Since Oct. 7, 2023, when the Jewish community in Israel faced its largest targeted and deadly attacks since the Holocaust, antisemitism has been on the rise around the world. There is no place for hate, discrimination and racism in Alberta and the classroom is no exception. To make sure all students, including those from the Jewish community feel safe, welcomed and cared for in the classroom, Alberta’s government will ensure that the new draft grades 7 to 9 social studies curriculum will teach students about the prejudice that groups face.
As part of curriculum development, Alberta’s government engaged extensively with education partners and Jewish organizations in 2023-24 to inform the development of social studies curriculum. Later this winter, additional engagement will begin to ensure that inclusion of this content in the new curriculum will enable students to take a stand against rising antisemitism.
“I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising antisemitism and educate young Albertans about the realities of antisemitism. Ensuring all students learn about the injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be, marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination will help us confront hate and build stronger communities.”
The inclusion of antisemitism in the new draft grades 7 to 9 social studies curriculum builds upon the Alberta government’s commitment to have students learn about injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be, marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination. In November 2023, Alberta’s government made Holocaust education a mandatory component of the social studies curriculum and the newly developed draft K to 6 social studies curriculum also includes content on antisemitism.
“The Calgary Jewish Federation applauds Alberta’s government for taking meaningful action in combating the spread of antisemitism through this critical initiative. We also look forward to continuing to work with Alberta’s government on the implementation of Holocaust education in our schools.”
“The Jewish Federation of Edmonton commends the Alberta government for both reaffirming its commitment to mandatory Holocaust education and for equipping students to take a stand against rising antisemitism. By ensuring these critical lessons are part of the learning experience for students, we are fostering empathy, understanding and resilience in future generations. We look forward to further collaborating with Alberta Education in making sure these important teachings are delivered effectively across all grades.”
Alberta Education will continue engaging with the Calgary Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Edmonton, and other Jewish organizations as work on the draft social studies curriculum continues. Feedback from these organizations will be used in the decision-making process about when and where students learn about antisemitism in junior high.
Quick facts
In Alberta’s current K to 12 social studies curriculum, students learn about injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be, marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination.
The new draft grades K to 6 social studies curriculum was released in April 2024 for optional classroom piloting, which began in September 2024 before implementation during the 2025-26 school year.
Related news
Refined courses coming to classrooms | Cours améliorés prochainement dans les salles de classe (Nov 14, 2024)
New draft social studies curriculum ready to pilot | La nouvelle ébauche du curriculum d’études sociales prête pour la mise à l’essai (Apr 26, 2024)
Mandatory Holocaust education for Alberta students (Nov 10, 2023)
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Resolution comes after Trump pardons 1,500 Jan 6 insurrectionists—including those convicted of violently assaulted police officers
The senators will seek unanimous consent to pass the resolution this week
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and 45 of their colleagues introduced a new resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. The resolution follows the move by President Trump, on the first day of his second term, to grant full, complete, and unconditional pardons to over 1,500 people charged with committing crimes in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to commute the sentences of 14 others, including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, far-right militias. Among those pardoned by Trump were 169 people who pled guilty to assaulting police officers on January 6th. During the siege of the Capitol that day, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted, as well as over 60 officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
The senators’ resolution, Condemning the pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers, simply states: “Resolved, That the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.” This week, Senator Murray will seek unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass the resolution.
“It’s unconscionable that one of President Trump’s first actions in office was to pardon criminals who violently attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021,” said Senator Rosen. “A number of these convicted felons attacked police officers and injured them. It should not be a partisan issue to fully condemn these actions and President Trump’s pardons.”
“President Trump is pardoning violent criminals who assaulted police officers and attempted to overturn a fair and free election,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This is an insult to law enforcement across the country and an endorsement of political violence. The very least my Republican colleagues can do to back law enforcement is to support this resolution.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, approximately 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. This includes approximately 598 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As proven in Court, the weapons used and carried on Capitol grounds during the January 6th attack include firearms; OC spray; tasers; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, such as destroyed office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping, and reinforced knuckle gloves.
The full text of the resolution can be read HERE.
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
As A Result Of Mr. Wright’s Lack Of Commitment To Support Clean Energy Investments In Nevada, Senator Rosen Has Serious Concerns About His Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) met with the nominee to be the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, and pressed him on President Trump’s misguided action to pause clean energy investments, delaying projects that are critical to growing our clean energy economy and reducing our reliance on China. She also asked Mr. Wright to acknowledge Yucca Mountain is dead and to commit to no new federal funding or support for it.
“The historic investments we’ve made in clean energy are bringing good-paying jobs to Nevada and helping reduce our reliance on China, which is why I’m going to fight back against the Trump Administration’s attempt to delay and roll back investments,” said Senator Rosen. “After discussing this issue with Mr. Wright and hearing his lack of commitment to support these investments, I’m deeply concerned that the Department of Energy’s actions and future direction will hurt Nevada.”
Senator Rosen has been a strong supporter of Nevada’s clean energy economy. She helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which are making significant investments in Nevada’s clean energy economy and the jobs it supports. Senator Rosen has also been a strong supporter of Nevada’s solar industry, successfully leading the charge against solar tariffs that would have decimated the industry. Senator Rosen has also sent letters urging Senate appropriators to fund the Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office to support a reliable, clean energy source for the United States that would allow the country to secure its energy grid.
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
NASHVILLE, TN—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today joined Mornings With Maria on Fox Business to discuss Senate Republicans’ role in confirming President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations and implementing his legislative agenda.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on the politically-motivated delay of Trump’s cabinet confirmations: “What we’ve seen is the minority is using every procedural trick in the book. They tried to slow us down dramatically. We would’ve been much further along, even in Trump’s first term, clearly in [former President Barack] Obama’s first term. In Obama’s first term, we had twelve cabinet members seated in the first fifteen days. What we saw happen back in Trump’s first term was the resistance movement unfold against us. The Democrats plied all these procedural measures, slowed us down dramatically. We returned the favor in [former President] Joe Biden’s Administration. [Senate Majority Leader] John Thune offered to move back to a more normal sequence, as we [did with] Obama. The Democrats have no interest in it—we’ve gone through massive political gyrations—but we’re going to push these nominees through. That’s why we were here, willing to go through the night and early Sunday morning. The Democrats finally came to an 11th hour agreement to let us move Scott Bessent later today. But we’re going to keep pushing these through, grinding these through. There is no reason to be slowing all of this down, particularly when you think about the national security crises that we face as a nation. The American public wants us to get to work. They expect President Trump to be on the case. The Democrats are, yet again, doing everything they can to slow things down and throw sand into the gears.”
Hagerty on his strong support for Pam Bondi: “Pam Bondi is a top priority nominee for us. She will get confirmed; there’s no question about that. Getting Pam and getting Kash Patel into position to deal with the national security crises and threats that we face here domestically is absolutely critical. She’s high priority. She’s in this first wave that will go—she will go—and I have every reason to expect she’ll go on a bipartisan basis. We’ve just got to get the Democrats to realize this and start to work with us more closely. The American public expect it.”
Hagerty on the reconciliation process: “What we need to do is get as many things accomplished as quickly as we possibly can. Look, the situation in Florida is urgent. It makes sense to put it on a piece of legislation that’s moving through quickly. That’s certainly going to help us bring along various Florida members. I think that should be part and parcel of this. And if you just step back for a minute and think about where America saw this country in November of this last year, seventy-five percent of Americans said we were on the wrong track as a nation. Maria, the American people voted. President Trump won every single battleground state a landslide in the electoral college. He won the popular vote. Democrats should wake up and realize the public needs us to make significant change. These are the vehicles that will allow those changes to occur, I hope we’ll get their support.”
Hagerty on Trump’s agenda to bring back American sovereignty: “Senator Thune certainly is focused on the process that we’re going to be moving through right now, to make certain that our military is adequately funded. But I’ve had great conversations with Elon Musk about what we can do, from an operational efficiency standpoint, deploying new technologies, making certain that the most relevant technologies that are available in the private sector are being deployed in our military. The focus is going to be back on lethality and effectiveness, not on pronouns at the Pentagon. Now [Secretary] Pete [Hegseth], he has got that message loud and clear. I’m excited about what may come, in terms of deploying new technologies, new ways to make America’s warfighters the most lethal in the world. So, I think the combination of the ongoing effort that we’ve got from a legislative standpoint, plus the operational efforts that are taking place with the Department of Government Efficiency, need to come to bear, in full force, and our procurement exercises in the Department of Defense, making certain that we have our men and women in the military in as great a position as we possibly can to deliver for the American people.”
Hagerty on the national security concerns in doing business with the CCP: “I think there’s so much that can be done regarding China accessing our capital markets. Maria, one of my pet peeves is allowing Chinese companies that have golden share arrangements to list on our capital markets. You know what golden share is? That’s a minority stake that the Chinese government, the CCP has control of, that can actually be a veto for any corporate action that one might take. They have this control over Bytedance. They have this sort of control over Tencent. It’s amazing that these companies are allowed to list here. The American public does not understand the extent of control that the Chinese Communist Party has over their champion industries, yet they’re allowed to come here, take capital from our markets, the most efficient capital markets in the world, in a situation that is entirely unfair. When you think about it from a corporate governance standpoint, there are many ways, I think, that Scott Bessent can look at these critical issues and I hope address them very quickly.”
Hagerty on the debt ceiling: “President Trump wants the debt ceiling dealt with as quickly as possible. In the past, it’s always been used by the Democrats as a cudgel to force actually more spending. We could deal with this in a number of fashions, perhaps dealing with it alongside disaster relief for California or others. But we need to deal with it right up front, quickly and effectively, and not let this become an issue or a hurdle to get larger things accomplished.”
Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), and 37 additional Republican Senators introduced the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act.” This bill would make the 20-percent pass-through business tax deduction permanent.
Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing jobs and opportunities for millions of families across Texas and America. With Biden’s catastrophic inflation continuing to burden hardworking Americans, the last thing they need is a massive tax hike. Making the 20-percent pass-through deduction permanent is essential to ensuring our small businesses can prosper, expand, and keep our nation strong. I’m proud to support the ‘Main Street Tax Certainty Act’ and will continue fighting to protect small businesses.”
Sen. Daines said, “As the son of a contractor, I’ve seen firsthand the hard work it takes to keep a small business flourishing- especially as Americans are still grappling with the effects of Joe Biden’s inflation. It’s absolutely crucial that we pass this legislation to prevent a 20 percent tax increase for hardworking Montanans and I’ll keep fighting for ways to support Montana small businesses, which provide the majority of jobs in our state.”
Sen. Thune said, “Small businesses are the economic engine that drive growth and jobs in South Dakota and across our country. This legislation is critical to permanently extending a key provision from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and ensuring our small businesses and farms and ranches are not hit with a crippling tax hike at the end of 2025.”
The legislation was also co-sponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), John Boozman (R-Ark.).
Read the bill text here.
BACKGROUND
The 20-percent small business deduction, section 199A, was created as a part of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts to level the playing field between small businesses and corporations. Without Congressional action, it will expire at the end of 2025, causing 9 out of 10 small businesses to incur a significant tax hike. This legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, and over 230 trade associations.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution to express support for the Paris Climate Accords, an international agreement on climate change. The resolution also highlights significant climate and clean energy actions taken by local and state governments, critical investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, and widespread support for the Paris Agreement. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the agreement – meaning that the U.S. joins Iran, Yemen, and Libya as the only countries in the world not party to the Paris Accords.
“From sea level rise in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore to hurricanes in Southwest Virginia, climate change is affecting us all and threatening the safety of our communities,” said Kaine. “I’m disappointed, but not surprised, by President Trump’s short-sighted withdrawal from the Paris Accords, and that’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this resolution to express support for the goals of the climate agreement. I remain committed to building on our progress in recent years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resiliency, accelerate clean energy production, and keep Americans safe.”
On November 4, 2020, the first Trump Administration withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. The Biden Administration re-entered the U.S. into the agreement in January 2021. In December 2024, the Biden Administration released an updated Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, establishing an emission-reduction target of 61 to 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.
The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
The resolution is endorsed by Union of Concerned Scientists and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to allow veterans who received their Purple Heart after their service to transfer their GI Bill education benefits to their dependents. This bill would level the playing field for these veterans, since servicemembers who receive the Purple Heart while in active status are allowed to pass their well-earned benefits to their loved ones. The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act would close this loophole, allowing these benefits to be transferred to dependents.
“For decades, the GI Bill education benefits have helped create a more affordable and accessible path to higher education for veterans and their family members,” said Senator Angus King. “However, a current loophole prevents veterans who received a Purple Heart post-service from passing these benefits along to their dependents. I’m honored to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues in supporting the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act — proving once again that looking out for those who served is not a partisan issue. This simple fix continues to build on the promise we’ve made to our servicemembers, veterans and their families to return the same service that they so selflessly gave to our country.”
In 2017, Congress passed the Forever GI Bill, which incentivized servicemembers to continue their service in the military by allowing them to transfer their GI bill benefits to their dependents after they completed six years of service and agreed to serve an additional four. In 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded GI Bill transferability benefits to Purple Heart recipients, allowing them to transfer them to their dependents while on active duty. While this policy honors most wounded warriors, it leaves behind a small group of those who received their Purple Hearts after being discharged from the military.
Specifically the legislation would:
Permit an individual awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001, to transfer their educational benefits to one or more of their dependents;
Allow flexibility by permitting the veteran to allocate different amounts, totaling 36 months of benefits to each of their dependents. For example, one dependent may be designated 20 months and the other 16 months;
Protect the veteran’s right to their benefits by prohibiting the use of their educational benefits to be treated as marital property or the asset of a marital estate;
And honor the veteran’s legacy by allowing their dependents to continue using the unused benefits after their death.
The bill is supported by Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
Representing one of the states with the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s service members, veterans and military families. Previously, he led the bipartisan Military Spouse Employment Act — pieces of which passed into law in the FY2024 NDAA — which allows military spouses to have a remote work career with any federal agency and helps them to maintain consistent employment should they move with their spouse. Last summer, he cosponsored bipartisan legislation that supports job flexibility for military families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates President Trump on historic second term Leaders reaffirm their commitment to work towards a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership
They discuss measures for strengthening cooperation in technology, trade, investment, energy and defense
PM and President Trump exchange views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine
Leaders reiterate commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security
Both leaders agree to meet soon
Posted On: 27 JAN 2025 10:23PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with the President of the United States of America, H.E. Donald J. Trump, today and congratulated him on his historic second term as the 47th President of the United States of America.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment for a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. They discussed various facets of the wide-ranging bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and measures to advance it, including in the areas of technology, trade, investment, energy and defence.
The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security.
The leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date.
India’s Petroleum Industry Fueling Growth and Innovation
Posted On: 27 JAN 2025 8:22PM by PIB Delhi
Introduction
India’s petroleum industry is a comprehensive sector encompassing exploration, production, refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum and its by-products. This includes upstream activities like extraction of crude oil and natural gas, midstream activities such as transportation and storage, and downstream processes including refining and distribution of fuels like petrol, diesel, LPG, and kerosene. A critical contributor to India’s energy basket, the petroleum industry ensures energy security and underpins various economic activities.
At present, India has nineteen Public-Sector Undertaking (PSU) refineries, three Private-Sector refineries, and one Joint Venture refinery. The country’s refining capacity increased from 215.066 Million Metric Tons per annum(MMTPA)in April 2014 to 256.816 MMTPA in April 2024.
Origin and Brief History
The roots of India’s petroleum industry trace back to 1867 when the first oil well was drilled in Digboi, Assam. This discovery marked the inception of the country’s exploration and production activities. The establishment of the Indian Oil Corporation in 1959 heralded a structured approach to refining and distribution. Over the decades, the sector witnessed significant expansion, from small-scale refineries to a robust network capable of meeting domestic and export demands. Today, India’s petroleum industry stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation, evolving in response to global and domestic energy challenges.
Industry Development and Evolution
The Indian petroleum industry has evolved significantly, driven by technological advancements and policy reforms. The 1990s marked a pivotal era with economic liberalization, leading to increased private and foreign investment. Public sector undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC and Indian Oil Corporation have played a crucial role in exploration and refining. Establishing state-of-the-art refineries, such as Jamnagar Refinery in Gujarat, has bolstered refining capacities, making India a refining hub in Asia. Furthermore, government initiatives like the National Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) have incentivized exploration activities.
India’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving. The country boasts 651.8 million metric tons of recoverable crude oil reserves and 1,138.6 billion cubic meters of recoverable natural gas reserves within its sedimentary basins.
Here are some recent updates in India’s petroleum industry:
India is on track to increase its exploration acreage to 1million square kilometers by 2030, with a 16% increase expected in 2025.
The price of a domestic LPG cylinder in India is among the lowest worldwide, with costs as low as Rs. 803 per 14.2 Kg cylinder. For PMUY households, after a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder, the effective price is Rs 503/ cylinder.
The approval process for exploration and production activities in the petroleum industry has now been simplified, reducing 37 approval processes to just 18, of which nine are now available for self-certification.
Introducing the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill in 2024 ensures policy stability for oil and gas producers, and enables single license for all hydrocarbons. This bill was recently passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 3, 2024.
Foreign trade of Petroleum
India has witnessed a remarkable surge in petroleum product exports over the last decade. The country’s refining capacity, now exceeding 250 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), has enabled it to cater to global markets.
Key export destinations include South Asian, African, and European countries. The government’s emphasis on export-oriented growth and establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for refineries have further boosted this trend. Exports not only contribute to foreign exchange reserves but also enhance India’s stature as a global energy supplier.
As per the information provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Gross Value Addition (GVA) of manufacture of Coke and Refined Petroleum Products has increased from Rs.1.56 lakh Crore in 2012-13 to Rs. 2.12 lakh Crore in 2022-23 (as per first revised estimates) which has also contributed in increase of All India GDP from Rs.99.44 lakh Crore to Rs. 269.49 lakh Crore in the corresponding period, at current prices. This industry also provides direct and indirect employment to millions, spanning exploration, refining, distribution, and retail sectors. The industry’s value chain supports ancillary industries such as petrochemicals, logistics, and manufacturing. The sector enhances socio-economic stability by fostering skill development and offering diverse career opportunities.
