NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján: Attacks on Social Security Will Endanger Monthly Checks for Over Half a Million New Mexicans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Social Security Services Are Deteriorating for New Mexicans Who Rely On Monthly Checks To Get By
    Websites Crashing, Long Wait Times, And Firing 7,000+ SSA Workers Who Help Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Families Get Their Benefits
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sounded the alarm on ongoing attacks on Social Security from Elon Musk and President Trump that will endanger monthly Social Security checks for over 500,000 New Mexico seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on their monthly checks to live, pay rent, buy food and make ends meet.
    This comes amid reports of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) core operations breaking down because of systematic attacks from the Trump administration and DOGE. In the past month, the SSA website has already crashed four times in 10 days, blocking millions from accessing their accounts, and forcing seniors to wait more than two hours on jammed phone lines. 
    “In every corner of our state, Social Security is vital to the livelihoods of thousands of New Mexicans,” said Senator Luján. “Right now, Elon Musk and President Trump are taking an axe to New Mexicans’ Social Security benefits by firing staff, closing field offices, and making it harder for seniors to access their benefits. Social Security is not a Ponzi scheme – it is a lifeline that thousands of New Mexicans rely on to get by. I have always fought to protect New Mexicans’ Social Security, and I will always continue to do so.”
    A county-by-county breakdown of Social Security beneficiaries across New Mexico can be found here for SSI and Old Age, Survivors, and Disability benefits.
    Read a report from Senate Democrats on how President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE are trying to cut Social Security here.
    This week, Senator Luján pressed the nominee for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration on attacks to Social Security. Watch Senator Luján’s questions for the nominee here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Committee Closes One Hundred and Forty-Third Session

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today closed its one hundred and forty-third session after adopting concluding observations on the reports of Albania, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Montenegro and Zimbabwe.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, said the Committee had come to the end of a productive session and commended the Commitete members for their commitment and professionalism.  The Committee had held constructive dialogues with Albania, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Montenegro and Zimbabwe and the concluding observations would be posted on the Committee’s webpage later today. The review of Haiti was postponed upon the request of the State party due to the difficult human rights situation. The Committee expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti and looked forward to engaging with the State in the next session in July.

    During the session, the Committee adopted a list of issues on Chad and lists of issues prior to reporting on Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mauritius, New Zealand and Samoa, which would serve as important tools to guide dialogues with these States. 

    On individual communications, the Committee considered 19 drafts, including one draft prepared in accordance with the simplified format adopted by the Committee at its one hundred and fortieth session.  The drafts related to 66 communications: 38 were decided on the merits, five communications were declared inadmissible, and 23 communications were discontinued. Regarding the communications decided on the merits, the Committee found violations in 37 of them.

    The Committee also adopted its annual report reflecting its work undertaken during its one hundred and forty-first, one hundred and forty-second and one hundred and forty-third sessions. 

    At its next one hundred and forty-fourth session, the Committee would review the initial and periodic reports of Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain and Viet Nam.  The Committee would also adopt the lists of issues prior to reporting on Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Denmark, Ghana, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Rwanda, Sweden and Switzerland.  It would evaluate the reports of Armenia and Germany under its follow-up procedure to concluding observations.

    In closing, Mr. Soh expressed appreciation to members of the bureau as well as the members of the Secretariat, the Petitions Section, United Nations entities, civil society and all those who made the session possible. 

    Before the meeting closed, several Committee Members took the floor, congratulating the five new Committee members and paying tribute to the Chair’s leadership throughout the session.  The Committee was going through challenging times, and it was vital that it continued to work as a united body promoting and protecting human rights around the world. 

    The Committee’s next session will be held from 23 June to 18 July 2025, during which it will review the reports of Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Latvia, North Macedonia, Spain and Viet Nam.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

    CCPR25.008E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sherman Statement on Trump Eviscerating Labor Rights

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) released the following statement:

    “Workers deserve the right to collectively bargain, full stop.  Late last night, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order stripping hundreds of thousands of Americans of these fundamental rights. Today, I stand with working families in condemning this blatant overreach by President Trump. The Federal workers directly targeted by this action have always operated under collective bargaining as they serve the nation.  I will continue to oppose this extremist agenda that targets working-class Americans. 

    Donald Trump is the most anti-labor president since Rutherford B. Hayes.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Turning Vanes inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel

    Source: NASA

    Men stand in front of turning vanes inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory in this February 1944 publicity photo. The photo was taken just weeks after the tunnel became operational.
    The AWT was the only wind tunnel capable of testing full-size aircraft engines in simulated altitude conditions. A large wooden drive fan, located on the other side of these vanes, created wind speeds up to 500 miles per hour. Each corner of the rectangular tunnel had turning vanes, which straightened the airflow and directed it around the corners. This set of vanes was in the 31-foot-diameter southeast corner of the tunnel. These elliptical panels consisted of 36 to 42 vertical vanes that were supported by three horizontal supports. The individual vanes were 2.5 feet long and half-moon shaped. Each set of vanes took weeks to assemble before they were installed during the summer of 1943.
    The Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory went through several name updates and changes through NACA and NASA history; it is now NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
    Image credit: NASA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4493-4494: Just Looking Around

    Source: NASA

    Written by Alex Innanen, atmospheric scientist at York University
    Earth planning date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
    It’s my second shift of the week as the Environmental theme lead and keeper of the plan (a bit of a mouthful we shorten to ESTLK) and today started out feeling eerily similar to Monday. Once again, Curiosity is posing like a geologist, which means that once again we can’t unstow the arm and will be skipping contact science. The silver lining is that this means we have extra time to have a good look around.
    The plan also looks similar to Monday’s — targeted remote sensing on the first sol before driving away, and then untargeted remote sensing on the next. On sol 4493 we start our remote sensing, almost as remote as we can get, with a suprahorizon movie looking for clouds in the south. A dust-devil survey rounds out the sol’s environmental observations, and then the geology theme group can get down to the serious business of looking at rocks. For Mastcam this means observing a group of bedrock targets all called “Observatory Trail” (one of which you can see in the middle of the image above), pointing out some interesting veins in “Point Loma,” and casting their gaze out toward “Black Butte” (which I could not think of a fun pun for…). ChemCam has a LIBS observation of “Cholla,” as well as two long-distance observations of the Texoli Butte and the boxwork structures. Our second sol is a little more restrained, as untargeted sols tend to be. But Curiosity will still have plenty of energy after a good rest. We’re taking advantage of that with an extra-long dust-devil movie. Even though we’re in our cloudy season, we still sometimes see dust lifting, and having that extra time to look out for it increases our chances of catching a wind gust or a dust devil in action. Alongside that we also have a Mastcam tau observation to keep an eye on the amount of dust in the atmosphere, and wrap up with a ChemCam AEGIS activity to autonomously choose a LIBS target.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Spots a Chance Alignment

    Source: NASA

    The subject of today’s NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is the stunning spiral galaxy NGC 5530. This galaxy is situated 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus, the Wolf, and classified as a ‘flocculent’ spiral, meaning its spiral arms are patchy and indistinct.
    While some galaxies have extraordinarily bright centers that host a feasting supermassive black hole, the bright source near the center of NGC 5530 is not an active black hole but a star within our own galaxy, only 10,000 light-years from Earth. This chance alignment gives the appearance that the star is at the dense heart of NGC 5530.
    If you pointed a backyard telescope at NGC 5530 on the evening of September 13, 2007, you would have seen another bright point of light adorning the galaxy. That night, Australian amateur astronomer Robert Evans discovered a supernova, named SN 2007IT, by comparing NGC 5530’s appearance through the telescope to a reference photo of the galaxy. While it’s remarkable to discover even one supernova using this painstaking method, Evans has in fact discovered more than 40 supernovae this way! This particular discovery was truly serendipitous: it’s likely that the light from the supernova completed its 40-million-year journey to Earth just days before Evans spotted the explosion.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Employee Meets Success at NASA Stennis

    Source: NASA

    A career path can unfold in unexpected ways. Ask NASA’s Rebecca Mataya.
    The journey to NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was not planned but “meant to be,” she said.
    While working for a local business, the Picayune, Mississippi, native frequently delivered items to NASA Stennis. While making a delivery, Mataya noticed a construction worker who needed directions while waiting to receive a NASA Stennis visitor’s badge.
    “I stepped in by offering a map and highlighting the way,” Mataya said.
    This small moment of initiative caught the attention of the receptionist, who mentioned an opening at NASA Stennis. She noted that Mataya’s approach to the situation displayed the NASA Stennis culture of hospitality and a can-do attitude.
    “The rest is history,” she said. “Looking back, it was not just about finding a job – it was about NASA Stennis finding me, and me discovering a place where I would build a fulfilling career.”
    Since the first day of work when Mataya walked into NASA Stennis “in complete awe,” she has felt like every day is a learning experience filled with “wow” moments, like seeing a test stand up close and meeting rocket engineers. 
    The Carriere, Mississippi, resident worked as a support contractor from 2008 to 2022, filling various roles from lead security support specialist to technical writer and program manager.
    Her career path has progressed, where each role built upon the previous.
    As a budget analyst in the NASA Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer since 2022, Mataya oversees the planning, programing, budgeting, and execution of funds for all Office of Strategic Infrastructure work within the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate. She also manages budgets for the NASA Stennis Construction of Facilities projects, and the congressionally approved Supplemental Funding portfolio.
    “It is a role that requires adaptability, strategic thinking, and financial oversight,” she said. “I have cultivated these skills through years of experience, but more than that, it is a role that allows me to contribute something meaningful to the future of NASA and space exploration.”
    Mataya will complete a master’s degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University in May. She previously earned her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State and an associate degree from Pearl River Community College. 
    “My career has been shaped by growth and achievement, but the greatest highlight has always been the incredible people I have had the privilege of working with,” she said. “Walking the halls of NASA, where top leaders recognize me by name, is a testament to the trust and relationships I have built over the years.”
    Mataya said supervisors have consistently entrusted her with more complex projects, confident in her ability to rise to the challenge and deliver results. As a result, she has had opportunities to mentor interns and early-career professionals, guiding them as others once guided her.
    “Seeing my colleagues succeed and knowing they have reached their goals, and championing their progress along the way, remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” she said.
    Mataya knows from experience that NASA Stennis offers opportunity and a supportive environment, not only for employees looking for career growth, but to customers seeking world-class testing facilities. “NASA Stennis is a place where collaboration thrives,” she said. “It is where NASA, tenants, and commercial partners come together as one cohesive community with a culture of mutual respect, support, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As America’s largest rocket propulsion test site, NASA Stennis is evolving, and I look forward to seeing how our technological advancements attract new commercial partners and expand NASA’s capabilities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Supporting Kentucky Residents: Resources for Coping with Disaster-Related Stress

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    Supporting Kentucky Residents: Resources for Coping with Disaster-Related Stress

    FRANKFORT, Ky. – Disasters can take an emotional toll on your well-being. Kentucky residents have experienced several severe weather events over the last few months, and it is normal to have anxiety. It’s important to understand and recognize the signs of disaster related stress: Difficulty sleepingDisorientation, confusion, loss of appetiteFeelings of hopelessness or depressionWhile coping with the stress, here are some resources that may help.SAMSHA Distress HelplineSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides free 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. SAMSHA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Call 800-985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/ or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Other Coping ResourcesCrisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org/or Text HOME to 741741.United Way’s 211 Network partners with hundreds of organizations, businesses and government agencies to provide a multitude of resources, including mental wellness care and local health and community services. Call 2-1-1, available 24/7. Or visit 211.org. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to individuals experiencing mental-health related distress. Call or text 988. Or visit 988lifeline.org. National Domestic Violence Hotline Is available 24/7 and can be reached at: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. National Sexual Assault Helpline: Call 800-656-HOPE.
    martyce.allenjr
    Fri, 03/28/2025 – 14:21

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests illegal Mexican national involved in 2014 vehicular homicide of 13-year-old girl

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DALLAS – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Ramiro Guevara, a 46-year-old Mexican national and illegal alien March 26 who was involved in a 2014 vehicle accident, resulting in the death of 13-year-old girl. At the time of the accident, Guevara was wanted on a violation of driving without a license. He was not charged in the death of the minor, nor did he serve any jail time.

    “The arrest and pending removal of this individual serves as a stark reminder that criminal aliens who threaten the public safety of our communities will be found and face justice for their actions,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “Every day our dedicated special agents, intelligence analysts and law enforcement partners work relentlessly to provide for our common good by targeting those who disregard U.S. immigration laws.”

    Prior to his apprehension, Guevara was wanted for an outstanding order of deportation on a violation of alien present in the United States without being admitted or paroled.

    Guevara filed a petition March 10, 2016, for relief from removal. His petition for relief was denied July 28, 2017, by an immigration judge and he was subsequently ordered removed August 23, 2017. Guevara was given 30 days to file a removal appeal and failed to do so.

    Guevara will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

    Individuals can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-2423) or by completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE HSI’s mission to increase public safety in North Texas and Oklahoma communities on X: @HSI_Dallas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Denver arrests suspected member of Tren de Aragua found in possession of a firearm

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DENVER – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Salvadoran national and foreign fugitive Jose Eduardo Moran-Garcia, 28, to El Salvador via air transportation, March 28. Moran is wanted in his home country for aggravated homicide, displacement of individuals, unlawful groupings and aggravated robbery.

    “Today, justice prevails. The successful removal of this fugitive is a testament to the unwavering cooperation between our nations and the relentless dedication of our law enforcement agencies,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian. “This operation sends a clear message — no criminal is beyond the reach of justice.”

    Moran entered the United States on an unknown date and location without inspection by U.S. Immigration Officers. He was arrested Oct. 16, 2023, in Whittier, California, and was transferred to the Denver Contract Detention Facility, Aurora, Colorado, until his removal from the United States.

    This operation was successfully completed with the assistance of ERO El Salvador and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement taskforce.

    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 ERO Denver’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, @ERODenver.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Improving Transportation Infrastructure in Central NY

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of a $7.5 million bridge placement project over I-90 in Onondaga County. The Townline Road bridge (milepost 280.31) in the Towns of DeWitt and Salina will be replaced with a modern structure. The current bridge was built in 1953 and carries Townline Road over the Thruway (I-90). Approximately 12,400 vehicles per day travel over the bridge.

    “As construction season begins, New York is investing in infrastructure projects to replace and rehabilitate bridges on our roadways which will enhance safety for motorists for decades to come,” Governor Hochul said. “This bridge replacement project in Central New York will improve travel and connectivity in the community and strengthen our transportation network.”

    New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said. “The Thruway Authority is committed to investing in its aging infrastructure and enhancing the safety and reliability of the Thruway system. Our Capital Program is focused on modernizing our transportation system and maintaining some of the lowest and most affordable toll rates in the nation.”

    State Senator Christopher J. Ryan said, “The Townline Road bridge replacement is a crucial investment in DeWitt and Salina’s infrastructure. This bridge replacement will enhance safety, reduce bridge strikes, and improve traffic flow. This project will create jobs, strengthen our local economy, and ensure a more reliable transportation network for years to come. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s commitment to these vital upgrades and look forward to its completion.”

    Assemblymember Pam Hunter said, “The replacement of the Townline Road bridge is a critical investment in the safety and infrastructure of our community. This project will ensure safer travel for the thousands of residents and businesses that rely on this route daily, while also improving roadway conditions and preventing future disruptions. I commend Governor Hochul and the Thruway Authority for prioritizing these much-needed upgrades, which will enhance connectivity and benefit the people of the 128th Assembly District for years to come.”

    The existing structure will be replaced with a new bridge featuring increased vertical clearances. The clearance on the eastbound lanes will be increased from 14 feet three inches to 16 feet and seven inches and clearance on the westbound lanes will be increased from 14 feet nine inches to 17 feet and three to mitigate bridge strikes caused by overheight vehicles and enhance safety for Thruway Authority employees and motorists.

    Additional safety upgrades include full depth pavement reconstruction of the approaches on Townline Road over I-90, reconstruction of the shoulders of I-90 under the bridge, new safety guiderail, as well as the installation of a snow fence to prevent blowing snow, pedestrian sidewalk and several drainage structures along Townline Road.

    Beginning March 31, the Townline Road bridge will be closed to traffic for the duration of the project. A 3.8-mile signed detour will be in place.

    The south side of Townline Road will be closed at Factory Avenue. Eastbound traffic on Factory Avenue will be detoured south to Military Circle. Northbound traffic on Townline Road will be detoured west on Factory Avenue.

    The north side of Townline Road will be closed at Vincent Drive with northbound and southbound traffic detoured east on East Molloy Road. Eastbound and westbound traffic on East Molloy Road will not be affected by the detour.

    Motorists may encounter traffic slowdowns or stoppages on the Thruway during construction. Variable Message Signs will advise motorists of the construction work and detour information.

    Tioga Construction Company, Inc., of Herkimer, New York, is the project contractor following a competitive bidding process. Construction is expected to be complete in Fall 2025. The work is weather dependent and subject to change. Motorists are urged to be alert and follow the posted work zone speed limits. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.

    To further enhance safety for workers in a work zone, Governor Hochul signed legislation establishing the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program. The safety enforcement program began in April 2023 and is in effect in various active construction zones on the Thruway. Work zones with speed camera enforcement will have clear signage leading up to it and motorists violating the posted speed limit within the work zone will be fined.

    For up-to-date travel information, motorists are encouraged to download the Thruway Authority’s mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority’s interactive Traveler Map which features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

    About the Thruway Authority

    The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway, built in the early 1950s, is one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System and one of the longest toll roads in the nation. The maintenance and operation of the Thruway system is funded primarily by tolls. The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and is paid for by those who drive the Thruway, including one-third of drivers from out of state.

    In 2024, the Thruway Authority processed more than 400 million transactions and motorists drove 8.2 billion miles on the Thruway. The Authority’s approved 2025 Budget invests a total of $477.3 million in dedicated funding for capital projects across the Thruway system beginning in 2025, an increase of more than $33 million compared to the approved 2024 budget. The increased investment will lead to work on approximately 61 percent of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 pavement lane miles as well as the replacement or rehabilitation of 20 percent of the Thruway’s 817 bridges.

    The Thruway is one of the safest roadways in the country with a fatality rate far below the nationwide index, and toll rates are among the lowest in the country compared to similar toll roads. The Thruway’s base passenger vehicle toll rate is less than five cents per mile, compared to the Ohio Turnpike (six cents per mile), the New Jersey Turnpike (up to 39 cents per mile) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (16 cents per mile).

    The Thruway Authority’s top priority is the safety of our employees and customers. In 2024, two Thruway Authority employees died and another was seriously injured in separate incidents while working on the Thruway. The lives of Thruway Authority employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on all of those who travel the highway. Motorists should stay alert and pay attention while driving, slow down in work zones and move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024, requires drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. Safety is a shared responsibility.

    For more information, follow the Thruway on Facebook, X and Instagram, or visit the Thruway website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong statement on judge dismissing lawsuit that aimed to shut down Dakota Access Pipeline

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued the following statement today after U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that sought to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, which began operations in North Dakota in June 2017.

    “The Dakota Access Pipeline has been operating safely for almost eight years now and is a critical piece of infrastructure for North Dakota and our nation’s energy security,” Armstrong said. “We are pleased with the court’s decision, and we will continue pressing the Army Corps of Engineers to issue a final EIS that puts an end to this drawn-out matter once and for all.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation – E-001210/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001210/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Benoit Cassart (Renew)

    On 12 March 2025, the Congress of the Republic of Peru adopted amendments to the law regulating the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation, with a view to increasing transparency and accountability. However, these changes increase government control and impose excessive restrictions on civil society organisations working in key areas, such as the defence of human rights, social justice, sustainable development and the improvement of living conditions.

    New measures include the requirement to obtain prior approval for international cooperation projects, a ban on legal advice and legal defence activities, and increased risks of censorship and arbitrary penalties that can stifle dissenting voices or even lead to the closure of certain institutions.

    What does the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy intend to do to defend the rights and autonomy of non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations that work with international funds, among other things?

    Submitted: 21.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Public hearing: Human rights situation in Cuba – Subcommittee on Human Rights

    Source: European Parliament

    On 8 April 2025, the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is organising a public hearing on the “Human rights situation in Cuba”. In the programme of the hearing – two main topics: 1) Human rights situation and fundamental freedoms in Cuba; 2) EU response, state of play and future perspectives.

    Holding a public hearing on the situation of Human Rights in Cuba will allow DROI subcommittee to assess the current situation of Human Rights in Cuba, including the situation of the remaining political prisoners in the framework of the liberation of 553 of them under a Vatican-mediated deal.

    Furthermore, the recent change of Administration in the USA makes it more urgent to monitor the Human Rights situation in the island, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an omnibus executive order revoking 78 executive actions by the previous administration on 20 January 2025, including the revocation of the order of 14 January 2025 to remove Cuba from a blacklist of nations that sponsor terrorism and the reintroduction of sanctions that had contributed to the island’s worst economic crisis in decades.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Hearings – Human rights situation in Cuba – 08-04-2025 – Subcommittee on Human Rights

    Source: European Parliament

    On 8 April 2025, the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is organising a public hearing on the “Human rights situation in Cuba”. In the programme of the hearing – two main topics: 1) Human rights situation and fundamental freedoms in Cuba; 2) EU response, state of play and future perspectives.

    Holding a public hearing on the situation of Human Rights in Cuba will allow DROI to assess the current situation of Human Rights in Cuba, including the situation of the remaining political prisoners in the framework of the liberation of 553 of them under a Vatican-mediated deal.

    Furthermore, the recent change of Administration in the USA makes it more urgent to monitor the Human Rights situation in the island, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an omnibus executive order revoking 78 executive actions by the previous administration on 20 January 2025, including the revocation of the order of 14 January 2025 to remove Cuba from a blacklist of nations that sponsor terrorism and the reintroduction of sanctions that had contributed to the island’s worst economic crisis in decades.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Chile: European Union, EIB and KfW to provide up to €216.5 million to finance renewable hydrogen projects

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile will support Chile’s renewable hydrogen industry and help meet the country’s target of 100% clean energy by 2050.

    Today the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW Development Bank, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the European Commission, Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (CORFO) and the Chilean Ministry of Energy signed agreements to support Chile’s growing renewable hydrogen industry via the Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile. The signing ceremony took place in Santiago de Chile and was attended by European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Chile Diego Pardow, Executive Vice-President of CORFO José Miguel Benavente, EIB Director of the International Partners Department Thouraya Triki, and, representing KfW, Thomas Schmitt, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy to Chile.

    The funding platform will support the decarbonisation of Chile’s economy, creating green jobs and generating business opportunities for Chilean and European companies while also helping Europe meet its import demand for renewable hydrogen. The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile is part of the European Union – Latin America and the Caribbean Global Gateway Investment Agenda that  facilitates priority investment projects to help address infrastructure needs in Latin America and the Caribbean, while creating local added value and promoting growth, decent jobs and social cohesion.

    Under the platform, the EIB and KfW can provide financing to the Republic of Chile of up to €200 million (€100 million each), with CORFO as the implementing agency to channel the funds to renewable hydrogen initiatives. The EU Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility (LACIF) will provide an additional grant of €16.5 million. The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile supports Chile’s ambition to make its main sources of energy generation renewable and clean, with 100% clean energy before 2050. It is estimated that the operation will contribute to the development of at least 150 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity and 150 MW of new electrolysers capacity in the country.

    “With this agreement, the European Union reaffirms its vision of renewable hydrogen as a pillar of the energy of the future, and together with Chile, a leader in the region in this field, we are advancing the development of this key industry. The collaborative work between CORFO, the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW, and the European Union channels strategic resources towards innovative projects, generating mutual benefits for Chile and Europe. This initiative is a clear example of Team Europe’s commitment to sustainability, the creation of green jobs, and the strengthening of our economic ties,” said European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela.

    “The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile will play a key role in supporting the Chilean government’s efforts to develop a sustainable and competitive renewable hydrogen sector. Through this platform, Team Europe is once again demonstrating its commitment to advance key Global Gateway investment priorities. By aligning with Chile’s ambitious climate action goals, we are fostering green energy solutions that create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen EU-Latin America cooperation. This partnership reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Ioannis Tsakiris.                                    

    “The creation of the green hydrogen industry is not only an opportunity to continue the decarbonisation process but can also contribute to providing quality jobs and opportunities for the regions where future projects will be located. Therefore, this initiative led by the European Union, which is another step in our long and close collaboration, is great news for the energy industry but also for the citizens of our country,” said Minister of Energy of the Republic of Chile Diego Pardow.

    “The development of the green hydrogen industry represents a major challenge, not only in Chile but also globally. The creation of CORFO’s Green Hydrogen Facility, with contributions from multilateral institutions, including KfW and the European Investment Bank, constitutes a very relevant and necessary step forward to have financial instruments that can provide an important signal from the State in order to support the development of the industry and large-scale projects. We take on this challenge with great energy and enthusiasm,” said Executive Vice-President of CORFO José Miguel Benavente.

    “Chile has outstanding renewable energy potential for the development of green hydrogen production. To realise this potential, it is essential to leverage private investment. KfW financing on behalf of BMWK will support the mobilisation of private capital for Chilean hydrogen projects at an early stage. At a later stage, this should also enable the export of green hydrogen to European customers within the framework of hydrogen partnerships,” said Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy to Chile Thomas Schmitt.

    The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda supporting projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. The Global Gateway is the European Union’s contribution to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. Between 2021 and 2027, the European Union expects to mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.

    Background information

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    http://twitter.com/EIB

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/eib-global/

    About EIB Global in Chile

    The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2024 it financed around €8.4 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the EIB created in 2022 for activities beyond Europe. Since the EIB started working in Chile in 1994, it has provided over €942 million to finance investments on favourable conditions — in terms of both maturity and interest rates — with the aim of improving Chileans’ quality of life.

    About EIB Global in Latin America

    EIB Global has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 2022, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and offering the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America in 1993, it has provided total financing of around €15 billion to support more than 170 projects in 15 countries in the region.

    About the Global Gateway Investment Agenda

    EIB Global is a key partner in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, supporting sound projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. Investing in connectivity is at the very heart of what EIB Global does, building on the Bank’s 65 years of experience in this domain. Alongside our partners, fellow EU institutions and Member States, we aim to support investment of €100 billion (around one-third of the overall budget of the initiative) by the end of 2027, including in Chile and Latin America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Chile: EIB to provide $110 million to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • $110 million loan to Banco del Estado de Chile to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments for small and medium businesses and industries among others, including the value chain companies for critical raw materials in the country.

    Today the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banco del Estado de Chile signed in Santiago de Chile a $110 million loan to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments for small and medium businesses and industries among others, including the value chain companies for critical raw materials in the country. The operation is in line with the EU Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Chile and fosters partnerships to develop sustainable local value chains in the critical raw materials segment.

    The loan was signed by Daniel Hojman, President of Banco del Estado de Chile, and by Thouraya Triki, EIB Director of the International Partners Department, in the presence of the European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela.

    The project, 100% climate action, supports Chile’s transition to a decarbonised, environmentally friendly, and inclusive economy, reinforcing the country’s efforts to enhance renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Mining companies or companies providing services to the critical raw materials sector, and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy sub-projects, can also be targeted as final beneficiaries, thus supporting the decarbonisation of the critical raw materials supply chain, which is needed to ensure a clean energy transition in the country.

    “This $110 million financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Banco del Estado de Chile is a relevant contribution towards a cleaner and more efficient energy future. We are investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially for small and medium businesses, thereby strengthening the decarbonisation of the Chilean economy. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to climate action. Through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, Chile and the European Union are strengthening our collaboration, ensuring that economic growth and environmental protection go hand in hand,” said Jozef Sikela, European Commissioner for International Partnership.

    “This agreement between BancoEstado and the European Investment Bank strengthens the cooperation between our two financial institutions, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of green energy. This complements our previous partnership, which sought to improve the financial access conditions for housing with enhanced energy efficiency standards. Sustainability is an integral part of our identity as a public bank, and green financing is one of our strategic pillars, in line with supporting Chile’s transition towards an economy committed to climate action and environmental conservation,” said Daniel Hojman, President of Banco del Estado de Chile.

    “The $110 million EIB financing in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation supports Chile’s green transition and the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Chile while strengthening energy security in the years ahead. This operation contributes significantly to decarbonise the energy supply in the country and unlocks energy efficiency potential in small and medium businesses and industry, including in the critical raw materials sector. This cooperation with Banco del Estado de Chile builds on the EIB’s global climate engagement and our support for climate action in Chile over the last three decades,” said Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.

    The operation is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) supporting projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. The Global Gateway is the European Union’s contribution to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. Between 2021 and 2027, the European Union expects to mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.

    Background information

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices across the world. Photos of EIB headquarters for media use are available here.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    About EIB Global in Chile

    The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2024 it financed around €8.4 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the EIB created in 2022 for activities beyond Europe. Since the EIB started working in Chile in 1994, it has provided over €942 million to finance investments on favourable conditions — in terms of both maturity and interest rates — with the aim of improving Chileans’ quality of life.

    About EIB Global in Latin America

    EIB Global has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 2022, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and offering the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America in 1993, it has provided total financing of around €14.9 billion to support more than 170 projects in 15 countries in the region.

    About the Global Gateway Investment Agenda

    EIB Global is a key partner in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), supporting sound projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. Investing in connectivity is at the very heart of what EIB Global does, building on the Bank’s 65 years of experience in this domain. Alongside our partners, fellow EU institutions and Member States, we aim to support investment of €100 billion (around one-third of the overall budget of the initiative) by the end of 2027, including in Chile and Latin America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for an updated list of high-risk countries in the annex to Directive (EU) 2018/843 – E-001187/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001187/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Alexander Sell (ESN)

    Parliament rejected the Commission Delegated Regulation of 14 March 2024 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 as regards adding Kenya and Namibia to the table in point I of the Annex and deleting Barbados, Gibraltar, Panama, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that table.

    In its resolution, Parliament called on the Commission to submit a new delegated act. However, as of today, the most recent version of the list of high-risk non-EU countries remains dated 12 December 2023.

    Directive (EU) 2018/843 on combating money laundering and terrorist financing requires an up-to-date list of high-risk non-EU countries. This list must be regularly updated, not only to add new high-risk countries but also to remove those that no longer present strategic deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT).

    Given the above considerations:

    • 1.Is the Commission considering aligning its methodology with that of the Financial Action Task Force by establishing a ‘blacklist’ for non-EU countries subject to a call for action and a ‘grey list’ for those actively working to address their strategic AML/CFT deficiencies?
    • 2.When does the Commission intend to present a new proposal for a delegated act to update the list?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Fire ant invasion in Sicily – risks and containment measures – E-001150/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001150/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR)

    The invasion of Solenopsis invicta (fire ant) in Sicily is extremely worrying, as it could spread throughout Europe. This invasive species from South America has already caused serious environmental and economic damage in the United States and Australia.

    The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classifies it as a high-risk invasive pest, capable of establishing itself in southern European countries with a temperate, Mediterranean climate.

    Its spread could have devastating consequences on ecosystems, agriculture and public health. In Australia and the USA, it has wiped out native species, damaged crops and put humans at danger with its painful stings.

    The costs of controlling it are huge: Australia estimates the impact to be around AUD 1.65 billion per year, and has spent more than 400 million on eradication programmes since 2001.

    Timely and coordinated action is essential to avoid it spreading uncontrollably, which would make its eradication more difficult and expensive. Delays could exacerbate the problem, increasing the cost of containment.

    In view of this:

    • 1.Is there a structured monitoring programme and an updated map of the spread of S. invicta in Europe?
    • 2.What action has been taken to limit and eradicate its presence in infested areas?
    • 3.What funds and instruments have been or will be allocated to address this emergency at EU level?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 28, 2025

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

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on March 28, 2025.

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

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

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

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

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPZ3RZwsk4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SALAZAR CO-LEADS THE AMERICAN FAMILIES UNITED ACT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    lass=”xmsonormal”>(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) reintroduced H.R. 2366, the American Families United Act. This bipartisan legislation helps millions of U.S. citizens reunite with their loved ones.

    The American Families United Act provides American citizens the opportunity to keep their families together if they are part of a mixed-status family. Specifically, it allows immigration judges and officers to exercise discretion when handling cases involving spouses and children of U.S. citizens. At its core, this bill emphasizes that preserving the sanctity of the family should be a national priority.

    “The American Families United Act benefits U.S. citizens, promotes family unity, and prioritizes keeping families together,”  said Congresswoman Salazar. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation that reinforces America’s commitment to the rule of law and respects the dignity of families.”

    “There are hundreds of thousands of American families today who have been forced to live apart or relocate to another country because of draconian provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that prevent undocumented spouses of Americans from getting any legal protections whatsoever,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Americans recognize that it is in our country’s best interests to restore legal pathways for immigrants and keep families together, and the bipartisan American Families United Act is a critical step in the right direction. I look to working with my colleagues to advance this crucial legislation.”

    Over 2.6 million Americans live in mixed-status families. U.S. citizens are generally allowed under our immigration laws to sponsor their spouses or children for permanent residence. However, many mixed-status families are unable to complete this process because of outdated eligibility requirements or actions outside of their control. This can cause hardship for an American family and put them at risk of family separation.

     The American Families United Act addresses this issue by allowing American citizens to reopen a petition for their family member to adjust to legal status. It provides discretionary authority for immigration judges or officers adjudicating immigration applications to waive, on a case-by-case basis, certain immigration penalties or eligibility requirements that might expose the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen to removal. In these cases, the judge is authorized to consider whether their removal or denial would cause hardship to their American spouse, child, or parent. Critically, this does not apply to anyone with a criminal record or who could be considered a national security threat.

    American citizens deserve the full rights provided to them under U.S. law. However, our outdated immigration laws can cause hardship and confusion for many Americans and unfairly penalize spouses of American citizens who have no criminal record. This bill provides a fair and consistent process for U.S. citizens whose spouses face this uncertainty and ensures our immigration policy is in the best interest of American families.

    Congresswoman Salazar and Escobar previously introduced this bill in the 118th Congress and also included it as part of their major immigration reform bill – the Dignity Act.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expect delays due to Keating off-ramp closure, Highway 17 repairs

    Drivers should expect delays on Highway 17 northbound as the right lane of the highway near Keating Cross Road requires emergency repairs.

    To facilitate the repairs, the Keating off-ramp will be fully closed until at least 3 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025.

    The highway remains open and the Keating off-ramp (Exit 18) is closed, so northbound traffic can utilize the left-turn lane until work is complete in the afternoon. Drivers can take an alternative route via Island View Road.

    Work is ongoing as crews repair a steel plate on Highway 17 northbound.

    Drivers should expect delays of at least 20 minutes and are encouraged to choose alternative routes where possible.

    People are asked to take extra care while travelling in the area with workers present and obey all safety signage. For the most up-to-date information, check https://www.drivebc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney meets with premiers to discuss Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney met virtually with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s co-ordinated response to the United States’ unjustified tariffs against Canadian goods, including the recently announced U.S. tariffs on imported automobiles and auto-parts. The Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Dominic LeBlanc.

    Canada’s First Ministers stand united against this unjustified U.S. trade action and are committed to defending Canadian businesses, workers, and families affected by this threat.

    Prime Minister Carney updated the premiers on his conversation with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, earlier today. The Prime Minister and the premiers discussed the path forward to respond to the evolving tariff threat by strengthening the Canadian economy, including through work to unlock economic projects and remove interprovincial trade barriers. Prime Minister Carney underscored the Government of Canada’s resolve to continue fighting against the unjust tariffs and protect Canadians.

    Prime Minister Carney committed to continuing to convene with the premiers in the weeks ahead.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Connecticut Woman Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Five Victims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A New Haven, Conn. woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for sex trafficking and the interstate transportation of two separate victims for the purposes of prostitution.

    Jennifer Fortier, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 58 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of eight years in prison. In November 2024, Fortier pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and one count of knowingly transporting any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution. Fortier was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023, along with her co-defendants Jermall Anderson and Latasha Anderson.

    “Jennifer Fortier inflicted violence against these women, who were vulnerable, homeless, unemployed, and suffering from drug addiction, all to feed the profits of this criminal sex-trafficking organization.” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Prosecuting those who exploit others for their own personal gain is something that my office will continue to put our resources into. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity, not exploited for their addictions and life circumstances.”

    “Fortier worked alongside the now-convicted human trafficker Jermall Anderson, using violence and drugs to enforce his reign of terror over the women he trafficked. The harm she and her co-conspirators did to the women they victimized cannot be undone, but as another member of the conspiracy is sentenced, we hope this step offers some resolution for all they have been through,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations New England.

    From 2012 through 2016, Fortier, along with her co-conspirators and at the direction of Jermall Anderson, used physical violence, threats and the giving and withholding of heroin and cocaine to force two different victims to prostitute on their behalf. Fortier and her co-conspirators targeted vulnerable victims, specifically those struggling from drug addiction, homelessness and lack of economic resources and coerced them into providing commercial sex for the defendants’ benefit. The defendant trafficked these victims throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.  

    In March 2025, Jermall Anderson was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Latasha Anderson pleaded guilty in March 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2025.

    Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

    U.S. Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the HSI Office in New Haven, Conn., the Lynn and Tewksbury Police Departments (Mass.) and the Hampden (Conn.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
            

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponce Man and Local Business Indicted for Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Ponce man was arrested on March 25, 2025, on criminal charges related to various schemes involving bank fraud and money laundering. One company that he operated, Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC, was also indicted for its role in the bank fraud scheme.

    According to court documents, in 2020 and 2022, Melvin E. Rivera-Oliveras, 40, executed a scheme and artifice to defraud multiple federally insured financial institutions in Puerto Rico. Rivera-Oliveras attempted to conduct fraudulent refund transactions for more than $7 million using multiple debit cards at various companies that he managed and operated.

    After acquiring point of sale (POS) systems, Rivera-Oliveras conducted fraudulent refund transactions and was able to gain temporary access to the funds and to spend a portion of the funds that did not belong to him.

    In July 2022, Rivera-Oliveras submitted fraudulent transactions in an attempt to obtain over $270,000 via fraudulent refund transactions using a debit card associated with Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, which was another company he was managing. The proceeds of that scheme were deposited into an account held by Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico.

    With the proceeds of these crimes, Rivera-Oliveras purchased multiple vehicles, including a Cadillac CTS, a Ford Transit Connect XL, and a Mercedes Benz C Class. In addition, Rivera-Oliveras made multiple bank transactions in excess of $10,000.

    “The defendant created and executed a complex scheme to defraud banks and businesses,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the FBI agents and law enforcement partners who uncovered this web of illegal financial transactions.”

    “These crimes strike at the heart of public trust and financial stability. Bank fraud may not always leave a specific victim with empty pockets, but make no mistake, it erodes the very systems that uphold our economy,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our agents and partners, this scheme was uncovered. To those who believe they can conceal their fraud behind layers of deception, know that the FBI will not rest until you are brought to justice.”

    If convicted, Rivera-Oliveras faces the following penalties: up to 30 years in prison for bank and wire fraud; and up to ten years for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation of the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy from the Financial Fraud & Public Corruption Section is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National illegally residing in Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced in federal court today for Illegal Re-entry by an Alien Previously Convicted of a Felony. He was also sentenced for violating the terms of his supervised release related to an earlier conviction for the same crime.

    Omar Zamora-Guerra, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to six years and two months in federal prison without parole.

    On September 11, 2024, Zamora-Guerra pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after committed a felony. Zamora-Guerra admitted he knew he did not have permission to enter or remain in the United States lawfully.

    Under federal law it is illegal for an alien to knowingly re-enter the United States without permission after being convicted of a felony. Zamora-Guerra was previously convicted in the Western District of Missouri of illegal re-entry after a felony in October of 2020 and served 37 months in federal prison. After his release, he was removed from the country to his native Mexico, but returned sometime prior to his arrest on this charge in May of 2024. This is Zamora-Guerra’s third conviction for illegally re-entering the country. He also has a past conviction for assault for which he spent time in state prison.

    This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Hanson. It was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations.

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 20 Defendants – Convicted Felons Included – Charged Federally with Being Illegal Aliens Found in the United States Following Removal

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

    LOS ANGELES – This week, federal prosecutors working with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement partners filed criminal charges against 20 defendants who allegedly were found in the U.S. following removal, the Justice Department announced today.

    Many of the defendants charged previously were convicted of felony offenses before they were removed from the United States, offenses that include vandalism and firearms crimes.

    One of the defendants, Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, a.k.a. “El Gato,” of the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, was arrested Wednesday on a federal criminal complaint alleging he sold two kilograms of fentanyl pills to a buyer from July 2023 to February 2025 and charging him with illegally re-entering the U.S. following removal and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A federal magistrate judge ordered him jailed without bond a scheduled an April 15 arraignment for him in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Assistant United States Attorney Diane B. Roldán of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting Espinoza.

    Espinoza is a citizen of Mexico who has been previously deported in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017 and illegally reentered the United States following his removals, according to court documents. His criminal history includes felony convictions in 2008 in Los Angeles Superior Court for possession of narcotics for sale and in 2015 in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

    The investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-led El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California, with support from special agents with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California – Criminal Investigative Division; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding dangers to the community from the sales of narcotics and firearms.

    The crime of being found in the United States following removal carries a base sentence of up to two years in federal prison. Defendants who were removed after being convicted of a felony face up to 10 years in federal prison. Defendants removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

    Some of the other recently filed cases are summarized below with information contained in court documents.

