Category: Business

MIL-OSI Security: Clarkston Woman Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Embezzling Over Three Million Dollars From Former Employer

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

DETROIT- A Clarkston woman was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for wire fraud arising out of an embezzlement scheme targeting her former employer, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining Ison in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cheyvoryea Gibson.

Sally Lynn Elmore, 56, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to one count of wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud her former employer that resulted in over $3 million in losses. In addition to the 3 years’ imprisonment, United States District Judge Brandy R. McMillion ordered Elmore to pay $2.2 million in restitution to her victims and to pay a $3.2 million forfeiture money judgment.

According to Court documents, from April 2019 to December 2022, Elmore abused her position of trust and used her access to the payroll and banking systems of her employer to execute a scheme to fraudulently direct electronic payments—in the form of salary, bonuses, and expense reimbursements that she knew she was not entitled to receive—from her employer’s bank account to her personal bank accounts. In order to conceal her fraud, Elmore prepared and presented falsified financial statements to her employer’s board, representing that the company was still in possession of funds that she had, in fact, fraudulently directed to herself. She also concealed the missing funds from the company’s insurer, causing the company to lose coverage for losses from theft. In total, Elmore stole over $3 million and gambled most of it away.

“Elmore violated the trust placed in her as the director of finance and human resources for her company, stealing over three million dollars, nearly driving the company to insolvency, and putting the livelihoods of her fellow employees in jeopardy, stated United States Attorney Ison. “Our office will aggressively prosecute those individuals who abuse their authority to line their own pockets at others’ expense.”

“Over the course of three years, Ms. Elmore betrayed her employer by exploiting her access to the company’s finances, stealing millions of dollars, and covering up her actions through deception,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI has zero tolerance for fraud against individuals or institutions and will continue to work with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute those involved in embezzlement schemes. We are committed to ensuring that anyone who abuses their position of trust faces justice.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alyse Wu. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

MIL Security OSI –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Change in the composition of the Board of Directors
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Media relations:
Victoire Grux
Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55
victoire.grux@capgemini.com

Investor relations:
Vincent Biraud
Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87
vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

Change in the composition of the Board of Directors

Paris, October 29, 2024 – Meeting on October 29, 2024, the Board of Directors of Capgemini SE, took due note of Olivier Roussat’s resignation as a director with immediate effect.

The Board of Directors warmly thanked Olivier Roussat for his contribution to the work of the Board and the Strategy & CSR Committee on which he sat.

On October 29, 2024, the Board of Directors therefore comprised 14 Directors, including two Directors representing employees and one director representing employee shareholders. 82% of its members were independent ¹, 43% had international profiles and 45% were women¹ .

About Capgemini
Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2023 global revenues of €22.5 billion.
Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

1 The Directors representing employees and employee shareholders are not taken into account in calculating this percentage, in accordance with the provisions of the AFEP-MEDEF Code and the French Commercial Code.

Attachment
- 10_29 Press release_Composition of the Board of Capgemini
The MIL Network –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Governor Signe Krogstrup’s speech at The International Center for Monetary and Banking Studies

Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

Exchange rates

29 October 2024

On 29 October 2024, Governor Signe Krogstrup gave a speech on capital flows and exchange rate management at The International Center for Monetary and Banking Studies in Geneva. The speech offered a practitioner’s view, originating from the Danish fixed exchange rate policy.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Three lessons the west can learn from China’s economic approach to AI

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jialu Shan, Research Fellow at the TONOMUS Global Center for AI and Digital Transformation, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)

Phonlamai Photo/Shutterstock

AI is already everywhere, ready to change the way we work and play, how we learn and how we are looked after. From hospitality to healthcare, entertainment to education, AI is transforming the world as we know it.

But it’s developing at a different pace in different parts of the world. In the west, it seems, there is a tendency to aim for perfection, with companies taking their time to refine AI systems before they are implemented.

China, on the other hand, has taken a more pragmatic path, on which speed and adaptability are prioritised over flawless execution. Chinese companies appear more willing to take risks, accept AI’s current limitations and see what happens.

And China’s desire to be the world leader in AI development seems to be working. Here are three important lessons the west can learn from China’s economic strategy towards AI.

1. Embrace imperfection

Many Chinese companies have adopted a “good enough” mentality towards AI, using it even when the technology is not fully developed. This brings risks, but also encourages fast learning.

For example, in 2016, Haidilao, a popular Chinese restaurant chain, introduced “Xiaomei”, an AI system which dealt with customers calling up to make reservations. While Xiaomei is not the most sophisticated AI system (it only understands questions about reservations), it was effective, managing over 50,000 customer interactions a day with a 90% accuracy rate.

It’s not perfect, but it provides a valuable service to the business, proving that AI doesn’t need to be flawless to make a big impact.

2. Make it practical

A key distinction between AI strategies in China and the west is the focus on practical, problem-solving applications. In many western industries, AI is often associated with cutting-edge technology like robot-assisted surgery, or complex predictive algorithms.

While these advances are exciting, they do not always bring immediate impact. China, by contrast, has made significant strides by applying AI to solve more basic needs.

In China, some hospitals use AI to help with routine – but very important – tasks. For instance, in April 2024, Wuhan Union Hospital introduced an AI patient service which acts as a kind of triage nurse for patients using a messaging app.

Patients are asked about their symptoms and medical history. The AI then evaluates the severity of their needs, and prioritises appointments based on urgency and the medical resources available at that time. The results are then relayed to a human doctor who makes the final decision about what happens next.

By helping to ensure that those with the most critical needs are seen first, the system plays a crucial role in improving efficiency and reducing waiting times for patients seeking medical attention. It’s not the most complex technology, but in its first month of use in the hospital’s breast clinic, it reportedly provided over 300 patients with extra consultation time – 70% of whom were patients in urgent need of surgery.

3. Learn from mistakes

China’s rapid adoption of AI hasn’t come without challenges. But failures serve as critical learning experiences.

One cautionary tale over AI implementation comes not from China, but from Japan. When Henn na Hotel in Nagasaki became the world’s first hotel staffed by robots, it received a great deal of attention for its futuristic concept.

But the reality soon fell short of expectations. Churi, the hotel’s in-room assistant robot, frequently misunderstood guest requests, leading to confusion. One guest was reportedly woken up repeatedly because a robot in his room mistakenly understood the sound of his snoring to be a question.

In contrast, many Chinese hotels have taken a more measured approach, opting for simpler yet highly effective robotic solutions. Delivery robots are now commonplace in hotel chains across the country, and while not overly complex, they are adept at navigating hallways and lifts autonomously, bringing meals to guests.

By focusing on specific, high-impact problems, Chinese companies have successfully integrated AI in ways that minimise disruption and maximise usefulness.

The Chinese restaurant chain I mentioned earlier provides another good illustration of this approach. After the success of its chatbot, Haidilao introduced “smart restaurants” equipped with robotic arms and automated food delivery systems. While innovative, the technology struggled during peak hours and lacked the personal touch many customers valued.

Instead of abandoning the project, Haidilao continued to adjust and refine its use of AI. Rather than adopting a fully automated restaurant model, it went for a hybrid approach, combining automation with human staff to enhance the dining experience.

This flexibility in the face of setbacks represents a crucial willingness to pivot and adapt when things don’t go as planned. Overall, China’s pragmatic approach to AI has enabled it to take the lead in many areas, even as the country lags behind the west in terms of technological sophistication. This is driven by a willingness to embrace AI’s imperfections, and then adapt where necessary.

Where speed and adaptability are critical, companies can’t afford to wait for perfect solutions. By embracing AI’s imperfections, focusing on practical applications and real-world feedback, Chinese companies have unlocked the economic value of AI in a way that others are being too timid to emulate.

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

– ref. Three lessons the west can learn from China’s economic approach to AI – https://theconversation.com/three-lessons-the-west-can-learn-from-chinas-economic-approach-to-ai-240598

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Chris Kaba’s criminal history shouldn’t change how we think about the Martyn Blake trial – but it could affect future cases

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tara Lai Quinlan, Associate Professor in Law and Criminal Justice, University of Birmingham

Members of Chris Kaba’s family at a march on the anniversary of his death. Shutterstock

Two years after fatally shooting 24-year-old Chris Kaba in the head, the London Met Police firearms officer Martyn Blake was acquitted of Kaba’s murder.

As soon as the trial concluded, newspapers published information about Kaba that they were barred from reporting during the proceedings. Chief among the details was the news that Kaba had allegedly shot a man in both legs at a nightclub days before his own death, although he was never prosecuted for or convicted of the crime.

The post-trial publication of details of Kaba’s alleged criminal history should not affect how we view Blake’s prosecution and acquittal. But it will have implications for future cases where black men are killed by police. It will also further damage already-strained relationships between black communities and police.

Kaba was shot by Blake after police stopped the car he was driving in south London. Kaba was unarmed. Police did not know that Kaba was driving, but believed the car had been connected to a shooting the night before. Blake told the court he fired his weapon because he believed his colleagues’ lives were at risk.

The jury was not told of Kaba’s prior convictions during the trial, nor should they have been. Kaba was not on trial – Martyn Blake was. So this information did not play a role in their decision to acquit. Because Kaba was killed by Blake, Kaba’s prior convictions were not relevant in Blake’s trial. We correctly shun victim-blaming when it comes to other victims: it should be no different in this case, in which Kaba was the victim.

Had Kaba been alive and testified for the prosecution against Blake, the judge could have considered whether his prior criminal convictions were relevant to his testimony and credibility. But disclosure of a witness’s previous convictions is rightfully very narrowly construed by the courts, and would have to meet a specific legal standard.

Racial stereotypes

The research is clear that when a person of colour is killed by police and posthumous information about the victim is released to the public, it has an impact on public perceptions of blame, sympathy and empathy for the black victim and police shooter, and perpetuates racial stereotypes. And this seems to be what is occurring here.

Studies have shown for decades that black people, men in particular, are first and foremost viewed as perpetrators by police and members of the public, not as crime victims. We have seen the impact of this in the many killings of unarmed black men by police in the US, from Michael Brown to Eric Garner to George Floyd.

These stereotypes have also played a role in cases in the UK. Black men and boys are often treated by the criminal justice system and the media as somehow responsible for their own deaths. For instance, Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in 1993 by a group of white men while waiting at a London bus stop, was regarded by police for a long time as a suspect, not a victim.

Or Dea-John Reid, a 14-year-old black boy who was chased and killed by a group of white teens and adults in Birmingham in 2021. After his death, police initially doubted racism played a role in the killing, and it was suggested at the trial that Reid was involved in instigating events leading to his killing. While multiple defendants were brought to trial, only a 15-year-old boy was convicted of manslaughter for Reid’s death. Two adults, aged 36 and 39, and two other teenagers were acquitted of his murder.

Police chiefs are asking the government to make it harder for the Crown Prosecution Service to charge officers.
Svet foto/Shutterstock

For decades, scholars have tracked how black men are viewed through the lens of the myth of criminality. This view, rooted in slavery and colonialism, erroneously suggests black men have a propensity for criminality. It persists today in crime figures that show minority ethnic people disproportionately represented in every stage of the criminal justice process.

Yet the reality from government offending surveys is that black and white people commit crimes at the same rates. The myth is reinforced through the criminal justice system, which focuses on some crimes (and alleged criminals) more than others through decisions around deployment of personnel and resources, and decisions to arrest, charge, prosecute and sentence in disproportionate ways.

For example, police stop and search rates for decades have been disproportionately shown to target black men. Arrest rates show similar disproportionate outcomes. These disparities are not due to a propensity for criminal offending, but rather the implicit and explicit stereotypes of the justice system.

Read more:
Stop and search disproportionately affects black communities – yet police powers are being extended

These stereotypes mean that people of colour, and black men in particular, are not seen as deserving victims when they are the victims of crime or police wrongdoing.

Academic research, as well as government inquiries by Lord Macpherson and Baroness Casey, have observed how policing culture is embedded with these stereotypes.

Future of policing

Following the Blake verdict, police leaders have called for further protections for officers who use force while on duty (even if not deadly force). The government has said that officers charged in future cases will stay anonymous unless convicted.

The UK legal system already has rigorous standards for investigating, charging and convicting individuals, including police officers, of wrongdoing. Moreover, is it important to bear in mind that misconduct prosecutions in court against police officers are already very rare.

Blake was the first officer in England ever charged with murder for killing someone on duty, and therefore none have ever been convicted of murdering a member of the public while on duty. There are therefore already sufficiently robust due process protections in place for officers charged with a crime and they do not require further enhancing.

At a time when police have lost the trust of many of the communities they are meant to protect, particularly ethnic minority Britons, this sends the wrong message to the public that police can act without accountability.

“We went two steps forward in terms of building relationships and it just feels like we’ve taken a step back,” said Anthony King, who runs a youth crime reduction organisation in London, of the Blake verdict.

The persistence of negative racial stereotypes of people of colour generally, and black men in particular, continues to put black communities in a position of being overpoliced and yet underprotected. Treating Chris Kaba as a suspected criminal ahead of seeing him as a victim will only further this inequality.

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

– ref. Chris Kaba’s criminal history shouldn’t change how we think about the Martyn Blake trial – but it could affect future cases – https://theconversation.com/chris-kabas-criminal-history-shouldnt-change-how-we-think-about-the-martyn-blake-trial-but-it-could-affect-future-cases-242051

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: From a scream to a whisper – ‘quiet horror’ novels are making a comeback

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nick Freeman, Reader in Late Victorian Literature, Loughborough University

Readers need to be imaginative rather than being startled by jump scares. zef art/Shutterstock

Ever since its inception with Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto (1764), a delirious mixture of violent death and familial conspiracy, gothic literature has been a restless cultural form, constantly mutating and assuming new guises but always exploring the darker side of life. Sometimes, its fashions are those of the historical moment. Sometimes they are initiated by a book enjoying unprecedented commercial success.

One of these was Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs (1988). After the film adaptation scooped five Oscars in 1991, the deviant genius became the villain of choice for gothic films and novels. For a time, the violent merging of the crime thriller with the “body horror” of 1980s cinema ensured that the genre was dominated by such characters. Usually (though not always) men with high IQs, elevated artistic taste and ingenious ways of torturing and killing their fellow human beings, Hannibal Lecter and his ilk became modern icons.

In the wake of such influences, crime novels (and films) got bloodier and horror novels grew longer. John Connolly’s first novel, EveryDeadThing (1999), for example, spent 470 pages documenting the murderous activities of a serial killer who mutilated his victims in the style of Renaissance anatomical drawings.

In recent years however, there has been a reaction against these excesses. So-called “quiet horror” has become increasingly popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Perhaps taking its name from a 1965 collection of short stories by Stanley Ellin, which was literally called “quiet horror”, this is a genre that prizes suspense and subtlety over graphic bodily violence.

The novelist Selena Chambers characterises quiet horror as exploring “the unexplained, the suppressed, the supernal [otherworldly], the material, the cosmic, and the secular … everything we cannot see, or verbalise and fail to feel concretely”. As she implies, suggestion is crucial.

Readers need to be patient and imaginative, sensitive to the nuances and implications of language and willing to respond to spooky ambiguities rather than being startled by jump scares or “gross out” imagery.

Slasher movies usually treat their characters as no more than fodder for the next brutal killing. Quiet horror, by contrast, takes character development far more seriously and imbues its stories with greater psychological depth. This in turn can enhance readers’ involvement. Put simply, those who dislike “splatter fiction” are more likely to care what happens to a well-rounded, sympathetic character than a stereotypical US teenager about to be put under a steam hammer.

Women and quiet horror

Female novelists have been at the forefront of this style of writing since the Victorian period. Elizabeth Gaskell’s tales, including The Old Nurse’s Story (1852), a chilling tale of a family curse, are foundational works.

A long line of women writers have explored how the familiar, the domestic, the marital and the homely can be imbued with subtle terrors, from loneliness and isolation to paranoia, alienation, captivity and psychological trauma.

The haunted house does not need to contain a typical ghost. From Elizabeth Bowen’s The Demon Lover (1945) to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House (1959), to Sarah Waters’ The Little Stranger (2009) and beyond, the complex and fraught relationships between a dwelling and its occupants have frequently engaged women writers’ imaginations.

The continuing success of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black (1983) in its literary, theatrical and cinematic incarnations has helped ensure that quiet horror, particularly tales which recall the golden age of the ghost story a century or so ago, are once again much in vogue. This can be seen in the bestselling novels of Michelle Paver, such as Dark Matter (2010) and in anthologies such as The Haunting Season (2021).

At the same time, readers are increasingly rediscovering forgotten practitioners of the genre. One such figure is Elizabeth Walter (1927-2006). As a writer (and the editor of Collins Crime Club for 30 years from the mid-1960s) Walter recoiled from sadistic violence, cardboard characterisation and haphazard plotting.

Shirley Jackson was a master of ‘quiet horror’.
Wiki Commons, CC BY

After five collections of stories, beginning with Snowfall and Other Chilling Events (1965), she retired from writing supernatural fiction in the mid-1970s as the traits she didn’t like were becoming dominant within Anglo-American gothic. Many of her stories are set in the border country between England and Wales and draw upon folklore and a sensitivity to landscape to create creepily unnerving works such as The Sin Eater (1967) and Telling the Bees (1975).

I edited a collection of Walter’s writing titled Let a Sleeping Witch Lie (2024). Spanning the ten years from Snowfall to her final collection, Dead Woman and Other Haunting Experiences (1975), the stories within anticipate some elements of Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins novels which also involve Welsh border settings, supernatural elements, and police procedural, though they lack Rickman’s religious dimension.

There is no sense of providence at work in Walter’s borderlands, only ancient and mysterious menace. Marriages tend to be unhappy, families harbour terrible secrets, and the old ways continue to overshadow the present. Fifty years since her final collection, Walter’s work might be more relevant than ever before.

Quiet horror has never really been away, but it seems to finding a new audience, one which both looks to its past and relishes its present.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

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

– ref. From a scream to a whisper – ‘quiet horror’ novels are making a comeback – https://theconversation.com/from-a-scream-to-a-whisper-quiet-horror-novels-are-making-a-comeback-241945

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Gen Z is saying ‘no’ to middle management — and why you might want to reconsider
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Leda Stawnychko, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory, Mount Royal University

Research shows that over half of Gen Z have no interest in pursuing middle management roles, meaning they are missing out on valuable opportunities. (Shutterstock)

Gen Z is poised to become the most populous generation on the planet, and their influence is already shaping the future of work. As one of the most educated and racially and ethnically diverse generations, they bring fresh perspectives and new expectations for how we work and lead.

Known as the first truly “digital native” generation, Gen Z grew up immersed in a world of technology and social media, giving them a natural edge in navigating the modern world. But there is more to Gen Z than their digital fluency.

What truly sets them apart is their ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, financial savviness, commitment to ethical consumption and strong sense of social responsibility. For Gen Z, work is more than just a paycheck — it’s about committing to a higher purpose. They do best in people-centred organizations that value their contributions, prioritize well-being and align with their sense of mission.

Gen Z is redefining leadership by choosing to lead through expertise rather than relying on formal positions of authority. One of the most striking trends is their growing reluctance to step into middle management roles — a phenomenon being called “conscious unbossing.”

This powerful shift is catching many in the business world by surprise.

No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

Read more from Quarter Life:
Where strategy meets execution

Middle managers play a vital role in organizations, acting as the crucial link between a company’s big-picture strategy and its day-to-day operations.

Unlike supervisors, who primarily focus on overseeing day-to-day tasks, middle managers are responsible for both their team’s performance and the implementation of broader organizational strategies. It’s a dynamic role where strategic vision meets practical execution.

Middle managers are often the bridge between a company’s big-picture strategy and its day-to-day operations.
(Shutterstock)

However, research shows that over half of Gen Z have no interest in pursuing middle management roles. There is an understandable reason for this: these roles are known for their high levels of burnout and may initially seem at odds with Gen Z’s values of autonomy, flexibility and personal well-being.

It is true that middle managers face real challenges. Over the past decade, their responsibilities have grown significantly. They manage competing priorities while contending with a polarized and rapidly shifting workplace. However, with the right approach, these roles can be deeply fulfilling and transformative, as my doctoral thesis research found.

Why middle management matters

Despite being highly ambitious, self-confident and driven by personal growth, Gen Z may be overlooking the valuable learning opportunities and influence that come with middle management.

Middle management roles serve as a crucial stepping stone for those seeking to make a real, systemic and lasting impact, offering a platform to advocate for the values Gen Z cares deeply about, such as social responsibility, sustainability and equity.

Additionally, middle management provides important opportunities to develop essential technical and human skills, including emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and complex decision-making. Embracing these roles can unlock the potential to lead change and inspire transformation.

How to find joy in middle management roles

If you are part of Gen Z and are unsure about middle management, reframing these roles to align with your values and aspirations can help you see it as a rewarding opportunity rather than a burden. This three-step framework can help you make the most of these roles while staying true to your values:

1. Use it as a vehicle to increase self-awareness

Middle management offers a unique environment to enhance self-awareness. By reflecting on how you respond to challenges, interact with others and make decisions under pressure, you can gain valuable insight into your strengths, areas for growth and leadership style.

For example, self-awareness can help you delegate more effectively — empowering your team, preventing burnout, and freeing up time to focus on what matters most to you.

Instead of viewing middle management as a burden or a step backward, consider how these roles can be an opportunity for growth, leadership and greater impact.
(Shutterstock)

2. Think of the role as a leadership incubator

Viewing middle management as a leadership incubator can help you shift the focus toward its long-term value. These roles offer a training ground where you learn to negotiate priorities at multiple levels of the organization and give you access to important networks and development opportunities.

The skills you develop — strategic thinking, negotiation and stakeholder management — not only prepare you for higher positions, but also equip you to effectively advocate for social change or succeed as an entrepreneur.

3. Leverage the role to scale your impact

Middle management is about expanding your influence and creating larger ripple effects. The role offers a unique vantage point to shape organizational culture and advocate for meaningful change. You can demonstrate to older generations in the workplace that ambitious goals can be achieved without compromising personal well-being or ethical standards.

The path forward

The world is counting on you and other members of Gen Z to lead the way forward. Middle management roles offer a powerful platform to exercise meaningful influence while developing the essential skills that will prepare you for success in any path you choose.

Rather than viewing the roles as a burden, see them as opportunities to grow, inspire others and leave your legacy. Middle management allows you to connect strategy with execution, shape organizational culture and advocate for the values that matter most to you.

By embracing the challenge of middle management rather than shying away, you’ll have a chance to shape the future of your organizations and become a leader who drives positive, systemic change for a better, more sustainable world.

Leda Stawnychko receives funding from SSHRC.

– ref. Why Gen Z is saying ‘no’ to middle management — and why you might want to reconsider – https://theconversation.com/why-gen-z-is-saying-no-to-middle-management-and-why-you-might-want-to-reconsider-241662
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump accused of ‘malignant narcissism’ – but how accurately can you diagnose someone you’ve never met?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ava Green, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, City St George’s, University of London

Jonah Elkowitz/Shutterstock

Self-absorbed. Arrogant. Boastful. It does not take a mental health professional to recognise these features as narcissistic. Most of us, regardless of our educational background, are confident to label someone we’ve never met as narcissistic.

Other behavioural features associated with narcissism can be similarly obvious, including a grandiose sense of self, an excessive need for attention and admiration, a lack of empathy and lashing out when criticised.

Public figures have often been subject to speculations as to whether their behaviour meets a mental health diagnosis. Ahead of the US presidential elections, Donald Trump’s mental fitness has, once again, been called into question. This time, 200 mental health professionals have signed an open letter warning the public of Trump’s “malignant narcissism”.

The letter, organised by an anti-Trump political group, argues that Trump poses “an existential threat to democracy” in the US. Citing the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the mental health professionals argue that Trump meets the diagnostic criteria for narcissistic, antisocial and paranoid personality disorder. These are “all made worse by his intense sadism, which is a symptom of malignant narcissism,” they claim.

Malignant narcissism is considered a combination of the above personality disorders, in addition to the sadistic urge to inflict pain towards others while gaining pleasure from doing so. For instance, the letter states: “According to first-hand accounts, Trump watched the violence he unleashed on January 6 for three hours on TV with ‘glee’, watching his favorite parts ‘over and over’ on ‘rewind’.”

Even though Trump has not been formally assessed by a psychologist as having any of the diagnoses put forward in the letter, it argues that it is “easy to see that Trump meets the behavioral criteria for antisocial personality disorder”.

The signatories argue that thousands of hours of media coverage of Trump’s behaviour have demonstrated a lifetime pattern of “failure to conform to social norms and laws, repeated lying, reckless disregard for the safety of others, irritability, impulsivity, irresponsibility and lack of remorse”. Other psychologists have come to similar conclusions.

The Goldwater rule

A rule set forth by the American Psychiatric Association, known as the Goldwater rule, considers it unethical to diagnose people a psychiatrist has not personally assessed.

The rule is named after Barry Goldwater, a former US senator and 1964 Republican presidential candidate who was labelled “psychotic” and “schizophrenic” by psychiatrists who responded to a survey from Fact magazine. Goldwater successfully sued the magazine for libel and won a $75,000 punitive settlement (£57,779).

The 200 signatures on the open letter about Trump believe they can justify overriding this ethical duty on the grounds that the public should be warned about Trump’s behaviour.

However, it can be argued that clinicians do not need to render a diagnosis to warn us that a public figure poses a risk to our safety. Media coverage about Trump’s danger is abound and people can draw their own conclusions without the need to put a label on it.

This is because speculative diagnoses can do more harm than good. The casual use of mental health terminology can quickly become pejorative, as the press has demonstrated in relation to Trump but also other celebrities.

Speculative diagnoses about Trump’s mental illness on social media have ranged from obsessive–compulsive disorder to delusional disorder, with little consideration that these conditions are merely conjecture. And more importantly, they shame and belittle people who are, in fact, diagnosed with these conditions.

Accuracy

But how accurately can a mental health professional diagnose someone who isn’t their patient? Would you trust a diagnosis from a doctor you had never met? Probably not.

That said, there are some benefits to external perspectives when it comes to psychiatric evaluations. Studies show that other people (spouses, close friends, neighbours) often provide a more reliable assessment of someone’s personality than self-assessments, especially in relation to narcissistic features.

Research using self-report measures show that narcissistic people tend to distort their responses to enhance themselves. For studies of personality, self-reported answers along with a psychologist’s evaluation and assessments by friends and family would give the best insight.

You can learn a lot from someone’s social media posts.
Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock

Social media offers yet another layer. A study in 2015 showed that a computer model could more accurately assess someone’s personality based on their Facebook posts than their closest friends – or even a spouse. And for Trump, there are thousands of social media posts to draw on.

But regardless of how accurate these observations may be, making public speculations about someone’s mental health and labelling them with a personality disorder diagnosis at a distance is unethical and, at worst, may have legal implications.

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

– ref. Trump accused of ‘malignant narcissism’ – but how accurately can you diagnose someone you’ve never met? – https://theconversation.com/trump-accused-of-malignant-narcissism-but-how-accurately-can-you-diagnose-someone-youve-never-met-242277

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Norman coin hoard becomes England’s most valuable treasure – it could have been worth a lot more

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chloe Duckworth, Reader in Archaeological Science & Public Engagement, Newcastle University

There is clearly giddy excitement in the shaky footage showing hands scrabbling in the soil in the Chew Valley in south-west England. A close-up shot captures someone pulling silver coin after silver coin from the churned earth as a woman laughs “there’s pennies everywhere.” The video accompanied news reports in 2019 of the monumental find by seven detectorists of a hoard of silver coins dating from the time of the Norman conquest in the 11th century.

The hoard has just been purchased for a whopping £4.3 million by the South West Heritage Trust. While this might be the largest amount ever paid for such a discovery, as an archaeological scientist I can tell you that much of its historical value was lost the moment it was pulled from the ground.

Such stories of amateur finds are easy to get behind. Detectorists are the underdogs – amateurs who are driven by their passion for the past to spend their free time diligently searching for hidden treasures.

The nation’s love of such stories was seized upon in Mackenzie Crook’s gently hilarious television show, Detectorists (2014). As reflected in the series, however, metal detecting has a fraught relationship with archaeology.

The videos showing the detectorists scrambling excitedly in the dirt.

While both involve digging up remains of the past, the two groups have different opinions on what is most important when it comes to such finds. For archaeologists, the finds themselves are often less important than the context in which they were discovered – the opposite is true for detectorists.

The detectorists in the Chew Valley were acting within the law. They first sought permission from the landowner, and ensured the find was reported to the authorities. However, as the video of the discovery shows, the coins were dug out haphazardly.

Archaeologists would have gone about this in a different way, following a scientific process of excavation and recording. This is because once excavated the contextual information is destroyed forever.

For instance, when speaking about the Chew Valley Hoard on Radio 4’s PM programme, Professor Michael Lewis, head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (a voluntary government-run programme that records small finds of archaeological interest by members of the public), struggled to answer any specific questions about the circumstances in which the hoard had originally been interred. This is because of the way it had been dug up.

To dig or not to dig?

Archaeology today employs a unique system of excavation, a sort of reverse engineering of the sequence of past events. This comes complete with intensive recording, sampling of soils and other processes designed to minimise the loss of information.

In the case of hoards – deliberately buried caches of valuables from a time before banks and safes – this method of recovery can preserve information about the date of burial and whether the items were deposited in a single episode or over time. It can also help ascertain what organic materials were originally present and even provide insights into the meaning of the objects for those who deposited them.

We saw this sort of process able to take place in 2014 after detectorists found the Galloway Hoard – more than 100 gold, silver, glass, crystal, stone and earthen objects from the Viking age. These amateurs contacted the relevant authorities before digging it up, which meant it was possible, through expert recovery, to reconstruct the precious textiles and other containers in which the objects were originally buried.

Many countries, including Greece, strictly outlaw the use of metal detectors for treasure hunting, although many people continue to do so in secret. In the UK, the hope is that by legalising reporting and offering purchase of treasure, the finds can at least be preserved for research and for public viewing.

However, there isn’t anything in this approach to stop the unscientific method of recovery, which will continue to rob us of much more that we might have known. This leaves the question of whether such finds should even be dug up at all.

Archaeology is a relatively young discipline, but the surviving remains of the distant past are a finite resource. Land development, climate change, mechanised agriculture, population growth, war, looting and desecration are threats facing archaeological sites the world over.

In recent years professional archaeologists have responded by excavating the bare minimum. We might dig ahead of construction works and large infrastructure projects such as HS2. Sometimes we excavate because a site is threatened by coastal erosion or other environmental changes. When we dig purely for the sake of research, or as part of a community project, we focus on partial recovery, prioritising survey, geophysics and “test-pitting” (a sort of archaeological keyhole surgery).

In all cases we must also ensure that there is enough money to cover the conservation and protection of the things we dig up, and, crucially, publish the reports of their excavation, with all its insight into the context of the finds.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

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

– ref. Norman coin hoard becomes England’s most valuable treasure – it could have been worth a lot more – https://theconversation.com/norman-coin-hoard-becomes-englands-most-valuable-treasure-it-could-have-been-worth-a-lot-more-242359

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Dahomey: timely repatriation documentary gives a literal voice to Benin’s stolen objects

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Njabulo Chipangura, Anthropologist and Curator of Living Cultures at Manchester Museum, University of Manchester

Dahomey, a new documentary film from the award-winning French director Mati Diop, follows the unconditional restitution process of 26 cultural heritage objects in 2021. The items were looted by French troops during an invasion and subsequent colonial occupation of the kingdom of Dahomey, now the present-day Republic of Benin, in November 1892.

Prior to its return, the collection was kept in the basement at Quai Branly Museum in Paris. Stored under lock and key, they existed as static and lifeless anthropological objects, that only served as war “trophies” and representations of the cultures of the vanquished and colonised. They had once been exhibited under the classification of “devil, idol, fetish, kaffir, charm, evil spirit and amulet” objects.

Dahomey is timely. It comes as debates rage on the urgent necessity of repatriating the African cultural heritage objects that were appropriated by French, British, Germans, Portuguese, Spanish and Belgian forces during 18th and 19th century colonial conquest and expansion projects.

In her film, Diop has managed to restore the agency of the objects at the heart of the Dahomey restitution case by transforming them into living cultures. She gives a literal voice, for example, to object number 26 – a human-sized wooden statue that is an allegorical portrait of King Ghezo, depicting him as half bird, half man. The real King Ghezo ruled Dahomey from 1818 until 1958. In the documentary, the statue recounts his “loss of life” when he was dislocated from his place of birth by French troops in 1892.

Read more:
Why stolen objects being returned to Africa don’t belong just in museums – podcast

The trailer for Dahomey.

Just as King Ghezo was depicted as his symbol – half man, half-bird – two other royal statues that feature prominently in the documentary are also kings of Dahomey sculpted as their symbols: King Béhanzin who ruled from 1890 to 1894 is a shark-man and King Glele who ruled from 1858 until 1889 is a lion-man. Each of these kings reigned over Dahomey and resided at Abomey, which was the kingdom’s capital.

I see the choice to give voice to these objects as a call for museums to rehumanise collections that were acquired as a result of colonial violence. This would mean taking a proactive approach to acknowledge how both objects and ancestors from the colonised country were dehumanised by different colonial collecting practices, from looting to grave robbing.

King Ghezo’s journey

Dahmoey follows the statue of King Ghezo as he journeys back home from France’s Jacques Chirac Museum of Branly Quay to the Republic of Benin. He wonders what his new life will be like in the country he was ripped from 129 years ago.

Upon the collection’s arrival in Benin, there was pomp and jubilation in the modern capital city of Cotonou, but the critical question remained – who now owns this heritage? Is it the state, the community or direct descendants of King Ghezo?

The staging of the return was well-choreographed, and its politicisation clearly visible. The 26 objects lay in state, heavily guarded and protected as national heroes. However, in Diop’s film, King Ghezo reflects that he felt like a foreigner, far removed and detached from the country he imagined when he was still an ethnographic museum object in Paris.

This crisis of belonging and identity can be interpreted as a consequence of how African museums were established during the colonial period. Their history mirrored the colonial practices of ordering, categorisation and classification of objects of the western museums where King Ghezo was imprisoned for more than a century. African museums are by products of colonisation and are, in many ways, still exclusionary and elitist.

Therefore, placing King Ghezo in a museum in Benin can end up reinforcing ideals similar to colonial classifications. Instead, King Ghezo needs to have his life restored by giving agency to community ways of doing and knowing, and to the heritage management systems established in Benin long before colonisation.

Repatriation debates

The film also shows students at the University of Abomey-Calavi in the south of Benin debating the repatriation. Many express dissatisfaction in view of the fact that only 26 objects were returned out of the 7,000 which were looted by the French at Abomey in 1892.

Many students dismiss the return as a non-event, without any historical significance. They see it, instead, as a charade for political mileage by the president of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon. Listening to the students made me reflect on the political nature of restitution, and how most European museums still hold power and authority in setting the conditions for or against returning.

These 26 objects were returned to Benin unconditionally, meaning France no longer has any claims to ownership. In conditional repatriation, however, European museums decide which objects should be given back to their countries of origin, and in most cases within the premises of short to long-term loans

For example, in June 2024, the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology conditionally returned 39 objects to Uganda on three-year negotiated loan deal. Ownership of these objects is still in the hands of Cambridge University. On the contrary Manchester Museum, where I work, unconditionally returned 174 objects to the Anindilyakwa people of Groote Eylandt in northern Australia in September 2023.

As a practical decolonial strategy, unconditional repatriation means that museums must not prescribe conditions of caring for cultural heritage objects to communities of origin upon their return. This is part of the process of giving communities agency to use their own heritage objects in ways that they deem necessary.

The 26 objects at the heart of Dahomey were not made to be imprisoned in museum storage. They still have potency and can be viewed by communities as living beings which they can use, touch, smell and taste. Although these “objects” may appear stagnant within ethnographic classifications in museums, they have individual biographies and carry with them important meanings connected to their ritual and cultural functions located in societies of origin.

One student succinctly captures this sentiment in the film by recounting how she cried for 15 minutes on seeing the returned sculpture of King Ghezo, who she considered her ancestor. In the end, the restitution of cultural heritage objects by European museums back to Africa must not regarded as loss but rather as a means towards building practical relationships of care with their communities of origin.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

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

– ref. Dahomey: timely repatriation documentary gives a literal voice to Benin’s stolen objects – https://theconversation.com/dahomey-timely-repatriation-documentary-gives-a-literal-voice-to-benins-stolen-objects-242324

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Coverage for its SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon Station Relocation

Source: NASA

In preparation for the arrival of NASA’s SpaceX 31st commercial resupply services mission, four crew members aboard the International Space Station will relocate the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft to a different docking port Sunday, Nov. 3.
Live coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. EST on NASA+ and will end shortly after docking. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will undock the spacecraft from the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at 6:35 a.m., and redock to the module’s space-facing port at 7:18 a.m.
The relocation, supported by flight controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Mission Control team at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, will free Harmony’s forward-facing port for a Dragon cargo spacecraft mission scheduled to launch no earlier than Monday, Nov. 4.
This will be the fifth port relocation of a Dragon spacecraft with crew aboard following previous moves during the Crew-1, Crew-2, Crew-6, and Crew-8 missions.
Learn more about space station activities by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on X, as well as the ISS Facebook, ISS Instagram, and the space station blog.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission launched Sept. 28 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and docked to the space station Sept. 29. Crew-9, targeted to return February 2025, is the company’s ninth rotational crew mission as a part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
Find NASA’s commercial crew blog and more information about the Crew-9 mission at:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
-end-
Jimi Russell / Claire O’SheaHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100james.j.russell@nasa.gov / claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025

MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Announces Third Quarter 2024 Dividends, Reports Earnings

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBank Indianapolis” or “Bank”) declared its third quarter 2024 dividends on Class B-2 activity-based capital stock and Class B-1 non-activity-based stock at annualized rates of 9.50% and 4.50%, respectively. The higher dividend rate on activity-based stock reflects the Board’s discretion under the Bank’s capital plan to reward members that use FHLBank Indianapolis in support of their liquidity needs.

The dividends will be paid in cash on October 30, 2024.

Earnings Highlights

Net income, for the third quarter of 2024, was $91 million, a net increase of $214,000 compared to the corresponding quarter in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to net changes in gains (losses) on investments, substantially offset by an increase in voluntary allocations to affordable housing, small business and community investment programs.

Net income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $275 million, a net increase of $1 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher earnings on the portion of the Bank’s assets funded by its capital.¹ However, such increase was substantially offset by net gains on the extinguishment of consolidated obligations in the corresponding period that did not occur in the current period and an increase in voluntary allocations to affordable housing, small business and community investment programs.

__________________¹ FHLBank Indianapolis earns interest income on advances to and mortgage loans purchased from its Michigan and Indiana member financial institutions, as well as on long- and short-term investments. Net interest income is primarily determined by the size of the Bank’s balance sheet and the spread between the interest earned on its assets and the interest cost of funding with consolidated obligations. Because of the Bank’s inherent relatively low interest-rate spread, it has historically derived a substantial portion of its net interest income from deploying its interest-free capital in floating-rate assets.

Affordable Housing Program Allocation

The Bank’s Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”) provides grant funding to support housing for low- and moderate-income families in communities served by its Michigan and Indiana members. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, AHP assessments² totaled $32 million. Full-year 2024 required allocations will be available to the Bank’s members in 2025 to help address their communities’ affordable housing needs, including construction, rehabilitation, accessibility improvements and homebuyer down-payment assistance.

In addition, as part of the Bank’s commitment to further support its AHP and additional affordable housing, small business and community investment programs, the Bank voluntarily allocated additional funding in 2024 totaling $23 million, based on 5% of its net earnings for 2023. During the third quarter of 2024, the Bank also committed additional voluntary funding of $10 million, raising the total voluntary allocation for 2024 to $33 million, of which $17 million has been recognized in the nine-month period and is reported in other expenses. The timing of the recognition of such allocations in other expenses can vary due to the application of the related accounting requirements.

As a result, the Bank’s combined required and voluntary allocation recognized in the nine-month period totaled $49 million, an increase of $11 million, or 30%, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

Condensed Statements of Income

The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of income ($ amounts in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Interest income ^(a)	$	1,090	$	974	$	3,140	$	2,743
Interest expense ^(a)		960		846		2,756		2,388
Provision for credit losses		—		—		—		—
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		130		128		384		355
Other income ^(b)		9		—		26		39
Other expenses ^(c)		37		27		103		89
AHP assessments		11		10		32		31

Net income	$	91	$	91	$	275	$	274

^(a)		Includes hedging gains (losses) and net interest settlements on fair-value hedge relationships. The Bank uses derivatives, specifically interest-rate swaps, to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of certain of its advances, available-for-sale securities and consolidated obligations. These derivatives are designated as fair-value hedges and, therefore, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative, and changes in the fair value of the hedged item that are attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in net interest income.
^(b)		Includes impact of purchase discount (premium) recorded through mark-to-market gains (losses) on trading securities and net interest settlements on derivatives hedging trading securities, while generally offsetting interest income on trading securities is included in interest income.
^(c)		Includes voluntary allocations to the Bank’s AHP and other affordable housing, small business and community investment programs.

__________________
² Each year, Federal Home Loan Banks are required to allocate to the AHP 10% of earnings, defined for this purpose as income before assessments plus interest expense on mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets, at September 30, 2024, were $81.1 billion, a net increase of $4.5 billion, or 6%, from December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in advances outstanding.

Advances ³

Advances outstanding, at September 30, 2024, at carrying value, totaled $38.6 billion, a net increase of $3.0 billion, or 9%, from December 31, 2023. The par value of advances outstanding increased by 7% to $38.5 billion, which included a net increase in short-term advances of 31% and a net decrease in long-term advances of 2%. At September 30, 2024, based on contractual maturities, long-term advances composed 67% of advances outstanding, while short-term advances composed 33%.

The par value of advances outstanding to depository institutions — comprising commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions — increased by 11%, while advances outstanding to insurance companies increased by 1%. As a percent of total advances outstanding at par value, at September 30, 2024, advances to commercial banks and savings institutions were 50% and advances to credit unions were 15%, resulting in total advances to depository institutions of 65%, while advances to insurance companies were 35%.

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio ⁴

Mortgage loans held for portfolio, at September 30, 2024, totaled $10.0 billion, a net increase of $1.3 billion, or 16%, from December 31, 2023, as the Bank’s purchases from its members exceeded principal repayments by borrowers. Purchases of mortgage loans from members, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $2.0 billion.

Liquidity Investments ⁵

Liquidity investments, at September 30, 2024, totaled $11.3 billion, a net decrease of $874 million, or 7%, from December 31, 2023. The Bank’s liquidity remained well above regulatory requirements and continues to enable the Bank to be a reliable liquidity provider to its members.

Cash and short-term investments decreased by $1.4 billion, or 12%, to $10.2 billion. The portion of U.S. Treasury obligations classified as trading securities increased by $501 million, or 84%, to $1.1 billion. As a result of this activity, cash and short-term investments represented 90% of the total liquidity investments at September 30, 2024, while U.S. Treasury obligations represented 10%.

The total outstanding balance and composition of the Bank’s liquidity investments are influenced by its liquidity needs, regulatory requirements, actual and anticipated member advance activity, market conditions, and the availability of short-term investments at attractive interest rates, relative to the cost of funds.

Other Investment Securities

Other investment securities, which consist substantially of mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale, at September 30, 2024, totaled $20.3 billion, a net increase of $881 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2023.

__________________
³ Advances are secured loans that the Bank provides to its member institutions.
⁴ The Bank purchases mortgage loans from its members to support its housing mission, provide an additional source of liquidity to its members, and diversify its investments.
⁵ The Bank’s liquidity investments consist of cash, interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, federal funds sold and U.S. Treasury obligations.

Consolidated Obligations ⁶

FHLBank Indianapolis’ consolidated obligations outstanding, at September 30, 2024, totaled $75.0 billion, a net increase of $3.9 billion, or 6%, from December 31, 2023, which reflected increased funding needs associated with the net increase in the Bank’s total assets.

Capital ⁷

Total capital, at September 30, 2024, was $4.1 billion, a net increase of $383 million, or 10%, from December 31, 2023. The net increase resulted from issuances of capital stock to support advance activity, the growth in retained earnings and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The Bank’s regulatory capital-to-assets ratio⁸, at September 30, 2024, was 5.56%, which exceeds all applicable regulatory capital requirements.

__________________
⁶ The primary source of funds for FHLBank Indianapolis, and for the other FHLBanks, is the sale of FHLBanks’ consolidated obligations in the capital markets. FHLBank Indianapolis is the primary obligor for the payment of the principal and interest on the consolidated obligations issued on its behalf; additionally, it is jointly and severally liable with each of the other FHLBanks for all of the FHLBanks’ consolidated obligations outstanding.
⁷ FHLBank Indianapolis is a cooperative whose member financial institutions and former members own all of its capital stock as a condition of membership and to support outstanding credit products.
⁸ Total regulatory capital, which consists of capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock and retained earnings, as a percentage of total assets.

Condensed Statements of Condition

The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of condition ($ amounts in millions):

	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Advances	$	38,600		$	35,562
Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net		9,955			8,614
Liquidity investments		11,278			12,152
Other investment securities ^(a)		20,332			19,451
Other assets		894			829

Total assets	$	81,059		$	76,608

Consolidated obligations	$	74,989		$	71,053
MRCS		363			369
Other liabilities		1,580			1,442
Total liabilities		76,932			72,864

Capital stock ^(b)		2,476			2,285
Retained earnings ^(c)		1,668			1,532
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(17	)		(73	)
Total capital		4,127			3,744

Total liabilities and capital	$	81,059		$	76,608

Total regulatory capital ^(d)	$	4,507		$	4,186

Regulatory capital-to-assets ratio		5.56	%		5.46	%

^(a)		Includes held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities.
^(b)		Putable by members at par value.
^(c)		Includes restricted retained earnings, at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, of $453 million and $398 million, respectively.
(d)		Consists of total capital less accumulated other comprehensive income plus mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

All amounts referenced above are unaudited. More detailed information about FHLBank Indianapolis’ financial condition as of September 30, 2024, and its results for the three and nine months then ended, will be included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Bank’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events and performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will,” “believes,” “may,” “temporary,” “estimates,” and “expects” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release reflects FHLBank Indianapolis’ current beliefs and expectations. Actual results or performance may differ materially from what is expressed in any forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. FHLBank Indianapolis undertakes 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 law. Readers are referred to the documents filed by the Bank with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which include factors that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. These reports are available at www.sec.gov.

Media Contact:
Scott Thien
Sr. Communications Lead
317-902-3103
sthien@fhlbi.com

Building Partnerships. Serving Communities.
FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank included in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to provide access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members’ customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and receive no Congressional appropriations. FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit www.fhlbi.com. Also, follow the Bank on LinkedIn, as well as Instagram and X at @FHLBankIndy.

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Funding to Expand Rail Service Across Virginia
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $13,317,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand and secure rail service across Virginia. This funding was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, landmark legislation championed by both senators.

“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re unlocking investments in rail across the Commonwealth, which create jobs, cut costs, and give you the freedom to get where you need to go,” said the senators. “These investments will build on our work expanding funding for Amtrak and addressing rail bottlenecks across the country, creating a future where passenger rail is more affordable, reliable, and accessible for all Virginians, including folks in communities like Bedford.”

The funding is broken down as follows:
- $6,000,000 for the Buckingham Branch Railroad Company to replace old rail tracks and ties across central Virginia. The project will make freight rail service more resilient, efficient, and secure and reduce the risk of derailments by resurfacing approximately 83 miles of track and seven grade crossings.
- $5,836,000 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to improve the Richmond Staples Mill Amtrak Station by upgrading two platforms, adding one platform canopy, and promoting accessibility. This will make the station ADA compliant and will create a better and safer passenger experience. It will also support Staples Mill’s addition of 10 Amtrak trains per day, rapidly scaling up the number of passenger rail options available to Richmonders.
- $1,481,000 for the Town of Bedford to develop plans for a new intercity passenger rail station. This funding will allow for initial engineering and environmental work on the proposed station, which could connect Bedford to passenger rail service for the first time in several decades.
The funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which is supported by several recent government spending bills and the bipartisan infrastructure law, all of which were strongly supported by the senators.

Warner and Kaine have consistently supported and led efforts to expand passenger rail across the Commonwealth. Sens. Warner and Kaine advocated directly for the funding for Staples Mill Station and Bedford. In 2021, Warner and Kaine wrote and passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has brought over $8.4 billion in federal funding to Virginia for hundreds of projects. In December 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced $500,000, also courtesy of the infrastructure law, to explore the possibility of creating an infill stop in Bedford. Last week, the senators broke ground on the Long Bridge Project, a major effort to invest in rail in Virginia by easing one of the worst rail bottlenecks in America while creating 36,000 jobs.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pay boost for millions of workers next year
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Chancellor announces pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, as National Living Wage rises by 6.7%.
Chancellor announces pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, as National Living Wage rises by 6.7%

Pay boost worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – a significant move towards delivering a genuine living wage.

18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour – the largest increase on record – and marks first step towards a single adult rate.

Over 3 million workers will receive a pay boost after the Chancellor confirmed the National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025.

The 6.7% increase – which is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a significant step towards delivering the manifesto commitment to make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage.

The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will also rise from £8.60 to £10.00 an hour – the largest increase in the rate on record. This £1.40 increase will mean full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 next year. This marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage rate, which would take place over time.

The move comes ahead of the Budget tomorrow which will fix the foundations to deliver change by fixing the NHS and rebuilding Britain, while ensuring working people don’t face higher taxes in their payslips.

It builds on the commitment to be a pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth Government. It delivers a key plank of the Plan to Make Work Pay, which is already set to boost the pockets of the lowest paid workers by up to £600 a year through the Employment Rights Bill.

The plan will boost productivity, creating a workforce that is fit and ready to help us deliver our first mission to kickstart economic growth – with good jobs and growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people. This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Good work and fair wages are in the interest of British business as much as British workers.

This government is changing people’s lives for the better because we know that investing in the workforce leads to better productivity, better resilience and ultimately a stronger economy primed for growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

A proper day’s work deserves a proper day’s pay.

Our changes will see a pay boost that will help millions of lower earners to cover the essentials as well as providing the biggest increase for 18–20-year-olds on record.

The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also boosted next year, with an 18-year-old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18.0%, a pay bump from £6.40 to £7.55 an hour.  

These increases will mean 3.5 million workers will receive a pay rise this year in total. They confirm the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations, whose advisory remit was overhauled by ministers in July to consider the cost of living.

Hilary Jones, Ethics Director at Lush Cosmetics said:

Lush staff making and selling our products are crucial to our success, so we commit to the Living Wage Foundation’s independently calculated real living wage rates each year to feel confident our rates of pay are fair and that our staff can afford what they need to thrive, not just survive. In these tough times where the cost of living continues to rise, it is great to see the Government increase minimum wage closer to these calculations to support the hardest working and most vulnerable workers across the UK.

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said:

The Government have been clear about their ambitions for the National Minimum Wage and its importance in supporting workers’ living standards. At the same time, employers have had to deal with the adult rate rising over 20 per cent in two years, and the challenges that has created alongside other pressures to their cost base.

It is our job to balance these considerations, ensuring the NLW provides a fair wage for the lowest-paid workers while taking account of economic factors. These rates secure a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers. Young workers will see substantial increases in their pay floor, making up some of the ground lost against the adult rate over time.

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Published 29 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Anthem Successfully Closes on First Real Estate Development Trust IPO on a Canadian Asset

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anthem Properties Group, through the Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust (REDT), has successfully closed on the first Canadian initial public offering of its kind on its 66-storey, mixed-use development, Citizen, based in Burnaby, BC (by way of an offering of units of Anthem Citizen Real Estate Development Trust) (the “IPO”)).

The IPO reached its $82M CDN target raise. Anthem worked on this offering with CIBC Capital Markets, who acted as sole agent and has a successful track record of completed real estate development IPOs for US assets.

“The completion of this financing is a win for the Anthem team on many fronts,” said Anthem Core-Founder & CEO, Eric Carlson. “It enables access to housing units for our community, including much-needed market and affordable rentals, in an architecturally significant, multi-use 66 storey tower, which represents innovation by the City of Burnaby when it comes to land use. Financially, the IPO of a single asset Mutual Fund Trust is a creative and unique solution to raise the capital required to make this project happen.”

With a mix of market, rental and affordable homes, anchored by a hotel and supported by retail space, Citizen is anticipated to be a premier destination in Metrotown, Burnaby. Anthem has a productive and positive working relationship with the City of Burnaby, which is eager to create great spaces that encourage residents and businesses to choose their city to call home. The project has rezoning approvals and entitlements completed, and construction is underway.

Background on the IPO including investor materials and past REDT press releases can be found at www.citizenbyanthemdevtrust.com

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of the REDT in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities of the REDT in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

About Anthem Properties

Anthem is a real estate development, investment and management company that strives, solves and evolves to create better spaces and stronger communities, with more than 385 residential, commercial, and retail projects. Founded in 1991, Anthem is a team of 800 people, with a diverse portfolio consisting of 41,700 homes, 11.5 million square feet of retail, industrial and office space and has developed more than 60 communities across 9,800 acres of land across in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and California. We are Growing Places.

Contact:
Elisha McCallum
Vice President, Communications
Phone: 604.488.3612 Mobile: 778.668.0185
Email: emccallum@anthemproperties.com

The MIL Network –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

October 29, 2024

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

October 29, 2024

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

October 29, 2024

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

October 29, 2024

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

October 29, 2024

Previous news Next news

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

The National Championship of Professional Skills among the Disabled and People with Limited Health Abilities “Abilympics” has ended in Moscow. 450 winners were awarded certificates for additional professional education and the purchase of technical rehabilitation equipment. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated the winners of the championship.

“It was a truly great success. Over the past 10 years, we have come a long way and have become convinced that the order of President Vladimir Putin to realize the capabilities and talents of each person in our country does not encounter any barriers. Every year, the championship is becoming more and more popular – it has already covered 120 thousand participants from all regions of Russia. And this is, of course, the merit of our regions,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Dmitry Chernyshenko also noted that Abilympics faces important challenges.

“The kids need support, it is important for them to see role models in front of them who give them hope and confirm that every person in our country is in demand and can be useful to the Motherland, themselves and their families,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister recalled that more than 2.5 thousand enterprises joined the Abilympics championship, creating jobs and conditions for young specialists. He emphasized that 93% of participants are already employed, which is a very good indicator.

Dmitry Chernyshenko presented letters of gratitude from the Russian Government Office to employers who employ the largest number of participants in the Abilympics championships and provide internships in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Thus, the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, the United Engine Corporation, the Bank of Russia, Mobile TeleSystems and Ozon Holding were noted.

The Deputy Prime Minister also presented awards to the regions that demonstrated the best results in employing participants in the Abilympics championships and involving people with disabilities and people with limited health capabilities in the movement’s events. Among them are Moscow, the Republic of Tatarstan, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Ulyanovsk and Rostov Regions. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania received an award for high indicators of the Abilympics movement development based on the results of 2023 and 2024.

On behalf of the regions, the awards were accepted by the Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai Mikhail Kotyukov, the Minister of the Moscow Government, the Head of the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow Evgeny Struzhak, the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Ilsur Khadiullin and others.

Head of the Russian Presidential Administration for Public Projects Sergei Novikov emphasized that over ten seasons, the participants of the Abilympics championship have become a big family, they are constantly in touch and support each other. He added that thanks to the movement, people with disabilities motivate each other to develop in their chosen specialty, compete successfully and show excellent results.

Sergey Novikov presented awards to representatives of the countries that won the overall team standings of the competitions with friendly countries. The first place was taken by the national team of the Russian Federation. The award for second place was received by the national team of the Republic of Belarus. Third place went to the Republic of Abkhazia.

First Deputy Minister of Education of Russia Alexander Bugaev expressed gratitude to everyone who created the Abilympics movement in all regions of Russia over the course of ten years.

“I would like to thank the huge army of participants in the movement over all these years – 120 thousand people. You can come to any region of our country and find your comrade, like-minded person. I am sure that each of those who participate in the tenth season of the Abilympics championship is already a winner. We must name the winners, but the best is everyone who is present in this hall today. Thank you for this, and always remain as wonderful,” said Alexander Bugayev.

In the overall team standings of the Abilympics championship, the Moscow team took first place. The Republic of Tatarstan team took second place. The St. Petersburg team came in third.

The 2024 National Abilympics Championship was held from October 26 to 29, 2024, at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center, as well as at six additional venues of professional educational organizations in Moscow and the Diana Gurtskaya Social Integration Center. The contestants were 869 people from 73 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, including 290 schoolchildren, 276 students, and 303 specialists. The judging was carried out by 276 experts from 52 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

The championship’s competition program included 50 competencies in the fields of education, IT technologies, decorative and applied arts, creative industries, industry, public catering, services, economics and management, construction, and medical professions.

Representatives of foreign countries competed in 12 main and 1 presentation competencies. Participants from Azerbaijan, Abkhazia, Belarus, Zimbabwe and Qatar demonstrated their skills in person. Contestants from Armenia, Nicaragua and China took part in the competition remotely.

For participants with severe and multiple developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, a Festival of Opportunities was held. It included competitions in 11 competencies. The Festival of Introduction to the Profession brought together 50 preschool and primary school children with disabilities aged 6 years and older. They competed in 10 competencies.

The project operator is the National Center “Abilympics” of the Institute for the Development of Professional Education of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Thompson Okanagan communities receive over $725,000 to create memorable outdoor experiences and support sustainable tourism

Source: Government of Canada News

British Columbia is home to breathtaking natural attractions and outdoor recreation experiences that bring the world to our doorstep. Tourism is important to Canada’s economy and creates good jobs in communities, from major city centres to rural and remote areas, to Indigenous communities.

Today the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced $727,500 in funding through PacifiCan’s Tourism Growth Program for four organizations based in the Thompson Okanagan. This funding will help enhance outdoor recreation, increase visitors to smaller communities and promote sustainable tourism in B.C.’s southern interior.

The projects announced today are:

Hunters Range Snowmobile Association
$65,000

Funding will allow Hunters Range Snowmobile Association, a non-profit that manages and operates the snowmobile trails on Hunters Range in Enderby, to upgrade its grooming equipment and trail infrastructure. This project will improve the organization’s snowmobile experiences, attract more visitors, and promote outdoor recreation in rural communities.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Foundation
$250,000

Funding will be used to restore the historic Adra Tunnel on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in Naramata. Revitalizing the tunnel will preserve a vital piece of B.C.’s rail heritage, connect communities across the Okanagan, and attract more visitors to the region. Originally built for trains, the tunnel will soon be a pathway for hikers and cyclists, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to access and explore this early 20th-century landmark.

Silver Star Freestyle Club
$250,000

Funding will help create a state-of-the-art freestyle ski and snowboard training park at SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon. This new facility will feature specialized equipment, including a landing airbag and a variety of terrain features to accommodate athletes of all skill levels. The project is expected to elevate the resort’s global reputation as a top destination for year-round activities, provide provincial, national and international snow sport training opportunities, and draw more visitors to the region.

Wine Growers British Columbia Society
$162,500

PacifiCan funding will be used to create a user-friendly trip planning resource on the WineBC website. This online platform will help visitors to discover wineries and other small businesses across all nine wine regions. The project will boost local tourism, draw visitors to the region during the off-season, and enhance B.C.’s reputation as a top wine destination.

Related products

Haley Hodgson
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
haley.hodgson@kpc-cpr.gc.ca

Follow PacifiCan on X and LinkedIn

Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Connecticut Technology Council Honors 11 From UConn

Source: US State of Connecticut

An impressive 11 members of the University of Connecticut community were honored as part of the 19th annual Women of Innovation Awards, hosted by the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and held on October 22 at the Woodwinds in Branford.

Fumiko Hoeft, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of UConn Waterbury, speaks at the CTIC awards ceremony on Oct. 22 (Photo courtesy of J. Fiereck Photography)

The honorees included faculty and students from four different schools and colleges across UConn Health, UConn Storrs, and UConn Waterbury.

“I could not be more proud of the extraordinary group of UConn women who received these well-deserved honors,” says UConn President Radenka Maric. “From undergraduate students to senior faculty, they exemplify the innovative spirit and passion for discovery that make our University such a special place.

The CTC recognizes women who have achieved remarkable success and are empowering other women and girls in scientific research, education, manufacturing, and business. Formed in 1994, the organization is the voice of all technology companies in Connecticut.

“Since the first Women of Innovation event that I attended, I have been extremely impressed with the great contribution these outstanding women – including this 2024 WOI group – have had and continue to have on the technology ecosystem and our society,” says Giovanni Tomasi, President/Chief Technology Officer of RSL Fiber Systems and Board Chair of CTC.

All honorees are currently working or studying in Connecticut, demonstrating strong leadership abilities, and have served as a mentor – either short or long-term, peer, career or life mentor.

The following are the UConn honorees from the event with the category that they were recognized in.

(Photo courtesy of J. Fiereck Photography)

Research Innovation and Leadership

Xiuling Lu , Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy

Zongjie Wang , Associate Director, Eversource Energy Center/Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Yanjiao Zhou, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, UConn Health

Community Innovation and Leadership

Jennifer Pascal, Associate Professor in Residence and Associate Department Head, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Academic Innovation and Leadership

Sama Abdulmalik, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, UConn Health

Caroline Dealy, Associate Professor, Departments of Orthodontics and Biomedical Engineering, School of Dental Medicine; and Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Cell Biology, School of Medicine.

Fumiko Hoeft, Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, UConn Waterbury

Jasna Jankovic, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department, College of Engineering

Collegian Innovation and Leadership

Patricia Hare, DMD-Ph.D. Candidate, School of Dental Medicine

Tvesha Parikh, Ph.D. Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences, UConn Health

Laxmi Vobbineni, Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering major

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Georgia Farmers, Ranch Hands May be Eligible for FEMA Assistance

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

Georgia Farmers, Ranch Hands May be Eligible for FEMA Assistance

ATLANTA – Georgia farmers and ranch hands whose tools or equipment were damaged by Hurricane Helene or Tropical Storm Debby, damage Aug. 4–20, 2024, may be eligible for disaster assistance. FEMA assistance is available to replace disaster-damaged essential tools, supplies, equipment and items required for employment or for self-employment.Coverage for Tools and EquipmentFamily-owned farms typically have a variety of equipment needed to conduct business. These include, but are not limited to, tractors, plows, seeders or planters, harvesters, sprayers, hay balers and utility vehicles. These items are all potentially eligible for FEMA disaster assistance if the applicant can show that they were damaged by the disaster, the applicant does not have another working item that can meet this need, and the loss of the item was not covered by insurance. Crops and livestock are not “tools and equipment” because they are the products of a farming operation, whereas tools and equipment are the means of production.Ranch hands may be eligible for assistance to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment not covered by insurance when they can show these items are required by their employer.Assistance is based on a need to replace disaster-damaged essential tools, supplies, equipment, items required by an employer as a condition of employment or required for education. This includes disaster-damaged tools and equipment, or other items required for a specific trade or profession that are not provided or supplied by the employer, including a computer.Many of these items have substantial costs, but it is important to remember that assistance for uninsured or underinsured occupational tools is limited to the maximum amount of Other Needs Assistance an applicant may receive. Additional assistance to help meet these needs may also be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency offers Livestock Assistance, Farm Loans and help for farmland damage and crop losses. Visit Disaster Assistance Programs (usda.gov) to learn more.How To Apply for FEMA Individual AssistanceVisit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find your nearest Disaster Recovery Center, visit fema.gov/drc.Call FEMA at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.Download and use the FEMA app.FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.Homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster.For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.
larissa.hale
Tue, 10/29/2024 – 17:38

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Burundi: African Development Bank Group hosts training for project partners on social and environmental safeguards

Source: African Development Bank Group
As part of its commitment to building the capacity of its partners and improving the quality of project implementation, the African Development Bank Group organized a workshop on strengthening social and environmental safeguards for projects funded by the Bank in Burundi.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kean Highlights Over $1.1 Million Dollars in New FEMA, SAFER and AFG Grants for Local Fire Departments
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

(October 29, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded over $1.1 million dollars for local fire departments in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program.

In February of this year, Congressman Kean hosted a FEMA AFG Webinar also wrote letters of support for fire departments to receive a FEMA grant in the 7th Congressional District that requested assistance. Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law in July which provided the necessary federal resources through the AFG and SAFER programs.

“Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities,” said Congressman Kean. “It is essential that we provide our first responders with the resources they need, and I am grateful to see this funding coming back to the district. Investing in our local fire departments means we are investing in the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors.”

“Our agency is incredibly grateful to be chosen for a 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new portable radios,” said Matthew Hoffman, Chief of Readington Volunteer Fire Company. “Radio communications are a vital part of our everyday operations and safety of our firefighters as they operate on incidents. These funds will help to take the financial burden off our agency and township in the upgrade process. We appreciate the letter of support from Congressman Kean and his office that was submitted with the application.”

“Quakertown Fire Company is thrilled to be receiving a $577,000 FEMA SAFER grant for recruitment and retention,” said Bradley Patkochis, Chief of Quakertown Fire Company. “The importance of AFG and SAFER cannot be understated, particularly the ability for local fire companies to complete critical projects without putting it on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers. Thank you to Congressman Kean for supporting FEMA AFG and SAFER programs through the Fire Grants and Safety Act.”

$1,171,231 in total going back to New Jersey’s local fire departments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) were distributed as follows:
- $60,909 for City of Linden
- $44,788 for Tri-County Fire Co No 1 of Stephensburg (Hackettstown)
- $53,705 for Alpha Volunteer Fire Co (Phillipsburg)
- $189,735 for Readington Volunteer Fire Company
- $244,761 for Chester Township
- $577,333 for Quakertown Fire Company (Franklin, Hunterdon Co.)
Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act authorizes up to $750 million in funding from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the sunset date of these programs to September 30, 2030. Additionally, it increases funding levels for the U.S. Fire Administration to $95 million in order to support initiatives such as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).

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MIL OSI USA News –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Secures $42M in Federal Funding to the Port of Hueneme to Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

This historic investment will expand cleaner and more sustainable operations at the Port of Hueneme and will accelerate the Port’s efforts to become the first zero-emission port in the United States.

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a total of $42,287,893 to the Port of Hueneme through its Clean Ports Program, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. More specifically, the Port of Hueneme will receive $41,076,293 for zero-emission technology deployment and an additional $1,211,600 for climate and air quality planning to support the Port of Hueneme Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) Project. This funding will be used for planning activities and deployment of zero-emission terminal equipment and a drayage truck incentive program.

“Over the past year, I have worked closely with the Port of Hueneme to secure over $42 million in federal funding to expand the Port’s innovative sustainability efforts,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This historic investment will accelerate the Port’s zero-emission transformation and is a testament to its bold environmental initiatives. As an essential economic driver for Ventura County, the Port’s commitment to a cleaner future will yield substantial benefits for the community, including improved air quality, public health, job creation, and workforce development.”

“This announcement by the EPA is exciting news for the Port of Hueneme,” said Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District/Port of Hueneme. “We now have the funding to accelerate the Board of Harbor Commissioners’ 2019 adopted resolution to decarbonization, our goal is now our reality, we can put our words into action and create meaningful results for our community.”

“Congresswoman Brownley continues to trailblaze with leadership, tenacity, and know-how bringing a $43 million EPA grant to the Port of Hueneme for zero emission technology. This historic grant sets the pace for the Port to lead the way as the nation’s first fully zero emission port for cargo handling equipment and enables us to enhance the quality of life for our adjacent communities with state-of-the-art clean operations,” said Kristin Decas, President and CEO of the Port of Hueneme.

This award funding was part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program. Today, the EPA announced the selection of 55 applicants across 27 states and territories to receive nearly $3 billion for human operated and human maintained zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, and climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. These grants are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history – and will advance environmental justice by reducing diesel pollution from U.S. ports in surrounding communities while creating good-paying jobs. These grants seek to support efforts by our nation’s ports to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations and improve public health in surrounding communities.

The Port of Hueneme Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) project consists of two components: PHRESH START (Sustainable, Thoughtful And Resilient Transformation), which includes planning activities, and PHRESH AIR (Accelerating Implementation and Results), which involves the deployment of roughly 35 pieces of zero-emissions terminal equipment and a drayage truck incentive program.

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Issues: 118th Congress, Environment, Jobs, Economy, and Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Van Drew Calls on NJBPU to Follow the Lead of Other State Utility Commissions Dealing with Energy Companies Overcharging Consumers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ02)

Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) urging an immediate review of Atlantic City Electric’s (ACE) recent rate hikes. This call for action comes on the heels of reports from Maine, where the Maine Public Utilities Commission ordered Electricity Maine to refund $6 million to customers after discovering that the company had unfairly overcharged them.

“We can learn from what is happening in Maine,” said Congressman Van Drew. “It only took 125 phone calls for agencies in Maine to take action. South Jerseyans have been reaching out by the thousands, so it is time for a review of ACE’s practices. Since the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has not acted, we are moving forward with requesting a federal investigation through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with a meeting with them scheduled in the coming weeks. While we are frustrated with the slow pace of this process, I will not stop until residents receive the relief they deserve.”

Click here to view the letter.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: AG Henry Sues Prospect Medical Holdings over Breach of Contract, Mismanagement of Crozer Health System Resulting in Closures, Disruptions of Services

Source: US State of Pennsylvania

October 29, 2024 – Media, PA

AG Henry Sues Prospect Medical Holdings over Breach of Contract, Mismanagement of Crozer Health System Resulting in Closures, Disruptions of Services

Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the filing of a lawsuit against Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., regarding years of the company’s mismanagement and neglect of Delaware County-based Crozer Health System, which has resulted in closures of facilities and shattered a network of care for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

The lawsuit alleges Prospect Medical has broken an Asset Purchase Agreement, approved by a court in 2016, by cutting services and closing facilities, while diverting funds to private shareholders and investors, rather than supporting the healthcare network.

The Office of Attorney General filed a civil complaint Tuesday to redress Prospect Medical’s management and require the company to fund operating costs until a new owner is in place.

The lawsuit is also seeking a preliminary injunction to preserve existing service lines, the appointment of a receiver to manage the Crozer Health System for the immediate future to avoid additional closures and cuts to services.

Speakers Include:
AG Michelle Henry
PA Senator Tim Kearney
PA Representative Leanne Krueger
Delaware County Commissioner Dr. Monica Taylor

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What the Menendez brothers’ case tells us about the moral paradox of true crime

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Arntfield, Associate Professor of Criminology & English Literature, Western University

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has recommended that a judge resentence Lyle and Erik Menendez almost three decades after the brothers were sentenced to life without parole for murdering their parents.

The brothers were convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder for the 1989 killings of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. If a judge approves the recommendation, it would make them eligible for immediate parole. Gascón said he believed the brothers have “paid their debt to society.” If a parole board agrees, they could soon be released from prison.

These extraordinary developments come in the wake of two true crime productions on Netflix: the scripted limited series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and the documentary, The Menendez Brothers. Both revivify the defence strategy used in the brothers’ 1994 and 1996 trials that they murdered their parents as a form of self-defence following years of alleged sexual abuse by their father.

In these two productions, we see the moral conundrum of so-called “true crime” on full display. That is, whose definition of “true” should viewers rely on when assessing the veracity of a narrative?

More often than not, there are two kinds of truth. There’s what really happened, and the narrative of what happened. This is a reality that I’ve noted as a criminologist and forensic historian and a police detective before that.

As a form of historical revisionism, true crime has shown both the willingness and ability to change official narratives, for better or worse.

In a press conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón outlined the reasons he is recommending the Menendez brothers be resentenced.

True crime and the Menendez case

The true crime genre has taken off in recent decades, with countless podcasts, documentaries and TV series produced recounting gruesome and often unsolved murders. The genre has garnered criticism for focusing on, and sometimes, exploiting the real suffering of victims and their families.

The 2022 season of the Netflix Monster series, which told the story of Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, was widely derided as being exploitative and mired in controversy.

Read more:
‘They’re making money off tragedy’ – Netflix’s Dahmer series shows the dangers of fictionalising real horrors

However, the second instalment, focusing on the Menendez brothers, has become an overnight cause celebre and a bandwagon clarion call to have the evidence in the case reviewed and the brothers’ life sentence reconsidered, if not jettisoned altogether.

The productions have renewed interest in this infamous case for those old enough to remember while, at the same time, introducing a new generation to the sordid details of the proceedings.

These details include, most notably, the controversial and ultimately failed defence strategy of depicting the murders as a form of self-defence following years of alleged sexual abuse the boys endured at the hands of their father, patriarchal record mogul Jose Menendez.

Following mistrials for both brothers in 1994, Lyle and Erik were convicted of the murders in 1996 and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

A trailer for the Netflix true crime documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers.’

But now, in the wake of these same series and Gascón’s announcement, the case has been re-opened. “Significant new evidence” has been cited in the form of a potential additional victim of abuse by Jose Menendez. In addition, a letter from Erik to a cousin about the alleged sexual abuse of his father has been disclosed lending credence to the original defence position.

We might wonder if this evidence would have merited such attention, and the district attorney’s intervention, were it not for the cultural influence of the Netflix productions.

What we can say for certain is that this is not the first instance of true crime directly influencing the criminal justice system. HBO’s Paradise Lost trilogy of documentaries, along with the 2012 film West of Memphis, are generally credited with enabling the release of the wrongfully convicted West Memphis Three.

The first season of the Serial podcast in 2014 also led to the 2022 release of Adnan Syed after serving 20 years in prison for the 1999 murder of his girlfriend Hae Min Lee. That same conviction was reinstated in 2023 as part of an ongoing saga driven by intense public interest.

That interest is what differentiates the current iteration of true crime from its antecedents: it aims to transcend passive viewers and listeners to promote direct action, advocacy and public participation.

The four waves of true crime

While the term “true crime” may be comparatively new, as a cultural phenomenon it certainly is not. The Mystery Writers of America has issued awards for Best Fact Crime books since 1948. True crime in one form or another has arguably existed since the 1850s and was pioneered by Charles Dickens.

Yet it is still unclear what societal forces drive this trendy, cyclical interest in semi-true retellings or thinly fictionalized treatments of criminality. However, in my book, How to Solve a Cold Case…And Everything Else You Wanted to Know About Catching Killers, I argue that, true crime as we now know it can be delineated into four distinct eras, or waves:

The First Wave, circa 1850-1890, was purely literary. Key works included the likes of On Duty With Inspector Field by Charles Dickens and the Illustrated Police News.

The Second Wave, between 1965-1975, was also primarily literary. Its most notable works included Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi, who prosecuted serial killer Charles Manson.

In the third wave in the 1980s, true crime stories started to become multimedia, with Ann Rule’s book The Stranger Beside Me about serial killer Ted Bundy, and the semi-interactive NBC docuseries Unsolved Mysteries.

A trailer for the Netflix show ‘MONSTERS: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.’

The fourth and current wave began in 2010. The hallmarks of this wave are unfolding before us in the Menendez case. The current wave is immersive, participatory and accessible. Amateur sleuths, advocates, pundits and activists proliferate with each new feature. Podcasts beget further podcasts.

Viewers and listeners are also keenly self-aware and facetiously self-deprecating. True crime is consistently discussed in the context of — and perhaps even designed to promote — what can only be characterized immoderate consumption. Some true crime fans are, for instance, self-described “junkies” and “addicts” who “binge” content. And yet, depending on the case, these same “junkies” are newly empowered and qualified to demand action.

The legal and ethical questions that arise are what cases make their way into this ecosystem and whose story are they to tell? How is a series on Dahmer a bridge too far when, two years later, another same series created by the same producers can alter the course of California legal history?

These are, of course, unanswerable questions. In the meantime, however, the Menendez brothers’ saga is a cautionary tale about how the invisible hand of the true crime market will select certain crimes over others — and prioritize certain victims and offenders alike over other — based on criteria we still don’t fully understand.

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

– ref. What the Menendez brothers’ case tells us about the moral paradox of true crime – https://theconversation.com/what-the-menendez-brothers-case-tells-us-about-the-moral-paradox-of-true-crime-242199

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Invests $19.6 Million in Souris River Bridge Reconstruction

Source: Government of Canada regional news

October 29, 2024

Manitoba Government Invests $19.6 Million in Souris River Bridge Reconstruction

Replacement of Souris River Bridge on Provincial Trunk Highway 3 Guards Against Flooding and Supports Manitoba Communities: Naylor

The Manitoba government is investing $19.6 million in a major bridge crossing to improve Manitoba highways and enhance climate resiliency by reducing the impacts of future floods in southwest Manitoba, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.

The Souris River Bridge on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 3 at Melita is a vital east-west link over the Souris River connecting people, businesses and communities, noted the minister.

“Our government knows that infrastructure is critical to our economy,” said Naylor. “Manitobans depend on safe roads and bridges to grow their businesses, support their families and ensure they have access to important health services. I am pleased to see this project move forward to keep the communities of southwest Manitoba safe and to invest in the future of rural Manitoba.”

The bridge replacement contract has been awarded to MD Steele Construction Limited. The new three-span steel I-girder bridge is being constructed with improved hydraulic capacity for flood resiliency and will be wider than the existing bridge, with two 3.7-metre travel lanes and 2.5-metre shoulders. The work has already begun and is anticipated to be open to traffic by next fall, noted Naylor, adding full completion of all work related to the project is scheduled for later in the fall or early winter of 2025.

Traffic is being detoured during bridge construction onto a shoo-fly detour adjacent to the existing highway and will remain open throughout construction with a single lane controlled by signal lights at each end of the bridge. Drivers should exercise caution through the construction area at all times.

For more information on Manitoba’s Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/index.html.

Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours, restrictions and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.

– 30 –

MIL OSI Canada News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Medicare for Physicians and Patients

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. issued the following statement after introducing the bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, to support physicians and protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.

“America’s physicians are at a breaking point and access to high-quality, affordable care is at risk for millions of Medicare patients,”said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “When a physician sees a Medicare patient, they do so out of the goodness of their heart, not because it makes financial sense. Medical inflation is much higher and the cost of seeing patients continues to rise. Unfortunately, reimbursements continue to decline, putting immense pressure on doctors to retire, close their practices, forgo seeing new Medicare patients, or seek a less efficient employment position. This bipartisan legislation would stop yet another year of reimbursement cuts, give them a slight inflationary adjustment, and protect Medicare for physicians and patients alike.”

“Medicare payments to physicians are just not keeping pace with our economic realities and the cost of care,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta. “Our bipartisan legislation would not only prevent harmful cuts but also would adjust provider reimbursements for inflation. Such a law would expand seniors’ access to quality healthcare by helping medical providers continue their care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

“Access to quality healthcare is a something every senior deserves, but declining Medicare reimbursement is putting that access at risk,” said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act is crucial to reversing the damaging trend of cuts that threaten our healthcare providers, especially in underserved communities. We must act now to prevent further burnout and consolidation in our system, ensuring that every Medicare beneficiary receives the care they need and deserve.”

“Having an outdated Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians makes it harder for healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care, putting patients at risk,” said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. “Physicians, unlike the rest of the players in health care, have never received an inflationary update and consistently received cuts. This bill ensures a more stable Medicare payment system, allowing providers to focus on delivering care rather than worrying about losing their practice. With this bipartisan effort, we are working toward a system that supports both patients and doctors.”

“All patients deserve timely access to healthcare from quality physicians in their communities,” said Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. “Inadequate Medicare reimbursement threatens that access. I have long fought to correct the current trend of cutting reimbursement levels year after year, and I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. The current path toward further consolidation, physician burnout, and closure of medical practices must be corrected.”

“Over the past 22 years, adjusting for inflation, physicians have essentially taken a 26% pay cut from Medicare,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Their reimbursement has been flat or declining, while overhead costs have increased by about 47%: rent, labor, equipment, and insurance. I cannot think of another profession whose compensation has dropped by 26% over 2 decades. Physicians have been holding their breath, year after year, hoping that Congress will act to avert these devastating decreases in reimbursement. Without adequate reimbursement, solo and small practice physicians—most often in rural or underserved areas—are already closing their doors. It’s up to Congress to ensure that physicians are fairly compensated and can continue to practice, so that all Medicare patients have access to high-quality, affordable care, and I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that will achieve just that.”

“As a physician, I recognize that year after year cuts to Medicare reimbursement jeopardizes access to care for our nation’s seniors,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “We must work in Congress to create a more sustainable long-term solution to ensure that Medicare patients continue to receive the high-quality affordable care that they deserve. While we continue this important work, I am proud to co-lead the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, in order to protect access for Medicare beneficiaries and support Medicare physicians in the face of these proposed cuts.”

“As an emergency medicine physician, I know how important it is for families and individuals I serve to have access to the necessary health care services they rely on,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. “I am deeply concerned about the impact the outdated Medicare reimbursement rate has on health care access for my constituents. That is why I am co-leading the ‘Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act’ that will move us away from a system where every year seniors’ access to essential care is threatened due to potential cuts.”

Background
In July 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule that would decrease Medicare reimbursement for physician services by 2.8% beginning on January 1, 2025. Compounded with CMS’ own estimates of a projected 3.6% increase in practice cost expenses for next year, physicians will be faced with an 6.4% cut unless Congress acts.

According to the American Medical Association, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has declined 29% from 2001 to 2024.

Medicare reimbursement cuts for physicians have significant ripple effects across our health care system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The decline in reimbursement rates, while wages and operational costs continue to rise, is forcing many physician practices to consider layoffs, reduced services, or office closure.

At a time when we’re facing a physician shortage and a historic number of doctors are nearing retirement age, these cuts risk accelerating physician burnout and reducing access to care for Medicare patients.

Supporting Organizations
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, ADVION (formerly National Association for the Support of Long Term Care), Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation, Alliance of Specialty Medicine, Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, American Academy of Audiology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Chiropractic Association, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Mohs Surgery, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Internists, American College of Physicians, American College of Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Glaucoma Society, American Health Care Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Group Association, American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, American Medical Women’s Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Optometric Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association – Private Practice Section, American Podiatric Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association Services, American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American Society of Dermatopathology, American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Hand Therapists, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Retina Specialists, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Urogynecologic Society, American Urological Association, Association for Clinical Oncology , Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, Association of Women in Rheumatology, Brain Injury Association of America, California Medical Association, CardioVascular Coalition, Clinical Social Work Association, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, College of American Pathologists, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition, Digestive Health Physicians Association, Digestive Health Physicians Association, Emergency Department Practice Management Association, Endocrine Society, Federation of American Hospitals, Free2care, Healthcare Business Management Association, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Indiana Associations Pathologists, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infusion Providers Alliance, LUGPA, Massachusetts Medical Society, Medical Group Management Association, National Association of ACOs, National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies, National Association of Spine Specialists, National Infusion Center Association, National Rural Health Association, North Carolina Rheumatology Association, Office-Based Facility Organization, Outpatient Endovascular and Interventional Society, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., Physician-Led Healthcare for America, Physicians Advocacy Institute, Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, Practicing Physicians of America, Renal Physicians Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society for Vascular Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of General Internal Medicine, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Society of Hospital Medicine, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and the US Oncology Network.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: California Company Charged with Conspiring to Sell Misbranded N95 Masks to Hospital in Early Months of COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2024

This is the second company charged in connection with the scheme; three individuals also charged with misbranding N95 masks

BOSTON – A California company, and three individuals who owned and managed the company, have been charged and have agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to the shipment of facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Advoque Safeguard LLC (ASG) was charged with one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Jason Azevedo, 33, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Paul Shrater, 51, of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Andrew Stack, 52, of Santa Cruz, Calif., were charged with one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce. Plea hearings have not yet been scheduled by the Court.

Earlier this month, a second company, JDM Supply LLC (JDM), and two individuals, Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha, were charged and agreed to plead guilty in connection with this investigation. In addition, in August 2023, another individual, Jason Colantuoni, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging.

According to the charging documents, in the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, ASG and JDM conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. It is alleged that one hospital, identified as “HOSPITAL 1,” accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by ASG and sold to HOSPITAL 1 by JDM. (HOSPITAL 1 did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to ASG.) It is further alleged that ASG and JDM misled the hospital into believing that the ASG masks were NIOSH-approved N95s, when in fact they were not. In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the ASG masks that had been shipped to HOSPITAL 1. All 10 ASG masks tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, and thus fell under the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.

The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation. The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: CISA Releases Its First Ever International Strategic Plan
Source: US Department of Homeland Security

CISA will proactively engage international partners to strengthen the security and resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its 2025–2026 International Strategic Plan, the agency’s first, which supports the agency’s first comprehensive strategic plan and aligns with the National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience. The International Strategic Plan focuses on how CISA will proactively engage international partners to strengthen the security and resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.

“In following this plan, CISA will improve coordination with our partners and strengthen international relationships to reduce risk to the globally interconnected and interdependent cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every day,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly.

Since the risks we face are complex, geographically dispersed and do not abide by borders, protecting and securing our cyber and physical infrastructure requires the concerted efforts of public and private partners around the globe. Our International Strategic Plan outlines three goals CISA must achieve to address the ever-changing and dynamic challenges facing America and our international partners:
- Bolster the Resilience of Foreign Infrastructure on Which the U.S. Depends;
- Strengthen Integrated Cyber Defense; and
- Unify Agency Coordination of International Activities.
Read CISA’s International Strategic Plan to learn more.

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About CISA

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

MIL Security OSI –
January 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore introduces legislation to protect Veteran small businesses

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-06) introduced legislation to expand opportunities for Veteran-owned small businesses. This legislation amends the Small Business Act to include surviving children in the definition of small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled Veterans.

This would allow the children of deceased service-disabled Veteran small business owners to temporarily run the business for a transition period of no more than three years after the Veteran small business owner passes away.

“As a Veteran and former small business owner, I know that these businesses are the lifeblood of families and communities,” said Congressman Moore. “This vital legislation allows these family businesses to gracefully transition without losing their service-disabled Veteran owned small business designation and encourages them to hire another service-disabled Veteran in the future.”

“We must do all that we can to support our Veterans, especially those who experience disabilities related to their service. This legislation makes an important update to federal law to support small businesses owned by service-disabled Veterans and their families. I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressman Moore on this issue.” – Congresswoman Terri Sewell

“This bill addresses a significant gap in the current Small Business Act by recognizing the critical role that adult children often play in service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses,” said Congressman Jake Ellzey. “By expanding the definition to include surviving children, we are ensuring that the legacy of our Veterans can continue through their families, providing much-needed stability for these businesses and the communities they serve. This legislation honors the sacrifices of our Veterans while supporting their families.”

“Small businesses like ours are the backbone of every American community. We are delighted that Representatives Moore, Sewell and Ellzey are advocating on behalf of the Veteran-owned small business community. Two generations of our family have worked for decades alongside our employees – many of whom are Veterans themselves – to build a business that has helped VA fulfill its mission to America’s Veterans for over 40 years. For families and businesses like us, this modernization of current law is critically needed. By including surviving children alongside surviving spouses in existing law, small businesses like ours can stabilize and continue business operations, for the benefit of our employees and the veterans we serve, within the spirit of existing law. This is timely, and we urge all members of the House to support this important bill.” – Dr. Alfred Seawright, CEO of Medical Place in Montgomery, Alabama

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MIL OSI USA News –

January 25, 2025

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Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

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Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded employers participating in the Abilympics championship

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