Latest news with #Edmonds
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
‘We are all Jews.' Murders in DC call for moral clarity and action
Earlier this month, while accepting an American Jewish Committee (AJC) award given to distinguished members of the legal profession, Miami trial lawyer Peter Prieto shared the story of Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, the highest-ranking soldier in a German POW camp during World War II. When the camp commandant ordered that Jewish POWs be separated from the rest, Edmonds — a Christian — responded by commanding all 1,275 U.S. prisoners to stand together. He told their captors: 'We are all Jews.' Edmonds put everything on the line to show that targeting Jewish soldiers was an attack on all POWs. His bravery and moral clarity feel all the more poignant and necessary this week, after two beloved friends of AJC, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21. They, like those POWs, were targeted because they were Jewish — leaving a Jewish event at a Jewish museum. The accused gunman was heard shouting 'Free, free Palestine,' while he was detained and now faces two counts of first-degree murder that could lead to the death penalty.' That night's AJC Young Diplomats Reception was focused on humanitarian diplomacy and building bridges across seemingly intractable divides to help those in need in the Middle East and North Africa. But it did not matter to the shooter that Sarah, an American Jew from Kansas, was committed to peace-building between Israelis and Palestinians and passionate about sustainability and people-to-people relations. It did not matter that Yaron — whom one AJC colleague called 'one of the best'— had worked with us on numerous occasions to broaden and strengthen Israeli-Arab engagement. We cannot allow our community here in Florida — or leaders around the world — to treat their murders as simply another tragic incident and move on. And we cannot separate this violence from the dangerous rhetoric that fuels hatred and conspiracies against Jews. Since the double shooting, synagogues and Jewish organizations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and across the country have heightened security. Then last Sunday, less than two weeks after the Capital Jewish Museum tragedy, a man launched a firebomb attack on a pro-Israel march in Boulder, Col., injuring a dozen people — including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. The accused attacker, an Egyptian national who had overstayed his U.S. visa, confessed he had planned to carry out a mass shooting but switched tactics when he was denied a gun permit because of his immigration status. His vile, cowardly act is another example of Jews targeted simply for being Jewish. It is yet another urgent reminder that unchecked hatred does not remain isolated — it escalates, and it spreads.' When people chant about murder, when they side with terrorists, when they march through the streets calling for violence — this is the outcome. From universities to city streets and across social media, antisemitism is surging — not just in whispers or coded language, but in clear threats and shameful silence. And to be clear: silence is complicity. Antisemitism has never been just a Jewish problem. The hate that starts with Jews inevitably spreads, threatening not only people, but also the pillars of democracy on which our nation is built. This moment demands moral leadership — not only from elected officials and clergy, but from our neighbors, business leaders, educators and everyone who believes in a shared future of dignity and safety for all. Thoughts and prayers — while appreciated — are far from enough. Everyone has a role to play in making sure this never happens again. Each of us must help build a society that rejects antisemitism completely — no excuses, no exceptions. When someone dies, it is traditional for Jews to say, 'May their memory be a blessing.' In honor of Sarah and Yaron, let us embody the moral clarity shown by Master Sgt. Edmonds — who saved all his fellow soldiers —and stand firmly together on the side of humanity. Stand with us and say: 'We are all Jews.' Brian Siegal is director of the American Jewish Committee Miami and Broward regional office. Susan Greene Pallot is president of AJC Miami and Broward.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bill to put St. George school system on a ballot advances in House Committee
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A bill that paves the way for the newly formed city of St. George to operate its own school system has moved forward in the Regular Legislative Session. Senate Bill 25 passed out of the Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday. 'All Senate Bill 25 does as a companion bill is it gives it an election date in April so that people can vote on it,' said Senator Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge). The companion bill he's referring to is Senate Bill 234. That bill would actually create the St. George school board and system within the parish of East Baton Rouge. That bill still must go through the Committee on Education. In terms of legislative progress, SB 234 has a few more hurdles to clear. Tuesday opponents of SB 25 told committee members it would ultimately divert millions of dollars away from Baton Rouge schools, and they believe passing it now was 'putting the cart before the horse.' Senator Edmonds rejected the suggestion to defer his bill until SB 234 is passed through committee, saying it's not uncommon to pass legislation out of order. 'We do it all the time, it's the timeline we get under that we have to pass companion bills, this bill still has to go to civil laws, the language has to be approved. So if you just look at the timing of legislation, those are things that happen all the time,' said Edmonds. SB 25 passed out of the Appropriations Committee on a 15 to 2 vote. SB 234 is a constitutional amendment, so it must ultimately go before the voter before becoming law. Edmonds is hopeful to have it on the ballot for an April 2026 election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Labour's Economic Incoherence Reaches Crisis Point
