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Category: Fisheries

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Northern Ireland Named As The UK’s Future ‘Silicon Valley’

    Source: Samsung

     

     
    LONDON, UK – October 30, 2024 – Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has unveiled that Northern Ireland is set to become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the United Kingdom, with a staggering 77% of young people in the country looking to pursue a career in technology. The findings align with data from the Intellectual Property Office, which shows that patent applications have increased by 33% in Northern Ireland between 2022-23, compared to an increase of just 11% in London.
     
    Whilst a high proportion of young people living in the Capital are considering working in technology (69%), other potential hotbeds for future innovators include the West Midlands (63%), North-East (63%), East of England (62%), East Midlands (61%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (57%).
     
    In terms of cities, Coventry scored highly (79%), with Cambridge (76%) and Birmingham (71%) also being seen as future hotbeds for inventions and tech.
     
    When it comes to motivation, almost half (48%) of young people polled were confident that they could invent or develop a technology product that would positively impact society. This desire for ‘tech for good’ can also be seen amongst the 85% of young people who believe that a career in technology would allow them to positively contribute to society, and the 20% who would be interested in working in tech start-ups with societal purpose. Other key areas of technology young people aspire to have a career in include app development (41%), cybersecurity (35%), AI for Good (31%) and health-based technology (30%).
     
    The findings have been released as Samsung launches its fifth Solve for Tomorrow competition, which aims to find and support young innovators across the UK.
     
    The research revealed that although young people are particularly ambitious when it comes to their ability to make positive change to the world through tech, they are facing challenges in making this a reality. In fact, the study found 39 per cent of those polled believe there are too few resources for them to make a change in society through technology. This is despite a third (33%) believing they have what it takes to create the next big tech invention.
     

     
    Breaking Barriers To Entry
     
    Despite the ambition of young people across the country, there’s still a strong sense that making a change in the world through tech isn’t an option for everyone. When asked, 96% of young people believed there are barriers to entering the tech industry, and 65% believe that their personal background impacts their ability to harness their creativity through tech.
     
    A lack of education (40%), practical experience (36%) and lack of contacts or mentors in the industry (31%) were listed as the top barriers to entry for young people.
     
    Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition asks 16–25-year-olds to come up with ideas that help solve societal challenges, then help bring them to life through offering free educational workshops, mentoring, funding and support.
     

     
    Commenting on the competition launch, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We’re beyond excited to kick-off our fifth year of Solve for Tomorrow. Innovation is for everyone and no young person should ever feel discouraged to pursue a good idea. This is why we’re proud to be working with our partners Social Mobility Foundation and InnovateHer again this year. Our research shows the UK is full of young people with confidence and potential, but they still feel like they don’t have the support they need to make a difference through tech. That’s what the Solve for Tomorrow programme aims to address.”
     
    Applications to the competition are now open, following a panel discussion launch event held at Samsung KX to inspire future changemakers, and featuring rapper and entrepreneur, Krept. The competition offers two age categories – 16-18 and 18-25. Winning teams in both categories receive £10,000 cash prize in funding, and three months expert mentoring with a personalised action plan, to help bring their ideas to life. Young people across the country can visit the Solve For Tomorrow website for more information, and enter here.
     

     
    About his role as a Solve for Tomorrow ambassador, British musician, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Krept. said: “As an entrepreneur, I’ve been in the position where you have an idea but you don’t know how to make it a reality. It’s a struggle everyone faces, but unfortunately, it’s easier for some to get around that than others. Programmes like Solve for Tomorrow from Samsung are great – they help remove the barriers young people face, whether it’s not having a degree or not knowing the right person – I’m thrilled to be involved in this initiative.”
     
    Talking at the panel event at KX, Sarah Atkinson, CEO of Social Mobility Foundation, said of the programme partnership: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At The Social Mobility Foundation, we work towards creating a culture where young people from all social backgrounds can thrive, leading to more representation and innovation. Solve for Tomorrow equips and empowers young minds to create solutions to real-world issues and we are proud to be partnering again with Samsung on this exciting initiative.”
     
    Chelsea Slater, CEO at InnovateHer, also commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Samsung on the Solve for Tomorrow initiative, which aligns perfectly with InnovateHer’s mission to empower the next generation of diverse innovators. This programme gives young people, especially girls, the opportunity to tackle real-world problems using technology, while building essential skills for the future. By working together, we’re ensuring that more young women are inspired, included, and equipped to lead in the tech industry—helping to create a more inclusive and innovative future for everyone.”
     
    To enter this year’s competition, go to: www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/competition/
     
    Methodology Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.
    Patent information was obtained via the Intellectual Property Office.
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thirty years of WTO technical assistance enhancing participation in world trade

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Since its establishment in 1995, the WTO has supported the participation of developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) in the multilateral trading system through the provision of technical assistance, helping beneficiaries develop their capacity to take full advantage of global trade. Over the past 30 years, more than 320,000 government officials have benefited from this assistance.

    WTO technical assistance is a pivotal function of the organization and has evolved constantly to meet the emerging needs of the beneficiaries and a changing global environment, with an increasing focus on achieving measurable results.

    Regional breakdown of activities

    The WTO has conducted over 10,000 technical assistance activities for its eligible members and observers since 1995. In the initial three years following the organization’s establishment, these activities were carried out globally, without focusing on particular regions. However, starting in 1998, the focus shifted toward addressing the specific needs of individual members, either regionally or at the domestic level.

    Africa has consistently received the largest share of technical assistance, averaging around 30 per cent of annual activities and rising as high as 40 per cent between 2005 and 2011 (see Chart 1). The Asia-Pacific region has benefited from roughly 20 per cent of activities. The Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia have received respectively between 5 per cent and 10 per cent annually. Latin America has also featured prominently in technical assistance programmes, receiving on average approximately 10 per cent of activities.

    Developing online technical assistance

    The launch in 2004 of the WTO technical assistance e-Learning platform, which was upgraded in 2022, was a game-changer in terms of delivering more accessible technical assistance and providing more cost-effective training. The platform gained additional importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions prevented face-to-face activities.

    Since 1995, over 110,000 government officials have been trained via the e-Learning platform, representing more than a third of the total number of beneficiaries (see Chart 2). The number of e‑Learning participants per year has surpassed the number of beneficiaries of face-to-face activities since 2014. More recently, a new approach, combining e‑Learning, face-to-face and virtual activities is gradually being introduced.

    WTO technical assistance is primarily aimed at government officials, but its outreach extends to other key groups, including the academic community through the WTO Chairs Programme, as well as members of parliament, journalists, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

    Evolving pedagogical approaches

    In 2010, a progressive learning strategy was introduced to improve the efficient use of resources in technical assistance delivery by focusing on advancing participants’ skills progressively. This progressive learning strategy structures technical assistance activities around three levels of learning — introductory, intermediate and advanced — and two training paths — for generalists and for specialists — with the aim of building beneficiaries’ capacity in a sustainable and cumulative manner.

    The training methods used in the delivery of technical assistance programmes have also evolved over time. While the approach in 1995 was predominantly lecture-based, the proportion of lectures in the total training time has been somewhat reduced since 2013 in favour of face-to-face activities incorporating more hands-on sessions and interactive pedagogical techniques (see Chart 3). Recent years have seen the introduction of mentoring and coaching.

    In addition to training programmes, the first internship programme was launched in 1998. Since then, four other similar programmes have been set up. These internship opportunities have collectively benefited more than 800 participants from over 100 WTO members and observers.

    Priorities for technical assistance

    WTO technical assistance is governed by biennial plans setting out priorities and strategies to ensure that the needs of beneficiaries are effectively met. In 2013, a results-based management approach was implemented to improve monitoring of all WTO technical assistance activities, from planning to evaluation. The approach aims to produce specific and measurable results to improve beneficiaries’ capacity to participate in the multilateral trading system.

    Since its introduction, the proportion of technical assistance targets fully or partially met, such as successful completion of the courses, reached 91 per cent in 2018. This number declined between 2020 and 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on technical assistance delivery but rose again in 2023 (see Chart 4).

    WTO negotiations and implementation of WTO agreements: Some measurable results

    Technical assistance has contributed to improving the capacity of developing WTO members and observers, and particularly LDCs, to engage effectively in WTO negotiations and participate in the work of WTO bodies. It has also been essential to economies wishing to join the WTO as they proceed through their WTO accession processes.

    For several recent agreements negotiated at the WTO (e.g., the agreements on trade facilitation, fisheries subsidies and investment facilitation for development), provisions related to technical assistance for developing and LDC members have been crucial to concluding the negotiations. Over the past 10 years alone, thousands of government officials have benefited from technical assistance training programmes designed to strengthen their capacity to comply with obligations under WTO agreements and to benefit fully from these WTO agreements (see Chart 5).

    The topics covered by technical assistance training programmes have continued to evolve over the years in line with the priorities defined by beneficiaries. This flexibility allows WTO technical assistance to take account of evolving issues on the WTO agenda, such as digital trade, the green economy and inclusive trade.

    The impact of these efforts can be measured in different ways. For example, WTO technical assistance has striven through capacity-building to stimulate a sustained increase in the number of proposals or other documents covering a variety of topics under negotiation or discussion submitted to WTO bodies by technical assistance beneficiaries. These contributions have been invaluable in making trade deliberations and decision-making more inclusive.

    Strengthening the capacity of technical assistance beneficiaries to fulfil their transparency obligations under various WTO agreements, including by notifying new trade measures, is among the performance targets for WTO technical assistance. As the overall volume of notification obligations has increased each year, technical assistance efforts have enabled beneficiaries not only to keep pace with their new notification obligations, but even to reduce their backlog progressively.  

    Financial commitments to WTO technical assistance

    WTO technical assistance is financed both by the regular budget of the WTO Secretariat and by means of voluntary contributions made by WTO members to trust funds. A total of over CHF 500 million has been committed since 1995. Contributions from the regular budget reached their highest levels between 2002 and 2013 and have remained at CHF 4.5 million since then. Meanwhile, members’ voluntary contributions have steadily declined, dropping from CHF 23 million on average between 2007 and 2009 to CHF 6.3 million in 2023 (see Chart 6).

    Sustained funding continues to be essential to responding efficiently to the evolving needs of members and securing the technical assistance necessary for an inclusive multilateral trading system.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Building partnerships to protect the UK from cyber crime

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, delivered a speech at the PREDICT 2024 Conference on 22 October.

    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you and good morning.

    It’s a great privilege to be with you at PREDICT 2024 today taking place right in the very heart of London’s thriving knowledge quarter.

    I’d like at the outset to take this opportunity to thank Recorded Future for your hard work in bringing us together over these 2 days.

    Not least because I think that forums like these provide us with a crucial platform to connect, share ideas and to learn from one another.

    When our world feels increasingly less certain and increasingly more volatile, it is reassuring to know that last night, as with every night, many of you here today, made it safer.

    Across the UK, millions of phones charging next to our beds were patched whilst we were sleeping – better protecting our messages, our photos and our personal information, frankly, our entire lives these days from constantly mutating cyber threats.

    For ministers like me, there will be 2, maybe even 3, phones next to our beds, but add them to millions more devices and their networks that our world now relies on to function.

    The role that the global community of defenders plays in disrupting and defeating cyber-crime is more than just vital – it’s existential.

    So, I want to say this morning that this country, our country, is enormously in the debt of many of you in this room who strive, day in, day out to protect us all.

    Your work, your dedication and your accomplishments have never been more important.

    Yet, it may be the case, that they have never been more taken for granted, because most will only notice, could only ever notice, when things go wrong.

    Who knew what Synnovis were and the vital service they provide to the NHS until ransomware criminals struck?

    Outside of tech circles, who knew the name Crowdstrike before a wayward patch ground international aviation to a halt?

    How many of the millions of Australian or US citizens, who relied on their services, could have identified the logos of Colonial Pipeline or Medibank before they were attacked? So today, I want to focus on this unnoticed and often unappreciated reality.

    I want to talk about the need for constant vigilance in defending our digital world and how we can do so better and together.

    Now, as I’ve already touched upon, our international rules-based system is being severely tested and technological advances continue to evolve at pace.

    Advances in technology bring both risks and opportunities for us all.

    We have all moved our lives online. In this respect, the UK stands out from other countries in its digital development.

    Indeed, it was national news when the card machine stopped working across Greggs’ stores one morning in March this year. Alongside paying for sausage rolls with our smart watches, there are opportunities to harness technology’s vast potential in areas such as healthcare, education and, of course, security.

    But we must also address the evolving risks and maintain a posture of constant vigilance, including by keeping up with developments in artificial intelligence, which show unstoppable momentum.

    Emerging technologies are changing the nature of diplomacy, trade and competition, driving it online and thus onto our devices and into our pockets.

    The much bigger global IT outage in July demonstrated our near universal dependence on technology.

    For businesses, physical premises are interchangeable with digital platforms when it comes to delivering services and making money.

    Beyond AI, quantum technologies, future, telecoms, connected devices, robotics and drones are rapidly reshaping the landscape.

    Put simply, cyber security is national security.

    Therefore, cyber incidents such as ransomware attacks, network intrusions for cyber espionage or IP theft have significant and complex consequences.

    When organisations are targeted, there can be knock on effects on the UK’s economic resilience.

    Data is becoming an ever more valuable commodity. Last year, the UK saw over a million reported Computer Misuse Act offences, most of which sort out personal data.

    These crimes are estimated to cost the UK economy billions of pounds every year.

    When public services or critical national infrastructure are targeted, there are implications for our national security.

    Criminals exploit this and are early adopters of the latest technology.

    The UK, and the international response must keep pace, and where possible, develop a competitive edge to mitigate these risks.

    If misused, artificial intelligence and machine learning can intensify the impact and scale of cyber-crime.

    Criminals are offering exploitation kits and hacking as a service, making it systems and data compromise increasingly accessible network attack surfaces and opportunities to target third party suppliers are expanding exponentially.

    Unauthorised computer access can lead to a wide range of frauds, theft, extortion, and can also facilitate stalking, domestic abuse and harassment.

    These crimes cause significant harm to the UK, destroying businesses and ruining lives.

    That’s why the government is reviewing the threats that we face and addressing priority cyber threats like ransomware, which is the most acute cyber threat facing most UK organisations.

    It’s also why we are making progress on counter ransomware, and the UK continues to lead international efforts, including through the counter ransomware initiative and by sanctioning 36 cyber-criminal actors since 2021, including ransomware actors like Evil Corps, the clue is in the name, LockBit and Trickbot.

    This year, the UK’s National Crime Agency also led a global effort to disrupt LockBit, the world’s most prolific ransomware group.

    Now we are increasingly seeing the impactful effects of combining law enforcement efforts, disruptive operations and interventions like sanctions that de-anonymise, disrupt and deter cyber criminals through a whole government response.

    But there is much more that we need to do.

    We are considering all options available to us, including reviewing the Computer Misuse Act to strengthen our response to the threat.

    But it’s not only criminals who use cyber to target the UK.

    Our intelligence agencies and international partners work around the clock to expose and counter malicious activities that threaten our interests.

    As Mi5 Director General Ken McCallum set out earlier this month, autocratic states persist in their efforts to undermine UK security.

    States, including Russia and China, are investing in advanced cyber operations, and it is a national security priority to detect, disrupt and deter this activity.

    Russia is home to one of the most expansive and destructive cyber-criminal communities in the world, which targets global businesses with ransomware and other forms of cyber-attack for profit.

    The Kremlin deliberately turns a blind eye to the activities of many cyber criminals within its jurisdiction, choosing not to prosecute, as long as their crimes serve the regime’s interests.

    But the Russian state also has extensive cyber capabilities of its own.

    The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has confirmed Russian attempts to target key sectors of the British economy, including the UK media, telecommunications, political and democratic institutions and energy infrastructure.

    We will not tolerate Russian cyber interference and will continue to work with our international allies to expose Russian cyber aggression and hold the Kremlin to account for its malign activity.

    Compared to Russia, China presents a more complex and significant long term cyber challenge, and there have been a number of high-profile China linked cyber-attacks over the past few years, varying in intensity and sophistication.

    We will continue to engage with China, and we want to see a constructive debate aimed at making cyberspace a safer place to do business for companies and consumers.

    That is why we regularly raise issues with China, and we will keep calling out all state and non-state actors for malicious activity when it is necessary to do so.

    For instance, the UK supported by global allies, publicly attributed and sanctioned Chinese state-affiliated actors responsible for malicious cyber campaigns targeting the UK democratic institutions.

    Working alongside our Five Eyes partners and others, the UK continues to strengthen our defences, safeguard our institutions and protect sensitive data from these ever-growing threats.

    NCSC, combining its cyber expertise with unique intelligence insights, remains decisive in ensuring that the UK stays ahead of these state sponsored threats.

    As this year is a year of elections around the world with around 4 billion people going to vote, and we know that malign actors target the freedoms and democratic processes which are integral to our way of life.

    Foreign states and domestic actors use disinformation and harmful material online in a bid to undermine our democratic institutions.

    The recent general election here in the UK was a prime opportunity for our adversaries to mount a major information attack on the UK in an attempt to affect the outcome.

    Government planned for such an incident, but fortunately, this did not happen.

    Although attempts at interference do not stop with electoral events, and we are alive to this ever present-threat to our democracy, especially the use of disinformation.

    Vigilance and effective cross government working is especially needed as AI technology threatens to exacerbate existing information threats, enabling harmful messages to spread at speed and scale, and making disinformation more difficult to spot.

    We are particularly concerned that a steady stream of disinformation and harmful material online can lead to a slow poisoning of our public discourse that attempts to divide our communities.

    We saw some of this play out during the summer with false information and inflammatory content spread rapidly online, contributing to violent disorder in some parts of our country.

    These are complex issues which many democracies face, and that’s why we are working with international allies to share learning and expertise and with social media companies to hold them accountable for keeping online users safe.

    The defending democracy Task Force is at the heart of much of this work. It is an enduring function that coordinates government’s response to these ever-present threats to our democracy.

    The first duty of any government is to protect the nation and in an ever-evolving world with new and complex threats, collaborative working across government, law enforcement, industry and civil society is absolutely fundamental to driving innovative approaches to the UK’s most pressing challenges.

    This can only be achieved if our work to keep our country safe and secure goes hand in hand with our plan to improve UK prosperity.

    Without national security, we cannot kick start economic growth, become a clean energy superpower, take back our streets, break down barriers to opportunity, or build an NHS fit for the future.

    Our work in National Security provides the foundation to enable these missions.

    Breaking down barriers to opportunity enhances the protective factors for those vulnerable to radicalisation, mis and disinformation, or serious and organised crime. We continuously seek to support and strengthen our national security machinery.

    The government is reviewing several policy areas, especially in light of the spending review. The perspectives of the private sector, will be pivotal in these decisions and discussions.

    Indeed, collaboration between the government, the private, and third sectors are key to addressing national security risks.

    By building an enduring and balanced partnership, we can work together to strengthen the UK’s response and resilience.

    The NCSC leads the industry 100 i 100 initiative which enables diverse minds to challenge thinking and tackle systemic vulnerabilities in cyber security.

    The cyber insurance industry is another key partner and is crucial in the cyber threat mitigation ecosystem, providing protection from cyber based risks such as ransomware and hacking.

    In May of this year, 3 major UK insurance bodies, the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurers Brokers Association and the International Underwriting Association, united with the NCSC to publish joint guidance. This guidance, aimed at 14 cyber-criminals’ profits by reducing the number of ransoms paid by UK ransomware victims, was a powerful show of collaborative government and industry working.

    Since then, and with continued partnership from the three insurance bodies, this guidance has since been internationalised through the Counter Ransomware Initiative, with 40 countries and 8 global insurance bodies signing up.

    The government will continue to work closely with industry researchers, academics and the wider public sector to collectively address risks to our national security.

    The work done across these sectors by organisations like Recorded Future, and those here in the room today, are vital to securing the UK’s National Security.

    To conclude, the threats that we face are evolving rapidly, but so too are the opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

    The challenge for all of us, whatever our sector or discipline, is to stay ahead of the threats whilst maximising the opportunities.

    That is why events like PREDICT 2024 are so important, and it is why we must tackle this critical mission together in a spirit of true partnership and collaboration.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sharing the stories and lessons of witch-hunting in Scotland The University of Aberdeen is introducing people around the world to the history of witch-hunting and the witch trials in Scotland.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    North Berwick witchesThe University of Aberdeen is introducing people around the world to the history of witch-hunting and the witch trials in Scotland.
    With wide-brimmed hats, black cats, broomsticks and crooked noses, witches in popular culture are instantly recognisable a staple of Halloween events.
    But in previous centuries changes in attitudes and approaches to magic led to suspicion and accusations which spread through Scottish communities as paranoid hunts sought to root out those thought to derive powers from the Devil.
    The University has created an online short course ‘Scottish Witch-Hunting and the Rise of a Protestant Culture 1590-1690’ which provides an opportunity for anyone with a professional or personal interest in the history of Scottish witchcraft to take an in-depth look at Scottish attitudes and approaches to magic, the preternatural and the supernatural.
    Professor Bill Naphy, Emeritus Professor of History, said: “Witches may been seen by guisers today as a bit of fun but in the middle of the 16th century, they were seen as conspirators trying to destroy society.
    “This wasn’t unique to Scotland but the ripples of panic it caused were far reaching with Scotland’s execution rate per head of population about five times the European average.
    “It means this is a really important area for study, not just in understanding about witchcraft and the brutal investigations, trials and often executions of those accused but in piecing together the wider issues and changes facing society at this time.”
    The course explores the involvement of King James VI and I who in 1591 became convinced that a group of North Berwick witches tried to kill him and his wife when their vessel was caught in storms as they attempted to travel to Denmark.
    As a result he becomes the only reigning monarch to ever serve as a judge in a witch trial and writes a book about witchcraft titled ‘Daemonologie’. This originally circulates in manuscript form and Professor Naphy says it was ‘clearly aimed at his sons so they will know when they become powerful how to find witches’ but is published widely following a panic which begins in Aberdeen in January 1597.
    Professor Naphy explains: “The North Berwick witch trials of 1591 are notorious because of the sheer number of ‘witches’, widely agreed to be around 70 most of whom were women, executed in one hunt in a small Scottish town.
    “But the lesser-known Aberdeen witch hunt in 1597 demonstrates how far panic swept across Scottish society, even prompting the demand for the publication of the King’s book.
    “City leaders in Aberdeen became convinced that they had such a serious problem on their hands that they were able to secure a five-year commission to find and try all witches in the north-east.
    “Once the idea took root that there was a witch plot or ‘cell’ the threshold for evidence necessary to prove guilt decreased and investigators become increasingly concerned with finding wider connections.
    “In Aberdeen this saw accusations levied against the Leys family and at his trail Thomas Leys confessed, undoubtedly under coercion, to having led a coven of witches in a dance at the fish cross the previous Halloween – a satanic party right in front of the tollbooth.”
    This soon led to extensive witch hunts across not only the north-east but many parts of Scotland.
    “Thomas implicated a number of women that took the commissioners from Aberdeen to the tiny village of Lumphanan in their hunt for conspiratorial cells,” Professor Naphy added.
    “In total 24 ‘witches’ were executed in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, including a significant proportion of the adult female population of Lumphanan and this little known 1597 hunt triggered panic across many regions of Scotland that resulted in many more deaths through execution.
    “This is an important period to highlight dangers of a moral panic and study of these events serves as a timely reminder that while today witches are seen as part of the fun of Halloween, we should not forget brutal treatment and execution of those accused of so-called crimes of dark magic.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Endless U.S. plotting pushes Panama to seek more global cooperation, says expert

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Decades of the U.S. plotting to make profits at the price of Panama’s interests has pushed the Central American country to seek more global cooperation, a Panama-based international relations expert has said.

    Julio Yao, former foreign policy advisor to the late Panamanian leader General Omar Torrijos, recalled the history of nonstop U.S. intervention in Panama since the turn of the 20th century in a recent interview with Xinhua.

    Panama gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and from Colombia in 1903, though the latter was in essence “a deception” devised by the United States to gain control of the strategic Panama Canal, Yao said.

    “From that moment on, the United States took over the so-called Canal Zone,” starting a long string of unfortunate events for Panama, he said.

    On top of the list was the attempt to establish the failed Kellogg-Alfaro treaty in the 1920s, which was rejected because it aimed to legalize the presence of U.S. troops on Panamanian soil.

    “That treaty completely turned Panama into a U.S. military base, that is, a military springboard for the rest of Latin America,” the expert said.

    Nevertheless, unilateral interventions by the United States persisted in Panama, he said.

    For much of the 1970s, the U.S. government was “permanently” pressuring Panama to grant it protection and defense rights over the canal in perpetuity, Yao recalled.

    At the time, the career diplomat was advising Torrijos and then Foreign Minister Juan Antonio Tack in drafting treaties, such as the 1974 Tack-Kissinger Declaration, which made a point of setting a deadline on the U.S. occupation of the canal.

    “Why did we have to emphasize the fixed deadline? Because the Americans always deceived Panama with a later date and never left Panama,” Yao said.

    In September 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed by Torrijos and then U.S. President Jimmy Carter, establishing that the Panama Canal would be turned over to Panamanian control on Dec. 31, 1999.

    Prior to that, the U.S. “obsession” with controlling the Panama Canal occasionally turned “explosive,” Yao said.

    On Dec. 20, 1989, a date now known as the Day of National Mourning, U.S. troops invaded Panama to capture Panamanian General Manuel Noriega, later convicting him of drug trafficking and money laundering.

    To break with the past, Yao said he believes that Panama should look to more “humanist,” multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS.

    Such mechanisms have created a counterweight to hegemonic power in several aspects, said the expert.

    “The United States is really in a very ruinous position,” Yao said, noting that at such a juncture, concepts such as the Global South are relevant today since they shelve religious or political differences in favor of promoting joint development.

    The Global South is “a good concept” because it addresses many similar situations in Africa, Latin America and even the Middle East, Yao said.

    People want to emerge from underdevelopment or the lack of development, and to that end, BRICS countries have taken “the right path” towards global development, through measures that go beyond resolving local or regional issues, he said.

    “I firmly believe in BRICS and I believe very firmly in the Global South,” Yao said.

    “If you look at the new foreign policy of some African countries, they are on the right track. That is a great awakening for a region that has been very impoverished, very dominated, very interfered with, very manipulated, so I think there is reason to feel optimistic,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Time to freak out? How the existential terror of hurricanes can fuel climate change denial

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jamie Goldenberg, Professor of Psychology and Area Director, Cognitive, Neuroscience and Social Psychology, University of South Florida

    Hurricane Milton flooded parts of the Tampa Bay region just days after Hurricane Helene made landfall nearby. Bryan R. Smithy/AFP via Getty Images

    As TVs across Florida broadcast the all-too-familiar images of a powerful hurricane headed for the coast in early October 2024, people whose homes had been damaged less than two weeks earlier by Hurricane Helene watched anxiously. Hurricane Milton was rapidly intensifying into a dangerous storm, fueled by the Gulf of Mexico’s record-breaking temperatures.

    Many residents scrambled to evacuate, clogging roads away from the region. Officials urged those near the coast who ignored evacuation warnings to scrawl their names on their arms with indelible ink so their corpses could be identified.

    The two hurricanes were among the most destructive in recent memory. They are also stark reminders of the increasingly extreme weather events that scientists have long warned would be the consequence of human-driven climate change.

    Still, many people deny that climate change is a worsening threat, or that it exists at all. As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible?

    Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.

    One answer lies in a unique facet of human psychology – specifically, in how people manage the fear aroused by existential threats. For many people, denying the existence of a climate crisis is not only convenient, but may feel psychologically necessary.

    Terror management theory

    The Pulitzer Prize-winning anthropologist Ernest Becker put it this way: “The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else … to overcome it by denying it in some way is the final destiny for man.”

    In plain terms, he was saying that most people struggle to accept their mortality and take pains to distort their perception of reality to avoid confronting it.

    In the 1980s, social psychologists developed “terror management theory,” showing the lengths people go to deny death. Hundreds of experiments have tested its implications. In a common method, participants reflect on their own death, while control groups consider less threatening topics, like dental pain. The key question: What does death awareness do to people?

    After writing about death, people tend to quickly move on, pushing thoughts of it from consciousness with distractions, rationalizations and other tactics. Health care professionals see this every day. For example, people often dodge screenings and diagnostic tests to avoid the frightening possibility of discovering cancer.

    Skidmore College psychologist Sheldon Solomon discusses Ernest Becker’s ‘The Denial of Death’ and terror management theory in the context of humanity’s history of brutal behavior.

    But here’s the rub: Terror management theory suggests that when people are not thinking about death, it nevertheless holds influence. The unconscious mind lingers on the problem even after people have used strategies to quiet the fear by pushing it from awareness.

    Social psychology experiments show that people often cope with the specter of death by attaching themselves to cultural ideologies, such as religious, political or even sports fandom. These worldviews imbue life with meaning, values and purpose. And that can ease the terror of mortality by connecting people to an enduring and comforting web of ideas and beliefs that transcend one’s own existence.

    When people are made aware of death, those systems of meaning become even more critical to their psychological functioning. Existential threats make us cling even tighter to the meaning systems that sustain us.

    Climate denial as a defense mechanism

    Much like a terror management lab experiment – or the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton trigger death anxiety.

    Rising sea levels, warming oceans and intensifying storms – all tied to global warming fueled by human actions – represent an existential threat.

    From our perspective, it is not surprising that climate-related disasters disappear from the public consciousness almost as soon as they have passed. Google Trends data exemplifies this: Incoming storms instigated an uptick in searches for “climate change” and “global warming” in the days before Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sept. 25, 2024, and Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024. Then those searches quickly declined as people shifted their focus away from the threat.

    Unfortunately, climate change isn’t going away, no matter how hard anyone tries to deny it.

    While climate denial allows people to protect themselves from feelings of distress, terror management theory suggests that denying death is just the tip of the iceberg. For some people, accepting the reality of climate change would necessitate reevaluating their ideologies.

    Terror management theory predicts that individuals whose ideologies conflict with environmental concerns may ironically double down on those beliefs to psychologically manage the existential threat posed by climate-related disasters. It’s similar to how mortality reminders can lead people to engage in risky behavior, such as smoking or tanning. Hurricanes may reinforce denial and commitment to a worldview that rejects climate change.

    A path forward: Building new worldviews

    Although denial may be a natural psychological response to existential threats, the U.S. may be getting to a point where even deniers can’t ignore the existential threat associated with climate change.

    Again and again, Americans are gobsmacked by the devastation – from hurricanes to severe flooding, wildfires and more.

    A terror management analysis suggests that overcoming this crisis requires weaving a solutions-focused narrative into the ideologies that people rely on for comfort. As psychologists who work on terror management, we believe the fight against climate change should be framed not as an apocalyptic battle that humanity is destined to lose, but as a moral and practical challenge that humanity can collectively overcome.

    Tampa, Florida, meteorologist Denis Phillips had the right idea as the two hurricanes headed for his community: His fact-based social media updates eschew partisan critique, encourage neighbors to support one another and emphasize preparedness and resilience in the face of incoming storms.

    As Milton approached, Phillips told residents to remember his Rule #7: Don’t freak out. That doesn’t mean do nothing – it means evaluate risks without letting emotion interfere, and take action.

    Shifting the narrative from helplessness to collective empowerment and action can help people confront climate change without triggering the existential anxieties that lead to denial – offering a vision for a future that is both secure and personally meaningful.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Time to freak out? How the existential terror of hurricanes can fuel climate change denial – https://theconversation.com/time-to-freak-out-how-the-existential-terror-of-hurricanes-can-fuel-climate-change-denial-242390

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Scholar’s new rap album seeks to turn the tables on the ‘masters’ from the Old South

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By A.D. Carson, Associate Professor of Hip-Hop, University of Virginia

    Could the path to the Ph.D. run through the recording studio? Ratchapon Supprasert via iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Usually when a rap artist comes out with a new album, it’s released by a record label as part of their career as an entertainer. For Dr. A.D. Carson, a professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, his latest album – “Owning My Masters (Mastered): The Rhetorics of Rhymes & Revolutions” – represents a capstone in his academic career.

    Published and released in October 2024 by University of Michigan Press, the album and digital archive features two volumes of hip-hop music, an annotated timeline, several videos and a digital book. The album – originally submitted to Clemson University in South Carolina as Carson’s doctoral dissertation – has been mastered. In the following interview with The Conversation U.S., Carson explains the significance of the project and what it means for hip-hop in the world of academe.

    ‘Owning My Masters’ seems like a deep play on words. Is it?

    Yes. The Latin word “magister” was used to describe a master or teacher in ancient Rome. I earned a master’s degree before enrolling in my doctoral program, so I own that. People probably know that the final step in the process of composing an album is called mastering. In that process, a master version of the recording is created. This is what gets duplicated and released on streaming services, vinyl or whatever way you receive music.

    It’s not always guaranteed that an artist owns the rights to those recordings, but I own all of my music.

    Also, the album was written in South Carolina at Clemson University, which is located on a former plantation owned by the slaveholding U.S. politician John C. Calhoun. Buildings there are named for people who had owned, enslaved and trafficked people; fought in the Civil War to preserve the right to traffic people; and lynched Black people. Earning a terminal degree from a place with that kind of reprehensible history seemed like a way to figuratively own those so-called slave masters and so-called masters and teachers.

    Who is your audience for this album?

    I’m always thinking about multiple audiences. For lovers of hip-hop, the album demonstrates the power and promise I feel listening to albums that have influenced me. For academics, I believe it is the future of research. Academic credentials have been used by folks to perpetuate the idea that expertise looks and sounds a certain way, and this project infiltrates that system to disprove that idea.

    If you’re interested in learning about hip-hop, academia and how arguments are made, the album can be instructive, challenging, entertaining and educational.

    The album had to pass through a doctoral dissertation defense committee and then academic peer review. But before then, I posted drafts on SoundCloud to get feedback from regular folks who use that site to listen to new music.

    What kind of themes does the album address?

    My Ph.D. is in rhetorics, communication and information designs, so it’s also about rap rhetorics – including emphasis on the local and how hip-hop can preserve information like histories and counter-histories.

    Since I had moved to Clemson, and was feeling anxiety about leaving home in Illinois, I wrote “Dissertation (Part 1: The Introduction)” early on in the process. And because I lived in that South Carolina college town, “See the Stripes” is a song about Clemson’s history and its present. The song and its video moved through Clemson’s communities, but then, as protests were happening on campuses across the world, it found national and global audiences with whom the subject matter resonates. When students were finally able to get Calhoun’s name removed from the honors college in 2020, they acknowledged their work was continuing efforts since “See the Stripes.”

    More generally, the album is about form and content. With its form, it demonstrates knowledge production using hip-hop creative and compositional practice. The contents interrogate ideas of home, history, historical imagination, citizenship, political contradictions, race and humanness.

    The album is presented in chronological order from the time I arrived on campus in 2013 until I finished my coursework and submitted the 34-song project to my dissertation committee.

    Owning My Masters (Mastered) Vol. One by A.D. Carson

    Owning My Masters (Mastered) Vol. Two by A.D. Carson

    How would you measure its success?

    I would say earning a Ph.D., earning tenure and having the album count as my academic work qualify as success. Those are things that sound kind of selfish, but I think are incredibly significant for hip-hop and for the ways we think about expertise and success in the culture.

    To me, success is being able to make a living creating challenging and thought-provoking music that doesn’t have to abide by traditional notions of success like sales charts or commercial music awards. I also measure success by the inquiries and applications of students who want to do similar kinds of critical thinking and making. When those people are able to launch and sustain careers, that’s a measure of success in my eyes as well.

    Why haven’t we seen more albums in academia?

    Change in academia comes at a glacial pace, it seems.

    Audiences associate expertise, especially regarding subjects that are considered academic, with how people have demonstrated their understanding of the matters in writing, like traditional theses, dissertations, books and essays. I believe this is connected to the histories in the U.S. that link credibility with formal education and literacy. This is difficult to separate from the history of Black folks being legally prohibited from learning to read.

    While music has long been one of the ways information is recorded and passed from one generation to the next, in my experience, music itself is still not taken as seriously as a form of scholarship as writing books or essays about music.

    These previously excluded forms of scholarship can change the ways people regard academia. In my mind, music sits alongside other scholarly forms that emphasize academic prose. I believe universities should make space and resources available for students to explore it the same way. More generally, I think citing more albums as scholarship – the same way journal articles and academic monographs are cited – would also be transformative.

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

    – ref. Scholar’s new rap album seeks to turn the tables on the ‘masters’ from the Old South – https://theconversation.com/scholars-new-rap-album-seeks-to-turn-the-tables-on-the-masters-from-the-old-south-241895

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Applications open for the Portsmouth Older Persons Energy Payment

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth pensioners can now apply for a payment from Portsmouth City Council which is open to some households who will miss out on the national Winter Fuel Payment.

    The Portsmouth Older Persons Energy Payment offers a one-off £200 or £300 payment for this winter only, to pension-aged Portsmouth residents, who will be eligible if:

    • They receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support
    • They are not receiving any of the qualifying benefits for the Winter Fuel Payment – Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit.

    A £200 payment will be given to eligible pensioners under the age of 80, and £300 to those 80 or over.

    The scheme is live and applications can be made through the council’s website. Those who need help applying can call the council’s cost of living helpline 023 9284 1047 (open 9-5pm Monday-Friday, closes 4.30pm Friday).

    Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “Older residents can now apply for our energy payment scheme. We have launched it to support around 2,000 households who we believe will be impacted most by their Winter Fuel Payment being stopped.

    “It will be a one-off support to help these people transition to no longer receiving the payment from government this year. We know a lot of people rely on that money each winter and they won’t have had time to budget for losing it.

    “We unfortunately don’t have the financial resources to make this scheme permanent or to help all 18,000 Portsmouth households who won’t get the payment after the government’s change this year. But a range of support is available for all ages this winter.”

     2,500 households missing out on Pension Credit

    It’s estimated that nearly 2,500 Portsmouth households aren’t claiming the Pension Credit they’re entitled to, and are missing out on an average of £3,900 per person a year, or £300 a month. People receiving Pension Credit will automatically receive the government’s Winter Fuel Payment.

    The council is urging everyone of pension age, their families and friends to check if they are eligible. You can find out if you are eligible and claim Pension Credit online on the government website or by phone on 0800 99 1234, where you can also request a form through the post. Check if you’re eligible using the online Pension Credit Calculator.

    Support for all ages

    Cost-of-living helpline and online information hub: For help around essential costs, health and wellbeing, jobs, money and housing, and hardship funding people can apply for. The helpline is open weekdays from 9am-5pm (closes 4.30pm Fridays) on 023 9284 1047, or visit: www.portsmouth.gov.uk/costofliving

    Switched On Portsmouth: For help reducing energy bills, including referring to energy saving schemes and offering free advice. Call on 0800 260 5907 or visit www.switchedonportsmouth.co.uk

    Household Support Fund: The council will continue to use government grants to support residents of all ages. Following the recent six-month extension of the grant, the team are setting up new schemes to assist people in need. Information on the help available will continue to be updated on the Household Support Fund webpages.

    Warm Spaces: Our libraries are again now offering hot drinks in all nine libraries over the winter, along with other community settings. Find the fantastic, free activities happening in our libraries on the website, on Facebook or by popping into your local library.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Ministerial Breakfast on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to end Plastic Pollution [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, Friends,

    We are here today as we enter the last stretch of a crucial negotiation.

