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  • MIL-OSI Security: Gunman Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking Crime that Killed Two People

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rafael Antonio Torres, 21, of West Jordan, Utah, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, and five years’ supervised release for a January 2023 shooting in which two people were shot and killed.  

    The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball, represents the mandatory minimum sentence allowed by law. Torres was originally charged by indictment in March 2024.

    According to court documents and statements made at his change of plea and sentencing hearing, Torres admitted to discharging a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Information presented at sentencing revealed that on January 31, 2023, Torres and a relative had met in the parking lot of a Taylorsville apartment complex with a potential customer seeking to purchase THC vape cartridges.  Shortly before midnight, Taylorsville police responded to multiple calls of “shots fired” and located two deceased men in a vehicle that had crashed into a snowbank. Witnesses described a third person, later identified as Torres, fleeing from the vehicle’s rear seat.

    In a statement to police shortly after the incident, Torres admitted to having been the rear seat passenger, and confirmed that he had been armed with a handgun.  Torres further admitted that he fired at least one round at the front seat passenger.  

    According to court documents, Taylorsville Police recovered THC cartridges and two firearms from the crashed vehicle, one firearm with each of the deceased men. Forensic tests later determined that the two men had shot and killed each other.  Further forensic testing confirmed that a third gun had been fired inside the vehicle. The third firearm, belonging to Torres, was not recovered until months later when a citizen located it under heavy brush and reported it to Taylorsville Police.  

    “This case is a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of mixing drug trafficking with firearms. Two young men lost their lives and a third must now be imprisoned,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute gun crimes, particularly when they result in a loss of life. I commend the outstanding work of the Taylorsville Police Department and prosecutors for their work in bringing this case to a resolution.”

    “We appreciate the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting this case, thereby giving some sense of justice to the victims’ families and the community,” said Detective Kevin Barrett of the Taylorsville City Police Department. “As law enforcement partners, the Taylorsville City Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to stand together fighting neighborhood drug crimes, especially when they involve violence.”

    The case was investigated by the Taylorsville Police Department.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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 gun violence and other violent crime, 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.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Former West Virginia Correctional Officer of Conspiracy, Witness Tampering, and False Statements Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After four days of trial, a federal jury convicted former West Virginia correctional officer Chad Lester, 35, of Odd, on Monday, January 27, 2025, of conspiracy to engage in witness tampering, witness tampering, and making false statements in connection with an assault by other correctional officers that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B, on March 1, 2022.

    Evidence at trial proved that while a lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, Lester conspired with other officers to cover up the use of unlawful force on Q.B. Lester instructed correctional officers to provide false statements to state investigators and added false and misleading information to a correctional officer’s official jail incident report. On or about October 5, 2023, Lester made false statements to the FBI about the circumstances surrounding Q.B.’s injuries and death.

    “Mr. Lester was the ringleader of the effort to cover up this horrific beating and keep the truth from the light of justice. He obviously failed at that,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “I grew up with a strong sense of conviction to protect people who were being taken advantage of by people who were stronger, more powerful or smarter than they were. I always felt that if I could make things right, I should. This is a case where I got that opportunity, with the assistance of the investigators, the trial team and all those who helped hold Mr. Lester and the other defendants accountable.”

    Evidence at trial showed that on March 1, 2022, correctional officers used unreasonable force while restraining Q.B. after he tried to push past officers and leave his assigned pod. Several officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to push past officers and leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room knowing it was a “blind spot” at the jail — meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened inside the room. Officers used unreasonable force against Q.B. in the interview room, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Officers continued to use unreasonable force on Q.B. while transporting him from the interview room to the jail’s A-Pod, during which time he became limp and was unable to walk on his own.

    Lester instructed correctional officers to include false information in their incident reports, as well as to leave out relevant, truthful information about the assault. Lester retaliated against officers he suspected of having provided truthful information to state investigators by threatening to assault them and by giving them difficult and undesirable work assignments at the jail. Lester also threatened a correctional officer, stating that he would assault anyone who provided truthful information about the circumstances of Q.B.’s injuries and death. Lester also provided false statements to the FBI about the circumstances surrounding officers’ unlawful use of force against Q.B.

    Lester is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison.

    Lester is among six former Southern Regional Jail correctional officers indicted in connection with the assault and death of Q.B. and the subsequent cover-up. Lester’s co-defendants previously pleaded guilty:

    • Ashley Toney, 25, of Fairdale, and Jacob Boothe, 27, of Rainelle, each pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to violating inmate Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene to protect Q.B. from the use of unreasonable force by other correctional officers. Toney and Boothe each pleaded guilty to a criminal information in lieu of the offenses charged in the indictment. Toney is scheduled to be sentenced on February 19, 2025, and Boothe is scheduled to be sentenced on February 18, 2025.
    • Mark Holdren, 40, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on November 13, 2024, to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil by using unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Holdren is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2025.
    • Johnathan Walters, 33, of Rainelle, pleaded guilty on November 18, 2024, and Cory Snyder, 30, of Shady Spring, pleaded guilty November 19, 2024, each to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights by using unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Walter and Snyder are scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2025.

    Prior to the indictment, on November 2, 2023, former Southern Regional Jail correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer, 25, of Bluefield, and Andrew Fleshman, 22, of Shady Spring, eachseparately pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate the civil rights of inmate Q.B. by using unreasonable force against him. Wimmer and Fleshman are scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2025.

    The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency conducted the investigation.

    United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the jury trial. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-188.

    ###

     

    A video of the post-trial press conference is available on the office’s YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/CyfBRNXRAiw?si=LLriktDRYhnxnd2q.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbia County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Jacksonville, FL – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced William Ervin Daniels (45, Lake City) to 20 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse material. He pleaded guilty on September 24, 2024.

    According to court documents, on November 16, 2023, Daniels distributed two videos containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) in a group called “Da Litl Kidz Gc” on a social media application. He identified his name and phone number in his account profile on the app. Daniels was also listed as an administrator for the group to which he distributed the videos. Moreover, his phone contained a cache of thousands of videos and images of CSAM. During the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Daniels had abused a minor in his care on at least two occasions.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Video: ICC ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC briefs the UNSC on the Situation in Darfur, Sudan

    Source: International Criminal Court (video statements)

    On 27 January 2025, ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC briefed the UN Security Council on the Situation in Darfur, Sudan, pursuant to Resolution 1593 (2005), live from New York.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRdFEBOfkWM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Presidential Inauguration Security and Support | CBP

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided security and support for the 60th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025.

    On Saturday January 18, 2025, Chief of the United States Capitol Police John Thomas Manger swore in more than 500 CBP officers and agents to perform the duties and responsibilities as Capitol Police officers for the 60th presidential inauguration security.

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    #cbp
    #inauguration
    #lawenforcement
    #president

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O68cumBXus

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: VA Resources to End Veteran Homelessness 01.14.2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This webinar provides VA CFBNP partners with information about the VA’s resources and efforts to End Veteran Homelessness. This presentation is open to Veterans, their families, their beneficiaries, and the general public.

    The panelists for this training are:

    1. Shawn Liu, Director of Communications, Homeless Programs Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkjMwGjT5mo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City’s iconic Grade I listed building planning to open later this year

    Source: City of Norwich

    Published on Tuesday, 28th January 2025

    Councillors are set to approve new investment in The Halls as part of its on-going and extensive refurbishment programme at a cabinet meeting next month.

    The Halls, a medieval friary complex dating back to the 14th century, have been undergoing extensive refurbishment and improvement works, however, a recent survey to Blackfriars Hall roof has identified further repairs and investment to ensure its longevity. 

    It means The Halls are likely to open later this year. 

    Councillor Claire Kidman, cabinet member for a Prosperous Norwich, said: “We were on target to reopen the beautifully restored building within the next couple of months. But after discovering some pretty major repair work that needed to be done to Blackfriars roof, it means that will now come a bit later in the year. So, we will build that into our new programme of work as we need to make sure we get this right and ensure The Halls are properly restored to their former glory and rightful place as one of Norwich and England’s medieval gems.”

    The survey revealed that works carried out to the roof approximately 80 to 100 years ago had caused a build of moisture in the timber structure due to a plastic sheeting installed at the time.

    It means councillors will be asked to approve repairs and upgrades to the cornices, rafters and bosses in the roof, and some electrical upgrades of around £900,000, from the council’s capital fund to make The Halls fit for public use. In addition to the repairs councillors will be asked to approve a tender exercise, to consider an outside organisation to take over the day-to-day operations of The Halls.

    Cllr Kidman added: “Once open, the newly refurbished Halls will be one of the most iconic venues in East England and further bolster the city’s status as one Europe’s most go-to historic and cultural destinations.” 

    Councillors will discuss the reports at the cabinet meeting on 5 February.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CBO’s Waterfall Model for Projecting Discretionary Spending, January 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    This interactive waterfall model is a simplified version of a model used by CBO’s analysts to develop the agency’s baseline projections of discretionary spending, as well as cost estimates for legislation that authorizes discretionary spending. It is called a “waterfall” model because it allows the user to see how projections of outlays flow from each year’s estimated budget authority.

    This model is designed to illustrate the methodology CBO uses to project discretionary spending. The budget authority and outlay data generated by the model do not constitute a CBO estimate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From Humans to Canines: NMRTC Twentynine Palms corpsmen cross-train with Army vets

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms corpsmen have been participating in cross-training sessions with Army veterinarians at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), enhancing their readiness to provide medical care to military working dogs (MWDs) in field and deployed settings.

    The initiative, spearheaded by Army Capt. Andrea Lin, Officer in Charge of the MCAGCC Veterinary Section, and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Neal Petersen, provides corpsmen with hands-on experience in veterinary care. Since September of 2024, corpsmen have been invited to attend bi-monthly training sessions to observe and practice key veterinary techniques, including intravenous (IV) catheter placement, endotracheal intubation, and anesthesia monitoring. These skills are critical for providing point-of-injury care and stabilizing MWDs when veterinary specialists are unavailable.

    “This cross-training is invaluable for fostering collaboration and ensuring we’re prepared to care for MWDs,” said Lin, who joined the Army two years ago after working as a civilian veterinarian for over eight years. “It’s also a great opportunity for our team to develop leadership skills and confidence by teaching others.”

    The Veterinary Section at MCAGCC is responsible for the medical care of the installation’s MWDs, including 24/7 emergency services and routine health maintenance. The team also ensures food safety for service members, families, and civilians by inspecting commissaries, mess halls, and other food facilities on base.

    During recent training sessions, corpsmen observed and assisted with various procedures, including a spay (ovariohysterectomy) on a husky, a neuter (orchiectomy) on a shepherd mix, and suturing a laceration on a visiting MWD. These sessions also included detailed comparisons of medications and techniques used in human versus veterinary medicine.

    MWDs are indispensable members of the armed forces, serving in roles ranging from explosive detection to patrol. However, they face unique health challenges, including musculoskeletal injuries, paw pad lacerations, and heat-related conditions. Cross-training ensures that corpsmen can provide immediate, effective care in the absence of veterinary staff.

    “There are not enough Veterinary Corps Officers (VCOs) or Army Veterinary Care Specialists (68T) to provide all MWD care in a deployment setting. We rely on the first line medics such as Army 68W and Navy Corpsmen to know and apply Canine TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) in the field,” explained Lin. “Training like this bridges gaps and enhances inter-branch collaboration.”

    “Training with the corpsmen allows for better care in the field when there may not frequently be an Army vet staff member present, so that the working dogs can get the immediate first aid that they need before they can be transferred to a better location for more extensive treatment,” added Pfc. Amelia Knosp, an Animal Care Specialist from Fremont, Nebraska. “Personally, it has also allowed me to interact with more of my peers on base and given me opportunities to teach that I may not have gotten in other settings, especially as a lower enlisted member.”

    Corpsmen participating in the program have brought a wealth of enthusiasm and curiosity, impressing the Army veterinarians with their skills and confidence.

    “The corpsmen are a lot of fun to work with,” expressed Angela Adkerson, an experienced civilian Animal Health Assistant from Brisbane, Australia who moved to Twentynine Palms with her family in 2014. “While they may not know the ins and outs of veterinary medicine, many of them enjoy noting the differences between human medical care and animal medical care. They enjoy the new opportunities they get to try, like using our model dog as a learning tool for things such as IV placement, intubation, and CPR.”

    The training has also allowed corpsmen to draw parallels between human and veterinary medicine.

