#Enforcement Directorate inquiry

[nsebullcom]

sand mining: 'Illegal' sand mining probe: Madras HC stays ED's summons to TN officials

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the operation of the summons issued to five district collectors by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act into alleged illegal sand mining in the state. A division bench comprising Justices S S Sundar and Sundar Mohan granted the interim stay on the petition filed by state public…

[kunga-khandro]

The White House's Anti-Trans Declaration

Before we get to the text...this declaration shouldn't affect state-wide protections, and only affects things in very specific ways on the Federal level. From the ACLU: "The executive orders 'do not and cannot change the law,' Chase Strangio, co-director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project, who last month became the first openly trans person to argue before the Supreme Court, wrote on Instagram. 'They will be glorified press releases designed to create confusion and chaos.'" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/01/trump-declares-war-on-transgender-people/ <3 drink plenty of water and get tons of rest...first, ahem, cleanse your palette by imagining the cutest puppy ever, rolling over onto its back and asking for a belly rub. Okay you can read the press release now. It will be waiting for you after you're done.

...

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose.  Across the country, ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex have increasingly used legal and other socially coercive means to permit men to self-identify as women and gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women, from women’s domestic abuse shelters to women’s workplace showers.  This is wrong.  Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being.  The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system.  Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself.

This unhealthy road is paved by an ongoing and purposeful attack against the ordinary and longstanding use and understanding of biological and scientific terms, replacing the immutable biological reality of sex with an internal, fluid, and subjective sense of self unmoored from biological facts.  Invalidating the true and biological category of “woman” improperly transforms laws and policies designed to protect sex-based opportunities into laws and policies that undermine them, replacing longstanding, cherished legal rights and values with an identity-based, inchoate social concept.

Accordingly, my Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male. 

Sec. 2.  Policy and Definitions.  It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.  These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.  Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality, and the following definitions shall govern all Executive interpretation of and application of Federal law and administration policy:

(a)  “Sex” shall refer to an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.  “Sex” is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of “gender identity.”

(b)  “Women” or “woman” and “girls” or “girl” shall mean adult and juvenile human females, respectively.

(c)  “Men” or “man” and “boys” or “boy” shall mean adult and juvenile human males, respectively.

(d)  “Female” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.

(e)  “Male” means a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell.

(f)  “Gender ideology” replaces the biological category of sex with an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity, permitting the false claim that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa, and requiring all institutions of society to regard this false claim as true.  Gender ideology includes the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one’s sex.  Gender ideology is internally inconsistent, in that it diminishes sex as an identifiable or useful category but nevertheless maintains that it is possible for a person to be born in the wrong sexed body.

(g)  “Gender identity” reflects a fully internal and subjective sense of self, disconnected from biological reality and sex and existing on an infinite continuum, that does not provide a meaningful basis for identification and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex.

Sec. 3.  Recognizing Women Are Biologically Distinct From Men.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the U.S. Government, external partners, and the public clear guidance expanding on the sex-based definitions set forth in this order.

(b)  Each agency and all Federal employees shall enforce laws governing sex-based rights, protections, opportunities, and accommodations to protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes.  Each agency should therefore give the terms “sex”, “male”, “female”, “men”, “women”, “boys” and “girls” the meanings set forth in section 2 of this order when interpreting or applying statutes, regulations, or guidance and in all other official agency business, documents, and communications.

(c)  When administering or enforcing sex-based distinctions, every agency and all Federal employees acting in an official capacity on behalf of their agency shall use the term “sex” and not “gender” in all applicable Federal policies and documents.

(d)  The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder’s sex, as defined under section 2 of this order; and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall ensure that applicable personnel records accurately report Federal employees’ sex, as defined by section 2 of this order.

(e)  Agencies shall remove all statements, policies, regulations, forms, communications, or other internal and external messages that promote or otherwise inculcate gender ideology, and shall cease issuing such statements, policies, regulations, forms, communications or other messages.  Agency forms that require an individual’s sex shall list male or female, and shall not request gender identity.  Agencies shall take all necessary steps, as permitted by law, to end the Federal funding of gender ideology.

(f)  The prior Administration argued that the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which addressed Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, requires gender identity-based access to single-sex spaces under, for example, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act.  This position is legally untenable and has harmed women.  The Attorney General shall therefore immediately issue guidance to agencies to correct the misapplication of the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) to sex-based distinctions in agency activities.  In addition, the Attorney General shall issue guidance and assist agencies in protecting sex-based distinctions, which are explicitly permitted under Constitutional and statutory precedent.

(g)  Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology.  Each agency shall assess grant conditions and grantee preferences and ensure grant funds do not promote gender ideology.

Sec. 4.  Privacy in Intimate Spaces.  (a)  The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that males are not detained in women’s prisons or housed in women’s detention centers, including through amendment, as necessary, of Part 115.41 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations and interpretation guidance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(b)  The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall prepare and submit for notice and comment rulemaking a policy to rescind the final rule entitled “Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual’s Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs” of September 21, 2016, 81 FR 64763, and shall submit for public comment a policy protecting women seeking single-sex rape shelters. 

(c)  The Attorney General shall ensure that the Bureau of Prisons revises its policies concerning medical care to be consistent with this order, and shall ensure that no Federal funds are expended for any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex.

(d)  Agencies shall effectuate this policy by taking appropriate action to ensure that intimate spaces designated for women, girls, or females (or for men, boys, or males) are designated by sex and not identity.

Sec. 5.  Protecting Rights.  The Attorney General shall issue guidance to ensure the freedom to express the binary nature of sex and the right to single-sex spaces in workplaces and federally funded entities covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  In accordance with that guidance, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, the General Counsel and Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and each other agency head with enforcement responsibilities under the Civil Rights Act shall prioritize investigations and litigation to enforce the rights and freedoms identified.

Sec. 6.  Bill Text.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs shall present to the President proposed bill text to codify the definitions in this order.

Sec. 7.  Agency Implementation and Reporting.  (a)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, each agency head shall submit an update on implementation of this order to the President, through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.  That update shall address:

(i)   changes to agency documents, including regulations, guidance, forms, and communications, made to comply with this order; and

(ii)  agency-imposed requirements on federally funded entities, including contractors, to achieve the policy of this order.

(b)  The requirements of this order supersede conflicting provisions in any previous Executive Orders or Presidential Memoranda, including but not limited to Executive Orders 13988 of January 20, 2021, 14004 of January 25, 2021, 14020 and 14021 of March 8, 2021, and 14075 of June 15, 2022.  These Executive Orders are hereby rescinded, and the White House Gender Policy Council established by Executive Order 14020 is dissolved.

