Lawsuit follows troubling allegations of bias, including a violent stop involving a Black Army officer.

Virginia’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the police department in Windsor, a small town in the Hampton Roads area, alleging systemic racial discrimination. The legal action stems from an investigation into the department’s conduct, which revealed a pattern of disproportionately targeting African American drivers during traffic stops.

The case gained national attention following a December 2020 incident involving Army Lieutenant Caron Nazario. Lt Nazario, who is Black and Latino, was pulled over while driving his newly purchased SUV. Despite displaying a temporary licence tag taped to his window, he was held at gunpoint, pepper-sprayed, struck, and handcuffed by officers. Body camera footage of the encounter showed Lt Nazario expressing fear about exiting his vehicle, to which one officer replied, “Yeah, you should be.”

The footage, which went viral, ignited widespread outrage and became a stark example of excessive force and racial bias. One of the officers involved has since been terminated, while Lt Nazario filed a separate federal lawsuit against the department.

Attorney General Mark Herring stated that his office’s investigation revealed broader issues within the Windsor Police Department. The inquiry uncovered “significant disparities in enforcement against African American drivers” and a “troubling absence of policies to prevent unconstitutional practices.”

The lawsuit, filed under Virginia’s Human Rights Act and Public Integrity and Law Enforcement Act, seeks court-ordered reforms for the police force. Mr Herring emphasised that while Lt Nazario’s case brought these issues to light, the investigation demonstrated systemic problems that require urgent correction.

This legal action highlights ongoing efforts to address discriminatory policing and uphold accountability in law enforcement.

Technical glitches in the government’s IT system threaten food imports as new post-Brexit rules come into effect

Food importers in the UK are facing fresh challenges from January 1 due to persistent issues with the government’s IT system, which is responsible for processing additional paperwork required post-Brexit.

The system, known as IPAFFS, has been plagued with technical glitches, preventing the submission of essential information for importing fruit, vegetables, and animal products. This comes at a critical time when the UK is heavily reliant on EU imports during the winter months, with around 90% of lettuces and 85% of tomatoes coming from the EU.

Traders have reported receiving error messages from the system, requesting food safety certificates and details of border control posts that are not yet required or even built. While the government has acknowledged the issue, they have not yet provided a clear solution, leaving importers uncertain about whether they can submit the required documents.

“We’ve effectively gone back to medieval times, where everything is being done manually,” said Michael Szydlo, a customs expert. He emphasised that small businesses, which lack the resources to deal with increased bureaucracy, will be the hardest hit.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) revealed that only one in four small and medium-sized businesses is ready for the changes set to take effect. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has also predicted a sharp decline in imports throughout January as businesses assess the situation.

The delays, compounded by global supply chain issues, could lead to fewer options for UK consumers and higher prices, worsening the cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s absolutely crucial that all government systems, including IPAFFS, are fully operational to avoid supply chain disruption,” said James Sibley, head of international affairs at the FSB. He added that the new requirements, such as manually entering product details like weight and origin, will further burden businesses as the automatic upload feature has been delayed.

With risks of significant trade disruptions and impacts on domestic production, the government faces mounting pressure to resolve the issues and minimise the effects on the food sector and consumers.

Omicron Variant Causes Staff Shortages, Forcing Transit Adjustments

New York City subway services are running on a reduced schedule this week as a result of rising Covid-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

The New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) announced on Sunday that trains will operate less frequently from Monday to Thursday due to staff shortages caused by the surge. A tweet from the official @NYCTSubway account explained:

“Like everyone in New York, we’ve been affected by the COVID surge. We’re taking proactive steps to ensure consistent service. This means trains may run less frequently, so you might wait a bit longer.”

The NYCTA clarified that reducing scheduled service allows them to reassign train crews more efficiently, avoiding last-minute trip cancellations. They also noted efforts to implement updated state quarantine guidelines for essential workers to address staffing challenges. Commuters were encouraged to check for service updates online before heading out.

Transportation disruptions extend beyond the subway system. FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, reported more than 2,400 flight cancellations globally by Monday afternoon, with 884 affecting U.S. flights. Dr Anthony Fauci described the spread of Omicron as “unpredictable,” warning that the situation could worsen before improving.

