Latest news with #PAPS
Zawya
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission holds technical meeting for the establishment of economic and social council in west Africa
The ECOWAS Commission, through the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), is holding a technical session to advance the course of the establishment of an Economic and Social Council of West Africa (ECOWAS-ECOSOC), beginning from the 26th of June 2025 in Niger state, Nigeria. The two-day meeting brings together officials from the relevant ECOWAS Departments, Directorates and Divisions, including consultants and partners charged with building on the earlier phases of consultations within the context of the wider efforts aimed at consolidating democracy, peace and security while strengthening political stability, security, participatory governance and citizen's inclusion in the region. In his opening remarks, the ECOWAS Commission's Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Amb Abdel-Fatau Musah charged participants to be mindful of the goal of an ECOWAS-ECOSOC which is to constitute that bridge of a powerful voice to interface with decision makers and at the same time being a reverse influential organ of citizenry engagement. He noted that the idea of an ECOSOC for ECOWAS is to mutually reinforce everyone through an institutionalized people's organ with a facilitating platform that is a voice of the regional community's farmers, young people's organisations, non-governmental organizations, women, youth and professional groups, etc. The Commissioner added that through ECOWAS-ECOSOC as an authentic voice of the people, 'we are our own architects, the People's social wellbeing in order to truly attain a people-centered development. The benefits will be for all as the proposed organ should be insulated from the control of national governments being an authentic voice of the people' He added. Following the welcome address by the Ag Head, Mediation and Coordination of Regional Political Affairs Mr. Constant Gnacadja, the facilitator and former Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E Toga Gayewea McIntosh gave an overview of the previous consultative meetings. There were also goodwill messages from the representatives of ECOWAS Commission's partners- the African Union, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) as well as the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice. At the meeting, participants will examine, among others, the justification of ECOSOC, membership and eligibility criteria, structure and sustainability. A firmly established ECOWAS-ECOSOC is seen as movement that can play a crucial role in identifying emerging social and economic trends and issues by strengthening the use of dialogue, advocacy, as well as policy recommendations in the resolution of common challenges of poverty, inequality, political instability, environmental difficulties and conflict. The technical meeting builds on the foundations laid by the earlier held Internal consultative Meeting of ECOWAS Staff, which took place on the 12th to 13th of December 2023 in Lagos, the regional consultative meeting of civil society organisations that happened on the 22nd and 23rd of February 2024 in Abuja and the experts' group meeting which held on the 12th and 13th of June 2024, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
CTV News
14-06-2025
- CTV News
Sudden death of Prince Albert man deemed non-criminal
Prince Albert police responded to a sudden death in the city on Saturday morning. Around 8:10 a.m., police received a call from Parkland Ambulance regarding a deceased male in the area of 15th Avenue East and 15th Street East, Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) said in a news release. Upon arrival, officers located the body of a 49-year-old man. His next of kin has been notified. The Saskatchewan Coroner's Service and PAPS forensic identification section attended the scene and after further investigation, the death has been determined to be non-criminal. Police say although the incident's proximity to another death in the area on May 26, raised questions, police believe the two incidents are unrelated. Police say they have cleared the scene, and no further information will be released regarding this incident.
The Mainichi
29-05-2025
- The Mainichi
Spread of sexual deepfake images created by generative AI growing in Japan
TOKYO -- Sexual deepfake images and videos created by misusing generative artificial intelligence and targeting children and women are rapidly spreading across Japan. In some cases, fake nude images of individuals are created without their knowledge, and exposed online along with their real names, addresses and school names. The Mainichi Shimbun looked into the real damage caused by generative AI, which can not only lead to children becoming victims but also potential perpetrators. Sumire Nagamori, head of the volunteer organization Hiiragi Net, which patrols the internet and reports content to platform operators and the police, scrolled through her computer screen with a grim expression. She was doing research on an overwhelming volume of sexually fake images and videos posted on social media, including school group photos which have been edited to make the female students appear naked, and yearbook pictures where bodies beneath the faces have been modified sexually. Many schools use a system where professional photographers upload event photos to dedicated websites, allowing families to select and purchase the images they want. It appears that these pictures are also being leaked and misused online. There are even exchanges on the internet, such as, "Let's trade login IDs and passwords for each school's photo sales website." Previously, creating sexually fake images such as "idol collages," known as "aikora," which combine a person's face with pornographic content, required some degree of editing knowledge and technical skill. But now, with apps and websites that incorporate generative AI, users can simply upload an image and generate a deepfake in a matter of less than a minute. The lowered barrier to creation is contributing to the rapid rise in damage. The Tokyo-based nonprofit Organization for Pornography and Sexual Exploitation Survivors, or PAPS, which has supported victims of digital sexual violence, began actively calling on victims of pornographic deepfakes to seek help around six months ago. One victim became unable to attend school after fake images of them were spread online along with their school name, due to fear that "a stranger might be waiting in front of the school." PAPS chairperson Kazuna Kanajiri stated, "The fear experienced by victims is immeasurable," and urged those affected to seek support. PAPS can be reached via the phone at 050-3177-5432 (in Japanese) or email at paps@
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Police renew call for information in Prince Albert homicide case
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is renewing its call for information in the Lawrence Lavallee homicide case. Lavallee was a 32-year-old father of four when he was killed three years ago on May 28, 2022. Just after 5:30 a.m. that morning, police responded to a report of a shooting in the 800 Block of 11th Avenue East, PAPS said in a news release. Arriving officers found Lavallee with serious injuries in the 1000 Block of 8th Street East. He was taken to Victoria Hospital where he was later pronounced dead The family and police are appealing to the public for help, seeking any information that could lead to those involved in Lavallee's homicide. Anyone with details about the homicide is asked to contact the PAPS or crime stoppers.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- CTV News
Prince Albert police respond to more than 300 calls over the weekend
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) had a busy weekend – responding to over 300 calls for service which included drug trafficking, gunshots, robberies and stabbings. On May 23, at around 3:30 p.m., police observed a vehicle driving erratically on 6th Avenue East. After initiating a traffic stop, the officer found alcohol in the vehicle and detained the male driver for an impaired driving investigation. A further search resulted in locating a machete and over 150 grams of cocaine. A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, and possession of a weapon. Hours later, at around 7 p.m., police were called to the 400 block of 12th Street East for a report of a gunshot. Arriving officers located a suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled the scene. The suspect vehicle is described as a black Audi with a Saskatchewan license plate reading: 344 NUP. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. That same evening, shortly after 9 p.m., police were called to the 800 block of 15th Street East for a report of a robbery. Arriving officers arrested a man. However, a teen girl attempted to help him escape from the patrol car. She was also arrested after a short foot pursuit. Police say a 22-year-old man has been charged with escaping lawful custody and breaching a conditional sentence order. The 16-year-old girl has been charged with obstructing police and rescuing or permitting escape. On May 24, at around 1 a.m., police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1100 block of 18th Street West. A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and breaching a release order. On May 26, around midnight, police responded to a report of another stabbing in the 1600 block of 17th Street West. Police say a 22-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated assault.
