Latest news with #AGU
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Brazil to investigate suspected FX insider trading on US tariffs
BRASILIA - Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes authorized an investigation into the alleged use of privileged information on foreign exchange transactions before the announcement of the 50% U.S. tariff on all Brazilian imports in July, according to a Monday court filing. On Saturday, the solicitor general's office, known as AGU, had requested Supreme Court authorization to look into the trades after a news report suggested a significant volume of Brazilian reals were sold in anticipation of the tariff announcement, which could suggest insider trading. The news report was based on a chart posted by Spencer T. Hakimian, founder at New York-based hedge fund Tolou Capital Management, that showed how the Brazilian real moved on June 9, when Trump announced a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil. He told Reuters on June 10 that he had no further data or information to back his comments. Tolou manages $82 million in a global macro hedge fund strategy. "I am very happy to see Brazil looking into something suspicious. I wish the U.S. would be responsible enough to do the same," Hakimian said, after learning about the probe. The new probe is part of the investigation into the use of international tariffs to coerce Brazil's court system to drop the case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential elections. Brazil's attorney general is investigating Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of the former president, over allegations that he courted interference by Trump. The crisis also prompted Brazil's Supreme Court to issue new restrictive measures against the former president, such as wearing an electronic ankle monitor. REUTERS
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Tip-off leads to swift arrest in Westbury murder case
AGU officers arrested a 28-year-old man in George Flat, Westbury, on Sunday after receiving a community tip-off. The suspect, linked to one murder and two attempted murders, was apprehended under Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Act. A 28-year-old man wanted for a string of violent crimes - including one murder and two attempted murders - was arrested by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in Westbury on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Acting on a crucial community tip-off, AGU officers tracked the suspect to George Flat in the Sophiatown precinct. When officers arrived, the man tried to lock himself inside the flat to avoid capture. But the AGU, acting under Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Act - which allows police to enter without a warrant in urgent situations - forced entry and arrested him without incident. The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon. Brigadier Maphoto, commander of the AGU, praised the teamwork and responsiveness of his officers and thanked the community member whose information helped lead to the breakthrough. The police have urged the public to continue reporting suspicious or criminal activity anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS app.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Three arrested as Anti-Gang Unit cracks down on drugs and shootings in Joburg
Three arrested as Anti-Gang Unit cracks down on drugs and shootings in Joburg The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) arrested three people in separate operations in Westbury and Eldorado Park on July 13. They also arrested two other people for possession of suspected drugs, including CAT, crystal meth and Mandrax. The 32-year-old was arrested on Kackilijan Street, while the 22-year-old was arrested on Baloberg Street in Eldorado Park Ext 2. ALSO READ: Over 500 arrested in Johannesburg crime crackdown The AGU seized 67 ziplock bags containing what is suspected to be CAT from the 32-year-old, and 33 ziplock bags containing suspected crystal meth and 16 halved tablets suspected to be Mandrax from the 22-year-old. In a separate operation, the AGU arrested a 23-year-old linked to two recent attempted murder cases in Sophiatown after a positive eyewitness identification. AGU commander Brigadier Maphoto emphasised the team's commitment to recovering the weapon used in the attempted murders, with ongoing operations aimed at this objective. The suspects were detained at local police stations and will soon appear in the respective courts. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
CBC
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Meet the U.S. climate resistance
Hello, Earthlings! This is our weekly newsletter on all things environmental, where we highlight trends and solutions that are moving us to a more sustainable world. Keep up with the latest news on our Climate and Environment page. Meet the U.S. climate resistance U.S. climate advocates have faced a dizzying number of environmental policy rollbacks and funding cuts in the almost six months since Donald Trump took office. Now, activists, academics and lobbyists across American society are gearing up to once again galvanize public opinion in favour of climate action, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in 2026. The academic resistance Brandon Jones is the president of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) who worked as a federal scientist in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 12 years. Jones says he was initially overwhelmed by the "surreal" barrage of changes. But now, Jones says, his organization is finding ways to push back. "You get to a point where yes, you are going to have emotions about the decisions, but you also need to start thinking clearly about how to stand up against what you know is not right," he said. In April, the U.S. president dismissed hundreds of scientists working to compile the country's flagship report on global warming and its impacts. The National Climate Assessment, which is released every four years, informs everything from agricultural policy that impacts food security to disaster mitigation that saves lives. These dismissals prompted the AGU to create a special collection of journals that would house all the important climate research that was suddenly left homeless. Jones says it's important for U.S. scientists today to find new ways to keep climate science alive in the face of federal funding cuts and shifting political priorities. Equally, he says, it's important to continue to get climate data out to decision makers and the general public, and he says many researchers in his circle feel the same. "They are so impassioned about continuing their work and doing the right thing in the face of what they see as an infringement on science … that they're just ready to do it with no pay. It's about ethics and morality now and humanity." The street-level resistance Youth organizations are putting their energy into more visible forms of resistance, like street protests and direct action. One example is the Sunrise Movement. Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay says they are currently forming a "youth army to combat the climate crisis." Sunrise's strategy is to carry out social media campaigns and hold rallies to draw attention to Donald Trump's support of fossil fuel industries ahead of the midterms. "Environment is the issue where Trump is least trusted," she said. "I think because of that, there's a real role to make climate a more urgent political priority for everyday people, and [it] actually can result in big shifts in the electorate." Peaceful protesters, however, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to criminal punishment in the U.S. Since January, an expanding list of bills have been introduced aimed at banning political demonstrations, according to The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, a civic freedoms watchdog based in the U.S. capital. Shiney-Ajay says she's thought a lot about the consequences of organizing protests, but she hopes taking to the streets can inspire others to take smaller actions, like voicing support for climate policy in their workplaces, schools or online. "The question of whether or not we will be able to get out of this political situation really relies on how many people we can inspire to take everyday acts of courage, over and over and over again." Resistance by lobbying Climate organizations are also working to lobby Republican politicians on policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industry. Glen Brand, director of policy and advocacy at the non-profit Solar United Neighbours, says the best way to do that is to focus on the economic benefits of renewable energy, rather than try to bring climate change into the conversation. The U.S. has recently experienced a boom in solar and wind energy uptake, especially in Republican leaning states. Brand attributes this boom to the rising cost of fossil fuel energy sources as well as tax credits brought in under former President Joe Biden that incentivize renewable energy infrastructure. While the Trump administration plans to phase those tax credits out, Brand hopes to convince Republicans to fight for the future of solar in their constituencies. "I think it makes total common sense, considering the state of the Republican Party and climate protection, to focus on pocketbook issues," he said. Dominque Browning, co-founder of the advocacy group Moms Clean Air Force, says her organization plans to lobby in favour of The Endangerment Finding. That's a 2009 decision by the EPA that acknowledges the public health dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and its responsibility to protect Americans from climate change. The current head of the EPA says he will consider reversing the finding altogether. Browning says she thinks about her grandson's future when preparing to push back against a reversal of the finding, and that parents across the U.S. are engaging with lawmakers to pressure the government to uphold the principles of the Endangerment Finding. "We will continue to fight on all fronts. In fact, we find that our work actually helps give us hope and solace, because at least we're trying to do something." Check out our podcast and radio show. In one of our newest episodes: If Canada wants to be net-zero by 2050, more than a million small businesses will have to make the green transition. And while some intrepid business owners are already trying their best to navigate a more eco-friendly path, others say it's a big ask, especially when many are already struggling to balance the needs of price-wary shoppers with a thin bottom line. We'll dive into their journey, and learn more about the supports that could change the game. What On Earth drops new podcast episodes every Wednesday and Saturday. You can find them on your favourite podcast app or on demand at CBC Listen. The radio show airs Sundays at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador. Reader Feedback We got another response to our request for photos of your native plant gardens! Amanda Blain wrote: "I have naturalized over five acres into trees, wetlands and native flowers and grasses BUT this is what I call my 'Landscaped Area.' I chose this to show even on a small scale you can make an impact. Instead of planting non-native plants as most landscapers do, I decided to take it into my own hands. I am located in Chatham-Kent, [Ont.,] where tree cover and natural areas are less than five per cent of the total land area. Here I planted: black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), smooth oxeye or false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolate) amongst others. I truly believe there is no reason to plant non-native flowers since there are so many beautiful native options." We also heard back from Boston's Office of Green Infrastructure about Sara Scharf's comment about the impact of road salt on Boston's roadside bioswales. Rachel Luna, the office's interim director and principal engineer, responds: "For our roadside bioswales, we select plant species tolerant of higher salt conditions. The first flush of runoff usually has the highest concentration of salt, but as additional ice and snow melts, it flushes the salt through the soil. We use well draining bioretention soil that helps the salt flush through easier." Feel free to send more photos of your native plant gardens — when you send them in, please include your location and what plants are included in the photo so other readers know what works in their region. The Big Picture: What your summer will feel like in 2100 By 2100, with a medium emissions scenario (similar to the trajectory we're on), Montreal summers could feel like ones already experienced in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, or Queens, N.Y. CBC News published a new interactive analysis in which you can pick your city and see what cities have a present-day climate similar to the one your city will experience at the end of the century. These kinds of comparisons, called spatial analogues by scientists, are a useful way to transform sometimes abstract projections into concrete examples. — Nael Shiab British singer Ed Sheeran can afford a private jet. But he recently explained in an online interview why he doesn't own one, and prefers to travel by train (hint: it has to do with his views on the environment), The Cool Down reports. Hotels have stringent hygiene protocols that require toiletries, even if they're unopened, to be thrown out at the end of a guest's stay, reports Reasons to be Cheerful. But a number of organizations now collect hotel soap, reprocessing it if necessary, and redistribute it to those in need, including Canada-based Soap for Hope. Artificial light is extending the growing season in cities. On average, it's more than 12 days earlier and 11 days later, according to a new study looking at 428 cities across the northern hemisphere, compared to surrounding rural locations. The extra time for trees and plants means they could potentially absorb more CO2, but the extended season means that they are also susceptible to frost damage and could disrupt pollinator patterns. Find out more in Nature Cities. The town of Adjuntas has Puerto Rico's first community-owned solar microgrid, putting an end to high electricity costs and regular blackouts. The Guardian takes us on a photo tour of the town. China is already the global leader in electric car production. could boost China's dominance even more. (Paywalled) Sask. company using flax waste to create sustainable cat litter The Regina Humane Society is partnering with Prairie Clean Energy (PCE) to introduce a locally made, environmentally friendly kitty litter made from flax straw. Prairie Clean Cat Litter is made entirely from flax straw, a waste product left over when flax is harvested. "It is completely biodegradable, completely natural, and it eliminates the cat pee smell," said Mark Cooper, CEO of PCE in Regina. "Your houses are going to smell cleaner, your cats are gonna be happier, you're gonna have less ammonia in your home, and it is all Saskatchewan-made flax." Cooper said the company was looking for innovative ways to recycle flax straw. "We really focus on stopping the burning of flax straw, creating new revenue streams for farmers processing that straw, and creating multiple product streams that we sell around the world, only one of which is cat litter, but it's an important one," he said. Its other products include flax fibre for making pulp and paper, biomass fuel pellets and animal bedding. Cooper said PCE has been working with the Humane Society for a year testing out the litter and received positive feedback. "Once they were satisfied that we had a good product on our hands," he said. "We started putting together a partnership that would make sense for them to help reduce their operational costs, and would connect the cats and cat people with a great litter option." Now when people adopt a cat from the humane society, they can also take some of the Prairie Clean Cat Litter home. It's not yet available in stores. "So we've really structured a partnership to benefit cats and the people that love their cats," Cooper said. Dr. Catherine Ball, director of veterinary care at the Regina Humane Society, said it used the litter for 40 cats. "We observed what happened with those cats, as well as with a similar group of cats that had clay litter, and we were able to find out that this product from PCE performed very well," she said. Traditional clay litters can get stuck onto the bottom of cats' paws. Ball said that happened less using the flax straw litter. According to the company's website, the flax absorbs liquids rather than clumps like clay litter. Cooper said the humane society adopts out 1,500 cats per year. "We know that those cats will be using our litter and that every single person who adopts a cat from the Humane Society will leave with a free bag," he said. "Our intention is to roll out this partnership to humane societies everywhere." — Darla Ponace
Bahrain This Week
30-06-2025
- Science
- Bahrain This Week
AGU Scholar Wins Prestigious Global Award for Gifted Education
Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Alabbasi, the Vice Dean of the College of Education, Administrative, and Technical Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), has been awarded the Emerging Scholar Award by the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. This award is given to early-career scientists who have earned a doctorate in the fields of giftedness and creativity within the last ten years. This recognition honours Dr. Alabbasi's global efforts in the field of gifted education and creativity. Over the past few years, he has published more than 60 research papers and book chapters in internationally peer-reviewed journals. According to the global research platform ResearchGate, which includes nearly two million researchers and scientists worldwide, Dr. Alabbasi ranks among the top 96% of researchers in the field of giftedness and creativity. He is also the only Arab scholar to have contributed to the third edition of the Encyclopedia of Creativity, published by Elsevier. His research spans a wide range of topics including giftedness, creativity, innovation, emotional intelligence, and women's issues. His recognition comes at a time when AGU is strongly committed to advancing scientific research and fostering a supportive environment for researchers and scientists. The university continually strives to enhance its academic and developmental strategies by encouraging innovation across disciplines, providing funding for priority research projects within the GCC, and promoting regional and international research cooperation. AGU has ranked as the top institution in the Kingdom of Bahrain and among the top 500 universities globally in the latest Times Higher Education ranking. Scientific research contributes 60% of the ranking score, with 30% attributed to research outputs and 30% to a supportive research environment. According to the Scopus database, AGU faculty have published 2,957 research papers aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Upon receiving the award, Dr. Al-Abbasi stated, 'I dedicate this humble achievement to my country, Bahrain, which continues to support its young talents. I also dedicate it to the father of all, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who constantly emphasises the importance of investing in promising young minds through visionary government initiatives led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and Prime Minister. I also extend my gratitude to the leadership of AGU especially the university president, H.E. Dr. Saad bin Saad Al Fuhaid, for his unwavering support of faculty members and his encouragement of impactful scientific research that addresses strategic issues of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries across various disciplines.' Dr. Ahmed Alabbasi holds a PhD in Gifted and Creative Education from the University of Georgia, USA, as well as executive certificates in Leadership and Innovation from Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School. The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, headquartered in the United States, is the oldest and most prestigious international institution in the field of gifted education. In recognition of Dr. Alabbasi's scientific contributions, the Council has decided to grant this award for the first time to a scholar from outside the United States.
