Category: Transport

MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Urge PhRMA To Embrace Their Bill To End Price Secrecy In Prescription Drug Advertisements

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 31, 2025
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today sent a letter to the President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) urging them to embrace their bipartisan legislation, the Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements.
The Senators wrote, “The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising. As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that when patients are bombarded with information about the newest wonder drug, the price is not kept secret. President Trump previously has issued regulations to advance this policy.”
Drug manufacturers in the United States spend approximately $6 billion annually in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, with approximately one-third of all commercial time across evening news programs being consumed with these pharmaceutical promotions. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low therapeutic value”. This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review we requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018. In 2022, the two most-advertised drugs on television alone accounted for $1.7 billion in Medicare spending.
“There is a lot of value in knowing a prescription drug’s list price, the most accessible and standardized price of a drug, which is set by the manufacturer itself. This is especially important for consumers with high-deductible health insurance plans, those who are underinsured, or have no health insurance coverage at all,” the Senators continued.
Recently, the Senators reintroduced the DTC Act to bring price transparency to DTC prescription drug ads. In addition to President Trump’s previous support, the bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance. Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, the Senators argue it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The Senators conclude, “We urge you to take the reasonable, minimal step of embracing our bipartisan legislation to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements.”
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
January 31, 2025
Dear Mr. Ubl:
Drug manufacturers in the United States spend approximately $6 billion annually in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, with approximately one-third of all commercial time across evening news programs being consumed with these pharmaceutical promotions. It is a similar story when consumers stream their favorite show or scroll through social media. Yet consumers learn nothing from these advertisements about the cost of the prescription drug. This must change.
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low therapeutic value”. This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review we requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018. In 2022, the two most-advertised drugs on television alone accounted for $1.7 billion in Medicare spending.
The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising.
As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that when patients are bombarded with information about the newest wonder drug, the price is not kept secret. President Trump previously has issued regulations to advance this policy.
There is a lot of value in knowing a prescription drug’s list price, the most accessible and standardized price of a drug, which is set by the manufacturer itself. This is especially important for consumers with high-deductible health insurance plans, those who are underinsured, or have no health insurance coverage at all—particularly as efforts are underway to reform the rebate structure used by pharmacy benefit managers.
Some of your member companies previously disclosed drug list prices in advertisements, and PhRMA previously has wanted to be more transparent with the American public about price information for advertised medications. We appreciate that 35 drug manufacturers voluntarily have certified to follow PhRMA’s “Guiding Principles on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements,” which includes directing patients to find information about the cost of medicine, including the list price, on the company’s website. We are glad that drug companies agree that consumers should know the price of a prescription drug before purchasing it. But in instances where manufacturers currently do opt to provide pricing information (e.g., “pay as little as $0 per dose”), they can understate or obscure a patient’s out-of-pocket liability.
Studies show that patients are better able to approximate their out-of-pocket expenses when provided with the list price. When voluntarily choosing to promote medications over the airwaves, manufacturers already are required to disclose safety, side effects, and contraindication information. Yet, for many patients, price plays a primary role in clinical adherence.
Recently, we reintroduced our bipartisan legislation (S.229) to bring price transparency to DTC prescription drug ads. In addition to President Trump’s previous support, our bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance. Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
We urge you to take the reasonable, minimal step of embracing our bipartisan legislation to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Joint Statement from 12 State Attorneys General: President Trump is Misleading the American People on Purpose of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives

Source: US State of California

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Washington, today issued a joint statement addressing President Trump’s recent executive orders purporting to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies and programs – collectively referred to below as “DEIA”:

“President Trump’s executive orders are unnecessary and disingenuous. These orders have nothing to do with combatting discrimination. The Trump administration has longstanding civil rights laws at its disposal to combat real discrimination, and we would be willing partners if it chose to pursue this path. Instead, the administration is targeting lawful policies and programs that are beneficial to all Americans. These policies and programs are not only consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination laws, they foster environments where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. That is the opposite of discrimination.

President Trump’s attack on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives undermines a simple and unassailable goal: to create fairer workplaces and opportunities for all to succeed. His baseless and offensive claims that these initiatives somehow contributed to the tragic plane crash this week are an insult to those who are grieving and the individuals serving in the military and air traffic control.

As state attorneys general representing tens of millions of American workers, we strongly oppose the President’s attempts to weaponize decades-old policies, which have been supported by Democratic and Republican administrations alike, to combat historical inequities faced by underrepresented communities and the ongoing, insidious discrimination that still exists in our country.

DEIA initiatives do more than prevent discrimination—they promote respect, understanding, and the celebration of diverse perspectives. This means ensuring that people of diverse races, backgrounds, and beliefs are present and valued in workplace and educational settings, that everyone receives fair treatment and equal access to opportunities, and that individuals or groups feel welcomed and supported in those settings. Inclusive employment practices such as expanded parental leave and flexible work arrangements acknowledge employees’ diverse needs, family constructs, and abilities.

Contrary to President Trump’s assertions, the policies he seeks to end do not diminish the importance of individual merit, nor do they mean that employers are lowering their standards, hiring unqualified candidates, or engaging in race-and-sex-based preferences. DEIA initiatives simply ensure that there are fair opportunities for everyone, helping to maximize contributions from all employees and enabling businesses and organizations to succeed in their missions.

As the chief law enforcement officers for our respective states, we are committed to enforcing federal and state civil rights laws to protect the rights of all our people against discriminatory practices. We condemn discrimination in any form, and we stand in strong opposition to the President’s recent orders and the misleading narrative he has pushed to justify them.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Multiple Defendants Indicted or Sentenced on Federal Immigration Charges
Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Recently, the federal grand jury in the Northern District of Alabama has indicted several people for illegal reentry after deportation and/or being an alien in possession of a firearm. Others have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal immigration-connected charges.

“Keeping our communities safe is our top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. “My office is focused on prosecuting individuals who are in our country illegally, especially those who engage in federal crimes. We will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals who commit these crimes are held accountable.”

“The charges and sentences announced today highlight the importance of pursuing criminals who violate our nation’s immigration laws and threaten public safety,” said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta that covers Alabama and Georgia. “HSI and our partners remain steadfast in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting illegal aliens who engage in criminal activity, unlawfully possess firearms or commit violence across our communities.”

Those indicted in November, December, and January include:
- Elbio Byron Cuz-Chub, 22, of Guatemala, who was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm;
- Edgar Bayardo Madriz-Morales, 64, of Nicaragua, who was charged with illegal reentry after deportation;
- Jorge Campos-Xochihua, 31, of Mexico, who was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm; and
- Abraham Lopez-Ramirez, 48, of Mexico, who was charged with illegal reentry after deportation.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Several other defendants recently have been adjudicated on federal immigration-related charges. Those include:
- Juan Manuel Salas-Sanchez, 43, of Mexico, who was sentenced to 135 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being an alien in possession of a firearm;
- Marvin Ernesto Clemente, 38, of El Salvador, who was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegal re-entry after deportation;
- Raul Edgardo Jimenez-Cruz, 38, of Honduras, who was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation;
- Jesus Daniel Bibiano-Ruiz, 28, of Mexico, who was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to being an alien in possession of a firearm;
- Alvaro Amezcua-Gonzalez, 48, of Mexico, who was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to being an alien in possession of a firearm; and
- Clemente Aguilera-Castaneda, 55, of Mexico, who pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after deportation. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Alabama will provide regular training to attorneys, federal agents, and state and local law enforcement partners to assist them in investigating and prosecuting immigration offenses in federal court.

MIL Security OSI –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Welch Reintroduces, Adds Cosponsors to Withstanding Extreme Agricultural Threats by Harvesting Economic Resilience (WEATHER) Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Legislation creates new insurance program for farmers to protect against extreme weather
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) recently led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.),and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in reintroducing theWithstanding Extreme Agricultural Threats by Harvesting Economic Resilience (WEATHER) Act, legislation that calls for the development of an index-based insurance policy that is more responsive to crop and income losses faced by farmers as a result of extreme weather. This would be especially beneficial to farmers in Vermont following floods in July 2023 and July 2024, which impacted nearly 31,000 acres of farmland across the state and resulted in at least $50 million in agricultural losses and damages
“As we saw during brutal back-to-back floods in Vermont, the consequences of extreme weather events are devastating, and they can vary from farm to farm. It’s crucial that crop insurance meets the needs of our farmers and gets support back to those who need it, quickly,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense bill works to ensure that all farmers are protected against economic strains caused by extreme weather and get the help they need to recover when a disaster hits. It’s important for Vermont’s family-owned small farms, and it’s important for farmers all across America.”
“The current federal crop insurance options are not workable for many of the small and diversified farms we have in Vermont. In the face of flooding and more unpredictable weather due to climate change, the federal government must step up to support farmers, food producers, and small businesses. The WEATHER Act is an important step in ensuring the Federal Crop Insurance Program can respond to the needs of farmers in Vermont and across the northeast,” said Senator Sanders.
“For years, I’ve sounded the alarm that uninsured farmers need aid to rebuild from floods and other extreme weather events, especially since these crops are their livelihood,” said Sen. Warren. “The WEATHER Act begins to solve this problem by reimbursing farmers automatically if an extreme weather event occurs, rather than the current system that imposes a large administrative burden on farmers, systematically disadvantaging family-run diversified farms.”
“A new normal of thousand-year storms every year has caused chaos for farmers across the country—ruining crops and destroying land—and in recent years, Connecticut farms have been devastated by extreme weather events, including severe flooding and unprecedented droughts. With this essential legislation, we work to improve our farm safety nets for producers in order to make sure they receive the support they need to weather the storm and keep their farms thriving,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“Farmers in Connecticut are increasingly dealing with more extreme weather, and we need to make sure they don’t face extra burdens when the next disaster strikes,” said Senator Murphy. “The WEATHER Act would simplify the recovery process by using weather data to trigger automatic insurance payouts, helping farmers get back on their feet quickly with less red tape.”
“More frequent floods and drought driven by climate change are threatening the livelihoods of our state’s farmers – from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. By modernizing federal crop insurance to account for these growing risks, this legislation will help Maryland’s small family farms get back up and running more quickly following natural disasters and improve the stability of our food supply,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The WEATHER Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Welch, Sanders, and Warren is a thoughtfully and carefully crafted proposal that would direct the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to collaboratively research and develop an index-based insurance policy designed to support farmers in withstanding agricultural income losses closely correlated with weather conditions—including severe weather or growing conditions applicable to small-scale farmers,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Young farmers across the country are dealing with the increasingly destructive impacts of the climate crisis on their farms every day. As farmers struggle to rebuild from and manage ongoing and future impacts, it is clear that we need more tools in our agricultural climate risk policy toolbox. Young Farmers endorses the WEATHER Act of 2025, recognizing how this proposal can complement existing resources and strengthen support for young farmers in persevering through these impacts.”
Unpredictable weather events exacerbate risks associated with farming, necessitating responsive crop insurance policies. However, producers often opt out of crop insurance due to administrative burdens, high premiums, and low payouts. The WEATHER Act works to better support farmers facing income losses after extreme weather events by reducing administrative hurdles and ensuring that insurance payouts are based on agricultural income losses. The legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use its insurance research and development authority to research the possibility of developing an index-based insurance program that:
Creates a multi-peril index insurance product for farmers based on weather indices correlated to agricultural income losses using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), satellites, climate models, and other data sources.
Pays out within 30 days in the event of indices exceeding any of the pre-determined county-level thresholds for the following events: High winds, excessive moisture and flooding, extreme heat, abnormal freeze conditions, hail, wildfires, drought, and other perils the Secretary determines appropriate.
Learn more about the WEATHER Act.
Read the full text of the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Interim Financial Report 2024/2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Regulated information, Leuven, 31 January 2025 (17.40 hrs CET)

Interim Financial Report 2024/2025

KBC Ancora recorded a profit of EUR 73.9 million in the first half of the financial year 2024/2025. This compared with a profit of EUR 72.9 million in the same period in the previous financial year. The result for the first six months of the financial year was determined chiefly by dividend income totalling EUR 77.5 million from the participating interest in KBC Group, operating costs of EUR 1.5 million and interest charges amounting to EUR 2.3 million.

Abridged financial summaries and notes¹

Results for the first half of financial year 2024/2025

	1H fin. year (x EUR 1,000)	2024/2025 per share (in EUR)	1H fin. year (x EUR 1,000)	2023/2024 *per share* (in EUR)
Income	77,738	*1.01*	77,953	*1.01*
Operating income	0	0.00	0	0.00
Recurring financial income	77,738	1.01	77,953	1.01
Expenses	-3,805	*-0.05*	-5,074	*-0.07*
Operating costs	-1,536	-0.02	-1,567	-0.02
Financial expenses	-2,269	-0.03	-3,508	-0.05
Result after taxes	73,933	*0.96*	72,879	*0.95*
Number of shares in issue*		77,011,844		77,011,844

* No instruments have been issued which could lead to dilution.

KBC Ancora recorded a profit of EUR 73.9 million in the first six months of the current financial year, equivalent to EUR 0.96 per share, compared with a profit of EUR 72.9 million in the same period in the previous financial year.

Income consisted principally of dividend received on the participating interest in KBC Group (EUR 77.5 million) and interest income on term investments (EUR 0.2 million). Expenses principally comprised interest charges on debt (EUR 2.3 million) and operating costs (EUR 1.5 million).

Balance sheet as at 31 December 2024

(x EUR 1,000)	31.12.2024	*30.06.2024
BALANCE SHEET TOTAL	3,660,323	3,599,986
Assets
Fixed assets	3,599,979	3,599,979
Current assets	60,344	8
Investments (other)	59,700	0
Cash at bank and in hand	611	1
Accrued income and deferred expense	33	7
Liabilities
Equity	3,557,524	3,483,591
Contribution	3,158,128	3,158,128
Legal reserve	175,258	175,258
Available reserves	149,427	149,427
Profit (loss) carried forward	777	777
Result for the period	73,933	n/a
Creditors	102,798	116,396
Amounts falling due after more than one year	100,000	100,000
Amounts falling due within one year	419	16,050
Accrued expense and deferred income	2,379	345

* The balance sheet at 30 June 2024 is shown after appropriation of the result.

The balance sheet total at 31 December 2024 stood at EUR 3.7 billion, an increase of EUR 60.3 million compared with the end of the financial year 2023/2024.

The number of shares held by KBC Ancora in KBC Group remained unchanged at 77,516,380. The book value of these shares was EUR 46.44 per share (i.e. the historical acquisition cost). The price of the KBC Group share stood at EUR 74.54 on 31 December 2024, while the IFRS equity value amounted to EUR 54.1 per KBC Group share on 30 September 2024.
Current assets increased by EUR 60.3 million to EUR 60.3 million, principally the result of interim dividend received in November 2024 on the participating interest in KBC Group (EUR +77.5 million) and the repayment of short-term financial debt (EUR -15.6 million).

Total equity rose by EUR 73.9 million. This increase was due to the result in the first half of the current financial year (EUR 73.9 million).
Debt showed a net reduction of EUR 13.6 million, due on the one hand to the repayment of short-term financial debt totalling EUR 15.6 million, and on the other an increase of EUR 2.0 million in the (pro rata) interest charges in respect of the first half of the financial year.

Interim report on the first six months of the current financial year 2024/2025

Notes on the first half of the current financial year 2024/2025

Extension of shareholder agreement concerning the anchoring of KBC Group

On 29 November 2024 Cera and KBC Ancora, together with MRBB and the Other Permanent Shareholders, confirmed that they would be extending unchanged their collaboration as a syndicate with respect to KBC Group for a further term of ten years. The extension of the syndicate agreement came into effect on 1 December 2024. Cera, KBC Ancora, MRBB and Other Permanent Shareholders will henceforth collectively hold 41.7% of the total number of KBC Group shares. In this way, the shareholders concerned will continue to ensure the shareholder stability and support the further development of the KBC group.

Result for the first six months of the financial year 2024/2025

KBC Ancora recorded a profit of EUR 73.9 million in the first six months of the current financial year, compared with a profit of EUR 72.9 million in the same period in the previous financial year.

This result was influenced principally by the following factors:

Dividend income totalling EUR 77.5 million. As in the same period in the previous financial year, this consisted of an interim dividend of EUR 1.00 per KBC Group share.
Interest income totalling EUR 0.2 million on term investments, compared with EUR 0.4 million in the same period in the previous financial year.
Interest charges amounting to EUR 2.3 million, a reduction of EUR 1.2 million compared with the same period in the previous financial year, due to the reduction in outstanding financial debt.
Operating expenses amounting to EUR 1.5 million, in line with the previous financial year. The operating expenses consisted primarily of costs incurred under the cost-sharing agreement with Cera (EUR 1.2 million). There were also the usual expenses, such as listing costs and costs associated with the statutory director.

Participating interest in KBC Group, net debt position and net asset value

The number of KBC Group shares in portfolio remained unchanged during the past six months at 77,516,380.

