The Greater Victoria School District is blaming a deficit in communication with other stakeholders regarding the development of a safety plan for SD61 schools. Education Minister Lisa Beare threatened the potential dismissal of the school board on Dec. 6 if a ministry-approved safety plan was not in place by Jan. 6 – a move ultimately caused by the 2023 cancellation of the school police liaison officer program which has been a contentious issue as police have reported an uptick in gang activity within Greater Victoria schools . On Sept. 17, then-minister of education Rachna Singh ordered the board to develop the safety plan in collaboration with Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay police departments, the West Shore RCMP detachment, and local First Nations by Nov. 15. In a letter to the ministry from the board, which was handed in with the draft safety plan on Nov. 15, board chair Nicole Duncan noted the timeline for the plan was ambitious and it "has impaired the board's ability to meaningfully collaborate with the range of interested parties." They explained that with support of the district's Indigenous Education Department, they reached out to the "Four Houses" of Indigenous peoples the board works with – Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, Metis Nation of Greater Victoria and Urban Peoples' House Indigenous Advisory – and after meetings on Nov. 8 and 12, they received feedback which "indicated a need for further engagement with the Nations." On Dec. 2, a joint letter from the Songhees and Esquimalt chiefs called for the reinstatement of the police liaison program, saying there was an "egregious" lack of communication and consultation between the parties, which Duncan acknowledged in a subsequent statement. The board also noted that the Metis Nation had no comments on the draft safety plan, and the Urban Peoples' House Indigenous Advisory was unable to comment within the time available. "We are concerned that we have not been able to engage sufficiently with all of the Four Houses, including appropriate further dialogue with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, or to receive feedback from the Urban Peoples' House Indigenous Advisor," noted the letter. Additionally, the ministerial order directed that the safety plan address crime prevention and proactive crime prevention strategies at schools, which the board notes is not a "power, function or duty" of the board per the School Act. "Although crime prevention is not a function of the board, the board appreciates that it is responsible for determining policy for the efficient and effective operation of schools, the provision of an educational program to students, and the provision of health, social and other support services in district schools," noted the letter. The board met with police delegates on eight occasions between November 2023 and September 2024 to discuss the shared responsibility for student safety, where police partners, according to the board's letter, demonstrated a "general lack of interest" in collaborating with the district and little was accomplished within those meetings. The board says they invited the four police services to discuss the safety plan on Oct. 8, but the police departments instead opted to use the meeting to revisit the board's decision to not rely on school liaison officers. In submitting the safety plan at that time, the board noted that it did not support the use of police services to manage student behaviour or discipline, unless it involved criminal behaviour, and would rather use appropriate district staff and trained, qualified professionals to lead proactive student supports and interventions. The November draft safety plan, which was made public with the letter to the ministry, included a number of policies and protocols relating to online safety, drills and crisis response. It also notes a "gang risk assessment" which identified a lack of codified communication protocol between police services and the district. "Where there is an actual or potential risk to members of our learning community, we will continue to activate our existing protocols and proactive measures outlined in the safety plan to appropriately address student safety in collaboration with our staff, and community partners, which includes police services," noted the draft safety plan. The board now has less than a month, working with a ministry-appointed advisor, to develop a plan to be approved by Beare's office. With files from Arnold Lim
At a town hall meeting with the bureau workforce, Mr Wray said he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought”. Mr Wray’s intended resignation is not unexpected considering that Mr Trump had picked Mr Patel for the role in his new administration. Mr Wray had previously been named by Mr Trump and began the 10-year term — a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations — in 2017, after Mr Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey. Mr Trump had demonstrated his anger with Mr Wray on multiple occasions, including after Mr Wray’s congressional testimony in September. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Mr Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” Mr Wray continued: “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Mr Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorised to discuss the private gathering and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Mr Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the weaponisation of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice” and saying that Mr Patel’s confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again”. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI’s Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators”, raising alarm that he might seek to wield the FBI’s significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Mr Trump’s perceived enemies. Mr Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to “a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one”.