    “The vets were great with medical education. They allowed me to help them with procedures and observe their work. I saw how preoperative and postoperative care are similar,” said Hospitalman Jessica Sanderson from San Tan Valley, Arizona. “My takeaway from this experience is you’ll never know what kind of patient you’ll have. Being ready with proper training will help with future triaging and understanding that there can always be something new to learn.”

    “The most challenging aspect of observing the surgeries was learning about the anatomical differences between canines and humans, especially while finding landmarks for intubation and with the actual spay or neuter,” explained Hospitalman Hailey Alaguena, a corpsman from San Jose, California. “It was interesting as well to learn about how certain medications used in the clinic have reversal agents that would otherwise not work if administered to humans.”

    “I observed how quickly and efficiently veterinary teams must work to minimize an animal’s time under anesthesia,” said Hospitalman John Udanoh, a corpsman from Detroit, Michigan. “Working closely with a veterinary team teaches you a lot about precision, quick decision making and the unique aspect of animal care. As a corpsman, this helps improve our adaptability and overall skills.”

    The cross-training program not only enhances medical readiness but also fosters camaraderie and mutual respect among service members from different branches.

    “We’re all on the same team,” said Lin. “Collaborating in this way prepares us to better support each other in a deployed setting.”

    As the program continues, the participating corpsmen at NMRTC Twentynine Palms are gaining valuable skills that will enhance their ability to provide comprehensive care to animals when needed, helping ensure mission readiness across both branches of service.

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  • MIL-Evening Report: Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art is now charging for entry. It’s a sign our cultural sector needs help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chiara O’Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Museum Studies, University of Sydney

    From January 31, Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) will reintroduce ticketed entry, charging adults $20 for general admission and $35 for combined special exhibitions and museum entry. Entry will remain free for Australian students and people under 18.

    This decision, which reverses 24 years of free general entry to the museum, reflects broader challenges faced by museums globally.

    Driven by philanthropy

    The MCA was opened in 1991, established through the bequest of Australian expatriate artist John Power. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, its administrative and financial structure is different from major cultural institutions in Sydney.

    Unlike the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Australian Museum, which are statutory bodies of the NSW government, the MCA receives a far smaller proportion of state funding.

    For 2023-2024, the NSW government delivered A$46.2 million in recurrent funding to the Art Gallery of NSW and $47.4 million to the Australian Museum. The MCA received $4.2 million, which represented just 16% of its total revenue.

    This funding disparity has always required the MCA to secure the bulk of its budget through other revenue streams. Corporate and philanthropic partnerships have been vital.

    In 2000, financial support from Telstra allowed the museum to offer free admission. In 2012, philanthropists including Simon and Catriona Mordant contributed greatly to fund the museum’s expansion.

    The MCA has also been proactive in leveraging its venue to maximise income. In 2023, 41% of revenue was earned through commercial services including venue hire, retail and commercial leases.

    Why there’s no more free entry

    Despite reducing its opening hours to six days a week post-COVID and scaling back audience engagement, the MCA’s financial pressures continued. According to director Suzanne Cotter, the museum “didn’t have any choice” but to implement an admission fee.

    While ticketed admission creates a financial barrier, it also provides visitors a way to invest directly in the museum’s future and sustainability.

    The MCA has consistently demonstrated its value, generating impressive visitor numbers. In 2019, attendance surpassed one million visitors, setting the museum ahead of many international peers.

    But the effects of the COVID pandemic have lingered. In 2022-23, the museum attracted 859,386 visitors – a 15% decline compared to 2019.

    In comparison, the Art Gallery of NSW welcomed almost two million visitors to its expanded campus in 2023, representing a 51% increase from pre-COVID figures.

    The MCA isn’t struggling alone

    Internationally, there are clear signs of an industry under immense pressure.

    Major US institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Guggenheim and Whitney have all increased general adult admission fees to US$30.

    The Met’s shift away from a pay-what-you-can model to fixed admission for most visitors in 2018 was driven by speculation of a US$40 million deficit. However, New York state residents and students, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut students, can still pay what they wish – even as little as one cent.

    Similarly, at the Whitney, a US$2 million donation last year by Trustee and artist Julie Mehretu has helped enable free entry for under-25s.

    These examples show how paying visitors can support a museum’s sustainability while preserving subsidised access for priority groups.

    Across Europe, major museums including the Louvre and Uffizi are also increasing prices, though many retain periodic free days to ensure accessibility.

    In the UK, smaller regional museums are resorting to admission charges for the first time in their histories.

    Meanwhile, commentators such as cultural historian Ben Lewis argue major institutions such as the British Museum should start charging general admission fees to supplement stagnant government funding and decrease dependence on potentially unethical corporate donors.

    This would allow the museums to pay competitive wages and fund essential work, Lewis argues.

    Lewis’s concerns about corporate donations accord with debates taking place internationally and in Australia around the role of big oil, mining and pharmaceutical companies that use the arts to “greenwash” their public brand.

    Can accessiblity be prioritised in Australia?

    The MCA’s situation, which reflects international trends, raises questions about arts funding and access.

    Both the NSW and federal governments’ arts policies recognise the value of providing access to the arts. As the NSW government’s Creative Communities policy notes, “the right to participate in arts, cultural and creative activities is a fundamental human right.”

    The MCA excelled in this regard under its free admission policy, attracting a diverse audience that other museums often struggled to reach. In 2023, about half of the museums on-site visitors were under 35, and 45% were from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

    The NSW government’s policy – along with its national counterpart Revive – also emphasises the importance of telling Australian stories. This is another area the MCA has excelled in.

    The question then is: if the state and federal governments value equitable access to the arts and appreciates the platforming of Australian stories, will they commit to a more sustainable funding arrangement for organisations like the MCA?

    Without such a commitment, the gap between those who can afford to attend museums and those who can’t will continue to widen – compromising the democratic ideal of an accessible cultural sector.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art is now charging for entry. It’s a sign our cultural sector needs help – https://theconversation.com/sydneys-museum-of-contemporary-art-is-now-charging-for-entry-its-a-sign-our-cultural-sector-needs-help-247458

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Celermajer, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Sydney

    As the 2019-2020 megafires took hold across eastern Australia, many of us reeled at the sight of animals trying and often failing to flee. Our screens filled up with images of koalas with burned paws and possums in firefighter helmets.

    The death toll was staggering, estimated at up to three billion wild animals killed or displaced. Millions more were severely injured. Tens of thousands of domesticated animals were killed or had to be euthanised.

    In fighting these fires, authorities focused almost entirely on protecting human lives and property, other than targeted rescue efforts for the last remaining wild stand of Wollemi pine. The role of rescuing and caring for domesticated and wild animals fell almost entirely to community groups and individual carers, who stepped up to fill the gap at significant cost to themselves – financially, emotionally and sometimes even at a risk to their safety.

    Our new research draws on more than 60 interviews with wildlife carers and groups in the Shoalhaven region south of Wollongong in New South Wales. These people spontaneously organised themselves to care for thousands of domesticated, farm and wild animals, from evacuating them from fire zones to giving them shelter, food, water and healthcare.

    The lengths our interviewees went to were extraordinary. But these rescue efforts were largely invisible to authorities – and, as our interviewees told us, sometimes even condemned as irresponsible.

    What did our interviews tell us?

    The standard view in Australia is that only humans matter in the face of bushfires. But the way affected communities reached out to save as many animals as they could shows many people think we ought to be acting differently.

    One interviewee told about screaming for “her babies” as Rural Fire Service firefighters evacuated her. In response, the firies searched the house for human babies to no avail. When they found out she meant her wombat joeys, they laughed in relief. But to our interviewee, the joeys were like her babies. The joeys were safe inside her house.

    People cared for a wide range of species, from horses, chickens, bees and cows to native birds, possums, wombats and wallabies. Despite this, we found common themes.

    Many people felt the system had let them down when it came to protecting animals. This is why many of them felt they had to take matters into their own hands to ensure that animals survived.

    As one interviewee told us:

    one thing that you have to realise, is people’s animals are their children, and they are their life. If you let someone think that their animal isn’t safe, they will put themselves in danger to try and get to that animal or save that animal […] That’s one thing the firies — you know, if they’re not an animal compassionate person, they don’t get that.

    While some guidance on disaster preparation talks about how to protect pets such as cats and dogs, wildlife carers, farmers and horse owners often found themselves facing incoming fires with little or no information or support.

    People also told us about a lack of information on how to care for different types of animals during disasters. Information was often nonexistent or hard to locate, making decision-making during the crisis very difficult.

    As one farmer told us:

    there’s not any information on realistically what you do with your animals in a case of […] a massive disaster. I mean, it’s like someone said about cutting the fences. But now you’ve got stocking cattle running through the bush and they don’t know where the fire’s going to turn or what’s going to happen.

    The needs of animals differ significantly. It’s harder to find shelter for a horse than a smaller animal, for instance. Wildlife being cared for already need assistance, due to being orphaned, injured or ill. It’s harder to evacuate injured animals or joeys who need regular feeding than it is to evacuate healthy adult animals.

    Our interviewees reported price spikes for transport, food, temporary fencing and medicines during the 2019-2020 emergency season. Caring for animals always comes with costs, but the cost burden intensified over the Black Summer and afterwards.

    Caring for animals came with another cost too, to mental health. Many of our interviewees told us they still felt traumatised, even though our interviews were two or three years after the fires.

    As one interviewee told us:

    the people at Lake Conjola […] said it was like an apocalypse. They said there was dead birds dropping out of the sky. Kangaroos would come hopping out of the bush on fire […] I know it really heavily affected most people on the beach, the horrific things that they saw.

    Despite facing a lack of formal support and with limited information, people organised themselves very quickly into networks to share access to safe land, transport, food, labour and information. Dedicated people set up social media groups to allocate tasks, call for help and so on. This unsung animal rescue effort was almost entirely driven by volunteers.

    What should we do before the next megafires?

    Australia will inevitably be hit by more megafires, as climate change brings more hot, dry fire weather and humidity falls over land.

    What would it mean to include animals in our planning? To start with, more and better information for wildlife carers, farmers, pet owners and the wider community. It would mean directing more funds to animal care, both during and after disasters, and including animal care in local, state and federal disaster planning. It would mean improving communication networks so people know where to go.

    To this end, we developed a new guide for communities wanting to be better prepared to help animals in the next disaster. We prototyped an app designed to help communities organise themselves in order to help animals during disasters.

    The scale of the Black Summer fires found governments and communities largely
    unprepared. But we are now in a position to learn from what happened.

    As authorities prepare for the next fires, they should broaden how they think about disaster preparation. Our research suggests disaster planning needs to take place at a community level, rather than a focus on individual households. And vitally, authorities need to think of communities as made up of both humans and animals, rather than just humans.

    This research project was funded by the Australian government via a Bushfire Recovery Grant from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. It was conducted in partnership with the Shoalhaven City Council. This article was prepared solely by the University of Sydney research team and reflects our research and analysis only.

    This research project was funded by the Australian government via a Bushfire Recovery Grant from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. It was conducted in partnership with the Shoalhaven City Council.

    – ref. As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost – https://theconversation.com/as-the-black-summer-megafires-neared-people-rallied-to-save-wildlife-and-domestic-animals-but-it-came-at-a-real-cost-248432

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s in the supplements that claim to help you cut down on bathroom breaks? And do they work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University

    Christian Moro/Shutterstock

    With one in four Australian adults experiencing problems with incontinence, some people look to supplements for relief.

    With ingredients such as pumpkin seed oil and soybean extract, a range of products promise relief from frequent bathroom trips.

    But do they really work? Let’s sift through the claims and see what the science says about their efficacy.

    What is incontinence?

    Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control, leading to the unintentional leakage of urine or faeces. It can range from occasional minor leaks to a complete inability to control urination and defecation.

    This condition can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life, and affects women more often than it affects men.

    Some people don’t experience bladder leakage but can sometimes feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. This is known as overactive bladder syndrome, and occurs when the muscles around the bladder tighten on their own, which greatly reduces its capacity. The result is the person feels the need to go to the bathroom much more frequently.

    There are many potential causes of incontinence and overactive bladders, including menopause, pregnancy and child birth, urinary tract infections, pelvic floor disorders, and an enlarged prostate. Conditions such as diabetes, neurological disorders and certain medications (such as diuretics, sleeping pills, antidepressants and blood-pressure drugs) can also contribute.

    While pelvic muscle rehabilitation and behavioural techniques for bladder retraining can be helpful, some people are interested in pharmaceutical solutions.

    What’s in these products?

    A number of supplements are available in Australia that include ingredients used in traditional medicine for urinary incontinence and overactive bladders. The three most common ingredients are:

    • Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed extract)

    • glycine max (soybean extract)

    • an extract from the bark of the Crateva magna or nurvala (Varuna) tree.

    The supplements have common ingredients.
    Author

    How are they supposed to work?

    Pumpkin seeds are rich in plant sterols that are thought to reduce the testosterone-related enlargement of the prostate, as well as having broader anti-inflammatory effects. The seed extracts can also contain oleic acid, which may help increase bladder capacity by relaxing the muscles around the organ.

    Soybean extracts are rich in isoflavones, especially daidzen and genistein. Like olieic acid, these are thought to act on the muscles around the bladder. Because isoflavones are similar in structure to the female hormone oestrogen, soy extracts may be most beneficial for postmenopausal women who have overactive bladders.

    Crateva extract is rich in lupeol- and sterol-based chemicals which have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This has benefits not just for enlarged prostates but possibly also for reducing urinary tract infections.

    Do they actually work?

    It’s important to note that the government has only approved these types of supplements as “listed medicines”. This means the ingredients have only been assessed for safety. The companies behind the products have not had to provide evidence they actually work.

    A 2014 clinical trial examined a combined pumpkin seed and soybean extract called cucurflavone on people with overactive bladders. The 120 participants received either a placebo or a daily 1,000mg dose of the herbal mixture over a period of 12 weeks.

    By the end of study, those in the cucurflavone group went to the bathroom around three fewer times per day, compared with people in the control group, who only went to the bathroom on average one fewer time each day.

    In a different trial, researchers examined a combination of Crateva bark extract with herbal extracts of horsetail and Japanese evergreen spicebush, called Urox.

    For the 150 participants, the Urox formulation helped participants go to the bathroom less frequently when compared with placebo treatment.

    After eight weeks of treatment, participants in the placebo group were going to the bathroom to urinate 11 times per day. Those in the Urox group were only going around to 7.5 times per day. And those who took Urox also needed to go to the bathroom one fewer time during the night.

    Finally, another study also examined a Creteva, horsetail and Japanese spicebush combination, but this time in children. They were given either a 420mg dose of the supplement or a placebo, and then monitored for how many times they wet the bed.

    After two months of taking the supplement, slightly more than 40% of the 24 kids in the supplement group wet the bed less often.

    While these results may look promising, there are considerable limitations to the studies which means the data may not be reliable. For example, the trials didn’t include enough participants to have reliable data. To conclusively provide efficacy, final-stage clinical trials require data for between 300 and 3,000 patients.

    From the studies, it is also not clear whether some participants were also taking other medicines as well as the supplement. This is important, as medications can interfere with how the supplements work, potentially making them less or more effective.

    What if you want to take them?

    If you have incontinence or an overactive bladder, you should always discuss this with your doctor, as it may due to a serious or treatable underlying condition.

    Otherwise, your GP may give you strategies or exercises to improve your bladder control, prescribe medications or devices, or refer you to a specialist.

    If you do decide to take a supplement, discuss this with your doctor and local pharmacist so they can check that any product you choose will not interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

    Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, a member of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design, and testing.

    – ref. What’s in the supplements that claim to help you cut down on bathroom breaks? And do they work? – https://theconversation.com/whats-in-the-supplements-that-claim-to-help-you-cut-down-on-bathroom-breaks-and-do-they-work-245755

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As the Myanmar junta’s hold on power weakens, could the devastating war be nearing a conclusion?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    It has now been four years since the Myanmar military launched its cataclysmic coup against the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1 2021, starting a civil war that has devastated the country.

    Suu Kyi remains locked up, as do countless other activists and regime opponents. There is no easy resolution in sight.

    Indeed, the country is at a nadir. The war has sparked an economic crisis that has destroyed Myanmar’s health and education systems. Half the population now lives in poverty, double the rate from before the coup. The deteriorating electricity network causes widespread blackouts.

    According to the United Nations, more than 5,000 civilians have been killed and 3.3 million people have been displaced by the fighting. More than 27,000 people have also been arrested, with reports of sexual violence and torture rife.

    Nevertheless, opposition forces – including ethnic armies and the People’s Defence Force militias drawn from the civilian population – have been gathering strength, with a string of victories against the junta’s army.

    The regime now controls less than half the country. And recent strategic losses are weighing heavily on the military leaders, raising questions about whether the government could suddenly collapse like the Assad regime in Syria late last year.

    As the war enters a fifth year, there are two significant things to watch that could determine the country’s future – the battleground gains made by the opposition forces and the state of the failing economy.

    Junta under pressure on the battlefield

    Following the opposition Three Brotherhood Alliance’s battleground successes in late 2023, China brokered a ceasefire between the junta and alliance in northern Shan State.

    When that ceasefire ended last June, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), one of the members of the alliance, captured the key trading town of Lashio, as well as the junta’s nearby Northeast Regional Military Command. It was the first time one of the 14 regional military commands had fallen to an opposition group in more than 50 years of military rule.

    China has recently brokered another ceasefire between the MNDAA and the military, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. The terms have not been made public, but unless the insurgents relinquish Lashio and the military command – which is unlikely – it won’t alter the balance of power.

    In December, the military lost another command centre in Rakhine State in western Myanmar to the Arakan Army, another member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance. The Arakan Army now controls 14 of that state’s 17 townships.

    The Arakan Army, too, said recently it is open to political dialogue to potentially end the fighting. But it, too, is only likely to stop its military offensives for extremely favourable terms.

    In a major study undertaken in late 2024, the BBC assessed the junta only had full control of 21% of Myanmar’s territory. Ethnic armies and other opposition forces controlled 42% of the country, while the remaining areas were contested.

    In response, the junta has intensified its “scorched earth” tactics in areas outside its control, including indiscriminate and deliberate strikes against civilians. With dwindling reserves of willing fighters, air power is the main combat advantage it holds over the opposition forces.

    Economic woes

    Myanmar’s economic situation four years after the coup shows, starkly, just how much has been lost.

    Myanmar is now experiencing a full-blown economic and currency crisis.

    The incremental gains in economic development, education, nutrition and health care of recent decades have been reversed very quickly. Three-quarters of the population is now living a subsistence existence.

    Many young people are fleeing abroad, joining resistance groups, or eking out dangerous livelihoods on the margins. To make matters worse, the junta activated a longstanding but dormant conscription law last February to boost its dwindling forces. Those who refuse the draft face five years in prison.

    In response to the Arakan Army’s successes, the junta is also isolating much of Rakhine State. This is contributing to widespread poverty and a looming famine, which could affect two million people.

    And in an attempt to control the digital space, the junta enacted a sweeping new cybersecurity law earlier this month. People can now be imprisoned for using a virtual private network or sharing information from banned websites, among many other offences.

    Could Myanmar fall apart?

    The ASEAN regional bloc, chaired by Malaysia this year, has done little to solve the crisis, although it hasn’t accepted the junta’s hollow plans to hold elections this year.

    Disagreements among the ASEAN members over strategy have ensured that little progress has been made. Thailand recently broke ranks to invite the junta’s foreign minister to regional talks about border security, even though the junta currently controls few of the country’s borders.

    An accelerated economic deterioration could contribute to further unrest and drive even more migrants to neighbouring countries. Already, the millions of Myanmar migrants living in Thailand have precipitated anti-migrant protests and mass arrests.

    So, given the combustible state of the country, could the junta’s hold on power suddenly collapse like the Assad regime in Syria last year?

    It’s not likely. Unlike Syria, the opposition in Myanmar is not heavily backed by major international players. China’s support for various insurgent actors comes and goes depending on political calculations, while the United States and European Union have provided little material support.

    In addition, the military has been effectively running Myanmar for 60 years and is well practised in counterinsurgency strategies. Although defections from the military continue, the conscription law is bolstering its numbers of – mostly reluctant – soldiers.

    However, the fall of Syria’s oppressive government – as well as the government in Myanmar’s neighbour, Bangladesh – demonstrates how fragile long-standing regimes can be, particularly when faced with persistent challenges from armed groups and a motivated population.

    And as in Syria, there are fears – particularly within China – that Myanmar could splinter along ethnic lines. The deteriorating security situation has led China to send its own private security corporations to secure its strategic investments in the country and become an active ceasefire deal-maker.

    Even if the junta can be ousted, creating a workable federal system that involves power-sharing among the complex patchwork of ethnic groups will be a difficult task. The question of how to reintegrate nearly a million Rohingya displaced across the border in Bangladesh is another daunting challenge.

    However, for the first time in years, there is optimism that opposition forces could eventually succeed in vanquishing the junta. Then begins the arduous task of rebuilding a shattered nation.

    As a pro vice-chancellor at the University of Tasmania, Nicholas Farrelly engages with a wide range of organisations and stakeholders on educational, cultural and political issues, including at the ASEAN-Australia interface. He has previously received funding from the Australian government for Southeast Asia-related projects and from the Australian Research Council. Nicholas is on the advisory board of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, which is a new Australian government body, and also deputy chair of the board of NAATI, Australia’s government-owned accreditation authority for translators and interpreters. He writes in his personal capacity.

    Adam Simpson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. As the Myanmar junta’s hold on power weakens, could the devastating war be nearing a conclusion? – https://theconversation.com/as-the-myanmar-juntas-hold-on-power-weakens-could-the-devastating-war-be-nearing-a-conclusion-247987

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Babies as young as 4 months can tell how the sounds of different languages are made – new research

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eylem Altuntas, Postdoctoral Researcher, Speech & Language Development, The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University

    Colin Maynard/Unsplash

    Babies are like little detectives, constantly piecing together clues about the world around them. If you’ve ever noticed your baby staring at you while you talk, it’s because they’re picking up on more than just sounds — they’re learning how those sounds are made.

    Our recent study, published in Developmental Science, shows this amazing process starts as early as four months old, shaking up the old belief that babies learn these patterns only after tuning in to their native language between 6 and 12 months of age.

    It also gives us an earlier window to help children who might be at risk of speech or language delays.

    Sorting through a buffet of sounds

    By their first birthday, babies are already fine-tuning their ears to the sounds of their native language in a process called perceptual attunement. Think of it like their brain sorting through a buffet of sounds to focus on the ones that matter most.

    But in their first six months, babies can tell apart sounds from languages they’ve never even heard. For example, they might distinguish certain Hindi contrasts that are challenging for adult English speakers or identify unique tones in Mandarin, even if they’re growing up in an English-speaking household.

    This incredible ability doesn’t last forever. Between six and 12 months, babies start narrowing their focus to the sounds they hear most often. For vowels, this fine-tuning kicks in at around six months while consonants follow at closer to ten months.

    Think of it as babies zooming in on the sounds that matter, such as the difference between the “r” and “l” in English, while losing sensitivity to sounds they don’t hear regularly.

    Until now, researchers thought this narrowing process was needed for babies to start learning more complex language skills, such as figuring out that the “b” in “bin” and the “d” in “din” differ because one is made with the lips and the other with the tongue tip.

    But our study found babies as young as four months are already learning how sounds are physically made, long before this narrowing begins.

    In their first six months, babies can tell apart sounds from languages they’ve never even heard.
    Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko/Shutterstock

    Learning mini-languages

    Here’s an example to picture this. Imagine you’re listening to someone speak a language you don’t know. Even if you don’t understand the words, you might notice how their lips or tongue move to make sounds. Four-month-old babies can do this too.

    To demonstrate this, we conducted an experiment with 34 babies, aged four to six months, whose parents had provided consent to participate. We created a “match-the-pattern” game using two made up mini-languages.

    One language had words with lip sounds like “b” and “v”, while the other used tongue-tip sounds like “d” and “z”. Each word, like “bivawo” or “dizalo”, was paired with a cartoon image — a jellyfish for lip words and a crab for tongue-tip words. A recording of a word was played at the same time its paired image was shown.

    Why cartoons? Because babies can’t exactly tell us what they’re thinking, but they can form associations in their brains. These images helped us see if the babies could link each mini-language to the correct picture.

    After the babies learned these mini-languages and their picture pairings, we mixed things up.

    Instead of hearing the words, they watched silent videos of a person’s face saying new words from the same mini-languages.

    In some videos, the face matched the cartoon they had learned earlier. In others, it didn’t. We then tracked how long the babies looked at the videos — a common method researchers use to see what grabs their attention. Babies tend to look longer at things that surprise or interest them and shorter at things they find familiar, helping us understand how they process and recognise what they see.

    The results were clear: babies looked significantly longer at the videos where the face matched what they’d learned. This showed they weren’t just passively listening earlier — they were actively learning the rules of the mini-languages and linking that knowledge to what they saw.

    The experiment involved pairing certain words with a cartoon image of a jellyfish and a crab.
    Eylem Altuntas

    Connecting the dots

    In simple terms, this means four-month-old babies can connect the dots between sound and sight. This early ability to spot patterns in how sounds are made is the foundation for learning language later on. It’s like their brains are already laying the groundwork for saying their first words.

    This discovery changes what we thought we knew about babies’ early language learning. It suggests babies start figuring out patterns at four months, well before they begin perceptually attuning to the sounds of their native language between six and 12 months.

    That opens up exciting new possibilities for helping children who might struggle with speech or language. If we can help earlier, we might make a big difference.

    These findings raise several interesting questions. For example, can babies learn other differences such as voicing – whether a sound is made with a buzzing vibration, like the difference between “b” (buzzing) and “p” (no buzzing) – as early as four months? How does growing up in a bilingual home affect this ability? Could babies use this skill to learn patterns in entirely new languages?

    By exploring these questions, we’ll keep uncovering the amazing ways babies’ brains set the stage for learning one of the most complex human skills: language.

    Eylem Altuntas is a researcher at the BabyLab within the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour, and Development at Western Sydney University.

    – ref. Babies as young as 4 months can tell how the sounds of different languages are made – new research – https://theconversation.com/babies-as-young-as-4-months-can-tell-how-the-sounds-of-different-languages-are-made-new-research-248225

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: When news is stressful, how do you balance staying informed with ‘doomscrolling’?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Harrison, Lecturer in Digital Communications, Flinders University

    Mart Production/Pexels

    It all begins innocently – a late-night peek at your favourite social media site before bed. You catch a headline that grabs your attention with “breaking news” you can’t afford to miss.

    Like following digital breadcrumbs, one click leads to another. Before you know it, you’re tumbling down a rabbit hole of endless updates and emotionally charged social media posts. Two hours later, your shoulders are tense, your stomach is in knots, but you can’t put your phone down.

    This endless scrolling through bad news – known as “doomscrolling” – sneaks up on us.

    It’s important to stay in touch with what’s happening in the world. Being informed helps us make better decisions, engage meaningfully in our communities, and respond effectively to changes that affect our lives and those around us.

    But just like a healthy diet, we must be smart about our news consumption to avoid it taking a toll on our health.

    The good news is there are proven ways to stay informed without letting it take over your life. Research shows setting clear boundaries around your news consumption can make a huge difference. So, how can you strike the right balance?

    How to set boundaries with news consumption

    It’s worth considering why you feel compelled to stay constantly informed. Ask yourself: “will this information change what I can do about it?”.

    Often, we scroll not because the information is actionable, but because we are trying to gain a sense of control in an uncertain world.

    Research shows scrolling through negative news can disrupt your sleep and increase anxiety. To make sure your media consumption is intentional, there are a few steps you can take.

    Be picky with the news sources you read. Choose a few trusted outlets instead of letting social media algorithms decide what you see. It’s like sticking to a balanced meal plan, but for your mind.

    While engaging with the news, pay close attention to how you’re feeling. When you notice physical signs of anxiety or emotional distress, that is your cue to take a break.

    Set aside time earlier in the day with clear boundaries around your news consumption: maybe with your morning coffee or during your lunch break, whatever works for your schedule. Consider implementing a “digital sunset”, too. This is a cut-off time for news and social media, ideally an hour or two before bedtime, to give your mind time to process what you have learned without disrupting your sleep.

    The world will always be there, but you will be in a better head space to process what is happening.

    You don’t have to feel helpless

    Taking breaks from consuming news is not burying your head in the sand – it’s practising self care. Studies have shown that people who set healthy boundaries around news consumption are often better equipped to engage meaningfully on important issues and take constructive action when needed.

    When you check the news, be an active consumer. Instead of endless scrolling:

    • choose one or two in-depth articles to read thoroughly

    • discuss the news with colleagues, friends and family to process your feelings

    • look for solution-focused news stories that highlight positive change

    • take meaningful action on issues you care about.

    There are also various apps and tools that can help you form healthier digital habits. Productivity apps use various approaches to help you stay focused, providing ways to snap you out of mindless scrolling.

    News curation apps and apps that allow you to save articles to read later can help you establish a balanced news diet, and remove the urgent need to read everything immediately.

    Many smartphones now come equipped with screen time management features, such as Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing. You can use these to monitor your scrolling habits and to manage how much time you spend on social media or news apps.

    One useful feature is to block apps from use during certain times of day or after you’ve used them for a set amount of time.

    Screen time management features allow you to pause or block apps from use.
    The Conversation

    Stay mindful, stay engaged

    Staying informed doesn’t mean staying constantly connected. By mindfully setting boundaries and using supportive tools, you can keep up with important events while protecting your wellbeing.

    If you’re trying productivity apps and other tools, start small. Choose one tool that resonates with you rather than trying everything at once. Set realistic goals that fit your life, and use these apps’ insights to understand your habits better.

    Pay attention to what triggers your doomscrolling and adjust your settings accordingly. Remember, these tools work best when combined with offline activities you enjoy.

    The goal isn’t to disconnect completely, but to find a sustainable balance between staying informed and maintaining peace of mind. With thoughtful boundaries and the right support tools, you can stay engaged with the world while keeping your mental health intact.

    Lisa Harrison does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. When news is stressful, how do you balance staying informed with ‘doomscrolling’? – https://theconversation.com/when-news-is-stressful-how-do-you-balance-staying-informed-with-doomscrolling-248017

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Senate Should Sanction the Lawless ICC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    “Passing this bill sends a strong message that America will not tolerate the ICC’s lawfare against Israel. If the ICC attacks America or its allies, the consequences will be swift, serious, and severe.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke in strong support of a bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its biased and unjust legal actions against Israel.

    Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

    Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

    “Criminals in the world today have an international friend. It’s called the International Criminal Court.

    “The ICC is headquartered in Europe. It claims unchecked power to enforce loosely-defined international law. Its prosecutors are unaccountable.

    “The ICC is a kangaroo court. The U.S. did not ratify the ICC Treaty. Neither the U.S. nor Israel is a member of the ICC. The so-called Court does Iran’s bidding.

    “It has never issued arrest warrants for the leaders of Iran.

    “It has never tried to prosecute Bashar al-Assad, the former dictator of Syria.

    “The ICC embraces the legal fiction and the moral fraud that Israel violates human rights, that sovereignty doesn’t matter, and that Israel has no right to defend itself.

    “Last year, we saw the ICC issue an unjust and unlawful arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s former defense minister was also targeted.

    “The charges the ICC brought are biased and baseless. The ICC says Israel has committed ‘crimes against humanity.’ It says the Jewish State is intentionally starving and targeting civilians. It says Prime Minister Netanyahu is a ‘war criminal.’

    “Those are absurd and inaccurate claims.

    “Here are the facts.

    “Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7, 2023, was the deadliest single day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

    “Israel has a fundamental right to defend itself. America stands with the people of Israel.

    “Israel went to extraordinary lengths to limit civilian casualties. Hamas deliberately hid behind civilians. Hamas uses innocent people as human shields.

    “Israel has allowed hundreds of thousands of tons of food into Gaza. When the food does not reach civilians, it is because Hamas steals it first.

    “Israel is not a member of the ICC. The court has no jurisdiction over it. Israel is a democracy. Israel’s judiciary is robust and independent.

    “The ICC is deaf to these facts. It lives in an anti-Israel echo chamber.
    “Because of this prejudice against Israel, the ICC has also attacked Israel’s allies.

    “In 2020, the ICC started to investigate American service members in Afghanistan for alleged war crimes.

    “President Trump responded swiftly and strongly. He froze the assets of ICC officials who were involved in the corrupt investigation. He also imposed visa restrictions on ICC officials and their families.

    “Former President Biden wrongly and weakly overturned these sanctions. President Trump restored the sanctions on his first day back in office last week.

    “Today, the Senate will hold a critical vote on a bipartisan bill to hold the International Criminal Court accountable. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas have been leaders on this issue here in the Senate.

    “Under this bill, any ICC official, employee, or associate who works to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute American citizens or our allies will face immediate sanctions.

    “This bill also blocks U.S. funding from ICC. Every penny.

    “Critically, it ensures American taxpayers are not contributing their hard-earned money to a foreign institution that attacks our service members.

    “Passing this bill sends a strong message that America will not tolerate the ICC’s lawfare against Israel. If the ICC attacks America or its allies, the consequences will be swift, serious, and severe.

    “This is about more than Israel. The ICC also threatens America’s safety, security, and sovereignty.

    “Like Israel, America is not a member of the ICC. While Israel is the target today, the ICC could target America’s service members, or even our leaders, in the future.

    “The House of Representatives passed legislation to sanction the ICC several times. Its bipartisan support continues to grow stronger. And a majority of Americans support congressional efforts to sanction the ICC.
    “The most recent vote in the House was 243 in favor and only 140 against. 45 House Democrats voted for it.

    “The Senate could have passed ICC sanctions last Congress. The Democrat Leader chose to drag his feet instead. He blocked it from coming to the floor. He refused to even debate it.

    “This Congress, Senate Republicans have made strengthening our alliance with Israel a top priority. Republicans cannot sit back and allow a kangaroo court to wage lawfare against American citizens or American allies.

    “The Senate will not bend to the pro-Hamas crowd. We will stand with Israel in the face of antisemitism and evil. Period.

    “Will Senate Democrats?”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, State Highway 1, Tuamarina

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Motorists travelling between Picton and Blenheim should expect delays following a three-vehicle crash that has left a person critically injured.

    Emergency services were called to the crash at Tuamarina, between Bush and Para roads, about 6.30am.

    A vehicle hit a wire barrier and one of the occupants was ejected; the person suffered critical injuries and will be airlifted to hospital.

    Two other people are being treated for minor and moderate injuries.

    The road is expected to be closed for some time and the Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

    Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to expect delays and take care.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former West Virginia Supervisory Correctional Officer Found Guilty Following Jury Trial on Conspiracy and Obstruction Charges

    Source: United States Attorneys General 10

    Following a four-day jury trial, Chad Lester, a former lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was found guilty yesterday of conspiracy, witness tampering, and giving false statements to the FBI. The charges arose out of a staff assault of an inmate named Quantez Burks, who later died from injuries he suffered during the assault. Seven correctional officers pleaded guilty in connection with the assault of Burks; several of those former officers testified against the defendant during the trial. The defendant faced charges related to his efforts to obstruct the investigation into the assault.

    According to the evidence presented at trial, the defendant conspired with other officers at the Southern Regional Jail to tamper with witnesses to cover up the assault of Burks. The evidence showed the defendant directed a subordinate correctional officer to leave truthful information out of his report related to the circumstances of Burks’ death. The defendant directed another officer to include in his report false information about Burks. The defendant told a third officer that he would beat him if he discovered that the officer was providing information about the assault to investigators. Finally, the defendant provided false information relating to the assault of Burks to the FBI during an interview.

    Lester is scheduled for sentencing on April 16 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, investigated the case.

    Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: C&F Financial Corporation Announces Net Income for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOANO, Va., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) (NASDAQ: CFFI), the holding company for C&F Bank, today reported consolidated net income of $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The Corporation reported consolidated net income of $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The following table presents selected financial performance highlights for the periods indicated:

                                   
        For The Quarter Ended   For the Year Ended  
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)   12/31/2024     12/31/2023   12/31/2024     12/31/2023  
    Consolidated net income (000’s)   $ 6,029     $ 5,088   $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
                                   
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.87     $ 1.50   $ 6.01     $ 6.92  
                                   
    Annualized return on average equity     10.60 %     10.06 %   9.02 %     11.68 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity1     12.17 %     11.74 %   10.37 %     13.58 %
    Annualized return on average assets     0.94 %     0.85 %   0.80 %     0.99 %

    _________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    “While the past year’s financial performance reflected the challenges of a dynamic interest rate environment, our fourth quarter earnings were solid, and we are optimistic of earnings momentum heading into the coming year,” commented Tom Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Financial Corporation. “Our net interest margin was down for 2024, however, it stabilized in the fourth quarter, and we are cautiously optimistic about margin performance in 2025. The community banking segment delivered solid loan and deposit growth across all markets. Despite facing headwinds from higher mortgage rates and a low inventory of homes for sale, the mortgage banking segment increased its loan production and net income over 2023. While higher charge-offs weighed on profitability at the consumer finance segment, we were able to achieve significant operational efficiencies during 2024. Despite obstacles and adversities that continually confront the banking industry in general, we believe C&F is well-positioned for the future.”

    Key highlights for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2024 are as follows.

    • Community banking segment loans grew $21.5 million, or 6.0 percent annualized, and $180.0 million, or 14.1 percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Consumer finance segment loans decreased $10.5 million, or 8.8 percent annualized, and $1.7 million, or less than one percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Deposits increased $35.0 million, or 6.6 percent annualized, and $104.7 million, or 5.1 percent, compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively;
    • Consolidated annualized net interest margin was 4.13 percent for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.17 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.13 percent in the third quarter of 2024. Consolidated net interest margin was 4.12 percent for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.31 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023;
    • The community banking segment recorded no provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $75,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023, and recorded provision for credit losses of $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment recorded provision for credit losses of $3.5 million and $2.4 million for the fourth quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and recorded provision for credit losses of $11.6 million and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 3.40 percent of average total loans for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.72 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans were 2.62 percent for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 1.99 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023; and
    • Mortgage banking segment loan originations increased $32.2 million, or 32.8 percent, to $130.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased $29.0 million, or 5.8 percent, to $527.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Community Banking Segment. The community banking segment reported net income of $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $5.2 million for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher interest income resulting from higher average balances of loans and the effects of higher interest rates on asset yields, offset in part by lower average balances of securities;
    • higher other income from bank owned life insurance policies; and
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due primarily to a reduction in headcount through attrition;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest expense due primarily to higher rates on deposits and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits, offset in part by lower average balances of borrowings.

    The community banking segment reported net income of $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $22.9 million for the same period of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher interest expense resulting from higher rates on deposits and higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by lower average balances of borrowings;
    • higher data processing and consulting costs related to investments in operational technology to improve resilience, efficiency and customer experience;
    • higher occupancy expense related to branch network improvements, including the relocation of a branch and the opening of a new branch; and
    • higher salaries and employee benefits expense, which have generally increased in line with market conditions, offset in part by a reduction in headcount through attrition;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from higher average balances of loans and the effects of higher interest rates on asset yields, offset in part by lower average balances of securities;
    • higher wealth management services income due primarily to higher assets under management;
    • higher other income from bank owned life insurance policies; and
    • higher investment income from other equity investments.

    Average loans increased $180.8 million, or 14.4 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $164.0 million, or 13.5 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to growth in the construction, commercial real estate, and residential mortgage segments of the loan portfolio. Average deposits increased $140.2 million, or 6.9 percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $110.8 million, or 5.5 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023, due primarily to higher balance of time deposits, partially offset by decreases in savings and interest-bearing demand deposits and noninterest-bearing demand deposits amid increased competition for deposits and the higher interest rate environment.

    Average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits were higher for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods of 2023, due primarily to the effects of the higher interest rate environment.

    The community banking segment’s nonaccrual loans were $333,000 at December 31, 2024 compared to $406,000 at December 31, 2023. The community banking segment recorded no provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $75,000 and $1.6 million for the same periods of 2023. At December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses increased to $17.4 million, compared to $16.1 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.20 percent at December 31, 2024 from 1.26 percent at December 31, 2023. The increases in provision and allowance for credit losses are due primarily to growth in the loan portfolio. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected.

    Mortgage Banking Segment. The mortgage banking segment reported net income of $87,000 and $1.1 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to a net loss of $103,000 and net income of $465,000 for the same periods of 2023, due primarily to:

    • higher gains on sales of loans and higher mortgage banking fee income due to higher volume of mortgage loan originations; and
    • lower occupancy expenses due to an effort to reduce overhead costs;

    partially offset by:

    • higher variable expenses tied to mortgage loan origination volume such as commissions and bonuses, reported in salaries and employee benefits; and
    • lower reversal of provision for indemnifications.

    The sustained elevated level of mortgage interest rates, combined with higher home prices and lower levels of inventory, led to a level of mortgage loan originations in 2024 and 2023 for the industry that is lower than recent historical averages. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $130.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, comprised of $15.9 million refinancings and $114.5 million home purchases, compared to $98.2 million, comprised of $12.5 million refinancings and $85.7 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $527.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, comprised of $50.2 million refinancings and $477.6 million home purchases, compared to $498.8 million, comprised of $52.7 million refinancings and $446.1 million home purchases, for the same period in 2023. Mortgage loan originations in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased $26.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2024 due in part to normal industry seasonal fluctuations. Mortgage loan segment originations include originations of loans sold to the community banking segment, at prices similar to those paid by third-party investors. These transactions are eliminated to reach consolidated totals.

    During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the mortgage banking segment recorded a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $85,000 and $460,000, respectively, compared to a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $150,000 and $585,000 in the same periods of 2023. The mortgage banking segment increased reserves for indemnification losses during 2020 based on widespread forbearance on mortgage loans and economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The release of indemnification reserves in 2024 and 2023 was due primarily to improvement in the mortgage banking segment’s assessment of borrower payment performance, lower volume of mortgage loan originations in recent years and other factors affecting expected losses on mortgage loans sold in the secondary market, such as time since origination. Management believes that the indemnification reserve is sufficient to absorb losses related to loans that have been sold in the secondary market.

    Consumer Finance Segment. The consumer finance segment reported net income of $272,000 and $1.4 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to net income of $618,000 and $2.9 million for the same periods in 2023. The decreases in consumer finance segment net income were due primarily to:

    • higher provision for credit losses due primarily to increased net charge-offs; and
    • higher interest expense on variable rate borrowings from the community banking segment as a result of higher interest rates and higher average balances of borrowings;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest income resulting from the effects of higher interest rates on loan yields and higher average balances of loans;
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due to an effort to reduce overhead costs; and
    • lower loan processing and collection expenses due primarily to efficiency initiatives within the collections department.

    Average loans increased $2.5 million, or one percent, for the fourth quarter of 2024 and increased $2.9 million, or one percent, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023. The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at a rate of 2.62 percent of average total loans for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 1.99 percent for the year ended December 31, 2023, due primarily to an increase in the number of delinquent loans, the number of repossessions, and the average amount charged-off when a loan was uncollectable. Higher amounts charged-off per loan resulted in part from larger loan amounts, generally purchased in 2020 and 2021 when automobile values were higher, being charged-off in the current year, with the wholesale values of automobiles having declined since then. At December 31, 2024, total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans was 3.90 percent, compared to 4.09 percent at December 31, 2023, and 3.49 percent at September 30, 2024.

    The consumer finance segment, at times, offers payment deferrals as a portfolio management technique to achieve higher ultimate cash collections on select loan accounts. A significant reliance on deferrals as a means of managing collections may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio. Average amounts of payment deferrals of automobile loans on a monthly basis, which are not included in delinquent loans, were 2.11 percent and 1.80 percent of average automobile loans outstanding during the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to 2.02 percent and 1.87 percent during the same periods during 2023. The allowance for credit losses was $22.7 million at December 31, 2024 and $23.6 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 4.86 percent at December 31, 2024 from 5.03 percent at December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of growth in loans with stronger credit quality while balances of loans with lower credit quality declined. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. If loan performance deteriorates resulting in further elevated delinquencies or net charge-offs, the provision for credit losses may increase in future periods.

    Liquidity. The objective of the Corporation’s liquidity management is to ensure the continuous availability of funds to satisfy the credit needs of our customers and the demands of our depositors, creditors and investors. Uninsured deposits represent an estimate of amounts above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage limit of $250,000. As of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s uninsured deposits were approximately $640.2 million, or 29.5 percent of total deposits. Excluding intercompany cash holdings and municipal deposits, which are secured with pledged securities, amounts uninsured were approximately $455.2 million, or 21.0 percent of total deposits as of December 31, 2024. The Corporation’s liquid assets, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits at other banks and nonpledged securities available for sale, were $288.1 million and borrowing availability was $606.2 million as of December 31, 2024, which in total exceed uninsured deposits, excluding intercompany cash holdings and secured municipal deposits, by $439.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

    In addition to deposits, the Corporation utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings as sources of funds. Short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) may be used to fund the Corporation’s day-to-day operations. Short-term borrowings also include securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Total borrowings increased to $122.6 million at December 31, 2024 from $109.5 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to higher long-term borrowings from the FHLB used in part to fund loan growth.

    Additional sources of liquidity available to the Corporation include cash flows from operations, loan payments and payoffs, deposit growth, maturities, calls and sales of securities and the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit.

    Capital and Dividends. The Corporation declared cash dividends during the year ended December 31, 2024 totaling $1.76 per share, including a quarterly cash dividend of 44 cents per share during the fourth quarter of 2024, which was paid on January 1, 2025. These dividends represent a payout ratio of 23.5 percent of earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 29.3 percent of earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Corporation continually reviews the amount of cash dividends per share and the resulting dividend payout ratio in light of changes in economic conditions, current and future capital requirements, and expected future earnings.

    Total consolidated equity increased $9.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, due primarily to net income and lower unrealized losses in the market value of securities available for sale, which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, partially offset by share repurchases and dividends paid on the Corporation’s common stock. The Corporation’s securities available for sale are fixed income debt securities and their unrealized loss position is a result of rising market interest rates since they were purchased. The Corporation expects to recover its investments in debt securities through scheduled payments of principal and interest. Unrealized losses are not expected to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Corporation or C&F Bank. The accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Corporation’s securities available for sale, net of deferred income taxes, decreased to $23.7 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $25.0 million at December 31, 2023 due primarily to fluctuations in debt security market interest rates and a decrease in the balance of securities available for sale.

    As of December 31, 2024, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the C&F Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized under regulations applicable at December 31, 2024, C&F Bank was required to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, CET1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios. In addition to the regulatory risk-based capital requirements, C&F Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of additional capital of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets as required by the Basel III capital rules. The Corporation and C&F Bank exceeded these ratios at December 31, 2024. For additional information, see “Capital Ratios” below. The above mentioned ratios are not impacted by unrealized losses on securities available for sale. In the event that all of these unrealized losses became realized into earnings, the Corporation and C&F Bank would both continue to exceed minimum capital requirements, including the capital conservation buffer, and be considered well capitalized.

    In December 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a program, effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, to repurchase up to $10.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock (the 2024 Repurchase Program). During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation repurchased 11,100 shares, or $679,000, and 160,694 shares, or $7.9 million, of its common stock under the 2024 Repurchase Program, respectively. In December 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a new program, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, to repurchase up to $5.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock through December 31, 2025 (the 2025 Repurchase Program).

    About C&F Financial Corporation. The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CFFI. The common stock closed at a price of $75.40 per share on January 27, 2025. At December 31, 2024, the book value per share of the Corporation was $70.00 and the tangible book value per share was $61.86. For more information about the Corporation’s tangible book value per share, which is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    C&F Bank operates 31 banking offices and four commercial loan offices located throughout eastern and central Virginia and offers full wealth management services through its subsidiary C&F Wealth Management, Inc. C&F Mortgage Corporation and its subsidiary C&F Select LLC provide mortgage loan origination services through offices located in Virginia and the surrounding states. C&F Finance Company provides automobile, marine and recreational vehicle loans through indirect lending programs offered primarily in the Northeastern, Midwestern and Southern United States from its headquarters in Henrico, Virginia.

    Additional information regarding the Corporation’s products and services, as well as access to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are available on the Corporation’s website at http://www.cffc.com.

    Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to GAAP in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of the Corporation’s performance. These include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on average equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE), adjusted ROTCE, tangible book value per share, price to tangible book value ratio, and the following fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) measures: interest income on loans-FTE, interest income on securities-FTE, total interest income-FTE and net interest income-FTE.

    Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures provides meaningful information about operating performance by enhancing comparability with other financial periods, other financial institutions, and between different sources of interest income. The non-GAAP measures used by management enhance comparability by excluding the effects of balances of intangible assets, including goodwill, that vary significantly between institutions, and tax benefits that are not consistent across different opportunities for investment. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these or similar measures differently. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation to evaluate and measure the Corporation’s performance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

    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. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Corporation’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Corporation’s management, and reflect management’s current views with respect to certain events that could have an impact on the Corporation’s future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Mr. Cherry’s quote and statements regarding future interest rates and conditions in the Corporation’s industries and markets, relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact, may express “belief,” “intention,” “expectation,” “potential” and similar expressions, and may use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “target,” “should,” “could,” or similar expressions. These statements are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements regarding expected future operations and financial performance, expected trends in yields on loans, expected future recovery of investments in debt securities, future dividend payments, deposit trends, charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in cost of funds and net interest margin and items affecting net interest margin, strategic business initiatives and the anticipated effects thereof, changes in interest rates and the effects thereof on net interest income, mortgage loan originations, expectations regarding C&F Bank’s regulatory risk-based capital requirement levels, technology initiatives, our diversified business strategy, asset quality, credit quality, adequacy of allowances for credit losses and the level of future charge-offs, market interest rates and housing inventory and resulting effects in mortgage loan origination volume, sources of liquidity, adequacy of the reserve for indemnification losses related to loans sold in the secondary market, the effect of future market and industry trends, the effects of future interest rate fluctuations, cybersecurity risks, and inflation. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, changes in:

    • interest rates, such as volatility in short-term interest rates or yields on U.S. Treasury bonds, increases in interest rates following actions by the Federal Reserve and increases or volatility in mortgage interest rates
    • general business conditions, as well as conditions within the financial markets
    • general economic conditions, including unemployment levels, inflation rates, supply chain disruptions and slowdowns in economic growth
    • general market conditions, including disruptions due to pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, war and other military conflicts (including the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East) or other major events, or the prospect of these events
    • average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits
    • financial services industry conditions, including bank failures or concerns involving liquidity
    • labor market conditions, including attracting, hiring, training, motivating and retaining qualified employees
    • the legislative/regulatory climate, regulatory initiatives with respect to financial institutions, products and services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB) and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB
    • monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the FDIC, U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the effect of these policies on interest rates and business in our markets
    • demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area
    • the value of securities held in the Corporation’s investment portfolios
    • the quality or composition of the loan portfolios and the value of the collateral securing those loans
    • the inventory level, demand and fluctuations in the pricing of used automobiles, including sales prices of repossessed vehicles
    • the level of automobile loan delinquencies or defaults and our ability to repossess automobiles securing delinquent automobile finance installment contracts
    • the level of net charge-offs on loans and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses
    • the level of indemnification losses related to mortgage loans sold
    • demand for loan products
    • deposit flows
    • the strength of the Corporation’s counterparties
    • the availability of lines of credit from the FHLB and other counterparties
    • the soundness of other financial institutions and any indirect exposure related to the closing of other financial institutions and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners, or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns experienced by closed financial institutions may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Corporation has commercial or deposit relationships
    • competition from both banks and non-banks, including competition in the non-prime automobile finance markets and marine and recreational vehicle finance markets
    • services provided by, or the level of the Corporation’s reliance upon third parties for key services
    • the commercial and residential real estate markets, including changes in property values
    • the demand for residential mortgages and conditions in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets
    • the Corporation’s technology initiatives and other strategic initiatives
    • the Corporation’s branch expansions and consolidations plans
    • cyber threats, attacks or events
    • C&F Bank’s product offerings
    • accounting principles, policies and guidelines, and elections by the Corporation thereunder

    These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For additional information on risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein, see the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other reports filed with the SEC. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

     
    C&F Financial Corporation

    Selected Financial Information
    (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
    (unaudited)
     
    Financial Condition   12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   $ 49,423   $ 58,777  
    Investment securities – available for sale, at fair value     418,625     462,444  
    Loans held for sale, at fair value     20,112     14,176  
    Loans, net:              
    Community Banking segment     1,436,226     1,257,557  
    Consumer Finance segment     444,085     444,931  
    Total assets     2,563,385     2,438,498  
    Deposits     2,170,860     2,066,130  
    Repurchase agreements     28,994     30,705  
    Other borrowings     93,615     78,834  
    Total equity     226,970     217,516  
                                     
        For The     For The  
        Quarter Ended     Year Ended  
    Results of Operations   12/31/2024     12/31/2023     12/31/2024     12/31/2023  
    Interest income   $ 36,443     $ 32,408     $ 139,594     $ 124,137  
    Interest expense     11,343       8,466       42,819       26,430  
    Provision for credit losses:                                
    Community Banking segment     –       75       1,650       1,625  
    Consumer Finance segment     3,500       2,400       11,600       6,650  
    Noninterest income:                                
    Gains on sales of loans     1,250       850       6,064       5,780  
    Other     5,700       6,953       24,474       23,835  
    Noninterest expenses:                                
    Salaries and employee benefits     11,953       14,035       53,578       54,876  
    Other     9,363       9,038       36,352       35,007  
    Income tax expense     1,205       1,109       4,215       5,418  
    Net income     6,029       5,088       19,918       23,746  
                                     
    Fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) amounts1                                
    Interest income on loans-FTE     33,122       29,147       127,288       111,146  
    Interest income on securities-FTE     3,046       3,121       12,079       12,710  
    Total interest income-FTE     36,731       32,677       140,741       125,101  
    Net interest income-FTE     25,388       24,211       97,922       98,671  

    _________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                                       
        For the Quarter Ended  
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
        Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 321,796     $ 1,898   2.36 % $ 392,368     $ 2,093   2.13 %
    Tax-exempt     120,119       1,148   3.82     118,263       1,028   3.48  
    Total securities     441,915       3,046   2.76     510,631       3,121   2.44  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,438,195       20,036   5.54     1,257,418       16,813   5.30  
    Mortgage banking segment     30,674       486   6.30     22,288       383   6.82  
    Consumer finance segment     473,816       12,600   10.58     471,355       11,951   10.06  
    Total loans     1,942,685       33,122   6.78     1,751,061       29,147   6.60  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     58,212       563   3.85     42,114       409   3.85  
    Total earning assets     2,442,812       36,731   5.98     2,303,806       32,677   5.63  
    Allowance for credit losses     (40,930 )               (40,614 )            
    Total non-earning assets     159,082                 142,252              
    Total assets   $ 2,560,964               $ 2,405,444              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 331,156       601   0.72   $ 341,243       556   0.65  
    Money market deposit accounts     299,321       1,136   1.51     299,712       896   1.19  
    Savings accounts     176,106       26   0.06     194,476       33   0.07  
    Certificates of deposit     811,224       8,325   4.08     635,702       5,665   3.54  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,617,807       10,088   2.48     1,471,133       7,150   1.93  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     30,673       131   1.71     33,418       126   1.51  
    Other borrowings     93,765       1,124   4.79     98,875       1,190   4.81  
    Total borrowings     124,438       1,255   4.03     132,293       1,316   3.98  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,742,245       11,343   2.59     1,603,426       8,466   2.10  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     547,890                 554,321              
    Other liabilities     43,379                 45,462              
    Total liabilities     2,333,514                 2,203,209              
    Equity     227,450                 202,235              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,560,964               $ 2,405,444              
    Net interest income         $ 25,388             $ 24,211      
    Interest rate spread               3.39 %             3.53 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.85 %             1.46 %
    Net interest margin               4.13 %             4.17 %
                                       
        For the Year Ended  
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
        Average   Income/   Yield/   Average   Income/   Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 335,647     $ 7,563   2.25 % $ 428,895     $ 9,110   2.12 %
    Tax-exempt     119,978       4,516   3.76     108,006       3,600   3.33  
    Total securities     455,625       12,079   2.65     536,901       12,710   2.37  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,378,131       75,707   5.49     1,214,143       62,188   5.12  
    Mortgage banking segment     30,737       1,897   6.17     25,598       1,695   6.62  
    Consumer finance segment     476,775       49,684   10.42     473,885       47,263   9.97  
    Total loans     1,885,643       127,288   6.75     1,713,626       111,146   6.49  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     37,238       1,374   3.69     35,351       1,245   3.52  
    Total earning assets     2,378,506       140,741   5.92     2,285,878       125,101   5.47  
    Allowance for loan losses     (40,736 )               (41,047 )            
    Total non-earning assets     156,726                 148,666              
    Total assets   $ 2,494,496               $ 2,393,497              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 327,700       2,170   0.66   $ 354,643       2,134   0.60  
    Money market deposit accounts     296,278       4,313   1.46     317,601       3,017   0.95  
    Savings accounts     180,429       111   0.06     209,033       124   0.06  
    Certificates of deposit     767,721       31,465   4.10     541,252       15,112   2.79  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,572,128       38,059   2.42     1,422,529       20,387   1.43  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     27,754       456   1.64     32,393       399   1.23  
    Other borrowings     91,713       4,304   4.69     116,908       5,644   4.83  
    Total borrowings     119,467       4,760   3.98     149,301       6,043   4.05  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,691,595       42,819   2.53     1,571,830       26,430   1.68  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     536,828                 575,452              
    Other liabilities     45,217                 42,954              
    Total liabilities     2,273,640                 2,190,236              
    Equity     220,856                 203,261              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,494,496               $ 2,393,497              
    Net interest income         $ 97,922             $ 98,671      
    Interest rate spread               3.39 %             3.79 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.80 %             1.16 %
    Net interest margin               4.12 %             4.31 %
                       
        12/31/2024
    Funding Sources   Capacity   Outstanding   Available
    Unsecured federal funds agreements   $ 75,000   $ —   $ 75,000
    Borrowings from FHLB     257,734     40,000     217,734
    Borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank     313,499     —     313,499
    Total   $ 646,233   $ 40,000   $ 606,233
                   
    Asset Quality   12/31/2024   12/31/2023  
    Community Banking              
    Total loans   $ 1,453,605   $ 1,273,629  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 333   $ 406  
                   
    Allowance for credit losses (ACL)   $ 17,379   $ 16,072  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.02 %   0.03 %
    ACL to total loans     1.20 %   1.26 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     5,218.92 %   3,958.62 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     0.01 %   0.01 %
                   
    Consumer Finance              
    Total loans   $ 466,793   $ 468,510  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 614   $ 892  
    Repossessed assets   $ 779   $ 646  
    ACL   $ 22,708   $ 23,579  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.13 %   0.19 %
    ACL to total loans     4.86 %   5.03 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     3,698.37 %   2,643.39 %
    Year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     2.62 %   1.99 %
                             
        For The   For The
        Quarter Ended   Year Ended
    Other Performance Data   12/31/2024   12/31/2023   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    Net Income (Loss):                        
    Community Banking   $ 6,364     $ 5,186     $ 20,284     $ 22,928  
    Mortgage Banking     87       (103 )     1,108       465  
    Consumer Finance     272       618       1,414       2,879  
    Other1     (694 )     (613 )     (2,888 )     (2,526 )
    Total   $ 6,029     $ 5,088     $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
                             
    Net income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 6,037     $ 5,068     $ 19,834     $ 23,604  
                             
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.87     $ 1.50     $ 6.01     $ 6.92  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted     3,226,999       3,367,931       3,299,574       3,411,995  
                             
    Annualized return on average assets     0.94 %     0.85 %     0.80 %     0.99 %
    Annualized return on average equity     10.60 %     10.06 %     9.02 %     11.68 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity2     12.17 %     11.74 %     10.37 %     13.58 %
    Dividends declared per share   $ 0.44     $ 0.44     $ 1.76     $ 1.76  
                             
    Mortgage loan originations – Mortgage Banking   $ 130,426     $ 98,238     $ 527,750     $ 498,797  
    Mortgage loans sold – Mortgage Banking     154,552       109,387       522,001       498,852  

    _________________
    1 Includes results of the holding company that are not allocated to the business segments and elimination of inter-segment activity.
    2 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
    Market Ratios   12/31/2024     12/31/2023
    Market value per share   $ 71.25     $ 68.19
    Book value per share   $ 70.00     $ 64.28
    Price to book value ratio     1.02       1.06
    Tangible book value per share1   $ 61.86     $ 56.40
    Price to tangible book value ratio1     1.15       1.21
    Price to earnings ratio (ttm)     11.86       9.87

    _________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
                   
                Minimum Capital
    Capital Ratios   12/31/2024   12/31/2023   Requirements3
    C&F Financial Corporation1              
    Total risk-based capital ratio   14.1%   14.8%   8.0%  
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   11.9%   12.6%   6.0%  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   10.7%   11.3%   4.5%  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.8%   10.1%   4.0%  
                   
    C&F Bank2              
    Total risk-based capital ratio   13.6%   14.1%   8.0%  
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   12.3%   12.9%   6.0%  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   12.3%   12.9%   4.5%  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   10.1%   10.3%   4.0%  

    _________________
    1 The Corporation, a small bank holding company under applicable regulations and guidance, is not subject to the minimum regulatory capital regulations for bank holding companies. The regulatory requirements that apply to bank holding companies that are subject to regulatory capital requirements are presented above, along with the Corporation’s capital ratios as determined under those regulations.
    2 All ratios at December 31, 2024 are estimates and subject to change pending regulatory filings. All ratios at December 31, 2023 are presented as filed.
    3 The ratios presented for minimum capital requirements are those to be considered adequately capitalized.

                             
        For The Quarter Ended   For The Year Ended
        12/31/2024   12/31/2023   12/31/2024   12/31/2023
    Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures                
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                        
    Average total equity, as reported   $ 227,450     $ 202,235     $ 220,856     $ 203,261  
    Average goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Average other intangible assets     (1,183 )     (1,439 )     (1,273 )     (1,538 )
    Average noncontrolling interest     (518 )     (515 )     (649 )     (675 )
    Average tangible common equity   $ 200,558     $ 175,090     $ 193,743     $ 175,857  
                             
    Net income   $ 6,029     $ 5,088     $ 19,918     $ 23,746  
    Amortization of intangibles     64       69       260       273  
    Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest     8       (20 )     (84 )     (142 )
    Net tangible income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 6,101     $ 5,137     $ 20,094     $ 23,877  
                             
    Annualized return on average equity, as reported     10.60 %     10.06 %     12.02 %     15.58 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity     12.17 %      11.74 %      10.37 %      13.58 % 
                                   
        For The Quarter Ended     For The Year Ended
        12/31/2024     12/31/2023     12/31/2024     12/31/2023
    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income1                              
    Interest income on loans   $ 33,075     $ 29,093     $ 127,089     $ 110,938
    FTE adjustment     47       54       199       208
    FTE interest income on loans   $ 33,122     $ 29,147     $ 127,288     $ 111,146
                                   
    Interest income on securities   $ 2,805     $ 2,906     $ 11,131     $ 11,954
    FTE adjustment     241       215       948       756
    FTE interest income on securities   $ 3,046     $ 3,121     $ 12,079     $ 12,710
                                   
    Total interest income   $ 36,443     $ 32,408     $ 139,594     $ 124,137
    FTE adjustment     288       269       1,147       964
    FTE interest income   $ 36,731     $ 32,677     $ 140,741     $ 125,101
                                   
    Net interest income   $ 25,100     $ 23,942     $ 96,775     $ 97,707
    FTE adjustment     288       269       1,147       964
    FTE net interest income   $ 25,388     $ 24,211     $ 97,922     $ 98,671

    _________________
    1 Assuming a tax rate of 21%.

                 
        December 31,   December 31,
    (Dollars in thousands except for per share data)   2024   2023
    Tangible Book Value Per Share        
    Equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 226,360     $ 216,878  
    Goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Other intangible assets     (1,147 )     (1,407 )
    Tangible equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 200,022     $ 190,280  
                 
    Shares outstanding     3,233,672       3,374,098  
                 
    Book value per share   $ 70.00     $ 64.28  
    Tangible book value per share   $ 61.86     $ 56.40  
    Contact: Jason Long, CFO and Secretary
      (804) 843-2360

     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS 2.0) Program Expands Regional Trade Initiatives Including Jordan Export Launchpad and Key Projects in Egypt and Algeria to Empower Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Drive Economic Growth

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, January 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org) is proud to continue its work on the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS 2.0), a program designed to enhance the trade capacity and competitiveness of Arab states. Building on past achievements, AfTIAS 2.0 is focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to navigate global markets and expand intra-regional trade.

    With an emphasis on policy reform and capacity building, AfTIAS 2.0 addresses the core challenges faced by businesses across the region, fostering economic development and facilitating trade.

    The AfTIAS 2.0 program is implemented across 10 Arab countries, all of which are members of the League of Arab States. These countries are the primary beneficiaries of the program, which aims to promote economic integration and sustainable development through trade in the Arab region.

    One of the flagship initiatives under AfTIAS 2.0 is the Jordan Export Launchpad, which aims to equip Jordanian SMEs with the skills and resources to access international markets. In partnership with the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), the 13-month program offered specialized training to help export-ready businesses succeed globally. The initiative reflects AfTIAS 2.0’s commitment to fostering economic growth and creating jobs across the Arab region by enhancing the export potential of local enterprises.

    The program concluded with a graduation ceremony on October 28th, where 27 trainers received certifications. The event featured key figures, including JEDCO’s CEO, a representative from the Canadian Embassy, and TFO Canada’s Executive Director, who participated virtually.

    Another successful project under AfTIAS 2.0 is the initiative by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport. This project established a comprehensive mechanism and database to support the shipbuilding and repair industry in Arab countries, marking a major achievement in regional collaboration. It underscores the program’s strategic focus on developing key industries to drive economic integration across the Arab world.

    Also, under AfTIAS 2.0, is Egypt’s Training is a STEP towards Exports (STEP) Project. The STEP project is a comprehensive program designed to equip Egyptian youth and SMEs with the necessary skills to successfully navigate the global export market. By providing targeted training in agricultural production and manufacturing, the program aims to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s exports and create new opportunities for economic growth. Through the program, participants will receive valuable guidance on accessing loans and funding to support their export endeavors.

    In Algeria, the AfTIAS 2.0 program is working to strengthen the agri-food and beverage sector through a project focused on improving the business environment for SMEs and enhancing institutional support. This 16-month initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, ALGEX, and the International Trade Centre (ITC), seeks to bolster Algeria’s export competitiveness and contribute to the country’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “Through AfTIAS 2.0, we are dedicated to enhancing the trade capabilities of SMEs in the Arab region, thus driving economic growth and promoting sustainable development,” explained Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). “This program exemplifies our commitment to reducing economic disparities and fostering regional market integration.”

    AfTIAS 2.0 continues to support a wide range of projects across the region, strengthening competitiveness, eliminating trade barriers, and fostering economic resilience. The program works in close partnership with key institutions, including the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to ensure that capacity building, infrastructure development, and institutional strengthening remain central to its goals.

    By fostering intra-regional trade and reducing reliance on imports, AfTIAS 2.0 addresses economic inequalities and promotes sustainable growth across the Arab world.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lessons from Ireland: How the country’s electoral system would strengthen Canadian democracy

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Seána Glennon, Postdoctoral Fellow, Constitutional Law, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Justin Trudeau’s biggest regret, he said at his resignation news conference, is failing to achieve electoral reform in Canada — even though he’d promised to do so, and had the opportunity during his first majority government, and didn’t go through with it.

    But as a federal election looms this year, it’s a good time to take a closer look at Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system, examine why it’s seen by many as unfair and to think about how an alternative system, like Ireland’s proportional representation model, could better serve Canadians.

    Canada has what’s known as a single-member plurality electoral system, commonly referred to as first-past-the-post. The country is divided into electoral districts called ridings, each of which has one representative.

    The winning candidate in each riding is the one who receives the most votes, although not necessarily the majority of votes. The system is “winner-takes-all” because only those candidates who come first in each riding gain a seat in Parliament.



    Read more:
    Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system highlights once again the need for reform

    Proportional represention

    Ireland has a proportional representation system that’s very different from first-past-the-post. Each voter has a single transferable vote, and each constituency elects several candidates. Voters can rank all the candidates on the ballot in order of their preference.

    To be successful, a candidate must reach the constituency’s quota, which is calculated based on the total number of votes and the number of seats. When a candidate reaches or exceeds the quota on the first count, they are elected, and their surplus votes are distributed among the other candidates, based on voters’ second or lower preferences.

    If nobody reaches the quota on the first count, as often happens, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes are distributed among the other candidates. The process continues until all seats are filled.

    Risks to Canadian democracy

    Canada’s system poses two major challenges to democracy.

    The first is voter disengagement. Under the first-past-the-post system, a candidate does not need to win more than 50 per cent of the votes; they just need to win more than their opponents. All the votes cast in favour of other candidates are discounted.

    This can result in a significant disparity between a party’s share of votes and its share of seats in Parliament.

    A party with less than 50 per cent of the vote share can form a majority government and dominate the parliamentary agenda until the next election.

    This happened in the United Kingdom’s 2024 election (also a first-past-the-post system) — Labour received only 34 per cent of the popular vote, but took 63 per cent of the seats in British Parliament and formed a majority government. The 2019 election in Canada also illustrates the distortion produced by this system — the Conservatives won the popular vote, but the Liberals took 36 more seats and won a minority government.

    From the voter’s point of view, it’s easy to see how the system causes disillusionment. If they vote for anyone other than the winning candidate, they may feel their vote is discounted and will have no bearing on the makeup of Parliament, and wonder what’s the point of casting a ballot.

    The second challenge exacerbated by the first-past-the-post system is increasing polarization in politics. In a winner-takes-all system, there is no incentive for candidates to try to appeal to voters to become their second or third choice. This leads to a much more adversarial style of politics.

    Malaise, polarization reduced

    The Irish system mitigates against both democratic malaise and political polarization.

    Under proportional representation, the voter’s first preference is always counted. But in contrast to the Canadian system, even if their first-choice candidate is eliminated — or elected on the first count with a surplus — their vote is not wasted. Instead, it’s transferred to their next choice of candidate.

    These transfers often determine the outcome of the election. Elections in Ireland tend to produce parliaments that correlate much more closely to the proportion of votes a party has received than under first-past-the-post systems in Canada and the U.K.

    In addition, the Irish system helps combat polarization, because candidates’ success or failure often hinges on their ability to attract transfers from supporters of other parties. Centrist candidates will be more likely to appeal to a broader base of voters and attract more transfers than candidates that seek to motivate a base of voters with extremist rhetoric.

    The recent Irish general election shows how this system helps avoid excessive polarization. Research has found that countries with proportional representation systems tend to have lower levels of polarization.

    Local focus?

    It’s sometimes argued that proportional representation encourages parliamentarians to focus on issues in their constituency rather than national issues.

    The system greatly facilitates the election of independent candidates. The incoming Irish government, for example, will consist of a coalition of the two main centrist parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, with the support of a group of independents, some of whom make no secret that their priority is their own constituency.

    It can be argued, however, that responsiveness to local issues isn’t a negative — and it’s not prevented Ireland from playing an outsize role on the international stage in recent years.



    Read more:
    Irish election: why one single party is unlikely to win – and what it means for the next government

    Confronting Trump

    Supporters of first-past-the-post argue that it produces stronger, more stable majority governments.

    Even though Ireland’s party system has undoubtedly become more fragmented over the past decade, however, coalition governments have proved capable of staying the course.

    Of course, Irish politics has its share of challenges. The recent election of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach (prime minister) was delayed a day after rancorous exchanges in Irish Parliament around opposition speaking time, and the country still has a stubbornly low proportion of female parliamentarians (only three women were appointed to the new cabinet as senior ministers, out of 15).

    But this doesn’t change the fact that a proportional representation system still produces a parliament more reflective of voter’s choices than first-past-the-post.

    Politically disengaged and polarized voters in Canada and an unrepresentative Parliament won’t help the country respond to the challenges posed by the next four years of a second Donald Trump presidency.

    A new system with an element of proportionality could help curb polarization, ensure fairer representation for Canadians and transform Canadian democracy for the better.

    Seána Glennon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Lessons from Ireland: How the country’s electoral system would strengthen Canadian democracy – https://theconversation.com/lessons-from-ireland-how-the-countrys-electoral-system-would-strengthen-canadian-democracy-247541

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Global wildlife trade is an enormous market – a look at the billions of animals the US imports from nearly 30,000 species

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Tlusty, Professor of Sustainability and Food Solutions, UMass Boston

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents inspect a shipment of reptiles at the Port of Miami. U.S. GAO

    When people think of wildlife trade, they often picture smugglers sneaking in rare and endangered species from far-off countries. Yet most wildlife trade is actually legal, and the United States is one of the world’s biggest wildlife importers.

    New research that we and a team of colleagues published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that, over the last 22 years, people in the U.S. legally imported nearly 2.85 billion individual animals representing almost 30,000 species.

    Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. Thousands end up in zoos and aquariums, where many species on display come directly from the wild.

    Medical research uses macaque monkeys and imports up to 39,000 of them every year. The fashion trade imports around 1 million to 2 million crocodile skins every year. Hunting trophies are also included in wildlife.

    How many species are legally traded worldwide?
    Benjamin Marshall, et al., 2024, PNAS, CC BY-SA

    The largest number of imported species are birds – 4,985 different species are imported each year, led by Muscovy ducks, with over 6 million imported. Reptiles are next, with 3,048 species, led by iguanas and royal pythons. These largely become pets.

    Not all wildlife are wild

    We found that just over half of the animals imported into the U.S. come from the wild.

    Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa. However, wild imported species can also spread diseases or parasites or become invasive. In fact, these risks are so worrying that many imported animals are classed as “injurious wildlife” due to their potential role in transmitting diseases to native species.

    Captive breeding has played an increasingly dominant role in recent years as a way to limit the impact on wild populations and to try to reduce disease spread.

    However over half the individual animals from most groups of species, such as amphibians or mammals, still come from the wild, and there is no data on the impact of the wildlife trade on most wild populations.

    Trade may pose a particular risk when species are already rare or have small ranges. Where studies have been done, the wild populations of traded species decreased by an average of 62% across the periods monitored.

    Sustainable wildlife trade is possible, but it relies on careful monitoring to balance wild harvest and captive breeding.

    Data is thin in many ways

    For most species in the wildlife trade, there is still a lot that remains unknown, including even the number of species traded.

    With so many species and shipments, wildlife inspectors are overwhelmed. Trade data may not include the full species name for groups like butterflies or fish. The values in many customs databases are reported by companies but never verified.

    Macaques, used in medical research, are the most-traded primates globally, according to an analysis of U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
    Davidvraju, CC BY-SA

    In our study, we relied on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Law Enforcement Management Information System, a wildlife import-export data collection system. However, few countries collate and release data in such a standardized way; meaning that for the majority of species legally traded around the world there is no available data.

    For example, millions of Tokay geckos are imported as pets and for medicine, and are often reported to be bred in captivity. However, investigators cannot confirm that they weren’t actually caught in the wild.

    Why tracking the wildlife trade is important

    Biodiversity has a great number of economic and ecological benefits. There are also risks to importing wildlife. Understanding the many species and number of animals entering the country, and whether they were once wild or farmed, is important, because imported wildlife can cause health and ecological problems.

    Wildlife can spread diseases to humans and to other animals. Wild-caught monkeys imported for medical research may carry diseases, including ones of particular risk to humans. Those with diseases are more likely to be wild than captive-bred.

    The most-traded mammals worldwide are minks, which are valued for their fur but can spread viruses to humans and other species. About 48 million minks are legally traded annually, about 2.8% wild-caught and the majority raised, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife data.
    Colin Canterbury/USFWS

    Species that aren’t native to the U.S. may also escape or be released into the wild. Invasive species can cause billions of dollars in damage by consuming and outcompeting native wildlife and spreading diseases.

    We believe better data on the wildlife trade could be used to set management goals, such as harvest quotas or no-take policies for those species in their country of origin.

    What’s next

    The researchers involved in this study come from institutes around the world and are all interested in improving data systems for wildlife trade.

    Some of us focus on how e-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Instagram have become hotspots of wildlife trade and can be challenging to monitor without automation. Esty announced in 2024 that it would remove listings of endangered or threatened species. Others build tools to help wildlife inspectors process the large number of shipments in real time. Many of us examine the problems imported species cause when they become invasive.

    In the age of machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data, it’s possible to better understand the wildlife trade. Consumers can help by buying less, and making informed decisions.

    Michael Tlusty is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data..

    Andrew Rhyne is currently on sabbatical funded by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), focused on the wildlife trade data. He is a founding member of the Wildlife Detection Partnership and co-developed the Nature Intelligence System, which assists governments in collecting more accurate wildlife data.

    Alice Catherine Hughes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Global wildlife trade is an enormous market – a look at the billions of animals the US imports from nearly 30,000 species – https://theconversation.com/global-wildlife-trade-is-an-enormous-market-a-look-at-the-billions-of-animals-the-us-imports-from-nearly-30-000-species-247197

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Piha: Search effort continues for missing swimmer

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A search for a missing swimmer at Piha Beach will resume this morning.

    The man was part of a group of swimmers who got into difficulty yesterday afternoon.

    Five swimmers were rescued, however a sixth member of the group was not located. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand alerted Police just after 4pm on Tuesday.

    A shoreline search, involving Police and Land Search and Rescue, will be carried out around the Lion Rock and South Piha/Blue Pool area.

    The Police Eagle helicopter will conduct an aerial search where possible today.

    Police are liaising with the man’s family, and we will continue to provide updates as these are available.

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Condemns Donald Trump’s Firing of NLRB’s Jennifer Abruzzo and Gwynne Wilcox

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s firing of NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox:

    CWA members across the country are deeply disappointed by Donald Trump’s firing of National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox.

    Abruzzo is a member of our CWA family, having served as the Special Counsel for Strategic Initiatives at CWA prior to her appointment as NLRB General Counsel. As NLRB General Counsel, she held billionaire CEOs accountable for their attempts to silence workers and made sure that workers who were unjustly disciplined or fired received full compensation for their lost wages.

    As a member of the NLRB, Wilcox stood on the side of workers whenever CEOs threatened our freedom to join unions and collectively bargain. Her illegal firing leaves the NLRB without a quorum and unable to enforce labor law. This unprecedented action is a favor to Trump’s wealthy backers and advisors, who want to boost their profits by preventing us from joining together to fight for good wages, safety on the job, and fair work schedules.

    Working people rely on the NLRB to uphold the law. Trump’s actions send a strong message that under his administration, workers will be left unprotected by the federal government as corporate executives attempt to take even more control over our lives.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Members at McGee Air Services Ready for Negotiations

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Negotiations between IAM District 142 and McGee Air Services are set to begin in early 2025.

    District 142 General Chairs Justin Bates and Jason McAdoo, along with IAM Air Transport Territory International Representative Brianna Gregory are supporting negotiations. The entire group recently traveled to the IAM’s Winpisinger Education Technology Center in Hollywood, Md., for negotiation preparations.

    Watch Video here.

    “I’m very proud of each and every member of the team,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “The IAM will fully assist and support the team in upcoming bargaining talks. This training is just one part of the overall power the IAM gives its members. I know they will be ready!”

    The important preparations consisted of a week-long education and strategic planning to assist the committee in negotiating the best contract possible to bring to the membership for a vote. The intense training culminated with a negotiation simulation, allowing the committee to hone skills and prepare for negotiations.

    The IAM Negotiations Committee has been selected and consists of Marvin McCarter (Chief Shop Steward, LAX), Daniel McGuire (Chief Shop Steward, SEA), Michael Parker (Chief Shop Steward, PDX), and Jose Rosales (Chief Shop Steward, SJC).

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump ousts NLRB board member, general counsel

    Source: US National Education Union

    By: Staci Maiers

    Published: January 28, 2025

    WASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump fired National Labor Relations Board Member Gwynne Wilcox, late Monday night, according to news reports. He also fired NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, a strong advocate for unionization who undertook an aggressive approach in enforcing workers’ rights.

    The following statement can be attributed to Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest labor union representing 3 million workers: 

    “Hardworking Americans, of every race and from every place in this country, deserve to have their voices heard and their rights on the job protected. Anyone who is not a CEO or billionaire donor should be deeply alarmed by President Trump’s unlawful and unprecedented decision to remove a member of the National Labor Relations Board. This stunt is a gross abuse of power that undermines the very foundation of workers’ rights and protections in this country. 

    “By ousting experienced and dedicated NLRB personnel, Trump is silencing the voices of workers who rely on the board to protect their rights, secure fair treatment, and advocate for just conditions in their workplaces. The Trump administration wasted no time betraying campaign promises to support the rights of working people and their unions. NLRB’s rulings on important worker rights and organizing cases will grind to a halt. Trump is giving a gift to his donors, and we are all paying the price. Every member of Congress has an obligation to tell President Trump that they will not tolerate this kind of imperial declaration.”

    Follow us on BlueSky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and  https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Woman Who Sexually Abused a One-Year-Old Girl, Manufactured and Distributed Child Pornography, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Tyleeya Williams, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert to 40 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for sexually abusing and exploiting a child in her care and multiple child pornography offenses.

    In May of 2023, Williams was charged by indictment with the manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography, two counts of distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. She pleaded guilty to all four charges in June of last year.

    As part of her guilty plea, Williams admitted that she sexually abused a one-year-old girl in her care, and that she had planned the abuse with another child sex offender with whom she was communicating online. The defendant photographed her molestation of this child and distributed those images of her abuse – which included the child’s face – via the internet. Williams also admitted that she had trafficked thousands of images and videos showing the sexual abuse of dozens of other children, sharing that material with groups of child sex offenders online.

    “Tyleeya Williams was entrusted with the care and protection of this little girl, but instead sexually abused and exploited her,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “The defendant further victimized this child by documenting the abuse and sharing the horrific images with other sex offenders. While Williams’ 40-year sentence can’t reverse the immeasurable harm she’s done, it prevents her from harming anyone else’s child and is a measure of justice for all the innocents whose images she collected and shared. My office and the FBI will never stop working to hold accountable criminals ready and willing to hurt our children.”

    “The crimes Tyleeya Williams committed are among the most egregious the FBI investigates,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Even in the face of such horrific crimes, our office remains unwavering in our pursuit of justice against those who abuse and exploit our most vulnerable.”  

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

    The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Votes to Confirm Former Rep. Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    Published: 01.28.2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released a statement on her vote to confirm former Rep. Sean Duffy as Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
    “Today, I voted to confirm former Rep. Sean Duffy as Secretary of Transportation because together, we can do right by Wisconsin families, businesses, and workers. As I’ve said before, it is critical that we have a Secretary of Transportation who understands Wisconsin’s transportation needs, and I have confidence, Sean is that guy. I have long fought to ensure our infrastructure is built with American products by American workers – and I will continue to press Sean to ensure that work continues. I am confident that we can work together to make sure Wisconsin families have safe roads and bridges and our businesses can get their products on shelves on time. Let’s get to work.”
    Senator Baldwin spoke on the Senate floor in support of former Rep. Sean Duffy and also introduced him at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing. During the hearing, Senator Baldwin also pressed former Rep. Sean Duffy on the incoming Trump Administration’s commitment to keeping in place her long-championed Buy America rules, which ensure taxpayer dollars spent on infrastructure are supporting American businesses and jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, Welch, Balint on Impact of Trump Administration’s Move Towards Authoritarianism on Vermonters 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration ordered a pause in all federal grants and loans, a sweeping decision that could disrupt education and health care programs, housing assistance, disaster relief and a host of other initiatives that depend on billions of federal dollars:
    President Trump’s decision to freeze all federal grants and loans will cause devastating harm to working families across Vermont.
    This unconstitutional action will impact more than 1,200 Vermont kids in Head Start programs; more than 10,000 women, infants, and children in Vermont who use WIC to keep from going hungry; nearly 200,000 Vermont patients who use community health centers; nearly 24,000 Vermonters who use the LIHEAP program to stay warm through the winter; 9,000 Vermonters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to keep a roof over their head; more than 12,000 Vermont seniors who rely on nutritious food from Meals on Wheels and at senior centers; countless Vermont communities that are still recovering from devastating floods; and all of our Vermont firefighters and police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
    This decision by the Trump Administration will cause immense pain for the most vulnerable people in Vermont and across our country. It represents a dangerous move toward authoritarianism. No president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore. Donald Trump is endangering the health and well-being of Vermonters. We will do everything in our power to see that it is reversed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sanders, Welch, Balint on Impact of Trump Administration’s Move Towards Authoritarianism on Vermonters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration ordered a pause in all federal grants and loans, a sweeping decision that could disrupt education and health care programs, housing assistance, disaster relief and a host of other initiatives that depend on billions of federal dollars:“President Trump’s decision to freeze all federal grants and loans will cause devastating harm to working families across Vermont.“This unconstitutional action will impact more than 1,200 Vermont kids in Head Start programs; more than 10,000 women, infants, and children in Vermont who use WIC to keep from going hungry; nearly 200,000 Vermont patients who use community health centers; nearly 24,000 Vermonters who use the LIHEAP program to stay warm through the winter; 9,000 Vermonters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to keep a roof over their head; more than 12,000 Vermont seniors who rely on nutritious food from Meals on Wheels and at senior centers; countless Vermont communities that are still recovering from devastating floods; and all of our Vermont firefighters and police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.“This decision by the Trump Administration will cause immense pain for the most vulnerable people in Vermont and across our country. It represents a dangerous move toward authoritarianism. No president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore. Donald Trump is endangering the health and well-being of Vermonters. We will do everything in our power to see that it is reversed.”

    MIL OSI USA News –