FPWA Launches Second Faith and Justice Fellowship Cohort

Pictured Left to Right: Rev. Nigel Pearce; Rev. Lisa Jenkins; Rev. Mark Kellar; Rev. Chris Lawrence; Rev. Yolanda Brown; Jennifer Jones Austin; Rev. Kim Anderson; Rev. Andrea Hargett; Rev. Phillip Craig; Ms. Nilza Oyola; and Rev. Joel Gibson. (Click on the photo to increase its size.)

(New York, NY) – The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FWPA) proudly launched their second annual Faith and Justice Fellowship Program on Monday, September 14, 2015 at a welcome breakfast at the organization’s headquarters.

Ten fellows were selected for the year-long program, which is run in collaboration with the New York Theological Seminary (NYTS). The 2015-2016 cohort encompasses a diverse group of faith leaders from across New York City. The fellows represent traditional churches, a non-profit ministry focused on reentry, and member agencies of the FPWA. Many of the fellows have participated in the various programs FPWA offers.

The complete list of fellows is: Rev. Nigel Pearce,  Rev. Lisa Jenkins,  Rev. Mark Kellar, Rev. Chris Lawrence,  Rev. Yolanda Brown, Rev. Kim Anderson, Rev. Andrea Hargett, Rev. Phillip Craig, Ms. Nilza Oyola and Rev. Hector Custodio.

“We created this fellowship because we want to support faith leaders who’ve already taken steps to be agents of change in their communities,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FWPA. “All of our new fellows have already had profound impacts on the communities in which they lead, and it is our hope that the program will help them further expand their skills. I am thrilled to welcome the new cohort and look forward to working with each new fellow over the next year.”

The program, which is run in collaboration with the New York Theological Seminary (NYTS), aims to provide qualified faith leaders with an enhanced set of tools that will enable them to be more effective advocates on behalf of those most in need and to help promote New York City as a place of equal opportunity for all.

Albany County Introduces Microbeads Ban

Local Law Proposed by Albany County
Legislators to Ban Disastrous Plastic Beads 

Albany (NY) – Microbeads – the tiny plastic pellets that come by the tens of thousands in bottles of face wash, toothpaste, and more – are on their way to being banned in Albany County. Legislation sponsored by County Legislator Bryan Clenahan (D-Guilderland), County Legislator Chris Higgins (D-Albany), and others is set to be introduced to the committee agenda at tonight’s meeting of the Legislature.

A similar ban was just signed into law in Erie County, while other municipalities like the Town of Wilson, Cattaraugus County, and Chautauqua County are moving such measures forward. The ban will take effect six months after being signed into law.

A microbead ban is particularly important to the Capital Region, as this needless waste is designed to wash down the drain, where it accumulates and wreaks havoc on the local wastewater infrastructure, passes through wastewater treatment plants, and makes its way into local waterbodies such as the Hudson River. Wildlife mistake microbeads for food, thus entering them into the food chain. Along this process, microbeads attract and absorb persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs, which are a public health threat and rampant in the Hudson River.

According to a report from the Office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, 19 tons of microbeads may be washing into New York’s wastewater annually.

County Legislator Clenahan said, “Microbeads don’t biodegrade, so the problem accumulates and if we don’t ban them now, this will become very costly for taxpayers down the road. That’s unacceptable. Microbeads are unnecessary waste, and I am proud to partner with my colleagues to advance this legislation and continue Albany County’s leadership on environmental and public health issues.”

County Legislator Chris Higgins said, “I am excited to co-sponsor this local law which when enacted will play a critical role in protecting our environment and in particular, our water supply from these unnecessary microbeads.”

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who introduced the Microbead-Free Waters Act on the state level said, “I applaud the members of the Albany County Legislature seeking to ban the use of microbeads in personal care products sold in the county. As my office and our broad coalition of legislators, advocates, and citizens continue to fight for a statewide ban on microbeads, it is important that local leaders take up this cause to protect our waters and our wildlife. A recent study by my office found that these tiny, plastic beads are passing through wastewater treatment plants and contaminating waters across the state.”

Saima Anjam, environmental health director at Environmental Advocates of New York said, “Microbeads are a pointless plastic waste that compromise our wastewater system, pollute our waterways, harm wildlife, and ultimately become a public health concern. New York needs a statewide ban, but since state Senate leadership failed to allow a bill to the floor for a vote it is critical local leaders do what’s necessary. We applaud Legislators Clenahan, Higgins, and others who have taken the lead on an issue with enormous consequences for the Capital Region and beyond.”

Brian Smith, associate executive director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment said, “Tiny plastic microbeads are adding up to a huge problem for the Hudson River and other waters throughout the state. Absent action by the state legislature, counties across the state are now stepping up to protect our waters from plastic pollution. CCE commends Legislator Clenahan for his leadership to not only protect our local waters, but also to drive the state to protect all our waters.”

Caitlin Pixley, conservation associate with the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said, “The impact that plastic microbeads are having upon our environment is significant and concerning. Microbeads are washed down drains after use and end up in water treatment facilities that cannot filter them out. These plastic particles are then released into our waterways. The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter applauds County Legislators Clenahan and Chris Higgins for taking action on this issue and we look forward to working with them to make this bill law."    

