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  • MIL-OSI USA: Tarakanova Honored with Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    As the body ages, a network of proteins and other molecules may structurally change, leading to a loss of elasticity and tissue strength in skin, joints, and arteries. This can lead to reduced muscle mass, stiffness, and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases like osteoarthritis.

    Anna Tarakanova, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, leads a research group in UConn’s College of Engineering (CoE) that uses advanced computer models to study the mechanical properties of proteins.

    In doing so, she’s developing nature-inspired materials that can mimic the flexibility of elastin or the durability of collagen. These designs could lead to innovations in medical devices, prosthetics, or even “repurpose” molecules for resilience in aging.

    Anna Tarakanova studies the mechanical properties of proteins.

    “Ultimately, our goal is to understand aging and disease at a basic, molecular level and how that fits into the bigger picture of how complex biological systems function,” Tarakanova explains.

    For her efforts “exemplifying the creative use and development of mechanics,” the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) awarded Tarakanova with the 2024 Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty. The award recognizes early-career researchers who’ve made impactful contributions to the field of mechanics and mechanics of materials.

    “We’re very proud Prof. Anna Tarakanova for her winning of this prestigious award in engineering,” says JC Zhao, dean of the College of Engineering. “Her innovative approach merges the fields of molecular mechanics, materials science, and bioengineering and advances molecular, multiscale, and data-driven modeling methods to study the mechanics of complex nanoscale and biological materials.” 

    Tarakanova received her BS in applied and engineering physics from Cornell University in 2011; and her MS and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

    She joined UConn’s CoE in 2018 following a one-year appointment as a postdoctoral scholar at MIT. Since then, she’s led a multi-disciplinary research program funded by NIH and NSF, among other sources, and is a recipient of various awards including the NSF Career Award, the University of Connecticut Excellence in Research and Creativity Early Career Award, the InCHIP Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award, and Mara H. Wasburn Early Engineering Educator Award. She also has co-authored more than 40 articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

    The Eshelby Mechanics Award was established in 2012 in memory of Professor John Douglas Eshelby to promote the field of mechanics among young researchers.

    Nominees must be in a tenured or tenure-track faculty position or an independent researcher in a national laboratory and not have reached their 41st birthday.

    Tarakanova will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,500 cash award during ASME’s International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in November. More information about the award is online here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Doctor Convicted of $24M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A New York doctor was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury for causing the submission of over $24 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alexander Baldonado, M.D., 69, of Queens, received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal cash kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering laboratory tests, including expensive cancer genetic tests, that were billed to Medicare by two related laboratories located in New York.

    As part of the scheme, Baldonado authorized hundreds of cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries who attended COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and a retirement community in 2020. Baldonado was not treating any of the patients who attended the testing events and, in many cases, did not speak to or examine the patients prior to ordering cancer genetic tests and other laboratory tests for them. Baldonado also billed Medicare for lengthy office visits that he never provided to these patients. Several Medicare patients for whom Baldonado ordered cancer genetic tests and billed for office visits testified at trial that they did not know who Baldonado was and had never met or spoken to him. Baldonado did not contact the patients after the testing events to review the results of the cancer genetic tests, and, in some cases, the patients never received the test results.

    In addition to the laboratory testing scheme, Baldonado also received illegal cash kickbacks and bribes from the owner of a durable medical equipment supply company in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The evidence presented at trial showed Baldonado on an undercover video receiving a large sum of cash in exchange for signed prescriptions for orthotic braces.

    The medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces that Baldonado ordered in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes caused Medicare to be billed more than $24 million. Medicare paid more than $2.1 million to the laboratories and the durable medical equipment supply company involved in the schemes.

    Baldonado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud; six counts of health care fraud; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks; and one count of solicitation of health care kickbacks. Following his conviction on the 10 counts, Baldonado was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and solicitation of health care kickbacks and five years in prison on each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Hyungjoo Han of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to sell Misbranded N95 Masks to Hospital in Early Months of COVID-19 Pandemic

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    This is the second company charged in connection with the scheme; three individuals also pleaded guilty to misbranding N95 masks

    BOSTON – A California company, and three individuals who owned and managed the company, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the shipment of facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.  

    Advoque Safeguard LLC (ASG) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Jason Azevedo, 33, of Cedar Creek, Texas; Paul Shrater, 52, of Simi Valley, Calif.; and Andrew Stack, 52, of Santa Cruz, Calif., also pleaded guilty to one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencings for June 11, 2025.

    In October 2024, a second company, JDM Supply LLC (JDM), and two individuals, Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha, pleaded guilty in connection with this investigation. In addition, in August 2023, another individual, Jason Colantuoni, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging and is awaiting sentencing.  

    In in the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, ASG and JDM conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. One hospital, identified as “HOSPITAL 1,” accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by ASG and sold to a hospital by JDM.  (the hospital did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to ASG.) ASG and JDM misled the hospital into believing that the ASG masks were NIOSH-approved N95s when, in fact, they were not. In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the ASG masks that had been shipped to the hospital, and they tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, and thus fell under the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.  

    The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation.  The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud. 
        
    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Newington Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARTIN DELGADO, 30, of Newington, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a narcotics trafficking offense.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 13, 2024, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted a court-authorized search of Delgado’s Newington residence and seized approximately 2,500 wax paper sleeves containing fentanyl, a quantity of cocaine, and narcotics packaging materials.  Delgado, who fled on foot when officers arrived at his residence, was apprehended a short time later in West Hartford.  Officers located a 9mm handgun near Delgado’s residence that he appeared to have discarded as he fled.  Delgado was charged with state offenses and released on bond.

    Delgado pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  A sentencing date is not yet scheduled.

    Delgado has been detained since his federal arrest on August 2, 2024.

    This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, and the West Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Reed Durham.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national who acted as transporter for smuggling conspiracy sentenced to 15 months in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant picked up and transported non-citizens who illegally crossed the border with Canada via railcars

    Seattle – A transporter for a northern border human smuggling conspiracy was sentenced late yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 15 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jesus Ortiz-Plata, 46, of Independence, Oregon, weas arrested May 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington, with three non-citizens who had been smuggled into the United States from Canada. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said it was “callous” to send people across the border in freight cars. “He was a commercial smuggler. He wasn’t doing this for altruistic purposes, he did it for cold hard cash,” Judge Robart said.

    “This defendant was a cog in a conspiracy that transported people into the U.S. from across the northern border in an extremely dangerous smuggling scheme loading people into freight cars on trains traveling from Canada into the U.S.,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “These transnational smuggling groups charge thousands of dollars and risk the lives of those trying to reach the U.S. We will continue to investigate these smuggling groups to hold members accountable.”

    Since late 2022, as Border Patrol and investigators encountered non-citizens who had illegally attempted to cross the border. As part of the investigation, agents frequently encountered a phone number that was later linked to Ortiz-Plata. After substantial investigation, Ortiz-Plata was identified, and law enforcement obtained court permission to track his location. After months of surveillance and monitoring, on May 23, 2024, Ortiz-Plata traveled from his home in Oregon and was surveilled by agents from Seattle to an apartment in Everett.  Ortiz-Plata left the apartment with three men – all non-citizens who entered his vehicle.  All four were taken into custody.  Two had crossed the border in a freight train car and one claimed he had walked across the border and been picked up on the U.S. side.

    On November 20, 2024, Ortiz-Plata pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport certain aliens for profit.

    In asking for the 15-month prison sentence, prosecutors noted that the defendant did not run the smuggling ring, but still played an important role in its success. “Ortiz-Plata admits that he knew the noncitizens he picked up were using freight trains to get into the United States; but nevertheless, he proceeded to participate. Even if he, himself, was not the one directing the noncitizens to jump on, Ortiz-Plata continued to facilitate, and thereby promote, this extremely dangerous smuggling route, multiple times, over the course of at least a year.”

    Ortiz-Plata will likely be deported following his prison term.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Border Security Enforcement Team, U.S. Border Patrol, and Border Patrol Air and Marine Group.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Celia Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Collins. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Somerset County Woman Charged With Bank Robbery

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, woman was arrested and charged with bank robbery, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced today.

    Ciara Brascom, 39, of Skillman, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery. She had her initial appearance on February 11, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni in Trenton federal court.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On July 28, 2024, Brascom entered a bank in Princeton and demanded cash from a bank teller, while holding what appeared to be a black handgun. During the robbery, Brascom threatened that she would use the gun if the bank’s alarm was activated. Brascom fled from the bank after taking approximately $60,500.

