Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Donates $10,000 to Brink to Support Bitcoin’s Open-Source Core Development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global digital asset trading platform, has announced a donation of $10,000 to Brink, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Bitcoin’s open-source development. This donation will aid in the continued research, development, and maintenance of the Bitcoin protocol, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and security of the network.

    At BitMart, we recognize the importance of Bitcoin’s infrastructure and are proud to contribute to the efforts of organizations like Brink that are essential in maintaining and advancing the Bitcoin software and protocol. By supporting Brink, BitMart reaffirms its commitment to the future of the Bitcoin ecosystem and open-source innovation.

    This contribution will directly support Brink’s fellowship and grant programs, which nurture the next generation of Bitcoin developers and sustain the work of experienced engineers contributing to the protocol’s evolution.

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    About Brink
    Brink is a non-profit organization focused on strengthening the Bitcoin protocol through fundamental research and development. Through its fellowship and grants programs, Brink supports both new contributors and seasoned developers in the Bitcoin community. For more information, visit Brink’s website.

    Disclaimer:
    Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

    The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democrats urge Social Security Administration to keep field offices open

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 24, 2025

    Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), are urging the Social Security Administration to keep open its field offices and demanding transparency about potential closures in a new letter.
    In addition to Warren, 65 House members and 40 senators signed the letter to acting Social Security commissioner Leland Dudek on Wednesday, requesting that he commit to keeping open the field offices and tell them if the agency intends to close any. The request came after the General Services Administration, which leases and manages commercial real estate for the federal government, identified offices that could be closed or sold in a list that was later deleted. The agency previously denied reports that field offices were closing.

    “Given SSA’s recent attempts to close field offices — only to reverse course after public outcry and claim it never had plans to close offices — will you commit to keeping each one of these offices open?” the lawmakers said in the letter to Dudek, which included a list of the agency’s field offices.
    According Alex Lawson, the executive director of Social Security Works, the letter sent to Dudek will also be delivered to those field offices Thursday by thousands of volunteers set to protest sweeping cuts to the agency by the U.S. DOGE Service. Demonstrations are planned at 58 Social Security offices in 23 states.
    Lawson, one of the organizers of the effort, said the action is aimed at showing the administration that Americans rely on those field offices for necessary services, such as applying for benefits and obtaining Social Security cards. More than 73 million people receive Social Security benefits.
    “We are ringing the alarm bell,” Lawson said. “This is about real people who will be hurt.”
    Social Security said in a statement that it has not announced the closure of any local field offices, adding that it found “underutilized office space,” mostly “small hearing rooms with no assigned employees,” that is no longer needed.
    Although the letter was signed only by Democratic lawmakers, the offices that GSA had suggested could close included ones in Republican-held districts, causing some GOP lawmakers to scramble to prevent the closures. Democrats have continued to demand answers about offices in their districts.
    Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan) held a news conference with beneficiaries outside the Saginaw field office in her district on Tuesday to highlight the stories of her constituents who use the office.
    Questions about the elimination of field offices come as a rapid downsizing of the agency has led to long wait times, website crashes and confusion among beneficiaries. DOGE eliminated 7,000 jobs at Social Security, with thousands more employees expected to be laid off.
    Staffing cuts to the agency have led to instances in which office managers answered calls typically handled by receptionists.
    By:  Meryl KornfieldSource: Washington Post

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brooklyn, NY Woman Sentenced to 4 Years for Aiding and Abetting Armed Robbery of Hyde County Family Dollar Store

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW BERN, N.C. – A Brooklyn, NY woman was sentenced Wednesday to 4 years in prison for aiding and abetting in the armed robbery of a Family Dollar in Swan Quarter. On November 13, 2024, Victoria Michelle Cyren Clarke, 32, pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Hyde County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call about an armed robbery at the Family Dollar, located at 13065 US Highway 264 in Swan Quarter. Two individuals entered the store brandishing firearms while demanding money. After retrieving over $2000 in cash from the store, the two individuals left and got into a car being driven by Clarke. A deputy with HCSO attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle after it was observed leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A high-speed chase ensued for approximately 18 miles with speeds in excess of 100 mph before the vehicle was finally stopped. In addition to the two armed robbers and Clarke, two children were unrestrained in the vehicle. Subsequent investigation revealed that Clarke bought both firearms used in the robbery and rented the get-away car.

    “The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of our residents and businesses,” said Sheriff Guire Cahoon. “The armed robbery at the Family Dollar in Swan Quarter was a serious crime that put innocent lives at risk, and we are grateful for the quick response of our deputies which resulted in the apprehension of the individuals involved, and we are grateful for the assistance of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work on the case. Violent crime has no place in our community, and we will continue working tirelessly to protect the people of Hyde County.”

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Hyde County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Childress  prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-12-FL-RJ-3.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2025 to 2034

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    The Congressional Budget Office updates its projections of the 10-year costs of nuclear forces every two years. This report contains CBO’s projections for the 2025–2034 period, which are based on the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) fiscal year 2025 budget requests, submitted in March 2024.

    Costs of Current Plans

    If carried out, DoD’s and DOE’s plans to operate, sustain, and modernize current nuclear forces and purchase new forces would cost a total of $946 billion over the 2025–2034 period, or an average of about $95 billion a year, CBO estimates.

    That total includes $357 billion to operate and sustain current and future nuclear forces and other supporting activities; $309 billion to modernize strategic and tactical nuclear delivery systems and the weapons they carry; $72 billion to modernize facilities and equipment for the nuclear weapons laboratory complex; $79 billion to modernize command, control, communications, and early-warning systems; and $129 billion to cover potential additional costs in excess of projected budgeted amounts estimated using historical cost growth.

    How Costs Have Changed

    CBO’s current estimate of costs for the 2025–2034 period is 25 percent (or $190 billion) larger than its 2023 estimate of $756 billion, which covered the 2023–2032 period. Of that amount, $157 billion comes from differences in CBO’s current and 2023 estimates of budgeted amounts for nuclear forces, and $33 billion comes from differences in the agency’s estimates of potential additional costs based on historical cost growth.

    Of the $157 billion increase in budgeted amounts, 59 percent (or $93 billion) is projected to occur from 2025 to 2032—the span of years that overlap in both estimates. The increase during those overlapping years is the result of higher costs for some programs, primarily for developing and fielding the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system, including modernizing silos and other infrastructure; modernizing DoD’s command, control, communications, and early-warning systems; and modernizing DOE’s production facilities. The remaining 41 percent (or $65 billion) of the $157 billion increase in budgeted amounts arises because the 10-year period covered by the current estimate begins and ends two years later than the period covered by the previous estimate.

    Budgeted Amounts for Nuclear Forces, by Activity, 2025 to 2034

    Billions of dollars

    DOE = Department of Energy; NC3 = nuclear command, control, and communications.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog: Sols 4511-4512: Low energy after a big weekend?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    This is a Curiosity Blog written by Dr. Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center, about the exploration being done on Mars. You can find Curiosity blogs on this News page, intended to allow whomever wishes to explore Mars to join us on this awesome journey. 

    Earth planning date: Monday, April 14, 2025

    We all know the feeling: it’s Monday morning after a big weekend and you’re coming into the week wishing you’d had a little more time to rest and recharge.  Well, Curiosity probably feels the same way today. Curiosity accomplished a lot over the weekend, including full contact science, a MAHLI stereo imaging test, testing the collection of ChemCam passive spectral data at the same time as data transmission with one of the orbiters, and some APXS and MAHLI calibration target activities, plus a long 57 m drive. It was great to see all of those activities in the plan and to see some great drive progress. But that means we’re a bit tight on power for today’s plan!

    I was on shift as Long Term Planner today, and the team had to think carefully about science priorities to fit within our power limit for today’s plan, and how that will prepare us for the rest of the week.  The team still managed to squeeze a lot of activities into today’s 2-sol plan. First, Curiosity will acquire Mastcam mosaics to investigate local stratigraphic relationships and diagenetic features. Then we’ll acquire some imaging to document the sandy troughs between bedrock blocks to monitor active surface processes. We’ll also take a Navcam mosaic to assess atmospheric dust. The science block includes a ChemCam LIBS observation on the bedrock target “Santa Margarita” and a long distance RMI mosaic of “Ghost Mountain” to look for possible boxwork structures. Then Curiosity will use the DRT, APXS and MAHLI to investigate the finely-laminated bedrock in our workspace at a target named “The Grotto.”  We’ll also collect APXS and MAHLI data on a large nodule in the workspace named “Torrey Pines” (meanwhile the Torrey Pines here on Earth was shaking in today’s southern California earthquakes! All is well but it gave some of our team members an extra jolt of adrenaline right before the SOWG meeting).  The second sol is focused on continuing our drive to the south and taking post-drive imaging to prepare for Wednesday’s plan.

    Phew! Good job Curiosity, you made it through Monday.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coach Calhoun Brings Championship Leadership to UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery recently welcomed Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun for a powerful and personal presentation as part of the Calhoun Leadership Initiative, created within the department to inspire the next generation of clinical and academic leaders. Widely regarded as one of the greatest program builders in college basketball history, Coach Calhoun shared timeless leadership insights with faculty, staff, residents, medical students, and the administrative team at the Brain and Spine Institute demonstrating how the principles that built a basketball dynasty can equally strengthen the foundation of excellence in health care.

    During his celebrated coaching career at the University of Connecticut, Calhoun led his teams to three NCAA National Championships, seven Big East titles, and more than two dozen NBA careers. Beyond the accolades, he is known for his passion, fierce loyalty, and unique ability to inspire individuals to rise as a team.

    Coach Calhoun presents to the Neurosurgery Department (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    Now, through the Calhoun Leadership Initiative, established by Dr. Ketan Bulsara, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, those same leadership principles are being shared with the department’s rising clinical and academic talent. Bulsara saw in Coach Calhoun a model for building high-performance teams, facilitating excellence, and leading through adversity. He believes these lessons are essential for shaping a neurosurgery program that not only meets the highest standards in medicine, but one that leads with heart, resilience, and unity.

    For Calhoun, leadership isn’t theoretical, it’s deeply personal. He believes stories are life lessons, and one of his most profound came at age 15. After scoring the winning basket in an all-star game, he returned home to the unthinkable his father had died from a heart attack. As the oldest son in a large family, he traded scholarship offers for a job cutting stone to help support them. Eventually, coaches and mentors helped him find his way back to college, and his life’s path changed.

    What once seemed like the worst day of his life, he now calls the best, it shaped the futures of his entire family. His brother would go on to become a cardiologist, his sister a cardiac nurse, and Calhoun and his wife became major donors to the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health. It’s a story of loss, grit, and the power of purpose.

    Jim Calhoun didn’t just build a basketball legacy he built a playbook for life. For those lucky enough to hear him speak, his words land like leadership mantras:

    “Win the day.”

    “Self-worth begins within.”

    “Whatever you put your name on—you own it.”

    “You can’t be great without greatness around you.”

    Coach Calhoun and Dr. Ketan Bulsara, (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

    Every lesson reinforces a core belief: that leadership is about lifting others, owning your role, and rising to meet each moment with intention.

    “Coach Calhoun has an innate ability to make people believe in the greatest of great dreams and empower them to accomplish them. He has selflessly inspired and continues to inspire countless people who went onto achieve national and international acclaim.  All of them credit him for their success and can’t wait to share their achievements with him.  He is truly a leader’s leader.  His lessons cover all aspects of life.  I am truly grateful to him for his continued inspiration as we build on this initiative.  I am also grateful to the leadership of our School of Medicine and Hospital for their commitment to making our medical center one of the premier academic centers in the country,” says Bulsara.

    Through the Calhoun Leadership Initiative, Bulsara is confident that the department will continue to grow as a team that leads with integrity, supports one another relentlessly, and never forgets the power of purpose-driven work. In medicine, as in basketball, the greatest victories come from believing in something bigger than yourself and then giving everything you have to it.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: SUNY SCHENECTADY CAN HELP ADDRESS NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHORTAGE, BUT NEEDS FINAL FED APPROVAL FOR TRAINING PROGRAM; SENATOR CALLS ON FAA TO APPROVE SCHENECTADY AVIATION SCHOOL FOR…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    SUNY Schenectady’s Top-Tier Aviation Science And Air Traffic Control Degree Program Has Excellent Reputation For Training Future Air Traffic Controllers And Is Uniquely Qualified To Help Address Nationwide Shortage
    FAA Air Traffic Controllers Have Been Warning About Low Staffing Levels For Years, And Schumer Says Fed Training For SUNY Schenectady’s Program Is Key To Supporting Aspiring Air Traffic Controllers And Keeping Our Skies Safe
    Schumer: FAA Partnership With SUNY Schenectady Will Help Next Generation Of Air Traffic Controllers Reach New Heights
    Amid the nationwide shortage of FAA controllers and as the nation grapples with an increasing number of aviation incidents, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to include SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program in its Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. Schumer said this partnership will boost air traffic control education and training to support aspiring air traffic controllers in Upstate NY and make our skies safer, creating a pipeline of local students to enter this high paying career and address the nationwide shortage.
    “As Americans across the country grapple with more and more aviation incidents, we need to take action to ensure the FAA has the resources it needs to keep our skies safe. SUNY Schenectady’s air traffic controller training program is uniquely qualified and ready to create a local pipeline of students to enter this high-paying career, it just needs the final approval from FAA.  I’m urging the FAA to work with SUNY Schenectady to make this happen ASAP and give America the talent it needs to address the national air traffic controller shortage,” said Senator Schumer. “SUNY Schenectady’s top-notch program is nationally recognized as a leader for aviation science. The FAA can help the next generation of air traffic controllers’ right here in the Capital Region, and I am fighting to get the final approval to make it happen.”
    Dr. Steady Moono, SUNY Schenectady President, said, “SUNY Schenectady continues to be at the forefront of aviation training in the region. We have invested in the future, to provide our students with the largest and most comprehensive Air Traffic Control simulator at a community college east of the Mississippi. We are honored to stand with Senator Schumer in addressing the urgent need for skilled air traffic controllers across the nation. SUNY Schenectady is prepared and eager to be part of the solution through the FAA’s Collegiate Training Initiative. With our proven track record in aviation education and commitment to student success, we are ready to equip the next generation of air traffic professionals with the training, discipline, and excellence that this critical role demands.”
    “We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his continued support of SUNY Schenectady and his commitment to addressing the national shortage of air traffic controllers,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.  “SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control Program provides students with practical, skills-focused training that supports our regional workforce and responds to the needs of today’s economy. A partnership with the FAA would expand opportunities for students while also helping to strengthen aviation safety nationwide.”
    Air traffic controllers across the country have been warning about low staffing levels for years. As of September 2023, according to CNN, only about 70% of FAA staffing targets were filled by fully certified controllers, with some major airports at less than 60%. Schumer said boosting SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program is key to supporting aspiring air traffic controllers and keeping our skies safe.
    SUNY Schenectady runs a successful curriculum for its Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program to train air traffic controllers, including a state-of-the-art simulator that only exists in one other place. The program, which is run at the Schenectady County airport and SUNY Schenectady’s main campus, recently completed a new Center for Aviation Sciences building and is a leader for aviation safety education. SUNY Schenectady has been working with the FAA for over a year to be admitted into the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, which provides new training at eligible colleges to deliver new air traffic controllers to the workforce faster and address the national shortages. SUNY Schenectady is at one of the final steps for FAA’s requirements and are about to host FAA for a site visit.
    Schumer’s letter to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau can be found attached and below:
    Dear Administrator Rocheleau:
    I am writing to express my strong support for the inclusion of SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SUNY Schenectady) into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.
    As the nation grapples with an increasing number of near-misses and tragic aviation incidents, the urgency of investing in the next generation of highly trained, competent air traffic controllers has never been greater. The aviation system is already under unprecedented stress — from soaring flight volumes to a wave of retirements within the controller workforce. These challenges demand not only swift action but also a broader and more expansive approach to air traffic control education and training. 
    SUNY Schenectady has its Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program that is recognized across the SUNY System, New York state and our nation. This program carries an excellent reputation for training the next generation of pilots and air traffic controllers. This well-established program is based at SUNY Schenectady’s main campus and the Schenectady County airport, which is also home to the 109th Air National Guard unit that flies LC-130 ski birds to polar regions in support of missions led by both the Department of Defense and National Science Foundation.  
    SUNY Schenectady has recently completed a new $5 million Center for Aviation Sciences building and earlier this year installed new state-of-the-art simulators to enhance its already robust air traffic controller program.  In February of 2024, SUNY Schenectady was named, among only nine other community colleges in the country, a Leader College by Achieving The Dream (ATD), a national non-profit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and economic mobility in their communities.
    The recent air tragedies have underscored how important it is to increase ATC training and hiring, and SUNY Schenectady is well-positioned to help meet this urgent national need. More trained controllers make for safer skies, more efficient airports, and higher confidence by the flying public. I applaud SUNY Schenectady’s foresight in submitting this application and sincerely hope it is met with your approval. Please do not hesitate to contact my Washington DC office at (202) 224-6542. Thank you for your consideration.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Fugitives Arrested in San Juan and Carolina, PR

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Three individuals who were fugitives since December 2024 were arrested today in the municipalities of San Juan and Carolina, PR, on criminal charges related to their alleged participation on drug trafficking and violent crimes associated to a drug trafficking organization that operated in San Juan, Carolina, and other areas nearby, from in or about 2021 through December 2024, when the arrest operation took place. The three fugitives had been charged in the case of United States v. Victor J. Pérez-Fernández, a.k.a. “La Cone/Vitu/Vitikin/Enano,” et al., Case No. 24-453 (MAJ).

    Defendants [10] Gerald O. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Patrón;” [18] Ángel L. Sanjurjo, a.k.a. “Vaca;” and [33] Ramsell Maldonado-Tatis, a.k.a. “R” were arrested by FBI special agents, Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the Carolina Municipal Police Department. They are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession and distribution of heroin, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Defendant Maldonado-Tatis is also facing one count for possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    “As alleged in the indictment, these individuals were engaged in violent crime and spread deadly drugs through our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow.  “Today’s arrests make clear that this Office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of Puerto Rico safe and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets.”

    “The arrests carried out this morning reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal organizations. The message is clear: if you’re part of a violent criminal enterprise, the FBI will work relentlessly to find you and bring you to justice,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The residents of Puerto Rico deserve safe communities, and through close collaboration with our local and federal partners, we will continue to bring fugitives to justice and restore peace where it is most needed.”

    According to the charging documents, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, crack, cocaine, marijuana, Tramadol, and Clonazepam within 1,000 feet of the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project (PHP), the Luis Lloréns Torres PHP, the Los Mirtos PHP, the Lagos de Blasina PHP, the La Esmeralda PHP, the El Coral PHP, the Monte Hatillo PHP, and other areas near those locations, all for significant financial gain and profit. The drug trafficking organizations that operated in and around these areas (known as The Alliance) reached an agreement to conduct their drug trafficking operations as allies, which they referred to as “La Paz” (The Peace). At that time, each housing project organization was controlled by their own leadership and structure. As part of The Alliance, there would not be war between these organizations and members would be able to rely on each other for protection, drugs, and weapons.

    Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort; Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares; and AUSAs Laura Díaz-González, R. Vance Eaton, and Joseph Russell are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lee County Man Indicted and Detained for Armed Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LEXINGTON, KY- A Rogers, Ky., man, Robert Lutes, 50, was indicted on April 17 by a grand jury sitting in Lexington for four counts of distributing fentanyl, two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

    The indictment alleges that from February 6 to March 26, 2025, Lutes possessed and distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine in Lee County. The indictment also alleges that on March 26, 2025, he possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

    Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the indictment.

    The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the ATF and KSP.  The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos.

    Lutes was detained in custody on April 17, as he awaits a trial scheduled for June 25, 2025. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood

               Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

                                                                                                                         

    — END — 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Border Patrol Agent

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 45 months in prison for assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

    According to court documents, Mario Alonso Torrijos-Perez was apprehended on Dec. 14, 2021by USBP agents in Carrizo Springs with five other illegal aliens. While being escorted to the Border Patrol station for processing, Torrijos-Perez attempted to escape on foot. An agent caught Torrijos-Perez, who physically resisted and demanded the agent let him go despite the agent instructing him in Spanish and English to stop resisting and show his hands. Torrijos-Perez forcefully struck the agent with his right elbow, causing the agent to lose balance and fall to the ground. After further resistance, the agent gained control and handcuffed Torrijos-Perez.

    The USBP agent sustained a contusion to his right shoulder, redness in the upper-arm area, scratches on both hands and both wrists, along with pain and discomfort in the aforementioned areas.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    USBP investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: C&F Financial Corporation Announces Net Income for First Quarter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOANO, Va., April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) (NASDAQ: CFFI), the holding company for C&F Bank, today reported consolidated net income of $5.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2024. The following table presents selected financial performance highlights for the periods indicated:

        For The Quarter Ended  
    Consolidated Financial Highlights (unaudited)   3/31/2025     3/31/2024  
    Consolidated net income (000’s)   $ 5,395     $ 3,435  
                     
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted   $ 1.66     $ 1.01  
                     
    Annualized return on average equity     9.35 %     6.33 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity1     10.65 %     7.30 %
    Annualized return on average assets     0.84 %     0.57 %

    ________________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    Tom Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of C&F Financial Corporation, commented, “We are pleased with our first quarter results. Net income increased across all of our business segments compared to the same quarter last year. Both loan and deposit growth at the community banking segment was strong and loan originations at the mortgage banking segment increased when compared to the first quarter of last year. Despite a decrease in the average balance of loans at the consumer finance segment, we were able to increase net income by continuing to focus on efficiencies. Consolidated margins grew slightly as higher cost time deposits continue to reprice downward. Despite the economic uncertainties, we are optimistic about our earnings for 2025.”

    Key highlights for the first quarter of 2025 are as follows.

    • Community banking segment loans grew $27.6 million, or 7.6 percent annualized, and $139.9 million, or 10.4 percent, compared to December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively;
    • Consumer finance segment loans decreased $4.7 million, or 4.0 percent annualized, and $14.0 million, or 2.9 percent, compared to December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively;
    • Deposits increased $45.8 million, or 8.4 percent annualized, and $128.7 million, or 6.2 percent, compared to December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively;
    • Consolidated annualized net interest margin was 4.16 percent for the first quarter of 2025 compared to 4.09 percent for the first quarter of 2024 and 4.13 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024;
    • The community banking segment recorded provision for credit losses of $100,000 and $500,000 for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment recorded provision for credit losses of $2.9 million and $3.0 million for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively;
    • The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 2.64 percent of average total loans for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.54 percent for the first quarter of 2024; and
    • Mortgage banking segment loan originations increased $19.5 million, or 20.6 percent, to $113.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024 and decreased $16.7 million, or 12.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Community Banking Segment. The community banking segment reported net income of $5.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $4.0 million for the same period of 2024, due primarily to:

    • higher interest income resulting from higher average balances of loans and the effects of higher average interest rates on asset yields; and
    • lower provision for credit losses due primarily to lower loan growth;

    partially offset by:

    • higher interest expense due primarily to higher average balances of interest-bearing deposits and higher average rates on deposits; and
    • higher marketing and advertising expenses related to the strategic marketing initiative, which began in the second half of 2024.

    Average loans increased $165.3 million, or 12.7 percent, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, due primarily to growth in the construction, commercial real estate, land acquisition and development and builder lines segments of the loan portfolio. Average deposits increased $131.6 million, or 6.4 percent, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, due primarily to higher balance of time deposits and noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

    Average interest-earning asset yields were higher for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024, due primarily to a shift in the mix of the loan portfolio, renewals of fixed rate loans originated during periods of lower interest rates and purchases of securities available for sale in the overall higher interest rate environment. Average costs of interest-bearing deposits were higher for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024, due primarily to the continued effects of a shift in the mix of deposits with customers seeking higher yielding opportunities as a result of higher interest rates paid on time deposits.

    The community banking segment’s nonaccrual loans were $1.2 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $333,000 at December 31, 2024. The increase in nonaccrual loans compared to December 31, 2024 is due primarily to the downgrade of one residential mortgage relationship in the first quarter of 2025. The community banking segment recorded $100,000 in provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $500,000 for the same period of 2024. At March 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses increased to $17.5 million, compared to $17.4 million at December 31, 2024, due primarily to growth in the loan portfolio and increased macroeconomic uncertainties. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.18 percent at March 31, 2025 from 1.20 percent at December 31, 2024 due primarily to growth in loans with shorter expected lives, which resulted in lower estimated losses over the life of the loan. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected.

    Mortgage Banking Segment. The mortgage banking segment reported net income of $431,000 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $294,000 for the same period of 2024, due primarily to:

    • higher gains on sales of loans and higher mortgage banking fee income due to higher volume of mortgage loan originations;

    partially offset by:

    • higher variable expenses tied to mortgage loan origination volume such as commissions and bonuses, reported in salaries and employee benefits; and
    • lower reversal of provision for indemnifications.

    Despite the sustained elevated level of mortgage interest rates, higher home prices and low levels of inventory, mortgage banking segment loan originations increased for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. Mortgage loan originations for the mortgage banking segment were $113.8 million for the first quarter of 2025, comprised of $12.1 million refinancings and $101.7 million home purchases, compared to $94.3 million, comprised of $7.5 million refinancings and $86.8 million home purchases, for the same period in 2024. Mortgage loan originations in the first quarter of 2025 decreased $16.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 due in part to normal industry seasonal fluctuations. Mortgage loan segment originations include originations of loans sold to the community banking segment, at prices similar to those paid by third-party investors. These transactions are eliminated to reach consolidated totals.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the mortgage banking segment recorded a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $25,000, compared to a reversal of provision for indemnification losses of $140,000 in the same period of 2024. The allowance for indemnifications was $1.32 million and $1.35 million at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The release of indemnification reserves in 2025 and 2024 was due primarily to lower volume of mortgage loan originations in recent years, improvement in the mortgage banking segment’s assessment of borrower payment performance and other factors affecting expected losses on mortgage loans sold in the secondary market, such as time since origination. Management believes that the indemnification reserve is sufficient to absorb losses related to loans that have been sold in the secondary market.

    Consumer Finance Segment. The consumer finance segment reported net income of $226,000 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to net loss of $63,000 for the same period in 2024, due primarily to:

    • lower interest expense on borrowings from the community banking segment as a result of lower average balances of borrowings;
    • lower salaries and employee benefits expense due to an effort to reduce overhead costs; and
    • higher interest income resulting from the effects of higher interest rates on loan yields, partially offset by lower average balances of loans.

    Average loans decreased $8.3 million, or 1.8 percent, for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The consumer finance segment experienced net charge-offs at an annualized rate of 2.64 percent of average total loans for the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.54 percent for the first quarter of 2024, due primarily to an increase in delinquent loans, repossessions and the average amount charged-off when a loan was uncollectable. At March 31, 2025, total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans was 3.05 percent, compared to 3.90 percent at December 31, 2024, and 2.78 percent at March 31, 2024.

    The consumer finance segment, at times, offers payment deferrals as a portfolio management technique to achieve higher ultimate cash collections on select loan accounts. A significant reliance on deferrals as a means of managing collections may result in a lengthening of the loss confirmation period, which would increase expectations of credit losses inherent in the portfolio. Average amounts of payment deferrals of automobile loans on a monthly basis, which are not included in delinquent loans, were 1.75 percent of average automobile loans outstanding during the first quarter of 2025, compared to 1.62 percent during the same period during 2024. The allowance for credit losses was $22.5 million at March 31, 2025 and $22.7 million at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 4.88 percent at March 31, 2025 compared to 4.86 percent at December 31, 2024. Management believes that the level of the allowance for credit losses is adequate to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. If loan performance deteriorates resulting in further elevated delinquencies or net charge-offs, the provision for credit losses may increase in future periods.

    Liquidity. The objective of the Corporation’s liquidity management is to ensure the continuous availability of funds to satisfy the credit needs of our customers and the demands of our depositors, creditors and investors. Uninsured deposits represent an estimate of amounts above the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage limit of $250,000. As of March 31, 2025, the Corporation’s uninsured deposits were approximately $644.4 million, or 29.1 percent of total deposits. Excluding intercompany cash holdings and municipal deposits, which are secured with pledged securities, amounts uninsured were approximately $496.6 million, or 22.4 percent of total deposits as of March 31, 2025. The Corporation’s liquid assets, which include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits at other banks and nonpledged securities available for sale, were $315.0 million and borrowing availability was $598.7 million as of March 31, 2025, which in total exceed uninsured deposits, excluding intercompany cash holdings and secured municipal deposits, by $417.1 million as of March 31, 2025.

    In addition to deposits, the Corporation utilizes short-term and long-term borrowings as sources of funds. Short-term borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) may be used to fund the Corporation’s day-to-day operations. Short-term borrowings also include securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Total borrowings decreased to $119.5 million at March 31, 2025 from $122.6 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to fluctuations in short-term borrowings.

    Additional sources of liquidity available to the Corporation include cash flows from operations, loan payments and payoffs, deposit growth, maturities, calls and sales of securities, the issuance of brokered certificates of deposit and the capacity to borrow additional funds.

    Capital and Dividends. During the first quarter of 2025, the Corporation increased its quarterly cash dividend by 5 percent, to 46 cents per share, compared to the previous quarterly dividend. This dividend, which was paid to shareholders on April 1, 2025, represents a payout ratio of 27.7 percent of earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025. The Board of Directors of the Corporation continually reviews the amount of cash dividends per share and the resulting dividend payout ratio in light of changes in economic conditions, current and future capital levels and requirements, and expected future earnings.

    Total consolidated equity increased $8.3 million at March 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024, due primarily to net income and lower unrealized losses in the market value of securities available for sale, which are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income, partially offset by dividends paid on the Corporation’s common stock. The Corporation’s securities available for sale are fixed income debt securities and their unrealized loss position is a result of increased market interest rates since they were purchased. The Corporation expects to recover its investments in debt securities through scheduled payments of principal and interest. Unrealized losses are not expected to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Corporation or C&F Bank. The accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Corporation’s securities available for sale, net of deferred income taxes, decreased to $19.1 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $23.7 million at December 31, 2024 due primarily to fluctuations in debt security market interest rates and a decrease in the balance of securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position as a result of maturities, calls and paydowns.

    As of March 31, 2025, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized C&F Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized under regulations applicable at March 31, 2025, C&F Bank was required to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, CET1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios. In addition to the regulatory risk-based capital requirements, C&F Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer of additional capital of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets as required by the Basel III capital rules. The Corporation and C&F Bank exceeded these ratios at March 31, 2025. For additional information, see “Capital Ratios” below. The above mentioned ratios are not impacted by unrealized losses on securities available for sale. In the event that all of these unrealized losses become realized into earnings, the Corporation and C&F Bank would both continue to exceed minimum capital requirements, including the capital conservation buffer, and be considered well capitalized.

    In December 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a program, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, to repurchase up to $5.0 million of the Corporation’s common stock (the 2025 Repurchase Program). During the first quarter of 2025, the Corporation did not make any repurchases of its common stock under the 2025 Repurchase Program.

    About C&F Financial Corporation. The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CFFI. The common stock closed at a price of $65.33 per share on April 23, 2025. At March 31, 2025, the book value per share of the Corporation was $72.51 and the tangible book value per share was $64.39. For more information about the Corporation’s tangible book value per share, which is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” below.

    C&F Bank operates 31 banking offices and four commercial loan offices located throughout eastern and central Virginia and offers full wealth management services through its subsidiary C&F Wealth Management, Inc. C&F Mortgage Corporation and its subsidiary C&F Select LLC provide mortgage loan origination services through offices located in Virginia and the surrounding states. C&F Finance Company provides automobile, marine and recreational vehicle loans through indirect lending programs offered primarily in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southern United States from its headquarters in Henrico, Virginia.

    Additional information regarding the Corporation’s products and services, as well as access to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are available on the Corporation’s website at http://www.cffc.com.

    Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to GAAP in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of the Corporation’s performance. These may include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on average equity, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE), adjusted ROTCE, tangible book value per share, price to tangible book value ratio, and the following fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) measures: interest income on loans-FTE, interest income on securities-FTE, total interest income-FTE and net interest income-FTE.

    Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures provides meaningful information about operating performance by enhancing comparability with other financial periods, other financial institutions, and between different sources of interest income. The non-GAAP measures used by management enhance comparability by excluding the effects of balances of intangible assets, including goodwill, that vary significantly between institutions, and tax benefits that are not consistent across different opportunities for investment. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to, or more important than, GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these or similar measures differently. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation to evaluate and measure the Corporation’s performance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below.

    Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Corporation’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Corporation’s management, and reflect management’s current views with respect to certain events that could have an impact on the Corporation’s future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Mr. Cherry’s quote and statements regarding future interest rates and conditions in the Corporation’s industries and markets, relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact, may express “belief,” “intention,” “expectation,” “potential” and similar expressions, and may use the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “intend,” “target,” “should,” “could,” or similar expressions. These statements are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements regarding expected future operations and financial performance, expected trends in yields on loans, expected future recovery of investments in debt securities, future dividend payments, deposit trends, charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in cost of funds and net interest margin and items affecting net interest margin, strategic business initiatives and the anticipated effects thereof, changes in interest rates and the effects thereof on net interest income, mortgage loan originations, expectations regarding C&F Bank’s regulatory risk-based capital requirement levels, technology initiatives, our diversified business strategy, asset quality, credit quality, adequacy of allowances for credit losses and the level of future charge-offs, market interest rates and housing inventory and resulting effects in mortgage loan origination volume, sources of liquidity, adequacy of the reserve for indemnification losses related to loans sold in the secondary market, the effect of future market and industry trends, the effects of future interest rate fluctuations, cybersecurity risks, and inflation. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, changes in:

    • interest rates, such as volatility in short-term interest rates or yields on U.S. Treasury bonds, increases in interest rates following actions by the Federal Reserve and increases or volatility in mortgage interest rates
    • general business conditions, as well as conditions within the financial markets
    • general economic conditions, including unemployment levels, inflation rates, supply chain disruptions and slowdowns in economic growth
    • general market conditions, including disruptions due to pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises, changes in trade policy and the implementation of tariffs, war and other military conflicts or other major events, or the prospect of these events
    • average loan yields and average costs of interest-bearing deposits and borrowings
    • financial services industry conditions, including bank failures or concerns involving liquidity
    • labor market conditions, including attracting, hiring, training, motivating and retaining qualified employees
    • the legislative/regulatory climate, regulatory initiatives with respect to financial institutions, products and services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB) and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB
    • monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the FDIC, U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the effect of these policies on interest rates and business in our markets
    • demand for financial services in the Corporation’s market area
    • the value of securities held in the Corporation’s investment portfolios
    • the quality or composition of the loan portfolios and the value of the collateral securing those loans
    • the inventory level, demand and fluctuations in the pricing of used automobiles, including sales prices of repossessed vehicles
    • the level of automobile loan delinquencies or defaults and our ability to repossess automobiles securing delinquent automobile finance installment contracts
    • the level of net charge-offs on loans and the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses
    • the level of indemnification losses related to mortgage loans sold
    • demand for loan products
    • deposit flows
    • the strength of the Corporation’s counterparties
    • the availability of lines of credit from the FHLB and other counterparties
    • the soundness of other financial institutions and any indirect exposure related to the closing of other financial institutions and their impact on the broader market through other customers, suppliers and partners, or that the conditions which resulted in the liquidity concerns experienced by closed financial institutions may also adversely impact, directly or indirectly, other financial institutions and market participants with which the Corporation has commercial or deposit relationships
    • competition from both banks and non-banks, including competition in the non-prime automobile finance markets and marine and recreational vehicle finance markets
    • services provided by, or the level of the Corporation’s reliance upon third parties for key services
    • the commercial and residential real estate markets, including changes in property values
    • the demand for residential mortgages and conditions in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets
    • the Corporation’s technology initiatives and other strategic initiatives
    • the Corporation’s branch expansion, relocation and consolidation plans
    • cyber threats, attacks or events
    • C&F Bank’s product offerings
    • accounting principles, policies and guidelines, and elections by the Corporation thereunder.

    These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For additional information on risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein, see the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other reports filed with the SEC. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    C&F Financial Corporation

    Selected Financial Information
    (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
    (unaudited)

                         
    Financial Condition   3/31/2025    12/31/2024    3/31/2024  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   $ 62,490   $ 49,423   $ 39,303  
    Investment securities – available for sale, at fair value     431,513     418,625     430,421  
    Loans held for sale, at fair value     27,278     20,112     22,622  
    Loans, net:                    
    Community Banking segment     1,463,679     1,436,226     1,324,690  
    Consumer Finance segment     439,604     444,085     452,537  
    Total assets     2,612,530     2,563,374     2,469,751  
    Deposits     2,216,654     2,170,860     2,087,932  
    Repurchase agreements     25,909     28,994     27,803  
    Other borrowings     93,546     93,615     93,772  
    Total equity     235,271     226,970     216,949  
      For The  
      Quarter Ended  
    Results of Operations 3/31/2025     3/31/2024  
    Interest income $ 35,988     $ 32,708  
    Interest expense   10,978       9,550  
    Provision for credit losses:              
    Community Banking segment   100       500  
    Consumer Finance segment   2,900       3,000  
    Noninterest income:              
    Gains on sales of loans   1,847       1,288  
    Other   5,726       6,204  
    Noninterest expenses:              
    Salaries and employee benefits   13,483       14,252  
    Other   9,576       8,898  
    Income tax expense   1,129       565  
    Net income   5,395       3,435  
                   
    Fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) amounts1              
    Interest income on loans-FTE   32,428       29,636  
    Interest income on securities-FTE   3,346       3,098  
    Total interest income-FTE   36,276       32,993  
    Net interest income-FTE   25,298       23,443  

    ________________________
    1For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

        For the Quarter Ended  
          3/31/2025      3/31/2024     
        Average      Income/      Yield/   Average      Income/      Yield/  
    Yield Analysis   Balance     Expense     Rate   Balance     Expense     Rate  
    Assets                                  
    Securities:                                  
    Taxable   $ 339,450     $ 2,193   2.58 % $ 365,244     $ 1,980   2.17 %
    Tax-exempt     119,033       1,153   3.87     120,920       1,118   3.70  
    Total securities     458,483       3,346   2.92     486,164       3,098   2.55  
    Loans:                                  
    Community banking segment     1,467,555       19,966   5.52     1,302,260       17,331   5.35  
    Mortgage banking segment     20,968       339   6.56     17,700       281   6.39  
    Consumer finance segment     465,526       12,123   10.56     473,848       12,024   10.21  
    Total loans     1,954,049       32,428   6.73     1,793,808       29,636   6.64  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks     55,830       502   3.65     28,417       259   3.67  
    Total earning assets     2,468,362       36,276   5.95     2,308,389       32,993   5.75  
    Allowance for credit losses     (40,605 )               (40,292 )            
    Total non-earning assets     154,554                 156,800              
    Total assets   $ 2,582,311               $ 2,424,897              
                                       
    Liabilities and Equity                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 332,341       600   0.67   $ 335,570       553   0.66  
    Savings and money market deposit accounts     489,217       1,205   1.00     484,645       1,061   0.88  
    Certificates of deposit     821,949       7,964   3.93     705,167       6,916   3.94  
    Total interest-bearing deposits     1,643,507       9,769   2.40     1,525,382       8,530   2.25  
    Borrowings:                                  
    Repurchase agreements     28,192       112   1.59     27,997       111   1.59  
    Other borrowings     93,597       1,097   4.69     78,445       909   4.64  
    Total borrowings     121,789       1,209   3.97     106,442       1,020   3.83  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,765,296       10,978   2.51     1,631,824       9,550   2.35  
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     545,346                 531,885              
    Other liabilities     40,874                 44,125              
    Total liabilities     2,351,516                 2,207,834              
    Equity     230,795                 217,063              
    Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,582,311               $ 2,424,897              
    Net interest income         $ 25,298             $ 23,443      
    Interest rate spread               3.44 %             3.40 %
    Interest expense to average earning assets               1.79 %             1.66 %
    Net interest margin               4.16 %             4.09 %
                                       
                       
        3/31/2025
    Funding Sources    Capacity      Outstanding      Available
    Unsecured federal funds agreements   $ 75,000   $   $ 75,000
    Borrowings from FHLB     248,508     40,000     208,508
    Borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank     315,221         315,221
    Total   $ 638,729   $ 40,000   $ 598,729
                       
    Asset Quality   3/31/2025   12/31/2024  
    Community Banking              
    Total loans   $ 1,481,190   $ 1,453,605  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 1,189   $ 333  
                   
    Allowance for credit losses (ACL)   $ 17,511   $ 17,379  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.08 %   0.02 %
    ACL to total loans     1.18 %   1.20 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     1,472.75 %   5,218.92 %
    Annualized year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     0.01 %   0.01 %
                   
    Consumer Finance              
    Total loans   $ 462,136   $ 466,793  
    Nonaccrual loans   $ 975   $ 614  
    Repossessed assets   $ 976   $ 779  
    ACL   $ 22,532   $ 22,708  
    Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.21 %   0.13 %
    ACL to total loans     4.88 %   4.86 %
    ACL to nonaccrual loans     2,310.97 %   3,698.37 %
    Annualized year-to-date net charge-offs to average loans     2.64 %   2.62 %
                   
      For The
      Quarter Ended
    Other Performance Data 3/31/2025   3/31/2024
    Net Income (Loss):          
    Community Banking $ 5,445     $ 4,012  
    Mortgage Banking   431       294  
    Consumer Finance   226       (63 )
    Other1   (707 )     (808 )
    Total $ 5,395     $ 3,435  
               
    Net income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation $ 5,368     $ 3,401  
               
    Earnings per share – basic and diluted $ 1.66     $ 1.01  
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   3,234,935       3,370,934  
               
    Annualized return on average assets   0.84 %     0.57 %
    Annualized return on average equity   9.35 %     6.33 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity2   10.65 %     7.30 %
    Dividends declared per share $ 0.46     $ 0.44  
               
    Mortgage loan originations – Mortgage Banking $ 113,750     $ 94,346  
    Mortgage loans sold – Mortgage Banking   106,431       86,079  

    ________________________
    1 Includes results of the holding company that are not allocated to the business segments and elimination of inter-segment activity.
    2 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                   
    Market Ratios 3/31/2025   12/31/2024
    Market value per share $ 67.39     $ 71.25  
    Book value per share $ 72.51     $ 70.00  
    Price to book value ratio   0.93       1.02  
    Tangible book value per share1 $ 64.39     $ 61.86  
    Price to tangible book value ratio1   1.05       1.15  
    Price to earnings ratio (ttm)   11.16       11.86  

    ________________________
    1 For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see “Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

                         
                         
                    Minimum Capital
    Capital Ratios   3/31/2025   12/31/2024   Requirements3
    C&F Financial Corporation1                    
    Total risk-based capital ratio     14.1 %   14.1 %   8.0 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio     11.9 %   11.9 %   6.0 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     10.8 %   10.7 %   4.5 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     9.9 %   9.8 %   4.0 %
                         
    C&F Bank2                    
    Total risk-based capital ratio     13.7 %   13.5 %   8.0 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio     12.4 %   12.3 %   6.0 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     12.4 %   12.3 %   4.5 %
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     10.3 %   10.1 %   4.0 %

    ________________________
    1 The Corporation, a small bank holding company under applicable regulations and guidance, is not subject to the minimum regulatory capital regulations for bank holding companies. The regulatory requirements that apply to bank holding companies that are subject to regulatory capital requirements are presented above, along with the Corporation’s capital ratios as determined under those regulations.
    2 All ratios at March 31, 2025 are estimates and subject to change pending regulatory filings. All ratios at December 31, 2024 are presented as filed.
    3 The ratios presented for minimum capital requirements are those to be considered adequately capitalized.

        For The Quarter Ended
        3/31/2025   3/31/2024
    Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures        
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity            
    Average total equity, as reported   $ 230,795     $ 217,063  
    Average goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Average other intangible assets     (1,118 )     (1,366 )
    Average noncontrolling interest     (637 )     (649 )
    Average tangible common equity   $ 203,849     $ 189,857  
                 
    Net income   $ 5,395     $ 3,435  
    Amortization of intangibles     62       65  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     (27 )     (34 )
    Net tangible income attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 5,430     $ 3,466  
                 
    Annualized return on average equity, as reported     9.35 %     6.33 %
    Annualized return on average tangible common equity     10.65 %     7.30 %
                     
        For The Quarter Ended
        3/31/2025   3/31/2024
    Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income1                
    Interest income on loans   $ 32,382     $ 29,586  
    FTE adjustment     46       50  
    FTE interest income on loans   $ 32,428     $ 29,636  
                     
    Interest income on securities   $ 3,104     $ 2,863  
    FTE adjustment     242       235  
    FTE interest income on securities   $ 3,346     $ 3,098  
                     
    Total interest income   $ 35,988     $ 32,708  
    FTE adjustment     288       285  
    FTE interest income   $ 36,276     $ 32,993  
                     
    Net interest income   $ 25,010     $ 23,158  
    FTE adjustment     288       285  
    FTE net interest income   $ 25,298     $ 23,443  

    ____________________
    1 Assuming a tax rate of 21%.

        3/31/2025   12/31/2024
    Tangible Book Value Per Share        
    Equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 234,634     $ 226,360  
    Goodwill     (25,191 )     (25,191 )
    Other intangible assets     (1,084 )     (1,147 )
    Tangible equity attributable to C&F Financial Corporation   $ 208,359     $ 200,022  
                 
    Shares outstanding     3,235,781       3,233,672  
                 
    Book value per share   $ 72.51     $ 70.00  
    Tangible book value per share   $ 64.39     $ 61.86  
                     
    Contact:     Jason Long, CFO and Secretary
    (804) 843-2360
         

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports land stewardship at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

    A temporary closure will take place at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park to provide time and space for members of the Líl̓wat Nation and N͛Quatqua to reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices.

    Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park has become one of the busiest parks in the province. As more people go to the park, there is a need for enhanced visitor-use management, ensuring the park is not degraded by heavy use.

    Temporary closures to the park for recreational visitors will occur from April 25 until May 16, 2025. Beginning Saturday, May 17, adults and youth older than 12 will require a free day-use pass to visit the park.

    Since 2021, day-use passes have been used at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes to ensure adequate and safe parking, and provide a more enjoyable, less crowded experience. The passes can be reserved online at 7 a.m., two days before a planned visit, here: https://reserve.bcparks.ca/dayuse/

    Visitors should note there might be snow in the park and parking lot.

    The park is collaboratively managed with Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua with the primary goal of maintaining the natural environment, and so the Nations can continue their cultural practices on their territory. Since 2018, BC Parks, N’Quatqua and Lil’wat Nation have collaborated through a technical working group to implement the joint Pipi7iyekw/Joffre Lakes Park Visitor Use Management Strategy.

    As in previous years, more temporary closures are anticipated this season. The temporary closures are intended to respect the Nations’ need for space and privacy to practise cultural activities, while ensuring opportunities for people to use the park. The closure dates will be publicly posted as soon as possible.

    Reservable dates for backcountry camping at Upper Joffre Lake will also be provided shortly. Before visiting the park, check the park website for updates about day-use passes and camping reservations, as well as here: https://bcparks.ca/

    For more information about day-use passes this summer, visit: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deadline Extended! Last Chance to Register for the Retirees Assistance Program

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The deadline is fast approaching to register for the Retirees Assistance Program (RESP) to be held at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Md. from June 22-27, 2025.

    Read the original call letter here.

    Registrations must be received by Friday, May 9, 2025.

    The Retiree Assistance Program, offered by the IAM Retirees and Membership Assistance Department includes resources and education topics that impact retirees’ lives such as:

    • Elder Abuse, Mental Health Issues
    • Volunteering
    • Self-Care
    • Senior Addiction
    • Healthcare
    • Locating and Utilizing Community Resources
    • Dementia 101
    • Financial and Senior Housing-Planning
    • Financial Issues Asset Protection
    • Preparing for a Doctor’s Visit
    • Sensitivity Training
    • Advance Directives

    2025_Departmental_Call_RAP
    If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Retirees and Membership Assistance Department at 301-967-4717.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI-Led Operation in Nigeria Leads to Sextortion Arrests

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    In early 2023, a unit in the FBI’s Criminal Division that focuses on child exploitation sifted through terabytes of communications and uncovered thousands of digital breadcrumbs that led to Nigeria. The Child Exploitation Operational Unit assembled priority lists of subjects to locate and interview in the West African country, including some of the cases that involved suicides.

    The FBI, through the legal attaché office in Nigeria, coordinated all this with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s lead agency for investigating financial crimes. Other partners included federal agencies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom that had similar sextortion cases resolving to Nigeria.

    In late summer 2023, a team of FBI special agents, analysts, and forensic examiners—along with criminal investigators from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)—set up a discreet temporary command post in the city of Lagos. The operation was dubbed Artemis after the Greek goddess who protects youths. In Nigeria, the teams worked in shifts for weeks at a time exchanging information with EFCC investigators to facilitate the arrests and interviews of Nigerians whose digital footprints appeared to connect them to some of the most appalling cases in the U.S.

    “Everybody was equally invested in making this one goal happen,” said Special Agent Karen R., who managed the Bureau’s coordination of the sextortion cases that led up to the weeks-long operation in Nigeria. While Canada and Australia are well-known partners for the FBI, Karen pointed out that Nigeria’s EFCC has a uniquely strong track record of working with the Bureau, particularly on sprawling financial crimes that both countries are trying to stamp out.

    “They are just as invested as we are in trying to make this problem go away,” she said. “We all know Nigerian prince scams. We know all of the scams that are traditionally done there. They’re aware of it, too, and don’t like that their country is known for that type of activity.”

    Indeed, as everyone set out in the summer of 2023 to find and arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, Nigerian authorities were on a parallel mission of trying to dissuade would-be scammers in their own country from taking up sextortion and other financial crimes as an easy way to make money.

    Poverty is widespread in Nigeria, and jobs and opportunities are scarce. Smart, tech-savvy, college-aged individuals with a phone, nude images scraped from the internet, and a script for duping faraway boys might view sextortion as a viable trade with little risk or downside. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Operation

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

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jovonne Haynes, age 30, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 13 months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization selling controlled substances that spanned from Michigan to Monongalia County.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Haynes was allowing his apartment in Morgantown to be used for the drug trafficking operation. Haynes pled guilty to a methamphetamine distribution charge in December 2024.

    Haynes will serve three years of supervised release following his sentence.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    The case was investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clarksburg; the FBI Clarksburg; the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; WVU Police Department; the DEA Cincinnati District Office; the DEA Detroit Field Division; and the FBI Detroit.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Tacoma resident indicted for damaging six different energy facilities in the South Sound and Southwest Washington

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – A 33-year-old former Tacoma resident was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month for conspiracy to destroy energy facilities and six counts of destruction or attempted destruction of an energy facility, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Zachary Rosenthal, who is currently incarcerated in the Washington State Department of Corrections for vehicular assault, was indicted in Oregon last July for damaging two energy facilities in Portland. The Oregon case is scheduled for trial on November 3, 2025.

    According to the Western Washington indictment, between June and December 2022, Rosenthal conspired with others to damage six different power substations in western Washington: the Toledo substation in Lewis County on August 5, 2022; the Woodland 1 substation in Cowlitz County on November 17, 2022; the Woodland 2 substation on November 18, 2022; the Puyallup substation in Pierce County on November 20, 2022; and the Tumwater substation in Thurston County on November 22, 2022; and the attempted destruction to the Oakville substation in Grays Harbor County on December 5, 2022. The indictment charges five counts of destruction of an energy facility, and one count of attempted destruction of an energy facility for the Oakville substation attack.

    The indictment calls for forfeiture of proceeds of the criminal scheme which appears to have been an attempt to burglarize businesses and ATMs when the power was out, and alarm systems might be down.

    The attacks on the power stations resulted in power outages ranging from about 1,000 customers to 6,000 customers per substation.

    Rosenthal and his coconspirators damaged the substations through a variety of means including gunshots, smashing equipment, or using heavy chains to cause short circuits.

    The Oregon substation attacks occurred in the same timeframe as the Washington attacks, on November 24 and 28, 2022.

    Damaging an energy facility with intent to cause a significant interruption and impairment of the function of the facility is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Elkins Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Burlin Junior Howell, 60, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.

    According to court documents, Howell sold methamphetamine in Randolph County. Howell has prior grand larceny, robbery, domestic battery, brandishing, and drug trafficking convictions.

    Howell will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The task force is comprised of members from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION: The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) Releases April 2025 Newsletter Showcasing EV Infrastructure Expansion and Vintage Fashion Revival

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    In a release issued under the same headline today by The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN), please note that the provided embedded image has changed. The corrected release follows:

    PASADENA, Calif., April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN), a diversified holding company focused on sustainable innovation, is excited to announce the publication of its April 2025 newsletter. The latest edition highlights major advancements in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and the continued evolution of its vintage fashion subsidiary.

    The Now Corporate April 2025 Newsletter

    Major Highlights Include:

    EV Charging Project in Carson, CA
    Green Rain Energy, a subsidiary of The Now Corporation, has been selected to lead the development of a cutting-edge EV charging site at 23315 Main Street in Carson, California. Located within proximity to the Dignity Health Sports Park—one of the venues for the 2028 Olympic Games—this project aims to support increasing EV demand and regional sustainability efforts.
    The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) Through Its Subsidiary Green Rain Energy Announces New Details For Its EV Charging Project In Carson, CA

    Strategic Collaboration in Rochester, NY
    Green Rain Solar Inc. has also partnered with Chronical Electric and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) to bring high-speed EV charging and battery storage solutions to Rochester, New York. This joint effort underscores The Now Corporation’s mission to advance clean, accessible energy infrastructure.
    The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) and Green Rain Solar Inc. Partner with Chronical Electric to Bring High-Speed EV Charging and Battery Storage to Rochester, NY

    Reviving American Heritage through M Love Vintage Holdings Inc.
    The newsletter also spotlights M Love Vintage Holdings Inc., the company’s fashion subsidiary, which is reviving iconic Americana through the timeless styles of Chuck’s Vintage. This effort marks a new era for the brand, celebrating its legacy while embracing a modern, luxurious approach to vintage wear.
    M Love Vintage Holdings Inc. Embarks on New Era of Luxury Vintage Fashion Under The Now Corporation

    About The Now Corporation:
    The Now Corporation is committed to acquiring and developing sustainable technologies across industries such as renewable energy, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing. Through its subsidiaries, including Green Rain Solar Inc. and M Love Vintage Holdings Inc., the company strives to deliver impactful innovation.

    Stay updated and read the full newsletter at www.GreenRainEnergy.com

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward- looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. This includes the possibility that the business outlined in this press release may not be concluded due to unforeseen technical, installation, permitting, or other challenges. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of The Now Corporation to differ materially from those expressed herein. Except as required under U.S. federal securities laws, The Now Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Media Contact:
    Michael Cimino
    Email: Michael@pubcopr.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa807ee3-5e38-4ca7-9ab3-3f1e90715dbe

    X: https://x.com/TheNow_Corp

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenRainEnergy

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: The first 100 days of a growing global health and humanitarian emergency News Apr 24, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    Three months since the Trump administration first suspended all international assistance pending review, the US has terminated much of its funding for global health and humanitarian programs, dismantled the federal government architecture for oversight of these activities, and fired many of the key staff responsible for implementation. 

    Patients around the world are scrambling to understand how they can continue treatment, medical providers are struggling to maintain essential services, and aid groups are sounding the alarm about exploding needs in countries with existing emergencies.

    US assistance has been a lifeline for millions of people–while yanking this support will lead to more preventable deaths and untold suffering around the world. We can’t accept this dangerous new normal. 

    Avril Benoît, CEO of MSF USA

    “These sudden cuts by the Trump administration are a human-made disaster for the millions of people struggling to survive amid wars, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies,” said Avril Benoît, CEO of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the United States. “We are an emergency response organization, but we have never seen anything like this massive disruption to global health and humanitarian programs. The risks are catastrophic, especially since people who rely on foreign assistance are already among the most vulnerable in the world.”

    “It all started three weeks ago, when I took [my son] to a doctor in the village and he gave him medicine to stop the diarrhea, yet his condition didn’t improve,” says Rawda, whose son Mohammed was finally referred to a field hospital for treatment. | Yemen 2024 © Mario Fawaz/MSF

    People are already feeling the consequences of US aid cuts

    The US has long been the leading supporter of global health and humanitarian programs, responsible for around 40 percent of all related funding. These US investments have helped improve the health and well-being of communities around the globe—and totaled less than 1 percent of the annual federal budget.

    Abruptly ending this huge proportion of support is already having devastating consequences for people who rely on aid, including those at risk of malnutrition and infectious diseases, and those who are trapped in humanitarian crises around the world. These major cuts to US funding and staffing are part of a broader policy agenda that has far-reaching impacts for people whose access to care is already limited by persecution and discrimination, such as refugees and migrants, civilians caught in conflict, LGBTQI+ people, and anyone who can become pregnant.

    We can’t accept this dangerous new normal. We urge the administration and Congress to maintain commitments to support critical global health and humanitarian aid.

    Avril Benoît, CEO of MSF USA

    The status of even the much-reduced number of remaining US-funded programs is highly uncertain. The administration now plans to extend the initial 90-day review period for foreign aid, which was due to conclude on April 20, by an additional 30 days, according to an internal email from the State Department obtained by the media.

    MSF does not accept US government funding, so we are not directly affected by these sweeping changes to international assistance as most other aid organizations are. We remain committed to providing medical care and humanitarian support in more than 70 countries across the world. However, no organization can do this work alone. We work closely with other health and humanitarian organizations to deliver vital services, and many of our activities involve programs that have been disrupted due to funding cuts. It will be much more difficult and costly to provide care when so many ministries of health have been affected globally and there are fewer community partners overall. We will also be facing fewer places to refer patients for specialized services, as well as shortages and stockouts due to hamstrung supply chains.

    Six-month-old Sohaib, who suffers from malnutrition and chickenpox, and his mother traveled four hours from their village to Herat Regional Hospital for care. | Afghanistan 2024 © Mahab Azizi

    Amid ongoing chaos and confusion, our teams are already witnessing some of the life-threatening consequences of the administration’s actions to date. Most recently, the US administration canceled nearly all humanitarian assistance programs in Yemen and Afghanistan, two countries facing some of the most severe humanitarian needs in the world. After years of conflict and compounding crises, an estimated 19.5 million people in Yemen—over half the population—are dependent on aid. The decision to punish civilian populations caught in these two conflicts undermines the principles of humanitarian assistance. 

    Across the world, MSF teams have witnessed US-funded organizations reducing or canceling other vital activities–including vaccination campaigns, protection and care for people caught in areas of conflict, sexual and reproductive health services, the provision of clean water, and adequate sanitation services.

    “It’s shocking to see the US abandon its leadership role in advancing global health and humanitarian efforts,” Benoît said. “US assistance has been a lifeline for millions of people–while yanking this support will lead to more preventable deaths and untold suffering around the world. We can’t accept this dangerous new normal. We urge the administration and Congress to maintain commitments to support critical global health and humanitarian aid.”

    An MSF team member disinfects people entering and exiting MSF’s cholera treatment center with chlorinated water, reducing the risk of spreading cholera through contaminated soil. | South Sudan 2024 © Paula Casado Aguirregabiria

    Snapshot: How US aid cuts are impacting people worldwide

    Malnutrition

    US funding cuts are severely impacting people in areas of Somalia affected by chronic drought, food insecurity, and displacement due to conflict. In the Baidoa and Mudug regions, the scaling down of operations by aid organizations—driven by US funding cuts and a broader lack of humanitarian aid—is making a shortage of health services and nutrition programs even more critical. For example, the closure of maternal and child health clinics and a therapeutic feeding center in Baidoa cut off monthly care to hundreds of malnourished children. MSF nutrition programs in Baidoa have reported an increase in severe acute malnutrition admissions since the funding cuts. The MSF-supported Bay Regional Hospital has received patients traveling as far as 120 miles for care due to facility closures elsewhere.

    HIV

    Cuts to PEPFAR and USAID have led to suspensions and closures of HIV programs in countries including South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe—threatening the lives of people receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. South Africa’s pioneering Treatment Action Campaign—which helped transform the country’s response to HIV/AIDS—has had to drastically reduce its community-led monitoring system that helps ensure that people stay on treatment. The monitoring is now only happening at a small scale at clinics. 

    In MSF’s program in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, there has been a 70 percent increase in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) tablet distribution from January to March compared to the previous quarter, as well as an increase of 30 percent in consultations for health services, including for HIV—highlighting the growing demand as USAID funding cuts reduce access to other HIV prevention services.

    Inside the pediatric ward at MSF’s cholera treatment center in Assosa. | South Sudan 2024 © Paula Casado Aguirregabiria

    Outbreaks

    In the border regions across South Sudan and Ethiopia, MSF teams are responding to a rampant cholera outbreak amid escalating violence—while other organizations have scaled down their presence. According to our teams, a number of organizations, including Save the Children, have suspended mobile clinic activities in South Sudan’s Akobo County due to US aid cuts. Save the Children reported earlier this month that at least five children and three adults with cholera died while making the long, hot trek to seek treatment in this part of South Sudan. With the withdrawal of these organizations, local health authorities are now facing significant limitations in their ability to respond effectively to the outbreak. MSF has warned that the disruption of mobile services, combined with the reduced capacity of other actors to support oral vaccination campaigns, increases the risk of preventable deaths and the continued spread of this highly infectious disease.

    MSF Japan General Director Shinjiro Murata speaks with a Rohingya family with the help of a medical interpreter after an MSF health promotion session for Rohingya women in Cox’s Bazar. | Bangladesh 2022 © Elizabeth Costa/MSF

    Sexual and reproductive health care

    MSF teams in more than 20 countries have reported concerns with disrupted or suspended sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs, which MSF relies on for referrals for medical emergencies, supplies, and technical partnerships. These include contexts with already high levels of maternal and infant mortality. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh—home to one of the world’s largest refugee camps—MSF teams report that other implementers are not able to provide SRH supplies, like emergency birth kits and contraceptives. Referrals for medical emergencies, like post-abortion care, have also been disrupted, increasing urgent needs for SRH care in the region.

    Migration

    Essential protection services—including shelters for women and children, legal aid, and support for survivors of violence—have been shuttered or severely reduced as needs increase due to changes in US immigration policy. For patients and MSF teams in areas like Danlí, San Pedro Sula, Tapachula, and Mexico City, referral networks have all but disappeared. This has left many migrants without safe places to sleep, access to food, or legal and psychosocial support.

    Access to clean water

    In the initial weeks following the aid freeze, our teams saw several organizations stop the distribution of drinking water for displaced people in conflict-affected areas, including in Sudan’s Darfur region, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. 

    In response to the crisis in Port-au-Prince, in March, MSF stepped in to run a water distribution system via tanker trucks to provide for more than 13,000 people living in four camps for communities displaced by violent clashes between armed groups and police. This was in addition to our regular activities focused on providing medical care for victims of violence. Ensuring access to clean drinking water is essential for health and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.

    André Keli and Stallone Deke, MSF logistician and driver in Kisangani, ensure the final packaging of vaccines before they are loaded for shipment to Bondo, Bas-Uélé. | DR Congo 2021 © Pacom Bagula/MSF

    Vaccination

    The reported decision by the US to cut funding to Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, could have disastrous consequences for children across the globe. The organization estimated that the loss of US support is projected to deny approximately 75 million children routine vaccinations in the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children potentially dying as a result. Worldwide, more than half of the vaccines MSF uses come from local ministries of health and are procured through Gavi. We could see the impacts in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where MSF vaccinates more children than anywhere else in the world. In 2023 alone, MSF vaccinated more than 2 million people in DRC against diseases like measles and cholera.

    Narges Naderi, an MSF pharmacist, reviews a child patient’s prescription in the pediatric pharmacy at Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital. | Afghanistan 2024 © Tasal Allahyar

    Mental health

    In Ethiopia’s Kule refugee camp, where MSF teams run a health center for more than 50,000 South Sudanese refugees, a US-funded organization abruptly halted mental health and social services for survivors of sexual violence and withdrew their staff. MSF teams provide other medical care but cannot currently cover the mental health and social services these patients need.

    Non-communicable diseases

    In Zimbabwe, US funding cuts have forced a local provider to stop its community outreach activities to identify women to be screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Zimbabwe, even though it is preventable. Many women and girls—especially in rural areas—cannot afford or do not have access to diagnosis and treatment, which makes outreach, screening, and prevention activities vital.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine’s path to peace appears to be rapidly disappearing

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    It’s getting hard to figure out who all the US-sponsored talks over ending the conflict in Ukraine are supposed to benefit. Listening to Donald Trump over recent weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s all about him.

    In the past 48 hours, the US president has berated both the Ukrainian president, Volodymr Zelensky, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin for apparently dragging their heels over an agreement.

    At present it’s Putin who is on the naughty step (although as we know this can change quite rapidly). After Russia launched strikes against Kyiv overnight on Wednesday, killing eight people and injuring dozens more, Trump used his TruthSocial platform to give the Russian president a piece of his mind.


    TruthSocial

    But hours previously, the US president had been giving Zelensky both barrels after he rejected a peace proposal that included the US recognising Crimea as part of Russia. Trump wrote: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”

    For the past week or so, US officials, including the president and his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, have been warning that if a deal isn’t done “in a matter of days” they could just decide to walk away.


    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.


    It’s hard to see how there is a credible pathway to peace at the moment, write Stefan Wolff and Tetyana Malyarenko, international security experts at the University of Birmingham and the National University Odesa Law Academy, respectively. They point out that even if all sides can agree to a formula for a ceasefire (remembering that Russia couldn’t even hold to the agreed truce over the Easter holiday) then a lasting peace deal that is supposed to follow is even more difficult to imagine.

    And, as the abortive attempts to end the war drag on and Russia’s attritional tactics continue, at a massive cost – both economically and in human lives – there are signs that western resolve and unity is coming under pressure. Partly it’s because many of Ukraine’s allies, particularly in Europe, are already scrambling to work out how they might adjust their own security arrangements in the eventuality of a new world order developing, dominated by the US, China and Russia, in which Washington’s friends find themselves on the outside.

    Then there’s the inescapable question of whether Putin can be trusted to hold to any deal he strikes, given the likelihood of the US president’s attention wandering once he has been able to boast of brokering an “end” to the war. As Wolff and Malyarenko put it: “Given Russia’s track record of reneging on the Minsk ceasefire agreements of September 2014 and February 2015, investing everything in a ceasefire deal might turn out not just a self-fulfilling but a self-defeating prophecy for Ukraine and its supporters.”




    Read more:
    Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests


    As Trump 2.0 nears the 100-day mark (more of which next week), it’s worth pausing to ask what the American public thinks about the war in Ukraine. Paul Whiteley of the University of Essex has been looking at polling on the issue over the past six months or so and concludes that the US president looks out of step with the people when it comes to what Whiteley construes as Trump’s apparently Russia-friendly approach. Whiteley quotes a recent Economist/YouGov poll which finds that far more people see Ukraine as an ally that view Russia in the same light.

    Meanwhile a much larger poll taken at the time of the US election last year, found that significant numbers of people support sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and only a slightly smaller proportion of respondents backed providing military aid.

    American attitudes to policy alternatives for dealing with the Ukraine War:


    Cooperative Election Survey, CC BY-SA

    “A key point is that only 23% said the US should not get involved,” Whiteley concludes. “There is not much support among Americans for abandoning Ukraine.”




    Read more:
    Do Americans support Trump’s attitudes to Ukraine and Russia? Here’s what recent data shows


    India reels from terror attack

    Tensions are high between India and Pakistan after at least 26 people were killed in the bitterly contested Kashmir region. The atrocity in a the picturesque resport of Pahalgam, targeted tourists – specifically Hindu men. Victims were told to recite verses from the Qur’an before being killed if they couldn’t.

    A hitherto relatively unknown group, the Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack. But Sudhir Selvaraj, a specialist in religious nationalism at the University of Bradford, says that TRF is actually associated with, or a front for, the notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba (lET) which carried out the 2008 Mumbai massacre in which at least 176 people were murdered.

    Selvaraj says TRF has deliberately chosen a non-Islamist sounding name. “By doing so,” he writes “it supposedly aims to project a “neutral” (read as non-religious) front, rather emphasising the fight for Kashmiri nationalism.“




    Read more:
    What is the Resistance Front? An expert explains the terror group that carried out the latest Kashmir attack?


    Coming just as the tourist season is getting under way in Kashmir, the attack has undermined the strategy of the Modi government to portray the region as a major attraction for visitors. Nitasha Kaul, an expert in Hindu nationalism at the University of Westminster, says this is mainly aimed at the Indian public as a propaganda coup to show the success of the 2019 decision to split Kashmir in two and reduce it to the status of a “union territory” run from New Delhi.

    In reality, she writes Kashmiris – especially Kashmiri Muslims – have little say in their own affairs and are vulnerable to reprisals in response to any attacks by Pakistani or Pakistani-backed militants. Kashmir’s chief minister, Omar Abdullah, was actually excluded from security briefings when India’s home minister, Amit Shah, visited Kashmir after the attack.

    Meanwhile some of the noisier Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) voices in politics and the media are demanding reprisals against Pakistan. It’s a very dangerous moment, Kaul concludes.




    Read more:
    Kashmir attacks: Kashmiris trapped between tourism and terrorism as an insecure nation looks to Modi for accountability


    Remembering Pope Francis I

    We’ve had some standout stories about the life and times of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics as Pope Francis I. We’ve covered his burning ambition to modernise the Catholic church, as well as his achievements in promoting women to more senior church positions than any potiff before him.

    And we’ve considered his influence on the global environmental movement which, as Oxford theologian Celia Deane-Drummond writes, made her feel as if “something momentous was happening at the heart of the church”.

    But the anecdote about the late pope which moved me the most was related by Sara Silvestri of City, who recalls meeting Pope Francis back in 2019. It was as part of a symposium at the Vatican at which migration, an issue she’d been deeply engaged with in her work, was the central issue for discussion. Silvestri recalls delivering a research paper and then being invited with to meet Francis in a room next to the Sistine Chapel.

    “Francis made a speech and we greeted him one by one,” she recalled this week. “I had my 21 month-old daughter with me that day, thinking of the rare opportunity we would both enjoy. But I’d underestimated the length of the formalities involved. My daughter screamed ‘Open the doors, let me out!’ through the whole of the pope’s speech. I was distraught, but Francis responded very gently to the disruption.”

    Francis she says, stopped what he was saying and “commented how sweet and lovely it was to hear the voice of a child. I could feel it was not just a platitude – he meant it.”




    Read more:
    Pope Francis: ‘ethical helmsman’ whose feel for international relations steered church in turbulent times



    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.


    ref. Ukraine’s path to peace appears to be rapidly disappearing – https://theconversation.com/ukraines-path-to-peace-appears-to-be-rapidly-disappearing-255272

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Republicans’ Planned Medicaid Cuts Will Devastate Fight Against Opioid Epidemic, Threatens Treatment for 19,000 Wisconsinites

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) slammed Republicans’ planned cuts to Medicaid which will devastate our country’s fight against the opioid and fentanyl epidemic and jeopardize treatment for thousands of Wisconsinites. Roughly 1 million Americans, including nearly 20,000 Wisconsinites, rely on Medicaid for their opioid addiction treatment. Earlier this month, Republicans in Congress advanced their plan to pay for tax breaks for the super wealthy by gutting up to $880 billion from Medicaid.

    “Thousands of families across Wisconsin have lost a loved one to opioid addiction and fentanyl poisoning. I’m committed to fighting this crisis on every front, from treatment to prevention. Republicans’ plan to gut Medicaid and rip away lifesaving treatment from Wisconsinites battling addiction would take us a step back in this fight, all to pay for tax breaks for Wall Street and corporations,” said Senator Baldwin. “Saving lives and fighting the opioid epidemic is personal for me – my mother fought addiction. I will not allow Republicans to rip away treatment from people like my mother to fund their plan to make the super wealthy even wealthier.”

    Roughly 1 million individuals – including 19,540 Wisconsinites – were able to receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder through Medicaid in 2022. Medicaid covers both counseling and service-based appointments, life-saving opioid reversal medications like Naloxone, and other addiction treatment medications. Health insurance like Medicaid is the key to accessing these highly effective medications, as treatment costs can be unaffordable for people who are uninsured. Cutting Medicaid means thousands of people will lose access to addiction treatment.

    Addiction treatment has contributed to the recent decline in overdose-related deaths, but Republicans’ Medicaid cuts could stop this progress. New provisional data found a nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths in the United States for the 12 months ending in September 2024, compared to the previous year. These cuts will jeopardize this progress and run directly counter to the Trump Administration’s newly released drug policy priority of increasing access to addiction treatment.

    Senator Baldwin is committed to delivering the resources Wisconsin needs to turn the tide on this epidemic and save lives. Among other actions, her FEND Off Fentanyl Act was signed into law last year to stem the flow of the drug from coming into the U.S. by cracking down on Chinese chemical suppliers and Mexican cartels. Senator Baldwin also wrote an annual funding bill that delivers $4.6 billion nationwide to support substance use prevention and treatment efforts.

    More information on how Medicaid cuts will impact Americans with substance use disorder is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders, Jayapal, Dingell to Introduce Medicare for All

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, April 24 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), announced today that they will hold a press conference on Tuesday with nurses, health care providers, and workers from around the nation to introduce the Medicare for All Act.

    In America today, despite spending twice as much per person on health care as other wealthy nations, more than 85 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured, one out of every four Americans cannot afford their prescription drugs, over half a million people go bankrupt due to medically-related debt, and more than 60,000 die because they cannot afford to go to a doctor.

    “The American people understand, as I do, that health care is a human right, not a privilege and that we must end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all of its citizens,” said Sanders. “It is not acceptable to me, nor to the American people, that over 85 million people today are either uninsured or underinsured. Today, there are millions of people who would like to go to a doctor but cannot afford to do so. This is an outrage. In America, your health and your longevity should not be dependent on your wealth. Health care is a human right that all Americans, regardless of income, are entitled to and they deserve the best health care that our country can provide.”

    Under this legislation, Medicare would provide comprehensive health care to every American with no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles. It would also expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care, and it would give every American the freedom to choose their doctors without endless paperwork or fighting their insurance company. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Medicare for All would save our health care system $650 billion a year. Further, researchers at Yale University have estimated that Medicare for All would save 68,000 lives a year.

    This legislation would also create a health care system that finally puts people over profits. In fact, since 2001, the top health care companies in America spent 95 percent of their profits, $2.6 trillion, not to make Americans healthy but to make their CEOs and stockholders obscenely rich. While nearly one out of four Americans cannot afford the life-saving medicine their doctors prescribe, ten top pharma companies made $102 billion in profits in 2024. Meanwhile, the CEOs of just 4 prescription drug companies – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Merck – together made over $100 million last year.

    Details

    What: Press conference to reintroduce the Medicare for All Act

    When: Tuesday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. ET

    Where: Upper Senate Park, opposite Russell Senate Office Building Delaware door. The press conference will also be livestreamed on Sanders’ social media.

    Who:

    • Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
    • Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.)
    • Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.)
    • Nurses, health care providers, and workers

    Press RSVP: Press interested in attending should RSVP with press@sanders.senate.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Child Welfare highlights strategies to lead child safety reform in Oregon

    Source: US State of Oregon

    he Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Director is sharing details of a broad effort underway to improve safety for children in foster care and children who come to the attention of Child Welfare through a call to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline.

    “The safety of children is our highest priority, and while the Child Welfare system has significantly improved in recent years, we know there is more work to do to ensure children are safe, both in our care and in the community,” said ODHS Child Welfare Director, Aprille Flint-Gerner.

    Improvement plans are focused on the following goals:

    • Workforce development: Child Welfare needs a strong, supported workforce with access to resources, tools and knowledge to keep children safe. Initiatives in this area include enhanced training, changes to assessment policy and procedure, and technology improvements to help caseworkers work more efficiently.
    • Public engagement and trust: To keep children safe, the community needs to understand how to build safety around families and how to report concerns to the Child Abuse Hotline. A new mandatory reporter training for the public, a companion “mandatory supporter training,” and more easily accessible information online about child safety and progress will help meet this goal.
    • Vulnerable populations. Oregon faces multifaceted challenges around supporting families and children with complex needs. Child Welfare has safety initiatives around children who have been trafficked, children with disabilities, and children who need substance abuse treatment.

    More details on these efforts can be found at this link.

    Child Welfare is partnering with national experts to inform strategies and measure success of these ongoing efforts. Human Services Group (HSG) will partner with Child Welfare to conduct a review during the next 90-120 days to evaluate current safety-related practices, make recommendations that build on current practices and resources that help to safeguard vulnerable children in Oregon. The agency is also working with the neutral expert hired through in the collaborative agreement from the class action-lawsuit settled last year to conduct an initial review of the Oregon child welfare system and working with the department to develop outcome measures.

    “Safety is core to the mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services, and our staff work hard each day to protect the most vulnerable populations, including children, older adults and people with disabilities,” said Fariborz Pakseresht, ODHS Director. “We are committed to continuously evaluating our work, to ensure we are doing all we can to support safety in all settings and communities.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gang Members Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and Murdering Man They Misidentified as a Rival Gang Member

    Source: US State of California

    Following a two-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted three Minnesota men yesterday for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and a gang-related murder on Aug. 7, 2021.

    “These defendants participated in a senseless murder and other acts of violence that terrorized their community,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s conviction sends a message to gang members in Minneapolis that there is no glory in gun violence. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the Department is committed to prosecuting criminal enterprises that use violence and intimidation to exert power in our cities — dismantling violent gangs and securing justice for the victims and their loved ones.”

    “Minneapolis criminal street gangs have inflicted devastating harm on our community for far too long. Three years ago, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced our federal violent crime initiative to address the skyrocketing and completely unacceptable rates of violent crime in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. “Since then, we have brought large RICO cases against three criminal street gangs — charging them as the violent enterprises they are. Make no mistake: we will not stop. Criminal street gangs in Minneapolis will continue to see federal justice. The citizens of Minnesota — the many victims of these crimes — deserve no less.”

    “This conviction sends a strong message that violent street gangs will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “Through the power of the RICO statute, ATF agents, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement, have been able to target the violent criminal activity of the Highs gang. This conviction is a direct result of the tireless work by our agents who are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations and ensuring that those who use violence to control neighborhoods are held accountable. ATF will continue to lead efforts to take down street gangs and protect the citizens of Minneapolis.”

    “This was cold-blooded, calculated violence meant to control through fear,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “They believed violence gave them power—but today’s conviction proves that justice is stronger. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to dismantling these criminal enterprises and holding violent offenders accountable.

    “Minneapolis has seen a significant drop in violent crime, especially gun violence, thanks to the outstanding work of MPD officers and our law enforcement partners. Most notably, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in helping us target the small number of individuals driving violence, without causing harm to the broader communities we serve. Together, we’re not just reducing crime — we’re rebuilding trust,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

    “The verdict marks a decisive victory in the fight against violent criminal organizations,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Reducing violence in this community has required a change in tactics, and IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are perfectly poised to support our law enforcement partners in this effort. Our agents will continue to apply their financial expertise and investigative skills to bring justice to those who endanger our communities and threaten our way of life.”

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29, each of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Evidence at trial proved that the Highs gang committed multiple murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies. As members of the Highs, the defendants were expected to retaliate against the rival Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue.

    On Aug. 7, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed by a Lows member at the Winner gas station, a Highs hangout. The following day, Highs members organized a memorial for the deceased member at the gas station, where they distributed firearms and encouraged each other to retaliate against Lows members for the murder. Defendants Pruitt, Johnson, and Hamilton were all in attendance at the memorial.

    Later that day, Johnson and Hamilton drove to a known Lows hangout — Wally’s Foods — and shot a Lows associate, who survived his injuries. Approximately two hours later, Johnson, Hamilton, and Pruitt drove to Skyline Market, another known Lows hangout, to shoot another Lows member. Inside the market, they shot a man whom they mistakenly believed to be a Lows member — which was captured on the store’s cameras. The victim ran for his life from the store and into the street. Pruitt, who was driving two juvenile members in a stolen Porsche, let the juveniles out of the car. The juvenile members then chased the victim into a nearby alley and fatally shot him. The victim was shot at least eight times.

    The jury convicted Prutt, Johnson, and Hamilton of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    This is the first of several trials scheduled in this case, which charged a total of 28 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Sixteen defendants are pending trial.

    The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Brian Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun, Albania Concepcion, and Rebecca Kline for the District of Minnesota tried this case.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI New Orleans Recognizes 45th Anniversary of the Joint Terrorism Task Force

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

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is marking the 45th anniversary of the creation of its first Joint Terrorism Task Force. Formed in New York in 1980, the first JTTF became a model for law enforcement cooperation across the nation. The FBI New Orleans JTTF is the group responsible for the ongoing investigation into the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street.

    The FBI New Orleans Field Office organized its JTTF 25 years ago in April of 2000, with Louisiana State Police representing the only full-time local law enforcement partner working with the FBI, Department of Defense, and what is now the Department of Homeland Security. The JTTF allowed for a concentration of dedicated FBI manpower and resources. This new JTTF supplemented work already being done by regional task forces and working groups.

    Today, the following agencies provide full-time support to the JTTF mission across the state:

    • Louisiana State Police
    • New Orleans Police Department
    • Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
    • St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office
    • St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office
    • Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office
    • East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
    • United States Army
    • United States Coast Guard
    • Department of Homeland Security
    • United States Secret Service

    JTTFs can be found at each of the FBI’s 55 field offices and many of their smaller offices—around 280 locations in all.

    JTTFs gather trained investigators, intelligence analysts, linguists, and tactical experts from federal, state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Task force members share intelligence and investigative leads and respond to threats and incidents.

    “We rely on our law enforcement partners to help keep our communities safe,” said Jonathan Tapp, special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans. “All of our partners bring their special skills and expertise to these teams, making us all that much stronger.”

    The FBI’s JTTF model dates to 1979, when the New York Police Department and the FBI’s New York Field Office created a joint task force to tackle violent bank robberies. They imitated the model in 1980, when terrorist bombings, bomb threats, and other violence plagued the city, and announced the formation of the first JTTF in April 1980.

    After the 9/11 attacks, FBI leadership directed all FBI field offices to establish a JTTF. In addition, the FBI established its National Joint Terrorism Task Force to support the local task forces in June of 2002. The NJTTF, at FBI Headquarters, enhances communication, coordination, and cooperation from partner agencies.

    JTTFs have disrupted dozens of plots in the past four decades. The FBI New Orleans JTTF is dedicated to identifying and targeting for prosecution terrorist organizations planning or carrying out terrorist acts occurring in or affecting the State of Louisiana and apprehend individuals committing such violations.

    Resources

    A recorded video interview with David Scott, assistant director of the Counterterrorism Division, is available for media outlet use on the FBI’s new DVIDs page. This is the main “hub” for FBI-produced multimedia projects that can be directly downloaded and used by the media. This video is not intended to be amplified in its raw form but rather edited into on-air products.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Rebuilding American Industry, One Precision Part at a Time

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What do you get when you combine a spotless shop floor, a legacy of quality craftsmanship, and an entrepreneur with vision? A modern American Dream in motion.

    Billy Banks, a Chicago-based entrepreneur, father of triplets, and former Northwestern University entrepreneurship professor, has acquired General Machine, a precision manufacturing business based in Freeburg, Illinois. Established in 1980, General Machine has earned its reputation by delivering high-quality custom metal fabrication and machining services to industries such as mining, construction, power generation, and infrastructure.

    A native of Elkhart, Indiana, Banks began his career in the RV industry, learning the fundamentals of American manufacturing firsthand. From there, his journey was anything but linear—spanning corporate roles, startups, and even academia. He first cut his teeth by co-founding M-Tec Corporation, a steel fabrication business servicing the RV, commercial vehicle and trailer industries. Next, he co-founded Reach360, a HR-tech platform focused on providing Fortune 500 HR services and benefits to small businesses. Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, Banks has remained committed to creating opportunity and building things that last.

    “When I was growing up in northern Indiana, I saw what happens when manufacturing disappears—it leaves a void in communities,” said Banks. “But I also saw what’s possible when you reinvest in people and production.”

    That belief led him to acquire General Machine—a business with skilled employees, strong customer relationships, and untapped potential. The acquisition, which included both the business and its real estate, required a creative financing solution. That’s where First American Bank stepped in.

    To overcome high capital barriers, Banks partnered with the bank to structure a deal that leveraged the SBA 7(a) loan program to reduce the down payment, finance goodwill, and support stable cash flow through a 10-year amortization schedule. Working in tandem with GrowthCorp, First American Bank also utilized the SBA 504 program to secure 40% of the project at a fixed 25-year rate—while requiring only a 10% down payment. A working capital line of credit rounded out the financing to support ongoing operations.

    “Billy brought a clear vision, strong experience, and a deep passion for revitalizing American manufacturing,” said Ross Van Beek, Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Relationship Manager at First American Bank.

    “This is exactly the kind of entrepreneurial story we love to support—because it creates jobs, strengthens communities, and builds the future of American industry.”

    Van Beek, along with colleagues Mark Kroencke and Madelyn McCarthy, played a pivotal role in structuring and closing the transaction.

    Now at the helm, Banks has ambitious plans: double the business in three years—and then do it again.

    He’s building on a rock-solid foundation. General Machine’s capabilities include:

    • Large precision machining for industrial-scale components
    • Welding and fabrication of steel, stainless, and aluminum
    • CNC machining, plasma cutting, and forming for structural and heavy equipment applications
    • Sheet metal and custom part fabrication backed by deep technical expertise

    Banks is already modernizing the company—enhancing digital outreach, deepening customer relationships, and integrating advanced technologies like AI to improve quoting, scheduling, and operational efficiency.

    “General Machine has all the right bones,” said Banks. “Now it’s about honoring what works—craftsmanship, relationships, integrity—while building something even bigger.”

    Thanks to First American Bank’s strategic financial support and Banks’ bold leadership, General Machine is poised to lead the next era of precision manufacturing—one expertly machined part at a time.

    If you’re looking to take your business to the next level with innovative financial solutions, contact First American Bank today. Our team is ready to help you structure the right financing to fuel your growth.

    For more information about First American Bank and its services, visit www.firstambank.com.

    First American Bank is a Member FDIC.

    Contact:
    Teresa Lee
    305-631-6400
    tlee@firstambank.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gang Members Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and Murdering Man They Misidentified as a Rival Gang Member

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Following a two-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted three Minnesota men yesterday for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and a gang-related murder on Aug. 7, 2021.

    “These defendants participated in a senseless murder and other acts of violence that terrorized their community,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s conviction sends a message to gang members in Minneapolis that there is no glory in gun violence. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the Department is committed to prosecuting criminal enterprises that use violence and intimidation to exert power in our cities — dismantling violent gangs and securing justice for the victims and their loved ones.”

    “Minneapolis criminal street gangs have inflicted devastating harm on our community for far too long. Three years ago, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced our federal violent crime initiative to address the skyrocketing and completely unacceptable rates of violent crime in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. “Since then, we have brought large RICO cases against three criminal street gangs — charging them as the violent enterprises they are. Make no mistake: we will not stop. Criminal street gangs in Minneapolis will continue to see federal justice. The citizens of Minnesota — the many victims of these crimes — deserve no less.”

    “This conviction sends a strong message that violent street gangs will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “Through the power of the RICO statute, ATF agents, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement, have been able to target the violent criminal activity of the Highs gang. This conviction is a direct result of the tireless work by our agents who are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations and ensuring that those who use violence to control neighborhoods are held accountable. ATF will continue to lead efforts to take down street gangs and protect the citizens of Minneapolis.”

    “This was cold-blooded, calculated violence meant to control through fear,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “They believed violence gave them power—but today’s conviction proves that justice is stronger. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to dismantling these criminal enterprises and holding violent offenders accountable.

    “Minneapolis has seen a significant drop in violent crime, especially gun violence, thanks to the outstanding work of MPD officers and our law enforcement partners. Most notably, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in helping us target the small number of individuals driving violence, without causing harm to the broader communities we serve. Together, we’re not just reducing crime — we’re rebuilding trust,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

    “The verdict marks a decisive victory in the fight against violent criminal organizations,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Reducing violence in this community has required a change in tactics, and IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are perfectly poised to support our law enforcement partners in this effort. Our agents will continue to apply their financial expertise and investigative skills to bring justice to those who endanger our communities and threaten our way of life.”

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29, each of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Evidence at trial proved that the Highs gang committed multiple murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies. As members of the Highs, the defendants were expected to retaliate against the rival Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue.

    On Aug. 7, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed by a Lows member at the Winner gas station, a Highs hangout. The following day, Highs members organized a memorial for the deceased member at the gas station, where they distributed firearms and encouraged each other to retaliate against Lows members for the murder. Defendants Pruitt, Johnson, and Hamilton were all in attendance at the memorial.

    Later that day, Johnson and Hamilton drove to a known Lows hangout — Wally’s Foods — and shot a Lows associate, who survived his injuries. Approximately two hours later, Johnson, Hamilton, and Pruitt drove to Skyline Market, another known Lows hangout, to shoot another Lows member. Inside the market, they shot a man whom they mistakenly believed to be a Lows member — which was captured on the store’s cameras. The victim ran for his life from the store and into the street. Pruitt, who was driving two juvenile members in a stolen Porsche, let the juveniles out of the car. The juvenile members then chased the victim into a nearby alley and fatally shot him. The victim was shot at least eight times.

    The jury convicted Prutt, Johnson, and Hamilton of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    This is the first of several trials scheduled in this case, which charged a total of 28 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Sixteen defendants are pending trial.

    The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Brian Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun, Albania Concepcion, and Rebecca Kline for the District of Minnesota tried this case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nashville Man on Probation for Attempted Murder Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NASHVILLE – Latreavias Burns, 28, of Nashville, has been charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    “We will not permit those who have committed violent crimes to carry firearms, especially when they are on release in our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Our Operation Bond Watch program works every day with our law enforcement partners to keep violent felons from carrying guns and hold those who do accountable for their actions.”

    According to court documents, on April 17, 2025, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department detectives were conducting surveillance using Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) cameras in the area of South 6th Street and Summer Place in Nashville. Detectives observed a group of individuals congregating and identified one of the individuals as Latreavias Burns, who had active state warrants.

    Detectives responded to the area and attempted to make contact with Burns, who ran away. The detectives caught Burns, and during a search incident to arrest, they found a Smith and Wesson, Model: SD9; Caliber: 9mm pistol loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition in Burns’ left pant leg, and a digital scale with marijuana residue.

    Burns has multiple prior felony convictions in Davidson County, Tennessee, including Attempted Second Degree Murder and Assault Resulting in Death and Accessory After the Fact. According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Burns had absconded from his community corrections program prior to this incident.

    If convicted, Burns faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case.

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

    A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Announces First Quarter 2025 Dividends, Reports Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    INDIANAPOLIS, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBank Indianapolis” or “Bank”) declared its first quarter 2025 dividends on Class B-2 activity-based capital stock and Class B-1 non-activity-based stock at annualized rates of 9.50% and 4.50%, respectively. The higher dividend rate on activity-based stock reflects the Board’s discretion under the Bank’s capital plan to reward members that use FHLBank Indianapolis in support of their liquidity needs.

    The dividends will be paid in cash on April 25, 2025.

    Earnings Highlights

    Net income, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $75 million, a net decrease of $20 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to net unrealized losses on qualifying fair-value and economic hedging relationships1, a substantial increase in voluntary contributions to affordable housing and community investment programs, and lower earnings on the portion of the Bank’s assets funded by its capital2, partially offset by higher interest spreads on interest-earning assets, net of interest-bearing liabilities.

    Affordable Housing Program Allocation

    The Bank’s Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”) provides grant funding to support housing for low- and moderate-income families in communities served by its Michigan and Indiana members. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, AHP assessments3 totaled $9 million. Such required allocations will be available to the Bank’s members in 2026 to help address their communities’ affordable housing needs, including construction, rehabilitation, accessibility improvements and homebuyer down-payment assistance.

    In addition, as part of the Bank’s commitment to further support its AHP and additional affordable housing and community investment programs, the Bank voluntarily contributed additional funding, in the three months ended March 31, 2025, totaling $11 million, all of which has been recognized and reported in other expenses.

    The Bank’s combined required and voluntary allocations recognized, in the three months ended March 31, 2025, totaled $20 million, an increase of $5 million, or 35%, compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

    Condensed Statements of Income

    The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of income ($ amounts in millions):

      Three Months Ended
    March 31,
      2025   2024
    Interest income(a) $ 940   $ 1,016
    Interest expense(a)   814     887
    Provision for credit losses      
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   126     129
    Other income(b)       9
    Other expenses(c)   42     32
    AHP assessments   9     11
           
    Net income $ 75   $ 95

    (a)   Includes hedging gains (losses) and net interest settlements on fair-value hedge relationships. The Bank uses derivatives, specifically interest-rate swaps, to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of certain of its advances, available-for-sale securities and consolidated obligations. These derivatives are designated as fair-value hedges and, therefore, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative, and changes in the fair value of the hedged item that are attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in net interest income.
    (b)   Includes impact of purchase discount (premium) recorded through mark-to-market gains (losses) on trading securities and net interest settlements on derivatives hedging trading securities, while generally offsetting interest income on trading securities is included in interest income.
    (c)   Includes voluntary contributions to the Bank’s AHP and other affordable housing and community investment programs.

    Balance Sheet Highlights

    Total assets, at March 31, 2025, were $80.7 billion, a net decrease of $3.8 billion, or 5%, from December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in liquidity investments.

    Advances 4

    The carrying value of advances outstanding, at March 31, 2025, totaled $38.5 billion, a net decrease of $1.3 billion, or 3%, from December 31, 2024. The par value of advances outstanding decreased by 4% to $38.6 billion, which included a net decrease in short-term advances of 7% and a net decrease in long-term advances of 2%. At March 31, 2025, based on contractual maturities, long-term advances composed 64% of advances outstanding, while short-term advances composed 36%.

    The par value of advances outstanding to depository institutions — comprising commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions — decreased by 4%, while advances outstanding to insurance companies decreased by 3%. As a percent of total advances outstanding at par value at March 31, 2025, advances to commercial banks and savings institutions were 52% and advances to credit unions were 14%, resulting in total advances to depository institutions of 66%, while advances to insurance companies were 34%.

    In general, advances fluctuate in accordance with members’ funding needs, primarily determined by their deposit levels, mortgage pipelines, loan growth, investment opportunities, available collateral, other balance sheet strategies, and the cost of alternative funding options.

    Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio 5

    Mortgage loans held for portfolio, at March 31, 2025, totaled $11.4 billion, a net increase of $583 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2024, as the Bank’s purchases from its members exceeded principal repayments by borrowers. Purchases of mortgage loans from members, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, totaled $834 million.

    In general, the Bank’s volume of mortgage loans purchased is affected by several factors, including interest rates, competition, the general level of housing and refinancing activity in the United States, consumer product preferences, the Bank’s balance sheet capacity and risk appetite, and regulatory considerations.

    Liquidity Investments 6

    Liquidity investments, at March 31, 2025, totaled $9.5 billion, a net decrease of $3.5 billion, or 27%, from December 31, 2024. The Bank’s liquidity remained well above regulatory requirements and continues to enable the Bank to be a reliable liquidity provider to its members.

    Cash and short-term investments decreased by $3.5 billion, or 29%, to $8.4 billion. The portion of U.S. Treasury obligations classified as trading securities increased by $7 million, or 1%, to $1.1 billion. As a result of this activity, cash and short-term investments represented 88% of the total liquidity investments at March 31, 2025, while U.S. Treasury obligations represented 12%.

    The total outstanding balance and composition of the Bank’s liquidity investments are influenced by its liquidity needs, regulatory requirements, actual and anticipated member advance activity, market conditions, and the availability of short-term investments at attractive interest rates, relative to the cost of funds.

    Other Investment Securities

    Other investment securities, which consist substantially of mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury obligations classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale, at March 31, 2025, totaled $20.6 billion, a net increase of $424 million, or 2%, from December 31, 2024.

    Consolidated Obligations 7

    FHLBank Indianapolis’ consolidated obligations outstanding, at March 31, 2025, totaled $74.6 billion, a net decrease of $3.5 billion, or 4%, from December 31, 2024, which reflected decreased funding needs associated with the net decrease in the Bank’s total assets.

    Capital 8

    Total capital, at March 31, 2025, was $4.2 billion, a net decrease of $48 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2024. The net decrease resulted primarily from the Bank’s repurchases of capital stock, offset by members’ purchases of capital stock to support their advance activity and the Bank’s growth in retained earnings.

    The Bank’s regulatory capital-to-assets ratio9, at March 31, 2025, was 5.52%, which exceeds all applicable regulatory capital requirements.

    Condensed Statements of Condition

    The following table presents unaudited condensed statements of condition ($ amounts in millions):

      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Advances $ 38,487     $ 39,833  
    Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net   11,379       10,796  
    Liquidity investments   9,451       12,911  
    Other investment securities(a)   20,613       20,189  
    Other assets   781       806  
           
    Total assets $ 80,711     $ 84,535  
           
    Consolidated obligations $ 74,605     $ 78,085  
    MRCS   266       363  
    Other liabilities   1,653       1,852  
    Total liabilities   76,524       80,300  
           
    Capital stock(b)   2,484       2,555  
    Retained earnings(c)   1,707       1,684  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (4 )     (4 )
    Total capital   4,187       4,235  
           
    Total liabilities and capital $ 80,711     $ 84,535  
           
    Total regulatory capital(d) $ 4,457     $ 4,602  
           
    Regulatory capital-to-assets ratio   5.52 %     5.44 %

    (a)   Includes held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities.
    (b)   Putable by members at par value.
    (c)   Includes restricted retained earnings, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, of $481 million and $466 million, respectively.
    (d)   Consists of total capital less accumulated other comprehensive income plus mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

    All amounts referenced above are unaudited. More detailed information about FHLBank Indianapolis’ financial condition as of March 31, 2025, and its results for the three months then ended, will be included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Bank’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events and performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will,” “believes,” “may,” “temporary,” “estimates,” and “expects” or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release reflects FHLBank Indianapolis’ current beliefs and expectations. Actual results or performance may differ materially from what is expressed in any forward-looking statements.

    Any forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. FHLBank Indianapolis undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Readers are referred to the documents filed by the Bank with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), specifically reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which include factors that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. These reports are available at www.sec.gov.

    Media Contact:
    Scott Thien
    Senior Corporate Communications Associate
    317-902-3103
    sthien@fhlbi.com

    Building Partnerships. Serving Communities.
    FHLBank Indianapolis is a regional bank included in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to provide access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with particular attention paid to providing solutions that support the housing and small business needs of members’ customers. FHLBanks are privately capitalized and funded, and receive no Congressional appropriations. FHLBank Indianapolis is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions.

    For more information about FHLBank Indianapolis, visit www.fhlbi.com. Also, follow the Bank on LinkedIn, as well as Instagram and X at @FHLBankIndy. Please note that content the Bank shares on its website and social media is not incorporated by reference into any of its filings with the SEC unless, and only to the extent that, a filing by the Bank with the SEC expressly provides to the contrary.


    The Bank’s net gains (losses) on derivatives fluctuate due to volatility in the overall interest-rate environment as the Bank hedges asset or liability risk exposures. In general, the Bank holds derivatives and associated hedged items to the maturity, call, or put date. Therefore, due to timing, nearly all of the cumulative net gains and losses for these financial instruments will generally reverse over the remaining contractual terms of the hedged item. However, there may be instances when the Bank terminates these instruments prior to the maturity, call or put date, which may result in a realized gain or loss.
    FHLBank Indianapolis earns interest income on advances to and mortgage loans purchased from its Michigan and Indiana member financial institutions, as well as on long- and short-term investments. Net interest income is primarily determined by the size of the Bank’s balance sheet and the spread between the interest earned on its assets and the interest cost of funding with consolidated obligations. Because of the Bank’s inherent relatively low interest-rate spread, it has historically derived a significant portion of its net interest income from deploying its interest-free capital in floating-rate assets.
    Each year, Federal Home Loan Banks are required to allocate to the AHP 10% of earnings, defined for this purpose as income before assessments plus interest expense on mandatorily redeemable capital stock.
    Advances are secured loans that the Bank provides to its member institutions.
    The Bank purchases mortgage loans from its members to support its housing mission, provide an additional source of liquidity to its members, and diversify its investments.
    The Bank’s liquidity investments consist of cash, interest-bearing deposits, securities purchased under agreements to resell, federal funds sold and U.S. Treasury obligations.
    The primary source of funds for FHLBank Indianapolis, and for the other FHLBanks, is the sale of FHLBanks’ consolidated obligations in the capital markets. FHLBank Indianapolis is the primary obligor for the payment of the principal and interest on the consolidated obligations issued on its behalf; additionally, it is jointly and severally liable with each of the other FHLBanks for all of the FHLBanks’ consolidated obligations outstanding.
    FHLBank Indianapolis is a cooperative whose member financial institutions and former members own all of its capital stock as a condition of membership and to support outstanding credit products.
    Total regulatory capital, which consists of capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock and retained earnings, as a percentage of total assets.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: The relentless and indiscriminate bombing in Ukraine must cease

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Kyiv – Last night, Kyiv, Ukraine, faced yet another wave of massive bombardment. This follows devastating attacks in Dnipro region, and Kryvyi Rih, all of which resulted in mass casualties. The massive use of force employed by Russian forces across Ukraine is relentless. Hospitals, residential buildings, humanitarian workers, and patients are not spared; with the use of drones and long-range missiles, no-one in the country is safe.

    Last night’s strikes in Kyiv saw a missile hit a residential building. Emergency services are still searching through the rubble for survivors. Twelve people have been confirmed killed, and over 70 injured—among them, six children. Many remain in hospital, with life-threatening injuries.

    Kyiv is home to the coordination offices of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Ukraine. MSF teams live and work in the city.

    “Right now, our staff—like millions of others—face almost nightly bombing raids,” says Thomas Marchese, MSF Programme Director in Ukraine. “Last night, some of our colleagues spent the night in metro stations; others had no choice but to wake their children and shelter at home as best they could, while explosions shook the ground, and rattled windows. No-one is safe, people are exhausted and many live in fear.”

    This latest attack in Kyiv continues a pattern of bombardments in Ukraine: attacks on residential buildings, hospitals, and schools occur daily. On 5 April, MSF ambulance teams responded to a strike in Kryvyi Rih, where 20 people were killed, including nine children. One survivor referred by MSF paramedics was just seven years old; she suffered a fractured hip, haemorrhagic shock, and shrapnel wounds.

    On 23 April, a drone strike by Russian forces hit a bus in Marhanets, Dnipro region, reportedly killing nine people and wounding 50. MSF ambulance teams supported the Ministry of Health in the mass casualty plan, referring patients suffering from significant blood loss and shrapnel wounds.

    Around 2,000 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed since the war in Ukraine escalated in 2022. In recent months, hospitals across the country have faced multiple mass casualty events, and have even become targets, particularly in areas near the frontline, where the health system is already under immense pressure.

    “The scale of attacks people endure are huge, our mobile clinics have seen a rise in cases of heart attacks and strokes—conditions directly linked to prolonged stress,” says Marchese. “In Ukraine, no part of daily life is untouched by the war.” 

    “People can be hit while commuting, buying bread, or dropping their children at kindergarten,” continues Marchese. “There’s no warning, no safe place—just seconds between normal life and extreme violence. Civilians must never be targets.”

    MSF paramedic teams are currently supporting emergency responses in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions, while surgical teams continue to provide lifesaving care in hospitals close to active conflict areas. Rehabilitation care, including physiotherapy and mental health care continue in Cherkasy and Odesa, while in Vinnytsia, the mental health team provides treatment for post traumatic stress syndrome caused by the war. Among medical facilities in Ukraine, one thing is a constant: the influx of wounded never truly stops.

    MIL OSI NGO