Democrat Derek Tran Defeats GOP Rep. Michelle Steel in Southern California Swing House DistrictElon Musk pens German newspaper opinion piece supporting far-right AfD partyThe 37-year-old striker has scored 25 goals in all competitions since joining the club before the start of this season including 20 in Miami's record-breaking regular season campaign. After winning the Supporters' Shield for the best record in the regular season, with a new points tally record, Miami were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by Atlanta United. Since then Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino has left the club with his compatriot and Suarez's former team-mate at Barca, Mascherano appointed on Tuesday. "I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fan base, which for us is like family. We feel very, very connected with them, and hopefully, next year, we can bring them even more joy," said Suarez. Miami's president of football operations Raul Sanllehi said Suarez had shown he remains an elite level forward but was also a key component in the dressing room. "Luis was not only our leading scorer this season, but also a leader for the group. His impact cannot be understated," he said. Suarez announced in September he was retiring from international duty with the Uruguay national team after scoring 69 goals in 143 games. The forward played in Europe for Ajax, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid and had a season in Brazil with Gremio before joining Miami. sev/mw
The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Deutsche Bank announced today its appointment as depositary bank for the NASDAQ-listed American Depositary Receipt program of Jinxin Technology Holding Company. Jinxin Technology Holding Company (NASDAQ: NAMI) is an innovative digital content service provider in China. Leveraging their digital content generation engine powered by AI/AR/VR/digital human technologies, they offer users digital content services through both their platform and the content distribution channels of their partners. They target K-9 students in China, with expertise in providing them digital and integrated educational contents.* In addition to specializing in administering cross-border equity structures such as New York Shares, American, and Global Depositary Receipts, Deutsche Bank provides corporates, financial institutions, hedge funds and supranational agencies around the world with trustee, agency, escrow, and related services. Deutsche Bank offers a very broad range of services for diverse products, from complex securitizations and project finance to syndicated loans, debt exchanges and restructurings. * This information was provided by Jinxin Technology Holding Company (December 2024). Depositary Receipt Information Country Cayman Islands incorporated holding company with operations conducted by subsidiaries in China Custodian Bank Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch Effective Date December 9, 2024 Level III ADR CUSIP 47760D 102 ISIN US47760D1028 Symbol NAMI Exchange NASDAQ Current Ratio 1 ADS: 18 Ordinary shares Eligibility DTC Depositary Receipt Contacts New Business Development William Ng Tel: +852 2203 7889 www.adr.db.com Markets Distribution adr@db.com London Tel: +44 (0) 20 7547 6500 gtb.db.com New York Tel: +1 212 250 9100 Deutsche Bank provides commercial and investment banking, retail banking, transaction banking and asset and wealth management products and services to corporations, governments, institutional investors, small and medium-sized businesses, and private individuals. Deutsche Bank is Germany’s leading bank, with a strong position in Europe and a significant presence in the Americas and Asia Pacific. The Depositary Receipts have been registered pursuant to the US Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"). The investment or investment service which is the subject of this notice is not available to retail clients as defined by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. This notice has been approved and/or communicated by Deutsche Bank AG New York. The services described in this notice are provided by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (Deutsche Bank) or by its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in accordance with appropriate local registration and regulation. Deutsche Bank is providing the attached notice strictly for information purposes and makes no claims or statement, nor does it warrant or in any way represent, as to the accuracy or completeness of the details contained herein or therein. This announcement appears as a matter of record only. Neither this announcement nor the information contained herein constitutes an offer or solicitation by Deutsche Bank or any other issuer or entity for the purchase or sale of any securities nor does it constitute a solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction where solicitation would be unlawful. No part of this notice may be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank. Past results are not an indication of future performance. Copyright© December 2024 Deutsche Bank AG. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209904696/en/ CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Deutsche Bank AG Press & Media Relations Dylan Riddle Tel. +12122504982 Cell. +1(904)3866481 Emaildylan.riddle@db.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Deutsche Bank Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 03:02 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 03:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209904696/en
Pep Guardiola: If I can’t reverse Manchester City slide then I have to goThe coming year will be full of challenges for EU, Croatia moving closer to EU average
Jets running back Breece Hall dealing with a knee issue, left tackle Tyron Smith could go on IR
Pig manure fertilizer could boost corn yieldIRWINDALE, Calif. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BIC America continues to showcase its legacy of delivering exceptional sound solutions with the Acoustech Architectural Series, featuring five expertly engineered in-ceiling speaker models: AU510, AU610, AU620, AU810, and AU820. These speakers demonstrate the company's commitment to providing superior audio performance across various applications for both residential and commercial installations.Acoustech Architectural Series: Delivering Excellence Across Every Model Acoustech Architectural Series: Unmatched Quality and Design Each speaker in the Acoustech Architectural Series is crafted with durability and performance in mind. Featuring innovative pivoting tweeters and precision-engineered drivers, these speakers provide tailored sound while maintaining a discreet, seamless ceiling integration. Key Differentiators: About BIC America With over 50 years of audio expertise, BIC America continues to be a trusted name in sound technology. The company remains dedicated to creating high-quality audio systems that enhance listening experiences for home theater enthusiasts and music lovers. Contact: Eric Huang , bic@bicamerica.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bic-america-spotlights-acoustech-architectural-in-ceiling-speaker-series-302326616.html SOURCE BIC America
No. 7 Tennessee dispatches UT Martin to remain undefeatedIN FOCUS: Crime on the decline in most Singapore neighbourhoods, but new policing challenges await
Roquan Smith returns to practice as a limited participantSINGAPORE: Having lived in Yishun for over 10 years, Ting Jian Rong comes prepared with a quip whenever he’s asked about the neighbourhood in Singapore’s north : “We have a lot of ‘crazy’ people here, but we don’t have criminals!” The 31-year-old was poking fun at Yishun’s largely social media-fuelled reputation for being a place of danger and just bad news overall, from misdemeanours to cat abuse cases and even more serious transgressions . Online chatter swelled to such an extent that in 2018, the area’s Nee Soon town council released a report with statistics to show that Yishun was not the crime hotspot it’s made out to be. More recent figures from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) back this up. Both Yishun North and Yishun South Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) were among the most improved in terms of annual crime cases recorded, with the number dropping by at least 50 per cent over a decade from 2013 to last year. It matches the anecdotal, lived experience of Mr Ting, who works in the air freight sector. He recalled that about ten years ago, loanshark harassment was a big issue around his estate. But this has ceased to be the case and seems to have been replaced by a more modern scourge, as he’s noticed more anti-scam messaging in his neighbourhood in recent times. What’s happening in Yishun has been mirrored in most of Singapore’s 35 NPCs: A drop in physical crime – including in Geylang, another notorious locale – combined with increased awareness that location now matters less in a digital age. Scam cases in the first half of 2024, for instance, rose 16.3 per cent compared with the same period last year. White-collar crime has also taken centrestage in Singapore, after a S$3 billion money laundering case involving 10 foreigners made global headlines. This changing nature of crime and as a result, crime prevention has already driven a shake-up of what policing constitutes, according to experts. Tap on the map to see trends for preventable crime cases across Singapore’s Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs), over the past decade: THE YOUNGER THE OFFENDER The statistics, which are publicly available, related to what police term as five “preventable” crimes: Robbery, housebreaking, snatch theft, theft of motor vehicle and outrage of modesty. “Considering that the number of crimes is low overall, the public should not jump to the conclusion that some areas are more dangerous,” Associate Professor Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim, head of the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, cautioned. “Instead, they should review the data and look at the crime trend comprehensively and not panic.” Of note was the close relationship between age and offending, as highlighted by criminologist Olivia Choy, an assistant professor at the Nanyang Technological University. “At the aggregate level, prevalence of offending peaks in the late teenage years , and then declines afterward,” she said. “Based on this phenomenon, we would expect to see a greater deal of crime and delinquency in areas with more adolescents and young adults, rather than if the same areas were occupied by older adults or younger children.” Of the 35 NPCs across the country, only four — Punggol, Marina Bay, Sengkang and Sembawang — recorded an increase in the number of crime cases over the decade, based on data last updated in September. Citing government statistics, real estate advisory OrangeTee Group's chief researcher and strategist Christine Sun noted that the three residential planning areas among the four did indeed have a higher proportion of teenagers than the average across the country. A 65-year-old Yishun resident, who only wanted to be known as Mr Ang, told CNA that in the past, the demographic was younger and might have run into more issues typically faced by those in that age group, such as gambling addiction and loanshark borrowing. The kitchen helper, who has lived in Yishun Ring Road for over 40 years, said: “Now those residents have grown older; they have new responsibilities and priorities in life; they have their own families.” Ms Carrie Tan, a Nee Soon Member of Parliament since 2020, said Yishun’s improved 10-year crime statistics reflected the “strong community spirit and effective policing efforts” that have contributed to a safer environment in the area. She added that the police regularly take part in community events to raise crime awareness, and also engage residents through initiatives such as the Community Watch Scheme . And Ms Tan emphasised that social support was “vital”. “We’ve expanded financial assistance, welfare support, and mental health resources to help residents manage stress and prevent situations that might otherwise lead to crime.” RED LIGHT DISTRICT NO MORE Another standout data point related to outrage of modesty, which consistently made up the bulk of cases across NPCs. While only four neighbourhood police centres saw a rise in overall crime, 21 actually recorded a climb in outrage of modesty cases. Mention such “sex crimes” and for many, Geylang would come to mind . After the Little India riots in 2013, then-police commissioner Ng Joo Hee remarked that the cops were in fact more worried about Geylang because “all the indicators for potential trouble are there”. He called Geylang a “hot spot” for crimes such as illegal gambling and drug dealing, and where there was worryingly overt hostility and antagonism towards police presence. Over the next 10 years, however, Geylang’s NPC recorded the biggest – 66.2 per cent – drop in crime cases. Financial adviser Brandon Koh, who has lived in the Cassia Crescent estate in Geylang since he was six, said: “Last time, we could hear people running and chasing each other around and shouting at night. Nowadays, no more.” The 28-year-old believes the fall in crime has to do with Geylang NPC relocating in 2019 from Paya Lebar Road to Cassia Link, closer to the infamous Geylang Road stretch. “The frequent presence of the police officers nearby will have a deterrent effect on any would-be criminals,” said Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan, who has been in office since 2006. Ms Utkalika Sahoo, who lives in Geylang and works as a cashier at Wandiantonglian convenience store in Geylang Lorong 22, told CNA she doesn’t feel unsafe even though she closes shop around 11.30pm daily. But she also said Geylang hasn’t completely shrugged off its reputation. Last month, Ms Utkalika wanted to book a mobile hairdresser to come to her home, but was told the service was not provided in the area due to its associations with vice. Still, MPs overseeing the neighbourhood said they’ve received fewer complaints from residents — in tandem with feedback on their increased comfort and security. Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah, MP for Jalan Besar since 2020, pointed to what he said were simple but impactful changes, like installing better street lighting. The area’s urban redevelopment over the years has also helped reduce the concentration of vice-related activities, he said. “This shift has been essential in gradually reshaping the area’s reputation and dispelling outdated stereotypes.