    • Efrén García Jiménez, 24, of Mexico, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being an illegal alien found in the United States after removal.  García Jiménez, who was removed from the U.S. in 2019, was charged after being convicted in Orange County Superior Court on January 24 of discharging a firearm at an inhabited residence and vandalism, for which he was sentenced to three years in California state prison. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa S. Rabbani of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.
    • Aristeo González Rosas, 24, of Mexico, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being an illegal alien found in the United States after removal. González Rosas was federally charged after he was arrested on February 15 in Ventura County. Prior to this arrest, González Rosas was convicted in 2022 in Ventura County Superior Court of carrying a loaded firearm with a large capacity magazine, for which he was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and again in Ventura County Superior Court in 2023 of being a felon/addict in possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 16 months in California state prison. He was removed from the U.S. on August 31, 2024, and was removed again on September 5, 2024. Assistant United States Attorney Cameron C. Vanderwall of the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    In another matter, a federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Kevin Mauricio Ballardo-García, 24, a Mexican national, for allegedly transporting 148.12 kilograms (326.6 pounds) of methamphetamine from Mexico into Southern California. During a traffic stop in Westminster on March 11, law enforcement seized 13 buckets and one water container that held liquid methamphetamine from Ballardo-García’s Jeep Wrangler. He was ordered jailed without bond and his arraignment is scheduled for March 31 in United States District Court in Santa Ana. He is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Keenan of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this matter.

    Criminal complaints and indictments contain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ICE and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating these matters. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the Ballardo-García case with assistance from California Highway Patrol and the Irvine Police Department.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Conifer Holdings Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TROY, Mich., March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conifer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNFR) (“Conifer” or the “Company”) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.  

    Year End 2024 Financial Highlights

    • Net income allocable to common shareholders of $23.5 million
    • $61 Million gain on sale of insurance agency operations in August 2024
    • Continuing Personal Lines business profitable for the fourth quarter of 2024
    • Book value per share of $1.76 as of December 31, 2024

    Management Comments

    Brian Roney, CEO of Conifer, commented, “2024 was indeed a transitional year for Conifer Holdings as we successfully sold our insurance agency operations, paid down considerable debt, further strengthened reserves, streamlined our organization overall, and focused our production efforts on select personal lines going forward.”

    Reduction of Commercial Lines Business

    For the full year 2024, total Gross Written Premium was down almost 50% from the prior year, and Net Earned premium was down 27.5% for the same period. As a result of the sale of Conifer’s insurance agency operations, completed in August 2024, we anticipated and planned for this significant decline in Commercial Lines revenue. We expect Commercial Lines business to represent a diminishing percentage of total gross written premium going forward.

    Future premiums are expected to consist primarily of Personal Lines business, notably our homeowner’s insurance portfolio in Texas and the Midwest. As detailed in the Personal Lines results overview below, gross written premium for those lines of business for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 10.6% from the prior year period and increased 23.4% for the full year 2024 over the prior year.

    Additional information regarding the disposal of Conifer’s agency business and its impact on future Company operations can be found in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report to be filed March 28, 2025 on Form 10-K.

    2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Overview

           
      At and for the
    Three Months Ended December 31,    		   At and for the
    Year Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   % Change
    		   2024   2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                           
    Gross written premiums $ 13,683     $ 24,398     -43.9 %   $ 72,053     $ 143,834     -49.9 %
    Net written premiums   9,526       15,329     -37.9 %     49,338       68,688     -28.2 %
    Net earned premiums   12,708       14,821     -14.3 %     60,862       83,935     -27.5 %
                           
    Net investment income   1,352       1,411     -4.2 %     5,763       5,447     5.8 %
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )   **     (125 )     (20 )   **
    Change in fair value of equity investments   (21 )     13     261.5 %     (203 )     608     -133.4 %
                           
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders   (25,382 )     (19,479 )   -30.3 %     23,530       (25,923 )   **
     Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   -30.3 %   $ 1.93     $ (2.12 )    
     per share, diluted                      
                           
    Adjusted operating income (loss)*   (25,821 )     (19,411 )   -33.0 %     (34,558 )     (27,867 )   -24.0 %
     Adjusted operating income (loss) per share, diluted* $ (2.11 )   $ (1.59 )   -32.7 %   $ (2.83 )   $ (2.28 )   -24.1 %
                           
    Book value per common share outstanding $ 1.76     $ 0.24         $ 1.76     $ 0.24      
                           
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881           12,222,881       12,220,551      
                           
    Underwriting ratios:                      
     Loss ratio (1)   254.6 %     191.1 %         120.2 %     97.8 %    
     Expense ratio (2)   38.3 %     40.6 %         35.8 %     37.1 %    
     Combined ratio (3)   292.9 %     231.7 %         156.0 %     134.9 %    
                           
    * The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles.
    ** Percentage is not meaningful                      
    (1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.
                           

    2024 Fourth Quarter Gross Written Premium

    Gross written premiums decreased 43.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $13.7 million, compared to $24.4 million in the prior year period. This decrease reflects the Company’s operational shift away from commercial lines insurance business given the sale of our agency group earlier in the year.

    Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review

             
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
      2024   2023   % Change 2024   2023   % Change
    		  
      (dollars in thousands)  
                             
    Gross written premiums $ 3,124     $ 14,850     -79.0 %   $ 26,686     $ 107,078     -75.1 %  
    Net written premiums   488       7,009     93.0 %     14,541       36,580     -60.2 %  
    Net earned premiums   4,254       7,296     -41.7 %     28,160       59,221     -52.4 %  
                             
    Underwriting ratios:                        
    Loss ratio   650.8 %     316.7 %         184.8 %     105.7 %      
    Expense ratio   33.8 %     38.4 %         29.8 %     35.5 %      
    Combined ratio   684.6 %     355.1 %         214.6 %     141.2 %      
                             
    Contribution to combined ratio from net                        
    (favorable) adverse prior year development   550.9 %     205.5 %         118.5 %     32.3 %      
                             
    Accident year combined ratio (1)   133.7 %     149.6 %         96.1 %     108.9 %      
                             
    (1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year’s profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and quality of business written.  
       
                             

    The Company’s commercial lines production was down 79% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and represented roughly 23% of total gross written premium in quarter. Commercial Lines net earned premium was down 41.7% for the same period. The Commercial Lines loss ratio for the quarter increased significantly as the Company’s management focused on additional commercial lines reserve strengthening overall.

    Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review

                             
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
      2024   2023   % Change
    		   2024   2023   % Change
    		  
      (dollars in thousands)  
                             
    Gross written premiums $ 10,559     $ 9,548     10.6 %   $ 45,367     $ 36,756     23.4 %  
    Net written premiums   9,038       8,320     8.6 %     34,797       32,108     8.4 %  
    Net earned premiums   8,454       7,525     12.3 %     32,702       24,714     32.3 %  
                             
    Underwriting ratios:                        
    Loss ratio   55.2 %     69.0 %         64.6 %     78.9 %      
    Expense ratio   40.6 %     42.7 %         41.1 %     40.7 %      
    Combined ratio   95.8 %     111.7 %         105.7 %     119.6 %      
                             
    Contribution to combined ratio from net                        
    (favorable) adverse prior year development   0.9 %     -2.6 %         0.8 %     -5.6 %      
                             
    Accident year combined ratio   94.9 %     114.3 %         104.9 %     125.2 %      
                             

    Personal Lines premium represented 77% of total gross written premium for the fourth quarter of 2024. Personal Lines production increased 10.6% from the prior year period to $10.6 million for the quarter, led by growth in the Company’s low-value dwelling line of business in Texas and the Midwest.

