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1News
4 days ago
- Health
- 1News
Dying teen transferred, family told to arrange return of his body
The family of a teenager who died from complications after an operation never got the chance to say goodbye. They were further distressed by being told they needed to organise his body's repatriation to his hometown. A complaint about the 19-year-old's care was referred to Health and Disability Commissioner by the coroner. The young man – who died in 2015 – had undergone an operation in January that year related to his type 2 neurofibromatosis – a genetic condition that causes benign tumours to develop on nerves, particularly those in the skull and spine. There were complications due to a post-operative infection and meningitis, which was treated successfully at a secondary hospital. ADVERTISEMENT The man – who was referred to in the commissioner's report as Mr B – continued to suffer from fluid building up around the brain and required regular release of cerebrospinal fluid through lumbar puncture. He was admitted to hospital with ongoing headaches and vomiting in April. A decision was made to hold off on further lumbar punctures due to concerns it could cause a hernia and to transfer him to another hospital via an air retrieval team. The transfer was delayed due due to staffing issues and a lack of an available air ambulance. Deputy commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell said Mr B was neurologically stable at the time and his transfer was scheduled for the next day. However, while waiting he collapsed and his heart stopped. He was then urgently transferred to another hospital, but his condition deteriorated and at the second hospital he was declared brain dead. ADVERTISEMENT Mr B's family told the commissioner they did not understand why he was not transferred by road when the air retrieval team was not available, and they did not understand why he was transferred to another hospital when his prognosis was poor. The transfer meant they did not have a chance to say goodbye to him before his death. The family also said they were asked if they would donate his organs only minutes after being told he was brain dead, which left them little time to consider their options. They were also told by a social worker it was up to them to organise transport of his body back to where they lived, even though he qualified for travel assistance. Health NZ apologised for the distress caused by the discussion related to organ donation and the miscommunication regarding transporting Mr B's body. Dr Caldwell said the care provided to the man was at an appropriate standard and decisions, such as the air transfer, were made appropriately based on the information available to the team at the time. Incorrect and minimal information was provided to the family once the man died and this had been particularly distressing for them, she said. ADVERTISEMENT She also had concerns about the communication between the air retrieval team and the teams treating Mr B. Health New Zealand breached the patient's right to information under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, the commissioner said. A number of changes had been made since the young man's death, including the establishment of Health NZ, Dr Caldwell said. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including wintry blast on the way, Gloriavale leader in court, and Liam Lawson picks up points. (Source: Breakfast) "I am also mindful that providing recommendations at this stage for errors that happened some time ago is likely to have limited practical benefit." She recommended Health NZ Southern and Health NZ Waitaha Canterbury provided a formal written apology for the breaches identified in the report within three weeks.
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Virtual Asset Ordinance 2025: Explanation and comments—II
Redemption of Asset Reference Token An Issuer of an Asset-Referenced token shall maintain arrangements for the custody, valuation, and safekeeping of reference assets, and ensure redemption, reserve, and disclosure mechanisms in such manner as may be prescribed in Regulations. Illustrative Example in Pakistan's Regulated Exchange Regime Virtual Asset Ordinance 2025: Explanation and comments—I In our view, which may be substantiated when the rules will be prescribed will be that the minimum capital requirement for the issuer is Rs 1 billion. Therefore, if a foreign issuer intends to issue an asset referenced token in Pakistan to Pakistanis then there will be an inward flow of $ 357,000 [Rs 1,000,000@ 280 per 1 $] which will remain invested in Pakistan in various Pakistani assets. The issuer can have assets outside Pakistan also. However, that is not necessary. The Pakistan buyers will pay in rupees; however, they may be issued asset-referenced tokens to the extent of $ actually brought in Pakistan. The Virtual assets in this case may include foreign held assets also. A Pakistani buyer cannot be issued a token with respect to that value. Such offerings will be made to foreigners. In principle, the Pakistani owner of such a token will be allowed to trade in such a token, make payments and investment outside Pakistan on the basis of the value of such token without any approval from the State Bank of Pakistan. This means that a Pakistani has purchased a foreign currency outside Pakistan. There is no risk for the foreign exchange of Pakistan as the equivalent value of initial offering has already been received in $. There will be no repatriation of the initial offering in US $ brought in Pakistan until all the tokens are redeemed and there is an approval for repatriation of funds outside Pakistan. This system effectively means that Pakistanis will be able to make payments outside Pakistan if they acquire tokens of Virtual Assets provided such virtual assets are issued on the basis of funds actually received by State Bank of Pakistan and held and invested in Pakistan. In case of fiat-based token then the redemption shall be at par. This practically means that entities can effectively leverage their assets by issuing tokens which are redeemable as to be prescribed, except in case of fiat based tokens which are redeemable at par. Fiat based tokens are effectively currencies. Bitcoin can be used as organised 'Hawala' Virtual Assets including Bitcoins are owned by many Pakistani out of foreign exchange held outside Pakistan. This may be official money. For example Mr A has Bitcoins, declared in the Wealth Statement reflected in rupees. Say Rs 2800 for $ 10 worth of coin. Mr A can acquire assets in Pakistan worth Rs 2800 from Mr B, a Pakistani and can give him (transfer Bitcoin to Mr B) who wants $ 10 in the USA not involving the State Bank of Pakistan. Mr B can redeem or sell the Bitcoin realising $ 10 in the USA. This means that Mr B has sold an asset in rupees however the amount has been received in $ outside Pakistan. This is an organised 'Hawala'. There can be many variations of this generic transaction. Indian Law In India, there is no law relating to Virtual Assets and the Supreme Court of India has asked the legislature to introduce the one. However, India has introduced the concept of Virtual Digital Assets in the Income tax laws. Under Section 2(47A) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 virtual digital asset means: '(a) Any information or code or number or token (not being Indian currency or foreign currency), generated through cryptographic means or otherwise, by whatever name called, providing a digital representation of value exchanged with or without consideration, with the promise or representation of having inherent value, or functions as a store of value or a unit of account including its use in any financial transaction or investment, but not limited to investment scheme; and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically; (b) Non-fungible Token (NFT) or any other token of similar nature, by whatever name called; (c) Any other digital asset, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify. In simple words, the virtual digital asset shall mean a cryptocurrency, NFT or another virtual digital asset as notified by the Central Govt. It will not cover subscriptions to any OTT platform, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, etc. Furthermore the Indian Finance Act, 2022 inserted a new section 194S in the Act with effect from 01/07/2022. The new section mandates a person, who is responsible for paying to any resident any sum by way of consideration for transfer of a virtual digital asset (VDA), to deduct an amount equal to 1% of such sum as income tax thereon. The tax deduction is required to be made at the time of credit of such sum to the account of the resident or at the time of payment, whichever is earlier. Obligation of Issuers of Initial Virtual Asset Offering Prior to offering a Virtual Asset to the public, an Issuer shall publish a 'white paper' in such form and manner as may be prescribed by Regulations. The 'white paper' shall contain true, clear, and not misleading information regarding, inter alia- (a) the nature, characteristics, and purpose of the Virtual Asset; (b) the rights and obligations of holders or purchasers of the Virtual Asset; (c) the economic model technology, and governance mechanisms of the asset or platform; (d) the identity and qualifications of the Issuer, Controllers, and relevant key individuals; (e) associated risks, including market, legal, technological and cyber security risks; and (f) any other information as may be Prescribed. (2) Issuers shall make ongoing disclosures of material information, including any change that may reasonably affect the value, utility, or regulatory status of the Virtual Asset, in such manner and frequency as may be prescribed by the Authority. Tax Every Virtual Asset Service Provider licensed under this Ordinance shall comply with the obligations for tax withholding and the filing of information returns as prescribed under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and any Rules or Regulations issued by the Federal Board of Revenue in relation to transactions involving Virtual Assets and the income of the Virtual Asset Service Provider. Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority A body has been formed under the Act to govern the Virtual Assets Ordinance. The Board shall consist of: (a) a Chairperson who shall possess demonstrable expertise in finance, law, technology, or regulatory affairs and be appointed by the Federal Government in the manner Prescribed; (b) the Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; (c) the Secretary, Ministry of Finance; (d) the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice; (e) the Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications; (f) the Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan; (g) the Chairperson Digital Pakistan Authority; (h) the Chairperson FBR; (i) the Director General FIA; and (j) two independent directors with proven expertise and a strong track record possessing expertise relevant to Virtual Asset markets, technology, finance, law or consumer protection, appointed by the Federal Government in the manner prescribed. Service Provider No Person shall, by way of business, engage in, or represent themselves as engaging in, any Virtual Asset Services in or from Pakistan, unless that Person:- (a) is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017 or any other law for the time being in force in Pakistan governing the incorporation of companies; and (b) holds a valid license granted by the Authority under this Ordinance. Advisory Services mean the provision of personalized recommendations to a customer, either upon request or at the initiative of Virtual Asset Service Providers, relating to one or more actions or transactions involving Virtual assets. Broker-Dealer Services means: (a) arranging or facilitating orders for the purchase and sale of Virtual Assets between two parties; (b) soliciting or accepting orders and receiving consideration in fiat currency or Virtual Assets; (c) trading Virtual Assets on the Virtual Asset Service Provider's own account; Exemption: A Person that deals solely on its own account, does not execute orders on behalf of customers, and does not hold or control Customer Assets is not regarded as carrying on 'broker-dealer services' for the purposes of this Ordinance (d) market-making using Customer Assets; or (e) providing placement or distribution services for Issuers. Custody Services mean the safekeeping or controlling, on behalf of customers, of Virtual Assets or of the means of access to such Virtual Assets. Exchange Services mean any of the following: (a) exchanging Virtual Assets for fiat currency; (b) exchanging one or more types of Virtual Assets; (c) matching orders between buyers and sellers and executing conversions as described in (a) and (b ); or (d) maintaining an order book for the above purposes. Lending and Borrowing Services mean the facilitation of lending or borrowing arrangements involving Virtual Assets, where one or more lenders transfer or lend Virtual Assets to one or more borrowers, subject to a contractual obligation for the borrower to return equivalent Virtual Assets at a specified time or upon demand. Virtual Asset Derivatives means the offering or facilitation of transactions in derivatives that have a Virtual Asset as their underlying reference asset. Virtual Asset Management and Investment means acting in a fiduciary or agency capacity Services capacity for the purpose of managing or administering another Person's Virtual Assets, including: Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services includes transfer, transmission, or settlement of Virtual Assets between parties, or from one wallet, address, or location to another, on behalf of customers. Fiat-referenced Token Issuance Services The issuance, offering, redemption, or ongoing management of any fiat or Asset-Referenced token, including: • Establishing or administering reserve assets backing the value of the fiat-referenced Token; • Providing redemption rights or liquidity mechanisms to users or holders; • Operating any infrastructure enabling the issuance, transfer, or conversion of such Fiat-Referenced Token; • Acting as the primary Issuer, reserve custodian, or central administrator of the Fiat-Referenced Token system. (Concluded) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Filipino swim coaches win back thousands in docked wages after promise of 'a better life in Ireland' dashed
Three swimming instructors who were recruited from the Philippines to teach in Ireland only to have hundreds of euro a week docked off their wages for "training costs" before being let go have won their pay back. It's after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found there was "no evidence" to back up a claim by the operator of a swim school that it had spent €3,000 to train each of the workers. One of their former colleagues told the WRC she was hired on the promise of "a better life in Ireland" only to be "forced" into taking a pay cut out of fear of dismissal. They were among a group of six Filipino instructors to pursue rights claims against the unidentified swim school, which were heard in Ennis, Co Clare, in November and December last year. Five of the workers have now secured nearly €12,000 for breaches of the Payment of Wages Act 1991, while an allied claim by the sixth has yet to be published by the WRC. All of the workers are Filipino nationals – the company's legal representative explaining that it was "the first European company to obtain a work permit for Filipinos as swimming instructors". Two of the six instructors started work for the swim school in June 2022 and four more instructors were recruited in the Philippines in August 2022 and brought to Ireland in January 2023, the WRC heard. However, within months of securing work visas and flying in the new instructors, the management of the school moved to shed staff, citing "financial reasons" for terminating the employment of three of the new hires during their probationary periods. They were identified only as Mr B, Ms R and Ms M in the WRC decisions. The employer's position was that it had conducted "intensive" training with the newer instructors for the first three or four weeks they were in Ireland which had enhanced their skills, and paid each of them throughout that period, while making no income from them. The owner of the swimming school, delivered the training personally, and provided employees with "instructional videos", the workers told the WRC. The employer's position was that this had cost €3,000 to provide. Andrea Montanelli of Peninsula Business Services, who appeared for the employer in the case, said the company had "highly invested" in bringing the workers from the Phillipines, "paying for their work permits, for the visa, flights etc". She submitted that a total of €1,692.38 was taken from three of the workers' last four pay packets in "instalments" of €641.45, €497.97, €276.48 and €276.48. The company relied on a training agreement and a deductions from pay agreement signed by the three new hires in the Phillipines in August 2022 as the basis for taking the "instalments". Under questioning from Elaine Davern-Wiseman BL, who acted for the group of workers instructed by Martina Murphy Solicitors, the workers explained that these agreements were provided to them in English, without a translation to Tagalog provided, and that they signed them without having an opportunity to take legal advice. The workers each said they were already qualified swimming instructors when they were recruited, and that the only training they had was in how to teach swimming lessons "the [company] way". Unpaid hours A fourth instructor, Ms S, who was among the new hires in January 2023, remained an employee of the company at the time of the hearings last year. The tribunal heard the employer asked the remaining staff to take a pay cut of €100 a week for 16 weeks between June and September 2023. Ms S told the WRC in her complaint form: "I was employed on the promise of €576 per week and [the] chance of a better life in Ireland. This [was] not true. I was forced to sign a contract reducing my wages," she said. Ms Montanelli submitted that the company was "encountering financial difficulties" and that Ms S and other staff members "accepted the proposal" that they take reduced wages. Ms S's evidence was that she signed a document to that effect – but "was not aware that she could refuse to sign", the tribunal noted. She believed she "had to sign it as others in similar roles had recently had their employment terminated" and "feared that a refusal to sign the agreement would result in the termination of her employment". Ms S's evidence was that she did not have the chance to take legal advice or have the matter explained in her native language. Adjudicator Orla Jones wrote that the employer "did not provide any evidence to support the claim" that the training for the three new hires actually cost the business €3,000 each. It could not rely on the agreements signed in the Philippines by the workers when they did not have the benefit of legal advice or an interpreter, she added. She noted in her decision that the wording of the training costs agreement was that €3,000 referred to charging €3,000 to each worker if they were to "leave" the employment. Ms Jones wrote that each of the workers had their jobs terminated and had not chosen to leave. She awarded Mr B, Ms R and Ms M €2,307.68 each, comprising three weeks' unpaid wages each and a further week's notice pay, in respect of the wages docked for the purported training costs. Ms Jones ruled that the €1,600 docked from Ms A's wages between June and September was an "illegal" deduction and ordered the employer to pay her back the sum. She also awarded Ms A €1,626.90 for time she spent doing administration without pay. A fifth instructor, Ms F, who had stayed on until her one-year contract ran out 28 June 2023, also secured €1,789.59 for working unpaid hours doing administration. To date, the swim academy has been directed to pay €11,939.53 to the group of workers. The names of the company and the employees were anonymised in WRC decisions published this week because they were linked to parallel proceedings under the Industrial Relations Act 1969, which must be heard in private.
Press and Journal
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gary Barlow at P&J Live: A Million Love Songs Later... the Take That star's 'still got it'
The closest I had ever come to Gary Barlow before last night's concert at P&J Live, was on the 400 posters covering every inch of my best friend's bedroom wall in the 90s. I've never managed to get tickets to a Take That concert, and despite sharing the same birthday as Jason Orange, which for a brief period in 1994 when I was obsessed with Mystic Meg made me feel quite special, I had yet to experience Mr B live. Well, I can't lie – it was absolutely brilliant. Teenage Lindsay was in her element. And middle-aged Lindsay, though an absolute newbie, was no less impressed. Accompanied by my dancing mother, who may as well have been on castors, I wasn't sure what to expect from a show covering three decades of music. Compared to much-publicised mega productions by Take That, it was clear from the outset that seeing the Songbook Tour show would be different. When the curtain lifted, a sequin-jacket wearing Barlow went straight into Open Road, led from his piano, with a swing-band set up around him. A backdrop of choreographed lighting, reacting to the music, was the only frill in this otherwise stripped-back show. But as was abundantly clear from the first bar, his pitch-perfect vocals need no gimmicks to showcase his extraordinary talent. The largely female audience waited not a single moment to relive their youth. On their feet and responding to every Barlow body gesture like he was conducting an adherent cult, it was clear that I may have been the only person in the arena not versed in GB etiquette. That said, it didn't stop me enjoying every second of the show. He jumped between the decades and styles with a swing version of Sure to a Mumford and Sons-esque Let Me Go. Then into a classic version – complete with perfect sax and flawless vocals – of A Million Love Songs. This only served to showcase Gary's undisputable talent. Oh, and a heap of teenage heartbreak memories too. Up tempo – he nailed it. Slow and pure – wow. Nae, wow-wee. And then, *cue screaming women by the thousand* – his dance routine to Pray. The self-deprecating Mr B may have joked: 'See, I've still got it', but nobody there would have disputed that. Looking so like his much younger self ala Do What You Like (okay, so he was fully clothed, and there was way less baby oil), I had to twice Google how old he is. Fifty-four years old. Not gonna lie, my 45-year-old knees were creaking just swaying alongside him and his band. Speaking of which – hats off to the trombone player, saxophonist and bassist who bopped along with ferocity all the night long. Superb energy and non-stop entertainment. His singers, musical director and wider band were no less phenomenal. His quip about being 'heavily rehearsed' was surely more fact than fiction. High-energy performances, stunning musicality, and no break? INSANE. My personal highlights were Relight My Fire, his new country style tune 'If There's Not a Song About It' and Never Forget, in the finale. Yes Mr B, it may have taken me 30 years to get to see you live, but I'm very glad I got there in the end. Brilliant night made all the more memorable by being there with my now-hoarse mum.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vulnerable man wrongly had care ended
A vulnerable man was caused "distress and uncertainty" after he was left without care for three months when a west London council wrongly cut his support, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has ruled. Hillingdon Council withdrew care for the man, named only as Mr B in the report, after deciding he did not need it. It has made a "symbolic payment of £300" for causing distress to the man, who has a learning disability. Hillingdon Council said: "We accept the decision of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and have met all the agreed actions in its report." The ombudsman said that Mr B was receiving seven hours of weekly care, including help with meals, housework, shopping and appointments. In August 2023, he told the council he was being bullied by a resident in his shared house. Shortly after the report, the council was told by his carers that Mr B could get to the shop himself, make a simple meal and sometimes cancelled care. In May 2024, Hillingdon Council reassessed Mr B's care needs, and found that he had some difficulties saying words, memory problems, and could not always understand things said to him. The council said it was unclear whether Mr B had been diagnosed with a learning disability. It added that Mr B could give them all the information needed and decided he did not need carers to help. His care was ended in June. In August, a learning disability assessment confirmed Mr B had a learning disability, an extremely low working memory, and some problems working things out. It also found he needed help to learn new things. The council reassessed Mr B again in September and reinstated his care, stating: "Hillingdon Council can now understand how his learning disability affects him." The ombudsman found that the diagnosis of a learning difficulty was not needed to find out whether Mr B had care needs. The ombudsman said: "The council's failure to meet Mr B's care needs from mid-June to mid-September, is fault. This caused Mr B distress and uncertainty. It meant he did not have the support he needed." A spokesperson for Hillingdon Council said: "We have apologised to and compensated the complainant for the faults it highlighted. As an organisation, we regularly review internal processes, such as how we assess eligibility of care, to ensure we best serve residents and meet their needs." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Supported housing in crisis, groups tell Starmer Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
