WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
The issue of migrants being bused from Texas and other locales is spilling from one side of the Hudson River to the other.
The Justice Department filed suit Jan. 3 against the State of Texas to challenge Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Foreign Commerce Clause. The Constitution assigns the federal government the authority to regulate immigration and manage our international borders.
Pursuant to this authority, Congress has established a comprehensive framework governing the entry of noncitizens into the United States and the removal of noncitizens from the country. Because SB 4 is preempted by federal law and violates the U.S. Constitution, the Justice Department seeks a declaration that SB 4 is invalid and an order preliminarily and permanently enjoining the state from enforcing the law.
“SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress. The Justice Department will continue to fulfill its responsibility to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal law.”
“Texas cannot disregard the United States Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We have brought this action to ensure that Texas adheres to the framework adopted by Congress and the Constitution for regulation of immigration.”
As outlined in the complaint, Texas’s law would create two new state crimes that attempt to regulate immigration, with charges ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony. Additionally, SB 4 would give state judges the ability to order removal from the United States. The Supreme Court, in Arizona v. United States, has previously confirmed that decisions relating to removal of noncitizens from the United States touch “on foreign relations and must be made with one voice.” SB 4 impedes the federal government’s ability to enforce entry and removal provisions of federal law and interferes with its conduct of foreign relations.
The suit was filed on behalf of the United States, including the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State.
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 1-9-2024 at 12 p.m.
2024 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2023)
U.S. / EUROPE
FBI NEWARK SEEKS INFORMATION ON MISSING AMERICAN IN ITALY
The Newark FBI is asking for the public’s help in the investigation of an American man from Marlboro, NJ, who hasn’t been since in 2019. FBI agents are assisting the Marlboro Police Department searching for Liam Biran, (dob: 01/26/1987) who was last seen hiking in a remote area of Italy.
Investigators say Liam left home on April 8, 2019, to visit his grandparents in Israel, and from there traveled to wine country in Italy, and planned to go to France. Liam was booked on a flight to return to the United States from Paris on May 16, 2019. Liam was not on the flight. The last known activity related to Liam was a purchase made on his credit card for a train ticket to Turin, Italy. During the investigation, Italian police detectives discovered Liam was in the Aosta Valley, and stayed in multiple hostels and became friendly with other travelers.
Before his trip in 2019, Liam spent time living and working in New Orleans, LA, as well as New York City, NY. He wrote an online blog discussing his love of wine and wine country. His family and friends say Liam loves to travel and discussed the goal of becoming a sommelier.
Liam has brown hair, brown eyes, is around 160 pounds, 5’8” tall, with a muscular build. He has a gap between his two front teeth. If anyone has information about Liam or his disappearance, they are asked to contact the FBI Newark at 973-792-3000, or the FBI tips page at tips.fbi.gov.
WORLD
PIRATE TV TAKEN OFF AIRWAVES
A criminal group responsible for the illegal streaming of 72 Korean and international channels and the distribution of nearly 110,000 video files has been dismantled following joint action between authorities in Korea, Indonesia and INTERPOL.
The illegal service had been running for approximately nine years, capitalizing on the high demand among Korean expatriates for domestic real-time broadcasting content, amounting to more than KRW 16 billion (USD 1.23 million) in estimated losses.
The suspects had subscribed to 40 Korean cable TV service accounts and would re-broadcast their content to Indonesia. They also provided video-on-demand (VOD) services to users who connected to their platform via customized TV boxes, applications, and web browsers.
This successful collaboration came under the INTERPOL Stop Online Piracy Project (I-SOP). Coordination with the Indonesian Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), led to the arrest of three suspects behind the illegal Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service.
The illegal service was first flagged by the copyright holder to Indonesian officials in May 2023. When a full-scale investigation was opened, INTERPOL facilitated meetings and coordinated joint enforcement actions between Korean and Indonesian officials.
Simultaneous raids were subsequently held in both countries in late October, leading to the arrests.
LIM Seonghwan, Director General of the Copyright Bureau MCST said: “The MCST’s Copyright Crime Forensic Investigation Division will continue to expand international cooperation investigations in collaboration with INTERPOL’s I-SOP project to address copyright infringement crimes occurring overseas. We also plan to enhance our digital investigative capabilities, including digital forensics.”
I-SOP is a five-year project funded by the MCST, which aim at combating crimes involving intellectual property infringement such as trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy.
Digital piracy is a global threat, affecting creative industries such as film, TV, music and publishing, as well as the economy at large. Illegal downloads and distribution of such content results in substantial financial losses for the industries concerned which in turn affects tax revenue and jobs. Of particular concern is these crimes are often linked to other illegal activities, such as terrorist financing, money laundering and human trafficking.
SOUTH AMERICA
WANTED FUGITIVE FINALLY NABBED
Diego Nicolás Marset Alba, a reputed drug kingpin and brother to the leader of the “Primer Cartel Uruguayo” cartel, was arrested in Brazil on Dec. 26 as part of a regional police operation involving INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) in Brasilia, La Paz, Asuncion and Montevideo.
Uruguayan national Marset, 22, had been avoiding arrest for many years by using multiple false identities from Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. He is thought to be a central figure in the trafficking of drugs from South America to Europe and is also linked to several high-profile killings.
Marset was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice requested by Paraguay, which serves as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a suspect for extradition.
Married to a Bolivian woman, Marset became the focus of this strategic regional operation when INTERPOL shared intelligence that his wife was nearing childbirth in Foz de Iguacu, Brazil.
Foreseeing Marset’s potential visit to Brazil for the birth, officers from Brazil’s Federal Police monitored the wife’s residence and arrested the fugitive when he arrived at her home.
Valdecy Urquiza, Brazil’s Director of International Cooperation and INTERPOL Vice President for the Americas, said: “It was the crucial leads provided by countries in the region to the global police community which permitted Brazil’s capture of Diego Marset. It is by working together this way to ensure dangerous fugitives are behind bars that police contribute to global security.
“This arrest not only makes the world a safer place but also demonstrates South America’s determination and commitment to dismantling global criminal networks for global security.”
For NCB Asuncion, this arrest is part of “Operation A Ultranza PY”, one of Paraguay’s most extensive operations against organized crime and money laundering and involving more than 100 raids, 30 arrest warrants, and the seizure of assets worth over USD 100 million.
Paraguay’s Minister of Interior Enrique Riera Escudero said: “We commend INTERPOL for making sure critical policing tools are strategically positioned for effective regional cooperation across the globe: the INTERPOL community has been key to disrupting South American transnational organized crime groups which damage the region’s communities and economy with their dangerous activities.
“The arrest of Diego Marset stands as a warning for those who think they can continue to threaten our regional stability and security: this is just the beginning.”
UNITED KINGDOM
CITIZENS URGED TO GET COVID-19 SHOTS
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding all those eligible that it’s not too late to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Cases are expected to continue to rise over the next few weeks following increased travel and socializing that occurred over the festive period.
Those at greater risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19 should get vaccinated to reduce their chances of needing medical care or hospitalization, reducing pressure on health services. Children who take up the flu vaccine also help to reduce spread to vulnerable friends and family, ensuring communities across the UK make the healthiest start to 2024.
For pregnant women, uptake for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines has decreased when compared to the same time last season. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions, are particularly urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
As it can take several days to boost your immunity after the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, now is the time to get vaccinated to start the new year in good health. Temperatures are forecast to drop later in January, with more mixing indoors increasing the possibility of further rises in flu and COVID-19.
Eligible groups can book their vaccine by contacting their local GP surgery or pharmacy to make an appointment. Vaccinations against COVID-19 are being offered until 31 January, while flu vaccinations are available until March 31.
Dr. Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunization at UKHSA, said: “Flu and COVID-19 levels are on the rise, so get your vaccine now to make sure that you are winter strong. Pregnant women, their unborn babies and those in clinical risk groups are at higher risk of complications and severe illness from flu. Taking up both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines provides the best protection for both pregnant women and their baby. Vaccinated women have a lower risk of stillbirth, prematurity and needing intensive care.
“If you are the parent of a child aged 2 or 3 don’t forget that they are also eligible for the flu vaccine and this can be booked via your GP – the nasal spray vaccine will help prevent hospitalizations, reduce the spread of flu in the community and avoid you having to juggle a sick child with work and other commitments.
“It’s not too late to get your vaccines – eligible people can still speak to their GP, or alternatively a local pharmacist about getting their vaccination.
“If you are showing symptoms of a respiratory illness like flu or COVID-19, you can help reduce the spread of these infections by washing your hands regularly and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding mixing with others where possible, particularly those who are more vulnerable.”