Global Ranking in Refining and Supply
India ranks among the top five refining nations globally, thanks to its robust infrastructure and strategic geographic location. The country is the seventh-largest exporter of refined petroleum products. Facilities like the Jamnagar refinery, one of the world’s largest, underscore India’s dominance in the refining sector. This global standing enhances India’s energy security and positions it as a key player in international energy markets. International Energy Agency (IEA) in February 2024 assessed that India will become the largest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030. India is the second-largest economy in biofuel blending, following Brazil.
Metric
India’s Global Rank
Exporter of Refined Products
7th
Ethanol Blending in Petrol
2nd
BioFuel Producer
3rd
LNG Terminal Capacity
4th
Refining Capacity (MMTPA)
4th
Technological Advancements in Petroleum Industry
Adopting cutting-edge technologies has been pivotal to the petroleum industry’s growth. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques, digitalization, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have optimized exploration and production processes. Refineries are increasingly adopting green technologies to minimize environmental impact. Projects such as bio-refineries and the development of alternative fuels like compressed bio-gas (CBG) showcase the industry’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Government Initiatives
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to bolster the petroleum sector. Here are some key schemes:
Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana: Supporting bio-ethanol projects such as second generation and third generation plants for sustainable fuel production.
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Enhancing energy security through storage facilities. In India, the SPR is primarily located at three underground storage facilities in Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, and Padur (Karnataka), with a total capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of crude oil managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL).
Ethanol Blending Program: Promoting biofuels to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and curb emissions. The government has a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26. Since the inception of the EBP Programme, ethanol blending has increased from 38 crore litres in the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to over 707.4 crore litres in ESY 2023-24.
City Gas Distribution Network Expansion: Expanding piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure by covering 733 districts in 34 states/UTs covering almost 100% of the mainland area and almost 100% of total geographical area of the country.
Energy Security Initiatives: Investing in overseas exploration and acquisition of oil blocks.
Moving towards Greener Fuels
SATAT Initiative (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation): The SATAT initiative invites potential investors to set up Compressed Biogas (CBG) production plants. The aim is to make better use of agricultural residue, cattle dung, and municipal solid waste, and provide farmers with an additional source of revenue.
Mission Green Hydrogen: Promoting green hydrogen production to reduce carbon footprint. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, a global demand of over 100 MMT of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives like Green Ammonia is expected to emerge by 2030. Aiming at about 10% of the global market, India can potentially export about 10 MMT Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia per annum. The production capacity targeted by 2030 is likely to leverage over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments and create over 6 lakh jobs. Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted as a result of the various Green Hydrogen initiatives under the Mission. Achievement of Mission targets is expected to contribute to India’s energy security and reduce a cumulative ₹1 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel imports by 2030 .
National Bio-Energy Programme: Focused on bio-energy production and reducing waste.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP): Encouraging private investment in exploration and production.
Implications for India’s Growth and Development
The petroleum industry’s expansion has multifaceted implications. Economically, it boosts GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial growth. Politically, energy independence strengthens India’s global standing and reduces strategic vulnerabilities. Socially, the industry’s growth promotes rural development through improved energy access and employment.
Future Prospects
India’s petroleum industry faces a dynamic future, shaped by global energy transitions and domestic demand. Increasing investments in exploration, expanding refining capacities, and embracing renewable energy sources will define its trajectory. Initiatives like green hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies highlight the sector’s adaptability. With a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, India is poised to maintain its leadership in the global energy landscape while aligning with its climate commitments.
* The Cauvery Basin refinery is under capacity augmentation.
^The Bina oil refinery, in the year 2021, become wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited – a ‘Maharatna’ PSU of Government of India.
ADVISORY – CLINTON COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Launch Pilot Project to Improve Care for Mothers and Babies
Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen will join UPMC and local organizations at DOH’s State Health Center in Lock Haven to launch a new pilot project focused on improving care for pregnant women and babies in Clinton County.
State Health Center staff are partnering with UPMC of North Central Pennsylvania and other local partners for a two-year, $1.3 million pilot project. The project’s goal is to develop a model for providing a variety of physical, mental, emotional, and social health resources for women in regions with limited access to pre- and post-pregnancy care.
Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of the Commonwealth’s mothers and babies. The Governor’s 2024-2025 bipartisan budget secured a $2.6 million increase for work to address and prevent maternal mortality, especially among Black mothers, who are disproportionately affected.
WHO: Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania President Patti Jackson-Gehris Lycoming County Chief Deputy Coroner Kathryn Kiessling
WHEN: TUESDAY, January 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Clinton County State Health Center 300 Bellefonte Ave. Suite 100 Lock Haven, PA 17745
MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of the reporter and photojournalist to ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian Sawer, Emeritus Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University
In December 1972, the same month the Whitlam government was first elected, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 1975 as International Women’s Year (IWY). This set in train a series of world-changing events, in which Australia was to play a significant part.
The aim of IWY was to end discrimination against women and enable them to participate fully in economic, social and political life. Fifty years later, such participation has become an indicator of development and good governance. But the full promise of International Women’s year has yet to be fulfilled, hampered by pushback and the scourge of gender-based violence.
‘The greatest consciousness-raising event in history’
Dubbed “the greatest consciousness-raising event in history”, the UN’s first World Conference on Women took place in Mexico City in June 1975. Consciousness-raising had been part of the repertoire of women’s liberation. Now it was taken up by government and intergovernmental bodies.
The Mexico City conference was agenda-setting in many ways. The Australian government delegation, led by Elizabeth Reid, helped introduce the world of multilateral diplomacy to the language of the women’s movement. As Reid said:
We argued that, whenever the words “racism”, “colonialism” and “neo-colonialism” occurred in documents of the conference, so too should “sexism”, a term that had not to that date appeared in United Nations documents or debates.
Reid held the position of women’s adviser to the prime minister. In this pioneering role, she had been able to obtain government commitment and funding for Australia’s own national consciousness-raising exercise during IWY.
A wide range of small grants promoted attitudinal change – “the revolution in our heads” – whether in traditional women’s organisations, churches and unions, or through providing help such as Gestetner machines to the new women’s centres.
IWY grants explicitly did not include the new women’s services, including refuges, women’s health centres and rape crisis centres. Their funding was now regarded as an ongoing responsibility for government, rather than suitable for one-off grants.
IWY began in Australia with a televised conversation on New Year’s Day between Reid and Governor-General John Kerr on hopes and aspirations for the year. On International Women’s Day (March 8), Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s speech emphasised the need for attitudinal change:
Both men and women must be made aware of our habitual patterns of prejudice which we often do not see as such but whose existence manifests itself in our language and our behaviour.
The Australian postal service celebrated the day by releasing a stamp featuring the IWY symbol, showing the spirit of women breaking free of their traditional bonds. At Reid’s suggestion, IWY materials, including the symbol, were printed in the purple, green and white first adopted by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1908 and now known as the suffragette colours.
Author supplied
Policy power
Inside government, Reid had introduced the idea that all Cabinet submissions needed to be analysed for gender impact. After the Mexico City conference, this idea became part of new international norms of governance.
Following the adoption at the conference of the World Plan of Action, the idea that governments needed specialised policy machinery to promote gender equality was disseminated around the world.
Given the amount of ground to be covered, IWY was expanded to a UN Decade for Women (1976–85). By the end of it, 127 countries had established some form of government machinery to advance the status of women. Each of the successive UN world conferences (Copenhagen 1980, Nairobi 1985, Beijing 1995) generated new plans of action and strengthened systems of reporting by governments.
The Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing was a high point. Its “platform for action” provided further impetus for what was now called “gender mainstreaming”. By 2018, every country recognised by the UN except North Korea had established government machinery for this purpose.
The global diffusion of this policy innovation was unprecedented in its rapidity. At the same time, Australia took the lead in another best-practice innovation. In 1984, the Commonwealth government pioneered what became known as “gender budgeting”. This required departments to disaggregate the ways particular budgetary decisions affected men and women.
As feminist economists pointed out, when the economic and social division of labour was taken into account, no budgetary decision could be assumed to be gender-neutral. Governments had emphasised special programs for women, a relatively small part of annual budgets, rather than the more substantial impact on women of macro-economic policy.
Standard-setting bodies such as the OECD helped promote gender budgeting as the best way to ensure such decisions did not inadvertently increase rather than reduce gender gaps.
By 2022, gender budgeting had been taken up around the world, including in 61% of OECD countries. Now that it had become an international marker of good governance, Australian governments were also reintroducing it after a period of abeyance.
Momentum builds
In addition to such policy transfer, new frameworks were being adopted internationally. Following IWY, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted in 1979. CEDAW became known as the international bill of rights for women, and has been ratified by 189 countries. This is more than any other UN Convention except that on the rights of the child.
All state parties to CEDAW were required to submit periodic reports to the UN on its implementation. Non-government organisations were encouraged to provide shadow reports to inform the questioning of government representatives. This oversight and dialogue relating to gender equality became part of the norm-building work of the UN.
However, this very success at international and regional levels helped fuel “anti-gender movements” that gathered strength after 1995. No more world conferences on women were held, for fear there would be slippage from the standards achieved in Beijing.
In Australia, the leveraging of international standards to promote gender equality has been muted in deference to populist politics. It became common to present the business case rather than the social justice case for gender-equality policy, even the cost to the economy of gender-based violence (estimated by KPMG to be $26 billion in 2015–16).