    Next month, Member States will meet in Busan, Republic of Korea to negotiate a multilateral solution to end plastic pollution.

    A solution that is vital for people, planet and prosperity alike.

    My thanks to the Government of Colombia for bringing us together today.

    And I commend you for leading by example – with ambitious national measures to reduce single-use plastics.

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    We are here because we know the obvious.

    Plastic pollution is everywhere – all around us and even inside us – from our seas to our blood, to our brains.

    We are choking on plastic.

    Every year, people may ingest the equivalent of up to 50 plastic bags due to microplastics in food.

    Each year, humanity produces over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic.

    Half of it is designed for single-use purposes – used once and tossed away.

    By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

    And so, it is clear that we need action, and fortunately, people are now demanding it.

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    We would not be here today but for the historic step taken by Peru and Rwanda in introducing a joint proposal that paved the way for the adoption, in 2022, at the UN Environment Assembly, of a landmark resolution to begin the process to end plastic pollution.

    Since then, solidarity has been the hallmark of these negotiations.

    We see this solidarity enshrined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that has reinforced the importance of addressing pollution from all sources to reduce the impacts of pollution on ecosystems and biodiversity.

    And we see this solidarity in the Pact for the Future, through which Member States recommitted to work towards the conclusion of a plastics agreement “with the ambition of completing negotiations by the end of 2024”.

    In Busan, Member States will have the chance to deliver on these promises and agree on a global treaty to end plastic pollution – once and for all.

    This has not been a road without challenges, but it has been a journey of progress.

    I thank the Chair of the International Negotiating Committee, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, as well as his predecessor Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, for getting us through five rounds of complex negotiations.

    This is an opportunity to demonstrate that multilateralism, while not always easy, can deliver for people, health and the environment.

    The ball is now in the court of Member States to land an agreement that is ambitious, credible and just.  

    An agreement that addresses the life cycle of plastic – tackling single-use and short-lived plastics;

    An agreement that responds to the needs of people and communities and that unleashes a just transition for all – including 20 million waste pickers around the world. 

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    As the Montreal Protocol demonstrated almost forty years ago, international cooperation underpinned by meaningful legally binding agreements remains the most fruitful avenue to address global environmental challenges.

    I urge you to step up for human health, equity and justice.

    To step up for the future of people and planet.

    An ambitious agreement is the only way to end plastic pollution.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Joint forces remove 1,160 pounds of trash from remote San Nicolas Island beach

    Source: United States Navy

    William “Bill” Hoyer, natural resources manager, NBVC, led the cleanup operations.

    “We collected over 1,160 pounds of marine debris, with the heaviest single object being a metal buoy at 109 pounds,” said Hoyer. “Most debris were plastic, having washed ashore from afar, with some commercial lobster fishing gear and treated timbers also collected.”

    After weeks of postponed cleanups due to weather delays, the event’s morning provided a brief reprieve from heavy marine layer, allowing personnel to safely transit to the island for support.

    “Programs such as this one demonstrate the Navy’s commitment to stewardship of natural resources,” said Capt. Dan “DB” Brown, commanding officer, NBVC. “NBVC has a long tradition of supporting programs that foster community service and protect the environment while also increasing public awareness and understanding of America’s Navy.

    Hoyer agreed.

    “SNI provides and essential breeding habitat for the California sea lion, northern elephant seal and the western snowy plover,” said Hoyer. “This cleanup effort provides essential support for clean and safe environment these animals and others living on the coast need to survive.”

    The Navy transferred control of San Nicolas Island to NBVC Oct. 1, 2004. It’s positioned within the boundary of the Point Mugu Sea Range, the largest instrumented sea range in the world, providing mission essential support to national security as a space for training and weapons testing.

    NBVC is a strategically located Naval installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, three warfare centers and 110 tenants.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Political sectarianism is fracturing America

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Mabon, Professor of International Relations, Lancaster University

    Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Gardens in New York City on Sunday, October 27 was called a “carnival of grievances, misogyny and racism” by the New York Times. The event, which came just over a week before the election, was a hostile and partisan affair. Trump doubled down on his assertion that one of America’s gravest threats is from “the enemy within”.

    Trump’s rhetoric is a manifestation of the increasingly polarised nature of US politics, whereby hostility from one group towards their perceived enemies is amplified across social media platforms. Yet Trump’s comment about an insidious “threat” hints at a darker undercurrent of division, with the threat of violence.

    A June 2024 poll by the University of Chicago suggested that there was more support for violence against Trump than in his favour – 10% of respondents agreed that “the use of force is justified to prevent Trump becoming president”, compared to 6.9% who believed violence was justified “to restore Trump to the presidency”. Two months earlier, a Marist poll revealed that 47% of Americans believed that another civil war was likely in their lifetime.

    As a report from Chatham House recently observed, the US is more divided “along ideological and political lines than at any time since the 1850s”. And according to another report from UK-based think tank, the Foreign Policy Centre, Americans have “increasingly grown to hate supporters of the other party, viewing their capture of political power as not merely unfortunate but illegitimate”.

    Americans have regularly articulated a preference for living among people who share their political outlook. And they have expressed a stronger aversion to dating, living, working or socialising with supporters of another party. These views point to a state suffering the ills of sectarianism.

    Those who have observed sectarianism around the world know all too well the chaos that such divisions can wreak. In the Middle East, for example, politically charged religious difference has had a devastating impact on political, economic and social life. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions displaced from their homes across Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Libya because of violence along sect-based lines.

    The US may be a long way from these scenarios, but there are some early warning signs. Competing forms of what American social theorist Irving Howe calls “epistemological authoritarianism” – or a sense of certainty that is zero-sum and rejects those of the other – can be easily seen across America’s political landscape.

    Protests and counter-protests have played out both on the streets and online over abortion, gun laws and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as on university campuses over the war in Gaza. Elite entrepreneurs with political capital have also positioned themselves on opposite sides of sensitive issues to cultivate support.

    Take, for example, Donald Trump’s false allegations that Democratic states executed babies after birth, or that migrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been eating pets. Such comments quickly spread across social media, regardless of their veracity. For Trump’s followers, truth matters less than the ability to justify their position on a particular issue. The stance taken by political communities is increasingly polemic and predictable.

    Such dynamics are, of course, also shaped by local contexts. But the growing politicisation of social identities in recent years, and the increasing political importance of social issues, has created a landscape where difference is broadly antagonistic.

    In this situation, grievance becomes a means of reinforcing in-group cohesion and disdain for the other. In such a landscape, society becomes divided into mutually distrustful camps set apart by a form of emotional polarisation that takes on political meaning.

    It is the emotional dimension that is key here, as this is the foundation upon which political and social enmity is built. Supreme Court decisions, for example, relating to emotionally charged issues such as abortion, have strong mobilising potential on both left and right.

    Entrenched differences

    Elections often exacerbate uncertainty and division, as the 2020 US presidential election and its fallout demonstrate. According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (Acled), a research group that analyses occurrences of political violence around the world, demonstrations and far-right activity peaked around the 2020 election. This reached a crescendo with the events of January 6 2021 when Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building.

    Far-right activity has dropped during Biden’s administration. But a number of far-right groups have recently become active in the run-up to the election. Meanwhile, divisions over abortion, LGBTQ+ mobilisation, and the war in Gaza have contributed to a precarious environment.

    Indeed, a vast majority do not think that next week’s election will solve the issues that America faces. In a recent poll, 70% of respondents believe that things in the US are going “in the wrong direction” – a view shared more by Republican respondents (94%) than Democrat respondents (41%). And 19% of Republicans think that if Trump loses the election, he should declare the results invalid and do whatever it takes to assume office.

    Pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC on January 6 2021.
    lev radin / Shutterstock

    The schisms across the US are real and the pieces are not easily put back together. Narratives of division will continue to spread as election fever increases, further deepening the rifts in American society. And sectarianism will become the broad frame through which political and social life is viewed.

    This need not necessarily become violent. But it can easily become entrenched. The increasingly hostile exclusion of “the other” in all its forms, along with a growing willingness to breach established norms and rules, requires a step back from the brink before it is too late.

    Simon Mabon receives funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. Political sectarianism is fracturing America – https://theconversation.com/political-sectarianism-is-fracturing-america-242327

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly, Turner Raise Concerns About October 26 Elections and Euro-Atlantic Future for Georgia

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

    Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Georgia Caucus, and Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH), head of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement:

    “We are deeply concerned by the pre-election environment of Georgia’s October 26th elections which were marred by reports of vote buying, voter intimidation, abuse of administrative resources, and questionable appointments to election oversight boards.

    The October 26th elections presented Georgia an invaluable opportunity to prove to the international community, to NATO countries and the European Union that Georgia remains firmly committed to its Euro-Atlantic path. Unfortunately, through campaign rhetoric blaming the West for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, foreign agents’ legislation passed to root out civil society, and lack of accountability for violent attacks against political opposition figures, Georgia’s government provided no such reassurance. These elections, which posed significant challenges to the democratic process, move Georgia significantly further away from joining NATO and the European Union.

    Widespread pressure on public sector employees to vote for the incumbent party and a refusal to investigate violent attacks on political opponents are authoritarian behaviors, and a drastic departure from the vibrant, multiparty emerging democracy that once defined Georgia.

    In the aftermath of the October 26th election, we must be clear: The United States and all NATO countries stand with the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    10.29.24
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago, Illinois, entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices:  How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” The hearing includes two witness panels, including Members of Congress from Illinois and advocates for prescription drug pricing reform, to examine recent legislative successes to address anti-competitive tactics that make medications unaffordable for patients.
    Key Quotes:
    “Today the Committee will examine an issue on the minds of many in Illinois and across the country: the high price of prescription drugs.  It is a scandalous situation in America.  People in the United States pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world—on average, four times more than people in similar countries pay for brand-name medications.” 
    “For example: [when] the blood thinner Eliquis entered the market in 2013, it cost $3,100 annually in the U.S.  Same drug for sale in Japan [was] $1,000.  And, over the past decade, the price in the U.S. has more than doubled, from $3,100 to $7,100.  Meanwhile, in Japan, the price has dropped… Why?  For years, Big Pharma has abused our patent system to obtain monopolies on their medications, so they can charge these sky-high prices.” 
    “At the same time, they have spent billions of dollars to fill the airwaves with ads so patients tell their doctors they need drugs like Eliquis so they can go skiing, fishing, and whitewater rafting.   By fueling demand for expensive medications that are walled-off from competition by clever patent schemes, Big Pharma has made American patients their profit engine.”
    “Thankfully, this Administration and Democrats in Congress decided to do something about it.  In 2022, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act.  Not a single Republican voted for it.  Under this law, we have capped the price of insulin at $35 per month, saving 50,000 seniors in Illinois approximately $500 a year.  We have made vaccines under Medicare free.  When the shingles or RSV vaccines can cost up to $300 per dose, this change creates real savings for 1.4 million seniors in Illinois.  Starting in January, there will be a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs for seniors—meaning, no matter how expensive your medications are, you will not pay more than $2,000 in co-pays per year.”
    “In August, the Biden-Harris Administration negotiated with Big Pharma to lower prices for 10 of the most expensive drugs under Medicare, resulting in price savings of up to 79 percent… As a result of this negotiation, nine million seniors will save a total of $1.5 billion in annual out-of-pocket costs—including nearly 300,000 seniors in Illinois who take one of these ten drugs.  Remember Eliquis?  Thanks to this new law, Medicare was able to permanently cut its price in half—taking nearly $300 off the monthly price tag—for more than 100,000 seniors in Illinois.”
    “But just as these historic savings are starting to take effect, there are real threats to our progress.  Eight pharmaceutical companies raced to federal courthouses to stop this price negotiation.  And former-President Trump and his Republican allies want to repeal this provision all together.”
    “Too often, the prices Big Pharma charges do not reflect scientific breakthroughs but, rather, manipulation by its lawyers and marketers.  In fact, the top 10 best-selling drugs in 2021 were covered by an average of 42 active patents that block competition and create windfall profits.”
    “The Judiciary Committee has taken a leading role in addressing Big Pharma’s schemes.  Last year, the Committee unanimously reported five bipartisan bills that addressed the industry’s anticompetitive tactics.  This includes my bill with Senator Tillis to improve information sharing between the FDA and Patent Office to prevent gamesmanship. Congress needs to pass these bills into law.”
    “Drugs are not effective in treating disease if a patient cannot afford to buy them.  Our hearing today will explore how legislation like the Inflation Reduction Actand the Judiciary Committee bills can help ensure every patient can access lifesaving medications.”
      
    Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.
    The United States has the highest prescription drug prices in the developed world, on average nearly four times higher than what other countries pay for some of the most common brand-name medications. Despite claims that these prices are necessary to fund research and development into the next generation of drugs, research suggests that the majority of innovation is driven by smaller companies, as well as taxpayer funding through the National Institutes of Health. The Committee has jurisdiction over competition issues and the intellectual property system, which play critical roles in incentivizing true innovation and protecting a healthy market that keeps prices for prescription drugs within reach of the patients that need them.
    Durbin, Senate Democrats, and the Biden-Harris Administration have taken numerous steps to lower the costs of prescription drugs. Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Actprovided the Administration the authority to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma, which has already resulted in price reduction of up to 79 percent for 10 of the most expensive and frequently-dispensed prescription drugs for seniors.
    Earlier this Congress, a package of bills advanced unanimously out of the Committee to lower prescription drug prices and are awaiting a vote in the full Senate, including the Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
    Additionally, Durbin held a full committee hearing in May that scrutinized pharmaceutical companies’ abuse of the Orange Book and examined prescription drug prices, competition, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for patients.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Celebrates $1 Million In Grant Funding for Security for Nonprofits Across Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Celebrates $1 Million In Grant Funding for Security for Nonprofits Across Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District

    NEWPORT NEWS, VA  – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) celebrated $1,098,795 in grant funding being awarded to nonprofits in Virginia’s Third Congressional District. This funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) through federal funds for the Fiscal Year 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This funding provides support for planning, training, target hardening, and physical security enhancements to eligible nonprofit organizations.
     
    “We all have a right to feel safe as we go through our daily routines,” said Congressman Scott. “Unfortunately, there has been a rise in hate crimes and incidents of domestic terrorism. This grant funding will be put to use by a number of religious and nonprofit organizations in my district to ensure the safety and security of their staff, congregants and visitors. I will continue my work to keep our communities safe.”
     
    List of recipients in Virginia’s Third Congressional District:
     
    $150,000 for Congregation Beth El (Norfolk, VA)
    $60,570 for Denbigh Baptist Church, Inc (Newport News, VA)
    $105,730 for First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Inc (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Gethsemane Baptist Church (Newport News, VA)
    $27,100 for Greater Faith Hampton (Hampton, VA)
    $150,000 for Grove Baptist Church (Portsmouth, VA)
    $44,507 for Ohef Sholom Temple (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Restore, Church Inc (Portsmouth, VA)
    $110,888 for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Norfolk, VA)
    $150,000 for Water Edge Church, Newport News Campus (Newport News, VA)
     
    More information on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program can be found by CLICKING HERE.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New insights from Shakespeare’s England reveal striking parallels to contemporary climate change

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Madeline Bassnett, Professor of Early Modern English Literature, Western University

    Unprecedented storms and devastating drought. Flash floods and wildfires ignited by the air’s dry heat. This is the experience for many in our modern world. But it was also the experience for those living amid England’s Little Ice Age.

    The Little Ice Age is a period from around 1300 to 1850, when global temperatures dropped significantly. While the exact cause of this phenonemon is unknown, theories range from volcanic eruptions to European colonization of the Americas.

    Our research into England’s Little Ice Age during the 16th and 17th centuries has unearthed more than 1,800 unique pieces of weather observations, hidden in documents like diaries and letters. Local and national chronicles embedded reports of extreme weather among accounts of war and monarchs. Extreme weather pamphlets publicized tragic effects of earthquakes, floods and storms, much like our media today.

    Our team has created an open access database called the Weather Extremes in England’s Little Ice Age 1500-1700. This database visually maps both extreme and temperate weather in the age of Shakespeare and can help to advance modern climate science.

    More fundamentally, these experiential accounts provide a fascinating window into a world not too different from our own. While the causes of the climate change of today are well known, and likely different from that of the Little Ice Age, the experiences of living through both events are at times eerily similar. Understanding these past experiences can help us to better understand our present day and to develop more robust policies in the here and now.



    Read more:
    The Canadian Arctic shows how understanding the effects of climate change requires long-term vision

    Frosts and freezes

    Frost fairs on the River Thames have become a familiar cultural reference point for England’s Little Ice Age. Our data shows that the river froze over a mere four times in the 16th century — in 1516, 1537, 1564 and 1590 — and there were only intermittent observations of unusual cold or snow.

    The 17th century was markedly different. Reports of cold came thick and fast, with the exception of a few years between 1620 and 1643.

    Title page from The Great Frost: ‘Cold doings in London, except it be at the lotterie. With newes out of the country. A familiar talk betwene a country-man and a citizen touching this terrible frost and the great lotterie, and the effects of them.’ Printed at London: For Henry Gosson, 1608. Attributed to Thomas Dekker.
    (Houghton Library, Harvard University)

    This was the century of frost fairs on the Thames. With the first 17th century fair in 1608, these events were celebrated by English playwright Thomas Dekker in his pamphlet The Great Frost.

    Drinking, barbering and games were on display as London’s citizens marvelled at the novelty of entertainment on the ice. The freezes were frequent enough to become an institution.

    By the winter of 1683-1684, the frost fair had become a city within a city, expanding across the ice with avenues of booths, bear and bull-baiting rings and boats-turned-chariots pulled by enterprising watermen across the now solid river.

    But these iconic events were just one aspect of Little Ice Age weather in England.

    Storms and floods

    In the 16th century, severe rain storms were far more common than cold snaps.

    On Oct. 5, 1570, “a terrible tempest of wind and raine” caused flooding from Lincolnshire to London as rivers overflowed their banks, drowning towns, fields, crops and cattle. Storm surges inundated the coastline.

    Four years later, towns from Newport to St. Ives suffered “raging floods,” and a “giant sea fish” (whale) washed up in the Thames from a massive surge up river. In May 1594, “soddane showres of haile [and] raine” destroyed houses, iron mills, crops and cattle in Sussex and Surrey. September of that year saw another deluge, with bridges taken down in Cambridge and Ware.

    This all changed in the 17th century, following the Great Flood that struck Bristol and surrounding areas in 1607. Extreme cold spells then became more frequent, and major storm events were less common. The winter of 1612-1613 saw a number of violent storms recorded in the pamphlet Wonders of this Windie Winter, with livestock lost from Newcastle to Dover and bodies from shipwrecks washing aground in the Thames.

    In the next 40 years, though, only the years of 1626 and 1637 contain reports of significant storm events causing loss of life or livestock. Instead of extreme storms, this century was marked more by regular but moderate rainfall, consistent with colder, wetter conditions normally associated with the Little Ice Age.

    Fire and heat

    If colder, wetter weather was a new normal for 17th century Britons, the hot, dry spring of 1666 caught Londoners unprepared. The Great Fire of London was one of the worst disasters of the age, and diarist John Evelyn recounts that “the heate … had even ignited the aire,” a comment reminiscent of descriptions of wildfire spread today.

    Yet periods of extreme heat were surprisingly frequent during the previous century, especially in the England that Shakespeare knew. More than a dozen droughts were recorded across England in the 16th century, usually broken by extreme storms or floods. It never rained, it seems, but it poured. The Thames dried up completely in 1592.

    As Thomas Short wrote in his Chronological History of English Weather, “an excessive drought, great death of cattle from want of water; springs and brooks were dried up; horsemen could ride the Thames.” Locals went into the mud to retrieve items long lost to the river.

    Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon was nearly destroyed by fire twice, in 1594 and 1595, due to severe drought and heat. The warning signs were there for Londoners to beware of hot spells in the next century, but frost fairs and wet weather may have bred complacency.

    Lessons for today

    The Weather Extremes in England’s Little Ice Age 1500-1700 database is revealing a picture of the world of Shakespeare and early modern England that upends a simplified picture of the Little Ice Age. More than just a world of frosts and freezes, the English Little Ice Age could be known as well as an age of fire and rain.



    Read more:
    The B.C. election could decide the future of the province’s species at risk laws

    The documents in our database are the reports of people who lived in a climatically changing world and saw its shifts firsthand. It shows how important weather crowd-sourcing can be, even centuries later. Contemporary projects like the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or the Northern Tornadoes Project, continue in the spirit of this work.

    But our data could also provide insight into today’s extreme weather. Historical flooding patterns might provide reference points to better manage and understand the unstable weather experienced in the British Isles today.

    Madeline Bassnett has received funding from SSHRC for the Weather Extremes in England’s Little Ice Age 1500-1700 project.

    Laurie Johnson 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. New insights from Shakespeare’s England reveal striking parallels to contemporary climate change – https://theconversation.com/new-insights-from-shakespeares-england-reveal-striking-parallels-to-contemporary-climate-change-240755

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Meet the Whitebait | Conservation blog

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Freshwater Ranger Suze Harris is based in Hokitika and studies migratory galaxiids on the West Coast. Here she explains a summary of what whitebait grow up into, and what habitats you can find them in.

    There are 5 whitebait species in the Galaxiidae family (excluding smelt/cucumber fish, which are not a true galaxiid). Each have their own habitat preferences and unique behaviours! They do not have scales and tend to be nocturnal to feed on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates while avoiding predation by bigger fish.

    Īnanga (Galaxias maculatus)

    Image supplied by: Suze Harris. Image credit: Angus McIntosh

    The most famous of the whitebait species, making up 90% of any whitebait fritter (depending on the river). Highly fecund (produce a lot of eggs) and live close to the coast. They are weak swimmers and cannot climb, so they stick to slow-moving waters such as wetlands, swamps and lowland streams. Their greatest threats are fish passage barriers (such as overhanging, perched culverts or structures with high velocities running through them), habitat loss, and introduced species. Īnanga spawn in autumn on spring tides on the sides of creeks and rivers. Generally, they live 1-2 years, some spawn twice. Like the rest of the whitebait species, they can live a lot longer in captivity.

    Giant kōkopu (Galaxias argentus)

    Image supplied by: Suze Harris. Image credit: Angus McIntosh

    Giants are the largest of the whitebait species, with the record length being 450mm, and were the first Galaxiidae to be described in 1789. The golden spots are very distinctive, and its colour pattern inspired the generic name of Galaxias to the whitebait family – referring to the profusion of stars in the galaxy. They are territorial in nature, usually lurking in slow-flowing waters in lowland runs and pools, and feast on large insects like cicadas and wēta. Their spawning ecology is still being unravelled by ecologists, a recent study suggests there are freshwater migrations to and from their domain to spawn.

    Eggs are deposited in floods during autumn on the banks of dense canopy cover. They usually run later in the whitebait season. Because they require instream cover with overhanging vegetation, they are disappearing from the east coasts of both islands. Some can live beyond 20 years, up to 40 years in captivity.

    Banded kōkopu (Galaxias fasciatus)

    Image supplied by: Suze Harris. Image credit: Alfonso Siciliano

    Bandeds are common throughout the coast, and are the smallest in the whitebait stage, often golden in colour. They are difficult to differentiate from the other kōkopu when they are young, but the key feature in larger fish are stripes connect over their backs, which is easiest to see towards their tail. They rely on terrestrial insects and are sensitive to intensive land development and sedimentation, hence why they are less common on the east coasts of both islands. They are happy in any type of forests, including pine, beech, and rainforests.

    Shortjaw kōkopu (Galaxias postvectis)

    Image supplied by: Suze Harris. Image credit: Angus McIntosh

    The rarest of the whitebait species, shortjaws are named due to their overbite. They do not have distinct markings other than a black patch behind their gill plate, a blue-green eye, and a dark fringe on their fins. Territorial in nature, they like rocky streams with stable pools to live out their adult lives, likely ranging between 7-15 years. Little is known about these fish due to their solitary nature, but like the other kōkopu species, they spawn in autumn floods on the banks of streams, eggs develop in moist leaf litter and get carried away by floods out to sea. They tend to not coincide with beech forests, so are very rare south of Ōkārito.

    Smoothwater River is the furthest southern record on the West Coast, and none have ever been recorded in Fiordland. They are now thought to be extinct from Canterbury. The West Coast is the densest area for shortjaws nationally due to habitat availability and decent water quality.

    Kōaro (Galaxias brevipinnis)

    Image supplied by: Suze Harris. Image credit: Angus McIntosh

    Also called climbing galaxias, Kōaro are the best climbers of the galaxiid family. They have elongated bodies with similar golden markings to a leopard. Their enlarged pectoral fins are ribbed, helping them climb any wet vertical surface. They can be found at the headwaters of rivers such as the Arahura and the Haast, even in the heart of the Southern Alps, which makes their larval migration out to sea incredible. There are lake-locked populations in NZ, including Lake Wānaka. They like rocky, tumbling streams and can be seen “moon bathing” on top of wet rocks in streams at night, which is likely a tactic to avoid tuna (eel) predation.

    Whitebait season

    Remember if you’re unsure of what the whitebait fishing regs are or would like to know more about the whitebait fishery go to our DOC website Whitebaiting: Things to do (doc.govt.nz). If you’re wanting to speak to one of our local rangers, please contact your local DOC office for more information or email whitebait@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sinema Expanding Women’s Access to Cancer Screening & Treatment Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona)

    The bipartisan, bicameral legislation reauthorizes the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for five years 

    WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act  – bipartisan, bicameral legislation reauthorizing the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for five years to allow for greater flexibility in providing access to lifesaving screening, diagnostic, and treatment services and continue its innovative work aimed to reduce disparities and advance health equity in breast and cervical cancer.

    The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic tests, and treatment referral services to women who are limited-income, underserved, underinsured, or uninsured, and do not qualify for Medicaid. The SCREENS for Cancer Act would reauthorize NBCCEDP through 2028.

    “Our legislation ensures the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program may continue providing lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic, and treatment services to women in underserved communities,” said Sinema.

    Early detection of breast and cervical cancer through screening can improve survival and reduce mortality by finding cancer at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less expensive. However, research has shown there are many barriers to cancer screening for people with limited income, including access to providers and facilities, costs of screening and care, lack of knowledge and understanding about the role of screening, as well as barriers like time off work and access to childcare. Unfortunately, people who are uninsured and underinsured have lower breast and cervical cancer screening rates, resulting in a greater risk of being diagnosed at a later, more advanced stage of disease.

    Since the program’s inception in 1991, NBCCEDP has provided over 16.1 million screening exams to more than 6.2 million eligible people, detecting 77,968 invasive breast cancers and 24,656 premalignant breast lesions, as well as 5,220 invasive cervical cancers, and 242,261 premalignant cervical lesions, of which 38% were high grade.

    In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 42,250 will die from the disease. Additionally, an estimated 13,820 people will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and 4,360 will die from the disease.

    The SCREENS for Cancer Act does not require any additional funding and has no score. Importantly, early detection of breast and cervical cancer through screening can improve survival and reduce mortality by finding cancer at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less expensive. Currently, the U.S. spends approximately $30 billion annually on breast cancer treatments. This could be significantly reduced if more women receive their annual screenings, and the disease is caught early. For cervical cancer, the current expenditure is approximately $12 billion annually. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dragons take over cultural event in Zhejiang

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Colorful dragons danced in merry performances as a cultural parade unfolded on Friday during Qiandao Lake Creative Life Week in Chunan county, Zhejiang province. The performances embraced the charm of loong culture in the Year of the Dragon.

    Loong culture is an important folk tradition in the Xin’an River Basin. The loong, or dragon, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology and folklore. It was represented joyfully in the dances. Each dance was unique, with various types of loongs in elaborate group performances — grass loongs, fish lantern loongs, bench loongs and bamboo leaf loongs.

    Thirteen local teams and five from other places — nearly a thousand actors altogether — collaborated in the performances to showcase the dazzling folk style.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Norwegians optimistic about opportunities at CIIE

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A truck loaded with exhibits for the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is greeted with a water salute during an accession ceremony for exhibits at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue for the CIIE, in east China’s Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) approaches, Henning Kristoffersen, head of Innovation Norway in China, expressed optimism about growing opportunities for Norwegian businesses to deepen presence in Chinese market in a recent interview with Xinhua.

    Highlighting last year’s participation of Norwegian companies in the CIIE, Kristoffersen, also commercial counselor of the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, said the event had provided a valuable platform for the businesses, particularly those in nutrition and health sectors, to showcase their products.

    They have realized that the CIIE is “an excellent arena to highlight their innovations,” he said.

    This year, Norway will participate in the Country Exhibition for the first time, hosting a variety of activities aimed at engaging with Chinese consumers and stakeholders.

    “This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and China … As ocean nations, maritime and marine sectors present substantial opportunities for both countries,” Kristoffersen said, adding, “We also look forward to increased cooperation in research and development.”

    Kristoffersen expressed belief that China will offer significant opportunities for Norwegian businesses in its promotion of green transition and innovation-driven growth.

    Sigmund Bjorgo, Norwegian Seafood Council’s country director to China, emphasized the importance of the CIIE as a major meeting point for Norwegian seafood companies to connect with industry stakeholders and consumers.

    “The CIIE has become an essential event for the Norwegian seafood industry. Being part of the Country Exhibition this year will elevate our profile and help us expand our presence in the Chinese market,” Bjorgo told Xinhua.

    Expressing confidence in the Chinese market, Bjorgo, who had previously served in the same position, said, “The growth of Norwegian seafood exports has been impressive, particularly for salmon, which has grown fivefold since 2018.”

    The 7th CIIE, scheduled to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend.

    Since its first edition in 2018, this expo has become an important stage spotlighting China’s new development paradigm, a platform for high-level opening up, and a public good for the whole world.

    The previous six editions saw nearly 2,500 new products, technologies and services make their debuts, with combined intended turnover reaching over 420 billion U.S. dollars.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 16 Palestinians killed in Israeli attack on house in N. Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    At least 16 people were killed in an Israeli attack on a house in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said Tuesday.

    A brief statement issued by the Civil Defense said that Israeli aircraft bombed a house near the Beit Lahia Square. The residents had called for civil defense and medical services, but unfortunately, there are no such services in northern Gaza now, said the statement.

    The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet.

    Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage.

    The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 43,061, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU is participating in the creation of a research and educational station in SKIF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The decision to create the SKIF-NSU educational and research station “Basic Methods of Synchrotron Diagnostics for Educational, Research and Innovative Activities of Students” was made at the NSU Academic Council in October 2024. This station is being created within the framework of the partnership agreement between NSU, the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS and the SKIF Collective Use Center. It may become one of the first stations operating at SKIF, along with six stations of the first stage.

    — To launch the educational and research station, there will be no need for complex technical devices for generating synchrotron radiation — wigglers or undulators. It will use radiation from a bending magnet. Most of the station’s units are already available from partner organizations, and the missing devices are planned to be purchased during 2024. Therefore, there is a real opportunity to put it into operation in parallel with the first-stage stations, but unlike them, this station does not require complex commissioning. The bending magnet is an integral part of the accelerator complex, and it will not need to be purchased or manufactured additionally. Much equipment for the educational and research station has already been purchased by the parties to the Agreement and is currently in operation at the Siberian Center for Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation. All that remains is to wait for the commissioning of the SKIF CCU and the subsequent installation of the equipment, — said a senior researcher at the SKIF CCU and the Laboratory of Structural Diagnostics of Ultradisperse and Nanostructured Systems Physics Department of NSU Andrey Saraev.

    Serious preparatory work was done to create an educational and scientific station at the university. As a result of the implementation of projects at NSU in 2022-2023 to develop its concept and design, Russian and foreign experience in creating such multi-purpose modular stations was studied, an analysis of the compatibility of various spectral and diffraction techniques was carried out, technical requirements were drawn up and a basic diagram of the station was developed. Design solutions for creating the station were developed, an analysis of the existing equipment in partner organizations was carried out, technical documentation was developed as part of determining the requirements for equipment and external parameters for creating a research facility for experiments using synchrotron radiation, combining a set of diffraction and spectral methods, including powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Part of the necessary equipment for the station was purchased – two fluorescence detectors. The acquisition of an X-ray diffraction detector is planned for next year.

    — We are currently updating the detection system for X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This is NSU’s contribution to the creation of the educational and scientific station, which is being implemented within the framework of the Priority 2030 program. In total, it amounts to about 15 million rubles. At the moment, another important acquisition made by NSU for the educational and scientific station being created is being processed — an ionization chamber for measuring the intensity of X-ray radiation and components for it. It will work in conjunction with the equipment purchased last year, — Andrey Saraev explained.

    According to the established deadlines for commissioning the station, its launch is planned for September 2025. It is assumed that the station will be used to work with senior students and postgraduates of the Physics Department, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Geological and Geophysical Department of NSU. Training in working with experimental research methods will be carried out through solving scientific problems formulated and set by researchers and teachers of NSU, as well as scientists from institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    — These are always non-standard, modern tasks. There are no traditional ways or ready-made methodological materials to solve them. Therefore, the knowledge that young researchers will receive as a result of research work will be relevant and modern. Senior students are already familiar with experimental work, have completed various practical courses, they have experience of independent work, so they can be involved in more complex scientific work. It is worth noting that, first of all, the station is designed to conduct scientific research with the participation of students, prepare diploma and course papers. We believe that the station will also be interesting for conducting programs to train personnel for SKIF and improve their qualifications, — explained Andrey Saraev.

    It is predicted that the scientific community formed around the SKIF Center for Collective Use will only expand every year, and the number of those interested in working at the educational and scientific station will increase. But at the moment, unfortunately, not all of them have sufficient information about modern methodological approaches to conducting research. Therefore, it is assumed that the station will conduct advanced training courses for scientists – a kind of elimination of synchrotron illiteracy in the scientific community. It has already begun in the student community – at the Physics Department, Andrey Saraev and his colleagues are giving a course for senior students on “Study of Solids Using Synchrotron Radiation.”

    — It is difficult to underestimate the importance of the educational and scientific station being created. Firstly, it combines two universal methods: X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Both of them are in great demand by the scientific community, because, unlike other methods, they allow one to study a wide range of objects, from functional materials to proteins and cultural heritage objects. Secondly, sample preparation for them is relatively simple. Accordingly, the number of systems being studied is larger: one object can be studied in two to three hours, whereas with other methods, this may take tens of hours. The information obtained is prompt, visual and of high quality. It is important that the plan and strategy for performing the work can be adjusted during the study. Stations where such methods are implemented are very prolific in terms of scientific publications and work carried out, so their demand is very high, and the flow of tasks is voluminous, — said Andrey Saraev.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What performances to go to with children. Yuri Kuklachev’s choice

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the stages of Moscow theaters you can see a variety of performances for young viewers – from classic fairy tales to modern works. People’s Artist of the RSFSR Yuri Kuklachev tells us which productions will give bright impressions to children and teenagers.

    “For miracles to happen, you need to go towards them yourself! Therefore, I invite everyone to the most extraordinary performances that give hope, charge with vigor and excellent mood. In these productions, both fairy-tale heroes and modern characters that we meet every day come to life, the action is filled with music, songs, dances and incredible circus tricks, and some even involve furry artists of the Cat Theater. I advise you not to miss it and enjoy it with the whole family!” says Yuri Kuklachev.

    “The Little Humpbacked Horse” at the Moscow Children’s Variety Theatre

    Address: Baumanskaya street, house 32, building 1

    Dates: November 10, December 1

    Age limit: 6

    The musical theatrical performance in folk style at the Moscow Children’s Variety Theatre was created based on the fairy tale of the same name by Pyotr Yershov. Together with the main characters, Ivan and his faithful friend and assistant the Little Humpbacked Horse, the audience will visit a fair, the royal palace and even the seabed. The familiar story from childhood will be revealed in a new way by musical numbers combining folk motifs and modern sounds.

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    “Cats Show” at the Kuklachev Cat Theatre

    Address: Kutuzovsky Prospect, Building 25

    Dates: November 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, December 1

    Age limit: 6

    A circus troupe arrives in town: magicians, clowns, trainers, acrobats and dancers. The cunning and wily director of the program meets a tramp on the street and offers him to become a handyman in his team. Once in the circus, the hero gets acquainted with life behind the scenes – its intrigues and rivalries, friendship and love.

    The production includes illusionists and, of course, four-legged artists – cats and dogs.

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    “Fedorino grief” at the Children’s Musical Theatre of the Young Actor

    Address: Malaya Dmitrovka street, house 8, building 4

    Dates: November 17, December 7, January 26

    Age limit: 0

    Fedora is such a slob and a dirty girl that her things don’t want to live with her anymore: the sieve and trough have galloped away across the fields and meadows, the shovel and broom have gone, the iron and saucepan have run away. There’s nothing to do – Fedora will have to go looking for them. The actors on stage will portray frying pans, cups, spoons and even cats, and the audience will learn what to do so that things don’t want to leave their owners.

    The play was based on the fairy tale of the same name in verse by Korney Chukovsky.

    Tickets – on mos.ru.

    “In a Busy Place” at the Tereza Durova Theatre

    Address: Pavlovskaya street, building 6

    Date: November 28

    Age limit: 16

    The play by Alexander Ostrovsky was transferred to the stage of the Tereza Durova Theatre by director Irina Pakhomova, presenting a plot at the intersection of melodrama, comedy and detective, and conveying the bustle of the inn with bright colours and folk motifs.

    You won’t get bored in a busy place – there is carousing, robbery, treachery and love. While they are treating you in one room, they are robbing you in another. In every impulse, good or bad, there is spiritual passion and true Russian fearlessness.

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    Samurai Sword and Venetian Carnival. Tereza Durova on plays in which children act

    “Visiting Grandfather Durov” at the “Grandfather Durov’s Corner” theater

    Address: Durova street, house 4, building 2

    Date: November 21

    Age limit: 0

    The performance dedicated to the founder of the theater, the famous trainer and artist Vladimir Durov, is created in the format of a divertissement – numbers not connected by a common plot will follow one another. But they are united, of course, by love for animals. Children will get acquainted with the actors of “Grandfather Durov’s Corner”: dogs, cats, goats, raccoons, a fennec fox, ferrets, crows and monkeys.

    Tickets – on mos.ru.

    “The Tale of the Soldier and the Firebird and the Stupid Queen” at the Moscow Children’s Fairytale Theatre

    Address: Bolshoy Fakelny Lane, Building 18, Bldg. 2

    Date: November 2

    Age limit: 6

    The main character of the production, the Soldier, is a man who is experienced, but trusting, lives with an open heart. But whether the stupid queen has a heart is a big question, she is so greedy, stupid and stupid. But in good fairy tales, good always prevails, so the Soldier will overcome all the tests: he will defeat the deceitful merchant and the treacherous minister, and will also meet love – the beautiful Mashenka.

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    “Well Done, Tom Thumb!” at the Moscow Puppet Theatre

    Address: Bazhova street, house 9

    Date: November 17

    Age limit: 6

    Many people know the tale of Tom Thumb in the version by the Brothers Grimm, and the Moscow Puppet Theater based it on Nikolai Shuvalov’s play. Together with the young and brave spectators, the cheerful and resourceful hero will stroll along new paths of the famous story and reveal the meaning of the proverb “Small but precious.”

    You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

    “Alice in Wonderland” at the Folklore Center “Moscow”

    Address: Barclay Street, Building 9

    Dates: November 10 and 23, December 7

    Age limit: 6

    Gleb Matveychuk’s musical based on the famous fairy tale by Lewis Carroll will surely appeal not only to children, but also to their parents.

    Alice sees a dream full of metaphors, riddles and unusual adventures. Will she be able to show courage, bravery and perseverance to find the way home, win the fight with the cruel Red Queen and wake up?

    Viewers will see a story of first love, attempts to find answers to important everyday and philosophical questions, as well as an unexpected twist on a familiar plot.

    Tickets – on mos.ru.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145926073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Egypt marks major achievement with malaria-free certification, but need for global R&D remains significant, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Egypt marks major achievement with malaria-free certification, but need for global R&D remains significant, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as being malaria-free, following a near 100-year endeavour by the Egyptian government. Egypt is the third country to be declared malaria-free in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the 44th country globally. However, hundreds of millions of cases of malaria are still reported worldwide each year. These staggering numbers reinforce a global need for research and development, particularly for malaria vaccines, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Stephanie Kurdach, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Egypt’s malaria-free certification is a significant achievement, as this is a country which once recorded millions of cases. Unfortunately, the global burden of malaria remains high.”

    The WHO reported nearly 250 million cases of malaria and over 600,000 malaria-related deaths worldwide in 2022.

    In order to be certified malaria-free by the WHO, a country must prove that there has been no local transmission of any human malaria parasites for at least the past three consecutive years. Additionally, a country must maintain a fully functional surveillance and response system to prevent the re-establishment of indigenous transmission.

    Egypt’s efforts to reduce mosquito-borne diseases began in the 1920s, when the country prohibited agricultural crops near homes. Other efforts over the past 100 years have included opening a malaria control station, recruiting thousands of healthcare workers, launching a public health surveillance project, and public education.

    Kurdach continues: “To address the global burden of malaria and work towards global eradication, research and development is critical. Just as Egypt remains obligated to maintain surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment efforts throughout the nation, other nations plagued by malaria are in dire need of robust surveillance systems, diagnostic tools, affordable health care, and malaria vaccines.”

    There are currently only two malaria vaccines which are WHO prequalified* and recommended for use in children: GSK’s Mosquirix and Serum Institute of India’s R21/Matrix-M.

    According to GlobalData, there are 12 other malaria vaccines currently in Phase II development, including vaccines from BioNTech, GSK, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the University of Oxford. No new malaria vaccines are in Phase III development or pre-registration.

    Kurdach concludes: “There is a serious global unmet need for malaria vaccines, which is evidenced by the late-stage development pipeline. Egypt’s malaria-free certification serves as a reminder and call to action that malaria elimination is possible with increased research and development.”

    *The recommendations of Mosquirix and R21/Matrix-M by the WHO are relatively recent and occurred in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Competitions, master classes and interactive exhibition: Moscow to host Sportland family festival

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Sportland family festival will be held in Gostiny Dvor on November 1 and 2 from 11:00 to 19:00. It will be held with the support of the capital’s Department of Sports. The festival will feature more than 50 sports, master classes, competitions and other events.

    Thus, the organizers will offer participants to take the route “Sport as a Game”, where they will get acquainted with different sports in a game format. Among them are rugby, boxing, roller sports, rock climbing, tug-of-war, wushu, shooting, golf, fishing, sword fighting, parachute and kettlebell lifting, sports dancing and others.

    The interactive exhibition of the Sportland Expo festival will tell guests about strategic and developmental games, fitness programs, new and traditional forms of joint leisure and recreation, and will also present the products and services of partners in the healthy lifestyle industry.

    The festival will feature a program called “Family Competitive Testing” and for the first time will host open Moscow family games called “My Family – My Team”. Everyone is welcome to participate – both a full family team and a child accompanied by one of the parents. The conditions can be found on the website. Following the competition, everyone will receive a medal for participation, and the winners will be awarded sets of useful paraphernalia with the symbols of “Moscow Sport”.

    In addition, the main stage will host a non-stop multi-genre competition for young athletes and artists, “Sport as Art”.

    For the most active participants, the event organizers and partners have prepared prizes. Every day at certain hours, the “Time of Gifts” campaign will be held.

    Entry to the festival is free, with prior registration. You can register and also find out the detailed schedule of all events on the website festival. Guests of the festival will need to bring comfortable clothes and shoes. First of all, the festival is waiting for parents with children who want to choose a sport and participate in competitions with their family.

    “Sportland” is an interactive platform that unites organizations that work in the field of mass sports, healthy lifestyle, family leisure and children’s creativity. The main goal of the festival is to form a healthy lifestyle and joint family leisure. The event is dedicated to the Year of the Family. It contributes to the implementation of the national project “Demography”, as well as the regional project “Sport is the Norm of Life”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

    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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145896073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Worcestershire brook pollution brings prosecution of 2 companies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000 for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook.

    • Fines and costs totalling over £90,000 imposed by court
    • Human error and corporate failings caused 3 kilometres of brook to be impacted
    • Case heard at Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024

    A prosecution by the Environment Agency has resulted in the conviction of 2 companies for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook. The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000.

    At Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024, Elisabeth The Chef (ETC) and Civil Environmental Project Services Ltd (CEPS) were sentenced for causing the discharge into the Laugherne Brook in September 2017.

    ETC, a food manufacturer operating in Lower Broadheath, was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £52,000. CEPS, an engineering company in Bidford-upon-Avon was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £20,000.

    The discharge

    The Court was told that the discharge caused the deaths of a significant number of fish and that it followed a series of human and corporate failings.

    The manufacturing process at ETC produces around 40,000 gallons per day of trade effluent and human sewage.

    CEPS provided quarterly maintenance, and a telemetry monitoring service, for a pumping station at ETC’s premises. It was designed to pump trade effluent and sewage from the works to a foul sewer.

    On 1 September 2017, an employee of CEPS attended the ETC site’s pumping station to conduct routine maintenance.  Following completion of the maintenance work, the employee failed to switch the pumps within the pumping station back on.

    As a result, trade effluent built up in the pump well rather than being sent to the foul sewer.  This caused an overflow of trade effluent from the pumping station into a containment lagoon.

    The containment lagoon filled up and then discharged the pollutant through a broken sluice gate and into a ditch running alongside the factory.

    This pollution discharge flowed from the ditch into the Laugherne Brook, flowing towards Worcester and the River Teme in the south of the city.

    The situation was compounded by the same CEPS employee reporting to ETC on 4 September 2017, whilst the pollution was going on, stating that it was ‘working ok’.

    The same employee had also attended the ETC site in April 2017 and erroneously fitted an alarm too high within the pumpwell. This meant that the alarm did not function properly and consequently ETC was not notified that the pumping station was not working.

    Environment Agency response to the incident

    On 5 September 2017, members of the public contacted the Environment Agency to report that the Laugherne Brook was cloudy and dead fish were on the surface. 

    The Environment Agency managed the response to the incident and identified the source of the pollution and ETC then took action to stop the pollution.

    Officers carried out water quality testing and found that there had been a severe short-term impact covering some 3 kilometres of the Laugherne Brook.

    Some 86 dead fish were counted in the accessible sections of the Brook, including brown trout, bullhead, dace, and gudgeon.

    Hundreds of fish were estimated to have been killed as a result of the incident.

    ETC, a company with previous convictions for environmental offending, initially blamed CEPS for the incident.

    But subsequently accepted that it had failed to put in checks and procedures to ensure its on-site pumping station was working correctly.

    The company also accepted that it had failed to conduct day-to-day physical checks of its pumping station and containment lagoon.

    CEPS was vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. It had failed to put in place appropriate checks and monitoring to instruct its employee to ensure that work was done competently.

    The sentence

    In sentencing, the Court remarked that the state of rivers were ‘at the front of the public consciousness’ and that this was a ‘serious breach of law’.

    In mitigation, the Court remarked that both companies had undertaken investigations and taken all remedial action to prevent a recurrence. 

    The Court noted that ETC had been under different ownership when the pollution event occurred. But the new owners were taking the company’s environmental responsibilities seriously. 

    The Court also noted that there have been no further pollution events at the site since 2017.

    CEPS admitted responsibility for the incident at an early stage.

    The Court noted that the company’s engagement and co-operation with the Environment Agency’s investigation was ‘impressive.’ It had no previous convictions of any kind.

    Kelly Horsley, an Environment Officer for the West Midlands Environment Agency, said:

    We welcome this sentence as this was a serious pollution which caused considerable disruption besides fish deaths. 

    The Environment Agency will pursue any company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties. 

    Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.    

     If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111. 

    The Charge

    Between 1 September 2017 and 5 September 2017, (1) Elisabeth the Chef Ltd and (2) Civil and Environmental Project Services Ltd caused a water discharge activity.

    This was namely a discharge of polluting trade effluent into a ditch adjacent to and joining the Laugherne Brook, Worcester.

    This was not authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 38(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: RFK Jr.’s pivot to Trump is a journey taken by many populists swept along the left-to-right alternative media pipeline

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rachel Meade, Lecturer of Political Science, Boston University

    When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his independent presidential run in August 2024 and endorsed Republican Donald Trump, it might have seemed a surprising turn of events.

    Kennedy began his presidential run as a Democrat and is the scion of a Democratic dynasty. Nephew to former President John F. Kennedy and the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Kennedy spent most of his career as a lawyer representing environmental groups that sued polluting corporations and municipalities.

    Yet Kennedy, 70, has long held positions that put him at odds with the Democratic mainstream. He pushes public health misinformation around vaccines and HIV/AIDS, opposes U.S. military involvement in foreign wars, including in Ukraine, and claims that the CIA assassinated his uncle.

    Kennedy’s ideologically mixed politics are hard to categorize in traditional left-right terms.

    My political science research finds that Kennedy’s journey from left-aligned skepticism into Trumpism is part of a broader trend of contemporary left-to-right populist transformations happening across the United States.

    Rise of the populist alternative media

    Populism is a political story that presents the good “people” of a nation as in a struggle against its “elites,” who have corrupted democratic institutions to further their own selfish interests. It cuts across the ideological spectrum, often combining left-wing economic critiques with right-wing cultural ones.

    Based on my research, I find that Kennedy uses a populist style of speech that matches the rhetoric of today’s online alternative media, also known as the “alternative influence network.”

    If populism cuts across the ideological spectrum, so does the alternative media.

    This network of politically diverse independent podcasters, YouTube hosts and other creators connects with young, politically disaffected audiences by mixing politics with comedy and pop culture, and presenting themselves as embattled defenders of free thinking – in opposition to mainstream media and mainstream parties.

    Top-rated shows include “Breaking Points,” “Stay Free with Russell Brand,” “The Joe Rogan Experience,” The Culture War with Tim Pool and “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von.”

    While many of these shows have been around since the 2010s, the network expanded throughout the Trump era. Their popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public distrust in government, anger over pandemic restrictions and vaccine skepticism surged.

    These shows hosted Kennedy frequently throughout his presidential run in 2023 and 2024.

    Kennedy finds his audience

    I analyzed a set of Kennedy’s appearances for this story. Both Kennedy and alternative media hosts claim to care about “the real issues” facing Americans such as war, corporate and political malfeasance and economic troubles. They condemn the “mainstream” for promoting frivolous “culture war” topics related to race and identity politics.

    Kennedy and the alternative media hosts also combine left and right arguments in a typically populist way. They claim that corporations control the government and that liberals and corporations censor free speech.

    For example, on a May 2024, episode of “Stay Free with Russell Brand,” Brand asserted that corrupt institutions are backed by the “deep state.” He asked Kennedy how he would fight these powerful interests.

    “The major agencies of government have all been captured by the industries they’re supposed to regulate and act as sock puppets serving the mercantile interests of these big corporations,” responded Kennedy. “I have a particular ability to unravel that because I’ve litigated against so many of these agencies.”

    My research found that Kennedy often bonded with his alternative media hosts over his perception that liberal media sources – allegedly controlled by the Democratic National Committee or the CIA – were censoring his campaign.

    Like Kennedy, alternative media hosts often identify as former or disaffected Democrats. Many used to work at mainstream left news sites, where they say they experienced censorship.

    ‘This little island of free speech’

    In a June 2023 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan explained that he no longer identifies as a liberal because of the “orthodoxy it preaches” around issues like vaccines. He then cited YouTube’s removal of some of Kennedy’s vaccine-related videos for violating its COVID-19 misinformation policy.

    Kennedy had just spent 90 minutes outlining his journey toward vaccine skepticism, which started with meeting a mother who believed vaccines caused her son’s autism.

    “If a woman tells you something about her child, you should listen,” he said.

    Kennedy also described being convinced by a set of studies that public health officials had ignored.

    “Trust the experts is not a function of science, it’s a function of religion,” he said. “I’ve been litigating 40 years; there’s experts on both sides.”

    Afterward, he thanked Rogan for maintaining “this little island of free speech in a desert of suppression and of critical thinking.”

    Kennedy reiterated this point in the Aug. 23, 2024, speech that ended his campaign, saying the “alternative media” had kept his ideas alive, while the mainstream networks had shut him out despite his historically high third-party poll numbers of 15% to 20%.

    “The DNC-allied mainstream media networks maintained a near-perfect embargo on interviews with me,” Kennedy said.

    Speaking directly to the reporters in the room, he added, “Your institutions and media made themselves government mouthpieces and stenographers for the organs of power.”

    Left-to-right pipeline

    Trust in a range of U.S. institutions is at historical lows. Americans on both the right and the left are skeptical of power and crave radical change.

    Alternative media hosts tap into this desire, helping to push some disaffected listeners down the same left-to-right pipeline that landed Kennedy in Trump’s orbit.

    Trump and his allies are adept at harnessing the power of the alternative media ecosystem. Trump has appeared on male-centric shows like “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von and ”The Joe Rogan Experience,“ and he founded the alternative social media platform Truth Social.

    Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon hosts an influential podcast called the “War Room” on another MAGA alternative media platform, Rumble. Known for its fiery populist rhetoric, the “War Room” broadcasts live for an astonishing 22 hours a week.

    Until recently, Democrats have largely embraced traditional media. During the first months of her 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” ABC’s “The View” and MSNBC’s “Stephanie Ruhle.”

    Then, on Oct. 12, Harris appeared on “Call her Daddy.” Spotify’s second-most popular podcast, it has a young, female audience. Days later, she sat down for an interview with Fox News and is reportedly in talks to appear on Joe Rogan’s show.

    Kennedy might approve of all this aisle-crossing.

    “Step outside the culture war!” he tweeted in July 2024. “Step outside the politics of hating the other side!”

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

    – ref. RFK Jr.’s pivot to Trump is a journey taken by many populists swept along the left-to-right alternative media pipeline – https://theconversation.com/rfk-jr-s-pivot-to-trump-is-a-journey-taken-by-many-populists-swept-along-the-left-to-right-alternative-media-pipeline-236828

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Canada announces $62 million for sustaining livelihoods by protecting biodiversity in developing countries

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects:

    Project: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
    Partner: Conservation International
    Funding: $20 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund aims to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in 3 biodiversity hot spots: the Cerrado in Brazil; countries in the Indo-Burma region, namely Cambodia, Laos and Thailand; and countries in the Tropical Andes region, namely Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Canada’s contribution will advance gender equality by strengthening leadership skills among women conservationists and enhance locally driven conservation in key biodiversity areas through financial and technical support.

    Project: Biodiversity Ecosystem Restoration for Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh
    Partner: UN Development Programme
    Funding: $12.5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and resilient ecosystems in climate-vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The project will work with these communities to develop and implement community-based biodiversity conservation plans. It will also increase women’s role in decision making and in implementing inclusive biodiversity ecosystem restoration plans with local government agencies, as well as improve the restoration of biodiversity ecosystems by vulnerable households and enhance resilient alternative livelihoods of ecosystem-dependent communities to improve market access and biodiversity conservation.

    Project: Supporting the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Within the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean Through Dark Vessel Detection Technologies
    Partner: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project shares Canadian technical expertise to assist Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru in protecting their unique marine biodiversity and supporting coastal communities, specifically women, Indigenous people and Afro-descendants. The project will provide access to innovative Canadian satellite surveillance technology by MDA Space Ltd. to support monitoring and enforcement efforts to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

    Project: Strengthening Marine Law Enforcement in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
    Partner: WildAid
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 to 2026 to 2027

    This project will help improve the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of national marine authorities and government-endorsed community organizations to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The project will increase the effectiveness of maritime law enforcement by advocating for compliance through education, outreach and the creation of community-wide benefits.

    Project: Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia
    Partner: World Food Programme
    Funding: $9.5 million for fiscal years 2023 to 2024 to 2027 to 2028

    This project will help increase the resilience of Indigenous communities in the Amazon. The rich and diverse ecosystems in the southern Colombian Amazon rainforest are highly sensitive to climate change, facing rapid alterations in temperature and water availability. This degradation directly affects the food security and nutrition of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous people and women. The project will focus on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and environmental management by combining ancestral practices with modern technology. It will promote sustainable agri-food value chains to improve food security and enhance the role of women in climate governance. Project activities will be carried out in Putumayo, Caquetá and Amazonas.

    Project: Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative
    Partner: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
    Funding: $7 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Indigenous leaders and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity. Canada’s contribution will help Indigenous people build their capacity to implement gender-responsive biodiversity conservation actions, build leadership skills to engage in global environmental forums and negotiations, and address the barriers Indigenous peoples face in accessing funding for their self-determined climate and biodiversity priorities and actions.

    This initiative will take place in Guatemala, Nepal, Panama and Tanzania. It advances the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ right to conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their land.

    Project: Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation Through the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Accelerator Partnership
    Partner: UN Environment Programme
    Funding: $3 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Accelerator Partnership is a global initiative launched in Montréal at COP15. It provides knowledge, technical and financial support to developing countries for the preparation and implementation of their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. NBSAPs are essential road maps that guide decision making and on-the-ground action to conserve and use biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

    Canada’s support will help Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Tajikistan, Thailand and Togo develop and update their NBSAPs and ensure that they are gender-responsive and inclusive.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Demands Answers on USDA Oversight Following Pure Prairie Poultry’s Abrupt Closure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in demanding answers from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding distribution and oversight of grants and loans following the recent bankruptcy filing of Pure Prairie Poultry.The Minnesota-based poultry processor received more than $45 million in USDA grants and loans intended to help meat and poultry processors start or expand processing capacity. However, Pure Prairie Poultry filed for bankruptcy after only a few short years of operation, which impacted up to 50 farmers and left more than 2 million chickens in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin without feed or the necessary processing capacity following the shutdown of their Charles City, Iowa plant. 
    “Pure Prairie Poultry’s abrupt closure shows the importance of proper vetting and oversight at USDA to ensure the agency’s multi-million dollar grants and loans are actually helping producers, rather than being flushed down the drain and harming entire rural communities in the process,” said Senator Ernst. “Encouraging the growth of meat processing and strengthening our supply chain is a cause I can support, but this lack of accountable spending hurts our farmers, livestock, and taxpayers.”“Over the past two years, USDA has provided $223 million in loan guarantees and grants to 30 meat and poultry processing companies,” the lawmakers wrote. “A press release from the USDA celebrated this funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ‘commitment to strengthen critical food supply chain infrastructure to create more thriving communities for the American people.’ Unfortunately, this investment has instead resulted in the loss of income, jobs, and poultry across three states.”“While we share USDA’s desired goals of expanding meat processing capacity and markets and building a robust national food supply chain, it is critical that livestock producers have resilient systems to ensure the production of healthy and affordable protein for both domestic and global consumption. Moreover, American taxpayers deserve the peace of mind that their dollars are being spent wisely,” the lawmakers concluded.
    Click here to read the full letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: First Northwest Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORT ANGELES, Wash., Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    CEO Commentary
    “This was a quarter of mixed results. Progress on customer deposit gathering and the termination of the FDIC Consent Order was overshadowed by a quarterly loss driven by additional provisions primarily related to certain equity loans made to high net worth, accredited investors.

    The teamwork and collaboration between Staff, Management and the Board to address the matters identified in the Consent Order is demonstrative of the qualifications, determination and capabilities of the First Fed team. We appreciate that the FDIC acknowledged the planning, monitoring and execution required to comply with the Order and validation that all of these matters were properly addressed. I am very proud of this accomplishment, and I would like to thank all of the many people within the bank who worked tirelessly to reach this achievement less than one year after the Order was issued.

    Through an internal review of our loan portfolio and with consultation with our prudential regulators, it was determined that larger provisions were required in the second quarter of 2024. As a result, we decided it was appropriate to file a restated quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and identified a material weakness in the design of certain internal controls. The loans for which we increased reserves were originated between 2020 and 2023. More recent vintages of our loan portfolio are performing well as we have engaged in lending and partnerships that we have evaluated as having a relatively lower risk profile. The provision for credit losses after the amendment was $8.7 million in the second quarter of 2024.

    Management and the Board of Directors take the reported material weakness very seriously. We have taken corrective action to address the basis for the restatement and are working to promptly remediate. 

    We also acknowledge the ongoing lawsuits filed by some of the Water Station equipment borrowers. We intend to vigorously defend against these claims, which we believe are meritless. We also intend to continue pursuing collection of all monies owed by the litigants using all available legal means.

    Moving forward, the highly capable bankers at First Fed are focused on continuing to build relationships with small businesses and individuals in the communities we serve. We continue to pursue inroads in SBA, treasury, maritime lending, first and second mortgage lending and community banking. We are introducing products and services to meet our customers where they are and to enhance their overall experience with First Fed. We believe that focusing on these fundamentals of Community Banking will improve our results and our overall franchise value.”

    — Matthew P. Deines, President and CEO, First Northwest Bancorp

    2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS   3Q 24     2Q 24     3Q 23     2024 YTD     2023 YTD  
    OPERATING RESULTS (in millions)                                        
    Net (loss) income   $ (2.0 )   $ (2.2 )   $ 2.5     $ (3.8 )   $ 7.8  
    Pre-provision net interest income     14.0       14.2       15.0       42.2       47.2  
    Provision for credit losses     3.1       8.7       0.4       12.8       0.2  
    Noninterest expense     15.8       15.6       14.4       45.8       44.5  
    Total revenue, net of interest expense *     15.8       21.6       17.9       53.5       54.2  
    PER SHARE DATA                                        
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.25 )   $ 0.28     $ (0.43 )   $ 0.87  
    Book value     17.17       16.81       16.20       17.17       16.20  
    Tangible book value *     17.00       16.64       16.03       17.00       16.03  
    BALANCE SHEET (in millions)                                        
    Total assets   $ 2,255     $ 2,216     $ 2,154     $ 2,255     $ 2,154  
    Total loans     1,735       1,698       1,635       1,735       1,635  
    Total deposits     1,712       1,708       1,658       1,712       1,658  
    Total shareholders’ equity     161       159       156       161       156  
    ASSET QUALITY                                        
    Net charge-off ratio(1)     0.10 %     1.70 %     0.30 %     0.67 %     0.10 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     1.35       1.07       0.11       1.35       0.11  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans                                        
    to total loans     1.27       1.14       1.04       1.27       1.04  
    Nonaccrual loan coverage ratio     72       82       714       72       714  
    (1)  Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    *See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
                                             
    2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS (Continued)   3Q 24     2Q 24     3Q 23     2024 YTD     2023 YTD  
    SELECTED RATIOS                                        
    Return on average assets(1)     -0.36 %     -0.40 %     0.46 %     -0.23 %     0.50 %
    Return on average equity(1)     -4.91       -5.47       6.17       -3.14       6.50  
    Return on average tangible common equity(1) *     -4.96       -5.53       6.23       -3.17       6.57  
    Net interest margin     2.70       2.76       2.97       2.74       3.22  
    Efficiency ratio     100.31       72.32       80.52       85.54       82.06  
    Bank common equity tier 1 (CETI) ratio     12.20       12.40       13.43       12.20       13.43  
    Bank total risk-based capital ratio     13.44       13.49       14.38       13.44       14.38  
    (1)  Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    *See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
                                             
      2024 Significant Items as of September 30, 2024
    • Year-to-date net loss of $3.8 million was primarily due to a provision for credit losses of $12.8 million as the collectability of a small number of loan relationships continued to deteriorate and additional reserves were taken on purchased loan pools.
    • First Fed Bank (“First Fed” or the “Bank”) balance sheet restructuring contributed to an improved year-to-date yield on earning assets by 16-basis points over the prior year end to 5.44%.
      –  Sale-leaseback transaction completed in the second quarter, resulting in a $7.9 million gain on sale of premises and equipment.
      –  Sold $23.2 million of lower-yielding security investments which resulted in $2.1 million year-to-date loss on sale.
      –  Purchased $53.3 million of higher-yielding security investments year-to-date.
      –  Continued conversion of lower-yielding bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) with one conversion completed in the first quarter and an exchange in the third quarter. Two additional policy restructures expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
    • Net interest margin decreased over the prior year end from 3.13% to 2.74%, impacted by the increase in deposit and borrowing costs outpacing increased yields on loans and investments.
    • Loan mix shifted away from construction and commercial real estate into commercial business, auto, multi-family real estate, one-to-four family and home equity compared to the prior year end. The weighted-average rate on new loans year-to-date was 8.5%.
    • Borrowings increased $14.1 million, or 4.4%, to $335.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $320.9 million at December 31, 2023.
    • Repurchased 214,132 shares during the first quarter, which closed out the October 2020 Stock Repurchase Plan.
    • Repurchased 98,156 shares during the third quarter under the new share repurchase plan approved in April 2024. 
    • Year-to-date deposit growth of $34.7 million, or 2.0%, to $1.71 billion, with a $30.0 million shift from savings to money market accounts. Cost of total deposits increased over the prior year end from 1.66% to 2.49%.
    • Estimated insured deposits totaled $1.3 billion, or 77% of total deposits at September 30, 2024. Available liquidity to uninsured deposit coverage remained strong at 142% at September 30, 2024.
    • Classified loans increased to 2.71% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to 2.12% at December 31, 2023.
    • Nonperforming assets increased $11.7 million year-to-date mainly due to three commercial loan relationships included in commercial construction, commercial real estate and commercial business.
    • Completed a reduction-in-force impacting 9% of our workforce on July 24, 2024. This action, along with year-to-date headcount management through attrition, is expected to result in a reduction in current levels of compensation expense by approximately $820,000 per quarter starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.
       

    First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) (“First Northwest” or the “Company”) today reported a net loss of $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2024 and net income of $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.23 for the third quarter of 2024, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.25 for the second quarter of 2024 and basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.28 for the third quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2024, the Company generated a return on average assets of -0.36%, a return on average equity of -4.91% and a return on average tangible common equity* of -4.96%. Loss before provision for income taxes was $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a loss before provision for income taxes of $2.8 million for the preceding quarter, a decrease of $417,000, or 15.1%, and decreased $6.3 million compared to income of $3.1 million for the third quarter of 2023.

    The Bank recorded reserves on individually analyzed loans totaling $1.9 million due to the uncertain future cash flows from specific loan relationships in the third quarter of 2024. An additional credit loss on loans of $1.8 million was attributable to an increase in the reserve on pooled commercial business loans, with a reserve loss rate of 3.4% applied to that segment of the loan portfolio at period end. We believe the reserve on individually analyzed loans does not represent a universal decline in the collectability of all loans in the portfolio. We continue to work on resolution plans for all troubled borrowers. The provision for credit losses on loans had a significant negative impact on net income and was the only reason for the net loss recorded for the third quarter of 2024.

    Steps taken to restructure the Bank’s balance sheet continue to have a positive impact. The fair value hedge on loans, tied to the compounded overnight index swap using the secured overnight financing rate index, established in the first quarter of 2024 added $946,000 to interest income year-to-date. The fair value hedge on loans reduces interest rate risk by reducing liability sensitivity while increasing interest income. We estimate that if rates remain unchanged, this hedge will add $1.3 million of annualized interest income in 2024. The estimated impact will be reduced if the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) implements additional rate cuts during the year. The Bank expects to maintain a positive carry on its derivative for up to 75-basis points of additional rate cuts.

    The balance sheet restructure plan also includes the conversion of BOLI policies in order to reinvest in higher yielding products. The first $6.1 million policy earning 2.58% was surrendered during the first quarter and reinvested into a policy earning 5.18%. In the third quarter of 2024, a $1.3 million policy earning 3.18% was exchanged and reinvested into a policy earning 5.73%. The remaining surrender and exchange transactions are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

    Net Interest Income
    Total interest income decreased $405,000 to $28.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $28.6 million in the previous quarter, and increased $2.4 million compared to $25.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. Interest income decreased in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to interest reversals for loans placed on nonaccrual totaling $619,000. The interest adjustments were partially offset by higher yields on performing loans combined with increased loan volume. Interest and fees on loans increased year-over-year as the loan portfolio grew as a result of draws on new and existing lines of credit, originations of commercial real estate, commercial business and home equity loans, and auto and manufactured home loan purchases. Loan yields increased over the prior year due to higher rates on new originations as well as the repricing of variable and adjustable-rate loans tied to the Prime Rate or other indices.

    Total interest expense decreased $190,000 to $14.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $14.4 million in the second quarter of 2024, and increased $3.3 million compared to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was lower primarily due to lower rates on advances combined with decreased advance volumes. The decrease was partially offset by a 9-basis point increase in the cost of deposits to 2.56% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from 2.47% for the prior quarter as a result of customers continuing to shift deposit balances into higher earning products. The increase over the third quarter of 2023 was the result of a 71-basis point increase in the cost of deposits from 1.85% in the third quarter one year ago. A shift in the deposit mix from transaction and savings accounts to money market accounts and time deposits also added to the higher cost of deposits compared to the third quarter of 2023. Higher costs of brokered time deposits also contributed to additional deposit costs with a 57-basis point increase to 4.88% for the current quarter compared to 4.31% for the third quarter one year ago.

    Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $215,000, or 1.5%, to $14.0 million, compared to $14.2 million for the preceding quarter, and decreased $930,000, or 6.2%, from the third quarter one year ago. The impact of the September FRB rate cut will be reflected beginning with fourth quarter 2024 interest income and expenses.

    The Company recorded a $3.1 million provision for credit losses on loans in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to reserves taken individually analyzed loans and Current Expected Credit Loss model loss factor increases attributable to pooled commercial business and multi-family loans at quarter end. Credit loss provision increases were offset by decreases to the loss factors applied to consumer, commercial real estate and one-to-four family loans. Higher loss factors applied to unfunded commitments and a moderate increase in commitment balances also resulted in a provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $57,000 for the quarter. The total provision for credit loss recorded for the third quarter of 2024 was $3.1 million, compared to a credit loss provision of $8.7 million for the preceding quarter and a provision of $371,000 for the third quarter of 2023.

    The net interest margin decreased to 2.70% for the third quarter of 2024, from 2.76% for the prior quarter, and decreased 27-basis points from 2.97% for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease over the linked quarter is primarily due to the accrued interest reversed on three nonperforming commercial loans during the three months ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by an increase in interest income earned on a higher volume of loans. Investment securities also had decreased volume due to regular payments and lower yields due to variable-rate securities compared to the preceding quarter. The Company reported reduced rates and declining volume of borrowings during the quarter which lowered costs; however, these savings were partially offset by an increase in cost due to a higher volume of retail customer deposits. The decrease in net interest margin from the same quarter one year ago is due to higher funding costs for deposits and borrowed funds. Organic loan production comprised 73% of new loan commitments for the third quarter with the remaining 27% added through purchases of higher-yielding loans from established third-party relationships. The Bank’s fair value hedging agreements on securities and loans added $188,000 and $395,000, respectively, to interest income for the third quarter of 2024.

    The yield on average earning assets for the third quarter of 2024 decreased 11-basis points to 5.44% compared to 5.55% for the second quarter of 2024 and increased 30-basis points from 5.14% for the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter decrease is attributable to the accrued interest reversed on nonperforming loans, a lower yield and volume of investment securities and a decrease in the balance of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock. The year-over-year increase in interest income was primarily due to higher average loan balances augmented by increases in yields on all earning assets, which were positively impacted by the higher rate environment.

    The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased 5-basis points to 3.23% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 3.28% for the second quarter of 2024, and increased 63-basis points from 2.60% for the third quarter of 2023. Total cost of funds decreased to 2.82% for the third quarter of 2024 from 2.87% in the prior quarter and increased from 2.23% for the third quarter of 2023. Current quarter decreases were due to lower average balances and costs on borrowings. The Bank continues to offer higher rate specials on money market and CD accounts to attract and retain retail customer deposits. The average brokered CD balance decreased $5.5 million from the linked quarter with a 6-basis point decrease in the average rate paid on brokered funds.

    The increase in cost of average interest-bearing liabilities over the same quarter last year was driven by higher rates paid on deposits and borrowings and higher average CD balances. The Company attracted and retained funding through the use of promotional products and a focus on digital account acquisition. The mix of retail deposit balances shifted from no or low-cost transaction and savings accounts towards higher cost term certificate and higher yield money market accounts. Retail CDs represented 29.3%, 26.8% and 27.6% of retail deposits at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. Average interest-bearing deposit balances increased $44.8 million, or 3.2%, to $1.45 billion for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2024 and increased $75.0 million, or 5.4%, compared to $1.38 billion for the third quarter of 2023.

    Selected Yields   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Loan yield     5.51 %     5.62 %     5.51 %     5.38 %     5.31 %
    Investment securities yield     4.90       5.01       4.75       4.53       4.18  
    Cost of interest-bearing deposits     3.00       2.91       2.86       2.52       2.22  
    Cost of total deposits     2.56       2.47       2.43       2.12       1.85  
    Cost of borrowed funds     4.35       4.76       4.52       4.50       4.45  
    Net interest spread     2.21       2.27       2.28       2.40       2.54  
    Net interest margin     2.70       2.76       2.76       2.84       2.97  
                                             

    Noninterest Income
    Noninterest income decreased to $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $7.4 million for the second quarter of 2024. Nonrecurring second quarter transactions included a sale-leaseback transaction which resulted in a gain on sale of premises and equipment of $7.9 million, partially offset by a $2.1 million loss on the sale of lower-yielding available-for-sale securities. Income from the gain on sale of loans in the third quarter of 2024 includes $51,000 from SBA loans, compared to $116,000 in the prior quarter. Write-downs on sold loan servicing rights mark-to-market valuation totaled $161,000 for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $103,000 in the prior quarter. Other noninterest income includes a valuation gain on partnership investments of $279,000 compared to a loss of $56,000 in the preceding quarter.

    Noninterest income decreased 38.7% from $2.9 million in the same quarter one year ago. The third quarter of 2023 included $750,000 in credit enhancements reimbursed to the Company on Splash charge-offs recorded in other noninterest income. The quarter ended September 30, 2023, also included a $102,000 gain on sale of mortgage loans, compared to a $6,000 gain in the third quarter of 2024.

    Noninterest Income                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Loan and deposit service fees   $ 1,059     $ 1,076     $ 1,102       1,068     $ 1,068  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     10       74       219       276       98  
    Net gain on sale of loans     58       150       52       33       171  
    Net (loss) gain on sale of investment securities     —       (2,117 )     —       (5,397 )     —  
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment     —       7,919       —       —       —  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     315       293       243       260       252  
    Other income     337       (48 )     572       831       1,315  
    Total noninterest income   $ 1,779     $ 7,347     $ 2,188     $ (2,929 )   $ 2,904  
                                             

    Noninterest Expense
    Noninterest expense totaled $15.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $15.6 million for the preceding quarter and $14.4 million for the third quarter a year ago. Increases were primarily due to one-time severance payouts of $704,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy due to the one-time tax assessment on the sale-leaseback of $359,000 paid in the previous quarter. Other expense increased this quarter primarily due to $161,000 of additional credit related expenses.

    The increase in total noninterest expenses compared to the third quarter of 2023 is mainly due to current quarter one-time severance payouts of $704,000, additional payroll tax expense of $342,000 and additional medical benefit expense of $162,000. Payroll tax expense in the third quarter of 2023 included accretion of the employee retention credit (“ERC”) which reduced the expense by $293,000. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Bank stopped the recognition of the ERC for the foreseeable future. Occupancy increased due to the additional rent of $416,000 from the previous quarter sale-leaseback transaction. Other increases compared to the third quarter of 2023 included $51,000 in stockholder communications, $103,000 of state taxes, $163,000 in FDIC insurance premiums, and $269,000 of additional credit related expenses. These increases were partially offset by lower legal fees of $204,000, consulting fees of $146,000 and advertising costs of $91,000. The Company continues to focus on controlling compensation expense and reducing advertising and other discretionary spending to improve earnings.

    Noninterest Expense                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Compensation and benefits   $ 8,582     $ 8,588     $ 8,128     $ 7,397     $ 7,795  
    Data processing     2,085       2,008       1,944       2,107       1,945  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,553       1,799       1,240       1,262       1,173  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     360       317       293       351       292  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     548       457       513       376       446  
    Advertising     409       377       309       235       501  
    Professional fees     698       684       910       1,119       929  
    FDIC insurance premium     533       473       386       418       369  
    Other expense     1,080       906       580       3,725       926  
    Total noninterest expense   $ 15,848     $ 15,609     $ 14,303     $ 16,990     $ 14,376  
                                             
    Efficiency ratio     100.31 %     72.32 %     88.75 %     150.81 %     80.52 %
                                             

    Investment Securities
    Investment securities increased $4.2 million, or 1.4%, to $310.9 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $306.7 million three months earlier, and increased $1.5 million compared to $309.3 million at September 30, 2023. The market value of the portfolio increased $8.1 million during the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to the market rally in the second half the third quarter which drove the yield curve lower. At September 30, 2024, municipal bonds totaled $81.4 million and comprised the largest portion of the investment portfolio at 26.2%. Agency issued mortgage-backed securities (“MBS agency”) were the second largest segment, totaling $78.5 million, or 25.3%, of the portfolio at quarter end. Included in MBS non-agency were $29.6 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), of which 89.8% were in “A” tranches and the remaining 10.2% were in “B” tranches. Our largest exposure in the CMBS portfolio at September 30, 2024, was to long-term care facilities, which comprised 65.0%, or $19.2 million, of our private label CMBS securities. All of the CMBS bonds had credit enhancements ranging from 28.8% to 71.8%, with a weighted-average credit enhancement of 55.3%, that further reduced the risk of loss on these investments.

    The estimated average life of the securities portfolio was approximately 7.4 years at September 30, 2024, 7.8 years at the prior quarter end and 7.7 years for the third quarter of 2023. The effective duration of the portfolio was approximately 3.9 years at September 30, 2024, compared to 4.3 years in the prior quarter and 4.9 years at the end of the third quarter of 2023. Our recent investment purchases have primarily been floating rate securities to take advantage of higher short-term rates above those offered on cash and to reduce our liability sensitivity.

    Investment Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Value                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Municipal bonds   $ 81,363     $ 78,825     $ 87,004     $ 87,761     $ 93,995  
    U.S. Treasury notes     —       —       —       —       2,377  
    International agency issued bonds (Agency bonds)     —       —       —       —       1,703  
    U.S. government agency issued asset-backed securities (ABS agency)     13,296       13,982       14,822       11,782       —  
    Corporate issued asset-backed securities (ABS corporate)     16,391       16,483       13,929       5,286       —  
    Corporate issued debt securities (Corporate debt):                                        
    Senior positions     10,241       9,066       13,617       9,270       16,975  
    Subordinated bank notes     43,817       43,826       39,414       42,184       37,360  
    U.S. Small Business Administration securities (SBA)     9,317       9,772       7,911       —       —  
    Mortgage-backed securities:                                        
    U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS agency)     78,549       77,301       83,271       63,247       66,946  
    Non-agency issued mortgage-backed securities (MBS non-agency)     57,886       57,459       65,987       76,093       89,968  
    Total securities available for sale, at fair value   $ 310,860     $ 306,714     $ 325,955     $ 295,623     $ 309,324  
                                             

    Loans and Unfunded Loan Commitments
    Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $36.7 million, or 2.2%, to $1.71 billion at September 30, 2024, from $1.68 billion at June 30, 2024, and increased $96.4 million, or 6.0%, from $1.62 billion one year ago.

    Commercial business loans increased $38.2 million, primarily attributable to a $29.0 million increase in our Northpointe Bank Mortgage Purchase Program participation, organic originations totaling $7.9 million and draws on existing lines of credit of $5.7 million which were partially offset by payments. One-to-four family loans increased $5.9 million during the third quarter of 2024 as a result of $14.2 million in residential construction loans that converted to permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Home equity loans increased $4.3 million over the previous quarter due to organic home equity loan production of $5.5 million and draws on new and existing commitments of $4.6 million, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Multi-family loans increased $3.7 million during the current quarter. The increase was primarily the result of $9.2 million of construction loans converting into permanent amortizing loans, partially offset by payoffs and scheduled payments. Commercial real estate loans increased $497,000 during the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter as originations of $8.6 million were offset by payoffs and scheduled payments.

    Construction loans decreased $11.6 million during the quarter, with $23.4 million converting into fully amortizing loans, partially offset by draws on new and existing loans. New single-family residence construction loan commitments totaled $4.1 million in the third quarter, compared to $2.7 million in the preceding quarter. Auto and other consumer loans decreased $4.4 million during the third quarter of 2024 as payoffs and scheduled payments were higher than $5.8 million of new auto loan purchases, a $4.3 million manufactured home loan pool and individual manufactured home loan purchases totaling $1.2 million. 

    The Company originated $3.4 million in residential mortgages during the third quarter of 2023 and sold $3.9 million, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 2.06%. This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $5.0 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $4.9 million, and an average gross margin of 2.05%. Single-family home inventory remained historically low and higher market rates on mortgage loans continued to limit saleable mortgage loan production through much of the third quarter.

    Loans by Collateral and Unfunded Commitments                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    One-to-four family construction   $ 51,607     $ 49,440     $ 70,100     $ 60,211     $ 72,991  
    All other construction and land     45,166       58,346       55,286       69,484       71,092  
    One-to-four family first mortgage     469,053       434,840       436,543       426,159       409,207  
    One-to-four family junior liens     14,701       13,706       12,608       12,250       12,859  
    One-to-four family revolving open-end     48,459       44,803       45,536       42,479       38,413  
    Commercial real estate, owner occupied:                                        
    Health care     29,407       29,678       29,946       22,523       22,677  
    Office     17,901       19,215       17,951       18,468       18,599  
    Warehouse     11,645       14,613       14,683       14,758       14,890  
    Other     64,535       56,292       55,063       61,304       57,414  
    Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied:                                        
    Office     49,770       50,158       53,099       53,548       53,879  
    Retail     49,717       50,101       50,478       51,384       51,466  
    Hospitality     62,282       62,628       66,982       67,332       61,339  
    Other     82,573       84,428       93,040       94,822       96,083  
    Multi-family residential     354,118       350,382       339,907       333,428       325,338  
    Commercial business loans     86,904       79,055       90,781       76,920       75,068  
    Commercial agriculture and fishing loans     15,369       14,411       10,200       5,422       4,437  
    State and political subdivision obligations     404       405       405       405       439  
    Consumer automobile loans     144,036       151,121       139,524       132,877       134,695  
    Consumer loans secured by other assets     132,749       129,293       122,895       108,542       104,999  
    Consumer loans unsecured     4,411       5,209       6,415       7,712       9,093  
    Total loans   $ 1,734,807     $ 1,698,124     $ 1,711,442     $ 1,660,028     $ 1,634,978  
                                             
    Unfunded commitments under lines of credit or existing loans   $ 166,446     $ 155,005     $ 148,736     $ 149,631     $ 154,722  
                                             

    Deposits
    Total deposits increased $3.4 million to $1.71 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.71 billion at June 30, 2024, and increased $53.9 million, or 3.3%, compared to $1.66 billion one year ago. During the third quarter of 2024, total retail customer deposit balances increased $23.4 million and brokered deposit balances decreased $20.0 million. Compared to the preceding quarter, there were balance increases of $18.1 million in consumer time deposits, $17.7 million in business money market accounts, $7.9 million in consumer demand accounts and $7.7 million in business time deposits. These increases were partially offset by decreases in business demand accounts of $26.4 million, brokered time deposits of $20.0 million, consumer money market accounts of $7.4 million, business savings accounts of $6.5 million, consumer savings accounts of $5.3 million and public fund time deposits of $941,000, during the third quarter of 2024. Increases in time deposits and money market accounts were driven by customer behavior as they sought out higher rates. Overall, the current rate environment continues to contribute to greater competition for deposits with ongoing deposit rate specials offered to attract new funds.

    The Company estimates that $401.0 million, or 23%, of total deposit balances were uninsured at September 30, 2024. Approximately $265.7 million, or 16%, of total deposits were uninsured business and consumer deposits with the remaining $135.3 million, or 8%, consisting of uninsured public funds at September 30, 2024. Uninsured public fund balances were fully collateralized. The Bank holds an FHLB standby letter of credit as part of our participation in the Washington Public Deposit Protection Commission program which covered $115.5 million of related deposit balances while the remaining $19.8 million of uninsured tribal accounts was fully covered through pledged securities at September 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, consumer deposits made up 58% of total deposits with an average balance of $24,000 per account, business deposits made up 22% of total deposits with an average balance of $51,000 per account, public fund deposits made up 8% of total deposits with an average balance of $1.6 million per account and the remaining 12% of account balances are brokered time deposits. We have maintained the majority of our public fund relationships for over 10 years. Approximately 70% of our customer base is located in rural areas, with 18% in urban areas and the remaining 12% are brokered deposits as of September 30, 2024.

    Deposits                                        
    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 252,999     $ 276,543     $ 252,083     $ 269,800     $ 280,475  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     167,202       162,201       169,418       182,361       179,029  
    Money market accounts     433,307       423,047       362,205       372,706       374,269  
    Savings accounts     212,763       224,631       242,148       253,182       260,279  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     441,665       398,161       443,412       410,136       379,484  
    Total retail deposits     1,507,936       1,484,583       1,469,266       1,488,185       1,473,536  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     203,705       223,705       207,626       169,577       179,586  
    Total deposits   $ 1,711,641     $ 1,708,288     $ 1,676,892     $ 1,657,762     $ 1,653,122  
                                             
    Public fund and tribal deposits included in total deposits   $ 139,729     $ 138,439     $ 132,652     $ 128,627     $ 130,974  
    Total loans to total deposits     101 %     99 %     102 %     100 %     99 %
                                             
    Deposit Mix   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     14.8 %     16.2 %     15.0 %     16.3 %     17.0 %
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     9.8       9.5       10.1       11.0       10.8  
    Money market accounts     25.3       24.8       21.6       22.5       22.6  
    Savings accounts     12.4       13.1       14.4       15.3       15.7  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     25.8       23.3       26.5       24.7       23.0  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     11.9       13.1       12.4       10.2       10.9  
                                             
    Cost of Deposits for the Quarter Ended   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits     0.45 %     0.47 %     0.45 %     0.45 %     0.46 %
    Money market accounts     2.65       2.40       2.08       1.48       1.22  
    Savings accounts     1.64       1.62       1.63       1.54       1.42  
    Certificates of deposit, retail     4.16       4.10       4.13       3.92       3.52  
    Certificates of deposit, brokered     4.88       4.94       4.94       4.72       4.31  
    Cost of total deposits     2.56       2.47       2.43       2.12       1.85  
                                             

    Asset Quality
    The allowance for credit losses on loans (“ACLL”) increased $2.6 million from $19.3 million at June 30, 2024, to $22.0 million at September 30, 2024. The ACLL as a percentage of total loans was 1.27% at September 30, 2024, increasing from 1.14% at June 30, 2024, and increasing from 1.04% one year earlier. The current quarter increase can be attributed to $1.9 million of additional reserves taken on individually evaluated commercial business loans due uncertainty in the collectability of these loans. The pooled loan reserve increased $1.2 million due to higher loss factors applied to commercial business and multi-family loans, partially offset by lower loss factors applied to one-to-four family, commercial real estate, home equity, auto and other consumer loans. Loss factors were revised based on the results of an annual loss driver analysis, in conjunction with other relevant factors, to update each segment’s sensitivity to qualitative factors used in the calculation of the pooled reserve at September 30, 2024.

    Nonperforming loans totaled $30.4 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $6.8 million from June 30, 2024, primarily attributable to a $5.6 million delinquent commercial real estate relationship and two commercial business loans with an aggregate total of $1.7 million placed on nonaccrual due to credit concerns. The percentage of the allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans decreased to 72% at September 30, 2024, from 82% at June 30, 2024, and from 714% at September 30, 2023. This ratio continues to decline as higher balances of real estate loans are included in nonperforming assets with no significant corresponding increase to the ACLL as these secured loans are considered adequately reserved for based on information currently available.

    Classified loans increased $7.2 million to $46.9 million at September 30, 2024, due to the downgrade of one $6.4 million commercial real estate loan and ten commercial business loans totaling $5.6 million during the third quarter, partially offset by loan payoffs totaling $5.0 million. An $11.2 million construction loan relationship, which became a classified loan in the fourth quarter of 2022; an $8.1 million commercial construction loan relationship, which became classified in the previous quarter; and a $6.2 million commercial loan relationship, which became classified in the fourth quarter of 2023, account for 55% of the classified loan balance at September 30, 2024. The Bank has exercised legal remedies, including the appointment of a third-party receiver and foreclosure actions, to liquidate the underlying collateral to satisfy the real estate loans in two of these three collateral dependent relationships. The Bank is also closely monitoring certain equity program loans, with 14 loans totaling $5.9 million included in classified loans at September 30, 2024, and an additional nine loans totaling $3.1 million included in the special mention risk grading category.

    $ in thousands   3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27 %     1.14 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.04 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans     72       82       92       94       714  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     1.75       1.39       1.14       1.12       0.15  
    Net charge-off ratio (annualized)     0.10       1.70       0.19       0.14       0.30  
                                             
    Total nonaccrual loans   $ 30,376     $ 23,631     $ 19,481     $ 18,644     $ 2,374  
    Reserve for unfunded commitments   $ 704     $ 647     $ 548     $ 817     $ 828  
                                             

    Capital
    Total shareholders’ equity increased to $160.8 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $158.9 million three months earlier, due to an increase in the after-tax fair market values of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio of $6.3 million, partially offset by a net loss of $2.0 million, a decrease in the after-tax fair market values of derivatives of $1.2 million, share repurchases totaling $1.0 million and dividends declared of $659,000.

    Book value per common share was $17.17 at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.81 at June 30, 2024, and $16.20 at September 30, 2023. Tangible book value per common share* was $17.00 at September 30, 2024, compared to $16.64 at June 30, 2024, and $16.03 at September 30, 2023.

    Capital levels for both the Company and its operating bank, First Fed, remain in excess of applicable regulatory requirements and the Bank was categorized as “well-capitalized” at September 30, 2024. Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios at September 30, 2024, were 12.2% and 13.4%, respectively.

        3Q 24     2Q 24     1Q 24     4Q 23     3Q 23  
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.17 %     7.17 %     7.42 %     7.25 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets *     7.06       7.10       7.10       7.35       7.17  
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                                        
    Tier 1 leverage     9.39       9.38       9.74       9.90       10.12  
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.20       12.40       12.56       13.12       13.43  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.20       12.40       12.56       13.12       13.43  
    Total risk-based     13.44       13.49       13.57       14.11       14.38  
                                             

    Share Repurchase Program and Cash Dividend
    First Northwest continued to return capital to our shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases during the third quarter of 2024. We repurchased 98,156 shares of common stock under the Company’s April 2024 Stock Repurchase Plan (“Repurchase Plan”) at an average price of $10.19 per share for a total of $1.0 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, leaving 846,123 shares remaining under the plan. In addition, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $652,000 in the third quarter of 2024.

    ____________________
    *     See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.

    Awards/Recognition
    The Company received several accolades as a leader in the community in the last year.

    In September 2024, the First Fed team was recognized in the 2024 Best of Olympic Peninsula surveys, winning Best Bank and Best Lender in Clallam County; Best Bank and Best Financial Advisor in the West End; and Best Lender in Jefferson County. First Fed was also a finalist for Best Bank, Best Customer Service, Best Employer and Best Financial Advisor in Jefferson County; Best Customer Service, Best Employer and Best Financial Advisor in Clallam County; and Best Customer Service and Best Employer in the West End.
    In May 2024, First Fed, along with the First Fed Community Foundation, were honored to be ranked second on the Puget Sound Business Journal Midsize Corporate Philanthropists list.
    In October 2023, the First Fed team was honored to bring home the Gold for Best Bank in the Best of the Northwest survey hosted by Bellingham Alive for the second year in a row.
    In September 2023, the First Fed team was recognized in the 2023 Best of Olympic Peninsula surveys as a finalist for Best Employer in Kitsap County and Best Bank and Best Financial Institution in Bainbridge.
       

    About the Company
    First Northwest Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWB) is a financial holding company engaged in investment activities including the business of its subsidiary, First Fed Bank. First Fed is a Pacific Northwest-based financial institution which has served its customers and communities since 1923. Currently First Fed has 16 locations in Washington state including 12 full-service branches. First Fed’s business and operating strategy is focused on building sustainable earnings by delivering a full array of financial products and services for individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations and commercial customers. In 2022, First Northwest made an investment in The Meriwether Group, LLC, a boutique investment banking and accelerator firm. Additionally, First Northwest focuses on strategic partnerships to provide modern financial services such as digital payments and marketplace lending. First Northwest Bancorp was incorporated in 2012 and completed its initial public offering in 2015 under the ticker symbol FNWB. The Company is headquartered in Port Angeles, Washington.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, including our ability to collect, the outcome of litigation and statements regarding our mission and vision, and include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts, and other statements often identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management beliefs and expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of factors including, but not limited to: increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; the credit risks of lending activities; pressures on liquidity, including as a result of withdrawals of deposits or declines in the value of our investment portfolio; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes; the risk of inaccuracies in the reporting of our financial condition as a result of the material weakness in our internal controls; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),which are available on our website at www.ourfirstfed.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this press release and in the other public statements we make may turn out to be incorrect because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf and the Company’s operating and stock price performance may be negatively affected. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause our actual results for 2024 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect the Company’s operations and stock price performance.

    For More Information Contact:
    Matthew P. Deines, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Geri Bullard, EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
    IRGroup@ourfirstfed.com
    360-457-0461

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
    ASSETS                                        
    Cash and due from banks   $ 17,953     $ 19,184     $ 20,609       -6.4 %     -12.9 %
    Interest-earning deposits in banks     64,769       63,995       63,277       1.2       2.4  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value     310,860       306,714       309,324       1.4       0.5  
    Loans held for sale     378       1,086       689       -65.2       -45.1  
    Loans receivable (net of allowance for credit losses on loans $21,970, $19,343, and $16,945)     1,714,416       1,677,764       1,618,033       2.2       6.0  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost     14,435       13,086       12,621       10.3       14.4  
    Accrued interest receivable     8,939       9,466       8,093       -5.6       10.5  
    Premises and equipment, net     10,436       10,714       17,954       -2.6       -41.9  
    Servicing rights on sold loans, at fair value     3,584       3,740       3,729       -4.2       -3.9  
    Bank-owned life insurance, net     41,429       41,113       40,318       0.8       2.8  
    Equity and partnership investments     14,912       15,085       14,623       -1.1       2.0  
    Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     1,083       1,084       1,087       -0.1       -0.4  
    Deferred tax asset, net     10,802       12,216       16,611       -11.6       -35.0  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     41,490       40,715       26,577       1.9       56.1  
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,153,545       1.8 %     4.7 %
                                             
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                        
    Deposits   $ 1,711,641     $ 1,708,288     $ 1,657,762       0.2 %     3.3 %
    Borrowings     334,994       302,575       300,416       10.7       11.5  
    Accrued interest payable     2,153       3,143       2,276       -31.5       -5.4  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     43,424       41,771       34,651       4.0       25.3  
    Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance     2,485       1,304       2,375       90.6       4.6  
    Total liabilities     2,094,697       2,057,081       1,997,480       1.8       4.9  
                                             
    Shareholders’ Equity                                        
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding     —       —       —       n/a       n/a  
    Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,365,979 at September 30, 2024; issued and outstanding 9,453,247 at June 30, 2024; and issued and outstanding 9,630,735 at September 30, 2023     94       94       96       0.0       -2.1  
    Additional paid-in capital     93,218       93,985       95,658       -0.8       -2.6  
    Retained earnings     100,660       103,322       113,579       -2.6       -11.4  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (26,424 )     (31,597 )     (45,850 )     16.4       42.4  
    Unearned employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) shares     (6,759 )     (6,923 )     (7,418 )     2.4       8.9  
    Total shareholders’ equity     160,789       158,881       156,065       1.2       3.0  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,153,545       1.8 %     4.7 %
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        Quarter Ended                  
        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
    INTEREST INCOME                                        
    Interest and fees on loans receivable   $ 23,536     $ 23,733     $ 21,728       -0.8 %     8.3 %
    Interest on investment securities     3,786       3,949       3,368       -4.1       12.4  
    Interest on deposits in banks     582       571       524       1.9       11.1  
    FHLB dividends     302       358       214       -15.6       41.1  
    Total interest income     28,206       28,611       25,834       -1.4       9.2  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                                        
    Deposits     10,960       10,180       7,699       7.7       42.4  
    Borrowings     3,226       4,196       3,185       -23.1       1.3  
    Total interest expense     14,186       14,376       10,884       -1.3       30.3  
    Net interest income     14,020       14,235       14,950       -1.5       -6.2  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES                                        
    Provision for credit losses on loans     3,077       8,640       880       -64.4       249.7  
    Provision for (recapture of) credit losses on unfunded commitments     57       99       (509 )     -42.4       111.2  
    Provision for credit losses     3,134       8,739       371       -64.1       744.7  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     10,886       5,496       14,579       98.1       -25.3  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                                        
    Loan and deposit service fees     1,059       1,076       1,068       -1.6       -0.8  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     10       74       98       -86.5       -89.8  
    Net gain on sale of loans     58       150       171       -61.3       -66.1  
    Net loss on sale of investment securities     —       (2,117 )     —       100.0       n/a  
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment     —       7,919       —       -100.0       n/a  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     315       293       252       7.5       25.0  
    Other income     337       (48 )     1,315       802.1       -74.4  
    Total noninterest income     1,779       7,347       2,904       -75.8       -38.7  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                                        
    Compensation and benefits     8,582       8,588       7,795       -0.1       10.1  
    Data processing     2,085       2,008       1,945       3.8       7.2  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,553       1,799       1,173       -13.7       32.4  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     360       317       292       13.6       23.3  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     548       457       446       19.9       22.9  
    Advertising     409       377       501       8.5       -18.4  
    Professional fees     698       684       929       2.0       -24.9  
    FDIC insurance premium     533       473       369       12.7       44.4  
    Other expense     1,080       906       926       19.2       16.6  
    Total noninterest expense     15,848       15,609       14,376       1.5       10.2  
    (Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes     (3,183 )     (2,766 )     3,107       -15.1       -202.4  
    (Benefit) provision for income taxes     (1,203 )     (547 )     603       -119.9       -299.5  
    Net (loss) income   $ (1,980 )   $ (2,219 )   $ 2,504       10.8 %     -179.1 %
                                             
