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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: ERO Boston arrests Guatemalan noncitizen charged with sex crimes, witness intimidation against Massachusetts resident

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston apprehended an unlawfully present Guatemalan noncitizen charged with aggravated rape, witness intimidation and indecent assault and battery of a Massachusetts resident. Officers from ERO Boston arrested 49-year-old Elmer Perez Aug. 15 in North Dartmouth.

    “Elmer Perez unlawfully entered the United States before making his way to Massachusetts where he allegedly committed vile and disturbing crimes in our Massachusetts community,” said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Perez posed a significant threat to our residents that we will not tolerate. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending and removing noncitizen offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”

    Perez unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without inspection, admission or parole by a U.S. immigration official.

    ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Perez Dec. 20, 2019, with the Bristol County Superior Court

    The Bristol County Superior Court arraigned Perez Feb. 21, 2020, on charges of aggravated rape, rape, intimidation of a witness and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 years of age.

    The Bristol County Superior Court notified ERO Boston that Perez would be released from custody Aug. 15. Authorities at the Bristol Superior Court detention facility honored ERO Boston’s immigration detainer and released Perez Aug. 15 into the custody of ERO Boston deportation officers. Perez remains in ERO custody.

    As part of its mission to identify and arrest removable noncitizens, ERO lodges immigration detainers against noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity and taken into custody by state or local law enforcement. An immigration detainer is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to state or local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE as early as possible before a removable noncitizen is released from their custody. Detainers request that state or local law enforcement agencies maintain custody of the noncitizen for a period not to exceed 48 hours beyond the time the individual would otherwise be released, allowing ERO to assume custody for removal purposes in accordance with federal law.

    Detainers are critical public safety tools because they focus enforcement resources on removable noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity. Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved — ERO personnel, law enforcement officials, the removable noncitizens and the public — by allowing an arrest to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community. Since detainers result in the direct transfer of a noncitizen from state or local custody to ERO custody, they also minimize the potential that an individual will reoffend. Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ERO to take criminal noncitizens into custody directly rather than expending resources locating these individuals at-large.

    ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

    As one of ICE’s three operational directorates, ERO is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement Regarding Administrative Proceedings against SolarWinds Customers

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    According to the Government Accountability Office, the 2019-2020 cyberattacks against SolarWinds Corporation (“SolarWinds”) and its Orion software were “one of the most widespread and sophisticated hacking campaigns ever conducted against the federal government and the private sector.”[1] It was an attack against America.[2] How has the Commission responded? By first charging SolarWinds in district court[3] and, in today’s settled proceedings,[4] charging four customers of its Orion software, with violations of the federal securities laws. Today’s proceedings impose nearly $7 million in penalties against these victims of the cyberattacks.

    The four proceedings can be divided into two categories. Two of the companies – Avaya Holdings Corp. (“Avaya”) and Mimecast Limited (“Mimecast”) – disclosed information about the cyberattack.[5] However, the Commission finds that the disclosures omitted certain material information.[6] The other two companies – Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (“Check Point”) and Unisys Corporation (“Unisys”) – did not update an existing risk factor in response to the cyberattack.[7] The Commission finds that those risk factors became materially misleading without disclosure that the Orion software in the companies’ respective network had been compromised.[8]

    The common theme across the four proceedings is the Commission playing Monday morning quarterback. Rather than focusing on whether the companies’ disclosure provided material information to investors, the Commission engages in a hindsight review to second-guess the disclosure and cites immaterial, undisclosed details to support its charges. Accordingly, we dissent.

    Avaya and Mimecast

    Avaya

    With respect to Avaya, the Commission highlights “the likely attribution of the [cyberattack] to a nation-state threat actor” as an example of omitted material information.[9] The Commission’s view that such information is material is troubling for a couple of reasons.

    First, in its 2023 rulemaking on cybersecurity incident disclosure (the “2023 Cybersecurity Rule”),[10] neither investors nor the Commission expressed a view that the identity of the threat actor is material information. When proposing the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule, the Commission sought public feedback on whether there were specific types of information that should be disclosed for a material cybersecurity incident.[11] Not a single one of the 150-plus comment letters submitted on the proposal requested disclosure of the identity of the threat actor.[12] Accordingly, it is highly unlikely that investors consider this information to be material. When adopting the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule, the Commission stated that disclosure of cybersecurity incidents should “focus…primarily on the impacts of…[the]…incident, rather than on…details regarding the incident itself.”[13] The identity of the threat actor, while an obvious “detail…regarding the incident,” lacks a clear link to the “impact” of the incident. By using a settled proceeding to convey the view that this information is material, the Commission regulates by enforcement.

    Second, by the time Avaya disclosed information about the cyberattack in February 2021, there had already been widespread media reports[14] and a joint statement by government agencies[15] that Russia was the likely threat actor. Although Avaya’s disclosure did not tie its incident to the SolarWinds cyberattack, it is unlikely that attribution of the incident to Russia would have “significantly altered the ‘total mix’ of information”[16] about Avaya to a reasonable investor in light of the existing public information about the cyberattack.

    The Commission’s other factors for why Avaya omitted material information are equally unconvincing. The Commission cites “the long-term unmonitored presence of the threat actor in Avaya’s systems, the access to at least 145 shared files some of which contained confidential and/or proprietary information, and the fact that the mailbox the threat actor accessed belong to one of Avaya’s cybersecurity personnel.”[17] These are the “details regarding the incident itself” – as opposed to the “impact” of incident – that the Commission has said do not need to be disclosed.[18]

    Mimecast

    Although the Form 8-K requirements for disclosing material cybersecurity incidents, which were adopted as part of the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule, did not yet apply to Mimecast, it filed three Form 8-Ks related to the intrusion of the Orion software on its network.[19] In the third Form 8-K, Mimecast filed its three-page incident report for the cyberattack as an exhibit.[20] Mimecast’s efforts to inform its investors would not be rewarded; the Commission finds fault with its disclosures, particularly regarding “the large number of impacted customers and the percentage of code exfiltrated by the threat actor.”[21]

    The Commission highlights Mimecast’s failure to disclose that “the threat actor had accessed a database containing encrypted credentials for approximately 31,000 [of 40,000] customers.”[22] Where the compromised information consists of a large percentage of customer credentials, disclosure of such fact can be material. In assessing materiality in the Commission’s case against SolarWinds, the court stated that “perspective and context are critical” to evaluating whether a Form 8-K is materially misleading and that a filing is not misleading if “[the] disclosure, read as a whole, captured the big picture.”[23]

    Mimecast disclosed, without providing a percentage or number, that encrypted customer credentials had been accessed.[24] It said that the company was “resetting the affected…credentials.”[25] Mimecast further disclosed that it found “no evidence that the threat actor accessed email or archive content held by [it] on behalf of [its] customers.”[26]

    In bringing charges against Mimecast, the Commission focuses on the detail of the threat actor accessing a database containing customer credentials, as opposed to the larger picture of the effects of the incident. Access to credentials, by itself, may not be material if the threat actor does not use the credentials to misappropriate customer information. Mimecast’s disclosure, read as a whole, conveys the complete story about the unauthorized access of credentials and the lack of misappropriated information.

    With respect to disclosure of exfiltrated source code, Mimecast stated in its incident report that the threat actor had downloaded a “limited number” of its source code repositories but the company believed that the downloaded code was “incomplete and would be insufficient to build and run any aspect of the Mimecast service.”[27] The Commission finds that these statements were materially misleading because Mimecast did not disclose that the threat actor had exfiltrated “58% of its exgestion source code, 50% of its M365 authentication source code, and 76% of its M365 interoperability source code, representing the majority of the source code for those three areas.”[28]

    By calling for disclosure of specific percentages and types of source code, the Commission ignores the reasonable investor standard embedded within the materiality concept and the types of information that such investor would consider important in making an investment decision. We are doubtful that a reasonable investor would understand how exfiltration of such precise percentages of those three types of source code affects Mimecast. Similar to the Avaya case, such information is “details regarding the incident itself”[29] that do not need to be disclosed. For us, the material disclosure by Mimecast is that the cyberattack did not result in modifications of the company’s source code or have effects on its products.[30] Notably, the Commission did not find that such statement was materially misleading.

    Effect on Form 8-K, Item 1.05 Disclosure

    In addition to our concerns about the charges against Avaya and Mimecast, we are also concerned about how the proceedings against them will shape disclosure provided pursuant to new Item 1.05 of Form 8-K, which was adopted as part of the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule. This item requires companies to disclose “the material aspects of the nature, scope, and timing” of a material cybersecurity incident.[31]

    Companies reviewing today’s proceedings[32] reasonably could conclude that the Commission will evaluate their Item 1.05 disclosure with a hunger for details that runs contrary to statements in the adopting release.[33] To avoid being second-guessed by the Commission, companies may fill their Item 1.05 disclosures with immaterial details about an incident, or worse, provide disclosure under the item about immaterial incidents. The Commission staff has already identified the latter practice as an issue,[34] and today’s proceedings may exacerbate the problem. As the Commission recognized when adopting the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule, immaterial disclosure about cybersecurity incidents may “divert investor attention” and result in “mispricing of securities.”[35] However, if the Commission’s enforcement actions have the practical effect of requiring immaterial disclosure, then the benefits and underlying rationale used to support the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule may be undermined.

    Check Point and Unisys

    The Commission’s proceedings against Check Point and Unisys both rest on a similar theory: the company failed to update its cybersecurity risk factor for the Orion software compromise and left its risk factor generic (in the case of Check Point)[36] or as a hypothetical (in the case of Unisys).[37]

    Check Point

    In the SolarWinds case, the Commission argued that the SolarWinds risk factor was “unacceptably boilerplate and generic” because of “the company’s internal recognition that its security systems were faulty.”[38] The court rejected the argument after a detailed review of SolarWinds’ risk disclosure and concluded that “[v]iewed in totality, [such] disclosure was sufficient to alert the investing public of the types and nature of cybersecurity risks SolarWinds faced and the grave consequences these could present for the company’s financial health and future.”[39]

    In its proceeding against Check Point, the Commission argues that the company’s risk disclosure was generic and should have been revised because its cybersecurity risk profile had materially changed.[40] This contention, however, merits cautious consideration in light of the SolarWinds court’s reasoning in dismissing portions of the Commission’s case against SolarWinds, which, as illustrated below, was based on arguably similar disclosures.

    Court’s reason for why SolarWinds risk disclosure was not generic[41]

    SolarWinds risk factor, as quoted by the court[42]

    Check Point risk factor[43]

    Disclosed specific risks the company faced given its business model

    [SolarWinds was] vulnerable to damage or interruption from… traditional computer “hackers,” malicious code (such as viruses and worms)…denial-of-service attacks[, and] sophisticated nation-state and nation-state-supported actors (including advanced persistent threat intrusions).

    We or our products are a frequent target of computer hackers and organizations that intend to sabotage, take control of, or otherwise corrupt our manufacturing or other processes and products. We are also a target of malicious attackers who attempt to gain access to our network or data centers or those of our customers or end users; steal proprietary information related to our business, products, employees, and customers; or interrupt our systems or those of our customers or others.

    Warned about the increasing frequency of attacks

    The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyberattacks or cyber intrusion, including by computer hacks, foreign governments, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks.

    We believe such attempts are increasing in number.

    Warned that the company might prove unable to anticipate, prevent, or detect attacks

    Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not identified until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. We may also experience security breaches that may remain undetected for an extended period and, therefore, have a greater impact on the products we offer, the proprietary data contained therein, and ultimately on our business.

    While we seek to detect and investigate all unauthorized attempts and attacks against our network and products, and to prevent their recurrence where practicable through changes to our internal processes and tools and/or changes or patches to our products, we remain potentially vulnerable to additional known or unknown threats.

    Alerted investors to the potential for a security breach to have very damaging consequences to the company

    The foregoing security problems could result in, among other consequences, damage to our own systems or our customers’ IT infrastructure or the loss or theft of our customers’ proprietary or other sensitive information. The costs to us to eliminate or address the foregoing security problems and security vulnerabilities before or after a cyber incident could be significant. Our remediation efforts may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede sales of our products or other critical functions. We could lose existing or potential customers in connection with any actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our websites or our products.

    Such incidents, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in our incurring significant costs related to, for example, rebuilding internal systems, reduced inventory value, providing modifications to our products and services, defending against litigation, responding to regulatory inquiries or actions, paying damages, or taking other remedial steps with respect to third parties. Publicity about vulnerabilities and attempted or successful incursions could damage our reputation with customers or users and reduce demand for our products and services.

    Unisys

    The Commission’s case against Unisys[44] rests on the finding that Unisys’s risk factor framed cybersecurity events as hypothetical, even though a compromise of the Orion software on the company’s network already had occurred.[45]

    Risk factors are designed to warn investors about events that could occur and materially affect the company. To the extent that an event has occurred and has materially affected the company, it is generally required to be disclosed in another part of a filing, such as the description of the business, management’s discussion and analysis, or the financial statements and notes thereto. Whether risk factors need to be updated because certain hypothetical risks have materialized is not always a straightforward matter,[46] and the Commission should be judicious in bringing charges in this area. If the Commission does not exercise restraint, it could find a violation in every company’s risk disclosure because risk factors cover a wide range of topics and are inherently disclosure of hypothetical events. Aggressive enforcement by the Commission may cause companies to fill their risk disclosures with occurrences of immaterial events, for fear of being second-guessed by the Commission. Such a result would frustrate the Commission’s goal of preventing a lengthy risk factor section filled with immaterial disclosure.[47]

    In light of these considerations, the case against Unisys is one that did not need to be brought. The Commission advances three reasons for why the company’s cybersecurity risk profile changed materially and its risk factor should have been updated.[48]

    First, the Commission states that a “persistent and reportedly nation-state supported threat actor compromised the company’s environment.”[49] This factor does not show materiality because it merely says that a cybersecurity incident occurred, and not every incident is material.

