Latest news with #communityEngagement
CBC
2 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Community engagement, education helping Strathcona County residents avoid crypto scams: RCMP
Strathcona County RCMP is reporting a large decrease in the money lost in the community from crypto scams compared to the year before. RCMP attributed this decline to its community engagement and education on crypto fraud. In a news release on Tuesday, police said between January and April in 2024, the reported loss to crypto-related scams in the county was almost $400,000. In the same period this year, the loss was around $240,000. RCMP members have visited local schools, seniors' groups, and community organizations to teach residents to recognize and report scams. These presentations have focused on identifying common crypto scams, like fake investment opportunities, romance scams, and fraudulent calls from scammers claiming to be law enforcement or government officials. Police said that legitimate government agencies will never request payment in the form of cryptocurrency. In the release, RCMP said that if someone has been targeted by a scam, they should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.
Phone Arena
10 hours ago
- General
- Phone Arena
Features in a smartphone that makes it a flagship killer?
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Associated Press
2 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Todd J. Stein Heads into Early Voting for June Primary for District Leader, Assembly District 76, Part A
'I've been out every day meeting neighbors, listening, and building new relationships.'— Todd J. Stein, District Leader Candidate NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2025 / / -- Candidate Todd J. Stein, a lifelong resident of Lenox Hill and longtime advocate for aging in place and elder care, is on the ballot for District Leader, Assembly District 76, Part A. As early voting begins on June 14, Stein is calling on his neighbors to make their voices heard. He's sharing his message of 'Flip, Find, and Only Vote Group Stein'. 'I love sharing stories from my childhood growing up in Lenox Hill,' Stein says. 'And, I love hearing the stories of those who now call this neighborhood home, whether they're new families or longtime residents hoping to stay in their apartments as they grow older. That's personal for me. I helped my late father age in place until he passed away in December of 2022 at 92 years old. Today, my mother lives with me in the same building where I was raised.' Stein believes he brings a fresh and responsive approach to the position. 'I'm offering voters a real choice, someone who understands the neighborhood deeply and will be a strong voice for our community. The role of District Leader is a volunteer elected party position within the Democratic Party. District Leaders help select judicial candidates, appoint poll workers, and represent their community within the party's structure. Though unpaid, the position carries influence in shaping the direction of the party and in building grassroots political engagement. Stein has earned early endorsements from several prominent officials, including Mayoral Candidate Scott Stringer and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who is a Candidate for Manhattan Borough President. 'I've been out every day meeting neighbors, listening, and building new relationships,' said Stein. A recent grassroots fundraiser at his home drew strong support from local residents, friends, and new volunteers. 'It was heartening to see how many people showed up, donated, and signed up to help our campaign.' The event was catered by one of Stein's favorite local spots, Bagelworks on First Avenue. 'They make perfect New York bagels,' he said. 'Randy, the owner, is a warm, welcoming presence and an asset to the neighborhood.' As part of his outreach, Stein is participating in community events across the district. 'I stopped by the First Avenue Street Fair on the Upper East Side yesterday,' he said. 'My mom came with me, she loves the funnel cake. This time, she even ran into Council Member Julie Menin.' Felicia Stein, Todd's 91-year-old mother, has lived in Lenox Hill for over fifty years. As early voting nears, Stein is reminding voters to 'Flip, Find, and Only Vote for Group Stein!' and invites all interested community members to get involved. Colin Harp Team Stein +1 917-842-0625 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
The contrast between Kneecap charges and flag-festooned Northern Ireland is absurd
Under the UK 's main counter-terrorism legislation, the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offence to arrange, assist or attend a meeting with knowledge that it will be addressed by a member of a proscribed organisation. This is a serious offence, punishable by up to 14 years in jail. The maximum sentence was raised from 10 years in 2021, so it is supposedly becoming more serious. Yet scarcely a week goes by in Northern Ireland when this law is not apparently broken by civic leaders, public officials, elected representatives and police officers as they pursue what is delicately termed 'community engagement' or 'paramilitary transition'. While some of these meetings are furtive, others will be reported as routine news. Some meetings will be condemned but others will be praised as courageous, or at worst as a regrettable necessity. Almost none will be described as a crime because that would criminalise peace-processing itself, along with all the great and the good, and the not-so-good, who participate. READ MORE Ironically, the Terrorism Act was passed in the wake of the Belfast Agreement to create consistent law across the UK. It was believed the end of the Troubles should mean the end of emergency laws that applied only to Northern Ireland. Instead, the UK has acquired counter-terrorism laws that are uniquely ignored in Northern Ireland because the authorities consider enforcement impossible or unwise. As the illegality of peace-processing is too awful to contemplate, it has taken a lesser absurdity to bring the inconsistency into focus. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly holding up a Hizbullah flag during a performance in London. The specific offence under the Terrorism Act is displaying an item that arouses reasonable suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. The contrast with flag-festooned Northern Ireland is absurd. The PSNI has made just 13 arrests for the same offence in the past 24 years, despite the charge also covering paramilitary-linked clothing and publication of images. Many people have immediately asked why this law is applied differently on either side of the Irish Sea. A question so naive is rarely sincere. The PSNI cannot play flag whack-a-mole around thousands of lamp-posts, putting its officers in danger to little or no end. [ Kneecap review: Mo Chara tells 20,000-strong crowd 'you have no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig' Opens in new window ] A strong case can be made for taking a stand against egregious breaches of the law, such as flying paramilitary flags beside mixed housing, but using a catch-all terrorism offence may not be the best approach. It might only highlight inconsistency, as the law would still be unenforced everywhere else. Many of those complaining about the charge against Kneecap are republicans comparing it to official indulgence of the Orange marching season or of loyalist paramilitarism. Not everyone seems to appreciate the Terrorism Act also criminalises showing support for the Provisional IRA , potentially including most forms of commemoration. Amendments to the Act in 2006 outlawed 'glorification' of terrorism, 'whether in the past, in the future or generally', where this is intended to encourage support for terrorism today. The realistic route to consistency is to admit a single UK-wide approach has been prematurely applied to Northern Ireland Republicans do not accept this relates to them because loyalist paramilitaries remain active while the IRA has 'gone away'. That is not quite how the law sees it, however: all groups are equally proscribed. Complaints of one-sided treatment may often be insincere, simplistic or partisan, but that only underscores the corrosive effect of inconsistent application of the law. One way to resolve this would be to de-proscribe the Provisional IRA. Unlike Ireland, the UK bases its terrorism laws around a list of banned organisations. There is a statutory process to request removal from the list. A loyalist group attempted this unsuccessfully in 2017 and lawyers in London are seeking the same for Hamas ; among their arguments is a comparison of Hamas to Sinn Féin . Any hint of legalising the Provisional IRA would be enormously contentious, to an extent that could prove counterproductive for political stability. Although de-proscription appears unfeasible for the time being, it is a genuine mystery why the prospect has not been suggested by republicanism. Perhaps acknowledging the IRA's continued existence is too awkward, or seeking British permission for its existence is intolerable. [ EU-UK deal is a gift to unionists. Shame they can't all see it Opens in new window ] The realistic route to consistency is to admit a single UK-wide approach has been prematurely applied to Northern Ireland. The region still requires special treatment, although this is a positive opportunity to craft laws and approaches to the law that reflect present circumstances and help the move away from paramilitarism. That might involve recognising steps towards lawfulness rather than the binary nature of the banned list. Unenforceable offences could be narrowed down to achievable goals – removal of all murals glorifying violence, for example. During the Troubles, counter-terrorism legislation was enacted as temporary and had to be renewed every year. Parts of contemporary law may need to be temporarily suspended until Northern Ireland is ready for them.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
GAIL's bakery wins Deliveroo's top community champion award - amid 'gentrification' row and furious boycotts from hipster residents
GAIL's Bakery has won a prestigious award for its commitment to community engagement by a huge restaurant platform - as residents in trendy neighbourhoods are left up in arms over the stores opening in their areas. The upmarket bakery chain has been awarded Deliveroo's Heart of the Community gong in the Restaurant of the Year awards, celebrating its commitment to quality and community engagement. It comes as the upmarket bakery chain's rapid expansion has sparked boycotts and petitions throughout the UK, with many locals expressing concerns about the impact on independent businesses and the character of their communities. In November last year, GAIL's announced it would be opening a new branch in Primrose Hill and locals quickly defaced the shops hoardings with graffiti which said 'Fail's – Go Away'. Meanwhile residents of Walthamstow Village fumed when they found out the chain was opening on their high street in 2024. Locals claimed the branch was the 'ultimate sign of gentrification' and will see independent coffee shops lose trade. It led to hundreds of people signing a petition against the opening after the chain announced plans to open 35 new UK sites. Last year, the Heart of the Community accolade went to a local family-run cafe in Rushden, Northamptonshire, Happy Mondays. The judges, who included notable food critic Jimi Famurewa, were inspired by the cafe's community-first ethos, which included supporting local suppliers to serving fresh, locally sourced food and products, as well as fundraising for local charities and hosting markets and events for Rushden residents to enjoy. The independent café pipped Gail's to the post in 2024 and also fended off competition from Wingstop, GAIL's Bakery, and Zambrero Ireland. The Deliveroo Restaurant Awards' mission is to celebrate the best and most loved independent restaurants across the UK and Ireland. The website explained the reasoning behind awarding GAIL's the accolade this year. It read: 'GAIL's has supported local charities since it first originated, equating to over 99 charities in the past 18 years, namely through their partnership with Neighbourly, donating surplus food to over 400 local charities and organisations in their communities. 'This partnership goes back to what GAIL's is – a modern neighbourhood craft bakery, integrated into communities.' Despite the recent backlash, GAIL's continues to thrive, with plans to open additional branches in various locations. In the year to February 2024, it achieved a turnover of £232 million, up from £182 million the previous year, according to the most recent accounts it has filed at Companies House. Known for its artisanal pastries and upscale clientele, the bakery has even become synonymous with the so-called 'GAIL's effect' — the idea that a new branch signals rising house prices and accelerating gentrification in the area. This theory is backed up by Brandling-Harris, who owns the House Collective estate agency, and who has lived in Primrose Hill for 15 years. Speaking to Mail Online he said: 'GAIL's is good for the area, it's a community hub. It is really consistent – good sandwiches, good coffee. And, importantly, it has filled a void. This was an empty site before.' Many local residents, however, would have preferred to see an independent business open, rather than another outlet from a rapidly expanding chain. Primrose Hill critic, Cuitlahuac Turrent, told the Mail Online: 'It could destroy local neighbourhood bakeries with its bland, soulless food and atmosphere.' Another resident, Martha Swift, who owns Primrose Bakery which opened 20 years ago said: 'There are just so many GAIL's. There are five others within walking distance. She added: 'It is really tough to run an independent business on the high street at the moment – the cost of ingredients has gone through the roof, it's a nightmare. Then there's the price of electricity, plus the cost of business rates. You just can't pass on these costs to customers.' 'A chain like GAIL's can afford to lose money, whereas if you are an independent business you have to make a living.' This concern was so accurate that when GAIL's moved into Walthamstow last year, a petition garnered 1,800 signatures. 'It's about choosing inclusive growth, preserving diversity and creating equitable and sustainable local economies,' the petition claimed. Locals in the East London enclave spoke to MailOnline about their concerns as some fought to stop the upmarket bakery opening. Some business owners claimed local resistance was down to the firm's pro-Brexit and anti-lockdown chairman Luke Johnson, who called some eco activists 'alarmists'. There is an apparent feeling that Mr Johnson does not align with the politics of the area, which backed Remain in 2016 and has had a Labour MP for more than 30 years. Residents also feared GAIL's could put independents out of business, while others claimed that the plans were 'not great for coolness factor' and the chain was 'probably out of reach price-rise for a lot of the community'. Others pointed out that while they liked GAIL's and had visited other branches, they did not agree with it coming to Walthamstow and would instead support local firms. Resident Fanie, 30, painter, said: 'Gail's coming in, it's not great. The Gail-sification of London. That's why I don't want to live in Wanstead, I don't want to live in Leyton, I want to live somewhere with cool and interesting stuff - not stale pain au chocolate. Sorry, Gail's.' Misha, 35, human resources worker, said: ''I quite enjoy that there are local coffee shops here. I like Gail's, I would go there if it was here, but I do try and shop local if I can.' Dawn, 50, local resident, added: 'I think any new business in the area is great, but I think the concentration just on the village is disproportionate to the rest of Walthamstow. 'The gentrification of the area is fantastic, but I think it needs to be spread out and some of these bigger chains need to come and revive the high street and not just concentrate on the most affluent areas of the borough.' Meanwhile Gail's was also met with a new backlash for the same reason in Bath recently. Chief executive Tom Molnar has slammed claims the chain is ruining high streets, as they spread at a rate of a new shop every fortnight. Mr Molnar has insisted that he only ever wanted to give the customers choice. 'We build small sites so they are a part of a diverse high street, so whenever I build a Gail's I think what it would be like if I was a resident here,' he told The Times. 'I'd encourage people to look at what we're trying to do, rather than taglines. There's good independents and bad, and good chains and bad chains.' Gail's Bakery started as a single store in Hampstead, north London, and slowly began to spread across the capital before cherry picking new towns and cities to set up in. The chain now has more than 130 shops across Britain already and is seen by many as the successor to Waitrose, with plans now in place for new sites to be opened across Britain. Mail Online have reached out to Gail's Bakery and the Deliveroo Restaurants of the Year Awards for comment.
