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MIL-OSI: First Savings Financial Group, Inc. Reports Financial Results for the First Fiscal Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSFG – news) (the “Company”), the holding company for First Savings Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to net income of $920,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Excluding nonrecurring items, the Company reported net income of $4.3 million (non-GAAP measure)⁽¹⁾ and net income per diluted share of $0.62 (non-GAAP measure)⁽¹⁾ for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $920,000, or $0.13 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The core banking segment reported net income of $6.4 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $4.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Excluding nonrecurring items, the core banking segment reported net income of $4.5 million, or $0.64 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 (non-GAAP measure)⁽¹⁾ compared to $4.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Larry W. Myers, President and CEO, stated “We are pleased with the first fiscal quarter, which included a bulk sale of first lien home equity lines of credit and continued improvement in our net interest margin. The bulk sale is part of a strategic initiative to transition the first lien home equity line of credit business to an originate for sale model during fiscal 2025 in order to enhance noninterest income, moderate the loan to deposit ratio, decrease reliance on noncore funding, and generate capital. The surplus capital generated from the bulk sale and potential future flow sales may be used to retire high-cost subordinated debt and repurchase Company common shares. We are optimistic regarding the remainder of fiscal 2025 as we continue to focus on asset quality, select loan growth opportunities, and capital and liquidity management. We’ll continue to evaluate options and strategies that we believe will maximize shareholder value.”

(1) Non-GAAP net income and net income per diluted share exclude certain nonrecurring items. A reconciliation to GAAP and discussion of the use of non-GAAP measures is included in the table at the end of this release.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

Net interest income increased $1.3 million, or 9.6%, to $15.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. The tax equivalent net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was 2.75% as compared to 2.69% for the same period in 2023. The increase in net interest income was due to a $3.8 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $2.4 million increase in interest expense. A table of average balance sheets, including average asset yields and average liability costs, is included at the end of this release.

The Company recognized a reversal of provision for credit losses for loans and securities of $490,000 and $7,000, respectively, and a provision for unfunded lending commitments of $46,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to a provision for credit losses for loans of $470,000 and reversal of provision for unfunded lending commitments of $58,000 for the same period in 2023. The reversal of provisions during the 2024 period was due primarily to the bulk sale of approximately $87.2 million of home equity lines of credit during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which resulted in the reversals of $980,000 in allowance for credit losses for loans and $129,000 in allowance for unfunded lending commitments. The Company recognized net charge-offs totaling $119,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, of which $52,000 was related to unguaranteed portions of SBA loans, compared to net charge-offs of $9,000 in 2023. Nonperforming loans, which consist of nonaccrual loans and loans over 90 days past due and still accruing interest, decreased $374,000 from $16.9 million at September 30, 2024 to $16.6 million at December 31, 2024.

Noninterest income increased $3.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was due primarily to a $2.5 million net gain on sale of loans due to the aforementioned bulk loan sale and $403,000 in net gains on equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2024 with no corresponding gains for 2023.

Noninterest expense decreased $1.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was due primarily to decreases in compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment and professional fee expenses of $487,000, $405,000 and $385,000, respectively. These decreases were primarily due to the cessation of national mortgage banking operations in the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

The Company recognized income tax expense of $848,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2024 as compared to income tax benefit of $476,000 for the same period in 2023. The increase is due primarily to higher taxable income in the 2024 period, due primarily to the aforementioned net gain on sale of loans. The effective tax rate for 2024 was 12.0%. The effective tax rate is well below the statutory tax rate primarily due to the recognition of investment tax credits related to solar projects in both the 2024 and 2023 periods.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024

Total assets decreased $61.6 million, from $2.45 billion at September 30, 2024 to $2.39 billion at December 31, 2024. Net loans held for investment decreased $79.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2024 due primarily to the $87.2 million bulk sale of residential real estate home equity line of credit loans.

Total liabilities decreased $60.5 million due primarily to decreases in total deposits of $48.1 million, which included a decrease in brokered deposits of $72.1 million and a decrease in FHLB borrowings of $6.6 million. The decrease in brokered deposits and FHLB borrowings was due primary to repayments as a result of the aforementioned bulk loan sale. As of December 31, 2024, deposits exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 per insured account were 31.1% of total deposits and 13.7% of total deposits when excluding public funds insured by the Indiana Public Deposit Insurance Fund.

Total stockholders’ equity decreased $1.1 million, from $177.1 million at September 30, 2024 to $176.0 million at December 31, 2024, due primarily to a $6.6 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, partially offset by an increase in retained net income of $5.2 million. The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss was due primarily to increasing long-term market interest rates during the three months ended December 31, 2024, which resulted in a decrease in the fair value of securities available for sale. At December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Bank was considered “well-capitalized” under applicable regulatory capital guidelines.

First Savings Bank is an entrepreneurial community bank headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which is directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, and operates fifteen depository branches within Southern Indiana. The Bank also has two national lending programs, including single-tenant net lease commercial real estate and SBA lending, with offices located predominately in the Midwest. The Bank is a recognized leader, both in its local communities and nationally for its lending programs. The employees of First Savings Bank strive daily to achieve the organization’s vision, We Expect To Be The BEST community BANK, which fuels our success. The Company’s common shares trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FSFG.”

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are not historical facts; rather, they are statements based on the Company’s current expectations regarding its business strategies and their intended results and its future performance. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause or contribute to the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to these differences include, without limitation, changes in general economic conditions; changes in market interest rates; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors disclosed periodically in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them, whether included in this report or made elsewhere from time to time by the Company or on its behalf. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Tony A. Schoen, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
812-283-0724

FIRST SAVINGS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
OPERATING DATA:	December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)		2024			2023

Total interest income	$	32,449		$	28,655
Total interest expense		16,987			14,542

Net interest income		15,462			14,113

Provision (credit) for credit losses – loans		(490	)		470
Provision (credit) for unfunded lending commitments		46			(58	)
Credit for credit losses – securities		(7	)		–

Total provision (credit) for credit losses		(451	)		412

Net interest income after provision (credit) for credit losses		15,913			13,701

Total noninterest income		6,103			2,782
Total noninterest expense		14,943			16,039

Income before income taxes		7,073			444
Income tax expense (benefit)		848			(476	)

Net income	$	6,225		$	920

Net income per share, basic	$	0.91		$	0.13
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic		6,851,153			6,823,948

Net income per share, diluted	$	0.89		$	0.13
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted		6,969,223			6,839,704


Performance ratios (annualized)
Return on average assets		1.02	%		0.16	%
Return on average equity		14.07	%		2.42	%
Return on average common stockholders’ equity		14.07	%		2.42	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis)		2.75	%		2.69	%
Efficiency ratio		69.29	%		94.93	%

							QTD
FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:	December 31,			September 30,			Increase
(In thousands, except per share data)		2024			2024		(Decrease)

Total assets	$	2,388,735		$	2,450,368		$	(61,633	)
Cash and cash equivalents		76,224			52,142			24,082
Investment securities		242,634			249,719			(7,085	)
Loans held for sale		24,441			25,716			(1,275	)
Gross loans		1,905,199			1,985,146			(79,947	)
Allowance for credit losses		20,685			21,294			(609	)
Interest earning assets		2,234,258			2,277,512			(43,254	)
Goodwill		9,848			9,848			–
Core deposit intangibles		357			398			(41	)
Loan servicing rights		2,661			2,754			(93	)
Noninterest-bearing deposits		183,239			191,528			(8,289	)
Interest-bearing deposits (retail)		1,212,527			1,180,196			32,331
Interest-bearing deposits (brokered)		437,008			509,157			(72,149	)
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		295,000			301,640			(6,640	)
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		48,642			48,603			39
Total liabilities		2,212,708			2,273,253			(60,545	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(17,789	)		(11,195	)		(6,594	)
Total stockholders’ equity		176,027			177,115			(1,088	)

Book value per share	$	25.48		$	25.72			(0.24	)
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) (1)		24.00			24.23			(0.23	)

Non-performing assets:
Nonaccrual loans – SBA guaranteed	$	4,444		$	5,036		$	(592	)
Nonaccrual loans		12,124			11,906			218
Total nonaccrual loans	$	16,568		$	16,942		$	(374	)
Accruing loans past due 90 days		–			–			–
Total non-performing loans		16,568			16,942			(374	)
Foreclosed real estate		444			444			–
Total non-performing assets	$	17,012		$	17,386		$	(374	)

Asset quality ratios:
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total gross loans		1.09	%		1.07	%		0.01	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of nonperforming loans		124.85	%		125.69	%		(0.84	%)
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total gross loans		0.87	%		0.85	%		0.02	%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets		0.71	%		0.71	%		0.00	%

(1) See reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures for additional information relating to calculation of this item.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED):
The following non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company provide information useful to investors in understanding the Company’s performance. The Company believes the financial measures presented below are important because of their widespread use by investors as a means to evaluate capital adequacy and earnings. The following table summarizes the non-GAAP financial measures derived from amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and reconciles those non-GAAP financial measures with the comparable GAAP financial measures.

	Three Months Ended
Net Income	December 31,
(In thousands)		2024			2023

Net income attributable to the Company (non-GAAP)	$	4,308		$	920
Plus: Gain on sale of loans, home equity lines of credit, net of tax effect		1,869			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, loans, net of tax effect		735			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, unfunded commitments, net of tax effect		97			–
Plus: Gain on sale of equity securities (Visa Class B-2 shares), net of tax effect		302
Less: Adjustments to sick pay contingent liability, net of tax effect		(296	)
Less: Compensation expense associated with loan sale, net of tax effect		(790	)
Net income attributable to the Company (GAAP)	$	6,225		$	920

Net Income per Share, Diluted

Net income per share attributable to the Company, diluted (non-GAAP)	$	0.62		$	0.13
Plus: Gain on sale of loans, home equity lines of credit, net of tax effect		0.26			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, loans, net of tax effect		0.11			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, unfunded commitments, net of tax effect		0.01			–
Plus: Gain on sale of equity securities (Visa Class B-2 shares), net of tax effect		0.04
Less: Adjustments to sick pay contingent liability, net of tax effect		(0.04	)
Less: Compensation expense associated with loan sale, net of tax effect		(0.11	)
Net income per share, diluted (GAAP)	$	0.89		$	0.13

Core Bank Segment Net Income
(In thousands)

Net income attributable to the Core Bank (non-GAAP)	$	4,452		$	4,048
Plus: Gain on sale of loans, home equity lines of credit, net of tax effect		1,869			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, loans, net of tax effect		735			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, unfunded commitments, net of tax effect		97			–
Plus: Gain on sale of equity securities (Visa Class B-2 shares), net of tax effect		302			–
Less: Adjustments to sick pay contingent liability, net of tax effect		(296	)		–
Less: Compensation expense associated with loan sale, net of tax effect		(790	)		–
Net income attributable to the Core Bank (GAAP)	$	6,369		$	4,048

Core Bank Segment Net Income per Share, Diluted

Core Bank net income per share, diluted (non-GAAP)	$	0.64		$	0.59
Plus: Gain on sale of loans, home equity lines of credit, net of tax effect		0.26			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, loans, net of tax effect		0.11			–
Plus: Reversal of provision for credit losses, unfunded commitments, net of tax effect		0.01			–
Plus: Gain on sale of equity securities (Visa Class B-2 shares), net of tax effect		0.04			–
Less: Adjustments to sick pay contingent liability, net of tax effect		(0.04	)		–
Less: Compensation expense associated with loan sale, net of tax effect		(0.11	)		–
Core Bank net income per share, diluted (GAAP)	$	0.91		$	0.59


RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):	Three Months Ended
Efficiency Ratio		2024
(In thousands)		2024			2023

Net interest income (GAAP)	$	15,462		$	14,113

Noninterest income (GAAP)		6,103			2,782

Noninterest expense (GAAP)		14,943			16,039

Efficiency ratio (GAAP)		69.29	%		94.93	%

Noninterest income (GAAP)	$	6,103		$	2,782
Less: Gain on sale of loans, home equity lines of credit		(2,492	)		–
Less: Gain on sale of equity securities (Visa Class B-2 shares)		(403	)		–
Noninterest income (Non-GAAP)		3,208			2,782

Noninterest expense (GAAP)	$	14,943		$	16,039
Less: Adjustments to sick pay contingent liability		(395	)		–
Less: Compensation expense associated with loan sale		(1,053	)		–
Noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)	$	13,495		$	16,039

Efficiency ratio (excluding nonrecurring items) (non-GAAP)		72.28	%		94.93	%

Tangible Book Value Per Share	December 31,			September 30,			Increase
(In thousands, except share and per share data)		2024			2024		(Decrease)

Stockholders’ equity (GAAP)	$	176,027		$	177,115		$	(1,088	)
Less: goodwill and core deposit intangibles		(10,205	)		(10,246	)		41
Tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)	$	165,822		$	166,869		$	(1,047	)

Outstanding common shares		6,909,173			6,887,106		$	22,067

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)	$	24.00		$	24.23		$	(0.23	)

Book value per share (GAAP)	$	25.48		$	25.72		$	(0.24	)

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED):	As of
Summarized Consolidated Balance Sheets	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Total cash and cash equivalents	$	76,224		$	52,142		$	42,423		$	62,969		$	33,366
Total investment securities		242,634			249,719			238,785			240,142			246,801
Total loans held for sale		24,441			25,716			125,859			19,108			22,866
Total loans, net of allowance for credit losses		1,884,514			1,963,852			1,826,980			1,882,458			1,841,953
Loan servicing rights		2,661			2,754			2,860			3,028			3,711
Total assets		2,388,735			2,450,368			2,393,491			2,364,983			2,308,092

Retail deposits	$	1,395,766		$	1,371,724		$	1,312,997		$	1,239,271		$	1,180,951
Brokered deposits		437,008			509,157			399,151			548,175			502,895
Total deposits		1,832,774			1,880,881			1,712,148			1,787,446			1,683,846
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		295,000			301,640			425,000			315,000			356,699

Common stock and additional paid-in capital	$	28,382		$	27,725		$	27,592		$	27,475		$	27,397
Retained earnings – substantially restricted		178,526			173,337			170,688			167,648			163,753
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(17,789	)		(11,195	)		(17,415	)		(17,144	)		(13,606	)
Unearned stock compensation		(973	)		(901	)		(999	)		(1,096	)		(1,194	)
Less treasury stock, at cost		(12,119	)		(11,851	)		(11,866	)		(11,827	)		(11,827	)
Total stockholders’ equity		176,027			177,115			168,000			165,056			164,523

Outstanding common shares		6,909,173			6,887,106			6,883,656			6,883,160			6,883,160


	Three Months Ended
Summarized Consolidated Statements of Income	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Total interest income	$	32,449		$	32,223		$	31,094		$	30,016		$	28,655
Total interest expense		16,987			17,146			16,560			15,678			14,542
Net interest income		15,462			15,077			14,534			14,338			14,113
Provision (credit) for credit losses – loans		(490	)		1,808			501			713			470
Provision (credit) for unfunded lending commitments		46			(262	)		158			(259	)		(58	)
Provision (credit) for credit losses – securities		(7	)		(86	)		84			23			–
Total provision (credit) for credit losses		(451	)		1,460			743			477			412

Net interest income after provision for credit losses		15,913			13,617			13,791			13,861			13,701

Total noninterest income		6,103			2,842			3,196			3,710			2,782
Total noninterest expense		14,943			12,642			12,431			11,778			16,039
Income before income taxes		7,073			3,817			4,556			5,793			444
Income tax expense (benefit)		848			145			483			866			(476	)
Net income		6,225			3,672			4,073			4,927			920


Net income per share, basic	$	0.91		$	0.54		$	0.60		$	0.72		$	0.13
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic		6,851,153			6,832,626			6,832,452			6,832,130			6,823,948

Net income per share, diluted	$	0.89		$	0.53		$	0.60		$	0.72		$	0.13
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted		6,969,223			6,894,532			6,842,336			6,859,611			6,839,704

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):	Three Months Ended
Noninterest Income Detail	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Service charges on deposit accounts	$	567		$	552		$	538		$	387		$	473
ATM and interchange fees		665			642			593			585			449
Net unrealized gain on equity securities		78			28			419			6			38
Net gain on equity securities		403			–			–			–			–
Net gain on sales of loans, Small Business Administration		711			647			581			951			834
Net gain on sales of loans, home equity lines of credit		2,492			–			–			–			–
Mortgage banking income		78			6			49			53			89
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		361			363			353			333			329
Gain on life insurance		108			–			–			–			–
Commission income		210			294			220			220			222
Real estate lease income		121			122			154			115			115
Net gain (loss) on premises and equipment		45			(4	)		–			120			–
Other income		264			192			289			940			233
Total noninterest income	$	6,103		$	2,842		$	3,196		$	3,710		$	2,782


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
Consolidated Performance Ratios (Annualized)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Return on average assets		1.02	%		0.61	%		0.69	%		0.92	%		0.16	%
Return on average equity		14.07	%		8.52	%		9.86	%		13.06	%		2.42	%
Return on average common stockholders’ equity		14.07	%		8.52	%		9.86	%		13.06	%		2.42	%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis)		2.75	%		2.72	%		2.67	%		2.66	%		2.69	%
Efficiency ratio		69.29	%		70.55	%		70.11	%		65.26	%		94.93	%


	As of or for the Three Months Ended
	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
Consolidated Asset Quality Ratios		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans		0.87	%		0.85	%		0.91	%		0.82	%		0.83	%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets		0.71	%		0.71	%		0.72	%		0.68	%		0.69	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans		1.09	%		1.07	%		1.07	%		1.02	%		1.01	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans		124.85	%		125.69	%		118.12	%		124.01	%		121.16	%
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans		0.01	%		0.02	%		0.01	%		0.01	%		0.00	%

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):	Three Months Ended
Segmented Statements of Income Information	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Core Banking Segment:
Net interest income	$	13,756		$	14,083		$	13,590		$	13,469		$	13,113
Provision (credit) for credit losses – loans		(745	)		1,339			320			909			(49	)
Provision (credit) for unfunded lending commitments		(75	)		78			64			(259	)		–
Provision (credit) for credit losses – securities		(7	)		(86	)		84			23			–
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		14,583			12,752			13,122			12,796			13,162
Noninterest income		5,253			2,042			2,474			2,537			1,679
Noninterest expense		12,574			10,400			10,192			10,093			10,252
Income before income taxes		7,262			4,394			5,404			5,240			4,589
Income tax expense		893			301			689			729			541
Net income	$	6,369		$	4,093		$	4,715		$	4,511		$	4,048

SBA Lending Segment (Q2):
Net interest income	$	1,706		$	994		$	944		$	869		$	1,003
Provision (credit) for credit losses – loans		255			469			181			(196	)		461
Provision (credit) for unfunded lending commitments		121			(340	)		94			–			–
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		1,330			865			669			1,065			542
Noninterest income		850			800			722			1,173			1,003
Noninterest expense		2,369			2,242			2,239			1,685			2,146
Income (loss) before income taxes		(189	)		(577	)		(848	)		553			(601	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(45	)		(156	)		(206	)		137			(131	)
Net income (loss)	$	(144	)	$	(421	)	$	(642	)	$	416		$	(470	)

Mortgage Banking Segment: (2)
Net interest income (loss)	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	(3	)
Provision for credit losses – loans		–			–			–			–			–
Provision for unfunded lending commitments		–			–			–			–			–
Net interest income (loss) after provision for credit losses		–			–			–			–			(3	)
Noninterest income		–			–			–			–			100
Noninterest expense		–			–			–			–			3,641
Loss before income taxes		–			–			–			–			(3,544	)
Income tax benefit		–			–			–			–			(886	)
Net loss	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	(2,658	)

(2) National mortgage banking operations were ceased in the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent immaterial mortgage lending activity is reported within the Core Banking segment.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):	Three Months Ended
Segmented Statements of Income Information	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands, except percentage data)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Net Income (Loss) Per Share by Segment
Net income per share, basic – Core Banking	$	0.93		$	0.60		$	0.69		$	0.66		$	0.59
Net income (loss) per share, basic – SBA Lending (Q2)		(0.02	)		(0.06	)		(0.09	)		0.06			(0.07	)
Net loss per share, basic – Mortgage Banking		0.00			0.00			0.00			0.00			(0.40	)
Total net income (loss) per share, basic	$	0.91		$	0.54		$	0.60		$	0.72		$	0.12

Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share by Segment
Net income per share, diluted – Core Banking	$	0.91		$	0.59		$	0.69		$	0.66		$	0.59
Net income (loss) per share, diluted – SBA Lending (Q2)		(0.02	)		(0.06	)		(0.09	)		0.06			(0.07	)
Net loss per share, diluted – Mortgage Banking		0.00			0.00			0.00			0.00			(0.40	)
Total net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	0.89		$	0.53		$	0.60		$	0.72		$	0.12

Return on Average Assets by Segment (annualized) (3)
Core Banking		1.09	%		0.71	%		0.83	%		0.80	%		0.73	%
SBA Lending		(0.55	%)		(1.71	%)		(2.91	%)		1.81	%		(2.11	%)

Efficiency Ratio by Segment (annualized) (3)
Core Banking		66.15	%		64.50	%		63.45	%		63.06	%		69.31	%
SBA Lending		92.68	%		124.97	%		134.39	%		82.52	%		106.98	%


	Three Months Ended
Noninterest Expense Detail by Segment	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Core Banking Segment:
Compensation	$	7,245		$	5,400		$	5,587		$	5,656		$	5,691
Occupancy		1,577			1,554			1,573			1,615			1,481
Advertising		338			399			253			205			189
Other		3,414			3,047			2,779			2,617			2,891
Total Noninterest Expense	$	12,574		$	10,400		$	10,192		$	10,093		$	10,252

SBA Lending Segment (Q2):
Compensation	$	1,931		$	1,854		$	1,893		$	1,933		$	1,826
Occupancy		59			55			51			58			91
Advertising		14			17			12			7			10
Other		365			316			283			(313	)		219
Total Noninterest Expense	$	2,369		$	2,242		$	2,239		$	1,685		$	2,146

Mortgage Banking Segment: (2)
Compensation	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	2,146
Occupancy		–			–			–			–			469
Advertising		–			–			–			–			119
Other		–			–			–			–			907
Total Noninterest Expense	$	–		$	–		$	–		$	–		$	3,641

(3) Ratios for Mortgage Banking Segment are not considered meaningful due to cessation of national mortgage banking operations in the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):
	Three Months Ended
SBA Lending (Q2) Data	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands, except percentage data)	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023

Final funded loans guaranteed portion sold, SBA	$	10,785		$	10,880		$	7,515		$	15,144		$	14,098

Gross gain on sales of loans, SBA	$	1,141		$	1,029		$	811		$	1,443		$	1,303
Weighted average gross gain on sales of loans, SBA	10.58		%	9.46		%	10.79		%	9.53		%	9.24		%

Net gain on sales of loans, SBA (4)	$	711		$	647		$	581		$	951		$	834
Weighted average net gain on sales of loans, SBA	6.59		%	5.95		%	7.73		%	6.28		%	5.92		%


(4) Inclusive of gains on servicing assets and net of commissions, referral fees, SBA repair fees and discounts on unguaranteed portions held-for-investment.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED):	Three Months Ended
Summarized Consolidated Average Balance Sheets	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(In thousands)		2024			2024			2024			2024			2023
Interest-earning assets
Average balances:
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	21,102		$	16,841		$	26,100		$	24,587		$	20,350
Loans		2,010,082			1,988,997			1,943,716			1,914,609			1,857,654
Investment securities – taxable		101,960			99,834			101,350			102,699			103,728
Investment securities – nontaxable		160,929			158,917			157,991			157,960			159,907
FRB and FHLB stock		24,986			24,986			24,986			24,986			24,968
Total interest-earning assets	$	2,319,059		$	2,289,575		$	2,254,143		$	2,224,841		$	2,166,607

Interest income (tax equivalent basis):
Interest-bearing deposits with banks	$	210		$	209		$	324		$	261		$	249
Loans		29,617			29,450			28,155			27,133			26,155
Investment securities – taxable		914			910			918			923			942
Investment securities – nontaxable		1,715			1,685			1,665			1,662			1,687
FRB and FHLB stock		493			471			519			499			74
Total interest income (tax equivalent basis)	$	32,949		$	32,725		$	31,581		$	30,478		$	29,107

Weighted average yield (tax equivalent basis, annualized):
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		3.98	%		4.96	%		4.97	%		4.25	%		4.89	%
Loans		5.89	%		5.92	%		5.79	%		5.67	%		5.63	%
Investment securities – taxable		3.59	%		3.65	%		3.62	%		3.59	%		3.63	%
Investment securities – nontaxable		4.26	%		4.24	%		4.22	%		4.21	%		4.22	%
FRB and FHLB stock		7.89	%		7.54	%		8.31	%		7.99	%		1.19	%
Total interest-earning assets		5.68	%		5.72	%		5.60	%		5.48	%		5.37	%

Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,671,156		$	1,563,258		$	1,572,871		$	1,549,012		$	1,389,384
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		315,583			378,956			351,227			333,275			440,786
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		48,616			48,576			48,537			48,497			48,458
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	2,035,355		$	1,990,790		$	1,972,635		$	1,930,784		$	1,878,628

Interest expense:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	13,606		$	12,825		$	12,740		$	12,546		$	9,989
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		2,617			3,521			3,021			2,298			3,769
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		764			800			799			833			784
Total interest expense	$	16,987		$	17,146		$	16,560		$	15,677		$	14,542

Weighted average cost (annualized):
Interest-bearing deposits		3.26	%		3.28	%		3.24	%		3.24	%		2.88	%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings		3.32	%		3.72	%		3.44	%		2.76	%		3.42	%
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		6.29	%		6.59	%		6.58	%		6.87	%		6.47	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3.34	%		3.45	%		3.36	%		3.25	%		3.10	%

Net interest income (taxable equivalent basis)	$	15,962		$	15,579		$	15,021		$	14,801		$	14,565
Less: taxable equivalent adjustment		(500	)		(502	)		(487	)		(463	)		(452	)
Net interest income	$	15,462		$	15,077		$	14,534		$	14,338		$	14,113

Interest rate spread (tax equivalent basis, annualized)		2.34	%		2.27	%		2.24	%		2.23	%		2.27	%

Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis, annualized)		2.75	%		2.72	%		2.67	%		2.66	%		2.69	%

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI: U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán Joins Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to Address Affordable Housing Crisis in Southern California

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Committed to prioritizing solutions for the affordable housing crisis in Southern California, U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán, (CA-44) hosted a roundtable discussion with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) today at The Enclave in Torrance, California. The roundtable brought together affordable housing leaders, community organizations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders throughout the area to discuss how organizations and public-private partnerships could play a pivotal role in solving the housing crisis in Southern California after tens of thousands were displaced by the recent wildfires in the region.

“Many families in my district, and across Los Angeles County, struggle to afford housing,” said Rep. Nanette Barragán. “This roundtable brings together key partners to explore solutions to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and expand opportunities for homeownership. Together, we can make real progress for our communities.”

Rep. Barragán has a history of leading on issues related to affordable housing and has secured millions in federal funding for local projects that support affordable housing development, advance homeownership for first time homebuyers and expand supportive housing options. By teaming up with FHLBank San Francisco and its members, she is working to find local solutions to the housing crisis.

“This roundtable comes at a critical moment for our district, as many families and individuals have been displaced by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. We are proud to partner with Representative Barragán, a dedicated leader and tireless advocate for addressing the housing crisis in Southern California,” said Alanna McCargo, president and chief executive officer of FHLBank San Francisco. “Collaboration is essential to develop innovative solutions that improve affordability, expand housing supply and support the rebuilding of communities impacted by these wildfires. Our Bank is a valuable and trusted community partner that can leverage an extensive network of member financial institutions to help turn these ideas into action.”

In 2024, FHLBank San Francisco awarded $6.75 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to support a range of projects in Los Angeles. Statewide, more than $49 million in AHP grants were awarded through its member financial institutions to help address and expedite solutions to California’s affordable housing crisis.