    Second, the Commission finds that “the threat actor persisted in the environment unmonitored for a combined span of at least sixteen months.”[50] While this fact is concerning from an information security perspective, the Commission fails to elaborate on why it is material from a securities law perspective. Notably, the Commission did not find that Unisys’s financial results were adversely affected or its reputation had measurably declined, especially relative to its peers given the widespread nature of the SolarWinds cyberattack.

    Finally, the Commission says that “[Unisys]’s investigation of the activity suffered from gaps that prevented it from identifying the full scope of the compromise.”[51] It is unclear to us how an after-the-fact investigation of a cybersecurity incident affects the materiality of the incident itself. The Commission did not find that the unidentified aspect of the compromise materially affected Unisys. Similar to the second reason, the Commission fails to explain how a subpar investigation relates to adverse effects on the company.

    Because we are not persuaded by the Commission’s arguments on the materiality of Unisys’s cybersecurity incident, we do not support the charges against the company.

    Conclusion

    Cybersecurity incidents are one of a myriad of issues that most companies face. The Commission needs to start treating companies subject to cyberattacks as victims of a crime, rather than perpetrators of one. Yes, the Commission must protect investors by ensuring that companies disclose material incidents, but donning a Monday morning quarterback’s jersey to insist that immaterial information be disclosed — as the Commission did in today’s four proceedings — does not protect investors. It does the opposite.

    [3] The court recently dismissed most of the claims the Commission brought against SolarWinds. SEC v. SolarWinds Corp., 2024 WL 3461952 (S.D.N.Y. July 18, 2024).

    [4] In the Matter of Avaya Holdings Corp., Release No. 34-101398 (Oct. 22, 2024) (“Avaya Order”), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2024/33-11320.pdf; In the Matter of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., Release No. 34-101399 (Oct. 22, 2024) (“Check Point Order”), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2024/33-11321.pdf; In the Matter of Mimecast Limited, Release No. 34-101400 (Oct. 22, 2024) (“Mimecast Order”), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2024/33-11322.pdf; and In the Matter of Unisys Corporation, Release No. 34-101401 (Oct. 22, 2024) (“Unisys Order”), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2024/33-11323.pdf.

    [5] Avaya Order at paragraph 10 and Mimecast Order at paragraphs 9-13 and 15-16.

    [6] Avaya Order at paragraph 10 and Mimecast Order at paragraphs 9, 14, and 16-17.

    [7] Check Point Order at paragraph 13 and Unisys Order at paragraph 19.

    [8] Check Point Order at paragraphs 15-16 and Unisys Order at paragraph 19.

    [9] Avaya Order at paragraph 10.

    [10] While the facts of the proceedings against Avaya and the other three companies predate the 2023 Cybersecurity Rule, the new requirements inform our analysis of, and dissent on, these proceedings.

    [16] TSC Industries, Inc. v. Northway, Inc., 426 U.S. 438, 449 (1976).

    [17] Avaya Order at paragraph 10. The Commission also takes issue with Avaya’s disclosure that there was “no current evidence” of access to its “other internal systems.” Id. The Commission acknowledges that the statement was facially accurate but finds that it was made misleading because Avaya did not disclose the threat actor’s access to 145 shared files in an external cloud environment. Id. For the same reason that we do not believe that disclosure about 145 files being accessed is material, we also do not believe that Avaya’s statement about its internal systems is materially misleading.

    [18] Note 13, supra.

    [19] Mimecast Order at paragraphs 10-13.

    [21] Mimecast Order at paragraphs 9, 14, and 16.

    [22] Mimecast Order at paragraphs 6 and 14. The Commission also finds that Mimecast’s disclosure was materially misleading because it failed to disclose that the threat actor accessed server and configuration information for approximately 17,000 customers. Mimecast Order at paragraph 14. Mimecast disclosed in its incident report that the threat actor accessed server information. Mimecast Incident Report at p.1 (“[T]he threat actor accessed certain Mimecast-issued certificates and related customer server connection information.”). The Commission fails to explain why the specific number of customers whose server and configuration information was accessed is material when the company had already disclosed that server information was accessed.

    [23] SolarWinds Corp., supra note 3, at 44, 46.

    [24] Mimecast Incident Report at p.1 (“The threat actor also accessed a subset of email addresses and other contact information, as well as encrypted and/or hashed and salted credentials.”).

    [28] Mimecast Order at paragraph 16.

    [29] Note 13, supra.

    [30] Mimecast Incident Report at p.1 (“[W]e found no evidence of any modifications to our source code nor do we believe there was any impact on our products.”).

    [31] Item 1.05(a) of Form 8-K.

    [32] Although the charges against Avaya stem from the company’s risk factor disclosure, at issue is disclosure about a cybersecurity incident and so these charges may inform how companies provide disclosure under Item 1.05.

    [33] See note 13, supra, and accompanying text.

    [35] 2023 Cybersecurity Adopting Release at 51929 (“Item 1.05 is thus expected to elicit more pertinent information to aid investor decision-making. Additionally, the materiality requirement should minimize immaterial incident disclosure that might divert investor attention, which should reduce mispricing of securities.”).

    [36] Check Point Order at paragraphs 13 and 15-16.

    [37] Unisys Order at paragraph 19.

    [38] SolarWinds Corp., supra note 3, at 35.

    [39] Id. at 35-36. The court also expressed the view that cautionary language, such as risk factors, do not need to be “articulated with maximum specificity” and that doing so “may backfire.” Id. at 36. Additionally, the SolarWinds court dismissed the Commission’s charges against SolarWinds for not updating its allegedly hypothetical risk factor for incidents that had materialized. Id. at 37-39.

    [40] Check Point Order at paragraphs 12-13 and 15-16.

    [41] SolarWinds Corp., supra note 3, at 35.

    [44] In addition to fraud and reporting violations, the Commission also finds that Unisys did not maintain disclosure controls and procedures, in violation of rule 13a-15(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Unisys Order at paragraphs 26 and 31. While we disagree with that finding, we do not address the issue in this statement. However, we note that in discussing Unisys’s cooperation, the Commission states that “Unisys took certain steps to remediate its control deficiencies, including…augmenting its cybersecurity personnel and tools, both internally and externally, to strengthen its cybersecurity risk management and protections.” Unisys Order at paragraph 32. The Commission lacks authority to require the use of certain tools, to compel the adoption of specific risk management practices, or to dictate the personnel decisions of companies in connection with cybersecurity.

    [45] Unisys Order at paragraph 19.

    [46] The U.S. Supreme Court is considering this issue in a pending case. See Facebook v. Amalgamated Bank, No. 23-980.

    [48] Unisys Order at paragraph 18.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Yellowknife — Yellowknife RCMP urge public to secure parked vehicles

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Yellowknife RCMP are urging members of the public to ensure their vehicles are secure with no valuables visible when parking. Officers routinely respond to reports of residents having their vehicles rummaged through across all areas of the city and many of these instances could be preventable.

    Leaving items such as purses, wallets phones and other electronics in a vehicle makes it an easy target for theft. Ensure your vehicle is locked before leaving it.

    With winter around the corner, the RCMP also reminds the public not to leave vehicles running with keys inside, even if for a short time, as this makes vehicle theft only too easy to carry out.

    Help the RCMP reduce crime by taking these small precautions. Stay safe and protect what’s yours!

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whatì — Whatì RCMP respond to assault with a weapon

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 6th, 2024, Whatì RCMP received a report that two people had been shot with a pellet gun at a residence. Officers attended the scene and located two victims who were taken for medical treatment. The suspects had already fled the community in a vehicle.

    Officers from the Behchokǫ̀ detachment were able to intercept the vehicle and arrested the 4 occupants. They have since been released conditionally.

    The RCMP believe this was a targeted occurrence and that there is no risk to the general public.

    The matter remains under investigation at this time and no charges have been laid.

    Anyone who has information on this occurrence is asked to contact the Whatì RCMP at 573-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com. In the event of an emergency call, 911.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Yellowknife — Yellowknife RCMP lay charges after aggravated assault

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 4th, 2024, Yellowknife RCMP received a call that a person had been stabbed in the area of Sunridge Apartments. Officers attended the scene and confirmed a person had been assaulted with a weapon, after which the assailant had fled in a vehicle.

    Officers located the vehicle a short time later and arrested several suspects believed to be involved in the assault. As a result of this investigation, a 40-year-old Yellowknife woman is currently facing the following charges:

    • Aggravated assault, contrary to section 268(2) of the Criminal Code
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
    • Obstructing a peace officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code

    She appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was subsequently released to appear in court on October 29th, 2024 in Yellowknife.

    This investigation remains ongoing.

    The RCMP believe there are witnesses to this assault that have not come forward to police. Anyone with information on this matter is asked to contact the Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com. In the event of an emergency call, 911.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal export of multiple firearms sends Mexican national to prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced for illegally exporting firearms from the United States into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

    Elmer Espinoza-Ortega pleaded guilty July 11.

    U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Espinoza-Ortega to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release.

    “Many guns exported from the United States into Mexico are used for criminal activity or end up in the hands of the cartels,” said Hamdani. “My office is committed to preventing transnational gun violence by stopping the export of firearms from the United States.”

    On May 26, Espinoza-Ortega attempted to exit the United States through the Anzalduas Port of Entry. Upon further inspection, law enforcement discovered a firearm magazine in Espinoza-Ortega’s pocket.

    A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed four firearms and five firearm magazines concealed in the bumper of the vehicle.

    At the time of his plea, Espinoza-Ortega admitted he did not possess a license to export firearms or ammunition, he knew the firearms were in his vehicle and he intended to transport the firearms into Mexico.

    Espinoza-Ortega will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.

    This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Woman Indicted For Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection Program

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Carnisha Maurica Rogers (30, Jacksonville) with four counts involving conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and four counts of false representation of a Social Security number involving a line of credit scheme and COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Rogers faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count involving wire fraud and up to 5 years in federal prison on each count involving the false representation of a Social Security number, payment of restitution to the victims she defrauded and forfeiture of $20,832, which is traceable to proceeds of the wire fraud offense involving COVID relief fraud.

    According to the indictment, Rogers and her co-conspirators fraudulently obtained the Social Security numbers (SSNs) of others. From February 2016 through September 2019, Rogers and others recruited individuals to obtain lines of credit at various businesses using the SSNs. After fraudulently obtaining the lines of credit, they obtained jewelry and other merchandise. They also attempted to obtain at least one luxury vehicle. Rogers and her co-conspirators resold some of the merchandise and lines of credit on social media platforms.

    In May 2021, Rogers submitted a PPP loan application to a lender authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to lend funds for approved PPP loan applications. The PPP loan application falsely claimed that Rogers operated her own business. Throughout the loan application Rogers made multiple false statements regarding her purported gross income and expenses associated with operating her business. In support of her PPP loan application, she submitted a false IRS Form 1040 – Profit or Loss From Business. It contained false statements about operating expenses, gross income, and wage expenditures for her purported business. In truth, Rogers’s business did not exist. In reliance on the false statements in her loan application, her application was approved, and she received a PPP loan totaling $20,832.

    After receiving the PPP loan proceeds in her bank account, Rogers began making withdrawals and spending the funds on personal expenses. In October 2021, Rogers submitted a PPP loan forgiveness application to the SBA that included multiple false representations. In the application, she falsely claimed that she spent more than $18,000 on payroll costs and that the PPP loan proceeds were only used for eligible purposes. In reliance on her false statements the SBA forgave the entire loan, plus accrued interest.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Morris County Man Charged with Sexually Exploiting Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man has been charged with producing and possessing images of child sexual abuse and enticement of a minor, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

    Carlos Xavier Urbina-Gutierrez, aka Luis Urbina-Gutierrez, 23, of Wharton, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with possessing and producing child pornography and enticing a minor to produce child pornography. Urbina-Gutierrez appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.

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

    In 2023, Urbina-Gutierrez, posing as a student at a high school in Morris County, New Jersey. Urbina-Gutierrez used a fake online female persona on social media to communicate online with minor male victims who were students at the high school. On Dec. 25, 2023, Urbina-Gutierrez used these social media accounts to solicit one of the minor victims to engage in sexually explicit behavior while participating in a video call. Urbina-Gutierrez then surreptitiously recorded the video call and saved it to his phone. A forensic search of Urbina-Gutierrez’s cell phone revealed an approximately one-minute video of the video call with the victim. 

    The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. The charge of enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Each charge also includes a maximum fine of $250,000.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and members of the Child Exploitation Group of the Newark Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas; the Borough of Wharton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dave Young; and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Hardin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Sacramento-Area Sex Offender Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sam Moss Kerfoot, 28, of Carmichael, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 27 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, in April 2022, Kerfoot used the online application Omegle to meet teenage girls in the Sacramento area, including Victim 1, who was a minor. On multiple occasions, Kerfoot picked up the victim from school and took her off campus to have sexual intercourse with her, and Kerfoot took a video of this sexual exploitation. Law enforcement officers searched Kerfoot’s phone and located 73 videos of child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement officers also searched Kerfoot’s SnapChat account and learned that Kerfoot had used Snapchat to send and receive child pornography. Kerfoot was previously convicted for crimes related to the sexual abuse of a minor.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, including the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missoula man sentenced to 15 years in prison for meth, fentanyl trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MISSOULA — A Missoula man convicted by a federal jury of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community and possessing firearms in relation to drug dealing was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

    After a two-day trial in June, the jury found Keith Andre Green, 50, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimes as charged in an indictment.

    U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. 

    “Green flooded the Missoula area with pounds of meth and thousands of fentanyl pills, poisoning an untold number of Montanans. But he was even more dangerous because he traded drugs in exchange for firearms. It’s the kind of danger we should not have on our streets and indeed, he won’t be after today’s significant sentence. For the next 15 years, Green will no longer be able to peddle drugs and guns, and we will continue to pursue those like him to ensure they end up in federal prison, too,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

    In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that from about May 2022 until September 2023, Green and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Missoula and Mineral counties and possessed firearms. Law enforcement received information that Green was a major drug distributor and that he went to Spokane, Washington, three to five days a week and received about one pound of meth and a boat of fentanyl, which is 1,000 pills, on each trip. Green also traded drugs for firearms. Law enforcement executed search warrants in February 2023 on Green’s vehicle and residence and another search warrant on his residence in September 2023. Officers seized a total of 4,205 fentanyl pills and approximately 2,204 grams, which is approximately 4.8 pounds, of meth. Officers located approximately six firearms and ammunition at his residence.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Missoula County Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.

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

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces Election Day 2024 Program

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Sarah Griswold 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 Griswold has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of California, 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 Ramsey said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

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

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

    United States Attorney Ramsey 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 Griswold will be on duty in this District while the polls are open, with the assistance of AUSA Kimberly Hopkins and AUSA Katherine Lloyd-Lovett.  They can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: AUSA Griswold, (408) 535-5060; AUSA Hopkins, (415) 436-6991; AUSA Lloyd-Lovett, (510) 637-3932.”

    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 (415) 553-7400.

    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 Ramsey 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 –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two South Carolina Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes, Conspiracy and Other Charges for Bias-Motivated Armed Robberies Targeting Hispanic Victims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Two South Carolina men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, to federal hate crime and other charges in connection with a string of racially-motivated armed robberies targeting Hispanic victims.

    According to court documents, beginning in January 2021 and continuing through February 2021, Charles Antonio Clippard, 27, and Michael Joseph Knox, 29, both of Columbia, conspired to target people the defendants identified as Mexican or Hispanic at places of public accommodation, including gas stations and grocery stores. After identifying these targets, the defendants would rob their victims at gunpoint. The defendants targeted their victims because of their victims’ race and national origin.

    Both defendants admitted their involvement in a Jan. 22, 2021, armed robbery in which the defendants followed their victims from a grocery store and restaurant to their home and then robbed the victims at gunpoint, stealing cash and a cellphone. They also admitted their involvement in a Jan. 30, 2021, armed robbery and carjacking targeting a Hispanic victim after following him from a gas station to his home. The defendants admitted their involvement in another Jan. 30, 2021, armed robbery in which they targeted a Hispanic victim, followed him from a gas station to his home and then robbed him and others at gunpoint after following him into his home. In total, the defendants pleaded to three hate crime charges, one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy and two firearms charges. Two other co-conspirators, Gabriel Brunson, 21, and Sierra Fletcher, 34, both of Columbia, previously pleaded guilty to hate crime, conspiracy and firearm offenses.

    “These defendants targeted Hispanic victims for violent acts of armed robbery because of their race, national origin and perceived vulnerability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Every person, regardless of their race or national origin, is entitled to the full protection of the law, and no person should have to fear for their lives or property because of their race or ethnicity.  The Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans and will vigorously prosecute those who commit bias-motivated crimes.”

    “While these defendants sparked fear for an entire community by targeting members of our Hispanic community, today’s hearing sends a louder message: we will not tolerate bias-based crimes in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly protect and enforce the civil rights of everyone in South Carolina.”

    “These defendants used violent acts of armed robbery to purposely target Hispanic victims simply because of their race,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “We hope the guilty plea by these two defendants serves notice that violence borne from hate will never be tolerated in our communities. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the Constitution and protect the civil rights of everyone, fairly and equally.”

    “Clippard and Knox egregiously sought to exploit and intimidate their victims based on their Hispanic ethnicity,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “Their violent robberies instilled fear in their victims and innocent working people within the Hispanic community. These criminal acts have no place in our society, and we are committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals, regardless of their background.”

    The defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 14 years in prison for the firearms offenses, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each hate crime count and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the carjacking count. The plea agreements require both defendants to pay restitution to all victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Columbia Police Department, Town of Lexington Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Garner and E. Elizabeth Major for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorneys Katherine McCallister and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County Man Admits to Firearms Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Bradley Charles Reckert, Jr., 32, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, has admitted to the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

    According to court documents, Reckert possessed a privately manufactured AR-style pistol in his home. Reckert is prohibited from having firearms because of his use and abuse of drugs.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; and the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office investigated.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Salem is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Benicia Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm in His Second Federal Felon in Possession Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jeremiah Malik Jefferson, 27, of Benicia, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, during a November 2023 search of his residence, Jefferson was found to be in possession of a firearm that was loaded with a high-capacity magazine that had previously been reported stolen. Jefferson is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions, including for burglary and a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Jefferson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2025, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Jefferson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Probation Office, the Benicia Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendants Plead Guilty To Violation of The Big Cat Public Safety Act

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

          LITTLE ROCK—Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced today that two men involved with violations of the Big Cat Public Safety Act have pleaded guilty. Keidrick Damond Usifo, 30, of Conway, and Deon Johnson, 28, of Little Rock, entered guilty pleas earlier today before United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

          The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted December 20, 2022, to protect the public by putting an end to the private ownership of big cats, such as tigers and lions, as pets and by prohibiting exhibitors from allowing public contact with big cats, including tiger cubs. It has placed new restrictions on the commerce, breeding, possession, and use of certain big cat species. In order to legally possess privately owned big cats, the Act required individuals or entities to register any big cats before the date of enactment, that were in their possession with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

          Usifo and Johnson were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2024. That indictment charged Usifo with one count of violation of the Big Cat Public Safety Act and Johnson with misprision of a felony, which related to Johnson’s affirmative concealment of Usifo’s crime. On October 22, 2024, both Usifo and Johnson pled guilty to their counts in the indictment. Judge Moody will sentence Usifo and Johnson at a later date.

          Violation of the Big Cat Public Safety Act is punishable by not more than five years’ imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000. Misprision of a felony is punishable by not more than three years’ imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000.

          An investigation revealed that Usifo purchased and transported a tiger cub around March 16-18, 2023, from a tiger broker in Dallas, Texas. On April 7, 2023, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) notified USFWS that they received a complaint of a tiger cub sighting in a residential neighborhood in Conway. On April 17, 2023, an agent with AGFC was notified that there was a man with a tiger in the backyard of a residence in Conway. There was also an anonymous tip posted on AGFC’s page about a tiger cub for sale in Conway. The Big Cat Public Safety Act makes it illegal to privately possess or breed big cats.

          A further investigation revealed that on April 19, 2023, a second complaint was made to AGFC about a tiger at a residence in Conway. On April 21, 2023, a traffic stop was conducted and Usifo was arrested on a felony state warrant. The Conway Police Department executed a search warrant at Usifo’s residence and although they did not locate the tiger, there was evidence in the residence indicating the presence of a tiger, as well as matching rooms from Usifo’s Instagram posts.

          While in the Pulaski County Detention Facility (PCDF), Usifo made several calls to Johnson. The investigation revealed that Johnson had knowledge of when Usifo was going to travel to Dallas to get the tiger and of Usifo’s possession of the tiger. Johnson also fed the tiger for Usifo during Usifo’s incarceration at PCDF. Johnson concealed any knowledge of the tiger when questioned by agents.

          The case was investigated by the USFWS, with assistance from the AGFC, Conway Police Department, and the Little Rock Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Walker.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transcript of World Economic Outlook October 2024 Press Briefing

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 22, 2024

    Speakers:
    Pierre‑Olivier Gourinchas, Director, Research Department, IMF
    Petya Koeva Brooks, Deputy Director, Research Department, IMF
    Jean‑Marc Natal, Division Chief, Research Department, IMF

    Moderator:
    Jose Luis De Haro, Communications Officer, IMF

    Mr. De Haro: OK. I think we can start. First of all, welcome, everyone. Good morning for those who are joining, as online. I am Jose Luis De Haro with the Communications Department here at the IMF. And once again, we are gathered here today for the release of our new World Economic Outlook, titled Policy Pivot Raising Threats. I hope that by this time, all of you have had access to a copy of the flagship. If not, I would encourage you to go to IMF.org. There, you’re going to find the document, but also, you’re going to find Pierre‑Olivier’s blog, the underlying data for the charts, videos, and other assets that I think are going to be very, very helpful for your reporting. And what’s best, that to discuss all the details of the World Economic Outlook that, to be joined here today by Pierre‑Olivier Gourinchas, the Economic Counsellor Chief Economist and the Director of the Research Department. Next to him are Petya Koeva Brooks. She is the Deputy Director of the Research Department. And also with us, Jean‑Marc Natal, the Division Chief at the Research Department. We are going to start with some opening remarks from Pierre‑Olivier, and then we will proceed to take your questions. I want to remind everyone that this press conference is on the record and that we will also be taking questions online.

    With no further ado, Pierre‑Olivier, the floor is yours.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Thank you, Jose, and good morning, everyone. Let me start with the good news. The battle against inflation is almost won. After peaking at 9.4 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2022, we now project headline inflation will fall to 3.5 percent by the end of next year, and in most countries, inflation is now hovering close to central bank targets.

    Now, inflation came down while the global economy remained resilient. Growth is projected to hold steady at 3.2 percent in 2024 and 2025. The United States is expected to cool down, while other advanced economies will rebound. Performance in emerging Asia remains robust, despite the slight downward revision for China to 4.8 percent in 2024. Low‑income countries have seen their growth revised downwards, some of it because of conflicts and climate shocks.

    Now, the decline in inflation without a global recession is a major achievement. Much of that disinflation can be attributed to the unwinding of the unique combination of supply and demand shocks that caused the inflation in the first place, together with improvements in labor supply due to immigration in many advanced countries. But monetary policy played a decisive role, keeping inflation expectations anchored.

    Now, despite the good news, on inflation, risks are now tilted to the downside. This downside risks include an escalation in regional conflicts, especially in the Middle East, which could cause serious risks for commodity markets. Policy shifts toward undesirable trade and industrial policies could also significantly lower output, a sharp reduction in migration into advanced economies, which can unwind some of the supply gains that helped ease inflation in recent quarters. This could trigger an abrupt tightening of global financial conditions that would further depress output. And together, these represent about a 1.6 percent of global output in 2026.

    Now, to mitigate these downside risks and to strengthen growth, policymakers now need to shift gears and implement a policy triple pivot.

    The first pivot on monetary policy is already underway. The decline in inflation paved the way for monetary easing across major central banks. This will support activity at a time when labor markets are showing signs of cooling, with rising unemployment rates. So far, however, this rise has been gradual and does not point to an imminent slowdown. Lower interest rates in major economies will also ease the pressure on emerging market economies. However, vigilance remains key. Inflation in services remains too elevated, almost double prepandemic levels, and a few emerging market economies are seeing rising price pressures, calling for higher policy rates. Furthermore, we have now entered a world dominated by supply shocks, from climate, health, and geopolitical tensions. And this makes the job of central banks harder.

    The second pivot is on fiscal policy. It is urgent to stabilize debt dynamics and rebuild much‑needed fiscal buffers. For the United States and China, current fiscal plans do not stabilize debt dynamics. For other countries, despite early improvements, there are increasing signs of slippage. The path is narrow. Delaying consolidation increases the risk of disorderly adjustments, while an excessively abrupt turn toward fiscal tightening could hurt economic activity. Success requires implementing, where necessary, and without delay, a sustained and credible multi‑year fiscal adjustment.

    The third pivot and the hardest is toward growth‑enhancing reform. This is the only way we can address many of the challenges we face. Many countries are implementing industrial and trade policy measures to protect domestic workers and industries. These measures can sometimes boost investment and activity in the short run, but they often lead to retaliation and ultimately fail to deliver sustained improvements in standards of living. They should be avoided when not carefully addressing well‑identified market failures or narrowly defined national security concerns.

    Economic growth must come, instead, from ambitious domestic reforms that boost innovation, increase human capital, improve competition and resource allocation. Growth‑enhancing reforms often face significant social resistance. Our report shows that information strategies can help improve support, but they only go so far. Building trust between governments and citizens and inclusion of proper compensation measures are essential features.

    Building trust is an important lesson that should also resonate when thinking about ways to further improve international cooperation to address common challenges in the year that we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Institutions. Thank you.

    Mr. De Haro: Thank you, Pierre‑Olivier. Before we open the floor for your questions, let’s remind some ground rules. First of all, if you have any question that it is related to a country program or a country negotiation, I would recommend not to formulate that question here. Basically, those questions can be formulated in the different regional press briefings that are going to happen later this week.

    Also, if you want to ask a question, just raise your hand, wait until I call you. Identify yourself and the outlet that you represent. And let’s try to keep it to just one question. I know that there are going to be many, many questions. We might not be able to take all of you. So please be patient. There are going to be many other opportunities to ask questions throughout the week.

    Let me start—how I am going to start. I am going to start in the center. A couple of questions here. Then I am going to go to my right, and then I am going to go there. I am going to start in the first row, the lady with the white jacket, thank you.