(c)  Each agency head shall promptly rescind all guidance documents inconsistent with the requirements of this order or the Attorney General’s guidance issued pursuant to this order, or rescind such parts of such documents that are inconsistent in such manner.  Such documents include, but are not limited to:

(i)    “The White House Toolkit on Transgender Equality”;

(ii)   the Department of Education’s guidance documents including:

(A)  “2024 Title IX Regulations: Pointers for Implementation” (July 2024);

(B)  “U.S. Department of Education Toolkit: Creating Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQI+ Students”;

(C)  “U.S. Department of Education Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth and Families in School” (June 21, 2023);

(D)  “Departamento de Educación de EE.UU.  Apoyar a los jóvenes y familias LGBTQI+ en la escuela” (June 21, 2023);

(E)  “Supporting Intersex Students: A Resource for Students, Families, and Educators” (October 2021);

(F)  “Supporting Transgender Youth in School” (June 2021);

(G)  “Letter to Educators on Title IX’s 49th Anniversary” (June 23, 2021);

(H)  “Confronting Anti-LGBTQI+ Harassment in Schools: A Resource for Students and Families” (June 2021);

(I)  “Enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 With Respect to Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Light of Bostock v. Clayton County” (June 22, 2021);

(J)  “Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America’s Students” (June 9, 2021); and

(K)  “Back-to-School Message for Transgender Students from the U.S. Depts of Justice, Education, and HHS” (Aug. 17, 2021);

(iii)  the Attorney General’s Memorandum of March 26, 2021 entitled “Application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972″; and

(iv)  the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” (April 29, 2024).

Sec. 8.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)    the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)   the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 20, 2025.

...

Ahem, as I promised. The puppy you imagined at the beginning is whimpering caringly, and puts its paw on your hand to get you to stop scrolling. Then it licks your arm and barks excitedly.

R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.C.E.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Juan Carlos Lara at KQED:

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating San Francisco-based KCBS for its coverage of immigration enforcement actions in San José last month, sparking concerns from press freedom advocates and drawing right-wing backlash to the radio station. In an interview on Fox News, Trump-appointed commission chair Brendan Carr said he opened the investigation after KCBS shared the live locations and vehicle descriptions of immigration officials on Jan. 26. “We have sent a letter of inquiry, a formal investigation into that matter, and they have just a matter of days left to respond to that inquiry and explain how this could possibly be consistent with their public interest obligations,” Carr said. First Amendment advocates worry the FCC investigation will have a chilling effect on news organizations reporting on the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans. “Law enforcement operations, immigration or otherwise, are matters of public interest,” said David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition. “People generally have the right to report this on social media and in print and so on. So it’s very troubling because it’s possible the FCC is potentially being weaponized to crack down on reporting that the administration simply just doesn’t like.” Loy worried that the move could deter other news organizations from pursuing reporting critical of the Trump administration. “It’s an intimidating exercise. The process is the punishment,” Loy said. “Even if charges are never filed, people have to look over their shoulder to wonder, is the government going to come after me because I report something that the government doesn’t like me to say?”

[...] Last year, Carr criticized his own commission for voting to approve part of Audacy’s bankruptcy reorganization plan that would involve the investment firm founded by billionaire George Soros, a donor to liberal causes and a lightning rod for the right wing. Soros Fund Management bought much of Audacy’s debt during the reorganization process, Bloomberg reported. This drew the ire of Carr and other conservatives, and Carr vowed to take another look at that decision after being tapped by Trump to lead the FCC. The clashes with KCBS and its parent company are only the latest confrontations between President Trump’s FCC and media organizations.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s war on the free press goes marching on, as the agency is launching a meritless investigation into San Francisco AM radio station KCBS over its coverage on ICE raids.

[mariacallous]

He wasn’t kidding. Donald Trump really does want to rule as an extremist strongman, with contempt for the planet, for America’s allies and for the rule of law. He’s made that crystal clear this week, announcing one bombshell appointment after another, each one a declaration of intent. Few things tell you more about a president than their hires – personnel is policy, as they used to say in Ronald Reagan’s White House – and Trump is telling us exactly who he is.

The latest name added to the roster is a storied one: Robert F Kennedy Jr, now lined up for the role of health secretary. You may have known of Bobby Kennedy. Bobby Kennedy may be a hero of yours. But, boy, his son is no Bobby Kennedy. Once an admired environmental campaigner, now he is an anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist who promotes treatments that don’t work – such as hydroxychloroquine for Covid – and rails against those that do, spreading the long-debunked claim that childhood vaccines are linked to autism and opposing fluoridation of water to prevent tooth decay. Apparently unchastened by the pandemic, Kennedy believes US public health officials have been too focused on infectious diseases. Or as he memorably put it: “We’re going to give infectious disease a break for about eight years.” If deadly pathogens could lick their lips, they would.

At least the RFK nod was not a surprise: Trump had long said he wanted to let Kennedy “go wild” with the nation’s health. More of a jawdropper is the new president’s choice for attorney general, the most senior law enforcement officer in the land: Matt Gaetz. For two years, Gaetz was under federal investigation for child sex trafficking and statutory rape. (No charges were brought.) Until this week, his fellow members of the House of Representatives were running their own ethics committee inquiry into Gaetz – handily halted, thanks to his resignation just days before they were about to report – examining, besides the allegations of underage sexual abuse, accusations that he engaged in illicit drug use, displayed to colleagues, on the floor of the House, nude photos and videos of previous sexual partners, converted campaign funds for personal use and accepted gifts banned under congressional rules.

Some wonder if naming such a man as head of the US justice department is a diversionary tactic, designed to distract attention from the clutch of other nominations that are scarcely less outrageous, in the hope that those will look reasonable by comparison. In this view, Trump knows that Gaetz will never be attorney general, that his nomination will be blocked in the Senate where, even though the Republicans have a majority, too many will balk. Gaetz is chum, thrown into the water to satisfy the piranhas, so that Trump can quietly ensure his other nominees get through. And what a rum bunch they are.

As director of national intelligence, overseeing 18 separate intelligence agencies including the CIA and NSA, Trump has turned to Tulsi Gabbard, a fringe Democratic congresswoman before she defected to the Republicans, best known for meeting Bashar al-Assad while the Syrian dictator was busy slaughtering hundreds of thousands of his own people, and for parroting Kremlin talking points.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard was swift to blame the west, even repeating the Moscow propaganda line that the US had stationed secret biolabs across Ukraine. One of Vladimir Putin’s mouthpiece TV channels took to referring to Gabbard as Russia’s “girlfriend”. When asked if she was, in fact, a Russian agent, the talking head on the Kremlin-backed network replied: “Yes.” Now consider that at the core of the US relationship with its allies – including Britain – is intelligence-sharing and ask yourself whether the likes of MI6 could in all conscience share what they know with such a person.

Her proposed counterpart over at the Pentagon, set to be in charge of the mightiest, richest military in human history, is the weekend host of Fox News’s breakfast show, Pete Hegseth. Admittedly, he served in Iraq and Afghanistan – and as a prison guard in Guantánamo Bay – but Hegseth has never run a whelk stall, let alone one of the world’s biggest organisations, employing close to 3 million people. His rank inexperience would be worrying enough, until you become familiar with what he believes.

He’s covered in tattoos, including symbols favoured by the Christian nationalist far right, among them the slogan Deus Vult and the Jerusalem cross, which celebrates the medieval Crusades when Christians earned their spurs slaughtering infidel Muslims and Jews. These days, he backs the ultra-right Jewish fundamentalists who seek to rebuild the ancient temple on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, the site revered by Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, a move so incendiary it’s a byword for triggering holy war.

Hegseth will find company in Trump’s choice of ambassador to Israel, former Arkansas governor and evangelical Christian Mike Huckabee. Like Hegseth, Huckabee is against a two-state solution, insists on calling the West Bank by its biblical Hebrew name – Judea and Samaria – and is adamant that “There’s no such thing as an occupation.” In 2008 he said, “there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian”.

All of which makes you wonder how those many Arab and Muslim American voters in Michigan and elsewhere, persuaded that Trump had to be a better option for the Palestinians than Kamala Harris, feel now.

We’ve barely got to Lee Zeldin, Trump’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, despite having repeatedly voted against clean water and clean air legislation, and having expressed doubts over whether climate breakdown is “as serious a problem” as people say it is. Or to the self-confessed puppy killer who will head the Department of Homeland Security. Or indeed the man who will lead the new department reviewing government contracts, including, in an arrangement open to spectacular corruption, contracts with his own companies: namely, Elon Musk.

Still, you get the picture. How, then, to make sense of these choices? Some hope it’s no more than an opening bid by Trump, the arch-negotiator: offer the Senate something obviously unacceptable, then haggle from there. Others wonder if it’s part of a dark, deliberate strategy, by which Trump, the agent of chaos, appoints those who are not so much disruptors as wreckers, men and women who can be relied on to make the agencies they lead collapse in failure. When the federal government is a smoking ruin, then all power will have to reside in the single man at the top.

My own view is simpler. At the heart of it is the quality all would-be strongmen value most: loyalty. Trump knows that a character as tawdry as Gaetz, despised by his own colleagues, would owe everything to him. As attorney general, he would do whatever Trump asked, working his way through Trump’s enemies list, prosecuting whoever had crossed his boss, delivering the retribution Trump yearns for.

What’s more, Gaetz and the rest are a kind of test, one that Putin deploys often. You push your allies to defend what they know cannot be defended, to make concessions they would once have considered unpalatable. As the analyst Ron Brownstein put it this week, “Each surrender paves the way for the next.” It is, he says, “a cardinal rule of strongman dominance”.

So now it is up to the Republicans in the Senate. Will they abase themselves yet further, and nod through this parade of ghouls and charlatans? Or will they at last find their backbone and say no to the would-be autocrat who has taken over their party and now looms over all three branches of the US government? After all we’ve seen these last eight years, what do you think is the answer?

[odinsblog]

How automakers make use of data collected by connected cars is coming under scrutiny in California. On Monday, the California Privacy Protection Agency announced that it will review the data privacy practices of connected vehicle manufacturers. The agency is empowered to do so thanks to a 2018 state law, the California Consumer Privacy Act.

"Modern vehicles are effectively connected computers on wheels. They're able to collect a wealth of information via built-in apps, sensors, and cameras, which can monitor people both inside and near the vehicle," said Ashkan Soltani, CPPA's executive director.

"Our Enforcement Division is making inquiries into the connected vehicle space to understand how these companies are complying with California law when they collect and use consumers' data," he said in a statement.

Connected cars are fast becoming ubiquitous—it may well be impossible to buy a new car, truck, or SUV in 2023 that doesn't have at least one embedded modem in it. In the mid-2010s, many OEMs saw dollar signs at the prospect of monetizing data collected by their deployed vehicle fleets, and unlike with cellphones, it can be hard or impossible to disable location tracking in one's car.

"Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, geolocation is considered personal information. People have the right to say no to being tracked in their cars, but it is unclear if car companies are providing this right," said Justin Kloczko, a privacy advocate at Consumer Watchdog. "These companies know more about us than we know about ourselves, and they’re the ones in control of our personal information, not us," Kloczko said.

(continue reading)

[magickedteacup]

Did I ever tell you about the time I was within the radius of a famous Hollywood director, but because we were at an ashram, and everybody gets to do seva/self-less service, yes even him, he got the VIP experience of… getting personally taken to his seva at the crack of dawn to do gardening. Which in this context and tropical climate meant he was, in his words, “knee deep in rotting coconuts” and getting constantly attacked by mosquitos.

I think he had a good time though, if I recall right, he got to have a peaceful moment of relaxing after all the work was done, enjoying the beautiful morning scenery and drinking coconut juice. This being an area where you couldn’t take 2 steps without running into a coconut tree. Anyway, I was only in his vicinity because my friend there worked at the women’s empowerment research lab/initiative at the university associated with the ashram… the chancellor of the university is the same person as the head of the ashram… so anyway that director was interested in learning about those women empowerment projects, how the lab was doing educational initiatives with law enforcement, etc. I don’t know if anything came of that director’s inquiries, but I feel like it’s a little interesting nugget of a story.

[beardedmrbean]

SEOUL (Reuters) - More than 100 North Koreans have gone missing after being caught by secret police while trying to defect from the isolated country or even for trying to call relatives in South Korea, a Seoul-based human rights group said on Thursday.

The Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) released a report detailing patterns of enforced disappearances through its study based on interviews with 62 North Korean escapees in South Korea.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans have defected in the decades since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, with many of those caught or repatriated sent to prison camps or other detention facilities before being released.

The group identified 113 people in 66 disappearance cases, including the cases in an archive run with other international organisations, as well as maps depicting transfer routes.

Of the 113, 80%, or 90, were arrested inside North Korea and the rest in China or Russia, with about 30% disappearing since leader Kim Jong Un took power in late 2011.

Almost 40% of them went missing after being caught trying to flee the country, while 26% took responsibility for another family member's crime. Nearly 9% were accused of being in touch with those in South Korea or other countries.

More than 81% vanished after being transferred to and detained by the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the North's secret police known as "bowibu", according to the report.

An interviewee who defected to the South in 2018 from the Chinese border city of Hyesan said his friend was arrested by the MSS while trying to recover a Chinese mobile phone hidden in the mountains, and was now rumoured to have died.

"Once (the MSS) finds call records with South Korea, they are considered serious offences," the interviewee was quoted in the report as saying.

Kang Jeong-hyun, director of the project, said the report was intended to underscore enforced disappearances committed by the Kim regime as transnational crimes also involving China and Russia.

The report was published just days before the U.N. Human Rights Council is due to issue its five-yearly Universal Periodic Review on North Korea.

The United Nations estimates up to 200,000 people are held in a vast network of gulags run by the MSS, many of them for political reasons. A 2014 U.N. Commission of Inquiry report said the prisoners faced torture, rape, forced labour, starvation and other inhumane treatment.

Pyongyang has long denounced defectors as "human scum", and Kim has further tightened border controls over the past few years.

The North's Korea Association for Human Rights Studies this month rejected a U.N. report on its human rights violations including forced disappearances, calling them "fabrications" and a conspiracy by the West to escalate confrontation and tarnish the country’s image.

Beijing has denied there are any North Korean defectors in China, instead describing them as illegal economic migrants.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Tabia Lee

Published: Mar 26, 2023

DR TABIA LEE: Accused of 'whitesplaining'. Told students are either 'victims' or 'oppressors'. And then fired as diversity chief... my grim story of how woke extremists are taking over America's colleges

-

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on college campuses are being turned on their heads.

Instead of promoting creative new ideas, fairness and welcoming spaces, DEI departments have been hijacked by ideological extremists to enforce ideological compliance.

Believe me, I should know.

In August 2021, I was hired to lead an institution wide transformation as a faculty director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education at De Anza Community College in Cupertino, California. As a life-long teacher, dedicated to pursuing diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and equity and equality in education this was a dream come true.

Unfortunately, my dream job quickly became a nightmare. And ultimately, I was fired.

I have now come to recognize that adherents of 'critical social justice theory' at De Anza College, who view all social dynamics through a lens of power and privilege, also use it as a cudgel to beat down and silence anyone with whom they may disagree.

Even I, someone who some may assume would be on the side of so-called 'social justice warriors,' was too heterodox in my thinking. And I was bullied out.

To be clear, I am not a liberal or a conservative, nor a Republican or a Democrat. I don't identify as a radical, progressive, or feminist. I have spent my life avoiding labels. I am an educator, scholar, humanist and critical thinker. And it is people like me who are – sadly – being chased out of education.

During the hiring process at De Anza, I was told that the previous leadership running the Office of Equity was 'too woke' and alienating people. Their approach was apparently very aggressive. They would 'call people out,' and accuse them of racism.

It was a sentiment echoed by multiple individuals in over 60 hours of conversations that I conducted to assess the needs of the campus. Many expressed discomfort with the college's intellectually oppressive culture and rigid ideologies.

So, I assured the hiring committee that my approach would be different. As I have all my career, I pledged to create spaces of inquiry where diverse and even divergent viewpoints could be heard would be welcomed and accepted. It is my belief that through this process, people can find areas of commonality and work together in the best interest of students.

Little did I know that this approach would be considered a threat by De Anza College ideologues. And conflict erupted almost immediately after I was hired.

I discovered that fellow faculty and administrators were using definitions for White Supremacy that I was not familiar with. To me, White Supremacy is associated with White Nationalism, the KKK, and Neo-Nazi organizations.

Instead, at De Anza College, White Supremacy was often associated with qualities, such as being on time, objective thinking, using written communications, setting an agenda, and demonstrating a sense of urgency.

These beliefs were aligned with the work of a scholar named Tema Okun and these re-definitions of White Supremacy were not only perpetuated at De Anza College but throughout the California Community College system.

I set out to engage with the De Anza community to develop a better understanding of various words and practices.

I questioned why De Anza's official communications capitalized some student racial categories and not others. For example, the word 'black' was capitalized, while the word 'white' was not. I questioned the use of terms like 'Latinx' and 'Filipinx' to refer to people of Latino and Filipino descent. In my years of experience working with Spanish-speaking and working-class communities, not once did the community ever use those terms to describe themselves.

I believe that terms like 'Latinx' are manipulations of language that originated in the Ivory Tower of academia.

But when I raised these topics for exploration, there was never constructive engagement. Instead, I was put under the spotlight and accused of being aligned with right-wing extremists.

For attempting to set an agenda for meetings, I was accused of Whitespeaking and Whitesplaining and supporting White Supremacy.

As a faculty director, not an administrator, I assumed that I would be permitted all of the academic freedoms of speech and expression that a tenure track position is usually afforded. I was wrong.

In fact, my tenure review process was subverted by ideological extremists, who used it to harass, bully and eventually fire me.

I now have a better understanding of the dominating ideology at work at De Anza College and throughout many of our California Community Colleges.

Unfortunately, a few bad actors working under a banner of 'Critical Social Justice' are subverting the tenure review processes and creating an ideological litmus test for career advancement.

A tenure review process, or any teacher evaluation process should be an objective, evidence-based process. In my case, it was used as an authoritarian enforcement mechanism.

It is my great fear that if folks pushing Critical Social Justice ideology have their way, faculty in California Community Colleges will be required to profess allegiance to certain rigid ideas.

Faculty will be forced to commit to embedding these ideas into their course curriculum. They will be compelled to state their pronouns and demand that all members of their classroom do the same. They will have to view every student as a victim or an oppressor.

There is a reason why these faux-academics insist on chasing free-thinkers out of their midst – it is because they cannot defend their own ideas.

I hope that by sharing my story, I can shine a light on this issue. And since coming forward, I have been contacted by many people, who say they've experienced the same treatment.

Too many faculty members in California Community Colleges are afraid to question this emerging Critical Social Justice ideology. Too many are afraid to question or resist lest they be labeled a racist or worse. 

History has shown us that authoritarianism advances through a reliance on intimidation and the compliance of a majority that cowers in fear.

To the educators out there, I encourage you to keep asking questions and promoting critical thinking. There are resources out there to protect your civil liberties. And I want you to know that you are not alone.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil: Prosecutors Should Lead Police Killings Inquiries

Prosecutor’s Office Should Ensure That New Guidelines Reflect International Standards

 Brazil should urgently address the chronic problem of police abuse and impunity by ensuring that prosecutors lead investigations and that those investigations comply with international standards, Human Rights said today in a letter to the attorney general, Augusto Aras.

Police killed more than 6,400 people in 2022, according to the nonprofit Brazilian Forum of Public Security, which compiles the data from official sources at the state level. In less than a month between the end of July and August 2023, at least 62 people were killed during police operations in Bahia, Rio, and São Paulo states alone.

“The deadly law enforcement operations in recent months underscore the urgent need to improve investigations into police conduct,” said Maria Laura Canineu, Brazil director at Human Rights Watch. “Prosecutors should carry out effective oversight of the police by leading investigations into police killings and cases of suspected police abuse, instead of relying on the police to investigate themselves.”

While some police killings are in self defense, many result from illegal use of force that goes largely unpunished. Currently, civil police carry out investigations into police abuses. This raises serious questions of impartiality as civil police investigate their own personnel, as well as military police personnel with whom they may have worked in other cases.

Continue reading.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau Bhopal, 7th Feb. The Madhya Pradesh Police, responsible for enforcing traffic laws, has been found violating them by operating vehicles without registration certificates, number plates, or proper maintenance. The revelation has raised concerns about accountability and double standards in law enforcement. While ordinary citizens face fines of ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 for driving without a valid fitness certificate, police vehicles—including riot control vehicles, cranes, and patrol cars—are reportedly running without necessary documentation. Police Vehicles in Poor Condition A police driver with 38 years of service, Kishore Kumar, admitted that most vehicles lack proper paperwork. “I have never seen any documents for our vehicles. Officers say these vehicles are not insured, maintenance is delayed, and their fitness deteriorates due to excessive use,” he said. The Vajra riot control vehicle is in dire condition, with broken seats and a damaged dashboard. Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Prasad noted that officials claim maintenance work is underway, though no visible progress has been made. Similarly, outdated Tata Sumo SUVs, which have been phased out from the commercial market, remain in active police service. When asked about their legality, a control room officer dismissed inquiries, saying only “Senior officers will tell.” A crane used to tow illegally parked vehicles is itself in poor condition. Its windows do not open properly, the doors do not close, and its fitness certificate is missing. Constable Shiv Kumar admitted, “I don’t know about the papers and fitness. We manage it somehow.” Exemptions and Accountability The Motor Vehicles Act exempts government-owned vehicles from insurance requirements if they are not used for commercial purposes. However, legal experts question why police vehicles should be exempt when they share the roads with private vehicles. Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra defended the practice, stating, “Compensation is provided as per court orders. Police vehicles are not insured at the state level, but their fitness is not compromised.” District Prosecution Officer Rajendra Upadhyay clarified that in case of accidents, compensation is the responsibility of the driver, unless the vehicle was being used for official duty, in which case the government intervenes. Former Director General of Police (DGP) S.C. Tripathi criticized the exemptions. “If common citizens must insure their vehicles, why not the police? The government saves money by avoiding insurance but ends up paying compensation when required. If courts start enforcing larger payouts, authorities may reconsider their stance,” he said. Growing Public Concern Over the past year, multiple road accidents involving government vehicles have been reported across Madhya Pradesh. Victims often face prolonged legal battles for compensation, while police vehicles continue to operate without proper documentation. The revelations have sparked public outrage, with citizens questioning whether those responsible for upholding the law should be allowed to flout it. The issue remains a matter of debate, as demands grow for stricter oversight and compliance from law enforcement agencies. The post MP Police Violates Traffic Laws: Vehicles Operated Without Registration, Insurance appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau Bhopal, 7th Feb. The Madhya Pradesh Police, responsible for enforcing traffic laws, has been found violating them by operating vehicles without registration certificates, number plates, or proper maintenance. The revelation has raised concerns about accountability and double standards in law enforcement. While ordinary citizens face fines of ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 for driving without a valid fitness certificate, police vehicles—including riot control vehicles, cranes, and patrol cars—are reportedly running without necessary documentation. Police Vehicles in Poor Condition A police driver with 38 years of service, Kishore Kumar, admitted that most vehicles lack proper paperwork. “I have never seen any documents for our vehicles. Officers say these vehicles are not insured, maintenance is delayed, and their fitness deteriorates due to excessive use,” he said. The Vajra riot control vehicle is in dire condition, with broken seats and a damaged dashboard. Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Prasad noted that officials claim maintenance work is underway, though no visible progress has been made. Similarly, outdated Tata Sumo SUVs, which have been phased out from the commercial market, remain in active police service. When asked about their legality, a control room officer dismissed inquiries, saying only “Senior officers will tell.” A crane used to tow illegally parked vehicles is itself in poor condition. Its windows do not open properly, the doors do not close, and its fitness certificate is missing. Constable Shiv Kumar admitted, “I don’t know about the papers and fitness. We manage it somehow.” Exemptions and Accountability The Motor Vehicles Act exempts government-owned vehicles from insurance requirements if they are not used for commercial purposes. However, legal experts question why police vehicles should be exempt when they share the roads with private vehicles. Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra defended the practice, stating, “Compensation is provided as per court orders. Police vehicles are not insured at the state level, but their fitness is not compromised.” District Prosecution Officer Rajendra Upadhyay clarified that in case of accidents, compensation is the responsibility of the driver, unless the vehicle was being used for official duty, in which case the government intervenes. Former Director General of Police (DGP) S.C. Tripathi criticized the exemptions. “If common citizens must insure their vehicles, why not the police? The government saves money by avoiding insurance but ends up paying compensation when required. If courts start enforcing larger payouts, authorities may reconsider their stance,” he said. Growing Public Concern Over the past year, multiple road accidents involving government vehicles have been reported across Madhya Pradesh. Victims often face prolonged legal battles for compensation, while police vehicles continue to operate without proper documentation. The revelations have sparked public outrage, with citizens questioning whether those responsible for upholding the law should be allowed to flout it. The issue remains a matter of debate, as demands grow for stricter oversight and compliance from law enforcement agencies. The post MP Police Violates Traffic Laws: Vehicles Operated Without Registration, Insurance appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[qualitylightthing]

Pushpa 2 Premiere: Tragic Stampede Claims a Life, Many Injured

The much-awaited premiere of Pushpa 2, the sequel to the blockbuster movie Pushpa: This year, an unfortunate event, a stampede occurred around the time of the Rise and a woman was trampled to death with several others being injured. This has left a dampener on what was supposed to be a celebratory event for both fans of the films and the brains behind the films.

What Took Place in the Premiere Event?

The release of the Pushpa 2 was done with the appropriate dreg with the massive turnout of fans flocking the occasion in large numbers with the intention of catching a glimpse of the stars and also celebrating the movie’s release. The occasion was hosted based at a leading facility which was many times oversubscribed, much above analytics. It was noted that poor crowd management, inadequate arrangements of security has also accumulated the tension.

As people density increased and people got really close to the event there was a lot of crowd surge towards the front base of the stage to meet the cast. This made it assume the look of a die-hard stampede in which many people were trampled on, including a woman who was killed as others sustained serious injuries. It also reported that ambulances arrived on the scene to then transport the wounded individuals to different healthcare facilities nearby.

The Fallout of the Incident

The unhappy occurrence has reawakened public concern and debate about the organizational processes for large-scale celebrations. People have said that they are angry and disappointed; they have blamed the faulty crowd management for the calamity. Currently, there are clips, and live narrations from the social media stations where the event occurred, which has increased public pressure on the case.

Police authorities have opened an inquiry in the matter, parading major concerns in security measures that were in place at the time of the disaster. There might be legal consequences if the organizers are to be accused of negligence. The organizers of the film and the director Sukumar as well as the leading actor Allu Arjun have condoled the death of the victim.

The Growing Popularity of Pushpa 2

Pushpa 2 has been one of the most anticipated films of the year, following the massive success of its prequel, Pushpa: The Rise. The first part is also based on the life of a red sandalwood smuggler Pushpa Raj played by Allu Arjun which emerges the audience with an interesting plot which consists of excellent performances and songs like Srivalli and Oo Antava. Such is the success of the movie that its sequel is expected to go one level higher exploring the other facets of the life of Pushpa and his fight with the enemies.

Due to their success, anything where people can interact with the actors and the movies becomes a huge business, like premieres. Nevertheless, this scenario demonstrates the necessity to pay special attention to safety and make all the necessary preparations concerning the organization of such mass events.

Lessons for Future Events

The unfortunate incident that happened as people were celebrating the premiere of a new movie pushpa part-2, underlines the need to measure up safety standards of these events. Organizers must ensure:

Proper Crowd Management: There should be proper arrangements and control to be taken for the concerns of large groups of people. This involves formulating the entry and exit strategies as well as putting barriers and hiring professional staff in crowd control.

Emergency Preparedness: The staff involved in medical especially the accident prone area like medical, laboratory, furnace, and power house should always ensure medical teams and emergency response units are always available at convenient places where they can quickly respond in case of any mishap.

Security Measures: Law enforcement agencies can assist in ensuring proper safety and avoid incidents that could cause many people to get worried or worse, start a stampede.

Limited Attendance: On this note, it is recommended that the number of attendees be set to be restricted to the seating capacity in the venues in order to eliminate likelihood of stampedes.

A Moment of Reflection

Although the expectations around the sequel, Pushpa 2, are high, everyone related to this film will never be able to forget the tragedy that accompanied the show. Everyone from fans, filmmakers and organizers must consider this as a wake-up call in putting everyone’s safety first over extravagance.

It was expected from the team behind Pushpa 2 to discuss these issues during the next promotional events.

Conclusion

The stampede at the Pushpa 2 premiere is a heartbreaking incident that underscores the importance of meticulous event planning and crowd management. While the excitement for the film is undeniable, safety should never be compromised. As fans await the release of Pushpa 2, let this serve as a moment to reflect on the need for better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

FAQs:

Q1. What happened at the Pushpa 2 premiere? A stampede occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2, leading to the tragic death of one woman and several injuries as a result of poor crowd management.

Q2. What caused the stampede? The stampede was reportedly caused by overcrowding and a lack of adequate crowd control measures as people surged towards the stage during the event.

Q3. How is the film industry responding to the incident? The organizers, along with film director Sukumar and lead actor Allu Arjun, have expressed condolences. An inquiry has been launched to investigate the safety arrangements.

Q4. What safety measures should be implemented at future events? Proper crowd management, emergency preparedness, security measures, and limiting attendance to venue capacity are essential to prevent such incidents in the future.

For detailed information, check this Pushpa 2 Premiere: Stampede Leads to One Death, Several Injured.

[scienceofreasoning]

Journalism Fact-Checking in The JonBenet Ramsey Case

Photograph courtesy of Netflix. Source: Internet.

In this article, we will be reviewing two interviews for the new Netflix docuseries “Cold Case: Who K****d JonBenet Ramsey” and doing some old-fashioned journalism fact-checking.

Please see John Ramsey being interviewed on NewsNation.[1]

In reference to Othram performing DNA testing of items from a case, an inquiry ticket was submitted to Othram, Inc. The reply was,

David Mittelman (Othram Inc) Nov 27, 2024, 22:56 CST Phil, We don't offer STR testing, I apologize. Best, David [2]

STR markers are required for use in court and in state and the federal database CODIS.[3]

Information from research shows Y-STR is becoming more widespread in forensics and Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Please see this short video.[4]

Regarding Othram being able to separate DNA mixtures, on their website they offer mixture deconvolution.[5] Nevertheless, in my 2022 e-mail exclusive interview with DNA expert Professor Phillip Danielson, he was of the opinion that the DNA data in the JonBenet case was not good data for mixture deconvolution.

In reference to Othram conducting genetic genealogy, I did not inquire about this service. In a City of Boulder news release dated Nov. 09, 2022, the Boulder Police Department has access to "genetic genealogy analysis."[6] This is supported by an article published by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The agency has "one forensic investigative genetic genealogy analyst"[7] on staff.

It is presumed that the format John Ramsey is requesting for DNA testing of items in this case is with SNP markers. DNA SNP markers are used for Investigative Genetic Genealogy.[8]

Please see John Ramsey and Director Joe Berlinger being interviewed on “The Today Show.”[9]

In regard to 23andMe, consumers that wish to find relatives on the 23andMe database submit a sample of their saliva to process into a DNA profile.

Law enforcement agencies have biological samples processed by a crime lab and have a DNA profile of an unknown subject.

In the same 2022 article, I asked 23andMe about law enforcement agencies or genetic genealogists creating accounts on 23andMe with DNA profiles of unknown suspects. It was against their company policy.

To see if there have been any changes to their company policy, I contacted 23andMe and asked, Can a law enforcement agency or their agent, a genetic genealogist, submit a DNA profile of an unknown person for a search of the 23andMe database for a familial match? The reply was,

Alex, Dec 10, 2024, 10:00 AM PST: Hello Phil, Thank you for contacting the 23andMe Team. Using our Service for casework and other criminal investigations in the manner you’ve described falls outside the intended use of our Services. The 23andMe Services are not intended for use in a legal context. Our Services are designed for individuals to have full control over their genetic analysis and the resulting data. Accepting a customer's saliva sample for processing implies that the person providing the sample has read and agreed to our Terms of Service, our Privacy Statement and our Consent Document. By participating in 23andMe Services you are guaranteeing that any sample you provide is either your own saliva or that of an individual for whom you have legal authorization to agree to the Terms of Service on their behalf. Furthermore, our Terms of Service require that, by participating, you agree not to “use any information received through the Services to attempt to identify other customers, to contact other customers (other than through features for contacting other users such as DNA Relatives offered pursuant to the Services), or for any forensic use”. [sic] Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Best regards, Alex The 23andMe Team This email is a service from 23andMe Customer Care. [10]

STR nor SNP markers have any relevance. It is still against their company policy for any forensic use.

For more on the DNA data and conducting Investigative Genetic Genealogy in this case, please see the 2022 in-depth article "Investigative Genetic Genealogy in The JonBenet Ramsey Case" published on this Tumblr page.

Follow Phil Richard on X (formerly Twitter), click here.

Endnotes

"John Ramsey hopes new docuseries brings new leads | Banfield" [sic] NewsNation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtvTB680JcM&t=337s

David Mittelman, e-mail message to Phil Richard, November 27, 2024.

"FBI Core STR Loci" NIST https://strbase-archive.nist.gov/fbicore.htm

"Y-STR and mtDNA case analysis presentation" [sic] Jessica Davenport https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqe03UiZ_4Y&t=217s

"Othram: A Revolution in Cold Case Resolution" Section: "Optimized for Identification" https://othram.com/

“News Release – JonBenet Ramsey Homicide Update” City of Boulder. Fourth paragraph. https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/news-release-jonbenet-ramsey-homicide-update

"Cold Case | Colorado Bureau of Investigation" Department of Public Safety. "Colorado Cold Cases" https://cbi.colorado.gov/sections/investigations/cold-case

"Solving Crimes Through Genetic Genealogy" Dr. Luis Vaschetto, Ph.D. "The Process of IGG" https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/Solving-Crimes-Through-Genetic-Genealogy.aspx

"JonBenét Ramsey's father on why he believes case can be solved" [sic] TODAY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjLbi9sBf0&t=197s

Alex, e-mail message to Phil Richard, December 10, 2024. 

Copyright (c) 2024 Phil Richard. All rights reserved.

[scamsupdateindia]

Himansh Verma, Navrattan Group Chairman, Arrested for ₹1,000 Cr Fraud

In a high-profile case, the Nepal police have apprehended Himansh Verma, the Chairman of Navrattan Group of Companies, who is wanted in connection with a ₹1,000 crore fraud case. Acting on information provided by Punjab Police, Nepal police arrested Verma while he was allegedly attempting to flee the country. Verma, who faces multiple fraud charges in India, including three cases in Jalandhar, had previously managed to escape from police custody in Chandigarh.

A Complex Network of Fraudulent Companies

Himansh Verma, reportedly a shrewd operator, established several companies with direct dealings with government entities. His connections extended to influential politicians, granting him a reputation and a network across several cities, including Jalandhar, Chandigarh, and various locations in Maharashtra. His company is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to its involvement in a ₹1,250 crore financial scam. Furthermore, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him on January 5, 2022.

Involvement with CBI and Attempt to Escape Abroad

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also conducted inquiries into Verma's activities, resulting in an LOC against him. Facing over ten criminal cases, Verma was allegedly planning to escape to a foreign country through Nepal. He has also been implicated in the high-profile Syndicate Bank fraud case of 2016, amounting to ₹1,800 crore. Despite summons from the ED in Jaipur over the past five years, Verma, his mother Chandar Kanta, and his sister Pallavi Verma have failed to appear for questioning.

Extradition Proceedings: Punjab Police to Bring Him Back

Following his arrest, Punjab Police is expected to begin extradition proceedings to bring Himansh Verma back to India. His return is anticipated to expedite the judicial process against him and reveal further insights into the workings of his alleged fraudulent operations.

Declared as a Wanted Criminal by Jalandhar Police

The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police had previously declared Himansh Verma as a wanted criminal and offered a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to his capture. Verma, along with his mother Chandar Kanta, was named in a case registered at the New Baradari police station in Jalandhar. His company’s travel agency offices, located in Jalandhar, allegedly defrauded several clients by promising them overseas placements. In 2021, based on multiple complaints, three cases were registered against Verma. His arrest is expected to bring closure to his victims and shed light on the extent of his operations.

Key Points

Accused of ₹1,000 Crore Fraud: Himansh Verma, Chairman of Navrattan Group, was apprehended in Nepal for his alleged involvement in a massive financial scam.

Multiple Cases and LOC: Verma is implicated in numerous cases across Jalandhar, Chandigarh, and Maharashtra, with the ED and CBI issuing Look Out Circulars.

Attempts to Flee Abroad: Facing over ten criminal cases, Verma tried to escape through Nepal to evade arrest.

Reward for Capture: Jalandhar Police had declared Verma as a wanted criminal, offering ₹1 lakh for information on his whereabouts.

This arrest serves as a crucial step toward justice in one of the most significant fraud cases, highlighting the cooperation between Indian and Nepalese authorities in addressing cross-border financial crimes.

[mariacallous]

Team Navalny accuses former Yukos executive Leonid Nevzlin of ordering attacks against exiled Russian opposition figures

Activists at the Anti-Corruption Foundation and a handful of journalists recruited to verify their findings have published evidence that billionaire former Yukos top executive Leonid Nevzlin hired thugs to attack three anti-Kremlin opposition figures and possibly try to kidnap one to hand over to Russian federal agents. Like his apparent enemies among Alexey Navalny’s old entourage, Nevzlin is a fugitive from the Russian authorities. He fled the country more than two decades ago when state investigators launched a sweeping criminal case against the oil company Yukos. In 2008, a Russian court sentenced Nevzlin in absentia to life imprisonment on charges of organizing five murders, five assassination attempts, and an armed robbery. To this day, he remains close friends with Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Who were Nevzlin’s alleged targets?

Former Anti-Corruption Foundation board chairman Leonid Volkov in Vilnius, foundation director Ivan Zhdanov in Geneva, and Alexandra Petrachkova (the wife of economist Maxim Mironov) in Argentina.

What’s the Anti-Corruption Foundation’s source?

The foundation reportedly received an email sent to its general inbox proposing a conversation about the March 2024 attack on Volkov outside his home in Vilnius by an assailant who sprayed him with mace and beat him with a hammer, breaking one of Volkov’s arms and bruising his legs. The inquiry came from a man who identified himself as Andrey Matus, whom the foundation describes as a “fixer” who uses his connections to law enforcement to “fix problems” for money. Matus claimed that Mikhail Khodorkovsky employed him in this capacity for the past three years.

At a face-to-face meeting in Montenegro, Matus later gave Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov records of his alleged correspondence with Nevzlin, where they discussed details of the hired attacks never released to the public (Nevzlin and Matus apparently even shared videos of the assaults of Zhdanov and Petrachkova that were never published anywhere). Investigative journalists Mikhail Maglov and Christo Grozev studied the writing style, personal information, screen names, screenshots, and hyperlinks present in these messages and confirmed their authenticity. 

The Volkov attack plan

In the correspondence provided to Volkov and Zhdanov, the person presumed to be Leonid Nevzlin orders the attack on Volkov through someone whose personal data in the messages suggest he is an attorney named Anatoly Blinov. According to journalists at Agentstvo Media, Blinov once served on Gazprom-Media’s board of directors and now lives in Poland. 

The initial plan for Volkov was even more outrageous than the hammer assault that ultimately took place. The correspondence apparently between Nevzlin and Blinov describes a scheme to kidnap Volkov in Lithuania and transport him to Russia by boat to hand him over to the Federal Security Service. In numerous messages in October 2023, the man hired to organize the scheme refers to Volkov as “the package.” He asked for 12,000 euros ($13,300) to rent two boats in Riga and fuel them for the journey, plus an unspecified labor fee. The same man tracked Volkov to the United States in November 2023, also planning to abduct the opposition figure in a manner that would land Volkov “in a wheelchair.” During the New York City visit, however, the assailants couldn’t find a good moment to pounce. Volkov returned to Lithuania and was finally jumped outside his home, the following March.

According to what Andrey Matus told Volkov and Zhdanov in Montenegro, Nevzlin was unhappy with the attack on Volkov and refused to pay the negotiated $250,000 fee. “I could have fucked him up that badly myself. I needed him to be teasing the birds [through his cell bars] for the rest of his life, but you left him with just a couple of bruises,” Nevzlin allegedly complained. Matus said the disagreement over money led to a falling-out between Nevzlin and Blinov, at which point Nevzlin instructed Matus to take back the phones issued to Blinov and his associates to coordinate the attack on Volkov.

How Russia Today fits into the story

Roughly a week before the Anti-Corruption Foundation and its media partners revealed their findings about Leonid Nevzlin, the Russian state propaganda outlet RT published the same correspondence shared with the foundation by Andrey Matus. Russia Today claimed that it received the messages from a certain “source in the opposition” based in Lithuania. RT’s source claimed that he got the records from Anatoly Blinov, who supposedly “fears for his life” due to threats from Nevzlin’s associates.

Activists at the Anti-Corruption Foundation say they never understood why Matus came to them with the evidence against Nevzlin. After meeting with Volkov and Zhdanov, Matus promised to send them audio recordings of his calls with Nevzlin, but he suddenly stopped communicating with the foundation’s team. “He quickly realized that selling all these materials to us wouldn’t work. We simply don’t have the money he wanted,” the Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote in its investigation. 

Nevzlin denies all allegations that he hired anyone to attack Volkov, Zhdanov, or Petrachkova. He calls the charges “absurd” and says his accusers are knowingly spreading Kremlin propaganda that first appeared on RT. Nevzlin’s longtime friend and former Yukos colleague Mikhail Khodorkovsky has criticized the Anti-Corruption Foundation for trying to “tarnish” his reputation by insinuating connections to Nevzlin’s alleged actions. “Either it’s true, and in that case, Leonid Nevzlin has lost his mind. Or it’s an FSB provocation and a fake, on which a lot of money was spent,” Khodorkovsky wrote on Telegram, describing the allegations against his friend as “based on information published by Russia Today.”

[forblogmostly]

Eraaya Lifespaces Unveils Strategic Restructuring Following Acquisition of Ebix Inc., Investigates Financial Irregularities, and Initiates Leadership Changes

Eraaya Lifespaces Limited, a premier lifestyle and hospitality company, has taken significant steps toward transforming its business operations following its recent acquisition of Ebix Inc., a global provider of on-demand software and e-commerce services. On September 30, 2024, the company announced a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring seamless integration, and investigating potential financial irregularities within the company.

The acquisition of Ebix Inc. and its global subsidiaries positions Eraaya Lifespaces as a formidable player in the business world, reinforcing its commitment to long-term growth, continuity, and corporate governance. This acquisition marks a crucial milestone in the company's history, setting the stage for transformative changes that will shape its future trajectory.

As part of this restructuring, Eraaya Lifespaces has introduced a new leadership team to steer the company toward sustained success. The board of directors has appointed prominent industry leaders, including Dr. Thomas Mathew, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with close ties to business magnate Ratan Naval Tata, and Himanshu Mody, the current Chief Financial Officer of Suzlon Energy Limited and recipient of "The Turnaround CFO of the Year 2024" award. Additionally, Karan Bagga, a seasoned ex-banker with over 25 years of experience in strategic roles at major Indian private banks, has been appointed as a non-promoter, non-independent director.

In addition to the leadership changes, Eraaya has also established an advisory board composed of distinguished industry experts and professionals to provide counsel on key strategic decisions. Notable members of this advisory board include Karnal Singh, an ex-Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and former Director of the Enforcement Directorate; G.N. Bajpai, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI); Ashok Kumar Mehta, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer; and Dr. Girish Ahuja, a leading taxation expert.

As part of its strategic integration with Ebix Inc., Eraaya has appointed Himanshu Mody as a director on the board of Ebix Inc. and all its global subsidiaries. Amit Dhuria has been designated as the company's treasurer, ensuring alignment of strategic objectives and continuity in governance. These appointments underline Eraaya's commitment to effective leadership and governance during this transitional phase.

Incentivizing its employees is another key focus of Eraaya's restructuring. The board has granted in-principle approval for the implementation of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Sweat Equity programs, and Share Appreciation Rights schemes to reward and motivate key personnel across the company. These initiatives are designed to align employee contributions with the company's long-term vision and promote inclusive growth.

However, the company's restructuring efforts have not been without challenges. Eraaya Lifespaces has initiated an investigation into financial irregularities involving Mr. Robin Raina, an important figure in the company. In response to reports of potential misconduct, the board has suspended Mr. Raina from all key functional positions pending the outcome of the investigation. A high-powered steering committee will oversee the inquiry to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.

Despite these challenges, the leadership of Ebix Inc. and its subsidiaries will continue to operate as usual under the interim leadership of Karan Bagga, who has been designated as the officiating CEO of Ebix Inc. Eraaya Lifespaces is confident that its commitment to governance, coupled with the strength of its leadership team, will enable the company to overcome obstacles and achieve its long-term goals.

To further bolster its operations and enhance integration efficiency, Eraaya has engaged TPO Bharat, a respected external expert group, to provide valuable insights and guidance. The company has also appointed M/s. M M NISSIM & Co. LLP, a 100-year-old firm with a distinguished clientele, as its new internal auditor for the financial year 2024-2025. These steps reflect Eraaya's dedication to maintaining robust financial oversight and optimizing resources for sustained growth.

The decisions outlined in Eraaya's restructuring plan have been unanimously approved by the board of directors and endorsed by the company's members during the 58th Annual General Meeting. As Eraaya Lifespaces embarks on this transformative journey, it reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and governance.

Alongside these developments, Eraaya Lifespaces provided an update on its subsidiary, Ebix Travels, a leading player in the travel industry. Ebix Travels has maintained a dominant position in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines, where its brands "Via" and "Mercury" are known for their exceptional service. With a network of approximately 500,000 registered agents, Ebix Travels continues to thrive in corporate and business travel, securing partnerships with prominent clients such as the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India and the DS Group. The company also plans to cater to over 15,000 participants for its upcoming Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events.

In addition, Eraaya has relaunched "The Deccan Odyssey," India's premier luxury train, in partnership with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). With promising occupancy rates, this iconic train is set to provide passengers with a unique and luxurious travel experience, further cementing Eraaya's reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry.

Looking ahead, Eraaya Lifespaces remains focused on optimizing operations, enhancing governance, and integrating Ebix Inc. into its business portfolio. The company is committed to leveraging advanced technologies and best practices to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and deliver exceptional service. By fostering collaboration, creative problem-solving, and a culture of excellence, Eraaya aims to drive sustainable growth and create value for all stakeholders.

With this transformative restructuring, Eraaya Lifespaces is poised to expand beyond its current scope, exploring new business opportunities and mergers and acquisitions to diversify its portfolio and maintain its relevance in an ever-evolving market. As the company navigates this dynamic landscape, it is determined to redefine its role in the industry and set new performance benchmarks.

The acquisition of Ebix Inc. and Eraaya's subsequent strategic restructuring underscore its commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence. As the company moves forward, it will continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement to ensure its long-term success and resilience in the global market.