Attendees at the roundtable included:

Dora Leong Gall, A Community of Friends
Holly Benson, Adobe communities
Andrea Parker, Farmers and Merchants bank
Jeremy Empol, FHLBank San Francisco
Anabel Cuevas, FHLBank San Francisco
Darrell Simien, Habitat for Humanity LA
Laura Archuleta, Jamboree
Suny Lay Chang, LINC Housing
Michael Ruane, National CORE
Gerald Phillips, Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County
Patricia Valladolid, One San Pedro/Century Housing
Michael Faulwell, SchoolsFirst FCU
Brent Terecero, SchoolsFirst FCU

FHLBank San Francisco is dedicated to supporting housing initiatives throughout its three-state region, including Arizona, California, and Nevada. Since the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) was created in 1990, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded over $1.35 billion in AHP grants to support the construction, rehabilitation, or purchase of over 154,600 homes affordable to lower-income households, including $61.8 million in 2024 alone. Together, the 11 regional FHLBanks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System are one of the largest privately capitalized sources of grant funding for affordable housing in the United States.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-owned cooperative supporting local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada to build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

Contact:
Tom Flannigan
tom.flannigan@fhlbsf.com
415-616-2695

The MIL Network –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Rosen Statement on Trump’s Reckless Federal Funding Freeze

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) issued the following statement blasting the Trump Administration’s pause on all federal grants and loans and the dire impact it will have on Nevada.
“President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and funding has jeopardized key programs that many Nevadans rely on,” said Senator Rosen. “Because of this freeze, there is now chaos and confusion about the status of critical funding needed to support local law enforcement, veterans, businesses, widely used housing programs, and others. Make no mistake, I will fight back against this unconstitutional action and work to ensure that Nevada’s federal funding resumes to continue benefiting Nevadans.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Raises Alarm on Trump Administration Illegally Blocking Hundreds of Billions in Federal Support

US Senate News:

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

Padilla Raises Alarm on Trump Administration Illegally Blocking Hundreds of Billions in Federal Support

Urges Budget Committee to Delay OMB Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ordered federal agencies to freeze all congressionally approved federal grants and loans, including disaster relief for Californians:
“Donald Trump is illegally blocking hundreds of billions of dollars for essential federal programs to support families recovering after catastrophic fires, law enforcement agencies we rely on to keep our communities safe, and children and families who depend on federal child care and nutrition programs. All in his effort to pay for his tax cuts for large corporations and billionaires, like the ones he surrounded himself with during his inauguration. This overreach is unconstitutional and hurts the thousands of Californians who have been devastated by the recent fires. When Congress approves federal funds for programs to help communities, they are not optional: they are legal mandates.
“Americans in every corner of the country will feel the impact of Donald Trump’s unlawful directives. I am calling on my Republican colleagues to not confirm Russell Vought to be OMB Director until Trump reverses this reckless order.”
The sweeping directives in the Trump Administration’s memorandum are set to go into effect at 5 p.m. ET this evening. If implemented as written, the directives could block funding for California and national priorities including:
Disaster Relief: Public assistance and hazard mitigation grants from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments and non-profits to help communities quickly respond to, recover from, and prepare for major disasters will be halted — right as so many Southern California communities are struggling amid the recent fires.
Firefighting: Grants to support firefighters across the country will be halted. This includes grants that help states and localities purchase essential firefighting equipment.
Public Safety: Grants for law enforcement and homeland security activities will cease to go out the door, undermining public safety in every state and territory.
Infrastructure Projects: All federally-funded transportation projects — roads, bridges, public transit, and more — will be halted, including projects already under construction.
Homelessness/Housing: In the midst of a homelessness and housing crisis, the Trump Administration is freezing housing and homelessness funding, which will exacerbate our housing crisis.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that Senator Padilla significantly improved, as well as grants for mental health services, will be cut off.
Nutrition Assistance: Millions of American citizens who rely on nutrition assistance programs like school lunch programs will be left hungry as funding is cut off and non-profits who provide additional assistance lose federal funding.
Combating the Fentanyl Crisis: Funding for communities to address the substance use disorder crisis and combat the fentanyl crisis will be cut off.
Emergency Preparedness: Critical preparedness and response capability funding used to prepare for disasters, public health emergencies, and chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear events will be frozen.
Child Care: Child care programs across the country will not be able to access the funding they rely on to keep their doors open.
K-12 Schools: Federal funding for K-12 schools will be halted. School districts may not be able to access key formula grant funding including Title I, IDEA, Impact Aid, and Career and Technical Education, which would pose tremendous financial burdens on schools in the middle of the school year.
Biomedical Research: There will be immediate pauses on all funding for critical health research, including research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes, as well as clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center and all across the country — disrupting lifesaving and often time-sensitive research.
Higher Education and Job Training: Millions of students relying on federal student loans and federal work study will have their plans to pursue postsecondary education and further their careers thrown into chaos as federal financial aid disbursements are paused.
Health Services: Federal funding for community health centers that provide health care for over 30 million Americans will be immediately frozen, creating chaos for patients trying get their prescriptions, a regular checkup, and more.
Small Businesses: The Small Business Administration will have to halt loans to small businesses — including those in disaster-ravaged California communities.
Veterans Care: Federal grants to help veterans in rural areas access health care and grants to help veterans get other critical services, including suicide prevention resources, transition assistance, and housing for homeless veterans, will be cut off.
Tribes: Funding to tribes for basic government services like health care, public safety, programs, tribal schools, and food assistance will be halted.
Preventing Violence Against Women: All Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants, as well as funding for victims assistance and state and local police, will be cut off.
U.S. Competitiveness: Existing grants to support research for Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing will be halted and any new grant funding would be paused — undermining U.S. innovation and competitiveness with China and putting California jobs at risk.
Energy Jobs: Grants for critical energy projects nationwide will be cut off — halting billions of dollars in investment nationwide and jeopardizing good-paying American jobs. The Department of Energy Loan Program Office will halt loans in 28 states, impacting hundreds of thousands of construction and operations jobs.
Food Inspections: Some states will have to take on the full financial burden of ensuring the nation’s meat supply is safe if federal cooperative agreements for meat inspection are halted.
Support for Servicemembers: Support for a host of Department of Defense financial assistance and grant programs supporting servicemembers and their families will be halted, including the Fisher House, Impact Aid, community noise mitigation, ROTC language training, STEM programs, and the USO.
Military Readiness: Grants and other assistance appropriated to strengthen military effectiveness and defense capacity will be halted, including Defense Production Act support for the defense industrial base, basic research grants necessary to advance key technologies, and small business support to strengthen supply chains.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Decries Trump Pardons for Violent January 6 Insurrectionists

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Washington (January 28, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today on President Trump’s pardons for violent January 6 insurrectionists. Yesterday, Senator Markey joined the Senate Democratic caucus in introducing a resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers.

“On January 6, 2021, dedicated officers of the U.S. Capitol Police were forced to protect members of Congress in medieval-style combat as a vicious mob armed with firearms, bear spray, and metal barricades forced its way into the U.S. Capitol. Officers died as a result of the insurrection, and many more were left beaten and bruised. Donald Trump pardoned the January 6 insurrectionists, including violent felons, in one swoop—a disgraceful insult not only to our democracy, but to the law enforcement officers who show up every day to protect and serve us,” said Senator Markey. “I’m astounded by the silence among my Republican colleagues. They claim to ‘back the blue’ but now they laud the violent criminals who left our officers black and blue on January 6. We now know that the Republican party is no longer the party of ‘law and order,’ but the party of ‘chaos and disorder.’ Donald Trump’s pardons are a dangerous and shameful abuse of presidential power. We should all be united in denouncing them.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: What is the 90-year-old tax rule Trump could use to double US taxes on foreigners?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Miranda Stewart, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne

US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia Commons

US President Donald Trump isn’t happy about the way some countries are taxing American citizens and companies. He has made clear he’s willing to retaliate, threatening to double taxes for their own citizens and companies.

Can Trump really do that, unilaterally, as president? It turns out he can, under a 90-year-old provision of the US tax code – Section 891.

In an executive memo signed on January 20 outlining his “America First Trade Policy”, Trump instructed US Treasury to:

investigate whether any foreign country subjects United States citizens or corporations to discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes pursuant to Section 891 of Title 26, United States Code.

A sweeping power

Section 891 of the US Internal Revenue Code is short, but it is in sweeping terms.

If the president finds that US citizens or corporations are being subjected to “discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes” under the laws of any foreign country, he “shall so proclaim” this. US income tax rates on the citizens or corporations of that country are then automatically doubled.

The extra tax that could be collected is capped at 80% of the US taxable income of the taxpayer. The president can revoke a proclamation, if the foreign country reverses its “discriminatory or extraterritorial” taxation.

Section 891 is an extraordinary provision – but it has never been applied. As far as I know, no other country has legislated such a rule. Importantly, it would only apply to a person or business subject to income taxation by the US.

Take, for example, a foreign national earning a wage in the US. If this individual’s home country became subject to a proclamation under Section 891, their individual tax rate in the US would be doubled – to as much as 74%.

A foreign company earning taxable profits in the US would face a doubling of the company tax rate from 21% to 42%.

A bit of history

A version of Section 891 has been in the US tax code since 1934, an earlier troubled time of tax disputes and economic depression.

It was signed into law by Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 10 1934, amid a tax dispute between the US and France.

US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Section 891 into law in 1934, putting pressure on France to end a tax dispute.
Vincenzo Laviosa/Wikimedia Commons

According to US tax historian Joseph Thorndike, the move followed attempts by France to levy additional taxes on US companies operating there, beginning in the mid-1920s.

France had tried to use an 1873 law to tax US companies operating in France on profits earned in the parent company back in the US, and in other subsidiaries around the world, not just the French company profits.

The aim was to counter international profit-shifting, which could be used to reduce the tax payable by US subsidiaries operating in France by claiming deductions or shifting income to other group companies outside France.

The dispute was long-standing and France tried to assess taxes going back decades for some US companies. The potentially massive tax bill (it seems the tax was never actually collected) became a geopolitical issue, and the companies asked the US government to intervene on their behalf.

Thorndike explains that a bilateral tax treaty was negotiated between the US and France to remedy this “double tax” situation. But the French legislature refused to ratify it.

In retaliation, US Congress passed Section 891, and six months later, France ratified its bilateral tax treaty with the US.

Parallels with today

In 1934, there were no digital multinational enterprises like Meta or Google. But that tax dispute nevertheless has parallels with modern concerns about taxing companies internationally.

The French government was trying, with a rather heavy hand, to counter international profit-shifting by large US multinationals.

Section 891 was re-enacted in later US tax codes, up to today, with minor amendments and no attempt to invoke it. It has remained in the background as a potential exercise of US fiscal and market power, supported by both sides of US politics.

Tax professor Itai Grinberg, who worked in the Biden administration on the OECD tax deal, suggested it could be applied to the European Union decision that taxes Apple in Ireland.

The US tech giants are only the latest in a long line of powerful American multinational corporations.
Tada Images/Shutterstock

What might Trump do?

President Trump has specifically targeted the OECD global tax negotiations with this threat, just a month after Australia has legislated the global minimum tax under “Pillar Two” of the OECD Global Tax Deal.

The OECD deal aims to ensure large multinational enterprises pay a minimum 15% effective tax rate in all the jurisdictions in which they operate, by applying a top-up tax and under-taxed profit tax.

Trump asserted in a memorandum that the OECD Global Tax Deal is “extraterritorial”, instructing the US Secretary of the Treasury and the US Trade Representative to investigate it.

Could Australia be singled out?

Trump’s memorandum also ordered an investigation into “other discriminatory foreign tax practices” that may harm US companies.

This includes whether any foreign countries are not complying with their US tax treaties or have, or are likely to put in place, any tax rules that “disproportionately affect American companies”.

Notably, this could put Australia’s proposed “news bargaining incentive” in the crosshairs.

Under this proposal, digital platforms (many of which are US-owned) would have to pay a new levy, which could be offset if they negotiate or renew deals with Australian news media publishers to pay for hosting news content.

Section 891 could apply to such taxes if they were found by Trump to be “discriminatory” against US companies. What “discriminatory” means is not clear.

Its been suggested that foreign citizens or companies could be protected from Section 891 by their country’s tax treaty with the US, under the standard approach that a later treaty prevails over an older code section. But Australia’s tax treaty with the US took effect in 1983, before the most recent re-enactment of Section 891 in the US tax code.

Miranda Stewart receives funding from the Australian Research Council. Miranda is on the Permanent Scientific Committee of the International Fiscal Association.

– ref. What is the 90-year-old tax rule Trump could use to double US taxes on foreigners? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-90-year-old-tax-rule-trump-could-use-to-double-us-taxes-on-foreigners-248154

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 29, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Hurley, Lecturer in Criminology. Police and policing. Dept of Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University

When you watch the news, one phrase usually comes up as soon as crime is mentioned: “police have established a crime scene”.

If you’re a fan of the forensics crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, it will conjure up images of police waving a blue, fluorescent UV light in a darkened room looking for blood, saliva, fingerprints, footprints or tooth impressions.

CSI has influenced an entire generation – this year, the franchise will celebrate its 25th anniversary. But the reality of crime scene investigation is far more complex.

As a criminology lecturer and ex-police officer, I know a thing or two about crime scenes, having managed hundreds of them. I have even been a crime scene myself. Here’s what they really entail.

There’s usually more than one crime scene

In the early 20th century, French forensic science pioneer Edmond Locard noted it’s impossible for criminals to act “without leaving traces of this presence”. No matter where a criminal steps or what they touch, they leave behind, even unconsciously, evidence that serves as a silent witness against them.

The idea that criminals will leave something behind at the crime scene while taking something with them is known today as Locard’s principle.

Crime scenes are incredibly diverse. They don’t just involve the physical location. A person’s body and any objects found in relation to the crime are also part of a crime scene.

The primary crime scene is where the event took place – for example, where a murder, arson attack or drive-by shooting occurred.

There will be several additional crime scenes, too. In the course of the investigation, a second crime scene might be established where the criminal planned the crime. If they dumped a getaway vehicle, that’s a third crime scene. If they stashed a weapon, clothes or other objects in a safe house after the crime, that’s a fourth crime scene.

A fifth crime scene will be established when the criminal is arrested – they themselves are also a crime scene. Their hair, clothing and fingernails will be tested for various residues, such as the skin or blood of a victim, or even illicit substances if the crime involves drug trafficking.

Lastly, the victim is a crime scene, too. They may have body fluids, skin, hair and other material from the criminal on them.

In my detective career, I myself have been a crime scene when I found a badly injured abduction victim who collapsed in my arms. At that point, traces of the offender’s blood and hair transferred onto my clothing. I had to take the clothes off and they were kept as evidence.

Hair found on a victim’s clothing can serve as evidence.
Sendo Serra/Shutterstock

Crime scenes are confusing

Shows like CSI often portray crime scenes as neat and clear cut, with evidence easily obtained.

In reality, crime scenes are chaotic. They are full of clutter and the police don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.

During a crime scene search, police have to speculate about what happened, as often there are no eyewitnesses. A bullet casing or a bloody knife would be obvious. But what of the more common household items in the house or room? Who owns the shirt or jumper? Why is the bedroom in disarray, is that normal? What did the criminal touch or not touch? Was there just one criminal or two? What belongs to the victim?

Unlike on TV, police don’t always know what they are looking for because often they don’t know how the crime occurred. The cause of a death can be obvious, but how it unfolded is not.

Crime scenes are fragile

With a murder on a TV show, the CSI team usually arrives at a home or an outdoor crime scene, surrounded by crime scene tape. The first thing they do is lift the tape and walk straight to the body.

This is the worst possible crime scene practice.

The detectives would be walking directly on and over the same entry or exit path the offenders used. This would destroy fragile microscopic residues of blood, dirt or plant vegetation.

In reality, walking in and out of a crime scene this way does not happen. Prior to entering any crime scene, police look around and try to figure out which way the offender may have come and gone.

Once weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each option, they’ll pick a specific entry and exit point, and stick to that until the scene has been completely examined.

Lifting the police tape and walking straight to the body is bad practice – the tape is there for a reason.
Gordenkoff/Shutterstock

A systematic search – and not just for DNA

Crime scenes are also searched in different ways.

One way to ensure no evidence is missed is with a “grid and height” search. This means searching one square metre at a time. As the police get closer to the walls of the room, they start looking from the floor up to the height of their knees.

Once this is done, they go from their knee to their waist, then from their waist to their shoulder, then their shoulder to the top of their head, and then from the top of their head to a metre above it – until they reach the ceiling. Then they examine the ceiling.

Police don’t look solely for the holy grail of DNA. Rather, they are trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of what happened, why it happened, and what the criminal unintentionally left behind.

Decades of forensic TV dramas have resulted in the “CSI effect” – the idea that finding, collecting and analysing evidence at a crime scene is straightforward, and that the evidence is infallible. This is not so. But shows like CSI have also spawned a generation of people interested in becoming real crime scene investigators and forensic scientists.

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

– ref. What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-crime-scene-really-an-expert-explains-how-its-more-than-just-blue-police-tape-245369

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Bolivia

Source: IMF – News in Russian

January 28, 2025

Washington, DC: On March 22^nd, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1 for Bolivia. This also included a discussion of the findings of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) exercise for Bolivia.^[1]

Bolivia’s growth momentum moderated in 2023, to 2.5 percent, from declining natural gas production, less public investment, and financial market turmoil. Price controls, food and fuel subsidies, export restrictions, and strong agricultural production held inflation below 2 percent at year-end. However, the combination of lower natural gas exports, high fuel imports, a large fiscal deficit―increasingly financed by the central bank―and an overvalued exchange rate contributed to a wider current account deficit (estimated at 5 percent of GDP for 2023) and near-depletion of international reserves. Public debt increased to nearly 84 percent of GDP by end-2023. Sovereign spreads rose sharply in early 2023 as the foreign exchange (FX) shortage became apparent and a mid-sized bank (Banco Fassil) failed. Consequently, banks were forced to restrict the withdrawal of FX deposits, heightening financial sector stability risks.

Growth is anticipated to decelerate to 1.6 percent in 2024, holding at around 2.2-2.3 percent in the medium term under the continuation of the current policies. Inflation is forecast to reach 4.5 percent in 2024, stabilizing around 4 percent thereafter. The outlook is however predicated on significantly improved access to external financing, without which the risk of disorderly fiscal and/or exchange rate adjustment is elevated. External factors such as reduced demand, intensified global conflicts disrupting trade routes, commodity price volatility, or a renewed tightening of financial conditions could worsen fiscal and external imbalances, impede growth, and destabilize the domestic financial sector.

Additionally, extreme weather events, like the 2023 droughts and recent floods, pose a risk to Bolivia’s agricultural sector and critical infrastructure. Domestically, a faster decline in hydrocarbon production, higher inflation due to FX scarcity, or confidence shocks could further impact growth, hurt real incomes and exacerbate financial stability risks. Social unrest stemming from inequality and security concerns remains a concern, as evidenced by the prolonged road blockages of early 2024. On the upside, Bolivia could potentially benefit from the global shift towards green energy due to its vast lithium resources, although developing the lithium sector and scaling up domestic production capacity will likely take time.

Executive Board Assessment[2]

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Bolivia’s socioeconomic progress over the past several years but expressed concerns about the difficult financial situation Bolivia currently finds itself in, with low reserves, uncertain fiscal financing, and pressures in parallel exchange markets. Directors stressed the urgency of a shift from current unsustainable policies to avoid a disorderly adjustment that would exert significant social and economic hardship.

Directors called for continued constructive engagement on a sustainable policy mix that is likely to require both fiscal adjustment phased in over the next few years and an up front step devaluation to more quickly address the external imbalance and allow for a build up of reserves. They emphasized the importance of improving the social safety net to shield poorer households from inflation pressures following a realignment of the exchange rate. Directors also emphasized the importance of strengthening fiscal institutions to underpin the credibility of the planned adjustment and to improve central bank governance in support of a shift to a crawling peg and, eventually, to inflation targeting.

Directors recommended a strengthening of the central banks’ capacity to conduct sterilization operations and to lift lending rate caps to improve the allocation of capital and enhance monetary policy transmission. They also underscored the need to improve crisis preparedness and contingency planning in line with FSAP recommendations to safeguard financial stability.

Directors recommended a range of supply side reforms to unlock private investment, boost productivity and enhance competitiveness. These should include phasing out export ceilings and price controls and better prioritizing public investment projects. A stronger regulatory framework for hydrocarbon and lithium exploration could be instrumental in increasing investment in those sectors. Directors also called for enhancing AML/CFT framework and ensuring the timely publication of key macroeconomic data.

Table 1. Bolivia: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2022–2026

Population (millions, 2021)	11.8	Poverty rate (percent, 2021)				36.3
Population growth rate (percent, 2021)	1.4	Adult literacy rate (percent, 2021)				94.8
Life expectancy at birth (years, 2021)	72	GDP per capita (US$, 2021)				3,437
Total unemployment rate (2021)	7.0	IMF Quota (SDR, millions)				240.1

	Est.
	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Income and prices
Real GDP	3.6	2.5	1.6	2.2	2.2
Nominal GDP	8.9	4.9	6.2	6.5	6.2
CPI inflation (period average)	1.7	2.6	4.5	4.2	3.9
CPI inflation (end of period)	3.1	2.1	4.8	4.0	3.9

Investment and savings 1/
Total investment	15.1	15.9	16.6	16.3	16.0
Of which: Public sector	5.7	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
Gross national savings	12.5	8.6	10.5	10.3	10.5
Of which: Public sector	-1.4	-2.0	-1.9	-1.5	-1.2
Combined public sector
Revenues and grants	28.9	28.3	27.6	27.4	27.1
Of which: Hydrocarbon related revenue	6.0	5.4	4.3	3.9	3.5
Expenditure	36.0	35.3	35.5	34.8	34.3
Current	30.3	30.3	29.5	28.8	28.3
Capital 2/	5.7	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
Net lending/borrowing (overall balance)	-7.1	-7.0	-7.9	-7.5	-7.2
Of which: Non-hydrocarbon balance	-12.8	-12.2	-12.0	-11.2	-10.5
Total gross NFPS debt 3/	80.4	83.6	86.7	88.9	90.9

External sector
Current account 1/	-0.4	-5.0	-5.7	-5.8	-5.6
Exports of goods and services	32.6	28.5	27.0	26.9	26.5
Of which: Natural gas	6.7	3.8	3.4	3.0	2.7
Imports of goods and services	32.9	34.4	33.6	33.6	32.7
Capital account	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Financial account (-= net inflow)	-1.5	-0.5	-5.3	-5.8	-5.6
Of which: Direct investment net	-0.8	-0.6	-0.6	-0.9	-0.9
Of which: Other investment, net	-0.3	-0.3	-4.6	-4.7	-5.1
Net errors and omissions	-3.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Terms of trade index (percent change)	-1.6	1.2	-0.6	0.0	0.2
Central Bank gross foreign reserves 4/ 5/ 6/
In millions of U.S. dollars	3,796	1,808	1,653	1,555	1,556
In months of imports of goods and services	2.8	1.3	1.1	1.0	1.0
In percent of GDP	8.6	3.9	3.4	3.0	2.8
In percent of ARA	44.5	20.8	18.2	16.2	15.5
Money and credit
Credit to the private sector (percent change)	6.3	-0.4	3.0	4.3	5.1
Credit to the private sector (percent of GDP)	74.2	70.5	68.4	67.0	66.3
Broad money (percent of GDP)	85.2	82.8	81.2	80.0	78.9
*Memorandum items:*
Nominal GDP (in billions of U.S. dollars)	44.3	46.5	49.3	52.5	55.8
Bolivianos/U.S. dollar (end-of-period) 7/	6.9	6.9	…	…	…
REER, period average (percent change) 8/	-0.9	-1.9	…	…	…
Oil prices (in U.S. dollars per barrel)	96.4	80.6	77.7	73.8	70.9
Energy-related subsidies to SOEs (percent of GDP) 9/	4.4	4.0	3.5	2.7	2.4

Sources: Bolivian authorities (MEFP, Ministry of Planning, BCB, INE, UDAPE); IMF; Fund staff calculations.
1/ The discrepancy between the current account and the savings-investment balance reflects methodological differences. For the projection years, the discrepancy is assumed to remain constant in dollar value.
2/ Includes nationalization costs and net lending.
3/ Public debt includes SOE’s borrowing from the BCB (but not from other domestic institutions) and BCB loans to FINPRO and FNDR.
4/ Excludes reserves from the Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR) and Offshore Liquidity Requirements (RAL).
5/ All foreign assets valued at market prices.
6/ Includes a repurchase line of US$99.2 million maturing in 2025.
7/ Official (buy) exchange rate.
8/ The REER based on authorities’ methodology is different from that of the IMF (see 2018 and 2017 Staff Reports).
9/ Includes the cost of subsidy borne by public enterprises and incentives for hydrocarbon exploration investments in the projection period.

1 Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[1] The Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), established in 1999, is a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of a country’s financial sector. FSAPs provide input for Article IV consultations and thus enhance Fund surveillance. FSAPs are mandatory for the 47 jurisdictions with systemically important financial sectors and otherwise conducted upon request from member countries. The key findings of an FSAP are summarized in a Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA).

[2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Rosa Hernandez

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/01/28/PR25018-Bolivia-IMF-Executive-Board-Concludes-2024-Article-IV-Consultation-with-Bolivia

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: NANGKITA ROAD, NANGKITA (Grass Fire)

Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

Homes that have been built to withstand a bushfire, and are prepared to the highest level, may provide safety.

You may lose power, water, phone and data connections.

Fire crews are responding but you should not expect a firefighter at your door.

What you should do

Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan.
Protect yourself from the fire’s heat – put on protective clothing.
Tell family or friends of your plans.

If you are leaving

Leave now, don’t delay.
Roads may become blocked or access may change. Smoke will reduce visibility.
Secure your pets for travel.
If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.

If you are not leaving – prepare to defend

Identify a safe place inside, with more than one exit, before the fire arrives. Keep moving away from the heat of the fire.
Bring pets inside and restrain them.
Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your house.
Close doors and windows to keep smoke out.
If you have sprinklers, turn them on to wet the areas.
If the building catches fire, go to an area already burnt. Check around you for anything burning.

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Police seize more than 4500 XL Bully dogs since ban

Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

500% increase in police costs for dealing with dangerous dogs expected by end of financial year

Almost one year on from the ban on XL Bully dogs in the UK, the latest figures show the huge burden this has placed on policing, with kennel spaces reaching capacity and costs increasing by the day.

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for dangerous dogs, he said:

“Since the introduction of the ban on XL Bully dogs police services have had to quickly adapt, taking positive action to respond to thousands of calls from the public and doing everything we can to remove these dangerous dogs from our communities.

“Undoubtedly the ban and our response to it has driven down the number of dog attacks and we are pleased that the public continues to support us by reporting suspected XL Bully dogs in their local area.

“However, the demand has been and continues to be simply huge. We are facing a number of challenges in kennel capacity, resourcing and ever-mounting costs and as of today, we have not received any additional funding to account for this.

“Veterinary bills and the cost of kennelling across policing has risen from £4m in 2018 to currently standing at more than £11m and this is expected to rise to as much as £25m by the end of April 2025. That’s a predicted 500% increase.

“Before the XL Bully ban was introduced there were 120 Dog Liaison Officers across England and Wales, we then trained an additional 100 with a further 40 identified to be trained this coming year. This means that in some areas established dog handlers have been called away from other policing duties. We have had to purchase additional vehicles, equipment and find countless extra kennel spaces from the finite that are available within the industry.

“Policing will uphold the government’s decisions, and we’ll act robustly to do so, but the bigger picture is a focus on responsible dog ownership. People need to be aware of the types of dogs that they’re bringing into their homes and make the right decisions to choose a breed which suits their lifestyle, environment and experience.

“We are also asking for amendments to the existing legislation so we have alternative options to deal with the specific circumstances of a particular case. At the moment, the only option you have is to go to court when someone is in possession of an unregistered XL Bully but we feel there are some situations which could be swiftly dealt with through out of court disposals. For example, there’s potentially a big difference in someone who has unwittingly ended up owning a dog from a young age they weren’t aware was an XL Bully or those who on veterinary advice were unable to have their dog neutered by the deadline versus an individual who is intentionally breeding and selling these dogs.

“At the top end, unscrupulous criminal dealers and breeders need to feel the full weight of the law going to court but alternative methods of out of court disposals would support us in taking a proportionate response as required.

“We will always protect our communities by ensuring these dangerous dogs are dealt with but we urgently need the Government to support us in coping with the huge demand the ban has placed on our ever-stretched resources.”

Statistics

Police forces in England and Wales have seized and euthanised 848 dogs between February and September 2024 at an estimated cost of £340K. These were dogs which were surrendered to police by owners who had not complied with the ban, nor taken advantage of the compensation scheme.

Between February and September 2024, policing has seized over 4,586 suspected S1 dogs * throughout England and Wales. People have been going to court, and will continue to do so, facing criminal convictions, fines and imprisonment for being in possession of these illegal types of dog.

Since the start of the XL Bully ban police services have increased kennel capacity by a third.

It can cost up to £1,000 a month to keep dogs in kennels and with up to an 18-month lead in time so both kennel demand / expenditure moving forward will become even more acute. We are aware of court cases not being scheduled until mid-2026 for some dangerously out of control cases.

The police officer/staff overtime bill for forces between February 2024 and September 2024 was circa £560K.

*A section 1 dog is any of the specified banned breeds in the Dangerous Dogs Act.

MIL Security OSI –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI China: Airport in Beijing sees influx of inbound travelers on eve of Spring Festival

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Airport in Beijing sees influx of inbound travelers on eve of Spring Festival

Updated: January 29, 2025 08:05 Xinhua

A mixed Chinese-foreign family pose for a photo at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. Beijing Capital International Airport saw an influx of inbound travelers on Tuesday, the eve of Spring Festival 2025. While many Chinese nationals returned home to celebrate the Spring Festival, some foreign visitors took advantage of visa-free or transit visa exemption policies to experience the festive atmosphere in China’s capital city. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists from Vietnam wait for entry inspection at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Immigration officer Chen Miao (1st R) hands out a Spring Festival decoration carrying the Chinese “Fu” character, which symbolizes good fortune, to tourists at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An immigration officer issues a temporary entry permit to a British passport holder at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An immigration officer adjusts the date on an immigration stamp at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists from South Korea display the immigration stamps on their passports at the immigration area at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Immigration officer Chen Miao (1st R) handles transit visa exemption procedures for tourists from the U.S. at the immigration area of Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI China: People’s life gradually returns to normal in quake-affected county of Xizang

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

People’s life gradually returns to normal in quake-affected county of Xizang

Updated: January 29, 2025 08:08 Xinhua

A man pastes Spring Festival couplets at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. Lnaze County is one of the counties affected seriously by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake which struck southwest China’s Xizang earlier this month. As the Chinese Lunar New Year and Tibetan New Year approach, people in the affected area moved into newly constructed makeshift houses and received food packages with beef, tea leaves, sugar, highland barley wine, etc. As relief efforts continue and life gradually returns to normal, affected people feel the warmth and support pouring in from all directions. [Photo/Xinhua]

A woman hangs festive decoration at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Volunteers write Spring Festival couplets at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

People receive food packages at a temporary shelter in Gyabgag Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Bolivia

Source: International Monetary Fund

January 28, 2025

Washington, DC: On March 22^nd, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1 for Bolivia. This also included a discussion of the findings of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) exercise for Bolivia.^[1]

Bolivia’s growth momentum moderated in 2023, to 2.5 percent, from declining natural gas production, less public investment, and financial market turmoil. Price controls, food and fuel subsidies, export restrictions, and strong agricultural production held inflation below 2 percent at year-end. However, the combination of lower natural gas exports, high fuel imports, a large fiscal deficit―increasingly financed by the central bank―and an overvalued exchange rate contributed to a wider current account deficit (estimated at 5 percent of GDP for 2023) and near-depletion of international reserves. Public debt increased to nearly 84 percent of GDP by end-2023. Sovereign spreads rose sharply in early 2023 as the foreign exchange (FX) shortage became apparent and a mid-sized bank (Banco Fassil) failed. Consequently, banks were forced to restrict the withdrawal of FX deposits, heightening financial sector stability risks.

Growth is anticipated to decelerate to 1.6 percent in 2024, holding at around 2.2-2.3 percent in the medium term under the continuation of the current policies. Inflation is forecast to reach 4.5 percent in 2024, stabilizing around 4 percent thereafter. The outlook is however predicated on significantly improved access to external financing, without which the risk of disorderly fiscal and/or exchange rate adjustment is elevated. External factors such as reduced demand, intensified global conflicts disrupting trade routes, commodity price volatility, or a renewed tightening of financial conditions could worsen fiscal and external imbalances, impede growth, and destabilize the domestic financial sector.

Additionally, extreme weather events, like the 2023 droughts and recent floods, pose a risk to Bolivia’s agricultural sector and critical infrastructure. Domestically, a faster decline in hydrocarbon production, higher inflation due to FX scarcity, or confidence shocks could further impact growth, hurt real incomes and exacerbate financial stability risks. Social unrest stemming from inequality and security concerns remains a concern, as evidenced by the prolonged road blockages of early 2024. On the upside, Bolivia could potentially benefit from the global shift towards green energy due to its vast lithium resources, although developing the lithium sector and scaling up domestic production capacity will likely take time.

Executive Board Assessment[2]

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Bolivia’s socioeconomic progress over the past several years but expressed concerns about the difficult financial situation Bolivia currently finds itself in, with low reserves, uncertain fiscal financing, and pressures in parallel exchange markets. Directors stressed the urgency of a shift from current unsustainable policies to avoid a disorderly adjustment that would exert significant social and economic hardship.

Directors called for continued constructive engagement on a sustainable policy mix that is likely to require both fiscal adjustment phased in over the next few years and an up front step devaluation to more quickly address the external imbalance and allow for a build up of reserves. They emphasized the importance of improving the social safety net to shield poorer households from inflation pressures following a realignment of the exchange rate. Directors also emphasized the importance of strengthening fiscal institutions to underpin the credibility of the planned adjustment and to improve central bank governance in support of a shift to a crawling peg and, eventually, to inflation targeting.

Directors recommended a strengthening of the central banks’ capacity to conduct sterilization operations and to lift lending rate caps to improve the allocation of capital and enhance monetary policy transmission. They also underscored the need to improve crisis preparedness and contingency planning in line with FSAP recommendations to safeguard financial stability.

Directors recommended a range of supply side reforms to unlock private investment, boost productivity and enhance competitiveness. These should include phasing out export ceilings and price controls and better prioritizing public investment projects. A stronger regulatory framework for hydrocarbon and lithium exploration could be instrumental in increasing investment in those sectors. Directors also called for enhancing AML/CFT framework and ensuring the timely publication of key macroeconomic data.

Table 1. Bolivia: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2022–2026

Population (millions, 2021)	11.8	Poverty rate (percent, 2021)				36.3
Population growth rate (percent, 2021)	1.4	Adult literacy rate (percent, 2021)				94.8
Life expectancy at birth (years, 2021)	72	GDP per capita (US$, 2021)				3,437
Total unemployment rate (2021)	7.0	IMF Quota (SDR, millions)				240.1

	Est.
	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Income and prices
Real GDP	3.6	2.5	1.6	2.2	2.2
Nominal GDP	8.9	4.9	6.2	6.5	6.2
CPI inflation (period average)	1.7	2.6	4.5	4.2	3.9
CPI inflation (end of period)	3.1	2.1	4.8	4.0	3.9

Investment and savings 1/
Total investment	15.1	15.9	16.6	16.3	16.0
Of which: Public sector	5.7	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
Gross national savings	12.5	8.6	10.5	10.3	10.5
Of which: Public sector	-1.4	-2.0	-1.9	-1.5	-1.2
Combined public sector
Revenues and grants	28.9	28.3	27.6	27.4	27.1
Of which: Hydrocarbon related revenue	6.0	5.4	4.3	3.9	3.5
Expenditure	36.0	35.3	35.5	34.8	34.3
Current	30.3	30.3	29.5	28.8	28.3
Capital 2/	5.7	5.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
Net lending/borrowing (overall balance)	-7.1	-7.0	-7.9	-7.5	-7.2
Of which: Non-hydrocarbon balance	-12.8	-12.2	-12.0	-11.2	-10.5
Total gross NFPS debt 3/	80.4	83.6	86.7	88.9	90.9

External sector
Current account 1/	-0.4	-5.0	-5.7	-5.8	-5.6
Exports of goods and services	32.6	28.5	27.0	26.9	26.5
Of which: Natural gas	6.7	3.8	3.4	3.0	2.7
Imports of goods and services	32.9	34.4	33.6	33.6	32.7
Capital account	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Financial account (-= net inflow)	-1.5	-0.5	-5.3	-5.8	-5.6
Of which: Direct investment net	-0.8	-0.6	-0.6	-0.9	-0.9
Of which: Other investment, net	-0.3	-0.3	-4.6	-4.7	-5.1
Net errors and omissions	-3.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Terms of trade index (percent change)	-1.6	1.2	-0.6	0.0	0.2
Central Bank gross foreign reserves 4/ 5/ 6/
In millions of U.S. dollars	3,796	1,808	1,653	1,555	1,556
In months of imports of goods and services	2.8	1.3	1.1	1.0	1.0
In percent of GDP	8.6	3.9	3.4	3.0	2.8
In percent of ARA	44.5	20.8	18.2	16.2	15.5
Money and credit
Credit to the private sector (percent change)	6.3	-0.4	3.0	4.3	5.1
Credit to the private sector (percent of GDP)	74.2	70.5	68.4	67.0	66.3
Broad money (percent of GDP)	85.2	82.8	81.2	80.0	78.9
*Memorandum items:*
Nominal GDP (in billions of U.S. dollars)	44.3	46.5	49.3	52.5	55.8
Bolivianos/U.S. dollar (end-of-period) 7/	6.9	6.9	…	…	…
REER, period average (percent change) 8/	-0.9	-1.9	…	…	…
Oil prices (in U.S. dollars per barrel)	96.4	80.6	77.7	73.8	70.9
Energy-related subsidies to SOEs (percent of GDP) 9/	4.4	4.0	3.5	2.7	2.4

Sources: Bolivian authorities (MEFP, Ministry of Planning, BCB, INE, UDAPE); IMF; Fund staff calculations.
1/ The discrepancy between the current account and the savings-investment balance reflects methodological differences. For the projection years, the discrepancy is assumed to remain constant in dollar value.
2/ Includes nationalization costs and net lending.
3/ Public debt includes SOE’s borrowing from the BCB (but not from other domestic institutions) and BCB loans to FINPRO and FNDR.
4/ Excludes reserves from the Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR) and Offshore Liquidity Requirements (RAL).
5/ All foreign assets valued at market prices.
6/ Includes a repurchase line of US$99.2 million maturing in 2025.
7/ Official (buy) exchange rate.
8/ The REER based on authorities’ methodology is different from that of the IMF (see 2018 and 2017 Staff Reports).
9/ Includes the cost of subsidy borne by public enterprises and incentives for hydrocarbon exploration investments in the projection period.

1 Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[1] The Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), established in 1999, is a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of a country’s financial sector. FSAPs provide input for Article IV consultations and thus enhance Fund surveillance. FSAPs are mandatory for the 47 jurisdictions with systemically important financial sectors and otherwise conducted upon request from member countries. The key findings of an FSAP are summarized in a Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA).

[2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Rosa Hernandez

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

MIL OSI Economics –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Updated Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031, building a more inclusive Australia

Source: Ministers for Social Services

29 January 2025

Good morning. It’s so great to be with you all today.

I begin this morning by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Wadawurrung peoples, and pay my respects to elders past and present.
I extend this acknowledgement to all First Nations people joining us here today.

It is great to be here at this Having a Say Conference so that we can launch the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy.
The Strategy is Australia’s plan to make life better for people with disability.

It talks about what we can do together to make Australia inclusive – so everyone can live good lives, take part in the community as equals, and be treated with respect.
I am so happy to be here with Victoria’s Minister for Disability, Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, along with Jane Spring, the Chair of the Strategy’s Advisory Council.
We are here together to show our shared commitment to improve outcomes for people with disability.

I would like to thank VALiD’s Chair, Arthur Rogers, and the CEO, Fionn Skiotis, for inviting us to be here this morning.

In fact, I would like to thank the whole VALiD team for the fantastic work they do every day, and have been doing since 1989.

Having a say, learning from each other, and supporting each other is really important, and I want you to know that your voices are being heard and are feeding into the decisions that governments make.

The message of ‘nothing about us without us’ has been heard loud and clear.

It is your voices, your thoughts, feelings and experiences, that guide our policies and the changes we want to make with you.

Because we all know that you are only able to participate fully in your communities when you get to have a say about what you need, what you want, and are treated with respect.
And what an amazing group of leaders, thinkers and communicators we have here with us today.

****************

Australia’s Disability Strategy sets out our vision for an inclusive Australia.

It is a commitment by all levels of government to take actions to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia.

An Australia where the 5.5 million people with disability have the support they need to live the life they want and participate as equal members in the community.

****************

Following the Disability Royal Commission’s report, all governments agreed to review Australia’s Disability Strategy.

Hearing from the disability community was so important when we started looking at what was working and what we could make better about the Strategy.

The updated Strategy is something I am very proud to share with you today.

We listened to the disability community, held public consultation and partnered with states and territories, the Strategy’s Advisory Council and Disability Representative Organisations, to understand what was most important.

The updates to the Strategy reflect what we have heard since the original launch of the Strategy 3 years ago, including through the Royal Commission.

We heard from you that having accessible housing and reducing homelessness was a really important issue for people with disability – and that’s why the updated Strategy now has a priority focus area on this.

And there are three new Targeted Action Plans that are focused on improving the lives of people with disability across 3 very important areas.

****************

These new Targeted Action Plans include actions that are based on what the disability community has told us is the most important work we need to focus on.
Over the next three years, we will focus on the key areas of:

Changing Community Attitudes
Inclusive Homes and Communities; and
Safety, Rights and Justice.

The Commonwealth, States and Territories and local governments have agreed to these action plans and to work together to deliver.

We know that people with disability can face barriers because other people don’t understand what it means to live with disability.

And that’s why increasing understanding of disability and changing community attitudes is so important.

Sometimes people may not even realise that their actions are making it harder for people with disability to be included. This could be something as simple as writing something down for someone instead of only speaking. Or adjusting lighting in a public space.

If people have a better understanding about the barriers people with disability face, they can take the steps to remove these barriers.

So, the Community Attitudes Targeted Action Plan will focus on improving community understanding so people can take action to improve the inclusion and participation of people with disability in Australian society.

We’ve already taken important steps towards this goal under the current Strategy.

One example is our investment of $19.6 million (over the next 4 years) for an inclusion and accessibility fund. This will help professionals, like doctors, to improve the way they communicate and better include people with disability in the things that are important to them.

We are all safer when the information we need to make decisions is easy to find and we are included, feel welcome, and can easily seek support and connections.

Through the inclusive Homes and Communities Targeted Action Plan we will also keep working to make housing stock and our broader community more accessible for everyone.

For example, governments have been working together to build over 41 Changing Places, including here in Victoria – like the Aqua Centre in Sale and at the Yarraville Gardens.

These new accessible facilities make it easier for people with complex needs to move around their community and to travel further from their home.

We have also committed to improving the accessibility of public transport – because people with disability should be able to easily get around in their communities.

Every Australian deserves access to safe, affordable and accessible housing, no matter their circumstances. This new Targeted Action Plan will also focus on housing accessibility for people with disability.

States and territories will increase the supply of accessible housing for people with disability.

And the Commonwealth will be looking at ways to make it easier for people renting to find properties that will meet their access needs.

These actions will build on the 2024 National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness – that helps people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, and supports social housing and homelessness services.

Finally, the new Safety, Rights and Justice Targeted Action Plan sets out key actions to reduce and prevent people with disability from experiencing harm.

It outlines improved supports for those at risk of harm, and lays out pathways for action if things do go wrong. This includes introducing things like standard processes for identifying and supporting people with disability in prisons and making sure people know about supports that are available if they have experienced violence.

With advice from people with disability, and your representative organisations, all levels of government will work together to implement these action plans.

****************

In the updated Strategy we also have a renewed focus on data and evidence.

Because we want to make sure that the actions that we are taking are making a tangible difference to the lives of people with disability.

Our Data Improvement Plan will help show the progress we are making, but also to identify where we need to do more.

The updated Strategy also reflects what you have told us and what we have heard, as well as describing the work that we have done together over the past three years across the country.

We have provided information to make the Strategy clearer and developed videos to help explain what the Strategy is all about.

****************

Over the past three years, our Albanese Labor Government has been working hard to help people with disability across Australia to thrive.

And as Minister I have been working very hard to bring Australia’s Disability Strategy from words on a page, to life.

I have completely redesigned employment services for people with disability to drive a strong focus on quality and put the goals and aspirations of people with disability at the centre.

We are investing in more peer support across Australia – so that people can connect with others like them to give advice and so they don’t feel alone.

For the first time, airports and airlines will have to properly help people with disability – making it easier for people with disability to travel by planes.

Clear information is now available about how to support people with disability when there are emergencies – like fires or floods.

And we have made people with disability a key focus in the creative arts through a dedicated plan to support inclusion of people with disability, which includes things like music, films and live shows.

These are just some of the things our Government has been doing to bring the Strategy to life.

****************

I am very optimistic about the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy and the changes that we will make together to achieve the Strategy’s goals to benefit all Australians with disability, and their families.

I encourage every person here today to share your thoughts, experiences and ideas with one another. Have your say, because it matters.

Our Government has heard what you want from the Strategy, and we will continue to work with you to ensure our work reflects your lived experiences.

Thank you again for the time with you today. And my thanks to the speakers who have shared their time so we could come to talk about how we will use the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy to help everyone to live better lives.

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Social Issues – IHC urges collective fix to address root causes of child poverty

Source: IHC

IHC is urging policymakers, educators and the community to come together to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, including children with an intellectual disability.

A new survey from KidsCan has found that thousands of children in New Zealand are beginning the school year without essential basics.

IHC Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says these findings are a call to action.

“Children with intellectual disabilities are not just facing much higher financial hardship than most; they’re facing exclusion from opportunities to thrive and participate in society,” says Tania. “It’s unacceptable, and we must do better.”

Forthcoming research from IHC, using data from Stats NZ’s integrated data infrastructure, sheds light on the disproportionate and rarely discussed impact of the child poverty crisis on intellectually disabled children. The findings, set to be published in February, reveal that these children are twice as likely as their peers to experience material hardship.

Key findings include:

Financial Strain: 42 percent of households with an intellectually disabled child cannot pay an unavoidable bill within a month without borrowing, compared to 18 percent of households in the general population.
Food Insecurity: People with intellectual disability are three times more likely than other New Zealanders to miss out on meals with meat or a vegetarian equivalent at least every second day.
Social Exclusion: Children with an intellectual disability experience significant barriers to social participation, such as their family being unable to afford school trips or events (13 percent vs. 2 percent in the general population) and not hosting friends to play and eat (26 percent vs. 9 percent in the general population).
Hardship Increases with Age: Unlike the general population, people with an intellectual disability have increased levels of hardship as they age.

Tania says this IHC research highlights the compounded disadvantages that families of intellectually disabled children face, particularly as they prepare for the school year.

“Essential expenses such as uniforms, stationery and extracurricular activities strain already stretched budgets, leaving many children with an intellectual disability at a disadvantage from the outset.

“Investing in targeted support for families with intellectually disabled children is not only an ethical imperative but also a societal one.”

About IHC New Zealand

IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency secures record commitments from water sector

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

The EA, working closely with Natural England, has secured the largest ever environmental commitment from water companies since privatisation.  

The Environment Agency working closely with Natural England has secured the largest ever commitment from water companies to clean up the environment and invest in new infrastructure since privatisation.  

The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out over 24,000 actions water companies must take over the next five years to meet their legal requirements for the environment. This series of targeted interventions represents a £22.1bn investment in the environment – four times more than was secured in the last Price Review and will deliver tangible benefits for our water system and for customers.

As part of the PR24 process the Environment Agency assessed actions proposed by water companies and, alongside Ofwat and Natural England, provided technical guidance to make sure these actions will provide direct solutions to environmental pressures and help drive nature recovery.

The agreed actions will lead to improvements in water infrastructure to secure future supply, habitats and biodiversity and drinking water quality. For example, water companies have submitted plans to establish trials to remove nitrate, restore nationally important chalk streams, and install bespoke biosecurity measures to remove invasive species.

Further goals set out under WINEP include: 

Reducing the amount of water abstracted, leading to an estimated 60 million litres of water being retained in the environment every day,
Protecting and enhancing of 13,500 km rivers, 
Upgrading 2,350 storm overflows leading to an estimated annual reduction of sewage spills by of 85,000 annually,
Improving 21 newly designated bathing water sites across England,
Reducing phosphorous inputs to the environment at over 800 sewage treatment works,
Installing 3,500 monitors at emergency overflows sites.

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency said:

This unprecedented level of investment represents a vital step forward towards ensuring we have clean, safe, and abundant water now and for future generations. 

Working with the water companies on this £22bn programme is a crucial way to realise the government’s goals of stimulating development and boosting economic growth, while ensuring the sector can meet its ambitious environment commitments.

We will work closely with Defra, Ofwat and other regulators to monitor water company progress and ensure they deliver what has been promised. If water companies fail to carry out their legal obligations to the environment, we will take action.” 

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for the Environment said:

It is no secret that our water system needs fixing and that our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by pollution.

Customers deserve the money they pay in bills to go towards improving the service they receive, and that is why the Government will ringfence money earmarked for investment, so it can only be spent on projects like these.

We are also going further to fix our water system through the Water (Special Measures) Bill, by introducing new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against lawbreakers.”

Natural England provides advice and guidance where water company activity may influence protected sites ,including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), such as through water abstraction and discharges, and how this can be improved through the WINEP. 

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:

The scale of investment in the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a positive step towards delivering sustainable outcomes for the water environment, nature recovery, biodiversity improvement and sustainable growth. 

Natural England will be working to maximise the opportunity of this significant investment, to get full value for money via integrated approaches and work with our partners including the Environment Agency, water companies and Defra to help deliver this ambitious programme.

Chris Walters, Senior Director, Price Review 2024 at Ofwat said:

We welcome the EA’s publication of the WINEP programme. In December we approved a record £104bn investment package, including over £22bn for WINEP.

This quadruples the investment of the last five years, providing water companies with an opportunity to turn around their environmental performance and regain customers’ trust by improving services. 

We will monitor companies and hold them to account for their investment programmes so that they do this”.

David Henderson, Chief Executive, Water UK said:

This programme will be the largest amount of money ever spent on the natural environment. It will help to support economic growth, build more homes, secure our water supplies and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.

The Environment Agency and other regulators will drive water companies to embrace state-of-the-art technologies and groundbreaking innovations when delivering the actions set out under WINEP.

These collaborative efforts are crucial to cutting pollution, managing water efficiency, and increasing resilience to climate change for the benefit of both nature and people. By doing so we and industry can stimulate development and support the Government’s objective of boosting economic growth. 

The investment was secured through Ofwat’s final determinations announced in December and has been factored into upcoming changes to customer bills.

The WINEP data set will be published at 0800 on 29 January on GOV.UK

Published 29 January 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Six weeks after a major disaster was declared for Mercer County, W.Va., more than $2 million has been approved for homeowners and renters affected by the Sept. 25-28, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene. More than 955 households have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to date. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Feb. 7, 2025.“Getting $2 million into the hands of the people of Mercer County has been a team effort,” Federal Coordinating Officer Georgeta Dragoiu said. “FEMA continues to work side-by-side with West Virginia and Mercer County emergency management and local officials to coordinate this mission. I also want to thank our state and local nonprofits and our private sector and media partners in getting the word out. We couldn’t have reached this important milestone without them.”“Recovery is always a team effort, and this milestone reflects the dedication of everyone involved — from FEMA to local officials, nonprofits, and community partners,” West Virginia Emergency Management Division Deputy Director Matthew Blackwood said. “We remain committed to supporting the people of Mercer County as they rebuild and recover.”Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and essential disaster-related needs. In December and January, FEMA deployed Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to visit storm-damaged homes to register people and answer their questions about disaster assistance. The survivor assistance specialists visited more than 2,250 residences, interacting with more than 660 individuals, as well as 66 faith-based organizations and 245 businesses to meet survivors where they are. Housing inspectors have completed more than 640 inspections of disaster-damaged properties to verify damage.FEMA Enhanced Application Services specialists completed more than 470 follow-up calls with survivors, walking them through the application process and collecting information to help complete their requests for federal assistance. Their extra efforts led to more than $529 thousand to be approved for Mercer County residents’ recovery.Federal disaster assistance is still available to residents of Mercer County. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply for assistance at our Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center location and hours are as follows: Princeton Disaster Recovery CenterLifeline Princeton Church of God250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sundays The DRC is accessible to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.Survivors can also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. They can also go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app on their smartphone.Other help remains available to individuals:Free disaster legal assistance is available to West Virginia storm survivors. This service offers counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, the replacement of legal documents destroyed by the storm and other legal matters. Call the legal hotline 866-255-4370. Disaster assistance grants from FEMA are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security (including disability benefits), Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps and several other programs. Disaster grants are just that — money that does not have to be paid back to the government.One of FEMA’s federal partners in disaster recovery, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, and the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online via SBA’s secure website at http://www.sba.gov/disaster. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, should dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4851 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
tiana.suber
Tue, 01/28/2025 – 22:39

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Does your school have enough trees? Here’s why they’re great for kids and their learning

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Getty Images

Do schools and trees mix? You may have memories of shady playing areas and shelter belts by playing fields, but our recent study suggests this is increasingly an exception rather than a rule.

Trees are often seen as a health and safety risk, whether from branches or the whole thing falling, or from children falling out of them. Many schools have banned pupils from climbing trees as a result.

Beyond that, trees are often seen as an optional “nice to have”. New Zealand’s current education minister criticised extensive landscaping and bespoke design when announcing a review of school properties in early 2024.

But the benefits of trees and other vegetation in urban areas are well known, and increasingly important as housing density increases. Schools can play a significant role in encouraging the growth of “urban forests”.

Unfortunately, there are also large differences in tree canopy cover in New Zealand cities (and elsewhere in the world), with low socioeconomic areas often having low tree canopy cover.

This matters because trees and nature in general provide us with enormous health and wellbeing benefits, regardless of socioeconomic standing.

Natural benefits

Very little is known about green spaces on local school grounds. So, our research set out to survey the quantity and quality of green spaces in 64 urban primary schools in Auckland.

We conducted the survey in the context of several known factors about the role and place of nature in education:

there has been a decline in the time spent outdoors by children since the 1950s
there is increasing evidence for the emotional and psychological benefits for children of connecting with nature
greening a school improves children’s appreciation for their daily environment and increases social wellbeing
highly vegetated schools provide a big opportunity to boost physical and mental health benefits for children, particularly in suburbs with low tree canopy cover
vegetation on school grounds can provide excellent opportunities for learning, particularly in science, with some evidence that greening increases academic achievement
trees and other vegetation can improve air quality at school, provide shade and UV protection from the sun.

Because schools are fairly evenly distributed throughout cities, and can have a large spatial footprint, there’s also an opportunity to enhance wider native biodiversity, create ecological corridors and maintain cultural connections.

Fields but few trees

Unfortunately, our survey found the green spaces of most Auckland primary schools are dominated by sports fields.

While it’s good news that children have access to these, adding trees and shrubs around the edges of the fields could provide many benefits without compromising existing play spaces.

Native biodiversity was also lacking. In fact, 33% of school ground contained environmental weeds, such as woolly nightshade. There were also many more introduced plant species than native species, and most schools lacked a shrub layer.

Urban green spaces in general tend to favour single trees with mown lawn underneath. But birds feed in different layers of vegetation and need that shrub layer and some vegetation complexity.

The most common native tree by far was pōhutakawa. But planting a monoculture of pōhutakawa is a big risk if a disease (such as myrtle rust) has a big impact on that species.

Diversity is key. Planting other native species such as pūriri, karaka, rewarewa or tītoki would increase plant diversity, attract native birds and other species, as well as provide sun shade.

Room for improvement

There was some good news, however. Of the 64 schools surveyed, 36% had a forest patch. This gives the children access to an outdoor learning resource that may be lacking from their immediate neighbourhood.

It was heartening to find every school had at least one species associated with weaving, with both harakeke and tī kōuka present at 83% of schools.

We know young Māori in cities are at risk of losing cultural knowledge and opportunities for cultural practices, so the availability of key weaving species is an excellent opportunity for schools and their whānau.

If this was a report card, Auckland’s school green spaces would not be high-achieving. But there are plenty of opportunities to improve. Adding more diversity, more native plants, and planting trees around the edges of sports fields will provide a wealth of benefits to both children and the city’s overall biodiversity.

Using outdoor spaces for learning will increase natural and cultural connections and improve children’s wellbeing. That is much more than a “nice to have”.

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

– ref. Does your school have enough trees? Here’s why they’re great for kids and their learning – https://theconversation.com/does-your-school-have-enough-trees-heres-why-theyre-great-for-kids-and-their-learning-246411

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Senator Wicker, Colleagues Reintroduce TORNADO Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., Todd Young, R-Ind., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., reintroduced the bipartisan Tornado Observation Research Notification and Deployment to Operations (TORNADO) Act, which would improve the forecasting of tornadoes and other hazardous weather. The TORNADO Act would also encourage the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update its methods for predicting and communicating weather alerts to residents.
“With the quality of modern forecasting systems, we should be delivering faster warnings for severe weather. The TORNADO Act would update alerts and communication systems with the latest best practices and scientific insights. Advanced warnings will ensure Mississippians can better protect their families, homes, and businesses,” Senator Wicker said.
“Storms and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. We need to make sure our communities have the tools to accurately predict and quickly respond to dangerous weather events like tornadoes and flash floods,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to again help lead this bipartisan bill to improve our nation’s forecasting and warning systems for hazardous weather to protect the lives and livelihoods of folks across our state.”
“From tornadoes to flooding, Iowans have seen more than our fair share of severe weather,” Grassley said. “This bipartisan bill would help update and streamline NOAA’s severe weather alerts and communications systems so that precious seconds aren’t lost when notifying communities about dangerous weather events.”
“Tornado alley runs right through Mississippi and too many people have been lost due, in part, to inadequate emergency notifications. We want the TORNADO Act to become law so that federal agencies and their partners can better harness technology to greatly improve how we let people know that a tornado is headed their way and to take cover,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
“When a tornado strikes, the most important action we can take is to ensure residents receive ample warning of the incoming storm so they can get to safety. The TORNADO Act is a simple yet crucial piece of legislation that will improve forecasts and communicate the risks of impending tornadoes to help keep those in the path of these devastating storms out of danger,” Senator Cruz said.
“While we can’t prevent storms from occurring, the TORNADO Act will improve severe weather forecasting, notifying the public faster and allowing Hoosiers to find safety more quickly,” said Senator Young. “This bill will better protect communities in Indiana and across the nation when severe weather comes.”
“We saw the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to several communities throughout Georgia last year, many of them are still in the throes of the long recovery process. As Georgians continue to be impacted by increasingly severe weather, we must use every tool in our arsenal to protect our communities,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “That is why the TORNADO Act is so important. It will help improve our ability to inform Georgians about how these dangerous weather events are expected to impact them and allow them to better prepare and protect themselves. I’m proud to work with Senator Wicker to introduce this crucial bipartisan legislation.”
The TORNADO Act would require NOAA to implement new technology and procedures for severe weather alerts. The updates could help increase the warning lead times provided to the public before storms strike.
Among other provisions, the TORNADO Act would:
Require NOAA to prepare and submit an action plan for the national implementation of high-resolution probabilistic guidance for tornado forecasting and prediction.
Encourage NOAA to evaluate the current tornado rating system and make updates.
Require NOAA to coordinate with appropriate entities when conducting post-storm assessments to optimize data collection, sharing, and integration.
The full text of the bill can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Africa Can Lead Clean Energy Transition,’ Deputy Secretary-General Tells Region’s Energy Summit

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the African Heads of State Energy Summit, in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, today:

It is a pleasure to join you here all today. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency President Hassan and her Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.

But, I would also like to underscore that it is because of her incredible leadership and her vision, that we are all here today and gathered as an African continent. I would also thank the African Union for keeping the fire under our feet to do right thing for the continent.

Congratulations to my two brothers, the African Development Bank Group, Akin, and the World Bank Group, Ajay. These are incredible partnerships, that bring genuine experience, decades of work from the public sector to the private sector.

That is why we are looking to them for the success of this union. But, we also look to the Rockefeller Foundation for a strong and meaningful partnership — one that brings key stakeholders together in this room. Your bold investments are a testament to Africa’s potential for a sustainable and resilient future.

Today, Africa has one of the lowest levels of energy access, as we have heard, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to intensifying climate shocks.

Yet, our continent is rich in renewable energy resources and critical minerals. Which are all essential for the energy transition, and benefit from limited sunk costs in fossil fuel-intensive energy infrastructures. Africa is also home to a vibrant, young and enterprising population.

This provides immense potential for Africa to show the rest of the world what a new economic development paradigm grounded in sustainability, resilience, justice and inclusivity can look like.

Enhanced energy access, affordability and reliability is not only crucial for achieving our Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, but also serves as a catalyst for broader development goals. Access to clean and sustainable energy underpins progress in health, in education, in gender equality, while driving economic growth and climate action — many of the 17 Goals.

By advancing long-term energy security and sovereignty, we can foster peace, we can create green jobs and build resilient livelihoods — paving the way for improved stability and prosperity across the continent.

With renewables now being the cheapest source of new electricity almost everywhere on earth, Mission 300’s bold commitment to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 represents a transformative opportunity for Africa.

Combined with systemic initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition.

By powering essential sectors such as healthcare, education and commerce, bolstering industries like solar manufacturing, grid infrastructure and clean energy solutions, renewable energy can unlock unprecedented economic potential.

With reliable energy access, the continent’s 147 million small and medium-sized enterprises — key drivers of economic growth — will have the tools to scale, innovate and create jobs, turning energy into a true catalyst for inclusive and sustainable progress.

The United Republic of Tanzania stands as a shining example of how rural electrification and off-grid renewable energy solutions can transform lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

The country has made remarkable strides, with electricity access increasing from just 14 per cent in 2011 to 46 per cent in 2022. And what does that mean? It has led to over 1 million new connections, driving the rural electrification rate to 72 per cent.

In November 2024, more than 60,000 social institutions were connected by REA [Rural Electrification Agency], benefiting 12,905 educational institutions, 6,768 health facilities, over 8,000 places of worship and 29,000 commercial areas.

This progress means that more boys and girls in remote areas can now study in well-lit classrooms, health workers can deliver life-saving services to off-grid populations and rural businesses can thrive with reliable power. The United Republic of Tanzania demonstrates how energy access is not just about electricity — it’s about opportunity, equity and the foundation of a brighter future and a life in dignity for everyone.

We must ensure that Mission 300 seizes the opportunity that lies ahead. With five years to the endpoint of the SDGs and having completed the first decade of implementing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, it is clear that transformation efforts remain insufficient.

I would like to deeply commend the African leadership that is here today, as you seek solutions to address Africa’s energy access, climate vulnerability and development challenges holistically.

We must accelerate our collective efforts to fast-track solutions for SDG7, but also the Paris Agreement and propel Africa to become a clean energy powerhouse. This requires urgent action in three key areas beyond this Summit.

First, creating the right enabling environment to attract scaled private and public investments through stronger, stable and more coherent policy and regulatory frameworks.

We are very pleased to see — thank you, Ajay — the private sector that is here today and we hope they will accompany us through this very difficult but at the end profitable journey.

This year, every party to the UN Climate Convention has committed to submit a new economy-wide national climate action plan, that is aligned with the 1.5°C world that we need, well before COP30 [thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] in November.

If done right, these climate plans should align with national energy strategies and development priorities — and they would doubling as investment plans to seize the potential of renewables, helping to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals offers important Principles and Actionable Recommendations to ensure we do not repeat historical patterns of exploitation on this continent.

Second, mobilizing affordable, accessible and adequate finance. The chronic underinvestment in renewable energy in Africa, and long-standing structural barriers, such as exorbitant capital costs, mean that a continent with the potential to be a renewable powerhouse accounts for less than one percent of global installed solar capacity.

It is why we are calling for an SDG Stimulus to scale up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries, and for the “Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion” to bridge the climate finance gap by leveraging all sources and by addressing unjust and structural barriers.

Last year’s Pact of the Future sent an unequivocal message — reform of the international finance architecture is urgent and essential to:

And this Pact would have not gotten over the line, if not for the leadership of the African leaders in the United Nations. It spoke to strengthening the voice and the representation of developing countries. It spoke to mobilizing far greater levels of financing for the SDGs, and directing that financing to countries most in need. It spoke to enabling countries to borrow sustainably, and with confidence, to invest in their long-term development. But, it also spoke to provide effective and equal support to countries during systemic shocks.

Finally, multilateralism — our international cooperation — still remains our best hope for delivering solutions at the necessary scale and speed.

And I note to many of us, as I look to the geopolitical challenges that we have today. Multilateralism does not seem like the best offer on the table — but it is. It is a place that we come to. It is a global town hall for our global village. It is where we have visibility and where we can shine a light on the opportunities. But, also, where we can give hope to the millions that look to us — to serve them.

The United Nations remains dedicated to supporting your efforts every step of the way. Through our UN expertise and presence in the country, we are committed to supporting Mission 300, the African Development Bank and the World Bank. And we are committed to help identify and attract investments, strengthen policy, and secure the support you need to make Mission 300 a success.

Finally, I would like to also commend our Special Representative. It is not often that we have women in leadership positions. Today, we are hosted by a great leader that is a woman. But, we also have the Special Representative of the UN on Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, who is playing a critical role within the Mission 300.

In this critical countdown to 2030, let us ensure that Mission 300 delivers concrete outcomes towards the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2063.

Let us seize this moment to accelerate and to deliver transformative progress. Together, I am sure that Africa can lead the clean energy transition, creating lasting prosperity and resilience for generations to come and actions and aspiration fulfilled today for our women and our youth.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Housing Delivery Authority starts strong, creating the potential for more than 40,000 new homes

Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 29 January 2025

Released by: The Premier, Minister for Housing

In the first three weeks since the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) started accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for larger scale housing developments, it has already received nearly 100 proposals with the potential for more than 40,000 homes, with more expected.

So far, 85 EOIs in metropolitan areas and 11 in regional NSW have been received, exceeding expectations.

The HDA offers proponents a new State Significant Development pathway and State Significant Development pathway with a concurrent rezoning process – neither having to be approved by councils, cutting approval times and speeding up the delivery of new homes.

Each EOI is assessed against its capacity to deliver high yield, well-located, good quality homes faster.

Having identified that major residential developments above $60 million in metropolitan areas and $30 million in regional NSW often take longer in their assessment, these can now be submitted through the HDA.

These complex proposals often require greater resources and planning capabilitites and as a result, the projects can get stuck in council planning systems for years.

These delays compound declining housing availability, worsening affordability and create greater uncertainty for proponents who are trying to build much needed new homes.

In early February, the HDA will meet to recommend proposals to be declared a State Significant Development (SSD) project, community consultation and assessment will then proceed.

The EOI process is ongoing, providing regular opportunities for industry to have their major residential development proposals considered, with submissions reviewed monthly.

For more information visit Housing Delivery Authority | Planning

Premier for New South Wales:

“For far too long, it has been made harder and harder for people to build homes in NSW, so it is wonderful to see these reforms starting to turn that around.”

“Without these major changes that are speeding up the delivery of new homes, Sydney risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.

“By speeding up the approval of new homes near existing infrastructure and removing red tape that seems to have been designed to slow down development, we’re delivering the homes that young people, families and workers need.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We expected 80 to 100 EOIs in the first year, so to see this many in less than a month signals trust from the industry in the Minns Government to deliver.

“Building more homes for NSW is a priority for the Minns Labor Government and the HDA is a major step towards unlocking those homes.

“This pathway is about seeing good quality projects move through the planning system faster and as part of that process, if we don’t see shovels in the ground in two years, proponent will lose their approval.

“The Minns Government is making it easier to build more houses closer to jobs, infrastructure, parks and transport and we need more, quality, large scale residential development proposals from industry to build a better NSW.”

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Previously Convicted Felon Who Posted Photos to Social Media of Himself with Illegal Firearms Has Federal Time Added

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

WASHINGTON — Damian Johnson, 24, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 21 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a Glock 27 and 61 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition. Johnson was on supervised release when he posted numerous photographs of himself to Instagram with his guns that included several of himself wearing an ankle monitor while holding one of his weapons.

The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. of the District of Columbia and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Johnson, aka “Damien Johnson,” pleaded guilty September 11, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The 21-month federal prison term will run consecutive to a 16-month sentence he received in Superior Court in October 2022 for carrying a pistol without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb also ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on December 26, 2023, shortly after 8 p.m., members of the MPD Robbery Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home on the 300 block of Raleigh Street, SE. As officers entered the residence, an investigator observed Johnson attempting to open the apartment’s rear window. Another officer watched as Johnson tossed an object behind a bed inside a bedroom. The officers found a black Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol handgun behind the bed in plain view. During a search of the premises that followed, inside a closet, investigators discovered a drum magazine with 33 rounds of ammunition and an extended magazine with 28 rounds of ammunition.

Prior to the search, officers had viewed Johnson’s Instagram account and had seen photos and video clips that showed eight different firearms inside Johnson’s apartment. One of the photos depicted Johnson wearing his court-ordered ankle GPS devise on his right ankle as he held one of his handguns.

A federal Grand Jury indicted Johnson on January 17, 2024. U.S. Marshals arrested him on January 23, 2024, in Washington D.C.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Cole for the District of Columbia.

The Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol and ammunition found in Johnson’s apartment.

Drum magazine loaded with 33 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition.

Johnson (at left) and a friend display cash and four firearms – some with extended clips – in an Instagram post.

In an Instagram post, Johnson is pictured with a firearm with an extended clip.

In an Instagram post, Johnson and a pregnant woman are depicted holding firearms with extended clips, scopes/lights on firearms. Johnson is seen with court ordered GPS device on his right ankle.

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MIL Security OSI –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Joins 46 Lawmakers in Urging Supreme Court to Stop Flow of American Firearms to Mexican Drug Cartels

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
January 28, 2025
Smith & Wesson will be a critical case for victims and survivors of gun violence hoping to hold the gun industry accountable for its actions
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he has joined 46 lawmakers in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning a legal case that would hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in the illegal trafficking of firearms to Mexico.
“As the American firearm industry continues to rake in more profit from selling firearms to Mexican drug cartels, people continue to suffer at the hands of gun violence every day in Oregon and in our country,” Wyden said. “Gun manufacturers must be held accountable for their reckless business practices that have torn apart our families, neighborhoods, and schools. I thank my colleagues for their effort to ensure that the American firearm industry stops putting a weapon of mass destruction in dangerous hands again, and supporting the voices of gun violence survivors.”
In the ongoing Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. et al., v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Mexico is suing U.S. gun manufacturers and a distributor for allegedly aiding and abetting illegal arms trafficking. The lawmakers argue that the gun industry should not be insulated from liability for its own unlawful conduct, as their constituents have been harmed by gun violence or the threat of it.
In addition to Wyden, the amicus brief was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and was joined by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawai’i., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and U.S. Representatives Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., Gabe Amo, D-R.I., Becca Balint, D-Vt., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., André Carson, D-Ind., Sean Casten D-Ill., Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Bill Foster, D-Ill., Valerie P. Foushee, D-N.C., Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., Glenn Ivey, D-Md., Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., D-Ga., Ted Lieu, D-Calif., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., James P. McGovern, D-Md., Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Mike Quigly, D-Ill., Delia C. Ramirez, D-Ill., Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Jill Tokuda, D-Hawai’i, Paul D. Tonko, D-N.Y., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in this case on March 4, 2025.
The text of the bill is here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Risch Introduces Legislation to Protect Idahoans’ Right to Privacy

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced legislation today to defend Americans’ fundamental right to privacy. The Freedom from Government Surveys Act would make the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary and remove unwarranted fines inflicted on non-respondents.
“It is unacceptable for the federal government to punish Idahoans for protecting their personal, private details from intrusive surveys,” said Risch. “My Freedom from Government Surveys Act abolishes burdensome and unnecessary fines on Idahoans who exercise their right to privacy.”
Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the Freedom from Government Surveys Act.
“As U.S. citizens, we have a fundamental right to privacy,” said Daines. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will remove fines for Americans who exercise their right to not be subjected to prying ACS surveys.”
“The people of Wyoming have a right to privacy and should not be bombarded by excessive government surveys,” said Lummis. “I’m proud to join Senator Risch and my colleagues in protecting Americans from facing fines for choosing not to complete intrusive and lengthy surveys.”
The ACS is administered annually by the U.S. Census Bureau to a random selection of 3.5 million American households. Respondents must divulge sweeping demographic information and sensitive, private, and personal details about their home, work, and health.
Under current law, Americans who neglect or fail to respond to the ACS are subject to harassment by the Census Bureau and monetary fines. The Freedom from Government Surveys Act would put an end to these punitive actions.
Some of the most invasive ACS questions include:
Does [the respondent] have difficulty dressing or bathing?
What time [does the respondent’s] trip to work usually begin, and how many minutes [does] it usually take [the respondent] to get from home to work?
In the past 12 months, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?
About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home (and lot, if owned) would sell for if it were for sale?
Which fuel is used most for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home?

MIL OSI USA News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – Warmer weather brings increased risks to dogs – NZVA

Source: NZ Veterinary Association

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from highly toxic karaka berries and algal blooms this summer, and to contact their veterinarian immediately if they think their dog has swallowed them.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) encourages owners to walk dogs on a leash if toxic algae or karaka berries could be in the vicinity as both can make dogs incredibly ill.

NZVA Head of Veterinary Services Companion Animal Sally Cory says at this time of year pets are spending more time outdoors and have more access to things that can harm them. “Unfortunately, dogs are attracted to karaka berries and toxic algae because of the strong smell,” she says. “Even small amounts can be dangerous, so if you think your dog has eaten karaka berries or toxic algae, call your veterinarian immediately and they will advise you what to do next.”

The karaka tree fruits annually between January and April, dropping orange berries containing the alkaloid, karakin, which may be poisonous to dogs. Consumption of the berries by canines – who love their sweet taste – can lead to impaired neurological function, respiratory failure, and even death. Clinical signs can be delayed from between 24 hours and a week or more following ingestion.

Toxic algae, also known as cyanobacteria, appears in rivers and lakes as black, green, or brown slime on rocks, and as brown or black ‘mats’. Symptoms can develop within 30 minutes and include panting, lethargy, muscle tremors, twitching, and convulsions.

“When walking your dog near fresh water at this time of year, be mindful if it’s been dry and the water is potentially stagnant, or if it has rained heavily after a dry period as this can cause algae mats to dislodge,” Sally says. “Toxic algae has a strong, musty odour which dogs are attracted to and the toxic reaction can be fast. Remember if humans are advised not to swim somewhere, dogs shouldn’t swim there either.”

Sally advises dog owners to keep an eye on information provided by local councils as signage may not always be installed at parks, rivers, and lakes. You can look up the potential risks of a destination by visiting Land Air Water Aotearoa.

Sally also urges puppy and dog owners to make sure their pets are fully vaccinated against parvovirus as cases tend to rise when dogs spend more time in public spaces when the weather is warmer. Dogs can become infected by ingesting the virus through direct contact with contaminated faeces, surfaces, or objects, such as food bowls. The virus can even be transmitted on footwear. Signs of illness usually occur within three to seven days of exposure and may include severe, often bloody diarrhoea; vomiting; lethargy; decreased appetite; fever or low body temperature; rapid dehydration; and in severe cases, death.

“We have started to see an increase in parvovirus cases already this season,” Sally says. “It is a highly contagious, viral disease, but it is preventable with appropriate vaccination.” Those most at risk are young (six weeks to six months), unvaccinated, or incompletely vaccinated puppies.

Similarly, vaccinations need to be kept up-to-date for canine cough (kennel cough), an infectious respiratory disease that spreads when dogs are in close contact, such as at the beach, in parks, on walks, and in boarding kennels or daycare facilities. Talk to your veterinarian to ensure your dog is protected against parvovirus and canine cough.

The summer months also bring the risk of bee sting reactions, incidents of dogs swallowing too much salt water, and grass seeds becoming lodged in ears and between toes, so keep an eye out for these too while out and about enjoying the warmer weather.

Signs of karaka poisoning include:

– Vomiting or diarrhoea

– Abdominal pain

– Reduced appetite

– Paralysis of back legs

– Loss of balance

– Convulsions

– Breathing slower than usual (which can lead to paralysis of breathing muscles).

– If you think your dog has eaten any karaka berries, contact your vet immediately.

Signs of toxic algae poisoning include:

– Panting

– Lethargy

– Muscle tremors

– Twitching

– Convulsions

– If your dog is showing any of these symptoms after being in contact with a waterway, contact your veterinarian immediately.

More information on these topics can be found on the NZVA website:

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth interview on ABC News Breakfast

Source: Ministers for Social Services

29 January 2025

E&OE TRANSCRIPT

Topics: Updated Australia’s Disability Strategy; Inflation; AI chatbot DeepSeek; Election.

JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: Now, Australians with disability are the focus of the Federal Government today as it commits to additional changes, months after a scathing Royal Commission was handed down. An updated Disability Strategy will be launched by the Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth, who I am happy to say, joins us now from Geelong. Minister, good morning.

AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Great to be with you.

JAMES GLENDAY: So, there’s a specific focus on homelessness in this updated Strategy. How many people are going to be covered by this document?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: This Strategy is actually a Strategy for all people with disability. The 5.5 million Australians living with disability. We know that if they are going to be able to fully participate in community life, then we need to make sure that our communities, our housing, is more accessible. And so that is what the Strategy is all about. How do we make our communities, our homes, more accessible. There has been a lot of consultation done with people with disability and it was highlighted that while housing has been a focus of Australia’s Disability Strategy, that homelessness and the prevention of homelessness for people with disability needed to be a focus as well. And so, what the Strategy will do is actually get all levels of government, state government and Commonwealth government, making sure that when it comes to homelessness services, there will be a particular focus on meeting the needs of people with disability. And when it comes to building homes, that there will be a focus in making sure that those homes are more accessible as well, so that people with disability have more choice over where they live.

JAMES GLENDAY: We’re going to have more on this story on the ABC throughout the day. And thank you for persisting through that alarm behind you there, Minister. Just on another topic, of course, cost of living is a very, very big issue for a lot of Australians at the moment. And some key inflation figures are out today. Are you expecting that data will be enough to convince the Reserve Bank to deliver that much anticipated first rate cut?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: First, I’d say obviously the Reserve Bank is independent, it makes its own decisions. But I would say what our Government has been doing is really focused on fighting inflation. Of course, we inherited a situation where inflation had a six in front of it and was going up. The most recent figures, it had a two in front of it and is coming down. We’ve also seen wages up and of course unemployment low. So, we’ve been working really hard to make sure that we are fighting inflation, at the same time supporting people with cost of living measures and making sure that we’re seeing wages go up and of course, making sure there’s jobs for people. So, this has been the really important work our Government’s been doing and doing what we can to fight inflation and give the best possible conditions for the Reserve Bank to make its decision.

JAMES GLENDAY: You would have seen yesterday, no doubt, that a lot of people have been downloading a new Chinese AI chatbot, DeepSeek, which has triggered a share market sell off. Some analysts this morning arguing this is good for competition in the global AI arms race. Others that this is a potential risk to national security. What is your view?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, firstly, I would say broadly AI has so much potential to help us in our daily lives and have an impact. In fact, when we think about people with disability, I’ve seen circumstances where AI has helped them do their job. So, it has a lot of potential if it’s used safely, responsibly and ethically. And so, I think the question’s got to be how we are preparing our country for these new AI tools that will be coming out. And we’re doing that in a number of ways. Whether it’s the ethics code, whether it’s the safety standards or indeed the mandatory guardrails. These are all important pieces of legislative and regulatory architecture that we need to have in place to make sure that people can trust AI. So, these are the challenges we’ve got. So, AI presents a huge opportunity but we do need to make sure that the guardrails are in place to make sure it’s done ethically and safely, importantly as well.

JAMES GLENDAY: Just on a guardrail, TikTok, another Chinese-owned app is banned from Government devices in Australia which probably tells us all we really need to know about what security agencies think of the app. Do you expect that this new chatbot, this new DeepSeek, will be subjected to similar rules pretty quickly?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: We get very good advice through our security agencies. I won’t predict what those agencies will do. But we have got incredibly good cyber capabilities that apply to Government but also support businesses in the community as well. So, we’ve taken cyber and the threat that cyber can have on our community very seriously which is why we’ve put together a cyber strategy. We have a whole range of things of security in place. So, look, I will wait. I have to be honest, I haven’t quite caught up with the revolution. I mean I haven’t downloaded any of these things yet. I’m still old school. I write my speeches myself.

JAMES GLENDAY: It’s not on your phone. I’m sure we’re going to hear more on this later. It is outside your portfolio, so that’s fair enough. Just finally Minister, this caught my eye and the election is not too far away. I read that in your South Australian electorate, your main opponent for the Liberal Party is going to be another Rishworth. Your cousin, in fact. How do you feel about that?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Oh, look, I haven’t been in contact with my opponent. It’s a democracy. Anyone can run. So, you know. I’ll be putting what I stand for and my record forward at this election and I’m really proud to stand by the fact that I’ve fought very hard for my electorate every single day I’ve been the local member. I’ll be standing on that record and my commitment to my community.

JAMES GLENDAY: Are you sure? Are you worried at all, though? There’s going to be two Rishworths. Is there a risk of confusion? Could you bleed a few per cent of the vote? I know you’ve got a very safe seat.

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Oh, well, look, I’ll have to be honest. My community knows me. They know what I stand for. I’ve been out and about, and so I’ll be making sure that people know what I stand for. And I think, when they go into the ballot box, they’ll be making a considered choice and I hope they will vote for me.

JAMES GLENDAY: All right, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, thank you for your time this morning and thank you for taking so many questions outside your portfolio area.

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Thank you.

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: 360,000 households across NSW notified of seat change ahead of 2025 federal election [29 January 2025]

Source: Australian Electoral Commission

Updated: 29 January 2025

The AEC is notifying more than 360,000 households in NSW that they are enrolled in a different electoral division after federal boundaries were redrawn in the state last year.

AEC State Manager for New South Wales Rebecca Main said that a federal election must be held sometime in the next four months.

“With a federal election coming it is important that voters are familiar with the seat they’ll be voting in for the House of Representatives,” Ms Main said.

“Redrawn boundaries mean a lot of people will be voting in different seats to last time, so we’re letting them know in a few ways including by sending letters and running ads on social media.”

“It is an automatic change made on their enrolment record but the action required by voters is simply to know what their seat is ahead of time so they can be prepared when they’re thinking about who they might vote for.”

Editor’s notes:

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: 200,000 Victorian households notified of seat change ahead of 2025 federal election [29 January 2025]

Source: Australian Electoral Commission

Updated: 29 January 2025

The AEC is notifying more than 200,000 households in Victoria that they are enrolled in a different electoral division after federal boundaries were redrawn in the state last year.

AEC State Manager for Victoria Nye Coffey said that a federal election must be held sometime in the next four months.

“With a federal election coming it is important that voters are familiar with the seat they’ll be voting in for the House of Representatives,” Mr Coffey said.

“Redrawn boundaries mean a lot of people will be voting in different seats to last time, so we’re letting them know in a few ways including by sending letters and running ads on social media.”

“It is an automatic change made on their enrolment record but the action required by voters is simply to know what their seat is ahead of time so they can be prepared when they’re thinking about who they might vote for.”

Editor’s notes:

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: 130,000 West Australian households notified of seat change ahead of 2025 federal election [29 January 2025]

Source: Australian Electoral Commission

Updated: 29 January 2025

NOTE: This media release relates to the 2025 federal election, not the WA state election in March.

The AEC is notifying more than 130,000 households in Western Australia that they are enrolled in a different electoral division after federal boundaries were redrawn in the state last year.

AEC State Manager for Western Australia Anita Ratcliffe said that a federal election must be held sometime in the next four months.

“With a federal election due by May it is important that voters are familiar with the seat they’ll be voting in for the House of Representatives,” Ms Ratcliffe said.

“It is particularly important here in Western Australia given there is also a state election occurring in March. It’s important that people know there are different seats for different elections.”

“Redrawn federal boundaries mean a lot of people will be voting in different seats than the last federal election in 2022, so we’re letting them know in a few ways including by sending letters and running ads on social media.”

“There will be an automatic change made on their enrolment record but the action required by voters is simply to know what their seat is ahead of time so they can be prepared when they’re thinking about who they might vote for.”

Editor’s notes:

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Crash survivors’ emotional reunion with rescuers

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Hastings Fire Station was the setting for an emotional reunion last week as Mark Stockwell came face-to-face with the emergency crews who freed him after a tree crushed his car.

Mark was driving home during a storm on Coolart Road in Tuerong last August when the freak incident occurred, trapping him in his vehicle with serious injuries.

Emergency services arrived swiftly, but it took a challenging 90 minutes of coordinated effort from Hastings, Langwarrin and Dromana CFA members, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police to safely extricate him.

Accompanied by his wife and son, Mark used the reunion as an opportunity to personally thank the first responders for their dedication and teamwork.

“Words can’t express how grateful I am. Every time I’m at home, I think about all these guys, and I tear up,” Mark said.

“I get to be a dad, and I get to be a husband because of them.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for what they’ve done and what they continue to do.

“They have families and could be at home, but instead, they’re out there rescuing people like me. It’s incredible.”

Recalling the events of that day, Mark said: “I don’t really remember much about it. I just recall thinking, ‘I think I’ve been in an accident,’ and I was coming in and out of consciousness.

“The guys were trying to keep me awake, but I kept drifting. I remember one moment of pain, like waking from a dream, and thinking, ‘I can’t feel my leg, my back is sore, my neck hurts.’

“I saw the airbag and thought, ‘Why’s my airbag out? I must have been in an accident. That’s pretty much all I remember.”

Several key personnel on scene that day also shared their perspectives on the incident and what it meant to see Mark’s recovery firsthand.

Quotes attributable to CFA Incident Controller Georgia Densley:

“Rescues like this one really highlight the strength of teamwork between CFA and our emergency service partners.

“Everyone on scene played their part, including Mark, who stayed calm under immense pressure, which made our job that much easier.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see him here today and to witness his recovery firsthand.”

Quotes attributable to Dutchy Holland, VICSES Hastings Unit Controller:

“As first responders, having the chance to meet and talk with community members who we support in their time of need is an extremely rewarding experience.

“I’m very proud of our volunteers who were able to provide timely and much-needed aid alongside other emergency service providers to effect a positive outcome in this instance.”

Quotes attributable to MICA Paramedic Angus Bowden:

“Being able to reconnect with a patient and see him thrive after such a serious incident is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Mark was not only trapped, but appeared to have sustained multiple traumatic injuries.

“In this case, the combination of advanced clinical care and collaboration played a crucial role in the patient’s survival and recovery. From start to finish, it was a remarkable team effort, with paramedics, firefighters and SES working together to achieve the best possible outcome.”

Submitted by	CFA media

MIL OSI News –

January 29, 2025

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Hastings Fire Station was the setting for an emotional reunion last week as Mark Stockwell came face-to-face with the emergency crews who freed him after a tree crushed his car.