Jill Jedlicka, executive director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper said, “The threat of microbeads in New York State's fresh water resources must be taken seriously, whether it is the Great Lakes or inland waterways. The efforts to ban microbeads in Erie County and now Albany County demonstrate the sentiment of state residents who support the elimination of harmful and unnecessary plastic pollution from our drinking water supply and recreational waterways. Thank you to the leaders in Albany County, led by Legislator Bryan Clenahan, for recognizing this threat and for taking meaningful action.”

Earlier this year, the state Legislature was expected to pass the Microbead-Free Waters Act, program legislation first introduced by Attorney General Schneiderman in 2014. The Assembly passed the measure with overwhelming bipartisan support, 139-1. Passage also seemed assured in the Senate where 59 percent of all members cosponsored the bill. However, it died in the Environmental Conservation Committee, which has led local governments statewide to step up and take action.

These local actions have encouraged statewide retailers like Wegmans and Tops to announce plans to stop selling products with microbeads at all of their locations.

Source: Environmental Advocates of New York

NYS Tax Department Issues Warning Following Reports of Suspicious Phone Calls

Criminals, Posing as IRS or Tax Department Employees,
Use Scare Tactics to Get Cash and Personal Information

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded New Yorkers to be mindful of tax scams. Despite the tax season being over, con artists are working year-round to swindle unsuspecting taxpayers out of cash and their personal information.

“We are receiving initial reports from taxpayers who received threatening calls perpetrated by individuals posing as Tax Department employees,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone. “We encourage taxpayers to contact us if they suspect they have received this type of malicious telephone call.”

Taxpayers have recently contacted the Department to report suspicious phone calls from individuals posing as Tax Department employees. The callers threatened arrest and seizure of possessions if immediate payment was not made for a fictitious tax debt. The Department is actively investigating these reports. 

Tips to Identify Tax Scams

Scammers will threaten you over the phone. A caller – posing as an IRS or Tax Department employee – will demand that you immediately make payment for a tax debt. He or she also may threaten you with police action or deportation.

The NYS Tax Department does not use scare tactics. The Department will always notify you of a tax debt first by mail before contacting you by telephone. And the Tax Department will never demand that you pay taxes without providing you with the opportunity to question or review the amount that you owe.

Scammers will demand that you pay in a specific way. For instance, con artists often demand that payments can only be made through wire transfers, prepaid debit cards or even in-person.

The NYS Tax Department does not require any specific form of payment. The Department will always provide you with multiple options for payment.

Scammers might tell you the last four digits of your social security number or other private information. Con artists may have access to personal information about you, and use it trick you out of money or additional information.

The NYS Tax Department will not provide your social security number to you – or any other caller. This is a strict Tax Department policy.

Scammers will try to trick you through phishing emails. Con artists, sometimes using what appears to be the official logo of a federal or state agency, will use email to ask you to provide personal information or access to bank accounts.

The NYS Tax Department does not request personal or financial information by email. If you owe taxes, you will always receive a letter in the mail first. While the Tax Department does use email to share information with taxpayers, it never asks the recipient to include personal information when responding.

Don’t Become a Victim

If you receive a threatening phone call regarding your taxes, hang up immediately.  

If the caller demands that you meet him or her in person to pay a debt, or that you visit a specific location to purchase a debit card to pay off a debt, do not visit that location. Report the call to the number below. 

Never provide personal information in an email or click on any suspicious links asking for private information.

Listen to an audio recording of a recorded scam message threatening an IRS lawsuit.

Who to Contact

If you believe you’ve been contacted by a scammer posing as a NYS Tax Department employee, note the date, time and telephone number and call 518-451-1566 or email dtfoia@tax.ny.gov. If the caller left a message, save the message. 

If you owe New York State taxes, or think you owe taxes, call the Department at 518-457-5434. 

If a con artist posing as an IRS representative contacts you, report it to the IRS online. 

Source: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Trailblazers in Black History: Moses Fleetwood Walker

Today in History: September 14th

First-Hand Look at the California Wildfires

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Scott McLean discusses the impact of the dangerous fires.

Hillary Clinton Tests New Tactic as Her Poll Numbers Decline

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

The Democratic candidate shows a softer side at a Methodist church in Washington, D.C., hoping to regain ground lost amid email controversy.

First Read: What Has Changed Heading Into the Second GOP Debate

By Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Carrie Dann

First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.

What has changed heading into the second GOP debate

This week's big political event is the second Republican debate on Wednesday. And it's worth recapping what has changed in the month since the first one:

• Donald Trump has solidified his lead in the polls, and the critical coverage he received in July/August has been replaced by a perception that he's bulletproof -- at least for now;
• Ben Carson has surged into second place, despite what originally seemed like a lackluster performance at the first debate and despite very little campaign activity;
• Jeb Bush and Scott Walker have dropped -- with Walker's fall even more striking than Hillary Clinton's decline over the past month;
• On the issues front, the Iran deal is essentially a done deal, while the odds of a government shutdown over Planned Parenthood have increased;
• Carly Fiorina has made it to the main debate stage, with CNN changing its debate criteria to allow for 11 to participate in the main debate, instead of the 10 we saw last month;
• And Rick Perry became the first casualty of the GOP race after he dropped out on Friday afternoon. That means that there will be one fewer Republican on the smaller debate stage Wednesday.

 Click here for the full article.

Source: NBC News

Carly Fiorina: Trump's an 'Entertainer,' 'I'm a 'Leader'

Ben Carson Rides Anti-Establishment Wave to Legitimate GOP Contender

Chris Christie: The Full 'Meet the Press' Interview

Group of 32 Countries Criticises Bahrain’s Human Rights Record

 
Reuters, 14/09 16:39 CET

GENEVA (Reuters) – Thirty-two countries including the United States and Britain expressed concern on Monday about Bahrain’s human rights record, urging the Western-allied kingdom to protect the right to peaceful assembly and address reports of torture.

The letter, read out by Switzerland to the U.N. Human Rights Council, welcomed “positive steps” by Bahrain to improve observance of human rights, including the creation of a unit to investigate abuses by security forces.

“However, the human rights situation in Bahrain remains an issue of serious concern to us,” said the letter, read by Swiss Ambassador Alexandre Fasel.

“We are concerned about reports of harassment and imprisonment of persons exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and of peaceful assembly and association, including human rights defenders,” it said.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Euronews

Thousands Protest Against PM’s Move to Let Japanese Troops Fight Abroad

 
Reuters, 14/09 16:29 CET

TOKYO (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters rallied in Tokyo against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s security policy on Monday as the government aims to enact legislation this month that would allow Japanese troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War Two.

Participants including Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe and leaders of main opposition parties gathered in front of the parliament building, waving glow sticks and holding up placards reading “no war” and “scrap war legislation.”

Protesters broke through metal barriers after scuffling with police and streamed onto the street in front of parliament.

Organisers said the protesters numbered 45,000. A police spokesman said the Metropolitan Police Department did not give estimates for the size of the protest.

A similar rally on Sunday, Aug. 30 attracted about 120,000 people, according to the organizers.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Euronews

Greece’s Two Heavyweights, Deadlocked in Polls, Seek Election Soundbite

 
Reuters, 14/09 16:04 CET

By Renee Maltezou and John Stonestreet

ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s two political heavyweights will have undecided voters in their sights on Monday in a final televised head-to-head debate before national elections, both seeking the elusive soundbite that might break a deadlock in opinion polls.

With Sunday’s ballot looming, the leftist Syriza party of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras and the New Democracy conservatives led by Vangelis Meimarakis have been stuck in the same place in the surveys for several weeks – virtually neck and neck and well short of parliamentary majority.

Their respective personal popularity ratings have also stagnated around or slightly below 45 percent.

Both men have so far given loyal voters little reason to switch allegiance, having devoted much of their campaigns to trading accusations over the country’s ailing economy, institutionalised corruption and responses to the refugee crisis.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: Euronews

Toshiba Hit by Record Fine Over Scandal as Sales Slump

Toshiba has reported an operating 10.96 billion yen loss (80 million euros) from April to June, compared to a profit of 47.7 billion (350 million euros) the previous year.

Weak PC and TV sales are being blamed.

Last week Toshiba also published figures showing a net loss of around 280 million euros for the year to March.

The troubled Japanese conglomerate has also been ordered to pay a record fine over an accounting scandal.

The 91.2 million yen (660,000 euros) penalty was imposed by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The company apologised to investors and its president and vice-president resigned in July, after the multinational was found to have overstated profits for the past six years.

Click here for video.

Source: Euronews

EU Mulls Fresh Migrant Plan After Germany Brings Back Border Controls

 

EU interior ministers were set to meet in Brussels on Monday after Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on its frontier with Austria.

Berlin’s move may jolt them into action; governments failed to agree on how to relocate 40,000 migrants back in July.

Ministers from the 28-member bloc will look at a European Commission proposal to relocate an additional 120,000 people, according to mandatory quotas.

But a group of central and eastern European countries oppose a mandatory scheme. They are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Their diplomats say that any solution – seen as being “imposed by Brussels” – won’t be accepted by their voters.

A failure to strike a deal today could see an emergency meeting of EU leaders called before the end of the month.

European governments could face a stark choice. Reform the bloc’s asylum’s rules or ditch – perhaps only temporarily – the ‘border-free’ travel area, which is known as the Schengen zone.

Click here for video. 

Source: Euronews

Time Running Out for Refugees Before Hungary Border Crackdown

Source: Euronews

Egyptian Forces ‘Mistakenly Kill’ 12 in Mexican Tourist Convoy

Source: Euronews

Hundreds Reportedly Escape as Taliban Storms Afghan Prison

Source: Euronews

Violence and Unrest Continue in Cizre

Source: Euronews

Russia Votes in Regional Elections as Opposition Cries Foul

Source: Euronews

Large Rally Raises Pressure on Moldovan Government Over Banking Scandal

Source: Euronews