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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Mission Index Focuses Help Where It’s Needed

    Source: Fannie Mae

    Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) Mission Index disclosures provide insights into mission-oriented lending activities underlying our Single-Family mortgage-backed securities (MBS) — helping meet specific portfolio needs and informing investment strategy. The disclosure was designed in response to investors’ increased interest in allocating capital to support affordable housing and provide access to credit for underserved borrowers and markets. Since the first version of the Mission Index was introduced two years ago, it has evolved based on investor feedback and is now the foundation of the Enterprises’ Single-Family Social Bond programs. We’ve also introduced a new disclosure supplement, the Mission Index Criteria Attribution (MICA), to further support investors in their impact analysis.

    Our Mission Through Disclosures

    The Enterprises support liquidity, stability, and affordability in the U.S. housing finance market. We work especially hard to ensure that includes support for mortgage credit to moderate- and low-income families and underserved areas. The Mission Index helps to highlight these activities. In summary, it’s a disclosure designed as two aggregate measures per MBS pool. The first measure helps investors understand how many loans in a pool finance a property to borrowers meeting certain income, borrower, and property dimensions. The second measure illustrates how many of those loans meet multiple mission criteria. These measures are aggregated by design to minimize disruption to Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities (UMBS) in the “to be announced” (TBA) market and to deliver transparency to investors while protecting borrower privacy.

    Market Reception

    The Mission Index has been well received by both impact-focused investors and by value-focused investors. That is because, in addition to providing more information on the social characteristics of the borrowers underlying a pool, many of the criteria that comprise the Mission Index are historically correlated with slower prepayments, or call protection. As a result, both impact and non-impact investors alike have expressed interest in these new disclosures. Some of this interest has been expressed through pay-ups, meaning investors find value in MBS pools with high Mission Index scores and are willing to pay more for them than the typical TBA security. This demand, and the pay-ups received by lenders who originate these loans, are designed to help incentivize more mission-oriented mortgage financing.

    Single-Family Social Bonds

    Our Single-Family Social Bonds, or MBS, launched in the first half of this year, are designed to satisfy international standards and are bolstered by independent second party opinions. And the Mission Index is the foundation of the program. MBS pools with 100% of their loans having at least one mission-focused attribute and an average of at least two of the three high-level attributes (i.e., income, borrower, or property) per loan now receive a Social Bond label.  When the Enterprises pool whole loans purchased from lenders that meet the criteria for our Single-Family Social Bond labels into an MBS and sell that MBS with a pay-up, the programs are designed to support more mission lending. Specifically, the Enterprises plan to allocate incremental funds they receive from pay-ups for Single-Family Social MBS to incent lenders to prioritize these types of loans, while any surplus revenue are expected to support mission lending programs, such as our Duty to Serve plans.

    Bolstering Impact Analysis

    Recently, Fannie Mae published a MICA disclosure supplement and Freddie Mac expects to release its MICA soon. These supplements are designed with the impact-focused investor in mind and seek to help respond to more detailed questions about how an investor’s portfolio supports mission lending.

    The MICA provides cohort-level information about all MBS pools issued between January 2010 and February 2024 for Fannie Mae and between January 2010 and May 2024 for Freddie Mac under the original Mission Index Version 1. The MICA tells investors how common each attribute is among borrowers in securities issued by the Enterprises, with cohorts divided by issuance quarter, pool type, and the average number of mission-focused attributes for loans in the pool. This can provide valuable information about the types of borrowers receiving loans ultimately pooled into Enterprise MBS.

    What’s Next?

    Market feedback is key to the success of our programs. We’re excited to hear from investors on v1.0 of the MICA as we prepare to launch v1.1 in 2025, which will cover bonds issued under v1.1 of the Mission Index.

    We’re also focused on creating our first impact reports for our Single-Family Social Bond programs, helping investors to see the effectiveness of the money they are putting to work to support mission-oriented lending.

    To further aid in analysis, later this quarter we plan to update the Social Indicator disclosure for Fannie Megas, Freddie Giants, and Fannie and Freddie Supers to be disclosed as Yes if all the underlying security collateral have a Social Indicator of Yes.

    We look forward to continuing to use this disclosure to work with lenders and investors to serve the needs of households across the country.

    Learn More

    Dive into the Mission Index and new MICA Resources – including Fannie Mae’s excel-based tool where investors can load their portfolios to receive an estimate of impact.

    Review our Single-Family Social Bonds, including eligibility, disclosures, and expected impact reporting.

    The information contained in this blog post and in the documents that may be accessed through this blog post is provided for your general information only and speaks only as of the date of those documents. Numerous assumptions were used in preparing the information, which may or may not be reflected herein. As such, no assurance can be given as to the information’s accuracy, appropriateness or completeness in any particular context. The information could be out of date and no longer accurate. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae undertake no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update any of the information in those documents.  Opinions contained in this blog post are those of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as of the date of this blog post and are subject to change without notice.

    This is not an offer to buy or sell any Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae securities. Offers for any given security are made only through applicable offering circulars and related supplements, which incorporate the issuer’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); all other reports the issuer files with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), excluding any information “furnished” to the SEC on Form 8-K; and all documents that the issuer files with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c) or 14 of the Exchange Act, excluding any information “furnished” to the SEC on Form 8-K.

    The financial and other information contained in this blog post is not incorporated by reference into, or a part of, any offering documents of any security. The information does not constitute a sufficient basis for making a decision with respect to the purchase and sale of any security and is directed only at, and is intended for distribution to and use by, qualified persons or entities in jurisdictions where such distribution and use is permitted and would not be contrary to law or regulation. All information regarding or relating to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae securities is qualified in its entirety by the relevant offering circular and any related supplements. You should review the relevant offering circular and any related supplements before making a decision with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. In addition, before purchasing any security, please consult your legal and financial advisors for information about and analysis of the security, its risks and its suitability as an investment in your particular circumstances.

    These materials may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Freddie Mac’s control. Freddie Mac’s management’s expectations for the company’s future necessarily involve a number of assumptions, judgments and estimates and various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in these and other forward-looking statements. These assumptions, judgments, estimates and factors are discussed in Freddie Mac’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which are available on the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at http://www.freddiemac.com/investors and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Freddie Mac undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements it makes to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this blog post.

    This discussion contains a number of expectations, beliefs and forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Fannie Mae’s business plans, strategies and activities and the impact of those plans, strategies and activities. These expectations, beliefs and other forward-looking statements are based on Fannie Mae’s current assumptions regarding numerous factors and are subject to change. Actual outcomes may differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those described in “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Fannie Mae’s most recently filed Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements made by Fannie Mae speak only as of the date on which they were made. Fannie Mae is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, or otherwise.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Garcia Hosts Veterans Town Hall in Antelope Valley

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25)

    LANCASTER, CA – Representative Mike Garcia (CA-27) held a Veterans Town Hall at the Antelope Valley Community Resource Center, where he connected with veterans, advocates, and local leaders to address urgent issues affecting veterans in CA-27. Joined by Jon Clark, Staff Director for the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Garcia provided crucial updates on recent legislative wins, new resources, and his office’s ongoing commitment to supporting local veterans.

    “Our veterans deserve more than just promises—they deserve results,” said Rep. Garcia. “These men and women put it all on the line for our country. Now, it’s our job to ensure they get the care and respect they’ve earned.”

    A primary focus of the town hall was the recent passage of H.R.9468, the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Rep. Garcia introduced and got signed into law. This critical legislation closes a $2.883 billion gap in VA funding, securing uninterrupted benefits for over seven million veterans. The bill also mandates strong oversight, requiring the VA to provide regular reports on budget corrections and spending transparency, along with a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the recent budget shortfall.

    Rep. Garcia also shared plans for the new VA clinic in the Antelope Valley, set to open in 2025. This 20,000-square-foot facility will bring essential healthcare services closer to home for local veterans, including primary care, mental health, women’s health, and other specialized services. “The new clinic is a major win for veterans in the Antelope Valley,” Rep. Garcia said. “They won’t have to drive for hours to get the care they deserve. This clinic is built around the idea that veterans should receive top-notch care right here in their community.”