    QUESTION: Thank you, Jose, for taking my question. I am Moaling Xiong from Xinhua News Agency. I want to ask about the geopolitical tensions that was mentioned in the report. It says there are rising geopolitical tensions. So far, the impact has been limited. But further intensification of geopolitical rifts could weigh on trade, investment, and beyond. I wonder whether Pierre‑Olivier, could you talk a little bit about what are the economic impacts of growing geopolitical tensions? Thank you.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Thank you. This is, of course, a very important question. This is something that we are very concerned about, the rising geoeconomic fragmentation, trade tensions between countries, measures that are disrupting trade, disrupting cross‑border investment. This is something that we have looked at in our World Economic Outlook report. In Chapter 1, we have a box that evaluates the impact of various adverse measures, measures that could be taken by policymakers or various of shocks that would impact output. And when we look at the impact that rising trade tensions could have, there are two dimensions of this. One is, of course, you are increasing tariffs, for instance, between different blocs. That would disrupt trade. That will misallocate resources. That will weigh down on economic activity. But there is also an associated layer that comes from the uncertainty that increases related to future trade policy. And that will also depress investment, depress economic activity and consumption. When we put these two together, what we find is, we find an impact on world output that is on the order of about 0.5 percent of output levels in 2026. So it’s a quite sizable effect of both an increase in tariffs between different countries and an increase in trade policy uncertainty.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. I’m going to continue here in the center. We’re going to go to the gentleman on the third row. Yep. There. There, third row, there. Third row. Thank you.

    QUESTION: Hi. Thanks very much for taking my question. I just want to ask about the inflation side of the WEO. You mentioned just now inflation, you know, the battle is almost won. I am just wondering, there’s sort of a divergence between the advanced economies and emerging markets and developing economies. When do you expect inflation to sort of fall toward that 2 percent target in emerging markets and developing economies? Thanks.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So inflation, the progress on inflation has been more pronounced for advanced economies, and now we expect advanced economies to be back to their target sometime in 2025 for most of them. For emerging markets and developing economies, there is more variation, and we see an increase in dispersion of inflation, so a lot of countries have made a lot of progress. You look, for instance, at emerging Asia. There are inflation levels very similar to advanced economies for a number of them. You look at other regions—in the Middle East, for instance, or sub‑Saharan Africa—and you have countries that still have double‑digital inflation rates and will maybe take more time to converge back. So we see an increased divergence that reflects some of the shocks that are specific to some of these regions. Of course, conflict or climate‑related shocks can have an impact on inflation, and that’s what we’re seeing in these two regions I mentioned.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. Now I’m going to move to my right. The first row here, the lady with the red suit.

    QUESTION: Hello. This is Norah from Asharq Business with Bloomberg from Dubai.

    Pierre, you mentioned that the geopolitical tensions could account for 0.5 percent of output if things kind of get out of hand. To what extent is this a very optimistic number here? Because we’re talking about tensions not only in the Middle East. You have things going down in the Taiwan Strait. We have the Russian‑Ukraine war still ongoing. And there is a very big risk that shipping lines, straits might get disrupted. And this would affect very substantially the price of oil and other commodities. To what extent this would affect output—again, global output and inflation levels? Would inflation be a big risk again if major commodities prices increased substantially?

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So you are absolutely right. The scenario I was referring to earlier is a scenario where we have increased trade disruptions, tariffs, and trade policy uncertainty. But one can think also about geopolitical tensions impacting commodity market or shipping. Now, this is not something that we looked at in this report. That’s something that we had looked at in our April report. And in April, when we looked at the potential for escalation in conflicts in the Middle East, the impact it could have on oil prices or on shipping costs, we found that this would very much be in the nature of adverse supply shock. It would negatively impact output, and it would increase inflation pressures. Now, the numbers we had when we did that exercise back in April, they’re still very relevant for the environment we’re in now. And that was one of the layers I showed today, is that it would reduce output by another about 0.4 percent by 2026 and would increase inflation by something on the order of 0.7 percent higher inflation in 2025. So this is something that is very much on top of the other tensions that I mentioned. This is why we are living in this world where there are multiple layers of risk that could be compounding each other.

    Mr. De Haro: I’m going to stay here. First row, here. Thank you.

    QUESTION: Thank you. My name is Simon Ateba. I am with Today News Africa Washington, D.C. I would like you to talk a little bit more about the situation in Africa. I know two years ago it was about COVID and then Ukraine. What do you see now? And what are some of the recommendations for sub‑Saharan Africa? Thank you.

    Mr. Gourinchas: So sub‑Saharan African region is one that is seeing growth rates that are fairly steady this year, compared to last year, at about 3.6 percent, and then expected to increase to about 4.2 percent next year. So we’re seeing some pickup in growth from this year to next year. But now, this is certainly a region that’s been adversely impacted by weather shocks and, in some cases, conflict. So the growth remains subdued and somewhat uneven, and that’s certainly something that we are concerned about.

    Let me turn it over to my colleague Jean‑Marc Natal to add some color.

    Mr. Natal: I would be happy to. Do you hear me? OK.

    So yes, so there has been over the last year, year and a half, there has been some progress in the region. You saw, you know, inflation stabilizing in some countries going down even. And reaching close—level close to the target. But half of them is still at distance, large distance from the target. And a third of them are still having double‑digital inflation.

    In terms of growth, as Pierre‑Olivier mentioned, it’s quite uneven, but it remains too low. The other issue is debt in the region. Obviously, it is still high. It has not increased. It has stopped increasing, and in some countries already starting to consolidate. But it’s still too high. And the debt service is correspondingly still high in the region. So the challenges are still there. There has been some progress. So in terms of the recommendation, in countries where inflation is very high, you would recommend, you know, tight monetary policy and in some cases, when possible, helped by consolidation on the fiscal side.

    It’s complicated. In many countries, you know, there are trade‑offs, and, you know, consolidating fiscal is difficult when you also have to provide for relief, like in Nigeria, for example, due to the flooding. So targeting the support to the poor and the vulnerable is part of the package when you consolidate. I will stop here.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. I am moving to my left. I am going to go to the gentleman in the first row.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. Joel Hills from ITV News. We know that the chancellor in the United Kingdom is planning on changing the fiscal rule on debt to allow for—to borrow more for investment. Pierre‑Olivier, do you support this idea? And what, in your view, are the risks? And should the U.K. government continue to target a fall in debt of some description or a rise in public sector net worth?

    Mr. De Haro: Pierre‑Olivier, before you answer, are there any other questions on the U.K. in the room? I am going to take just two more from this group of U.K. reporters on my right that they are very eager. Just two questions more. We do not want to overwhelm—

    QUESTION: Alex Brummer from the Daily Mail in London. Again, around the chancellor’s upcoming budget. In your opening remarks, you referred to the possibility of abrupt changes in fiscal policy, disrupting what might happen to economies. U.K., according to your forecast, is in a quite good place in terms of growth heading upward. Do you fear that too strong a change in direction in fiscal policy in the U.K. could affect future growth?

    Mr. De Haro: Just one more question.

    QUESTION: Mehreen Khan from The Times. You mentioned that there are some countries at risk of fiscal slippage because governments have promised to do their consolidation have struggled to execute. Is the U.K. in that group? Also, the IMF has previously recommended that countries are under fiscal strain should—can keep sort of investment flowing if they do shift to measures like public sector net worth. Is that still a recommendation that you stand by in particular relevance for the U.K.?

    Mr. De Haro: And to give Pierre‑Olivier a little bit of time, I just want to remind everyone that we will have regional press briefings later this week, and some of these questions can be brought to all heads of departments that are going to be talking later on in the week. Pierre‑Olivier?

    Mr. Gourinchas: First, I will make three quick remarks. We are going to wait and see at the end of this month, on October 30, the details of the budget that will be announced by the U.K. government. And at that point, we’ll be able to evaluate and see the detail of the measures and how they will impact the U.K. economy.

    The broader question, I think, is relevant for many countries, not just the U.K. And it goes to the second pivot I mentioned, this narrow path in terms of fiscal consolidation. I think when countries have elevated debt levels, when interest rates are high, when growth is OK but not great, there is a risk that things could escalate or get out of control quickly. And so there is a need to bring debt levels down, stabilize them when they are not stabilized and rebuild fiscal buffers. That is true for many countries around the world. And if you are not doing that—and that is getting to the question that was asked by the gentleman on the right here—if you’re not doing that, that’s when you find yourself potentially later on at the mercy of market pressures that will force an adjustment that is uncontrolled to a large extent. At which point you have very few degrees of freedom, so you do not want to get in that position. And I think the effort to stabilize public debt has to be seen in that context.

    Now, the other side of the narrow path is, of course, if you try to do too much too quickly, you might have an adverse impact on growth. And you have to be careful there because we do have important—most countries have important needs when it comes to spending, whether it’s about central services, what we think about healthcare, or if we think about public investment and climate transition. So we need to protect also the type of spending that can be good for growth. So finding ways—and this is something that our colleagues in the Fiscal Monitor report emphasize, finding ways to consolidate by reducing expenditures where it’s needed. Maybe raising revenues. Often, it’s a combination of both but doing so in a way that is least impactful on growth. It’s country by country. There is no general formula. But that’s kind of the nature of the exercise.

    That pivot, that second pivot is absolutely essential. At the point we’re at again precisely because we’re in a world in which there will be more shocks and countries need to be prepared and need to have some room on the fiscal side to be able to build that.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. Last question on this side. Then I will go online, and then I will go around the room again. The gentleman in the second row.

    QUESTION: Thanks, Jose. Pierre‑Olivier, a question on Argentina. The IMF is maintaining its projections for the country for next year, improving GDP and inflation, 45 percent at the end of the year. Oh, yes. Sorry. Alam Md Hasanul from International.

    A question on Argentina. The IMF is maintaining its projections for next year, but I wanted to see if you could give us a little bit more detail on, where do you see the economy going. And if it’s accurate to say at this point that the worst of the crisis is in the past? Thanks.

    Mr. De Haro: We have received other questions regarding Argentina online from Lilliana Franco. Basically, she wants to know what’s behind our expectations for inflation for 2025. And I think that there are other Argentine reporters in the room. I see them in the back. Please, if somebody can get them the mic and we can get all the questions on Argentina and then move on to other regions. There. There. Those two, please. Try to keep it short.

    QUESTION: Hi. Patricia Valli from El Cronista. You mentioned the need to keep going with the reforms. And the government in Argentina is implementing a series of reforms. What’s the take of the IMF in terms of these? And if they are perhaps hurting the most vulnerable due to the increase of poverty numbers in Argentina in the past report?

    QUESTION: Hello. Juan Manuel Barca from Clarín Newspaper. I want to know if you raised your employment projection compared to the April—compared to the July forecast.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So let me first state at the outset that our projections for Argentina have not been updated since July, and the reason for this is because there are ongoing program discussions between the authorities and the Fund. And so while that process is going on, we did not update the projections for the October round.

    Now, to come to the question that was asked on the left. There are two things that are relevant for Argentina, two main things. One is what’s happening on the inflation side. Here, I think the progress has been very substantial. We are now seeing month‑on‑month inflation in Argentina close to 3.5 percent, and this is down from about 25 percent month on month back in December of last year. So very, very significant decline in the inflation rate. So that’s something to acknowledge. And the hope is, of course, that the measures in place will continue to improve the situation on that front.

    On the growth front, what we are saying is that activity has contracted substantially in the first half of the year, but there are signs that it’s starting to gradually recover. Now how much again, I cannot give you an update because we do not have it as of now. But there are signs that there is a recovery in real wages and in private credit and activity.

    Now, of course, this has been difficult for the Argentine economy, the decline in growth of that nature. And that’s something that, again, we are engaged in discussions with the authorities on the best way forward. I cannot comment more than that.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. Now I am going to get a question from our colleagues on WebEx. I think that Weier is there.

    QUESTION: I have a question on China. Given China’s recent implementation of various stimulus measures, such as support for the real estate—real sector and interest rate reductions and other economic incentives, we’ve already seen a major boost in its capital market. So how do you assess the potential impact of these developments on China’s economic recovery and growth perspective?

    Also, how the external effects, such as the Federal Reserve’s easing monetary path, will play a role here. Thank you.

    Mr. De Haro: Before you answer on the Federal Reserve, there’s other questions on China of a similar nature. Recent stimulus announced by the Governor and its effects.

    Mr. Gourinchas: OK. So China, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, we have a slight downward revision for its 2024 growth, compared to our July projections to 4.8 percent. And that’s a revision that’s coming largely due to a weaker second quarter of the year. And that weaker second quarter of the year is reflecting continued decline in confidence in the household and corporate sector and also the continued problems in the property sector in China.

    Now, this is something that, of course, is a top priority to address for the Chinese authorities. And we’ve seen a number of measures that have been announced since the end of last month. First measures, monetary and financial measures announced by the People’s Bank of China, and then some fiscal measures that were announced a few weeks ago.

    These measures in general go in the right direction, from our perspective. They are trying to improve the situation in the property sector. They’re trying to, for instance, lowering borrowing rates or trying to improve the balance sheet of the property developers.

    In our view, in our assessment, the measures announced at the end of last month by the PBOC, although they go in the right direction, are not sufficient to lift growth in a substantially material way. And that’s why our forecast is still at about 4.8 percent for 2024 and is unchanged for next year, at 4.5 percent.

    The new, more recent measures announced a few weeks ago by the Ministry of Finance are not incorporated in our forecast. We are waiting to see the details. I should mention, however, that since then, there has also been a release of the Q3 growth for China, and this has also been a little bit on the disappointing side. So I would say that what we’re seeing in terms of where the Chinese economy might be going is a little bit of a downward revision coming from the Q3 forecast and then potentially some measures that will help lift the economy going forward.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. So we have an additional question online. Basically, it comes from a reporter in Israel who wants to know how the current conflict is affecting the region and the global economy. Also, if there’s any other questions regarding the ongoing conflict, we can go here in the first row, please.

    QUESTION: Hi. Amir Goumma from Asharq with Bloomberg. With the GCC countries increasingly focusing and diversifying their economies away from oil now, how the IMF sees the progress and how you assess that with geopolitical tensions that may affect the attraction of the investment?

    Mr. Gourinchas: OK. So on the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the countries in the region, and more broadly, let me ask my colleague Petya Koeva Brooks to come in.

    Ms. Koeva Brooks: Sure. Indeed, the conflict has inflicted a heavy toll on the region, and our hearts go to all who have been affected by it. We are monitoring the situation very closely. And what we could say at this stage is apart from the enormous uncertainty that we see is that the fallout has been the hardest in the countries in the region, at the epicenter of the conflict. We’ve seen significant declines in output in West Bank, in Gaza. Lebanon has also been hard hit. Now, we’ve also seen impact in the—on the economy in Israel, although there, I think the—so far at least, the impact has been smaller.

    Now, beyond that, there has also been an impact on commodity prices, on oil prices. We’ve seen quite a lot of volatility, though, as other factors have also come in, such as the concerns about global demand kind of have pushed prices in the opposite direction.

    Now, beyond that, when it comes to specific countries in the GCC region, when it comes to, for instance, Saudi Arabia, we’ve seen there, actually the non‑oil output has done very well, and we do have a small downward revision in the overall growth rate, but that is pretty much because of the voluntary oil cuts that have now been extended through November. Let me stop here. Thank you.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. We are coming here to the center of the room. I’m going to go way back. The gentleman in the blue shirt that I think is the third row from the back. Yep. There. He has—there, there, there. A little bit. Can you stand up? Yep. Perfect. And then I will go with you, with the lady.

    QUESTION: Thank you for doing this. Your alternative scenario about the trade war does not seem so far from reality. Indeed, especially if Trump wins the elections. So could you augment about that? Thank you.

    Mr. De Haro: We have a couple of questions similar to that nature.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So, I mean, of course, I will first preface by saying we are not commenting on elections or potential platforms here at the IMF. What we are seeing and when we’re looking at the world economy goes beyond what might be happening in a single country. This is why the scenario that we are looking at in Box 1.2 of our World Economic Outlook is one that focuses on, if you want, an escalation of trade tensions between different regions—whether the U.S., the European Union, or China. And the numbers I quoted earlier are reflecting our model estimates of the cumulative impact of this increase in tensions. So I think that this is something that we are very concerned about. We’ve seen a very sharp increase in a number of trade‑distorting measures implemented by countries since 2019, roughly. They’ve gone from 1,000 to 3,000, so tripling of trade‑distorting measures implemented by countries, and 2019 was not a low point. That was already something that was above what we were seeing in the 2010s. So there is definitely, you know, a direction of travel here that we are very concerned about because a lot of these trade‑distorting measures could reflect decisions by countries that are self‑centered but could be ultimately harmful not just to the global economy, but this is the benefits of doing a scenario analysis like the one we did. They are also hurtful for the countries that want to implement them, as well, because the impact on global trade also makes the residents of a country poorer.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. I’m going to take a question from WebEx and then I’m going to go to you. I think that we have a question on the U.S. Please go ahead.

    QUESTION: My question would be regarding the U.S. resilience toward inflation shock. I remember talks about this during the April meetings and the April report. And I wanted to ask you whether you’re still committed to this forecast of the U.S. resiliency, and whether we can still see the risk of recession in the U.S. since recent talks about the unemployment data, it has not always come to the expectations of what the bond market or the stock exchange thinks.

    So is the U.S. still as resilient as you saw it in April this year?

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So, I mean, the news on the U.S. is good in a sense. We have had an upgrade in growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025. The historical numbers have also been revised, so even upgraded 2023, that is already sort of behind us. But the numbers came in, and they were stronger than what was realized. And that strong growth performance has been happening in a context of a continued disinflation. There have been some bumps in the road. The disinflation may not have been proceeding, especially earlier in the year, as quickly as was projected, but lately it has been quite substantial.

    So what accounts for this is two things that are really important there. One is, there is strong productivity growth that we see when we look at the U.S. That’s somewhat unlike other advanced economies, in fact. When we look around the world. And the second is also a very significant role that immigration has played, the increase in foreign‑born workers in the U.S. that have been integrated fairly quickly into the labor force. Now, the increase in unemployment that we’ve seen recently—I just showed it in my opening remarks—reflects to a large extent the fact that you have this increase in foreign‑born workers. And it takes—they have been integrated quickly in the labor force, but still there was an influx of them or there was an influx of them, and it’s taken a little bit of time to absorb them. And that’s what is reflected in the increased unemployment rate. So the labor market picture remains one that is fairly, fairly robust, even though it has cooled off but from very, very tight levels. Growth is solid. So I think the answer to the question that was posed, I think a risk of a recession in the U.S. in the absence of a very sharp shock would be somewhat diminished.

    Now, that is really what paved the way when you think about what the Federal Reserve is doing, seeing this inflation coming down a lot but noticing the increase in unemployment, pivoting away from just fighting inflation, that fight is almost done, and now being more concerned about, maybe what might be happening going forward with the labor market and wanting to make sure that that cooling off of the labor market does not turn into something that is more negative.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. The clock here says that I have seven minutes that I can push a little bit, but we go there. Then we will go to this side. And come back here and maybe end around here.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. My name is Hope Moses‑Ashike from Business Day Nigeria. So I am right here in this room, in April, you projected the Nigeria economy to grow by 3.3 percent, and you cited improved oil sector, security, and then agriculture. So I want to understand, what has changed since then in terms of Nigeria’s growth and the factors you mentioned? Thank you.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Thank you. Jean‑Marc, do you want to comment on Nigeria?

    Mr. Natal: Yes. Rightly so. We revised growth for Nigeria in 2024 by .2 down. And, you know, things are volatile, I suppose, because the reason for the revision is precisely issues in agriculture related to flooding. And also issues in the production of oil related to security issues, and also maintenance issues that have pushed down the production of oil. So these two factors have played a role.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. We go to this side. I’m going to go to the front row, the lady with the white jacket. Thank you.

    QUESTION: Thank you. So this is still a follow‑up question since you just answered on Nigeria. What’s the IMF’s projection for the social impacts on full subsidy removal, especially when you—full subsidy removal and forex unification in terms of poverty, inequality, and food insecurity? And also, can give us your medium‑term projections for Nigeria’s growth? Thank you.

    Mr. Gourinchas: So I am afraid on this one I will have to go back and check because I do not have the number ready on the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidies specifically that you asked about. I do not know if my colleagues—

    Mr. De Haro: And I would encourage you to formulate this question in the press briefing for the regional outlook for the African Department. Probably there, you will get your answer, but reach out to us bilaterally and then we will get you the question.

    We are going to stay—we’re going to go to the gentleman in the back. Yep.

    QUESTION: Thanks very much. Andy Robinson of La Vanguardia, Barcelona, Spain. There seems to be a strange sort of divergence in the euro zone economy in which Spain—you have revised upwards Spain’s GDP growth forecast a whole point, percentage point, whilst Germany is languishing. Could I ask you, is Spain’s performance sustainable? And Germany’s in a recession?

    Also, one other question. You seem in your box on inflation and wage share and profit share, wage share you seem to be suggesting if there’s any danger of increasing inflation in the future, it’s more an excessive profit share than exactly wage? Could you tell me if that’s a correct interpretation? Thanks.

    Mr. Gourinchas: Yes. So just a few words on the euro area in general. And then I will let my colleague Petya come in on Spain. We do see some divergence across the different countries of the euro area. And one of the drivers is how reliant they are on manufacturing, as one of the key sectors in domestic production. And what you are seeing is, there is a general weakness in manufacturing and that’s heating countries like Germany. While countries that are maybe a bit more reliant on services, including tourism—and Spain is one of them—are seeing a better performance.

    Now, on the second part of your question, and I will turn it over to Petya, on the profit share and wages. We’re seeing now wage growth that is in excess of inflation. And sometimes people say, well, that’s a problem because that means, you know, maybe that cannot be sustained and therefore there will be more inflation. Well, not quite. That’s not the view we have here at the Fund. A lot of the increase in wages in excess of inflation right now—so that’s an improvement in real wages in standards of living—is reflecting a catchup phenomenon. It’s after years during which inflation was higher than wage inflation, wage increase. So real wages are catching up. They are covering lost ground.

    Now, during those years when inflation was higher than wages, profit margins somewhere were higher in the economy. And that is the profit margin that is being eroded back. So it’s not that we’re squeezing profits inordinately right now. It’s just they’re coming back more toward their historical level as real wages are catching up, and that’s not necessarily a concern in terms of inflation dynamics going forward. With this, let me turn it over to Petya.

    Ms. Koeva Brooks: Thank you. Indeed Spain does stand out as one of the countries with a substantial upward revision for this year. We’re now projecting growth to be 2.9, after last year, when it was 2.7. So what’s behind this revision is the positive surprises that we’ve already seen, especially in the second quarter, as well as some of the revisions to the back data.

    And then when we look at the composition of these surprises, again, it was net exports and the receipts from tourism that were a substantial contributor. But also, private consumption and investment also played a role, which may imply that some of the impact of the national recovery plan and the EU funds that are being used could—we could already be seeing the impact of that. And then when we move forward, we are expecting a slowdown in growth next year, but, again, if these—if this investment continues, of course, that would be a very positive factor behind the recovery. Thanks.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. I have time for just one question because literally, we have 15 seconds. So I’m going to go with the gentleman here.

    QUESTION: Thank you. Barry Wood, Hong Kong Radio. Mr. Gourinchas, in April you said likely we will see one rate cut in the United States. We’ve seen it. The data, as you just said, is very good. Would further rate cuts be counterproductive?

    Mr. Gourinchas: Well, in our projections, of course, we need to make some assumptions about what central banks, and this round of projection is no exception. So in our projections just released today, we’re assuming that there will be two more rate cuts by the Fed in 2024 and then four additional rate cuts in 2025. And that would bring the policy rate towards the terminal rate that is around 2.75, 3. Why do we see the additional rate cuts? Well, in part it’s the progress on inflation. And then as I mentioned earlier, as an answer to an earlier question, the fact that we’re seeing the labor markets cooling and therefore the concern for the Fed is now to make sure that that last part of the disinflation process is not one that is going to hit activity. In the Chapter 2 of our report, we describe how that last mile could be somewhat more costly because, as the supply constraints have eased and moved away, it becomes harder to bring down inflation in that last mile without hurting economic activity, so it’s important to also adjust the policy rate path in a direction of a little bit more easing, as the economy is smooth landing.

    Mr. De Haro: OK. As in life, all good things have to come to an end. But before that, I want to thank you all, on behalf of Pierre‑Olivier, Petya, and Jean‑Marc. Also, on behalf of the Communications Department and a couple of reminders for all of you, the Global Financial Stability Report press briefing is going to happen in this same room at around 10:15 a.m. Tomorrow morning, you have the press briefing for the Fiscal Monitor, and later on in the week, you will have the Managing Director’s press briefing and all the regional press briefings that we’ve been talking about. I want to encourage you to go to IMF.org, download the flagships, the World Economic Outlook, and if you have any questions, comments, feedback, everything to media at IMF.org. So have a great day.

    IMF Communications Department
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    PRESS OFFICER:

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    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Governments launch largest review of sector since privatisation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and Welsh Governments have introduced major legislation with new powers to bring criminal charges against water executives and a ban on bonuses.

    An Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation will be launched by the government tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October), in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation.   

    The Commission forms the next stage in the Government’s long-term approach to ensuring we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery and restore public confidence in the sector. 

    It follows the Government’s inaugural International Investment Summit last week at which the Prime Minister spoke of the need for regulation and regulators to support growth and investment in the UK.  

    Launched by the UK and Welsh governments, the Commission will report back next year with recommendations to the Government on how to tackle inherited systemic issues in the water sector to restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health, meet the challenges of the future and drive economic growth. 

    These recommendations will form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good – injecting billions of pounds into the economy, speeding up delivery on infrastructure to support house building and addressing water scarcity, given the country needs to source an additional 5 billion litres of water a day by 2050.  

    Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Jon Cunliffe, will chair the Commission. With several decades of economic and regulatory experience, his appointment demonstrates the Government’s serious ambitions.  

    The Commission will draw upon a panel of experts from across the regulatory, environment, health, engineering, customer, investor and economic sectors. It forms part of the Government’s reset of the water sector by establishing a new partnership between government, water companies, customers, investors, and all those who enjoy our waters and work to protect our environment.  

    Launching the review, Secretary of State Steve Reed said:    

    Our waterways are polluted and our water system urgently needs fixing.   

    That is why today we have launched a Water Commission to attract the investment we need to clean up our waterways and rebuild our broken water infrastructure.  

    The Commission’s findings will help shape new legislation to reform the water sector so it properly serves the interests of customers and the environment. 

    Water Commission Chair Sir Jon Cunliffe said:  

    I’m honoured to be appointed as chair of the government’s new Water Commission. It is vital we deliver a better system to attract stable investment and speed up the building of water infrastructure.

    Working over many years in the public sector, in environment, transport and the Treasury, and the Bank of England, I have seen how the regulation of private firms can be fundamental to incentivising performance and innovation, securing resilience and delivering public policy objectives.  

    I am looking forward to working with experts from across the water sector, from environment and customer groups and investors, to help deliver a water sector that works successfully for both customers, investors and our natural environment.

    Huw Irranca Davies, Wales’ Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, added:  

    This vital review couldn’t come at a more urgent time for our water environment and water industry.      

    This shows the fresh approach of our two governments working together on an issue which affects us all as consumers, investors and as stewards of the natural world.   

    Both the Welsh and UK Governments are determined to improve water quality and the resilience of the water sector for future generations. We have clear priorities for reform and a shared sense of the work needed across both countries’ policy and regulatory regimes to make this change happen.

    A set of recommendations will be delivered to the Defra Secretary of State, and Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs next year. The UK Government and Welsh Government will then respond with the proposals they intend to take forward.  

    The objectives of the Commission are to recommend measures to ensure the regulatory system delivers:  

    • Clear Vision: Establishing clear outcomes for the future and a long-term vision for delivering environmental, public health, customer, and economic outcomes.  

    • Strategic Planning: Adopting a collaborative, strategic, catchment approach to managing water, tackling pollution and restoring nature.  

    • Better Regulation: Rationalising and clarifying requirements for companies to secure better customer and environmental outcomes. 

    • Empowered Regulators: Ensuring regulators are effective in holding water companies accountable, for example for illegal pollution.    

    • Improved Delivery: Enhancing the sector’s ability to meet obligations, including clean rivers, lakes, and seas, while driving innovation. 

    • Stable Framework: Ensuring a regulatory environment that attracts investment and supports financial resilience for water companies.  

    • Consumer Protection: Safeguarding consumer interests and affordability through transparent and fair governance.  

    • Resilient Infrastructure: Delivering and maintaining robust infrastructure on time, anticipating future needs and climate challenges.   

    The independent commission is the third stage of the government’s water strategy. In his first week in office, the Secretary of State secured an agreement from water companies and Ofwat to ringfence money for vital infrastructure upgrades so it cannot be diverted to shareholder payouts and bonus payments.   

    In just 70 days, the Government also introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which sets out tough new measures to crack down on water companies failing their customers. This includes:    

    • Bringing criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers, including imprisonment.  

    • Strengthening regulation to ensure water bosses face personal criminal liability for lawbreaking.  

    • Giving the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met.  

    • Boost accountability for water executives through a new ‘code of conduct’ for water companies, so customers can summon board members and hold executives to account.  

    • Introduce new powers to bring automatic and severe fines.  

    • Require water companies to install real-time monitors at every sewage outlet with data independently scrutinised by the water regulators.  

    In addition, the cost recovery powers of regulators will be expanded to ensure that water companies bear the cost of enforcement action taken in response to their failings. The Environment Agency will undertake a consultation on the implementation of these new powers.

    Further quotes

    Jon Phillips, Chief Executive of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association said:

    The Secretary of State should be congratulated for acting swiftly to put in place this much needed review and reset of the water sector. No parties involved in the sector can be happy with the current arrangements, and that includes investors whose capital is vital to addressing current and future environmental challenges.

    The government has heard loud and clear that the sector needs both a long-term plan and a regulatory framework that places greater emphasis on attracting investment. We look forward to the opportunity to support the Commission’s work and hope that its findings can be put into practice at the earliest opportunity.

    Gail Davies-Walsh, CEO of Afonydd Cymru, said:

    This independent review of Welsh and English water companies is very welcome news and something that we hope will ultimately result in a much needed boost for river health.

    We would like to understand how long-term water company investment can be secured to deliver the environmental performance that we need.

    Afonydd Cymru welcome the collaboration of Welsh Government and the UK Government on this matter, particularly given the current cross-border management issues that hinder river restoration efforts.

    Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

    The water sector is a perfect example of where stronger, better enforced regulation can drive up investment and drive down pollution.

    We welcome this significant review as the next step in Defra’s work to clean up our water environment. We’ll be looking for strong new rules that tie the industry into environmental investment and improve the way that money is spent in every river catchment to deliver quick, clean results for nature and communities.

    Jamie Cook, CEO of Angling Trust, said:

    The Angling Community has been calling for a root and branch review of Britain’s failing water sector, so we are pleased the Government has moved swiftly to set up an independent commission to deliver this.

    However, there is inevitably going to be a difficult balancing act between economic, consumer and environmental priorities that this review will need to address. We are pleased the views of water users, like the two million anglers, are going to be a key part of this review. 

    The Angling Trust is committed to working with the commission to ensure the health of our rivers, lakes and seas remains front and centre of its work.

    Mark Lloyd, CEO of Rivers Trust, said:

    35 years after water privatisation, this review is long overdue, which makes it even more welcome.  Our rivers have been flatlining for far too long, alongside the failure of our current systems to manage ageing infrastructure and population increase they face huge strategic challenges from climate change and biodiversity decline.

    Incremental policy tweaks will not fix our water system, and the review must look beyond the water industry to include land and water management in both urban and rural areas.  There needs to be much more focus on delivery of cost-effective solutions, through an integrated systems approach. 

    We will be keeping a close eye on the work of the commission to ensure it considers land use, nature, drought, flood and pollution in concert, because they are all intrinsically linked.  We look forward to working closely with Sir Jon Cunliffe and his team on a new system.

    Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, said:

    We welcome this review, its wide scope and the collaborative way the government is approaching it. We agree with the government that now is the time for a reset in the water sector – nothing happens without water, so access to water needs to be at the heart of everything the government does.

    We will aim to put water efficiency at the heart of the Commission’s work, and look forward to working with Sir Jon and his team of experts to do this. The first objective in our Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030 is that governments and regulators show clear, visible leadership for water efficiency and reflect this in their policy and regulatory frameworks. 

    We are also delighted to see that Ministers are placing environmental and social outcomes as equally important to economic ones – because nothing happens without water. This is a great opportunity for the water sector to play a part in the Government’s mission of national renewal – not just in delivering a vital public service, but also in playing a proactive role to ensure a just society and a strong economy.

    Joan Edwards, Director Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said:

    This review comes not a moment too soon, given the precarious and polluted state of our waters, and the looming threat of future water shortages.

    It’s crucial that regulation drives companies to invest in the solutions that can best deliver improvements for nature at the same time as limiting bill increases.

    We look forward to supporting the Commission’s work by feeding in on the importance of a healthy environment and the changes needed to get us there.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 22 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Banks Calls on Biden Admin to Stop Withholding Weapons from Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03)

    Following the death of Hamas terrorist leader and architect of the October 7th, 2023 attack on Israel, Yahya Sinwar, Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken calling on the Biden administration to cease withholding the weapons that Israel needs to finish the fight against terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon. In the letter, Rep. Banks also condemns the Biden administration’s threatening Israeli officials with an arms embargo.

    Excerpt from Rep. Banks’ letter: “Your administration’s attempts to tie Israel’s hands have instead prolonged the war and only achieved record numbers of fruitless diplomatic meetings.”

    Find a copy of Rep. Banks’ letter to Secretaries Austin and Blinken here.

    The full text of the letter is below:

    Dear Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin,

    I write to urge the Biden-Harris administration to cease withholding the weapons that Israel needs to finish the fight against terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon and for you to retract the absurd letter that you sent to Israeli officials this week threatening to impose an arms embargo.

    Now that the terror mastermind Yahya Sinwar has been killed in Rafah – a location which this administration spent months trying to prevent Israel from clearing of Hamas – it is vital that the United States provide our greatest ally in the region with what it needs to rescue the hostages and crush Hamas for good. As such, the Biden-Harris administration must immediately stop holding up arms shipments to Israel, including 2,000 lbs. bombs and other critical arms, on the false pretext that a ceasefire which leaves terrorist organizations such as Hamas intact will bring peace and return the hostages.

    Your administration’s attempts to tie Israel’s hands have instead prolonged the war and only achieved record numbers of fruitless diplomatic meetings. With the death of Sinwar, Israel has brought a hostage deal closer by killing the greatest obstacle to a hostage deal. With the death of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders like Hassan Nasrallah, Israel is forcing the conditions for a lasting peace upon the greatest obstacles to peace. Your opposition to Israel’s strategy and unjustified belief that victory was impossible has delayed this moment but not stopped it.

    The only path forward is to recognize the bankruptcy of your administration’s whole perspective on this conflict, retract your irrational letter threatening an arms embargo, and give Israel the weapons they need to end the threat of Hamas, Hezbollah, and their Iranian terrorist supporters. Despite your best efforts to the contrary, Israel is achieving peace through victory, on their terms and in America’s interests.

    Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,

    Jim Banks

    Member of Congress

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Harris Announces Upcoming Military Service Academy Nomination Deadline

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

    Washington, D.C. – Today the office of Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., announced the upcoming deadline for high school students interested in pursuing a Congressional nomination to submit their application to attend one of the nation’s military service academies.

    To be considered for a nomination, each applicant must submit a complete application before November 1, 2024. A complete application must include:

    • Online application
    • Three Letters of Recommendations: One letter should be written by your High School Principal or Guidance Counselor. Other letters may be written by teachers, coaches, scout masters, clergy or community leaders who can accurately comment and attest to your character, abilities and potential success at a Military Academy. Letters should be sealed and submitted with the application packet.
    • Official High School Transcript: Please include a copy of your Senior Class Schedule. Senior grades should be submitted as soon as they are available and will be accepted after the application deadline.
    • Photograph: 4×6 color photograph
    • Official SAT/ACT Scores: Scores must be sent directly to Congressman Harris’ Office by the testing service. The institution code for SAT scores is 5158 and the ACT scores code is 7443. You are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT exams “early and often” in order to improve your academic competitiveness. Academies will accept the highest scores in each academic area (superscore), regardless of testing date.

    Any questions about this process can be emailed to  MD01Academy@mail.house.gov. The subject line should read “[first name] [last name] Academy Application Process.”


    For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Export Market Development Grants open for applications soon

    Source: Minister for Trade

    The next round of the Australian Government’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program will open for applications in early November.

    The EMDG program has been helping Australian businesses go global for almost half a century.

    Recent changes to the program will deliver larger grants to eligible businesses, helping them expand their markets, and export their goods around the world.

    Applications will open on the following dates across the different grant categories:

    • Representative bodies, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 6 November.
    • Tier 1 – ready to export, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.
    • Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.
    • Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets, applications open 10am (AEDT) on 12 November.

    Austrade will issue grant agreements to successful applicants for up to 2 years for planned eligible expenditure in 2025-26 and 2026-27, with over $100 million available in each financial year. Austrade will close applications in each tier once the funding is allocated.

    As this is the first time the new guidelines are in place for a round, I encourage businesses and representative bodies to prepare to apply well in advance and have their digital identity ready.

    There are a range of resources available to help businesses get ready to apply. The Grant Guidelines and other program resources are available on the Austrade website to help you understand program eligibility for each tier, and how to apply.

    New to export businesses that wish to apply in Tier 1 can complete a free export readiness test and/or Austrade-recognised export training courses available in the Australian Government’s Go Global Toolkit.

    On October 30th and 31st, Austrade will host public webinars to demonstrate how to complete and submit an application online. These webinars are tailored to each of the specific tiers.

    Register to attend at: Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) webinars – how to submit your online application.

    Questions about the program can also be directed to EMDG.help@austrade.gov.au.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrest made involving funeral home investigation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police investigating concerns around burials at Waikumete Cemetery have made an arrest.

    Auckland’s Criminal Investigation Branch has been investigating the matter since the beginning of August 2024.

    Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says a 48-year-old woman was taken into custody yesterday.

    “The woman was arrested in Favona and has since been charged with misconduct in respect of human remains and nine counts of obtaining by deception.

    “She is scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court on Friday 25 October.”

    Detective Inspector Baldwin says the arrest is a significant development in the investigation, which is continuing. 

    “We cannot rule out further charges and hope this arrest brings some reassurance to those affected by this woman’s offending.”

    As the matter is now before the court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Custodial, Refuse Collection Contract 

    Source: NASA

    NASA has selected All Native Synergies Company of Winnebego, Nebraska, to provide custodial and refuse collection services at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
    The Custodial and Refuse Collection Services III contract is a firm-fixed-price contract with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity provision. Its maximum potential value is approximately $33.5 million. The performance period begins Wednesday, Oct. 23, and will extend four and a half years, with a one-year base period, four one-year options, and a six-month extension.
    This critical service contract provides custodial and refuse collection services for all Marshall facilities. Work under the contract includes floor maintenance, including elevators; trash removal; cleaning drinking fountains and restrooms; sweeping, mopping, and cleaning building entrances and stairways.
    For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit: 
    http://www.nasa.gov
    Abbey DonaldsonHeadquarters, Washington  202-913-2184abbey.a.donaldson@nasa.gov
    Molly PorterMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.256-424-5158molly.a.porter@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Ferguson: Washington successfully defends ban on the sale and distribution of DIY rape kits

    Source: Washington State News

    Leda Health’s over-the-counter rape kits gather evidence that is rarely, if ever, admissible in court

    TACOMA — A federal judge upheld Washington’s ban on selling and distributing over-the-counter sexual assault kits today, dismissing a lawsuit brought by a Pennsylvania company that sells the self-administered kits for profit.

    House Bill 1564, signed into law in 2023, prohibits the sale and distribution of self-administered sexual assault kits. The Legislature found that “at-home sexual assault test kits create false expectations and harm the potential for successful investigations and prosecutions. The sale of over-the-counter sexual assault kits may prevent survivors from receiving accurate information about their options and reporting processes; from obtaining access to appropriate and timely medical treatment and follow up; and from connecting to their community and other vital resources.”

    Sexual assault kits are used as part of a forensic examination, conducted by a trained medical professional, to gather evidence from survivors of sexual assault to be used in subsequent investigations and prosecutions. Washingtonians can receive free sexual assault kits from hospitals and other medical providers. These kits are admissible in court. Individuals can search for a local medical provider that provides free sexual assault exams here: https://depts.washington.edu/uwhatc/ch/sexual-assault-medical-exams-providers.html

    Leda Health sells “early evidence kits” in other states. Leda marketed and distributed its self-collection sexual assault kits in Washington prior to a cease-and-desist letter from the Attorney General’s Office and the passage of the new law.

    Law enforcement and prosecutors rely on these professionally administered exams to protect the integrity of those investigations and prosecutions. Evidence collected using over-the-counter rape kits outside a hospital setting are rarely, if ever, admissible in court.

    Leda challenged Washington’s ban, claiming the new state law violates the First Amendment and due process. Attorney General Bob Ferguson defended the law, and yesterday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo granted Ferguson’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and denied Leda’s motion to block the law.

    “This is a legal victory for sexual assault survivors,” Ferguson said. “By an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the Legislature adopted this state law that prevents companies from exploiting sexual assault survivors. Survivors should know that they are not alone — critical services to help them seek justice are available from trained medical professionals, at no cost.”

    Washington’s law protects victims from misleading marketing from companies like Leda, which wrongfully claim their self-administered kits are a viable alternative to the kits done in a hospital setting.

    Banning “at-home” sexual assault kits

    House Bill 1564 went into effect in July 2023, after garnering overwhelming, bipartisan support from the state Legislature. 

    The law prohibits the sale and distribution of sexual assault kits that are marketed or presented to collect “evidence” at-home or over-the-counter by anyone other than law enforcement or a health care provider.

    Self-administered kits have multiple important differences from an exam conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. These professionals receive specialized training including:

    • Providing comprehensive care to sexual assault survivors, including prevention treatment for STIs and follow-up care,
    • Collecting evidence in a way that avoids cross-contamination,
    • Storing evidence to avoid contamination or spoliation, and
    • Maintaining a chain of custody for the evidence.

    Consequently, evidence kits collected from these exams are accepted by the Washington State Crime Lab and routinely admitted as evidence by Washington courts.

    In contrast, self-administered kits face numerous barriers to admission as evidence, including concerns about cross-contamination, spoliation, validity, and chain of custody.

    Importantly, self-administered kits are not eligible for submission to the Crime Lab, and therefore any DNA collected would not be entered into CODIS, a national DNA profile database that national, state and local law enforcement use to identify repeat offenders, build leads, and track evidence.

    Survivors have the right to have an advocate or personal representative with them during an exam. Survivors do not have to make a decision about talking to law enforcement or reporting a crime in order to obtain a SANE exam. State law requires unreported sexual assault kits be transported to local law enforcement and stored for 20 years from the date of collection. Timely forensic examinations by a trained provider represent the best chance to preserve evidence if a survivor chooses to move forward with reporting the assault and criminal investigation.

    Ferguson’s Survivor Justice Unit

    Ferguson’s Survivor Justice Unit, formerly the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, is part of a coordinated, statewide effort to test every single backlogged sexual assault kit in the state.

    In October 2023, Ferguson announced the state had effectively cleared Washington’s backlog of sexual assault kits.

    In addition to this project, the unit:

    • Assists local law enforcement to investigate sexually motivated homicides. The SJU is currently assisting with two cold sexually motivated homicides: one in King County and one in Port Orchard.
    • Helps solve cold cases by assisting with genetic forensic genealogy and other advanced DNA testing. A response that is commonly received from such agencies is that they do not have the resources and or personnel available to delve into cold cases to determine whether such testing would be appropriate. For example, in August, AGO-funded forensic genetic genealogy testing helped Kent police narrow the list of suspects and make an arrest in the 44-year-old murder of Dorothy “Dottie” Silzel. Kenneth Duane Kundert, 65, was arrested in Arkansas on Aug. 20 after DNA on a cigarette butt Kundert discarded matched the profile of the suspect in the crime.
    • Stands up for survivors by following up on cold cases from backlogged sexual assault kits. The SJU uses available data to track sexual assault cases and identify serial sex offenders.

    The SJU has helped solve dozens of cold case sexual assaults and homicides.

    Ferguson requests $534,000 for the upcoming biennium to support the ongoing work of this new unit.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit http://www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

    General contacts: Click here

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee to Hold Third Meeting

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (October 22, 2024) — On Tuesday, October 29th,2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its third hearing.

    EVENT DETAILS:                      

    • Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
    • Time: 11:00 a.m.
    • Location: Delta Airlines Headquarters – 1030 Delta Blvd, Hapeville, GA 30354
    • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here. Please note that there is a link to RSVP to the meeting pursuant to Delta’s security policies. We ask that all guests and staff planning to attend fill out this attendance questionnaire and bring a Photo ID to the meeting.

    ABOUT THE MEETING:         

    The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee examines how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy derived from Georgia-grown products.

    MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

    We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov. 

    # # # #

    Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Note to Correspondents: Joint communiqué of the 8th AU-UN Annual Conference

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    1. On 21 October 2024, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat and the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres convened the Eighth African Union-United Nations Annual Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They noted with deep concern the current state of peace and security globally, including armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, and in some cases profound disregard for international law and the shared principles of the two organizations.

    2. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General reviewed progress in the implementation of the “Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security,” the “AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” and the “AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights.” They welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the three joint frameworks.

    3. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the convening of the HighLevel Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Development co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, which seeks to advance strategic coordination and alignment within the context of the African Union-United Nations Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They reiterated their commitment to deliver socio-economic development and prosperity in line with the AU Agenda 2063 and UN 2030 Agenda. They welcomed the formulation of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and emphasized the need for the timely and effective implementation of the Plan, as well as a stronger working relationship between the AU and the UN at the continental, regional and national level in its realization towards Africa’s accelerated socio-economic transformation and development. In this regard, they saluted the decision of the AU-UN High-level Strategic Dialogue to engage the African Women Leaders Network to support the mainstreaming of gender throughout the AU-UN strategic coordination process. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the progress made, and called for the full operationalization of mechanisms of the five thematic ‘college–to–college’ formations.

    4. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General noted their concern that the absence of fiscal space in African countries to invest in sustainable development continues to undermine progress in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda and called on Member States to approach the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development with the level of ambition needed to achieve transformative results. They reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union and the United Nations to jointly advocate for urgent measures to generate fiscal space, such as the SDG Stimulus and the reform of the international financial architecture. They reaffirmed the readiness of the two organizations to jointly support African Member States in strengthening their domestic resource mobilization systems to ensure the long-term sustainability of financing for development, including the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) convened by the UN Global Compact in collaboration with UN partner agencies.

    5. The Annual Conference welcomed the African Union’s membership of the G20 and the commitment of the United Nations to work with and support the African Union in ensuring that Africa’s needs, interests and priorities are well articulated and take the center-stage in the processes, agenda, deliberations and outcomes of the G20 meetings.

    6. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations on 22 September, noting that they open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities towards a more effective, inclusive, networked multilateral system that is better equipped to effectively respond to today’s and tomorrow’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. They called for urgent and concerted action to implement all agreed commitments.

    7. The Annual Conference underscored the primacy of political solutions and the need to strengthen the capacities of both organizations in preventive diplomacy and mediation. The Annual Conference emphasized the imperative to prioritize good offices missions, and further strengthen collaboration between Africa Union and United Nations Special Representatives and Envoys deployed in various parts of the continent.

    8. The Annual Conference welcomed the ongoing initiatives in promoting the Women Peace and Security and the Youth Peace and Security agendas, as well as protection of children in conflict situations. They reiterated the importance of consolidating and building on the gains made in promoting inclusive political processes through effective engagement and participation of women and the youth in peace processes at the technical, operational, decision-making and policymaking levels.

    9. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the ongoing elaboration of the Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security, which would represent not only a global precedent, but also an important step for mitigation and adaptation strategies on the continent. They underscored the importance of the Common African Position both as a means of underscoring the effects of climate change on Africa’s peace, security, and development efforts, and as a means to strengthen Africa’s calls for support in its sustainable development and for equity in the name of climate justice. In particular, the Annual Conference highlighted the risks posed by the aggravating water crisis across the continent, and called for greater collaboration between the AU and the UN to overcome the crisis. The Annual Conference also looked forward to the outcome of the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Platform and the High-Level Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled for the 21-24 October in Namibia, and in this context called for the accelerated development of early warning systems, to attain the goal of universal coverage by 2027.

    10.The Chairperson and the Secretary-General welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) which represents a significant milestone toward ensuring adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for African Union-led peace support operations. They further recognized that the resolution provides opportunities to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations in peace and security under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, whilst ensuring that peace operations in general adapt to present day realities. The Annual Conference endorsed the joint AU-UN roadmap on the operationalization of resolution 2719 (2023). The Annual Conference reaffirmed the preservation of the comparative advantages and complementarity of the African Union and the United Nations, based on their respective mandates, principles and shared objectives. It underscored the importance of the implementation of the resolution, whilst maintaining an integrated approach in addressing conflict situations comprehensively, by ensuring that capacities, systems, procedures and processes, as well as joint accountability and institutional readiness continue to be strengthened for the delivery and sustainment of African Union-led peace support operations deployed under resolution 2719 (2023).

    11.The Annual Conference expressed grave concern about the stalled political transition processes in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan, and called for the timely and peaceful return to constitutional order in these countries. The Annual Conference also noted with concern the heightened instability and insecurity, as well as the shrinking civic space in the affected States. The Annual Conference recognized the importance of dialogue and collaboration between affected States and sub-regional, continental, and global organizations in addressing the political, peace, security, development and human rights challenges.

    12.The Chairperson and the Secretary-General considered the final report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel presented by the Chair of the Panel, former President of the Republic of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, and agreed to jointly take forward key recommendations through their respective organs and institutional mechanisms. The Annual Conference reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union and the United Nations to enhance their support in advancing democratic transitions in West Africa and the Sahel, working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    13.On Libya, the Annual Conference welcomed efforts by the United Nations to foster inclusive political dialogue, including recent progress on the governance of the Central Bank. It took note of the persistent political stalemate and entrenched divisions in Libya, which continue to pose challenges for efforts to reunite the country and organize credible presidential and parliamentary elections to put in place unified, representative and legitimate Libyan institutions. The Annual Conference stressed that Libya’s sustainable peace and stability will only be realized through inclusive processes that will bring about legitimate governance and institutions; and in that regard, collective efforts, including of neighbors and international partners, must focus on supporting and encouraging the main Libyan leaders to take ownership of the political process, set aside personal interests and strive to reach political consensus in support for national reconciliation and the conduct of elections without further delays. The Conference expresses full support for the continued engagement of the African Union to promote national reconciliation through the adoption of the Charter on National Reconciliation.

    14.The Annual Conference observed that geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa are becoming increasingly fragile and therefore noted the need for ever more coordinated preventive action and messaging by both organizations and partners on de-escalation and constructive engagement. On Somalia, the Annual Conference reiterated their close collaboration, including on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2748 (2024) to finalize the mission implementation plan for the PSC endorsed African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia. It also reaffirmed the importance of sustained and full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Tigray, Ethiopia. On South Sudan, the Annual Conference agreed to enhance coordination of regional and international support for the process led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and called on the Transitional Government to sustain momentum in discussions on an agreed updated roadmap and timeline and advance the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement. On Sudan, the Annual Conference expressed grave concerned about the further escalation of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. They urged the parties to immediately engage in genuine dialogue to reach a permanent ceasefire, while stressing that the protection of civilians should be guaranteed at all times and unhindered and sustained humanitarian access should be ensured. The African Union and the United Nations strongly condemned external interference in Sudan and urged these actors to stop the flow of arms in Sudan, which continues to fuel the conflict. They welcomed the efforts spearheaded by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to support the transition to a fully democratic government that fulfils the aspirations of the Sudanese people. The Annual Conference also encouraged the good offices of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Sudan and AU High-Level Panel on Sudan and called for strengthened diplomatic push underpinned by the coordination and complementarity of initiatives. They welcomed the establishment of the PSC Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Sudan, and reaffirmed their commitment to support the Committee in executing its mandate.

    15.On the Great Lakes region, the Annual Conference welcomed the 4 August ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, which has contributed to a reduction in hostilities in the North Kivu province of the DRC, while expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in North Kivu and Ituri, where armed groups activities continue to affect civilians and impede activities of humanitarian workers. The Annual Conference commended African Union mediator President João Lourenço of Angola for his steadfast efforts through the Luanda process, and the efforts deployed under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including the deployment of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), aimed at restoring peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Annual Conference stressed that attaining sustainable peace calls for addressing the root causes, including through full implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, and in that regard, called for enhanced coordination of regional peace initiatives, including through the Quadripartite Process facilitated by the African Union.

    16.The Annual Conference took note of the expiry of the terms of office of the African Union Commission Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners in early 2025. The Secretary-General took the opportunity to commend the African Union Commission leadership for the commitment and support to the partnership during their terms of office. He paid special tribute to Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat for his leadership of the African Union Commission over the last eight years.

    17.The Chairperson and Secretary-General agreed to convene the Ninth African Union – United Nations Annual Conference in 2025 in New York at a mutually convenient date.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Significant environmental offences deliver hefty fine for contractor

    Source: Auckland Council

    In a reserved decision handed down in the Auckland District Court last Friday (18 October), contractor Prameet Sharma was fined $144,500 and ordered $11,575 in reparations for extensive violations of the Resource Management Act (RMA), involving illegal earthworks and environmental contamination at his Drury property at Judge Richardson Drive, Drury.

    Sharma was convicted on three charges, including breaching an abatement notice, depositing contaminated fill, and conducting unauthorised earthworks exceeding legal limits.

    The fine is the largest handed down to an individual in recent years for breaches of the RMA.

    Serious environmental harm

    Judge Semple, referencing a report that found hazardous materials including asbestos, arsenic, and lead in the fill deposited by Sharma, described the environmental harm as significant and long-lasting, and the effects of the offending on the environment as serious.

    “Even once remediated, the site will remain a HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industries List) site with ‘no build’ areas, which is a significant consequence of Mr Sharma’s actions.”

    The court heard that between 2015 and 2022, Sharma allowed illegal earthworks on his property, depositing over 33,900 cubic metres of contaminated fill, far exceeding the permitted consented limit of 5,000 cubic metres.

    The fill, which included asbestos and other harmful materials, was found to have travelled onto neighbouring properties, causing land instability and damaging ecosystems.

    Reckless and prolonged breach

    Judge Semple emphasised Sharma’s culpability, noting he ignored repeated warnings and enforcement actions from Auckland Council.

    “Mr. Sharma was alerted to issues with the volume and placement of fill as early as 2015.

    “Despite receiving abatement and infringement notices, Mr Sharma continued illegal activity. His disregard for the legal process and expert advice resulted in long-term environmental damage.”

    The judge rejected claims Sharma was merely trying to resolve issues arising from the council’s changing parameters.

    “I find limited evidence to support this assertion,” said Judge Semple. She noted Sharma refused to comply with council directives and acted with a high level of culpability. “Mr Sharma chose to continue undertaking earthworks in breach of his consent.”

    Public deterrence

    Auckland Council’s Team Leader Investigations David Pawson was happy with the outcome.

    “The court ruling marks a strong stance in upholding the integrity of environmental laws and sends a clear message to the public regarding the consequences of non-compliance.

    “The decision highlights the importance of holding an offender accountable to prevent similar violations in the future.”

    Failure to remediate

    The court ruled out a discharge without conviction, finding the seriousness of the offences and their ongoing impacts warranted a significant penalty.

    While the court acknowledged enforcement orders were issued to Sharma in 2024, Judge Semple noted no remediation had taken place despite these orders and refused to grant credit for remediation work, stating that returning the land to a compliant state is the bare minimum requirement.

    Final orders

    In addition to the $144,500 fine, Mr Sharma has been ordered to pay $11,575 in reparations to his neighbour, whose property was damaged due to the migration of contaminated fill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Supporting community-led action to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    23 October 2024

    The Albanese Labor Government is investing $10.89 million for nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations to support campaigns and services that help children to develop healthy relationships to prevent gender-based violence before it starts.

    This investment is a key initiative under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025, which was launched by all Australian governments in August last year.

    Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth will today visit the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) in Melbourne to learn more about its Deadly Kids project, which will benefit under this investment.

    “Our investment in projects like Deadly Kids recognises the importance of community-led action to prevent violence in First Nations communities,” Minster Rishworth said.

    “This project is one of nine which we are funding across the country. Together, the successful organisations will deliver a range of prevention programs and campaigns that promote healthy relationships from an early age.

    “By working together with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations and communities, we can work towards addressing – and ultimately ending – the disproportionate impact of gender-based violence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

    The Deadly Kids project will develop a train-the-trainer package promoting healthy respectful relationships and deliver it to youth groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 8-12 years across the six regions VACCA supports. This includes Northern Metropolitan, Southern Metropolitan, Eastern Metropolitan, Western Metropolitan, Inner Gippsland and Ovens Murray.

    The training will help children to recognise signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, helping to prevent family violence from happening as they move into their adolescent years and start forming their first intimate partner relationships.

    This initiative will also help progress Target 13 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020-2030, which aims to reduce all forms of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031.

    More information on The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.

    This grant funding is a key initiative of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit http://www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

    If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.

    Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Support Worker on 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Workshop to Offer Guidance on How to Open Business Claims for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Workshop to Offer Guidance on How to Open Business Claims for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

    Workshop to Offer Guidance on How to Open Business Claims for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

    SANTA FE, NM – Business owners impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding can receive tips at an Oct. 23 workshop on how to open a claim, learn more about what qualifies for compensation and begin the claims process on the spot. The Advocate team at the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office is partnering with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer guidance to affected businesses on the best way to start a claim before the Dec. 20, 2024, deadline. The workshop will be 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Oct. 23 at Highlands University’s Student Union Building, third floor, in Las Vegas, N.M. There will be information booths and presentations on what’s required for businesses to receive compensation and what resources are available to impacted businesses. To-date the Claims Office has paid more than $214 million to business owners and is bringing the Claims Office’s business team to the community to continue to share vital information to owners as they navigate the claims process. Claims Office business team members will be onsite to assist those who want to file a Notice of Loss (NOL), which is the first step in starting a claim.“Businesses are the backbone of communities and provide jobs and essential services, which is why the Advocate Team is committed to helping eligible businesses start their claims before the deadline,” said Paula Gutierrez, the Claims Office Advocate Branch Chief. “This workshop is one way to maximize the resources that are available to business owners to address their needs, as they navigate the claims process before the Dec. 20, 2024, deadline.”Business owners who aim to submit an NOL at the workshop should bring the following:  Tax returns and profit/loss statements for 2021 and 2022Articles of incorporation or organizationCompleted W-9Copy of the IRS letter with your name and Employer Identification NumberInventory and equipment list before and after the fire and flooding. Photos of damaged propertyA document showing estimated cost of damage or losses; that could be an invoice, receipt or purchase order of repairs and costs to replace equipment and inventory.  The workshop will offer instruction on business impacts that qualify for compensation, such as increased costs, temporary interruption or closure, loss of natural resources, canceled contracts and staff who were paid after operations shut down. Representatives from the Small Business Administration New Mexico District Office, the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency, New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (Los Alamos National Laboratory), New Mexico Occupational Health & Safety Bureau and the City of Las Vegas Community Development Department will be onsite to share resources and answer questions.The Claims Office is committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the fire and subsequent flooding by providing full compensation available under the law as expeditiously as possible. So far, it has paid more than $1.4 billion to claimants. As we continue to approach the Dec. 20, 2024, deadline, we continue to observe an increase in claim submissions, that may result in temporary longer wait times that often prevent same-day issuance of Letters of Determination for claims. We are actively working to reduce wait times and shorten processing times of claims. Claims Office compensation is not taxable. Receiving payment from the Claims Office will not affect eligibility for government assistance programs. Contact a tax professional for specific tax-related questions. Questions and concerns can also be addressed by calling your claim navigator or the Helpline at 505-995-7133.For information and updates regarding the Claims Office, please visit the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office website at fema.gov/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/hermits-peak. You can also follow our Facebook page and turn notifications on to stay up to date about the claims process, upcoming deadlines and other program announcements at facebook.com/HermitsPeakCalfCanyonClaimsOffice. 
    erika.suzuki
    Tue, 10/22/2024 – 20:37

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis, USDOT Deputy Secretary Trottenberg, CDOT and Local Agencies Celebrate Opening of I-25 Mobility Hubs

    Source: US State of Colorado

    LOVELAND — Today, Governor Jared Polis, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew, and local partners celebrated the opening of three new mobility hubs along Interstate 25, between Longmont and Loveland. These new mobility hubs enhance transportation options along the busy I-25 corridor by connecting Coloradans and communities, reducing traffic and congestion, and protecting our air. 

    “Expanding and improving transportation options for Coloradans helps us reduce traffic, reach our climate, air quality, and housing goals all while saving people time and money. Today, as we open these three mobility hubs, we begin a new era of transportation along I-25 where Coloradans have more options to get where they need to go safely, conveniently, and affordably,” said Governor Polis. 

    These three new mobility hubs will strengthen the future of transit and general traffic safety on I-25 while connecting northern Coloradans with the rest of the state, improving rider experience, and saving riders time. 

    “The U.S. Department of Transportation is proud to invest in Colorado’s new mobility hubs on Interstate 25 that improve access, mobility and give people more options to safely travel between communities in Northern Colorado and downtown Denver,” said U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “The I-25 North Corridor is the backbone of the Front Range, and as Colorado continues to grow, it is critical that we continue to expand transportation options like bus transit to serve the needs of all Coloradans.” 

    The hubs were designed with safety and operational efficiency, with a center-loading area for passengers between the northbound and southbound lanes at the Berthoud and Centerra Loveland hubs. 

    “This infrastructure allows transit trips in Northern Colorado to be more convenient, efficient and comfortable. Along with better access to Bustang’s North Line, our network of I-25 mobility hubs is encouraging transit-oriented development that will give local residents new and better travel options, as well as better access to all that Northern Colorado has to offer,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. 

    The mobility hubs offer affordable, reliable, and relaxing transportation choices to move people safely between downtown Denver and Fort Collins, providing a catalyst for more housing Coloradans can afford and connecting more people to other cities and towns, employment centers, and entertainment and cultural facilities. The Berthoud and Centerra Loveland mobility hubs were constructed as part of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Berthoud to Fort Collins. Roadway and Express Lanes construction between Colorado State Highway 56 and Prospect Road reached substantial completion in December 2023. With the opening of the mobility hubs, this section of the I-25 North corridor will provide a truly efficient, multimodal and safe transportation connection for northern Coloradans and anyone passing through the I-25 North corridor. 

    “As the City of Loveland Mayor Pro Tem, a resident, and the current chair of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) I am extremely pleased to see the Centerra-Loveland Mobility Hub completed. I’ve watched it being constructed over the past couple of years and can say everyone should be very proud of the outcome,” said Jon Mallo. “I think the biggest plus for Loveland’s residents is how much more convenient and faster it will be to get back and forth to Denver. All of my kids and grandchildren live in the Denver area and I use Bustang exclusively for visits and ballgames.” 

    “After nearly a decade in the making, the new Centerra-Loveland Station and Kendall Parkway connection not only ensures commuters have access to more transit options but also helps to reduce congestion and contribute to more sustainable transit for Northern Colorado,” said the President of the Centerra Metro District, Kim Perry. “We’re proud to partner with CDOT to bring these innovative transit solutions to our residents, providing opportunities to save time, reduce emissions, and improve traffic safety.” 

    Work on the next segment of the I-25 North Express Lanes Project, Mead to Berthoud, kicked off in May 2024 and will continue through 2028. As construction continues, remember to account for travel delays, obey posted speed limits and never drive distracted. With the mobility hubs complete, now is a great time to take advantage of Bustang and other regional public transportation services to make navigating construction a bit easier. 

    About the I-25 North Mobility Hubs 

    CDOT has proactively recognized and planned for the rapid population increase occurring in northern Colorado and has committed to provide multimodal choices in the form of Express Lanes, mobility hubs and carpool lots, to reduce congestion and greenhouse gasses along the I-25 corridor. As part of the 26-mile long operational and safety improvement projects recently completed, three hubs were constructed at Firestone-Longmont (CO 119), Berthoud (CO 56) and Centerra Loveland (off new Kendall Parkway, north of the US 34 interchange), completing the build out of the hub network in Northern Colorado.

    Left to Right: Chris Boespflug, (I-25 Project manager), Kim Perry, McWhinney, Gov, Polly, SL, Heather, Andy Wilson (FHWA CO Division Deputy Director), Transportation Commissioner Karen Stuart

     

    Governor Polis Speaking at Grand Opening of I-25 Mobility Hub in Loveland

     

    U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg Speaking at I-25 Mobility Hub

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Saving Coloradans Money on Health Care: Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Primavera Launch Colorado Hospital Price Finder New tools add more transparency in health care

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) launched the Colorado Hospital Price Finder, a tool from a non-profit powered by information made available under HB22-1285, a law signed by Governor Polis to connect Coloradans with services, increase price transparency, and save people money on health care. This tool compliments the state-generated price transparency initiative Governor Polis and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing announced earlier this year, empowering Coloradans with the information they need about the cost of care. 

    “Saving Coloradans money on health care is a top priority and I am excited to help launch this new and free Colorado Hospital Price Finder to make healthcare pricing more competitive and save people money on healthcare. I am excited to see more of these tools online because the more transparency the better for all of us. We will continue to ensure Colorado’s competitive health care market provides high-quality care to everyone at lower costs and provide more clarity on the true cost of health care,” said Governor Polis. 

    The Polis-Primavera Administration in partnership with the legislature has passed landmark bipartisan laws that build off of federal standards to improve hospital price transparency and lower health care costs for hardworking Coloradans. 

    “For far too long there has been a veil of secrecy and confusion that has made it hard for payers, whether that’s employers, municipalities, school districts, and other purchasers of health care, to negotiate lower prices with hospitals. This tool breaks down barriers, and helps purchasers and policymakers access the information they need to lower costs for consumers,” said Lt. Governor Primavera. Lt. Governor Primavera leads the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. 

    HB22-1285 – Prohibiting Collection Hospital Not Disclosing Prices, sponsored by Representatives Patrick Neville and Daneya Esgar, and Senators Dominick Moreno and John Cooke, prohibited hospitals from taking debt collection action against a patient if the hospital was not in compliance with federal reporting requirements. SB23-252 – Medical Price Transparency, sponsored by Senators Kevin Van Winkle and Julie Gonzales, and Representatives Lindsay Daugherty and Anthony Hartstook, requires hospitals to make reimbursement rates publicly accessible. The Administration recently announced that the landmark reinsurance initiative will save Coloradans $493 million on health care premiums in 2025. Without the reinsurance initiative, costs would be higher for hardworking Coloradans. 

    This new service provides Coloradans the ability to research all available prices at every hospital and shop for the care that works for individuals and families. The new and free tool shows the total price that the hospital charges each payer, although the final amount charged to Coloradans depends on each person’s insurance plan and coverage. Coloradans can learn more about the Colorado Hospital Price Finder and service rates at ColoradoHospitalPrices.com. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025
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