Latest news with #Provisions
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
New laws banning sex-for-rent arrangements to go before Cabinet today
The move will come as part of a new Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 Up to one in 20 students have been propositioned with a sex-for-rent scenario. Image posed. Photo: Getty Long-awaited laws banning sex for rent will go to the Cabinet today. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will ask the Government to draft, as a matter of priority, laws which he argues would address 'highly exploitative behaviour'. The move will come as part of a new Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which aims to respond to 'a range of pressing challenges for the criminal justice system'. With regard to sex-for-rent arrangements, the new bill will introduce two new criminal offences: offering accommodation in exchange of sex; and the advertising of accommodation in exchange of sex. The main benefits of these provisions, the Cabinet will be told, include increased protections for vulnerable individuals and the potential to act as a deterrent to landlords or property owners currently engaging in such behaviour. Ministers will be told the proposal supports the Government's broader efforts to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and offers positive potential impacts for gender equality. The laws aim to encompass both tenancies and licence arrangements. The proposed initial penalty is a class A fine, which is up to €5,000. Social Democrats TD Cian O'Callaghan drafted legislation to tackle the practice in March 2022, but it was rejected after pre-legislative scrutiny. A National Women's Council (NWC) report has found students and migrant women were particularly vulnerable to this form of exploitation. Up to one in 20 students have been propositioned with a sex-for-rent scenario. Recent research into Ireland's rental market found it creates the 'perfect environment' for the exploitation of tenants, with some landlords offering discounted or free accommodation in return for sex. Some women are being forced to accept such arrangements to avoid becoming homeless, the report from the NWC found. The NWC said practice of sex for rent has become a common occurrence. An Irish Council for International Students survey earlier this year found one in seven people had been offered rentals where they share a room – and sleep in the same bed – with people they do not know. All the respondents who received sex-for-rent offers were non-native English speakers and 68pc were female.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CPB fires back at Trump's executive order pulling funding for NPR, PBS
The nonprofit corporation that oversees National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service is firing back at President Donald Trump's executive order to pull funding for the two popular media outlets. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting pointed out that Congress controls its funding, not the president. "CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority," Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the CPB, said in a statement Friday. "Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government." MORE: Trump admin live updates: Trump says he'll rename Veterans Day as 'Victory Day for World War I' She continued, "In creating CPB, Congress expressly forbade 'any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over educational television or radio broadcasting, or over [CPB] or any of its grantees or contractors.'" On his way to Florida aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to "cease direct funding to NPR and PBS." The order blocks federal funding to NPR and PBS to the maximum extent allowed by law, according to a fact sheet from the White House. It also prevents indirect funding to PBS and NPR by prohibiting local public radio and television stations, and any other recipients of CPB funds, from using taxpayer dollars to support the organizations. The order mandates that the CPB revise its 2025 General Provisions to explicitly prohibit direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS. It directs all federal agencies to terminate any direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS and to review existing grants and contracts for compliance. Additionally, it instructs the Federal Communications Commission and relevant agencies to investigate whether NPR and PBS have engaged in unlawful discrimination. In the fact sheet, the White House claims the two news organizations "have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars." MORE: Republicans accuse NPR, PBS of bias at House hearing; Democrats rebuke it as a partisan attack The heads of PBS and NPR testified at a House hearing in March about their funding. "I hear, respect and understand your concerns regarding bias and whether public media is relevant in a commercial landscape," NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said at the hearing. "It is critical for NPR's newsroom to operate with the highest journalistic standards. That means they do their jobs independently, and as CEO I have no editorial role at NPR." Minutes later, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger added: "PBS stations are focused on the needs and interests of the viewers they serve. Especially in rural areas, PBS stations are the only outlets providing coverage for local events, for example high school sports, local history and culture content, candidate debates at every level of the election ballot and specialized agricultural news." NPR and PBS are primarily funded through a combination of public and private sources. The CPB, a federal agency, provides a portion of the funding, along with private donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. The CPB oversees dozens of media organizations in addition to NPR and PBS, including everything from American Public Media to Native Public Media and Public Media in Mid-America. Those in the Senate and House quickly responded along party lines. "The fact that taxpayers are forced to subsidize far-left propaganda outlets like NPR is an outrage," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X. "I commend President Trump for his common-sense order ending taxpayer funding for liberal media outlets. "President Trump is once again walking us towards authoritarianism, by eliminating funds for PBS and NPR, claiming it will stop 'biased and partisan news coverage,'" Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., wrote on X. "NPR and PBS is how 160 million Americans find their fact-based, impartial news each month." "These organizations were created under an act of Congress, and therefore cannot be eliminated in an executive order," he continued. "We need these programs and must challenge this ruling in the courts." ABC News' Max Zahn and Lalee Ibssa contributed to this report. CPB fires back at Trump's executive order pulling funding for NPR, PBS originally appeared on
