Latest news with #IPP
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
UK jail escape trial reignites debate over indefinite sentences
The trial of an alleged escapee who spent hours on the roof of a high-security prison in his underpants is set to be the first time the stress caused by indeterminate sentences can be used as a legal defence. Joe Outlaw is due to stand trial on Monday for climbing on to the roof of HMP Frankland in Durham in June 2023 in protest at the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence he and others are serving. The 38-year-old has been in jail for 13 years, much of that in isolation, after receiving an IPP sentence for robbing a takeaway at gunpoint in 2011. He says he does not remember the crime because he was drunk and high on drugs. Two months before his Durham protest, Outlaw staged a 12-hour sit-in on the roof of Strangeways, HMP Manchester, where he wrote 'FREE IPPZ' in paint. He is due to be tried later for 'escape from lawful custody' in allegedly damaging the roof of Strangeways and for starting a fire in his cell as part of a suicide attempt. The case raises once again the issue of IPPs, which 2,544 prisoners were still serving in March despite the sentences being abolished in 2012. The legislation that ended what campaigners describe as a cruel system was not retrospective. A spokesperson for Reform and Rebuild, a prison advocacy group which is set to give evidence in the trial, said it was 'well overdue' for courts to take into account the stress caused by IPPs. 'This sentence has led to a lot of destructive behaviour among prisoners,' the organisation said. Cherrie Nichol, a campaigner whose brother is serving an IPP, said that under the previous Conservative government many prisoners grew 'absolutely desperate' when they were told they would not be able to be resentenced. 'There were a few of the IPP prisoners who then took their lives because they decided that they were never going to get out,' she said. 'Nobody's been resentenced yet, but we are looking at human rights. That's another battle but we will get it. We'll definitely get it because it's cruel and inhumane. I think if we don't keep fighting and jumping up and down, then it'll just be forgotten.' Campaigners have made some progress over the years, for example in shortening the licences of those released from IPPs from 10 years to three years. Nichol said this 'meant some people could go on holiday with their families and have a life again, because 10 years is a long time after you've suffered'. But she added: 'The government won't admit they're wrong. So we have to go around, trample around things delicately.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Rotary Club of Nagpur Downtown installs new team for 2025–26
1 2 3 Nagpur: The Rotary Club of Nagpur Downtown held the installation ceremony of its 29th president Chandrakant Arya and secretary Prathamesh Chakradeo. Chief guest Dnyaneshwar Shewale, district governor RID 3030, lauded the club's service spirit. The outgoing team led by Dr Pratiksha Mayee handed over responsibilities. The 2025–26 team includes treasurer and vice-president Jagdish Lanjewar, vice-president 2 Mrudula Sudame, president-elect Prajakta Mangrulkar, club trainer PP Narendra Jog, sergeant-at-arms Sameer Sahastrabudhe, IPP Dr Pratiksha Mayee and directors and committee chairs: Anant Shahane, Ashish Fule, Bhushan Banhatti, Deepali Dodke, Mandar Joshi, Manish Shah, Monili Darhvekar, Nitin Sudame, Padmashree Deshpande, Renuka Chakradeo, Sanket Dharashivkar, Sucheta Ingale, Vikrant Darvhekar, Outstanding contributions in 2024–25 were recognised. Nitin Sudame was named Rotarian of the Year; Dr Vikas and Dr Suchita Ingale, Best Couple; Bhavana Deshpande, Best Ann; and Renuka Chakradeo, Best Lady Rotarian. Deepali Dodke won Best Director. 'Pillar of Strength' Awards were given to Mrudula Sudame, Prathamesh Chakradeo, and PP Nishikant Kashikar.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Clarifying independent directors' obligations
Independent directors are not full-time directors like executive directors. Independent directors run the risk of having incomplete and insufficient information. Due to this, their risks are higher. The Singapore appeal case Goh Jin Hian v Inter-Pacific Petroleum (IPP) both lays down and reaffirms some of the principles on independent directors' liability. Decisions made by Commonwealth countries have a persuasive effect on Malaysian court decisions, as Malaysia too is a Commonwealth country. What's more, the other commonwealth country is just across the causeway and once shared the same DNA as Malaysia. One can discern six principles as laid down by the Singapore Appellate Division. Duty of Skill, Care, and Diligence: Scope and Threshold A director must act with reasonable care and skill, considering their position and involvement in the company's affairs. A non-executive director' duty is less onerous than that of executive directors. This makes sense, as executive directors are involved full-time in management compared to non-executive directors, who are not involved in management. The Appellate Division reaffirmed this standard: a director is "a sentinel, but not a forensic investigator or sleuth" unless clear warning signs emerge. Notably, directors cannot be held to detect every fraud—they are not expected to conduct forensic-level scrutiny in the absence of explicit red flags. The duty of care principle's implication is that directors must be reasonably informed but are not investigative by default. Awareness of Business Activities: Directors Must Understand What They Are Guarding A director must be sufficiently informed about a company's significant operations to oversee and fulfil their duties properly. On the facts of the case, the court concluded that the director had breached this duty because Goh was