. Pillen Appoints Ramsey as District Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial District
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Kane M. Ramsey as district court judge in the Ninth Judicial District. This district consists of Buffalo and Hall counties.
Ramsey has been a deputy county attorney with the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office since 2019. Prior to that, he was an associate attorney with the firm of Jacobsen, Orr, Lindstrom & Holbrook in Kearney.
Ramsey received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
The vacancy in the Ninth Judicial District was due to the appointment of Judge Ryan Carson to federal court.
. Pillen Makes Appointment to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
LINCOLN, NE –Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Kurt Arganbright of Valentine to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Arganbright will serve as the representative for District 6. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Nebraska Legislature.
Arganbright has been in private practice at Arganbright Law Office in Valentine since 2010 with expertise in agricultural law, real estate, estate planning and business planning. He also serves as county attorney for both Rock and Thomas counties. Additionally, his family owns and operates a cow-calf operation.
Arganbright has served multiple entities in leadership roles including the Sandhills Cattle Association, Valentine Planning Commission, Agriculture Builders of Nebraska and the Nebraska State Bar Association.
Arganbright has a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). He received his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
. The Governor’s testimony comes just two days after his trip to the White House where President Donald J. Trump signed the executive order:No Men in Women’s Sports.
In August 2023, Gov. Pillen signed his executive order establishing biological definitions for men and women and specifying that data collected on individuals by public schools, state agencies and offices reference the sex of the person at birth. He was the second governor in the nation to sign such an order and last month, hosted a news conference attended by athletes and state senators, supporting the introduction of LB89.
“We need to ensure that girls and women are not treated unfairly, especially in sports where men certainly have a physical, competitive advantage,” said Gov. Pillen. “Additionally, we need to afford girls and women the privacy and protection that they expect and deserve when they are in spaces where they could be most vulnerable to victimization.”
Much like the Governor’s executive order, LB89 also establishes biological definitions for men and women. Other provisions include:
Requiring signage designating that restrooms and locker rooms are specifically for use by either males or females
Prohibiting use of a restroom by a member of the opposite sex
Prohibiting biological boys or men from participating in girls’ or women’s sporting activities
Requirements apply to schools, including post-secondary institutions, as well as state agencies. Exceptions are included for situations in which a member of the opposite sex would be allowed to enter a bathroom or locker room.
“I am thrilled that President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect women and girls in athletics,” said Sen. Kauth. “This provides a supportive framework for states like Nebraska to implement bills like theStand With Women Actto protect women and girls in all areas the state has responsibility. I look forward to strong support for theStand With WomenAct.”
Students from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, University of Nebraska — Kearney, high school and college athletes plus other advocates also spoke in favor of the bill.
Court finds DOGE access heightens risk of U.S. Treasury Department’s vulnerability to hacking
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York’s decision granting a temporary restraining order that immediately blocked Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) associates from accessing Americans’ personal and private information while the states’ litigation proceeds.
“Our country cannot afford to have people in the driver’s seat who move fast and break things, especially when the things they’re breaking are critical and sensitive systems that millions of Americans’ rely on. We are pleased the court swiftly granted our request to block unauthorized personnel, including DOGE associates, from accessing millions of Americans’ private and sensitive data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The President does not hold the power to give Americans’ bank account and social security numbers to anyone he’d like — and as of Friday night, he must stop doing so.”
Yesterday, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit seeking to block DOGE associates from accessing sensitive Treasury Department material, including millions of Americans’ bank account and social security numbers. Hours after filing the lawsuit, the court responded by granting the requested temporary restraining order while the states seek a preliminary injunction.
While the order is in effect, the Trump Administration may not grant access to Treasury Department records to political appointees, special government employees, and any government employee from an agency outside the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Services, including members of DOGE. Treasury Department material may not be accessed by any person outside of civil servants within the Bureau of Fiscal Services who have passed all background checks and security clearances. The order also directs any person prohibited above from having sensitive information, but who has accessed such information, records, and systems since January 20, 2025, to immediately destroy all copies of material.
NEW YORK, Feb. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:
AeroVironment, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVAV), relating to the proposed merger with BlueHalo LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, AeroVironment shareholders will own approximately 60.5% of the combined company.
Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (OTC:LTRPA,LTRPB), relating to the proposed merger with Tripadvisor, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shares of Liberty TripAdvisor Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive $0.2567 in cash.
NeueHealth, Inc. (NYSE:NEUE), relating to the proposed merger with New Enterprise Associates. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of NeueHealth common stock will receive $7.33 per share in cash.
Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (Nasdaq:SDIG), relating to its proposed merger with Bitfarms Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Stronghold stockholders are expected to receive 2.52 shares of Bitfarms per share of Stronghold they own.
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SANTA ANA, Calif. — On Feb. 6, 2025, Ippei Mizuhara, a former Japanese-language interpreter was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegally — and without authorization — transferring nearly $17 million from the bank account of Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani to pay off his own substantial gambling debts incurred with an illegal bookmaking operation and for signing a false tax return, following a joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS Criminal Investigation probe.
Mizuahara was sentenced by United States District Judge John W. Holcomb, who also ordered him to pay $16,975,010 in restitution to Ohtani and $1,149,400 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June 2024 to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
“Mr. Mizuhara is yet another example of how those in a position of trust can take advantage of a relationship and defraud the government,” said HSI Los Angeles acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “The HSI-led El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force will leverage all partnerships to locate and bring to justice those who commit financial crimes, especially those who think they can hide in plain sight.”
Mizuhara was the translator and de facto manager of MLB star Shohei Ohtani. As part of his job duties, Mizuhara regularly interacted with Ohtani’s sports agents and financial advisors — who did not speak Japanese — on behalf of Ohtani, who did not speak English. Although Mizuhara was an employee of the Los Angeles Angels MLB team, for whom Ohtani played from 2018 to 2023, and, later, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for whom Ohtani has played since 2024, Ohtani paid him separately for the additional work of driving him to meetings and interpreting for non-baseball-related activities.
In March 2018, Mizuhara accompanied Ohtani to a bank in Phoenix to help him open a bank account to deposit his MLB salary. Inside the bank branch, Mizuhara interpreted for Ohtani when the bank employee provided Ohtani the login information for this bank account.
Beginning in September 2021, Mizuhara began placing sports bets with an illegal bookmaker. Shortly thereafter, Mizuhara began to lose bets and quickly became indebted to the bookmaker. Unable to pay his gambling debts, Mizuhara orchestrated a scheme to deceive and cheat the bank to fraudulently obtain money from the account.
From no later than November 2021 to March 2024, Mizuhara used Ohtani’s password to successfully sign into the bank account and then changed the account’s security protocols without Ohtani’s knowledge or permission. Specifically, Mizuhara changed the registered email address and telephone number on the account so bank employees would call him — not Ohtani — when attempting to verify wire transfers from the account.
Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani, using his personal identifying information to deceive the bank’s employees into authorizing wire transfers from the bank account. In total, Mizuhara called the bank and impersonated Ohtani on approximately 24 occasions.
In addition, in September 2023, Mizuhara needed $60,000 worth of dental work and Ohtani agreed to pay for it via a check drawn on a business account at a different bank. However, Mizuhara provided his dentist Ohtani’s debit card number for the bank account Ohtani had opened in Phoenix, charged $60,000 to that account, then deposited the $60,000 check into Mizuhara’s personal bank account.
From January 2024 to March 2024, Mizuhara purchased approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online resellers such as eBay from Ohtani’s bank account with the intent to resell them later and for his own personal benefit.
When Ohtani’s sports agent and financial advisors asked Mizuhara for access to the bank account, Mizuhara lied and said Ohtani did not want them to access the account because it was private. In fact, Mizuhara did not want them to know that he had been stealing from Ohtani and had fraudulently obtained more than $16,975,010 from him.
In February 2024, he willfully made and subscribed to a false individual federal income tax return for the tax year 2022. On that tax return, Mizuhara falsely claimed that his total taxable income for that year was $136,865 when in fact he knew the amount was substantially higher and he knowingly failed to report additional income of $4.1 million.
The HSI Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force conducted this investigation collaboratively with the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
Anyone with information on illegal gambling are encouraged to call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.
Learn more about HSI’s mission to protect the U.S. economy in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSILosAngeles.
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas Dombek, age 54, of Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, Damien Boland, age 48, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, and Joseph Atsus, age 48, of Roaring Brook, Pennsylvania, were convicted on February 7, 2025, for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property, as well as multiple related substantive offense, following a four-week jury trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Dombek, Boland, and Joseph Atsus were part of a larger nine-person conspiracy which lasted over 20 years and whose goal was to break into multiple museums and other institutions and steal priceless works of art, sports memorabilia, and other objects. Those objects include the following:
A Christy Matthewson jersey and two contracts signed by Matthewson stolen in 1999 from Keystone College in Factoryville, Pennsylvania;
“Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” by Jackson Pollock stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania;
Ten (10) World Series rings, seven (7) other championship rings, and two (2) MVP plaques all belonging to Yogi Berra, worth over $1,000,000 stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey;
Six (6) championship belts, including four belonging to Carmen Basilio and two belonging to Tony Zale, stolen in 2015 from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York;
The Hickok Belt and MVP Trophy belonging to Roger Maris, stolen in 2016 from the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo, North Dakota;
The U.S. Amateur Trophy and a Hickok Belt awarded to Ben Hogan, stolen in 2012 from the USGA Golf Museum & Library;
Fourteen (14) trophies and other awards worth over $300,000, stolen in 2012 from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York;
Five (5) trophies worth over $400,000, including the 1903 Belmont Stakes Trophy, stolen in 2013 from the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York;
Eleven (11) trophies, including four (4) belonging to Art Wall, Jr., stolen in 2011 from the Scranton Country Club located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania;
Three antique firearms worth a combined $1,000,000, stolen in 2006 from Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey;
An 1903/1904 Tiffany Lamp stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society in Scranton, Pennsylvania,
“Upper Hudson” by Jasper Cropsey, worth approximately $500,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey;
Two antique firearms worth over $300,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey;
$400,000 worth of gold nuggets, stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey;
Various gems, minerals, and other items stolen in 2017, from the Franklin Mineral Museum in Franklin, New Jersey;
An antique shotgun worth over $30,000, stolen in 2018 from Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey;
Various jewelry, rings, and other items from various antique and jewelry stores in New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.
Five additional co-conspirators pled guilty pursuant to felony informations and are awaiting sentencing. Former co-defendant Alfred Atsus was acquitted of the three counts against him at trial.
After stealing the above-described items, the conspirators would transport the stolen goods back to northeastern Pennsylvania, often the residence of Dombek, and melt the memorabilia down into easily transportable metal discs or bars. The conspirators would then sell the raw metal to fences in the New York City area for hundreds or a few thousands of dollars, significantly less than the sports memorabilia would be worth at fair market value.
Dombek burnt the painting “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Cropsey, valued at approximately $500,000, to avoid the painting being recovered by investigators and used as evidence against the members of the conspiracy. The whereabouts of many of the other paintings and stolen objects are currently unknown, however, several antique firearms stolen from the Space Farms Zoo and Museum and the Ringwood Manor Museum, both in New Jersey, were recovered by investigators.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, the New Jersey State Park Police, the Newport Police Department (Rhode Island), the Fargo Police Department (North Dakota), the Chester Police Department (New York), the Exeter Borough Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Scranton Police Department, the Franklin Police Department (New Jersey), the Village of Goshen Police Department (New York), the Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.), the West Milord Township Police Department (New Jersey), the Montclair Police Department (New Jersey), the Saratoga Springs Police Department (New York), the Canastota Police Department (New York), the South Abington Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Bernards Township Police Department (New Jersey), the Salisbury Township Police Department (Pennsylvania), the Montclair State University Police Department (New Jersey), the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office (Pennsylvania), the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey), the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey), the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (New York), and multiple other local law enforcement agencies from across the country. Assistant United States Attorneys James M. Buchanan, Jenny Roberts, and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.
Sentencing is not yet scheduled. The defendants face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for a term of five years for the conspiracy conviction and maximum penalties of ten years’ imprisonment for each additional count of conviction, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
“I have read various media stories containing allegations regarding the procurement and contracting processes of AHS. They are troubling allegations and they should be reviewed as quickly as possible.
“To that end, I will be writing Auditor General Doug Wylie to ask for an expedited review and his findings on this issue. I have also directed my officials to ensure that any request for information from Mr. Wylie or his office is dealt with on a fully transparent and expedited basis. We need to get to the bottom of this issue quickly to identify any potential wrongdoing, correct it, and address it appropriately.
“I have also asked that AHS’s internal review be completed as quickly as possible and delivered directly to me so we can study the results and make improvements or adjustments to these processes. Until these findings are delivered, AHS has paused the contracting for the surgical facilities under review.
“As Premier, I was not involved in any wrongdoing. Any insinuation to the contrary is false, baseless and defamatory.
“It’s no secret I have been unhappy with the level and quality of service delivered by AHS and in the inability of AHS to deliver quality and timely healthcare to Albertans. I will continue to relentlessly push forward to make improvements. Although that has required difficult decisions and major change, I do not accept the current results. There is a widespread and deep-seated resistance to change that we must overcome.
In asignificant movetowards eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons programme, the head of the UN-backed international watchdog dedicated to ending the scourge has been visiting Damascus, together with a high-level delegation.
In a press release on Saturday the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Director-General Fernando Arias and his team had met interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and caretaker Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, at their invitation – drawing a line under “11 years of obstruction” by the Assad regime, which was driven from power in early December.
The meetings were described as long, productive, and open, with an in-depth exchange of information. This dialogue aims to break the long stalemate over use of the banned weapons during Syria’s brutal civil conflict, and achieve tangible results.
Positive first step
This visit marks the first step in re-establishing a direct working relationship between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria.
Discussions focused on Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the OPCW’s role and mandate, and the support the Technical Secretariat can provide to eliminate the remnants of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
“This visit marks a reset. After eleven years of obstruction by the previous authorities, the Syrian caretaker authorities have a chance to turn the page and meet Syria’s obligations under the Convention,” said Director-General Arias.
“My presence in Damascus reflects the OPCW’s commitment to rebuilding a relationship based on mutual trust and transparency. For over a decade, Syria’s chemical weapons dossier was at a deadlock. Today, we must seize this opportunity together and break that impasse for the good of the Syrian people and the international community.”
Failure to verify
Since 2013, Syria’s declaration of its chemical weapons programme has been incomplete, with significant quantities of outlawed weaponry unaccounted for.
Mr. Arias emphasised the OPCW’s readiness to work with Syria’s transitional authorities to address these open questions and implement its responsibilities to regain good standing within the organisation.
He presented the Secretariat’s nine-point Action Plan for Syria to the interim President and caretaker Foreign Minister.
Commitment to Support
The Director-General reiterated the OPCW’s commitment to support the country and bring it back into compliance as a member state.
By doing so, the caretaker authorities will safeguard the Syrian people, hold accountable any identified perpetrators of chemical weapons use, and bolster the country’s reputation as a reliable and trusted member of the international community.
“This visit lays the ground for working together towards closing the Syrian chemical weapons file for good and fostering long-term compliance, regional stability, and contributing to peace and international security,” said Mr. Arias.
Questions raised
Syria became a State Party to the CWC and a Member State of the OPCW in October 2013. A joint OPCW-UN mission in cooperation with the former Syrian authorities led to the removal and verifiable destruction of all declared chemical weapons.
However, questions about the accuracy and completeness of Syria’s initial declaration have persisted.
The OPCW Action Plan, based on the Technical Secretariat’s extensive experience, outlines the next steps: drawing an inventory of sites, equipment, munitions, chemicals, documents, people, and facilities; declaring all elements of the Syrian chemical weapons programme; and ensuring its verifiable elimination.
Long-term compliance with the CWC will be established through reinforced cooperation.
Groundwork for success
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States aims to permanently eliminate chemical weapons.
Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it has been the most successful disarmament treaty on record, eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the watchdog verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the CWC since 1997 have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On February 8, the State University of Management held an “Initiation into Future Professionals” event, timed to coincide with the celebration of Science Day.
More than 500 tenth-graders from Moscow’s entrepreneurial classes gathered within the walls of the university.
The curator of the city project “Entrepreneurial Class in a Moscow School” Gulnara Koshimbetova greeted the children and encouraged them to share their opinions about the training.
“Today, this event is taking place in all the project partner universities. It is important that we have gathered at the State University of Management. The first half of the training year has passed, and you have an idea of the project. Perhaps you have ideas on how to make it more significant and effective. You can tell us about it in the feedback form, and we will take your wishes into account. Wear the badges of the entrepreneurial class with pride and may your path lead to great success,” Gulnara Kashulbekova wished.
Nikolai Mikhailov, Advisor to the Rectorate of the State University of Management, also gave a speech.
“It is no coincidence that representatives of the entrepreneurial classes gathered at the State University of Management, because our university has extensive experience in training managers not only for the public sector, but also for various sectors of the economy. From the presentation, you already learned that the State University of Management was founded in 1919. But recently, our historians have established that the university was actually created on the basis of the Alexander School, which opened back in 1879. And it turns out that the State University of Management is older. Our university is not only the first management university in the country, we are now restoring everything related to the engineering direction, including engineering and economics, which is especially in demand today,” noted Nikolai Nikolaevich.
In addition, the advisor invited the children to the university’s Open Day, which will take place on March 26.
The official part was continued by the Vice-Rector of our university, Pavel Pavlovsky, who spoke about the various entrepreneurial opportunities for schoolchildren.
“I would like to name one more reason why GUU is an entrepreneurial university: it is young at heart. Just yesterday I was on the radio and the host said that an entrepreneur is someone who sees the difference between supply and demand and levels it out. I will add that entrepreneurship, in my opinion, is not so much about profit as it is about opportunities for people. We want to teach you how to create good for the country and benefit all citizens. For example, GUU master’s students are already implementing programs in federal camps, conducting a course on business and entrepreneurship, helping 14-17 year olds understand this area and realize themselves,” said Pavel Vladimirovich.
The program of the event, along with official performances, included bright numbers from the KVN team of the State University of Management and the vocal group “StuDos”.
After the concert, the tenth-graders took the Solemn Oath of Future Entrepreneurs and went to their classrooms, where they were treated to master classes from graduates of the State University of Management who had become successful entrepreneurs: Vice President of the Novard Group of Companies Sergey Sarkisov, founder of GoTrans Elmira Shagiakhmetova, and General Director of Project 21 Anesti Xinoupoulo.
The guests talked about their path to success, encouraged the children to be brave and believe in themselves, and also answered questions from those gathered.
In addition, throughout the event, GUU students conducted various activities for young guests and introduced them to the rich extracurricular activities of the university. The stands presented the V.I. Vernadsky EcoClub, the Mind Games Club, the StuDos Creative Team, the Business and Entrepreneurship Course Project, and the State University of Management Student Fire and Rescue Squad.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/08/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
WATCH: Women Athletes SHRED Men Competing in Their Sports. President Trump signed an executive order to PROTECT ALL WOMEN and end the war on female athletics! Their stories will leave you speechless.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said today that it condemned and rejected interference by the US Department of State in Hong Kong’s judicial proceedings, stressing that comments on the case of Lai Chee-ying are inappropriate as legal proceedings in the case are still ongoing.
The statement was made in response to remarks made today by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor which attempted to exert pressure and demand Lai Chee-ying’s unconditional release.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said it strongly urges external forces to immediately stop interfering in the Hong Kong SAR’s internal affairs and the exercise of independent judicial power by the courts.
It iterated that all cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law, adding that all defendants will receive a fair trial in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong National Security Law, and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
It also stressed that attempts by any country, organisation or individual to interfere with judicial proceedings in the Hong Kong SAR by means of political power, thereby resulting in a defendant not being able to have a fair trial, constitute reprehensible acts that undermine the rule of law of Hong Kong and should be condemned.
The Hong Kong SAR Government stated that it will continue to resolutely discharge its duty of safeguarding national security, and act to prevent, suppress and punish in accordance with the law acts and activities that endanger national security. It will also continue to safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.
Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following a fatal collision in Clapton.
Officers were called at approximately 06:50hrs on Saturday, 8 February to reports of a car in collision with a stationery bus in Lea Bridge Road, near the junction of Clapton Road, E5.
London Ambulance Service and HEMS paramedics also attended.
The driver of the car, a woman, was taken to hospital for treatment – she sadly died there a short time later.
Her next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers.
No reports of any other serious injuries.
An investigation into the circumstances is under way by detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit. They would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed this incident, or any road users or pedestrians who may have captured events on film.
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD1388/8Feb.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated RUDN on its 65th anniversary
18 hours ago
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN) on its 65th anniversary.
“Our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has set the task of providing education in Russia for at least half a million foreign students by 2030. RUDN University is successfully solving this task, making a serious contribution to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between people of different nationalities and cultures,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
Over the years, the university’s teaching staff has trained tens of thousands of qualified specialists for the economics and social sphere.
“Today, RUDN is a multidisciplinary scientific and educational center and a leading platform for global student exchange. More than 35 thousand students study at the university, 9 thousand of whom came to us from 160 countries. I am confident that talented, goal-oriented graduates will contribute to the promotion of fruitful international cooperation,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized.
The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the rector and the university team for their professionalism and dedicated service to Russian education and science, and wished the teachers and students good health, prosperity and new achievements.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI expert James Altucher is issuing a stark warning in a full video presentation: AI 2.0 is not just advancing—it is fundamentally altering how industries function, eliminating jobs, and forcing a rapid economic shift.
“AI will disrupt entire industries…”
According to Altucher, automation and AI-driven decision-making will soon replace many traditional roles, while creating new opportunities for those who can adapt. However, the transition will be faster and more profound than most expect.
“Many other jobs will disappear entirely.” “It’s predicted that 8 out of every 10 American jobs will be affected by AI…”
With AI 2.0 advancing at breakneck speed, March 17, 2025, marks a key moment when businesses, policymakers, and individuals will realize just how deep this transformation runs.
James Altucher is a leading AI expert, author, and entrepreneur with nearly four decades of experience in emerging technologies. He has been featured in major media outlets and is known for his forward-thinking insights on AI’s impact on society.
Media Contact: Derek Warren Public Relations Manager Paradigm Press Group Email: dwarren@paradigmpressgroup.com
Chief Executive John Lee today continued his trip to Harbin by meeting members of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 9th Asian Winter Games, in the athletes’ village.
He talked with some of the athletes to learn about their training and preparations. The officials, led by the chief executive, also watched some events, including short track speed skating, and cheered on the Hong Kong participants.
Mr Lee highlighted that the Hong Kong, China Delegation is the largest ever to participate in an Asian Winter Games. He said he was delighted to be able to watch the games in person and encouraged the Hong Kong athletes to give their utmost.
In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC). He thanked the SF&OC for providing extensive assistance to the athletes.
Mr Lee also met some young Hongkongers participating in an exchange programme organised by the InspiringHK Sports Foundation.
Highlighting that the Asian Winter Games is a major sports event that is held only once every four years, he encouraged the youths to seize on such a precious opportunity to experience winter sports, and to learn about the history and culture of Harbin.
Mr Lee and the Hong Kong officials also visited Central Street and nearby cultural and tourism facilities in Harbin to learn more about local developments in those sectors.
SINGAPORE, Feb. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the price of Bitcoin falls below the $100,000 mark, many analysts believe it will enter a long period of high volatility. Holding spot positions may not continue to generate profits in the short term. BexBack Exchange is stepping up its efforts to provide traders with irresistible preferential packages. The platform now offers a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and a 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, creating unparalleled opportunities for investors.
What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?
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Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“I greatly welcome today’s High Court judgement in the judicial review by NI Retired Police Officers’ Association against the Police Ombudsman.
“For too long the Ombudsman has exceeded the remit of the office to make expansive findings of ‘collusion’ etc which are presented as misconduct, or worse.
“However, in this judgement today we have had an overdue clipping of the Ombudsman’s wings. The language of the judgement is emphatic and clear, “the Ombudsman’s role is investigative and not adjudicative. It is not for the Ombudsman to made determinations (whether express or implied) as to whether criminal conduct or even misconduct has in fact occurred; no more than it is for the police to determine and publicly state that a suspect is guilty of a crime. That is a matter to be determined by others in different processes specifically established for that purpose.”
“Too often the Ombudsman has played to the anti-police gallery by throwing around findings of “collusion” etc – all of which oversteps the investigative role of the office by bolting on adjudicative and prejudicial findings.
“I trust the Ombudsman will take heed of this judgement and not again have to be called into line for overstepping the prescribed functions of the office”.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
By Wang Ningchuan, Gao Dezhen and Ren Ke
Representatives of participating troops from various countries take a group photo at the opening ceremony on Feb. 7, 2025.
KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb. 8 — The opening ceremony of Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-2025, hosted and organized by the Pakistani Navy, was kicked off at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard (PN Dockyard) in Karachi on February 7, local time. Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib delivered opening remarks at the ceremony.
Chinese defense attaché to Pakistan, as well as the commander and representatives of Chinese participating naval taskforce presented at the ceremony. The Chinese participating naval taskforce, including guided-missile destroyer Baotou (Hull 133), comprehensive supply ship Gaoyouhu (Hull 904), a ship-borne helicopter and dozens of Marine Corps members, arrived at Port of Karachi on February 6.
The Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-2025 will be held in Karachi from February 7 to 12, involving military vessels from countries like China, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia and the US. Moreover, observers sent by 32 other countries will also participate in the exercise.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Feb. 8 — Chinese authorities on Saturday initiated emergency response efforts following a landslide in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has launched a Level-III emergency geological disaster response, while China’s national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief has activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response.
The landslide occurred at about 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin, burying 10 houses and leaving over 30 people unaccounted for.
Following the landslide, ministry officials led a working group to the scene to guide rescue operations, after directing local authorities to assess the situation promptly, mobilize professional rescue resources and equipment, and enhance on-site monitoring and control to ensure the safety of rescue efforts.
The ministry has mobilized more than 400 personnel, 100 vehicles and 75 sets of equipment to undertake on-site rescue operations.
China has a four-level emergency disaster relief response system, with Level IV being the lowest level and Level I the highest.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Feb. 8 — China has allocated 50 million yuan (about 6.97 million U.S. dollars) from its central budget to support disaster relief and recovery efforts following a landslide in its southwestern Sichuan Province on Saturday.
The funds, allocated by the National Development and Reform Commission, will be used to restore infrastructure and public facilities in affected areas.
The landslide occurred at about 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, which is located in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, burying 10 houses and leaving over 30 people missing.
Taking the latest developments of the situation into consideration, the Ministry of Natural Resources has upgraded an emergency geological disaster control response from Level III to Level II, and dispatched a team led by Vice Minister of Natural Resources Xu Dachun to guide on-site relief efforts.
: Sgt. Austin Steinborn, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
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0:15 4 trends shaping future buildings – Liveable, sustainable, resilient and affordable real estate is essential to our shared future. As populations age, more buildings will have to adapt to the needs of older people, offering qualities such as accessibility and proximity to medical care.
2:07 6 Indigenous voices for change – The Indigenous leaders attended World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos to shed light on the issues affecting their communities and discuss solutions. Though these crises are urgent, the leaders shared what makes them optimistic.
5:52 IMF’s Gita Gopinath’s Outlook for 2025 – While recent inflation drops have sparked talk of early rate cuts, the IMF’s Gita Gopinath warns that the fight isn’t over. Tight labor markets still warrant continued rate hikes, likely in the second half of 2024.
9:37 David Beckham champions kid’s rights – David Beckham is a footballing icon. Since 2005, he’s also been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. In 2015, Beckham launched the 7 Fund, named after his shirt number, to help vulnerable children get the best possible start in life.
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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.
Approximately 200 people have been evacuated to safety after a landslide buried 10 houses and left over 30 people missing in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Saturday. The landslide occurred at 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, which is located in Junlian County of the city of Yibin, according to local authorities. A Level I geological disaster emergency response, the highest level, was initiated in the province at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Emergency rescue, fire, public security, transportation, medical, telecommunications, electricity and other forces quickly rushed to the scene to carry out or assist the rescue efforts. Two people were rescued in the afternoon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties after a landslide buried 10 houses and left over 30 people unaccounted for in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Saturday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction after the landslide took place at about 11:50 a.m. on Saturday in Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Patrick J. Schena, Professor of Practice and International Business, Tufts University
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund on Feb. 3, 2025Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Could the United States soon be joining the likes of Norway, Kuwait and Mongolia in having a national reserve to invest on projects of strategic interest? If President Donald Trump gets his way, then perhaps so.
This was not entirely unexpected. After all, the idea had been floated in September 2024 not only by the Trump team, but also by President Joe Biden’s Treasury Department.
Many at the time, including myself, deemed it far-fetched at best. But with the initiative now gaining traction, the time is certainly ripe to imagine what a U.S. sovereign wealth fund might look like.
What is a sovereign wealth fund?
In their most basic form, sovereign wealth funds are pools of government savings, usually accumulated over many years through the sale of commodities, traded goods, government-owned companies and land-use rights, among other sources.
They share a variety of objectives, such as stabilizing government finances, ensuring the funding of retirement or education programs, saving for future generations or even managing state-owned corporations.
They generally diversify investment across assets, geographies and sectors, including some, such as sports and entertainment in the case of Saudi Arabia, that are aligned with national development goals.
Sovereign wealth funds are usually associated with great wealth – Norway’s “oil fund” is estimated to be worth US$1.7 trillion. With regard to scale, Norway is hardly alone. And Norway’s fund is typical in another respect: sovereign wealth funds are often based in smaller countries with outsized natural resources, like Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, or even tiny Guyana in the Caribbean.
In reality, most sovereign wealth funds are more modest in size relative to their gross domestic products.
How long have SWFs been around?
Sovereign wealth funds are hardly new. The so-called modern era of sovereign wealth funds dates to the early 1950s with the creation of the Kuwait Investment Board.
But some government investment funds, such as the Texas Permanent School Fund, established in 1854, long predate the Kuwait Investment Board.
As is evident in the case of Texas, there are many such funds already operating in the U.S., including those in Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming – all of which identify as “sovereign wealth funds.” These, of course, are state funds, but the term “sovereign” is generously applied.
Sovereign wealth funds often invest outside of their geographies, not only to diversify returns but to avoid stimulating higher inflation that may result from investing at home.
In fact, the U.S. has benefited from investments by other countries’ sovereign wealth funds. Developed market economies like the U.S. are attractive destinations for investment, given the relative strength of their institutions and the scale and liquidity of their financial markets.
Still, over the last decade there has been a rapid expansion in the number of sovereign wealth funds investing domestically, particularly in support of strategic national goals. Some of these include funds in Ireland, India and Indonesia.
Their investment programs target critical sectors and national “champions,” with a goal to mobilize foreign capital for co-investment in local markets.
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, in which Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has a controlling stake. Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images
The fundamental questions of a fund
What could a U.S. sovereign wealth fund look like? Would it be well funded? And if so, how? Through taxes, treasury bond proceeds, budget transfers, tariffs?
Would it invest globally or domestically? Could it be used to reinforce the Social Security system? Will it be used to tackle the dual deficits of budget and trade? Or will it have a strategic mandate – to enhance national security, energy security or climate security?
These are all fundamental questions that must be carefully examined; creating a sovereign wealth fund should not be a backroom exercise. It needs to be conducted openly, with expert input and public deliberation.
The process belies even more challenging organizational and governance decisions concerning the legal structure, ownership and management of the fund, the independence of its governing board, and its distance from government influence in its decisions.
After all, the history of sovereign wealth funds is not without failed attempts. Take Malaysia’s 1MDB, which was usurped for political and personal gain and became a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal, or Venezuela’s macrostabilization and development funds, which were both effectively exhausted.
In these cases – and others – the breakdown can be connected to failures in governance, both in design and culture, and ultimately traced back to politics.
Where does the US start?
It is interesting to note that it was George W. Bush’s Treasury Department during the financial crisis in 2008 that was most influential in encouraging sovereign wealth funds to define a framework of governance practices and principles.
Known as the Santiago Principles, this set of 24 precepts, agreed to in 2008, are intended to ensure transparent and sound governance with adequate operational controls, risk management and accountability.
To be successful and in line with the Santiago Principles, a U.S. sovereign wealth fund would have to be grounded in a functional governance structure that allows investment projects to be evaluated based on commercial merit.
It would also need to be free of political interference and operate openly, transparently and at arm’s length from any personal or professional interests of any related parties.
Where would it invest?
The next thing to consider is the fund’s investment objectives and strategy. Trump has suggested that such a fund could be used to buy TikTok. But would that represent a strategic investment that advances the national competitiveness of the U.S.?
Perhaps instead, a sovereign wealth fund might be better placed investing a majority of its capital in private markets and core infrastructure in the U.S. under a focused strategic mandate that directs money to key national priorities.
Essential here is for the fund to be “additional.” That is to say it would invest in projects that other investors would not be able to finance on their own due to scale, difficulty or duration. In essence, the fund would “crowd in” investors, rather than crowding them out.
And what about funding?
Perhaps the most critical question still remains: Where will the money come from?
Increased taxes are a nonstarter due to political will and, of course, Trump’s campaign commitments.
Treasury bond issuances would only increase U.S. debtedness and likely lead to higher inflation. Allocations from the government’s own budget also seem to be a non-starter, as U.S. budget deficits have long been well-entrenched.
Malaysia’s 1MDB financed the Tun Razak Exchange tower, the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But it was also the source of the biggest corruption scandal in Malaysian history. Ore Huiying/Getty Images
A more practical option may be a take on the traditional private equity limited partnership. In this model, the U.S. serves as general partner and joins other institutional investors – including other sovereign wealth funds – to invest in the fund.
As general partner, the U.S. would appoint a management team that would select and manage the investments – for a fee, of course. Its mandate would be to target strong market returns, while advancing the strategic national interests of the U.S.
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in India is one such example. This approach would require a smaller initial capital commitment from the U.S. and give the manager discretion over where and how to deploy capital. Needless to say, the call for strong foundational governance is reinforced under such a plan.
To be clear: The challenges, constraints and risks of launching a U.S. sovereign wealth fund are orders of magnitude greater than similar endeavors in Guyanaor Suriname.
Imagining the creation of a fund is certainly feasible. But ensuring the fund will genuinely enhance the intergenerational welfare of all Americans may still be far-fetched.
Patrick J. Schena has not in the last 4 years received grant funding to support his research. He collaborates in areas of mutual research interests with the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds for which he receives no compensation.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHENGDU, Feb. 8 — Southwest China’s Sichuan Province upgraded its geological disaster emergency response from Level III to Level I — the highest level — at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, after a landslide buried 10 houses and left over 30 people missing.
The landslide occurred at 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, which is located in the city of Yibin’s Junlian County, according to the provincial geological disaster prevention and control headquarters.
Two people were rescued in the afternoon, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker has issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon is proud to support and celebrate the 61st annual Yukon Rendezvous Festival from February 7 to 23, 2025.
“This year’s theme, Rootin’ Tootin’ Rendezvous, promises to deliver a good time! This cherished mid-winter celebration always brightens our days, helping us shake off our cabin fever and say goodbye to our winter blues. Rendezvous 2025 promises to keep us grinning bigger than a coyote in a chicken coop.
“Whatever you might be hankerin’ for, this humdinger of an annual winter festival always delivers. Whether it’s yee-hawing your frostbitten toes off at one of the many hoedowns and hootenannies, saddling up for some feats of skill and strength like chainsaw chucking and flour packing or eyeballing the snow sculptures that are cooler than a cowpoke’s stare at high noon – Rendezvous has something for everyone! So grab your best buckaroos and your sense of fun because this here shindig is all about bringing folks together and saying ‘So long’ to them winter blues.
“With a hearty hat tip to the jim-dandiest bunch of organizers, volunteers, performers and rambunctious participants who make this whole boisterous barndance hum, I wish everyone the rootin’est, tootin’est and Rendezvousin’est time imaginable!”
“OCCRP is a deep state operation. “OCCRP is connected to the CIA. “OCCRP was tasked by USAID to overthrow President Donald Trump.”
How did we end up getting this kind of attention? Old fashioned investigative journalism.
We wrote a simple story in 2019 about how Rudy Giuliani went to Ukraine for some opposition research and ended up working with people connected to organised crime who misled him.
Unbeknown to us, a whistleblower found the story online and added it to a complaint that was the basis of President Trump’s first impeachment. We also wrote a story about Hunter Biden‘s business partners and their ties to organised crime but that hasn’t received the same attention.
Journalism has become a blood sport. It’s harder and harder to tell the truth without someone’s interests getting stepped on.
OCCRP prides itself on being independent and nonpartisan. No donor has any say in our reporting, but we often find ourselves under attack for our funding.
It’s not just political interests but organised crime, businesses, enablers, and other journalists who regularly attack us. What’s common in all of these attacks is that the truth doesn’t matter and it will not protect you.
Few attack the facts in our reporting. Instead we’re left perplexed by how to respond to wild conspiracy theories, outright disinformation, and hyperbolic hatred.
At the same time, we’ve lost 29 percent of our funding because of the US foreign aid freeze. This includes 82 percent of the money we give to newsrooms in our network, many of which operate in places [Pacific Media Watch: Such as in the Pacific] where no one else will support them.
This money did not only fund groundbreaking, prize-winning collaborative journalism but it also trained young investigative reporters to expose wrongdoing. It’s money that kept journalists safe from physical and digital attacks and supported those in exile who continued to report on crooks and dictators back in their home countries.
OCCRP now has 43 less journalists and staff to do our work.
Next week, we’ll take on another set of powerful actors to defend the public interest. And another set the week after that.
We are determined to stay in the fight and keep reporting on organised crime and the corrupt who enable and benefit from it. But it’s getting harder and we need help.