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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work to start on crematorium transport link

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Work to improve public transport links to The Park, Plymouth’s new crematorium, is set to begin later this month.

    As was always promised as part of the long-term plans for The Park, contractors will begin the installation of two new bus stops each side of Merafield Road and an associated pedestrian puffin crossing and pavement from Monday 28 July.

    Once constructed, the scheme will enable the number 19 bus, operated by Stagecoach South West, to serve The Park by allowing members of the public to safely board and alight the bus, and cross Merafield Road.

    The works are anticipated to be completed by the end of October.

    Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “I’m really pleased to see work begin on this scheme.

    “The new number 19 tendered bus service provides an important link between Plympton and Plymstock and when it is able to serve The Park and the on-site café I’m sure it will be even more popular.

    “Thank you for your patience whilst this important scheme has been designed.”

    In order for the new stops and crossing to be installed, temporary three-way traffic lights will be in place on Merafield Road between Drake Memorial Park to lower side of the entrance to Gables Dogs and Cats Home.

    The first phase of the works will include the bus stop closest to The Park, which will be brought into use before the full scheme is delivered, to provide access to the crematorium and café as soon as possible.

    Construction will only take place between 9.30am and 3:30pm in order to minimise disruption on this busy commuter route.

    The final week will include overnight closures for resurfacing, with all work expected to be complete by Friday 31 October.

    The improvements are funded in the main by the Department for Transport’s 2025-26 Bus Grant.

    The latest updates will be published on the Council’s social media pages.

    Residents can also sign up for our weekly Roadworks Roundup here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Judokas join GB team’s medal charge in Germany

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Lucy Williams, left, and Dr Katrina McDonald in their GB Students kit ahead of the World University Games

    Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is set to play a key role in the GB Students’ medal charge at the World University Games, taking place in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany.

    ARU student and top-ranked British judoka Lucy Williams is part of the three-woman judo squad, which is being coached by ARU lecturer Dr Katrina McDonald, and the pair fly out to Germany today.

    The World University Games is one of the largest multi-sports events to be staged this year, attracting around 8,500 student athletes and officials from over 150 countries.

    Lucy has represented Great Britain at senior level and is currently ranked as Britain’s number one in the over 78kg category. She’s studying for a Masters in Physiotherapy at ARU’s Cambridge campus, having originally completed a BSc degree in Sport and Exercise Therapy at ARU.

    Lucy won a bronze medal last summer at the European University Games in Hungary, and she’s joined in the GB Students women’s judo squad this week by Tatum Keen and Summer Shaw.

    “I am super excited for the three athletes selected. Even though it’s a small team, the judoka are of excellent calibre, and all are looking to medal. It’s a high-level tournament with current Senior World Champions in the event.

    “Keeping a high level of training whilst studying is commendable but in judo, as a combat sport, it is truly remarkable. The athletes have worked really hard for this opportunity, and I am delighted to be able to assist in this part of their judo journey.”

    Dr Katrina McDonald, Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at ARU and the squad’s coach

    The World University Games have a long history – the first precursor event to the Games, the International Universities Championships, took place in Paris in 1923 – and the biennial event was last held in Chengdu, China in 2023.

    Judo is one of 18 different sports being contested at the World University Games, and the judo competition begins in the city of Essen on Wednesday.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ARU graduates lead the region for career success

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    New national data shows that Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) graduates are thriving in their chosen careers, with ARU top in the region for two key measures of graduate success.

    The findings come from the Graduate Outcomes survey, the UK’s largest annual social survey, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)*.

    The survey captures the views and employment status of graduates 15 months after completing their studies and the latest data focuses on those who graduated from their courses in 2022-2023.

    ARU ranks first in the East of England for the proportion of UK undergraduates working as managers, directors or senior officials 15 months after graduation and shares top position in the region for the overall proportion of UK undergraduates in employment.

    Highlighting the University’s focus on preparing students for fulfilling roles, ARU is ranked fifth in the country for the proportion of full-time UK undergraduates working as managers, directors or senior officials within 15 months of graduating.

    Graduates also report a strong sense of purpose in their work, with ARU in the top 10% of universities in the country for UK students in employment and further study who agree their current activity is “meaningful”.

    These new Graduate Outcome survey results build on the Department for Education’s Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data released last month, which also shows ARU’s impact, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

    The LEO data places ARU second in the UK for graduate earnings among those who entered university with lower tariff points, and 12th for students from areas with the lowest university participation.

    It also found that 90% of ARU’s first degree undergraduates who live in the UK are in sustained employment or further study one year after graduation, and ARU is in the top 10 in England for graduate earnings in the areas of health and social care, applied and forensic sciences, and architecture, building and planning. 

    “Our students accomplish a great deal during their time at ARU and we’re immensely proud of what they go on to achieve once they graduate.

    “We work closely with employers to ensure our courses are practical and career-focused, and our students benefit from teaching delivered by staff with professional industry knowledge and expertise. This provides students with the skills and experience needed in today’s job market and these latest results show the positive impact of our approach.”

    Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    *Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey. Country refers to mainstream HEIs in England, excluding specialist institutions and those with fewer than 500 students. Contains HESA Data © HESA 2025 (https://www.hesa.ac.uk/).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leicester’s new Roman visitor attraction ready to open its doors

    Source: City of Leicester

    THE MUSIC of Ancient Rome will resound around Leicester’s Jewry Wall this weekend as the city’s exciting new Roman visitor attraction opens to the public.

    Lyre player Michael Levy will join Roman re-enactors and City Mayor Peter Soulsby to cut the ribbon at the fully revamped Jewry Wall Museum at 9.50am on Saturday (26 July).

    Visitors with tickets for the very first admission at 10am will then head inside to enjoy the museum’s new multimedia exhibits, interactive displays and stunning immersive video experience.               

    While the museum’s use of 21st century technology will help tell the story of Roman Leicester like never before, it’s the 2nd century archaeology that will provide the real insight into everyday life in Roman Leicester, with more than a hundred items on display that were discovered in Leicester and Leicestershire.

    These include some of the finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters ever found in the UK, including the stunning Peacock and Blackfriars mosaics, as well as jewellery, pottery, bronzework (pictured) and coins.

    Content at the new museum has been developed with the help of the University of Leicester, which has shared its expertise on everything from Roman hairstyles and clothing to language and religion – ensuring the displays are both entertaining and educational.

    Mathew Morris, project officer at University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), has been digging up and researching Roman Leicester for the past 20 years and is proud to have been an adviser to the Jewry Wall Museum project. 

    “Leicester was an important regional administrative centre in Roman Britain,” he said.

    “Artefacts found in the city reveal its extensive links with the wider Roman world, including the Mediterranean as far afield as Egypt. The town’s residents of civilians, soldiers and slaves were immersed in Roman culture – and excavations over the years, many carried out by ULAS, have revealed their lives in incredible detail.

    “It is inspiring to see how their stories are now being brought vividly to life in the new Jewry Wall Museum and it’s been a privilege to collaborate with Leicester Museums and Galleries to showcase the very latest understanding of our Roman town.”

    The Grade II listed building, which housed both the former Vaughan College and the old museum that closed in 2017, has been fully refurbished, with a new pedestrian bridge from St Nicholas Circle making the building fully accessible for the first time.

    City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This magnificent new attraction means we can now shout proudly about our 2,000 years of history and Leicester’s place in Roman Britain.

    “Thanks to archaeological discoveries and interactive technology, the Jewry Wall Museum can reveal the public and private lives of the residents of Ratae Corieltauvorum like never before, telling their stories in new and compelling ways.

    “With more than a hundred items on display, discovered by archaeologists right here in Leicester, you’ll be able to see the mosaics and wall paintings that decorated their homes, the pottery they ate from, the jewellery they wore, and even the handy little tool that kept their fingernails clean!

    “It’s a fascinating story, which I hope people living in Leicester and further afield will be keen to discover.

    “And with no similar dedicated Roman visitor site within 80 miles of Leicester, our new Jewry Wall Museum is set to become the most important Roman-themed attraction in the Midlands.”

    Phil Hackett, general manager of the Jewry Wall Museum, said: “Jewry Wall isn’t just a museum – it’s a bold reimagining of how we tell Leicester’s Roman story.

    “By combining powerful archaeology, local discovery and world-class technology, we’ve created an experience that’s both deeply immersive and genuinely educational. We’re very proud to bring Leicester’s Roman roots to life, not just for local people, but for regional, national and international audiences.”

    Tickets for the Jewry Wall Museum include a Roman Explorer Pass, which allows unlimited visits to the attraction for 12 months. Prices are £12.50 for adults, with children aged 5-15 paying half-price. A family ticket for two adults and two children is available for £32.

    The museum shop will offer a range of books and Jewry Wall souvenirs, including a replica Roman brooch, a Peacock mosaic tile and even the museum’s take on a ‘tersorium’ – the sponge on a stick that was used by the Romans in public latrines before toilet paper was invented!

    There’s also an attractive café – overlooking the remains of the Roman bath house – that will be open to the public from 10am every day, without the need to buy an admission ticket.

    Further information and tickets are available now at jewrywall.com

    Leicester’s new Jewry Wall Museum is on St Nicholas Walk, Leicester LE1 4LB. Opening hours will be 10am-4am from Sunday to Friday, and from 10am-5pm on Saturdays and bank holidays, with the last admission 90 minutes before closing time.

    The new exhibition was designed by Haley Sharpe Design, the collections on display are from Leicester Museums & Galleries, the audiovisual content was created by Heritage Interactive Ltd and illustrative content and styling is by the artist Scott Tetlow.

