardest timesAttributionSoundsExperience Apollo 11’s adventure first-hand!Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Apollo 11 and its crew with newly released cockpit audioAttributioniPlayerWhat holds us back from exercising as we age?James Gallagher explores the mental and physical barriers that may stop usAttributionSoundsHow close are we to nuclear Armageddon?The Doomsday Clock is the closest it’s ever been to midnight – Jane Corbin investigatesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Protests descending into mob rule, PM warns police2’Angry families turned up to find me dressed as Willy Wonka’3Curb Your Enthusiasm star Richard Lewis dies aged 764Moon lander pictured on its side with snapped leg5Family’s anger at police as Emma’s killer jailed6McConnell to step down as Senate Republican leader7One dead and two missing after Channel rescue8’I was inundated with incel messages within an hour’9Court denies Trump’s bid to pause $454m penalty10Why South Korean women aren’t having babies

[ad_1] The tentative budget agreement still needs to be voted on by the full House and Senate.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 1980s
• 1Xtra
• February 23, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaJury finds NRA and ex-leader Wayne LaPierre liable for corruptionPublished3 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesThe National Rifle Association and its ex-leader, Wayne LaPierre, have been found liable in a civil corruption trial.A New York jury found Mr LaPierre cost the gun rights group millions of dollars through lavish spending on himself.New York Attorney General Letitia James had accused the NRA and Mr LaPierre of violating state laws. Mr LaPierre stepped down from his job just before the trial began. On Friday, the jury found that Mr LaPierre cost the group a total of $5.4m (£4.26m), of which slightly more than $1m has already been repaid. He must now bay $4.35m. While former NRA finance chief Wilson “Woody” Phillips, general counsel John Frazer and the NRA itself are also co-defendants, Mr LaPierre has been characterised as the “central figure” of the case. The jury found that Mr Phillips cost the NRA $2m through mismanagement. Mr Frazer was found to not have cost the organisation financially. In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, after the trial, Ms James said that Mr LaPierre and the NRA “are finally being held accountable for this rampant corruption and self-dealing”. Altogether, she said the group and two executives must pay $6.35m.”In New York, you cannot get away from corruption and greed, no matter how powerful or influential you think you may be,” she wrote. “Everyone, even the NRA and Wayne LaPierre, must play by the same rules.” In the trial, defence attorneys for the three men and the NRA sought to portray the proceedings as a “baseless, premeditated attack” and politically-motivated “witch hunt” by Ms James, a Democrat. But during closing arguments, assistant attorney general Monica Connell said that the NRA, a registered charity, should have spent the funds on its primary mission, rather than on lavish expenses, and of trying to shift responsibility after the fact. “Saying you’re sorry now, saying maybe you’ll put back a couple of those cookies, doesn’t mean you didn’t take the cookies,” Ms Connell said. Over the course of the six-week trial, prosecutors detailed several specific expenses that they said showed that Mr LaPierre and other top leaders used NRA funds as their “personal piggy bank”. One example of misconduct alleged in the lawsuit stated that Mr LaPierre visited the Bahamas more than eight times by private plane using funds intended for the NRA, for a total cost of $500,000 (£380,000).The evidence also included helicopter trips to car races to avoid being stuck in traffic and expense reports for reimbursement of money spent on landscaping and mosquito treatment at his home, as well as gifts for friends and family and “out-of-pocket” expenses such as hair and makeup styling for Mr LaPierre’s wife. The judge must now determine – without a jury – whether independent monitors and experts will be installed to oversee the NRA’s charitable assets and administration, and whether Mr LaPierre and Mr Phillips should be barred from re-election or appointments as officers in the NRA or other New York-based non-profits. Additionally, the judge must determine whether the NRA and Mr Frazer should be barred from soliciting or collecting funds for charities in New York.Though based in Virginia, the NRA is incorporated in New York City. The attorney general’s Charities Bureau is responsible for oversight of any non-profit organisation, which has strict state and federal rules governing spending.Founded in 1871 as a recreational group designed to “promote and