The net asset value of the KBC Ancora share is defined as 1.0066 times² the price of the KBC Group share, less the net debt³ per share. KBC Ancora’s net debt position at 31 December 2024 stood at EUR 0.55 per share.

Based on the price of the KBC Group share on 31 December 2024 (EUR 74.54), the net asset value of one KBC Ancora share amounted to EUR 74.48, and the KBC Ancora share (EUR 50.50) was trading at a discount of 32.2% to the net asset value.

The following charts illustrate the movements in the price of the KBC Group and KBC Ancora shares and the discount of the KBC Ancora share to its net asset value.

Trend in KBC Group and KBC Ancora share price (January – December 2024)	Trend in discount of KBC Ancora share to its net asset value (January – December 2024)

Principal risks and uncertainties in the remaining months of the financial year

Certain risk factors could have an impact on the value of the assets held by KBC Ancora and on its ability to distribute a dividend. Reference is made in this regard to the description of the risks in the most recent annual report (page 20).

KBC Ancora’s expenses in the second half of the current financial year (2024/2025) will consist principally of interest charges plus the usual limited operating expenses. KBC Ancora estimates the total expenses in respect of the full financial year 2024/2025 at approximately EUR 8 million.

KBC Group reported a net result of EUR 2.3 billion for the first nine months of 2024. KBC Group will announce its annual result for the financial year 2024 on 13 February 2025.

Partly dependent on the decisions taken by KBC Group regarding the distribution in the first half of 2025 of a final dividend in respect of financial year 2024, the Board of Directors of Almancora Société de gestion, statutory director of KBC Ancora, will take a decision at the end of May 2025 on whether to distribute an interim dividend in June 2025 in respect of financial year 2024/2025, in line with its dividend policy. KBC Ancora’s dividend policy sets out the intention to pay out 90% of the recurring result available for distribution in the form of an (interim) dividend (i.e. after adjustment for any exceptional results and after mandatory formation of the legal reserve).

Declaration by the responsible individuals

“We, the members of the Board of Directors of Almancora Société de gestion, statutory director of KBC Ancora SA, hereby jointly declare that, in so far as we are aware:

a) the abridged financial summaries, drawn up in accordance with the applicable standards for financial statements, present a true and fair picture of the capital position, financial position and results of KBC Ancora;

b) the interim financial report presents a true and fair view of the key events and principal transactions with affiliated parties during the first six months of the current financial year and of their impact on the abridged financial summaries, as well as a description of the principal risks and uncertainties during the remaining months of the financial year.”

Information on the external audit

The statutory auditor has reviewed the abridged interim financial information and accompanying notes. The auditor’s report is appended to this interim report.

———————————

KBC Ancora is a listed company which holds 18.6% of the shares in KBC Group and which together with Cera, MRBB and the Other Permanent Shareholders is responsible for the shareholder stability and further development of the KBC group. As core shareholders of KBC Group, these parties have signed a shareholder agreement to this effect.

Financial calendar:
29 August 2025 (17.40 hrs CEST)        Annual press release for the financial year 2024/2025
30 September 2025 (17.40 CEST)        Annual Report 2024/2025 available
31 October 2025        General Meeting of Shareholders

This press release is available in Dutch, French and English on the website www.kbcancora.be.

KBC Ancora Investor Relations & Press contact: Jan Bergmans
Tel.: +32 (0)16 279672
E-mail: jan.bergmans@kbcancora.be or mailbox@kbcancora.be

Appendix: Balance sheet and profit and loss account with comparative figures

(x EUR 1,000)	31.12.2024	*30.06.2024
BALANCE SHEET TOTAL	3,660,323	3,599,986
Assets
Fixed assets	3,599,979	3,599,979
Financial fixed assets	3,599,979	3,599,979
Companies with which there is a participatory relationship	3,599,979	3,599,979
Participating interests	3,599,979	3,599,979
Current assets	60,344	8
Investments	59,700	0
Other investments	59,700	0
Cash at bank and in hand	611	1
Accrued income and deferred expense	33	7
Liabilities
Equity	3,557,524	3,483,591
Contribution	3,158,128	3,158,128
Issued capital	3,158,128	3,158,128
Reserves	324,686	324,686
Unavailable reserves	175,258	175,258
Legal reserve	175,258	175,258
Available reserves	149,427	149,427
Profit/loss carried forward	777	777
Profit/loss for the period	73,933	n/a
Creditors	102,798	116,396
Amounts falling due after more than one year	100,000	100,000
Financial liabilities	100,000	100,000
Credit institutions	100,000	100,000
Amounts falling due within one year	419	16,050
Financial liabilities	0	15,635
Credit institutions	0	15,635
Trade creditors	159	173
Suppliers	159	173
Other creditors	260	241
Accrued expense and deferred income	2,379	345

* The balance sheet at 30 June 2024 is shown after appropriation of the result.

(x EUR 1,000)	01.07.2024-31.12.2024	01.07.2023-31.12.2023

Operating income	0	0
Other operating income	0	0
Operating costs	1,536	1,567
Services and sundry goods	1,535	1,417
Other operating costs	0	149
Operating results	-1,536	-1,567

Financial income	77,738	77,953
Recurring financial income	77,738	77,953
Income from financial fixed assets	77,516	77,516
Income from current assets	222	437
Financial expenses	2,269	3,508
Recurring financial charges	2,269	3,508
Cost of debt	2,269	3,508
Other financial expenses	0	0
Financial result	75,469	74,445

Profit (loss) before tax	73,933	72,879

Profit (loss) after tax	73,933	72,879

Statutory auditor’s report to the board of directors of KBC Ancora NV on the review of the condensed interim financial information as at 31 December 2024 and for the 6-month period then ended

FREE TRANSLATION OF THE ORIGINAL IN DUTCH

Introduction

We have reviewed the accompanying interim financial report 2024/2025, containing the condensed balance sheet of KBC Ancora NV as at 31 December 2024, the condensed profit and loss account for the 6-month period then ended, as well as the notes (“the condensed interim financial information”). The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and presentation of this condensed interim financial information in accordance with the financial reporting framework applicable in Belgium for the preparation of condensed interim financial information. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this condensed interim financial information based on our review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity.” A review of condensed interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying condensed interim financial information as at 31 December 2024 and for the 6-month period then ended has not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the financial reporting framework applicable in Belgium for the preparation of condensed interim financial information.

Diegem, 31 January 2025

The statutory auditor,
PwC Reviseurs d’Entreprises SRL / Bedrijfsrevisoren BV
Represented by

Damien Walgrave*
Bedrijfsrevisor / Réviseur d’Entreprises

* Acting in behalf of Damien Walgrave BV/SRL

¹         KBC Ancora’s reporting is based on Belgian GAAP. The valuation principles are set out in the filed annual
        financial statements and in the annual report.
        See Appendix for the balance sheet and profit and loss account.
²         Number of KBC Group shares held / number of KBC Ancora shares in issue: 1.0066
        (= 77,516,380 / 77,011,844).
³         Net debt is defined here as total liabilities less total assets excluding financial fixed assets.

Attachment

KBCA PB 20250131 E

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Santander Chile announces Andrés Trautmann Buc as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Country Head

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SANTIAGO, Chile, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banco Santander Chile (NYSE: BSAC) announces that Mr. Andrés Trautmann Buc will take over as CEO and Country Head, replacing Mr. Román Blanco Reinosa. This change will occur on July 1, 2025 and, until then, Mr. Blanco will remain as the bank’s CEO, while Mr. Trautmann will continue to lead the Executive Vice President of Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB).

Mr. Trautmann, a commercial engineer from Universidad de Chile, has a distinguished career at Santander, since joining the Group in 2007. He began his career as Head of Institutional and Corporate Sales at Santander Chile. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as Head of Structured Products Sales in London for Santander UK. Between 2013 and 2018 he oversaw the Andean Zone sales for Goldman Sachs in New York. In 2018, he became the Head of Markets Santander Chile, and in 2021, he was appointed Executive Vice President of CIB at Santander Chile, a global division that supports corporate and institutional clients with high-value services, products and solutions.

Since his initial position in Markets, Mr. Trautmann has achieved significant milestones, including tripling the growth of the Sales and Trading business. At CIB, he led and promoted the expansion of products for large companies by leveraging the global capabilities of the Santander Group. Recently, he also took on the Corporate and Institutional Banking business and Santander Consumer Finance, giving him a comprehensive view of the bank’s operations. His leadership and deep knowledge of the business and markets will continue to strengthen the bank’s position in the country.

Santander thanks Román Blanco, who, in his role as CEO and Country Head, has led a successful process accelerating the transformation of the bank’s business models in Chile and its technology, strengthening the growth of Getnet and Santander Consumer Finance. Additionally, he promoted the launch of the Más Lucas and Más Lucas Joven account. Also noteworthy is the implementation of Gravity in Chile, positioning the entity as the first local bank with a banking core migrated to Cloud technologies. Among the achievements under his supervision are the implementation of specialized service models for companies, as well as the evolution of branch strategies, with Work/Café Expresso as an example.

During Mr. Blanco´s leadership, Santander has achieved an ROAE during the 4Q of 2024 of 26% and a total profit of $865 billion pesos corresponding to last year. This is reflected in the company’s high valuations, with a P/BV of 2.2x, standing out among the highest of Latin American banks and with an A2 international credit rating according to Moody’s.

It should be noted that Mr. Blanco has extensive international experience with more than 20 years within the Group. His main functions include having being Country Head in several operations such as the US, Puerto Rico and Colombia, in addition to leading the bank in the Andean region and Uruguay and having extensive experience in business management in Santander Brazil.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Cristian Vicuña
Investor Relations
Banco Santander Chile
Bandera 140, Floor 20
Santiago, Chile
Email: irelations@santander.cl
Website: www.santander.cl

Banco Santander Chile is one of the companies with the highest risk ratings in Latin America, with an A2 rating from Moody’s, A- from Standard and Poor’s, A+ from Japan Credit Rating Agency, AA- from HR Ratings and A from KBRA. All our ratings as of the date of this report have a stable outlook.

As of December 31, 2024, the Bank has total assets of $68,458,933 million (US$68,865 million), total gross loans (including loans to banks) at amortized cost of $41,323,844 million (US$41,569 million), total deposits of $31,359,234 million (US$31,545 million) and shareholders’ equity of $4,292,440 million (US$4,318 million). The BIS capital ratio was 17.1%, with a core capital ratio of 10.5%. As of December 31, 2024, Santander Chile employs 8,757 people and has 236 branches throughout Chile.

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Bank of the James Announces Fourth Quarter, Full Year of 2024 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LYNCHBURG, Va., Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), a full-service commercial and retail bank, and Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc. (“PWW”), an SEC-registered investment advisor, today announced unaudited results of operations for the three month and 12 month periods ended December 31, 2024. The Bank serves Region 2000 (the greater Lynchburg MSA) and the Blacksburg, Buchanan, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Nellysford, Roanoke, and Wytheville, Virginia markets.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $1.62 million or $0.36 per basic and diluted share compared with $2.11 million or $0.45 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 was $7.94 million or $1.75 per share compared with $8.70 million or $1.91 per share for the year 12 months ended December 31, 2023.

Robert R. Chapman III, CEO of the Bank, commented: “Our Company delivered another year of high-quality earnings driven by a wide range of banking products, services, and investment management. These diversified sources of revenue were supported by a large regional market and broad base of commercial and retail clients, enabling the Company and the Bank to record strong financial performance and grow shareholder value in a year that presented its share of economic changes and challenges.

“With a more stable interest rate environment, we made new loans and repriced existing loans to accurately reflect prevailing rates, which generated a positive trend in yields on earning assets. We began to slow the rate of interest expense increases that have characterized the past three years. Although margins continue to experience pressure, there was net interest margin expansion beginning in the second half of 2024 – a positive trend that we anticipate will continue in coming quarters.

“Noninterest income was an important component of earnings that included fee income from commercial treasury management, wealth management through PWW, gains on the sale of originated residential mortgages, card services and more. Led by healthy growth in these activities, noninterest income in 2024 rose 18% from a year earlier.

“Total loans, net, increased 6% in 2024, with commercial real estate loan growth leading the way. Commercial & industrial and commercial construction loan portfolios grew moderately year-over-year. Residential mortgages increased 6% as we continued our practice of selling most originated mortgages to the secondary market. Our mortgage lending team did an outstanding job of maintaining our Bank’s leadership as a premier mortgage originator in the markets we serve.

“Key to generating consistent, predictable earnings is maintaining high levels of loan quality through credit management. Measures such as asset quality ratios, total nonperforming loans, and provisioning for credit losses continue reflect exceptional credit management. Our credit management team, headed by Chief Credit Officer Chip Umberger, continue to do outstanding work ensuring loan quality.

“Total deposits increased in 2024 compared with 2023. We remain focused on growing deposits from commercial and retail customers, particularly core deposits, and building this important source of funding for loans and providing liquidity. During the year, we opened strategic locations in Buchanan and Nellysford, Virginia, further expanding the Bank’s deposit-gathering capabilities and value to customers.

“We provided meaningful value to our shareholders in 2024. Solid earnings, strong asset quality and efficient operation contributed to a consistent, longstanding trend of enhancing the Company’s value to its shareholders. Stockholders’ equity rose 8% from a year earlier, retained earnings increased by more than $6 million, and book value per share rose to $14.28 at December 31, 2024 from $13.21 a year earlier. The Company also paid quarterly cash dividends to shareholders, as it has for many years.

“We believe the Company is well-positioned for the coming year, continuing on a path of providing superior value to our shareholders, customers and communities.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024 Highlights

Net income and earnings per share (EPS) in the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 was impacted by higher noninterest expense, which included a $534,000 fee related to the negotiation of a contract with a credit/debit card processor. Over the term of the contract, the Company expects to recognize up to $438,000 in incentive payments from the card processor, and anticipates generating additional long-term benefits and savings of $2.1 million associated with the contract.
Total interest income rose 13% to $44.64 million for the full year of 2024 compared with $39.36 million in 2023. The growth primarily reflected commercial loan interest rates, commercial real estate (CRE) growth, and the addition of higher-rate residential mortgages. The average yield earned on loans, including fees, increased to 5.50% in 2024 compared with 5.05% in 2023.
Net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses in the full year of 2024 was $29.89 million compared with $29.92 million for the full year of 2023. The full year of 2024 reflected loan loss recoveries driven by strong asset quality, and the impact of elevated interest expense.
Net interest margin in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 3.18%, trending up from 3.16% in the third quarter and 3.02% in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting continuing margin expansion. Net interest margin for the full year of 2024 was 3.11% compared with 3.29% in 2023. Interest spread for the full year of 2024 was 2.78% compared with 3.06% a year earlier.
Total noninterest income for the full year of 2024 was $15.14 million, up 17.64% from $12.87 million a year earlier. Growth primarily reflected gains on sale of loans held for sale, fee income generated by commercial treasury services and residential mortgage originations, and wealth management fee income from PWW, which contributed $0.34 per share to earnings in 2024.
Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased 6% to $636.55 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023.
Commercial real estate loans (owner occupied and non-owner occupied) grew 9% to $335.53 million at December 31, 2024 from $306.86 million a year earlier.
Measures of asset quality included a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.25% at December 31, 2024, low levels of nonperforming loans, and zero other real estate owned (OREO).
Total assets were $979.24 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $969.37 million at December 31, 2023.
Total deposits were $882.40 million at December 31, 2024, up from $878.46 million at December 31, 2023.
Shareholder value measures included 8% growth in stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024 from a year earlier, retained earnings of $42.80 million, up from $36.68 million a year earlier, and a book value per share of $14.28 compared with $13.21 at December 31, 2023.
On January 21, 2025 the Company’s board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share to stockholders of record as of March 7, 2025, to be paid on March 21, 2025.

Fourth Quarter, Full Year of 2024 Operational Review

Net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $7.76 million compared to net interest income after provision for credit losses of $7.29 million a year earlier. In the full year of 2024, net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $29.89 million compared with $29.92 a year earlier. The credit loss recovery in the full year of 2024 was $655,000 compared with $179,000 in the full year of 2023.

Total interest income increased to $11.64 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with $10.54 million a year earlier. The full year of 2024 total interest income was $44.64 million, up from $39.36 million in the full year of 2023. The year-over-year increases primarily reflected upward rate adjustments to variable rate commercial loans and new loans reflecting the prevailing rate environment.

During 2024, investment portfolio management and appropriate rate increases on loans contributed to year-over-year growth in yields on total earning assets, which were 4.75% in 2024 compared with 4.36% in 2023.

Total interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $3.95 million and $15.41 million for the full year of 2024, increasing 25.44% and 60.12% from $3.15 and $9.62 in the comparable periods of 2023. The increase primarily reflects higher deposit rates commensurate with the prevailing interest rate environment, and also more interest-bearing deposits.

A stabilizing interest rate environment contributed to some margin pressure relief, particularly in the second half of 2024. For the full year of 2024, the net interest margin was 3.11% compared with 3.29% a year earlier, while interest spread was 2.78% for the full year of 2024, compared with 3.06% a year earlier.

Noninterest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 rose 20% to $3.82 million compared with $3.18 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full year of 2024, noninterest income was up 18% to $15.14 million from $12.87 million in 2023.

Noninterest income in 2024 included income contributions from debit card activity, a write-up on an investment in an SBIC fund, commercial treasury services, and the mortgage division. Strong contributions from wealth management fees, primarily generated by PWW, were $4.84 million in 2024, up from $4.20 million a year earlier. Steady activity in residential mortgage originations throughout 2024 was reflected in gains on sale of loans held for sale of $4.49 million compared with $3.94 million a year earlier.

Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of $9.50 million compared with $8.42 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Noninterest expense for the full year of 2024 was $35.11 million compared with $32.51 million for the full year of 2023. As previously noted, noninterest expense was impacted by a one-time payment to a consultant that helped negotiate a contract with a debit card provider, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024. We will recognize incentive payments and cost savings from the underlying contract in subsequent quarters. Diligent expense management, judicious personnel expenses related to new locations, and accrual of year-end employee compensation throughout the year contributed to stable year-over-year salaries and employee benefits costs in the fourth quarter and full year of 2024.

Balance Sheet: Strong Cash Position, High Asset Quality

Total assets were $979.24 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $969.37 million at December 31, 2023, with the increase primarily reflecting loan growth.

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, were $636.55 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023, primarily reflecting growth of commercial real estate loans and stability in other loan categories.

Commercial real estate loans (owner-occupied and non-owner occupied and excluding construction loans) were $335.53 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $306.86 million at December 31, 2023, reflecting new loans and a decreasing rate of loan payoffs. Of this amount, commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) was approximately $195.09 million and commercial real estate (owner occupied) was $140.44 million. The Bank closely monitors concentrations in these segments, and has no commercial real estate loans secured by large office buildings in large metropolitan city centers.

Commercial construction/land loans and residential construction/land loans were $50.04 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $50.28 million at December 31, 2023. The Company continued experiencing positive activity and health in commercial and residential construction projects. Commercial and industrial loans were $66.42 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $65.32 million at December 31, 2023, reflecting a continuing trend of stability in this loan segment.

Residential mortgage loans that we intend to keep on the balance sheet were $113.30 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $106.99 million at December 31, 2023. Growth of these retained mortgages has been minimal, as the Bank has continued to focus on selling the majority of originated mortgage loans to the secondary market. Consumer loans (open-end and closed-end) were $78.31 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $76.52 million at December 31, 2023.

Ongoing high asset quality continues to have a positive impact on the Company’s financial performance. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans at December 31, 2024 was 0.25% compared with 0.06% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.09% at December 31, 2024 compared with 1.22% on December 31, 2023. Total nonperforming loans were $1.64 million at December 31, 2024. As a result of having no OREO, total nonperforming assets were the same as total nonperforming loans.

Total deposits were $882.40 million at December 31, 2024, compared with $878.46 million at December 31, 2023. Noninterest bearing demand deposits, NOW, money market and savings were down moderately compared with 2023 and time deposits increased. At both December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Bank had no brokered deposits.

Key measures of shareholder value were positive. Stockholders’ equity increased 8% to $64.87 million at December 31, 2024 from $60.04 million a year earlier. Retained earnings increased to $42.80 million at December 31, 2024 compared with $36.68 million a year earlier. Book value per share was $14.28 compared with $13.21 at December 31, 2023, but down from $15.15 at September 30, 2024, in part reflecting quarterly fluctuations in required fair market valuations of the Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio.

Some balance sheet measures are impacted by interest rate fluctuations and fair market valuation measurements in the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio and are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss. These mark-to-market losses are excluded when calculating the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. The available-for-sale securities portfolio is composed primarily of securities with explicit or implicit government guarantees, including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency obligations, and other highly-rated debt instruments. The Company does not expect to realize the unrealized losses as it has the intent and ability to hold the securities until their recovery, which may be at maturity. Management continues to diligently monitor the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt instruments within its securities portfolio.

About the Company

Bank of the James, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. opened for business in July 1999 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Bank currently services customers in Virginia from offices located in Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Blacksburg, Buchanan, Charlottesville, Forest, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Nellysford, Roanoke, Rustburg, and Wytheville. The Bank offers full investment and insurance services through its BOTJ Investment Services division and BOTJ Insurance, Inc. subsidiary. The Bank provides mortgage loan origination through Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. The Company provides investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol “BOTJ” on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. Additional information on the Company is available at www.bankofthejames.bank.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, competition, general economic conditions, potential changes in interest rates, changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by the Bank as well as geopolitical conditions. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (434) 846-2000.

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOLLOW

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

	(unaudited)
Assets	12/31/2024			12/31/2023
Cash and due from banks	$	23,287		$	25,613
Federal funds sold		50,022			49,225
Total cash and cash equivalents		73,309			74,838

Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $3,170 and $3,231 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023)		3,606			3,622
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value		187,916			216,510
Restricted stock, at cost		1,821			1,541
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,044 and $7,412 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023		636,552			601,921
Loans held for sale		3,616			1,258
Premises and equipment, net		19,313			18,141
Interest receivable		3,065			2,835
Cash value – bank owned life insurance		22,907			21,586
Customer relationship Intangible		6,725			7,285
Goodwill		2,054			2,054
Income taxes receivable		–			128
Deferred tax asset		8,936			8,206
Other assets		9,424			9,446
Total assets	$	979,244		$	969,371

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Noninterest bearing demand	$	129,692		$	134,275
NOW, money market and savings		522,208			538,229
Time		230,504			205,955
Total deposits		882,404			878,459

Capital notes, net		10,048			10,042
Other borrowings		9,300			9,890
Income taxes payable		86			–
Interest payable		722			480
Other liabilities		11,819			10,461
Total liabilities	$	914,379		$	909,332

Stockholders’ equity
Common stock $2.14 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,543,338 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023		9,723			9,723
Additional paid-in-capital		35,253			35,253
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		(22,915	)		(21,615	)
Retained earnings		42,804			36,678
Total stockholders’ equity	$	64,865		$	60,039

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	979,244		$	969,371

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

	For the Year Ended
	Ended December 31,
Interest Income		2024			2023
Loans	$	34,505		$	31,378
Securities
US Government and agency obligations		1,471			1,273
Mortgage-backed securities		2,381			1,899
Municipals		1,244			1,212
Dividends		95			82
Corporates		543			560
Interest bearing deposits		775			496
Federal Funds sold		3,629			2,462
Total interest income		44,643			39,362

Interest Expense
Deposits
NOW, money market savings		5,455			2,984
Time Deposits		9,173			5,796
FHLB borrowings		–			31
Finance leases		76			86
Other borrowings		376			398
Capital notes		327			327
Total interest expense		15,407			9,622

Net interest income		29,236			29,740

Recovery of credit losses		(655	)		(179	)

Net interest income after recovery of credit losses		29,891			29,919

Noninterest income
Gains on sale of loans held for sale		4,494			3,938
Service charges, fees and commissions		4,003			3,901
Wealth management fees		4,843			4,197
Life insurance income		721			548
Other		1,014			283
Gain on sales of available-for-sale securities		62			–

Total noninterest income		15,137			12,867

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		19,294			18,311
Occupancy		1,964			1,819
Equipment		2,499			2,416
Supplies		542			530
Professional, data processing, and other outside expense		6,528			5,296
Marketing		768			919
Credit expense		816			805
Other real estate expenses, net		–			40
FDIC insurance expense		441			419
Amortization of intangibles		560			560
Other		1,693			1,392
Total noninterest expenses		35,105			32,507

Income before income taxes		9,923			10,279

Income tax expense		1,979			1,575

Net Income	$	7,944		$	8,704

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted		4,543,338			4,562,374

Net income per common share – basic and diluted	$	1.75		$	1.91

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data
unaudited

Selected Data:	Three months ending Dec 31, 2024			Three months ending Dec 31, 2023			Change			Year to date Dec 31, 2024			Year to date Dec 31, 2023			Change
Interest income	$	11,636		$	10,538			10.42	%	$	44,643		$	39,362			13.42	%
Interest expense		3,950			3,149			25.44	%		15,407			9,622			60.12	%
Net interest income		7,686			7,389			4.02	%		29,236			29,740			-1.69	%
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses		(71	)		99			-171.72	%		(655	)		(179	)		265.92	%
Noninterest income		3,816			3,178			20.08	%		15,137			12,867			17.64	%
Noninterest expense		9,503			8,416			12.92	%		35,105			32,507			7.99	%
Income taxes		452			(56	)		-907.14	%		1,979			1,575			25.65	%
Net income		1,618			2,108			-23.24	%		7,944			8,704			-8.73	%
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted		4,543,338			4,543,338			–			4,543,338			4,562,374			(19,036	)
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.36		$	0.45		$	(0.09	)	$	1.75		$	1.91		$	(0.16	)

Balance Sheet at period end:	Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Change			Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2022		Change
Loans, net	$	636,552	$	601,921		5.75	%	$	601,921	$	605,366		-0.57	%
Loans held for sale		3,616		1,258		187.44	%		1,258		2,423		-48.08	%
Total securities		191,522		220,132		-13.00	%		220,132		189,426		16.21	%
Total deposits		882,404		878,459		0.45	%		878,459		848,138		3.58	%
Stockholders’ equity		64,865		60,039		8.04	%		60,039		50,226		19.54	%
Total assets		979,244		969,371		1.02	%		969,371		928,571		4.39	%
Shares outstanding		4,543,338		4,543,338		–			4,543,338		4,628,657		(85,319	)
Book value per share	$	14.28	$	13.21	$	1.07		$	13.21	$	10.85	$	2.36

Daily averages:	Three months ending Dec 31, 2024			Three months ending Dec 31, 2023			Change		Year to date Dec 31, 2024			Year to date Dec 31, 2023			Change
Loans	$	642,197		$	609,800		5.31	%	$	623,769		$	616,047		1.25	%
Loans held for sale		3,612			3,406		6.05	%		3,494			3,512		-0.51	%
Total securities (book value)		218,680			236,267		-7.44	%		232,992			226,637		2.80	%
Total deposits		920,655			882,277		4.35	%		901,449			867,269		3.94	%
Stockholders’ equity		68,563			50,097		36.86	%		62,575			50,977		22.75	%
Interest earning assets		963,217			921,665		4.51	%		939,900			903,491		4.03	%
Interest bearing liabilities		801,812			753,144		6.46	%		783,003			738,335		6.05	%
Total assets		1,021,547			963,511		6.02	%		995,738			950,276		4.78	%

Financial Ratios:	Three months ending Dec 31, 2024			Three months ending Dec 31, 2023			Change		Year to date Dec 31, 2024			Year to date Dec 31, 2023			Change
Return on average assets		0.63	%		0.87	%	(0.24	)		0.80	%		0.92	%	(0.12	)
Return on average equity		9.39	%		16.69	%	(7.30	)		12.70	%		17.07	%	(4.37	)
Net interest margin		3.18	%		3.18	%	–			3.11	%		3.29	%	(0.18	)
Efficiency ratio		82.62	%		79.64	%	2.98			79.11	%		76.29	%	2.82
Average equity to average assets		6.71	%		5.20	%	1.51			6.28	%		5.36	%	0.92

Allowance for credit losses:	Three months ending Dec 31, 2024			Three months ending Dec 31, 2023			Change		Year to date Dec 31, 2024			Year to date Dec 31, 2023			Change
Beginning balance	$	7,078		$	7,320		-3.31	%	$	7,412		$	6,259		18.42	%
Retained earnings adjustment related to impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13		–			–		N/A			–			1,245		-100.00	%
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses*		(39	)		123		-131.71	%		(533	)		(65	)	720.00	%
Charge-offs		–			(40	)	-100.00	%		(84	)		(236	)	-64.41	%
Recoveries		5			9		-44.44	%		249			209		19.14	%
Ending balance		7,044			7,412		-4.96	%		7,044			7,412		-4.96	%

* does not include provision for or recovery of unfunded loan commitment liability

Nonperforming assets:	Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Change		Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2022		Change
Total nonperforming loans	$	1,640	$	391	319.44	%	$	391	$	633	-38.23	%
Other real estate owned		–		–	N/A			–		566	-100.00	%
Total nonperforming assets		1,640		391	319.44	%		391		1,199	-67.39	%

Asset quality ratios:	Dec 31, 2024		Dec 31, 2023		Change		Dec 31, 2023		Dec 31, 2022		Change
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.25	%	0.06	%	0.19		0.06	%	0.10	%	(0.04	)
Allowance for credit losses for loans to total loans	1.09	%	1.22	%	(0.12	)	1.22	%	1.02	%	0.19
Allowance for credit losses for loans to nonperforming loans	429.51	%	1895.65	%	(1,466.14	)	1895.65	%	988.78	%	906.87

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the composition and remuneration of the Board of Directors of Oma Saving Bank Plc
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 31 JANUARY 2025 AT 19.00 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the composition and remuneration of the Board of Directors of Oma Saving Bank Plc

The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes the following to the Annual General Meeting of Oma Savings Bank Plc (OmaSp or the Company) on 8 April 2025:

The number of members of the Board of Directors is proposed to be confirmed at seven.

The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that the current Board members Juhana Brotherus, Irma Gillberg-Hjelt, Aki Jaskari, Jaakko Ossa, Carl Pettersson, Kati Riikonen and Juha Volotinen.

All candidates are proposed to be elected for the period starting at the Annual General Meeting 2025 and ending at the Annual General Meeting 2026. All nominees have given their consent to the election. At the time of election, all proposed nominees are independent in their relationship with the company and its significant shareholders.

Details of the Board members nominated for election:

JUHANA BROTHERUS
Juhana Brotherus (born 1986) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Brotherus has been the Director and Chief Economist of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises since 2023. In addition, Brotherus worked as Chief Economist and Director of the Mortgage Society of Finland in 2014–2023 and as the Economist of Danske Bank in 2011–2014. Brotherus has served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of HOAS since 2018, as a member of the Investment Committee of the Finnish Business School Graduates since 2016, as a member of the Board of the Foundation for Economic Students in Helsinki in 2015–2020, and as a member of the Board of aTalent Recruitingin in 2012–2018, of which as the Chairman of the Board in 2014–2018. Brotherus holds a Master of Economic Sciences.

IRMA GILLBERG-HJELT
Irma Gillberg-Hjelt (born 1962) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Gillberg-Hjelt has has been the Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Banking of Aktia Bank Plc in 2017–2020, employed by Danske Bank and its predecessors from 1987 to 2017 holding managerial positions in the corporate customer business in 2010–2017, as Bank Director in 2007–2012, as financial director in 2003–2007, and in customer-responsible positions in 1987–2003. In addition, Gillberg-Hjelt has been a member of the Board of Directors of Saldo Bank UAB in 2023–2024. Gillberg-Hjelt holds a Master of Laws.

AKI JASKARI
Aki Jaskari (born 1961) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since 2014. Jaskari has served as the CEO of Nerkoon Höyläämö Oy since 1995. In addition, Jaskari has been a member of the Advisory Board of Leppäkosken Sähkö Group Oy since 2001, a member of the Regional Advisory Committee of Pohjola Insurance Oy in 2001–2015 and as a member of the Board of the Parkano Savings Bank in 2010–2013. Jaskari holds a master’s degree in economics.

JAAKKO OSSA
Jaakko Ossa (born 1965) has been the Chairman of the Board of OmaSp since May 2024 and a member of the Board since 2023. Ossa has been a professor of financial law at the University of Turku since 1998. Ossa has an extensive written production, particularly in the field of corporate taxation and investment taxation. Along with his academic career, Ossa has held expert positions at Asianajotoimisto Astrea Oy for around 20 years and currently at Ossa Partners Oy, a family company. Ossa has been as a member of the Board of several companies, including Liedon Savings Bank, Sp-Fund Management Company and the Savings Bank Association. In addition, he is currently the Chairman of the delegation of Taxpayers Association of Finland (TAF) and the inspector of the Satakuntalais-Hämäläinen Student Nation (osakunta) of the University of Turku. Ossa holds a Doctor of Laws.

CARL PETTERSSON
Carl Pettersson (born 1979) has been the Vice Chairman and a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since January 2025. Pettersson has been the Managing Director of Elo Pension Company since 2021. In addition, Pettersson has been the Managing Director of Veritas Pension Insurance Company in 2017–2021, Deputy Managing Director of Aktia Bank Plc in 2016–2017 and prior to that in several management positions of Aktia Bank Plc in 2008–2016 and as Director of OP Raasepori’s branch office in 2006-2008. Pettersson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an eMBA.

KATI RIIKONEN
Kati Riikonen (born 1971) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Riikonen has been the VP, Head of Online, Marketing and Analytics of Telia Finland Plc in 2020–2024, Head of Industry of Google Finland in 2017–2020, Managing Director of Isobar Finland Oy in 2015–2017, Chief Digital Officer of DNA Oy in 2013-2015 and Marketing Director of DNA Oy in 2011–2013, an entrepreneur of KRi Marketing and Training in 2006–2009, Marketing Director of Motorola Inc. USA in 2003–2006 and as various expert and team leader positions at Nokia Plc in 1996–2003. In addition, Riikonen has been a member of the Board of Directors of Kamux Plc since 2024, a member of the Board of Directors of Verkkokauppa.com Plc since 2023, a member of the Board of Directors of Nooa Savings Bank in 2021–2024, a member of the Board of Directors of Kotipizza Group in 2021–2022, a member of the Board of Directors of City Digital Oy in 2016–2018, and a member of the Board of Frantic Media Oy in 2012–2014. Riikonen holds a Master of Business Administration.

JUHA VOLOTINEN
Juha Volotinen (born 1975) has been a member of OmaSp’s Board of Directors since December 2024. Volotinen has been the CIO of the Municipality Finance Plc since 2021. In addition, Volotinen worked as CIO of Aktia Bank Plc in 2017–2021 and before that in several managerial positions in Aktia Bank Plc in 2010–2017, in SEB Ab in several managerial positions in 2003–2010, and as IT Manager of Danske Securities in 2002–2003. Volotinen has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Aktia Finance in 2017–2020. Volotinen holds a Master of Economic Sciences.

Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposal on the remuneration of the Board of Directors of OmaSp:

The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that the members of the Board of Directors be paid annual remuneration as follows:
- Chairperson of the Board EUR 85,000
- Vice Chairperson of the Board EUR 60,000
- Other members of the Board EUR 40,000
In addition, the Chairperson of the Board Committees are paid a separate annual fee as follows:
- Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee EUR 6,000
- Chairperson of the Risk Committee EUR 9,000
- Chairperson of the Audit Committee EUR 9,000
The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee proposes that meeting fees be paid as follows:
- Board meeting EUR 1,000
- Committee meeting EUR 1,000
- Email meeting of the Board or Committee EUR 500
The Shareholders’ Nomination Board proposes that 25 percent of the annual remuneration of the Board of Directors be paid from the market in Oma Savings Bank Plc’s shares acquired on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors. The shares will be acquired directly on behalf of the members of the Board of Directors at a price formed on the market in public trading when the interim report for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025 has been published. The Company is responsible for the costs of acquiring the shares and any transfer tax. The rest of the annual fee is paid in cash to cover the taxes arising from the fee.

In addition, Oma Savings Bank Plc pays or reimburses travel expenses and other expenses related to board work to the members of the Board of Directors.

The proposals of the Nomination Committee shall be included in the notice of the Annual General Meeting.

Raimo Härmä (nominated by the South-Karelian Savings Bank Foundation) is the Chairman of the Shareholders’ Nomination Committee of OmaSp, members are Ari Lamminmäki (nominated by the Parkano Savings Bank Foundation), Jouni Niuro (nominated by the Liedon Savings Bank Foundation), Aino Lamminmäki (nominated by the Töysän Savings Bank Foundation), Simo Haarajärvi (nominated by the Kuortane Savings Bank Foundation), and as a specialist acts Jaakko Ossa, the Chairman of the Board of OmaSp.

Additional information:
Raimo Härmä, Chairman of the Nomination Committee, tel. +358 44 363 7063
Minna Sillanpää, CCO, tel. +358 50 66592, minna.sillanpaa@omasp.fi

DISTRIBUTION
Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Major media
www.omasp.fi

OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 48 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

The MIL Network –
February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI: Compagnie de Financement Foncier : Press Release – Results of Compagnie de Financement Foncier in 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press release for full and effective distribution

Paris, January 31, 2025

Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s financial results in 2024

On January 31, 2025, Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s Board of Directors, chaired by Éric FILLIAT, met to approve the annual financial statements for 2024.

***

COMPAGNIE DE FINANCEMENT FONCIER’S BUSINESS ACTIVITY

In 2024, despite an unstable geopolitical context and a volatile financial environment, Compagnie de Financement Foncier, in synergy with Groupe BPCE, achieved remarkable commercial and financial performances.

Issuance of covered bonds

A key player in Groupe BPCE’s refinancing strategy, Compagnie de Financement Foncier is a benchmark issuer thanks to its ability to seize the best market opportunities and offer investors solutions that meet their expectations. This agility allows it to provide Groupe BPCE institutions with highly competitive refinancing for their lending businesses.

In 2024, Compagnie de Financement Foncier issued €5.8bn in covered bonds, €1.3bn more than in 2023.

In April 2024, Compagnie de Financement Foncier tapped the primary market for a €2bn dual-tranche issuance. These tranches, of €1.25bn and €750m, were issued with maturities of three and eight years respectively. The high level of oversubscription on this transaction, despite market instability, testifies to its success.
In May 2024, an issuance of €1.5bn was carried out with a maturity of six years. The wide range of investors in this transaction confirms the diversity of Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s investor base.
In September 2024, Compagnie de Financement Foncier took advantage of a favorable issuance window with a benchmark of €1bn over eight and a half years.
In October 2024, as part of Groupe BPCE’s Sustainable Development Funding Program, Compagnie de Financement Foncier carried out its second social issuance (€500m over five years). This transaction strengthens Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s presence in this specialized market and aligns with Groupe BPCE’s objectives to integrate ESG criteria into its refinancing activities.

In 2024, Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s currency diversification strategy continued with two issuances, one in CHF and the other in USD, with respective counter values of €161m and €139m at the transaction date.

Refinancing of Groupe BPCE receivables

In line with its strategic guidelines, Compagnie de Financement Foncier refinanced a total of €6.3bn in receivables contributed by Groupe BPCE institutions, €1.5bn more than in 2023. Noteworthy among this year’s transactions were the refinancing of state-guaranteed loans (PGE) for Groupe BPCE institutions (€1.4bn) and, for the first time, the refinancing of outstanding export credits (€31.5m).

These performances, in ever-competitive markets, reflect the commitment and efficiency of all the teams involved. They also confirm the success of the system put in place and the relevance of the diversification strategy developed with Groupe BPCE, which enables Compagnie de Financement Foncier to finance the Group’s various business lines under very competitive conditions.

II. COMPAGNIE DE FINANCEMENT FONCIER’S INCOME STATEMENT

In millions of euros ⁽¹⁾	2024	2023
Net interest margin	165	219
Net commissions	9	13
Other banking expenses (net)	-2	-2
Net banking income	172	230
General operating expenses	-56	-68
Gross operating income	116	162
Cost of risk	2	3
Gains or losses on long‑term investments	0	0
Income before tax	118	165
Income tax	-32	-46
Net income	86	119

Net banking income amounted to €172m, down by €58m compared with 2023.

General operating expenses came to €56m, down on the previous year due to the disappearance of the contribution to the SRF; restated for this item, operating expenses are relatively stable compared with 2023.

Gross operating income reached €116m.

The cost of risk in 2024 shows a net reversal of €2m, reflecting the quality of the assets carried on Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s balance sheet.

Net income was €86m at December 31, 2024, compared with €119m at December 31, 2023.

III. BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s balance sheet total was €61.0bn at the end of 2024, compared with €60.3bn at the end of 2023.

The assets refinanced by Compagnie de Financement Foncier for the Group’s institutions in 2024 mainly come from the public sector, increasing their proportion on Compagnie de Financement Foncier’s balance sheet.

At the end of 2024, outstanding covered bonds stood at €51.5bn, including related debts, close to the situation at December 31, 2023 (€51.7bn).

IV. PRUDENTIAL INFORMATION

Although exempt from regulatory requirements in terms of solvency ratios, Compagnie de Financement Foncier calculates, for information purposes, a Common Equity Tier One (CET 1) ratio at its limits. At December 31, 2024, this ratio stood at 38,6 %, well above the minimum threshold set out in Regulation 575/2013 (CRR).

In accordance with the legislation applicable to Sociétés de Crédit Foncier, Compagnie de Financement Foncier maintains a coverage ratio for its privileged liabilities of more than 105%.

Appendices

***

Unless otherwise stated, the financial data in this press release are currently estimated and taken from the financial statements of Compagnie de Financement Foncier. These include the individual financial statements and related explanatory notes, prepared in accordance with French accounting standards and applicable Groupe BPCE standards.

As of the date of publication of this press release, the audit procedures carried out by the Statutory Auditors on the annual financial statements are in progress.

Compagnie de Financement Foncier is a credit institution approved as a specialized credit institution and a Société de Crédit Foncier. It is affiliated with BPCE and a 100% subsidiary of Crédit Foncier and Groupe BPCE.

Regulated information is available on the website https://foncier.fr/ in the “Financial communication/Regulated information” section.

Contact: Investor Relations

Email: ir@foncier.fr
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 58 73 55 10

⁽1⁾Some rounded amounts given in millions of euros in this press release may differ from those in euros.

Attachment

Press Release – Results of Compagnie de Financement Foncier in 2024

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Millions of Fentanyl Doses Seized in Saskatchewan Traffic Stop

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on January 31, 2025

Saskatchewan continues to see significant results from the strong partnerships that exist between the RCMP and the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety’s Provincial Protective Services (PPS). Together, the RCMP’s specialized policing teams and the PPS’s Conservation Officer Service and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) officers are targeting illicit drugs, weapons and human trafficking cases near the border and across the province.

During a proactive patrol on January 28, 2025, the RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop in the Swift Current area. During a vehicle search, officers located eight kilograms of fentanyl hidden under a spare tire. As a result of the investigation, two occupants in the vehicle were charged with trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

“Thank you to the Saskatchewan RCMP, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, conservation officers and all of our policing partners for their service to the people of Saskatchewan,” Premier Scott Moe said. “This seizure of fentanyl is another significant outcome we are seeing from our investments in the Saskatchewan RCMP and the Provincial Protective Services as they tackle crime and prevent harmful drugs from reaching our communities.”

“By removing illicit drugs and illegal weapons from our streets, our policing partners at the Saskatchewan RCMP and the Provincial Protective Services are helping to keep Saskatchewan communities safe,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “Our partnership with the RCMP plays an important role in addressing critical issues, whether it is supporting border security or combating organized crime, we work together to ensure community safety.”

On January 9, 2025, RCMP’s Roving Traffic Unit and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers were doing proactive patrols and conducted a traffic stop. As a result of an investigation, officers located and seized approximately 1,551 lbs of illicit cannabis and a sum of cash from inside a large cargo van. An adult male was arrested and charged with trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

“RCMP officers and employees across Saskatchewan remain dedicated to the safety and security of the people and communities we serve, despite an increase in complex crimes paired with resourcing challenges we face,” Saskatchewan RCMP Assistant Commissioner Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore said. “Look at this month alone, investigators removed significant quantities of drugs from our streets. We have collaborated with partner agencies on multiple serious investigations. I am exceptionally proud to lead such a fantastic team.”

Since January 6, 2025, PPS officers and the RCMP have also conducted high-visibility patrols near the SK-US border, including this week’s collaborative enforcement effort north of the Regway border crossing. These enforcement efforts ensured a strong presence near our border focused on commercial vehicle safety, traffic safety and compliance as part of the Saskatchewan Border Security Plan. In addition to the concerted work of RCMP, PPS officers have dedicated 750 hours to patrolling southern border routes, smaller communities and remote areas, with more than 270 vehicles being inspected, one firearm seized and over 80 provincial tickets issued.

-30-

For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons decries President Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance in speech on Senate floor

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, condemned President Donald Trump’s executive order (EO) to pause almost all U.S. foreign assistance in a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to U.S. security and values.

Last week, following the Trump EO, the State Department issued a “stop-work” order that halted all current foreign assistance and paused new projects, with narrow exceptions. This abrupt action created widespread confusion, further complicated by the White House budget office’s decision to send and then rescind a separate memo that had ordered a freeze on all federal grant spending. The actions have left essential aid programs and global partnerships in a state of uncertainty, weakening the United States’ standing around the world.

In his remarks, Senator Coons emphasized that foreign assistance is not charity, but an investment that strengthens our security and economy. The Trump EO by contrast, harms our allies and friends, and benefits adversaries like China. It has halted payments to contractors rebuilding Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure in the wake of Russian attacks and frozen support that is critical to ensuring Taiwan’s defense. This pause has halted vital pandemic surveillance work that keeps us safe from lethal diseases and rapidly emerging pandemics, at a time when we are seeing new outbreaks of highly transmissible diseases like Ebola in Uganda and Marburg in Tanzania. The pause has impacted critical global health funding, including PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment for more than 20 million people living with HIV globally. U.S. institutions that monitor global elections like the National Democratic Institute and International Republic Institute are also frozen in the run-up to elections in nations like Moldova and Romania that are expected to be targets of Russian interference. This reckless step harms U.S. credibility and economic stability and creates long-term consequences that weaken our allies and empower our adversaries.

Senator Coons also underscored that while foreign assistance accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget, its strategic significance is crucial.

A video and partial transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: Mr. President, I’m speaking today in strong opposition to President Trump’s illegal executive order of last Friday night that pauses all of our foreign assistance and development assistance. Let’s be clear: our development assistance, our foreign aid, isn’t about charity. It’s about security, and it’s about values. We have alliances and partnerships around the world that are undergirded by our soft power – by our partnerships and investment in helping make our world safer, more stable, and more secure. What happened last Friday night, at the end of the workday and there was no one there to answer urgent questions – was a freeze on all foreign assistance, with a very narrow exception for food aid, and it has caused chaos in the global community that delivers aid and assistance around the world.

For days, there were questions unanswered. What did this mean in Ukraine, in Lebanon, where there are wars and ceasefires, where critical grant funding and work by contractors helps put the lights back on after Russian attacks on the electrical infrastructure in Ukraine, where ceasefire implementation in Lebanon was ongoing. In parts of the world where we were continuing to bring home to the United States those who served alongside us in Afghanistan, Afghan SIVs waiting for processing, abandoned in Qatar and here in the United States.

A halt on drug supplies that helped keep 20 million people living with HIV through the program PEPFAR, long supported by presidents and Congresses of both parties. A freeze on activity to counter fentanyl and narcotics trafficking, to push back on Chinese and Russian disinformation, and to promote democracy. With urgent upcoming elections, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute are frozen in their activities and forced to lay off or furlough their workforce. Let me thank Secretary Rubio for responding to urgent calls to broaden the aperture for humanitarian waivers for this freeze, but let me also say that with dozens and dozens of the most senior people at USAID put on furlough, implementing this got harder, and with thousands of contractors who work for USAID in countries around the world dismissed or laid off, the consequences will be severe.

I’ll just give you one example. I suspect everyone listening has heard of the disease Ebola. I suspect not everyone has heard of the disease Marburg. They are related. They’re highly transmissive and deadly viruses. There is a new outbreak of Ebola in the capital of Uganda. There’s an ongoing outbreak of Marburg in the neighboring country of Tanzania. This freeze pauses the pandemic surveillance work, the urgent public health work, the assistance we provide that makes sure that we are safe from a rapidly emerging and lethal global pandemic that we put in place after the last pandemic.

When we halt foreign assistance, it has consequences. It’s just one percent of our total budget. Most Americans think it’s a big percent of our spending, but it’s one percent, actually, less than one percent of the total federal budget. And there’s a winner here, and it’s not the American taxpayer. Freezing programs like this causes chaos and often costs more to restart them after a review. The winner is China. Our biggest global competitor and adversary is delighted that we’ve handed them an opportunity to say to communities and countries around the world that we are not a reliable partner – that despite contracts and promises, commitments, and programs, they now have months to crow about how we have abandoned our partnerships with county after country around the world. China is delighted when we layoff, or furlough, or cut the resources that help fuel the work of our diplomats and our development professionals. And China has seen its opportunity to expand its influence through programs like the Belt and Road Initiative. They’ve spent a trillion dollars on projects across the Global South in the last decade, and our ability to counter Chinese influence, to make strategic investments, has been put gravely at risk by putting on hold the workforce and the contracts that help deliver them.

The administration may be claiming that this pause is temporary, but its effects will not be. The lasting impacts on small businesses, on contractors, on NGOs and loss of expertise, loss of their workforce, loss of their credibility I think will be lasting, dangerous, and harmful.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces New Programs That Are Expanding Access to Contraception in Connecticut

Source: US State of Connecticut

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli today announced that a training program for licensed pharmacists who want to be able to prescribe contraception directly to customers is now available in Connecticut. In addition, they announced today that the state’s first vending machines providing access to emergency contraception and other over-the-counter medications are also now available in Connecticut.

The training program, developed by the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, received final approval this week from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. The continuing education program is expected to take four hours to complete and is optional for all pharmacists. There are 671 licensed pharmacies and more than 6,500 licensed pharmacists in the state who are eligible to complete the course and begin offering this service.

“This is just one of the many ways we’re working to expand access to contraception and other important medications in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “Pharmacists have continued to play a growing role in our healthcare system, from administering vaccines to dispensing Narcan and other lifesaving medications, and now prescribing birth control. They are a critical part of the healthcare network.”

“There can be many barriers to going to a primary care provider for contraception – potential costs, needing to take time off work, or traveling long distances. That is why both patients and pharmacists overwhelmingly offered their support for this change,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Everyone should have safe and reliable access to contraceptives. Governor Lamont and I remain committed to ensuring that our state continues to be the best place for women and that every patient in Connecticut has access to the care they need.”

“Many people interact with their pharmacists more often than their doctors throughout the year, providing a critical resource for patients in every corner of our state,” Commissioner Cafferelli said. “Pharmacies are everywhere, from CVS and Walgreens to the independent pharmacies down the road, to the pharmacies in major retailers like Stop and Shop and Walmart, and they play a critical role in removing barriers to accessing safe and effective medication.”

“Allowing pharmacists to both prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control could help mitigate barriers and expand access to contraception for the citizens of our state,” UConn School of Pharmacy Dean Philip Hritcko said.

“The ability for pharmacists to directly prescribe hormonal and emergency contraception is a critical step forward in expanding access to essential healthcare,” Nathan Tinker, CEO of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, said. “In Connecticut, this means that there could potentially be some 600 new points of access across the state for this important service. The Connecticut Pharmacists Association thanks Governor Lamont’s administration and the Department of Consumer Protection for recognizing that pharmacists are in a unique position to provide timely, convenient, and patient-centered care.”

“Access to contraceptives gives people the ability to control their own reproductive destinies and make personal decisions regarding if, when, or how to start their families,” Liz Gustafson, Connecticut state director of Reproductive Equity Now, said. “By eliminating the need for a visit to a healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for birth control and allowing people to receive the prescription directly from their local pharmacy, pharmacist prescribing will help increase access to contraception for those who face the greatest barriers to care. We’re also thrilled to see the first emergency contraception vending machine in Connecticut installed at UConn Storrs, and commend Dr. Smith, medical director of student health and wellness and his colleagues, for their work to bring this to fruition. As national attacks on birth control escalate, we must find every opportunity to protect and expand reproductive freedom, and this pharmacist training program and expanded access to emergency contraception are critically important steps.”

Pharmacists who want to prescribe contraception can register for the on-demand training program by visiting the UConn School of Pharmacy website. The cost to pharmacists is $40 for registration. Once a pharmacist completes the training, they will be able to prescribe contraception. The course counts toward the 15 hours of annual continuing education required for pharmacists.

Patients who are prescribed birth control by a pharmacist are advised to consult with a primary care or other physician for a follow-up consultation after receiving a prescription from a pharmacist, but a follow up appointment is not required.

Pharmacists who have questions can contact the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection via email at DCP.DrugControl@ct.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Guilty Verdict in Cook County Armed Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Trial

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

VALDOSTA, Ga. – The head of an armed drug trafficking organization (DTO) based out of Cook County, Georgia, and two co-conspirators were found guilty this week of numerous federal charges following a two-and-a-half-week trial in Valdosta.

Calvin James Smith, Sr., aka “Rollo,” 56, of Adel, Georgia, was found guilty of all 23 counts he was charged with in the 44-count indictment: one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; 14 counts of distribution of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; two counts of distribution of cocaine base; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana; one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Smith is facing a maximum of life in prison.

Bobby Leon Kaiser, 54, of Adel, was found guilty of nine of 12 counts he was charged with: one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; two counts of distribution of methamphetamine; five counts of distribution of cocaine base; and one count of distribution of cocaine. Kaiser is facing a maximum of life in prison.

Vernardo Henley, 44, of Valdosta, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Henley is facing a maximum of life in prison.

The trial began on Monday, Jan. 13, and concluded on Wednesday evening, Jan. 29. Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands presided over the cases. Sentencing dates will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Federal, state and local law enforcement marshaled significant resources to stop the distribution of a large amount of deadly illegal drugs from a small town in South Georgia. Our dedicated trial team worked tirelessly to hold the leader and his co-conspirators accountable for their crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Armed drug trafficking organizations have no place in our communities, and we will continue working together to make Middle Georgia safer for everyone.”

“The success of this large-scale investigation and the arrests of these drug dealers demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to fighting the drug trafficking organizations responsible for driving addiction and destroying communities,” said FBI Atlanta Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Rich Bilson.

“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that criminal organizations operating in Georgia, especially those trafficking in dangerous drugs and using firearms to further their operations, will be held accountable,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This conviction is a testament to the tireless work of our law enforcement partners, who have dedicated countless hours to ensuring that those who threaten our communities with violence and illegal substances will face justice.”

“Investigations and prosecutions like this one are great examples of the ongoing effort between local agencies and our federal partners to disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics into our communities,” said Hahira Police Chief Stryde Jones. “We are thankful to see this effort come to a close successfully.”

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, the FBI undertook a significant investigation beginning as early as December 2020 of an armed drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Smith and centered in Adel, a small town in South Georgia. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that Smith and Kaiser were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, as well as marijuana, working with several associates. Kaiser and others were operating an open drug market at Kaiser’s gazebo and storage shed in Adel, where Smith was a major seller. Henley was released from federal prison on Jan. 20, 2022, and was heard over wiretap trying to locate Smith and purchase up to four kilograms of methamphetamine and sell the drugs. Beginning in Oct. 2021 and continuing through Nov. 10, 2022, agents developed confidential sources (CS) who provided information regarding drug activity at the gazebo and storage shed and conducted more than 25 controlled evidence purchases of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. As part of a wiretap, agents discovered 13 locations used by the DTO. Search warrants were executed at these locations on Nov. 10, 2022, and methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and 15 handguns and rifles were seized. Agents recovered more than five kilograms of pure methamphetamine, more than ten pounds of marijuana and several hundred grams of crack cocaine and cocaine.

Smith was recorded hundreds of times discussing purchases and sales of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and directing others to distribute the drugs. Smith has a lengthy criminal history including aggravated assault, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and controlled substance distribution. Henley has many prior convictions including a 2015 conviction in the Middle District of Georgia for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Kaiser has prior felony convictions, including false imprisonment and drug possession.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), the Hahira Police Department, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Adel Police Department and the Moultrie Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Daniels and Robert McCullers are prosecuting the case for the Government.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Naval District Washington Prepares for Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025

Source: United States Navy

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Washington, NSA Bethesda, NSA Annapolis, NSA South Potomac, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, will participate in the yearly, two-part anti-terrorism and force protection exercise designed to test the effectiveness of the installations readiness and training programs.

“Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 is an important exercise that ensures our security forces are at peak readiness to respond to evolving threats,” said Rob Shaffer, Security Director Naval District Washington. “We train the way we fight, and this exercise allows us to refine our procedures, strengthen our decision-making, and enhance coordination with partner agencies, ultimately protecting our most valuable asset – our people.”

During the first week of February 3 – 7, emergency responders on Navy installations will engage in Citadel Shield. Throughout the week, the field training will focus on the installation level with various scenarios such as an active shooter, unauthorized base access, suspicious packages, and unmanned aerial surveillance.

“The Navy is committed to being a good neighbor, and the safety of our personnel and the surrounding community is our top priority,” said Shaffer. “While Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 may lead to increased activity around our installations, we are working to minimize disruptions. This exercise reinforces the importance of a proactive force protection mindset for all Navy personnel, ensuring we are ready to respond to any potential threat while also allowing our Sailors to hone their skills and maintain the highest level of readiness.”

The second week of February (the 10th through the 14th) is the Solid Curtain portion of the exercise, which will focus on various national-level scenarios. During this week, base force protection conditions or FPCON levels will change daily with training evolutions. Some scenarios may cause irregular traffic patterns or gate hours on the installations.

Installation personnel can obtain essential notifications during CS/SC25 by registering for the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN). Personnel should also familiarize themselves with their command or tenant command anti-terrorism plan to know what to expect during the exercise.

Register for the WAAN at https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/waan/

To keep up with all things NDW, follow our socials at https://www.facebook.com/NavDistWash, https://www.instagram.com/navdistwash/

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How should Keir Starmer handle Donald Trump – and how’s it going so far?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Martin Farr, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary British History, Newcastle University

The pairing of British prime minister Keir Starmer and US president Donald Trump connotes many imponderables. The only certainty happens to be the most significant: they will be in office together for four years.

It is rare for a prime minister and a president to have the luxury of knowing – barring extreme unpredictabilities, such as death or incapacity – they have a full term in harness. And personal chemistry matters.

Trump emphasises (rather too much for the liking of America’s allies) the deal, the handshake, the gaze; the bond that only the lonely, only those who lead, can have. Starmer emphasises level-headedness (although his government has not been particulary conspicuous in evincing it).

Opposites may well attract, but the precedents for coterminous presidents and prime ministers are not encouraging. John Major and Bill Clinton, elected seven months apart, spent 1992 to 1997 together. But in the very definition of what not to do before an election, London had made its preference for the result of the election in America known – and the other guy won. The Conservative and the Democrat were no more than coolly cordial thereafter.

On his re-election in 2001, Tony Blair knew he had George W. Bush for at least four years – it turned out to be eight – but the consequences for him were disastrous once the two decided to partake in a war on “terror”.

In 1964, Harold Wilson and Lyndon Johnson were elected almost simultaneously, and spent 1964 to 1968 together. Though they were Labour and Democrat, and therefore from sister parties, it was not a harmonious pairing. Wilson’s meddling in, but lack of support for, Johnson’s war in Vietnam was a source of unbridled irritation in the White House.

Trump and May

The last time Trump became president, Theresa May was prime minister and she travelled with undisguised haste to the White House. There she achieved a highly untypical diplomatic coup in getting Trump to commit publicly to Nato (that bars should be so low was a general feature of the presidency).

Their subsequent relationship was, however, toxic. No prime minister has been less likely to gaze, to bond (despite pictures of them holding hands), and the president held her as having mangled Brexit, a bid for freedom with which he was keen to associate himself.

Before the US election, Starmer displayed a unfamiliar deftness of touch, and banked some credit. His immediate phone call to candidate Trump following an attempt on his life in July was both bold and smart. There followed the fabled Trump Tower two-hour chicken dinner.

It was more typical for Starmer that when it emerged, in a most unfortunate echo of 1992, Labour activists – and Starmer’s own pollster – were working on the Kamala Harris campaign, Trump’s people cried foreign interference and threatened legal action.

And the two in Starmer’s team who will have the most exposure to the new administration have both been publicly rude about Trump. David Lammy, now foreign secretary, called him “deluded, dishonest, xenophobic [and] narcissistic” in 2019.

Peter Mandelson, nominated but not yet confirmed as the UK ambassador to the US, has made comments about Trump being a “bully” and a “danger to the world”. To appease opposition in DC on his appointment, Mandelson has since turned on a sixpence (or perhaps a dime).

This is, at root, about Trump. No other president would have attracted such comments from frontline politicians. But from TV studio to TV studio, Lammy and Mandelson will have those quotes hung about their necks as if they were modern-day ancient mariners. Starmer’s innate caution in public utterance, in this area at least, has inured him.

Indeed, the repercussions of his unusual boldness in picking Mandelson over a career diplomat may discourage Starmer from ever thinking imaginatively again.

Most members of the Trump administration would be naturally hostile to a Labour government even without its leading figures insulting their boss or campaigning for his opponent. Certainly, the grounds for disagreement are great: the threat of tariffs, demanded increases in defence spending, the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, co-operation with China and support for Ukraine.

Thus Morgan McSweeney – architect of Labour’s 2024 victory, planner of its re-election and Starmer’s chief of staff – flew out to meet Susie Wiles, his equivalent in the White House. (It did not, a person privy to such information told me, go well. Voices were raised.)

Elon Musk, this moment’s most prominent presidential acolyte inveighed on X, “Starmer must go”, adding for good measure, “He is a national embarrassment.” It is indeed embarrassing – for Starmer – but he will be consoled with the well-founded suspicion that the life-expectancy of Musk and Trump’s tech bromance will be much less than four years.

Cause for self-reflection

The return of Trump, emboldened and more powerful than before, has effectively forced the posing of the age-old question: over which expanse of sea should Britain gaze – the Channel or the Atlantic? Churchill thought it should – and that only Britain could – do both.

Hence, perhaps, Trump’s own public statement about the possible destination of his first international trip: “It could be UK. Traditionally, it’s been UK.”

It hasn’t. Only Jimmy Carter, in 1977, and Joe Biden, in 2021, visited the UK first – and then because of summits. More than a few presidents (most recently Ford and Johnson) didn’t visit at all.

But even what might have been a supportive comment was laced with arsenic: “Last time, I went to Saudi Arabia because they agreed to buy 450 billion dollars’ worth of United States merchandise … And if that offer were right, I’d do that again.” Which at least may free the British government to be as unsentimentally transactional.

Trump and Starmer achieved big victories, albeit when painted in the most flattering terms. Starmer’s came on a historically low combination of vote share and voter turnout, Trump’s with fewer votes than Biden. But Trump will like that Starmer won a large majority. When May managed to lose hers in 2017, what little respect Trump had for her went with it.

Starmer would much rather have had four years with Biden, and even more with Harris, another public prosecutor of the left. But he has to deal with the transatlantic relationship as it is, rather than as he would wish it to be, and this one is most unlikely to be special.

Starmer is, moreover, a realist. Which is why he’ll also know that the second Trump presidency will be much more consequential than the first. Caution may have limited effect.

Martin Farr does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How should Keir Starmer handle Donald Trump – and how’s it going so far? – https://theconversation.com/how-should-keir-starmer-handle-donald-trump-and-hows-it-going-so-far-248697

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Transfers and purchases via SBP break records: 2024 results

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

The number and volume of transactions made through the Fast Payment System (FPS) in 2024 doubled compared to the previous year. In total, more than 13.4 billion transactions worth 69.5 trillion rubles were processed through the FPS last year, according to data Bank of Russia.

The average number of transactions via the SBP per day has been steadily growing from quarter to quarter. In the last quarter, 45 million transactions were carried out daily. A year ago, the average was 26 million such transactions per day.

Every fourth transaction in the SBP is a payment for goods or services. The popularity of this payment method grew throughout the year. By the end of the year, 5 out of 10 residents of the country preferred to pay through the SBP.

The number of trade and service enterprises accepting payments via the SBP amounted to approximately 2.2 million by the beginning of 2025.

In 2024, the indicators for the number and volume of payments that citizens received, including in the form of cashback, from insurance companies, brokers and other legal entities also increased. In total, more than 200 million transfers from companies were sent to citizens for a total amount of over 1 trillion rubles.

Preview photo: JSC “NSPK”

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23333

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Emphasis on leadership, sustainability, youth engagement and digitalisation as International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates present plans for global sports

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, January 31, 2025/APO Group/ —

The seven candidates running to become the next President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are hoping that with their 15-minute presentations at the Olympic House on Thursday, 30 January, they have been able to convince the IOC membership of their capabilities to lead the biggest sports organisation in the world.

Although they were unable to read the room during the in-camera meeting, especially as their audience was barred from asking questions, the candidates appeared satisfied with their campaign pitches.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS There will be no other opportunities for presentations before the election scheduled for 20 March in Greece. Speaking to the media after giving their presentations behind closed doors, some of the candidates believe the current election process requires a review.

Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, who was the first to appear before the press, said: “If I’m President, I think I would have more flexibility in the rules… We are part of a global sports community and the world has the right to know who is running and what they stand for.”

Below are excerpts from the candidates’ interaction with the media at the Château de Vidy, the historical building next to Olympic House, where the presentations took place.

HRH PRINCE FEISAL AL HUSSEIN

PRESENTATION: It was an honor to deliver my speech to my fellow IOC members, where I laid out my vision for the future blueprint of the Olympic Movement centered on consensus leadership. My speech was structured around three strategic imperatives that are in my manifesto; inspiring imagination, ensuring integrity and developing inclusion.

EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH HEADS OF STATE, AN ADVANTAGE?: Absolutely, yes. I think I’ve learned from the experience of not just learning how to deal with people, but by consensus. At the end of the day, all leaders are human beings, and the ability to find a common ground upon which you can build an understanding is a key benefit from the experience that I’ve had just being who I am.

DEALING WITH THE IOC’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE: One of the things we have to face and we have to deal with literally focuses on the issue of integrity. When you see the global community, the youth in particular have lost their trust in global institutions, and the IOC is a global institution, so we need to regain both the trust and the sense of relevance with the youth of this world. They are our future movement. And I think this is one of the key areas I would focus on as IOC president.

CONFIDENCE IN WADA DESPITE WITHDRAWAL OF US FUNDING: It’s not for me to comment on the policies of the United States. We (the IOC) are an institution that helped establish WADA and I think it has been doing a terrific job in dealing with the issue of doping. We’ve seen such a large reduction of doping incidents in the Olympic Games, and I think this means that they have been effective, and we will continue to support that.

DEALING WITH BOXING AHEAD OF LA28: I would love to see boxing back on the programme. It is one of the oldest Olympic sports, and I just hope that we can find a global Federation that can take on that responsibility of organising boxing in LA.

RUSSIA’S RETURN TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT: There’s nothing I’d like more than to be able to have the whole world at the Olympic Games, I think that’s what our objective is. But I also recognise that there are certain limitations and concerns. Right now, to my understanding, the exclusion of Russian athletes is based on a violation of the Olympic Charter. As President of the IOC, my role and responsibility is to uphold the Olympic Charter. And as long as nobody is in violation, then there is no reason for sanctions. And I would very much like to find a mechanism where we can reintroduce Russia. The world is stronger when we are all together. And I think that is what the Olympic Games does.

MR DAVID LAPPARTIENT

PRESENTATION: I hope that I have convinced my colleagues that I can be a real leader for the IOC.

RUSSIA’S RETURN TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT: Russia shouldn’t be indefinitely suspended by the IOC. This is a country of sport, so our objective would be to have them come back into the fold. However, there are reasons why the IOC suspended the NOC of Russia… So it is obvious then that these subjects should be dealt with before decisions can be taken.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN AFRICA: The IOC is on the five continents. Sport is universal, and African athletes are exceptional, but Africa has until today, never hosted the Olympic Games, they of course, are going to have the Youth Olympic Games. I suggest that the Olympics should take place in Africa, not fixing a specific date. But the idea is, nonetheless, that during this coming mandate or two mandates, we would like Africa to host the Olympic Games, because Africa deserves the Olympic Games.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: One of the challenges will be the instability of the world. It’s becoming more and more difficult, and sure we’ll have some crises to face in the future. This is why we need to source strong leadership. Climate change is also an issue. We also saw what happened in the winter time in Los Angeles, and it’s also the result of climate change. Another key challenge will be digitalization. The world is completely changing, disrupting. But what I also tried to explain this morning is how we can turn all these challenges into opportunities. We have opportunities to bring the world together. This is what we want. This is our vision. This is the ideal of the Olympic movement. We can also properly address the issue of climate change. This is what Paris has done. We also have the potential Olympic Esports Games, that’s also a way to interact with the younger generation. We can also reach a wider audience with digitalization.

MR JOHAN ELIASCH

TRACK RECORD: In a world of division and disruption, we need hope more than ever before. I’m standing because I believe that I have a proven track record and experience to deliver. I have successfully run large international corporations, led important commercial and political negotiations across business, sport, media and entertainment, foreign affairs, technology, and a lot of areas. I’ve been very active in climate action, preserving millions of acres of rainforest. In the last four years, I’ve led the transformation of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. We oversee more than half of the medal events in the Olympic Winter Games. So I think that’s a perfect and perfect trip for the presidency. I know what it takes to lead and drive change. This is not a popularity contest.

RUSSIA’S RETURN TO THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT: The individual, neutral athletes programme works very well. And I think it’s very important, because no athlete can choose where they were born. And the athletes must never be weaponized for political purposes. So I believe in this programme, and that we should make sure that also for Milano-Cortina, this is something that all the winter federations will adopt.

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE: Of course, we have to put the athletes front and centre. And we need to make sure that they have the best experience before, during, and after the Games. We have a very fast-changing landscape when it comes to digital, and we have to stay ahead of the curve here. We have a responsibility and a very strong voice when it comes to sustainability and this is an area which is very close to my heart, so this will certainly be at the forefront of my agenda. We also need to make sure that we uphold the magic of the Olympic Games. There is a lot of competition from other events and other sports and we need to make sure that we’re the best.

ENGAGING SPONSORS: Well, sponsorship is much more than just sticking your name to something. It’s about partnership. And this area is also changing very fast. Activations, people expect more here. We need to make sure that we deliver, that these partnerships are value-added for our sponsors. We have an incredible brand. But in today’s day and age, we also have to make sure that these partnerships are as attractive as possible.

BALANCING FUTURE OLYMPICS IN AFRICA, INDIA OR THE MIDDLE EAST WITH SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS: Here, for instance, the proposed rotation scheme of the Winter Olympics is very important. We have infrastructure in place to deliver the events. We need to make sure that we find solutions with the IFs to make sure that the capacity of investment is kept up. So we don’t have to retrace what already exists in places where it’s not going to go. Now, with the Middle East, with Africa, with India, it is essential that we are very strong and committed to no carbon impact on anything that we do.

MR JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH

THE IOC: I understand our organization as two different parts. On one hand, we are an extraordinarily big, large and efficient NGO – we distribute most of the money we generate in our business through the International Federation, National Olympic Committees and the organizing committees to the base of the world’s sports pyramid. So this is an NGO. Second, we need a powerful business machine to generate the necessary revenues to feed the NGO. So I have thrown my hat in the ring because I have significant experience on both sides. I’ve more than 25 years of experience in critical roles throughout the Olympic movement, and I’ve more than 25 years of experience in critical roles with my own company in the finance industry.

EMPOWERING IOC MEMBERS We must empower the members and ensure governance led by members and not by a selected few.

CHANGES In the 12 years of President Bach, we had to deal with so many complications and so many threats and managed to get the organization to move and evolve at a rapid pace. But that rapid pace of change that we implemented is no way near what is coming. I think we have a very important base, a very solid base, from the past, but the recipes of yesterday will not make it in the future.

LEGACY OF HIS FATHER, HELP OR HINDRANCE: My father left office 25 years ago and, as his son, I appreciate his legacy very much. His example is always with me, but the recipes of today have nothing to do with a presidency that ended years ago. Bear in mind, he joined the Olympic Movement more than 60 years ago.

PRESENTATION: I felt very good in the room, because I have something interesting to say, something I am passionate about. And I was so happy to have the opportunity to share that with my fellow members. So, it’s for them to decide. But my presentation is clear. I have a very clear programme. My manifesto is very much action-based and it leaves very little room for future surprises.

BIDDING PROCESS FOR OLYMPIC GAMES HOSTS: I think that we need to produce not a more traditional, but a better, new model that is more aligned to the current times, that would include a final decision in a significant participation of all IOC members.

MEDIA: I told my fellow IOC members this, ‘let’s refocus our relationship with the media. They are not our enemies. They are our allies.’ You (the media) shape the opinion of the world on the Olympic Games. This I intend, if I become IOC President, to maintain and you can hold me accountable for that if I am there.

MRS KIRSTY COVENTRY

THE OLYMPIC DREAM: My journey started as a nine-year-old girl watching the 92 Barcelona Olympic Games and just setting myself a dream and then finally realizing that dream in Athens getting to stand on the podium and win my first Olympic medal. In Athens, I won three medals and finally in my last event got to win the gold even though Zimbabwe was in a difficult situation. But when I got home to Zimbabwe, it was a time of three or four days of peace, so I really got to see the power of sport.

TODAY’S NINE-YEAR-OLD: The nine-year-olds in today’s world are not watching a television screen, they’re holding a phone and that phone is going to be their starting point to connect with us through online streaming platforms, and it’s going to be our chance to engage with them and ensure that we’re inspiring them, and to take it even further, we’re going to be developing and promoting applications that are going to allow them to train anywhere and everywhere in the world. And this is the world that we live in today, and let’s embrace it and walk that road together.

SUPPORTING AFRICAN ATHLETES: We need to find more ways of directly impacting and getting revenue to athletes before they become Olympians. That is generally the toughest thing most athletes find. From my own journey it was easy to get sponsorship once I’d won a medal. But getting to that medal was tough.

BACKING FROM BACH?: I have known President Bach since I came into the IOC, and I think being a fellow athlete, we share a lot of commonalities, a lot of common ideas and philosophies. But in this race, he’s the President. He has a vote, but he doesn’t vote, he chooses not to vote, and I do very firmly believe that he is being very fair to all candidates.

BEING A MOTHER OF A SIX-MONTH OLD AND A CAREER WOMAN: First and foremost, I want to be the best candidate to win, not just because of my gender or from where I come from. And I believe I’ve got a lot of expertise to bring to this role, to leading the organisation.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD: When I was stepping into my ministerial role seven years ago, I was pregnant with my first baby girl and had to quickly learn how to navigate and be a woman with a career as well as a mom and a wife and everything else. And it can be done. I’m very lucky to come from Africa because culturally we know and we firmly believe that it takes a village to raise a child.

PROTECTING WOMEN ATHLETES: As a female athlete, you want to be able to walk onto a level playing field always. It’s our job as the IOC to ensure that we are going to create that environment, and that we are going to not just create a level playing field, but we’re going to create an environment that allows for every athlete to feel safe. Along the road. We’re going to learn lessons, and we’re going to get stronger and we’re going to make better rules and regulations.

LORD SEBASTIAN COE

PRESENTATION: I enjoyed this morning’s process. I hope I was able to communicate my love for the movement. It’s something that I genuinely feel I’ve been training for for the best part of my life, or at least since the age of 11, when my father bought me my first pair of running shoes. I hope I was able to convey that, but I’m also hoping that I was able to convey the core pillars of my manifesto, my commitments and my pledges.

SUSTAINING IOC REVENUE: The world has changed and we do have to change with it – I’ve been in the sports marketing world for 30 years. Primarily we do need to adopt an audience first approach, which is in essence, to give them what they want, when they want it, and where they want it. Above all, for National Olympic Committees of all shapes and sizes, of some of the smaller International Federations, to enjoy that with a barrier-free physical and digital experience.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE IOC: The biggest challenge faced by the International Olympic Committee is no different, and it is not unique from any National Olympic Committee, any sporting organization, any club, private or public. It is how do you continue to excite and engage with young people, and how do you utilize, optimize fully the use of cutting edge technology? And we talk a lot about technology, we actually run the risk of sounding a little bit analog, because I don’t think there’s anyone in this room that hasn’t recognized that the organizations they work in, they deliver services in, have gone through that digital transformation. But I do think that engaging, exciting and challenging tomorrow’s generation is going to be critical, because it’s that cohort that is ultimately going to be your future sponsors, your future thought leaders, your future governments, your future politicians. And we need to create amongst that group of people a lifelong bond for sport. So even if they don’t remain in sport as coaches, administrators, communicators, we at least have the opportunity for them to assume leadership roles wherever they are, and really fundamentally understand the nature of sport, and it is only that way that we will raise sport to the top of government agendas. Engaging with young people is the key to unlocking so many of the other interdependencies.

ELECTION RULES: I’ve been in politics for a long time. I’ve found it a fairly unproductive process to pick a fight with the returning officer in the process. The rules are the same for everybody. I do think we need to review them, and I’m sure that whoever succeeds in March will want to look at that amongst other things too.

MR MORINARI WATANABE

OLYMPIC GAMES IN FIVE CONTINENTS: I propose to stage the Olympic Games in five cities on five continents at the same time. It would allow the IOC to offer the best possible conditions for each sport, to reduce the financial burden on host cities, to offer greater potential for broadcast and commercial opportunities, sustainability with reduction of travel, and alleviate other hosting problems like governmental restrictions and war.

POTENTIAL OF SPORT: Paris 2024 was a historic success, thanks to all the athletes, thanks to the leadership of President Thomas Bach and thanks to the excellent work of the Paris Organizing Committee. However, I believe that we should not be satisfied and that we must build on the success of these Games. Because, in contrast to the spectacular Olympic Games, the situation of the NOCs is far from strong. As FIG President, I have visited 162 countries. I have seen with my own eyes the situation of our sport in each country. As a result I saw the reality. Economically, these countries are not wealthy. In many countries, their relations with the government are not good. The presence of sport in each country is not high enough. I used to be a gymnast myself. That’s why I believe sport has even greater potential. To unleash that potential I propose that the Games be held on all five continents at the same time.

WORLD SPORTS ORGANISATION: I also envision upgrading the IOC into a World Sports Organization, like the World Health Organization. If the IOC continues and expands its activities, it would remain independent of politics and uphold the barriers of democracy, transparency, and gender equality. As a World Sports Organization we must contribute to society. We must make a new business for sports. My vision is not focused on only the Olympic Games. We must see a wider view for sports. Sports can contribute to society. I believe the 21st century industrial revolution will be driven by sports and healthcare. So, which organization is best placed to lead this transformation globally? It is the IOC.

BICAMERALISM: I am proposing a two-chamber system; a House and a Senate because many IOC members have very good ideas, even non-IOC members. We must take these ideas and listen to these opinions to develop sports. We have to be open. There are many professionals, athletes, royalty, politicians, lawyers, bankers, and many others. If we work together, we can do anything. Let’s open the door to a new era.

MIL OSI Africa –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: RIDOT to Reduce I-295 Travel Lanes for Bridge Replacement Project in Smithfield and Cumberland

Source: US State of Rhode Island

Starting on Monday night, February 3, RIDOT will reduce the number of travel lanes on both directions of I-295 at the Douglas Avenue overpass in Smithfield from three lanes to two lanes as it begins a rapid bridge project to replace the Douglas Pike Bridge in Smithfield and the Diamond Hill Road Bridge in Cumberland. Both bridges carry traffic over I-295.

Only the low-speed lane will be closed. No on-ramps or exits will be closed. The closures will be in place for approximately 10 months. RIDOT has implemented other lane reductions along the northern half of I-295 for bridge work and has not observed any significant traffic congestion from the temporary closures. The schedule is as follows:

February 3: The low-speed lane in both directions of I-295 will be closed at the Douglas Pike Bridge at Exit 15. In the week following the traffic pattern change, RIDOT will install temporary barriers for the closure.

Approximately Late February: The low-speed lane in both directions of I-295 will be closed at the Diamond Hill Road Bridge at Exit 22. In the week following the traffic pattern change, RIDOT will install temporary barriers for the closure. RIDOT will announce the exact closure date in the near future.

The rapid bridge construction approach will save motorists up to two years of lane closures and shifts associated with conventional construction. During a series of four, 14-day periods this summer and fall, RIDOT will shift traffic on the bridges, placing all traffic on one side of the bridge while demolishing and replacing the other side. The process will be repeated until both bridges are completely replaced, with the goal of having all traffic on new structures by the end of the year. The entire $63.5 million project will be finished in spring 2026.

The Douglas Pike Bridge is actually two separate structures, both built in 1971. One is rated as structurally deficient and the other is only 1 point away from being rated as deficient. It carries more than 22,400 vehicles per day. The Diamond Hill Road Bridge is rated as structurally deficient and carries more than 17,400 vehicles per day. It was built in 1963.

All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings, and weather.

The replacement of these bridges is made possible by RhodeWorks. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

January 31, 2025

Previous news Next news

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

During a working visit to Anapa, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed innovative developments and technological solutions for eliminating the consequences of an emergency situation (ES) in connection with an oil spill in the Black Sea.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that, on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin, a government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev has been created to coordinate the process of eliminating the consequences of the fuel oil spill. A separate direction on science is led by Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.

“Scientists said an important thing: they do not compete in technology, but complement each other and find symbiosis. Cooperation is extremely important, because President Vladimir Putin instructed us to develop technologies for the future so that we can quickly respond and help others. It is also necessary to solve current issues. Now we are faced with the task of defining clear steps for testing developments and scaling them in real conditions,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

At the experimental site, the Tyumen Industrial University demonstrated a technology for cleaning water areas using magnetically sensitive materials introduced by mobile means, including UAVs. Both ready-made powders and industrial waste are used.

The Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented an autonomous robot for monitoring the surface, underwater and in the air. The robot detects objects using AI, conducts additional examination and can be used for environmental monitoring and other purposes.

Sibur and the Chemistry Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University demonstrated samples of polyurethane foams and fibers to improve fuel oil collection using polymer networks and sorption materials.

Kuban State University and Bauman Moscow State Technical University presented the results of research on the use of biopreparations and bacteria for the decomposition of fuel oil in the soil. For the additional purification of sands, it is planned to use oxidative methods and biopreparations.

Tomsk State University presented the “Aeroshup” technology, based on the flotation principle. Air bubbles separate pollutants from the bottom of a reservoir, raising them to the surface for further collection. It is planned to adapt the technology to marine conditions using a remotely operated unmanned underwater vehicle (ROV) for work at depths of up to 100 m.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Denis Sekirinsky noted that, on the instructions of the Government, the existing scientific and technical groundwork is being analyzed, and interaction with the operational headquarters is underway. The interdepartmental working group formed in the Ministry from leading scientists, business representatives and interested executive authorities works on a permanent basis, providing the necessary consultations to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources.

“Today we presented key scientific and technical developments that we are beginning to test and apply to solve problems of eliminating the consequences of the accident. This experience will certainly be useful in the future if a similar incident occurs in one or another part of the world,” said Denis Sekirinsky.

Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev noted that a working group was created at the regional level, which included leading research centers of the region, Moscow and Sevastopol. In total, there are about 40 scientists, representatives of production and scientific enterprises and associations. Experts have already reviewed 84 proposals for cleaning contaminated sand and recycling petroleum products.

“Among the solutions that have already been tested is the development of Skoltech scientist Vladimir Kalyaev, who was one of the first to arrive in the region – in Anapa, more than 10 km of protective sand embankments have already been covered with absorbent fabric. In the village of Voskresensky, an industrial installation called “Grokhot” is operating at the temporary accumulation site for oil-contaminated sand, and mechanized seeders are used on the beaches. We need to find a technology as soon as possible that will allow us to clean the soil in the beach area as efficiently as possible,” said Veniamin Kondratyev.

In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting on the development and implementation of scientific solutions aimed at eliminating the consequences of an emergency situation in connection with an oil spill in the Black Sea.

It was attended by the Governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratyev, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Maxim Korolkov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Denis Sekirinsky, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stepan Kalmykov, heads of scientific organizations and universities.

The participants discussed the status of the implementation of the Government’s instruction on organizing the work on selecting promising solutions to eliminate the short-term and long-term consequences of oil spills. The heads of scientific organizations also heard reports on technologies for monitoring and forecasting the state of fuel oil pollution.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro presents first map in Chinese

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro has unveiled a new Chinese-language metro map that makes navigation easier for tourists from China. The names of metro stations, the Moscow Central Circle, the Moscow Central Circle and other key transport facilities have been translated in collaboration with native speakers, ensuring linguistic accuracy and compliance with Chinese grammar rules.

Moscow metro – Moscow Metro.

To help Chinese visitors better understand station announcements, the names have been phonetically adapted to resemble their Russian counterparts. For example:

米金诺 (Mǐ jīn nuò / Mi din nuo) – sounds like Mitino station 珀梁卡 (Pò liáng kǎ / Po lyang ka) – corresponds to Polyanka station

The translation used the Palladium system, a specialized method for transcribing Chinese words into Russian.

A unique Chinese-language subway map has been placed in the first and last carriages of the Chinese New Year theme train currently running on Line 3. Passengers can also get a mini version of the map for free at over 30 Live Chat information counters, and an electronic version is available for download.

Many tourists from China come to Moscow. To make their travel around the city more convenient, we have developed a metro map in Chinese with translations of all metro stations, the Moscow Central Circle and Moscow City Ring Road, as well as key transport hubs – airports and railway stations. Improving passenger comfort remains our priority at the initiative of Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport.

Moscow is also developing environmentally friendly transport, inspired by China’s experience

Moscow’s ground transportation system is following global trends by introducing environmentally friendly electric buses following China’s example. Last year, innovative electric bus routes were introduced for the first time in 15 districts of the city.

Since 2022, Moscow has been receiving electric buses with electric interior heating, and in 2024 they will arrive in an updated design. Each electric bus reduces CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere by more than 60 tons per year. Currently, the operation of electric bus routes is provided by 11 Mosgortrans bus depots, which support about 350 charging stations installed throughout the city.

Moscow also actively exchanges experience with its Chinese colleagues. As part of international cooperation, last fall Mosgortrans hosted a delegation from the Hebei Transport Professional Technical Institute (HTVTI, China) at the Mitino electric bus depot. During the visit, Chinese specialists were able to see first-hand the work and unique features of Moscow’s public electric transport.

Cooperation with our Chinese colleagues allows us not only to adopt advanced experience in the field of transport technologies and urban mobility, but also to share our own innovations, promoting the development of environmentally friendly transport in both China and Russia. Thanks to such international partnerships, Moscow is confidently moving towards its goal – the creation of a sustainable transport system that meets the challenges of the future.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Colchester County — Colchester County District RCMP charge man wanted on province-wide arrest warrant after he flees police
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

At approximately 10 a.m. on January 30,Colchester County District RCMP observed a vehicle in Lower Truro associated to a man who was wanted in relation to intimate partner violence related offences, and who has pending charges for multiple firearms offences.

Officers attempted a traffic stop on Hwy. 236 in Lower Truro. The vehicle didn’t stop and continued at a high rate of speed. Officers followed the vehicle. The RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) air services were called in to assist.

Responding officers deployed spike belts on Hwy. 236 then on Hwy. 215 in East Hants to stop the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was damaged but was able to continue fleeing police.

From Hwy. 215, the suspect vehicle accessed the shoulder of Hwy. 102 then traveled northbound in the southbound lanes. With the assistance of DNRR air services, the vehicle was observed attempting to turn around and head south in the southbound lane.

At this time, the vehicle was intercepted on Hwy. 102 between Exit 11 and Exit 12 by the RCMP ERT and Police Dog Services. Officers safely arrested the driver, 38-year-old Stephen Joseph “Dakota” Maloney, and the passenger.

Officers learned the passenger was a victim; they were released from custody. Maloney reported minor injuries and was transported to hospital by EHS.

“We understand how unsettling it must’ve been for those travelling along Hwy. 102 and witnessed the suspect vehicle driving erratically in the wrong direction,” says Supt. Sean Auld, Officer in Charge of Support Services. “Our officers continually assessed the situation from a public safety perspective, and working in collaboration with DNRR, officers relied on their training to safely stop the vehicle and arrest the offender.”

Maloney has been charged with:
- Flight from Peace Officer
- Dangerous Operation
- Operation While Prohibited
- Forcible Confinement
- Failure to Comply with Order
He appeared in Truro Provincial Court on January 30 and was remanded into custody pending future court appearances.

The investigation, led by the Colchester County District RCMP with assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services, is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6820. To remain to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

File # 2025-134744

MIL Security OSI –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Four week firearms amnesty to take lethal convertible guns off the streets
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A firearms amnesty will get underway on Monday after new evidence emerged about the potentially lethal risk posed by a particular type of blank firing gun.

The guns, known as ‘top-venting blank firers’ (TVBFs), are manufactured in Turkey. In their original form they pose little risk, but in recent years an increasing number have been converted and have been used in serious violence.

Since 2021, more than 800 have been recovered in criminal circumstances across the UK.

A converted TVBF was used in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Sebastiaan James-Kraan in Ealing in June 2024.

Three people charged in connection with Sebastiaan’s murder will stand trial in April.

While no gun was ever recovered, forensic analysis indicates that a TVBF was also used in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tyler McDermott in Tottenham in April 2023.

In June, four people were found guilty of Tyler’s murder.

TVBFs can be handed in at police stations across London from Monday, 3 February until Friday, 28 February.

This is part of a national amnesty taking place across the country over the same period.

Detective Superintendent Tim Mustoe, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “We are increasingly concerned about the risk posed by these weapons if they fall into the hands of criminals and those intent on causing serious violence on the streets of London.

“We’ve already seen their lethal potential in at least two cases here in London. We know they’ve also been used in many other non-fatal incidents too.

“The majority of top venting blank firers in circulation were bought lawfully by people with no ill intent. However we now know what can happen if they’re converted to do harm which is why it’s important that we recover as many as we can.

“I would urge anyone who has one of these weapons at home to do the responsible thing and hand it in at a police station. They will not face police action for possession of the gun at the point of surrender if they do so during the amnesty, but if they choose not to do so now and are found to have one of these guns at a later date, then the consequences will be quite different.”

TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence, unless they are readily convertible.

Tests by the National Crime Agency and police forces show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers – Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow – are readily convertible and are therefore illegal.

Anyone found to be in possession of one, after the amnesty period, could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

During the Amnesty period, those handing in a Turkish manufactured TVBF will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details.

However, the weapons will be examined to determine if they’ve previously been used in serious violence or other criminality.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “The top-venting blank firers are used by criminals and can be converted into lethal firearms.

“During the last two years, policing and the NCA have identified and disrupted several workshops used to convert these pistols into lethal weapons.

“In the same period, large numbers of converted weapons were recovered across multiple locations, alongside thousands of rounds of blank calibre and modified ammunition.

“One investigation recovered more than 400 converted weapons from a single crime group. There is a strong demand for them evidenced by the numbers imported and subsequent recovery from criminals.

“Stopping the sale of these top-venting blank firers from being converted will go a significant way to help protect the public.”

While TVBFs can be handed in at any police station during the amnesty, the Met is asking people to aim to go to one of these stations:
- Edmonton
- Chingford
- Colindale
- Wembley
- Islington
- Stoke Newington
- Bethnal Green
- Ilford
- Lewisham
- Bexleyheath
- Croydon
- Bromley
- Kingston
- Brixton
- Acton
- Charing Cross
- Hammersmith
Anyone intending to hand in a TVBF as part of the amnesty is encouraged to check the opening times of the relevant station on the Met Police website. To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station, phone 101 before travelling.

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity, you should call the police on 101 or report the information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes. Removing an illegally held firearm from circulation may just save someone’s life.

MIL Security OSI –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Brass: Week Three Under the Gold Dome

Source: US State of Georgia

The third week of the 2025 Legislative Session has wrapped up, and we’re staying focused on passing commonsense legislation that puts Georgia families, businesses and communities first.

Last week’s snowstorm may have delayed budget hearings for a few days, but it didn’t slow us down. The General Assembly has been hard at work in joint sessions, carefully reviewing budget requests to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty—it’s the foundation of a responsible government that serves its people.

One of the most crucial budget proposals this session is Governor Brian P. Kemp’s plan to return $1 billion in surplus funds to taxpayers directly. Thanks to years of conservative budgeting and fiscal responsibility, we can give back to the hardworking Georgians who keep our state running. This is just part of the $2.2 billion in statewide allocations designed to benefit families, businesses, and communities across Georgia. I’m proud to support Gov. Kemp’s efforts to strengthen our economy by putting money back where it belongs – in the pockets of hardworking Georgia taxpayers.

Another key priority is ensuring communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene have the necessary resources to rebuild. Gov. Kemp has proposed $614.72 million in recovery funding, including $150 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help with debris removal and housing assistance. Another $300 million will go to the Georgia Department of Transportation to restore roads and infrastructure. Many rural counties are still reeling from this storm, and we’re committed to ensuring they get the support they need to recover and move forward.

I’m excited to share that March 9th—12th is Multiple Sclerosis Week at the Capitol. This week, however, the Senate was honored to have several representatives from the Multiple Sclerosis Society, including my mother, Linda Brass, in the Senate chamber. Each year, members of the Society join us to recognize this week and bring attention to the medical condition. I commend the advocacy work conducted by the Multiple Sclerosis Society and their funding of $1 billion in research funding.

Finally, I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. This is an excellent way for young people to see firsthand how the General Assembly works. If you know a student who might be interested, they can apply here.

As always, I’m here to listen. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about our work at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s an honor to serve you, and I appreciate your trust as we work together throughout the remainder of the 2025 legislative session.

# # # #

Sen. Matt Brass serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. Sen. Brass represents the 6^th Senate District, which includes Coweta and Heard, as well as parts of Carroll County. He can be reached by email at matt.brass@senate.ga.gov

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Sentenced for Conspiracy and Illegal Reentry

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PROVIDENCE – A twice-deported Guatemalan national, described in court documents as being “the most consistent member” of an organized group of individuals that repeatedly stole high-end construction equipment, building supplies, and clothing from national retailer’s stores has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, after which he will be deported, having been convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and illegal re-entry into the United States, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

As described in court proceedings, Marvin Estuardo Morales De Paz, 30, of Cranston, was one of as many as a dozen members of a Rhode Island-based conspiracy of individuals who traveled to home improvement and clothing stores in at least five states to commit thefts, then transported the stolen merchandise to Rhode Island to sell. Morales was present for nearly every theft and set prices for, and directed sales of, the stolen items.

According to information presented to the court, the ring was involved in at least 35 documented thefts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is estimated that members of the conspiracy stole more than $280,000 worth of merchandise. Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen goods was recovered from Morales’s residence when he was arrested on April 11, 2024.

Morales was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith to 30 months of incarceration to be followed by one year of supervised release. Morales will be turned over to ICE and faces deportation upon completion of his term of incarceration.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations agents in Providence, with the assistance of HSI agents in Boston, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the Providence, Coventry, Warwick, Smithfield, and Johnston, RI Police Departments; Boston, Norwood, Bellingham, Marlboro, Seekonk, Avon, Auburn, MA Police Departments; Montville and Fairfield, CT Police Departments; and the Parkesburg, Downingtown, Lebanon, Wyomissing, and Reading, PA, Police Departments; Nashua, NH Police Department; and Marlboro, NJ Police Department.

###

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of Multiple Women

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on January 30, 2025, to 25 years in prison for his conviction of sex trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Eric Jefferson, 41.

According to information presented to the Court, from in and around June 2019 to in and around April 2022, Jefferson coerced and forced at least four women to perform commercial sex work for his monetary gain. Jefferson provided the women with drugs for meeting clients and would withhold the drugs if the women—who were addicted to narcotics and could become ill with withdrawal symptoms—refused to meet with clients. Jefferson also used violence and threats of violence to coerce and force the women to engage in commercial sex work.

“Eric Jefferson forced these women to earn money on his behalf, controlling the victims both through physical force and exploiting their dependence upon narcotics,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively prosecute human traffickers such as Jefferson in order to protect and rescue the most vulnerable victims in our district.”

“Protecting the most vulnerable members of our community will always be among the highest priorities for the FBI,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “The message this sentencing sends is clear: the FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue criminals who think they can prey on others.”

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan heard from the victims of the charged crimes and stressed the heinousness of Jefferson’s conduct and its devastating impacts upon the victims.

Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr Moulton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jefferson.

This prosecution is part of Operation T.E.N. (Trafficking Ends Now), an umbrella coalition for law enforcement, community, and non-profit partners in the 25 counties in the Western District of Pennsylvania. This coordinated effort aims to end human trafficking through education and improved cooperation across agencies and service providers, thereby enhancing the office’s ability to empower victims of human trafficking to become thriving survivors.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 15-Year Sentence for Deadly 2022 DWI Crash that Killed Three People

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBUQUERQUE – A Laguna man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a fatal DWI crash on the Laguna Pueblo in 2022 that killed three members of the same family.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on August 7, 2022, Cody Allen Charlie, 38, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, was driving intoxicated at 116 miles per hour while using his cell phone when he crashed into another vehicle on Interstate 40, near mile marker 130. The impact caused the other vehicle to veer off the interstate and onto the shoulder, where it rolled over. All three occupants of that vehicle were killed in the crash. Instead of providing help to his victims, Charlie left his wrecked vehicle and ran from the scene.

Upon his release from prison, Charlie will be subject to five years of supervised release. He must also make full monetary restitution to the victims of his crimes. As part of his supervised release, Charlie will be subject to alcohol and substance-abuse monitoring, and he must also complete mental-health and substance-abuse programs. As a convicted felon, Charlie is no longer permitted to own or possess a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Zachary C. Jones are prosecuting the case.

# # #

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Two Members of Violent Gang Sentenced to Prison for Racketeering and Drug Trafficking

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

BOSTON – Two members of the violent Boston-area gang, Cameron Street, were sentenced to prison yesterday for their roles as drug traffickers operating on behalf of the criminal enterprise. During the investigation, 21 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were allegedly seized from 11 of the defendants.

James Rodrigues, a/k/a “Bummy,” 34, of Boston, was sentenced this morning by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 42 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On Jan. 16, 2025, Rodrigues pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy) and conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This afternoon, Judge Young sentenced Devante Lopes, a/k/a “D-Lopes,” 31, of Boston and Quincy, to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2024, Lopes pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute marijuana; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Over the course of a two-year investigation, Rodrigues and Lopes were identified as Cameron Street members who were primarily involved in drug trafficking. Specifically, Rodrigues worked with other Cameron Street members to distribute hundreds of grams of cocaine and cocaine base (crack cocaine) from a stash house in Somerville. During the investigation, law enforcement made a series of controlled purchases from Rodrigues and other Cameron Street members. This included two separate occasions in which Rodrigues sold 48 grams of crack cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, respectively, to a cooperating witness. During a search of the Somerville stash house in April 2022, 398 grams of cocaine along with packaging materials, two hydraulic presses, a digital scale, a cell phone and $14,986 in U.S. currency were seized.

Lopes was a significant drug trafficker who, from 2019 through 2020, regularly used the mail to import large quantities of marijuana from California to Boston and neighboring cities. In exchange, Lopes shipped packages containing between $40,000 to $50,000 in cash. One of the packages intended for Lopes was intercepted by law enforcement and found to contain 2.6 kilograms (2,637 grams) of marijuana. Over the course of the investigation, a total of 24 packages of similar size were tracked as having been shipped from various address in California to Lopes. As a result, it is estimated that Lopes received 56.6 kilograms of marijuana.

During a search of Lopes’ residence in April 2022, 800 grams of cocaine was seized from inside a bench by his bed along with digital scales, plastic bags commonly used for street-level sales, a bag of pink pills, a money counter, an empty Glock firearm box and a round of ammunition next to Lopes’ bed. During the search of Lopes’ apartment, remote cameras were discovered inside each room as well as two hidden compartments. One of the hidden compartments was concealed inside a shelf and contained approximately $5,000 in cash, a box of ammunition and foam cut-outs for a firearm. The second hidden compartment was found inside a mirror and contained a foam insert:

A subsequent examination of Lopes’ cellphone revealed messages, images and videos connecting Lopes to members of Cameron Street, unlawful firearm possession and drug trafficking proceeds:

According to court documents, the Cameron Street gang is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in a variety of criminal activities – including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, carjackings, home invasions, human trafficking, as well as drug and firearms trafficking, among other offenses – in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and surrounding areas. It is alleged that Cameron Street members use violence against rival gangs and witnesses, typically with the use of firearms, to maintain and enhance their status and the overall reputation of the gang, as well as to protect the gang’s power, reputation and territory. Members engage in drug trafficking activity and distributed kilograms of cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), oxycodone and marijuana throughout Massachusetts.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the cases.

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

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dedicated team to serve businesses amongst DWP overhaul of employer support to Get Britain Working
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Ministers are encouraging UK businesses to work with Jobcentres to fill the thousands of jobs currently vacant as the UK goes for growth, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall set out today (30 January).
Following the Chancellor’s growth speech yesterday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall visited fast growing UK retailer B&M – who successfully filled almost 3,000 vacancies using local jobcentres in 2024.

The Work and Pensions Secretary has today set out overhaul the DWP’s approach to supporting employers to Get Britain Working again as part of Plan for Change.

Comes as just one in six businesses has ever used a Jobcentre to recruit with the latest data showing tens of thousands of vacancies in key sectors.

New DWP team have built partnerships with 37 new industry leaders in just a few week as department transforms Jobcentres.

It comes as the Work & Pensions Secretary visits B&M – a retailer that has had huge success using the Jobcentre network. As a fast growing UK retailer, B&M has filled almost 3,000 vacancies through the jobcentre network, with over 85% of new recruits coming directly through the DWP – benefiting jobseekers and the businesses’ growth.

The DWP has hit the ground running to reset engagement with employers through new teams to support employers, with dedicated account managers and a focus on growing the number of Jobcentre training programmes tailored to employer’s needs.

As B&M has opened new stores across the country, it has teamed up with the local DWP team to run information sessions – offering interested candidates a guaranteed interview.

Over 73,000 jobs have been added to the labour market since the start of this Parliament according to the ONS, with new announcements in the Chancellor’s speech yesterday expected to add thousands more roles to the UK jobs market – including over 100,000 jobs in the local area around Heathrow.

However, new figures show only 1 in 6 employers surveyed reported using the JobCentre Plus network to hire for their business – highlighting the need for genuine reform.

That’s why as part of the Get Britain Working plan, the government will reform jobcentres by bringing it together with the National Careers Service to ensure people have better access to training and address local skills gaps and help train the workforce businesses need.

The reforms to get Britain working and modernise the employment support offer are just one part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which will lay strong foundations to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity across the country.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

To get Britain growing again, we need to get Britain working again.

As the HR department for the Government’s growth mission, our job is to work with businesses to meet their recruitment needs.

To help employers grow, hire new staff, and boost opportunity in every corner of the country, we are determined to change our approach

As part of reforming Jobcentres we will overhaul our service to better meet employer’s needs – turning the DWP into a genuine public employment service. So businesses can fill jobs and people can build a better life for themselves and their families.

A B&M spokesperson said:

There is a wealth of talent and experience in Jobcentres across the UK. We encourage other businesses to get in touch with their local Jobcentre and discover the talent that’s available in their community.

The new dedicated team set up to support businesses of all sizes across the country with their recruitment needs has already added 37 new employers to the department’s roster in recent weeks, with notable names including Home Bargains, KFC and Swissport.

In a letter to CEOs from 10 of the UK’s top businesses, DWP ministers said that at a time when recruitment can be a major cost, the DWP “provides a service to help businesses grow and support people into work.

To help other businesses replicate B&M’s success, the department is transforming its service for employers by:

Hosting summits with employers and stakeholder representatives across sectors crucial to growth – including construction, social care and clean energy in the next three months.

Boosting the number of training programmes in these sectors on offer at Jobcentres to upskill jobseekers and provide employers with the work ready staff they need.

Serving employers through a dedicated team with highly experienced experts to provide recruitment support, including designing tailored campaigns to tackle large numbers of vacancies.

Providing an account manager for employers to get more information about how the JCP can help them and provide recruitment support – following feedback from businesses that they wanted an establish a single contact.

Commissioning Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent review into the role of employers in reducing health-related inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces – which is already underway.

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Published 31 January 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation, Community Organizations and Granite Staters Speak Out About Devastating Impact of Trump’s Cut to Federal Grants and Loans

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), as well as U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), joined Manchester School District Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel, Strafford County Community Action Partnership CEO Betsey Andrews Parker, Amoskeag Health CEO Kris McCracken, Professional Firefighters of NH and other New Hampshire organizations for a virtual event to outline the ways that President Trump’s halt of nearly all federal grants and loans is impacting New Hampshire families and communities.
You can watch the full press conference here.
“We’ve got millions of people across the country, and thousands in New Hampshire, who have no idea if they’re going to be able to get the services that they’re depending on because the White House has been so confused about what they’ve done and they haven’t been able to issue any clear answers,” said Senator Shaheen. “We need to see the President repeal these executive orders because what he has done is not going to help people lower their food prices, pay their rents, get the child care that they need or the health care that they need for their families.”
“President Trump’s illegal cut of federal funds includes grants for police officers, firefighters, our efforts to crackdown on fentanyl, special education programs, small business loans, community health centers, homeless shelters for veterans…virtually every aspect of American life. The White House keeps sowing chaos and confusion about the status of this funding. But make no mistake. People’s safety, their jobs, their health, our fire and police departments…shouldn’t hang in the balance subject to the confused wordings and impulsive whims of the next tweet or memo,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.
“The actions taken by the Trump Administration to freeze federal funds will have a devastating impact on communities across New Hampshire and will significantly hurt our state’s ability to address housing concerns, fight addiction, preserve public safety, and make sure that Granite Staters have what they need. These federal funds are more than just lines on a spreadsheet in Washington D.C. This is about people here in New Hampshire and the ability of our communities to come together to help those in need and build a stronger future for us all. This fight is not over, and my message to Granite Staters is that we will do all that we can to protect these resources and ensure that our communities remain healthy, strong, and safe,” said Congressman Pappas.
“This week I’ve traveled across the Second District — from the North Country to Nashua and from Keene to Concord. I’ve talked to our workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, health care providers, small businesses, mayors, and town managers. The through line of every conversation has been an intense concern about the wide-ranging and devastating impacts that losing the federal funding promised to New Hampshire will have on our way of life,” said Representative Maggie Goodlander. “Real people right here in New Hampshire are paying the price for President Trump’s lawless, chaotic efforts to cut off federal funding. That is unacceptable. I will never stop fighting with every possible tool to deliver for New Hampshire.”
“Our priorities have not changed. We will continue to provide services to our clients and support our team until we are directed otherwise. We will adapt to the changing landscape so clients that depend on our agency for services such as childcare, fuel assistance, transportation, and food can continue to access these resources. We greatly appreciate the support of the New Hampshire delegation during this challenging time.” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.
“The Portsmouth Police Department depends on federal grants to fund programs impacting local, seacoast, and statewide communities. Locally, federal grant funds are utilized for bulletproof vests for officers and enforcement patrols on our roadways, which include speed, distracted driving, DUI, and pedestrian/bike enforcement. With the help of federal dollars, we offer victim witness advocate services, staff training, and law enforcement equipment such as body-worn cameras and investigative equipment… the loss of these funds would reduce staff, significantly impact investigations into internet-based sexual crimes against children that have skyrocketed and continue to climb, and impact services for victims of crime, roadway safety, and the safety of our officers,” said Mark Newport, Chief of Police, Portsmouth Police Department in a letter.
“Uncertainty makes development difficult. While we work in a field rife with uncertainty, we know we can rely on our funding sources to be steady, when we have the funding we can move forward. It upsets our ability to commit to community projects when we cannot know whether or not the funding we have been awarded to build housing will actually be available to us when the time comes to call on those funds. In a relatively high-risk development environment, in a critical need area for our communities, we need the federal funds to be stable. Being left without promised funds on a project could easily mean the financial collapse of the project, a loss of years worth of time and effort. Depending on the projects size, it could have a major impact on our ability to operate,” said Harrison Kanzler, Executive Director, AHEAD Inc.
“As NH’s only center for independent living, serving thousands of individuals living with a disability, the consequences of EO-M-25-13, would have caused thousands of Granite Staters living with a disability to be left without critical services. These services are in place to provide and assist with daily needs, including transportation, personal care, education, and workforce training. The very services provided by GSIL and funded by federal grants, such as benefits counseling, workforce readiness, and transition services are an integral part in the promotion of living independently,” said Deborah Ritcey, MPA/HA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Granite State Independent Living (GSIL).
“As a private non-profit community development corporation that is focused on providing affordable housing for granite staters, we have worked with numerous federal programs over the past thirty years, and the one thing we need to keep doing our work is consistency and reliability. So when we are faced with distractions that cause chaos and confusion throughout our sector, it makes the difficult work of building affordable housing even that much more challenging,” said Robert Tourigny, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire.
“While we were relieved that the Administration intended to exclude rental assistance from the spending freeze, funding that we rely on to provide self-sufficiency services to working families, build new affordable housing, and reduce our energy costs were all targeted. On behalf of the nearly 930 senior, disabled and working families we serve, we are grateful to all of the individuals, organizations and elected officials across the country for their advocacy,” said Joshua Meehan, Executive Director, Keene Housing.
“Federal funding is a lifeline for Community Health Centers, which deliver comprehensive primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental, and other essential primary care services to over 330,000 patients across New Hampshire and Vermont. With the uncertainty around the status of health centers’ federal grant funding, we are extremely concerned about the ability of their patients to access the services they need,” said Tess Kuenning, President & CEO of Bi-State Primary Care Association.
“Ammonoosuc Community Health Services is a federally qualified health center that integrated primary preventive services in the rural White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire to nearly 10,000 patients a year, across five strategically located care delivery sites. In fact, we serve 1 out of every 3 residents within our service area. Our patients receive care that is nationally recognized. Our outcomes for patient with depression or diabetes exceeds national healthy people goals since 2009, top two FQHC for colorectal cancer screening (2018), top 16 FQHC in overall cancer screening (2023). All accomplished in a financially responsible manner where our annual financial audit has always been free of any concerns and 95% of our patients recommend us to friends, family and neighbors who need care. All in all we govern ACHS in a responsible and predictable manner. As an FQHC we provide services to everyone, regardless of social and economic status. The President’s unprecedented and unannounced freeze on nearly all federal funding meant an immediate freeze on nearly $180,000 in monthly drawdown payments and catapulted my staff into 24 hours of uncertainty and chaos while we tried to get clarification from the administration. Clarification that never came. This type of governing is categorically not a responsible way to govern, has real world impacts, and wasteful in diverting critical resources away from our core mission of providing outstanding health care services to those in our community who need it most. As the CEO and steward of ACHS, The People’s Health Center, I take responsible governance seriously and I expect those elected by the people to take their responsibility seriously as well,” said Ed Shanshala, CEO, ACHS.
On Wednesday night, Shaheen spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the Trump administration’s order to take away federal grants and loans that families, seniors and small businesses in all 50 states rely on for critical, often life-saving services. Shaheen illustrated the chaos caused by the extreme order by sharing the stories of many Granite Staters she has heard from in the past two days.
On Monday, the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a sweeping executive order pausing almost all forms of federal assistance to states, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and more. Senator Shaheen immediately condemned the move and emphasized the impact it will have on communities. The full list that agencies were directed to review encompasses over 2,600 assistance programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), community health centers, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), transportation and highway funding, energy assistance programs, water infrastructure funding, State Opioid Targeted Response grants, GI Bill, veteran compensation for service connected disabilities, Section 8 housing vouchers, school breakfast and lunch, Title I education grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Head Start.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 1, 2025
MIL-OSI: Humans Group 2024 Financial and Operational Results: Fintech Service Humans Pay is a Key Growth Driver with 60% YoY Revenue Increase

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Humans Group recorded significant growth across all key metrics: turnover, revenue, and customer numbers. The active user base of its super app ecosystem grew to over 2.3 million people by the end of 2024, a 28% year-on-year increase.

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Humans Group of companies has published its final report on its activities in Uzbekistan for 2024. Turnover reached UZS 17,777 billion, and gross revenue totaled UZS 515.4 billion. Net revenue increased by 9.82% compared to the previous year.

Ecosystem Growth

The Humans super app provides unique, market-leading services for the Uzbek market. It combines mobile services, a fintech service called Humans Pay, Humans Yaxshi, a grocery delivery service from local markets, and Humans Market, a marketplace for buying everyday goods. The ecosystem also includes a cashback program.

The active customer base of the Humans ecosystem is steadily growing, providing a positive outlook for further market expansion. At the end of 2024, the customer base of the Humans ecosystem exceeded 2.3 million users, reflecting a 28.01% increase compared to 2023.

Customers are increasingly using the Humans app as a super app to meet their daily needs. As of December 2023, nearly 88% of customers active within the past 30 days used only mobile services. By September 2024, this share had decreased to 84.6%. Currently, more than 1.25 million customers are combining at least two services within the super app.

Vlad Dobrynin, CEO and founder of Humans Group, said: “The addition of new services to the ecosystem consistently leads to an increase in the number of active users and a rise in transaction frequency. In 2025, we plan to offer new convenient products to our customers, such as a ‘buy now, pay later’ service and a microloan service.”

“We will also launch a social platform for targeted peer-to-peer assistance to those in need. Further, we will continue to expand the range of products in the Humans Market marketplace and increase the Humans Yaxshi delivery area to 50 cities in Uzbekistan.”

Humans Pay: A Key Driver of Net Revenue Growth

Fintech remains one of the main drivers for the development of the Humans super app. Net revenue of the Humans Pay payment and transfer service reached UZS 133.1 billion in 2024, an increase of 59.98% compared to 2023. The number of unique clients of the Humans Pay service exceeded 701,410 in the first three quarters of 2024, a 21.27% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Alongside user growth, there has been a corresponding increase in transactions. Clients are using the Humans Pay service more frequently, making more transactions, and transferring larger amounts of money. In the first three quarters of 2024, the total volume of card-to-card transfers increased by 151.6% year-on-year, while the number of transactions per active user rose by 62.15%.

Humans Mobile: Customers Choose Unlimited Internet

The telecom service is also reaching an increasingly larger share of the Uzbek population. The number of active telecom clients of Humans surpassed 1.56 million in 2024. Among them, 279,200 are already using unlimited internet packages, a 78.55% increase compared to last year.

“In 2024, Humans demonstrated double-digit growth in almost all key performance indicators. We significantly strengthened our position in the telecom business and confirmed the effectiveness of our strategy aimed at transitioning telecom service users to an ecosystem product,” added Vladimir Dobrynin.

Despite the impressive growth figures, the potential for growth in the Humans Pay fintech service has been slowed by the unprecedented actions of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and the biased, discriminatory policies of the regulator. The Humans team did everything possible to support the growth of the ecosystem and, most importantly, to continue driving development,” noted Vladimir Dobrynin.

Customer Support: AI Sets New Service Standards

The quality of customer service is a high priority for Humans. Today, 92% of user inquiries are resolved on the first contact with the call center by phone, and 91% on the first contact via chat. However, to deliver ever superior standards of customer care in 2024 Humans Group implemented an AI-based personalized offer system.

The platform selects the most relevant services for the customer based on their request, for example, mobile service plans. This ensures call center operators recommend only relevant and optimal services for customers, saving their time. As a result, the AI platform simultaneously improves communication efficiency and user satisfaction.

Team: The “Daily Pay” Project as an Element of Social Responsibility

Reflecting Humans Group dedication to corporate social responsibility and employee well-being, in 2024 the company introduced a ‘Daily Pay’ system for its customer support employees. This system rewards staff with bonuses the morning after they have hit daily targets.

The speed of this remuneration is unprecedented and provides team members with confidence in their financial planning, leading to increased motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. The system had previously been trialled, with enormous success, across the Humans retail network among salespeople, supervisors, and couriers.

About Humans

Humans.uz is a super app that combines the fintech service Humans Pay, mobile communication services Humans Mobile, the grocery delivery service from bazaars Humans Yaxshi, and the product marketplace Humans Market. The project was launched in June 2020 in Uzbekistan as part of the Humans Group operations which also includes the employee search platform Humans.net in the USA. The group’s offices are located in the USA, Uzbekistan, Poland, Singapore, and Germany.

Website

https://humans.uz/en/

Contact

Natalia Ikonnikova
pr@humans.net

Disclaimer: This content is provided by the Humans. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62483b00-501d-4c1f-b4b9-9e26fbafe651

The MIL Network –

February 1, 2025

Category: Transport

Trump and May

Cause for self-reflection

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

Dmitry Chernyshenko met with scientists and assessed developments in eliminating the consequences of emergencies in the Black Sea

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