Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by wildfires that occurred June 22–July 8. The disaster declaration covers the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
“When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”
SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.
Virtual Business Recovery Center Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. FOCWAssistance@sba.gov (916) 735-1501
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at SBA.gov/disaster.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659‑2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Nov. 25, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is June 24, 2025.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
According to a criminal complaint filed today, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS and obtained firearms and ammunition to conduct a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS. As part of the plot, the defendant allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle members of his family overseas, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and commit a terrorist attack in the United States.
“As charged, the Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”
“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism is still the FBI’s number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.”
“Thanks to the relentless efforts of the FBI, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in my office, the alleged plan to commit an attack on Election Day was disrupted and Mr. Tawhedi was arrested,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Fighting terrorism remains the top priority of the Justice Department. We will continue to pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who plot to commit acts of terrorism against our country and our people.”
According to the criminal complaint, as part of the investigation into Tawhedi, the FBI searched Tawhedi’s phone and obtained communications between Tawhedi and a person who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination of persons who expressed interest in terrorist activity and who Tawhedi understood to be affiliated with ISIS. Tawhedi was also seen in a video recorded on July 20 reading to two children text that describes the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife. Tawhedi also allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda on his iCloud and Google account, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and contributed to a charity which fronts for and funnels money to ISIS.
The complaint alleges that while liquidating their family’s assets prior to the attack, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, who is a juvenile, advertised the sale of the family’s personal property on Facebook. At the FBI’s direction, a confidential human source responded to inquire if a computer was still for sale. The FBI source noted that he needed the computer for a new gun business he was starting, which ultimately led Tawhedi and the juvenile to meet with the source and other FBI assets at a rural location to test firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition from the source.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 7, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with the FBI assets at a rural location in the Western District of Oklahoma and purchased, received, and took possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition. Upon receipt of the rifles and ammunition, Tawhedi and the juvenile were arrested.
In his seized communications, Tawhedi allegedly indicated that his attack was planned for Election Day, and in a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed the attack was planned for Election Day targeting large gatherings of people, during which he and the juvenile were expected to die as martyrs.
Tawhedi was charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, if convicted.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Moore, Oklahoma Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry, Matt Dillon, and Mark Stoneman for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorneys George C. Kraehe and Everett McMillian of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Kambiz Eghbali, also known as Cameron Eghbali, 50, of Los Angeles, was arrested yesterday pursuant to a now-unsealed indictment charging him, along with Hamid Hajipour and Babak Bahizad, both Iranian nationals, with violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Bahizad and Hajipour remain at large.
According to the indictment, from March 2014 through September 2019, Eghbali and others conspired to unlawfully send digital and physical gift cards loaded with U.S. dollars to Iran. Eghbali would list his company, a U.S.-based purported videogame wholesaler and distributor located in the Central District of California, as the seller of the gift cards, and would provide cards to Bahizad for the benefit of his Iran-based gaming company, and to Hajipour for the benefit of his mobile software application service company. Bahizad and Hajipour would then pay Eghbali for the cards by transferring money from Iran to Eghabli’s U.S.-based bank accounts using third parties in other countries to conceal the transfer from U.S. regulators.
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) impose controls and restrictions on transactions involving Iran based on the threats posed by Iran to the national security of the United States including, among others, its pursuit of nuclear weapons and sponsorship of terrorism. The IEEPA and ITSR, among other things, prohibit the export, reexport, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, technology, or services, including financial services, to Iran or the Government of Iran without first obtaining authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum penalties: 20 years in prison for violations of IEEPA, 30 years in prison for bank fraud violations, and 20 years in prison for money laundering violations. The indictment also notifies defendants that the United States intends to forfeit all property alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Martin E. Estrada for the Central District of California, and Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case, with support from Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Boylan and Mark Takla for the Central District of California and Trial Attorneys David J. Ryan and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section 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.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom will speak at the California Economic Summit hosted by California Forward, discussing the state’s economic strength and how the administration is working to expand growth in communities throughout California.
WHAT: California Economic Summit hosted by California Forward WHEN: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 10:50 a.m.
**NOTE: This in-person event will be open to credentialed media only. Media interested in attending must RSVP to govpressoffice@gov.ca.gov by no later than 9 a.m., Wednesday, October 9. Location information will be provided upon RSVP. For more information about the Summit, contact sarah@cafwd.org.
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Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, led 28 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The focus of the brief is a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule.
The brief argues that Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The brief also argues the rulemaking is not consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back Executive Branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda.
“Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.”
“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” the members continued.
In addition to Ranking Member Capito and Senator Cramer, the amicus brief is cosigned by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Ind.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-Mo.-6), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-Ark.-1), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
Full text of the amicus brief is available here.
BACKGROUND:
In April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The measure was co-sponsored by Ranking Member Capito and sponsored by Senator Cramer.
Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
October 8, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after it was reported that an individual was arrested in Oklahoma for plotting a terrorist attack:
“The charges brought against Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi in Oklahoma for plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on U.S. soil is a stark reminder that our nation continues to face threats from those who hate our freedom and want to do us harm. I’m grateful to the FBI, especially the Oklahoma FBI Field Office, and our local law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and dedication to protect our communities. Their swift action prevented what could have been a devastating attack.
“Tawhedi is Afghan refugee with ties to ISIS. With the escalating conflict in Israel and across the Middle East, we must remain vigilant against terrorism here at home. Oklahomans know well that many of the Afghan refugees in our communities fought side by side with American troops against the terrorism that attacked our nation on 9/11 and destroyed the nation of Afghanistan.
“I have been in direct contact with the FBI about this case for a while and I will remain engaged as Tawhedi is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I will continue to work closely with Federal prosecutors to ensure we are taking every step necessary to keep Americans safe.”
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations and Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committees, made several stops in Bluefield, W.Va. to highlight funding projects she has supported, receive updates from community and local leaders, and present the Amelia Earhart Award to a local resident.
To begin the day, Senator Capito met with community leaders to receive a briefing on the city’s funding awards and the regional impact of the recent storm. Following the briefing, Senator Capito toured the U.S. Route 52 modernization project – which she supported and made funding available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“As I was worked to craft the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, I saw a generational opportunity to improve West Virginia’s surface transportation infrastructure. U.S. Route 52 is a crucial thoroughfare for Bluefield and these improvements will increase road safety and continue expanding economic opportunities in and around the city. I was proud to advocate for this project and I’m thrilled to see work underway,” Senator Capito said.
“The funding Senator Capito helped secure for infrastructure projects in Bluefield represents generational change for not only our city, but all of Southern West Virginia. We are very appreciative of Senator Capito for visiting today to see how her support for these projects will modernize downtown Bluefield, create a gateway to Bluefield State University, and improve the safety and quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” Cecil Marson, Bluefield City Manager, said.
The tour concluded at Bluefield State University (BSU) where Senator Capito met with leaders to discuss ongoing expansion projects at the university. In September, Senator Capito secured a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award for BSU to expand its healthcare education facilities and curriculum. The funding, which is part of a broader investment in health care infrastructure and education across West Virginia, will bolster the university’s efforts to train the next generation of health care professionals in the region.
“This new center at Bluefield State University will provide students with the tools and training they need to succeed in the medical field, while also helping to alleviate the healthcare workforce shortages we are seeing across the state and the country,” Senator Capito said. “Investing in medical education is one of the most important steps we can take to ensure that West Virginians have access to high-quality healthcare.”
“This investment is a game-changer for our students and the communities they will serve. It will allow us to expand our medical programs and offer hands-on training opportunities in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. We are deeply appreciative of Senator Capito’s commitment to the future of healthcare in West Virginia,” BSU Interim President Darrin Martin said. “By offering students more pathways to pursue careers in high-demand health fields, we are helping to address workforce shortages while providing top-tier education and holding to our mission of serving our community and providing an affordable, accessible opportunity for public higher education.”
In the afternoon, Senator Capito traveled to the Mercer County Airport’s Civil Air Patrol West Virginia Composite Squadron where she presented the Amelia Earhart Award to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Peyton Bogel. The award is presented to only 3% of the nearly 22,000 CAP cadets nationally each year. Learn more about the award here.
Photos from today’s visits are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with local leaders after touring ongoing improvements to U.S. Route 52 in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Darrin Martin, Interim President at Bluefield State University, following a briefing on university expansion projects and economic development opportunities in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) presents the Amelia Earhart Award to Civil Air Patrol Cadet Peyton Bogle in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Ensuring patients’ needs are met should be the primary factor in determining how many nurses Te Whatu Ora needs, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
Commissioner Dr Lester Levy this morning revealed Te Whatu Ora is employing 3000 more nurses than it has budgeted for, and blamed recent recruitment. This is still significantly less than the 4800 identified in Te Whatu Ora’s 2023/24 Health Workforce Plan.
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says the Commissioner is confusing the difference between budget and need.
“Budget figures and the behaviour of Te Whatu Ora – such as cutting senior clinical roles – is affecting patient care and whānau wellbeing.
“The increase in nursing is driven by demand. We have a growing and aging population which has more serious and complex health needs. We have an acute shortage of nurses in primary and community care.
“Budget figures are plucked out of the air and are a political choice. Aotearoa faces a chronic nurse shortage.
“New Zealanders are well aware of the long waits for care at our hospital Emergency Departments and the difficulty whānau face when trying to access services such as crucial mental health treatment,” he says.
Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health have never agreed to enforceable safe nurse ratios, something in place in Australia, Ireland, Canada and parts of the United States.
“The voice of patients are missing in this financial crisis manufactured by the Coalition Government. The Government can choose to properly fund the health system. And that includes making sure New Zealanders have the nurses they need,” Paul Goulter says.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Prudence Flowers, Senior Lecturer in US History, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Flinders University
It might seem surprising today in the era of Donald Trump, but Republicans in the United States once championed immigration and supported pathways to citizenship for undocumented Americans.
Contrast this with Trump, who has normalised dehumanising rhetoric and policies against immigrants. In this year’s presidential campaign, for instance, he has referred to undocumented immigrants as “animals” who are “poisoning the blood of our country”.
Both Trump and his vice presidential running mate, JD Vance, also repeated a false story about Haitian “illegal aliens” eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Perhaps most troubling, Trump has pledged to launch “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country”, if he’s elected.
Immigration policies throughout history
Nativism, or anti-immigrant sentiment, has a long history in American politics.
In 1924, a highly restrictive immigration quota system based on racial and national origins was introduced. This law envisaged America as a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant nation.
However, there was no restriction on immigrants from the Western Hemisphere. The agricultural and railroad sectors relied heavily on workers from Mexico.
In 1965, the quota system was replaced by visa preference categories for family and employment-based migrants, along with refugee and asylum slots.
Then, as violence and economic instability spread across Central America in the 1970s, there was a surge in undocumented immigration to the US.
Scholar Leo Chavez argues that in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an alarmist “Latino threat narrative” became the dominant motif in media discussions of immigration.
This narrative was frequently driven by Republicanpoliticians in states on the US-Mexico border, who derived electoral advantage from amplifying voter anxieties.
The growing popularity of this negative discourse coincided with a significant increase in income inequality – a byproduct of neo-liberal policies championed by Reagan and other Republicans.
In the early-to-mid 20th century, Democrats were often the party that supported restrictive immigration and border policies.
However, most Republicans at the national level – strongly supported by business – tended to endorse policies that encouraged the easy flow of workers across the border and increased levels of legal immigration.
Prominent conservative Republicans also rejected vilifying rhetoric towards undocumented Americans. They presented all immigrants as pursuing opportunities for their families, a framing that emphasised a shared vision of the American dream. In this telling, their labour contributed to the economy and America’s growth and prosperity.
George H. W. Bush And Ronald Reagan debate immigration in a Republican primary debate in 1980.
Reagan also strongly supported bipartisan immigration reform. In 1986, Congress passed an immigration act that increased border security funding, but also ensured 2.7 million undocumented immigrants, primarily of Latino background, were able to gain legal status.
Twenty years later, President George W. Bush and Republican Senator John McCain lobbied for a bipartisan bill that would have tightened border enforcement while simultaneously “legalising” an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. It was narrowly defeated.
This vocal support for immigrants by leading Republicans was striking because for much of the period between the late 1980s and the early 2000s, a majority of Americans actually wanted immigration levels reduced.
Then, around 2009, a dramatic shift in political rhetoric took place. The Tea Party movement brought border security and “racial resentment” towards immigrants centre stage, challenging conservative Republicans from the populist right.
As a result, more and more Republicans began to voice restrictionist and xenophobic rhetoric and support legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.
What’s surprising, though, is the number of undocumented immigrants in the US was actually declining at this time, from 12.2 million in 2007 to 10.7 million in 2016.
Donald Trump and the new nativism
In this worsening anti-immigrant climate, Trump descended a golden escalator in mid-2015 to launch his presidential campaign.
In his speech that day, immigration was front and centre. Trump vowed to “build a great wall” and accused Mexico of sending “rapists” and “criminals” to America.
His speeches during the presidential campaign were marked by frequent anti-Mexican assertions and calls for Islamophobic visa policies. This hostile stance on immigration was central to his victory in both the Republican primaries and the general election against Hillary Clinton.
Once in office, Trump then adopted a “zero tolerance” stance towards undocumented immigration. His administration pursued a heartrending family separation policy that split children and their undocumented parents at the border. This approach was celebrated on conservative media outlets such as Fox News.
During his presidency, he also reduced legal immigration by almost half, drastically cut America’s refugee intake, and introduced bans on people from Muslim-majority countries.
Policy expert David Bier concluded the goal of Republican lawmakers had shifted:
It really looks like the entire debate about illegality is not the main issue anymore for Republicans in both chambers of Congress. The main goal seems to be to reduce the number of foreigners in the United States to the greatest extent possible.
Indeed, Trump’s vision of the nation had overtly racial overtones.
In one 2018 meeting, he asked why America should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador or the African continent. His preference was for Norwegian migrants.
Immigration as a major election theme
From 2021–2023, undocumented US-Mexico border crossings surged due to natural disasters, economic downturns and violence in many Latin American and Caribbean nations. Many of the recent arrivals are asylum seekers.
Though the numbers have fallen sharply in 2024, immigration and the border are still one of the top issues for voters across the political spectrum. The issue is particularly important in the key swing state of Arizona.
In 2024, Trump’s central immigration promise was encapsulated by the beaming delegates waving signs calling for “Mass Deportations Now” at the Republican National Convention.
The Trump-Vance ticket has blamed undocumented immigrants for almost everyeconomic and socialproblem imaginable. The two candidates present them as a dangerous and subversive “other” that cannot be assimilated into mainstream American culture.
Yet Trump, as both president and candidate, has worked to prevent the passage of border security legislation. Turmoil on the border benefits him.
And his nativism now encompasses all forms of immigration – he has pledged to curb legal channels for people to enter the country, as well.
All of this rhetoric has had a dramatic impact on public opinion. Between 2016 and 2024, the number of people supporting the deportation of undocumented immigrants jumped from 32% to 47%.
In July 2024, 55% of Americans also said they wanted to see immigration levels decrease, a 14-point increase in one year.
Many Americans do not perceive immigration as a source of vitality and renewal as they had in the past. Instead, reflecting Trump’s language, they are viewing immigrants as an existential threat to the country’s future.
Prudence Flowers 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: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 9, 2024
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) issued the following statement on Rep. Zach Nunn’s decisive victory in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional district debate against paid political activist Lanon Baccam.
“Representative Zach Nunn showed why he’s the strong leader that Iowa veterans, farmers and families know can count on to deliver results. Paid political activist Lanon Baccam’s debate performance exposed him as a partisan fraud who can’t defend his long history of working for far-left politicians while lying to voters and erasing his resume. Voters see through Baccam’s facade, and he will be rejected this November.” — NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
Heinrich secured $750,000 to redesign and improve technology at the Center helping first responders keep New Mexicans safe
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center to see how the $750,000 he secured in Congressionally Directed Spending will make needed improvements and technology upgrades at the Center.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) tours the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center onOctober 8, 2024.
“I’m proud to have secured funding to enhance the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center. These improvements will directly support our dedicated firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical responders who work tirelessly to safeguard the health and safety of all New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “I will always fight to deliver the resources and tools our first responders need to do their vital, lifesaving work and keep New Mexicans safe.”
During his visit, Heinrich was also briefed by Bernalillo County Fire Department Chief Greg Perez, Bernalillo County Emergency Management Director Thomas Walmsley, Bernalillo County Undersheriff Johan Jareno, and Bernalillo County Undersheriff Aaron Williamson on how the millions of dollars in federal investments Heinrich has secured have benefitted local fire and police departments, better equipping first responders with new tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe.
Background:
In the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill, Heinrich secured $750,000 for Bernalillo County to redesign the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center and upgrade the Center’s information technology systems and displays.
In addition to this investment, Heinrich cosponsored and secured passage of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which has provided over $15.3 million to local fire departments in New Mexico. Specifically in Bernalillo County, this law has delivered:
$2.4 million for Bernalillo County and its Fire and Rescue Department to recruit and retain firefighters.
$1.6 million for Albuquerque and its Fire Department to recruit and retain firefighters, in addition to new resources needed to better respond to emergencies.
The Fire Grants and Safety Act, which was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden, reauthorizes two federal grant programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For a full list of investments from this program that have delivered funds across New Mexico, click here.
For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders all across New Mexico, click here.
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined a bicameral group of colleagues in filing an amicus brief requesting an Appeals Court uphold a District Court decision vacating a rule that would require local entities to regulate greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from cars and trucks.
In November 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure GHG emissions on the highway system and set declining targets. The rule would hamstring the Idaho Transportation Department with costly and burdensome requirements that would divert limited funds for needed infrastructure improvements across the state to costly and expensive compliance measures by the federal government.
Crapo and Risch joined a bipartisan Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the rule. The resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 53 to 47 in April, reiterating Congress’s opposition to FHWA’s overreach
Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden Administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration.
The brief, led by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), argues Congress debated and rejected granting FHWA the authority to issue GHG performance measure rules and the FHWA then intentionally misconstrued Congressional intent to justify its improper exercise of authority. It also argues the rulemaking is not consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back Executive Branch overreach, and FHWA is bypassing principles of federalism to further its own policy agenda.
“Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.”
“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” continued the members.
Additional cosigners of the amicus brief include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Dan Sullivan (R-Arkansas), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-Missouri), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)
Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Van Drew formally requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) launch a comprehensive federal audit and investigation into the market practices and billing procedures of Atlantic City Electric (ACE). This follows a surge of complaints from South Jersey residents facing massive spikes in their electricity bills, with many seeing charges double, triple, or even quadruple without explanation.
“These outrageous bills have been crippling for families, and the field hearing we held today on this growing crisis confirmed what we have suspected all along: ACE’s practices demand federal scrutiny,” said Congressman Van Drew. “The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has failed in its responsibility to act, leaving us no choice but to escalate this to the federal level. I am formally requesting that FERC and the DOJ conduct a thorough investigation to not only determine if ACE’s inconsistent practices are lawful but also to demand justice for the people of South Jersey by imposing penalties against ACE and mandating rebates for those who have been unfairly overcharged. I will not tolerate these unjust practices and I will not stop fighting until the people of South Jersey get the accountability and relief they deserve.”
The information gathered during today’s hearing will be sent to FERC and the DOJ for immediate review. To watch the full hearing, click here.
Headline: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley Joins Governor Roy Cooper to Survey Damage and Meet with People Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell and Yancey Counties
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley Joins Governor Roy Cooper to Survey Damage and Meet with People Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell and Yancey Counties stonizzo
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley toured Mitchell and Yancey counties with Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday, surveying storm damage, meeting with community members and thanking first responders at the Burnsville and Spruce Pine fire departments. The trip concluded with a visit to Sibelco Quartz Mine, a top employer of Mitchell County with about 500 employees. While speaking with members of the media, the Secretary shared updates from the department’s work in collaboration with local, state and federal partners to get the needed care and resources to the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Helene.
It is a top priority for the department to quickly get food, water and baby formula to impacted areas in Western North Carolina.
30,000 gallons of water distributed to Mitchell County and nearly 25,000 gallons to Yancey County.
95,000 meals ready to eat distributed in Mitchell County and 55,000 meals ready to eat distributed in Yancey County.
Eight pallets (between 120 – 144 cases of formula per pallet) of formula via the National Guard to 34 feeding sites across the impacted Western NC counties.
Formula shipped directly to multiple counties, including Mitchell and Yancey.
Diaper Bank of NC is making daily trips by trucks, mules and ATVs to deliver formula and infant supplies to 16 of the impacted counties in Western North Carolina.
The department is working closely with federal partners to ensure people have access to food.
People across North Carolina can use their EBT cards to purchase hot foods.
People in 23 counties were automatically reimbursed for 70% of their monthly benefit to replace lost food. This is $24million in replacement benefits to more than 200,000 people in North Carolina.
Out of the 1,645 retailers that accept EBT cards in 25 counties in the west, at least 1,259 (77%) were able to run EBT transactions this past Saturday and Sunday.
However, there are a large number of retailers in Mitchell and Yancey counties still not able to accept EBT cards, and we are working with partners to get more of those retailers back online.
We are working to ensure communities have access to medical care, support and life-saving medication.
A Community Medical Care Site in Burnsville (Yancey County) is being set up with ambulances, medications and medical supplies on site.
229 pharmacies are open in the impacted counites and EBCI Tribal area with federal disaster declaration. Each county and the EBCI Tribal area have at least one pharmacy open and filling prescriptions.
All shelters have mental health counselors on site and are stocked with Naloxone for people in need of treatment for opioid overdose.
All 27 opioid treatment programs in the Western region are already re-open and folks can go to any one of them to get their treatment doses. They do not need to go to the one they usually go to.
NCDHHS is filling Benadryl and epinephrine injections requests through hospitals, emergency medical personnel and doctors who are seeing a significant number of people showing up with insect stings.
The department has been concerned about oxygen supplies and has worked with multiple vendors, federal agencies and neighboring states to source supplies. Two refill stations have been set up; one in Mocksville and another in Brevard.
We understand the emotional and mental toll that a crisis like this can take and want to make sure people have access to mental health supports. We’ve ramped up staffing at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. People in immediate crisis or contemplating self harm should not hesitate to call. For everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Disaster Distress Hotline is ready to take your call at 1-800-985-5990.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)
Congressman Crow was joined by Senator Hickenlooper, Lt. Gov. Primavera, Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor, and Buckley SFB leadership to discuss the future of the base
AURORA— Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), former Army Ranger, joined Colorado leaders to host the third Future of Buckley Task Force meeting. This event brings together high-level defense community stakeholders and base leaders for an open discussion on the future of Buckley as well as ongoing efforts to support Buckley’s mission and Colorado’s military community. Topics included energy resilience and infrastructure projects on the base; 140th Wing recapitalization efforts; and improving quality of life for servicemembers and base personnel.
This year, Congressman Crow was joined by Senator John Hickenlooper, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor, and Buckley Space Force Base leadership.
“Supporting Buckley Space Force Base is a major priority of mine in Congress,”said Congressman Crow.“I’m glad to have Senator Hickenlooper, Lieutenant Governor Primavera, Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor, and Buckley leadership here today at the third Future of Buckley Task Force meeting to support Buckley’s mission, uplift our military community, and solidify Colorado’s role as a global aerospace leader.”
Buckley Space Force Base is a key economic driver for Colorado. The base employs 3,100 active duty members, 4,000 National Guard personnel and Reservists, 2,400 civilians, and 2,500 contractors. It is estimated that Buckley contributes $1 billion annually to the local economy.
This third meeting of the Future of Buckley Task Force builds on Congressman Crow’s longstanding work to support Buckley Space Force Base and solidify Colorado’s role as a global aerospace leader. In December 2023, Congressman Crowsecuredkey priorities in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, including bipartisan legislation to ensure that the U.S. Air Force conducts necessary planning to ensure that aging jets are replaced at bases nationwide. As part of the NDAA, Congressman Crowalso secured$14.7M for critical water and electric infrastructure upgrades at Buckley.
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 9, 2024
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) issued the following statement on Mike LiPetri’s victory in the 3rd Congressional district debate against Tom Suozzi:
“Mike LiPetri’s performance exemplified someone who prioritizes border security, public safety, affordability and siding with our allies overseas. His commitment to serving the people of Long Island will resonate with voters this November.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Savannah Viar
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 9, 2024
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) today released a statement following Representative Juan Ciscomani’s decisive debate victory in Arizona’s 6th Congressional district tonight:
“Southern Arizonans saw a clear contrast. Representative Juan Ciscomani demonstrated why Arizonans trust him to lower the cost of living and protect their communities from the border crisis, and how he’s delivering results as Arizona’s most-bipartisan Member of Congress.
Extreme liberal Kirsten Engel lashed out with lies because her radical record has no defense. Arizonans don’t support Engel calling to defund the police, denying the border crisis, raising their taxes or abusing taxpayer resources.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen
Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) “Friend of Farm Bureau” award, recognizing her steadfast commitment to Wisconsin farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin accepted the award while visiting Messerschmidt Farms in Fall Creek, Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy and the fabric of our rural communities, and it’s my job to hear their concerns and fight for them in Washington,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I’m honored to be named a ‘Friend of Farm Bureau,’ and look forward to continuing to fight in Washington to give Wisconsin farmers and rural communities the tools they need to succeed for generations to come.”
“The Wisconsin Farm Bureau supports Senator Tammy Baldwin for her continued dedication to Wisconsin’s agricultural community,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson. “Senator Baldwin has led efforts to enforce FDA labeling standards through the Dairy Pride Act and increased funding in Wisconsin businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which has directed almost $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses. Her leadership on key legislation like the Meat Business Innovation Act and the Farmland Security Act reflects her commitment to the future of our farmers and rural communities. Senator Baldwin understands the unique challenges facing Wisconsin agriculture and has consistently been a strong voice in Washington, advocating for policies that promote sustainability and growth in our state’s farming industry.”
AFBF gives the award to members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors. Senator Baldwin was given the award based on her legislative efforts to support Wisconsin’s farm families and agriculture economy. Senator Baldwin has introduced several pieces of legislation backed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, including:
Farmland Security Act, bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and oversight of foreign ownership in the American agricultural industry.
Protecting Future Farmland Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that federal investments in rural energy projects prioritizes both land stewardship and responsible deployment of renewable energy to protect America’s farmlands for future cultivation.
Dairy Business Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, including creating new products, expanding their markets, and modernizing their production facilities. Senator Baldwin successfully created the DBI Initiatives through the Dairy Business Innovation Act in 2018, which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill and has since delivered $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses innovate and reach new customers.
Meat Business Innovation Act, legislation that applies the successful model of the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives to the livestock farming and meat processing industry.
DAIRY PRIDE Act, bipartisan legislation to require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese.
Downloadable pictures from the visit and of Senator Baldwin receiving the award can be found here.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seized about 500 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $130 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on September 27.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying soy beans, arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside 83 bags of soy beans.
After a follow-up investigation and a controlled delivery operation, Customs officers arrested two men and one woman aged between 44 and 55, who were suspected to be connected with the case, during September 27 and October 2. An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.
Trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Headline: Building Fiber Leadership in Latin America: Bringing Gigabit Life to the Region
[Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 9, 2024] The 2024 LATAM Fiber Broadband Leaders Summit hosted by Huawei and supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was successfully held in Brazil. Themed “Digital Fiber, Advancing Giga LATAM”, the summit brought together more than 260 people from industry organizations, partners, and carriers in Latin America. At the Summit, participants discussed fiber broadband development trends, strategies, and practices. Huawei for the first time proposed three development strategies (all-optical transition, gigabit transition, and scenario transition) for giga fiber broadband industry and launched three digital fiber solutions.
Joey Zhou, President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Dept, delivering his opening speech
Joey Zhou, President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Dept., said optical fiber has become Latin America’s most important broadband access technology. His statement was based on a recent report from the consultancy Omdia that noted that in 2024, fiber accounted for more than 60% of home broadband in Latin America.
Mainstream carriers in Latin America have released all-optical strategies and continued to increase investment. As digital services such as home office, live streaming, and e-commerce develop rapidly in Latin America, users pay more attention to network experience requirements, and upgrade bandwidth from 100Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s. Concurrently, application scenarios of optical broadband are no longer limited to traditional home entertainment scenarios, many diversified application scenarios such as smart home and SME digitalization emerge through one fiber, which will help carriers expand the boundaries of home broadband revenue.
At the event, Joey Zhou further noted: “Latin America’s digital economy is in a golden development period, digital services are accelerating, which has brought broad opportunities for value creation. Huawei is willing to work with governments, regulators, carriers and industry partners to accelerate the development of Latin America’s gigabit optical broadband industry and jointly build a digital Latin America.”
Gary Lu, President of Huawei Carrier Network Marketing and Solution Sales Department, delivered a speech titled “ACT3 to Embrace the GIGA and AI eras”. A is for ARPU, C is about coverage of service, and T stands for take-up rate.
Coverage multiplied by take-up rate is the user base, and ARPU is the key to increasing revenue.”ACT” to the power of three, means the three transitions are the way to increase the user base and the revenue of FBB service, and it will also bring the quality of digital life to Latin America. Gary Lu said that fiber construction and development in Latin America has entered the fast lane, and the gigabit fiber broadband era of Latin America has arrived. Carriers need to seize the new business opportunities in the gigabit and AI era. In his speech, Gary Lu proposed three development strategy suggestions — all-optical transition, gigabit transition, and scenario transition— to accelerate cable-to-fiber transition, increase both speed and quality, meet digital and AI service requirements, provide diversified and scenario-based service. By accelerating the three transitions, Huawei and Latin American carriers will jointly usher in a new era of gigabit intelligence in the region, bringing richer and higher-quality digital life experiences to users.
Gary Lu, President of Huawei Carrier Network Marketing and Solution Sales Dept, speaking at the event
Daniel Zhang, Vice president of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Department, delivered a speech titled “Digital Fiber Innovations, Advancing Giga LATAM”. Zhang said that Huawei has consistently adhered to the vision of “in Latin America, For Latin America”, matching Latin American market requirements and continuously promoting digital fiber innovations, to accelerate the development of the Latin American ICT industry. To help carriers better seize the development opportunities of gigabit Latin America, Huawei launched three major Digital Fiber solution innovations: Digital Quick ODN 4 cores solutions for cost-effective FTTH construction, Service-level slicing-based FTTH gigabit solution ensures differentiated service experience, and symmetrical 2.5 Gbit/s Super GPON Solution supports symmetrical business scenarios for small and medium-sized enterprises. In the future, Huawei hopes to work with industry partners to build gigabit Latin America and accelerate the development of the digital economy in Latin America.
Daniel Zhang, Vice President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Dept, during his address
Headline: Building Fiber Leadership in Latin America: Bringing Gigabit Life to the Region
Oct 09, 2024
[Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 9, 2024] The 2024 LATAM Fiber Broadband Leaders Summit hosted by Huawei and supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was successfully held in Brazil. Themed “Digital Fiber, Advancing Giga LATAM”, the summit brought together more than 260 people from industry organizations, partners, and carriers in Latin America. At the Summit, participants discussed fiber broadband development trends, strategies, and practices. Huawei for the first time proposed three development strategies (all-optical transition, gigabit transition, and scenario transition) for giga fiber broadband industry and launched three digital fiber solutions.
Joey Zhou, President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Dept, delivering his opening speech
Joey Zhou, President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Dept., said optical fiber has become Latin America’s most important broadband access technology. His statement was based on a recent report from the consultancy Omdia that noted that in 2024, fiber accounted for more than 60% of home broadband in Latin America.
Mainstream carriers in Latin America have released all-optical strategies and continued to increase investment. As digital services such as home office, live streaming, and e-commerce develop rapidly in Latin America, users pay more attention to network experience requirements, and upgrade bandwidth from 100Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s. Concurrently, application scenarios of optical broadband are no longer limited to traditional home entertainment scenarios, many diversified application scenarios such as smart home and SME digitalization emerge through one fiber, which will help carriers expand the boundaries of home broadband revenue.
At the event, Joey Zhou further noted: “Latin America’s digital economy is in a golden development period, digital services are accelerating, which has brought broad opportunities for value creation. Huawei is willing to work with governments, regulators, carriers and industry partners to accelerate the development of Latin America’s gigabit optical broadband industry and jointly build a digital Latin America.”
Gary Lu, President of Huawei Carrier Network Marketing and Solution Sales Department, delivered a speech titled “ACT3 to Embrace the GIGA and AI eras”. A is for ARPU, C is about coverage of service, and T stands for take-up rate.
Coverage multiplied by take-up rate is the user base, and ARPU is the key to increasing revenue.”ACT” to the power of three, means the three transitions are the way to increase the user base and the revenue of FBB service, and it will also bring the quality of digital life to Latin America. Gary Lu said that fiber construction and development in Latin America has entered the fast lane, and the gigabit fiber broadband era of Latin America has arrived. Carriers need to seize the new business opportunities in the gigabit and AI era. In his speech, Gary Lu proposed three development strategy suggestions — all-optical transition, gigabit transition, and scenario transition— to accelerate cable-to-fiber transition, increase both speed and quality, meet digital and AI service requirements, provide diversified and scenario-based service. By accelerating the three transitions, Huawei and Latin American carriers will jointly usher in a new era of gigabit intelligence in the region, bringing richer and higher-quality digital life experiences to users.
Gary Lu, President of Huawei Carrier Network Marketing and Solution Sales Dept, speaking at the event
Daniel Zhang, Vice president of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing and Solution Sales Department, delivered a speech titled “Digital Fiber Innovations, Advancing Giga LATAM”. Zhang said that Huawei has consistently adhered to the vision of “in Latin America, For Latin America”, matching Latin American market requirements and continuously promoting digital fiber innovations, to accelerate the development of the Latin American ICT industry. To help carriers better seize the development opportunities of gigabit Latin America, Huawei launched three major Digital Fiber solution innovations: Digital Quick ODN 4 cores solutions for cost-effective FTTH construction, Service-level slicing-based FTTH gigabit solution ensures differentiated service experience, and symmetrical 2.5 Gbit/s Super GPON Solution supports symmetrical business scenarios for small and medium-sized enterprises. In the future, Huawei hopes to work with industry partners to build gigabit Latin America and accelerate the development of the digital economy in Latin America.
Daniel Zhang, Vice President of Huawei Latin America ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Dept, during his address
Good afternoon, and welcome to Santiago. It is my great pleasure to host this year’s meeting of the FSB Regional Consultative Group for the Americas, organized jointly by the Financial Stability Board, the Financial Markets Commission of Chile and the Central Bank of Chile. Let me extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and participants. We are honored by your presence here today, particularly as we gather together to address some of the most pressing challenges and latest developments in the realms of financial stability, market development and regulatory coordination.
Allow me to especially acknowledge the presence of Mr. Klaas Knot, Chair of the Financial Stability Board and Tiff Macklem and Kenneth Baker, Co-Chairs of the Regional Consultative Group for the Americas, whose work and commitment have contributed greatly to shaping our global and regional efforts aimed at enhancing financial stability.
I am also glad to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Rodrigo Coelho, Head of Policy Benchmarking of the Financial Stability Institute, who will be our keynote speaker today, whose expertise and perspective I am sure will provide us with key concepts and insights to foster today’s discussions.
Lastly, let me express my sincere gratitude to the organizing teams of the Secretariat of the Financial Stability Board, the Financial Markets Commission, and our team in the Central 2 Bank of Chile, for their hard work and dedication that have been instrumental in making this event possible.
MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Bank “RUSSIA” Russia Bank – 09.10.2024
Bank “ROSSIYA” acted as a partner of the X All-Russian Conference “Priorities of Market Electric Power Industry in Russia”
Bank “ROSSIYA” took part in and became a partner of the jubilee 10th All-Russian conference “Priorities of the market electric power industry in Russia: (un)limited possibilities”, which was held on October 2-4 in Sochi.
At the initiative of Bank “ROSSIYA”, a business breakfast was held as part of the conference, dedicated to the problems of developing digital services and financial infrastructure for “green” electric power industry.
It was attended by the Chairman of the Board of the Association “NP Market Council” M.S. Bystrov and the Director of the Department of Competition, Energy Efficiency and Ecology of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia I.A. Petrunina. The Bank was represented at the event by Deputy Chairman of the Board A.V. Shalenkov, Senior Vice President E.V. Svitova, Vice President – Head of the Department for Work with Electric Power Enterprises R.I. Tugushev and other managers.
A.V. Shalenkov addressed the event participants with a welcoming speech. In his speech, he noted the importance of supporting initiatives aimed at preserving the climate: “In our country, as in the rest of the world, there is a growing demand for financial instruments that ensure the “greening” of business and confirm its commitment to ESG principles. Bank “ROSSIYA” has experience working with projects related to “green” energy – they are valuable to us not only because of their economic efficiency, but also in terms of the climate goals that our country and society face. We have the necessary infrastructure to implement new services in this area and are confident that our numerous clients will respond to such initiatives.”
The prospects of new instruments were outlined by M.S. Bystrov: “The interests of the state in the sphere of “green” electric power coincide with the goals of business and ordinary consumers. The “green” agenda remains among the priorities of petrochemical, metallurgical and other industrial companies. Ordinary people, mainly young people, also want to make their consumption more responsible and environmentally friendly. The certification system allows both to move in this direction, opening up new “green” opportunities.”
I.A. Petrunina in her speech emphasized the importance of the climate agenda in the country’s economic development: “The Ministry of Economic Development is working in two key areas – low-carbon regulation and energy efficiency. Over the past two years, noticeable shifts have been observed in this area, the necessary regulatory and legal architecture of public administration is being created. We are also creating infrastructure for the implementation of climate projects by businesses. Carbon units, like “green” certificates, are already actively used by market participants.”
Member of the Board of the Association “NP Market Council”, General Director of the Center for Energy Certification LLC O.G. Barkin told the participants about the development of the “green” certification system in Russia. With the help of certificates, consumers can confirm the use of energy obtained from clean sources. Given the growing awareness of society and the overall growth in demand for products with a low carbon footprint, energy certification can also be considered a promising area.
The Director of Energy and Resource Provision of PJSC SIBUR V.V. Tupikin, the Director of Work with Natural Monopolies of JSC RUSAL Management M.G. Balashov, the Managing Director of JSC Energosbyt Plus Yu.B. Chernyavskaya and other participants of the event also presented their vision of the problems of “green” electric power industry.
The Bank’s retail employees took an active part in the conference. Participants and guests were given consultations on mortgages in the primary market, refinancing, consumer lending, and applications for credit cards were accepted. Agreements were also reached on holding retail events on the premises of enterprises in the electric power sector.
For ten years, Bank “ROSSIYA” has been an authorized credit organization of the Wholesale Electricity and Capacity Market (WECM). During this time, the Bank managed to create an effective technological structure for settlements between enterprises in the electric power industry.
Participation in the conference contributed to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening the image of Bank “ROSSIYA” among players in the electric power market.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Eurojust supported this international operation, which hit a notorious mafia organisation. Investigations into the criminal organisation uncovered an elaborate scheme that was laundering money from Italy to Brazil, through several companies. The operation on 7 October led to the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of nine companies in Italy, Hong Kong and Brazil.
The suspects arrested today were involved in the mafia organisation and used extortion, money laundering and the fraudulent transfer of valuables to facilitate important mafia organisations. The main suspect in the scheme set up multiple companies in Brazil using straw men and shell companies. The companies were used to hide the criminal gains of mafia organisations from Italy.
The investigations revealed that other companies active in the property and hospitality sectors in Italy, Hong Kong and Brazil were part of this elaborate money-laundering scheme. During the operation, nine companies were seized, as well as money worth EUR 350 000.
The operation on 7 October is the second action from a joint investigation team (JIT) set up at Eurojust between Italian and Brazilian authorities. The JIT has been investigating the mafia organisation since 2022. The first operation took place on 13 August and led to the arrest of a member of a mafia family and the freezing of assets worth EUR 50 million.
The Italian and Brazilian authorities have been investigating the activities of the mafia organisation since 2022 through a JIT, set up with the support of Eurojust. Their investigations uncovered the activities of the organisation in Switzerland and Hong Kong.
The following authorities were involved in the actions:
Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo – District Antimafia Directorate; Guardia di Finanza – G.I.C.O. (Organized Crime Investigative Group) of Palermo
Brazil: Federal Prosecutor’s Office of Rio Grande do Norte
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Digital transformation expert Mike Bracken and tax specialist Bill Dodwell have joined the HM Revenue and Customs Board.
The pair have been appointed as non-executive directors to the board, which is chaired by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP.
They will bring fresh expertise and experience to the board as it focuses on the minister’s 3 strategic priorities for HMRC:
closing the tax gap
improving customer service
modernising and reforming HMRC
Jim Harra, HMRC First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive, said:
I’m delighted Mike and Bill are joining the board and adding their expert knowledge to the considerable expertise that already exists on the board.
They will help HMRC to deliver on the minister’s priorities of closing the tax gap, improving customer service, and modernising and reforming HMRC.
Mike Bracken has led digital operations and transformations in large-scale public and private sector organisations in the UK and Europe. He was the founder and executive director of the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) and the UK’s first Government Chief Data Officer.
He has advised more than 30 governments and global financial institutions on digital transformation, from Australia to Argentina.
Mike will chair the board’s Modernisation and Reform Committee.
Bill Dodwell was Tax Director of the Office of Tax Simplification having been head of tax policy at Deloitte. He has law degrees from King’s College London and Queens’ College Cambridge and is a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser.
Bill is a former president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and was a member of the General Anti-Abuse Rule Advisory Panel.
Bill will chair the board’s Closing the Tax Gap Committee.
Both Mike and Bill have been appointed board members by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs for a fixed term of one year in accordance with the relevant guidance.
The HMRC Board provides scrutiny, challenge and advice to the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs on HMRC’s operational strategies, performance, capability and risks. It is not decision-making and does not advise on policy development or the affairs of individual taxpayers.
Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)
Montgomery, Alabama – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson issued a public safety alert today advising the public to be vigilant to hurricane relief fraud attempts in the wake of Hurricane Helene and future storms.
“Criminals will use any situation, including natural disasters, to profit from the kindness and generosity of others,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “I encourage all Alabamians to be mindful as they consider participating in donation requests for disaster relief. Using the suggestions listed below will help ensure that donations reach their intended recipient and do not get diverted to those who seek only to enrich themselves.”
On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend Region and quickly caused major devastation there and across states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and others. Currently, Hurricane Milton is making its way across the Gulf of Mexico and will impact Florida’s west coast this week. As we have seen in the wake of previous national disasters, fraudsters will target victims of the storm along with citizens across the country who want to do what they can to assist individuals affected by the storm. Unfortunately, criminals exploit disasters for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating deceiving websites designed to solicit contributions.
The public should exercise diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene or any other natural disaster. Solicitations can originate from phone calls, texts, social media, e-mail, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings, and other similar methods. Before making a donation to benefit victims of a disaster, individuals should adhere to certain guidelines, including:
Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
Do not be pressured into making contributions as reputable charities do not use such tactics.
Do not respond to any unsolicited communications (e.g., e-mails and texts), and never click links contained within those messages because they may be targeting your personal information, to include bank and credit card account information, and other identifiers such as dates of birth and social security numbers.
Rather than clicking on a purported link to a charity, verify its legitimacy by utilizing various internet-based resources that may assist in confirming whether the organization is a valid charity.
Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
Know that legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services, and their website will normally end in .org rather than .com.
Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to deter, investigate, and prosecute fraud in the wake of disasters. More than 50 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Complaints of fraud may be reported online at http://www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. Complaints may also be reported to the NCDF at (866) 720-5721, a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Vancouver, BC, Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicola Wealth, one of Canada’s fastest-growing private investment counsel firms, is pleased to announce that Michael Kaumeyer, founder and former CEO of Grayhawk Wealth, has joined Nicola Wealth to help develop and grow its ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) division.
For over 30 years, Nicola Wealth has served some of Canada’s most successful and wealthiest families with over $3 billion of the firm’s $16 billion in assets under management (AUM) stewarded for this segment. Recognizing the opportunity to expand in the UHNW space, Michael’s new role reflects Nicola Wealth’s commitment to this market segment. His leadership will help the firm grow while assisting clients in building meaningful legacies for themselves and their communities.
Michael, an accomplished business leader, brings a proven track record of success in working with Canadian families and foundations, emphasizing strong, multigenerational relationships to support the growth of their legacies. His complementary skill set in connecting with clients, understanding their distinctive values and challenges, and delivering exceptional service aligns with Nicola Wealth’s approach to advanced financial planning and pension fund-style investing.
“Michael’s decision to join us speaks volumes about our approach to wealth and legacy management,” said Vanessa Flockton, President, Private Wealth. “We don’t just serve our clients; we care deeply about them, their families, and their communities. Michael shares our belief that the key to lasting success is building strong, personal relationships. He will help us build upon our proven track record of long-term performance, sophisticated planning and enduring relationships.”
Prior to joining Nicola Wealth, Michael founded Grayhawk Wealth in 2015 and successfully grew the firm to manage $1.5 billion in AUM. His relationship-driven approach led to a highly successful business, resulting in the sale of the majority stake in 2020. At Nicola Wealth, Michael will have a national mandate to further define and expand the firm’s UHNW services, ensuring clients receive the highest level of personalized and innovative wealth management solutions.
“I am thrilled to join Nicola Wealth, a firm that prioritizes relationships and truly understands the complex needs of ultra-high-net-worth families,” said Kaumeyer. “This is a unique opportunity to build on the firm’s legacy of trust and care, and I look forward to working with Canadian families to help them grow and protect their wealth across generations.”
Based in Calgary, Michael will work nationally to contribute to Nicola Wealth’s ongoing mission to deliver exceptional client experiences. His deep Alberta roots and commitment to the community further align with Nicola Wealth’s dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of its clients and the communities they care about.
Nicola Wealth’s approach to serving clients centers on the ability to integrate wealth planning with investment management and personal legacy-building. By bringing Michael on board, Nicola Wealth will continue to grow its UHNW client base and serve Canadian families with the care, time, and expertise they deserve.
About Nicola Wealth
Nicola Wealth Management Ltd. is an independent wealth management firm dedicated to serving the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. Today, the firm manages over $16.4 billion in assets for clients across Canada, with advisors in BC, Alberta and Ontario. Nicola Wealth delivers a level of diversification; building upon a foundation of publicly traded securities, the Nicola Wealth portfolio is truly diversified to include access to a wide range of private asset classes including hard asset real estate, private equity, private debt, commercial mortgages and more. For more information, please visit http://www.nicolawealth.com.
Pursuant to Rules 10 and 183, and after taking into account the observations of the Member concerned, the President had decided to impose a penalty on Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă for having disrupted the sitting of 18 July 2024 by behaving improperly during the debate on the statement by the candidate for President of the Commission (minutes of 18.7.2024, item 3).
The penalty consisted of the forfeiture of the Member’s entitlement to the daily subsistence allowance for a period of seven days and of a temporary suspension from participation in Parliament’s plenary activities for a period of seven days on which Parliament meets, starting that day, 8 October 2024, without prejudice to the Member’s right to vote in plenary, and subject to strict compliance with the Members’ standards of conduct.
The Member concerned had been notified of this decision and had lodged an internal appeal with the Bureau under Rule 184. At its meeting the previous day, the Bureau had upheld the penalty imposed, without prejudice to the external rights of appeal open to the Member concerned. The penalty was therefore final.
IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ Vice-President
3. Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024 (debate)
Council and Commission statements: Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024 (2024/2782(RSP))
János Bóka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.
The following spoke: Siegfried Mureşan, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anna Bryłka on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Bas Eickhout, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of the The Left Group, Anja Arndt, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, Alex Agius Saliba, Enikő Győri, Charlie Weimers, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Damian Boeselager, João Oliveira, Michael von der Schulenburg, Paulo Cunha, Nicola Zingaretti, Gilles Pennelle, Beata Szydło, Karlo Ressler, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Csaba Dömötör, Nicolas Bay, Luděk Niedermayer, Matjaž Nemec, Emmanouil Fragkos, Seán Kelly, Dan Nica, Kris Van Dijck, Wouter Beke and Jaak Madison.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Maria Grapini, Tobiasz Bocheński, Lukas Sieper, Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Grzegorz Braun.
The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič and János Bóka.
The debate closed.
4. Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon(2021/2850(RSP))
Josep Borrell Fontelles (Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.
The following spoke: Željana Zovko, on behalf of the PPE Group.
IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN Vice-President
The following spoke: Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastiaan Stöteler, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alberico Gambino, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Lynn Boylan, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Nacho Sánchez Amor, António Tânger Corrêa, who also answered a blue-card question by Bruno Gonçalves, Assita Kanko, Christophe Grudler, Hannah Neumann, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alexander Sell, Giorgos Georgiou, Hans Neuhoff, Kostas Papadakis, François-Xavier Bellamy, who also answered a blue-card question by Anthony Smith, Hana Jalloul Muro, Hermann Tertsch, Alexandr Vondra, who also answered a blue-card question by Ondřej Dostál, Bernard Guetta, Leoluca Orlando, Rima Hassan, who also answered a blue-card question by François-Xavier Bellamy, Tomasz Froelich, Kateřina Konečná, Loucas Fourlas, Evin Incir, Thierry Mariani, Rihards Kols, Barry Andrews, Ana Miranda Paz, Mimmo Lucano, Petar Volgin, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, who also answered a blue-card question by Evin Incir (the President reminded the House of the provisions of Rule 10), Matjaž Nemec, Raffaele Stancanelli, Abir Al-Sahlani, Mika Aaltola, Ana Catarina Mendes, Michael McNamara, Milan Zver, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Elena Yoncheva, Seán Kelly, Thijs Reuten, Lukas Mandl, Chloé Ridel, Dimitris Tsiodras, Lucia Annunziata, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Maria Walsh and Sander Smit.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Cecilia Strada, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Marc Botenga, Grzegorz Braun, Luke Ming Flanagan and Alvise Pérez.
The following spoke: Josep Borrell Fontelles.
The debate closed.
(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)
IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS Vice-President
5. Resumption of the sitting
The sitting resumed at 12:31.
⁂
Jordan Bardella spoke.
6. Voting time
For detailed results, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.
6.1. Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France further to natural disasters that occurred in 2023 (vote)
Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France relating to six natural disasters that occurred in 2023 [COM(2024)0325 – C10-0088/2024 – 2024/0212(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Georgios Aftias (A10-0002/2024)
8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.
9. The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe (debate)
Commission statement: The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe (2024/2820(RSP))
Valdis Dombrovskis (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statement.
The following spoke: Jens Gieseke, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Paolo Borchia, on behalf of the PfE Group, Daniel Obajtek, on behalf of the ECR Group, Christophe Grudler, on behalf of the Renew Group, Sara Matthieu, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Rudi Kennes, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, and Peter Liese.
IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO Vice-President
The following spoke: Gabriele Bischoff, Philippe Olivier, Elena Donazzan, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Anna Cavazzini, Li Andersson, who also answered a blue-card question by Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, Markus Buchheit, Diego Solier, who also answered a blue-card question by Jacek Ozdoba, Raúl de la Hoz Quintano, who also answered a blue-card question by Waldemar Buda, Dan Nica, András Gyürk, Alexandr Vondra, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Kai Tegethoff, Jonas Sjöstedt, Siegbert Frank Droese, Lukas Sieper, Dennis Radtke, Estelle Ceulemans, Barbara Bonte, Johan Van Overtveldt, Svenja Hahn, Majdouline Sbai, Marina Mesure, Arno Bausemer, Thomas Geisel, Massimiliano Salini, Bernd Lange, Filip Turek, Carlo Fidanza, Pascal Canfin, who also answered a blue-card question by Anne-Sophie Frigout, Benedetta Scuderi, Carola Rackete, Anja Arndt, Susana Solís Pérez, Johan Danielsson, Roman Haider, Nicolas Bay, Ľubica Karvašová, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Pasquale Tridico, Tom Berendsen, Antonio Decaro, Vilis Krištopans, Gheorghe Piperea, Sophie Wilmès, Saskia Bricmont, Jan Farský, Giorgio Gori, Klara Dostalova, Marlena Maląg, Eugen Tomac, Michael Bloss, François-Xavier Bellamy, François Kalfon, Anna Bryłka, Mariateresa Vivaldini, Engin Eroglu, Niels Flemming Hansen, Marit Maij, Mélanie Disdier, Beata Szydło, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Dariusz Joński, Matthias Ecke, Jorge Buxadé Villalba and Giovanni Crosetto.
IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE Vice-President
The following spoke: Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Paulius Saudargas, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Sebastian Kruis, Ondřej Krutílek, Yvan Verougstraete, Angelika Niebler, Christel Schaldemose, Marie Dauchy, Pietro Fiocchi, Michał Kobosko, Wouter Beke, Bruno Tobback, Julie Rechagneux, Stefano Cavedagna, Miriam Lexmann, Daniel Attard, Angéline Furet, Anna Zalewska, Eszter Lakos, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, who also answered a blue-card question by Nicolae Ştefănuță, Sophia Kircher, Annalisa Corrado, Jaak Madison, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Andreas Schieder, Matej Tonin and Idoia Mendia Cueva.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak, Maria Grapini, Silvia Sardone, Tobiasz Bocheński, Benoit Cassart, Marc Botenga, Marcin Sypniewski, Kateřina Konečná, Radan Kanev, Elena Sancho Murillo, Dario Tamburrano, Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska.
The following spoke: Valdis Dombrovskis.
Motions for resolutions to be tabled under Rule 136(2) would be announced at a later stage.
The debate closed.
Vote: at a later part-session.
10. Strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration(2021/2821(RSP))
Věra Jourová (Vice-President of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Siegfried Mureşan, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Tobiasz Bocheński, on behalf of the ECR Group, Dan Barna, on behalf of the Renew Group, Reinier Van Lanschot, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Michael Gahler, Maria Grapini, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Helmut Brandstätter, Virginijus Sinkevičius, David McAllister, Kristian Vigenin, Cristian Terheş, Petras Auštrevičius, Rasa Juknevičienė, Vasile Dîncu, Adam Bielan, Eugen Tomac, Sandra Kalniete, Pina Picierno, Adrian-George Axinia, Michał Szczerba, Tonino Picula, Małgorzata Gosiewska and Andrea Wechsler.
IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS Vice-President
The following spoke: Victor Negrescu, Davor Ivo Stier, Francisco Assis, Krzysztof Brejza, Mika Aaltola, Sven Simon, Michał Wawrykiewicz and Jüri Ratas.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Grzegorz Braun.
The following spoke: Věra Jourová.
Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate: minutes of 9.10.2024, item II.
The debate closed.
Vote: 9 October 2024.
11. Composition of committees and delegations
The Renew Group had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of delegations:
Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee: Jana Toom
Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia: Michael McNamara to replace Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu
The decisions took effect as of that day.
13. The democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:The democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia(2021/2822(RSP))
Věra Jourová (Vice-President of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Rasa Juknevičienė, on behalf of the PPE Group, Sven Mikser, on behalf of the S&D Group, Thierry Mariani, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Urmas Paet, on behalf of the Renew Group, Reinier Van Lanschot, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Danilo Della Valle, on behalf of The Left Group, Hans Neuhoff, on behalf of the ESN Group, Michael Gahler, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Rihards Kols, who also answered a blue-card question by Alessandro Zan, Petras Auštrevičius, Markéta Gregorová, who also answered a blue-card question by Ondřej Dostál, Petar Volgin, who also answered a blue-card question by Tobiasz Bocheński, Ľuboš Blaha, Michał Szczerba, Pierfrancesco Maran, Adam Bielan, Helmut Brandstätter, Leoluca Orlando, Ondřej Dostál, Ondřej Kolář, Francisco Assis, Brigitte van den Berg, Riho Terras, Raphaël Glucksmann, Dainius Žalimas, Davor Ivo Stier, Tobias Cremer, Ivars Ijabs, Mika Aaltola, Robert Biedroń, Paulius Saudargas, Thijs Reuten and Jacek Protas.
IN THE CHAIR: Ewa KOPACZ Vice-President
The following spoke: Michał Wawrykiewicz.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure:Alessandro Zan, Tobiasz Bocheński, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Grzegorz Braun, Milan Mazurek and Lukas Sieper.
The following spoke: Věra Jourová.
Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate: minutes of 9.10.2024, item II.
The debate closed.
Vote: 9 October 2024.
14. Outcome of the Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the sustainable development goals (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Outcome of the Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the sustainable development goals(2021/2823(RSP))
Věra Jourová (Vice-President of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Udo Bullmann, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Ignazio Roberto Marino, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Marc Jongen, on behalf of the ESN Group, Hildegard Bentele, Ana Catarina Mendes, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Isabella Lövin, Merja Kyllönen, Rada Laykova, Milan Mazurek, Francisco José Millán Mon, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Jorge Martín Frías, Dick Erixon, Vladimir Prebilič, Pernando Barrena Arza, Ivan David, Ruth Firmenich, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Leire Pajín, André Rougé, Gordan Bosanac, Carolina Morace, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Brando Benifei, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Evin Incir, Carla Tavares and Hannes Heide.
IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE Vice-President
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lukas Sieper and Grzegorz Braun.
The following spoke: Věra Jourová.
The debate closed.
15. Composition of committees and delegations
The PPE Group and the non-attached Members had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of the committees and delegations:
Committee on International Trade: Lukas Sieper
Committee on Budgets: Lukas Sieper was no longer a member
Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries: Christophe Gomart to replace François-Xavier Bellamy
Delegation for relations with Mercosur: Alma Ezcurra Almansa to replace Esther Herranz García
Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly: Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez to replace Dolors Montserrat
The decisions took effect as of that day.
16. Situation in Sudan (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Situation in Sudan(2021/2851(RSP))
Věra Jourová (Vice-President of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Ana Miranda Paz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Per Clausen, on behalf of The Left Group, Tomasz Froelich, on behalf of the ESN Group, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Marit Maij, Hanna Gedin, Maria Walsh, Hannes Heide, Evin Incir and Cecilia Strada.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly.
The following spoke: Věra Jourová.
The debate closed.
17. Explanations of vote
Written explanations of vote
Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.
Oral explanations of vote
17.1. Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France further to natural disasters that occurred in 2023 (A10-0002/2024 – Georgios Aftias)
The following spoke:Dick ErixonandSeán Kelly.
18. Agenda of the next sitting
The next sitting would be held the following day, 9 October 2024, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.
19. Approval of the minutes of the sitting
In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
FEMA is updating the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) which outlines the federal government’s approach for organizing and providing disaster recovery resources and support to disaster impacted communities. The NDRF aims to enhance effective collaboration among federal agencies and state, local, territorial governments, and Tribal Nations, while informing nongovernmental partners. It is also valuable for all disaster recovery practitioners. This webinar provides an overview of the NDRF, highlights the key changes and updates, and explains how the public can submit comment during the 30-day public comment period. The 30-day public comment period is open through Oct. 23, 2024.
News Release-Demolition of Iconic Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel Underway, Oct. 8, 2024
Posted on Oct 8, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
DAWN CHANG CHAIRPERSON
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 8, 2024
DEMOLITION OF ICONIC UNCLE BILLY’S HILO BAY HOTEL UNDERWAY
(HILO, HAWAI‘I) –Demolition of the condemned and dilapidated Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel is underway, after a bit of an inauspicious beginning.
As heavy equipment and their operators patiently stood by Monday morning for the start of what’s called “hard” demolition of what remains of the building, construction managers tried for more than an hour to find the owner of a car parked in a coned and taped-off section of an adjoining hotel. The concern was that once an excavator began knocking the first of two concrete structures down, debris could fall onto the vehicle. Eventually the car’s owner came out and moved it.
Then, about 15 minutes into the demolition of the first hotel wing, the excavator sprung a hydraulic leak, shutting the demo down for another period. Barring further stoppages, it’s expected both wings will be brought to the ground within the next month.
The hard demolition is nearing the final chapter of the saga of the once celebrated hotel and resort, originally built in the mid-1960s. In 2017, Hawai‘i County condemned the structure, citing public safety and health concerns. Since then, numerous arson fires and law enforcement sweeps of squatters added to the dilapidated specter of the hotel sandwiched between two of Hilo’s best-known hotels.
The DLNR Land Division made numerous attempts to award a lease for renovation or demolition of Uncle Billy’s, but the state and private developers never came to terms.
Last year, Governor Josh Green, M.D., issued an Emergency Proclamation which allowed Phase 1 of the demolition project to begin. Phase 2 will address removal of the paved sections of the property and any contaminated soil.
DLNR Chair Dawn Chang visited the construction site late last week with county and state elected officials. “I’d like to acknowledge the progress from a year ago, in addressing a public health and safety hazard, complaints, unauthorized occupants and significant community frustration. This could not have happened without the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation and the collaboration of the state and Hawai‘i County. Isemoto Contracting has stayed on schedule and within the state’s budget,” Chang said.
The ultimate use of the four-acre parcel has not been determined, but like many others, Nathan Kurohara, who is leading the demolition project for Isemoto Contracting, would like to see it developed into a public place for people to come and enjoy. “I hope they don’t make it a parking lot,” he said.
The wooden lobby and restaurant structure were demolished several weeks ago and due to an agreement with the county, any wood or concrete debris must be cut into pieces smaller than one foot for disposal at the county landfill. In addition, as much of the concrete waste as possible will be diverted away from the landfill to be crushed and recycled. Combined, these measures significantly reduce the amount of landfill space needed for this project.
The arm of the excavator looks like something out of a “Terminator” movie. Piece by piece and section by section it grabs concrete and steel in its teeth and rips it away. Water hoses are trained on the excavator to help keep the dust down.
On Monday, plastic still covered one wing of the hotel, as demo crews waited for final air clearance that asbestos had been successfully removed from the building.
Chang noted the patience of the community and added the demolition of the historic once iconic Uncle Billy’s is leading toward a future of great potential — to be determined.
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RESOURCES
(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
HD video – Uncle Billy’s hard demolition (Oct. 7, 2024):
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Photographs – Uncle Billy’s hard demolition (Oct. 7, 2024):