Latest News in Politics
Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Albanese's post-election message to Dutton after coalition's defeat
Anthony Albanese has offered his commiserations to Peter Dutton, insisting that the former Opposition Leader will be 'successful' in life outside politics. The Prime Minister told Brisbane's Nova FM radio station that he had 'an okay relationship, a professional relationship, if you like' with the former Liberal leader. 'It's really tough for him and his family as well,' Albanese added. 'I'm not sure what he will do, but I'm sure he'll be successful in other arenas as well.' Dutton suffered the ultimate indignity on election night when he not only led a failed campaign but was ousted from his own seat of Dickson in Brisbane 's outer-northern suburbs - which he had held since 2001 - by Labor's Ali France. In a reflection of the respect the two men held for one another - even if they traded barbs on the campaign trail - Dutton gave a gracious concession speech in which he revealed he had rung Albanese to tell him how proud his late mother would have been of his victory. The Prime Minister said politics was an 'honourable profession' but acknowledged it came with huge downsides. 'You expose yourself publicly, particularly with social media,' he told the radio station. 'Don't read the comments out there, folks. It can be really brutal, and you've got to be resilient.'
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- General
- BBC News
Road closures after serious assault in Surrey
A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital following a serious assault. Surrey Police said it was appealing for witnesses after a reported stabbing on Vicarage Road in Sunbury-on-Thames in the early hours of victim is in a serious but stable condition and police, the force Road has been closed between Heathcroft Avenue and the junction with the M3 and is "likely to remain shut for several hours", police added. They urged motorists to use alternative routes."We understand that the public may be distressed by this incident," wrote Surrey Police in a post on its Spelthorne Beat Facebook page. "There will be a continued police presence in the area today while our enquiries continue."Please speak to officers if you have any concerns."Surrey Police said it was working to find the suspect. The force urged anyone who was in the area around Vicarage Road between 01:15 and 01:25 BST this morning or with information that could assist their investigation to contact them.
CBS News
10 minutes ago
- General
- CBS News
Sacramento's nearly $18 million for child and youth services funding in limbo
SACRAMENTO -- Nearly $18 million in child and youth services funding is in limbo as the Sacramento City Council has not voted to approve how the funding is given out. The money comes from voter-approved Measure L in 2022 to establish the Sacramento Children's Fund. The measure requires the city to divert 40% of its local cannabis tax revenues to child and youth services, prioritizing those most impacted by poverty, violence and trauma. It was approved three years ago, but in 2025, nonprofits are still waiting to receive the funding promised as part of this initiative. The council is considering two options: one would fund a total of 24 programs and projects that address all five fund goals; the second would fund 16 programs and projects that address 4/5 fund goals. The total funding is $17.9 million. Mónica Ruelas Mares, the chair of the Sacramento Children's Fund Planning and Oversight Commission, said the continued delays "undermine the public's trust in the process" and come at the expense of the city's youth. Mares said: "Just in the past week there have been two incidents of youth firearm violence, one of which resulted in the death of a 15 year old. Even more since the fund was passed. When we think of the future we want for our kids I hope that the city council sees investing in youth programs and services as a priority and not an afterthought, this is what the voters asked our city to do! We must deliver on that promise. We need to keep our kids in mind as we move along this process, they do not have the luxury of time." Mares references the death of a 15-year-old boy on Tuesday night in Sacramento's Meadowview neighborhood. The teen was shot and died at the hospital, Sacramento police confirmed on Wednesday. "If the city is ours, anytime something happens, we should all take responsibility," said Darrell Roberts, CEO and co-founder of the Roberts Family Development Center. Roberts has decades of experience in youth violence prevention and the community organization has been selected to receive some of the Sacramento children's funding. The nonprofit provides wrap-around services for more than 500 students, families, and their communities in at least seven high-risk neighborhoods in Sacramento. The nonprofit provides academic and social support to students from economically disadvantaged families. These students often struggle to keep up in school, leading to a widening achievement gap that is intensified by summer learning loss. Without intervention, many face a future marked by limited education, poverty, involvement with the justice system, chronic health problems, and persistent stress. The added funding from the city, along with school district and private sector support, will allow their organization to grow the mission and serve more students, Roberts said. "Equity requires us to spend more in the neighborhoods where more is needed," said Roberts. In the summer, the services offered by Roberts Family Development Center expand to five days a week. Monday through Friday, students are given positive opportunities, Roberts said, where their families know they are safe and learning. He notes, however, that while hundreds of Sacramento's youth benefit from the program, there are thousands more who do not have the opportunity when school is out. "Anybody who wants to talk about the budget, our priority is not on young people, our priority is in other places. Which at the end of the day is why we have so many challenges in our neighborhoods, and why the summer becomes a hotbed of activities that are not always positive," said Roberts. Discussion on this issue at the city council level has been split amongst some council members, specifically, on whether to delay the vote from the May 20th City Council meeting to June. "I just want more information and make sure we can make a sound decision for our kids," said Councilmember Karina Talamantes. "We're spending all this time when we can really be talking about making sure that we're fighting more for young people in the general budget," said Councilmember Mai Vang. On June 10, the Sacramento City Council is expected to take up the issue of Sacramento Children's Funding once again. If they vote to pass the program, contract negotiations will begin, according to Mares. Any contracts that are more than $249,999 a year require city council approval. Ultimately, after a passing vote, the organizations could still have four to eight weeks until they receive the funding.
UPI
10 minutes ago
- Politics
- UPI
Judge orders Trump to resume processing humanitarian parole extensions
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled against the Trump administration's halting of processing humanitarian re-parole applications. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo May 29 (UPI) -- A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's halt to processing applications of those in the United States under humanitarian parole programs who are seeking to extend their legal status. The ruling on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston orders the Trump administration to restore the processing of applications to extend the stay of immigrants granted legal status in the United States under humanitarian parole programs that have been terminated since President Donald Trump's inauguration. "This ruling reaffirms what we have always known to be true: our government has a legal obligation to respect the rights of all humanitarian parole beneficiaries and the Americans who have welcomed them into their communities," Anwen Hughes, director of legal strategy for Refugee Programs at Human Rights First, said in a statement. The ruling is another legal setback in the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, though it is only a preliminary injunction as litigation continues. On Jan. 20 inauguration day, Trump signed an executive order directing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to terminate all parole programs "that are contrary to the policies of the United States," specifically naming one titled Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, also known as CHNV, which allows people from those countries to live and work in the United States. Other programs targeted include Uniting for Ukraine, allowing Ukrainians displaced by the Russian war to stay in the United States, and Operation Allies Welcome, which is for Afghans fleeing the Taliban. Then on Feb. 14, under the executive order, DHS suspended the processing of applications for extended legal status of those previously approved under the terminated programs over potential concerns of vetting their original applications by the Biden administration. The directives threatened the legal stay of hundreds of thousands of people, and a nationwide coalition of beneficiaries, sponsors and organizational plaintiff Haitian Bridge Alliance filed a lawsuit late February challenging the Trump administration actions. In her ruling Wednesday, Indira Talwani, a Barack Obama appointee, said that while the executive order was not in question, directions given under it to stop the processing of re-parole applications are likely to fail in court. Talwani said the executive order does not provide for the indefinite suspension of applications for re-parole applications. "The 'pause' has now been in place for more than three months; the pause is, in effect, an indefinite suspension," she said. The lawsuit involved several beneficiaries of the terminated programs, which Karen Tumlin, founder and director of the Justice Action Center, described as essential workers, life partners and family members to others in the United States. "They deserve to be treated like anyone else when it comes to pursuing forms of status," Tumlin said. "We're grateful that the judge restored fairness and accountability for these communities."
