Latest news with #French-trained
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ukraine's parliament backs bill on military ombudsman in 1st reading
The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill on establishing the institution of a military ombudsman in the first reading on June 3, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said. The legislation was supported by 287 lawmakers, with 25 abstaining and none voting against it. Bills must pass two readings and be signed by the president before becoming law. Ukraine first unveiled plans to establish the office in April 2024 to ensure soldiers had a mechanism to report violations of their rights. The military ombudsman "will be responsible for considering appeals and complaints of service members, providing primary legal assistance, conducting inspections, and investigating violations of the rights of service members and their family members," the Defense Ministry said. President Volodymyr Zelensky has tapped Olha Reshetylova, formerly a journalist and human rights activist, as the first military ombudsman. The Military Ombudsman Office will be established as a civilian oversight body over the security and defense sector. The legislation also establishes procedures for military personnel to submit complaints and for the inspection of military units. As Ukraine entered the fourth year of the full-scale war with Russia, several units have faced accusations of misconduct and abuse within their ranks. Most recently, the French-trained 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade is under investigation for alleged involvement of its command in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes. Last December, the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade was detained for failing to address abuse and torture allegations involving his subordinates. Read also: 'Closer to victory' – Operation Spiderweb gives much-needed morale boost to Ukrainians after 3 years of full-scale war We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Economist
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Economist
MAGA misses the mark in Romania
NICUSOR DAN'S victory in Romania's presidential election on May 18th afforded the country's liberals a rare moment of joy. Mr Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, is a French-trained mathematician known for fighting corruption. His rival, George Simion, a MAGA-friendly nationalist, had been favoured to win after taking 41% of the vote in the election's first round to Mr Dan's 21%. Mr Simion had cosied up to Hungary's Viktor Orban; denounced Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission; and pledged to end aid to Ukraine. Romania seemed poised to join the club of countries that are driving a populist wedge into the European Union.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Scoop
Seventy-Four New Constables Heading To Districts In A Week
Press Release – New Zealand Police Families and friends celebrated the newly attested police officers at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this afternoon to acknowledge the successful completion of their initial training course. Commissioner Richard Chambers, members of the police executive and wing patron former police assistant commissioner, Allan Boreham congratulated 74 graduating constables from Wing 384 today. Also attending the graduation and presenting a prize in absence of the Minister of Police was her worship Anita Baker, the Mayor of Porirua. Families and friends celebrated the newly attested police officers at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this afternoon to acknowledge the successful completion of their initial training course. There are some likeminded individuals in the wing with 11 of the graduates having family members currently working in police. Four graduating officers made the change from non-constabulary roles to police officers. The wing is very diverse with eighteen recruits speaking more than one language and 19 recruits who were born overseas. The top prize winner was born and raised in France. Top of wing, Constable Diane Aspalvo is a French-trained and certified clinical psychologist. She has worked as a psychologist in Paris and in Tairawhiti New Zealand before deciding to join the New Zealand Police. She previously volunteered for the French Army as a reserve after a call-up for national security due to the terrorist attacks in France in 2015. She is a keen swimmer, skier and is also into CrossFit. 'I decided to join the New Zealand Police at 41 years old, so I am a living proof that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.' Diane will be deployed to Eastern District. Second Top Award winner Constable Hunta Sutherland, Ngāti Kuia is also a sporting talent, representing her district, Tasman, in football up to high school level. Not only is she a 'Golden Boot' winner for the most goals scored in a regional competition (39), she's into running track, cross country, and road races with many podium finishes. Hunta has worked as a teacher's aide with troubled and autistic youth which she found inspiring. 'While training at college I found strength I never knew I had, and a purpose I'll never forget.' Hunta will be based in Tasman District. Leadership Award winner Constable Charise Perez is also a keen sports person excelling in netball. She was born in Wellington and raised by her Fijian dad and Samoan mother. Charise has experience in hospitality, service and politics. She began her employment at the Electoral Commission as an administrator. She was a community liaison and worked on the 2020 elections and has also managed administration for an emergency housing organization called Tuatahi Centre. As the leadership award winner, Charise gave a speech to the wing. 