ADVISORY – CLAYSBURG – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Childcare Workforce
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis will discuss the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed 2025-26 budget and its plan to expand Pennsylvania’s childcare workforce at a roundtable conversation Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Sheetz Corporate Support Center, 243 Sheetz Way, Claysburg.
The 2025-26 proposal builds on the Administration’s first two budgets with a $55 million investment in workforce recruitment and retention grants to increase childcare availability. These grants to licensed childcare centers with Child Care Works (CCW) Program agreements would provide an additional $1,000 annually per employee.
During their first two years in office, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis have expanded the state’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and created a new tax credit for businesses that want to contribute to their employees’ childcare costs.
WHO: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis, Early Learning Investment Commission members, representatives from Sheetz and Bright Horizons Little Sproutz Early Learning Center
WHAT: Roundtable conversation about childcare in Pennsylvania and investments in the Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 proposed budget
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Sheetz Corporate Support Center, 243 Sheetz Way, Claysburg
After the roundtable, there will be a brief tour of the Bright Horizons Little Sproutz Early Learning Center childcare facility next to the corporate support center.
RSVP: Members of the news media who are interested in attending must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov.
A 63-year-old man was arrested for impaired operation by Clarenville RCMP on February 10, 2025, after the report of a suspected impaired driver.
Shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, police received the report of a suspected impaired driver who was at a commercial property in Goobies. Police attended the scene and located the described individual, who showed signs of alcohol impairment, and his vehicle, which was parked at the location. Evidence gathered as part of the investigation supported the man’s arrest for impaired operation.
At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were nearly twice the legal limit. His driver’s licence was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded. The man was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired operation.
RCMP NL thanks the public for continuing to report suspected incidents of impaired driving. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you suspect a driver is impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 and be prepared to provide the current location and description of the vehicle, including a licence plate, if possible.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
McALLEN, Texas – A 45-year-old San Juan resident has been ordered to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Michael Gallegos-Martinez pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2024.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered him to serve 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence Gallegos-Martinez had been previously served as a police officer before being convicted of a felony for possession of a controlled substance. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted the significant amount of cash found in the vehicle as well as the narcotics.
On June 25, 2023, Gallegos-Martinez was driving a Cadillac CTS when he failed to come to a complete stop. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, at which time they noticed Gallegos-Martinez appeared nervous.
He claimed there were no firearms or narcotics within the vehicle. However, a K-9 alerted, and authorities ultimately discovered of a firearm Rossi, Model 461, .357 caliber magnum revolver in a grocery bag hanging from the gear shift. They also discovered 25 grams of cocaine, a bottle of Xanax pills and approximately $25,000 in cash.
Gallegos-Martinez has been and will remain in custody pending his transfer to the Bureau of Prisons.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the Alamo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Headline: Safer Internet Day 2025: Tackling abusive AI-generated content risks
Every year, Safer Internet Day provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the state of online safety – how far we’ve come and how we can continue to improve. For almost a decade, Microsoft has marked the occasion by releasing research on how individuals of all ages perceive and experience risk online.Last year, we highlighted the growing importance of AI. This year, in our ninth Global Online Safety Survey, we’ve dug deeper to understand how people view and are using this technology, plus how well they can identify AI-generated content.
Our findings show that while there has been a global increase in AI users (51% have ever used compared to 39% in 2023), worries about the technology have also increased: 88% of people were worried about generative AI, compared to 83% last year. Further, our data confirms that people have difficulty in identifying AI generated content, which may amplify abusive AI content risks.
Announcing new resources to empower the responsible use of AI
At Microsoft, we are committed to advancing AI responsibly to realize its benefits. Fundamental to this is the work we do to build a strong safety architecture and to safeguard our services from abuse. Unfortunately, we know that the creation of harmful content is one of the ways in which AI can be subject to abuse, which is why we are taking acomprehensive approachto addressing this issue. That approach includes public awareness and education – and this year’s research underscored the need for media literacy and guidance on the responsible use of AI. Building on the launch of ourFamily Safety Toolkitlast year, we’re pleased to announce new resources:
Partnership with Childnet: We are proud to partner with Childnet, a leading UK organization dedicated to making the internet a safer place for children. Together, we are developing educational materials aimed at preventing the misuse of AI, such as the creation of deepfakes. These resources will be available to schools and families, providing valuable information on how to protect children from online risks. This partnership underscores our comprehensiveapproachto tackling non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) risks, including through education for teens.
Minecraft “CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper”: We are thrilled toannouncethe release of“CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper,”a new educational game in Minecraft and Minecraft Education that focuses on the responsible use of AI. This game is designed to engage young minds and foster curiosity while teaching important lessons about AI in a safe and controlled game environment. Players will embark on exciting adventures, solving puzzles and challenges that highlight the ethical considerations of AI and prepare them to navigate real-world digital safety scenarios at home and at school. While the player doesn’t engage with generative AI technology directly through the game, they will work through challenges and scenarios that simulate use of AI and learn how to use it responsibly. “Dig Deeper” is the fourth installment in a series of CyberSafe worlds from Minecraft created in partnership with Xbox Family Safety that have been downloaded more than 80 million times.
AI Guide for Older Adults: We are also proud to partner with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, whose programs and partners collectively engage over 500,000 older adults each year with free technology and AI training. As part of the partnership, OATS released an AI Guide for Older Adults that helps people age 50+ understand the benefits and risks of AI, including guidance on staying safe. Training for OATS call center staff to handle AI-related questions is also helping increase older adults’ confidence in their ability to use the technology and spot scams.
Additional resources for educators to help students navigate the digital world can be foundhere.
A deeper dive into this year’s Global Online Safety Survey findings
As the digital landscape evolves, we adapt our global survey questions to reflect these changes. This year, we identified an opportunity to quiz people on their ability to identify AI-generated content using images fromMicrosoft’s “Real or Not” quiz. We asked respondents about their confidence in spotting deepfakes before and after looking at a series of images. We found 73% of respondents admitted that spotting AI-generated images is hard, and only 38% of images were identified correctly. We also asked people about their concerns: common worries about generative AI included scams (73%), sexual or online abuse (73%) and deepfakes (72%).
Our research also shows that people worldwide continue to be exposed to a variety of online risks, with 66% exposed to at least one risk over the last year. You can find the full results, including additional data on teen and parent experiences and perceptions of life onlinehere.
Reaffirming our commitment to online safety
Our approach at Microsoft is centered on empowering users by advancing safety and human rights. We know we have a responsibility to take steps to protect our users from illegal and harmful online content and conduct, as well as to contribute to a safer online ecosystem. We also have a responsibility to protect human rights, including critical values such as freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information. At Microsoft, we achieve this balance through carefully tailoring our safety interventions across our different consumer services, depending on the nature of the service and of the harm.
Our approach to advance online safety has always been grounded in privacy and free expression. We advocate for proportionate and tailored safety regulations, supporting risk-based approaches while cautioning against over-broad measures that hinder privacy or freedom of speech. We will continue to engage closely with policymakers and regulators around the world on ways to tackle the biggest risks, especially to children, in thoughtful ways: productivity software like Microsoft Word, for example, should not be subject to the same requirements as a social media service. And finally, we will continue our advocacy for modernized legislation toprotect the public from abusive AI-generated contentin support of a safer digital environment for all.
Global Online Safety Survey Methodology
Microsoft has published annual research since 2016 that surveys how people of varying ages use and view online technology. This latest consumer-based report is based on a survey of nearly 15,000 teens (13-17) and adults that was conducted this past summer in 15 countries examining people’s attitudes and perceptions about online safety tools and interactions. Responses to online safety differ depending on the country. Full results can be accessed here.
Tags: AI, deepfakes, Microsoft Global Online Safety Survey, Online Safety, Responsible AI, Safer Internet Day
Over the past couple of years, the seemingly steady rightward drift of Elon Musk has culminated in actions and statements that have sparked broad controversy. Musk – visionary CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and founder of X Corp – is a man on a mission to get humanity to Mars. He is also the wealthiest person on the planet.
In January, sales of Tesla cars slumped across five European countries – the UK, France, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands. Sales were down too in California – the US state with the largest car market. And according to at least one survey, Musk and his politics could be a significant part of the problem.
When CEOs are in the public eye, their personal brands and values, and those of the companies they represent, can be hard to separate. Our research has found that, often, human identity and reputation will influence the CEO’s brand identity and reputation – and vice versa. As a human being, Musk’s personal actions and statements directly affect the companies he represents. His high-profile persona makes it difficult to separate the two.
This is why Musk’s controversial comments and political endorsements have alienated some Tesla consumers, particularly in progressive markets such as Europe and California. In these places, Tesla has historically been popular with environmentally aware consumers. When the profiles of a CEO and his or her brand are not aligned, it’s a problem that can undermine the brand value of both the CEO and the company.
Artists, politicians, CEOs and other public figures tend to attract fans whose personal values can at times deviate from those of the figurehead. Where this happens, devoted fans might be left at an impasse on how to respond to these figures or the products of companies or businesses they are associated with.
A common misconception is that smitten fans are too obsessed to express their distaste. Instead, they are likely to follow blindly and defend the actions of their heroes. Intense actions of “fan armies” on social media platforms have not helped with these assumptions.
But in fact, our research has shown that devoted fans can be critical. We found they are more likely than less devoted consumers to respond in extreme opposition when they feel betrayed by the behaviour of personalities they identify with or hold in high regard.
In the case of personalities like Musk, whose companies produce physical products, loyal fans and consumers could respond in a number of ways. A few hardcore Tesla fans and Musk loyalists might dismiss critiques against his behaviour as attacks against free speech or their own beliefs. They are likely to continue buying Teslas regardless – and may even adjust their own beliefs to align with those of their “hero”.
Out of step
For other consumers, owning a Tesla may no longer signal purely their beliefs about sustainability. There may be a nod to political or ideological affiliations that do not align with their own.
Some consumers may want to dissociate with Tesla if Musk’s behaviour is seen as problematic in their social circle. However, as a purchase requiring high involvement and commitment, switching from Tesla to another EV might be difficult. The recent trend of Tesla owners placing apology stickers on their vehicles is a way of negotiating the tension between owning a Tesla and the behaviour of the CEO they do not agree with.
The stickers provide a means of separating themselves from Musk’s actions while managing the fear of being perceived negatively within their social groups. This is likely to result in a gradual brand erosion rather than an immediate sales drop.
On the other hand, customers of companies such as craft beer brand BrewDog – a firm that has in the past been accused of fostering a culture of fear – may be more responsive to bad CEO behaviour. They at least can switch to an alternative brand at little cost. (BrewDog, for its part, apologised and said it was “committed to doing better”.)
And if Remain voters dislike inventor James Dyson’s stance on Brexit, they might be annoyed but still able to justify keeping a mid-value item like a vacuum cleaner (that is used privately in the home after all) until it breaks, perhaps switching for future purchases rather than abandoning outright.
Consumers can respond in a variety of ways when a figurehead CEO disappoints them. But brands taking blind, uncritical loyalty as a given – even from devoted fans – do so at their peril.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
(Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) delivered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s new Waterfront Production Facility. The facility will house training and production facilities at the shipyard and construction was funded through the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). This and other projects under SIOP will increase maintenance capacity at public shipyards. Shaheen secured full authorization for SIOP projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 NDAA. You can view photos from the event here.
“One of the real advantages we have over our adversaries is our attack submarines, and we want to make sure that those nuclear submarines are on the water as much as possible. This new facility makes our shipbuilding workforce more efficient, saving time and money, which is exactly what we need to strengthen our national security,” said Senator Shaheen. “It also reaffirms the key role that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays not only in our local economy, but also in our nation’s shipbuilding industry, bringing and keeping good-paying jobs for Granite Staters.”
“With the construction of the new Waterfront Production Facility, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said Senator Hassan. “The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an indispensable pillar of our national security and today’s ribbon cutting marks the latest chapter in the history of Portsmouth helping keep America safe, secure, and free.”
“I was pleased to take part in the ribbon cutting of this state-of-the-art facility that will help the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard continue to achieve America’s national security goals well into the future while preserving this installation’s storied history. It is an honor to represent the Shipyard and the men and women who serve there in Congress, and I remain committed to ensuring that they always have the support and resources needed to do the job and complete the mission,” said Congressman Pappas.
Senator Shaheen has long advocated for New England’s shipbuilding industry and workforce, including through authorizing funding and workforce development for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Through the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipbuilding Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which will expand the Shipyard’s capacity to maintain America’s fast-attack submarine fleet. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, Senator Shaheen helped secure this funding beginning in the FY 2019 funding legislation, which she has continued in ensuing years. Additionally, in the FY 2025 government funding bills, Shaheen worked to include a $9.5 million Congressionally Directed Spending add for a new parking structure at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard—which will contribute to quality of life for Shipyard’s workforce.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), along with U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Gerald Connolly, Suhas Subramanyam (all D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today requested answers and commitments from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on its plans to protect the flying public in the wake of the January 29 collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines airplane. In the letter, the lawmakers applauded the precautionary safety measures put in place by the FAA, as well as the agency’s collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision. They also stressed the need to carefully review existing protocols to ensure that flight operations do not simply return to business as usual.
The lawmakers also expressed serious concern with potential interference with the FAA by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has caused mayhem across the government, from attempting to push out nonpartisan civil servants, to reportedly accessing the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, as well as systems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven,” wrote the lawmakers, citing an Elon Musk tweet. “We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make ‘rapid’ changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take.”
They continued, “We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge.”
Stressing the need to prioritize safety and to base any future measures on the knowledge of aviation experts, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:
The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport.
As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region?
On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?
If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA.
On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”.
Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?
What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?
What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?
Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?
Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?
Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?
In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions?
Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations?
Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region?
Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk?
Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week?
A copy of the letter is available here and below.
Dear Mr. Rocheleau:
In the aftermath of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision between a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ Aviation (Bombardier) CRJ700 and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (“National Airport”), we write to request information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on plans to protect the public during the investigations and once the investigations are complete. As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the causes and factors behind the collision is carried out, the FAA should identify and implement immediate steps to improve safety for aviation industry personnel, the flying public, and the communities that surround National Airport.
As we mourn the victims of this tragedy, we must work together to ensure that collisions like this one do not happen again in honor of the memory of those lost. We applaud the FAA’s decision to restrict helicopter traffic near National Airport until the NTSB preliminary report is released and to pause of the use of two of the smaller runways at the airport. Your collaboration thus far with the NTSB as it carries out an independent, fact-based, and thorough investigation into this incident is appreciated. While the NTSB works to complete their investigation, it is crucial that we thoroughly review and scrutinize the protocols that govern flight operations near the airspace over National Airport, and ensure that we are not simply restarting “normal” operations. This is of further importance in light of the FAA’s steps to ensure airspace safety after Congress’s decision last year to add additional traffic to this airspace.
While we applaud FAA for early actions taken to bolster safety, recent actions indicate that your agency is inviting inexperienced individuals with intense partisan leanings into a process that should be objective and expert driven. On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk announced via X (formerly known as Twitter) that “With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system. Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, also on X, stated “Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.”
We are extremely concerned that an ad hoc team of individuals lacking any expertise, exposure, certifications, or knowledge of aviation operations being invited, or inserting themselves, to make “rapid” changes to our nation’s air traffic systems. This the wrong course of action to take.
We want the safest skies in the world, and any efforts to weaken standards will not be tolerated. Aviation safety is not an area to “move fast and break things”. Proven, methodical, and deliberate action is what is called for when any changes are considered to safety. We express in the strongest possible terms our alarm at allowing Musk’s cadre of unvetted, untrained, and unaccountable individuals the ability to make changes to complicated and sensitive FAA policies at a time when serious and knowledgeable people should be in charge.
Safety must not be compromised, and FAA’s actions must be based on knowledgeable and accountable experts. Given our shared goal of promoting safety along with our expressed concerns about how DOGE’s involvement could jeopardize that safety, we request your attention and response to the following questions:
The FAA’s current restrictions on helicopter flights at National Airport are tied to the release of NTSB’s preliminary report. What factors will FAA consider as it reassesses the need for extending or modifying the restrictions? Please provide details on, and documentation sufficient to substantiate, additional safety measures that are being contemplated and/or will be proposed to deconflict or otherwise improve safety in the air space over National Airport.
As you assess the need for additional measures, will you commit to consulting recognized aviation experts – both in and out of the federal government – to identify requirements or operational changes for civil and military aviation in the National Capital Region?
On February 4, less than one week from the incident, reports emerged that FAA directed its personnel to cease participating in Federal advisory or aviation rulemaking committees. Were FAA personnel directed to cease participating in these committees?
If true, please describe the rationale for such a decision and provide documentation sufficient to substantiate any directives received from other Federal government officials, other individuals acting under the direction of the President, or who are otherwise asserting a legal authority to direct or influence decision-making at the FAA.
On February 5, 2025, Elon Musk and Secretary Duffy each announced that DOGE would “upgrade our aviation system”
Were you informed of this decision in advance of either social media posting?
What engagement have you had with DOGE at this time?
What engagement has been discussed or is planned for the future?
Do you have knowledge of what comprises the “rapid safety upgrades” Musk tweeted about?
Do you commit to timely report to Congress any actions that the FAA is directed to undertake at the direction of the President, DOGE, or by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation regarding any aspect of aviation safety?
Do you commit to providing the public with details about what recommendations DOGE staff and representatives provide to you in relation to aviation safety? Will you notify Congress if you elect to follow through on any recommendations provided to you by DOGE staff and representatives?
In your prior experience at FAA, has any special government employee been directed or otherwise empowered to influence FAA officials on safety decisions?
Will you commit the full cooperation and support of the FAA to the NTSB investigation and to swiftly implement its recommendations?
Will you commit to examining the communication processes and protocols between FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other stakeholders that are used during aviation operations in and around National Airport and the National Capital Region?
Will you commit to working with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate training protocols for required missions in the National Capital Region, particularly those around National Airport and during high-traffic periods, and enact any modifications needed to reduce risk?
Will you commit to briefing us on the implementation of changes to the slot (i.e., high density) rule included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, given that the first of the routes authorized under that legislation will become operational this week?
In addition to the above questions, we request that you provide us with a briefing on FAA’s implementation of critical aviation safety and air traffic controller tower staffing provisions in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act and on the implementation of Section of 502 of that Act.
