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  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Announces HUMAN-AI-T, Universal AI for Humanity Platform, at Davos

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Announces HUMAN-AI-T, Universal AI for Humanity Platform, at Davos

     View video here

    Davos, January 24, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today  unveiled live on CNBC from Davos, that in conjunction with the preview of the forthcoming book “Humanity at the Crossroads,” WISeKey, and SEALSQ, are joining forces with leading organizations and institutions to create a groundbreaking AI platform, codenamed HUMAN-AI-T. This universal AI will harness the wisdom of humanity, derived from certified historical and contemporary resources, to ensure the preservation and application of human knowledge for future generations.

    Building on the principles of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which secures the world’s agricultural biodiversity, the HUMAN-AI-T project aims to serve as the digital equivalent for human knowledge. It will consolidate a vast range of sources, including religious texts, legal frameworks, international treaties, philosophical ideas, and spiritual teachings from civilizations across the globe, integrating these with wisdom and local traditions. By doing so, it will holistically define humanity and teach the AI unique intricacies, ensuring that its development remains centered on universal human values.

    A Human-Centric Vision for AI

    The HUMAN-AI-T platform will be built using only certified and digitally signed resources to guarantee neutrality and authenticity in its knowledge base. This collaboration between leading universities, WISeKey, and SEALSQ will employ advanced digital stamping and security technologies, ensuring transparency and integrity in the processing of data.

    The primary objective of HUMAN-AI-T is to create an AI that not only augments human potential but also places humanity at the center of technological progress. By mastering AI in this way, the project aspires to secure the world’s collective knowledge and provide a foundation for a more equitable and ethical digital future.

    Launch Highlights

    The HUMAN-AI-T project was officially introduced alongside the launch of the forthcoming book ‘Humanity at the Crossroads’ from the authors of ‘The TransHuman Code’ Carlos Moreira and David Fergusson, during a live broadcast from the CNBC  Sanctuary at Davos. The discussion underscored the urgent need to harness technology to unleash, rather than overshadow, human potential.

    A Secure and Inclusive Digital Future

    The HUMAN-AI-T project represents a monumental step forward in the journey toward a human-centric approach to AI. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and ethical principles, this initiative seeks to build a foundation for global cooperation and innovation, ensuring that technology serves as a force for good in the world.

    This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the history of AI development, setting the stage for a future where technology enhances humanity while preserving the values and wisdom that define us.

    About WISeKey

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit http://www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As Syria ponders a democratic future: 5 lessons from the Arab Spring

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Robert Kubinec, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of South Carolina

    The fall of Bashar Assad’s dictatorship in December 2024 has ushered in a nerve-wracking time of hope and fear for Syrians concerning future governance in the long-war-torn country.

    While it’s unclear what exact political path Syria will take, the dilemmas the country faces are similar to the experiences of other Arab countries more than a decade ago. In the winter of 2010, an outbreak of protests in Tunisia spread across the region, toppling several regimes in what became known as the Arab Uprisings.

    While some countries – Egypt and Tunisia – became democracies, albeit briefly, others, like Yemen, Libya and Syria, descended into violence.

    In the intervening years, political science scholars from across the world have examined these political transformations, looking at why so many of Arab Uprising countries failed to continue down the path of democratic reform. As a political scientist with expertise in the region, I have distilled this research into five key lessons that could help guide Syria now, as it seeks to build a stable and democratic state.

    1. Islamist politicians are politicians first, Islamists second

    One of the most pressing questions when considering Syria’s post-Assad political direction is the role played by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the overthrow of Assad.

    Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is a former al-Qaida affiliate that has since backed away from extremist ideology – though there are worries that this moderation is temporary. While some observers may think that all Islamist groups want to rigidly enforce a narrow interpretation of Islamic law like the Taliban in Afghanistan, research shows a far wider range of possibilities for the policies Islamist groups implement while in office.

    For example, the Tunisian Islamist group Ennahda stalwartly defended democracy and helped write a liberal constitution after the country ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. Similarly, in Egypt after strongman leader Hosni Mubarak was removed the same year, the Muslim Brotherhood, a once-banned Islamist movement, competed successfully and fairly in the democratic process, though, of course, it faced the same challenges of any governing party in implementing policies once in power.

    But nor is such a path predetermined. Turkey’s recent democratic backslide and embrace of authoritarianism shows that Islamist politicians like President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can also undermine democracy when it serves their interests.

    What political science research has turned up time and again is that Islamist politicians are like politicians everywhere: When they need to win elections, they will gravitate toward voter concerns. According to regional survey data, a majority of Arabs express a preference for religious leaders who are apolitical.

    If Syria becomes a democracy, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will, I believe, likely have to continue to embrace moderation. But whether the group backs democracy depends on the organization’s calculation of what its future looks like in democracy versus more authoritarian forms of governance. Broad negotiations that involve all parties in Syria can help convince Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that continuing on a path of moderation is in their best interests. While no one can forecast with certainty what Syria’s new institutions will look like, research shows that Islamists are just as likely as secular parties to support democratic norms.

    2. Ending corruption is all important

    One of the drivers of the Arab Spring and the Syrian revolution was anger over corrupt business deals. Indeed, relatives and cronies of Assad owned de facto monopolies over lucrative industries like cellphone networks. Unwinding these corrupt legacies and opening industries to competition and licensing should be an overriding priority for those seeking a less autocratic future.

    In Tunisia, established businesses fought anti-corruption reforms because they said it would hurt investment and growth. But the reason that economic growth is so poor in many parts of the Middle East is precisely due to these entrenched companies.

    Syria’s diaspora has many capable businesspeople who can return and found innovative companies if the new government opens up investment and entrepreneurship beyond people with political connections.

    3. Political disagreement is OK

    Many hope that Syria’s new government will be freely and fairly elected. For democracy to work, though, it must successfully implement changes in response to voters’ concerns.

    Initially, Syria will need to decide on basic rules like a constitution, which will involve many diverse groups. This broad coalition may have an easier time reaching compromises because of the opposition’s shared experiences under the prior dictatorship. Trying to maintain this unity, however, can mask important political debates that need to occur.

    In order for voters to see change, electoral competition must yield actual policy change. In Tunisia, top-heavy coalitions of parties promoted unity instead of tackling difficult decisions that resonated with people’s daily concerns. Over time, voters stopped identifying with parties and lost confidence in elections. Tunisia’s elected president, Kais Saied, took advantage of this apathy to shut down the country’s parliament – an action that was broadly popular despite the loss of democracy.

    A practical response to this concern is to build strong parties, a cause that pro-democracy organizations like the National Democratic Institute are very good at. Effective parties help voters by putting together a package of policies that will get through parliament and building coalitions.

    While Syria’s opposition has a lot of experience with waging war, it has relatively little in the way of running campaigns and building strong party brands. These more mundane goals are the key connective tissue that makes democracy work.

    4. Bureaucracies should serve the public

    Elections choose leaders, but lasting, popular change also requires bureaucrats who implement new policies – what is known as “horizontal accountability.” Egypt’s post-2011 democratic government left many state institutions untouched and later faced a revolt from autonomous anti-democratic agencies. Meanwhile, in Sudan, which saw a brief interlude of liberalization after the ouster of its longtime dictator, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019, democratic reformers launched an ambitious overhaul of state institutions that still failed because bureaucrats lobbied politicians for support.

    Without cooperative bureaucrats, basic state services fail, which leads to phenomena like crime waves and a loss of confidence in democracy.

    The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led government in Syria has already started reforming bureaucracies by prosecuting high-ranking officials from the prior regime while retaining the rank and file. Effective oversight, though, requires participation of elected leaders with the legitimacy to demand accountability from bureaucrats. For those who want to be involved in Syria’s transition, providing technical assistance to quickly rebuild ministries is one way to increase the odds of a successful transition.

    5. Keep the military close

    If Syria’s new government collapses, history suggests the military will be the most likely culprit. Egypt’s military undermined the country’s democratic transition by covertly supporting the anti-Islamist opposition. Sudan’s military acquiesced to protester demands for new leadership but kept de facto control of important government institutions.

    Recent research shows that keeping the military in check means giving it a stake in democracy by funding needed items like salaries and equipment. Just as important, however, is establishing civilian control over the military by mandating that the military report to elected leaders about its budgets, policies, and deployments. Military aid is necessary, yes, but still must be tied to strict commitments to civilian control.

    The future is Syria’s

    Political transitions are too complex to embark on easy forecasts. But the experience of nations who saw democracy rise and fall in the Arab Spring and subsequent winter can help Syria’s new leaders avoid costly political mistakes.

    Ultimately, though, the fate of the country rests with its own people. They are the ones who survived Assad’s regime – and who will make the most important decisions for Syria’s future.

    I know and have co-authored with people who wrote some of the studies that are linked to in this article.

    – ref. As Syria ponders a democratic future: 5 lessons from the Arab Spring – https://theconversation.com/as-syria-ponders-a-democratic-future-5-lessons-from-the-arab-spring-246203

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Governments, Rewired | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Governments are under pressure to modernize as outdated systems strain to meet the needs of an increasingly digital society – a $10 trillion opportunity. Cutting-edge technologies can transform public services and enhance citizen engagement.

    Given current fiscal tightening and high levels of debt, how can governments leapfrog the investment challenge, shifting from bureaucracy to agility?

    Speakers: Achim Steiner, Ngaire Woods, Tony Blair, Maryam Al Hammadi, Thomas Siebel, Cina Lawson

    The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.

    This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    X ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #Davos2025 #WorldEconomicForum #wef25

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica and to the Republic of Nicaragua

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Mr Edward Roberts has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua in succession to Mr Ben Lyster-Binns.