    Leicester Museums & Galleries are a National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England.

    ends

     

    Picture caption:  Two of the Roman artefacts on display at Leicester’s new Jewry Wall Museum, which opens on Saturday 26 July

    • Bull’s head (bronze)
    • Figure of a male in a toga holding an offering dish (bronze)

     Photo credit: Ian Davis, Leicester City Council

    Background note:

    The remains of the bath house in Leicester are one of the largest civic Roman ruins in the country. Dating from around 125-130 AD, the remains have been referred to as ‘the Jewry Wall’ for centuries. The name is thought to have derived from the word ‘jurat’ – the name for the members of the medieval town’s corporation, who held their meetings nearby.

    From the 2nd century onwards, the bath house would have been one of the most important public buildings in Roman Leicester, together with the forum, the basilica and the market hall.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Urges U.S. Sentencing Commission To Consider Impacts Of Chronic Underfunding And Understaffing At BOP

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the U.S. Sentencing Commission in response to its proposed priorities for the 2025-2026 amendment cycle. In the letter, Durbin urged the Commission to consider the impact that the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) resources and staffing levels have on BOP’s ability to adequately discharge its mission.

    “For years, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has faced significant challenges in the performance of its mandate, undermining the Commission’s intent to tailor recommended sentences to anticipated outcomes for incarcerated individuals. I therefore urge the Commission to prioritize ‘[a]ssessing the degree to which certain practices of the Bureau of Prisons are effective in meeting the purposes of sentencing as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(2) and considering any appropriate responses, including possible consideration of recommendations or amendments’ in the upcoming amendment cycle,” Durbin wrote.

    As Durbin notes in his letter, BOP has been chronically underfunded and understaffed, resulting in longstanding issues related to physical infrastructure of facilities, inadequate medical care for inmates, and concerns about the agency’s ability to ensure the safety and security of inmates and BOP employees, among other challenges.

    “Inadequate funding and staffing levels affect all aspects of BOP’s ability to discharge its mission. We have asked the agency to do far too much with far too little for far too long—and the ripple effects of severe BOP under resourcing are apparent across facilities nationwide,” Durbin wrote.

    Despite BOP’s limitations in carrying out its own mission, the Trump Administration has saddled the agency with additional responsibilities in accepting and processing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainees. Durbin denounced this effort by the Trump Administration, emphasizing that this move further hampers BOP’s ability to address its own shortfalls.

    “Despite these limitations, the Administration has now asked BOP to add an additional mission by accepting and processing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainees. As I have previously written to the Attorney General, this decision further threatens the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals,” Durbin wrote.

    Durbin concluded his letter by calling on the Sentencing Commission to focus on recommendations and amendments that will support BOP in remedying its deficiencies.

    “Given the myriad difficulties facing our federal prison system, I respectfully urge the Commission to consider possible recommendations or amendments in the upcoming amendment cycle that account for the limited ‘nature and capacity of . . . facilities and services available’ to incarcerated individuals,” Durbin concluded his letter.

     

    A copy of the letter can be found here and below:

     

    July 18, 2025

     

    Dear Chair Reeves:

     

    I write in response to the Sentencing Commission’s request for comment on its Proposed 2025-2026 Priorities.

     

    Proposed Priority: Bureau of Prisons practices and effectiveness in meeting the purposes of sentencing.

     

    In the federal criminal justice system, district courts must seek to achieve the purposes of sentencing—retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation—when deciding upon a defendant’s sentence,[1] by imposing one that is “sufficient, but not greater than necessary” to:

     

    (A) reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; (B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; (C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner.[[2]]

     

    The United States Sentencing Commission, too, must strive to ensure the Sentencing Guidelines meet these purposes.[3] Though no longer binding, the Sentencing Guidelines nevertheless “serve an important role” by providing courts with “‘a meaningful benchmark’ in the initial determination of a sentence” and guidance “throughout the sentencing process.”[4] Indeed, in Fiscal Year 2024, 28,038 sentences—or 45.7 percent—were imposed within the recommended range, not including cases where a departure applied, evidencing the central role that the Guidelines play in guiding thousands of federal criminal justice outcomes annually.[5]

     

    Of course, the relevance to the goals of sentencing of the type and length of a recommended sentence under the Guidelines will necessarily vary depending on how that sentence is executed. For years, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has faced significant challenges in the performance of its mandate, undermining the Commission’s intent to tailor recommended sentences to anticipated outcomes for incarcerated individuals. I therefore urge the Commission to prioritize “[a]ssessing the degree to which certain practices of the Bureau of Prisons are effective in meeting the purposes of sentencing as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(2) and considering any appropriate responses including possible consideration of recommendations or amendments” in the upcoming amendment cycle.[6]

     

    Chronically underfunded and understaffed, BOP has struggled to maintain safe and effective carceral settings for nearly 156,000 federal inmates, over 143,000 of whom are in BOP custody.[7]Currently, BOP is authorized to have 14,900 correctional officer positions, with 12,766 active officers in pay status.[8] Authorized “other” full time positions were recently reduced from 27,498 to 23,949, and there are 23,896 active employees in pay status.[9] The resulting challenges BOP faces are both longstanding and pervasive:

     

    • Infrastructure. In May 2023, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released the results of an audit of BOP’s “aging and failing infrastructure,” finding issues such as buckling concrete, crumbling façades, water leaks, poor ventilation, and energy inefficiencies.[10] Late last year, BOP announced plans to permanently close one facility and idle six others due in part to “crumbling infrastructure.”[11] That BOP would need to close facilities as a result of unsustainable cost is not new—just three years prior, BOP closed Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) New York “after an in-depth conditions assessment found that substantial building deficiencies jeopardized the safety and security of the staff and inmates who occupied the building.”[12] As of February 2024, then-BOP Director Colette Peters estimated that BOP had a maintenance and repair backlog of approximately $3 billion.[13]
    • Medical Care. In 2023, NPR reported on severely inadequate medical care within BOP facilities.[14] One common complaint among sources was the agency’s failure to timely screen and treat inmates with serious illnesses, and the report found “[m]ore than a dozen waited months or even years for treatment, including inmates with obviously concerning symptoms: unexplained bleeding, a suspicious lump, intense pain.”[15] Many suffered worsened conditions; some lost their lives.[16] These problems persist.[17] In a series of unannounced site inspections, OIG has identified several concerning medical practices and failures across various institutions.[18] Most recently, OIG released an inspection last December of Federal Medical Center (FMC) Devens, finding “serious issues with . . . provision of healthcare” even at this dedicated medical facility, including “potentially dangerous medication distribution, lack of preventive healthcare screening, inappropriate placement of inmates in the Memory Disorder Unit (MDU), and inconsistent processes for requesting and accessing care.”[19] Like other BOP institutions across the nation, FMC Devens suffers from a substantial employee shortage, “substantially affect[ing] the health, welfare, and safety of . . . inmates.”[20] It is perhaps unsurprising that in Fiscal Year 2024, district court judges granted compassionate release requests under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A) on the basis, at least in part, of medical-related concerns in a notable number of cases.[21] In one recent order granting compassionate release, a district court judge found BOP’s failure to provide necessary and “relatively straightforward” treatment to the petitioner “incomprehensible and very far below the standards that I expect for anyone held in custody.”[22]
    • Safety and Security. Several factors undermine BOP’s ability to ensure the safety of those in its custody. For example, in 2022, the union representing BOP employees condemned a deadly fight at United States Penitentiary (USP) Beaumont, decrying the “chronic understaffing” that “is jeopardizing the lives of both workers and inmates.”[23] Indeed, in a February 2024 OIG report evaluating issues surrounding inmate deaths, “BOP specifically identified insufficient staffing as an issue in at least 30 of the inmate deaths in [OIG’s] scope.”[24] Correctional staff shortages hinder efforts to prevent and respond to immediate threats, while medical staff shortages limit the ability to provide risk-mitigation treatments and programming.[25] In addition to other challenges, BOP also faces longstanding obstacles to effective interdiction of contraband drugs and weapons, overreliance on mandated staff overtime and augmentation, and “fundamentally ineffective” staff discipline processes—each compounding the serious risk to institutional safety.[26]

     

    While these concerns significantly limit BOP’s ability to effectively meet the purposes of sentencing, they are by no means exhaustive. Inadequate funding and staffing levels affect all aspects of BOP’s ability to discharge its mission. We have asked the agency to do far too much with far too little for far too long—and the ripple effects of severe BOP under resourcing are apparent across facilities nationwide.[27] Despite these limitations, the Administration has now asked BOP to add an additional mission by accepting and processing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainees.[28] As I have previously written to the Attorney General, this decision further threatens the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals.[29]

     

    Given the myriad difficulties facing our federal prison system, I respectfully urge the Commission to consider possible recommendations or amendments in the upcoming amendment cycle that account for the limited “nature and capacity of . . . facilities and services available”[30] to incarcerated individuals.

     

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    [1] Tapia v. United States, 564 U.S. 319, 325 (2011). The Supreme Court explained in Tapia, however, that “a particular purpose may apply differently, or even not at all, depending on the kind of sentence under consideration.” Id. at 326. Retribution, § 3553(a)(2)(A), for example, cannot be considered for imposing supervised release terms, id., and rehabilitative needs, § 3553(a)(2)(D), cannot be used to impose or lengthen a prison term, id. at 335.

    [2] 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(2).

    [3] 28 U.S.C. § 994(g).

    [4] Rosales-Mireles v. United States, 585 U.S. 129, 133 (2018) (quoting Peugh v. United States, 569 U.S. 530, 541, (2013)).

    [5] U.S. Sent’g Comm’n, Datafile (2024), https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/annual-reports-and-sourcebooks/2024/Table29.pdf.

    [6] Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2025-2026 Priorities, U.S. Sent’g Comm’n,

    https://www.ussc.gov/policymaking/federal-register-notices/federal-register-notice-proposed-2025-2026-priorities (last visited July 9, 2025).

    [7] Statistics, Fed. Bureau of Prisons, https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics/population_statistics.jsp#:~:text=155%2C933%20Total%20Federal%20Inmates&text=Last%20Updated%20July%203%2C%202025,Thursday%20at%2012%3A00%20A.M(last visited July 9, 2025). An additional nearly 12,800 federal inmates are reported to be in “other types of facilities.” Id.

