Latest news with #Snowden
Herald Sun
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Peter Snowden aiming to turn Queensland winter carnival fortunes around in Eye Liner Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sydney trainer Peter Snowden hopes another gear change will do the trick for his underperforming gelding Xidaki in the $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher-trained Warnie ($2.40) is definitely the horse to beat in the 1350m race but Xidaki poses a genuine threat if he can rediscover the form that led to his last victory, in the $300,000 Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra last July. Snowden decided to put a cross-over nose band on the gelding this campaign because the four-year-old was 'over-racing badly' but the results have been lacklustre. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Xidaki finished seventh in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April, ninth in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on May 10 and seventh in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben two weeks later. He is rated as a $7.50 chance in the Eye Liner Stakes behind Warnie and the Tony Gollan-trained Devastate ($7). • Warnie can honour cricket legend with consolation victory 'I've had a cross-over noseband on him this time in because he was struggling last time in and I felt it cost him a couple of races,'' Snowden said. 'But it seems he has been resenting it this preparation because he's been getting too far back in his races. 'So I've taken the noseband off for Saturday and hope he can settle closer in the run. 'Ipswich is a track where you have to stay positive and he has drawn five. I don't want him to get too far back from there. 'I'm confident he has the tactical speed to be in the first five or six in the run. 'He's going great at home and I can't believe he won't be running well on what he has been showing me in his trackwork.' Xidaki last win was in the Group 3 Winx Guineas in July last year. Picture: Trackside Photography. Lindsay Park star War Machine emphatically won the BRC Sprint before impressively taking out the $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) three weeks later at Eagle Farm. Xidaki crossed the winning post almost five lengths behind War Machine in the BRC Sprint but on the bright side, Snowden was pleased with how his galloper hit the line. 'He got too far back last start and had a lot of work to do but he was one of those finishing hardest late,'' Snowden said. 'The horse that won it (War Machine) went on to win the Stradbroke Handicap. 'If he can hold his spot on Saturday it will go a long way to helping his chances at Ipswich.'' • Lipp out to fulfil $40m Lotto winner's spring carnival dream It will also comfort Snowden knowing that Xidaki was a narrow runner-up to Ostraka in the $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick last October but finished ahead of the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained War Machine. It's fair to say that Snowden is due for some luck in this Queensland winter carnival. His mare Tashi has twice just missed the chocolates - in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) - while the appropriately named gelding Need Some Luck finished half a length behind winner Compelling Truth in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) last Saturday at Eagle Farm. Originally published as Trainer Peter Snowden banking on gear change bringing out best from Xidaki in Eye Liner Stakes
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
MPs grant pubs extra time to open if England or Wales reach Women's Euros semis
Bars will be allowed to sell alcohol until 1am, if either England or Wales – or both – take part in the European Championship semi-finals or finals next month. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said venues 'stand to benefit' from the temporary later closing time, pushed back from the usual 11pm cut-off, and Conservative MP Andrew Snowden warned his father might 'disown' him, had his party not backed the Government's proposal. But if neither team manages to reach the final stages, pubs will have to stick to their ordinary licence conditions. The semi-finals take place on July 22 and 23, with the final on July 27. Dame Diana said this year's championship in Switzerland, which kicks off on July 2, was a 'prestigious tournament'. She said a Government order paved the way for a 'temporary extension of licensing hours across England and Wales should either England or Wales or both progress to the semi-finals or the final of the competition'. MPs laughed when she added: 'I have to say, from my limited following of football, it seems like the women's teams have a reputation for doing far better than our male teams.' A Home Office consultation found 87% of respondents backed the proposed extension of licensing hours for the semi-finals, dropping to 84% for the final, Dame Diana told the Commons. Publicans 'stand to benefit from this modest extension which would allow them to accommodate increased demand during these high-profile fixtures', she said, and added: 'I fully accept that the hospitality sector has had a difficult time over the last few years and this is a helpful measure. 'It is right to acknowledge as well that police representatives have expressed some concerns regarding the potential for increased crime and disorder. 'Now, whilst operational decisions on deployment and resourcing are a matter for individual forces, I am confident that appropriate measures will be taken to mitigate any risks, as has happened in similar cases. 'Notably, there have been no significant incidents of large-scale disorder linked to previous licensing extensions, which I think is testament to the professionalism of our police service, to whom we owe our thanks.' The move to extend licensing hours applies only to alcohol, and does not apply to off licences and supermarkets. 'If neither England nor Wales reach the semi-finals, the proposed extension will not apply on July 22 or 23. Similarly, if one or both teams reach the semi-finals but do not progress to the final, normal licensing hours will apply on July 27,' Dame Diana warned. Mr Snowden, the MP for Fylde, said his party was 'delighted to support these temporary licensing changes'. He added: 'To be fair, I don't think I would have much choice on this matter, as if I ever stood at this despatch box and opposed more time in the pub to watch football, my dad would probably disown me.' Mr Snowden told MPs there was 'no reason why we should doubt' that the reigning champions, England, will reach the semi-finals. 'We are the defending champions of the Women's Uefa cup after England's magnificent performance at the 2022 tournament hosted here in the UK at Wembley,' he told MPs. 'The final saw a 2-1 victory, and of course in football, it was made all the sweeter by beating the Germans. 'So this is a fantastic time to support your local as well as your national.' MPs called 'aye' to approve the extension. Ministers can extend licences for events 'of exceptional international, national, or local significance', but must ask for MPs' permission. Labour MP for Wrexham Andrew Ranger has called for a tweak in the law, so that ministers can extend licensing hours without the need for a vote in Parliament. Dame Diana said the Government has supported his Licensing Hours Extension Bill, but added it would not clear both the Commons and the Lords in time for the Women's Euros. She said agreeing to Thursday's order – originally laid on May 15 – without a division reinforced 'the argument that debating such measures may not represent the most effective use of parliamentary time'. England and Wales face each other on July 13, with both home nations in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands. The Lionesses will face France on July 5 when Wales will play the Netherlands. On July 9, England will play the Netherlands while Wales face France. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate licensing rules.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
MPs grant pubs extra time to open if England or Wales reach Women's Euros semis
Bars will be allowed to sell alcohol until 1am, if either England or Wales – or both – take part in the European Championship semi-finals or finals next month. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said venues 'stand to benefit' from the temporary later closing time, pushed back from the usual 11pm cut-off, and Conservative MP Andrew Snowden warned his father might 'disown' him, had his party not backed the Government's proposal. But if neither team manages to reach the final stages, pubs will have to stick to their ordinary licence conditions. The semi-finals take place on July 22 and 23, with the final on July 27. Dame Diana said this year's championship in Switzerland, which kicks off on July 2, was a 'prestigious tournament'. She said a Government order paved the way for a 'temporary extension of licensing hours across England and Wales should either England or Wales or both progress to the semi-finals or the final of the competition'. MPs laughed when she added: 'I have to say, from my limited following of football, it seems like the women's teams have a reputation for doing far better than our male teams.' A Home Office consultation found 87% of respondents backed the proposed extension of licensing hours for the semi-finals, dropping to 84% for the final, Dame Diana told the Commons. Publicans 'stand to benefit from this modest extension which would allow them to accommodate increased demand during these high-profile fixtures', she said, and added: 'I fully accept that the hospitality sector has had a difficult time over the last few years and this is a helpful measure. 'It is right to acknowledge as well that police representatives have expressed some concerns regarding the potential for increased crime and disorder. 'Now, whilst operational decisions on deployment and resourcing are a matter for individual forces, I am confident that appropriate measures will be taken to mitigate any risks, as has happened in similar cases. 'Notably, there have been no significant incidents of large-scale disorder linked to previous licensing extensions, which I think is testament to the professionalism of our police service, to whom we owe our thanks.' The move to extend licensing hours applies only to alcohol, and does not apply to off licences and supermarkets. 'If neither England nor Wales reach the semi-finals, the proposed extension will not apply on July 22 or 23. Similarly, if one or both teams reach the semi-finals but do not progress to the final, normal licensing hours will apply on July 27,' Dame Diana warned. Mr Snowden, the MP for Fylde, said his party was 'delighted to support these temporary licensing changes'. He added: 'To be fair, I don't think I would have much choice on this matter, as if I ever stood at this despatch box and opposed more time in the pub to watch football, my dad would probably disown me.' Mr Snowden told MPs there was 'no reason why we should doubt' that the reigning champions, England, will reach the semi-finals. 'We are the defending champions of the Women's Uefa cup after England's magnificent performance at the 2022 tournament hosted here in the UK at Wembley,' he told MPs. 'The final saw a 2-1 victory, and of course in football, it was made all the sweeter by beating the Germans. 'So this is a fantastic time to support your local as well as your national.' MPs called 'aye' to approve the extension. Ministers can extend licences for events 'of exceptional international, national, or local significance', but must ask for MPs' permission. Labour MP for Wrexham Andrew Ranger has called for a tweak in the law, so that ministers can extend licensing hours without the need for a vote in Parliament. Dame Diana said the Government has supported his Licensing Hours Extension Bill, but added it would not clear both the Commons and the Lords in time for the Women's Euros. She said agreeing to Thursday's order – originally laid on May 15 – without a division reinforced 'the argument that debating such measures may not represent the most effective use of parliamentary time'. England and Wales face each other on July 13, with both home nations in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands. The Lionesses will face France on July 5 when Wales will play the Netherlands. On July 9, England will play the Netherlands while Wales face France. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate licensing rules.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Iranian media says WhatsApp, Instagram sharing user data with Israel
Iranian state television has urged the public to delete WhatsApp and Instagram from their phones, saying that the platforms are collecting user data to send to Israel. WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, rejected the allegations, calling the claims 'false'. The former US intelligence whistleblower, Edward Snowden, has blasted Meta's data practices, calling the platform a 'surveillance company' profiting from the exploitation of users' private lives. The exiled NSA whistleblower has accused Meta of acting as an accomplice in mass surveillance rather than a victim of data abuse. 'Facebook makes their money by exploiting and selling intimate details about the private lives of millions, far beyond the scant details you voluntarily post,' Snowden said in 2019. He added: 'Businesses that make money by collecting and selling detailed records of private lives were once plainly described as 'surveillance companies'. Their rebranding as 'social media' is the most successful deception since the Department of War became the Department of Defense.' Snowden, who exposed the scale of US government surveillance in 2013, has lived in Russia under asylum since fleeing prosecution.
Time Business News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
From Asylum to Airport Detention: A Journey Cut Short
VANCOUVER, B.C. — In an era of unprecedented global migration and heightened security protocols, stories of hope and fear often collide at international borders. For thousands seeking refuge, the airport is not a gateway to freedom—it's the final stop in a journey of desperation. Despite the promise of asylum protections under international law, many asylum seekers are detained upon arrival, held without charge, and sometimes deported back into danger. This press release examines the legal landscape, historical precedent, and recent high-profile cases that highlight the fragility of asylum rights when they conflict with national security interests. Amicus International Consulting, a firm specializing in legal identity transitions and global asylum advisory services, has seen a marked increase in clients facing 'airport limbo'—a state of uncertainty where neither asylum nor freedom is guaranteed. Asylum and the Airport: Where Law Meets Reality The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol form the foundation of global asylum law, obligating signatory countries not to return individuals to territories where their life or freedom would be threatened. Known as the principle of non-refoulement, it is a central principle of international human rights law. But at international airports, these protections can fall apart. Travellers arriving without valid visas or documentation—even those declaring an intent to seek asylum—are often detained in secure transit areas or immigration holding centers. In many cases, they are denied entry before ever setting foot on sovereign soil, creating a legal gray area. Case Study: The Detention of Edward Snowden In 2013, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden found himself stranded in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. After leaking classified documents about U.S. surveillance programs, Snowden attempted to seek asylum in multiple countries. Though he had applied for asylum, he had no valid passport. The U.S. had cancelled his travel document mid-flight. Trapped in legal limbo for over a month, Snowden's case demonstrated how state power and passport control can override humanitarian protections. It also spotlighted how modern airports can serve as detention facilities by another name. The Practice of 'Inadmissibility' Countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia commonly rely on inadmissibility determinations to prevent entry. In such cases, an arriving asylum seeker is denied access on the grounds of documentation failure, a criminal record, or security concerns—even before a refugee hearing can be held. In many of these jurisdictions, immigration officers have the authority to exercise discretion at the border. And while claimants can request a hearing or legal review, the process is often delayed or inaccessible from inside detention. Case Study: The Syrian Family in Malaysia In 2017, a Syrian family fleeing civil war arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, seeking asylum. With no valid entry visa, they were denied access and spent over seven months in the transit area, surviving on airline food and sleeping in terminal