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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Monitoring of charitable institutions

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (November 6):
     
    Question:
     
         Regarding the monitoring of charitable institutions, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the following information of charitable institutions as at ‍September 30 of each of the past three years (set out in a table):

         (i) the respective numbers of tax-exempt charitable institutions recognised by the Inland Revenue Department under section ‍88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) whose tax exemption status was approved and withdrawn, as well as the percentages of such numbers in the total number of institutions for that year and the year-on-year rates of change; 
         (ii) the number of charitable institutions (set out by type) as well as the amounts of donations exempted from tax and the year-‍on-year rates of change; and 
         (iii) a list of the 50 charitable institutions being granted the highest amounts of government funding, the amounts of funding granted to them, as well as the percentages of such amounts in the total amount of funding for that year and the year-on-year rates of change; 

    (2) whether it will, on the basis of its experience in making reference to common law precedents over the years, study the formulation of a legal definition of “a charitable institution or charitable trust of a public character” under section 88 of Cap. 112 applicable to the situation in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; 

    (3) as the newly amended Charity Law of the People’s Republic of China has been formally implemented on the Mainland since  September 5 this year to regulate charitable organisations, whether the authorities will enact a Charity Ordinance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; 

    (4) given that in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on February 21 this year, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau indicated that the Bureau would, in the light of the relevant circumstances, consider setting up a dedicated department or organisation as the regulator of charitable institutions, of the factors considered by the authorities in the light of the current situation, and whether they will set up the relevant organisation as soon as possible; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, as well as the measures in place to monitor the operation of charitable institutions; and 

    (5) given that pursuant to a recommendation in Report No. 68 of the Public Accounts Committee, the authorities have drawn up a new “Good Practice Guide on Charitable Fund-raising” (the Guide), of the effectiveness of the Guide; whether they will consider making it mandatory for charitable institutions to comply with the Guide; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? 

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD), my reply, on behalf of the Government, to the various parts of the question raised by the the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:
     
    (1) (i) Charities are exempted from tax if they meet the conditions stipulated in section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO), i.e. (a) the profits are applied solely for charitable purposes; (b) the profits are not expended substantially outside Hong Kong; and (c) either the trade or business is exercised in the course of the actual carrying out of the expressed objects of the charity, or the work in connection with the trade or business is mainly carried on by persons for whose benefit the charity is established.
     
         As at September 30 of the past three years, the total number of tax-exempt charities, charities newly exempted from paying tax and charities with tax exemption status withdrawn by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD); and their year-on-year rates of change and percentages in the total number of tax-exempt charities are set out below:
     

    Year
    Total number of tax-exempt charities
    Charities newly exempted from paying tax
    Charities with tax exemption status withdrawn

    Number (Note) and year-on-year change
    Percentage in total number of tax-exempt charities
    Number and year-on-year change
    Percentage in total number of tax-exempt charities

    2022 
    9 856
    449
    4.6%
    211
    2.1%

    2023
    10 347
    655 (+45.9%)
    6.3%
    208 (-1.4%)
    2%

    2024
    10 699
    578 (-11.8%)
    5.4%
    267 (+28.4%)
    2.5%

    Note: The figures do not include charities tax exemption status of which had been withdrawn and later reinstated.
     
    (ii) As at September 30 of the past three years, the numbers of tax-exempt charities (categorised by legal structure) are as follow:
     

    Year
    Number of tax-exempt charities
    Total

    Incorporated under the Companies Ordinance
    Registered under the Societies Ordinance
    Trusts
    Others (Note)

    2022 
    7 586
    743
    432
    1 095
    9 856 

    2023
    8 071
    742
    438
    1 096
    10 347

    2024
    8 419
    743
    441
    1 096
    10 699

    Note: “Others” comprises mostly incorporated management committees established under the Education Ordinance, statutory bodies, ad hoc special committees and overseas companies registered under the Companies Ordinance.
     
         Donations made by taxpayers to charities exempted from paying tax under section 88 of the IRO are tax deductible. In the past three financial years, the amounts of approved charitable donations allowed and the year-on-year rates of change are set out below. However, as there is a cap on the amount of tax-deductible donations to charities, the following figures do not represent the amount of tax-exempt donations received by charities each year:
     

    Year of assessment
    Approved charitable donations allowed under profits tax
    Approved charitable donations allowed under salaries tax
    Total and year-on-year rate of change
    ($ billion)

    Amount and year-on-year rate of change
    ($ billion)
    Amount and year-on-year rate of change
    ($ billion)

    2020/21
    4.35
    7.45
    11.8

    2021/22
    6.9 (+58.6%)
    7.4 (-0.7%)
    14.3 (+21.2%)

    2022/23
    5.16 (-25.2%)
    7.27 (-1.8%)
    12.43 (-13.1%)

           
         The tax returns for the year of assessment 2023/24 are being processed. Hence, IRD is unable to provide the statistics for that financial year at the moment.
     
    (iii) At present, the monitoring of different charitable organisations currently involves various policy bureaux/departments. The Government does not centrally maintain and consolidate the relevant data.
     
    (2) to (4) In processing applications for tax exemption under section 88 of the IRO, IRD has been making reference to the relevant common law cases to determine whether an organisation’s object is a charitable purpose at law, and whether the organisation is established for public benefit. IRD regularly reviews the tax-exempt charities to ascertain whether their objects are still of charitable nature and whether the activities are compatible with their stated objects. The existing mechanism has been effective in handling tax matters under section 88 of the IRO.
     
         In addition to the abovementioned tax arrangement for charitable organisations, charitable organisations which wish to conduct fund-raising activities in public places shall apply for the relevant permits or licences from the FEHD, HAD or SWD.
     
         With reference to the recommendations in the Law Reform Commission Report on Charities published in December 2013 (LRC Report), relevant Audit Report and the Public Accounts Committee Report (PAC Report), the Government has introduced a series of administrative measures in phase since 2018 with a view to further enhancing the transparency and accountability of charitable fund-raising activities. For example, uploading all audited accounts submitted by organisations which obtained approval to organise charitable fund-raising activities to the fund-raising activities page of GovHK for reference by the public; issuing the “Good Practice Guide on Charitable Fund-raising” (Good Practice Guide) and encourage adoption by charitable organisations; and setting up a dedicated hotline for handling enquiries or complaints in relation to charitable fund-raising activities held by organisations in public places, etc.
     
         Since the legislation and monitoring in relation to charitable organisations involve different bureaux / departments, and that the recommendation of setting up a dedicated department or organisation as the regulator of charitable organisations carries significant implications on the definition and operation of charitable organisations in Hong Kong, it takes time for the Government to study and consider the recommendations thoroughly and carefully.
     
    (5) As mentioned above, with reference to the LRC Report, relevant Audit Report and the PAC Report, the HAD, SWD and FEHD issued the Good Practice Guide to provide the best practices for organising charitable fund-raising activities. Relevant departments have been encouraging the adoption of the Good Practice Guide by charitable organisations to ensure the accountability and transparency of charitable fund-raising activities and the use of donations so received.
     
         In respect of the HAD, under the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), anyone who wishes to conduct a lottery event in Hong Kong has to apply for a licence. The Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the HAD is responsible for processing applications for lottery licences. Lottery licences are issued to bona fide organisations to conduct lottery ticket sales for the purpose of fund-raising, and funds so raised are to be used to meet the organisations’ operating expenses or for donations to local registered charities, or both. In fact, the conditions stated in the lottery licences issued have already covered some of the suggested good practices, including the preparation of income and expenditure statement regarding the sales of lottery tickets. The OLA will continue to promote the voluntary adoption of the Good Practice Guide.
     
         Besides, the FEHD also encourages charitable organisations which applied for a Temporary Hawker Licence for setting up any booth in public places to sell goods for raising funds, to adopt the Good Practice Guide on a voluntary basis. The FEHD has provided a link for downloading the Guidelines on its website.
     
         In respect of the SWD, since the publication of the Good Practice Guide, all organisations that have applied for a Public Subscription Permit (PSP) from the SWD have committed to observing the Guide (except for one organisation that had adopted another set of guidelines which also complies with the standards of good practice). The major arrangements contained in the Good Practice Guide, including the rights of donors, fund-raising practices and financial accountability, etc., have been incorporated into the permit conditions of the PSP for organisations issued with the PSP to comply with.
     
         As some or the major arrangements contained in the Good Practice Guide have already been incorporated into the conditions stated in different permits or licences for conducting charitable fund-raising activities, the Government has no plan to further mandate the charitable organisations to adopt the Good Practice Guide at this stage. The Government will continue to encourage charitable organisations to adopt the Good Practice Guide.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuet-ming and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (November 6):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that the numbers of inbound and outbound passenger trips at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (HYW BCP) have continued to hit record highs, resulting in snaking queues during both weekends and holidays. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has examined the reasons for the occurrence of snaking queues at HYW BCP; whether it will consider upgrading HYW BCP to increase its clearance capacity and discuss with the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government short and medium-term improvement measures, including increasing the number of entry/exit gates and X-ray machines, as well as implementing the various enhancement measures under the Special Action Plan for Improving the Efficiency of Shenzhen Ports; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) as it has been reported that Macao introduced iris self-service channels at the Border Gate Port last year, whether the authorities have plans to introduce the relevant technology or upgrade the Automated Passenger Clearance System to tie in with the future implementation of the “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode at HYW BCP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as it has been reported that the public car park at HYW BCP is often full during weekends, and that the use of the nearby private car park by members of the public has also caused traffic chaos, whether the authorities will review the user-friendliness and intelligence of the booking system of the car park so as to increase the efficiency of its use, and introduce measures or consider widening the roads around HYW BCP to improve traffic conditions?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (HYW BCP) is the first BCP which adopts the design of “direct access to people and vehicles”, with a designed handling capacity of about 30 000 passenger trips daily. The HYW BCP has been well-received by the public since the commissioning of passenger clearance service in February 2023. As at September 2024, the HYW BCP recorded a daily average of about 70 000 cross-boundary passenger trips, and during weekends and public holidays, a daily average of over 80 000 cross-boundary passenger trips. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to enhance the handling capacity of BCPs and apply innovative technology to provide more efficient clearance services.
     
         Having consulted the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Transport and Logistics Bureau, a reply to the questions raised by Hon Chan Yuet-ming is as follows:
     
    (1) The relevant departments have been taking various measures, including flexible deployment of manpower, optimisation of workflow, and effective use of information technology, etc., to enhance the handling capacity and efficiency of the HYW BCP.
     
         To further increase the overall handling capacity, the Immigration Department (ImmD) has set up 10 additional mobile counters in the passenger arrival hall of the HYW BCP, and completed the enhancement works in early June this year to replace certain traditional counters with e-Channels, thereby increasing the total number of e-Channels in the passenger arrival hall from 14 to 18. The Customs and Excise Department has also been adopting a risk management approach to select passengers for examination to avoid inconvenience caused to other cross-boundary passengers. During festive periods or long holidays, relevant government departments will minimise leave for frontline officers, operate additional counters and channels, and deploy more security guards to assist in crowd management to ensure smooth passenger flow at the BCP.
     
         In the light of the above measures, citizens can complete immigration clearance in a few minutes during non-peak periods of ordinary days at HYW BCP; whereas for weekends and festive peak periods, citizens can complete immigration clearance within 15 minutes most of the time. Since the commissioning of passenger clearance service in February 2023, there were only four occasions during long holidays on which citizens’ average waiting time was recorded to exceed 15 minutes. The average waiting time did not however exceed 30 minutes on such occasions.
          
         In view of the considerable number of tour groups choosing to enter and exit Hong Kong through the HYW BCP, the Tourism Commission has been maintaining close liaison with the tourism industry for making necessary arrangement for clearance of the tour groups. Relevant departments have also maintained close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanism, to closely monitor the passenger traffic at the BCP and to take diversion measures when necessary to ensure smooth operation of the BCP.
          
         The HKSAR Government has also maintained close liaison with relevant Mainland authorities to discuss and take forward various BCP enhancement measures. It is understood that to take forward items related to clearance in the “Special Action Plan for Improving the Efficiency of Shenzhen Ports”, relevant Mainland authorities have implemented various enhancement arrangements, including introducing diversion measures at the port building and setting up waiting area for tour groups near the control point, etc, while exploring other enhancement measures.
     
    (2) Apart from the common fingerprint and facial recognition, biometric authentication also includes other technologies such as iris and palm print recognition, etc. Every technology has its own advantages and limitations. Taking iris recognition as an example, its accuracy is higher as iris features of each individual are different. However, iris recognition may not be applicable to people with eye diseases (such as cataract) due to damaged iris features.
     
         It is understood that the “iris recognition self-service channels” implemented in Macao at present allow registered Macao residents, under the “separate-location arrangement” mode, i.e. clearance procedures are conducted at the places of departure and arrival in each jurisdiction, to use the iris recognition technology to undergo clearance at Macao side. This mode does not apply to the “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode at the moment.
          
         As visitors will only need to have their identities verified once to complete the respective clearance procedures of both sides under the “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode, the detailed operation would need to be agreed by the Shenzhen and HKSAR Governments before confirmation. The two Governments are discussing the operational details in depth regarding the “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” mode at the new Huanggang Port, and the current plan is to use facial and fingerprint information for identification of cross-boundary passengers.
     
    (3) There are two fee-paying public car parks in the non-closed areas of the HYW BCP, which have been leased out to car park contractors for operation by the Government Property Agency (GPA), providing a total of 415 private car, 36 motorcycle and 15 light goods vehicle parking spaces. Since its operation in February 2023, the GPA has been reviewing the parking need and the operation of the online pre-booking system, and had rolled out two enhancement measures last year including, accepting on-site booking of parking spaces for private cars and motorcycles during non-peak periods, i.e. except for weekends, public holidays and their preceding working day, since July, and releasing the parking spaces of cars leaving early for public use since October.
          
         The GPA is also currently enhancing the online pre-booking system. At present, the online pre-booking system only allows the public to reserve parking spaces from two hours prior to entry. The GPA is planning to shorten it to half an hour with the implementation expected to take place in end-2024 or early 2025.
          
         In addition, the Transport Department will maintain an effective communication with the operators of the car parks in the vicinity of the HYW BCP and request them to properly manage the car parks to avoid congestion. The Police will also assist in traffic management and diversion when necessary.
          
         Lastly, I appeal to members of the public to check the website and the mini programme of the ImmD and Shenzhen authorities to understand the clearance status and choose the appropriate BCP before travelling to the Mainland; and to avoid making their journeys during peak periods to prevent congestion.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Federal Council approves loan for reconstruction of IOM headquarters

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Council in English

    On 6 November 2024, the Federal Council approved a loan of CHF 44.7 million to the Foundation for Buildings for International Organisations (FIPOI). This funding will facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) headquarters in Geneva. The construction work is planned to last four years, from 2026 to 2029.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Overwhelming majority of business entities in China from private sector

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The number of private business entities in China had exceeded 180.86 million by the end of September 2024, accounting for 96.37 percent of the country’s total business entities, the State Administration for Market Regulation said Wednesday.

    Of the total, 55.54 million were private companies while over 125.32 million were self-employed businesses.

    A large number of private business entities are engaged in the services sector — in categories such as accommodation and catering, resident services, wholesale and retail trade, as well as transportation, storage and postal services, the administration revealed.

    China has long promoted the development of its private sector and has consistently pursued the creation of a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment.

    In October, China published a draft law on private sector promotion to solicit public opinion. The draft of the private sector promotion law is open for public comment until Nov. 8.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump declares victory in election night speech addressing supporters

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Republican candidate Donald Trump declared victory early Wednesday in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as Fox News projected that he would win 277 Electoral College votes.

    At least 270 Electoral College votes are needed to clinch the presidency. As Trump spoke, no other major U.S. media outlets called the election for him.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Convicted of Distributing Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Troy Alexander Mendez, age 25, a resident of Temple City, California, plead guilty on Tuesday to distribution of controlled substances. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Mendez admitted that, in August 2023, he sold and shipped over 300 grams of methamphetamine via the U.S. Postal Service to a customer in the Syracuse, New York area. Law enforcement intercepted the package and identified Mendez as the source of the shipment.

    Sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2025, in Syracuse, at which time Mendez faces a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ulster County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register Email Address

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph Nash, a/k/a “Nash Von Wicked” and “Nash Bridges,” age 45, of Port Ewen, New York, pled guilty today to failing to update his registration as a sex offender to include an email address that he failed to disclose.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement. 

    Nash admitted that he became a Tier II sex offender after he pled guilty in federal court in 2009 to distributing child pornography.  Nash knew that as a registered sex offender, he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.  Despite this requirement, he created an email address in August 2023 and failed to disclose it to New York authorities as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  Nash, who was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense, further admitted he also did not disclose this email address and a contemporaneously created Facebook account to the U.S. Probation Office for the Northern District of New York. 

    In addition to his guilty plea to failing to update his registration information as a sex offender, Nash also admitted today that his conduct violated the terms of supervised release imposed as a result of his child pornography conviction.

    Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The SORNA offense carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  The supervised release violations carry a maximum term of 2 years in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    The United States Marshals Service investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Santa Fe Springs Man Sentenced to Prison for Submitting Fake Online Tips Claiming Others Planned Attacks on Military Facilities

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Santa Fe Springs man has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for reporting eight online tips to the United States Department of Defense (DOD) falsely claiming that certain women were about to perpetrate mass-casualty attacks at U.S. military facilities in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Justice Department announced today.

    Daniel Sandoval, 29, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson. 

    Sandoval pleaded guilty on February 12 to one count of false information and hoaxes.

    According to his plea agreement, on March 21, 2021, Sandoval knowingly provided an online tip to the DOD reporting system that falsely stated that a woman – identified in court documents as “S.C.” – was planning to detonate bombs in a “mass attack” at a U.S. Navy weapons facility located in Seal Beach. According to Sandoval’s tip, the attack would involve “blowing up military vehicles stationed there and civilian personnel vehicles.”

    During the following two days, Sandoval made seven more online tips to the DOD, falsely identifying additional women who purportedly posed threats. For example, on March 22, 2021, Sandoval provided an online tip to the DOD that falsely stated a woman – identified in court documents as “S.H.” – and others planned to detonate bombs at a U.S. military hospital located in Bell Gardens. 