    [8] Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Fed. Bureau of Prisons Fact Sheet (2025), https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics/docs/fbop_fact_sheet.pdf.

    [9] Id.; Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Fed. Bureau of Prisons Fact Sheet (2024), https://web.archive.org/web/20250226151445/https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics/docs/fbop_fact_sheet.pdf.

    [10] U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., No. 23-064, Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Efforts to Maintain and Construct Institutions 6 (2023), https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/23-064_1.pdf.

    [11] Michael R. Sisak & Michael Balsamo, The US government is closing a women’s prison and other facilities after years of abuse and decay, Associated Press (Dec. 5, 2024), https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-closing-ap-investigation-abuse-decay-c02c96b6f6a3c5535cc3e3025d5d2585.

    [12] U.S. Dep’t of Just., supra note 10 at 5.

    [13] Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, Examining and Preventing Deaths of Incarcerated Individuals in Federal

    Prisons (Feb. 28, 2024), at 00:30:45.

    [14] Meg Anderson, 1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison. Why?, NPR (Sept. 23, 2023),

    https://www.npr.org/2023/09/23/1200626103/federal-prison-deaths-butner-medical-center-sick-inmates.

    [15] Id.

    [16] Id.

    [17] See Walter Pavlo, Cases Show Medical Care Under Scrutiny At Federal Bureau Of Prisons, Forbes (Mar. 13, 2025), https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2025/03/13/cases-show-medical-care-under-scrutiny-at-federal-bureau-of-prisons/.

    [18] To date, OIG has released the results of five inspections. In the first four inspections, OIG found, in part: at FCI Waseca, inmates with higher care levels than the institutions at which they were housed, significant delays in nonemergency medical care, and limited ability to provide psychology services beyond “crisis focused” care, U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 23-068, Inspection of the Fed. Bureau of Prisons’ Fed. Corr. Inst. Waseca 1, 26–29 (2023),https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/23-068.pdf; at FCI Tallahassee, suboptimal timing of medication dispensation, such as insulin and psychiatric medication, which can negatively affect drug efficacy, insufficient availability of bilingual staff to communicate with patients, and incomplete health care screenings at intake, U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 24-005, Inspection of the Fed. Bureau of Prisons’ Fed. Corr. Inst. Tallahassee 1, 34–35 (2023),https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/24-005.pdf; at FCI Sheridan, a longstanding phlebotomist vacancy that, while eventually filled, led to a backlog at one point of over 700 laboratory orders, barriers to inmates requesting and accessing care for routine conditions, delays in medical and dental care due to lack of medical equipment and supplies, a backlog of outside medical visits, and potentially dangerous medication distribution practices, U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 24-070, Inspection of the Fed. Bureau of Prisons’ Fed. Corr. Inst. Sheridan 1, 8–13 (2024), https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/24-070_0.pdf; and at FCI Lewisburg, intake screening errors, certain prescription medication discontinuation decisions made without speaking with or examining the patients in advance and without tapering as recommended by BOP clinical guidance, colorectal cancer screenings provided to less than half of inmates within the recommended risk range and significant delays in providing colonoscopies to those for whom it was ordered, and failure to provide A1C tests to the majority of qualifying inmates within recommended time frames, U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 24-113, Inspection of the Fed. Bureau of Prisons’ Fed. Corr. Inst. Lewisburg 1, 10–14 (2024), https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/24-113.pdf.

    [19] U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 25-009, Inspection of the Fed. Bureau of Prisons’ Fed. Corr. Inst. Devens i (2024), https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/25-009.pdf.

    [20] Id.

    [21] Sentencing courts listed serious physical or medical condition in 12.5 percent of cases, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns unable to be timely mitigated in 3.3 percent of cases, and BOP failure to provide treatment in 1.7 percent of cases, among other reasons. U.S. Sent’g Comm’n, Compassionate Release Data Report 1, 17 (2025), https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/federal-sentencing-statistics/compassionate-release/FY24-Compassionate-Release.pdf.

    [22] Order for Immediate Release of Defendant Bovis, United States v. Bovis, No. 20-cr-00204, Dkt. 100 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 6, 2025); see also United States v. Diggs, No. 02-CR-1129, 2025 WL 1371367, at *8 (N.D. Ill. May 12, 2025) (granting compassionate release after finding “BOP has shown no intention and/or ability to provide the necessary care [to the petitioner], despite its doctors’ recommendations”).

    [23] Angel San Juan, Prison Pay: Low Pay Rates for Correctional Officers is Creating a Staffing Crisis, 6KFDM (May 19, 2023), https://kfdm.com/news/local/prison-pay-low-pay-rates-for-correctional-officers-is-creating-a-staffing-crisis.

    [24] U.S. Dep’t of Just., Off. of the Inspector Gen., 24-041, Evaluation of Issues Surrounding Inmate deaths in Fed. Bureau of Prisons Inst. 1, 65 (2024), https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/24-041.pdf.

    [25] Id.

    [26] Id. at 54, 67, 70.

    [27] Though Congress recently provided $5 billion in additional funding to BOP, see Act of July 4, 2025, Pub. L. No. 119-21, this appropriation represents just the first small step needed to begin to correct the institutional problems caused by underfunding BOP. Commission consideration in this area remains imminently necessary given the longstanding and ongoing impacts of BOP challenges on effectuating the purposes of sentencing.

    [28] Letter from Richard J. Durbin, U.S. Senator, Adam B. Schiff, U.S. Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator, Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator, Cory A. Booker, U.S. Senator, Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator, and Peter Welch, U.S. Senator, to Pam Bondi, U.S. Att’y Gen. (Feb. 25, 2025), https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter%20to%20AG%20Bondi%20re%20BOP%20facilities%20for%20ICE.pdf.

    [29] Id.

    [30] 28 U.S.C. § 994(g).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Terror and chaos for Gaza’s people now entering the ‘death phase’

    Source: United Nations 2

    In an alert, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, relayed desperate testimonies from its colleagues who are also struggling to survive in the war-torn enclave.

    “We’re in the death phase,” one UNRWA worker said. “Everything around people at the moment is death, whether it’s bombs or strikes, children wasting away in front of their eyes from malnourishment, from dehydration, and dying.”

    Doctors and nurses who continue to work in the UN agency’s clinics and medical centres “are watching children disappear and die in front of their eyes, and there’s absolutely nothing that they can do about it,” the worker continued.  

    Civilians ‘faced sniper and tank-fire’

    The development comes after desperate Gazans seeking aid came under fire at the weekend “from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire”, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

    In a detailed statement after the incident on Sunday 20 July, it explained that a 25-truck lorry convoy crossed the Zikim border point in northern Gaza “destined for starving communities”. 

    Shortly after passing the final checkpoint after the Zikim crossing point, the convoy encountered large crowds of civilians waiting to access food supplies. This was when the shooting began, leaving “countless” Gazans dead, WFP said, echoing reports by the health authorities.

    Condemning the incident, WFP noted that the victims “were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation”.

    The UN agency said furthermore that the violence had happened “despite assurances from Israeli authorities that humanitarian operational conditions would improve; including that armed forces will not be present nor engage at any stage along humanitarian convoy routes.”

    Without such fundamental guarantees, it will not be possible to continue providing life-saving support across the Gaza Strip, WPF said, its reaction coming a day after a reported 36 people seeking aid were reportedly killed close to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub run by the Israeli and US in the south of the Strip. 

    Deir Al-Balah evacuation shock

    In central Gaza’s Deir Al-Balah, meanwhile, 50,000 to 80,000 people have been impacted by a mass displacement order issued by the Israeli military – the first since war erupted on 7 October 2023.

    “The new order cuts through Deir Al-Balah all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, further splintering the Strip,” OCHA said. “It will limit the ability of the UN and our partners to move safely and effectively within Gaza, choking humanitarian access when it is needed most.”

    UN staff remain in Deir Al-Balah across “dozens of premises” whose coordinates have been shared with the warring parties. “These locations – as with all civilian sites – must be protected, regardless of displacement orders,” OCHA insisted, as  Israeli tanks reportedly moved into southern and eastern areas of the city.

    According to reports, this may be where some of the remaining hostages seized in Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October 2023 in Israel may still be held.

    Gaza cut in two

    The latest evacuation order means that almost 88 per cent of Gaza is impacted by displacement orders or falls within Israeli-militarized zones. Some 2.1 million civilians who have been uprooted multiple times are now squeezed into the little remaining space, where essential services have collapsed.

    “There’s nowhere for [Gazans] to escape. They are trapped,” said UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer Louise Wateridge. “They cannot leave the Gaza Strip. They’re trying to keep their children alive. They’re trying to keep themselves alive.”

    In comments to UN News, the veteran humanitarian explained that no food is available and only very limited water, explaining why so many desperate Gazans risk their lives to fetch aid from the few distribution centres and arrival points still operational.

    “Children are malnourished, they’re dehydrated, they are dying in front of their [parents’] eyes,” Ms. Wateridge continued. “The bombs and the strikes are continuing; there’s no way to run, there’s nowhere to hide. There’s no way to escape there.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Joint statement on behalf of 26 partners on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 21, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, today issued the following statement:

    “We, the signatories listed below, come together with a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now.

    “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

    “The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly. We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release. A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.

    “We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life-saving work safely and effectively.

    “We call on all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law. Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a “humanitarian city” are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.

    “We strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The E1 settlement plan announced by Israel’s Civil Administration, if implemented, would divide a future Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law, and critically undermine the two-state solution. Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem has accelerated while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop.

    “We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Further bloodshed serves no purpose.  We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to achieve this.

    “We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”

    This statement has been signed by:

    • The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK
    • The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gosar Secures Reauthorization and Expansion of RECA for Mohave County, Arizona, Votes in Favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after voting in favor of passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: 

    “I am very pleased to have once again voted in favor of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, legislation that provides historic tax relief to middle-class Americans, reigns in wasteful spending, restores fiscal sanity and slashes the deficit by more than $2 trillion by enacting policies that will fuel America’s economic growth.

    Importantly, the One Big Beautiful Bill delivers for all Arizonans.  

    First and foremost, I am especially pleased that the One Big Beautiful Bill includes my legislation reauthorizing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and corrects an administrative oversight in the RECA Act of 1990 that arbitrarily excluded areas of Mohave County, Arizona.  Atomic weapons testing conducted during the Cold War came with a heavy cost to Americans living in Arizona, Nevada and within tribal communities.  Since first being elected to Congress, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that RECA not only be reauthorized but also expanded so that every person, known as a “downwinder,” who developed cancer or other related illnesses after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site deserves to be compensated for being poisoned by a negligent federal government.  

    Second, the One Big Beautiful Bill includes my legislation boosting solar and wind power on publiclands to help lower energy prices, unlock energy production and meet our nation’s growing energy demand.  It also ensures revenue from their development is shared with the states and counties while also supporting conservation programs where these projects are located.  

    Third, a typical Arizona family with two children will see their take-home pay increase between $7,500 and $12,800.  Without this legislation, families across my district were on track to face a massive tax hike on December 31, 2025. The bill also eliminates taxes on tips and overtime and slashes taxes on Social Security for seniors.  The bill also raises the child tax credit, increases childcare tax credits and establishes $1,000 savings accounts for newborn babies to support growth and advancement while helping ease the burden on families.

    Next, the bill provides historic investments to strengthen our nation’s border security by fully funding President Trump’s border wall and giving Border Patrol and ICE agents the resources, technology, and personnel they need to swiftly detain and deport the millions of illegal aliens welcomed into our country by Joe Biden.  As a border state, Arizonans have felt firsthand the destruction caused by Biden’s open border policies. Crime has ravaged our neighborhoods, deadly drugs, including fentanyl, have ruined our families, and our communities are withering under the economic strain on public resources needed to combat Biden’s border invasion.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers for Arizonans, upholds the promise to secure the border, locks in permanent tax relief, unleashes American energy and reverses course on out-of-control spending by securing the largest spending reductions in American history. These are transformational policies that support all Americans for generations and were delivered by a Republican majority in Congress that listened.  I look forward to President Trump signing the One Big Beautiful Bill into law,” concluded Congressman Paul Gosar.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gosar Seeks Answers to Devastating Dragon Bravo Wildfire at the Grand Canyon

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to the devastating Dragon Bravo Wildfire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon:

    The North Rim of the Grand Canyon continues to burn out of control, with nearly 9,000 acres ablaze and over 70 structures destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

    As the dean of the Arizona congressional delegation and the Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I have a responsibility to obtain answers to questions related to the policy and resource mismanagement decisions that led to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire to burn uncontrolled.

    Today, I sent a letter to United States Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum requesting prompt collaboration to identify the policies that exacerbated the rapid spread of the Dragon Bravo Wildfire, and the immediate actions needed to correct any improper resource management that may have intensified the wildfire rather than it being extinguished.  In that regard, I am seeking answers from the Department of Interior to the following questions:

    • Which federal agencies are involved in the response to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire?
    • Who made the decision to treat the Dragon Bravo Wildfire as a controlled burn versus deploying the assets to immediately extinguish it? 
    • What is the projected economic impact of the closure of the North Rim, loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge, and temporary closure of recreational trails? 
    • Had hazard mitigation and fuel reduction operations been conducted at the North Rim prior to the start of wildlife seasons? 
    • Are new hazard mitigation techniques being considered, including logging on park lands?
    • Who was responsible for monitoring atmospheric and weather changes that facilitated the rapid spread of the flames?
    • When was the North Rim Water Treatment Facility identified as a risk for loss of fire retardant prior to its capture in the fire? 

    I cannot be silent as the wildfire continues to burn uncontrolled.  I have an obligation to conduct congressional oversight and obtain answers for all Arizonans including the brave firefighters risking their lives to control this inferno,” concluded Congressman Paul Gosar.

    A copy of the full text of the letter can be read by clicking here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gosar Announces Congressional App Challenge for Middle and High School Students

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

    Bullhead City, AZ – Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), announces the following information regarding the start of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge:

    Registration is now underway for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. The competition is open to all middle school and high school students who live in Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District.

    The annual competition is designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. Students can register for the 2025 competition by clicking HERE and begin coding their apps. The competition deadline is October 30, 2025.

    Officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, this nationwide effort allows students to compete with their peers by creating an application or “app,” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices.  Since its inception, the challenge has inspired over 40,000 students across all 50 states to code for Congress.

    The winner from the Ninth Congressional District, chosen by a panel of expert judges, will be featured on CongressionalAppChallenge.us, and the winning app will also be on display at the U.S. Capitol for a year, honoring the winners from across the country.

    For more information or questions, visit the official Congressional App Challenge website or email my District Director, Penny Pew at penny.pew@mail.house.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKETO Berlin sponsors 17th International Dragon Boat Federation World Dragon Boat Racing Championships held in Germany (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) sponsored the 17th International Dragon Boat Federation World Dragon Boat Racing Championships (IDBF World Championships) held in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany, from July 14 to 20 (Berlin time).

    The one-week competition brought together over 4 000 athletes from 33 countries and regions, showcasing the global appeal of dragon boat racing.  The Acting Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung, supported Hong Kong team’s competition and delivered a speech at the event dinner, highlighting Hong Kong as a centre for international major sports events.   

    “Hong Kong is a centre for major sports events. Every year, our annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races attract athletes from around the world, uniting top competitors in a thrilling celebration of athleticism and culture.” 

    This year, the Hong Kong delegation won a total of eight medals, namely one gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Hong Kong will host the next IDBF World Championships in 2027. The closing ceremony held on July 20 was concluded with a symbolic flag handover from the event organisers to the Hong Kong delegation.  

    About HKETO Berlin

    HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland. 
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt announces new plan for 2 sites

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Development Bureau announced today that the Government has decided to cancel the tender for two sites in Yuen Long and Hung Shui Kiu and proactively utilise the sites according to the Government’s development strategy.

     

    Yuen Long Town Lot No. 545 was handed over to the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), while Hung Shui Kiu Town Lot No. 10 has been put into the Development Bureau’s policy study.

     

    The tenders of the Yuen Long Lot and the Hung Shui Kiu Lot were launched under the two-envelope approach in March and October 2024 respectively for the development of multi-storey buildings for modern industries. The tender invitation for the two sites was originally to close on July 25, 2025.

     

    The Development Bureau explained that taking into account the views of the innovation and technology sector and the logistics sector on the industry development strategy in the area, as well as the Government’s planning strategy for the Northern Metropolis, the Government decided to cancel the tender for the two sites and proactively utilise such sites in accordance with its development strategy, enabling the greater play of the sites in promoting industry development.

     

    The three-hectare Yuen Long Lot is situated within the vicinity of the Yuen Long InnoPark and the Microelectronics Centre therein. The Yuen Long InnoPark is operated and managed by the HKSTPC.

     

    To cater for the HKSTPC’s plan to establish a vibrant microelectronics ecosystem within the Yuen Long InnoPark, the Government has seized the opportunity to convert the Yuen Long Lot to innovation and technology use. The Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau will further discuss with the HKSTPC to draw up a concrete development proposal.

     

    On the other hand, the Development Bureau has been exploring the establishment of a company led by the Government to build and operate an industrial park, involving some of the logistics sites in Hung Shui Kiu.

     

    The study will cover around 15 hectares of industry sites situated in the northern part of Hung Shui Kiu, and the eight-hectare Hung Shui Kiu Lot is exactly adjacent to this 15-hectare area of industry land.

     

    Incorporating the Hung Shui Kiu Lot in the study will endow the industry park company with more ample land resources to achieve economies of scale in the future.

     

    The Development Bureau will complete the study within this year and subsequently commence the work for the establishment of the company.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran Citizen Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Reentry; Faces Deportation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILLIAMSPORT -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Elio Yoel Cardona-Torres, age 43, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced on July 17, 2025, to time-served (five months in prison) by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for illegally reentering the country after having previously been removed.  Cardona-Torres had pleaded guilty to the charge. 

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Cardona-Torres was arrested during targeted enforcement in Sayre, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 2025.  Cardona-Torres had previously been removed from the United States pursuant to court order in 2006, 2008 and 2010.  Cardona-Torres again faces deportation proceedings.

    The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).    

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Juries Charge Three Mexican Nationals with Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TOLEDO, Ohio – The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that federal grand juries in the Northern District of Ohio have returned indictments charging three Mexican nationals with violating Title 8 U.S. Code (USC) 1326, illegal reentry. Additionally, one defendant was charged with using fraudulent documents. These are separate cases and not related.

    Raul Samano-Fuerte, 49, has been charged with one count of illegal reentry. He has been previously removed from the United States four times with the most recent being March 10, 2009. On June 23, 2025, he was found in Norwalk, Ohio, without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security for readmission.

    Gonzalo Diaz-Resendiz, 29, has been charged with one count of illegal reentry. He has been previously removed from the United States on at least one occasion with the most recent being Sept. 6, 2013. On June 30, 2025, he was found in Ottawa, Ohio, without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security for readmission.

    Cesar Ramirez-Velazquez, aka Cesar Ramirez-Rincon, 44, has been charged with one count of illegal reentry. He has two previous removals from the United States with the most recent being June 7, 2009. He was again found in the country on March 19, 2024, in Norwalk, Ohio without the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary for Homeland Security to be readmitted. He was also charged with two counts of possession of a fraudulent identification document for possessing a fraudulent permanent resident card and a fraudulent Social Security card in violation of Title 18 USC 1546 (a). Additionally, the defendant is charged with misuse of a Social Security Number, in violation of Title 42, USC 408 (a)(7)(B).