    Edward Roberts

    Mr Edward Roberts has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica, and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua in succession to Mr Ben Lyster-Binns who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Roberts will take up his appointment during autumn 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Edward John Roberts

    Year Role
    2025 Pre-posting training (including Spanish language training)
    2023 to 2024 FCDO, Europe Group, Directorate Flexible Resource
    2022 to 2023 College of Europe, Bruges, MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies
    2019 to 2022 Kathmandu, Deputy Ambassador
    2017 to 2019 Department for Exiting the European Union, Policy Manager, Security Partnership
    2016 to 2017 Cabinet Office, Senior Policy Adviser, Migration and EU Asylum Cooperation
    2013 to 2016 Kinshasa, Consul and Second Secretary Political and Prosperity
    2011 to 2013 FCO, Desk Officer, EU Institutions and Treaty Change Bill
    2010 to 2011 European Commission, Brussels, DG AIDCO, Seconded National Expert, Human Development and Migration
    2009 to 2010 Department for Education, Policy Officer, Early Years Improvement Support
    2008 to 2009 Brussels, European Commission, DG AIDCO, Stagiaire, Human Development and Migration
    2007 to 2008 Department for Education, Policy Officer, Education and Skills Bill
    2006 to 2007 Department for Education, Policy Officer, Strategy for Learners with Learning Difficulties
    2006 Joined the Civil Service Fast Stream

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Adoption of Drones-as-a-Service Industry Explodes Along Rising Revenue Opportunities in the Billions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The drone market size continues to expand as the drone services industry evolves, offering a diverse range of services for both remotely controlled and autonomously flown drones. This industry integrates software-controlled flight plans into drones’ embedded systems, making it a critical component in sectors like agriculture, insurance, construction, marine, aviation, oil & gas, mining, and infrastructure. The demand for these services, which includes tasks such as search and rescue, package delivery, industrial inspections, imaging, and healthcare supply distribution to remote areas, significantly contributes to the growing drone market size. A study from MarketsAndMarkets said the Global Drone Services Market Size, which was valued at USD 17.0 billion in 2023, is estimated to reach USD 57.8 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 27.7% during the forecast period. The report said: “In terms of market segmentation, drone services are categorized by the type of service provided, including platform services (further divided into flight piloting and operation, data analysis, and data processing), maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), and simulation and training. The application-based segmentation encompasses inspection and monitoring, mapping and surveying, spraying and seeding, filming and photography, transport and delivery, as well as security, search, and rescue. The industry-based segmentation covers a wide spectrum of sectors, including construction and infrastructure, agriculture, utility, oil & gas, mining, defense and law enforcement, media and entertainment scientific research, insurance, aviation, marine, healthcare and social assistance, and transportation, logistics, and warehousing. These industries rely heavily on drones for functions like inspection, monitoring, and photography, further driving the drone market size.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE: UMAC), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “Furthermore, the market is categorized by solution type into end-to-end solutions, which encompass all platform services like piloting and operations, data analytics, and data processing. Point solutions are specific to piloting or data processing for applications such as surveying, inspection, and monitoring. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the drone market size within the drone services industry, as these services continue to replace legacy solutions in commercial sectors.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Announces Listing of its Common Shares on the Mexican Stock Exchange – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it its common shares are approved for listing and trading on the BMV: Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (Mexican Stock Exchange). The shares trade under the symbol “ZENA” on its International Quotation System (SIC), effective January 23, 2025.

    “As we continue to expand our business into new geographical markets, this additional listing on the Mexican Stock Exchange not only broadens our international exposure but provides increased liquidity for our shareholders. We look forward to sharing our story with Mexican investors as we continue to drive value for our shareholders,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    In Additional ZENA News – ZenaTech Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Acquires KJM Land Surveying LLC, a Second Acquisition to Accelerate Drone Innovation in Land Surveys and Establish a Southeast Base for its Drone as a Service Business – ZenaTech, a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has acquired KJM Land Surveying LLC, a well-established Pensacola Florida land survey engineering company with a long history and roster of repeat customers. This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition as part of a larger roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed, accuracy and innovation benefits. The acquisition will also form the base of the Southeast US region of its national Drone as a Service or DaaS business which utilizes drone solutions from its subsidiary company ZenaDrone.

    “Closing this second acquisition is another step in our Drone as a Service or DaaS strategy, establishing a Southeast base with an experienced team and customer relationships, which adds to our Northwest base and national rollout. We have the opportunity to significantly disrupt the land survey business at scale using drone technologies. We view our DaaS business model as similar as to how Uber disrupted the taxi industry,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “This acquisition, as well as the 20 others we have identified, have the potential to add accretive revenue over the short term as well as the long term.”

    The US Surveying and Mapping Services industry is estimated at $10.3 billion according to Business Research Insights, growing at least 3% annually. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using traditional methods.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the drone technology industry include:

    EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced the launch of its Exhibition (Experience) Center in Shenzhen’s Luohu Sports and Leisure Park. It is the world’s first EH216-S takeoff and landing site featuring a fully automated vertical lift vertiport. It also marks a new smart infrastructure in Shenzhen dedicated to the commercial operations of the EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle, establishing a groundbreaking model for electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft operations in urban areas.

    The Luohu UAM Center, designed by EHang, boasts an automated three-dimensional vertical lift vertiport. This innovative facility reduces labor costs and optimizes space usage through its automated operations. The Luohu UAM Center, spanning approximately 753 square meters, has brought this advanced design to life. The first floor is dedicated to a hangar and boarding area, providing passengers with a seamless and comfortable experience. The integrated takeoff and landing pad with the hangar enables rapid charging, thereby streamlining flight operations. During the launch ceremony on January 21, an EH216-S aircraft was lifted from the first to the second floor by the vertical lift platform. It then took to the skies, completing a lap over the Luohu Sports and Leisure Park before landing smoothly, marking its first flight at the Luohu UAM Center. The demonstration received widespread acclaim from attendees.

    Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) recently announced that its ballistics protection unit, Safe-Pro USA LLC (Safe-Pro USA) will be exhibiting at the upcoming SHOT Show 2025. The event is scheduled to take place from January 21-24, 2025, at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada. Safe-Pro USA will be exhibiting in the Palazzo Ballroom at booth #55939 on January 22nd and 23rd.

    The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®) is one of the largest of its kind events for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation and law enforcement. The annual event, attracting more than 55,000 industry professionals from around the world, serves as a premier platform to showcase new products, engage in educational sessions, and forge valuable connections. At SHOT Show 2025, Safe-Pro USA will be displaying an array of new ballistic protective solutions designed for law enforcement. Highlighted by its ultra-lightweight and ultra-thin “305 PRO” hard armor plate, Safe-Pro USA will also display newly developed high-performance ballistic plates and vests compliant with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) latest ballistic standard, NIJ 0101.07, all designed to offer enhanced protection for law enforcement and first responders against high-power rifle threats such as AR-15s and AK-47s.

    Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) recently announced that its Ondas Autonomous Systems Inc. (“OAS”) business unit’s Airobotics subsidiary has received a purchase order for its Iron Drone Raider from a major defense company. The order includes the integration and testing of new features required for defending from additional ground threats.

    “The Iron Drone Raider is a high performing, modular platform with AI-driven navigation and operating capabilities tailored to the most demanding defense requirements,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas. “Indeed, this versatility is allowing for expanded applications further expanding the potential market size for our Iron Drone platform. These new use cases meet an additional need identified by a governmental customer with the required performance and cost parameters. Securing this platform expansion highlights the exceptional talent and experience of our Airobotics team and the confidence our defense partners and customers have in Ondas.”

    During the third quarter of 2024, OAS secured several initial orders in the defense market, totaling approximately $14.4 million, which included several purchase orders totaling $9.0 million from a major government military customer for the Iron Drone Raider system. The Iron Drone Raider systems are being deployed as a core element of a multi-layered homeland security infrastructure to protect critical locations, assets and populations from the threat of hostile drones.

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), a leading innovator in drone technology with a current focus on U.S. based manufacturing and marketing of drone parts recently announced the release of the Rotor Riot Brave 55A ESC and its addition to the Blue UAS Framework. This product addresses the critical need for non-Chinese, NDAA-compliant components in the U.S. drone industry. Unusual machines now has two drone components placed on the Blue UAS Framework.

    The Blue UAS Framework is a program established by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to provide the Department of Defense and other government entities with trusted, secure drone components that meet rigorous cybersecurity, performance, and regulatory standards. Products listed on the framework ensure compliance with federal requirements, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), reducing risks associated with foreign-made or unverified components. Inclusion in the Blue UAS Framework underscores Unusual Machines’ commitment to supplying reliable solutions for government and defense applications.

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    DISCLAIMER:  FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels.  FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein.  FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.  FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.  The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material.  All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks.  All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release.  FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers.  Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks.  For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company.  FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Young Colombians Create the First Cryptocurrency to Enter Asia’s Largest Market, BitMart, with a Metaverse of Their City Medellín

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sparklife SPS has announced an ambitious project to recreate the city of Medellín, Colombia, in a metaverse built using Unreal Engine. This virtual world aims to integrate real-world economic value through the platform’s native cryptocurrency, SPSCoin.

    Within this metaverse, users will have the opportunity to explore virtual casinos and, in the near future, experience the video game La Oficina, which draws inspiration from Medellín’s vibrant neighborhoods. The game will allow players to engage in immersive activities that generate tangible profits in cryptocurrency.

    Cultural festivals, concerts, municipal councils and digital universities where you can learn with iA being your support, Virtual properties with dynamic NFT contracts.

    Additionally, users can establish their own virtual casinos equipped with crypto slot machines, earning rewards for every player who participates. The platform will support VR, PC, and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience across multiple platforms.

    Sparklife SPS is poised to blend cutting-edge technology with economic innovation, offering a unique intersection of the digital and real worlds.

