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November 5: Record Abuse Figures in England and Wales and Putin’s Tobacco Seizure
In England and Wales
Police recorded a record 3,145 honor-based abuse offenses in the year ending in March, up seven percent from the previous year, according to Home Office figures. Recorded female genital mutilation offenses rose 51 percent to 166, while forced marriage offenses increased to 129. The Home Office says these figures likely capture only a fraction of the abuse. It also says improved police training and awareness may be contributing to the increase in recorded offenses.
Separately, two men are on trial at Inner London Crown Court over alleged sexual attacks on a 14-year-old autistic girl aboard a Southeastern train on February 5. Prosecutors accuse Baryalai Rahimi of rape and Mirebadurahman Sadat of sexual assault. Both men deny all charges. The trial continues.
In British Columbia
Authorities have recovered the remains of Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, after a suspected bear attack near Bella Coola. Their family says they were reported missing on November 1 after failing to return from an afternoon walk. Conservation officers say evidence suggested animal involvement, but it is not yet clear whether more than one bear was involved. Officers have set traps, and residents are under a curfew while the search continues.
In Washington and North Carolina
Harmeet Dhillon plans to step down as head of the Justice Department’s civil rights unit, Bloomberg reports. The outlet says she would be the first senior department official to resign following Democrats’ major midterm wins.
In North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District, Democrat Chuck Hubbard led Representative Virginia Foxx with all precincts reporting, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. Hubbard had 48.7 percent to Foxx’s 48.66 percent, a margin close enough for Foxx to request a recount.
In Russia
President Vladimir Putin has ordered Japan Tobacco International’s Russian operations transferred to a state-linked holding company. The decree covers four factories and around 4,000 employees. The business accounts for roughly 40 percent of Russia’s cigarette market.
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