Latest news with #Gauvin
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
France issued 36,000 visas to Kuwaitis in 2024
KUWAIT CITY, May 21: 'The relationship between France and Kuwait is excellent. We collaborate extensively in several fields,' says French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin.' Gauvin made the statement to journalists on the sidelines of a symposium he hosted at his residence entitled, 'Artificial Intelligence: A Catalyst for Women's Success.' He disclosed that 'two days ago, we concluded a very successful archaeological mission, which reflects the strength of cooperation between the two countries in this area; apart from coordination in many other fields, such as education, Science, law and culture.' On the defense and security cooperation with Kuwait, Gauvin affirmed, 'We are fortunate to have a solid foundation which we could build on. Our countries stood side by side during the Liberation War, which created a very fertile ground for expanding cooperation in this area. Currently, we have a strong defense cooperation. For example, joint military exercises were conducted in Kuwait a few weeks ago, and there will be more. Kuwaiti forces are being sent for training in France, and some are learning French. There are also reciprocal visits.' Asked if there are deals in the military field, he said, 'There are no new deals or contracts in this area at the moment. A few years ago, a contract was signed to purchase 30 French Caracal helicopters, which are now in Kuwait. This was an important milestone in our bilateral military relations.' Regarding his assessment of Kuwait's role in supporting regional stability, he stressed that Kuwait plays a very positive role, and continues to do so; because it has adopted a position similar to that of France -- based on respect for international law, stability and dialogue, in addition to rejecting the use of force or the violation of humanitarian law. 'France and Kuwait share common ground in the way we approach international relations,' he asserted. About the lifting of sanctions on Syria, he disclosed that 'since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime, France has been focusing on the Syrian people, not the regime or the factions. Our concern has always been the people. From the beginning, the French President has been keen on supporting a peaceful and comprehensive political transition in Syria. He also expressed this when he invited the new Syrian leader to Paris two weeks ago. Our goal is to promote political dialogue and ensure that our priorities are taken into account by the Syrian leadership.' Regarding visas, he affirmed that the French consulate is currently operating at full capacity in terms of issuing visas -- processing about 250 visas per day. 'We have a small team, but everyone is working diligently to ease travel for Kuwaitis to France. The waiting time for an appointment is currently about a month. Despite our efforts, we cannot reduce the waiting period any further. However, the situation is better than it was in previous years, when the wait times were longer. Overall, the situation has improved this year, because Kuwaitis are now aware of the importance of early planning for visa applications.' He urged those wishing to travel to his country to plan, especially during this busy season. He stressed the need to book visa application appointments as soon as possible, as this will make the process easier for everyone. On the number of visas, he clarified there are no daily figures, but annual figures indicate that in 2024, 36,000 visas were issued, while in 2023, the number was about 42,000.' On the trade and economic cooperation with Kuwait, Gauvin revealed, 'We are working intensively with our Kuwaiti partners.' He said he was in Toulouse, France, last week with a Kuwaiti delegation to celebrate the delivery of the new Airbus A321 to Kuwait Airways, and that there will be more such cooperation in the future. He confirmed France's commitment to promoting comprehensive and ethical technological cooperation, citing the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit held in Paris earlier this year. He praised the active participation of the Kuwaiti Minister of Communications and his accompanying delegation. He stated, 'This participation reflects Kuwait's commitment to strategic issues related to artificial intelligence and opens up prospects for strong cooperation between France and Kuwait in this field.'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Aguiar: Fall River ex-police chief victim of 'smearing'; father's guns found in locker
FALL RIVER — School Committee member Kevin Aguiar said his father owned the guns that former police chief Paul Gauvin was found to have improperly stored in his locker at headquarters — a violation which led in part to Gauvin's firing earlier this month. On April 11, Aguiar shared a public statement saying his 'family is beyond regretful over how our actions may have played a part in the smearing of Chief Gauvin and his beautiful family.' Gauvin was the subject of an independent investigation into his behavior. In early April, the results were made public, with allegations being sustained that Gauvin made an oblique threat to new interim Police Chief Kelly Furtado and improperly stored firearms in his locker. The investigation recommended Gauvin be terminated. He was fired April 1. Full report: Ex-Fall River police chief accused of theft, intimidation According to a report by Comprehensive Investigations & Consulting, on Oct. 21, 2024, three officers and Fall River's Human Resources Director Nicholas Macolini cleaned out Gauvin's locker where six firearms were found. Three of the guns were found not to be registered to Gauvin: pistols by Beretta, Davis and Harrington & Richardson. Gauvin told investigators they were "antique firearms which he was planning to turn in at the next gun buyback," turned over to him by someone whose father had died many years earlier. The copy of CIC's report released as public record had redacted that person's name. However, Aguiar's statement confirms that the guns were his father Daniel's, and that he or someone in his family had asked Gauvin to take them. 'It was no secret to those who knew him that our Dad struggled for many years with severe mental health disorders," Aguiar stated. "It was also no secret that as a United States Marine he was a defender of the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights.' Aguiar stated that at one point, the family decided that "it was not safe for him to possess these firearms' and asked Gauvin to take them, since no one else in the family was a licensed gun owner. Daniel Aguiar died in 2009. Police chief shakeup: City Council won't confirm Kelly Furtado as police chief; calls for fair interview process According to interviews conducted by CIC with Gauvin, one was 'like a spy gun' and metallic silver. A second was 'really junky ... like a six-shooter, maybe, like a cowboy gun type thing, but really small.' The third Gauvin described as 'like a gray thing. It was like an antique.' The report states that two of the guns, the Beretta and Davis, were found to be registered to the late Daniel Aguiar. The Harrington & Richardson, which is older, could not be traced to anyone. According to CIC's redacted report, Kevin Aguiar or someone in his family was interviewed about the situation, and told investigators that Gauvin initially agreed to hold onto the firearms 'until [name redacted's] nephew was old enough to have the guns.' Sometime later, someone in Aguiar's family later told Gauvin 'and instructed him that his family no longer wanted the guns at a future date' and asked that they be submitted to the gun buyback program. According to the CIC report, when the firearms were discovered, Gauvin asked that the weapons be brought to his home and said checking their registrations was unnecessary, rousing concern from fellow officers. When told that they needed to be checked, Gauvin changed his mind and indicated they should be kept at the station since they were to be destroyed. The report does not indicate why Gauvin never submitted the weapons to be destroyed. The investigation found that Gauvin 'failed to log into evidence' firearms once they were turned over to him as required by state law, and that it was 'improper' for him to store them. Allegations of conduct unbecoming an officer and violation of evidence and property control were sustained. A split City Council on April 8 voted 5-4 against hiring Furtado as permanent police chief, with some describing the investigation and Gauvin's firing as an ouster. City Councilors Cliff Ponte and Shawn E. Cadime in that meeting railed against interdepartmental 'cliques' that, to them, ousted Gauvin using 'intimidation tactics'; Ponte maintained that what happened to Gauvin 'wasn't right.' Aguiar's statement alluded to those insinuations. "We as a family find it shameful and disingenuous that anyone would intentionally present and use these facts to advance an agenda or in any manner other than truthfully," the statement reads. "Many years ago, a young Police Officer Paul Gauvin swore to 'Protect and Serve' the citizens of the City of Fall River. After a long and distinguished career it is clearly evident that Chief Paul Gauvin has proudly done just that." This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River's ex-police chief defended after improper gun storage
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Top stories: Ex-Fall River police chief Gauvin fired. What's in the full report?
As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was. Top stories this past week included: A look ahead at Somerset's annual town election. Your guide to Fall River Restaurant Week 2025. The building that once housed Alexandra's Bridal Boutique outlet store at 452 South Main St. in Fall River is for sale. Fall River area softball players to watch in 2025. Plus, local baseball players to watch in 2025. Local high school baseball previews, and softball previews, as well as lacrosse previews. A profile of Joseph Case softball pitcher Cailyn Durand's nerves of steel. Fall River's zoning requirements may be changing to fit more apartments. Here's what we know so far. The Ariston USA facility in East Freetown, a part of the Ariston Group, will be laying off employees, leading to a 48% reduction in the company's full-time U.S. workforce. Broadway will meet Shakespeare in a special production at Bristol Community College. There's something new brewing at Fall River's historic carousel. See what you'll be able to find at the Easter Specialty Farmers Market, happening April 13 in Tiverton. Eskimo King is opening soon for the 2025 season. These were the most read stories of the week on Former Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin has been fired after an external investigation found he stored three firearms not registered to him in his station locker and left 'threatening' items in his desk for the person who succeeded him in the job. According to several interviews conducted throughout the investigation by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting LLC, Gauvin was accused of creating a hostile work environment — one of 'harassment' and 'intimidation.' Mayor Paul Coogan confirmed that as of Monday, April 1, Gauvin was terminated following an investigation that began Dec. 16, 2024. Ex-Fall River police chief Gauvin fired: Accused of threatening new chief, report says The city's investigation into former police chief Paul Gauvin, a report that led to Gauvin's firing on Tuesday, examined seven groups of allegations and 31 specific charges of misconduct. The accusations, investigated by the firm of Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting, range from stealing pictures off a wall from the Fall River Police Department to taking pay for extra hours to leaving intimidating threats to his successor, interim Police Chief Kelly Furtado. It resulted in a 90-page report. Here's a breakdown of everything in the report. Report breakdown: Ex-Fall River police chief accused of theft, intimidation: What's in the full report? Lou's Bakery, a family-run fixture in Fall River that's famous for its sweet bread, malassadas, pastries and other Portuguese delicacies, is in the midst of its first-ever hiatus, after more than 40 years in business. Though hungry customers have been eagerly anticipating a projected April opening, Lou's fans will have to go elsewhere for their Easter sweet bread this year. Here's the latest update on Lou's. Easter sweet bread: Lou's Bakery in Fall River won't be making sweet bread for Easter. Here's what to know. Fall River's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a plan for 89 market-rate units in the old Globe Yarn Mill on Globe Street. Edd Hamzanlui, founder of MassCan Capital LLC, a housing development and consulting firm, will convert the 'underutilized' mill building 'in disrepair' said Katie Enright, an engineer of Chelmsford-based Howard Stein Hudson who represented the project before the zoning board. The mill currently houses a billiards club and flea market, and the plan is to transform it into four studio apartments, 57 one-bedroom units, and 28 two-bedroom units. Here's what we know so far. Redevelopment: Old yarn mill at Globe Corners gets OK to become apartments in $20 million rehab project The Trump administration has cut $106 million in education funding slated for Massachusetts students to address pandemic learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Because of that, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School will lose $115, 465. This is what we know about the impact that the Trump administration's cuts will have on the school. Education cuts: Fall River's Diman will lose $115K as Trump's education cuts shock state. What to know. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories: Ex-Fall River police chief fired. What's in full report?