    Media Contact:
    Sparklife
    Ceosparklife@villascapital.com.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: greenhawk-ct.com: BaFin warns against website

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns against the website greenhawk-ct.com. According to its findings, the operator offers financial and investment services as well as crypto-asset services there without a licence.

    The website operator appears under the name Greenhawk-CT, without using a legal form. He does not provide any information about his place of business. In addition, the operator declares that he is authorised and regulated by the Crypto Conduct Authority. However, the Crypto Conduct Authority is not a nationally or supranationally mandated or legitimised supervisory authority.

    Anyone offering financial or investment services or crypto-currency services in Germany requires a licence from BaFin. However, some companies offer such services without the required licence. Information on whether a particular company is authorised by BaFin can be found in the company database.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on Section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (KWG) and Section 10 (7) of the German Crypto Markets Supervision Act (KMAG).’

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: fincareglobal.org: BaFin warns of website and points out suspected identity theft

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The website operator mainly appears under the name ‘Finance C G’ or ‘Finance C G Global Ltd’. In some places, however, he also calls himself ‘Fincare Global PTE. Ltd’ and claims to be based in Singapore and regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Belize (FSC, Financial Services Commission of Belize).

    In the past, the operator has also provided customers with business addresses in Frankfurt am Main and London, United Kingdom. In addition, he was previously responsible for the identical, now inactive websites fincare-global.org, fincare-global.ltd and fincare-global.net.

    BaFin has no information about a possible connection between the fincareglobal.org website and the fincareglobal.com website, which is operated by FinCARE Global Pte Ltd. This is presumably a case of identity theft at the expense of the company mentioned.

    Anyone offering financial or investment services in Germany requires a licence from BaFin. However, some companies offer such services without the required licence. You can find information on whether a particular company is licensed by BaFin in the company database.

    BaFin bases this information on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: NPS’ Latest CubeSat Launch Furthers International Collaboration in Space

    Source: United States Navy

    At 11:09 a.m. PST, Jan. 14, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) – in partnership with NPS and the New Zealand military’s Defence Science & Technology unit (DST) – launched Otter, an NPS CubeSat suite aboard the commercial SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter 12 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4E Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

    Its mission: to explore new technological developments and experimental concepts to operate in an increasingly complex space environment.

    The Otter launch occurs at a time of an upswing in space technology investment, particularly in the commercial sector. As NPS leans in on partnering with commercial entities in all Naval Science and Technology Focus Areas, the Otter spacecraft is a prime example of the benefits to its students from these relationships, noted Dr. Wenschel Lan, interim chair of NPS’ Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG), an interdisciplinary academic association serving as the focal point for space-related research at the university.

    “In working with our commercial vendors, we have lessons learned that we continue to share with our students – from acquisitions, to spacecraft integration and testing, and spacecraft operations – that are relevant and representative of both the successes and challenges for the aerospace industry,” she said. “In gaining first-hand knowledge and experience with a space mission life cycle through these types of opportunities at NPS, our students are better prepared to serve as Space professionals in the Navy, throughout the DOD, and beyond.”

    Two hours after the rocket’s successful launch and Otter’s separation, Dr. Lan and her team were huddled in NPS’ Space Operations Center (SOC), the university’s heart for interacting with space assets.

    As the satellite arced across Canada into the Northern Pacific 515 km above the earth, the team prepared to make first contact.

    “We’re tracking!” exclaimed Alex Savattone, SSAG faculty associate for research involved with the daily management of the CubeSat missions, as the satellite’s beacon came into focus.

    Word reached the office of then 78th Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, himself an ’89 NPS alumnus with a master’s in Space Systems Engineering, who offered his congratulations.

    “Well done to the NPS student-faculty team and all the partners involved,” Secretary Del Toro said. “The strength of NPS’ innovative space education program is a force multiplier, impacting critical talent development needs and shaping future technology concepts.”

    Several days later, the Otter team tracked down the orbit plane, transmitted several commands, and the data began streaming to the NPS SOC: good status confirmed.

    While NPS is known for having the most alumni of any graduate school become astronauts, NPS also has a strong history in developing standardized and modular nanosatellites such as CubeSats, which have many benefits over costly traditional satellites. Beginning with the NPS Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) launched into low Earth orbit (LEO) in 1998 aboard the shuttle Discovery, the NPS program evolved into CubeSat designs and launchers, now commonly used by commercial providers. Made up of 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm cubes called units (U), CubeSats are relatively inexpensive to design, develop and deploy payloads into orbit and are ideal for applied education and research.

    Otter is a 6U CubeSat built and operated by NPS on behalf of NRO. Its primary payload, Tui, is a DST-built risk reduction platform for space-based maritime domain awareness capabilities. Two secondary payloads built by NPS, an X-band transmitter and an LED on-orbit payload (LOOP), will help develop and evaluate communication technologies and concepts of operations on future CubeSat missions.

    “The NRO is always looking for innovative ways to advance our capabilities in space,” said Dr. Aaron Weiner, director of the NRO’s Advanced Systems & Technology Directorate. “This demonstrator, developed in coordination with academia and an international ally, showcases the value in rapidly qualifying low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf hardware.”

    Otter is the second collaborative CubeSat mission run together with NRO and DST. The first, named Mola, launched in March 2024 with Tui’s predecessor, Korimako. Two NPS-built payloads are also manifested on Otter – an X-band transmitter and the next iteration of LOOP to continue experimenting with line-of-sight communications by using two banks of LEDs, transmitting in green and near-infrared wavelengths, that are capable of modulating light for basic messaging. More than 20 NPS students will have directly contributed to the Mola and Otter CubeSats as part of their master’s and Ph.D. research.

    Both CubeSat missions are directly supported by the NPS maintained and operated Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) network, a Department of Defense-sponsored effort that began in 2011 at NPS. Since then, SSAG has cultivated partnerships with nine other tracking facilities nationwide, including three other DOD service universities, civilian institutions, industry partners, and governmental agencies. These all work together within a distributed operations network that shares tracking responsibilities via parallel ground stations.

    Tui very much fits into this, according to Dr. Lan. The highly collaborative mission will provide space-based maritime awareness as well as serve as a pathfinder for policy development.

    “The capability that we’re developing is to add sensors in the space layer to be able to see what’s going on in the water,” she said. “It’s not just a camera, but a lot of different phenomenologies that you can sense from space to then help paint the picture of what’s going on.”

    The project also represents a risk reduction effort in the sense that it utilizes low-cost, off-the-shelf current technologies to explore the art of the possible.

    “We’re spending a small amount of money to buy down the risks so that when they actually do a full program of record, they’re not going into it blind,” Dr. Lan stated.

    The NPS-built payloads, the X-band transmitter and LOOP projects, also employ the latest in rapidly developing commercial technology. The X-band transmitter, operating in the microwave radio region of the electromagnetic spectrum, is ideal for space communications optimized for data-intensive payloads.

    The LOOP project utilizes a ground-based optical telescope to observe the LEDs on the CubeSat to evaluate how to track objects in low Earth orbit. Otter is a significant step forward toward the future goal of high-rate optical communications using the MC3 network.

    Now that Otter is launched, its operations will be undertaken by NPS faculty and students.

    “Our operations have changed since the launch of Mola,” observed Savattone. “During initial commissioning, our team manually ran each pass opportunity to check the satellite’s health and troubleshoot as needed. Currently, operations are predominantly automated. Mola is provided with a schedule for executing specific sequences, such as a telemetry downlink to one of the ground stations. Today’s daily operations primarily involve monitoring the health of the entire system, including ground stations, cloud resources, and satellites.”

    Otter also builds on lessons learned from the Mola mission, he said. “One significant lesson learned is the critical importance of having comprehensive knowledge of all subsystems. Since we procured the satellite buses from a commercial vendor instead of constructing the entire satellite ourselves, it took our team some time to understand the complexities of each system. Mola facilitated our learning process regarding the efficient operation of Otter and served as a pathfinder for streamlining our flight operations.”

    “The Otter mission was a success not only in its launch, but also in the opportunities it afforded the NPS students who worked on it,” said Dr. Giovanni Minelli, SSAG research associate professor and co-principal investigator for its CubeSat program along with Dr. Lan.

    “Most importantly, it serves as a means of providing hands-on experience with the design, test, launch and operation of a real spacecraft to complement the theoretical coursework offered to our students,” he said. “We believe practically applying lessons learned in the classroom helps cement understanding of difficult concepts and better prepares our warrior scholars for leveraging space to advance our military’s priorities after graduation.”

    “Furthermore,” Dr. Minelli noted, “the CubeSat program grants students the chance to advance technologies jointly developed by international government research institutions.”

    “The students get to be involved in a mission with real stakeholders, requiring the successful operation of the spacecraft, its payloads, and the supporting ground infrastructure to collect and disseminate experimental test results to our strategic partners,” he said. “An ideal training opportunity, this ‘rubber meets the road’ process is also used for the high-value operational missions our students will work on throughout their careers.”

    The LOOP project is a prime exemplar of this, with both iterations spanning the Mola and Otter missions.

    LOOP was originally developed for Mola by Marine Corps Maj. Dillon Pierce to address a gap in the payload manifest as part of his doctoral research at NPS. Using his education from NPS as a Space Operations Masters student, he quickly designed, built, and tested a flight-ready payload.

    The Marine Corps infantry officer is on track to earn his doctorate this June. His work, sponsored by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, aims to fill critical operational capability and capacity gaps, with significant anticipated impacts on future military operations.

    “What I truly fell in love with was the hands-on aspect of the applied research within the SSAG,” Maj. Pierce said. “Coming into the lab and being able to apply theory to real-world capabilities, such as building rockets and CubeSat payloads, is fascinating. It provided me with a deep understanding of the technical concepts learned in the classroom and demonstrated how to apply those concepts to address the operational challenges facing the military today.”

    Maj. Pierce is elated to see the LOOP project evolve with its second iteration for the Otter mission, which he passed on to Dr. James Newman, NPS acting provost, SSAG professor and former Space Shuttle astronaut, who was able to upgrade its capabilities to include InfraRed LEDs and higher data rates.

    Work on LOOP was also carried out by Navy Lt. Charles “Chuck” Bibbs for his master’s degree in Space Systems Operations. Lt. Bibbs, currently attached to Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command (NSWBTC), is a SEAL phase officer at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California.

    Lt. Bibbs was specifically involved with the planning, preparation and execution of environmental testing for LOOP, including thermal vacuum and vibration testing, as well as the integration of the total Otter payload.

    “This experience gave me an appreciation for the entire lifecycle of a payload,” he said. “Upon joining the team, I was introduced to the remarkable collaborative effort that brought this particular payload to life, and I gained a clear understanding of where my contributions fit within that timeline. It was fascinating to see how NPS works with other countries and commercial entities to drive innovation for defense purposes!”

    Lt. Bibbs also commended the SSAG faculty’s excellent alignment of the department’s research efforts with course objectives. His work on Otter was conducted as course projects for the AE4831 Spacecraft Systems II curriculum in the M.S. Space Systems Operations program.

    “This experience was formative because, like the military as a whole, I have a significant interest in space and would like to involve myself in those efforts in the near future,” he continued. “Additionally, by working on this project I better understand the nuances of requirements, procurements, and fielding large-scale projects. This experience provided skills that will assist me in a wide-range of military duties that do not necessarily have to be space-related.”

    Maj. Pierce and Lt. Bibbs’ observations cut to the heart of NPS’ mission: to provide defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership and warfighting advantage of the Naval service.

    As a naval command with a graduate university mission, NPS uniquely synchronizes mid-career student operational experience and education with applied research and faculty expertise to deliver innovative warfighting solutions and leaders educated to understand and employ them.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Davos 2025 Highlights | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    So what were the highlights at Davos this year?

    Under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” nearly 3,000 people from more than 125 countries came together to address a wide array of critical topics, including global cooperation, economic growth, AI development, and the climate crisis.

    Click the link to rewatch any of our sessions or explore what you missed: wef.ch/wef25

    The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.

    This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    X ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #Davos2025 #WorldEconomicForum #wef25

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Mh0MBEJBA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: A Conversation with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh | Davos 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Speakers: Muhammad Yunus, Klaus Schwab

    The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.

    This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    X ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #Davos2025 #WorldEconomicForum #wef25

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjAoISU-5R0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘My Hero’ Essay Competition 2025: British Embassy Budapest

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    We invite young people living in Hungary to participate in an essay competition under the theme ‘My Hero’, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust.

    Honouring bravery and inspiration from the Holocaust, 80 years on.

    To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary, the British Embassy in Budapest invites young people living in Hungary aged 16-25 to participate in an essay competition in English under the theme ‘My Hero’.

    This is your chance to reflect on personal stories of bravery and inspiration from individuals – past or present – whose courage and values inspire you today.

    We would love to read your essays about Holocaust survivors, heroes of resistance or individuals who stood up against hatred, including family members, neighbours or individuals whose small acts of courage made a difference.

    Essay guidelines

    • essays must be written in English
    • length: 800 to 1,000 words (10 to 15% variation acceptable)
    • submissions suspected of being generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be excluded

    How to submit

    • email your essay to competition.be.budapest@fcdo.gov.uk by 11:59 PM CET on 16 February  2025
    • include your name, age, school or university (if applicable), and contact details

    Key dates

    • submission deadline: 16 February  2025, 11:59 PM CET
    • winner notification: by 25 February 2025
    • event at the British Ambassador’s Residence: early March 2025

    Examples of inspiring heroes

    • Hanna Szenes – a Hungarian Jew, poet and British Special Operations Executive volunteer who sacrificed her life to resist Nazi oppression
    • Jane Haining – a Scottish missionary in Budapest who gave her life to protect Jewish girls in her care at Auschwitz
    • Lily Ebert – a Holocaust survivor who dedicated her life to educating future generations about the horrors she endured and the importance of standing up against hatred
    • we also welcome stories about relatives, family friends or members from your community whose bravery during the Holocaust inspires you, highlighting personal connections to this shared history

    Judging criteria

    Essays will be evaluated by a gender-balanced jury of British Embassy staff based on:

    • creativity and originality
    • relevance to the topic and theme of heroism
    • coherence and emotional impact
    • how the hero’s story has made a difference

    Prizes

    • winners will be notified by 25 February 2025 and invited to the British Ambassador’s Residence in Budapest to meet the Ambassador and share their stories
    • the winning essays will be published on our official social media channels, reaching a wider audience

    Please note: participants must be resident in Hungary. Non-Hungarian citizens living in Hungary may also apply.

    By submitting your essay, you agree to the competition rules.

    The Embassy reserves the right to disqualify submissions if they do not meet the requirements.

    This competition is part of the UK’s Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), focusing on preserving Holocaust remembrance and its enduring lessons for young generations.

    For enquiries, please contact: competition.be.budapest@fcdo.gov.uk

    Let’s honour those who inspire us and ensure their stories remain alive for generations to come.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West Burton Solar Project development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The West Burton Solar Project application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

    West Burton Solar Project

    The application is an NSIP development comprising four electricity generating stations, each with anticipated capacity in excess of 50MW, comprising of ground mounted solar arrays, with associated development comprising energy storage, grid connection infrastructure and other infrastructure integral to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the NSIPs.  

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by West Burton Solar Project Limited on 21 March 2023 and accepted for examination on 18 April 2023.  

    Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 8 August 2024.   

    This is the 89th energy application out of 149 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.   

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.   

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.  

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.  

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:   

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Support is available after tragic death of woman in West Hoe

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A range of support is available to anyone affected by the tragic death of a woman in West Hoe on Wednesday evening.

    A man wanted on suspicion of murder has now been arrested and the police proceedings are ongoing. Members of the public can report information that may help the police investigation through their Major Incident Public Portal.

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened that there has been another tragic death of a woman in Plymouth and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

    “We want women and girls to feel safe and will work with the police to support the families and communities affected by this incident and our Safer Communities team is offering support to residents in the area.

    “If anyone is affected by this incident, there are services available in the city to support you. We also have details on our website with links to support services across the city.”

    There’s information about the wide range of support and advice available on our website:

    Plymouth support offer | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Georgians Have Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance; Deadline is Feb. 7, 2025

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    Georgians Have Two Weeks Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance; Deadline is Feb. 7, 2025

    Georgia survivors of Tropical Storm Debby (Aug. 4—20. 2024) and Hurricane Helene (Sept. 24—Oct. 30, 2024) in the counties designated for Individual Assistance have just two weeks left to apply for FEMA assistance.The application period for federal disaster assistance ends on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.Counties approved for assistance for Hurricane Helene are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes.Counties approved for assistance for Tropical Storm Debby are: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven.If you had storm-related expenses and live or own a business in one of the listed counties, you are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance. FEMA assistance can provide grants, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may offer loans for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related needs. For more information or to apply online with SBA, visit sba.gov/disaster. Additional information is also available by calling the Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or via email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.You can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. Survivors can also contact the Georgia Call Center Monday through Saturday at 678-547-2861 for assistance with their application.To apply in person, visit a Disaster Recovery Center, where FEMA and SBA specialists can help you apply for assistance, upload documents, answer questions and provide information on available resources. You may visit any open Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance – YouTube.FEMA provides help to all disaster survivors, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. Our top priority is ensuring that disaster assistance is reaching people in need.For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton on X @FEMA_Cam.
    jakia.randolph
    Fri, 01/24/2025 – 13:27

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second man charged with murder in Tottenham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A second man has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in Tottenham last year.

    Okechukwu Iweha, 46, died after being stabbed in Worcester Avenue, N17 on 7 April 2024. His family have been updated with this development.

    Devon Brown – 29 (19.02.95) of no fixed abode was arrested on suspicion of murder, manslaughter, possession of a knife/pointed blade and perverting the course of justice after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Friday, 24 January following his extradition from the United States.

    He will appear in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 25 January.

    Previously, Leandro Kaienga – 28 (11.04.96) of no fixed abode was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article (knife). He is remanded in custody ahead of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court which is currently scheduled to commence on 24 February.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Simplifying Crypto Payments: Introducing Bybit Pay

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to launch Bybit Pay, an innovative payment platform designed to seamlessly connect traditional finance with the digital economy. This new solution is about processing payments and building strategic partnerships that drive growth, innovation, and financial inclusion on a global scale.

    Bybit Pay is a next-generation payment solution designed to simplify transactions across fiat and cryptocurrencies. With seamless integration across websites, mobile apps, and point-of-sale (POS) systems, Bybit Pay empowers businesses to offer efficient, secure, and low-cost payment options to their customers. Whether it’s for online platforms, in-store purchases, or cross-border payments, Bybit Pay bridges the gap between traditional payment methods and the growing demand for digital financial services.

    Bybit Pay is happy to welcome more forward-thinking partners joining its ecosystem – businesses, payment providers, and service platforms looking to innovate and scale their operations in the evolving digital finance landscape. Partners gain access to:

    • A Global User Base: Instantly connecting with Bybit’s network of over 60 million global users.
    • Seamless Integration: Easily incorporating Bybit Pay into existing financial infrastructures and business systems.
    • Scalable Solutions: Growing with flexible, future-proof payment technologies designed to adapt to market needs.
    • Cross-Industry Collaboration: Unlocking opportunities through partnerships across e-commerce, traditional finance, and digital asset sectors.

    Empowering Businesses and Customers Alike

    For businesses, Bybit Pay offers the tools to drive potential revenue growth, reduce operational costs, and improve financial efficiency. At the same time, customers are able to benefit from faster transactions, lower fees, and the freedom to choose between fiat and cryptocurrency payment methods – creating a frictionless payment experience for all.

    A Vision for the Future

    Joan Han, Bybit’s Sales and Marketing Director, envisions a brighter future for payments, noting: “Bybit Pay represents a shift in how we connect businesses to the digital future. It’s more than a payment platform; it’s a call to partners to innovate and redefine transactions with solutions that are efficient, accessible, and forward-thinking.”

    The Future of Payments Starts Here

    Bybit Pay represents a new chapter in digital finance – where innovation, scalability, and reliability come together to create unparalleled opportunities for growth.

    #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

    About Bybit

    Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

    For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press 

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

    For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

    Contact

    Head of PR

    Tony

    Bybit

    tony.au@bybit.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7c878034-d424-4c73-9f6b-1056a73a4449

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Relm Addresses Growing Risk of Crypto Exchange Bankruptcy with Innovative FALTAWEB3 Product Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Relm Insurance (‘Relm’), the leading specialty insurance carrier supporting emerging and innovative industries, today announced the launch of FALTAWEB3, a bespoke risk transfer solution that asset managers, broker/dealers or custodians can purchase to give their customers peace of mind in the event that they are unable to withdraw funds from exchanges due to an ‘exchange default’.

    This first of its kind solution provides policyholder protection against exchange defaults, encompassing ‘insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, or halting of account withdrawals’. With the frequency of such events increasing in recent years, Relm has developed FALTAWEB3 to provide commercial customers of exchanges with more confidence to invest and trade.

    With over five years of experience insuring companies across the Web3 ecosystem, Relm’s underwriting team has developed a robust repository of underwriting and risk data specific to digital assets. For FALTAWEB3, Relm will harness its proprietary data alongside insights from Agio Ratings, a credit rating firm with an established record of assessing exchange default risk. Agio Ratings’ rigorous quantitative approach flagged high risk at FTX and several other exchanges that subsequently defaulted. “Exchange risk is notoriously difficult to hedge, even for the most sophisticated risk managers. We’re excited to support Relm’s vision to broaden access to coverage in the event of an exchange default,” said Ana de Sousa, CEO of Agio Ratings.

    “This new solution further solidifies our alignment with innovators in the digital asset space,” said Joseph Ziolkowski, Relm’s CEO and founder. “Insurance should be an enabling force for the maturing crypto economy. FALTAWEB3 was built from deep industry engagement, ensuring that we meet the unique needs of market participants handling significant volumes of fiat and crypto across exchanges.”

    To address this critical exposure with greater flexibility, Relm can also leverage its alternative reinsurance infrastructure to enable self-insurance options and the utilization of third-party capital to underwrite larger limits. Relm offers a bankruptcy-protected, turn-key captive insurance option for commercial entities reliant on exchanges, allowing them to participate in underwriting profits. Additionally, Relm can quickly establish reinsurance sidecars, deploying third-party capital — denominated in fiat or digital assets — to create regulated reinsurance capacity absent in the traditional market.

    “Through direct engagement with stakeholders and cutting-edge technology partners, Relm continues to redefine the possibilities of risk transfer solutions,” added Claire Davey, Relm’s Head of Product Innovation and Emerging Risk. “FALTAWEB3 exemplifies our commitment to identifying emerging risks and utilizing data-driven insights alongside regulated insurance infrastructure to create products that address gaps in the traditional insurance market and provide confidence to a growing digital asset economy.”

    This news comes after Relm announced the launch of its US MGA, licensed in 50 states, and the hiring of industry veteran Keith Lavigne as Head of Underwriting – US.

    About Relm Insurance
    Relm Insurance Ltd. (Relm) is a Bermuda-domiciled specialty insurance carrier supporting emerging industries that spur innovation and next generation technologies. Launched in 2019 to address the scarcity of insurance capacity available to these high growth markets, Relm plays an active role in bolstering the resilience of these innovative industries. Relm’s unrivaled industry expertise and solutions-driven track record makes it a highly sought-after risk partner for businesses and institutions operating at the forefront of Web3, digital assets, AI, and alternative medicine. Relm has earned a Financial Stability Rating of A, Exceptional, from Demotech. Please visit http://www.relminsurance.com for more information.

    About Agio Ratings
    Agio Ratings is a credit and risk analysis firm focused on the digital asset market. With a team of seasoned financial professionals, statisticians, and data scientists, it has developed proprietary risk models that capture the market’s unique and volatile risks factors. Agio Ratings is trusted by leading risk teams in the industry and backed by globally renowned investors, including Superscrypt, Portage, and MS&AD Ventures. For more information, please visit: https://www.agioratings.io/

    # # #

    Media Contact
    Yasmin Oronos | Account Execuctive 

    yasmin.oronos@lunapr.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BexBack Introduces 100x Leverage, Double Deposit Bonus, and $50 Welcome Bonus—A Game-Changer for Crypto Traders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin’s price hovers around the $100,000 mark and enters a phase of high volatility, many analysts predict the market will remain active for the long term. For traders seeking to maximize profits under these conditions, BexBack Exchange has launched an unparalleled promotional package. The platform now offers a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading—all while maintaining a No KYC policy, ensuring a seamless and private trading experience.

    Unleash the Power of 100x Leverage

    BexBack’s 100x leverage feature allows traders to control larger positions with smaller capital, offering significant profit potential. For instance:

    • If Bitcoin is priced at $100,000 and you open a position with 1 BTC using 100x leverage, your trade equates to 100 BTC.
    • If Bitcoin’s price rises to $105,000, your profit would be: (105,000−100,000)×100/100,000=5BTC, yielding a 500% return.

    Maximize Gains with the 100% Deposit Bonus

    The 100% deposit bonus is designed to double traders’ capital. For example:

    • Deposit 1 BTC and receive an additional 1 BTC as a bonus, enabling you to trade with 2 BTC. While the bonus cannot be directly withdrawn, it acts as extra margin, reducing liquidation risks during volatile markets.

    Why Choose BexBack?

    BexBack’s innovative features and user-centric approach set it apart:

    1. No KYC Policy: Start trading instantly with just an email—no lengthy verifications required.
    2. High Leverage: Trade with up to 100x leverage, amplifying your capital efficiency.
    3. Transparent Fees: Zero spreads and no slippage ensure precise trade execution.
    4. Comprehensive Accessibility: Available on both web and mobile platforms, offering 24/7 access.
    5. Global Reach: Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe, and holds a US MSB license.
    6. Demo Account: Perfect for beginners, with 10 BTC in virtual funds to practice strategies risk-free.
    7. Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission through the lucrative affiliate program.

    About BexBack

    BexBack is a global leader in cryptocurrency derivatives trading, offering perpetual contracts for BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and XRP with up to 100x leverage. Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina, BexBack is trusted by over 200,000 traders worldwide. The platform holds a US MSB license and is dedicated to providing a seamless trading experience with no deposit fees, 24/7 multilingual customer support, and advanced trading tools.

    Don’t Miss the Opportunity!

    With Bitcoin at $100,000, the cryptocurrency market is at a critical juncture. BexBack’s unbeatable bonuses and high-leverage offerings make it the ideal platform for traders looking to capitalize on this dynamic market.

    Sign up today on BexBack to claim your bonuses and start trading with the tools you need to succeed in the new era of cryptocurrency trading.

    Website: http://www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/055bdd3e-9532-4205-b957-764c3c1b0717

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/665fdfca-e73b-4a8e-93ae-2ed294730a1a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d1af240-ffb5-4c85-a9e6-939c54ed7a62

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/623cdedd-2b86-4a21-9833-8263886d659c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac V5.0 Updated：Enhanced iPhone Manager on Mac

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coolmuster, a leading consumer software provider specializing in data management solutions for 10+ years, announces a significant update to Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac. This enhanced version synchronizes key features from the Windows version, optimizing user experience and enabling seamless management, transfer, and backup of iOS data on Mac computers.

    What’s New in Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac V5.0?

    The latest update introduces several key improvements:

    • Optimized Data Loading: Enhanced loading for SMS, memos, thumbnails, and voice memos accelerates transfers.
    • Improved Media Navigation: Refined iCloud thumbnail loading and image export with creation time for smoother media management.
    • Data Integrity Fixes: Resolved potential data loss issues when loading albums, ensuring safe photo management.
    • E-book Transfer Resolution: Fixed issues with transferring e-books to iOS devices.
    • iOS 18 Compatibility: Improved recognition of memos and voice memos, enhancing overall functionality.
    • Performance Enhancements: Addressed potential crashes and optimized performance for a more reliable user experience.

    “Our goal with the latest update was to enhance the user experience and ensure that managing iOS data on Mac is as seamless as possible,” said the Co-founder of Coolmuster. “We listened to our users’ feedback, and these improvements reflect our commitment to providing reliable and efficient tools for their digital lives.”

    Additionally, Coolmuster offers a suite of data management tools, including the Coolmuster Android Assistant, Coolmuster Mobile Transfer, Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery and Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android, offering efficient solutions for phone management, transfer and recovery.

    Compatibility and Pricing

    Supported Systems:

    • Windows OS: Windows 7 or newer
    • Mac OS: Mac OS X 10.9 or later
    • iOS: iOS 5.0 and above (including iOS 18)

    Pricing:

    • 1 Year License: Starting from $25.95 for 1 PC
    • Lifetime License: Starting from $35.95 for 1 PC
    • Business License: Starting from $35.95 for 2-5 PCs

    To celebrate the update and appreciate user trust, Coolmuster will host giveaways, offering free software and 20% discounts on selected products. Details can be found at Coolmuster Giveaways.

    About Coolmuster

    Established in 2013, Coolmuster is dedicated to developing powerful and user-friendly software for iOS, Android, Office, Utilities, and Multimedia. With over 2 million users in 160 countries, Coolmuster is committed to enhancing digital life through innovative technology and exceptional customer support.

    More information: https://www.coolmuster.com/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Yap Boum, Professor in the faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology

    Walking through the crowded streets of the Pakadjuma neighbourhood in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am struck by the vibrant atmosphere around me.

    Children play happily in puddles, surrounded by piles of plastic bags and open ditches of sewage. Shacks patched together from pieces of corrugated iron crowd the settlement. Loud rumba music blasts through the air as young people enjoy themselves in open bars, waiting for grilled pork or chicken to be served. Sex workers sit outside tin shacks in narrow alleyways, calling for customers.

    Nearby a Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre is the only reminder that this slum area is the epicentre of the mpox epidemic in Kinshasa. There are no posters, no pamphlets or banners warning residents of the dangers of this viral disease that was declared a continental and global emergency in August last year.

    At the clinic, patients suspected to have mpox are sent to one of three dedicated mpox centres in the city. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and lesions. With symptomatic care most patients get better in 7 to 35 days, depending on the severity of the case.

    As an epidemiologist co-leading the response to mpox for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, I visited Pakadjuma to get a better sense of the situation on the ground.

    Mpox has historically been a rural disease in the DRC. This microcosm of Kinshasa sheds light on the complex challenges of managing the outbreak in a city.

    Fighting on two fronts

    With a population of more than 17 million, Kinshasa is Africa’s biggest megacity. Pakadjuma is one of the city’s many overcrowded areas where people live in extreme poverty.

    Kinshasa, often called “Kin la Belle”, faces a unique crisis in the fight against mpox. Both strains of the virus, clade Ia and clade Ib, are circulating in the city simultaneously. This is first time this has happened.

    Clade Ia, which is primarily transmitted from animal to human and then within households through touch, has been endemic to Africa for decades.

    Clade Ib is a new strain and contracted predominantly through sexual contact. It is the strain that has spread rapidly across 21 African countries during the current epidemic in east and central Africa.

    Grilled meat for customers.

    This dual transmission makes the fight against mpox even more complicated: how does one tackle a public health crisis rooted in both intimate human connections and structural inequities such as living in overcrowded areas?

    Although the strains are treated similarly clinically, their spread and transmission differ.

    Clade Ia is mainly associated with zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans) in rural areas. Animal surveillance and community education are required to control spillovers.

    Clade Ib, with higher human-to-human transmissibility, necessitates intensified contact tracing, vaccination, and preventive measures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    Tailoring strategies to these differences is key to containing the outbreak.

    When condoms don’t work

    Pakadjuma, in the north-east of the city, is known for poverty and high crime rates. For many girls and young women the sex trade is their only option if they want to survive.

    One of the most pressing challenges to combat the virus in the area is curbing sexual transmission.

    Unlike HIV, where condoms can significantly reduce the risk of spread, mpox poses a different challenge: because the virus is spread by touch there is no practical preventive measure for sexual transmission apart from complete abstinence.

    Mpox lesions start in the groin, making any movement excruciating. For these sex workers, though, abstinence is not an option. It would mean losing their livelihood and the ability to feed their children.

    For their clients, who come from all over the city, it would require altering a core aspect of their lives for a disease they perceive as less lethal than Ebola. There are no easy answers to this dilemma.

    Patients are tested for mpox at this Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre

    Tracing the spread

    Contact tracing, a cornerstone of outbreak control, is another hurdle.

    Identifying and tracing the contacts of sex workers is complex. As a result only a fraction of mpox cases are confirmed with laboratory analysis.

    On average, each mpox case has about 20 contacts, yet tracing clients in a highly confidential sexual network is next to impossible.

    Without effective contact tracing, infected individuals remain in the community, often seeking treatment only when their condition worsens. From discussions with Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the triage zone, it emerges that suspected mpox cases usually arrive in advanced stages of the disease, when symptoms are clearly visible. Many patients first attempt other remedies such as traditional healing methods, before seeking medical care.

    Fortunately Kinshasa benefits from a strong laboratory network led by the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale and test results are available within 48 to 72 hours. This state-of-the-art institute was pioneered by Dr Jean Jacques Muyembe, the microbiologist who first discovered Ebola.

    In the first week of January 2025 there were 1,155 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in the city, according to the DRC Ministry of Health.

    Even for those who seek care at the dedicated mpox centres, navigating the chaotic, congested roads is a nightmare. Yellow minibuses – ominously known locally as the “Spirit of Death” – are crammed and it can take hours to get to a destination.

    With increasing patient numbers, mpox centres in the city are overwhelmed.

    Pakadjuma, one of the poorest districts in the city.
    A goods train passing through.

    The fight on all fronts

    Addressing the mpox outbreak in Kinshasa requires a multifaceted approach which includes:

    Vaccination: Blanket vaccination drives offer the strongest hope for controlling the outbreak in hotspots such as Pakadjuma where contact tracing is almost impossible. In these cases the whole community needs to be vaccinated.

    This could break transmission chains while allowing individuals at risk, such as sex workers, to continue plying their trades.

    Prevention and control: Home care is essential, particularly in informal settlements like Pakadjuma. Providing food and material support to patients and their families and encouraging the isolation of infected relatives will help to limit the spread of the disease.

    These measures require new thinking, however, when people are trying to survive from day to day.

    Talking to the community: This is difficult because of the stigma around the disease, but it must be at the heart of the response.

    Amplifying the message: The media, local leaders and trusted community members need to be engaged to spread the word loud and clear.

    This all needs to happen immediately or the epidemic will be almost impossible to contain in this vast, sprawling city. The consequences would be dire.

    – Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis
    – https://theconversation.com/mpox-in-the-drc-residents-of-the-slum-at-the-centre-of-kinshasas-epidemic-have-little-chance-of-avoiding-this-major-health-crisis-247809

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd Reintroduces Bill to Deport Migrants Who Assault Cops

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) reintroduced the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act of 2025.
    The historic passage of the Laken Riley Act included an amendment requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain an illegal alien who assaults law enforcement.
    The POLICE Act would further strengthen federal law by explicitly making assault of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder a deportable offense.  
    Senator Budd led the POLICE Act in the 118th Congress and twice pushed for it to be passed in the Senate. Both times he was blocked by the former Democrat Senate majority.
    The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). 
    The House bill, H.R. 31, is led by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY).
    Sen. Budd said in a statement:
    “One of the best ways we can support law enforcement officers, and protect the public, is by deporting dangerous people who do them harm. If a migrant commits the crime of assaulting an officer or other first responder, they should be subject to immediate deportation. Our lawmakers must always back the men and women who protect and serve our communities. We must act on this vital proposal.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo emergency: Fears that regional capital Goma faces attack

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    Intensifying hostilities on the outskirts of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond involving the non-state armed group M23 have caused further mass displacement in the mineral-rich region, with fears that the regional capital Goma could come under attack, UN agencies warned on Friday.

    “We are deeply alarmed at the heightened risk of an attack by the M23 armed group on Goma, the capital of North Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo…Any such attack on Goma risks catastrophic impacts on hundreds of thousands of civilians, putting them at heightened exposure to human rights violations and abuses,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, OHCHR.

    “The High Commissioner has flagged many times that sexual violence is a key component – a very horrific component – of this conflict,” Ms. Shamdasani added. “Armed groups abduct, hold captive and subject women and girls to sexual slavery and many of them have been killed after being raped.”

    Since the UN peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO, withdrew from South Kivu in June 2024, peacekeepers have defended key positions in North Kivu, including Goma and Sake, where clashes between the M23, the Congolese Armed Forces and many other armed groups have continued.

    Hundreds of thousands newly displaced

    Some 400,000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu since the beginning of this year alone, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

    Highlighting the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold largely unseen by the outside world, UNHCR spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh reported that “bombs have fallen” on camps for people uprooted by the violence in South and North Kivu.

    These attacks include one on 20 January, when explosions at Kitalaga site in South Kivu killed two children. 

    On 21 January, five makeshift shelters were destroyed in Nzuolo, near Goma, while on Wednesday, Bushagara site – also near Goma – was “heavily impacted, causing panic and new waves of forced displacement”, Mr. Saltmarsh told journalists in Geneva.

    He noted that heavy bombardments from clashes involving the M23 rebels forced families to flee various displacement sites on the periphery of Goma and try to seek safety within Goma: “UNHCR staff remain on the ground in Goma, assisting the displaced civilians wherever they can and wherever they get access,” he said. 

    “But as you can understand, the access at the moment is extremely challenging.”

    Guterres warning

    The development came as the UN Secretary-General on Thursday expressed alarm over a renewed offensive by M23 rebels in eastern DRC and the “devastating toll” on civilians.

    In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, António Guterres noted the Rwandan-backed rebels’ reported seizure of Sake, in South Kivu, “which increases the threat” to the regional capital Goma – all of which is “heightening the threat of a regional war”. Rwanda denies any direct involvement with M23 fighters.

    “The Secretary-General calls on the M23 to immediately cease its offensive, withdraw from all occupied areas and abide by the 31 July 2024 ceasefire agreement,” the UN chief’s statement continued.

    Echoing the Secretary-General’s concerns, OHCHR spokesperson Ms. Shamdasani reiterated UN chief Volker Türk’s appeal “to all States with influence on the parties to impress on them the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities”. 

    M23 is well funded and “as the High Commissioner has said previously, any role played by Rwanda in supporting the M23 in North Kivu – and by any other country supporting armed groups active in the DRC – must end,” she insisted. “The people in the DRC are exhausted by violence, exhausted by conflict, exhausted by the horrors of their daily life. And this must not be allowed to worsen further.”

    Stark options 

    Asked to explain the dangers faced by those sheltering in camps, UNHCR’s Mr. Saltmarsh replied that their “options are stark and extremely limited…What you will receive in terms of aid is extremely limited – that depends very much on whether agencies like UNHCR and our partners in the UN and NGOs are able to access those sites. 

    “If they are, we can bring in a minimum of assistance, otherwise, civilians will be in areas that are now occupied by the armed groups. We don’t have access to those areas, so it’s very difficult to for us to say what conditions are like there.”

    South and North Kivu Provinces already host 4.6 million internally displaced people. UNHCR has warned that human rights violations, including looting, injuries, murders, kidnappings and arbitrary arrests of displaced people mistaken for rebels have escalated.

    “Hospitals are nearing capacity with injured civilians,” Mr. Saltmarsh said. “Vulnerable women, children, and the elderly are living in overcrowded and precarious conditions with limited access to food, water, and essential services.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tennessee Document Processing Centers to Close; FEMA Help Remains

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Tennessee Document Processing Centers to Close; FEMA Help Remains

    Tennessee Document Processing Centers to Close; FEMA Help Remains

    The Document Processing Centers operated by FEMA will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan.24.  While FEMA centers were open, more than 5,146 people were able to get information and guidance in face-to-face meetings with  FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies and organizations.  FEMA urges survivors to stay in touch. For more information, go to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time seven days a week and specialists speak many languages. Applying for assistance is an ongoing process that began when you submitted your application. FEMA may try to get in touch with you from an unknown number. You could receive a letter from FEMA letting you know that your application has missing or incomplete information. Be sure to provide any information that is needed.
    kwei.nwaogu
    Fri, 01/24/2025 – 14:58

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Scheme That Took Over Ring Doorbell Cameras to Livestream Police Response

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

    LOS ANGELES – A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to participating in a one-week nationwide “swatting” spree that gained access to Ring home security door cameras, placed bogus emergency phone calls designed to elicit an armed police response, then livestreamed the events on social media, sometimes while taunting responding police officers in communities such as West Covina and Oxnard.

    Kya Christian Nelson, 23, of Racine, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and two counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information.

    Nelson, who is doing time in a Kentucky state prison after being convicted in an unrelated case, has been in federal custody since August 2024.

    “Swatting puts innocent lives in danger,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that individuals who engage in this dangerous conduct will be held accountable through federal prosecutions.”

    “The defendant’s malicious actions traumatized his victims and put their lives – and the lives of responding officers – at risk,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Swatting hoaxes drain crucial law enforcement resources at the expense of taxpayers and diverts police officers from responding to actual crisis situations. This case is a good reminder for security doorbell users that it’s important to practice strict cyber hygiene by using difficult passwords and by employing two-factor authentication.”

    According to his plea agreement, from November 7, 2020, to November 13, 2020, Nelson and co-conspirators gained access to home security door cameras sold by Ring LLC, a Santa Monica-based home security technology company. Nelson acquired without authorization the username and password information for Yahoo! email accounts belonging to victims throughout the United States.

    The conspirators then determined whether the owner of each compromised Yahoo! account also had a Ring account using the same email address and password that could control associated internet-connected Ring doorbell camera devices. Using that information, they identified and gathered additional information about their victims.

    Then, the conspirators placed false emergency reports or telephone calls to local law enforcement in the areas where the victims lived. These reports or calls were intended to elicit an emergency police response to the victim’s residence. The conspirators then accessed without authorization the victims’ Ring devices and transmitted the audio and video from those devices on social media during the police response. They also taunted responding police officers and victims through the Ring devices during several of the incidents.

    For example, on November 8, 2020, Nelson and a co-conspirator accessed without authorization Yahoo! and Ring accounts belonging to a victim in West Covina. A hoax telephone call was placed to the West Covina Police Department purporting to originate from the victim’s residence and posing as a minor child reporting her parents drinking and shooting guns inside the residence. The caller claimed that her parents had multiple firearms and had fired approximately seven gunshots inside the house. Based on this hoax call, West Covina Police Department officers made an emergency response to the house and cleared the residents from the home at gunpoint.

    During the police response, Nelson accessed the Ring doorbell camera located at the West Covina residence and used it to verbally threaten and taunt the police officers who responded to the reported incident.

    In another incident, on November 11, 2020, Nelson illegally possessed the Yahoo! and Ring login credentials of a victim living in Oxnard. Nelson then used those credentials to access the victim’s Ring account. Nelson or a co-conspirator made a hoax call to the Oxnard Police Department purporting to be coming from inside the victim’s home.

    The caller told the police that they were a child whose father was wielding a handgun inside the residence. Nelson made a second hoax call to Oxnard Police to report hearing shots fired at the victim’s residence. Based on these hoax calls, Oxnard Police officers made an emergency response to the house and cleared the residents from the home at gunpoint.

    Nelson accessed the Ring doorbell camera located at the Oxnard residence and used it to threaten and taunt the police officers who had responded to the reported incident.

    United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt scheduled a May 1 sentencing hearing, at which time Nelson will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.

    One of Nelson’s indicted co-conspirators, James Thomas Andrew McCarty, 22, of Kayenta, Arizona, was sentenced in June 2024 to seven years in federal prison both for his role in this case, and on additional charges in the District of Arizona. In connection with the Ring swatting incidents, McCarty pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy as Nelson.

    McCarty further admitted to illegally accessing a victim’s Ring camera in Florida and making a call to the North Port Florida Police Department, in which he purported to be the victim’s husband who had just killed her, was holding a hostage, and had rigged explosives at the residence. McCarty then livestreamed the law enforcement response and posted a message on social media taking credit for the swatting incident and stating that he thought it was amusing.

    The FBI investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four SoCal Residents Found Guilty of Participating in an Armed Robbery and Carjacking at Car Repair Shop in San Bernardino County

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

    RIVERSIDE, California – Three San Gabriel Valley residents and one San Bernardino County man have been found guilty by a jury of participating in an armed robbery and carjacking of a car repair business last year in Bloomington in which one victim was pistol-whipped into near unconsciousness, the Justice Department announced today.

    At the conclusion of a 13-day trial, a federal jury on late Wednesday returned a guilty verdict on all counts against the following defendants:

    • Marcos Guerrero, 49, of Glendora;
    • Elijah Gafare, 35, of West Covina;
    • Cinthia Leal, 39, of Glendora; and
    • Vincent Solarez, 58, of Upland.

    All four defendants were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of carjacking.

    Guerrero, Gafare, and Leal also were found guilty of witness tampering and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of and in relation to a crime of violence. Guerrero further was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    “Violent crime tears at the fabric of our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The verdict reached in this case highlights our office’s ongoing efforts to root out and punish criminals who use guns to harm innocent people.”

    According to evidence presented at trial, Guerrero, Gafare, Leal, and Solarez participated in an armed robbery of a car repair shop in Bloomington in the early morning hours of March 12, 2024. During the robbery, two of the defendants brandished firearms and one of the defendants pistol-whipped one of the victims into near unconsciousness.

    The defendants kept the victims hostage and threatened to kill them if the victims did not hand over cash, their car, and if they ever called law enforcement. In total, defendants stole several thousand dollars in cash and the business surveillance system, in addition to the victim’s car and other property.

    Law enforcement tracked the defendants down and arrested them in May and June of 2024.

    On May 30, 2024, Guerrero illegally possessed a .45-caliber firearm and dozens of rounds of ammunition. He is not permitted to possess firearms and ammunition because his criminal history includes convictions in San Bernardino County Superior Court for home invasion robbery, first-degree residential burglary, false imprisonment by violence, possession of a firearm by a felon, and evading a police officer.

    United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal scheduled an April 21 sentencing hearing, at which Guerrero, Gafare, and Leal will face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

    Solarez will face a statutory maximum sentence of 65 years in federal prison.

    The FBI Inland Violent Crimes Suppression Task Force and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua J. Lee and Neil P. Thakor of the General Crimes Section, and Tritia L. Yuen of the Riverside Branch Office, are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: F-35 project expands capabilities at FRCE

    Source: United States Navy

    The expansion project offers space and aircraft bays to support the increasing F-35 modification workload.

    Commanding officer Capt. Randy Berti said this milestone will directly enhance the depot’s capabilities and strengthen the nation’s defense system.

    “As we celebrate today’s milestone, it’s important to reflect on what this expansion means for the F-35 mission readiness and, most importantly, for our warfighters,” said Berti. “The F-35 is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, and ensuring its mission capability is critical to national security. FRC East is a vital part of this process, ensuring these aircraft are maintained and ready to perform at the highest level.

    “This expansion is a direct investment in our ability to meet the increasing demands of the F-35 program,” he continued. “It will allow us to continue providing high-quality, timely support to the Joint Program Office (JPO), the men and women operating the aircraft and our partners across the globe.”

    FRCE is the lead site for depot-level maintenance on the F-35B Lightning II and has conducted modifications and repair on the Marine Corps’ short takeoff-vertical landing variant of the aircraft since 2013. The depot also performs work on the Air Force’s conventional takeoff and landing F-35A variant and Navy’s F-35C carrier variant.

    Since standing up capability for the F-35 in 2013, FRCE has successfully inducted 158 aircraft and delivered 145 back into operational service. The space offered by the expansion project is scheduled to support an additional 337,000 hours of work through fiscal year 2028. The 158 induction is set to be the first aircraft to be serviced in the new space.

    F-35 Joint Program Office Modifications and Induction Lead Jeanie Holder said the F-35 Joint Program Office had a vision for this expansion project back in 2022 and knew FRCE was the right facility for the job.

    “FRC East was selected due to its proven track record in depot performance, skilled labor force and their ability to deliver aircraft on time,” Holder said. “We knew they would be the depot for the job, and they did not disappoint. Soon, this dock expansion will be filled with aircraft.”

    Holder said the success of this expansion project lies with the dedicated individuals at FRCE and the F-35 Joint Program Office.

    “I want to personally acknowledge and thank FRC East leadership, past and present, their facilities team, and the Joint Program Office’s project support manager and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command for everything they have done to make this happen,” said Holder. “Meeting a deadline of this magnitude is a testament to your dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

    FRCE’s support of the F-35 platform has expanded significantly since its first airframe induction more than a decade ago. In 2020, FRCE declared capability on its first F-35 component, making the facility a verified source of repair and testing for that item. Since then, FRCE has declared capability on 76 F-35 components, and continues to stand up capability.
    In 2023, FRCE personnel became the first within the Department of Defense to perform the successful assembly of an F-35B Lightning II lift fan clutch outside of the original manufacturer’s facility. The F-35 workload will continue to increase as more of the fifth-generation fighters are fielded on the East Coast, with FRCE’s F-35B vertical lift fan testing and processing facilities scheduled to come online later this year, and the F-35 aircraft sustainment facility is projected to be operational sometime around 2028.

    FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Yap Boum, Professor in the faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology

    Walking through the crowded streets of the Pakadjuma neighbourhood in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am struck by the vibrant atmosphere around me.

    Children play happily in puddles, surrounded by piles of plastic bags and open ditches of sewage. Shacks patched together from pieces of corrugated iron crowd the settlement. Loud rumba music blasts through the air as young people enjoy themselves in open bars, waiting for grilled pork or chicken to be served. Sex workers sit outside tin shacks in narrow alleyways, calling for customers.

    Nearby a Médecins Sans Frontières triage centre is the only reminder that this slum area is the epicentre of the mpox epidemic in Kinshasa. There are no posters, no pamphlets or banners warning residents of the dangers of this viral disease that was declared a continental and global emergency in August last year.

    At the clinic, patients suspected to have mpox are sent to one of three dedicated mpox centres in the city. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and lesions. With symptomatic care most patients get better in 7 to 35 days, depending on the severity of the case.

    As an epidemiologist co-leading the response to mpox for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, I visited Pakadjuma to get a better sense of the situation on the ground.

    Mpox has historically been a rural disease in the DRC. This microcosm of Kinshasa sheds light on the complex challenges of managing the outbreak in a city.

    Fighting on two fronts

    With a population of more than 17 million, Kinshasa is Africa’s biggest megacity. Pakadjuma is one of the city’s many overcrowded areas where people live in extreme poverty.

    Kinshasa, often called “Kin la Belle”, faces a unique crisis in the fight against mpox. Both strains of the virus, clade Ia and clade Ib, are circulating in the city simultaneously. This is first time this has happened.

    Clade Ia, which is primarily transmitted from animal to human and then within households through touch, has been endemic to Africa for decades.

    Clade Ib is a new strain and contracted predominantly through sexual contact. It is the strain that has spread rapidly across 21 African countries during the current epidemic in east and central Africa.

    This dual transmission makes the fight against mpox even more complicated: how does one tackle a public health crisis rooted in both intimate human connections and structural inequities such as living in overcrowded areas?

    Although the strains are treated similarly clinically, their spread and transmission differ.

    Clade Ia is mainly associated with zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans) in rural areas. Animal surveillance and community education are required to control spillovers.

    Clade Ib, with higher human-to-human transmissibility, necessitates intensified contact tracing, vaccination, and preventive measures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    Tailoring strategies to these differences is key to containing the outbreak.

    When condoms don’t work

    Pakadjuma, in the north-east of the city, is known for poverty and high crime rates. For many girls and young women the sex trade is their only option if they want to survive.

    One of the most pressing challenges to combat the virus in the area is curbing sexual transmission.

    Unlike HIV, where condoms can significantly reduce the risk of spread, mpox poses a different challenge: because the virus is spread by touch there is no practical preventive measure for sexual transmission apart from complete abstinence.

    Mpox lesions start in the groin, making any movement excruciating. For these sex workers, though, abstinence is not an option. It would mean losing their livelihood and the ability to feed their children.

    For their clients, who come from all over the city, it would require altering a core aspect of their lives for a disease they perceive as less lethal than Ebola. There are no easy answers to this dilemma.

    Tracing the spread

    Contact tracing, a cornerstone of outbreak control, is another hurdle.

    Identifying and tracing the contacts of sex workers is complex. As a result only a fraction of mpox cases are confirmed with laboratory analysis.

    On average, each mpox case has about 20 contacts, yet tracing clients in a highly confidential sexual network is next to impossible.

    Without effective contact tracing, infected individuals remain in the community, often seeking treatment only when their condition worsens. From discussions with Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the triage zone, it emerges that suspected mpox cases usually arrive in advanced stages of the disease, when symptoms are clearly visible. Many patients first attempt other remedies such as traditional healing methods, before seeking medical care.

    Fortunately Kinshasa benefits from a strong laboratory network led by the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale and test results are available within 48 to 72 hours. This state-of-the-art institute was pioneered by Dr Jean Jacques Muyembe, the microbiologist who first discovered Ebola.

    In the first week of January 2025 there were 1,155 confirmed cases and 27 deaths in the city, according to the DRC Ministry of Health.

    Even for those who seek care at the dedicated mpox centres, navigating the chaotic, congested roads is a nightmare. Yellow minibuses – ominously known locally as the “Spirit of Death” – are crammed and it can take hours to get to a destination.

    With increasing patient numbers, mpox centres in the city are overwhelmed.

    The fight on all fronts

    Addressing the mpox outbreak in Kinshasa requires a multifaceted approach which includes:

    Vaccination: Blanket vaccination drives offer the strongest hope for controlling the outbreak in hotspots such as Pakadjuma where contact tracing is almost impossible. In these cases the whole community needs to be vaccinated.

    This could break transmission chains while allowing individuals at risk, such as sex workers, to continue plying their trades.

    Prevention and control: Home care is essential, particularly in informal settlements like Pakadjuma. Providing food and material support to patients and their families and encouraging the isolation of infected relatives will help to limit the spread of the disease.

    These measures require new thinking, however, when people are trying to survive from day to day.

    Talking to the community: This is difficult because of the stigma around the disease, but it must be at the heart of the response.

    Amplifying the message: The media, local leaders and trusted community members need to be engaged to spread the word loud and clear.

    This all needs to happen immediately or the epidemic will be almost impossible to contain in this vast, sprawling city. The consequences would be dire.

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

    – ref. Mpox in the DRC: residents of the slum at the centre of Kinshasa’s epidemic have little chance of avoiding this major health crisis – https://theconversation.com/mpox-in-the-drc-residents-of-the-slum-at-the-centre-of-kinshasas-epidemic-have-little-chance-of-avoiding-this-major-health-crisis-247809

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost for swifter justice as legal aid consultation launches

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Vulnerable people at risk of unfair eviction or homelessness could benefit from a £20 million a year boost in legal aid as a consultation is launched today.

    • Consultation launched on additional £20 million a year increase to help rebuild legal aid sector

    • First major funding boost for civil legal aid since 1996 to help those facing homelessness

    • Increase also earmarked for immigration work to help reduce the asylum backlog

    Vulnerable people, including those who are at risk of unfair eviction or being pushed into homelessness, could benefit from a £20 million a year boost in legal aid as a consultation is launched today (Friday, 24 January) as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    This would represent the first meaningful increase in civil legal aid fees in almost 30 years which, once fully implemented, will improve access to legal advice for people if they face unfair housing battles or are at risk of losing their home.

    The investment, which represents a minimum 10 percent increase in fees, will also support lawyers who provide advice to victims of modern slavery and trafficking as well as speeding up asylum processing. This will help the Government to deliver commitments on reducing the asylum backlog and ending hotel use and ensure that the most vulnerable are better able to navigate a complex legal system and get swifter access to justice.

    Justice Minister, Sarah Sackman KC, said:

    Today’s launch marks a crucial step towards rebuilding the legal aid sector which has been left neglected for years.

    A key part of our Plan for Change is ensuring the legal aid sector is on a sustainable footing. These proposals will make a real difference to helping support quicker access to justice for those who need it most.

    Today’s consultation on the fee uplift marks an early step in the Government’s response to the evidence gathered as part of the Review of Civil Legal Aid. This demonstrated that both the housing and immigration sectors are under particularly acute pressure.

    In total, the proposals would increase the spend on fees in the housing sector by 24 percent and for immigration and asylum work by 30 percent.

    In addition to the fee proposals, the consultation is seeking further evidence from civil legal aid providers on improving access to remote legal advice. Fees for other civil legal aid categories will remain under consideration.

    Last month the Government also committed to a consultation on uplifting fees for criminal legal aid for solicitors, having already provided a £24 million increase in fees for solicitors who work in police stations and youth courts.

    Further Information:

    • The Government has launched a consultation on increasing legal aid fees for those working in the housing (housing and debt) and immigration (immigration and asylum) sectors, proposing to increase fees to a rate in the region of £65/£69 per hour (non-London/London), or provide a 10% uplift, whichever is higher. Fixed fees will be uplifted by the same percentage as the increase in the underlying hourly rate for that work. This will be implemented in 2025-26 with costs scaling up to £20m at steady state. This will increase overall spend by 24% for housing and 30% for immigration.

    • The Government has also published five of the remaining reports from the Review of Civil Legal Aid: these are the Call for Evidence Summary; User Experience Literature Review; two Data Publications – Deep Dive reports for Housing and Immigration; and the Overarching Report. This evidence has informed the consultation and will continue to shape future policy direction.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Goshen Man Found Guilty After 3-Day Jury Trial

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Orlando Rodriguez-Roman, 42 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was convicted of three felony counts after a three-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Rodriguez-Roman was found guilty of attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

    Sentencing is scheduled for April 29, 2025.

    This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service including the USPS Forensic Laboratory Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lydia T. Lucius and Katelan McKenzie Doyle.

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