    On March 23, 2021, Sandoval provided a false online tip to the Defense Department that falsely stated a woman – identified in court documents as “L.E.” – and others were planning to bomb and conduct a mass shooting at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in South El Monte.

    Sandoval admitted in his plea agreement that his conduct substantially disrupted public and government functions and services, including the evacuation of personnel from a Navy building due to the false tip.

    “[Sandoval’s] unlawful conduct harmed not only the military bases he targeted and the personnel living or working on those bases, but also harmed the innocent women who he claimed were perpetrating these dangerous threats,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. 

    The FBI’s Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation in this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander H. Tran of the General Crimes Section and James A. Santiago of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section, prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Website fb-invest.eu and fraudulent offers of shares: FB Invest UG (haftungsbeschränkt) target of identity fraud

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Unknown persons are currently contacting consumers in Germany and offering them the opportunity to buy shares. BaFin suspects these persons of providing financial and investment services without the required authorisation. The offers of shares and the website fb-invest.eu used for this purpose do not originate from FB Invest UG (haftungsbeschränkt), based in Munich. This is a case of identity fraud. Furthermore, despite their assertions to the contrary, the website’s operators are not supervised by the financial supervisory authority BaFin.

    Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation. Information on whether a particular company has been granted authorisation by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

    Theinformation provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement with Dangerous Weapons and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON— A Utah man was sentenced to six years in prison today after he was previously convicted of seven felonies, including assaulting law enforcement officers with dangerous weapons during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

               Odin Meacham, 30, of Myton, Utah, was sentenced to six years – or 72 months – in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates.

               Judge Bates previously found Meacham guilty of seven felonies, including civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon; assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers; engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly conduct on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and entering and remaining on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon. Meacham was also convicted of a misdemeanor offense of act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

               According to evidence presented during the trial and court documents, on Jan. 5, 2021, Meacham, a resident of Myton, Utah, embarked on a 30-hour, 2,000-mile journey to Washington, D.C., to attend events related to the certification of the 2020 presidential election. On the morning of January 6th, Meacham attended the “Stop the Steal” rally, where the former President addressed the crowd. Following the rally, Meacham, along with thousands of other rioters, marched to the U.S. Capitol building.

               Upon reaching Capitol grounds, Meacham bypassed the initial barriers and moved with the crowd of rioters to the West Plaza, where another line of barricades and police officers held the line against advancing rioters.

               At 2:10 p.m., Meacham    rushed towards several police officers guarding the West Plaza, raised a wooden flagpole over his head, and slammed the flagpole against the upper body of a Capitol Police Officer so hard that the flagpole snapped in half. Meacham then swung the broken flagpole at officers again, striking a bike rack that had been placed in front of the officers for protection.

               At approximately 2:14 p.m., Meacham abandoned the broken flagpole and picked up a metal pole lying on the ground. Meacham then threw the metal pole at a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, hitting the officer’s left hand. The evidence presented at trial showed that Meacham, after throwing the metal pole and striking the officer, proceeded to point at and taunt that same officer.

               Even after two assaults with dangerous weapons, Meacham’s violent and aggressive actions continued. At 2:16 p.m., Meacham approached another MPD officer and shouted “lean in!” repeatedly, while gesturing towards the crowd in an apparent attempt to rally others to overpower the line of officers. Meacham then grabbed the officer’s baton and tried to wrestle it away.

               After the altercation, Meacham remained on Capitol grounds, where he continued to verbally harass, abuse, and taunt officers. His comments included expletives and accusations, such as “you f— pieces of s—,” “you traitors,” “you dogs,” “you f— scumbag pieces of s—,” and “are you scared, m—f—?”

               The FBI arrested Meacham on May 15, 2023, in Utah.

               The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah provided valuable assistance.

               The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s Vernal Resident Agency and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Meacham as #400 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

    In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

    Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — William Lesley, 34, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, law enforcement officers conducted a parole search in Galt at the residence of Lesley’s co-defendant, Dexter Weeks, 35, a known felon on parole. While clearing the residence, officers encountered Lesley as he was coming out of a bedroom. In the bedroom where Lesley had exited, officers found a loaded Ruger pistol in a backpack on the floor near the bed. Lesley is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has multiple state felony convictions.

    After pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, Weeks was sentenced on Aug. 27, 2024, to seven years in prison.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bank “RUSSIA” will finance investment projects of Gazprom Helium Service LLC in the gas sector

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Bank “ROSSIA” Russia Bank –

    Press Releases and Events

    06.11.2024

    Bank “RUSSIA” will finance investment projects of Gazprom Helium Service LLC in the gas sector

    Gazprom Helium Service LLC and Bank ROSSIYA are expanding cooperation in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.

    Following negotiations at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, Gazprom Helium Service and Bank ROSSIYA signed a protocol of intent for the purpose of subsequent financing of investment projects for the construction and development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) complexes and the creation of LNG infrastructure.

    Reference

    Gazprom Helium Service LLC is an authorized company of PJSC Gazprom for the implementation of investment projects using cryogenic technologies, and ensures the production and logistics of PJSC Gazprom products — liquefied natural gas. The company creates production and LNG refueling infrastructure both to ensure refueling of its own vehicle fleet and for consumers. On its own basis, the company has formed the largest LNG motor transport enterprise in Russia for the transportation of liquefied gases, including on international routes.

    Back to list

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://abr.ru/about/nevs/13786/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Loud, bright, independent: The final of the Parade of Talents was held at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On November 1, 2024, the final of the Parade of Talents of our university took place noisily and hotly in the Assembly Hall of the State University of Management.

    Even before the main event began, the atmosphere in the hall was like a discotheque – music was playing, spotlights were cutting through the stage smoke, fans were waving flags, posters, hearts made of light bulbs, and their ringleaders were chanting into a megaphone.

    The following panel of judges evaluated the teams’ productions: – Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky – Vice-President of the Novard Group of Companies, a graduate of the State University of Management Sergey Sarkisov – Chairperson of the State University of Management Student Council Valeriya Burlakova – Choreographer of the 2024 Talent Parade, coordinator of the Just Dance 2024 dance project, head of the cultural and mass direction of the State University of Management Student Council Anna Poryadina – TODES ballet dancer Yana Agapova.

    Before the concert, Pavel Pavlovsky and Sergey Sarkisov presented personal scholarships from the GUU Graduates Association. For entrepreneurial activity, they were received by Anastasia Manicheva, Stepan Yakovlev and Vladislav Naavgust. For active social work, the scholarship was awarded to Ksenia Starikova.

    Despite the fact that the theme of the Talent Parade this year was expressed by the phrase: “Shine with inner light, not external effects”, the teams did not forget about external effects, having prepared very colorful productions. However, the theme of the performances often concerned the inner world, for example, meme dreams at a temperature of 39°.

    In addition to the love story in dreams, the audience was shown a game of Mafia, given a tour of the chocolate factory with Charlie and the Oompa-Loompas, and scared by really creepy clowns. And the Pre-University of the State University of Management began the program with its own little concert within a concert.

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, member of the jury of the Talent Parade Pavel Pavlovsky: “The Talent Parade is a large-scale event, which is part of the adaptation program for first-year students. Its key feature can be called the “equal to equal” principle, that is, senior students help juniors. The main thing is that this is not done under duress, the university administration does not force anyone. On the contrary, students fight for the right to become curators. This is a great honor, a huge competition, elections are held. Such excitement arises largely due to the fact that the Talent Parade is an independent event. The concept of the approach to educational activities in our country is the relationship between law and responsibility. Students know that they can experiment, but they bear full responsibility for their experiments. This system bears fruit in the form of completely packed halls, satisfied first-year students who in the first months of study become an integral part of the university, imbued with its spirit, traditions, culture. And the members of the Student Council feel like full-fledged actors of the university with their own area of responsibility. The management of the State University of Management monitors the process, reducing the level of intervention to a minimum, and simply ensures that everything meets the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Science.”

    Results of the Talent Parade: 1st place – IIS “Pokoloko”; 2nd place – IEF Golden ticket; Audience Choice Award – IOM “Chudlibudli”.

    Full photo album.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 6.11.2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Challenge accepted! Polytechnic hosted a festival for schoolchildren

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    During the autumn school holidays, the annual festival for schoolchildren of grades 9–11, “Polytechnic Challenge,” was held at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The festival is a team competition where children solve research and scientific problems of various types, apply the knowledge they have gained in practice, and learn to think creatively.

    This year, the Polytechnic Challenge was held in six areas. New this year was the Physical Battles. Schoolchildren had to not only find a solution to a physical problem, but also justify it and defend their point of view against their opponent. In two days, the teams also had to solve difficult tasks from the festival organizers. Thus, the participants in the engineering competitions had to assemble a device that could detect objects using a laser.

    The case championship teams worked on solving the problem of detecting and preventing forest fires. The traditional game “What? Where? When?” brought together the largest number of teams willing to demonstrate their knowledge, logic and ingenuity. The teams that took part in the 3D case needed the skills to work in special programs in order to design a crane structure and print the resulting model on a 3D printer. At the hackathon, high school students helped a large company avoid the consequences of a data breach and created their own application based on the provided database.

    The winners were teams from the SPbPU Natural Science Lyceum, Gymnasium No. 406, Engineering and Technology School No. 777, Anichkov Lyceum, Begunitskaya Secondary School, and the Academy of Digital Technologies. The best participants received prizes from the university, as well as additional points to their Unified State Exam results, which can be used when applying to the Polytechnic University.

    We like programming using Arduino, and the “Polytechnic Challenge” is a great opportunity for us to test and show our skills. Despite the difficulties during the creation of the device, we managed to find a solution that allowed us to win. Each time the tasks are more interesting, so next time we will take part in the festival again, — shared their impressions the students of the Natural Sciences Lyceum, winners of the festival in the “Engineering Competitions” category.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Confluence Corp. Settles Allegations of False Claims for Payment of Work Performed by Unqualified Welders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Confluence Corp. d/b/a Regal Service Company (“Regal”), a Hawaii corporation and Department of the Navy contractor, has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims for payment for work performed by unqualified welders on the USS Chung Hoon, USS John Paul Jones, and USS William P. Lawrence at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility between January 2020 and October 2021. 

    The United States alleged that after an initial review of Regal’s contract work, the Navy determined Regal had used welders lacking required certifications to perform the identified tasks. During a full-scale review of Regal’s work, the Navy confirmed the welders were unqualified and also determined that the welds were deficient. The United States further alleged that Regal provided the Navy falsified documents to make it appear as though its welders had obtained the required certifications when in fact they had not.

    The $300,000 payment from Regal includes $150,000 in restitution to cover costs incurred by the Navy to address the faulty welds. 

    “When anyone – an individual or corporation – does business with the United States of America, the falsification of documents and other false representations will not be tolerated,” said Clare E. Connors, the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “The failure to perform the terms of a government contract risks harming our servicemembers, and our office will continue to hold companies accountable for such misconduct.”

    “Submitting false claims for work performed by unqualified welders harms operational readiness and endangers warfighter safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS appreciates our investigative partners for their continued efforts to help protect the Department of the Navy from threats posed by such fraud.”

    “Department of Defense (DoD) contractors bear a solemn trust to earnestly fulfill their contractual terms. Our military readiness, as well as the health and safety of our brave men and women in uniform, depend upon it,” said Stanley A. Newell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DoD, Office of Inspector General’s, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Transnational Operations Field Office. “The dedicated professionals of DCIS and our partner agencies will work tirelessly to hold those who violate the public trust accountable.”

    The False Claims Act allows for treble damages, and civil penalties of up to $27,894 per violation. DCIS’s Transnational Operations Field Office and NCIS’s Economic Crimes Field Office West investigated the case.

    Assistant United States Attorney Sydney Spector handled the matter.

    The claims against Regal resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Owner of a Bend-Based Microbrewery Equipment Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mail and Wire Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EUGENE, Ore.— The former owner of a Bend, Oregon-based microbrewery equipment company was sentenced to federal prison today for defrauding nearly two dozen customers out of more than $880,000.

    Matthew Mulder, 52, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $887,116 in restitution to his victims.

    Mulder used his company, We Can Brewing Systems, LLC, which he co-founded in 2014, to solicit payments for custom-built microbrewery systems, keg washers, and other industrial brewing products. Beginning in at least January 2017 and continuing through June 2018, Mulder solicited and accepted orders for equipment he knew his company was not capable of fulfilling. When customers asked for updates on their orders, Mulder falsely stated that they were on schedule or nearing completion.

    At the same time, Mulder would entice customers to make additional payments by sending emails and text messages that included photos of nearly-completed orders prepared for other customers. He would then send the customers fake invoices for shipping costs, which they would pay. Many customers received nothing from Mulder following those final shipping payments.

    During the fraud, Mulder solicited and accepted new customer contracts requiring large down payments that he would in-turn use for personal expenses, to pay off loans, and to pay suppliers.  In total, Mulder knowingly and intentionally defrauded 23 customers out of more than $880,000.

    On February 19, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a seven-count indictment charging Mulder with wire and mail fraud. He pleaded guilty to all counts on April 3, 2024.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and Bend Police Department. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Philippines launches safeguard investigation on cement

    Source: WTO

    Headline: The Philippines launches safeguard investigation on cement

    In a document submitted together with the notification (see footnote of the notification) the Philippines indicated, among other things, as follows:
    “[I]nterested parties are invited to submit their comments and position on the matter including their views on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of lmport Services (BlS), Department of Trade and lndustry, 3rd Floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, within five (5) days from the date of publication of this notice. The non-confidential report of the study containing evidence of the DTI’S findings can be accessed at this link: www.dti.gov.ph/advisories/sg_notice-of-initiation_cement/ ”
    The notification is available in G/SG/N/6/PHL/21.
    What is a safeguard investigation?
    A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.
    During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.
    A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Plastics Pollution Dialogue advances discussion on key focus areas towards MC14 outcome

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Plastics Pollution Dialogue advances discussion on key focus areas towards MC14 outcome

    The three issues discussed at the meeting are critical in tackling the challenges of plastics pollution while ensuring trade remains a solution to this global issue. Two other key areas – capacity building for developing members and the potential creation of domestic inventories of trade-related plastic measures – were addressed by participating delegations on 18 September.
    Transparency
    Delegations examined how to enhance transparency of plastics trade flows, including by supporting the work at the World Customs Organization (WCO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and other relevant institutions. UNITAR updated members on its work to develop statistical guidelines for measuring flows of plastics throughout their life cycle, including estimates for plastics embedded in goods.
    A discussion among participants focused on how domestic efforts can contribute to better identifying flows of plastics entering and exiting members’ economies and to what degree they rely on specific breakdowns of Harmonized System (HS) codes. Delegations were asked to provide examples of estimates, data or labelling requirements of average plastics content or plastic material composition in goods used in their respective economies, including for statistical purposes or to support the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which makes producers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products.
    Delegations shared insights on how to improve transparency, monitoring and understanding of trade flows throughout the value chain of plastics, including flows of single-use plastics, plastic film and hard-to-recycle plastics.
    Potential best practices
    The WTO Secretariat delivered a presentation on technical discussions held at DPP meetings on the efficiency of measures to address plastics pollution, as well as information available in the DPP survey on trade-related plastics measures (TrPMs) regarding existing mechanisms.
    The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) presented its paper “Avoiding Trade Concerns in the Design of Plastic Pollution Measures”, which provides insights into aspects of WTO members’ plastics measures that have created friction with trading partners. The paper suggests recommendations for the adoption of suitable policies in the future.
    Delegations discussed guidelines and criteria that should be taken into consideration when identifying potential best practices for TrPMs and were asked to provide concrete examples. They also explored whether the voluntary development of domestic inventories of TrPMs could be useful to increase internal coordination, help improve transparency and coherence, and facilitate implementation and trade. Such inventories could also support cooperative and effective trade policies, aligning with actions outlined in the statement adopted at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
    Access to technologies and services
    The discussion on access to technologies and services started with a presentation by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on challenges and opportunities for trade in services for the prevention and mitigation of plastics pollution. This was followed by a presentation by the Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs (TESS) on challenges and opportunities for trade in technologies related to plastics pollution. Delegations also benefited from a presentation by the Council on Economic Policies on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Non-Binding Guidelines on Services that Support the Clean-up of Marine Debris.
    Several key questions were discussed – for example, the specific technologies and services, including for environmentally sound waste management, which would be particularly useful for addressing plastics pollution from a trade perspective.
    Members also discussed the relevant trade policy tools, main trade barriers and challenges for accessing such technologies and services, including for developing members and least developed countries (LDCs). Additionally, delegations addressed what could be done under the DPP to help facilitate access to such technologies and services and to promote cooperation on trade that contributes to ending plastics pollution.
    Participants acknowledged that extensive technical work has been done on the three key areas under discussion and considered potential proposals that could be incorporated into the DPP to further these objectives, aiming at producing concrete MC14 outcomes.
    Participating delegations agreed that these discussions are pivotal in shaping the agenda for the next Ministerial Conference and ensuring that trade contributes meaningfully to addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
    Next meeting
    The next DPP meeting will address the following areas: how to support the work at the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastics pollution; how to identify opportunities for greater harmonization, alignment, or interoperability of TrPMs; and how to identify opportunities for enhanced trade cooperation on non-plastic substitutes and alternatives, starting with standards.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Frank Elderson: The first decade of European supervision: taking stock and looking ahead

    Source: European Central Bank

    Keynote speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB at the “10 Years of SSM – Looking back and looking forward” conference organised by the European Banking Institute and the Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst

    Frankfurt am Main, 4 November 2024

    Introduction

    Thank you for your kind invitation. It’s a pleasure to be with you this afternoon to reflect on the first decade of European banking supervision and, most importantly, to take a look at the path ahead of us.

    On this day ten years ago, the morning might have seemed just like a typical November morning in Frankfurt’s Bankenviertel: a rainy autumn day, with people heading to their offices armed with umbrellas, wearing heavy coats.

    But that day ten years ago was anything but typical.

    Because it was the first time European supervisory teams got together and started work on an important task: making sure the banking system is safe and sound on behalf of European citizens.

    At the time, some argued that integrating a fragmented system of supervision was either impossible or would take forever. Well, those pioneer European supervisors who came together on 4 November 2014 have certainly proven the sceptics wrong.

    We have come a long way since that day. The last ten years have been transformative both for the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and the banks we supervise. We have evolved from a start-up to a mature, risk-based and effective supervisor. Banks under our supervision have also evolved significantly, building up remarkable resilience. Unlike in the crises that predated the banking union, banks have now become part of the solution to economic shocks rather than the source. That’s good news.

    There is, however, no room for complacency.

    While past achievements provide a solid foundation, they are by no means a guarantee of future success. The macro-financial environment is changing profoundly. Unlike ten years ago, when the main risks emanated from banks themselves, today prudential risks are largely driven by an increasingly volatile and uncertain external environment.

    In my remarks, I will therefore focus on how supervisors and banks must adapt to this challenging environment. I will also address suggestions being put forward by some to relax banking regulation and supervision – suggestions which in my view are misguided. Compromising the resilience that has been carefully built up over the past ten years would undermine the objective of having a financial system that can support a competitive and sustainable economy.

    The first decade of European supervision: from start-up to maturity

    But before focusing on current challenges, I hope you’ll allow me to take a brief walk down memory lane. Where did we start from? What were the expectations a decade ago? And how did we go about meeting them?

    As Europe was looking into the abyss of the euro area sovereign debt crisis in 2012, legislators agreed on nothing less than a paradigm shift – the banking union, which represented the most significant leap forward in European integration since the introduction of the euro.

    The banking union encompasses three pillars, each with a straightforward task: first, European banking supervision to ensure that banks across Europe are subject to the same rules and high-quality supervisory standards. Second, European resolution to make sure that if banks fail, they can get resolved in an orderly manner instead of relying on the public purse. And third, European deposit insurance, to make sure that when push comes to shove, all depositors enjoy the same protection, no matter where in the euro area they are based.

    As far as the supervisory pillar is concerned, the ECB and the national competent authorities that make up the SSM were given a clear mission: ensuring the safety and soundness of banks. This is not just an end in itself – it is necessary so that banks remain at the service of people and businesses by funding innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.

    The destination was clear. But we had no roadmap to show us how to get there. There was no blueprint on how to transform a fragmented system of supervision into an integrated one. So it was by no means a given that the SSM would be a success.

    In the start-up phase of the SSM we were essentially crossing the bridge we were still building: we spent the mornings recruiting the best risk experts from across Europe, the afternoons supervising significant banks, and the evenings setting up our processes.

    When we started, there were plenty of ways in which supervisors across Europe looked at risks and how best to mitigate them. They all focused on different things: while some put the emphasis on credit file reviews, others focused on scrutinising banks’ internal risk management through the lens of the internal capital adequacy assessment process. Some supervisors chose to shine the spotlight more closely on governance or on-site culture.

    Thanks to the unwavering commitment and tireless energy of supervisors from the national competent authorities and the ECB, we consolidated the best practices from this wealth of supervisory experience into a common supervisory approach. What followed was a race to the top rather than to the bottom, resulting in high-quality supervision and a level playing field.

    On our path to becoming a mature organisation, we have adapted our processes along the way. Our supervision has evolved from being predominantly rule-based and heavily codified, to having a more flexible, agile and risk-focused approach.

    And banks under our supervision have also evolved significantly over the past ten years. Today, European banks are in much better shape than a decade ago.

    For instance, the financial resilience of SSM banks has notably improved. The aggregate Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio has increased from 12.7% in 2015 to 15.8% today, the liquidity coverage ratio has increased from 138% in 2016 to 159% today and the non-performing loan ratio of significant banks has declined from 7.5% in 2015 to 1.9% today.[1]

    Moreover, risk management, the effectiveness of internal control functions and governance arrangements in SSM banks have all improved.

    Over the past ten years, banks under European supervision have shown remarkable resilience even under the most challenging circumstances. They have evolved from shock propagators to shock absorbers, stabilising rather than de-stabilising the economy as it experienced significant shocks such as the pandemic, Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine and the rapid changes to the interest rate environment. This resilience is also a testament to the crucial role played by European supervision, confirming that the SSM has lived up to the expectations that were placed on it a decade ago.[2]

    Highly complex, volatile and challenging risk landscape

    But there is no room for complacency. We can’t assume that the achievements of the past ten years will automatically pave the way for another successful decade of resilient banks under European supervision.

    We can’t ignore the fact that the world around us is changing. The macro-financial environment is characterised by unprecedented shocks, giving rise to new risk drivers. In the words of President Lagarde, in the last three years alone we have “faced the worst pandemic since the 1920s, the worst conflict in Europe since the 1940s and the worst energy shock since the 1970s”.[3]

    And as former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers put it, “this is the most complex, disparate and cross-cutting set of challenges that I can remember in the 40 years that I have been paying attention to such things’’.[4]

    In fact, the current combination of risks, challenges and uncertainties is staggering.

    A widening geopolitical divide and a global economy that is fragmenting into competing, increasingly protectionist blocs, give rise to new geopolitical risks.

    Heightened operational headwinds such as ever-more sophisticated cyberattacks and technology disruptions are challenging banks’ operational resilience.

    And last, but, alas, not least, we see the climate and nature crises unfolding, as evidenced by the horrific events last week in Paiporta and other villages and towns in the Spanish region of Valencia. On top of the human tragedy and physical destruction, the climate and nature crises are increasingly leading to material risks for banks.

    What makes this period so unprecedented is that these challenges are not happening one after the other – they are all happening at the same time. And there is no clear sign of them going away any time soon, rather the contrary.

    So how can supervisors and banks adjust to this era of polycrises?

    Ensuring bank resilience in the era of polycrises

    First and foremost, banks’ management bodies are the ones holding the steering wheel and must ensure that banks remain resilient and prepared for this new risk landscape. This involves making sure that banks have sound risk management that is commensurate to new risk drivers, that they maintain sufficient capital headroom to cushion against credible adverse scenarios, and that banks’ management bodies are effective in their steering and oversight function.

    While acknowledging that banks’ management bodies are in the driving seat, as supervisors we keep a close eye to ensure that no material risks are left unaddressed.[5] This means that we must be able to identify the risks and then ensure that banks are resilient to these risks.

    To ensure that our risk identification can keep up with the changing risk landscape, we have made our supervisory processes more agile. We simply cannot look at every risk with the same intensity, every year, in every bank we supervise. We have therefore started to implement a supervisory risk tolerance framework aiming at freeing up the desks and minds of supervisors. This allows our supervisors to focus on those risks that are most pertinent and the supervisory actions that are most impactful. In the same vein, we have also reformed our Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) to make it more targeted and risk-based. Moreover, we are increasingly using supervisory technology tools – also known as suptech – to detect risks early on and move closer to real-time supervision.[6]

    These improvements to our processes give our supervisory teams more time to focus on the most relevant risks. By detecting vulnerabilities that would otherwise only surface later, we help banks to be better prepared and build up resilience proactively.

    Let me illustrate this with an example. Threats from cyberattacks are on the increase and are challenging banks’ operational resilience. In 2022, 50% of our supervised entities were subject to at least one successful attack – that number rose to 68% in just one year.[7] In order to help banks better identify their vulnerabilities to cyber risks and bolster their operational resilience, earlier this year we conducted a cyber resilience stress test[8] to gauge how well banks would be able to respond to and recover from a successful cyberattack while maintaining their critical functions and services. The cyber resilience stress test was an important learning exercise for banks; it helped them pinpoint areas where they need to build greater operational resilience to cyberattacks, which are unlikely to fade away in the current geopolitical risk environment.

    Let’s shift our focus from risk identification to remediation. As supervisors we must ensure that the risks we identify in our risk assessments are adequately managed. This also means that if we find deficiencies in the way banks are managing their risks, they must be remediated fully and in a timely manner, not at some unspecified point in the distant future. This is why we are putting more emphasis on impact and effectiveness.[9]

    To ensure full and timely remediation of our supervisory findings, we set out a time-bound remediation path. If a bank is not remedying the deficiency at a speed that will ensure full and timely remediation by the pre-established timeline, we will step up our supervisory action by deploying more intrusive measures from our ample supervisory toolkit. This is what we call the “escalation ladder”.

    The use of supervisory powers to compel banks to make concrete improvements is not just something we do within the SSM; it is international best practice.[10] The disorderly events of the March 2023 banking turmoil were a clear reminder of what can happen when banks leave material shortcomings unaddressed for too long.

    Banks and supervisors need to have the capacity to focus on emerging challenges. That’s why it is important to declutter our desks by tackling supervisory findings that have been with us for too long. While this is always an imperative, it is especially pertinent in the current challenging risk landscape.

    Let me illustrate this with the example of risk data aggregation and reporting. It is very hard to imagine any bank being able to appropriately manage its risks without strong risk data reporting. A bank’s ability to manage and aggregate risk-related data effectively is a pre-requisite for sound decision-making and robust risk governance. In fact, the Capital Requirements Directive, as transposed into national law, requires banks to put processes in place to identify all material risks. Worryingly, risk data aggregation and reporting was the lowest-scoring sub-category of internal governance in the 2023 SREP. In other words, despite the work done by supervisors over the years, too many banks still don’t have adequate risk data aggregation and reporting capabilities.

    It should not be a surprise that ECB Banking Supervision is stepping up the escalation ladder, using more intrusive supervisory tools to ensure that banks have adequate risk data aggregation capabilities. It’s not about forcing banks to do something that is merely an added perk; it’s about making sure they are able to manage material risks adequately and in good time. In a rapidly changing risk environment where prompt availability of reliable data has become essential, timely remediation of our supervisory findings on risk data aggregation is more important than ever.

    Deregulation and lenient supervision would compromise resilience

    After a decade of European supervision, it is not only the external risk environment that has changed. The current debate suggests that the perception by some of the role of financial regulation and supervision is also changing.

    Ten years ago, with the gloomy memories of the global financial crisis lingering in people’s minds, there was a strong consensus across society on the need for strong financial regulation and supervision in order to safeguard the public good of financial stability.

    Today, it appears that the pendulum is slowly swinging in the opposite direction. Some have raised the question as to whether regulation and supervision have become too conservative, to the point that they may constrain growth.

    Let me be clear: the argument being put forward in favour of relaxing banking regulation and supervision in order to promote growth is misguided.[11]

    We can’t allow the memory of the global financial crisis to fade. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were back in 2012, when the banking union was created. As deputy governor of the Bank of England, Sam Woods, correctly said, the great financial crisis was “the biggest growth-destroying event in recent economic history”.[Second, we would welcome if Member States were to resume discussions on setting-up a European-level public backstop to provide temporary liquidity funding to banks following resolution. The credibility of the resolution framework in Europe would be significantly enhanced by setting up a framework for liquidity in resolution.

    Moreover, building on the strong foundations of the SSM and the Single Resolution Mechanism, we must pave the way for a common European deposit insurance scheme (EDIS). In the first decade of the SSM, risks have been significantly reduced and common supervisory standards have been established. These preconditions for EDIS have now been met, and moving it forward will be important for severing any remaining feedback loops between banks and sovereigns, given that these proved so harmful during the sovereign debt crisis.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    Ten years ago today, when European supervisory teams started to come together for the first time, it was not at all certain that the SSM would be a success.

    We have since built a strong and effective supervisory framework in Europe, perceptive to evolving risks and – whenever necessary and appropriate – insistent in making sure that material risks are addressed. European banks have notably improved, proving resilient to shocks that we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. This resilience is also a result of the strengthened supervisory and regulatory framework put in place after the global financial crisis, including the creation of the banking union.

    Ten years ago, the first Vice-Chair of the SSM, Sabine Lautenschläger, invoked the parallel of an athlete at the beginning of a career, who trained extremely hard and achieved an excellent result in a first major tournament.[15] To turn this promising start into a track record of sustained high performance, the athlete clearly cannot afford to rest on her laurels. Instead, she needs to go right back to the routine of constant training, to keep developing her skills and thus continue to build the foundation for future success on a day-to-day basis.

    This conclusion is as relevant today as it was ten year ago, especially considering the challenges along the path ahead.

    Considering the macro-financial environment and volatile risk landscape, it is safe to say that there is a high likelihood of unprecedented shocks continuing to emerge over the next decade. To make sure banks continue to serve European households and businesses under these challenging circumstances, we must ensure they remain resilient. Because a stable banking system forms the bedrock of long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth.

    European supervisors will continue to work tirelessly to make sure banks are well capitalised and adequately manage their risks. In this way, in ten years’ time we can celebrate another successful decade of resilient banks under European supervision.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: WTO members review latest notifications of anti-dumping actions

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO members review latest notifications of anti-dumping actions

    The Committee reviewed new notifications of legislation submitted by Brazil, Cabo Verde, Solomon Islands and the United States. It continued its review of the legislative notifications of the European Union, Ghana, Liberia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
    In reviewing semi-annual notifications on anti-dumping actions, delegations questioned and discussed the practices of other members including in relation to the initiation of investigations, the imposition of provisional and final anti-dumping measures, and the review of existing anti-dumping measures. Delegations questioned and discussed actions contained in the semi-annual reports submitted by Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. In presenting its semi-annual report, Ukraine expressed concerns over the war in Ukraine and the effects on its domestic industry.
    In respect of the semi-annual reports covering the period 1 January – 30 June 2024, 45 members notified the Committee of anti-dumping actions taken in this period, while 15 reported no new anti-dumping actions in the same period. In addition, 51 members submitted one-time notifications indicating they have not established an authority competent to initiate and conduct an investigation and have not, to date, taken any anti-dumping actions.
    In addition to the semi-annual reports, the WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement requires members to submit without delay – on an ad hoc basis – notifications of all preliminary and final anti-dumping actions taken. Ad hoc notifications reviewed during the meeting were received from Argentina; Armenia; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; the European Union; Georgia; India; Israel; Japan; Kazakhstan; the Republic of Korea; the Kyrgyz Republic; Mexico; Morocco; Pakistan; the Russian Federation; South Africa; Chinese Taipei; Türkiye; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and the United States. Members raised questions and discussed actions taken by Australia, China and Morocco. Canada encouraged members to submit timely ad hoc notifications and raised concerns about the conduct of investigations it considered to be politically motivated which are not based on sufficient evidence or justification. 
    In the absence of the Chair of the Committee Mr Mohamed Zuhair Taous (Tunisia), the interim Chair Mr Wolfram Spelten (Germany), who was elected to preside over the October 2024 meetings of the Committee and of its subsidiary bodies, urged members that had not submitted semi-annual reports and ad hoc notifications of actions taken to do so promptly. The interim Chair welcomed members’ continued extensive use of the anti-dumping portal to submit their semi-annual reports. 
    The Committee adopted its 2024 annual report to the Council for Trade in Goods.
    Next meetings
    The Committee decided that its spring and autumn meetings for 2025 would be held in the weeks of 28 April and 27 October 2025, respectively.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Workshop on the WTO Information Technology Agreement concludes in Geneva

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Speaking at the opening session of the workshop, the Chair of the WTO ITA Committee, Peter Ta-Lin Shih of Chinese Taipei, highlighted the Agreement’s transformative impact on global IT trade. “The Information Technology Agreement and the 2015 ITA Expansion Agreement have been the WTO’s most successful sectoral trade agreements, together helping to support and facilitate the phenomenal growth in trade in the IT sector since the agreements were signed,” he noted.

    The workshop covered the ITA’s positive contribution to promoting affordable IT products, supporting digital infrastructure, and facilitating integration into the global ICT value chain. Participants benefited from lectures, case studies and presentations, gaining insights into how ITA membership can support their national digital transformation goals. They also acquired analytical and technical skills, learning how to use WTO databases and IT tools for effective policy formulation.

    Reflecting on the workshop’s practical approach, Patricien Tjletrawatie Bisoen, a participant from Suriname’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, highlighted how the experience helped her grasp both the benefits and challenges of ITA participation. “The information from trainers and the national experience shared by participants throughout the week increased my insight and knowledge of the ITA,” she said.

    Michael Wairoma, Assistant Director of Trade at Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, highlighted the technical skills gained during the workshop: “The workshop helped enhance my knowledge of the ITA. I gained additional skills related to obtaining and interpreting ITA-related data from the WTO Tariff Analysis Online database, and understanding global value chains in the context of the ITA, trade facilitation, and policy formulation,” he noted.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Case You Missed It: Editorial: Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    In Case You Missed It

    Editorial: Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates
    A bipartisan group of Senators put The Hague on notice for its lawless campaign against Israel.
    Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates
    By The Editorial Board
    The Wall Street Journal
    November 1, 2024
    https://www.wsj.com/opinion/senators-letter-international-criminal-court-karim-ahmad-khan-israel-gaza-26990e35
    The International Criminal Court has been warned. In a letter on Friday, six U.S. Senators—three Republicans and three Democrats—implored the ICC’s overseer “to investigate the highly irregular and potentially illegal actions by the Prosecutor” in targeting Israel’s leaders.
    Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), Ben Cardin (D., Md.), John Thune (R., S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and John Fetterman (D., Pa.) wrote to the Assembly of States Parties with “two grave concerns.”
    First, prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan didn’t comply with the law in applying for arrest warrants. The Senators relate how Mr. Khan misled them that he would “meaningfully engage with the State of Israel,” as required by the court’s Rome Statute, “before any action was taken.” Instead he stiffed the Israelis and announced his application for arrest warrants on CNN.
    Second, “there is a cloud hanging over the Prosecutor and his office” from sexual-harassment allegations, suppressed shortly before Mr. Khan requested the arrest warrants and thereafter. We’ve reported on those allegations, which have since gained steam from an Associated Press investigation.
    Mr. Khan has implied in response that this is all an Israeli conspiracy, which doesn’t put to rest questions of bias. The ICC staff union doesn’t trust the court’s internal watchdog to investigate and has called for “a prompt, independent and thorough investigation led by an external panel.”
    The Senators write, “Any action by the Court regarding arrest warrants for Israeli officials without the benefit of a completed investigation into the serious allegations hanging over Prosecutor Khan would cast doubt on the Court’s actions, and jeopardize the credibility of the ICC more broadly.” That’s sensible, but the ICC faces pressure from anti-Israel groups and states to tar Israel with the arrest warrants, probably soon after the U.S. election.
    All of this is a danger to America. Today the court is after Israel, which doesn’t belong to the ICC, for actions in Gaza, which isn’t a state, in a defensive war against terrorists. Tomorrow the ICC could do the same to the U.S., another nonmember. The ICC still hasn’t closed its investigation of the Afghanistan war, and Hamas isn’t the only group to violate all laws of war and seek to win via international pressure.
    The question is why President Biden rescinded President Trump’s sanctions on the ICC in 2021, and why he and Sen. Chuck Schumer are currently blocking new, bipartisan sanctions from getting a vote on the Senate floor. Mr. Schumer, who loves telling Jewish audiences he’s their shomer, or guardian, is protecting enemies who would put Israel and America in the dock.
    Appeared in the November 2, 2024, print edition as ‘Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates’.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Months of Persistence, Deluzio, Tarentum Borough Successfully Push Norfolk Southern Railroad to Fix Deteriorating Road

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

    TARENTUM, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) celebrated the long-awaited road maintenance work by Norfolk Southern Railroad at a railroad crossing in Tarentum Borough.  

    “Folks rely on these crossings to get where they need to go safely, and it shouldn’t take an act of Congress to get big railroads to fulfill their responsibilities in our communities,” said Rep. Deluzio. “The good folks of Tarentum should have strong infrastructure they can depend on. I’m glad I was able to help push the railroad to do the right thing here, and I thank them for answering our call to repair this crossing. I’ll never stop working to hold big railroads accountable in our community.”   

    Located at the railroad crossing of Lock and Corbet Streets, the road beneath the tracks was severely deteriorated. However, because the roadway is owned by Norfolk Southern and not the Borough, Tarentum was unable to make the repairs themselves. The Borough requested the railroad do the needed maintenance work on their road back in April 2024, but it was only following Congressman Deluzio’s advocacy directly to the railroad that Norfolk Southern finally took action and scheduled the maintenance to fix the road.  

    The repair work will help smooth traffic flow and improve safety of the vehicle crossings over the railroad tracks. The repairs occurred last week. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Daily Press Briefing – November 4, 2024

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Department Press Briefing with Spokesperson Matthew Miller, at the Department of State, on November 4, 2024.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qThstGtXPR4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: RBNZ 5 things to know about financial stability in New Zealand right now

    Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sh_x_iBaTY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 11.04.2024 Sen. Cruz, Colleagues Send Letter Opposing Palestinian Effort to Suspend Israel from U.N. General Assembly

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield regarding Palestinian moves to suspend Israel from participation in the UN General Assembly. The letter outlined steps that would be taken in response, including limiting American funding and participation across the UN and comprehensively downgrading the U.S.-Palestinian relationship. 
    In the letter, the senators wrote, “Regarding the U.S.-UN relationship, America’s participation in international organizations is predicated on that participation advancing American national security interests. America’s global security architecture is at the core of those interests and Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East, a geopolitically critical region. The effort to diplomatically isolate Israel is aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state, which is both obscene and antithetical to American national security interests. If Israel is suspended from the UN General Assembly, we will move to limit American participation and funding across the UN, including UN Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, both those in which the PLO participates and generally.
    “Regarding the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, it is grounded in and structured by agreements going back to the Oslo Accords. Those agreements committed the Palestinians not to internationalize their conflict with Israel outside the contours of bilateral negotiations, which the United States has traditionally mediated. The proposal by President Abbas to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly would straightforwardly violate and fundamentally abrogate those commitments, in turn requiring a comprehensive reevaluation of the U.S.-Palestinian
    relationship. We would pursue such a reevaluation, which will minimally include downgrading cooperation with the PA, ending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminating all Palestinian-related offices across the U.S. government including the Palestinian-facing consulate and the Office of Palestinian Affairs, and broadly curtailing diplomatic, economic, and security engagements between American and Palestinian officials.”
    Sen. Cruz was joined by Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in signing the letter.
    Read the full letter here or below:
    Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:
    In the coming months, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will formally move to suspend Israel from full participation in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, according to statements made by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas at the opening of
    the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in September. We write to describe what the consequences of such an action are likely to be, especially for America’s relationships with the UN and the Palestinians, and to urge you to use all available resources to deter the PLO from
    taking that action.
    Regarding the U.S.-UN relationship, America’s participation in international organizations is predicated on that participation advancing American national security interests. America’s global security architecture is at the core of those interests and Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East, a geopolitically critical region. The effort to diplomatically isolate Israel is aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state, which is both obscene and antithetical to American national security interests. If Israel is suspended from the UN General Assembly, we will move to limit American participation and funding across the UN, including UN Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, both those in which the PLO participates and generally.
    Regarding the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, it is grounded in and structured by agreements going back to the Oslo Accords. Those agreements committed the Palestinians not to internationalize their conflict with Israel outside the contours of bilateral negotiations, which the United States has traditionally mediated. The proposal by President Abbas to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly would straightforwardly violate and fundamentally abrogate those commitments, in turn requiring a comprehensive reevaluation of the U.S.-Palestinian relationship. We would pursue such a reevaluation, which will minimally include downgrading cooperation with the PA, ending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminating all Palestinian-related offices across the U.S. government including the Palestinian-facing consulate and the Office of Palestinian Affairs, and broadly curtailing diplomatic, economic, and security engagements between American and Palestinian officials.
    Additionally, the PLO and PA are both already subject to American antiterrorism sanctions, though those sanctions are vitiated by licenses and waivers, and are primarily limited to Americans’ ability to assist those groups. Should the PLO move to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly, we will seek to ensure that those licenses and waivers are ended, and to expand American antiterrorism sanctions to include third parties. More specifically, in 1987 Congress determined “that the PLO and its affiliates are a terrorist organization and a threat to the interests of the United States, its allies, and to international law” (P.L. 100-204, 101 Stat. 1406), and Americans are in general prohibited from conducting transactions on their behalf or issuing diplomatic visas to PLO officials. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has determined “pursuant to OFAC’s terrorism sanctions programs, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Palestinian Authority unless authorized” as a result of elections held in 2006, in which Hamas was empowered to form the majority party within the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and hold high-level offices within PA. OFAC has issued a series of general licenses authorizing a wide range of such transactions, and special licenses are routinely granted for provisioning visas to PLO officials. Beyond the termination of those licenses, we would seek to impose binding restrictions on the movement of Palestinian officials operating under diplomatic visas related to UN activities, to freeze transactions related to funds controlled by the PA and PLO when they come within U.S. jurisdiction including those related to the Palestine Investment Fund, to designate the PA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and to implement and enforce primary and secondary antiterrorism sanctions against individual PLO and PA officials.
    As always, we stand ready to provide you and the Department with any resources you need to advance the national security interests of the United States.
    Sincerely,
    /X/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cortez Masto Announce Over $375 Million for Recreation, Conservation Projects Across Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced more than $375 million is coming to Nevada to fund 36 different projects aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities, protecting public lands, conserving wildlife habitat, and more. The funding comes through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), which ensures that revenues from public lands sales in Clark County return to Nevada to support conservation and recreation projects throughout local communities. Both senators have been long-time supporters of SNPLMA funding and the work it does to help  support and conserve Nevada’s lands and outdoor spaces.
    “Nevada is one of the states with the most public land, and it’s our responsibility to safeguard those outdoor spaces for future generations,” said Senator Rosen. “This funding will help enhance conservation efforts, expand recreational opportunities, and improve wildfire mitigation efforts. I’ll continue working across the aisle to preserve Nevada’s natural beauty.”
    “The SNPLMA program delivers critical support to Nevada, and this funding will boost our outdoor recreation economy, conserve our water, and prevent wildfires,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “These investments will reach every corner of the state, including our rural communities, and I’ll keep working to deliver more resources for Nevada.”
    The projects include acquiring land to protect endangered species; helping increase recreational access in Strawberry Creek at Great Basin National Park; and investing in outdoor recreation facilities in Churchill County, Lincoln County, and the City of Las Vegas. Additionally, five percent of the revenue generated by SNPLMA land sales goes to the State of Nevada General Education Fund and 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
    Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto have been champions for Nevada’s outdoor spaces. As part of the Great American Outdoors Act, which the Senators helped pass, they secured permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects public lands in Nevada and across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the World Urban Forum [scroll down for Arabic version]

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergr…

    I am pleased to take part in the World Urban Forum.

    It is fitting that you are gathering in Cairo – an enormously vibrant megacity and a magnet for innovation and creativity for over a thousand years.

    I thank the Government of Egypt for hosting the 12th Forum.

    Dear Friends,

    You represent urban areas which are home to more than half of humanity. 
     
    You are on the frontlines of shaping a more inclusive, connected and resilient world.  
     
    And you are at the heart of where lasting change happens. 

    As your theme rightly puts it: “It all starts at home”.

    Real progress begins at the local level.

    On the ground.

    In communities and people’s lives.

    World leaders have just adopted the Pact for the Future.

    It is an important new tool to advance our vital work, accelerate the SDGs, and address inequalities.

    It calls for ensuring adequate, safe and affordable housing for all — and supporting developing countries to plan and implement just, safe, healthy, accessible, resilient and sustainable cities. 

    We need this more than ever.

    Cities generate 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. And municipal waste is set to rise by two-thirds within a generation.

    Not only are cities powerful engines of social and economic development, they are also catalysts of sustainable solutions. 

    I see local and regional authorities as a crucial part of the answer on so many issues and at every level, including at the United Nations.

    We can all benefit from your insights and ideas. 

    That’s why I created the UN Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments.

    I know over the next five days this Forum will have the chance to delve into the complexities and opportunities of sustainable urban development.

    I invite you to seek innovations and inspiration and take them back to your communities.  

    And to help develop infrastructure and public services for all, including women and girls.

    Local actions are the building blocks for future green, just and resilient cities.

    Together, let’s make sustainable urbanization a reality.

    And let’s ensure that no one and nowhere is left behind.

    Thank you.

    *****

    يسعدني أن أشارك في المنتدى الحضري العالمي.
             إنه لمِن الملائم أن تجتمعوا في القاهرة – هذه المدينة الضخمة النابضة بالحياة والمستقطبة للابتكار والإبداع على مدى أكثر من ألف عام.
             أشكر حكومة مصر على استضافتها للمنتدى الثاني عشر.
             أيها الأصدقاء الأعزاء،
             أنتم تمثلون المناطق الحضرية التي تسكنها أكثر من نصف البشرية.
             ما يعني أنكم في طليعة مَن يرسمون ملامح عالم أكثر شمولاً وترابطاً وقدرةً على التكيف.
             وأنكم موجودون في قلب المكان الذي تحدث فيه التغييرات الدائمة.
             إن الموضوع الذي اخترتموه للمنتدى يعبّر أصدق تعبير بأن ”كل الأمور تبدأ من البيت“.
             فإحراز التقدم الحقيقي يبدأ أول ما يبدأ على المستوى المحلي.
             على الأرض.
             داخل المجتمعات المحلية وفي حياة الناس.
             لقد اعتمد قادة العالم للتو ميثاق المستقبل.
             وهو أداة جديدة هامة الغرض منها هو الدفع بعملنا الحيوي والتعجيل في تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة والتصدي لأوجه عدم المساواة.
             وهو يدعو إلى ضمان توفير السكن الملائم والآمن والميسور التكلفة للجميع، وإلى دعم البلدان النامية في تخطيط وتنفيذ مدن عادلة وآمنة وصحية وميسورة التكلفة ومستدامة وقادرة على التكيف.
             ونحن اليوم أحوج ما نكون إلى ذلك أكثر من أي وقت مضى.
             فالمدن تولّد 70 في المائة من انبعاثات غازات الاحتباس الحراري. ومن المتوقع أن يزيد حجم النفايات البلدية بنسبة الثلثين خلال جيل واحد.
             بيد أن المدن ليست محركات قوية للتنمية الاجتماعية والاقتصادية فحسب، بل هي أيضا محفِّزات للحلول المستدامة.
             إنني أرى في السلطات المحلية والإقليمية جزءا أساسيا من الحل في العديد من القضايا وعلى جميع المستويات، بما في ذلك في الأمم المتحدة.
             ويمكننا جميعا الاستفادة مما تبدونه من آراء متبصّرة وتطرحونه من أفكار نيِّرة.
             ولهذا السبب أنشأتُ فريق الأمم المتحدة الاستشاري المعني بالحكومات المحلية والإقليمية.
             أنا أعلم أن هذا المنتدى سيحظى خلال الأيام الخمسة المقبلة بفرصة الخوض في ما تحمله التنمية الحضرية المستدامة من تعقيدات وما تتيحه من فرص.
             لذ، أدعوكم للسعي إلى استنباط الابتكارات وتلمُّس الأفكار الملهِمة كي تحملوها معكم إلى مجتمعاتكم المحلية.
             كما أدعوكم إلى تطوير البنى التحتية والخدمات العامة للجميع، بما في ذلك للنساء والفتيات.
             إن ما تتخذونه من إجراءات محلية سيشكل اللبِنات الأساسية لبناء مدن خضراء وعادلة وقادرة على التكيف في المستقبل.
             فلنعمل معاً كي نجعل من التحضر المستدام حقيقة واقعة.
             ولنضمن ألا يتخلف أحد، في أي مكان، عن الركب.
             شكراً لكم.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officers

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Christopher Ferretti and Shereece Dendy-Sanders will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSAs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Nebraska, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

               United States Attorney Lehr said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

               The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). 

               United States Attorney Lehr stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  They can be reached by the public at (402) 661-3700.”

               In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (402) 493-8688.

               Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

               United States Attorney Lehr said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

               Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and USMS Target Drug Trafficking Operation Linked to Federal Correctional Facility

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    ALBUQUERQUE – This week, the FBI Violent Gangs Task Force and U.S. Marshals Service conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a significant drug trafficking network linked to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, NM, with the support of the New Mexico State Police. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into an intergang conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated gang members.

    On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at 13 identified premises across New Mexico, believed to contain evidence related to multiple federal offenses. The following individuals are among those targeted in this operation:

    • Nora Baca – 417 Monte Alto Place NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Estrella Gonzalez – 1812 Del Norte Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Angelo Garcia – 4903 Rincon Road NW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Monalisa Vargas – 1333 Columbia Dr. SE, Apt #95, Albuquerque, NM
    • Theresa Atencio – 9748 Summer Shower Place NW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Johnny Valiterra (aka “Chopper”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Richard Porras (aka “Deuce”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Sonia Trinidad – 401 Dunes Court, Apt D, Albuquerque, NM
    • Desiree Benavidez – 3 Jose P Sanchez Road, Los Lunas, NM
    • Ana Romero – 200 E. Jefferson Avenue, Gallup, NM
    • Adolfo Montano – 18 Arroyoito Loop, Seboyeta, NM
    • Kimberly Perry and Kelly Perry – 8 Red Mesa Housing, Crownpoint, NM
    • Monique Gallegos and David Hicks – 7 Hughes Blvd, Grants, NM

    In addition to the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced indictments against several individuals connected to the drug trafficking at Cibola County Correctional Center. Two current inmates, Lupe Vargas, 40, and Edward Vallez, 44, along with two co-conspirators, Monalisa Vargas, 38 (Lupe’s wife), and Michael Garcia, 46, have been charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide or obtain prohibited objects in a correctional facility. Additionally, a superseding indictment has been filed against Nora Baca, charging her with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    Nora Baca, Monalisa Vargas and David Hicks were arrested during the operation. If convicted, Baca faces between 15 years and life in prison and Vargas faces up to 20 years in prison. Michael Garcia remains a fugitive at this time.

    As a result of the operation, 15 firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, $6,000 in cash, and 23 cell phones were seized, and six individuals were arrested and charged by federal or state authorities:

    • Angelo Garcia was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the current charges, Garcia faces no less than 10 years and up to 45 years in prison.
    • Theresa Atencio was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with providing contraband to a prisoner. If convicted of the current charges, Atencio faces up to one year in jail.

    At Benavidez’s residence in Los Lunas, three armed felons were located and arrested:

    • Raymond Lucero was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Lucero faces up to 15 years in prison.
    • Jacob Gonzales, aka “Trigger,” was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Gonzales faces up to 15 years in prison.
    • Nadine Gonzales was arrested on state criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition.

    Jacob Gonzales recently was released from prison after completing a 22-year on a state sentence for felony convictions related to a murder.

    In addition, Emmanleen Chavez was arrested at the residence in Grants on a state warrant for attempted murder.

    The operation and ongoing investigation are intended to dismantle the criminal enterprises operating within and outside the correctional facility, which have been implicated in the distribution of controlled substances and other illegal activities.

    “The Department of Justice protects the safety and dignity of all, including those in federal custody,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez. “Those who seek to profit from the addiction and vulnerability of detainees not only violate the law but perpetuate a cycle of harm that extends beyond the walls of the jail. That is why we are taking a comprehensive approach—leveraging technology to interdict contraband before it enters the facility, enforcing federal criminal laws against detainees and those who support them on the outside, relying on the cooperation of people motivated to do the right thing, and treating opioid use disorder with medical care for federal detainees while in custody. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of addiction for profit in our correctional facilities.”

    “This week’s operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to continue to dismantle criminal enterprises operating in New Mexico,” said Philip Russell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “The FBI, along with our federal, state, local and tribal partners are determined to bring drug traffickers to justice for crimes committed and damage done to our communities.”

    “The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for prisoners that are under our care,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico David O. Barnett, Jr. “The execution of this joint operation is a testament to the unwavering dedication by our Federal, State, and Local partners to combat crime and improve the lives of our New Mexico communities.”

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico, made the announcement today.

    The FBI Albuquerque Division Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) and United States Marshals Service jointly investigated this case with assistance from the CoreCivic Intelligence Unit and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and David Hirsch are prosecuting these cases.

    The VGTF is an FBI led task force comprising of agents and officers from the New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department.

    An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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