#social service council of canada

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Ask Reforms In Prisons," Border Cities Star. April 9, 1934. Page 7. --- United Church Social Service Board Makes Suggestions ---- At Annual Meeting ---- Seek Classification And Segregation in Canadian Jails ---- TORONTO, April 9 - The board of Evangelism and Social Service of the United Church in annual meeting here during the week-end suggested six reforms for Canadian penitentiaries which were considered "specially urgent."

STUDY OF CASES THE reforms are:

Careful study both before and after sentence by qualified experts of each prisoner with a view to prescribing the treatment most likely to result in his restoration to good citizenship.

Scientific classification of prisoners and the segregation of the physically diseased, mentally deficient and the definitely anti-social.

Careful selection, apart altogether from political patronage, and thorough training of all prison officials and guards.

Increased creased educational and vocational training facilities in all our prisons.

The extension of the indeterminate sentence to prisoners convicted of more serious offences.

A more effective parole and probation system, allowing judicial discretion in arrangement of installment payment of money penalties as opposed to imprisonment as an alternative to unpaid fines.

GRATIFYING RESULTS "We call attention," the resolution embodying the suggestion said, "to the fact that some of these suggestions have been operative in Great Britain for some time with most gratifying results."

"We further believe," the resolution concluded, "that definite, well- organized efforts should be put forth by the ministers and members of our churches as well as other socially-minded persons to minister as far as possible to the spiritual needs of prisoners and assist the released prisoners in regaining a worthy place in society."

The annual meeting condemned gambling in general and sweepstakes in particular. A resolution passed said "this board regrets the action of the Canadian Senate in giving the sweepstakes bill second reading and hopes the House of Commons will reject the bill." Sweepstakes were denounced as "morally and economically unsound."

[intlforestday]

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME - Celebration of the International Day of Forests 2024.

On March 21st, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the United Nations Trusteeship Council chamber, New York;

- OPENING SESSION - Opening remarks: Ms. Juliette Biao, Director, UN Forum on Forests Secretariat  H.E. Ambassador Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council  H.E. Ambassador Zéphyrin Maniratanga, Chair of the UNFF19 Bureau  Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General, DESA - PANEL SESSION - Chair: Ms. Leticia Zamora Zumbado, Vice-Chair of the UNFF19 Bureau  Mr. QU Guangzhou, Director, FAO Liaison Office, New York  Speaker tba, USDA Forest Service  Ms. Anna Rathmann, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute  Speaker tba, International Forestry Students’ Association  Mr. Derek Nighbor, President and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada  Mr. José Carlos da Fonseca, Executive Director, The Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá)  Mr. Kai Lintunen, Head of International Communication, Finnish Forest Association - GENERAL DISCUSSION- Chair: Mr. Javad Momeni, Vice-Chair of the UNFF19 Bureau Statements by Member States, UN entities and other accredited IGOs and Major Groups FOREST VIDEO SHOWCASE Short films from FAO and the 2024 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase (CITES and Jackson Wild)  Forests and innovation – new solutions for a better world  How Old Cell Phones Are Protecting the Rainforest  This New AI Forensic Tool is Fighting Illegal Logging  NASA Joins Jane Goodall to Conserve Chimp Habitats

United Nations Forum on Forests, UNDESA on the International Day of Forests 2024.

[slyandthefamilybook]

since we now know that all those "my blog is safe for Jewish people" posts are bullshit, here are some Jewish organizations you can donate to if you actually want to prove you support Jews. put up or shut up

FIGHTING HUNGER

Masbia - Kosher soup kitchens in New York

MAZON - Practices and promotes a multifaceted approach to hunger relief, recognizing the importance of responding to hungry peoples' immediate need for nutrition and sustenance while also working to advance long-term solutions

Tomchei Shabbos - Provides food and other supplies so that poor Jews can celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays

FINANCIAL AID

Ahavas Yisrael - Providing aid for low-income Jews in Baltimore

Hebrew Free Loan Society - Provides interest-free loans to low-income Jews in New York and more

GLOBAL AID

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee - Offers aid to Jewish populations in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the Middle East through a network of social and community assistance programs. In addition, the JDC contributes millions of dollars in disaster relief and development assistance to non-Jewish communities

American Jewish World Service - Fighting poverty and advancing human rights around the world

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - Providing aid to immigrants and refugees around the world

Jewish World Watch - Dedicated to fighting genocides around the world

MEDICAL AID

Sharsheret - Support for cancer patients, especially breast cancer

SOCIAL SERVICES

The Aleph Institute - Provides support and supplies for Jews in prison and their families, and helps Jewish convicts reintegrate into society

Bet Tzedek - Free legal services in LA

Bikur Cholim - Providing support including kosher food for Jews who have been hospitalized in the US, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Israel

Blue Card Fund - Critical aid for holocaust survivors

Chai Lifeline - An org that's very close to my heart. They help families with members with disabilities in Baltimore

Chana - Support network for Jews in Baltimore facing domestic violence, sexual abuse, and elder abuse

Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemetaries - Care of abandoned and at-risk Jewish cemetaries

Crown Heights Central Jewish Community Council - Provides services to community residents including assistance to the elderly, housing, employment and job training, youth services, and a food bank

Hands On Tzedakah - Supports essential safety-net programs addressing hunger, poverty, health care and disaster relief, as well as scholarship support to students in need

Hebrew Free Burial Association

Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services - Programs include early childhood and learning, children and adolescent services, mental health outpatient clinics for teenagers, people living with developmental disabilities, adults living with mental illness, domestic violence and preventive services, housing, Jewish community services, counseling, volunteering, and professional and leadership development

Jewish Caring Network - Providing aid for families facing serious illnesses

Jewish Family Service - Food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, refugee resettlement, chaplaincy, and disability services

Jewish Relief Agency - Serving low-income families in Philadelphia

Jewish Social Services Agency - Supporting people’s mental health, helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs, caring for older adults so they can safely age at home, and offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients

Jewish Women's Foundation Metropolitan Chicago - Aiding Jewish women in Chicago

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty - Crisis intervention and family violence services, housing development funds, food programs, career services, and home services

Misaskim - Jewish death and burial services

Our Place - Mentoring troubled Jewish adolescents and to bring awareness of substance abuse to teens and children

Tiferes Golda - Special education for Jewish girls in Baltimore

Yachad - Support for Jews with disabilities

[what-shitfuckery-is-this-ew]

BOYCOTTING FOR PALESTINE

The Official BDS Boycott Targets

Campaigns

Block the boat: End maritime arms transfer to Israel

Ban Apartheid Israel from Sports (FIFA, Olympics)

CAF get off Israel's train: Boycott CAF

Greenwashing Apartheid

Israeli Spyware

Military Embargo

Farming Injustice

Consumer Boycotts - a complete boycott of these brands

Cisco

Axa

Puma

Carrefour

HP

Siemens

Chevron

Intel

Caltex

Israeli produce

Re/max

Ahava

Texaco

Sodastream

Intel

Organic Boycott Targets - boycotts not initiated by BDS but still complete boycott of these brands

Disney

Macdonald's

Dominos

Papa Johns

Burger King

Pizza Hut

Wix

Divestments and exclusion - pressure governments, institutions, investment funds, city councils, etc. to exclude from procurement contracts and investments and to divest from these

Elbit Systems

CAF

Volvo

CAT

Barclays

JCB

HD Hyundai

TKH Security

HikVision

Pressure - boycotts when reasonable alternatives exist, as well as lobbying, peaceful disruptions, and social media pressure.