The battle continues
Fifty years after IWY, Australia is making up some lost ground in areas such as paid parental leave, work value in the care economy, and recognition of the ways economic policy affects women differently from men.
However, all of this remains precarious, with issues of gender equality too readily rejected as part of a “woke agenda”.
The world has become a different place from when the Australian government delegation set out to introduce the UN to the concept of sexism. In Western democracies, women have surged into male domains such as parliaments. Australia now has an almost equal number of women and men in its Cabinet (11 out of 23 members).
But along with very different expectations has come the resentment too often being mobilised by the kind of populist politics we will likely see more of in this election year.
Marian Sawer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would provide competitive grants for states to train child care workers and build or renovate child care facilities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to lower child care costs and address the nationwide shortage of affordable child care. The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would provide competitive grants for states to train child care workers and build or renovate child care facilities. Families across the country are struggling to access available child care, with rural communities increasingly becoming “child care deserts” due to the noticeable decline in the number of child care providers. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Representatives Josh Harder (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa).
“For far too many families, the struggle to find high-quality, affordable child care serves as a barrier to children’s early development and to parents entering the workforce,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will train more child care workers and build and expand facilities in child care deserts, so families in all parts of the country can afford and access the child care they need.”
“Access to quality, affordable child care is key to healthy families and a thriving economy,” said Sullivan. “I hear repeatedly from working Alaska parents that the lack of affordable child care is among their top concerns, and those concerns are overwhelmingly confirmed by the data. Unfortunately, this problem disproportionately impacts parents striving to re-enter the workforce. Our bipartisan legislation will help by offering grants focused on states hardest hit, like Alaska, to enhance workforce development among child care professionals, and improve facilities that serve families in child care deserts, particularly in our rural communities.”
“As a dad to two young daughters, my wife and I know firsthand how expensive child care has gotten. Parents are left in a very tough spot trying to find safe, quality child care centers,” said Harder. “Parents should be able to pay a reasonable price to drop their little ones off at daycare and know they will be safe. This bill is a must-pass for every working parent – we need to get this done.”
“American families should never have to choose between affordable childcare and the quality their children deserve,” said Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan and bicameral Child Care Workforce Facilities Act directly confronts the untenable challenges facing childcare in our nation by establishing competitive grant programs that strengthen caregiver education, expand childcare facilities, and bolster the dedicated workforce at the heart of our children’s development. This targeted investment will address shortages in our PA-1 community and nationwide, building a stronger foundation for America’s children, families, and future.”
The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would:
Address the shortage of affordable child care and qualified child care professionals, particularly in rural areas;
Provide competitive grants to states to support the education, training, or retention of the child care workforce;
Provide competitive grants to states to build, renovate, and expand child care facilities in areas experiencing shortages;
Require grant applicants to demonstrate how their projects would increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, and help child care workers continue advance their careers; and
Enhance retention and compensation of quality child care professionals.
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), King (I-Maine), Merkley (D-Ore), Shaheen (D-NH), and Whitehouse (D-RI).
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Emis Akbari, Adjunct Professor, Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at Ontario Institute for the Study of Education (OISE) and Senior Policy Fellow at the Atkinson Centre, University of Toronto
This provincial inaction is particularly troubling in a federal election year. While federal maintenance funding is to continue post-2026, without the benefits of the child care plan widely realized and apparent to voters, future governments could easily scale back any gains.
Our recent study, conducted in collaboration with regional governments tasked with implementing Ontario’s early learning and child-care agreement, shows how staffing shortages have created long wait-lists for care. Children are ageing out of child care before a space becomes available. The unmet demand, regional officials told us, is eroding public confidence in the program as parents become frustrated in their search for affordable care.
While other provinces have enacted comprehensive compensation reforms — including pensions, benefits and wage increases of up to 50 per cent — to attract and retain qualified educators, Ontario’s support for trained early childhood educators tops out at $24.86 per hour, well below the federal poverty line for a family of four.
Low wages, staffing shortfalls
Low wages deter new graduates from entering the child-care field and drive away those already employed. Of the 4,200 early childhood educators that Ontario colleges graduate annually, fewer than 60 per cent enter licensed child care, and only 40 per cent remain after five years.
Small wonder for the exodus. One in five child-care staff responding to our survey told us they hold a second job to make ends meet. Over 55 per cent of couple families, and 83 per cent of lone parent families, are concerned about their housing.
The province acknowledges a shortfall of 8,500 educators needed to meet its expansion goal of 86,000 new spaces. Yet the issue runs deeper. Staff shortages mean existing child-care rooms are empty. A single absence can force centre directors to abruptly close rooms, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives.
The human costs
The consequences extend beyond empty classrooms. Staff shortages compromise the quality and inclusivity of early childhood programs. Our report found that children with disabilities are often sent home or denied admission altogether due to insufficient staffing.
Ontario’s requirement for qualified staff is among the lowest in Canada, mandating that only half of a centre’s staff hold a college diploma in early education. The use of ministry “approvals,” a stop-gap measure allowing untrained staff to fill roles until qualified educators are found, has become standard practice.
Our research found entire programs, particularly those in northern regions and those serving francophone and Indigenous families, operating without a single qualified early childhood educator.
Educator shortages not only exclude children from child care, but degrade the quality of care. While less than one per cent of the province’s almost 28,000 early childhood educators working in licensed child care are reported to authorities, incidents involving the improper handling of children have seen an uptick.
This may partly reflect the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath, but it also may signal staff burnout and the prevalence of untrained workers.
Equally alarming, 14 per cent of respondents in our study indicated they would be reluctant to recommend their own centre to a family member or friend seeking child care.
Quality and staffing challenges vary significantly across Ontario’s child-care network of over 5,700 centres. Publicly operated centres and established community providers, where wages and benefits are higher, report fewer staffing shortages or quality problems.
In contrast, for-profit centres, where wages are significantly lower, experience the highest staff turnover and lowest levels of job dissatisfaction.
Ontario’s challenges are not insurmountable. Other provinces and territories are showing that fair compensation tied to qualifications and responsibilities can help to stabilize the child-care workforce.
Ontario must urgently follow suit. The CWELCC program isn’t just about child care; it’s a highly effective economic strategy. The province’s Financial Accountability Office estimates that the national plan could enable 98,000 more Ontario mothers to join the workforce.
However, this potential can only be realized if sufficient child-care spaces are created. Without early childhood educators new spaces are wasted infrastructure. This represents squandered economic development, children denied quality early education and families left to struggle financially.
The time to act is now. Ontario must seize the promise of CWELCC before it becomes another missed opportunity.
Emis Akbari receives funding from the Atkinson Foundation, the Lawson Foundation, and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation.
Kerry McCuaig receives funding from the Atkinson Foundation, the Lawson Foundation and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and reiterates his strongest condemnation of the M23 armed group’s ongoing offensive and advances towards Goma in North Kivu with the support of the Rwanda Defence Forces.
In the last 48 hours, two MONUSCO peacekeepers from South Africa and one peacekeeper from Uruguay were killed while implementing the mandate entrusted upon them by the Security Council. Eleven peacekeepers sustained injuries and are being treated in the UN hospital in Goma.
The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers as well as to their Governments and the people of South Africa and Uruguay, and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. He pays tribute to the bravery of all the United Nations peacekeepers while implementing their mandate to protect civilians and defend them against armed group violence, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).
The Secretary-General reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law. He recalls that attacks against United Nations personnel may constitute a war crime. He calls on the appropriate authorities to investigate this incident and swiftly bring those responsible to justice.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call to respect the ceasefire agreement. He calls on the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas. He further calls on the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory. He reaffirms the United Nations’ support to the Luanda process and calls for an immediate resumption of negotiations in this framework.
EATONTOWN, N.J., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Climb Channel Solutions, an international specialty technology distributor and wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMB) is proud to announce the promotion of two visionary leaders who have been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth and success. Kim Stevens has been elevated to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), while Charles Bass assumes the newly created role of Chief Alliances Officer (CAO).
These promotions mark a pivotal moment for Climb Channel Solutions as the company kicks off 2025 with unparalleled momentum, bolstered by more than 12 internal promotions announced during the recent Sales Kickoff, themed “Run With Us.”
As the former Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Kim Stevens has been the driving force behind groundbreaking marketing strategies that have transformed Climb’s global presence. Her promotion to CMO is a natural progression, reflecting her exceptional ability to innovate, inspire, and deliver results. Kim’s leadership will ensure that Climb remains agile and adaptable, aligning marketing strategies with the company’s ambitious goals while empowering resellers and partners to achieve new heights.
“Kim’s proven track record and vision for the future make her the ideal leader to take our marketing strategy to the next level,” said Dale Foster, Climb’s CEO. “Her commitment to excellence is a testament to the talent and dedication we nurture within Climb.”
Charles Bass, who has served as CMO for the past four years, has been instrumental in identifying and onboarding emerging brands, connecting them with resellers to accelerate business growth. In his new role as Chief Alliances Officer, Charles will focus on fostering high-impact partnerships and expanding Climb’s strategic alliances, ensuring the company continues to lead in the ever-evolving technology landscape.
“Charles has been a cornerstone of Climb’s success, and his transition to CAO is a game-changer for our approach to partnerships,” said Dale Foster, Climb’s CEO. “His ability to build relationships and bring the best emerging brands into our ecosystem has positioned Climb as a trusted partner for growth.”
