Gal Haimovich, 49, of Israel, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to illegally ship aircraft parts and avionics from U.S. manufacturers and suppliers to Russia, including for the benefit of sanctioned Russian airline companies. In addition, Haimovich paid the full forfeiture amount of $2,024,435.44 at today’s sentencing.
As part of his plea agreement, Haimovich admitted that his scheme involved deceiving U.S. companies about the true destination of the goods at issue, and that the defendant and others attempted to conceal the scheme by submitting false information in export documents filed with the U.S. government.
According to court documents, Haimovich owned an international freight forwarding company that was an affiliate in a group of companies that did business in various countries, including the United States and Israel. Haimovich, through those companies, operated as a freight forwarder of choice for individuals and entities seeking to illegally export goods to Russia in violation of U.S. export control laws. Between approximately March 2022 and May 2023, Haimovich facilitated the export of aircraft parts and avionics, including those with missile technology applications, from the United States through the Southern District of Florida, to various third-party transhippers on behalf of Russian customers. These Russian-end customers routinely instructed Haimovich to deceive the U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers about the ultimate destination of the goods.
For example, between April 2022 and April 2023, after the United States imposed additional restrictions on the export of goods to Russia in response to the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Haimovich arranged for more than 160 shipments to companies in the Maldives and United Arab Emirates that were responsible for the illicit transshipment of the goods to Russia. One such shipment, of an air data module, occurred in August 2022. Haimovich, who had been hired by Siberia Airlines (doing business as S7 Airlines) to deliver the aircraft component to Russia, directed a co-conspirator to falsely inform the U.S. supplier that the part was destined for the Maldives; in fact, Haimovich knew that the part was destined for Russia for the benefit of S7 Airlines.
Haimovich also agreed that, between March 2022 and May 2023, he billed Russian customers, including Siberia Airlines (doing business as S7 Airlines), more than two million dollars to have aircraft parts and avionics illegally exported from the United States to Russia. In connection with Haimovich’s plea, he agreed to the entry of a forfeiture money judgment in the sum of $2,024,435 and to forfeit various aircraft parts and components.
Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Kevin J. Kurland of the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, and Assistant Director Kevin Vorndran of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division made the announcement.
BIS and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Christopher M. Rigali of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster for the Southern District of Florida handled the asset forfeiture component of the case.
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English
The 18th round of the human rights dialogue between Switzerland and China took place in Beijing on 20 and 21 February 2025. The talks, which were held in confidence, allowed for a direct, critical and open exchange on international and national human rights issues. The Swiss delegation was led by Christine Löw, deputy head of the FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division. Switzerland is firmly committed to the universal protection of human rights – in China and elsewhere in the world. To this end, it uses a number of multilateral and bilateral instrments, including the human rights dialogue.
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English
At the request of the Ecuadorian government, Switzerland will represent Ecuador’s interests in relation to Venezuela. On 19 December 2024, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis signed the applicable agreement with Ecuador’s ambassador to Switzerland, Verónica Bustamante Ponce. In taking on this role, Switzerland is ensuring that diplomatic and consular channels between the two countries remain open. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed following the Venezuelan presidential elections in July 2024. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries had been building prior to this.
Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English
During his official visit to Romania from 19 to 21 February 2025, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis reinforced Swiss-Romanian bilateral cooperation by signing five implementation agreements for programmes under Switzerland’s second contribution to selected member states of the European Union (EU). He also highlighted the importance of promoting linguistic and cultural minorities by taking part, alongside the Romanian authorities, in an event and a debate as part of Romansh Language Week (Emna rumantscha).
1. The Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive[1] does not provide exemptions to the obligation to submit a maritime spatial plan by 31 March 2021. Therefore, under the MSP Directive the obligation to establish maritime spatial plans remains applicable irrespective of the existence of challenges regarding the delimitation of maritime zones with a third State. As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission ensures that all EU law obligations are complied with. An infringement procedure[2] against Greece for failure to adopt and submit maritime spatial plans has been referred to the Court of Justice and is now pending judgment.
2. As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission may take enforcement action in any case of non-compliance by a Member State with its obligations under EU law, including by pursuing infringement procedures. The Commission is committed to supporting Member States in completing their maritime spatial planning obligations. The Commission also engages in dialogue with Member States to address any challenges they may face in implementing the directive.
3. The Commission remains available to provide technical and financial support to facilitate the implementation of the maritime spatial planning acquis.
[1] Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning.
The CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans[1], including a 100% emission reduction target from 2035 onwards , provide long-term certainty and predictability for investors, while allowing sufficient lead time for a fair transition .
They will drive the transition towards zero-emission mobility and support the competitiveness of the EU industry in view of global trends, and are essential to deliver the EU objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
It is clear that manufacturers need to act to reduce their emissions and comply in 2025, but it is premature to draw any conclusion on specific compliance situations.
These targets were agreed by the co-legislators in 2019 and confirmed in 2023, providing manufacturers with the necessary lead-time to set-up their compliance strategies, which may include selling more zero-emission cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, but also deploying smaller and more efficient conventional vehicles.
Several European manufacturers are launching new and cheaper electric car models, which should increase the attractiveness of zero-emission vehicles for a broader audience.
The President of the Commission has convened on 30 January 2025 a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Car Industry in Europe to urgently address the current challenges and design concrete strategies and solutions to ensure this key industry has a solid future in Europe[2].
As part of the dialogue, solutions will be identified to safeguard industry’s capacity to invest, by looking at possible flexibilities to make sure the EU industry remains competitive, without lowering the overall ambition of the 2025 targets[3].
The dialogue will feed into an EU industrial action plan for the automotive sector, to be presented on 5 March 2025.
ICM on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 – 6 March On Thursday, 6 March 2025, to celebrate the IWD 2025, the FEMM Committee, in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments, organises an inter-parliamentary committee meeting on “Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – Upholding Women’s Rights in Defence, Security and Peace Building”.
This year’s IWD event will, amongst others, focus on the need to ensure women’s full participation in decision-making processes, particularly in defence, security, and peacebuilding, where their leadership leads to more inclusive and lasting peace. It is further crucial to protect women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings from trafficking, exploitation, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.
High-level representatives of Members States, EU institutions, Members of the European Parliament and of EU National Parliaments are invited to discuss the different ways in which women can contribute to combating inequalities and empowering future generations.
On Thursday, 6 March 2025, to celebrate the IWD 2025, the FEMM Committee, in collaboration with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments, organises an inter-parliamentary committee meeting on “Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – Upholding Women’s Rights in Defence, Security and Peace Building”.
This year’s IWD event will, amongst others, focus on the need to ensure women’s full participation in decision-making processes, particularly in defence, security, and peacebuilding, where their leadership leads to more inclusive and lasting peace. It is further crucial to protect women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings from trafficking, exploitation, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.
High-level representatives of Members States, EU institutions, Members of the European Parliament and of EU National Parliaments are invited to discuss the different ways in which women can contribute to combating inequalities and empowering future generations.
Senegal is a long-standing partner of the EU in the fisheries sector. A Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA)[1] was concluded between Senegal and the EU in 2014. The last protocol (2019-2024) expired in November 2024.
In line with the EU’s zero tolerance policy towards illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing[2], the Commission decided not to renew the Protocol, given its decision of the pre-identification of Senegal as a non-cooperating country in the fight against IUU fishing.
The formal IUU dialogue has just begun, and so long as the yellow card is in place, the renewal of the protocol cannot be considered.
The Commission recognises the challenges faced by the Basque tuna vessels and other European fleets due to the expiration and the non-renewal of the protocol.
However, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)[3] for 2021-2027, as agreed and adopted by the co-legislators, does not envisage the possibility to compensate losses in cases of non-renewal of SFPAs or their implementing protocols.
The Commission is available to further engage with any stakeholders concerned to discuss possible alternative options for fishing grounds offered by the network of fisheries agreements covering several countries in the region and other regions, the regional fisheries management organisations and EU waters.
As the question regarding the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and its cooperation with Algeria falls entirely under the responsibility of CEPOL, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the Commission has asked these Agencies to provide an answer to the question raised by the Honourable Member.
The Commission will send the Agencies’ reply to the Honourable Member as soon as possible.
For over 50 years, nuclear power has played an important role in those Member States that have chosen to rely on it. Currently, nuclear reactors operate across 12 of the 27 Member States and generate almost a quarter of the EU’s total electricity.
The Commission has long acknowledged the role of nuclear energy as a low-carbon energy source, while recognising that the decision on its use remains within the discretion of each Member State, in line with their rights to determine their energy mix enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The Commission Communication on the 2040 climate target[1] emphasises the need for further electrification with a fully decarbonised power system by 2040, using all available low-carbon technologies.
Projections show that decarbonised sources will generate over 90% of electricity in the EU in 2040. The bulk is projected to come from renewable energy with an important contribution from nuclear energy.
In line with his mission letter, the Commissioner for Energy and Housing is committed to support the acceleration of the development of Small Modular Reactors in Europe, and to continue ensuring nuclear safety and safeguards, including diversified supplies, safe waste management and new technologies.
As regards the Renewable Energy Directive, the priority is a timely and thorough implementation of the existing legal framework for 2030.
The Commission has worked closely with all stakeholders to prepare the legal framework for energy for 2030 and will continue to do so with all stakeholders on board and in close cooperation with all Member States.
Evaluations of decentralised agencies are conducted as required by the agencies’ establishment acts adopted by the co-legislators. Agencies’ activities are evaluated in terms of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and EU added value. The scope for synergies between decentralised agencies is also assessed.
The evaluations are conducted by independent evaluators consulting all relevant stakeholders, including the main beneficiaries/users (often Member States and national authorities), the agencies’ Management Board representatives, external experts, international counterparts, and the Commission.
Decentralised agencies’ governance is set out in the 2012 Common Approach[1]. They are autonomous EU bodies managed by an Executive Director and a Management Board which is composed of Member States’ representatives, the Commission and in some cases stakeholder representatives. The Commission only has a limited number of votes in the Management Board (usually one — two votes) and has no veto right.
Ten decentralised agencies also have small Executive Boards, which oversee the application of audit results and support the administrative and budgetary management.
The Commission systematically proposes to the co-legislators to introduce such Executive Boards for all new decentralised agencies.
The Commission monitors each decentralised agency’s budgetary implementation as well as financial and human resource needs and proposes resource adjustments to the budgetary authority in the annual budget procedure, whenever justified and possible.
Moreover, the discharge of the decentralised agencies’ annual budget is granted by the European Parliament, upon recommendation by the Council.
To achieve synergies, the Commission proposes, when appropriate, to merge agencies or to harbour new tasks in an existing agency instead of creating a standalone agency or to link a new small agency to a big one to rely on the support departments of the latter.
The Commission proposes the creation of a new standalone agency only when the new activities are too large or different for one of the above options to be viable.
The Commission also presents in detail to the co-legislators the budgetary and staffing needs related to a proposal to create — or expand the mandate of — an agency[2].
[1] Joint statement of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission on decentralised agencies including the annexed Common Approach of 19 July 2012 (https://european-union.europa.eu/document/download/d4199ff4-1e3d-45e6-af7e-90cf1a7b10bc_en?filename=joint_statement_on_decentralised_agencies_en.pdf).
[2] In line with the requirement of Article 35 of the Financial Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402509) and Article 27 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020Q1222(01)).
1. Sicily’s second Flood Risk Management Plan[1] plans the updating of flood hazard and risk maps[2]. The Italian authorities informed the Commission that, although the updating of such maps was suspended for administrative reasons, the Regional Council gave a mandate to the Regional Department for Financial Planning and Programming to avail itself of the funding available for updating the maps by 31 December 2026.
2. Cohesion policy[3] supports climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention, and resilience. Under the European Regional Development Fund[4], EUR 103 million are indicatively allocated for floods and landslides, with the possibility for prevention measures[5]. Still, under shared management, in line with the applicable regulations, responsibility to select measures lies with the Managing Authority based on a programme approved by the Commission. While the Recovery and Resilience Facility[6] supports Italy in hydrogeological risk reduction and the development of a monitoring system to predict and mitigate climate change risks with a focus on Southern Italy, the Council Implementing Decision Annex[7] does not require resource allocation specifically to Sicily. Any allocation to this region is a decision of the Italian authorities[8].
3. Existing measures to assess landslides include the European landslide susceptibility map[9] and the European Ground Motion Service[10]. Strengthening the knowledge base and promoting soil health can mitigate floods and droughts whilst making the environment more resilient to landslides and soil erosion thanks to improved water retention[11].
[4] 2021-2027 Regional Programme for Sicily, https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/european-regional-development-fund-erdf_en
[5] Such measures could include the implementation of databases, the development of forecasting models and territorial analyses for risk studies and mitigation models.
[7] Annex to the Council Implementing Decision amending Implementing Decision of 13 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Italy: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15114-2024-ADD-1-REV-1/en/pdf
[8] For example: https://pnrr.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/il-pnrr-il-dipartimento-della-protezione-civile/. Projects in Sicily are relevant for reporting under the RRF if they contribute to the milestones and targets of the investments mentioned above, as set out in the annex of the Council Implementing Decision.
In November 2024, the Commission put online the Information Technology application to use the Union Database as provided by Article 31a of the Renewable Energy Directive[1].
The database was developed and is being implemented in line with requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive and relevant implementing and delegated acts, notably on sustainability certification and traceability.
Several economic operators have already started using the database . With the support of Member States, the Commission is deploying efforts to ensure the systemic use of the Database by all relevant economic operators.