New Zealanders looking for some kind of economic coherence from the Labour Party will have to keep searching, after yet another round of conflicting positions from its Leader and Finance spokesperson, says senior National MP Chris Bishop. 'Directly after the Budget was released yesterday, Chris Hipkins refused to commit to reversing the Government's pay equity changes. This morning, Barbara Edmonds has told RNZ's Morning Report that Labour will 'absolutely' reverse the changes, at a cost of $12.8 billion. 'This comes just days after Edmonds committed Labour to the 50 per cent debt-to-GDP cap, before Hipkins uncommitted Labour to the same cap, unbelievably claiming Edmonds was using future tense to describe Labour's old position. 'Yesterday, Hipkins said Labour backs the Budget's InvestmentBoost policy, now Edmonds is refusing to commit to it. 'While the Government has released a Budget that carefully manages the economy and taxpayers' money to grow our economy and create jobs, Labour is in crisis about having no economic or fiscal plan whatsoever.' Note : Barbara Edmonds on RNZ's Morning Report today: CORIN DANN: … let's deal first with pay equity and this large number we now have, $12.8 billion over the four years. Would you reverse the changes that National has made here? And if so, where would you find that money from? BARBARA EDMONDS: Yes, absolutely, we have committed to reversing those changes to the pay equity legislation that National had gone through. What we've also said is that we're going to work through the budget carefully to understand where they got the 12 billion from, and then work through that carefully to figure out what sectors do we need to keep talking to because they know we know they've cut out some sectors, and then work through that as part of our fiscal plan. … CORIN DANN: How would you find this $12 billion, nearly $13 billion? Because a lot of that money has been refunnelled back into core public services. So that's going to be built in. How would you find that in a future budget? BARBARA EDMONDS: We're going to have to find it because we are committed to it, because, again, women are not worth less, and that's our Labour value. We don't believe that. So we are committed to finding that. We will look through the books carefully…
NZ Herald
18-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay club rugby: Villagers end Mighty Maroons' unbeaten run
Havelock North co-captain, former New Zealand Māori, Highlanders, and Magpies prop Brendan Edmonds, was rapt that his team had the services of Hurricanes loosie Devan Flanders as a second half substitute. 'Devan is a huge part of the village. It was awesome to have him playing alongside his brother Cooper. We also had the Allen brothers and we've also got the Paewai brothers and the Leach brothers. 'It's a real family club and we've been building during the last five or six weeks. We're just enjoying it ... I managed to have a beer with one of our supporters after one of our tries,' Edmonds explained. Taradale captain and loosie, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, said receiving the Nash Cup after the match was 'bitter sweet'. 'We will have to come back more hungrier when the Maddison Trophy comp starts next weekend. Retaining the Maddison is our next goal.' His team missed seven regular starters on Saturday and he agreed they will take a lot of confidence out of the game and the win against NOBM into the Maddison Trophy comp. Along with Edmonds and the Flanders brothers, lock Reuben Allen impressed in the Havelock pack. Winger Eroni Nawaqa deserved his hat-trick. Prop Lolani Faleiva had a powerful first half for Taradale. Busy flanker Josh Combs worked hard for his two tries while former New Zealand Sevens player and Havelock North first five-eighth Trinity Spooner-Neera was classy against his former club. Napier Technical captured the hotly contest sixth spot for the Maddison Trophy competition with a 62-0 drubbing of MAC at Whitmore Park. Texans manager Cyril Whitburn said powerful No 8 Donovan Mataira, busy flanker Oliver Larbi and winger Elia Bari, who was playing against his former club, were all prominent in the victory. Former New Zealand Sevens rep Tamati Samuels played his second game of the season for the hosts and his direction from second five-eighth was top shelf. Whitburn said his troops know the Maddison Trophy comp will be tough and they will have to perform a lot better than they did in the Nash Cup to be competitive. Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports dedicated their performance to former Pirate age group player Kaea Karauria who was fatally stabbed the previous weekend. 'Today was more than a game. The club has pulled together well after Kaea's death,' Pirate player-coach Sheridan Rangihuna said. Former Hawke's Bay under-16 Māori rep Karauria was a lock and Rangihuna's team named him as a lock on their team sheet prior to the game. 'His whānau was keen for him to play for us when he finished kura,' Rangihuna said. 