Oxford will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and protect our freedom at Remembrance services next week.
Remembrance Sunday
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mike Rowley, in partnership with the Oxford City branch of the Royal British Legion, is set to host a Remembrance Sunday service at the War Memorial in St Giles’ on Sunday 10 November. The Lord Mayor will be joined by military units, uniformed organisations, community groups, civic dignitaries, residents and visitors from across the county to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday in November and honours those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and protect our freedom. Military units, organisations and community groups will gather for 10am at the junction of Beaumont Street and St Giles’. They will then march up St Giles’ from 10.30am.
The service will start at 10.45am, with a two minute silence at 11am.
Comment
“Every year Oxford observes Remembrance Sunday to commemorate those who have lost their lives in war and conflict. In this 80th anniversary year of D-Day, we think of the sacrifices that were made to free Europe from the most murderous of tyrannies, honour all who defend us today, and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace here and throughout the world.” The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mike Rowley
The order of service is:
Welcome: Councillor Mike Rowley, Lord Mayor of Oxford, and The Revd Anthony Buckley, City Rector
Hymn: Abide With Me
The Last Post, the Great Silence and the Reveille: Phil King, Bugle Major of the Quirinus Band & Bugle Corps 2011 e.V.
The National Anthem
Representatives from Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Help for Heroes, and Oxford’s twin cities will be present. If members of the public require British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, the interpreter will be located on the junction of St Giles and Woodstock Road to the west of the dais.
Members of the public are welcome to put tributes on the monument before the service.
Armistice Day
There will be a service marking Armistice Day on Monday 11 November, starting at 10.55am, on the landing area at the top of the stairs in Oxford Town Hall. The service will be led by the Lord Mayor and all are welcome to attend. There will be a two-minute silence at 11am.
Wreath laying at Leiden Square, Westgate
A wreath laying ceremony by the Oxford-Leiden twin city link group will take place in Leiden Square, Westgate Oxford, on Saturday 9 November. The Lord Mayor of Oxford will be in attendance. The Oxford-Leiden link was Oxford’s first twin link and was established immediately after the Second World War in 1946.
Flying the flag
The Royal British Legion flag will be flown above Oxford Town Hall in the run up to Remembrance Sunday from Monday 4 November to 10 November, when the flag will be changed over to the Union Jack on Sunday 10 November until after King Charles III birthday on 14 November.
Road closures and parking suspension will be in place from 12.01am to 2pm on Sunday 10 November as follows:
The pavement on Banbury Road, opposite the war memorial, will be closed. Members of the public are advised to follow pedestrian diversions or use Woodstock Road
The government will consult on updated environmental guidance for offshore oil and gas projects, following a Supreme Court ruling.
Government to consult with industry on updated environmental guidance
follows Supreme Court ruling requiring greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of oil and gas to be assessed as part of Environmental Impact Assessments for oil and gas extraction projects
government committed to fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea that delivers stability, supports investment, protects jobs and meets climate obligations
Updated environmental guidance for offshore oil and gas projects will provide greater certainty and stability for the industry in response to a Supreme Court ruling. It sets out the elements that must be considered by operators when assessing emissions from burning of the oil and gas they produce.
The ruling in the Finch case on 20 June has required operators to consider the impact of burning oil and gas in Environmental Impact Assessments for oil and gas extraction projects.
Separately, the government will consult before the end of the year on the implementation of its commitment not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields, as part of its plan to ensure a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
We have already started plans to speed up the North Sea’s clean energy transition to protect jobs and investment, from pushing ahead with new industries such as carbon capture, to launching Great British Energy – headquartered in Aberdeen.
Now we are acting quickly to provide greater stability for our offshore industries, by consulting on new environmental guidance that complies with our legal obligations. We will continue to work closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for the North Sea and our offshore workers.
It follows action to accelerate the transition to the North Sea’s clean energy future to boost Britain’s energy security and ensure good, long-term jobs. This includes launching Great British Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, and signing a new agreement with the Scottish Government to support investment in clean energy supply chains and infrastructure.
Alongside this the government is speeding up a new skills passport to help oil and gas workers move into roles in offshore wind. The government has also announced the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and is moving ahead with new North Sea industries like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.
Transformational improvements to two key spaces in Withington are set to take place following widespread public support.
Earlier this year the Council ran a consultation asking what people in the local area would like to see when it came to public places.
A significant number of those who took part – 72% – said they would support improvements to Copson Street and Rutherford Place; changes which would see a pedestrian-first mindset at their core with a more attractive environment using trees, planting and more seating with quality paving.
From Monday 4 November, work will start on Rutherford Place until late December. Then, following the mandated pause on works over the Christmas period works will resume from early January, this time on Copson Street as well as Rutherford Place – the square outside Withington Library – with a planned finish by the end of March 2025.
Changes to Copson Street will include:
Part pedestrianisation between Wilmslow Road/Patten Street
New tree planting
Improvements to lighting and seating
Prohibition of vehicles apart from cyclists, loading/unloading, access or Blue Badge Holders
Changes to Rutherford Place will include:
Davenport Avenue will be made one-way towards Wilmslow Road, deterring non-local traffic
A one-way southbound route will be introduced along Wellington Road from its junction at Lausanne Road
Closing a small portion of Wellington Road outside Withington Library
Rippingham Road will be made one-way westbound, rather than eastbound
The square will also be expanded and improved to create a more welcoming and open public space outside the library – a well used and important local amenity
Councillor Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development said: “As a Council we are keen to continue investing across all our district centres, making genuine and lasting improvements that will greatly improve their amenity for local residents.
“On top of this we understand how improved access and public space can increase footfall, provide improve space for businesses to operate and act as a magnet for increased economic opportunity for the area.
“Pride of place is something that we are deeply invested in, and through this scheme we want to provide residents of Withington a public square and surrounding amenities that not only make them feel proud, but areas that can act as a focal point for something more. Meeting friends, holding community events and simply providing more space for living is what this project is all about.”
The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Abi Mills is on the hunt for a Christmas card fit for a king and calling on local primary school children to help her out.
Design a Christmas card fit for a king
The winning design will become the Mayor’s official Christmas card for Lancaster City Council and will be sent to some pretty important people, including His Majesty the King.
Here’s what you need to know to enter:
Use an A4 sheet of paper, any colour you like
Make it bold and bright, but no glitter please
Avoid sticking anything on – it doesn’t copy well
Write your name, age, address, and phone number on the back
“I can’t wait to see the amazing artwork from our local children,” said the Mayor, Councillor Mills.
“I’m sure every single entry will be wonderful, so picking just one is going to be incredibly tough.”
Entries should be mailed to the Mayor’s Office, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ by Friday, November 29th.
The lucky winner will be invited to Lancaster Town Hall with nine friends or family members to meet the Mayor, enjoy a tour of the building, and take home a framed copy of their design.
November in Coventry is a time when we reflect on past events that have affected the city such as the Coventry Blitz and we remember all those who have lost their lives in conflict.
This year’s annual Remembrance Service and Parade service will take place on the 10 November, beginning at 10.45am, at The Cenotaph in the War Memorial Park. The service will be led by The Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, Acting Bishop of Coventry and all are invited.
In the afternoon of the 10 November, the city’s civic party will take part in a short service at the Garden of Remembrance and Civilian Monument in London Road Cemetery to remember those lost in the city during the Coventry Blitz over the night of 14 November 1940. This takes place at 3pm and again, all are welcome to attend.
West Orchards Shopping Centre will again be hosting the very moving Poppy Drop on Monday 11 November, beginning at 10.45 on level 3 of the shopping centre. Veterans and guests will observe the two-minute silence at 11am, as 4000 poppies fall from the centre’s dome.
The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Mal Mutton, will also be releasing a video where she speaks about the Blitz and Coventry’s transformation into the one of the world’s leading cities of peace and reconciliation. This will be released on Thursday 14 November and will be available to view on Coventry city council’s webpages and YouTube.
Some stories from veterans are available to read on Coventry City Council’s Coventry Remembers webpages which have more detailed information about the above events and will have the Order of Service should people want to download them, read them or follow on the day.
In recent years, more Canadians have brought pets into their homes. But Canadians’ choice of where to fill their pet’s prescriptions is often limited to veterinary offices – which can mean fewer options and higher prices.