We look forward to your swift response and to working together for the best interests of the public, the National Capital Region, and the United States of America.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 11, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, amid speculation that Blagojevich is in consideration for an ambassadorship. President Trump commuted Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence in February 2020.
“In a state with more than its fair share of public corruption, the Blagojevich chapter still looms as one of the worst. America and Serbia deserve better.”
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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 11, 2025
Durbin’s floor speech comes after the Trump Administration forced out dozens of DOJ and FBI officials and is now threatening additional action against thousands of employees across the country who worked on investigations related to January 6 and President Trump
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against Attorney General Pam Bondi forher work to undermine the integrity and credibility of the Department of Justice, including creating a so-called “Weaponization Working Group,” a task force to investigate “the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States over the last four years.” Durbin’s concerns are especially pertinent as the Trump Administration purged dozens of senior career civil servants at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—including longtime nonpartisan leaders of the government’s counterterrorism and counterespionage efforts—further exemplifying the need for an independent DOJ. After Attorney General Bondi was confirmed, President Trump said, “I know I’m supposed to say she’s going to be totally impartial with respect to Democrats… I’m not sure if there’s a possibility of totally.”
Durbin said, “On day one in office, Attorney General Bondi created a so-called ‘Weaponization Working Group,’ a task force to investigate, ‘the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States over the last four years.’ Bondi said that she would ‘investigate the investigators,’ and ‘prosecute the prosecutors,’ and now she’s doing exactly that to seek ‘retribution’ against his [Trump’s] political enemies—real and perceived.”
Durbin continued, “I wish I could say I am surprised by Attorney General Bondi’s actions, but last week, I stood in this very spot, sounding the same alarm just before her confirmation vote—the writing was on the wall. Attorney General Bondi has made it clear that her foremost loyalty is to one person—President Trump. And she kept her promise to him on day one after being sworn into office by Justice Clarence Thomas. Bondi’s directive is only one step in misusing the powers of government to carry out President Trump’s retribution against those he perceives to be his enemies.”
Durbin went on to outline that his concerns are even more pressing because, over the last 22 days, the Trump Administration has purged dozens of senior career law enforcement officials at the Department of Justice and FBI. This purge has been particularly focused on dedicated, nonpartisan prosecutors and investigators working in the National Security Division and the FBI. Last week, FBI law enforcement personnel across the country had little over 48 hours to answer a survey about their work on any case related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol—including whether they handled arrests, led operations, testified in trials, and more.
“The Acting Attorney General had also issued a memo firing a dozen career DOJ prosecutors, stating, ‘Given your significant role in prosecuting the President, I do not believe that the leadership of the Department can trust you in implementing the President’s agenda faithfully.’ The Bureau’s acting leaders are career FBI public servants who have reportedly resisted the push from Trump Administration officials to punish FBI agents who were simply doing the work that was assigned to them to investigate the January 6 attack,” Durbin said.
Last Friday, the FBI turned over the names of thousands of FBI personnel. A temporary court order was issued on Friday that is keeping DOJ from revealing those names for now. Tomorrow, FBI probationary agents and personnel stationed around the world are required to submit justifications for their continued employment. This could lead to firing up to 3,000 federal law enforcement officials.
“These mass layoffs, forced retirements, and involuntary reassignments of experienced DOJ and FBI officials represent an outright attack on public safety by President Trump—America will be less safe because of this political charade that’s going on in the Department of Justice… The purge is already leading to widespread disruption and delay in prosecutions, investigations, and sensitive operations. Joint-Terrorism Task Forces have been asked to focus on President Trump’s immigration-related initiatives, which means valuable resources and personnel have been shifted away from state, local, and federal partners fighting foreign and domestic terrorism,” Durbin continued.
“As America faces a heightened threat landscape, these removals and reassignments are crippling not only to the Justice Department and the FBI, but the 93 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 55 FBI Field Offices across the country. The loss of potentially thousands of federal law enforcement jobs will overburden local field offices; slow ongoing case work; increase the unemployment rates nationwide; and harm local economies. President Trump may claim to ‘back the blue,’ but apparently he is only interested in doing so when it is politically convenient for his political agenda,”Durbin said.
Durbin concluded, “Before Ms. Bondi’s confirmation, my concerns about how she would lead the Department were based on her history as President Trump’s lawyer. But the leadership of Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, is no longer hypothetical—her directives and actions are now impacting innocent people and good Americans who dedicate their lives to public service. We need to work together on a bipartisan basis to push back against these attacks on the Department of Justice and FBI to protect the national security of the United States.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) announced the reintroduction of the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act to hold the illegitimate communist Cuban regime accountable through severe sanctions and unprecedented financial pressure.
“Thanks to President Trump, we have strength in the White House again,” said Sen. Tuberville. “The United States will not stand by while the Cuban communist regime commits heinous human rights abuses and takes political prisoners. If Cuba wants to continue committing these crimes, they should be sanctioned. I am proud to join my colleagues in standing up against this evil regime.”
“Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America and a constant threat to the national security of the United States, only emboldened by the past four years of Biden-Harris appeasement policies,” said Sen. Scott.“The illegitimate, communist Castro/Díaz-Canel regime harbors terrorist groups, denies freedom and democracy to the Cuban people while providing a secret police force to Maduro to oppress the Venezuelan people, and hosts a Chinese Communist Party spy station 90 miles from Florida. The Cuban regime props up ruthless dictators and allows a foothold in Latin America for Russia, Iran and Communist China to spread their influence. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already taken action to hold the Cuban regime accountable, including reversing Biden’s dangerous decision to remove them from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, but we must keep the pressure going. My DEMOCRACIA Act will build on their efforts by implementing severe sanctions against Communist Cuba and closes existing sanctions gaps. It will also authorize the president to provide unrestricted internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored by the Cuban regime. The United States continues to stand with the Cuban people, and this bill will send a powerful message as we work to bring a new day of freedom and democracy to Cuba and the entire western hemisphere.”
Read full text of the legislation here.
BACKGROUND:
Authorizes the president to impose sanctions—blocking assets and denying entry into the United States—on a foreign person if the president determines that the person knowingly engages in an activity with Cuba’s defense sector, security sector, intelligence sector, or any other sector involved in carrying out human rights abuses or providing support for international terrorism.
A foreign person or senior official that provides significant financial, material or technological support to, or engages in a significant transaction with Cuba’s defense, security or intelligence sector or any entity or individual affiliated with that sector (including their immediate adult family member),
Any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 25% or more by one or more designated persons are also subject to sanctions,
Any foreign person that is a military contractor, mercenary or paramilitary force knowingly operating in a military, security, or intelligence capacity for or on behalf of the Cuban regime.
Authorizes the President to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuse and corruption in Cuba including:
Members of the Communist Party of Cuba, to include the Office of Religious Affairs and members of the Politburo and the Central Committee,
Members of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers,
Ministry of the Interior of Cuba, to include, the National Revolutionary Police Force,
Members of the committee for the Defense of the Revolution,
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba,
Office of the President of Cuba,
Any official of the Cuban regime who works with the Ministry of Justice or the Office of the Attorney General and who violates due process rights of an individual in Cuba,
The spouse and children of any of these blocked individuals are also subject to these sanctions.
Authorizes the President to terminate these sanctions only if he certifies to Congress that the Government of Cuba:
Has released all political prisoners,
Legalized all political parties,
Establishes a free press, and
Free, fair, multiparty internationally observed elections are scheduled in a timely manner.
Authorizes the president to immediately use all means possible to provide unrestricted, reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime
Requires the President to establish a taskforce to develop long-term solutions for providing reliable internet service to the people of Cuba that is not censored or blocked by the Cuban regime
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined “The Will Cain Show” on Fox to recap attending Super Bowl LIX with President Trump and react to President Trump’s announcement that he will be deputizing IRS agents to help with immigration enforcement. Senator Tuberville also discussed President Trump’s dismissal of the Board of Visitors for each of the U.S. military service academies.
Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s interview can be found below, and his full interview can be found on YouTube or Rumble.
CAIN: “Coach joins us now. Coach, great to have you again here on the Will Can Show. You were there. You were in the stadium with President Trump. There’s a headline today from CBS with a new approval poll out that shows that Donald Trump is doing overwhelmingly well, record-setting approval ratings with not just men, which is to be noted. Both virtually, everyone in America setting records, energetic first weeks doing what he promised. Did you feel that last night at the Superdome?”
TUBERVILLE: “Oh, a hundred percent. There was there was two winners last night—Donald Trump and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles just totally dominated the line of scrimmage, Will. It was just unbelievable. I would’ve never believed it, but they did. And as you said, you well noticed this, they didn’t even blitz. They didn’t blitz one time, and he still controlled the line of scrimmage. But Donald Trump was a huge hit there last night, first president ever to go to a Super Bowl, amazing feat there, but as you said, the loser also was the halftime show.” […]
CAIN: “Thank you for your editorial judgement, Coach—who has asked me to call him Coach, it’s not an act of lack of self-respect. It’s he said, ‘Will, I prefer you to call me ‘Coach’ instead of ‘Senator.’’ So I am gonna move to your other job now, Coach, and that is this. This is notable on the to do list. President Trump deputizing IRS agents to enforce under DHS illegal immigration. This is quite a move to think that 80,000—by the way—IRS agents were hired under Joe Biden. Donald Trump redeploys them to fight illegal immigration.”
TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, get them out of their house. They’re sitting at home, harassing the American citizens about their taxes. President Trump’s gonna get them off the couch, get them out of out the front of the television, and send them on the road to help where they actually can help, what an idea. Right? We’ve got way too many IRS agents. The American people need a break here, but we need we do need a lot of help at the border.”
CAIN: “Imagine that. How about law enforcement folks on those that break the law, those that are in this country illegally and aid going to actual Americans and not to people of foreign countries. You sit on the Armed Services Committee, Senator, and I found this very notable today. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, then President Trump pointed out they’re gonna dissolve the Board of Visitors for the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, and the Coast Guard academies. They don’t like what they’ve seen become of these academies.”
TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, we’re having a lot of problems with academies. Some are better than others, Will. I’m the Chairman of the Personnel [Sub]committee on Armed Services and we’re gonna get to the bottom of it. But President Trump just basically let all the Board of Visitors go…. He will replace everybody on there. We’ll put some good people, people that really love the military, wanna build a fighting machine along with Pete and work well together. But, you know, the Air Force Academy is having huge problems. The Naval Academy is having not quite as many. West Point is doing pretty good, but we still got a lot of work to do. But, we need to be one hundred percent teaching these young men and women how to control and fight a war, and it all starts there with our leaders in the military academies.”
CAIN: “We’ve seen the numbers on the recruiting increases over the last couple of months with the appointment of the new Secretary of Defense. And it’s looking to put the United States military back on the right foot that attracts the best young men and women of merit into serving this country. Senator, Coach, it’s always good to see you. Thank you for being with us today.”
TUBERVILLE: “You too, Will. I saw Jerry Jones last night, our team’s owner. He said he’s coming back.”
CAIN: “Oh, well, that’s good. I need somebody to put a good word for our Dallas Cowboys. Thank you, Coach.”
TUBERVILLE: “You got it.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the Native Village of Kwigillingok of the March 11, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the severe storm and flooding that occurred Aug. 15-18, 2024.
Under this disaster declaration, PNPs that provide services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
For more information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 11. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 10.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
S. 246 would allow people to transport a knife between state and local jurisdictions where it is legal to possess and carry such a knife under certain conditions. That authority would not apply to people who are otherwise prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving knives under federal law. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would have no effect on federal spending because it would not change any federal laws related to possessing or transporting knives.
S. 246 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by preempting certain state and local laws related to the possession and transportation of knives. The bill would allow people to transport knives through states that prohibit them so long as the knife is secured or if it is a safety blade designed for cutting seatbelts. CBO estimates the costs for state and local governments to comply with the mandate would not exceed the intergovernmental threshold established in UMRA ($103 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).
S. 246 contains no private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Jeremy Crimm (for federal costs) and Erich Dvorak (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
The deadline is fast approaching to register for the Retirees Education and Strategy Program (RESP) to be held at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Md. from April 13-18, 2025.
Read the call letterhere. Registrations must be received by Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The RESP program, offered by the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department, includes resources and education for retired and nearly retired members on topics impacting their lives. RESP equips IAM retirees with skills and resources to assist other retirees who are seeking help for issues such as:
– Organizing and maintaining Retirees Clubs
– Legislative and political strategies
– Social Security and Medicare programs
– Create Retiree Club action plan
– Alliance for Retired Americans activities
– Retired member organizing volunteers
If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Retirees and Membership Assistance Department at 301-967-4717.
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has secured over $6.9 million in refunds and $7 million in canceled debt from CityMD, a popular urgent care provider with over 140 locations in New York, for patients who were wrongfully billed for COVID-19 testing at the height of the pandemic. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that CityMD improperly billed its patients for COVID-19 tests, in some cases issuing bills up to two years after services were provided and even threatening to escalate overdue bills to debt collection. CityMD issued these bills despite knowledge of state and federal laws that protected patients from being billed for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. As a result of OAG’s enforcement, CityMD has canceled more than $7 million in outstanding COVID-19 testing bills for over 87,000 patients and refunded nearly $7 million to over 215,000 patients who already paid.
“New Yorkers should never have to worry about unexpected medical bills, especially during a public health crisis,” said Attorney General James. “CityMD’s actions added unnecessary stress and financial burdens to patients seeking essential COVID-19 testing at the height of the pandemic. I am proud to have secured millions of dollars in refunds for impacted individuals and I encourage anyone who believes they’ve been a victim of fraudulent medical billing practices to file a complaint with my office.”
The OAG opened an investigation in October 2022 after receiving numerous complaints about CityMD charging patients for COVID-19 tests. The investigation revealed that between March 2020 and November 2022, CityMD billed and collected payment from thousands of New Yorkers for COVID-19 testing services, with many bills being issued nearly two years after the date of service. The OAG also found that CityMD continued this practice despite knowing that New York and federal law prohibited health plans from charging co-pays and deductibles for medically necessary COVID-19 testing and related services or visits during the public health emergency.
Based on CityMD’s website and assurances by staff at the time tests were performed, patients understood they would not face out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing services. CityMD also did not include a clearly posted cash price for COVID-19 testing services on its website. Many patients who tried to report concerns or complaints regarding testing bills to CityMD found it difficult to get in contact with the company. When these patients were able to reach CityMD, the company often refused to amend previously issued COVID-19 testing bills.
As a result of the OAG investigation, CityMD has issued $6,910,986 in refunds to 215,819 patients and recalled $7,026,668 in outstanding medical bills for 87,334 patients. CityMD sent all impacted patients a letter via mail and email notifying them of the refunds and debt cancellations and posted notices of the refunds and cancellations on its website and social media. Moving forward, CityMD must ensure its COVID-19 test billing practices comply with the law, must provide transparent pricing for COVID-19 testing services on its website, and continue to cooperate with OAG to address any COVID-19 testing-related consumer complaints. CityMD will pay $95,000 in penalties to the State of New York and has agreed to pay an additional $5,000 per violation for any future violations or failure to implement the required programmatic updates.
If a patient believes they have been a victim of misleading billing practices, they should contact the OAG Health Care Bureau online or call 1-800-428-9071.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Eve Woodin of the Health Care Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Leslieann Cachola and Bureau Chief Darsana Srinivasan. The Health Care Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new steps to protect consumers from sky-high utility costs that are making New York less affordable. In a letter to Public Service Commission Chair and Department of Public Service CEO Rory Christian, Governor Hochul calls for the rejection of Con Edison’s proposed rate hike. Governor Hochul also directed the Department of Public Service to conduct a statewide audit of utility company salaries and compensation, to ensure New York ratepayers are getting a fair deal.
“The cost of living is too damn high and New Yorkers need more money in their pockets,” Governor Hochul said. “Of course we need safe, reliable energy sources to power our homes and businesses. But utility companies shouldn’t be jacking up costs unnecessarily – especially if they’re paying their own staff too much.”
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To address the immediate threat of Con Ed’s proposed rate hikes, which would cost New Yorkers hundreds of dollars each year, Governor Hochul today sent a letter to Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair and Department of Public Service (DPS) CEO Rory Christian urging action on behalf of New York consumers. The Governor called on DPS to act in the best interest of New Yorkers by closely scrutinizing this rate case and rejecting Con Ed’s unconscionable request to increase electricity rates by 11.4 percent and natural gas rates by 13.3 percent.
Governor Hochul also directed DPS to conduct a first-of-its-kind audit of utility management compensation. The audit will focus on compensation for non-union utility management employees statewide and the results will inform future rate cases to protect New Yorkers from unfair rate hikes. Numerous recent management and operations audits of large, investor-owned electric and gas utilities have highlighted meaningful concerns with how utilities administer their programs. For example, in a recent audit of Central Hudson, the auditor concluded their bonus structure rewarded financial performance, but only set reliability and service quality metrics at the bare minimum.
Over the last four years, Governor Hochul has prioritized energy affordability by:
Affordability policy enhancements to expand eligibility in the Energy Affordability Program and creating the Energy Affordability Guarantee, the first-in-the nation pilot program that ensures low-income New Yorkers participating in the EmPower Plus program never pay more than 6 percent of their incomes on electricity and incentivizes them to fully electrify their homes.
Budget appropriations to reduce ratepayer costs of EAP that provides critical utility bill relief to low-income New Yorkers.
Providing arrears forgiveness of more than $1 billion.
State procurements of renewable generation to offset ratepayer costs of developing new clean generation resources
$300 million to create power-ready sites for attracting new businesses through the Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) Fund.
The cost of living is too damn high and New Yorkers need more money in their pockets.”
Governor Hochul
Governor Hochul has prioritized affordability and helping New Yorkers with the high cost of living. To address rising costs related to home heating, Governor Hochul recently added $35 million to fund the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) which supports low-income New Yorkers who need help paying utility bills; the Governor also signed legislation in 2024 to help senior citizens access this vital program. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program which helps HEAP-eligible households reduce energy costs, conserve energy, and improve safety and health standards.
In her 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul prioritized passing an affordability agenda that puts money back in the pockets of middle-class New Yorkers. Governor Hochul proposed New York’s first-ever Inflation Refund, which would give eligible New Yorkers checks of up to $500. The Governor is also calling for a tax cut that would reduce rates for middle-class families to the lowest levels in nearly 60 years and proposing a massive expansion of the Child Tax Credit.
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AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said, “By opposing Con Edison’s latest rate hike proposal, Governor Hochul is again standing up for New Yorkers who are struggling simply to pay for their basic living expenses such as rent, food and prescription drugs. That includes the many older New Yorkers living on fixed incomes who can’t afford to have their utility bills go up even higher. New York’s population is aging rapidly, and far too many older adults are already living in poverty. The Governor is prioritizing making New York a more affordable place to live for people of all ages, and we support her in these efforts.”
Community Service Society of New York Senior Director Carrie Tracy said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her strong defense of working families in New York and for opposing the proposed rate hikes, which would be disastrous for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. The Community Service Society of New York has been dedicated to promoting economic opportunity for over 180 years, and we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to building a more equitable city and state.”
Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “In the last two years alone, we have seen eight double digit utility rate increase requests across New York State, including this most recent one from Con Ed. These rate increases are simply unsustainable for already cash-strapped New Yorkers. I thank Governor Hochul for focusing on utility affordability and I support her call for a compensation audit, increasing transparency and holding utilities accountable to our constituents.”
As you may have seen, yesterday Connecticut joined 21 other states in taking legal action in an effort to prevent the recently announced changes to the NIH funding model from taking effect.
Here is the declaration from UConn in support of this action.
Here is a detailed document that discusses the vital role that this NIH funding plays in supporting the research enterprise at UConn and every other research university in the nation.
This federal support is essential to the critical work of our faculty and staff, which continues to have a profound and highly beneficial impact on the lives of millions of people. And, as the research community knows, many of these grants have a sprawling positive economic impact locally, regionally, and nationally as well.
The current federal funding model, which has roots going back nearly eight decades, is also what helped to make the United States of America the preeminent global leader in health science and technology research, discovery, and innovation.
Last night, in response to the suit filed by the coalition of states, a federal judge temporarily blocked the changes from taking effect for institutions in these 22 states.
Other organizations and institutions, including APLU, AAU, and ACE, have also filed suits.
UConn remains in close contact with state leaders, members of our federal delegation, and colleagues around the nation on this issue and will continue to monitor it closely and share information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, please note that the proposed changes, should they take effect, would not impact direct grant funding budgeted for the costs of conducting research or funds for investigator and staff salaries.
We know that faculty and staff are understandably concerned by these events. Please know we will do all we can to support you and keep you informed. Even in this challenging moment, the best thing our researchers can do is focus on carrying out your important work.
Please direct any specific questions regarding this ongoing issue or anything else research-related to research@uconn.edu. We continue to update the OVPR FAQ website regularly.
NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solomon Partners, a leading financial advisory firm and independent affiliate of Natixis, today announced a significant expansion of its Financial Institutions Group with the hiring of Juan Guzman as a Partner, and Faiz Vahidy and Matthew Cornish as Managing Directors. The trio previously worked at Houlihan Lokey and will now collaborate with their former colleague Arik Rashkes, who started at Solomon in December as Head of the recently formed Financial Institutions Group.
“Collectively Juan, Faiz and Matt represent a meaningful step toward rapidly building out our Financial Institutions practice. They each have substantial experience across a variety of subsectors and have successfully worked together in their prior roles,” said Marc Cooper, CEO of Solomon Partners.
Mr. Rashkes added, “My colleagues are well known and respected across the financial services industry as talented investment bankers who are dedicated to serving clients. Together we will further develop Solomon’s Financial Institutions advisory services.”
Mr. Guzman specializes in mortgage services and insurance, as well as the broader real estate services sector. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services, advising clients on a diverse range of transactions, including M&A, capital raising, valuations, and special committee assignments. Prior to joining Solomon, Mr. Guzman was a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Services Group focused on the mortgage services and insurance sectors. He earned an MBA with concentrations in Corporate Finance and Law & Business from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
“I look forward to contributing to Solomon’s growth and success by expanding the Financial Institutions Group and the sub-sectors we serve. The firm’s commitment to excellence and client-focused approach aligns with my professional values and goals,” Mr. Guzman commented.
At Solomon, Mr. Vahidy will primarily focus on advising insurance distribution companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, divestitures, fairness opinions, strategic planning, and other corporate finance engagements. He has more than two decades of experience in financial services, covering insurance distribution companies including MGAs, MGUs, BGAs, IMOs, and FMOs. He has successfully executed a wide variety of transactions for insurance carriers, insurance services providers, and insurtech companies. Mr. Vahidy received a BBA from the George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
In his new role, Mr. Cornish will specialize in insurance services and illiquid financial assets, leveraging his extensive experience in corporate finance and advisory services. He previously served as a Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Services Group & Illiquid Financial Assets Group. Over the past 15 years, Mr. Cornish executed transactions across multiple industries and asset classes, including benefits, claims, TPAs, property & casualty insurance, life settlements, tax receivable agreements, minority equity, receivership wind-downs, and private equity and hedge fund LP interests. He holds a BS in Accountancy, Economics, and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University.
About Solomon Partners
Founded in 1989, Solomon Partners is a leading financial advisory firm with a legacy as one of the oldest independent investment banks. Our difference is unmatched industry knowledge in the sectors we cover, creating superior value with unrivaled wisdom for our clients. We advise clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, recapitalizations, capital markets solutions and activism defense across a range of verticals. These include Business Services, Consumer Retail, Distribution, Financial Institutions, Financial Sponsors, FinTech, Grocery, Pharmacy & Restaurants, Healthcare, Industrials, Infrastructure, Power & Renewables, Media and Technology. Solomon Partners is an independently operated affiliate of Natixis, part of Groupe BPCE. For further information, visit solomonpartners.com.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
As the granddaughter of immigrants from Lithuania and Poland who spoke little English, I understand what it’s like to be treated as a stranger in America.
As a journalist, I covered stories of war and trauma in the 1990s, including the crushing of Chinese protests in Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, followed by the Soviet Union’s collapse two years later. I covered the war between Iraq and Iran. I witnessed ethnic strife in South Africa and the toll poverty takes in Mexico.
And having worked in senior levels of the U.S. government for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama on international conflict resolution, I have learned that compassion is a key ingredient of peacemaking.
Perhaps that all explains my curiosity about a new study on the state of compassion in America – part of the glue that holds communities together.
Defining compassion
Sociologists define compassion as the human regard for the suffering of others, and the notion of using action to alleviate this pain.
The report that caught my eye was issued in January 2025 by the Muhammad Ali Center, which the late boxer co-founded 20 years ago in Louisville, Kentucky, to advance social justice.
As the Ali Center explains, compassion starts with the individual – self-care and personal wellness. It then radiates out to the wider community in the form of action and engagement.
You can see compassion at work in the actions of a Pasadena, California, girl, who started a donation hub for teens affected by fires that ripped through the Los Angeles region in early 2025. She began collecting sports bras, hair ties and fashionable sweaters – helping hundreds of her peers begin to recover from their losses in material and emotional ways.
It’s also visible in the estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. who donate blood each year, according to the American Red Cross.
The researchers who worked on the Ali Center report interviewed more than 5,000 U.S. adults living in 12 cities in 2024 in order to learn more about the prevalence of compassionate behaviors such as charitable giving, volunteering and assisting others in their recovery from disasters.
They found that the desire to help others still animates many Americans despite the nation’s current polarization and divisive politics.
The center has created an index it calls the “net compassion score.” It approximates the degree to which Americans give their time and money to programs and activities that nurture and strengthen their communities.
Cities with high compassion scores have more community engagement and civic participation than those with low scores. A higher-scoring community performs better when it comes to things like public housing and mental health resources, for example. Its residents report more career opportunities, better communications between local government and citizens, more community programs and more optimism around economic development where they live.
The report provides some clues as to what drives compassionate behavior in a city: a sense of spirituality, good education, decent health care, resources for activities like sports, and opportunities to engage in local politics.
All told, Americans rate their country as a 9 on a scale that runs from minus 100 to 100.
The report also identified some troubling obstacles that stand in the way of what it calls “self-compassion” – meaning how volunteers and donors treat their own mental and physical health. Frequent struggles with self-care can lead to rising levels of isolation and loneliness.
Jeni Stepanek, left, chair of the Muhammad Ali Index; Lonnie Ali, co-founder and vice chair of the Muhammad Ali Center; and DeVone Holt, the center’s president and CEO, at the launch of the Muhammad Ali Index on Jan. 16, 2025. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Muhammad Ali Center
Doubting their own capacity
The 2025 Compassion Report’s findings show that many Americans still want to live in a compassionate country but also that Americans view the country as less compassionate today than four years ago.
The report delves into gaps in compassion. About one-third of those interviewed acknowledged that there are groups toward whom they feel less compassionate toward, such as people who have been convicted of crimes, immigrants living in the U.S. without authorization and the rich.
Only 29% said they feel compassion toward everyone.
The report also identifies gender gaps. Despite expressing greater awareness of systemic challenges, the women surveyed reported less self-compassion than men.
It’s not the first compassion study ever done. But I believe that this one is unique due to its focus on specific cities, and how it assessed limits on the compassion some people feel toward certain groups.
Helping health and humanity
The Compassion Institute, another nonprofit, seeks to weave compassion training into health care education to “create a more caring and humanitarian world.” It cites the benefits of compassion for human beings, with everything from reducing stress to alleviating the effects of disease on the mind and body.