'I stand here today as a product of the relationships and bonds between the members of wing 384. Together we began our journey as strangers, but today we stand as brothers and sisters. As we take the next step in our police journey, I believe that each and every one of wing 384 are more than capable of fulfilling the oath that we have just taken.' Charise, a former Authorised Officer for Police, will be based back in Wellington District to start policing. The wing is dispersed as follows: Deployment: Northland 3, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 23 and broken down as follows: Waitematā – 9, Counties Manukau – 14, Waikato – 4, Bay of Plenty – 8, Eastern – 3, Central – 8, Wellington – 9, Tasman – 6, Canterbury – 3, Southern – 7. The new constables will start their first week of duty in their Police districts from Monday 2 June 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables. Awards: Minister's Award recognising top student: Constable Diane Aspavlo, posted to Eastern District. Commissioner's Award for Leadership: Constable Charise Perez, posted to Wellington District. Patron's Award for second in wing recognising second top student: Constable Hunta Sutherland, posted to Tasman District. Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Ethan Baldwin posted to Waitematā District. Demographics: 25.7 percent are female, 74.3 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 56.8 percent of the wing, with Māori 12.2 percent, Pasifika 17.6 percent, Asian 10.8 percent, LAAM 2.7 percent. 383 Wing Patron: Allan Boreham: Allan Boreham is a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and former head of Youth Justice for Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children. Allan holds the New Zealand Police in very high esteem and is honoured to be the patron for Wing 384. He says he is looking forward to supporting the wing members to succeed and gain all the satisfaction a Police career offers. Allan joined Police in 1985 (in Wing 97) and served for more than 33 years. He was also a Deputy Chief Executive in the public service for five years in charge of Youth Justice. His Police career was varied and involved completing a wide range of roles in public safety, investigations, and road policing. These included postings in Auckland, Tokoroa, Hamilton and Wellington. He received an award for his leadership in solving the 1997 kidnapping and murder of an Auckland businessman, Graham Kirkwood. Allan holds a Bachelor Arts, majoring in Sociology, from Massey University. He is currently learning to speak Spanish and is also a keen motorcyclist and skier. His father Bruce, now in his eighties, also served in the Police for 32 years.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Seventy-Four New Constables Heading To Districts In A Week
Commissioner Richard Chambers, members of the police executive and wing patron former police assistant commissioner, Allan Boreham congratulated 74 graduating constables from Wing 384 today. Also attending the graduation and presenting a prize in absence of the Minister of Police was her worship Anita Baker, the Mayor of Porirua. Families and friends celebrated the newly attested police officers at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this afternoon to acknowledge the successful completion of their initial training course. There are some likeminded individuals in the wing with 11 of the graduates having family members currently working in police. Four graduating officers made the change from non-constabulary roles to police officers. The wing is very diverse with eighteen recruits speaking more than one language and 19 recruits who were born overseas. The top prize winner was born and raised in France. Top of wing, Constable Diane Aspalvo is a French-trained and certified clinical psychologist. She has worked as a psychologist in Paris and in Tairawhiti New Zealand before deciding to join the New Zealand Police. She previously volunteered for the French Army as a reserve after a call-up for national security due to the terrorist attacks in France in 2015. She is a keen swimmer, skier and is also into CrossFit. 'I decided to join the New Zealand Police at 41 years old, so I am a living proof that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.' Diane will be deployed to Eastern District. Second Top Award winner Constable Hunta Sutherland, Ngāti Kuia is also a sporting talent, representing her district, Tasman, in football up to high school level. Not only is she a 'Golden Boot' winner for the most goals scored in a regional competition (39), she's into running track, cross country, and road races with many podium finishes. Hunta has worked as a teacher's aide with troubled and autistic youth which she found inspiring. 