Latest news with #Rights
The Diplomat
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
EU Report Urges a Much Tougher Stance on Transnational Repression
Six months ago, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights charged Chloe Ridel, a French Member of the European Parliament, with preparing a report focusing on how the EU can address a dramatic rise in transnational repression. That Draft Report on Addressing Transnational Repression of Human Rights Defenders is now being considered by the EU Parliament, which must decide how to overhaul a system that is failing to protect EU citizens from countries as far afield as Iran and China. Ridel spoke with The Diplomat's Luke Hunt about the links between transnational repression, international crime syndicates, and autocratic governments in Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, and what the EU needs to do to fight the scourge. She says the EU has fallen behind nations like Australia and Canada in tackling transnational repression. It even lacks its own data base and relies on Freedom House to document repression that has included killings, abductions, torture, and the jailing of opposition politicians, rights activists, and journalists. In February, Freedom House released a report that found a quarter of the world's governments were using tactics of transnational repression. China topped the list of 'physical and direct incidents' with 22 percent of recorded cases between 2014 and 2024. Among the major problems are Interpol, which Ridel says is not fit for the purpose, given that red notices issued by authoritarian regimes are then used by Interpol agents to detain and return political dissidents to their countries of origin, and too often to a tragic fate. Ridel became a Member of the EU Parliament for France's Socialist Party in 2024. She has been spokesperson for the party since March 2023 and sits on the EU parliament's subcommittee for human rights. Prior to this, she was a French civil servant and a member of the Jean-Jaures Foundation in Paris. In 2020, she co-founded a think tank, the Rousseau Institute.
Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Atico Mining Announces Closing of the Fully Subscribed $3.2M LIFE Offering, Raising $6.5M Combined with the Rights Offering
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atico Mining Corporation (the 'Company' or 'Atico') (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to announce the closing of its offering under the listed issuer financing exemption (the 'LIFE Offering'), previously disclosed in the Company's press releases dated June 9, 2025, June 13, 2025 and July 22, 2025. Under the LIFE Offering, Atico sold 29,090,910 units of the Company (the 'LIFE Units'), at a subscription price of $0.11 per LIFE Unit, for gross proceeds of $3,200,000. Under the LIFE Offering and the Company's rights offering that closed on July 22, 2025 (the 'Rights Offering', and together with the LIFE Offering, the 'Offerings'), the Company raised aggregate gross proceeds of $6,487,572.42. 'We are thrilled with the successful completion of our Rights and LIFE Offerings, which have significantly strengthened our financial foundation. This achievement positions us to advance our strategic goals at both El Roble mine and the La Plata project.' said Fernando E. Ganoza, CEO. 'I extend my gratitude to our loyal shareholders, new investors, and company insiders for their substantial support and trust in our vision. Together, we are poised to steer back the company toward becoming a top mid-tier producer.' Each LIFE Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (a 'Common Share') and one transferable Common Share purchase warrant (a 'LIFE Warrant'), with each LIFE Warrant exercisable into one Common Share (a 'LIFE Warrant Share') at a price of $0.18 per LIFE Warrant Share for a period of two years from the issue date. In connection with the LIFE Offering, PowerOne Capital Markets Limited (the 'Finder') acted as finder in connection with a portion of the LIFE Offering. The Company paid a cash finder's fee of approximately $62,820 and issued 571,091 non-transferable Common Share purchase warrants (the 'Finder Warrants') to the Finder, an arm's length party to the Company. Each Finder Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.18 for a period of two years following the closing date of the LIFE Offering. The LIFE Units were issued pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions . Certain LIFE Units were also issued in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements in Regulation D of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offerings to pay for development of the Company's La Plata project in Ecuador (the 'La Plata Project'), additional drilling at the Company's El Roble mine in Colombia (the 'El Roble Mine'), and for general corporate purposes. Following closing of the LIFE Offering, the Company has a total of 180,264,117 Common Shares outstanding. Certain officers of the Company, considered 'related parties' under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transaction ('MI 61-101'), acquired an aggregate of 590,001 LIFE Units under the LIFE Offering. Accordingly, the LIFE Offering constituted a related party transaction under MI 61-101. The LIFE Offering is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed or quoted on any of the stock exchanges or markets listed in subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, and the fair market value of the securities distributed and the consideration received for the securities under the LIFE Offering does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities laws in the United States, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. About Atico Mining Corporation Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fernando E. Ganoza CEO Atico Mining Corporation Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF Investor Relations Igor Dutina Tel: +1.604.729.5765 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the 'TSXV') nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as 'forward-looking statements'). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'estimates', 'expects', 'confirm' and similar expressions, or the negatives of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'should', 'might', or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified in such statement. Specifically, this news release includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offerings. Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond Atico's ability to predict or control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the Company's outstanding debt, including amounts due and payable to each of Trafigura PTE. Ltd. and Dundee Corporation ('Dundee') on or before July 25, 2025 and December 30, 2025, respectively, or the ability to successfully negotiate to amend or extend the terms of the convertible debenture with Dundee; the availability and cost of funds; discretion in the Company's use of available funds from the Offerings; risks relating to negative operating cash flows of the Company; dilution of the shareholdings of shareholders who did not exercise all of their rights under the Rights Offering ('Rights'); irrevocability of the exercise of Rights by a shareholder; the possibility that the subscription price is not indicative of the Company's value; if a shareholder fails to follow the subscription procedure and abide by the subscription deadline their subscription may be rejected; mining operations; market fluctuations in commodity prices; title risks and surface rights and access; changes in legislation; political instability; government or regulatory approvals; non-compliance with laws and regulations and compliance costs; environmental compliance; climate change; uninsured and uninsurable risks; water disposal, tailings and reclamation obligations; financing risks; risks associated with outstanding debt; global economic conditions; availability and costs of supplies; community relations; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; future production rates; labour relations; currency fluctuations; the Company may engage in hedging activities; infrastructure; exploration and development capital expenditures; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; concentrate sales risks; shortage of personnel; health and safety; pandemics, epidemics or infectious disease outbreak; physical security; conflicts of interest; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of Common Shares; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business and the Offerings, including those described in the Company's public disclosure documents on SEDAR+ at . Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to, (1) the Company's ability to generate positive cash flows from ongoing operations at the El Roble Mine, including the ability to sell its mineral concentrates in inventory; (2) that all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of the Company's properties, (3) there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labor disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, non-renewal of title to the Company's claims or otherwise, (4) permitting, development, expansion and power supply proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, (5) currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, (6) certain price assumptions for copper, gold, zinc and silver, (7) prices for and availability of fuel oil, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels, (8) production forecasts meeting expectations, (9) the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource and reserve estimates, (10) labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, (11) matters related to the ongoing dispute with the National Mining Agency in Colombia, and (12) general marketing, political, business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including without limitation, those referred to in the Offering Documents that may cause Atico's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If Atico does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South African intellectuals propose new strategies for economic empowerment
Christo Van der Rheede hosted the FW De Klerk Foundation conference. Image: File A recent conference hosted by the FW de Klerk Foundation in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung brought together prominent South African intellectuals to discuss alternative ways to empower South Africans and stimulate economic growth. The Constitutional Rights conference, titled "Achieving an Inclusive Economy", featured panellists including Moeletsi Mbeki, Ashor Sarupen, Dr Celeste Campher, Ismail Joosub, and Professor William Gumede. One of the key topics discussed at the conference, hosted by its Executive Director Christo van der Rheede, was the need to rethink the current Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy. Mbeki, a prominent economist and businessman, argued that BEE has failed to achieve its intended goals and has instead created a culture of dependency among black professionals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "We have to repeal Black Economic Empowerment legislation," Mbeki said. "One of the most important consequences of the BEE combined with public sector salaries is that it disincentivises, especially young black professionals, to become entrepreneurs. It incentivises them to become public sector employees, and this is why South Africa is not building new companies." Gumede, a leading expert on economic development, proposed alternative empowerment strategies that focus on pragmatism and inclusivity. Gumede argued that the current BEE policy has benefited only a small elite group of black individuals, while leaving the majority of South Africans behind. "We need to shift to alternative optics of empowerment," he said. "The way empowerment is structured now is based on giving politically connected ANC leaders and trade union leaders benefits in existing companies. We need to bring small companies into supply chains and manufacturing so that the supply chains are in manufacturing. Secondly, we need to reward skills training and reward employment so that empowerment becomes that if you employ young people.' Gumede said pragmatism was a philosophy that must be implemented in South Africa. 'From South Africa's point of view, we need to focus all our state, economic, and nation-building initiatives on pragmatism… We need to look at what works and what is in the interest of everyone. We need to remove anti-growth policies,' he said. The conference also discussed the need to reduce the public sector wage bill, which is seen as unsustainable and detrimental to economic growth. Campher, an economist and policy analyst, argued that the government should prioritise infrastructure development and job creation over social interventions. "The current public sector wage bill must be reduced drastically to afford the building of public infrastructure," Campher said. "Our roads, harbours, and railway system are in a dilapidated state and must be fixed." Sarupen, a businessman and entrepreneur, proposed a Basic Employment Grant scheme that would provide individuals with a grant in exchange for rendering basic services at the municipal level. Sarupen argued that this approach would not only provide a safety net for the poor but also promote entrepreneurship and skills development. "A Basic Employment Grant should also be integrated with a skills and entrepreneurial development programme," Sarupen said. "Continuing to hand out grants for free perpetuates and has entrenched a dependency culture." One of the attendees of the conference, which was held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, said that it highlighted the need for alternative empowerment strategies that prioritise inclusivity, pragmatism, and entrepreneurship. "If we rethink the current BEE policy and promote small businesses and job creation, South Africa can stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty and inequality," he said.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Deported Afghans at risk of torture and persecution, UN report finds
ISLAMABAD - A U.N. report released on Thursday highlights cases of serious human rights violations against Afghans who were forcibly returned to their home country, particularly from neighbouring countries. The reported abuse includes torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, and threats to personal security, allegedly carried out by the Taliban against returnees with specific backgrounds. Since 2023, huge numbers of Afghans have been forcibly returned, mainly by Pakistan and Iran. This month, Germany deported 81 Afghans with criminal convictions to Kabul, as the government pursues a harder line on migration policy. According to the report, those most at risk include women and girls, former government officials, security personnel, media workers, and civil society activists. "Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face the risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history," said U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. The report notes that former officials and members of the security forces have gone into hiding out of fear of reprisals, while women have been left without access to jobs or educational opportunities. The U.N. warned that returning people to such conditions violates the principle of non-refoulement and constitutes a serious breach of international law. The Taliban rejected allegations that it has carried out reprisals against former government personnel and reiterated their commitment to the general amnesty announced by their leader. The group also asserted its commitment to upholding women's rights under sharia, or Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran. Pakistan and Iran, for their part, said they are addressing the issue of undocumented foreign nationals and called for increased international cooperation. ------------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump administration floated unprecedented plan to seize control over Harvard, internal memo reveals
Harvard memo reveals how Trump aimed to reshape US higher education system The Trump administration privately circulated a confidential memo in early April outlining an extensive plan to exert federal control over Harvard University, including the possibility of placing a lien on all university assets and eliminating specific academic and student support programs, according to documents recently disclosed in a court filing, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. Dated April 3, the four-page memo was marked 'Privileged and Confidential' and sent to Harvard's legal team the same day a public letter from the White House threatened to cut off $9 billion in federal funding unless Harvard implemented sweeping reforms. While the public letter included broad categories of institutional change, the internal memo provided a more detailed roadmap of proposed federal interventions. Memo included governance changes and asset controls The internal document proposed a series of governance reforms aimed at increasing federal influence over Harvard's leadership, according to The Harvard Crimson. These included setting a minimum requirement of 15 years of 'acceptable leadership experience' for future Harvard presidents, a policy that would have excluded former president Claudine Gay and interim president Alan M. Garber. The memo also suggested placing Harvard's academic departments under receivership and appointing a federally approved senior provost to oversee reforms. Programs identified for potential federal oversight included Jewish Studies, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and Ethnicity, Migration, Rights in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS); Religion and Public Life at the Harvard Divinity School; and the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ACE Nest Yamuna Expressway – Affordable Luxury Awaits Ace Noida Book Now Undo Plans to dismantle DEI efforts and regulate student groups As reported by The Harvard Crimson, the memo called for the elimination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and a ban on protest masks. It also targeted the Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, which supports minority and first-generation students, recommending its elimination. The Trump administration also proposed using trademark law to penalize unrecognized student groups using Harvard's name, such as Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine. It recommended holding recognized organizations accountable if they shared members with unrecognized groups. The memo referred to these actions as an 'augmented Columbia accountability ask,' referencing similar interventions at Columbia University. Internal proposals preceded April 11 demands The April 11 letter — which Trump administration officials later stated was sent in error — shocked Harvard officials, but the memo indicates the university had already been informed of the scope of possible federal action days earlier, according to The Harvard Crimson. After receiving the memo, Harvard continued talks with the federal government for over a week, until the April 11 letter formalized many of the proposals. Some proposals in the memo were never made public in official correspondence, including placing a lien on Harvard assets, abolishing the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Faculty Council, and launching a 'Legacy of Antisemitism' initiative modeled after Harvard's slavery reparations program. Additional report proposed conservative academic center and suspensions As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a separate undated 10-page report, released with the court filing, proposed creating a Center for Antisemitism Research co-led by Harvard Chabad and Hillel. It called for Harvard to suspend student government operations for five years, sever ties with Palestinian institutions, and establish a conservative academic center modeled after the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. It remains unclear whether Harvard ever received the report. Neither the Trump administration nor Harvard has publicly confirmed its involvement in the document's creation, and the White House declined to comment, The Harvard Crimson reported. Since April, Harvard has renamed DEI offices across its schools and reduced commitments to underrepresented hiring. According to The Harvard Crimson, it is also in discussions with donors and Harvard Corporation members about building a conservative academic center. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
