Latest news with #protection
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ombudsman Malaysia to replace whistleblower committee
Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran said whistleblowers' identities could be protected if disclosures on misconduct were made through the proper channels. KUALA LUMPUR : The government will replace the current whistleblower protection committee with the soon-to-be-established Ombudsman Malaysia, which will have wider powers and clearer reporting mechanisms, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran said the current committee was merely a stop-gap measure. 'It is temporary until Ombudsman Malaysia is set up,' he said in winding-up the debate on the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today. Earlier today, opposition and government MPs called for better amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, warning that the current draft lacked teeth and could enable political interference. Some MPs had also questioned the appointment of the members to this committee. Kulasegaran said Ombudsman Malaysia would take over the role of the committee with additional powers, including receiving complaints from whistleblowers involving misconduct. 'SOPs including timelines and relevant aspects will be detailed during the setting up of Ombudsman Malaysia.' Kulasegaran added that the main objective of the Whistleblower Protection Act remained unchanged – which was to protect whistleblowers. But he said protection could only be granted if the disclosure was made to an enforcement agency, as stipulated in the Act. 'If the information is not channelled to an enforcement agency, the individual will not be classified as a whistleblower.' Kulasegaran stressed that the government was confident whistleblowers' identities could be protected if disclosures were made through the proper channels. 'However, if the disclosure is made to the media or the public, it will be difficult to offer protection. The information may be widely shared.' He further said the government was looking at ways to improve the reporting mechanisms, including allowing disclosures to parties other than enforcement agencies to encourage more people to come forward. The bill was later passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Syria must protect Druze or be shunned by the world, says Israel
Syria should not be allowed back into the international community unless it is able to uphold protections for the Druze and other minority groups in the country, Israel has said. As an 'immediate and comprehensive' ceasefire was announced between the two countries on Saturday, Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli foreign minister, claimed Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian president, was continuing to support Bedouin tribes against the Druze minority. Mr Sa'ar wrote on X that in Syria 'it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority – Kurd, Druze, Alawite, or Christian'. He added: 'This has been proven time and again over the past six months. Doubts over government's ability to unify nation 'The international community has a duty to ensure the security and rights of the minorities in Syria, and to condition Syria's renewed acceptance into the family of nations on their protection.' Mr al-Sharaa has vowed many times to protect all minorities in Syria since taking power in December, after leading the rebel coalition that toppled Bashar al-Assad, the country's long-time dictator. But doubts have persisted over his ability to unify the diverse nation, and rebuild it after the ravages of more than a decade of civil war. A recent week-long spate of deadly clashes in Sweida, in southern Syria, between two minority groups – the Druze, a religious sect, and the Bedouins, a nomadic tribe – now pose the biggest challenge to Mr al-Sharaa's ability to re-establish peace and to unify all Syrians. Earlier this week, after Syrian government forces were sent to Sweida to restore order, Israel launched attacks on Syria prompted by concerns of a military buildup near its territory. Israel also said it was acting to defend the Druze, which has a community of around 143,000 in Israel, where it is considered a loyal minority sect. The strikes included an attack on the defence ministry headquarters in Damascus. The Syria-Israel truce was announced on Saturday by Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria. 'Thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria,' Mr Barrack posted on X. The Syrian presidency confirmed there would be an 'immediate and comprehensive' ceasefire within its borders, saying a halt in fighting was needed 'to spare Syrian blood, preserve the unity of Syrian territory, the safety of its people, and in response to national and humanitarian responsibility'. But whether Mr al-Sharaa will succeed at this crucial moment – one that could define the tone of his leadership – remains to be seen. 'I don't see him as our president. I respect him for freeing us from the regime, from Assad, ' said Tamara, a Syrian Druze who declined to give her full name out of fear of retribution. 'But [the government] is not representative of anyone; the people did not choose al-Sharaa; he chose himself for us.' Syrians 'suffered a long time under repression, and they need a leader willing to guide the country to a more secure, bright future; not jihadi extremist conflict, and non-stop violence,' she added. The Syrian government has said that a special unit is being deployed to Sweida, the heartland of the country's Druze, in hopes of restoring calm as swiftly as possible. The death toll from violence there has risen to 940 since last weekend. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included 326 Druze fighters and 262 Druze civilians, 182 of whom were 'summarily executed by defence and interior ministry personnel'. They also included 312 government security personnel and 21 Sunni Bedouin, three of them civilians who were 'summarily executed by Druze fighters'. Another 15 government troops were killed in Israeli strikes, the Observatory said. The violence in Sweida erupted last Sunday, after a Druze vegetable seller was attacked and robbed. Violence and tensions have spread to other parts of the country, including the capital, Damascus. A peaceful protest of about 20 people on Friday night calling for an end to bloodshed, held near the parliament building, was dispersed by people wielding guns and knives – as well as at least one large sword. University students have also posted videos online calling for the expulsion of students from minority groups – a sign that restoring peace will be an uphill battle. Back in Sweida, the situation remains dire and chaotic. Tamara has only managed small snatches of conversation with her family in Sweida because of disrupted communications, including a five-minute call with her mother on Saturday morning during which she learned a friend and her entire family had died. 'It's a complete disaster zone' 'Everyone is panicking; people don't know what's going to happen even in the house next to them. It's a complete disaster zone,' she said. Her family fled their home on the first day of fighting, and is now sheltering with others. Soon, Tamara fears, they will run out of food. New checkpoints have cropped up across the country, in particular in Damascus and on the main road linking to Sweida. Syrians report being asked by government security personnel manning those checkpoints where they are from, and to which group they belong – a question that underscores just how divided the nation remains. Such checkpoints and road closures are slowing the movement of people, as well as humanitarian aid deliveries at a time when hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured and water is in short supply. 'It is very difficult for us to operate there…at the moment our capacity to deliver aid is very limited,' said William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 'We are calling on all parties to allow humanitarian access.' The latest violence comes after bloody battles in March, during which an estimated 1,500 Alawites were killed. Alawites are another minority sect, of which former leader Assad was a member.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
nVent Electric plc to Report Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on August 1
nVent Electric plc (NYSE: NVT) ('nVent'), a global leader in electrical connection and protection solutions, will report second quarter 2025 financial results on Friday, August 1, 2025. The financial results will be posted on the company's website at The company will issue a news release when the earnings materials are publicly available, including a link to those documents. The company will also hold a conference call with analysts and investors at 9:00 a.m. ET. Related presentation materials will be posted to prior to the conference call. Conference Call and Webcast Details The call can be accessed via webcast at or by dialing 1-833-630-1071 or 1-412-317-1832. Once available, a replay of the conference call will be accessible through August 15, 2025, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088, along with the access code 1818589. About nVent nVent is a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions. We believe our inventive electrical solutions enable safer systems and ensure a more secure world. We design, manufacture, market, install and service high performance products and solutions that connect and protect some of the world's most sensitive equipment, buildings and critical processes. We offer a comprehensive range of systems protection and electrical connections solutions across industry-leading brands that are recognized globally for quality, reliability and innovation. Our principal office is in London and our management office in the United States is in Minneapolis. Our robust portfolio of leading electrical product brands dates back more than 100 years and includes nVent CADDY, ERICO, HOFFMAN, ILSCO, SCHROFF and TRACHTE. Learn more at
National Post
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- National Post
Are dollar store sunglasses as good as expensive ones?
What you ought to look for in sunglasses if you are wanting protection. Photo by GETTY IMAGES Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Readers often ask questions that we don't know the answers to. But we know where to go (and if not we will find out) to get the facts they seek. Whether it's details on a new kitchen appliance or picking the best out of a plethora of product options, no question is silly. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors And if it is something you are curious about, chances are others will benefit from a deeper dig into the details. Today's question? How well do cheap sunglasses compare to more expensive ones? We recruited Dr. E. Anderson Penno, owner of the Calgary-based Western Laser Eye Associates and author of several books including Laser Vision Correction: What You Need To Know to help us. Product reviews, deals, roundups and interviews to help you make better buying decisions. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Trained at the Mayo Clinic, the medical doctor and her team provide everything from health screenings and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses to careful monitoring of eye conditions from glaucoma to diabetes. Penno has performed thousands of refractive and other eye surgeries since 1996. A: Yes and no. For sunglasses that are labelled as having broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, price doesn't matter as far as protecting the eyelids and eyes from harmful UV light. Sunglasses without a UV protection label will not protect from these harmful rays and it is possible that extremely inexpensive sunglasses may or may not be verified to be protective. On the other hand, there can be big differences in the optical clarity between more and less expensive sunglasses, and some people will be more sensitive to these differences than others. Other features such as polarization can also make a difference in glare reduction and may increase the price of the sunglasses. Finally, there are fashion and frame features such as wrap-around sport-style sunglasses that can improve protection against wind and dust, but that also may raise the cost. Bottom line: It's safe to wear dollar store sunglasses as long as they carry a UVA/UVB protection label, but more expensive sunglasses can offer better optics and other features including more fashion choices that some buyers are looking for. Tifosi unisex Swick ($40): These offer 1 00 per cent UVA/UVB protection. They are lightweight with shatterproof, scratch-resistant lenses. A hydrophilic rubber nose piece ensures a slip-free fit even on more sweaty days. Tifosi gets great reviews and Shopping Essentials has taken a pair out for a trial run. They are super durable (left them on the driver's seat in the car where I sat on them and they survived) and are a comfortable, secure fit that doesn't ride around when we work out. Goodr Sunglasses ($40): Gord Hobbins, owner of Gord's Running Store in Calgary, says people love these polarized but affordable shades which offer UV/UVB protection. They are known to not slip even on sweaty faces and are affordable enough that some buy a spare pair.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Israel has refused to renew visas for heads of at least 3 UN agencies in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS — Israel has refused to renew visas for the heads of at least three United Nations agencies in Gaza, which the UN humanitarian chief blames on their work trying to protect Palestinian civilians in the war-torn territory. Visas for the local leaders of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA; the human rights agency OHCHR; and the agency supporting Palestinians in Gaza, UNRWA, have not been renewed in recent months, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed. Tom Fletcher, UN head of humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council on Wednesday that the UN's humanitarian mandate is not just to provide aid to civilians in need and report what its staff witnesses but to advocate for international humanitarian law. 'Each time we report on what we see, we face threats of further reduced access to the civilians we are trying to serve,' he said. 'Nowhere today is the tension between our advocacy mandate and delivering aid greater than in Gaza.' Fletcher said, 'Visas are not renewed or reduced in duration by Israel, explicitly in response to our work on protection of civilians.' Israel's UN mission did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the visa renewals. Israel has been sharply critical of UNRWA, even before Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack in southern Israel — accusing the agency of colluding with Hamas and teaching anti-Israel hatred, which UNRWA vehemently denies. Since then, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies have claimed that UNRWA is deeply infiltrated by Hamas and that its staffers participated in the Oct. 7 attacks. Israel formally banned UNRWA from operating in its territory, and its commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, has been barred from entering Gaza. At Wednesday's Security Council meeting, Fletcher called conditions in Gaza 'beyond vocabulary,' with food running out and Palestinians seeking something to eat being shot. He said Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, is failing in its obligation under the Geneva Conventions to provide for civilian needs. In response, Israel accused OCHA of continuing 'to abandon all semblance of neutrality and impartiality in its statements and actions, despite claiming otherwise.' Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, political coordinator at Israel's UN Mission, told the Security Council that some of its 15 members seem to forget that the Oct. 7 attacks killed about 1,200 people and some 250 were taken hostage, triggering the war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation. 'Instead, we're presented with a narrative that forces Israel into a defendant's chair, while Hamas, the very cause of this conflict and the very instigator of suffering of Israelis but also of Palestinians, goes unmentioned, unchallenged and immune to condemnation,' she said. More than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half were women and children. Ravina Shamdasani, chief spokesperson for the Geneva-based UN human rights body, confirmed Thursday that the head of its office in the occupied Palestinian territories 'has been denied entry into Gaza.' 'The last time he tried to enter was in February 2025 and since then, he has been denied entry,' she told The Associated Press. 'Unfortunately, this is not unusual. Aid workers, UN staff, journalists and others have been denied access to Gaza.' Israel has accused a UN-backed commission probing abuses in Gaza, whose three members just resigned, and the Human Rights Council's independent investigator Francesca Albanese of antisemitism. Albanese has accused Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza, which it and its ally the U.S. vehemently deny. The Trump administration recently issued sanctions against Albanese. Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, told the Security Council that Israel also is not granting 'security clearances' for staff to enter Gaza to continue their work and that UN humanitarian partners are increasingly being denied entry as well. He noted that '56 per cent of the entries denied into Gaza in 2025 were for emergency medical teams — frontline responders who save lives.' 'Hundreds of aid workers have been killed; and those who continue to work endure hunger, danger and loss, like everyone else in the Gaza Strip,' Fletcher said. By Edith M. Lederer. AP writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