'It has been awesome for clubs to have regular service of Super players during the the Nash Cup. I believe Taradale will still be the team to beat in the Maddison comp but it will be the closest Top Six comp we have had.' Hurricanes hooker Jacob Devery started at No 8 for Hastings Rugby and Sports in their 40-26 victory over Central at Elwood Park. Central had to get the maximum five competition points out of this clash to qualify for the Top Six. Aotea posted their first win in the Nash Cup competition with a 38-24 victory over hosts Clive at Farndon Park. Aotea, Clive, Central and MAC all missed out on berths in the Maddison Trophy competition. Scorers: Havelock North 38 (Eroni Nawaqa (3), Cooper Flanders (2), Tom Woelders tries; Le'Sharn Reiri-Paku 4 cons), Taradale 31 (Josh Combs (2), Dylan Gallien, Lolani Faleiva tries; Trinity Spooner-Neera 4 cons, pen). HT: Taradale 21-0. Napier Technical 62 (Donovan Mataira (2), Elia Bari (2), Isimeli Vono, Elijah Martin, Manaaki Aranui, Sam Wilkins, Tamati Samuels, Samu Gaualofa tries; Leighton Shaw 6 cons), MAC 0. HT: 26-0. Hastings Rugby and Sports 40 (Bryson Ioane (2), Jacob Devery, Perez Malo, Jessie Sipaia, Thomas Kirikiri tries; Koby Deacon 4, Oscar Sowman cons), Central 26 (Dylan Wind, Tejay Oliver, Trei Nepe-Apatu, plus one unknown tries; Tate Harte 3 cons). HT: 26-9. Napier Old Boys' Marist 44 (Will Tremain (2), Johnny Faleiva, Kere Penitito plus two unknown tries; Patrick Hedley 4 cons, 2 pens), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 29 (Jericho Wharehinga, Chaz Heke, Andrew Tauatevalu, Eneri McGrath, Hugh Taylor tries; Tauatevalu, Liam Batt cons). HT: Pirate 19-5. Aotea 38 (Rangi Chase, Manahi Goulton, Trent Conway, Samuel Jones plus two unknown tries; Hoera Stephenson 4 cons), Clive 24 (Charlie Varcoe (2), Petera Kahui, Aminiasi Koroi tries; Tamati Rautahi 2 cons). HT: 21-12.
Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Calls for abortion funding
Women in Wānaka continue to face inequalities when accessing abortions and they are urging health organisations to call for more funding. A Ministry of Health review of the abortions act showed that despite law changes and the more recent telehealth service, women in rural areas struggled accessing abortions. The six-hour round trip to Dunedin for the procedure is not funded and women would need to field those costs alone. As a way of making some abortion services more accessible, nationwide abortion provider The Women's Clinic introduced "Decide" in 2022 — an over-the-phone service offering consultations and early medical abortions. Recent statistics showed abortion rates had risen from 14,164 in 2022 to 16,277 in 2023. The ministry's review found the service was used significantly by women in rural areas, but in-person consultations were still in demand, especially for those seeking abortions later in their gestation. Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa chief executive Jackie Edmond said Wānaka and Central Otago was a good example of a regional location that needed more services. The only locations in Otago offering in-person abortions were Cromwell and Dunedin. Junction Health Cromwell offered abortions for women up to 10 weeks in their pregnancy, whereas Dunedin offered everything, including surgical abortions. Women in Wānaka who were past nine weeks in their pregnancy would need to travel to Dunedin for an abortion, as 83% of abortions at later than nine weeks' gestation were performed surgically. That journey was difficult for women in the Upper Clutha and Central Otago areas, Ms Edmonds said. "There's still some smaller rural areas where access, if people want to go and see someone for their abortion, the access is still pretty difficult." In 2023, on average 21% of all early medical abortions done through the telehealth services across New Zealand were accessed by women in rural regions, 13.6% of all in-person services being accessed by the same demographic. The telehealth service offers consultations, and an abortion pill is then sent to their home address. Ms Edmonds said the lack of easily available services in the Otago region was not only more time consuming but would cost women more, as transport and potential accommodation were not covered. The report also found women in rural areas faced more fear around confidentiality when they were in living in smaller locations and had fewer options. Ms Edmond agreed that women could feel anxious about going to their local care provider because there was less anonymity. The next step to further improve accessibility would be a better funding system, she said. Junction Health Cromwell nurse practitioner Alice van Zijl said it had received overwhelming support and demand from women in the region for its early medical abortions (EMA). The service had initially been a research pilot, exploring the option of nurse-led abortion care, and was made permanent in Cromwell. "Many patients have expressed appreciation for being able to access abortion care locally without the stress of extended travel," Ms van Zijl said. She added that having an in-person option was valuable to many patients who did not want to access such sensitive care over the phone. The demand received at the Cromwell Health Junction for the EMA has prompted Ms van Zijl to call for more funding for the service. The EMA offered in Cromwell was on a patient-pays basis, which had created equity issues, she said. "We believe publicly funded abortion care would significantly improve access for rural women." Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand director of funding Debbie Holdsworth said the agency had received two reports from the Ministry of Health outlining the barriers and making recommendations to improve abortion access in rural areas. "We are continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Health to increase access to abortion services across New Zealand, and in particular, in rural communities," she said.