“ BUILT-UP PLACES Among the NPCs which saw a spike in crime, Marina Bay — with its 71.7 per cent jump — was the only one located in the city district. A breakdown of crimes committed by locals and foreigners was not available, but Mr Jason Chua, who teaches criminal law at Temasek Polytechnic, said a post-pandemic upswing in visitor numbers may have contributed. “Many tourists flocked to Singapore and many events went back in full swing , with mega events such as the F1 race – which drew over 260,000 attendees – Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, Chingay Parade and National Day Parade,” he said. “With more people, naturally, the incidence of crime rises.” Crime cases also climbed by 95 per cent in Punggol — the biggest surge — followed by 14.8 per cent in Sengkang and 6.5 per cent in Sembawang. "Generally, there are more HDB (Housing Board) flats that have been built and reached MOP (minimum occupation period) in Punggol, Sengkang and Sembawang in recent years," said OrangeTee’s Ms Sun. Residents in Punggol were generally unfazed and said they still felt safe. Aircraft technician Mohammed Salah, 27, who lives in Punggol Central, said one reason could be that the area was not a mature estate, with some parts not fully developed and lacking things like police cameras. But he said the 2022 relocation of Punggol NPC from Tebing Lane to his neighbourhood has increased police presence. “A lot of the back roads are opening up, so it’s easier for the police cars to move around,” noted Mr Salah. Other residents told CNA they’d observed police officers patrolling on foot regularly. “NO BOUNDARIES” For Mr Chua, the polytechnic lecturer, the overall drop in crime cases throughout Singapore can be attributed in part to the installation of more police cameras, providing surveillance on the ground. The SPF previously announced that by the mid-2030s, more than 200,000 police cameras will be installed in public areas islandwide to improve safety and security and help investigations. Higher penalties imposed by the courts in recent years may have also prompted would-be criminals to think twice before offending, Mr Chua added. But experts and authorities also stressed the evolving, increasingly less physical nature of crime and crime prevention. “Considering the increase in online and tech-facilitated crime, jurisdiction is not a good indicator considering there are no boundaries when it comes to them,” said Assoc Prof Razwana. The police also told CNA it has been dealing with more sophisticated and transnational crimes, including financial crimes and money laundering. With Singapore an international financial centre and a trading and transit hub, criminals could its economic openness and business infrastructure to move illicit funds and assets, the SPF said. Criminals could also convert their illicit funds to other assets here, like real estate or precious stones and precious metals. The police announced a slew of initiatives in May in recognition of the changing landscape — and to get the public further involved. These include public education campaigns and stepped-up dissemination of cybercrime alerts and advisories. SPF’s Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) has also conducted 13 island-wide enforcement operations in the first half of 2024 alone, leading to the investigation of over 4,000 money mules and scammers. More than 140 joint interventions by ASCom and Community Policing Units were also conducted in that period, averting more than S$36.5 million (US$27 million) in potential losses. Other efforts include an app released in 2020 to block scam calls and detect scam SMSes. PRESENT AND RELEVANT Meanwhile, the police have also been consolidating physical resources. Woodlands Police Division was launched in late 2018 to better serve a growing population across the north, northeastern and western parts of Singapore, especially new estates in Punggol and Tengah. SPF will also merge its Yishun North and Yishun South NPCs into one neighbourhood police centre on Dec 18, as part of a shift to pool resources “from smaller, geographically-linked NPCs to form a larger base”. “It is part of our ongoing efforts to review and restructure ground deployments across our 35 NPCs, to better meet the evolving security challenges and the community’s needs.” Experts told CNA that NPCs still have a part to play in Singapore. For one, the very presence of a police outpost in a neighbourhood serves as a visual deterrent. “Prevention is better than cure, and the NPC is still relevant being that symbolic authority,” said Assoc Prof Razwana. She said its role is no longer just about traditional policing, but proactively “working with the community and collecting data and information”. Mr Chua pointed out that the Community Policing Units are often based within NPCs too. These units were introduced back in 2012 to build closer relationships between the police and residents, through the likes of Citizens on Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch Group efforts. “Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Everyone can contribute to the safety and security of Singapore,” the police said. Preschool teacher Amelia Quah, who has lived in Punggol Drive for three years, agrees. Beyond the sight of the men in blue keeping watch over her neighbourhood, it’s the community elements which make the 26-year-old feel more assured – including something as modest as a convenience store under her block, which is open 24/7. "So at least the place is well-lit," she said. "And there's always someone else around in case anything happens."
Deutsche Bank Appointed as Depositary Bank for the Sponsored American Depositary Receipt Program of Jinxin Technology Holding Company
Steel said in a statement that “like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin.” When she captured the seat in 2020, Steel joined Washington state Democrat Marilyn Strickland as the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. Tran, a lawyer and worker rights advocate and the son of Vietnamese refugees, declared victory earlier this week. He said his win “is a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I understand firsthand the journey and sacrifices many families in our district have made for a better life." The contest is one of the last to be decided this year, with Republicans now holding 220 seats in the House, with Democrats at 214. The Associated Press has not declared a winner in California's 13th District, where Democrat Adam Gray was leading Republican Rep. John Duarte by a couple of hundred votes. Steel held an early edge after Election Day, but late-counted ballots pushed Tran over the top. Steel filed a statement of candidacy on Monday with federal regulators, which would allow her to continue raising funds. It wasn’t immediately clear if she planned to seek a return to Congress. In the campaign, Tran warned of Republican threats to abortion rights. Steel opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman, while not going so far as to support a federal ban. Tran also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House would put democracy at risk. On Capitol Hill, Steel has been outspoken in resisting tax increases and says she stands strongly with Israel in its war with Hamas. “As our greatest ally in the Middle East, the United States must always stand with Israel,” she said. She advocates for more police funding and has spotlighted her efforts on domestic violence and sexual abuse. The largest demographic in the district, which is anchored in Orange County southeast of Los Angeles, is Asian Americans, and it includes the nation’s biggest Vietnamese community. Democrats hold a 4-point registration edge.
The agriculture visa for Pacific Island nationals has been a dismal failure from the beginning, resulting in exploitation bordering on slavery and even fatalities, writes Dr Abul Rizvi . THE SITUATION of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility ( P.A.L.M. ) visa goes from bad to worse, with government ministers continuing to deny the problems of employer exploitation, an extraordinary death/injury rate and huge numbers of P.A.L.M. workers running away from their sponsoring employers to apply for asylum. When Australia embarked on its first low-skill agriculture visa over a decade ago, I could not believe we were going to copy what every other nation with such a visa had experienced. Somehow, we were going to be so much cleverer with such a visa than every other nation where such visas have been a disaster. It was either pure arrogance or naivety — I am not sure which. Then in 2020-21, the Nationals’ David Littleproud announced broadening this Pacific Island visa to a demand-driven agriculture visa for ASEAN nations that he said would be up and running by Christmas 2021. The National Farmers’ Federation , which had been lobbying for such a visa for decades, was ecstatic. It would at last get the easily exploitable farmer labourers it always wanted. System fails to protect migrants — asylum applications soar Is the ongoing rise in asylum applications from Pacific Island nations a case of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shifting risks and costs to other agencies? At that time, I wrote that going down that path would forever change the character of Australia for the worse. I wrote about the range of risks associated with such visas. Not surprisingly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ( DFAT ) dragged its feet in establishing agreements for this visa. Even DFAT could see the disaster such a visa would be (and it's usually DFAT that is the last to understand such risks). The new Labor Government abolished Littleproud’s agriculture visa (apart from allowing 1,000 agriculture visa workers from Vietnam due to an existing MOU). Australia had dodged a bullet. But it continued with a low-skill agriculture visa for Pacific Island nationals, presumably for regional security reasons. That has had appalling consequences. Exploitation Extreme exploitation of poor people with few English skills and little agency to demand better treatment from farmers was inevitable. A Senate Committee in early 2022 heard from Pacific Island workers that they were “being treated like slaves” . One Pacific Island worker said he was made to sign contracts in English – despite not understanding the language – and was not provided with an interpreter to understand the terms. He would end up earning $300 as his net pay after working 73 hours in one week. Another worker told the Committee that he ‘picked strawberries for 73 hours another week — and he earned only $100’ . Another worker said: “The way we are made to work through the heat of the sun or rain, without rest, we feel like we are being treated like slaves.” DFAT insists these are isolated incidents but has provided little evidence to back up this claim. A problem is the reportedly exorbitant deductions that are often made to pay for things like transport and accommodation. Visa system still leaving migrants jobless and homeless With record-sized growth in temporary entrants straining rental and job markets, Home Affairs must do more to help struggling migrants secure skilled jobs and permanent residency. Coalition Senator Matt Canavan criticised his own Government for operating a system that amounted to indentured labour. The Labor Government made changes to address some of the concerns. However, as recently as late 2024, AAP reports the scheme as a ‘breeding ground for slavery’ . It says: ‘Workers, who can't leave their employer without approval from the Employment Department, are sometimes left with as little as $100 to $200 a week due to bosses being allowed to take deductions from their wages.’ Between 2019 and 2024, the Fair Work Ombudsman conducted 228 investigations covering 1,937 Pacific Island workers recovering $760,000. But in all likelihood, this is the tip of the iceberg. The Immigration Advice and Rights Centre says ‘employers regularly threatened workers with deportation and some in Bundaberg didn't have basic living standards, which resulted in rough sleeping and needing to go to soup kitchens to eat. Most who left the scheme in NSW's Riverina region did so because of exploitation’ . The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Tomoya Obokata , found in November 2024 that the P.A.L.M. Scheme is a ‘a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery’ . East Timor President José Ramos-Horta criticised the scheme during a national address in Australia, alleging people were forced to pay $700 a week to live in a dormitory for eight people with bunk beds. Visa lottery: Solution in search of a problem A new lottery-style system for issuing permanent residency visas is a poorly-planned idea that will create its own share of problems. Death and injury rate As with similar schemes in Europe and North America, the P.A.L.M. Scheme has been plagued by an extraordinary death and injury rate. The Australia Institute has found more than 230 Pacific Island workers were seriously injured and 45 died in Australia between 2020 and 2023. That is in a visa with only around 30,000 people. A death/injury rate such as that for nationals from a rich Working Holiday Maker nation would result in outrage. According to data from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations ( DEWR ), as of June 30 2023, P.A.L.M. visa holder deaths more than quadrupled from 2021-2022 to 2022-23, with seven deaths and 29 deaths recorded respectively. While the increase would partly be related to the increased size of the Scheme, and the Government notes not all the deaths and injuries were workplace-related, the death and injury rate remains shocking. Albeit politically motivated, we held a Royal Commission when four Australians died as a result of the Government’s Pink Batts Scheme . A Queensland-based labour-hire company alone has had nine fatalities and 109 serious injuries during its participation in the scheme. This company has 15% of the P.A.L.M. workforce. Pacific Island Nationals seeking asylum The inevitable consequence of such appalling mistreatment is that P.A.L.M. workers are running away from their employers and applying for asylum in significant numbers. At the primary level, it is not unusual for Pacific Island nationals to comprise over 20% of every month’s asylum applications. In many months, more asylum claims are lodged by Pacific Island nationals than those from major visitor/student source nations such as China and India. These asylum claims are now increasingly making their way to the Administrative Review Tribunal ( A.R.T. ) (see Chart 1). (Data source: A.R.T. ) Due to the size of the A.R.T.’s asylum backlog, it can take many years for an asylum appeal to be considered. In that time, the asylum seeker must find another job to survive. As most Pacific Island asylum claims are eventually refused (well over 90% refusal rate), these people will eventually become undocumented migrants with no work rights and no access to any form of government support. Both major political parties continue to pay lip service to these issues. That may continue until a demagogue such as Donald Trump is elected to power in Australia to deal with this in the most harsh and inhumane way possible. Australia does not want to go there. We can deal with this in a sane and sensible manner if there is political determination to do so. Unfortunately, the politicisation of immigration policy makes that just about impossible. Dr Abul Rizvi is an Independent Australia columnist and a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration. You can follow Abul on Twitter @ RizviAbul . This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License Support independent journalism Subscribe to IA. POLITICS NEW AUSTRALIANS HUMAN RIGHTS ECONOMICS PALM SCHEME Pacific Australia Labour Mobility visa David Littleproud agriculture visa Auspol National Farmers Federation DFAT deaths exploitation Share Article
