A former Australian government lawyer Tuesday informed a royal commission that he withheld legal advice that the Robodebt scheme, an automated debt assessment and recovery method utilized by Services Australia from 2015 through 2019, was illegal. Former chief counsel for the Department of Social Services (DSS) Paul Menzies-McVey told the inquiry that he was aware [...]
The Indian Income Tax Department Friday said that they uncovered irregularities in the BBC’s accounting books following a search of the broadcaster’s offices. In a statement, the tax authority said that a survey action was carried out across the broadcaster’s Delhi and Mumbai offices which found “several discrepancies and inconsistencies” regarding the company’s tax declarations. [...]
The Australian government Tuesday announced it intervened in an alleged Iranian operation targeting an unidentified Iranian-Australia. In a speech delivered at the Australian National University’s National Security College, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil disclosed that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) intercepted the Iranian operation in late 2022. ASIO disrupted the activities of individuals who [...]
Medical experts from Duke University Wednesday warned that proposed laws targeting LGBTQ+ youth in North Carolina will have harmful effects on mental health and safety in schools. In a discussion published by Duke Today, three medical experts said that proposed legislation will “drive up suicide rates, restrict health care providers and limit schools’ ability to [...]
The UN Tuesday expressed concern for the safety of journalists in Cameroon following the second murder of a journalist within two weeks. In a statement, UN Human Rights spokesperson Seif Magango said that the murder of radio presenter Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe last Thursday follows several concerning reports of violence against journalists in Cameroon. Ola Bebe [...]
An international Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Wednesday reported a “strong indication” that Russian President Vladimir Putin made the decision to supply the missile which downed flight MH17 in 2014. The JIT, formed in 2014 by the Netherlands, Australia, Ukraine, Malaysia and Belgium, found that the Buk TELAR missile that collided with flight MH17 was provided [...]
The Canadian government has introduced a law delaying the extension of medically-assisted dying laws for people with mental illness. In a news release Thursday, the Department of Justice announced Bill C-39, which proposes that the broadened medical assistance in dying laws (MAID) be delayed until March 2024. Eligibility for MAID for those suffering from mental [...]
The Australian Labour government Monday released a draft of the Family Law Amendment Bill 2023 to amend the Family Law Act 1975. In a statement, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the reforms seek to prioritize the best interests of the child and address criticisms that the family law system is slow, expensive and traumatic for families. [...]
Sierra Leone Monday passed a landmark law promoting women’s rights in the workplace and positions of power. The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) was signed into law by President Julius Maada Bio, who stated that the law will “address the gender imbalances in this country comprehensively.” The GEWE, introduced to parliament in 2021, [...]
Amnesty International Monday urged Eswatini authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the murder of human rights lawyer and activist Thulani Maseko. In a news release, Amnesty International called for Maseko’s death to be “promptly investigated in an effective, thorough, impartial and transparent manner, completely independent of government.” Maseko was reportedly assassinated in his home [...]