Mandating the supply of pet medication to pharmacists would improve competition and consumer choice.
October 30, 2024 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau
In recent years, more Canadians have brought pets into their homes. But Canadians’ choice of where to fill their pet’s prescriptions is often limited to veterinary offices – which can mean fewer options and higher prices.
Today, the Competition Bureau has published an analysis of the pet pharmaceutical sector, titled Pets, vets and meds: The case for more competition. It examines the business practice in Canada of “exclusive distribution,” where pharmaceutical manufacturers sell only to distributors, and distributors sell only to veterinarians.
The Bureau’s analysis makes one recommendation: for provincial and territorial governments to consider mandating the supply of pet medications to pharmacists. Allowing pharmacists’ to enter the market has the potential to increase convenience and give Canadian pet owners more choice at competitive prices.
The analysis is based on research and interviews with a wide range of industry stakeholders across Canada, including veterinarians, pharmacists, regulatory colleges, provincial agencies, professional associations and animal owners associations.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, today (October 30): Carlson (Chairman of HKEX, Mr Carlson Tong), Mohammed (CEO of Saudi Exchange, Mr Mohammed Al-Rumaih), Bill (Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered PLC, Mr Bill Winters), Darryl (Deputy Chief Executive of HKMA, Mr Darryl Chan), Bonnie (CEO of HKEX, Ms Bonnie Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good morning, everyone. It is a great pleasure to join you today at this important breakfast session hosted by HKEX, right at the heart of the FII (Future Investment Initiative). Before we begin, I want to extend my appreciation to HKEX for organising this session and to FII for providing a forum that brings global leaders together to address the future of investment. My special thanks to Mohammed, CEO of Saudi Exchange, and Bill, Global CEO of Standard Chartered, for joining this panel. A moment for co-operation There couldn’t be a better time for us to gather and discuss how we can strengthen our capital market connectivity. The transformative agenda set forth by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 seeks to foster a dynamic society through extensive infrastructure projects, green transition, and digitalisation. This ambitious vision is driving significant reforms across various sectors, positioning the Kingdom as a leader in economic diversification and innovation. In light of the evolving geopolitical landscape and shifts in global economic gravity, Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East are actively deploying their capital towards Asia. In this context, Hong Kong emerges as a pivotal player, serving as an international financial centre and a gateway to China and the wider Asian market. Hong Kong’s value proposition Hong Kong’s unique strengths are anchored in the “one country, two systems” framework, which China has committed to maintain over the long term. This arrangement allows Hong Kong to benefit from both the advantages of being part of China and the defining characteristics as an international city. We enjoy convenient, and at times privileged, access to the Mainland market while retaining our distinctive features, including a common law system, a judiciary that exercises powers independently, the free flow of capital, goods, information, and talent, a low and simple tax regime, and a currency pegged to the US dollar. Hong Kong is one of the top three international financial centres globally, alongside New York and London. We have also recently been recognised by the Fraser Institute as the freest economy in the world. Our world-class professional services adhere to the highest international standards, bolstered by a wealth of international experience and extensive connections. In short, Hong Kong presents unique advantages that can create significant value for Middle Eastern investors and capital. Hong Kong is an attractive destination for investment and collaboration, particularly in such areas as fund-raising, asset and wealth management, and green and sustainable finance. Allow me to elaborate. Fund-raising markets First, our fund-raising market. Carlson will provide a comprehensive overview of how Hong Kong serves as the prime connector between the capital markets of the Mainland and the rest of the world. Our stock market has a capitalisation of over US$4.5 trillion, which is 12 times of our GDP. It went through some challenging times in 2023 and the earliest part of this. It is making a comeback, particularly following the recent announcement of a stimulus package by the central authorities, aimed at injecting liquidity into the banking sector and supporting the real estate market. Since then, the market has increased by about 15 per cent with high volume. We have seen strong buying interest from American and European investors, who accounted for approximately 85 per cent of the buy side by value. Notably, 90 per cent of these investors are long-term fund managers and investment banks. Over the past few years, we have continuously reformed our listing regime. These reforms have broadened our market’s appeal and positioned Hong Kong as a leading listing hub for innovative enterprises. For example we are now the second-largest biotech fund-raising hub after the United States. Our country, China, has consistently supported the development of Hong Kong’s stock market. Just this April, the China Securities Regulatory Commission announced five measures to bolster the development of Hong Kong’s capital markets, including, for example, expanding the Connect Schemes we have with the Mainland to cover more ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and REITs (real estate investment trusts), and facilitating the listing of more leading Mainland companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. By the way, we are also actively enhancing our connectivity with new markets. Last year, we reached an agreement with the Saudi Exchange and Indonesia Stock Exchange to allow companies in these countries to secondary list on our Stock Exchange. As they come to Hong Kong, they are able to access both international capital and capital from the Mainland under the Connect Schemes. The upcoming listing of two ETFs investing in Hong Kong stocks on the Saudi Exchange will be further reinforcing our links with Saudi Arabia. Beyond stock market, we boast a vibrant private equity sector, which manages over US$230 billion in assets, making us number two in Asia, only after the Mainland. Indeed, Hong Kong has a comprehensive chain of funds supporting companies at various stages of growth. Looking to the future, our stock market is poised to grow deeper and more robust. We are determined to attract more quality issuers from around the globe, and new capital sources, particularly Middle East and Asia. Asset and wealth management hub Second, asset and wealth management. Many Middle Eastern families and ultra-high-net-worth individuals are increasingly recognising the need to diversify their asset allocation and look beyond traditional American and European markets. They can certainly look to Hong Kong. We manage over US$4 trillion in assets, with more than half coming from outside Hong Kong and Mainland China. We are also home to 2 700 single-family offices. Beyond diversified investment offerings, we have established a robust network comprising private banks, accounting and legal firms, trusts, and other professional service providers, forming a strong nexus that caters to their needs. This is further complemented by our strong philanthropic culture and programmes for families to leave a lasting legacy, making a difference in the world and shaping a better future for generations to come.Green and sustainable finance Finally, green and sustainable finance. As a key component of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has embarked on the Saudi Green Initiative, with clear targets to increase the share of renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance land and sea protection. This vision resonates with us well, and we stand ready to contribute. Hong Kong is Asia’s green finance capital, demonstrated by our leading position in arranging green and sustainable debt, averaging over $63 billion per year over the past three years, accounting for over one-third of Asia’s total. Beyond volume, we are committed to building a green reporting system that meets the highest international standards, by adopting taxonomies interoperable with other international classification frameworks, and adhering to global sustainable reporting standards. Clearly, Hong Kong is an ideal platform for Saudi and Middle Eastern green and sustainable projects looking to access funds in our part of the world.Concluding remarks Ladies and gentlemen, I have just outlined some of the areas that Hong Kong can play in connecting capital, investments, and opportunities between our markets. I am eager to hear the valuable insights from our panelists this morning on how our capital markets can further collaborate and innovate. I wish you all the best of health and business in the years to come. May our discussions today inspire new ideas and fruitful collaborations that lead to shared prosperity and growth for all. Thank you!
CBO was established to give the Congress a stronger role in budget matters. The agency provides analysis of budgetary and economic issues that is objective and impartial. It is strictly nonpartisan and does not make policy recommendations.
CBO follows processes that are specified in statute or that it has developed in concert with the Budget Committees and Congressional leadership. CBO’s chief responsibility under the Budget Act is to help the Budget Committees with the matters under their jurisdiction.
The Annual Coal Distribution Report (ACDR) provides detailed U.S. domestic coal distribution data by coal-origin state, coal-destination state, mode of transportation, and consuming sector. The report also summarizes foreign coal distribution by coal-producing state. All data for 2023 are final, and this report supersedes the four Quarterly Coal Distribution Reports previously issued for 2023.
Highlights for 2023
Total coal distribution was an estimated 555.3 million short tons (MMst) in 2023. This value is 4.4% lower than in 2022.
Total domestic coal distribution was an estimated 455.1 MMst in 2023. This value is 8.0% (39.8 MMst) lower than in 2022. Foreign distribution was 100.2 MMst, 16.6% (14.3 MMst) higher than in 2022.