Academic institutions, including Stanford University, have conducted many studies on how teaching compassion can guide health care professionals to both treat patients better and achieve better outcomes.
A team of Emory University researchers examined how training people to express more compassion can reduce stress hormones levels, triggering positive brain responses that improve immune responses.
Offering an advantage
Although there are plenty of adorable videos of dogs and cats behaving kindly with each other or their human companions, historically compassion has differentiated humans from animals.
Human beings possess powers of emotional reasoning that give us an edge.
Scholars are still working to discover how much of human compassion is rooted in emotional reasoning. Another factor they’ve identified is the aftermath of trauma. Studies have found evidence that it can increase empathy later on.
You might imagine that in a world of hurt, there’s a deficit of compassion for others. But the Ali Center’s report keeps alive the notion that Americans remain compassionate people who want to help others.
My experiences around the world and within the U.S. have taught me that human beings both have the power to be violent and destructive. But despite it all, there is, within all of us, the innate ability and desire to be compassionate. That is a net positive for our country.
Tara Sonenshine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
he Secretary-General joins the people of Namibia in mourning the passing of His Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma.
An architect of Namibia’s liberation struggle and recognized as its founding father, Dr. Nujoma led the nation’s transition to independence in 1990, when he was elected as the country’s first President. The United Nations stood alongside Dr. Nujoma and all Namibians, as the world witnessed the raising of the flag of the newly free and sovereign nation on 21 March of that year.
As President, Dr. Nujoma demonstrated steadfast leadership in the face of immense challenges, leaving an indelible mark on his country, Africa and the world.
The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to Dr. Nujoma’s family and to the Government and people of Namibia.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced bipartisan legislation that would preserve coastal beaches in Oregon and nationwide by providing funding for state, local, and tribal governments to test, monitor, and identify recreational waters that are contaminated.
“The Oregon Coast offers unmatched opportunities for visitors to make fond memories and for residents of one of America’s most iconic coastlines to live and work in and next to the Pacific Ocean,” Wyden said. “But the ongoing threat of pollution piling up on our coastal beaches every year demands commonsense solutions that help protect this treasure and keep Oregonians healthy. This bill accomplishes those goals by protecting, preserving, and improving our beaches in every corner of Oregon and America for generations to come.”
Currently, there’s dedicated federal funding for monitoring and notifying beachgoers of contaminated coastal waters–but there is no money allocated towards identifying contaminated sites. Wyden’s new bill, the BEACH Act, would reauthorize this $30 million program over the next four years to allocate funding for identifying contaminated beaches and trace the source of the contamination.
Wyden’s bill would also expand testing locations to include shallow recreational waters near the beaches, where children and seniors often play and swim, who are more at risk of experiencing health issues from contamination.
The legislation is endorsed by Environment America, Surfrider, the America Shore & Beach Preservation Association, and the Coastal States Organization.
“Kudos to Senators Tillis and Wyden for moving to renew the BEACH Act – a critical step forward in safeguarding the health of our communities. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that families know when our waters are safe for swimming and help states pinpoint pollution sources,” said Caroline Wagar, Federal Legislative Associate at Environment America.
“Everyone deserves access to clean water to swim, surf, and play in. The BEACH Act ensures that people have the information they need to protect themselves and the health of their families when recreating at the beach and in our coastal waterways. The Surfrider Foundation wholeheartedly supports the reauthorization bill sponsored by Senators Tillis and Wyden,” said Mara Dias, Senior Manager of Surfrider’s Water Quality Initiative.
“ASBPA is proud to support reauthorization of the BEACH Act. We applaud Senator Wyden and Senator Tillis for continuing to prioritize this policy which empowers US coastal communities’ with information needed to elevate water quality at the nation’s beaches and shores,” said Annie Mercer, Blue Flag Program Coordinator for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association.
“For over two decades the BEACH Act has helped keep swimmers healthy and safe every summer. This reauthorization helps ensure beachgoers will be notified as quickly as possible if water is unsafe to swim in, and gives coastal states and communities greater flexibility to identify and address sources of contamination,” said Derek Brockbank, Executive Director of Coastal States Organization.
Text of the bill is here. A one-page summary of the bill is here.
We inform you that, based on the letter of the Bank of Russia and in accordance with Part I. General Part and Part II. Stock Market Section of the Rules for Conducting Trading on the Stock Market, Deposit Market and Credit Market of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the order establishes the form, time, term and procedure for holding auctions for the placement and trading of the following federal loan bonds:
1.
Name of the Issuer
Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
Name of security
federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
State registration number of the issue
26233RMFS from 02/14/2020
Date of the auction
February 12, 2025
Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form)
The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
Trade code
SE26233RMFS5
ISIN code
RO000A101F94
Calculation code
B01
Additional conditions of placement
The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form)
The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
Trade code
CO26248RMFS3
ISIN code
RO000A108EH4
Calculation code
B01
Additional conditions of placement
The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
We inform you about changes in the stock market system planned for implementation on March 1, 2025. The changes are intended to ensure technical readiness for the start of trading in experimental mode on the stock market during additional weekend trading sessions.
Changes in stock market trading reports
The mandatory attribute of the trading session date is added to the reports SEM02 “Extract from the register of orders”, SEM03 “Extract from the register of transactions with securities”, SEM21 “Stock market information” and SEM42 “Register of transactions of sponsored access identifiers”:
TradeSessionDate — date of the trading session.
Additionally, an additional value for the SessionNo attribute is added to the SEM02, SEM03, and SEM21 reports:
5 – Additional weekend session.
The SEM2T tabulated report also adds the TradeSessionDate field — the date of the trading session. The field is added last.
The updated specification of the formats of reports on the results of trades is posted on the exchange website: HTTPS: //FS. MOEX.K.MOMU/943.Updated files of schemes and styles for printed forms of reports are published on the exchange’s FTP server: HTTPS: //FTP. MEEX.K.Mom/pub/reports/eckot.
The following reports will be sent out on the days of the additional weekend session:
after 08:00 (morning report) — SEM42; after 19:00 — SEM02, SEM03, SEM21, as well as SEM80 “Daily report on the fulfillment of market makers’ obligations (for the market makers’ championship)” and SEM85 “Daily report on the fulfillment of market makers’ obligations”.
Changes in stock market clearing reports
The mandatory attribute of the trading session date is added to the reports EQM06, EQM06P, EQM06R, EQM6C, EQM6D and EQM63 “Extract from the register of transactions accepted for clearing”:
TradeSessionDate — date of the trading session.
The updated specification of the formats of reports on the results of clearing is posted on the exchange website: HTTPS: //FS. MOEX.K.MOM/951.Updated files of schemes and styles for printed forms of reports are published on the exchange’s FTP server: HTTPS: //FTP. MEEX.K.Mom/pub/reports/eckot.
On the days of the additional weekend session, clearing reports are not generated or sent. Separate report files for the results of the DSVD are not expected. Information on transactions concluded in the DSVD will be included in the reports that are sent after the Main Session:
EQM06/EQM06P/EQM06R “Extract from the register of transactions accepted for clearing”; EQM63 “Extract from the register of transactions accepted for clearing (for a Trading Participant)”; EQM6C “Extract from the register of transactions accepted for clearing (for client transactions)”; EQM6D “Extract from the register of transactions accepted for clearing (for nominal holders); EQM13 “Report on Total Net Obligations / Total Net Claims”; EQM15 “Report on Commission Fees”; EQM23 “Report on Obligations for T Transactions”.
New version of the gateway interface Broker53 and BrokerRisk53
Previously announced The interface update has expired. A new version will be released on March 1, 2025.
Changes in the broker’s gateway interfaces for connecting to trading and clearing systems:
The WEEKENDSESSION field is added to the SECURITIES, FIRMS and BANKACC tables, defining availability in the additional weekend session. The TRADEDATE field is added to the ALL_TRADES table, containing the calendar date of the transaction. The TRADESESSIONDATE field is added to the TESYSTIME and RESYSTIME tables — the date of the current trading session. The TRADESESSIONDATE field is added to the TRADES, ALL_TRADES and USTRADES tables — the date of the trading session in which the transaction was concluded. The ENTRYDATE fields are added to the ONEORDER, ORDERS and QUOTES tables — the calendar date of order registration, TRADESESSIONDATE — the date of the trading session in which the order was registered. The TRADESESSIONDATE field is added to the NEGDEALS and ONENEGDEALS tables — the date of the trading session in which the order was registered.
The following fields are added to the ALL_TRADES table: TRADESESSIONDATE — date of the current trading session, TRADEDATE — calendar date of the transaction. The WEEKENDSESSION field is added to the SECURITIES table, defining availability in the additional weekend session. The TRADESESSIONDATE field — date of the current trading session — is added to the TESYSTIME table.
The composition of FIX and TWIME trading protocol messages, FAST MarketData templates and SIMBA ASTS message schemas will not change.
The additional weekend trading session will be held from 09:50:00 to 18:59:59
During the days of the additional weekend session, the Trading and Clearing System will be available for connection via all protocols starting from 07:50 MSK. The end of availability is no earlier than 20:00 MSK.
Registration of end customers
The Single Client Registration Service will process all transaction types (A, U, L, R, M, D) on weekends for a client record that is registered or registered only on the stock market.
If a client sends an “A” type transaction for a record that is registered on multiple markets, the ERC service will register the participant on the stock market, but will not register on other markets – an error message will be sent for them.
For type “U” or “D” transactions, if the client entry is registered in addition to the stock on the FX and Futures markets, the message will be rejected completely with an error.
Possible actions of participants:
Register clients on the stock market, re-submit applications for the currency or futures market on Monday. Postpone registration and do not send files to the exchange during the additional weekend session, but send them on Monday.
Admission of participants to an additional weekend session
Moscow Exchange will admit participants to an additional weekend session at the start of trading on March 1, 2025, upon the participant’s application.
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Antoinette T. Bacon, the Supervisory Official for the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the filing of charges against DANIEL SIKKEMA in connection with his role in a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of his husband in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The charges are contained in a Superseding Indictment unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. SIKKEMA was previously charged in the Southern District of New York for passport fraud. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.
U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “As alleged, Daniel Sikkema and his co-conspirator planned and carried out a cold-blooded plot to murder Sikkema’s husband, a United States citizen, in Brazil. This Office will doggedly pursue justice against those who murder United States citizens, whether at home or abroad.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “In the midst of a tense divorce, Daniel Sikkema allegedly financed the premature death of his estranged husband. The defendant allegedly hired a hitman to facilitate the international murder of his husband, and attempted to conceal his involvement in this callous plan. The FBI will continue to vigorously investigate any individual who selfishly and mercilessly orders the end to another’s life, regardless of where the crime may occur.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment:[1]
In 2023, SIKKEMA agreed with another individual (“CC-1”) that SIKKEMA would pay CC-1 to kill SIKKEMA’s estranged husband (the “Victim”) in Brazil. At that time, SIKKEMA and the Victim were engaged in contentious divorce proceedings and the Victim regularly traveled to Brazil and owned property in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To facilitate the murder-for-hire plot, SIKKEMA, a U.S. and Cuban citizen, sent multiple payments to CC-1 and CC-1’s romantic partner in Cuba. SIKKEMA also concealed the source of each of these payments by using either a stolen identity or an intermediary to send them.
On January 14, 2024, CC-1 murdered the Victim in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the days that followed, SIKKEMA and CC-1 continued to communicate and SIKKEMA arranged for a payment of approximately $5,000 to be made to CC-1 and promised to make an additional payment at a later date.
On January 18, 2024, CC-1 was arrested by Brazilian law enforcement for his involvement in the commission of the Victim’s murder.
* * *
SIKKEMA, 54, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of murder-for-hire conspiracy resulting in death, one count of murder-for-hire resulting in death, one count of conspiracy to murder and maim a person in a foreign country, and one count of passport fraud. If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Field Office.
The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith C. Foster and Remy Grosbard for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation.
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Derris Mayberry, 37, of Denver, Colorado was convicted by federal juries in two trials on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of distribution of fentanyl.
According to the facts established at the trials, on the evening of March 22, 2024, a woman approached an officer conducting surveillance for an undercover operation and offered the officer “dope.” She then told the officer that she knew someone who could get “blues,” meaning fentanyl pills. The woman ultimately led undercover police officers to an alley near the Colorado State Capitol where Mayberry was waiting. An audio recording captured the undercover officer negotiating the price and amount of fentanyl pills. The officers then observed the woman make a hand-to-hand exchange with Mayberry, immediately after which the woman handed four fentanyl pills to the undercover officer in exchange for $20. Law enforcement contacted Mayberry shortly thereafter at a bus stop only feet away from where the deal had taken place. During a pat down, law enforcement found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his shorts pocket. Mayberry had previously been convicted of multiple felonies and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing the loaded revolver. During a search incident to his arrest, law enforcement found additional fentanyl pills and the $20 used by the undercover officer to purchase the drugs.
Mayberry will be sentenced at a later date.
United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the trials. The Denver Police Department VICE unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore O’Brien and Celeste Rangel handled the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
AUBURN, Ala., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On February 11, 2025, the Board of Directors of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: AUBN) declared a first quarter $0.27 per share cash dividend, payable March 25, 2025 to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2025.
About Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc.
Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of AuburnBank (the “Bank”), with total assets of approximately $977 million. The Bank is an Alabama state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, which has operated continuously since 1907. Both the Company and the Bank are headquartered in Auburn, Alabama. The Bank conducts its business in East Alabama, including Lee County and surrounding areas. The Bank currently operates seven full-service branches in Auburn, Opelika, Valley, and Notasulga, Alabama. The Bank also operates a loan production office in Phenix City, Alabama. Additional information about the Company and the Bank may be found by visiting www.auburnbank.com.
For additional information, contact: David A. Hedges President and CEO (334) 821-9200
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sebastian Smart, Senior Research Fellow in Access to Justice, Law and Technology, Anglia Ruskin University
Brazil’s president Lula da Silva is one of the Latin American leaders who are concerned about misinformation being used to undermine democracy.Focuspix/Shutterstock
Bosses of tech giants Meta, Google and X had front row seats at Donald Trump’s recent presidential inauguration. This special treatment highlighted the increasingly cosy relationship between leaders of technology companies and the White House.
Just a few weeks before the ceremony, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg had pledged to “work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more”.
Zuckerberg also highlighted, and criticised, the restrictions that the European Union and Latin American nations had put in place to legally restrict the social media giants. These include liability for moderation and limiting targeted advertising.
However, Latin America is emerging as the region which is moving fast to protect democratic institutions from misuse of social media, and other technology.
For instance, Brazil’s proposed fake news bill (Lei das Fake News) seeks to regulate social media and curb misinformation. It has faced strong opposition from Google. The bill is still under consideration by Brazil’s Congress.
Other examples include how, in August 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Court temporarily banned X for failing to comply with legal requirements, including blocking social media accounts accused of spreading misinformation linked to the 2022 election. X had also failed to appoint a local legal official.
The platform remained suspended until October 8 2024, when X complied with the court’s orders, paid fines totalling 28 million reals (£3.9 million), and appointed a legal representative.
Brazil temporarily banned social media network X.
The court decision has been part of a broader effort in Brazil to protect its democracy and restrict potential disruption from use of technology or social media.
This push intensified after allies of then president Jair Bolsonaro used social media to spread misinformation (ahead of the 2022 elections), and then attack democratic institutions, and mobilise supporters in the lead-up to the January 8 2023 attacks on government buildings.
Digital platforms were used to spread false claims of voter fraud and discredit mainstream media as well as spread misinformation about Bolsonaro’s opponents. These efforts fuelled conspiracy theories and protests, which later turned violent. In response, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court tightened regulations, ordering platforms to remove false election claims.
But the region’s regulatory efforts extend beyond social media into other emerging technologies. Colombia, Ecuador and Chile – among others – are currently debating regulations of artificial intelligence (AI) and looking at AI’s human rights and environmental impact.
Chile was the first country to recognise neurorights (brain rights) in its constitution, ensuring protections against the misuse of neurotechnology, such as brain-computer interfaces that could read or manipulate thoughts, emotions or cognitive processes. These developing technologies could be used in medicine, but also raise ethical concerns about privacy and cognitive freedom.
Political leaders across Latin America also regularly challenge global technology leaders over their effect on society. Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, has criticised Elon Musk’s support for far-right movements. Brazil’s president, Lula da Silva, said the world did not have to put up with Musk’s “far-right free-for-all just because he is rich”. Brazil’s first lady, Janja Lula da Silva, was even more direct. During a global summit on social media regulation, she declared: “I’m not afraid of you, fuck you, Elon Musk.”
History of authoritarianism
Many people in Latin America remember how political power was abused in the recent past to undermine democracy. During the military dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, many businesses supported repressive regimes.
In the early 1970s, Chilean president Salvador Allende had tried to establish the Cybersyn Project, an ambitious initiative to create an economic planning system using networked telex machines and an early form of algorithmic decision-making. It was designed to enhance state control over the economy, while reducing dependence on foreign corporations. But Cybersyn was dismantled after the US-backed military coup that installed Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Today, Latin America may be better positioned to counter foreign influence than it was in the 1970s. Brazil’s leadership at the recent G20 global summit, where it successfully pushed for social media and artificial intelligence regulation, showed that there is a regional will to push back against the demands, and power, of Silicon Valley’s technology giants.
The question is whether these countries can sustain their efforts against pressure from big companies, economic pressure (such as tariffs) and shifting geopolitical alliances. If they do, Latin American nations could provide a much-needed counterweight to corporate influence, and an example to the rest of the world of what could be achieved.
Sebastian Smart receives funding from FONDECYT-Chile
Consider the popular idea that you need to love yourself first, before you can find love from others. It was set out in the German psychologist Erich Fromm’s book The Art of Loving in 1956 and has been popularised in recent years by drag queen RuPaul’s catchphrase “if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”
But is it actually true? If we think of self-love in an extreme sense, as raging egocentricity, then the answer is a resounding “no”. Philosophers who reject self-love do so for this reason. Iris Murdoch is a case in point. She warned her readers that the proper direction of attention should always be outwards. Love others, not yourself.
This is a very sacrificial way of thinking about love. If we think about love as the most important way of valuing anything, then of course self-love is desirable. The person who has no self-love has no proper sense of their own worth as a unique, feeling being.
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This is the insight captured by the idea that we must love ourselves first. It’s endorsed by the classical philosophical tradition and is especially evident in discussions of friendship by Aristotle and Cicero where a friend is “another self” – someone who is due the same love that we have for ourselves.
They treat love for ourselves as a basic background to a good life, and hold that something has gone badly wrong when any of us lacks such an attitude. This is a far less sacrificial way of thinking. One in which being loved and loving ourselves turn out to be inseparable.
This is the insight that the catchphrase about loving yourself first plays upon. But it puts things the wrong way around. Coming to love ourselves often happens as a result of being loved by another person. It is an outcome, not a first step.
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In your 20s and 30s, you may find that all around you people have paired off. There is a game going on, played out with varying degrees of success. Some people find themselves always on the outside of this game. They have never had a girlfriend or boyfriend. Never even received a Valentine’s Day card. They may have wanted these things, and waited for them, but nothing has happened.
Many people live like this, with an exclusion from romantic love that makes it feel almost impossible to form an appropriate sense of self-worth. Those in this position cannot will themselves into self-love as a way of propelling themselves into the game. And they also cannot educate themselves into self-love.
In your 20s and 30s, you may find that all around you, people have paired off. Detail from Hesperus, the Evening Star, Sacred to Lovers by Joseph Noel Paton (1857). Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Even philosophers cannot do so. Immanuel Kant argued in his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) that we are all autonomous rational agents and that this makes us equally valuable. But for those without a romantic history, their experience is not one of being equally valued.
What they need is not a special effort of will but the experience of being loved. Or of having been loved by someone that they themselves have loved. We cannot draw a sense of our own value from the love of someone we do not admire, or from the kind of abusive person who systematically undermines our sense of self-esteem. Being loved by someone dreadful, or just wildly unpleasant, is unlikely to fill any of us with warm fuzzy feelings. No matter how smitten we are. No matter what flowers and chocolate they send.
Being loved by someone we love, someone we value, is a different matter. Nothing shows us our own value so effectively.
A good deal of my own sense of value, for example, does not come from a recognition of my autonomy or from a self-willed effort to think nice thoughts about myself. It stems instead from being loved by my wife Suzanne. Without this experience of being loved, everything else would be diminished.
Being lovable
Most of us enjoy an approximation to this experience of being loved long before we ever experience actual romantic love.
Most of us have been loved by our parents, and up to a point by our siblings and friends. We even may have been loved by our pets – or at least by the dog, if not by the cat. But at a certain point, we want love of a more intimate and grownup sort. Love from someone who could simply pass us by in the street, but who does not do so. Without it, an adult sense of self-worth may remain permanently out of reach.
This does not mean to say that that every day must be a whirlwind of romance, or even that we have to be continuously in a relationship.
Suzanne and myself seem to have mated for life. We still buy one another flowers and chocolates for Valentine’s Day rather than gift vouchers and lawnmowers. Suzanne gets the flowers, I get the chocolates. It is a ritual in which we both win. But many people are just as content moving from one relationship to another.
What seems to matter in each case is seeing ourselves as lovable. Whether we are serial daters, or hibernate with a lifelong partner like two creatures in a burrow. What we really need is the experience of having been loved romantically, at some point in time. And the knowledge that it could happen again. A recognition that we may sometimes have bad romantic luck, and may have made mistakes – but that we remain fundamentally lovable.
Tony Milligan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
US tariffs – both threatened and imposed – on trade partners including China, Canada, Mexico and the EU quickly set off waves of retaliatory measures. The latest commodities in the sights of president Donald Trump are steel and aluminium – with tariffs of 25% announced for all imports. But not only do these taxes disrupt well-established trade flows, they ignite concerns over the very future of globalisation.
Yet amid this uncertainty, it’s possible that there may be a silver lining. Trump may inadvertently be paving the way for a realignment of trade relationships and the emergence of new economic blocs. Such partnerships could foster more resilient and regionally focused economic cooperation.
Trump’s decision to levy tariffs on its major trading partners disrupts the fundamental tenets of the gravity model of trade. According to this theory, trade between two nations is largely determined by their economic size and proximity. For instance, introducing tariffs to the close economic relationship between the US and Canada, underpinned by their shared border, effectively increases the distance between the two by raising costs and reducing the volume of bilateral trade.
However, these disruptions can inadvertently encourage diversification of trade relationships. As companies and governments seek to mitigate the risks associated with tariffs, they may begin to explore new markets and alternative supply chains. This could ultimately lead to a more dispersed and – potentially – more stable global trade system.
Yet as Trump continues to test the limits of his power, he is learning it is not so easy to defy gravity. Already, the president has dialled down tariffs on Canada and Mexico, while China has struck back with retaliatory measures.
One positive spin-off of the trade war may be the reinforcement of regional alliances. With traditional trade flows disrupted, countries are increasingly incentivised to strengthen ties with neighbouring economies.
North American outlook
Canada and Mexico, long considered natural trading partners of the US, might pivot towards deepening their economic cooperation. They may also look to bilateral agreements with other partners as well as seeking new markets, strengthening ties with China and Japan.
The USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) provides a strong foundation for trade. But attempts to dismantle this arrangement could see Canada and Mexico accelerating efforts to build closer economic ties with other regions, reducing their exposure to the US market.
Trump reveals his plans for sweeping steel tariffs on “everybody”.
Trump’s planned tariffs on steel threaten to undermine the USMCA. After all, it is designed to foster integrated supply chains and low-tariff economic cooperation among the three countries. This is likely to escalate trade tensions across the bloc, forcing a reassessment of the trade agreement’s key terms and destabilising the established relationships.
European Union outlook
The imposition of tariffs on the EU could lead to deepening integration among its member states. Faced with new pressures from the US, the EU might accelerate initiatives aimed at consolidating internal trade, harmonising regulations and promoting intra-European supply chains.
Member states, with France at the forefront, are already advocating for a united response to counteract US protectionism. They hope to signal a strong political commitment to resist the pressures from Trump.
Asia-Pacific outlook
China, as the world’s second-largest economy behind the US, may seek to expand its trade relationships in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. As China’s economic growth model is export-led, it may seek stronger partnerships with regional players and invest in new trade agreements. This could potentially give rise to an even more integrated Asian economic community.
A new economic order
Whatever else plays out, these tariff wars signal a reordering of the global economic landscape. Such disruptions, though painful in the short term, can create long-term changes that rebalance economic systems. The natural trading partner hypothesis reinforces this view by highlighting how countries with shared cultural, historical and geographical ties are likely to deepen their economic relationships in the face of external shocks.
Table of US trade
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) Author provided
In this new order, traditional superpowers may find themselves challenged by unified responses from other nations. By imposing tariffs, the US risks isolating itself from these emerging alliances, while its major trading partners may become united in their efforts to counterbalance rising American protectionism.
The ripple effects of the US tariff row extend well beyond the directly involved countries, with significant implications for global trade networks. For the UK, already coping with the aftermath of Brexit, this new environment offers both challenges and opportunities.
With US-led protectionism disrupting traditional trade channels, the UK could seize the opportunity to diversify its export markets by forging stronger ties with the EU and digging deeper into its Commonwealth alliances. It could reinforce its position as a hub for international commerce while continuing to cultivate its relationship with the US. Managing Trump is a delicate balancing act for prime minister Keir Starmer, as both are expected to be in office for four years.
A word of caution – negotiating international trade agreements is a complex and lengthy process. This is the hard lesson learned by the UK. Its trade with the EU (its most important commercial partner) shrank after Brexit, driving the quest for new trading partners and agreements. But these fruits are slow to materialise.
The UK formally requested accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in February 2021, but only signed the accession protocol in July 2023.
And we should not forget that in 2024 the UK halted its trade talks with Canada after two years of negotiations, due to disagreements over the standards on some agricultural products.
Tariffs come with challenges, but they might also be the beginning of a slow and painful change towards a more balanced and robust global economic order.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
How is Government going to fix NHS dentistry?
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is examining the effectiveness of the Government’s plans to fix NHS dentistry.
The Committee will hear from senior officials at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE), including DHSC’s interim permanent secretary Sir Chris Whitty, and NHSE’s Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard.
Just under half of the population had seen an NHS dentist in the 24 months pre-pandemic. This had only recovered to 40% by March 2024. The previous Government published its Dental Recovery Plan in February 2024, aiming to expand access to NHS dentistry over the next year. Other challenges for NHS dental delivery include the current dental contract acting as a disincentive to provide NHS care, falling numbers of dentists providing such care, and falling real-terms spend on NHS dentistry.
The NAO found that as of November 2024, it was not clear that any additional courses of treatment had been delivered under the recovery plan; just one dentist appeared to have been appointed under its new ‘golden hello’ recruitment scheme; and fewer new patients appeared to have been seen following the introduction of the Government’s new patient premium. Ministers had also decided to leave the procurement of mobile dental vans to local commissioners.
Other likely topics to be explored at the session include:
• The current condition of NHS dentistry and the impact of the dental recovery plan, which has an ambition to deliver an additional 1.5m courses of treatment by the end of March 2025;
• Addressing regional inequalities in access to dentistry, and the barriers to securing access to NHS dentistry for more people in England; and
• Future plans to recover NHS dentistry.
