Farmers in Punjab have announced a statewide shutdown on Monday which is set to disrupt road and rail traffic between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm. The call for the bandh comes as part of an ongoing protest led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. These groups have been staging protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, following their halted march to Delhi by security forces. Prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (67) has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to push for the fulfillment of their demands. Among their key demands is the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a long-standing issue in agricultural reforms. As per reports, the bandh is expected to impact transportation and public services, as farmers seek to intensify their pressure on the central government to address their concerns. In solidarity with the farmers' statewide bandh, bus services across Punjab will be suspended for varying durations on Monday. The Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus services will remain inactive from 10 am to 2 pm, following the announcement by the PRTC Punbus Employee Union in support of the ongoing farmer agitation. Meanwhile, private bus operators have extended full backing, declaring the suspension of services statewide from 7 am to 4 am. The bandh will also disrupt both road and rail traffic during these hours. As per reports, government and private institutions across the state will also remain closed from 7 am to 4 pm. However, emergency services will remain unaffected to ensure essential operations. Various groups, including traders, transporters, employees’ unions, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers' unions, and social organisations, have announced their support for the farmers’ cause. Kisan Mazdoor Sanghrash Committee's leader Sarvan Singh Pandher confirmed that the bandh is part of their ongoing protest and is aimed at raising their demands. This bandh will force the Centre to accept the demands of farmers, the farmer leader said as he slammed the union government for failing to accept the demands of farmers, he added. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Besides a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. They were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) has been sitting on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
DOC finalizes semiconductor awards totaling nearly $7 billion for Samsung, Texas Instruments and AmkorOTTAWA — Former Toronto Blue Jays all-stars Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin scored a major win against the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a Tax Court judge cried foul over the agency’s attempt to tax millions of dollars in additional income. In an extensive ruling published Wednesday, Tax Court of Canada judge Jean-Marc Gagnon found that the CRA’s calculation of Donaldson and Martin’s taxable income during some of the years they played in Canada was “faulty.” The precedent-setting decision found that the star players’ taxable income in the years audited by CRA was millions of dollars less than what the agency claimed. In total, Martin’s total taxable income in Canada dropped by roughly $4 million for 2015 to 2017, whereas Donaldson’s was reduced by a total of roughly $2.6 million for 2016 and 2017. Veteran tax lawyer and partner at KPMG Mark Feigenbaum said the ruling will bring a sigh of relief to Canadian professional sports teams and organizations that tend to hire foreigners for high-paid positions. “This was a really big deal,” said Feigenbaum, who often represents clients in sports and entertainment. He was not involved in these cases. As first reported by National Post last year , Donaldson and Martin’s cases raised a common issue that tax experts argued could have a chilling effect on Canadian sports teams’ ability to attract top international athletes: namely, how non-resident top earners can protect their income and mitigate Canada’s higher income-tax rates. Specifically, the tax agency challenged how much income the players could deduct from their taxes using contributions to a form of pension plan called a Retirement Compensation Agreement (RCA). RCAs are commonly used by high-earning athletes and top executives recruited by Canadian organizations. It defers income and tax payments, and isn’t subject to strict contribution limits like an RRSP. The taxpayer is allowed to contribute a “reasonable” amount to their retirement every year, but the CRA withholds half of it in a fund that cannot be invested. When an RCA holder retires or loses their job, the pension account will begin paying out, at which point the money will be taxed, presumably when they are in a lower tax bracket. The CRA will then also refund the 50-per-cent portion of all contributions that it withheld. The crux of the battle between CRA and the two former Blue Jays stars was a disagreement on how the players’ contributions should be deducted from their income tax while they played for Toronto. At issue was that Russell and Donaldson spent 60 per cent of their time in the United States and only 40 per cent in Canada, with taxes payable split accordingly. The time spent in Canada was called “duty days.” CRA argued that the retirement contributions should be deducted before the 60/40 American-Canadian split was calculated, meaning the players would end up paying more taxes on the Canadian portion. The two baseball stars, represented by lawyer Marie-France Dompierre, argued the opposite: that the contributions should only be deducted from the Canadian portion after the split. Ultimately, the Tax Court sided with the players, noting that CRA’s interpretation was “faulty” in many ways. “The RCA regime is meant to be applied solely to Canadian-source income of non-residents. A non-resident’s foreign-source income is not subject to Canadian RCA rules, as it does not fall within the jurisdiction of Canada,” Gagnon wrote. The CRA’s interpretation, the judge continued, “could not have been what Parliament intended when it created the RCA regime.” The difference in interpretation — in the case of players who were paid US$28.65 million (Donaldson) and US$42 million (Martin) during the years audited by CRA — was worth potentially millions of dollars in unpaid income tax. For example, the taxable portion in Canada of Martin’s US$20 million salary in 2017 was US$7 million in CRA’s view, but US$5.5 million in the players’ view. “An athlete has difficulty with the tax rate here and compared to where they could be playing or could be based. So this mitigates a little bit of the of the differential,” Feigenbaum said. “If the government takes that away... that makes in really less competitive for someone to want to temporarily be in Canada,” he added. According to the ruling, one reason CRA’s decision was “faulty” was that the Income Tax Act is “very clear that income earned in two places, whether that income is earned by a resident or a non-resident without distinction, must be calculated as two distinct sources,” Gagnon wrote. He also noted that “Canada does not have jurisdiction over a non-resident foreign-source income and therefore cannot include, exclude, or deduct amounts under the Act to such foreign-source income.” In other words, the government can only calculate Canadian deductions from income earned in Canada. CRA declined to comment on the case, citing its policy of not commenting on court cases. “ The courts provide Canadians with an independent review of disputed issues, and court decisions serve to clarify the law or resolve disputes between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and taxpayers,” CRA spokesperson Étienne Biram said in a statement. National Post cnardi@postmedia.com Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .Ministers will not set an arbitrary cap on the number of civil servants amid reports more than 10,000 jobs could be lost as the result of a spending squeeze. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”
Lumen Technologies LUMN underwent analysis by 5 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish. The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 0 0 5 0 0 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 1 0 0 2M Ago 0 0 2 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 1 0 0 Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $5.55, along with a high estimate of $8.00 and a low estimate of $4.25. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 6.73% from the previous average price target of $5.20. Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Lumen Technologies by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Bora Lee RBC Capital Raises Sector Perform $4.25 $4.00 Michael Rollins Citigroup Raises Neutral $8.00 $6.50 Gregory Williams TD Cowen Lowers Hold $6.00 $7.00 James Schneider Goldman Sachs Raises Neutral $5.00 $4.50 James Schneider Goldman Sachs Raises Neutral $4.50 $4.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Lumen Technologies. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company. Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Lumen Technologies compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Lumen Technologies's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Lumen Technologies's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Lumen Technologies analyst ratings. Discovering Lumen Technologies: A Closer Look With 450,000 route miles of fiber, Lumen Technologies is one of the United States' largest telecommunications carriers serving global enterprises. Its merger with Level 3 in 2017 and divestiture of much of its incumbent local exchange carrier, or ILEC, business in 2022 has shifted the company's operations away from its legacy consumer business and toward enterprises (now about 75% of revenue). Lumen offers businesses a full menu of communications services, providing colocation and data center services, data transportation, and end-user phone and internet service. On the consumer side, Lumen provides broadband and phone service across 37 states, where it has 4.5 million broadband customers. Lumen Technologies: Financial Performance Dissected Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position. Revenue Challenges: Lumen Technologies's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -11.54% . This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Communication Services sector. Net Margin: Lumen Technologies's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -4.59% . This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health. Return on Equity (ROE): Lumen Technologies's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -36.63%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance. Return on Assets (ROA): Lumen Technologies's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -0.44% . This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 55.03 , caution is advised due to increased financial risk. Analyst Ratings: Simplified Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are. Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update. Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts. Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands has scheduled a public meeting to gather community input on a proposed communications tower. The meeting will take place on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Lansdowne office council chambers at 1233 Prince Street. The session will focus on Tower Application T00-2024-002, which proposes the construction of a 45-metre communications facility at 27 Hill Island Heights. Township staff will present a report with background information and recommendations, after which council will decide its position on the proposal by resolution. The tower, submitted by FB Connect on behalf of Xplore Inc., is designed to enhance internet and data services for the Hill Island and Honey Bee Island areas, as well as along Highway 137. The structure will feature a triangular, self-supporting design with a small three-by-three-metre footprint and an anti-climb mechanism. Antennae for transmitting and receiving data will be mounted on the upper portion, with provisions for future technological upgrades. Before proposing the new facility, Xplore Inc. investigated the feasibility of using existing tower infrastructure within 0.5 kilometres of the site. According to the township staff report, no suitable structures were identified. The proposed installation is also noted as having the potential to support colocation with other licensed carriers, reducing the need for additional tower construction in the area. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in person or participate virtually to share their views. The consultation process is a required step before approving the installation and operation of the communications facility. The township is emphasizing the importance of community involvement in shaping the future of connectivity for the region. For further details on how to join the meeting virtually or by phone, residents can contact the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands office, at 613-659-2415, or 1-866-220-2327. Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Bears fans wondering when this God forsaken season will end got their answer: the Bears will play their season finale against the Packers at noon Sunday at Lambeau Field. After leaving their Week 18 schedule up in the air all season to try to ensure that playoff implications could be put on display, the NFL announced the final week’s schedule late Sunday night. The Bears have lost their last 11 games against their rivals; their last win, in December 2018, clinched the NFC North — though safety Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending injury while returning the game-sealing interception. The Packers, who lost in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon, have already clinched a playoff spot. Last year, the Packers punched their playoff ticket by beating the Bears in the season finale, which was also held in Green Bay. The 4-12 Bears have lost 10 in a row, the longest active streak in the NFL. They would draft ninth were the season to end today by virtue of having the best opponent strength of schedule among the league’s five four-win teams.
A butterfly collector in Africa with more than 4.2 million seeks to share them for the future NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital. Steve Collins has a collection of 4.2 million butterflies representing hundreds of species. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. One expert familiar with Collins and his work suggests that the collection should be digitized for global access. Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the New York Knicks and New York Rangers sports franchises. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately.LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels connected with Zach Ertz in overtime for his third touchdown pass of the game to get the Washington Commanders into the playoffs by beating the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 on Sunday night in a back-and-forth prime-time showdown between highly drafted rookie quarterbacks. Daniels ran for a season-high 127 yards and completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards and had two TD passes to Ertz and another to Olamide Zaccheaus to make the playoffs in his rookie year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaul10 years after the targeted killing of 2 NYPD officers, policing in NY has changed
Local educators and the ADL are pushing for an apology from MassCUE after the group’s recent “jarring” conference when speakers reportedly spewed “hateful” anti-Israel and Holocaust rhetoric. MassCUE’s fall education tech conference — held in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents at Gillette Stadium — apparently went off the rails during a panel on equity in education. That’s when the discussion reportedly delved into the current Middle East conflict in Israel and Gaza. “Speakers leaned very heavily into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a very one-sided, dangerous rhetoric,” Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin told the Herald. That included references to “Israeli genocide” and “Israeli apartheid.” A panelist also suggested that the teaching of the Holocaust has been one-sided, and “two perspectives needed to be taught,” recalled Rubin, whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, during which the Nazis killed 6 million Jews. “It was jarring, unexpected, and unprofessional,” added Rubin, who’s also the president of his synagogue. Following complaints from several shocked conference attendees, the Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter recently wrote a letter to MassCUE, as the ADL pushes for a public apology. “It is difficult to understand why an organization dedicated to education and technology would allow a panel discussion ostensibly focused on school equity to instead veer into a complex and controversial foreign conflict,” ADL New England’s deputy director Sara Colb wrote to MassCUE’s leaders. “It is all the more concerning that once the conversation veered in that direction it was not stopped or redirected to the advertised topic,” Colb added. “Allowing a presentation purporting to be about equity and inclusion in the classroom to include a one-sided narrative of a foreign conflict, replete with hateful, biased rhetoric, does a disservice to attendees by leaving them with a biased and misinformed account of the conflict.” MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators) is the Bay State affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education. More than two months after the fall conference, the organization has not addressed the Israeli-Palestinian discussion. “At MassCUE we take feedback very seriously and work hard to ensure we take any and all necessary steps to address concerns that are brought to our attention,” said MassCUE Board President Casey Daigle. “This process takes time. Please know we are working through our procedures internally.” The silence from MassCUE’s leaders has been “really concerning,” Rubin emphasized. “How comments like these about the Holocaust don’t warrant an immediate response is really, really, really confusing to me,” added Rubin, who was given the 2024 MassCUE Administrator Award two days before this panel. “If a student was targeted by a racial slur in our buildings, we would be involving local authorities, contacting families, sending a letter to the community, but MassCUE is working through their internal procedures. It doesn’t add up,” he said. The executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents said M.A.S.S. was “troubled to hear that any of the speakers at the conference may have made statements that are inconsistent with the anti-racist values of our organization.” “We are working with MassCUE to learn more about the content in question,” added Executive Director Mary Bourque. Other than ADL’s push for a public apology from MassCUE, the ADL is calling for the organization to: “At a time when incidents of antisemitic hate, including in our K-12 schools, are at record highs, it is deeply wrong and dangerous to provide a platform for such hateful rhetoric or to allow a platform to be hijacked for such purposes,” the ADL deputy director wrote. “It is surprising to have to make this point to educators who purport to be concerned with equitable and inclusive classrooms for all students.”