    Despite storm activity in the full year, the combined ratio for personal lines business improved significantly in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

    Combined Ratio Analysis

     
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    		     Year Ended
    December 31,
    		  
      2024   2023     2024   2023  
         
                       
    Underwriting ratios:                  
    Loss ratio 254.6 %   191.1 %     120.2 %   97.8 %  
    Expense ratio 38.3 %   40.6 %     35.8 %   37.1 %  
    Combined ratio 292.9 %   231.7 %     156.0 %   134.9 %  
                       
    Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable)                  
    adverse prior year development 185.0 %   100.0 %     55.3 %   21.2 %  
                       
    Accident year combined ratio 107.9 %   131.7 %     100.7 %   113.7 %  
                       

    Net Investment Income
    Net investment income increased 5.8% to $5.8 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year period.

    Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities
    During the quarter, the Company reported a loss of $21,000 from the change in fair value of equity investments, compared to a $13,000 gain in the prior year period.

    Net Income (Loss) allocable to common shareholders
    The Company reported a net loss allocable to common shareholders of $25.4 million, or $2.08 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year 2024, the Company reported net income allocable to common shareholders of $23.5 million, or $1.93 per share.

    Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $25.8 million, or $2.11 per share. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.

    About Conifer Holdings
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. is a Michigan-based property and casualty holding company. Through its subsidiaries, Conifer offers specialty insurance coverage for both commercial and personal lines, marketing through independent agents. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CNFR. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.ir.cnfrh.com.

    Forward-Looking Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Conifer’s expectations regarding future revenue, premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion, and business strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our Form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures
    Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.

    We believe that investors’ understanding of Conifer’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding: 1) net realized investment gains and losses, 2) change in fair value of equity securities 3) other gains and 4) net income from discontinued operations. We use adjusted operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance.

    Reconciliations of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) per share:

       
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
        2024   2023   2024   2023  
        (dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  
                     
    Net income (loss) $ (25,382 )   $ (19,460 )   $ 24,347     $ (25,904 )  
    Less:                
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )     (125 )     (20 )  
    Change in fair value of equity securities   (21 )     13       (203 )     608    
    Other gains   646       –       646       –    
    Net income from discontinued operations   (186 )     (42 )     58,587       1,375    
    Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *   –       –       –       –    
    Adjusted operating income (loss) $ (25,821 )   $ (19,411 )   $ (34,558 )   $ (27,867 )  
                       
    Weighted average common shares, diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881       12,222,881       12,220,551    
                       
    Diluted income (loss) per common share:                
    Net income (loss) $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   $ 1.99     $ (2.12 )  
    Less:                
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       –       (0.01 )     –    
    Change in fair value of equity securities   –       –       (0.02 )     0.05    
    Other gains   0.05       –       0.06       –    
    Net income from discontinued operations   (0.02 )     –       4.79       0.11    
    Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *   –       –       –       –    
    Adjusted operating income (loss), per share $ (2.11 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (2.83 )   $ (2.28 )  
                       

    * The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As a result, there were no taxable impacts to adjusted operating income from the adjustments to net income (loss) in the table above after taking into account the use of NOLs and the change in the valuation allowance.

             
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
    Consolidated Balance Sheets  
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
      December 31   December 31,  
       2024     2023   
    Assets        
    Investment securities:        
    Debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $117,827 and $ 105,665     $ 122,113    
    $135,370, respectively)        
    Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $1,836 and $2,385, respectively)   1,603       2,354    
    Short-term investments, at fair value   21,151       20,838    
    Total investments   128,419       145,305    
             
    Cash and cash equivalents   27,654       10,663    
    Premiums and agents’ balances receivable, net   9,901       29,364    
    Receivable from Affiliate   –       1,047    
    Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses   84,490       70,807    
    Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses   6,919       12,619    
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   6,088       28,908    
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   6,380       6,405    
    Receivable from contingent considerations   8,070       –    
    Other assets   3,735       7,036    
    Assets from discontinued operations   –       3,452    
    Total assets $ 281,656     $ 315,606    
             
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        
    Liabilities:        
    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 189,285     $ 174,612    
    Unearned premiums   30,590       65,150    
    Reinsurance premiums payable   1       246    
    Debt   11,932       25,061    
    Funds held under reinsurance agreements   25,829       24,550    
    Premiums payable to other insureds   –       13,986    
    Liabilities from discontinued operations   –       4,083    
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   2,494       5,029    
    Total liabilities   260,131       312,717    
             
    Commitments and contingencies   –       –    
             
    Shareholders’ equity:        
    Series A Preferred stock, no par value (10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 1,000      
    issued and outstanding, respectively)   –       6,000    
    Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 12,222,881        
    issued and outstanding, respectively)   98,178       98,100    
    Accumulated deficit   (63,153 )     (86,683 )  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (13,500 )     (14,528 )  
    Total shareholders’ equity   21,525       2,889    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 281,656     $ 315,606    
             
             
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
    (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended  
      December 31,   December 31,  
      2024   2023   2024   2023  
                     
    Revenue and Other Income                
    Premiums                
    Gross earned premiums $ 19,721     $ 38,115     $ 106,612     $ 146,572    
    Ceded earned premiums   (7,013 )     (23,294 )     (45,750 )     (62,637 )  
    Net earned premiums   12,708       14,821       60,862       83,935    
    Net investment income   1,352       1,411       5,763       5,447    
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )     (125 )     (20 )  
    Change in fair value of equity securities   (21 )     13       (203 )     608    
    Other gains   646       –       646       –    
    Other income   41       144       328       552    
    Total revenue and other income   14,726       16,369       67,271       90,522    
                     
    Expenses                
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net   32,349       28,470       73,302       82,413    
    Policy acquisition costs   3,535       2,392       13,335       15,797    
    Operating expenses   3,165       3,969       11,831       16,738    
    Interest expense   862       845       4,883       3,206    
    Total expenses   39,911       35,676       103,351       118,154    
                     
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   (25,185 )     (19,307 )     (36,080 )     (27,632 )  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   11       111       (1,840 )     (353 )  
                     
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ (25,196 )   $ (19,418 )   $ (34,240 )   $ (27,279 )  
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations   (186 )     (42 )     58,587       1,375    
    Net income (loss)   (25,382 )     (19,460 )     24,347       (25,904 )  
    Series A Preferred Stock Dividends and Redemption premium   –       19       817       19    
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders   (25,382 )     (19,479 )     23,530       (25,923 )  
                     
    Earnings (loss) per common share, basic and diluted                
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ (2.06 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (2.87 )   $ (2.23 )  
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations $ (0.02 )   $ (0.00 )   $ 4.79     $ 0.11    
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   $ 1.93     $ (2.12 )  
                     
    Weighted average common shares outstanding,                
    basic and diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881       12,222,881       12,220,551    
                     

    For Further Information:
    Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840
    ir@cnfrh.com

    The MIL Network –