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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Amplifying Alberta’s call for U.S. partnership

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding Connect Care access for paramedics

    Alberta’s government is committed to making sure front-line health care workers have the tools necessary to deliver the highest quality of care, especially in emergencies where every second counts. By improving access to critical patient information, this initiative will strengthen the efficiency and quality of emergency care for all Albertans.

    Starting Jan. 30, paramedics providing front-line care will have view-only access to Connect Care. They will be able to look up the most up-to-date health information, including medication lists, lab results, electrocardiograms and medical imaging. Allowing paramedics to view patient records on site will empower them to make informed clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes during critical moments.

    “The introduction of Connect Care view-only access is a crucial advancement for our emergency medical services. This initiative reflects our commitment to equipping our paramedics with the necessary tools to deliver timely and informed care, ensuring the safety and well-being of Albertans in their most vulnerable moments.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    From June to August 2024, Alberta Health Services (AHS) piloted Connect Care view-only access with fixed-wing air ambulance paramedics stationed in Calgary and Medicine Hat. The pilot assessed the training, access and use of Connect Care, with paramedics providing positive feedback. The trial demonstrated improvements in clinical decision-making and patient safety, leading to the decision for a provincewide rollout.

    “Paramedics have a multitude of abilities that make them a valuable part of the health care system. Having swift access to additional tools/data will notably assist them in providing enhanced care to all Albertans.”

    Len Stelmaschuk, president, Alberta Paramedic Association

    Connect Care operates with rigorous oversight, including a 24-hour Smart Audit system, which flags any unusual activities for immediate review by the AHS privacy breach team. Comprehensive training and support will be provided to ensure a smooth transition, including user guides and other resources to help paramedics access the system.

    “Paramedics are highly skilled health professionals who deliver exceptional care, relying both on their clinical expertise and information gathered from patients and bystanders. The expansion of Connect Care view-only access represents a transformative advancement in emergency medical services, enhancing their ability to deliver even higher levels of care.”

    Anne MacDonald, acting senior program officer, EMS, Alberta Health Services

    Alberta’s government recognizes the essential role a fully integrated clinical documentation system plays in promoting collaboration among health care providers. This expansion of Connect Care access is a significant step forward in ensuring paramedics have timely access to patient health information when it’s most crucial for Albertans.  

    Quick facts

    • Connect Care view-only access will be provided to both AHS emergency medical services paramedics as well as contract service providers delivering front-line care.

    Related information

    • Connect Care

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Single Data Return (SDR)

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    What is the SDR?
    The SDR is an electronic database of learner enrolment and completion information required by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
    The data is used for:

    monitoring performance against your Investment Plan 
    funding and fund recovery 
    publishing performance information
    statistical reporting.

    Note: Services for Tertiary Education Organisations (STEO) will be replaced by DXP Ngā Kete in early 2025. For more information go to Data System Refresh (DSR) programme.
    Who needs to complete an SDR?
    All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) need to complete an SDR three times a year if they:

    receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework, including Youth Guarantee (YG), and/or
    have students with student loans or allowances.

    Completing an SDR is a condition of funding, and it’s important that you do so accurately and on time. Late or incomplete submissions can result in delays to your scheduled payments. (See Single Data Return submission dates.)
    Accessing the SDR
    You can access the SDR through the TEC Data Exchange Platform (DXP).
    You are able to log in through MoE’s Education Sector Logon (ESL) service.
    To find out how to set up access, please contact MoE on 0800 422 599 or service.desk@education.govt.nz. 
    Information to submit
    You’ll find comprehensive guidance in the:

    Here is some important information to include:
    Details about each of your enrolled students
    If you receive Delivery at Levels 1–10 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework or YG funding, you need to provide information about each of your enrolled students, regardless of the level of study or the type of funding. For more details, see the introduction to the 2023 SDR Manual
    Workforce questionnaire (WFQ) – before you submit your December SDR
    Before you submit your December SDR, upload your WFQ to the TEC DXP. We won’t accept your December SDR without a processed WFQ.
    Up-to-date delivery site information
    Please check that your delivery site information in the STEO application is up to date. (For information on how to complete your SDR, including delivery sites, see the STEO user guide.) We rely on this information to analyse regional funding and provision. If you need to submit a delivery site update request, please do so early so we can process it in time for your final SDR submission.
    Forecasts
    If you are delivering qualifications eligible for TEC funding at Level 3 and above, with a source of funding code of 01, 29, 11 or 37, you need to provide an equivalent full-time student (EFTS) forecast with each round. The forecast should not include TEC-funded provision for Levels 1 and 2 or Youth Guarantee.
    Correct funding codes
    Before submitting your SDR, please check that you have used the correct funding codes. (These are in the 2023 SDR Manual). If you use the wrong codes, you may need to resubmit your SDR. If you have any questions about the codes, please refer to the SDR Manual or contact us at 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.
    New course/qualification requests
    You can change the credits, fees, levels or classifications of your courses and qualifications at any time. You don’t need to wait until just before your SDR is due. But it’s important to submit the change request through the STEO application before you submit a trial SDR.
    If you want to make multiple changes to courses (as a result of changing the disaggregation approach for a qualification), you need to do this before the courses start each year. We don’t approve in-year change requests resulting from substantial disaggregation for the current year.
    Completing a trial SDR
    So you have time to correct any errors in your data, it’s important to complete a trial SDR before submitting your final SDR. For help completing a SDR, please refer to the STEO user guide.
    Importance of data accuracy and timeliness
    We use data from every SDR to plan our ongoing investment in tertiary education. If you submit your data late or with errors, or resubmit it with changes, this can have flow-on effects for us and for other TEOs.
    To manage this, we don’t accept resubmissions of August or December SDRs unless we have approved the resubmission (which we will do only in exceptional circumstances).
    We will accept resubmissions of the April SDR during a set period (which we will let you know about each year) to allow you to review your educational performance indicator (EPI) data. Outside this set period, we will only accept resubmissions of the April SDR in exceptional circumstances. We may ask you to consider making any corrections in later SDR submissions in the next SDR round.
    We will treat all resubmissions outside published timeframes as late.
    What are “exceptional circumstances”?
    “Exceptional circumstances” are those that are genuinely unforeseeable and that you could not have proactively managed.
    We are unlikely to consider the following circumstances to be exceptional:

    Data issues identified during or after the sale and purchase of a TEO. If you are purchasing a TEO, you need to be confident that its historical SDR data is accurate.
    Student Management System (SMS) software errors. Submit trial SDRs early to identify and address any issues well in advance of the final submission deadline.
    A change of SMS, resulting in errors. If you are changing your SMS, you need to be confident you can do this without risking errors.
    Errors made by a staff member that were only identified at a later stage. You are responsible for ensuring that your staff submit accurate data. 
    Not checking your organisation’s EPI data from the April SDR in time. You are responsible for reading and responding to our announcements about when data is available for you to review.

    Late or inaccurate data
    If you don’t provide a timely and accurate SDR, your current or future funding may be affected.
    If you continue to submit inaccurate, incomplete or late data, we may introduce an extra monitoring process. For example, you could be asked to use an external auditor to confirm that your data is valid and accurate before you submit each SDR.
    Our Stop Gate process
    Our Stop Gate helps us manage late submissions and resubmissions of a full set of files. This means you need to submit a full set of SDR files by the due date for each round.
    We will decide whether or not to approve a submission outside of the SDR round on a case-by-case basis. You can also resubmit your data if we find an error after submission, with our permission.
    The process is as follows:

    Contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz as soon as possible.
    We will then send you an SDR late/resubmission request (Stop Gate request) form to complete and submit.
    Once your SDR submission has the status of “Processed” (with zero errors) please send the completed form to customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject line [EDUMIS #] – SDR Stop Gate Request.
    Your request will be forwarded to the Customer Contact Group Manager to consider for approval.
    If we approve your request, we will advise you of the due date and lift the Stop Gate, allowing you to submit your processed (with zero errors) SDR.
    If we decline your request, we will advise you of the reason for that decision.

    This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
    Notes:
    This does not affect the SDR validation, processing and submission process. You can still submit course register, course and qualification completion files at any time, and we encourage you to do so, particularly after the December round so we can confirm your EPIs as early as possible. 
    Any amendment to a previously submitted SDR may have an impact on future funding and performance monitoring.
    If the data from an SDR has been published in a report (such as statistical reporting), the published data can no longer be altered.
    Resources to help you submit your SDR

    For help with the submissions process, see the STEO user guide.
    For a helpful guide to SDR, see the 2023 SDR Manual.
    For general assistance, guidance with validation errors and help with course, qualification and delivery site approvals, contact us on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz with the subject [EDUMIS #] Dec SDR enquiry.
    For help with your Education Sector Login (ESL), contact the Education Service Desk on 0800 422 599 or desk@education.govt.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Major milestone reached with launch of Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035.
    Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision for the sector and identify minerals essential to our economy, at OceanaGold’s Waihi Operation in Hauraki today.
    “I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our natural resources present. I am delighted to say that that ends now,” Mr Jones says.
    The creation of the strategy and list have come about through coalition agreement between New Zealand First and National to investigate the country’s mineral resources, including vanadium, and devise a plan to develop opportunities.
    “Through the Minerals Strategy this Government has formed the foundations of a considered, enduring approach to minerals development that prioritises delivering for New Zealanders, now and into the future, by supporting a productive and resilient economy through responsible and sustainable practices. This is a holistic picture of minerals production from the land and sea, from reprocessing waste material, and from potential recycling and recovery.
    “The final strategy addresses the feedback received during consultation with our three key outcomes refocused around productivity, value, and resilience, guided by overarching principles to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and responsible practices. With revised export statistics from Statistics NZ, we are now targeting a goal of doubling our exports to $3b by 2035, up from the previous target of $2b, with a roadmap for how we will get there,” Mr Jones says.
    Following public consultation, the Critical Minerals List now features 37 minerals, up from 35 in the draft list. 
    “The key change to the Critical Minerals List is the addition of gold and metallurgical coal in recognition of their importance to our minerals sector. Together, they represent 80 per cent of our mineral exports, generating export revenues of around $1.2b in the year to June 2023.
    “Simply put, New Zealand wouldn’t have the skills, machinery, resources, and capability to support a modern and responsible mining sector without them,” Mr Jones says. 
    “With the increasing demand and volatility in international markets, I want New Zealand to contribute to the growing critical minerals market as a trusted and reliable partner, particularly where we can support global mineral supply chains of minerals necessary for clean energy technologies.
    “Of the 37 minerals included on the list, we produce or have the potential to produce 21 here in New Zealand. We are a prospective destination for sought-after minerals like antimony and we have operators working rare earth, vanadium and titanium projects, which I note are all ways for New Zealand to support a transition to a clean energy future.”
    The Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List are the latest government initiatives led by Mr Jones to unleash the potential of New Zealand’s natural resources to boost regional opportunities and jobs, increase self-sufficiency, and support an export-led recovery for the economy.
    “This Government sees increasing the scale and pace of mineral resources development as a key pillar of a strong economy, as well as international trade, co-operation and investment,” Mr Jones says.
    “Our minerals sector will increase national and regional prosperity, strengthen critical supply chains, and leverage our relationships and international partnerships to drive economic benefits for New Zealanders. As I have said before, our minerals sector has been a transformative agent for our country in the past, and it will play a transforming role into the future.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Seeking to End Youth Access to Gender Affirming Care

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Thursday, January 30, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s recent executive order seeking to end access to gender affirming care for transgender youth:                                     

    “The President’s attempt to prevent transgender youth from accessing medically necessary healthcare is cruel and irresponsible. Denying this care would only serve to further marginalize and endanger already vulnerable youth and put their health and well-being at risk.

    “All Americans have the inalienable right to equal protection under the law, regardless of their gender identity. This includes the right to access healthcare free from discrimination. California will continue to be a safe haven for those who seek the care they need in order to be their authentic selves. 

    “In California, we seek to promote access to healthcare, not restrict it. California families seeking gender affirming care, and the doctors and staff who provide it, are protected under state laws like the Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex (TGI) Inclusive Care Act. The President’s order does not change that. My office and I will continue to defend California law and stand up for the rights of all who seek this critical, lifesaving care and the people who support them.

    “We are reviewing the President’s executive order and monitoring its implementation. Rest assured, the California Department of Justice will continue to stand up for our people and our values.”

    RESOURCES

    California has a number of resources for transgender youth and the broader LGBTQ+ community: 

    If you believe your rights are being violated as part of the enforcement of the President’s executive order, you can file a complaint with the California Attorney General’s Office here or with the California Civil Rights Department here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IRS, Oregon to recognize Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day

    Source: US State of Oregon

    s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day approaches on Friday, January 31, the Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging all workers with income in 2024 to check their EITC eligibility.

    The Department of Revenue is working with other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible for the credit, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2025. The IRS estimates that nearly 25 percent eligible Oregon taxpayers are not claiming the EITC. One Oregon organization says that adds up to an estimated $100 million in unclaimed credits.

    While many are unaware of the EITC and other credits, another hurdle is the need for free help filing tax returns. Free tax filing assistance is available at sites across the state.

    The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for people for making up to $66,819 in 2024. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,830 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $940 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits.

    Individuals may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.

    Basic qualifications for EITC include:

    • All filing statuses are eligible, but some have specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify.
    • You, your spouse, or any qualifying child must have a Social Security number to claim the federal credit.
    • Your earned income in 2024 must be below certain limits based on your number of qualifying dependents.
    • You may be eligible even if you do not have a qualifying child.
    • Taxpayers can use the IRS EITC Assistant to check their eligibility further. The assistant is available in English and Spanish.

    State tax credits for families

    The qualifications for the Oregon Earned Income Credit are the same as those listed above for the federal EITC, except that the Oregon credit is also available to taxpayers who use an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to file their taxes or have a qualifying child with an ITIN. If you have an ITIN, claim the Oregon EIC using schedule OR-EIC-ITIN.

    The Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $25,750 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $30,750.

    To encourage Oregonians to save for higher education and career training, the Education Savings Credit for Oregon 529 Plan contributions allows single filers to receive a refundable credit of as much as $180 ($360 for joint filers) if they contribute to an Oregon College Savings Plan account before tax day. The refundable tax credit is also available for contributions to an Oregon ABLE Savings Plan account, which empowers people experiencing disabilities to invest and build financial security without jeopardizing their eligibility for vital state and federal benefits.

    More information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax benefits for families page.

    Taxpayers can visit the Oregon Department of Revenue website to find free tax preparation sites by using the interactive map. For more information on the EITC, visit https://www.eitc.irs.gov/. For questions about Oregon taxes, call the Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988, or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: PDS Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Discharging Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Admitted to Participating in “Rolling Shootout” Targeting Rival Gang

                WASHINGTON – Isjalon Jermiah Armstead, 22, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today in connection with an indictment charging numerous members of the Push Dat Shit (PDS) street gang with distributing large quantities of marijuana in the District of Columbia as well as using, carrying, and possessing firearms, including fully automatic machineguns, in furtherance of their drug dealing business.

                The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent Sean T. Ryan of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Armstead, aka “Smaut,” pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense. Armstead faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Judge Berman Jackson scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 7, 2025.

                As part of his plea, Armstead admitted to participating in a “rolling shootout” in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2023.  According to court documents, Armstead and a fellow PDS gang member were driving a gray Nissan Altima in the area with marijuana that they intended to distribute when they observed a rival gang member.  The two men then chased the rival through a residential neighborhood while shooting from their vehicle as the rival returned fire. The gray Nissan Altima was disabled as a result of the shootout, and Armstead and his fellow PDS member fled on foot – discarding bags of marijuana and their firearms as they ran – before being apprehended by MPD officers a few blocks away.   

                Additional MPD officers responded to the scene and retraced the flight path, at which time they discovered two firearms discarded in a trash can alongside a residence. The firearms were identified as a Glock Model 26, 9mm semi-automatic handgun and an American Tactical Omni Hybrid semi-automatic AR-Pistol chambered in .300 caliber. These firearms matched shell casings recovered from the scene of the rolling shootout.  As part of his plea agreement, Armstead admitted to discharging the AR-Pistol during the rolling shootout.

                This plea is part of an ongoing joint investigation which has now resulted in 24 convictions and the seizure of two vehicles, 35 firearms, four machine guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 pounds of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills, and approximately $500,000 in cash.

                The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Justin F. Song and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Macechko.

    Surveillance Footage Showing the Grey Nissan Altima (circled in red) and the Vehicle it was Pursuing During the Shootout on June 5, 2023.

     

    Surveillance Footage Showing Armstead Fleeing From the Scene

     

    Firearms Recovered from Armstead’s Flight Path

    23cr379

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Sentenced To 60 Months In Prison For Possessing A Firearm In Furtherance Of A Drug Trafficking Crime

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

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gabriel Figueroa, age 29, a resident of New York, was sentenced on January 28, 2025, to 60 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, between December 2023 and January 2024, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to conduct three controlled purchases of cocaine from Figueroa. Following the controlled purchases, a search warrant was executed at Figueroa’s residence and law enforcement recovered methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, ammunition, and a Taurus .380 caliber handgun.

    The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Allentown Field Office, the Kingston Police Department, and members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Jamf to Report Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results on February 27, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jamf (NASDAQ: JAMF), the standard in managing and securing Apple at work, announced today it will report fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 financial results for the period ended December 31, 2024, following the close of the market on Thursday, February 27, 2025. On that day, management will host a conference call and webcast at 3:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. ET) to discuss the company’s business and financial results.

    Jamf Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call

    When: Thursday, February 27, 2025

    Time: 3:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. ET)

    Live Webcast: The conference call will be webcast live on Jamf’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.jamf.com.

    Those parties interested in participating via telephone may register on Jamf’s Investor Relations website or by clicking here.

    Replay: A replay of the call will be available on the Investor Relations website beginning on February 27, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. CT (7:00 p.m. ET).

    About Jamf

    Jamf’s purpose is to simplify work by helping organizations manage and secure an Apple experience that end users love and organizations trust. Jamf is the only company in the world that provides a complete management and security solution for an Apple-first environment that is enterprise secure, consumer simple and protects personal privacy. To learn more, visit: www.jamf.com.

    Investor Contact:
    Jennifer Gaumond
    ir@jamf.com

    Media Contact:
    media@jamf.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Viper Energy Launches Offering of Class A Common Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDLAND, Texas, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Viper Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VNOM) (“Viper”) announced today the launch of an underwritten public offering of 22,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock, subject to market and other conditions (the “Primary Offering”). The underwriters will have an option to purchase up to an additional 3,300,000 shares of Class A common stock from Viper in the Primary Offering.

    Viper intends to use the net proceeds from the Primary Offering to fund a portion of the cash consideration for its previously announced pending acquisition of all of the equity interests of certain mineral and royalty-interest owning subsidiaries of Viper’s parent, Diamondback Energy, Inc. (the “Pending Drop Down”), if it closes. If the Pending Drop Down does not close, Viper will use the net proceeds from the Primary Offering for general corporate purposes.

    J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Mizuho and Morgan Stanley are acting as joint book-running managers for the Primary Offering. Copies of the written base prospectus and prospectus supplement for the Primary Offering may be obtained on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov or, when available, may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (800) 831-9146; Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Attn: Equity Capital Markets, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, by telephone at 1-212-205-7600 or by email at US-ECM@mizuhogroup.com; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014.

    The Class A common stock will be issued and sold pursuant to an effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”).

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. The Primary Offering may only be made by means of a prospectus supplement and related base prospectus.

    About Viper Energy, Inc.

    Viper is a publicly traded Delaware corporation that owns and acquires mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties primarily in the Permian Basin.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, regarding the completion of the Primary Offering, Viper’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “could,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “goal,” “plan,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Be cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risk and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Viper’s control, incident to the development, production, gathering and sale of oil and natural gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services, risks relating to the Pending Drop Down, including its consummation or the realization of the anticipated benefits and synergies therefrom. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Viper’s filings with the SEC, including the base prospectus and prospectus supplement relating to the Primary Offering, the Registration Statement, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, under the caption “Risk Factors,” as may be updated from time to time in Viper’s periodic filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this release. Viper undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

    Investor Contacts:
    Adam Lawlis
    +1 432.221.7467
    alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com

    Austen Gilfillian
    +1 432.221.7420
    agilfillian@diamondbackenergy.com

    Source: Viper Energy, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana Reports Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shreveport, La, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: HFBL), the holding company of Home Federal Bank, reported net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, of $1.02 million compared to net income of $1.00 million reported for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.33 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company reported net income of $2.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $2.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.64 for the six months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $0.73 and $0.72, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2023.

    The Company reported the following highlights during the six months ended December 31, 2024:

    • Nonperforming assets totaled $1.8 million, or 0.30% of total assets at December 31, 2024 compared to $1.9 million, or 0.30% of total assets, at June 30, 2024.
    • There were no advances from the FHLB at December 31, 2024 or June 30, 2024.
    • Other borrowings totaled $4.0 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $7.0 million at June 30, 2024.

    The increase in net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023 resulted primarily from a decrease of $413,000, or 9.7%, in non-interest expense and an increase of $351,000, or 256.2%, in non-interest income, partially offset by an increase of $383,000, or 195.4%, in provision for income taxes, a decrease of $303,000, or 6.2%, in net interest income, and an increase of $61,000, or 381.3%, in the provision for credit losses. The decrease in net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to a decrease of $422,000, or 5.2%, in total interest income, partially offset by a decrease of $119,000, or 3.7%, in total interest expense. The Company’s average interest rate spread was 2.40% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2.45% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.12% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 3.14% for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

    The decrease in net income for the six months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023 resulted primarily from a decrease of $1.2 million, or 11.4%, in net interest income and an increase of $71,000, or 62.3%, in provision for income taxes, partially offset by a decrease of $591,000, or 7.0%, in non-interest expense, an increase of $216,000, or 37.8%, in non-interest income, and an increase of $162,000 in the recovery of credit losses. The decrease in net interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to a decrease of $755,000, or 4.7%, in total interest income and an increase of $405,000, or 6.8%, in total interest expense. The Company’s average interest rate spread was 2.32% for the six months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2.60% for the six months ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.06% for the six months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 3.26% for the six months ended December 31, 2023.

    The following tables set forth the Company’s average balances and average yields earned and rates paid on its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

        For the Three Months Ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
        Average
    Balance    		     Average
    Yield/Rate    		     Average
    Balance    		     Average
    Yield/Rate    		  
        (Dollars in thousands)  
    Interest-earning assets:                                
    Loans receivable   $ 457,553       5.89 %   $ 507,844       5.78 %
    Investment securities     96,715       2.19       109,485       2.43  
    Interest-earning deposits     29,653       4.47       1,751       2.95  
    Total interest-earning assets   $ 583,921       5.20 %   $ 619,080       5.18 %
                                     
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                
    Savings accounts   $ 90,696       1.71 %   $ 73,228       0.40 %
    NOW accounts     70,685       1.26       65,252       0.43  
    Money market accounts     79,365       2.21       95,763       2.49  
    Certificates of deposit     188,929       4.03       212,792       4.01  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     429,675       2.75       447,035       2.57  
    Other bank borrowings     4,489       7.16       9,202       8.58  
    FHLB advances     –       –       5,379       5.75  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   $ 434,164       2.80 %   $ 461,616       2.73 %
        For the Six Months Ended December 31,  
        2024     2023  
        Average
    Balance    		     Average
    Yield/Rate    		     Average
    Balance    		     Average
    Yield/Rate    		  
        (Dollars in thousands)  
    Interest-earning assets:                                
    Loans receivable   $ 461,531       5.88 %   $ 503,043       5.79 %
    Investment securities     96,732       2.14       111,535       2.46  
    Interest-earning deposits     27,635       4.81       5,843       3.43  
    Total interest-earning assets   $ 585,898       5.21 %   $ 620,421       5.16 %
                                     
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                
    Savings accounts   $ 86,626       1.66 %   $ 75,900       0.39 %
    NOW accounts     71,736       1.18       66,639       0.41  
    Money market accounts     77,290       2.29       102,327       2.37  
    Certificates of deposit     196,443       4.17       203,779       3.88  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     432,095       2.83       448,645       2.43  
    Other bank borrowings     5,239       7.50       8,928       8.47  
    FHLB advances     –       –       3,259       5.66  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   $ 437,334       2.89 %   $ 460,832       2.57 %

    The $351,000 increase in non-interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year quarterly period, was primarily due to a decrease of $369,000 in loss on sale of real estate, an increase of $62,000 in other non-interest income, and an increase of $2,000 in income on bank owned life insurance, partially offset by a decrease of $71,000 in gain on sale of loans, an increase of $6,000 in loss on sale of securities, and a decrease of $5,000 in service charges on deposit accounts. The $216,000 increase in non-interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year six-month period was primarily due to a decrease of $149,000 in loss on sale of real estate, an increase of $88,000 in other non-interest income, and an increase of $4,000 in income from bank owned life insurance, partially offset by a decrease of $14,000 in gain on sale of loans, an increase of $6,000 in loss on sale of securities, and a decrease of $5,000 in service charges on deposit accounts.

    The $413,000 decrease in non-interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, is primarily attributable to decreases of $163,000 in franchise and bank shares tax expense, $132,000 in other non-interest expense, $99,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $80,000 in audit and examination fees, $53,000 in professional fees, $38,000 in advertising expense, $33,000 in deposit insurance premium expense, $13,000 in amortization of core deposit intangible expense, $7,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, and $2,000 in loan and collection expense. The decreases were partially offset by an increase of $207,000 in data processing expense. The $591,000 decrease in non-interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same six-month period in 2023, is primarily attributable to decreases of $153,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $151,000 in franchise and bank shares tax expense, $124,000 in advertising expense, $105,000 in other non-interest expense, $96,000 in professional fees, $50,000 in audit and examination fees, $34,000 in loan and collection expense, $34,000 in deposit insurance premium expense, and $33,000 in amortization of core deposit intangible expense. The decreases were partially offset by increases of $180,000 in data processing expense and $9,000 in occupancy and equipment expense.

    Total assets decreased $29.7 million, or 4.7%, from $637.5 million at June 30, 2024 to $607.8 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in assets was comprised of decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million, or 44.1%, from $34.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $19.5 million at December 31, 2024, net loans receivable of $12.2 million, or 2.6%, from $470.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $458.7 million at December 31, 2024, loans-held-for-sale of $1.5 million, or 87.5%, from $1.7 million at June 30, 2024 to $216,000 at December 31, 2024, premises and equipment of $459,000, or 2.5%, from $18.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $17.8 million at December 31, 2024, real estate owned of $418,000, or 100.0% from $418,000 at June 30, 2024 to none at December 31, 2024, investment securities of $264,000, or 0.3%, from $96.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $95.7 million at December 31, 2024, and core deposit intangible of $146,000, or 12.2%, from $1.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.1 million at December 31, 2024, partially offset by increases in deferred tax asset of $357,000, or 30.2%, from $1.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.5 million at December 31, 2024, other assets of $195,000, or 14.4%, from $1.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.5 million at December 31, 2024, bank owned life insurance of $58,000, or 0.9%, from $6.81 million at June 30, 2024 to $6.87 million at December 31, 2024, and accrued interest receivable of $12,000, or 0.7%, from $1.78 million at June 30, 2024 to $1.79 million at December 31, 2024.

    Total liabilities decreased $30.9 million, or 5.3%, from $584.7 million at June 30, 2024 to $553.8 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in liabilities was comprised of decreases in total deposits of $27.5 million, or 4.8%, from $574.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $546.5 million at December 31, 2024, other borrowings of $3.0 million, or 42.9%, from $7.0 million at June 30, 2024 to $4.0 million at December 31, 2024, advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance of $252,000, or 48.4%, from $521,000 at June 30, 2024 to $269,000 at December 31, 2024, and other accrued expenses and liabilities of $164,000, or 5.2%, from $3.2 million at June 30, 2024 to $3.0 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in deposits resulted from decreases in certificates of deposit of $30.8 million, or 14.3%, from $214.9 million at June 30, 2024 to $184.1 million at December 31, 2024, money market deposits of $12.2 million, or 14.3%, from $85.5 million at June 30, 2024 to $73.3 million at December 31, 2024, and non-interest deposits of $1.9 million, or 1.5%, from $130.3 million at June 30, 2024 to $128.4 million at December 31, 2024, partially offset by increases in savings deposits of $16.7 million, or 21.7%, from $76.6 million at June 30, 2024 to $93.3 million at December 31, 2024, and NOW accounts of $796,000, or 1.2%, from $66.6 million at June 30, 2024 to $67.4 million at December 31, 2024. The Company had no balances in brokered deposits at December 31, 2024 or June 30, 2024.

    At December 31, 2024, the Company had $1.8 million of non-performing assets (defined as non-accruing loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due, and other real estate owned) compared to $1.9 million on non-performing assets at June 30, 2024, consisting of five one-to-four family residential loans, five home equity loans, two commercial non-real estate loans, and one commercial real-estate loan at December 31, 2024, compared to five one-to-four family residential loans, four home equity loans, three commercial non-real estate loans, and three single-family residences in other real estate owned at June 30, 2024. At December 31, 2024 the Company had eight one-to-four family residential loans, five home equity loans, five commercial non-real-estate loans, two commercial real-estate loans, and one consumer loan classified as substandard, compared to six one-to-four family residential loans, five commercial non-real-estate loans, four home equity loans and one consumer loan classified as substandard at June 30, 2024. There were no loans classified as doubtful at December 31, 2024 or June 30, 2024.

    Shareholders’ equity increased $1.1 million, or 2.1%, from $52.8 million at June 30, 2024 to $53.9 million at December 31, 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity was comprised of net income for the six-month period of $2.0 million, the vesting of restricted stock awards, stock options, and the release of employee stock ownership plan shares totaling $311,000, and proceeds from the issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options of $19,000, partially offset by an increase in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss of $10,000, dividends paid totaling $816,000, and stock repurchases of $335,000.

    Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana is the holding company for Home Federal Bank which conducts business from its ten full-service banking offices and home office in northwest Louisiana.

    Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, and “intend”, or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, or “may”. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    In addition to factors previously disclosed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts its operations; general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities including the effects of the Tax Reform Act; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products and the demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loans, investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios; geographic concentration of the Company’s business; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees.

    HOME FEDERAL BANCORP, INC. OF LOUISIANA
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands except share and per share data)
        December 31, 2024     June 30, 2024  
        (Unaudited)          
    ASSETS                
                     
    Cash and Cash Equivalents (Includes Interest-Bearing Deposits with Other Banks of $16,389 and $25,505 at December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, Respectively)   $ 19,540     $ 34,948  
    Securities Available-for-Sale (amortized cost December 31, 2024: $32,930; June 30, 2024: $30,348, Respectively)     29,607       27,037  
    Securities Held-to-Maturity (fair value December 31, 2024: $52,451; June 30, 2024: $54,450, Respectively)     64,431       67,302  
    Other Securities     1,651       1,614  
    Loans Held-for-Sale     216       1,733  
    Loans Receivable, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses (December 31, 2024: $4,749; June 30, 2024: $4,574, Respectively)     458,693       470,852  
    Accrued Interest Receivable     1,787       1,775  
    Premises and Equipment, Net     17,844       18,303  
    Bank Owned Life Insurance     6,868       6,810  
    Goodwill     2,990       2,990  
    Core Deposit Intangible     1,053       1,199  
    Deferred Tax Asset     1,538       1,181  
    Real Estate Owned     –       418  
    Other Assets     1,545       1,350  
                     
    Total Assets   $ 607,763     $ 637,512  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                     
    LIABILITIES                
                     
    Deposits:                
    Non-interest bearing   $ 128,439     $ 130,334  
    Interest-bearing     418,105       443,673  
    Total Deposits     546,544       574,007  
    Advances from Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance     269       521  
    Other Borrowings     4,000       7,000  
    Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities     3,017       3,181  
                     
    Total Liabilities     553,830       584,709  
                     
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                     
    Preferred Stock – $0.01 Par Value; 10,000,000 Shares Authorized: None Issued and Outstanding      –        –  
    Common Stock – $0.01 Par Value; 40,000,000 Shares Authorized: 3,132,764 and 3,142,168 Shares Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, Respectively      32        32  
    Additional Paid-in Capital     42,010       41,739  
    Unearned ESOP Stock     (350 )     (408 )
    Retained Earnings     14,866       14,055  
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss     (2,625 )     (2,615 )
                     
    Total Shareholders’ Equity     53,933       52,803  
                     
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 607,763     $ 637,512  
     HOME FEDERAL BANCORP, INC. OF LOUISIANA
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (In thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Interest income                                
    Loans, including fees   $ 6,791     $ 7,397     $ 13,686     $ 14,671  
    Investment securities     63       210       130       449  
    Mortgage-backed securities     470       460       913       933  
    Other interest-earning assets     334       13       670       101  
    Total interest income     7,658       8,080       15,399       16,154  
    Interest expense                                
    Deposits     2,977       2,901       6,175       5,494  
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings     –       78       –       93  
    Other bank borrowings     81       198       198       381  
    Total interest expense     3,058       3,177       6,373       5,968  
    Net interest income     4,600       4,903       9,026       10,186  
                                     
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses     45       (16 )     (178 )     (16 )
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     4,555       4,919       9,204       10,202  
                                     
    Non-interest income                                
    Loss on sale of real estate     (12 )     (381 )     (266 )     (415 )
    Gain on sale of loans     5       76       101       115  
    Loss on sale of securities     (6 )     –       (6 )     –  
    Income on Bank-Owned Life Insurance     30       28       58       54  
    Service charges on deposit accounts     392       397       783       788  
    Other income     79       17       118       30  
                                     
    Total non-interest income     488       137       788       572  
                                     
    Non-interest expense                                
    Compensation and benefits     2,229       2,328       4,531       4,684  
    Occupancy and equipment     537       544       1,101       1,092  
    Data processing     336       129       554       374  
    Audit and examination fees     191       271       323       373  
    Franchise and bank shares tax     1       164       169       320  
    Advertising     44       82       101       225  
    Legal fees     134       187       251       347  
    Loan and collection     30       32       58       92  
    Amortization Core Deposit Intangible     72       85       146       179  
    Deposit insurance premium     75       108       165       199  
    Other expenses   187       319       447       552  
                                     
    Total non-interest expense     3,836       4,249       7,846       8,437  
                                     
    Income before income taxes     1,207       807       2,146       2,337  
    Provision for income tax expense (benefit)     187       (196 )     185       114  
                                     
    NET INCOME   $ 1,020     $ 1,003     $ 1,961     $ 2,223  
                                     
    EARNINGS PER SHARE                                
    Basic   $ 0.33     $ 0.33     $ 0.64     $ 0.73  
    Diluted   $ 0.33     $ 0.33     $ 0.64     $ 0.72  
        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
                                     
    Selected Operating Ratios(1):                                
    Average interest rate spread     2.40 %     2.45 %     2.32 %     2.60 %
    Net interest margin     3.12 %     3.14 %     3.06 %     3.26 %
    Return on average assets     0.65 %     0.60 %     0.62 %     0.67 %
    Return on average equity     7.76 %     7.81 %     7.50 %     8.64 %
                                     
    Asset Quality Ratios(2):                                
    Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets     0.30 %     0.34 %     0.30 %     0.34 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans     260.70 %     226.50 %     260.70 %     226.50 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans receivable     1.02 %     1.00 %     1.02 %     1.00 %
                                     
    Per Share Data:                                
    Shares outstanding at period end     3,132,764       3,143,532       3,132,764       3,143,532  
    Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
    Basic     3,059,305       3,040,006       3,062,666       3,033,341  
    Diluted     3,075,221       3,085,271       3,077,371       3,096,546  
    Book value per share at period end   $ 17.22     $ 16.73     $ 17.22     $ 16.73  
     _____________________                                
    (1) Ratios for the three and six month periods are annualized.
    (2) Asset quality ratios are end of period ratios.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices Ltd. Announces Closing of $2.5 Million Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Yokneam Illit, Israel, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), an award-winning pioneer in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-based wearable gesture control technology, today announced the closing of its previously announced “reasonable best efforts” public offering with a single institutional investor for the purchase and sale of 345,000 ordinary shares, 2,155,000 pre-funded warrants, and warrants to purchase up to 2,500,000 ordinary shares, at a combined offering price of $1.00 per share and accompanying warrant (the “Offering”). The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses and assuming no exercise of the warrants. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.00 per share, are exercisable immediately and expire five years from the issuance date.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners acted as the sole placement agent for the Offering.

    In connection with the Offering, the Company also agreed to amend existing warrants that were previously issued to the investor participating in the Offering to purchase up to 822,000 ordinary shares of the Company, with an exercise price of $2.50 per share. Such existing warrants have been amended to reduce the exercise price to $1.00 per share and expire five years following the closing of the Offering.

    The securities described above were offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-284023), previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which was declared effective on January 28, 2025. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus and the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at prospectus@allianceg.com.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in this Offering, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming, and the rapidly expanding AR/VR/XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the expected use of proceeds from this Offering. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 15, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC, including the registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-284023). We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FHLBank San Francisco Announces Departure of CEO Alanna McCargo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) announced today that its Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Alanna McCargo have jointly determined that effective immediately Ms. McCargo will step down as President and CEO. She will transition into a new role as Special Policy Advisor, working directly with the Chair of the Board of Directors, and will be returning to Washington, D.C.

    Joseph E. Amato, the Bank’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim President and CEO while the board launches a search for a new chief executive. Amato will continue to serve as CFO, a position he has held since May 2021. He joined the Bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Financial Officer in October 2020.

    Ms. McCargo was appointed President and CEO in June 2024. Prior to joining FHLBank San Francisco, she served as President of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) and as Senior Advisor for Housing Finance at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She previously led housing policy initiatives at the Urban Institute.

    “Alanna is a respected leader with deep expertise in housing finance and policy,” said Board Chair F. Daniel Siciliano. “Her insights and strategic guidance will be invaluable as we continue to support our members and partners in meeting the credit and investment needs of the communities we all serve.”

    FHLBank San Francisco is a member-owned cooperative that provides reliable funding to its member financial institutions to support lending for housing, jobs, and community investment. “Our focus remains on ensuring our members have the liquidity and resources they need to serve their communities effectively in our three-state region of Arizona, California, and Nevada,” Siciliano said.

    “This is a pivotal time for housing and financial markets, and I am pleased to continue working with the Board in this new capacity,” said Ms. McCargo. “I look forward to supporting the Bank and the broader FHLBank System in advancing policies that promote financial stability and access to capital.”

    About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

    The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

    Contact:

    Tom Flannigan, Director of Public Relations
    415-616-2695
    Tom.Flannigan@fhlbsf.com
    FHLBank San Francisco

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fannie Mae Releases December 2024 Monthly Summary

    Source: Fannie Mae

    WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTCQB)  December 2024 Monthly Summary is now available. The monthly summary report contains information about Fannie Mae’s monthly and year-to-date activities for our gross mortgage portfolio, mortgage-backed securities and other guarantees, interest rate risk measures, and serious delinquency rates.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Red Tape, Help Small Businesses Adopt Digital Tools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Todd Young (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced legislation to cut red tape and help small business owners integrate digital tools into their businesses. The bipartisan Small Business Technological Advancement Act would clarify that small businesses can utilize the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) loan program to finance technology that supports daily operations, including inventory management, product delivery, and accounting systems. 
    “Small businesses are the backbone of Nevada’s economy, and I’m committed to helping them thrive in any way I can,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I’m helping to introduce this bipartisan bill that will free up federal resources to make sure small businesses have the technological support they need to modernize their operations and continue to compete.”
    As a member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rosen has worked to support Nevada’s small businesses. Each year, she leads her Senate colleagues in pushing for robust funding to support small businesses and cut burdensome red tape. Last year, she introduced the Tax Relief for New Businesses Act to increase the startup tax deduction for entrepreneurs looking to start a small business and reduce barriers for startups. Senator Rosen has also introduced the bipartisan Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act to establish a Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program through the SBA and award grants to Minority Serving Institutions to promote and increase opportunities for students to start their own businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 01.30.2025 Sen. Cruz, Rep. Roy Introduce Legislation to Expand Health Care Availability

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas-21) introduced the Personalized Care Act (PCA). The bill makes Americans’ health care more portable, accessible, and tailored to meet their unique needs. It expands Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), enabling millions of Americans to access and utilize these tax advantaged savings tools to manage their health care costs.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “I’m fighting to return control to patients and their doctors—not Washington bureaucrats. Democrats are pushing for full government control of America’s health care. The Personalized Care Act expands Health Savings Accounts, increases portability, and makes it easier for families to make health care decisions for themselves. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation expeditiously.”
    Rep. Roy said, “Every year America’s healt hcare system becomes more expensive and less accessible due to the crony capitalist swamp of corporate and government interests that prioritizes power and profits over patients and doctors. The Personalized Care Act would re-empower the American people to break out of this broken system to make their own health care decisions with control over their health care dollars — as outlined in my recent report on America’s health care system. I am proud to introduce this bill with my friend Senator Ted Cruz to take on the Big Health Care racket.   If we want to Make America Healthy Again — if we want to make care truly affordable — the answer is health care freedom.  The Personalized Care Act is a needed step towards that goal.”
    This legislation was cosponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
    Rep. Roy (R-Texas-21) introduced the companion legislation in the House.
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    Sen. Cruz has led this effort to provide greater health care freedom since 2019.
    The PCA would:
    Offer millions of Americans access to Health Savings Accounts. Decouples HSAs from high deductible health insurance plans, expands HSAs for individuals with Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, direct medical care, health care sharing ministries, short-term limited-duration plans, and medical indemnity plans.
    Increase annual contributions. Increases HSA contribution limits from $3,550 (2020 limit) to $10,800 for individuals and from $7,100 (2020 limit) to $29,500 for families.
    Expand eligible usage. Extends allowable HSA withdrawals to include direct medical care fees, health care sharing ministry fees, insurance premiums, and over the counter medications.
    Eliminate regulatory confusion for patients and doctors. Defines direct medical care and health care sharing ministries as qualified medical expenses and not health plans or insurance plans.
    Decrease tax penalty for nonqualified distributions. Reduces the penalty for nonqualified distributions from 20 percent to 10 percent.
    This legislation is endorsed by Direct Primary Care Council, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, Heritage Action, Americans for Prosperity, Association of Mature American Citizens, Independent Medical Alliance, Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, and Health Savings Account Council.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla, Budget Democrats Boycott Russell Vought’s OMB Nomination Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    After the OMB-directed federal funding freeze causes chaos, Padilla sounds alarm on Trump pick’s record of withholding federal aid

    WATCH: Padilla delivers remarks opposing Vought’s reckless nominationWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined his fellow Democratic members of the Senate Budget Committee and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to protest the Budget Committee advancing Russell Vought’s nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) behind closed doors, despite the Trump Administration’s unprecedented attempt to freeze federal funding.
    The Monday night OMB memo paused all congressionally approved federal grants and loans, stoking widespread confusion and chaos while threatening essential services like disaster relief, health care, public safety, education, nutrition, and housing for millions of Californians.
    In his previous tenure with OMB, Vought blatantly disregarded spending laws and congressional appropriations, operating as if the President has unchecked, unilateral power to make funding decisions despite the clear language of the Constitution giving that authority to Congress. As one of the primary architects of Project 2025, Vought wrote that the OMB Director should be “aggressive in wielding the tool of apportionments on behalf of the President’s agenda,” and “defend the apportionment power against attacks from Congress.”
    His nomination poses a serious threat to Congress’ constitutional authority and to critical disaster aid for Southern California fire victims. Vought tried on numerous occasions in his previous tenure to withhold and slow the distribution of disaster relief, which was agreed to and appropriated by Congress, based on political motives. During his confirmation hearing, Vought continued to hedge on answers that he would not politicize government assistance and refused every opportunity to commit to following the law.
    Senator Padilla also spoke on the Senate floor yesterday in strong opposition to the chaotic OMB funding memo and Russell Vought’s nomination. Earlier this week, Budget Committee Democrats and Leader Schumer demanded that Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) delay Vought’s nomination until he satisfactorily answers questions regarding his advice to the President relating to the illegal impoundment of congressionally appropriated funds through the Monday OMB directive. Padilla also questioned Vought on disaster relief funding to help Southern California recover and rebuild after the recent fires during a Senate Budget Committee nomination hearing earlier this month.
    Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here.
    A full transcript of Padilla’s remarks is available here and below:
    Thank you, Senator Luján, and I want to begin by also expressing my condolences to the victims of the crashes last night, their families. Over the coming days, we’ll hear the names, and we’ll hear the stories of those that have perished. And yes, Senator Luján, it comes at a time where we’re still grappling with the impacts of these unprecedented and devastating fires, plural, in the Los Angeles region. And I think that couldn’t underscore the stakes here any more.
    In a time of crisis, when people turn to not just local leadership, but to their federal government to be there for them, it is unconscionable that in those moments, there’s efforts to promote funding freezes, hiring freezes, and in so many ways, go back on our fundamental obligations to our constituents and to the American people.
    The past few days have been anything but business as usual. I agree: this is an attempt at a one-man government shutdown, brought to us by President Trump — an effort to block billions of dollars approved by Congress, directed by Congress, funds that would support families recovering from catastrophic wildfires, funds for law enforcement agencies that we rely on to keep our communities safe, funds to support nutrition programs for children and families that depend on us for their next meal. And you see a much longer list, just a very partial list here on the board.
    But it’s because of that real-world impact that Americans from throughout the country, they knew immediately what was at stake, and so many of them jumped into action, speaking out, writing our offices, calling our offices, to share their concerns, their questions, looking for guidance, looking for help.
    And it’s in that context that our Republican colleagues have the audacity, the nerve, to move forward with President Trump’s nominee to lead the very agency responsible for the chaos and the heartache, and not even with the courage to agree to Senator Merkley’s request to do this in a committee hearing room where we can have this conversation and vote in public.
    They’re literally in a back room, not accessible, not visible. What are they trying to hide? What are they afraid of? And so, yes, we are here in this room today because this kind of behavior cannot be business as usual. This is not the Senate. The stakes are too high. The impacts too real.
    Now, as others have said, during his previous tenure at OMB, Russell Vought tried to repeatedly politicize, withhold, and slow the distribution of federal funds, including disaster relief, including foreign aid. Through his conduct, he has demonstrated that he holds himself above the law, above the Constitution, and above the funding decisions made by Congress. Maybe that’s why President Trump likes him so much.
    But for any of my colleagues, not just Democrats, but our colleagues on the other side of the aisle too, who have worked so hard to secure funding for their constituents back home, they too should be concerned. They too should be alarmed. Consider Mr. Vought’s work from the first Trump Administration, his role in crafting Project 2025, and his arrogance during the confirmation hearing last week. It’s clear he is coming after Congress’s constitutional authority, and he intends to repeat the events of this week over and over again if he’s confirmed.
    And I say it’s “if” because there is still time. To my Republican colleagues: there is still time, you have the power to stop this if you have the courage to do so. Don’t give up that power to President Trump. Use that power for your constituents and for our country. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Grassley, Heinrich Lead Reintroduction of Legislation to Combat Illegal Fentanyl

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) led 11 colleagues in reintroducing the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation makes permanent the temporary classification of fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Drug overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, are the leading cause of death among young adults 18 to 45 years old. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl account for 66 percent of the total U.S. overdose deaths. The drug’s Schedule I classification is set to expire on March 31, 2025. 
    “The Biden administration’s open border was an invitation to drug cartels smuggling Chinese fentanyl into the U.S., fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Law enforcement must have the tools necessary to combat this trend. We cannot let this Schedule I classification lapse.”
    “Today, roughly 150 Americans will die from fentanyl poisoning. Cartels’ fuel this crisis by marketing their poison as legitimate prescription pills. They also avoid regulation by chemically altering the drugs to create powerful fentanyl knock-offs,” said Senator Grassley. “Congress closed that loophole by temporarily classifying fentanyl related substances under Schedule 1. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent fentanyl related substances’ Schedule 1 classification and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to combat these deadly drugs.”
    “We’re losing more than 100,000 Americans each year to illicit fentanyl overdoses. I refuse to accept this reality, and that’s why I’m working to deliver tools law enforcement personnel need to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets and out of our communities,” said Senator Heinrich. “Permanently scheduling fentanyl and its analogues will help federal and local law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases. Our HALT Fentanyl Act will help stop the flow of these deadly drugs into our communities and save lives.”  
    Cassidy, Grassley, and Heinrich were joined by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-VW), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in introducing the legislation.
    The legislation also removes barriers that impede the ability of researchers to conduct studies on fentanyl-related substances and allows for exemptions if such research provides evidence that it would be beneficial for specific substances to be classified differently than Schedule I, such as for medical purposes.  
    From August 2021 to August 2022, a record-breaking 107,735 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses. The surge was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021. 
    Click here for a one-pager. Click here for a section-by-section.
    Background
    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. This was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021. 
    The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act in March 2023. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Stressing Peacebuilding Commission’s Critical Role amid Rise in Conflicts Worldwide, Secretary-General Urges Increased, Innovative Funding to Support Its Work

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Speakers Highlight Pact for Future’s Prioritization of Conflict Prevention, Mediation and Peacebuilding

    Amid escalating conflicts, widening geopolitical divisions and deepening climate crisis, the Peacebuilding Commission is “more critical than ever”, said the UN Chief, stressing that the Pact for the Future charts a course to reforming international cooperation by prioritizing prevention, mediation and peacebuilding.

    “Now we have the chance to consolidate and expand [the Commission’s] work,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recognizing its vital advisory role to the Security Council — including in the context of UN mission transitions.  He also commended its convening role within the UN and beyond, engaging civil society, the private sector, international and regional organizations and financial institutions.

    This year’s Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture offers an opportunity to strengthen the Commission’s role, he said, pointing to his recent report on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, which suggests mobilizing political and financial support for nationally owned peacebuilding and prevention strategies.  

    On the issue of financing, he said the General Assembly’s approval of assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund marks “an important step”. However, it is still a far cry from the “quantum leap” of $500 million per year that is needed.  Emphasizing that “voluntary contributions remain paramount”, he encouraged countries to provide additional support to the Fund.  Additionally, given the urgent and expanding needs for peacebuilding support, the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture shall further examine how to ensure the Fund’s predictability, adequacy and sustainability by exploring innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and blended funding models.

    “We must never waver in our commitment to pursue, achieve and sustain peace,” he stated, noting that the UN’s peacebuilding architecture — in collaboration with UN country teams — is essential to help “translate aspirations into reality”.

    Following the Secretary-General’s opening remarks, the Commission adopted the body’s report on its eighteenth session, whose final version will be transmitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council for their respective annual consideration. 

    Election of Officers for Nineteenth Session

    The Commission also elected officers for its nineteenth session by acclamation, including Germany as Chair and Japan, Poland, Brazil and Morocco as Vice-Chairs.  Further, it re-elected the following countries to chair the Commission’s country-specific configurations:  Morocco, for the Central African Republic; Brazil, for Guinea-Bissau; and Sweden, for Liberia. 

    Outgoing Commission Chair Highlights 2024 Efforts to Address Peacebuilding Challenges

    As outgoing Chair of the Commission’s eighteenth session, the representative of Brazil noted the Commission’s “robust” mandate as a platform for countries seeking assistance for their peacebuilding and conflict-prevention priorities.  “Through the [Commission], political, technical and financial support can be mobilized, and real impact on the ground can be achieved,” he said.  In that context, he highlighted that the body’s work in 2024 focused on exploring “concrete peacebuilding challenges” and showcasing “what has worked, lessons learned, frustrations and challenges different countries face”. 

    He added that, during 2024, the Commission also engaged in preparation for the 2025 peacebuilding architecture review.  Expressing hope that Member States see such review “as an opportunity that should not be missed”, he urged better synergy between the Commission, the Peacebuilding Support Office and the Peacebuilding Fund. “We should also explore ways to provide adequate institutional support to the [Commission] at all levels,” he said, expressing hope that the Trusteeship Council room may one day be renamed the Peacebuilding Council room.

    Pointing out that the Security Council’s permanent members are also permanent Commission members, he expressed hope that those States will participate more in Commission meetings in the future.  “With great power comes great responsibility,” he observed.

    Incoming Commission Chair Cites Strong Focus in 2025 on National Ownership, Closer Relationship with Peacebuilding Fund and Improving Impact 

    The representative of Germany, Chair of the Commission’s nineteenth session, noted her intention to continue supporting a strong emphasis on national ownership, the body’s convening power and its “unique bridging role” across the pillars of the United Nations.  Also pointing to opportunities to improve the Commission’s coherence and efficacy, she said that she will ensure follow-up with countries after a Commission meeting, work on a closer relationship between the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund, and make the Fund’s work more visible — “especially with a view to the first-time-ever use of assessed contributions”. 

    She also detailed her hope to strengthen evidence-based discussion and peer-to-peer learning and consider the question of peacebuilding impact — “to ensure that the work we do here in New York has an impact on people’s lives on the ground”.  Work will also be done to build on previous efforts to foster the Commission’s relationship with regional organizations, strengthen coherence within the UN and enhance cooperation with international financial institutions.  She added that a close, meaningful exchange with other UN bodies is “key”. 

    Assistant Secretary-General Says Commission Uniquely Positioned to Offer Platform for Member States 

    The Assistant Secretary-General of the Peacebuilding Commission said that, in the current context of the proliferation of conflict and violence worldwide, the Commission is “uniquely positioned” to offer a platform for Member States that wish to come to it.  She added that 2025 presents new opportunities to strengthen the Commission’s role, including by accompanying countries’ peacebuilding journey.

    Incoming Vice Commission Chairs and Chairs of Country-Specific Configurations Share Perspectives

    Incoming Vice Chairs for the nineteenth session echoed that sentiment, with the representative of Poland saying 2025 “presents itself as a truly unique and exceptional year”.  The Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, must be made to work “in the best possible way”, he said, particularly in the context of strengthening peacebuilding and conflict prevention. 

    Morocco’s speaker stressed that the Commission should expand its geographic and thematic scope while upholding the principle of national ownership.  Underscoring the need to optimize the Commission’s collaboration with the Council and other UN organs, he called for a comprehensive approach towards sustaining peace by leveraging and utilizing each body’s unique characteristics in a mutually complementary manner.

    The representative of Morocco said he will work to promote reconciliation, post-conflict reconstruction, development and inclusive peace processes.  As Chair of the Commission’s country-specific configuration for the Central African Republic, he will continue to work to mobilize the necessary resources for organizing upcoming local elections in that country — a “crucial stage for strengthening local governance and legitimacy of the authorities”.

    Brazil’s delegate stated:  “Our region faces its own peacebuilding and conflict prevention challenges [while] developing solutions.”  Noting his country’s readiness to share lessons learned, he said “this exchange is most useful in our common task as peacebuilders”. 

    The representative of Sweden, Chair of the Commission’s country-specific configuration for Liberia, said that Liberia has made “remarkable gains over the years”.  Peaceful elections held in 2023 and the orderly transfer of power in 2024 “were true milestones”, he stressed, noting that the configuration’s focus for 2025 will be consolidating long-term peacebuilding gains in the country. Liberia, he added, “has important experiences and lessons learned” to share with the Commission, including sustaining peace, inclusive development and reconciliation.

    Commission Members Stress Need to Invest in Addressing Root Causes of Conflict and Violence

    In the ensuing discussion, Commission members underscored the need to invest in addressing the root causes of conflict and violence, adding that the Pact for the Future has gained recognition for conflict prevention as a universally shared responsibility.

    “2025 will be a crucial year for peacebuilding,” said the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.  The Council has demonstrated overwhelming support for this agenda by holding two open debates on conflict prevention.  “We have collectively recognized that elaborating national prevention strategies, anchored in national ownership, should be an aspiration for all countries,” he stressed.  The peacebuilding architecture review is “an opportunity to consolidate these gains” and to further strengthen the Commission as “an institution that can act as a bridge at the UN”, he continued.  As the Commission’s biggest donors, the bloc and its member States have matched this political commitment with funding support.

    Spotlighting the Commission’s “significant achievements”, Australia’s delegate said it expanded its regional engagement, provided input into the review and facilitated the revised terms of reference for peacebuilding funding.  Underlining the need to strengthen the Commission’s engagement with his region, he said it should encourage Member States to present their peacebuilding priorities. 

    “Although, at times, we may have had divergent views on how peacebuilding should be conducted, we continue to agree on the foundational principles of peacebuilding,” said his counterpart from South Africa. Namely, that it should be nationally owned and led, context-specific and adaptable, and that more can be done to support peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts. 

    “It is high time to match the ambitions with the capacities,” said Egypt’s delegate, underscoring the need to expand resources and guarantee the Commission’s more structured cooperation with the Council.

    Colombia’s representative, noting that the Commission regularly invites her delegation to share his country’s “experience of peace”, said that doing so helps States “better elucidate a horizon of peace in other places”. The legitimacy of the UN and the future of multilateralism “depend on our capacity to tackle complex crises, contribute to peace and security and ensure a better life for our peoples”, she asserted. 

    The speaker for Bangladesh, noting that the Commission has “always” based its work on national ownership, said that the body should continue supporting local needs and national priorities “by bringing all stakeholders into the discussion”.  Further, the Commission should strengthen its advisory role to facilitate the smooth transition of peacekeeping operations, leading to long-lasting peace. 

    For his part, the Russian Federation’s representative said that the upcoming peacebuilding-architecture review “should not reinvent the wheel but, rather, use existing mechanisms”.  He also stressed that the Commission must not focus solely on conflict prevention, losing sight of countries affected by conflict and post-conflict countries.  “It is them that need the political and financial support so that crises don’t return,” he said.  Also emphasizing the need to avoid duplication of work, he observed:  “The strong suit of the UN system is the principle of division of labour between its main organs.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Cuts – Workers sound alarm as Govt cuts impact services Kiwis rely on – PSA Survey

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s austerity measures are taking a toll on public servants’ wellbeing and their ability to deliver effective public services, a new PSA survey has found.
    More than 4,000 workers in public services, health, the state sector, local government, and community services responded to the survey.
    Key findings:
    – Over half of respondents have too much work to do everything well
    – More than 90% have been affected by restructuring
    – More than 40% regularly work longer hours without pay
    – 70% respond to work calls and messages outside of work hours
    – Over half are worried about losing their job
    Workers say the Government’s sweeping funding cuts are undermining their ability to do a good job. One health professional said it feels “like you are doing a disservice to people in our community as we cannot deliver the health care that they need with our waitlist and restricted service provision.”
    A respondent at a community organisation that’s had its funding significantly cut by the Government said they now spend more time chasing funding and less time providing services to the community.
    “It’s obvious now that the Government’s claim that ‘no front-line services will be affected’ is a lie,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “No amount of spin will stop the public from seeing that the Government is deliberately underfunding their public services and setting the table for private shareholders to enrich themselves from people’s needs.”
    The survey also shows that, like most of the country, public sector, health and community workers are struggling with cost-of-living pressures. More than half are worried about becoming unemployed and not being able to find a job, as the Government signals cuts will continue.
    Public sector, health and community workers need more certainty and better management support. They want fair treatment, better pay, career progression and to be valued. Most of all, they want the restructuring and disruption to stop, to allow them to get on with the work of delivering for their communities.
    “Public, health, and community services – and the workers that provide them – are part of a future that works for everyone in Aotearoa,” said Leo. “To get that, they need certainty, resources, leadership, and a vision for effective, universal services. This survey shows the Government isn’t providing any of this. It’s part of a mountain of evidence that this Government wants a country for the wealthy few, rather than the many.”
    About the survey
    The PSA conducted the survey in December 2024 and got 4090 responses from members across the country, working in public services, health, the state sector, local government, and community public services.
    Read the full report of the survey results attached.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: International treaty examination of the NZ – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments

    Source: New Zealand ParliamentThe Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is calling for submissions on its international treaty examination of the New Zealand – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.
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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Nearly $600K Settlement with Amazon Resolving Proposition 65 and UCL Claims Relating to Sales on its Website of Skin-Lightening Face Creams Containing Mercury

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a settlement with Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon) resolving allegations under Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law arising from Amazon’s facilitation of sales into California of skin-lightening creams with high mercury levels. As part of the settlement, which is subject to court approval, Amazon will pay nearly $600,000 in civil penalties, attorneys’ fees, and costs to the Attorney General, and will agree to injunctive provisions aimed at preventing creams with high mercury levels from being sold through Amazon’s website into California. The Attorney General’s settlement will also resolve the claims of two Proposition 65 private enforcers, Larry Lee and As You Sow, the latter an environmental non-profit organization, which prior to Attorney General Bonta’s investigation had discovered that Amazon had facilitated the sale of mercury-containing face creams in California, and had litigated against the company. 

    “At the California Department of Justice, we are unwavering in our commitment to upholding laws that protect the safety and well-being of Californians,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s settlement reflects that commitment, and we will continue to hold accountable those who violate our state environmental and consumer laws.”

    Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that impairs the nervous system, and prenatal exposure can impede normal development in fetuses and young children. Exposure to mercury can lead to irritability, muscle incoordination, memory loss, brain damage, and even death. Mercury is capable of being absorbed through skin, and the transfer of mercury from a consumer’s hand to a common surface area can also create an exposure source for children and other household members.

    The Attorney General investigated Amazon for facilitating third-party sales of skin-lightening face creams that contain mercury following lawsuits by the private enforcers. The California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation identified several face creams that contained very high mercury levels—ranging from 121 to 16,000 parts per million, well in excess of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s maximum limit of 1 part per million—and that required a warning about those mercury levels under Proposition 65. Amazon had failed to provide such warnings for creams sold through its site, thereby violating both Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law. 

    Following his investigation, the Attorney General asked Amazon to cease and desist from facilitating the sale of face creams identified as containing excessive mercury. Amazon, which does not manufacture these products, agreed to implement a sale-prevention protocol, or “suppression rule,” to prevent face creams with dangerous levels of mercury from being available for sale on its website.

    Under the proposed consent judgment, Amazon will pay $218,560 in civil penalties to the Attorney General’s Office pursuant to Proposition 65 and the Unfair Competition Law, $278,942 to reimburse a portion of the Attorney General’s Office’s attorneys’ fees and costs, and $65,000 for future monitoring costs. Amazon will pay additional penalties and fees to resolve the claims of the private enforcers. The settlement also contains injunctive provisions, including that Amazon must do the following: continue to implement the suppression rule, and continuously adjust it to ensure that it remains effective; retain an independent product consultant who has significant experience with these skin-lightening products; and create a list of pre-approved brands that do not include mercury in their products. 

    A copy of the complaint and proposed consent judgment, which remain subject to court approval, can be found here and here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Sentenced For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JENNIE L. JAMES (“JAMES”), age 67, a resident of Warren, Arkansas, was sentenced on January 28, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 856(a)(1).  JAMES was sentenced to twelve months and one day imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to court documents, JAMES maintained her residence, and assisted her son and co-defendant, Jerad M. Barrett, in using the residence to cultivate and distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana.  Agents also located communications between JAMES and Barrett related to the distribution, packaging, and relocation of narcotics within the Eastern District of Louisiana.  During the investigation, agents recovered approximately 940 kilograms of marijuana, stored in plastic bins and barrels, both from within the residence and other storage units.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Hudson County Man Charged With Online Enticement Of A Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County man has been charged with enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Ryan Niksa, 34, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was charged in a one-count complaint with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.  He had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on January 29, 2025, and was ordered detained.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Since in or around August 2024, Niksa communicated with a minor victim located in another state through social media applications and text messages. Niksa and the minor victim exchanged sexually explicit photos and videos.  Niksa expressed his desire to live with the minor victim, discussed traveling to the minor victim’s home state to be with her, and discussed running away with the minor victim to another country where they could evade law enforcement.   

    Enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, with the investigation leading to the charges.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Thompson of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    25-027                                                             ###

    Defense counsel: Shaiba Rather, Assistant Federal Public Defender

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Austin Area Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years for Selling Counterfeit Pills

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    AUSTIN, Texas – A Del Valle man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for distributing fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

    According to court documents, between May and June 2023, Gabriel Cecilio Osorio, 22, was investigated for distributing fentanyl-laced, fake oxycodone pills. As part of the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents orchestrated two controlled purchases of pills from Osorio, resulting in the acquisition of 100 pills in the first transaction and 3,000 pills in the second. DEA obtained and executed a search warrant, and on June 22, 2023, Osorio was arrested outside of his residence with approximately 5,000 pills. Inside the home, agents found another 3,700 pills, a money counter, a digital scale, four firearms, and $45,701 in cash.

    In addition to the 10-year prison term, Osorio was ordered to forfeit $45,701.00, four firearms, and assorted jewelry that were seized during the search.

    “Gabriel Osorio’s sentencing today continues this office’s work to stem the tide in the greater Austin area of the illegal drug distribution of fake pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Fentanyl poses a significant threat to communities across this district and the United States, and I am grateful to the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who join us in prioritizing these very serious drug crimes.”

    The DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgetown Police Department investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Castillo prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Men Indicted for COVID Unemployment and Loan Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendants allegedly received over $43,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds

    BOSTON – Two men were arrested for allegedly submitting fraudulent information in an effort to obtain loans through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

    Dominik Manigo, 25, of Weymouth, and Nelson Roche Diaz, 28, of Brockton, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of wire fraud conspiracy, and on one count each of wire fraud. Manigo and Roche appeared in federal court in Boston on Monday.

    According to the charging documents, in or about May 2020, Manigo and Roche allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for PUA on the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance portal. Further, Manigo and Roche allegedly submitted fraudulent letters claiming the pandemic had impacted their employment at a restaurant in Boston. Manigo and Roche each allegedly received over $43,000 in PUA and related funds.

    The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Weymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.  The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.  For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: East St. Louis Woman Sentenced to Serve 10 Years in Prison for Transporting Controlled Substances to Pemiscot County

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on Thursday sentenced Georgia R. Phillips, 49, of East St. Louis, Illinois, to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for the offense of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

    Court records reflect that Phillips was pulled over for a traffic violation on Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County last May. During the stop, officers discovered large quantities of controlled substances in her vehicle, including approximately four ounces of crack cocaine. After being placed under arrest, Phillips admitted she was traveling from East St. Louis to deliver the controlled substances to an individual in Hayti, Missouri. The pair met in prison while serving a previous sentence for a drug-trafficking crime. At her guilty plea hearing last year, Phillips admitted that she intended to distribute the controlled substances. After serving her sentence, Phillips will be placed on a three-year term of supervised release.

    This case was investigated by the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jack Koester handled the prosecution for the Government.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Louis County Felon Admits Gun Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon caught video calling a jail inmate while displaying firearms pleaded guilty to a gun charge Thursday.

    In June of 2024, Bruce Donta Robinson, 28, contacted an inmate at a detention facility in Pulaski County, Illinois via video call. During the call, Robinson can be seen with what appeared to be two semi-automatic weapons. Robinson is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms. He was also on supervised release from a prior gun crime at the time.

    After reviewing the video call, the FBI obtained a court-approved search warrant for Robinson’s St. Louis County residence. Agents found a loaded Polymer 80 semi-automatic pistol with no serial number and a large capacity magazine, a loaded Glock .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol with a laser attachment and a stolen Rock River Arms AR-15 pistol with a large capacity magazine.
        
    Robinson pleaded guilty to one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
    The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Goeke is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien from Costa Rica Sentenced for Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MILTON RAYO CASTILLO (“RAYO CASTILLO”), age 26, a native of Costa Rica, was sentenced on January 28. 2025 by United States District Judge Wendy Vitter, for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).  RAYO CATILLO was sentenced to fifty-two (52) months incarceration, supervised release for three (3) years, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to the indictment, on or about March 10, 2024, RAYO CASTILLO, an alien illegally present in the United States, was found in possession of a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, after brandishing the weapon at a patron at a Kenner, Louisiana restaurant.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawton Couple Charged with Child Sex Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal Grand Jury has charged JACKIE ANTONIO DUNCAN, 35, and NIA HALL, 30, both of Lawton, with sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

    According to public record, in May 2024, two juveniles ran away from a juvenile group home in Lawton, Oklahoma, and were entered into law enforcement databases as missing juveniles. One of the juveniles was located by officers with the Plano Police Department on July 16, 2024, at a motel in Collin County, Texas, where she disclosed she and the other missing juvenile had been sex-trafficked.  The juvenile told officers that after she and the other juvenile had fled the group home, they were approached by two people, later identified as Hall and Duncan, at a gas station. The juveniles began living with Hall and Duncan, who soon after transported the juveniles to various cities in Texas, where they performed sex acts for money, which Hall and Duncan kept. In return, the juveniles were provided food and shelter. The juvenile told authorities she had recently escaped Hall and Duncan’s car in the Dallas area. On September 30, 2024, the second juvenile was found and recovered in San Antonio, Texas.  She recounted a similar story of being sex-trafficked by Hall and Duncan in exchange for food and shelter. During the investigation, local and federal law enforcement reviewed sex advertisements associated with Hall. These advertisements contained photos of the juveniles.

    Public record further reflects that Hall and Duncan were arrested on December 16, 2024. On January 21, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a three-count Indictment against Duncan and Hall, charging them with sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. If found guilty, Hall and Duncan face up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count.

    The public is reminded these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, Lawton Police Department, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Control, Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas State Police, San Antonio Police Department, Plano Police Department, and Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Ganz and Brandon Hale are prosecuting the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

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