unaware of a major business line used as a fraud vehicle. The High Court described his ignorance as "striking at the very heart of his duty of skill, care, and diligence." The principle of knowledge requirement implies being unaware of key business lines breaches the duty. Sheer honesty, integrity, and intelligence are not substitutes for knowledge of business. Red Flags and Triggering a Duty to Inquire Whether identified events constitute red flags warranting further inquiry or whether these did not amount to clear warning signs of fraud was for the courts to decide. A director's obligation to investigate arises only when distinct and immediate signs point to wrongdoing—not merely when unusual corporate events occur. The red flags principle's implication is that only clear, specific indicators of wrongdoing would trigger the need for further inquiry. Causation: Linking Breach to Loss Is the Claimant's Burden Even where a breach of duty is found (as with a director's ignorance of the business), there must be a causal link to the loss suffered. It must be shown to the courts, on evidence, that the director's awareness—or subsequent actions—would have identified the fraud and averted the loss. An independent director could not be faulted for not acting upon red flags, but more critically, the defendant failed to prove that his breach directly caused the loss. This confirms that in director-duty cases, establishing causation is essential before damages can follow. There must be causation—the breach must be directly linked to the preventable harm for damages to follow. Creditor Duty: When the Company Is Insolvent A director's duty may extend to creditors when the company becomes insolvent or is nearing insolvency. While the High Court initially held that Goh breached his creditor duty by allowing drawdowns during near-insolvency, the Appellate Division rejected this, noting two points. Firstly, IPP failed to prove the fraud would have been discovered or the loss avoided had Goh acted differently. Secondly, though knowledge of cargo trading was lacking, no clear wrongdoing could be attributed to Goh regarding approval of these drawdowns. Thus, without proven causation, even breaches of creditor duty do not automatically give rise to liability. Creditor duty applies in insolvency but still requires causal proof. Practical and Commercial Realities in Director Oversight The court stressed its recognition of practical and commercial limits, acknowledging that directors—especially non-executives—cannot be held liable for deep-seated, well-concealed frauds without tell-tale signs. The Singapore Institute of Directors called the judgement "welcome clarity" on the true scope of directors' duties, reassuring directors that oversight does not require forensic-level diligence in the absence of warning signs. Nonetheless, the decision does not absolve directors from responsibility; ignorance and inattention—in the face of evident wrongdoing—still carry liability. There are practical limits—directors aren't expected to perform audits or detective work when there are no warning signs.
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers' updated 91-man roster heading into training camp
One of the most magical days of the year for Steelers fans has arrived — training camp at Saint Vincent College. The Pittsburgh Steelers boast a 91-man roster heading into training camp — one extra spot granted through the International Player Pathway (IPP). For players who serve multiple roles for Pittsburgh, an additional position is listed in parentheses after their name. Split into offense, defense, and special teams — here are all 91 Steelers to look out for at training camp. Offense Quarterback (4) Running Back (7) Fullback (2) Wide Receiver (11) Tight End (4) Offensive Line (15) Defense Defensive Line (12) Outside Linebacker (7) Inside Linebacker (7) Cornerback (11) Safety (5) Special Teams Kicker (2) Punter (2) Long Snapper (2) For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Extra.ie
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Dublin goalkeeper signs with NFL giants from IPP
Mark McNamee is the latest Irish star to hang up his GAA gloves for a move across the pond to the NFL. The former Ballyboden St Enda's goalkeeper has signed for Green Bay Packers after making the International Player Pathway (IPP) programme for 2025. The Dublin native joins another Irish kicker on the roster, Dan Whelan, who signed for the Packers in 2023. Mark McNamee is a former goalkeeper for Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Mark is a member of The Leader Kicking group and follows in the footsteps of ex-Down GAA footballer Charlie Smyth, who joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad through the programme last year. 'Another huge moment for the sport in Ireland as more and more teams in College/NFL recognize our elite leg talent,' said Tadhg Leader, the NFL IPP Kicking and Punting coach who the 25-year-old worked with. 'Congrats to you and your family Mark. Let's keep it rolling. Work to do.' Mark joined Canadian Football League franchise BC Lions after being included in the IPP but was released last month after playing two pre-season games for the Vancouver-based franchise. Jude McAtamney made his NFL regular season debut in 2024. Pic:In November, Derry's Jude McAtamney became the first Irish-born placekicker to feature in a regular season NFL game since 1985. He made his debut for New York Giants against the Washington Commanders in a game where he successfully kicked a field goal and some extra points. Meanwhile, Charlie Smyth is still trying to break into the Saints gameday squad after signing a three-year deal in 2024. Other GAA stars such as Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson also impressed at the NFL Combines last year but unfortunately did not receive contract offers.