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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The HoSkar Night series has become a favorite event for hospitality and real estate professionals across Asia , connecting industry leaders, developers, and innovators in a vibrant networking atmosphere. In 2024, the series embarked on an incredible journey, covering major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City , Hanoi , Phnom Penh , Bangkok , and Manila cementing its status as a key platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration in the industry. Launched in 2024, the HoSkar Talk - Developers Seminar marked a new milestone, bringing industry professionals together to discuss critical topics shaping the future of the hospitality and real estate industries. Looking ahead to 2025, the HoSkar Talk will dive deep into themes such as Wellness in Real Estate, Branded Residences, Technological Advancements in Hospitality, F&B Trends, and Design in Project Development. Mark your calendars for the 2025 event series, scheduled in key cities across the region: Bangkok (8th May), Phnom Penh (29th May), Manila (19th June), Ho Chi Minh City (10th July), Hanoi (29th October), Dubai (6th November) and Ho Chi Minh City (27th November). HoSkar Night calendar 2025 Brought to you by WeHub, the largest community for hospitality and real estate developers, as well as senior industry professionals in the region. With its commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth, WeHub provides a robust platform for members to share knowledge, explore opportunities, and stay ahead in a competitive market. HoSkar Night would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and partners. If you'd like to showcase your brand, share your expertise, or collaborate with us to make 2025 even more impactful, we'd love to hear from you. For sponsorship and collaboration inquiries, contact us at [email protected] . Visit the HoSkar Night website at https://hoskarnight.com/ or find out more information at WeHub LinkedIn . Vision Asia Pacific is a registered company which owns WeHub and organizes many event series, including Meet The Experts conference (MTE) and HoSkar Night networking event.
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are ready to settle their differences once again, as Usyk defends the unified heavyweight titles in a rematch in Riyadh on December 21. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will air on DAZN PPV worldwide. Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when he beat Fury via split decision in May. The judges scored the contest 114-113, 113-114, and 115-112 with a ninth-round knockdown by the Ukrainian proving decisive. Most media members scored for Usyk by a variety or margins. Two men will be in the ring, a third if you count the referee. Then there are the three judges. However, another separate entity will perhaps lurk in the shadows. WATCH : Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN Boxing judges are known for making things complicated. From wide or close scorecards when the action betrayed the numbers to awarding a fighter a win they didn't deserve, judging has caused plenty of headaches over the years. How does one attempt to fix this major issue? Turki Alalshikh may have found a way, thanks to AI. AI boxing judge, explained Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and owner of Ring Magazine announced the first-ever AI-powered judge will monitor the fight between Usyk and Fury. Per Alalshikh, the results from the AI-powered judge, an unbiased source, will not actually affect the outcome of the fight but will be used to experiment with what could be available in the future. MORE : How much will Usyk and Fury make for boxing rematch? “For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight. Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring. This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, #Usyk2Fury, on December 21.” For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight 🤖 Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring. This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, #Usyk2Fury , on December 21 🥊... pic.twitter.com/RdslVlBLRC Fury looked sharp in the first half of the fight before Usyk mounted a comeback and took over in the second half. The video Alalshikh shared explained the reasoning for an AI judge: "For years boxing has been defined by its glory but sometimes that glory is clouded by doubt and controversy. Isn’t it time for fairness to step into the ring? "It’s fairness powered by technology and human expertise." If a second fight goes the distance, it may result in another close card. What will the AI judge score it? Both fighters are motivated for a quick finish, so there may be a case where the human judges or the AI-powered judge won’t be needed. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Amar'e Marshall scored 17 points as Albany beat Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 93-50 on Friday. Marshall also contributed five assists for the Great Danes (4-1). Byron Joshua added 13 points while going 4 of 4 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while he also had five assists and five steals. Aaron Reddish shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.