CBC
07-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba businesses focused on local sales avoiding big hits from tariff troubles
Tariffs are taking a toll on nearly every sector in Manitoba, with many businesses concerned about the increased costs they may bring and the uncertainty that comes with having President Donald Trump at the helm in the U.S. But some, like Tiny Monster Garden owner Ryan Gauvin, say their business hasn't taken a hit from the 25 per cent tariff on virtually all Canadian goods entering the U.S., which was imposed this week but put on hold for at least some good on Thursday. Gauvin's business, based in Lorette, just southeast of Winnipeg, sells seeds to local farms in Manitoba, and doesn't do large exports outside the country. "When we first started hearing about the threat of tariffs earlier this year, I saw a definite spike in my sales, and that's probably a lot like the COVID pandemic," said Gauvin, who sells seeds adapted to Manitoba's growing conditions and ideal for people starting a local garden. "People see the looming threat of volatile food prices or inflation or disrupted supply chains, and they think, 'Well, how can we mitigate the effects of this on our family?' Starting your own garden is one way to do that." Gauvin said he used to export to the U.S., but "started backing away last year" due to changes with the U.S. Postal Service's parcel system. "It just made it not cost-effective for me or my American customers to buy my seeds anymore," he said. While the tariffs are going to affect a lot of his peers in the agriculture industry, Gauvin hopes the disruption might spark some positive change — "maybe altering our food system so it's a little more resilient, more people growing home gardens, more people joining their local farm CSAs [community-supported agriculture] or meat share programs," he said. "Those are positive things that will have a long-term effect … far beyond the tariff situation." Amy Nikkel, who owns Adagio Acres in the Interlake, said she isn't feeling the pressure of tariffs right now either. She grows organic oats and processes them entirely on her farm before they're sold in grocery stores across Manitoba. She said she's seen an increase in sales over the last month. "The stores are putting Canadian flags on our products, and not on our closest competitor's products," Nikkel said of her organic oats. "So people who are looking for a comparable product … now they're discounting one of those options, so we're certainly seeing increased sales because of that." Nikkel said her business is an exception, and a lot of her farmer friends are running into problems trying to sell their products south of the border. They've had to make some drastic pivots to keep their business financially viable, she said. But the fact her business has managed to avoid the impact of tariffs is validating, she said, and she thinks its business model could be a more robust way of growing food. "When you keep your supply chain short and you keep your products local to home, and you keep the food that's being grown here actually eaten here, I think there is less radical shake-ups when political problems come our way." Challenges with 'buy local' push: prof While Trump has postponed the tariffs on some imports from Canada and Mexico for a month, the impact is still a concern, says Dan Shin, a professor of supply chain management at the University of Manitoba. Canada, the U.S. and Mexico have a complex and efficient supply chain, and manufacturers across North America use this relationship to source their needs from the cheapest option — not necessarily the closest, he said. Tariffs could complicate that relationship. "Some things Canada is just better at, some things U.S. is better at, so we were just relying on each other's strength to cover our weaknesses," said Shin. "But now … we have to do something to take care of our weaknesses, and where we lack, we're going to have to do it ourselves or we're going to have to pay up." Shin said the push to buy Canadian goods could also be challenging for manufacturers. "In a hypothetical situation where all the Canadians start purchasing only from Canadian businesses for Canadian goods, they're not going to be able to meet that demand," he said. "So prices are going to go up, which will further exacerbate the impact of inflation, and the question now becomes, will the Canadians be willing to pay this premium for Canadian goods?" Shin believes Canada should reassess its supply chain, and look for ways to be more resilient in the face of uncertainty from tariffs or political friction.