With these leadership advancements, Climb Channel Solutions reaffirms its commitment to innovation, agility, and excellence. Dale Foster continues, “Our pack is growing, becoming more focused, and moving faster than ever. Kim and Charles embody the best of Climb’s values, and their promotions reflect our belief in empowering talent to drive us forward.”
These leadership promotions symbolize Climb’s dedication to evolving with the industry and investing in its greatest asset—its people.
Those interested in distribution services and solutions should contact Climb by phone at +1.800.847.7078 (US), or +1.888.523.7777 (Canada), or by email at Sales@ClimbCS.com.
About Climb Channel Solutions and Climb Global Solutions
Climb Channel Solutions is a global specialty technology distributor focusing on Security, Data Management, Connectivity, Storage & HCI, Virtualization & Cloud, and Software & Application Lifecycle. What sets Climb apart is our commitment to transform distribution by providing emerging and established IT technologies, flexible financing, real-time quoting, best of breed channel operations, speed to market, and exceptional service to our partners worldwide. Climb Channel Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Climb Global Solutions (NASDAQ: CLMB). Experience the Climb difference and learn how our people-first approach empowers VARs and MSPs to grow, scale, and accelerate their business. Visit www.ClimbCS.com, call 1-800-847-7078, and connect with us on LinkedIn!
For Media & PR inquiries contact: Climb Channel Solutions Media Relations media@ClimbCS.com
Investor Relations Contact: Elevate IR Sean Mansouri, CFA T: 720-330-2829 CLMB@elevate-ir.com
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review its decision to allow a company backed in part by foreign money and billionaire Democratic donor George Soros to obtain licenses for more than 200 American radio stations. The requested review by the FCC would include making certain that all required steps were followed according to FCC procedures and taking a closer look at the national security ramifications of the sale.
Key excerpts of the speech are below:
“Mr. George Soros is buying WWL AM radio in New Orleans. WWL AM radio is practically an institution in my state.”
. . .
“Any time a broadcast license—as is the case with Audacy—is transferred, the FCC has to approve it. So, Mr. Soros’s purchase of WWL Radio and the 219 other radio stations had to go before the FCC, and it did. And it went—the approval for Mr. Soros—went through the FCC like green grass through a goose. It was a party-line vote. It was last September. All three Democrats—there are five people on the FCC—all three Democrats said let it go, and [it has been alleged that] they short-circuited the normal process. . . . What happened was what some members of the media have called the ‘Soros shortcut.’ They just got together and rammed it through.”
. . .
“Mr. Soros—both George and [his son] Alex—believe that America would be better off if we had open borders. They believe that America would be better off, in my opinion—this is how I read their writings—if we ended jails and if we ran our government like the Communist Party of China. I don’t agree with that, but Mr. Soros—both of them—are entitled to their opinion. But my people in Louisiana are entitled to know whose opinion they are hearing on the radio.”
. . .
“I hope the new FCC revisits this issue. These licenses and these airwaves do not belong to me or to the FCC or to Audacy or to WWL. They belong to you and you and you—the American people. We are supposed to make sure through our FCC—that is why God created the FCC—that these licenses are not just given to anybody.”
Background:
Audacy is the second-largest owner of radio stations in the U.S. In total, Audacy owns roughly 220 stations in more than 45 media markets throughout the country.
In Jan. 2024, Audacy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and offered to trade shares of the company to lenders who would take on debt. George Soros took on $400 million in Audacy’s debt for 50 cents on the dollar and became the largest shareholder in the restructured company. Several foreign entities also took on some of Audacy’s debt, leaving the company with more than 20% foreign ownership.
The FCC restricts the ability of companies with significant foreign ownership to obtain radio licenses. The agency is supposed to investigate foreign-backed companies to make sure they would operate in the American people’s interests before approving the transfer of any radio licenses.
According to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, the Democrat-led FCC rushed the approval process to allow the transfer of licenses to the Soros-backed Audacy without conducting the standard investigations. Carr said the FCC had never previously used the “Soros-shortcut” procedure to approve licenses to a firm with significant foreign ownership.
Carr—who is now chairman of the FCC—has said he would take “a very hard look” at a petition to reconsider the license transfer to the Soros-backed company.
Soros has donated billions of dollars to leftist causes in recent years. Soros has called the U.S. “the main obstacle to a stable and just world,” and claimed that China has a “better functioning government than the United States.”
Shortly before leaving office, President Biden gave Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this op-ed in The Telegraph arguing that the United Kingdom was right to consult the Trump administration before ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the key U.S.-U.K. military base on Deigo Garcia, to Mauritius.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“Sir Keir Starmer appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to working with the Trump administration—and that’s a good thing.
“Just a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister was poised to sign away the fate of a joint U.K.-U.S. military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.
“According to reports, Starmer and members of the outgoing Biden administration wanted to finali[z]e the agreement to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands—including Diego Garcia—to Mauritius before President Trump could take his oath.
“Fortunately, cooler—and perhaps wiser—heads prevailed. Prime Minister Starmer agreed to welcome President Trump to the negotiating table. This is great news. Friends don’t strike deals behind each other’s backs, especially when our shared security is on the line.”
. . .
“The idea that the U.K. must hand over the islands to atone for whatever perceived wrongs Britain’s forefathers may have committed is nonsense. The [United Nations] does not care about what is best for the Chagossian, British or American people. They only care about furthering a misguided anti-Western agenda.
“The U.K. is our ally, and Mauritius is our friend, but this is a matter of national security for the U.S. Anyone who expects the Trump administration to elevate the sensitivities of U.N. militants above the best interests of America and our allies is writing a [check] that can’t be cashed.
“The Chagossian, American and British people would all be safer if this deal with Mauritius found its way into the shredder for good.”
Background
On Jan. 15, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he wanted President Trump and his administration to weigh in on any deal struck between the U.K. and Mauritius regarding the transfer of the Chagos Islands, including the transfer of the U.S.-U.K. shared military base on the island of Diego Garcia.
The U.K. had previously announced on Oct. 3, 2024, that it had reached a deal with Mauritius to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. The decision to consider ceding sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius followed a years-long pressure campaign from the United Nations.
On Oct. 23, 2024, Kennedy wrote to then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking answers about the Biden administration’s involvement in the deal between the U.K. and Mauritius.
Kennedy also penned this op-ed in Oct. arguing that the Biden administration owes the American people an explanation for its decision to allow this deal between the U.K. and Mauritius to move forward.
Former Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), President Trump’s nominee for National Security Advisor, has criticized the deal, saying, “Should the U.K. cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly condemned the deal and said it “poses a serious threat to our national security interests in the Indian Ocean and threatens critical U.S. military posture in the region.”
Read Kennedy’s full op-ed here.
Returning to work after a summer break can be jarring, especially for the many workers dissatisfied with their jobs. Almost half report high levels of job-related stress.
Dissatisfaction can be tied to an unhealthy, even toxic workplace where negative behaviour and poor leadership harm employee wellbeing and productivity.
Key indicators include bullying, harassment, lack of trust, poor communication and high job strain.
The impact of toxic workplaces
If you think your workplace is toxic, it is worth considering the impact it is having on your mental health. You might also consider how committed your organisation is to supporting its employees’ mental health.
Toxicity can develop gradually through subtle patterns of micromanagement, exclusion, or eroding morale. These dynamics create a draining environment that undermines individual wellbeing and business success.
According to Safe Work Australia, mental health-related workers’ compensation claims have increased by over a third since 2017-2018.
In 2021-2022, there were 11,700 accepted claims relating to mental health conditions. These cases proved highly costly for employers, with the median compensation paid being A$58,615.
The International Standards Organisation released a global standard in 2021 to help manage psychological health and safety risks in workplaces.
A number of countries, including Canada and Australia, have introduced laws and standards making employers responsible for preventing and managing work-related stress.
To support a safe workplace, some researchers (including one of the authors) have recommended an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to ensure companies respond appropriately to mental health risks.
What your employer is doing in the following three areas can show how committed they are to protecting mental health.
1. Preventing, minimising or managing the negatives
Most work, health and safety legislation and standards in Australia relates to protecting employees from physical hazards, including slips, trips and falls.
More recently, attention has turned to psychosocial hazards.
Safe Work Australia and Comcare, as well as state and territory regulators, keep a list of common hazards.
These include bullying, excessive workloads, low job control, lack of role clarity and exposure to traumatising events, for example, witnessing an accident.
These lists are not exhaustive and there are some problems unique to specific jobs. For instance, teachers are often isolated from their colleagues, face big administrative loads and sometimes have to deal with abusive students and/or parents.
Most employers can make necessary improvements including creating fairer workloads, redefining job roles and providing more support to individual employees.
2. Responding to employee mental health issues
Despite efforts to minimise the impact of psychosocial hazards, some employees will nonetheless experience mental health issues.
Employers should not try to treat an employee’s mental health problems. They should support them and direct them to appropriate mental health care.
Managers can also help by identifying signs of distress, having sensitive conversations with workers about the impact of mental illness and making reasonable changes to their roles.
Giving employees access to support services through employee assistance programs, which can offer confidential short-term counselling, can also help.
Making counselling available to employees can help staff mental health and workplace morale. kmpzzz/Shutterstock
Establishing a critical incident investigation procedure for events that have compromised employee mental health can help identify the cause of incidents and shape responses.
3. Promoting the positive
As well as managing the negative aspects of work, organisations can create conditions that promote employee mental health and wellbeing.
One approach for doing this is to provide flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid work, which can offer employees greater choice in work location and scheduling.
The SMART model suggests employees will be most satisfied in jobs that provide stimulation (for example, solving meaningful problems), mastery (receiving mentoring or constructive feedback), autonomy (creative freedom), social relationships (supportive colleagues) and tolerable demands (lack of psychosocial hazards).
Should I stay or should I go?
Making the decision to leave a workplace requires careful consideration.
In addition to your own wellbeing, you should consider whether your organisation prioritises mental health and how comfortable you would feel initiating a discussion about mental health.
Remember while changing jobs is a big step, staying in a toxic workplace can have serious long-term consequences for both mental and physical health.
Whatever you decide, prioritising your mental health and wellbeing should be central to your decision making.
Timothy Colin Bednall holds a part-time appointment as Head of Data Science with FlourishDx, a consultancy focused on workplace mental health. He receives funding from the National Mental Health Commission.
Kathryn Page has previously received research funding from WorkSafe Victoria, SuperFriend, VicHealth, and the NHMRC in the areas of workplace mental health. In addition to her Adjunct Professor role at Swinburne University she works full time as a Leadership Partner with ByMany. ByMany is a leadership consultancy. It does not do psychosocial risk assessments.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
PARIS, France, January 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
Jérôme Bertheau, Executive Vice President – Global Projects at BW Energy, will speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum, set to take place May 13-14 in Paris. Bertheau’s participation underscores the company’s commitment to advancing Africa’s energy sector through innovative developments and strategic investments.
BW Energy is making significant strides in Africa’s energy landscape, particularly in Gabon, where the company is enhancing production at the Dussafu field through advanced recovery techniques. Last October, the company signed PSCs for the Niosi Marin and Guduma Marin offshore exploration blocks in partnership with Panoro Energy and VAALCO Energy. These agreements include drilling one well in the Niosi Marin block during the exploration phase, alongside plans for a 3D seismic acquisition campaign. BW Energy aims to complete the first phase of Hibiscus and Ruche development and bring production to a nameplate capacity of 40,000 barrels per day.
IAE 2025 (www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com)is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visitwww.Invest-Africa-Energy.com.To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contactsales@energycapitalpower.com.
In addition to its activities in Gabon, BW Energy is making progress in Namibia with plans to drill a well on the Kharas prospect offshore, northwest of the Kudu Formation. The company has secured long-lead items and is in discussions with other operators for rig capacity, with drilling expected to begin in the second half of 2025. Furthermore, BW Energy has completed the processing of a PSDM 3D dataset over the offshore Kudu gas field and is advancing its development planning for the proposed Kudu gas-to-power project. The company is also progressing its Maromba oilfield development in Brazil, with a final investment decision expected in early 2025.
Bertheau’s participation at IAE 2025 highlights BW Energy’s commitment to innovation and its focus on maximizing the value of its African assets while promoting local content and sustainable development. The company’s involvement underscores its position as a leading energy player, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships to drive growth across its portfolio.
Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Resolution comes after Trump pardons 1,500 Jan 6 insurrectionists—including those convicted of violently assaulted police officers
The senators will seek unanimous consent to pass the resolution this week
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and 44 of their colleagues introduced a new resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. The resolution follows the move by President Trump, on the first day of his second term, to grant full, complete, and unconditional pardons to over 1,500 people charged with committing crimes in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to commute the sentences of 14 others, including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, far-right militias. Among those pardoned by Trump were 169 people who pled guilty to assaulting police officers on January 6th. During the siege of the Capitol that day, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted, as well as over 60 officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
The senators’ resolution, Condemning the pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers, simply states: “Resolved, That the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.” This week, Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will seek unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass the resolution.
“President Trump is pardoning violent criminals who assaulted police officers and attempted to overturn a fair and free election,” said Senator Cortez Masto.“This is an insult to law enforcement across the country and an endorsement of political violence. The very least my Republican colleagues can do to back law enforcement is to support this resolution.”
“It’s unconscionable that one of President Trump’s first actions in office was to pardon criminals who violently attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021,” said Senator Rosen. “A number of these convicted felons attacked police officers and injured them. It should not be a partisan issue to fully condemn these actions and President Trump’s pardons.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, approximately 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. This includes approximately 598 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As proven in Court, the weapons used and carried on Capitol grounds during the January 6th attack include firearms; OC spray; tasers; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, such as destroyed office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping, and reinforced knuckle gloves.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
ollowing a two-week mobilization to Southern California to assist with the wildfire response, 17 of Oregon’s 21 strike teams will soon be heading home. The teams began the demobilization process Thursday morning. Two of the strike teams will start their drive back to Oregon on Thursday, while the remaining 15 will begin their journey to their home agencies on Friday.
These strike teams were assigned to the Palisades and Eaton fires near Los Angeles and have spent the last two weeks working the fire lines and supporting the communities impacted by these disasters. In total, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized 21 strike teams, 370 firefighters, and 105 fire engines and water tenders, marking the largest out-of-state deployment in the agency’s history.
“I am immensely proud of the work firefighters from the Oregon fire service and the Oregon Department of Forestry have done over the last two weeks in California,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Their dedication and professionalism have made a meaningful difference for the communities affected by these devastating fires. The willingness of our firefighters to step up and provide critical aid, often in challenging and dangerous conditions, is a testament to the strength and resilience of Oregon’s fire service.”
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has four remaining strike teams in California, two assigned to the Eaton Fire and two assigned to support initial attack efforts if any new fires start. There is no timeline yet for when the remaining strike teams will return to Oregon.
The strike teams sent to California by the State Fire Marshal were requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. This compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. The strike teams’ expenses will be reimbursed directly by California.
Two Ukrainian nationals who were extradited from the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States in September 2024 were sentenced today on charges related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. Oleg Oliynyk and Oleksandr Yurchyk were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, Oliynyk, Yurchyk and others owned and operated a series of labor-staffing companies in South Florida — including Paradise Choice LLC, Paradise Choice Cleaning LLC, Tropical City Services LLC and Tropical City Group LLC — from at least April 2008 and August 2021. Through these staffing companies, Oliynyk, Yurchyk and co-defendants Oleksandr Morgunov, Mykhaylo Chugay and Volodymyr Ogorodnychuk facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in the hospitality industry who were not authorized to work in the United States and helped evade the assessment and collection of more than $25 million of federal income and employment taxes.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez ordered Oliynyk and Yurchyk to each serve three years of supervised release, pay $10,863,233.05 in restitution to the United States and to forfeit $11 million.
Oliynyk and Yurchyk are the latest defendants sentenced as part of Operation RoomKey, a joint criminal investigation initiative led by the Tax Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Co-defendant Chugay, was convicted at trial in June 2022, and was sentenced in August 2022 to more than 24 years in prison. Co-defendants Morgunov and Ogorodnychuk each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 96 months in prison and 48 months in prison, respectively.
In March 2022, Mikus Berzins, former City of Key West Police Officer Igor Kasyanenko, Roman Riabov and Andrejs Kozlovs each pleaded guilty to their crimes in the operation of the labor staffing company, Phoenix ADB Services Inc. (Phoenix ADB), which, according to court records, facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization.
In May 2022, the court sentenced Igor Kasyanenko and Riabov to 22 months and 18 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the tax and immigration conspiracy. The court also sentenced Berzins and Kozlovs to 28 months and 12 months in prison, respectively, for knowingly hiring ten or more aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. Later, in September 2023, Nataliya Vasylivna Kasyanenko, a former housekeeping manager at a large Key West hotel, was sentenced for participating in the tax and immigration conspiracy related to the operation of Phoenix ADB.
Batyr Myatiev, the owner and operator of two labor staffing companies, AmeriHos LLC and Golden Sands Management LLC, pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was sentenced in June 2023 to 32 months in prison. According to court records, Myatiev’s labor staffing companies caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $3.5 million and facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization.
In July 2023, Eka Samadashvili and Davit Pavliashvili were sentenced for their respective roles in the operation of several labor staffing companies, including PSEB Services JD Inc., Paradise Hospitality Solutions LLC, Paradise Hospitality Group LLC, Paradise Hospitality Inc. and HBSM Corp. According to court records, these labor staffing companies caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $8.4 million and facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in hotels, bars and restaurants in Key West and elsewhere who were not authorized to work in the United States.
Finally, in March 2024, Petr Sutka was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in operating a series of labor staffing companies — including PSEB Specialty Service Inc., Perfect Service Excellent Benefits Services Inc., Starline Hospitality Inc., Norbert Janitorial Service Inc., E.S.F. Services Inc. and Expert Services F.S. Inc. — which, according to court records, caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $3.5 million and facilitated the employment of aliens without work authorization. In April 2024, Sutka’s co-defendants, Zdenek Strnad and Vasil Khatiashvili, were each sentenced to more than three years, respectively, for their roles in the tax and immigration conspiracy.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
HSI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Jessica A. Kraft, Matthew C. Hicks and Wilson Rae Stamm of the Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Chris Clark for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
An indictment was unsealed last week charging a New Jersey return preparer with preparing and filing 55 false income tax returns on behalf of clients and obstructing the IRS.
According to the indictment, from at least 2018 through 2023, Christopher Demba, of Hillsborough, owned and operated Demba & Associates CPA LLC, a return preparation business. Demba allegedly prepared returns for clients that claimed false deductions, credit carryforwards or fraudulently recategorized income to claim expenses that would otherwise be disallowed. The indictment further alleges that Demba obstructed the IRS by providing false working papers to IRS personnel in an attempt to justify some of the claims made on returns he prepared for clients.
If convicted, Demba faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Mark McDonald and Alexis Hughes of the Tax Division are 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.
“The Walkbury Map: Explore partner businesses and enjoy exclusive discounts with a valid UConn or OLLI ID. Designed by Airey Lau.”
Last fall, UConn Waterbury launched Walkbury, an innovative program designed to harmonize the campus community with the vibrant culture, history, and businesses of downtown Waterbury. The initiative encourages students, staff, faculty, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members to explore the city’s unique offerings and deepen their connection to the local community.
This program is part of the larger Ideas + Impact initiative, which also launched last fall thanks to a generous donation from UConn Waterbury alumnus Mike Peluso (Business ’99). Ideas + Impact supports student-initiated and campus-initiated social impact projects, empowering students to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Walkbury embodies the spirit of Ideas + Impact by fostering engagement, building connections, and creating opportunities for learning and growth.
“Ideas + Impact is about giving students the tools to make a difference, and Walkbury is a perfect example of that mission in action,” said Peluso. “It’s rewarding to see how UConn Waterbury is inspiring students to engage with their community in meaningful ways.”
A Semester of Engagement and Exploration
“UConn Waterbury students enjoy local flavors at Grand Street Tavern. Photo by Steve Bustamante, UConn Library”
Over the fall semester, Walkbury hosted four (and more to come!) food and cultural tours in partnership with Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Main Street Waterbury that brought the UConn community directly into the heart of downtown Waterbury. The tours, held during lunch hours and morning coffee meetups, offered opportunities to visit local landmarks, enjoy the city’s culinary delights, and hear from community leaders including alumni.
The food tours featured stops at popular eateries, including Seven Villages, Grand Street Tavern, and Nature’s Love Juice Bar, where participants sampled delicious offerings while meeting business owners. These events provided a taste of what downtown has to offer and underscored the importance of supporting local businesses.
Adding depth to the experience, UConn Waterbury emeritus faculty member Ruth Glasser led the historical and cultural components of the tours. Participants learned about Waterbury’s architectural gems, including City Hall and the iconic clock tower inspired by Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy.
“UConn Waterbury students learn about the city’s history from emeritus professor Ruth Glasser. Photo by Steve Bustamante, UConn Library”“UConn Waterbury students engage in a discussion with Mayor Pernerewski at City Hall. Photo by Steve Bustamante, UConn Library”
During the tours, Mayor Paul Pernerewski welcomed the group at City Hall, sharing insights on the city’s ongoing revitalization and hosting a Q&A session focused on career development and civic engagement.
The tours also drew the attention of prominent Connecticut leaders, including State Senator Joan Hartley and State Representative Geraldo Reyes, who joined participants to emphasize the significance of community involvement and partnership.
“This program is about more than walking tours or discounts,” said Dr. Fumiko Hoeft, dean and chief administrative officer of UConn Waterbury. “It’s about fostering understanding and building harmony between UConn and the community. Walkbury is a natural extension of Ideas + Impact, as both aim to inspire students and encourage them to engage meaningfully with the world around them.”
Community and Collaboration
At its heart, Walkbury is about creating meaningful connections. Through partnerships with local businesses, participants receive exclusive discounts upon presenting a valid UConn or OLLI ID. These collaborations encouraged the UConn community to explore downtown, discover new favorites, and contribute to the local economy.
Lynn Ward, president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, applauded the initiative: “Programs like Walkbury not only drive business but also create lasting relationships between the campus and the city. We’re thrilled to see so many UConn members engaging with downtown.”
Spirit Café Opens to All
One of the highlights of the Walkbury initiative was the public opening of Spirit Café, located in the Rectory Building next to the Palace Theater. Previously available only to UConn students and staff, the café now serves as a welcoming space for both the campus and local community to gather over breakfast and lunch.
“The Spirit Café represents what Walkbury is all about,” said Hoeft. “It’s a space where people from all walks of life can connect, share ideas, and enjoy great food in the heart of downtown.”
Celebrating Waterbury’s Charm
From cozy cafes to cultural landmarks, Walkbury celebrates Waterbury as a city of rich history and vibrant culture. By offering students, faculty, staff, and OLLI members the chance to explore and engage with the city, the initiative highlights what makes Waterbury unique and fosters a sense of belonging for all UConn members.
Mayor Pernerewski praised the program, stating, “Walkbury is an excellent example of how a university and a city can work together to build community. It’s about making sure every UConn member feels at home here in Waterbury.”
Looking Ahead
With a successful first semester under its belt, Walkbury is poised to continue its mission of fostering harmony between UConn Waterbury and the downtown community. As part of the broader Ideas + Impact initiative, the program will continue to empower students and the entire UConn Waterbury community to engage with the city and make a lasting difference.
For more information or to share ideas for collaboration, email walkbury@uconn.edu or contact Heather Price at 203-236-9846.
Through Walkbury and Ideas + Impact, UConn Waterbury is creating bridges between campus and community, showing that when we walk together, we grow together.
President Donald Trump has begun to radically change how the U.S. government handles immigration, from challenging long-held legal concepts about who gets citizenship to using the military to transport migrants back to their countries of origin.
Trump’s administration is doing more than reshaping the approach of the federal government toward migrants: It has now ordered state and local officials to comply with all federal immigration laws, including any new executive orders. It has warned that if those officials refuse, it may criminally prosecute them.
The specter of a federal prosecutor putting a city’s mayor or a state’s governor in jail will raise what may be the greatest source of conflict in the U.S. Constitution. That conflict is how much power the federal government can wield over the states, a long-standing and unresolved dispute that will move again to the front and center of American politics and, in all likelihood, into American courtrooms.
A sign prohibiting the entry of ICE or Homeland Security personnel is posted on a door at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City. Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images
In the Jan. 21, 2024, memo, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, one of Trump’s former private attorneys, directs federal prosecutors to “investigate … for potential prosecution” state and local officials who “resist, obstruct, or otherwise fail to comply” with the new administration’s immigration orders.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove asserted in a recent memo that the Constitution and other legal authorities ‘require state and local actors to comply with the Executive Branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives.’ Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty Images
By ordering federal prosecutors to potentially arrest, charge and imprison state and local officials, it strikes at a fundamental tension embedded in the nation’s constitutional structure in a way that Trump’s other orders do not. That tension has never been fully resolved, in either the political or legal arenas.
The practicalities of this dual sovereignty – where two governments exercise supreme power – have had to play out in practice, with often very messy results. The crux of the problem is that the Constitution explicitly grants power to both federal and state governments – but the founders did not specify what to do if the two sovereigns disagree or how any ensuing struggle should be resolved.
As Bove correctly noted in his memo, Article 4 of the U.S Constitution contains the supremacy clause, which declares that federal laws “shall be the supreme Law of the Land.”
But Bove failed to mention that the Constitution also contains the 10th Amendment. Its language, that “(a)ll powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states or to the people, respectively,” has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to create a sphere of state sovereignty into which the federal government may not easily intrude.
This is not to say that the federal government is barred from making policies in these areas. Indeed, the great puzzle of federalism – and the great challenge for courts – has been to figure out the boundaries between state and federal power and how two sovereigns can coexist.
If it sounds confusing, that’s because it is. The country’s best legal minds have long wrestled with how to balance the powers granted by the supremacy clause and the 10th Amendment.
Push and pull
In a 1997 opinion, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that the Constitution barred the federal government from ‘impress[ing] into its service…the police officers of the 50 States.’ Alex Wong/Getty Images
Reflecting this tension, the Supreme Court developed a pair of legal doctrines that sit uneasily alongside each other.
The first is the doctrine of “preemption,,” in which federal law can supersede state policy in certain circumstances, such as when a congressional statute expressly withdraws certain powers from the states.
At the same time, the court has limited the reach of the federal government, particularly in its ability to tell states what to do, a doctrine now known as the “anti-commandeering rule.” Were the Trump administration to go after state or local officials, both of these legal principles could come into play.
The anti-commandeering rule was first articulated in 1992 when the Supreme Court ruled in New York v. United States that the federal government could not force a state to take control of radioactive waste generated within its boundaries.
The court relied on the doctrine again five years later, in Printz v. United States, when it rejected the federal government’s attempt to require local law enforcement officials to conduct background checks before citizens could purchase handguns.
In an opinion authored by conservative icon Antonin Scalia and joined by four other Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices, the court held that the Constitution’s framers intended states to have a “residuary and inviolable sovereignty” that barred the federal government from “impress[ing] into its service … the police officers of the 50 States.”
“This separation of the two spheres is one of the Constitution’s structural protections of liberty,” Scalia wrote. Allowing state law enforcement to be conscripted into service for the federal government would disrupt what James Madison called the “double security” the founders wanted against government tyranny and would allow the “accumulation of excessive power” in the federal government.
Justice John Paul Stevens dissented, pointing out that the 10th Amendment preserves for states only those powers that are not already given to the federal government.
What happens at the Supreme Court?
The anti-commandeering and preemption doctrines were on display again during the first Trump administration, when jurisdictions around the country declared themselves “sanctuary cities” that would protect residents from federal immigration officials.
Subsequent litigation tested whether the federal government could punish these locales by withholding federal funds. The administration lost most cases. Several courts ruled that despite its extensive power over immigration, the federal government could not financially punish states for failing to comply with federal law.
One circuit court, in contrast, formulated an “immigration exception” to the anti-commandeering rule and upheld the administration’s financial punishment of uncooperative states.
The Supreme Court has never directly ruled on how the anti-commandeering rule works in the context of immigration. While the Printz decision would seem to bar the Justice Department from acting on its threats, the court could rule that given the federal government’s nearly exclusive power over immigration, such actions do not run afoul of the anti-commandeering doctrine.
Whether such a case ever makes it to the Supreme Court is unknown. Recent events, in which a Chicago school’s staff denied entry to people they thought were immigration agents, seem to be heading toward a federal and state confrontation.
Headline: Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Montgomery County, MD
Public Invited to Review Flood Maps in Montgomery County, MD
PHILADELPHIA– FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Montgomery County, Maryland. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period. The 90-day appeal period began on Jan. 17, 2025.The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administration staff:For the City of Gaithersburg: Nancy Schumm at nancy.schumm@gaithersburgmd.gov, 240-805-1327.For the City of Rockville: Meredith Neely by email at mneely@rockvillemd.gov, 240-314-8874.For Montgomery County and any other municipalities: Bill Musico by email at william.musico@montgomerycountymd.gov, 240-777-6340.Changes resulting from the new preliminary maps for Montgomery County can also be viewed online at the FEMA Region 3 Flood Map Changes Viewer. More information can also be found on Montgomery County’s website, including interactive flood data and frequently asked questions.For more information about the flood maps:Use a live chat service about flood maps at FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX). Click on the “Live Chat” icon.Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.Montgomery County Flood Mapping MilestonesSept. 12, 2023 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.Feb. 2024 — Multiple Public Open House Meetings jointly hosted by Montgomery County and the Cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville.Jan. 17, 2025 — Appeal Period starts.Fall 2025* — Finalization of preliminary data following appeal resolutions and communities to commence ordinance adoption process. Spring 2026* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. *Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov. ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.Follow us on “X” at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3 erika.osullivan Mon, 01/27/2025 – 18:30
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined NewsNation: The Hill to discuss President Trump’s first week in office, promises made and promises kept, and Cabinet confirmation hearings, including RFK. Jr who will be testifying this week in front of both the Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Senator Marshall sits on both committees, and has been an advocate for RFK Jr. and Making America Health Again.
You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
On Trump’s Removal of Inspectors General:
“First of all, remind everybody President Reagan did basically the same thing. Look, these inspector generals have lost their way, and this is part of President Trump’s promises made, promises kept. He said he was going to drain the swamp over the past several years, record amounts of improper payments from the federal government – $250 billion of improper payments. The inspector generals have turned from a watchdog into somebody who’s protecting the agency. So he’s cleaning house, he’s starting over, and I think it’s a great move.”
“There are some really good people there, right? But I think when you sit there trying to sort out the good guys from the bad guys, sometimes you have to let them all go, and then, like President Reagan, maybe you rehire some of them as well, but we’ll get the reports eventually. But we need people working for the American people, not for the agency.”
On RFK Jr. Path Forward for Confirmation:
“Farmers and ranchers, just like Bobby Kennedy and myself, want America to be healthy again, and they’re all in. I think that Bobby would share with you is that the farmers and ranchers are indeed the heroes. I think that Bobby recognizes that 90% of rural America supported President Trump. Every time I see President Trump, the first thing he asks me is, Roger, how are your farmers and ranchers doing.”
“We’re already doing so many of the things that Bobby is talking about. Precision agriculture is not a dream anymore, that we are growing more with less. We’re growing more food with less fertilizers, with less pesticides. Soil health we’re embracing, that nobody more than sorghum is in the sorghum industry… We’re doing regenerative soil practices already.”
“Last point I’ll make is this- President Trump ran on two things, I think. He ran on making America more prosperous, and then on security. And one of the things he said is grocery prices, so we can’t do anything that’s inflationary. So we got to thread this needle. We need more innovation, but we don’t need inflation. And you know, my job is to help bridge that gap, and I’m just all in with Bobby to help Make America Healthy Again. 60% of Americans with a chronic disease right now, and I think a lot of that’s impacted by what they eat and the toxins exposed to.”
“I think Bobby, like myself, believes in the sanctity of the relationship between the patient and the doctor, and I want to make sure that we provide the mom, whether it’s my daughter or my daughter in law… We want to make sure that they have the right information, and I don’t think the CDC has done a good job on providing us that information… mostly there’s not enough transparency around it. A little common sense is going to go a long way. And I think Bobby Kennedy will thread the needle… I think the priority will be nutrition and the toxins that we are exposed to.”
“I think what you’re going to hear Bobby say is the President’s policies are my policies. Bobby and I don’t agree on everything, but we agree that we want to Make America Healthy Again. We share the same goals. He’s a game changer. I think that, and more importantly, is this, there is an army, a groundswell of people out there that are supporting him.”
On Kansas Troops Deployed to Southern Border:
“So I’m very grateful for those people that volunteered to wear the uniform, realizing that the southern border is a national security issue, if anybody understands and appreciates their families. I served my dad, served my brother, served my son is serving. I appreciate them, and some 300 soldiers are going to be going to that border.”
“But what I’m upset about is this summer, 3,000 soldiers from Fort Riley are going to Europe next year, another 5,000 soldiers from Fort Riley going to Europe. Why do we need 100,000 soldiers from the United States in Europe?”
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor urging his Senate colleagues to support Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
As delivered:
“Thank you, Mr. President.
“In about an hour or so, we are going to vote on cloture on the nomination for Scott Bessett to be the Treasury Secretary of the United States, and I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this motion.
“A Treasury Secretary heads the agency charged with supporting economic growth, representing U.S. interests before foreign nations and global financial markets and organizations, managing the federal treasury and overseeing financial institutions, to name just a few of those important responsibilities.
“Past successful Treasury Secretaries have understood business and financial markets, as well as foreign policy, national security, budgets and regulation.
“Mr. Bessent’s impressive background positions him for similar success. He has worked for the last three decades as one of the sharpest minds in the global financial industry. He has decades of academic, professional and leadership experience relevant to these positions.
“When it comes to Mr. Bessent qualifications, there is no room for debate. His background and training are tailor made for the for this role, and he has the demeanor and character to be an effective secretary. His powerful presentation at his hearing about his desire to serve in government in order to make a meaningful difference was impressive to all.
“It includes restoring prosperity and opportunity that our nation experienced during President Trump’s first term in office. As Mr. Bessent stated, accomplishing key tasks like extending vital tax cuts for all Americans is literally a pass/fail exercise, and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure that we succeed.
“I strongly agree with a sentiment my colleague Senator Graham shared at the nomination hearing that if qualifications – and I might add, character – are one’s test, voting to confirm Mr. Bessent is one of the easiest we could ever take.
“In prior congresses, I’ve joined with many of my Republican colleagues in voting for well-qualified Treasury Secretary candidates put forward by a Democrat president, even though I didn’t agree with all of the positions they advocated. Mr. Bessent’s candidacy ought to enjoy similar support, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join with me in advancing his nomination.
“He is the right person for this job, and I commend President Trump, in making such an excellent selection.”
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), along with Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by government nuclear programs.
Despite the Senate passing this bill, the House of Representatives failed to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) reauthorization before its expiration deadline in the 118th Congress.
“In New Mexico and across the country, thousands sacrificed to contribute to our national security. Today, individuals affected by nuclear weapons testing, downwind radiation exposure, and uranium mining are still waiting to receive the justice they are owed,” said Senator Luján. “It is unacceptable that so many who have gotten sick from radiation exposure have been denied compensation by Congress. Despite having passed RECA legislation twice through the Senate with broad bipartisan support, and securing the support of the previous administration, I was disheartened that Speaker Johnson refused a vote on RECA to help victims. This Congress, I am proud to partner with Senator Hawley again to extend and expand RECA. RECA is a bipartisan priority and I am hopeful that we will once again get it through the Senate and hope the Speaker commits to getting victims the compensation they are owed.”
“The time to reauthorize RECA is now. The Senate has done this twice before and must do it again. For far too long, Missourians and others across America have suffered without compensation from their government. It is vital that we unite to pass this legislation now, and that the President sign it into law,” said Senator Hawley.
Since being elected to Congress, Senator Luján has played a leading role in advancing legislation to strengthen the RECA program. He has introduced RECA legislation in every Congress since being elected in 2008.
In 2023, Senator Luján led a bipartisan coalition of Senators to pass RECA as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – the most significant Congressional action in decades to strengthen the program. Republican leadership ultimately blocked its inclusion in the final NDAA bill despite bipartisan support.
In March 2024, the Senate passed Senator Luján’s legislation to extend and expand the RECA program with strong bipartisan support. This included support from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
After RECA legislation passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support, Senator Lujánled a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately act to pass RECA.
After months of inaction by Speaker Johnson, Senator Luján held a bipartisan, bicameral press conference in September 2024 with RECA advocates, urging Speaker Johnson to allow a vote on the Senate-passed RECA legislation.