    The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Christopher Tash, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, for their assistance in the investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                                 ###                                    

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Phone Call with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

    February 11, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., spoke with Philippines Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., yesterday by phone. 

    Gen. Brown and Gen. Brawner discussed miliary modernization initiatives, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites and increasing the scope and capacity of joint exercises in the Philippines. Additionally, Gen. Brown emphasized the importance of domain awareness in their exclusive economic zone. 

    The U.S. continues to closely partner with the Philippines and remains committed to maintaining a strong alliance founded upon shared strategic interests and democratic values.

    For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
    Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
    Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,
    LinkedIn and Flickr.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ThreeD Capital Inc. Announces Unaudited January 31, 2025 Net Asset Value Per Share – $0.60

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThreeD Capital Inc. (“ThreeD” or the “Company”) (CSE:IDK / OTCQX:IDKFF) a Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors, announces that at January 31, 2025, its unaudited net asset value per share (“NAV”) was $0.60.  

    This announcement is made based on ThreeD’s established practice of releasing NAV on a monthly basis as part of the Company’s ongoing response to shareholder interest in receiving periodic information. NAV is calculated based on unaudited month-end financial information.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

    This press release contains references to NAV or “net asset value per share” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. NAV is calculated as the value of total assets less the value of total liabilities divided by the total number of common shares outstanding as at a specific date. The term NAV does not have any standardized meaning according to GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. There is no comparable GAAP financial measure presented in ThreeD’s consolidated financial statements and thus no applicable quantitative reconciliation for such non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes that the measure provides information useful to its shareholders in understanding the Company’s performance and may assist in the evaluation of the Company’s business relative to that of its peers. This data is furnished to provide additional information and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily indicative of other metrics presented in accordance with GAAP. Existing NAV of the Company is not necessarily predictive of the Company’s future performance or the NAV of the Company as at any future date.

    About ThreeD Capital Inc.

    ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors. ThreeD’s investment strategy is to invest in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors globally. ThreeD seeks to invest in early stage, promising companies where it may be the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory services and access to the Company’s ecosystem.

    For further information:
    Matthew Davis, CPA
    Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
    davis@threedcap.com
    Phone: 416-941-8900
     

    The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of Canadian securities laws including, without limitation, statements with respect to the future disclosure of NAV by the Company and the approximate timing thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are inherently uncertain, are based on estimates and assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties (both general and specific) that contribute to the possibility that the future events or circumstances contemplated by the forward-looking statements will not occur including, without limitation, risks relating to the timing and content of future public disclosures by the Company or related to the fact that the term NAV does not have any standardized meaning according to GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and may not be indicative of NAV for any future periods. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AI Action Summit co-chaired by France and India (February 10-11, 2025)

    Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

    Statement on inclusive and sustainable artificial intelligence for people and the planet

    1. Participants from over 100 countries, including government leaders, international organizations, representatives of civil society, the private sector and the academic and research communities gathered in Paris on February 10 and 11, 2025 to hold the AI Action Summit. Rapid development of AI technologies represents a major paradigm shift, impacting our citizens and societies in many ways. In line with the Paris Pact for People and the Planet, and the principles that countries must have ownership of their transition strategies, we have identified priorities and launched concrete actions to advance the public interest and to bridge digital divides through accelerating progress towards the SDGs. Our actions are grounded in three main principles of science, solutions – focusing on open AI models in compliance with countries’ frameworks – and policy standards, in line with international frameworks.

    2. This Summit has highlighted the importance of reinforcing the diversity of the AI ecosystem. It has laid an open, multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach that will enable AI to be human rights based, human-centric, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy while also stressing the need and urgency to narrow the inequalities and assist developing countries in artificial intelligence capacity-building so they can build AI capacities.

    3. Acknowledging existing multilateral initiatives on AI, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions, the Global Digital Compact, the UNESCO Recommendation on Ethics of AI, the African Union Continental AI Strategy, and the works of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe and European Union, the G7 including the Hiroshima AI Process and G20, we have affirmed the following main priorities:

    • Promoting AI accessibility to reduce digital divides;
    • Ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy, taking into account international frameworks for all
    • Making innovation in AI thrive by enabling conditions for its development and avoiding market concentration driving industrial recovery and development
    • Encouraging AI deployment that positively shapes the future of work and labour markets and delivers opportunity for sustainable growth
    • Making AI sustainable for people and the planet
    • Reinforcing international cooperation to promote coordination in international governance

    To deliver on these priorities:

    • Founding members have launched a major Public Interest AI Platform and Incubator, to support, amplify, decrease fragmentation between existing public and private initiatives on Public Interest AI and address digital divides. The Public Interest AI Initiative will sustain and support digital public goods and technical assistance and capacity-building projects in data, model development, openness and transparency, audit, compute, talent, financing and collaboration to support and co-create a trustworthy AI ecosystem advancing the public interest of all, for all and by all.
    • We have discussed, at a Summit for the first time and in a multi-stakeholder format, issues related to AI and energy. This discussion has led to sharing knowledge to foster investments for sustainable AI systems (hardware, infrastructure, models), to promoting an international discussion on AI and environment, to welcoming an observatory on the energy impact of AI with the International Energy Agency, to showcasing energy-friendly AI innovation.

    We recognize the need to enhance our shared knowledge on the impacts of AI in the job market, though the creation of network of observatories, to better anticipate AI implications for workplaces, training and education and to use AI to foster productivity, skill development, quality and working conditions and social dialogue.

    4. We recognize the need for inclusive multistakeholder dialogues and cooperation on AI governance. We underline the need for a global reflection integrating inter alia questions of safety, sustainable development, innovation, respect of international laws including humanitarian law and human rights law and the protection of human rights, gender equality, linguistic diversity, protection of consumers and of intellectual property rights. We take notes of efforts and discussions related to international fora where AI governance is examined. As outlined in the Global Digital Compact adopted by the UN General Assembly, participants also reaffirmed their commitment to initiate a Global Dialogue on AI governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and to align ongoing governance efforts, ensuring complementarity and avoiding duplication.

    5. Harnessing the benefits of AI technologies to support our economies and societies depends on advancing Trust and Safety. We commend the role of the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit and Seoul Summits that have been essential in progressing international cooperation on AI safety and we note the voluntary commitments launched there. We will keep addressing the risks of AI to information integrity and continue the work on AI transparency.

    6. We look forward to next AI milestones such as the Kigali Summit, the 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI hosted by Thailand and UNESCO, the 2025 World AI Conference and the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 to follow up on our commitments and continue to take concrete actions aligned with a sustainable and inclusive AI.

    Signatory countries:

    1. Armenia

    2. Australia

    3. Austria

    4. Belgium

    5. Brazil

    6. Bulgaria

    7. Cambodia

    8. Canada

    9. Chile

    10. China

    11. Croatia

    12. Cyprus

    13. Czechia

    14. Denmark

    15. Djibouti

    16. Estonia

    17. Finland

    18. France

    19. Germany

    20. Greece

    21. Hungary

    22. India

    23. Indonesia

    24. Ireland

    25. Italy

    26. Japan

    27. Kazakhstan

    28. Kenya

    29. Latvia

    30. Lithuania

    31. Luxembourg

    32. Malta

    33. Mexico

    34. Monaco

    35. Morocco

    36. New Zealand

    37. Nigeria

    38. Norway

    39. Poland

    40. Portugal

    41. Romania

    42. Rwanda

    43. Senegal

    44. Serbia

    45. Singapore

    46. Slovakia

    47. Slovenia

    48. South Africa

    49. Republic of Korea

    50. Spain

    51. Sweden

    52. Switzerland

    53. Thailand

    54. Netherlands

    55. United Arab Emirates

    56. Ukraine

    57. Uruguay

    58. Vatican

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Presses Powell to Ensure Economy, Financial Regulation Promotes Opportunity for Hardworking Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — At today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) highlighted the importance of the Federal Reserve avoiding political priorities and focusing on building an economy that works for all Americans. In his opening statement, Senator Scott called out financial regulators who abused their power and forced institutions to debank federally legal businesses and law-abiding citizens.

    Senator Scott pressed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on the importance of rightsizing rules and regulations – including reproposing the Basel III Endgame – to protect access to financial opportunity and security.

    Senator Scott’s opening remarks as delivered:  

    Chair Powell, thank you for being here today, appreciate your willingness to have a chat with us about some of the really important issues facing our country.