    The investigations preceding the indictments were conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Ava Rotell Dustin is leading the prosecution.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Carbon County Man Sentenced To 188 Months’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jason Mika, age 44, of Lansford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 17, 2025, to 188 months’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for one count of possess with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Mika previously pled guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.  As part of his guilty plea, Mika also admitted to possessing over 400 grams of methamphetamine, other controlled substances, and a revolver–all of which were found in his Lansford, PA, home during the execution of a search warrant by members of the Nesquehoning Police Department, and other investigators.

    The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, the Lehighton Borough Police Department, the Nesquehoning Police Department, the Lansford Police Department, the Franklin Township Police Department, and the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office.  United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).   

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty, Two Others Awaiting Trial in a Multi-State ATM and Retail Skimming Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – Four foreign nationals illegally present in the United States have admitted to a federal judge in Rhode Island that they participated in a scheme that compromised more than 15,000  credit, debit, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and that they made hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorized bank withdrawals and retail purchases, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    The defendants admitted that they used credit card “skimming” devices to steal debit and credit card users’ personal financial account information, which they then appropriated for their own use. Skimming devices were placed on retail outlet point-of-sale terminals and on ATMs at various financial institutions

    An investigation revealed that from May 2023 through February 2024, the defendants compromised more than 15,000 bank cards and gained users’ personal financial account information by placing card skimming devices on point-of-sale terminals at various locations of major retailers and on ATMs of various financial institutions in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

    In Rhode Island, more than 200 debit cards were compromised at two Rhode Island financial institutions, resulting in over $280,000 of unauthorized ATM withdrawals from 67 customer accounts.

    Robby Vicson Codreanu, 21, a citizen of the United Kingdom; Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 24, a citizen of Romania; and Armando Ion Codreanu, 24, and Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 23, citizens of Ireland, each pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud; producing, using and trafficking in counterfeit access devices; accessing fifteen or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices; and access device making equipment. Nicolas and Armando Codreanu also pleaded guilty to a charge of access devices issued to another person.

    Nicolas Codreanu will be sentenced on October 14, 2025. Isabella, Armando, and Robby Codreanu will be sentenced on October 21, 2025. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Two other defendants, Ionut Zamfir, 38, and Mila Ciuciu, 21, both citizens of Romania, are awaiting trial.

    The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron 

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bristol Police Department, with the assistance of the Warwick Police Department, Coventry Police Department, Westerly Police Department, Johnston Police Department, Seekonk Police Department, United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations agents in Lafayette, LA, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Convicted Child Sex Traveler Sentenced To More Than 17 Years In Prison For Attempting To Entice And Meet A 13-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Jeremy Wayne Leggett (37, Jacksonville) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for using the internet to attempt to entice and meet a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Leggett was arrested on June 19, 2023, and has remained been in federal custody. Leggett pleaded guilty on January 15, 2025.

    According to court records, Leggett is a registered child sex offender, having been previously convicted in Florida in 2020 of traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sexual offense and transmitting harmful materials to a minor. 

    On June 16, 2023, an undercover FBI agent (UC) in the Jacksonville area, posing as a child, was working online in a social media application (app) to identify individuals seeking to meet children for sexual activity. The UC engaged in online conversation with an app user “dAddi” who posted a notice in a public chat room that read “Lookingfor [under 18 emoji] wannaspoiladaughter.” During this online conversation, user “dAddi,” who was identified as Leggett, was advised that the “child” was 13 years old. Leggett asked if the “child” “[l]ike[d] older men,” and sent the “child” a photo of himself. Leggett denied being a murderer or a kidnapper, telling the “child” that he was “just a pedophile.” He suggested that that they meet so he could perform oral sex on “her” in his vehicle. After more conversation, Leggett sent the “child” explicit photos of himself. On June 17, 18, and 19, 2023, Leggett initiated text messages with the UC and continued attempting to persuade the “child” to meet for sex.

    On June 19, 2023, Leggett and the “child” arranged through text messages to meet at a retail shopping center in Jacksonville. That evening, Leggett drove his vehicle to this location to meet the “child” and circled the parking lot. When law enforcement officers attempted to stop Leggett’s vehicle, he quickly reversed his vehicle and fled the scene. A short time later, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and FBI agents located Leggett at a residence in Jacksonville and he was arrested. 

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

    It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: José Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, Leader of Los Choneros Transnational Criminal Organization Extradited to Brooklyn Federal Court to Face International Drug and Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BROOKLYN, NY – José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” a citizen of Ecuador, will be arraigned today at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn for crimes committed as the leader of Los Choneros, a transnational criminal organization based in Ecuador that is responsible for significant drug trafficking into the United States, firearms trafficking from the United States, and acts of extreme violence.  Macías Villamar will be arraigned on a seven-count superseding indictment charging him with international cocaine distribution conspiracy; international cocaine distribution; using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; smuggling firearms from the United States; and straw purchasing of firearms conspiracy.  Macías Villamar will be arraigned before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon after being extradited yesterday from Ecuador to the Eastern District of New York.

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Robert Murphy, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); L.C. Cheeks, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division (ATF); and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office (OEE), announced the extradition and arraignment.

    “As alleged, the defendant served for years as the principal leader of Los Choneros, a notoriously violent transnational criminal organization, and was a ruthless and infamous drug and firearms trafficker.  The defendant and his co-conspirators flooded the United States and other countries with drugs and used extreme measures of violence in their quest for power and control,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This case demonstrates our Office’s commitment to identifying and targeting the leadership of such organizations, wherever they may be located, and bringing them to face justice here in the United States.”

    “José ‘Fito’ Macias thought he could traffic poison into our country, smuggle American weapons back to his killers, and further his criminal enterprise using chaos and bloodshed. He was wrong,” stated DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy.  “Today, the kingpin of Los Choneros faces justice on U.S. soil for his crimes.”

    “ATF remains dedicated to working with our local, state, and federal partners to disrupt the shooting cycle by focusing on those individuals and criminal organizations responsible for the gun violence that plagues our neighborhoods,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Cheeks.  “ATF will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to address violent gang and drug-related activity that endangers the safety of our communities.  Our joint efforts are essential in bringing accountability to violent offenders, combatting threats to the public, and reducing violent crime.”

    As alleged in the indictment and other public filings, from at least 2020 to 2025, Macías Villamar was the principal leader of Los Choneros, the most violent and powerful transnational criminal organization in Ecuador.  As the principal leader of Los Choneros, Macías Villamar employed members of the organization to carry out serious acts of violence on the organization’s behalf. At Macías Villamar’s direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts toward Ecuadorean law enforcement, Ecuadorian politicians, attorneys, prosecutors, and civilians.  Los Choneros obtained many of its firearms and weapons by illegally trafficking and exporting them from the United States to Ecuador.  As alleged, the defendant specifically employed individuals who purchased firearms, firearms components, and ammunition in the United States and then illegally smuggled them to Ecuador for use by Los Choneros.

    In 2011, Macías Villamar went to prison in Ecuador on murder, robbery, weapons possession, and drug trafficking charges.  He escaped in 2013 before being recaptured months later.  During his second imprisonment in Ecuador, Macías Villamar used contraband cell phones and the internet to continue to direct the activities of Los Choneros and publish external communications and threats on Los Choneros’ behalf.  In January 2024, he escaped from Ecuadorian prison a second time—just two days ahead of his planned move to a maximum-security facility. In response to his escape, Ecuador erupted in violence—including prison riots, gang attacks, kidnappings, and bombings—and the government of Ecuador declared a state of emergency.  Ecuadorian authorities recaptured Macías Villamar on June 25, 2025, and he was extradited from Ecuador yesterday.

    Macías Villamar and members and associates of his organization used firearms in furtherance of their weapon and drug trafficking activities, including machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, and grenades.  Macías Villamar and the Los Choneros organization have also been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Ecuadorian authorities provided substantial assistance to secure the extradition of Macías Villamar.  This marks Ecuador’s first extradition of an Ecuadorian national since an April 2024 popular referendum amended Ecuador’s constitution to allow for the extradition of Ecuadorian nationals.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, and as part of the work of the Office’s Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force.  Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour, Lorena Michelen, and David Berman are in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendant:

    JOSÉ ADOLFO MACÍAS VILLAMAR (also known as “Fito”)
    Age:  45
    Ecuador

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 25-CR-114 (FB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Rapists Over the Weekend

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is working around-the-clock to remove the worst of the worst from American communities

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the names and rap sheets of criminal illegal aliens arrested over the weekend—including murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. 

    “Over the weekend, our brave ICE agents arrested more depraved criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, and three child pedophiles. These are the types of barbaric criminals our ICE law enforcement is arresting and removing from American communities every day,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Despite an 830 percent surge in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers, they continue to put their lives on the line to make American communities safer every day.”

    Below are some of the criminal illegal aliens arrested over the weekend:

    • ICE Dallas arrested Jose Arinaga-Ramirez, a 58-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in San Antonio, TX. 
    • ICE Los Angeles arrested Chue Vue, a 37-year-old illegal alien from Laos, convicted of attempted murder and seven counts of assault with deadly weapon/instrument non-firearm that produced great bodily injury in Riverside, CA. 
    • ICE Philadelphia arrested Gil Salinas-Anaclo, a 35-year-old illegal alien from Peru, convicted of larceny in Northampton County, PA. 
    • ICE Houston arrested Gilmer Vertiz-Bustemante, a 37-year-old illegal alien from Mexico convicted of murder in Tarrant County, TX. 
    • ICE Buffalo arrested Andra Adams Scott, a 30-year-old illegal alien from Jamaica, convicted of attempted robbery in Queens County, NY. 
    • ICE Los Angeles arrested Henry Jose Marquez, a 55-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela, convicted of smuggling cocaine in Tampa, FL. 
    • ICE Boston arrested Jovinnel Giron Meneses, a 29-year-old illegal alien from the Philippines convicted of aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 in Middlesex, MA. 
    • ICE Philadelphia arrested Juan Ramirez-Velasquez, a 27-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of rape of a victim under 12 years old in Dover, DE. 
    • ICE Atlanta arrested Emmanuel Evariste, a 39-year-old illegal alien from Haiti, convicted in the United States District Court, Boston District of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. 
    • ICE Buffalo arrested Sakir Akkan, a 22-year-old illegal alien from Turkey, convicted of rape three: anal sexual contact with a person incapable consent in Albany County, NY. 
    • ICE St. Louis arrested Nodir Negmatov, an illegal alien from Uzbekistan, who was attempting to pick up U.S. Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) controlled Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits, which convert unguided bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions, at a Boeing plant in St. Charles, Missouri. 

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: PAXMINING and Kraken Partner to Launch Daily Income Crypto Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the cryptocurrency market continues to surge in 2025,  (BTC) breaking through $123,000 and XRP soaring 26% to $2.93, global investors are increasingly seeking high-yield, low-barrier crypto investment opportunities. The world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange Kraken and premier cloud mining platform PAXMINING have announced a strategic partnership, officially launching a “One-Click Mining” service. This collaboration marks the dawn of a “zero-cost” cloud mining era, offering global users a secure, transparent, and sustainable path to passive income.

    PAXMINING: Redefining the Gold Standard in Cloud Mining

    Established in 2017 and headquartered in London, UK, PAXMINING leverages AI-driven technology and 100% renewable energy to deliver a secure, green, and transparent cloud mining platform. Serving over 8 million users across 190+ countries, PAXMINING operates more than 70 high-performance green mining farms powered by hydropower, wind, and solar energy. This approach significantly reduces operational costs while promoting sustainability in the blockchain industry.

    PAXMINING’s Six Core Advantages

    Zero-Entry Barrier: No need to purchase expensive mining rigs or pay electricity fees. New users receive a $15 welcome bonus upon registration to start mining instantly.

    Multi-Currency Support: Supports mining of BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE, USDT, USDC, SOL, LTC, BCH, and 9+ other major cryptocurrencies, allowing flexible switching to seize market opportunities.

    Green Energy-Powered: Utilizes 100% renewable energy, aligning with global carbon-neutral goals, reducing costs, and enhancing long-term profitability.

    High Transparency and Security: Blockchain smart contracts ensure transparent earnings, with enterprise-grade wallet custody and multi-layer encryption safeguarding funds.

    User-Friendly Platform: Intuitive interface designed for beginners and seasoned investors alike, requiring no technical expertise.

    No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing with no additional service or management fees; earnings are settled daily and credited directly to user accounts.

    Strategic partnership with Kraken

    PAXMINING and Kraken have partnered to enable users to seamlessly participate in cloud mining through their Kraken accounts and benefit from the strong security and liquidity of the Kraken exchange. Kraken’s compliance and global reputation lay a solid foundation for PAXMINING’s cloud mining services, ensuring user trust and a convenient operation experience.

    PAXMINING Cloud Mining Contracts: Flexible Options, High Returns

    PAXMINING offers a range of mining contracts to meet the needs of different risk preferences and budgets. Here is an overview of the popular contracts in 2025:

    Contract Project Investment Amount The term Total revenue
    WhatsMiner M50S+ $100 2days $100+$6
    Canaan Avalon miner A14 $500 7days $500+$43.40
    WhatsMiner M60S+ $1,300 15days $1,300+$253.5
    ALPH Miner AL1 $3,500 30days $3,500+$948‬
    Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm  $8,000 35days $8,000+$4424
    Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Hyd $12,800 40 days $12,800+$8,601

    （Earnings begin accumulating the next day after contract purchase, with real-time profit tracking available in your dashboard. Explore more contract options at PAXMINING official website.）

    2025 Wealth Opportunities: Seize the Cloud Mining Boom

    As Bitcoin’s market cap exceeds $2.4 trillion and cryptocurrencies such as XRP and DOGE continue to rise, PAXMINING’s cloud mining service provides investors with a stable source of income without speculative trading. The platform uses an AI-optimized computing power allocation mechanism that can be dynamically adjusted according to market and network conditions to ensure that users maximize their returns.

    A PAXMINING spokesperson said: “Our mission is to democratize access to the cryptocurrency economy and share wealth opportunities with everyone. From $100 trial plans to high-yield contracts, PAXMINING provides secure and transparent solutions for users around the world.”

    Join PAXMINING now and start your wealth journey

    New users only need to follow the steps below:
    Sign up for an account to receive a $15 welcome bonus and a daily $0.60 sign-in bonus.

    Choose the right computing power contract and start earning daily income after activation.

    For more information or to get started with your mining contract, visit:

    https://paxmining.com or (click to download the mobile app)

    For direct inquiries, contact: info@paxmining.com

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Maxim Group LLC Expands Equity Sales and Trading with Strategic Hire of Michael Chrisman

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maxim Group LLC, a leading full-service investment banking, securities, and wealth management firm, is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its Equity Sales and Trading division with the addition of seasoned professional, Michael Chrisman. This strategic addition enables the broadening of institutional services offered through the firm’s California branch.

    Michael Chrisman brings 28 years of experience in Institutional Sales trading. Mr. Chrisman has managed a broad array of West Coast-based mutual funds and hedge funds through trading both domestic and international securities, ETFs and programs across all sectors and market caps. Prior to joining Maxim, Mr. Chrisman served in senior positions at various firms, including ANOS Capital, Piper Jaffray, Deutsche Bank, O’Neil Securities, and The Benchmark Company.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to our team as Maxim’s institutional sales trading platform continues to expand into the West Coast,” said Michael A. Cerussi, Head of Institutional Sales and Trading at Maxim Group. “With his experience in global markets, Michael adds a valuable perspective to our team. His insight will help us unlock new opportunities and strengthen the way we support clients across a wide range of regions and sectors.”

    About Maxim Group LLC
    Maxim Group LLC is a full-service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm headquartered in New York. The independent and employee-owned firm provides a full array of financial services including investment banking; private wealth management; and global institutional equity, fixed-income and derivatives sales & trading, equity research and prime brokerage services. Maxim Group LLC is a registered broker-dealer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and is a member of FINRA SIPC, and NASDAQ. To learn more about Maxim Group LLC, visit maximgrp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ripple’s XRP Begins a New Era: PFMCrypto Debuts Equipment-Free XRP Cloud Mining with Daily Returns

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Ripple’s XRP ecosystem continues to gain global traction, PFMCrypto is proud to introduce a major advancement in accessible crypto mining: the launch of XRP-focused cloud mining contracts. Now available on both web and mobile platforms, these flexible short-term contracts allow users to mine XRP remotely and receive daily XRP rewards—with no mining hardware, no complicated setup, and no prior experience required. For the first time, everyday users can actively participate in the XRP economy through a streamlined, all-in-one platform.
    Visit https://pfmcrypto.net  or download the PFMCrypto app today.

    XRP Cloud Mining Is Here—Simple, Smart, and Rewarding.
    Long recognized for its role in cross-border payments and institutional finance, XRP now enters a new phase through PFMCrypto’s latest innovation: user-friendly cloud mining.
    Users can mine XRP directly, or take advantage of PFMCrypto’s intelligent AI engine, which automatically shifts mining power toward the most profitable assets—including BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDC, and more. Earnings are paid out daily in the cryptocurrency of your choice, providing a reliable income stream regardless of market volatility.
    Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, PFMCrypto’s platform empowers you to earn consistent crypto rewards—anytime, from anywhere.

    Key Features of PFMCrypto’s XRP Cloud Mining Contracts:
    –  Full XRP Integration: Deposit, purchase, mine, and withdraw XRP within one secure platform.
    –  Multi-Coin Mining Support: Earn rewards in BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDC, USDT, SOL, LTC, or BCH.
    –  AI Revenue Optimization: Proprietary algorithms allocate mining power for maximum profitability.
    –  100% Remote Access: No equipment required—accessible via mobile app or browser.
    –  Capital Protection: Every contract includes full principal return at maturity to reduce risk.

    Mining Contracts for Every Budget and Strategy:
    PFMCrypto offers a variety of flexible mining contracts that support XRP-based deposits and withdrawals. Each contract is designed for predictable income and effective risk control:
    $10 Contract – 1 Day – Earn $0.66 (Free with signup bonus)
    $100 Contract – 2 Days – Earn $3.00 daily + $2 bonus
    $500 Contract – 5 Days – Earn $6.15 daily
    $5,000 Contract – 30 Days – Earn $78.50 daily
    $20,000 Contract – 45 Days – Earn $380.00 daily
    Whether you’re exploring crypto mining or building a long-term passive income portfolio, PFMCrypto provides secure, low-risk contracts with transparent daily earnings in XRP.
    Explore more contracts at: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    Why PFMCrypto’s XRP Mining Stands Out?
    –  Accessible to All: No technical skills, no hardware, no complications—just tap and earn.
    –  XRP-Native Functionality: Handle XRP from deposit to withdrawal within one ecosystem.
    –  Smart, Stable Returns: AI-powered mining strategy delivers steady earnings across assets.
    –  Built-in Flexibility: Choose to mine XRP or diversify into other top cryptos—all in one contract.
    –  Global, Instant Access: Start mining securely via browser or app from anywhere in the world.

    Start Earning in 3 Simple Steps:
    1.  Sign Up – Create your account and receive a $10 welcome bonus.
    2.  Choose a Plan – Select from short- or long-term contracts (1–60 days available).
    3.  Start Earning – Track daily rewards and withdraw in your preferred token.

    XRP Mining for a Digital Future:
    Since 2018, PFMCrypto has helped millions of users generate passive crypto income through secure, intelligent, cloud-based mining. With the launch of XRP mining, the platform combines institutional-grade infrastructure with unmatched retail accessibility.
    Now, users can mine XRP directly or diversify their earnings across major digital assets—all through a fully remote, user-friendly environment.
    “XRP has always been fast, efficient, and scalable,” said a PFMCrypto spokesperson. “Now, it’s also mineable—securely, remotely, and profitably. We’ve eliminated the barriers so anyone can participate in XRP’s future growth.”

    While markets shift, daily mining income remains consistent—and now, more accessible than ever.
    Join the XRP mining revolution today at: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    Download the PFMCrypto app on iOS or Android.

    The MIL Network –

  • Africa’s minerals are being bartered for security: why it’s a bad idea

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Hanri Mostert, SARChI Chair for Mineral Law in Africa, University of Cape Town

    A US-brokered peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda binds the two African nations to a worrying arrangement: one where a country signs away its mineral resources to a superpower in return for opaque assurances of security.

    The peace deal, signed in June 2025, aims to end three decades of conflict between the DRC and Rwanda.

    A key part of the agreement binds both nations to developing a regional economic integration framework. This arrangement would expand cooperation between the two states, the US government and American investors on “transparent, formalized end-to-end mineral chains”.

    Despite its immense mineral wealth, the DRC is among the five poorest countries in the world. It has been seeking US investment in its mineral sector.

    The US has in turn touted a potential multi-billion-dollar investment programme to anchor its mineral supply chains in the traumatised and poor territory.

    The peace that the June 2025 deal promises, therefore, hinges on chaining mineral supply to the US in exchange for Washington’s powerful – but vaguely formulated – military oversight.

    The peace agreement further establishes a joint oversight committee – with representatives from the African Union, Qatar and the US – to receive complaints and resolve disputes between the DRC and Rwanda.

    But beyond the joint oversight committee, the peace deal creates no specific security obligations for the US.

    The relationship between the DRC and Rwanda has been marred by war and tension since the bloody First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congo wars. At the heart of much of this conflict is the DRC’s mineral wealth. It has fuelled competition, exploitation and armed violence.

    This latest peace deal introduces a resources-for-security arrangement. Such deals aren’t new in Africa. They first emerged in the early 2000s as resources-for-infrastructure transactions. Here, a foreign state would agree to build economic and social infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, hospitals) in an African state. In exchange, it would get a major stake in a government-owned mining company. Or gain preferential access to the host country’s minerals.

    We have studied mineral law and governance in Africa for more than 20 years. The question that emerges now is whether a US-brokered resources-for-security agreement will help the DRC benefit from its resources.

    Based on our research on mining, development and sustainability, we believe this is unlikely.

    This is because resources-for-security is the latest version of a resource-bartering approach that China and Russia pioneered in countries such as Angola, the Central African Republic and the DRC.

    Resource bartering in Africa has eroded the sovereignty and bargaining power of mineral-rich nations such as the DRC and Angola.

    Further, resources-for-security deals are less transparent and more complicated than prior resource bartering agreements.

    DRC’s security gaps

    The DRC is endowed with major deposits of critical minerals like cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and tantalum. These are the building blocks for 21st century technologies: artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, wind energy and military security hardware. Rwanda has less mineral wealth than its neighbour, but is the world’s third-largest producer of tantalum, used in electronics, aerospace and medical devices.

    For almost 30 years, minerals have fuelled conflict and severe violence, especially in eastern DRC. Tungsten, tantalum and gold (referred to as 3TG) finance and drive conflict as government forces and an estimated 130 armed groups vie for control over lucrative mining sites. Several reports and studies have implicated the DRC’s neighbours – Rwanda and Uganda – in supporting the illegal extraction of 3TG in this region.

    The DRC government has failed to extend security over its vast (2.3 million square kilometres) and diverse territory (109 million people, representing 250 ethnic groups). Limited resources, logistical challenges and corruption have weakened its armed forces.

    This context makes the United States’ military backing enormously attractive. But our research shows there are traps.

    What states risk losing

    Resources-for-infrastructure and resources-for-security deals generally offer African nations short-term stability, financing or global goodwill. However, the costs are often long-term because of an erosion of sovereign control.

    Here’s how this happens:

    Examples of loss or near-loss of sovereignty from these sorts of deals abound in Africa.

    For instance, Angola’s US$2 billion oil-backed loan from China Eximbank in 2004. This was repayable in monthly deliveries of oil, with revenues directed to Chinese-controlled accounts. The loan’s design deprived Angolan authorities of decision-making power over that income stream even before the oil was extracted.

    These deals also fragment accountability. They often span multiple ministries (such as defence, mining and trade), avoiding robust oversight or accountability. Fragmentation makes resource sectors vulnerable to elite capture. Powerful insiders can manipulate agreements for private gain.

    In the DRC, this has created a violent kleptocracy, where resource wealth is systematically diverted away from popular benefit.

    Finally, there is the risk of re-entrenching extractive trauma. Communities displaced for mining and environmental degradation in many countries across Africa illustrate the long-standing harm to livelihoods, health and social cohesion.

    These are not new problems. But where extraction is tied to security or infrastructure, such damage risks becoming permanent features, not temporary costs.

    What needs to change

    Critical minerals are “critical” because they’re hard to mine or substitute. Additionally, their supply chains are strategically vulnerable and politically exposed. Whoever controls these minerals controls the future. Africa must make sure it doesn’t trade that future away.

    In a world being reshaped by global interests in critical minerals, African states must not underestimate the strategic value of their mineral resources. They hold considerable leverage.

    But leverage only works if it is wielded strategically. This means:

    • investing in institutional strength and legal capacity to negotiate better deals

    • demanding local value creation and addition

    • requiring transparency and parliamentary oversight for minerals-related agreements

    • refusing deals that bypass human rights, environmental or sovereignty standards.

    Africa has the resources. It must hold on to the power they wield.

    The Conversation

    Hanri Mostert receives funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. She is a member of the Expropriation Expert Group and a steering committee member of the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Academic Advisory Group (AAG) in the Sector for Energy, Environmental, Resources and Infrastructure Law (SEERIL).

    Tracy-Lynn Field receives funding from the Claude Leon Foundation. She is a non-executive director of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.

    – ref. Africa’s minerals are being bartered for security: why it’s a bad idea – https://theconversation.com/africas-minerals-are-being-bartered-for-security-why-its-a-bad-idea-260594

  • Ghana has a rare treasure, a crater made when a meteor hit Earth: why it needs to be protected

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marian Selorm Sapah, Senior lecturer, University of Ghana

    Impact craters are formed when an object from space such as a meteoroid, asteroid or comet strikes the Earth at a very high velocity. This leaves an excavated circular hole on the Earth’s surface.

    It is a basic geological process that has shaped the planets from their formation to today. It creates landscapes and surface materials across our solar system. The moon is covered with them, as are planets like Mercury, Mars and Venus. On Earth, impacts have influenced the evolution of life and even provided valuable mineral and energy resources. However, very few of the impact craters on Earth are visible because of various processes that obscure or erase them.

    Most of the recognised impact craters on Earth are buried under sediments or have been deeply eroded. That means they no longer preserve their initial forms.

    The Bosumtwi impact crater in Ghana is different, however. It is well preserved (not deeply eroded or buried under sediments). Its well-defined, near-circular basin, filled by a lake, is surrounded by a prominent crater rim that rises above the surface of the lake and an outer circular plateau. This makes it a target for several research questions.

    As an Earth scientist, I joined a research team from 2019 to better understand the morphology of the crater. We carried out a morphological analysis of the crater (a study of its form, structure and geological features).

    This study concluded that the activities of illegal miners are a threat to the sustainability of the crater. We also discovered that the features of the Bosumtwi impact crater can be considered as a terrestrial representation for a special type of impact crater known as rampart craters. These are common on the planets Mars and Venus and are found on icy bodies of the outer solar system (like Ganymede, Europa, Dione, Tethys and Charon).

    For future studies, the Bosumtwi impact crater can be used to help understand how rampart craters form on Mars and Venus. So the Bosumtwi impact crater should be protected and preserved.



    Read more:
    Curious Kids: Why are there so few impact craters on Earth?

    The crater

    The Bosumtwi impact crater is in Ghana’s mineral-rich Ashanti gold belt. It is the location of the only natural inland lake in Ghana. As one of the world’s best-preserved young meteorite impact craters it is designated as an International Union of Geological Sciences geoheritage site.

    It is one of only 190 confirmed impact crater sites worldwide, one of only 20 on the African continent. Its lake is one of six meteoritic lakes in the world, recognised for their outstanding scientific value.

    At almost 1.07 million years old, the crater offers unparalleled opportunities for studying impact processes, climate history and planetary evolution. It’s an irreplaceable natural laboratory for researchers and educators.

    Beyond its scientific importance, the crater holds cultural significance for the Ashanti people of Ghana. The lake at its centre serves as a sacred site and spiritual landmark. The crater’s breathtaking landscape also supports eco-tourism and local livelihoods, contributing to Ghana’s economic development while maintaining exceptional aesthetic value.

    The research

    As part of further research work on the 2019 study, in 2025 we have discovered through field work and satellite data analysis that illegal artisanal mining is prevalent in the area and threatening the crater. This refers to informal, labour-intensive extraction of minerals, primarily gold. It is conducted by individuals or small groups using basic tools and rudimentary machinery. The use of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, and practices such as river dredging, cause severe environmental harm.

    Illegal miners are encroaching on and around the crater rim, posing severe threats to its environment and sustainability. Their activities have become more prevalent over the course of less than 10 years, indicating a growing problem. If unchecked, it could lead to irreversible damage to the crater.

    These mining operations risk contaminating the lake with toxic heavy metals. The consequences of these are grave. They include destroying critical geological evidence, accelerating deforestation, and degrading the land. All this damages the crater’s scientific, cultural and economic value.

    The International Union of Geological Sciences geoheritage designation of the crater underscores the urgent need for protection measures. The loss of this rare geological wonder would represent not just a national tragedy for Ghana, but a blow to global scientific heritage.

    Immediate action is required. This includes enhanced satellite monitoring (tracking illegal mining, deforestation and environmental changes) using optical imagery (such as Sentinel-2, Landsat, PlanetScope). These tools can detect forest loss, identify mining pits and sediment runoff, and analyse changes over time.

    Stricter enforcement of mining bans, and community engagement programmes, will help preserve the Bosumtwi impact crater’s unique attributes for future generations of scientists, students, tourists and local communities who depend on its resources.

    The Conversation

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

    – ref. Ghana has a rare treasure, a crater made when a meteor hit Earth: why it needs to be protected – https://theconversation.com/ghana-has-a-rare-treasure-a-crater-made-when-a-meteor-hit-earth-why-it-needs-to-be-protected-260600

  • PM Modi condoles loss of lives in Dhaka air crash, offers India’s support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the loss of lives in the tragic air crash in Dhaka. He assured that India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said:

    “Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.”

    At least 19 people were killed and 164 injured when a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into a college and school campus in Dhaka on Monday. The aircraft experienced a technical problem shortly after take-off, a military spokesperson confirmed.

    The F-7 BGI jet took off at 1:06 p.m. local time (0706 GMT) from the Bangladesh Air Force base in Kurmitola, Dhaka, as part of a routine training mission. It encountered a mechanical failure soon after take-off, said military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury.

    “The pilot made a valiant attempt to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas. Despite his best efforts, the aircraft crashed into a two-storey building belonging to Milestone School and College,” he stated.

    The pilot was among those killed in the crash. The Bangladesh military has formed a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.

  • 497 DPMUs under PM Vishwakarma scheme to ensure effective implementation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A total of 497 District Project Management Units (DPMUs) have been appointed across 618 districts in the country to facilitate on-ground execution and monitoring of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme

    The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance. The MoMSME acts as the nodal ministry for overall implementation and coordination, while the MSDE is responsible for the skilling component, with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) serving as the Project Implementing Agency (PIA).

    DPMUs play a key role in the effective outreach and coordination of the scheme. Their responsibilities include generating awareness among Vishwakarma beneficiaries, communicating training schedules, batch timings, training centre locations, and benefits. They also ensure regular monitoring of training centres to maintain adherence to established guidelines.

    As of July 16, 497 DPMUs have been deployed, with 107 of them assigned to manage multiple districts due to specific project needs and operational requirements. Despite multiple assignments, no instances of double payments have been reported, as payment processing is strictly based on verified personnel deployment.

    The functioning of DPMUs is closely monitored through a task-based review system. Daily tasks are assigned by the PIA, with weekly performance reviews in place. DPMUs undergo physical orientation sessions before deployment and are continuously guided through physical and virtual meetings by the PIA. They also work in coordination with the Regional Directorates of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDEs) to ensure efficient implementation at the district level.

    A weekly tracking mechanism has been established by the PIA to monitor progress, and supervision and evaluation of DPMU operations are conducted on a weekly basis.

    The information was shared by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday.

    For detailed State/UT-wise information on DPMUs, including those managing multiple districts, the public may refer to the Ministry’s official website at [www.msde.gov.in/documents]

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens unveil candidates ahead of crucial election for our planet

    Source: Scottish Greens

    21 Jul 2025

    Ahead of next year’s Holyrood election the Scottish Greens have unveiled their regional list candidates

    The Scottish Greens have announced their slate of candidates for regional lists ahead of next year’s Holyrood election. The party hopes to return a record number of MSPs at the ballot box next May

    The Scottish Greens are aiming to return a record number of MSPs, building on the eight elected in 2021. A recent poll indicated that the party could secure 15 MSPs, giving the Scottish Greens a stronger voice in Parliament to push for bold, fair and progressive policies that champion people and planet above corporate greed. 

    The lead candidates in each region are:

    Central Scotland & Lothians West

    1. Gillian Mackay MSP

    Edinburgh & Lothians East

    1. Lorna Slater MSP
    2. Kate Nevens
    3. Q Manivannan

    Glasgow

    1. Patrick Harvie MSP
    2. Ellie Gomersall
    3. Cllr Holly Bruce

    Highlands & Islands

    1. Ariane Burgess MSP
    2. Cllr Kristopher Leask

    Mid Scotland & Fife

    1. Mark Ruskell MSP
    2. Mags Hall

    North East Scotland

    1. Guy Ingerson

    South Scotland

    1. Laura Moodie

    West Scotland

    1. Ross Greer MSP
    2. Cara McKee

    Reacting to the announcement, Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Lorna Slater MSP said:

    “Next year’s election is pivotal for the future of Scotland and our planet, that’s why I am delighted that Scottish Green members have selected such a strong group of lead candidates who will deliver real change in Holyrood.

    “Greens have been the only influential left-wing force in the Scottish Parliament for decades, delivering free bus travel for young people, scrapping peak rail fares, and securing tax reforms to ensure the richest in society pay their fair share to support the services we all rely on, like our NHS. 

    “With more Green MSPs, we can continue to push for the climate emergency to be taken seriously by other parties who want to protect corporate profits rather than our planet, and to fight back against the toxic climate change denialism from the far-right. Scottish Greens won’t give up on our planet’s future.

    “Electing a record number of Scottish Greens is the only way to secure the pro-independence majority in Holyrood, and to continue advancing the case to rejoin the European Union. It is a cause that Scottish Green MSPs will continue to make on the doorsteps across the country and in the chamber at Holyrood.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Congresswoman Barragán’s Statement on House Republicans Voting to Defund Public Broadcasting

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 18, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov


    Congresswoman Barragán’s Statement on House Republicans Voting to Defund Public Broadcasting 

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement:

    “House Republicans voted to defund public broadcasting — and Southern California families will feel the impact. They’re taking back $4.3 million from PBS SoCal, which provides trusted educational programming, like Sesame Street, and free learning materials from over 1 million children under the age of 5 in our region.

    It also eliminates funding for stations like KCRW in Santa Monica and KUSC in Los Angeles, jeopardizing access to local news, cultural programming, and emergency alerts that keep our communities safe and informed.

    I voted AGAINST this power grab that takes away money Congress has already allocated. This isn’t about saving money — it’s about silencing voices and access to programming that thin-skinned Donald Trump and his Rubber Stamp Republicans don’t like. That’s about as un-American as you can get.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: Route 6 East on-ramp in Johnston to Close Two Nights for Paving

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    For two nights, Tuesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 23, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. both nights, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will temporarily close the on-ramp from Hartford Avenue to Route 6 East. During the closure, RIDOT will mill and resurface this deteriorated roadway and provide a smoother driving surface.

    During this closure, drivers can use the following detours:

    Hartford Avenue Eastbound: Remain on Hartford Avenue past the closed ramp. Turn left onto Killingly Street and use the on-ramp there to Route 6 East.

    Hartford Avenue Westbound: Remain on Hartford Avenue past the closed ramp. Turn left onto Atwood Avenue (Route 5) and follow it to the on-ramp to Route 6 East.

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Leads the Charge: SIM Mining’s Revenue Continues to Soar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin’s strong rebound, the global cryptocurrency market is experiencing another surge of enthusiasm. Among the beneficiaries of this boom is the cloud mining platform SIM Mining, which has seen significant growth in revenue and attracted increasing attention from users worldwide. As a platform dedicated to providing efficient and secure cloud mining services, SIM Mining has become the go-to choice for many investors.

    Why Are More Users Choosing SIM Mining?

    SIM Mining has rapidly gained user trust thanks to its simplicity, transparency, and stable returns. Unlike traditional mining setups that require costly hardware and technical expertise, SIM Mining allows users to participate in cryptocurrency mining with just a few clicks—register, select a mining plan, and start earning.

    How to Join SIM Mining?

    Joining SIM Mining is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:

    1. Visit the official website: [simmining.com](http://simmining.com).
    2. Click the registration button and fill out the required information to complete your account setup.
    3. Claim your $100 registration bonus and choose a mining plan that suits your needs.
    4. Start mining and enjoy stable income!

    For any questions, users can reach out to SIM Mining’s customer service via the official email: info@simmining.com.

    Stable Returns and Key Advantages

    SIM Mining offers a variety of mining plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of its users. By leveraging advanced cloud technology and high-performance mining equipment, the platform ensures stable returns for its participants. Its transparent income distribution mechanism allows users to clearly track the source of their earnings. Additionally, SIM Mining employs stringent data protection measures to safeguard users’ funds and personal information.

    Contract Amount Contract Period Daily income  Total revenue
    100$ 1day 1$ 1$
    150$ 2day 6$ 12$
    300$ 2day 5.19$ 10.38$
    900$ 3day 17.19$ 51.57$
    2300$ 5day 47.38$ 236.9$
    5500$ 10day 120.45$ 1204.5$
    10000$ 7day 231$ 1617$
    30000$ 3day 1059$ 3177$

    Compared to other cloud mining platforms, SIM Mining boasts several distinct advantages:

    1. Low Entry Barrier: Users can start mining without purchasing expensive hardware—simply register and begin.
    2. Global Accessibility: The platform supports multiple languages and payment methods, making it convenient for users worldwide.
    3. 24/7 Customer Support: Professional customer service is available around the clock to assist users with any issues.
    4. Generous Rewards: New users receive a $100 bonus upon registration, along with an additional $1 for daily check-ins.

    Conclusion

    As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin continue to gain popularity, cloud mining has emerged as a favored investment option. With its stable profit model, and generous new user rewards, SIM Mining is attracting more and more investors. If you’re interested in cryptocurrency investment, consider joining SIM Mining today to begin your cloud mining journey!

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    The MIL Network –