'While training at college I found strength I never knew I had, and a purpose I'll never forget.' Hunta will be based in Tasman District. Leadership Award winner Constable Charise Perez is also a keen sports person excelling in netball. She was born in Wellington and raised by her Fijian dad and Samoan mother. Charise has experience in hospitality, service and politics. She began her employment at the Electoral Commission as an administrator. She was a community liaison and worked on the 2020 elections and has also managed administration for an emergency housing organization called Tuatahi Centre. As the leadership award winner, Charise gave a speech to the wing. "I stand here today as a product of the relationships and bonds between the members of wing 384. Together we began our journey as strangers, but today we stand as brothers and sisters. As we take the next step in our police journey, I believe that each and every one of wing 384 are more than capable of fulfilling the oath that we have just taken." Charise, a former Authorised Officer for Police, will be based back in Wellington District to start policing. The wing is dispersed as follows: Deployment: Northland 3, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 23 and broken down as follows: Waitematā - 9, Counties Manukau - 14, Waikato - 4, Bay of Plenty - 8, Eastern - 3, Central - 8, Wellington - 9, Tasman - 6, Canterbury - 3, Southern - 7. The new constables will start their first week of duty in their Police districts from Monday 2 June 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables. Awards: Minister's Award recognising top student: Constable Diane Aspavlo, posted to Eastern District. Commissioner's Award for Leadership: Constable Charise Perez, posted to Wellington District. Patron's Award for second in wing recognising second top student: Constable Hunta Sutherland, posted to Tasman District. Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Ethan Baldwin posted to Waitematā District. Demographics: 25.7 percent are female, 74.3 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 56.8 percent of the wing, with Māori 12.2 percent, Pasifika 17.6 percent, Asian 10.8 percent, LAAM 2.7 percent. 383 Wing Patron: Allan Boreham: Allan Boreham is a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and former head of Youth Justice for Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children. Allan holds the New Zealand Police in very high esteem and is honoured to be the patron for Wing 384. He says he is looking forward to supporting the wing members to succeed and gain all the satisfaction a Police career offers. Allan joined Police in 1985 (in Wing 97) and served for more than 33 years. He was also a Deputy Chief Executive in the public service for five years in charge of Youth Justice. His Police career was varied and involved completing a wide range of roles in public safety, investigations, and road policing. These included postings in Auckland, Tokoroa, Hamilton and Wellington. He received an award for his leadership in solving the 1997 kidnapping and murder of an Auckland businessman, Graham Kirkwood. Allan holds a Bachelor Arts, majoring in Sociology, from Massey University. He is currently learning to speak Spanish and is also a keen motorcyclist and skier. His father Bruce, now in his eighties, also served in the Police for 32 years.
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Kiwi horse El Vencedor races in Hong Kong's prestigious QEII Cup
But slowly as El Vencedor has ticked the right boxes this week, Marsh and his team have started to believe. First the big boy got over a hoof abscess and finally stopped gawking around at Sha Tin's imposing surroundings. Then co-owner David Price snared the the perfect barrier 1 at Thursday's draw and local riding hero Zac Purton has been pleased with his work. Tick, tick and tick. But at 8.40pm NZ time tonight the dreams and belief will meet reality: Does EV really have the class to beat some of the best horses in the world? 'I am more confident than I have been at any part of the exercise,' Marsh told the Herald. 'We know it is a huge ask and I am not saying I am confident he will win because it is so hard to line up the form. 'But barrier 1 is a huge help with the short run to the first turn, we have Zac and the horse is spot on now. 'We all know how brave he is and I am confident he will be in it for a long way. 'We will be proud of him regardless of what happens because it is a privilege to be up here representing New Zealand.' El Vencedor is rated around a $10 chance but the New Zealand TAB, quite rightly, as part if its agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club doesn't offer fixed odds betting on Hong Kong races. What price El Vencedor starts on the tote tonight will be a fascinating sub plot to the race, especially with the Purton factor. Almost as fascinating for most Kiwi punters who have never seen him will be the parade of Goliath, which borders on cartoonish. He has a rare condition called Stringhalt, which causes him to raise his near hind leg abnormally high and stomp it down when he walks. You would swear it must bother him but the French-trained star won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, one of England's best races, last year so clearly it doesn't. While El Vencedor will need to reach a new career peak to even place tonight earlier success for the New Zealand breeding industry looks far more assured when Ka Ying Rising attempts to rubber stamp his credentials as the world's best sprinter in the Chairman's Sprint. The giant speed machine who started his career with Central Districts trainer Fraser Auret, is red hot to win in the hands of Purton and then be set for The Everest at Randwick in October. Like El Vencedor he is perfectly drawn and anything but another victory will be the only thing that could silence the giant Sha Tin crowd today. Mr Brightside is the Kiwi connection in the Champions Mile, the gelding who started his career in New Zealand rated the second favourite behind local star mile Voyage Bubble. Voyage Bubble will be ridden by ex-pat James McDonald, so some sort of New Zealand flavour in the winner's circle looks likely after the Mile.
