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  • MIL-OSI Security: Joint Force Command Norfolk, U.S. Second Fleet Join 2024 Tri-Party in Halifax Focuses on Arctic Defense and Homeland Security

    Source: United States Navy (Fleet Command)

    08 October 2024

    NORFOLK, Va. – Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) and Joint Force Command Norfolk, joins leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Canadian Joint Task Force Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the 2024 Tri-Party Staff Talks.

    The Tri-Party Staff Talks, established in 2015, bring together key maritime forces to enhance collaboration and ensure interoperability between U.S. and Canadian forces. The discussions center on joint operations, intelligence sharing, and defense strategy, particularly in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

    As Second Fleet leads naval operations in the western Atlantic, Perry’s dual role with NATO adds further significance to the talks, underscoring the need for seamless coordination among Allied forces.

    “Our mission is clear, to safeguard the Atlantic and Arctic, maintain maritime security, and ensure free and open access to international waters,” said Perry. “These talks enhance our joint capabilities as we confront emerging challenges, including the protection of undersea infrastructure and rising competition in the Arctic.”

    This year’s talks will address several pressing issues. A primary focus is the growing importance of Arctic operations, as the region has increased activity. The Tri-Party will evaluate strategies for improving Arctic domain awareness, enhancing cold-weather capabilities, and refining joint responses to potential security threats.

    The 2024 Tri-Party staff talks also provide an opportunity to review joint exercises held earlier this year. Operation Nanook (OP NANOOK) 2024, conducted from August 15-27, brought together the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Danish Navy for exercise operations in the Arctic waters near Nuuk, Greenland. These exercises included maritime interdiction training, gunnery drills, and search-and-rescue simulations that tested the forces’ ability to operate in harsh Arctic conditions.

    “Operation Nanook proved that our joint forces are ready to meet the challenges of the Arctic environment,” said Perry. “It also strengthened our collaboration with Canada and other NATO partners. Second Fleet is a premier fighting force, and we will continue to demonstrate this to the world. We are adaptable, flexible and above all, ready to fight.”

    Additionally, Tri-Party members conducted Frontier Sentinel 2024 in June; a tabletop exercise focused on refining operational procedures for defending undersea infrastructure. These exercises highlight the need for enhanced communication and operational alignment among the Tri-Party forces.

    Royal Canadian Rear Adm. David Patchell, Vice Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, emphasized the growing strategic importance of the Arctic.

    “The arctic environment is dynamic, its maritime terrain changes every day, and it is essential that we prioritize Northern operations” said Patchell. “The ability for the Tri Party forces to operate together in this environment is essential to maintaining stability in the region. This year’s talks are focused on understanding our shared challenges and optimizing our joint training to ensure we’re ready for future challenges.”

    Perry noted the DoD’s 2024 Arctic Strategy has provided a framework for the Tri-Party partnership to further strengthen Arctic defense amongst the everchanging Arctic landscape.

    The 2024 Tri-Party staff talks reaffirm the enduring partnership between U.S. and Canadian maritime forces and their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in the Atlantic and Arctic. With joint exercises, enhanced interoperability, and shared strategic planning, the Tri-Party partnership remains prepared to protect North American interests and address future security challenges.

    For more information, please contact Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Blue, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Public Affairs, at 757-398-6608; Cmdr. Joe Hontz, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs, at 757-836-3605; or Lt. Cmdr. Len Hickey, Joint Task Force-Atlantic Public Affairs, at 902-427-0375.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six men arrested after drugs warrants in north London

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A total of six people have been arrested and large quantities of Class A drugs, cash, and a gun have been seized after a series of dawn raids in Camden, Islington, Newham and Croydon.

    The warrants form part of an intelligence-led operation in response to ongoing reports of drug dealing, drug use and associated criminality in Kings Cross.

    Today’s (Oct 8) raids mark another successful day of action for the ongoing efforts to suppress drugs supply and violence in the area.

    Officers arrested six men, aged from 18 to 30 years-old, on suspicion of offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a firearm.

    All are in custody at north London police stations.

    During the operation, officers seized a large quantity of Class A and B drugs, cash, a vehicle and a firearm.

    Detective Inspector Zara Baker, said: “This morning’s warrants are another strong message to those involved in drug-related criminality and our commitment to tackling this issue.

    “These warrants were as a direct result of community concerns in Camden. We know that drugs are inextricably linked to violence and that people are exploited through drug supply. Through operations like this, we are able to further safeguard, reassure and reach vulnerable people who may be affected by this criminal activity.

    “Local officers will continue to work on the ground providing patrols in the area, ensuring that local residents can go to them for advice if they are affected by the disruption following this action.”

    As part of the A New Met for London plan, the Met is focusing on community crime-fighting and bringing more offenders to justice.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA, NOAA to Provide Update on Progress of Solar Cycle

    Source: NASA

    NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will discuss the Sun’s activity and the progression of Solar Cycle 25 during a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the Sun and mitigating its impacts on technology and infrastructure as humanity explores farther into space.
    During the teleconference, experts from NASA, NOAA, and the international Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, which is co-sponsored by both agencies, will discuss recent solar cycle progress and the forecast for the rest of this cycle.
    Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website at:

    NASA Live

    Participants include:

    Jamie Favors, director, NASA’s Space Weather Program
    Kelly Korreck, program scientist, NASA’s Heliophysics Division
    Elsayed Talaat, director, Office of Space Weather Observations, NOAA
    Bill Murtagh, program coordinator, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center
    Lisa Upton, co-chair, Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel

    To participate in the media teleconference, media must RSVP no later than 12 p.m. on Oct. 15, to Abbey Interrante at: abbey.a.interrante@nasa.gov.  
    The Sun goes through regular cycles of activity lasting approximately 11 years. During the most active part of the cycle, known as solar maximum, the Sun can unleash immense explosions of light, energy, and solar radiation, all of which create conditions known as space weather. Space weather can affect satellites and astronauts in space, as well as communications systems such as radio and GPS — and power grids on Earth. When the Sun is most active, space weather events become more frequent. Solar activity, such as the storm in May 2024, has sparked displays of aurora and led to impacts on satellites and infrastructure in recent months.
    NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center is the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts.
    For more information on how NASA studies the Sun and space weather, visit:  
    https://www.nasa.gov/sun
    -end-
    Karen FoxHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.fox@nasa.gov
    Sarah FrazierGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.202-853-7191sarah.frazier@nasa.gov
    Erica Grow CeiNOAA’s National Weather Service, College Park, Md.202-853-6088erica.grow.cei@noaa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Participation in Machine Learning Bolsters Extraterrestrial Research

    Source: NASA

    When NASA conducts research beyond our world, scientists on Earth prepare as much as possible before sending instruments on extraterrestrial journeys. One way to prepare for these exploration missions is by using machine learning techniques to develop algorithms with data from commercial instruments or from flight instruments on planetary missions.
    For example, NASA uses mass spectrometer instruments on Mars missions to analyze surface samples and identify organic molecules. Developing machine learning algorithms before missions can help make the process of analyzing planetary data faster and more efficient during time-limited space operations.
    In 2022, Victoria Da Poian, a data scientist supporting machine learning research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, collaborated with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation to run two machine learning-based open science challenges, which sought ideas and solutions from the public. Solvers worldwide were invited to analyze chemical data sampled from commercial instruments located at NASA centers and data from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) testbed, which is a replica of the instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover. The challenges encouraged participants to be creative in their approaches and to provide detailed descriptions of their method and code.
    Da Poian said her team decided to use public competitions for this project to gain new perspectives: “We were really interested in hearing from people who aren’t in our field and weren’t biased by the data’s meaning or our scientific rules.”
    As a result, more than 1150 unique participants from all over the world participated in the competitions, and more than 600 solutions contributing models to analyze rock and soil samples relevant to planetary science were submitted. The challenges served as proof-of-concept projects to analyze the feasibility of combining data from multiple sources in a single machine learning application.
    In addition to benefitting from the variety of perspectives offered by challenge participants, Da Poian says the challenges were both time- and cost-efficient methods for discovering solutions. At the same time, the challenges invited the global community to participate in NASA research in support of future space exploration missions, and winners received $60,000 in total prizes across the two opportunities.
    Da Poian used lessons learned to develop a new challenge with Frontier Development Lab , an international research collaboration that brings together researchers and domain experts to tackle complex problems using machine learning technologies.
    The competition, titled “Stay Curious: Leveraging Machine Learning to Analyze & Interpret the Measurements of Mars Planetary Instruments,” ran from June to August 2024. Results included cleaning SAM data collected on Mars, processing data for a consistent, machine learning-ready dataset combining commercial and flight instrument data, investigating data augmentation techniques to increase the limited data volume available for the challenge, and exploring machine learning techniques to help predict the chemical composition of Martian terrain.
    “The machine learning challenges opened the door to how we can use laboratory data to train algorithms and then use that to train flight data,” said Da Poian. “Being able to use laboratory data that we’ve collected for many years is a huge opportunity for us, and the results so far are extremely encouraging.”
    Find more opportunities: https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** Cassidy Releases Agenda for Upcoming Energy Security Summit in Baton Rouge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing American Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape

    9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
    Opening Remarks   Welcome by Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on leveraging our state’s energy and other resources to enhance U.S. economic security. 
    Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)

    9:10 AM – 9:30 AM 
    Fireside Chat: Louisiana’s Role in Strengthening America’s National Interests in a Changing Global Landscape   A conversation between Sen. Bill Cassidy and Hon. Mark W. Menezes on the indispensable role Louisiana plays in promoting U.S. economic security.
    Sen. CassidyHon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

    9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
    Protecting U.S. Interests Against Unfair Trade Practices   This panel exposes how overseas adversaries exploit weak environmental and labor standards to create a competitive advantage in trade and suggests potential solutions to hold foreign polluters accountable. 
    Maureen Hinman, Co-Founder and Chairman, Silverado Policy AcceleratorCatrina Rorke, Senior Vice President, Policy and Research, Climate Leadership Council Hon. James Connaughton, Former Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Director of the White House Office of Environmental PolicyModerated by: George David Banks, Former Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, the White House