02-05-2025
- Politics
CPB fires back at Trump's executive order pulling funding for NPR, PBS
The nonprofit corporation that oversees National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service is firing back at President Donald Trump's executive order to pull funding for the two popular media outlets. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting pointed out that Congress controls its funding, not the president. "CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority," Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the CPB, said in a statement Friday. "Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government." She continued, "In creating CPB, Congress expressly forbade 'any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over educational television or radio broadcasting, or over [CPB] or any of its grantees or contractors.'" On his way to Florida aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to "cease direct funding to NPR and PBS." The order blocks federal funding to NPR and PBS to the maximum extent allowed by law, according to a fact sheet from the White House. It also prevents indirect funding to PBS and NPR by prohibiting local public radio and television stations, and any other recipients of CPB funds, from using taxpayer dollars to support the organizations. The order mandates that the CPB revise its 2025 General Provisions to explicitly prohibit direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS. It directs all federal agencies to terminate any direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS and to review existing grants and contracts for compliance. Additionally, it instructs the Federal Communications Commission and relevant agencies to investigate whether NPR and PBS have engaged in unlawful discrimination. In the fact sheet, the White House claims the two news organizations"have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars." The heads of PBS and NPR testified at a House hearing in March about their funding. "I hear, respect and understand your concerns regarding bias and whether public media is relevant in a commercial landscape," NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said at the hearing. "It is critical for NPR's newsroom to operate with the highest journalistic standards. That means they do their jobs independently, and as CEO I have no editorial role at NPR." Minutes later, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger added: "PBS stations are focused on the needs and interests of the viewers they serve. Especially in rural areas, PBS stations are the only outlets providing coverage for local events, for example high school sports, local history and culture content, candidate debates at every level of the election ballot and specialized agricultural news." NPR and PBS are primarily funded through a combination of public and private sources. The CPB, a federal agency, provides a portion of the funding, along with private donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. The CPB oversees dozens of media organizations in addition to NPR and PBS, including everything from American Public Media to Native Public Media and Public Media in Mid-America. Those in the Senate and House quickly responded along party lines. "The fact that taxpayers are forced to subsidize far-left propaganda outlets like NPR is an outrage," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X. "I commend President Trump for his common-sense order ending taxpayer funding for liberal media outlets. "President Trump is once again walking us towards authoritarianism, by eliminating funds for PBS and NPR, claiming it will stop 'biased and partisan news coverage,'" Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., wrote on X. "NPR and PBS is how 160 million Americans find their fact-based, impartial news each month." "These organizations were created under an act of Congress, and therefore cannot be eliminated in an executive order," he continued. "We need these programs and must challenge this ruling in the courts."
Buzz Feed
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Jamaicans Try Each Other's Ackee And Saltfish
It may get a little shady in here because today Jamaicans are tasting one another's Ackee and Saltfish. If you haven't had the pleasure of trying this wonderful meal and don't know what it is, we'll tell you. It's a traditional Jamaican breakfast consisting of ackee, saltfish, and some kind of dumpling. Today's group includes the ever-popular Spice! She'll be the final (and secret!!) vote. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves, we've still got three dishes to taste. Our first cook's name is Eva. She said her ancestors blessed her with otherworldly cooking abilities, which is why she'll win everyone's votes. Her plantains are super-ripe and the ackee looks scrumptious. She even put some dumplings and avocado on the plate. A nap will be needed after indulging. Let's hope them alter offerings come through for Ms. Eve. What do the rest of the cooks have to say?? Akalyn immediately clocked the SALT, oh man. BuzzFeed Sivonyia loved the colorful plate, including the avacado, but wasn't so impressed about the meal, overall. BuzzFeed Next up is Sivonyia. She's made her dish with Provisions, as well as onions, green pepper, and scotch bonnet. Classic. BuzzFeed Oh there's definitely heat in this dish. On the side she's added yams and dumplings. What did the others think? 👀 BuzzFeed BuzzFeed STOP THE PRESSES! Eva was NOT feeling something on that plate. We wonder what it was... BuzzFeed What do you mean the dumplings are from Jamaica, Queens?! Gotta go! At least Akalyn liked it. The main attraction on Sivonyia's plate was the Ackee fish and it was a hit. She ties with Eve for 14 points! Last up is Akalyn who consulted the male cooks in the family to get his Ackee dish all the way right. He's added plantain and and a little hot sauce for even more heat. What do the girls think of his dish? BuzzFeed Sivonyia and Eva are getting nervous about their future bragging rights. The food is very fresh and could be Rastafarian-inspired. Nice. BuzzFeed Akalyn is the only one who has made his dumplings correctly. Love to see it! BuzzFeed Eva was kind of enamored with the plate. BuzzFeed It's time for Spice to have the deciding vote! BuzzFeed She tried all three plates, but navigated towards one more than the others... BuzzFeed Spice adored Akalyn's plate. The ackee fish was fresh, the dumplings were seasoned, and the plantain just right. Shout out to his grandpa—the family recipe was immaculate! BuzzFeed