encourage rifle shooting”, the NRA has grown into one of the most powerful political organisations in the US.The NRA now lobbies heavily against all forms of gun control and argues aggressively that more guns make the country safer. It relies on, and staunchly defends, a disputed interpretation of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution that individuals are guaranteed the right to own guns.But the NRA has taken a back seat within the gun rights movement in recent years, as its legal costs soared while revenue and membership dues plummeted.Related TopicsNRAUnited StatesMore on this storyWhy is US gun lobby group NRA so powerful?Published13 April 2023When parents get the blame for a child’s mass shootingPublished6 FebruaryMexico can sue US gunmakers, court rulesPublished23 JanuaryTop StoriesWW2 bomb detonated at sea after removal through cityPublished50 minutes agoSpanish police search gutted flats after nine killedPublished2 hours agoTrump calls on Alabama to protect IVF treatmentPublished1 hour agoFeaturesWhy jet streams mean ‘piggy-backing’ planes can fly across the Atlantic faster. VideoWhy jet streams mean ‘piggy-backing’ planes can fly across the Atlantic fasterAttributionWeatherFrom crying in the toilets to cycling world titlesFrontline medics count cost of two years of Ukraine warWhat are the sanctions on Russia and are they working?Special year ahead for R&B, says new 1Xtra hostFirst private Moon mission marks new era for space travelThe young Bollywood star taking on HollywoodListen: No Return for Shamima Begum. AudioListen: No Return for Shamima BegumAttributionSoundsThe ‘mind-bending’ bionic arm powered by AIElsewhere on the BBCHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a Dublin factory that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerThe good, the bad and the bafflingWhen the British public leave a review, they almost always write something hilariousAttributionSoundsFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…A closer look at times when cruise ships have caused commotionAttributioniPlayerHow did a booming computer manufacturer go bust?Commodore computers were huge in the 1980s, so why couldn’t the business adapt and survive?AttributionSoundsMost Read1WW2 bomb detonated at sea after removal through city2Dowden’s cancer check finds no evidence of disease3Trump calls on Alabama to protect IVF treatment4King Charles enjoys jokes in cards of support5US jets intercept high-altitude balloon over Utah6Ukraine says it downs second A-50 Russian spy plane7Cat killer found guilty of murdering man8Navalny’s mother ‘given hours to agree to secret burial’9Spanish police search gutted flats after nine killed10Germany legalises cannabis, but makes it hard to buy

[ad_1] The jury found former CEO Wayne LaPierre cost the guns group $5.4m through lavish spending on himself.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 1m.The
• 2023Top
• February 17, 2024
• 0 Comments

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaKey takeaways from Donald Trump’s ‘overwhelming’ fraud trial defeatPublished5 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesImage caption, Donald Trump leaves the New York fraud trial.By Kayla EpsteinBBC New, New YorkIn a stunning blow to his business empire, Donald Trump has been found liable for almost $355m (£281m) in penalties by Justice Arthur Engoron, in a long-awaited conclusion to the billionaire’s fraud trial. The judge issued a further shock to the real estate personality once synonymous with Manhattan’s skyline, barring him from doing business in New York for three years. Justice Engoron broadly sided with Attorney General Letitia James’ argument that the Trump Organization should pay a steep price for fraudulently misrepresenting their assets in order to get more favourable loans and interest rates over the course of years.While the judge backtracked on an earlier, controversial decision that threatened to dissolve many of Mr Trump’s businesses in New York, his judgement still represents a serious setback for the 77-year-old.Here are the key things to know about Justice Engoron’s decision and its impact.1. A crushing financial penalty for TrumpMr Trump and his real estate organisation were ordered to pay $354,868,768 (£281m) in fines, just short of the amount Ms James had requested. This is an enormous sum, even for a billionaire.Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, the former president’s two sons who currently run the Trump Organization, must pay $4m each in fines. Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, must pay $1m.The defendants may also have to pay heavy interest on their fines, potentially adding millions more to the total. Ms James estimated that the sum Mr Trump owes could eventually come to $463.9m. “It is an overwhelming defeat for the former president on all counts,” said Mitchell Epner, a white-collar attorney in New York.Mr Trump will likely appeal Justice Engoron’s decision. But to stay the verdict pending the appeal, he will have to put up the entirety of the fine within 30 days. And the penalties come hot on the heels of the $83.3m a jury recently ordered him to pay the writer E Jean Carroll for defaming her. Combined, the two might represent more cash that Mr Trump has free.There are a few ways he could find the money, and all those routes might face complications. “He’s got to think about what to do with his assets, how to perhaps liquidate businesses to come up with that money,” Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor, said ahead of the ruling. 2. Trumps barred from doing business in New York, but not foreverJustice Engoron barred Donald Trump from doing business in New York for three years. His sons, Eric and Donald Jr, are barred for two years.Ms James had asked for a lifetime ban for Mr Trump, but Justice Engoron opted for a shorter length of time.Image source, Pool via Getty ImagesImage caption, Justice Arthur Engoron oversees Trump’s New York fraud trial.These days, Mr Trump does not spend much time in the city where he built his empire, and most of his recent visits have been for court dates. Instead, he has established himself firmly in Florida, a far more favourable political climate.And the order will not apply outside the state. Mr Trump has other business and properties around the country and the world, and Justice Engoran’s order would not stop him from being involved with them. Nonetheless, the ruling seriously curtails his ability to do business in a city home to some of his most valuable assets, Steve Cohen, a professor at New York Law School, told the BBC.The verdict “does everything in this court’s power to eliminate the ability of Donald Trump, and those who operate on behalf of Donald Trump to do business in the jurisdiction over which this court has authority: New York state,” said Mr Cohen.3. Judge walks back a controversial initial ruling and Trump Organization will still existOne of the biggest questions ahead of the decision was whether Justice Engoron would stick with an initial ruling from September, which ordered the dissolution of Mr Trump’s businesses in New York.Legal experts had serious questions about whether the sweeping anti-fraud statute Ms James used to bring the case applied to Mr Trump’s businesses that took the form of limited liability companies (LLCs). Judge Engoron’s earlier ruling had covered those businesses, but today, he walked that back.Instead, he subjected those companies and the Trump Organization to strict oversight, and any decisions about the “restructuring and dissolution” of Mr Trump’s LLCs will fall to an overseer.This revision will make it less likely for Justice Engoron’s decision to be overturned on appeal.”Self-correction is always wiser than being reversed,” Mr Cohen observed. The Trump Organization will continue to exist in a modified, and heavily scrutinized form, he explained. But even though the worst outcome – the dissolution of Mr Trump’s New York businesses – was avoided, the ruling was still an incredibly broad interpretation of the anti-fraud law, Mr Cohen added.4. Court monitor will keep company under a microscopeEven though the ruling was very detrimental to Mr Trump, he got a slight reprieve when Justice Engoron decided to keep an independent monitor in place for at least three years. Justice Engoron could have also appointed a receiver to oversee Mr Trump’s businesses, which would have had even more control over their operations, Mr Cohen explained. An independent monitor, while still a serious oversight, is a slightly less severe option.”Instead of being placed in a straitjacket, in a locked room, under guard, they’re being put in handcuffs, in a locked room, under guard,” Mr Cohen observed.Image source, Michael M. SantiagoImage caption, Trump attends his New York fraud trial.Still, the independent monitor will have broad authority to keep Mr Trump’s businesses in line. The monitor, Barbara Jones, will get to appoint an independent director of compliance to work under her, and the Trump Organization will have to pay them. “By installing this additional layer, this compliance director, it’s a person who’s literally sitting at Trump Organization, and nothing can go out, nothing can be issued without that person approving,” said Diana Florence, a former federal prosecutor.”It’s a big deal and it’s certainly should have the impact of stopping any misstatements on financial records.”5. Ruling lays bare Trump’s controversial business practicesJustice Engoron cited extensive evidence from throughout the trial to underscore his ultimate decision.And he did not hold back when laying out his justification for such a harsh ruling. At one point he quoted the British poet Alexander Pope: “To err is human, to forgive is divine.””Defendants,” Justice Engoron wrote, were “apparently are of a different mind”.”Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological,” he said. “Yet, defendants are incapable of admitting the error of their ways. Instead, they adopt a ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ posture that the evidence belies.””This trial has made clear just how sloppily the Trump Organization is run as a business when it comes to its financial practices,” said Will Thomas, a professor at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.With additional reporting from Madeline Halpert in New York City. Related TopicsNew York CityDonald TrumpFraudMore on this storyTrump must pay $354m. How could he do it?Published7 hours agoTrump ordered to pay $354m in New York fraud casePublished4 hours agoThe billion-dollar question at heart of Trump trialPublished11 December 2023Top StoriesLive. ‘Putin is responsible’ – Biden speaks out after report of Navalny’s deathUkraine troops pull out of key eastern town AvdiivkaPublished3 hours agoNavalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’Published10 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Putin ‘must pay for Navalny’ and Harry reaches outArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defiance. VideoArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defianceAlexei Navalny in his own words – dark humour during dark times’Zombie Fires’ burning at an alarming rate in CanadaHow the fantasy world of D&D can be a home for everyoneGay woman aims to found LGBT-accepting churchI made my Chewbacca suit from 45 bags of hair extensionsChris Mason: Tory gloom deepens after double poll blowTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutes. VideoTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutesElsewhere on the BBCThe sound effect that became the ultimate movie in-jokeIt’s used in everything from Toy Story to Reservoir Dogs, but what is the Wilhelm Scream?AttributioniPlayerWhat is it really like to be a monk?’To be a monk is something very vast, very high and very beautiful’AttributioniPlayer’I smashed all my trophies’Bradley Wiggins opens up about his mental health and imposter syndromeAttributioniPlayerFancy a film tonight?There’s something for everyone on BBC iPlayerAttributioniPlayerMost Read1The day I found out I had special ‘neo’ blood2Putin ‘must pay for Navalny’ and Harry reaches out3Is it even possible to do 28 A-levels – and what’s the cost?4Trump ordered to pay $354m in New York fraud case5Ukraine troops pull out of key eastern town Avdiivka6£10k payout ‘cruel’, says bankrupt Post Office victim7Six-time Olympic champion Hoy reveals cancer diagnosisAttributionSport8Fans get rare chance to see Big Yin’s ‘Big Banana Feet’9New Parkinson’s drug to be rolled out on NHS10Two teenagers charged over Super Bowl parade shooting

[ad_1] Donald Trump was hit with a crushing $354m fine, but averted the worst outcome for his business empire.

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• newsinsightplus.com
• 1980s
• 2.5m
• January 26, 2024
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaVince McMahon: WWE founder accused of sex traffickingPublished54 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vince McMahon stepped back as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2022 amid sexual misconduct claimsBy Sarah FowlerBBC NewsAn ex-employee of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has accused the company’s founder, Vince McMahon, of sexually trafficking her to entice wrestling talent.Janel Grant says she was also sexually assaulted at WWE, in a case filed at a Connecticut district court on Thursday.Mr McMahon’s spokesperson said the case was “replete with lies” and his client would “vigorously defend himself”.In 2022, he stepped back as WWE’s chair and CEO amid sexual misconduct claims.He was reinstated as chair of WWE a year later, after the company had concluded an investigation into the allegations. WWE is the world’s largest and best-known wrestling company – last week it signed a deal with Netflix to allow pro-wrestling’s most popular weekly show, WWE Raw, to be exclusively streamed from January 2025. The programme has been shown on broadcast TV around the world for 31 years.In the new legal case, Mr McMahon is named as a defendant alongside the WWE’s former head of talent, John Laurinaitis.Former WWE employee Janel Grant accuses them both of trafficking her to other men “as a sexual pawn to entice world-famous wrestling talent”.She says she was pressured into a physical relationship with the WWE chief executive in exchange for promises of employment, alleging she felt trapped “in an impossible situation… submitting to Mr McMahon’s sexual demands or facing ruin”. She says she was unemployed at the time and dealing with her deceased parent’s bankruptcy.According to the legal case, Ms Grant went on to work at WWE’s headquarters in Connecticut between 2019 and 2022. She accuses Mr McMahon of recruiting individuals, including John Laurinaitis, to have sexual relations with her during that time. He “expected and directed Ms Grant to engage in sexual activity at the WWE headquarters, even during working hours”, the case document reads.She also accuses both defendants of sexually assaulting her at WWE headquarters in June 2021.The BBC could not reach Mr Laurinaitis for comment, and he did not respond to a request from the Wall Street Journal to comment on Thursday. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vince McMahon is accused of forcing an ex-employee into signing an NDA after his wife (L) allegedly discovered the affairMs Grant alleges Mr McMahon pressured her into resigning from WWE and signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for a lump sum of $3m (£2.5m) after his wife found out about their relationship in 2022. NDAs, also known as “gagging orders” or “hush agreements”, are contracts between employees and companies preventing staff from making information public.Ms Grant is asking the court to invalidate the NDA under federal law, claiming the defendants had violated the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act. She is also seeking unspecified monetary damages.WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, said in a statement: “Mr McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.””While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally,” it added.Back in 2022, the WWE board announced an investigation over an alleged $3m (£2.5m) settlement between Mr McMahon and an ex-employee with whom he had a consensual affair.The 78-year-old was replaced as acting chief executive and chairperson by his daughter. In January 2023, he returned as WWE chairperson after the investigation ended.In Thursday’s legal filing, Ms Grant called the WWE’s special committee investigation “a sham” and accused the company of attempting to “sweep the matter under the rug”. She says the committee never contacted her or requested documents from her.Mr McMahon founded the WWE in the 1980s and has overseen its growth into a media juggernaut whose weekly content is broadcast in more than 180 countries and 30 languages.Related TopicsProfessional wrestlingUnited StatesMore on this storyStephanie McMahon resigns from WWEPublished11 January 2023WWE chief McMahon retires amid misconduct reportsPublished23 July 2022WWE CEO McMahon steps down amid misconduct probePublished17 June 2022Top StoriesLive. ICJ orders Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but not to end warPost Office accused of secret documents cover-upPublished2 hours agoLive. Klopp departure: Watch Liverpool news conferenceAttributionSportFeaturesThe X Factor uncovered – contestants and insiders speak outWhy hermit crabs are ‘wearing’ our plastic rubbishHow many countries still have the death penalty?The ‘quiet rebranding’ of divisive Australia DayCancer survivor targeted by trolls for wearing wigWeekly quiz: Whose Brits crown did Raye steal?Faithful viewers gear up for The Traitors finaleHow Kingsley Ben-Adir became Bob Marley for new biopicWhen are the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games?Elsewhere on the BBC’He has cracked the code for football’A deep dive into Pep Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfectionAttributioniPlayerWas Count Dracula an evil genius?Russell Kane and a team of comedians attempt to change the way we see heroes and villains in historyAttributionSoundsCan the new recruits handle a career in the police?A new series of Fresh Cops shows the realities of working in the forceAttributioniPlayerHow can you defeat your inner saboteurs?Comedy genius Troy Hawke’s award-winning show battles with a new enemy… psychotherapy!AttributionSoundsMost Read1Ex-Tory peer Michelle Mone’s assets frozen2Dancer with allergy eats mislabelled cookie and dies3Constance Marten’s baby warm, dry and fed, court told4More than 60 calls for help before boy’s murder5Twins separated and sold at birth reunited by TikTok6JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran in top tax payers list7Post Office accused of secret documents cover-up8King Charles in hospital for prostate treatment9The X Factor uncovered – contestants and insiders speak out10Jennifer Lopez takes Bob the Builder to big screen

[ad_1] Vince McMahon says the legal case, brought by a female ex-employee, is “replete with lies”.

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