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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Score! Colorado Becomes Home to the Newest National Women’s Soccer League Team

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today Governor Polis, the National Women’s Soccer League, Mayor Johnston, and team representatives formally celebrated Colorado securing the bid to be the home to the newest National Women’s Soccer League Team. 

    “We are thrilled to welcome a new professional women’s soccer team to Colorado. Colorado is already a home to great sports teams and with this new addition, we will continue to inspire our fans. Just as we support all of our professional teams, I know that Colorado will show up for the league’s newest NWLS women’s soccer team. I can’t wait to catch my first game,” said Governor Polis. 

    Denver will be home to the National Women’s Soccer League’s 16th team, set to begin playing in 2026. Beating out Cleveland and Cincinnati, Colorado will join the NWSL along with a 2025 team expansion in Massachusetts and 2024 expansion teams in Utah and California. 

    “Despite producing some of the world’s greatest players and being home to the best sports fans in the country, Denver has been deprived of its own professional women’s team,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “That changes today. We’re proud to announce that professional women’s soccer is coming to Denver and that generations of Denverites will soon be able to cheer on the nation’s top talent in their own backyard. Having worked side-by-side with investors to make this happen, I know the group behind this bid is as committed to putting together a world-class experience as they are to winning, and I look forward to seeing you on opening weekend 2026. Game on.” 

    Through a collaborative community effort Denver NWSL will become the first women’s professional sports team to call Denver home. Team name, crest, and colors will be announced at a later date. 

    “As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, we knew it was critical to launch our 16th team in a city with a passionate sports culture and vibrant fan base and Denver is the perfect match,” said Jessica Berman, Commissioner of the NWSL. “The club’s plans for a purpose-built stadium and state-of-the-art training facility demonstrate a commitment to providing world-class environments for our players and fans alike. With this ownership group’s vision and dedication, we are confident that Denver NWSL will set new standards for excellence on and off the pitch, inspiring the next generation of players and supporters across the Rocky Mountain region.” 

    “Denver is one of the best sports cities in the United States and we are thrilled to bring professional women’s soccer to Colorado,” said Rob Cohen, Club Owner and Governor. “We believe that bringing NWSL to Denver will be impactful and transformative. Our goal is to work closely with Denver’s diverse communities to build a club that will operate with integrity and excellence from day one. We look forward to collaborating with our community to make Denver NWSL an inclusive and special club that all of Colorado can rally behind.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Two Years for Possessing Firearm While a Felon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 27, 2025.

    Cylis Chipps, 21, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Chipps was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October 2024. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024.

    On September 15, 2024, Chipps was discovered by law enforcement to be in possession of a pistol along with items that tested positive for methamphetamine. Chipps had previously been convicted of the felony crimes of possession of a controlled substance and stealing a firearm. It is unlawful for a person who has been convicted of a felony to thereafter possess a firearm.

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

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

    Chipps was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Michigan Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Clark Lake, Michigan, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on January 27, 2025.

    Jamie Lee, age 40, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

    Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2024. She pleaded guilty on November 13, 2024.

    Beginning around March 2023, Lee began obtaining fentanyl along with her boyfriend, Jacob Denker. They picked up fentanyl in Colorado and then brought it to South Dakota. In Rapid City, Lee and her boyfriend had sub-distributors who further distributed fentanyl throughout the Rapid City area and the Pine Ridge Reservation. This activity continued through September 2023. Overall, Lee and co-conspirators were responsible for bringing over 400 grams of fentanyl to the area. Jacob Denker was previously sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Co-defendant Eugene Giago is scheduled for trial on March 11, 2025.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Badlands Safe Trails Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.

    Lee was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following the sentencing. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fairfield Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Steven Daniel Miller, 48, of Fairfield, was sentenced today to four years in prison for one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. Miller was also ordered to pay $36,205.81 in restitution.

    According to court documents, in October 2018, Miller used another person’s social security number to complete a credit application with a bank in order to purchase a 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat at a car dealership in Yuba City. Based on the false information on the credit application, the bank approved the loan and paid approximately $75,754 to the car dealership. Miller left the dealership with the vehicle, and it was subsequently seized by law enforcement.

    Miller pleaded guilty in May 2024. Miller failed to appear for his sentencing scheduled for October 2024. He was arrested in November 2024 and has been in custody since.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Rocklin Police Department, the Gilroy Police Department, and the Fairfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama woman pleads guilty to conspiring to create and distribute sadistic animal torture videos

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NORFOLK, Va. – An Alabama woman pled guilty today to conspiracy to create and distribute animal crushing videos.

    According to court documents, Stacey Storey, 49, and her co-conspirators administered and were members of private online chat groups on an encrypted messaging platform to fund, view, distribute, and promote videos depicting the torture, murder, and sexually sadistic mutilation of juvenile and adult monkeys.

    Storey and her co-conspirators collectively funded the creation of the videos by co-conspirators outside of the United States who tortured, performed sexually sadistic mutilation of, and murdered the animals. The foreign co-conspirators recorded the brutal acts and transmitted the videos to Storey and co-conspirators in the United States, who would then distribute them to the broader online chat group members, including Storey.

    Between at least Aug. 22, 2021, and July 7, 2022, Storey received hundreds of electronic payments from co-conspirators to fund, among other things, the creation of new animal crush videos by videographers outside the United States. Storey and others had direct communications with a co-conspirator in Indonesia who hired the videographers. Storey and others routinely directed and paid for the creation of the videos, including directing the videographers on how to torture the animals. Storey sent numerous payments for the videos.    

    On or about June 21, 2022, Storey distributed a video to the online chat groups depicting the torture of a juvenile monkey using a jar of ants and sodomy with an object, causing the monkey’s death. Storey stated, “Enjoy this one ladies and gents,” and suggested, “If you guys would like to send in a small donation for this guy a little bonus for a job well done that we’ve always wanted to see would be absolutely amazing.”

    In June 2023, law enforcement seized Storey’s electronic devices. Storey’s electronic media and accounts contained over 675 videos and 11,000 images depicting animal crushing.

    Co-conspirator Michael Macartney, 51, of Chesapeake, pled guilty on April 30, 2024. Macartney was sentenced on Oct. 1, 2024, to three years and six months in prison. Co-conspirator Jeffrey Radtke, 61, of Bloomington, Minnesota, pled guilty on Sept. 24, 2024. Radtke is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 13 and faces up to five years in prison. Co-conspirator Drexel Venero, 30, of Rockville, Maryland, pled guilty on December 12, 2024. Venero is schedule to be sentenced on April 22, 2025.

    Storey is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10 and faces up to five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Kai Wah Chan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes accepted the plea.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-103.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemala Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for 10 Years for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Guatemala man who resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on January 27, 2025.

    Jorge Manuel Rodriguez-Marroquin, age 48, was sentenced to the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and is required to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Rodriguez-Marroquin must register as a sex offender upon release from federal prison.

    Rodriguez-Marroquin was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. He pleaded guilty on November 12, 2024.

    The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 9, 2024, when Rodriguez-Marroquin used Facebook to start a conversation with who he believed was a 15-year-old girl. He steered the conversation to sexual matters and enticed her to meet up with him for sexual activity. Unbeknownst to Rodriguez-Marroquin, the 15-year-old was an undercover law enforcement agent. Rodriguez-Marroquin was arrested when he showed up at the meet location.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

    Rodriguez-Marroquin was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. The sentencing took place on January 27, 2025.

    Johnny Allen Neighbors, age 25, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

    Neighbors was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 4, 2024.

    The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 21, 2023, when Neighbors intentionally distributed a pill containing fentanyl to an adult woman who ingested it and died. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance.

    “This is yet another example of the lethal nature of fentanyl,” said Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. “In an environment where just two milligrams of fentanyl can lead to death, it is imperative that we educate our loved ones on the dangers of fentanyl so that we can avoid the tragic loss of life.”

    This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

    Neighbors was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Charged With Transportation And Possession Of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Wilmington, North Carolina man was charged with transporting and possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Barry Grant Bevier, 61, of Wilmington, North Carolina, is charged by complaint with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was detained.

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

    On November 26, 2024, Bevier returned from an international trip aboard a flight that landed at Newark Liberty International Airport.  After Bevier arrived in Newark, law enforcement officers searched Bevier’s cellular phone and found approximately forty-five photographs and approximately twenty-one videos depicting child sexual abuse material.  The officers found multiple photographs and videos of child sexual abuse material that Bevier took himself, along with a “selfie” image of himself and one of the victims.

    The charge of transportation of child pornography carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”)—Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection in New Jersey for its assistance.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor A. Chenoweth of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                 ###

    Defense counsel: Paul A. Di Lella, Esq., Parsippany

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces new Appropriations subcommittee assignments for 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced his roles on the funding panel’s subcommittees in the 119th Congress. 
    “It’s an honor and a privilege to represent Louisianians on the Senate Appropriations Committee. I will continue to advocate for the needs of our state through my work on subcommittees that cover disasters, energy, defense, flood mitigation projects, health care, education, transportation, commerce and science and other key issues,” said Kennedy.
    Kennedy’s Appropriations Committee roles now include: 
    Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development,
    Member of the Subcommittee on Defense,
    Member of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security,
    Member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies,
    Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies
    and Member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. 
    Read more information on these subcommittees here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy leads resolution to reverse Biden DHS rule automatically extending immigrant work permits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under Congressional Review Act (CRA) procedures for the Biden administration’s rule that automatically extended the renewal period for an immigrant employment authorization document (EAD) to almost a year-and-a-half before officials could review those permits. 
    On Jan. 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule that permanently increased the period for renewing automatic employment authorizations from 180 days to 540 days.
    “The Biden administration’s dangerous rule automatically extended work permits for immigrants to 540 days. Giving immigrants more time to avoid reporting to U.S. officials hampers the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce our immigration laws and keep Americans safe,” said Kennedy.
    Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) joined the resolution.
    “The Biden-Harris administration worked for four years straight to dismantle our nation’s immigration system and open our southern border, allowing millions of illegal aliens to come across our border unvetted and unchecked. Then, in a last-minute move, former President Biden passed a ridiculous rule that allows illegal aliens to keep jobs in the United States for over a year without authorization. That’s insane, and it undermines President Trump’s mandate and efforts to secure the border and put Americans’ interests first. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to reverse this dangerous rule,” said Scott. 
    The Biden administration’s rule applies broadly to immigrants, refugees, green card holders, aliens with temporary protected status, aliens who file for deportation suspensions, spouses of H-1B visa holders and more.  
    If Congress fails to reverse the Biden administration’s rule, the Trump administration may face more difficulty detecting those who live and work illegally in the U.S.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Middlefield Announces Approval of Proposed Changes to Reduce ESG Limitations for Two ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Middlefield Limited (the “Manager”), the manager of Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (TSX:MDIV) and Middlefield Sustainable Infrastructure Dividend ETF (TSX:MINF) (collectively, the “Funds”), is pleased to announce that at the Special Meetings held on January 30, 2025, unitholders voted unanimously in favour of the proposed changes to the Funds. These changes include revising the names, investment objectives, and strategies of the Funds to de-emphasize the environmental, sustainability, and governance (“ESG”) factors associated with the Funds. While the Funds will continue to consider ESG criteria when selecting issuers for their portfolios, they will no longer prioritize these factors over others such as valuation, growth projections, and the quality and track record of the management team. The Manager believes these changes will broaden the investment universe of the Funds, potentially leading to better returns for investors. The Funds will file a Prospectus by April 10, 2025, at which point each of the Funds will revise their name as shown below. There will be no change to the ticker symbols of the Funds.

    Ticker
    Symbol    		 Current Name Revised Name
    MDIV Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF Middlefield Global Dividend Growers ETF
    MINF Middlefield Sustainable Infrastructure Dividend ETF Middlefield Global Infrastructure Dividend ETF
         

    The Manager notes that similar efforts to de-emphasize ESG factors have been undertaken by many asset management companies, including BlackRock, State Street, JPMorgan, and Pimco. Recent research from Morningstar has shown that more funds are removing rather than adding ESG mandates from their investment practices. On March 7, 2024, the Canadian Securities Administrators introduced three categories of ESG-Related Funds: ESG Objective Funds, ESG Strategy Funds, and ESG Limited Consideration Funds. Each category has distinct expectations regarding the emphasis on ESG factors in investment decisions. The Manager believes that the proposed changes will result in the Funds moving from the ESG Objective Funds category to the ESG Limited Consideration category.

    About Middlefield
    Founded in 1979, Middlefield is a specialist equity income asset manager with offices in Toronto, Canada and London, England. Our investment team utilizes active management to select high-quality, global companies across a variety of sectors and themes. Our product offerings include proven dividend-focused strategies that span real estate, healthcare, innovation, infrastructure, energy, diversified income and more. We offer these solutions in a variety of product types including ETFs, Mutual Funds, Split-Share Funds, Closed-End Funds and Flow-through LPs.

    For further information, please visit our website at www.middlefield.com or contact Nancy Tham in our Sales and Marketing Department at 1.888.890.1868.

    This press release contains forward-looking information. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends” (or negative or grammatical variations thereof), or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Statements which may constitute forward-looking statements relate to: the proposed timing of the name, objectives and strategies changes and completion thereof; the potential benefits of such changes; and the holding of the unitholder meeting. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements including as a result of changes in the general economic and political environment, changes in applicable legislation, and the performance of each fund. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described under “Risk Factors” in the ETFs’ prospectus and other documents filed by the ETFs with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes the ETFs’ current estimate, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered hereby. Investors and others should not assume that any forward-looking statement contained in this press release represents the ETFs’ estimate as of any date other than the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Cameroon on the Second Review of Resilience and Sustainability Facility and Seventh Reviews of Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    January 30, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The IMF and the Cameroonian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), as well as the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
    • Economic recovery has continued, but growth remains subdued. Economic growth was
    • 3.2 percent in 2023 and expected to pick up to 3.9 percent in 2024. Twelve-month average inflation was 4.6 percent in November 2024, down from 7.5 percent last year.
    • Program performance was broadly satisfactory. Some reforms have been delayed, and the authorities have worked to complete work on measures related to governance in the extractive industry sector, the business climate, SOE reform, and public financial management.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Ms. Cemile Sancak, Mission Chief for Cameroon, visited Yaoundé from  October 3-16 and held subsequent meetings to discuss progress on reforms and the authorities’ policy priorities in the context of the seventh reviews of their four-year economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements, and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The ECF/EFF arrangements were approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR 483 million (US$ 689.5 million) in July 2021 (see press release 21/237). An extension of these arrangements of 12 months was approved in December 2023 to allow more time to implement the policies and reforms, and access was augmented by SDR 110.4 million (US$ 147.6 million) (see press release 23/469). The 18-month RSF was approved by the Executive Board in January 2024 in the amount of SDR 138 million (US$ 183.4 million) (see press release 24/30).

    At the conclusion of the discussions, Ms. Sancak issued the following statement:

    “The IMF and the Cameroonian authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the seventh reviews of the ECF/EFF arrangements, as well as the second review of the RSF arrangement. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. Completion of the reviews would enable disbursement under the ECF-EFF arrangements of SDR 55.2 million (US$ 73.0 million) and disbursement under the RSF arrangement of SDR 34.5 million (US$ 45.6 million).

    “Cameroon’s recovery is continuing, but growth is subdued. In 2023, the economy grew 3.2 percent and is expected to pick up to 3.9 percent for 2024. Inflation has subsided further; twelve-month average inflation was 4.6 percent in November 2024, down from 7.5 percent last year.

    “The fiscal outlook for 2024 is positive. The target for the non-oil primary deficit remains
    2 percent of GDP, an improvement on 2.5 percent of GDP last year (and 3.9 percent of GDP in 2022). During the first half of 2024, non-oil revenues improved by 5 percent, helped by a solid performance of corporate and indirect taxes. Lower-than-expected expenditure was due to delays in investment projects, a recurrent challenge that weighs on growth prospects.   

    “Prospects are broadly positive provided continued reform implementation and benign external conditions. The growth forecast is unchanged at about 4 percent in 2024, gradually rising to about 4.5 percent over the medium term. Inflation is expected to decline to 4.4 percent by the end of 2024 and gradually reach the CEMAC convergence criterion of 3 percent by 2026.

    “The 2025 budget was adopted by Parliament in December and is consistent with the objectives set out under Cameroon’s IMF-supported program and anchoring fiscal policy over the Presidential elections later in 2025. A key goal remains generating space for productive and social investment and advancing anticorruption reforms.

    “There have been delays in the implementation of the structural reform agenda. To attain the ambitious objectives of the national development strategy (SND30), the authorities are encouraged to complete important measures set out in the program concerning governance in the extractive industry sector, the business climate, SOE reform, and public financial management. Specifically, the mission urged the authorities to advance long-pending work on the SONARA restructuring plan and revise the 2013 law to streamline investment incentives.  

    “Under the RSF, Cameroon has intensified efforts to improve the climate policy framework. Work is progressing on the reform measure to establish guidelines for evaluating investment projects with climate change considerations in mind, to improve disaster preparedness by revising the Civil Protection law and by updating the mandate of the National Risk Observatory. The IMF and other development partners are providing technical assistance for a national climate plan, a national strategy for disaster risk financing, and strengthening governance and sustainability of the forestry sector.

    “The IMF team met with the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, the Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Mr. Alamine Ousmane Mey, and other senior officials. The mission also met with representatives of development partners, the diplomatic community, the private sector, and civil society. The team wishes to thank the Cameroonian authorities for their excellent cooperation and for the frank and constructive dialogue.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Introduces Bill to Protect Taxpayer Dollars from Funding Terrorism Through UN Mismanagement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act, legislation that ensures U.S. taxpayer dollars are not flowing to the Taliban—or to any other terrorist organization—through United Nations (UN) funding to Afghanistan.

    Specifically, the bill prohibits U.S. contributions to the UN for assistance to Afghanistan until the State Department provides certification to Congress that: (1) no U.S. funds are included in UN cash shipments into Afghanistan; and (2) no Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization or Foreign Terrorist Organization will receive any funds via such contributions.

    “The American people do not support their taxpayer dollars funding terrorism,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to lead my colleagues in introducing the Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act, which will ensure that U.S. funds are not included in UN cash shipments to Afghanistan or being diverted to benefit the Taliban—a repressive regime that has stripped virtually every right from women and girls in Afghanistan. If the UN can’t properly account for U.S. funding provided to Afghanistan, they should not be trusted with it.”

    OTHER CAPITO EFFORTS:

    • Following the UN’s announcement in November 2024 that it aimed to unlock Afghanistan’s climate funding for development projects despite Taliban repression, Senator Capito expressed her disgust in a statement on social media, which can be viewed here.
    • During a September 2024 Senate Leadership Press Conference, Senator Capito discussed the Taliban’s oppression of women and girls following President Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Click here to watch those remarks.

    BACKGROUND:

    A May 2024 report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), John F. Spoko, revealed that at least $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars has been diverted to the Taliban. Notably, SIGAR reports the $10.9 million is “likely only a fraction of the total amount of U.S. assistance funds provided to the Taliban in taxes, fees, duties, and utilities because UN agencies receiving U.S. funds did not collect data or provide relevant information about their subawardees’ payments.”

    According to SIGAR, from October 2021 through September 2023 the UN received a total of $1.6 billion in U.S. funding for Afghanistan programming, approximately 63% of all U.S. aid to Afghanistan during the same period. March 2024 testimony by the SIGAR to the House Foreign Affairs Committee confirms in detail the various tactics used by the Taliban to divert aid dollars for their own benefit.

    Cosponsors of the legislation include: U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan, Joyce, & Bonamici Lead Bicameral Legislation to Improve Harmful Algal Bloom Response

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    01.30.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Representatives Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) reintroduced the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act (HABHRCA) of 2025, legislation to reauthorize the original HABHRCA of 1998 for coordinated, effective federal-state responses to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and strengthens the program to ensure that communities have access to HAB observation data, training in HAB monitoring, prevention, and mitigation, and access to testing for HAB toxins.

    HABs occur in all 50 states, in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. This legislation responds to the increasing severity of harmful algal blooms, with the 2022 algal bloom in Alaska’s Bering Strait region being one of the largest and most toxic blooms ever observed nationwide. HABs directly threaten food security and subsistence and can reduce oxygen levels in the water in events called hypoxia, killing fish and other marine life and harming coastal ecosystems and economies.

    “Unchecked harmful algal blooms can threaten our marine life and coastal ecosystems, the livelihoods of our commercial fisheries and coastal communities, and the health and well-being of Alaskans,” Senator Sullivan said. “Alaska is our country’s leading seafood producer and home to more coastline than the contiguous Lower 48 states combined, making our response to HABs critically important. This legislation develops and coordinates effective responses to harmful algal blooms and will improve the monitoring of the health of our oceans for the sake of coastal communities, especially those that rely on subsistence. I want to thank Representatives Joyce and Bonamici, as well as our crucial Alaska stakeholders, for working with me to support the health of our marine ecosystems in Alaska and nationwide.”

    “The shallowest of all the Great Lakes, Lake Erie, is particularly vulnerable to harmful algal blooms, which have plagued the lake for decades. Any threat to Lake Erie is also a threat to the drinking water supply for 11 million people, our tourism industry, and all the plants and animals that are part of the lake’s ecosystem,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to ensure Lake Erie, and every state in America, is protected from these dangerous threats to our bodies of water.”

    “The scale and frequency of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events continue to increase with climate change, damaging beloved places, harming fisheries central to coastal economies, affecting tourism, and threatening public and ecosystem health,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “This legislation will empower coastal and freshwater communities to better monitor these disastrous events and leverage research to mitigate and prevent their worst effects.”

    Below are comments from marine stakeholders nationally and in Alaska:

    “HABs are a novel danger to food security and food safety for people that rely on the comprehensive use of Arctic marine ecosystems for their nutritional, cultural, and economic well-being. HABs create serious conservation concerns for Arctic marine wildlife that rely on a healthy food web.  The revised HABARCA includes Arctic marine ecosystems and the people that rely on them – we hope it is reauthorized ASAP!”  – Gay Sheffield, Marine Advisory Program Agent, Alaska Sea Grant

    “Alaskan coastal communities are facing a threat to their economy as well as their food safety and security because of HABs. HABHRCA has been crucial in helping to understand and mitigate that risk, and it is imperative that this support continue.” – Sheyna Wisdom, Executive Director, & Dr. Thomas Farrugia, Program Manager, Alaska Ocean Observing System

    “Harmful algal blooms involve the base of the food chain and thus are a significant concern for traditional and commercial harvesters in the Alaskan Arctic region. HABHRCA has already made a significant difference in our understanding of this growing threat, but more research and outreach are needed through reauthorization of HABHRCA to further develop management of food security and safety harvested from the marine ecosystem.” – Emma Pate, Nome Eskimo Community Executive Director

    “The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a national and international leader in harmful algal bloom (HAB) research, strongly supports the reauthorization of HABHRCA. The increasing frequency and intensity of HAB events along every coast, including the Great Lakes and Arctic, is having significant economic, environmental, and human health impacts nationwide. The diversity and complexity of these events requires continuing support for improved understanding of ocean and coastal process contributing to HAB blooms and the development of effective monitoring and mitigation technologies.” – Peter de Menocal, President and Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

    A copy of the bill can be found here.

    Background:

    The original Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) was passed in 1998 and established an interagency task force to assess the distribution of harmful algal blooms and their impacts on coastal waters and human health. HABHRCA has since been reauthorized three times, through FY 2023, and is currently due for reauthorization. This bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee last year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Questions DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s hearing on the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI) under the Trump administration, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed with her the importance of providing the President all lawfully collected intelligence to inform his decisions as Commander in Chief. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.

    On Providing the President with Access to Critical Information:

    CORNYN: “I hope you will take to heart the Chairman’s comments about the exploding bureaucracy not only in the government generally, but in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.”

    “This is a critical role to be played but, unfortunately, that role is not made easier or more effective by such a large, unwieldy bureaucracy.”

    “Do you believe that the President of the United States should get all of the lawfully collected intelligence that’s available in order to inform his judgments as Commander in Chief?”

    GABBARD: “Senator, not only is the answer a strong yes, I would say that it is the Director of National Intelligence’s responsibility to make sure that the President has access to all the intelligence so that he can make the best informed decisions for our country.”

    CORNYN: “You and I talked about the importance of getting dissenting views in front of the President so that we don’t have groupthink, which can be very dangerous, particularly in the intelligence collection areas.”

    “I appreciate your agreeing that presenting the policymakers, including the President, with dissenting views is very important.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Questions FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel on Restoring Trust in FBI & DOJ

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the nomination of Kash Patel to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the Trump administration, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed with him the need to restore trust in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after the Biden administration’s politicization of these agencies. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.

    On Restoring the Rule of Law in America:

    CORNYN: “Do you believe America is an exceptional nation?”

    PATEL: “It’s the greatest nation.”

    CORNYN: “Do you believe a large part of what makes America an exceptional nation is the rule of law?”

    PATEL: “It is one of the fundamental precepts that determines that.”

    CORNYN: “Why is that?”

    PATEL: “Because without a singular application of a rule of law, we go back to the Uganda that my father fled.”

    CORNYN: “I think your biggest task is going to be, along with Pam Bondi at the Office of the Attorney General, is to restore the rule of law to the Department of Justice and the FBI. Are you willing to do that?”

    PATEL: “Absolutely, Senator.”

    CORNYN: “Without regard to partisan affiliation or politics?”

    PATEL: “Absolutely.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) today introduced the American Values Act, legislation to permanently enact and expand existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortion services overseas.

    “As President Donald J. Trump re-evaluates foreign aid, it’s absolutely essential that American taxpayer dollars are never used to fund abortions here or anywhere in the world,” said Sen. Mullin. “Our nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it’s our job to protect those values. I’m glad to join this important legislation to defend the sanctity of life.”

    “American foreign aid should always be used in a way that is in line with American values- and that means that no foreign assistance funds should ever be used to perform or promote abortion services,” said Sen. Risch. “I’m proud to introduce the American Values Act with my colleagues to hold our government accountable to this standard and protect the sanctity of life across the globe.”

    “Human life across the world must be protected, and the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions abroad is contrary to American values,” said Sen. Blackburn. “This bill would strengthen the existing restrictions on the use of foreign assistance for abortions, making it crystal clear such actions will not be tolerated.”

    “No American taxpayer should be forced to fund abortions overseas,” said Sen. Paul. “It’s bad enough that Washington spends recklessly at home, but using taxpayer dollars to promote abortion abroad is an insult to both life and fiscal responsibility. This legislation is a necessary step towards reigning wasteful spending and standing for the fundamental right to life.”

    Sen. Scott said, “It’s extremely troubling that American tax dollars could be used to promote or perform abortion overseas. Our American Values Act ensures U.S. taxpayer dollars sent as foreign aid are helping families, not harming human life.” 

    “Americans made it clear this year with the election of President Trump that they have rejected the left’s radical, pro-abortion agenda. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to end the United States’ funding of abortions abroad and help our nation once again become a defender of life across the globe,” said Sen. Daines.

    “As the right to life is the most fundamental human right of all, I strongly oppose sending U.S. taxpayer dollars overseas to promote or perform abortion,” said Sen. Hagerty. “I’m pleased once again to support the American Values Act that seeks to close loopholes and uphold pro-life values in U.S. diplomacy and development by placing permanent restrictions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to fund abortions and involuntary sterilizations.”

    If enacted, this legislation would:

    • Clarify that existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortions, forced sterilizations, or biomedical research relating to abortions or forced sterilizations shall apply to all assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act;
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the use of foreign assistance funds to lobby for or against abortion;
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the provision of foreign assistance funds to organizations that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization; and
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the use of funds made available to the Peace Corps to pay for abortions.

    Read exclusively about the American Values Act in Fox News.

    Full text of the American Values Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Cameroon on the Second Review of Resilience and Sustainability Facility and Seventh Reviews of Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    January 30, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The IMF and the Cameroonian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), as well as the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
    • Economic recovery has continued, but growth remains subdued. Economic growth was
    • 3.2 percent in 2023 and expected to pick up to 3.9 percent in 2024. Twelve-month average inflation was 4.6 percent in November 2024, down from 7.5 percent last year.
    • Program performance was broadly satisfactory. Some reforms have been delayed, and the authorities have worked to complete work on measures related to governance in the extractive industry sector, the business climate, SOE reform, and public financial management.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Ms. Cemile Sancak, Mission Chief for Cameroon, visited Yaoundé from  October 3-16 and held subsequent meetings to discuss progress on reforms and the authorities’ policy priorities in the context of the seventh reviews of their four-year economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements, and the second review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The ECF/EFF arrangements were approved by the IMF Executive Board for a total amount of SDR 483 million (US$ 689.5 million) in July 2021 (see press release 21/237). An extension of these arrangements of 12 months was approved in December 2023 to allow more time to implement the policies and reforms, and access was augmented by SDR 110.4 million (US$ 147.6 million) (see press release 23/469). The 18-month RSF was approved by the Executive Board in January 2024 in the amount of SDR 138 million (US$ 183.4 million) (see press release 24/30).

    At the conclusion of the discussions, Ms. Sancak issued the following statement:

    “The IMF and the Cameroonian authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the seventh reviews of the ECF/EFF arrangements, as well as the second review of the RSF arrangement. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. Completion of the reviews would enable disbursement under the ECF-EFF arrangements of SDR 55.2 million (US$ 73.0 million) and disbursement under the RSF arrangement of SDR 34.5 million (US$ 45.6 million).

    “Cameroon’s recovery is continuing, but growth is subdued. In 2023, the economy grew 3.2 percent and is expected to pick up to 3.9 percent for 2024. Inflation has subsided further; twelve-month average inflation was 4.6 percent in November 2024, down from 7.5 percent last year.

    “The fiscal outlook for 2024 is positive. The target for the non-oil primary deficit remains
    2 percent of GDP, an improvement on 2.5 percent of GDP last year (and 3.9 percent of GDP in 2022). During the first half of 2024, non-oil revenues improved by 5 percent, helped by a solid performance of corporate and indirect taxes. Lower-than-expected expenditure was due to delays in investment projects, a recurrent challenge that weighs on growth prospects.   

    “Prospects are broadly positive provided continued reform implementation and benign external conditions. The growth forecast is unchanged at about 4 percent in 2024, gradually rising to about 4.5 percent over the medium term. Inflation is expected to decline to 4.4 percent by the end of 2024 and gradually reach the CEMAC convergence criterion of 3 percent by 2026.

    “The 2025 budget was adopted by Parliament in December and is consistent with the objectives set out under Cameroon’s IMF-supported program and anchoring fiscal policy over the Presidential elections later in 2025. A key goal remains generating space for productive and social investment and advancing anticorruption reforms.

    “There have been delays in the implementation of the structural reform agenda. To attain the ambitious objectives of the national development strategy (SND30), the authorities are encouraged to complete important measures set out in the program concerning governance in the extractive industry sector, the business climate, SOE reform, and public financial management. Specifically, the mission urged the authorities to advance long-pending work on the SONARA restructuring plan and revise the 2013 law to streamline investment incentives.  

    “Under the RSF, Cameroon has intensified efforts to improve the climate policy framework. Work is progressing on the reform measure to establish guidelines for evaluating investment projects with climate change considerations in mind, to improve disaster preparedness by revising the Civil Protection law and by updating the mandate of the National Risk Observatory. The IMF and other development partners are providing technical assistance for a national climate plan, a national strategy for disaster risk financing, and strengthening governance and sustainability of the forestry sector.

    “The IMF team met with the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, the Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Mr. Alamine Ousmane Mey, and other senior officials. The mission also met with representatives of development partners, the diplomatic community, the private sector, and civil society. The team wishes to thank the Cameroonian authorities for their excellent cooperation and for the frank and constructive dialogue.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/01/30/pr25022-cameroon-imf-reaches-sla-second-review-rsf-seventh-reviews-ecf-eff

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The big chill: is cold-water immersion good for our health?

    Source: University of South Australia

    31 January 2025

    From early ocean dips to ice-cold polar plunges, cold-water immersion is increasingly popular among athletes and wellness warriors. But how much of the hype is backed by science?

    In the most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of its kind, University of South Australia researchers have taken a deep dive into the effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing.

    Analysing data from 11 studies with 3177 participants, researchers found that cold-water immersion may lower stress, improve sleep quality, and boost quality of life.

    UniSA researcher Tara Cain says the study reveals time-dependant and nuanced effects on health and wellbeing measures.

    “Cold-water immersion has been extensively researched and used in sporting contexts to help athletes recover, but despite its growing popularity among health and wellbeing circles, little is known about its effects on the general population,” Cain says.

    “In this study, we noted a range of time-dependant results. Firstly, we found that cold-water immersion could reduce stress levels, but for only about 12 hours post exposure.

    “We also noted that participants who took 20, 60, or 90 second cold showers reported slightly higher quality of life scores. But again, after three months these effects had faded.

    “Benefits may be gained from cold showers as well, with one study reporting that participants who took regular cold showers experiencing a 29% reduction in sickness absence.

    “We also found some links to cold-water immersion and better sleep outcomes, but the data was restricted to males, so its broader application is limited.

    “And while there have been many claims that cold-water immersion experiences can boost your immunity and mood, we found very little evidence to support these claims.”

    Cold-water immersion involves immersing the body partially or fully in cold water, in temperatures typically ranging from 10-15 degrees Celsius, and in this study, data was only included if exposure was at or above chest level, and for a minimum time of 30 seconds. It included cold showers, ice baths and cold plunges.

    Co-researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh says the study also showed that cold-water immersion caused a temporary increase in inflammation.

    “At first glance this seems contradictory, as we know that ice baths are regularly used by elite athletes to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after exercise,” Dr Singh says.

    “The immediate spike in inflammation is the body’s reaction to the cold as a stressor. It helps the body adapt and recover and is similar to how exercise causes muscle damage before making muscles stronger, which is why athletes use it despite the short-term increase.

    “Knowing this, people with pre-existing health conditions should take extra care if participating in cold-water immersion experiences as the initial inflammation could have detrimental health impacts.”

    Researchers say that while the findings highlight the potential benefits of cold-water immersion, they also underscore the highly time-dependent and contextual nature of its effects.

    “Whether you are an elite athlete or everyday wellness seeker – it’s important to understand the effects of what you put your body through,” Cain says.

    “Right now, there isn’t enough high-quality research to say exactly who benefits most or what the ideal approach is to cold-water immersion. More long-term studies, among more diverse populations, are needed to understand its lasting effects and practical applications.”

    Notes to editors:

    The full paper – Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis – by Tara Cain, Dr Jacinta Brinsley, Dr Hunter Bennett, Dr Max Nelson, Prof Carol Maher and Dr Ben Singh is available online: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0317615

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

    Contacts for interview:  Tara Cain E: Tara.Cain@unisa.edu.au
    Dr Ben Singh E: Ben.Singh@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Review of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government is directing the Treasury to undertake a comprehensive review of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) to ensure victims of financial misconduct have a sustainable avenue for redress.

    This is all about ensuring the scheme remains sustainable into the future for consumers and for the industry.

    Taking care of consumers is the focus of the scheme, it’s the focus of the Albanese Government and it will be the focus of this review.

    At the same time, Australians need access to affordable high quality financial advice.

    The advice industry was abandoned and decimated by the former Coalition government as the number of advisers has fallen from 28,000 in January 2019 to less than 16,000 today. This raised costs on advisers and the cost of advice for Australians.

    The government has taken action to rebuild the financial advice industry. In our first 12 months, we introduced legislation to establish a pathway for experienced advisers to continue providing financial advice, which has retained over 4,000 advisers that could otherwise have exited the industry.

    We are also undertaking the most significant reform to the financial advice laws in over a decade through our Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package which will cut red tape, reform statements of advice and help advisers use their professional judgment to better support clients.

    As recommended by the Ramsay Review, the CSLR is fully funded by industry.

    New data from the operator of the CSLR shows that industry will have to provide $78 million to compensate victims in 2025–26, largely as a result of the liquidation of financial advisory firm United Global Capital Pty Ltd.

    Ensuring the scheme is sustainably funded will be an important focus of the review.

    The government legislated the CSLR in 2023, after the former government failed to take action despite the scheme being a recommendation of the 2017 Ramsay Review and the Banking Royal Commission.

    The CSLR ensures victims can access some compensation in circumstances of genuine last resort where misconduct has occurred in the provision of personal financial advice, credit intermediation, securities dealing and credit provision.

    While industry has provided broad support for the CSLR, it’s important that there is confidence that the scheme is meeting its objective in a way that is sustainable for both companies and consumers.

    Whether it’s our reforms to get a fair go for families and farmers at the checkout or our big and broad competition agenda to ease the cost of living for Australians, taking care of consumers is one of the Albanese Government’s highest priorities.

    We’ll continue to do everything we can to safeguard consumers and ensure all Australians have access to affordable and quality financial advice.

    Further information, including the terms of reference, can be found on the Treasury website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Learner rider fined for excessive speed

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Learner rider fined for excessive speed

    Friday, 31 January 2025 – 9:52 am.

    A learner rider has been fined and disqualified from driving for four months after he was detected travelling at 130km/h on the South Arm Highway yesterday.
    Police detected the L-Plater at South Arm about 4pm Thursday travelling 50km/h above the designated speed limit of 80km/h.
    Inspector Kathy Bennett said travelling at such high speeds put both the rider and other road users at risk.
    “This rider was inexperienced and disappointingly put himself, and others, at risk of serious injury or death,” she said.
    “We’re encouraging anyone who witnesses such dangerous driving behaviour to report it to police.”
    Information can be provided by calling police on 131 444. 
    If you can’t report it at the time but you have footage, you can upload it to police.tas.gov.au/report/ 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash, Woolnorth

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Fatal crash, Woolnorth

    Friday, 31 January 2025 – 9:55 am.

    Sadly, a man has died after a serious single-vehicle crash at Woolnorth in the state’s North-West.
    Police and emergency services were called to West Montagu Road at Woolnorth just before 4.40am Friday after reports a vehicle had crashed.
    A Circular Head man in his 20s, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, sadly died at the scene.
    The road will remain closed for several hours while the scene is cleared.
    Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
    Investigations into the crash are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Plunket site begins delivering childhood immunisations

    Source: New Zealand Government

    From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

    The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It will allow Plunket to deliver vaccinations alongside in-clinic Well Child visits, at dedicated immunisations clinics, at community events, and eventually in homes. 

    “Improving childhood immunisation rates is a priority for the Government. Having established immunisation services across the country is an important step in increasing access and reducing barriers. 

    “The Government knows that immunisations are a critical tool in protecting children from serious, preventable diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), which has worryingly already hospitalised a number of babies so far this year. 

    “Our Government’s health targets are critical to ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare services. This new service will support our target of 95 per cent of children being fully vaccinated by 24 months of age, setting them up for a healthy start in life. 

    “By upskilling the existing workforce and catching those in the system who may not be able to access their general practice or aren’t enrolled, we’ll be able to boost childhood immunisations in areas where vaccine coverage is particularly low,” Mr Brown says. 

    This initiative to boost the vaccination workforce is in addition to the $50 million investment over two years for Hauora Māori providers to deliver additional vaccinations. The pilot runs until June 2026. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Decision reached on Dunedin Hospital

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. 
    “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin Hospital that will futureproof the provision of timely, quality healthcare for the people of Dunedin and the surrounding Otago and Southland regions. This will be a new, modern hospital, built at the former Cadbury factory site,” Mr Brown says. 
    “Last year, the Government invested $290 million towards the new Dunedin Hospital project, bringing the total funding for the project to $1.88 billion. Alongside this, the Government is investing a record additional $16.68 billion in health over three years.
    “All New Zealanders deserve to see better results for that record spend on health, including better health infrastructure, to ensure they have access to timely, quality healthcare. The Government has listened to the Dunedin community and is committed to build a new Dunedin Hospital to deliver the healthcare locals need.” 
    Upon opening, the new Dunedin Hospital will provide:

    351 beds, with capacity to expand to 404 beds over time 
    20 short-stay surgical beds, a new model of care 
    22 theatres, with capacity to expand to 24 theatres over time 
    41 same day beds to provide greater capacity for timely access to specialist and outpatient procedures 
    58 ED spaces, including a short-stay unit and specialised emergency psychiatric care 
    20 imaging units for CT, MRI and Xray procedures, with 4 additional spaces available for future imaging advancement.  

    In late September last year, the Government released Robert Rust’s independent review into the hospital project. The review found that the project was alarmingly off-track and over budget due to poor decision making and due diligence by the previous government.  
    “The Dunedin Hospital project was poorly handled under the previous government. They promised big, made poor decisions, and blew out the budget. We are focused on delivering a safe, modern hospital complex that Dunedin deserves,” Mr Brown says. 
    “There are few suitable sites for a new Dunedin Hospital to be located. The former Cadbury factory site purchased by the previous government has numerous construction challenges such as contamination, flood risk, and access issues. However, we are confident that these can be overcome, and it’s clear that using this site to build a new hospital would be far less disruptive than constructing a new complex at the existing hospital. 
    “Our review of the project means the hospital will be futureproofed for growth, with no change to the number of floors to be built. The new Dunedin Hospital will provide clinical staff with world-class facilities and is designed to meet the needs of the community. The site will also be futureproofed so new beds and services will be able to be brought online when needed. The new Dunedin Hospital will be able to adapt and expand in years to come to ensure it responds to changing needs.”   
    Further updates will be provided once the contracting process has been completed. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Edmonton — Alberta RCMP completes another year of Operation Cold Start

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    From Jan. 20 -24, 2025, your Alberta RCMP, along with law enforcement agencies across the province, participated in Operation Cold Start. Operation Cold Start is designed to work with the public to reduce theft of idling vehicles during colder conditions.

    Law enforcement agencies checked unattended, idling vehicles to see if keys were in them, and whether or not they were properly secured. This gave the opportunity to educate vehicle owners on how to keep their vehicles safe during winter months.

    “This campaign was a great chance to meet with community members and remind them that as temperatures dip, leaving a vehicle unattended can lead to it being stolen by opportunistic thieves who can then travel to commit additional crimes,” says Cpl. Mike Black of the Alberta RCMP’s Auto Theft Unit. “By following simple tips, such as using a remote starter, remaining in the vehicle as it warms up, and remembering that vehicles with push starts can be driven without a key present, theft of vehicles can be reduced.”

    During the campaign, the Alberta RCMP noted there were 504 unlocked vehicles left idling with keys in the ignition and 1,277 locked vehicles left idling with keys in the ignition. Officers interacted with 625 vehicle owners and provided 1,128 information pamphlets.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brockton Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Firearms and Fentanyl Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seven firearms; 26 high-capacity magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition; drugs found during search of defendant’s home

    BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

    Shem Khattiya, 39, was sentenced by Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. In October 2024, Khattiya pleaded guilty to a two count Superseding Information charging him with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    In An investigation into Khattiya began in 2023, and in March 2023, a search was conducted at Khattiya’s Brockton apartment where over 800 grams of fentanyl; at least seven different firearms (most of which were loaded, some were ghost guns and some with serial numbers and some assault rifles); 26 high capacity magazines; thousands of rounds of ammunition; a ghost gun creation kit; triggers; a hydraulic kilogram press; and other items used in the manufacturing of drugs and firearms and distribution of drugs were recovered in his bedroom. It has been determined that “triggers” may qualify as machine guns as the purpose was to convert semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the Brockton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm as a Felon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on January 23, 2025.

    Arlen Blackburn, 19, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Blackburn was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm by a federal grand jury in July 2024. He pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024.

    In April 2024, Rapid City Police Department responded to a shots-fired report in town. Law enforcement located a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle associated with the shots-fired report. The driver of the vehicle initially fled but later stopped and law enforcement discovered Arlen Blackburn inside as a passenger. Law enforcement learned that Arlen Blackburn had discharged a sawed-off shotgun earlier that day. The sawed-off shotgun barrel was far less eighteen inches in length. It is unlawful to possess an unregistered shotgun whose barrel is less than eighteen inches in length.

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

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.

    Blackburn was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Box Elder Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Box Elder, South Dakota, man for Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on January 24, 2025.

    Taylor Bloomgren, 23, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Bloomgren must forfeit two Xboxes and four cellular phones. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

    A federal grand jury indicted Bloomgren in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on November 8, 2024.

    Between 2021 and 2023, Bloomgren used his cellular phone, computer, and Xboxes to play online games on Discord. Bloomgren used the platform to communicate with a minor female who was 11 years old when Bloomgren started chatting with her. Bloomgren’s communications with the child resulted in Bloomgren having virtual sex with her. Bloomgren also exchanged sexually explicit photographs and masturbation videos with the child.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case was investigated by the Box Elder Police Department and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.

    Bloomgren was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Defendants Convicted of Killing a Security Guard and Wounding Three Others During the Armed Robbery of a Gambling Location in Brooklyn

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Charles Powell, Brian Castro and Musah Coward on four counts of a superseding indictment charging them with the firearm-related murder of Rodney Maxwell, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery. Powell was also convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  The charges stem from an armed robbery carried out by the defendants inside an illegal gambling spot located at 181 Hegeman Avenue in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.  The verdict followed a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Eric R. Komitee. When sentenced, the defendants each face a sentence of up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdicts.

    “Today’s verdict delivers justice for the victims of this vicious and senseless crime that was driven by greed and carried out with a complete disregard for human life,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “The defendants are responsible for murdering Rodney Maxwell, who was gunned down in cold blood, and the carnage could have been even worse with the wanton shooting of terrified bystanders. I commend the prosecutors in my Office, our law enforcement partners and the jury for holding the defendants accountable for this violent robbery.”

    The evidence at trial proved that the defendants planned and carried out an armed robbery of an illegal gambling spot in Brownsville on October 7, 2020.  The defendants were driven to the Brooklyn location from New Jersey by Coward.  Powell and Castro entered the location while Coward waited outside in the car.  During the robbery, Powell and Castro each shot Maxwell, who had been providing security for location.  Castro shot Maxwell once in the back with a 9-millimeter pistol; and Powell shot him once in the chest with a .380 caliber pistol.  Maxwell later died from his gunshot wounds.  In addition, Powell indiscriminately fired into a crowd of individuals as they desperately attempted to escape the violence, hitting three men, all of whom ultimately survived their wounds. Castro later confessed to the robbery and murder to a friend who, unbeknownst to Castro, was a confidential source for the FBI and recorded the conversation.  In the recording, Castro described how the defendants made off with thousands of dollars and mocked the sound that Maxwell made when he was fatally shot.

    Powell, who has a prior conviction in New Jersey for felony possession of a weapon, was found guilty by the jury of possessing three .380 caliber cartridges on October 7, 2020 corresponding to the shots he fired at the gambling spot.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Palacio, Raffaela Belizaire and Megan Larkin are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Theodore Rader.

    The Defendants:

    CHARLES POWELL (also known as “Payback”)
    Age:  26
    Newark, New Jersey

    BRIAN CASTRO (also known as “Morenaje”)
    Age:  24
    Paterson, New Jersey

    MUSAH COWARD (also known as “General Mecka” and “Red” and “General Red”)
    Age:  33 
    Paterson, New Jersey

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-572 (EK)

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Havre meth, fentanyl trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MISSOULA — A Havre man who admitted to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in Montana was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Lance Jon Stimson, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force was investigating an individual for distributing fentanyl in Missoula. The investigation showed that the individual supplied Stimson with meth and fentanyl to distribute. In April 2024, officers arrested Stimson for absconding from supervision and located 310 fentanyl pills and 28 grams of heroin in his vehicle. Stimson admitted to working with the individual to distribute more than 7,000 fentanyl pills and 17 ounces of meth between October 2023 and April 2024.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.

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

    XXX

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