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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council – B10-0149/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
    Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

    B10‑0149/2024

    European Parliament resolution on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2024/2839(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council[1],

    – having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed [2], and in particular Article 7(3) and Article 19(3) thereof,

    – having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 26 April 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 29 May 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

    – having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers[3],

    – having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 30 November 2023, and published on 17 January 2024[4],

    – having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)[5],

    – having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

    A. whereas, on 20 December 2020, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Inc. based in Belgium, submitted, on behalf of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, based in the United States, an application to the national competent authority of the Netherlands for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 (the ‘GM maize’), in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (the ‘application’); whereas the application also covered the placing on the market of products containing or consisting of genetically modified maize DP915635 for uses other than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation;

    B. whereas, on 30 November 2023, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 17 January 2024;

    C. whereas the GM maize contains genes conferring resistance to glufosinate and produces the insecticidal IPD079Ea toxin derived from the Ophioglossum pendulum fern; whereas the genetic modification involved a multistep process using CRISPR/Cas to introduce a ‘landing pad’ at the target site, where the gene constructs for the production of the new traits are subsequently inserted;

    Lack of assessment of the complementary herbicide

    D. whereas Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013[6] requires an assessment of whether the expected agricultural practices influence the outcome of the studied endpoints; whereas, according to that Implementing Regulation, this is especially relevant for herbicide-tolerant plants;

    E. whereas the vast majority of GM crops have been genetically modified so that they are tolerant to one or more ‘complementary’ herbicides which can be used throughout the cultivation of the GM crop, without the crop dying, as would be the case for a non-herbicide tolerant crop; whereas a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds[7];

    F. whereas herbicide-tolerant GM crops lock farmers into a weed management system that is largely or wholly dependent on herbicides, and does so by charging a premium for GM seeds that can be justified only if farmers purchasing such seed also spray the complementary herbicides; whereas heightened reliance on complementary herbicides on farms planting the GM crops accelerates the emergence and spread of weeds resistant to those herbicides, thereby triggering the need for even more herbicide use, a vicious circle known as ‘the herbicide treadmill’;

    G. whereas the adverse impacts stemming from excessive reliance on herbicides will worsen on soil health, water quality, and above and below ground biodiversity, as well as leading to increased human and animal exposure, potentially also via increased herbicide residues on food and feed;

    H. whereas glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B and therefore meets the ‘cut-off criteria’ set out in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council[8]; whereas the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018;

    I. whereas assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms and is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs;

    Outstanding questions concerning assessment of the toxin IPD079Ea

    J. whereas the Ophioglossum pendulum toxin (IPD079Ea) is not a part of European flora and has never previously been introduced into the food or feed chain; whereas the mode of action of IPD079Ea has only been poorly described; whereas Member States underline that the introduction of this protein into agriculture and the food chain would require a lot more data on the mode of action and specificity of the toxins;

    Member State competent authority and stakeholder comments

    K. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period, including that an opinion on the safety of the GM maize cannot be given in view of the data gaps in the file relating to the requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013, that the monitoring plan requires further elaboration, and that the effects of glufosinate on the gut microbiome of consumers and on the soil-microflora have not been considered by EFSA, even though they are clearly affected;

    Ensuring a global level playing field and upholding the Union’s international obligations

    L. whereas the conclusions of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture[9] call on the Commission to reassess its approach on market access for agri-food imports and exports, given the challenge of diverging standards of the Union and its trading partners; whereas fairer trade relations, at a global level, coherent with goals for a healthy environment were one of the main demands of farmers during the demonstrations of 2023 and 2024;

    M. whereas a 2017 report by the United Nations’ (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to food found that, particularly in developing countries, hazardous pesticides have catastrophic impacts on health[10]; whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) Target 3.9 aims by 2030 to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination[11];

    N. whereas the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (‘Kunming-Montreal Framework’), agreed at the COP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD) in December 2022, includes a global target to reduce the risk of pesticides by at least 50 % by 2030[12];

    O. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the UN SDGs and the UN CBD;

    Reducing dependency on imported feed

    P. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the still ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner-elect Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities[13];

    Undemocratic decision-making

    Q. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 objections to placing GMOs on the market;

    R. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

    S. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee[14];

    T. whereas the vote on 26 April 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 29 May 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

    U. whereas on 2 July 2024, the Commission authorised the placing on the market of the GM maize;

    1. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

    2. Considers that Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council[15], to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

    3. Calls on the Commission to repeal Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822;

    4. Calls on the Commission not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops, due to the associated increased use of complementary herbicides and therefore the increased risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health in line with the One Health approach;

    5. Highlights, in this regard, that authorising the import for food or feed uses of any GM plant which has been made tolerant to herbicides that are banned in the Union, such as glufosinate, is incoherent with the Union’s international commitments under, inter alia, the UN SDGs and the UN CBD, including the recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Framework[16];

    6. Expects the Commission, as matter of urgency, to deliver on its commitment[17] to come forward with a proposal to ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export;

    7. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs[18]; expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

    8. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’[19];

    9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Human Health

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    In this Bite-Size Learning session, “Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Human Health”, Erin Simon, Vice President of Plastic Waste and Business at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), discusses the harmful impacts of plastic on human health and the environment and steps that WWF and its partners are taking to address it, including through WWF’s Resource: Plastic initiative.

    The session also covers actions being taken by the Administration, including recently announced White House commitments to reducing plastic pollution within the federal government and the global plastics treaty process. The session provides an understanding about what federal agencies, businesses, and individuals alike can do to act on the plastics crisis.

    Be Part of the Solution

    The Go Green Get Healthy HHS program is challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workforce to focus on small changes each of us can make to reduce plastic waste now and all year!

    Besides creating an environmental nightmare, plastic pollution has a health impact. Plastic does not biodegrade, it just gets smaller and smaller, forming nano- and microplastics. Plastic is made from a derivative of crude oil and often contains toxic chemicals. As plastic breaks down, toxic chemicals are released into the ground, water, and air which affects the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe. To learn more about the effect of microplastics on your health, watch Earth Day 2024 presentations on this Go Green Get Healthy HHS playlist on the HHS YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrl7E8KABz1Ht0EWIT9IcaKpXKy8ViQ3m. Plus, you can view the FY 2023 HHS Green Champion Awards ceremony in the playlist.

    Join the millions of people worldwide reducing plastic waste by choosing to refuse single-use plastic. BE part of the solution! As Confucius says, “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

    Greater change occurs when a larger group makes smaller changes versus a smaller group that makes large changes. For example, if all HHS employees reduced plastic use by 90%, they would save nearly 11,000 tons of plastic waste annually! And, if the entire federal government staff reduced plastic use by just 10%, 45,000 tons of plastic waste would be reduced each year.
    Use the Home Plastic Checklist https://www.plasticfreeseas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Plastic-free-living-checklist.jpg to get started.

    So come on, step up and lead the way!

    There were 665 attendees who benefitted from this session! The event was hosted by the Go Green Get Healthy HHS sustainability team on August 27, 2024. Gain knowledge and power by attending our Bite-Size Learning sessions! If you have any questions, please email GoGreen@hhs.gov.

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    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome France’s Efforts to Combat Homophobia, Raise Questions on Violence in New Caledonia and Rules Governing Identity Checks

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the sixth periodic report of France on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee Experts welcoming France’s national plan combatting hatred against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and plans to combat homophobia, while raising questions on violence in New Caledonia and rules governing identity checks. 

    One Committee Expert said the Committee welcomed the national plan for equality and against hatred and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (2020-2026) and the government plan (2023-2026) to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

    Another Expert said it appeared that the current violence in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia was linked to reforms of the Nouméa Accord and a lack of progress in the decolonisation process.  What was the progress made on the issue of self-determination of the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia as well as that of French Polynesia, and the participation and consultation processes put in place with the indigenous peoples living in these territories to obtain their free and informed consent and access to independence? 

    Another Expert asked if the State party could indicate whether mandatory training on racial and ethnic discrimination and profiling was systematically offered to law enforcement officials, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Did the State party systematically collect data to monitor the use of identity checks, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Would the State party be prepared to implement a template for all individuals subject to an identity check?  Would it be willing to introduce a centralised record of all identity checks to have an overview of how they were used, with whom and where?

    The delegation said France supported the recognition of indigenous peoples.  New Caledonia was one of the most advanced examples of the French Government recognising the rights of indigenous peoples.  Since the Nouméa Accord, an institutional framework had been put into place allowing for shared governance between the communities, representing the customs of the Kanak people.  On 1 October, the Prime Minister announced the postponement of elections in 2025, which was unanimously agreed by Parliament.  Since 1998, France had been cooperating with the decolonisation committee and the work had been fruitful.

    The delegation said all French citizens were equal before the law. The code of ethics for the police and national gendarmerie prohibited discriminatory identity checks.  When the law authorised an identity check, the police should not rely on any physical trait, unless there were specific grounds. Any act of discrimination could be reported by someone who believed they were a victim of discriminatory profiling. There were several ways to do this, including through the various controlling and monitoring authorities and the judiciary.

    Introducing the report, Isabelle Rome, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, said human rights were a priority for France.  In December 2023, the President of the Republic announced that a House of Human Rights would be created in Paris to support civil society organizations. France had strengthened its public policies on the judiciary, democracy and the law enforcement agencies since 2022, paying particular attention to conditions for the use of force, and compliance with the rules of ethics during all police operations.  Ms. Rome concluded by saying that France believed in its democratic model, in liberty, equality and fraternity, as illustrated this summer by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    In concluding remarks, Ms. Rome thanked the Committee for the dialogue.  France was deeply attached to the rule of law and the Committee’s recommendations would be scrupulously considered.  The country was committed to renewing dialogue with the territory of New Caledonia and its inhabitants. 

    Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.   The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in France. 

    The delegation of France was made up of representatives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas; the Ministry of Justice; the State Council; the Interministerial delegation to the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred; the French office for the protection of refugees and stateless persons; and the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-second session is being held from 14 October to 7 November 2024.  All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 23 October, to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Türkiye (CCPR/C/TUR/2).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the sixth periodic report of France (CCPR/C/FRA/6).

    Presentation of Report

    ISABELLE ROME, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, said human rights were a priority for France.  In December 2023, the President of the Republic announced that a House of Human Rights would be created in Paris to support civil society organizations.  Launched in 2021, the Marianne initiative for human rights defenders aimed to encourage the activities of human rights defenders, both in their country of origin, and by welcoming them in France.  The fight against the death penalty was also a priority for France.  France would host the ninth World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris in 2026.  France was also contributing to the organization of the first World Congress on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva on 15 and 16 January 2025. 

    The State’s new feminist diplomacy strategy would be published by the end of 2024.  France was proud that the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the first gender-balanced games in history.  Through its diplomatic and consular network, France supported projects of democratic governance, respect for the rule of law, the fight against impunity, access to justice, and mechanisms to monitor the effective exercise of civil and political rights.  In 2019, France launched the Partnership for Information and Democracy, which was joined by 54 States from all regions, to guarantee freedom of expression.  In May 2024, the President of the French Republic and the Prime Minister of New Zealand announced the creation of a new non-governmental organization, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the work of the Christchurch Call to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. 

    France had strengthened its public policies on the judiciary, democracy and the law enforcement agencies since 2022, paying particular attention to conditions for the use of force, and compliance with the rules of ethics during all police operations.  The national law enforcement plan published in 2021 provided for an adaptation of the employment strategies of the republican security companies and the mobile gendarmerie squadrons during public demonstrations.  The right to demonstrate was guaranteed by the Constitution in France.  By getting in touch with the prefects and police units involved in public demonstrations, journalists could be added to communication channels, allowing them to receive live information and ask questions. 

    Between 2020 and 2024, the Ministry of Justice’s budget increased by 33 per cent, from €7.6 billion in 2020 to €10.1 billion in 2024. In five years, the French Ministry of Justice would have recruited as many magistrates as in the last 20 years. To combat prison overcrowding, the Ministry of Justice was implementing a proactive prison regulation policy, based on the development of alternatives to incarceration, the strengthening of early release mechanisms, and an ambitious prison real estate programme creating 15,000 net prison places.  An Interministerial Committee for Overseas Territories was set up in July 2023.  France had mobilised authorities to enable and guarantee the return to calm and security of people in New Caledonia. Emergency measures were deployed last June.  The mediation and work mission continued its work, with the aim of renewing political dialogue. 

    France had been implementing a new interministerial plan for gender equality 2023-2027, which contained 161 measures divided into four priority areas: the fight against violence against women; the global approach to women’s health; professional and economic equality; and the dissemination and transmission of a culture of equality.  The law of July 2023 aimed at strengthening women’s access to responsibilities in the public service.  It increased the mandatory quota of first-time female appointments to senior and management positions to 50 per cent.  On 8 March 2024, France became the first country in the world to enshrine the freedom to have access to voluntary termination of pregnancy in its Constitution. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert welcomed that France’s report was prepared in consultation with the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, whose role was to monitor France’s international commitments and the implementation of recommendations issued by international and regional bodies.  In May 2024, despite the provisions of the Nouméa Accord which provided for a process of gradual transfer of power from France to New Caledonia, the National Assembly voted in favour of expanding the electorate of New Caledonia.  Thousands of Kanak demonstrators mobilised to denounce these reforms, which were allegedly passed without adequate consultation or free, prior and informed consent.  In the absence of sufficient dialogue on the part of the authorities, a violent conflict had been raging since that date. 

    The French Government had deployed considerable military resources to restore order, but at the cost of numerous allegations of excessive use of force that led to several deaths among Kanak protesters and security forces, as well as injuries.  According to information received by the Committee, at least 11 people were shot dead and 169 others were injured; 2658 demonstrators were arrested, many of whom were arbitrarily arrested and detained, dozens of them were also transferred to metropolitan France. 

    It appeared that the current violence in the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia was linked to reforms of the Nouméa Accord and a lack of progress in the decolonisation process.  What was the progress made on the issue of self-determination of the non-self-governing territory of New Caledonia as well as that of French Polynesia, and the participation and consultation processes put in place with the indigenous peoples living in these territories to obtain their free and informed consent and access to independence?

    There had been several prominent court cases regarding the removal of headscarves in France.  In the opinion of the French State, should the Committee’s Views be followed only in the case where the Committee considered a complaint to be inadmissible or agreed with the arguments presented by the French Government? Were there intentions to lift reservations to the Covenant?  Who currently appointed the magistrates of the courts?  What was the current state of the constitutional reform initiated with a view to making the Prosecutor’s Office independent of the executive?  How could the full independence of judges and prosecutors be guaranteed?

    Since 2015, France had put in place measures to combat terrorism, which had been seen over the years to be increasingly detrimental to people’s rights and freedoms.

    Was the new legislation accompanied by sufficient guarantees against the risk of arbitrary and discriminatory implementation of these measures?  What independent and impartial expertise did public authorities have to assess the impact of new technologies on the exercise of the rights and freedoms recognised by the Covenant? 

    It was understood that mass surveillance technology was used during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  How did the State party ensure that it did not lead to profiling that disproportionately affected racial, ethnic and religious minorities?  How did the State party ensure that continuous surveillance by algorithm-based systems did not violate the right to privacy and respected the requirements of proportionality and necessity?  For how long could the data collected in this way be kept? 

    What were the current conditions for the communication of information to the intelligence services, particularly in the area of sensitive data? What information could be transmitted and what traceability requirements were in place?  Under what conditions could information provided by the intelligence services be made available to the judicial authority and the Public Prosecutor’s Office?  What means of access was available to defendants and those accused of acts of terrorism?

    Another Expert said the Committee was informed that people of colour were subjected to identity checks by the police about 20 times more often than other citizens.  They also faced discriminatory treatment during police stops and searches, including direct fines, often without objective suspicion and without being informed of the reasons.  What could be done to ensure that the use of identity checks and fines was not left to the discretion of law enforcement agencies, and was based only on objective and individualised conditions, and not on racial origins?  Did the State party have explicit guidelines for law enforcement agencies that clearly prohibited racial profiling in police operations as well as discriminatory identity checks? 

    Could the State party indicate whether mandatory training on racial and ethnic discrimination and profiling was systematically offered to law enforcement officials, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Did the State party systematically collect data to monitor the use of identity checks, both in metropolitan France and in the overseas territories?  Would the State party be prepared to implement a template for all individuals subject to an identity check?  Would it be willing to introduce a centralised record of all identity checks to have an overview of how they were used, with whom and where?

    The Committee had received extensive information that showed the persistent problem of systemic racial discrimination, as well as the use of negative stereotypes against minorities.  What measures had the State party taken to effectively combat all forms of hate speech and hate crimes against racial, ethnic and religious minorities? What training was provided to law enforcement officers, judges and prosecutors, and what awareness campaigns were organised to prevent and combat hate crime and hate speech?  Would France develop data collection and research in compliance with data protection rules, to effectively identify cases of racial or ethnic profiling and offences in metropolitan France and overseas?

    The Committee welcomed the national plan for equality and against hatred and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (2020-2026) and the government plan (2023-2026) to combat homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  How would the State party ensure adequate resources and the active participation of civil society in the implementation of these plans?  Did these programmes sufficiently take into account minorities within minorities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex asylum seekers? 

    The Committee was informed that some of the measures granting extensive powers to the administrative authorities, developed in the context of the state of emergency, had been granted permanent status.  What measures had the State party taken to ensure that initial emergency measures were in conformity with the Covenant in terms of necessity and proportionality?  How did the State party promote the accessibility of judicial procedures and ensure that they were effective?

    How would France ensure that anti-terrorism legislation did not disproportionately target Muslims and that actions were based on alleged criminal behaviour rather than religious practices?  How did the State party ensure that house searches and dissolution of organizations were conducted by the courts?  What was the percentage of terrorist offences in relation to criminal offences committed in the last five years?  The Committee was informed of the law establishing a new security regime, which subjected the accused to certain obligations, with a view of ensuring their reintegration.  How did France ensure that this monitoring system, which was based on the rather vague notion of “dangerousness”, was not arbitrary and did not disproportionately infringe on the rights of persons who had served their sentences?

    One Committee Expert said the Committee particularly welcomed the State party’s commitment of significant financial resources to address the needs of vulnerable groups during the health crisis of COVID-19. What was the impact of the measures described in the State party’s report, to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic did not exacerbate inequalities, discrimination and exclusion, including among vulnerable groups?  Specifically, regarding domestic violence against women, which was said to have increased during the pandemic, what was the assessment of the effectiveness and impact of the measures taken? 

    While noting the information provided by the State party, including on the judicial review of the restrictions imposed, could the proportionality of the measures imposed to address COVID-19 be explained, including the ban on any gathering of more than 10 people imposed for a certain period? What assessment did the State party make of this experience for a better consideration of human rights in future crises?      

    Another Expert said the State party had reported on humanitarian repatriations from Syria of women and children of French nationality.  With regard to returns, according to public reports, there was still a significant number of women and children detained or held in camps and rehabilitation centres in Syria.  What was the number, the current situation, and the measures taken by the State party to ensure the full repatriation of all French women and children still in detention camps and rehabilitation centres for minors in Syria? 

    What was the estimated number of detained men and women in Syria who participated as Islamic State fighters?  Had measures been taken to ensure that due process standards were strictly respected in the trials before the Syrian national courts? According to information, in May and June 2019, 11 French nationals had been sentenced to death in Iraq for their involvement as Islamic State fighters.  Could the delegation provide an update on that information and indicate what steps the State party had taken to prevent the continued imposition of death sentences on its nationals in that country?  What other penalties had been applied to these French nationals in lieu of the death penalty?

    The Committee had requested information related to the Arms Trade Treaty, in order to know whether the State party carried out an evaluation for the granting of export licenses aimed at determining that the recipient country used the weapons included in the respective license within the framework of respect for the right to life.  Did the evaluation of an arms export take this into account?  Had any measures been taken to ensure a total ban on arms sales to countries where there was a clear risk that such weapons could be used to violate international human rights law?  Was it possible to access information on arms exports so that civil society could carry out oversight?  What measures had been taken to prevent the negative effects on the right to life of the operations of French companies abroad, especially in the province of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique? 

    A Committee Expert said the Committee was informed that there had been a rise in police violence in recent years, with multiple incidents resulting in fatal outcomes, some of them young boys.   Could more information be provided on trainings on racism for police officers?  Had improvements been made, bearing in mind previous incidents?  The Committee was informed that investigations and legal procedures of unlawful killings by law enforcement officials were not expeditious, sometimes even leading to de facto police impunity, or that sentences were not commensurate with the gravity of the crime. 

    Had there been plans to amend legal norms and review legal conditions for the use of firearms by the police and the gendarmerie, aiming to reduce the risks of disproportionate use of lethal force, and to strike a better balance with the principles of absolute necessity and strict proportionality?  What was the status of investigations of fatalities and injuries, including those related to alleged excessive use of force, which emerged during conflicts that started in May 2024 in New Caledonia? Had trainings been undertaken for those operating in France’s overseas territories? 

    The Committee welcomed the reported introduction of the new right to appeal introduced by article 803-8 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as a step forward.  However, Experts had been informed that there were several challenges preventing its full use and benefits.  Since the right to a judicial remedy against undignified conditions of detention was introduced in 2021, what were the steps taken by the State party to disseminate it within the incarcerated population?  Was the information on the creation of a new legal tool easily reachable in all penitentiaries under the jurisdiction of the State party?  Had legal aid been introduced to those incarcerated persons who could not afford a lawyer or judicial taxes?  Were there plans to introduce wider use of alternatives to detention or a more restricted use of detention as a last resort?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said France supported the recognition of indigenous peoples.  New Caledonia was one of the most advanced examples of the French Government recognising the rights of indigenous peoples.  Since the Nouméa Accord, an institutional framework had been put into place allowing for shared governance between the communities, representing the customs of the Kanak people.  On 1 October, the Prime Minister announced the postponement of elections in 2025, which was unanimously agreed by Parliament.  Since 1998, France had been cooperating with the decolonisation committee and the work had been fruitful.

    Since 2015, the technical intelligence community had been working on a specific legal framework.  The law included respect for the private lives of citizens and had a strict principle of proportionality.  The law set forth the procedures to be respected when it came to implementing intelligence techniques, including prior authorisation by the Prime Minister.  There were restrictions on how long the data could be held.  The enhanced video surveillance was enacted in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics Games.  France chose to engage in a rigorous oversight mechanism regarding this surveillance.  This was a tool for detecting events without having to resort to facial recognition. 

    All French citizens were equal before the law.  The code of ethics for the police and national gendarmerie prohibited discriminatory identity checks.  When the law authorised an identity check, the police should not rely on any physical trait, unless there were specific grounds.  Any act of discrimination could be reported by someone who believed they were a victim of discriminatory profiling.  There were several ways to do this, including through the various controlling and monitoring authorities and the judiciary.

    At the end of the state of emergency, which followed the attacks carried out on France in 2015, the Government acknowledged the need to keep these tools in place due to the possibility of other attacks.  Four new measures had then been created.  These laws were only for preventing terrorism and were accompanied with significant guarantees for citizens.  The law of 30 July 2021 on preventing acts of terrorism gave these measures permanency.  The Constitutional Council believed this was a balanced approach that ensured achieving the goal of preventing terrorism while respecting private life.  House searches could not be instigated unless there was prior authorisation from a judge; 1,447 remedies were presented for the state of emergency.  The law of 2021 applied to people who had been sentenced to acts of terrorism. Sentences for terrorist activities represented around 0.04 per cent of all criminal activities. 

    A plan had been developed to prepare the plan on combatting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex hatred, involving members of civil society.  The plan contained 16 key measures, including a ten-million-euro fund by 2027 to improve the host centres for these individuals.  The goal was to have two centres per region in France.  For hate speech, the legislation provision had recently been strengthened.  In 2021, there was a vote to govern the digital space and that law had a set of provisions on combatting online hate speech to better regulate illegal behaviour. There had been significant progress made in this area, given that a bill had been introduced in the European Parliament to regulate heinous content online. 

    In France, 2020 was the year that the State had the lowest rate of femicide.  This meant that the measures set up were effective, and that the police and justice systems were able to act swiftly to combat family violence.  There were also provisions which allowed complaints to be raised. 

    Measures adopted during the pandemic were considered to be proportional.  The measures taken to address the pandemic did not overturn other measures in place. During COVID-19, the number of calls to victim support groups for violence had increased.  The accelerated measures implemented by France to support victims included electronic bracelets to ensure restraining orders were complied with.   In 2021, emergency plans were implemented to ensure people were protected.  At the end of the pandemic, the State provided hotlines 24/7 and reception centres in shopping malls.  More specialised support was also provided in courts. 

    International commitments by France to human rights did not involve a repatriation of citizens in an area where France had no control.  Authorities responded systematically to requests for repatriation made by French citizens.  Since 2019, repatriation efforts for minors had been organised.  France exported weapons to countries that wished to strengthen their armies, only with strict national oversight. 

    Force was only used when necessary in cases set forth by law and in a manner which was proportional to the threat.  A police or member of the gendarmerie would only use force if it was essential in their work, such as in cases of self-defence.  Police had additional guidelines on the use of weapons.  There should never be doubt regarding the reasons of an arrest warrant. 

    France had a law which allowed for all inmates to request guarantees for their detention conditions, ensuring they were dignified. A provision was in place which allowed individuals to benefit from jurisdictional support, in place since 2023. Template forms for this purpose were provided to all detainees upon their detention. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the problem with the New Caledonia information was the outcome of the projects which arose in France in 1984. The idea of postponing elections to 2025 was a positive sign as this would allow for mediation between the local and French authorities.  Over recent years, there had been a considerable strengthening of anti-terrorist measures.  However, the majority of terrorist threats were foiled by international cooperation efforts.  Were the measures justified by the threats the State faced?  How could this be transmitted between different intelligence branches?  How long was intelligence data stored and what measures were provided to keep the information secure? 

    Another Expert asked for disaggregated data on what law enforcement officials had been charged with?  Were inmates allowed to apply to a collective appeal so that others could benefit? 

    An Expert said there were laws which prohibited discrimination in identification checks; how was it ensured that this legislation was implemented?

    Another Committee Expert asked for the delegation to bear in mind the matter of redress granted to victims of violence. 

    One Expert asked for a more specific response to the measures adopted to comply with the rulings of the European courts against certain cases against France?  How did the State party ensure effective judicial control and parliamentary oversight in weapon exportation? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the French overseas territories met all international criteria under the law.  France had completed the decolonisation process and no longer administered non-self-governing territories.  As for French Polynesia, in 2023, France decided to speak before the General Assembly, illustrating ongoing dialogue between the State and French Polynesia. France supported the development of French Polynesia. 

    The French Government followed the individual communications procedure before the Committee.  Any communications were the subject of broad consultations among many ministries and institutions. 

    When France ended the state of emergency of 2015 to 2017, the risk of terrorism in the country was still high.  While this risk had come down, threats still persisted; 45 attacks had been foiled between 2017 and now. 

    In 2022, over 700 people brought cases to court regarding acts of violence committed by people in public authority.  Over 200 of these led to convictions. 

    The Ministry of Education and Youth was currently creating a programme to consider the new kinds of racism and anti-Semitism which had cropped up in recent years. 

    The French law enforcement force represented the population and was diverse.  Inmates could ask for specific improvements to detention conditions which impacted their dignity.  Improvements had been carried out in several penitentiaries as a result of this. Several inmates could present these complaints together.   

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said since the end of the state of health emergency on 10 July 2020, the situation of exiled people in Calais had deteriorated.  The nearly 1,200 homeless men, women and children in Calais had seen their living conditions deteriorated due to the brutal “evacuations” of several large camps, and the dramatic reduction in vital services such as food distributions, and lack of access to showers and water points.  Additionally, around 100 unaccompanied minors had settled in tents in Jules Ferry Square to highlight that they had been abandoned by the State. Could the State party comment on this?

    According to information received, journalists and media organizations were reportedly facing increasing challenges in carrying out their duties, including restrictions on reporting, potential abuses of power, and other pressures that undermined press freedom.  Reporters without Borders reported that police reportedly assaulted several “clearly identifiable” journalists.  There were several cases cited to support these allegations, including journalists in New Caledonia who stated they were constantly harassed for their coverage of the riots.  Could the delegation comment on these allegations?  What measures did the State party intend to take to better protect journalists and human rights defenders in the exercise of their work? Had the perpetrators of the mentioned cases been prosecuted and what was the outcome, including convictions and reparations?

    Another Expert noted the numerous allegations of prison overcrowding in the State party and the serious health risks during the most critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic, asking what were the reasons for providing, through decree-law 2020-303, for the full continuation of pre-trial detention, which even affected minors?  What were the conditions for the application of the measure of full maintenance of pre-trial detention to children and how many children were affected by this measure? How did law no. 2021-646 of 25 May 2021 on global security preserving freedoms effectively guarantee respect for privacy, especially in the use of portable cameras by law enforcement officers and cameras installed on unmanned aerial vehicles?  Did it include the principles of proportionality and necessity? In the case of the use of surveillance devices in public demonstrations by law enforcement officers, were there safeguards or limitations to prevent their use from affecting the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression? 

    It was alleged that four former national secretaries of the General Confederation of Labour were being investigated for defamation and public slander following a complaint filed against them by the Directorate of the National School of Prison Administration.  Could information on this be provided?  The Committee would also like information on the processes followed against various union, political and community leaders for the crime of glorifying terrorism after the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.  It was reported that during the recent Olympic Games, there were many cases of systematic Islamophobia that mainly affected Muslim athletes and communities, a situation exacerbated by the security measures adopted. Could the delegation comment on this? What measures had the State party taken to combat hate speech against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons?

    One Expert said the Committee had unfortunately been informed that the situation of migrants in Calais and Grande-Synthe was still very worrying, with authorities continuing to apply the “zero point of fixation” policy, under which temporary shelters were systematically dismantled, sometimes with excessive use of force, every 48 hours.  How were migrants informed of the 48 hour rule and the possible dismantling of their temporary shelters?  Could the State consider the use of more humane and proportionate alternatives to dismantling these shelters, including increasing the capacity of reception centres?  What measures had been adopted to facilitate reporting on police abuses? 

    The Committee was concerned by reports that migrants had been detained at the French-Italian border without having obtained legal documents explaining their detention.  How did France ensure that such detentions were not arbitrary and that all migrants were informed of their procedural rights?  The Committee was also informed that the immigration law of 2 January 2024 expanded the criteria for expulsion to include minor offences, and allowed authorities to place a foreign person in administrative detention for reasons related to a potential threat to public order without justification, as well as allowing detention to be extended and reducing procedural rights.  How was it ensured that these measures were compatible with the provisions of the Covenant? 

    The Committee had received information that the State party continued to issue expulsion notices for the return of persons to countries where they were at risk of serious violations of their rights.  How did the State party ensure respect for the principle of non-refoulement in all cases of expulsion?  Regarding the internal borders of the Schengen area, in particular the issue of rapid refoulement at the border between France and Italy, the Committee noted with appreciation the State party’s follow-up to the conclusion of the Court of Justice of the European Union.  The Committee welcomed the annulment by the Council of State, in February, of certain parts of the Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum. 

    However, information had been received that foreign nationals continued to be forcibly returned to Italy without having had access to a proper asylum procedure.  How did France ensure the individualised examination of all applications and effective access to asylum procedures?  Did the State intend to end the use of bone tests in law and in practice?  What was the objective of the January 2024 law to establish files to identify unaccompanied minors suspected of a criminal offence?  Who controlled these files and who kept them?  What measures had been taken to ensure adequate temporary accommodation and emergency accommodation for unaccompanied minors?

    One Committee Expert said France had adopted the third national action plan against human trafficking (2024-2027) at the beginning of 2024.  Could the evaluation of achievements from the second action plan be provided and what goals were set for the third plan?  What were the measures developed to combat trafficking?  Could victims receive compensation within the criminal procedure, or did they have to undergo civil suits for compensation?  What safeguards were in place to protect victims themselves from criminal accountability?  What methods had been developed for victims’ identification?  Had trainings been organised for prosecutors, judges and lawyers on human trafficking? 

    The Committee was concerned by numerous reports that the ban on manifestation of religious beliefs by means of clothing, headgear or other religious symbols was a source of tension in French society and was seen by some as disrespect for multiculturism, fuelling the sense of discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia.  What measures were being taken to ensure that the ban on expressing religion by means of religious clothing, headgear or symbols did not have a discriminatory effect in practice?  How was it ensured that all visible religious symbols were treated equally? What criteria was used to decide what symbol should be treated as conspicuous and thus be banned, while others were treated as discrete and allowed?  How did the State party avoid that the ban on manifestation of religious beliefs by means of clothing affected predominantly Muslim girls and women? 

    What safeguards were in place to ensure that provisions on the dissolution of association would not be broadly interpreted and end in violating the right to freedom of assembly?  There had been examples of associations, such as Uprisings of the Earth, labelled as eco-terrorists.  Could the delegation provide its views on this?  The Committee was concerned at the expansion of police powers to stop and check persons in the vicinity of protests, and the effect that this could have on the effective enjoyment of the right of peaceful assembly.  A significant number of protesters had been arrested and detained and a small percentage of the protesters arrested had been charged.  What was the position of the State party on these allegations?  How were personal dignity and respect understood by the courts?

    Another Expert said the year 2023 was marked by a succession of bans on demonstrations, particularly related to the mobilisation against the pension reform, or those carried out in support of the Palestinian people.  In October 2023, the Minister of the Interior issued a memo calling on local authorities to pre-emptively ban all demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestine people.  The ban was challenged before the Council of State, which determined that local authorities had to judge on a case-by-case basis the risks to public order and thus avoid repression by invoking public order, excessive force or arbitrary arrest.  This had had repercussions, even in the area of the right to information, which was concerning.

    Did the National Law Enforcement Scheme adopted in September 2020 mention the path of “de-escalation”, as a strategic principle for policing political manifestations in Europe, supported by the European Union?  The Committee had expressed concern about allegations of ill treatment, excessive use of force, and disproportionate use of intermediate force weapons, in particular during arrests, forced evacuations, and law enforcement operations.  A 2017 law (the Cazeneuve law) created a common framework for the use of weapons, allowing police to use armed force in five different cases.  However, the number of deaths had increased fivefold after the 2017 law, causing France to become the country in the European Union with the largest numbers of people killed or injured by shots fired by police. 

    Could the delegation explain the extent to which law enforcement agencies followed the applicable protocols in practice, with supporting statistics, and respected the principles of necessity, proportionality, precaution, non-discrimination and self-defence in the use of weapons?  What measures, in terms of training for law enforcement agencies, were envisaged?  Would the State party be willing to review the legal framework on the use of weapons and limit the use of firearms within the Security Code?  What follow-up had been given to decision 2020-131 of the Defender of Rights on general recommendations on law enforcement practices with regard to the rules of ethics? 

    According to a decision by the Ombudsman, France was the only country in Europe to use stun grenades to keep demonstrators at bay. Would grenades continue to be used despite the serious mutilations and injuries they caused?  Could the delegation provide updated information on the number of persons who had died as a result of police operations during arrests, including through the excessive use of force, and on the outcome of investigations into such deaths, sanctions imposed, and reparations provided to victims and their families?  Could statistics be provided on the number of proposals for sanctions presented by the Defender of Rights and what became of them, in particular the number of prosecutions? 

    Would the Brigades for the Repression of Motorised Violent Actions be dissolved?  The State party’s report provided information on complaints and investigations initiated concerning members of the security forces.  What measures would be taken to make the relevant statistical data more reliable, disaggregated and complete?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the evacuations of camps in Calais which took place were done through either a legal or an administrative decision. These decisions were carried out with proper supervision and were overseen by the Government and social organizations.  Unaccompanied minors were housed in emergency shelter systems when possible and the same for adults when possible. 

    France guaranteed the right to protest and freedom of collective speech and expression of ideas.  The French State allowed journalists free circulation.  France was seeking to strike a balance because there were now many journalists without press identification who ran risks, placing themselves between protesters and law enforcement officials.  Law enforcement officers were called on to show professional behaviour at all times, including in situations where protests were violent. 

    Videos in public spaces were used to call attention to pre-determined actions; they did not have any impact on the right to protest. France supported the European plan for protecting journalists against violence.  This had allowed for additional guarantees to be provided in certain cases. 

    French authorities were mobilised to support efforts against hate speech, and there were efforts to address this phenomenon within the Ministry of Justice.  When cases were thrown out, they could be appealed before the appeals court.  Investigations into allegations of hate speech were underway. 

    The administrative police were evacuating camps, which were aimed at putting an end to illegal occupation and squatting of lands.  These operations on the ground involved parameters being established.  Regarding expulsions in Calais, 36 operations had taken place.  They were based on the same legal foundations; the anti-squat laws had been utilised to proceed with the evacuation.  Minors were always supported.  The State was aware of the situation of unaccompanied minors in Calais. Systems had been put in place to address these realities and identify the unaccompanied minors.  Work was being done with associations on the ground in Calais, including Doctors without Borders.  The shelters were only 20 minutes from Calais and allowed for daily operations and support.  This distance was far enough to protect unaccompanied minors from traffickers found in these camps. 

    When foreigners were not eligible for asylum seeking procedures, they could then be placed under administrative detention in administrative detention centres.  These decisions were subjected to oversight by judges.  During the detention period, foreigners benefitted from health care support and legal counsel.  Voluntary returnees received financial support.  Some countries were not considered to be safe, and therefore returns were only on a voluntary basis.  Since October 2022, the Government was active in Mayotte, allowing active participation in the asylum-seeking process. 

    There were 2,100 victims of trafficking and exploitation in 2023, a six per cent increase compared to 2022.  Around 882 people had been sentenced for exploitation and trafficking.  France thanked civil society for helping contribute to the National Action Plan against Trafficking.  Training was an important part of the strategy to combat trafficking; there was a training course on human trafficking with a focus on modern slavery. Training was provided to 150 different professionals.  To care for the victims of human trafficking, several mechanisms were in place, including an early detection mechanism.

    France guaranteed the rights of citizens at the highest level, and any restrictions applied to all religions equally.  There was freedom for an individual to display religious signs, but this needed to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Any restriction on a religious symbol was only imposed if they were identified as a risk to the public service. 

    Freedom of expression was guaranteed in France, but this could result in some groups promoting racist and hate speech.  The law of 2021 amended the list of cases where a dissolution could take place, broadening the list of discriminatory measures which could lead to a dissolution. 

    The Public Ministry could carry out prosecutions.  Sometimes the Prosecutor could enact educational measures instead, which was used in some cases of minors.  The judges of France were required to argue for their decisions, given that there were no automatic sentences in the State.  This was also true for those found guilty of threatening public order. 

    France was one of the first countries to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.  There had been a significant increase in anti-Semitic acts since October 2023. Freedom to demonstrate was a fundamental right protected by the Constitution and protests were not subjected to authorisation.  There should be a notification to law enforcement around 15 days before to protect the safety of those participating and those living in the area.  The prohibition of protests was only carried out if it was believed they were a threat to public order, and this was done with the oversight of a judge.  Exceptionally, some protests had been prohibited due to the risk they posed to public order. 

    The use of firearms in France was regulated by the Criminal Code. This allowed a gradual response to respect necessity and proportionality to the violence and the threat.  The goal was to reduce the risk of threatening life and the integrity of people.  The police and gendarmerie were trained on how to use these weapons.  Regarding the brigades, several changes in the practices of demonstrators, including the increase in use of social media, had meant that for three years, the strategy had changed.  On average, there were two to three protests every day in Paris.  To meet this challenge, the brigades were developed and had been used to break up certain disruptive groups.  Since October 2023, the Ministry of Justice had circulated a document on combatting offences related to terrorist activities. 

    The fight against Islamophobia was a strong State policy. The strong Muslim community in France should be able to live with their beliefs peacefully to enjoy their religion. Any law which might be seen as a restriction did not target any specific population or any specific religion. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked if minors in Mayotte could be afforded the same protections as in metropolitan France? 

    Another Expert said hate speech online affected artists and activists in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community. What had been done to prevent this? 

    An Expert said there had been a significant increase in those killed or wounded during protests or police operations.  Were grenades and defensive bullets still used?  What happened when police used these weapons? Was there a compulsory inquiry? Was there oversight regarding each use of weapons? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    Minors were subjected to an age evaluation before they were recorded as minors.  If recorded as a minor, they should not undergo another evaluation.  The dismantling of camps was based on public legal rulings.  The individuals were informed, and efforts were made to help them find shelters or to change their immigration status.  Readmission into the Schengen space was a complex issue. 

    There was a doctrine for the use of medium weapons which allowed gradual and proportionate use.  Recent changes allowed France to address the risk of wounds with these weapons.  Law enforcement officers needed to be clearly trained on each type of weapon on a regular basis.  There was a proposal to replace grenades with non-lethal “flash-bangs”. Random visits were undertaken to police and gendarmerie stations as a form of auditing.  Efforts were made to identify the amount of time weapons were used. 

    Closing Remarks

    ISABELLE ROME, Ambassador for Human Rights of France and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the dialogue.  France was deeply attached to the rule of law and was a living democracy; the Committee’s recommendations would be scrupulously considered.  France would continue to progress with an open-minded spirit, in partnership with civil society and the national human rights institution.  The country was committed to renewing dialogue with the territory of New Caledonia and its inhabitants. 

    TANIA MARÍA ABDO ROCHOLL, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the dialogue, which had covered a wide range of subjects under the Covenant.  The Committee aimed to ensure the highest level of implementation of the Covenant in France. 

    __________

    CCPR.24.024E

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

    English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Help Michigan Businesses Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Michigan for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses from drought that began on Oct. 8.

    The declaration includes the primary County of Lenawee, and the adjacent counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Monroe and Washtenaw in Michigan, and Fulton and Lucas in Ohio.  

    “When farmers face crop losses and a disaster is declared by the Secretary of Agriculture, SBA working capital loans become a lifeline for eligible small businesses,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “These loans are the backbone that helps rural communities bounce back and thrive after a disaster strikes.”

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions. 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and  
    3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. 

    On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

    Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

    For information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 16, 2025. 

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at a Press Conference in Phnom Penh

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Thank you all. It is great to see everyone this evening. 

    It has been a great pleasure for me to be back in Cambodia for my fourth visit. In previous visits, of course, I have been awed by the majesty and rich culture of Angkor Wat, the incredible power and importance of the Tulsa Lang Genocide Museum, and, of course, the beauty of the Mekong River.

    Being back here and discussing the deepening engagement between our two countries has been very enlightening for me. The partnership of today builds on several decades of investment by USAID in support of the dignity and prosperity of the Cambodian people. 

    I feel, personally, very fortunate to be the first USAID Administrator to visit Cambodia while in this role, and I have taken many notes about the priorities of the Government officials, students, and civil society leaders that I’ve had the chance to engage with.

    Over the past few decades, the Cambodian people have made really remarkable strides to improve health, education, and economic growth. We, in the United States, again, have been able to support these efforts, including with a total of $3 billion in assistance over the past more-than-30 years. 

    We, in these years, supported the efforts of public health heroes like Mr. Yang Chiang, this country’s first entomologist, who I had the honor of meeting today. A man who has dedicated his life to trying to eliminate malaria here in Cambodia, and an individual who has been able to see with so many of you that Cambodia now has marked six straight years without a single death from malaria, and thus, again, is on the cusp of meeting this goal of eliminating malaria in this country.

    We also have supported Cambodia’s education system to get more kids into school. Since 2007, the number of children enrolled in preschool programs has more than doubled, and Cambodia is close, in fact, to achieving universal access to primary education. USAID programs have doubled reading scores among the children that we have worked with, and we are now seeing the Cambodian Government using these same approaches to help even more young people. 

    We worked as well to increase trade between our two countries, and today, the United States is Cambodia’s largest export market. Over the past five years, indeed, Cambodia’s exports to the United States have more than doubled. There is meaningful progress like this to celebrate, and on this trip, I am glad to announce over $50 million in new funding from across the U.S. government to try to build on some of this progress.

    With these funds, we will invest in helping Cambodian farmers connect with markets and adopt new technologies to keep producing plentiful and safe food, even as the climate changes. We will invest in keeping the Cambodian people safe by clearing landmines and other unexploded ordinances, building on decades of efforts to address the dangerous legacies of war. And importantly, we will invest in supporting civil society, labor, and independent media, investments that will not only support Cambodia’s democratic future but its economic future, as well. 

    On this visit, I have met with Cambodians from all walks of life – families fostering kids with disabilities, students and environmentalists, workers who care for some of this country’s most sacred sites, doctors, nurses and community health workers, labor activists, and brave individuals who seek to hold those with power accountable to the principles enshrined in this country’s constitution: democracy, human rights, transparency. 

    There is great potential for the relationship between the United States and Cambodia to grow stronger, and, as is the case in all of our important relationships, there are also concerns, including about unjustified arrests and threats to basic rights. We are following the case of journalist Mech Dara very closely, including some potential developments today. I had a chance to both meet with Dara’s family, and to raise this issue, along with other concerning cases, in my meeting with the Prime Minister today. 

    All of these cases are sensitive, but I will just underscore that we have emphasized our support for finding positive resolutions. More broadly, as I discussed with Prime Minister Hen Mannet earlier today, American and international companies see real opportunity here in Cambodia. But, in order to invest here, they want to see meaningful improvements in the business enabling environment, to tackle corruption, to improve respect for labor rights, and to address the cyber scam operations plaguing Cambodia’s international reputation. 

    Working toward greater transparency, accountability and protection of human rights can unlock extraordinary prosperity for the Cambodian people. That can be the promise of a new generation, and we, in the United States, will be eager partners in working together to achieve it. 

    Thank you so much, and I look forward to taking your questions.

    QUESTION: Thank you. Hi, I’m Prak Chan Thul from Kiripost. So, you said you announced $50 new million for Cambodia. What? What have you heard from the authorities of the Cambodian government that in return of this new aid and what have you – what will you promise in the case of Mech Dara, will he be released? Thank you.

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you. I’m not going to comment further on Mech Dara’s case beyond to stress the importance of independent media, of checks and balances, and of the rule of law. 

    With regard to the new investments that have been announced. They range from an additional investment in the prevention of tuberculosis. I was able, yesterday in Siem Reap, to witness a very energetic effort to reach at least some of the Cambodians who have tuberculosis, but often do not know they have TB until it is not only too late for them, but too late for others, given how the disease spreads. So, USAID is partnering with community-based organizations that will reach citizens where they are, not expecting citizens to experience a symptom and then travel a long way to get a diagnosis, but an effort really to make the diagnostic technology more mobile and more readily available. And, this is with an eye to helping Cambodia and Cambodians reach the goal that the government has set to eliminate TB by 2030. So, this is a $4 million investment in a local organization that is driving some of this community based work to get rid of TB. 

    In addition, just to stay in the area of public health, we have announced an additional $1 million to invest in doing a survey for the Cambodian people of blood lead levels. There is significant lead poisoning among children in many developing countries, including Cambodia, but understanding exactly where those elevated levels of lead in the blood are clustered, understanding the sources of lead poisoning is absolutely critical to eliminating lead poisoning going forward. 

    And, this was something – both this and TB and, of course, all of the work we have done together on malaria, were each topics that I had a chance to discuss with the Prime Minister, and sensed a lot of enthusiasm to go forward again with the efforts to eliminate TB, and the effort now to get a handle on precisely what the sources of lead poisoning are so as to embark on a multi-faceted effort to regulate lead and to ensure that Cambodia’s children are no longer exposed to something that can be very harmful to educational attainment, and can ultimately even cause premature death. 

    We also are announcing an investment of an additional $5 million to support workers, civil society, and independent media. And here, let me just note, obviously these are investments in non-governmental actors. But, one of the topics that we discussed at length with the Prime Minister was his broad ambition to attract more foreign investment, to take steps that will ensure that the economy continues to grow and even grows more, and creates jobs for all of the young people who are looking for jobs every year. But, it is really, really important for investors to have confidence in the rule of law, for corruption to be tackled, so that, for example, American companies can feel confident that they can invest here without having to pay bribes or engage in kickbacks, which are illegal in the United States. 

    And so, these investments in civil society, in media, in the dignity of work and workers – all of these are investments as well in Cambodia’s economic development and that broad ambition that so many Cambodians have for their children to enjoy a more prosperous future than they themselves.

    QUESTION: Hi, my name is Danielle Keaton Olson. I’m a freelance journalist based in Phnom Penh, and I was wondering so, Cambodian-based labor rights organization called Central has gotten under fire for receiving foreign funding. The Cambodian government has criticized it for receiving foreign funding. And, of course, there’s been the arrest of our colleague and the U.S. recognized Trafficking-In-Persons report hero, Mech Dera. Are these raising alarms or concerns within USAID at this moment?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, I have had the chance on this visit to sit down with individuals from Central and to hear firsthand about the experiences that they have been having, the level of the scrutiny of their operations, and the concerns that they have about being able to continue doing the work that has proven so important for workers rights here in Cambodia. I also had a chance in Siem Reap to meet with individuals who have helped organize, those who actually maintain these cherished tourist sites, and who themselves have organized in order to secure better wages, better working conditions, better hours, et cetera. 

    President Biden is laser-focused on labor rights at home and indeed has shown tremendous initiative and leadership on promoting global labor rights. And so, it was very important in having this visit for us to sit down and dig into just those issues. And, one of the arguments that I made today with the government, and it’s an argument again that U.S. officials are making all around the world, is that labor rights and workers abilities – a worker’s ability and workers’ abilities to advocate for themselves without fear of persecution, is absolutely critical to growing the economy in a manner that expands livelihoods and prosperity for all Cambodians. 

    So, this is not simply an issue of human rights, which it is, it is also absolutely critical that the freedom to organize, the freedom to associate, the freedom to express one’s concerns, be protected. And, I think that is the foundation to an economy that will not only grow but grow in an inclusive manner that benefits ordinary Cambodians and not merely those who have benefited from growth in prior generations.

    QUESTION: Sorry. Has it – just to clarify – Has it raised some concerns about USAID ability to support these values that, in terms of labor rights and independent media, that the U.S. government values?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, as I indicated in announcing additional support, you know, when these rights are challenged, it becomes all the more important for USAID to be working in partnership with those who are bravely defending those rights. And so, I actually think it underscores the importance of these investments, and I think that is certainly the message that I heard from the labor organizers that I’ve spoken with over the last few days – is both the resources to support those who are organizing, but also what we call the development diplomacy, you know, raising these – raising with senior government officials, the importance of these rights being protected and respected. And, the United States is not alone in raising these concerns. Obviously, other democracies are intent as well in raising concerns about, again, some of what appear to be the growing pressures on workers and on unions and on labor organizers. 

    QUESTION: Good evening, madam. My name is Hul Reaksmey. I am reporter from Voice of America. My question is, what is your observation about Chinese growing in Cambodia, when you talk about Cambodia effort to improve democracy?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Sorry, just a little bit hard to hear. Maybe just slow down, and I heard the first part, but just the last part of your question?

    QUESTION: Does the Chinese growing influence undermine efforts of Cambodia to improve democracy?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Thank you. Well, one of the things that the United States stresses in the countries where it works around the world is the importance of transparency, a spirit of partnership, the importance of natural resources being protected and preserved. As we just discussed, the importance of civil society and non-governmental actors, holding government accountable, and maybe this is a point I would stress even the most strongly, the importance of the investments we make, strengthening a country’s path to independence, rather than any kind of dependence. And so, one of the things that really stands out for me in terms of the U.S. development model is that we provide our support by-and-large through grants. 

    It’s extremely important to us that when we invest in health programming or education programming or food security efforts, like the USDA program that I’ve announced on this visit; or demining, like the additional $12 million that I announced on this visit, that the Cambodian people understand that these resources are invested in a spirit of partnership. 

    We are listening to our Cambodian partners and trying to mobilize resources in support of their objectives. What we do not want is for Cambodia or the Cambodian people to be somehow indebted to us in a manner that actually impedes this country’s economic development. 

    So, just to give you one statistical example of this. The United States invests about nine dollars in grants for every dollar of loan that the United States provides. The PRC invests about nine dollars in loans for every dollar in grants. And, one of the challenges – and these numbers are lower, I think, than the actual number, but at least that is the ratio, at least – one of the challenges that can saddle future generations with the obligation to repay debt, often at high interest, debt that was incurred long before.

    Again, our goal is for Cambodia to move, once and for all, from aid to trade. We know the capability of the Cambodian people. We see it in the incredible economic growth that this country has enjoyed. We see it in the resilience of the people who have gone through so much over the generations. And, what we seek to do is to be catalytic and responsive to our partners objectives, but the ultimate objective is for a sovereign and independent Cambodia to make its own choices about how to deploy its own resources, including its tremendous human capital.

    QUESTION: Hello, good evening ma’am. And my name is Ko Ratha from the Cambodia-China Times, and we call in Khmer the CC-Times. And, I have some questions for you. I just would like to say, this is very busy trip to Cambodia. And my first question is, how do you think about the development in Cambodia? As you mentioned that this is your fourth trip to Cambodia. And the second one is, why Americans decided to support more aid to Cambodia? And the last one, what is your encouragement in order to use aid in the right way and now the U.S. purpose?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, I have only been USAID Administrator now for more than three and a half years, let’s say, but one of the things that is wonderful about visiting Cambodia is to see the way in which previous investments by USAID and really from the American people, have produced such significant results here. 

    I gave the example of the elimination of malaria. The work done to eliminate malaria was done by Cambodians. It’s Cambodia that achieved, is on the verge, I should say, of achieving that very, very significant accomplishment. But USAID has been present over the last several decades in supporting that work. I mentioned in education that USAID has made investments in looking to see what forms of education are having the greatest impact with students. That’s a, you know, relatively small program, but that produced really valuable information, and now the Ministry of Education is using that information to inform its decisions about curriculum. 

    I think these are two really important examples of how this assistance can flow. It starts with respecting the judgment and the priorities of the Cambodian people. One of the things about USAID that is not well known, and even that I was not aware of before I came to USAID, is that three quarters of our staff in the countries in which we work are nationals of the countries in which we work. So, here, of course, that means that the vast majority of our staff here in Cambodia are Cambodians who live in their communities – who listen to their neighbors, who understand the importance of making health progress, and also understand the importance of fighting corruption, and ensuring that political reform and economic development go hand in hand. 

    So, I think that is our posture going forward – as we have been present in the country in some form since just after the Paris Peace Agreements, since 1993-1994 – we have learned a lot, and the people from whom we have learned the most are the Cambodian people. So, I think our presence here is not about, you know, geopolitical competition, it is about advancing the dignity, prosperity, and peace for Cambodians. 

    QUESTION: I wanted to follow up on the aid that was rescinded and then reinstated last year after the election, which the State Department called the Cambodian election last year, neither free nor fair, and then $18 million U.S. aid was withheld. Then that decision was reversed two months later. The U.S. Embassy told Cambodian news at the time that the aid was reinstated to, “encourage the new government to live up to its stated intentions to be more open and democratic.” So, a year later, I just wanted to follow up and ask, do you think it worked?

    ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Well, first, I think it’s important to discuss the aid itself, and I don’t need to repeat what we’ve already discussed here today, but when we invest $12 million in demining, that means fewer kids are going to run into unexploded ordinances. When we invest in moving diagnostic equipment that does X-rays of the lungs, that means fewer people are going to carry TB without knowing it. And, when we invest after COVID-19 and the horrible toll that that took here, not only on human health, but on the economy. When we invest in lab equipment and surveillance to prevent future global health security threats, that’s a really important investment in Cambodia’s health and stability, but also in America’s health. Every investment in global health security that we make internationally ultimately benefits us all, since we are connected. 

    So, I think that there absolutely is an effort to engage the government that has been now in office for 14 months, and to raise concerns about individuals who have, in some cases, exposed challenges in Cambodia that the Cambodian people benefit from seeing exposed like the scamming centers, like corruption, like human rights abuse by police or others. 

    We over this last or really over these last decades, but including with the new government, have made investments in labor organizing, in independent media, in these civil society organizations. At the same time, we have pressed these issues through our development diplomacy. 

    I don’t think that the United States, anywhere in the world, gives up on its efforts to promote human rights, to stress the linkage between economic progress and checks and balances, and again, the protection and promotion of human rights. And, of course, there are issues of concern, just as there were when the pause was put in place. 

    But, our programming resources do not go to the government. They go to non-governmental organizations. They go to the very organizations that, in many cases, are holding government accountable. In health, of course, goes to community based organizations that, yes, work alongside the Ministry of Health, but it is really important to take note that our assistance is to the people of this country, and that assistance, as we examine it, if it is advancing dignity, advancing checks and balances, it’s important to sustain those investments over time. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Univest Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOUDERTON, Pa., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Financial Corporation (“Univest” or the “Corporation”) (NASDAQ: UVSP), parent company of Univest Bank and Trust Co. (the “Bank”) and its insurance, investments and equipment financing subsidiaries, announced net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $18.6 million, or $0.63 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $17.0 million, or $0.58 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    Loans
    Gross loans and leases increased $45.9 million, or 0.7% (2.8% annualized), from June 30, 2024, primarily due to increases in commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans, partially offset by decreases in construction and commercial loans. Gross loans and leases increased $163.5 million, or 2.5% (3.3% annualized), from December 31, 2023, primarily due to increases in commercial, commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans, partially offset by a decrease in construction loans.

    Deposits and Liquidity
    Total deposits increased $358.8 million, or 5.5% (22.0% annualized), from June 30, 2024, primarily due to seasonal increases in public funds partially offset by decreases in commercial, consumer and brokered deposits. Total deposits increased $478.4 million, or 7.5% (10.0% annualized), from December 31, 2023, primarily due to increases in commercial, brokered, and seasonal public funds deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $1.3 billion and represented 19.3% of total deposits at September 30, 2024, compared to $1.4 billion representing 21.5% of total deposits at June 30, 2024. Unprotected deposits, which excludes insured, internal, and collateralized deposit accounts, totaled $1.4 billion at September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024. This represented 20.3% of total deposits at September 30, 2024, compared to 22.1% at June 30, 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Corporation reported on balance sheet cash and cash equivalents totaling $504.7 million. The Corporation and its subsidiaries had committed borrowing capacity of $3.6 billion at September 30, 2024, of which $1.8 billion was available. The Corporation and its subsidiaries also maintained uncommitted funding sources from correspondent banks of $468.0 million at September 30, 2024. Future availability under these uncommitted funding sources is subject to the prerogatives of the granting banks and may be withdrawn at will.

    Net Interest Income and Margin
    Net interest income of $53.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $386 thousand, or 0.7%, from the third quarter of 2023 and increased $2.2 million, or 4.3%, from the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year reflects the continued pressure on the cost of deposits due to the shift of balances from lower to higher cost deposit products which exceeded the increase in interest income from asset yield expansion and the increase in average interest-earning assets. However, we continue to see indicators of stabilization in cost of funds and our funding mix. The increase in net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024 was due to higher average balances of interest-earning assets and increased yields on these assets, partially offset by higher interest-bearing liability balances and costs.

    Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.82% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 2.84% for the second quarter of 2024 and 2.96% for the third quarter of 2023. Excess liquidity reduced net interest margin by approximately nine basis points for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to approximately two basis points for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and approximately four basis points for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Excluding the impact of excess liquidity, the net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 2.91% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to 2.86% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and 3.00% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

    Noninterest Income
    Noninterest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $20.2 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 7.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year.

    Investment advisory commission and fee income increased $476 thousand, or 9.8%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to increased assets under management and supervision driven by new business and market appreciation. Insurance commission and fee income increased $386 thousand, or 8.0%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in commercial lines premiums. Other income increased $1.2 million, or 512.3%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase of $705 thousand in gains on the sale of Small Business Administration loans.

    Other service fee income decreased $1.2 million, or 39.9%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to a $785 thousand valuation allowance recorded on mortgage servicing rights driven by the increase in prepayment speed assumptions as a result of the decrease in interest rates during the quarter. Additionally, net servicing fees on sold mortgage loans decreased by $307 thousand, primarily attributable to the sale of mortgage servicing rights associated with $591.1 million of serviced loans in the first quarter of 2024 and increased amortization driven by prepayments.

    Noninterest Expense
    Noninterest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $48.6 million, a decrease of $436 thousand, or 0.9%, from the comparable period in the prior year.

    Other expense decreased $808 thousand, or 11.0%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to decreases in retirement plan costs, insurance expense, recruiter fees, and bank shares tax expense.

    Professional fees decreased $184 thousand, or 10.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 primarily driven by a reduction in consultant fees. Deposit insurance premiums decreased $161 thousand, or 12.8%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 driven by an improvement in the financial ratios that contribute to our deposit insurance assessment rate.

    Salaries, benefits and commissions increased $724 thousand, or 2.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to increases in salary expense and an increase in incentive compensation due to increased profitability, partially offset by an increase in compensation capitalized driven by higher loan production.

    Tax Provision
    The effective income tax rate was 20.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to an effective tax rate of 20.0% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 reflected the benefits of tax-exempt income from investments in municipal securities and loans and leases. The increase in effective tax rate in the quarter was primarily due to increases in state tax rates.

    Asset Quality and Provision for Credit Losses
    Nonperforming assets totaled $36.6 million at September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, and $40.1 million at September 30, 2023.

    Net loan and lease charge-offs were $820 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $809 thousand and $969 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

    The provision for credit losses was $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $707 thousand and $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment was 1.28% at September 30, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

    Dividend and Share Repurchases
    On October 23, 2024, Univest declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share to be paid on November 20, 2024 to shareholders of record as of November 6, 2024. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Corporation repurchased 156,728 shares of common stock at an average price of $26.47 per share. Including brokerage fees and excise tax, the average price per share was $26.76. As of September 30, 2024, 539,646 shares are available for repurchase under the Share Repurchase Plan. On October 23, 2024, the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved an increase of 1,000,000 shares available for repurchase under the Corporation’s share repurchase program.

    Conference Call
    Univest will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2024 results on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Participants may preregister at https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=27c257f2&confId=71976. The general public can access the call by dialing 1-833-470-1428; using Access Code 752766. A replay of the conference call will be available through December 24, 2024 by dialing 1-866-813-9403; using Access Code 807549.

    About Univest Financial Corporation
    Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., Member FDIC, has approximately $8.2 billion in assets and $5.3 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business at September 30, 2024. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 50 offices and online at www.univest.net.  

    This press release and the reports Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain “forward-looking statements” relating to trends or factors affecting the financial services industry and, specifically, the financial condition and results of operations, business, prospects and strategies of Univest. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties in that there are a number of important factors that could cause Univest’s future financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects or strategies to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) competition and demand for financial services in our market area; (2) inflation and/or changes in interest rates, which may adversely impact our margins and yields, reduce the fair value of our financial instruments, reduce our loan originations and/or lead to higher operating costs and higher costs we pay to retain and attract deposits; (3) changes in asset quality, prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and/or credit loss provisions; (4) changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio; (5) our ability to access cost-effective funding; (6) changes in economic conditions nationally and in our market, including potential recessionary conditions and the levels of unemployment in our market area; (7) economic assumptions or changes in our methodology, either of which may impact our allowance for credit losses calculation; (8) legislative, regulatory, accounting or tax changes; (9) monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (10) technological issues that may adversely affect our operations or those of our customers; (11) a failure or breach in our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks; (12) changes in the securities markets; (13) the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; (14) our ability to enter into new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities and/or (15) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    (UVSP – ER)

    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
    September 30, 2024
    (Dollars in thousands)                            
                                 
    Balance Sheet (Period End)   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23        
    ASSETS                            
    Cash and due from banks   $ 78,346     $ 66,808     $ 49,318     $ 72,815     $ 68,900          
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks     426,354       124,103       152,288       176,984       221,441          
    Cash and cash equivalents     504,700       190,911       201,606       249,799       290,341          
    Investment securities held-to-maturity     137,681       140,112       143,474       145,777       149,451          
    Investment securities available for sale, net of allowance for credit losses     354,100       342,776       350,819       351,553       334,538          
    Investments in equity securities     2,406       2,995       3,355       3,293       4,054          
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock, at cost     40,235       37,438       37,394       40,499       42,417          
    Loans held for sale     17,131       28,176       13,188       11,637       16,473          
    Loans and leases held for investment     6,730,734       6,684,837       6,579,086       6,567,214       6,574,958          
    Less: Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases     (86,041 )     (85,745 )     (85,632 )     (85,387 )     (83,837 )        
    Net loans and leases held for investment     6,644,693       6,599,092       6,493,454       6,481,827       6,491,121          
    Premises and equipment, net     47,411       48,174       48,739       51,441       51,287          
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     29,260       29,985       30,702       31,795       31,053          
    Goodwill     175,510       175,510       175,510       175,510       175,510          
    Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization     7,158       7,701       7,473       10,950       11,079          
    Bank owned life insurance     138,744       137,823       137,896       131,344       130,522          
    Accrued interest and other assets     106,708       114,753       102,958       95,203       100,220          
    Total assets   $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568     $ 7,780,628     $ 7,828,066          
                                 
    LIABILITIES                            
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   $ 1,323,953     $ 1,397,308     $ 1,401,806     $ 1,468,320     $ 1,432,559          
    Interest-bearing deposits:     5,530,195       5,098,014       5,003,552       4,907,461       5,006,606          
    Total deposits     6,854,148       6,495,322       6,405,358       6,375,781       6,439,165          
    Short-term borrowings     8,256       11,781       4,816       6,306       14,676          
    Long-term debt     225,000       250,000       250,000       310,000       320,000          
    Subordinated notes     149,136       149,011       148,886       148,761       148,636          
    Operating lease liabilities     32,246       33,015       33,744       34,851       34,017          
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     59,880       62,180       60,095       65,721       64,374          
    Total liabilities     7,328,666       7,001,309       6,902,899       6,941,420       7,020,868          
                                 
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                            
    Common stock, $5 par value: 48,000,000 shares authorized and 31,556,799 shares issued     157,784       157,784       157,784       157,784       157,784          
    Additional paid-in capital     301,262       300,166       298,914       301,066       300,171          
    Retained earnings     512,938       500,482       488,790       474,691       464,634          
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit     (41,623 )     (54,124 )     (54,740 )     (50,646 )     (71,586 )        
    Treasury stock, at cost     (53,290 )     (50,171 )     (47,079 )     (43,687 )     (43,805 )        
    Total shareholders’ equity     877,071       854,137       843,669       839,208       807,198          
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568     $ 7,780,628     $ 7,828,066          
                                 
                                 
        For the three months ended,   For the nine months ended,
    Balance Sheet (Average)   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23   09/30/24   09/30/23
    Assets   $ 8,005,265     $ 7,721,540     $ 7,696,575     $ 7,865,634     $ 7,693,983     $ 7,808,514   $ 7,453,070
    Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses     493,334       493,140       500,983       489,587       506,341       495,810     513,704
    Loans and leases, gross     6,730,791       6,640,536       6,577,365       6,594,233       6,537,169       6,649,860     6,359,498
    Deposits     6,641,324       6,353,752       6,303,854       6,470,141       6,222,710       6,433,737     5,968,659
    Shareholders’ equity     864,406       844,572       842,546       814,941       811,515       850,559     802,541
                                                         
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Summary of Loans by Type and Asset Quality Data (Unaudited)
    September 30, 2024
    (Dollars in thousands)                            
                                 
    Summary of Major Loan and Lease Categories (Period End)   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23        
    Commercial, financial and agricultural   $ 1,044,043     $ 1,055,332     $ 1,014,568     $ 989,723     $ 1,050,004          
    Real estate-commercial     3,442,083       3,373,889       3,283,729       3,302,798       3,275,140          
    Real estate-construction     285,616       313,229       379,995       394,462       427,561          
    Real estate-residential secured for business purpose     530,674       532,628       524,196       517,002       516,471          
    Real estate-residential secured for personal purpose     969,562       952,665       922,412       909,015       861,122          
    Real estate-home equity secured for personal purpose     182,901       179,150       177,446       179,282       176,855          
    Loans to individuals     26,794       26,430       27,200       27,749       27,331          
    Lease financings     249,061       251,514       249,540       247,183       240,474          
    Total loans and leases held for investment, net of deferred income     6,730,734       6,684,837       6,579,086       6,567,214       6,574,958          
    Less: Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases     (86,041 )     (85,745 )     (85,632 )     (85,387 )     (83,837 )        
    Net loans and leases held for investment   $ 6,644,693     $ 6,599,092     $ 6,493,454     $ 6,481,827     $ 6,491,121          
                                 
                                 
    Asset Quality Data (Period End)   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23        
    Nonaccrual loans and leases, including nonaccrual loans held for sale*   $ 15,319     $ 16,200     $ 20,363     $ 20,527     $ 18,085          
    Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due     310       205       268       534       2,135          
    Total nonperforming loans and leases     15,629       16,405       20,631       21,061       20,220          
    Other real estate owned     20,915       20,007       19,220       19,032       19,916          
    Repossessed assets     79       149       167       –       –          
    Total nonperforming assets   $ 36,623     $ 36,561     $ 40,018     $ 40,093     $ 40,136          
    Nonaccrual loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment     0.23 %     0.24 %     0.31 %     0.31 %     0.28 %        
    Nonperforming loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment     0.23 %     0.25 %     0.31 %     0.32 %     0.31 %        
    Nonperforming assets / Total assets     0.45 %     0.47 %     0.52 %     0.52 %     0.51 %        
                                 
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   $ 86,041     $ 85,745     $ 85,632     $ 85,387     $ 83,837          
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment     1.28 %     1.28 %     1.30 %     1.30 %     1.28 %        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Nonaccrual loans and leases     561.66 %     529.29 %     420.53 %     415.97 %     463.57 %        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases / Nonperforming loans and leases     550.52 %     522.68 %     415.06 %     405.43 %     414.62 %        
    *Includes a $5.8 million loan held for sale at September 30, 2023.                            
                                 
        For the three months ended,   For the nine months ended,
        09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23   09/30/24   09/30/23
    Net loan and lease charge-offs   $ 820     $ 809     $ 1,406     $ 1,074     $ 969     $ 3,035     $ 4,323  
    Net loan and lease charge-offs (annualized)/Average loans and leases     0.05 %     0.05 %     0.09 %     0.06 %     0.06 %     0.06 %     0.09 %
                                 
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)  
    September 30, 2024  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                              
        For the three months ended,   For the nine months ended,  
    For the period:   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23   09/30/24   09/30/23  
    Interest income   $ 106,438   $ 99,832   $ 98,609   $ 101,232   $ 97,106   $ 304,879   $ 270,498  
    Interest expense     53,234     48,805     47,142     48,472     43,516     149,181     103,261  
         Net interest income     53,204     51,027     51,467     52,760     53,590     155,698     167,237  
    Provision for credit losses     1,414     707     1,432     1,931     2,024     3,553     8,839  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     51,790     50,320     50,035     50,829     51,566     152,145     158,398  
    Noninterest income:                              
         Trust fee income     2,110     2,008     2,108     1,943     1,910     6,226     5,789  
         Service charges on deposit accounts     2,037     1,982     1,871     1,960     1,816     5,890     5,088  
         Investment advisory commission and fee income     5,319     5,238     5,194     4,561     4,843     15,751     14,303  
         Insurance commission and fee income     5,238     5,167     7,201     4,596     4,852     17,606     16,447  
         Other service fee income     1,815     3,044     6,415     2,967     3,020     11,274     9,414  
         Bank owned life insurance income     921     1,086     842     823     806     2,849     2,362  
         Net gain on sales of investment securities     18     –     –     –     –     18     –  
         Net gain on mortgage banking activities     1,296     1,710     939     809     1,216     3,945     2,880  
         Other income     1,396     745     1,025     961     228     3,166     1,921  
    Total noninterest income     20,150     20,980     25,595     18,620     18,691     66,725     58,204  
    Noninterest expense:                              
    Salaries, benefits and commissions     30,702     30,187     31,338     29,321     29,978     92,227     90,867  
    Net occupancy     2,723     2,679     2,872     2,751     2,594     8,274     7,935  
    Equipment     1,107     1,088     1,111     1,066     1,087     3,306     3,066  
    Data processing     4,154     4,161     4,495     4,444     4,189     12,810     12,355  
    Professional fees     1,579     1,466     1,688     1,768     1,763     4,733     5,373  
    Marketing and advertising     490     715     416     632     555     1,621     1,548  
    Deposit insurance premiums     1,097     1,098     1,135     1,350     1,258     3,330     3,475  
    Intangible expenses     164     188     187     212     220     539     726  
    Restructuring charges     –     –     –     189     –     –     1,330  
    Other expense     6,536     7,126     6,832     7,313     7,344     20,494     21,641  
    Total noninterest expense     48,552     48,708     50,074     49,046     48,988     147,334     148,316  
    Income before taxes     23,388     22,592     25,556     20,403     21,269     71,536     68,286  
    Income tax expense     4,810     4,485     5,251     4,149     4,253     14,546     13,436  
    Net income   $ 18,578   $ 18,107   $ 20,305   $ 16,254   $ 17,016   $ 56,990   $ 54,850  
    Net income per share:                              
         Basic   $ 0.64   $ 0.62   $ 0.69   $ 0.55   $ 0.58   $ 1.95   $ 1.86  
         Diluted   $ 0.63   $ 0.62   $ 0.69   $ 0.55   $ 0.58   $ 1.94   $ 1.86  
    Dividends declared per share   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.21   $ 0.63   $ 0.63  
    Weighted average shares outstanding     29,132,948     29,246,977     29,413,999     29,500,147     29,479,066     29,264,161     29,410,852  
    Period end shares outstanding     29,081,108     29,190,640     29,337,919     29,511,721     29,508,128     29,081,108     29,508,128  
                                   
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Consolidated Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
    September 30, 2024
                               
      For the three months ended,   For the nine months ended,
    Profitability Ratios (annualized) 09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23   09/30/24   09/30/23
                               
    Return on average assets   0.92 %     0.94 %     1.06 %     0.82 %     0.88 %     0.97 %     0.98 %
    Return on average assets, excluding restructuring   0.92 %     0.94 %     1.06 %     0.83 %     0.88 %     0.97 %     1.00 %
    charges (1)                          
    Return on average shareholders’ equity   8.55 %     8.62 %     9.69 %     7.91 %     8.32 %     8.95 %     9.14 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity, excluding   8.55 %     8.62 %     9.69 %     7.99 %     8.32 %     8.95 %     9.31 %
    restructuring charges (1)                          
    Return on average tangible common equity (1)(3)   10.84 %     11.01 %     12.38 %     10.23 %     10.77 %     11.40 %     11.87 %
    Return on average tangible common equity, excluding   10.84 %     11.01 %     12.38 %     10.32 %     10.77 %     11.40 %     12.10 %
    restructuring charges (1)(3)                          
    Net interest margin (FTE)   2.82 %     2.84 %     2.88 %     2.84 %     2.96 %     2.85 %     3.22 %
    Efficiency ratio (2)   65.7 %     67.1 %     64.6 %     68.3 %     67.3 %     65.8 %     65.3 %
    Efficiency ratio, excluding restructuring charges (1)(2)   65.7 %     67.1 %     64.6 %     68.0 %     67.3 %     65.8 %     64.7 %
                               
    Capitalization Ratios                          
                               
    Dividends declared to net income   33.0 %     33.9 %     30.5 %     38.1 %     36.4 %     32.4 %     33.8 %
    Shareholders’ equity to assets (Period End)   10.69 %     10.87 %     10.89 %     10.79 %     10.31 %     10.69 %     10.31 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)   8.71 %     8.81 %     8.80 %     8.70 %     8.22 %     8.71 %     8.22 %
    Common equity book value per share $ 30.16     $ 29.26     $ 28.76     $ 28.44     $ 27.36     $ 30.16     $ 27.36  
    Tangible common equity book value per share (1) $ 24.05     $ 23.17     $ 22.70     $ 22.41     $ 21.32     $ 24.05     $ 21.32  
                               
    Regulatory Capital Ratios (Period End)                          
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.53 %     9.74 %     9.65 %     9.36 %     9.43 %     9.53 %     9.43 %
    Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   10.88 %     10.72 %     10.71 %     10.58 %     10.32 %     10.88 %     10.32 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   10.88 %     10.72 %     10.71 %     10.58 %     10.32 %     10.88 %     10.32 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio   14.27 %     14.09 %     14.11 %     13.90 %     13.58 %     14.27 %     13.58 %
                               
    (1) Non-GAAP metric. A reconciliation of this and other non-GAAP to GAAP performance measures is included below.
    (2) Noninterest expense to net interest income before loan loss provision plus noninterest income adjusted for tax equivalent income.
    (3) Net income before amortization of intangibles to average tangible common equity.
                               
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Average Balances and Interest Rates (Unaudited)  
      For the Three Months Ended,  
    Tax Equivalent Basis September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024  
      Average Income/ Average   Average Income/ Average  
    (Dollars in thousands) Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate  
    Assets:                
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks $ 270,724   $ 3,624 5.33 % $ 84,546   $ 1,108 5.27 %
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions*   1,283     7 2.17     1,269     7 2.22  
    Other debt and equity securities   492,051     3,706 3.00     491,871     3,741 3.06  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock   38,769     742 7.61     37,286     700 7.55  
    Total interest-earning deposits, investments and other interest-earning assets   802,827     8,079 4.00     614,972     5,556 3.63  
                     
    Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans   997,465     18,459 7.36     983,615     17,447 7.13  
    Real estate—commercial and construction loans   3,592,556     52,672 5.83     3,549,206     50,577 5.73  
    Real estate—residential loans   1,692,361     21,127 4.97     1,660,489     20,413 4.94  
    Loans to individuals   26,651     549 8.20     26,821     542 8.13  
    Tax-exempt loans and leases   232,159     2,565 4.40     230,495     2,476 4.32  
    Lease financings   189,599     3,275 6.87     189,910     3,105 6.58  
         Gross loans and leases   6,730,791     98,647 5.83     6,640,536     94,560 5.73  
    Total interest-earning assets   7,533,618     106,726 5.64     7,255,508     100,116 5.55  
    Cash and due from banks   62,902           56,387        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (86,517 )         (86,293 )      
    Premises and equipment, net   47,989           48,725        
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   29,620           30,344        
    Other assets   417,653           416,869        
          Total assets $ 8,005,265         $ 7,721,540        
                     
    Liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing checking deposits $ 1,215,166   $ 8,824 2.89 % $ 1,094,150   $ 7,311 2.69 %
    Money market savings   1,849,628     21,213 4.56     1,692,759     19,131 4.55  
    Regular savings   727,395     878 0.48     759,960     929 0.49  
    Time deposits   1,491,560     17,255 4.60     1,422,113     16,134 4.56  
         Total time and interest-bearing deposits   5,283,749     48,170 3.63     4,968,982     43,505 3.52  
                     
    Short-term borrowings   8,210     1 0.05     29,506     242 2.30  
    Long-term debt   247,826     2,781 4.46     250,000     2,777 4.47  
    Subordinated notes   149,068     2,282 6.09     148,943     2,281 6.16  
         Total borrowings   405,104     5,064 4.97     428,449     5,300 4.98  
         Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,688,853     53,234 3.72     5,397,431     48,805 3.64  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,357,575           1,384,770        
    Operating lease liabilities   32,627           33,382        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   61,804           61,385        
         Total liabilities   7,140,859           6,876,968        
    Total interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits (“Cost of Funds”)   7,046,428     3.01     6,782,201     2.89  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:                
    Common stock   157,784           157,784        
    Additional paid-in capital   300,565           299,426        
    Retained earnings and other equity   406,057           387,362        
         Total shareholders’ equity   864,406           844,572        
         Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 8,005,265         $ 7,721,540        
    Net interest income   $ 53,492       $ 51,311    
                     
    Net interest spread     1.92       1.91  
    Effect of net interest-free funding sources     0.90       0.93  
    Net interest margin     2.82 %     2.84 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   132.43 %         134.43 %      
                     
    * Obligations of states and political subdivisions are tax-exempt earning assets.          
    Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include deferred fees and costs and purchase accounting adjustments.
    Net interest income includes net deferred costs amortization of $897 thousand and $698 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024,, respectively.
    Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances. Loans held for sale have been included in the average loan balances. Tax-equivalent amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 have been calculated using the Corporation’s federal applicable rate of 21.0%.  
                     
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Average Balances and Interest Rates (Unaudited)  
      For the Three Months Ended September 30,  
    Tax Equivalent Basis 2024   2023  
      Average Income/ Average   Average Income/ Average  
    (Dollars in thousands) Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate  
    Assets:                
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks $ 270,724   $ 3,624 5.33 % $ 143,109   $ 1,865 5.17 %
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions*   1,283     7 2.17     2,281     16 2.78  
    Other debt and equity securities   492,051     3,706 3.00     504,060     3,540 2.79  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock   38,769     742 7.61     40,406     712 6.99  
    Total interest-earning deposits, investments and other interest-earning assets   802,827     8,079 4.00     689,856     6,133 3.53  
                     
    Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans   997,465     18,459 7.36     995,355     17,545 6.99  
    Real estate—commercial and construction loans   3,592,556     52,672 5.83     3,552,709     49,548 5.53  
    Real estate—residential loans   1,692,361     21,127 4.97     1,543,360     18,270 4.70  
    Loans to individuals   26,651     549 8.20     26,538     525 7.85  
    Tax-exempt loans and leases   232,159     2,565 4.40     234,685     2,430 4.11  
    Lease financings   189,599     3,275 6.87     184,522     2,928 6.30  
         Gross loans and leases   6,730,791     98,647 5.83     6,537,169     91,246 5.54  
    Total interest-earning assets   7,533,618     106,726 5.64     7,227,025     97,379 5.35  
    Cash and due from banks   62,902           62,673        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (86,517 )         (83,827 )      
    Premises and equipment, net   47,989           52,071        
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   29,620           31,647        
    Other assets   417,653           404,394        
          Total assets $ 8,005,265         $ 7,693,983        
                     
    Liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing checking deposits $ 1,215,166   $ 8,824 2.89 % $ 1,070,063   $ 6,703 2.49 %
    Money market savings   1,849,628     21,213 4.56     1,645,210     17,850 4.30  
    Regular savings   727,395     878 0.48     828,672     861 0.41  
    Time deposits   1,491,560     17,255 4.60     1,140,622     11,668 4.06  
         Total time and interest-bearing deposits   5,283,749     48,170 3.63     4,684,567     37,082 3.14  
                     
    Short-term borrowings   8,210     1 0.05     93,028     1,117 4.76  
    Long-term debt   247,826     2,781 4.46     320,000     3,036 3.76  
    Subordinated notes   149,068     2,282 6.09     148,568     2,281 6.09  
         Total borrowings   405,104     5,064 4.97     561,596     6,434 4.55  
         Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,688,853     53,234 3.72     5,246,163     43,516 3.29  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,357,575           1,538,143        
    Operating lease liabilities   32,627           34,788        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   61,804           63,374        
         Total liabilities   7,140,859           6,882,468        
    Total interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits (“Cost of Funds”)   7,046,428     3.01     6,784,306     2.54  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:                
    Common stock   157,784           157,784        
    Additional paid-in capital   300,565           299,575        
    Retained earnings and other equity   406,057           354,156        
         Total shareholders’ equity   864,406           811,515        
         Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 8,005,265         $ 7,693,983        
    Net interest income   $ 53,492       $ 53,863    
                     
    Net interest spread     1.92       2.06  
    Effect of net interest-free funding sources     0.90       0.90  
    Net interest margin     2.82 %     2.96 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   132.43 %         137.76 %      
                     
    * Obligations of states and political subdivisions are tax-exempt earning assets.          
    Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include deferred fees and costs and purchase accounting adjustments.
    Net interest income includes net deferred costs amortization of $897 thousand and $563 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances. Loans held for sale have been included in the average loan balances. Tax-equivalent amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been calculated using the Corporation’s federal applicable rate of 21.0%.
                     
    Univest Financial Corporation  
    Average Balances and Interest Rates (Unaudited)  
      For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    Tax Equivalent Basis 2024   2023  
      Average Income/ Average   Average Income/ Average  
    (Dollars in thousands) Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate  
    Assets:                
    Interest-earning deposits with other banks $ 159,114   $ 6,341 5.32 % $ 79,630   $ 2,856 4.80 %
    Obligations of state and political subdivisions*   1,500     26 2.32     2,284     48 2.81  
    Other debt and equity securities   494,310     11,094 3.00     511,420     10,547 2.76  
    Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock   38,392     2,166 7.54     39,664     2,102 7.09  
    Total interest-earning deposits, investments and other interest-earning assets   693,316     19,627 3.78     632,998     15,553 3.29  
                     
    Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans   972,003     52,429 7.21     997,590     50,002 6.70  
    Real estate—commercial and construction loans   3,572,375     153,890 5.75     3,447,551     137,929 5.35  
    Real estate—residential loans   1,657,142     61,095 4.92     1,478,871     51,216 4.63  
    Loans to individuals   26,928     1,639 8.13     26,859     1,453 7.23  
    Tax-exempt loans and leases   231,679     7,505 4.33     233,211     7,159 4.10  
    Lease financings   189,733     9,549 6.72     175,416     8,128 6.20  
         Gross loans and leases   6,649,860     286,107 5.75     6,359,498     255,887 5.38  
    Total interest-earning assets   7,343,176     305,734 5.56     6,992,496     271,440 5.19  
    Cash and due from banks   58,070           59,811        
    Allowance for credit losses, loans and leases   (86,435 )         (81,829 )      
    Premises and equipment, net   49,098           52,067        
    Operating lease right-of-use assets   30,359           31,384        
    Other assets   414,246           399,141        
          Total assets $ 7,808,514         $ 7,453,070        
                     
    Liabilities:                
    Interest-bearing checking deposits $ 1,163,526   $ 24,353 2.80 % $ 980,725   $ 15,259 2.08 %
    Money market savings   1,749,592     59,564 4.55     1,532,318     43,020 3.75  
    Regular savings   752,336     2,712 0.48     900,448     2,375 0.35  
    Time deposits   1,384,576     47,019 4.54     845,635     22,231 3.51  
         Total time and interest-bearing deposits   5,050,030     133,648 3.54     4,259,126     82,885 2.60  
                     
    Short-term borrowings   15,919     248 2.08     195,606     7,094 4.85  
    Long-term debt   263,380     8,441 4.28     245,366     6,438 3.51  
    Subordinated notes   148,944     6,844 6.14     148,444     6,844 6.16  
         Total borrowings   428,243     15,533 4.85     589,416     20,376 4.62  
         Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,478,273     149,181 3.64     4,848,542     103,261 2.85  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,383,707           1,709,533        
    Operating lease liabilities   33,389           34,548        
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   62,586           57,906        
         Total liabilities   6,957,955           6,650,529        
    Total interest-bearing liabilities and noninterest-bearing deposits (“Cost of Funds”)   6,861,980     2.90     6,558,075     2.11  
                     
    Shareholders’ Equity:                
    Common stock   157,784           157,784        
    Additional paid-in capital   300,224           299,550        
    Retained earnings and other equity   392,551           345,207        
         Total shareholders’ equity   850,559           802,541        
         Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 7,808,514         $ 7,453,070        
    Net interest income   $ 156,553       $ 168,179    
                     
    Net interest spread     1.92       2.34  
    Effect of net interest-free funding sources     0.93       0.88  
    Net interest margin     2.85 %     3.22 %
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities   134.04 %         144.22 %      
                     
    * Obligations of states and political subdivisions are tax-exempt earning assets.          
    Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include deferred fees and costs and purchase accounting adjustments.
    Net interest income includes net deferred costs amortization of $2.0 million and $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  
    Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances. Loans held for sale have been included in the average loan balances. Tax-equivalent amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been calculated using the Corporation’s federal applicable rate of 21.0%.  
                     
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Loan Portfolio Overview (Unaudited)
    September 30, 2024
           
    (Dollars in thousands)      
    Industry Description Total Outstanding Balance   % of Commercial Loan Portfolio
    CRE – Retail $ 458,230   8.6 %
    Animal Production   384,554   7.2 %
    CRE – Multi-family   340,181   6.4 %
    CRE – 1-4 Family Residential Investment   295,454   5.6 %
    CRE – Office   294,508   5.6 %
    CRE – Industrial / Warehouse   254,019   4.8 %
    Hotels & Motels (Accommodation)   186,130   3.5 %
    Specialty Trade Contractors   180,486   3.4 %
    Nursing and Residential Care Facilities   167,467   3.2 %
    Education   167,282   3.2 %
    Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers   129,799   2.4 %
    Repair and Maintenance   127,927   2.4 %
    Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods   125,009   2.4 %
    Homebuilding (tract developers, remodelers)   120,040   2.2 %
    CRE – Mixed-Use – Residential   110,137   2.1 %
    Crop Production   104,343   2.0 %
    Wood Product Manufacturing   93,505   1.8 %
    Food Services and Drinking Places   88,178   1.7 %
    Real Estate Lenders, Secondary Market Financing   85,171   1.6 %
    Rental and Leasing Services   79,876   1.5 %
    Religious Organizations, Advocacy Groups   73,802   1.4 %
    Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing   72,794   1.4 %
    CRE – Mixed-Use – Commercial   72,268   1.4 %
    Administrative and Support Services   71,787   1.4 %
    Personal and Laundry Services   71,184   1.3 %
    Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods   69,363   1.3 %
    Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries   69,052   1.3 %
    Miniwarehouse / Self-Storage   65,176   1.2 %
    Food Manufacturing   61,472   1.1 %
    Truck Transportation   52,570   1.0 %
    Industries with >$50 million in outstandings $ 4,471,764   84.3 % 
    Industries with <$50 million in outstandings $ 830,652   15.7 % 
    Total Commercial Loans $ 5,302,416   100.0 % 
           
           
    Consumer Loans and Lease Financings Total Outstanding Balance    
    Real Estate-Residential Secured for Personal Purpose   969,562    
    Real Estate-Home Equity Secured for Personal Purpose   182,901    
    Loans to Individuals   26,794    
    Lease Financings   249,061    
    Total – Consumer Loans and Lease Financings $ 1,428,318    
           
    Total $ 6,730,734    
           
    Univest Financial Corporation
    Non-GAAP Reconciliation
    September 30, 2024
     
    Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation
    Management uses non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Corporation’s performance. These measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures nor should they be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of the specified items, provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the financial results of the Corporation. See the table below for additional information on non-GAAP measures used throughout this earnings release.
                                     
            As of or for the three months ended,   As of or for the nine months ended,
    (Dollars in thousands) 09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23   09/30/23   09/30/24   09/30/23
    Restructuring charges (a)     $ –     $ –     $ –     $ 189     $ –     $ –     $ 1,330  
    Tax effect of restructuring charges       –       –       –       (40 )     –       –       (279 )
    Restructuring charges, net of tax     $ –     $ –     $ –     $ 149     $ –     $ –     $ 1,051  
                                     
    Net income $ 18,578     $ 18,107     $ 20,305     $ 16,254     $ 17,016     $ 56,990     $ 54,850  
    Amortization of intangibles, net of tax   130       149       148       167       174       426       574  
    Net income before amortization of intangibles $ 18,708     $ 18,256     $ 20,453     $ 16,421     $ 17,190     $ 57,416     $ 55,424  
                                     
    Shareholders’ equity $ 877,071     $ 854,137     $ 843,669     $ 839,208     $ 807,198     $ 877,071     $ 807,198  
    Goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Other intangibles (b)     (2,147 )     (2,157 )     (2,273 )     (2,405 )     (2,558 )     (2,147 )     (2,558 )
    Tangible common equity $ 699,414     $ 676,470     $ 665,886     $ 661,293     $ 629,130     $ 699,414     $ 629,130  
                                     
    Total assets $ 8,205,737     $ 7,855,446     $ 7,746,568     $ 7,780,628     $ 7,828,066     $ 8,205,737     $ 7,828,066  
    Goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Other intangibles (b)     (2,147 )     (2,157 )     (2,273 )     (2,405 )     (2,558 )     (2,147 )     (2,558 )
    Tangible assets $ 8,028,080     $ 7,677,779     $ 7,568,785     $ 7,602,713     $ 7,649,998     $ 8,028,080     $ 7,649,998  
                                     
    Average shareholders’ equity $ 864,406     $ 844,572     $ 842,546     $ 814,941     $ 811,515     $ 850,559     $ 802,541  
    Average goodwill   (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )     (175,510 )
    Average other intangibles (b)     (2,086 )     (2,222 )     (2,318 )     (2,477 )     (2,680 )     (2,209 )     (2,913 )
    Average tangible common equity $ 686,810     $ 666,840     $ 664,718     $ 636,954     $ 633,325     $ 672,840     $ 624,118  
                                     
    (a) Associated with branch optimization and headcount rationlization expense management strategies
    (b) Amount does not include mortgage servicing rights
                                     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH’s enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted an enforcement operation, codenamed “Pipepurge”, in Wan Chai district last night (January 24) against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas.

         “During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at a bar in Wan Chai District, and issued a total of five fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO’s investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action,” a spokesman for the DH said.

         Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.

         In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

          “The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences,” the spokeman said.  

         The spokesman reminded the public that waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

         “Due to deeper inhalation and longer smoking sessions, waterpipe users usually inhale more toxins than they would when smoking cigarettes. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Furthermore, areas in bars/restaurants where waterpipes are handled or kept have been found to be unhygienic during previous enforcement action,” he said. 

         The spokesman cautions against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Galaxy Tech Forum ③ Galaxy AI: Redefining the Mobile Experience Paradigm

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Galaxy AI session, experts examined the potential of AI agents and their role in shaping the future.
     
     
    Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S25 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2025, marking the beginning of the next era of mobile AI.
     
    To explore the latest flagship smartphones and the transformative potential of AI agents, Samsung Newsroom joined the third Galaxy Tech Forum session, titled “True AI Companion: Impact on Life and What’s Next.”
     
    ▲ (From left to right) Bob O’Donnell, Sameer Samat, Jay Kim, Christopher Patrick and Dr. Chris Brauer
     
     
    More Natural, Intuitive and User-Friendly Mobile AI
    The session kicked off with welcome remarks from Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.
     
    “Yesterday was a very exciting day for us as we launched the Galaxy S25. It’s another big step forward in the AI era,” Kim said. “We’re very excited to be here with our partners today, especially (excited) to talk about everything we did together to launch the Galaxy S25 series.”
     
    ▲ Jay Kim from Samsung Electronics
     
    Moderator Bob O’Donnell, President and Founder of TECHnalysis Research, posed questions to the panelists about the benefits the Galaxy S25 series will bring to users, as well as the barriers blocking certain consumers from using mobile AI.
     
    “AI should make users’ lives better. We study consumer habits, constantly trying to gain a better understanding of our customers,” Kim said. “Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is minimize how much effort it takes to input while maximizing the output. To do that, we look at what consumers do on their phones, define the potential use cases alongside our partners, and put it all together in our devices for the best possible consumer experience.”
     
    ▲The Galaxy Tech Forum discussion on Galaxy AI
     
    “Multimodality can help people become more efficient while AI agents can help people become more productive,” Kim continued. He also highlighted Samsung’s commitment to openly collaborating with its partners to drive progress forward and expressed his excitement for the possibilities AI innovations will bring as part of a new chapter in mobile technology.
     
     
    Expanding the Galaxy AI Ecosystem Through Open Collaboration
    During the session, Samsung offered an inside look at the work done in partnership with Google and Qualcomm to perfect the Galaxy S25 series’ AI innovations.
     
    “Even though the benefit value of mobile AI is really high, it’s of no use if you can’t access it. We had to look at what was already part of the consumer experience and contemplate how we could enhance those experiences in a way that would bring real benefits, but still be easy enough to access,” Kim explained. He noted that close collaboration was essential, particularly in integrating Google’s Gemini intelligence and Qualcomm’s on-device processing capabilities.
     
    ▲ Sameer Samat from Google
     
    “Truly helpful AI must fit naturally into our daily lives. AI is a tool and not an end in itself, and what matters to consumers the most is how helpful AI can be for them,” said Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google. “LLMs represent a massive leap in how computers understand human language. Now, you can speak in completely natural language, removing any friction from the overall experience.”
     
    “With Galaxy S25, I’m optimistic that people will quickly adapt to using an AI agent to help them get things done in very natural ways.”
     
    ▲ Christopher Patrick from Qualcomm
     
    Key drivers of multimodal AI capabilities, like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, were also highlighted, showcasing technology that simultaneously processes multiple forms of information, including voice, images and text.
     
    “The Galaxy S25 series is going to be a completely new experience. You’ll be able to engage with your personalized AI assistant like never before; it doesn’t just feel like interacting with a real person, it perceives your environment and can interact with content shown on your camera,” said Christopher Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Mobile Handsets at Qualcomm. “Our collaboration with Samsung to customize the chipset to make these new capabilities feel seamless is something I’m really proud of.”
     
     
    Breaking Barriers: Mobile AI’s Role in Enhancing Quality of Life
    During the session, Samsung also presented the findings of a global study conducted in partnership with London-based research firm, Symmetry, that examined the link between mobile AI use and quality of life. The speakers delved into the study’s key implications and offered valuable insights.
     
    ▲ Dr. Chris Brauer from Goldsmiths, University of London, and Symmetry
     
    “The rate of AI innovation is astounding, but what struck me about the research we did with Samsung was that the rate of mobile AI adoption is also rising at a rapid rate,” said Dr. Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation in the Institute of Management Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Chief Innovation Officer at Symmetry. “Frequent consumer use of mobile AI globally has nearly doubled in just six months, jumping from 16% in July to 27% in January.” Dr. Brauer also outlined key findings concerning certain barriers to entry the research found around mobile AI.
     
    “We found a really interesting theme among those less willing to adopt the technology: doubt,” Dr. Brauer said. “Doubt in AI’s ability to bring meaningful benefits to everyday life (56%), doubt and a lack of high confidence to use AI to its full potential (85%) and doubt around privacy and whether AI can be trusted (90%). There’s immense potential with this technology, but what’s also clear are the very real barriers that must be addressed responsibly for wider adoption to take place.”
     
    ▲ The Galaxy AI discussion session at the Galaxy Tech Forums
     
    The Galaxy AI session concluded with the panelists agreeing that mobile AI innovation is set to revolutionize every aspect of modern life. As representatives of the fast-moving industry, they also vowed to develop related technologies in a responsible manner beneficial to all of humanity.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Galaxy Tech Forum ② Health AI: Integrated Wellness Solutions for Smarter Health Management

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Health AI session, experts shared insights into how AI technologies are shaping the future of daily health management.
     
     
    Samsung Electronics is leveraging AI technology to enhance its comprehensive health solutions, delivering more meaningful and personalized health experiences.
     
    To understand how Samsung’s AI ecosystem is poised to transform the future of wellness, Samsung Newsroom observed the second Tech Forum session, titled “The Role of Technology for a Healthier Life.”
     
    ▲ (From left to right) Dr. Vanessa Hill, Dr. Hon Pak, Dr. Patrick O’Connor, Emily English and Dr. Kyu Rhee
     
     
    Healthy Living Starts With a Holistic Approach
    Moderator Dr. Vanessa Hill, an award-winning science communicator and sleep scientist, started the discussion by providing insights into the practical utility of today’s health technology.
     
    While advancements such as wearable devices, health apps and telehealth platforms have made health management more accessible, the sheer volume of information can lead to confusion — making it easy to overlook critical insights amid an overwhelming sea of data.
     
    ▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor from the University of Georgia
     
    “The issue is not the amount of data but the fragmentation,” said Dr. Patrick O’Connor, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Mary Frances Early College of Education, University of Georgia. “The key is to bring the scattered data together to create a comprehensive understanding, as health requires a holistic approach due to the interconnectedness of so many factors.”
     
    “As a sleep scientist I know the importance of gathering health data around the clock. Identifying abnormalities in metrics like heart rate, temperature or even snoring during sleep is key to not only unlocking better sleep, but better overall health,” said Dr. Hill, who emphasized that sleep is the foundation of holistic health.
     
     
    Personalized Care Through Various Health Metrics and Continuous Tracking
    The discussion also explored the importance of adding new health metrics to track, and monitoring those metrics in a continuous manner.
     
    ▲ Dr. Kyu Rhee from the NACHC
     
    “Continuous health monitoring of physical activity, sleep, nutrition and stress should become new, additional vital signs for users and health professionals,” said Dr. Kyu Rhee, President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “Combining this essential health data with clinical data powered by AI insights has the potential to transform the health system by improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and empowering patients, their caregivers and healthcare teams.”
     
    ▲ Dr. Hon Pak from Samsung Electronics
     
    One health metric receiving a substantial amount of attention from both Samsung and the digital health industry in general is blood glucose.
     
    “Blood glucose is an area Samsung has been deeply invested in, and we’ve made significant progress in developing CGM-integrated nutrition coaching as well as enhancing non-invasive technologies for tracking blood glucose levels,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, sharing the company’s roadmap for blood glucose management and end-to-end (E2E) healthcare experiences. “These advancements are all part of our work to deliver more proactive and preventive disease detection solutions to everyone, helping lower healthcare burdens on people, their families and society at large.”
     
    ▲ Emily English, a BSc nutritionist
     
    “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to health and nutrition, it’s a journey that requires a holistic understanding of yourself,” said Emily English, a BSc nutritionist. “Wellness technology is helping provide a full 360-view of your life. New solutions that offer easy access to health metrics like blood glucose will offer a more holistic understanding of our bodies and revolutionize the way we manage our everyday health.”
     
     
    Ushering in the Era of Personalized Health Insights
    The discussion touched on how AI can translate tracked health data into actionable and meaningful insights.
     
    ▲ The Tech Forum discussion on Health AI
     
    In an effort to consolidate disparate data onto a single platform, Samsung has collaborated with Dr. O’Connor’s research team to develop Energy Score — a feature that enhances the digital healthcare experience. “New AI-enabled features like Energy Score have become a jumping off point for broader health innovations,” explained Dr. Pak. Calculated based on health indicators such as activity levels, sleep, heart rate during sleep and heart rate variability during sleep, Energy Score exemplifies how wearable devices and AI can support a holistic and personalized approach to health and wellness management.
     
    ▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor describes Energy Score.
     
    “Monitoring overall readiness might benefit from minimally invasive brain sensing technology,” said Dr. O’Connor. “Today, we are able to leverage non-invasive technology, the available science and AI to generate an Energy Score, helping translate complex data into an intuitive and understandable index.”
     
    Dr. Pak also teased Samsung’s upcoming plans to expand the AI capabilities of Energy Score to include nutrition, mental health and even mobile usage patterns — offering users deeper and more comprehensive insights into their overall well-being.
     
    The Health AI session underscored the importance of a holistic approach to health management, highlighting the potential of personalized health experiences powered by continuous health monitoring. As AI becomes an indispensable partner in modern wellness, Samsung’s innovative technology is set to drive a new era of tailored and comprehensive health solutions.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Galaxy Tech Forum ④ Home AI: Redefining the Future of Smart Living

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung hosted the Galaxy Tech Forums on January 23 in San Jose, California. The panels provided an in-depth exploration of Samsung’s AI innovations and the challenges they address across four key areas — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI. During the Home AI session, experts touched on Samsung’s outlook for the future of smart homes.
     
     
    Samsung Electronics is reimagining smart homes through Home AI, a new vision of smart living that understands user needs and delivers hyper-personalized experiences.
     
    Samsung Newsroom attended the final Tech Forum session, titled “Understanding Home, Understanding You: Rethinking the Role of the Home in the Era of AI,” to examine the transformative potential of AI in smart home innovation and the need for collaboration to deliver on the promise of Home AI.
     
    ▲ (From left to right) Tobin Richardson, Jaeyeon Jung, Patrick Chomet and Carolina Milanesi
     
     
    Smart UI as the Gateway to Home AI
    User interface (UI) is a critical element in the Home AI experience, serving as the bridge between users and their mobile devices, TVs, home appliances and more.
     
    ▲ Patrick Chomet from Samsung Electronics
     
    “UI is a key area in the age of AI,” said Patrick Chomet, Mobile Strategy Advisor at Samsung Electronics. “With the advent of LLM multimodal AI, a big shift has taken place in User Interface (UI), enabling people to get things done in natural and simple ways such as gesture, voice or text interaction. Users no longer needs to understand devices, rather the device should understand the user’s intent.”
     
    He explained how intelligent user interfaces not only enable more intuitive interactions but also procure deeper understandings of user context and intent, which brands can use to optimize in-home solutions.
     
    ▲ Jaeyeon Jung from Samsung Electronics
     
    “We have implemented an intuitive and concise UI for various SmartThings features,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings Team at Samsung Electronics.
     
    She engaged the audience with examples of the latest SmartThings functions including Quick Remote, a feature that enables users to control their TVs with a connected Galaxy smartphone; 3D Map View, a feature that allows users to manage their entire home and check energy consumption through Galaxy smartphones and tablets; and Home Insight, a feature that provides timely home reports and delivers personalized recommendations to users.
     

    The Role of Platforms and Standardization in Shaping Smart Homes
    The panelists then delved into the efforts required to make Home AI a reality. Moderator Carolina Milanesi, CEO and founder of Heart of Tech and President at Creative Strategies, introduced the topics of integrated AI platforms and industry standards to guide the discussion.
     
    “As we scale our AI platform to reach across applications, services and multiple devices, the experience can be optimized around the user,” said Chomet. “User context and richer insights can be gathered to deliver relevant and truly personalized experiences.”
     
    ▲ Jaeyeon Jung and Patrick Chomet from Samsung Electronics
     
    “The SmartThings platform is 10 years in the making and while the concept of a smart home isn’t new, AI technology is what is truly creating the intelligent home” added Jung, highlighting how a consistent and connected AI platform empowers users to enjoy effortless convenience from anywhere. “The transition from a device-centric philosophy to an AI-powered, user-centric one provides users with a personalized, connected experience that feels like home — no matter where they are.”
     
    ▲ Tobin Richardson from the Connectivity Standards Alliance
     
    Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), noted the importance of industry standards in building an ecosystem in which devices can be connected simply, securely and seamlessly.
     
    “Building blocks for AI in the home are grounded in seamless connectivity, with AI relying on device interoperability to thrive. A common language like Matter enables devices to communicate effortlessly, setting the stage for AI innovation,” he said, highlighting that the goal is not just to create a perfect connected experience but to foster a robust and trustworthy industry while making smart homes more accessible and reliable.
     
    “Alliance Members like Samsung are doing remarkable work in the AI space, showcasing how technology can adapt to users’ needs, creating a smarter and more personalized living experience,” said Richardson, reaffirming the company’s dedication to collaboration. “I am continually inspired to see how these advancements are shaping the future of connected homes.”
     
     
    A More Personalized, Secure Smart Home
    Addressing concerns regarding the challenge of providing personalized experiences in homes shared by multiple people, Chomet spoke on how AI technology can understand intent and context to provide an optimized experience for each user. He emphasized that Samsung will innovate for multi-device connectivity, rather than individual products.
     
    ▲ Patrick Chomet, Jaeyeon Jung and Tobin Richardson
     
    Jung also cited practical cases of how Samsung Health and SmartThings are connecting data and devices to provide hyper-personalized health experiences. For example, Samsung Health and SmartThings can optimize sleep environments by automatically adjusting temperature and humidity based on users’ sleep patterns and the environmental conditions they live in. When Galaxy devices recognize that users have been exercising, SmartThings will activate appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines upon their return home.
     
    ▲ Carolina Milanesi poses questions to the panelists.
     
    The discussion then touched on the critical role of security and the protection of personal information in smart homes.
     
    “Samsung places the highest priority on security in every aspect,” said Jung. She highlighted how Knox Matrix safeguards the smart home ecosystem while Knox Vault protects hardware. “By integrating the expansive SmartThings ecosystem and AI with the robust security of Samsung Knox, users can enjoy personalized smart living experiences safely.”
     
    “With more than eight out of ten consumers stating that security is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to them, security and privacy protection are key factors,” said Richardson, echoing the importance of trust in connected devices. “Matter, our next-generation smart home standard, is built with security in mind and offers a level of trust and clarity users can rely on.”
     
    The Home AI session highlighted the advancements AI brings to creating smarter, safer and more adaptive living spaces. By combining hyper-personalized experiences with advanced security measures, Samsung’s innovations are paving the way for a new era of intelligent, connected homes that integrate into every aspect of daily life.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Joins Legislation to Protect Survivors of Abortion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to introduce the Born–Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect newborns who survive abortions by requiring they receive care from health care practitioners.
    The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act adds clear expectations of care, hospital transfer requirements, mandatory reporting, private rights of action for moms and reasonable criminal penalties for health care professionals who violate the law. Current law does not provide measures to enforce the protection of these infants, which has allowed the current practice of leaving a child to die after a botched abortion to continue.
    “As a society, we should always uphold the dignity of every life. Neglecting to provide life-saving care after a failed abortion is a cruel and inhumane violation of the oath every medical provider swears by to ‘do no harm,’” said Boozman. “I am proud to join my colleagues to protect vulnerable babies regardless of the circumstances of their birth.” 
    “No child should be denied medical care simply because they are ‘unwanted.’ Today, if an abortion procedure fails and a child is born alive, doctors can just ignore the crying baby on the table and watch them slowly die of neglect. That’s not an abortion, that’s infanticide,” said Lankford.
    This legislation is endorsed by March for Life Action, American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Concerned Women for America LAC, National Right to Life, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Live Action, Americans United for Life, Family Research Council, Students for Life Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Heritage Action, Family Policy Alliance, Human Coalition, Liberty Council Action, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Christian Employers Alliance, Advancing American Freedom, Focus on the Family, First Rights Global, AdvanceUSA, Coalition for Jewish Values, National Association of Evangelicals, Eagle Forum, Christian Legal Society, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Christ Medicus Foundation, Christians Engaged, Children’s AIDS Funds International, Capability Consulting and Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance. 
    The Born–Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Roger Wicker, (R-MS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Curtis (R-UT), Todd Young (R-IN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Kennedy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Dave McCormick (R-PA). 
     Click here to read the text of the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Lee introduce bill to permanently stop funding for abortions overseas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act.
    The bill would permanently codify the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy (formerly the Mexico City Policy), which forbids the funding of foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortions. The Mexico City Policy was first instituted by Pres. Ronald Reagan and has since been rescinded and reinstated by various presidential administrations. Pres. Donald Trump expanded this policy to close previously existing loopholes and renamed it the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy.
    “America shouldn’t fund abortions in foreign countries—no matter which party holds the White House. It’s time for Congress to show some moral clarity on this issue once and for all by passing this bill,” said Kennedy.
    “In our quest to build a society where every precious human life is protected, we cannot allow the tax dollars of American families to be used against the most vulnerable people in our country and across the world: the unborn,” said Lee.
    Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) cosponsored the legislation. 
    Text of the Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New podiatry clinic brings much-needed service to Wairoa

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of the Wairoa community. The podiatrist has a special interest in diabetes and will travel to Wairoa with a nurse, for monthly clinics which will be held at Queen St Practice,” Mr Brown says.

    “Primary and community healthcare, like this podiatry clinic, play a key role in preventing illness, treating disease early and reducing the impact of long-term conditions. Keeping people well improves their quality of life and reduces the pressure on our hospitals.

    “I am aware the community is also working closely with government agencies on addressing access to other healthcare services such as the provision of aged care services for their elderly.” 

    This six-month initiative funded by Health NZ will be reviewed in June. Further engagement with the community will continue throughout the year, including on the Wairoa Ageing Well Project.

    “For the estimated 400 – 600 people in the area with diabetes, as well as those with other issues, having this service on their doorstep will be a great addition to improving the range of timely, quality healthcare that can be delivered locally.” Mr Brown says.

    “Investments like this are important to ensure all New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare and is made possible by the Government’s record investment of $16.8 billion in health in Budget 2024.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Joins Colleagues In Urging President Trump to Exempt All VA Employees from Federal Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    While The Trump Administration Has Backtracked To Exempt Health Care Employees From Freeze Following Rosen-Backed Letter, Other Personnel Are Still Being Affected
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a letter urging President Trump to exempt all Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from the federal hiring freeze he issued this week. In response to this letter, the Trump Administration has announced it’s exempting health care and law enforcement positions, but other jobs related to veteran’s benefits are still affected. The hiring freeze will negatively impact Nevada’s veterans, including by blocking the hiring of personnel needed to process benefits.
    “As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the timely care and benefits they desperately need,” wrote the Senators. “It could also delay or deny various other services across VA – from burial services to job training to assistance for homeless veterans to life-saving assistance from the Veterans Crisis Line.”
    “Mr. President, to prevent the delay or denial of life-saving services and benefits for our nation’s heroes, we urge you to provide an immediate, clear, and full exemption to VA personnel from your hiring freeze,” they continued. “We are hopeful to work with you to build upon our nation’s promise to these men and women, but we also vow to fight every effort that dishonors their service and reneges upon that sacred promise.”
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has worked consistently to deliver for Nevada’s veterans. Earlier this year, a bipartisan bill she supported to expand veterans’ benefits outreach became law. Senator Rosen’s bipartisan bill to require the VA to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to use for information on VA services is now law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. She also successfully pushed President Biden to include the construction of a new VA hospital in Reno in his 2024 Budget Request and helped introduce and pass bipartisan legislation to officially authorize its construction.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/24/2025 Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statements after introducing the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would help improve veterans’ access to health care by reducing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) role in the community care referral process:
    “Under the Biden-Harris administration, veterans were discouraged from seeking community care by layers of bureaucratic red tape and a lack of accessibility to their local medical providers,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would right this wrong by empowering veterans to directly schedule appointments at non-VA medical facilities, which will remove unnecessary barriers and provide veterans with greater autonomy to access the care they need.” 
    “Our veterans should be able to see a doctor as quickly and easily as possible,” said Senator Tuberville. “Taking care of our veterans is a sacred duty. They should have access to the best medical care in the country. Streamlining the VA community care program is a commonsense way we can increase access to care and cut through red tape. I’m proud to join this legislation to eliminate the community care referral process and make life easier for those who have served.”
    “Veterans must have access to community health care facilities. This legislation gives them more choices for medical care and helps avoid long wait times at VA facilities,” said Senator Wicker. “By enabling community care, transportation burdens will be reduced for veterans who live in rural areas. These changes will greatly improve the lives of our nation’s heroes.”
    “For too many veterans, especially those in small towns and rural communities, barriers to access and bureaucratic red tape have stood in the way when seeking medical care,” said Senator Sheehy. “Our nation has a solemn responsibility to take care of those who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms, and I am proud to join my Senate colleagues on this important legislation that will increase health care options and make it easier for our veterans to seek the quality care they deserve.”
    “America’s veterans deserve access to quality health care and the freedom to make decisions involving their health without unnecessary government interference,” said Senator Cruz. “The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act gives back those choices, cutting through bureaucratic red tape that often delays or denies access to life-saving care. This bill honors our commitment to those who have served and ensures they receive the respect and care they have earned.”
    Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mike Rounds (R- S.D.) also co-sponsored this legislation. It was introduced in the House by Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.).

    BACKGROUND:

    The VA MISSION Act was enacted in 2018 to enhance veterans’ access to healthcare by expanding their options to receive care from community providers outside the VA system.
    This landmark legislation aimed to streamline and consolidate community care programs, establish clear eligibility criteria, and ensure timely access to care, reducing both wait times and travel burdens for veterans.
    However, in the years following its passage, veterans have frequently reported challenges in obtaining referrals for community care. Despite the VA MISSION Act’s objectives, evidence suggests that the Biden administration’s VA introduced extensive bureaucratic obstacles, discouraging veterans from seeking community care in favor of retaining them within the VA’s direct care system. These actions have undermined the intent of the VA MISSION Act by creating unnecessary delays and complexities in the referral process.
    Currently, veterans must meet certain eligibility criteria, and the VA must approve the provider referral to seek care in non-VA facilities under the Veterans Community Care Program. The Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would remove the VA from the referral process to allow veterans to seek care where it is most convenient. 

    VETERANS HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT:

    Specifically, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act would:
    Create a three-year pilot program within the VA Center for Innovation Care and Payment to improve veterans’ access to health care in the free market;
    Require that the pilot program be carried out in at least four Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISN);
    Improve access to free market health care by allowing veterans to access primary, specialty, and mental health care outside of their corresponding VISN and at non-VA facilities;
    Require the VA to give veterans information about eligibility, cost sharing, treatments, and providers so that they can make informed decisions with respect to selection of primary and specialty care providers and other available treatments;
    Make the pilot program permanent nationwide four years after enactment of the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act;
    Require the VA to submit reports to House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on the implementation and results of the pilot program, as well as the final design; and
    Fund the pilot program using appropriations otherwise made available to the Veterans Health Administration.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared for whole of England

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Mandatory enhanced biosecurity will now be required and the housing order extended to cover York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire.

    The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a new  Avian Influenza Prevention Zone AIPZ to cover the whole of England from noon on Saturday 25 January following the escalating number of cases of avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels in wild birds.

    The move will require keepers to conduct enhanced biosecurity to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

    A Housing Order has also been extended in the north of England to now cover York and North Yorkshire, and a new Housing Order has been ordered for Shropshire following an outbreak in the county. This will come into force at 00:01 on Monday 27th January.

    A housing order remains in in force across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk. Areas with Housing Orders require the strictest levels of biosecurity as set out by the AIPZ.

    Mandatory housing also applies in any 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises.

    The current risk to human health remains very low and as standard, properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: > > Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease. > > I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

    The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza.

    Bird keepers are advised to consult the Interactive Map on gov.uk to check if they are impacted and should then read the AIPZ declaration relevant to their area – either the regional AIPZ with housing measures which sets out the requirements in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire, or the regional AIPZ without housing measures for all other areas of England.

    Further information on the latest situation and guidance to help bird keepers comply with the new rules is available via gov.uk/birdflu, but includes measures such as cleansing and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if practical, use disposable protective clothing.

    Keepers are encouraged to take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe.

    Check if you’re in a bird flu disease zone on the map and check the [declarations] (https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england) for details of the restrictions and gov.uk/birdflu for further advice and information.

    The AIPZs will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HERSHEY – Shapiro Administration to Highlight Efforts to Improve Care for Mothers and Babies

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    January 27, 2025 – Hershey, PA

    ADVISORY – HERSHEY – Shapiro Administration to Highlight Efforts to Improve Care for Mothers and Babies

    Shapiro Administration officials will join Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine leaders in Hershey to highlight efforts across the state to improve care for pregnant women and babies.

    The Shapiro Administration funded the creation of four regional maternal health coalitions to support local organizations that will implement recommendations from the 2024 Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) report to improve maternal health outcomes for mothers and babies.
    The Administration has prioritized using data and recommendations from the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, feedback from a statewide survey, and participated in listening sessions to develop a multi-agency Maternal Health Strategic Plan.

    Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of the Commonwealth’s mothers and babies. The Governor’s 2024-2025 bipartisan budget secured a $2.6 million increase for work to address and prevent maternal mortality, especially among Black mothers, who are disproportionately affected.

    WHO:
    Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen
    Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones
    Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet
    Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center President Don McKenna
    Penn State College of Medicine Dean Dr. Karen Kim
    Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair Dr. Richard Legro
    Penn State College of Medicine Assistant Professor Dr. Kristin Sznajder

    WHEN:
    MONDAY, January 27, 2025, at 12:30 PM

    WHERE:
    Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
    600 University Drive
    Hershey, PA 17033
    (Room T2500 – Second Floor)

    PARKING: Event parking can be obtained by contacting Penn State Health’s Public Relations and Multimedia team Lead, Scott Gilbert, by emailing sgilbert1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or calling 717-782-1121.

    MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of the reporter and photojournalist to ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NITI Aayog launches the “Fiscal Health Index 2025” in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 8:30PM by PIB Delhi

    “The Fiscal Health Index report will be an annual publication focusing on the fiscal health of Indian states, offering data-driven insights that will be leveraged for informed state-level policy interventions to improve overall fiscal governance, economic resilience, and stability of the nation” – Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

    The Hon’ble Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya, launched the inaugural issue of NITI Aayog’s report titled “Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025” on 24th January 2025 in New Delhi, in the august presence of Shri Suman Bery, Hon’ble Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Dr. Arvind Virmani, Hon. Member, NITI Aayog; Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog; Dr. Anoop Singh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog and other senior officials. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the fiscal health of 18 major States, based on five key sub-indices: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability, along with insights into state-specific challenges and areas for improvement.

    The FHI aims to throw light on the fiscal status at the sub-national level and guide policy reforms for sustainable and resilient economic growth. The report ranks States on the basis of composite fiscal index, which is based on five major sub-indices viz, quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability. With a cumulative score of 67.8, Odisha tops the ranking in fiscal health among 18 major States, followed by Chhattisgarh and Goa with scores of 55.2 and 53.6, respectively. The achiever States display strong fiscal health, excelling in revenue mobilization, expenditure management, and debt sustainability. Improvements are seen in states like Jharkhand, which has strengthened fiscal prudence and debt sustainability, while Karnataka faces a decline due to weaker performance in expenditure quality and debt management. These interstate disparities highlight the need for targeted reforms to address specific fiscal challenges and ensure sustainable growth.

    Hon’ble Chairman of the 16th FC, Dr. Panagariya, while launching the report, underscored the need for the States to follow a stable fiscal path for balanced regional development, long-term fiscal sustainability, and prudent governance. He mentioned that the FHI offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to measuring state-level fiscal performance and provides valuable insights into broader fiscal trends, allowing for a better understanding of fiscal health across the country. He emphasised that the FHI report helps to promote a more integrated approach to fiscal health and sustainable growth, reinforcing the shared responsibility of both levels of government in achieving national prosperity.

    Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Suman Bery emphasised that the FHI offers a roadmap for achieving fiscal consolidation, improving transparency, and fostering effective resource management. He further stated that FHI is not merely a ranking but a tool designed to assess and thereby improve the fiscal health of States. It provides a framework to evaluate the financial well-being of state economies through key fiscal indicators.

    Sh. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam highlighted that the FHI report will be instrumental in helping policymakers make informed decisions. He noted that the report provides an objective picture of the fiscal landscape across states and also offers actionable insights for strengthening fiscal resilience and ensuring sustainable economic development of the States. By focusing on major fiscal indicators, the FHI encourages states to align their fiscal strategies with national objectives, ensuring their contributions to the goal of a fiscally stable and prosperous India and, most importantly, promoting healthy competition among states. He stressed that the FHI’s findings are aligned with India’s broader vision of achieving “Viksit Bharat @2047,” where fiscal discipline at the state level plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economic transformation.

    Dr. Virmani congratulated the team and highlighted that the FHI report will underscore the critical role of cooperative federalism in strengthening India’s governance framework. He emphasized that fostering collaboration between the Centre and states is key to addressing regional disparities and driving holistic economic development.

    It is further informed that this report marks the launch of an annual series aimed at providing valuable, data-driven insights into the fiscal health of India’s states, fostering informed decision-making and policy interventions. The FHI is designed to assist policymakers by offering insights into states’ fiscal health and helping identify areas requiring intervention and strategic planning.

    The full report can be accessed at: https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/Fiscal_Health_Index_24012025_Final.pdf

     

    ***

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Rise in HIV diagnoses in the UK and link to mass immigration – E-002422/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is not aware of the data published by the United Kingdom (UK) Health Security Agency. The UK is no longer a member of the European Union, and matters related to public health in the UK fall under the responsibility of the UK Government.

    The Commission does not have evidence to suggest that the rise in human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) diagnoses in the UK is directly linked to migration or the EU’s migration policies.

    The Commission supports partner countries in strengthening different aspects of their health systems, including activities that support the prevention and treatment of HIV in countries outside the EU.

    Specific needs are identified together with the concerned countries. The Commission also supports the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    The Global Fund works in more than 100 countries, contributing to the prevention and control of the three diseases. Since its creation in 2002, it has contributed to saving 65 million lives.

    In 2023 alone, the Global Fund contributed to keeping 25 million people on antiretroviral therapy for HIV. This not only keeps people affected by the disease alive; it also helps reduce transmission of HIV.

    Last updated: 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NIFTEM-K hosts delegates of the International South-South Learning programme on Food Fortification

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

    National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), under the aegis of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), hosted a high-level international delegation comprising of 17 representatives from the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) region, National Fortification Alliances, including technical experts and policymakers and officials from the West African Health Organization (WAHO), underlining the regional significance of this knowledge-sharing initiative, visited NIFTEM-K to study India’s successful food fortification initiatives. The visit, organised by German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) brought together representatives from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, and Madagascar

    “This exchange represents a significant milestone in international cooperation for food fortification. As an Institute of National Importance, NIFTEM-K is proud to share India’s expertise and technological innovations in food fortification with our partners from Africa, contributing to global nutrition security” said Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K.

    The interactions led to deliberations over the international cooperation for fortification initiative. Mr. Arvind Kumar (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries-MoFPI), in his special address, emphasized on the crucial role of the Ministry in supporting such collaborative initiatives to enhance global nutrition. He also mentioned the important flagship schemes of the Ministry including PMKSY, PLISFPPI and the PMFME etc. Interactive session by the experts discussed over fortification standards, regulations, trade practices in India and the globe. Sh Arun Om Lal, Industry Chair Professor, NIFTEM-K while moderating the session provided insights into NIFTEM-K’s infrastructure, research capabilities, fortification facilities and advanced food processing facilities at pilot plants as well as FSSAI notified food testing facility of CFRA, underscoring its role in capacity building and industry partnerships.

    Dr. Komal Chauhan, Head-CEFF and Dean (Research & Outreach), NIFTEM-K, warmly welcomed the national and international delegates, fostering meaningful discussions on strengthening fortification policies, scaling up effective interventions, and advancing food security. The visit provided a platform for knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and strategic partnerships, reinforcing NIFTEM’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence in food fortification on a global scale.

       

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    STK

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Exchange of views on the Directorate for Health and Food Audits and Analysis – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety

    Source: European Parliament

    On January 28, ENVI Members will hold an exchange of views with Ms. Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Director of the Directorate for Health and Food Audits and Analysis, European Commission.

    The Directorate for Health and Food Audits and Analysis of the European Commission, located in Grange, Ireland, is responsible for conducting Commission controls to ensure that national authorities in EU countries, as well as non-EU countries exporting to the EU, fulfil their legal obligations. Its activities focus primarily on audits of control systems rather than individual premises and include fact-finding studies. The Directorate’s reports, which are largely publicly available, provide valuable insights into its control activities. This exchange of views aims to familiarise new ENVI Members with the Directorate’s responsibilities and main activities, which fall under the ENVI Committee’s competence. Members will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions on the Directorate’s role in upholding EU food safety and compliance standards.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Tourism Day 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    National Tourism Day 2025

    Celebrating India’s Timeless Beauty

    Posted On: 24 JAN 2025 5:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Tourism has the potential to bring prosperity to the lives of many. Our Government will keep focusing on enhancing India’s tourism infrastructure to ensure more people can experience the wonders of Incredible India.

    ~ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi[1]

    From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-kissed shores of its pristine beaches, India offers an extraordinary sensory experience. The nation enchants the senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell creating an immersive journey that leaves a lasting impression. When these senses converge in the bustling streets and historic cities of India the experience becomes a powerful fusion of history, culture and tradition—making it an unparalleled destination for travelers from across the globe.

    The Future of Tourism in India

    The Future of Tourism in India

     

    To celebrate the true essence of vibrant India National Tourism Day is observed on 25th January each year. This day aligns with the timeless philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and emphasizes the transformative power of travel. It highlights how tourism not only drives economic growth, creates employment and fosters infrastructure development but also positions India as a thriving  global tourism destination, captivating the world with its unparalleled beauty and culture.

    Reflecting this growing potential India has risen to 39th place out of 119 countries in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024. The future looks even brighter with India’s tourism industry projected to contribute a staggering $512 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2028. By 2030, India is expected to emerge as the fourth-largest global spender on tourism with an estimated expenditure of $410 billion.[2]

    In recognition of this growing potential the government is placing significant emphasis on the sector. The Union Budget 2023, the tourism ministry was allocated Rs 2,400 crore, while an additional Rs 2479.62 crore has been earmarked for the sector in the financial year 2024-25, reflecting a 3.3 percent increase in capital expenditure. However, the revised budget outlay for tourism stood at Rs 1692.10 crore. These strategic investments highlight the government’s commitment to strengthening the tourism industry and ensuring its sustainable growth in the coming years. [3] [4]

    Encouraging Travel Within India

    Domestic tourism plays a vital role in the growth and development of India’s tourism sector. The Ministry of Tourism actively promotes domestic tourism through various initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the country’s diverse destinations and products. Domestic tourism remains a significant driver of the industry. According to data from State/UT Governments and other sources within the Ministry of Tourism, India saw 1,731.01 million domestic tourist visits in 2022. This number increased to 2,509 million in 2023, highlighting the growing trend of domestic travel.[5]

    Schemes for promoting Domestic Tourism

    To encourage domestic tourism the government has introduced several schemes including the following:

    • Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI): [6] In a huge boost for Bharat’s tourism sector, 40 projects across 23 states have been approved under SASCI to develop iconic tourist centers to global standards. These projects, worth ₹3,295.76 crore will foster local economies and create employment through sustainable tourism.
    • Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi: On 27th September 2024, the Ministry of Tourism launched the national responsible tourism initiative, ‘Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi.’ The initiative aims to harness tourism as a means of social inclusion, employment, and economic growth, while enhancing the overall tourist experience. It connects visitors with ‘tourist-friendly’ individuals who serve as proud ambassadors and storytellers for their destinations.
    • Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Award: ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice 2024’ – a Nationwide poll to identify the most preferred tourist attractions under 5 categories. It is also an effort to identify attractions and destinations for development in mission mode.
    • National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD):[7] Launched in 2014-2015 scheme aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritised, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience. The growth of domestic tourism hugely depends on pilgrimage tourism. Since the launch of the PRASHAD scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned a total of 48 projects at a cost of Rs.1646.99 crore across the country.
    • Swadesh Darshan 2.0: [8] Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched in 2014-15 to complement the efforts of respective State Governments/UT Administrations for developing tourism facilities across the country and has sanctioned ₹5287.90 Crore for undertaking 76 projects. The Ministry has revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations and has sanctioned 34 projects for Rs.793.20 Crore including projects in border area.
    • Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme:[9] Launched in 2019, scheme’s main objective is to create a general awareness among the domestic population about the potential tourist destinations in the country. The Ministry through its 20 domestic India Tourism Offices located across the country, undertakes the promotional activities to promote India in a holistic manner.
    • Vibrant Village Programme:[10] On 15th February 2023, approval was granted to Vibrant Village Programme for the comprehensive development of select villages in 46 border blocks across 19 districts in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and the UT of Ladakh. The total financial outlay approved for this program is Rs. 4,800 crore.
    • UTSAV portal: The Utsav Portal showcases events, festivals and live darshans across India to promote the country as a global tourism destination. The platform highlights event details and offers digital experiences through stunning visuals, while also providing live views of major religious shrines. The Mahakumbh, in particular has become a focal point attracting global celebrities for the holy snan.
    • RCS–UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik):[11] Launched in 2016 under the RCS UDAN scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. As a result, around 609 routes have become operational, including 53 tourism routes and 62 helicopter routes.
    • UNESCO Heritage Sites:[12] The 46th meeting of the World Heritage Committee took place in New Delhi from 21st to 31st July. During this meeting, “Moidams – the Mound Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty, Charaideo, Assam” was inscribed as India’s 43rd World Heritage Property.

     

    Conclusion

    These government initiatives and schemes are vital in driving the growth of domestic tourism, promoting sustainable development, and preserving India’s rich cultural and historical heritage. As the nation continues to invest in tourism infrastructure and innovative programs, India is well-positioned to strengthen its status as a leading global tourism destination.

    Reference

    Kindly find the pdf file 

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    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Kamna Lakaria

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Cramer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Firefighters with Service-Related Cancers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) reintroduced the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. The bipartisan legislation, which passed unanimously (21-0) out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last year, would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line-of-duty, or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11 related illnesses.

    The legislation is being introduced in honor of Michael Paidar, a St. Paul fire captain who died of an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia on August 26, 2020 while still working for the fire department. In 2021, after strong advocacy from the Paidar family, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety awarded line-of-duty benefits to Captain Paidar’s widow Julie. This was the first time that a firefighter’s family had received benefits for cancer incurred in the line-of-duty through Minnesota’s state Public Safety Officer Benefits program. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would ensure that firefighters and other first responders across the country are eligible to receive similar benefits under the federal PSOB program. 

    This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Banks (R-IN), Barrasso (R-WY), Blackburn (R-TN), Blumenthal (D-CT), Coons (D-DE), Cornyn (R-TX), Cruz (R-TX), Duckworth (D-IL), Durbin (D-IL), Fetterman (D-PA), Fischer (R-NE), Graham (R-SC), Hirono (D-HI), Hoeven (R-ND), Justice (R-WV), Kelly (D-AZ), Markey (D-MA), Padilla (D-CA), Rounds (R-SD), Schiff (D-CA), Shaheen (D-NH), Sheehy (R-MT), Smith (D-MN), Warner (D-VA), Warren (D-MA), Welch (D-VT), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR). 

    “As we are seeing in California and throughout the country, our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have lethal long-term effects. It’s unacceptable that firefighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty,” said Klobuchar. “That’s why I’m working with Senator Cramer to ensure that firefighters get the support they deserve. Our bipartisan legislation will honor the memory and sacrifice of St. Paul Fire Department Captain Mike Paidar and so many others who risk their lives in service of their communities.”

    “Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty and lingering health risks associated with their service,” said Cramer. “The exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not bear these burdens alone.”

    “Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line without a second thought to protect California communities from the devastating Southern California wildfires,” said Padilla. “When they sacrifice their lives or face severe disabilities due to service-related cancers, we have a shared duty to help get their families back on their feet.”

    “Our first responders risk everything for us – from the front lines of wildfires to the unseen lines of duty that keep our communities safe. When they lose their lives to service-related cancers, their families deserve the full measure of support they’ve earned. No one who has lost so much should be left to face hardship alone,” said Schiff.

    The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of fire fighters; law enforcement officers; and other first responders who are killed as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits where first responders become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

    The Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and first responders who pass away from cancer caused by carcinogenic exposure during their service. The bill would also extend disability benefits in cases where these first responders become permanently and totally disabled due to cancer.

    The legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), as well as the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA); Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI); Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA); Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA); Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs); National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO); National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF); National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC); National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC); and Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD. 

    “I’m grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for introducing the bipartisan Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act. Every day, our nation’s first responders selflessly serve and protect their communities. Unfortunately, through exposures on the job, many are also fighting occupational cancer. As our family knows firsthand, the lives of the first responder and their family are forever changed upon the cancer diagnosis. Mike loved being a career firefighter and paramedic. Losing him to Leukemia in 2020 was devastating not only for our family, but also for his fire family and our communities. This important legislation will recognize the sacrifices of our fallen, allowing first responders and their families to receive the PSOB benefits they rightly deserve,” said Julie Paidar, widow of St. Paul Fire Captain Michael Paidar.

    “There are thousands of firefighters across the United States that are in the fight for their life battling cancers that they should never get and hundreds more receiving a diagnosis daily.  In 2022, 75% of firefighter Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) were due to occupational cancer. Saint Paul Firefighters IAFF Local 21 will always remember Captain Mike Paidar as a fit, healthy man, a loving father, doting husband and a courageous firefighter, who loved his job and went to work each day with a smile on his face to care for people that needed his help. Sadly, Mike died from his job related exposure to known carcinogens. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act makes it possible for us to preserve Mike’s dignity and care for his family, just as he did for so many others during their time of need. This is what we want to be Mike’s legacy, ” said Kyle Thornberg, President of St. Paul International Association of Fire Fighters Local 21.

    “Cancer is ravaging the fire service and is the leading cause of line of duty deaths. Medical studies and commonsense prove this epidemic comes from our exposures to toxins in smoke, vehicle exhaust, and even our own protective gear. In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found this evidence so clear that they classified the occupation of firefighting itself as a Group 1 carcinogen – their highest and most dangerous level. However, when fire fighters succumb to job-related cancer, their families are left with nothing and denied critically-needed death benefits. It is unconscionable to abandon fallen fire fighters’ families when they need help most. The IAFF applauds Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for standing with fire fighters’ families and ensuring they don’t fall through the cracks. The Honor Act will rightfully recognize our cancer deaths as line of duty deaths and provide families with sorely needed death benefits. We urge Congress to pass the Honor Act immediately and send a lifeline to families who have already sacrificed a loved one for our nation,” said Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

    “Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to the hazardous nature of their jobs. The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program should reflect the scope of the risks faced by our nation’s first responders, including occupational cancer. We look forward to working with Senators Klobuchar and Cramer to ensure that firefighters and their families receive the benefits they need and deserve,” said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.

    “Modern medicine often struggles to link an officer’s medical condition directly to a specific on-the-job incident; however, federal law enforcement officers face significant carcinogenic exposure in the line of duty, especially as first responders to large-scale chemical, radiological, or biological incidents. Unfortunately, the current Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) system denies many officers earned benefits due to these scientific limitations. We commend Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for introducing legislation to align the PSOB system with the real-world risks faced by law enforcement. This bill is a vital step toward ensuring officers receive the support they deserve,” said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

    “We are grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for their leadership on this issue. Our law enforcement officers are in harm’s way each and every day. They are exposed not only to physical threats, but also unseen or unknown threats while operating in potentially hazardous environments. Public safety officers who are exposed to known carcinogens and who contract cancer that ends their lives or disables them should be considered to have sustained a personal injury in the line of duty for the purposes of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. The Klobuchar-Cramer bill, which had 37 cosponsors and cleared the Judiciary Committee unanimously will do just that,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

    “I thank Senator Klobuchar and the bill’s cosponsors for re-introducing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. Cancer remains a major cause of death for firefighters across the nation. It is time for the nation to recognize the families that have lost loved ones due to cancer caused by modern-day firefighting. We owe them a debt of gratitude and should take care of them,” said Chief Josh Waldo, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

    “The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) strongly supports the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act and applauds Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for their leadership. This bipartisan legislation ensures that families of first responders who lose their lives to service-related cancer receive the benefits they deserve. Our first responders put their lives on the line daily, facing not just immediate dangers but long-term health risks from carcinogen exposure. Supporting their families through these benefits strengthens our public safety community and honors the sacrifices made by those who serve,” said Megan Noland, Executive Director of the Major County Sheriffs of America.

    “Our nation’s public safety officers put their lives at risk every day. Sometimes unnoticed are the officers pulling families from burning cars or saving children from house fires or responding to disasters such as the wildfires in Los Angeles. These acts of heroism often have long-term consequences for the officers, including exposure-related cancers. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes these as line-of-duty injuries under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program and ensures that officers suffering from these cancers and their families get the benefits they have earned. We stand with Senators Klobuchar and Cramer in support of this bill and thank them for championing this important issue,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

    “The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation expresses our steadfast support of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. Multiple studies have shown that firefighters have an increased risk of cancer compared to the general public. These men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities, and as a result, are exposed to a variety of carcinogens through the very nature of their work, including exposure to hazardous materials, toxic smoke, and other environmental factors. The federal government must recognize their sacrifice, and the families of public safety officers who die or are permanently disabled as a result of occupational cancer should have access to benefits provided by the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program. We commend Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for championing this important legislation,” said Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

    “NFPA urges Congress to approve the HONOR Act which has strong bipartisan support. As a nation, we must honor firefighters lost to occupational cancer and provide support to the families they leave behind,” said Jim Pauley, President and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association.

    “Too often battles with occupational related cancer leave first responders permanently disabled or leave their survivors financially struggling after their passing. I applaud Senators Klobuchar and Cramer for introducing the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025. This important legislation will provide much needed support to first responder and their families as they face the aftermath of occupational cancer by providing coverage for certain exposure-related cancers under the Public Safety Officers Benefit program,”said Steve Hirsch, Chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council. 

    “For more than twenty years, we have seen firsthand the devasting toll that cancer has taken among the heroes who responded to the 9/11 attacks. The ongoing health crisis among 9/11 responders has also brought to light other serious and long-term health risks that public safety officers across this country face from job-related exposures to known carcinogens. That is why the SBA is proud to join with Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Cramer again in advocating for swift passage of the ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act’ to ensure PSOB benefits for the families of those who succumb to job-related cancers,” said Vincent Vallelong, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the NYPD.

    Klobuchar has long led efforts to support firefighters and first responders. Klobuchar co-led bipartisan legislation to create a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease was signed into law in 2018 and reauthorized last year. The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act calls on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor and study the relationship between career-long exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of cancer in firefighters.

    Klobuchar also worked to pass the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act which was signed into law in 2023, and continues funding for the Assistance for Firefighters Grant and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant programs. The Assistance for Firefighters Grant program helps firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources. The SAFER Grants program provides direct funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters and enhance their capacity to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards.

    Klobuchar also worked to pass the Protecting America’s First Responders Act, which was signed into law in 2021. This legislation improves the PSOB program by allowing benefit amounts to be calculated based on the date of the award and account for cost of living increases.

    Klobuchar also co-led legislation to retrofit older high-rise apartment buildings with sprinkler systems and help prevent future tragedies like the Cedar High Apartments fire, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2019.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Praise Ecuador’s Social Expenditure for Children, Ask about December 2024 Child Murders and Excessive Use of Force against Child Demonstrators

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Ecuador, with Committee Experts praising the State’s social expenditure for children and adolescents, and raising questions about the murder of four children in December 2024 and excessive use of force against child demonstrators by the police.

    Mary Beloff, Committee Expert and Coordinator of the Country Taskforce for Ecuador, praised the efforts made by the country to enhance social expenditure aimed at children and adolescents.  She said it was a pleasure to hear the focus being placed on resource allocation to guarantee rights in early childhood.

    However, she said the examination was marked by the atrocious events that took place in Guayaquil in December 2024, related to the illegal detention, forced disappearance and subsequent murder of four children.  Investigating the social conditions that led to these events was an essential part of the Committee’s work.

    Velina Todorova, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said that in October 2019, in the context of the national strike, the personal integrity of at least 12 children was severely impacted by the public forces.  During the June 2022 strike, violence was also used against children. How was the State safeguarding the rights of children to freedom of assembly?

    Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva, presenting the report, said Ecuador had several cash transfers for social protection for children or adolescents in situations of poverty and vulnerability, including the human development bonus, the Joaquín Gallegos Lara bonus, and the lifetime pension.

    The murder of four minors in December 2024 had profoundly shocked the Government and the people of Ecuador, the delegation said. The Ecuadorian State had acted immediately following these events and had been carrying out due actions to investigate and punish the perpetrators.  Investigations had begun and 16 members of the armed forces were now in pretrial detention.

    Measures had been taken to prevent cases of excessive use of force by the police against children from reoccurring, the delegation said. Institutional guidelines had been developed to protect the rights of citizens involved in demonstrations, and an organic law regulating the legitimate use of force had been developed and disseminated.  The State party recognised that all children and adolescents had the right to protest peacefully.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Beloff said that the dialogue had provided insight on the issues faced by Ecuador and areas that needed to be focused on in public policies.  The Committee hoped that the State party would be able to achieve its goals for the benefit of all Ecuadorian children.

    Zaida Rovira, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, in concluding remarks, said that the State party was committed to taking on its challenges by increasing the budget for children, and developing robust standards and laws and an institutional system with sufficiently trained staff.  The topics discussed in the dialogue would inform the State’s future efforts for children and adolescents.

    The delegation of Ecuador consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Women and Human Rights; Ecuador Grows without Child Malnutrition; the National Comprehensive Care Service for Adults Persons Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders; and the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Ecuador at the end of its ninety-eighth session on 31 January.  Those, and other documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, will be available on the session’s webpage.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 30 January at 3 p.m. to hold an informal meeting with States.

    Report

    The Committee has before it the seventh periodic report of Ecuador (CRC/C/ECU/7).

    Presentation of Report

    MARCELO VÁZQUEZ BERMÚDEZ, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Ecuador was fully committed to fulfilling its international obligations under the Convention.  In May 2024, the organic law for the support and reparation for relatives of victims of femicide and violent deaths for gender reasons was adopted. Between 2023 and 2024, the Attorney General’s Office issued seven key technical instruments to strengthen the protection and care of victims, especially children, adolescents and persons affected by gender-based violence.  These instruments included guidelines on complaints and protective measures against physical, psychological, or sexual violence; guidelines to avoid revictimisation; and operational guides for the investigation of crimes such as human trafficking and the recruitment of children and adolescents for criminal purposes. 

    Through the Child Development Centres and the “growing with our children” programme, the Government provided comprehensive care to 289,000 children and adolescents in vulnerable situations in 2024.  In addition, there was close collaboration with indigenous, Afro-descendant, and Montubio communities and children on the move.  There were also several cash transfers for social protection for children or adolescents in situations of poverty and vulnerability, namely the human development bonus, the Joaquín Gallegos Lara bonus, and the lifetime pension.

    One of the most outstanding achievements was the creation of the Technical Secretariat for the “Ecuador grows without child malnutrition” policy and the implementation of its strategy, as well as the intersectoral strategic plan for the prevention and reduction of chronic child malnutrition.  These allowed effective collaboration between various government entities, focusing on the prevention and reduction of chronic malnutrition in children under two years of age.  Due to the implementation of the strategy, by 2024, the indicator on prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under two years of age was reduced to 19.3 per cent, from the previous level of 24.8 per cent.  The programme was expected to achieve the goal of reducing the malnutrition rate to less than 15 per cent. 

    As an important component of the strategy, there was a cash transfer called the “1,000 days voucher”, which consisted of a fixed transfer and payments conditional on the commitment to attend prenatal check-ups and early registration of the birth in the Civil Registry.  Furthermore, all beneficiaries of the “1,000 days bonus” had the right to receive weekly family counselling services from specialised educators of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion.

    ZAIDA ROVIRA, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, said Ecuador guaranteed access to quality vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, ensuring that every child received the appropriate vaccine to prevent diseases. As of August 2024, 95 out of every 100 Ecuadorian children had completed their vaccination schedule.  Between 2020 and 2023, maternal mortality was almost halved. The suicide prevention manual had been issued, which focused on the construction of support networks, from 10 years of age onwards.  Around 2,724 people had been trained in using the manual for the early identification of suicidal ideation, and 21 community support networks had been established for the prevention of suicide. 

    The Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, had implemented a tool called the child labour risk identification model, which made it possible to identify the territories most prone to child labour and estimate the impact of various associated factors.  More than 1,000 labour inspections took place between January 2023 and July 2024.  In addition, 217 dialogue tables had been held with key actors, such as decentralised autonomous governments and civil society organizations, to design local intervention strategies. 

    Digital literacy campaigns had been carried out to educate the population on the safe and effective use of information technologies; 919 digital points had been opened nationwide.  Between 2023 and 2024, more than 9,000 visas were issued for children and adolescents seeking refuge, with particular focus on the Venezuelan population.  Between 2023 and 2024, Ecuadorian Consulates had handled 10,668 cases of children and adolescents in vulnerable conditions abroad, managing to resolve the majority of these cases. 

    The National Service for the comprehensive care of adults deprived of liberty and adolescent offenders, through the horizon of change work plan, had strengthened the comprehensive development of socio-educational measures by strengthening care for more than 739 adolescents in conflict with the law.  In addition, awareness-raising talks and trainings were carried out in educational units, reaching more than 7,000 adolescents.  Ms. Rovira hoped the exchange with the Committee members would help the country delve deeper into progress made and provide clarity on any issues. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said the Committee was aware that the national context in which the dialogue was taking place was complex in many ways, especially since the declaration of an internal armed conflict.  The examination being carried out by the Committee was inevitably marked by the atrocious events that took place in Guayaquil in December 2024, related to the illegal detention, forced disappearance and subsequent murder of four children: Saúl Arboleda (15 years old); the brothers Josué Arroyo (14 years old) and Ismael Arroyo (15 years old); and Steven Medina (11 years old).  Investigating the social conditions that led to these events was an essential part of the work of the Committee in order to contribute to ensure that similar events never happened again in the country.

    There were more than 50 norms and standards to do with the rights of the child and adolescents which required legislative amendments.  What was the timeline for this?  Where did the difficulties lie in this regard?  The Committee praised the efforts made by the country to enhance social expenditure aimed at children and adolescents.  However, there had been a regressive trend after the pandemic in this respect.  How did the State plan to draw up a budget which considered the specific needs of children and adolescents in the country?  If a crisis were to occur again, how would expenditure on child-related matters be protected?  What were the State’s plans to ensure there was a coordination body at the national and local levels in order to facilitate missing data?  How was the State planning to extend its scope to cover the entire population, particularly those at the greatest risk of social disadvantage?

    Ecuador faced a situation described as one of structural discrimination, which had a direct link to poverty.  This affected indigenous populations, Afro-indigenous populations, and children in State custody.  What were the comprehensive policies which the State was planning to establish to put an end to structural discrimination?    How was the monitoring of centres where children were deprived of their liberty carried out, particularly during the state of emergency? How was it ensured that legislation relating to child labour was enforced?  The Committee was aware of the number of instruments relating to child participation.  However, it was indicated that children’s voices were not really being heard.  How was Ecuador going to include the voices of children and adolescents, particularly when it pertained to their rights? 

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said in October 2019, in the context of the national strike, the personal integrity of at least 12 children was severely impacted by the public forces.  Children suffered from injuries, as well as what could be as considered acts of torture. During the June 2022 strike, violence was also used against children, which was serious and unjustifiable.  How was the State safeguarding the rights of children to freedom of assembly?  Could the Committee be informed of investigations, prosecutions and reparations relating to these events?  Over the past few years, there had been acts of cruelty towards children by the Ecuadorian State.  Ecuador was in a state of deep regression of children’s rights, which the Committee had expressed concern about in 2016.  There were many reasons for this, and the State had failed to address the root causes. 

    The Committee understood that children in Ecuador did not feel safe in their families, neighbourhoods, and schools due to the increase presence of gangs in schools.  Many children had witnessed violent acts by gangs, including shootings.  Was this a real concern for the Government?  There had been a shocking increase in the number of deaths of children by 640 per cent, between 2019 and 2023, as well as enforced disappearances and acts of torture.  The Committee was informed that children in marginalised communities were most affected by security operations.  What progress had been made in investigations into these events?  How could the Government guarantee that perpetrators would face justice and convictions?   

    Another worrying trend was the use of children and adolescents by organised crime groups.  Boys as young as eight years old were recruited, as well as indigenous children and those from remote communities.  There were also many reports of illiteracy in these areas. Could the delegation explain the actions by the State to approve legislation trying children as adults in certain cases, such as murder?  In 2023, the forced recruitment of children and adolescents in the context of armed conflict was criminalised in Ecuador, which was highly commendable.  However, to date there had been no convictions under this crime.  What was the Government doing to address the human rights of children? 

    Every second child in Ecuador between 0 and five years of age suffered violence at home.  Did high profile politicians or celebrities in Ecuador ever condemn this kind of violence publicly?  Would the Government implement a programme for respectful parenting? What were the plans for the proper implementation of the law on femicide?  What measures had been taken to implement an early warning system on femicide?  How many children reported violence to the Public Defenders Service?  The levels of sexual abuse were a disgrace for Ecuador; girls were often victims of rape within their close circles of trust, including fathers, brothers and teachers.  Many cases were not reported and there was a high degree of impunity. Why was there such a high level of impunity for perpetrators?  Could this be attributed to the lack of trained prosecutors?  How were victims interviewed with the view to avoid harmful repetitive interviews? 

    One of the greatest issues in Ecuador was teenage pregnancy.  Six girls under 14 became mothers every day.  Although abortion was decriminalised, it was understood that the legal restrictions on abortion violated the rights of pregnant women. How did the State guarantee that rape victims could access safe abortions without obstacles?  What measures had been adopted to guarantee the non-criminalisation of doctors who performed abortions? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said when it came the murder of the four minors, this case had profoundly shocked the Government and the people of Ecuador.  The Ecuadorian State had acted immediately following these events and had been carrying out due actions to investigate and punish the perpetrators. These events took place in December 2024, when the disappearance of the minors was reported.  The competent authorities then took all necessary actions to locate the children.  Investigations had begun and 16 members of the armed forces were now in pretrial detention.  All actions were being undertaken to ensure that the perpetrators were punished for this serious crime.

    Ecuador was a country with limited resources but it had focused on addressing childhood issues. There had been a delay concerning the Code of Children and Adolescents, which would end the scattered pieces of legislation that were a cause for concern.  The early childhood law was before the Assembly, as was the law on malnutrition.  Chronic malnutrition was high in Ecuador, and this had been a key focus of the State since 2018.  Many ministries were involved in this process and a system allowed information to be received from all ministries, allowing work to be honed into the vulnerable territories and ascertain where the greatest vulnerability level lay. Chronic malnutrition had been reduced by four points, which showed that the strategies were working.  The strategy focused on ages 0 to two, as well as pregnant mothers, and it was hoped this could be extended to other ages. 

    “Ecuador grows without malnutrition” was the pilot project being rolled out to address one of the main problems of the enjoyment of the rights of children and adolescents in the country.  Follow-up was carried out on each of the households for all families living in poverty and extreme vulnerability.  It was ensured that all care services for children and adolescents had a budget for the entire year.  Each of the State’s services had been and would be monitored continually to ensure their efficiency with funds. 

    More than 20,000 new families had been included in the “human development voucher” cash programme. In Ecuador there were money transfers for children who had no parents due to violent deaths.  They received support from several Government ministries to provide them with priority, comprehensive reparations.  The Ombudsman law ensured anyone could defend their rights without discrimination.  Ecuador had conducted around 1,000 annual inspections for child labour.  These were conducted on the ground and online to ensure a nationwide reach. 

    Ecuador had received an award for best practices because of work being done with the youth. The programme “horizon of change” aimed to be a worldwide reference point by 2035.  Currently, the programme was working with high-level methodologies, including a therapeutic system used with the youth.  The State was also investing heavily in occupational vocational activities, including through a programme which covered topics, including baking and juvenile fashion, among other areas. 

    In centres with young offenders, there was a whole staff of psychologists and medical professionals on hand.  The State was also working to bolster the self-esteem of young offenders through art and culture.  A life skills programme aimed to teach young offenders how to handle depression and anxiety, and work in this area had also been carried out in schools. 

    There were approximately 40,000 children and adolescents who were not in the education system.  The Government had identified them and was encouraging them to go back to school. School dropout had dropped between 2021 and 2023.  Children within the educational system had the right to participation.  There was a participation model which placed children and adolescents closer to the centre on issues which related to them.  A campaign had been drafted to reduce racial discrimination, and another to address violence in the education system. The shared responsibility of families was promoted throughout the education system, and child rearing skills programmes were offered, including on communication skills, emotional sympathy, learning support, preventing sexual violence, and teenage pregnancy, among others.  Over one million families benefited from these sessions in 2024. 

    Teen pregnancy was an issue of concern in the country, particularly the health of the baby due to malnutrition.  The teen fertility rate had decreased.  There were many communications strategies which addressed the issue of teen pregnancy. There was a law in force for abortion in cases of violence.  Pregnancy in the case of rape could be terminated up to 12 weeks. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked if the malnutrition of the baby was really the key issue when it came to teen pregnancy?  Could examples of the messaging to pregnant girls be provided? Had it been considered that boys or men who were responsible for the pregnancy also needed to receive messages? The Committee had received many reports that the phenomenon of child marriage existed, and was underrated by the Government.  Information had been received that around 30,000 girls lived in early unions, particularly in Amazon communities.  There was an increase in early unions between girls 12 and 14 years old.  Many of these adolescent girls remained in these unions until they were 18 and then they married.  Did the delegation not consider this a trend which needed the attention of the Government? 

    Had the State ever considered the reason for the high number of missing girls?  Was it likely that some of these girls were sold by parents or were involved in prostitution?  One form of using children in prostitution was the so-called “prepaid” with contact being made discreetly and in advance.  What were the policies of the Government regarding this issue? 

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said it was a pleasure to hear the focus being placed on resource allocation to guarantee rights in early childhood. This trend was promising, and it was hoped it would be consolidated in coming years.  What would the budgetary allocation be for the new Code of Children and Adolescents?  Were there any plans to increase the investment per capita amongst children? What was the State planning to do to reach out to all vulnerable populations to grapple with the issue of recruitment proactively?

    A Committee Expert said between January and November 2024, there had been nine complaints of enforced disappearance, 80 complaints of torture, and 145 complaints of excessive use of force.  It would appear the poorest neighbourhoods were the most impacted.  What was the State doing to prevent this pattern?  Afro-Ecuadorians, migrants and trans children were groups which faced discrimination.  There were two cases before the court on trans children.  What was the State doing to address this issue of discrimination? 

    Another Expert asked if the consent form was used in cases of all children in terms of abortion?  Could a minor give their consent for abortion? Were parents informed if their child requested an abortion?  Was there any special support put in place for young girls to ascertain if the pregnancy was the result of a rape?  What was being done to protect the young girls in this context?

    An Expert asked if a young girl who was over the age of 14 who was pregnant due to rape was required to bring the pregnancy to term? 

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked about the inclusiveness of policies for children with disabilities in the areas of care and education?  Did Ecuador implement a policy of inclusive education and community-based care for children who could not stay with their families? What was the difference between comprehensive child development services and specialised comprehensive rehabilitation centres of the Ministry of Health? 

    ZARA RATOU, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said in the case of children deprived of a family environment, the technical standard was part of the strategy for the deinstitutionalisation of children and promoted their reintegration into the family environment.  What progress had been made in terms of ending institutionalisation and the adoption of a strategy and action plan for the deinstitutionalisation of children and adolescents to take into account judicial proceedings?  Was there information on the effective implementation of the technical standard of family support, family custody, and foster care?  Had a framework been set up by the Government to guarantee extended coverage for children?  What measures had been taken to facilitate the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children?  What measures had been taken to strengthen the capacity of professionals working with families and children, including judges, law enforcement, and social workers to ensure alternative care solutions?

    What measures had been taken by the Government to speed up the national adoption process, including by increasing the number of family judges and ensuring that properly trained professionals worked in foster care centres? Could information be provided on the implementation and results of the application of the technical standard of family support, family custody, and foster care placement to expedite the adoption process?

    What steps was the Government taking to adopt a comprehensive strategy to ensure equal access to essential health services for children living in marginalised situations?  How did the State maintain and strengthen measures to achieve universal immunisation coverage, such as the 2023 national immunisation campaign for a polio-free, measles-free, and rubella-free Ecuador?  What measures had the Government implemented to maintain and strengthen Ecuador’s national strategy to ensure that children grow up free of child malnutrition?  What was the Government doing to improve prevention strategies on anaemia, diarrhoea, and respiratory diseases?  What support was given to breastfeeding campaigns?  What measures was the Government taking to provide appropriate support to mothers through counselling structures in hospitals and the implementation of the baby-friendly hospitals initiative throughout the country? 

    According to the information received, the suicide rate had increased from 1.7 per cent in 2018 to 7.2 per cent in 2022.  Could information be provided on the adoption and implementation of the national mental health policy and the national suicide prevention strategy?  Ms. Ratou commended the Government for the efforts of the intersectoral policy for the prevention of pregnancy among girls and adolescents, which had achieved remarkable results in 2019-2022.  However,

    could more information on the implementation of the policy for the prevention of pregnancies be provided?  How was the Government providing children and adolescents with accurate and objective information on the prevention of substance abuse, such as tobacco and alcohol?

    What steps had been taken to improve the follow-up treatment of HIV/AIDS-infected mothers and their children?  Were there revised and harmonised laws and policies on HIV/AIDS to ensure access to confidential HIV testing services?  What measures had been taken to provide counselling to adolescents without the need for parental consent?  Was there specific data on government strategies to protect intersex children?  What steps were being taken to fully guarantee the rights of inter-sex children?

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked if any mechanism had been implemented to allow children who were not registered to benefit from cash transfers?  What strategy could be used to reach these children who lived in remote areas?  What was the State’s responsibility in terms of the oil and mining industry and its impact on the environment, which could violate the rights of children and adolescents? What mechanisms were there for oversight and sanctioning?  What were the mitigation measures used to address the environmental impacts felt by the country?  Was there any policy on this issue?  How often were the most affected communities consulted? 

    BENYAM MEZMUR, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, acknowledged the efforts made by the State party despite the challenges.  Significant resources went to the education of children between the ages of five and 17. How would early childhood education be addressed?  What had been the impact of interventions to address school dropout?  Had there been improvements to the water and sanitation systems in schools?  The intersectoral policy for the prevention of pregnancy in girls and adolescents was positively noted.  Why were all complaints not transferred to the Ombudsman’s office?  What was the criteria to establish which complaints were transferred?  The State should be congratulated on progress in learning outcomes since the COVID-19 pandemic.  What was the Government doing to move beyond this? 

    Some school bus drivers were recognised as committing sexual violence against children.  How was the State addressing this?  There were concerns about access to justice for asylum seeking migrants and children.  How would this be addressed?  There were also concerns around the regularisation process in the State party. To what extent were temporary residents’ visas being issued to individuals?  How would the Government address shortcomings faced by migrant children, particularly those from Venezuela?  To what extent were efforts to combat xenophobic speech against migrant and refugee children effective?  Could information be provided on children in street situations, including violence faced at the hands of law officials?  There were concerns around the lack of resources for monitoring of rehabilitation centres, where children were deprived of their liberty.  What was the State party doing to address this challenge?  Would 14 be maintained as the criminal age of responsibility?   

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said over 37,000 members of the armed forces and 57,000 police officers were trained on the principles of human rights, and manuals, protocols, and training modules had been developed on protecting the rights of children and adolescents.  There were internal investigation units that could issue sanctions against police officers and armed forces personnel who committed human rights violations.  The Attorney-General also conducted investigations of such cases and could pursue criminal proceedings.

    An inter-sectoral prevention policy was in place to reduce incidences of teenage pregnancy. Personalised school curricula and virtual learning platforms had been developed for girls who fell pregnant. The State had sexual and reproductive health education programmes, manuals on adolescent health, and over 1,000 health centres providing reproductive health care for adolescents. The Ministry of Health was working to properly implement the law on the voluntary termination of pregnancy and had trained over 5,000 public health workers on the law.

    The State party was working to use online tools to identify and prevent cases of gender-based violence.  There was a national plan in place to prevent violence against children and a safe schools project.  The State sought to guarantee clear paths of redress for victims of ill treatment. More than 33,000 teachers had been trained in early detection of incidences of violence.

    The bill on the rights of boys, girls, and adolescents, which sought to establish a governing body on the rights of children and adolescents, was being debated in the National Assembly.  The budget for children and adolescents had significantly increased in recent years. For example, from 2021 to 2025, the budget for early childhood education had increased by more than 20 per cent. In 2024, there was a 1.5 per cent reduction in the poverty rate from 2023, from 26 to 24.5 per cent.  The State party had implemented various actions, including cash transfers and vouchers, to reduce the poverty rate.

    State law guaranteed comprehensive care for all children with HIV, who were entitled to free treatment.  Programmes promoting screening for HIV and child prophylaxis had helped to reduce mother-to-child transmission. 

    The State party also aimed to improve the availability and quality of mental health care clinics across the country. The organic law on mental health established processes for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.

    Ecuador had established support groups for mothers that encouraged breastfeeding.  The breastfeeding rate had recently increased from 51 to 53 per cent. Over 3,000 breastfeeding-friendly areas had been certified by the State.  A book on baby nutrition had been produced and breast milk banks had been set up.

    Ecuador had a national immunisation project that was based on World Health Organization guidelines.  Eighteen vaccinations were provided to children and adults by public health care clinics.  The rate of children who were vaccinated before the age of one had increased to 91 per cent.  Vaccinations were voluntary and free of charge.  Interventions in remote provinces had been carried out to promote vaccination.  In the second half of 2025, the State party would start to provide cellular vaccinations against various diseases.

    One of the pillars of the State’s strategy to tackle malnutrition was to improve access to safe water supplies. The national Government was supporting decentralised governments to bolster the development of water filtration. The prevalence of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections in children under two had decreased in recent years.

    Alternative care modalities, including institutional and foster care, had been established to provide care to children who were victims of violence.  A national guardianship programme was also in place to bolster family ties and reduce institutionalisation.  Over 19 million United States dollars had been invested in the protection system in 2024.  The State party focused on deinstitutionalisation and family integration.  Placement in foster homes was a measure of last resort. An independent committee was monitoring the implementation of child protection policies.  There were two specialised units working to care for child victims of trafficking and reinsert them into family environments.

    Ecuador had regulated the adoption process and was working to reduce delays in the process.  Registration of adoptive families was now done online. An entry interview was conducted and families were assessed, then they underwent a four-week training course. Adoption units monitored the situation in adoptive families for two years after children were adopted.

    Ecuador recognised the right of children and adolescents to live in a safe environment.  The State’s second nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement for 2026 to 2035 was approved yesterday.  It highlighted indigenous knowledge as key to combatting climate change, and aimed to ensure social protection for children, encouraging them to engage in climate action. A roundtable on the protection of environmental human rights defenders had been set up and was drafting a public policy on their protection.  Standards on free, prior and informed consent had been developed and were considered in court cases relating to development projects.

    The Constitution, the Organic Law on Disability, and the Code on Children and Adolescents promoted the rights of children with disabilities.  Over 1,400 caregivers participated in a support network for children with disabilities.  Subsidies, vouchers, and pensions were provided to families caring for persons with disabilities to lighten the economic burden.  Around 34 million United States dollars was allocated to this annually.  In 2023 and 2024, there were over 38,000 students with disabilities in the regular school system, while around 3,000 were enrolled in special schools.  A public policy was in place to prevent violence against children with disabilities.  Around 1,300 civil servants had been trained to improve care for children with disabilities.  The State party sought to broaden programmes for children with disabilities in remote areas and ensure that they could fully enjoy their rights.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked whether the worsening security situation in the country would affect public opinion regarding proposed legislation on the rights of children and adolescents.  The various reforms of the social protection sector were very welcome.  Why was there such a high number of persons behind bars?  What measures were in place to provide alternatives to detention for adolescents?

    VELINA TODOROVA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked why no information had been provided on cases of the use of force by State officials against children in 2017 and 2022?  A commission had been established to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against children by members of the Catholic Church in 2017, which identified several cases of cover-ups of such abuse.  Did the State party plan to establish a Truth Commission related to this issue?  How were teachers, parents, and children prepared to support children with disabilities in inclusive education?  What was meant by the concept of “care by agreement”?

    BENYAM MEZMUR, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, cited concerns regarding the potential abuse of children’s rights in the implementation of the state of emergency.  How would the State party prevent this?  Were there plans to develop distinct legislation addressing the recruitment of children by non-State armed groups?  There had reportedly been a decline in vaccination coverage recently; why was this?

    ZARA RATOU, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked whether cellular vaccines, which could have undesired effects on children, would be administered to them.

    Other Committee Experts asked questions on strategies to address high rates of child murders and suicides; measures to protect children from structural violence and organised crime; plans for full vaccination against the pneumococcal virus and polio; the coverage of the sexual and reproductive health education programme; measures to protect children in the Galapagos islands from abuse; plans to restore speciality to the juvenile justice system; why children vaccinated in the public sector did not receive the same vaccines as in the private sector; when the State party would update the national vaccination schedule; measures to ensure all births were registered; whether pregnant girls’ parents needed to consent to abortions; whether the national preventive mechanism provided specialised oversight of the detention of children; and inquiries into human rights violations occurring in international intercountry adoptions.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said thousands of institutions were providing inclusive education for children with disabilities, and over 126,000 teachers had received training on providing inclusive education.  A new national curriculum had been developed to encourage inclusive education, and there were also models of education tailored to the needs of children with various disabilities.  A programme had been developed to support children whose education had been delayed and there were policies in place to promote reinsertion for children who had dropped out of school.  Around one per cent of educational institutions were in a state of disrepair. The State party was investing more funds in refurbishing schools.  A voluntary early childhood education system had been developed, and 18,000 children were enrolled in the system. 

    All complaints of sexual violence occurring in schools needed to be reported to the police. Health services provided psychological care to child victims.  Schools were required to report complaints of abuse of students by bus drivers, which prosecutors duly investigated.  Data on violence in schools was collected to inform public protection policies and to provide specialised care to students.  A plan of action to prevent gender-based violence against children with disabilities in the education system was being implemented.

    Ecuador had growing rates of violence and terrorist crimes, which were an affront to the State’s sovereignty.  Given this situation, the Government declared a state of emergency in 2024.  All states of emergency were reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which had found them to be lawful.  All policies administered under states of emergency respected the rights of children and adolescents and promoted peace and human rights.

    The Constitution banned discrimination based on migration status.  The organic law on people on the move and other legislation ensured the rights of all migrant children in Ecuador and the provision of comprehensive care to them.  A specialised policy had been developed on caring for and regularising the status of unaccompanied minors.  Between 2021 and 2025, more than 4,900 children and adolescents were granted international protection by Ecuador.  Single parent migrant families had access to free legal representation.  There was an awareness raising campaign in place aiming to prevent discrimination against migrants on the northern border.  Guides had been developed that promoted the inclusion of migrant children in society and the education system.  All foreign persons had the same access to education and healthcare as Ecuadorian nationals.

    Ecuador had stepped up efforts to combat trafficking in persons.  It had produced guidance booklets against these crimes and was implementing preventive checks at border points.  The State party had managed to prevent over 3,000 irregular exits by children in recent years.  Training had been provided to border officials on detecting victims of trafficking, and an interactive map had been developed that displayed patterns in criminal activity.  Funding in the response to trafficking had been boosted in recent years.

    The police had a unit that was investigating illegal intercountry adoptions and taking measures to prevent such adoptions.  A protocol for the searching for the origins of adoptees had been developed.

    Measures had been taken to prevent cases of excessive use of force by the police against children from reoccurring.  Institutional guidelines had been developed to protect the rights of citizens involved in demonstrations, and an organic law regulating the legitimate use of force had been developed and disseminated.  The State party recognised that all children and adolescents had the right to protest peacefully.

    The State party was raising awareness of the importance of juvenile justice.  Measures imposed on adolescents aimed to ensure that they could rehabilitate and return to society.  These measures could be applied on adolescents for a minimum period of one year and a maximum of eight, depending on the severity of the crime. There were custodial and non-custodial socio-educational measures.  Units for social reintegration had bedrooms instead of cells, recreational areas, canteens, and educational workshops.  Around 430 adolescents were housed in these units, around half of whom had committed rape. The “good citizenship” programme was addressing the issue of adolescent rape.  No young persons had passed away in these centres in 2024.

    Parents did not need to give permission for girls to seek abortions.  Babies needed to be registered within 45 days of birth.  The cellular vaccine that the State would use had been scientifically tested and found to be safe for children aged six months and over.

    Concluding Remarks 

    MARY BELOFF, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, thanked the delegation for its efforts to answer the Committee’s questions.  The dialogue had provided insight on the issues faced by Ecuador and areas that needed to be focused on in public policies.  Ecuador had expressed its commitment to implementing the Convention.  The Committee hoped that the State party would be able to achieve its goals for the benefit of all children.

    ZAIDA ROVIRA, Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, said that the dialogue had been sincere and candid.  The delegation had provided information on the implementation of the Convention through public policies, plans, and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of children and adolescents.  It had submitted official, verified information that it hoped had dispelled the Committee’s concerns.  It called for the Committee’s support to build a system for the protection of all children and adolescents.  It hoped to make its policies a reality in a short space of time.

    The State party had a debt to children and adolescents in the country.  It was committed to taking on its challenges by increasing the budget for children, developing robust standards and laws and an institutional system with sufficiently trained staff, and promoting cooperation with civil society.  The topics discussed in the dialogue would inform the State’s future efforts for children and adolescents.

     

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

     

    CRC25.008E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Provepharm Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of One Lot of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 10 mg/ mL (Pharmacy Bulk Package) Due to Presence of Particulate Matter

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Drugs
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Device & Drug Safety – Potential Foreign Material

    Company Name:
    Provepharm Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Provepharm Inc.

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Phenylephrine hydrochloride Injection, USP, 10 mg/ mL

    Company Announcement

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 24, 2025 – Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Provepharm Inc. is voluntarily recalling lot number 24020027; Expiry Date December 2025 of Phenylephrine hydrochloride Injection, USP, 10 mg/ mL (Pharmacy Bulk Package) at the hospital/institutional level. This recall was initiated based on a customer complaint from a pharmacy after observing a visible black particulate matter found in a single-sealed vial of the product.

    Risk Statement:

    Administration of an injectable product containing particulate matter may cause local irritation or swelling as a response to the foreign material. If the particulate matter enters the blood vessels, it can travel to various organs and potentially blocking blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain, leading to serious complications such as stroke or even death. To date, Provepharm Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events or injuries associated with this recall.

    Phenylephrine hydrochloride Injection is used for the treatment of clinically important hypotension resulting primarily from vasodilation in the setting of anesthesia and is packaged in 10 mL vial, 1 single dose vial, with NDC code as 81284-213-01.

    The product can be identified by product name on carton and vial label and with lot number 24020027 and Exp. Date: Dec 2025 (NDC 81284-213-01) (See enclosed vial label).

    Phenylephrine hydrochloride Injection, USP, 10 mg/ mL, was distributed nationwide in the United States to wholesalers.

    Provepharm Inc., in collaboration with its recall provider, Sedgwick, is notifying distributors and customers via UPS Ground and coordinating the return of all recalled products.

    Wholesalers, distributors, compounding companies and hospitals in procession of the recalled Phenylephrine hydrochloride Injection, USP, 10 mg/ mL lot number 24020027, Exp date December 2025, should immediately cease use of and return the product to Sedgwick at the following address

    • Sedgwick
        Event## 8664
        2670 Executive Drive, Suite A
        Indianapolis, IN 46241

    Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST) Monday – Friday at:

    Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

    Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

    • Complete and submit the report Online
    • Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

    This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Media:
    Provepharm Inc.
    610-601-8600

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor’s Wellness Walk Encourages Healthy Living

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    .com

     

    Governor’s Wellness Walk Encourages Healthy Living

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen, UNO Athletic Director Adrian Dowell, Mavericks Head Soccer Coach Donovan Dowling, Mavericks Women’s Soccer Coach Tim Walters, Nebraska Sports Council President Dave Minarik and Husker Women’s Basketball player Callin Hake met at the State Capitol today to talk and walk. The talk, shared in a brief news conference, encouraged Nebraskans to make healthy living a priority in 2025. The walk, multiple laps through the Capitol’s 2nd-floor hallways, provided an example of a simple way to fit physical activity into a busy daily routine.

     

    “I’m a firm believer in the importance of exercise and fitness as a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle,” said Gov. Pillen. “Being healthy and getting enough exercise doesn’t have to be hard and can be as simple as walking.”

     

    Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tim Tesmer reported that the rate of adult obesity in Nebraska has increased significantly from 28% in 2011 to 36.6% in 2024, according to the latest data. He also noted that nearly 24% of Nebraskans report they do not get enough physical activity. Additionally, Dr. Tesmer shared that a person’s physical condition is a prime factor in their risk of contracting most major diseases.

     

    “Physical activity is a cornerstone of health and wellness, playing a key role in preventing many chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers,” said Dr. Tesmer. “Whether it is through walking, yoga, or another form of movement, the best time to start is now. The key is to get moving and keep moving.”  

      

    “The Nebraska Sports Council is proud to join Gov. Pillen in promoting healthy lifestyles,” said Dave Minarik, president of the Nebraska Sports Council. “We encourage all Nebraskans to stay motivated by using our free activity tracking program at WellPowerMovement.com.”

     

    The Nebraska Sports Council, which coordinates the Governor’s Walk, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission of providing quality sports competition and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Learn more about the WellPower Movement and the Nebraska Sports Council at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com. 

    Governor Jim Pillen

    Dave Minarik, president of the Nebraska Sports Council

    Governor Jim Pillen and Nebraska Sports Council President Dave Minarik leading the Wellness Walk

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Northrim BanCorp Earns $10.9 Million, or $1.95 Per Diluted Share, in Fourth Quarter 2024, and $37.0 Million, or $6.62 Per Diluted Share, for the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIM) (“Northrim” or the “Company”) today reported net income of $10.9 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $8.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.6 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago. The increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 is primarily due to an increase in purchased receivable income due to the Company’s acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC (“Sallyport”), which was completed on October 31, 2024. Sallyport and its direct and indirect subsidiaries provide services and products related to factoring and asset-based lending in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2024 the Company had an increase in mortgage banking income, primarily as a result of an increase in the fair value of a mortgage servicing portfolio that the Company purchased from another financial institution in the fourth quarter. The increase profitability in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the same quarter of the prior year was largely driven by an increase in mortgage banking income and higher net interest income, as well as an increase in purchased receivable income as noted above, which was only partially offset by higher other operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses.

    Net income for the full year of 2024 increased 46% to $37.0 million, or $6.62 per diluted share, compared to $25.4 million, or $4.49 per diluted share, for the full year of 2023. Increased net interest income resulting from loan and deposit growth supported 2024 earnings in the Community Banking segment but were offset by increases in other operating expenses, primarily in salaries and other personnel expense as the Company continued to expand its branch network into new markets in Alaska. An increase in mortgage originations and an increase in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights resulted in net income of $4.4 million in the Home Mortgage Lending segment in 2024 compared to a $2.5 million loss in 2023.

    Dividends per share in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained consistent with the third quarter of 2024 at $0.62 per share and increased from $0.60 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    “Northrim reported record core earnings in 2024 and record earnings per share in the fourth quarter,” said Mike Huston, Northrim’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased with our results as we continue to focus on profitable growth. In the last five years Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska has increased from 11% to 16%, loans and deposits have increased by almost 100%, and net interest income has increased by 60%.”

    “2024 results were also supported by an improvement in mortgage banking income,” continued Mr. Huston. “We believe the acquisition of Sallyport in the fourth quarter will further diversify fee income and provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to Northrim shareholders.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:

    • Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 7% to $30.8 million compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”)* was 4.47% for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 12-basis point increase from the third quarter of 2024 and a 35-basis point increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.43% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 16.32% for the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago, primarily due to new customer relationships, expanding market share, and to retaining certain mortgage loans originated by Residential Mortgage, a subsidiary of Northrim Bank (the “Bank”), in the loan portfolio.
    • Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from the preceding quarter, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. Noninterest bearing demand deposits represented 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024, down from 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% at December 31, 2023.
    • Total assets at December 31, 2024 exceeded $3 billion for the first time.
    • The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and up from 2.00% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
    • Acquired Sallyport for approximately $53.9 million (approximately $47.9 million in cash and $6 million in an earn-out payable over 3 years) on October 31, 2024.
       
    Financial Highlights Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,
    2024    		 September 30,
    2024    		 June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 December 31,
    2023
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,821,668   $2,759,560   $2,807,497  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263   $2,007,565   $1,875,907   $1,811,135   $1,789,497  
    Total deposits $2,680,189   $2,625,567   $2,463,806   $2,434,083   $2,485,055  
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116   $260,050   $247,200   $239,327   $234,718  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $9,020   $8,199   $6,613  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.95   $1.57   $1.62   $1.48   $1.19  
    Return on average assets 1.43 % 1.22 % 1.31 % 1.19 % 0.93 %
    Return on average shareholders’ equity 16.32 % 13.69 % 14.84 % 13.84 % 11.36 %
    NIM 4.41 % 4.29 % 4.24 % 4.16 % 4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 % 4.35 % 4.30 % 4.22 % 4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 % 66.11 % 68.78 % 68.93 % 72.21 %
    Total shareholders’ equity/total assets 8.78 % 8.78 % 8.76 % 8.67 % 8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/tangible assets* 7.23 % 8.28 % 8.24 % 8.14 % 7.84 %
    Book value per share $48.41   $47.27   $44.93   $43.52   $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17   $44.36   $42.03   $40.61   $39.68  
    Dividends per share $0.62   $0.62   $0.61   $0.61   $0.60  
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210   5,501,943   5,501,562   5,499,578   5,513,459  
                         

    * References to NIMTE, tangible book value per share, and tangible common equity to tangible common assets, (all of which exclude intangible assets) represent non-GAAP financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP measurements in this earnings release, because it believes these measures are useful to investors. Please refer to the end of this release for reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

    Alaska Economic Update
    (Note: sources for information in this section are listed on page 13.)

    The Alaska Department of Labor (“DOL”) has reported Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November 2024 was 4.6% compared to the U.S. rate of 4.2%. The total number of payroll jobs in Alaska, not including uniformed military, increased 2.4% or 7,700 jobs between November 2023 and November 2024.

    According to the DOL, Construction had the largest growth in new jobs in Alaska through November compared to the prior year. The Construction sector added 2,100 positions for a year over year growth rate of 12.7% in November 2024. The larger Health Care sector grew by 1,500 jobs for an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The Oil & Gas sector increased by 9.2% or 700 new direct jobs. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 1,000 jobs for a 4.5% growth rate. Professional and Business Services increased 700 jobs year over year through November 2024, up 2.5%.

    The Government sector grew by 1,200 jobs for 1.5% growth, adding 100 Federal jobs, 800 State and 300 Local government positions in Alaska over the same period. Declining sectors between November 2023 and November 2024 were Manufacturing (primarily seafood processing) shrinking 500 jobs (-6.6%), Information, down 100 jobs (-2.2%), and Retail lost 100 jobs (-0.3%).

    Alaska’s Gross State Product (“GSP”) in the third quarter of 2024, exceeded $70 billion for the first time, and is estimated to be $70.1 billion in current dollars, according to the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (“BEA”). Alaska’s inflation adjusted “real” GSP increased 6.5% in 2023, placing Alaska fifth best of all 50 states. In the third quarter of 2024 Alaska GSP increased at an annualized rate of 2.2%, compared to the average U.S. growth rate of 3.1%. Alaska’s real GSP improvement in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily caused by growth in the Health Care, Trade, Transportation and Warehousing sectors.

    The BEA also calculated Alaska’s seasonally adjusted personal income at $55.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This was an annualized improvement in the third quarter of 3.3% for Alaska, compared to the national average of 3.2%. Alaska enjoyed an annual personal income improvement of 3.8% in 2023. The $445 million increase in personal income in the third quarter in Alaska came from a $310 million increase in net earnings from wages, $145 million growth in government transfer receipts (which grew in all 50 states), and a $10 million decrease in investment income.

    The monthly average price of Alaska North Slope (“ANS”) crude oil was at an annual high of $89.05 in April 2024 and most recently averaged $72.50 in November 2024. The Alaska Department of Revenue (“DOR”) calculated ANS crude oil production was 461 thousand barrels per day (“bpd”) in Alaska’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and is projected to increase to 467 thousand bpd in Alaska’s fiscal year 2025. The DOR expects production to continue to grow rapidly to 657 thousand bpd by fiscal year 2034. This is primarily a result of new production coming on-line in and around the NPR-A region west of Prudhoe Bay. A partnership between Santos and Repsol is constructing the new Pikka field and ConocoPhillips is reportedly developing the large new Willow field. There are also a number of smaller new fields in Alaska’s North Slope that are contributing to the State of Alaska’s production growth estimates.

    According to the Alaska Multiple Listing Services, the average sales price of a single family home in Anchorage rose 6.2% in 2024 to $509,994, following a 5.2% increase in 2023. This was the seventh consecutive year of price increases.

    The average sales price for single family homes in the Matanuska Susitna Borough rose 3.9% in 2024 to $412,907, after increasing 4% in 2023. This continues a trend of average price increases for more than a decade in the region. These two markets represent where the vast majority of the Bank’s residential lending activity occurs.

    The Alaska Multiple Listing Services reported a 3.4% increase in the number of units sold in Anchorage when comparing 2024 to 2023. There was virtually no change in the number of homes sold in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, with only four fewer homes sold in 2024 than in 2023 or 0.2%.

    Northrim Bank sponsors the Alaskanomics blog to provide news, analysis, and commentary on Alaska’s economy. Join the conversation at Alaskanomics.com, or for more information on the Alaska economy, visit: http://www.northrim.com and click on the “Business Banking” link and then click “Learn.” Information from our website is not incorporated into, and does not form, a part of this earnings release.

    Review of Income Statement

    Consolidated Income Statement

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.43% and a ROAE of 16.32%, compared to 1.22% and 13.69%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024 and 0.93% and 11.36%, respectively, in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year 2024, Northrim generated a ROAA of 1.29% and a ROAE of 14.70%, compared to 0.94% and 11.17% for 2023.

    Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income increased 7% to $30.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and increased 15% compared to $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest expense on deposits increased to $10.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to $10.1 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    NIMTE* was 4.47% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 4.35% in the preceding quarter and 4.12% in the fourth quarter a year ago. NIMTE* increased 12 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter and 35 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to a favorable change in the mix of earning-assets towards higher loan balances as a percentage of total earning-assets, higher earning-assets, and higher yields on those assets which were only partially offset by an increase in costs on interest-bearing deposits. The weighted average interest rate for new loans booked in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 7.23% compared to 7.24% in the third quarter of 2024 and 7.74% in the fourth quarter a year ago. The yield on the investment portfolio increased to 2.84% from 2.80% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 2.48% in the fourth quarter of 2023. “We are beginning to see improvements in our net interest margin as a result of lower deposit costs from the recent Fed interest rate cuts, in addition to the benefit of new loan volume and loan repricing driving our net interest margin to 4.47% for the fourth quarter,” said Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer. Northrim’s NIMTE* continues to remain above the peer average of 3.16% posted by the S&P U.S. Small Cap Bank Index with total market capitalization between $250 million and $1 billion as of September 30, 2024.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    Northrim recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, which includes a $125,000 provision for credit losses on purchased receivables, $107,000 benefit to the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a provision for credit losses on loans of $1.2 million. This compares to a provision for credit losses of $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, and a provision for credit losses of $885,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. The $1.2 million provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 is largely attributable to increases in loan and purchased receivable balances.

    Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, increased during the quarter to $7.5 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $5.0 million at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

    The allowance for credit losses was 292% of nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 394% three months earlier and 345% a year ago.

    Other Operating Income

    In addition to home mortgage lending, Northrim has interests in other businesses that complement its core community banking activities, including purchased receivables financing and wealth management. Other operating income contributed $13.0 million, or 30% of total fourth quarter 2024 revenues, as compared to $11.6 million, or 29% of revenues in the third quarter of 2024, and $6.5 million, or 20% of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the preceding quarter and the fourth quarter of 2023 is largely the result of higher purchased receivable income due to the acquisition of Sallyport. Additionally, other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the fourth quarter a year ago increased due to an increase in mortgage banking income arising from higher volume of mortgage activity and an increase in the value of mortgage servicing rights. The changes in mortgage banking are discussed further in the Home Mortgage Lending section below.

    Other Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses were $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $26.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, and $24.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to an increase in salaries and other personnel expense, as well as increases in professional fees from one-time deal costs associated with the acquisition of Sallyport and insurance expense due to higher FDIC insurance costs due to the Company’s asset and net income growth.

    Income Tax Provision

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Northrim recorded $2.4 million in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 17.8%, compared to $2.8 million, or 24.2% in the third quarter of 2024 and $1.7 million, or 20.7% in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, Northrim recorded $10.0 million in state and federal income tax expense in 2024 for an effective tax rate of 21.3%, compared to $6.2 million, or 19.7% in 2023. The decrease in the tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily the result of increased tax benefits related to the Company’s investment in low income housing tax credits and the purchase of renewable energy tax credits.

    Community Banking

    In the most recent deposit market share data from the FDIC, Northrim’s deposit market share in Alaska increased to 15.66% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2024 compared to 15.04% of Alaska’s total deposits as of June 30, 2023. This represents 62 basis points of growth in market share percentage for Northrim during that period while, according to the FDIC, the total deposits in Alaska were up 2.3% during the same period. Northrim opened a branch in Kodiak in the first quarter of 2023, a loan production office in Homer in the second quarter of 2023, a permanent branch in Nome in the third quarter of 2023, and a branch in Homer in the first quarter of 2024. See below for further discussion regarding the Company’s deposit movement for the quarter.

    Northrim is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse communities in which it operates. As a testament to that support, the Bank has branches in four regions of Alaska identified by the Federal Reserve as “distressed or underserved non-metropolitan middle-income geographies”.

    Net interest income in the Community Banking segment totaled $27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $24.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago mostly due to increased interest income on loans that was only partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits.

    The following table provides highlights of the Community Banking segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 September 30,
    2024    		 June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $27,643   $25,928   $24,318   $24,215   $24,221  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 771   1,492   (184 ) 197   885  
    Other operating income 2,535   3,507   2,450   2,468   2,741  
    Other operating expense 19,116   18,723   18,068   17,177   18,158  
    Income before provision for income taxes 10,291   9,220   8,884   9,309   7,919  
    Provision for income taxes 1,474   2,133   1,786   1,966   1,604  
    Net income Community Banking segment $8,817   $7,087   $7,098   $7,343   $6,315  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $1.58   $1.26   $1.27   $1.32   $1.14  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Net interest income $102,104   $95,555  
    Provision for credit losses 2,276   3,842  
    Other operating income 10,960   9,130  
    Other operating expense 73,085   69,253  
    Income before provision for income taxes 37,703   31,590  
    Provision for income taxes 7,359   6,175  
    Net income Community Banking segment $30,344   $25,415  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $5.43   $4.49  
             

    Home Mortgage Lending

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, mortgage loans funded for sale decreased to $162.5 million, of which 89% was for home purchases, compared to $210.0 million and 94% of loans funded for home purchases in the third quarter of 2024, and increased as compared to $79.7 million, of which 96% was for home purchases in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased Residential Mortgage-originated mortgage loans to hold on the Bank’s balance sheet of $23.4 million of which roughly two-thirds were jumbos and one-third were mortgages for second homes, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.30%, down from $38.1 million and 6.59% in the third quarter of 2024, and down from $27.1 million and 7.05% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Mortgage loans funded for investment has increased net interest income in the Home Mortgage Lending segment. Net interest income contributed $3.3 million to total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from $2.9 million in the prior quarter, and up from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    The Arizona, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest mortgage expansion markets were responsible for 19% of Residential Mortgage’s $186 million total production in the fourth quarter of 2024, 20% of the $248 million total production in the third quarter of 2024, and 11% of the $107 million in total production in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    The net change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights increased mortgage banking income by $873,000 during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to a decrease of $968,000 for the third quarter of 2024 and a decrease of $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank purchased an Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) servicing portfolio from another financial institution for $2.3 million. At December 31, 2024, this servicing portfolio was valued at $3.1 million resulting in a $750,000 increase in fair value. Mortgage servicing revenue increased to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 from $2.6 million in the prior quarter and increased from $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to an increase in production of AHFC mortgages, which contribute to servicing revenues at origination. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company’s mortgage servicing portfolio increased to $294.1 million, which includes the purchase of the AHFC servicing portfolio of $235.6 million, $86.3 million in new mortgage loans, net of amortization and payoffs of $27.8 million as compared to a net increase of $64.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $62.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    As of December 31, 2024, Northrim serviced 6,378 loans in its $1.46 billion home mortgage servicing portfolio, a 25% increase compared to the $1.17 billion serviced as of the end of the third quarter of 2024, and a 40% increase from the $1.04 billion serviced a year ago.

    The following table provides highlights of the Home Mortgage Lending segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 September 30,
    2024    		 June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loan commitments $32,299   $77,591   $88,006   $56,208   $22,926  
               
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $162,530   $209,960   $152,339   $84,324   $79,742  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 23,380   38,087   29,175   17,403   27,114  
    Total mortgage loans funded $185,910   $248,047   $181,514   $101,727   $106,856  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 11 % 6 % 6 % 4 % 4 %
    Mortgage loans serviced for others $1,460,720   $1,166,585   $1,101,800   $1,060,007   $1,044,516  
               
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $3,747   $5,079   $3,188   $1,980   $1,462  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net (665 ) 60   391   386   (296 )
    Total production revenue 3,082   5,139   3,579   2,366   1,166  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 2,847   2,583   2,164   1,561   2,180  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:          
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,372   (566 ) 239   289   (707 )
    Other2 (499 ) (402 ) (320 ) (314 ) (301 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 3,720   1,615   2,083   1,536   1,172  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 238   293   222   129   99  
    Total mortgage banking income $7,040   $7,047   $5,884   $4,031   $2,437  
               
    Net interest income $3,280   $2,941   $2,775   $2,232   $2,276  
    Provision (benefit) for credit losses 305   571   64   (48 ) —  
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   5,884   4,031   2,437  
    Other operating expense 7,198   7,643   6,697   6,086   5,477  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,817   1,774   1,898   225   (764 )
    Provision for income taxes 842   497   532   63   (215 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $1,975   $1,277   $1,366   $162   ($549 )
               
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,769,415  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.35   $0.23   $0.25   $0.03   ($0.10 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates.
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
                         
       
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Mortgage loans funded for sale $609,153   $376,154  
    Mortgage loans funded for investment 108,045   146,258  
    Total mortgage loans funded $717,198   $522,412  
    Mortgage loan refinances to total fundings 7 % 4 %
         
    Net realized gains on mortgage loans sold $13,994   $7,828  
    Change in fair value of mortgage loan commitments, net 172   (102 )
    Total production revenue 14,166   7,726  
    Mortgage servicing revenue 9,155   7,368  
    Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights:    
    Due to changes in model inputs of assumptions1 1,334   (922 )
    Other2 (1,535 ) (1,765 )
    Total mortgage servicing revenue, net 8,954   4,681  
    Other mortgage banking revenue 882   356  
    Total mortgage banking income $24,002   $12,763  
         
    Net interest income $11,228   $7,298  
    Provision for credit losses 892   —  
    Mortgage banking income 24,002   12,763  
    Other operating expense 27,624   23,497  
    Income before provision for income taxes 6,714   (3,436 )
    Provision for income taxes 1,934   (943 )
    Net (loss) income Home Mortgage Lending segment $4,780   ($2,493 )
         
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted (loss) earnings per share $0.86   ($0.44 )
    1Principally reflects changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates. 
    2Represents changes due to collection/realization of expected cash flows over time.
     

    Specialty Finance

    On October 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $53.9 million. Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC is a leading provider of factoring, asset based lending and alternative working capital solutions to small and medium sized enterprises in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Company determined that a new Specialty Finance segment was appropriate for the Company upon the completion of the acquisition. The Specialty Finance segment also includes Northrim Funding Services, a division of Northrim Bank that has offered factoring solutions to small businesses since 2004. The composition of revenues for the Specialty Finance segment are primarily purchased receivable income, but also include interest income and other fee income.

    The acquisition of Sallyport included $1.13 million in one-time deal related costs which are reflected in other operating expenses for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 in the tables below. Total pre-tax income for Sallyport for two months of operations, excluding transaction costs was $945,000.

    The following table provides highlights of the Specialty Finance segment of Northrim:

       
      Three Months Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 September 30,
    2024    		 June 30, 2024 March 31,
    2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $3,526   $1,033   $1,243   $1,345   $1,307  
    Other operating income (68 ) —   —   —   —  
    Interest income 407   158   170   212   235  
    Total revenue 3,865   1,191   1,413   1,557   1,542  
    Provision for credit losses 125   —   —   —   —  
    Other operating expense 3,063   362   429   374   358  
    Interest expense 489   185   210   212   —  
    Total expense 3,677   547   639   586   358  
    Income before provision for income taxes 188   644   774   971   1,184  
    Provision for income taxes 53   183   218   276   337  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $135   $461   $556   $695   $847  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,558,580   5,554,930   5,578,491  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.02   $0.08   $0.10   $0.13   $0.15  
                         
      Year Ended
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December
    31, 2024    		 December
    31, 2023
    Purchased receivable income $7,147   $4,482  
    Other operating income (68 ) —  
    Interest income 947   403  
    Total revenue 8,026   4,885  
    Provision for credit losses 125   —  
    Other operating expense 4,228   1,431  
    Interest expense 1,096   —  
    Total expense 5,449   1,431  
    Income before provision for income taxes 2,577   3,454  
    Provision for income taxes 730   982  
    Net income Specialty Finance segment $1,847   $2,472  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,583,983   5,661,460  
    Diluted earnings per share $0.33   $0.44  
             

    Balance Sheet Review

    Northrim’s total assets were $3.04 billion at December 31, 2024, up 3% from the preceding quarter and up 8% from a year ago. Northrim’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 79% at December 31, 2024, up from 76% at September 30, 2024, and 72% at December 31, 2023.

    At December 31, 2024, our liquid assets and investments and loans maturing within one year were $1.01 billion and our funds available for borrowing under our existing lines of credit were $566.8 million. Given these sources of liquidity and our expectations for customer demands for cash and for our operating cash needs, we believe our sources of liquidity to be sufficient for the foreseeable future.

    Average interest-earning assets were $2.79 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, up 4% from $2.67 billion in the third quarter of 2024 and up 7% from $2.61 billion in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 6.02% in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 5.92% in the preceding quarter and 5.51% in the fourth quarter a year ago.

    Average investment securities decreased to $565.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $619.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $690.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. The average net tax equivalent yield on the securities portfolio was 2.84% for the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 2.80% in the preceding quarter and up from 2.48% in the year ago quarter. The average estimated duration of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2024, was approximately 2.4 years down from approximately 2.8 years a year ago. As of December 31, 2024, $79.0 million of available for sale securities are scheduled to mature in the next six months, $55.8 million are scheduled to mature in six months to one year, and $189.3 million are scheduled to mature in the following year, representing a total of $324.0 million or 12% of earning assets that are scheduled to mature in the next 24 months.

    Total unrealized losses, net of tax, on available for sale securities increased by $678,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the prior quarter, and decreased by $9.1 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a total unrealized loss of $8.3 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $7.6 million at September 30, 2024 and $17.4 million a year ago. The average maturity of the available for sale securities with the majority of the unrealized loss is 1.5 years at the end of 2024. Total unrealized losses on held to maturity securities were $1.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.1 million at September 30, 2024, and $3.3 million a year ago.

    Average interest bearing deposits in other banks increased to $72.2 million in the fourth quarter from $28.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 due to higher deposit balances and maturing portfolio investments. Average interest bearing deposits in other banks decreased in the fourth quarter of this year compared to $126.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as cash was used to fund the growing loan portfolio.

    Portfolio loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, up 6% from the preceding quarter and up 19% from a year ago. Portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, were $1.86 million at December 31, 2024, up 6% or $99.9 million from $1.76 billion in the preceding quarter and up 14% from a year ago. This increase was diversified throughout the loan portfolio including commercial real estate nonowner-occupied and multi-family loans increasing by $35.1 million, construction loans increasing by $28.7 million, commercial loans increasing $24.9 million, and commercial real estate owner-occupied loans increasing $7.2 million from the preceding quarter. Average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $2.07 billion, which was up 7% from the preceding quarter and up 18% from a year ago. Yields on average portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased slightly to 6.93% from 6.91% in the third quarter of 2024 and increased from 6.55% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in the yield on portfolio loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter a year ago is primarily due to loan repricing due to the increases in interest rates and new loans booked at higher rates due to changes in the interest rate environment. The yield on new portfolio loans, excluding consumer mortgage loans, was 7.40% in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to 7.43% in the third quarter of 2024 and 8.07% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Alaskans continue to account for substantially all of Northrim’s deposit base. Total deposits were $2.68 billion at December 31, 2024, up 2% from $2.63 billion at September 30, 2024, and up 8% from $2.49 billion a year ago. “Our bankers are working hard to continue to bring over new relationships to the Bank, which is helping to magnify normal increases in deposit balances from our customers’ business cycles,” said Ballard. At December 31, 2024, 73% of total deposits were held in business accounts and 27% of deposit balances were held in consumer accounts. Northrim had approximately 34,000 deposit customers with an average balance of $61,000 as of December 31, 2024. Northrim had 26 customers with balances over $10 million as of December 31, 2024, which accounted for $612.9 million, or 24%, of total deposits. Demand deposits decreased by 8% from the prior quarter and decreased 6% year-over-year to $706.2 million at December 31, 2024. Demand deposits decreased to 27% of total deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to 29% at September 30, 2024 and 31% of total deposits at December 31, 2023. Average interest-bearing deposits were up 9% to $1.95 billion with an average cost of 2.15% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.80 billion and an average cost of 2.24% in the third quarter of 2024, and up 13% compared to $1.72 billion and an average cost of 2.00% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.08 billion or 40% of total deposits as of December 31, 2024 compared to $1.1 billion or 46% of total deposits as of December 31, 2022. As interest rates continued to increase in 2022, Northrim has taken a proactive, targeted approach to increase deposit rates.