Wyoming was the leading coal-origin state, accounting for about 233.6 MMst of shipments delivered to 27 states. Texas was the leading coal-destination state, receiving about 54.5 MMst of domestic coal.
An estimated 72.8% of total coal shipments were sent by railroad, 11.3% were sent by river, and 6.8% were sent by truck. Tramway and conveyor deliveries, which are traditionally associated with minemouth power plants, accounted for about 9.0% of total coal shipments.
Electric utilities and independent power producers received about 91.6% of total coal shipments. Industrial plants (excluding coke plants) received about 5.0% of total coal shipments, coke plants received about 3.3%, and commercial and institutional plants received about 0.1%.
The Annual Coal Report (ACR) provides annual data on U.S. coal production, number of mines, productive capacity, recoverable reserves, employment, productivity, consumption, stocks, and prices. All data for 2023 and previous years are final.
Highlights for 2023
U.S. coal production decreased 2.7% year over year to 577.9 million short tons (MMst). The number of producing coal mines increased from 548 to 560 mines.
The total productive capacity of U.S. coal mines was 847 MMst, a decrease of 2.8% from 2022.
The average number of employees at U.S. coal mines increased by 1,894 from 2022 to 45,476 employees.
U.S. coal mining productivity, as measured by average production per employee hour, decreased 7.4% from 2022 to 5.66 short tons per employee hour.
U.S. coal consumption decreased 17.4% from 515.5 MMst in 2022 to 425.9 MMst. The electric power sector accounted for 387.2 MMst (90.9%) of the total U.S. coal consumed in 2023.
The average sales price of bituminous coal was $96.23 per short ton, a 1.8% decrease from 2022. The average sales price of subbituminous coal was $17.56 per short ton, a 6.1% increase from 2022. The average sales price of thermal coal increased by 8.8% from 2022 to $37.60 per short ton. The average sales price of metallurgical coal decreased 19.2% from 2022 to $212.30 per short ton.
Total U.S. coal stocks in 2023 ended the year at 163.2 MMst, 42.7% higher than at the same time in 2022. Electric power coal stocks increased by 44.5 MMst to 133.7 MMst at the end of 2023.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Leslie Ray Upchurch, age 35, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Indictment alleged that on April 28, 2023, Upchurch, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed one Ruger 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and several rounds of assorted 9mm Luger caliber ammunition.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Upchurch was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
President and CEO, Gurpreet Lail, will highlight key findings of Enserva’s Fall State of the Industry Report and host experts to share their perspectives on the year ahead. The event will feature presentations and a panel discussion by financial experts who will share insights on the Canadian economy, as well as the North American and global energy sectors.
Media are invited to attend.
WHO:
Speakers will include:
Gurpreet Lail, President & CEO, Enserva
Tyler Dahlseide, Enserva Board Chair and President, Ferus Inc.
Mark Parsons, Vice President and Chief Economist, ATB Financial
Taylor Lee, Senior Analyst, Rystad Energy
Randy Ollenberger, Oil & Gas Producers Analyst, BMO Capital Markets
WHEN:
November 5, 2024 12:00 p.m. – Media check-in & lunch is served 12:20 p.m. – Presentations 1:15 p.m. – Panel Q&A 1:45 p.m. – One-on-one media interviews
WHERE:
Calgary Petroleum Club The Devonian Room 319 5 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
RSVP:
Media are asked to RSVP no later than 12:00 p.m. MT on Monday, November 4, 2024.
Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 30 October 2024 at 16:00 EET
Changes in Nokia Corporation’s own shares
Espoo, Finland – A total of 566 919 Nokia shares (NOKIA) held by the company were transferred today without consideration to participants of Nokia’s equity-based incentive plans in accordance with the rules of the plans. The transfer is based on the resolution of the Board of Directors to issue shares held by the company to settle its commitments to participants of the plans as announced on 4 October 2023.
The number of own shares held by Nokia Corporation following the transfer is 188 860 209.
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
Inquiries:
Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications
As Minnesota’s number one local choice for news, information and advertising, the Star Tribune’s Minnesota’s Best program recognizes the best Minnesota businesses from over 390 categories. The Minnesota’s Best Awards are determined by the votes of Minnesota Star Tribune readers, celebrating the businesses and services that stand out in the community. A complete list of winners is available online at https://www.votedminnesotasbest.com/categories/2024 and published in the 2024 Winners Guide.
The communities the credit union serves has recognized TopLine as one of the most appreciated and trustworthy insurance companies in Minnesota. Several qualities that make TopLine stand out include the credit union’s dedication to our mission of “Connected, We All Do Better” by providing affordable and competitive financial services, commitment of employees to help consumers achieve their financial goals, positively making a local and global impact through community outreach activities through non-profit TopLine Credit Union Foundation, and helping consumers with homeownership and investment-related services.
“We are grateful to our members, communities and Minnesota Star Tribune readers who selected us as the Star Tribune’s Minnesota’s Best bronze award recipient in the Insurance Company category,” says Mick Olson, President and CEO of TopLine Financial Credit Union. “Our TopLine Insurance Agency team is dedicated in providing personal service, and ensuring individuals and families have the proper coverage to protect against unforeseen circumstances.”
The Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best Awards recognize the top businesses and organizations in the Twin Cities metro area, as voted by the community. The awards celebrate excellence across various industries, highlighting those who consistently deliver outstanding service and contribute to the vibrancy of the region. For more information, visit www.votedminnesotabest.com.
TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 9th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit union’s foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation.
CONTACT: Vicki Roscoe Erickson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer TopLine Financial Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872
ATLANTA, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IntelliTrans, a global leader in multimodal transportation management solutions, has named Mayank Sharma as its new Chief Product Officer. In this role, Sharma will drive product strategy and direction, guiding the development and improvement of IntelliTrans’ product lineup to deliver smarter, simpler solutions for customers. With over 20 years of experience in product innovation and leading global teams, he brings forward-looking insights into the company’s growth and commitment to making complex logistics easier.
Sharma has a strong background in creating innovative products across different sectors. Most recently, he led the launch of a top-rated dash camera and safety solution at Teletrac Navman, which helped transportation customers improve safety and efficiency. He also worked on strategic partnerships to develop solutions for customers transitioning their truck fleets to cleaner energy options like electric, hydrogen, and CNG/RNG, supporting their shift towards sustainability.
“We are excited to welcome Mayank to the IntelliTrans team,” said Chad Raube, President and CEO of IntelliTrans. “His vast experience in product management and innovation will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our product portfolio. Mayank’s unique approach to developing market-leading solutions, commercial focus, and fostering agile teams will help propel IntelliTrans forward in achieving our long-term goals.”
“I’m thrilled to join the IntelliTrans team and work on delivering high-value solutions that address the real-world challenges our clients face in their supply chains,” said Sharma. “I see a great opportunity to use emerging technologies to make our products smarter and more user-friendly, simplifying how our customers manage their operations. I look forward to enhancing the overall experience for IntelliTrans customers and driving innovation in our product suite.”
Sharma holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and has multiple advanced degrees in Engineering, Design, and Anthropology. This diverse educational background gives him a well-rounded approach to product development and leadership.
By bringing Sharma on board, IntelliTrans reinforces its dedication to product innovation and growth. The company remains focused on enhancing its multimodal SaaS-based TMS solution, making logistics operations more streamlined, visible, and efficient for its global customers.
About IntelliTrans Multimodal Transportation Solutions
IntelliTrans, a Roper Technologies business (Nasdaq: ROP), empowers businesses to optimize their supply chains with seamless freight management and shipment execution across all modes of transportation, including rail, truck, ocean, and barge. IntelliTrans’ trusted transportation management solutions enable customers to solve complex business challenges and help achieve a holistic digital strategy by incorporating multimodal solutions backed by extensive industry knowledge. Recognized as a top transportation management provider, IntelliTrans has recently received the Inbound Logistics Top 100 Logistics IT Provider Award, the 2023 BIG Innovation Award, the Cloud Computing Product of the Year Award, and the Food Logistics/SDCE Top Software and Technology Award. Unlock hidden efficiencies in your supply chain. Visit our website to see how IntelliTrans can help.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
Today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered a Budget to fix the foundations of our economy.
Chancellor protects public services as departments’ day-to-day spending set to grow by an average of 3.3% in real terms between 2023-24 and 2025-26, including increase of more than £22 billion for health to help bring down waiting lists.
Budget will restore economic stability and begin a decade of national renewal, providing a boost to public investment by over £100 billion over the next five years across roads, rail, schools and hospitals whilst keeping debt on a downward path.
No change to working people’s payslips as income tax, employee national insurance and VAT stay the same, but businesses and the wealthiest asked to pay more.
The Chancellor has delivered a Budget to fix the foundations to deliver on the promise of change after a decade and a half of stagnation. She has set out plans to fix the NHS and rebuild Britain, while ensuring working people don’t face higher taxes in their payslips.
The government was handed a challenging inheritance; £22 billion of unfunded in-year spending pressures, debt at its highest since the 1960s, unrealistic plans for departmental spending, and stagnating living standards.
As a mission-led government, the Chancellor has today made clear the difficult choices this government will make to rebuild the country. This Budget takes the difficult decisions on tax, spending and welfare to restore economic and fiscal stability, so that the government can invest in the country’s future and achieve its mission for growth. This means hospital waiting lists will be cut with room to invest in Britain to rebuild our schools, hospitals and broken roads.
The government is protecting working people’s living standards by raising the National Living Wage, cutting duty on draught pints, keeping bus fares down, and not increasing the main rates of income tax, employee national insurance, and VAT.
The Budget will help rebuild Britain by boosting public investment by over £100 billion over the next five years while exceeding the manifesto commitment to fix an extra 1 million potholes per year with an additional £500 million for local road maintenance in 2025-26.
Fixing the NHS and reforming public services
By repairing the public finances and restoring economic stability, the Budget delivers on a new settlement for public services, increasing day to day spending for public services by 3.3% on average in real terms over this year and next to fix the NHS, boost the education system and repair the criminal justice system.
This government has been clear from the start it will not tolerate wasteful spending – and that means treating taxpayers’ money with respect. For the next financial year, all government departments have a 2% productivity, efficiency, and savings target, that is expected to save billions of pounds.
The Chancellor has confirmed an additional £22.6 billion for day-to-day spending over two years for the Department of Health and Social care, supporting the NHS to deliver an extra 40,000 elective appointments per week, delivering on one of the Government’s first aims in office to reduce waiting times in the NHS.
The government is investing around £1.5 billion capital funding for new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners and new beds across the NHS estate to create more treatment space in emergency departments, reduce waiting times and help shift more care into the community.
£100 million will be earmarked to carry out 200 GP estate upgrades across England, supporting improved use of existing buildings and space, boosting productivity and enabling delivery of more appointments.
The Chancellor has focused on improving education as part of her first Budget, with an additional £4 billion for the sector, including £2.3 billion into the core schools’ budget which increases per pupil spending in real terms.
This will allow 100 project plans to begin delivery across England next year and begin to tackle the crumbling school and college buildings across the country. This paves the way for a long-term strategy to improve schools nationwide so that students can learn in safe, state-of-the-art facilities, tailored to the needs of 21st-century education.
The Chancellor will provide £1.4 billion for the school rebuilding programme, including an increase of £550 million this year.
In addition to these commitments, this government is securing our borders and taking back our streets.
The new Border Security Command will smash the organised criminal gangs by deploying 100 new NCA officers and increasing cooperation with European intelligence agencies and police forces.
Smashing gangs and boosting the processing of asylum claims forms a crucial part of the government’s plan to cut asylum support costs by more than £4bn over the next 2 years compared to the previous government’s spending trajectory.
The Home Office settlement will put us on track to start delivering the manifesto pledge to boost visible neighbourhood policing with 13,000 more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs.
Protecting working people and living standards
While fixing the inheritance requires tough decisions, the Chancellor has committed to protecting the living standards of working people. The decisions taken by the Chancellor to rebuild public finances enable the government to deliver on its pledge to not increase National Insurance, VAT, or Income Tax on working people, meaning they will not see higher taxes in their payslip. In addition:
The Chancellor has made the decision to protect working people from being dragged into higher tax brackets by confirming that Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions thresholds will be unfrozen from 2028-29 onwards.
The National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025, which means a pay boost for 3 million workers. The 6.7% increase – worth £1,400 a year for a full-time worker – is a significant move towards delivering a genuine living wage. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also rise from £8.60 to £10.00 an hour.
The Chancellor is also protecting motorists by freezing fuel duty for one year and extending the temporary 5p cut to 22 March 2026 – a tax cut worth £3 billion. This will save the average car driver £59, vans £126 and Heavy Goods Vehicles £1,079 next year.
To support the take-up of zero emission cars, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) First Year Rates (FYRs) are changing from 2025-26. Rates for zero emission cars will be frozen at £10 until 2029-30 while rates for hybrid and petrol/diesel cars will rise from 1 April 2025.
The weekly earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance will be increased to 16 hours at the National Living Wage, worth an additional £45 a week from April next year, making over 60,000 carers eligible for support, and helping carers to balance work and caring responsibilities. This is the largest ever increase to the earnings limit and provides certainty for carers with a commitment that the earnings limit will increase with the National Living Wage in the future.
To help ensure pensioners are protected in their retirement, the Budget will also confirm a 4.1% increase to the basic and new State Pension as well as the standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit, from April next year.
Over 12 million pensioners will benefit from this as the full new State Pension will rise from £221.20 to £230.25 a week, providing an additional £470 a year, while the full basic State Pension will increase from £169.50 to £176.45 per week, worth an extra £360 annually.
The Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee will also increase by 4.1% from April 2025, meaning an annual increase of £465 in 2025-26 in the single pensioner guarantee and £710 in the couple guarantee.
The administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit will be brought together for new claimants from 2026. This is two years earlier than previously planned, and will support more people to receive the benefits that they are entitled to.
In addition, working-age benefits and the Additional State Pension will rise by 1.7% in April 2025, in line with inflation. This increase will see around 5.7 million families on Universal Credit gain an average of £150 annually.
Rebuilding Britain
This government will not make a return to austerity and will instead boost investment to rebuild Britain by investing in the fabric of the country, as well as supporting the industries of the future. This will go towards rebuilding our schools, hospitals and roads, turbocharging the delivery of 1.5 million homes, and unlocking long-term economic growth.
This comes on top of action already taken under the government’s growth mission including establishing the National Wealth Fund, publishing the Industrial Strategy green paper, and hosting the International Investment Summit.
The government is exceeding its manifesto commitment to fix an extra 1 million potholes per year, with an additional £500 million for local road maintenance in 2025-26 – an almost 50% increase on the commitment made by the previous government for the current financial year.
This brings the total amount dedicated to fixing the roads in England over the next year to nearly £1.6 billion.
This government is growing day-to-day spending at an average of 2.0% per year in real terms between 2023-24 and 2029-30 to support public services.
This government is boosting public investment by over £100 billion over the next five years whilst keeping debt on a downward path, with a greater focus on value for money and delivery to help unlock long-term growth.
Capital investment will increase by £13 billion next year, taking total departmental capital spending to £131 billion in 2025-26. This includes increased investment in local roads maintenance and local transport, supporting everyday journeys, and driving growth in our regional towns and cities.
The government is also making the reforms needed to deliver sustained growth in the long-term. These include ambitious planning reforms to remove barriers to growth, the development of a 10-year infrastructure strategy to be published alongside Phase 2 of the Spending Review, the publication shortly of the Get Britain Working White Paper, and the establishment of Skills England to ensure we have the highly-trained workforce needed to deliver economic growth.
An extra £200 million will be given to Metro Mayors for local transport in 2025/26, bringing City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements to over £1.3 billion.
The government is also announcing over £650 million for improving transport in towns, villages, and rural areas alongside our city regions.
Single bus fares will be kept down at £3 until the end of 2025, as part of an over £1bn package to support bus services across the country.
To fully harness its potential and foster a dynamic investment economy, the government is protecting record levels of government R&D investment with £20.4 billion allocated in 2025-26.
To boost digital infrastructure in under-served areas across the UK and support growth in the digital and technology sectors, the government will invest over £500 million in Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network next year.