    Additionally, Rep. Garcia highlighted his office’s record of service to veterans in CA-27, noting that they’ve successfully closed over 600 veteran cases, helping with everything from securing benefits to navigating federal agencies.

    To reinforce his commitment, Rep. Garcia outlined several pieces of pro-VA legislation he’s supported: 

    ●      Fully Funded VA Through Appropriations – Ensuring no cuts to the benefits veterans have earned.

    ●      Major Richard Star Act – Providing full retirement pay and disability benefits to veterans with a disability rating of at least 50%, regardless of years of service.

    ●      VA Same Day Scheduling Act – Requiring the VA to provide appointment times on the initial call, ending scheduling delays.

    ●      Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act – Expanding funding for home care options, enabling veterans to stay at home rather than in nursing facilities.

    ●      Veterans Education is Timeless Act – Removing expiration dates on GI Bill benefits so veterans can access education at any time.

    ●      Love Lives On Act – Ending penalties that cause surviving spouses to lose benefits if they remarry.

    ●      ACES Act – Addressing cancer risks for veterans who served in aviation roles, directing the VA to study ways to protect these service members.

    The event underscored Rep. Garcia’s dedication to cutting through the red tape and ensuring that veterans get the timely, high-quality care they deserve. “Enough is enough. Our veterans shouldn’t have to fight for what they’re owed. We’re pushing for real accountability and resources to deliver the care they’ve earned,” Rep. Garcia said.

    Learn more about Rep. Garcia’s ongoing work to support veterans here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The ESAs finalise rules to facilitate access to financial and sustainability information on the ESAP

    Source: European Banking Authority

    The three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – the ESAs) today published the Final Report on the draft implementing technical standards (ITS) regarding certain tasks of the collection bodies and functionalities of the European Single Access Point (ESAP).

    The ESAP is foreseen in Level 1 legislation to be a two-tier system, where information is first submitted by entities to the “collection bodies” – Officially Appointed Mechanisms (OAMs), offices and agencies of the EU, national authorities, among others – and then made available by the collection bodies to the ESAP. These ITS are the first milestone for the successful establishment of a fully operational ESAP.

    The requirements are designed to enable future users to be able to access and use financial and sustainability information effectively and effortlessly in a centralised ESAP platform.

    Collection bodies

    The ITS on the tasks of collection bodies specify detailed requirements for collection bodies, such as by when and in what format information should be made available to the ESAP, what type of validation checks should be performed on the information submitted by entities and what metadata should be included.

    Functionalities of the ESAP

    The ITS on the functionalities of the ESAP specify the requirements for making information easily accessible to users. These requirements define, among other things, how reporting entities should be categorised by industry and size, which identifier should be used, what types of information should be made available on the ESAP, and the characteristics of the public Application Programming Interface (API) available to data users.

    Background and next steps

    The set up of the ESAP will be a key contribution to establishing the Savings and Investments Union. The ESAP will facilitate access to publicly available information relevant to financial services, capital markets and sustainability.

    The ESAP is expected to start collecting information in July 2026, while the publication of the information will start no later than July 2027.

    The Final Report has been sent to the European Commission for adoption.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reed – “Britain back on global stage to support nature’s recovery”

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    • UK to kickstart new international efforts to protect and restore nature at COP16 biodiversity conference with a renewed drive to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework

    A wildflower meadow on the Pembrokeshire coast

    • Government sets out the path to protecting 30% of land by 2030
    • Special Representative for Nature Ruth Davis will drive coordinated international action on nature

    The UK has today (29 October) taken a leading role at the UN Biodiversity COP16 conference announcing an ambitious international package to protect and restore nature across the world.  

    At the conference, Environment Secretary Steve Reed set out new criteria to meet England’s 30by30 targets.

     Achieving 30 percent of land and sea protected for nature is a key pillar of global efforts to halt the decline of nature and create new areas for wildlife with countries around the world signed up to the target. The Government has worked with farming groups and nature organisations to finalise the criteria for land that can count toward 30by30 in England and accelerate progress toward the target.  

     To ensure the final criteria are applied consistently across land in England, the update also confirms that Sites of Special Scientific Interest will only count towards 30by30 if they are in favourable or recovering condition. This revises existing estimates to show that approximately 7.1% of England’s land currently counts towards the target.  

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed, speaking at a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People at COP16, said:        

    “Nature around the world is declining at an alarming rate.        

    “At COP16, we have put Britain back on the global stage to support nature’s recovery.  

    “The UK is calling for high ambition and momentum to reach our international targets to protect and restore the natural world.” 

    Analysis is now being undertaken to identify further land which may already be meeting the criteria and to understand where action and support is needed to accelerate progress. A 30by30 pilot is planned for later this year, and the government will work with partners to develop a 30by30 delivery strategy in 2025.  

    The announcement today follows the appointment of Ruth Davis as the very first Special Representative for Nature, alongside Rachel Kyte’s appointment as Special Representative for Climate, a role abolished by the previous government.   

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:   

     “It is vital that we halt and reverse the decline of Nature. Our planet’s web of life is fundamental for sustaining our health, wealth and security and further declines in the health of the natural world will undermine growth and well-being, threaten water and food supplies and diminish our resilience in the face of a fast-changing climate.    

     “We must take urgent action to restore nature in England at every level, and the criteria for delivering 30by30 is a welcome step which translates the ambitions of our international commitments into meaningful action on the ground.”  

    “As COP16 nature talks progress in Colombia, the UK is showing real rigour in its approach to 30by30.  

    “Now high-standard accounting must be matched by high-speed delivery. There’s a credible risk that Governments spend years adding up what should “count” toward 30by30 without actually improving the world.  

    “We welcome the new commitment to a 30by30 delivery strategy, which must begin without delay. Faster farming reform, spatial planning for nature’s recovery, and large-scale public and private investment will be the hallmarks of an effective delivery plan to meet the target. “

    Supercharging nature protection at home and abroad is a key part of the government’s mission to tackle the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss which threatens growth, our future prosperity and wellbeing.  

    This builds on swift action the government has taken to recover nature at home. This includes committing to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan and new delivery plans to meet targets on air quality, the circular economy and water.

    In the first few months of government, we have introduced legislation to put failing water companies under special measures to curb pollution in our waterways and introduced a Flood Resilience Taskforce to speed up the building of flood defences and implement nature-based solutions like planting trees to protect communities against the impact of extreme weather.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Entrepreneurs need meta-competencies that help them adapt to new conditions”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Photo: TASS

    Entrepreneurs lack the knowledge to run a successful business, and they are willing to pay for their education. It is important that they have access to verified content. At the same time, only those programs that adapt content to new challenges while maintaining high educational standards, as is the case at HSE, can be in demand.

    A press conference was held at TASS, where the results of the PRIM sociological study (“Entrepreneurs of Russia: Research Monitoring”) for the first nine months of 2024 were presented.

    This study is regularly conducted by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development together with Sber and the Public Opinion Foundation. The quarterly survey involves 600 active entrepreneurs, 600 self-employed individuals and 2,200 other respondents. The emphasis is on the entrepreneur’s personality – their moods and expectations, problems and needs. This time, the experts focused on business education.

    According to Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Tatyana Ilyushnikova, the business education market in Russia is growing and is expected to exceed 100 billion rubles by the end of the year. Almost 80% of the entrepreneurs surveyed note that they lack the knowledge to run a business, and 40% of those surveyed have undergone training in the last three years or are currently undergoing it. This is not about classical education in the generally accepted sense, but about short training formats.

    They are offered, in particular, within the framework of the flagship project “My Business”, created under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and successfully competing with market platforms. “It is important for entrepreneurs to receive information from verified sources, which is a guarantee of its quality,” emphasized Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

    The study showed that entrepreneurs prefer flexible training formats — webinars with the possibility of feedback, text materials that can be studied at a convenient pace, video lectures. “Although educational tracks are provided free of charge in the state support system, 75% of entrepreneurs are ready to pay more than 20 thousand rubles a month for the necessary knowledge,” the deputy minister said.

    Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sberbank Anatoly Popov added that young entrepreneurs are more actively seeking knowledge than their experienced colleagues. In-person training is also in demand, as it expands the opportunities for networking. The survey showed that 71% of those who completed the training noted improvements in their business.

    Alexander Lind, CEO of the educational platform Lerna.ru, emphasized that small businesses are focused on quickly learning specific skills, while large businesses invest in long-term educational programs in fundamental areas.

    Natalia Ababiy, Managing Partner of the online platform Distant Global, said that meetings with real entrepreneurs who talk about their experiences are of particular interest.

    Roman Levkovich, Director of Public Relations at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, emphasized the importance of the brand of providers of training programs for entrepreneurs, be it the My Business project or leading universities. He also confirmed the growing need for business education using the example of the National Research University Higher School of Economics: “One of the leaders in business education in Russia — Higher School of Business “We see double-digit growth every year, and over the last year the number of MBA students has grown by 50%.”

    According to Roman Levkovich, entrepreneurs need not only solid knowledge, but also meta-competences that help them adapt to new conditions. They also need to master modern digital technologies. “Only those programs that adapt content to new challenges while maintaining high educational standards can be in demand,” says the HSE Public Relations Director.

    One of these challenges is the introduction of AI and other digital tools: HSE has continuing education programs that teach entrepreneurs how to use them. Another challenge is the changing geopolitical situation associated with the turn to the East, and the university is implementing programs that help build successful businesses with China and other Eastern countries. A number of continuing education programs are being created together with businesses, including a joint intensive course “Scaler» for top managers of small technology companies.

    According to Roman Levkovich, HSE is seriously investing in the development of DPO. Created marketplace — a catalog of DPO programs, where you can not only choose a program, but also pay for it, and after training receive a certificate (which, however, does not exclude the possibility of a personal visit to the university for a consultation on choosing a program). From November 14 to 16, the HSE will host the 1st Moscow DPO Forum “Challenges of digitalization and new university solutions“.

    The HSE Public Relations Director noted that it is the university that determines the professions and business areas that will be in demand in the future. He also described the university as an environment of like-minded people, where leaders of the entrepreneurial community can communicate with their peers — not just exchange experiences, but also adopt competencies from colleagues with whom they study. “When you come to an advanced university, you can be sure that you will be taught advanced skills that will be in demand in the near and distant future,” concluded Roman Levkovich.

    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 Canada: Supporting communities in tackling homelessness

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Ottawa, Ontario, October 29, 2024 — Today, Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund, a $50 million fund to help communities develop innovative projects to prevent homelessness and accelerate new homes for people currently experiencing homelessness.

    The funding is part of the federal government’s $1 billion commitment to Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, that was announced in Budget 2024.

    The Minister announced this initiative at the annual Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference (CAEH) in Ottawa. Through CAEH, funds will be distributed to communities to help channel investments into targeted, data-informed projects that reduce homelessness. The CAEH will offer one-on-one guidance and coaching to communities on their initiatives and share successful approaches with other communities across the country.

    Further acknowledging the importance of partnerships in combatting homelessness, Minister Fraser also announced that the CAEH will receive more than $1.3 million in funding from the Veteran Homelessness Program to support their work with 26 communities working to end homelessness for Veterans through their Built for Zero Canada program. To date, three Built for Zero Canada communities have achieved functional zero Veteran homelessness: London, Ontario, St. Thomas-Elgin, Ontario and Fort McMurray, Alberta.

    Eliminating chronic homelessness will take a coordinated effort. The federal government is committed to helping our most vulnerable and to working with communities and partners, including Veteran organizations, Indigenous partners, and housing providers to maintain safe, stable and affordable housing and eliminate chronic homelessness across the country.

    Quotes

    “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue working with our partners, like CAEH, to tackle homelessness and provide Canadians in need with the support they deserve.”

    The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Millions of Canadians have served and sacrificed for our country – one of these service members experiencing homelessness is one too many. That’s why we’re partnering with organizations across the country to bring an end to Veteran homelessness. The project led by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness project will meet communities where they are, build partnerships and share tried-and-tested practices to be there for Canada’s Veterans.”

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

    “As homelessness surges across the country, communities are struggling to respond. This fund is designed to support the kind of data-driven, rapid cycle continuous improvement that’s at the heart of all successful efforts to reduce homelessness. Taken together with new housing investments, we’re hopeful we can begin to reverse the lethal trajectory of homelessness in Canada.”

    Tim Richter, President & CEO, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

    Quick facts

    • Since 2015, the federal government has helped almost two million Canadians find a place to call home.

    • Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding and support to urban, Indigenous, territorial and rural, and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs. 

    • This fund is intended to foster sector partnerships and expertise to help communities in the development and use of data to accelerate efforts to reduce homelessness.

    • The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will collaborate on strategies to implement this funding in Quebec. 

    • In September 2024, the federal government announced $250 million to address the urgent issue of encampments and unsheltered homelessness. The government is working with provincial, territorial, and municipal leaders to deliver this funding in communities across the country. 

    • In 2024, the federal government announced $79.1 million over five years for the Veteran Homelessness Program, to fund local organizations that provide rent supplements, wraparound supports for veterans, and to provide funding for projects that build capacity to serve veterans experiencing homelessness.

    • The Veteran Homelessness Program funds projects under two streams:

      • Services and Supports Stream – $72.9 million for rent supplements and wrap-around services such as counselling and treatment for substance use.
      • Capacity Building Stream – $6.2 million for research and improved data collection; increase capacity of organizations to deliver tailored programs.

    • CAEH’s Sustain, Strengthen, & Expand Support for Communities to End Veteran Homelessness project will work with 26 participating communities using coaching, tools, and peer learning to support local real-time comprehensive data on Veteran homelessness, partnerships between homelessness response systems and Veteran-serving organizations, and local system improvements towards reducing and ending Veteran homelessness using a data driven approach.

    • Through Reaching Home, the Government of Canada is already investing $4 billion over 9 years to address homelessness. This includes investments announced in Budget 2021 and Budget 2022.

    • In December 2023, the federal government provided an additional $100 million to Reaching Home in order to help communities respond to unsheltered homelessness during the winter season.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.Ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Responds To Arrest Of Fugitive John Panaligan In Mexico For The Murder Of Chicago-Area Attorney Victor Jigar Patel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    SCHAUMBURG, IL – Earlier this week, the U.S. Marshals Service announced the arrest of John Panaligan, who was wanted for allegedly murdering attorney Victor Jigar Patel, in Patel’s Northbrook, Illinois, office on December 7, 2016. At the time of his death, Patel, 36, was representing plaintiffs suing Panaligan in civil court. Panaligan’s arrest in Tepic, Mexico, and extradition ends a more than seven-year manhunt that led to Panaligan’s placement on the U.S. Marshals Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2020.

    “Nearly seven years ago, Mrs. Patel contacted my office for help in pursuing justice for her husband. Since then, I have continually advocated for her family in that effort,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “I want to express my appreciation for the Northbrook Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the other agencies involved for securing the arrest of the fugitive John Panaligan for the first-degree murder of Jigar Patel. It is my sincere hope that this arrest and the upcoming trial will help bring them the closure they deserve.”

    Panaligan allegedly lured Patel to his law office by scheduling an appointment using an alias. Authorities believe Panaligan showed up wearing a disguise, which was captured on nearby security cameras, and then killed the victim in his office. Two days later, Panaligan was detained at the Canadian border for allegedly smuggling a firearm into Canada but was eventually allowed to return to the U.S., where he was interviewed by Northbrook Police in relation to Patel’s death. During the investigation, authorities executed multiple search warrants of Panaligan’s belongings and property. Evidence collected gave authorities reason to believe Panaligan was the prime suspect in Patel’s murder.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nadler, Beatty, Williams Urge CMS to Issue Guidance on Informed Consent Requirements for Drug Testing of Pregnant Patients

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Joyce Beatty and Nikema Williams led Representatives Barragán, Brown, DeGette, Schakowsky, and Watson Coleman in a letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting CMS include guidance on informed consent prior to drug testing of pregnant patients in the proposed obstetric care Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) included in the proposed CY2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).

    The risk of arrest, prosecution, or family separation following a positive toxicology test makes patients afraid to access health and medical services during pregnancy, putting them and their fetus at an increased risk of harm. While the Supreme Court determined in 2001 that diagnostic tests on pregnant patients without the patient’s consent constitutes an unreasonable search, drug testing of pregnant patients without their consent is still a relatively common practice.

    The members write: “As members of Congress committed to improving the health and safety of our pregnant, birthing, and postpartum constituents, we write to commend the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for promulgating a thoughtfully considered proposed rule that establishes obstetric care Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs). As part of our efforts to advance the health and safety of all patients, we encourage CMS to incorporate guidance into the final rule that reduces roadblocks for pregnant patients with substance use disorder (SUD) seeking prenatal care.

    SUD is a leading cause of maternal death and can also have severe health consequences for infants. However, research has shown that increasing prenatal care for pregnant people with SUD can improve both maternal health outcomes and birth outcomes.”

    In an effort to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, the letter requests that CMS:

    1. Provide guidance for providers on how to obtain informed consent for drug testing during the prenatal period and during labor and delivery.
    2. Prohibit drug testing of people during pregnancy and labor and delivery without the patient’s informed consent.
    3. Enhance provider training requirements regarding SUD during pregnancy.

    The members continued: “CMS should include guidance for medical providers in the obstetric care CoPs on obtaining informed consent for drug toxicology testing during the prenatal period and during labor and delivery. The risk of arrest, prosecution, or family separation following a positive toxicology test makes patients afraid to access health and medical services during pregnancy, putting them and their fetus at an increased risk of harm.

    Maternal toxicology testing often takes the form of a verbal screen or urine test to monitor for conditions such as diabetes or preeclampsia. However, many pregnant patients are not informed that the urine tests can also be used to screen for substance use. Additionally, doctors have reported that because urine tests are regularly provided in prenatal care, patients are not given an option to refuse urine drug testing… 

    …This high occurrence of drug testing of people during pregnancy and labor and delivery without informed consent is concerning, as experts warn that nonconsensual drug testing can undermine trust between patients and providers. In fact, research found that the most common strategy that pregnant patients with SUD employ to avoid their provider detecting their substance use is to skip medical visits or avoid prenatal care altogether…

    ….Ensuring that pregnant patients are aware of all potential ramifications that could result from any medical test in advance of a patient consenting to that test will assuage fears and encourage patients to seek essential prenatal care. Therefore, CMS should incorporate guidance into the obstetric care CoPs that specifically prohibits drug testing of pregnant, birthing, and postpartum patients without their informed consent. CMS should ensure that any updated guidance related to informed consent and drug testing of pregnant patients is not redundant with or in conflict with current requirements mandated by existing state or federal policy.”

    “Hospitals must be places of care and comfort, not fear. Our research shows that the majority of pregnancy-related criminal cases begin in a health care setting,” said Pregnancy Justice President Lourdes A. Rivera. “Ensuring that providers obtain informed consent before unnecessarily drug testing patients is one important step in building trust and improving maternal health outcomes. We are thrilled that Reps. Nadler, Beatty, and Williams are urging this vital guidance to protect pregnant people from criminalization and family separation.”

    The full letter can be found here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly Commends Biden Administration for Addressing Double Taxation Issues with Taiwan

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

    Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, a co-Chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, released the following statement in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement that the United States and Taiwan will begin negotiations on a comprehensive agreement to address double taxation issues. Connolly wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen on October 18 urging the Administration to take this action:

    “As a strong supporter of commercial ties between the United States and Taiwan, I applaud President Biden and his Administration for taking this significant step toward remedying the burden of double taxation between our nations. While we await legislative action in the Senate, this important announcement represents a clear assertion of our commitment to Taiwan and its people in the face of an increasingly aggressive China.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2024 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set™ Available on Nov. 5

    Source: United States Mint

    WASHINGTON – The 2024 United States Mint (Mint) Limited Edition Silver Proof Set will be available for purchase beginning on November 5 at noon EST.  Mintage is limited to 50,000 sets, with orders limited to one set per household for the first 24 hours of sales.

    This set features eight proof coins struck in 99.9 percent fine silver at the Mint’s facility in San Francisco.  Each coin is encapsulated and placed in a beautifully designed package.  The Mint’s certificate of authenticity accompanies each set which contains the following coins:

    • One American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof Coin
    • Five American Women Quarters™ Program coins with reverse designs honoring Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, the Hon. Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša.
    • One Kennedy half dollar
    • One Roosevelt dime 

    The 2024 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set is priced at $255.  To set up a “Remind Me” alert, visit catalog.usmint.gov/limited-edition-2024-silver-proof-set-24RC.html/ (product code 24RC).

    This recurring set is now available for purchase through the Mint’s Subscription Program.  Structured like a magazine subscription, this program affords customers the convenience of signing up to receive automatic shipments of products in a series.  The shipments continue until the subscription is cancelled.  For details, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/shop/subscriptions/.

    The 2024 United States Mint Limited Edition Silver Proof Set will also be available for purchase at the Mint’s sales centers at the Philadelphia Mint, 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street); at the Denver Mint, 320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 (on Cherokee Street, between West Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue); and from the Mint Headquarters Coin Store in Washington, D.C., 801 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20220.

    This product is part of the Authorized Bulk Purchase Program (ABPP) and is available to Authorized Bulk (AB) members.  Products listed in this program are eligible for early release, carry an AB suffix to the product code, and carry a premium.  Early release products are not eligible for discounts.

    Please use the Mint’s catalog site at catalog.usmint.gov as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing and speech impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

    About the United States Mint

    Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873.  As the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins.  Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.  

    Note:  To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of November 5, 2024, at noon EST.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Defendants Convicted in Murder-for-Hire Conspiracy Trial

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

    MOBILE, AL – Following a three-week trial, a federal jury convicted three defendants of a murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder for hire, a carjacking conspiracy, interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, evidence tampering, and witness tampering.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, John Fitzgerald McCarroll, Jr., 30, Darrius Dwayne Rowser, 20, and Lyteria Isheeia Hollis, 30, each of Mobile, were part of a plot to murder an individual as retribution for a prior killing. Jurors reviewed evidence that McCarroll, aided by Hollis and others, directed payments to hired shooters, including Rowser and others, to carry out the intended murder. The evidence included text messages, social media evidence, financial records, surveillance videos, firearm and toolmark evidence, DNA evidence, and cell tower data, among other things.

    As part of the murder plot, evidence showed that McCarroll’s hired shooters attempted but failed to kill the intended target during multiple nightclub shootings. In September 2022, Reginald Dennis Alan Fluker, who pleaded guilty to the conspiracy, opened fire in the Bank Nightlife club using a gun provided to him by McCarroll. Fluker shot the wrong person, who later died of his injuries. In November 2022, Rowser used a machinegun provided to him by McCarroll to shoot at the intended target inside the Paparazzi Lounge. Rowser likewise missed the target and instead hit four victims, one of whom was rendered paralyzed.

    The evidence also showed that as part of the conspiracy, Rowser and others, at McCarroll’s direction, traveled to Mississippi to steal cars for use in surveilling the target of the plot. In September 2022, during an attempted carjacking in D’Iberville, Mississippi, Rowser shot and killed a victim. As part of that murder, Rowser and a coconspirator traveled back to Mobile and burned the stolen car they were using during the attempted carjacking.

    The evidence further showed that in December 2022, at McCarroll’s direction, Rowser and other coconspirators traveled to the Walmart on I-65 Service Road South in Mobile to purchase a GPS tracker for the target’s vehicle. During that trip, Rowser and a coconspirator opened fire into the self-checkout area of the store, striking two victims.

    Finally, evidence showed that following the arrests of McCarroll, Fluker, and other members of the conspiracy, the defendants attempted to tamper with evidence and a witness. Specifically, McCarroll directed Hollis to hide a weapon that he had previously purchased for Fluker because of Fluker’s participation in the murder plot. Federal agents seized that gun from Hollis’s house. Additionally, the jury convicted McCarroll of attempting to tamper with Fluker’s testimony by having him sign a sham affidavit, which was filed in state court to earn McCarroll a bond from jail.

    U.S. District Judge Terry F. Moorer scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2025. Under federal law, each defendant faces a mandatory life sentence.

    U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mobile Police Department, and the D’Iberville, Mississippi Police Department are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Roller, Gaillard Ladd, and Kasee Heisterhagen are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RM of North Cypress-Langford — RCMP seize significant quantity of cash during traffic stop

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 24, 2024, at 5:10 pm, officers with the RCMP Roving Traffic unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle located on Highway 1, near Road 84W, in the RM of North Cypress-Langford.

    The traffic stop led to the arrest of the driver, a 39-year-old male from Calgary, for the possession of Proceeds of Crime.

    A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a large sum of Canadian Currency.

    The 39-year-old male was later released from police custody for a court appearance scheduled for February 13, 2025, in Brandon, where he will face a charge of Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000.

    RCMP continue to investigate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Second Conviction in 2019 Kidnapping

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a count of kidnapping. This crime eventually resulted in the victim’s death at the hands of a co-defendant and the burning of the victim’s body in an attempt by the co-defendant to conceal evidence. Her co-defendant was previously convicted and sentenced to prison for the subsequent killing.

    According to court documents, between July 1 and July 16, 2019, Kendra Panteah, 37, participated in and continued the confinement of John Doe in the trunk of his own vehicle and contacted the co-defendant for assistance in order to avoid getting in trouble.

    Along with the co-defendant, Panteah then drove around for over a day through the Navajo Nation with John Doe locked in the trunk before stopping near Bass Lake, NM. There, John Doe attempted to escape by forcing the trunk open. Before he could get out, however, the co-defendant repeatedly stabbed Doe with a machete. The co-defendant then closed the trunk on the victim, and Panteah and the co-defendant then sat on the trunk until John Doe stopped moving. Doe died as a result of the stab wounds. Panteah and co-defendant then drove the vehicle, with Doe’s body in the trunk to a residence where it was abandoned for several days.

    The co-defendant eventually towed the vehicle to a remote location, doused it with gasoline, and set it on fire with John Doe’s body inside to destroy evidence of the crime. Doe was only identified through hip replacement devices found in the burned vehicle.

    Her co-defendant, Gilbert John Jr., pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

    At sentencing, Panteah faces between a binding range of no less than 10 years up to no more than 18 years imprisonment. Upon her release from prison, Panteah will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Probasco and Alexander F. Flores are prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Exposing Himself on an Aircraft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – An Indian man, arrested last week for masturbating and exposing himself on a flight within the view of two other passengers, has pleaded guilty and was sentenced.

    Krishna Kunapuli, 39, pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2024 to one count of committing lewd, indecent, or obscene acts on an aircraft. Kunapuli was also sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy to two years of probation and a $5,000 fine. He was also ordered to delete, in the presence of law enforcement, photographs that he took of a female passenger during the flight and to have no contact with her.  

    According to the charging documents, Kunapuli made unwanted sexual advances towards a female passenger on board a flight from Abu Dhabi to Boston, including touching her hair and taking pictures of her without her permission.  After a crew member intervened, Kunapuli returned to his seat.

    Later in the flight, two male passengers seated near Kunapuli noticed Kunapuli masturbating under a blanket and, at times, with his penis fully exposed. One of the passengers reported this conduct to a flight attendant, who intervened, and alerted law enforcement.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Announces Election Day Program

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel Tvedt will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Tvedt has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is 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 Duax 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, 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 Duax 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, AUSA/DEO Tvedt will be on duty in the Cedar Rapids area while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 319-363-6333.  AUSA Ron Timmons will be on duty in the Sioux City area and can be reached at 712-255-6011.”

    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 Duax 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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Defendants Charged in Federal Drug Trafficking Probe Targeting Fentanyl and Cocaine Sales in Chicago

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A federal investigation has resulted in federal drug and firearm charges against eight individuals for allegedly trafficking fentanyl and cocaine on the South Side of Chicago.

    An indictment unsealed Friday in federal court in Chicago accuses the eight defendants of conspiring to traffic fentanyl and cocaine from March 2023 to July 2024.  During the conspiracy, the defendants used a residence in the 2000 block of West 69th Place in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago to carry out their illicit activities, the indictment states.  The defendants possessed loaded handguns while engaged in their drug trafficking crimes, the indictment states.

    During the investigation, law enforcement seized distribution quantities of suspected fentanyl-laced heroin and crack cocaine, as well as more than a dozen firearms and associated ammunition.

    Charged with federal drug and firearm offenses are PATRICK TUCKER, 33, THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, 29, DARIUS JOHNSON, 23, KYWANTE SHUMAKE, 26, KEONTIS SHUMAKE, 23, KAMARI ROSS, 26, DREQUAN BASS, 26, and LACOLA WILLIAMS, 26, all of Chicago. The charges in the indictment carry a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.  Tucker and Cunningham also face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, while the others face a mandatory minimum of ten years.  The defendants were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Chicago and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen B. McCurry and Michael Maione.

    The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers and other criminal offenders that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement against criminal networks.

    The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney and ATF Charge Albuquerque Brothers with Federal Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – Two Albuquerque brothers face federal charges for firearms-related offenses.

    Riley Kellner, 22, is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on August 10, 2024, Riley possessed a firearm and ammunition, knowing that he had been previously convicted of shooting at or from a motor vehicle.

    Riley appeared before a federal judge and was detained pending trial, which has not been set.

    Adin Kellner, 26, is charged with 11 counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. The indictment alleges that between October 8, 2019, and February 24, 2023, Adin made false statements to licensed firearms dealers when he executed the ATF’s Form 4473 stating that he was the actual buyer of the firearm when he was in fact acquiring it on behalf on another individual.

    Adin appeared before a federal judge and was placed on conditions of release pending trial, which is currently scheduled for December 16, 2024.

    If convicted, Riley faces up to 15 years in prison and Adin faces up to 10 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

    The ATF and Albuquerque Police Department jointly investigated these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting both cases.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Midwest Manufacturer To Pay Over $3.6 Million To Resolve Allegations It Received Paycheck Protection Program Loan In Violation Of Employee Size Rules

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Exo-s US LLC, a manufacturing company with plants and offices located in Coldwater, Michigan, and Howe, Indiana, has agreed to pay $3,628,819.44 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was ineligible.

              “The Paycheck Protection Program provided important relief to eligible small businesses and other entities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Today’s resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to work with the Small Business Administration to protect taxpayer dollars and investigate allegations of fraud on critical government programs.”

              When Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, it enacted a program to provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and businesses suffering economic and public health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA continued the CARES Act’s PPP loan program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), creating a second-draw PPP loan that allowed eligible businesses that had previously received a PPP loan to apply for a second loan.  One of the eligibility requirements for receiving this second-draw loan was that the applicant had no more than 300 employees, including employees of affiliated entities.

              In March 2021, Exo-s US LLC obtained a second-draw PPP loan, which the SBA subsequently forgave. The United States alleges that the company was not eligible for this loan because Exo-s US LLC and its affiliates had more than 300 employees.

              “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as financial institutions or private individuals who uncover misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages,” said Therese Meers, SBA General Counsel.

              The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act against Exo-s US LLC. Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement or judgment. Here, the United States elected to take over the case, investigated it, and negotiated the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. GNGH2 Inc. v. Exo-s US LLC, No. 1:24-cv-264 (W.D. Mich.).

              The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and the SBA. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hull investigated this case.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Murdering Best Friend and Conspiring to Influence a Witness

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Eugene Burns, 32, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a Superior Court jury of first-degree murder while armed and related firearm offenses. The jury also found Burns and co-defendant Tyre Allen, 24, of Washington, D.C., guilty of conspiracy and obstruction of justice in relation to the murder case. The verdicts were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

                Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo scheduled sentencing for both defendants on January 31, 2025. Burns faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and Allen faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

                On October 24, 2024, following a five-week trial in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, the jury convicted Burns of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. On October 28, 2024, the jury convicted Burns and Tyre Allen of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice (corrupt persuasion of a witness), and obstruction of justice (due administration of justice).

                In 2017, Burns was convicted by a jury of murdering the victim, but the conviction was overturned on appeal in 2020. Following the reversal, Burns and co‑defendant Tyre Allen, Burns’s cousin, conspired to and did obstruct justice by corruptly influencing a witness in the murder case to sign a false affidavit in October 2020 recanting the witness’s prior grand jury and trial testimony incriminating Burns in the murder. 

                On November 14, 2015, defendant Burns lured his best friend, Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III, to Burns’s mother’s apartment in the 2900 block of 2nd Street Southeast, Washington, D.C. Once inside the apartment, Burns shot the victim four times, killing him.  Burns then fled the apartment but returned the next day with family members, falsely reporting to police that they had just found the victim’s body.  Evidence introduced at trial established that Burns had been planning to murder the victim for several days.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, with valuable assistance provided by the ATF Washington Division and investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles R. Jones and Sharon Donovan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Strengthens Community Engagement with New Reddit and Discord Campaigns Amid Growing Market Excitement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC Exchange, one of the world’s longest-serving crypto exchanges, has strengthened its community-building efforts by expanding its social media presence on Reddit and Discord. Through these platforms, BTCC is creating an interactive space where users can freely discuss market trends, speculate on price movements, and stay updated on the latest BTCC news.

    In early September, BTCC launched its official subreddit, which now hosts over 1,500 members actively engaging in discussions and sharing insights. To foster participation, BTCC has introduced a weekly engagement campaign on Reddit, rewarding the community’s most active users.

    Participants earn points for every comment, with moderators awarding bonus points for quality contributions such as helpful advice and insightful market analysis. Winners are selected weekly based on their engagement, bringing the community closer while enhancing members’ understanding of market movements.

    Alongside Reddit, BTCC also launched a Discord channel, which quickly attracted more than 2,000 users within its first week. On Discord, users can discuss trading strategies, explore price predictions, and analyze market trends. As part of the launch, BTCC is offering new joiners a 70 USDT trading voucher to open a BTCUSDT position, allowing them to experience futures trading risk-free. Any profits generated from these trades can be withdrawn, giving users a unique opportunity to benefit directly from their engagement on the platform.

    “We’re excited to offer popular platforms for our users to connect, share knowledge, and grow together,” said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC. “We’re dedicated to supporting our users with spaces to gain insights from each other, especially as we enter this potentially historic bull run. Our Reddit and Discord communities allow users to freely exchange ideas, helping them make informed decisions in a dynamic market.”

    The launch of BTCC’s social channels aligns perfectly with the current market excitement, as the crypto community anticipates heightened volatility and potential new all-time highs amid the upcoming U.S. election cycle.

    About BTCC

    Established in 2011, BTCC is a trusted cryptocurrency exchange dedicated to providing a safe trading environment for users worldwide. With a focus on security and user experience, BTCC remains at the forefront of the crypto industry.

    Follow BTCC on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/btcc_official/

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GL Advances Voice and Data Quality Testing with vMobile

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GL Communications Inc., a global leader in telecom test and measurement solutions, addressed the press regarding their portable vMobile™ solution for voice and data quality testing. This solution interfaces to endpoint devices such as cellphones or Push-to-Talk Radios. It can send and receive audio through the device and measures of voice quality, delay and more.

    [For illustration, refer to https://www.gl.com/images/vmobile-network-architecture.jpg]

    Robert Bichefsky, Director of Engineering at GL Communications Inc., highlighted the tool’s capabilities, stating, “vMobile™ is a pocket-sized portable device for voice and data quality testing on various networks including cellular (5G, 4G, LTE, 3G) and mobile radios. vMobile™ revolutionizes automated drive and walk testing, offering features such as GPS, Indoor mapping, and real-time tracking.”

    The vMobile™ handheld device includes dual Bluetooth® modules for connecting to two mobile phones simultaneously, a 4-Wire Analog port with Push-to-Talk (PTT) for interfacing with mobile radios as a headset, and embedded Wi-Fi for central system communication and remote audio analysis. An onboard GPS receiver enhances location accuracy, while a third Bluetooth module enables direct communication with the Android/iOS Console app for uninterrupted control, monitoring, and configuration. All results and events are stored in a central MySQL database and accessed through the GL WebViewer™, a user-friendly web dashboard.

    The vMobile™ streamlines drive and walk testing for mobile and radio networks. Automated testing is enabled through scripting, which facilitates placing and receiving calls, as well as sending and recording audio during established calls. All call events are sent to WebViewer™, displaying metrics like Call Fail and Call Dropped, and enabling custom reports with line and bar graphs, such as Voice Quality and Delay over time. Results are plotted directly on Google Maps using custom pins depicting pass/fail and errors during testing. For non-GPS areas like indoors or subways, the vMobile™ Indoor Tracking System (ITS) accurately maps results. In addition, using the WebViewer you can remotely stream and listen to the recorded audio files.

    [For more details, refer to WebViewer™ Screen Displaying Drive Test and WebViewer™ Screen Displaying Indoor Voice Quality Test Results]

    The vMobile™ offers automated voice quality testing by streamlining call setup for mobile phones and recording audio during calls. It automates PTT functionality for mobile radios, providing precise measurements like PTT Network Delay and PTT Grant Tone Delay. Recorded audio is analyzed for Voice Quality Mean Opinion Score using POLQA (ITU-P.863) or PESQ (ITU-P.862), with WebViewer™ converting PESQ results to DAQ as needed during radio testing.

    Additional metrics include One-Way Delay, Round-Trip Delay, Signal and Noise levels, Audio Dropout analysis, Frequency, and Power analysis. The device tracks call metrics such as Call Failed and Call Dropped, with all results mapped via GPS coordinates in the WebViewer™.

    The vMobile™ supports remote operations through API functions, allowing seamless control from external systems. Users can integrate and automate tasks using Python scripts, making the device adaptable for custom workflows. This flexibility facilitates remote test execution, monitoring, and analysis without physical access, enhancing efficiency through automated, hands-off operations.

    [For more details, refer to Python scripting for Remote Operations and Automation]

    vMobile™ can integrate with GL’s NetTest solution. NetTest conducts data testing on mobile devices and computes speed/capacity tests (TCP and UDP), HTTP, VoIP, FTP, DNS and video simulation. All results are sent to the central database and mapped using the mobile device’s GPS receiver via Google Maps.

    Other Key Features Include:

    • Satellite communication testing through Bluetooth® and wired headset connections to satellite phones and radios
    • Onboard battery supports up to 24+ hours of operation using small portable USB-C external battery
    • Computes One-Way and Round-Trip delay measurements accurate to less than 1 ms
    • Bluetooth supports both Narrowband (8000 sampling) and Wideband (16000 sampling)
    • Analog PTT supports Narrowband, Wideband, and Super-Wideband (48000 sampling)

    About GL Communications Inc.,

    GL Communications is a global provider of telecom test and measurement solutions. GL’s solutions are used to verify the quality and reliability of Wireless, Fiber Optic, TDM and Analog networks.

    Warm Regards,

    Vikram Kulkarni, PhD

    Phone: 301-670-4784 x114

    Email: info@gl.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung’s 14th Annual Day of Service: Employees Unite Nationwide for Community Impact

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung employees across the U.S. joined forces for the 14th annual Samsung Gives Day of Service, marking the season of giving —a time when people come together in generosity and support for those in need—with a full day dedicated to hands-on community service. This year, we offered more than 2,000 opportunities for employees to be engaged in their communities, both in-person and virtually, partnering with over 50 nonprofit and education organizations. Employees brought Samsung’s global mission, Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People, to life through various service activities that focused on critical areas such as STEM education, sustainability, accessibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Autocrats and cities: how capitals have become a battleground for protest and control

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Jackman, Departmental Lecturer in Development Studies, University of Oxford

    Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest reigning female political leader, fled Bangladesh on 5 August 2024 for the safety of India. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of protesters descended on Bangladesh’s capital city, Dhaka. The crowds ransacked her official residence, occupied the nation’s parliament and burnt down her family home.

    Hasina, who had ruled the country for more than 20 years in total, had been widely accused of turning autocratic and clamping down severely on any opposition to her rule.

    For many, the Bangladesh revolution offers hope in the context of growing global authoritarianism. It illustrates the power of the youth to confront entrenched leaders, and the fragility of authoritarianism. It also highlights a striking feature of contemporary global politics: how central capital cities are to the political life of nations.

    In our new book, Controlling the Capital: Political Dominance in the Urbanizing World, a diverse range of scholars argue that capital cities are crucial political sites. They’re where governing elites seek to assert and maintain political control, and they are also stages for political contestation.

    The book is focused on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the two fastest-urbanising regions of the world.

    Authors explore the strategies and tactics used by ruling elites to politically dominate their capital cities in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    The authors also consider how urban populations have engaged with these efforts. People may resist authority, but they can also cooperate with it in ways that benefit themselves – which sometimes reinforces or supports authoritarian control.

    This is increasingly important in the context of two contemporary trends. First, authoritarianism is growing globally. Just 10 years ago under half of the world’s population lived under authoritarian rule; now the figure is at 71%. The second trend is the ongoing rapid urbanisation of the world’s population, with the majority of us globally now living in urban areas.

    Urban unrest

    Over the past year we’ve seen how capital cities are spaces for contestation.

    Some pro-democracy movements draw from their own histories of struggle and the paths that have been carved by those before them. The template of Bangladesh’s 2024 revolution is ingrained in politics from the ways in which liberation was fought and how later struggles against authoritarian rule were won. The capital city has also been crucial, and students at Dhaka University were key mobilisers in such movements.

    In other contexts, the link between political resistance and urban areas is a relatively new and surprising route to political change. One example is “the struggle” seen in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo and the unseating of the Rajapaksa family, who were perceived as increasingly authoritarian rulers of the country. The Colombo chapter in this volume highlights how such protests emerged in a context where urban unrest had rarely threatened those in power before.

    Even where anti-authoritarian protests have proved futile time and again, urban populations rarely remain quiet.

    In Kampala, Uganda, demonstrations prior to the 2021 elections resulted in a horrifying government crackdown. Inspired by events in neighbouring Kenya, protesters took to the streets once more in July 2024 to demonstrate against corruption.



    Read more:
    Kenya’s protests happened in every major urban centre – why these spaces are explosive

    The protests that erupted in Nairobi from late June 2024 against tax rises engulfed the capital city. They continued for some time, fuelled by the brutal police response. Similarly, Nigeria’s 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality created a powerful movement in cities such as Abuja and Lagos which shook government, and resonated across much of the continent.

    In an age of social media, learning and mimicry across national borders is increasingly common. One of the defining images of Kenya’s 2024 urban uprising was of a group of men with their arms raised and crossed at the wrists – a gesture of anti-authoritarian protest that gained particular resonance several years back during neighbouring Ethiopia’s own uprising.

    As urban protest seems set to continue and spread – often taking intentionally similar forms – techniques of urban authoritarian control are more varied and complex.

    Strategies to dominate and control city populations can be dramatic and repressive – such as the brute force of police violence – and they can also be subtle, deeply ingrained, and sometimes difficult to discern.

    Authoritarian tactics

    Our book argues that authoritarian leaders are increasingly aware of the power of the urban masses. As a result, they are using a range of subtle, and not-so-subtle, tactics to entrench their domination in capital cities.

    We broadly described two types of interventions that elites use.

    The first are policies and favours that actively build support among urban groups. These can range from inclusion in political parties to investments in social provisions or infrastructure to win support. The book’s chapter on Addis Ababa shows how the latter were particularly striking under the previous governing regime in Ethiopia.

    The second are repressive interventions that aim to crush opposition. These are also diverse, and include violent crackdowns, but also surveillance and intimidation.

    In practice, the two types of interventions often overlap. The line also blurs through various forms of manipulation. For instance, misinformation or the delivery of goods in exchange for performances of political loyalty, underpinned by implicit threats of coercion.

    We also highlight the significance of urban geography.

    Ruling elites often seek to divide city populations (for example inner-city dwellers versus the peripheries). This is evident in our book’s chapter on Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Rajapaksas tried to consolidate power by appealing to the new middle class suburbanites through “beautification” projects. But these displaced and excluded the inner-city poor.

    Chapters on Harare and Kampala also show how particular peripheral areas have become central to efforts to build an urban support base by Zanu-PF and the National Resistance Movement. This often plays out through the informal parcelling out of land to supporters.

    Contesting autocratic rule

    Concerns about authoritarian politics are at an all-time high.

    The above Google Ngram highlights the perilous rise in the use of the term “autocratization” in published work over the past decade.

    Meanwhile, the contestation of autocratic rule will continue to erupt in cities, especially in rapidly urbanising parts of the world. In this context, the need to understand how autocracy and urbanisation collide could hardly be more important.

    If pro-democracy forces are to have any hope of prevailing against efforts by authoritarian ruling elites to entrench their position, there is a crucial need to better understand their urban strategies and tactics.

    David Jackman received funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

    Tom Goodfellow is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which funded part of the research on which this book is based.

    – ref. Autocrats and cities: how capitals have become a battleground for protest and control – https://theconversation.com/autocrats-and-cities-how-capitals-have-become-a-battleground-for-protest-and-control-240377

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Amid the West’s wavering aid to Ukraine, North Korea backs Russia in a mutually beneficial move

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently accused North Korea of plans to send 10,000 soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine. South Korean intelligence later gave credence to Zelenskyy’s assertion, as the country’s legislators noted that North Korea has already dispatched 3,000 soldiers to Russia.

    North Korea lending a helping hand to Russia is nothing new. The country has already provided Russia with significant munitions to supplement its depleted reserves. North Korean soldiers, in fact, are likely already fighting in the conflict.

    North Korea’s alleged decision to send additional soldiers to fight demonstrates the inadequacy of the West’s actions. Wavering western commitment to Ukraine has not only made the situation in Ukraine worse, it’s compromised global security too.



    Read more:
    Kim Jong-un sends North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine – here’s what this means for the war

    Immediate benefits for Russia

    Each side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is seeking any and all assistance from its allies. In Russia’s case, western efforts to make Russian President Vladimir Putin a pariah caused him to turn to another pariah in the international order: North Korea.

    Russian-North Korean diplomatic relations are longstanding. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Boris Yeltsin initially favoured relations with South Korea over its northern counterpart. But since Putin assumed power in 2000, Russia has strengthened its ties with North Korea, albeit with a few notable exceptions.

    Russia has always been the dominant partner in the relationship. North Korea, however, has leveraged Russia’s diplomatic isolation for its own benefit. This explains why it’s providing soldiers to Russia on a scale that helps address the most immediate Russian concern: lessening the burden on its population.

    Russia has employed mass mobilization in the conflict, but it has sought to push this burden onto the ethnic minorities and rural population of the country.

    The protracted nature of the conflict, however, means that it’s increasingly difficult for Russia to disproportionately mobilize these elements. The more Putin’s government relies on ethnic Russians from the larger cities of the country, the more it puts his position under strain. Ten thousand North Korean soldiers will help alleviate this issue in the short term.



    Read more:
    Russians flee the draft as the reality of the war in Ukraine hits home

    Benefits for North Korea

    Despite North Korea’s diplomatic connections with Russia, it remains one of the world’s most isolated countries.

    North Korea’s closest relationship is with China, which is both a blessing and a curse — a blessing because China, for its own reasons, frequently provides diplomatic cover for North Korean actions; a curse because it puts North Korea at risk of becoming dependent on China, even though their objectives do not often align.

    North Korea’s deepening alliance with Russia is reminiscent of its strategy during the Cold War, when it maintained strong relations with both the Soviet Union and China to prevent itself from being subsumed by either.

    North Korea will also receive substantive benefits from its alliance with Russia. An endemic problem for North Korea is food shortages. During the 1990s, as many as three million people died from starvation.

    There is evidence North Korea faced famine conditions as recently as 2023. Russia’s delivery of almost 500 goats to North Korea in what’s been dubbed a “goats for guns” exchange addresses a pressing need for North Koreans.

    North Korean participation in the Russia-Ukraine war also gives the country opportunities to access Russian military training. While western analysts have criticized Russia’s military performance in terms of training and doctrine, it still represents a substantial upgrade for North Korea. Furthermore, there is no substitute for the live experience North Korean soldiers will amass on the battlefield.



    Read more:
    3 ways Russia has shown military ‘incompetence’ during its invasion of Ukraine

    Perhaps more worrisome is potential Russian aid for North Korea’s missile program. As one of the world’s nuclear powers, North Korea has lagged in its ability to deploy nuclear weapons, with its ballistic missile tests frequently ending in malfunctions, disasters or both.

    While Russian missile technology has its own limitations, it is still significantly beyond North Korea’s current capabilities.

    Given the pressure that North Korea has been able to exert with its missile tests alone in recent years, any improvement in its capabilities has the potential to destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.

    Global consequences for western inaction

    Russia’s need for North Korean support will undoubtedly improve North Korea’s military technology, as well as provide its army with valuable military experience.

    North Korea has in the past — and will likely in the future — stoke instability in the Asia-Pacific region. The gains North Korea has made from its partnership with Russia will only increase its ability to pose a threat in the region.

    It should not be a shocking development that North Korea provided Russia with soldiers. Instead, what should be controversial is how the West’s wavering support of Ukraine and delays in providing meaningful aid have resulted in a protracted conflict that gave Russia the time to muster resources, like North Korean soldiers, for the conflict.

    Western states, in so doing, not only put Ukraine in a disadvantageous position, but weakened their own security as well.

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

    – ref. Amid the West’s wavering aid to Ukraine, North Korea backs Russia in a mutually beneficial move – https://theconversation.com/amid-the-wests-wavering-aid-to-ukraine-north-korea-backs-russia-in-a-mutually-beneficial-move-241970

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of  Cyprus

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    On October 30, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will host President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus for a bilateral meeting at the White House. Building on the successful inaugural U.S.-Republic of Cyprus Strategic Dialogue, launched on October 23, the leaders will discuss a range of global issues, including energy security and cooperation, events in the Middle East, and continued robust support to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the island’s division, President Biden will reiterate U.S. support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National bus fare cap

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Single bus fares will be limited at £3 until the end of 2025.

    Location:
    House of Commons
    Delivered on:

    In his pre-budget speech on Monday 28 October 2024, the Prime Minister confirmed that single bus fares will be limited at £3 until the end of 2025, as part of more than £1 billion to be invested in buses.

    The current £2 cap on single bus fares had been due to come to an end on 31 December 2024. Under the plans of the previous administration, funding for the current cap on bus fares had been due to expire at the end of 2024.

    From 1 January 2025 through to the end of December 2025, we will introduce a new single fare cap at £3 to ensure millions of people can access affordable bus fares and better opportunities all over the country. This will particularly benefit passengers in rural communities and towns and will save passengers up to 80% on some routes.

    The cap means no single bus fare on routes included in the scheme will exceed £3 and routes where fares are less than £3 will only be allowed to increase by inflation in the normal way so that some fares will remain below £3. The fare cap will help millions access better opportunities and promote greater use by passengers.

    We are providing funding of over £150 million to enable the introduction of the cap. This is part of a £1 billion funding boost for buses, which will be set out at the budget to help local areas deliver high quality, reliable bus services and protect the vital routes that so many people rely on. Improving the reliability and number of services and routes is essential to encouraging more people to use buses.

    Buses are the engines of economic opportunity across the country. Our bus revolution and new Buses Bill will give every community the power to take back control of their services, improve the reliability of services and turn the page on four decades of failed deregulation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Leslie Voltaire, President of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti [scroll down for French]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Leslie Voltaire, President of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti.

    The Secretary-General and the President of the Transitional Presidential Council agreed on the need to expedite the political transition towards holding elections.

    The Secretary-General appealed to Haitian stakeholders to set aside their differences and work together for Haiti’s peace and security.
     
    The Secretary-General and the President of the Transitional Presidential Council discussed the Haitian authorities’ views on the future of the Multinational Security Support mission.
     
    *****
     
    Le Secrétaire général a rencontré S.E. M. Leslie Voltaire, Président du Conseil Présidentiel de Transition d’Haïti.
     
    Le Secrétaire général et le Président du Conseil présidentiel de transition ont convenu de la nécessité d’accélérer la transition politique vers la tenue d’élections.

    Le Secrétaire général a lancé un appel aux parties prenantes haïtiennes pour qu’elles mettent de côté leurs différences et œuvrent ensemble pour la paix et la sécurité en Haïti.
     
    Le Secrétaire général et le Président du Conseil Présidentiel de Transition ont échangé sur la vision des autorités haïtiennes sur l’avenir de la mission multinationale d’appui à la sécurité.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Labrador Joins Coalition Asking Supreme Court to Expedite Virginia Voter Registration Case

    Source: US State of Idaho

    [BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador joined attorneys general from 26 states in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Virginia to remove non-citizens from its voter roll.
    “It is gravely concerning that the Biden-Harris Department of Justice and liberal activists are fighting so hard to keep non-citizens on the voting rolls, especially this close to an election,” said Attorney General Labrador.  “We cannot permit the ongoing erosion of trust in our most critical freedom, the right to vote, and I’m asking SCOTUS to intervene immediately.”
    The brief argues that a preliminary injunction that halted the state of Virginia from removing self-identified non-citizens from its rolls undermines a states’ authority to determine voter qualifications. Virginia’s law provides mechanisms to protect election integrity, while ensuring only U.S. citizens remain on voter rolls.
    “The upcoming election is hotly contested and has caused division around the country. Perhaps the division would be lower if the federal government were not interfering with the election via last-minute attacks on state efforts to police voter qualifications,” the amicus brief reads.
    The Eastern District of Virginia Court’s recent decision to temporarily stop Virginia from removing non-citizens from its rolls will result in Congress forcing a state to allow non-citizens to vote in an election over the objection of that state.
    It converts Virginia’s statute into a federal mandate that forces states to allow non-citizens to vote in an upcoming election in violation of state law and federal law itself when a non-citizen is discovered on the rolls within 90 days of an election, according to the brief.
    “Non-citizens are not eligible voters. They were not eligible voters before Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act, they were not eligible when Congress passed the NVRA, and they are not eligible today,” the amicus reads.
    In addition to Idaho and Kansas, attorneys general from 25 other states joined the brief. They include attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
    Read the amicus brief here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CAREER ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY TO LEAD DOJ ELECTION DAY PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Rick L. Volk will lead the efforts of the Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Volk has served as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of North Dakota for the past 20 years, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the Office’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.

    “Lawfully casting a vote without interference or discrimination and having that voted counted in a fair and free election is a fundamental right in North Dakota and across the country,” Schneider said. “There is a history in the District of North Dakota of election officials and staff serving their critical roles without being subject to unlawful threats or violence, and the Department of Justice will do its part to uphold that tradition and protect the integrity of the election process. With an experienced career federal prosecutor as a point of contact on Election Day, our Office stands ready to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns or election fraud in real time while the polls are open.” 

    Volk has led the Office’s Election Day efforts since 2004 and has served as DEO during five presidential elections. 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, Volk will be on duty while the polls are open in the District of North Dakota.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 701-530-2420 and/or 701-297-7400.

    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 relevant FBI field office for the District of North Dakota can be reached by the public at 763-569-8000.

    Complaints about possible violations of 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.

    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.

    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 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).

    # # #

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Escapee Sentenced to Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who was finishing his prison sentence at a residential reentry center for a 2020 escape and then escaped again in 2023 was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to more than two years in federal prison.

    Caleb Lee Olson, age 49, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 15, 2024, guilty plea to one count of escape from Federal Bureau of Prisons custody on November 27, 2023.

    At the guilty plea, Olson admitted that on November 27, 2023, he was completing his sentence for a 2020 escape in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons at Gerald R. Hinzman Center in Cedar Rapids when he left the facility without permission and did not return.  Olson was found in Marion, Iowa, and was arrested on December 5, 2023.    

    Olson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Olson was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    Olson is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by United States Marshals Service and the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-00003.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –