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  • MIL-OSI Security: PEI RCMP Headquarters  — RCMP analyze fatal crashes and find 3 leading contributors

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    November 4, 2024, RCMP HQ -PEI RCMP recently conducted an analysis of the leading contributing factor of fatal collisions on PEI in RCMP Jurisdiction. Between January 1st 2019 and October 31st, 2024 there have been 68 fatal collisions resulting in 80 lives lost.

    The leading contributing factors of the PEI fatal collision are:

    1. Not wearing a seatbelt (35% of fatal collisions)
    2. Impaired driving (34% of fatal collisions)
    3. Speed (26% of fatal collisions)

    Note that these are cases when causation could be determined. It is possible that the actual percentages could be higher.

    Impaired driving is attributed to 23 of the 80 lives lost.

    The PEI RCMP work closely with the PEI Justice and Public Safety who have recognized that impaired driving, speeding and lack of seatbelt use has continued to be a problem on the Island. In the last 4 years, Justice and Public Safety has funded 4 additional Traffic Services positions for the RCMP, bringing our team up to 6 Traffic officers.

    RCMP stopped 16 impaired drivers in October; this includes impaired drivers by alcohol (9), drug (5), and those who refuse a police test demand (2). Note that many of these cases are awaiting blood sample results prior to charges being laid. The total arrests by RCMP so far in 2024 now stands at 212, last year RCMP in PEI made over 230 impaired driving arrests.

    “Recent data on fatal collisions in PEI underscores the reality that many of these fatalities are preventable. This report highlights the importance of slowing down, reporting impaired drivers and wearing your seatbelt. Through education and enforcement, we hope to reduce these tragedies,” says Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer of the Prince Edward Island RCMP.

    Note to Media:

    • The RCMP Report on Road Fatalities is available upon request.
    • There has been one additional road fatality since this report was authored.
    • All data is for PEI RCMP Jurisdiction ONLY.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Winston County Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

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

    GREENVILLE, Miss. – Dennis Vernandale Phillips, 42, was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison for his possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the controlled substance.

    The investigation began when law enforcement purchased over 30 grams of methamphetamine from Phillips using a confidential informant. During a subsequent search of Phillips’ residence in Preston, Mississippi, officers located methamphetamine, two firearms, and other narcotics. In total, Phillips’ conduct involved over a kilogram of methamphetamine that impacted the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Winston, Kemper, and Neshoba counties.

    On October 30, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Phillips to 188 months imprisonment followed by a 48-month term of supervised release for possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

    “Meth indiscriminately kills children, men and women and it ravages our communities, including the Choctaw Indian Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “This prosecution and sentence are the result of outstanding cooperation between our federal law enforcement partners and the tribal police to achieve a straightforward goal – to reduce the supply of illicit drugs while seeing to it that those who poison communities with narcotics are held to account.”

    Phillips’ drug distribution was a threat to the community,” said Whitney Woodruff, Regional Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region for the Division of Drug Enforcement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “He was poisoning Indian Country for his personal gain and now he will pay the price.  I am proud of our partnerships with the other law enforcement agencies involved.” 

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case in partnership with the Choctaw Police Criminal Investigations Division, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Howell Addison prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Prioritizes Election Security in Preparation for November 5 Voting

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

    In keeping with our standard Election Day protocol, the FBI in Tennessee will have an Election Command Post in preparation for the November 5 election. The command post will be staffed 24 hours a day to provide a centralized location for assessing election-related threats in our area of responsibility. The FBI has a duty to plan for a host of potential scenarios related to election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers. We are committed to protecting the American public’s right to a fair and safe election.

    For decades, the FBI has served as the primary agency responsible for investigating allegations of federal election crimes, including campaign finance violations, ballot/voter fraud, and civil rights violations. In close partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI established the Election Threats Task Force to identify and address reported threats targeting election workers.

    The FBI takes our responsibility very seriously and works closely with our federal, state, and local partners to identify and stop any potential threats to public safety. We gather and analyze intelligence to determine whether individuals might be motivated to take violent action for any reason, including due to concerns about the election.

    It is vital the FBI, our law enforcement partners, and the public work together to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The FBI takes all threats of violence seriously, including threats targeting those who do the critical work of administering free and fair elections throughout the U.S.

    The Justice Department has long recognized that the states—not the federal government—are responsible for administering elections, determining the validity of votes, and tabulating the results, with challenges handled by the appropriate election administrators, officials, legislatures, and courts. The Department’s role is limited to investigating and prosecuting violations of federal election laws and deterring criminal conduct.

    The FBI in Tennessee encourages citizens to report allegations of election fraud and other election abuses directly at 615-232-7500.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harbour Grace — RCMP Traffic Services East arrests prohibited driver for impaired operation in Carbonear

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 58-year-old man, who has a lifetime driving prohibition, was arrested by RCMP Traffic Services East for impaired driving on November 1, 2024, in Carbonear.

    Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Friday, police attempted to stop a vehicle on Adelaide Street. The driver fled from police and was located a short time later after he got his vehicle stuck in a field on Mahaney’s Lane.

    The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested. At the detachment, he refused to provide breath samples.

    He will appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of prohibited driving, impaired operation and refusing a breath demand. The driver was also ticketed for having no registration or insurance. The vehicle was seized and impounded.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lower Sackville — RCMP charge a man involved in home invasion

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged a man involved in a home invasion that occurred in Lower Sackville.

    On November 3, at approximately 5:45 p.m., RCMP officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Balsam Circle.

    Investigators learned that a man armed with a knife had gained entry into the home through the front door and proceeded to assault a male resident located in a bedroom. The victim, a 73-year-old Lower Sackville man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital by EHS.

    No other injuries were reported by the three other adult occupants of the home.

    At the scene, RCMP officers located and safely arrested an 18-year-old man involved in the incident.

    The two men are known to one another and investigators believe the incident was targeted in nature.

    Devon Rafuse, of Halifax, has been charged with Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Breaking and Entering with Intent and Aggravated Assault. He was held in custody and will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today.

    File #: 24-151248

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spring Festival travel rush to see 9 billion trips

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Spring Festival travel rush to see 9 billion trips

    Updated: January 26, 2025 11:00 Xinhua
    A drone photo shows traffic flows on the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jan. 25, 2025. As the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) draws near, an unprecedented 9 billion inter-regional trips are expected during this year’s chunyun, or 40-day Spring Festival travel rush. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Departing passengers are pictured at a platform of Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Passengers are about to enter the Yangzhou East Railway Station in Yangzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Passengers have their tickets automatically checked before boarding at the Huzhou East Railway Station in Huzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Passengers line up to board their trains at the Wuchang Railway Station in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Passengers wait for their trains at the Ningbo Railway Station in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Passengers are pictured at the waiting hall of the Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bellair Man Indicted For Covid Loan Fraud Using Deceased Former Business Partner’s Identity

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Stephen L. Gurba (68, Belleair) with wire fraud, making a false statement to a financial institution, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Gurba faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud (2 counts), 30 years in prison on the false statement count, and a 2-year mandatory term of imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft counts (2 counts). The indictment also notifies Gurba that the United States intends to forfeit approximately $1.2 million, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

    According to court documents, between March and June 2020, Gurba submitted false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications and supporting documentation on behalf of Big Red Express Trucking, LLC and Zenith Express, LLC. To obtain approval and funding for the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans, Gurba fraudulently assumed the identity of his former business partner who passed away in 2019, listed his former business partner’s name, signature, and other means of identification on the EIDL loan applications certifying under criminal penalty that the applications were true and correct. Gurba also used his deceased business partner’s name and forged his signature on the EIDL loan authorization agreements and loan notes he submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA). During post-loan related communications with the SBA, Gurba continued to impersonate his deceased business partner. As a result of his fraudulent scheme, Gurba induced the SBA to approve and fund the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans.

    Additionally, Gurba applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf a Big Red from an SBA authorized financial institution. Gurba certified and signed under criminal penalty that all the PPP loan proceeds would be spent on payroll, mortgages, rent, or other SBA authorized expenses. In reality, Gurba used the majority of the PPP proceeds to enrich himself, family members, payoff unrelated business debts, and other impermissible expenses. As a result of Gurba’s false statement, the financial institution approved and funded a $955,448.75 PPP loan to Big Red.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Small Business Association – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

    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 Justice.gov/Coronavirus and 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 (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mason City Woman Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms

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

    A drug user who possessed firearms was sentenced November 1, 2024, to 37 months in federal prison.

    Brittany Graham, age 37, of Mason City, Iowa, received the sentence after a June 3, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.  At the plea hearing, Graham admitted that, in August 2022, she possessed four handguns while she was an unlawful user of marijuana.  The evidence at sentencing showed that Graham had possessed seven handguns since 2018.  Other prohibited persons later possessed some of these guns, including a .357 magnum revolver that was seized from a felon in Chicago less than seven months after Graham purchased it.

    Graham was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Graham was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mason City Police Department, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

    Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 23-3014.

    Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cutting Teeth on Triage and Tactical Combat Casualty Care aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Did you know the role of a Dental officer extends far beyond maintaining oral health? Dental officers also serve as triage officers in times of crisis. They practice trauma evaluation skills by classifying patients into triage categories, performing triage and surgical support duties at battalion aid and battle dressing stations, stations located near a combat area for giving first aid to the wounded.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Turkish National Arrested for Allegedly Conspiring to Violate Venezuela-Related Sanctions

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Taskin Torlak, 37, of Turkey, was arrested in Miami, on Nov. 2 for allegedly conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions as part of a scheme to transport oil from Venezuela for the benefit of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), Venezuela’s state-owned oil and natural gas company.

    “As alleged, the defendant conspired to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on PdVSA, deploying deception to smuggle black-market oil from Venezuela,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those involved in criminal efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime.”

    “This defendant allegedly conspired to illegally sell Venezuelan oil, using deceit and trickery to hide the fact that this oil originated from Venezuela,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. “Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PdVSA, was sanctioned by the U.S. government to prevent the current regime from further depleting the nation’s resources while it unlawfully remains in power.  We remain dedicated to prosecuting violations of these sanctions until the government of Venezuela takes the necessary steps for these sanctions to be lifted.”

    Torlak was arrested as he attempted to depart the United States to return to Turkey. He is charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to the complaint, Torlak conspired with others to cause U.S. financial institutions to process transactions connected to the transport of Venezuelan oil for the benefit of PdVSA, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) in January 2019.

    According to the complaint, beginning at least in or around November 2020, Torlak and others devised and implemented a complex scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions related to petroleum products from Venezuela and Iran. The scheme included obfuscating the identities of tankers moving the oil by re-naming and re-flagging vessels, covering vessel names with paint or blankets, and turning off the electronics that track vessels’ locations for the safety of ships and their crews. Torlak and his co-conspirators allegedly received tens of millions of dollars from PdVSA in payment for transporting Venezuelan oil, and hid the ultimate beneficiaries of the related transactions from U.S. financial institutions, who then unwittingly processed payments in furtherance of the scheme. The complaint further alleges that Torlak and his co-conspirators explicitly discussed the need to hide their conduct from the U.S. Government and its agencies, including OFAC, as well as commercial maritime entities.

    Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Sean Heiden and Chantelle Dial of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clarenville — Clarenville RCMP investigates fatal collision on TCH west of Clarenville

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 53-year-old man is deceased following a collision that occurred on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) near Clarenville on November 1, 2024.

    Shortly before 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Clarenville RCMP received and responded to the report of a head-on collision involving a car and a commercial gravel truck that occurred on the TCH approximately six kilometers west of Clarenville. Upon arrival, officers located the lone occupant of the car, who had been ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the gravel truck was transported to Dr. G.B Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville for treatment of minor injuries.

    A Collision Analyst with RCMP Traffic Services attended the scene, along with RCMP officers from Clarenville detachment, Traffic Services and Police Dog Services.

    The TCH was impassable for a number of hours. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New information revealed relating to 1980 homicide Cold Case

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Auckland Police investigating the 1980 homicide of Simon Buis are encouraging people to come forward with information, after revealing new details on last night’s Cold Case TV episode.

    In the early hours of Friday 4 April 1980, 54-year-old Simon Buis was found dead in Auckland’s Gribllehirst Park outside the rugby club. He suffered horrific injuries to his face and head after being violently assaulted.

    Later that morning, two 15-year-olds were arrested for being in a stolen car, and indicated they were involved in a fight at a park. The pair were charged with Simon’s murder, however due to further review of evidence, they were released six days later.

    Over 40 years later, the investigation into Simon’s murder, named Operation Intrigue, remains open. And Police are determined to find the person or persons responsible for killing the 54-year-old father.

    Detective Inspector Scott Beard of Auckland City CIB has been in charge of Operation Intrigue since 2006 and believes the key to this case relies on knowing Simon’s movements in the last hour of his life.

    “We know Simon started his evening at the Leopard Tavern in Freeman’s Bay, where he then made his way to La Cava Lounge on Customs Street East. Here, he interacted with at least three different groups of people.

    “Simon then called a taxi from La Cava and was dropped off on Symonds Street around 2.25am on the Friday morning.”

    Around 30 minutes later, a couple heard screaming followed by the sound of a noisy car coming from Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham and called 111.

    “The key pieces of information we are missing is why Simon went to Gribblehirst Park, how he got there, and who he was with. We believe it is unlikely that Simon walked the distance in the timeframe between the taxi dropping him off on Symonds Street and Police arriving to find his body in the park.”

    Police have spoken to a number of witnesses who were in Gribblehirst Park earlier in the evening, including the couple who called 111.

    The husband described seeing a light coloured Mark 1 Ford Zephyr, or possibly a large 1950’s American car, with a noisy exhaust and rounded body leave the park at speed.

    Two to three minutes later, a second vehicle, possibly a yellow FJ Holden, left the park in the same direction.

    “These cars remain critical to our investigation, and we know there are people who have not yet spoken to Police who may have seen what happened or have information about the events around Simon’s death. These details and fresh information will help us get the answers we need to provide some closure for Simon’s family.

    “This was a serious and horrific assault which led to a man’s death, and Simon’s family continue to grieve for their loving father and friend.”

    If you have any information that could help Police’s investigation into Simon Buis’ death, please contact Police.

    “Now is the time to come forward, it is not too late to provide Simon’s family with answers.”

    Information can be provided to the Operation Intrigue Investigation team on 0800 COLD CASE or 0800 2653 2273.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colorado Residents Accused of Destroying Historical Site at National Park Face Federal Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MOAB, Utah – Two Colorado residents were charged by misdemeanor information today, alleging they trespassed, disrupted, and stole from the historic Cave Springs Cowboy Camp in Canyonlands National Park, located in the District of Utah.

    According to court documents, on March 23, 2024, Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, of Durango, Colorado, entered a fenced-off area of Canyonlands National Park where they then handled and stole numerous historic artifacts preserved in the Cave Springs Cowboy Camp. This historic camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings prohibiting visitors from entering the area, which McKnight and Spencer disregarded.

    McKnight and Spencer are charged with theft of government property, less than one thousand dollars; possessing or distributing cultural or archaeological resources; and walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resource. McKnight and Spencer are scheduled for their initial appearance for the misdemeanor information on November 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead at the United States District Court in Moab.

    United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case is being investigated by the National Park Service (NPS).

    Assistant United States Attorneys Luisa Gough and Tanner Zumwalt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.

    An information is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms

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

    A man who was stopped for speeding and found in possession of several firearms was sentenced November 1, 2024, to more than three years in federal prison.

    Douglas Lynn Greer, age 41, from Fort Worth, Texas, received the prison term after a March 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  At the guilty plea, Greer admitted he possessed four firearms in his car when he was stopped for speeding in Clayton, County, Iowa.  Greer had previously been convicted of the felony offenses of making terroristic threats and offering a forged check.

    Greer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Greer was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

    Greer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, the Clayton County Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-01002.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech – Diwali 2024

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Namaste. Namaskar. Namaskaram. Vanakkam. Sat Sri Akal. Kem chho.

    Greetings to you all.

    It is my great privilege, as Minister for Ethnic Communities, to host this year’s Diwali Celebration at Parliament. I am truly excited to be with you all for Diwali as your Minister, and I warmly welcome each and every one of you to this special occasion.

    I would first like to welcome and acknowledge:

    • The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, who will join us shortly.
    • The Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, who will also join us shortly.
    • Her Excellency, Ms Neeta Bhushan, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
    • Other members of the diplomatic corps.
    • Mr Mervin Singham, Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
    • Mr Narendra Bhana, President of New Zealand Indian Central Association.
    • My parliamentary colleagues.
    • Our talented performers.
    • And all of you who have travelled from far and wide to be with us tonight.

    It is a true delight to celebrate the vibrant Festival of Lights, Diwali, both here in New Zealand and across the globe.

    Just as diyas, or lamps, shine during the festival, I wish for the light within each of us to remain radiant and full of hope.

    I hope this Diwali brings forth a year of peace, prosperity, health, and joy to you and your families.

    As we gather to celebrate Diwali, we also honour the rich history and vibrant contributions of New Zealand’s Indian communities.

    You have been an integral part of our society since the late 1800s.

    The 2023 Census showed that our Indian population has become the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand.

    Indian New Zealanders have made significant contributions in various sectors, including health, manufacturing, education, and more.

    I’m proud that Diwali at Parliament is celebrated in such an inclusive, multi-cultural way.

    Our government’s and my vision is for all communities to not only feel that they belong and can participate, but also thrive, in society.

    We are committed to ensuring that everyone in New Zealand feels safe, valued, and empowered to flourish in this country we all call home.

    Our Indian community adds so much colourful vibrancy to our country, from their sarees to their spices.

    It’s fantastic to have Indian culture such a normalised, ingrained part of our national identity.

    But it’s not just about culture. Their contribution to our economy makes a huge impact.

    In 2020, the Waitakere Indian Association estimated that the Indian community contributed around $10 billion to the New Zealand economy.

    As Minister for both Ethnic Communities and Economic Development, another of my priorities is to unlock the full potential of ethnic businesses for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

    At last month’s inaugural Ethnic Xchange Symposium, it was truly inspiring to witness the collective energy and the tremendous economic potential within our ethnic communities. When fully unleashed, this potential can help grow New Zealand’s shared prosperity.

    Once again, it is a true pleasure to welcome you all this evening.

    I want to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank-you to our Indian communities, for your warm congratulatory messages since my appointment as Minister for Ethnic Communities. Your support means a lot to me.

    It is my hope that the values of Diwali – peace, prosperity, justice, and respect – extend to communities throughout New Zealand, as we work towards a stronger, more harmonious, and peaceful future together.

    Dhanyavaad. Thank you.

    Please check against delivery.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Narcotics and Loaded Glock .40 Used in Shooting Get Wilmington Career Offender 16 Years in Federal Prison

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

    WILMINGTON, N.C. – Desmond Antonio Hines, also known as “Head,” has been sentenced to 196 months after the 35-year-old was found guilty by a federal jury for illegal possession of a firearm, which ballistics showed was used in a shooting two months earlier.  Hines was sentenced for gun and drug charges and considered a career offender based on prior convictions for drug trafficking and assault, including a prior federal drug conviction.

    “Neighbors called 911 when they saw Hines ditch his loaded Glock .40 in a patch of the azaleas as he tried to dodge police.  Ballistics traced the gun to a recent shootout that left a popular area rapper dead,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr.  “A celebration of life for the rapper was shot up weeks later, leaving two men, a teen, and a 6-year-old boy shot.  Hines was just a small part the escalating patterns of crime and violence claiming far too many lives.  But neighbors have had enough.  And when neighbors start talking, the shooting starts stopping.”

    According to court records and evidence presented in court, on November 7, 2020, Wilmington Police stopped Hines for traffic violations. Upon approaching the car, the officer noticed an odor of marijuana and asked Hines to step out of the vehicle to conduct a search. A blunt and marijuana were found in the car and, during the search of Hines, the officer felt what he believed to be a metal object between the defendant’s legs. While the officer attempted to secure Hines in handcuffs, he tried to flee but was tackled by the officer. A subsequent search of Hines conducted at the police station uncovered a bag containing ten oxycodone pills and about 17 grams of crack cocaine. 

    On March 31, 2022, detectives attempted to arrest Hines on federal charges related to the November 7 incident. Officers surveilled him driving a new Chrysler minivan. During surveillance, officers lost sight of Hines after he made a series of evasive maneuvers. After officers located Hines and placed him into custody, 911 dispatch reported a call from area residents who saw a man matching Hines’ description and driving a minivan stop the vehicle, walk to a patch of azalea bushes, and toss something into the bushes before driving off. Upon pulling back the bushes, witnesses saw a firearm. When police responded to the scene, which was approximately half a mile from where Hines was arrested, they recovered a semi-automatic Glock 27 Gen 4 .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine containing 20 live rounds of ammunition. Ten of those rounds were a distinctive, red-tipped round known as Hornady Critical Defense.  When executing a search warrant at the defendant’s residence, detectives found a box of the same ammunition, with ten rounds missing. Later, testing of the firearm confirmed that Hines’ DNA was present.  Ballistics traced the gun to the scene of a shootout two months earlier that left a man dead.

    Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and U.S. Attorney Michael Easley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blondel prosecuted the case.

    The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP), a collaborative effort of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies working with the community to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, interagency coordination, and intelligence-led policing.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.7:22-cr-36-M.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Faith and Religion – Religious Freedom Violation and Intolerance Spark International Controversy amongst multiple Religious Groups within South Korea

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    South Korean local government cancels international event with 30,000 participants from 78 countries, causing international damage.

    On October 29th, an administrative decision by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom and causing substantial financial loss.

    The “Religious Leaders Forum and 110,000 Graduation Ceremony,” a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea.  The event, hosted by the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 57 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.

    However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, a public entity under the Gyeonggi Province, abruptly cancelled the venue rental without prior notice.

    The Shincheonji Church of Jesus states: “This last-minute decision has resulted in significant financial damage to the event, as well as all organizers and parties involved.”

    Organizers of this event stated that the cancellation commits an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law.

    The hosting organizations, the Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, reported that they had received official confirmation on October 23rd and 28th that there was no plan of cancellation. They also report that the unilateral cancellation was an unreasonable administrative action targeting a specific religious group – other events scheduled for the same day were not affected, and that the cancellation was an “administrative decision caused by opposition from a specific religious group,” which “violates the principle of separation of church and state guaranteed by the [South Korean] Constitution.”

    The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization cited security concerns related to recent North Korean actions, and the planned activities of a North Korean defector group as reasons for the cancellation. However, it was pointed out that other events, such as civilian bike rides and foreign tourist visits to the DMZ, were still permitted within the same designated area.

    The incident has reignited international debate about religious freedom and tolerance in South Korea. The U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report has previously highlighted concerns such as the prosecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the government’s refusal to approve mosque construction.

    The Association for Buddhist National Unification of Korea and Shincheonji Church of Jesus have expressed frustrations and call upon the South Korean government to respect religious freedom, uphold human rights, and to rectify this decision. They also urge international organizations to monitor this situation and take appropriate action to protect religious freedom.

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: PDS Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution

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

                WASHINGTON – Dartanyan Ricardo Hawkins, 29, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty today in connection with a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed large quantities of marijuana in the District of Columbia.

                The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; FBI Special Agent David Geist of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Hawkins, aka “Shitty,” was a member of the Push Dat Shit (PDS) and Jugg Gang (JG) street crews. He pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of marijuana. Hawkins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing hearing is set for March 7, 2025.

                As part of his plea, Hawkins admitted to possessing a firearm as part of the offense and further admitted to using Instagram to sell marijuana. According to court documents, PDS maintained gang territory in the 3300 – 3500 blocks of Wheeler Road, Southeast and operated an open-air drug market outside a market at 3509 Wheeler Road, Southeast. In August 2018, PDS allied with a neighboring street gang known as Jugg Gang, or “JG,” that included Hawkins. The combined gang also conspired to use, carry, and possess firearms – including machine guns – to protect themselves, their drugs, their cash, and their territory from rival crews with whom PDS had “beefs.”

                This plea is part of an ongoing joint investigation which has now resulted in 23 convictions and the seizure of two vehicles, 35 firearms, four machine guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 pounds of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills, and approximately $500,000 in cash.

                The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Justin F. Song and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Macechko.

    Hawkins after his arrest on March 11, 2023, on the 2700 block of Shipleley Terrace, Southeast. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fraudulent Tax Preparer Sentenced to Ten Years on Federal Charges

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

    ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke woman who prepared and filed false tax returns for others, committed wire fraud, distributed fentanyl, and illegally sold firearms, was sentenced last week to 120 months in federal prison.

    Alisha Warrick, 40, pled guilty in November 2023 to filing a false and fictitious claim against the United States, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, distribution of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

    According to court documents, beginning in 2015 and continuing at least through 2019, Warrick prepared and filed tax returns for other individuals, and she deliberately included false and fraudulent information in the tax returns. As part of this scheme, Warrick would “boost” the tax returns she filed on behalf of other individuals by including false employment and wage information or false information about the named filer’s dependents, or both. Warrick knew the information was false when she submitted the tax returns.

    Warrick also filed tax returns for certain individuals without their knowledge, and used those individuals’ names and personal identifying information to file the tax returns.

    While on bond pending trial, Warrick arranged with a confidential informant to sell the informant heroin (which later testing showed to contain fentanyl), and two firearms, one of which was connected to a prior fatal shooting in the Roanoke area.

    United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanagh and Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement today.

    The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Kelly McGann prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officer for 2024 General Election

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

    LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel R. Schiess will lead the efforts for the District of Nevada in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Schiess has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Nevada, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Frierson said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

    United States Attorney Frierson stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Schiess will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 702-388-6336.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 702-385-1281.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    United States Attorney Frierson said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Storm recovery in Beach Haven, Northcote Point and Birkenhead

    Source: Auckland Council

    The Pest-Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society (Pest Free Kaipātiki) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office, helping local communities plan for their recovery. This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily- impacted communities across Auckland. Communities will be supported to develop practical plans, which will include activities and priorities that can be delivered to improve wellbeing and flourishing as they recover. 

    More than 230 homes in Beach Haven, Northcote Point and Birkenhead were affected by landslips or flooding last year, with 118 of them having serious access issues.  

    While most locals have moved on with their lives, the road to recovery continues for others: some of these homes will never be safe to live in again. 

    As affected residents work toward their recovery, Pest Free Kaipātiki has partnered with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office to help coordinate a wider recovery plan for these communities. 

    Pest Free Kaipātiki started out from a collection of localised community reserve groups wanting to make a more united impact in restoring and protecting their special places. It is now providing support to 55 reserve and cluster groups in the Kaipātiki area with anything from pest control advice/equipment to guidance on planting natives that reduce landslide risk.  

    You might wonder what a pest-free group is doing leading a community conversation about storm recovery.  

    “The social and natural environment are both our kaupapa,” says Annie Dignan, Pest Free Kaipātiki’s General Manager. 

    “The way we look after the land and water around us has a direct impact on flooding and landslips, and vice versa. And our neighbourhoods really felt the impact of last year’s storms.” 

    Healing and resilience through nature  

    “I had barely finished mopping out the bottom of my place when we decided to set up a get together for locals at our hub. I will always remember sitting here and seeing people crying and still in shock,” Annie tears up describing the moment.  

    “It was a loss on a number of levels – their land, their homes, and the experience they had just had. There is also a big fear of when this will happen again.  

    “We knew we had to do something practical. So, we pulled together a taskforce to focus our efforts on remediating one reserve as a start. The turnout was great, and you could see the emotion and processing that was taking place in how hard people were working.  

    “Then we started reaching out to a range of other experts and pulled together information relevant to our area about planting for slip stabilisation. We know ground and tree cover is so important.  

    “From there we created a guide so that people could plant natives at home to reduce their own landslide risk. We even helped people provide feedback on plans for how council will be responding to coastal hazards and climate change.

    “People realised it wasn’t a hopeless situation, that there are things they can do to make a difference the next time a storm comes around.”

    Pest Free Kaipātiki’s planting for slip stabilisation guide

    Planning a way forward 

    Working with the Recovery Office, Pest Free Kaipātiki has been engaging with these communities to help them plan for their recovery. 

    “The key question we want people to think about is what the community needs to feel like they are moving forward and flourishing. It’s up to people to shape the outcomes, so the results could be anything really – from physical things and places, to programmes and events.  

    “We’ve done a series of in-person events and there will be more opportunities for people to engage and contribute to the recovery plan for their neighbourhoods, including individual and group interviews, workshops, library displays, and online polls. There will even be Mandarin events to engage our growing Chinese community.” 

    “So you can participate in whatever way makes sense for you!” 

    Engagement for Beach Haven, Northcote Point and Birkenhead recovery plans will continue with Pest Free Kaipātiki’s support until mid-2025. 

    Visit Pest Free Kaipātiki’s website to find out how to participate. 

    Community recovery planning session in Kaipātiki

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard medevacs 37-year-old from vessel offshore Port Aransas,Texas

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
    Office: 281-464-4810
    After Hours: 832-293-1293
    PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

     

    11/04/2024 03:09 PM EST

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard medevaced a 37-year-old man from a vessel offshore Port Aransas, Texas, Sunday.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sarasota Man Sentenced To Nine Years For Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

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

    Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced John Lewis (34, Sarasota) to nine years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Lewis to forfeit a HS Produkt (a/k/a “IM Metal”) 9mm model XDS pistol and assorted ammunition, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Lewis entered a guilty plea on August 6, 2024.

    According to court documents, at approximately 2 a.m. on November 30, 2023, a deputy with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office observed an SUV being driven by Lewis run a red light while traveling more than 100 mph. Despite running over stop sticks deployed by law enforcement, Lewis continued driving recklessly at a high rate of speed. Lewis then lost control of the SUV while going over the south bridge near the Isle of Venice and crashed, coming to a stop in the middle of the bridge. Lewis then fled from the SUV and jumped off the bridge, losing a sandal in the process. Lewis landed on the Venetian Waterway Trail instead of in the Venetian Waterway and continued to flee from law enforcement despite sustaining injuries from the impact. A matching sandal and a black semi-automatic firearm containing four rounds of live ammunition were located on the Venetian Waterway Trail and Lewis was located nearby in a shed. Forensic testing further corroborated Lewis’s possession of the firearm.

    Lewis has previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a juvenile delinquent, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, grand theft of a firearm, possession of cocaine, interference with child custody, and fleeing or attempting to elude. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Venice Police Department, and the North Port Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brooke M. Padgett.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks to the Member States briefing on the outcomes of the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals [as prepared for delivery]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    It is a pleasure to join you today. 

    The report from the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals was released in September in response to a critical global challenge. The Secretary-General has asked we not only give out information but debrief Member States on this important work.

    We are in the midst of a quiet revolution.
     
    The way we power our economies and societies is changing. 

    Renewables have never been cheaper or more accessible, and the acceleration in their roll-out is staggering but uneven. 

    There is a danger that the clean energy transition could reproduce and amplify inequalities of the past:

    With developing countries – rich in the renewables critical to the transition – banished to the bottom of those value chains, their people are exploited, and their environment in jeopardy as others grow wealthy on their resources. Sounds familiar.

    The Secretary-General established the Panel in response to calls from developing countries for action on this issue.  Lest we repeat history. 

    I thank all the Panel members for their work, particularly the Co-Chairs, Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa, and Ditte Juul Jørgensen of the European Commission. I commend the Panel for breaking new ground and reaching an agreement on many complex and contested issues. 

    I am also grateful to the 17 UN agencies that provided a vast range of technical expertise to the Panel, led by UNEP, UNCTAD and the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Team. 

    The Panel’s report identifies ways governments, industry, and the United Nations can work to embed justice and equity in critical energy transition mineral value chains and ensures that they spur sustainable development, respect people, protect the environment, and power prosperity in resource-rich developing countries.  

    It outlines seven guiding principles that prioritize human rights, environmental protection, and inclusive development while also insisting on responsible trade and investment. This vision is supported by calls for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to multilateral cooperation—safeguarding the rights of resource-rich countries to benefit from their minerals while protecting their communities and ecosystems.

    To bring these principles into action, the report sets out five Actionable Recommendations, such as forming an UN-hosted expert group to lead fair policy dialogue and drive accountability across mineral value chains. It advocates for a global transparency framework, funding mechanisms to address mining’s long-term impacts, and support for small-scale miners as partners in sustainable development. Together, these recommendations aim to empower communities, create accountability, and ensure that clean energy fuels not only our economies but also equitable and resilient growth.

    Following the launch of the report, the Secretary-General asked the Panel and United Nations to socialize its findings with Member States and other stakeholders ahead of COP29 and receive feedback to help inform next steps.

    We are preparing the United Nations system to support the implementation of the Panel’s work –safeguarding and advancing human rights, particularly the rights of Indigenous Peoples, across the critical minerals value chain. 

    UNEP, UNCTAD and the Climate Action Team will lead those efforts in the UN system. Civil society, young people and Indigenous Peoples have a seat at the table.

    At COP29 in Baku later this month, the Secretary-General will convene a leader-level event to mobilize political support and establish a way forward.

    Today, the Panel Co-Chairs, Ditte Juul Jørgensen and Ambassador Diskeko will brief you on the report. 

    We want to hear your feedback on its findings to inform the operationalization of its outcomes. We are particularly keen to hear views on two matters:

    •    First, are the Guiding Principles the right ones? If so, how can we mainstream them into the relevant constituencies?

