Military

When something is wrong with your marriage and you are facing a military divorce while posted abroad, you can feel incredibly isolated. And, like it or not, military commands are more involved in your life than you are used to, especially when it comes to your impending divorce. It may sound very boring, but sometimes it can be useful.

While this article does not have the answer to all questions about divorce abroad, it is a good place to start to answer some basic questions. Most importantly, remember that even though the lawyers have shared information here, they are not your lawyers and you should not take this as legal advice for your particular situation.

Among the questions you can ask yourself:

• How is Divorce Abroad Different from Divorce While Living in the United States?
• Who has jurisdiction?
• What if you want to leave your duty station abroad before the divorce is final?
• What changes if you have children?
• How does the SCRA apply to divorce?
• What should you look for in a lawyer?

Divorce in the military is measured differently from overall divorce rates in the United States. The military divorce rate is a comparison of the number of people married at the start of the year and the number of people who reported divorced at the end of the year. In 2019, this rate was 3%.

Do you have to get divorced while living abroad?

Divorce abroad is much more complicated. Sometimes so much more complicated that couples can wait until they return to the United States to begin the procedure.

“It may be logistically impossible to facilitate divorce while abroad due to the complex demands of litigation in local state courts,” noted Sean Timmons, partner at Tully Rinckey Attorneys and Counselors at Law, a firm with offices in the United States. in an email to Military.com.

In addition to limited legal resources abroad and living physically away from your family and support system, complications continue when you consider custody agreements, mandatory separation periods, finding a lawyer. and determining jurisdiction. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t get a divorce while living abroad, just that there may be additional layers to the process.

Who has jurisdiction?

When living in the United States, you can file for divorce in the state they live in – even if you got married in another state – as long as you meet the residency requirements. Typically, you file in the last state in the United States where the parties resided for more than 91 days, said Melissa C. Guggisberg, former military wife and licensed lawyer in Colorado.

But, like many things, divorce can be more complicated when you are a military spouse, because you moved and then moved out of the country. Another determining factor is the member’s domicile or state of origin. Guggisberg said the state of origin is a good place to start if parties can’t agree on which state to file in.

Again, when children are involved, this further complicates matters.

“Children are generally expected to reside in the appropriate jurisdiction for 182 days prior to filing, so that state can enter custody and parenting orders,” Guggisberg said.

Ideally, parents can agree on an appropriate state in which to file, but if the member is filing without the spouse’s knowledge, it may be necessary to assess jurisdiction.

What should you do first?

“I have advised, when there is an ongoing divorce and the parties are abroad, that the spouse consider sharing with the command. Not in a malicious way, but in a way that allows them to tap in the available resources and to have the opportunity to return home, “said Guggisberg.

The Early Return of Dependents (EDR) process is used in many situations, and a pending divorce could be one of them. An ERD is usually approved by the garrison commander, provided it is level O-6 or above. The service member must demonstrate a valid need for dependents to return early, that the problem arose after they moved overseas and that local resources cannot resolve the problem, according to the information on this sheet. .

This information from 7^e JMTC Legal Aid (Germany) says that if the service member refuses to submit to an ERD, the spouse can do so – which can be helpful in the context of an ongoing divorce.

If safety is a concern, the spouse should do whatever is necessary to be safe, which may mean not waiting for the ERD process or alerting the command of a dangerous situation.

Another layer of potential complications exists if children are involved. If you decide not to wait for an approved DRE, a basic notice of intent to leave the country and take the children is required, Guggisberg said.

“And that’s just because you don’t want there to be a perception that they were trying to run away with the kids or hide the kids from the military. What if there’s an open door of contact [with the unit], so it’s easy to tell, that wasn’t what they were doing. But again, if there are issues of safety and domestic violence, there is usually wiggle room, at least under Colorado law, ”Guggisberg said.

There may be different views on some of these things depending on the law of each state. “And obviously one of the complications is that divorce and divorce law are dictated by the jurisdiction of each state,” Guggisberg said. “But of course there are overarching federal issues that come into play when dealing with the military.”

If the military spouse cannot leave the country for financial or logistical reasons, this does not mean that the divorce proceedings cannot continue. Guggisberg said many jurisdictions allow you to appear remotely, use e-filing options, and allow both parties to access the court system electronically – which makes her less of a concern today than it does. was not ten years ago.

What about SCRA?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which was originally enacted to ease the financial burden on service members, also offers some protection during civil lawsuits or civil matters, including divorce, Guggisberg says, but it is rarely used as a reason not to proceed. with divorce.

SCRA, Guggisberg explained, is designed to prevent the service member from not noticing that he or she is suddenly divorced – which could happen if not served properly and therefore not responding in a timely manner. that makes the divorce seem unchallenged. And so, if proper notice can be provided and the service member can participate in some way, even if it is from a distance, then many judges will go ahead and not allow SCRA to trigger a delay.

Still, if your service member is geobaching, SCRA could delay your divorce proceedings until your service member comes to the United States, Timmons said in an email.

“If the service member is overseas under the SCRA, the service member may request that the proceedings be delayed until they can physically appear in court to witness the proceedings,” a- he declared. “SCRA relief can significantly delay proceedings. “

What kind of lawyer do you need?

When facing a divorce, you’ll need representation, and despite claims that the first person to go to JAG gets legal advice, that’s not exactly the case. You’re going to want your own lawyer, one who specializes in divorce and understands the military. One place to find a lawyer would be the Military Spouse JD Network’s public directory.

“One of the biggest values ​​I have in my clientele is that I can talk to them militarily and they love being able to come in and use their acronyms, talk about military time and talk about their MOS,” Guggisberg said. “I think a basic understanding of the military is definitely something a spouse or military person wants to consider when hiring a lawyer.”

Another thing to keep in mind is: Does your personality match that of your lawyer? Do they understand your ultimate goals? Guggisberg describes herself as a problem solver, not a “shark that will take your mate for all his worth,” and that’s an important thing to know about your lawyer.

“I encourage anyone interviewing a lawyer to consider whether it is appropriate for them to be open about what they are looking for and what their goals are and to be open about their needs so that the lawyer can then assess these compatibilities. “Said Guggisberg.

Divorce is complicated at the best of times. Surprises, custody battles and life abroad are often not the best of times. By finding a competent lawyer, knowing your options as a military spouse living overseas, and determining what to expect from the situation, you will be well on your way to reaching a resolution.

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(Reuters) – A federal appeals court ruled on Monday that military families who allege they were kept in the dark about pesticide contamination at a Hawaii Navy base can pursue their claims in a court of law. State, reigniting their legal action against companies that have rented them homes on the base.

In a victory for the families, a unanimous panel of the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling that rejected their offer to remand the case. The panel ruled that under the law that admitted Hawaii as a U.S. state, Honolulu shared jurisdiction with the federal government over the Hawaii Marine Corps (MCBH) base on the island of Oahu.

Kyle Smith, who represents the tenants, including Kenneth Lake, said that “we are pleased that the courts of the State of Hawaii have the opportunity to adjudicate on these important questions of the law of the State of Hawaii” .

Randall Whattoff of Cox Fricke, who represents real estate firm Ohana Military Communities (OMC) LLC and co-defendant Forest City Residential Management Inc, said OMC disagreed “with the ruling that the federal courts do not have the jurisdiction to review matters arising at a Marine Corps facility. ” The company intends to seek a full review of the decision, he added.

Lake and other family members of the military who rented homes from the companies sued them in Hawaii state court in 2016. The plaintiffs alleged that the companies, which they said built and jointly operated the base’s private accommodation, did not inform their tenants that MCBH’s soil was contaminated with chlordane and other pesticides. The contamination exposed families to dangerous conditions, including higher cancer risks, they say.

Chlordane was applied to the foundations of houses to control termites. It was banned in 1988.

The WTO has confirmed the pesticide contamination and has developed a plan to mitigate its risks, according to the complaint. Mitigation measures included the development of maps detailing where soils contaminated with pesticides had been found, and requiring that no “visible dust” be emitted during demolition and construction activities, he said.

The companies in 2016 withdrew the lawsuit in federal court. There, U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi, in several rulings, rejected the residents’ request to send it to state court and dismissed all but one of their 11 claims. They ranged from breach of contract to violations of the state’s landlord-tenant code. The plaintiffs appealed in 2019.

Writing for the 9th Circuit panel, U.S. Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson wrote that under the Admission Act, which officially made Hawaii the 50th state, the United States and Hawaii have jurisdiction ” concurrent ”on the military base, with one exception: the areas that Washington has designated as critical fall under its exclusive jurisdiction.

“We have not found any evidence that MCBH is such a designated ‘critical area’,” Nelson wrote.

“Hawaii’s concurrent jurisdiction means that the state law governing plaintiffs’ claims is still the law of Hawaii – not federal law,” he wrote.

The judge, joined by U.S. Circuit Senior Judge Richard Clifton and U.S. Circuit Judge Daniel Collins, disagreed with the lower court’s finding that federal jurisdiction prevailed, despite concurrent jurisdiction, because the dispute involved “substantial federal interests”.

And the panel rejected the companies’ argument that the case belonged to a federal court under the Federal Officers Dismissal Act because OMC acted as a federal officer in providing housing services to the request of the Navy.

The case is Lake v. Ohana Military Communities, 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, # 19-17340.

For Kenneth Lake et al: Kyle Smith of the law firm of Kyle Smith

For the military communities of Ohana et al: Randall Whattoff of Cox Fricke

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his government has not asked the federal government to send military or healthcare workers to support the battle against COVID-19 in hospitals, but has discussed other areas of potential help.

On Monday, Moe spoke with a Saskatoon-based radio show and said COVID-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions more than doubled from September 1 to 26.

“The pressure is very real. The pressure is pretty extreme,” Moe said.

He said more than 80% of intensive care patients are not vaccinated and they come from the 30% of the eligible population who are not fully vaccinated.

“If you don’t believe in science, it’s math.”

Moe said he wouldn’t rule out seeking help if there was no indication of a spike in cases.

Moe’s comments were confirmed in a letter written by Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman and obtained by CBC News on Monday evening.

The letter Merriman wrote to his federal counterpart sets out some of the issues he would like the federal government to help:

• Increase immunization in regions of the province, including indigenous communities.
• Increased access to rapid self-tests and make them free.
• Financial support and accelerated deployment of monoclonal antibody therapy for hospitalized COVID patients.

Three types of monoclonal antibody therapy have been approved for use in Canada: bamlanivimab, sotrovimab, and the combination of casirivimab and imdevimab.

In Monday’s interview, Moe said monoclonal treatments are “expensive” and “not a substitute for a vaccination.”

Federal Minister offers help

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu in a tweet on Friday confirmed that she spoke to Merriman and “made sure he knew the federal government would be there to help the people of Saskatchewan in this matter. health crisis. We are ready to help wherever we are needed. “

Hajdu told CBC News on Sunday that Saskatchewan has yet to formally request federal assistance, but that “we’ll be ready as soon as they trigger that request.”

The federal government is helping Alberta after the province makes a formal request. It will help overhead lift patients, intensive care registered nurses and respiratory therapists.

Saskatchewan set a new record for active cases, new cases and hospitalizations on Sunday. On Monday, the province reported 289 hospitalizations, another all-time high.

Saskatchewan reported 552 new cases on Sunday, while Ontario – with about 13.5 million more people – reported 653.

Saskatchewan and Alberta were the hardest hit by wave four. The death rates in the two provinces are about four times that of the rest of Canada.

Rapid tests

As for rapid tests, the federal government already offers free rapid antigen testing for small and medium-sized businesses in Saskatchewan.

Two weeks ago, Moe said the province had obtained a million rapid antigenic tests from the federal government.

According to federal government records, Saskatchewan received 3,731,392 rapid antigenic tests. It sent 3,102,308 tests to their final point of service. Only 618,260 of the more than 3.7 million tests received (16.5%) were reported used to Health Canada.

But Merriman’s letter details a request to the federal government for “expedited approval” of “off-label” rapid tests.

These off-label tests cannot currently be provided by pharmacies to the general public.

This is something Merriman says he hopes will be resolved as the province seeks to speed up provincial testing.

“Health Canada’s approval of these options would aid our efforts to ensure that the tests are readily available to the general public,” wrote the Minister of Health.

Boost vaccinations

Last week, Moe criticized the federal government for not doing more to vaccinate First Nations people.

“Our Far North and our Indigenous communities have an immunization rate of less than 50% – an area of ​​exclusive federal jurisdiction,” Moe tweeted. “I hope … [Trudeau] will work with Saskatchewan to immediately increase the immunization rate in these critical communities. “

Federal Native Affairs Minister Marc Miller called Moe’s comments “alarming and unproductive.” In an online response, Miller said Moe had “a poor understanding of his own health care system and the role it plays” in northern Saskatchewan.

The far north regions of the province are inferior to the rest of the province in the percentage of eligible people who are fully vaccinated.

The far north of the center has 44% fully vaccinated, the far northwest is 49% and the far northeast is 54%. The provincial average is 72 percent.

WATCH | What is happening in hospitals in Saskatchewan and Alberta:

Saskatchewan and Alberta have the lowest percentage of eligible people vaccinated in Canada. Both provinces have seen increases in first and second dose absorption since announcing vaccination policies less than two weeks ago.

Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on the anniversary of the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh on September 27.

On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan, with the direct support and involvement of Turkey and with the participation of foreign terrorist fighters from the Middle East, launched a full-scale war against the Republic of Artsakh with the aim of deprive the people of Artsakh of the right to live free and secure in their homeland and to control their own destiny.

Today we bow and pay homage to the memory of our heroes of all the wars of Artsakh, who fell for the cause of freedom and in the protection of the dignity and the right to life of their compatriots.

The 44-day war, launched on September 27, was accompanied by large-scale violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, war crimes and other mass atrocities committed by Azerbaijan. During hostilities, the Azerbaijani armed forces deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure and peaceful settlements, including the capital Stepanakert, with artillery and airstrikes, including with prohibited weapons, which resulted in civilian casualties and destruction. . The mass crimes committed have been thoroughly documented and presented to international organizations and specialized international bodies. Work in this direction will continue in various international platforms.

The 44-day war was a pre-planned and prepared military aggression aimed at removing the Nagorno-Karabakh issue from the international agenda through the use of force and the annihilation of the Armenian population. This is evidenced by the actions of Azerbaijan in the pre-war period, as well as the policy adopted by Azerbaijan after the war. The Armenophobic policy and the constant threats of the use of force pursued by the Azerbaijani leadership for years, the rejection of the proposals of the international mediators to resolve the conflict and strengthen the ceasefire, the systematic and regular violations of the ceasefire -fire, excessive accumulation of weapons in violation of international obligations and periodic offensive military exercises along the line of contact, refusal to join the UN Secretary General’s call for a ceasefire the global fire, as well as the post-war declarations denying the very existence of Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrate that Azerbaijan was never interested in a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Azerbaijan has consistently hampered the efforts of the international community, especially the countries of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, to establish a humanitarian ceasefire, following which the three ceasefires agreed to at ministerial level at the initiative of Russia, France and the United States have not been implemented. The trilateral ceasefire declaration initiated by the President of Russia on November 9, followed by the entry of Russian peacekeepers into Nagorno-Karabakh, ended Azerbaijani aggression and created the conditions to ensure the overall security of the population in Artsakh.

Following the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh, the Armenians of Artsakh encountered many humanitarian problems: more than 90,000 Armenians of Artsakh were forced to leave their permanent residences, the majority of whom are currently returned to Artsakh. More than 40,000 people have been deprived of their homes and belongings, vital infrastructure has been destroyed, including schools and hospitals. In this regard, the Republic of Armenia attaches great importance to the free access of international humanitarian organizations and other specialized bodies in Artsakh, which is of vital importance in the context of a comprehensive and effective solution to the resulting humanitarian crisis. of the war.

After about a year, Azerbaijan still holds a number of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians taken hostage, in violation of its obligations under both the November 9 Trilateral Declaration and international humanitarian law.

The Azerbaijani authorities not only continue their hostile policy towards the people of Artsakh, but also rename the Armenian settlements in the territories that have fallen under their control, destroy and desecrate religious shrines and cultural heritage. These actions and the complete ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population once again reveal that guaranteeing the physical security and the right to life of Armenians in Artsakh is impossible under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan.

Realities shaped on the basis of the use of force, massive violations of human rights, as well as constant actions of a similar nature by Azerbaijan after the war, cannot create a lasting basis for peace. and regional security. The comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict presupposes the determination of the status of Artsakh taking into account the realization of the inalienable right to self-determination, guaranteeing the security of the people of Artsakh, the safe and dignified return of the people. displaced population in their settlements throughout Nagorno-Karabakh, preservation of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control.

Only agreements reached within the framework of the peace process can open a new page for peace, security and development in the region.

The Republic of Armenia supports the full launch of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peace process within the framework and mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. At the same time, the urgent resolution of humanitarian issues, including the repatriation of all prisoners of war, captured civilians and the handling of cases of enforced disappearances, is of the utmost importance.

Armenia will systematically defend the restoration and protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh and do everything possible to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, guarantee the right of Armenians in Artsakh to a life free and secure with dignity in their homeland.

The Military Police Complaints Commission is investigating whether the military police tampered with information and threatened subordinates during an investigation of a “misconduct” incident involving one of their own.

President Hilary McCormack decided on August 3 to open an investigation into complaints received by her office regarding the handling of an incident involving an allegedly intoxicated military police member and his children in March 2021.

“These complaints allege that the leadership of the MP unit attempted to cover up the alleged misconduct of an officer in this unit and to improperly accord special treatment to the MP officer involved,” said a statement released Wednesday announcing the investigation.

“The allegations contained in these complaints go to the very heart of police values ​​and ethics. They have the potential to undermine public confidence in the military police and their adherence to the basic tenets of the rule of law, namely the principle of equality before the law.

READ MORE: Here’s What You Need To Know About The Military Sexual Misconduct Crisis

According to the statement, the civilian watchdog’s decision to investigate comes after its office received complaints in July and April this year alleging military police interference in the case.

Details are slim, but the statement said the incident at the heart of the complaints occurred on March 10, 2021, at an unknown location. A military police officer, who appeared to be intoxicated, put her children in his car and allegedly tried to drive them home after leaving a restaurant.

Passers-by intervened and prevented her from getting into the car, the statement said.

1:57
Few of the military police investigators are women

Local police arrived at the scene and called the military police after learning that the individual was an officer and ultimately relinquished the jurisdiction of the military.

Still, the watchdog’s summary of what is happening notes that members of the military police quickly became concerned about how the commander of the military police unit and his sergeant major were handling the case.

2:15
Military Police recommended that the 2015 investigation of Vance end within hours of being sworn in

Specifically, the complaints alleged that the military police investigator’s electronic report had been tampered with without that person’s knowledge or consent, and that the unit commander and the sergeant-major “informed to repeatedly the investigator that no charges would be laid regarding the incident ”.

The incident was never reported to the competent Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, the statement said, adding that no report has been made to the Professional Standards Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal.

In addition, “subordinate members of the MP unit were ordered not to report the incident and threatened those who did with reprimand and / or be assigned to a MP unit. in another region of the country ”.

Members of the military police unit lodged complaints with the commission in late April 2021.

READ MORE: Less than a quarter of military police sexual misconduct investigators are women

Then, in July 2021, another complaint was filed alleging military police interference in a child protection investigation involving the same military police officer involved in the March 10 incident.

Under the National Defense Act, the chairman of the Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) has the power to invoke what is called a public interest investigation, which may result in the publication of the report on the case and the holding of possible public hearings.

Such inquiries are conducted when the President has reason to believe that “public confidence would be better served by a more independent and transparent process”.

In an explanatory note attached to the statement, McCormack explained his decision and said the allegations were of a “deliberate attempt” by military police officials to cover up professional misconduct “and to attribute to this officer special treatment because of his status “.

McCormack wrote that the allegations suggest that military police officials “went to great lengths to pressure and intimidate their members to cooperate with the alleged cover-up.”

“Such allegations of concealment and special treatment based on personal status are at the heart of public confidence in the military police,” she wrote in her reasoning.

“As such, this complaint must be considered quite serious. “

TIMELINE: The Canadian Forces Sexual Misconduct Crisis

The Canadian military has been gripped over the past eight months by high-profile allegations of sexual misconduct and a culture that military leaders and military police do not take allegations of misconduct seriously, following an exclusive report from Global News.

Experts described the situation as an institutional “crisis” for the military.

At the heart of the matter, military police dealt with serious allegations against people in leadership positions or prominent ranks, and a culture that was identified in a landmark 2015 report as sweeping allegations involving the chain of command. under the carpet.

1:00
Trudeau says he accepts Fish’s recommendations, taking further steps to reform military culture

David Perry, defense expert and vice president of the Canadian Institute of World Affairs, said similar allegations have been seen in many civilian police forces and although there is little reason to expect Keeping the military police safe, the allegations come at a particularly difficult time.

“The timing is certainly not very advantageous for armed forces trying to restore some general and specific credibility in how they can handle investigations, as well as to restore credibility in the conduct of members of the forces. armed forces, ”he added. he said.

“Even the people in these positions in other jurisdictions don’t always behave in a totally flawless or entirely proper manner, but damn it, the timing is not too good.”

Perry noted that the claims will make it clear that “these issues need a little sunshine and they need external involvement.”

“Because what happened inside National Defense just did not live up to expectations outside National Defense,” he said.

Stu Kellock, a retired military police officer, called the allegations “very concerning”.

“It is a very unusual circumstance when members of a particular unit complain about their chain of command to an outside organization which has jurisdiction over such investigations,” he said.

“How can you trust the military police to do the right thing objectively and in accordance with the law when in fact there are allegations of covering up wrongdoing between them? “

Global News contacted the military police to ask if the unit commander and the sergeant major involved in the complaints were still allowed to work on other cases during the investigation.

Lt.-Cmdr. James Bresolin, spokesman for the military police, said no one has been suspended but that “the professional standards section of the military police is monitoring this file” and is communicating with the complaints committee.

“The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) is cooperating fully with the Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC), including providing all requested documents, and will continue to do so throughout this investigation of interest. public, ”Bresolin told Global News.

“The Military Police remain committed to supporting the work of the MPCC and fulfilling its accountability to the Canadian public. Given that the MPCC’s investigation is currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

The ruling coalition in Sudan has said that the statements made by the President of the Sovereign Council, Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemeti’ Daglo, pose a direct threat to the democratic transition in the country.

The coalition said it would strongly oppose any attempt to undermine the transition in the country in response to the violent attack launched by the military component against the civilian government.

The Forces for Freedom and Change coalition condemned Burhan and Dagalo’s comments, accusing “politicians” of an attempted coup and stressing that the December 2019 revolution marked a path of transition.

He said the two military leaders had made “baseless accusations” which posed a “direct threat to democratic transition” in Sudan.

He said the coup attempt failed thanks to the efforts of the armed forces.

The coalition called for the reform of the military and security services and the implementation of the security clauses of the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA).

He also demanded the involvement of the civilian apparatus in the military investigations into the failed coup, in order to name the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

On Tuesday, the Sudanese government said it foiled the coup attempt and arrested 21 senior officers and soldiers, who are under investigation.

The prime minister accused parties within the armed forces and the remnants of the ousted regime of orchestrating the plot.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council condemned in the strongest terms Tuesday’s attempt to disrupt Sudan’s transition by force.

In a press statement, Council members reaffirmed their full support for Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in his efforts to bring Sudan through a successful transition in a way that realizes the hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese people for an inclusive world. , peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous. future.

Council members urged all stakeholders to engage constructively in the national initiative known as “The National Crisis and the Problems of Transition – The Way Forward”.

The head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), Volker Perthes, has rejected any calls for a military coup or the replacement of the transitional government with a military regime.

“I would also like to stress the need for the continued engagement of all stakeholders in an inclusive transition process and to realize the aspirations of the Sudanese people towards a peaceful, stable and democratic future.

In turn, the Sudanese Congress Party, one of the main factions in the ruling coalition, called the speech by the military leaders a “dangerous indication” and a call to monopolize power.

The party said in a statement that the success of the transition period is a “joint integrative responsibility” between the military and civilian components, noting that the statements by the head of the Sovereign Council and his deputy are an escape from responsibilities towards -vis of the transition. period.

The statement blamed the military for the failure to resolve the security chaos in the country and the repeated coup attempts.

He said the military failed to fulfill its duties of maintaining security, as stated in the constitutional document, which calls for the implementation of necessary reforms in the security and military agencies.

The party demanded that investment companies of the armed forces and security services be subject to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.

He encouraged civil and military actors to engage and cooperate to achieve a full transition, as stipulated in the constitutional document and the JPA.

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Mario Fontanilla Chan. Screenshot of the CA Youtube livestream

MANILA, Philippines – The Nominations Commission (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a retired military general as the country’s new ambassador to Brazil.

Before the AC plenary, the body’s foreign affairs committee deliberated and recommended for approval the appointment of Ambassador Mario Fontanilla Chan.

Chan will replace former Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro, who was previously dismissed after being filmed abusing her Filipino housekeeper.

As Ambassador to Brazil, Chan has concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Colombia, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

According to Chan, he served in the government for a total of 41 years, including 38 years in active military service.

“I reached the rank of Major General of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) before my statutory retirement at age 56. My last posting was that of Commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army,” he told the AC committee.

Chan said he served at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as chief executive assistant to Secretary Roy Cimatu for two years.

“Within AFP and DENR, I have also held additional positions with foreign government agencies and institutions, including international and regional organizations on defense and military issues and environment and national resources, respectively, “he added.

“I served three years at the Philippine Embassy in India as a Military Diplomat, Defense Attaché and Armed Forces of the Philippines in India with concurrent jurisdiction over Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka,” added Chan.

Chan was finally transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in October 2019, about six months after being assigned to lead the Philippine Contingent’s Rapid Response Team in Libya to assist in the repatriation of Filipino workers to the foreigner in a context of security tension.

Chan said he was executive assistant to DFA secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for almost two years.

Besides Chan, the Board also confirmed the acting appointments of 18 senior officials of the DFA.

Chan and seven other DFA officials physically attended their confirmation hearing while 11 were allowed to participate online.

/ MUF

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The Appointments Commission (CA) on Wednesday approved the appointment and acting appointments of 19 Foreign Ministry officers and 32 senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

It also approved the appointment of retired Judge Catral Mendoza as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), representing retired Supreme Court judges for a term expiring on July 9, 2025.

Mendoza attended the meeting by videoconference due to his advanced age and comorbidity.

The CA approved the appointment of Mario Chan, a retired military, as Ambassador of the Philippines to Brazil, with jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.

Chan replaced Marichu Mauro who had been fired from the service after leaked video footage was shown on a local television station in Brazil showing her mistreating her unidentified Filipino housekeeper.

The panel also accepted the appointments of 11 heads of mission, five career ministers and two foreign service officers.

The Board also approved the appointment of Rear Admiral Danilo Fuentes, Jr .; Major Generals Edward Libago and Francisco Ariel Felicidario 3e; Brigadier Generals Ferdinand Razalan, Julius Tomines, Jaime Abawag Jr. and Florente Sison; and Commodore John Garaña.

Among the AFP officers included for confirmation was Col. Ruben Guinolbay, who was once a candidate for the Medal of Valor, the highest military honor, for neutralizing a group of bandits from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who held him down. ambushed along with his troops in Lamitan, Sulu in 2001.

After the clash with the ASG, Guinolbay, a member of the Philippine Military Class of 1994, and his men were able to rescue hostages held by the ASG. In 2011, Guinolbay received the Distinguished Conduct Star instead.

Former Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s youngest son, Jude Ejercito, a reserve officer in the Philippine Air Force, has been promoted to the rank of colonel.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., said that true to his Estrada roots, Ejercito, brother of former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, has a heart for the needy.

He noted that Ejercito was awarded a Bronze Cross medal in 2020 for his volunteer work in Metro Manila and for leading the deployment of the Reservist Work Unit to those with the greatest numbers. cases of Covid-19 (2019 coronavirus disease).

PA’s Legal Marijuana Bill; States and cities are pushing SCOTUS to take a safe injection case; Hemp push from agricultural officials; Grand Rapids Psychedelic Delinquency Solving

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/ THINGS TO KNOW

The Commissioner of the Small Business and Self-Employed Division of the Internal Revenue Service wrote a blog post offering tax compliance advice to the “fast growing” marijuana industry.

• “While there are 14 states that still ban the consumption of cannabis, we expect unlicensed and licensed marijuana businesses to grow.”

Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a new bill to legalize marijuana with a focus on social equity for communities affected by the war on drugs.

Ten states, Washington, DC and over a dozen cities and counties are asking the Supreme Court to take up a case that could determine the legality of opening sites for the safe use of illegal drugs.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture encourages the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow dual designation for hemp as a specialty crop so that farmers can be eligible for more federal grants.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan City Commission adopted a resolution approving the decriminalization of psychedelics. But unlike measures approved in other cities, it does not immediately make changes in enforcement practices.

/ FEDERAL

The House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at eliminating the disparity in sentences between crack and powdered cocaine. The Senate sponsors The accompanying bill urged their colleagues to support its advancement in this chamber.

Chair of the House Small Business Committee, Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted: “Grateful to see Los Angeles dismiss more marijuana convictions – let’s do it nationwide now.” We need to adopt the #MOREAct to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and work to repair the damage criminalization has done in communities of color. “

Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted: “The MORE law: 1. Would remove the federal ban on marijuana. 2. Remove previous convictions for marijuana-related crimes. 3. Would tax marijuana. remove the provisions relating to taxes and expenses.

Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) tweeted: “Tomorrow, Congress will take the next step towards ending the federal marijuana ban when @HouseJudiciary begins reviewing the #MOREAct, which @HouseDemocrats adopted last year. It is high time to fix our country’s broken marijuana laws and restore justice. “

Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) tweeted: “After decades of working to end the disparity in sentences between crack and powder cocaine, we have finally passed the EQUAL law. The war on drugs has been a failure and this disparity is a glaring example of its inequity. We need to right the wrong done to communities of color. “

Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) tweeted: “Far too many people in our communities still suffer from the racist disparities of the US war on drugs.”

House bill legalize marijuana at the federal level and fund programs to redress the harms of the war on drugs secured seven new cosponsors for a total of 73.

/ STATES

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee (D) signed a bill to decriminalize drug possession.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (right) said a special session to pass a medical cannabis bill may be called soon. Meanwhile, the Special Committee of the Legislative Black Caucus held a hearing on medical marijuana.

from Maryland The House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Working Group has scheduled several meetings over the coming months.

a Oregon The regulator said 44% of the hemp farms inspected were growing illegal marijuana.

New Mexico regulators have released draft rules for marijuana manufacturing, retailing and courier companies.

Florida regulators are accused by a doctor of breaking the law by staging an undercover operation against his medical cannabis recommendation practices.

The Caroline from the south The law enforcement division is being sued for allegedly inappropriately destroying a farmer’s hemp crop.

The Minnesota House Research Department released a report on the state’s medical cannabis program.

West Virginia regulators are reminding medical cannabis patients that a deadline to sign up for a two-year card arrives on Thursday.

from Washington State The Cannabis Science Working Group Steering Committee will meet on Friday.

New Jersey regulators have postponed an information webinar on marijuana until October 13.

–
Marijuana Moment is already following more than 1,200 cannabis, psychedelics and drug bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $ 25 / month have access to our interactive maps, charts and audience calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ LOCAL

The Aurore, Colorado City council again rejected a proposal to allow social use marijuana businesses.

A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit contesting Miami, Florida restrictive medical cannabis trade rules can be referred to state courts.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Spanish lawmakers have tabled a bill to legalize marijuana.

Thailand The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives provides loans to community businesses and agricultural cooperatives to plant cannabis.

Italian Activists have demonstrated to push the country’s cabinet to extend the deadline for certifying signatures in a marijuana referendum, as some local officials are taking too long to do so.

Irish Lawmakers will receive a briefing on medical cannabis on Wednesday.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

One study found that “the legalization of cannabis is generally associated with increased cannabis use and not associated with frequent use or disturbed use among cannabis users, including members of the demographic subgroups most affected by criminalization.

One study found that “the more temporal characteristics phone sensor data had 90% accuracy in detect “high” cannabis.“

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association hosted a forum on marijuana issues for employers.

/ BUSINESS

A federal judge dismissed a shareholder lawsuit that accused Tilray, Inc. fraudulently exaggerating the value of a marketing and revenue-sharing agreement it entered into with Authentic Brands Group Inc.

C3 International, Inc. and its CEO and chairman have been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of allegedly scamming at least 40 investors out of around $ 2 million.

Leafly Holdings, Inc. has a new CFO.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. extended its long-term real estate relationship with Goodness Growth Holdings, Inc.

/ CULTURE

Former basketball player Chris Webber announced plans to build a $ 50 million cannabis farm in Detroit, Michigan.

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