chairs. Despite Malaysia not being a signatory to the Refugee Convention, human rights groups intervened, and eventually, Canada agreed to resettle them. Their case raised urgent questions about moral obligations beyond legal treaties and the role of non-signatory states in humanitarian crises. Statelessness and Detention One of the most vulnerable groups facing indefinite detention at airports is stateless individuals—those without nationality or recognized citizenship. With no travel documents, no issuing authority to accept them, and no country of return, stateless people can languish in holding areas for years. Notable Example: Mehran Karimi Nasseri The inspiration behind Steven Spielberg's The Terminal , Mehran Karimi Nasseri, lived in Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport's Terminal 1 for 18 years. A complex web of lost documents, denied entry, and bureaucratic impasses left him in a perpetual state of limbo. Though dramatized in pop culture, his case remains a chilling example of bureaucratic abandonment in global mobility systems. When the System Backfires: Cases of Return to Danger While many countries promise legal due process for asylum seekers, expedited removals have led to tragic outcomes. In 2022, a Cameroonian journalist, fleeing political persecution, was deported back after being denied asylum at a U.S. airport. Within weeks, he was reportedly imprisoned and tortured by government forces. In 2024, an Iranian LGBTQ+ activist was detained upon arrival in Istanbul. Despite declaring intent to seek asylum, he was returned to Tehran under a bilateral deportation agreement. His fate remains unknown. These cases highlight the life-and-death consequences of ignoring asylum declarations made in transit. How Technology Is Weaponizing Borders Modern border surveillance technology—biometric scans, advanced passenger screening (APIS), and artificial intelligence—has made it easier for governments to pre-screen and flag travellers before they arrive. In 2025, over 120 countries are expected to participate in Passenger Name Record (PNR) data sharing, which tracks a wide range of details, including meal preferences and seat selections. When correlated with immigration risk profiles, this can result in pre-arrival denials or on-the-spot detentions. According to Amicus International's research, more than 4,000 travellers were denied boarding based on advanced biometric or risk analysis in 2024 alone. The Legal Loophole: 'Not Yet Admitted' A central problem lies in the legal status of individuals who arrive at an airport but are 'not yet admitted' into a country. In this state, they are often not considered to be under the country's jurisdiction, despite being physically present within its borders. This loophole allows countries to bypass due process by claiming that immigration laws don't apply until the individual is officially admitted. Critics argue that this destroys the intent of asylum law and creates a humanitarian vacuum in some of the world's most modern transportation hubs. Amicus International: Creating Legal Pathways Before the Journey Begins At Amicus International Consulting, clients are advised not to wait until they are at the airport to begin their asylum process. Instead, the firm helps at-risk individuals: Obtain second passports through legal citizenship-by-investment or ancestry programs through legal citizenship-by-investment or ancestry programs File pre-travel asylum or humanitarian visa requests Legally change names and identities when doing so provides enhanced security when doing so provides enhanced security Secure legal counsel in receiving countries before embarking on high-risk travel before embarking on high-risk travel Create documented case files that support asylum or protected status Amicus believes that the key to avoiding airport detention is preparation and proactivity, rather than post-arrival improvisation. Case Study: Asylum Success Through Strategic Planning In 2023, Amicus assisted a Rwandan political dissident targeted by government militias. Rather than risk detention in transit, the client was helped through a multi-jurisdictional citizenship program, securing Saint Lucia nationality via investment. With that passport, they entered Europe visa-free and applied for asylum once safely within a cooperative jurisdiction. The asylum case was approved within nine months, and the client is now a professor at a public university in the Netherlands. Legal Solutions, Not Smuggling Amicus stresses that its approach is rooted in legality and ethics. It rejects any association with smuggling networks or fraudulent document operations. Instead, it provides clients with diplomatic, legal, and administrative solutions to ensure safety, dignity, and compliance with international law. Policy Recommendations To address this growing global issue, Amicus calls on governments and institutions to: Create expedited humanitarian visa programs at embassies and consulates Ensure immediate access to legal counsel upon declaration of asylum Ban the detention of stateless individuals for more than 90 days Reform inadmissibility policies to include pre-screened protections Enhance accountability for returns that result in torture or death Conclusion: The Airport Is Not a Courtroom As migration pressures increase globally, airports have become unexpected battlegrounds for asylum rights. Between biometric profiling and bureaucratic indifference, genuine refugees risk being turned away—sometimes with fatal consequences. Amicus International Consulting believes that asylum is a right, not a privilege, and that systems must be redesigned to reflect this principle at every stage of the journey. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