    Without question, the Federal Reserve serves a critical role in the function of our government and the global economy.

    You have the ability to influence markets and directly impact the financial future of hundreds of millions of Americans.

    That is why the Federal Reserve is supposed to be an independent institution free from politics.

    But, in recent reality, the Fed has been susceptible to political pressure.

    Take for example the Fed’s involvement in the Network for Greening the Financial System, a group dedicated to green financing and climate change, which the Fed joined in December 2020 as President Biden was about to assume office. 

    Just last month, the Fed announced that it had pulled out of the organization as President Trump was getting ready to be sworn in.

    To the American people, this is flip flopping in the political wind. Too much focus on climate change instead of supervision is consequential.

    And in March, just two years ago, we saw the failure of Silicon Valley Bank.

    SVB marked the third largest bank failure in U.S. history and the largest since the 2008 financial crisis. And yet, not a single federal regulator was held to account.

    In fact, the FDIC filed a lawsuit against bank executives which accused the SVB of “egregious mismanagement.” And I agree. How is it that no bank supervisor has faced any consequences? With 30 MRAs and MRIAs that never had timely action at SVB. 

    How can the people who are supposed to be our cops on the beat have not faced any recourse for such “egregious” failures.  I simply don’t understand.

    We must all address the fact that over the last four years, the Biden administration and Bidenomics have devastated, decimated, and destroyed hardworking families ability to support themselves.

    During Joe Biden’s time in office, overall prices rose by over 20 percent, energy prices 34 percent, transportation costs 31 percent, groceries 22 percent.

    But that’s not all.

    Thanks to Bidenomics, two-thirds of Americans have less than $1,000 – less than $1,000 – in their savings accounts.

    Here’s there is good news: things are going to get better.

    During his first term, President Trump kept his promises to the American people.

    In the first three years of his presidency, President Trump built the most inclusive economy ever.

    Seven million jobs created, and two-thirds went to women, African Americans, and Hispanics.

    It’s time to once again make America’s economy work for the folks working paycheck to paycheck.

    Joe Biden and Kamala Harris broke our economy and Donald Trump will fix it.

    For too long, bank regulators have followed black box regulatory frameworks with little to no recourse.

    The FDIC, under President Trump’s leadership, recently released never-before-seen supervisory documents, which confirmed that Biden’s Operation Chokepoint 2.0 was real despite assurances that these unacceptable practices would end following the Democrats’ first Operation Chokepoint 1.0.

    We are seeing an unfair playing field that results in disastrous consequences for legal businesses and law-abiding citizens. 

    On one hand, if you are in the private sector and you do your job poorly, you would face consequences – reprimands, suspensions, or even being fired.

    But if you are within the walls of the federal government, such as a bank regulator, you will face no consequences for your actions, even if you pressure a bank to cut off services to digital asset firms, political figures, and conservative-aligned businesses and individuals.

    To me, that goes against the principles of fairness and market access.

    Over the last two years, as the Ranking Member of this Committee, I have consistently argued that the Basel III Endgame proposal will raise costs and limit credit access for hardworking Americans. 

    And while I’m glad this proposal was not finalized, the uncertainty surrounding Basel III forced banks to put capital on the sidelines – limiting access to that capital for local and small businesses across the country. 

    Now, as Chairman, I plan to work to rectify the issues of the Biden administration.

    Chairman Powell, I look forward to hearing from you on the Federal Reserve’s future and the plans you have for rightsizing the financial regulatory frameworks, specifically around Basel III. 

    To create jobs here in America, we need to make sure there is capital and liquidity in the market.

    And we also want all Americans, even those growing up in poverty like I did, to know they can access the capital necessary to start new businesses, grow existing businesses, buy a home, and pursue their American Dream.

    Chairman, I look forward to your comments and your testimony and I will simply say, that I believe that weaponizing an independent agency like the Fed for liberal positions – from debanking crypto, bank stress tests, and the green financing scheme – is not calling balls and strikes as a fair referee. And I hope that we are getting ready to clean that slate, start fresh, and focus on a healthy economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media Funding Reforms – Joint statement from NZ On Air and NZ Film Commission on media reform consultation

    Source: NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission (NZFC)

    NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission (NZFC) acknowledge the importance of ensuring public funding delivers the best possible outcomes for audiences and the wider sector.

    The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has today released a Media Reform consultation document that includes a number of proposals, one of which is the streamlining of Crown content funders. (ref. https://govt.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=defea490d12b73c4ed8504b5b&id=e08a05fe0f&e=84ce785bf3 )

    The agencies welcome the opportunity for widespread consultation on potential changes to the funding support provided across a range of media. In a challenging environment for the media sector, it is crucial that every dollar invested has the greatest possible impact. If change can enhance this, it is in the public interest to explore those options.  

    NZ On Air and NZFC look forward to working closely with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to flesh out the opportunities and risks of the options proposed.

    We acknowledge that during this consultation period there will be many questions and some uncertainty for both stakeholders and agency staff. We encourage all who have an interest in this mahi to engage with the consultation process so that your views, concerns or support for different options are heard.

    While the consultation process and policy considerations continue, both agencies remain committed to delivering the best outcomes for audiences and the sector, and continuing to collaborate where it makes sense to do so.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Washington, D.C. operation results in prison for Honduran sex offender who illegally reentered the United States

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Eliseo Garcia-Gordillo, 43, an illegally present Honduran national, received a two-year prison sentence Feb. 7 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria for illegally reentering the United States after deportation and for failing to register as a sex offender.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement previously arrested Garcia-Gordillo on three occasions and subsequently removed him from the U.S., and arrested him again in Prince William County on Oct. 8, 2024, after his most recent illegal re-entry.

    “Not only did Eliseo Garcia-Gordillo display a blatant disregard for our immigration laws, but he also sexually abused a minor victim in Virginia,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. acting Field Office Director Patrick Divver. “Garcia-Gordillo has proven to be a significant threat to our Virginia neighborhoods. ICE Washington, D.C., will not tolerate such threats to the residents of our communities. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien threats to our neighbors.”

    Garcia-Gordillo was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13 in Prince William County June 17, 2019. Garcia-Gordillo was required to register as a sex offender on a quarterly basis for the rest of his life and to keep his registration current, which he failed to do.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @ICEWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE removes 6-time deported criminal alien to Mexico

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed a six-time deported criminal alien with an extensive criminal history from the U.S. Feb. 10.

    ICE transported Jesus Alvarez Sinecio, a 32-year-old Mexican national, from the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, to the Laredo Port of Entry where he was released into Mexico.

    Alvarez has illegally entered the U.S. at least six times and was previously removed from the country by U.S. immigration officials in November 2013, May 2015, May 2018, October 2018, and November 2019.

    While in the country illegally, Alvarez has been convicted of several criminal offenses including aggravated assault of a family member, alien in possession of a firearm, driving under the influence, illegal entry, and illegal re-entry.

    “This criminal alien has repeatedly entered the country illegally for over a decade and then gone on to commit serious criminal offenses which directly threatened public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “By carelessly flaunting our system of laws, his actions endangered everyone in the community. Our immigration officers, work tirelessly to quickly identify and remove criminal aliens like this from Southeast Texas who are an immediate threat to the public before their actions can harm any additional victims.”

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Funding to strengthen First Nations arts and languages

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    First Nations arts and language organisations across the country will receive significant funding to support vital cultural practices thanks to the Albanese Labor Government.  

    83 First Nations-owned art centres, fairs, regional hubs and industry service organisations will receive a share of more than $38 million in funding over four years through the Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program. 

    The IVAIS program supports a professional, viable and ethical First Nations arts industry to enable artists and arts workers to earn income, develop professional skills and connect to the art market. Amongst the grant recipients are:

    • Arlpwe Artists Aboriginal Corporation – to support Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre’s newly established ceramics program through employment of an onsite ceramist to engage with First Nations artists in Ali Curung, Northern Territory.
    • Ardyaloon Art and Culture Centre Aboriginal Corporation – to support the Ingarlgalandji Arts and Culture Hub to provide visual arts services to Bardi Jawi artists on the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. 
    • Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh TSI Corporation – to support urgent upgrades to the art centre and refurbishment of the printmaking and textiles workspace for the Badu Art Centre on Badu Island in the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland.

    Additionally, nearly $30 million in funding will go toward 70 community-led First Nations language and arts activities through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program. 