    10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 
    Executive Insights: Overcoming Competitive Challenges in Global Markets   CEOs discuss Louisiana’s potential in advancing American interests, highlighting key investments and policy solutions needed to level the playing field against unfair global competition.
    Massimo Toso, President and CEO, Buzzi UnicemUSADavid Hardy, President of North America, Orsted Caroline Reily, Co-Founder & CEO, Aluminum TechnologiesDrew Marsh, Chairman of the board and CEO, EntergyMark Widmar, CEO, First Solar Moderated by: Sen. Cassidy

    10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
    Trade, Energy & Manufacturing: Implications for U.S. Industries and Competitiveness    Further explores the challenges posed by unfair competition and what can be done to level the playing field for Louisiana’s industry at home and abroad. 
    Kevin Gundersen, Vice President of Global Corporate Communications and Government Affairs, Huntsman CorporationCalvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel LouisianaJerae Carlson, Sr. Vice President, CemexScott Nielson, Vice President of Environmental, Sustainability & Innovation, Ash Grove Cement CompanyLinda Dempsey, Vice President, Public Affairs, CF IndustriesModerated by: Sarah Stewart, CEO and Executive Director, Silverado Policy Accelerator

    11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Louisiana Spotlight:  State-Level Solutions   Industry leaders discuss the key role of Louisiana’s oil, gas, and chemical industries in fostering a secure energy future. This panel will also highlight opportunities for innovation and job creation in Louisiana’s key manufacturing sectors.
    Tommy Faucheux, President, Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA)Greg Bowser, President and CEO, Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA)Will Green, CEO, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI)Mike Moncla, President, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA)Moderated by: Desiree Lemoine, Director of Governmental Affairs, TJC group 

    12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Load Growth and Energy Demand: Higher future demand for energy will bring a host of opportunities, risks and challenges
    Nate Hill, Head of Energy Policy, Amazon Tom Neyhart, founder and executive chairman, PosigenBenjamin T. Reinke, Ph.D., Vice President of Global Business Development, X EnergyAndrey Shuvalov, Vice President U.S. Energy Transition, ShellModerated by: Tom Hassenboehler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, CO2EFFICIENT

    Carbon Capture: Cutting-edge technologies for reducing carbon footprints
    Vikrum Aiyer, Global Head of Public Policy, HeirloomDouglas Chan, Chief Operating Officer, ClimeworksMichael Manteris, Co-President, Blue Sky InfrastructurePatrice Lahlum, Vice President of Carbon Management, Great Plains InstituteBradley Ives, Executive Director, Institute for Energy Innovation, Louisiana State UniversityColleen Moss, Managing Director, ClearPathModerated by: Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network 

    Critical Minerals, Mining, and Processing: Regional to global policies
    Hon. Aurelia S. Giacometto, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Marcio Paes Barreto, Frontiers Initiative & EverCore EnergyJohn Flake, PhD., Louisiana State UniversityChris Young, Chief Strategy Officer, ElementUSAModerated by: Philip Reichert, Southern Regional Director, American Conservation Coalition

    1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
    Louisiana’s Competitive Advantage: Leading the Globe in Low-Emissions Manufacturing   Louisiana’s energy sector boasts a rich history and a bright future. Industry experts discuss how Louisiana is transforming its manufacturing sector to lead in low-emissions production, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.
    Christen Campbell, North America Energy & Sustainable Technologies and Site Development Director, BASFAndrew Connolly, vice president and general manager, Low-Carbon Hydrogen Large Projects, Hydrogen Large Projects, Air ProductsGreg Upton, PhD, Executive Director & Associate Professor-Research, Center for Energy Studies Louisiana State UniversityVanessa Martin, Driftwood LNG Project Director, WoodsideFrank J. Macchiarola, Chief Policy Officer, American Clean PowerModerated by: Xan Fishman, Senior Director, Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center

    1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
    The Bayou and Beyond: Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness through Exports   Louisiana industries can advance U.S. leadership in the global marketplace through exports.
    Dr. Paul Schubert, CEO, Strategic Biofuels LLCDr. Robert R. Twilley, Vice President, Office of Research & Economic Development,  Louisiana State University Will Latta, Vice President, Babcock & WilcoxMatt Barr, Vice President of State Government & Community Affairs, Cheniere EnergyHon. Kimberly A. Reed, Former Chairman, U.S. Export Import Bank, 2019-2021 Moderated by:Anna Johnson, Executive Director, West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce

    2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
    Louisiana’s Liquid Gold: Strengthening U.S. Geopolitical Influence through Energy Leadership   This panel explores the critical role of Louisiana’s natural gas industry in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence and securing a prosperous energy future. Experts will cover how increased domestic natural gas production can foster stability amid geopolitical uncertainties and drive economic growth. 
    Bob Pender, Executive Co-chairman and Founder, Venture Global LNGT. Lane Wilson, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, WilliamsHon. Mark W. Menezes, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, 2018-2021Hon. Neil Chatterjee, Former Chairman, US. Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionModerated by: Bob Stout, Senior Fellow, Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

    3:15 PM – 3:25 PM 
    Closing Remarks
    Sen. Cassidy

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Improve Customer Service for Taxpayers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have introduced legislation to improve customer service at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Specifically, the Improving IRS Customer Service Act would expand information regarding refunds available to taxpayers online and require the IRS to inform taxpayers applying for installment agreements about available collection alternatives if they appear to have an economic hardship.

    “The IRS has been the source of massive headaches for taxpayers for years,” Sen. Warner said. “I am glad to introduce legislation that will ease some of this frustration by increasing clear communication and making IRS resources more readily available.”

    “It should be easy for taxpayers to get the information they need from the IRS. Not every interaction with them has to be miserable,” Dr. Cassidy said. “We can streamline the process and give Americans the transparency they expect.”

    Specifically, the legislation would:

    • Establish a dashboard to inform taxpayers of backlogs and wait times; 
    • Expand electronic access to information and refunds;
    • Expand callback technology and online accounts;
    • Inform individuals facing economic hardship of collection alternatives.

    Sen. Warner has been a tireless advocate for improving IRS customer service and accelerating return times. Sen. Warner strongly supported the Inflation Reduction Act — legislation that provides funding to modernize IRS systems and improve customer service when paying taxes. Investments from the IRA have ensured the IRS has the resources it needs to process tax returns quickly, get rebates to taxpayers faster, and address challenges Virginians have when filing taxes. With additional resources, IRS response rates this tax season have improved from answering two out of every 10 calls to answering nine out of every 10 calls.

    “By introducing the Improving IRS Customer Service Act, Senator Warner and Senator Cassidy have earned the gratitude of every taxpayer who’s ever had to contend with the IRS’s notoriously inconsistent customer service,” said Pete Sepp, President, National Taxpayers Union. “The sensible reforms in this bill, which include a wait-time dashboard, better access to refund information, customer callback technologies, and fairer measurement of IRS service levels, will all make a big difference in solving some of the more frustrating problems that taxpayers have encountered for years. More complete information on tax collection alternatives for taxpayers facing financial hardships will likewise give hope for many struggling families. This legislation is exactly the kind of guidance Congress needs to provide the IRS for a successful transformation of our entire system of tax administration. National Taxpayers Union is proud to endorse this innovative legislation, and we urge every lawmaker to actively work toward its passage in the remaining days of this Congress.”

    “The Virginia Society of CPAs is pleased to support this bipartisan legislation to aid with tax administration. Our members and their clients greatly appreciate the emphasis on streamlining the taxpayer and tax practitioner experience with the IRS,” said Virginia Society of CPAs President & CEO Stephanie Peters, CAE.

    “The AICPA strongly supports the legislative proposals outlined in S. 5280, which provide taxpayers and their tax advisors with clear and detailed information from the IRS in an intuitive and interactive format. Additionally, S. 5280 strives to protect the most economically vulnerable taxpayers by doing away with installment agreement fees and offering collection alternatives to those facing economic hardships. Collectively, these proposals will strengthen the public’s confidence in the tax administration system, and we thank Senators Warner and Cassidy for their leadership on this bipartisan bill,” said Melanie Lauridsen, Vice President of Tax Policy & Advocacy for the American Institute of CPAs.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine Announce over $11.6 Million in Federal Funding to Protect Families from Lead Poisoning

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $11,692,000 in federal funding to protect young children and their families from hazardous lead poisoning in their homes. The sale of lead-based paint is banned in the United States, but many older homes still have the old paint on walls, which can become dangerous as it peels and chips. Young children are most susceptible to lead poisoning and can face long-term developmental delays if exposed. This funding, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, will be used to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in Virginia’s older housing units.

    “Lead poisoning can have negative long-term health impacts for those exposed,” the senators said. “This funding will help to protect children and families by identifying and mitigating the presence of dangerous lead-based paint.”

    This funding is broken down as follows:

    • The Commonwealth of Virginia will receive $6,692,000 in funding to update older housing and improve community health. This funding will be distributed across Virginia;
    • The City of Roanoke will receive $5,000,000 in funding to update older housing and improve community health.

    Sens. Warner and Kaine been vocal about the need for safe, affordable housing for Virginians. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $55 million in federal funding for improvements to affordable housing across the Commonwealth. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trad wives hearken back to an imagined past of white Christian womanhood

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brandi Estey-Burtt, Fellow with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Narrative; part-time lecturer in English Literature, St. Thomas University (Canada)

    As with many social media trends, trad wives have sparked debate and criticism about their content and who it is meant for. (Flickr/SportSuburban), CC BY

    If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely come across trad wives. The trend features videos of young women influencers showcasing their domestic lives as trad or “traditional” wives.

    The clips see them performing domestic activities that have traditionally been seen as the role of wives and mothers: taking care of the home, raising children, baking from scratch and even homesteading.

    As with many social media trends, #tradwife has sparked debate and criticism about the content and who it is meant for. There have been attempts to chart the origins and history of the trad wives, their nostalgia for the past and their highly estheticized content.

    There are connections to “momfluencers,” the “girl bosses” of the early 2010s and a general backlash against capitalism and the demands for feminized labour. However, there is an equally strong link to fundamentalist Christianity and concerns about white womanhood.

    As scrutiny grows, especially given the uproar caused by the recent profile of trad wife Hannah Neeleman, also known as Ballerina Farm, one other connection bears consideration: Christian romance fiction.

    Many of the characters of this genre of fiction display key qualities of trad wives.

    In recent decades, Christian evangelicals have used cultural tools such as fiction and now social media to romanticize the lifestyle of white, westernized femininity. The stories often contain an emphasis on restricted public and domestic roles for women based on narrow ideas of biblical womanhood. In this way, such characters can be viewed as cultural predecessors to the trad wives.

    Christian romance and purity

    Mostly marketed to women, the genre gained ground with the publication of Canadian author Janette Oke’s first historical romance novel in 1979. The market for such fiction rapidly expanded, and the genre developed as consumer appetite grew. For example, Amish and Mennonite sub-genres have become very popular since American novelist Beverly Lewis began publishing in the late 1990s.

    Though the genre of Christian romance fiction (or inspiration fiction as it is sometimes called) spans many different sub-genres and historical periods, it contains repeated themes about personal faith, sexual purity and heterosexual marriage. These themes encode gender and racial overtones within stories that focus predominantly on white women characters.

    The sexual norms of these stories are not surprising, given longstanding Christian evangelical interest in how religious and sexual purity are meshed together.

    Purity culture sets out highly prescriptive notions of sex, sexuality and gender roles. Scholars of religion such as Sara Moslener tie these norms directly to white Christian nationalist ideas of femininity. Religious notions of sexual purity become linked to racial purity through a concern for maintaining the integrity of the body of the white woman as well as the body of the nation against the threat of racialized others.

    It’s no surprise that both Christian romance fiction and trad wives are overwhelmingly white, and that a number of trad wives have been documented as possessing links to the far right.

    Romanticizing a mythical past

    Theology professor Emily McGowin has noted how the “tradwife trend looks to a mythic past where everyone knew their role.” Writer Kathryn Jezer-Morton points out that trad wives uphold a romanticized notion of the past that is actually a fantasy. They often wear outfits that look like they are from the 1950s or a previous colonial era, and there is no clear definition of what the “trad wife” label is.

    What and whose tradition are these fantasies representing? Certainly not all women, including many racialized and poor women who have never had the option of staying home. This nostalgic re-imagining of a very complex past whitewashes history and ignores how women had few legal or reproductive rights over their own bodies, finances or domestic lives.

    So, too, have Christian romances fantasized about different historical moments, often in American history. There is a decidedly white Christian supremacist undertone to many of these stories. They often reiterate the goodness of westward expansionism in North America and erase (or use as a plot device) the physical and cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples across the continent. This is also true of Oke’s work, which features “pioneer” (settler) narratives and romanticizes the RCMP, a problem that continues in television adaptations of her books.

    The Amish and Mennonite sub-genre further romanticizes what non-Amish and non-Mennonite authors portray as pre-modern (or even anti-modern) lifestyles. In these novels, there is little technology, an emphasis on agrarianism and homesteading, and hardly any physical contact among potential couples.

    As one reviewer who grew up Amish puts it, at times it feels like romance writers and readers “superimpose their values on the Amish.” In other words, many Christian romance novels offer feel-good fantasies about an imagined past. This fantasy has little basis in how women — especially women of colour and Indigenous women — experienced those historical periods.

    Like the social media accounts of trad wives, the sub-genre focuses on the aesthetics of a lifestyle rather than the very real legal, domestic, financial and racial implications of that life for women.

    Marketing romance — and tradition

    Romance fiction is often mocked as not being “serious” literature, but romance writers or readers are not necessarily passive or ignorant. Readers consume romances for a vast array of complex reasons, their faith or their relationships to romantic partners being only part of the mix.

    However, the Christian romance genre is a publishing and marketing phenomenon, one that has sold millions upon millions of copies across North America alone. These romance novels are sold not just in niche Christian bookstores but in big box stores — even grocery store check-outs.

    As Historian Daniel Silliman notes, the romance fiction genre was part of a larger Christian publishing boom that began in the 1950s in the United States. Fiction became an integral part of evangelical identity and an imagined community. It also played a crucial role in how evangelicals engaged with broader theological, cultural and political currents, though scholars question whether fiction shaped or reflected this engagement.

    Their concerns about cultural change — be it sexual, demographic, or otherwise — influence their fiction. Literature and religion professor Christopher Douglas makes the crucial point that evangelical Christians don’t just “get their knowledge primarily through fact sheets or decontextualized data, but rather through the power of narrative.”

    Christian romance fiction may not have caused the current iteration of trad wives, but its highly visible place in popular culture deserves greater scrutiny. These romance stories have contributed to ideas of westernized femininity that are notably white and decidedly constraining. They also provide romanticized visions of the past that lay a fictional groundwork for the appeal, and wide acceptance, that trad wives now enjoy on social media.

    Brandi Estey-Burtt 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. Trad wives hearken back to an imagined past of white Christian womanhood – https://theconversation.com/trad-wives-hearken-back-to-an-imagined-past-of-white-christian-womanhood-239999

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Capgemini SE: Neutralization of the 2024 ESOP dilutive impact

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Media relations:
    Victoire Grux
    Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55
    victoire.grux@capgemini.com

    Investor relations:
    Vincent Biraud
    Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87
    vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

    Capgemini’s eleventh Employee Share Ownership Plan:
    share buyback to neutralize dilution

    Paris, October 8, 2024 – As part of its eleventh Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP), Capgemini is announcing the launch of a share buyback to neutralize the shareholder dilution associated with this plan.

    Capgemini will allocate in advance the proceeds of this eleventh ESOP plan – which takes the form of a capital increase reserved for employees – to the repurchase of existing shares. This share buyback operation is designed to neutralize the shareholder dilution resulting from the capital increase and will take place before December 19, 2024, the date on which the capital increase will become effective. On this date, employee shareholding will be increased by a maximum of 2.7 million shares (representing 1.56% of existing share capital), with no material impact on the Group’s cash position and no significant dilution of existing shareholders.

    On October 8, 2024, Capgemini SE entered into a share buyback agreement with an investment services provider, which is also the institution structuring the employee share ownership plan. Capgemini has thus undertaken to buy back its own shares, up to a limit of 2.7 million shares and 675 million euros, for the purpose of cancellation. The main terms and conditions of the share buyback agreement are detailed in the appendix to this press release.

    As a reminder, this share buyback transaction follows the announcement on September 11, 2024 of the launch of the eleventh ESOP plan and the decision by Capgemini SE’s Board of Directors to authorize a dedicated share buyback program. The terms of these two transactions fall within the scope of authorizations granted by the Shareholders’ Meeting of May 16, 2024.

    DISCLAIMER
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements may include projections, estimates, assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and/or expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations and services and product development, as well as statements, regarding future performance or events. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “may”, “would”, “should” or the negatives of these terms and similar expressions. Although Capgemini’s management currently believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, risks identified in Capgemini’s Universal Registration Document available on Capgemini’s website), because they relate to future events and depend on future circumstances that may or may not occur and may be different from those anticipated, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Capgemini. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed in, implied by or projected by forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not intended to and do not give any assurances or comfort as to future events or results. Other than as required by applicable law, Capgemini does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

    This press release does not contain or constitute an offer of securities for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in securities in France, the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    ABOUT CAPGEMINI
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2023 global revenues of €22.5 billion.

    Get the Future You Want | http://www.capgemini.com

    * *

    *

    APPENDIX

    Main terms and conditions of the share buyback agreement

    Capgemini SE undertakes to buy back its own shares up to a limit of 2,700,000 shares and 675 000 000 euros, with a view to cancelling them. The price per share to be paid will be calculated based on the volume-weighted average daily share prices over a maximum period of 20 trading days starting on October 10, 2024, and corresponding to the period for setting the reference price of the shares to be issued under the new ESOP plan.

    Share buyback transactions by the investment services provider under this agreement will cease no later than November 6, 2024.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ageas and BNP Paribas: Transparency notification

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ageas and BNP Paribas: Transparency notification

    In accordance with the rules on financial transparency*, BNP Paribas has notified Ageas on 3 October 2024 that, on 3 October 2024, its interest has exceeded the legal threshold of 10% of the shares issued by Ageas. BNP Paribas’ current shareholding stands at 10,91%.

    Reason for the notification
    Acquisition or disposal of voting securities or voting rights

    Notification by
    A parent undertaking or a controlling person

    Persons subject to the notification requirement
    See annex 1a

    Date on which the threshold is crossed
    3 October 2024

    Threshold that is crossed (in %)
    10%

    Denominator
    187,971,187

    Notified details
    See annex 1 b

    Chain of controlled undertakings through which the holding is effectively held, if applicable
    The full chain of command can be found on https://www.ageas.com/investors/shareholders

    Additional information
    This transparency notification is intended to declare that BNP Paribas S.A. has crossed, on a consolidated basis, the 10% threshold upwards. This transparency notification is made in connection with the transaction announced by BNP Paribas S.A. and Fosun Group on April 14, 2024. The 3,473,271 shares (1.85%) in the capital of Ageas held by BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV are pledged to the benefit of holders of the “CASHES” (bonds exchangeable for Ageas shares) as security for BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV’s obligation to deliver such shares to holders of CASHES upon the exercise of their right of exchange against Ageas shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of such instruments. The voting rights associated with these Ageas shares are suspended. In accordance with Article 10, §4 of the Law of May 2, 2007 on the disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market, voting rights held in trading books are not taken into account in this transparency notification.

    This press release and the notifications received by Ageas are available on the website.

    * article 14, paragraph 1 of the law of 2 May 2007 on disclosure of major holdings us provisions.

    Ageas is a listed international insurance Group with a heritage spanning 200 years. It offers Retail and Business customers Life and Non-Life insurance products designed to suit their specific needs, today and tomorrow, and is also engaged in reinsurance activities. As one of Europe’s larger insurance companies, Ageas concentrates its activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the major part of the global insurance market. It operates successful insurance businesses in Belgium, the UK, Portugal, Türkiye, China, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, and the Philippines through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries and long term partnerships with strong financial institutions and key distributors. Ageas ranks among the market leaders in the countries in which it operates. It represents a staff force of about 50,000 people and reported annual inflows of EUR 17.1 billion in 2023.

     Annexes can be found in pdf version.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM is Here to Help Members Impacted by Hurricane Milton

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    As Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the IAM is committed to providing immediate assistance and resources to its affected members.

    If you’re an IAM member and suffer property damage from the storm, you can apply for assistance from the IAM Disaster Relief Fund here.

    To address urgent needs, the IAM encourages its members impacted by the hurricane to apply for support through the IAM Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is specifically designed to provide assistance in times of natural disasters, helping members and their families navigate through hardships.

    Apply for assistance here.

    The IAM is ready to help!

    1. Contact your Local 
    2. A Territory Representative will contact you with more information
    3. Funds will be distributed to you based on a damage assessment 

    Click here for more information.

    Additionally, all IAM members can obtain confidential help through the IAM Employee/Member Assistance Program. Services include, but are not limited to, addictions, mental health, stress, depression, and financial hardship. You can reach the confidential IAM Assistance Helpline by calling 301-335-0735 or emailing iameap@iamaw.org.

    DONATE

    The IAM Disaster Relief Fund provides assistance in situations where our members and their families endure hardships due to natural disasters. 

    The IAM reacts quickly to these needs before other sources of assistance are available. This is not possible without the support of those who have committed to keeping the IAM Disaster Relief Fund vibrant and healthy.

    Make a contribution today through the IAM Disaster Relief Fund.

    The Disaster Relief Fund is able to provide immediate financial assistance to IAM members impacted by natural disasters. The IAM is often there before most monetary relief efforts can react.

    Donate Today! 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: General Vice President Gary Allen Visits Boeing Strike Line: A Stand for Justice, Solidarity, and Against Corporate Greed

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    In a powerful show of support for workers’ rights, IAM General Vice Presidents Gary R. Allen, Sam Cicinelli, and David Sullivan made a significant visit to the Boeing strike line. Their visit underscored key themes central to labor movements: the fight for justice, solidarity among workers, and a stand against corporate greed. As the workers continued their strike, calling for fair wages, better working conditions, and improved benefits, their presence was a rallying cry—a reminder that their struggle is part of a broader movement against the exploitation of labor by massive corporations.

    At the heart of the strike is a profound sense of injustice. Boeing workers have contributed immeasurably to the success of one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. Yet, while Boeing has seen soaring profits and a booming order book, the employees who have made this success possible are being shortchanged. Workers are demanding equitable compensation, fair benefits, and a voice in shaping the terms of their employment—core rights in any just society.

    Their presence on the strike line was not only symbolic of the union’s commitment to justice but also a reminder of the deep history of labor movements fighting for workers’ rights.

    “Brothers Jon Holden and Brandon Bryant along with their staff are doing a tremendous job keeping these workers united,” said Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “This strike is not just about Boeing. It’s about workers everywhere standing up and saying, ‘No more!’ It’s about justice for the working class, solidarity in the face of division, and an unwavering stance against the greed of corporate America.”

    One of the most profound aspects of the labor movement has always been solidarity, and this visit was a testament to that principle. The workers on the Boeing strike line, though facing a daunting challenge, were far from alone. Their fight is the fight of all workers, and this collective spirit was palpable when they arrived. As they joined the line, shaking hands with picketers and listening to their concerns, it was clear that the bond between union leadership and the rank-and-file workers was strong.

    The workers on the line echoed that sentiment, sharing their pride in standing shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues. Their message was clear: an injury to one is an injury to all. They understand that their strike is part of a much larger struggle for fairness, not just for themselves, but for workers everywhere who are being squeezed by corporate greed.

    Corporate greed remains a defining theme of the strike. Boeing, like many corporations, has placed profit above people, continually seeking ways to maximize earnings at the expense of those who fuel its success. Despite the massive profits and executive bonuses, workers were being asked to accept inadequate pay raises, while executives pocketed millions. This glaring disparity was at the core of the workers’ grievances.

    The stark contrast between the wealth of Boeing’s leadership and the day-to-day struggles of its workers only fueled the resolve on the strike line. As corporate executives grow richer, the workers who build the planes, who work in the factories, who make Boeing’s success possible, are fighting just to receive fair treatment. For them, this strike is not just a dispute over wages and benefits—it is a battle against the larger trend of corporations squeezing the middle class in pursuit of ever-growing profits.

    As the workers continue their fight, buoyed by the support of their union and leaders like GVP Allen Cicinelli, and Sullivan, they carry with them the knowledge that they are on the right side of history. The Boeing strike is not just a moment in time—it’s a movement for justice and fairness that will continue to inspire workers across the nation.

    GVP Allen was also presented with a plaque from IAM Local 63 for his unwavering support for workers’ and human rights.

    “I am truly humbled to be recognized by Local 63,” said General Vice President Allen. “I am grateful for their gesture and words can’t truly describe what it means to me.”

    Photo Gallery

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  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Recognizes 350 Employees at Secretary’s Award Ceremony in Washington D.C.

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Recognizes 350 Employees at Secretary’s Award Ceremony in Washington D.C.

    ASHINGTON – On October 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held an awards ceremony hosted at DHS headquarters located at St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast Washington, D.C. where 350 employees received a Secretary’s Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Department’s mission.

    “Every single day, with great determination, integrity, and skill, the 268,000 men and women of the Department of Homeland Security ensure the safety and security of the American people,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Thanks to these extraordinary public servants, our shores, harbors, skies, cyberspace, and borders are protected; fentanyl and other deadly drugs are prevented from entering our country; communities are able to recover and rebuild after a natural disaster; the scourges of human trafficking, forced labor, and online exploitation are mitigated; and so much more. The individuals we recognize today with our Department’s highest honor, the Secretary’s Award, reflect the very best of DHS – and in their selfless dedication to mission, the very best of public service.”

    The DHS Secretary’s Awards are an annual program that recognizes the extraordinary individual and collective achievements of the workforce. The 350 awardees recognized in today’s ceremony represent the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

    “In recognizing these outstanding DHS personnel with a Secretary’s Award, we recognize all our talented personnel; the achievements of one are not possible without the contributions of others,” added Secretary Mayorkas. “We also express our appreciation to their families and loved ones; when one serves, the family serves too.”

    This year’s award recipients developed and issued policy and procedures associated with a whole-scale transition to a new pay system for TSA; launched a series of coordinated and collaborative initiatives, operations and investigations targeting Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and national security threats operating and transiting through the Darien Gap region; arrested over 8,000 human smugglers, produced over 5,000 intelligence reports, and seized over $38M USD in real property; ensured over 2,300 vital alerts and warnings were provided to owners and operators of critical infrastructure to protect against cyberattacks; among many other achievements.

    This year, DHS is holding nine Secretary’s Awards ceremonies across the country, honoring over 1,700 employees, the most annual awardees ever.

    Last year, Secretary Mayorkas unveiled 12 priorities for the Department, including a commitment to champion the workforce and transform the employee experience. DHS has the third largest workforce of any federal department, behind the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department is home to more than 92,000 sworn law enforcement officers, the greatest number of law enforcement officers of any department in the federal government. DHS has committed to increasing the representation of women in law enforcement or related occupations at DHS to 30% by 2030. Over 54,000 veterans, or nearly 21% of the workforce, continue serving their country by working at DHS.

    DHS operational components interact more frequently on a daily basis with the American public than any other federal department, from travelers moving through air, land, and sea ports of entry, to businesses importing goods into the country, to immigrants applying for services. To learn more about the impact DHS makes every day, visit: DHS.gov/TodayDHSWill.

    Last year, DHS improved the efficiency of processing noncitizens at the Southwest Border, deployed across the country to respond to natural disasters, investigated cybercrimes, created a new streamlined process for adjudicating asylum applications, safely and securely resettled nearly 90,000 evacuated Afghans in the United States, provided resources for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity resilience, established a process for Ukrainian nationals seeking refuge, secured the 2022 midterm elections, and demonstrated heroism by acting quickly and courageously to save lives in harrowing circumstances.

    For the full list of awardees, visit 2024 Secretary’s Awards | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Applauds Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today applauded the Biden Administration’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

    “Clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, and the science is clear – no amount of lead in drinking water is safe. There are millions of people across the country that don’t even know if they are drinking lead, and I’ve had parents come up to me with tears in their eyes, worried for the wellbeing of their children because of the lead in school water,” Dingell said. “I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued commitment to replacing every lead service line in our country to guarantee access to safe water for every community and finally give peace of mind to families.”

    The final rule requires drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold for communities to take action on lead in drinking water to protect people from lead exposure. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them. This final rule delivers on President Biden’s clear vision to replace every lead pipe in the country within a decade, making sure that all communities can turn on the tap and drink clean water.  

    Earlier this year, Dingell joined colleagues in writing to the Biden-Harris Administration urging them to strengthen their initial Lead and Copper Rule proposal, and to promptly issue a final rule. Dingell championed the inclusion of $15 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to replace lead service lines and provide cleaner drinking water. She also led the Water Access Act that would direct $500 million to the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for Fiscal Year 2024. LIHWAP provides critical funding for low-income households with their water and wastewater bills. 

    Alongside the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, EPA is announcing $2.6 billion in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will flow through the drinking water state revolving funds (SRFs) and is available to support lead-related activities, including lead pipe replacement projects. Additionally, 49% of the funding must be provided to disadvantaged communities as grants or other investments that do not have to be repaid. EPA is also announcing the availability of $35 million in competitive grant funding for reducing lead in drinking water. Communities are invited to apply directly for grant funding through this program.

    Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and adults and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color. Legacy lead pipes, which have delivered drinking water to homes for decades, have exposed generations of Americans to toxic lead and will continue to do so until they are removed. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and funding programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving fund (DWSRF) and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) have made historic federal investment available to remove lead pipes. To complement this historic opportunity, EPA’s technical assistance programs are helping disadvantaged communities access funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Urges HHS to Strengthen IV Supply Chain to Prevent Shortages

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) on Friday sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the administration to take action to ensure health care providers have access to necessary medical supplies to prevent a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluid.

    “I am thankful for the coordination of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” Dingell wrote. “This includes the work of ASPR in deploying approximately 200 personnel to North Carolina, including health care situational assessment teams, who are assessing the storm’s impacts on hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and other health care facilities. Baxter’s International’s North Cove manufacturing site, which primarily makes IV and peritoneal dialysis solutions, in Marion, North Carolina, has been one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. The rapid rain and storm surge resulted in water permeating the facility.”

    “Baxter International produces 60% of the national supply of IV solutions, and the hurricane’s impact on accessing the site’s supply has sounded alarms for a potential shortage. Baxter is actively working with local, state, and federal officials on plans to access the inventory in the facility and begin transfers of salvageable product out of the facility,” Dingell continued. “However, due to their constrained inventory, Baxter has begun implementing allocation limits on certain products to hospitals and other medical facilities based on their historical ordering from March through August of this year. Hospitals remain very concerned this situation will spiral into a nationwide shortage of critical IV products.”

    “Natural disasters often have effects beyond the horrific destruction and loss of life throughout the southeastern part of our country,” Dingell concluded. “This supply chain disruption is a grave reminder of the interconnection of our government and society – maintaining communication and cooperating through these adversities is the best solution to care for our communities.”

    Specifically, Dingell requested answers to the following questions:

    1. Baxter has begun implementing allocation limits on their products to ration IV products for the hospitals. What is being done to oversee the allocation process to ensure fairness throughout the country?
    2. We understand that HHS, FDA, and Baxter and working with manufacturers to ensure their operating at maximum capacity. Do you anticipate that this is enough to maintain the current need of hospitals and other medical facilities?
    3. In Baxter’s North Cove site in Marion, North Carolina, there are tens of thousands of pallets of product waiting to be distributed. Has any of this product been damaged? If so, what are you doing to ensure damaged products are not sent to hospitals and other medical facilities?
    4. If the Baxter site in North Carolina is unable to help provide the necessary IV solution to hospitals, what will HHS, ASPR, and FDA do to help meet demand?
    5. Do you expect this situation to result in an official shortage of IV fluids?
    6. Have you heard from hospitals canceling or postponing surgeries due to a lack of available IV fluids?
    7. Are you considering invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title I authorities?
    8. How can Congress help in assisting the diversification and risk management of this supply chain?
    9. How can the agency best to diversify this supply chain and what funding is needed to help mitigate risk?
    10. How can the Center for Industrial Based Management & Supply Chain engage with stakeholders to optimize our IV solution supply chain to withstand severe weather events? If one company’s plant is shut down and causes such a shortage, what steps can be taken to alleviate this stressor?

    View the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Order.co Recognized in Spend Matters ‘50 Providers to Watch’ List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Order.co, a leading procurement and accounts payable automation software, today announced that it has been selected for Spend Matters ‘50 Providers to Watch’ list for the fifth consecutive year.

    Since its founding in 2016, Order.co’s commitment to streamlining procurement processes and enhancing efficiency has earned it consistent recognition from Spend Matters as a top innovator in the space.

    Spend Matters tracks some 1,500+ procurement and supply chain technology and services providers. Each year, its analysts evaluate market data to build an exclusive list recognizing fast-rising companies that develop innovative products in the market. While reviewing providers, Spend Matters was particularly impressed by Order.co’s ability to transform businesses’ purchasing and payment experiences through cutting-edge features.

    “Order.co integrates external purchasing content from any website or marketplace into a master catalog without requiring an API, helping SMEs manage and control spend centrally,” said Xavier Olivera, Lead Analyst at Spend Matters. “It also consolidates multiple invoices into one, streamlining accounts payable processes and reducing workload. This makes it an interesting solution for enhancing procurement and financial management.”

    Receiving this acknowledgment underscores Order.co’s ongoing commitment to saving businesses time and money through a revolutionary approach to procurement. “We are incredibly proud to be selected for Spend Matters ‘50 to Watch’ list for the fifth year in a row,” said Zach Garippa, CEO & Co-Founder of Order.co. “This continued acknowledgment is a reflection of our commitment to simplify buying for businesses and our unique approach to solving this problem. Through a combination of our single ecommerce storefront, AI, and powerful network effects, hundreds of companies are able to rely on us to predict and solve problems along their entire purchasing journey, while saving them time and money every step of the way.”

    About Order.co

    Order.co is a procurement and accounts payable automation software that helps businesses cut costs and complexity with every order. Hundreds of companies, like WeWork and Hugo Boss, leverage Order.co to centralize purchase-to-pay workflows, scale operations efficiently, gain total control over spending, and save an average of 5% on products.

    Founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York City, Order.co has raised $50M in funding from industry-leading investors like MIT, Stage 2 Capital, Rally Ventures, 645 Ventures, and more. To learn more, please visit https://www.order.co

    About Spend Matters

    Spend Matters is the leading solution intelligence source for procurement and supply chain professionals. Combining deep technology analysis and tailored advisory services with daily news coverage and subscription research, Spend Matters is trusted by CPOs, consultants, investors and solution providers alike as their procurement technology intelligence partner. Learn more at https://spendmatters.com/

    View the full “50 Providers to Watch” list here: https://spendmatters.com/procurement-tech-recognition/ 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lakeland Man Charged with 10 Counts of Bank Fraud

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

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Abraham Othman Yacoub (26, Lakeland) with 10 counts of bank fraud. Yacoub faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Yacoub that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $181,540.51, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

    According to the indictment, from at least January 2021 until approximately February 2023, Yacoub made dozens of fraudulent deposits and withdrawals on behalf of his companies, Visionary Auto Body LLC, and Visionary Auto Care LLC, at financial institutions throughout the Middle District of Florida. Yacoub opened and maintained business bank accounts in the name of his companies and executed two primary fraud schemes.

    In the first scheme, Yacoub deposited the same previously deposited checks into various business banking accounts that he controlled at different financial institutions, knowing that the checks had previously been deposited and paid, causing the victim banks to credit his accounts for the amount of the check.

    In the second scheme, Yacoub drafted fraudulent business checks from closed business bank accounts and then deposit these checks into other active business banking accounts that he controlled, causing the banks to credit him with the amount of the fraudulent business check.

    Under both schemes Yacoub attempted to withdraw, transfer, or otherwise spend the funds credited to his accounts before the financial institution realized that the checks were fraudulent.

    Yacoub is currently in federal custody. On July 31, 2024, he was sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison for violating airport security requirements and attempted possession of a dangerous weapon on an aircraft after bringing a Glock 19 and assorted ammunition into Tampa International Airport.

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

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lakeland Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 20 Years

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

    Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Donnell Leeman Moore, Jr. (37, Lakeland) to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and distributing methamphetamine and cocaine. The court also ordered Moore to forfeit a firearm, which was used in the conspiracy. Moore entered a guilty plea on July 17, 2024.

    According to court documents, between June 2021 and September 2023, Moore conspired with several co-conspirators to distribute narcotics from Moore’s industrial garage in Lakeland. Moore distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other narcotics. As part of the investigation, agents identified the co-conspirators and seized hundreds of grams of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Agents also recovered a firearm and packaging materials in Moore’s garage. 

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

               WASHINGTON— A New Jersey man was sentenced to prison today after he was previously convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges, including for assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

               Michael Oliveras, 51, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years – or 60 months – in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell.

               A federal jury convicted Oliveras of three felonies in November of 2023, including civil disorder; obstruction of an official proceeding; and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In addition to the felonies, Oliveras was convicted of misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

               Judge Howell sentenced Oliveras on two felonies, including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and the misdemeanor offenses.

               According to the government’s evidence, Oliveras traveled to Washington, D.C. prepared for “war on January 6” because he wanted to stop the certification of the Presidential election. At the Capitol, he swarmed and helped attack a unit of police officers on the West front, engaged in a brawl with officers on the West Terrace, and entered the U.S. Capitol twice—and attempted to enter a third time—during the riot, all while repeatedly calling for the execution of “traitors,” i.e., lawmakers, and encouraging rioters to drag members of Congress out “by their hair.” Oliveras documented many of his actions videos he took himself.

               Oliveras posted to his Parler social media account that he booked a hotel room close to the Capitol building to scope out the area ahead of time. On Jan. 6, 2021, Oliveras posted to his Parler social media account, “Nothing can stop [wh]at is coming.”

               After attending the ‘Stop the Steal” rally, Oliveras marched to the Capitol at 1:00 p.m. where he spent more than five hours on the grounds and inside the building. Carrying a flagpole with an American flag, he began on the West front, where he joined rioters swarming and attacking police officers. At about 2:22 p.m. – less than 10 minutes after the Senate Wing Door initially was breached – Oliveras entered the Capitol building and marched towards the Crypt. While marching through the Capitol building, he recorded himself in video footage in several areas of the building repeatedly yelling things like, “WHERE ARE THEY? WHERE ARE THE F—-ING TRAITORS? DRAG THEM OUT BY THEIR F—-ING HAIR!”

               At 2:24 p.m., Oliveras boasted on Parler “I am inside the capital.”

               Officers temporarily drove Oliveras out of the Capitol, but he reentered the building minutes later through the Senate Wing Door. Once inside the second time, Oliveras encouraged the other rioters who were pouring into the building.

               After police ejected him a second time, Oliveras attempted a third entry, during which he stood in a doorway and shouted to rioters to “PUSH” and exclaimed, “WE WANT THOSE F—ING TRAITORS!” Oliveras, still wielding his flagpole, then joined a group resisting the officers who were trying to clear the upper Northwest terrace. As Oliveras shot video, an altercation broke out between the mob and police. Oliveras refused repeated commands from officers to “back up!” Instead, Oliveras stepped forward and forcefully pushed into officers. The fighting continued as rioters pulled officers to the ground.

               Only after officers deployed chemical irritant did Oliveras turn and move away. Still, Oliveras was not done. He stood nearby as police forced additional rioters North, shouting, “EVERYTHING AROUND HERE CHANGES FROM THIS DAY F—ING FORWARD!”

               Officers eventually cleared the area, but Oliveras did not leave the Capitol grounds. Instead, he marched to the opposite side of the building and encouraged other rioters as they destroyed media equipment. Oliveras remained at the Capitol until into the evening hours, and only left when officers finally gained control of the area and pushed the last remaining rioters, Oliveras included, off the grounds.

               After returning to New Jersey, Oliveras posted on social media about his trip to Washington, D.C.: “Did we want to get our bare hands on the flesh of those who have committed treason? Yes. Would I, as one of those red blooded americans, if the opportunity presented itself, grasped and removed one of those traitors? Yes.”

               On Jan. 8, 2021, Oliveras posted, “Patriots. Are any of you discouraged. What you saw in the senate. Was precisely what we want. Insurrection acts in motion.”

               The FBI arrested Oliveras on Dec. 9, 2021, in New Jersey.

               Since his arrest, Oliveras has repeatedly joined YouTube airings and exclaimed that he is not sorry for his actions and he would “do it again.”

               This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

                This case was investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

               In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

               Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Charges Filed Against Alleged Stalker Who Distributed Revenge Porn, Threatened, and Fired Shots at Ex-Girlfriend

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

                WASHINGTON – A U.S. District Court grand jury returned a 27-count superseding indictment today charging Nahvarj Mills, 31, of Brandywine, MD, with stalking, disseminating non-consensual pornography, and numerous firearms charges related to three shootings. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division; and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Mills is charged with cyberstalking in violation of a protective order; cyberstalking; interstate stalking in violation of a protection order; interstate stalking in violation of a protection order – emotional distress, use of a dangerous weapon; two counts of interstate stalking in violation of a protection order – bodily injury, emotional distress, use of a dangerous weapon; interstate violation of a protection order; three counts of interstate violation of a protection, use of a dangerous weapon; three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; interstate communications with intent to extort; assault with intent to kill while armed; three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon; three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence; and four counts of first degree unlawful publication.

                Mills has been detained since February 2024.

                According to court documents, Mills and the alleged victim, his former significant other, began dating in approximately December 2022. Mills physically abused the victim on multiple occasions. In approximately the summer of 2023, the victim ended the relationship with Mills. Angry about the breakup, Mills began contacting the victim by phone. He appeared uninvited at her workplace in Maryland and at her home in the District. Mills threatened to distribute sexually explicit images of the victim and then he made good on his threat.

                On November 23, 2023, the victim received text messages stating in part, “Got no job, got no kids, got no family. I have nothing to do. But what I do have, is the money to keep bothering you.”

                Around December 31, 2023, the victim received 30 phone calls from “No Caller ID.” The calls followed an attempt by the victim to meet up with Mills in an effort to make amends. Those efforts ended when Mills pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim’s head.

                On January 2, 2024, the victim reported Mills’ conduct to the MPD and filed a petition for a Civil Protection Order (CPO). The victim’s mother subsequently electronically served Mills with a Temporary Protection Order at his known phone number. In the same conversation, Mills sent the mother numerous sexually explicit photos and videos of the victim. Mills also wrote, “I can easily pull this .40 trigger,” followed by photos of a firearm and ammunition that appear consistent with the .40 caliber firearm and ammunition later recovered from Mills’ home pursuant to a residential search warrant.

                Also in early January, Mills allegedly created a fake Instagram account in the victim’s name. The victim then received several messages from the account threatening to disseminate sexually explicit images and videos of her. Mills later made good on his threat and sent out the images and videos to several individuals who knew the victim. On January 6, 2024, Ring camera footage captured footage of a man believed to be Mills outside the victim’s home. The man spread typed-out paragraphs containing threatening messages along with explicit images. A few days later, on January 11, 2024, the victim found more sexually explicit photos on her lawn.

                On January 19, 2024, a D.C. Superior Court Judge granted a CPO, which ordered Mills to stay away from the victim, her home, her workplace, her vehicle, and her family.

                On January 20, 2024, Mills again spread sexually explicit images outside the victim’s home. On this occasion, the victim personally observed Mills in her front yard and saw him return to a vehicle along with another individual.

                Also on January 20, 2024, Mills allegedly spread sexually explicit images outside another victim’s home. He also reportedly sent numerous unwanted and threatening text messages and made unwanted calls to this victim. Mills is now charged with one count of cyberstalking in connection with this victim.

                The campaign of stalking and violence against the first victim escalated further in late January 2024. Three separate shootings targeted the victim’s bedroom on January 21, 22, and 23. The third shooting occurred after Mills called the victim and threatened to kill her.

                On January 26, 2024, Mills returned to the victim’s home where police arrested him and charged him with violating the protection order. Once again, the court ordered Mills to stay away from the victim and not contact her. Nonetheless, Mills made continued efforts to contact the victim.

                On February 7, 2024, Mills was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Mills has been detained since his arrest on February 7, 2024.On July 18, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned an initial seven-count indictment, and Mills was transferred to federal custody.

                This case is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Washington D.C., the FBI’s Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Metropolitan Police Department. 

               This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Houck, Marco Crocetti and Caroline Burrell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

    ##

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Scheme to Defraud Distressed Homeowners Out of $15 Million Nets Virginia Man 60 Months

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

                WASHINGTON –Terrylle Blackstone, 37, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy that fraudulently promised thousands of homeowners across the U.S. legal help in avoiding foreclosure. The scheme generated at least $15 million for the conspirators but never provided any legal services to the client-victims.

                The sentence was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office.

                Blackstone pleaded guilty on June 6, 2024, to a count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud before U.S District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss. In addition to the prison term, Judge Moss ordered Blackstone to serve three years of supervised release and pay $159,145.35 in restitution.

                According to court documents, from January 2018 until February 2021, Blackstone worked with attorneys David Maresca of Virginia, Scott Marinelli of New Jersey, and Sam Babbs of Florida. The co-conspirators told homeowners that they operated a “national law firm” based in Washington, D.C.; that attorneys would review the homeowner’s file and provide legal representation to the homeowners; that an attorney in the homeowner’s local area would be assigned to assist them; that the homeowner could meet and consult with those attorneys about the case; and that attorneys in their law firm could help the homeowner, if necessary, file for bankruptcy.

                From 2016 until 2019, the conspirators marketed Synergy Law with telephone, television, and internet advertising which told homeowners that attorneys at Maresca and Marinelli’s Synergy Law (Synergy) in Manassas could help them avoid foreclosure. During 2018 and 2019, bankruptcy judges, Synergy clients, and the U.S. Trustee’s Program raised concerns about Synergy’s practices in bankruptcy matters. Blackstone attended court hearings on behalf of Synergy where he made false statements to the court about the firm’s operations. In early 2019, Marinelli was incarcerated in Pennsylvania. Yet Blackstone, Maresca, Marinelli, and others continued to operate Synergy and collect monthly payments purportedly for legal services. During this time, there was no attorney who was a member of Synergy who could practice law. Synergy never had attorneys review all homeowner files and Synergy never had attorneys contact a client’s lender to discuss a mortgage resolution. They also continued to use the interstate wires to operate their “law firm” in ways that were essential to the scheme, such as soliciting clients by telephone.

                From 2019 until at least 2022, the conspirators marketed another firm, Themis Law, with television and website advertising which told homeowners that attorneys with Themis could help them avoid foreclosure. Themis operated a call center at an office in Manassas, Virginia. Call center workers used scripts during their phone calls with homeowners in which Themis falsely promised that an attorney would review the homeowner’s case file; that this attorney knew their lender’s “internal guidelines” for a “mortgage resolution”; and that an assigned “legal team” would contact the homeowner’s lender to negotiate a resolution. Themis required homeowner-clients to pay an initial retainer amount followed by a monthly recurring amount for as long as the firm represented the homeowner. When Themis clients faced imminent foreclosure, Themis advised those clients to consider filing for bankruptcy to save their home and referred the clients to Babbs at the Babbs Law Firm. Those clients then signed a new retainer agreement and paid additional fees to Babbs.

                During his dates of employment at Synergy Law and Themis Law, Blackstone received no less than $159,145.35 in direct payments from the companies. Judge Moss ordered that Blackstone pay a forfeiture money judgment in that amount.

                This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Washington, D.C. Field Office of IRS-CI.

                It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Borchert.

                23cr123

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    Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Treasurer of Kern County Political Organization Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Bryan M. Williams, 41, of Atascadero, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, between 2013 and 2019, Williams served as the treasurer of a Kern County political organization. During that time period, he stole between $230,000 and $435,000 from the organization, and used those funds for his personal use.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.

    Williams is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Jan. 27, 2025. Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Illegal Weapons Possession Charges

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

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Three co-defendants, Martin Cervantes Vasquez, 49, of Stockton; Alberto Gonzalez Salgado, 45, of Sacramento; and Isaiah Alberto Salgado, 25, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to various drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession charges, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    Cervantes and Alberto Salgado pleaded guilty to a fentanyl pill trafficking conspiracy. Cervantes also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Alberto Salgado also pleaded guilty to two counts of heroin distribution, to cultivating more than 100 marijuana plants, and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Isaiah Salgado pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.

    According to court documents, Alberto Salgado sold heroin and fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills to a confidential source on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020. Cervantes supplied fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills to Alberto Salgado and also possessed more than a kilogram of heroin and 500 grams of methamphetamine on the day of his arrest on Oct. 8, 2020. Alberto and Isaiah Salgado sold an illegal short-barreled rifle to the same confidential source in August 2020. Alberto Salgado also maintained a stash house in Sacramento where he grew more than 100 marijuana plants and also kept a firearm to protect his drug trafficking operation.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; the Sacramento Area Intelligence/Narcotics Task Force; and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.

    Cervantes is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2025, Alberto Salgado on Feb. 13, 2025, and Isaiah Salgado on Jan. 9, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta. Cervantes and Alberto Salgado face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. Isaiah Salgado faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Long Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling with 14-Year-Old Girl Across State Lines While Intending to Engage in Sexual Activity

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

    LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for traveling with a 14-year-old runaway from Arizona – whom he met in a Reddit internet forum – across state lines to his apartment, where he engaged in criminal sexual activity with her.

    Trevon Nathaniel Langstaff, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

    “Every day, sexual predators use the internet’s relative anonymity to prey on vulnerable youth,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Would-be predators should be aware that my office will use all of its tools to bring them to justice, and, as today’s sentence shows, the consequences will be severe.” 

    According to his plea agreement, in late March 2024, Langstaff drove from his Long Beach home to Peoria, Arizona, to pick up the victim, a 14-year-old girl. Langstaff knew the victim was 14 and instructed her to pretend to be 18 years old. 

    Intending to have sexual intercourse with the victim, Langstaff transported her from Arizona to his home in Long Beach, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with her.

    On Langstaff’s cellphone, which was seized on March 26, law enforcement found an image that appeared to portray two children engaged in sexually explicit activity.

    United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha scheduled a March 7, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Langstaff will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. Langstaff has been in federal custody since March 27.

    The FBI and the Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy That Corrupted City Real Estate Projects

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

    LOS ANGELES – A former deputy mayor and long-time Los Angeles city official was sentenced today to 144 months in federal prison for soliciting and accepting more than $750,000 in bribe money for himself and facilitating over $1 million in bribes from property developers to then-Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar as part of a long-running pay-to-play racketeering conspiracy at the highest levels of government in Los Angeles.

    Raymond She Wah Chan, 68, of Monterey Park, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $752,457 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles. 

    At the conclusion of a 12-day trial, a jury on March 27 found Chan guilty of all 12 felony counts for which he was charged: one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, seven counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of federal program bribery, and one count of making false statements to a federal government agency.

    “Chan abused his public office and sought to deepen the corruption of city politics for the benefit of his own business interests,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Today’s sentence sends a message to the public and City Hall alike that our government should not be for sale and those that undermine our democracy through pay-to-play schemes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “Today’s sentence serves as a reminder that there are consequences for robbing communities of the honest government services they deserve” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “The harm of public corruption manifests itself not only in financial loss, but also the loss of faith in government and public officials. The FBI will remain laser focused on those who seek to use their personal wealth and influence to facilitate relationships between those willing to pay or accept bribes.”

    Chan served for years as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and, later, as the Deputy Mayor of Economic Development from 2016 to 2017. Chan abused both of these high offices and the influence they carried to enrich himself, Huizar, and other public officials within the city.

    Huizar, 56, of Boyle Heights, represented Council District 14 (CD-14) on the Los Angeles City Council from 2005 until his resignation in October 2020. CD-14 encompassed downtown Los Angeles and some of its surrounding areas. When downtown Los Angeles was experiencing a huge real estate development boom, Huizar chaired the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee, which oversaw all major commercial and residential development projects in the city.

    Along with Huizar, Chan helped conceive, lead, and operate the “CD-14 Enterprise,” a criminal racketeering enterprise that exploited the city approval process for large real estate development projects to exact bribes from developers. Chan played a critical role in guiding and ensuring the CD-14 Enterprise’s success, managing the conspiracy through both the powerful public offices he occupied and the private relationships he held with wealthy foreign developers seeking to build in the city.  Capitalizing on this unique position, Chan steered nearly $2 million in financial benefits to himself, Huizar, and other public officials as part of the pay-to-play bribery scheme.

    In furtherance of the conspiracy, while he was General Manager of LADBS and then Deputy Mayor, Chan established and directed a secret business partnership with real estate development consultant George Chiang, securing a lucrative real estate consulting agreement with Chinese real estate developer Shenzhen Hazens. As part of that agreement, Chan solicited and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to advise and pressure other city officials, including Huizar, in favor of Hazens’ Luxe Hotel redevelopment project in downtown Los Angeles. When he left city employment, Chan used the consulting business that he had secretly built to direct bribes to other public officials for the benefit of his private consulting clients. 

    To help prolong the pay-to-play bribery scheme, Chan also facilitated a $100,000 campaign contribution commitment from Hazens for Huizar’s wife’s candidacy to succeed Huizar as CD-14 Councilmember in exchange for Huizar’s votes to approve the Luxe Hotel project. Chan also helped facilitate numerous other bribes from Hazens to Huizar, including tens of thousands of dollars in sham real estate consulting fees, concert tickets, China travel expenses, and contributions to Huizar’s 2015 campaign debt and alma mater high school. 

    Chan also facilitated payment of nearly $1 million in bribes to Huizar from billionaire developer Wei Huang, 58, of Shenzhen, China, including $600,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, nearly $200,000 in casino chips, and luxury-laden gambling trips to Las Vegas. Chan similarly facilitated bribes from Huang to George Esparza, Huizar’s special assistant and key associate in the pay-to-play bribery scheme, through casino chips and lavish Las Vegas trips. When Huang provided these bribes, his company, Shen Zhen New World I LLC, was planning to redevelop the downtown L.A. Grand Hotel into the tallest tower west of the Mississippi, which would require city approvals and Huizar’s official assistance.

    Chan played a crucial role in facilitating Huang’s payment of $600,000 for Huizar to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former CD-14 staffer, which threatened Huizar’s 2015 re-election campaign and the continued operation of the CD-14 Enterprise. Chan conceived of and helped carry out an elaborate plan involving a foreign shell company, intermediaries, and fraudulent corporate documents to arrange a sham private loan that shielded the fact of Huang’s involvement in the payment. Chan later lied to FBI agents that he was not involved in the settlement, that Huang had no projects in Huizar’s district needing Huizar’s support, and that Huang had never asked Huizar for help with anything – all of which Chan knew to be false.

    Huizar was sentenced on January 26 to 13 years in federal prison and also was ordered to pay $443,905 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles and $38,792 in restitution to the IRS. He pleaded guilty in January 2023 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of tax evasion. Huizar has been ordered to begin serving his prison sentence no later than October 7.

    Hazens’ U.S. subsidiary, Jia Yuan USA Co. Inc., which was seeking to redevelop the Luxe Hotel, has paid $1.05 million to resolve the government’s investigation into its conduct related to this case, which included bribery and illegal campaign contributions.

    Huang, who is charged with several felonies for his bribes to Huizar with Chan’s assistance, fled the United States shortly after the execution of numerous federal search warrants in this case and is considered a fugitive from justice. Huang’s downtown Los Angeles-based company Shen Zhen New World I LLC was convicted in 2022 of eight felonies for – through Huang’s actions as its owner – paying more than $1 million in bribes to Huizar for his critical support for the L.A. Grand Hotel redevelopment project. The company was sentenced to five years of probation, fined $4 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

    Relatedly, real estate developer Dae Yong Lee, a.k.a. “David Lee,” 60, of Bel Air, and one of his companies, 940 Hill LLC, were convicted in 2022 of providing $500,000 in cash to Huizar and Esparza in exchange for their help in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of a downtown Los Angeles development project. Lee is serving a six-year federal prison sentence and was fined $750,000. 940 Hill LLC was sentenced to five years’ probation, fined over $1 million, and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

    Prosecutors also have secured guilty pleas from Chiang; Esparza; lobbyist Morrie Goldman; and political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim. Each of these defendants cooperated with the government and testified during at least one trial in this case and will be sentenced at upcoming hearings in November.

    The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant United States Attorneys Cassie D. Palmer, Susan S. Har, and Brian R. Faerstein of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.

    Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s email tip line at https://tips.fbi.gov or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company fined for workplace fatality

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    HTK Iron Works Ltd. pleaded guilty to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. The company was sentenced on Oct. 2 in the Medicine Hat Court of Justice. The Crown withdrew four other charges under OHS legislation.

    The charges stem from an incident at a metal fabrication shop near Burdett on Feb. 1, 2023. A worker died after being struck by a fabricated windbreak panel that fell from a moving forklift.

    HTK Iron Works Ltd. has been fined $360,000 inclusive of the 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.

    Both the company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.

    Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury.

    Quick facts

    • Jobs, Economy and Trade does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Medicine Hat Court of Justice.

    Related information

    • Convictions under OHS legislation
    • Charges under OHS legislation
    • OHS incident investigations

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expanded opt-out testing begins at Leeds hospitals as part of Fast-Track City commitment to end HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics

    Source: City of Leeds

    An expanded programme of opt-out testing has begun at emergency departments at two Leeds hospitals as part of the city’s commitment to ending new HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis infections by the end of the decade.

    Beginning last month, the new programme sees anyone aged 16 and over who has blood tests taken as part of their emergency care at Leeds General Infirmary or St James’s University Hospital also being tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C unless they opt out and decline.

    The testing at the two Leeds hospitals, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to run for at least a year, is part of a national programme aiming to identify undiagnosed patients and providing support to treatments and care in order to prevent new transmissions and helping people live long and healthy lives.

    The improved testing in Leeds was one of the aims when the city last year became the first in the Yorkshire and Humber region to become a ‘Fast-Track City’ as part of a global initiative to end the HIV, TB and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

    A report on progress achieved since making the declaration in Leeds will be discussed by senior councillors at the council’s executive board meeting at Civic Hall next week (Wednesday 16 October).

    Figures for Leeds show through improving links between stakeholders and communities the city has achieved the international ’95-95-95’ target set down by the United Nations, with 95 per cent of people living with HIV being diagnosed, 99 per cent of those on HIV treatment and 98 per cent virally suppressed meaning they cannot pass the virus on.

    The report also gives an update on a community grants programme launched in Leeds in February marking one year on since becoming a Fast-Track City.

    Overseen by Leeds City Council, BHA Leeds Skyline and MESMAC, the programme awards grants of up to £700 to groups in Leeds to express their lived experiences especially around stigma and discrimination, and its impacts on people living with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

    So far six projects have been supported in the city, ranging from an informative and engaging podcast on the experiences of those living with HIV; a refugee community choir writing a song to release on World Aids Day (December 1st) to fight stigma with music; A new poster campaign to be displayed in places of worship; An LGBT+ youth group making a new quilt to be displayed in local museums; and a knitting group making 40 bears to promote national HIV testing week in February.

    All of these projects will be showcased at a celebration event hosted by BHA Leeds Skyline in the city next month. For more information contact BHA Leeds Skyline via Free Counselling, Disability Support & HIV Testing in Leeds | BHA (thebha.org.uk) 

    Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing Councillor Fiona Venner said:

    “This report highlights the significant progress achieved in Leeds since becoming a Fast-Track City, with all skakeholders, partners and communities working closer together in this vital area. Much has been achieved but we know much more needs to be done achieve the target of zero infections, deaths and stigma around HIV, TB and viral hepatitis by 2030.

    “The recently-begun enhanced testing at the LGI and St James’s has a vital role to play in helping identify anyone undiagnosed so all the available support they need can be provided to help people live long and healthy lives. If everyone in the city and beyond works together on this, I am confident the zero target can and will be reached.”

    Dr Sarah Schoeman, Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) Consultant Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and Leeds Fast-Track City Leadership Group Chair said:

    “Normalising blood-borne virus testing is essential – it saves lives and helps tackle the stigma associated with these infections. We are so pleased and proud that we are able to offer routine testing for these important infections within our Leeds emergency departments again. This initiative is another significant step towards Leeds reaching our Fast-Track City goals of zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, zero new viral hepatitis infections, zero new TB infections and zero stigma related to all of these infections in Leeds by 2030.”

    Programme Lead at BHA Skyline (and Fast-Track City Leeds group member) Pesha Thornton said:

    “The community grants have provided individuals and groups with lived experience a platform and opportunity to explore how they would challenge stigma, connect with peers and elevate their voices and experiences and to feel empowered to explore their creativity.  This programme has been beneficial for those with lived experience, as most of the people BHA Skyline supports have experienced HIV related discrimination and/or feel a sense of self stigma. 

    “It is so much more than the finished products, it is the journeys and the bravery of the individuals who have been awarded the grants to share their difficulties and triumphs encapsulating them into a piece of work to challenge the stigma that is still very much present. The community grants projects will be launched at the Fast-Track City event hosted by BHA Skyline, in addition to celebrating and sharing the work from partners across Leeds and West Yorkshire.”

    To see the report being considered by the executive board, visit Council and democracy (leeds.gov.uk) (agenda item seven).

    For more information on the community grants programme in Leeds visit Fast Track Cities Leeds Community Grants – BHA for Equality (thebha.org.uk)

    To find out more about the Fast-Track Cities visit: Welcome to Fast-Track Cities | Fast-Track Cities

    Notes to editors:

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Improving Access to Small Business Funding: OEDIT Announces Partner Outreach Program

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Business Support division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the Partner Outreach Program (POP) to connect Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners to OEDIT programs. A network of partners with expertise in serving rural, minority-owned, and immigrant-owned businesses has been established to work with businesses across the state to access loans and funding that can help them take steps to grow their businesses.

    “Helping small businesses across the state with access to funding and technical assistance will help small businesses thrive and strengthen Colorado’s economy. Small businesses drive our economy and with access to these experienced partners and their resources, Colorado will continue to be the best place in the country for anyone to start and grow a business,” said Governor Polis.

    Several OEDIT programs specialize in serving businesses that have had trouble securing a loan, need a smaller-than-average loan to get up and running, or have not borrowed money before.

    “Small businesses make up 99.5% of Colorado’s economy. When small businesses have access to financing that meets their needs, they can take important steps to grow their revenues and create new jobs. The Partner Outreach Program is an innovative program that responds to community needs and will expand our outreach efforts across the vast majority of the state. That means new opportunities for Colorado’s small businesses, including those that have historically encountered barriers to funding and support,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

    To establish the POP network, six partners have been selected for their ability to serve diverse Colorado businesses, with a special emphasis on serving business owners who have historically encountered barriers to business capital and loans. All partners have a demonstrated history as a trusted community organization committed to community outreach, community development, and/or experience with supporting small businesses to access capital.

    Collectively, these partners offer support for a wide range of demographic groups and reach at least 90% of the state, from the Western Slope to the rural Eastern Plains and southern Colorado.

    • Black Business Initiative – Specializes in serving indigenous and Black communities in the Denver Metro area and San Luis Valley.
    • Community Enterprise Development Services – Serves business owners in the Denver Metro, Fort Collins, Weld County and Morgan County. Experienced working with Ethiopian, Islamic, Korean, Somali and underserved communities with an additional focus on communities speaking a language other than English.
    • Overwrite – Specializes in serving immigrant, migrant, Hispanic, Asian and Southeast Asian, African and Black communities in the Denver Metro area and Colorado Springs.
    • Prairie Rose – Has a demonstrated history of serving Spanish speaking communities in the Western Slope, Eastern Plains, and Durango communities.
    • Startup Colorado – Serves the Eastern Plains and the San Luis Valley, with experience serving business owners in all rural communities.
    • Wezesha Dada Center – Active in the Denver, Pueblo, Eastern Plains, Aurora, and Colorado Springs, with experience serving immigrant, migrant, diaspora, refugee and Black communities.

    About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the State’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes the Global Business Development division; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Colorado Creative Industries; Business Financing & Incentives division; the Colorado Small Business Development Network; Cannabis Business Office; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; the Minority Business Office; Employee Ownership Office; and Rural Opportunity Office. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Seeks Innovative Artemis Lunar Logistics, Mobility Solutions

    Source: NASA

    NASA is asking U.S. industry to submit innovative architecture solutions that could help the agency land and move cargo on the lunar surfaced during future Artemis missions. Released in September, the agency’s request for proposal also supports NASA’s broader Moon to Mars Objectives.
    Previously, NASA published two white papers outlining lunar logistics and mobility gaps as part of its Moon to Mars architecture development effort that augmented an earlier white paper on logistics considerations. The current ask, Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies, expects proposing companies to consider these publications, which describe NASA’s future needs for logistics and mobility.
    “NASA relies on collaborations from diverse partners to develop its exploration architecture,” said Nujoud Merancy, deputy associate administrator, strategy and architecture in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Studies like this allow the agency to leverage the incredible expertise in the commercial aerospace community.”
    Lunar Logistics Drivers, Needs
    Logistics items, including food, water, air, and spare parts, comprise a relatively large portion of the cargo NASA expects to need to move around on the Moon, including at the lunar South Pole where the agency plans to send crew in the future.
    The Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs white paper outlines the importance of accurately predicting logistics resupply needs, as they can heavily influence the overall architecture and design of exploration missions.
    As the agency progresses into more complex lunar missions, NASA will require more and more lunar logistics as the agency increases mission frequency and duration. This current proposal seeks industry studies that could help inform NASA’s approach to this growing need.
    Lunar Mobility Drivers, Needs
    The white paper discusses the transportation of landed cargo and exploration assets from where they are delivered to where they are used, such as to locations with ideal lighting, away from ascent vehicle landing sites, or near other assets. These distances can range from yards to miles away from landing locations, and the ability to move around landing sites easily and quickly are key to exploring the lunar surface efficiently.
    NASA’s current planned lunar mobility elements, such as the Lunar Terrain Vehicle and Pressurized Rover, have a capability limit of about 1,760 pounds (800 kilograms) and will primarily be used to transport astronauts around the lunar surface. However, future missions could include a need to move cargo totaling around 4,400 to 13,000 pounds (2,000 to 6,000 kg). To meet this demand, NASA must develop new mobility capabilities with its partners.
    Lunar Surface Cargo
    The Lunar Surface Cargo white paper characterizes lunar surface cargo delivery needs, compares those needs with current cargo lander capabilities, and outlines considerations for fulfilling this capability gap. While cargo delivery capabilities currently included in the Moon to Mars architecture — like CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) and human-class delivery landers — can meet near-term needs, there are substantial gaps for future needs.
    Access to a diverse fleet of cargo landers would empower a larger lunar exploration footprint. A combination of international partnerships and U.S. industry-provided landers could supply the concepts and capabilities to meet this need. The request for proposals doesn’t explicitly seek new lander concepts but does ask for integrated assessments of logistics that can include transportation elements.
    “We’re looking for industry to offer creative insights that can inform our logistics and mobility strategy,” said Brooke Thornton, industry engagement lead for NASA’s Strategy and Architecture Office. “Ultimately, we’re hoping to grow our awareness of the unique capabilities that are or could become a part of the commercial lunar marketplace.”
    This is the latest appendix to NASA’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2). Solicitations under NextSTEP seek commercial development of capabilities that empower crewed exploration in deep space. NASA published the latest NextSTEP omnibus, NextSTEP-3, on Sept. 27.

    Request for Proposals
    https://sam.gov/opp/2291c465203240388302bb1f126c3db9/view

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 4711, Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment Act of 2024

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 4711 would prevent agencies from using a person’s past use of marijuana as the sole basis for taking certain personnel actions, such as excluding them from federal employment, disqualifying them from receiving security clearances, or denying them credentials to access federal facilities and systems. The bill also would require the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to help federal agencies implement the bill’s provisions.

    MIL OSI USA News –