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MIL-OSI Security: Maryland recidivist sentenced to over three years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to three years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on May 8, 2024, at the Tysons Corner Center in Fairfax County, police stopped and searched a vehicle in which Marcus Gibbs, 28, of Capital Heights, was the front-seat passenger. Inside the vehicle, officers found a handbag containing a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine. Also inside the handbag was Gibbs’s wallet, which contained his social security card and state identification card.

In 2015, Gibbs was convicted of robbery and sentenced to eight years in prison. In 2021, Gibbs was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and sentenced to five years in prison. As a previously convicted felon, Gibbs cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel K. Amzallag prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-178.

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Bogota Financial Corp. Reports Results for the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TEANECK, N.J., Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bogota Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: BSBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Bogota Savings Bank (the “Bank”), reported a net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024 of $930,000 or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million or $0.09 per basic and diluted share for the comparable prior year period. The Company reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $2.2 million or $0.17 per basic and diluted share compared to net income of $643,000, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, for the prior year.

On April 24, 2024, the Company announced it had received regulatory approval to repurchase up to 237,090 shares of its common stock, which was approximately 5% of its then outstanding common stock (excluding shares held by Bogota Financial, MHC). The program does not have a scheduled expiration date and the Board of Directors may suspend or discontinue the program at any time. As of December 31, 2024, 188,047 shares have been repurchased under this program at a cost of $1.4 million.

Other Financial Highlights:

Total assets increased $32.2 million, or 3.4%, to $971.5 million at December 31, 2024 from $939.3 million at December 31, 2023, largely due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents and other assets, offset by a decrease in net loans and premises and equipment.
Cash and cash equivalents increased $27.3 million, or 109.5%, to $52.2 million at December 31, 2024 from $24.9 million at December 31, 2023, as increases in deposits and borrowings and loan and security maturities outpaced loan growth.
Securities decreased $1.2 million, or 0.9%, to $140.3 million at December 31, 2024 from $141.5 million at December 31, 2023.
Net loans decreased $3.0 million, or 0.4%, to $711.7 million at December 31, 2024 from $714.7 million at December 31, 2023 due to decreases in residential and construction loans, offset by an increase in commercial real estate loans.
Total deposits at December 31, 2024 were $642.2 million, increasing $16.9 million, or 2.7%, as compared to $625.3 million at December 31, 2023, primarily due to a $14.7 million increase in interest-bearing deposits and by a $2.1 million increase in non-interest bearing checking accounts. The average rate paid on deposits increased 31 basis points to 3.73% for 2024 from 3.42% for 2023 due to higher interest rates and an increase in NOW accounts, which increased $14.1 million, or 34.0%, to $55.4 million at December 31, 2024 from $41.3 million at December 31, 2023. The yield on such accounts also increased 63 basis points to 2.53% for 2024 from 1.90% for 2023.
Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $4.5 million, or 2.7% to $172.2 million at December 31, 2024 from $167.7 million as of December 31, 2023.

The Bank completed a balance sheet restructuring consisting of two key transactions in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Bank entered into a sale-leaseback transaction whereby the Bank sold three of its branch offices resulting in a $9.0 million pre-tax gain. Subsequently, the Bank realized a pre-tax loss of $8.9 million on the sale of approximately $66.0 million in amortized cost ($57.1 million in market value) of securities with a weighted average life of approximately 5.5 years and a weighted average yield of 1.89%. The Bank reinvested $32.7 million of these proceeds into securities with a weighted average life of approximately 29.6 years and a weighted average yield of 5.60%. As of December 31, 2024 all securities were classified as available for sale and marked to market.

Kevin Pace, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We were able to accomplish a key piece of our strategic plan this quarter. The sale-leaseback transaction gave us the ability to dispose of underperforming legacy investments without deteriorating regulatory capital. We were able to utilize this strategy to strengthen our balance sheet and improve future earnings. Reinvesting those funds in securities and loans at current market rates, as well as paying down higher cost borrowings, will provide both short- and long-term benefits.

“Uncertainty around rates continues to be a necessary consideration when planning for growth. The repositioning will help with this process while improving our net interest margin. We were able to achieve modest asset and deposit growth for the year while remaining focused on prudent lending practices. The high cost of funds, in particular in our competitive market, continued to pressure earnings. As we continue with our current stock buyback program, we remain committed to adding shareholder value.”

Income Statement Analysis

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Net income increased by $248,000, or 21.0%, to a net loss of $930,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from a net loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $1.0 million in interest income, a $1.3 million decrease in non-interest expense and a decrease of $998,000 in income tax expense, offset by a $1.5 million increase in interest expense.

Interest income increased $1.0 million, or 10.7%, from $9.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $10.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 due to higher yields on interest-earning assets and higher average balances.

Interest income on cash and cash equivalents increased $46,000, or 31.7%, to $191,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $145,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 due to a $4.1 million increase in the average balance to $13.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $9.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, reflecting the increase of liquidity due to lower loan originations. Due to rate cuts enacted in the third and fourth quarter of the year, the yield on cash and cash equivalents decreased 47 basis points from 6.08% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 5.61% for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Interest income on loans increased $299,000, or 3.6%, to $8.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $8.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 due primarily to 16 basis point increase in the average yield from 4.57% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 4.73% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and by a $3.0 million increase in the average balance to $717.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $714.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Interest income on securities increased $612,000, or 58.8%, to $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to a $42.1 million increase in the average balance to $175.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $133.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and due to a 65 basis point increase in the average yield from 3.12% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 3.77% for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Interest expense increased $1.5 million, or 22.1%, from $6.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $8.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 due to higher costs on interest-bearing liabilities and by a $58.9 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities from $747.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $805.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. During the three months ended December 31, 2024, the use of the cash flow hedges reduced the interest expense by $280,000.

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $954,000, or 18.2%, to $6.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to a 61 basis point increase in the average cost of deposits to 4.02% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from 3.41% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in the average cost of deposits was due to the higher interest rate environment. The average balances of certificates of deposit increased $4.7 million to $501.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $497.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 while NOW and money market accounts and savings accounts decreased $148,000 and $430,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings increased $513,000, or 37.1%, from $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to an increase in the average balance of borrowings of $54.8 million to $192.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $137.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, which was partially offset by a decrease in the average cost of 7 basis points to 3.92% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from 3.99% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 as new borrowings in the second half of the year were at slightly lower rates. At December 31, 2024, cash flow hedges used to manage interest rate risk had a notional value of $65.0 million, while fair value hedges totaled $60.0 million in notional value.

Net interest income decreased $439,000, or 14.9%, to $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease reflected a 27 basis point decrease in our net interest rate spread to 0.61% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from 0.88% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Our net interest margin decreased 26 basis points to 1.09% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from 1.35% for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

We recorded a $218,000 recovery for credit losses for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to a no provision for credit losses for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023. The recovery in the fourth quarter of 2024 reflects the decrease in the loan and securities portfolio.

Non-interest income increased by $136,000, or 48.2%, to $419,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from $283,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Bank-owned life insurance income increased $16,000, or 7.7%, due to higher balances during 2024. Gain on sale of assets was $74,000 as proceeds from the sale-leaseback transaction exceeded the loss on securities.

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense decreased $1.3 million, or 26.9%, over the comparable December 31, 2023 period. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $776,000, or 25.2%, due to lower headcount. Professional fees decreased $141,000, or 56.9% due to lower legal costs in 2024. FDIC insurance premiums increased $12,000, or 12.1%, due to a higher assessment rate in 2024. Data processing expense increased $23,000, or 9.3%, due to higher processing costs. Director fees increased $14,000, or 9.9%, due to higher pension expense. The decrease in advertising expense of $35,000, or 36.4%, was due to reduced promotions for branch locations and less promotions on deposit and loan products. Other expense decreased $456,000, or 68.2%, as 2023 expenses were elevated due to a pending fraud claim that was under review with the insurance company.

Income tax expense increased $998,000, or 182.1%, to an expense of $450,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 from a benefit of $548,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to tax reserves on uncertain deferred tax assets.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Net income decreased by $2.8 million, or 437.8%, to a net loss of $2.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from net income of $643,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $4.4 million in net interest income, offset by a decrease of $1.2 million in non-interest expense and by an increase of $209,000 in non-interest income and $209,000 in income tax benefit.

Interest income increased $4.4 million, or 12.0%, from $37.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to $41.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 due to increases in the average balances of and higher yields on interest-earning assets.

Interest income on cash and cash equivalents increased $38,000, or 6.7%, to $606,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $568,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due to a 71 basis point increase in the average yield from 5.23% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to 5.94% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 due to the higher interest rate environment for most of 2024. This was offset by a $671,000 decrease in the average balance to $10.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $10.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, reflecting the use of excess liquidity primarily to fund securities purchases.

Interest income on loans increased $1.4 million, or 4.3%, to $33.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $32.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due primarily to a 20 basis point increase in the average yield from 4.49% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to 4.69% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was offset by a $661,000 decrease in the average balance to $713.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $713.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Interest income on securities increased $2.7 million, or 66.7%, to $6.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $4.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due to a 101 basis point increase in the average yield from 2.87% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to 3.88% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and by a $33.8 million increase in the average balance of securities to $178.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $144.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Interest expense increased $8.9 million, or 39.9%, from $22.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to $31.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 due to increases in the average balance of and higher costs on interest-bearing liabilities. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the use of the cash flow hedges reduced the interest expense on the Federal Home Loan Bank advances by $1.5 million.

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $6.6 million, or 36.4%, to $24.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $18.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to a 112 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 3.97% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from 2.85% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, offset by a $12.3 million decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits. The increase in the average cost of deposits was due to the higher interest rate environment and a change in the composition of the deposit portfolio. The average balances of certificates of deposit increased $10.2 million to $508.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $498.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 while NOW and money market accounts and savings accounts decreased $18.1 million and $4.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings increased $2.3 million, or 54.4%, from $4.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 to $6.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was due to an increase in the average balance of borrowings of $59.2 million to $176.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $116.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an increase in the average cost of 9 basis points to 3.76% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from 3.67% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due to the new borrowings at higher rates. At December 31, 2024, cash flow hedges used to manage interest rate risk had a notional value of $65.0 million, while fair value hedges totaled $60.0 million in notional value.

Net interest income decreased $4.4 million, or 29.5%, to $10.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from $15.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease reflected a 62 basis point decrease in our net interest rate spread to 0.66% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from 1.28% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Our net interest margin decreased 55 basis points to 1.16% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from 1.71% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

We recorded a $148,000 recovery of credit losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to a $125,000 recovery for credit losses for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 which reflected a decrease in the loan and securities portfolios, as well as no charge-offs during the years. This recovery was inclusive of the effect due to the transfer of certain securities from the held to maturity portfolio to the available for sale portfolio, which resulted in a $108,000 recovery for credit losses.

Non-interest income increased by $209,000, or 18.4%. Gain on sale of assets increased $74,000 while fee and service charged income increased $22,000 or 10.6%, and income related to bank owned life insurance increased $90,000, or 11.5%, due to higher balances during 2024.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense decreased $1.2 million, or 7.4%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $1.1 million, or 10.9%, as 2023 amounts included an accrual of a severance contract for the retirement of the previous President and a higher employee count when compared to 2024. Professional fees increased $129,000 or 19.5%, due to higher legal expense. Data processing increased $234,000, or 24.1%, due to higher processing costs. Other expense decreased $369,000, or 27.8%, as 2023 amounts included charges for a pending fraud claim that is under review with the insurance company.

Income tax benefit increased $209,000, or 129.1%, to a benefit of $372,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 from a benefit of $162,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in benefit was due to $3.0 million, or 629.2%, of lower taxable income. The effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was (14.62%) and (33.76%), respectively. The benefit would have been higher but there were valuation reserves on certain deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024.

Balance Sheet Analysis

Total assets were $971.5 million at December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $32.2 million, or 3.4%, from December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents increased $27.3 million during the period primarily due to loan payments received and growth in deposits and borrowings. Net loans decreased $3.0 million, or 0.4%, due to $63.8 million in repayments, partially offset by new production of $61.2 million. Due to the interest rate environment, we have seen a decrease in demand for residential and construction loans, which have been primary drivers of our loan growth in recent periods. Securities held to maturity were reclassified to securities available for sale which decreased an aggregate $1.2 million or 0.9%, due to the repayments of mortgage-backed securities and maturities of corporate bonds. Right of use assets increased $10.8 million due to new right-of-use lease assets recognized as part of the sale-leaseback transaction.

Delinquent loans increased $1.7 million to $14.3 million, or 2.01% of total loans, at December 31, 2024. The increase was mostly due to one commercial real estate loan with a balance of $755,000 and two residential mortgages totaling $653,000, all of which are classified as nonaccrual. During the same timeframe, non-performing assets increased to $14.0 million and were 1.44% of total assets at December 31, 2024. The Company’s allowance for credit losses was 0.37% of total loans and 18.77% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2024 compared to 0.39% of total loans and 21.81% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2023. At that date, $10.9 million, or 76.0%, of the total non-performing loans consisted of one construction loan with a loan-to-value of 45%, which required no specific reserve. The Bank does not have any exposure to commercial real estate loans secured by office space.

Total liabilities increased $32.0 million, or 4.0%, to $834.2 million mainly due to a $16.8 million increase in deposits and by a $4.5 million increase in borrowings. Lease liabilities also increased $10.8 million due to new lease liabilities recognized as part of the sale-leaseback transaction. Total deposits increased $16.9 million, or 2.7%, to $642.2 million at December 31, 2024 from $625.3 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in deposits reflected increases in NOW, money market and savings accounts, which increased by $14.7 million from $101.5 million at December 31, 2023 to $116.2 million at December 31, 2024 and by an increase in non-interest bearing accounts, which increased by $2.1 million to $32.7 million from $30.6 million at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024, brokered deposits were $101.6 million or 15.8% of deposits and municipal deposits were $30.7 million or 4.8% of deposits. At December 31, 2024, uninsured deposits represented 6.9% of the Bank’s total deposits. Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $4.5 million, or 2.7%. Total borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank is $280.4 million, of which $172.2 million is advanced.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $116,000 to $137.3 million, which was largely unchanged from last year. The increase was due to a reduction in the accumulated other comprehensive loss on the securities portfolio of $2.9 million, offset by a net loss of $2.2 million and the repurchase of 221,130 shares of stock at a total cost of $1.7 million. At December 31, 2024, the Company’s ratio of average stockholders’ equity-to-average total assets was 14.10%, compared to 14.89% at December 31, 2023.

About Bogota Financial Corp.

Bogota Financial Corp. is a Maryland corporation organized as the mid-tier holding company of Bogota Savings Bank and is the majority-owned subsidiary of Bogota Financial, MHC. Bogota Savings Bank is a New Jersey chartered stock savings bank that has served the banking needs of its customers in northern and central New Jersey since 1893. It operates from seven offices located in Bogota, Hasbrouck Heights, Newark, Oak Ridge, Parsippany, Teaneck and Upper Saddle River, New Jersey and operates a loan production office in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about the Company and the Bank. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, inflation, general economic conditions or conditions within the securities markets, potential recessionary conditions, real estate market values in the Bank’s lending area, changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio, including the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio; changes in the quality of our loan and security portfolios, increases in non-performing and classified loans, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies, a failure in or breach of the Company’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks, the failure to maintain current technologies, failure to retain or attract employees and legislative, accounting and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business in which the Company and the Bank are engaged.

The Company undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.


BOGOTA FINANCIAL CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (unaudited)

	As of December 31, 2024			As of December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	18,020,527		$	13,567,115
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		34,211,681			11,362,356
Cash and cash equivalents		52,232,208			24,929,471

Securities available for sale		140,307,447			68,888,179
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $70,699,651 at December 31, 2023)		–			72,656,179
Loans, net of allowance $2,620,949 and $2,785,949, respectively		711,716,236			714,688,635
Premises and equipment, net		4,727,302			7,687,387
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock		8,803,000			8,616,100
Accrued interest receivable		4,232,563			3,932,785
Core deposit intangibles		152,893			206,116
Bank owned life insurance		31,859,604			30,987,851
Right of use asset		10,776,596			–
Other assets		6,682,035			6,731,500
Total assets	$	971,489,884		$	939,324,203

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits
Non-interest bearing	$	32,681,963		$	30,554,842
Interest bearing		609,506,079			594,792,300
		642,188,042			625,347,142

FHLB advances-short term		29,500,000			37,500,000
FHLB advances-long term		142,673,182			130,189,663
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		2,809,205			2,733,709
Lease liability		10,780,363			–
Other liabilities		6,249,932			6,380,486
Total liabilities		834,200,724			802,151,000

Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock $0.01 par value 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024, and 2023		—			—
Common stock $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 13,059,175 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 13,279,230 at December 31, 2023		130,591			132,792
Additional Paid-In capital		55,269,962			56,149,915
Retained earnings		90,006,649			92,177,068
Unearned ESOP shares (382,933 shares at December 31, 2024 and 409,750 shares at December 31, 2023)		(4,520,594	)		(4,821,798	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,597,448	)		(6,464,774	)
Total stockholders’ equity		137,289,160			137,173,203
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	971,489,884		$	939,324,203


BOGOTA FINANCIAL CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Year Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Interest income
Loans	$	8,522,844		$	8,224,488		$	33,411,221		$	32,046,033
Securities
Taxable		1,641,126			1,027,755			6,888,462			4,070,144
Tax-exempt		11,483			13,135			50,892			91,428
Other interest-earning assets		418,634			300,656			1,399,170			1,072,240
Total interest income		10,594,087			9,566,034			41,749,745			37,279,845
Interest expense
Deposits		6,200,367			5,245,865			24,584,690			18,023,772
FHLB advances		1,894,789			1,382,244			6,613,845			4,282,603
Total interest expense		8,095,156			6,628,109			31,198,535			22,306,375
Net interest income		2,498,931			2,937,925			10,551,210			14,973,470
Provision (credit) for credit losses		(218,000	)		—			(148,000	)		(125,000	)
Net interest income after provision (credit) for credit losses		2,716,931			2,937,925			10,699,210			15,098,470
Non-interest income
Fees and service charges		64,285			47,382			228,685			206,763
Gain on sale of loans		20,232			—			31,942			29,375
Gain on sale of properties		9,005,245			—			9,005,245			—
Loss on sale of securities		(8,930,843	)		—			(8,930,843	)		—
Bank-owned life insurance		223,616			207,453			871,753			781,526
Other		36,202			27,711			141,622			121,371
Total non-interest income		418,737			282,546			1,348,404			1,139,035
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		2,345,404			3,082,176			8,750,350			9,820,128
Occupancy and equipment		348,778			359,937			1,467,517			1,474,107
FDIC insurance assessment		110,464			98,525			424,090			418,215
Data processing		274,889			251,485			1,203,181			969,398
Advertising		60,840			95,681			371,790			465,064
Director fees		155,699			141,639			622,799			619,650
Professional fees		107,129			248,526			789,646			661,045
Other		212,632			668,220			960,230			1,329,520
Total non-interest expense		3,615,835			4,946,189			14,589,603			15,757,127
(Loss) income before income taxes		(480,167	)		(1,725,718	)		(2,541,989	)		480,378
Income tax (benefit) expense		449,834			(547,958	)		(371,569	)		(162,157	)
Net (loss) income	$	(930,001	)	$	(1,177,760	)	$	(2,170,420	)	$	642,535
Earnings (loss) per Share – basic	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.05
Earnings (loss) per Share – diluted	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.17	)	$	0.05
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		12,686,765			12,767,410			12,767,628			12,891,847
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		12,686,765			12,767,410			12,767,628			12,891,847


BOGOTA FINANCIAL CORP. SELECTED RATIOS (unaudited)

	At or For the Three Months Ended December 31,						At or For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Performance Ratios ⁽¹⁾:
(Loss) return on average assets (2)		(0.09	)%		(0.51	)%		(0.22	)%		0.07	%
(Loss) return on average equity (3)		(0.68	)%		(3.43	)%		(1.59	)%		0.46	%
Interest rate spread ⁽⁴⁾		0.61	%		0.88	%		0.66	%		1.28	%
Net interest margin ⁽⁵⁾		1.09	%		1.35	%		1.16	%		1.71	%
Efficiency ratio ⁽⁶⁾		123.93	%		153.59	%		122.61	%		97.04	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities		113.67	%		115.71	%		114.48	%		116.95	%
Net loans to deposits		110.83	%		114.29	%		110.83	%		114.29	%
Equity to assets ⁽⁷⁾		13.99	%		14.94	%		14.10	%		14.89	%
Capital Ratios:
Tier 1 capital to average assets								13.34	%		15.24	%
Asset Quality Ratios:
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans								0.37	%		0.39	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans								18.77	%		21.81	%
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans during the period								0.00	%		0.00	%
Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans								1.95	%		1.79	%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets								1.44	%		1.36	%

(1	)	Certain performance ratios for the three-month periods are annualized.
(2	)	Represents net income divided by average total assets.
(3	)	Represents net income divided by average stockholders’ equity.
(4	)	Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. Tax exempt income is reported on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state marginal tax rate of 27.5%.
(5	)	Represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets. Tax exempt income is reported on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state marginal tax rate of 27.5% for 2024 and 2023.
(6	)	Represents non-interest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
(7	)	Represents average stockholders’ equity divided by average total assets.

LOANS

Loans are summarized as follows at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

	December 31,			December 31,
	2024			2023
Real estate:		(unaudited)
Residential First Mortgage	$	472,747,542		$	486,052,422
Commercial Real Estate		118,008,866			99,830,514
Multi-Family Real Estate		74,152,418			75,612,566
Construction		43,183,657			49,302,040
Commercial and Industrial		6,163,747			6,658,370
Consumer		80,955			18,672
Total loans		714,337,185			717,474,584
Allowance for credit losses		(2,620,949	)		(2,785,949	)
Net loans	$	711,716,236		$	714,688,635

The following tables set forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, at the dates indicated (unaudited).

	At December 31,
	2024								2023
	Amount		Percent			Average Rate			Amount		Percent			Average Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest bearing demand accounts	$	32,681,963		5.09	%		—	%	$	30,554,842		4.89	%		—	%
NOW accounts		55,048,614		8.62			2.53			41,320,723		6.61			1.90
Money market accounts		24,578,021		2.18			0.58			14,641,846		2.34			0.30
Savings accounts		47,001,817		7.3			1.90			45,554,964		7.28			1.76
Certificates of deposit		482,877,627		76.81			4.37			493,274,767		78.88			4.00
Total	$	642,188,042		100.00	%		3.73	%	$	625,347,142		100.00	%		3.42	%

Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates

The following tables present information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets, the total dollar amounts of interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the resulting annualized average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the periods indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. Average balances have been calculated using daily balances. Nonaccrual loans are included in average balances only. Loan fees are included in interest income on loans and are not material.

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2024								2023
	Average			Interest and		Yield/			Average			Interest and		Yield/
	Balance			Dividends		Cost ⁽³⁾			Balance			Dividends		Cost ⁽³⁾
	(Dollars in thousands)
	(unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,547		$	191		5.61	%	$	9,433		$	145		6.08	%
Loans		717,433			8,523		4.73	%		714,380			8,224		4.57	%
Securities		175,308			1,653		3.77	%		133,241			1,041		3.12	%
Other interest-earning assets		9,711			227		9.37	%		7,216			156		8.70	%
Total interest-earning assets		915,999			10,594		4.61	%		864,270			9,566		4.40	%
Non-interest-earning assets		63,511								56,543
Total assets	$	979,510							$	920,813
Liabilities and equity:
NOW and money market accounts	$	67,362		$	366		2.16	%	$	67,510		$	310		1.82	%
Savings accounts		44,425			213		1.91	%		44,855			205		1.81	%
Certificates of deposit		501,875			5,621		4.46	%		497,147			4,731		3.78	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		613,662			6,200		4.02	%		609,512			5,246		3.41	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances ⁽¹⁾		192,196			1,895		3.92	%		137,445			1,382		3.99	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		805,858			8,095		4.00	%		746,957			6,628		3.52	%
Non-interest-bearing deposits		32,734								34,835
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		3,837								1,454
Total liabilities		842,429								783,246
Total equity		137,081								137,567
Total liabilities and equity	$	979,510							$	920,813
Net interest income				$	2,499							$	2,938
Interest rate spread ⁽²⁾							0.61	%							0.88	%
Net interest margin ⁽³⁾							1.09	%							1.35	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities		113.67	%							115.71	%

1.	Cash flow hedges are used to manage interest rate risk. During the three months ended December 31, 2024, the net effect on interest expense on the Federal Home Loan Bank advances was a reduced expense of $280,000.
2.	Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
3.	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2024								2023
	Average			Interest and		Yield/			Average			Interest and		Yield/
	Balance			Dividends		Cost ⁽³⁾			Balance			Dividends		Cost ⁽³⁾
	(Dollars in thousands)
	(unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,197		$	606		5.94	%	$	10,868		$	568		5.23	%
Loans		713,138			33,412		4.69	%		713,799			32,046		4.49	%
Securities		178,684			6,939		3.88	%		144,880			4,162		2.87	%
Other interest-earning assets		9,106			793		8.71	%		6,389			504		7.89	%
Total interest-earning assets		911,125			41,750		4.58	%		875,936			37,280		4.26	%
Non-interest-earning assets		59,511								54,925
Total assets	$	970,636							$	930,861
Liabilities and equity:
NOW and money market accounts	$	67,561		$	1,359		2.01	%	$	85,663		$	1,399		1.63	%
Savings accounts		43,975			821		1.87	%		48,351			580		1.20	%
Certificates of deposit		508,327			22,405		4.41	%		498,129			16,045		3.22	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		619,863			24,585		3.97	%		632,143			18,024		2.85	%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances ⁽¹⁾		175,997			6,614		3.76	%		116,816			4,283		3.67	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		795,860			31,199		3.92	%		748,959			22,307		2.98	%
Non-interest-bearing deposits		31,572								38,636
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities		6,303								4,627
Total liabilities		833,735								792,222
Total equity		136,901								138,639
Total liabilities and equity	$	970,636							$	930,861
Net interest income				$	10,551							$	14,973
Interest rate spread ⁽²⁾							0.66	%							1.28	%
Net interest margin ⁽³⁾							1.16	%							1.71	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities		114.48	%							116.95	%

1.	Cash flow hedges are used to manage interest rate risk. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the net effect on interest expense on the Federal Home Loan Bank advances was a reduced expense of $1.5 million.
2.	Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
3.	Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth the effects of changing rates and volumes on net interest income. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. Changes attributable to changes in both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionally based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.

	Three Months Ended December 31,									Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2024 Compared to Three									2024 Compared to Twelve Months
	Months Ended December 31, 2023									Ended December 31, 2023
	Increase (Decrease) Due to									Increase (Decrease) Due to
	Volume			Rate			Net			Volume			Rate			Net
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Interest income:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	114		$	(68	)	$	46		$	(37	)	$	75		$	38
Loans receivable		33			266			299			(30	)		1,396			1,366
Securities		369			243			612			1,108			1,669			2,777
Other interest earning assets		58			13			71			232			57			289
Total interest-earning assets		574			454			1,028			1,273			3,197			4,470
Interest expense:
NOW and money market accounts		(5	)	$	61		$	56			(328	)		288			(40	)
Savings accounts		(12	)		20			8			(57	)		298			241
Certificates of deposit		45			845			890			335			6,025			6,360
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		676			(163	)		513			2,221			110			2,331
Total interest-bearing liabilities		704			763			1,467			2,171			6,721			8,892
Net decrease in net interest income	$	(130	)	$	(309	)	$	(439	)	$	(898	)	$	(3,524	)	$	(4,422	)

Contacts
Kevin Pace – President & CEO, 201-862-0660 ext. 1110

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Fitch Affirms Iceland at ‘A’; Outlook Stable

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iceland’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘A’ with a Stable Outlook.

Iceland’s ‘A’ rating is underpinned by very high income per capita and governance indicators akin to ‘AAA’ and ‘AA’ category sovereigns. Strong fundamentals include sizeable pension fund assets, a sound banking sector, and resilient private sector balance sheets. Ample foreign reserves help mitigate Iceland’s external vulnerabilities. The rating remains constrained by Iceland’s small economy with limited export diversification.

Increased confidence in a sharp and sustained decline in the government debt-to-GDP ratio and higher trend growth and/or evidence of economic diversification that reduces Iceland’s vulnerability to external shocks, could lead to a positive rating action.

A marked deterioration in the debt-to-GDP ratio, from a sustained period of fiscal loosening and a severe economic shock, for example, due to a sharp correction in the real estate market, could lead to a negative rating action.

Further information on www.government.is

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Lumine Group Inc. Announces Return of CEO from Temporary Leave of Absence

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lumine Group Inc. (“Lumine Group” or the “Company”) (TSXV:LMN) announced today that David Nyland is returning from his temporary leave of absence and will reassume his duties as Chief Executive Officer of Lumine Group, effective February 17, 2025. Tony Garcia, who has served as interim Chief Executive Officer, will continue in his position as Group President.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements herein may be “forward looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual events to be materially different from any future events expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “should”, “anticipate” and other similar terminology are intended to identify forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such performance or results will be achieved, or when such performance or results will be achieved. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the results discussed in the forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and are made as of the date hereof and Lumine Group assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. Additional information about the risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business and material factors or assumptions on which information contained in forward looking statements is based is provided in its disclosure materials, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Lumine Group Inc.
Lumine Group acquires, strengthens, and grows vertical market software businesses in the Communications and Media industry. Learn more at www.luminegroup.com.

Contact
Caroline Khachehtoori
General Counsel and Secretary
Lumine Group
investors@luminegroup.com
+1-437-353-4910

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fundamental Global Inc. Declares Cash Dividend on Its 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mooresville, NC, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fundamental Global Inc. (Nasdaq: FGF) (the “Company” or “Fundamental Global”) today announced that it has declared a quarterly cash dividend on its 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Preferred Stock”), for the period commencing on December 15, 2024, and ending on March 14, 2025.

In accordance with the terms of the Preferred Stock, the board of directors of the Company declared a Preferred Stock cash dividend of $0.50 per share for the period commencing on December 15, 2024, and ending on March 14, 2025. The dividend is payable on March 17, 2025, to holders of record on March 3, 2025. The Preferred Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and trades under the ticker symbol “FGFPP”.

Fundamental Global Inc.

Fundamental Global Inc. (Nasdaq: FGF, FGFPP) and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities including reinsurance, asset management, merchant banking, and managed services.

The FG^® logo and Fundamental Global^® are registered trademarks of Fundamental Global LLC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, discussions and statements regarding the Company’s future business plans and initiatives are forward-looking in nature. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these to be reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, and may impact our ability to implement and execute on our future business plans and initiatives. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation: risks associated with our inability to identify and realize business opportunities, and the undertaking of any new such opportunities; our lack of operating history or established reputation in the reinsurance industry; our inability to obtain or maintain the necessary approvals to operate reinsurance subsidiaries; risks associated with operating in the reinsurance industry, including inadequately priced insured risks, credit risk associated with brokers we may do business with, and inadequate retrocessional coverage; our inability to execute on our equity holdings and asset management strategy, including our strategy to invest in the risk capital of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs); our ability to maintain and expand our revenue streams including our digital cinema products and installation services; potential interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by suppliers; our ability to successfully compete and introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments; our ability to maintain our d reputation and retain or replace significant customers; the potential impact of a challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets; the effects of economic, public health, and political conditions that impact business and consumer confidence and spending, including rising interest rates, periods of heightened inflation and market instability; potential loss of value of equity holdings; risk of becoming an investment company; fluctuations in our short-term results as we implement our business strategies; risks of being unable to attract and retain qualified management and personnel to implement and execute on our business and growth strategy; failure of our information technology systems, data breaches and cyber-attacks; our ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls;; the requirements of being a public company and losing our status as a smaller reporting company or becoming an accelerated filer; any potential conflicts of interest or different interests between us and our stockholders; potential conflicts of interest between us and our directors and executive officers; risks associated with our related party transactions and equity holdings; and risks associated with our investments in SPACs, including the failure of any such SPAC to complete its initial business combination. Our expectations and future plans and initiatives may not be realized. If one of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect new information, future events or developments.

Investor Contact:

investors@fundamentalglobal.com

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Nominates 57 Alabama Students to U.S. Service Academies

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced his nomination of 57 Alabama students to multiple U.S. service academies including the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy as part of the class of 2029. This is Senator Tuberville’s fourth round of nominations since assuming office. Earlier this year, Senator Tuberville was named as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Personnel for the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he is positioned to help bolster military recruiting and retention.
“Our young people are the number one commodity we have in this country, and Alabama is home to the best and brightest,” said Senator Tuberville. “I’m proud to represent a state with so many patriotic young leaders who want to serve in our nation’s military. It’s an honor to nominate 57 of these students for a service academy appointment. I have no doubt they will continue to make our state and country proud.”
A complete list of Senator Tuberville’s nominees for the class of 2029 can be found below.
*indicates additional service academy nomination
United States Air Force Academy:
Madeline Ashley Alford: Birmingham, AL; Homewood High School;daughter Josh Alford and Ashley Davenport
Sarah R. Brock: New Market, AL; Whitesburg Baptist Christian School; daughter of Jason and Heather Brock
Madelyn Bushong: Daleville, AL; Ridgecrest Christian School;daughter Benjamin and Vanessa Bushong
John David Dallas: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; son of Doug and Heather Dallas
Julianna Ruth Gingrich: Enterprise, AL; Enterprise High School; daughter of Shane and Christina Gingrich
Samuel Vaughn Holmes: Montgomery, AL; Loveless Academic Magnet Program High; son of Harry and Tina Holmes
Kenneth Lee Jimmerson Jr.: Montgomery, AL; USAFA Prep School; Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School; son of Kenneth Sr. and Michelle Jimmerson
Anna Elizabeth Martin: Andalusia, AL; Andalusia High School;daughter of Travis and Heidi Martin
Jack Messervy: Owens Cross Roads, AL; Huntsville High School;son of Chris and Kim Messervy
Jackson Noah Mitchell: Adger, AL; Oak Grove High School;son of Paul and Amy Mitchell
*William McCarton Mitchell: Huntsville, AL; Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering; son of Thomas and Irene Mitchell
John Willis Parsons: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School;son of Robert and Ashley Parsons
Richard Dean Rutledge III: Albertville, AL; Plainview High School; son of Richard D. Rutledge II and Susan Rutledge
Benton Nathanael Shelton: Cecil, AL; Pike Road High School; son of Brian and Carolyn Shelton
Landon Alexander Ward: Spanish Fort, AL; Spanish Fort High School;son of Eddie and Natasha Ward
United States Military Academy:
Trinity Gwenyth Bentley: Springville, AL; St. Clair County School Virtual Preparatory Academy; daughter of Patrick and Madelyn Bentley
Matthew James Buhl: Harvest, AL; Westminster Christian Academy; son of Joshua and Rachel Buhl
Katherine Grace Chatfield: Huntsville, AL; St. Michael’s Academy; daughter of Joseph and Diane Chatfield
Jackson Best Cook: Mountain Brook, AL; USMA Prep School; Mountain Brook High School; son of Jackson and Catherine Cook
Cooper Daniel Gillis: Birmingham, AL; Homewood High School; son of Brent and Brooke Gillis
Sprinnia Anne Gregory: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; daughter of Mark and Theresa Gregory
Heinrich Kai Hanada: Huntsville, AL; German School Tokyo Yokohama; son of Heinrich Miki Hanada
Aiden Elliot Harkey: Dothan, AL; Slocomb High School; son of Kathi Crick
Daniel Clark Hill II: Daphne, AL; Daphne High School; son of Daniel and Linda Kay Hill
David Wayne Hudry: Decatur, AL; Decatur Heritage Christian Academy; son of Wayne and Twila Hudry
Charles Hillman Jacobs III: Decatur, AL; Providence Classical School; son of Charles and Christy Jacobs
Jaden A. Johnson: Huntsville, AL; New Century Technology High School; son of Carl and Valisha Johnson
Aaron Jacob Lee: Orange Beach, AL; Marion Military Institute; son of Larry and Heidi Lee
Jason P. Love: Chelsea, AL; Briarwood Christian School; son of Brad and Pam Love
Judd Johnston Lunsford: Huntsville, AL; Randolph School; son of Bill and Ingrid Lunsford
Stanley Hawkins McConnell Jr.: Mobile, AL; UMS-Wright Preparatory School; son of Stan and Anna McConnell
*William McCarton Mitchell: Huntsville, AL; Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering; son of Thomas and Irene Mitchell
Jason J. Park: Madison, AL; James Clemens High School; son of Eun and Taesoo Park
Andrew Martin Paul: Athens, AL; St. John Paul II Catholic High School; son of James and Laura Paul
Spencer Joseph Perkins: Prattville, AL; Prattville Christian Academy; son of Ryan and Alora Fisher
Thomas B. Sigler: Madison, AL; Bob Jones High School; son of Jason and Brooke Sigler
Emily Chambers Spooner: Vestavia Hills, AL; Vestavia Hills High School; daughter of Alan and Melanie Spooner
Cammi Emma Tillery: Enterprise, AL; Enterprise High School; daughter of Robert and Heidi Tillery
Emily Minh Chau Tran: Auburn, AL; Alabama School of Math & Science; daughter of Nam Tran
Savannah Grace Trejo: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Charles and Jazzmin Trejo
Ava Yasmin Valadi: Phenix City, AL; Brookstone School; daughter of Nojan and Jennifer Valadi
*Madison Lydia Walz: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Paul and Heather Walz
Caiden Williams: Harvest, AL; Life Christian Academy; son of Charles and Rebra Kay Williams
Ethan Sunghyun Yi: Montgomery, AL; The Montgomery Academy; son of Lee and Heejin Yi
United States Naval Academy:
Joshua Robert DeFour: Madison, AL; Sparkman High School; son of Robert and Mary DeFour
Jonathan Lawrence Ellsworth Eddingfield: Daphne, AL; Daphne High School; son of Lawrence and Valerie Eddingfield
Hagen Kristopher Holley: Hoover, AL; Spain Park High School; son of Steve and Ramona Holley
Jonathan Levi Hulcher: Mobile, AL; Alabama School of Math and Science; son of Steve and Peggy Hulcher
Maggie Christine Mae Ingram: McCalla, AL; Heritage Christian Academy; daughter of Jason and Cheryl Ingram
Jackson Thomas Kalnoske: Birmingham, AL; Chelsea High School; son of Tom and Courtney Kalnoske
Truman Lee: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Tommy and Nidia Lee
Natalie Holland McCabe: Tuscumbia, AL; Muscle Shoals High School;daughter ofTrip and Jill McCabe
Millicent Elizabeth McCormick: Pelham, AL; Pelham High School;daughter ofRonald and Amanda McCormick
Jack Pritchett: Montgomery, AL; Loveless Academic Magnet Program High;son of Bill and Anna Pritchett
Lillian Litton Rand: Birmingham, AL; St. Andrew’s School; daughter of Edward and Anne Rand
Steven David Satcher: Madison, AL; Bob Jones High School; son of Ted and Laura Satcher
Ellen Mary Vegerita: Brownsboro, AL; Huntsville High School; daughter of Frank and Christian Vegerita
*Madison Lydia Walz: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Paul and Heather Walz
George Austin Wright: Demopolis, AL; Demopolis High School; son of Hess and Carrie Wright
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Benefits of Surviving Military Spouses

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, is cosponsoring legislation to allow surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers to retain certain survivor benefits if they choose to remarry. Under current law, most benefits from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are terminated for surviving spouses who remarry before age 55. The Love Lives On Act would allow surviving spouses to retain these benefits upon remarriage regardless of age.

“Every day, military spouses show tremendous courage and dedication to our country as they support their servicemember,” said Senator King. “These men and women deserve full access to the benefits they’ve earned alongside their spouses. However, a current rules penalizes a widow or widower of a fallen servicemembers if they choose to remarry before the age of 55. The bipartisan Love Lives On Act is commonsense legislation that eliminates having to choose between taking care of your family and continuing your life with a new partner — and allows families the opportunity to heal from a tremendous loss on their own terms.”

The Love Lives On Act is cosponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Martin Heinrich (D-NN), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Fetterman (D-PA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. Last year, he led the bipartisan Military Spouse Employment Act — pieces of which passed into law in the FY2024 NDAA — which allows military spouses to have a remote work career with any federal agency and helps them to maintain consistent employment should they move with their spouse. He also introduced the Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act to expand military family care to cover critical health care during pregnancies. Most recently, he joined the bipartisan Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act to improve financial security for military families by ensuring life insurance packages for servicemembers and veterans adjust for increases in cost of living and inflation.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement from the Attorney General on the case of Axel Rudakubana
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC has released a statement following a request to review Axel Rudakubana’s sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

The senseless and barbaric murder of three young girls in Southport last summer shocked our nation.

No words come anywhere close to expressing the brutality and horror in this case.

It was understandable that we received multiple requests to review the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme – which is designed to identify and remedy gross errors made by judges.

After careful consideration of independent legal advice and consultation with leading criminal barristers and the Crown Prosecution Service, I have concluded that this case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

No one would want the families to be put through an unnecessary further court process where there is no realistic legal basis for an increased sentence.

The 52-year sentence imposed by the judge was the second longest sentence imposed by the courts in English history.

Rudakubana will likely never be released and will spend the rest of his life in jail.

The Government have set out the next steps that must now take place to ensure that these awful murders will be a line in the sand.

My thoughts today are with the friends and families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice, as well as the other victims – your memories will not be forgotten.

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Published 14 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Appoints Associate Circuit Judge for 21st Judicial Circuit, Fills Four Boards and Commissions Vacancies

Source: US State of Missouri

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe appointed a new Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit and filled four vacancies on various boards and commissions.

Justin W. Ruth, of University City, was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for Saint Louis County in the 21st Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Ruth is a principal attorney at Riezman Berger, PC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He is also an active member of several bar associations, including the Missouri Bar, St. Louis County Bar, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, where he has previously held leadership roles. Ruth was previously appointed by the Supreme Court of Missouri as a member of the OCDC Disciplinary Committee for Region XL. Mr. Ruth will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Nancy Watkins McLaughlin.

Alfred Brandt, of Linn, was appointed as a member of the State Milk Board.

Mr. Brandt was previously the owner of Brandt Dairy Farms, and has been a member of the State Milk Board since 2009, serving as the president from 2011 to 2024. He is also an active member of the Holstein Association USA Board and the St. George Parish Council. Previously, he served as President of Missouri Dairy and was a member of the Midwest Dairy Board for the MO-KAN division. Mr. Brandt holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Lincoln University.

Louise Secker, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission.

Ms. Secker is a licensed real estate salesperson for Keller Williams Realty Elevate. She previously served as the Director of Development for Lafayette House in Joplin, Missouri. Beyond her professional career, Ms. Secker has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, holding leadership roles on the boards of Jasper County CASA, the Joplin Regional Community Foundation, and the Mount Hope Cemetery. She is also serves on the steering committee for One Joplin Collaborative and is an active member of the Friends of St. Avips, a nonprofit organization that supports fundraising efforts for the Spiva Center for the Arts.

Jennifer Keller, of Lee’s Summit, was appointed as a member of the State Committee of Psychologists.

Ms. Keller is a licensed psychologist and serves as Senior Director of Behavioral Health – Counseling Clinics and Psychology at University Health. She is also the Section Chief of Psychology and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine. She holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, has completed an APA-accredited Pre-Doctoral Internship and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy. With extensive experience in clinical psychology and behavioral health, Ms. Keller has held key leadership positions, including Preadolescent Program Director and Clinical Coordinator of Counseling. Since 2005, she has been an active member of the American Psychological Association and, since 2017, has served on the Missouri Psychological Association’s Evidence-Based Practice Committee.

Timothy Flora, of Ellisville, was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Private Investigators and Private Fire Investigator Examiners.

Mr. Flora is the President and Certified Licensed Polygraph Examiner at Mid-West Protective Service, Inc., with over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, investigation, and fire safety. He holds a Master of Arts in Legal Studies from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tarkio College, and a Criminal Justice Certificate from Northeast Missouri State University. Mr. Flora has served in key leadership roles, including Director of the Metro West Fire Protection District and Chairman of the Central County Emergency 911 Dispatch Center. He has been a board member of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis since 2005, and currently serves on the St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man Once on FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitives List Appears in Court in St. Louis

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ST. LOUIS – Donald Eugene Fields II, who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list until his arrest on January 26 in Florida, pleaded not guilty Friday to child sex charges in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.

Fields, now 60, was originally indicted on Dec. 7, 2022. He now faces a child sex trafficking charge and a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Fields was arrested during a traffic stop by police in Lady Lake, Florida after officers learned that he was on the Most Wanted list.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“Donald Fields II will finally answer federal charges thanks to the outstanding work by the Lady Lake Police Department,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We applaud the bravery of the alleged victims, who showed up in court today to face the defendant for the first time since he became a federal fugitive more than two years ago. The FBI will continue to provide victim services to support their emotional journey through the legal process.”

The case was investigated jointly by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Members of prolific fentanyl distribution conspiracy sentenced to prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three Virginia men have been sentenced to prison for distributing copious quantities of fentanyl.

According to court documents, from at least July 2023 through April 2024, Xavier Elijah Coltrane, aka X or Slime, 21, of Arlington; Vaughn Meachem, aka Vaughn Lockhart, 34, of Alexandria; and Cameron Harris, 24, of Gainesville, conspired to distribute fentanyl pills. Over a series of five controlled purchases conducted by the FBI, the conspirators sold approximately 65,000 fentanyl pills and a kilogram of cocaine.

Coltrane was co-owner of Exquisite Luxury Transportation, a car service that Coltrane used to facilitate drug trafficking activity. Coltrane arranged the five drug sales, communicating through Instagram messaging, Telegram, and speaking directly on the phone. In some of the controlled purchases, the purchaser booked a reservation with Exquisite Luxury Transportation and was driven to a delivery location. Once the purchaser arrived at the deal location, Meachem arrived and distributed fentanyl pills. On one occasion, Coltrane distributed the fentanyl pills directly. On another occasion when Coltrane feared the use of cars through Exquisite Luxury Transportation was attracting law enforcement attention, Harris delivered the fentanyl pills in his personal vehicle.

Coltrane, Meachem, and Harris each pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl. On Feb. 13, 2025, Coltrane was sentenced to 20 years in prison. On Dec.18, 2024, Harris was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Meachem was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, Virginia State Police, and the Prince William County Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation of this case.

This investigation is part of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Northern Virginia Gang Initiative, which seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations; reduce drug-related crime and violence; and identify and respond to emerging drug trends.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Alito, Catherine Rosenberg, and Ryan Bredemeier prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-115.

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Metairie Man Guilty of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that KEVIN LILLIS (“LILLIS”), age 51, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, pled guilty today, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, to distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), in violation of 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).

According to court documents, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents executed a search warrant at LILLIS’s residence in March 2024. During the execution of the warrant, agents seized and searched electronic devices belonging to LILLIS. These devices contained files depicting the sexual victimization of children and obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. Specifically, the items seized included more than 600 images and 6 videos, 1 of which was almost 12 minutes long, depicting the sexual victimization of children, as well as dozens of other images and videos depicting obscene visual representations. Among the files LILLIS searched, downloaded, stored, and distributed, were images of newborn infants engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and files portraying violent sadistic or masochistic conduct. LILLIS distributed the files numerous times between January 2024 and March 11, 2024. Agents also discovered conversations LILLIS had with other individuals on encrypted messaging applications during 2023-2024, in which LILLIS admitted having hands-on sexual contact with multiple young prepubescent minors over the past two decades.

LILLIS faces a mandatory minimum of five (5) years in prison up to a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, as to each of Counts 1, 2, and 3. LILLIS also faces at least five years, and up to a lifetime, of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine per count. Additionally, he faces payment of a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. LILLIS may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Milazzo has been scheduled for May 14, 2025.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Founder of Miami-Based Cryptocurrency Token CluCoin Sentenced for Wire Fraud

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MIAMI – The founder of CluCoin, a cryptocurrency token project in Miami, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution and forfeit assets in the amount of $1.14 million. The sentence comes after the defendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud in August 2024.

Austin Michael Taylor, 41, of Sykesville, Maryland, was the founder of a cryptocurrency project CluCoin and owner of CLU LLC, a company incorporated and headquartered in Miami-Dade County, Fla., that handled CluCoin’s operations.

Taylor leveraged his sizable social media following to generate interest in a digital token he called “CLU.” Taylor generated interest in CLU’s initial coin offering (ICO), which is a capital raising event in which an entity offers investors a unique digital token in exchange for a more established cryptocurrency or fiat currency. Taylor created a “white paper” for CluCoin, which was meant to educate and entice investors to participate in the ICO, which promised to have a charitable focus. After raising investor funds, Taylor successfully launched CluCoin’s ICO on May 19, 2021. Taylor then shifted CluCoin’s focus to other projects he devised: the minting of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the development of a computer game and a metaverse platform.

Taylor organized and paid for an event called “NFTCon: Into the Metaverse,” which took place in a hotel in Miami on April 4 and 5, 2022, to drive interest and investment in CLU, CluCoin and related projects. Shortly after the conference, in May 2022, Taylor gained the ability to make withdrawals from the cryptocurrency address he controlled into which a portion of the CLU investor funds automatically flowed. From May through December 2022, Taylor sent approximately $1.14 million in investor funds to his personal account at a virtual currency exchange and then used the funds at multiple online casinos, where he lost these investor funds to gambling.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin E. Fleck of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra.

FBI Miami and the Washington Field Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S Attorney Manolo Reboso prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture.

Identified victims were notified via NFT. If you invested in CLU, believe you are a victim, and/or received an NFT, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/CluCoinInvestors to provide relevant information to the FBI.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20308.

###

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: West Virginia Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery 1

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A West Virginia man, Richard Hudson, 72, was sentenced on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 139 months, for bank robbery by intimidation.

According to his plea agreement, on February 15, 2024, Hudson robbed the Traditional Bank on Tates Creek Road in Lexington. Hudson approached a teller, placed a grocery bag and a note on the counter, and demanded that the teller empty the contents of her drawer into the bag. The teller did so and attempted to hand the bag back to Hudson, who then demanded for her to empty the bottom drawer as well. The teller did so, and Hudson was able to obtain $14,106 during the robbery. He fled the scene and was eventually apprehended in Charleston, WV. Hudson, a career offender, has robbed a series of banks across the Nation since the 1980s.

Under federal law, Hudson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, Hudson will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

— END —

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Guilty Of Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that LEROY OTERO (“OTERO”), age 35, a resident of Texas, pled guilty before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter on February 4, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846.

As to this charge, OTERO faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to a maximum of life in prison, up to a $10,000,000.00 fine, at least five years of supervised release, and a 100 mandatory special assessment fee.

His sentencing is set for May 29, 2025.

During the course of this investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents determined that OTERO was supplying large amounts of methamphetamine to local drug dealers, who, in turn, were selling the drugs in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Houma Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Offices. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit.

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Thune, colleagues introduce bill to permanently repeal the death tax

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 44 other colleagues in introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act to end the federal estate tax for Americans.

Current law requires Americans to pay the federal estate tax when a property, business or land is transferred to them after an individual passes away.

“The government shouldn’t discourage Louisiana’s farmers or landowners from keeping family businesses alive when a person passes away. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act to support America’s family-run businesses,” said Kennedy.

“Family farms and ranches play a vital role in our economy and are the lifeblood of rural communities in South Dakota. Losing even one of them to the death tax is one too many. It’s time to put an end to this punishing, burdensome tax once and for all so that family farms, ranches and small businesses can grow and thrive without costly estate planning or massive tax burdens that can threaten their viability,” said Thune.

Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) cosponsored the bill.

Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.

The full bill text is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Visit to Australia by Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development

Source: Minister for Trade

Today I will welcome Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, the Hon Mary Ng MP, to my home state of South Australia, before we attend the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum in Sydney.

Australia and Canada’s two-way goods and services trade is worth around $11 billion. Canada is also our eighth largest source of investment, with Canadian investment in Australia totalling $104 billion.

Minister Ng’s visit to Australia and the Forum is an opportunity to showcase Australia as a top destination for trade and investment, including across agriculture, clean energy, and technology. Increased Canadian investment in Australia will help create more Australian jobs, and opportunities for our businesses and exporters.

Over 140 Canadian businesses will be travelling to Australia as part of Minister Ng’s Team Canada delegation, to build stronger relationships with Australian businesses and look at new investments that will create opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

I look forward to meeting with Minister Ng and Canadian business representatives to advance the close Australia-Canada economic relationship.

MIL OSI News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Orca Announces Quarterly Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orca Energy Group Inc. (“Orca” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 (Cdn) per Class A Common Voting Share (“Class A Shares“) of the Company and $0.10 (Cdn) per Class B Subordinate Voting Share (“Class B Shares“) of the Company. The dividend will be payable on April 14, 2025 to holders of Class A Shares and Class B Shares of record on March 31, 2025.

About Orca Energy Group Inc.

Orca is an international public company engaged in natural gas exploration, development and supply in Tanzania through its subsidiary PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited. Orca trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbols ORC.A and ORC.B.

For further information please contact:

Jay Lyons
Chief Executive Officer
ir@orcaenergygroup.com
+44-20 8434 2643

Lisa Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer
ir@orcaenergygroup.com
+44-20 8434 2643

For media enquiries:
Celicourt (PR)
Mark Antelme
Jimmy Lea
Orca@celicourt.uk
+44-20 8434 2643

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Join Entire Democratic Caucus To Raise Alarm Over Trump Administration Pushing Illegal, Indiscriminate Funding Cuts To NIH, Derailing Lifesaving Medical Research

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

February 13, 2025

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), as well as the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s biomedical research infrastructure and setting progress back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken would create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, and could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars while threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

“As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds,” the lawmakers wrote.

Last week, NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease. It won’t produce cost savings—it will just shift costs to states who can’t afford to pay the difference. Importantly, this action by the Trump Administration is illegal—Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs.

“This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators wrote. On Monday, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21.

The Senators’ letter points out that, in addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023 and every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity.

“The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications ‘pause’ enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the Senators continued.

“Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was signed by the entire Senate Democratic caucus. In addition to Duckworth, Durbin and Murray, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) signed onto the letter.

The copy of the letter is available below:

February 13, 2025

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.

Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.

These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.

In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.

The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.

The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.

Sincerely,

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Releases Draft Bill to Secure Americans’ Communications Against Foreign Surveillance Demands

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
February 14, 2025
Bill Fixes Loopholes in Flawed U.S. Law Used to Demand Apple Build Backdoors for iCloud Accounts, Putting Americans’ Security at Risk
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released a discussion draft of the Global Trust in American Online Services Act to secure Americans’ communications against abusive foreign demands to weaken the security of communications services and software used by Americans.
The bill reforms the CLOUD Act, which permits foreign governments to make surveillance demands directly of U.S. companies rather than going through the U.S. legal system.
“Foreign governments shouldn’t get a cheat code to undermine the security of American technology,” Wyden said. “My bill would fix the loopholes in the CLOUD Act, and modernize the law so American allies can request the information they need to investigate serious crimes without sacrificing the security of Americans’ communications services.”
According to news reports, the United Kingdom issued a secret order to Apple last month, directing the company to weaken the encryption protecting its iCloud backup service. The U.K. was apparently able to secretly issue the order to Apple, rather than seeking assistance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) because of the CLOUD Act. Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., urged Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to demand the U.K. withdraw its order in a letter on Thursday.
The CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, enables foreign countries to obtain data directly from U.S. firms, bypassing the U.S. legal system once they enter into an agreement with the Justice Department. However, the CLOUD Act failed to require foreign countries to adopt the same due process requirements long guaranteed under U.S. law, enabling foreign governments to demand that U.S. technology companies weaken the security of products used by Americans and putting global trust in U.S. firms at risk.
The Global Trust in American Online Services Act addresses serious flaws in the CLOUD Act, to ensure that U.S. technology companies can continue to maintain the trust of their international customers, and that the U.S. can compete globally as a safe place for data. The legislation would:
Prevent foreign governments from using the CLOUD Act to require U.S. providers to adopt specific designs for products, reduce the security of a product, or deliver malware to a customer.
Allow U.S. providers to challenge foreign CLOUD Act orders in U.S. federal court.
Require Congressional approval of CLOUD Act agreements rather than the current disapproval mechanism, and enable oversight by requiring that each agreement sunset after five years rather than lasting indefinitely.
The draft bill is available here. A one-page summary of the bill is available here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warner and McConnell Introduce Vital Bill To Support Bourbon Production And Environment

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the introduction of the White Oak Resilience Act of 2025, which will mobilize greater federal resources and direct research into safeguarding our nation’s White Oak tree population.

White Oak trees are vital to the environmental ecosystem, as well as several trademark American industries, like bourbon and furniture production. Considered the most important hardwood tree in the eastern United States, White Oak trees provide sustenance and shelter for a host of wildlife species across the country.

White Oak trees can take up to 25 years to reach full maturity, but a lack of seedlings has created an impending shortage that threatens the future of this species and the billions of dollars in economic impact they generate nationwide. This bipartisan legislation will help reverse the depletion of this iconic tree and address the threat its extinction poses to the American economy.

“Kentucky bourbon is synonymous with the White Oak tree, used to age our state’s signature spirit in its wooden barrels. As we face an impending White Oak shortage, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that will help protect this species and preserve Kentucky’s iconic bourbon industry that bolsters our economy and supports thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. This is commonsense conservation at its best,” said Senator McConnell.

“Virginia is home to one of the highest concentrations of White Oak trees in the country, and they play an indispensable role in our ecology and our economy,” said Senator Warner. “These trees have tremendous utility as both food for many species and material for the forestry industry, but without further action, we could face a severe shortage soon. I’m glad to sponsor bipartisan legislation that will get ahead of that crisis by bolstering a plan to regenerate our White Oak trees, keeping Virginia beautiful and investing in one of the forestry industry’s most valuable species.”

In a statement from Brown-Forman, the largest American-owned spirits and wines company: “We are pleased to see the introduction of the White Oak Resilience Act to the Senate. Brown-Forman depends on healthy forests to provide the White Oak for our bourbon barrels. White Oak barrels are more than just a container, they’re an important ingredient that provides all of the color and more than half the flavor to our whiskeys. We are committed to the conservation of the existing hardwood forests we rely on and have undertaken several initiatives to support sustainable forestry practices. We are appreciative of the leadership from Senators McConnell and Warner, supporting this key legislation will provide critical resources for White Oak restoration.”

“Sazerac commends Senators McConnell and Warner for introducing the Senate companion to HR 5582, the White Oak Resilience Act. Although Sazerac has locations in numerous states, we have distilleries in both Kentucky and Virginia (Buffalo Trace and 1792 in Kentucky; A. Smith Bowman in Virginia) making it particularly significant that these two senators have come together to recognize the importance of this species. The spirits industry has found the ideal wood in White Oak for our barrels and has endeavored to regenerate it for years to come,” said Elizabeth Wise, Chief Global Government and Public Affairs for Sazerac.

“Kentucky Bourbon is an iconic industry with a history of finding ways to endure and prosper through multitudes of opportunities and challenges. Just like the Bourbon that ages in barrels made from its wood, White Oak trees and the land they grow on must go through a special process to ensure the species remains available long into the future,” said Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory. “With industry champions like Senator McConnell and Senator Warner leading the way, The White Oak Resilience Act is one more piece of the puzzle to guarantee that Kentucky Bourbon – America’s native spirit – can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“On behalf of the University of Kentucky, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Senators McConnell and Warner for introducing the White Oak Resilience Act that addresses White Oak sustainability, which is crucial to Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry. The research this measure directs will allow us to leverage our scientific expertise, particularly in genetics and genomics, to support the health and resilience of White Oak tree populations. As a land-grant institution committed to the Commonwealth’s economic development, we are well-positioned to translate our findings into practical applications for the bourbon industry,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto.

“White Oak is a keystone species that supports over 500 types of wildlife while also bolstering rural economies and providing wood products to cities and towns across America,” said Jason Meyer, Executive Director of the White Oak Initiative. “We’d like to thank Senators Warner and McConnell for their leadership in bringing this bill forward and working together to ensure a long, sustainable future for this critical American resource.”

“Virginia’s upland oak forests are incredibly important for wildlife and sustainable forestry, and are facing many challenges,” said Virginia State Forester Robert W. Farrell. “The White Oak Resilience Act will help Virginia’s forest landowners care for their hardwood forests and ensure White Oak is on the Virginia landscape for generations to come.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley to Trump: Whistleblowers Are Key to Promoting Government Efficiency, Combatting Waste

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

In letter to president, Grassley seeks Rose Garden ceremony honoring whistleblowers

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is calling on President Donald Trump to empower and celebrate whistleblowers who pay a patriotic service to the country by helping eliminate government waste, fraud and abuse. In a letter to President Trump, Grassley requested the president hold a White House Rose Garden ceremony to honor whistleblowers and send a clear message that government misconduct and retaliation will not be tolerated.

“Whistleblowers have exposed waste, fraud and abuse in just about every industry and agency in this country. The issues they report have saved billions of taxpayer dollars and countless more through their deterrent effect,” Grassley wrote. “The President of the United States honoring whistleblowers with a Rose Garden ceremony on Whistleblower Appreciation Day for their courage and sacrifice would send a loud, clear message that our government leaders appreciate the importance of whistleblowers and retaliation will not be tolerated. It would inspire confidence in those who witness wrongdoing to stand up and do something to fix it.”

Grassley additionally noted that many whistleblowers risk their careers, reputation and even health to come forward with information.

“For example, the brave Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblowers who made legally protected disclosures about misconduct in the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation have faced retaliation by the IRS and several attempts to discredit their reputations and ruin their careers. Many Justice Department and FBI whistleblowers have done the same, putting it all on the line to expose political bias, and the thanks they get is government retaliation,” Grassley continued.

Grassley has called on every president since Ronald Reagan to hold a Rose Garden ceremony honoring whistleblowers which would encourage others to come forward who may be aware of government mismanagement.

A fierce whistleblower advocate, Grassley is the author of numerous laws to empower whistleblowers and shield them from retaliation for speaking the truth. He is also the co-founder and co-chairman of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, which shares best practices with Senate offices, advocates and government stakeholders on how to protect and effectively interact with whistleblowers. During a Judiciary Committee executive business meeting yesterday, Grassley read several first-hand accounts from FBI whistleblowers detailing the abuse they’ve suffered at the hands of former and current FBI officials, and urged President Trump to reinstate those who’ve been retaliated against.

Text of Grassley’s letter to President Trump follows:

February 14, 2025

VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

Washington D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump:

You have said your administration is dedicated to eliminating waste and ensuring the government works efficiently and effectively for the American people. Whistleblowers play an integral role in accomplishing this mission and have been doing so since our nation’s founding.

Whistleblowers are patriots who help identify violations of law, rule, regulation, gross mismanagement, abuses of authority, and threats to public health and safety. In many circumstances, they do so at risk to their careers, reputation, and even health. For example, the brave Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblowers who made legally protected disclosures about misconduct in the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation have faced retaliation by the IRS and several attempts to discredit their reputations and ruin their careers. Many Justice Department and FBI whistleblowers have done the same, putting it all on the line to expose political bias, and the thanks they get is government retaliation.

Whistleblowers have exposed waste, fraud, and abuse in just about every industry and agency in this country. The issues they report have saved billions of taxpayer dollars and countless more through their deterrent effect. In addition to the money they have saved the taxpayers, whistleblowers help the government work better for the American people by exposing wrongdoing and misconduct, to include government weaponization.

The President of the United States honoring whistleblowers with a Rose Garden ceremony on Whistleblower Appreciation Day for their courage and sacrifice would send a loud, clear message that our government leaders appreciate the importance of whistleblowers and retaliation will not be tolerated. It would inspire confidence in those who witness wrongdoing to stand up and do something to fix it. It would help build a culture of integrity where employees are not afraid to raise legitimate concerns because they know retaliators will be punished, not the whistleblower.

I have asked every president since President Ronald Reagan to hold a Rose Garden ceremony to honor whistleblowers. No president has done so. I hope you will be the first to set this historic precedent and hold such a ceremony on Whistleblower Appreciation Day on July 30 this year.

In the Senate, I have dedicated my career to protecting the rights of whistleblowers through bipartisan legislative efforts and have urged my colleagues to support whistleblowers who shine a light on wrongdoing. Instead of being treated like skunks at a picnic, let whistleblowers smell the roses at the White House and bask in the appreciation of a thankful nation well served by their efforts to shine a light on waste, fraud, and abuse. I hope we can work to ensure whistleblowers are protected and appreciated and our government remains transparent and accountable to the American people.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

Chairman

Committee on the Judiciary

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Help Unveil Bill To Raise Minimum Age To Buy Assault Weapons

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

February 14, 2025

WASHINGTON – On the seventh anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) in announcing legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21, the same age requirement that already applies to purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers. Individuals under 21 have used assault weapons in some of the most devastating school shootings in U.S. history, including the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.“Gun violence continues to shatter families and communities throughout America. Our existing laws allow far too many guns to fall into the wrong hands. That is why I’m signing onto the Age 21 Act, which prohibits the sale of assault weapons, handguns, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and related ammunition to individuals under the age of 21,” said Durbin. “This legislation is one of many steps we must take to address the gun violence epidemic across the United States.”

“Congress cannot sit by and do nothing while gun violence remains the number one killer of children in America,” said Duckworth. “As we remember the 17 lives cut short at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we must honor their memory with action. The Age 21 Act is commonsense gun safety legislation that would help prevent mass shootings and do more to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who would seek to harm themselves or others. If Republicans were truly ‘pro-life,’ they would support our bill and help us save lives.”

Gun violence is a national crisis, claiming over 46,000 lives in 2023 — the third-largest number of gun-related deaths in American history. Assault weapons, originally engineered for military combat to maximize damage, are frequently used in mass shootings because of their ability to inflict catastrophic harm in mere seconds. More than 85 percent of deaths in public mass shootings involving four or more fatalities were caused by assault rifles. Furthermore, shootings involving assault weapons or large-capacity magazines result in more than 2.5 times as many people being shot compared to incidents involving other firearms.

The bill’s restrictions on the sale of assault weapons, handguns, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and related ammunition to individuals under the age of 21 would apply to both federally licensed and private sellers. Additionally, the legislation would bar most individuals under 21 from possessing these items, with limited exceptions for specific circumstances such as service in law enforcement or the armed forces.

In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, and Padilla, the Age 21 Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The Age 21 Act is endorsed by organizations including Brady: United Against Gun Violence, March for Our Lives, Giffords, Newtown Action Alliance, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Durbin and Duckworth are fierce advocates for common-sense gun safety legislation that would help save lives. Durbin and Duckworth were strong supporters of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which cracks down on straw purchasing and gun trafficking, expands background checks for buyers under 21 years of age, takes steps to close the “boyfriend loophole,” supports state red flag laws, and offers billions in funding for counseling, mental health, and trauma support for victims of gun violence. Durbin and Duckworth are also continuing to push for the Assault Weapons Ban and additional gun safety measures.

While Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin held a full committee hearing on public safety and gun safety laws in a post-Bruen America; filed an amicus brief in opposition to legal challenges in U.S. v. Rahimi, in which the Supreme Court ultimately ruled to uphold a ban on firearm possession for domestic violence offenders; condemned the Supreme Court decision in Garland v. Cargill, which ruled a bump stock does not convert a rifle into a machine gun; and introduced legislation to curb firearms trafficking enabled by weak American gun laws, among other efforts.

A one-pager on the bill is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee’s Retirement

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

February 14, 2025

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on Jamie Rhee’s retirement as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation:

“Since Jamie Rhee first started her career with the City of Chicago in 1994 as an airport information officer, she has amassed 30 years of service to the city. She spent the last seven years of that career as the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, dedicated to making O’Hare and Midway the best they could be. She saw us through the COVID-19 pandemic and major improvements at both airports, which is no easy feat. I’m grateful to have worked with her during her tenure, and our city will continue to benefit from her efforts to position Chicago’s airports for success for decades to come.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz Hold Joint Media Availability

Source: United States Department of Defense

UNKNOWN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the press conference in the Ministry of National Defense. We have here Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Secretary of Defense of the United States, Mr. Pete Hegseth. Deputy Prime Minister, can you please take the floor?

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ: Good morning. Good morning, everyone. It is a great moment. It is a great moment for myself, for my wife, together with whom we are hosting Secretary of Defense of the United States together with his wife. Welcome very cordially. Thank you for choosing Poland as the first venue of your first official bilateral visit, that you decided to come to Poland.

It is a testimony to our partnership. It is also a testimony to our friendship and shared strategy of security for the United States, for Poland, Europe and the whole world. That is our great duty. It is a great honor for myself to host Secretary Pete Hegseth to Poland today and talk about the most important challenges related to the security of Poland, the United States, Europe and the world.

Thank you very much for a very good discussion. Well, first, we had a [Inaudible] and then we had a bilateral meeting with delegations to talk about our alliance and the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance. Polish American Alliance has never been as strong as it is today, and we can do everything possible to make it even stronger overnight.

And this is what we agreed on, that we will have a joint investment and shared security guarantees, as well as increasing capabilities. Poland is a country that understands threats, that it can see it, and we can sense it. We have our own history and we know how it happened, that in our country, in our beloved homeland, the war was waged. We were deprived of our own independence for years.

For years, we didn’t also have the self-determination capacity when we restored it. We know how important security is, how important freedom is and peace. The values that bring us together need strength. Freedom needs strength. The peace also needs strength. Security takes a lot of strength, and that strength is not possible without spendings, without the money that we have to spend on security, without increasing our capabilities and investment in our armed forces, the alliance and the society.

We know this perfectly well and this is something that we definitely share. Thank you very much for that. Poland is an example of such a such a country and Secretary of Defense gave an example of Poland in public in Brussels, that Poland is actually an example how to care for our own security and the allied security.

Because whatever we do, the protection of our borders, five percent of defense spending is modernization and transformation of the Polish armed forces, the acquisition of the state-of-the-art equipment from our strategic partner in the area of defense, which is the United States and this is an absolute priority for our country.

Everyone in Poland absolutely accepts that and agrees with that. We want to thank our taxpayers, thanks to whom we are able to execute that great plan of the transformation of the Polish Armed Forces. Without them, it would not be possible. We can do that, thanks to them, because they contribute to this and they understand this.

Poland is a country that understands that the greater defense spendings are definitely a must. Europe must spend more. This is the message with which Secretary of Defense came to the meeting of defense ministers of the alliance. Well, we must spend more to protect our territory better and the United States wants to cooperate.

And the United States will do everything possible to be together for the alliance to be stronger and stronger, but Europe also must demonstrate its contribution. We understand this perfectly well and we are true to our commitments. We are true to our allied obligations. We were together in Iraq. We were together in Afghanistan.

We were in different anti-terror missions. After the terrorist attacks in the United States, we were the first country that was ready to support the US and we continue to do so. We will support the United States. We are a steadfast and loyal ally and thank you very much for the presence of the American troops in Poland.

It is incredibly important for us. It is crucial and it gives us a sense of security and it really provides tangible security. We want to thank for every single American serviceman and servicewomen training together with Polish troops for giving us strengths and capabilities and our power. You are very much welcome here.

Come to us. This is your home, and you will always be treated like that because it is a great privilege for us and a great pleasure. I am also very happy with our conversation about the future, further spendings that we want to make in the United States, further acquisitions. We will definitely continue that effort.

We also want to develop the cooperation of our defense industries. We also talked about that investment joint venture, Polish American Investment to increase the capabilities for our production, especially the capacity to produce munitions and the capacity for armament, production that is not sufficient in Europe.

Europe must wake up. Europe must invest in defense industry and we want to create joint venture companies with the United States to be able to use these resources better. Poland can and should be a hub of infrastructure for maintenance, for economy and businesses of the United States. Our strategy is to be like a transatlantic bond, bringing the United States and Europe together because Poland is best prepared to do that and Poland understands best all the actions that are undertaken by the United States today.

And I think that Poland has very good awareness of the situation. After this conversation, I am absolutely convinced that it is the case. We want to be a service hub that will be used for the American equipment used by our allies along the eastern border of NATO. We also talked about illegal migration that we stop at the Polish Belarusian border.

We talked about the challenges the United States is also facing to this extent and very good information that I want to share with you. You know that there is the review of different spendings in the United States, that there are different executive orders that were issued by President Trump and the objective is to review the justification of the spendings.

But there is something as foreign military financing. This is the fund that is used to modernize, for example, the Polish armed forces and we use it, billions of dollars. And that executive order of President Trump about freezing the funding of different programs to support modernization and transformation, they do not apply to Poland.

Thank you very much, Secretary of Defense for the decisions about the that, for a very clear presentation of the case. It is a great example and we are ironclad partners. We are friends for better and for worse, for good times and worse times. We are together with each other, Poland and the United States.

The United States and Poland are true and loyal friends and our cooperation will be even at a higher level.

UNKNOWN: Thank you. Now, Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense of the United States.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Well, thank you, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister. Thank you for your incredibly strong words, which I echo and concur completely. Our friendship, our bond is ironclad and we came here specifically to reinforce that. I also want to thank your wife for being a part of this as well today, and your entire delegation.

The warmth of the Polish people is very, very clear. It is a privilege to be here and I do want to emphasize that it’s quite intentional that our first European bilateral is right here in Poland. The symbolism is not lost, in fact, it is intentional. We see Poland as the model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense, but in our shared defense and the defense of the continent.

Our relationship is strong and growing stronger every day. Poland, a strategic frontline partner on NATO’s eastern flank. Poland, a staunch US ally. Poland, a, as I said, model ally, not only in words. Words are cheap, but in deed and in actions. Poland leads by example, on a lot of things, including defense spending, building up Polish military readiness.

Yesterday in Brussels, we both talked a lot about spending and the need for hard power. Diplomacy is important. Talk is important. Negotiations are important. But ultimately, beans and bullets and tanks and helicopters and hard power still matters. Poland understands that and so do we. They’re exceeding NATO burden sharing commitments and we’re looking for even more ways to partner.

You mentioned joint ventures, strategic partnerships. We are open and look forward to further solidifying how we can work together as it pertains to our defense industrial bases. We want to achieve peace through strength together. Deterrence, that defense industrial base, that’s Apaches, F-35s, HIMARS, Patriots, you name it. The more you have, the stronger we are.

The more we can cooperate with those systems, the more interoperable our capabilities are, the better. I also want to thank you and the Polish people for the outstanding support of our forces that are deployed here. We have over 8,000 American troops in Poland. I had a chance to spend the morning with some of some of those US troops.

We ran the streets of Warsaw this morning in the snow. I’m from Minnesota, so I was used to it. It was about 25 to 30 US Soldiers and Marines, had a chance to talk to them while we ran and did push-ups. And I asked them about their experience here in Poland and some worked directly with troops, others worked in military sales.

Some work in POW and MIA remains recovery still. Each one of them had nothing but gushing compliments for the Polish people, for the Polish military, for the amount of support that they receive, for the true partnership, for the eagerness with which Polish troops work alongside American troops. We’ve seen plenty of examples across the globe as the United States of America, or where you work with allies who sometimes you wish wanted it just as much as we did.

That’s not a problem we have with Polish troops or here in Poland, and we thank you and we thank your military for the immense amount of support they provide to ours. We also, investments by Poland makes it easier for us to be here as well. Generous contributions from the Polish Treasury for infrastructure and logistics support for our troops to be here reduces the US taxpayer burden.

I know that’s something that President Trump worked with Poland on his first four years in office. We will continue to do that together as well. The level of partnership, just to underscore here, is unmatched in Europe. The common bond between our forces is unlike others in Europe. We have a shared warrior ethos, which we talked about, something I’m emphasizing, we’re emphasizing at Donald Trump’s Department of Defense.

We’re ready, we’re lethal, we’re capable and we want to reinvest the warrior spirit. We want to rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence. I heard the exact same things from you and from your leadership in our bilateral meeting, which is incredibly encouraging. No truer friend, no tougher foe than the Polish soldier.

As I mentioned, we saw it in Iraq, we saw it in Afghanistan and it goes all the way back to World War II and Market Garden. The Polish military has stood alongside America and we stand alongside you. So, thank you again for that robust partnership, for being a friend around the table of nations. Yes, at NATO, we are all friends, but sometimes you look out and see those that say we are with you when there are tough conversations to be had and you were, and I know you will be. We look forward to leading those conversations and ensuring our deeds match our words, and your friendship is incredibly valued.

On behalf of the American people, thank you for welcoming us. It’s an honor to be here, sir. Thank you.

UNKNOWN: Now we have time for four short questions. The first question, Jan Piotrowski, TVN 24.

Q: — Hegseth. Sir, just recently you’ve ruled out the possibility of restoring Ukrainian pre-2014 borders, but do you believe that there is a possibility to restore the border as it was before the full-scale invasion back in February 2022? Thank you.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Thank you for the question, sir. I think anything is possible. I, as the Secretary of Defense, have a specific lane of the portfolio of what America is representing inside these negotiations. So, my job today and in Brussels was to introduce realism to the conversation, the reality that returning to 2014 borders as part of a negotiated settlement is unlikely.

The reality of US troops in Ukraine is unlikely. The reality of Ukraine membership in NATO as a part of a negotiated settlement, unlikely. And I stand by the comments that I made on that first day in the Ukraine contact group and that’s for all the press out there who it’s difficult for them to understand that.

We stand by the statements we made in reality about the status of US forces or Ukraine’s involvement in NATO and the unlikely nature of that. That said, I would never put constraints around what the president of the United States would be willing to negotiate with the sovereign leaders of both Russia and Ukraine.

I’m not here to put a left and right limit on those discussions. We’ve been here just simply to introduce realism into the expectations of our NATO allies to incentivize the opportunity for that negotiation. So, what those borders ultimately look like, sir, remains to be seen and I think is part of the discussion that would be had between our President, Zelenskyy, Putin and likely Europe’s involvement in those discussions as well.

Thank you, sir.

Q: Mr. Secretary, are US troops in Ukraine on the table? Vice President Vance says it is. And [untranslated], under what condition would Poland send forces to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission?

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Well, the president has said multiple times inside his framework for discussions of this, and I just want to lay out that these are not comments or statements that I make in a vacuum or make without direct consultation with our team. So, President Trump’s national security team, from Mike Waltz to the vice president to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, we’re all on the same page.

And our job is to ensure that our commander in chief, the president of the United States, has the full spectrum of options to bring this conflict, to bring the killing to an end, to an end. And my message to the Ukraine contact group was I do not believe as a part of those negotiations that US troops will be on the ground.

You can say that and I believe that to be true. That’s what President Trump has said. That is what he has emphasized, that this is a for Europeans to resolve alongside Ukraine and Russia and that US boots will not be on the ground. Again, negotiations happen, the president has latitude and what happens in those negotiations is his prerogative because he is the American people’s representative on the world stage.

There’s no daylight in those conversations. There’s no daylight between myself and the vice president. We are collective advocates on behalf of the president. He reserves the right to have any option as he discusses troops and partnerships and investment opportunities and front-line limits. Those are all what President Trump will negotiate with his counterparts.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ: [Inaudible] just started. I would like to thank for this question. The negotiation, which President Trump chairs, is just the first step. We’ve talked about it. Well, some thought that this is the finale, that this is the end. Well, it was just launched and it is worthwhile not only in Poland, but also in Ukraine across the world to realize.

And what just was said by Pete Hegseth, what will be the finale, it is to be seen. It is in front of us. What is for sure, we need to be strong and united as allies and this is what we have between Poland and the United States. Poland has been doing a lot to support Ukraine. We’ve been doing that from the first day.

Without the Polish participation, we could not be able to send assistance to Ukraine. 95 percent of hardware humanitarian assistance goes through logistical hub in Poland, and this has been happening for three years. We’ve been securing this. We’ve involved our forces which are protecting this process. We would like to thank our allies from the US, other countries, that they are supporting this transfer process and protection process of the donations which have been transferred to Ukraine.

And this is the role for Poland, of the logistical support in many issues rather than sending our troops to Ukraine, what we can do for sure. And I think we’re going to do it together soon to send our companies, joint venture companies or joint venture partnerships to Ukraine. The companies investing in the defense industry also using various capabilities to elevate the level of security of Ukraine and the eastern flank of NATO developing these possibilities.

If we invest in Ukraine, the United States, Europe and Poland, this is a great guarantee of security. I think it is also in the strategy that the United States is presenting broadly and this is also going to be a subject of the discussion. So, our role as a logistical support that we’ve been doing, it is very important.

Without that, we could not support fighting Ukraine and the peace in Ukraine.

UNKNOWN: Thank you very much. Next question, there will be two more questions.

Q: Mr. Secretary, would the US consider lowering troops number in eastern Europe as a part of the deal with Russia, or would it consider giving up its permanent military presence in Poland?

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Well, I will state definitively as I did in Brussels, that America is committed to the NATO alliance. Our message has been – and as we discussed, we believe, heard loud and clear that member countries in NATO need to spend more, need to invest more, need to have more skin in the game for their collective defense.

That is not just a suggestion from the United States of America, that is a direct request, which we will follow up on as a reflection of their desire and commitment to actually defend their own backyard. That’s a serious aspect of NATO becoming a serious alliance in the future. As I mentioned, you can have as many flags as you want, but if you don’t have hard power, you’re not an actual alliance.

And unfortunately, our adversaries look at that and they judge accordingly. Right now, on the continent, the American presence is robust and it has been. And that partnership is real and important. And the troops that we have here in Poland is an investment in that, is a recognition of that. And frankly, the invitation we receive here, if anything, would make me want to welcome more troops to Poland, as the Secretary of Defense.

That’s not a policy statement. That’s just how I feel. The welcome is warm. At the same time, our president is in the middle of negotiations, but he has recognized, as have I, that American presence on the continent is important to deter Vladimir Putin and send that signal of solidarity. But I think it’s really important what the deputy prime minister said.

This is the beginning of negotiations. I’m not here to set the terms of how my president of the United States will debate this. I’m here to give him my best military advice alongside him of what may or may not be most useful to reach the peaceful end state that we want. From my perspective, the American troop levels on the continent are important.

What happens five or 10 or 15 years from now is part of a larger discussion that reflects the threat level, America’s posture, our needs around the globe, but most significantly, the capability of European countries to step up. And that’s why our message is so stark to our European allies, now is the time to invest because you can’t make an assumption that America’s presence will last forever.

America has to stare down a lot of threats to include, as I mentioned, the Communist Chinese and if that’s the case, then countries like Poland and others will continue to step up. But as of today, we are very proud of our partnership in Europe. Thank you.

UNKNOWN: [Inaudible] Fox News [Inaudible].

Q: — Fox News. These questions are for both you gentlemen. Do you believe the warnings from NATO allies that allowing Putin to keep Ukrainian territory, will one day embolden him to launch future attacks, perhaps even invade the eastern flank of the NATO alliance? Is this Yalta 2.0 or perhaps even Munich 2.0? Do you trust Vladimir Putin to live up to any potential agreement?

And finally, in light of the Russian drone attack on Chernobyl last night, should there be a ceasefire during these negotiations? Thank you.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Do you want to go? Go ahead.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ: Well, what I believe is the strength which protects us from evil. On the strong, we are able to defend ourselves from Putin on the strength the terrorists in our freedom. Our freedom will not be protected by beautiful words, by diplomatic meetings. Our freedom and independence will be only defended and protected by the strength of our alliance.

This is the only thing that can protect us, nothing else. And we’ll never have a calm day. There are no calm days across the world. There are only those who have slept the last 30 days, years, because they thought that they lived in the calm world. The world will never be calm. The world will also always require from us activity.

We always need to invest that. We have to remember that Putin or other dictator may come, which can threaten our security. It never ends. This is what history teaches us. And I think it was a bit too good for us. For some, it was too good. Maybe they didn’t have the experiences that we’ve had in Poland, that they just slept over this time.

And right now, it’s time to wake them up and the voice which came from Brussels, from Pete Hegseth, and more spending was finally heard. We’ve been talking about, we’ve been showing that and we need it. Not to replace the American troops in Europe because without them the world and Europe will not be saved.

But to maintain them to keep them, Europe must show that they want it, not in the words but in the deeds and many European countries is already doing that, but many more needs to do it and we want to do it. So, there is no other security guarantee than your strength.

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Well, I appreciate those words and I agree. First, your second question on a ceasefire, I think the president has stated that that could be part of a good faith aspect of the beginning of negotiations, which the president’s goal is to stop the killing and the violence and the death. Part of doing that could be a ceasefire, and that could be a welcome development.

As far as Vladimir Putin being emboldened, he’s going to declare victory no matter what. You can expect that no matter what the outcome is. Thankfully, the bravery of the Ukrainians and allies that came alongside them, especially early in the war, deterred and defeated Vladimir Putin from achieving what he wanted, which was all of Ukraine.

So, now you have a more defined front line and whether he declares victory or not will be up to him. Whether he’s emboldened speaks exactly to what the deputy prime minister talked about and NATO’s willingness to step up. If NATO’s response to this situation is to truly increase capabilities, truly increase inputs and spending to think more like Poland, to think more like the Baltics who are closer to the threat and recognize the reality of the threat, then I don’t think Vladimir Putin will be emboldened by this outcome.

It will be a recognition that the collective ability of the west to deter him was something that actually happened. Is there trust there? No. I mean, you don’t have to operate under a position of trust in order to negotiate a deal. But again, I’m the Secretary of Defense, it’s not my job to read the mind of Vladimir Putin.

President Trump will be the one at the table with Zelenskyy and Putin. You don’t have to trust somebody in order to negotiate with them. But as Ronald Reagan said, if you don’t trust, you need to verify and so there will be a follow up and ensuring that whatever peace is negotiated is a lasting and enduring peace.

UNKNOWN: Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you, prime minister and secretary.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ: Thank you one more time.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. Confirms Monthly Dividend for March 14, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. (TSX: PEY) (“Peyto”) confirms that the monthly dividend with respect to February 2025 of $0.11 per common share is to be paid on March 14, 2025, for shareholders of record on February 28, 2025.

Dividends paid by Peyto to Canadian residents are eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.

Shareholders and interested investors are encouraged to visit the Peyto website at www.peyto.com to learn more about what makes Peyto one of North America’s most exciting energy companies. The website also includes a monthly report, which discusses various topics chosen by the President and CEO and includes estimates of monthly capital expenditures and production. For further information please contact:

Jean-Paul Lachance
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (403) 261-6081
Fax: (403) 451-4100
info@peyto.com

Certain information set forth in this document, including management’s assessment of Peyto’s future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond these parties’ control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Peyto’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Peyto will derive therefrom. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fairfax India Amends Credit Agreement

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

(Note: All dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars, except as otherwise noted).

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fairfax India Holdings Corporation (“Fairfax India” or the “Company”) (TSX: FIH.U) announces that, it has amended its existing credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders to (i) provide for the issuance of letters of credit under its revolving credit facility (for the term of the Credit Agreement), and (ii) increase the borrowing limit of its revolving credit facility from $175.0 million to $250.0 million, which shall be reduced to $175.0 million over a period of approximately eighteen months, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. All other terms of the Credit Agreement remain unchanged. At December 31, 2024, the revolving credit facility was undrawn.

As previously disclosed, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 10% equity interest in Bangalore International Airport Limited (“BIAL”) from Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, part of Siemens Financial Services (“Siemens”) for, in aggregate, $255.0 million (the “Purchase Price”). The Purchase Price is payable in three installments, with the initial installment ($84.2 million) to be paid on the closing date of the BIAL transaction, which as previously announced, is to occur in Q1 2025. The second and third installments (collectively, the “Deferred Purchase Price”) are to be paid on August 31, 2025 (as to $94.4 million) and July 31, 2026 (as to $76.5 million), respectively. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary is required to deliver on the closing of the BIAL transaction a letter of credit in favour of Siemens representing the Deferred Purchase Price, being, in aggregate, $170.9 million. The Siemens letter of credit expires on September 30, 2026. The amendments to the Company’s Credit Agreement are intended to facilitate the issuance of the letter of credit to Siemens on the closing of the BIAL transaction while ensuring that the Company maintains its liquidity for the period the letter of credit is outstanding.

About Fairfax India

Fairfax India is an investment holding company whose objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, while preserving capital, by investing in public and private equity securities and debt instruments in India and Indian businesses or other businesses with customers, suppliers or business primarily conducted in, or dependent on, India.

For further information, contact: John Varnell, Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(416) 367-4755

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may relate to the company’s or an Indian Investment’s future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, growth strategy, budgets, operations, financial results, taxes, dividends, plans and objectives of the company. Particularly, statements regarding future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities of the company, an Indian Investment, or the Indian market are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”.

Forward-looking statements are based on our opinions and estimates as of the date of this press release, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the following factors: oil price risk; geographic concentration of investments; foreign currency fluctuation; volatility of the Indian securities markets; investments may be made in foreign private businesses where information is unreliable or unavailable; valuation methodologies involve subjective judgments; financial market fluctuations; pace of completing investments; minority investments; reliance on key personnel and risks associated with the Investment Advisory Agreement; disruption of the company’s information technology systems; lawsuits; use of leverage; significant ownership by Fairfax may adversely affect the market price of the subordinate voting shares; weather risk; taxation risks; emerging markets; MLI; economic risk; trading price of subordinate voting shares relative to book value per share risk; and economic disruptions from the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the company’s annual information form dated March 8, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the company’s website at www.fairfaxindia.ca. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the company. These factors and assumptions, however, should be considered carefully.

Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The MIL Network –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Lankford Releases Federal Fumbles Report, Pushes to Waste Less and Save More

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Republican Conference Vice Chair, delivered a floor speech announcing the latest edition of his government waste book, Federal Fumbles: A Playbook for DOGE.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
View the speech HERE or download it HERE.
Excerpts
“But Oklahomans that I talked to aren’t offended that we’re actually cutting back on waste. Now, they may have questions about how it’s done and the speed and where it comes out. And those are all reasonable questions we should have a national dialog on. But when Oklahomans hear that USAID last year did a grant of $32,000 to create a comic book about transgenders in Peru, they would say to me, ‘Hey, I’d like to be able to spend that $32,000 myself, rather than the transgender comic book in Peru.’ If the folks in Peru want that comic book, maybe they should pay for it, not American taxpayers.
…
“Let’s figure it out. The most simple thing that we do every year when we bring out this Federal Fumbles book is say, here are things we can talk about… But government inefficiency shouldn’t be partisan, shouldn’t be controversial. And for those that have joined all of us that have worked on this for years to expose waste in government, welcome to the club. We’re glad to have folks engaging on this. I’m not critical. I’m excited that you’re here because we need more help.
“People in Oklahoma, my state, lose their hard-earned tax money on things that aren’t education, aren’t roads, aren’t national defense. They’re waste. And that’s what people want to see stop. So I know I encourage people to be able to just take a glance. It’s easy reading lots of pictures. I know they encourage people to take a glance at our Federal Fumble book that’s released. But I encourage every member of this body to assign their staff to go look for waste. And then let’s sit down together and see if we can figure out how to make it stop. We should waste less and save more. It shouldn’t be that hard.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Repeal the Death Tax
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after he and 45 of his Senate GOP colleagues introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act, which would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax:

“An added financial burden is the last thing families should have to deal with in the wake of a loved one’s passing,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By repealing the death tax, this legislation would alleviate unnecessary hardship and offer greater financial opportunities for Texas families, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.”

Background:

The estate tax, more commonly described as the death tax, is a punitive tax that hits family-run farms, ranches, and businesses at a time when they are grappling with an owner’s death. Beyond being hit by the tax itself, the death tax also requires family-run businesses, including some below the exemption threshold, to spend their resources on costly estate planning policies. Furthermore, the death tax also requires these businesses to set aside capital in the event an owner’s death occurs that could have otherwise been invested into the business.

The Death Tax Repeal Act would:
- Eliminate the federal estate tax for individuals who pass away after its enactment;
- Repeal the Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax, which is imposed on transfers of wealth that skip a generation, such as gifts or bequests to grandchildren;
- Modify the Gift Tax, indexed for inflation;
- And treat transfers into trusts as taxable gifts, unless the trust is entirely owned by the donor or their spouse.
The legislation is also cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).

This legislation is endorsed by more than 190 members of the Family Business Coalition and more than 105 members of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, which includes the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Restaurant Association, the National Association of Home Builders, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Underscores Importance of Lowering Health Care Costs in Speech Opposing RFK Nomination to Lead HHS

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Underscores Importance of Lowering Health Care Costs in Speech Opposing RFK Nomination to Lead HHS

On Wednesday evening, Senator Reverend Warnock held the Senate floor for nearly an hour to bring attention to the danger of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

During his speech, Senator Reverend Warnock highlighted Mr. Kennedy’s refusal to support lowering health care premiums and inconsistent views on supporting low-income Georgians’ access to coverage

Senator Reverend Warnock also addressed Mr. Kennedy’s disturbing comments and long-held beliefs that threaten health care costs, quality, and access for Americans

Senator Reverend Warnock also used the speech to highlight personal stories from Georgians who would be impacted by Mr. Kennedy’s potential poor stewardship of HHS

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Mr. Kennedy won’t work to lower Georgians’ health care costs or increase access to health care for my constituents who are caught right now in the health care coverage gap”

Above: Senator Reverend Warnock speaks on the Senate floor in opposition to Mr. Kennedy’s HHS nomination

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday evening, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate highlighting his opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

During his nearly hour-long speech, Senator Warnock highlighted how Mr. Kennedy would not stand in the way of Washington Republicans’ attempt to raise Georgians’ health care premiums to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The Senator highlighted Mr. Kennedy’s inconsistent positions on providing Georgians’ access to health care.

“I asked him, yes or no, if he supports Congress extending these [premium] tax credits, which lower Americans’ premiums, something he told me was a priority for him [during their private meeting]. Suddenly, Mr. Kennedy could not give me a yes or no answer,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“I wonder why?

“He told me in private that he cared about health care. He said he was aware that these tax credits were set to expire at the end of the year,” continued the Senator.“He said he wanted to lower health care costs. When I asked him whether he would support Congress extending these tax credits, the crusader, all of a sudden, became a politician and couldn’t give me a yes or no answer. That’s not a good sign. It’s a pretty simple question to the nominee to run the federal agency tasked with protecting the health of all Americans, do you support lowering health care premiums and keeping millions of people insured? That question, apparently, was a bit too challenging for Mr. Kennedy, so if a nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services cannot tell me if he supports preventing Georgians’ health care costs from spiking… I cannot support his nomination.”

Watch Senator Warnock’s speech HERE.

Below key excerpts from Senator Warnock’s speech:

“Mr. President,

“I rise today in strong opposition to the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To lead the Department of Health and Human Services.”

“It’s no overstatement for me to say that it’s hard for me to imagine a nominee less qualified that would actually be presented for the job of HHS secretary. Robert F. Kennedy, not only does he not pass muster, this is not even close. I still can’t believe we’re even having this discussion. He is a conspiracy theorist who is so focused on his conspiracy theories, when you think of what we need the HHS secretary to do, Robert F. Kennedy is a hazard to our health.”

“Certainly we can do better than this. He’s just manifestly unqualified. I don’t know how else to put it.”

[…]

“Mr. Kennedy won’t work to lower Georgians’ health care costs or increase access to health care for my constituents who are caught right now in the health care coverage gap. I’m so proud that in my first few months in the Senate, I was able to play a critical role in passing the American Rescue Plan, which, among other things, lowered Georgians’ health care premiums by hundreds of dollars on average. It is, quite frankly, the kind of thing that makes this job worth it to me. Being able to help ordinary folks.”

“That tax cut literally helped bring health care into reach for tens of thousands of Georgians and millions of Americans. These tax cuts are so critical that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the number of Americans without health care would grow by 3.8 million in just one year, in just one year, 3.8 million without health care if the premium subsidies that we now enjoy were allowed to expire. We know that that would impact thousands of Georgians who have only recently been able to receive health care coverage.”

“If these tax credits are allowed to expire, a 45-year-old in Georgia with $62,000 annual income would see premiums go up by $1,414 a year. A 60-year-old couple in Georgia with an $80,000 annual income would see their premiums go up by a staggering $18,157 a year. Can you imagine someone making $80,000 a year, 60-year-old couple, and all of a sudden their health insurance for the year goes up by more than $18,000? We know what that is. That’s the difference between having health care coverage and not having it at all.”

“Nearly one-third of Americans have less than $500 in savings in their bank account, and so these folks don’t have that kind of extra dough. They don’t have that kind of extra cash on hand to pay for something that is vitally necessary, and we don’t know, we never know when we will really need our health insurance.”

“So, every single day, as we watch the games that Washington politicians play — for me, this is no game. I often say that if we would center ordinary people, we have a chance at getting the public policy right. If we will center people rather than politics, we might manage to get the right policy.”

[…]

“I asked the nominee for HHS, what do you think about this? Mr. Kennedy told me when I met him privately in my office that he wanted to work with President Trump to lower health care premiums. I said, good.”

“That’s why I was deeply troubled when I questioned Mr. Kennedy on his support for these tax credits in his hearing in front of the Senate Finance committee, I asked him, yes or no, Mr. Kennedy, are you aware that the premium subsidies that help save Georgians and average of $531 a month are set to expire at the end of the year? He said, yes, he is aware. Then I asked him, yes or no, if he supports Congress extending these tax credits, which lower Americans’ premiums, something he told me was a priority for him. Suddenly, Mr. Kennedy could not give me a yes or no answer. I wonder why?”

“He told me in private that he cared about health care. He said he was aware that these tax credits were set to expire at the end of the year. He said he wanted to lower health care costs. When I asked him whether he would support Congress extending these tax credits, the crusader all of a sudden became a politician and couldn’t give me a yes or no answer. That’s not a good sign.”

“It’s a pretty simple question to the nominee to run the federal agency tasked with protecting the health of all Americans, do you support lowering health care premiums and keeping millions of people insured? That question apparently was a bit too challenging for Mr. Kennedy, so if a nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services cannot tell me if he supports preventing Georgians’ health care costs from spiking and keeping people like Cassie Cox on her health care plan, I cannot support his nomination.”

“I don’t work for him. I don’t work for the insurance companies. I work for Cassie Cox and the other Georgians like her.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025

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WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Underscores Importance of Lowering Health Care Costs in Speech Opposing RFK Nomination to Lead HHS