    The ILA program supports First Nations peoples to express, conserve and sustain their cultures through languages and arts activities. Amongst the grant recipients are:

    • Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation – to conserve and revitalise the Wuybuy language of the Numburindi people by employing community members to develop and produce a Wuybuy dictionary and become certified local language teachers and community linguists to facilitate community-led language workshops in Numbulwar, Northern Territory.
    • Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation – to commission, develop, rehearse and tour three new Aboriginal language-based theatre shows to be shared with children far and wide and to include Yamatji and Wongatha language in productions in Perth, Western Australia.

    Funding for the programs is delivered directly to community-led organisations.

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding demonstrated the government’s commitment to Revive.

    “We understand the importance of arts and language in community. It’s how stories and traditions are passed on from generation to generation.

    “The Albanese Labor Government is committed to investing now and into the future, so we can make sure the next generation has sustainable language and arts infrastructure supporting them.”

    Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy said the programs played a vital role in supporting the First Nations arts sector and cultural practices. 

    “Investing in First Nations-owned art centres fosters connection to the world’s oldest living culture and enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to earn income from their works.

    “The First Nations-owned art centres provide an environment where people can learn about Indigenous culture and ethically purchase artworks.

    “Our investment in language centres also recognises the proud links First Nations people have to their language, community and Country.”

    More information about the programs, including other funding recipients, can be found here:

    • Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program | Office for the Arts
    • Indigenous Languages and Arts program | Office for the Arts

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Government moves to legislate better protections for telco consumers

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen protections for telco consumers with new laws introduced to Parliament today.
     
    The Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 will give effect to a number of significant reforms to boost the enforcement powers and penalties available to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
     
    The proposed changes will enable the ACMA to take direct and immediate enforcement action against telecommunications providers that have breached their obligations to customers under industry codes.
     
    This will remove the current two-step process whereby the ACMA must first issue a direction to comply to offending telcos – no matter how significant the breach – and only take further action if non-compliance continues.
     
    It allows instead for the ACMA to take quick and appropriate action in response to breaches to immediately address consumer harm and hold telcos to account.
     
    The Bill will also significantly increase the maximum general penalty for breaches of industry codes and standards under the Telecommunications Act 1997 from $250,000 to approximately $10 million. Further changes will allow penalties for codes, standards and determinations to be based on the value of the benefit obtained from the offending conduct or the turnover of the relevant provider – allowing for penalties greater than $10 million in certain circumstances.
     
    This penalty framework will incentivise industry compliance and better aligns with those in other relevant sectors like energy and banking, and under the Australian Consumer Law.
     
    To ensure the ACMA has a range of effective enforcement tools at its disposal, an additional change will expand and clarify the Government’s ability to increase infringement notice penalty amounts the ACMA can issue for all applicable breaches, including consumer protection rules.
     
    The Bill will also increase visibility of providers operating in the market, especially telecommunications retailers, through the establishment of a Carrier Service Provider (CSP) registration scheme.
     
    This will allow for more effective regulation of CSPs, including by empowering the ACMA to stop a CSP operating where they’ve been found to pose unacceptable risk to consumers, or have caused significant consumer harm.
      
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The significant reforms included in this Bill will better equip the ACMA with the tools and powers it needs to protect telco consumers and hold providers to account.
     
    “The changes provide a powerful deterrent. They incentivise telcos to educate themselves about their obligations to consumers, and to abide by those obligations – boosting compliance and improving the functioning and fairness of the telecommunications sector.
     
    “The introduction of this Bill is another way the Government is putting consumers at the centre of the telco industry, recognising the importance of quality telecommunications services for all Australians.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Two men charged in connection to wounding at Gagebrook on 18 January

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Two men charged in connection to wounding at Gagebrook on 18 January

    Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – 7:23 am.

    Police have charged two men with multiple offences as part of the ongoing investigation into an isolated incident at Gagebrook on 18 January where a man received injuries believed to be from a firearm.
    Police will allege the men were arrested at a residence at Herdsmans Cove yesterday, and several items were seized from the property including loaded firearms, ammunition and illicit drugs.
    A 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, both from Herdsmans Cove, were charged with a range of drug and serious firearm offences.
    They were both detained to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
    Police investigations into the wounding incident on 18 January are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 and quote OR 766527 & 764484. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: MINILUXE ANNOUNCES NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID FOR CLASS A SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Boston, MA, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MiniLuxe Holding Corp. (TSXV: MNLX) (“MiniLuxe” or the “Company”) announces today its intention to commence a normal course issuer bid through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV“) to repurchase, for cancellation, up to 2,000,000 Class A subordinate voting shares of the Company, representing less than 3% of the Company’s presently issued and outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares (the “NCIB“). The NCIB remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV.

    The NCIB will commence on February 14, 2025 and will terminate upon the earliest of (i) the Company purchasing 2,000,000 Class A subordinate voting shares, (ii) the Company providing notice of termination of the NCIB, and (iii) February 13, 2026. Under the NCIB, the Company may not acquire more than 2% of its issued and outstanding subordinate voting shares in any 30-day period.

    The Company believes that, from time to time, the market price of its Class A subordinate voting shares does not adequately reflect the Company’s underlying value and prospects and that, at such times, the purchase of the Company’s Class A subordinate voting shares represents an appropriate use of the Company’s financial resources and will enhance shareholder value.

    The Company has engaged Ventum Financial Corp. to act as its broker for the NCIB (the “Broker“). The NCIB will be made through the facilities of the TSXV and the purchase and payment for the Class A subordinate voting shares will be made from the Company’s existing working capital at the market price of the applicable securities at the time of acquisition, plus brokerage fees, if any, charged by the Broker. All Class A subordinate voting shares purchased by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled.

    In connection with the NCIB, the Company has entered into an automatic purchase plan (“APP“) with the Broker as the designated broker. The APP provides a set of standard instructions to the Broker to make purchases under the NCIB in accordance with the limits and other terms set out in the APP. The Broker will determine the timing of these purchases in its sole discretion based on purchasing parameters set by the Company and subject to the policies of the TSXV, applicable securities laws and the terms of the APP.

    To the Company’s knowledge, none of the directors, senior officers or insiders of the Company, or any associate of such person, or any associate or affiliate of the Company, has any present intention to sell any securities to the Company during the course of the NCIB. The Company completed a normal course issuer bid on September 20, 2023, under which the Company purchased 63,500 Class A subordinate voting shares at an average price of $0.444 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $28,213. The Company also completed a normal course issuer bid on December 4, 2024, under which the Company purchased 46,700 Class A subordinate voting shares at an average price of $0.40 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $18,680.

    A copy of the Form 5G – Notice of Intention to make a Normal Course Issuer Bid filed by the Company with the TSXV in respect of the NCIB can be obtained from the Company upon request without charge.

    About MiniLuxe

    MiniLuxe, a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts. MiniLuxe is a lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform servicing the beauty and self-care industry. Through its company-owned and partner-operated studios, Company delivers high-quality nail care and esthetic services that incorporate the brand’s proprietary products. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been elevating industry standards through healthier, ultra-hygienic services, modern design, ethical labor practices, and better-for-you, cleaner products. MiniLuxe’s vision is to radically transform the highly fragmented and under-regulated self-care and nail care industry through its brand, standards, and technology platform that together enable better talent and client experiences.

    Towards building long-term durable value for its stakeholders, MiniLuxe is expanding its reach through franchising and operating JV partners seeking ownership and impact with a brand recognized as the best nail salon franchise. Through self-care and self-expression, MiniLuxe is empowering one of the largest hourly work forces through professional development, economic mobility, and equity ownership. Since its founding, MiniLuxe has performed over 4.5 million services.

    For further information

    Christine Mastrangelo
    Investor Relations, MiniLuxe Holding Corp.
    cmastrangelo@MiniLuxe.com
    MiniLuxe.com

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Leading the way to a safer internet together

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Leading the way to a safer internet together

    Celebrate Safer Internet Day 2025 with Minecraft’s CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper. Promote online safety and practice responsible AI use with your class.

    Each year, Safer Internet Day unites people around the world to spotlight critical topics like cyberbullying, social networking, and digital identity. The need for cyber safety education and empowerment remains as important as ever. According to a November 2023 survey by the National 4-H Council supported by Microsoft, 75% of parents want schools to teach digital wellness and online safety. In addition, 72% of students seek guidance from adults on how to use AI tools responsibly.

    Safer Internet Day 2025 offers us an opportunity to “work together for a better internet” today and throughout the year. Join us to help students improve their digital literacy skills and explore the responsible use of AI with CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper and other exciting resources.

    Dig deeper into the world of AI with Minecraft

    Minecraft Education’s CyberSafe series uses game-based learning to help students boost their digital citizenship skills like recognizing common online threats, building strategies to protect themselves, and exploring ways to safeguard their personal information. In the latest installment, CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper, learners develop skills to use AI tools responsibly by tackling real-world challenges and exploring questions of academic integrity, human oversight, data privacy, and deepfakes. Immerse your students in this fun Minecraft world and empower them to think critically and use AI responsibly. This collection includes an educator guide and classroom-ready PowerPoint and family toolkit for at-home learning.

    Discover CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper

    Keep the adventure going with more lessons in Minecraft’s CyberSafe series:

    • Home Sweet Hmm: Students learn to recognize common threats on the internet, build strategies for protecting themselves and their information, and to know where to go if they need help.
    • Privacy Prodigy: Students explore what personal data is, who should have access to their data, when it’s acceptable to share their data, and how to manage their personal data.
    • Good Game: Students build digital literacy and digital citizenship skills while learning the responsibilities, tools, responses, and strategies needed to foster digital well-being and build positive connections.
    Explore Minecraft’s CyberSafe series

    Teach cyber safety with Minecraft

    Created through partnerships with industry experts, Minecraft Education has lessons focused on cybersecurity, online safety, and digital citizenship aligned to Cyber.org and CSTA standards. The full cyber curriculum progression helps students of all ages build foundational skills and offers pathways and credentialing for careers in cyber.

    Explore Minecraft’s Cyber collection

    Built into age-appropriate bands, the activities build incrementally and give you easy entry points through lesson plans and video tutorials. Explore the curriculum collections that you can start using anytime:

    • CyberSafe: Teach students ages 7-11 cyber and digital safety skills with topics like online safety, spotting phishing scams, password protection, and cloud storage for photos. Introduce digital citizenship, data privacy, and data centers, aiming to protect personal data and raise career awareness in the digital world.
    • Cyber Fundamentals: Empower students ages 10-14 through hands-on experiences in building network components and encrypting data. Students will investigate malware and save the school’s network as part of the Incident Response Team.
    • Cyber Expert: Build digital fluency and cyber skills in students ages 13-18. They’ll explore encryption, social engineering, the effects of malware, and techniques to combat it. They’ll learn to prevent digital threats, fix affected systems, and explore cybersecurity careers.

    Cyber safety resources for educators

    Preparing your students to navigate the digital world starts with developing your own skills and confidence around tools and knowledge to teach cyber safety effectively. Microsoft Education offers resources designed to support educators, school leaders, and families, to build students’ cyber skills.

    Begin discussing internet safety with students with help from these resources from Microsoft Education:

    Explore Microsoft Learn modules designed to enhance your instructional strategies and cybersecurity proficiency:

    • Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms: Gain skills to anticipate common cyber threats, implement security measures, and educate others to build a strong cybersecurity culture that helps protect yourself and your students.
    • Boost K-12 school cybersecurity leadership: Learn to apply Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended cybersecurity practices to foster awareness and preparedness, safeguard schools, and counter cyber threats effectively.

    Expand your teaching toolkit with a deeper dive into Minecraft Education:

    Tackling abusive AI-generated content risks through education and empowerment

    For almost a decade, Microsoft has marked Safer Internet Day by releasing research on how individuals of all ages perceive and experience risk online. Last year, we highlighted the growing importance of AI. This year, in our ninth Global Online Safety Survey, we’ve dug deeper to understand how people view and are using this technology, as well as how well they can identify AI-generated content.

    Our findings show that while there’s been a global increase in active AI users (up to 51% compared to 38% in 2023), worries about the technology have also increased: 88% of people were worried about generative AI, compared to 83% last year. Further, our data confirms that people have difficulty in identifying AI-generated content, which may amplify abusive AI content risks.

    We’re committed to advancing AI responsibly to realize its benefits. Fundamental to this is the work we do to protect our users from potential harms. Last year, we launched a Family Safety Toolkit, which provides guidance on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings to support and enhance digital parenting, plus guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together.

    Access the Family Safety Toolkit

    We’re announcing a new partnership with Childnet, a leading UK organization dedicated to making the internet a safer place for children. Together, we’re developing educational materials aimed at preventing the misuse of AI, such as the creation of deepfakes. These resources will be available to schools and families, providing valuable information on how to protect children from online risks.

    Join us and celebrate Safer Internet Day on February 11, 2025. Online safety activities and resources from Microsoft and Minecraft Education can support and empower your school community. Get started today and help everyone navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with the King of Jordan and the Crown Prince of Jordan

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doRlRPJf7QQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin: Kash Patel Has Been Personally Directing The Ongoing Purge of FBI Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    February 11, 2025
    In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin reveals that multiple whistleblowers have disclosed to Durbin’s staff highly credible information indicating that Kash Patel has been personally directing the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed that multiple whistleblowers have disclosed to Durbin’s staff highly credible information indicating that Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has been personally directing the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI. Earlier today, Durbin sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz requesting an investigation into these allegations.
    “This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider whether to recommend Kash Patel’s nomination to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the full Senate for consideration. So far, my Republican Committee colleagues have chosen to ignore the myriad red flags about Mr. Patel, especially his recurring instinct to threaten retribution—political retribution—against his and President Trump’s perceived enemies. This is a dangerous characteristic for a person who wants to lead the nation’s most powerful domestic investigative agency, the FBI,” Durbin said. “I hope that what I reveal today from credible whistleblowers at the highest levels will give my Republican colleagues some pause before it’s too late.”
    Durbin went on to reveal that on January 29, 2025, Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll and Acting FBI Deputy Director Robert Kissane scheduled a meeting where it was relayed that a group of Executive Assistant Directors (EAD) and other supervisors must resign or be fired. The newly-established FBI Director’s Advisory Team (DAT) was in possession of a written list that identified certain officials and was seen by multiple FBI leaders. Their understanding of the list was that “a lot of names were people in the crosshairs.” This meeting had been prompted by a meeting earlier that day between DOJ and FBI leadership.
    Contemporaneous notes from that morning meeting read: “KP wants movement at FBI, reciprocal actions for DOJ.” Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove told meeting attendees that he received multiple calls from Stephen Miller the night before. Mr. Miller was pressuring him because Mr. Patel wanted the FBI to remove targeted employees faster, as DOJ had already done with prosecutors. 
    “According to my sources, Mr. Patel is receiving information from within the FBI from the Director’s Advisory Team. Mr. Patel then provides direction to Stephen Miller, who relays it to Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove,” said Durbin. “It is unacceptable for a nominee with no legal or current role in government to personally direct the unjustified and potentially illegal firings of dedicated, nonpartisan professionals at the FBI. If these allegations are true, then Mr. Patel may have committed perjury before the Senate Judiciary Committee.”
    Durbin then explained how, if the allegations are true, Mr. Patel may have perjured himself before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
    “The day after the meeting I described, where Mr. Patel’s desire for FBI officials to be fired more quickly was discussed, was Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Durbin said. “During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey asked Mr. Patel: ‘Are you aware of any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations? Yes or no.’ Mr. Patel answered that he was ‘not aware of that’ and continued: ‘I don’t know what’s going on right now over there, but I’m committed to you, Senator, and your colleagues that I will honor the internal review process of the FBI.’ Yet, if these whistleblower allegations are true, just two days prior, Stephen Miller, at Mr. Patel’s direction, had ordered DOJ leadership not just to terminate a specific list of officials, but to speed up those terminations.”
    Durbin continued, “Mr. Patel seems to be unable to wait for Senate confirmation to carry out retribution against his perceived political enemies. Patel is a private citizen today and he was when he testified with no current role in government directing baseless firings of career public servants. This speaks directly to the fact that Mr. Patel is not fit to be entrusted with government authority, which is evident to anyone who has seriously reviewed his record.”
    Finally, Durbin explained how the ramifications of these FBI terminations are dangerous, and how they go beyond Mr. Patel’s fitness for office because these terminations have greatly weakened the FBI’s ability to protect the country from national security threats and have made Americans less safe.
    “Among those who were removed, so far by the Trump administration, are the top officials who oversee the FBI’s work combatting international and domestic terrorism… cybersecurity threats, human and drug trafficking, and violent crime. Does that make us any safer? Mr. Patel’s need to punish his perceived enemies is apparently greater than his interest in protecting the American people,” said Durbin. “Given the serious nature of these allegations and the need to protect the identities of my sources, I have asked the Department of Justice Inspector General today in a letter to investigate these claims… I urge my Republican colleagues to please take these allegations seriously and at least pause for a moment to consider whether Kash Patel is the person you want to put in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for ten years.”
    Durbin concluded, “He [Patel] has left behind a trail of grievances throughout his life, lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with him or fails to respect him sufficiently… And now these credible allegations that he has personally orchestrated a purge of senior FBI law enforcement officials. The FBI is an agency that plays a critical role in keeping us safe from terrorism, violent crime, and other threats. Our nation needs an FBI director who understands the gravity of the mission, not someone who is focused on settling a political score.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Presses Zuckerberg On Meta’s Role Directing Traffic To Problematic Nudify App

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 11, 2025

    About 90 percent of online traffic to Crushmate, an app used to create nonconsensual deepfake intimate imagery, originates from Meta in violation of its own policies

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his company’s role in directing traffic to Crushmate or Crush AI (“Crush”), an app used to create nonconsensual deepfake intimate imagery. Crush reportedly receives approximately 90 percent of its traffic from Meta platforms via thousands of explicit ads purchased by Crush in violation of Meta’s Advertising Standards, featuring nonconsensual nudity of celebrities and influencers.

