Category: KB

MIL-OSI Australia: Exciting activities to keep seniors connected with $840,000 grant

Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 6 February 2025

Released by: Minister for Seniors

A new range of activities to help NSW seniors reduce social isolation will soon launch after the NSW Government provided $840,000 in funding as part of the 2025 Connecting Seniors Grant Program.

From singing to storytelling, cooking classes to croquet lessons, the funded projects will empower older people to engage with their communities and combat loneliness in innovative ways.

Some old favourites from 2024 will also be making a comeback, including water safety classes, Foodies Clubs and Community Circles.

Activities will be delivered across NSW through 28 organisations divided into five categories including Aboriginal, Multicultural, Creation, Enhancement or Expansion, and Local Council.

The Aboriginal and multicultural categories are new this year and projects include activities such as Aboriginal dance workshops, technology mentorship, excursions, and a range of classes such as exercise and art.

In 2024, COTA NSW’s Voice of Solitude: Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults in NSW found 60 per cent of people aged over 50 were lonely with 25 per cent experiencing extreme levels of loneliness, and 50 percent feeling socially isolated.

The Connecting Seniors Grant Program builds on previous grant rounds, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW. The program supports the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, demonstrating the NSW Government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness.

The addition of Aboriginal and Multicultural categories in 2025 aligns with the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap commitments and the Multicultural NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

Since its launch in 2020, the grant program has funded more than 120 projects with over 30,000 seniors taking part across 82 Local Government Areas across NSW.

For more information about the Connecting Seniors Grant Program and the full list of recipients, visit: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/seniors/ageing-well-in-nsw-seniors-strategy-2021-2031/events-and-projects/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.html

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“With 28 projects funded in 2025 across the state, there is something for everyone to get involved in.

“These projects can provide a social lifeline for seniors who often live alone. They help older people stay connected and age well.

“It’s important that we provide as many opportunities as we can for seniors to stay engaged with their communities and even try new experiences.

“Congratulations to the recipients – I’m looking forward to seeing our seniors make excellent use of the programs and activities on offer.”

Ian Westmorelandfrom Kintsugi Heroessaid:

“We are thrilled to receive this grant which will enable us to use the power of storytelling to inspire and provide hope to seniors who may be experiencing life challenges like elder abuse, loneliness and social isolation.

“Focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the seniors who share their stories will be invited to speak at community events around the Hornsby LGA area to encourage other seniors to engage and connect.”

MIL OSI News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Tougher laws against antisemitism and hatred in NSW
Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 6 February 2025

Released by: The Premier, Attorney General, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Multiculturalism, Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism

The Minns Labor Government is announcing a series of tough new measures to crack down on a recent escalation of troubling graffiti, racial hatred and antisemitism in the community.
The package of reforms will help give police and the community additional powers and resources to respond to disgusting acts of racial violence and hatred.

It sends a clear message to people who commit these crimes or intend to commit them that these acts have no place in NSW, and they will face severe and harsh penalties if they do.

In response to recent appalling attacks, the NSW Government will:
- Introduce a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
- Introduce a new offence in section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 directed at the display of a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, with an increased maximum penalty to 2 years’ imprisonment, and clarify that that graffiti is a ‘public act’.
- Expand the aggravating circumstance that applies on sentence when an offence is motivated by hatred or prejudice to ensure that it applies whether a crime is partially or wholly motivated by hatred or prejudice.
- Amend the Graffiti Control Act 2008 to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship.
- Introduce a new offence in the Crimes Act 1900 to stop people in or near a place of worship from intentionally blocking access to the place of worship without reasonable excuse, or from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing places of worship, and provide police with associated move on powers. This new offence is proposed to have a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
In addition to these strengthened laws, the Minns Labor Government is also announcing:
- Increased funding to support the crucial work of the NSW Police Force Engagement and Hate Crime Unit by $525,000. This will allow for boosted engagement and communications with the community, including additional synagogue and school visits.
- An increase to the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program by $500,000.
- Training to support local governments address rising prevalence of hate crimes.
These reforms build on the significant work of the police over the summer:
- The NSW Police Force launched Operation Shelter on 11 October 2023 to respond to public safety in relation to the current conflict in the Middle East.
- More than 300 proactive patrols are conducted under Operation Shelter every day. These centre around significant sites such as places of worship.
- Resources from Traffic and Highway Patrol, the Regional Enforcement Squad, dog unit and Pol Air have also been brought in to help local police on the ground.
- Strike Force Pearl has been established to investigates these hate crimes – and doubled its fulltime dedicated detectives from 20 to 40.
The reforms send a strong message about the seriousness of committing acts of racial hatred and antisemitism, and the NSW Government’s commitment to send a clear message to perpetrators that they will be held responsible for these acts.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and antisemitism.

“These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop.

“NSW is a multicultural state, and these acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work.

“These laws have been drafted in response to the horrifying antisemitic violence in our community but it’s important to note that they will apply to anyone, preying on any person, of any religion.

“If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Blocking access to places of worship, graffitiing sacred sites, or inciting hatred are wholly unacceptable behaviours that have no place in our society. These proposed changes strengthen penalties and expand police powers to maintain order across the community.

“The Minns Government is expanding the criminal law to send a clear message that inciting hatred is not just unacceptable, it will soon be criminal.

“The entire community will be safer as a direct result of these changes. The proposed changes will mean that divisive and hateful behaviours will not succeed in dividing our community.”

Minister for the Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Police are doing everything they can to disrupt and investigate these vile crimes. Today’s announcement will further strengthen their capability to continue this critical work.

“Our community thrives on diversity and mutual respect. We refuse to let those driven by hate divide us.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Our multicultural society is one of our greatest achievements, but it is not something we can afford to take for granted. It requires our constant attention.

“The Minns Government will continue to proactively address bad faith actors and explore every avenue to ensure social harmony and that our multicultural society is protected.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“It’s vital that all tiers of government are united in the effort to stop antisemitism.

“I welcome the additional support and training for councils so that they can expand their work promoting unity and harmony within local communities.”
MIL OSI News –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling from Employer

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BOSTON – The former finance director of a Florida-based company pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $5.7 million from his employer.

Paul Schnitzer, 51, of Clermont, Fla., pleaded guilty to wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2025. Schnitzer was first charged in May 2024, indicted by a grand jury in June 2024, and detained in October 2024 after violating his conditions of pretrial release.

Between January 2022 and May 2024, Schnitzer made more than 100 transfers out of his employer’s operating bank account into an investment account he controlled, disguised as “equity distributions.” To hide these transfers, Schnitzer falsified financial reports to the Massachusetts-based investment firm that owned the company. Schnitzer also secretly used a line of credit to replenish the balance in the company’s operating account after he had stolen from it.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the loss to the victim. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Provo Man Accused of Attempting to Receive Carfentanil for Distribution in Utah is Detained

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah County man was ordered to detention in federal court today after he was indicted by a federal grand jury last week and charged with a federal drug crime for allegedly attempting to have carfentanil shipped to Utah for distribution.

Carfentanil is most commonly used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine, and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times more potent than heroin.

According to court documents, Clint James Pendleton, 29, of Provo, Utah, attempted to receive a package containing approximately 20 grams of carfentanil on January 22, 2025. The package was destined for an address in Payson, Utah, but was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport in California. The package was opened and the suspected carfentanil was tested and presumptively identified as carfentanil and weighed approximately 20 grams. Subsequently, the package was tracked to Pendleton who had signed up to receive tracking updates on the package. Additionally, law enforcement discovered Pendleton allegedly had a history of his criminal activity written in a notebook that included amounts of controlled substances purchased, prices, and tracking numbers, including for carfentanil. The DEA has identified carfentanil as “crazy dangerous” and a serious growing concern as it is becoming more prevalent in our communities.

Pendleton is charged with attempted possession of carfentanil with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment was February 5, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC).

Special Assistant United States Attorney Pete Reichman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Four sentenced in conspiracy using victim’s Social Security numbers to steal funds

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CORPUS CHRISTI – A 41-year-old Newark man has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identify theft, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Cory Scott Becker pleaded guilty Oct. 24, 2024.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now imposed a 36-month-term of imprisonment for Becker. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of his and others’ roles and the scheme to steal funds.

Christopher Carr, 37, Corpus Christi, previously received 12 months and a day in prison, while Joseph Aguilar, 37, Corpus Christi, and Emmett Jimenez, 45, Yoakum, received 12 and 18 months, respectively.

The investigation began after a complainant reported $30,000 was taken out of her account at a credit union in Corpus Christi. The bank’s risk management team discovered that from Feb. 16, 2022, until approximately March 8, 2022, 44 unauthorized transactions occurred from approximately 18 accounts.

Law enforcement interviewed account owners and verified the unauthorized withdrawals. The investigation revealed they were made through an interactive teller machine which allows fund withdrawals using a holder’s Social Security and bank account numbers.

Authorities subsequently discovered Becker, Carr, Aguilar and Jimenez conspired to use the numbers and accounts to illegally withdraw funds from credit union account holders.

Becker was permitted to remain on bond pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Member of deadly human smuggling ring sent to prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 28-year-old Roma man has been sentenced for conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens resulting in multiple deaths, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jose Refugio Torres pleaded guilty Sept. 27, 2023, admitting he conspired to transport illegal aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations within the United States.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now imposed a 36-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the severity of human smuggling involving death and admonished Torres that should he ever return to the smuggling business, he could be facing potential life in federal prison.

“As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk,” said Ganjei. “Securing the border is the Southern District of Texas’ number one priority, and breaking up these smuggling rings is a key component of that. We will continue to use all available resources to aggressively pursue those that flout our immigration laws and put profit ahead of human lives.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is dedicated to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and security of citizens across all communities in the United States,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, Craig Larrabee. “We will remain focused on investigating and dismantling transnational criminal organizations that jeopardize the well-being of individuals.”

Jose Refugio Torres was involved in the attempted smuggling of illegal aliens in March 2019 by motor vehicle from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations within the United States. During this failed attempt in Duval County, a vehicle rolled over and caused the deaths of four people with serious injuries to six others.

The victims included citizens of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador as well as a 17-year-old boy from Ecuador.

Torres was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol; Coast Guard; Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations; police departments in Port Mansfield and South Padre Island; Texas Rangers; Texas Game Wardens; sheriff’s offices in Kenedy, Duval and Willacy Counties; and the Willacy County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose E. Arreola Jr. and Jose Esquivel Jr. prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: 5 Arrested in Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Fraudulent Withdrawal of Benefits Designated for Low-Income Families
Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LOS ANGELES – A multi-agency law enforcement operation has resulted in the arrest of five illegal aliens who allegedly used information from “skimmed” electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to “clone” counterfeit cards and steal funds that had been disbursed to low-income individuals by the State of California, the Justice Department announced today.

Three of the defendants have been ordered detained without bond, and two of the five defendants arrested on Sunday are expected to make their initial appearances in United States District Court today.

During the operation on Sunday, approximately 70 law enforcement officers began monitoring ATM locations across the Los Angeles area to identify individuals who were making multiple cash withdrawals with cards encoded with information that had been stolen from cards used by the California Department of Social Services (DSS) to provide CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits to qualified recipients.

Authorities made arrests after determining that the suspects making withdrawals at the ATMs were not entitled to access funds that had been deposited into accounts belonging to legitimate EBT beneficiaries.

“These defendants who are illegally in the United States targeted and stole from some of the poorest members of our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “This fraudulent activity has contributed to significant financial losses, undermining an essential lifeline for struggling families. The U.S. Attorney’s office, in close collaboration with our law enforcement counterparts, will continue to root out this criminal conduct and protect our most vulnerable citizens from further exploitation.”

“This successful operation targeted transnational criminal organizations that have been stealing from our less fortunate neighbors and the taxpayers,” said HSI Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners will work day and night to ensure that this help continues to be available to those who need it most, and not in the pockets of greedy criminals.”

Late Monday, federal prosecutors filed three criminal complaints charging the five defendants with the use of unauthorized access devices (the cards with stolen EBT account numbers and PINs used to make the cash withdrawals). The defendants arrested Sunday allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals, obtaining as much as $25,480. The defendants named across three criminal complaints are:
- Marcel Musat, 53, of Romania, who is charged with one count of use of unauthorized access devices and allegedly had approximately 45 cloned cards on his person when he was arrested. Musat admitted to investigators he had overstayed his visa and therefore is illegally in the United States. At a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Musat was ordered held without bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 11.
- Ionut Calciu, 31, of Romania, who is charged with one count of use of unauthorized access devices and allegedly possessed 10 counterfeit EBT cards when he was arrested. According to court documents, Calciu previously was convicted of aggravated robbery in Romania. Calciu, who is an illegal alien, is scheduled to appear in court today.
- Florian Serban, 51, of Romania, who is charged with one count of use of unauthorized access devices and he allegedly possessed 58 re-encoded California EBT cards. Serban is due to appear in court today.
- Wesley David Adrian Dimoua-Moua, 36, of France, who is charged with one count of use of unauthorized devices and allegedly had 11 counterfeit EBT cards when he was arrested. Dimoua-Moua is a visa overstay illegally present in the United States. At a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Dimoua-Moua was ordered held without bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on February 24.
- Hichem Mohamed El Mabrouk, 35, of France, who is charged with one count of use of unauthorized access devices and allegedly was in possession of 37 re-encoded California EBT cards when he was arrested. At a hearing Tuesday afternoon, El Mabrouk was ordered held without bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 11.
DSS detected more than $126.8 million stolen from victim EBT cards in 2024, according to court documents. This fraud has targeted CalWORKs and CalFresh (previously known as “food stamps”), both of which are intended to help low-income beneficiaries purchase food and provide for basic needs.

The investigation has revealed that the fraudulent withdrawal of these benefits is done with “cloned” cards, which are debit cards, gift cards or other devices with magnetic strips that have been encoded with information from legitimate EBT cards. Court documents allege that at least some of those involved in the fraudulent withdrawals also possessed “skimming” devices that could be used to record personal identification information from victims.

Criminal complaints and indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Homeland Security Investigation’s El Camino Real Task Force, which includes special agents with HSI and the United States Secret Service, as well as officers with the Los Angeles Police Department, is conducting the investigations in this matter.

A number of law enforcement agencies provided significant support during Sunday’s operation, including the California Department of Social Services, the United States Marshals Service, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Hermosa Beach Police Department, the Baldwin Park Police Department, the Culver City Police Department, the El Monte Police Department, the Inglewood Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General.

Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Roldán, Alexander H. Tran and Sophia Carrillo of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting these cases.

MIL Security OSI –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Sentenced To 84 Months In Prison For Conspiring To Engage In Multimillion Dollar Wire Fraud Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

Terrell Fuller, 34, of Baldwin, New York, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Fuller and his co-conspirators submitted a fraudulent application to the Small Business Administration, which caused the SBA to provide them with approximately $1,200,000. In addition, Fuller and his co-conspirators opened bank accounts in the names of various entities and individuals, deposited illegally obtained or fraudulent checks into those accounts, and then withdrew and attempted to withdraw money from the accounts. Further, Fuller, using stolen personal identifying information, fraudulently rented locations to live in New York and failed to pay more than $400,000 in rent and fees for those locations. Through the conspiracy, Fuller and his co-conspirators obtained more than $2,000,000 in money and property through their fraudulent actions.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesler sentenced Fuller to 3 years of supervised release and $2,289,816.06 in restitution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Franklin Township Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, and special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

###

Defense counsel: Scott Leemon, New York City, New York

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI: EZCORP Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW), a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America, today announced results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2024.

Unless otherwise noted, all amounts in this release are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and comparisons shown are to the same period in the prior year.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Pawn loans outstanding (PLO) up 13% to $274.8 million.

Net income increased 9% to $31.0 million. On an adjusted basis¹, net income increased 14% to $32.6 million.

Diluted earnings per share increased 11% to $0.40. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share increased 17% to $0.42.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 12% to $53.0 million.

Total revenues increased 7% to $320.2 million, while gross profit increased 7% to $185.4 million.

CEO COMMENTARY AND OUTLOOK

Lachie Given, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Fiscal 2025 is off to a strong start as we build on our momentum from 2024. Customer demand for immediate cash solutions and high quality, cost-effective secondhand goods remains high, as reflected by another quarter of record revenues and PLO. We also continued to drive meaningful improvements to our bottom line and deliver on the operating leverage inherent in our business, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 12% and adjusted diluted EPS increasing 17%.

“Our consistent performance across geographies underscores the strength of our operations and customer-focused strategy. In the U.S., PLO grew 15%, driven by strong loan demand and higher average loan size. In Latin America, PLO rose 19% on a constant currency basis, with revenues up 18%, reflecting robust customer demand for loans and secondhand goods, as well as our outstanding customer service. Our EZ+ Rewards program also continues to perform exceptionally well, which accounted for 77% of all transacting customers. These results demonstrate the momentum we are gaining across markets and the success of our strategic initiatives.”

“We are proud of the solid foundation we have built, which will enable us to continue driving growth both organically and through strategic M&A. Looking ahead, we plan to continue delivering exceptional service to our customers and enhancing value for our shareholders. We remain deeply committed to our core values of People, Pawn and Passion, and believe we are very well-positioned to deliver another record year of performance in fiscal 2025,” concluded Given.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Three Months Ended December 31	As Reported				Adjusted¹
in millions, except per share amounts	2024		2023		2024		2023

Total revenues	$	320.2	$	300.0	$	329.7	$	300.0
Gross profit	$	185.4	$	172.6	$	190.2	$	172.6
Income before tax	$	41.4	$	37.7	$	43.4	$	37.8
Net income	$	31.0	$	28.5	$	32.6	$	28.6
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.40	$	0.36	$	0.42	$	0.36
EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)	$	50.8	$	47.1	$	53.0	$	47.2

PLO increased 13% to $274.8 million, up $31.6 million. On a same-store² basis, PLO increased 12% due to increase in average loan size, continued strong pawn demand and improved operational performance.

Total revenues and gross profit increased 7%, reflecting improved pawn service charge (PSC) revenues as a result of higher average PLO in addition to higher merchandise sales and merchandise sales gross profit.

PSC increased 10% as a result of higher average PLO.

Merchandise sales gross margin remains within our target range at 35%, down from 36%. Aged general merchandise was 2.1% of total general merchandise inventory.

Net inventory increased 21%, due to the increase in PLO and decrease in inventory turnover to 2.7x, from 3.0x.

Store expenses increased 5% and 3% on a same-store basis.

General and administrative expenses increased 13%, primarily due to labor (including incentive compensation) and, to a lesser extent, ongoing support costs related to Workday.

Income before taxes was $41.4 million, up 10% from $37.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased 12% to $53.0 million.

Diluted earnings per share increased 11% to $0.40. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share increased 17% to $0.42.

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter was $174.5 million, up from $170.5 million as of September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to cash from operating activities, partially offset by increase in earning assets, capital expenditures, taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards and share repurchases.

SEGMENT RESULTS

U.S. Pawn

PLO ended the quarter at $220.2 million, up 15% on a total and same-store basis due to increase in average loan size, increased loan demand and improved operational performance.

Total revenues increased 7% and gross profit increased 9%, reflecting higher PSC and merchandise sales.

PSC increased 11% as a result of higher average PLO.

Merchandise sales increased 3%, and gross margin was flat at 37%. Aged general merchandise increased to 2.6%, or $1.2 million of total general merchandise inventory. Excluding our three Max Pawn luxury stores in Las Vegas, aged general merchandise was 1%.

Net inventory increased 17%, in line with the growth in PLO. Inventory turnover decreased to 2.5x, from 2.7x.

Store expenses increased 8% (5% on a same-store basis), primarily due to labor costs (including higher health benefits) supporting more store activity, offset by a decrease in expenses related to our loyalty program.

Segment contribution increased 11% to $52.9 million.

During the quarter, segment store count remained at 542.

Latin America Pawn

PLO improved to $54.6 million, up 4% (19% on constant currency basis). On a same-store basis, PLO increased 2% (17% on a constant currency basis) due to improved operational performance and increased loan demand.

Total revenues were up 7% (18% on constant currency basis), and gross profit increased 4% (14% on a constant currency basis), mainly due to increased PSC and higher merchandise sales.

PSC increased to $29.2 million, up 7% (17% on a constant currency basis) as a result of higher average PLO.

Merchandise sales increased 7% (19% on constant currency basis) and merchandise sales gross margin decreased to 30% from 32%. Aged general merchandise decreased to 1.4% from 1.6% of total general merchandise inventory.

Net inventory increased 35% (57% on a constant currency basis) due to increase in PLO and decrease in inventory turnover to 3.1x, from 3.8x.

Store expenses were flat (11% increase on a constant currency basis) and on a same-store basis decreased 2% (9% increase on a constant currency basis), primarily due to labor and rent.

Segment contribution increased 14% to $11.6 million (24% on a constant currency basis). On an adjusted basis, segment contribution was up 22% to $12.5 million.

During the quarter, segment store count increased by four de novo stores to 741.

FORM 10-Q

EZCORP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The report is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.ezcorp.com. EZCORP shareholders may obtain a paper copy of the report, free of charge, by sending a request to the investor relations contact below.

CONFERENCE CALL
EZCORP will host a conference call on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 8:00 am Central Time to discuss First Quarter Fiscal 2025 results. Analysts and institutional investors may participate on the conference call by registering online at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI86f9072cf4c447ae86954e0a22daa957. Once registered you will receive the dial-in details with a unique PIN to join the call. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through this link: http://investors.ezcorp.com. A replay of the conference call will be available online at http://investors.ezcorp.com shortly after the end of the call.

ABOUT EZCORP

Formed in 1989, EZCORP has grown into a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America. We also sell pre-owned and recycled merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and merchandise purchased from customers. We are dedicated to satisfying the short-term cash needs of consumers who are both cash and credit constrained, focusing on an industry-leading customer experience. EZCORP is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol EZPW and is a member of the S&P 1000 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index.

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EZCORP LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ezcorp/

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s strategy, initiatives and expected performance. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations as to the outcome and timing of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including all statements regarding the Company’s strategy, initiatives and future performance, that address activities or results that the Company plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates, will, should or may occur in the future, including future financial or operating results, are forward-looking statements. Actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and other factors, including operating risks, liquidity risks, legislative or regulatory developments, market factors, current or future litigation and risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For a discussion of these and other factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects, see the Company’s annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time.

Contact:
Email: Investor_Relations@ezcorp.com
Phone: (512) 314-2220

Note: Percentages are calculated from the underlying numbers in thousands and, as a result, may not agree to the percentages calculated from numbers in millions. Numbers may not foot or cross foot due to rounding.
¹“Adjusted” basis, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes certain items. “Constant currency” basis, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. For additional information about these calculations, as well as a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information” at the end of this release.
²“Same-store” basis, which is a financial measure, includes stores open the entirety of the comparable periods.


EZCORP, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2024			2023
Revenues:
Merchandise sales	$	186,343		$	179,403
Jewelry scrapping sales		16,732			14,082
Pawn service charges		117,052			106,449
Other revenues		43			57
Total revenues		320,170			299,991
Merchandise cost of goods sold		121,824			115,210
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold		12,942			12,208
Gross profit		185,404			172,573
Operating expenses:
Store expenses		116,451			110,555
General and administrative		18,669			16,543
Depreciation and amortization		8,335			8,565
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and other		8			(172	)
Total operating expenses		143,463			135,491
Operating income		41,941			37,082
Interest expense		3,147			3,440
Interest income		(2,093	)		(2,639	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		(1,475	)		(1,153	)
Other expense (income)		978			(271	)
Income before income taxes		41,384			37,705
Income tax expense		10,368			9,235
Net income	$	31,016		$	28,470

Basic earnings per share	$	0.57		$	0.52
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.40		$	0.36

Weighted-average basic shares outstanding		54,827			55,076
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding		83,347			86,812

EZCORP, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023			September 30, 2024

Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	174,506		$	218,516		$	170,513
Restricted cash		9,386			8,470			9,294
Pawn loans		274,824			243,252			274,084
Pawn service charges receivable, net		45,198			40,002			44,013
Inventory, net		199,481			164,927			191,923
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		36,562			44,001			39,171
Total current assets		739,957			719,168			728,998
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		13,555			10,125			13,329
Other investments		51,903			51,220			51,900
Property and equipment, net		63,231			68,998			65,973
Right-of-use assets, net		227,810			231,103			226,602
Goodwill		304,722			303,799			306,478
Intangible assets, net		57,093			56,977			58,451
Deferred tax asset, net		24,990			25,984			25,362
Other assets, net		15,872			13,819			16,144
Total assets	$	1,499,133		$	1,481,193		$	1,493,237

Liabilities and equity:
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt, net	$	103,205		$	34,307		$	103,072
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities		68,682			69,386			85,737
Customer layaway deposits		24,216			18,324			21,570
Operating lease liabilities, current		57,900			57,980			58,998
Total current liabilities		254,003			179,997			269,377
Long-term debt, net		224,505			326,223			224,256
Deferred tax liability, net		2,186			372			2,080
Operating lease liabilities		182,228			188,475			180,616
Other long-term liabilities		12,317			11,243			12,337
Total liabilities		675,239			706,310			688,666
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A Non-voting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized: 100 million; issued and outstanding: 52,050,550 as of December 31, 2024; 52,272,594 as of December 31, 2023; and 51,582,698 as of September 30, 2024		520			523			516
Class B Voting Common Stock, convertible, par value $0.01 per share; shares authorized: 3 million; issued and outstanding: 2,970,171		30			30			30
Additional paid-in capital		345,783			343,870			348,366
Retained earnings		536,427			457,929			507,206
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(58,866	)		(27,469	)		(51,547	)
Total equity		823,894			774,883			804,571
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,499,133		$	1,481,193		$	1,493,237

EZCORP, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2024			2023

Operating activities:
Net income	$	31,016		$	28,470
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		8,335			8,565
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs		382			417
Non-cash lease expense		14,421			14,744
Deferred income taxes		478			345
Other adjustments		(617	)		(857	)
Provision for inventory reserve		59			(156	)
Stock compensation expense		2,597			2,264
Equity in net income from investment in unconsolidated affiliates		(1,475	)		(1,153	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Pawn service charges receivable		(1,368	)		(1,000	)
Inventory		(2,384	)		2,066
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets		1,375			(5,823	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(38,737	)		(33,991	)
Customer layaway deposits		2,909			(719	)
Income taxes		9,000			8,309
Net cash provided by operating activities		25,991			21,481
Investing activities:
Loans made		(247,225	)		(216,978	)
Loans repaid		135,190			123,021
Recovery of pawn loan principal through sale of forfeited collateral		101,850			98,209
Capital expenditures, net		(5,609	)		(7,184	)
Investment in other investments		—			(15,000	)
Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates		1,902			1,745
Other		(148	)		(677	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(14,040	)		(16,864	)
Financing activities:
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards		(3,971	)		(3,253	)
Purchase and retirement of treasury stock		(3,000	)		(3,007	)
Payments of finance leases		(131	)		(132	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(7,102	)		(6,392	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(764	)		(207	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		4,085			(1,982	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		179,807			228,968
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	183,892		$	226,986

EZCORP, Inc. OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 (Unaudited)
(in thousands)	U.S. Pawn			Latin America Pawn			Other Investments			Total Segments			Corporate Items			Consolidated

Revenues:
Merchandise sales	$	128,800		$	57,543		$	—		$	186,343		$	—		$	186,343
Jewelry scrapping sales		15,498			1,234			—			16,732			—			16,732
Pawn service charges		87,876			29,176			—			117,052			—			117,052
Other revenues		27			16			—			43			—			43
Total revenues		232,201			87,969			—			320,170			—			320,170
Merchandise cost of goods sold		81,556			40,268			—			121,824			—			121,824
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold		11,968			974			—			12,942			—			12,942
Gross profit		138,677			46,727			—			185,404			—			185,404
Segment and corporate expenses (income):
Store expenses		83,089			33,362			—			116,451			—			116,451
General and administrative		—			—			—			—			18,669			18,669
Depreciation and amortization		2,717			2,046			—			4,763			3,572			8,335
Loss on sale or disposal of assets and other		—			8			—			8			—			8
Interest expense		—			—			—			—			3,147			3,147
Interest income		—			(202	)		(594	)		(796	)		(1,297	)		(2,093	)
Equity in net (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates		—			—			(1,623	)		(1,623	)		148			(1,475	)
Other (income) expense		(11	)		(71	)		—			(82	)		1,060			978
Segment contribution	$	52,882		$	11,584		$	2,217		$	66,683
Income (loss) before income taxes										$	66,683		$	(25,299	)	$	41,384

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
(in thousands)	U.S. Pawn		Latin America Pawn			Other Investments			Total Segments			Corporate Items			Consolidated

Revenues:
Merchandise sales	$	125,513	$	53,890		$	—		$	179,403		$	—		$	179,403
Jewelry scrapping sales		12,815		1,267			—			14,082			—			14,082
Pawn service charges		79,073		27,376			—			106,449			—			106,449
Other revenues		37		16			4			57			—			57
Total revenues		217,438		82,549			4			299,991			—			299,991
Merchandise cost of goods sold		78,709		36,501			—			115,210			—			115,210
Jewelry scrapping cost of goods sold		11,284		924			—			12,208			—			12,208
Gross profit		127,445		45,124			4			172,573			—			172,573
Segment and corporate expenses (income):
Store expenses		77,255		33,300			—			110,555			—			110,555
General and administrative		—		—			—			—			16,543			16,543
Depreciation and amortization		2,624		2,339			—			4,963			3,602			8,565
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets and other		26		(196	)		—			(170	)		(2	)		(172	)
Interest expense		—		—			—			—			3,440			3,440
Interest income		—		(420	)		(573	)		(993	)		(1,646	)		(2,639	)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates		—		—			(1,153	)		(1,153	)		—			(1,153	)
Other (income) expense		—		(48	)		1			(47	)		(224	)		(271	)
Segment contribution	$	47,540	$	10,149		$	1,729		$	59,418
Income (loss) before income taxes									$	59,418		$	(21,713	)	$	37,705

EZCORP, Inc. STORE COUNT ACTIVITY (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024
	U.S. Pawn		Latin America Pawn		Consolidated

As of September 30, 2024		542		737		1,279
New locations opened		—		4		4
As of December 31, 2024		542		741		1,283

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
	U.S. Pawn		Latin America Pawn		Consolidated

As of September 30, 2023		529		702		1,231
New locations opened		—		5		5
Locations acquired		1		—		1
As of December 31, 2023		530		707		1,237

Non-GAAP Financial Information (Unaudited)

In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with accounting U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we provide certain other non-GAAP financial information on a constant currency (“constant currency”) and adjusted basis. We use constant currency results to evaluate our Latin America Pawn operations, which are denominated primarily in Mexican pesos, Guatemalan quetzales and other Latin American currencies. We believe that presentation of constant currency and adjusted results is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our operations and reflects an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. We provide non-GAAP financial information for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of our GAAP consolidated financial statements. We use this non-GAAP financial information primarily to evaluate and compare operating results across accounting periods.

Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not instead of or superior to, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.

Constant currency results reported herein are calculated by translating consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations items denominated in local currency to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate from the prior-year comparable period, as opposed to the current period, in order to exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. In addition, we have an equity method investment that is denominated in Australian dollars and is translated into U.S. dollars. We used the end-of-period rate for balance sheet items and the average closing daily exchange rate on a monthly basis during the appropriate period for statement of operations items. The end-of-period and approximate average exchange rates for each applicable currency as compared to U.S. dollars as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:


	December 31,				Three Months Ended December 31,
	2024		2023		2024		2023

Mexican peso		20.8		17.0		20.1		17.5
Guatemalan quetzal		7.5		7.7		7.5		7.6
Honduran lempira		25.0		24.3		24.8		24.4
Australian dollar		1.6		1.5		1.5		1.5

Our statement of operations constant currency results reflect the monthly exchange rate fluctuations and so are not directly calculable from the above rates. Constant currency results, where presented, also exclude the foreign currency gain or loss.

Miscellaneous Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)	2024			2023

Net income	$	31.0		$	28.5
Interest expense		3.1			3.4
Interest income		(2.1	)		(2.6	)
Income tax expense		10.4			9.2
Depreciation and amortization		8.3			8.6
EBITDA	$	50.8		$	47.1

	Total Revenues		Gross Profit		Income Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net Income		Diluted EPS		EBITDA

2025 Q1 Reported	$	320.2	$	185.4	$	41.4	$	10.4	$	31.0	$	0.40	$	50.8
FX Impact		—		—		1.0		0.2		0.8		0.01		1.0
Constant Currency		9.5		4.8		1.0		0.2		0.8		0.01		1.2
2025 Q1 Adjusted	$	329.7	$	190.2	$	43.4	$	10.8	$	32.6	$	0.42	$	53.0

	Total Revenues		Gross Profit		Income Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net Income		Diluted EPS		EBITDA

2024 Q1 Reported	$	300.0	$	172.6	$	37.7	$	9.2	$	28.5	$	0.36	$	47.1
FX Impact		—		—		0.1		—		0.1		—		0.1
2024 Q1 Adjusted	$	300.0	$	172.6	$	37.8	$	9.2	$	28.6	$	0.36	$	47.2

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024
(in millions)	U.S. Dollar Amount		Percentage Change YOY

Consolidated revenues	$	320.2		7	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		9.5
Constant currency consolidated revenues	$	329.7		10	%

Consolidated gross profit	$	185.4		7	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		4.8
Constant currency consolidated gross profit	$	190.2		10	%

Consolidated net inventory	$	199.5		21	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		8.5
Constant currency consolidated net inventory	$	208.0		26	%

Latin America Pawn gross profit	$	46.7		4	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		4.8
Constant currency Latin America Pawn gross profit	$	51.5		14	%

Latin America Pawn PLO	$	54.6		4	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		8.1
Constant currency Latin America Pawn PLO	$	62.7		19	%

Latin America Pawn PSC revenues	$	29.2		7	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		2.8
Constant currency Latin America Pawn PSC revenues	$	32.0		17	%

Latin America Pawn merchandise sales	$	57.5		7	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		6.6
Constant currency Latin America Pawn merchandise sales	$	64.1		19	%

Latin America Pawn segment profit before tax	$	11.6		14	%
Currency exchange rate fluctuations		0.9
Constant currency Latin America Pawn segment profit before tax	$	12.5		24	%

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Demands Answers About DOGE’s Illegal Seizure of Americans’ Private Data

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

February 05, 2025

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today demanded White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles answer questions about the acute risks posed to national security by letting unvetted ‘DOGE’ staff rifle through Americans’ private data and classified government materials.

Wyden, along with fellow Senate Intelligence Committee members Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), demanded the administration provide details to Congress about how DOGE staff and representatives are being vetted for security clearance; which systems, records and information are being shared; and what steps the administration is taking to safeguard them from misuse or disclosure.

“According to press reports, DOGE inspectors already have gained access to classified materials, including intelligence reports, at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), sensitive government payment systems, including for Social Security and Medicare, at the Treasury Department, and federal personnel data from the Office of Personnel Management. Further, as of today the scope of DOGE’s access only seems to be expanding, as reports indicate DOGE has now entered the Department of Labor and other agencies,” the senators wrote. “No information has been provided to Congress or the public as to who has been formally hired under DOGE, under what authority or regulations DOGE is operating, or how DOGE is vetting and monitoring its staff and representatives before providing them seemingly unfettered access to classified materials and Americans’ personal information.”

“As you know, information is classified to protect the national security interests of the United States. Government employees and contractors only receive access to such information after they have undergone a rigorous background investigation and demonstrated a ‘need to know.’ Circumventing these requirements creates enormous counterintelligence and security risks,” warned the senators. “For example, improper access to facilities and systems containing security clearance files of Intelligence Community personnel puts at risk the safety of the men and women who serve this country. In addition, unauthorized access to classified information risks exposure of our operations and potentially compromises not only our own sources and methods, but also those of our allies and partners. If our sources, allies, and partners stop sharing intelligence because they cannot trust us to protect it, we will all be less safe.”

The senators added, “Unclassified government systems also contain sensitive data, the unintended disclosure of which could result in significant harm to individuals or organizations, including financial loss, identity theft, and exposure of medical and other private personal information. The U.S. Treasury payment systems, in particular, are used to disburse trillions of dollars each year, and contain everyday Americans’ personal information, such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and bank accounts. Allowing DOGE access to this information raises unprecedented risks to Americans’ private personal and financial information.”

“Such unregulated practices with our government’s most sensitive networks render Americans’ personal and financial information, and our classified national secrets, vulnerable to ransomware and cyber-attacks by criminals and foreign adversaries. The recent unprecedented Salt Typhoon and Change Healthcare attacks that affected tens of millions of Americans further underscore the importance of rigorously fortifying our government systems,” the senators cautioned.

Finally, the senators also noted there are strict cybersecurity controls in place for federal networks which DOGE does not seem to be following, including by reportedly connecting personal devices to sensitive government systems and using personal emails. The senators concluded, “To underscore, DOGE seems to have unimpeded access to some of our nation’s most sensitive information, including classified materials and the private personal and financial information of everyday Americans. In light of such unprecedented risks to our national and economic security, we expect your immediate attention and prompt response.”

The full text of the letter is here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senate Intelligence Members Sound the Alarm about “DOGE” Risk to National Security and American Privacy
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, along with Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles about the risks to our national security of allowing unvetted DOGE staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials. The Committee members demanded that the administration provide details to Congress about how DOGE staff and representatives are being vetted, which systems, records and information are being shared, and what steps the administration is taking to safeguard them from misuse or disclosure.

“According to press reports, DOGE inspectors already have gained access to classified materials, including intelligence reports, at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), sensitive government payment systems, including for Social Security and Medicare, at the Treasury Department, and federal personnel data from the Office of Personnel Management. Further, as of today the scope of DOGE’s access only seems to be expanding, as reports indicate DOGE has now entered the Department of Labor and other agencies,” the senators wrote. “No information has been provided to Congress or the public as to who has been formally hired under DOGE, under what authority or regulations DOGE is operating, or how DOGE is vetting and monitoring its staff and representatives before providing them seemingly unfettered access to classified materials and Americans’ personal information.”

The senators added, “As you know, information is classified to protect the national security interests of the United States. Government employees and contractors only receive access to such information after they have undergone a rigorous background investigation and demonstrated a ‘need to know.’ Circumventing these requirements creates enormous counterintelligence and security risks. For example, improper access to facilities and systems containing security clearance files of Intelligence Community personnel puts at risk the safety of the men and women who serve this country. In addition, unauthorized access to classified information risks exposure of our operations and potentially compromises not only our own sources and methods, but also those of our allies and partners. If our sources, allies, and partners stop sharing intelligence because they cannot trust us to protect it, we will all be less safe.”

The senators also raised alarms about the privacy implications of allowing an unknown number of DOGE staff to access unclassified systems containing information about individual American taxpayers and organizations.

Wrote the senators, “Unclassified government systems also contain sensitive data, the unintended disclosure of which could result in significant harm to individuals or organizations, including financial loss, identity theft, and exposure of medical and other private personal information. The U.S. Treasury payment systems, in particular, are used to disburse trillions of dollars each year, and contain everyday Americans’ personal information, such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and bank accounts. Allowing DOGE access to this information raises unprecedented risks to Americans’ private personal and financial information.”

Finally, the senators also noted that there are strict cybersecurity controls in place for federal networks which DOGE does not seem to be following, including by reportedly connecting personal devices to sensitive government systems.

“Such unregulated practices with our government’s most sensitive networks render Americans’ personal and financial information, and our classified national secrets, vulnerable to ransomware and cyber-attacks by criminals and foreign adversaries. The recent unprecedented Salt Typhoon and Change Healthcare attacks that affected tens of millions of Americans further underscore the importance of rigorously fortifying our government systems,” the letter says.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Ms. Wiles,

We write to express our grave concern with the illegal actions currently being undertaken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which risk exposure of classified and other sensitive information that jeopardizes national security and violates Americans’ privacy. The January 20 Executive Order establishes DOGE under the Executive Office of the President with DOGE Teams established by Agency Heads within their respective agencies, and requires the Administrator of DOGE to report to the White House Chief of Staff. According to press reports, DOGE inspectors already have gained access to classified materials, including intelligence reports, at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), sensitive government payment systems, including for Social Security and Medicare, at the Treasury Department, and federal personnel data from the Office of Personnel Management. Further, as of today the scope of DOGE’s access only seems to be expanding, as reports indicate DOGE has now entered the Department of Labor and other agencies.

No information has been provided to Congress or the public as to who has been formally hired under DOGE, under what authority or regulations DOGE is operating, or how DOGE is vetting and monitoring its staff and representatives before providing them seemingly unfettered access to classified materials and Americans’ personal information.

As you know, information is classified to protect the national security interests of the United States. Government employees and contractors only receive access to such information after they have undergone a rigorous background investigation and demonstrated a “need to know.” Circumventing these requirements creates enormous counterintelligence and security risks. For example, improper access to facilities and systems containing security clearance files of Intelligence Community personnel puts at risk the safety of the men and women who serve this country. In addition, unauthorized access to classified information risks exposure of our operations and potentially compromises not only our own sources and methods, but also those of our allies and partners. If our sources, allies, and partners stop sharing intelligence because they cannot trust us to protect it, we will all be less safe.

Unclassified government systems also contain sensitive data, the unintended disclosure of which could result in significant harm to individuals or organizations, including financial loss, identity theft, and exposure of medical and other private personal information. The U.S. Treasury payment systems, in particular, are used to disburse trillions of dollars each year, and contain everyday Americans’ personal information, such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and bank accounts. Allowing DOGE access to this information raises unprecedented risks to Americans’ private personal and financial information.

Moreover, there are strict cybersecurity controls for accessing federal networks, which DOGE does not seem to be following, including by reportedly connecting personal devices to sensitive government systems. Such unregulated practices with our government’s most sensitive networks render Americans’ personal and financial information, and our classified national secrets, vulnerable to ransomware and cyber-attacks by criminals and foreign adversaries. The recent unprecedented Salt Typhoon and Change Healthcare attacks that affected tens of millions of Americans further underscore the importance of rigorously fortifying our government systems.

The Executive Branch cannot operate without regard to rules, regulations, or Congressional oversight. The American people, and our intelligence officials, deserve to know that their information is being appropriately safeguarded. We therefore respectfully request written responses to the following questions by February 14, 2025:
1. Provide a list of personnel operating under DOGE, their position or role, and their duties.
2. Pursuant to the Executive Order, DOGE teams are to be established by Agency Heads within their respective agencies. Provide a list of each agency that has established a DOGE team, and the agency personnel overseeing such team.
3. Under what authorities is DOGE conducting its operations?
4. Who is overseeing DOGE’s operations?
5. Provide a list of each agency DOGE has requested information from.
6. Provide a list of all unclassified systems, records, or other information DOGE has requested and/or gained access to.
7. Provide a list of all classified systems, records, or other information DOGE has requested and/or gained access to.
8. Do DOGE staff or representatives have access to any Intelligence Community systems, networks, or other information? If so, please specify the extent of such access.
9. Under what authority is DOGE requesting and/or gaining access to classified information?
10. What security clearances have been provided to DOGE staff or representatives, and who has authorized such clearances?
11. What processes have been followed prior to granting security clearances to DOGE staff or representatives?
12. What vetting for potential conflicts of interest has been conducted prior to granting clearances or access to government systems, records, or other information to DOGE staff or representatives?
13. Provide a list of each DOGE staff or representative who has requested and/or gained access to classified information, what clearance each such individual holds, and who authorized each security clearance.
14. Who is supervising and/or monitoring DOGE employee access to classified information?
15. What processes have been followed prior to granting DOGE staff or representatives access to sensitive government systems and networks, and who has authorized such access?
16. Who is supervising and/or monitoring DOGE employee access to sensitive government systems and networks?
17. Has DOGE briefed you, the White House Chief of Staff, on the counterintelligence and other risks of DOGE staff or representatives accessing classified and other sensitive information? If so, please specify the date of the briefing and those in attendance.
18. Has DOGE briefed you, the White House Chief of Staff, on the counterintelligence and other risks of DOGE staff or representatives accessing government networks and systems? If so, please specify the date of the briefing and those in attendance.
19. Has the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and/or the Central Intelligence Agency been briefed on the counterintelligence and other risks of DOGE staff or representatives accessing Treasury’s payment systems? If so, please specify the date of the briefing and those in attendance.
20. Has the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and/or the Central Intelligence Agency been briefed on the counterintelligence and other risks of DOGE staff or representatives accessing USAID’s classified and other sensitive information, including security clearance files? If so, please specify the date of the briefing and those in attendance.
21. What actions if any has the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and/or the Central Intelligence Agency taken to ensure DOGE employee access does not create counterintelligence risks?
22. What actions if any has the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and/or the Central Intelligence Agency taken to ensure DOGE employee access does not compromise classified or other sensitive intelligence and/or personal information of intelligence community officials?
To underscore, DOGE seems to have unimpeded access to some of our nation’s most sensitive information, including classified materials and the private personal and financial information of everyday Americans. In light of such unprecedented risks to our national and economic security, we expect your immediate attention and prompt response.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on the Privacy, Technology, and the Law Subcommittee

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following her appointment to the Senate Judiciary Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights and Privacy, Technology, and the Law subcommittees.

“Tech innovation strengthens our economy and touches every aspect of our lives, but there is still so much we must do to put guardrails in place and protect Americans – from children exposed to harmful content and illegal drugs to consumers who have no privacy protections. We also must continue the momentum on reforms to ensure we strengthen our antitrust laws to lower costs and ensure American markets are strong and breed innovation through competition.

Senator Blackburn – the Chair of the Technology Subcommittee – and I and a number of the other members of the subcommittee have worked together on legislation in this area, and I look forward to working with her and the entire committee. As Ranking Member of the Privacy, Technology, and the Law Subcommittee and a member of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, I will work across the aisle to make progress on these crucial issues.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports

Source: The White House

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to protect opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Policy and Purpose. In recent years, many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed men to compete in women’s sports. This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.

Moreover, under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), educational institutions receiving Federal funds cannot deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports. As some Federal courts have recognized, “ignoring fundamental biological truths between the two sexes deprives women and girls of meaningful access to educational facilities.” Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 73 (E.D. Ky. 2024). See also Kansas v. U.S. Dept. of Education, 24-cv-04041 at 23 (D. Kan. 2024) (highlighting “Congress’ goals of protecting biological women in education”).

Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy. It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.

Sec. 2. Definitions. The definitions in Executive Order 14168 of January 20, 2025 (Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government), shall apply to this order.

Sec.3. Preserving Women’s Sports in Education. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of Title IX, the Secretary of Education shall promptly:

(i)    in coordination with the Attorney General, continue to comply with the vacatur of the rule entitled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance” of April 29, 2024, 89 FR 33474, see Tennessee v. Cardona, 24-cv-00072 at 13-15 (E.D. Ky. 2025), and take other appropriate action to ensure this regulation does not have effect;

(ii)   take all appropriate action to affirmatively protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms and thereby provide the equal opportunity guaranteed by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, including enforcement actions described in subsection (iii); to bring regulations and policy guidance into line with the Congress’ existing demand for “equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes” by clearly specifying and clarifying that women’s sports are reserved for women; and the resolution of pending litigation consistent with this policy; and

(iii) prioritize Title IX enforcement actions against educational institutions (including athletic associations composed of or governed by such institutions) that deny female students an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them, in the women’s category, to compete with or against or to appear unclothed before males.

(b) All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall review grants to educational programs and, where appropriate, rescind funding to programs that fail to comply with the policy established in this order.

(c) The Department of Justice shall provide all necessary resources, in accordance with law, to relevant agencies to ensure expeditious enforcement of the policy established in this order.

Sec. 4. Preserving Fairness and Safety in Women’s Sports. Many sport-specific governing bodies have no official position or requirements regarding trans-identifying athletes. Others allow men to compete in women’s categories if these men reduce the testosterone in their bodies below certain levels or provide documentation of “sincerely held” gender identity. These policies are unfair to female athletes and do not protect female safety. To address these concerns, it is hereby ordered:

(a) The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall, within 60 days of the date of this order:

(i)   convene representatives of major athletic organizations and governing bodies, and female athletes harmed by such policies, to promote policies that are fair and safe, in the best interests of female athletes, and consistent with the requirements of Title IX, as applicable; and

(ii) convene State Attorneys General to identify best practices in defining and enforcing equal opportunities for women to participate in sports and educate them about stories of women and girls who have been harmed by male participation in women’s sports.

(b) The Secretary of State, including through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Sports Diplomacy Division and the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, shall:

(i)   rescind support for and participation in people-to-people sports exchanges or other sports programs within which the relevant female sports category is based on identity and not sex; and

(ii) promote, including at the United Nations, international rules and norms governing sports competition to protect a sex-based female sports category, and, at the discretion of the Secretary of State, convene international athletic organizations and governing bodies, and female athletes harmed by policies that allow male participation in women’s sports, to promote sporting policies that are fair, safe, and in furtherance of the best interests of female athletes.

(c) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and adjust, as needed, policies permitting admission to the United States of males seeking to participate in women’s sports, and shall issue guidance with an objective of preventing such entry to the extent permitted by law, including pursuant to section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(C)(i)).

(d) The Secretary of State shall use all appropriate and available measures to see that the International Olympic Committee amends the standards governing Olympic sporting events to promote fairness, safety, and the best interests of female athletes by ensuring that eligibility for participation in women’s sporting events is determined according to sex and not gender identity or testosterone reduction.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 5, 2025.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Philadelphia removes Salvadorian citizen wanted for aggravated rape of a minor

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Francisco Javier Melendez Torres, a citizen of El Salvador with a final order of removal, to El Salvador on Jan. 31. Melendez is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in El Salvador for aggravated rape of a minor and sexual harassment.

“The removal of Francisco Javier Melendez Torres, a dangerous criminal alien wanted for aggravated rape of a minor in El Salvador, highlights the dangers individuals like him pose to our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane. “ICE is committed to ensuring that dangerous individuals like Melendez Torres do not find safe harbor in the United States and do not further threaten the American public.”.

Melendez entered the U.S. without being admitted or paroled by an immigration officer.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Melendez near Rio Grande, Texas, on Feb. 5, 1986, and served him with an order to show cause and notice of hearing, charging inadmissibility. The Border Patrol released Melendez from custody on an order of recognizance on the same date.

On Nov. 17, 1986, an immigration judge in Harlingen, Texas granted Melendez voluntary departure until Dec. 29, 1986, with an alternate order of removal to El Salvador if he failed to depart the U.S. by the required date. Melendez failed to depart on time and the alternate order of removal took effect.

The Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead, New York, convicted Melendez of driving while impaired on Sept. 12, 1994, and sentenced him to incarceration for five days.

Melendez departed the U.S. on an unknown date and at an unknown location and later returned without inspection or parole by an immigration official.

The Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead, New York convicted Melendez of disorderly conduct on April 30, 2014, and sentenced him to time served.

ICE arrested Melendez on Oct. 25, 2024, in Levittown, New York, during a targeted enforcement action and served him with a notice to appear, charging inadmissibility.

An immigration judge in Elizabeth, New Jersey, ordered Melendez removed to El Salvado on Dec. 12, 2024.

Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia communities on X: @EROPhiladelphia.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Interest rate cuts, lower inflation, trade shifts – will Australia’s economy find its stride in 2025?

Source: University of South Australia

06 February 2025

UniSA’s Credit Union SA Chair of Economics Dr Susan Stone.

Australian households and businesses should benefit from lower interest rates and improved market conditions, in what a University of South Australia economist predicts will be a year of recovery for the country.

UniSA’s Credit Union SA Chair of Economics Dr Susan Stone says global economic growth is expected to improve in 2025, with G20 economies averaging growth rates of 3.35%. India and Indonesia are stand out markets and will benefit Australia as they are both major export markets.

Dr Stone says inflation is also expected to further recede, with central banks having reached their monetary policy targets in nearly half of the world’s advanced economies (US, UK, Canada, Japan etc) and close to 60% for emerging market economies (India, Brazil, South Africa etc).

“Inflation is coming down in Australia and rate cuts are expected in the first half of the year, with many economists predicting one at the February meeting. However, there are still lingering concerns about Commonwealth payments affecting the CPI (consumer price index) numbers, with rents still growing strongly, services inflation running over 4%, a continued tight housing market and low unemployment,” she says,

“All of this implies that spare capacity is limited in the economy and that any increase in demand accompanied by lowering interest rates could rekindle inflation.”

Dr Stone, a former OECD and United Nations economist, says the labour market picture is more nuanced, with growth in full-time employment post-COVID-19 slightly ahead of part-time work, but this varies significantly by sector. The strongest employment increases have been in electricity, gas and water (EGW) and construction nationally.

“EGW has more than doubled its employment growth since COVID (compared to the 10-year average) but it has come mainly through part-time work – 11% growth versus 3% growth in full-time jobs,” Dr Stone says. “The construction and health sectors were the next highest at 1.6% and 1.5% growth respectively. Both experienced stronger growth in full time workers than part-time.

“Professional, scientific and technical services employment has actually grown at a slower rate in Australia since COVID with the average annual rate of 0.8% versus the average rate of 0.9% since 2014. However, manufacturing, while small, shows much stronger employment gains since COVID then in the 10-year period overall. In this sector, part-time employment has actually fallen while full-time has increased.

“We see the construction sector really bouncing back from pre-COVID averages, with full-time job growth (at 1.7%) more than twice the rate as prior to COVID (0.7%) while part-time job growth remained the same (1%). Thus, tight conditions in the construction industry job market are likely to continue into 2025.”

As inflation comes down and real wages rise, some recovery in household finances can be expected which should increase household spending. A key to growth in Australia’s economy for 2025 and beyond is business investment, Dr Stone says.

“We saw volume measures of retail spending finish the year up, especially for household goods, which means people aren’t just spending more because of price increases. As the price index (CPI) continues to fall faster than the wage index (WPI), along with the expected cut in interest rates, household budgets should recover in 2025,” she says.

Following Donald Trump’s official inauguration as the United States’ 47th president, like many countries, Australia is adapting to his return and promise of new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.

Dr Stone says Australians may be affected by the additional trade barriers as even though the US accounts for only 5% of Australian exports, it still ranks as Australia’s fifth-largest export market.

“We export a relatively small number of commodities to the US but it’s still an important customer for our advanced manufacturing sector. The US imports many of our high technology products such as hi-tech engines, aircraft and space parts and machine tools,” she says.

“The US is also our second largest services export market, making up more than 10% of our total services trade. Service inputs are things like software, engineering or transport services that help produce international goods such as toys, laptops and refrigerators.”

Dr Stone says overall, 2025 should be a year of recovery with Australian households and business benefitting from lower interest rates and improved market conditions.

“Overseas markets are likely to remain rocky, but a weak dollar will help exports. Structural challenges in the housing market, innovation and business investment will need to be addressed to ensure sustained growth,” she adds.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Contact for interview: Dr Susan Stone, University of South Australia Credit Union SA Chair of Economics E: Susan.Stone@unisa.edu.au

Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

MIL OSI News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ambarella Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025 Earnings Conference Call to be Held February 26, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), an edge AI semiconductor company, today announced it will hold its third quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings conference call on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). The company will issue its earnings release after the market closes that same day.

Those interested in asking a question on the call are required to register online in advance. Once registered, the dial-in numbers will be provided with a personal identification number (PIN). When dialing in for the live call, the PIN number must be provided to access the call.

The live webcast of the conference call, and a webcast replay, will be available at: http://investor.ambarella.com/events.cfm

About Ambarella

Ambarella’s products are used in a wide variety of human vision and edge AI applications, including video security, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electronic mirror, drive recorder, driver/cabin monitoring, autonomous driving and robotics applications. Ambarella’s low-power systems-on-chip (SoCs) offer high-resolution video compression, advanced image and radar processing, and powerful deep neural network processing to enable intelligent perception, fusion and planning. For more information, please visit www.ambarella.com.

Contact:
Louis Gerhardy
VP Corporate Development
408-636-2310
lgerhardy@ambarella.com

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Graham: Senate Budget Committee Will Move Forward On A Budget Resolution

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced the committee will mark up the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget resolution next week.

The FY 2025 budget resolution will be the blueprint that unlocks the pathway forward for a fully paid for reconciliation bill to secure the border, bolster our military and increase American energy independence.

“To those who believe that Republicans should fulfill their promises on border security, mass deportation of criminal illegal aliens: I agree.

“That is why the Senate Budget Committee will be moving forward next week to give the Trump Administration’s Border Czar, Tom Homan, the money he needs to finish the wall, hire ICE agents to deport criminal illegal immigrants, and create more detention beds so that we do not release more dangerous people into the country.

“This will be the most transformational border security bill in the history of our country.

“It’s time to act.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Distributor of Child Sexual Abuse Material Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MIAMI – A West Palm Beach federal judge has sentenced 38-year-old Texas man James William Latta to 20 years in prison followed by 25 years supervised release for advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through social media.

During the summer of 2024, Latta used a social networking application to communicate with a person he believed was the mother of an eight-year-old child. Latta sent sexually explicit videos of himself during the exchanges and asked about sex between the mother and child. Latta also created and operated chat rooms on the social networking application through which he distributed CSAM. In one chatroom – with dozens of members – Latta distributed CSAM more than 200 times over two months, posting a hyperlink to a website with more than 3,000 images and videos of CSAM. Latta was identified and arrested in Texas. After his arrest, he was transferred to the Southern District of Florida, where he pled guilty.

In addition to imposing prison and supervised release terms, District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks ordered Latta to register as a sex offender. A hearing will be scheduled to determine the amount of restitution Latta must pay his victims.

U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI Miami made the announcement.

HSI West Palm Beach investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller is prosecuting it.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/project-safe-childhood.

Anyone with information regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse is encouraged to call (877) 4-HSI-TIP [(877) 447-4847].

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-80115.

###

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Jury convicts a man of possessing 80 grams of meth for distribution

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MIAMI – On Jan. 28, a federal jury found a Jensen Beach man guilty of possession with intent to distribute meth.

On June 14, 2023, law enforcement officers stopped Otis Furman Crabbe, III, 54, of Jensen Beach, Fla., because of the dark window tinting of his white Mercedes Benz sedan, while he was driving in downtown Stuart, Fla. Crabbe told the officers that he was partially blind and that he needed the dark tinting due to light sensitivity. The law enforcement officers conducted a canine inspection of Crabbe’s vehicle and discovered a suitcase in his trunk containing approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled on April 17 at 11:30 a.m. Crabbe faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Division and Sheriff John Budensiek, of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), made the announcement.

The HSI Fort Pierce Field Office and MCSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Breezye Telfair prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-14037.

###

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Steele County Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years for International Sexual Exploitation of Children

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Blooming Prairie man has been sentenced to 210 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

According to court documents, beginning in April 2022, Steven John Sokel, 61, began communicating over the internet with the mother of a pre-pubescent minor victim in Thailand. On September 1, 2022, Sokel traveled to Thailand and stayed with the victim and the mother for almost a full month. During his time abroad, Sokel produced images of the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit activity.

According to court documents, on September 29, 2022, Sokel left Thailand and had a layover in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Abu Dhabi airport has a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility for passengers flying to the United States. After finding items like sexual pleasure devices, handcuffs, and condoms in Sokel’s luggage, CBP officers conducted a search and found the child sexual abuse material on Sokel’s password-protected laptop.

Sokel was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Eric T. Tostrud on one count of sexual exploitation of children.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI: AGF REPORTS January 2025 ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT and FEE-EARNING ASSETS

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGF Management Limited reported total assets under management (AUM) and fee-earning assets¹ of $54.4 billion as at January 31, 2025.

AUM ($ billions)	January 31, 2025	December 31, 2024	% Change Month-Over- Month		January 31, 2024	% Change Year-Over- Year
Total Mutual Fund	$31.4	$30.1			$25.1
Exchange-traded funds + Separately managed accounts	$2.7	$2.8			$1.6
Segregated accounts and Sub-advisory	$6.8	$6.4			$7.0
AGF Private Wealth	$8.6	$8.4			$7.7
Subtotal (before AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets¹)	$49.5	$47.7			$41.4
AGF Capital Partners	$2.8	$2.8			$0.1
Total AUM	$52.3	$50.5	3.6	%	$41.5	26.0	%
AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets¹	$2.1	$2.1			$2.0
Total AUM and fee-earning assets¹	$54.4	$52.6	3.4	%	$43.5	25.1	%

Average Daily Mutual Fund AUM	$30.8	$30.5			$25.0

¹ Fee-earning assets represent assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

Mutual Fund AUM by Category ($ billions)	January 31, 2025	December 31, 2024	January 31, 2024
Domestic Equity Funds	$4.5	$4.4	$4.1
U.S. and International Equity Funds	$19.7	$18.6	$14.3
Domestic Balanced Funds	$0.1	$0.1	$0.1
U.S. and International Balanced Funds	$1.7	$1.6	$1.6
Domestic Fixed Income Funds	$1.9	$1.8	$1.7
U.S. and International Fixed Income Funds	$3.2	$3.3	$3.1
Domestic Money Market	$0.3	$0.3	$0.2
Total Mutual Fund AUM	$31.4	$30.1	$25.1

AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets ($ billions)	January 31, 2025	December 31, 2024	January 31, 2024
AGF Capital Partners AUM	$2.8	$2.8	$0.1
AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets	$2.1	$2.1	$2.0
Total AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets	$4.9	$4.9	$2.1

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $54 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 815,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:

Ken Tsang
Chief Financial Officer
416-865-4338, InvestorRelations@agf.com

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Urge Trump to Reinstate Inspectors General After Illegally Firing Them

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

Senators: “Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful…”

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and 39 of his Senate colleagues wrote to President Donald Trump strongly condemning his recent decision to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies and called on the President to immediately reinstate the officials.

“The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable – regardless of who is in power,” wrote the senators. “Without strong, qualified and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked.”

IGs provide independent oversight of federal programs and play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness. President Trump removed IGs from at least 18 departments and agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services.

According to the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which was signed into law in 2022, the President is required to provide a 30-day notice and substantive reasons for removal in writing to Congress before an Inspector General can be removed. President Trump failed to alert Congress or provide substantive reasoning.

“These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees,” continued the senators. “Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs.”

Full text of the letter available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan, Colleagues Demand Greater Accountability at VA Following Budget Shortfall Fiasco
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
02.05.25

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), and 10 of his Senate colleagues today introduced the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act, legislation to establish greater accountability and oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a stunning multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall in 2024 followed by a multi-billion-dollar surplus two months later. This budget debacle came after the VA mismanaged funds, resulting in $10 million dollars’ worth of bonuses being improperly awarded to senior management at the VA. These bonuses ranged from $40,000 to $100,000 each, significantly more than the average disability benefits a veteran receives in a year.

The Pro VETS Act will institute a three-year requirement for the VA to provide quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress to encourage greater oversight and financial accountability, and also withhold bonuses for senior VA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) personnel if there are future financial shortfalls.

“Last year, we witnessed a shocking budget debacle, with the VA saying veterans’ hard-earned benefits were in peril if the VA didn’t immediately receive billions of dollars in additional funds—only to find out weeks later that no such shortfall exists,” Sen. Sullivan said. “Congress cannot become numb to these kinds of scandals and gross mismanagement. My colleagues and I are demanding basic accountability at the VA, including quarterly in-person budget reports to Congress and the withholding of bonuses for senior VA and OMB leaders involved in any future budget debacle. I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort to put commonsense guardrails on VA leadership and safeguard the benefits of our courageous veterans who’ve sacrificed so much on our behalf.”

The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan and his colleagues’ recent work to address the lack of accountability at the VA:

In the summer of 2024, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) announced that it was experiencing a historic budget shortfall of $15 billion and would need $3 billion immediately to ensure the delivery of veterans’ benefits.

On July 31, 2024, Senators Sullivan and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding an immediate hearing on the reported budget shortfall.

On September 18, 2024, SVAC held a hearing on the funding shortfall and Sen. Sullivan introduced the PRO Vets Act.

On September 19, 2024, Sen. Sullivan attempted to pass the PRO Vets Act as an amendment to a VA supplemental funding package, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats.

On November 18, 2024, Sen. Sullivan and 15 of his colleagues sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding greater accountability and oversight of the VA.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Utah’s Senators Introduce Bills for Navy and Coast Guard Readiness

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

WASHINGTON –Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator John Curtis (R-UT) introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing the readiness and capabilities of the United States Navy and Coast Guard. The “Ensuring Naval Readiness Act” and the “Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act” are designed to modernize and expedite the construction and procurement processes for U.S. maritime forces by fostering increased collaboration with allied nations.

“Both bills are about leveraging our diplomatic relationships and the comparative advantages of our allies to ensure America remains at the forefront of maritime security,” said Senator Lee. “By modernizing our approach to shipbuilding and repair, we can enhance our readiness and maintain our military edge, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility.”

“The Ensuring Naval Readiness Act and the Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act take common-sense measures to strengthen America’s Navy and Coast Guard while keeping costs down and reinforcing our alliances with trusted partners.” said Senator Curtis. “I am pleased to support Senator Lee on these bills that ensure we remain ready to meet our national security threats.”

“The Ensuring Naval Readiness Act” addresses the critical shortfall in our naval forces, echoing the Force Structure Assessment’s recommendation for a fleet of 355 ships to ensure a ready and capable Navy. By allowing the option to construct ships or components in shipyards of NATO member countries or Indo-Pacific nations with which the U.S. has mutual defense agreements, this bill aims to reduce costs and speed up delivery times, helping to close the gap between current capabilities and strategic needs.

Following closely, “The Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act” proposes a strategic shift in the construction of U.S. Coast Guard vessels. This legislation permits the Coast Guard to partner with allied shipyards to procure vessels more quickly and cost-effectively, without compromising national security. It specifically allows for the construction of major vessel components in foreign shipyards not influenced by adversarial powers, particularly China.

For further details on the bills or to review bill texts and summaries, please click the links below:

Ensuring Naval Readiness Act: Bill Text | One-Pager
Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act: Bill Text | One-Pager

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso, Colleagues Introduce Enhancing Energy Recovery Act
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced legislation to enhance carbon capture incentives and energy production.

The Enhancing Energy Recovery Act (S. 425) would create parity under the Section 45Q carbon capture tax credit by giving across-the-board, equal treatment for carbon captured for increased energy production, utilization, and sequestration.

“Wyoming proudly leads the way on carbon capture projects. We have used this technology to take carbon out of the air and find alternate, productive uses for it,” said Senator Barrasso. “Using carbon for enhanced oil and natural gas recovery has proven to significantly increase energy production while reducing carbon emissions. Changes to Section 45Q made it harder for American energy producers and manufacturers to take advantage of this credit. Our bill will fix this policy and ensure equal treatment for energy production, utilization, and sequestration. By bolstering our national energy security, we can support Wyoming’s energy workers and lower costs for Americans across the country.”

“Investing in the infrastructure to capture carbon means investing in tens of thousands of Louisiana jobs. And with Louisiana’s primacy over permitting, it will also create tens of billions of dollars of other investment,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Let’s help Louisiana continue to lead as an energy and manufacturing state.”

“North Dakota is leading the way in cracking the code on carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. This legislation will help to advance these technologies by making the tax credit for enhanced oil recovery and utilization the same as the tax credit for storage,” said Senator Hoeven. “Streamlining these benefits will enable more businesses to invest in these advanced technologies, boost economic growth, and help make America not only energy secure but energy dominant.”

This legislation is supported by the Wyoming Energy Authority, Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Carbon Utilization Research Council (CURC), Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA), Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), National Rural Electric Cooperatives, CO2 Solutions Coalition, and the Compressed Gas Association.

“At a time where energy demand is soaring, it is more important than ever to ensure that the United States relies on domestic energy sources for our security. Wyoming has long been a leader in carbon management, whether it be using CO2 as a commodity for enhanced oil recovery or paving the way with CCUS technologies. Capturing CO2 and using it to increase our domestic production, keeping energy reliable and affordable for all Americans, is a win for our nation. This bill is a crucial piece of legislation to ensure a level playing field for the growing markets that use CO2. We applaud Senator Barrasso’s continued leadership and efforts to support Wyoming’s energy industry.” – Rob Creager, Executive Director of the Wyoming Energy Authority

“Senator Barrasso’s Enhancing Energy Recovery Act is the right approach for Wyoming’s oil and gas producers, and for national energy policy. In Wyoming, CO2 is a useful commodity, not a waste product, and so long as there is equal tax treatment for using CO2 to recover oil and gas, I’m confident Wyoming will benefit. We applaud Senator Barrasso and urge speedy passage of the Enhancing Energy Recovery Act.” – Pete Obermueller, President, Petroleum Association of Wyoming

“The Carbon Utilization Research Council (CURC) is pleased to support Senator Barrasso’s Enhancing Energy Recovery Act. As a coalition focused on the responsible use of our nation’s fossil resources, CURC commends the Senator’s efforts to create parity under the Section 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit by giving equal treatment for CO? captured for increased energy production, utilization, and sequestration. Expanding the use of CO? for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) not only helps facilitate the development of large-scale CCS deployment across the country, but also promotes a practical, market-driven approach to lowering emissions and producing a lower CO?-intensity barrel of oil. CURC looks forward to working with Senator Barrasso to advance this legislation as well as other policies that accelerate the development and deployment of CCS solutions.” – Shannon Angielski, Executive Director, CURC

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) supports Senator Barrasso’s Enhancing Energy Recovery Act. Providing parity between carbon sequestration and utilization within the tax code ensures that CO2 is captured and stored in the most economically viable manner possible. The bill further incentivizes companies to continue to use direct air capture technology, fostering ongoing development and deployment of these cutting-edge emissions reduction technologies with the promise of working toward the goals of overall emissions reduction in the United States. IPAA thanks Senator Barrasso for taking a pragmatic, forward looking approach to management of carbon dioxide emissions.” – Jeff Eshelman, President & CEO, Independent Petroleum Association of America

“We are pleased to express our strong support for Senator Barrasso’s Enhancing Energy Recovery Act, which takes a critical step forward in leveling the playing field for carbon dioxide sequestration. This balanced approach provides a powerful incentive for the oil and gas industry to continue its leadership in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) while also recognizing the role of EOR in safely managing carbon dioxide and extending the productive life of oil fields. Senator Barrasso’s vision for equitable treatment of carbon management technologies aligns with the industry’s commitment to reducing emissions, enhancing energy security, and delivering economic benefits to rural communities.” – Jerry R. Simmons, President & CEO, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

Background:

The Enhancing Energy Recovery Act will:
- Increase the effective value of the 45Q tax credit for captured carbon used in enhanced oil recovery and utilization to match that of sequestration.
- Currently, the full tax credit incentive for carbon used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and utilization is $60/metric ton, while the value for sequestration is $85/metric ton. This bill sets all three values at $85/metric ton for EOR, utilization, and sequestration.
- Additionally, the bill creates equal treatment for carbon captured through Direct Air Capture (DAC). It increases the value of DAC-captured carbon used for EOR and utilization by increasing the incentive from $130/metric ton, up to $180/metric ton, consistent with the current value of captured carbon used in sequestration.
MIL OSI USA News –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Vermont Congressional Delegation Celebrates UVM Men’s Soccer Team National Championship

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large), today celebrated Senate passage of a Resolution recognizing the University of Vermont (UVM) Men’s Soccer Team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division I championship.
“Congratulations to the UVM Men’s Soccer Team on an incredible season that finished with the program’s first-ever NCAA Division I National Championship title. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, talent, and sportsmanship displayed by the team throughout this historic season. Their championship victory truly showcased the very best of Vermont values and proved that we are, in fact, a soccer state. Our resolution forever encapsulates this special moment for Vermonters and the Cardiac Cats,” said the Vermont Congressional Delegation.
Read the full resolution.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Vermont Delegation Reintroduces Bill to Redraw Boundaries of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large) today reintroduced the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act, legislation to extend the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to include the neighboring King Farm, which is currently owned by the Vermont Land Trust.
“The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is a treasure for Vermont and our nation,” said Senator Sanders. “Vermont’s forests and working farms have always been vital to our economy and critical to our character as a state. I’m pleased this bill will continue Vermont’s conservation legacy by expanding this park and helping to conserve land for agriculture, forestry, and educational purposes for future generations.”
“The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is a unique example of how decades of conservation and stewardship have shaped our landscape with Vermont Values. As Vermont’s first and only national park, it plays an important role in conservation and educating folks about our state’s rich agricultural heritage,” said Senator Welch. “By expanding the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to include the King Farm, our bill will create new enrichment opportunities and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate this historical treasure.”
“In Vermont, we care deeply about the preservation, stewardship, and the future of our parks and lands,” said Rep. Balint. “I’m proud to take action to strengthen this partnership and ensure that King Farm has the resources it needs for trail maintenance, conservation, and land management. I’m grateful to work with Senator Welch and Sanders and our shared commitment to our state’s outdoor recreation.”
Located in Woodstock, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park preserves a significant historical, agricultural, and natural landscape. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park became Vermont’s first and only national park when it opened its doors to the public in 1998. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park commemorates the historical contributions of its namesakes—George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings, and Mary French Rockefeller—preserves Vermont’s proud agricultural heritage, and conserves native forestland ecosystems. It also provides countless educational opportunities for visitors, protects archaeological sites, and showcases historic architecture.
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act would also codify the National Park Service Stewardship Institute housed at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to support educational programing, research, community engagement, and conservation efforts throughout the National Park System. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park to acquire the King Farm from willing property owners in the future, without requiring its sale.
The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act is endorsed by the Vermont Land Trust and the National Parks Conservation Association and has the support of the Town of Woodstock:
“The Town of Woodstock is happy with this legislation as we have an outstanding and cooperative relationship with the National Park Service and our residents enjoy all the activities and services they currently offer,” said Eric Duffy, Municipal Manager, Town of Woodstock. “The Park is a massive tourist draw and a vital part of our community.”
“We welcome the opportunity to partner more closely with NPS in enhancing access to land and programming at King Farm. The timing aligns perfectly with our efforts to raise funds and invest in King Farm as a place-based educational resource for learners of all ages, alongside community partners,” said Tracy Zschau, President and CEO, Vermont Land Trust.
“Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is one of the first places to champion conservation in America,” said Todd Martin, Northeast Senior Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. “You can’t tell the story of Vermont without farming, and expanding the park boundary will help us do that by including the historic King Farm within the park boundary. One of the oldest working farms in Vermont, this expanded landscape will enhance public access and better connect trails to the town of Woodstock. We’re grateful to Senators Welch, Sanders and Congresswoman Balint for their leadership and unwavering support for Vermont’s beloved national park.”
Learn more about the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act.
Read the full text of the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: More than 200 supportive homes, shelter spaces on the way throughout B.C.

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

“In B.C., we are taking direct action to address the urgent and critical need for culturally supportive housing on reserve and off reserve by working in partnership with First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Together, we are laying a strong foundation so communities can thrive and making positive changes in people’s lives by meeting their fundamental needs.”

Mark Miller, CEO, Connective –

“We understand that stable, appropriate housing is a critical step in preventing crises and a foundation for accessing additional supports, overcoming barriers and pursuing personal independence. The transitional housing program at 3rd and London is an exciting opportunity to diversify local responses to homelessness, while leveraging our expertise to help individuals work toward long-term stability.”

Keith Fielding, president, Peachland Seniors’ Support Society –

“We’re thrilled to see the second phase of our seniors’ housing project underway. Phase 2 adds 73 new homes to the Residences on Sixth project, bringing the total to 147 units. Our thanks to BC Housing for this second partnership and to the District of Peachland for leasing the land.”

Chief Michael Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation –

“We celebrate Snuneymuxw families moving into La’lum’utul, new homes that are part of our ongoing work to create more affordable housing options for our people. We are grateful for our continued partnership with BC Housing and the meaningful results we are achieving together.”

Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, executive director, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness –

“Sacred Cradle House will meet a critical need in Victoria to keep First Nations, Métis and Inuit families together through culturally supportive housing, Indigenous approaches and child-rearing practices, including decolonized harm reduction and land-based healing.”

Bob Hughes, CEO, ASK Wellness Society –

“As we prepare to open our doors, ASK Wellness Society is proud and humbled to help bring the Access Hub Committe’s vision to life. This collaborative effort highlights the power of partnership in addressing the urgent shelter needs of Kamloops’ North Shore, providing support, hope and wraparound services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo: UN mission offers protection to ‘vulnerable populations’, despite huge challenges

Source: United Nations 4

5 February 2025 Peace and Security

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continued to consolidate their hold over North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, despite declaring a ceasefire two days earlier and pledging not to continue south, according to the UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations in the country.

Vivian van de Perre, briefed from the ground in Goma, the regional capital, telling journalists that “the situation is still highly volatile, with persistent risks of escalation”, emphasising that military action alone will not resolve the conflict.

The hostilities are occurring in a mineral-rich region that has been unstable for decades amid a proliferation of armed groups, which has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes over the years and seek safety in displacement camps.

Fighting escalated sharply in late January, as the largely-Tutsi M23 fighters seized control of parts of North Kivu, including areas near Goma, and advanced towards South Kivu and the eastern DRC’s second city of Bukavu.

She warned that the peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) – where she serves as deputy head – was operating in an increasingly challenging environment.

“The mission’s key infrastructures in Goma are overwhelmed, with both UN personnel and Congolese seeking shelter within our premises,” said Ms. Van de Perre. Pressure on space is growing – some 2,000 people are on site – and on “critical resources” like water, food and sanitation.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

MONUSCO has confirmed that Goma airport continues to be under M23 control after their takeover last week and has suffered significant damage, including to the control tower.

UN personnel have been denied access to the site, which is a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid, limiting their ability to assess the full extent of the destruction.

She said the mission was “gravely concerned” over Kavumu airport and the potential it could be taken by rebel forces. Losing both airports “in the midst of an ongoing humanitarian and IDP crisis will be untenable” for the population of the region.

Although some water and electricity services have been partially restored in the city of Goma, much more is needed to ensure that people have access to adequate services.

The World Health Organization (WHO) now warns of potential disease outbreaks as bodies continue to be recovered across the city. Over 2,000 bodies have already been buried, while 900 remain in morgues fuelling fears of a potential epidemic.

Political and regional dimensions

While the UN continues to advocate for dialogue, peace efforts remain stalled.

The Luanda and Nairobi processes – the two main diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict – have yet to yield tangible results.

Meanwhile, the African Union summit scheduled for later this month is seen as a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate regional engagement.

Ms. van de Perre also confirmed the presence of Rwandan forces in eastern DR Congo, despite denials from Kigali.

The UN has restricted movement, limiting verification capabilities, she said, but multiple reports have cited Rwandan military involvement alongside M23.

Uncertain future for MONUSCO

Amid mounting insecurity, MONUSCO has ceased joint operations with Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and withdrawn from South Kivu, following Security Council mandates.

The mission now awaits further instructions, with discussions on the next steps expected in the coming days.

Ms. van de Perre explained that the mission needs “clear guidance” from the Security Council, as the fluid situation is “changing literally every hour”.

UN News

Traffic on the streets of Goma, following recent insecurity.

Aid operations threatened

In addition to escalating violence, the US government’s decision to halt USAID funding for certain humanitarian programs is expected to cripple UN relief efforts.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other key UN agencies are already affected by stop-work orders, compounding the crisis.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that M23 has instructed NGOs to halt operations in areas under its control, further limiting humanitarian access.

A plea for peace

“We reiterate our call for the urgent reopening of Goma airport, as we need to evacuate wounded people and bring in humanitarian supplies and staff in,” said Mr. Dujarric.

As MONUSCO continues its efforts to protect civilians, de-escalate hostilities, and facilitate humanitarian access, Ms. van de Perre underscored the urgent need for a political solution.

“The people of the DRC deserve peace, security and stability,” she said, calling on all parties to “put an end to hostilities, prioritise dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Guterres calls for full Gaza ceasefire, rejecting ‘ethnic cleansing’

Source: United Nations 4

5 February 2025 Peace and Security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to continue pushing for a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza, and “to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing” in the enclave, in a speech in New York on Wednesday.

He was addressing the opening of the latest session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which met to elect a new bureau and adopt a programme of work for the year.

The UN chief spoke in the wake of comments made by United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday night in the Oval Office, who suggested the US could “take over” the Gaza Strip, calling on Palestinians living there to leave.

Prior to the Committee meeting, journalists asked UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the noon briefing in New York if the Secretary-General believed the President’s plan amounted to ethnic cleansing: “Any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing,” he responded.

Rights at risk

Addressing Committee members, the Secretary-General stated that “at its essence, the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is about the right of Palestinians to simply live as human beings in their own land.”

He noted, however, that “we have seen the realization of those rights steadily slip farther out of reach” as well as “a chilling, systematic dehumanization and demonization of an entire people.”

Death, destruction and displacement

He stressed that “of course, nothing justifies the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7” or “what we have seen unfold in Gaza over these last many months.”

He pointed to “the catalogue of destruction and unspeakable horrors”, with nearly 50,000 people reportedly killed, mainly women and children, and most of the civilian infrastructure in Gaza destroyed.

Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the population has faced repeated displacement, hunger and disease, while children have been out of school for over a year – “a generation, left homeless and traumatized.”

Permanent ceasefire now

The Secretary-General welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, announced last month. He thanked mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States for their continued efforts to ensure implementation.

“Now it is time to be crystal clear about objectives going forward,” he said.

“First, we must keep pushing for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages without delay. We cannot go back to more death and destruction.”

The UN is working around the clock to reach Palestinians in need and scale up support, he said, which requires humanitarian access that is rapid, safe, unimpeded, expanded, and sustained.

He appealed to Member States, donors, and the international community to fully fund humanitarian operations and meet urgent needs, and again urged countries to support the essential work of UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees.

Avoid ‘ethnic cleansing’

“In the search for solutions, we must not make the problem worse,” he continued.

“It is vital to stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.”

His third and final point called for reaffirming the two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians. “Any durable peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-State solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,” he said.

He insisted that “a viable, sovereign Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel is the only sustainable solution for Middle East stability.”

End West Bank violence

The Secretary-General turned to the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, voicing grave concern over rising violence by Israeli settlers and other violations.

“The violence must stop,” he said. “As affirmed by the International Court of Justice, Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territory must end.”

He said the international community must work toward preserving the unity, contiguity, and integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

He said a strong and unified Palestinian governance is crucial and urged countries to support the Palestinian Authority in this regard.

Halt ‘enemies of peace’: Committee chair

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was established some 50 years ago by the UN General Assembly. It comprises 25 Member States, with 24 others serving as observers.

Ambassador Coly Seck of Senegal, the newly elected chair of the 2025 session, said the ceasefire was a decisive step forward in terms of providing aid and safety, including for people in Gaza to return home, but the past days have seen “worrisome statements” seeking to undermine this.

“We need to reinvent strategies to block the way for those enemies of peace on Palestinian ground that is so dear to us,” he said, noting that “these postures indeed exacerbate the already difficult situation on the ground.”

He added that civilians continue to be affected following attacks by the Israeli army, while the provision of aid is suffering due to the recent entry into force of two Israeli laws banning UNRWA operations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“Whilst firmly condemning these unilateral legal measures against the Palestinian people, I would call upon the international community to rise up against these measures, to defend this people long oppressed, which has the right, as do all peoples of the world to live in peace on the land of their ancestors,” he said.

More to follow…

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 6, 2025

Category: KB

Humanitarian crisis deepens

Political and regional dimensions

Uncertain future for MONUSCO

Aid operations threatened

A plea for peace

Rights at risk

Death, destruction and displacement

Permanent ceasefire now

Avoid ‘ethnic cleansing’

End West Bank violence

Halt ‘enemies of peace’: Committee chair