    Shareholders’ equity was $267.1 million, or $48.41 book value per share, at December 31, 2024, compared to $260.1 million, or $47.27 book value per share, at September 30, 2024 and $234.7 million, or $42.57 book value per share, a year ago. Tangible book value per share* was $39.17 at December 31, 2024, compared to $44.36 at September 30, 2024, and $39.68 per share a year ago. The increase in shareholders’ equity in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 was largely the result of earnings of $10.9 million which was partially offset by dividends paid of $3.4 million and a decrease in the fair value of the available for sale securities portfolio, which decreased $678,000, net of tax. The Company did not purchase any shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of 2024 and had 110,000 shares remaining under the current share repurchase program as of December 31, 2024. Tangible common equity to tangible assets* was 7.23% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 8.28% as of September 30, 2024 and 7.84% as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in tangible common equity to tangible assets* was primarily due to $35.0 million of Goodwill booked as part of the acquisition of Sallyport. Northrim continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as “well-capitalized” with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets of 9.76% at December 31, 2024, compared to 11.53% at September 30, 2024, and 11.43% at December 31, 2023.

    Asset Quality

    Northrim believes it has a consistent lending approach throughout the economic cycles, which emphasizes appropriate loan-to-value ratios, adequate debt coverage ratios, and competent management.

    Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) net of government guarantees were $11.6 million at December 31, 2024, up from $5.3 million at September 30, 2024 and from $5.8 million a year ago. Of the NPAs at December 31, 2024, $3.0 million, or 26% are nonaccrual loans related to three commercial relationships, $2.8 million, or 24% is related to a Sallyport nonaccrual loan, and $3.3 million, or 28% is related to one purchased receivable relationship.

    Net adversely classified loans were $9.6 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $6.5 million at September 30, 2024, and $7.1 million a year ago. Adversely classified loans are loans that Northrim has classified as substandard, doubtful, and loss, net of government guarantees. Net loan recoveries were $51,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net loan recoveries of $96,000 in the third quarter of 2024, and net loan charge-offs of $96,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Northrim had $138.0 million, or 6% of total portfolio loans, in the Healthcare sector; $117.0 million, or 5% of portfolio loans, in the Tourism sector; $104.3 million, or 5% in the Accommodations sector; $87.4 million, or 4% in Retail loans; $84.6 million, or 4% of portfolio loans, in the Aviation (non-tourism) sector; $76.5 million, or 4% in the Fishing sector; and $55.1 million, or 3% in the Restaurants and Breweries sector as of December 31, 2024.

    Northrim estimates that $99.7 million, or approximately 5% of portfolio loans, had direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, as of December 31, 2024, and $1.6 million of these loans are adversely classified. As of December 31, 2024, Northrim has an additional $45.8 million in unfunded commitments to companies with direct exposure to the oil and gas industry in Alaska, and none of these unfunded commitments are considered to be adversely classified loans. Northrim defines direct exposure to the oil and gas sector as loans to borrowers that provide oilfield services and other companies that have been identified as significantly reliant upon activity in Alaska related to the oil and gas industry, such as lodging, equipment rental, transportation and other logistics services specific to this industry.

    About Northrim BanCorp

    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent company of Northrim Bank, an Alaska-based community bank with 20 branches throughout the state and differentiates itself with its detailed knowledge of Alaska’s economy and its “Customer First Service” philosophy. The Bank has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC, a specialty finance company and Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, a regional home mortgage company. Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC is an affiliated company.

    http://www.northrim.com

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This release may contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined for purposes of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are, in effect, management’s attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy, management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements, are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: descriptions of Northrim’s and Sallyport’s financial condition, results of operations, asset based lending volumes, asset and credit quality trends and profitability and statements about the expected financial benefits and other effects of the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank; expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the acquisition of Sallyport by Northrim Bank might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; the ability of Northrim and Sallyport to execute their respective business plans; potential further increases in interest rates; the value of securities held in our investment portfolio; the impact of the results of government initiatives on the regulatory landscape, natural resource extraction industries, and capital markets; the impact of declines in the value of commercial and residential real estate markets, high unemployment rates, inflationary pressures and slowdowns in economic growth; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; inflation, supply-chain constraints, and potential geopolitical instability, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; financial stress on borrowers (consumers and businesses) as a result of higher rates or an uncertain economic environment; the general condition of, and changes in, the Alaska economy; our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margin; the sufficiency of our provision for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing our financial statements, including those related to current expected credit losses accounting guidance; our ability to maintain asset quality; our ability to implement our marketing and growth strategies; our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, including security breaches, “denial of service attacks,” “hacking,” and identity theft; disease outbreaks; and our ability to execute our business plan. Further, actual results may be affected by competition on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy. In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates. Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and from time to time are disclosed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Northrim does not undertake any obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release.

    References:

    https://www.bea.gov/

    http://almis.labor.state.ak.us/

    http://www.tax.alaska.gov/programs/oil/prevailing/ans.aspx

    http://www.tax.state.ak.us/

    http://www.mba.org

    https://www.alaskarealestate.com/MLSMember/RealEstateStatistics.aspx

    https://www.capitaliq.spglobal.com/web/client?auth=inherit&overridecdc=1&#markets/indexFinancials

                 
    Income Statement            
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Year-to-date
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,   December 31, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023   2024 2023
    Interest Income:            
    Interest and fees on loans $37,059   $34,863   $29,508     $134,739   $108,612  
    Interest on investments 3,844   4,164   4,677     16,838   18,695  
    Interest on deposits in banks 883   389   1,743     2,342   4,644  
    Total interest income 41,786   39,416   35,928     153,919   131,951  
    Interest Expense:            
    Interest expense on deposits 10,568   10,123   8,676     39,347   26,511  
    Interest expense on borrowings 377   451   520     1,389   2,184  
    Total interest expense 10,945   10,574   9,196     40,736   28,695  
    Net interest income 30,841   28,842   26,732     113,183   103,256  
                 
    Provision for credit losses 1,201   2,063   885     3,293   3,842  
    Net interest income after provision for            
    loan losses 29,640   26,779   25,847     109,890   99,414  
                 
    Other Operating Income:            
    Mortgage banking income 7,040   7,047   2,437     24,002   12,763  
    Purchased receivable income 3,526   1,033   1,307     7,146   4,482  
    Bankcard fees 1,148   1,196   946     4,366   3,862  
    Service charges on deposit accounts 622   605   532     2,348   2,044  
    Gain on sale of securities 112   —   —     112   —  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities (364 ) 576   565     465   120  
    Other income 949   1,130   698     3,602   3,104  
    Total other operating income 13,033   11,587   6,485     42,041   26,375  
                 
    Other Operating Expense:            
    Salaries and other personnel expense 18,254   17,549   15,417     67,847   61,741  
    Data processing expense 3,108   2,618   2,500     10,986   9,821  
    Occupancy expense 1,893   1,911   1,783     7,609   7,394  
    Professional and outside services 1,967   903   802     4,351   3,128  
    Marketing expense 965   860   933     3,028   2,929  
    Insurance expense 894   596   675     2,961   2,519  
    OREO expense, net rental income and gains on sale 2   2   (28 )   (385 ) (794 )
    Intangible asset amortization expense —   —   6     —   17  
    Other operating expense 2,294   2,289   1,905     8,540   7,426  
    Total other operating expense 29,377   26,728   23,993     104,937   94,181  
                 
    Income before provision for income taxes 13,296   11,638   8,339     46,994   31,608  
    Provision for income taxes 2,369   2,813   1,726     10,023   6,214  
    Net income $10,927   $8,825   $6,613     $36,971   $25,394  
                 
    Basic EPS $1.99   $1.60   $1.19     $6.72   $4.53  
    Diluted EPS $1.95   $1.57   $1.19     $6.62   $4.49  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 5,509,078   5,501,943   5,513,041     5,502,797   5,601,471  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 5,597,889   5,583,055   5,578,491     5,583,983   5,661,460  
                           
    Balance Sheet      
    (Dollars in thousands)      
    (Unaudited) December 31, September 30, December 31,
      2024 2024 2023
           
    Assets:      
    Cash and due from banks $42,101   $42,805   $27,457  
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks 20,635   60,071   91,073  
    Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 478,617   545,210   637,936  
    Investment securities held to maturity 36,750   36,750   36,750  
    Marketable equity securities, at fair value 8,719   12,957   13,153  
    Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock 5,331   4,318   2,980  
    Loans held for sale 59,957   97,937   31,974  
    Portfolio loans 2,129,263   2,007,565   1,789,497  
    Allowance for credit losses, loans (22,020 ) (19,528 ) (17,270 )
    Net portfolio loans 2,107,243   1,988,037   1,772,227  
    Purchased receivables, net 74,078   23,564   36,842  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value 26,439   21,570   19,564  
    Premises and equipment, net 37,757   39,625   40,693  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 7,455   7,616   9,092  
    Goodwill and intangible assets 50,968   15,967   15,967  
    Other assets 85,819   66,965   71,789  
    Total assets $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           
    Liabilities:      
    Demand deposits $706,225   $763,595   $749,683  
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   979,238   927,291  
    Savings deposits 250,900   245,043   255,338  
    Money market deposits 196,290   201,821   221,492  
    Time deposits 418,370   435,870   331,251  
    Total deposits 2,680,189   2,625,567   2,485,055  
    Other borrowings 23,045   13,354   13,675  
    Junior subordinated debentures 10,310   10,310   10,310  
    Operating lease liabilities 7,487   7,635   9,092  
    Other liabilities 53,722   46,476   54,647  
    Total liabilities 2,774,753   2,703,342   2,572,779  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity:      
    Total shareholders’ equity 267,116   260,050   234,718  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,041,869   $2,963,392   $2,807,497  
           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Composition of Portfolio Loans                        
      December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31,
    2023
      Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total
    Commercial loans $518,148   24 %   $492,414   24 %   $495,781   26 %   $475,220   26 %   $486,057   27 %
    Commercial real estate:                            
    Owner occupied properties 420,060   20 %   412,827   20 %   383,832   20 %   372,507   20 %   368,357   20 %
    Nonowner occupied and multifamily properties 619,431   29 %   584,302   31 %   551,130   30 %   529,904   30 %   519,115   30 %
    Residential real estate:                            
    1-4 family properties secured by first liens 270,535   13 %   248,514   12 %   222,026   12 %   218,552   12 %   203,534   11 %
    1-4 family properties secured by junior liens & revolving secured by first liens 48,857   2 %   45,262   2 %   41,258   2 %   35,460   2 %   33,783   2 %
    1-4 family construction 39,789   2 %   39,794   2 %   29,510   2 %   27,751   2 %   31,239   2 %
    Construction loans 214,068   10 %   185,362   9 %   154,009   8 %   153,537   8 %   149,788   8 %
    Consumer loans 7,562   — %   7,836   — %   6,679   — %   6,444   — %   6,180   — %
    Subtotal 2,138,450       2,016,311       1,884,225       1,819,375       1,798,053    
    Unearned loan fees, net (9,187 )     (8,746 )     (8,318 )     (8,240 )     (8,556 )  
    Total portfolio loans $2,129,263       $2,007,565       $1,875,907       $1,811,135       $1,789,497    
                                 
    Composition of Deposits                        
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total    		   Balance % of
    total
    Demand deposits $706,225   27 %   $763,595   29 %   $704,471   29 %   $714,244   29 %   $749,683   31 %
    Interest-bearing demand 1,108,404   41 %   979,238   37 %   906,010   36 %   889,581   37 %   927,291   37 %
    Savings deposits 250,900   9 %   245,043   9 %   238,156   10 %   246,902   10 %   255,338   10 %
    Money market deposits 196,290   7 %   204,821   8 %   195,159   8 %   209,785   9 %   221,492   9 %
    Time deposits 418,370   16 %   435,870   17 %   420,010   17 %   373,571   15 %   331,251   13 %
    Total deposits $2,680,189       $2,628,567       $2,463,806       $2,434,083       $2,485,055    
                                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Asset Quality
    		 December 31, September 30, December 31,
        2024 2024 2023
      Nonaccrual loans $7,516   $4,944   $6,069  
      Loans 90 days past due and accruing 17   17   —  
      Total nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   6,069  
      Nonperforming loans guaranteed by government —   —   (1,067 )
      Net nonperforming loans 7,533   4,961   5,002  
      Repossessed assets 297   297   —  
      Nonperforming purchased receivables 3,768   —   808  
      Net nonperforming assets $11,598   $5,258   $5,810  
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.35 % 0.25 % 0.28 %
      Nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.38 % 0.26 % 0.30 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets 0.38 % 0.18 % 0.21 %
      Nonperforming assets, net of government guarantees / total assets net of government guarantees 0.40 % 0.19 % 0.21 %
                   
      Adversely classified loans, net of government guarantees $9,636   $6,503   $7,057  
      Special mention loans, net of government guarantees $19,769   $9,641   $6,580  
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans 0.03 % 0.08 % 0.03 %
      Loans 30-89 days past due and accruing, net of government guarantees / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 0.03 % 0.09 % 0.03 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans 1.03 % 0.97 % 0.97 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / portfolio loans, net of government guarantees 1.10 % 1.04 % 1.02 %
      Allowance for credit losses – loans / nonperforming loans, net of government guarantees 292 % 394 % 345 %
                   
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / purchased receivables 4.69 % — % — %
      Allowance for credit losses – purchased receivables / nonperforming purchased receivables 97 % — % — %
                   
      Gross loan charge-offs for the quarter $149   $15   $281  
      Gross loan recoveries for the quarter ($200 ) ($111 ) ($185 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter ($51 ) ($96 ) $96  
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date ($215 ) ($164 ) ($38 )
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs for the quarter / average loans, for the quarter 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.01 %
      Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs year-to-date / average loans, year-to-date annualized (0.01 )% (0.01 )% 0.00 %
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates                            
      Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average     Average
      Average Tax
    Equivalent    		   Average Tax
    Equivalent    		   Average Tax
    Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets              
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $72,212   4.72 %   $28,409   5.28 %   $126,174   5.40 %
    Portfolio investments 565,785   2.84 %   619,012   2.80 %   690,659   2.48 %
    Loans held for sale 83,304   5.97 %   93,689   6.20 %   45,732   6.55 %
    Portfolio loans 2,066,216   6.93 %   1,933,181   6.91 %   1,749,732   6.55 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,787,517   6.02 %   2,674,291   5.92 %   2,612,297   5.51 %
    Nonearning assets 251,364       196,266       214,934    
    Total assets $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
                   
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity              
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,954,495   2.15 %   $1,796,107   2.24 %   $1,724,409   2.00 %
    Borrowings 29,251   3.95 %   43,555   4.07 %   47,964   4.25 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,983,746   2.18 %   1,839,662   2.29 %   1,772,373   2.06 %
                   
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 738,911       722,000       760,566    
    Other liabilities 49,815       52,387       63,321    
    Shareholders’ equity 266,409       256,508       230,971    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $3,038,881       $2,870,557       $2,827,231    
    Net spread   3.84 %   3.63 %     3.45 %
    NIM   4.41 %   4.29 %     4.06 %
    NIMTE*   4.47 %   4.35 %     4.12 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %   1.64 %     1.44 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 74.12 %     72.29 %     66.98 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 76.71 %     76.77 %     70.41 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 27.43 %     28.67 %     30.61 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 140.52 %     145.37 %     147.39 %  
                           

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands)
    (Unaudited)

    Average Balances, Yields, and Rates          
      Year-to-date
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
        Average     Average
      Average Tax Equivalent   Average Tax Equivalent
      Balance Yield/Rate   Balance Yield/Rate
    Assets          
    Interest bearing deposits in other banks $44,913   5.09 %   $91,161   5.02 %
    Portfolio investments 623,756   2.82 %   715,367   2.43 %
    Loans held for sale 68,790   6.08 %   41,769   6.19 %
    Portfolio loans 1,910,156   6.87 %   1,643,943   6.49 %
    Total interest-earning assets 2,647,615   5.86 %   2,492,240   5.36 %
    Nonearning assets 213,397       198,107    
    Total assets $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
               
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
    Interest-bearing deposits $1,802,286   2.18 %   $1,614,386   1.64 %
    Borrowings 33,799   3.81 %   51,038   4.24 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,836,085   2.21 %   1,665,424   1.72 %
               
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 718,163       749,859    
    Other liabilities 55,265       47,820    
    Shareholders’ equity 251,499       227,244    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,861,012       $2,690,347    
    Net spread   3.65 %     3.64 %
    NIM   4.28 %     4.14 %
    NIMTE*   4.33 %     4.21 %
    Cost of funds   1.59 %     1.19 %
    Average portfolio loans to average interest-earning assets 72.15 %     65.96 %  
    Average portfolio loans to average total deposits 75.79 %     69.53 %  
    Average non-interest deposits to average total deposits 28.49 %     31.72 %  
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 144.20 %     149.65 %  
                   

    Additional Financial Information
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Capital Data (At quarter end)          
      December 31,
    2024    		   September 30, 2024   December 31,
    2023
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.27     $42.57  
    Tangible book value per share* $39.17     $44.36     $39.68  
    Total shareholders’ equity/Total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.36 %
    Tangible common equity/Tangible assets* 7.23 %   8.28 %   7.84 %
    Tier 1 capital / Risk adjusted assets 9.76 %   11.53 %   11.43 %
    Total capital / Risk adjusted assets 10.94 %   12.50 %   12.35 %
    Tier 1 capital / Average assets 7.68 %   9.08 %   8.72 %
    Common shares outstanding 5,518,210     5,501,943     5,513,459  
    Unrealized gain on AFS debt securities, net of income taxes ($8,295 )   ($7,617 )   ($17,415 )
    Unrealized (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities, net of income taxes $1,272     $863     $978  
                     
    Profitability Ratios                            
      December 31,
    2024    		   September
    30, 2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    For the quarter:                            
    NIM 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
    NIMTE* 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
    Efficiency ratio 66.96 %   66.11 %   68.78 %   68.93 %   72.21 %
    Return on average assets 1.43 %   1.22 %   1.31 %   1.19 %   0.93 %
    Return on average equity 16.32 %   13.69 %   14.84 %   13.84 %   11.36 %
                                 
      December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Year-to-date:          
    NIM 4.28 %   4.14 %
    NIMTE* 4.33 %   4.21 %
    Efficiency ratio 67.60 %   72.64 %
    Return on average assets 1.29 %   0.94 %
    Return on average equity 14.70 %   11.17 %
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied, and are not audited. Although we believe these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of the Company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP.

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis

    Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”) is a non-GAAP performance measurement in which interest income on non-taxable investments and loans is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a combined federal and state statutory rate of 28.43% in both 2023 and 2022. The most comparable GAAP measure is net interest margin and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of NIMTE to net interest margin.

       
      Three Months Ended
      December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)2 4.41 %   4.29 %   4.24 %   4.16 %   4.06 %
                       
    Net interest income $30,841     $28,842     $27,053     $26,447     $26,732  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 379     385     378     379     374  
      $31,220     $29,227     $27,431     $26,826     $27,106  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,787,517     2,674,291     2,568,266     2,558,558     2,612,297  
    NIMTE2 4.47 %   4.35 %   4.30 %   4.22 %   4.12 %
                                 
      Year-to-date
      December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    Net interest margin (“NIM”)3 4.28 %   4.14 %
           
    Net interest income $113,183     $103,256  
    Plus: reduction in tax expense related to tax-exempt interest income 1,521     1,576  
      $114,704     $104,832  
    Divided by average interest-bearing assets 2,647,615     2,492,240  
    NIMTE3 4.33 %   4.21 %
               
    2Calculated using actual days in the quarter divided by 366 for the quarters ended in 2024 and 365 for the quarters ended in 2023, respectively.
               
    3Calculated using actual days in the year divided by 366 for year-to-date period in 2024 and 365 for year-to-date period in 2023, respectively.
               

    *Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    Tangible Book Value

    Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure defined as shareholders’ equity, less intangible assets, divided by common shares outstanding. The most comparable GAAP measure is book value per share and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible book value per share and book value per share.

                       
      December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Book value per share $48.41     $47.26     $44.93     $43.52     $42.57  
                                 
      December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and intangible assets 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
      $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
    Divided by common shares outstanding 5,518     5,502     5,502     5,500     5,513  
    Tangible book value per share $39.17     $44.36     $43.52     $40.61     $39.68  
                                 

    Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

    Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP ratio that represents total equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. The most comparable GAAP measure of shareholders’ equity to total assets is calculated by dividing total shareholders’ equity by total assets and the following table sets forth the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets and shareholders’ equity to total assets.

                       
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
                       
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Total assets 3,041,869     2,963,392     2,821,668     2,759,560     2,807,497  
    Total shareholders’ equity to total assets 8.78 %   8.78 %   8.76 %   8.67 %   8.36 %
                                 
    Northrim BanCorp, Inc. December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30, 2024   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Total shareholders’ equity $267,116     $260,050     $247,200     $239,327     $234,718  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible common shareholders’ equity $216,148     $244,083     $231,233     $223,360     $218,751  
                       
    Total assets $3,041,869     $2,963,392     $2,821,668     $2,759,560     $2,807,497  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets, net 50,968     15,967     15,967     15,967     15,967  
    Tangible assets $2,990,901     $2,947,425     $2,805,701     $2,743,593     $2,791,530  
    Tangible common equity ratio 7.23 %   8.28 %   8.24 %   8.14 %   7.84 %
                                 

    Note Transmitted on GlobeNewswire on January 24, 2025, at 12:15 pm Alaska Standard Time.

       
    Contact: Mike Huston, President, CEO, and COO
      (907) 261-8750
      Jed Ballard, Chief Financial Officer
      (907) 261-3539
       

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfizer Agrees to Pay Nearly 60M to Resolve False Claims Allegations Relating to Improper Physician Payments by Subsidiary

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Note: View the settlement here.

    Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer), on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (Biohaven), has agreed to pay $59,746,277 to resolve allegations that, prior to Pfizer’s acquisition of the company, Biohaven knowingly caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to health care providers to induce prescriptions of Biohaven’s drug Nurtec ODT.

    “Through this settlement and others, the government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that drug companies do not use kickbacks to influence physician prescribing,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will use every tool at its disposal to prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from undermining the objectivity of treatment decisions by health care providers.”

    The anti‑kickback statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other federal health care programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from March 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2022, Biohaven paid improper remuneration, including in the form of speaker honoraria and meals at high end restaurants, to health care professionals to induce them to prescribe the migraine medication Nurtec ODT in violation of the anti-kickback statute. The United States alleged that Biohaven selected certain health care providers to be part of the Nurtec speaker bureau and provided them paid speaking opportunities with the intent that the speaker honoraria and meals would induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT. The government further alleged that certain prescribers who attended multiple programs on the same topic received no educational benefit from attending repeat programs and that certain Biohaven speaker programs were attended by individuals with no educational need to attend, such as the speakers’ spouses, family members, or friends, or colleagues from the speakers’ own medical practice. The United States contends that this conduct persisted until October 2022, when Pfizer acquired Biohaven and terminated the Nurtec speaker programs.    

    “Patients deserve to know that their doctor is prescribing medications based on their doctor’s medical judgment, and not as a result of financial incentives from pharmaceutical companies,” said U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York. “This settlement reflects our commitment to hold those who violate the laws accountable, regardless of their status or prestige.”

    “Violations of the anti-kickback statute, such as those alleged in this settlement, can unduly influence prescribers and negatively impact taxpayer-funded health care,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with law enforcement partners to ensure that providers and corporations are held accountable if they attempt to bypass laws meant to protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”

    “Investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of TRICARE, the health care system for military members and their families, is a top priority for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with our partner agencies and the Department of Justice to pursue corporations that attempt to corrupt the TRICARE system.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Patrica Frattasio, a former sales representative at Biohaven. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Patricia Frattasio v. Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., No. 6:21-CV-06539 (W.D.N.Y.). Approximately $50.2 million of the settlement constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and approximately $9.5 million constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs. Ms. Frattasio will receive approximately $8.4 million as her share of the federal recovery in this case.   

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

    Trial Attorney Jessica Sarkis of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell for the Western District of New York handled the matter.

    The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pfizer Agrees to Pay Nearly 60M to Resolve False Claims Allegations Relating to Improper Physician Payments by Subsidiary

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Note: View the settlement here.

    Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer), on behalf of its wholly-owned subsidiary Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (Biohaven), has agreed to pay $59,746,277 to resolve allegations that, prior to Pfizer’s acquisition of the company, Biohaven knowingly caused the submission of false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to health care providers to induce prescriptions of Biohaven’s drug Nurtec ODT.

    “Through this settlement and others, the government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that drug companies do not use kickbacks to influence physician prescribing,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will use every tool at its disposal to prevent pharmaceutical manufacturers from undermining the objectivity of treatment decisions by health care providers.”

    The anti‑kickback statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other federal health care programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from March 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2022, Biohaven paid improper remuneration, including in the form of speaker honoraria and meals at high end restaurants, to health care professionals to induce them to prescribe the migraine medication Nurtec ODT in violation of the anti-kickback statute. The United States alleged that Biohaven selected certain health care providers to be part of the Nurtec speaker bureau and provided them paid speaking opportunities with the intent that the speaker honoraria and meals would induce them to prescribe Nurtec ODT. The government further alleged that certain prescribers who attended multiple programs on the same topic received no educational benefit from attending repeat programs and that certain Biohaven speaker programs were attended by individuals with no educational need to attend, such as the speakers’ spouses, family members, or friends, or colleagues from the speakers’ own medical practice. The United States contends that this conduct persisted until October 2022, when Pfizer acquired Biohaven and terminated the Nurtec speaker programs.    

    “Patients deserve to know that their doctor is prescribing medications based on their doctor’s medical judgment, and not as a result of financial incentives from pharmaceutical companies,” said U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York. “This settlement reflects our commitment to hold those who violate the laws accountable, regardless of their status or prestige.”

    “Violations of the anti-kickback statute, such as those alleged in this settlement, can unduly influence prescribers and negatively impact taxpayer-funded health care,” said Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with law enforcement partners to ensure that providers and corporations are held accountable if they attempt to bypass laws meant to protect the integrity of federal health care programs.”

    “Investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of TRICARE, the health care system for military members and their families, is a top priority for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with our partner agencies and the Department of Justice to pursue corporations that attempt to corrupt the TRICARE system.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Patrica Frattasio, a former sales representative at Biohaven. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Patricia Frattasio v. Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., No. 6:21-CV-06539 (W.D.N.Y.). Approximately $50.2 million of the settlement constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and approximately $9.5 million constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs. Ms. Frattasio will receive approximately $8.4 million as her share of the federal recovery in this case.   

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

    Trial Attorney Jessica Sarkis of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell for the Western District of New York handled the matter.

    The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Firefighters With Service-Related Cancers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Firefighters With Service-Related Cancers

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As thousands of firefighters work around the clock to combat the ongoing Southern California fires, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to expand access to federal support for families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last year.
    Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line-of-duty or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11 related illnesses. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would ensure that families of firefighters and other first responders across the country are eligible to receive similar benefits under the federal PSOB program. The bill would also extend disability benefits in cases where these first responders become permanently and totally disabled due to cancer. 
    “Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line without a second thought to protect California communities from the devastating Southern California fires,” said Senator Padilla. “When they sacrifice their lives or face severe disabilities due to service-related cancers, we have a shared duty to help get their families back on their feet.”
    “Our first responders risk everything for us – from the front lines of wildfires to the unseen lines of duty that keep our communities safe. When they lose their lives to service-related cancers, their families deserve the full measure of support they’ve earned. No one who has lost so much should be left to face hardship alone,” said Senator Schiff.
    “As we are seeing in California and throughout the country, our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, often exposing themselves to carcinogens that can have lethal long-term effects. It’s unacceptable that firefighters who succumb to cancer from work-related exposure or become permanently and totally disabled don’t receive the same treatment as others who die in the line of duty,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That’s why I’m working with Senator Cramer to ensure that firefighters get the support they deserve. Our bipartisan legislation will honor the memory and sacrifice of St. Paul Fire Department Captain Mike Paidar and so many others who risk their lives in service of their communities.”
    “Our first responders epitomize courage and selfless sacrifice, confronting both the immediate perils of their duty and lingering health risks associated with their service,” said Senator Cramer. “The exposure to dangerous carcinogens happens on our behalf. When these heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should not bear these burdens alone.”
    The PSOB program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits where first responders become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
    This Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    The bill is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association.
    Senators Padilla and Schiff have fought relentlessly to get Southern Californians desperately needed disaster relief aid. In the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Padilla and Schiff led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in successfully urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration to expedite timely relief to Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters. Additionally, Padilla introduced a package of critical bipartisan bills to strengthen fire resilience and rebuilding efforts, including legislation to permanently increase wildland firefighter pay.
    Last week, Padilla delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging his Republican colleagues and President Trump to provide essential disaster recovery aid to California without conditioning it on the passage of partisan legislation. He also questioned Secretary of the Interior nominee Doug Burgum and Budget Secretary nominee Russell Vought on their support for fire aid, securing their commitment to not politicize disaster relief resources or funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –