Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:
“Donald Trump was elected to end wars, not start new ones. Now, he has involved our nation in a conflict the vast majority of Americans do not wish to be part of. Worse, he is putting our servicemembers in the region in grave danger and increasing the likelihood of an attack on U.S. soil.
“Iran is one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism in the world, and I believe preventing them from developing a nuclear weapon is critical to global security. The way to accomplish this goal is through diplomacy.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after voting to table H.Res. 537:
“Donald Trump commits impeachable offenses on a near-daily basis. I wholeheartedly believe that he needs to be removed from office and never allowed near the levers of power again. That is why I voted to impeach twice during his first term. Unfortunately, both of those efforts ended in acquittals in the Senate, effectively enabling Trump’s eventual return to office. We cannot fail a third time.
“Impeachment is the most serious tool given to Congress to check the president. A thoughtful, unified, strategic approach is not only necessary constitutionally, but critical to the future of our democracy. Another acquittal in the Senate risks emboldening Trump far beyond his current overreaches. For that reason, I will reserve my vote until I believe we can make an irreproachable case to the American people and earn a two-thirds vote of the Senate.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter votes to fully fund key military, veteran programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today voted with House Republicans to pass the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (VA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, fully funding key military construction projects and veteran programs and resources.
“House Republicans remain committed to caring for those who have served and fulfilling President Trump’s America First mission for the military and veteran community. This important piece of legislation will appropriate $452.64 billion to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to fully fund veteran benefits and VA programs, with a special emphasis on health care and combating homelessness.
“I am proud of Georgia’s First Congressional District’s large population of active-duty military and veterans, and I will continue to support common-sense legislation that honors our heroes,” said Rep. Carter.
Among other provisions, the Military Construction, VA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 includes:
$131.4 billion to fully fund veterans’ medical care.
$52.67 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF).
$18 billion for military construction and family housing.
Funding to establish Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment (BRAVE) program.
Funding for mental health programs and other services that veterans depend on.
Headline: Governor Offers Up To $25,000 Reward for Information on Rowan County Murder
Governor Offers Up To $25,000 Reward for Information on Rowan County Murder lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the state is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Michael James Mitchke.
On August 21, 2022, officers received a call of a camper on fire at 3740 St. Peters Church Road in Salisbury. Mr. Mitchke, aged 57 years old, was discovered deceased inside the camper. An autopsy confirmed multiple gunshot wounds as the cause of his death.
Anyone with information concerning this case should contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 216-8700 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.
Headline: Governor Offers Up to $25,000 Reward in Missing Persons Case in Cleveland County
Governor Offers Up to $25,000 Reward in Missing Persons Case in Cleveland County lsaito
Raleigh, NC
Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the state is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Asha Degree.
On February 14, 2000, Asha Degree, who as 9 years old at the time, left her home in Shelby, North Carolina in the middle of the night and disappeared. Asha’s family last saw her asleep in her bedroom around 2:30 a.m. An hour and a half later, she was seen by drivers walking along NC Highway 18. Her parents reported her missing by 6:30 a.m.
Anyone with information concerning this case should contact Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 484-4788 or the State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.
The IMF Executive Board completed the third review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement with Jordan, providing the authorities with immediate access to the equivalent of SDR 97.784 million (about US$134 million), to support the authorities’ economic program.
Jordan’s economic program supported by the EFF arrangement remains firmly on track, demonstrating the authorities’ strong commitment to sound macro-economic policies and structural reforms to strengthen Jordan’s resilience and accelerate growth to enhance job creation and provide opportunities for all Jordanians.
Thanks to the continued pursuit of sound economic policies, and despite the considerable external headwinds, including the conflicts in the region, Jordan has maintained macro-stability and broad-based economic growth.
The Executive Board also approved a new 30-month arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) with Jordan, with access equivalent to SDR 514.65 million (about US$700 million), to support Jordan’s efforts to address longer-term vulnerabilities in the water and electricity sectors and to enhance their ability to address public health emergencies, including future pandemics.
Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the third review of the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Jordan’s four-year EFF arrangement, with access amounting to SDR 926.37 million (about US$1.3 billion, equivalent to 270 percent of Jordan’s quota in the IMF), was approved by the IMF Executive Board on January 10, 2024 (see Press Release No. 24/004). This decision allows for an immediate purchase of an amount equivalent to SDR 97.784 million (around US$134 million), bringing the total purchases under the EFF arrangement to the equivalent of SDR 437.454 million (about $595 million). In addition, the IMF Executive Board approved an arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) with Jordan, with access equivalent to SDR 514.65 million (about US$ 700 million, equivalent to 150 percent of Jordan’s quota).
Jordan’s continued economic resilience in a challenging external environment, with continuing conflicts in the region and high uncertainty, is a testament to the authorities’ resolve to pursue sound macroeconomic policies. The authorities’ ownership of the EFF arrangement remains strong, with program targets consistently met. Jordan registered stronger growth in 2024 and so far in 2025 than previously anticipated, demonstrating continued resilience. Growth reached 2.5 percent in 2024. Economic activity is expected to gradually strengthen in the coming years, supported by continued sound macroeconomic policies and accelerated reform implementation.
Inflation remains stable and low, reflecting the Central Bank of Jordan’s (CBJ) firm commitment to monetary and financial stability and the exchange rate peg. Jordan’s external position remains stable, with the current account deficit projected to remain close to 6 percent of GDP. The CBJ’s gross international reserves increased to over US$20 billion by end-2024, with reserve adequacy exceeding 100 percent of the Fund’s ARA metric. The financial sector remains healthy and well-capitalized. While the spillover effects from regional conflicts have also affected government finances, the authorities continue to make progress with a gradual fiscal consolidation to place public debt on a downward path, while creating room for social assistance and needed public investment. Jordan’s structural reform agenda focuses on fostering inclusive private sector-led growth by enhancing the business environment and improving labor market policies, including to expand opportunities for youth and women.
The RSF arrangement will support the authorities’ efforts to strengthen Jordan’s longer-term balance of payments stability by promoting economic resilience and sustainability. The RSF arrangement aims to address longer-term vulnerabilities in the water and electricity sectors and enhance the authorities’ ability to address public health emergencies, including future pandemics. Reform measures focus on: (i) enhancing the energy sector’s financial sustainability and energy efficiency; (ii) improving the water sector’s financial sustainability and water management; (iii) strengthening fiscal and financial sector resilience; and (iv) enhancing pandemic preparedness. The arrangement will augment policy space and financial buffers to mitigate risks arising from these challenges.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Jordan, Mr. Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:
“Jordan continues to maintain macroeconomic stability despite external headwinds from regional conflicts and heightened global economic uncertainty, owing to the authorities’ steadfast pursuit of sound policies and continued strong international support. Growth in 2024 and so far in 2025 ended up stronger than anticipated, inflation is low, and reserve buffers are strong. Against elevated risks in the region, it is important that the authorities stay the course with sound fiscal and monetary policies to safeguard macroeconomic stability.
“The authorities continue to make progress with a gradual fiscal consolidation and strengthening fiscal sustainability, thanks to fiscal reforms that have improved revenue administration and expenditure efficiency. Looking ahead, efforts should continue to further enhance revenue mobilization and spending efficiency and to take contingency measures as needed to keep public debt on a steady downward path, while protecting priority social and capital spending. Efforts should also continue to improve the efficiency and viability of the public utilities to preserve the sustainability of public finances, while improving service delivery.
“Monetary policy remains appropriately focused on safeguarding monetary and financial stability and supporting the exchange rate peg that has served Jordan well and helped keeping inflation low. Jordan’s banking sector remains healthy, and the central bank continues to strengthen its systemic risk analysis, financial sector oversight, and crisis management.
“Structural reforms should be accelerated to improve the business environment, promote competition, and attract private investment that is crucial to create a dynamic and resilient private sector, foster job-rich growth, and achieve the objectives of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision. Strong and timely donor support remains essential to help Jordan navigate the challenging external environment, host the large number of refugees, and meet Jordan’s development objectives.
“The reforms under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility aim to support the authorities’ efforts to address long-term vulnerabilities in the water and energy sectors and to be better prepared for public health emergencies, including pandemics. These reforms will strengthen Jordan’s balance of payments stability by promoting economic resilience and sustainability and by augmenting policy space and financial buffers to mitigate risks arising from these challenges.”
Jordan: Selected Economic Indicators, 2023–26
2023
2024
2025
2026
Proj.
Proj.
Output and Prices
Real GDP growth
2.9
2.5
2.7
2.9
GDP deflator
1.8
1.9
2.3
2.6
Nominal GDP (JD billions)
36.3
37.9
39.8
42.0
Inflation 1/
2.1
1.9
2.2
2.6
Unemployment
22.0
21.4
…
…
Government Finances (in percent of GDP)
Central government fiscal operations
Revenue and grants 2/
25.2
24.9
25.4
26.0
Of which: grants
2.0
1.9
1.8
2.0
Expenditures 2/
30.6
31.4
31.2
30.5
Overall central government balance
-5.4
-6.4
-5.8
-4.5
Central government primary balance (exc. grants, NEPCO and WAJ)
-2.7
-2.8
-2.0
-1.0
Electricity company (NEPCO) losses
Combined public sector balance 3/
-4.5
-4.5
-3.6
-2.4
Government gross debt 4/
113.5
114.7
115.7
114.9
Government gross debt, net of SSC holdings of government debt 4/
89.0
90.2
89.7
87.5
Money and Credit
Broad money (percent change)
2.3
6.1
5.1
5.6
Credit to the private sector (percent change)
1.7
2.9
4.6
6.0
Balance of payments
Current account (in percent of GDP)
-3.6
-5.9
-5.5
-5.9
FDI (in percent of GDP)
3.6
3.0
3.3
3.4
Gross reserves (in months of imports)
6.9
7.7
7.1
7.1
In percent of Reserve Adequacy Metric
101
110
105
105
Sources: Jordanian authorities; and Fund staff estimates and projections.
1/ Consumer Price Index (annual average).
2/ Includes the programmed amount of fiscal measures that are needed to meet fiscal targets.
3/ Sum of the primary central government balance (exc. grants and net transfers to NEPCO-electricity company and WAJ-water company) and the net loss of NEPCO, WAJ and water sector distribution companies.
4/ Government’s direct and guaranteed debt (including NEPCO and WAJ debt). SSC stands for Social Security Corporation.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
House Stands United to Condemn Deadly Attack on Minnesota Lawmakers
Washington, June 25, 2025
WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House passed H.Res.519, a resolution condemning the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota.
“Today, every House Republican and Democrat stood united in condemning the horrific, politically motivated shootings in Minnesota. We pray for the Hortman family, who mourn the devastating loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the Hoffman family, as their father fights to recover from the attack. We also extend our profound gratitude to the brave law enforcement officers whose swift response prevented further tragedy.
“All acts of political violence are unconscionable, and every leader across the political spectrum must speak with one unequivocal voice against it. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to set the example for civility and demonstrate that our political rivals are not our enemies.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House approved H.R. 3944, the FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
“The passage of this legislation builds on Republicans’ commitment to put America’s strength, security, and servicemembers first.
“This bill reflects President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda by restoring the Pentagon’s focus on defending America and prioritizing our troops and veterans. This posture embodies the leadership and values the American people expect from their military and government.
“It fully funds veterans’ health care, benefits, and critical VA programs to ensure America’s heroes receive the care and benefits they have earned and deserve.
“This legislation also delivers billions of dollars to restore military readiness by upgrading barracks, improving military housing and childcare resources, and modernizing base infrastructure because taking care of America’s troops and their families is nonnegotiable.
“We expected broad bipartisan support for this bill, but instead, 206 House Democrats chose to oppose this commonsense measure. House Republicans will always support America’s men and women in uniform. It’s a shame House Democrats do not.”
Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority following the death of a man in Auckland last year.
On 4 November 2024, Police were called to a commercial property on Boston Road after a report of a man becoming agitated towards staff at the address and paramedics.
Police officers arrived and instructed the man to leave.
The man refused to leave despite the officer’s requests, so the officer placed a hand on his shoulder to guide him along.
The man has then fallen and hit his head on the ground. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured and later died in hospital.
The IPCA conducted an independent investigation, which included reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, and found the officer did not use force when placing his hand on the man’s shoulder and instead he lost his balance on the sloping driveway and fell to the ground.
“This was an incredibly unfortunate incident for everyone concerned, including our attending staff,” Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, says.
“Our sympathies remain with the man’s family and friends during what was no doubt a very challenging time.”
The Government’s anti-worker agenda has stepped up with the passing into law last night the right for employers to dock the pay of workers who take low level strike action.
The Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill allows employers to deduct 10% of a worker’s wage for partial strike action such as not performing a task.
“It’s clear what the agenda is here, this Government wants to give employers even more tools and power to keep wages down and profits high,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The new law is all about weakening the position of workers when involved in collective bargaining that becomes difficult to settle.
“There are already only a small range of tools available to workers when negotiations fail. “Every time the Government takes away one of those tools, or puts a price on using them, the power imbalance gets worse, and workers pay the price.
“The vast majority of collective agreements are settled without industrial action as employers and working people agree on pay and conditions but when that agreement is difficult to find, there are tools that both sides can use help to find agreement. This includes mediation or facilitation ordered by the Employment Relations Authority.
“If that fails, low level strike action, agreed by union members through a ballot, is a tool workers can use to make their concerns loud and clear to employers.
“If the Government keeps raiding the toolkit as they are here, they actually risk opening the door to escalating strike action and longer stoppages when the only tool left is a sledgehammer.
“This is another win for employers, the latest in a long series of extreme anti-worker policies – cancelling pay equity rules, axing of fair pay agreements, the 90 day fire at will law, tightening personal grievance rules, low minimum wage increases and the prospect of cutting sick pay for part-time workers now on the radar.
“This government has no shame in pursuing an agenda that is blatantly all about giving more power to employers and beating down on workers – the PSA will continue to resist strongly.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahiis Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Research released today into New Zealand’s sustainability profession reveals a compelling picture of a profession which is gaining strategic traction, while grappling with systemic challenges.
The report, Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals, delivered by Oxygen Consulting in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), draws on the insights from sustainability professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand, unpacking capability and competencies, remuneration, job opportunities, and overall wellbeing.
Now in its sixth year, the 2025 findings reveal a sector navigating heightened economic pressures, regulatory complexity, and emotional strain. Despite these headwinds though, the profession is maturing, with sustainability roles increasingly being embedded in core business functions such as strategy and finance.
Director of Oxygen Consulting Sarah Holden says the 2025 results show sustainability professionals are no longer operating on the fringes but are increasingly central to business resilience and transformation.
“But with that visibility comes pressure. Our research shows a profession that is passionate and committed but also stretched and in need of greater structural support.”
Key findings include:
60% of professionals have been in their current role for two years or less, suggesting high turnover and limited career pathways.
Only 12% believe current training adequately prepares them for the demands of their roles.
Climate anxiety and emotional exhaustion are rising, particularly among younger professionals.
Professor Marjo Lips-Wiersma of Auckland University of Technology says, “The wellbeing data in this year’s finding is sobering. Sustainability professionals are deeply affected by the issues they work on. As organisations and educators, we must support graduates and sustainability officers at all levels to not only be technically skilled, but also emotionally resilient.”
Despite these challenges, the findings also highlight:
A growing sense of professional competency, with more than 88% of respondents feeling confident in their ability to manage sustainability responsibilities.
Increasing integration of sustainability into strategy and finance functions, signalling a shift from compliance to core business value.
A growing appetite for business-relevant skills such as financial sustainability, business case development, and influencing.
“These findings offer crucial insights for our business leaders,” says Mike Burrell, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council.
“If we want to deliver on our climate and ESG commitments and harness the opportunities sustainability presents, we must invest in the people doing the work. That means providing quality training and adequate development opportunities, as well as demonstrating leadership that champions sustainability from the very top.”
The findings come at a time when sustainability is increasingly seen as a strategic imperative. Yet, 80% of professionals report no clear development pathway within their organisations.
“It’s no surprise this report confirms that sustainability is indeed central to business success, export growth and meeting the expectations of global supply chains,” says Rachel Brown, CEO of the Sustainable Business Network.
“What’s equally clear is that we have the talent, passion and capability in Aotearoa to deliver. Yet to truly succeed they need adequate resourcing, recognition and clear career pathways so their contributions can thrive.”
The report calls for systems-level investment in training, cross-disciplinary integration, and visible leadership support to ensure the profession can thrive-and deliver the transformation New Zealand businesses need.
A comprehensive list of training opportunities offered by the report’s partners can be foundhere.
The sustainability experts and partners listed above will be participating in a panel at today’slaunch event, responding to the insights and discussing ideas for addressing future challenges.
Target participants for this research included any employed people who currently have ‘sustainability’ as part or all of their role. ‘Sustainability’ includes responsibilities that address the social, environmental and economic risks to the organisation. The scope included anyone in full time, part time or contractual positions within public, private, non-governmental, charity, and not-for-profit organisations.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today voted to extend the compliance date to June 30, 2026, for the amendments to Rule 15c3-3 (the broker-dealer customer protection rule) that the Commission adopted on Dec. 20, 2024. The amendments require certain broker-dealers to increase the frequency of required reserve computations under Rule 15c3-3 from weekly to daily. The compliance date for these required daily reserve computations was originally Dec. 31, 2025.
“The days of unreasonable deadlines have passed,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “By extending this compliance date, we are giving broker-dealers additional time to implement daily computation under Rule 15c3-3. I am pleased the Commission agrees that additional time is necessary to allow broker-dealers to avoid operational challenges with meeting the initial compliance date.”
This extension will provide more time for broker-dealers to make any necessary systems or operational changes to implement a daily computation requirement and test their new daily processes for compliance.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to an amended Presidential public assistance declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations (PNP) in the Camden County affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and wildfires occurring March 14-15.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the Missouri counties of Bollinger, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Dunklin, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to an amended Presidential public assistance declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations (PNP) in Crittenden, Garland and Mississippi counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 2‑22, 2025.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the counties of Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Fulton, Garland, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Izard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Little River, Lonoke, Marion, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Pike, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sevier, Sharp, St. Francis, Stone and Woodruff in Arkansas.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster.
“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”
PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA will set loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today held a ceremony to sign S.51, An act relating to Vermont income tax exclusions and tax credits into law. He was joined by members of the legislature, current and former members of the military, and other supporters of the bill. In addition to exempting military retirement income up to $125,000 from state taxes, the bill also expands the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and exempts an additional $5,000 of Social Security income for seniors.
Governor Scott:Good afternoon, thanks for being here.
Over the last few years Vermonters have felt the impacts of inflation and higher costs in many areas, making it harder for those looking to retire and for families and workers to make ends meet, which includes paying their property taxes.
So, at the start of the session, one of the areas I asked the legislature to focus on was affordability.
I put forward some ideas to help ease the tax burden so Vermonters aren’t forced to make tough decisions about which bills they pay this month and which ones they don’t, their electric bill, their fuel bill, or their car payment, because they can’t do all three. Or worse yet, consider moving out of Vermont to a more affordable state.
Because when I’m out talking to people, that’s what they’re concerned about: how expensive it is to live in Vermont.
My affordability plan included tax breaks for workers, families, and seniors by expanding the eligibility for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit and increasing the social security income exemption by another $5,000.
It also included fully exempting military retirement pay.
And although we didn’t get as much as I would have liked, we did make significant gains.
S.51 fully exempts income up to $125,000 and tapers off for those receiving more.
The bill also includes a refundable tax credit for retirees earning up to $30,000.
Since I was first elected Governor, I’ve asked the legislature to eliminate the income tax from military retirement because with an aging demographic and declining workforce, it’ll help attract more working aged people and families to Vermont.
And it makes a lot of sense because it’s difficult to compete with other states who are much more generous with tax incentives.
This exemption isn’t just about tax breaks, and as you can see by who’s here today, it’s not a partisan issue.
It’s an important recruitment tool because many in the military retire at a relatively young age and have an entire civilian career ahead of them.
They’re highly skilled from their military experience which we need to fill jobs here in the state.
To all the members of our military, past and present, thank you for your service to our country.
We live in freedom because of you and it’s important we remember the contributions you’ve made to protect that.
Source: African Development Bank Group The African Development Bank has approved a grant of $500,000 to undertake a feasibility study into the first phase of a cable car transport network in Kigali, that will be sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system. The project is initiated by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Ltd (RTRL).
Filmgoers have long been captivated by stories about robots. We are fascinated by their utopian promise, their superhuman intelligence and, in the case of the cyborg, their often uncanny resemblance to humans.
But it is the evil robot – the machine that malfunctions, rebels or was built to harm – that has most powerfully gripped the collective imagination of audiences.
From the silent menace of Maschinenmensch in 1927’s Metropolis, to the relentless pursuit of the Terminator, to the campy violence of M3GAN, evil robots continue to resonate.
These films not only thrill, scare and entertain audiences. They also reflect deep-seated cultural anxieties about the unpredictable consequences of the current and future human-robot relationship.
The killer robot is far from a simple villain. It is a mirror held up to some of the most pressing cultural questions we have about human autonomy and responsibility in the digital age.
The precarity of human control
The enduring appeal of the evil robot narrative lies in the way horror often channels our deepest cultural anxieties about the speed of technological advancement and the precarity of human control in an increasingly digital (and robotic) world.
In The Spark of Fear, scholar Brian Duchaney posits that improvements in technology necessitate new types of horror stories, and that horror as a genre acts out our distrust of the social advances that new technology brings.
In the late 1960s, there was unease about the growing sophistication of computers and the impacts of the Space Race. HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) represented this threat through a disembodied AI that icily turned against its human creators.
The android Ash in Alien (1979) added another layer of menace, disguised as a human embedded in the spacecraft crew and programmed to prioritise corporate interests over human life. In this case, Ash became a proxy for concerns over corporate adoption of automation, and the increasing role of technology in military and industrial contexts.
During the Cold War era, fears of nuclear annihilation and concerns over reaching a point where we could no longer switch off the machines led to the unforgettable T-800 and shape-shifting T-1000 in the first two Terminator films (1984 and 1991).
In the 21st century, as artificial intelligence and robotics became more prevalent in everyday life, the cinematic robot has entered our homes, culminating in M3GAN’s companion-gone-rogue.
In M3GAN (2022), Gemma (Allison Williams) is a robotics designer who creates an AI-powered companion doll to help her orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw) cope with her grief. But the doll becomes dangerously overprotective.
In M3GAN 2.0 (2025), the consciousness of the titular robot appears to have survived the 2022 film and, in a move that borrows from The Terminator 2, M3GAN shifts from villain to protector.
The new film explores the consequences of the underlying tech for M3GAN being stolen and misused by a powerful defence contractor to create a military-grade robot, known as Amelia. The only option to counteract Amelia is for Gemma to resurrect M3GAN – complete with upgrades to make her faster, stronger and more deadly.
Our technological anxieties
Why is M3GAN such an effective avatar for our contemporary anxieties?
Horror theorist Noël Carroll argues that monsters are often frightening because they don’t fit neatly into normal categories. They may be “in-between” things (such as part human, part machine) or contradictory (for example a zombie: both alive and dead at the same time).
M3GAN is a great example of both. She looks and acts like a young girl, with expressive facial features and a snarky sense of humour. But she’s really just artificial intelligence inside a robot body.
She’s also contradictory: she is designed to care for and protect her owner, yet she does so in exceedingly violent and deadly ways. These paradoxes make her both frightening and fascinating for audiences.
M3GAN and M3GAN 2.0 bring to the surface our technological anxieties, and defuse them through their camp qualities.
One sequence in the earlier film sees M3GAN break into a fluid yet unsettling dance, mimicking the performance of many a TikTok teen, only for the dance to end abruptly when she snatches a paper cutter blade and returns to stalking her victim.
This meme-ified moment – combined with some deadpan one-liners and often comically ironic facial expressions – have led to M3GAN becoming a gay icon in the wake of the original film.
M3GAN’s campiness doesn’t completely neutralise the horror. It reformulates it, offering a cathartic release that makes the subject matter more digestible. While we feel fear, we do so without real-world consequences. The fear is disarmed through humour.
This multifaceted horror experience more fully reflects the complexities of our evolving relationship with new technology. These relationships often move through a spectrum of concern, anxiety and fear before we find ways to manage and normalise those feelings.
Humour and catharsis are two of these coping mechanisms. Movies provide us with a way of neatly and temporarily resolving what often remain unresolved questions.
Films like M3GAN 2.0 illustrate how horror narratives can also transform alongside the technologies they critique, offering not only tension and jump scares, but also philosophical consideration, comedy and cathartic release.
Adam Daniel 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.
New qualifications body and independent inspectorate will be established.
The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.
The Education (Scotland) Bill was backed by 69 votes to 47 by MSPs tonight. This includes provisions to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation, Qualifications Scotland.
The office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, with enhanced independence, will be created to undertake the education inspection functions that currently sit within Education Scotland.
The final legislation, following Stage 2 and Stage 3 amendments to the Bill initially introduced in June last year, includes measures from all political parties represented on Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People committee.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:
“The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system.
“The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering. The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from Ministers, to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector.
“Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development.
“Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”
Background
Qualifications Scotland is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025.
Once appointed, HM Chief Inspector will lead the new education inspectorate, which is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025. The new inspectorate will operate independently, while the Bill passed by Parliament will see Scottish Ministers retain oversight authority and they will be able to request that specific inspections be carried out by the Chief Inspector.
Two elements of reform activity are not part of the Bill’s provisions. These are the revised remit of Education Scotland, which will see it continue as the national education agency but with a focus on the curriculum, and the establishment of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, which will be launched at the start of the new academic year and help support teachers’ professional development.
L to R: Ken Coles, Executive Director Farming Smarter, RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ryan Mercer, President, Farming Smarter
The funding will help improve agricultural research and Alberta producers’ competitiveness. Applied research associations bring information from scientists and experts to farmers and ranchers to improve farming techniques. They provide learning and extension opportunities for producers, conduct research and trials to improve farming techniques that improve crop and soil quality, manage pests and protect the environment.
“Our government is committed to free and unbiased research. Applied research associations play a vital role in supporting farmers and ranchers with top-notch research that helps improve and advance agriculture. This funding helps ensure associations can concentrate on providing research and extension to help our producers adopt new technologies and practices and improve their competitiveness. Now the associations can address their most pressing capital equipment issues.”
Extending the life of facilities
Applied research associations will be able to extend the life of facilities, infrastructure and equipment, address health and safety issues, improve the quality of applied research and extension activities and reduce operating costs as a result.
“Our farmer-led associations are very pleased and grateful for the capital funding support. This will go a long way in helping have the equipment we need to continue our applied research and extension work with producers to assist them in adapting research results, technologies and practices into their farming and ranching business operations.”
“The Government of Alberta’s strategic investment in irrigation expansion and the twinning of Highway 3 demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the province’s agricultural and economic future. The applied research capital grants will empower organizations like Farming Smarter to deliver substantial returns on investment by driving innovation and supporting the growth of value-added industries. As a world-class research and innovation organization, Farming Smarter is now even better positioned to accelerate progress and enable transformative advancements across Alberta’s agri-food sector.”
This funding will help these associations purchase seeders, tractors, swathers, irrigation systems and portable facilities. It will also help them to purchase research equipment that ensures Alberta producers remain amongst the most competitive in the world.
Quick facts
Alberta has 12 Applied Research Associations spread across the province:
Battle River Research Group Society
Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association
Chinook Applied Research Association
Farming Smarter Association
Foothills Forage and Grazing Association
Gateway Research Organization
Lakeland Agricultural Research Association
Mackenzie Applied Research Association
North Peace Applied Research Association
Peace Country Beef and Forage Association
SARDA Ag Research Association
Farming Forward (West-Central Forage Association)
Alberta’s applied research associations have been supporting the adoption of farm research since the 1970s
As of 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, there are 19 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, two are categorized as contained, five are not contained, nine are ongoing assessment and three are listed as protecting values.
This year, Saskatchewan has had 267 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 166 to date.
Three communities remain under an evacuation order: East Trout Lake, as well as priority individuals from Creighton and Denare Beach. Priority individuals from Cumberland House have been repatriated.
The SPSA’s Recovery Task Team continues to meet with community leaders to discuss recovery efforts.
Over $4 million has been transferred directly to residents as well as communities that are distributing the $500 Government of Saskatchewan Financial Assistance to their residents that have been impacted by the wildfires. The SPSA is continuing to coordinate with communities that have asked for its support in distributing this financial assistance.
Evacuees who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so through the Sask Evac Web Application or by calling 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross can call 1-800-863-6582.
A full list of evacuated and repatriated communities can be found on the Information for Evacuees webpage.
The latest information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at saskpublicsafety.ca.
A Texas woman was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for her participation in a scheme to file fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, between around May 2020, and March 2021, Shantelle Hawkins, 43, of DeSoto, conspired to submit 17 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies she or her relatives owned or controlled. The applications contained false statements about payroll and tax information, which the SBA used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled. Hawkins used some of the money she obtained from the loans for personal expenses, including to pay off her 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury car and to purchase property in the greater Dallas area.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. At sentencing, Hawkins was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution and to forfeit the residence purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas is handling asset forfeiture.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A Texas woman was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for her participation in a scheme to file fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, between around May 2020, and March 2021, Shantelle Hawkins, 43, of DeSoto, conspired to submit 17 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies she or her relatives owned or controlled. The applications contained false statements about payroll and tax information, which the SBA used to calculate the amount of PPP funds to which the applicant-companies would be entitled. Hawkins used some of the money she obtained from the loans for personal expenses, including to pay off her 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury car and to purchase property in the greater Dallas area.
Hawkins pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. At sentencing, Hawkins was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution and to forfeit the residence purchased with proceeds from the fraud.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Kashan Pathan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyse Lyons for the Northern District of Texas is handling asset forfeiture.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Travel agent failed to offer refunds for trips cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe today announced a settlement with Nawas International Travel Service (Nawas), a California travel agency focusing on religious travel, for failing to provide full refunds to consumers whose trips were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement today, pending court approval, includes at least $567,138 in full restitution of cancellation fees to affected California travelers, $560,000 in civil penalties under the California’s Unfair Competition Law and Seller of Travel Act, and strong injunctive terms that prohibit Nawas from imposing cancellation fees that violate California law.
“We are proud to announce that today, in partnership with the San Mateo District Attorney, we’ve secured full refunds for hundreds of Californians who were harmed by the illegal practices of Nawas International Travel Service. Travel agents operating in California must comply with California’s strong consumer protection laws, which includes providing timely refunds for cancelled travel,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement provides important restitution for those harmed by Nawas’s attempt to disregard California law and a reminder to the travel industry that all California Sellers of Travel need to play by the rules.”
“California law provides protections for consumers when purchasing travel from Sellers of Travel. My office was pleased to work with the Attorney General’s Office in this case to ensure these laws were enforced,” said San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
Nawas is a seller and provider of tours to religious sites around the world, including sites in the Middle East and Europe. Nawas markets its tours largely through clergy and many of Nawas’s travelers are senior citizens. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nawas cancelled hundreds of international tours. After the cancellation, rather than refunding the full amount of the travelers’ deposits and tour payments, Nawas unlawfully withheld “cancellation fees” of between $200 and $1,150 per traveler. In all, Nawas withheld approximately $560,000 in what they termed cancellation fees from approximately 600 California travelers. Nawas’s withholding of those funds violated the California Seller of Travel Act, which requires sellers of travel to provide full refunds for any travel that they are unable to provide, with certain limited exceptions that do not apply here. Although Nawas claimed to travelers that it was allowed to withhold cancellation fees under its own terms and conditions, the Seller of Travel Act expressly prohibits this where, as here, the seller of travel is unable or unwilling to provide the purchased travel.
The Attorney General’s Office operates the Seller of Travel Program, which registers travel agents and certain other travel businesses operating in California. The attorney general and district attorneys can bring enforcement actions against sellers of travel for violations of the law. We encourage any Californian who believes they have been wronged by a seller of travel to contact their local district attorney and file a complaint with our office at www.oag.ca.gov/report.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to investigating and remedying harm to consumers affected by unlawful and deceptive business practices, including in the travel industry:
Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a nine-year jail sentence against Iqbal Randhawa for defrauding more than a dozen members of the South Asian immigrant community in Northern California. Between 2017 and 2020, each victim hired Randhawa, a travel agent, to purchase airline tickets, paying him between $1,100 and $12,000. Instead of buying the tickets, Randhawa provided fraudulent itineraries and stole the funds. Also last year, Attorney General Bonta and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the sentencing of Marie Martin, a San Diego-based travel agent and registered seller of travel, who embezzled travel funds from more than 150 parents who paid for eighth-grade school trips to the East Coast. After the school trips were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin refused to provide refunds to the parents, instead spending funds on personal expenses. In 2021, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with Voyageurs International, resolving allegations that the Colorado-based travel agent offered only partial refunds for a cancelled European trip for California high school students and improperly pocketed their clients’ remaining fees. The settlement required Voyageurs to provide a full refund to its 130 California consumers, for a total of approximately $247,000 in restitution.
A copy of the complaint and proposed settlement can be found here and here. The settlement is pending court approval.
Travel agent failed to offer refunds for trips cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe today announced a settlement with Nawas International Travel Service (Nawas), a California travel agency focusing on religious travel, for failing to provide full refunds to consumers whose trips were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The settlement today, pending court approval, includes at least $567,138 in full restitution of cancellation fees to affected California travelers, $560,000 in civil penalties under the California’s Unfair Competition Law and Seller of Travel Act, and strong injunctive terms that prohibit Nawas from imposing cancellation fees that violate California law.
“We are proud to announce that today, in partnership with the San Mateo District Attorney, we’ve secured full refunds for hundreds of Californians who were harmed by the illegal practices of Nawas International Travel Service. Travel agents operating in California must comply with California’s strong consumer protection laws, which includes providing timely refunds for cancelled travel,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement provides important restitution for those harmed by Nawas’s attempt to disregard California law and a reminder to the travel industry that all California Sellers of Travel need to play by the rules.”
“California law provides protections for consumers when purchasing travel from Sellers of Travel. My office was pleased to work with the Attorney General’s Office in this case to ensure these laws were enforced,” said San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
Nawas is a seller and provider of tours to religious sites around the world, including sites in the Middle East and Europe. Nawas markets its tours largely through clergy and many of Nawas’s travelers are senior citizens. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nawas cancelled hundreds of international tours. After the cancellation, rather than refunding the full amount of the travelers’ deposits and tour payments, Nawas unlawfully withheld “cancellation fees” of between $200 and $1,150 per traveler. In all, Nawas withheld approximately $560,000 in what they termed cancellation fees from approximately 600 California travelers. Nawas’s withholding of those funds violated the California Seller of Travel Act, which requires sellers of travel to provide full refunds for any travel that they are unable to provide, with certain limited exceptions that do not apply here. Although Nawas claimed to travelers that it was allowed to withhold cancellation fees under its own terms and conditions, the Seller of Travel Act expressly prohibits this where, as here, the seller of travel is unable or unwilling to provide the purchased travel.
The Attorney General’s Office operates the Seller of Travel Program, which registers travel agents and certain other travel businesses operating in California. The attorney general and district attorneys can bring enforcement actions against sellers of travel for violations of the law. We encourage any Californian who believes they have been wronged by a seller of travel to contact their local district attorney and file a complaint with our office at www.oag.ca.gov/report.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to investigating and remedying harm to consumers affected by unlawful and deceptive business practices, including in the travel industry:
Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta announced securing a nine-year jail sentence against Iqbal Randhawa for defrauding more than a dozen members of the South Asian immigrant community in Northern California. Between 2017 and 2020, each victim hired Randhawa, a travel agent, to purchase airline tickets, paying him between $1,100 and $12,000. Instead of buying the tickets, Randhawa provided fraudulent itineraries and stole the funds. Also last year, Attorney General Bonta and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the sentencing of Marie Martin, a San Diego-based travel agent and registered seller of travel, who embezzled travel funds from more than 150 parents who paid for eighth-grade school trips to the East Coast. After the school trips were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin refused to provide refunds to the parents, instead spending funds on personal expenses. In 2021, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with Voyageurs International, resolving allegations that the Colorado-based travel agent offered only partial refunds for a cancelled European trip for California high school students and improperly pocketed their clients’ remaining fees. The settlement required Voyageurs to provide a full refund to its 130 California consumers, for a total of approximately $247,000 in restitution.
A copy of the complaint and proposed settlement can be found here and here. The settlement is pending court approval.
APRA HARBOR, Guam – The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff departed Guam following a scheduled port visit, June 14-17. This port visit marked the first time Blue Ridge has visited Guam since 2020.
Headline: Microsoft, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and TitletownTech officially open AI Co-Innovation Lab to accelerate manufacturing innovation
Headline: Microsoft, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and TitletownTech officially open AI Co-Innovation Lab to accelerate manufacturing innovation
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy Minister Nonceba Mhlauli leads a team of Deputy Ministers on a visit to the flood affected areas in the Eastern Cape , to assess recovery progress