“We don’t expect things to turn around in a few days or a week. It may take much longer, but it’s hard to predict,” he said during an ABC interview.

Amid these challenges, New York City implemented a new workplace vaccine mandate on Monday, requiring businesses to bar unvaccinated employees unless exempt for medical reasons. This measure follows a record-setting 44,431 new Covid-19 cases reported statewide on Christmas Eve, surpassing the 38,835 cases reported the previous day.

Adjustments have also been made to the city’s famed New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. Attendance is now capped at 15,000 people, significantly lower than the usual 58,000. Attendees must wear masks and present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test if medically exempt.

Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged New Yorkers’ resilience and emphasised the importance of celebrating responsibly:

“New Yorkers have shown incredible resilience over the past year. With the safety measures in place, we can celebrate responsibly and protect those joining us to ring in the New Year,” he tweeted.

Industry Leaders Applaud Government Decision, Eye Recovery as 2022 Begins

The hospitality industry has welcomed the decision not to implement additional Covid-19 restrictions in England before the new year, calling it a much-needed boost during a challenging period.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that while caution is still advised, the government will not extend restrictions beyond the existing Plan B measures, following an assessment of the Omicron variant data.

Industry representatives for pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs described the announcement as a “lifeline” that could steer the sector toward recovery. Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality’s chief executive, stated:

“Hospitality businesses will be raising a toast to celebrate the Government’s pragmatic approach. The loss of new year trading would have been devastating for many already struggling after Christmas. This decision is a real lifeline, and minimising restrictions while lifting them as quickly as possible will help our battered sector recover.”

Plan B measures currently require Covid passes for access to certain venues and events, such as indoor gatherings with over 500 attendees, large outdoor events, and those hosting 10,000 or more people. Face coverings are also mandatory in most indoor public spaces.

Unlike other parts of the UK, where stricter measures have been introduced, nightclubs in England will remain open for New Year’s Eve, allowing celebrations to proceed.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) expressed optimism, stating:

“This festive trade is crucial for helping the sector endure the winter. We hope this decision signals a positive direction as we move into 2022. However, pubs and brewers need greater certainty for long-term planning.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, echoed the sentiment, describing the decision as a relief following weeks of uncertainty. He said:

“This allows our industry to plan for one of the year’s biggest nights, and we urge customers to support us responsibly to ensure this marks the start of recovery. A long-term strategy for managing Covid variants is essential.”

The government’s decision has provided a glimmer of hope for the hospitality sector, but industry leaders emphasise the need for clear policies and ongoing support to facilitate sustainable recovery.

Police Investigate After Tensions Between Activists and Hunt Supporters Escalate

Violent altercations broke out during the annual Boxing Day Hunt in Lacock, Wiltshire, as captured in videos shared on social media.

Supporters and participants of the Avon Vale Hunt had gathered outside The Red Lion pub before the traditional event commenced on 27 December. The event also drew the presence of around 100 activists, according to reports.

Footage shows confrontations between hunt members, their supporters, and activists. Tensions escalated into multiple physical clashes, with protesters chanting “shame on you” at hunt participants navigating through the crowd on horseback. During the altercations, a man doused another with beer, while someone wearing a balaclava was seen throwing punches.

In another moment, protesters yelled “get them away” at a police officer, while another person shouted profanities. The officer responded, instructing individuals to stop shouting and demanding respect.

Wiltshire Police confirmed that no arrests had been made. A spokesperson for the force said:

“We were aware of a planned local hunt in Lacock today (27/12) and officers attended at around 11am when concerns were raised about tensions between those involved in the hunt and protestors.

“Officers remained on the scene to manage the two groups, and they had dispersed by around 12.30pm. At this stage, no arrests have been made, but our enquiries are continuing.”

Boxing Day hunts often become a focal point for conflicts between animal rights activists and hunt supporters. While fox hunting has been illegal in England and Wales since 2005, it continues in the form of “trail hunting,” where hounds follow artificial scents instead of live animals.

Critics argue, however, that this practice still results in foxes being harmed or killed, sparking ongoing debates about animal cruelty and the legitimacy of trail hunting.