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RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Reinforcing the links between the law and Pacific fisheries' sectors
The Judicial Symposium 2025 opened on Wednesday in Honiara, bringing together Regional Chief Justices of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Justice experts and fisheries officials from throughout the Pacific are gathered in Honiara in Solomon Islands to discuss the importance of links between the two sectors. According to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), tuna fisheries is worth $2 to $3 billion per year in the national waters of its Pacific Island member nations. The Judicial Symposium has the theme "Recent Developments in International Fisheries Law". Solomons Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer told the delegates the meeting is a platform "to reinforce our collective responsibility, deepen our regional legal coherence, and inspire judicial innovation in the face of emerging environmental and legal complexities." The Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office oversees a successful model of fisheries management. Photo: Facebook/PNA Tuna FFA director general Noan Pakop highlighted the importance of strong judicial systems in protecting the Pacific's tuna fisheries. He said "too often, discussions on fisheries management emphasise the roles of scientists or negotiators. But it is our courts that deliver rulings which not only resolve disputes but also create enduring legal precedent." "The law is the compass by which we navigate the stewardship of our ocean. And our judiciary is the anchor that ensures our course remains just, consistent, and resilient." Delegates are exploring key international legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal and flag State obligations, enforcement challenges, responses to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and climate change. The FFA said the Judicial Symposium is part of its long-standing commitment to support robust legal and institutional frameworks in the region.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Father's Day: A guide to buying dad a gift that has meaning
Father's Day gifts should be interesting and personalised. A book could be written about dads and the gifts they receive. The problem is it wouldn't be a novel so much as a leaflet. A single-page, double-spaced gifting covenant. Because when it comes to presents for men, whether it's Father's Day, birthdays, Christmas or a random on-the-go gift, the same tired shortlist is rolled out year after year. And yet, what dads really want is not something gift-wrapped. It's recognition. Like what moms get on Mother's Day. A proper hug, because contrary to legend, men do have emotions. Even the old-school ones. From boomer-era dads who fix things around the house to millennial dads who pack lunchboxes with salads and unsweetened snacks, the fundamentals of dadness haven't changed much over the years. It's still underlined with a love hard, work harder, yell from the sidelines, and clap the loudest at the talent contest. Socks, ties and skin care stuff Which is why socks, a tie, some kind of skin care product, another bottle of cologne, a bottle of wine or a scotch doesn't always do the job. These are gifts from the invisible catalogue of obligation. Items that hint at 'I kinda of know you' are no different, perhaps, than interpreting correspondence from Sars as a love letter or banking OTPs as sexting. ALSO READ: Seeing a dead pet? A sangoma explains what it may mean This is not to say that there's something wrong with giving your dad a pair of socks. Just make it interesting and personalised. Funny is good, even corny. Stores like PNA and Outdoor Warehouse stock pretty cool socks. – yes, you read correctly – stocks a super dad collection of socks that are novel and cute at the same time. Dad would wear it, he would love it if you chose a pair that makes a statement about who he is as a person, or what he may mean to you. The same goes for any item of clothing. Last-minute dot-com gifts are ok, but are not gifts with intent. Whisky or wine, another staple. Instead of the usual bottle of Irish or Scotch, choose something different. There are some excellent Japanese whiskies on the shelf that could be accompanied by an explainer note along the lines of how you may have thought that his love for tipple may be clear, but a segue to something slightly different may appeal to his sense of adventure. A bottle of Santori Toki, an excellent and affordable Japanese whisky, costs around R629 but to splash out, there's Hibiki Japanese Harmoney for around R2 200 a bottle. The same goes for a bottle of wine. Meerlust Rubicon is always a winner, because it's a collectible drinking wine retailing for around R600 for a 2022 vintage. Men love gadgets It's winter and men love gadgets. Especially something cool for the bar. A Solenco wine cooler with a decanter can look pretty good on the counter. It costs around R2 400. Imagine driving home from work and flicking an app on your phone, turning on a heater at home. It's connected to Wi-Fi and the Internet of Things makes it possible for your home to be snug when you get there. The Mill Portable Wi-Fi heater sells for around R3 200, and the oil heater is in the region of R5 400. There's never anything wrong with giving a T-shirt that mirror's dad's personality. From the Eish and Voetsek tees or Boksburg Rondebult Sinkhole celebration shirt parodies and La Linea service delivery shirts from The Atlas Bear online store, through to some great pop culture acquisitions at Big Blue. Pay between R200 and R500 for a proudly South African top. You can also personalise dadness, and there's still time, at stores like Classic Print in Sunninghill where a family pic on a shirt, a mug or a mousepad can be printed up in a day or two. Cards with a twist Bud Tenders in Benoni stocks some awesome craft cards. 'World's Dopest Dad' and 'Surviving Fatherhood One Joint At A Time' aren't exactly slogans you'd find at the local stationers. The cards are large and inside, in case of emergency or for a chill if it's your thing, a pre-roll. Books are gifts that keep on giving. Pair a great novel with dad's personality or what he enjoys, or some fantastic South African non-fiction. The Robert Harris series on the Roman Empire is a fantastic set of reads, while Tony Leon's Being There is highly recommended. Make a book part of a homemade dad-survival kit. Gift baskets are often chocolates, biltong, wine and whatever. Make your dad's different. Tally up everything he likes, whether it's pretzels, a hip flask and a book. Be creative and sculpt your dad's gift to match the guy he is. And more than anything, give that dad a hug. NOW READ: Race to the finish: Time to trade the hustle for a little me-time
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Philippines deepens regional ties with Vietnam, Laos through expanded partnerships
KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines is strengthening regional ties with Vietnam and Laos, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held separate bilateral meetings with their leaders on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on Monday, Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported. In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Marcos said the two countries are discussing the possibility of elevating their strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. 'Our ministers are in discussion on the possibility of elevating the strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. I believe there are already productive conversations between our two countries,' Marcos said, as quoted in a Malacanang news release. Pham acknowledged the progress in bilateral relations since Marcos' state visit to Vietnam in January 2024 and expressed hope that the partnership can be further elevated. Both leaders also discussed enhanced cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges. Marcos extended his condolences over the recent passing of former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong. In a separate bilateral meeting, Marcos and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation as the Philippines and Laos mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. The two leaders identified key sectors for deeper collaboration, including trade, education, defense, digital innovation, agriculture, skills development and tourism. Marcos also underscored the potential of expanding trade ties, noting Laos' rapid economic growth. Trade between the two countries has nearly doubled, from US$7 million in 2019 to approximately US$13.72 million in 2024. He raised the idea of establishing direct flights between Manila and Vientiane to further boost tourism and connectivity. Siphandone commended the Filipino community in Laos -- over 2,000 strong -- for their contributions in education, research and architecture. He also thanked the Philippine government for supporting Lao ministries through scholarships and language training. He welcomed increased Filipino investments in Laos' priority sectors, including clean energy, advanced technology, health services, and infrastructure. Siphandone extended a formal invitation for Marcos to undertake a state visit to Laos, signalling a forward-looking agenda for broader cooperation in the years ahead.
Euronews
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Arab leaders reiterate push for Gaza ceasefire at Baghdad summit
Arab leaders gathered in Baghdad on Saturday for the annual Arab League Summit, where they announced they were working on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and vowed to contribute to the enclave's reconstruction. The summit in the Iraqi capital was attended by Arab leaders including Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also attended as a guest, as did UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The Spanish prime minister, who in a speech to the Spanis parliament on Wednesday called Israel a "genocidal state", urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel "to halt the massacre in Gaza." Guterres called for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and the flow of aid into the territory, which has been under a total blockade by Israel for more than two months. He also said the UN rejects any "forced displacement" of Palestinians. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for allowing aid to flow back into Gaza, which has been under a total blockade by Israel since early March. "This genocide has reached levels of ugliness not seen in all conflicts throughout history," he said, adding that Iraq will work on setting up an Arab fund for the region's reconstructionom which his country will pay $20 million for Gaza and a roughly similar amount for Lebanon. Egypt's el-Sissi said that his country was coordinating with Qatar and the US in "exerting intense efforts to reach a ceasefire", and that Egypt plans to hold an international conference for the Gaza's reconstruction "once the aggression stops". Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is leader of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank and holds no authority over Hamas in Gaza, urged the militant group to hand over its weapons to the PNA. A notable absentee was new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who sent his foreign minister instead. Iraqi Shiite militias and political factions wary of al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant pushed back against his invitation to the summit. Al-Sharaa did nevertheless meet US President Donald Trump earlier in the week, who promised to remove US-imposed sanctions on Syria. The day before the summit took place, Israel announced the launching of a new announced a new phase in its Gaza offensive called "Gideon's Chariots", under which the IDF said it was "conducting extensive strikes and mobilising troops to achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza." The UN Secretary-General responded to the news by saying he was "alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations and more." Separate to Israel's announcement of an expanded offensive, Euronews revealed the existence of documents dated December 2023 which revealed that creating a new entity in Gaza "the day after" a defeat of Hamas is one of the proposals the Israeli government has on the table. The meeting in Baghdad was the 34th Arab League Summit, where Arab leaders gather to address regional matters. The League was formed in 1945 and currently comprises of 22 members.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fresno hospital kickback scheme was fueled by wine, cigars and Vegas strip clubs
In the Spotlight is a Fresno Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email tips@ One of the most brazen — and costliest — hospital kickback schemes involving the region's largest hospital group took place inside a nondescript, palm tree-lined medical plaza in north Fresno. That's where a healthcare technology company founded with money from Community Regional Medical Center built an exclusive wine and cigar lounge, complete with private humidor lockers for cigar storage, a state-of-the-art smoke ventilation system, and luxury wines and liquors valued at about $1 million. Only a select few executives and physicians had access to the office-turned-lounge near First Street and Alluvial Avenue, known as 'HQ2.' It was a place where doctors, healthcare executives and physician group leaders were generously rewarded for using the company's electronic health record system and fraudulently referring patients in violation of several federal laws, according to a 2019 unsealed federal whistleblower lawsuit. The alleged conspirators planned to build a grander 'ranch' luxury retreat using funds generated from the kickback scheme, according to the complaint, which was unsealed Wednesday. The scheme came to light only after a 2017 building fire at the medical plaza revealed a cache of a thousand bottles of wine,arousing suspicions from the whistleblower, an accountant, of improper spending. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that Community Health System and healthcare technology affiliate Physician Network Advantage Inc. (PNA) have agreed to pay $31 million to the federal government to settle allegations that it violated the False Claim Act. Community Health System (CHS), Fresno's largest healthcare group, owns downtown Fresno's Community Regional Medical Center and the Clovis Community Medical Center, as well as a health plan and physician network. Community Medical Centers (CMC) is the name of the group that includes the hospitals and clinics under the CHS umbrella. PNA is a health care technology business founded and funded by CMC to support Fresno-area physicians' adoption of the electronic health records platform used by Community, according to federal prosecutors. PNA's CEO Chris Roggenstein is a 'longtime friend' of former CHS CEO Craig Castro, according to the lawsuit. At the heart of the complaint is a scheme that PNA provided lavish benefits to doctors and physician group executives in exchange for enrolling in CMC's electronic health record technology known as 'Epic EHR.' The lawsuit also alleges physicians and medical groups who joined the network made fraudulent referrals to CMC facilities in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The kickback scheme involves several major players in Fresno's medical system, from hospital executives to medical records companies to some of the largest physician groups in the Central Valley. Some of the 17 luxury gifts, trips and donations listed in the lawsuit included: A trip to Paris, France for Castro and his family totaling approximately $63,000. A private plane for Timothy Joslin, former CEO of CRMC, to go to Las Vegas. Strip clubs and meals for CMC executives and physicians during a Las Vegas medical conference in January 2016. A $9,400 trip to Spain for Scott Wells, president of Santé Health and Santé Foundation, as well as Joyce Fields-Keene CEO of Central California Faculty Medical Group, or CCFMG (now known as Inspire Health Medical Group). 'The whistleblower lawsuit makes claims regarding personal choices that don't reflect our high standards as a non-profit health system, or the values of our current leadership team and board. And a number of elements in the 2019 lawsuit reflect either inaccurate or incomplete information,' said Michelle Von Tersch, senior vice president and chief of staff for CHS. In a statement, PNA said it cooperated with the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento in its review of Community Health System's electronic medical records program that began nearly 15 years ago. 'The settlement brings this matter to a conclusion without any determination or admission of legal liability for PNA,' the statement said. Thirty-five doctors were known to have received payment from CHS, according to the settlement agreement. According to the complaint, CMC embarked on the seven-year, $75 million quality improvement initiative in or around 2010 to replace their business and clinical data system with new technology — the Epic EHR system. CHS Board Chair Roger Sturdevant said that, in 2009, the federal government directed the healthcare industry to transition to electronic health records, which CHS did to provide patients with a 'robust, consistent, and secure electronic health records system.' 'However, it is clear we needed stronger oversight measures to assure that both Community and our vendor partner maintained appropriate compliance at all times.' Sturdevant told The Bee in a statement. 'While we are confident that physician referrals were driven by Community Health System's position as a leading provider of hospital-based and specialty services, we recognize that even the appearance of inappropriate incentives must be addressed.' In 2010, Physician Network Alliance, Inc. was formed with the sole purpose and business function of expanding defendant CMC's Epic EHR network of Fresno area medical practices — and to shelter the illegal kickback payments and elaborate gifts, the lawsuit says. According to the complaint, as early as 2011 CMC and PNA started giving kickbacks to Fresno-area physicians in the form of cash, expensive wine, strip-clubs, trips with private planes, and free or heavily discounted access to the Epic EHR software. PNA would bring in physicians and doctors groups into the network, all of which were subject to approval by CMC. In or around 2014 and 2015, CMC and PNA changed their building model so that PNA could retain some of the money received from the physician group, licensing fees and other monthly fees for maintenance and support of the Epic EHR system. Defendant PNA was able to retain a cash surplus from the Epic EHR client fees, so PNA began to use the excess cash for extra gifts and travel for CMC executives and CMC network physicians, such as the European and Vegas trips. PNA allegedly provided jobs to family members of CMC executives at the request of CMC. The HQ2 cigar lounge was constructed sometime after 2014 with an estimated $1.1 million of CMC funds, the complaint said. Michael Terpening, the former controller for PNA, discovered the 'illegal activity' after a fire at PNA's headquarters in 2017, in which 40 to 50 boxes of wine — totaling 1,000 bottles — were found in a storage room. When Terpening approached his boss Roggenstein about the wine, he was told it was 'leftover from the holiday party.' Terpening and his attorney could not be reached for comment. Discovery of the wine surplus led Terpening to become suspicious of other large expenditures submitted as deductible 'business expenses' for PNA, the complaint said. But, according to the complaint, Roggenstein ignored Terpening's advice to cease the illegal activity, and instead 'redoubled his criminal efforts.' Roggenstein and CMC had plans to build out the 'HQ Ranch,' a luxury retreat for CMC executives and physician practices that would include a cigar and wine lounge 'large and grander in scale than HQ2,' a skeet shooting range and a small off-road vehicle course. 'Once he realized that neither Defendant Mr. Roggenstein, Defendant PNA, nor Defendant CMC had any intention of remedying the above conduct, and in an effort to quit the illegal conspiracy, Mr. Terpening resigned from his position as a Controller for Defendant PNA,' the complaint said. The lawsuit alleged the defendants violated three federal laws through its kickback scheme: the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act and the Stark Law. The Anti-Kickback Statute makes it a crime to knowingly and willingly offer, pay, solicit or receive any remuneration to induce a person to refer to an individual for the furnishing of any item or service covered under federal healthcare program. Claims submitted knowingly and in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute constitute a 'false or fraudulent' claim under the False Claims Act, according to the lawsuit. The Stark Law prohibits a physician or medical provider from referring Medicare patients for certain services to an entity with which a physician's immediate family has a financial relationship. The 2019 complaint lists several defendants, including: Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center; Physician Network Advantage, Inc.; Santé Health System; Santé Health Foundation; Berj Apkarian; Craig Castro; Central California Faculty Medical Group; Timothy Joslin; Michael Muruyama; Grant Nakamura; Patrick Rafferty; Christopher Roggenstein; and Michael Synn. On Tuesday, summons were issued to the defendants. In court filings, the U.S. The Attorney's Office said it chose not to intervene at this time given the settlement with defendants Santé Health System, Inc., Santé Health Foundation, Central California Faculty Medical Group, Grant Nakamura and Michael Synn. But it has left open the possibility that it may take action pending further investigation. A scheduling conference is set for Aug. 21 at 11:30 am in the Yosemite Federal Courthouse with Magistrate Judge Helena M. Barch-Kuchta.