    •    Second, the Panel developed five Actionable Recommendations to put the Principles into practice. Are these broadly supported, and if so, what is the best approach to operationalize them? What role can Member States, the UN system, and other stakeholders play in moving them forward?

    I very much look forward to hearing from you today. 

    As we work together to ensure we generate prosperity and equality alongside clean power. 

    Thank you.
    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Media Advisory: Fortinet Returns to World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist and VP of Global Threat Intelligence at Fortinet
    “In today’s interconnected world, the fight against cybercrime requires a unified front. Public-private partnerships are vital for sharing threat intelligence, resources, and innovations that collectively help organizations worldwide stay ahead of digital adversaries. The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity continues to offer a unique opportunity for collaboration where fellow cybersecurity leaders share effective strategies and develop real-world solutions for disrupting cybercrime.”

    News Summary
    Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced that the company will return to the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 11 to 13. Fortinet is a founding member of the Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity and will again engage in the yearly event, which brings together global cybersecurity leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society, and academia to foster collaboration and enhance collective cyber resilience.

    Derek Manky, Fortinet Chief Security Strategist and VP of Global Threat Intelligence, will share expertise and insights as the moderator of a panel discussion on November 13 about countering cybercrime through public-private partnerships. In addition to his active role in the Forum and its Centre for Cybersecurity’s Partnership Against Cybercrime and the Cybercrime Atlas initiative, Derek is actively involved with global threat intelligence initiatives, including NATO NICP, INTERPOL Expert Working Group, the Cyber Threat Alliance working committee, and FIRST, all in effort to shape the future of actionable threat intelligence and proactive security strategy.

    In the past year, as a leading contributor to the Cybercrime Atlas initiative, Fortinet has collaborated to promote new approaches to accelerate the fight against cybercrime. Significant progress has been made, with the Cybercrime Atlas community vetting more than 10,000 actionable data points, creating seven intelligence packages to support cyber defenders, and supporting two cross-border disruption campaigns through the group’s research and intelligence.

    Session Details

    Title: Better, Faster, Stronger: Accelerating Operational Collaborations to Disrupt Cybercrime
    When: November 13, 2024, 10:30 a.m. CET
    Where: World Economic Forum headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
    Overview: Operational collaborations to counter cybercrime are leading to arrests and shutdowns of massive criminal networks in 2024. However, we are not yet collaborating at a scale or speed that will change the calculation for criminals. This session will offer insights into how to harness the lessons from successful operational collaborations around the world to systematically disrupt cybercriminals in 2025.
    Speakers:

    • Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist and VP of Global Threat Intelligence, Fortinet (facilitator)
    • Edvardas Šileris, Head, European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), Europol
    • Brigadier General Oleksandr Potii, Deputy Chairman, State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine
    • Craig Rice, Chief Executive Officer, Cyber Defence Alliance
    • Samantha Kight, Head, Industry Security, Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA)

    More about the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity

    In a rapidly evolving cyberspace, where innovation and technology continuously redefine boundaries, systemic inequity is emerging when it comes to the capabilities of
    organizations and countries to safeguard the benefits of technological progress.

    According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, the number of organizations maintaining minimum viable cyber resilience has decreased by 30%. This decline has further widened the skills gap in organizational cyber capabilities. The risks associated with this growing technological divide threaten the entire ecosystem and disproportionately impact the already vulnerable.

    Against this backdrop, the Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity 2024 will bring together over 150 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society, and academia to foster collaboration on making cyberspace safer and more resilient for all.

    Additional Resources

    About Fortinet
    Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs. 

    Copyright © 2024 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSEC, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM and FortiXDR. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Exterro Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth in the Data Risk Management Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exterro, Inc., the leading provider of data risk management software, today announced it continues to build its world-class executive team with the appointments of Jim Cox as Chief Revenue Officer and John Vincenzo as Chief Marketing Officer. These strategic hires are critical additions to the management team as it focuses on rapidly scaling the company to capitalize on the fast-growing market.

    “I’m incredibly excited to welcome both Jim and John to Exterro as we build an industry-leading go to market team to complement our award-winning product and innovation engine,” said Exterro Founder and CEO Bobby Balachandran. “John and Jim have a history of creating highly efficient and productive teams that exceed expectations. We will continue to invest in a customer-centric approach to both technology and our go to market teams. We’re primed to accelerate our growth and fully leverage our internal and partner resources to ensure we capitalize on the great momentum we’ve built.”

    A successful, dynamic, sales leader, Jim has more than 20 years of experience driving exceptional growth by building sales teams that focus on execution and cultivating outstanding partnerships. During more than a decade in cybersecurity, Jim built a network of CISOs and executive relationships that, while at Proofpoint, helped the organization scale from $100M to $1.4B in just over six years.

    As CRO at Exterro, one key area will be the increased focus and expansion of the company’s partner programs.“The time is now for Exterro to seize this substantial market opportunity,” stated Cox. “We offer the only platform that offers legal teams, cybersecurity professionals, and C-level leaders an integrated solution to e-discovery, digital forensics, cybersecurity compliance, and data privacy, governance, and security challenges. I’m excited about our ability to accelerate growth by expanding platform sales, to not only the market but to the extensive list of customers we have.”

    John Vincenzo has led both public and private technology companies’ marketing teams and helped them take their go-to-market efforts to new heights. He has spent the last 25+ years in technology industries, most recently with cybersecurity companies such as the privately held Nozomi Networks; Silver Peak (acquired by HPE/Aruba Networks) in the software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) space; and global networking leader 3Com (acquired by HP). In each instance, he has helped increase overall awareness and drive revenue growth.

    As CMO, Vincenzo will be responsible for increasing the visibility of the company so it matches the success the company is seeing in the market. He will also help accelerate revenue growth by working closely with the Sales teams as well as the Exterro Partner ecosystem.

    “Exterro may be the best kept secret in the industry and we need to change that,” added Vincenzo. “It’s amazing the growth and level of technology innovation the company has already achieved. I’m excited about the opportunity to tell our story to the world and help customers understand the value and return on their investment they can achieve by leveraging the Exterro data risk management platform. No company helps organizations better protect data, minimize risk and ensure safer digital environments than Exterro, and we will make it our mission to put a spotlight on our role in making the world a safer place.”

    Exterro has taken a holistic and integrated approach to data risk since its inception and is the first and only company to use an AI-powered technology platform to assess and mitigate data risks in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The more we learn about data risks–posed by privacy regulations, litigation, data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, data governance and compliance challenges–the more we recognize they cannot be comprehended in isolation. They are interconnected and interdependent, and must be assessed and addressed holistically with a unified data risk management platform.

    About Exterro, Inc.

    Exterro empowers organizations and law enforcement agencies to achieve better legal, regulatory, and investigatory outcomes, while saving money and minimizing the impact of data risk. Its data risk management software is the only comprehensive platform that leverages data discovery, automation, and workflow optimization, and one of the first to utilize responsible AI to give users insight into and control over the complex interconnections of privacy, legal operations, digital investigations, cybersecurity response, compliance, and data governance. Thousands of corporations, law firms, managed services providers, and government and law enforcement agencies trust Exterro to manage their risks and drive successful outcomes at a lower cost. For more information, visit www.exterro.com.

    Press inquiries:

    Hazel Ramirez

    570-975-9261

    hazel@plat4orm.com

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  • MIL-OSI: CarGurus’ Latest Digital Retail Solution Connects Canadian Dealers with Purchase-Ready Shoppers More Efficiently

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG), the fastest-growing automotive shopping site in Canada1, today introduced a new digital retail solution that powers more seamless and efficient connections between dealers and purchase-ready shoppers in Canada. CarGurus Digital Deal enables consumers to start their financing application online for eligible new and used vehicles, book an appointment, and start a trade-in before completing the process at the dealership.

    “By allowing car shoppers to handle more steps from the comfort of home, CarGurus Digital Deal helps facilitate a more seamless online to in-store experience that benefits both sides of the transaction,” said Seamus Cassidy, Principal Product Manager with CarGurus. “Dealers can access ready-to-buy shoppers while continuing to work with their preferred technology systems and lending partners. At the same time, consumers can shop with greater confidence by understanding their financing eligibility up front, and save time in the dealership by completing more of the transaction ahead of time.”

    CarGurus’ Digital Deal solution launches in Canada after experiencing strong demand in the U.S., where it is one of the company’s fastest-growing innovations. Active listings are easy to find with badging on CarGurus.ca search results and vehicle detail pages. From eligible vehicle pages, shoppers can complete a simple three-step process to build a personalized vehicle and dealership-specific finance application that is submitted directly to the participating dealership. Shoppers can also schedule an appointment at the dealership and share details about a trade-in. At the dealership, shoppers can then finalize their financing and complete the transaction.

    The solution is built in partnership with dealer finance portal platform CreditApp and can be configured to work with a dealer’s preferred lender networks. As part of the initial rollout, CarGurus Digital Deal is active across over 15,000 vehicle listings, helping participating dealers throughout Canada connect with higher-converting leads for faster, more efficient sales.

    “Digital Deal leads have significantly assisted our sales and finance teams in simplifying the buying process. By having this information upfront, our team can better prepare and creatively engage with our shoppers,” said Casey Pilip, Director of Marketing at Klas Auto Group, a dealer of new and used cars in British Columbia. “Successfully converting additional leads each month at a high closing percentage truly makes a significant impact in today’s market.”

    Dealers can sign up for CarGurus Digital Deal today. Dealerships interested in learning more can either contact their rep, call 1-800-CARGURUS or email camarketing@cargurus.com for more information.

    About CarGurus, Inc.

    CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is a multinational, online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles that is building upon its industry-leading listings marketplace with digital retail solutions. The CarGurus platform gives consumers the confidence to purchase and/or sell a vehicle either online or in-person, and it gives dealerships the power to accurately price, effectively market, and quickly sell vehicles, all with a nationwide reach. The company uses proprietary technology, search algorithms, and data analytics to bring trust, transparency, and competitive pricing to the automotive shopping experience. CarGurus is the fastest growing automotive shopping site in Canada. 1

    CarGurus operates online marketplaces under the CarGurus brand in the U.K., Canada, and U.S., where it is the most visited automotive shopping site2. The CarGurus network of brands also includes PistonHeads, the largest online motoring community in the U.K.3; Autolist, a U.S.-based online marketplace; and CarOffer, a digital wholesale marketplace serving the U.S.

    To learn more about CarGurus, visit www.cargurus.ca.

    CarGurus® is a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and CarOffer® is a registered trademark of CarOffer, LLC. All other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    1Similarweb: Traffic Insights, Q2 2024, Canada
    2 Similarweb: Traffic Insights (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com), Q2 2024, U.S.
    3Similarweb: Traffic Insights, Q2 2024, U.K.

    Media Contact:
    Maggie Meluzio
    Director, Public Relations & External Communications
    pr@cargurus.com

    Investor Contact:
    Kirndeep Singh
    Vice President, Investor Relations
    investors@cargurus.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pax8 Unveils Pax8 Voyager Alliance: The Partner Marketplace Experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace, today announced Pax8 Voyager Alliance, its new partner program that provides global partners with a modern approach to achieving success. Fueled by innovation and investment, the program is tailored to meet partners’ specific needs and provides a scalable, strategic growth path. Through elevated enablement, education, and support, Pax8 Voyager Alliance empowers partners to thrive at every stage of their journey.

    “Pax8 Voyager Alliance represents our commitment to putting partners first and recognizing their unique journey to success,” said Craig Donovan, Chief Experience Officer at Pax8. “The intentionally designed program provides our partners with the competitive advantage to accelerate their growth and succeed in the evolving channel. This advancement lays the foundation for an exciting new chapter, and we will introduce a Pax8 Rewards program and additional benefits over the coming months, empowering our partners to scale to new heights.”

    Pax8 Voyager Alliance is built entirely around the partner Marketplace experience and introduces partners to a tiered model. This approach provides differentiated experiences thoughtfully curated to match their unique business needs and size. As partners reach higher levels in the program, they’ll unlock new benefits that elevate their experience and fuel their growth.

    Pax8 will continue to roll out exciting new opportunities for Pax8 partners to take advantage of as they rise through the program tiers to earn new benefits. Some early benefits include curated event experiences and tiered pricing for professional services projects, which will help partners manage costs. Partners can also expect to receive higher levels of technical support as they advance through the program. In addition, Pax8 Voyager Alliance introduces flexible payment options, offering multiple solutions dependent on a partner’s tier to aid in making financial business decisions.

    Future program benefits will include Pax8 Voyager Alliance Rewards. Partners will be able to accrue points that can be used to invest back into their business by applying them to Pax8 services, education and Pax8 Marketplace purchases.

    “Next year, we will introduce enhancements to Voyager Alliance that revolutionize partner rewards in the SMB cloud marketplace,” said Donovan. “We have tremendous loyalty within our partner base, and we’re excited to launch industry-changing rewards that acknowledge their Marketplace investment. Just as enterprise cloud providers have successfully driven growth through consumption-based incentives, we’re bringing that powerful model to the Pax8 Marketplace. By recognizing our partners’ historical and ongoing Marketplace spend, we’re creating a compelling ecosystem that helps MSPs accelerate their cloud journey and maximize their return on investment with Pax8.”

    “Cloud marketplace growth is expected to exceed $45 billion by 2025, driven by various service partners within the channel ecosystem,” said Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Canalys. “Adopting a tiered model that provides a more curated experience is critical to enabling these varying partners and their goals. With its new program, Pax8 establishes the foundation to effectively support partners at scale and guide them on their path to success.”

    In addition to the Marketplace of the future, Pax8 Voyager Alliance provides access to the following benefits:   

    Pax8 enablement

    • 100+ award-winning Pax8 Academy on-demand courses 
    • Industry-leading partner support
    • Pax8 Academy instructor-led courses 
    • Pax8 Professional Services 
    • Pax8 Academy Peer Groups 
    • Pax8 Academy Business Coaching

    Pax8 events 

    • Learning journeys 
    • Pax8 Launch Briefings 
    • Pax8 Mission Briefings 
    • Pax8 Bootcamps 
    • Pax8 Momentum 
    • Curated event experiences

    “I love Pax8 Voyager Alliance, and it’s a much-needed program,” said Natalia Scheidegger, CEO at 3rdmill, a Sydney, Australia-based MSP. “With the transparency it provides, you can see exactly where you fit, the resources available, and the benefits you’ll unlock at the next tier. We’re excited to strengthen our relationship with Pax8 and continue growing together.”

    To learn more about Pax8 Voyager Alliance, please visit pax8.com.

    About Pax8
    Pax8 is the technology marketplace of the future, linking partners, vendors, and small to midsized businesses (SMBs) through AI-powered insights and comprehensive product support. With a global partner ecosystem of over 38,000 managed service providers, Pax8 empowers SMBs worldwide by providing software and services that unlock their growth potential and enhance their security. Committed to innovating cloud commerce at scale, Pax8 drives customer acquisition and solution consumption across its entire ecosystem.

    Follow Pax8 on Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube

    Media Contact:
    Kristen Beatty
    Sr. Director of Public Relations
    kbeatty@pax8.com

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  • MIL-OSI: Altus Group Recognized as Top 10 Data & Analytics Team in 2024 OnCon Icon Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altus Group Limited (“Altus”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate (“CRE”), is pleased to announce that its technology team has been selected as a Top 10 Data and Analytics Team in the esteemed 2024 OnCon Icon Awards.

    The OnCon Icon Awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of leading organizations and teams worldwide, determined through peer and community voting. Voters select teams that have made a significant impact on their organization or the broader industry, contributed to their professional community through thought leadership, driven innovation, and demonstrated outstanding leadership.

    Altus’ data and analytics solutions are leveraged by many of the world’s leading CRE companies to uncover opportunities, identify risks, understand portfolio impacts, and enhance asset and portfolio performance. With one of the industry’s most comprehensive and unified data platforms, Altus is leveraging its extensive dataset to provide new performance insights to its customers. A recent innovation stemming from this platform is the new ARGUS Intelligence product, which provides performance insights to help transform the way investors model, monitor and manage their assets and portfolios.

    “It’s a tremendous honour for our technology organization to be recognized in the 2024 OnCon Icon Awards,” said David Ross, Chief Technology Officer at Altus. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional team and their relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. Together, we’re fulfilling our mission of leading CRE intelligence through innovative advanced analytics capabilities.”

    For more information about the OnCon Icon Awards and to view the full list of winners, please click here.

    About Altus Group

    Altus Group is a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate. We deliver intelligence as a service to our global client base through a connected platform of industry-leading technology, advanced analytics, and advisory services. Trusted by the largest CRE leaders, our capabilities help commercial real estate investors, developers, proprietors, lenders, and advisors manage risks and improve performance returns throughout the asset and fund lifecycle. Altus Group is a global company headquartered in Toronto with approximately 2,900 employees across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information about Altus Group (TSX: AIF) please visit altusgroup.com.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Elizabeth Lambe
    Director, Global Communications, Altus Group
    (416) 641-9787
    Elizabeth.Lambe@altusgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix is Positioned Furthest in Vision Among All Vendors in 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for File and Object Storage Platforms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced it is positioned furthest in vision among all vendors in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for File and Object Storage Platforms. Nutanix believes this recognition is due to the company’s strong vision for an enterprise storage platform that unifies unstructured data across edge, public and private clouds. This, along with the ability to consolidate files, objects and block storage across virtual machines and containers enables customers to consolidate architectures, simplify operations and reduce cost.

    “Nutanix is widely recognized for block-based hyperconverged infrastructure, so it’s particularly rewarding to see our vision recognized in bringing consistent operational leverage to file and object use cases, which increasingly form the data backbone for modern applications and generative AI” said Lee Caswell, SVP, Product and Solutions Marketing at Nutanix.

    Nutanix believes the company was positioned furthest in vision for five key reasons:

    • Modern scale-out architecture: Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) offers a modern scale-out architecture that enables organizations to start small and efficiently scale out to very large volumes of multi-Petabyte data while also scaling performance;
    • Software-defined storage: NUS provides a software-defined solution that can be deployed across any server platform as well as any location – at the edge, in data centers or in public clouds;
    • Cloud operating model: Nutanix delivers a cloud operating model that extends the Nutanix hallmark of management simplicity to storage and data;
    • Integrated cyber resilience: NUS offers integrated cyber resilience and data security capabilities aligned to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework;
    • Unified platform and licensing: NUS delivers a unified storage platform for NFS, SMB, S3, and iSCSI with a single license meter for any data access type.

    NUS is a software-defined data platform that uniquely consolidates access and management of siloed file, object, and block storage into a single platform. Powered by rich data services such as analytics, ransomware protection, lifecycle management, and data protection, NUS enables organizations to adapt to fast-changing applications’ needs and shift their focus from data storage to more strategic data management. Additionally, in the past year, Nutanix showed significant advancements in high performance for AI workloads with top placement in MLPerf Storage benchmark for training, data protection with zero RPO/RTO metro sync, enhanced cyber resilience through Nutanix Data Lens with an innovative threat containment window followed by automated recovery, and expanded hybrid cloud integration with AWS.

    NUS is designed to power AI and modern cloud-native workloads by offering data locality, exceptional performance, linear scalability, and uncompromising security, supporting both training and inferencing use cases across industries. It also supports hybrid cloud use cases such as disaster recovery, cloud bursting, analytics, and cloud-based data replication and tiering. For video surveillance, NUS delivers high throughput and fault-tolerant storage, ensuring a high ROI for archival, retrieval, and analytics of video data. And finally, it enables workload consolidation by allowing all unstructured data workloads to run on a single platform, supporting both file and object services with multi-protocol capabilities based on application needs.

    “Our video surveillance system is important to physical security on campus, and we often need to add capacity and bandwidth,” said Jeff Blomendahl, IT Manager, University of Kansas Medical Center. “Nutanix makes it easy to grow the system and provide more resources as they are needed.”

    More information on Nutanix and a complimentary copy of the report are available here.

    Source:
    Source: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for File and Object Storage Platforms, Chandra Mukhyala, Julia Palmer, Chandra Mukhyala, Jeff Vogel, 8 October 2024
    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    About Nutanix
    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2024 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release may contain express and implied forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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