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.25 )   $ 0.28       8.0 %     -182.1 %
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        Nine Months Ended September 30,     Percent  
        2024     2023     Change  
    INTEREST INCOME                        
    Interest and fees on loans receivable   $ 70,036     $ 62,531       12.0 %
    Interest on investment securities     11,367       9,886       15.0  
    Interest on deposits in banks     1,798       1,545       16.4  
    FHLB dividends     942       628       50.0  
    Total interest income     84,143       74,590       12.8  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                        
    Deposits     31,252       18,261       71.1  
    Borrowings     10,708       9,092       17.8  
    Total interest expense     41,960       27,353       53.4  
    Net interest income     42,183       47,237       -10.7  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES                        
    Provision for credit losses on loans     12,956       1,195       984.2  
    (Recapture of) provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments     (113 )     (1,024 )     89.0  
    Provision for credit losses     12,843       171       7,410.5  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     29,340       47,066       -37.7  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                        
    Loan and deposit service fees     3,237       3,273       -1.1  
    Sold loan servicing fees and servicing rights mark-to-market     303       400       -24.3  
    Net gain on sale of loans     260       405       -35.8  
    Net loss on sale of investment securities     (2,117 )     —       100.0  
    Net gain on sale of premises and equipment     7,919       —       100.0  
    Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance     851       668       27.4  
    Other income     861       2,203       -60.9  
    Total noninterest income     11,314       6,949       62.8  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                        
    Compensation and benefits     25,298       23,812       6.2  
    Data processing     6,037       6,063       -0.4  
    Occupancy and equipment     4,592       3,596       27.7  
    Supplies, postage, and telephone     970       1,082       -10.4  
    Regulatory assessments and state taxes     1,518       1,259       20.6  
    Advertising     1,095       2,471       -55.7  
    Professional fees     2,292       2,619       -12.5  
    FDIC insurance premium     1,392       939       48.2  
    Other     2,566       2,623       -2.2  
    Total noninterest expense     45,760       44,464       2.9  
    (Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes     (5,106 )     9,551       -153.5  
    (Benefit) provision for income taxes     (1,303 )     1,903       -168.5  
    Net (loss) income     (3,803 )     7,648       -149.7  
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Quin Ventures, Inc.     —       160       -100.0  
    Net (loss) income attributable to parent   $ (3,803 )   $ 7,808       -148.7 %
                             
    Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share   $ (0.43 )   $ 0.87       -149.4 %
                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        As of or For the Quarter Ended  
        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
    Performance ratios:(1)                                        
    Return on average assets     -0.36 %     -0.40 %     0.07 %     -1.03 %     0.46 %
    Return on average equity     -4.91       -5.47       0.98       -14.05       6.17  
    Average interest rate spread     2.21       2.27       2.28       2.40       2.54  
    Net interest margin(2)     2.70       2.76       2.76       2.84       2.97  
    Efficiency ratio(3)     100.3       72.3       88.8       150.8       80.5  
    Equity to total assets     7.13       7.17       7.17       7.42       7.25  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     118.0       117.6       118.3       118.2       120.0  
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.81     $ 17.00     $ 16.99     $ 16.20  
                                             
    Tangible performance ratios:(1)                                        
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(4)     7.06 %     7.10 %     7.10 %     7.35 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(4)     -4.96       -5.53       0.99       -14.20       6.23  
    Tangible book value per common share(4)   $ 17.00     $ 16.64     $ 16.83     $ 16.83     $ 16.03  
                                             
    Asset quality ratios:                                        
    Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period(5)     1.35 %     1.07 %     0.87 %     0.85 %     0.11 %
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans(6)     1.75       1.39       1.14       1.12       0.15  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans(6)     72.33       81.85       92.18       93.92       713.77  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27       1.14       1.05       1.05       1.04  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average outstanding loans     0.10       1.70       0.19       0.14       0.30  
                                             
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                                        
    Tier 1 leverage     9.4 %     9.4 %     9.7 %     9.9 %     10.1 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.2       12.4       12.6       13.1       13.4  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.2       12.4       12.6       13.1       13.4  
    Total risk-based     13.4       13.5       13.6       14.1       14.4  
                                             
    Other Information:                                        
    Average total assets   $ 2,209,333     $ 2,219,370     $ 2,166,187     $ 2,127,655     $ 2,139,734  
    Average total loans     1,718,402       1,717,830       1,678,656       1,645,418       1,641,206  
    Average interest-earning assets     2,061,970       2,072,280       2,027,821       1,980,226       1,994,251  
    Average noninterest-bearing deposits     252,911       251,442       249,283       259,845       276,294  
    Average interest-bearing deposits     1,452,817       1,408,018       1,422,116       1,379,059       1,377,734  
    Average interest-bearing liabilities     1,747,649       1,762,858       1,714,474       1,675,044       1,661,996  
    Average equity     160,479       163,079       161,867       155,971       160,994  
    Average common shares — basic     8,756,765       8,783,086       8,876,236       8,928,620       8,906,526  
    Average common shares — diluted     8,756,765       8,783,086       8,907,184       8,968,828       8,934,882  
    Tangible assets(4)     2,253,914       2,214,361       2,238,446       2,200,230       2,151,849  
    Tangible common equity(4)     159,217       157,280       158,932       161,773       154,369  
    (1) Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    (2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
    (3) Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
    (4) See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
    (5) Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
    (6) Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.
       

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

        As of or For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
    Performance ratios:(1)                
    Return on average assets     -0.23 %     0.50 %
    Return on average equity     -3.14       6.50  
    Average interest rate spread     2.25       2.83  
    Net interest margin(2)     2.74       3.22  
    Efficiency ratio(3)     85.54       82.06  
    Equity to total assets     7.13       7.25  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     117.9       121.0  
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.20  
                     
    Tangible performance ratios:(1)                
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(4)     7.06 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(4)     -3.17       6.57  
    Tangible book value per common share(4)   $ 17.00     $ 16.03  
                     
    Asset quality ratios:                
    Nonperforming assets to total assets at end of period(5)     1.35 %     0.11 %
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans(6)     1.75       0.15  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonaccrual loans(6)     72.33       713.77  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.27       1.04  
    Annualized net charge-offs to average outstanding loans     0.67       0.10  
                     
    Capital ratios (First Fed Bank):                
    Tier 1 leverage     9.4 %     10.1 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital     12.2       13.4  
    Tier 1 risk-based     12.2       13.4  
    Total risk-based     13.4       14.4  
                     
    Other Information:                
    Average total assets   $ 2,198,337     $ 2,102,980  
    Average total loans     1,705,088       1,698,394  
    Average interest-earning assets     2,054,052       1,959,946  
    Average noninterest-bearing deposits     251,218       284,282  
    Average interest-bearing deposits     1,427,743       1,333,696  
    Average interest-bearing liabilities     1,741,683       1,619,763  
    Average equity     161,803       160,573  
    Average common shares — basic     8,805,124       8,910,391  
    Average common shares — diluted     8,805,124       8,930,404  
    Tangible assets(4)     2,253,914       2,151,849  
    Tangible common equity(4)     159,217       154,369  
    (1) Performance ratios are annualized, where appropriate.
    (2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
    (3) Total noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and total other noninterest income.
    (4) See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release.
    (5) Nonperforming assets consists of nonperforming loans (which include nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due), real estate owned and repossessed assets.
    (6) Nonperforming loans consists of nonaccruing loans and accruing loans more than 90 days past due.
       

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
        (In thousands)  
    Real Estate:                                        
    One-to-four family   $ 395,792     $ 389,934     $ 369,950     $ 5,858     $ 25,842  
    Multi-family     353,813       350,076       325,496       3,737       28,317  
    Commercial real estate     376,008       375,511       381,508       497       (5,500 )
    Construction and land     95,709       107,273       143,434       (11,564 )     (47,725 )
    Total real estate loans     1,221,322       1,222,794       1,220,388       (1,472 )     934  
    Consumer:                                        
    Home equity     76,960       72,613       64,424       4,347       12,536  
    Auto and other consumer     281,198       285,623       248,786       (4,425 )     32,412  
    Total consumer loans     358,158       358,236       313,210       (78 )     44,948  
    Commercial business     155,327       117,094       101,380       38,233       53,947  
    Total loans receivable     1,734,807       1,698,124       1,634,978       36,683       99,829  
    Less:                                        
    Derivative basis adjustment     (1,579 )     1,017       —       (2,596 )     (1,579 )
    Allowance for credit losses on loans     21,970       19,343       16,945       2,627       5,025  
    Total loans receivable, net   $ 1,714,416     $ 1,677,764     $ 1,618,033     $ 36,652     $ 96,383  
                                             

    Selected loan detail:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     Three Month Change     One Year Change  
        (In thousands)  
    Construction and land loans breakout                                        
    1-4 Family construction   $ 43,125     $ 56,514     $ 63,371     $ (13,389 )   $ (20,246 )
    Multifamily construction     29,109       43,341       54,318       (14,232 )     (25,209 )
    Nonresidential construction     17,500       1,015       18,746       16,485       (1,246 )
    Land and development     5,975       6,403       6,999       (428 )     (1,024 )
    Total construction and land loans   $ 95,709     $ 107,273     $ 143,434     $ (11,564 )   $ (47,725 )
                                             
    Auto and other consumer loans breakout                                        
    Triad Manufactured Home loans   $ 129,600     $ 125,906     $ 101,339     $ 3,694     $ 28,261  
    Woodside auto loans     126,129       131,151       124,833       (5,022 )     1,296  
    First Help auto loans     15,971       17,427       5,079       (1,456 )     10,892  
    Other auto loans     2,064       2,690       5,022       (626 )     (2,958 )
    Other consumer loans     7,434       8,449       12,513       (1,015 )     (5,079 )
    Total auto and other consumer loans   $ 281,198     $ 285,623     $ 248,786     $ (4,425 )   $ 32,412  
                                             
    Commercial business loans breakout                                        
    PPP loans   $ –     $ 5     $ 45     $ (5 )   $ (45 )
    Northpointe Bank MPP     38,155       9,150       162       29,005       37,993  
    Secured lines of credit     37,686       28,862       35,833       8,824       1,853  
    Unsecured lines of credit     1,571       1,133       919       438       652  
    SBA loans     7,219       7,146       9,149       73       (1,930 )
    Other commercial business loans     70,696       70,798       55,272       (102 )     15,424  
    Total commercial business loans   $ 155,327     $ 117,094     $ 101,380     $ 38,233     $ 53,947  
                                             

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    This press release contains financial measures that are not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Non-GAAP measures are presented where management believes the information will help investors understand the Company’s results of operations or financial position and assess trends. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure is also provided. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Other banking companies may use names similar to those the Company uses for the non-GAAP financial measures the Company discloses, but may calculate them differently. Investors should understand how the Company and other companies each calculate their non-GAAP financial measures when making comparisons. Reconciliations of the GAAP and non-GAAP measures are presented below.

    Calculation of Total Revenue:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands)  
    Net interest income   $ 14,020     $ 14,235     $ 13,928     $ 14,195     $ 14,950  
    Noninterest income     1,779       7,347       2,188       (2,929 )     2,904  
    Total revenue, net of interest expense(1)   $ 15,799     $ 21,582     $ 16,116     $ 11,266     $ 17,854  
     
    (1)  We believe this non-GAAP metric provides an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate income available for noninterest expenses.
     

    Calculations Based on Tangible Common Equity:

        September 30, 2024     June 30, 2024     March 31, 2024     December 31, 2023     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 160,789     $ 158,881     $ 160,506     $ 163,340     $ 156,065  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,084       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       517       489       481       609  
    Total tangible common equity   $ 159,217     $ 157,280     $ 158,932     $ 161,773     $ 154,369  
                                             
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,215,962     $ 2,240,020     $ 2,201,797     $ 2,153,545  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,084       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       517       489       481       609  
    Total tangible assets   $ 2,253,914     $ 2,214,361     $ 2,238,446     $ 2,200,230     $ 2,151,849  
                                             
    Average shareholders’ equity   $ 160,479     $ 163,079     $ 161,867     $ 155,971     $ 160,994  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets     1,084       1,085       1,085       1,086       1,087  
    Average disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     517       489       481       608       557  
    Total average tangible common equity   $ 158,878     $ 161,505     $ 160,301     $ 154,277     $ 159,350  
                                             
    Net (loss) income   $ (1,980 )   $ (2,219 )   $ 396     $ (5,522 )   $ 2,504  
    Common shares outstanding     9,365,979       9,453,247       9,442,796       9,611,876       9,630,735  
    GAAP Ratios:                                        
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.17 %     7.17 %     7.42 %     7.25 %
    Return on average equity     -4.91 %     -5.47 %     0.98 %     -14.05 %     6.17 %
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.81     $ 17.00     $ 16.99     $ 16.20  
    Non-GAAP Ratios:                                        
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     7.06 %     7.10 %     7.10 %     7.35 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(1)     -4.96 %     -5.53 %     0.99 %     -14.20 %     6.23 %
    Tangible book value per common share(1)   $ 17.00     $ 16.64     $ 16.83     $ 16.83     $ 16.03  
     
    (1)  We believe these non-GAAP metrics provide an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength. In addition, we believe that use of tangible equity and tangible assets improves the comparability to other institutions that have not engaged in acquisitions that resulted in recorded goodwill and other intangibles.
     

    FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

        September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023  
        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  
    Total shareholders’ equity   $ 160,789     $ 156,065  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       609  
    Total tangible common equity   $ 159,217     $ 154,369  
                     
    Total assets   $ 2,255,486     $ 2,153,545  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,083       1,087  
    Disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     489       609  
    Total tangible assets   $ 2,253,914     $ 2,151,849  
                     
    Average shareholders’ equity   $ 161,803     $ 160,573  
    Less: Average goodwill and other intangible assets     1,085       1,088  
    Average disallowed non-mortgage loan servicing rights     496       690  
    Total average tangible common equity   $ 160,222     $ 158,795  
                     
    Net (loss) income   $ (3,803 )   $ 7,808  
    Common shares outstanding     9,365,979       9,630,735  
    GAAP Ratios:                
    Equity to total assets     7.13 %     7.25 %
    Return on average equity     -3.14 %     6.50 %
    Book value per common share   $ 17.17     $ 16.20  
    Non-GAAP Ratios:                
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     7.06 %     7.17 %
    Return on average tangible common equity(1)     -3.17 %     6.57 %
    Tangible book value per common share(1)   $ 17.00     $ 16.03  
     
    (1)  We believe these non-GAAP metrics provide an important measure with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength. In addition, we believe that use of tangible equity and tangible assets improves the comparability to other institutions that have not engaged in acquisitions that resulted in recorded goodwill and other intangibles.
     

    Images accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e387e9e8-0a9a-4306-8623-41b739acb402
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a433c9b-6823-47f3-8843-0d8138f89182
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Haiti’s gangs turn to starving children to bolster their ranks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amalendu Misra, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University

    After months of relentless gang violence, thousands of killings, and the unseating of a government, Haiti is faced with another heartbreaking issue which seems likely to prolong the Caribbean island nation’s woes for another generation. Testimonies collected by Amnesty International have uncovered how Haiti’s armed gangs are enlisting hundreds of children.

    Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International, says: “We have documented heartbreaking stories of children forced to work for gangs: from running deliveries to gathering information and performing domestic tasks under threats of violence.”

    Boys as young as six are being forced to work as lookouts, made to build street barriers, trained to use machine guns, and are being ordered to participate in kidnappings and other acts of violence. Girls in the possession of gangs are subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence by older male gang members, according to Piquer.

    Haiti’s 200 or so armed gangs currently control around 90% of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, and large parts of the country are ungovernable. The collapse in law and order has allowed gang leaders such as Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier to commit terrible atrocities largely unchallenged.



    Read more:
    Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier: the gangster behind the violence in Haiti who may have political aspirations of his own

    The involvement of children in Haiti’s gangs is not exactly new. According to Unicef, between 30% and 50% of children in Haiti are involved with armed groups in some capacity. There are several socioeconomic explanations for this.

    Haiti was once the wealthiest European colony in the Americas – and staged the only ever successful slave rebellion against its French colonial masters before declaring independence in 1804. But modern Haiti is a failed state where more than half of the population now live below the World Bank’s poverty line.

    According to figures published by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Haiti has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean. One-third of the population goes hungry every day.

    Impoverishment and grinding poverty has made the population desperate. With limited options for survival, many children in Haiti are drawn into criminal groups. At times, the promise of a single meal can be enough to attract a child to join a gang.

    That said, the breakdown of order throughout the country has undoubtedly encouraged the gangs to increase their recruitment of children. As with most conflict zones, once indoctrinated, child soldiers make for cheap and deadly combatants.

    There is also one other specific social factor that contributes to some parents turning a blind eye to their children joining the gangs. The prevalence of child recruitment by gangs can be linked to a Haitian socioeconomic practice called restaveks.

    A restavek, which is Creole for “to stay with”, is a child who is given away by impoverished parents with the unwritten understanding that they will be fed, looked after and will not die of hunger. It has become a form of modern-day slavery.

    The End Slavery Now project has found that “more than 300,000 children are victims of domestic slavery” in Haiti today. Many of these children regularly undergo forms of physical and sexual violence.

    A set pattern

    Child sex slavery and sexual abuse are familiar occurrences in societies torn by civil war. It is more likely to take place in settings where the process of governance is weak or non-existent. This situation facilitates conditions of criminal impunity, leading various actors involved in conflict to sexually exploit children.

    There is an established pattern of predatory child sexual slavery in Haiti. Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 and the ensuing cholera epidemic, some members of the UN peacekeeping force stationed in the country were found to have been running a child sex racket.

    In 2017, an investigation by the Associated Press revealed at least 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers were involved. It has been documented that girls as young as 11 were sexually abused and impregnated by the peacekeepers, and then subsequently abandoned to raise their children alone. Impoverished and starving Haitian children fell victim to this racket in exchange for scraps of the peacekeepers’ leftover food.

    According to its own admission, the UN peacekeeping force was responsible for “transactional sex” during its operations in the country.



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    ‘They put a few coins in your hands to drop a baby in you’ – 265 stories of Haitian children abandoned by UN fathers

    In 2019, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, branded violence against children as a “silent emergency” of our time. Unfortunately, not much is being done to address this challenge, despite the urgency of Guterres’ statement.

    There are many existential challenges facing Haiti. Some of them are homegrown, such as the prevalence of gangs and their terror techniques.

    But, as it is located on a geological fault line in a region susceptible to severe storms, Haiti is particularly prone to natural disasters. A devastating earthquake in 2010 and a cholera epidemic in 2016 debilitated the country, and the knock-on effects will last decades.

    To make matters worse, Haiti also suffers from a compassion deficit. A lack of real engagement from the international community has contributed to the erosion of the Haitian civil society and left the population at the mercy of gang violence.

    Even the Kenyan-led policing mission tasked with restoring order is suffering from inadequate funding and equipment, which has affected its operational capacity. Only around US$400 million (£308 million) of the US$600 million that was originally pledged for the mission has materialised, with the US shouldering a disproportionate financial burden.

    Preoccupied with more high-profile conflicts elsewhere, the international community appears to have little interest in the horrors that are unfolding under the tropical sun in the faraway Caribbean.

    Amalendu Misra is a recipient of British Academy and Nuffield Foundation fellowships.

    – ref. Haiti’s gangs turn to starving children to bolster their ranks – https://theconversation.com/haitis-gangs-turn-to-starving-children-to-bolster-their-ranks-241386

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –