NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Parliament Question: Awareness About Earthquake Safety Measures

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

    To enhance public awareness and education on earthquake safety, following measures are taken by the government:

    1. To address the community-based preparedness and raise awareness in earthquake prone regions, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) runs TV and radio campaigns focused on earthquake preparedness, highlighting critical do’s and don’ts during seismic events. Special programs like Aapda ka Samna, aired on Doordarshan, feature expert discussions on prevention and mitigation strategies, equipping the public with actionable knowledge to safeguard lives and property.
    2. (ii) NDMA, has also developed guidelines and formulates programs targeting earthquake risk mitigation to mitigate losses in a systematic and coordinated manner.

     These initiatives are: (I) Home Owner’s Guide for Earthquake & Cyclone Safety (2019): The guide will make homeowners aware of various considerations and minimum requirements which need to be taken care of while constructing and buying a house. It would also help them avoid the most common mistakes and ask the relevant questions to the engaged professionals or the seller in urban areas to ensure that the house is disaster-resilient. It outlines best practices for ensuring that masonry or reinforced concrete (RC) structures meet safety standards, empowering homeowners with knowledge to make informed decisions.

     (II) Simplified Guidelines for Earthquake Safety (2021): It provides details based on the National Building Code of India 2016 (released by the Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India) to those who are constructing a house and who are buying a flat in multi-storey buildings, which are made of either masonry or reinforced concrete (RC). This Guide focuses to address this aspiration of potential home owners, and provides the basic information that they should have when constructing individual houses or buying flats in multi-storey buildings. (b) Research efforts are started in India for developing an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System for Himalayan region but these are still at a nascent stage, so the question of coordination with neighbouring countries doesn’t arise. However, National Centre for Seismology (NCS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences is capable of recording any earthquake of M:2.5 and above in and around Delhi, M:3.0 and above for NE region, M:3.5 and above in Peninsular and extra-peninsular region, M:4.0 and above in Andaman region, and M:4.5 and above in border regions lying between 0 – 40 degree; N: 60 – 100-degree East.

    The details of the earthquakes reported by NCS are available in public domain through social media and on the website of NCS (seismo.gov.in). (c) NDMA has undertaken the Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) project to systematically address the challenges of rapid urbanization and ensuring earthquake resilience in growing cities; assess earthquake risk across Indian cities.

     The project aims to provide actionable insights into urban earthquake risk to aid in mitigation, preparedness, and response planning for future seismic events. In Phase I, completed in 2019, the EDRI covered 50 cities, while Phase II targets 16 additional cities. The primary objective of this initiative is to evaluate earthquake risk by combining three critical parameters: hazard, vulnerability, and exposure for each city.

    The risk index derived from these studies identifies regions within cities as low, medium, or high vulnerability and risk zones. These findings enable decision-makers to prioritize areas requiring immediate attention and implement targeted mitigation measures.

    NDMA has initiated a project to develop a comprehensive Methodology for Risk Assessment aimed at guiding States in conducting various levels of earthquake risk assessment. The methodology will provide step by-step guidance for conducting risk assessments at different scales, from city-level evaluations to state wise analyses. It will also incorporate best practices and lessons learned from past studies and international frameworks, ensuring a robust and reliable approach. By equipping States with a clear and actionable methodology, NDMA aims to foster uniformity in risk assessments across the country.

    The results of the EDRI and risk assessment have far-reaching implications, particularly in cities experiencing rapid urbanization. By integrating the risk index into urban planning frameworks, cities can adopt risk-informed decision-making, ensuring safer infrastructure development and community resilience. This initiative underscores NDMA’s commitment to developing for proactive disaster risk reduction in urban India.

    This information was provided byUnion Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

    (RS US Q NO. 355)

    (Release ID: 2100338) Visitor Counter : 8

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Decommissioning of diesel vehicles – E-002268/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. As the case referred in the parliamentary question is still pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)[1], the Commission cannot comment on it. The Commission has not made any announcement in this context and does not intend to introduce changes with a retroactive effect that would introduce a burden on car manufacturers or disadvantage citizens that purchased their cars in good faith. Irrespective of the outcome of the CJEU Judgment, the Commission will ensure a proper follow-up with Member States.

    2. The pending case that has given rise to preliminary ruling proceedings before the CJEU concerns a specific vehicle purchased by a citizen and compensation to that individual citizen. There is no indication from the CJEU that the case would have implications for the validity of the original emission type-approval for the vehicle type concerned and would require a recall of vehicles. Liability and damage compensation rules are applied on a case-by-case basis for individual vehicles concerned by a legal dispute.

    • [1] Joined cases C-251/23 and C-308/23, Mercedes-Benz Group e.a.
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Stopping Erasmus+ funding for universities with links to Islamists – E-002428/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Since it was created in 2018, the Gaziantep University in Türkiye has been awarded a total amount of EUR 157 746 via three Erasmus+ grant agreements, for sending students to avail of learning abroad opportunities.

    The Commission is politically committed and legally bound to ensure that no one receives EU funding if they are involved in criminal or unethical practices, terrorism-related offences, or in other activities incompatible with EU values.

    The Financial Regulation recast[1] introduced an explicit ground under the early detection and exclusion system for excluding entities from receiving EU financial support, if they have engaged in activities contrary to the values on which the EU is founded[2], such as incitement to discrimination, hatred, or violence[3].

    The Commission will immediately act on any evidence of such violations by specific entities, by taking adequate measures in line with the applicable legal framework, such as suspension of contract or payments, contract termination, recovery of funds, or even exclusion from EU financing.

    Mechanisms framed by the EU Financial Regulation have been put in place to protect EU values, including by adding new provisions in the Erasmus+ documents and grant agreements.

    The Commission will continue rigorous monitoring procedures through checks and follow-ups on compliance with EU values. This includes close collaboration with national agencies responsible for the implementation of actions under the Erasmus+ programme.

    • [1] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
    • [2] These values are enshrined in Article 2 Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
    • [3] Article 138(1), point (c)(vi) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L 2024/2509, 26.9.2024.
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spain’s medium-term fiscal-structural plan – E-002161/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The submission of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans and their assessment by the Commission (as established by Regulation (EU) 473/2013) is an important element in the fiscal surveillance.

    Member States submit their draft budgetary plan for the forthcoming year by 15 October[1] and the Commission provides an opinion by end-November[2].

    Member States are invited to take into account, in the process of adopting their budget law, the Commission opinion on their draft budgetary plan[3].

    It may however happen that a government is unable to table a draft budget in national parliament by the usual deadlines. In these cases, the submission should as a rule take place at least one month before the draft budget law is planned to be adopted by the national parliament, except where to do so would prove not feasible due to the country-specific parliamentary approval calendar.

    In the latter case, the submission should still take place in time to allow the Commission to adopt an informed opinion on the plan and the Eurogroup to hold a proper discussion well before the budget law is planned to be adopted by the national parliament[4].

    The Commission continuously monitors fiscal developments in Member States. It takes into account all fiscal developments and fiscal measures when it prepares and publishes its macroeconomic forecasts, including fiscal accounts.

    The Commission confirms that, while it has already received the Spanish medium-term fiscal structural plan[5], it has not yet received a draft budgetary plan for 2025.

    The Commission raises the attention of the Honourable Member that the said Recital 39 of Regulation 2024/1263 indicates that the Commission should, when providing its opinion on the draft budgetary plan, assess whether the draft budgetary plan is consistent with the expenditure path set by the Council Recommendation that endorses the medium-term fiscal structural plan.

    • [1] Art 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [2] Art 7(1) of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [3] Recital 21 of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [4] Moreover, Regulation 473/2013 (Cf Art 4(3)) establishes that, while the budget for central government should be adopted by end-year, the Member States should have in place reversionary budget procedures to be applied if the budged is not adopted or fixed upon by 31 December.
    • [5] https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/download/45e0463e-1216-459a-820a-c7eb9381f27d_es?filename=national_medium-term_fiscal-structural_plan_spain_es.pdf&prefLang=en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU measures on customs controls and duties for online purchases of low-cost and low-quality products from China – E-002053/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The large volume of parcels sent to EU consumers via e-commerce platforms from third countries presents challenges in ensuring compliance with EU consumer protection and product safety rules.

    The Commission is committed to enhancing cooperation with Member States to enable customs and other authorities to better identify and remove unsafe or non-compliant products entering the Union.

    On 17 May 2023, the Commission proposed a comprehensive Customs Reform package[1] to strengthen EU customs’ capacity to monitor goods, particularly e-commerce items.

    This includes the creation of a new EU Customs Authority and an EU Customs Data Hub, which will centralise data to improve targeting of unsafe products.

    The reform also eliminates customs duty exemptions for goods valued up to EUR 150 and designates platforms and sellers registered for the Import One Stop Shop as ‘deemed importers’, making them responsible for compliance.

    Under the Digital Services Act (DSA)[2], t he Commission works with national authorities to enforce rules, focusing on very large online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs).

    It has designated nine online marketplaces as VLOPs, including Zalando, Amazon, AliExpress, Shein and Temu and initiated formal proceedings against Temu (31 October 2024) for potential DSA breaches related to illegal products, addictive design, recommendation systems, and researcher data access, and against AliExpress (March 2024) for issues concerning illegal products and consumer protection, recommendation systems, and researcher data access.

    In June and October 2024 Temu and Shein were also asked to provide further information to address concerns on content moderation, dark patterns, trader identification, and user wellbeing.

    The Commission prioritises ensuring a level playing field through effective customs, tax, safety controls, and sustainability standards.

    In line with its 2024-2029 political guidelines and Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy’s mission letter, tackling challenges associated with e-commerce platforms remains a key focus, particularly through the enforcement of the new General Product Safety Regulation2.

    • [1] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) that entered into application on 17 February 2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Loneliness in the EU – E-002640/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    There have been several efforts to collect data on loneliness in recent years. In 2022, the Commission conducted the first EU-wide survey on loneliness, with findings available on the Commission’s website[1].

    In 2018 and 2022, the EU survey on income and living conditions included variables on quality of life, such as social contacts and the feeling of being left out.

    These variables will be included again in the 2028 survey, with results published on the online database of the Statistical Office of the EU (Eurostat)[2].

    Additionally, under the current Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation[3], the Commission is funding a coordination and support action dedicated to loneliness[4].

    This project, set to launch in early 2025, aims to identify, organise, and integrate publicly accessible datasets on loneliness, contributing evidence on loneliness and effective interventions[5].

    Loneliness significantly impacts mental health. The Commission, through its flagship initiatives of the communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health[6], supports Member States[7] in identifying best practices and improving prevention strategies for mental health issues, especially for vulnerable populations. Loneliness will also be an important angle considered in the elaboration of the intergenerational fairness strategy.

    Finally, in her political guidelines[8] for the new Commission mandate, the President of the Commission announced an EU-wide inquiry into how social media affects well-being.

    Loneliness is a critical factor in this context. To lay the groundwork for a future EU-wide longitudinal study on social media use, loneliness, and well-being, the Commission will conduct a pilot survey to explore social media’s role in loneliness among adolescents.

    • [1] https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/survey-methods-and-analysis-centre-smac/loneliness_en
    • [2] Indicators on social contacts and feeling left out are published in the Eurostat Online Database: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/data/database
    • [3] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    • [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl2-2024-transformations-01-01
    • [5] The project is entitled ‘The loneliness and social isolation in Europe Network: Evidence-based policy recommendation on its causes, consequences and monitoring’.
    • [6] https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en
    • [7] https://mentalhealthandwellbeing.eu/the-joint-action/
    • [8] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The dangerous possibility of a Turkish-Syrian maritime zone agreement – P-000006/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The fall of Assad’s criminal regime marks a historic moment for the Syrian people. The European Council of 19 December 2024[1] stressed the historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country and underlined the importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2254.

    In this respect, the EU supports the work of the UN Special Envoy for Syria. Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders should be fully respected, in accordance with international law.

    This was also the agreement reached in Aqaba[2] on 14 December 2024 on common principles[3] for the international community’s engagement in support of the Syrian people in this unprecedented transition.

    The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye.

    In this context, the EU continues to expect Türkiye to respect the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of all Member States, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea[4] and to unequivocally commit to and promote good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.

    The European Council conclusions of 12 December 2019[5] clearly stated that the Türkiye-Libya memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea[6] infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and cannot produce any legal consequences for third States.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/jhlenhaj/euco-conclusions-19122024-en.pdf
    • [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/press-statement-eu-high-representative-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy-following-international_en
    • [3] https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/2024/article/joint-statement-on-syria-14-dec-2024
    • [4] https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf
    • [5] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41768/12-euco-final-conclusions-en.pdf
    • [6] https://www.un.org/depts/los/LEGISLATIONANDTREATIES/PDFFILES/TREATIES/Turkey_11122019_(HC)_MoU_Libya-Delimitation-areas-Mediterranean.pdf
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Financing activities on LGBTQ+ issues with EU funds – E-002551/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Erasmus+ programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusiveness, diversity and fairness across all its actions.

    The programme guide[1] and grant agreement[2] highlight that projects need to respect human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, in full compliance with the values and rights enshrined in the EU Treaties and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights[3].

    In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, funded initiatives must meet, applicable eligibility, admissibility, exclusion and selection criteria outlined in the Erasmus+ programme guide.

    The Commission does not specifically track lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+)-related activities in EU-funded projects.

    Furthermore, the guide sets clear standards for the protection, health and safety of participants, including minors. Learning must take place in a safe environment, which respects and protects the rights of all people.

    Participating organisations must have in place effective procedures to guarantee the safety, protection and non-discrimination of participants.

    The Commission contacted the national agency in charge of the selection and monitoring of the project in question to ensure that the above-mentioned criteria are respected.

    The national agency confirmed that the rules set out in the Erasmus+ programme guide and grant agreement are respected, including obtaining written parental consent prior to the participation of minors, and a comprehensive safeguarding policy set up by the beneficiary.

    • [1] https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/document/erasmus-programme-guide-2025-version-1?pk_source=website&pk_medium=link&pk_campaign=pg&pk_content=pg-landing-download
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/erasmus/agr-contr/unit-mga_erasmus_en.pdf
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012P/TXT

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Long Island-Based Bloods Gang Members Charged With Attempted Murders, Armed Robberies, Firearms Trafficking and Fraud in Second Superseding Indictment

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Earlier today in federal court in Central Islip, three Bloods gang members, Dwayne Murray, Kendrick Seymore and Lavalle Wilson, were arraigned on new charges in a 46-count second superseding indictment before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.  That indictment also charges an additional defendant, high-ranking Bloods gang member Sheim Tevin Ramsey-Davis (Ramsey-Davis), with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in-aid-of racketeering, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, robbery, fraud and narcotics trafficking. Ramsey-Davis was arrested on January 30, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date. 

    The second superseding indictment includes the following new charges against Murray, Seymore and Wilson for crimes they allegedly committed in Suffolk County between 2016 and 2022:

    • Murray is charged with a September 26, 2016 attempted murder; a May 28, 2020 attempted murder; a May 2020 gunpoint robbery; and firearms trafficking. Murray was previously charged with the June 12, 2020 murder of Wayne Cherry and Seymore was previously charged with the July 23, 2021 execution-style murders of Nyasia Knox, Diamond Schick and Richard Castano.       
    • Seymore is charged with a May 2020 gunpoint robbery; an October 23, 2020 armed home invasion robbery; a September 25, 2021 armed home invasion robbery; and an October 1, 2021 attempted armed home invasion robbery.
    • Murray and Wilson are charged with conspiring with other members of the gang to defraud victims of significant amounts of money between 2020 and 2022. 

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney; James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Office (ATF NY); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the arrest and charges.

    “With these new and very serious charges, law enforcement continues its objective of dismantling the Bloods on Long Island, and of prosecuting gang members who are drivers of gun violence and numerous other crimes in Suffolk County,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “My Office and our federal and local partners will not relent in our efforts to remove this threat in order to make our communities safer.” 

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia and FBI’s Resident Agency in Augusta, Georgia, for their assistance with the case.

    “The crimes alleged here strike at the very fabric of our community through violence, intimidation and corruption. Each count in this indictment, from murder to firearms trafficking, represents not just a crime, but a family traumatized, a neighborhood living in fear, or young people pulled into a cycle of violence,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney.  “My office will continue working alongside our federal and local partners to dismantle all such criminal enterprises and restore safety to the communities they have terrorized.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated: “These three gang members allegedly engaged in an array of criminal activity –murders, armed robberies, and narcotics trafficking – designed to bolster their financial and internal social statuses as well as punish rival entities. This series of new charges emphasizes the various extreme measures the defendants will allegedly implement to support their gang’s operations. Alongside our law enforcement partners, the FBI remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate the gang violence and criminality polluting our communities.”

    “This indictment underscores the collective commitment with ATF NY and our law enforcement partners,” stated ATF NY Special Agent in Charge Miller. “Dismantling violent gangs that terrorize our communities and threaten public safety remain a top priority. It is our obligation to bring every resource to bear in the face of brazen acts of violence. We remain fully committed to enhancing public safety through identifying and eliminating the key drivers of violence. Thank you to the efforts of the men and women of ATF NY Long Island Joint Firearms Task Force, FBI, Suffolk County Police Department and EDNY.”

    “These defendants have terrorized the community for years, committing a spree of violent crimes,” stated SCPD Commissioner Catalina.  “It is through the diligent work of investigators from multiple agencies that we are able to levy new charges. The department along with our law enforcement partners remains committed to working together to fight the brutality of gang members.”

    As alleged in court filings, the defendants engaged in numerous acts of violence on behalf of the Bloods gang, including robberies, home invasions, numerous shootings and four murders.  The defendants are members of a Bloods set known as the Gorilla Stone Bloods (GSB), which have “kaves” located in various towns on Long Island.  Murray and Ramsey-Davis were the leaders of the “Money Gang Kave.”  The second superseding indictment adds charges stemming from the defendants’ years-long use of violence to target their rivals and armed robberies to enrich the members of the gang.

    Specifically, on September 26, 2016, Murray, who was the leader of a set of the Bloods, shot a victim multiple times to increase his own status within the Bloods.  On May 28, 2020, Ramsey-Davis, at Murray’s direction, fired numerous shots at two individuals believed to be associated with a rival gang who were seated in a parked car in front of a residence in Bellport. Murray, Seymore and Ramsey-Davis, along with other gang members, also routinely scouted lucrative robbery targets and committed several armed robberies and home invasions in Suffolk County in 2020 and 2021.  In addition, Ramsey-Davis and his co-conspirators sold large amounts of narcotics, including fentanyl. They also engaged in numerous fraud schemes, including identity theft, credit card and bank fraud and defrauding state unemployment systems. Ramsey-Davis also purchased and sold firearms, and supplied lower-level members of the gang with guns. 

    Previously, Murray and Seymore were charged with racketeering, murder, attempted murder, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking, and Wilson was charged with attempted murder, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking. 

    The charges in the second superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Andrew P. Wenzel and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Donald N. Barclay and Dena C. Rizopoulos are in charge of the prosecution, along with Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla.

    The Defendants:

    DWAYNE MURRAY (also known as “Wayno”)
    Age:  33
    Residence: Coram, Long Island

    SHEIM TEVIN RAMSEY-DAVIS (also known as “KG”)
    Age:  26
    Residence: Augusta, Georgia

    KENDRICK SEYMORE (also known as “KR”)
    Age:  22
    Residence: Coram, Long Island   

    LAVALLE WILSON (also known as “Val,” Skip,” “Flip” and “Wes”)
    Age:  30
    Residence: Shirley, Long Island   

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-401 (S-2) (JMA)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Skyline Bankshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FLOYD, Va. and INDEPENDENCE, Va., Feb. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skyline Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTC QX: SLBK) – the holding company for Skyline National Bank (the “Bank”) – announced its results of operations for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    As previously announced, the Company acquired Johnson County Bank (“JCB”) on September 1, 2024, with the Company as the surviving corporation. For accounting purposes, the Company is considered the acquiror and JCB is considered the acquiree in the transaction. As such, all information contained herein as of and for periods prior to September 1, 2024 reflects the operations of the Company prior to the merger.

    The Company recorded net income of $2.5 million, or $0.45 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.19 per share, for the third quarter of 2024 and net income of $2.2 million, or $0.39 per share, for the same period in 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, net income was $7.4 million, or $1.34 per share, compared to net income of $9.7 million, or $1.74 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 earnings represented an annualized return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 0.82% and an annualized return on average equity (“ROAE”) of 11.23%, compared to 0.83% and 11.05%, respectively, for the same period last year. Excluding nonrecurring merger-related expenses of $923 thousand relating to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank, net income would have been $3.2 million, or $0.58 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. This would represent an annualized ROAA and ROAE of 1.06% and 14.54%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    President and CEO Blake Edwards stated, “The fourth quarter of 2024 was marked by many notable accomplishments. Earnings were strong, especially when adjusted for direct merger-related costs, with an adjusted annualized ROAA of 1.06%. During the quarter our core loan growth was $31.4 million, which is an annualized rate of 13.13%. Our net interest income increased in both the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024, while our net interest margin increased to 4.10% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Net income also increased from the third to the fourth quarter when adjusted for nonrecurring, merger-related costs.”

    Edwards continued, “We continued the integration of Johnson County Bank during the fourth quarter of 2024 with the core data systems conversion completed in November. Our experienced team worked tirelessly to make this transition as seamless as possible for the Johnson County employees and customers alike. This is an exciting chapter in the history of our bank, and we are excited to bring our commitment to excellence and dedication to the businesses and people of Johnson County, Tennessee. We look forward to creating a positive impact in Tennessee while continuing to offer an unmatched customer experience in our existing markets. I believe we remain well positioned for growth and success in the future and know that our employees will continue to deliver on our brand promise of being “Always our Best” for our customers each and every day.”

    Highlights

    • In connection with the acquisition of JCB, effective September 1, 2024, the Company acquired $154.1 million in assets at fair value, including $87.2 million in loans. The Company also assumed $133.8 million of liabilities at fair value, including $125.3 million of total deposits with a core deposit intangible asset recorded of $3.4 million, and goodwill of $4.6 million.
    • Net income was $2.5 million, or $0.45 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $2.2 million, or $0.39 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net interest margin (“NIM”) was 4.10% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 3.78% in the third quarter of 2024, and 3.69% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Total assets increased $171.8 million, or 16.42%, to $1.22 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2023.
    • Net loans were $976.4 million at December 31, 2024, an increase of $165.5 million, or 20.40%, when compared to $811.0 million at December 31, 2023. Excluding the $87.2 million in loans acquired as part of the JCB merger, gross loans increased by $79.6 million, or 9.73%, for the year 2024.
    • Total deposits were $1.09 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $163.5 million, or 17.60%, from $928.7 million at December 31, 2023. Excluding the $125.3 million of total deposits acquired as part of the JCB merger, total deposits increased by $38.2 million, or 4.11%, during the year 2024.
    • During the quarter, the Company incurred $923 thousand in merger-related expenses related to the acquisition of JCB. Excluding these merger-related expenses, net income would have been $3.2 million, or $0.58 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2024 Income Statement Review

    Net interest income after provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $11.4 million compared to $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Total interest income was $15.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing an increase of $3.7 million, or 31.67%, in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2023. Interest income on loans increased in the quarterly comparison by $3.7 million, primarily due to organic loan growth, and the addition of loan balances from the JCB acquisition which added approximately $87.2 million. Management anticipates this loan growth will continue to have a positive impact on both earning assets and loan yields. Interest expense on deposits increased by $1.2 million in the quarterly comparison as a result of rate increases on deposit offerings, and the additional interest-bearing deposits from the JCB acquisition. Management anticipates interest expense on deposits could increase in the near term as competitive pressures for deposits may result in continued increases in rates on deposit offerings, especially on time deposits. Interest on borrowings decreased by $121 thousand in the quarterly comparison.

    For the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses was $38.4 million compared to $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Interest income increased by $10.2 million, primarily due to an increase of $10.1 million in interest income on loans. Interest expense on deposits increased by $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period last year. As previously discussed, this is a reflection of the increased competitive pressures for deposits as well as the additional interest-bearing deposits from the JCB acquisition. Interest on borrowings increased by $266 thousand in the year-over-year comparison, due to short-term borrowings to help fund loan growth.

    Fourth quarter 2024 noninterest income was $2.1 million compared with $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Service charges and fees increased by $263 thousand in the quarterly comparison.

    For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, noninterest income was $7.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively. Included in noninterest income for the year 2024 was $221 thousand from life insurance contracts and a net realized security loss of $141 thousand. The net security loss resulted from the recognition of unamortized premiums on a called bond. Included in noninterest income for the year 2023 was income of $129 thousand related to loan hedge fees from a correspondent bank that was recorded in other income, a $197 thousand gain on a sale leaseback, $69 thousand from life insurance contracts and security losses of $16 thousand. Excluding these items noninterest income increased by $614 thousand in the year-over-year comparison, primarily as a result on an increase in service charges and fees of $502 thousand and an increase of $22 thousand in mortgage origination fees.

    Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $10.3 million compared with $7.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $2.4 million, or 30.22%. Salary and benefit costs increased by $489 thousand due to the increase in employees resulting from the JCB acquisition, combined with routine personnel additions and salary adjustments, as well as increased benefit costs. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $134 thousand and data processing increased by $330 thousand in the quarterly comparisons primarily due to branch expansion costs and the costs associated with running two core processing systems before the core conversion for Johnson County Bank occurred. Also included in noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $923 thousand in merger-related expenses related to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank.

    For the year ended December 31, 2024, total noninterest expenses increased by $5.7 million compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to employee costs and branch costs discussed above. Salary and benefit cost increased by $1.1 million. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $604 thousand, and data processing increased by $788 thousand in the year-over-year comparison. Merger-related expenses related to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank were $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Net income before taxes increased by $364 thousand in the quarterly comparison causing an increase in income tax expense of $16 thousand. In the year-over-year comparison, net income before taxes decreased by $2.7 million, resulting in a decrease in income tax expense of $443 thousand.

    Balance Sheet Review

    Total assets increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 by $11.1 million, or 0.92%, to $1.22 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.21 billion at September 30, 2024, and increased by $171.8 million, or 16.42%, from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2023. Total loans increased during the fourth quarter by $31.3 million, or 3.29%, to $984.5 million at December 31, 2024 from $953.1 million at September 30, 2024, and increased by $166.8 million, or 20.39%, compared to $817.7 million at December 31, 2023. Core loan growth was $31.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2024, which is an annualized rate of 13.13%.

    Asset quality has remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.26% at December 31, 2024 compared to 0.21% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses remained comparable at approximately 0.82% of total loans as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

    Investment securities decreased by $5.6 million during the fourth quarter to $118.3 million at December 31, 2024 from $123.9 million at September 30, 2024, and decreased by $9.1 million from $127.4 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in the fourth quarter of 2024 was the result of $1.5 million in paydowns, and an increase in unrealized losses of $4.1 million because of the changes in interest rates during the quarter.

    Total deposits increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 by $6.3 million, or 0.58%, to $1.09 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.09 billion at September 30, 2024, and increased $163.5 million, or 17.60%, compared to $928.7 million at December 31, 2023. Noninterest bearing deposits decreased by $2.4 million and interest-bearing deposits increased by $8.7 million during the quarter. Lower cost interest bearing deposits increased by $8.0 million during the quarter, and time deposits increased by $689 thousand. Excluding the $125.3 million of total deposits acquired as part of the JCB merger, total deposits increased by $38.2 million, or 4.11%, during the year 2024.

    Total stockholders’ equity increased by $45 thousand, or 0.05%, to $88.7 million at December 31, 2024, from $88.6 million three months earlier, and increased $5.8 million, or 6.98%, from $82.9 million at December 31, 2023. The change during the quarter was due to earnings of $2.5 million offset by $2.7 million in other comprehensive losses.

    Forward-looking statements

    This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 as amended. These include statements as to expectations regarding future financial performance and any other statements regarding future results or expectations. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “project” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results, or the actual effect of future plans or strategies, is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to: changes in interest rates; general economic and financial market conditions; the effect of changes in banking, tax and other laws and regulations and interpretations or guidance thereunder; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality and composition of the loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition; demand for financial services in the Company’s market area; the implementation of new technologies; the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; accounting principles, policies, and guidelines; disruptions to customer and employee relationships and business operations caused by the Johnson County Bank acquisition; the ability to implement integration plans associated with the acquisition, which integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the ability to achieve the cost savings and synergies contemplated by the acquisition within the expected timeframe, or at all; and other factors identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or clarify these forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    (See Attached Financial Statements for quarter ending December 31, 2024)

    Skyline Bankshares, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    December 31, 2024; September 30, 2024; December 31, 2023

      December 31,
    		     September 30,
    		     December 31,
    		  
    (dollars in thousands except share amounts) 2024
    		     2024
    		     2023
    		  
      (Unaudited)
    		     (Unaudited)
    		     (Audited)
    		  
    Assets                      
    Cash and due from banks $ 17,889     $ 27,862     $ 16,811  
    Interest-bearing deposits with banks   1,562       6,766       4,808  
    Federal funds sold   –       536       474  
    Investment securities available for sale   118,287       123,906       127,389  
    Restricted equity securities   4,034       4,235       3,338  
    Loans   984,459       953,122       817,704  
    Allowance for credit losses   (8,027 )     (7,787 )     (6,739 )
    Net loans   976,432       945,335       810,965  
    Cash value of life insurance   26,743       26,558       22,909  
    Other real estate owned   140       140       –  
    Properties and equipment, net   34,663       33,741       31,183  
    Accrued interest receivable   4,013       3,810       3,463  
    Core deposit intangible   3,815       4,031       917  
    Goodwill   7,900       7,900       3,257  
    Deferred tax assets, net   5,593       5,125       5,046  
    Other assets   16,528       16,555       15,283  
    Total assets $ 1,217,599     $ 1,206,500     $ 1,045,843  
               
    Liabilities          
    Deposits          
    Noninterest-bearing $ 337,918     $ 340,340     $ 305,115  
    Interest-bearing   754,285       745,567       623,627  
    Total deposits   1,092,203       1,085,907       928,742  
               
    Borrowings   29,254       25,000       27,500  
    Accrued interest payable   950       979       531  
    Other liabilities   6,524       5,991       6,188  
    Total liabilities   1,128,931       1,117,877       962,961  
               
    Stockholders’ Equity          
    Common stock and surplus   33,507       33,283       33,356  
    Retained earnings   73,714       71,212       68,866  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (18,553 )     (15,872 )     (19,340 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   88,668       88,623       82,882  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,217,599     $ 1,206,500     $ 1,045,843  
    Book value per share $ 15.69     $ 15.72     $ 14.84  
    Tangible book value per share(1) $ 13.62     $ 13.60     $ 14.09  
               
               
    Asset Quality Indicators          
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.22 %     0.15 %     0.17 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans   0.26 %     0.18 %     0.21 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans   0.82 %     0.82 %     0.82 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   313.19 %     453.00 %     389.31 %
    (1) Tangible book value is a Non-GAAP financial measure defined as stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by shares outstanding, that the Company believes is a meaningful measure of capital adequacy because it provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which the Company believes will assist investors in assessing the capital of the Company and its ability to absorb potential losses. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this release.
       

    Skyline Bankshares, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

      Three Months Ended
    		   Year Ended
      December 31,     September 30,     December 31,     December 31,  
    (dollars in thousands except share amounts) 2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Audited)  
    Interest income                            
    Loans and fees on loans $ 14,541     $ 12,759     $ 10,843     $ 49,974     $ 39,877  
    Interest-bearing deposits in banks 92     150     68     390     279  
    Federal funds sold 4     25     3     37     29  
    Interest on securities 692     737     743     2,871     3,024  
    Dividends 109     41     68     264     156  
      15,438     13,712     11,725     53,536     43,365  
    Interest expense                            
    Deposits 3,601     3,407     2,360     12,650     6,617  
    Interest on borrowings 268     374     389     1,416     1,150  
      3,869     3,781     2,749     14,066     7,767  
    Net interest income 11,569     9,931     8,976     39,470     35,598  
                                 
    Provision for (Recovery of) credit losses 214     738     69     1,116     (50 )
    Net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses 11,355     9,193     8,907     38,354     35,648  
                                 
    Noninterest income                            
    Service charges on deposit accounts 624     598     580     2,317     2,186  
    Other service charges and fees 1,146     940     927     3,844     3,473  
    Net realized losses on securities –     –     –     (141 )   (16 )
    Mortgage origination fees 68     108     66     277     255  
    Increase in cash value of life insurance 185     161     138     643     576  
    Life insurance income –     –     –     221     69  
    Other income 42     44     48     124     427  
      2,065     1,851     1,759     7,285     6,970  
    Noninterest expenses                            
    Salaries and employee benefits 4,576     4,525     4,087     17,770     16,704  
    Occupancy and equipment 1,445     1,387     1,311     5,636     5,032  
    Data processing expense 940     744     610     3,019     2,231  
    FDIC Assessments 279     153     143     720     588  
    Advertising 252     256     219     965     768  
    Bank franchise tax 136     132     61     466     376  
    Director fees 148     52     150     326     349  
    Professional fees 276     188     194     856     722  
    Telephone expense 120     117     155     473     556  
    Core deposit intangible amortization 216     107     80     482     369  
    Merger-related expenses 923     1,143     –     2,423     –  
    Other expense 987     821     898     3,145     2,847  
      10,298     9,625     7,908     36,281     30,542  
    Net income before income taxes 3,122     1,419     2,758     9,358     12,076  
                                 
    Income tax expense 619     362     603     1,933     2,376  
    Net income $ 2,503     $ 1,057     $ 2,155     $ 7,425     $ 9,700  
                                 
    Net income per share $ 0.45     $ 0.19     $ 0.39     $ 1.34     $ 1.74  
    Weighted average shares outstanding 5,557,156     5,553,579     5,561,075     5,557,210     5,579,654  
    Dividends declared per share $ 0.00     $ 0.23     $ 0.00     $ 0.46     $ 0.42  
                                 

    Skyline Bankshares, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures that provide useful information for financial and operational decision making, evaluating trends, and understanding the Company’s financial condition, capital position and financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and not a substitute for, or more important than, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to those reported by other financial institutions. The non-GAAP financial measure presented in this document includes tangible book value per share, and the following items adjusted for merger-related expenses: return on average assets, return on average equity, and net income per share. For periods that are shorter than twelve months, the Company annualizes net income for the return on average assets and the return on average equity. The following tables present calculations underlying non-GAAP financial measures.

               
      December 31,     September 30,     December 31,  
    (dollars in thousands except share amounts) 2024     2024     2023  
      (Unaudited)
    		     (Unaudited)
    		     (Unaudited)
    		  
    Tangible Common Equity          
    Total stockholders’ equity (GAAP) $ 88,668     $ 88,623     $ 82,882  
    Less: Goodwill   (7,900 )     (7,900 )     (3,257 )
    Less: Core deposit intangible           (3,815 )             (4,031 )             (917 )
    Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $         76,953     $         76,692     $         78,708  
    Common stock shares outstanding           5,651,704               5,639,204               5,584,204  
    Tangible book value per share $         13.62     $         13.60     $         14.09  
               
      Three Months Ended
    		     Year Ended
    		  
      December 31,     September 30,     December 31,     December 31,
    		  
    (dollars in thousands except share amounts) 2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
    Annualized Net Income                                      
    Net income (GAAP) $ 2,503     $ 1,057     $ 2,155     $ 7,425     $ 9,700  
    Add: Items not annualized                                      
    Merger-related expenses   923       1,143       –       2,423       –  
    Tax effect of merger-related expenses           (184 )             (212 )             –                (407 )             –  
    Total non-annualized items           739               931               –               2,016               –  
    Adjusted net income $         3,242     $         1,988     $         2,155     $         9,441     $         9,700  
                                           
    Adjusted net income, annualized for ratio calculation (non-GAAP) $         12,898     $         7,909     $         8,550     $         9,441     $         9,700  
                                           
    Net income, annualized for ratio calculation $         9,958     $         4,205     $         8,550     $         7,425     $         9,700  
                                           
    Average total assets $         1,213,167     $         1,123,844     $         1,032,307     $         1,109,465     $         1,012,827  
    Average total equity $         88,684     $         87,292     $         77,352     $         85,460     $         76,598  
    Weighted average shares outstanding           5,557,156               5,553,579               5,561,075               5,557,210               5,579,654  
                                           
    Return on average assets (GAAP)   0.82 %     0.37 %     0.83 %     0.67 %     0.96 %
    Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)   1.06 %     0.70 %     0.83 %     0.85 %     0.96 %
                                           
    Return on average equity (GAAP)   11.23 %     4.82 %     11.05 %     8.69 %     12.66 %
    Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)   14.54 %     9.06 %     11.05 %     11.05 %     12.66 %
                                           
    Net income per share $         0.45     $         0.19     $         0.39     $         1.34     $         1.74  
    Adjusted net income per share $         0.58     $         0.36     $         0.39     $         1.70     $         1.74  
                                           

    For more information contact:
    Blake Edwards, President & CEO – 276-773-2811
    Lori Vaught, EVP & CFO – 276-773-2811

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video: Kaine Joins Senate Democrats in Holding Senate Floor to Protest Russell Vought’s Nomination to Lead OMB, Citing Chaos Unleashed on Federal Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined his Democratic colleagues in holding the Senate floor to protest Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), citing stories he has collected from federal workers about the chaos the Trump Administration has unleashed on the federal workforce. Vought is one of the key authors of Project 2025 and has long been an architect of President Trump’s plans to villainize the federal workforce.

    Broadcast-quality video of Kaine’s speech is available here.
    “My colleagues have spoken on the floor about a particular statement of Mr. Vought’s that I examined him about fairly aggressively during the Budget Committee Hearing. In the course of a speech, he said, ‘I want federal employees to be traumatized. I want to put them in trauma. I want them to come to work—to not want to come to work—because they know that they are increasingly viewed as the villain. Now, who talks like that? I mean, who talks like that? Is there a single manager or leader or organizational chief that we admire who believes that their mission, their happiness, their glee, their purpose is to make their workforce feel traumatized? No we would never celebrate a leader of that kind,” said Kaine.
    “What I want to do in my time on the floor tonight is talk a little bit about these federal employees and what having a traumatized workforce means… What I’ve heard from Virginians is just in the week since the funding pause order went into place—something that was masterminded by Russell Vought—federal employees. Yesterday, I decided after hearing stories from federal employees, to launch a website, a resource where federal employees could share with anonymity guaranteed… I thought what I would do tonight is, I’ve just taken 18 of these stories, from the federal employees that have just once in in the last 24 hours, of the hundreds that have been submitted, and I just want to read some to you, to tell you about who these people are who Mr. Vought wants to be traumatized. Who these people are that Mr. Vought wants to personally make feel as if they are the villains,” Kaine continued.
    Then, Kaine shared various stories he has collected from federal workers about how the Trump Administration’s actions have harmed them and threatened their ability to deliver essential services for the American people, including:
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) who wrote, “After two extremely painful miscarriages, I am now 34 weeks pregnant with my first child. Since my husband works as a lawyer for the EPA, what should have been a joyful time in our lives now feels like a dystopian hellscape and we are very afraid for our future and financial security. We are just hoping to have health insurance at this point for when I give birth but even that feels uncertain. I swore an oath and believe in the work that USAID does. I believe that it makes American stronger, safer, and more prosperous, as Secretary Rubio is calling for, and I will supporting the Agency until they boot me from the system. God help us all.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who explained, “I am married and pregnant. I am the breadwinner. A woman. I am a homeowner. I pay taxes. I took an oath and I love my job. The daily fear tactics and targeting of federal employees has uprooted my life. I no longer feel safe going on any kind of family vacation, making any big purchases or doing anything because everyday I wonder will I have a job.”
    A federal employee working for the National Science Foundation (NSF) who said, “The opportunity to give back and support the next generation of U.S. based scientists was a dream fulfilled, and I am terrified that I will be fired as soon as Friday with no protections or severance. The fair compensation and flexible schedule let’s my spouse work as a teacher, and she is so great at her job. But that will not pay the mortgage.”
    A federal employee working for USAID who warned, “The attack on USAID lacks intelligence and foresight. China and Russia are filling the vacuum, outspending the US and deepening partnerships with our allies, who feel abandoned. This is creating permanent damage, and undoing decades of progress in a few days. This does the opposite of making America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture who explained, “These last few weeks have been hell for us federal workers. I come to work with a pit in my stomach. I am a probationary employee, so will probably be the first to go during a RIF. They have left us in the dark while constantly terrorizing us with threatening, passive aggressive messages, and half legal deals to resign. I fear for my job, but I fear more for my country.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Transportation who wrote, “I am frightened about my position. I’m a single income household and am convinced no one has my back. Congress has been pretty much silent, and the news has gained very little traction nationwide.”
    A federal employee working for the U.S. Department of Defense who said, “As soon as this administration took office it felt like federal workers were under siege. They began with their flurry of executive orders and memos, they put Elon Musk (whom no one elected, whom is not a federal employee but yet has huge contracts for other areas with the government) in charge of “handling” the potential mass layoffs of federal workers.”
    A federal employee working at the General Services Administration who explained, “…the disregard for union contracts is deeply concerning and undermines the commitments made to the workforce. Many of my talented and hardworking colleagues have been living in fear for weeks, facing uncertainty they do not deserve. This unlawful mistreatment not only undermines their dedication but also creates an environment of instability and anxiety that no employee should have to endure.”
    A federal employee working at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who wrote, “My husband and I are both federal employees and we are both on probation. We also have student loan debts and under the public service loan forgiveness program. If we lose our jobs because we are on probation, we will lose the ability to have our payments to [Public Service Loan Forgiveness] counted, we will not be able to pay for childcare and we will lose our apartment.”
    A federal employee working at DHS who warned, “truly believe a strong, healthy workforce of civilian servants is vital for a strong, healthy America. Our government has a duty to protect its citizens. This – to me – includes making sure peoples basic needs are met, be it healthcare, food, housing, education, etc. The private sector is not taking on this obligation.”
    A federal employee who said, “I’ve served under different administrations, Republican and Democrat, and been proud to do so… The last 2 weeks have been a nightmare.”
    A federal employee who wrote, “Since inauguration, times have been hell for us because every day is loaded with uncertainty regarding the future state of our contract, work, and our federal counterparts we work daily with. To this day, every work day is filled with dread and anxiety.”
    A federal contractor working for USAID who explained, “In the past week, I have experienced near everyone in my company get placed on furlough. Beyond the fact that we were all working to make international development more impactful, and the fact that the US Company we have invested so much time in may never come back from this, we are all without salary and uncertain for the future.”
    A federal employee working for a small independent agency who wrote, “I am a probationary employee, meaning my name is on a short list to fire. I was hired under Schedule A — persons with disabilities, so my name is on a list. I feel like I am being threatened by the very institutions that were created to safeguard the principles of truth, compassion, respect…”
    A federal employee who wrote, “Today, I woke up to an email saying we had a restraining order, tied to Trump’s EOs, that would limit how we’d disburse our grants. Since the EOs were vaguely defined to begin with, this could be a witch hunt for all kinds of programs and grants we give out.”
    A federal employee who said, “I’m a senior human resource professional in the Department of the Interior. I’m on daily calls with Departmental HR leaders who receive direction from OPM. Today leadership mentioned that their coordination was with DOGE “employees” rather than with actual OPM employees. These DOGE employees have full access to our USA Staffing hiring system, which includes personally identifiable information for ALL applicants to any position in DOI. It is unclear what kind of clearance these individuals have, if any, and what authority they have to even access this system.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Budd Introduce Bill to Incentivize Landowners to Participate in Military Land Use Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Incentivizing REPI Sales Act of 2025, legislation which promotes military readiness by encouraging the land around military installations to be preserved for the military to train, test, and operate.
    The House companion is led by Reps. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
    “Our Armed Forces need resilient, modern bases so they can undergo the most realistic and high-quality training. I am a longtime supporter of the DOD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, which helps meet that goal while simultaneously conserving public lands,” said Kaine. “This legislation will incentivize participation in this program by creating a tax incentive for property owners who sell land or property for the military to use for training, resilience, and other important purposes. I am proud to work with Senator Budd on this legislation, and I will continue to do everything I can as a Senator representing one of the most military-connected states in the country to support our military installations.”
    “As the United States confronts new and dangerous global threats, our military must maintain its readiness and lethality through realistic training at home installations,” said Budd. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Kaine to encourage additional REPI participation in order to strengthen military readiness.”
    “The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Readiness and Environment Protection Integration (REPI) is essential to our national security and invaluable ecosystems. Avoiding land use conflicts in areas used by our military is imperative to their ability to conduct critical training and maintain readiness,” said Murphy. “The Incentivizing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Sales Act supports this successful initiative by incentivizing landowners to participate in this important program when considering the sale of property near military installations.”
    “Rising land costs are making it more difficult for the military and conservation partners to protect the land around bases. Our bipartisan bill would make it easier to preserve those critical buffers by waiving the capital gains tax for landowners who sell to conservation organizations for Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) projects,” said Panetta. “By strengthening the REPI Program, we can ensure military installations remain mission-ready while safeguarding the surrounding environment.”
    Background:
    The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program supports cost-sharing agreements between the Military Services, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private conservation organizations to avoid land use conflicts near military installations, address environmental restrictions that limit military activities, and increase resilience to weather events and other environmental concerns.
    REPI is a key tool used by DOD and its partners to protect the military’s ability to train, test, and operate. Development of lands and loss of habitat near military installations, ranges, and airspace can lead to restrictions or costly and inadequate training and testing alternatives.
    Preserving natural areas is vital for keeping skies dark, which is necessary for night training, protecting habitats off-base for endangered species, and facilitating nature-based approaches to mitigate flooding and severe weather.
    REPI successfully protected 27,000 acres around Fort Liberty, NC in order to provide a flight corridor for Grey Eagle drone training and conduct Robin Sage, the final training exercise of Special Forces qualification. This action also helped recover the local population of red-cockaded woodpeckers.
    The Incentivizing REPI Sales Act excludes the appreciated land value from federal capital gains tax for landowners who sell land or easements near military installations specifically for REPI purposes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Speaks with New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Leaders About Potential Harms from Delayed Trump Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) spoke with representatives from local Chambers of Commerce across New Hampshire about the harmful impact of the potential Trump tariffs on Mexico and Canada, New Hampshire’s largest trading partner. As of earlier this week, these tariffs have been delayed 30 days, but if they go into effect, prices on everything from gas to cars to groceries could skyrocket, hurting Granite Staters and Granite State businesses. Representatives from the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, Upper Valley Business Alliance, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Greater Monadnock Collaborative, Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Washington Valley Chamber and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative joined the virtual conversation.
    “I’ve spoken with business leaders from around the Granite State, and they’ve told me that what they need to grow and create good-paying jobs that boost our economy is stability and certainty about the economic policies they are facing,” said Shaheen. “To be clear, I’m glad that President Trump has delayed these tariffs, but a delay is not enough. We need to focus on lowering costs for working Americans, not starting a needless and dangerous trade war that would increase prices on critical items and create more uncertainty.”
    Shaheen immediately condemned the proposed Trump tariffs after they were announced. On Tuesday night, Shaheen took to the Senate floor to detail the harmful impacts that the delayed Trump tariffs would have on Granite Staters. Last week, Shaheen led the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the White House urging him not to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China which are expected to cost the average American $1,200 per year.
    Earlier this year, Shaheen introduced new legislation with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to shield American businesses and consumers from rising prices imposed by tariffs on imported goods into the United States. The Senators’ legislation would keep costs down for imported goods by limiting the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—which allows a President to immediately place unlimited tariffs after declaring a national emergency—while preserving IEEPA’s use for sanctions and other tools.
    After the November election, a multitude of business leaders verified that, if the President placed sweeping tariffs as promised, they’d be forced to raise prices on consumers. The CEO of Best Buy said, “the vast majority of that tariff will probably be passed on to the consumer as a price increase.” The CFO of Walmart said, “there will probably be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” The CEO of Columbia Sportswear said, “we’re set to raise prices” and “it’s going to be very, very difficult to keep products affordable.” The CEO of AutoZone said, “if we get tariffs, we will pass those tariff costs back to the consumer.” The President of a Texas-based Lipow Oil Associates said, “The prices at the pump are going to go up.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: PM meeting with Prime Minister Schoof of the Netherlands: 6 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    The Prime Minister met Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Downing Street today.

    The Prime Minister met Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Downing Street today.

    The leaders reflected on the UK and Netherlands’ strong friendship and shared approach to global challenges. They talked about the successes of existing cooperation on tackling organised crime, including the people smuggling gangs driving illegal migration. The Prime Minister set out the UK’s approach to disrupting these criminals, and agreed further cooperation with the Netherlands on this issue. 

    The Prime Minister then reflected on his attendance at the Informal European Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, and his ambition to strengthen cooperation with the EU for mutual benefit through the UK-EU reset. 

    Discussing Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s iron-clad support and the leaders underscored their commitment to working together so that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.  They agreed to work towards a new bilateral security partnership led by their Foreign Ministers. 

    Turning to technology and innovation, the leaders agreed on the importance of moving at pace to seize on the opportunities offered by new and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum and semiconductors, and agreed to pursue a new innovation partnership to accelerate growth in key technologies. 

    On the subject of energy, the Prime Minister shared details on his plans to make it easier to build nuclear infrastructure in the UK. The leaders agreed to work towards a new agreement on sustainable energy, including nuclear, and both agreed on the importance of energy security. 

    The leaders looked forward to the fact direct Eurostar services between London and the Netherlands are set to restart on Monday, and hoped to speak again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HSI Los Angeles teaming with federal and local partners to form task force on combating crimes related to wildfires

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES — In the midst of an unprecedented natural disaster, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles has teamed up with federal and local law enforcement agencies to create the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force (JRFCTF) to investigate and prosecute fire-related crimes as Los Angeles County recovers from devastating wildfires. The JRFCTF will focus on investigating and prosecuting criminal actors seeking to exploit the wildfire crisis.

    The JRCTF includes representatives of HSI Los Angeles’ El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

    “Far too often, during tragic events like the Los Angeles-area wildfires, we have seen greedy individuals seek to line their pockets and divert critical funds from those most in need,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and partner agencies will do our part to help the region recover and rebuild by ensuring that disaster-related funds will go to individuals and families that lost loved ones.”

    The JRCTF investigative focus will be on an assortment of crimes to include looting, burglary and impersonation offenses; crimes related to arson; illegal drone activity; and financial fraud targeting both disaster victims and those wishing to make charitable donations.

    Fire victims are vulnerable to being re-victimized by fraud and theft. Its efforts focus on ensuring that relief funds reach those in need and working to swiftly prosecutor those engaged in defrauding donors.

    While generous people around the world are making donations to assist victims, this creates opportunities for scams as criminals exploit disasters for their own gain by sending fraudulent solicitations or creating deceiving websites. Potential donors are urged to make donations only to known entities and to avoid giving donations in cash or via wire transfer.

    The JRCTF will also investigate the misuse of aid programs administered by government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration. As financial resources are being deployed to support homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses affected by the fires, any attempt to misuse these funds through fraud or identity theft will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.

    Anyone with information on financial fraud crimes related to the Los Angeles Area Wildfires are encouraged to call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.

    Learn more about HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSILosAngeles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU contributions to various foundations – E-000345/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000345/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Gerald Hauser (PfE)

    Germany funded Gates Foundation projects to the tune of EUR 600 million in taxpayers’ money in 2023 – an example of public-private partnerships supporting the Western elites. Cooperation between politicians and US foundations, such as the Gates or Rockefeller Foundations, raises questions about sovereignty and transparency. The EU plays a key role in promoting such projects through partnerships like the one between the World Economic Forum and the United Nations. This raises the question of how the EU ensures these funds safeguard European interests and are not undermined by the influence of private actors like Gates.

    • 1.How does the Commission protect its policies from the external influence of private US foundations and how is transparency in their funding by EU Member States ensured?
    • 2.What criteria and standards are applied in the selection of cooperation projects with private foundations and organisations or programmes involving private foundations?
    • 3.Which of the cooperation projects between the EU and foundations and NGOs have been evaluated so far and what has been the outcome of these evaluations in terms of their impact and the achievement of the agreed objectives?

    Submitted: 27.1.2025

    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Slave-like working conditions at Teleperformance – E-000404/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000404/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    Teleperformance employees in Greece have been on strike for almost a year now, following the creation of a trade union in the workplace. Assessment on the basis of particularly high productivity indicators constitutes a ‘sword of Damocles’ for dismissal over employees. They have been subjected to constant monitoring and pressure to increase production. Absence due to illness or for any reason is considered ‘counterproductive’ and a reason not to renew an employee’s contract. The situation is even more difficult for migrant workers.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s position on the allegations of ‘galley conditions’ for thousands of employees of the French multinational Teleperformance in Greece, other EU member states and worldwide?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s position on the fact that together the anti-labour Directive (EU) 2019/1152 on ‘transparent working conditions’, and Directive 2003/88/EC ‘on the organisation of working time’ constitute a legislative basis on which the governments of the member states, such as that of ND in Greece, build harsh anti-labour laws promoting flexible forms of work, the ‘overflow’ of working time, the dissolution of collective agreements, the spreading of contract work, and are a blow to trade union activity and the right to strike?
    • 3.What is the Commission’s position on the fact that the company is attempting to disclaim its major responsibilities towards employees by claiming that it is an indirect employer and that the responsibility for the contracts lies with the temporary employment agency contractors, citing European Directive 2008/104/EC on ‘temporary agency work’?

    Submitted: 29.1.2025

    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Recovery and Resilience Facility and the DANA in Spain – E-002571/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    With regards to the preparation and implementation of the recovery and resilience plans, the Commission encourages Member States to engage in a timely and meaningful way with local and regional authorities — which is of course of particular importance in Spain given the high level of administrative and political decentralisation, as well as in this particular instance given the regional dimension of the intended future addendum — , social partners, civil society organisations, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders with regard to the amendment of recovery and resilience plans.

    The outcome of this consultation and how the input received from the stakeholders is reflected has to be explained in the amended plan.

    The Spanish authorities have communicated their intention to amend their plan in order to include measures to support the recovery of the regions affected by the DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos — isolated depression at high levels).

    Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility[1] provides that Member States may require an amendment of their recovery and resilience plans in light of objective circumstances making a measure no longer achievable.

    It has to be noted that only milestones and targets that have not been assessed by the Commission can be amended. The Commission is already actively engaging with the Spanish authorities to support the preparation and eventual official submission of such request in order to ensure that such request and the amended recovery and resilience plan remain in line with the requirements of the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation.

    The Commission takes this occasion to reiterate its solidarity with the people and businesses affected by these catastrophic floods, and to reiterate its sincere condolences for the loss of lives.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0241
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    29 Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize DP910521     – Amendments Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 13:00 28 Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize MON 95275     – Amendments Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 13:00 42 Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 44 Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 45 Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Thursday, 13 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    42 Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 44 Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 45 Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 10 February 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 14:00 27 Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia     – Motions for resolutions Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 11:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 12:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00 50 Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo     – Motion for a resolution Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 20:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 16:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Press release 2024 Results – CIC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

    FEBRUARY 6, 2025
    CIC Press Release

    Results for the year ended December 31, 2024

    In 2024, CIC posted a high net income of €1.7 billion, driven by strong momentum in the specialized business lines

    In a difficult economic and political environment, CIC maintained its high level of income in 2024, with net revenues stabilizing at €6.3 billion (-2.9%) and net income at €1.7 billion (-13.2%).

    These results were driven by the excellent performance of revenues from the specialized business lines, particularly corporate banking (+9.5%), capital markets (+12.9%) and private equity (+4.8%). This partly offset the decline in retail banking (-3%), which remained resilient. However, it was negatively affected by strong pressure on net interest margins in the French banking networks, by the worsening economic outlook, and by a post-Covid catch-up effect in corporate failures, which weighed on the cost of risk. The business line subsidiaries (leasing and factoring) benefited from the rise in interest rates, with net revenue up +21.2%.

    General operating expenses were kept under control at €3.7 billion (-1.8%). This performance was achieved against a backdrop of major technological and strategic investments linked to the new 2024-2027 strategic plan, a strong social pact with its employees, notably in terms of salary increases, and its corporate philanthropy policy in line with its benefit corporation status.

    At end-December, CIC posted a strong operating performance, with a cost/income ratio of 59.3%.

    With €21.1 billion in shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2024 (+€0.8 billion), CIC, a benefit corporation, confirms its solidity and the relevance of its diversified business model.

    Results for the year ended December 31,20241 2024 2023 Change 2024/2023
    NET REVENUE €6.274bn €6.458bn -2.9%
    of which retail banking €3.903bn €4.024bn -3.0%
    of which specialized business lines €2.449bn €2.369bn +3.4%
           
    GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES -€3.723bn -€3.792bn -1.8%
           
    COST OF RISK -€646m -€468m +38.0%
           
    NET INCOME €1.727bn €1.989bn -13.2%

    Download the full press release: Download the full press release:

    STRONG BUSINESS MOMENTUM IN CUSTOMER SERVICES
    Customer loans Customer deposits Insurance2 Remote surveillance2
    €255.5bn €225.4bn 6.8 million 127 200
    +1.3% -2.1% +216 000 +4 200

    1 The annual audit of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 is under way.

    2 By number of contracts.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is all about strategic interests

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Nelson Duenas, Assistant Professor of Accounting, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is on the verge of being shut down by United States President Donald Trump’s administration.

    On Feb. 4, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the agency would be taken over by the State Department. He stated that “all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally.”

    This move comes after Trump and his officials have heavily criticized the role and ineffectiveness of the agency. Trump said USAID had “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out,” while Tesla CEO and special government employee Elon Musk said it was “time for it to die.”

    The closure of USAID will have significant consequences for many countries in the Global South. USAID is one of the largest development agencies in the world and funds programs that benefit millions of people, from supporting peace agreements in Colombia to fighting the spread of HIV in Uganda.

    Around US$40 billion is allocated annually from the U.S. federal budget for humanitarian and development aid. If USAID is dismantled, it raises questions about how these funds will be redirected and the long-term impacts it will have on global development efforts.

    A geopolitical fallout?

    The potential dismantling of USAID has raised concerns among international development experts about a potential geopolitical fallout that could create unintended consequences for the U.S. itself.

    Global issues, such as human security and climate change, are expected to be heavily affected. The U.S. also risks losing influence in the fight for soft power since dismantling USAID could leave behind a power vacuum. Other countries like Russia or China may occupy the space left by what was the largest international aid program in the world.



    Read more:
    USAid shutdown isn’t just a humanitarian issue – it’s a threat to American interests

    This shift could result in the U.S. losing its influence in regions like Africa, South America and Asia, where the country distributed aid to a number of non-governmental organizations, aid agencies and non-profits.

    While the future of U.S. foreign assistance remains uncertain, other world powers have a role to play. European donors, despite some limitations in resources, remain committed to the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda.

    Beyond humanitarianism

    If the agency is shut down, it may be widely condemned on moral and humanitarian grounds. However, its closure would respond to a logic of strategic and ideological interests that has long shaped the international development system. This a key finding from my longstanding field research with organizations that receive funding, not only from USAID, but also from Canadian and European donors.

    International development largely unfolded in the aftermath of the Second World War when global powers competed to establish a new world order. This led to the creation of international agreements and multilateral institutions, with major industrialized nations emerging as the primary donors of foreign aid.

    While many international initiatives, like the Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, have guided development as we know it, the governments of main donor countries have their own interests in mind when providing aid.

    In my research, I have interviewed many people involved in the foreign aid chain, including directors and offices of international non-governmental organizations and governmental co-operation agencies. Many said development relationships are shaped by both the interests of donors and those of recipient populations and organizations.

    While these relationships may be based on humanitarian objectives, such as disaster relief or human rights advocacy, they can also be influenced by ideological, geopolitical, economic and social agendas.

    In this context, the American move to eliminate USAID could be seen as one that prioritizes national security and economic goals over traditional global humanitarian concerns. Governments steer the wheel of international development according to their political ideologies and interests, regardless of the shock this may generate among citizens.

    Canada’s role in all this

    The U.S. is not the only country re-evaluating its international development policy. Sweden, another major country in the foreign aid sphere, is also changing its co-operation strategy following changes in its government and criticism of the NGOs that deploy their development assistance.

    Canada’s role in this unfolding situation remains uncertain. With the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberal Party and the upcoming federal election, it’s unclear what will happen to Canada’s international development strategy going forward.

    Under Stephen Harper, the country’s international development strategy was closely tied to expanding trade with developing countries based on maximizing the value of extractive economies and a strong defence policy. This approach aimed to bring value not only to the recipient country of aid, but to Canada as well.

    When Trudeau took office, Canada’s development strategy turned to a more progressive agenda centred on peace keeping, feminist approaches and humanitarian programs.

    Will Canada continue to champion human rights, human security and progressive agendas? Or will Canada reduce funds for foreign assistance, which seems to be the wish of many of its citizens?

    The answer to these questions will depend on the direction that our political leaders decide to take, and the sentiments of citizens. Still, Canada’s approach to development aid will probably remain in a trade-off between moral imperatives of humanitarianism and strategic national interests.

    Nelson Duenas receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
    Nelson Duenas is a researcher associated to l’Observatoire canadien sur les crises et l’action humanitaires

    – ref. Trump’s push to shut down USAID shows how international development is all about strategic interests – https://theconversation.com/trumps-push-to-shut-down-usaid-shows-how-international-development-is-all-about-strategic-interests-249118

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee, Ogles Introduce BOWSER Act to End DC Home Rule

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON –Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) introduced the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident (BOWSER) Act in the Senate and House, named after District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. In response to the mayor and city council’s failure to prevent violent crime, corruption, and voting by non-citizens, the bill would repeal the District of Columbia Home Rule Act one year after passage. Congress has the authority to manage the nation’s capital according to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) is the lead sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.

    “The corruption, crime, and incompetence of the D.C. government has been an embarrassment to our nation’s capital for decades,” said Sen Lee. “It is long past time that Congress restored the honor and integrity of George Washington to the beautiful city which bears his name.” 

    “The radically progressive regime of D.C. Mayor Bowser has left our nation’s Capital in crime-ridden shambles.” said Rep. Ogles. “Washington is now known for its homicides, rapes, drug overdoses, violence, theft, and homelessness. Bowser and her corrupt Washington City Council are incapable of managing the city. As such, it seems appropriate for Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority and restore the nation’s Capital. The epicenter of not only the United States Federal Government but also the world geopolitics cannot continue to be a cesspool of Democrats’ failed policies.”

    Failures of governance in the District of Columbia include:

    You can read the Text of the BOWSER Act HERE.

    You can read the One Pager HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Sponsors Introduction of REINS Act to Restore Constitutional Government

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON –Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) as a co-sponsor of the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This legislation would require that federal regulations with an economic impact of $100 million or more be subject to an up-or-down vote in Congress, reclaiming legislative power from the regulatory state.

    “Without the REINS Act, Americans will continue to live under the tyranny of unelected bureaucrats who effectively make laws but never have to stand for election,” said Sen. Lee. “Congress has an opportunity to restore its constitutional lawmaking role while saving countless American workers, consumers, businesses, and families from the costs imposed by endless federal regulations.”

    Additional cosponsors in the Senate include U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), James Risch (R-WI), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO).

    Background:

    Under the REINS Act, once major rules are drafted, they must then be affirmatively approved by both chambers of Congress and then signed by the President, satisfying the bicameralism and presentment requirements of the Constitution. Currently, regulations ultimately take effect unless Congress specifically disapproves.

    The bill defines a “major” rule as one that the Office of Management and Budget determines may result in an economic impact of $100 million or greater each year; “a major increase in costs or prices” for American consumers, government agencies, regions, or industries; or “significant adverse effects” on the economy.

    The REINS Act also includes the following provisions:

    • New Defense for Individuals: Individuals can argue that the average person would not have known their actions violated federal law if the statute did not clearly state it.
    • Right to Sue: People can sue to stop enforcement if an agency implements a major rule without getting congressional approval.
    • LIBERTY Act: Agency guidance with an economic impact of $100 million or more needs congressional approval just like major rules.
    • Deregulatory Actions Exempted: Agencies do not need congressional approval to withdraw costly or burdensome rules

    You can read the REINS Act HERE.

    You can find more info on regulatory reform HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Confirmation Vote, Warren, Kaine Call on RFK Jr. to Forfeit Stake in Anti-Vaccine Lawsuits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 06, 2025

    After pressure, Kennedy agreed to transfer stake in anti-vaccine lawsuits to his son, but would still have influence over those cases as HHS Secretary

    “Your relationships with these entities [with business before HHS] will raise serious doubts about your impartiality if you participate in decisions about cases and other particular matters that involve them.” 

    Text of Letter (PDF) 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Pensions, and Labor, wrote to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), about his continued conflicts of interest. The senators called out Mr. Kennedy’s plan to enter office with a serious ethics conflict by keeping a financial interest in anti-vaccine lawsuits within his family, asked him to recuse himself from former clients’ matters, commit to not lobbying HHS after his tenure as Secretary, and more. 

    Mr. Kennedy initially had an agreement with the law firm Wisner Baum that would allow him to earn 10% of any payments awarded to plaintiffs in cases he referred to the firm, including cases against the pharmaceutical company Merck’s Gardasil vaccine. As HHS Secretary, Mr. Kennedy would have the power to influence the outcome of those vaccine cases, including influencing Merck’s willingness to settle, or influencing the jury pool. Last week, Mr. Kennedy announced he would transfer his stake in those cases to his adult son, an attorney at Wisner Baum. 

    “This arrangement simply does not pass the smell test. Your son is not an independent third party, and ethics experts have critiqued your plan as exploiting a loophole in the law,” wrote the senators. The lawmakers called on Mr. Kennedy to divest from cases he’s referred to the firm by either forfeiting the fee or agreeing with Wisner Baum to accept an amount not dependent on the outcome of cases during his tenure. 

    Mr. Kennedy has also worked with an anti-vaccine advocacy group, Children’s Health Defense, which regularly sues the agencies he’d oversee as HHS Secretary, and a number of law firms with ongoing health-related matters. Mr. Kennedy has agreed to not work on his former clients’ matters for one year. However, the senators are concerned that the cooling-off period is too short to resolve the concern that he would not be impartial when handling matters involving former clients with whom he still has fresh relationships. To address such concerns, over a dozen Biden appointees voluntarily agreed to recuse themselves from former clients’ matters for four years. 

    Mr. Kennedy also said he would continue to hold investments in a fund invested in multiple companies regulated by HHS, and that he would seek a waiver to work on matters that impact those investments. 

    “You appear to be planning to make decisions that can impact your own investments in numerous health companies. We urge you to either divest these holdings before taking office or to recuse from all particular matters that could impact those holdings,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    During his hearing, Mr. Kennedy committed to not working for a drug company for at least four years after leaving government service. However, he did not commit to not seeking compensation from entities that sue drug companies or that he would regulate or interact with at HHS. Numerous Biden appointees agreed to a cooling-off period of at least four years before working in the industries they regulated. 

    “You should commit to not lobbying HHS for at least four years after leaving office, either as a formal registered lobbyist or informal shadow lobbyist — given that former high-level officials can leverage their influence not only by directly lobbying but through facilitating others to do so,” concluded the lawmakers. 

    The senators asked Mr. Kennedy to make these commitments to increase American’s trust in his ability to serve the public interest during his time at HHS. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democrats Hold Floor Overnight, Welch Speaks at 5 A.M. to Oppose Nomination of Project 2025 Author and Nominee for OMB Russell Vought

    US Senate News:

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

    Welch spoke on the Trump Administration’s lawlessness and illegal actions—from pardoning January 6th defendants to freezing federal funding and international aid
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to the Senate Floor at 5:00 a.m. this morning to sound the alarm on the dangers of Donald Trump’s lawlessness and to oppose the nomination of Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Senator Welch spoke for an hour. 
    View his remarks here: 

    Senate Democrats held the floor all night to oppose Russell Vought’s nomination to OMB and to slam the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal loans and grants. Vought’s radical Project 2025 would slash federal funding, and threaten the programs and services Vermonters rely on, like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. As director of the OMB, Vought will be tasked with carrying out President Trump’s federal funding freeze, which is unconstitutional. Additionally, Vought is an open election denier and told Senators in his confirmation hearing he believed the 2020 election was ‘rigged.’ The Senate is expected to vote on Vought Thursday. 
    Senator Welch last week convened Vermonters to discuss how the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze has impacted communities, families and workers across the state. The federal courts temporarily blocked the order, and on Monday extended the temporary restraining order. In addition, the court has required OMB to re-open funding currently held by the government and provide the court a compliance report by the end of the week. 
    ■■■ 
    Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include:   

    Senate Committee on Finance   

    Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry  

    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit   

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary  

    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on the Constitution   

    Senate Committee on Rules & Administration  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Schoof of the Netherlands: 6 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The Prime Minister met Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Downing Street today.

    The Prime Minister met Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Downing Street today.

    The leaders reflected on the UK and Netherlands’ strong friendship and shared approach to global challenges. They talked about the successes of existing cooperation on tackling organised crime, including the people smuggling gangs driving illegal migration. The Prime Minister set out the UK’s approach to disrupting these criminals, and agreed further cooperation with the Netherlands on this issue. 

    The Prime Minister then reflected on his attendance at the Informal European Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, and his ambition to strengthen cooperation with the EU for mutual benefit through the UK-EU reset. 

    Discussing Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s iron-clad support and the leaders underscored their commitment to working together so that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.  They agreed to work towards a new bilateral security partnership led by their Foreign Ministers. 

    Turning to technology and innovation, the leaders agreed on the importance of moving at pace to seize on the opportunities offered by new and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum and semiconductors, and agreed to pursue a new innovation partnership to accelerate growth in key technologies. 

    On the subject of energy, the Prime Minister shared details on his plans to make it easier to build nuclear infrastructure in the UK. The leaders agreed to work towards a new agreement on sustainable energy, including nuclear, and both agreed on the importance of energy security. 

    The leaders looked forward to the fact direct Eurostar services between London and the Netherlands are set to restart on Monday, and hoped to speak again soon.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province opens first eating disorders recovery centre

    Alberta’s government is making record investments in mental health and addiction services to support Albertans of all ages in their pursuit of wellness and recovery. Through the Alberta Recovery Model and Recovery Alberta, the province has increased opportunities for recovery of eating disorders. Every aspect of a person’s life can be affected by eating disorders, including both mental and physical health, especially for teenagers who are still in development.

    The EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre is the result of a collaborative partnership between Alberta’s government, Recovery Alberta, Silver Linings Foundation and Edgewood Health Network (EHN Canada).

    With an investment of almost $10 million over three years (2023-26) in partnership with Recovery Alberta to establish the EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre in Calgary, Alberta’s government remains committed to supporting this important recovery program for young Albertans. The Silver Linings Foundation raised $4 million in capital funding for this facility.

    “This is another important step in creating strong, recovery-oriented systems of care in communities across Alberta. Eating disorders can often be misunderstood and can go unrecognized or underdiagnosed. With the opening of this centre, young Albertans can now get the care they deserve and have better access to intensive treatment to better support them in their recovery.”

    Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

    Operated by EHN Canada, the 12-bed EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre in Calgary increases access to specialized eating disorders treatment in the province providing up to 52 youth and young adults with treatment free of charge every year.

    “EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre provides the highest standard of treatment for eating disorders in a safe, nurturing environment where young people can begin their journey to recovery. Our multidisciplinary team of compassionate experts is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of eating disorders with evidence-based care and unwavering support. At the heart of our mission is helping patients and their families rediscover hope, rebuild their lives and achieve lasting recovery.”

    Christina Basedow, chief operating officer, EHN Canada

    “Eating disorders have long been overlooked in mental health, leaving a critical gap in care. After a decade of advocacy, we’re proud to see Alberta’s first live-in recovery centre become a reality. This centre addresses a critical need many families, including my own, have faced. Thanks to this partnership, a critical resource is now accessible to Albertan families.”

    Cendrine Tremblay, board chair, Silver Linings Foundation 

    “The opening of this facility means more resources and support for individuals battling eating disorders. Recovery from an eating disorder is a complex and ongoing process that requires dedication and support. The centre’s multidisciplinary team will play a vital role in guiding individuals through their journey, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the lives of many in the community.”

    Janet Chafe, executive director, Recovery Alberta

    The EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre helps close a gap in the continuum of care for youth and young adults diagnosed with complex eating disorders. Albertans aged 12 to 24 now have access to intensive treatment in a community setting, reducing the need for long hospital stays and increasing positive health outcomes.

    The centre offers an individualized approach to care, with around-the-clock support from a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, nurses, counselors and support staff. Services include academic support, weekly individual and family therapy, daily group therapy, nutritional rehabilitation, structured meal support therapy, self-care and wellness activities, nutritional education, and distress tolerance skills. While treatment length varies, it generally lasts anywhere from three weeks to four months.

    EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre – Bedroom (Credit: EHN Canada)

    EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre – Common area (Credit: EHN Canada)

    EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre – Exterior (Credit: EHN Canada)

    Alberta’s government is committed to building a system of care that gives every person facing mental health challenges an opportunity to pursue recovery and wellness. Albertans experiencing mental health challenges can contact 211 for information on services in their community, including other online supports like Kids Help Phone and the Mental Health Helpline.

    Quick facts

    • The facility welcomed its first client in 2024 and is now fully operational. To date, 18 patients have been admitted to the facility with additional referrals being triaged.

    • Youth and young adults aged 12 to 24 with complex eating disorders can be referred either by an Alberta physician or nurse practitioner.

    • Silver Linings is a charitable foundation working with communities, health professionals and agencies to increase the awareness and understanding of eating disorders, provide community support for those affected and expand access to eating disorder treatment and care options.

    • Edgewood Health Network Canada is the nation’s largest network of industry-leading, evidence-based care mental health, trauma, and addiction treatment facilities, each with a passion for providing quality treatment for Canadians.

    Related information

    • Silver Linings
    • Edgewood Health Network Canada
    • EHN Canada media requests

    Related news

    • Expanding access to youth eating disorder treatment (April 5, 2023)
    • Minister of Mental Health and Addiction mandate letter (Aug. 2, 2023)

    Multimedia

    • Media can download photos and B-roll from here to use for editorial purposes. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union, Working People Protest Billionaire Takeover of Government

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM, unions and pro-labor politicians gathered Wednesday in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Labor to protest Elon Musk and his anti-worker agency called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE wants to raid and hack the Labor Department’s database, a move that could cripple worker protections and displace union workers at the DOL. DOGE’s latest move comes after a similar event occurred last week at another government agency.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Charlotte Haines Lyon, Associate Professor: Education, York St John University

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Recently released government statistics show a record number of fines were given to parents for their children’s absence from school in 2023-24 in England. Of the 487,344 fines issued, 91% were for unauthorised family holidays.

    If these fines, known as fixed penalty notices, go unpaid or in some cases have been previously issued, parents are taken to court. In 2023-24, 28,296 parents were prosecuted over their children’s school attendance.

    Whether the fines have any effect on ensuring attendance is debatable. The figures show that thousands of parents are willing to book a term-time holiday anyway. But fines are certainly affecting the crucial relationship between schools and families.

    When I carried out my doctoral research between 2014 and 2016 on the relationships between schools and parents, these bonds were already quite fragile. People in my study argued that endless “dictats” from school built a “brick wall” rather than a partnership.

    Now, it’s likely that an increasingly strict application of attendance rules is further breaking down trust.

    Fines were first introduced by a Labour government in 2004 as a last resort to tackle truancy. In 2014, then education secretary Michael Gove widened the application of the fines. Local authorities were encouraged to use penalty notices for parents who took their children on holiday during school term time.

    Since Gove, education secretaries – including current education minister Bridget Phillipson – have insisted that every day matters in school, and that there are very few reasons to miss school. Holidays are seen as unacceptable.

    Since the pandemic, even more focus has been placed on attendance as persistent absence rates have increased.

    Trust between parents and school staff is very important.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Government statistics show a correlation between attendance and exam results. However, whether lower attendance causes lower results is difficult to prove, especially when factors such as poverty are taken into account.

    What’s more, when holiday absence has been analysed separately, this has not been found to have the same negative affect on achievement at school as other reasons for absence.

    The record number of fines issued last year came before new guidance was set in August 2024. Now, fixed penalty notices have risen from £60 to £80 for a first offence (if paid within 21 days) and to £160 for a second offence (if paid within 28 days). If parents receive two fixed penalty notices within three years, the next offence will result in prosecution. However, councils may choose prosecution earlier if they wish.

    Whereas previously there was more discretion and variance between authorities and schools, all headteachers must now consider the above approach if a child misses more than five days of school. It can only be assumed that the number of fines and prosecutions will increase.

    As a side-effect, we are seeing schools encouraged to clamp down on child illness for fear that parents are lying and are in fact on holiday. While government guidance says that in most cases a parent’s word should be enough evidence that their child is sick, it also states that evidence of illness should be requested in cases where there is “genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness”.

    This suggests that schools should be questioning their trust in their pupils’ parents. This is a fundamental break down of the school-parent relationship, not to mention a strain on NHS time.

    Why parents book term-time holidays

    Term-time holidays are often seen as a way for parents to book a cheaper break, as holidays are generally more expensive during school holidays. But, even leaving aside that many families may only be able to afford a holiday at all if it is taken in term time due to the cost of living crisis, the situation is more complicated.

    There are many reasons for taking holidays within school term time. Families might be visiting relatives overseas for a wedding, funeral or because of a family member’s terminal illness. Often, a school might grant one day of absence, but no more.

    Parents may be unable to take leave from work during school holidays as a result of the industry they work in. They may have family members who work away for long periods, and want to spend time together with the children when they return. They may have a child with particular needs who is unable to cope with busy holiday times, or children in different schools with different holiday periods.

    Relationship breakdown

    When a headteacher refuses to authorise such a holiday this leads to resentment from parents. Resentment like this may cause some to withdraw children from school and choose to home educate.

    There is some effort now for schools to offer support first before legal intervention for families who might have attendance issues for other reasons, such as emotionally based school avoidance. But there is little to no desire to work with families around their complex needs for holidays.

    Partnership with parents is often touted by schools as central to pupils’ wellbeing, progress and attainment. But the power in this partnership is often skewed towards the professionals.

    Parents and schools should work together for the good of children. This does not simply mean parents obeying schools; that is not a recipe for partnership. Instead, it means understanding the different contexts that families and teachers live and work in. If parent engagement is essential to wellbeing and school progress, it is not worth continuing down the road of alienation and punishment.

    Dr Charlotte Haines Lyon is affiliated with Labour Party and UNISON.

    – ref. Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools – https://theconversation.com/fines-for-term-time-holidays-are-at-record-levels-this-will-further-erode-trust-between-parents-and-schools-249085

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –