Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today during an executive business meeting highlighted whistleblowers’ first-person accounts of the retaliation and abuse they have suffered at the hands of current and former top FBI officials. Grassley’s comments came shortly before voting to advance Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI Director. While reading the whistleblowers’ accounts into the congressional record, Chairman Grassley noted:
“I’d like to have the White House and my Republican colleagues take note of this, because I think some of these people should be reinstated because of how [un]justly they’ve been treated. And like you’ve heard me so many times say, whistleblowers are treated like a skunk at a picnic. And I hope my Democrat colleagues will learn a lesson about how the FBI has previously treated whistleblowers, both under Republican administrations and Democrat administrations. So that we don’t have this happening again.”
In a story this morning, RealClearInvestigations further detailed the plight of FBI whistleblowers.
A Weaponized FBI: It’s Real, Whistleblowers Testify, Boasting Scars to Prove It
By Ben Weingarten
November 13, 2025
Democrats have cast the Trump administration’s ouster of eight senior FBI leaders as a “purge” and act of “retribution” from a weaponized Justice Department, some likening it to President Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre.”
But former colleagues of the terminated “G-men” say this narrative is backward. FBI officials, past and present, have marshaled significant evidence via whistleblower complaints and testimony indicating that several terminated leaders routinely used their offices for partisan purposes.
These include allegations that at least two of the fired officials, Jeffrey Veltri and Dena Perkins, manipulated the security clearance review process to personally and professionally punish conservatives, COVID-19 vaccine skeptics, and Jan. 6 whistleblowers who reported suspected bureau malfeasance, and retaliated against those who came to the whistleblowers’ defense.
A third, Timothy Dunham, is also alleged to have improperly suspended security clearances.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) read numerous accounts of alleged misconduct perpetrated by these and other officials into the record this morning as the committee considered the nomination of Kash Patel for FBI Director…
Read the full RealClearInvestigations story HERE. Read Grassley’s full opening statement HERE.
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THE “FAIR AND RECIPROCAL PLAN”: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements.
The “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” will seek to correct longstanding imbalances in international trade and ensure fairness across the board.
Gone are the days of America being taken advantage of: this plan will put the American worker first, improve our competitiveness in every area of industry, reduce our trade deficit, and bolster our economic and national security.
AMERICA WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES: The United States is one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to our exports. This lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit.
There are endless examples where our trading partners do not give the United States reciprocal treatment.
The U.S. tariff on ethanol is a mere 2.5%. Yet Brazil charges the U.S. ethanol exports a tariff of 18%. As a result, in 2024, the U.S. imported over $200 million in ethanol from Brazil while the U.S. exported only $52 million in ethanol to Brazil.
The U.S. average applied Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff on agricultural goods is 5%. But India’s average applied MFN tariff is 39%. India also charges a 100% tariff on U.S. motorcycles, while we only charge a 2.4% tariff on Indian motorcycles.
The European Union can export all the shellfish it wants to America. But the EU bans shellfish exports from 48 of our states, despite committing in 2020 to expedite approvals for shellfish exports. As a result, in 2023, the U.S. imported $274 million in shellfish from the EU but exported only $38 million.
The EU also imposes a 10% tariff on imported cars. Yet the U.S. only imposes a 2.5% tariff.
A 2019 report found that across 132 countries and more than 600,000 product lines, United States exporters face higher tariffs more than two-thirds of the time.
This lack of reciprocity is one source of America’s large and persistent annual trade deficit in goods: closed markets abroad reduce U.S. exports and open markets at home result in significant imports, both of which undercut American competitiveness.
The United States has run a trade deficit of goods every year since 1975. In 2024, our trade deficit in goods exceeded $1 trillion.
Thanks to the proliferation of non-reciprocal barriers in just the last few years, the U.S. now runs a trade deficit in agriculture, worth around $40 billion in 2024.
Though America has no such thing, and only America should be allowed to tax American firms, trading partners hand American companies a bill for something called a digital service tax.
Canada and France use these taxes to each collect over $500 million per year from American companies.
Overall, these non-reciprocal taxes cost America’s firms over $2 billion per year.
Reciprocal tariffs will bring back fairness and prosperity to the distorted international trade system and stop Americans from being taken advantage of.
THE ART OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEAL: President Trump continues to deliver on his mandate given to him by the American People to put America First when it comes to trade.
As President Trump said in the Presidential Memorandum on American First Trade Policy on his first day in office, trade policy is a critical component of our economic security and national security.
In his first term, President Trump successfully ended the outdated and unfair NAFTA, replacing it with the historic USMCA to deliver one of the largest wins for American workers.
When our national security was threatened by a global oversupply of steel and aluminum, President Trump took swift action to protect America’s national security by implementing tariffs on imports of these goods.
In response to China’s intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and other unreasonable behavior, President Trump acted with conviction to impose tariffs on imports from China, using that leverage to reach a historic bilateral economic agreement.
Just last week, President Trump leveraged tariffs to force Canada and Mexico to make long-overdue changes at our northern and southern borders, ensuring the safety and security of American citizens.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme – PMKSY since 2016-17 to create post-harvest infrastructure and processing facilities to boost the overall development of the food processing sector including reduction in post-harvest losses. The component schemes under PMKSY provide credit linked financial assistance (capital subsidy) in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing/preservation infrastructure which, inter-alia, includes cold storages and refrigerated vehicles to minimize post-harvest losses.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing schemes to boost food processing industries through infrastructure creation, grant of sales based incentives, capacity expansion, and other supporting measures. Under component schemes of PMKSY, as per the Scheme guidelines, consent to operate (CTO) issued by the concerned state Pollution board/Agency in respect of Water and Air, is mandatory for release of instalment of Grant-In-Aid/Subsidy to the approved projects. Further, Project Implementation Agency (PIA) has to comply with the requirements of Cold Chain infrastructure as per the directions of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change, Government of India with respect to use of Non-ODS (Non- Ozone depleting Substances) and low GWP (Low Global Warming Potential) refrigerants-based energy efficient cooling systems.
Under PMKSY component schemes, assistance can also be availed for Renewable/alternate energy technologies (solar, bio-mass, wind, etc.) for the project (Max. eligible permissible cost is Rs. 35 Lakh per project). Eligible entities from across the country may apply and avail the benefits.
National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management -Thanjavur under Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has made efforts to promote and develop sustainable packaging technology through development of biodegradable plastics, safe and environmental friendly packaging solutions from biopolymers such as poly lactic acid (PLA), starch, nano fibres etc
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries through implementation of PMKSY, helps in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet across the country. The scheme not only provide a boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country but also helps in, interalia, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level and enhancing the export of the processed foods.
MoFPI is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme- PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) for providing technical, financial and business support for setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh Micro Food Processing Enterprises. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been launched by MoFPI for the period 2021-22 to 2026-27 to create global food champions and improving the visibility of Indian food brands abroad.
Besides above, the allied Ministries/Departments and their Agencies such as Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, APEDA, MPEDA, etc. also extend enabling support through their respective schemes like Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Agriculture Export Promotion Plan Scheme, National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility, etc.
Steps to help the agri-products and the processed foods export sector include inter- alia financial assistance to exporters by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Scheme of quality control, setting up of in house quality control laboratory and implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in processing units, conducting awareness programme on quality assurance and quality management system and training programme on food safety norms, developing packaging for export of various food products and setting up of agri export zones in geographically contiguous areas in different states. In addition. Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under its Plan Scheme, also provides financial assistance to food processing industries for implementation of total quality management including ISO 9000, HACCP etc. and to establish Quality Control Laboratories in the Country
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Police are at the scene of a serious crash at Porter Lagoon in the state’s mid north.
At 6.20am on Friday 14 February, emergency services were called to the Barrier Highway, 18 kms south of Burra after reports of a single truck roll over.
The Barrier Highway is closed between Black Springs and Hanson.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS messages purported to be from HKeToll Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS messages purported to be from HKeToll ******************************************************************************************
The Transport Department (TD) today (February 14) alerted members of the public to fraudulent SMS messages purported to be issued by the HKeToll and provided a hyperlink with the domain name (http[:]//hketoll.taobaocainiao.top[/]ZA17vEtuG6) that lead to a fake HKeToll website, which seeks to deceive recipients into making payments and obtain their credit card information. The TD clarifies that the SMS messages were not issued by the HKeToll and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up. Members of the public are reminded that the HKeToll will not send SMS messages or emails to vehicle owners with hyperlinks which direct them to the websites to carry out transactions. If a vehicle owner wishes to pay an outstanding toll online, they must log in to the HKeToll website (hketoll.gov.hk) or mobile app. Members of the public should stay alert when receiving unidentified messages. They should not visit suspicious websites and disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the HKeToll, please call 3853 7333.
Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2025Issued at HKT 20:13
A key element of the Gateway lunar space station has entered the cleanroom for final installations after completing environmental stress tests.
When NASA’s Artemis IV astronauts journey to the Moon, they will make the inaugural visit to Gateway, humanity’s first space station in lunar orbit. Shown here, technicians carefully guide HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost)—a foundational element of Gateway—onto a stand in the cleanroom at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. The element’s intricate structure, designed to support astronauts and science in lunar orbit, has entered the cleanroom after successfully completing a series of rigorous environmental stress tests. In the cleanroom, technicians will make final installations before preparing the module for transport to the United States, a key milestone on its path to launch. This process includes installing and testing valves and hatches, performing leak checks, and integrating external secondary structures. Once these steps are finished, the module will be packaged for shipment to Gilbert, Arizona, where Northrop Grumman will complete its outfitting.
As one of Gateway’s four pressurized modules, HALO will provide Artemis astronauts with space to live, work, conduct scientific research, and prepare for missions to the lunar surface. The module will also support internal and external science payloads, including a space weather instrument suite attached via a Canadian Space Agency Small Orbital Replacement Unit Robotic Interface, host the Lunar Link communications system developed by European Space Agency, and offer docking ports for visiting vehicles, including lunar landers and NASA’s Orion spacecraft. Developed in collaboration with industry and international partners, Gateway is a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis campaign to advance science and exploration on and around the Moon in preparation for the next giant leap: the first human missions to Mars.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell sentenced an armed cocaine trafficker to five years in prison, announced Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Cleveland Pegues, 40, of Charlotte, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and court proceedings, on March 15, 2023, CMPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Honda Accord for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle initially pulled over, but as the officers exited their vehicle the driver took off at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle sped away, the officers observed a bag being thrown from the passenger window. Officers recovered the bag which contained quantities of marijuana and cocaine. The officers also conducted a search of the area where the vehicle had traveled and located a stolen and loaded firearm. During the investigation, the officers determined that the driver of the vehicle was Pegues.
According to filed documents, on March 29, 2023, while surveilling Pegues, officers observed the defendant walking toward a truck, carrying bags. When Pegues saw the officers, he attempted to flee on foot, but he was quickly taken into custody. Court records show that Pegues had been carrying a shopping bag and a satchel. Officers searched the satchel, where they found a Pietro Beretta, Model 96A1, .40 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber and 10 rounds in the magazine; a stolen Smith and Wesson, Model 66, 357 Magnum revolver loaded with six rounds; and a Beretta magazine loaded with six rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Inside the shopping bag, officers found multiple plastic bags containing over 100 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution, quantities of MDMA and cocaine base, and more than half a kilogram of marijuana packaged in several bags. The officers also found digital scales and cash. Court documents show that law enforcement executed a search warrant at Pegues apartment, where they seized $7,000 in U.S. currency, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and a money counter.
On August 29, 2024, Pegues pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Pegues will remain in federal custody pending placement by the Federal Bureau of Prisons at a designated facility.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national in the country illegally is facing federal charges after allegedly possessing a stolen firearm during a traffic stop.
According to court documents, the charge stems from a traffic stop conducted on January 9, 2025, on Interstate 25 in Sandoval County. During the stop, Jose Adan Gonzalez-Torres, a passenger in the vehicle, admitted to having a firearm in the car. A subsequent search revealed a firearm in the center console. Further investigation determined that the firearm had been reported stolen.
In the course of the investigation, Gonzalez admitted to law enforcement that he is unlawfully present in the United States.
Gonzalez will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Gonzalez faces 15 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jack Burkhead is prosecuting the case.
I am delighted to be here with you today. What better place than Glasgow to discuss the economic impacts of climate change and the green transition! And not just because it played host to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Glasgow is also where Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, studied and taught as a professor. Have you ever wondered what he would have thought of climate change? As a famed free-market economist, he might not be the first person you would think of. But even Adam Smith acknowledged that the invisible hand can sometimes lead to suboptimal outcomes.
Climate change is a prime example of this: market prices do not reflect the negative side effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, it is now widely acknowledged that governments need to intervene and encourage individuals and companies to reduce their emissions.
Switching to a net-zero emissions economy is a major task. It requires changes in behaviour, innovation and significant investment to rebuild our capital stock. And this transition requires significant financing.
In my speech, I will explore what financing the transition to a greenhouse gas-neutral economy could look like. More specifically, I will focus on two key issues. First, how much investment is needed to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, and how much of this investment is “additional”? Second, what could the financing mix to fund this investment look like?
I know that answering these questions seems like a tough challenge – a taughy fleece tae scoor. But I will do my best to illustrate my points with clear, practical examples. Along the way, I will discuss electric cars and heating systems to help us understand the issues.
My remarks will focus on the European Union (EU), borrowing some detailed insights from Germany. Unfortunately, these data do not cover the United Kingdom (UK). But I will do my best to infer some insights for the UK as well.
2 How much needs to be invested?
Let me start with the question of how much the EU needs to invest to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. The EU’s Fit for 55 package aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. These reductions are benchmarked against 1990 emission levels. This is an intermediate step towards full greenhouse gas neutrality, for which the EU still needs to pass legislation.
From 2021 to 2030, the European Commission estimates that EU countries need to invest over €1.2 trillion annually.[1] This amounts to nearly 8 per cent of the EU’s GDP. The private sector must take on the bulk of these investments. The investment needs are significantly more than the actual annual investment of €760 billion in the previous decade.
The European Commission defines the difference between the investment required and the actual investment as the “additional” investment need. This additional investment need amounts to €480 billion, or around 3 per cent of GDP.
This definition of “additional” investment is very useful from an accounting perspective. It gives a clear picture of how much more the EU needs to invest to meet its climate goals. However, from a financing perspective, it helps to define additional investment differently.
There are two types of investment needed to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. The first type is investment that would not happen without the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A prime example of this type of investment is technology to capture and store carbon dioxide. This technology will play a crucial role in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise. These investments need economic resources and financing beyond what an economy spends just to maintain its capital stock.
The second type is investment where a greenhouse gas-neutral alternative replaces a fossil fuel-based technology. To illustrate this point, imagine two households buying a new car. The Jones family spend €45,000 on a new combustion engine car. From a technical perspective, the Jones family are making a replacement investment. No additional financing is needed. Meanwhile, the Smith family decide to switch from a combustion engine car to an electric vehicle. Let us say a comparable electric car costs €50,000. Of this amount, €45,000 is a replacement investment. Only the remaining €5,000 requires additional financing.
Contrast this with how the European Commission defines additional investment: They subtract the annual average value of electric cars bought in the past from the value of electric vehicles needed to meet the EU’s intermediate greenhouse gas reduction goals. Past registrations of electric vehicles fell significantly short of what is needed. Accordingly, the additional investments, as defined by the European Commission’s accounting perspective, are presumably much higher than the additional financing needs.
How great could the additional financing needs be? While we do not yet have specific figures for the EU, there are some numbers for Germany. A recent study estimates that Germany needs to invest around €390 billion annually from 2021 to 2030 to reduce emissions by 65 per cent compared to 1990.[2] They measure this absolute sum in 2020 prices. Relative to GDP, the investment amounts to 11 per cent.
This is fairly close to the 8 per cent investment needs calculated by the European Commission for the EU.[3] However, only around 30 per cent of this investment requires additional financing. In absolute terms, this amounts to about €120 billion.
Let me pause for a moment to summarise the two key takeaways from my remarks so far. First, the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality calls for significant investment. However, in many cases, we are replacing fossil-based technologies with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. Accordingly, the additional financing needs are much smaller and seem manageable.
Second, we can minimise the additional financing needs by replacing already largely depreciated capital stock. By contrast, replacing relatively new capital stock that has barely depreciated would increase the economic and financial costs. Let me illustrate this point with a brief anecdote.
On 1 January 2024, the German government introduced a new law governing heating systems. In German, it is known by the beautiful name “Gebäudeenergiegesetz”. This law mandates that heating systems use around two-thirds renewable energy. In anticipation of this new law, many households replaced their old gas heating systems with new ones. These heating systems can run for around 25 years, so they depreciate over a long period.
Bad luck if you just installed a new gas heating system and live in the German city of Mannheim. Here, the local gas provider has said it intends to stop its services in 2035. This means that a long-term investment will become unviable when little more than half of it has depreciated: A waste of both financial and economic resources.
This anecdote highlights one key point: to avoid wasting money, we need a clear and reliable path to greenhouse gas neutrality. With a clear path mapped out, people can confidently invest in the transition.
3 What could the financing mix look like?
Now, let us explore what the potential financing mix could look like. To achieve a greenhouse gas-neutral economy, households, firms and the public sector all need to invest. They can fund these investments using both internal and external sources.
As the name would suggest, internal financing comes from within. Like the Smith family putting aside some of their income to pay for their new car. Or think of a firm that sells its products and saves some of the profits. That is internal financing, too. External financing, on the other hand, comes from outside sources such as banks or investors.
Regarding their financing mix, households, non-financial firms and the public sector differ considerably. Households tend to save significantly and mainly use bank loans as a source of external finance. The public sector, on the other hand, raises most of its funds from external sources by issuing debt securities. Only firms have a more diversified financing mix. Equity and bank loans play prominent roles here. Note that these observations hold for the EU, the UK and Germany alike.
So, what might the financing mix for the transition to a greenhouse gas-neutral economy look like? To estimate these figures, we need two key components: First, the respective shares of households, firms and the public sector in total investment. According to rough estimates by Bundesbank staff for Germany, households might have to cover about one-third of the investment, the public sector around 20 per cent, and firms just under half.[4]
Second, estimates for the future financing structure of the sectors. We assume that future financing structures will remain unchanged from today.[5] This implies that past financing structures are suitable for future climate investment. If this were not the case, perhaps due to the need for innovative financing instruments, the financing structure may differ.
What result do we get when we combine the two components? For Germany, we estimate that about 20 per cent of the financing mix could come from internal financing, primarily household savings. In terms of external financing, bank loans might play the largest role. They account for over one-quarter of the estimated financing mix. Households in particular obtain almost all their external financing from banks.
The second-largest external financing source could be debt securities, accounting for around 20 per cent. The public sector plays a prominent role here, with funding coming almost exclusively from bonds. Finally, the third-largest external financing source could be equity financing, comprising around one-sixth. Firms are the only users of this financing source, as households and the public sector do not issue equity. Different instruments, like loans from non-bank financial intermediaries, might cover the final sixth of the overall investment needs.
So, what does this mean for the EU and the UK? Can the findings for Germany be generalised? Fortunately, the financing structures of households, firms and governments are largely comparable across these regions.[6] Therefore, one of the two components in the calculations is roughly equal.
The second component – the sectoral investment needs – is less certain. I am not aware of any studies for the EU or the UK that divide the investment needs across households, firms and the public sector.[7] Without a better alternative, the findings for Germany may provide a reasonable initial estimate for both the EU and the UK.
4 Concluding remarks
Let me summarise and conclude. I have three main takeaways to share.
First, “additional” investment needs to become greenhouse gas-neutral can also be defined from a financing perspective. In many cases, we are replacing fossil fuel-based technologies with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. And this requires additional financing only if greenhouse gas-neutral technologies are more expensive or if the capital stock being replaced is not yet fully depreciated. The additional financing needs are significantly smaller than the total investment required. Accordingly, I am confident that our financial system can mobilise the necessary financing.
Second, banks may play a larger role in financing the climate transition than is commonly anticipated. The main reason for this conclusion is that a substantial portion of climate investments falls on households. They need to make their homes more energy-efficient and replace fossil-fuelled heating systems with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. And households simply do not have many viable alternatives to bank loans.
Accordingly, a robust banking system is essential for achieving greenhouse gas neutrality. That is why we at the Bundesbank are committed to completing the European banking union. However, we also need to improve access to alternative financing sources. Non-financial firms, in particular, would greatly benefit from better capital market financing. That is why we at the Bundesbank are dedicated to creating a European capital markets union.
Third, legislators can minimise the additional financing needs by ensuring that the path to greenhouse gas neutrality is planned stringently and for the long term. Why? Because it provides incentives to avoid investments in fossil fuel technologies that may not be fully depreciated before they become non-viable.
Footnotes:
See European Commission (2023), Investment needs assessment and funding availabilities to strengthen EU’s Net-Zero technology manufacturing capacity, SWD (2023) 68 final.
Kemmler et al. (2024), Klimaschutzinvestitionen für die Transformation des Energiesystems, Prognos. This study is only available in German.
One reason why Germany’s investment needs relative to GDP are higher than the EU’s is that Germany intends to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality sooner (in 2045 rather than 2050).
The estimates are based on the public sector shares provided in Brand and Römer (2022), Öffentliche Investitionsbedarfe zur Erreichung der Klimaneutralität in Deutschland, KfW Research – Fokus Volkswirtschaft, Nr. 395 and various plausibility assumptions. The analysis assumes that the public sector’s involvement in industry and the residential investment sector is minimal or non-existent. This is because the analysis looks at financing flows before any government support, such as subsidies.
More precisely, the financing structure is derived from the average internal and external financing flows over the period 2018 to 2022. This averaging smooths out short-term fluctuations and centres on the reference year of 2020 used in the Kemmler et al (2024) study. Internal financing enters the calculation on a net basis, assuming that the depreciation inflows finance the replacement investments.
In the EU and UK, households rely slightly less on bank loans than in Germany, but the share is still high. In the public sector, Germany has a significantly higher share of debt security financing, particularly compared to the EU. In the UK, non-financial firms have a significantly lower share of equity financing and a higher share of (bank) loans compared to Germany. In contrast, in the EU, non-financial firms have a slightly higher share of equity financing and a smaller share of (bank) loans compared to Germany. All figures are based on average financial flows from 2018 to 2022.
European Commission, op. cit., estimates that, in the EU, the public sector could account for 17 to 20 per cent of total investment. However, it does not clarify how this investment will be split between households and firms. For the UK, HM Government (2023), Mobilising Green Investment – 2023 Green Finance Strategy, mentions that most investment must come from the private sector. However, it likewise does not provide any details on how this investment will be split between households and firms.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Arrangements for 15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event (with photo) Arrangements for 15th National Games athletics (marathon) test event (with photo) *********************************************************************************
The 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong marathon and the 15th National Games (NG) athletics (marathon) test event will be held on February 23. The Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, and representatives of the related government departments and the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA), held a press conference today (February 13) to introduce details of the test event, temporary traffic control measures, clearance arrangements at the boundary control point (BCP), and emergency response and rescue arrangements, as well as other arrangements for the event. The 15th NG athletics marathon to be held at the end of this year will be the first cross-boundary marathon in the history of the NG, and will be held on a brand new course. This test event is therefore crucial to the organisation of the NG athletics marathon. The entire track is 42.195 kilometres long, of which the section in Hong Kong is 21.841 kilometres. Setting off from the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, the races will enter Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Port, run along the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Kong Sham Western Highway Viaduct, then turn back to the Shenzhen Bay Port through the same route, and finally end at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. The event is comprised of men’s and women’s races, with the women’s group to depart at 7am and the other to set off at 7.30am. The athletes will enter the Hong Kong section upon completion of approximately 2 kilometres of race route. Both groups are expected to spend around two hours in the Hong Kong section. Given that part of the track is within the Frontier Closed Area, no public viewing zone will be set up in Hong Kong in order to keep the event unaffected and well-managed. Shenzhen is arranging for live webcast of the races on the event day, while Hong Kong also plans to arrange for live online broadcast of the matches by Radio Television Hong Kong. To facilitate the smooth running of the race, clearance services of the Shenzhen Bay Port (including all passenger and cargo clearance services) will be suspended during part of the morning on the event day, while temporarily control measures will be implemented on the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and other related roads that day. Relevant arrangements are set out as below: (1) Clearance service arrangement Arrival and departure clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Port will be suspended and passengers and vehicles will be prohibited from entering the port from 2am to 11am on the event day. Travellers should choose other control points to Shenzhen. Cross-boundary private cars with quota across the Shenzhen Bay Port and cross-boundary goods vehicles may arrive and depart via the Lok Ma Chau, Heung Yuen Wai and Man Kam To BCPs according to the operating hours of the relevant control points on the event day. The above special arrangement will cease upon the re-opening of the Shenzhen Bay Port. (2) Road control measures Temporary control measures for the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, the Kong Sham Western Highway and other related roads On the event day, temporary control measures will be implemented on Shenzhen Bay Bridge, Kong Sham Western Highway and Ha Tsuen Interchange from 2am to 11am. During the temporary control period, the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, the Kong Sham Western Highway and Ha Tsuen Interchange will be closed to all vehicular traffic from eastbound and westbound of Yuen Long Highway and Ha Tsuen Road. During the suspension of the Shenzhen Bay Port departure service, the Transport Department (TD) expects that the roads leading to the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang, Man Kam To and Heung Yuen Wai BCPs, including San Tin Interchange, San Sham Road and Lok Ma Chau Road, etc., are expected to be busy with traffic. Therefore, the TD appeals to cross-boundary private cars and other drivers to avoid driving to the above districts during the relevant hours if not necessary. Depending on the prevailing traffic conditions in the area, the Police will deploy appropriate manpower and implement corresponding crowd management measures or special traffic arrangements at the affected control points and relevant road sections. In case of traffic congestion, please exercise tolerance and patience and drive carefully, and follow the instructions of Police on site. The full clearance services at the Shenzhen Bay Port are expected to resume at around 11am. It is anticipated that traffic will be relatively busy. Travellers and drivers who plan to use the port on that day are advised to plan their trips in advance. (3) Public transport arrangements Cross-boundary coach services running between Hong Kong and the Mainland via Shenzhen Bay Port as well as local public transport services serving Shenzhen Bay Port, including franchised buses, green minibuses (GMB), Urban and NT Taxis will be suspended during the implementation of the temporary control at the Shenzhen Bay Port, the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Kong Sham Western Highway on the day of event. The bus companies and GMB operators will display notices at termini and en-route stops of the affected routes to inform affected passengers. The TD has notified the affected operators of cross-boundary and local public transport services to strengthen services to expedite the dispersal of passengers around the resumption of operation of Shenzhen Bay Port. Bus companies will also deploy additional staff at major bus termini and bus stops to assist passenger in need. The Marine Department will liaise with cross-boundary ferry operators, with a view to working out manpower and sailing schedule arrangements for ferry services to and from Shenzhen in advance. During the temporary control period, travellers should consider using other BCPs for their journeys between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The TD has coordinated with public transport operators including MTR, franchised bus, green minibuses, Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang shuttle bus, and cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services at other BCPs including Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang) and Heung Yuen Wai, with a view to catering for upsurge of passenger demand. (4) Restricted flying zone To accommodate the event and ensure public safety, a 2-kilometer extension of the Hong Kong section will be set up as a restricted flight zone from 6am to 12nn on the event day. (5) Emergency response and rescue arrangements The Fire Services Department (FSD) has formulated relevant contingency plans and will deploy firefighting and ambulance resources at strategic locations inside and outside the track during the race to ensure that the most expeditious and effective measures can be executed to deal with emergencies. In addition, the medical team of the Hospital Authority will be on board the ambulances of the FSD to ensure that medical personnel with ambulance equipment can respond quickly to emergencies on the track. The Hospital Authority will also designate relevant acute hospitals as designated hospitals, equipped with a green channel to provide prompt medical services. The Auxiliary Medical Service will also deploy ambulance personnel and ambulances to offer medical assistance to the cheering team, volunteers, journalists, etc. on the spot. A spokesperson for the NGCO said as the NG is the country’s highest-level event, this marathon test event has to meet stringent requirements in terms of the selection of the race course and the organisational arrangements to ensure the safety of athletes. Relevant departments will work together to facilitate the special traffic and transportation arrangements to minimise the impact on the public and travellers who usually use the Shenzhen Bay Port. The spokesman appealed to members of the public and travellers who need to travel to and from Shenzhen on that day to plan their itineraries in advance and use other control points and public transport as far as possible. The spokesperson thanked members of the public and travellers for their understanding, as well as the contributions of various organisations and departments in implementing the relevant arrangements. In addition to this cross-boundary marathon test event, the NGCO will be holding test events of various sports gradually. The handball test event will be held at the Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park on February 22 and 23, while the triathlon test event will take place at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour on March 1 and 2. For information on the games in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).
Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2025Issued at HKT 22:15
Following the Magh Purnima Amrit Snan at Mahakumbh 2025, a dedicated team of sanitation workers launched an extensive cleaning drive, restoring the ghats and fairgrounds to their pristine state overnight. On Wednesday, over 2 crore devotees took the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, leaving behind floral offerings, clothes, prasad, and other solid waste. The administration promptly initiated the cleanliness drive once the crowds began to disperse, ensuring that by the next morning, the sacred riverbanks were completely clean.
Special Cleaning Drive and Cesspool Operation for Comprehensive Hygiene
Special cleaning vehicles were deployed to collect solid waste from the ghats and the fairground. Additionally, a cesspool operation was carried out to maintain the cleanliness of all public toilets in the area. The Mela Sanitation in-charge stated that the cleanliness drives not only covered the ghats but also extended to all major roads in the fairgrounds, which were swept and maintained thoroughly. Further, dustbins and liner bags were emptied using tipper trucks and compactors, ensuring that the entire Mahakumbh area remained clean and well-organized.
Devotees and Locals Express Gratitude
Devotees and local residents praised the swift and effective cleanliness drive conducted by the administration. Many expressed their appreciation, stating that the administration’s commitment had proven that no effort was being spared in making Mahakumbh 2025 an organized and spotless event.
At the India Energy Week 2025, India signed multiple strategic agreements and MoUs aimed at enhancing energy security, diversifying supply sources, and fostering innovation in the oil and gas sector. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the event, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighted these agreements as crucial steps toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the country.
As part of efforts to diversify crude oil imports, BPCL signed an optional term contract with Petrobras, Brazil, to import up to 6 million barrels of crude. Strengthening India’s transition to a natural gas-based economy, IOCL and ADNOC (UAE) signed a USD 7 billion contract to source 1.2 MMTPA LNG for 14 years starting in 2026, while BPCL and ADNOC entered into a five-year LNG offtake agreement for 2.4 MMT, extendable by another five years. Expanding India’s role as a regional energy supplier, IOCL signed its first LNG export agreement with Nepal’s Yogya Holdings, ensuring the delivery of 1,000 metric tons (TMT) annually via cryogenic trucks through Odisha’s Dhamra Terminal.
On the technical front, ONGC selected BP as the Technical Services Provider for the Mumbai High field, India’s largest offshore oilfield. BP will conduct a comprehensive review of field performance, implement technological improvements, and work to stabilize and enhance production. Additionally, EIL signed an MoU with BP Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. To collaborate on refining, pipeline operations, and emission reduction technologies.
In offshore exploration, ONGC Videsh Ltd. And Petrobras signed an MoU to jointly participate in upstream oil and gas projects in Brazil, India, and third countries, exploring opportunities in trading, low-carbon solutions, and digitalization. Oil India Limited and Petrobras also signed an MoU for hydrocarbon exploration in India’s deep and ultra-deep offshore basins, aligning with the government’s Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy.
India also took steps toward clean energy with BPCL partnering with Eco Wave Power, Israel, to establish the country’s first wave energy pilot project in Mumbai using wave energy converter technology. In the biofuel sector, BPCL signed an MoU with the National Sugar Institute, Kanpur, to scale up sweet sorghum-based bioethanol production and build capacity for farmers and industry partners.
Further enhancing hydrocarbon trade, BPCL entered into an agreement with Equinor India Pvt. Ltd. for the purchase of LPG (propane and butane).
The Minister emphasized that these agreements reaffirm India’s commitment to securing affordable, sustainable, and diversified energy supplies while fostering global collaborations in cutting-edge energy solutions. These partnerships will help us achieve our energy transition goals and ensure a robust and resilient energy ecosystem for India.
Auckland Council’s Community Committee is urging the Government to consider how nationwide targets for emergency housing are impacting on homelessness in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau.
Committee Chair, Councillor Angela Dalton, says the council has a duty of care to stand up for Aucklanders who don’t currently have a voice.
“This is our city; these are our people, and we have a responsibility towards them. We simply cannot, and will not, turn our back against our most vulnerable citizens,” Cr Dalton says.
On Wednesday 11 February, the committee received a concerning update from the council’s Community Impact team, which coordinates a regionwide response to support the city’s most vulnerable people.
The number of people known to be sleeping in cars, streets and local parks has risen by 53 per cent in the past four months – from 426 in September 2024 to 653 in January this year. In addition, there is an unknown number of homeless people who are transient and mobile.
That increase comes as Government data shows the number of people on Auckland’s emergency housing list has plummeted from 885 in 2023 to 39 at the end of December 2024, in line with new targets.
However, the council’s committee chair and deputy chair are asking for information on Aucklanders who have dropped off the list, which the Government has so far not provided.
Deputy Chair, Councillor Julie Fairey, says emergency support must be prioritised in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city, alongside a culture of caring.
“It is always important to help those who have been pushed out to the margins, to bring them in from the cold,” says Cr Fairey.
Auckland’s only after-hours emergency housing provider received 175 referrals in the last three months from police and other frontline agencies – for people suffering at the extreme end of hardship.
Councillor Dalton says staff have confirmed that many of these referrals will not be able to be accommodated in the future, due to a reduction in service funding.
“We know that social housing providers in Auckland are full – there is essentially no space to house people who have been denied access to emergency accommodation due to a tightening of the criteria,” she says.
Auckland’s only after-hours emergency accommodation is soon to be significantly reduced, which will further limit the options for people who are faced with sleeping rough, with no shelter.
“This means the council and a network of outreach providers will have to manage more acute homelessness on the streets,” Cr Dalton adds.
Meanwhile, the need for social support and housing continues to rise, with 6820 people on the social housing waitlist for Auckland in November 2024 (up from 3417 in 2018), and 2799 households in transitional housing (up from 901 in 2018).
The council has committed yearly funding of $500,000 in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 for the next three years, to respond to homelessness.
However, Auckland’s homelessness sector hinges on central government funding through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Social Development.
Read the Community Committee meeting minutes here.
In addition to the 653 people sleeping rough in January, there is an unknown number of transient homeless people in Auckland.
Auckland homelessness – with data from the social housing register
Areas
April 2018
November 2024
Auckland households in emergency housing
221, representing 23 per cent of the national figure
60 (down from 885 Nov 2023) – representing 9 per cent of the national figure
Individuals on the public housing wait list in Auckland
3417 (48 per cent of whom are Māori), representing 42 per cent of the national figure
6820 (47 per cent of whom are Māori) – representing 32 per cent of the national figure
Auckland households in transitional housing
901 – representing 42 per cent of the national figure.
2799 – representing 44 per cent of the national figure
New applicants in October to the social housing register
Nil data
1857
Applicants on the social housing register nationally
Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed the council’s response to the National Speed Limit Review Transport Scotland is currently running on behalf of the Scottish Government. The review seeks views on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland. In their response they make it clear that they do not support a reduction to 50mph.
Two options have been proposed in the consultation documentation namely, no change to existing speed limits or to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and increase the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight from 40 mph to 50 mph on single carriageways and from 50 mph to 60 mph on dual carriageways.
Committee Chair, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “We welcomed this opportunity to discuss and agree our position with regards to this consultation. In our response we do not support a reduction to 50mph. We are recommending no change to the existing national speed limit on 60mph single-carriageway roads and we support the proposal to increase speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph and dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph.”
“Considering the significant road network and the geographic spread of the Highland Council Area, we felt that these proposals to reduce the national speed limit could have a significant impact on the daily lives of people in terms of journey time. We note from the consultation covering letter that prior to the consultation issue analysis from the review indicates that these speed limit changes maintain journey times and enhance journey time reliability. We would welcome sight of this analysis as it is particularly pertinent to the Highland Region, particular interest would be any analysis undertaken for rural areas.”
Taking into account the geographical nature of the Highland Council Area, the key points outlined in Highland Councils response for recommending no change to the existing national speed limit on 60mph single-carriageway roads are:-
Considering the significant length of national speed limit road network and remoteness of the Highland Council Area it is felt that a change in speed limit, particularly on our A class single carriageway roads, could have a significant impact on our rural communities. In particular in relation to Driver Behaviour and Local Businesses/Highland Economy.
In terms of driver behaviour, increased frustration or impatience could potentially lead to more aggressive driving or risky overtaking manoeuvres. Setting inappropriate speed limits can lead to drivers ignoring them which has consequences in terms of wider speed compliance.
In economic terms, in particular relating of journey times, there is concern re the impact a reduced speed limit will have on local businesses e.g., businesses in time-sensitive sectors, may face challenges with supply chain logistics and increased operational costs. The consultation states journey times would be maintained, evidence of this has been requested in the consultation response for rural areas.
Councillor Gowans added: “We are also highlighting in our response that any changes in speed limit would have an impact on policing resources and would need to be supported by a national media campaign.”
As part of the current consultation Transport Scotland held a drop-in event on 30 January in Ullapool and another at the WASPS Creative Academy in Inverness on 5 February. A further Highland session will take place in Portree Community Centre from 3pm – 7pm on Thursday 20 February.
Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee today welcomed a presentation from the Gro For You project, a pioneering community innovation campus in Tain.
Sarah MacKenzie, Co-Founder and CEO, shared plans for the new community project, which is due to open in autumn 2025, alongside fellow Co-Founder and Finance Director, Richard Jones and Centre Director, Ashley Ross.
Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Today’s presentation was a fantastic opportunity for the committee to hear more about this pioneering project which has the potential to address important regional challenges and boost the local economy through employability, education and tourism. We wish the team continued success with their mission to support sustainable communities in Tain and beyond.”
Sarah MacKenzie, CEO, said: “Thank you to the committee for the opportunity to talk about Gro For You. We are seeing first-hand the challenges faced by young people in rural communities and hope that a transformational innovation campus will be of great benefit to our local communities and future generations by providing accessible training and learning opportunities, transferable skills for young people and community facilities.” Campus assets will include growing domes, sensory gardens and play area, a community café and hospitality training centre, outdoor kitchen, electric vehicle charging points, motorhome waste disposal, ground mounted solar panels, a rewilding zone and a rainwater harvesting system.
SAN ANTONIO – A New York man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.
According to court documents, a Kendall County Sheriff’s Department deputy attempted a traffic stop on July 18, 2022, when the deputy observed Peter Diaz-Vasquez, 28, of Bronx, driving a pickup truck at 106 mph on I-10. Diaz-Vasquez led the deputy on a nine-mile pursuit, which included driving 110 mph through a 65 mph construction zone with numerous highway workers present. The pursuit ended when Diaz-Vasquez attempted to abruptly exit the highway, wove through traffic on the access road, and crashed over a curb into a fence. Six passengers fell out of the truck’s open bed as the truck rolled onto its side.
Diaz-Vasquez remained buckled in the driver’s seat until he was removed by law enforcement. He had been transporting 11 undocumented noncitizens at the time of the crash, two of whom were airlifted to a hospital after sustaining serious head injuries. Each of the migrants sustained serious bodily injury to their upper and lower bodies, including broken arms and legs, as well as head trauma. One suffered a severe spinal injury requiring endotracheal intubation and did not regain consciousness for 7-9 days. One of the smuggled migrants was a 17-year-old juvenile.
Diaz-Vasquez admitted that he traveled from New York by plane and rented a vehicle after being hired to pick up an unknown number of undocumented noncitizens in or near Uvalde. He said he would be paid $800 per person to transport them to a location at or near San Antonio or Austin.
“This case clearly highlights the extreme dangers posed by human smuggling,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This defendant packed 11 passengers in his vehicle, endangering them, along with everyone on the road that day, with complete disregard for human safety. This sentence, sending Diaz-Vasquez to federal prison for 10 years, reflects the seriousness of this offense.”
Homeland Security Investigations and the Kendall County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Brown prosecuted the case.
Commenting on the outcome of the evaluation of the cooperation, Representative of Denmark at Eurojust, Ms Kirstine Troldborg, and Liaison Prosecutor for Norway, Mr Rudolf Christoffersen jointly, said: This really shows the importance of long-term judicial cooperation across borders between national authorities. Only by closely working together via Eurojust, we can really tackle major criminal networks and get justice done. The support of the Agency to our joint investigation team has been instrumental in getting these impressive results.
Investigations at national level in both countries showed that a well-structured organised crime group (OCG) trafficked large quantities of different kinds of illicit drugs to Denmark and Norway from Morocco via Spain. In order to tackle the OCG at large, judicial authorities in Denmark and Norway decided to set up a dedicated JIT in 2019, with financial, logistical and operational support from Eurojust.
Over the five-year period, this not only resulted in the total of 1 037 years of prison sentences being imposed, but also in the seizure of over 9 600 kilos of cannabis, around 675 kilos of cocaine, 355 kilos of amphetamine, 77 kilos of synthetic drugs and 41 kilos of heroin across the two countries.
Also, both in Denmark and Norway, various firearms, several apartments and other real estate, a vehicle, a boat, a motorbike and luxury watches, as well as cash and cryptocurrencies, were seized, with a total estimated value of EUR 15.6 million.
The following authorities were involved in the coordination of the operations against the OCG in both countries:
Denmark: National Special Crime Unit; Attached Prosecution Service to National Special Crime Unit
Norway: Norwegian National Criminal Investigation Service
In view of Protocol 22 of the Lisbon Treaty of 2009, the EU legislation in the area of freedom, security and justice does not apply to Denmark. Since the entry into force of the Eurojust Regulation in December 2019, Denmark no longer has a National Member at Eurojust, but a Representative. Norway is one of twelve countries* with a Liaison Prosecutor at Eurojust that can open requests for judicial cooperation to authorities in EU Member States and vice versa, via Eurojust.
*The other countries with Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust are: Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for an horrific death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Louis van Heerden was crushed to death by an hydraulic tailgate on a trailer at Turley Farms Limited near Temuka in March 2022. The 45-year-old had been standing at the back of a dark, narrow shed as a spotter while grass seed was being tipped off the trailer.
WorkSafe investigators found Turley Farms had no specific plan in place for managing farm traffic indoors. In addition, workers should not have been permitted in such a restricted space.
Turley Farms has now been sentenced for its health and safety failings.
“Farmers are tempting fate if they think traffic only needs to be managed outdoors. Without a clear plan for how vehicles and people move around indoor barns and sheds, it’s only a matter of time before something goes terribly wrong,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Steve Kelly.
“This is a good reminder to take a critical look at how tractors and other vehicles move around inside farm buildings. Clear separation of vehicles and pedestrians is the key component. Signage and designated safe areas are also simple and inexpensive ways to boost safety – especially when compared to a conviction and a fine.”
Following the fatality, Turley Farms has introduced reversing cameras, closing alarms, and isolation valves to the back of its trailers.
Vehicles are a leading cause of death and injury on New Zealand farms, which is why agriculture is a priority sector under WorkSafe’s new strategy. Agriculture accounts for around 25 percent of serious acute harm in Aotearoa while having only six percent of employment.
Businesses must manage their risks, and WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe. When they do not, we will take action.
Turley Farms Limited was sentenced at Timaru District Court on 13 February 2025
A fine of $247,500 was imposed, and reparations of $201,477 were ordered
Turley Farms was charged under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1) and 48(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Being a PCBU, having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU, including Louis Frederick van Heerden, while at work in the business or undertaking, namely acting as a spotter while plant was being unloaded into a drying shed, did fail to comply with that duty and that failure exposed workers, namely Louis Frederick van Heerden, to a risk of death or serious injury arising from exposure to the risk of being struck or crushed by plant.
The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.
Two men were arrested on February 12, 2025, by RCMP NL’s West District General Investigation Section (GIS) at a traffic stop that was conducted on Route 430.
As part of an ongoing investigation, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, GIS, with assistance from Deer Lake RCMP, stopped a vehicle on Route 430 near Reidville. The two vehicle occupants were arrested for possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.
At the traffic stop, officers located and seized a quantity of cocaine, more than $2000.00 cash and other items consistent with possession for the purpose of drug trafficking. Both men were transported to Deer Lake detachment and were released on a number of conditions. The pair are set to appear in court at a later date, each to face a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
The investigation is continuing.
If you have information about drug activity in your community, please contact your local policeor, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visitwww.nlcrimestoppers.comor use the P3Tips app.
Through Kickbacks and Bribes, Defendants Illegally Diverted Tens of Millions of Dollars from COVID-19 Emergency Housing Program to Enrich Themselves
Earlier today, at the federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Julio Medina, Christopher Dantzler and Weihong Hu with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest-services wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and the use of a facility of interstate commerce in aid of commercial bribery. This morning, Dantzler was arrested on Long Island, Hu in Manhattan and Medina in the Bronx. They will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charges.
“The defendants’ brazen and illegal kickback scheme stole money from the City of New York that was intended to provide emergency housing and support services during the pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “Shamefully, the defendants saw the pandemic as an opportunity to line their pockets with stacks of cash, finance a luxury vehicle, purchase homes and pay off personal debts. While New York City was trying to curb the spread of COVID-19, the defendants exploited a nonprofit organization to enrich themselves. My Office will relentlessly pursue those who steal public funds and deprive members of our community of crucial resources.”
DOI Commissioner Strauber stated: “As charged, these defendants, an Executive Director of a City-funded nonprofit and the principals of the nonprofit’s subcontractors, engaged in and concealed a bribery and kickback scheme, pocketing millions of dollars of funds intended to provide emergency housing and support services in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance for the referral to DOI that prompted this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI for their partnership and commitment to protect critical public resources.”
“These three defendants allegedly pocketed millions of dollars from public funds allocated for emergency housing during the pandemic,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “This alleged kickback scheme abused a program designed to provide a vulnerable population with healthier, unexposed lodging alternatives, to finance enhancements to the defendants’ lifestyles. The FBI will never tolerate any individual who twists public programs into a mechanism to sell services for personal profit.”
As alleged in the indictment, Medina founded and served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of a non-profit organization that, among other things, provided various reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals (the “Organization”). In June 2020, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) contracted with the Organization to administer an emergency transitional housing program (the “Emergency Housing Program”), in partnership with local hotels and other businesses, to combat the spread of COVID-19 in New York City jails. The Organization subsequently entered into agreements with various hotels to operate as reentry hotels under the Emergency Housing Program. In total, between June 2020 and December 2023, the Organization received approximately $122 million in public funds from MOCJ to operate the Emergency Housing Program at these hotels.
Dantzler and Hu each operated or controlled businesses that received tens of millions of dollars in public funds from the Organization under the Emergency Housing Program. Dantzler’s company purported to provide security services at the reentry hotels but was not a licensed security company and did not, in fact, provide security services. Hu operated or controlled two hotels in Queens that operated as reentry hotels under the Emergency Housing Program and was a member of a repurposed catering company that provided food services to formerly incarcerated individuals residing at reentry hotels under the Emergency Housing Program.
Medina solicited and accepted bribes and kickbacks from Dantzler and Hu in exchange for Medina providing business through the Organization to Dantzler’s and Hu’s respective businesses under the Emergency Housing Program. Among other bribes and kickbacks, Dantzler and Hu purchased Medina an approximately $1.3 million townhouse; Hu, through one of her businesses, financed a luxury vehicle for Medina valued at approximately $107,000; and Dantzler paid to purchase and renovate a house for Medina for approximately $750,000.
As depicted in the following photograph, during an in-person meeting in September 2020, Hu also provided Medina with a stack of wrapped U.S. currency in exchange for two checks from the Organization made out to Hu’s catering company, totaling more than $187,000.
In total, Dantzler and Hu provided Medina with at least $2.5 million in U.S. currency and in-kind benefits in exchange for Medina steering approximately $51 million in public funds from the Emergency Housing Program to Dantzler’s and Hu’s businesses. In turn, Dantzler’s security company received approximately $21 million in public funds from the Organization under the Emergency Housing Program, of which Dantzler personally retained approximately $9 million in public funds. Hu’s hotels received approximately $12 million in public funds from the Organization under the Emergency Housing Program, while her repurposed catering company received approximately $17 million in public funds.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith A. Arfa, Eric Silverberg and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Kavya Kannan and Rebecca Roth.
Bay Roberts RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a vehicle stolen from Bay Roberts in the overnight hours of Monday, February 3, 2025.
The grey, four door 2017 Honda Civic Touring, NL license plate JGZ 878, was stolen from a residential property in the Water Street area. A stock photo of the same vehicle is attached.
Anyone with any information about this crime, the identity of the person(s) responsible or the current location of the vehicle is asked to contact Bay Roberts RCMP at 709-786-2118. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere
Following a report of a residential break and enter in progress in Stephenville, 49-year-old Terrance Benoit, who had fled from the home on foot, was tracked and located by RCMP Police Service Dog Thor.
Shortly after 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Bay St. George RCMP received the report of a residential break and enter in progress at a home located on Townview Road. Surveillance footage captured a man inside the residence. Police immediately attended the scene and searched the home for the suspect. Officers found fresh footprints in the snow at the back of the residence. RCMP Police Service Dog Thor and his handler, Cpl. Ralph, attended the area and conducted a track which led to a home on Woodland Drive in Stephenville.
Shortly before 7:00 a.m., Benoit, who matched the individual captured on the surveillance footage, was arrested and was taken into police custody. A number of stolen items, that had been discarded in the snow near Townview Road, were recovered and returned to the owner.
Later in the day yesterday, a search warrant obtained under the Criminal Code was executed at the residence where Benoit was arrested. Police recovered additional stolen property and other evidence in relation to the break and enter.
Benoit attended court yesterday charged with break and enter, failure to comply with a condition of a release order and breach of probation. He was held in custody and will appear in court again today.
On February 12, shortly before the report of this break and enter, police received a number of reports of a suspicious person breaking into vehicles in Stephenville on York Avenue, Fairview Avenue, Gallant Street and Viking Terrace. Those matters remain under investigation.
Anyone having surveillance footage of a suspicious person in the areas mentioned above or in the area of Townview Road in Stephenville between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. is asked to contact Bay St. George RCMP at 709-643-2118.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tristian Gerrell-Robert Murphy, 36, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to two years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Murphy in St. Albans. Murphy admitted to possessing a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol, found by officers under the driver’s seat of the vehicle, and a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol found by officers in the trunk. Murphy admitted that he had recently purchased the two pistols. Officers also found a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol in the vehicle’s glove box.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Murphy knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on October 21, 2021. In that case, Murphy participated in a sophisticated nationwide crime conspiracy responsible for dozens of “smash and grab” robberies targeting jewelry stores throughout the United States. Murphy was convicted for his role in the robbery of a jewelry store in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of this conspiracy. Murphy and his co-conspirators entered the store while armed with hammers, smashed glass counters and stole diamonds and other jewelry. During the robbery, an employee was pushed to the floor and then dragged to another part of the store.
At the time of his current offense, Murphy was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his October 21, 2021 conviction.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-101.
DEL RIO, Texas – A Katy man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 18 months in prison for one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees.
According to court documents, Kevin Dominguez, 26, drove a sedan to the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint, located on U.S. Highway 57 on Aug. 1, 2023. A USBP canine alerted the agents to the trunk, revealing an individual inside. Upon the USBP agent noticing the individual, Dominguez backed up and struck the agent with the vehicle before fleeing the checkpoint. A high-speed chase ensued and a USBP helicopter observed two occupants exit the vehicle into an open field. One of the individuals was located and confirmed to be an undocumented noncitizen from Honduras.
Dominguez was indicted in a two-count indictment on Sept. 13, 2023, and was arrested Sept. 14. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass prosecuted the case.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP), a leading global private markets investment firm responsible for approximately $698 billion in total capital, including $65 billion in private debt, announced it received approval to launch a Private Debt-based European Long-Term Investment Fund (“ELTIF”).
“As part of our continued expansion into the European private wealth market, this milestone marks yet another chapter in our story of delivering private markets strategies to more investors with the mission of convenience, efficiency, and transparency,” said Neil Menard, Partner and President of Distribution, StepStone Private Wealth. “With these approvals in place, we will now be able to deliver institutional-grade investments better tailored to the dynamics of European wealth platforms.”
ELTIFs are designed to channel investments in Europe that support economic growth and job creation. StepStone plans to initially market ELTIFs in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Nordic and Benelux regions, focusing on investing in private credit assets in the European Union.
“We believe that this offering provides unique advantages and is very differentiated to all other solutions in the market. The Firm’s sourcing network can provide significant selectivity and diversification to investors in a market that is otherwise highly fragmented,” said Marcel Schindler, Head of StepStone Private Debt. “Both institutional and individual investors alike are seeking efficient solutions such as this one. StepStone is well positioned to meet these expectations.”
StepStone also received approval to convert their current RAIF funds into UCI Part II vehicles, allowing professional investors and semi-professional investors greater access to the private markets, including private equity, infrastructure, and real estate. Funds set to be converted include StepStone Private Markets Fund Lux (SPRIM Lux), StepStone Private Venture and Growth Fund Lux (SPRING Lux) and StepStone Private Infrastructure Fund Lux (STRUCTURE Lux). These funds are currently available on a variety of platforms, including Allfunds, FundsPlace, and offer a digital subscription through Goji.
About StepStone
StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of December 31, 2024, StepStone was responsible for approximately $698 billion of total capital, including $179 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes.
Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
Legislation will cut reliance on China for critical materials essential to our national security, energy, and emerging tech
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Lindsey Graham, Chris Coons, and Todd Young reintroduced the bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.
“American energy independence is a bipartisan goal,” said Hickenlooper. “The U.S. could be a global leader in critical materials, but we need to shore up our domestic supply chains to strengthen our national security. Let’s get to work.”
“China maintains dominant control over critical mineral processing, which poses significant risks to our national security. It’s important for us to build better and more resilient processing capabilities here at home,” said Graham.
“Critical minerals are essential to manufacturing the most advanced energy and defense technologies, but the production, processing, and recycling of these materials is dominated by China,” said Coons. “This bipartisan bill will spur the investment we need to regain American control of our critical mineral supply chains.”
“Our reliance on global supply chains for critical materials poses a significant national security threat, especially as the Chinese Communist Party continues to manipulate this market,” said Young. “Our bill will take innovative steps to identify opportunities for American leadership and investment in critical material projects, strengthen domestic supply chains, and boost our economic and global competitiveness.”
The U.S. critical minerals list contains 50 minerals – including graphite, nickel, and cobalt – that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more.
This December, China announced that they would immediately block the export of three critical minerals: gallium, germanium, and antimony to the U.S. China currently controls 90% of the global processing capacity for rare earth elements and over 80% of the processing for other critical minerals like cobalt, gallium, and graphite. Experts have become increasingly concerned with U.S. dependence on China for critical materials, arguing it poses a significant risk to national security.
The Critical Materials Future Act supports critical material processing projects in the United States by granting the Secretary of Energy the authority and funding to deploy innovative financial mechanisms, such as contracts for differences and advanced market commitments, within this sector.
The bill also requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these financial tools on market dynamics and processing projects within the critical materials sector, and to provide recommendations for expanding their use to strengthen America’s processing capabilities.
In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has reintroduced his bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies, and the bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for critical minerals innovation.
The Critical Materials Future Act is supported by the Colorado School of Mines, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Wildlife Federation, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, the Key Minerals Forum, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Employ America, MineTech Ventures, Alta Resource Technologies, the Chamber of Progress, U.S. Critical Minerals, Nyrstar, the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (University of Alabama), South32 Hermosa, Alliance for Mineral Security, South Star Battery Metals Corp, the American Critical Minerals Association, and the Federation of American Scientists. For their statements of support, click HERE.
Full text of the Critical Materials Future Act is available HERE. A one-pager explanation on this bill is available HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
Unearth Innovation Act would create a Department of Energy program to drive responsible domestic critical mineral production, develop our energy workforce
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Thom Tillis reintroduced their bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to spur American innovation and drive responsible production of domestic critical minerals with less environmental impact.
“We need critical minerals for our clean energy future and national security, but we can’t rely on China or others for them,” said Hickenlooper. “U.S. research and innovation will set a global example for critical minerals sourcing and help develop our energy workforce of tomorrow.”
“This legislation promotes innovative technologies that will make mining safer, cleaner, and more efficient,” said Tillis. “By collaborating with agencies and experts, we can create high-quality jobs, enhance safety, and equip the next generation with the skills and training needed to strengthen our critical minerals supply chains.”
The legislation would establish a Mining and Mineral Innovation Program within the Department of Energy (DOE) to increase research, development, and commercialization of advanced mining, recycling, and processing technologies that would reduce environmental and human impacts.
The U.S. critical minerals list contains 50 minerals – including graphite, nickel, and cobalt – that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more. Currently, the U.S. is largely dependent on China for importing these minerals, which creates supply chain instability and threats to national security.
Specifically, the Unearth Innovation Act would:
Support research and development of technologies for identifying, mining, recycling, and processing minerals and to reclaim, remediate, and reuse existing mines
Promote responsible mining practices that minimize human and environmental impact
Engage with communities and consult with tribal nations to support strategies to increase the prosperity of mining communities
Allow DOE to coordinate with federal agencies on mining safety innovations
Partner with academic institutions and the mining industry to accelerate new mining technologies and create a pipeline into the critical minerals workforce
In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has reintroduced his bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies and the bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program to finance domestic critical minerals production.
The Unearth Innovation Act is supported by the Colorado School of Mines, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Wildlife Federation, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, the Key Minerals Forum, the Zero Emission Transportation Association, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Employ America, MineTech Ventures, Alta Resource Technologies, the Chamber of Progress, U.S. Critical Minerals, Nyrstar, the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (University of Alabama), South32 Hermosa, Alliance for Mineral Security, South Star Battery Metals Corp, the American Critical Minerals Association, and the Federation of American Scientists. For their statements of support, click HERE.
A one-pager explanation of the bill can be found HERE.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
Scheme Victimized Hundreds of Thousands of People in United States and Abroad
Two Estonian nationals pleaded guilty yesterday for their operation of a massive, multi-faceted cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that victimized hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, including in the United States. As part of the defendants’ guilty pleas, they agreed to forfeit assets valued over $400 million obtained during the conspiracy.
According to court documents, Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 40, sold contracts to customers entitling them to a share of cryptocurrency mined by the defendants’ purported cryptocurrency mining service, HashFlare. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit.
Between 2015 and 2019, Hashflare’s sales totaled more than $577 million, but HashFlare did not possess the requisite computing capacity to perform the vast majority of the mining the defendants told HashFlare customers it performed. HashFlare’s web-based dashboard, which purported to show customers their mining profits, instead reflected falsified data. Potapenko and Turõgin used the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy to purchase real estate and luxury vehicles and maintained investment and cryptocurrency accounts. Potapenko and Turõgin have agreed to forfeit assets worth, as of the date of the plea, more than $400 million. The forfeited assets will be available for a remission process to compensate victims of the crime. Details about the remission process will be announced at a later date.
Potapenko and Turõgin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Justice Department thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with this investigation. The Estonian Prosecutor General and Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs provided substantial assistance with the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided extensive assistance to the investigation and the extradition of the defendants.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington, Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Seattle Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Friedman and Sok Jiang for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jehiel Baer for the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case.
Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare.
ALBUQUERQUE – A Salvadoran national was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for biting a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
According to the complaint, on May 29, 2024, a Border Patrol agent encountered a group of five individuals, including Erika Jasmin Lobato-Melendez, 27, walking along the border wall. When the agent attempted to take the group into custody, Lobato-Melendez became obstinate, refusing to enter the agent’s vehicle and grabbing onto the border wall.
When agents tried to physically separate Lobato-Melendez from the fence, she bit down hard on the agent’s forearm, causing bruising, swelling, and abrasions. Even after being brought to the ground, Lobato-Melendez continued her aggressive behavior, attempting to bite the agent’s leg and kicking them.
Upon her release from prison, Lobato-Melendez will be subject to two years of supervised release and deportation proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Chief Patrol Agent Walter “Neil” Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation investigated these cases with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair is prosecuting the case.