Google

Amazon

AirBnb

Booking.Com

Expedia

Teva

Here are some companies that strongly support Israel (but are not Boycott targets). There is no ethical consumption under capitalism and boycotting is a political strategy - not a moral one. If you did try to boycott every supporter of Israel you would struggle to survive because every major company supports Israel (as a result of attempting to keep the US economy afloat), that being said, the ones that are being boycotted by masses and not already on the organic boycott list are coloured red.

5 Star Chocolate

7Days

7Up

Apple

Arsenal FC

ALDO

Arket

Axe

Accenture

Ariel

Adidas

ActionIQ

Aquafina

Amika

AccuWeather

Activia

Adobe

Aesop

Azrieli Group

American Eagle

Amway Corp

Axel Springer

American Airlines

American Express

Atlassian

AdeS

Aquarius

Ayataka

Audi

Barqs

Bain & Company

Bayer

Bank Leumi

Bank Hapoalim

BCG (Boston Consulting Group)

Biotherm

Bershka

Bloomberg

BMW

Boeing

Booz Allen Hamilton

Burberry

Bath & Body Works

Bosch

Bristol Myers Squibb

Capri Holdings

Costa

Carita Paris

CareTrust REIT

Caterpillar

Coach

Cappy

Caudalie

CeraVe

Check Point Software Technologies

Cerelac

Chanel

Chapman and Cutler

Channel

Cheerios

Cheetos

Chevron

Chips Ahoy!

Christina Aguilera

Citi Bank

Codral

Cosco

Canada Dry

Citi

Clal Insurance Enterprises

Clean & Clear

Clearblue

Clinique

Champion

Club Social

Coca Cola

Coffee Mate

Colgate

Comcast

Compass

Caesars

Conde Nast

Cooley LLP

Costco

Côte d’Or

Crest

CV Starr

CyberArk Software

Cytokinetics

Crayola

Cra Z Art

Daimler

Dr Pepper

Del Valle

Daim

Doctor Pepper

Dasani

Doritos

Daz

Dior

Dell

Deloitte

Delta Air Lines

Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Telekom

DHL Group

David Off

Disney

DLA Piper

Domestos

Domino’s

Douglas Elliman

Downy

Duane Morris LLP

Dreft Baby Detergent & Laundry Products

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

eBay

Edelman

Eli Lilly

Evian

Empyrean

Ericsson

Endeavor

EPAM Systems

Estee Lauder

Elbit Systems

EY

Forbes

Facebook

Fairlife

Fanta

First International Bank of Israel

Fiverr

Funyuns

Fuze

Fox News

Fritos

Fox Corp

Gatorade

Gamida Cell

GE

Glamglow

General Catalyst

General Motors

Georgia

Gold Peak

Genesys

Goldman Sachs

Grandma’s Cookies

Garnier

Guess

Greenberg Traurig

Guerlain

Givenchy

H&M

Hadiklaim

Huggies

Hanes

HSBC

Head & Shoulders

Hersheys

Herbert Smith Freehills

Hewlett Packard

Hasbro

Hyundai

Henkel

Harel Insurance Investment & Financial Services

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

HubSpot

Huntsman Corp

IBM

Innocent

Insight Partners

Inditex Group

IT Cosmetics

Instacart

Intermedia

Interpublic Group

Instagram

ICL Group

Intuit

Jazwares

Jefferies

John Lewis

JP Morgan Chase

Jaguar

Johnson & Johnson

JPMorgan

Kenon Holdings

Kate Spade

Kirks’

Kinley Water

KKR

KFC

KKW Cosmetics

Kurkure

Keebler

Kolynos

Kaufland

Kevita

Knorr

KPMG

Lemonade

Lidl

Loblaws

Levi Strauss

Louis Vuitton

Life Water

Levi’s

Levi’s Strauss

LinkedIn

Land Rover

L’Oréal

Lego

Levissima

Live Nation Entertainment

Lufthansa

La Roche-Posay

Lipton

Major League Baseball

Manpower Group

Marriott

Marsh McLennan

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Mastercard

Mattel

Minute Maid

Monster

Monki

Mainz FC

Mellow Yellow

Mountain Dew

Migdal Insurance

Marks & Spencer

Mirinda

McDermott Will & Emery

Motorola

McKinsey

Merck

Michael Kors

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank

Merck KGaA

Micheal Kors

Milkybar

Maybelline

Mount Franklin

Meta

MeUndies

Mattle

Microsoft

Munchies

Miranda

Morgan Lewis

Moroccanoil

Morgan Stanley

MRC

Nasdaq

Naughty Dog

Nivea

Next

NOS

Nabisco

Nutter Butter

No Frills

National Basketball Association

National Geographic

Nintendo

New Balance

Nutella

Newtons

NVIDIA

Netflix

Nescafe

Nestle

Nesquick

Nike

Nussbeisser

Oreo

Oral B

Old spice

Oysho

Omeprazole

Oceanspray

Opodo

P&G (Procter and Gamble)

Pampers

Pull & Bear

Pepsi

Pfizer

Popeyes

Parker Pens

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Pizza Hut

Powerade

Purina

Phoenix Holdings

Propel

Ponds

Pure Leaf Green Tea

Power Action Wipes

PwC

Prada

Perry Ellis

Prada Eyewear

Pringles

Payoneer

Procter & Gamble

Purelife

Pureology

Quaker Oats

Reddit

Royal Bank of Canada

Ruffles

Revlon

Ralph Lauren

Ritz

Rolls Royce

Royal

S.Pellegrino

Sabra Hummus

Sabre

Sony

SAP

Simply

Smart Water

Sprite

Schwabe

Shell

Soda Stream

Siemens

StreamElements

Schweppes

Sunsilk

Signal

Skittles

Smart Food

Sobe

Smarties

Sephora

Sam’s Club

Superbus

Samsung

Sodastream

Sunkist

Scotiabank

Sour Patch Kids

Starbucks

Sadaf

Stride

Subway

Tang

Tate’s Bake Shop

The Body Shop

Tesco

Twitch

The Ordinary

Tim Hortons

Tostitos

Timberland

Topo Chico

Tapestry

Tropicana

Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries

Turbos

Tom Ford

Taco Bell

Triscuit

TUC

Twix

Tottenham Hotspurs

Twisties

Tripadvisor

Uber

Uber Eats

Urban Decay

Upfield

Unilever

Vicks

Victoria’s Secret

V8

Vaseline

Vitaminwater

Volkswagen

Volvo

Walmart

Wegmans

WhatsApp

Waitrose

Woolworths

Wheat Thins

Walkers

Warner Brothers

Warner Chilcot

Warner Music

Wells Fargo

Winston & Strawn

WingStreet

Wissotzky Tea

WWE

Wheel Washing Powder

Wrigley Company

YouTube

Yvel

Yum Brands

Ziyad

Zara

Zim Shipping

Ziff Davis

[beardedmrbean]

Helsingin Sanomat is running a piece on the falling birth rate that has a radical new suggestion: acceptance. Finland's birth rate has dropped significantly since 2010, and currently stands at 1.26 children per woman.

That will cause problems for the pension system and other public services in future, because there will simply be too few taxpayers to fund them.

The reasons are many and varied, but women across the western world are now choosing to have fewer children and changing their minds will be tricky, according to researcher Tarmo Valkonen. One possible solution is that women would accept "worse partners", he says, but few politicians are advocating that.

Instead, increasing the population through pro-natal policies (usually paying families to have children through tax incentives or direct payments) or immigration are the usual solutions.

Valkonen, however, says that Finland should just accept that the working-age population is going to decline and either increase pension contributions or reduce pension payments.

Canada's pension system has automatic rule changes built-in, Valkonen notes, mandating changes when the population structure alters.

Finland is late to start on that path, but he sees few other options. In 2023 the government led by Petteri Orpo (NCP) rejected a suggestion from the Strategic Research Council that it would study the impact of immigration on the public finances.

It was the first time a government had rejected a theme by the council, which operates under the Academy of Finland to seek "concrete solutions to grand challenges that require multidisciplinary approaches".

Valkonen said to HS that perhaps previous research he had co-authored had reached too positive conclusions, and the right-wing government did not want further evidence accumulated on the benefits of immigration to the Finnish state finances.

Either way, his message is that birth rates are unlikely to increase and Finland needs to draw the appropriate conclusions.

Wolting while poor

A letter from a social worker to Helsingin Sanomat last week suggested that Wolt's partnership with payment firm Klarna had led some people into debt problems.

The idea is that people with money troubles may take advantage of the "buy now, pay later" service to order food when they have few other options.

Iltalehti follows up on that by asking debt advisors what they think. Juha Pantzar from Takuusäätiö (the Guarantee Foundation), an association that helps people in debt to find a path out of it, says that it is a growing issue.

He notes that although Wolt orders are not the main reason people end up with debt problems, they are clearly evident in his clients' debt histories.

Klarna-style payments in general, however, are a growing factor in people's indebtedness. At present one third of the foundation's clients have debt problems composed entirely of this type of debt.

Young people are particularly vulnerable, according to Pantzar.

Food prices down

Those struggling to make ends meet will be concerned about recent jumps in the price of food, but Aamulehti says those prices are now stabilising.

The Tampere daily has an in-depth look at food prices, using the index kept by Statistics Finland. Food has gotten 2.7 percent cheaper since a peak in March 2023, but that still feels like a high price level for many.

Over the last couple of years food prices have risen by some 20 percent, and Sari Forsman-Hugg from Pellervo Economic Research (PTT) says there is no going back to that previous price level.

PTT says that the overall price increase next year will amount to around one percent. Coffee, cocoa and orange juice have seen big jumps in wholesale prices, which will affect consumer prices in Finland as well.

[robbie-becker]

ROBERT BECKER

Full Name: Robert Gage Becker

Nickname: Robbie

Pronouns & Gender: cis male & he/him

Birthplace: Port Hope, Canada

Age: 25

Orientation: biromantic & gray-ace

Status: single but emotionally unavailable

Occupation: college student/Maid service at Seascape

Education: High School Diploma / double majoring to earn his Bachelor’s in Environmental Science & Sociology

Residence: Currently at Aurora Bay Towers, tentatively will be at Ocean Crest Apartments

Family: Michael Becker (dad), Cassidy Becker (mom - deceased), Lucas Becker (younger brother), Annie Becker (younger sister)

Time in Aurora Bay: Three Years

Face Claim: Asa Germann

tw heart attack mention, tw death

— HISTORY

Born to Michael and Cassidy Becker, preceding his younger brother Luke and younger sister Annie, Robbie was born in Port Hope, Canada. Both of his parents were professors in local colleges after they had each individually worked at University of Toronto and York University. They had since settled down to create a life together which led to the move to Port Hope.

He was not planned out. Michael was in his fifties, while Cassidy in her late forties. His mom was overjoyed as she always wanted a child, and this just spurred on the desire for them to build a larger family.

Unfortunately, for everyone, Cassidy only survived a few years after her daughter was born (Robbie was ten). A heart attack that no one was expecting took her far too early, after that day the family never recovered.

Michael became more reclusive, keeping the kids out of his study, and they learned to fend for themselves very early on. It wasn't terrible neglect. They did just fine. Money was never an issue for the Becker family as Michael's family had generational wealth built up over nearly two centuries. There was a roof over their heads, food in the fridge and clothing on their back. Robbie took over to make sure his younger siblings would make it to school and keep their grades up.

It was about when he was fifteen, his father started to come out of his depressive funk. It was a gradual adjustment with Michael trying to fit himself back into their lives, but it wasn't a great challenge. After all, the kids weren't the ones that shut him out. It'd been the other way around. The hardest part was Annie because she barely had a relationship with him when tragedy struck.

That spurred on an unintentional rift between Robbie and Michael as he focused on trying to build something with his daughter. He asked more and more of Annie’s time while Robbie and Lucas found companionship in one another.

Not as studious as his brother, Robbie found more joy in after school activities that didn't involve a ball or excessive athleticism. One of his favorites was debate club, and the next was environmental club. He, along with a few students on the class council and others just as passionate, became the group in their school to begin running drives for various community issues.

This exposure to social and environmental issues in his more formative years sparked a desire for being involved to the most of his ability. It also developed his very anti-capitalistic approach to life, and in turn, a deep passion for advocating and supporting projects meant to better the world.

(It has also, in some ways, made him a bit insufferable to be around at points, but he's also unapologetic about stepping on toes.)

Because of this, the intended gap year break post high school graduation turned into three years. It wasn't until he was twenty-one he decided to pursue a college education. There also might have been a push from his father, who only seemed invested in Robbie's choices because he was still living on his dime. It was 'go to college or get a job and move out', so college it was.

He chose Aurora Bay because of the small town feel, and college there is cheaper than the well known Berkeley. With no stellar grades or scholarships, the lighter tuition to shoulder was the course of action. He is still living on campus, but has been scoping out Ocean Crest to move into when he graduates, assuming he doesn't apply for his Masters.

TRAITS

positive: sensible, passionate

neutral: modest, purposeful

negative: uptight, self-critical

HEADCANONS

⊹ very eco-conscious. annoyingly so. rides his bike everywhere, might side-eye you for using a plastic straw, or for not second-hand shopping. don’t ask him about how he runs his AC at a breezy 62 degrees, though. he can get a little defensive about it.

⊹ speaking of, nearly everything he owns he’s gotten as a hand-me-down or thrifted. he also runs and moderates a ‘buy nothing’ facebook group.

⊹ he’s only in the US with his approved I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for while he studies. as for after graduation? he’s not sure about whether he wants to stay or not, so there is little thought put into his long term goals.

⊹ he used to do cottage rental cleaning in Port Hope, so applying for the maid service at Seascape was a no brainer. he also likes to use it as an opportunity to pocket anything that he’s certain the guests aren’t coming back for. jewelry and cash get turned in with first dibs after the claim window ends (finders keepers), but sealed food and beverages make their way into his bag.

⊹ everything has a plan. everything has a place. scheduled times are to be met, and if you’re late, instant ick. he also has an obsession with organizing his pantry with labeled glass containers.

⊹ mediocre at skeet shooting, pretty good at ax throwing, terrible at any contact sports.

⊹ he started college at age twenty-one after taking a few years off post-graduation. what did he do those years? bounce around to attend various environmental and conservation protests and immerse himself in activist life. He has also attended protests for various social issues, that of which he is very vocal about. he has long since calmed down while in california to keep his nose clean.

⊹ loves anything lemon flavored. give him all of your yellow starburst! but be warned, if you sneak a banana flavored candy in there he will probably hate you.

⊹ there is a seagull he’s named nugget that he feeds from his apartment balcony. he utilizes the companionship to get it to baptize the cars of tenants he doesn’t like. you know, symbiotic relationships and all.

⊹ does not say ‘eh’.

CONNECTIONS

Brand new muse, as I join Club 14. He’s not a native, but he’s not a stranger to some United States territory. Long-term childhood best friends are unlikely, however, there is a possibility of maybe a friend met on a family vacation? Before cell phones were big, so really young and they started as pen pals. Family vacations staggered off after age ten.

I’m not sure if anyone would want to room with him, could be past roommates too? He moved into Ocean Crest at the start of his previous college year, ex-resident of Aurora Bay Towers. 

Current romantic connections will be explored on the dash, but past anything I am open to discussing. I will not lock him into an end game as he is brand new, but college is a potentially chaotic and messy time when exploring that part of yourself, so have at it.

♡ @theameliaxevans - college peer and party friend. yes, wes, look away. no trouble to be seen here!

♡ @carter-harris - tba.

♡ @edenxoconnell - ex-boyfriend of, has a bit a bad blood against due to the manner of which their break-up occurred. but also didn't turn down an opportunity to hook-up at a college mixer.

♡ @jaspermorgan - boss at seascape, also someone robbie likes to pester

♡ @laceyxpierce - academic peers and friends. more tba.

♡ @solaadisa - double trouble in SoCal's activist scene. also, cheers to having a pseudo-older sister!

LINKS

⊹ pinterest.

⊹ inspo.

⊹ soundtrack.

⊹ personal playlist.

[zerosecurity]

Russia's APT28 Cyber Espionage Group Targets Czechia, Germany Using Outlook Exploit

Czechia and Germany have exposed a long-running cyber espionage campaign conducted by the notorious Russia-linked APT28 hacking group, drawing harsh criticism from international organizations like the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Czech Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that certain entities within the country were targeted using a critical Microsoft Outlook vulnerability (CVE-2023-23397), allowing Russian state-sponsored hackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access. Germany Accuses APT28 of Targeting Social Democratic Party Similarly, Germany's Federal Government attributed the APT28 threat actor, also known as Fancy Bear, Pawn Storm, and Sofacy, to a cyber attack aimed at the Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party, exploiting the same Outlook flaw over a "relatively long period" to compromise numerous email accounts. The targeted industries spanned logistics, armaments, air and space, IT services, foundations, and associations located in Germany, Ukraine, and other European regions. Germany also implicated APT28 in the 2015 cyber attack on the German federal parliament (Bundestag). Widespread Condemnation of Russia's Malicious Cyber Activities NATO stated that Russia's hybrid actions "constitute a threat to Allied security," while the Council of the European Union condemned Russia's "continuous pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace." The UK government described the recent APT28 activity, including targeting the German Social Democratic Party, as "the latest in a known pattern of behavior by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe." The US Department of State acknowledged APT28's history of engaging in "malicious, nefarious, destabilizing and disruptive behavior," and reiterated its commitment to upholding a "rules-based international order, including in cyberspace." Disruption of APT28's Criminal Proxy Botnet Earlier in February, a coordinated law enforcement action disrupted a botnet comprising hundreds of SOHO routers in the US and Germany believed to have been used by APT28 to conceal their malicious activities, such as exploiting CVE-2023-23397 against targets of interest. Cybersecurity researchers warn that Russian state-sponsored cyber threats, including data theft, destructive attacks, DDoS campaigns, and influence operations, pose severe risks to upcoming elections in regions like the US, UK, and EU, with multiple hacking groups like APT28, APT44 (Sandworm), COLDRIVER, and KillNet expected to be active. Securing Critical Infrastructure from Pro-Russia Hacktivist Attacks Government agencies from Canada, the UK, and the US have released a joint fact sheet to help critical infrastructure organizations secure against pro-Russia hacktivist attacks targeting industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) systems since 2022, often exploiting publicly exposed internet connections and default passwords. The recommendations include hardening human-machine interfaces, limiting internet exposure of OT systems, using strong and unique passwords, and implementing multi-factor authentication for all access to the OT network. Read the full article

[dzthenerd490]

File: Hell Girl

SCP#: AXI

Code Name: Hell Girl

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: Currently there is no way to contain SCP-AXI and all attempts to establish Site-AFTERLIFE have failed. Instead, efforts to see if it's possible to utilize D-Class to weaponize AXI to allow the Foundation to kill hostile People of Interest without evidence leading back to the Foundation. Thus, instead of containment, Foundation Staff involved with SCP-AXI will instead be focused on the development of Project "Missing Gun".

Utilizing SCP-AXI for Project "Missing Gun" was a failure, however by order of the O5 Council, construction of Site-AFTERLIFE under the direction of [data expunged]. It is with hope by the year [data expunged] Site-AFTERLIFE will be constructed and SCP-AXI as well as other dimensional anomalies relating to the [data expunged] will finally be properly contained.

Description: SCP-AXI is an anomalous event that mainly exists in a sort of purgatory dimension, somewhere between Earth and Hell. SCP-AXI consists of numerous entities that run a sort of organization known as Hell Correspondence. The organization has different ways of advertising their services whether it be via newspapers, newsletters, advertisement posters, online websites, and now even social media apps. However, in order to actually see the advertisement for services by Hell Correspondence one must fulfil the requirements to activate SCP-AXI. To activate SCP-AXI one needs to have a desire for revenge and that revenge must be directed towards someone must still be alive. 

Once a person has fulfilled the requirements they can activate SCP-AXI by following the instructions of the advertisement which is normally to just submit the name of the person they desire to have revenge towards. After the name has been submitted SCP-AXI-1 will manifest. SCP-AXI-1 is the leader of SCP-AXI and all the entities that reside in it, she is able to easily transfer herself form out world to the world of SCP-AXI any time she desires. SCP-AXI-1 also known as "Hell Girl" is responsible for establishing the curse on both the customer having the revenge request and the one the revenge is directed towards. 

The request is normally conducted through a doll which has been labeled SCP-AXI-2. The doll is extremely similar to a witchcraft doll made form [data expunged] wood, the main item on the doll being the red string around the doll's neck. Once the customer pulls the string off of the doll, they will confirm they agree to the deal. The deal normally sets that the one who pulls the string will get their revenge and their target will be tormented heavily based on their sins until they repent, afterwards they will be sent to Hell. According to the deal once this has been set, the customer who made the request will also go to Hell once they die. Though of course there's no way to confirm either scenario, video feed from the few events of an SCP-AXI captured show that the target seemingly disappears. 

SCP-AXI-1 is the one who arranges everything and controls it all, but she doesn't work alone, she normally has "assistants" that help her torment their targets. These "assistants" are not really understood well and thus have not been labeled under SCP-AXI. However, it has been theorized that these "assistants" are Entities of Interest: Yokai, but nothing has been confirmed. 

SCP-AXI's existence came to the Foundation's attention in 2005 when there was a sudden surge of disappearances in Poland, America, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Canada, Portugal, Belgium, Russia, Astria, America, Korea, and Japan. Japan ended up having much higher disappearance rates than any of the other countries and thus Mobile Task Force Poseidon-3 "Otaku Heart" was assigned to investigate all the incidence to see what was going on. Eventually a connection was made and in 2006 SCP-AXI and its full nature was discovered. Unfortunately, it was mostly recounts from "customers" of SCP-AXI who of which were amnestied afterwards. To date no method of science, magic, surgery, experimentation, or [data expunged] is able to remove the mark of the "deal" form their bodies. 

Update: 4/6/2007 Dr. Goetia has proposed having D-Class implanted with vile memories Hostile Persons of Interest that have been so far cannot be touched by the Foundation. The reasoning for doing this is to have them make a deal with SCP-AXI and thus kill the People of Interest regardless of where they are and with the added benefit of having no leads back to the Foundation. However, this ended up being a colossal failure. SCP-AXI-1 can tell that the memories of the D-Class aren't real and thus won't make a deal with them. 

Instead, the O5 Council has proposed resuming construction of Site-AFTERLIFE. Site-AFTERLIFE is an experiment proposed by Dr. [data expunged] to have Foundation activity in the Afterlife, as the name implies. The construction was proposed and approved with the hopes of properly resurrecting old Foundation Staff, having an unlimited supply of D-Class, and containing anomalies that reside in the astral plane. However, with [data expunged] this was deemed impossible, as such the project was considered a failure. The O5 Council has given no reasoning as to why they suddenly decided to resume the project despite there being nothing to improve the chances of success. Nonetheless the project continues and is expected to be finished by [data expunged].

"Ugh... honestly after [data expunged] years I stopped trying to understand what goes on in the head of those O5 pricks. But that doesn't deny my excitement for having the construction of Site-AFTERLIFE continue after so long! Though I think it's safe to say it's probably going to be impossible. You see, I'm a [data expunged] and this "Hell Girl" takes people to Hell, yet it's not like anything I'm [data expunged]. It makes me wonder if Dr. Alvik's theory of [data expunged] is true, cause if it is, what the hell are the limits? I can't believe I'm saying this, but it makes the idea of there being no afterlife reassuring in comparison." -Dr. Goetia

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[milfstalin]

full article text under readmore

CANADIAN INDIGENOUS GROUPS SEEK DEALS WITH CHINA DESPITE SECURITY FEARS

Canada’s indigenous communities are seeking deals with China that could give Beijing access to the country’s natural resources, despite warnings from Canadian security services over doing business with Xi Jinping’s government.

This week the Canada China Business Council indigenous trade mission is in Beijing to discuss potential energy and other business deals in a trip that could put Canada’s national “reconciliation” with its First Nation communities at odds with its national security priorities.

Karen Ogen, the trade mission’s co-chair and chief executive of the First Nations Liquefied Natural Gas Alliance, said her goal on the trip, which starts on Wednesday, was to sell LNG for the benefit of the Wet’suwet’en communities in Canada’s western province of British Columbia_._

“We’ve been oppressed and repressed by our own government,” she said. “I know the history with China is not good but we have an understanding of what we need and what they need.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to power in 2015 pledging to promote “economic reconciliation” with indigenous, or first nation, communities, which for decades saw their ancestral lands and resources exploited by European settlers and their culture belittled and attacked.

He committed to spend billions on business, economic and social programmes in an effort to reduce inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians. The government also signed a number of land-sharing treaties with first nations communities giving them rights over the natural resources in their territories — subject to federal foreign investment rules.

Despite the pledges, many first nations communities remain socially and economically deprived. Earlier this year, a UN special rapporteur said Canada’s failure to provide First Nations reserves with clean drinking water and sanitation constituted a human rights violation.

China has spotted an opportunity in the sometimes fraught relations between Canada’s national and provincial governments and indigenous groups.

In 2021, shortly after Canada imposed sanctions on Beijing over the treatment of its Uyghur population, Chinese officials began to object to the “systemic violations of Indigenous people’s rights by the US, Canada and Australia” at the UN’s Human Rights Council.

“The PRC tries to undermine trust between Indigenous communities and Canada’s government by advancing a narrative that the PRC understands and empathises with the struggles of Indigenous communities stemming from colonialism and racism,” said a spokesperson for Canada’s security intelligence service.

A 2023 CSIS report accused China’s government of employing “grey zone, deceptive and clandestine means” to influence Canadian policymaking, including Indigenous communities.

“China knows how sensitive Indigenous reconciliation is to the Trudeau government,” said Phil Gurski, a former CSIS intelligence analyst.

Relations between Canada and China have deteriorated significantly in recent years. An official inquiry reported in May that China had directly meddled in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections and was “the most active foreign state actor engaged in interference” in the country. Ottawa’s 2022 Indo-Pacific strategy also described China as “increasingly disruptive”.

As a result, Canada’s policy towards Beijing is becoming more in line with that of the US, with Ottawa imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and forcing Chinese-owned social media company TikTok to close its Canadian office.

This realignment is expected to become even more important with the election of Donald Trump south of the border. “Canada would be expected to enforce harsher trade governance with China,” said Marc Ercolao, an economist with TD Bank.

But CSIS remains concerned over Beijing’s possible access to resource-rich areas or geopolitically important waterways and regions such as the Arctic through First Nations groups.

“It not only undermines the government but is a way to potentially embarrass them on Canada’s past,” said Gurski.

But Matt Vickers, from Sechelt Nations land in Canada’s western province of British Columbia, who first visited China in the 1990s and is part of the CCBC delegation heading to Beijing this week, rejected the concerns of the security services.

“China now understands that for any major project to receive approval in Canada, you need First Nation consent, and not only consent but the First Nations require a majority equity play in those projects,” he said.

The CCBC is a bipartisan organisation consisting of Canada’s biggest companies, including Power Corp, which is the main sponsor of the Indigenous event.

This week’s trip marks the third time a group of Indigenous officials has travelled with the council to China in an effort to identify export markets, sources of capital and potential tourism projects.

“These missions have been developed in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration, to help delegates better understand how China’s economy and economic development influences its desire for imports and investment opportunities,” said Sarah Kutulakos, executive director of the CCBC.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on CSIS’s security concerns over deals with First Nations communities but said: “We are pleased to see Canadians from all walks of life, including Indigenous Canadians, proactively engage in pragmatic co-operation with China.”

Deteriorating relations between Ottawa and Beijing meant this year’s CCBC meeting would likely be “sombre”, said former Canadian ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques.

First Nations leaders should have “very limited expectations” from the trip. “I don’t expect big business coming out of it,” he said.

But Ogen, of the First Nations LNG Alliance, said she would put the controversy surrounding the trip to Beijing aside. “I . . . look at the global energy sector, China’s need for our gas, and how I can make the best deal for my people,” she said.

ok ppl are saying this is funny as in "fuck around and find out" but completely honestly this could be laying the groundwork for more advanced warfare between canada and its first nations in the 21st century. like the fact that first nations are finding political alliances outside of major western powers at the express disapproval of the settler government is a big deal. am i the only one seeing how this is a big deal

[transsolidarityproject]

Elder Hotlines

Seniors are integral members of their community and deserve equal rights, dignity, and opportunities. Read below for related hotlines and resources. Support the project by reblogging or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com. Updated last: 11/30/2024

🇺🇸 211 @ 211.org / 211 / Referral and directory telephone service that connects callers with any/all resources that may be beneficial to their circumstance. 211 is available both in the entirety of the United States and Canada.

🇫🇷 3977 @ 3977.org / 3977 / System for alerting and preventing elder abuse in France.

🇺🇳 AARP Resource Center @ aarp.org / 202-434-3525 / US-based organization that caters to adults ages 50 and older, providing tools, resources, and services for healthcare, community, and finances.

🇳🇿 Age Concern New Zealand @ ageconcern.org.nz / 0800-65-2-105 / New Zealand charity that promotes the dignity, well-being, equity, and respect of adults over 65.

🇿🇦 AGE-in-Action @ age-in-action.co.za / 021-426-4249 / Originally known as the South African Council for the Aged, AGE-in-Action represents older people while protecting their interests and wellbeing.

���🇧 Age UK Advice Line @ ageuk.org.uk / 0800-678-1602 / Confidential national telephone service for older people in the United Kingdom, as well as their families, friends, caregivers, and professionals.

🇸🇪 Äldrelinjen / 020-22-22-33 / Senior line for residents of Sweden needing someone to talk to for emotional support.

🇮🇪 ALONE National Support Line @ alone.ie / 0818-222-024 / National organization in Ireland that improves the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of older people through their various services and information tools.

🇺🇸 Alzheimer's Association Helpline @ alz.org / 800-272-3900 / Voluntary health organization that focuses on Alzheimer's disease care, support, and research in the United States.

🇺🇸 ARCH National Respite Network @ archrespite.org / 703-256-2084 / US emergency care organization that provides services to children and adults with special needs.

🇺🇸 Caregiver Action Network @ caregiveraction.org / 855-227-3640 / Leading family caregiver organization in the US that connects and supports Americans caring for loved ones.

🇺🇸 Department of Aging @ hhs.gov / 877-696-6775 / Agency under the US Department of Health and Human Services to serve older adults.

🇧🇷 Disque 100 @ gov.br / Human rights hotline through the government of Brazil to report violations and abuse of marginalized communities, including older adults.

🇦🇺 Elder Abuse Helpline @ ag.gov.au / 1800-353-374 / Telephone number that automatically redirects users with local services regarding elder abuse in Australia.

🇺🇸 ElderCare Locator @ eldercare.usaging.org / 800-677-1116 / Information and referral resource that connects older Americans with services, funded by the United States Administration on Aging.

🇺🇸 Elder Protection Center @ elderprotectioncenter.com / 877-353-3780 / Online resource for older adults in the United States to combat abuse, scams, and neglect.

🇪🇸 Fundación Amigos de los Mayores @ amigosdelosmayores.org / 608-200-300 / Volunteery foundation in Spain that fights loneliness and social isolation among older people.

🇺🇳 HelpAge International @ helpage.org / 44-20-7278-7778 / Global nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for older people across the globe in 98 different countries.

🇲🇽 Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores @ gob.mx / 55-50880247 / Decentralized public body under the Federal Public Administration to coordinate, promote, support, foster, monitor, and evaluate programs for older adults in Mexico.

🇰🇷 Korean Senior Welfare Helpline @ mohw.go.kr / 82-44-202-3471 / Telephone support through the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea directed at older adults.

🇺🇸 Legal Services for Older Americans @ acl.gov / Program operated by the Administration for Community Living and United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide older adults with legal assistance regarding their rights.

🇺🇸 Medicare Helpline @ medicare.gov / 800-633-4227 / 24/7 assistance and advice on Medicare usage and programs in the United States.

🇺🇸 National Adult Protective Services Association @ napsa-now.org / 202-370-6292 / National nonprofit that coordinates services with local law enforcement and policy to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults in the United States.

🇺🇸 National Domestic Violence Hotline @ thehotline.org / 800-799-7233 / Leading organization in the United States for empowering survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

🇺🇸 National Elder Fraud Hotline @ ovc.ojp.gov / 833-372-8311 / Free resource and hotline operated by the United States Department of Justice and Office for Victims of Crimes to report fraud targeted at adults ages 60 or older.

🇺🇸 National Indian Council on Aging @ nicoa.org / 505-292-2001 / United States nonprofit that focuses on the needs of aging Indigenous Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.

🇦🇷 PAMI Senior Support Line @ pami.org.ar / 138 / Social welfare organization in Argentina that provides comprehensive medical assistance to older adults and retirees.

🇺🇸 Parkinson's Foundation Helpline @ parkinson.org / 800-473-4636 / Telephone service for individuals with Parkinson's disease as well as their families, friends, and healthcare providers to find out more information through their trained specialists.

🇺🇸 SAGE x HearMe @ sageusa.org / The United States’ largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ older people. SAGE now offers supportive services and resources through the SAGE x HearMe app, formerly known as the SAGE LGBTQ Elder Hotline.

🇨🇦 Seniors' Safety Line @ ontario.ca / 866-299-1011 / Confidential and free telephone resource for elder referrals, information, and support in Canada.

🇨🇱 Servicio Nacional del Adulto Mayor @ senama.gob.cl / Official services provided by the government of Chile to support older adults.

🇩🇪 Silbernetz @ silbernetz.org / 0800-4-70-80-90 / Social services provided to elders in Germany looking for support and resources.

🇺🇸 Social Security Administration @ ssa.gov / Official agency of the United States government that administers welfare benefits such as retirement, disability, and Medicare.

🇺🇸 VA Benefits Hotline @ va.gov / 800-827-1000 / General hotline and inquiries information about United States veterans benefits.

🇺🇸 Veteran’s Crisis Line @ veteranscrisisline.net / 988+1 / Crisis line for United States veterans operated by the national 988 suicide prevention hotline, specialized for serving veterans.

Enjoy this content and work? Consider helping out by sharing this blog or visiting transsolidarityproject.wordpress.com.

[syliboywarrior37]

I have a good Mawita'mk support system. I wish there was something like a Mawita'mk Society, Ni'kinen house, Supported Apartments and a Mawita'mk Work Program and Center in Eskasoni. I wish that Eskasoni had a Eskasoni group home, charitable organization working hard, an Eskasoni Five Animals Work Program. And Supported Apartments and a Center to go to. I hope that Eskasoni could build on its resources and more buildings. I want Eskasoni Volunteer Act and Disability Sector to build upward and have a good momentum like Mawita'mk Society.

Eskasoni have Kiknu nursing home. I want the sanity for personal independence in my life. I want to have a good thriving life with Eskasoni. I hope that Eskasoni's permission, I could come back home after I have worked on my Certificates, degrees and diplomas from Nova Scotia Community Colleges, ISSA-CANADA Cleaning Management Institute courses, Unama'ki College and Retail Council of Canada's education services. I want to be so employable in today's world that I could build programs through Eskasoni Band Office, Eskasoni School Board or Eskasoni Rehab.

Hopefully with these industries' permissions I could bring the courses through Eskasoni. I want to have professional quality, learning constantly and doing my dues in We'koqma'q community. And have their backing and references that I am a hard worker. Committed, diligent, independent and professionally well trained in so much. In today's society you have to have education and driving experience in order to have a full-time, well paying job.

At Mawita'mk Society there is shared values, homey feeling and a good company. I know that I have a growing cultural hometown. And in that they have updated and upgraded their infrastructure, their school system, their Eskasoni Welfare/Social Development department and I know that I want to move back home when it's all right. On my terms of self-sufficiency and level of independence.

I have a C-pap and thankfully I have Mawita'mk Staff at my side looking out like watch dogs who watches, monitors and keeps me in routine with a good sleep pattern, a well cooked meals three times a day, medications regulated and administered. And appointments well handled. My only regrets I handle is that I didn't get a iPhone or phone during my twenties in Eskasoni. I hope that I could enjoy a good life in Eskasoni. I want to have weekend side hustles and side business with a regular full-time employment career in Eskasoni with a legitimate Google Calendar Professional Schedule.

I know that certain people in Eskasoni have loved me and respected me. I know that I want Eskasoni to become more successful in their Disability Sector in the community. Trust-building and trust-earning are pretty good ways to cope with sobriety. I have to cope and handle with my regrets and disappointments throughout my life. My disappointment with Eskasoni is that they don't have a group home in the heart of the community. Everywhere I go I hope that Eskasoni can build on their infrastructure, resources, Disability sector and departments for that sector. I know that through Mawita'mk Society I'd met up with a bunch of wonderful people. And in that I have to re-evaluate my situation in Eskasoni.

I know that Eskasoni has that entrepreneurial spirit and business sense of workethic. I know that I have that old hustling mentality, can-do attitude and growth mindset that I'd learnt from my biological parents. I know that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I hope that I could do business in any Mi'kmaq community. I know that I love a good job and have a growing cultural hometown.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"GET GOOD RESULTS FROM PAROLE PLAN," Toronto Star. September 16, 1933. Page 17. --- Helps Men Re-establish Themselves, T. B. Bell Tells Committee ---- At a meeting of the criminology committee of the Social Service Council of Canada, held this afternoon, an address was given by T. B. Bell, Chairman of the Parole Board of Ontario, who said fine results were given by the parole system and it gave men who have been prison inmates a real opportunity of re-establishing themselves.

Following this address, the committee resolved that W. F. Nickle, K.C., and W. M. Nickle, K.C., of Kingston, should give an address in the near future on conditions as they exist in the Kingston penitentiary. Both these gentlemen have been closely in touch with the recent investigation of the prison riots. This meeting will be held Thursday afternoon next, at 2 o'clock.

The committee on criminology further appointed a nominating committee to consider the line of action to be taken and to report back at an early date.

[tik4tatthetat]

The History of Fraternities and Sororities in US Colleges

The modern concept of fraternities as we know it today, with Greek letters and rituals, began to take shape in the early 19th century. The first social fraternity, Kappa Alpha Society, was founded in 1825 at Union College in Schenectady, New York. This was followed by the establishment of other fraternities, including Sigma Phi (1827), Delta Phi (1827), and Psi Upsilon (1833). Oldest Black Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha is also a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization for historically Black Greek-letter organizations. Today, there are over 9 million students participating in fraternities and sororities in the United States and Canada, with hundreds of different organizations represented on college campuses. Alpha Phi Alpha has a rich history and has played a significant role in the African American community, with notable members including Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and W.E.B. Du Bois, among many others. Today, Alpha Phi Alpha has over 700 chapters worldwide and continues to be a leading organization in the African American community, promoting scholarship, leadership, and service. Oldest Latina Fraternity:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The oldest Latina fraternity is Lambda Theta Phi (ΛΘΦ), founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. It was established by 13 Latinx students who sought to create an organization that would promote brotherhood, scholarship, and community service, as well as celebrate and empower Latinx culture and heritage. Oldest Multi-culture Sorority:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     A multicultural membership that has grown beyond its original Hispanic-Latino origins Sigma Lambda Beta has also developed two 501(c)(3) nonprofits, the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation and the Omega Fund ¹.The largest multicultural sorority is Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (ΣΓΡ), founded on November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was established by seven African American women who sought to create an organization that would promote sisterhood, academic excellence, and community service, without regard to race, creed, or color. Sigma Gamma Rho has over 500 chapters worldwide, with members from diverse backgrounds, including African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, and other ethnicities. The sorority is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).

Read the full article

[darkmaga-returns]

The uber-technocratic, Trilateral-packed Atlantic Council is wigging out over the possibility that the US might ban CBDCs. If this happens, the future of CBDCs for the rest of the world is in total jeopardy. The vast majority of US citizens are against CDBCs, so there is political pressure. This could deal a fatal blow to globalization. ⁃ Patrick Wood, Editor.

Canada and Australia shelve plans for retail CBDCs while the US could soon become the first country to explicitly ban the central bank from issuing a CBDC.

As we warned in May 2022, a financial revolution is quietly sweeping the world (or at least trying to) that has the potential to reconfigure the very nature of money, making it programmable, far more surveillable and centrally controlled. To quote Washington DC-based blogger and analyst NS Lyons, “if not deliberately and carefully constrained in advance by law,… CBDCs have the potential to become even more than a technocratic central planner’s dream. They could represent the single greatest expansion of totalitarian power in history.”

At the time of writing that post, around 90 countries and currency unions were in the process of exploring a CBDC, according to the Atlantic Council’s CBDC tracker. Today, just two and a half years later, that number has increased to 134, representing 98% of global GDP. Around 66 of those countries are in the advanced stage of exploration—development, pilot, or launch.

But they do not include the United States. In fact, the US is not just trailing most countries on CBDC development; it could soon become the first country to explicitly ban the central bank from issuing a CBDC, to the undisguised horror of certain think tanks.

“CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act.”

In May, the US House of Representatives passed HR 5403, also known as the “CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act.” The bill, first introduced in September 2023 and sponsored by US Senator Ted Cruz, proposes amendments to the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the US Federal Reserve from issuing CBDCs. It also seeks to protect the right to financial privacy and prevent the U.S. government from “weaponizing their financial system against their own citizens.”

If passed, HR 5403 will prevent the Fed from:

Offering products or services directly to individuals.

Maintaining accounts on behalf of individuals.

Issuing a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar under any other name or label directly to an individual.

To become law, the bill still needs to clear the Senate, which is by not means guaranteed. But it is likely to receive added impetus from a new Trump administration, assuming Trump wins the election and isn’t assassinated before taking office or thwarted by a colour revolution, as Lambert posited yesterday. In January, Trump announced, to thunderous applause, at a New Hampshire that as president, he would “never allow the creation of a central bank digital currency.” Such a currency, he said, “would give a federal government, our federal government, absolute control over your money.”

Even a Kamala Harris administration is unlikely to fast-track a digital dollar, with progress set to continue to lag other jurisdictions, according to an article in The Banker. US voters — particularly Republican ones — are increasingly aware — and wary — of the threat posed by CBDCs, as demonstrated by the crowd’s reaction to Trump’s announcement. This, if nothing else, stands as testament to the power of social and independent media, and goes a long way to explaining why governments across the West are trying desperately to muzzle them.

[beardedmrbean]

Springfield, Ohio, was thrust into the national spotlight this election cycle due to the vast number of Haitian migrants who had settled in the town over the last few years, but some of those migrants have already packed their bags and left in the wake of President-elect Trump’s sweeping win.

The town, which according to the 2020 census has under 60,000 residents, has struggled to cater to a population boom between 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian migrants following decades of population decline. Residents have complained that the uncontrolled influx has drained resources and services, made the town less safe, driven up rents and caused longer wait times for medical and social services.

Locals have especially expressed frustrations over road safety, arguing that immigrants who have no to little experience driving in their home countries have been allowed to take to the streets with ease, causing a dangerous situation on the roads.

Many of those migrants had settled in the community having attained the ability to live and work in the U.S. for a limited time thanks to temporary protected status (TPS) but President-elect Trump signaled on the campaign trail he would yank such permits, striking fear into the migrants, some of whom have already fled the town ahead of Trump’s return to office. 

"People are leaving," Margery Koveleski, of the Haitian Community Alliance (HCA), tells the Guardian.

"Some folks don’t have credit cards or access to the internet, and they want to buy a bus ticket or a plane ticket, so we help them book a flight."

Jacob Payen, a co-founder of the HCA who also runs a business that includes helping Haitians in Springfield to file tax returns, also told the publication that migrants have been leaving.

"People are fully aware of the election result, and that is why they are leaving; they are afraid of a mass deportation," Payen said. 

"Several of my customers have left. One guy with his family went to New Jersey; others have gone to Boston. I know three families that have gone to Canada."

Some of the Haitian migrants are thought to have moved to nearby cities such as Dayton, where they believe they would be less visible to law enforcement, while others who had temporary asylum in Brazil are considering going back to the South American country, per the Guardian, citing community leaders.

Migrants have been fleeing their home nation since it was plunged into a political crisis in 2018 with protests sweeping the island it shares with the Dominican Republic. Gang violence has exploded in the country and a transitionary council removed Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille from office earlier this month, replacing him in the role after just six months.

Springfield became a flashpoint in the presidential election when both President-elect Trump and Vice-President elect JD Vance claimed that Haitian migrants were eating pets there.  

"They're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats," Trump said on the debate stage against Vice-President Harris. "They're eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."

Trump has also vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in the history of the U.S. and has appointed hardliner South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while Tom Homan will be the new "Border Czar." 

The DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Noem will also oversee TPS and has deployed the state National Guard to the southern border several times in recent years.

Payen believes that droves of Haitian migrants leaving the town will have a detrimental impact on the local economy and in other states. 

The Guardian reports that the Haitian migrants filled thousands of jobs at area packaging and auto plants, which have helped rejuvenate the area, while Haitian restaurants regularly source food from other states.

"I pay thousands of dollars in income and property taxes every year," Payen told the outlet. "And – because I work with Haitians to file their taxes – I see their W-2s and so on. If these people leave, that money is gone from the city and the local economy."

[perfectionmigration]

How to Choose the Right Immigration Consultancy in Dubai

When considering immigration, especially to countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, or Malta, the immigration process can seem daunting. Complex paperwork, strict timelines, and ever-evolving regulations require professional guidance. That’s where immigration consultancies come in. Finding the right immigration consultancy in Dubai can make the entire process smoother and increase your chances of success. But how do you choose the right one? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.

Why You Need an Immigration Consultancy

Immigration laws and regulations are constantly changing. Keeping track of the latest requirements for visas, work permits, or permanent residency can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling work, family, or other commitments. An immigration consultancy helps:

Guide you through the process: From eligibility assessments to document preparation and submission, an immigration consultancy will provide step-by-step guidance.

Ensure compliance: Immigration consultants are well-versed in the specific requirements of different countries, helping you avoid costly mistakes or rejections.

Provide tailored solutions: The best consultancies offer personalized solutions based on your unique situation, whether you're applying for skilled migration, a student visa, or family sponsorship.

Now that you understand the importance of hiring an immigration consultancy, let’s explore how to choose the right one in Dubai.

1. Verify Accreditation and Licensing

The first and most crucial step in selecting an immigration consultancy is to verify their accreditation and licensing. Immigration consultancies in Dubai must be registered and licensed by the relevant authorities. Make sure the consultancy you choose is:

Registered with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED): This ensures that the consultancy operates legally within Dubai.

Accredited by relevant immigration authorities: For example, consultancies offering Canadian immigration services should be registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

Tip: Always ask for proof of accreditation and check with the relevant regulatory bodies to confirm the consultancy's credentials.

2. Research the Consultancy’s Track Record

When entrusting your future to an immigration consultancy, it's essential to understand their history of success. Look for consultancies with:

A strong track record: Research the consultancy's success rate. How many clients have successfully obtained visas or permanent residency through them? Do they have experience with your specific type of visa or immigration program?

Testimonials and reviews: Read reviews from previous clients. Were they satisfied with the services provided? Did they face any challenges during the process? You can find reviews on the consultancy's website, Google, or social media platforms.

Case studies: Some consultancies share case studies of successful applications. This can give you an idea of how they handle complex immigration cases.

Tip: Be cautious of consultancies that promise guaranteed visas or offer suspiciously high success rates. Immigration decisions ultimately rest with the government, and no consultancy can guarantee approval.

3. Evaluate the Range of Services Offered

Different immigration consultancies offer varying levels of service. It's essential to choose a consultancy that can cater to your specific needs. Key services to look for include:

Eligibility assessments: The consultancy should assess your eligibility for various immigration programs and advise you on the best pathway based on your profile.

Document preparation: Immigration applications require a significant amount of documentation. Choose a consultancy that provides thorough assistance in preparing and organizing all necessary documents.

Application submission: A good consultancy will handle the submission process, ensuring that all forms are correctly filled out and submitted on time.

Post-submission support: Immigration processes often require follow-up or additional documentation after submission. Ensure the consultancy provides ongoing support until your application is approved.

4. Consider Transparency and Communication

Transparency and clear communication are vital when dealing with an immigration consultancy. You need to be fully aware of the process, timelines, and fees involved. A reliable consultancy will:

Provide clear information upfront: Before signing any contracts, the consultancy should clearly explain the process, expected timelines, and all associated costs.

Maintain open communication: Immigration processes can take months or even years. Choose a consultancy that is responsive and provides regular updates on the status of your application.

Be honest about your chances: A reputable consultancy will give you a realistic assessment of your chances rather than overpromising.

5. Evaluate Expertise in Your Destination Country

Each country has unique immigration laws and requirements. It's essential to choose a consultancy with in-depth knowledge of the specific country you wish to immigrate to. For example, if you're looking to immigrate to Canada, Australia, or the UK, make sure the consultancy specializes in these regions and stays updated with the latest immigration policies.

Tip: During your consultation, ask the agency about recent changes in immigration policies for your target country to gauge their expertise.

6. Schedule a Consultation

Before making your final decision, schedule a consultation with the consultancy to discuss your immigration goals. This meeting will give you an opportunity to assess:

The consultant’s knowledge and professionalism: Are they knowledgeable about the immigration process for your target country? Do they answer your questions clearly and confidently?

Their approach to your case: How do they plan to handle your application? Do they offer a personalized approach, or do they seem to rely on a generic process?

Your comfort level: Immigration is a significant step in your life. It’s essential to feel comfortable and confident in the consultancy you choose.

Conclusion: Why Perfection Migration Stands Out

Choosing the right immigration consultancy can make all the difference in achieving your dream of living abroad. At Perfection Migration, we pride ourselves on being one of the top Immigration Consulting Firm Based In Dubai, specializing in helping individuals and families successfully navigate the immigration process. With years of experience, we offer:

Accredited and licensed services

A strong track record of successful applications

Comprehensive, personalized services tailored to your specific needs

Transparent communication and competitive pricing

In-depth expertise in multiple immigration destinations, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and more

Let Perfection Migration be your trusted partner in your immigration journey. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your new life abroad.

Read Also: Is it Easy Moving from Dubai, UAE, to Canada?