BOSTON — Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is the subject of a federal investigation, and subpoenas have been issued to City Hall in relation to the probe, the Herald has learned. The nature and circumstances of the investigation into the second-term city councilor have not been revealed, and no criminal charges have been filed. The city acknowledged the existence of a federal subpoena or subpoenas that have been “issued to the Boston City Council or specific city councilors” in a Friday response to a Herald public records request that sought “information and/or documents relating to federal subpoenas that have been issued to Boston City Hall, the Boston City Council, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson and any of the 13 city councilors from Jan. 1, 2024 to Nov. 14, 2024. The city declined to provide the subpoena or subpoenas, which the Herald has learned pertained to a probe involving Fernandes Anderson, saying that it reached out to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s office to confirm that the “investigatory exemption” of the public records law applied in this instance. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, release of such information could impair the “integrity of a grand jury investigation,” per the city’s records response. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment, saying that the office “can’t confirm or deny an investigation.” Fernandes Anderson, who represents District 7 which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End and Fenway, did not immediately respond to the Herald’s request for comment. She declined to comment when reached by the Boston Globe on Tuesday, per a report from the outlet. “I don’t want to comment on it,” Fernandes Anderson, the first African immigrant and Muslim American elected to the City Council, told the Globe. City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said in a statement to the Herald that “it is important to respect the legal process.” “Drawing any conclusions right now would be premature,” Louijeune said. “As the president of the Boston City Council and as a lawyer, I want to emphasize that any actions that are found to undermine the law must be taken very seriously. “The work of the Council will proceed without disruption and we will remain focused on the issues most important to residents, including acting with integrity as a body,” Louijeune added. “At this time, I will refrain from any further comments, while urging everyone to avoid speculation and to respect due process.” The existence of a federal probe is the latest controversy for a city councilor who has had her fair share since taking office roughly three years ago. Last month, Fernandes Anderson was hit with a number of state campaign finance violations, per a Nov. 14 letter from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The violations included her failure to report roughly $32,900 of $34,500 of campaign contributions over an 11-month period in a timely fashion, and receipt of individual contributions in excess of the $1,000 state limit. The letter notes that the Anderson Committee took steps to resolve the excess contributions, by purging $1,750 to the Commonwealth on Sept. 26 to resolve the individual matter, and refunding $100 to the committee of a state senator that had sent a second $100 contribution in the same calendar year to Fernandes Anderson. Only one $100 contribution per year between two campaign committees is allowed by state law. Fernandes Anderson admitted to a state ethics violation last year for hiring her sister and son to paid positions on her City Council staff and paid a $5,000 fine. The State Ethics Commission said Fernandes Anderson appointed her sister and son to full-time positions in 2022, her first year on the Council. She also chose to increase their salaries, and in the case of her sister, award a $7,000 bonus. Fernandes Anderson set her sister’s salary at $65,000. She awarded her sister a raise in June 2022, increasing her salary to $70,000 and tacking on a $7,000 bonus, the Ethics Commission said. In June 2022, Fernandes Anderson appointed her son as her full-time office manager at an annual salary of $52,000. She participated in the Council’s July 15 vote to approve the appointment. Eleven days later, the councilor increased her son’s salary to $70,000, the Commission said. Fernandes Anderson addressed the matter in several tweets in July 2023 upon the ethics violation becoming public saying that she “messed up” and referencing her sister, said, “You are my everything and if it wasn’t unethical, I’d do it again.” More recently, a video of Fernandes Anderson not saying the oath of office during this past January’s inauguration, in violation of the city charter, went viral on social media. Fernandes Anderson retook the oath privately with the city clerk days later. In a social media statement at the time, she said she had been “internalizing” her oath and “committing a prayer between myself and God.” The 13 city councilors now make a $115,000 salary, after starting the year with an $11,500 pay hike. The last city councilor to be subject to a federal probe while in office was the late Chuck Turner who was sentenced to three years in jail in 2018 for pocketing a $1,000 bribe from an informant who claimed to be seeking a liquor license. Turner sued the city for $350,000 after being booted off the City Council in 2010 following the conviction, and settled for $106,000 eight years later, after the courts ruled that the Council violated its own rules because under state law, elected officials can only be removed from the body after sentencing, not conviction. --------- ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
LONDON — What does a spy agency give for Christmas? How about a riddle wrapped in an enigma inside a mystery. GCHQ, Britain’s electronic and cyber-intelligence agency, on Wednesday published its annual Christmas Challenge — a seasonal greeting card that doubles as a set of fiendishly difficult puzzles designed to excite young minds about solving cyphers and unearthing clues. The challenge is aimed at young people aged 11 to 18, who are encouraged to work in teams and use “lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance” to crack the seven brainteasers set by GCHQ’s “in-house puzzlers.” The card is sent by the head of GCHQ — short for Government Communications Headquarters — to other national security chiefs around the world. Puzzles were first included in 2015 and have become an annual tradition. The card can be downloaded from the GCHQ website and has become popular with teachers — the agency says a third of British secondary schools have downloaded it. The agency admits the festive fun has an ulterior motive. GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler said she hoped the card would inspire young people to explore STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — “and to consider what a career in cybersecurity and intelligence might have to offer.” It also aims to dispel some myths about intelligence work, fueled by super-agent James Bond and other fictional spies. GCHQ’s “chief puzzler,” Colin, said the challenge is best solved by teamwork, in contrast to the popular image of the lone genius or solo secret agent. “Don’t get me wrong — we have geniuses in the department,” said Colin, who gave only his first name because of the secret nature of his work. “But critically what we have is a large number of people with different skills coming together. “The skills we want are quite diverse. We like analytical skills but also lateral thinking skills. And we like the idea with some of these puzzles that it involves a certain amount of perseverance to get to the answer.” The card features a map of the U.K., linked to the locations where GCHQ has bases, including its high-tech headquarters in Cheltenham, western England, nicknamed the doughnut because of its shape. Many British people are keen puzzle-solvers, and the link between puzzlers and spycraft is often celebrated — notably in the many books, films and TV shows about Bletchley Park, a complex of buildings and wooden huts northwest of London where, during World War II, hundreds of mathematicians, cryptologists, crossword puzzle experts and computer pioneers worked to crack Nazi Germany’s secret codes. Historians say their work shortened World War II by as much as two years. Colin said that among new recruits to GCHQ, “we now hear more and more that they first heard of GCHQ through puzzling.” “It definitely inspires people.” Technology has advanced immeasurably since the days of Bletchley Park, but — reassuringly — making and solving puzzles is one area that still needs the human touch. “AI doesn’t have a good record either setting or solving puzzles, not of this sort,” Colin said. “It is still the case that people are able to set interesting puzzles in a way that AI isn’t — thank goodness.” — By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Simon Hildebrandt had nine points in High Point's 65-59 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday. Hildebrandt had six rebounds for the Panthers (10-2). Kezza Giffa scored nine points, going 3 of 9 and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Abdoulaye had nine points and shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line. Myles Tate led the Mountaineers (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. CJ Huntley added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for Appalachian State. Jackson Threadgill had seven points and six rebounds. Up next for High Point is a Tuesday matchup with Carolina University at home, and Appalachian State visits Louisiana on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Amritsar: The Panther Division observed Vijay Diwas on Sunday, marking India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. This historic day, observed annually on Dec 16, commemorates the creation of Bangladesh and the decisive military victory led by the Indian armed forces. On this occasion, the celebrations featured a stunning display of military equipment and the felicitation of Veer Naris, showcasing the nation’s strength and unity. The highlight of the day was the weapon and equipment display as part of the “Know Your Army Mela”, where military hardware, including armoured tanks, artillery guns, and other new generation weapons under induction, were displayed to the public. This display gave citizens, especially the younger generation, an opportunity to witness firsthand the military technology that has played a significant part and continues to hold a pivotal role in the Indian Army ’s success. The weapon display offered a chance to explore the legacy of India’s defence capabilities and the cutting-edge technology that continues to safeguard the nation’s security. We also published the following articles recently Kol to witness military tattoo on 53rd Vijay Diwas The Indian Army is set to commemorate the 53rd Vijay Diwas with a captivating military tattoo at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC). The event, open to the public, will feature thrilling displays of equestrian feats, combat helicopter flypasts, and Kalari Payattu. 150 NCC cadets take part in BSF arms display In Lunglei, Mizoram, the Border Security Force (BSF) held a captivating weapons exhibition for 150 NCC cadets. The event showcased modern weaponry and specialized equipment, aiming to inspire the next generation to consider careers in national security. Man killed for opposing gun display at wedding A wedding celebration in Bhojpur district turned tragic when a gun-brandishing incident escalated into a fatal clash. Santosh Kumar, a 30-year-old civil service aspirant, objected to the display of the weapon and was subsequently beaten by members of the bride's party. He later succumbed to his injuries. Police have filed charges and are pursuing the attackers. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Dear Heloise: When traveling, I throw a dryer sheet in the bag that holds my shoes. I also put a dryer sheet in each of my gym shoes at home. To freshen my clothes quickly, I put them in the dryer with a dryer sheet on the air cycle. I reuse ones from the dryer to dust with. My sisters place dryer sheets under their bedsheets. Others rub a dryer sheet on their sofas! I love and use many of the suggestions you and others have printed in your column. -- Jackie, Colorado Springs, Colorado SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com SHREDDED PAPER Dear Heloise: You're a big fan of recycling items, so I thought you might be interested in what we do with shredded paper in our office. Three of us have family in other countries, so we often have to mail Christmas gifts. We have a paper shredder, and when it comes time to empty it, we dump the paper into large plastic bags and save it in a closet. We later use that paper when we mail gifts for various occasions such as weddings, birthdays and Christmas. The word got out, and now there are a couple of other offices in our building that come down for some "packing material." -- Anne H., Milford, Delaware MICROWAVE FUDGE Dear Heloise: When I lived at home, my mother insisted on doing the cooking. She said I always made a mess of her kitchen. In college, we had our meals in the dining hall, so I never really learned how to cook. But now I have my own place, and I would like to make a recipe I saw in your column a couple of years ago. I don't know the name of it, but it was a fudge recipe where you could microwave the ingredients. It sounded good and so easy to make. Would you reprint this recipe? I want to take it to a family gathering for Thanksgiving. -- Jeffery M., in Boulder, Colorado Jeffery, the recipe you're thinking of was called "Matthews' Microwave Fudge," and it was indeed very easy to make. Here is the recipe: -- 1 pound of powdered sugar -- 1/2 cup cocoa -- 1/4 teaspoon butter or margarine -- 4 tablespoons milk -- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract -- 1 cup chopped pecan or walnuts Combine all the ingredients except the nuts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until all the ingredients in the mixture are melted and smooth. Remove and stir periodically. When the mixture is smooth, remove it from the microwave and stir in the nuts. Spread the fudge into a buttered 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and allow it to cool completely before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. -- Heloise REUSING STOCKINGS Dear Heloise: Last week while I was making soup, I wanted to put certain spices in a square of gauze or cheesecloth and found that I had neither in my house. I looked around and finally found a clean nylon stocking I no longer wore or needed. I placed the spices in a square I had cut from the nylon stocking and tied it at the top! It worked very well! -- Louella T., Livingston, Montana