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  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s Gaza threat shows the Middle East is both safer and more turbulent post-war

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kevin Budning, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Security, Carleton University

    United States President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. will take over war-torn Gaza and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” has been immediately condemned by the international community, including American allies and adversaries alike.

    His threats come just two weeks into the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and risk undermining the regional diplomatic efforts that made the ceasefire deal possible.



    Read more:
    Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal?

    Structured in three phases, the ceasefire agreement involves the exchange of Israeli hostages for some Palestinian prisoners; the withdrawal of Israeli forces along the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors; and the return of vital humanitarian assistance needed to rebuild a war-torn Gaza — not to “clean it out,” as Trump has proposed.

    In the post-war landscape — and amid Trump’s threats as he stood next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House — Israel now likely finds itself in a paradoxical situation: both better and worse off.

    On the one hand, Israel is more secure than ever before. It has leveraged the shock of the Oct. 7 attacks to reshape the regional balance of power, demonstrating military strength and restoring deterrence.

    On the other hand, Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, its unwillingness to yield to public pressure and its perceived disregard for international law and the rules-based order have isolated the country, arguably turning it into a pariah on the world stage.

    Capitalizing on catastrophe

    Historically, Israel has implemented a counter-insurgency strategy known as “mowing the grass,” designed to weaken its adversaries through limited targeted military campaigns that deliberately stop short of full destruction.

    The strategy never intended to address the root causes of the conflict. Rather, it focused on preventing Hamas from launching large-scale, credible attacks against Israel.

    Oct. 7 was precisely what “mowing the grass” sought to obviate. The security lapse, however, inadvertently created ripe conditions for Israel to justify — even for a limited time — a much larger and more destructive campaign against Palestinian militant groups. A window had emerged, and Israel seized it.

    Israel’s ground and aerial campaign over the past 15 months has significantly weakened the group, although, as demonstrated by a recent show of force, it has not been eliminated.

    The Israeli military’s control over key border points, the destruction of tunnels used to carry out attacks and smuggle weapons and the targeted killings of political leaders may make it difficult for Hamas to inflict similar levels of carnage again any time soon.

    Hezbollah in the north

    Like in Gaza, the Israeli government used Hezbollah’s relentless rocket attacks to justify a separate military campaign deep into Lebanese territory.

    In the span of a few weeks, the offensive reportedly killed more than 4,000 Hezbollah fighters, destroyed key weapon caches and critical infrastructure and pushed the group north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometres from the Israeli border.

    Israel further shocked the world when it simultaneously detonated pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah militants. This was followed by a string of targeted killings that included Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and his then-successor, Hashem Safieddine.

    The decapitation of the Hezbollah’s chain of command, combined with its failure to mount an effective counteroffensive, revealed that the group is far weaker than projected. This, in turn, forced Hezbollah to make significant concessions and capitulate to a ceasefire agreement that worked against its interests.

    The wider region

    The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen also entered the conflict by seizing Israeli and western-owned ships and launching a series of drone and missile attacks toward Israel.

    But Israel responded with greater force, showcasing its ability to conduct large-scale missile, drone and aerial strikes thousands of kilometres away in Yemen.



    Read more:
    Western strikes against Houthis risk igniting a powderkeg in the Middle East

    And for the first time, Israel and Iran engaged in direct tit-for-tat escalatory exchanges, sparking fears of an all-out regional war. Israel’s defence systems, backed by allies and neighbouring countries, successfully thwarted hundreds of Iranian missiles.

    Israel’s response successfully bypassed Iran’s anti-missile defence systems, sending a decisive message of military superiority. Israel also demonstrated its intelligence advantage by assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran while he was residing at a compound secured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

    The collapse of Syria’s Assad regime also created a power vacuum, prompting Israel to conduct hundreds of airstrikes aimed at destroying weapons abandoned by the Syrian army, surface-to-air defence missile systems and to seize strategic territory close to its border.

    Israel’s increasing presence within Syria and dominance over the airspace now makes it considerably easier to intercept the supply chain between Iran and Hezbollah.

    All for a cost

    Israel’s push to deter its adversaries and restore its standing as the regional powerhouse, however, has come at a high price: its reputation.

    Diplomatically, some of Israel’s closest allies, including Canada, France and the United Kingdom, have either banned or restricted arms sales to Israel.

    The once-universal support for Israel in the U.S. from both the Republican and Democratic parties became considerably strained. The United Nations General Assembly also voted overwhelmingly for the Security Council to consider admitting Palestine as the 194th member — a move viewed by Israel as a reward for Oct. 7.

    Israel also faces a public relations crisis at the International Criminal Court, where it is currently on trial for allegedly violating the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Likewise, the court issued a warrant for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for “intentionally depriving Gazans of food and directing attacks against civilians.”

    The ripple effects of Israel’s actions have spilled overseas, affecting much of the world, and especially the younger generations’ public opinion of the conflict.

    In the U.S., for example, a Pew Research Report found that Americans under 30 are considerably more likely to sympathize with Palestinians than Israelis. The results are similar in Canada, with youth between the ages of 18 and 24 reporting support for Hamas over Israel by a two-to-one margin.

    Is Israel more or less secure?

    While Israel’s response to Iran and the “axis of resistance” have positioned the country into a safer, more militarily dominant position than before the war, the consequences of this strategy may be short-lived.

    The images from Gaza — the loss of civilian life, displaced families, and starving children with no viable prospect of a future — have shifted public opinion against Israel. This has frayed diplomatic relations with once-dependable allies — although apparently not the U.S — upended the wider Middle East peace process, and fuelled a resurgence of antisemitism, especially on college campuses, not seen since before the Holocaust.

    But most of all, Israel’s response to Oct. 7 may unintentionally serve as the most powerful recruitment tool for future cycles of Palestinian violence. To many, especially the youth around the world, it is possible that future violence may come to be viewed as a legitimate form of resistance.

    And if that is the case, coupled with the unlikely prospect of Israel permanently deterring Iran and its proxies and with an American president who is in favour of relocating Gaza’s entire population and taking over the territory, Israel could find itself in a more precarious situation than ever before.

    The views expressed in this work are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or opinions of the Government of Canada

    – ref. Trump’s Gaza threat shows the Middle East is both safer and more turbulent post-war – https://theconversation.com/trumps-gaza-threat-shows-the-middle-east-is-both-safer-and-more-turbulent-post-war-247868

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: US health funding cuts: what Nigeria stands to lose

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Oyewale Tomori, Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science

    US president Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization is threatening funding for critical health programmes like HIV/Aids and tuberculosis in different parts of the world, including Nigeria.

    The Conversation Africa’s Adejuwon Soyinka asked professor of virology and former WHO Africa regional virologist Oyewale Tomori why Nigeria is heavily dependent on US funding for some of its health programmes, what’s at risk and how to mitigate the impact.

    How dependent is Nigeria on US funding for health?

    Sadly, Nigeria and many African countries are too dependent on US funding and other donor funding for basic health activities and interventions. These activities are the normal function of a good and responsive government which is committed to the welfare of citizens.

    According to a US embassy publication, since 2021, the US has committed to providing nearly US$20 billion in health programmes in Africa. The report says in 2023 alone, the US invested over US$600 million in health assistance in Nigeria. That is about 21% of Nigeria’s 2023 annual health budget.

    Nigeria has, over the years, allocated on the average about 5% of the national budget to health. Three quarters of that covers recurrent expenditure like salaries.

    Nigeria’s proposed 2025 budget is ₦49.74 trillion (US$33 billion), of which ₦2.4 trillion (US$1.6 billion) (4.8%) is allocated to health. This is lower than the 5.15% allocated to health in the 2024 budget.

    The private sector plays a significant role in the Nigeria’s healthcare system, providing close to 60% of healthcare services.

    In recent years, traditional medicine is increasingly offering complementary and alternative medicine in support of the services provided by the federal, state and local government areas levels.

    What health programmes does the US fund in Nigeria?

    The US support is focused on preventing malaria, under the US President’s Malaria Initiative; ending HIV, through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief; and delivering vaccines (COVID, polio, rotavirus, IPV2 and HPV).

    Malaria is a major public health concern in Nigeria. In 2021, there were an estimated 68 million cases of malaria and 194,000 deaths. Nigeria has the highest burden of malaria globally, nearly 27% of the global malaria burden.

    Nigeria has a high burden of HIV – fourth in the world. A large number of Nigerians live with the virus. The national agency responsible for AIDS control reported a rate of 1,400 new HIV cases per week in 2023.

    Nigeria has experienced outbreaks of yellow fever, meningitis, cholera, Lassa fever and COVID-19.

    In addition to helping with managing these major diseases, the US government also provided funds to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from emerging public health threats.

    With these funds, a Public Health Emergency Management Programme was established and national disease surveillance systems were upgraded. Nigeria’s laboratory diagnostics were enhanced to test for Ebola, mpox, yellow fever, measles, Lassa fever, cholera and cerebrospinal meningitis.

    Other countries (Japan, Germany, Canada, the UK) also provided support through building and equipping laboratories and training health workers.

    What’s most at risk?

    Interventions most at risk are those of which the Nigerian government has abdicated its responsibilities to the donors. They include provision of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria preventive treatments in pregnancy, provision of fast acting malaria medicines and insecticide for home spraying.

    The following HIV interventions are likely to be adversely affected: HIV counselling and testing services, especially for pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and the care of people living with HIV with TB/HIV services, as well as care and support for orphans and vulnerable children.

    Sustaining laboratory capacity for rapid disease diagnosis will suffer a major setback with reduced or lack of reagents and consumables.

    A huge amount of laboratory equipment is provided by donors. Servicing and replacement of equipment will be affected.

    The Nigerian health sector’s challenges include inadequate funding, shortage of healthcare professionals, poor access to healthcare due to cost, poor infrastructure, and high prevalence of preventable diseases.

    Cutting off US money is not likely to affect the shortage of healthcare professionals, as the major reason for the shortage is their deteriorating work environment and unsafe social environment. This environment was created by years of economic downturn and social insecurity in Nigeria.

    Why is Nigeria still so reliant on US funding?

    I think Nigeria lacks national pride as it begs for assistance to provide what it already has the resources for. The government seems to place the well-being of the citizens on a secondary status.

    Many African governments assume the world owes Africa compensation for colonial activities. But to me, the danger to Nigeria’s freedom from dependency is not truly knowing what we are, who we are, and how endowed we are.

    The world describes Nigeria as “resource limited” and, without thinking, Nigerians accept such name calling. Nigeria is not resource-limited, it is resource wasteful. Nigeria is not resource constrained; it is corruption constrained. Until Nigerians know who and what we are, we will never find the solution to our problems.

    Nigeria’s acceptance of the tag “resource-limited” drives it to beg for assistance even in areas of its highest capability, capacity and competence and where it has highly trained people. Like disease prevention and control.

    Africa has since the 1960s experienced numerous outbreaks of diseases and has acquired significant expertise in disease prevention and control. An example is the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, which was brought under control within three months with only 20 cases and eight deaths.

    This was a disease that raged for three years and ravaged three countries: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It was reported in seven others with 28,600 cases and 11,326 deaths.

    In Nigeria, the country coordinated response activities which were anchored on the participation of the community. The community was part of disease investigation, contact tracing, isolation of cases and adoption of infection, prevention and control interventions.

    How can Nigeria mitigate the impact?

    Nigeria must immediately provide emergency funds to cover the shortfall arising from the action of the US government. What Trump has done should have been anticipated, because he did the same things during his first term of office.

    Nigeria must re-order its priorities, and provide funds to create and sustain an enabling environment for talented human resources to function effectively for disease control and prevention.

    The country must prioritise disease prevention and control (in that order) through adequate and sustained funding of disease surveillance activities at all levels of governance.

    Nigeria needs to decentralise disease surveillance, prevention and control by enabling states and local government areas to take responsibility. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention should coordinate state and local government areas activities, instead of acting as the controller of diseases in Nigeria.

    – US health funding cuts: what Nigeria stands to lose
    – https://theconversation.com/us-health-funding-cuts-what-nigeria-stands-to-lose-248921

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Guy Lamb, Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

    Crime researchers use murder (or homicide) rate per 100,000 as a crude measure of the general level of violent interpersonal crime globally. According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, South Africa’s murder rate of 45 per 100,000 (2023/24) is the second highest for countries that publish crime data.

    The South African Police Service crime data shows that levels of attempted murder, armed robbery and robberies at homes have soared over the past 10 years. Other categories of violent crime, such as assault and sexual violence, also remain high.

    High crime rates have had considerable negative effects on the country’s economy. The destructive impact of violent crime is estimated to cost the equivalent of 15 % of GDP.

    In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that government would seek to reduce violent crime by 50% within a decade. The police budget increased by 24% from 2018/19 to 2024/25. But the murder rate increased by 25%, from 36 per 100,000 in 2018/19 to 45 per 100,000 in 2023/24.

    I have spent 25 years researching violent crime and policing in South Africa. I also wrote a 2022 book, Policing and Boundaries in a Violent Society, and conducted various studies for the Institute for Security Studies.

    In my view, the logical approach for government is to attend to the top 100 high crime areas. I’ll show why below. It must use the resources of the departments in its justice, crime prevention and security cluster to intervene in targeted, evidence-based ways, to combat and prevent crime.

    Where crime is happening and what police are doing

    Violent crime in South Africa has consistently been highly concentrated in a small number of urban areas. For example, 20% of all reported murders occur in just 30 policing areas (2.6% of the 1,149 policing areas). About 50% of all violent crime occurs in 100 policing areas (9% of the precincts).

    Place-based crime reduction interventions have yielded positive results in high crime cities in a variety of countries, such as the US, Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago.

    But in South Africa, the approach to fighting crime has focused instead on arrests and on force. This is why increasing the funding hasn’t had results.

    The police arrested around 1.5 million criminal suspects a year between 2019/20 and 2023/24. (The exception was 2020/1, with 2.8 million arrests due to COVID-19 lockdown violations.)

    A negative outcome of this police action has been rising civil claims against police, amounting to R67.4 billion (US$3.6 billion) as of March 2024 (47,818 claims).

    The police have also used militarised approaches, such as Operation Shanela. Officers have been encouraged to be more forceful against alleged criminals.

    There is very little evidence to suggest that militarised policing reduces violent crime. It can actually contribute to declining public trust in the police. Only 27% of the population consider police trustworthy (from 47% in 1999).

    Despite the police budget increasing in recent years, their effectiveness has been undermined by declining personnel numbers. In 2018, there were 150,639 police personnel. This has dropped to 140,048 in recent years. There has also been a substantial reduction in the police reserve force.

    A gangster shows off his gun and ammunition at the Cape Flats, Cape Town. Rodger Bosch/AFP via Getty Images.

    A further challenge is the high rate of recidivism (re-offending). An estimated 90% of offenders commit crime again after leaving prison.

    Six actions for 100 worst areas

    I argue that six things need to happen in the 100 worst crime areas:

    • reduce the number of firearms in circulation

    • improve the number of court-ready police dockets

    • improve place-based crime intelligence

    • reduce alcohol harms

    • provide rehabilitation and support services for offenders

    • boost community safety organisations.

    Firearms control

    Firearms are the leading weapon used in murders and in several categories of robberies. They are also commonly used in sexual violence, and feature in gangsterism and organised crime.

    Confiscating illegal firearms and ammunition, and securing convictions for those found in possession of illegal firearms, will have a positive impact in the target areas.

    This requires a close working relationship between police and the National Prosecuting Authority to collect appropriate evidence and prepare court dockets adequately.

    Rulings by magistrates that declare certain people unfit to possess licensed firearms must be monitored regularly.

    Court-ready police dockets

    The National Prosecuting Authority has undergone reforms over the past six years to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. As a result, it has secured high conviction rates for several categories of violent crimes. However, many police dockets lack sufficient reliable evidence for the prosecutors to present so as to secure convictions in court.

    As the table below shows, the vast majority of recorded violent crime cases do not result in a court conviction.

    Police officials in high crime areas are typically overwhelmed by the large number of criminal cases they need to investigate. That means only a small number of dockets that have a likelihood of securing a conviction are prepared.

    More resources are needed to increase cooperation between the police and prosecutors.

    Place-based crime intelligence

    Better crime intelligence could result in better control of illegal firearms and higher quality police dockets.

    Police crime intelligence and other departments in the justice and security cluster must cooperate and share information.

    Alcohol harms

    Several forms of violent crime are linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Unregulated alcohol outlets present the most risky context for committing violence. There is an opportunity for police, prosecutors (especially through the Community Prosecutions Initiative) and municipalities to collaborate to reduce alcohol related crime and harms in the top 100 high crime areas.

    This requires more effective monitoring and policing of alcohol outlets to ensure better compliance with liquor laws.

    Rehabilitation and support services for offenders

    It is likely that recidivism rates would be reduced if former prisoners and their families had better rehabilitation services in the top 100 high crime areas. Studies suggest that the most effective and practical programmes are those that focus on substance abuse, restorative justice, mental health, education and income generation.

    Such services could give former inmates a means to generate an income legally.

    Community safety organisations

    Studies have shown that crime can be reduced when police and other government entities work closely with community organisations to devise solutions.

    Community police forums and neighbourhood watches are examples of these kinds of arrangements.

    They can collect intelligence and help the authorities design and implement evidence-based crime prevention actions that focus on the areas where crime is concentrated, and on the situations that tend to drive crime.

    – Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist
    – https://theconversation.com/violent-crime-in-south-africa-happens-mostly-in-a-few-hotspots-police-resources-should-focus-there-criminologist-248233

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Leads Judiciary Committee Colleagues In Speaking Out Against Pam Bondi’s Nomination To Be Attorney General

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 04, 2025

    Durbin’s and Judiciary Democrats’ floor speeches come ahead of Bondi’s confirmation vote and after the Trump Administration forced out dozens of DOJ and FBI officials this weekend and is now threatening additional action against thousands of employees across the country who worked on investigations related to January 6 and President Trump

    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against Pam Bondi, President Trump’s Attorney General nominee, ahead of her confirmation vote. In his remarks, Durbin cited concerns over Ms. Bondi’s ability to act as an independent Attorney General. These concerns are especially pertinent as the Trump Administration purges dozens of senior career civil servants at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—including longtime nonpartisan leaders of the government’s counterterrorism and counterespionage efforts—further exemplifying the need for an independent DOJ.

    Durbin was joined on the Senate floor by Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to speak out against Ms. Bondi’s nomination before the Senate proceeds to her confirmation vote.

    “Shortly, Senate Republicans will confirm the nomination of Pam Bondi to serve as Attorney General and lead the Department of Justice in the new Administration. Yesterday, I came to the Senate floor to discuss the Trump Administration’s decision to purge Justice Department officials and warn that Ms. Bondi’s record suggests that she will aid in this effort to pack the Department of Justice with loyalists seeking retribution against President Trump’s political rivals,” Durbin said. “Since the Watergate era, there has been bipartisan support for the principle that the Department of Justice investigations and prosecutions must be independent from the White House. Over the years, both Republicans and Democrats have asked many individuals seeking the office of Attorney General one basic question—would you be willing to tell the President ‘no?’ Given that Ms. Bondi—when speaking about President Trump’s criminal indictments—threatened ‘the prosecutors will be prosecuted’ and ‘the investigators will be investigated,’ I have serious doubts about her willingness to really say ‘no’ to this President.”

    Durbin went on to outline that his concerns are even more pressing because, over the last 16 days, the Trump Administration has purged dozens of senior career law enforcement officials at the Department of Justice and FBI. This purge has been particularly focused on dedicated, nonpartisan prosecutors and investigators working in the National Security Division and the FBI.

    “On its first day, the Trump Administration removed or reassigned as many as 20 experienced professionals with invaluable national security expertise without any comparable replacements, including the veteran career deputy assistant attorneys general in the National Security Division… Those who have been reassigned are reportedly being put in roles concerning immigration enforcement, for which they have little expertise… Since then, dozens more senior officials have been removed,” Durbin said. “This shameless partisan retribution is only the beginning. It has been reported that the future FBI Director will be guided by an advisory committee composed of solely partisan political operators, including an associate of Elon Musk… These actions will cripple FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country by increasing the caseload for the remaining agents, dramatically slowing down critical investigations and prosecutions.”

    Durbin continued, “As America faces a heightened threat landscape, these shocking removals and reassignments of hundreds of employees deprive the Department of Justice and the FBI of experienced leadership and decades of experience fighting violent crime, espionage, and terrorism.”

    Durbin concluded, “For years, my Republican colleagues have claimed they ‘Back the Blue,’ and accused Democrats of being ‘soft on crime.’ We’ve heard it over and over and over. But now, as President Trump is gutting our nation’s law enforcement agencies and putting our national security at risk, my Republican colleagues do not complain—they are nowhere to be found. Instead of condemning these actions, they will likely come to the Senate floor tonight and confirm an individual to lead the Department of Justice who is in lockstep with this policy of President Trump—and was chosen for the role specifically because she’s loyal. I urge my colleagues to consider what a danger President Trump and Pam Bondi present to this nation. I will oppose her confirmation and hope my colleagues will do the same.”

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Votes Against Pam Bondi To Be Attorney General

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 04, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against President Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi. The Senate voted to confirm her nomination by a vote of 54-46.

    “Given the massive upheaval that President Trump has caused at the Justice Department in just his first few days in office—including purging dozens of senior career law enforcement officials at DOJ and FBI and the potentially unlawful targeting of thousands more—the next Attorney General will have her work cut out for her. As I said during Ms. Bondi’s hearing, it is absolutely critical that any nominee for Attorney General be committed first and foremost to the Constitution and the American people—not the President and his political agenda. Unfortunately, I am unconvinced that Ms. Bondi shares my belief. She is one of four personal lawyers of President Trump that he has already selected for top positions at the Department of Justice, has echoed President Trump’s calls for exacting revenge on his political opponents, and has undermined our democracy by joining in President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

    “In light of the Trump Administration’s actions over the course of the past week, the question of whether Ms. Bondi will be able to tell the President ‘no’ is even more critical. I did not receive a satisfactory answer from Ms. Bondi during her confirmation hearing. Since Watergate, there has been bipartisan support for the idea that the Justice Department must be independent from the White House. President Trump’s conduct during his first term underscored the need for this independence. I do not believe that Ms. Bondi will provide it. Today I voted ‘no’ on her nomination.”

    To view Durbin’s questions to Ms. Bondi in her confirmation hearing, click here and here.

    Yesterday, Durbin led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in letters to Ms. Bondi; nominee to be the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel; nominee to be Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche; as well as the Acting Attorney General, James McHenry; and Acting FBI Director, Brian Driscoll, about the removal or reassignment across DOJ and FBI of career law enforcement officials. Last week, the Trump Administration reportedly purged dozens of DOJ and FBI officials involved in prosecuting Donald Trump and the January 6 rioters and is now threatening additional action against thousands of employees across the country who worked on investigations related to the attack on the Capitol.

    Durbin also outlined concerns regarding her nomination in a speech on the Senate floor yesterday.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU takes action for safe and sustainable e-commerce imports

    Source: European Union 2

    In 2024, around 4.6 billion low-value consignments (worth €150 or less) entered the EU market – 12 million parcels daily and twice as many as the year before. Many of these products were non-compliant with EU laws, raising concerns over harmful products entering the EU, unfair competition for compliant EU sellers, and the environmental impact of mass shipping. 

    The Commission has proposed the following actions in its toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce: 

    • Customs reform: urging swift adoption of the Customs Union Reform and proposing to remove the duty exemption for low-value parcels, to allow rapid implementation of new rules to level the playing field 
    • Reinforcing measures for imported goods: launching coordinated controls between customs and market surveillance authorities and coordinated actions on product safety 
    • Protecting consumers on online marketplaces: enforcing the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, General Product Safety Regulation, and Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation 
    • Using digital tools: supervising e-commerce landscape through the Digital Product Passport and new AI tools 
    • Enhancing environmental measures: adopting an action plan on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and supporting amendments to the Waste Framework Directive 
    • Raising awareness: informing consumers and traders about their rights and risks 
    • Boosting international cooperation and trade: training non-EU partners on EU product safety and tackling dumping and subsidisation 

    The Commission calls on EU countries, co-legislators and stakeholders to work together and implement these measures. Within a year, the Commission will evaluate the effectiveness of these actions and may propose further measures if necessary. 

    Around 70% of Europeans regularly shop online, including on non-EU e-commerce platforms. While e-commerce brings many benefits for consumers, businesses and the EU economy, it also presents certain challenges. The new initiative aims to balance consumer protection, fair competition, and sustainability, while fostering a safe and high-quality e-commerce market in the EU.  

    For more information 

    Press release: Commission announces actions for safe and sustainable e-commerce imports 

    Communication on a comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce 

    Factsheet on the Communication 

    Questions and Answers on the Communication 

    Safety Gate: the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: London Assembly Member Mahfouz urges transports chiefs to create bus stop outside West Drayton Cemetery entrance

    Source: Mayor of London

    London Assembly Member Mahfouz urges transports chiefs to create bus stop outside West Drayton Cemetery entrance

    Bassam Mahfouz, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, has written to Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of Transport, to present the case for a new bus stop outside West Drayton Cemetery to serve mourners and visitors.

    The letter is in response to a petition started by members of the Hayes Muslim Centre which has gained 350 signatures so far.

    West Drayton cemetery is located within a residential neighbourhood on Harmondsworth road. Local people travelling to West Drayton currently take the 350 bus to the closest bus stop located outside Tesco’s on Station Road before walking around 15-minutes to the cemetery.

    Transport for London (TfL) aims for local people within the capital to live within 400 meters of a bus stop, however at more than twice the distance residents, mourners and staff are often forced to drag gardening tools, flowers and incense from the nearest bus stop on Station Road to the graveside. This presents significant difficulties for many visitors, especially those with mobility issues and respiratory health conditions.  

    Local resident, Imran Bhani, who lost his wife and child three years ago said:

    “The events which took place in January 2021 will haunt me for the rest of my life. In just seven short hours I lost my wife to a long-term illness and my son to Covid-19.

    “Nobody should ever have to bury their 26 – year- old child but due to the global pandemic I was one of many people that have. They say that time can be a great healer but for me visiting them and honouring them with prayers and fresh flowers each day makes my grieving process a little easier.

    “I would urge TFL and the Mayor of London to make life easier for fellow mourners at West Drayton Cemetery, every day I see older and disabled people dragging watering cans, spades and gardening forks from the nearest bus stop which is about 15 minutes away on Station Road.

    “We are all getting older and whilst I am just about managing the journey each day there will come a time when I will no longer be able to cope.

    Bassam Mahfouz, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon said:

    “Losing a lost one is always traumatic.  Family and friends want to be able to pay their respects to family and friends who are no longer with them.  It is quite unbelievable that this large cemetery has a bus drive straight past the entrance, but not stop at the front gates.  I am convinced that many local people would benefit from this proposal and make it easier for mourners, especially those who are older, or with mobility issues.

    Ends

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Return of 222, U1 and U3 Bus Services to West Drayton Station

    Source: Mayor of London

    Return of 222, U1 and U3 Bus Services to West Drayton Station

    Commuters and residents in West Drayton can celebrate the return of vital bus services to the station forecourt as routes resume on Saturday, 18 January.

    The restoration of services includes key routes such as the 222, U1, and U3 buses, enhancing connectivity for the area. The resumption of bus services to the forecourt further solidifies the station’s role as a key transport hub for the area, and will reinforce West Drayton’s connectivity to Greater London.

    The return of bus services follows the completion of major works in December 2024 to improve the station forecourt by addressing drainage problems and improving pedestrian access to ensure safer and more accessible transport options for the community.

    Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz has long been advocating for the completion of the forecourt improvement works and the reinstatement of accessible bus services.

    Bassam Mahfouz, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, said:

    “After months of dedicated work and significant upgrades, I’m delighted to see buses once again serving West Drayton Station. This marks a huge step forward in improving accessibility and connectivity for local residents and commuters. The completion of these works represents not just an infrastructure improvement but also a meaningful enhancement to the quality of life for everyone who relies on these services.”

    Danny Beales, Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, said:

    “I’m incredibly pleased to see the return of essential bus services to the station. As the local Member of Parliament, I’ve worked collaboratively with the GLA, Network Rail and local residents to work to get this bus back up and running. This marks a significant milestone in bettering transport links for our community, and from now on, local commuters will have a more convenient and accessible option for their everyday travel.”

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Works to create step-free access restart following four-year delay

    Source: Mayor of London

    Construction work has resumed at Northolt Tube station to make it step-free, after being paused four years ago due to the global pandemic.

    Commuters with mobility issues and residents with young children living in Northolt can finally look forward to the station improvements as work resumed on Monday, 3 February.

    Transport for London (TfL) will carry out cable diversions at Northolt Underground station which are part of the preparatory works needed to make the station step-free.

    The main construction works to make the station step-free are expected to start this spring and are expected to be completed by summer 2026.

    Accessibility champion, Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz, has long been campaigning to create step-free access at Northolt, having successfully campaigned to get lifts installed in neighbouring Greenford and Hanwell underground stations.

    Bassam Mahfouz, London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, said:

    “Northolt is an incredibly busy station and local residents deserve the right to have an accessible platform to connect them into central London and beyond. I was delighted to gain the commitment to make it step free in 2019. Now with COVID out of the way, it’s full steam ahead to open up the station to parents with buggies, shoppers, the elderly and disabled, really putting Northolt on the map.”

    John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager, Age UK London said: “It is very good news to hear that work is restarting to make Northolt Station step-free. This will make a huge difference to the many older and disabled people who will be able to use services from the station. Any efforts to make transport more accessible for everyone is very welcome.”

    Cyreeta Donaldson, Regional Campaigns Officer for London at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), said: “We’ve been advising TfL to help ensure step-free access is prioritised at Northolt Station and across the Tube network where appropriate. We’re pleased work is now set to progress and we look forward to continuing to work with them on further station upgrades including improved signage and tactile markings which have huge benefits for blind and partially sighted people.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reading and writing boost to drive high and rising standards

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Thousands of pupils set to benefit from a £2 million investment in reading and writing, breaking down the barriers to opportunity.

    Thousands of pupils across England are set to benefit from a £2 million investment to drive high and rising standards in reading and writing, building on the Education Secretary’s plan for a new era of school standards.  

    In her speech to the Centre of Social Justice (Monday 03 February), the Education Secretary outlined how the success of phonics delivered for millions of children but now was the time to build on this work with a new focus on reading and writing.  

    A third of children leave primary school without fundamental reading, writing and maths skills, this increases to over half for disadvantaged pupils.   

    There also continues to be a decline in children and young people reading for pleasure with the number of children aged 8-18 who enjoy reading in their spare time reduced by a third since 2019. Reading for pleasure has been associated not only with increases in reading attainment but also with writing ability, text comprehension, grammar and breadth of vocabulary.

    Building on the success of phonics, teachers will receive additional training to help children progress from the early stages of phonics in reception and year 1 through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school. This will be delivered through the English Hubs programme, a school-to-school improvement programme to drive up standards.  

    In secondary school, teachers will be offered new training and resources this year to help them support readers at all levels, and next year the Department will commission further training that will be focused specifically on struggling readers in secondary school who are at risk of falling behind.      

    As part of the £2 million investment, £1 million will be available for secondary schools with the greatest need to apply for, to support them to purchase reading programmes and other resources to support struggling readers. 

    A strong foundation in reading and writing is crucial for children to achieve and thrive, enabling them to not only benefit from the rest of the curriculum, but also help them develop a love for reading from an early stage.    

    As part of the government’s drive to improve reading and writing, the department will also publish a writing framework in the summer, that will be a first step to support schools in delivering high quality writing provision across England ensuring all pupils have a strong foundation in writing.   

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:  

    This government will build on the successes of recent decades, raising the bar when it comes to standards and delivering on our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success.  

    Reading and writing are the cornerstones of learning. They hold the keys to the rest of the curriculum, with pupils who struggle to read so often struggling across the board.   

    So while progress has been made – in particular when it comes to phonics – now is the time to take that work to another level.  

    That means continuing to drive up quality of teaching, giving our brilliant teachers the tools and resources they need, and extending further support directly to the children and young people who need it most – because no child should leave school without a strong grasp of the basics.

    The curriculum review, launched in July, will make sure all pupils benefit from a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths to ensure they can develop the skills needed to succeed in work and life.   

    The government has also committed to spearheading real-world primary maths teaching through evidence based progammes to ensure every child is given the foundations to develop lifelong numeracy skills.

    These reforms follow plans set out by the Education Secretary this week reaffirming her commitment to high and rising standards in schools with an excellent teacher in every classroom, a high-quality curriculum for every school and a core offer of excellence for every parent so that every child can achieve and thrive.   

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Economic and Social Council Holds All-Day Annual Partnerships Forum with Focus on Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

    Source: United Nations 4

    Meetings Coverage

    2025 Session,

    Partnerships Forum (AM & PM)

    ECOSOC/7189

    The Forum, held today at UN Headquarters in New York, serves as a key platform for engaging a wide range of actors in the work of the Council and the High-Level Political Forum.  This year, participants will place a special emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will be reviewed at the Political Forum, to be held from 14 to 23 July. They include Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being); Goal 5 (Gender Equality); Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); Goal 14 (Life Below Water); and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

    In accordance with resolution 75/290A, this year’s Partnership Forum will focus on exchanging new ideas, expectations and priorities for the work ahead for both the Council and Political Forum.  It will highlight and discuss forward-looking actions by governments and other stakeholders through innovative partnerships that aim to mobilize commitments and actions to advance the 2030 Agenda and address new challenges.

    Information on the Partnerships Forum and this year’s full programme can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/2025ECOSOCPartnershipForum#background.

    Environmental issues and sustainable development

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Defense Announces Arrival of High-Threat Illegal Aliens at Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    The Department of Defense announced the arrival of 10 high-threat illegal aliens to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba yesterday. This activity is in support of President Trump’s direction to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate actions to expand the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.

    These 10 high-threat individuals are currently being housed in vacant detention facilities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is taking this measure to ensure the safe and secure detention of these individuals until they can be transported to their country of origin or other appropriate destination.

    The Department of Defense is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to protect the American people and upholding national security interests.

    The detention of these high-threat illegal aliens at Guantanamo Bay is a temporary measure, and the Department of Defense will continue to support the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies in their efforts to facilitate the removal of the aliens as soon as possible.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment Released

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled the findings from New York’s first responder mental health needs assessment. The assessment was developed to better understand the mental health-related challenges facing individuals working in public safety fields and strengthen programs and services for these professionals. More than 6,000 individuals in law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire services, emergency communications and emergency management from every region of the State completed a voluntary anonymous survey, and five follow up focus group discussions were held. The assessment showed more than half of the participants experience high levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression related to their jobs, and that they may not seek help due to their fear of facing stigma. As part of the 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul announced new initiatives to protect and support New York’s first responders, including launching a first responder counseling scholarship program to create a sustainable pipeline of mental health professionals uniquely equipped to support the responder community.

    “Our first responders go above and beyond the call of duty to protect our communities — their wellbeing is a reflection of our collective strength, and we must do everything we can to support them,” Governor Hochul said. “I initiated the first responder mental health needs assessment to help address and further tackle the mental health crisis among our first responders, and I’m committed to continue breaking down barriers to care and get them the resources they need.”

    Recognizing the unique mental health challenges that first responders face, Governor Hochul announced several new initiatives aimed at supporting and protecting first responders. Governor Hochul proposed launching a first responder counseling scholarship program through the State University of New York (SUNY) that would help close gaps in care due to a shortage of counselors familiar with the responder community. Financial barriers often deter first responders from pursuing counseling degrees, limiting the availability of culturally competent mental health professionals. This initiative will support first responders pursuing counseling degrees and offer micro-credentials in areas like trauma-informed care and peer support leadership. In return for scholarship support, recipients will commit to serving as counselors in New York State, creating a sustainable pipeline of mental health professionals uniquely equipped to support the responder community.

    Governor Hochul also understands staffing shortages may lead to increased challenges to first responders’ mental health. That is why she proposed in her 2025 State of the State to eliminate outdated barriers in public safety recruitment that have limited public safety agencies’ ability to attract qualified candidates, excluding individuals with valuable experience and worsening staffing shortages. Governor Hochul will modernize occupational standards to expand pathways for qualified candidates. This includes raising the New York State Police retirement age to 63 and removing the 35-year-old maximum age restriction for law enforcement recruitment, as well as allowing non-New York residents to apply for correctional officer positions. These changes will ensure agencies can draw from a broader and more diverse pool of applicants.

    Many New Yorkers also face barriers to pursuing public safety careers due to misaligned training programs and limited opportunities for advancement. Governor Hochul will partner with SUNY and the City University of New York (CUNY) to award academic credit for public safety training programs and integrate these credits into degree pathways. These efforts will attract more candidates to public safety careers and provide advancement opportunities for those currently working in public safety.

    New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “First responders are exposed to traumatic situations in the line of duty every day, which lead to mental health issues that affect their personal and professional lives. This assessment gave us important insights into the specific challenges they face and will help us provide them with the resources they need to help manage those stresses.”

    New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Understanding the extreme stress and cumulative trauma our first responders typically experience on the job is a critical starting point for us to address burnout and other negative impacts they encounter. This survey and the subsequent focus group discussions have provided us with critical information to advise our efforts to support the mental health needs of the first responder community and their families.”

    Some of the report’s key findings include:

    • Stress was experienced by more than two-thirds of first responders (68 percent), followed by burnout (59 percent) and anxiety (52 percent).
    • A majority of first responders reported having experienced symptoms associated with the mental health condition depression (53 percent) and approximately 4 in ten first responders experienced symptoms associated with the mental health condition PTSD (38 percent).
    • Thoughts of suicide were reported by 16 percent of first responders, which is four times higher than the general population in New York State.
    • More than 90 percent reported that services such as individual therapy, couple and family therapy, and peer support groups would help improve first responder mental health, if they were free and easily accessible.
    • However, 80 percent reported that stigma is a major barrier to seeking help, and 78 percent cited not recognizing the need for help as a barrier, along with 75 percent reporting the lack of mental health providers who understand the needs of first responders as a barrier. Additionally, 72 percent reported concerns about confidentiality.
    • Emergency communications personnel had among the highest ratings for stressors and mental health impacts relative to other first responder occupations.

    Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz Director of Education Projects Robin Jacobowitz said, “We want to extend our deep gratitude to the more than 6,000 first responders across New York State who gave their time and insights for this study. We know it is not always easy to talk about mental health, especially in a professional context. Your willingness to discuss your ideas, experiences, and challenges help bring this critical issue to light and will fuel the interagency, statewide effort to enhance support structures for New York’s first responders.”

    Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz Executive Director Amy Nitza said, “This assessment documents not only the tremendous toll that the work takes on first responders, but also the significant barriers they encounter in getting the help they need. IDMH is committed to collaborating with our partners throughout New York State, including responders themselves, to remove those barriers and ensure that all our first responders have access to the support and care that enables them to continue serving their communities so well.”

    Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said, “This assessment confirms that while first responders face unique stress, burnout, and mental health challenges, stigma too often prevents them from seeking the help they need. I commend the efforts of New York State and law enforcement agencies to acknowledge the problem and focus on ways to expand support for Officers. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for recognizing the urgency of this issue and for ensuring that law enforcement has a seat at the table of this very important conversation.”

    The assessment was commissioned by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and conducted by the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health and the Benjamin Center.

    Governor Hochul announced the launch of the survey last April as part of her $1 billion comprehensive multi-year plan to overhaul the continuum of mental health care, and DHSES highlighted the preliminary findings in May. Early results of the assessment showed that 80 percent of survey-takes experienced negative impacts to home life due to work, while 79 percent reported negative impacts to physical health and 72 percent cited challenges with family relationships.

    As a result of the survey, New York State is working to identify and advance a variety of wellness efforts. For example, as part of her 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul unveiled a number of proposals aimed toward supporting first responders, one of which includes launching the First Responder Counseling Scholarship Program through SUNY. Additionally, DHSES, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and other agencies are continually working to identify and offer wellness-related training opportunities for New York State’s first responders. DHSES and OMH are also partnering to develop a training on first responder cultural competency for mental health professionals.

    Mental Health Resources To Assist First Responders

    First responders experiencing mental health distress can seek support from a number of existing available resources.

    Most importantly, individuals experiencing thoughts of suicide or experiencing any other type of mental health crisis can call, text or chat with the State’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 is completely free, confidential and is available 24/7. Managed by OMH, anyone in need of services or interested in learning more about the hotline can visit their website at https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/crisis/988.html.

    Additionally, OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center hosts an initiative called CARES UP that focuses on improving the mental health and wellness of law enforcement, firefighters, emergency services personnel and veterans. Learn more at https://nycaresup.com.

    DHSES collaborated with OMH to expand the state’s Disaster Mental Health Response, which comprises state and local teams of licensed professionals and volunteers trained to provide crisis counseling and other mental health services to individuals and responders impacted by disasters and other crisis situations.

    DHSES worked with the Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) at SUNY New Paltz to create a Managing Stress Workforce to help first responders and other public safety personnel better identify, understand, and manage stress. Originally developed for DHSES staff, the workshops have been expanded to include other State and local agencies. DHSES is also expanding training at the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), to include peer support team training. Peer support teams are comprised of individuals who have received specific training to provide emotional, social, and practical support to their peers, when needed. Peer support teams are often used within public safety organizations to help individuals deal with job-related stress and following critical incidents. DHSES is also in the process of creating a Peer Support Team to serve as a resource for agency staff and potentially other first responder organizations. More information about available training can be found on the DHSES website.

    About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

    The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram and X, or visit https://www.dhses.ny.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Announces Additional $5 Million to Fund Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Announces Additional $5 Million to Fund Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene

    Governor Josh Stein Announces Additional $5 Million to Fund Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene
    bwood

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the Duke Endowment has committed $5 million to the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant program, which will support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Since its initial announcement on January 31, the WNCSBI grant program has already seen nearly 900 applicants—a number that is increasing daily.  

    “I am grateful that the Duke Endowment has joined our private-public partnership to ensure that small businesses in western North Carolina can get on the road to recovery,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This program is making a difference for the economy, but the need is great. I encourage more North Carolina philanthropies to support this critical work.” 

    “Small businesses are essential to the social and economic fabric of Western North Carolina,” said Duke Endowment president Rhett Mabry. “As communities work to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, The Duke Endowment remains steadfast in its commitment to support rebuilding efforts, such as this, ensuring small businesses have the resources they need to emerge stronger than before.” 

    The Duke Endowment joins the Dogwood Health Trust in participating with the state on this initiative. Funds will be managed by Appalachian Community Capital, with the partnership of the Community Reinvestment Fund on the application process. Eligible businesses can apply through the portal here. Eligibility requirements are below:  

    • Businesses with an annual revenue of up to and including $2.5 million

    • Businesses in the 28 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians that are covered by President Biden’s federal disaster declaration or in Dogwood Health Trust’s 18-county footprint, including:  Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, Yancey.  

    Feb 5, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money Laundering in Feeding Our Future Scheme

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester woman pleaded guilty for her role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, from approximately December 2020 through January 2022, Ayan Jama, 45, knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud a federal child nutrition program designed to provide free meals to children in need. Rather than feed children, the defendants took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic—and the resulting program changes—to enrich themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in federal child nutrition program funds.

    According to court documents, Jama was one of the principals of Brava Rochester in Rochester, Minnesota. In September 2020, Jama’s Brava Restaurant and Aimee Bock applied for enrollment in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Bock’s non-profit, Feeding Our Future. A co-conspirator enrolled Brava Restaurant in the Federal Child Nutrition Program after the co-conspirator first prepared application paperwork at the direction of Salim Said, the co-owner of Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, which was another business involved in the scheme to defraud the food program.

    From late 2020 through 2021, Jama and other conspirators claimed Brava Restaurant was serving approximately 2,000 to 3,000 daily breakfasts and lunches to children, for which they fraudulently claimed and received millions of dollars in federal child nutrition program funds. To accomplish his scheme, Jama and her co-conspirators submitted fake attendance rosters purporting to list the names of children who purportedly received their food at sites. These rosters were fraudulent in that the names on them were fake or did not correctly reflect the number of children that were fed.

    According to her plea agreement entered today, Jama claimed Brava Restaurant had served more than 1.7 million meals in Rochester as part of the Federal Child Nutrition Program in a little over one year, a number substantially higher than the actual number of meals served. Based on these fraudulent claims, Feeding Our Future paid out over $5.3 million in federal child nutrition program reimbursements for meals purportedly served to children by the defendant and her co-conspirators. Jama knew her receipt of such funds was fraudulent because she and other conspirators intentionally submitted inflated meal counts. Jama’s Brava Restaurant ultimately received $4.3 million directly from Feeding Our Future and over $900,000 from Safari Restaurant, co-owned by Salim Said.

    As part of their scheme, Jama and her conspirators coordinated the establishment of shell companies through which they received and dispersed funds from the federal child nutrition program. Specifically, on January 7, 2021, Salim Said paid to register six different shell companies with the state of Minnesota for Jama and others. For Jama, Salim Said paid to register East Africa LLC. In 2021, Jama deposited at least $407,070 in misappropriated Federal Child Nutrition Program funds into her East Africa LLC bank accounts.

    Jama used the federal child nutrition funds to pay for personal expenditures unrelated to feeding children, including $254,041 to purchase a home located in Rochester, Minnesota, $168,000 to purchase a home located in Columbus, Ohio, and $356,795 to purchase property on the Mediterranean Coast in Alanya, Turkey.

    Jama pleaded guilty last Friday in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Her sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

    The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Joseph H. Thompson, and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Introduces Credit/Debit Card Payment for Crypto Purchases with Zero Fees & Exclusive Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles , Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to announce the launch of its new Credit/Debit Card Buy Crypto feature. This new service allows users worldwide to purchase cryptocurrencies directly using fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, and GBP, providing a seamless and efficient way to enter the crypto market.

    Key Features & Benefits

    • Convenient Transactions: BitMart Users can buy crypto directly with their credit or debit cards without navigating complex deposit processes.
    • Multi-Currency Support: A wide range of fiat currencies are accepted, catering to global users.
    • Broad Crypto Selection: Supports the purchase of major cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, USDT, and more.
    • Faster & Cheaper: Instant transaction confirmation with lower fees compared to traditional payment methods.
    • Integrated Experience: No need to switch to third-party services—users can complete transactions smoothly and efficiently within BitMart’s platform.

    Global Reach & Enhanced Security

    This feature enables BitMart users from regions including EEA, North America, South America, and Asia to fund their accounts effortlessly. BitMart has partnered with leading global payment service providers to ensure top-tier security for all transactions, giving users peace of mind when purchasing digital assets.

    Limited-Time Zero Fee Promotion & Exclusive Rewards – Share 15,000 USDT

    To celebrate the launch, BitMart is introducing an exclusive Zero-Fee Promotion along with additional incentives from Feb. 05 – March 04:

    1. Zero Processing Fees: Users who buy crypto with a credit or debit card during the promotion period will enjoy zero transaction fees.
    2. Referral Bonus: The first 100 users daily who purchase at least 100 USDT in crypto and invite a friend to do the same will receive a 5 USDT reward each.
    3. 3% Cashback for Futures Trading: Users who transfer funds to their futures account can earn up to 3% cashback on transferred assets.
    4. VIP Savings Privilege: Users who accumulate at least 500 USDT in crypto purchases will gain VIP access to exclusive savings products for seven days.

    Total Rewards Pool: 15,000 USDT available for participants, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Join the Future of Crypto Transactions Today

    BitMart’s new Credit/Debit Card Buy Crypto feature simplifies crypto purchases, lowers entry barriers, and enhances user experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to trade seamlessly with zero fees and exciting rewards.

    For more details, visit BitMart’s official website.

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,600+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    Disclaimer:

    Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FirstBank Reports Strong Q4 Results and a Record-Setting Colorado Gives Day

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” announced its 2024 fourth-quarter summary of the company’s holdings and activities. The bank reported the following year-end and quarter-over-quarter results:

    • Net income for 2024 was $226.1 million
    • Total deposits increased by 0.4% in the fourth quarter to $24 billion
    • Net loan balance remained unchanged during Q4 at $16.1 billion
    • Total assets decreased by 0.7% to $27.2 billion from Sept. 30, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024

    In addition to growing both customer relationships and deposits in the fourth quarter, the bank reported over $3 billion in loan originations throughout the 2024 calendar year and recently expanded its instant payment offerings to include the FedNow Service. FirstBank now offers multiple instant payment options that are transmitted instantaneously and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

    The bank and Colorado Gives Foundation also helped raise a record-setting $54.6 million for Colorado Gives Day this past December, benefiting more than 4,200 area nonprofits. To promote the online giving movement, FirstBank surprised several deserving individuals, who were encouraged to “Give It Forward” to their favorite Colorado Gives Day nonprofits.

    “We’re committed to long-term, sustainable success, and sound financial management,” says Kevin Classen, CEO of FirstBank. “Our focus on smart, strategic growth not only ensures a stronger financial foundation, it allows us to reinvest in the well-being of our customers, communities, and employees, so everyone can thrive.”

    As part of FirstBank’s commitment to increased affordable housing, the bank financed $23.8 million in Q4 to support Habitat for Humanity of Roaring Fork Valley’s efforts to make homeownership more accessible. The loan will help bring nearly 100 deed-restricted, for-sale units to Glenwood Springs.

    FirstBank closed out 2024 as Colorado’s second-largest bank by deposits, capturing over 12% of the state’s deposit market share. It was also ranked among Forbes’ “World’s Best Banks” and “Best-in-State-Banks.”

    About FirstBank

    FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it’s known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the top-performing and largest privately held banks in the United States. FirstBank offers a variety of consumer deposit accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, rental property loans, and a full range of commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $90 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank’s success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. Member FDIC.

    Media Contact
    Chandra Brin
    303.235.1402
    Chandra.Brin@efirstbank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Anitian and A-LIGN Partner to Simplify and Accelerate FedRAMP Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anitian, a leader in Continuous Compliance Automation (CCA), today announced its strategic partnership with A-LIGN, a trusted provider of cybersecurity and compliance services, to launch a bundled offering that revolutionizes the FedRAMP compliance process. This partnership empowers SaaS providers to achieve FedRAMP audit-readiness faster, with greater efficiency, and at a reduced cost.

    The complexities of FedRAMP compliance often create significant hurdles for SaaS providers, including lengthy timelines, high costs, and operational inefficiencies. Together, Anitian and A-LIGN address these challenges by combining Anitian’s cloud-native compliance automation platform with A-LIGN’s expert 3PAO auditing services.

    “Anitian and A-LIGN share a commitment to helping organizations succeed in today’s demanding compliance landscape,” said Andrew Steioff, VP Global Strategic Alliances at A-LIGN. “Together, we are delivering an end-to-end solution that eliminates inefficiencies, accelerates audit-readiness, and ensures customers maintain full control of their compliance journey.”

    “With Anitian’s automation platform and A-LIGN’s auditing expertise, SaaS providers now have a clear, simplified pathway to achieve FedRAMP compliance and enter the federal market,” said Chris Finan, CEO at Anitian. “This partnership reduces time-to-compliance by up to 50% while delivering unmatched efficiency and cost savings.”

    Key Benefits of the Anitian + A-LIGN Partnership:

    • Accelerated Compliance: Reduce FedRAMP readiness timelines by up to 50% with seamless automation and expert audit preparation.
    • Increased Efficiency: Eliminate redundancies and streamline workflows with pre-configured tools and a unified compliance approach.
    • Cost Savings: Access discounted bundled pricing to reduce compliance and audit costs while maximizing ROI.

    The bundled offering is available immediately and is designed for SaaS providers seeking FedRAMP Moderate or High authorizations. By combining automation, auditing, and advisory services, Anitian and A-LIGN deliver a comprehensive solution that helps customers focus on innovation and growth while ensuring compliance success.

    About Anitian
    Anitian, a leader in the Continuous Compliance Automation (CCA) space, simplifies the journey to FedRAMP authorization. SaaS companies achieve audit-readiness in as few as three months while reducing preparation costs by up to 50%. Anitian empowers organizations to accelerate secure cloud adoption, maintain technical control of their infrastructure, and confidently unlock federal market growth. Learn more at anitian.com.

    About A-LIGN
    A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and HITRUST and a top three FedRAMP assessor. To learn more, visit a-lign.com.

    Media Contact:
    Emily Bertrand
    Head of Marketing
    emily.bertrand@anitian.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: iHit Tech Revolutionizes Vaping with Breakthrough Ceramic-Coil Technology at 2025 TPE Expo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the 2025 TPE Expo, iHit Tech, a pioneering vaporization solutions provider under the SMISS Group, unveiled its latest innovations, setting a new benchmark in the vaping technology industry. The spotlight was on the groundbreaking Ceramic-Coil Technology, which has redefined flavor performance and user experience.

    iHit Solo: A Game-Changer in Flavor Delivery

    iHit Tech introduced its upgraded iHit Solo technology, featuring a lateral ceramic-coil design that has been widely acclaimed for surpassing the flavor quality of traditional mesh-coil products. This innovation is currently exclusive to select brands for internal testing and will be integrated into new hero products slated for release in 2025.

    “The iHit Solo technology marks a monumental leap in flavor delivery,” said a spokesperson for iHit Tech. “We are excited to collaborate with visionary brands to bring unparalleled vaping experiences to users worldwide.”

    The iHit Solo solution, compatible with 2ML pods on popular devices, has demonstrated significantly superior flavor performance compared to conventional pods.

    iHit Dual: Redefining Ceramic-Coil Atomization with Breakthrough Upgrades

    Building on its 2024 development, the iHit Dual technology has undergone significant upgrades, achieving breakthrough advancements in key areas such as optimized airflow design, reduced condensation, and enhanced leak-proof measures. These innovations address the long-standing technical challenges of ceramic-coil atomization for over 15 ML products with visible e-liquid tanks, delivering unparalleled performance across multiple dimensions:

    • Pure and Clear Atomization: Ensures a clean and consistent vapor output.
    • Large Vapor Production: Generates impressive vapor volume for a satisfying experience.
    • Dense and Smooth Mouthfeel: Provides a luxurious and smooth inhale.
    • Rich and Aromatic Flavors: Enhances flavor richness and depth, setting a new standard for taste.

    Future Innovations: A Comprehensive Product Lineup
    In 2025, iHit Tech plans to launch a full spectrum of upgraded atomization technology solutions, including:

    • iHit Solo: Single ceramic-coil solutions for unmatched flavor clarity.
    • iHit Dual: Dual ceramic-coil solutions for enhanced vapor production and flavor intensity.
    • iHit Pro: A hybrid solution combining a single ceramic coil with dual mesh-film technology for the ultimate vaping experience.

    These products will feature cutting-edge advancements in technology depth and expanded application scope, catering to the evolving needs of the vaping community.

    About iHit Tech | SMISS Group

    iHit, launched by SMISS, is a health tech-focused vaporization solutions provider dedicated to revolutionizing the vaping experience through cutting-edge innovations.

    Business Contact
    E: support@ihitglobal.com
    W: https://www.ihitglobal.com/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f0757c4-f12a-4e7d-ae91-4e4f1b250bb6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IADC Committees – Play an Active Role in Advancing the Drilling Industry!

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: IADC Committees – Play an Active Role in Advancing the Drilling Industry!

    With the start of the new year, many people find themselves reviewing the past year and actively thinking about what they want the this year to look like. If your professional goals for this year include expanding your network, growing your skillset, taking opportunities to learn something new, or volunteering your time towards something you care about, you might consider joining an IADC Committee.

    Much of what is accomplished at IADC is done so through the input, action, and collaborative efforts of our Members. Joining an IADC Committee is a great way to advance the drilling industry while also advancing your personal and professional growth. With 18 active committees and a plethora of subcommittees, there are a variety of options for you to choose from.

    IADC Committees undertake initiatives that influence safe, efficient, and environmentally sound drilling operations worldwide. While all of our committees are open to welcoming new members to join on an ongoing basis, the following committees are actively seeking new members.

    Technical Publications Committee 

    The mission statement of the IADC Technical Publications Committee is to “Create a comprehensive, practical, and readily understandable series of peer-reviewed publications on well construction and integrity in the energy industry to educate and guide personnel at all levels.”

    If you’re interested in joining the Technical Publications Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Bill Krull at bill.krull@iadc.org.

    Young Professionals Committee

    IADC’s Young Professionals Committee is seeking new members to participate in the Young Professionals Summit Planning Committee.

    The 2nd annual IADC Young Professionals Summit will take place on 23 October 2025. This one-day event is specifically designed to empower the next generation of leaders as they share their experiences navigating our evolving industry, growing brands, and leveraging unique strengths to forge a path in oil and gas. The summit provides a great opportunity for YPs to connect and network with fellow young professionals, helping to build a strong community as the future of our industry.

    If you’re interested in joining the Young Professionals Summit Planning Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Angie Gunden at angie.gunden@iadc.org.

    Contracts Committee

    The mission of IADC’s Contracts Committee is “To promote clarity and efficiency in commercial documentation within the global drilling community and foster a wider understanding of contracts and risk management.” The Contracts Committee welcomes members of all backgrounds, such as Operations, Sales, Marketing, etc. It is not necessary to be an attorney to join. The Committee’s first meeting of 2025 will be held later in the first quarter, with the date to be determined at this time.

    If you’re interested in joining the Contracts Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Mike DuBose at mike.dubose@iadc.org.

    Supply Chain Committee

    The Supply Chain Committee is experiencing a strategic refresh under new leadership, with a plan to expand membership and reinvigorate its impact and engagement.

    The purpose of the IADC Supply Chain Committee is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge sharing, and interaction amongst drilling contractors, suppliers, and other IADC groups with the aim of implementing best practices for the betterment of the drilling industry.

    If you’re interested in joining the Supply Chain Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Thad Dunham at thad.dunham@iadc.org.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Join Us on 13 Feb for Drilling Contractor’s Next Live Virtual Panel Discussion

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Join Us on 13 Feb for Drilling Contractor’s Next Live Virtual Panel Discussion

    On 13 February at 9:00 a.m. CT (GMT-6), Drilling Contractor will host a live Virtual Panel Discussion (VPD), sponsored by NOV. This live VPD is titled “Breaking Barriers: Drilling Contractors Engage on Interoperability.”

    The premise of interoperable rig-based systems appeals to many wellsite stakeholders for different reasons and value cases. However, the interoperable infrastructure must be in place before leveraging any technologies using it. Please join us as drilling contractors share some pain points for a D-WIS focused panel discussion and help us navigate our journey toward drilling and wells interoperable systems.

    Comments and questions to the group can be submitted either in advance at this link, or during the meeting. The meeting is supported by the Drilling and Wells Interoperability Standards (D-WIS) Group. It will be recorded and made available online for future reference.

    Please join us on 13 February to explore these topics!

    Speakers: 

    TODD FOX

    Director – Product Management, H&P

    ANIL GODUMAGADDA

    Vice President, Digital Solutions, Patterson-UTI

    RAFAEL GUEDES

    Product Director, Nabors

    TRAVIS MCGUIRE

    Operations Performance Manager, Transocean

    ROBERT VAN KUILENBURG

    Offshore Performance Improvement Manager, Noble

    JOHN MACPHERSON

    Associate Fellow, Drilling Service, Baker Hughes (D-WIS technical SME)

    AVINASH RAMJIT

    Global Adoption & Excellence Advisor, ConocoPhillips (moderator)

    Agenda:

    9:00 – 9:10 – Welcome and D-WIS overview
    9:10 – 9:15 – Introduce drilling contractor panelists
    9:15 – 9:45 – “Pain point” presentations from each panelist
    9:45 – 10:15 – Moderated panel discussion joined by D-WIS technical SME
    10:15 – 10:30 – Interactive audience Q&A

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Guy Lamb, Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

    Crime researchers use murder (or homicide) rate per 100,000 as a crude measure of the general level of violent interpersonal crime globally. According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, South Africa’s murder rate of 45 per 100,000 (2023/24) is the second highest for countries that publish crime data.

    The South African Police Service crime data shows that levels of attempted murder, armed robbery and robberies at homes have soared over the past 10 years. Other categories of violent crime, such as assault and sexual violence, also remain high.

    High crime rates have had considerable negative effects on the country’s economy. The destructive impact of violent crime is estimated to cost the equivalent of 15 % of GDP.

    In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that government would seek to reduce violent crime by 50% within a decade. The police budget increased by 24% from 2018/19 to 2024/25. But the murder rate increased by 25%, from 36 per 100,000 in 2018/19 to 45 per 100,000 in 2023/24.

    I have spent 25 years researching violent crime and policing in South Africa. I also wrote a 2022 book, Policing and Boundaries in a Violent Society, and conducted various studies for the Institute for Security Studies.

    In my view, the logical approach for government is to attend to the top 100 high crime areas. I’ll show why below. It must use the resources of the departments in its justice, crime prevention and security cluster to intervene in targeted, evidence-based ways, to combat and prevent crime.

    Where crime is happening and what police are doing

    Violent crime in South Africa has consistently been highly concentrated in a small number of urban areas. For example, 20% of all reported murders occur in just 30 policing areas (2.6% of the 1,149 policing areas). About 50% of all violent crime occurs in 100 policing areas (9% of the precincts).

    Place-based crime reduction interventions have yielded positive results in high crime cities in a variety of countries, such as the US, Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago.

    But in South Africa, the approach to fighting crime has focused instead on arrests and on force. This is why increasing the funding hasn’t had results.

    The police arrested around 1.5 million criminal suspects a year between 2019/20 and 2023/24. (The exception was 2020/1, with 2.8 million arrests due to COVID-19 lockdown violations.)

    A negative outcome of this police action has been rising civil claims against police, amounting to R67.4 billion (US$3.6 billion) as of March 2024 (47,818 claims).

    The police have also used militarised approaches, such as Operation Shanela. Officers have been encouraged to be more forceful against alleged criminals.

    There is very little evidence to suggest that militarised policing reduces violent crime. It can actually contribute to declining public trust in the police. Only 27% of the population consider police trustworthy (from 47% in 1999).

    Despite the police budget increasing in recent years, their effectiveness has been undermined by declining personnel numbers. In 2018, there were 150,639 police personnel. This has dropped to 140,048 in recent years. There has also been a substantial reduction in the police reserve force.

    A further challenge is the high rate of recidivism (re-offending). An estimated 90% of offenders commit crime again after leaving prison.

    Six actions for 100 worst areas

    I argue that six things need to happen in the 100 worst crime areas:

    • reduce the number of firearms in circulation

    • improve the number of court-ready police dockets

    • improve place-based crime intelligence

    • reduce alcohol harms

    • provide rehabilitation and support services for offenders

    • boost community safety organisations.

    Firearms control

    Firearms are the leading weapon used in murders and in several categories of robberies. They are also commonly used in sexual violence, and feature in gangsterism and organised crime.

    Confiscating illegal firearms and ammunition, and securing convictions for those found in possession of illegal firearms, will have a positive impact in the target areas.

    This requires a close working relationship between police and the National Prosecuting Authority to collect appropriate evidence and prepare court dockets adequately.

    Rulings by magistrates that declare certain people unfit to possess licensed firearms must be monitored regularly.

    Court-ready police dockets

    The National Prosecuting Authority has undergone reforms over the past six years to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. As a result, it has secured high conviction rates for several categories of violent crimes. However, many police dockets lack sufficient reliable evidence for the prosecutors to present so as to secure convictions in court.

    As the table below shows, the vast majority of recorded violent crime cases do not result in a court conviction.

    Police officials in high crime areas are typically overwhelmed by the large number of criminal cases they need to investigate. That means only a small number of dockets that have a likelihood of securing a conviction are prepared.

    More resources are needed to increase cooperation between the police and prosecutors.

    Place-based crime intelligence

    Better crime intelligence could result in better control of illegal firearms and higher quality police dockets.

    Police crime intelligence and other departments in the justice and security cluster must cooperate and share information.

    Alcohol harms

    Several forms of violent crime are linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Unregulated alcohol outlets present the most risky context for committing violence. There is an opportunity for police, prosecutors (especially through the Community Prosecutions Initiative) and municipalities to collaborate to reduce alcohol related crime and harms in the top 100 high crime areas.

    This requires more effective monitoring and policing of alcohol outlets to ensure better compliance with liquor laws.

    Rehabilitation and support services for offenders

    It is likely that recidivism rates would be reduced if former prisoners and their families had better rehabilitation services in the top 100 high crime areas. Studies suggest that the most effective and practical programmes are those that focus on substance abuse, restorative justice, mental health, education and income generation.

    Such services could give former inmates a means to generate an income legally.

    Community safety organisations

    Studies have shown that crime can be reduced when police and other government entities work closely with community organisations to devise solutions.

    Community police forums and neighbourhood watches are examples of these kinds of arrangements.

    They can collect intelligence and help the authorities design and implement evidence-based crime prevention actions that focus on the areas where crime is concentrated, and on the situations that tend to drive crime.

    Guy Lamb receives funding from the Research Council of Norway and the British Academy.

    – ref. Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist – https://theconversation.com/violent-crime-in-south-africa-happens-mostly-in-a-few-hotspots-police-resources-should-focus-there-criminologist-248233

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Joins Kaine, 36 Senators in Raising Alarm Over Trump Administration Chaos at Critical National Security Agencies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined a group of 37 Senators led by Tim Kaine (D-VA), in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing their deep concern regarding the growing chaos and dysfunction at the U.S. Department of State and the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is a critical pillar of U.S. national security strategy, providing lifesaving aid and development support around the world to help ensure stability. Yesterday, personnel at USAID were not permitted to enter the agency’s headquarters, and Elon Musk announced that President Donald Trump agreed to close the agency and move it under the State Department – which Trump has no legal authority to do. The Trump Administration, led by Musk, has also furloughed thousands of senior career civil servants, including two top security officials who denied Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency access to classified documents and systems.

    “…We are deeply concerned by reports of not only growing chaos and dysfunction at the Department of State, but the Administration’s brazen and illegal attempts to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Mass personnel furloughs of dubious legality and abrupt, blanket stop-work orders without regard to relevant appropriations laws are causing immediate harm to U.S. national security, placing U.S. citizens at risk, disrupting life-saving work and breaking the U.S. government’s contractual obligations to private sector partners,” wrote the Senators.

    The Senators continued, “The Administration’s failure to consult with Congress prior to taking these steps violates the law and impedes Congress’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight of funding, personnel and the nation’s foreign policy. The Administration’s failure to expend funds appropriated on a bipartisan basis by Congress would violate the Impoundment Control Act.”

    “Foreign assistance is critical to supporting U.S. strategic interests around the world. Foreign assistance protects U.S. national security, advances U.S. values, and ensures the U.S. is the partner of choice for everything from defense procurement to cutting edge scientific research. China, Russia and Iran are already moving rapidly to exploit the vacuum and instability left by the U.S.’s sudden global retreat,” wrote the Senators.

    They continued, “Every Administration has the right to review and adjust ongoing assistance programming. However, attempting to arbitrarily turn off core functions of a critical U.S. national security agency, without Congressional consideration or any metric-based review and absent legal authority to do so, is unprecedented and deeply disturbing.”

    The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Angus S. King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Forging Readiness: Navy Reservists Train for Expeditionary Operations at NEMWDC

    Source: United States Navy

    The ERSS and ERCS training helps test the expeditionary medicine systems capabilities and reinforces essential operational skills, including combat lifesaving, tactical communications, weapons handling and mission planning.

    For the reservists, the training ensured they remain proficient and mission-ready, prepared to integrate seamlessly with active-duty forces to support the fleet while integrating their unique blend of expertise and military experience. Their role is crucial in providing surge capacity, specialized expertise and operational flexibility, strengthening the Navy’s ability to respond to global missions and maritime security challenges.

    During the training, the reservists worked alongside active-duty personnel to respond to simulated combat scenarios, including a bomb threat and a firefight. In one scenario, two service members sustained life-threatening injuries from an improvised explosive device and multiple gunshot wounds. Cmdr. You Wei Lin, a reservist anesthesiologist with the 4th Medical Logistics Group, 4th Medical Battalion Surgical Company Alpha, provided critical care and support to the simulated patients, ensuring they were safely sedated and monitored throughout a critical surgical procedure.

    Lin’s expertise allowed the surgical team to focus on life-saving interventions, such as controlling internal bleeding and repairing damaged tissue, under challenging condition. This collaboration demonstrated the importance of having skilled reservists integrated into expeditionary medical teams, showcasing their ability to perform seamlessly alongside active-duty counterparts in high-pressure scenarios.

    “I believe our team members integrated much more and started working together more cohesively after each evolution,” Lin said. “With high-fidelity simulation training, this course prepared our team both physically and mentally for the upcoming deployment.”

    The participation of the reservists in the training highlighted their importance to operational readiness.

    “Reservists bring specialized expertise and civilian medical experience that enhance the capability and flexibility of expeditionary medical teams, ensuring the highest level of care in combat and humanitarian missions,” explained Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Reyes, the leading petty officer of education and training at NEMWDC.

    The Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center, located at Camp Pendleton, is a center of excellence for unit-level medical training, advancing combat trauma skills and certifying expeditionary medical platforms to ensure readiness for future operations. The center’s training programs, like the one the reservists participated in, are critical to preparing medical personnel for the challenges of combat and contingency operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Southport perpetrator Prevent Learning Review

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis gave an update on the Prevent Learning Review – jointly commissioned with Counter Terrorism Policing following the Southport attack.

    With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement updating the House on the government’s response to the Southport murders.

    The attack in Southport in July last year was one of the most appalling and barbaric crimes committed in this country.

    For young children and adults to be attacked in this way and 3 young girls killed is utterly heartbreaking. The Home Secretary and I would like to thank those people who showed great bravery in attempting to stop the attack.  

    For this foul act of violence to happen while children were enjoying themselves at a dance class at the beginning of the school holidays is beyond comprehension.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 3 girls and all those injured as they continue to live with the trauma of that dark day.

    No one should have to go through what they have, and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring they get every possible support.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, responsibility for this abhorrent attack lies with the perpetrator. Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve a minimum of 52 years in prison.

    And Mr Justice Goose said it is highly likely that he will never be released.

    When the Home Secretary addressed the House on this case last month, she outlined the multiple interactions the perpetrator had with state bodies in the years before the attack. This included police, social services and mental health services.

    There are serious questions about how various agencies failed to identify and collectively act on the warning signs.

    All those questions must be answered – we owe that to the families, who deserve the truth about what went wrong.

    That is why the government is committed to understanding and addressing the failings in this tragic case through a comprehensive public inquiry.  

    It will examine the issues raised in this case but also wider challenges around rising youth violence.

    We are moving swiftly to set up the inquiry.

    We will consult the families to ensure all critical issues are addressed while remaining sensitive to the needs of those most affected. We expect to announce further details about the inquiry next month.

    While we do not pre-empt the conclusions of the inquiry, there are areas where action can and must be progressed immediately.

    Prevent is a vital part of our counter-terrorism system. We must endeavour to identify those susceptible to radicalisation early and before they go on to commit terrorist acts.

    Prevent receives nearly 7,000 referrals every year and our hard-working frontline staff have supported nearly 5000 people away from terrorism since 2015. We must get Prevent right.

    That is why the Home Office and Counter-Terrorism Policing commissioned a rapid Prevent learning review immediately after the attack.

    These are usually internal technical reviews intended to identify swift learning and improvement for Prevent.

    But the importance of the families needing answers has meant that, today, following close engagement with the families, we are taking the unusual step of publishing the Prevent Learning Review.

    And I can update the House that the perpetrator was referred to Prevent 3 times between December 2019, when he was aged 13, and April 2021, when he was 14. Those referrals were made by his schools.

    The first referral reported concerns about him carrying a knife and searching for school shootings on the internet. The second referral was focused on his online activity relating to Libya and Gaddafi. His third referral was for searching for London bombings, the IRA, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

    On each of these occasions, the decision at the time was that the perpetrator should not progress to the Channel multi-agency process.

    But the Prevent Learning Review found that there was sufficient risk for the perpetrator to have been managed through Prevent.

    It found that the referral was closed prematurely and there was sufficient concern to keep the case active while further information was collected.

    The review is clear on the concerning behaviours that the perpetrator demonstrated. It highlights his interest in the Manchester Arena attack.

    That he talked about stabbing people.

    And it flagged that some of the grievances that could have been a motivation, were not fully considered.

    The review also highlights the perpetrator’s clear vulnerabilities and complex needs that may have made him more susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.

    The review concluded that:

    1. Too much focus was placed on the absence of a distinct ideology, to the detriment of considering the perpetrator’s susceptibility, grievances, and complex needs.
    2. There was an under-exploration of the significance of his repeat referrals and the cumulative risk, including his history of violence.
    3. There were potentially incomplete lines of enquiry.
    4. And that at the time, the perpetrator could have fallen into a Mixed, Unclear or Unstable category for Channel due to his potential interest in mass violence.

    Indeed, the overall conclusion of the review is that he should have been case-managed through the Channel multi-agency process, rather than closed to Prevent.

    This would have enabled co-ordinated multi-agency risk management and support.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the Prevent Learning Review made 14 recommendations for improvements to Prevent.

    We have accepted these findings and rapid action has been taken to implement the recommendations.

    Counter Terrorism Policing have conducted in-depth assurance visits to every region to determine whether the issues identified in this case have been resolved by operational improvements made since 2021.

    Urgent work is underway to address the findings.

    The Prevent Assessment Framework was launched in September and is now in place across all regions. It was developed by experts and is being used to triage and risk-assess all Prevent referrals. It will improve decision-making at all stages of the Prevent system. Roll-out of this tool has been accompanied by rigorous mandatory training.

    We have begun an end-to-end review of Prevent thresholds to ensure Prevent can deal with the full range of threats we see today, from Islamist extremism, which is the most significant terrorist threat the UK faces, through to the fascination with mass violence we saw in the Southport case.

    This internal review will complete in April and further strengthen the approach to repeat referrals, and ensure that clear policy, guidance, and training is in place.

    We have completed the first stage of a policy review into how Prevent supports referrals who have mental ill-health or are neurodivergent.

    Actions for improving the operational approach have been identified and will be implemented swiftly, with oversight from the new Prevent Commissioner.

    We are also strengthening our approach to the oversight of referrals that do not meet Prevent thresholds, to make sure that people receive the right support.

    Next week, a pilot starts in several local areas to test new approaches to cases that are transferred to other services.

    And, of course, the government has appointed Lord Anderson as Interim Prevent Commissioner. This is the first time that Prevent will have a dedicated independent oversight, in its history and this will ensure Prevent is always held to the highest standards.

    His first task is to review the perpetrator’s Prevent history, drawing on the Prevent Learning Review. This will identify whether there is further learning, examine improvements made to Prevent since 2021, and identify any remaining gaps that require further improvement. 

    Lord Anderson will complete the review within his term as Interim Commissioner, which will end with the appointment of a permanent commissioner in the summer of this year.

    But it is simply not enough to focus only on this case. We need to take an even more robust approach to identifying learning swiftly and driving that learning through the Prevent system.

    The Prevent Commissioner will be tasked with overseeing a new approach to Prevent learning reviews that enables rapid debriefing and urgent action after incidents, but also provides a clear framework that binds other agencies into the joint learning process.

    Transparency and enabling public scrutiny is also fundamental.

    And that is why we will take steps to publish the findings of other independent Prevent learning reviews where there has been an incident of national significance.

    So, Madam Deputy Speaker, next week, we will publish the Prevent Learning Review into the appalling attack on Sir David Amess to enable further public scrutiny of this important programme.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, the first duty of government is to ensure the security of our country and the safety of our people, because nothing matters more.

    And while we can never undo the hurt and pain caused by this unthinkably wretched attack, we can, we must and we will do everything in our power to prevent further atrocities.

    As the Prime Minister said, Southport must be a line in the sand for Britain.

    If that means asking difficult questions about shortcomings or failures, so be it.

    If it means holding institutions and processes to account, we will do so without fear or favour.

    And if changes are required to protect the public and combat the threats that we face, then this government will not hesitate to act.

    I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

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

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 5, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Chile on February 3, 2025 and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting on a lapse-of-time basis.[2]

    The economy’s imbalances have been largely resolved. Real GDP is expected to expand by 2.2 percent in 2024, close to its potential pace, driven by the strong mining and service exports, and 2-2.5 percent in 2025, related to an expected recovery in domestic demand. However, the recovery has been uneven across industries, with the construction sector lagging and the unemployment rate remaining high. Inflation is set to return to the 3-percent target in early 2026, after the impact of the significant increase in electricity tariffs between June 2024 and early 2025 subsides. The current account deficit has continued to narrow and is projected to reach around 2½ percent of GDP in 2024 and 2025.

    External risks and uncertainty remain elevated. The commodity price volatility linked to the economic outlook of Chile’s main trading partners and the pace of the global green transition is a key external risk. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding monetary and fiscal policies in advanced economies could lead to tight financial conditions for longer periods of time and higher financial volatility. Domestically, concerns about crime, migration, and inequality persist; and political polarization is hindering the structural reform progress.

    Policies have supported macroeconomic stability. The Central Bank of Chile lowered the monetary policy rate by 325 basis points since January 2024 to 5 percent in December 2024. The headline fiscal deficit is projected to reach 2.7 percent of GDP in 2024 due to a notable revenue underperformance and despite significant spending restraint compared to the budget. The 2025 budget envisions a notable deficit reduction within a medium-term fiscal plan toward a broadly balanced fiscal position by 2027. By setting the neutral level of the countercyclical capital buffer at 1 percent of risk-weighted assets with a gradual and state-contingent implementation path from the current level of 0.5 percent, the Central Bank of Chile has provided banks with planning certainty for strengthening financial resilience.

    Executive Board Assessment

    The economy is broadly balanced but external risks are elevated. Chile’s macroeconomic position is sound due to its very strong fundamentals, policies, and policy frameworks. Real GDP is growing around its potential and inflation is expected to reach the 3-percent target in early 2026. The current account deficit has continued to narrow, and the 2024 external position is assessed as moderately weaker than implied by medium-term fundamentals. Public debt is still relatively low and sustainable with high probability. However, the external environment is unstable and uncertain, which calls for policies that further strengthen economic buffers to provide additional policy space for future shocks.

    Lifting Chile’s growth potential is a must to raise living standards and tackle social and fiscal pressures. Taking a consultative approach, the government is advancing several growth initiatives, including: (i) expediting investment permit applications and environmental evaluations to encourage investment, (ii) fostering the development of emerging industries, particularly those related to renewable energy to maximize the benefits from the global green transition, and (iii) facilitating R&D. Swift and consistent implementation of these initiatives is crucial, especially in rationalizing the regulatory burden and improving essential infrastructure. Additionally, better integrating women into the labor market could partially offset the unfavorable demographic trends. The proposed new development bank requires a targeted mandate, sound risk management practices, and robust corporate governance.

    The goal of a broadly balanced fiscal position by 2027 remains appropriate but has become more challenging. The authorities’ commitment to fiscal restraint by adjusting spending plans in 2024 and 2025 is welcome. To achieve a balanced fiscal position over the next three years, a gap of at least 1 percent of GDP needs to be filled. This could be achieved largely from the important tax compliance law if its implementation yields the planned additional revenue and is not used for new spending initiatives. It is therefore crucial to carefully monitor developments in tax compliance and remain flexible to adjust current spending in case revenue mobilization falls short of plans, while aiming to preserve public investment outlays in support of medium-term growth. Ensuring that any structural spending increases align with higher structural revenues is vital for fiscal sustainability, while unifying fragmented social programs could enhance access and effectiveness for the most vulnerable.

    Continuous enhancements to Chile’s already very strong fiscal framework would foster fiscal policy formulation and transparency. For instance, providing more details on debt-creating flows outside the fiscal deficit (“below-the-line” items) would strengthen the monitoring of fiscal pressures. Updating fiscal forecasting methods, in line with the government’s plans, could improve revenue projections in the context of economic and policy shifts. Adopting a medium-term strategy to rebuild the size of the Economic and Social Stabilization Fund (ESSF) would help provide resources to respond to future shocks. Finally, simplifying the presentation of the fiscal targets and budget execution in the Public Finance Report could deepen the understanding of the fiscal balance rule framework.

    A pension reform is essential to ensure adequate pensions and address the fiscal costs of population aging. Raising contribution rates and the number of contribution periods is vital for sustainably self-financing old-age pensions. The minimum guaranteed pension (PGU) has strengthened the system’s solidarity, increased replacement ratios, and reduced old-age poverty, but it also incurs high fiscal costs. With the ratio of pensioners to the working-age population set to nearly double in two decades, it is crucial to manage public spending pressures while maintaining a solid safety net. Targeting the PGU to the most vulnerable elderly, linking the retirement age to life expectancy, and implementing the proposed unemployment insurance for pension contributions could further strengthen the system.

    A cautious data dependent approach to the pace of monetary policy easing is warranted. The BCCh’s monetary policy adjustments have been in line with its inflation-targeting framework. The real monetary policy rate is close to its estimated neutral range. With near-term inflation risks tilted to the upside, future cuts to the policy rate should remain contingent on evidence that inflation is heading decisively back to its target.

    Rebuilding international reserve buffers is important for enhancing resilience. While the flexible exchange rate plays a critical role as a shock absorber, the Central Bank of Chile’s access to international liquidity can provide an additional shield against potential external shocks. This underscores the importance of incorporating a comprehensive international liquidity framework into the central bank’s longer-term financial stability strategy. The strategy and operational design should continue to follow high transparency standards, be persistent and robust to changes in external risks, and minimize distortions in the foreign exchange market.

    The financial system remains resilient despite rising vulnerabilities related to the real estate sector and lower financial market depth. The real estate sector is expected to recover modestly as long-term interest rates gradually decline, and there are several mitigants to credit risk associated with lending to this sector. Nevertheless, supervisors need to carefully monitor banks and insurers’ portfolio quality and buffers, including by closing commercial real estate data gaps and enhancing stress test models. Rebuilding the depth of local financial markets by increasing pension contributions, which would increase the pool of investable savings, is important to help reduce market volatility and sensitivity to shocks.

    Financial sector policies need to continue reinforcing resilience. The recent adoption of a positive neutral level of the counter-cyclical capital buffer with a gradual and state-contingent implementation provides banks with planning certainty. The ongoing implementation of Basel III capital and liquidity requirements needs to be completed. Prompt implementation of the Financial Market Resilience Law would enhance the BCCh’s ability to respond to financial distress situations. Other priorities continue to include adopting an industry-funded deposit insurance and a bank resolution framework, providing budget independence to the CMF, further enhancing bank corporate governance, and implementing the Consolidated Debt Registry.

    Table 1. Chile: Selected Economic Indicators, 2023-27

    GDP (2023), in trillions of pesos

    282

    Quota

    GDP (2023), in billions of U.S. dollars

    336

    		  

    in millions of SDRs

    1,744

    Per capita (2023), U.S. dollars

    16,815

    		  

    in % of total

    		  

    0.37

    Population (2023), in millions

    19.96

    		        

    Main products and exports

    Copper

    		        

    Key export markets

    China, U.S., Euro area
     

    Proj.

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    2027
             

    Output

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise specified)

    Real GDP

    0.2

    2.2

    2.2

    2.3

    2.3

      Total domestic demand

    -4.2

    1.0

    2.4

    2.3

    2.3

    Consumption

    -3.9

    1.6

    1.9

    2.2

    2.1

    Fixed capital formation

    -1.1

    -1.0

    4.3

    3.4

    3.7

         Exports of goods and services

    -0.3

    5.5

    4.3

    4.7

    3.9

         Imports of goods and services

    -12.0

    1.2

    4.4

    4.3

    3.2

    Output gap (in percent)

    0.0

    -0.1

    -0.1

    0.0

    0.0

    Employment

    Unemployment rate (in percent, annual average)

    8.7

    8.5

    8.2

    8.0

    7.8

    Prices

    GDP deflator

    6.6

    6.0

    4.1

    2.9

    2.7

    Change of CPI (end of period)

    3.9

    4.5

    3.5

    3.0

    3.0

    Change of CPI (period average)

    7.6

    3.9

    4.2

    3.1

    3.0

    Public Sector Finances

    (In percent of GDP, unless otherwise specified)

    Central government revenue

    22.9

    22.1

    23.0

    23.8

    23.9

    Central government expenditure

    25.3

    24.8

    24.8

    24.7

    24.3

    Central government fiscal balance

    -2.4

    -2.7

    -1.8

    -0.8

    -0.4

    Central government structural fiscal balance 1/

    -3.4

    -3.1

    -2.1

    -1.2

    -0.5

    Central government gross debt

    39.4

    42.7

    43.7

    44.1

    43.5

    Public sector gross debt 2/

    70.2

    73.5

    74.5

    74.9

    74.4

    Balance of Payments

    Current account balance (% of GDP) 3/

    -3.5

    -2.3

    -2.5

    -2.5

    -2.7

    Foreign direct investment net flows (% of GDP) 3/

    -4.6

    -4.0

    -2.6

    -2.9

    -2.9

    Gross external debt (% of GDP) 4/

    71.1

    77.5

    76.5

    76.6

    75.7

    Sources: Central Bank of Chile, Ministry of Finance, Haver Analytics, and IMF staff calculations and projections.

    1/ The structural fiscal balance includes adjustments for output, copper prices, and lithium revenues based on IMF calculations. The lithium adjustment starts in 2022.

    2/ Includes liabilities of the central government, the Central Bank of Chile and public enterprises. Excludes Recognition Bonds.

    3/ Calculated as a share of US$ GDP.

    4/ Data from Dipres for the government and from BCCh for all other sectors. Calculated as a share of US$ GDP.

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

    [2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Jose Luis De Haro

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/04/pr25027-chile-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Criminal and Civil Actions Related to Unlawful Advertising and Sale of Dietary Supplements

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Good afternoon.

    We are here today to explain critical steps the federal government is taking to stem the tide of unlawful dietary supplements being sold to consumers nationwide. 

    Almost every day, news sources on the Internet, television and in print feature stories about the dangers of dietary supplements:  A supplement is laced with an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient.  A study is released about adverse health consequences of a so-called natural remedy.  An athlete or member of the military falls ill after taking an untested energy product.  These stories arise across the country all too often. 

    Consumers turn to supplements when they want to lose weight, get an edge in athletic performance, or improve their overall well-being.  From California to Maine, consumers ingest pills, powders and liquids every day, not knowing whether they are wasting money or whether they may end up harming, rather than helping, themselves.  Unfortunately, many of these products are not what they purport to be or cannot do what the distributors claim they can do.  In some instances, consumers might be choosing supplements over other, proven therapies for serious conditions under the mistaken belief that these products can help.

    I am honored to be joined at the podium today by my colleagues from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).  Today we are announcing a sweep of actions targeting unlawful dietary supplement makers and marketers.  Over the past year, we have pursued civil and criminal cases against more than 100 makers and marketers of dietary supplements and similar products. 

    A centerpiece of the sweep announced today is the indictment of USPlabs, relating to widely popular workout and weight loss supplements.  Bestselling dietary supplements, with names like Jack3d, OxyElite Pro, and OxyElite Pro “New Formula” and “Advanced Formula,” raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.

    As alleged in the indictment unsealed today, the defendants were on a perpetual search for the next miracle ingredient.  That search generally focused on Chinese chemical manufacturers.  When they found an ingredient that they believed was promising – and knowing full well how the market for dietary supplements operated – they doctored packaging, labeling, and other paperwork to defraud others about what the product was.  Much of the alleged fraud focused on the defendants’ claims that their products were made from natural plant extracts.  In truth, as one defendant put it, “lol stuff is completely 100 % synthethic [sic]”.

    These fraudulent claims ensured that the synthetic chemicals entered the United States, got on store shelves, and were purchased by consumers.  As alleged in the indictment, the defendants falsified paperwork to stay off the radar of regulatory agencies – when the products crossed the border and as they circulated in commerce.  They made misrepresentations to convince well-known retailers, who had concerns about untested synthetic chemicals, to sell their products.  They falsified labeling and marketing materials to convince consumers, who prized natural ingredients, to buy their products.  All of these people – regulators, retailers and consumers – trusted that the defendants were telling the truth about their products.  All of these people were deceived.

    This deception put lives at risk.  The indictment describes the safety testing – or, more accurately, the lack of safety testing – that the defendants undertook before hawking these factory-made stimulants.  For instance, the indictment alleges that the defendants sometimes tested the ingredients on themselves and sold the ones that made them feel good.  With one product, the defendants allegedly recognized that the substance could potentially cause “liver toxicity.”  Yet without conducting a single test to determine whether that substance was safe, they went ahead and sold it, working from the baseless assumption that they weren’t using enough of the substance in their products to cause problems. 

    But there were problems.  There was an outbreak of liver injuries allegedly associated with the OxyElite Pro New Formula.  Consumers experienced jaundice; several needed transplants to save their lives.  How did the defendants respond?  As the indictment alleges, they promised the FDA and the public that they would stop distributing the product at issue.  They didn’t.  Instead, they undertook a surreptitious, all-hands-on-deck effort to sell as much of the product as they could.

    We are here today, in part, to take an important step in holding USPlabs accountable for its actions.  The indictment unsealed today charges USPlabs in Texas, four of its executives, and one of its consultants with a series of crimes associated with the sale of dietary supplements.  Charged with these defendants is S.K. Laboratories based in Southern California, which manufactured many of USPlabs’ products, and one of S.K. Laboratories’ executives.  As noted, this is just a step.  All of the defendants will have their day in court.  Whatever the outcome, I am confident that the dedicated men and women – from the Department of Justice and the special agents from the FDA and IRS Criminal Investigation – who have worked so hard to bring us to this point will ensure that justice is served.

    The allegations against USPlabs and its operators should serve as a wake-up call to the supplement industry.  The unmistakable message is that the Department of Justice and its partners will be vigilant when it comes to the health and safety of the American public.  Fighting illegal activity in the dietary supplement industry is a high priority on our consumer protection agenda.

    The USPlabs case is only one of the many cases brought as part of the sweep announced today.  Over the past year, law enforcement and regulatory officials have focused efforts on many additional products that cause high levels of concern among health officials nationwide.

    Many of the cases we have brought relate to products that misrepresent the ingredients they contain. 

    We have also brought cases involving products that make unsupported claims about their effects.  In numerous matters, the defendants are selling products online through websites and touting their products to consumers for the cure, treatment, or prevention of diseases ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease to herpes.  Making these disease cure claims defines these products as drugs under the law.  And even though they were warned by the FDA – and in some cases, through joint letters with the FTC – to stop making such claims, a number of the individuals and companies at issue continued to make these claims and promote their products as treatments or cures for diseases.  Yet these drugs lack substantial evidence of safety and effectiveness.  They are also being sold without adequate directions for their use.  Selling them in interstate commerce in these circumstances is illegal. 

    The government is taking a multi-faceted approach to combat the problem of unlawful dietary supplements.  In addition to criminal actions, we are using civil and administrative tools to safeguard consumers from harmful products.  As part of this sweep, the Department of Justice brought a dozen civil injunctive actions (including five in the last week) under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and in some cases, using the civil mail fraud injunction statute, seeking to stop the defendant entities and individuals from violating the law.  In these cases we are asking the courts to order the defendants to stop their illegal conduct and to put in place processes and procedures to prevent them from violating the law in the future.  Our partner agencies, including the FTC, FDA, USPIS, DoD and USADA, are taking other measures both to enforce the law and to educate the public.

    As I mentioned, I stand here in partnership with other agencies with whom we have joined forces to address this problem.  Through enforcement and education, each agency is performing its own mission to protect consumers or service members or athletes from dangerous, ineffective products.  You will hear more from my colleagues about the actions their agencies are taking.  Together, through cooperation and teamwork, we can multiply the impact of our efforts.  These actions will not put an end to this widespread problem.  But they will go some distance toward bringing change to the industry.

    We are not here to criticize the entire supplement marketplace.  Not every supplement contains an undisclosed ingredient.  Not every label lies about what is contained in the bottle.  Not every claim about dietary supplements is unsupported by scientific evidence.

    But consumers must be on guard before taking dietary supplements.  Oftentimes, it may be difficult or impossible to tell the conditions under which the supplements are manufactured, and it is challenging to sort through real scientific substantiation for a product as compared to unsupported hype.

    How can consumers perform their own due diligence? 

    Talk to your health care provider.  At physical exams, ask a physician whether the bottle seen on store shelves or on the Internet could cause you harm, or whether it is worth the money you are spending to buy it.

    Consult the public education materials provided by the FTC, FDA, DoD and USADA.  The FDA’s website, for example, includes tips for making informed decisions and evaluating dietary supplements, and the FTC’s website also has a wealth of information. 

    The Department of Defense and USADA have developed extraordinary tools, including a cell phone app, to help consumers make informed choices about supplements.

    This is only the beginning.  Thanks to the partnerships we have built, our efforts in this area will continue.  We will keep investigating violators and we will use all available tools at our disposal to advance our enforcement goals and to protect consumers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Statement at Briefing to Discuss the U.S. Government’s Ongoing Counterterrorism Efforts

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    As I’ve said previously, we stand in solidarity with the people of France at this difficult time.  We are committed to providing any and all assistance to our allies in Europe and around the world as we all face this global threat.  Now we’ve made that commitment clear, not just with words, but with our actions.  The Department of Justice, the FBI and other agencies are in close contact with French authorities, through our international legal assistance channels, to provide support to the French in their ongoing investigation, to coordinate strategies with them, and to advance our shared efforts as we obtain further information that may be relevant to these attacks.  We are operating on an expedited basis, as well, to ensure that the victim assistance professionals at the Department of Justice and the FBI are available to assist the victims and their families.  We’ve also expanded the FBI’s legal attaché office in Paris to offer assistance on an as-needed basis, and we have personnel working day and night to respond to any additional requests for assistance.  Now earlier today, President Obama spoke by phone with President Hollande to discuss the latest developments in the investigation and to reaffirm our partnership in the fight against terrorism.

    Now of course, our highest priority is and will remain the security of our homeland and the safety of all Americans.  At the Department of Justice, we are operating around the clock, as we have since 9/11 and even before, to uncover and disrupt any plot that take aim at our people, our infrastructure and our way of life.  We take all threats seriously, we’re acting aggressively to defuse threats as they emerge, and we are vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm the American people. 

    In fact, since 2013, we have charged more than 70 individuals for conduct related to foreign-fighter interests and homegrown violent extremism, and we continue to take robust actions to monitor and to thwart potential extremist activity.  The Department of Justice and the FBI are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, with the broader intelligence community and our partners around the world in all of these efforts, and we are bringing every resource to bear in the service of our mission.

    As I think it’s important to note, that as we do this work, we are guided, obviously, by our commitment to the protection of the American people, but also by our commitment to the protection of our American values, which include the timeless principles of inclusivity and freedom that have always made this country great.  We need to say, we will not let our actions be overtaken by fear, and we will not allow merchants of violence to rob us of our most precious ideals.  Our values are not secondary considerations in the fight against terror – they are central to the work that we do, and they are essential to the nation that we protect.  They are also the reason that we are a target, and they are what terrorists want most to see us abandon.  They want us to live in fear, and we refuse.  They want us to change who we are, and what makes us quintessentially American, and that we will never do.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice Testifies Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing “Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) — Five Years Later: How Have the Justice Systems in Indian Country Improved?”

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Chairman Barrasso, Vice-Chairman Tester and Members of the Committee:

    I am honored to appear before you to discuss the implementation efforts of the Department of Justice to fulfill our responsibilities as established in the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (TLOA) and, ultimately, to improve public safety in Indian country.  In introducing this Act in April 2009, Chairman Dorgan illuminated some of the hard realities faced by tribes in modern times, including: astonishingly high rates of violence, criminal exploitation of complex and sometimes confusing jurisdiction and crippling limitations on the legal authorities of tribal governments to ensure safety on their lands.  The introduction of TLOA included a charge to the federal government to provide tribal governments with the tools they need to better protect their communities, to live up to our treaty and trust obligations and to be more accountable for our efforts to enhance public safety in Indian country.  Thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of the department’s efforts over the past five years to fulfill our responsibilities under this Act and honor our broader obligations to Indian country.  

    In October 2009, the department held a listening session with tribal leaders to help guide and inform the department’s policies, programs and activities affecting Indian country going forward.  Our leadership recognized the need to swiftly and meaningfully improve our contributions to public safety in Indian country and as a result of this listening session, launched a department-wide initiative to enhance public safety in Indian country, which is ongoing.  With the passage of TLOA in July 2010, the department’s initiative expanded to absorb new responsibilities and assumed a renewed sense of urgency.  Our work to enhance public safety has been and continues to be, shaped by our commitment to empower tribal governments; to improve coordination and collaboration at the federal, tribal, state and local levels; and to be appropriately accountable for the work we do.

    Empowering Tribal Governments

    The department views tribes as partners in ensuring public safety in Indian country and is committed to maximizing tribal control over tribal affairs.  It is our belief, informed by experience, that challenges faced by tribes are generally best met by tribal solutions.  In support of this commitment and the government-to-government nature of our relationships with tribes, the department has worked to fulfill its responsibilities under TLOA in a way that will ultimately empower tribes to operate with more autonomy.

    In order to support law enforcement activity by tribal officials in Indian country, tribes require access to law enforcement databases.  Under TLOA, the department must ensure that tribal law enforcement officials have access to national crime information databases.  The ability of tribes to fully engage in national criminal justice information sharing via state networks, which are the long-time conduit for such activities, has been dependent upon regulations, statutes and policies of the states that may not consistently enable tribal participation.  In order to improve access for tribes, the department has established two new programs and partnered on a third.

    First, the Justice Telecommunications System (JUST) program, which was launched in 2010, provided participating tribes with access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).  This program is ongoing and currently serves 23 tribes.  This program, as well as the other two programs to improve data base access, were the result of on-going, substantive dialog with tribal governments and law enforcement.  

    Second, the department recently launched a more comprehensive access program based on feedback from tribes and lessons learned from the JUST program: the Department of Justice’s Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP).  The TAP program, first announced in August 2015, is designed to provide access to CJIS services, including: Next Generation Identification (NGI); National Data Exchange (N-DEx); Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP); National Crime Information Center (NCIC); National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); and Nlets, the International Justice and Public Safety Network.  Nlets is an interstate public safety network for the exchange of law enforcement, criminal justice and public safety information owned by the states.  Nlets supports inquiry into state databases, such as motor vehicle, driver’s license and criminal history, as well as inquiry into several federal databases, such as Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Pointer Index, ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center and FAA’s Aircraft Registration and Canada’s Canadian Police Information Center.  With funding from the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART), the TAP program has selected ten tribal participants to help provide user feedback on the training, technical assistance, equipment, and maintenance of this program.  Early feedback has been very positive and it is our intention to eventually make this program available to any interested tribe.  We will continue to work with Congress for additional funding to more broadly deploy the program.

    The TAP Program was the result of a 2014 working group, which consisted of representatives from the Departments of Justice and the Interior.  From this same close collaboration, the department partnered with Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) in a third program known as  “BIA Purpose Code X,” which gives tribes the ability through BIA-OJS to perform emergency name-based background checks for child placement purposes.  This is a crucial capability for tribal social service agencies seeking emergency placement of children in Indian country.

    The Department of Justice has increased its efforts to support tribal governments that are exercising expanded sentencing authority rooted in TLOA.  While TLOA properly does not require the department to review or certify a tribe’s use of enhanced felony sentencing authority or the status of a tribe’s efforts to amend its codes and court processes to provide defendants with the due process protections described in TLOA, we have taken steps to help ensure that tribes interested in exercising enhanced sentencing authority have knowledge of and access to relevant resources.  For example, OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program has provided training and technical services to support tribal civil and criminal legal procedures, legal infrastructure enhancements, public education and the development and enhancement of tribal justice systems.  More specifically, training and technical services have included the following: indigent legal defense services; civil legal assistance; public defender services; and strategies for the development and enhancement of tribal court policies, procedures and codes.

    The provision of high-quality training to tribal representatives has been an area of increased activity within the department since the passage of TLOA.  The department believes that ensuring access to quality training is a necessary element to bolstering tribal autonomy.  In July 2010, the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) launched the National Indian Country Training Initiative (NICTI) to ensure that federal prosecutors and agents, as well as state and tribal criminal justice personnel, receive the training and support needed to address the particular challenges relevant to Indian country prosecutions.  Importantly, the department covers the costs of travel and lodging for tribal attendees at classes sponsored by the NICTI. This allows many tribal criminal justice officials to receive cutting-edge training from national experts at no cost to the student or tribe.  The NICTI has sponsored approximately 75 training courses, and reached over 200 tribal, federal and state agencies.

    Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a forthcoming training course to be held at the FLETC campus in Artesia, New Mexico.  Jointly taught by FBI and BIA “mentors” and FLETC common core instructors, the course will include instruction in forensic evidence collection and preparatory instruction on investigations common to Indian country, such as domestic violence, child abuse, violent crimes, human trafficking and drug trafficking.  This course will be held four times each year, with a total of 24 students in each session.  This course, the result of collaboration between FBI, BIA and FLETC, was developed out of a recognized need to train federal and tribal law enforcement officers together.  Another recent training was held by the DEA.  In September 2015, the National Native American Law Enforcement Association held a collaborative training event where the DEA provided on-site training on clandestine lab awareness for first responders, emerging technologies, and money laundering.  The training included federal, state, local, and tribal partners with Indian country responsibility.   

    One of the most meaningful displays of the department’s commitment to a government-to-government relationship with tribes is in our efforts to cross-deputize tribal law enforcement officials.  In doing so, we not only expand their authorities, but we send an important message that we are partners and allies with tribes in our collective efforts to enhance public safety in Indian country.  The Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Program was developed prior to the passage of TLOA to train tribal prosecutors in federal criminal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase prosecutions in federal court, tribal court, or both.  The program enables tribal prosecutors to bring cases in federal court and to serve as co-counsel with federal prosecutors on felony investigations and prosecutions of offenses originating in tribal communities.  The program has grown considerably since the passage of TLOA.  To date, there are 25 SAUSAs representing 23 tribes.  In addition to the SAUSA program, the Department of Justice investigative agencies have cross-deputized tribal law enforcement officers through joint task forces.  For example, the FBI has deputized 85 tribal law enforcement officers as part of the Safe Trails Task Forces.  There are currently 15 active Safe Trails Task Forces located around the country, working to combat violent crime, drugs, gangs and gaming violations. 

    In 2014, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) fulfilled a key provision of TLOA by accepting certain tribal offenders sentenced in tribal courts for placement in BOP institutions.  The pilot program allowed any federally-recognized tribe to request that the BOP incarcerate a tribal member convicted of a violent crime under the terms of Section 234 of TLOA and authorized the BOP to house up to 100 tribal offenders at a time, nationwide.

    A fundamental goal of the BOP is to reduce future criminal activity by encouraging inmates to participate in a range of programs that have been proven to help them adopt a crime-free lifestyle upon their return to the community.  Through the pilot program, tribal offenders have access to the BOP’s many self-improvement programs, including work in prison industries and other institution jobs, vocational training, education, treatment for substance use disorders, classes on parenting and anger management, counseling, religious observance opportunities and other programs that teach essential life skills.  BOP has also ensured that there are culturally-appropriate offerings for native inmates.  In addition to increasing access to critical programs and treatments, the pilot program facilitated tribes’ ability to exercise enhanced sentencing authority under TLOA, which is an important indication of support for tribal sovereignty.  The pilot program was, by all accounts, a success and both tribes and the department would be supportive of necessary Congressional action to reauthorize this program.

    An important part of our support to tribes is necessarily tied to funds.  The department launched the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) in 2010, as a response to tribes’ request for increased flexibility.  Through CTAS, tribes and tribal consortia are able to submit a single application to apply for a broad range of the Department of Justice tribal grant programs.  Through CTAS, the department has awarded over 1,400 grants totaling more than $620 million.  Over time, we have refined this solicitation to enable tribes to take a truly comprehensive approach to improving public safety in tribal communities.  Under TLOA, the department was required to offer specific grants for delinquency prevention and response and to include dedicated funding for regional information sharing.  To date, we have awarded more than $44 million in support of tribal youth programs and more than $108 million to support regional information sharing systems.  The department continually seeks feedback from tribes on ways to improve CTAS and each year with our solicitation announcement we also communicate steps we have taken during the previous year to improve the process.  The most recent solicitation was released on Nov. 19, 2015, with an application deadline of Feb. 23, 2016.  It incorporates a number of changes, including the elimination of certain eligibility requirements, broadening allowable activities and extending the award period for certain grants.  Each year, the intention is to increase the accessibility and usefulness of CTAS grants.   

    In parallel to our outward-facing efforts, the department has made a number of internal structural changes to ensure our revamped presence in Indian country is long-lived.

    Evolution of Agency Infrastructure 

    To ensure that the day-to-day operations at the department are supportive of the policy and programmatic changes we have made since the passage of TLOA, we have made a number of internal adjustments across the department, from headquarters to field offices.  The intent in making these changes was to absorb the principles that drive the TLOA and our response to that Act, thus integrating them into the way we do business at the department.  Indeed, although not a direct response to TLOA, the department issued Attorney General Guidelines Stating Principles for Working with Federally Recognized Tribes (Statement of Principles) in December 2014 to guide and inform all of the department’s interactions with federally-recognized tribes.  This Statement of Principles serves as a point of reference for department employees and, importantly, a standard to which tribes can hold the department accountable.  

    In 1995, then-Attorney General Janet Reno established the Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ).  OTJ has operated continuously since then, although it was not made permanent until the passage of TLOA.  On Nov. 17, 2010, less than four months after TLOA’s enactment, the department published in the Federal Register a final rule that established OTJ as a permanent, standalone component of the department.  My office serves as a principal point of contact in the department for federally-recognized tribes, provides legal, policy and programmatic advice to the Attorney General with respect to the treaty and trust relationship between the United States and Indian tribes, promotes internal uniformity of department policies and litigation positions relating to Indian country and coordinates with other federal agencies and with state and local governments on their initiatives in Indian country. 

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with Indian country in their districts play a primary role in our interactions with tribes.  U.S. Attorneys’ Offices often are the nexus of activity when federal involvement on reservations is necessary, from investigations to prosecutions to providing services to victims.  Every U.S Attorney’s Office, whose district includes Indian country or a federally-recognized tribe, has at least one Tribal Liaison and some districts have more than one.  Along with the TLOA-driven requirement that each relevant office appoint a Tribal Liaison, the U.S. Attorneys are required to hold annual consultations with tribes in their districts.  In order to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s Native American Issues Subcommittee, as well as to serve as a liaison to other department components, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys formally established the position of Native American Issues Coordinator.          

    These changes to the structure of the department were driven by the department’s support for and fulfillment of its responsibilities under TLOA.  There have been a series of policy shifts that are not a direct response to the Act but are in keeping with the spirit of that legislation.  For example, the issuance of the Department of Justice Statement of Principles, discussed earlier, marks an important shift in our approach at all levels of the department to interacting with tribes.  Similarly, the Department of Justice Consultation Policy is based on three guiding principles: that the department must engage with tribal nations on a government-to-government basis; that tribal sovereignty and Indian self-determination are now and must always be, the foundations of every policy or program; and that communication and coordination with our tribal partners, among federal agencies and with our state and local counterparts are essential to accountability and to success.

    Greater Accountability

    Accountability is a critical element in a true partnership and the department has taken a number of steps to increase our accountability to tribes.  The TLOA-mandated reports were intended to promote greater transparency of department activities in Indian country and the process of responding has been a useful exercise for our agency to scrutinize trends and patterns of activity.  In some cases, the reports have revealed a need to expand our agency response to meet specific needs and organize our resources more effectively, such as those related to long-term detention.  In other cases, the reporting process highlighted positive impacts that department activity has had in Indian country over time and a need to perpetuate beneficial initiatives, such as the BOP pilot program report and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Report.  In tracking prosecutions and crime data, the department has benefitted from taking a focused look at our response to trends in Indian country and as a result is in a better position to adjust our resources internally to address emerging trends and issues.

    The department has made progress over the past five years in bolstering our government-to-government relationship with tribes and in honoring our treaty and trust obligations.  We are all fully cognizant that there is significant work still to be done to live up to our responsibilities in Indian country and we are committed to seeing this work through.  We appreciate Congress’ efforts to foster public safety and look forward to working closely with our partners in Indian country to fully honor our responsibilities.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.    

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Law Enforcement Action Related to FIFA

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here.  I know for many of you, the horrific events of San Bernardino are at the top of your mind.  I do want to take a moment before we begin to address yesterday’s shooting.  The FBI has a leadership role in the investigation, working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, as well as the ATF and U.S. Marshals Service.  And as this investigation unfolds, we intend to provide any and all assistance necessary to local authorities and to the people of San Bernardino who have been so profoundly affected by this unspeakable crime. 

    As I said this morning, I know that I stand with all Americans when I say that my thoughts and prayers – and those of my colleagues at every level of the Department of Justice – are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and with the brave public safety officials who put themselves in harm’s way in order to save others.

    I am joined today by U.S. Attorney [Robert] Capers of the Eastern District of New York, Director [James] Comey of the FBI and Chief of Investigation [Richard] Weber of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division.  Six months ago, the Department of Justice announced a 47-count indictment charging 14 defendants with pervasive and long-running conspiracies in the world of organized soccer.  We alleged that the defendants – including high-ranking FIFA officials; leaders of governing bodies under the FIFA umbrella; and sports marketing executives – had corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and enrich themselves.  We stated our determination to end these practices; to root out corruption; and to bring wrongdoers to justice.  And we pledged to work with our partners around the world to hold additional co-conspirators and corrupt individuals accountable.

    Today, we are announcing a superseding indictment, which includes new charges against new defendants, as well as additional arrests and guilty pleas in connection with our ongoing investigation.  A federal grand jury in Brooklyn has returned a 92-count superseding indictment, which includes charges against 16 new defendants, all of whom are current or former soccer officials.  These defendants include the sitting presidents of two of FIFA’s six continental soccer confederations – CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, and CONMEBOL, which covers South America.  Both of these defendants, Alfredo Hawit of Honduras and Juan Ángel Napout of Paraguay, are also FIFA vice presidents and members of its executive committee.  In addition, the superseding indictment charges high-ranking officials of other soccer governing bodies, including current and former presidents of national soccer federations in Central and South America.  Each of the 16 new defendants is charged with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes in connection with their sustained abuse of their positions for financial gain.

    Earlier today, Swiss authorities arrested two of the new defendants, Alfredo Hawit and Juan Angel Napout, as they gathered to attend FIFA meetings in Zurich.  We are now working to extradite those defendants to the United States, just as we are working to secure the arrest and extradition of additional defendants residing in other countries.

    In addition to naming new defendants, the superseding indictment also expands the bribery and corruption charges set forth in the original indictment unsealed last May.  In the original indictment, we alleged that between 1991 and the present, two generations of soccer officials conspired to solicit and receive well over $200 million, often through an alliance with sports marketing executives who sought to obtain lucrative contracts and shut out competitors through the systematic payment of bribes and kickbacks.  We also alleged bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sponsorship of the Brazilian soccer federation by a major U.S. sportswear company, the selection of the host country for the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 FIFA presidential election. 

    The new charges highlight corruption schemes principally involving soccer officials in Central and South America and sports-marketing companies based in South America and the United States.  Consistent with the intergenerational nature of the corruption schemes, they involve payments relating to tournaments that have already been played, as well as matches scheduled into the next decade – including multiple cycles of FIFA World Cup qualifiers and international friendly matches involving six Central American member associations; a bribery scheme relating to the sale of broadcasting rights implicating nearly all of the top CONMEBOL officials; and an Argentinian sports marketing company’s scheme to bribe Central American soccer officials.  Not content to hijack the world’s most popular sport for decades of ill-gotten gains, these defendants, as alleged, sought to institutionalize their corruption to ensure that it lived on, not for the good of the game but for their own personal aggrandizement and gain.

    The roles of several of the defendants in these schemes illustrate the depth as well as the persistence of the alleged corruption.  The defendant Héctor Trujillo currently serves as a judge on the Constitutional Court of Guatemala, purportedly dispensing justice by day while allegedly soliciting bribes and selling his influence within FIFA.  Another, Alfredo Hawit, ascended to the position of CONCACAF president that was left open when we charged his predecessor with corruption in May – and then, as alleged, assumed the mantle of those same corrupt practices.  The defendant Ariel Alvarado is a member of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, entrusted with stamping out the corrupt behavior in which he is now alleged to be involved. 

    The betrayal of trust set forth here is outrageous.  The scale of corruption alleged herein is unconscionable.  And the message from this announcement should be clear to every culpable individual who remains in the shadows, hoping to evade our investigation: You will not wait us out.  You will not escape our focus. 

    Many have already heeded that warning.  Today, I can report that eight additional defendants have agreed to plead guilty for their involvement in the corruption schemes we have outlined.  After the initial charges were filed in May, these eight defendants came forward and accepted responsibility for their criminal conduct.  Five of them were not named in the original indictment.  As I have stated before, anyone who seeks to live in the past and to return soccer to its old ways is on the wrong side of progress, and does a disservice to the integrity of this beautiful sport.  The Department of Justice is committed to ending the rampant corruption we have described amidst the leadership of international soccer – not only because of the scale of the schemes alleged earlier and today, or the brazenness and breadth of the operation required to sustain such corruption, but also because of the affront to international principles that this behavior represents.

    After all, global sports like soccer exemplify, in FIFA’s own words, “unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”  They are one of the primary ways we teach our children about character, about fair play and about teamwork.  International tournaments promote understanding between nations, and embody an acknowledgement of our common humanity – something that is desperately important, particularly in these times of global challenge.  That’s why this investigation does more than address corruption in a worldwide sports organization.  It also reaffirms the ideals that have always guided our society – and, most importantly, our young people – toward the fair and just future they deserve.  This Department of Justice intends to uphold those values – throughout this ongoing investigation, and always.

    I want to thank our international partners – particularly the Swiss authorities – for the close cooperation and invaluable assistance they continue to provide.  They have been instrumental in bringing these wrongdoers to justice and helping to restore the integrity of a vital athletic tradition.  Today’s action also relied on the tireless work of federal investigators and prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, in the FBI’s New York Field Office and in the Los Angeles Field Office of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division.  I am so grateful to all of the agents, analysts and attorneys who continue to devote their time and their talents to this important investigation.

    At this time, I’d like to introduce U.S. Attorney Capers, who has done an outstanding job leading this effort since his appointment in October, and who will provide additional details on today’s announcement.

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