Active is the best word to describe Amari Cooper’s involvement in the Buffalo Bills’ offense Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Cooper led the Bills with 14 targets, more than doubling his previous high of five targets in his five games with the team since coming over in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in October. Cooper finished with six catches against the Rams for 95 yards, both of which are his best in a game for the Bills. His six catches were the most by a Bills receiver, and his 95 yards trailed only Khalil Shakir's 106 yards on five catches for most on the team against Los Angeles. Bills receiver Amari Cooper makes a terrific catch for a gain of 25 yards during Sunday's loss against the Rams. Cooper was targeted a 15th time in the game on a play that ended up getting wiped out because he drew a defensive pass interference penalty on Rams cornerback Darious Williams in the end zone, which moved the ball to the Rams' 1-yard line on the Bills’ final offensive possession, setting up quarterback Josh Allen’s sixth total touchdown of the game. Whether it was Williams or fellow outside cornerback Cobie Durant lined up on Cooper, Allen showed no hesitation in looking the way of the veteran receiver, who was playing in his third game after returning from missing two games because of a wrist injury. Even though the team did not get the result it hoped for in a 44-42 loss, there is a lot to take away from Cooper’s individual performance. No. 1, he’s getting healthier. He played 32 offensive snaps, which was 53.3% of the team total. By percentage, that’s Cooper’s most active game as a member of the Bills. No. 2, the Bills liked the matchup on the outside, with Cooper going up against either Williams or Durant. Of Cooper’s six catches, a couple came on quick outs when the Rams gave him a decent cushion and Allen took what was available. Cooper’s first catch came when he ran a stop route in front of Williams to get wide open for an 18-yard gain in the second quarter. The receiver’s best catch came midway through the third quarter when Williams actually had decent coverage. Cooper, however, saw the ball all the way and secured it for a gain of 26 yards, despite a slight bobble. On the Bills’ final drive, Cooper worked a deep crossing route to get open for a 25-yard gain. A story also can be found in the connections that weren’t made between Allen and Cooper. On the first two misses, Allen was on the move and seemed to at least give his receiver a chance, but Cooper couldn’t make the catch. There also appeared to be at least two incompletions that could be attributed to miscommunication. In the second quarter, Allen threw deep down the left sideline on third and 10, but Cooper had cut off his route a few yards beyond the first-down marker. On the next play, the Rams blocked Sam Martin’s punt and returned it for a touchdown. There was another throw late in the third quarter when Allen was looking for another quick out, but Cooper never turned his head to look for the ball. One other pass intended for Cooper was broken up by Durant with a well-timed hit, and one other targeted ball was thrown out of bounds when Allen was pressured. “He’s the type of quarterback that will fight to the very end,” Cooper said after the game of Allen, who was magnificent in defeat. “Obviously, we still had winning chances there. In Josh we trust. Never out of it until the clock hits zero.” Cooper knew that about Allen before he even came to the Bills. Now, he’s tasked with helping Allen find a way to pull out close games, which figures to be the norm as the playoffs approach. Position grades: Bills' defense sinks in third-down ranking after loss to Rams That is why Sunday can be viewed as a positive for the offense beyond just Allen being Superman. It is clear that if he is looking Cooper’s way 14 times, the receiver has earned the trust of the quarterback. That’s a must in any offense. There is reason to believe that the relationship between Cooper and Allen will only get stronger over the remaining four games of the regular season. The offense also should soon welcome back tight end Dalton Kincaid and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, giving Allen his full arsenal of weapons – something he hasn’t had since Cooper hurt his wrist against Seattle in Week 8 and missed the following two weeks, against Miami and Indianapolis. That is something to look forward to, even if it might be painful right now to look back at Sunday’s loss. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Nairametrics to hold webinar on Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2025
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