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Hate crime low in Dungannon but stats may show underreporting
The impact of targeted hate crimes often leaves victims feeling traumatised, bereft, fearful and intimidated in their own homes and workplaces – that's according to Victim Support NI Hate Crime Project Manager, Michael Avila. On a visit to Reach food bank in Dungannon last week, Mr. Avila and his colleague, Dawn McCartney, met with volunteers and service users to discuss the effect of hate crimes on victims and their families, and how to access support. Despite Dungannon being one of the most diverse towns in Northern Ireland, the rate of hate crime per capita in the Mid Ulster policing area is among the lowest in Northern Ireland, with the lowest rate in the Fermanagh and Omagh policing area. However, Mr. Avila believes the statistics may not tell the full story. 'In many ways, Mid Ulster is one of NI's councils exhibiting best practice when it comes to integration and fostering good relations between different communities,' he told The Impartial Reporter. 'In the last three financial years, we have had 41 referrals with a Dungannon address. This amounts to 13.7 referrals per year from Dungannon. This is very good when we compare it to other areas with high ethnic diversity. However, I don't doubt that there is underreporting.' He added: 'When we see a spike in referrals, it could either be that hate crimes have increased or that more crimes are being reported. When it's lower, it could be that people feel less likely to come forward.' Language barriers, education levels, service gaps and understanding of local laws could all contribute to underreporting. 'In an area where many migrants are working in factories, people may find it harder to report crimes. Whereas in other parts of NI, more migrants may be working in health or the private sector, which may attract migrants with higher English and education levels who may find the reporting process easier,' he said. Hate crime is defined as any incident perceived to have been committed against a person or property on the grounds of a person's ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability. Victim Support NI recognises that these crimes can happen anywhere – at home, in public, or at school or work – and may involve threats, verbal abuse, arson, robbery, violence, or damage to property. Mr. Avila explained that hate crime often begins with 'a slur or a small act of intimidation' but the effects can be long-lasting, particularly if someone has been repeatedly targeted. 'Paranoia is something we see often, but it's a realistic paranoia. If someone is being intimidated in their own home, where most people find peace, they can't experience that. It always plays on their minds,' he said. 'Hate crime leaves people feeling frustrated, fearful, and it can affect their mental health. These types of crimes can be very traumatic, especially as people are likely to be targeted repeatedly because of their identity. In 2023/24, Victim Support NI received 1,013 referrals across Northern Ireland. That rose to 1,369 in 2024/25. Of the 356 increase, more than 300 were racially motivated. Mr. Avila said: 'The riots in Belfast last August accounted for some of the increase but, even if you were to remove that month, racial hate crime has seen a vast increase in the last 3–5 years.' He added: 'Hate crimes have officially been recorded since 2004 and, because of the peace process, we've seen sectarianism decrease over time but as Northern Ireland has become more diverse, race has taken its place. 'Immigration is blamed for a lack of housing, but there would still be a housing crisis without immigration. Minority ethnic businesses remain vulnerable, with housing intimidation and anti-social behaviour on the rise, sometimes orchestrated by paramilitaries. Michael said depleted PSNI neighbourhood teams, alongside a need for education and restorative justice, add to the problem. Support Available Victim Support NI offers assistance regardless of whether an incident has been reported to police. Mr. Avila said: 'From the moment they report an incident to the charity, to all the way through the criminal justice system, victims can receive practical and emotional support. From follow-ups with police, housing issues, signposting to other organisations, after-court support, including complaints, compensation claims, we can help. We are able to move things for people, and we've seen hundreds of people re-homed from extreme situations. 'We see things from the victim's point of view. The criminal justice system is interested in justice and concentrates on the perpetrator, so we focus on the victim and help them navigate the justice system, which can be quite a cold process. 'In the 1,013 referrals we received last year, only 34 were being considered for trial and, only at the point of conviction does the judge ask if there is hate motivation. We don't really have hate crime laws here, we have hate sentencing laws though new legislation is to be tabled at the end of this year with a new statutory aggravation model which should open things up a bit.' Reach food bank manager Ally Moore added:'It is essential that anyone who has been a victim of hate crime has access to this free service that provides guidance and reassurance through all the police and court proceedings. The people from the hate crime advocate service have a wealth of knowledge that can help put the victim's mind at ease and enable them to know that they are not on their own.'