To this effect and following up on the letter addressed to the Commission by a group of Member States, the Commission has organised a series of meetings with representatives of Member States to discuss the key issues related to the database.
This work will continue in 2025. Key stakeholders like certification schemes may be invited to participate in some of the meetings in 2025 where relevant.
European Commission Statement Brussels, 21 Feb 2025 The awaited decree-law issued by the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammed Abbas, on 11 February 2025 aimed at restructuring the social welfare system and revoking the “prisoners and martyrs’ payment” mechanism represents a significant political development.
ATLANTA – Brian H. Sperber and Edmond S. Norkus have received prison sentences for conspiring to commit wire fraud in a scheme in which the men tricked expectant purchasers of personal protective equipment out of more than $14 million.
“Sperber and Norkus cashed in on the unprecedented scarcity and skyrocketing price of personal protective equipment to get rich quick at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was exploding,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Now they justifiably confront prison terms for their cynical, illegal cash grab.”
“These sentences underline the FBI’s commitment to holding those who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain accountable,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Brian H. Sperber became an authorized distributor for a Georgia-based personal protective equipment (“PPE”) manufacturer. Edmond S. Norkus operated warehouse space in Florida and was Sperber’s longstanding business associate. As the pandemic worsened, demand for, and market value of, PPE steeply increased. Even though Sperber was only authorized to sell to customers in a specific geographic sales territory and manufacturers had only extremely limited supplies available, Sperber and Norkus promised to sell large quantities of PPE to a wide range of would-be buyers.
But to make it appear that they could deliver on their promise, Sperber and Norkus diverted and showcased products already earmarked for other customers. They also provided customers with a variety of altered and counterfeit documents, designed to deceive customers into believing the products they had ordered were on the way. Ultimately, there were no products to supply and Sperber and Norkus pocketed the money while providing the victims with nothing.
United States District Judge Michael J. Brown sentenced Brian H. Sperber, 48, of Plantation, Fla., to two years, two months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,231,605.36. Sperber was convicted on May 28, 2024, after he pleaded guilty.
Judge Brown sentenced Edmond S. Norkus, 61, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Norkus was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,821,605.36. Norkus was convicted on May 28, 2024, after he pleaded guilty.
Sperber used proceeds from the scheme to purchase a multi-million dollar waterfront mansion in Boca Raton, Florida. In a related civil forfeiture action, the United States and Sperber agreed to sell the property, netting approximately $4 million, and resolve the forfeiture in the criminal prosecution. As part of Sperber’s sentence, the district court forfeited Sperber’s interest in the funds. The United States, in Sperber’s plea agreement, agreed to recommend that the funds seized from the sale of the property be restored to the victims named in the restitution order.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alana R. Black and C. Brock Brockington prosecuted 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, among other methods, 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
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 (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
CHICAGO — A man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge for illegally importing the drug Pentobarbital into the United States from Mexico for use in committing suicide.
DANIEL GONZALEZ-MUNGUIA, also known as “Alejandro Vasquez,” 41, of Puebla, Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to one count of importing a controlled substance into the United States. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis set sentencing for Sept. 9, 2025.
Pentobarbital, also known as Nembutal, is a drug sold in Mexico for the purpose of euthanizing animals. In the U.S., Pentobarbital is a controlled substance and has been used in state-sponsored executions. Gonzalez-Munguia admitted in a plea agreement that from 2012 to 2021, he operated an online drug business that sold and distributed bottles of Pentobarbital to hundreds of individuals in the U.S. and throughout the world, including individuals in Illinois. Many of the buyers consumed the product and died, the plea agreement states.
The investigation by Homeland Security Investigations began in 2016 after a parcel of the drug was intercepted in a Chicago suburb. Authorities in the U.S. and several foreign countries conducted well-being checks and recovered Pentobarbital from numerous individuals who admitted to being despondent and ordering the suicide drug online from Gonzalez-Munguia. Law enforcement provided assistance to those individuals.
Gonzalez-Munguia admitted that he initially shipped bottles of the drug directly from Mexico and in the manufacturer’s packaging, but thereafter disguised it as a cosmetic product and used intermediaries to transport it into the U.S. before shipping to customers around the world.
The guilty plea was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Daniel Johnsen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Illinois Army National Guard Counterdrug Program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and law enforcement agencies in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kartik K. Raman is prosecuting the case.
GRAYSON, Ga., Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services(Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Georgia footprint, opening a new branch in Grayson and its 53rd in the state.
The branch is located at 1950 Grayson HWY, Suite 130 and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Amber Cotton, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.
“Our very first Lendmark branch opened in Georgia in 1996 and 29 years later we are still expanding right where we started. Continued growth in Georgia shows the tremendous impact we make by focusing on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events,” said Jerry Sharp, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our Georgia branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country.”
In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 470-226-3828.
Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.
Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation.
About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 515 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.
Media Contact Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com 678-625-3128
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University – Newark
Attendees take selfies at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 20, 2025. Andrew Harnick/Getty Images
A month later, Trump’s supporters gathered at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, from Feb. 19-22 to celebrate the advent of this golden age.
Gold glitter jackets, emblazoned with phrases like “Trump the Golden Era,” are for sale in the CPAC exhibition hall. There, attendees decked out in other MAGA-themed clothing and accessories network and mingle. They visit booths with politically charged signs that say “Defund Planned Parenthood” and collect brochures on topics like “The Gender Industrial Complex.”
Another booth with a yellow and black striped backdrop resembling a prison cell’s bars was called a “Deportation Center.” Attendees photographed themselves at this booth, posing beside full-size cutouts of Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan.
Trump’s heroism, his supporters believe, was illustrated after a bullet grazed his ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024. Trump quickly rose to his feet, pumped his fist in the air and yelled, “Fight, fight, fight.”
The phrase became a MAGA rally cry and, in February 2025, it has been stamped on CPAC attendees’ shirts and jackets.
After Trump’s 2024 election victory, many Trump supporters dubbed it
“the greatest comeback in political history.” MAGA populist Steven Bannon invoked this phrase at a pre-CPAC event on Feb. 19.
When Bannon spoke on the CPAC main stage on Feb. 20, he led the crowd in a raucous “fight, fight, fight” chant. He compared Trump with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and called for him to run again for president in 2028.
The MAGA faithful believe that Trump is like a human “wrecking ball,” as evangelical leader Lance Wallnau said in 2015. This metaphor speaks to how Trump supporters believe the president is tearing down an entrenched, corrupt system.
One established the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is devoted to eliminating government waste. DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has dismantled USAID and fired thousands of government workers whom MAGA views as part of an anti-Trump “deep state.”
Musk stole the show at CPAC on Feb. 20. Speaking to a cheering crowd, Musk held up a large red chain saw and yelled, “This is the chain saw for bureaucracy.”
Speaker after speaker at this year’s CPAC have celebrated this and other wrecking-ball achievements on panels with titles like “Red Tape Reckoning,” “Crushing Woke Board Rooms” and “The Takedown of Left Tech.”
3. The Midas touch
A golden age requires a builder. Who better, the MAGA faithful believe, than a billionaire businessman with a self-proclaimed “Midas touch.” This refers to King Midas, a figure in Greek mythology who turns everything he touches into pure gold.
“Trump Will Fix It” signs filled his 2024 campaign rallies. And MAGA supporters note that Trump began fixing the country on Day 1 by “flooding the zone” with executive orders aimed at implementing his four-pronged “America First” promise. In addition to draining the swamp, this plan pledges to “make America safe again,” “make America affordable and energy dominant again” and “bring back American values.”
These themes run through the remarks of almost every CPAC speaker, who offer nonstop praise about how Trump is securing the country’s borders, increasing energy independence, repatriating who they call illegal aliens, restoring free speech and reducing government regulation and waste.
CPAC speakers said that Trump has already racked up a slew of successes just a month into his presidency.
This includes Trump using the threat of tariffs to bring other countries to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters are pleased that he has been working to cut deals to end the conflict in Gaza and the war between Russia and Ukraine, while reorienting U.S. foreign policy to focus on China.
The MAGA faithful believe that Trump is restoring an era of American exceptionalism in which the U.S. is an economic powerhouse, common senseis the rule, and traditional values centered on God, family and freedom are celebrated.
And they believe in a future where the U.S. is, as Trump said in his inaugural address, “the envy of every nation.”
Alex Hinton receives funding from Alex Hinton receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, Rutgers Research Council, and Henry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.
The Olympiad has been held for five years in a row, and this year, for the first time, students in grades 10–11 will be able to join in. You can take part any day up to and including April 3 on the educational platform Uchi.ru.
Schoolchildren will learn how to plan a budget, assess risks, and resist fraudulent schemes. They will also try themselves in the role of entrepreneurs — they will analyze input data, forecast demand, and manage resources in their own project to increase profits. The tasks are adapted for all age groups: primary school students will get acquainted with the basic concepts and principles of financial literacy, and high school students will work out scenarios with changing conditions.
The Olympiad will open with an online lesson by Vadim Uvarov, Director of the Information Security Department of the Bank of Russia, “Droppers: How to Avoid Fraudsters.” The broadcast will take place on March 4 at 9:30 Moscow time and will be available onevent page, in the personal accounts of users on the platform Uchi.ru, as well as in the official community of the Bank of Russia inVKontakte, where participants will be able to ask questions to the speaker.
“Fraudsters are increasingly involving teenagers in their schemes, mainly via the Internet under the pretext of easy money. During the lesson, I will talk about common traps that criminals lure young people into. We will talk about what droppering is and what the risks are. The lesson will also be useful for parents: I will give some practical advice on how to help a child avoid becoming an accomplice to financial crimes,” Vadim Uvarov noted.
To participate, you must register. on the website or log in using your login and password from Uchi.ru. Depending on the result, participants will receive a certificate, diploma or diploma, and teachers will receive letters of thanks.
The Olympiad is organized by the ANO National Priorities, the Bank of Russia, the Ministry of Finance of Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the educational platform Uchi.ru in accordance with the goals and objectives of the national project Effective and Competitive Economy. The event will be held with the support of the all-Russian public and state movement of children and youth Movement of the First.
Interest in the Olympiad is constantly growing: in 2021, 800 thousand schoolchildren joined it, in 2024 – more than 2.3 million.
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In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 21.02.2025, 14-26 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 109.25) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1173.88 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 7.5%) of the security RU000A0ZYJ91 (FSK RS B4) were changed.
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Mutual investment funds (PIF) will have the right to change their status from “qual” to “non-qual” if they meet certain conditions. They are spelled out indraft instructions of the Bank of Russia, which is published for public comment.
This opportunity will become available on March 1, 2026, and will be relevant primarily for those funds that were focused on riskier assets only at the initial stage.
In order to undergo requalification, the management company, in particular, will need to amend the rules of trust management so that units are now available to non-qualified investors, and also adapt the composition and structure of the fund to new shareholders. By the time the documents, including the adjusted rules, are sent to the Bank of Russia for registration, all units must be paid in full, and there should be no restrictions or grounds for termination of the mutual fund itself.
The change of status will allow qualified investors to exit the project after the completion of its risky stage, for example, after the commissioning of the constructed shopping center, while non-qualified investors will be able to receive regular income from renting out the constructed facility.
Comments and suggestions regarding the draft instruction can be sent to the Bank of Russia up to and including March 7, 2025.
Preview photo: Andrei Stepanov / Shutterstock / Fotodom
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In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 21.02.2025, 18-09 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 97.01) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1049.25 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 15.0%) of the RU000A1031Y5 (VEB1P-28) security were changed.
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Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
During a working visit, Marat Khusnullin inspected sections of the M-7 Volga and M-12 Vostok highways
February 21, 2025
During a working visit, Marat Khusnullin inspected sections of the M-7 Volga and M-12 Vostok highways
February 21, 2025
During a working visit, Marat Khusnullin inspected sections of the M-7 Volga and M-12 Vostok highways
February 21, 2025
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During a working visit, Marat Khusnullin inspected sections of the M-7 Volga and M-12 Vostok highways
Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, during a working trip by car from Moscow to Kazan through the Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod regions, inspected sections of the M-7 Volga and M-12 Vostok highways.
“The federal highway M-12 “Vostok” is our largest new infrastructure project of the last decades. The highway is part of the transport route “Russia” from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. I can say that the condition of the road surface, which I inspected during the trip, is excellent, the road is covered with a stable mobile connection, it is comfortable to drive to the desired location and, what is important, noticeably faster. On the way, I visited a multifunctional zone with a gas station in the Vladimir region, where an entire complex has been built and all the conditions for high-quality service, rest, there is a parking lot for heavy vehicles and an area for walking pets. I believe that such a level of MFC should be on all highways in the country. The section of the M-12 from Moscow to Kazan, which the President opened a little over a year ago, remains consistently in demand among motorists – during this time, more than 30 million trips have been recorded. Despite the fact that in some places the M-12 and M-7 routes are duplicated, we are actively upgrading the M-7 Volga highway, improving its quality. It is also in good condition. Everyone can find the most convenient route for themselves, choose a toll or free road. We will certainly continue to develop highways within the framework of the national project Infrastructure for Life, so that ultimately the quality of life of people only improves,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the territories of regions located in the area of attraction of highways are noticeably developing. Highways contribute to an increase in the volume of housing construction, investment activity, the opening of new enterprises, recreation areas, and the creation of jobs.
During his working visit to Vladimir Oblast, Marat Khusnullin held a meeting with the head of the region, Aleksandr Avdeyev, on issues of the region’s socio-economic development, including the creation of the new city of Dobrograd. In Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, he and Governor Gleb Nikitin inspected the construction of new stations of the Nizhny Novgorod metro and a world-class IT campus.
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On February 20, 2025, Moscow Exchange held a conference “The Collective Investment Market – from the First Trillion to a Place in Every Investor’s Portfolio”. The event was timed to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the start of trading in units of exchange-traded mutual investment funds (EMIF) of the money market.
The event discussed the current state and development prospects of the collective investment market as a whole and one of its flagship products – money market exchange-traded funds. Participants reviewed and assessed the market from different angles: regulatory, client and commercial – and during the discussions outlined the main trends in the industry and investors’ expectations.
As of February 1, 2025, the number of investors who invested in money market funds on the Moscow Exchange approached 1.4 million people. Thus, over the year, one million private investors became shareholders.
Trading in the first money market mutual fund started on the Moscow Exchange stock market on January 20, 2020. Today, investors have access to 16 money market mutual funds (13 ruble and 3 yuan), 10 of which were launched in 2024. Money market funds account for 85% of the total net asset value of all mutual funds (more than 1 trillion rubles in absolute terms as of February 1 of this year) and 83% of the total trading turnover in mutual funds.
Viktor Zhidkov, Chairman of the Board of Moscow Exchange:
“The Russian collective investment industry is still relatively young and is in the stage of active growth, the significant potential of which is embedded in the retail segment. Collective investment mechanisms contribute to the best implementation of this potential, and Moscow Exchange is interested in their further development and distribution. Funds, primarily exchange-traded funds, are the instrument with which one should begin to get acquainted with the financial market and which should find a place in the portfolio of every investor. We welcome the efforts of management companies to develop new mutual funds and are always ready to meet market participants halfway, both by creating new benchmarks for them and by helping to solve problems that arise when launching exchange trading in units. We congratulate the industry on its anniversary and wish it stable growth rates, new products and grateful investors.”
At the end of the conference, a ceremonial award ceremony was held for management companies – market leaders with the largest money market funds by net asset value:
UK VIM Investments for the mutual fund “Liquidity” with assets of 379.6 billion rubles; UK Pervaya for the mutual fund “Pervaya – Savings Fund” with assets of 227.6 billion rubles; UK Alfa-Capital for the mutual fund “Alfa-Capital Money Market” with assets of 210.5 billion rubles.
Also awarded were the money market fund managers of UK BrokerCreditService, UK AAA Capital Management, Finam Management, UK Promsvyaz, UK Sistema Capital, Finstar Capital, AK Bars Capital, UK DOKHOD and T-Capital.
There are currently 80 mutual funds on the Moscow Exchange. As of the end of 2024, the number of shareholders in exchange-traded funds was 6.2 million, of which 3.8 million made at least one transaction per month on average.
The Moscow Exchange Money Market is one of the most important segments of the Russian financial market, with the help of which both large corporations and small companies and individual investors manage their monetary liquidity. The list of money market instruments includes repo with the Central Credit Union, repo with the Central Credit Union, repo with the Bank of Russia, interdealer repo, deposits with the Central Credit Union, loans, as well as deposit and loan auctions. The Moscow Exchange acts as the organizer of trades, clearing and settlements are carried out by the National Clearing Center (NCC, part of the Moscow Exchange Group).
Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom
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In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on 21.02.2025, 14-01 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 104.83) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1088.51 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 10.0%) of the security RU000A101NQ1 (VBRR 1P-04) were changed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced changes to the parliamentary secretary team.
In their new roles, the parliamentary secretaries will support their respective cabinet ministers to make progress on the priorities that matter most to Canadians. They will engage directly with Canadians on key initiatives and represent the government at home and abroad. Their appointments are effective immediately.
The changes to the parliamentary secretary team are as follows:
Vance Badawey becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Jaime Battiste becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Chris Bittle becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Mike Kelloway becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Irek Kusmierczyk becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors
Bryan May becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Yasir Naqvi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
Taleeb Noormohamed becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada-U.S.)
Jennifer O’Connell becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety (Cybersecurity)
Marc G. Serré becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Terry Sheehan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Ryan Turnbull becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Adam van Koeverden becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
The Prime Minister also welcomed the following new members to the parliamentary secretary team:
Kody Blois becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Julie Dzerowicz becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs and Latin America)
Arielle Kayabaga becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business
Viviane Lapointe becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety
Tim Louis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Francesco Sorbara becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
These new parliamentary secretaries will work to deliver real, positive change for Canadians. They join the following parliamentary secretaries remaining in their portfolio:
Paul Chiang, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue
Annie Koutrakis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizens’ Services
James Maloney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Randeep Sarai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
Charles Sousa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development
Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
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“Our government is laser-focused on the issues that matter most to you and your family. With these additions to our strong team, we will create and protect Canadian jobs, build more homes, reduce emissions, make life cost less, and defend Canadian interests.”
Quick Facts
Parliamentary secretaries are chosen by the Prime Minister to assist ministers.
The responsibilities of parliamentary secretaries generally fall into two broad categories: House of Commons business and department-related duties.
Parliamentary secretaries are not members of Cabinet and do not play a formal role in the Cabinet decision-making process. They support their ministers, but overall responsibility and accountability remains with the minister.
ABINGDON, Va. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI apprehended an illegally present citizen of Egypt and Turkey when officers and agents arrested Noareleslam Abdelrahman, 27, during an at-large, targeted enforcement action in Abingdon.
“Noareleslam Abdelrahman was illegally present in Virginia in blatant and knowing violation of U.S. immigration laws,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. acting Field Office Director Patrick Divver. “ICE remains dedicated to our mission of ensuring safety and security through the arrest and removal of individuals who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws. We take this mission extremely seriously, and we will continue to arrest and remove alien offenders.”
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Abdelrahman June 23, 2023, after he illegally entered the United States near Yuma, Arizona, and served him a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.
An immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review in Eloy, Arizona, granted Abdelrahman an immigration bond August 10, 2023. ICE released Abdelrahman from Eloy Federal Correctional Facility after he posted his $8,000 immigration bond.
Abdelrahman violated the terms of his bond by moving from New Jersey to Virginia on an unknown date without notifying EOIR of his move.
ICE served Abdelrahman with a notice of custody determination and canceled his immigration bond after his arrest and he remains in ICE custody.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROWashington.
ATLANTA (February 21, 2025)—Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 68, a sweeping reform of the state’s tort laws, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon).
“SB 68 is a major step toward reining in the excessive litigation that is driving up costs for healthcare providers, job creators, and consumers,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Since 2016, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has estimated that litigation costs have risen 7.1% per year—far outpacing inflation. Nuclear verdicts and frivolous lawsuits cost Georgia households an average of $5,035 annually. This broken system cannot continue.”
Sen. Kennedy continued, “The consequences of excessive litigation extend far beyond the courtroom. Because of rising litigation cost, small business owners are forced to lay off employees or shut down as their liability insurance premiums skyrocket. Pregnant women in rural areas must now travel over two hours to see an OB-GYN because local hospitals have been forced to close. When healthcare providers leave the state due to an unpredictable legal climate, entire communities suffer. It’s time to restore fairness and stability to our civil justice system, and today’s passage of SB 68 is a critical step in that direction.”
Sen. Kennedy sponsored and carried SB 68 on behalf of Governor Brian P. Kemp, who made tort reform his top priority for the 2025 Legislative Session in his State of the State address last month.
For more information about the legislation, read it here.
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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston counties. He may be reached at (404) 656-6578 or by email at John.Kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
The FBI Jacksonville Division, with support from state and local law enforcement partners, located the remains of 32-year-old Alex Hodgson Doughty on Tuesday, February 4, in a wooded area on private land near Kingsland, Georgia. FBI Jacksonville’s Evidence Response Team led the search. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner confirmed Mr. Doughty’s identity. No criminal charges are expected.
Mr. Doughty was a citizen of the United Kingdom and was visiting North Florida in September 2022 when his mother contacted local police and reported that she could not reach him and was concerned for his well-being. Investigators from multiple federal, state, local, and international agencies have contributed to the search for answers since that time.
“While we had hoped to bring Mr. Doughty’s family better news, we are thankful to be able to provide them with some closure,” said Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler. “This discovery is the direct result of our partnerships and special agents from FBI Jacksonville’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST), who were relentless in their efforts to narrow down potential search locations.”
The FBI’s CAST supports law enforcement investigations through the analysis of historical and realtime mobile communications and geolocation data. CAST experts receive extensive training and are highly proficient at analyzing location data from mobile devices. Throughout fiscal year 2024, CAST experts assisted with more than 6,100 investigations, 54% of which were in support of state and local investigations. The search for Mr. Doughty was among those.
In addition to the efforts of law enforcement, the Doughty family thanks the volunteer search teams who contributed their time and resources in six additional searches.
This case was investigated by the FBI Jacksonville Division and State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Thames Valley (UK) Police Department, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and Kingsland (Georgia) Police Department. Additional local law enforcement provided resources to aid in the search.