A new housing package will include £500 million in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme, increasing it to £3.1 billion, the biggest annual budget for affordable housing in over a decade. This brings total investment in housing supply to over £5 billion and supports the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes.
£3 billion of additional support will be provided to SMEs and the Build to Rent sector by expanding existing housing guarantee schemes to support a strong and diverse private housing market.
The Budget also began the government’s reform of business rates to help level the playing field for high streets across the country as from 2026-27 permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties will be introduced. This will be funded sustainably by introducing a higher multiplier for the most valuable properties, including distribution warehouses used by online giants.
To support the transition, the Chancellor also announced a 40% relief for retail, hospitality and leisure, up to a cap of £110,000 per business. The small business multiplier will also be frozen next year to protect against inflationary increases. This support is worth almost £2.4 billion over the next five years. One third of business properties will continue to pay no business rates because of Small Business Rates Relief.
Repairing public finances
The Chancellor has made clear that, whilst protecting working people with measures to reduce the cost of living, there would be difficult decisions required on tax. The Budget will ask businesses and the wealthiest to pay their fair share while making taxes fairer. This will go directly towards fixing the foundations and funding public services such as the NHS and education.
The rate of employer National Insurance will increase by 1.2 percentage points, to 15% from 6 April 2025. The Secondary Threshold – the level at which employers become liable to pay national insurance on each employee’s salary – will reduce from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year.
The smallest businesses will be protected as the Employment Allowance will increase to £10,500 from £5,000 and be extended to all eligible employers by removing the £100,000 cap, allowing firms to employ up to four National Living Wage workers full time without paying employer National Insurance on their wages.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) will increase from 10% to 18% for those paying the lower rate, and 20% to 24% for those paying the higher rate. These new rates will match the residential property rates, which will unchanged at 18 for the lower rate and 24% for the higher rate.
To encourage entrepreneurs to invest in their businesses, Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) will remain at 10% this year, before rising to 14% on 6 April 2025 and 18% from 6 April 2026-27.
The OBR say changes to CGT will raise £2.5 billion by the end of the forecast and the UK will continue to have the lowest CGT rate of any European G7 country.
Inheritance tax thresholds will be fixed at their current levels for a further two years until April 2030. More than 90% of estates each year will not pay inheritance tax. From April 2027 inherited pension pots will be subject to inheritance tax. This removes a distortion which has led to pensions being used as a tax planning vehicle to transfer wealth rather than their original purpose to fund retirement.
From April 2026, agricultural property relief and business property relief will be reformed. The highest rate of relief will continue at 100% for the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets on top of the existing nil-rate bands, fully protecting the majority of businesses and farms. The rate of relief will reduce to 50% after the first £1 million. Reforms will affect the wealthiest 2,000 estates each year. Inheritance tax reforms are predicted by the OBR to raise £2 billion in total to support public services.
The government will also uprate alcohol duty in line with RPI, except for most drinks in pubs. To support British pubs, and brewers, the government is reducing duty on qualifying draught products, which represent approximately 3 in 5 alcoholic drinks sold in pubs.
This measure reduces duty bills by over £85 million a year, cutting duty on an average strength pint in a pub by a penny. The value of the relief available to small producers will also be increased to help smaller brewers and cidermakers.
From 2026-27 Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates for short and long-haul flights will be adjusted to partially account for previous high inflation. For economy passengers, this is only a £1 increase for domestic flights, £2 extra for short haul, and £12 more for long-haul flights, with children under the age of 16 remaining exempt from APD. APD for larger private jets will be increased by a further 50%. These changes will help align with the government’s environmental objectives.
To further support the government’s mission to fix the NHS, the Budget announces a package of measures that disincentivise activities that cause ill health, by:
Renewing the tobacco duty escalator which increases all tobacco duty rates by RPI+2% plus an above escalator increase to hand rolling tobacco (totalling RPI+12%).
Introducing a new vaping duty at a flat rate of 22p/ml from October 2026, accompanied by a further one-off increase in tobacco duty to maintain financial incentive to choose vaping over smoking.
To help tackle obesity and other harms caused by high sugar intake, the Soft Drinks Industry Levy will increase over the next five years to account for inflation since it was last updated in 2018, and the duty will also rise in line with inflation every year going forward.
The government set out the next steps to deliver its tax manifesto commitments in the July Statement. Having consulted on the final policy details where appropriate, Budget delivers the government’s manifesto commitments to raise revenue to pay for first steps, with reforms that are underpinned by fairness, and tackle tax avoidance by:
A new residence-based regime will replace the current non-dom regime from April 2025 and will be designed to attract investment and talent to the UK.
Offshore trusts will no longer be able to be used to shelter assets from Inheritance Tax, and there will be transitional arrangements in place for people who have made plans based on current rules.
The planned 50% reduction for foreign income in the first year of the new regime will be removed.
Reforms to the non-dom regime will raise a total of £12.7 billion according to the OBR.
The tax treatment of carried interest will be reformed by first increasing the Capital Gains Tax rates on carried interest to 32% and then, from April 2026, moving to a revised regime – with bespoke rules to reflect the characteristics of the reward.
The Higher Rate for Additional Dwellings surcharge of Stamp Duty Land Tax will rise from 3 to 5%, providing those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, with a comparative advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.
To secure additional funding to help deliver commitments relating to education and young people, the government will introduce 20% VAT on education and boarding services provided for a charge by private schools from 1 January 2025. The government will also remove business rates charitable rate relief from private schools in England from April 2025.
Over the next five years HMRC, will look to close the UK’s tax gap – the amount of uncollected tax owed to the UK – by bringing in an additional £6.5 billion per year. The revenue will go directly to funding UK public services and fixing the foundations of the economy.
The package to close the tax gap will include overhauling HMRC’s IT system to improve their debt management system to ensure tax debt enquiries can be dealt with faster, improving the productivity of the organisation. 5000 additional compliance staff will be recruited and 1,800 debt management staff will also be maintained and recruited. HMRC’s services will be also digitised to make it easier and simpler for taxpayers to self-serve and manage their tax affairs.
The government has also published its Corporate Tax Roadmap alongside the Budget. This will offer the certainty that encourages investment and gives business the confidence to grow. The Roadmap includes commitments:
to cap the headline rate of Corporation Tax at 25%, which is the lowest in the G7;
to maintain our world leading capital allowances system (including permanent full expensing and the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance);
to preserve the generosity of our R&D reliefs; and
to develop a new process for increasing the tax certainty available in advance for major investments.
Strengthening the fiscal framework
The Chancellor has paved the way for growth while doubling down on fiscal responsibility by making reforms to the fiscal framework. This is based on two new fiscal rules: the stability rule and the investment rule.
The stability rule will balance the current budget, so day-to-day costs are met by revenues.
The investment rule will ensure that net financial debt is falling as a proportion of GDP. This rule keeps debt on a sustainable path whilst allowing the step change needed for investment.
Both of these rules will be met two years early in 2027-28.
This investment will be underpinned by clear guardrails to ensure it is high quality and well delivered.
Our ten-year infrastructure strategy will provide industry a vision of the government’s priorities and a credible delivery plan to encourage investment and supply chains.
NISTA will be the central body that brings strategy and delivery together under one roof to implement this strategy working across Whitehall and industry.
Further reforms will help deliver stability by holding Spending Reviews every two years, setting plans for at least three years to ensure public services are always planned and improve value for money. One major fiscal event per year will give families and businesses stability and certainty on tax and spending changes.
The Fiscal Lock will ensure no future government can sideline the OBR again, and we are committing to improving the transparency and consistency of the spending information shared with the OBR.
The government will also introduce new controls: that financial investments should by default target a return for the Exchequer that at least covers the government’s cost of borrowing, that all large-scale financial transactions will be managed by expert bodies like the National Wealth Fund, and that the government will publish an annual report on the performance and value of its financial assets based on accounts audited by the National Audit Office.
NEW YORK – Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union are demanding that StoryCorps stop its unlawful retaliation against CWA Local 1180 members and reinstate employees who were laid off in retaliation for engaging in union activity.
On October 22, StoryCorps announced layoffs of five union members without prior notice to the union, bypassing the notice period in the contract StoryCorps signed with CWA Local 1180. In a clear act of retaliation against an employee for protected union activity, management targeted a shop steward, citing “performance” as the reason for their selection. The union steward is the most senior person in their department and has a stellar performance record, no disciplinary marks, and years of dedicated service and contributions to StoryCorps’ mission. The steward has been an outspoken advocate for improving working conditions at StoryCorps for years.
Other laid-off employees had recently filed grievances concerning discrimination in the workplace and being denied a contractual cost of living increase.
“StoryCorps has disgraced itself by retaliating against loyal staff who have exercised their right to join together to improve their jobs,” said Shop Steward Ian Gonzalez. “Rather than engaging with their union employees in good faith, StoryCorps Management stonewalled, refused to provide requested information, and hurled insults at the bargaining representatives. This is unacceptable; we won’t stand for this treatment of our membership and our union.”
Union members across the country have taken action on behalf of the laid-off StoryCorps members, sending messages to StoryCorps leadership to demand an end to the retaliation and good faith bargaining in adherence to the union contract. Staff unions at national nonprofits, including the National Audubon Society and the Trevor Project, have joined the effort.
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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.
Headline: Disaster Recovery Center Opening in McCormick County
Disaster Recovery Center Opening in McCormick County
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Disaster Recovery Center will open in McCormick County to provide in-person assistance to South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. McCormick CountyMcCormick County Library 201 Railroad Ave. McCormick, SC 29835Open Oct. 30 – Nov. 5, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Additional Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in other South Carolina counties. Click here to find centers that are already open in South Carolina. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. Homeowners and renters in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York counties and the Catawba Indian Nation can apply for federal assistance.The quickest way to apply is to go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in many languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For a video with American Sign Language, voiceover and open captions about how to apply for FEMA assistance, select this link.FEMA programs are accessible to survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. gerard.hammink Wed, 10/30/2024 – 14:08
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced that Kate McDonnell, currently serving as Deputy Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, will be his next Chief Counsel. McDonnell will assume the role in mid-November following the departure of Parimal Garg, who is leaving to pursue an opportunity in private practice.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kate McDonnell back to the Governor’s Office as my new Chief Counsel,” said Governor Murphy. “Her decades of service to the Garden State and her strong background in public policy demonstrate the ideal skillset to excel in this role. I look forward to working alongside Kate as we continue working to advance the goals of our Administration and build a stronger, fairer New Jersey.”
“I want to thank Governor Murphy for his confidence in me, and for giving me the opportunity to serve as his next Chief Counsel,” said incoming Chief Counsel Kate McDonnell. “I would also like to thank Parimal Garg for his valuable support over the years and through this transition. I look forward to returning to the Governor’s Office and continuing to build upon the great work and tremendous accomplishments of the Murphy Administration.”
“I served with Kate McDonnell in the Governor’s Counsel’s Office for five years, and continued to work with her as she assumed senior roles in the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Community Affairs,” said outgoing Chief Counsel Parimal Garg. “Kate is brilliant, deeply versed in public policy, and the consummate team player. Her entire career has been dedicated to public service and her contributions to this state are already immeasurable. I know Kate will do an outstanding job as Governor Murphy’s chief counsel and solidify the Murphy Administration’s legacy of historic achievements.”
Kate McDonnell first began her career in public service in 2006, serving the New Jersey Assembly Democratic Office for nearly 12 years, including nine years as General Counsel under Speakers Joe Roberts, Sheila Oliver, and Vincent Prieto.
Following Governor Murphy’s inauguration in 2018, McDonnell served for nearly five years as his Deputy Chief Counsel and then later Senior Deputy Chief Counsel.
In November 2022, McDonnell took on the role of Chief Counsel to New Jersey’s Attorney General Matt Platkin. In January 2024, McDonnell moved to the Department of Community Affairs to serve as Deputy Commissioner under Commissioner Jacquelyn Suarez.
McDonnell received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude, and earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law, Camden. She also holds a Master’s degree from Rutgers New Brunswick’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE trains trainers on media literacy in Turkmenistan
Participants discuss a practical assignment during an OSCE-organized train-the-trainer course on media literacy, OSCE, Ashgabat, 29 November 2024 (OSCE) Photo details
Media literacy and methods of teaching media literacy skills were in focus of an OSCE-organized train-the-trainer course that took place on 29 and 30 October 2024.
The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the course to provide support in preparing a pool of national trainers on media literacy and contribute to the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 (NHRAP). The train-the-trainer course brought together representatives of Turkmenistan’s national media and institutions involved in the implementation of NHRAP.
The training course highlighted general approaches to media literacy, its role and challenges related to the modern media sphere. International experts elaborated on the classification of hate speech, disinformation and misinformation and offered participants an opportunity to analyze examples of these phenomena.
“The 2024 OSCE Chairpersonship of Malta included media literacy in its priorities for this year and organized a conference to discuss the interlinkage between media literacy and democracy,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat at the opening of the training course.
“Indeed, media literacy skills are needed today as never before to efficiently exercise our human rights to freedom of expression and access to information both on- and offline,” stressed MacGregor.
Participants explored methods of delivering training activities and practiced planning their training courses. International experts expanded on the methodology of factchecking, its concept and formats, as well as signs of fake news and verification algorithms.
“I am confident that our participants have a huge potential to become national trainers and take lead in implementing OSCE commitments related to the freedom of the media and freedom of expression,” concluded MacGregor his opening speech.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
MIAMI – Today, Miami resident Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo, 55, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on an indictment charging him with kidnapping resulting in death.
According to the unsealed indictment, on or about May 30, 2016, in Miami-Dade County, in the Southern District of Florida, and elsewhere, Restrepo, did willfully and unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct, and carry away and hold a person, that is, Liliana Moreno, for reward and otherwise, and did use a means, facility, and instrumentality of interstate commerce, that is, a cellular telephone, the internet, a motor vehicle, and the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike, in the commission and in furtherance of the offense. The kidnapping resulted in the deaths of Liliana Moreno and Daniella Moreno.
Restrepo is currently being detained, following today’s hearing in Miami. A pre-trial detention hearing in Miami Magistrate Court is scheduled for Nov. 1.
If Restrepo is convicted of the charged offense, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison and the maximum penalty is death.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief Edwin Lopez of the Doral Police Department, and Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) made the announcement.
FBI Miami, the Doral Police Department, MDPD, and FBI’s South Florida Violent Crime/Fugitive Task Force are investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne Williams is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about this matter or any other federal crime is urged to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or filing a report at tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20463
Halloween is a busy time for kids of all ages! Plan for a fun and safe evening by using these safety tips from RCMP NL to help ensure a Happy Halloween.
Look the part while being visible and safe:
Be visible. Wear a light/bright colored costume. Add reflective tape or arm bands to increase visibility.
Ensure your costume is made of flame-retardant material.
Make sure your costume fits well to avoid ghostly falls or stumbles.
Use flashlights and glow sticks; they are great accessories for any costume and can keep kids visible to motorists.
Be street smart:
Parents/guardians should help plan and be aware of the route that their children will travel for trick-or-treating.
Children should be able to recognize places where they can get help: police station, fire station or any other well-known public place.
Stay on the sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left-hand side of the street facing traffic.
Never enter a house. Only accept treats at the front door.
Take extra care with driving:
Slow down and be extra cautious. Expect that trick-or-treaters may forget to look both ways before rushing across the street or a driveway in their search for treats.
Watch for people using crosswalks.
Do not drive impaired or while distracted.
Ensure that your costume does not interfere with the safe operation of your motor vehicle. Costumes should not restrict movement, impede vision or prevent anyone in the vehicle from properly applying their seat belt.
RCMP NL will be on patrol to watch out for all of the little ghosts and goblins, as well as those driving while impaired or in a manner that puts anyone else at risk. Do your part to ensure this Halloween is enjoyable for all!
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
ALBUQUERQUE – A Red Valley, Arizona man was charged by indictment with kidnapping, assault and federal firearms offenses stemming from a domestic violence incident in Shiprock, New Mexico.
Curley Nakai Jr., 23, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending trial.
According to court records, on August 24, 2024, Nakai allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, in Shiprock, New Mexico. A witness observed Nakai dragging Jane Doe by her shirt and striking her. Nakai then forced Jane Doe into the backseat of a pickup truck. Concerned for Jane Doe’s safety, the witness followed the pickup and attempted to get identifying information. While following, the witness saw Nakai appear to punch Jane Doe in the vehicle.
The situation escalated when Nakai and Jane Doe arrived at a supermarket parking lot. As police were contacted by the witness, Nakai exited the pickup and pointed a rifle at her while yelling aggressively. At this point, the witness was approximately thirty feet away with her car window down. After driving past the pickup and parking nearby, the witness observed that Jane Doe managed to exit the vehicle and walk awayy.
If convicted, Nakai faces up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 17 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
According to public court documents, in July 2023, Deandre Julian Hensley, 30, possessed a loaded nine-millimeter pistol in his waistband and approximately 7.5 grams of crack cocaine in his pocket when he was arrested for outstanding warrants. The firearm recovered from Hensley was the same firearm that he shot near a downtown Davenport bar earlier in July 2023. Two bystanders were injured in that shooting.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Hensley will be required to serve a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography.
According to public court documents, law enforcement received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Cody Andrew Long, 23, had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement searched Long’s cell phone and a computer located at Long’s Iowa City residence which revealed approximately 100 images and 25 videos of child sexual abuse material.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Long will be required to serve an eight-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Long was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. In addition, Long will be required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department and the Johnson County Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
WASHINGTON — Two men from New Jersey have been arrested on various felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Richard Andrews, 72, of Brick, New Jersey, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Richard Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a capitol building.
Also charged is Keith Andrews, 49, of Howell, New Jersey. Keith Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.
The FBI arrested the two men on Oct. 29, 2024, in New Jersey, and they will make their initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Richard and Keith Andrews attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., before proceeding to the restricted Capitol grounds. Richard Andrews wore a black zip-up jacket, blue tee, and gray knit skull cap, while Keith Andrews was dressed in a dark gray hoodie, black tee with white lettering, jeans, dark sneakers, and a camouflage “Trump 2020” hat. Keith also carried a camouflage backpack.
Upon arriving at the Capitol, the two men ascended the north scaffolding to reach the Upper West Terrace. At approximately 2:49 p.m., it is alleged that Keith Andrews entered the Capitol through a window near the Senate Wing Door as Capitol Police struggled to hold back the crowd. Keith then momentarily exited, encouraging others to enter, and reentered minutes later. While inside, Keith stayed in the Senate Wing hallway for ten minutes, encouraging additional rioters to come in before leaving the building himself temporarily.
Keith Andrews then reentered the Capitol at about 3:01 p.m., making his way to the Crypt while using his phone. He allegedly remained inside for approximately twelve minutes before exiting at 3:13 p.m. Shortly after, police efforts to secure the Senate Wing intensified, including by closing the shutters on the window Keith had used to enter the building.
Later, at about 3:16 p.m., it is alleged that Richard Andrews threw a chair through the closed shutters, reopening them and striking an officer in the process.
Minutes later, Keith allegedly reentered the Capitol a third time, engaging in a brief dispute with officers trying to clear the building before exiting by 3:20 p.m. Later that afternoon, as officers tried to remove rioters from the Upper West Terrace, Richard Andrews shoved a police officer on the head. In response, officers deployed a chemical agent, causing Richard to retreat into the crowd.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Newark and Washington Field Offices. Richard Andrews was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) # 446 on the FBI’s seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two individuals also pleaded guilty to misbranding N95 masks and conspiracy to commit price gouging
BOSTON – A Florida company, and two individuals associated with the company, have pleaded guilty to charges associated with shipping facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators, and price gouging hospitals, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
JDM Supply LLC (JDM) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Daniel Motha, 40, of Miami, Fla., and Jeffrey Motha, 36, of Norfolk, Mass., also pleaded guilty to one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce and one count of conspiracy to commit price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha on March 4, 2025 and JDM on March 25, 2025. In August 2023, a third individual, Jason Colantuoni of Norfolk, Mass, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging in connection with this investigation.
In the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, JDM and a company identified as “Company 1” conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. One hospital accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by Company 1 and sold by JDM. Ultimately, the hospital did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to Company 1. JDM misled the hospital into believing that the Company 1 masks were NIOSH-approved N95s, when in fact they were not.
In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the Company 1 masks that had been shipped to the hospital. The masks tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, thus falling below the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.
Daniel Motha and Jeff Motha conspired to use JDM to exploit and profit off of the critical need of hospitals and healthcare workers for scarce N95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. They accumulated N95 masks from various sources and then sold the N95 masks through JDM to hospitals in Massachusetts, and elsewhere, at prices in excess of the prevailing market price.
The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead, brought against JDM, provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation. The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Jason McGrath, 44, of South Burlington, Vermont has been charged by criminal complaint with enticing minors to produce child sexual abuse material.
On October 29, 2024, McGrath appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that McGrath be detained pending a detention hearing on Friday, November 1, 2024.
According to court records, between March 25, 2023 and September 26, 2024, McGrath used an on-line chat application to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce minors to produce child pornography, now referred to as child sexual abuse material. McGrath explicitly sought young girls via the on-line application, requested others to sexually abuse them, and sought video and visual depictions of the abuse. McGrath also is alleged to have paid money in exchange for child sexual abuse materials, including by sending funds through an online payment system to a country in Southeast Asia known to law enforcement as a location where child-sex-trafficking networks operate.
On the afternoon of October 28, 2024, McGrath was detained by Customs and Border Protection while reentering the United States from Canada. While McGrath was detained, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his South Burlington residence. During the search warrant execution, law enforcement located a substantial amount of computing equipment, including a high-performance gaming computer, an enterprise-level server rack (including a router, network switch, and network area storage), and other equipment that collectively is capable of storing and processing large amounts of data. Review of this equipment by law enforcement is ongoing.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that McGrath is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. McGrath faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and up to life imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. McGrath is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Consistent with longstanding Justice Department practices and procedures, the department today is providing information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division (NSD), and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation, or criminal activity in the election process, and to ensure that our elections are secure and free from foreign malign influence and interference.
Civil Rights Division
The department’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote and with the criminal provisions of federal statutes prohibiting discriminatory interference with that right. This work is often performed in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of a wide range of federal statutes that protect the right to vote including: the Voting Rights Act; National Voter Registration Act; Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act; Help America Vote Act; and Civil Rights Acts. Among other things, collectively, these laws:
Prohibit election practices that have either a discriminatory purpose or a discriminatory result on account of race, color, or language minority status;
Prohibit intimidation of voters;
Allow voters who need assistance in voting because of disability or inability to read or write to receive assistance from a person of their choice (other than agents of their employer or union);
Require minority language election materials and assistance in certain jurisdictions;
Require accessible voting systems for voters with disabilities;
Require that provisional ballots be offered to voters who assert they are registered and eligible to vote in the jurisdiction, but whose names do not appear on poll books;
Require states to provide for absentee voting for uniformed service members serving away from home, their family members also away from home due to that service, and U.S. citizens living abroad; and
Require covered states to offer the opportunity to register to vote through offices that provide driver licenses, public assistance, and disability services, as well as through the mail, and to take steps regarding maintaining voter registration lists.
The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination in voting based on disability. The ADA applies to all aspects of voting, including voter registration, selection and accessibility of voting facilities, and the casting of ballots on Election Day or during early voting, whether in-person or absentee.
The Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter interference based on race, color, national origin, or religion.
Throughout the election cycle, Civil Rights Division attorneys in the Voting, Disability Rights, and Criminal Sections in Washington, D.C., will be ready to receive complaints of potential violations of any of the statutes the Civil Rights Division enforces. The Civil Rights Division will work closely with counterparts at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and other department components to review and take appropriate action concerning these complaints.
Individuals with complaints related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can call the Justice Department’s toll-free telephone line at 800-253-3931, and can also submit complaints at www.civilrights.justice.gov.
Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.
Complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911. They should also be reported to the department after local authorities are contacted.
Criminal Division and the Department’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices
The department’s Criminal Division oversees the enforcement of federal laws that criminalize certain forms of election fraud and vindicate the integrity of the federal election process.
The Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws that prohibit various forms of election crimes, such as destruction of ballots, vote-buying, multiple voting, submission of fraudulent ballots or registrations, alteration of votes, and malfeasance by postal or election officials and employees. See Justice Manual 9-85.210 (discussing requirements regarding election crime matters); 9-85.300 (discussing approach to ballot fraud); 9-85.400 (discussing application of 18 U.S.C. § 592); 9-85.500 (discussing timing of actions).
The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are also responsible for enforcing federal criminal law prohibiting unlawful threats of violence against election workers, and prohibiting voter intimidation and voter suppression for reasons other than race, color, national origin, or religion (as noted above, voter intimidation and voter suppression that has a basis in race, color, national origin, or religion is addressed by the Civil Rights Division often in partnership with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices).
U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country designate Assistant U.S. Attorneys who serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) in their respective districts. DEOs are responsible for overseeing potential election-crime matters in their districts, and for coordinating with the department’s election-crime experts in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work with specially trained FBI personnel in each district to ensure that complaints from the public involving possible election crimes are handled appropriately. Specifically:
In consultation with federal prosecutors at the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., the DEOs in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, FBI officials at headquarters in Washington, D.C., and FBI special agents serving as Election Crime Coordinators in the FBI’s 56 field offices will be on duty while polls are open to receive complaints from the public.
Election-crime complaints should be directed to the local U.S. Attorney’s Office or the local FBI field office. A list of U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their telephone numbers can be found at www.justice.gov/usao/districts. A list of FBI field offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us.
Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations.
All complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should be reported first to local police authorities by calling 911. After alerting local law enforcement to such emergencies by calling 911, the public should contact the Justice Department.
National Security Division
The department’s National Security Division (NSD) supervises the investigation and prosecution of cases affecting or relating to national security, including any cases involving foreign malign influence and interference in elections or violent extremist threats to elections. In this context:
NSD oversees matters involving a range of malign influence activities that foreign governments may attempt.
NSD’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section oversees matters involving covert information operations (e.g., to promulgate disinformation through social media); covert efforts to support or denigrate political candidates or organizations; and other covert influence operations that might violate various criminal statutes.
NSD’s National Security Cyber Section oversees such matters when they are cyber-enabled (i.e., when online platforms, such as social media and other online services, are central to the commission of the offense), as well as those involving computer hacking of election or campaign infrastructure.
NSD’s Counterterrorism Section oversees matters involving international and domestic terrorism and supports law enforcement in preventing any acts of terrorism that impact Americans, including any violent extremism that might threaten election security.
As in past elections, the National Security Division will work closely with counterparts at the FBI and our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to protect our nation’s elections from any national security threats. Attorneys from National Security Division sections will be partnered with FBI Headquarters components to provide support to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI field offices to counter any such threats. The Department of Homeland Security also plays its own important role in safeguarding critical election infrastructure from cyber and other threats.
Complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911 and, after local authorities are contacted, then should be reported also to the department.
Protecting the right to vote, prosecuting election crimes, and securing our elections are all essential to maintaining the confidence of all Americans in our democratic system of government. The department encourages anyone with information regarding concerns in these subject areas to contact the appropriate authorities.
Universities play a number of crucial roles in society. They educate students, research solutions to problems and serve as spaces for national debate. This is especially true for large public institutions, often referred to as flagship universities. A number were launched with great fanfare around the time of a country’s independence from colonial rule. They were tasked with driving national development by training skilled graduates to fill workforce gaps and conducting applied research to address societal challenges. Many have done well in their historic national missions. But how are they performing today when it comes to serving their local communities?
Higher education researcher James Ransom set out to answer this question in his new book, Revisiting Africa’s Flagship Universities: Local, National and International Dynamics. He analysed local engagement at ten African flagship universities: Ethiopia’s University of Addis Ababa; Makerere University in Uganda; the universities of Ghana, Namibia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe; the University of Cape Town in South Africa and Nigeria’s University of Ibadan. He tells The Conversation Africa what he learned.
What is a flagship university?
They are pillars of the nation: their campuses are intertwined with history as sites of protest and revolution; their researchers lead the way in publications and research; their students are tomorrow’s leaders.
Sometimes there is one flagship in a country. Sometimes a country will be home to several. In Nigeria, the University of Ibadan is joined by the University of Nigeria at Nsukka.
A map showing the ten flagship universities the author studied.Dr James Ransom, Author provided (no reuse)
Small, specialist institutions and private universities all play important roles in national higher education systems. But flagships are the trendsetters. They often mentor new universities by seconding senior staff to lead them, and helping design the curricula. Their staff sit on government committees. They have international partnerships and projects.
The term “flagship” has been used elsewhere in the world, not just in post-colonial countries. In the book I focused on Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa, including countries that were not traditional colonial states, such as Ethiopia.
In the UK, where I live, we have seen a shift in the expectations placed upon universities.
The “redbrick” universities, such as Birmingham and Liverpool, are a good example. They were founded in the 19th century to meet local needs. Then they developed strong global ambitions over the next hundred years, excelling in world-leading research and innovation.
During the past couple of decades, the local question returned: what are you doing to serve your local community? The redbricks (and many others) have responded – nudged along by national policies and frameworks – with serious programmes of civic engagement. These include projects designed with communities, seconding staff into local planning organisations, and opening up their campuses to communities – from 5-a-side football pitches to photography exhibitions.
The shift I witnessed in the UK, and mirrored in my work across Europe and Canada, made me wonder: has a similar shift, from a historic national mission to a local one, taken place for African universities?
The question is timely. Societal challenges may be national or global in scale. But they need local knowledge and local partnerships to solve at the local level. This means universities working with local government, which is a key focus of my work. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has calculated that 100 of the 169 UN Sustainable Development Goal targets can only be achieved if local governments are involved. Universities can play an important supporting role.
What did you find?
It is clear that flagship universities’ local work is growing and will continue to grow. For instance, Addis Ababa University established a railway engineering centre to train engineers to maintain the city’s light rail transit system, with students employed by the Ethiopian Railway Corporation. The University of Ghana runs satellite campuses in all ten regional capitals. This allows it to reach remote areas and to establish a local presence in different regions.
Successful projects often emerge from deep links with local communities. Ibadan has worked closely with a few communities over many decades. These “field laboratories” include a community health programme in the village of Ibarapa, which began in the early 1960s with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation and technical support from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The programme has trained hundreds of medical students in community medicine through practical work in rural areas, while also improving health services and conducting research on health issues in the Ibarapa community. An example is studying and addressing neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis (river blindness) and guinea worm.
In 2020 the University of Ibadan signed a memorandum of understanding with the local government on the Ibarapa programme. Over half a century after it began, local partnerships continue to sustain the programme.
However, a national focus continues to dominate at all ten institutions I studied. This is perhaps best illustrated by the University of Rwanda. Local engagement activity is secondary to the nation’s development strategy spearheaded by its Vision 2050, an ambitious effort to become an upper-middle income country in the next 25 years.
There is some local activity, of course. Students provide health services to the community, staff run community workshops on informal housing, and there are plans to open model farms to showcase irrigation and agricultural mechanisation. But all of this ultimately serves the national vision.
Rwanda is a small country, but this finding – of national priorities dominating at the expense of local programmes – was consistent across all the flagships I studied, in large countries like Nigeria as well as in other small countries like Mauritius and Namibia.
What can other universities on the continent learn from your findings?
Flagships are complex institutions, with rich histories and often complicated relationships with government. They are survivors, skilled at balancing multiple roles. There is much that other universities can learn from flagships, and that flagships can learn from each other – and more of these partnerships are needed.
But one senior staff member at a flagship university told me that many African university heads
feel rather oppressed by the narratives from higher education leaders in other parts of the world
They were talking about international benchmarking, unequal research partnerships, and models of “best practice”. These constrain the local role of flagships, creating identikit institutions. The result is a race to local irrelevance. Relevance can only emerge from an approach that reflects the local and national context.
Universities that capture the work they do locally, effectively communicate this, and can demonstrate how it is relevant to society, will be in a good place to chart their own path as a pillar of the nation.
– Africa’s flagship universities have a proud history – but are they serving local communities? – https://theconversation.com/africas-flagship-universities-have-a-proud-history-but-are-they-serving-local-communities-240813