    Durbin begins the letter by outlining the troubling reports, writing: “I write regarding troubling reports that advertisements on Instagram and other Meta platforms are generating a significant amount of traffic for Crushmate or Crush AI (“Crush”), an app that allows—and, in fact, encourages—users to create nonconsensual deepfake intimate imagery.  Because Meta has allowed Crush to run advertisements on mainstream platforms like Instagram, a significant number of Meta users have now accessed a highly problematic, otherwise little used app.  I want to know how Meta allowed this to happen and what Meta is doing to address this dangerous trend.”

    Durbin continues the letter by highlighting the prevalence and apparent noncompliance of these advertisements, writing: “Each ad for Crush violates Meta’s Advertising Standards, including its prohibitions on ads that feature Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity and ads that include certain forms of Bullying and Harassment. Yet, the ads are prevalent on Meta’s platforms. In the first two weeks of this year alone, Meta ran at least 8,010 ads for Crush. It appears that Crush is evading Meta’s enforcement efforts through a simple strategy. The company creates dozens of fake advertiser profiles on Meta, often with AI-generated profile pictures. It then employs multiple domains that redirect to Crush to evade detection. Once caught, the company repeats the process.”

    Durbin continues the letter by stressing the harm that nudify apps like Crush have on victims, writing: “Because this easily used software is now so readily accessible through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, middle schools and high schools around the country are grappling with shocking acts of image-based abuse committed by students on other students. The generation and dissemination of nonconsensual, deepfake intimate imagery are acts of abuse and violations of privacy that inflict lasting harm on victims. Victims can feel destabilized when they lose control over their likeness and identity and can feel powerless to remove the illicit content or to prevent it from being produced again. They may experience depression, anxiety, and a fear of being in public. This can have the effect of silencing victims, causing them to withdraw from online spaces and public discourse as a protective measure. These images may be used to harass victims and damage their employment, education, or reputation, or to further criminal activity such as extortion and stalking. In the worst cases, they drive victims to suicide.”

    Durbin closes the letter with a call for Meta to act before issuing a series of information requests, writing: “Tech companies should not assist malevolent actors who seek to take advantage of women and children. I am gravely concerned with Meta’s failure to prevent this perverse abuse of its platforms and I refuse to accept Meta’s facilitation of these crimes. I therefore urge Meta to join us in combatting this threat.”

    Click here for a PDF copy of the letter to Mark Zuckerberg.

    Durbin is committed to ensuring children’s online safety. Last Congress, Durbin’s bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act) passed the Senate, but the bill stalled in the Republican-controlled House. The legislation would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Racing ahead: Australia’s roadmap to bidirectional charging launched

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      Uncategorised

    • Date

      12 February 2025

    • Classification

      Electric vehicles

    Australia’s energy future is taking a giant leap forward with the announcement of the recently published National Roadmap for Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging (the Roadmap), commissioned by ARENA in partnership with RACE for 2030 and delivered by enX Consulting. 

    The Roadmap lays the foundation on which key industry and government stakeholders can identify and adopt policy settings and strategy initiatives to realise the benefits of bidirectional EV charging for Australians.

    Bidirectional charging refers to the ability of an electric vehicle (EV) or other energy storage systems to not only draw power from the grid to charge its battery, but also to send power back to the grid, your home or directly to other devices. This capability allows the EV to act as an energy source when needed – essentially turning cars into batteries on wheels.

    Bidirectional charging has the potential to become one of the largest forms of flexible energy storage in Australia and to materially reduce electricity costs for millions of Australians and accelerate national emissions reduction.

    While not yet directly available to Australians, the technology has been successfully tested through small-scale trials and future benefits could include:

    • Energy storage: Your EV can act as a backup power supply for homes or businesses in case of a power outage in place of a dedicated home battery.
    • Reduced power bills: Once the technology becomes widely available, consumers with V2G-enabled EVs will have the opportunity to take advantage of their own ‘battery on wheels’ to respond to dynamic electricity pricing and make further savings.
    • Grid support: It can help stabilise the power grid by supplying power back during times of high demand.

    ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said bidirectional charging, and particularly Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, means EVs won’t just be vehicles; they’re the future of distributed energy storage and represent a game-changing opportunity for Australia’s energy future.

    “By the early 2030s, the battery capacity of our electric vehicle fleet is projected to outstrip all other forms of energy storage in the National Electricity Market”, Mr Miller said.

    “With estimates suggesting 1.5 million EVs on Australian roads by 2030, even 10% of those adopting V2G could meet 37% of the NEM’s total storage needs while also giving Australians control over their contribution to the clean energy transition”

    “This innovation isn’t just beneficial for the grid – it could also save Australians up to $5 billion in total by reducing the need for large-scale battery storage investments.

    Bidirectional charging is a small but important step toward creating an Australian energy network that’s more renewable, more reliable and more affordable for all Australians”.

    ARENA has been active in this space for several years. The Bidirectional Roadmap is the latest in a series of Australian-first studies and projects initiated by ARENA since 2019.

    This included ARENA’s first V2X strategy, which committed to developing a national V2X market activation strategy, in partnership with wider government, industry and academic institutions.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 143KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW regional airports set to fly high

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, investing almost $12 million to upgrade regional airports across New South Wales. 

    Airports are vital for regional communities, providing critical access to emergency healthcare, as well as commerce, industry, tourism and education. 

    This funding, which is provided under Round 4 of the Regional Airports Program, will deliver essential upgrades – such as runway resurfacing, fencing, lighting and drainage – that improve safety, enhance accessibility and boost capacity at our regions’ airports. 

    In Merimbula, Bega Valley Shire Council will receive almost $3.8 million to deliver stage two of Merimbula Airport’s runway extension. This will construct an 80-metre pavement extension at both ends of the runway, providing an 1,800-metre runway take-off length.

    The extended length will enable larger narrow-bodied aircraft to land, supporting emergency services including larger firefighting and military aircraft, as well as additional capacity for passenger services, boosting the economy and tourism and protecting the region’s community. 

    Further north, in Moruya, Eurobodalla Shire Council will receive over $200,000 to reseal the runway, taxiways and apron pavement and replace the apron lighting at Moruya Airport.  

    This will ensure the continued safe operation of the airport, safeguarding its role as a lifeline for the community and a gateway for access to vital services and for visitors to the region. Works will support the continued use of the airport by emergency services, including the RFDS and aerial fire-fighting even for night and low visibility operations, as well as regular passenger services 

    Other works to be funded under Round 4 include: 

    • $5 million for Albury City Council to deliver a full runway overlay to improve safety and strengthen the surface for larger aircraft to land at Albury Airport. This will support visitor levels and emergency services, particularly during bushfire season; 
    • $1 million for Moree Plains Shire Council to upgrade the aeromedical apron, taxiway and parking bays at Moree Regional Airport, creating a 24-hour aeromedical facility;
    • Almost $500,000 for Griffith City Council to replace the ageing runway lights at Griffith Regional Airport, which is critical for safety and ongoing operations, especially for RFDS and NSW Air Ambulance; 
    • $220,000 for Mid-Western Regional Council to upgrade stormwater drainage at Mudgee Regional Airport, which has experienced prolonged closure due to heavy rain affecting passenger and emergency medical flights; 

    Today’s announcement builds on the nearly $100 million that has already been delivered to support 194 projects under the first three rounds of the program. 

    For more information on the Regional Airports Program, including a full list of Round 4 projects in NSW, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/regional-remote-aviation/regional-airports-program.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “We’re backing regional communities by backing regional aviation, because we know our regions deserve access to critical services that only aviation can deliver. 

    “Upgrades like these aren’t just improvements, they’re the difference between regional residents getting medical help, firefighters getting access during an emergency and economies growing through tourism.

    “We want our regions to remain connected to loved ones, healthcare and opportunity.”  

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain:

    “Merimbula Airport is a critical access point for our community and emergency services during disasters, which is why I’m proud to deliver over $3.7 million towards this runway extension.

    “This upgrade will support larger aerial firefighting tanker aircraft to land when we need them most, make it easier for larger military transport to operate out of the airport, and also increase the safety for in-flight emergency recoveries.

    “The extended runway will also ensure Merimbula Airport continues to attract aircraft that support our local businesses and visitor economy – while keeping people connected to work, health services and family.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips:

    “I am absolutely delighted to see improvements at Moruya Airport which is a lifeline for our economy, cuts commuting times for local people, and helps get our local produce to national and international markets.

    “Not only that, but many people rely on air services for healthcare, emergency services and to stay connected with family.

    “This investment will create more jobs, help local farmers, and support our social and economic connections across Australia. It’s great news for our regions.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon and Related Companies Agree to Pay More than $1 Million to Resolve Allegations that They Falsely Certified Eligibility for PPP Loans

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – Ralph Caruso of Wenham and five companies that he part-owns, have agreed to pay $1.065 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that the companies falsely certified to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) their eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. As part of the settlement, Caruso and his companies admitted that the loan applications falsely stated that the companies did not have owners who had pleaded guilty to certain felonies, but in fact Mr. Caruso had pleaded guilty to tax and mail fraud charges.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses, through the PPP. On Jan. 8, 2021, SBA announced the availability of a second round of PPP loans, known as Second Draw PPP loans. Entities that applied for Second Draw PPP loans had to certify, among other things, that no owner of the applicant had pleaded guilty to any felony involving fraud.  

    As detailed in the settlement agreement, on Jan. 21, 2021, Caruso pleaded guilty in federal court in Massachusetts to seven counts of aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns, and five counts of mail fraud. Between Feb. 26, 2021, and April 1, 2021, five companies in which Caruso had at least a 20% ownership stake applied for Second Draw PPP loans. Caruso’s companies — Caruso Equipment Corp., Flush LLC, Above the Line LLC, LL Burlington LLC, and City Rentals LLC — received a total of $655,635 in loans. These companies, through individuals other than Caruso, later applied for and received forgiveness from SBA of these loans, including interest.

    The United States contends that these companies were not eligible for Second Draw PPP loans due to Caruso’s felony convictions and ownership interests, and that Caruso and these companies thus submitted or caused to be submitted false claims for payment to SBA.  

    “Faced with potential economic catastrophe wrought by the pandemic, SBA made PPP loans available only to certain trusted recipients — not those with felony fraud convictions,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The ink was barely dry on Caruso’s guilty plea when his companies unlawfully applied for these PPP. This office will continue to hold accountable those who took advantage of the PPP and other taxpayer-funded pandemic relief.”

    “The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other Federal law enforcement agencies to recover the product of this fraud as well as penalties,” said SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Foley and SBA General Counsel Davis made the announcement today. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew A. Caffrey, III and Brian Sullivan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bangor, Orrington Men Sentenced for Roles in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug Trafficking Ring

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BANGOR, Maine: Two Maine men were sentenced today in separate hearings at the U.S. District Court in Bangor for their roles in a northern Maine drug trafficking ring.

    U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Joshua Jerrell, 30, to time served, approximately 36 months, followed by three years of supervised release. On February 9, 2023, Jerrell pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee.

    Judge Neumann sentenced Aaron Rodgers, 43, to time served, approximately 33 months, followed by three years of supervised release. On April 9, 2024, Rodgers pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

    According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Jerrell, Rodgers and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Both men regularly arranged to obtain quantities from a source through phone calls, texts and social media using coded language and then distribute these drugs to customers in Penobscot County. In June 2021, Jerrell made false statements to a federal firearms licensee in Holden in an attempt to obtain firearms for his drug supplier.

    Twenty-one defendants have been charged in this and related cases for their part in a widespread northern Maine drug trafficking conspiracy. To date, 13 of the defendants have been sentenced while 8 await sentencing:

    Sentenced:

    • Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years
    • Matthew Catalano (38, Penobscot County) – 165 months
    • Christopher Coty (44, Bangor) – 4 years
    • Blaine Footman (38, Bangor) – 5 years
    • Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years
    • Dwight Gary, Jr. (54, Medway) – Time served
    • Thomas Hammond (26, Charleston) – 84 months
    • Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington) – Time served (approx. 36 months)
    • James King (55, Caribou) – 165 months
    • Shelby Loring (29, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 32 months)
    • Danielle McBreairty (34, Glenburn) – 20 years
    • Aaron Rodgers (43, Bangor) – Time served (approx. 33 months)
    • Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months

    Awaiting sentencing:

    • Daquan Corbett (30, Brockton, Mass.)
    • Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou) – sentencing scheduled 02/20/25
    • Carol Gordon (53, Bangor) – sentencing scheduled 02/20/25
    • Daviston Jackson (28, Boston, Mass.)
    • Sarah McBreairty (36, Dixmont) – sentencing scheduled 05/05/25
    • John Miller (24, Caribou) – sentencing scheduled 02/20/25
    • James Valiante, 42 (Linneus) – sentencing scheduled 05/05/25
    • Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle) – sentencing scheduled 02/20/25

    The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.

    Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourteen Members of a Prison-Based Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Fourteen individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a prison-based drug trafficking ring responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin in the metro Atlanta area.

    “Several of the defendants even continued their criminal activity by orchestrating drug transactions from prison, posing a serious risk to public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.  “These sentences reflect the dedication and collaborative efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the distribution of poisonous drugs into our communities.”

     “These sentences reflect the destructive impact on the community caused by this drug trafficking organization,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Wherever you operate, if you distribute dangerous drugs, DEA will find you and hold you accountable.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges and other information presented in court: In January 2018, special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discovered that Jesus Garcia-Gutierez and Miguel Elorza, while inmates at the Jenkins Correctional Center in Millen, Georgia, used a contraband cellphone to arrange drug transactions outside the prison facility.  Garcia-Gutierez and Elorza worked with numerous individuals outside the prison to coordinate several methamphetamine and heroin deals in the metro Atlanta area.

    The defendants’ drug trafficking activity included the following conduct:  

    • On May 24, 2018, Garcia-Gutierez arranged for David Crider, Jr. to receive two ounces of methamphetamine from another individual in Atlanta.  Following the deal, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers stopped Crider’s vehicle and seized the drugs.
    • On June 3, 2018, Anthony Bernard Jordan consulted with Garcia-Gutierez and then arranged for Sheila Hardy, Larry Mosley, and Nathaniel Jackson to travel from Albany, Georgia to Atlanta, to pick up heroin and methamphetamine from another drug dealer.  After the trio obtained the drugs, GSP troopers stopped their vehicle and seized 982 grams of methamphetamine and 475 grams of heroin.
    • On August 16, 2018, Christopher Butler, who was Elorza’s former cellmate, coordinated with Joseph Brown to sell a kilogram of methamphetamine to a drug customer in Douglasville, Georgia. But Butler and Brown saw Douglas County Sheriff’s officers following them prior to the deal and discarded the drugs in a neighborhood yard, which were recovered by the officers.
    • On August 30, 2018, Quantavius Foster, who was a counselor at the Jenkins Correction Center, met with Corea-Uriostegui in Augusta, Georgia to obtain over 100 grams of methamphetamine to smuggle into the prison for Garcia-Gutierez.  The plan was foiled when Richmond County Sheriff’s officers stopped Foster’s vehicle and seized the drugs.
    • On October 16, 2018, Garcia-Gutierez instructed Darrell White, an Alabama heroin distributor, to travel to Doraville, Georgia to pick up drugs from another individual.  After the deal, GSP troopers stopped White’s vehicle and discovered more than 100 grams of heroin hidden in White’s clothes.
    • On November 1, 2018, Garcia-Gutierez and Corea-Uriostegui arranged for Tiffany Julian and Jonathan Tyler Bryant to pick up 76 grams of methamphetamine and 48 prescription pills from a drug supplier in Atlanta.  After this deal, Bryant led GSP] troopers on a high-speed chase on Interstate 75 South through midtown Atlanta. During the pursuit, Bryant and Julian tossed the drugs from the car window, which were later recovered by law enforcement. 

     In total, the organization was responsible for the distribution of 14 kilograms of methamphetamine and 860 grams of heroin in the Northern District of Georgia.

     All of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg as follows:

    • Jesus Garcia Gutierez, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 15 years, six months in prison, consecutive to a state sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Miguel Elorza, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, served consecutive to a state sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Anthony Bernard Jordan, 33, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Nathaniel Jackson, 65, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years, six months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
    • Tiffany Julian, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six years, six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
    • Darrell White, 41, of Anniston, Alabama, was sentenced to six years, five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
    • Christopher Butler, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six years, two months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • David Crider, Jr., 52, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
    • Jonathan Tyler Bryant, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Berenice Corea-Uriostegui, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years, four months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Larry Mosley, 46, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Sheila M. Hardy, 51, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced to two years, one month in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Quantavius Foster, 33, of Swainsboro, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, three months in prison followed by one year of supervised release.
    • Joseph Brown, 58, of Villa Rica, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

     This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with valuable assistance provided by the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Doraville Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Bethany L. Rupert and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Joy prosecuted the case.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously Convicted Felon from Swissvale Indicted for Possession of Firearm

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

    PITTSBURH, Pa. – A resident of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Robert Prater, 33, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment, on or about January 27, 2025, Prater possessed a firearm as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Doctor Convicted of $24M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A New York doctor was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury for causing the submission of over $24 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alexander Baldonado, M.D., 69, of Queens, received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal cash kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering laboratory tests, including expensive cancer genetic tests, that were billed to Medicare by two related laboratories located in New York.

    As part of the scheme, Baldonado authorized hundreds of cancer genetic tests for Medicare beneficiaries who attended COVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and a retirement community in 2020. Baldonado was not treating any of the patients who attended the testing events and, in many cases, did not speak to or examine the patients prior to ordering cancer genetic tests and other laboratory tests for them. Baldonado also billed Medicare for lengthy office visits that he never provided to these patients. Several Medicare patients for whom Baldonado ordered cancer genetic tests and billed for office visits testified at trial that they did not know who Baldonado was and had never met or spoken to him. Baldonado did not contact the patients after the testing events to review the results of the cancer genetic tests, and, in some cases, the patients never received the test results.

    In addition to the laboratory testing scheme, Baldonado also received illegal cash kickbacks and bribes from the owner of a durable medical equipment supply company in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The evidence presented at trial showed Baldonado on an undercover video receiving a large sum of cash in exchange for signed prescriptions for orthotic braces.

    The medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces that Baldonado ordered in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes caused Medicare to be billed more than $24 million. Medicare paid more than $2.1 million to the laboratories and the durable medical equipment supply company involved in the schemes.

    Baldonado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud; six counts of health care fraud; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks; and one count of solicitation of health care kickbacks. Following his conviction on the 10 counts, Baldonado was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and solicitation of health care kickbacks and five years in prison on each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Hyungjoo Han of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Acceleware Announces Option Grant

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acceleware® Ltd. (“Acceleware” or the “Corporation”) (TSX-V: AXE), a leading innovator of transformative technologies targeting the decarbonization of industrial process heat, as of February 10, 2025, has granted stock options to acquire up to 1,634,000 common shares of the Corporation to certain of its employees, consultants, officers and directors. The options have an exercise price of $0.09 per common share and expire on February 10, 2030.

    Of the 1,634,000 options granted, 592,000 shall vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, 592,000 shall vest on the second anniversary of the grant date, 225,000 shall vest when the share price of the common shares of the Corporation closes at or above $0.115 for ten consecutive trading days, and 250,000 shall vest when the share price of the common shares of the Corporation closes at or above $0.135 for ten consecutive trading days. The Corporation’s stock option plan allows for 11,843,854 common shares to be reserved for issuance under the plan. Upon issuance of the options granted, there will be 11,529,466 common shares reserved under options outstanding, leaving 314,388 common shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Corporation’s stock option plan. The stock option grant is subject to regulatory approval.

    About Acceleware
    Acceleware is an advanced electromagnetic (EM) heating company with highly scalable EM solutions for large industrial applications. The Company’s solutions provide an opportunity to economically electrify and decarbonize industrial process heat applications previously considered difficult to abate, which could have a significant impact on global GHG emissions.

    Acceleware is piloting RF XL, its patented low-cost, low-carbon EM thermal production technology for heavy oil and oil sands that is materially different from any heavy oil recovery technique used today. The Company is also working with a consortium of world-class potash partners on a pilot project using its patented and field proven Clean Tech Inverter (CTI) to decarbonize drying of potash ore and other minerals. Acceleware is actively developing partnerships for EM heating of other industrial applications in mining, steel, agriculture, cement, hydrogen and other clean fuels.

    Acceleware and Saa Dene Group (co-founded by Jim Boucher) have created Acceleware | Kisâstwêw to raise the profile, adoption, and value of Acceleware technologies. The partnership is intended to improve the environmental and economic performance of industry by supporting ideals that are important to Indigenous peoples, including respect for land, water, and clean air.

    Acceleware is a public company listed on Canada’s TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol “AXE”.

    For further information,

    Geoff Clark
    geoff.clark@acceleware.com

    Acceleware Ltd.
    435 10th Avenue SE
    Calgary, AB, T2G 0W3 Canada
    +1 (403) 249-9099
    www.acceleware.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Maricoin Set to List on LBank, Expanding Financial Inclusion for the Global LGBTQ+ Community

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MADRID, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maricoin (Maricoin), the pioneering cryptocurrency representing the LGBTQ+ digital nation, is set to debut on LBank, marking a major step in its mission to empower financial inclusion and social change. The listing is scheduled for at 16:00 UTC on February 14 in celebration of Valentine’s Day, allowing global users to trade MCOIN and be part of a movement that unites technology with equality.

    Following a bullish rally in 2025 —where it has skyrocketed by more than 700% in the past month— the USDT/MARICOIN pair is expected to list at its premiere at $0.01.

    Why Maricoin?

    Maricoin isn’t just another digital asset—it’s a currency designed to combat discrimination, promote financial inclusivity, and support LGBTQ+ causes. As the economic force behind a community that makes up 7.5% of the global population and ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy, Maricoin merges technology, ethics, and activism.

    Powered by Algorand and Polygon, Maricoin enables seamless transactions through Mariwallet, allowing users to pay at inclusive merchants while generating solidarity funds for those in need, combating sexual discrimination—an issue still affecting one in three countries worldwide (with 69 nations still penalizing homosexuality).

    Exclusive LBank Airdrop for New Holders

    To celebrate the listing, LBank is offering an exclusive airdrop for new Maricoin community members. Users who sign up for the first time and make their initial purchase of $100 or an equivalent amount in any of the top 20 cryptocurrencies will receive bonus rewards from the project.

    Maricoin’s Growing Global Ecosystem

    With the backing of Borderless Capital and a passionate community, Maricoin has expanded beyond crypto into mainstream consumer products, launching branded beer, wine, olive oil, and Colombian coffee to attract new users into the digital economy.

    What’s Next for Maricoin?

    • Global Adoption: Expanding international payment adoption at major LGBTQ+ Pride parades with ambassadors in New York, Miami, Colombia, Brazil, the UK, Germany, France, and Spain.
    • Social NFTs: Launching exclusive NFT collections to support LGBTQ+ artists.
    • Policy & Advocacy: Partnering with the LGBTQ+ Parliament, present in 44 countries, to drive global social change.
    • Market Expansion: New CEX listings supported by Yellow Capital market makers.

    As Maricoin prepares for its LBank debut, it continues to bridge the gap between finance and activism, offering a powerful tool for inclusion, economic empowerment, and positive change.

    Join the movement. Trade MCOIN on LBank.

    Website: https://maricoin.org
    Telegram: t.me/maricoin_english & t.me/MaricoinGrupoOficial
    Twitter: https://x.com/maricoinoficial
    Instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/maricoin_oficial/
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maricoin-mcoin  

    Contact:
    Paco Alvarez
    paco@maricoin.org

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Maricoin. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03fe3bfb-1e0a-4fc9-81ee-750cec87ee89

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62d292f9-c7db-4d0f-a440-651c4fd0b61c

    The MIL Network –