JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Florissant, Mo., man appeared in court today on an indictment alleging that he possessed firearms after a prior felony conviction.
Jerald Cortez Harris, Jr., 27, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms in an indictment returned on May 13, 2025, by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. The indictment, which was unsealed upon Harris’s arrest and appearance in court, alleges that between March 14, 2025, and March 27, 2025, Harris possessed two firearms: a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and a Beretta, model APX A1 Compact, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. Harris has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo. Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
MIAMI – A former Key West firefighter made his initial appearance in federal court today to face an indictment charging him with the possession of a destructive device and possession of a short-barreled rifle.
According to the indictment, on March 14, Vincent Michael Vega, 38, was in possession of a combination of parts used in converting a device into a destructive device, i.e. an explosive bomb or similar device. Vega was also in possession of a modified semi-automatic rifle, which had a barrel of less than 16 inches. The firearms were not registered to Vega in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Gordon Mallory of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
ATF Miami is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-10023.
SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 413 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 23 through May 29.
Among the new cases, Salvadoran national Jaqueline Del Carmen Aleman-Aguilar was charged with one count of illegal re-entry in San Antonio. According to a criminal complaint, Aleman-Aguilar was convicted for transportation of aliens in June 2015 and sentenced to six months in federal prison. She was then removed from the United States to Mexico in July 2015.
Christian Ruben Corea-Benavides, a Nicaraguan national, was charged in El Paso with attempting to transport illegal aliens. U.S. Border Patrol agents allegedly observed Corea-Benavides pick up five illegal aliens just over four miles west of the Fort Hancock Port of Entry. A criminal complaint alleges that during a traffic stop, the investigating USBP agent observed a female passenger in the front seat of the vehicle, and four additional passengers lying on top of one another in the backseat—all appearing to be wet and muddy.
Mexican national Sabino Renteria-Alvarado was arrested May 28 at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry after he attempted to enter through the pedestrian entrance and allegedly presented the Customs and Border Protection officer (CBPO) with a false claim that he had been a Legal Permanent Resident, but that police in Nevada possessed his LPR card. The CBPO referred Renteria-Alvarado to Passport Control Secondary, where records revealed he had been previously removed in January 2024 through Nogales, Arizona. His criminal record includes a 15-year prison sentence for a sexual assault of a minor conviction in 2017. Renteria-Alvarado is currently charged with one count of illegal re-entry.
Two U.S. citizens were arrested in the Del Rio area as the result of separate human smuggling attempts, as alleged in criminal complaints. Nancy Anna Gwyn, of Houston, was encountered during a May 22 traffic stop near Carrizo Springs. USBP agents allegedly uncovered three passengers in her vehicle who were identified to be citizens of foreign countries and illegally present in the U.S. On May 24,an immigration checkpoint inspection near Eagle Pass allegedly revealed that Anastasia Lee Daneill Godfrey, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was attempting to transport two illegal aliens to San Antonio in the trunk of a sedan.
Honduran national Walter Alonso Martinez-Chandias is charged with illegal re-entry. He has one prior removal—in June 2013 through Alexandria, Louisiana—and a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions in Birmingham, Alabama for drug trafficking and homicide, for which he was sentenced in 2018 to five years and 20 years in prison, respectively. In 2017, he was convicted in Birmingham for unlawful transport of firearms and sentenced to 81 months in prison. A criminal complain alleges that when he was arrested on May 25, Martinez-Chandias refused to comply with Border Patrol agents’ commands and resisted attempts to be placed in custody and handcuffs by running and kicking.
Luis Alberto Olivarez-Hernandez, of Mexico, was arrested May 27 near Eagle Pass for illegal re-entry. He has two prior removals, the last one being Feb. 25 through Laredo, five days after a felony conviction for unlawfully carrying a weapon in prohibited places. Additionally, Olivarez-Hernandez was convicted in 2010 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Armando Vazquez-Ruiz, also a Mexican national, is charged with illegal re-entry after being found near Eagle Pass less than two weeks after his most recent removal. Vazquez-Ruiz had been convicted in Georgetown May 7 for assault causing bodily injury and was deported May 8 through Laredo.
In Austin, Mexican national Basilio Luna-Luna was encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Travis County Jail May 24, where he was detained for what would be his seventh DWI, if convicted. Luna-Luna was previously removed from the U.S. in November 2014 and voluntarily returned to Mexico twice—once in 1998 and once in 2009.
Juan Alberto Zarate-Salgado, also of Mexico, was encountered at the Travis County Jail as well and is charged with illegal re-entry. Zarate-Salgado has two prior removals and multiple convictions for assault of a family/household member and assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CHNV was an unlawful scheme to unleash over 530,000 poorly vetted aliens into America
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secured a legal victory in its effort to terminate parole for more than 530,000 illegal aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) who were released into the country by the Biden Administration. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7-2 order, staying a District Court’s order pending appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
With this decision, DHS can once again start removing illegal aliens under the disastrous CHNV parole programs as the case progresses. This order comes after an activist judge ruled that DHS could not outright end the CHNV program.
DHS released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump Administration to keep Americans safe:
Statement Attributable to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin
“Today’s decision is a victory for the American people. The Biden Administration lied to America. They allowed more than half a million poorly vetted aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela and their immediate family members to enter the United States through these disastrous parole programs; granted them opportunities to compete for American jobs and undercut American workers; forced career civil servants to promote the programs even when fraud was identified; and then blamed Republicans in Congress for the chaos that ensued and the crime that followed,”
“Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First.”
Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the selection of Jeff C. Coffman and Benjamin Klein as Chiefs of the Office’s White Plains Division, as well as the retirement of Perry Carbone, Chief of the Office’s Criminal Division, who previously served with distinction as Chief of the White Plains Division.
Mr. Coffman joined the Office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division in 2018, following five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of New York and one year as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia. Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Mr. Coffman worked at the law firm of Trout Cacheris, PLLC and co-founded and managed a small law firm in Washington, D.C. Mr. Coffman received Bachelor of Science degrees from Virginia Tech and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. After graduating from law school, he clerked for the Hon. James C. Cacheris of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Mr. Klein joined the Office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division in 2021. Before becoming a prosecutor, Mr. Klein worked at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Mr. Klein received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, and a J.D. from the Yale Law School, where he served as an editor of TheYale Law Journal. After graduating, Mr. Klein clerked for the Honorable Thomas M. Hardiman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
“I am pleased to announce the selection of Jeff Coffman and Ben Klein as co-chiefs of the Office’s White Plains division,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Jeff and Ben will bring a wealth of prosecutorial talent and experience to lead the critically impactful work of the division. Together with our agency partners, they will drive our commitment to safety and fairness for millions of New Yorkers. On behalf of the hundreds of women and men of the Southern District who have benefited from working with Perry Carbone, I say thank you, Perry, for your commitment to justice and your devotion to the Office and your colleagues. Perry has been a consummate prosecutor for decades and has admirably spent his career as a selfless advocate for public safety. We all thank Perry for doing so much good for so many. I am also especially grateful to Margery Feinzig, Deputy Chief of our Criminal Division, who stepped in as Acting Chief of the White Plains Division during this transition. Her steady leadership, professionalism, and tireless commitment ensured that the White Plains Division continued to function at the highest level. We are fortunate to have had her at the helm.”
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Derris Mayberry, 37, of Denver, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison after being convicted by federal juries in two trials of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
According to the facts established at the trials, on the evening of March 22, 2024, a woman approached an officer conducting surveillance for an undercover operation and offered the officer “dope.” She then told the officer that she knew someone who could get “blues,” meaning fentanyl pills. The woman ultimately led undercover police officers to an alley near the Colorado State Capitol where Mayberry was waiting. An audio recording captured the undercover officer negotiating the price and amount of fentanyl pills. The officers then observed the woman make a hand-to-hand exchange with Mayberry, immediately after which the woman handed four fentanyl pills to the undercover officer in exchange for $20. Law enforcement contacted Mayberry shortly thereafter at a bus stop only feet away from where the deal had taken place. During a pat down, law enforcement found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his shorts pocket. Mayberry had previously been convicted of multiple felonies and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing the loaded revolver. During a search incident to his arrest, law enforcement found additional fentanyl pills and the $20 used by the undercover officer to purchase the drugs.
“Illicit fentanyl destroys lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “Our office will continue to prioritize putting fentanyl traffickers behind bars.”
“Felons illegally possessing firearms and distributing deadly drugs like fentanyl pose a serious and immediate threat to public safety,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge. “We are grateful for our local and federal partners who are unified in our commitment to pursue these violent criminals and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“What began as great, proactive police work ended with an armed dealer of dangerous narcotics being sentenced to prison to a lengthy term,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. “The Denver Police Department, in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and U.S. Attorney’s Office, remain committed to stopping the availability of dangerous drugs in Denver.”
United States District Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing. The Denver Police Department VICE unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Theodore O’Brien and Celeste Rangel handled the prosecution.
Louisville, KY – A Louisville couple was sentenced this week to federal prison for engaging in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and disaster fraud.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region, Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division made the announcement.
According to court documents, Yeniseis Saavedra, 35, was sentenced on May 28, 2025, to 3 years and 6 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of making a false statement, two counts of disaster fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Alien Saavedra, 36, was sentenced on May 20, 2025, to 1 day in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of disaster fraud.
Between 2019 and 2020, Yeniseis Saavedra and Alien Saavedra engaged in a conspiracy to defraud factoring (trucking loan) companies by submitting false bills of lading. Yeniseis Saavedra and Alien Saavedra also aided and abetted each other in committing disaster fraud by filing for lost wage assistance payments authorized by a Presidential Memorandum resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic with the Kentucky Office of Unemployment. The filing for lost wage assistance payments was on behalf of Alien Saavedra and failed to report that Alien Saavedra was receiving wages from the motor carrier industry.
In 2020, Yeniseis Saavedra made a false statement to the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when she falsely filed an application on behalf of another, C.S., claiming that C.S. was going to operate a trucking company. However, C.S. was not aware of the application filing, and Yeniseis Saavedra was operating the company.
Yeniseis Saavedra also filed for lost wage assistance payments authorized by a Presidential Memorandum resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic with the Kentucky Office of Unemployment on behalf of C.S. Again, C.S. was unaware of the filing, this time for lost wage assistance payments, and C.S. did not receive any of the lost wage payments. Instead, the lost wage payments were sent to a bank account controlled by Yeniseis Saavedra.
Lastly, Yeniseis Saavedra was sentenced for aggravated identity theft for using the identity and Social Security number of C.S. without C.S.’s authorization to obtain the lost wage assistance payments.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Alien Saavedra was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $111,143.78.
Yeniseis Saavedra was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $156,147.78
This case was investigated by the DOT-OIG, HHS-OIG, and USPIS.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Ansari prosecuted the case.
New York, NY – The U.S. Marshals (USMS) New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF), assisted by the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), on Wednesday apprehended the second suspect wanted in the violent attack of an off-duty NYPD officer.
Wayne Lucas was identified as the second suspect involved in the brutal attack of the NYPD Officer. The first suspect, Taveon Hargrove, was arrested by the NY/NJ RFTF with assistance from the CARTF on Tuesday in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
Investigators learned that Lucas fled the New York area with Hargrove and the two had remained together for some time. Lucas appeared to have been alerted to Hargrove’s arrest and was believed to have left the North Chesterfield area. The team developed information that Lucas was at an apartment in Richmond, Virginia, and set up surveillance. Lucas was observed in a wig, attempting to disguise himself, exiting the apartment to smoke a cigarette. He was immediately taken into custody.
“The U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and NYPD has apprehended the final suspect sought in connection with the brutal assault on an NYPD Officer. I commend them for their perseverance throughout this investigation. I hope this arrest brings a sense of justice and closure to the officer and his family,” said Jhovanny Gomez, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York.
The NY/NJ RFTF began operations in April 2002 and was the first regional fugitive task force to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The NY/NJ RFTF was the flagship that has allowed seven other regional fugitive task forces to be created across the country. With partnership agreements with over 90 federal, state, or local agencies and 13 fully operational offices, the NY/NJ RFTF has successfully apprehended over 95,000 fugitives since inception.
SYDNEY, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XenDex’s $XDX presale is entering its final 24 hours, with nearly all tokens allocated and only a small supply remaining for last-minute participants. This final window coincides with heightened activity across the XRP ecosystem, as anticipation builds around the upcoming Ripple Conference in Las Vegas 2025. With XRP’s growing institutional attention, XenDex is positioning itself as the first fully integrated decentralized exchange (DEX) built natively on the XRP Ledger.
Once the presale ends, $XDX is expected to be listed on select centralized exchanges currently in discussion with the team—meaning any future purchases will occur at market rates, which may be higher than the current presale price.
What is XenDex on XRP Blockchain? XenDex is a next-generation decentralized exchange built natively on the XRP Ledger, designed for ultra-fast transactions, low fees, and powerful DeFi tools—all in one place.
Features and Problems XenDex Aims to Solve on XRP Ledger XenDex solves XRP’s lack of DeFi options by providing:
AI Copy Trading: Mirror top traders and minimize risk
Lending & Borrowing: Lend or borrow XRP assets without intermediaries
Cross-Chain Swaps: Trade XRP native tokens across Solana, Ethereum, BNB, and more
DAO Governance: $XDX holders vote on platform upgrades
Why Should I Buy $XDX?
Holding $XDX gives users:
rewards through Staking and liquidity provision
Platform fee discounts
Early access to features, airdrops, and listings
Voting power on future platform decisions and upgrades
Where Can I Trade $XDX? Following the presale, $XDX is expected to become available on multiple centralized exchanges currently in discussion with the XenDex team.
Is XenDex a Legit Project on XRP? Yes. XenDex is built by a team with experience in Cardano and SUI, has ongoing audits, and integrates with key XRP tools like Xaman and XRP Toolkit.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex.The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented.We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article.This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital.It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. GlobeNewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
SILICON VALLEY, Calif., May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meriwest Credit Union, a leading financial institution serving the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and Pima County, Arizona, was recently featured in the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Table of Experts discussion. The conversation, moderated by Tom Zahiralis, SVBJ Market President and Publisher, highlighted Meriwest’s “People Helping People” philosophy and its ability to innovate while maintaining a lean, community-focused organization.
Meriwest’s leadership team, including President and CEO Lisa Pesta, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chad Maze, Vice President and Chief Treasury Officer Jihong Huang, Vice President of Business Services Charles Giuliano, and Vice President of Digital Strategy and Engagement Gene Fichtenholz, shared insights on fostering a strong workplace culture, supporting small businesses, and addressing economic challenges. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise underscored Meriwest’s commitment to personalized financial services and community empowerment.
Key Highlights from the Discussion:
Award-Winning Workplace Culture: Lisa Pesta emphasized Meriwest’s six consecutive years as a “Best Place to Work” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, driven by transparent communication, employee recognition programs like “Night of the Stars,” and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “We prioritize clear communication and an inclusive environment to drive innovation,” Pesta noted.
Small Business Support: Charles Giuliano highlighted Meriwest’s tailored products, such as SBA loans and an AI-assisted micro-loan platform, which support Silicon Valley’s vibrant small business community. A notable success story involved Meriwest stepping in to provide a critical SBA 504 loan for a local food manufacturer when another bank withdrew support.
Digital Innovation and AI: Gene Fichtenholz discussed Meriwest’s seven-year journey integrating AI to enhance efficiency without compromising jobs. “AI helps our team summarize information and build tools tailored for credit unions,” he said, citing predictive analytics for personalized member experiences.
Economic Resilience: Jihong Huang outlined Meriwest’s preparedness for potential recessions, with a strong capital ratio, stress-tested balance sheet, and diversified loan portfolio. Chad Maze added that products like the MyLine line of credit eliminate overdraft fees, offering members affordable solutions during financial strain.
Community Impact: Meriwest’s commitment to closing the wealth gap was a focal point, with Lisa Pesta and Chad Maze detailing financial literacy workshops reaching over 8,600 residents in 2024 and the newly formed Meriwest Community Foundation. These initiatives empower first-time homebuyers, small businesses, and underserved communities.
“At Meriwest, our mission is centered on empowering individuals to realize their financial aspirations,” said Lisa Pesta, President and CEO. “Our involvement in the Table of Experts discussion underscores our commitment to innovation, community engagement, and cultivating an inclusive environment for both our members and employees.”
About Meriwest Credit Union
Founded in San Jose, California in 1961, Meriwest Credit Union, ($2.1B in assets) is one of Silicon Valley’s most established financial institutions. Dedicated to delivering advice-based, personal, convenient, and innovative financial services to over 80,000 families and businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Pima County, Arizona, Meriwest offers a wide array of personal banking, business services, and wealth advisory services. Meriwest has been voted one of the ‘Best Credit Unions in Silicon Valley’ in the Mercury News’ Annual ‘Readers’ Choice Awards’ and a “Best Place to Work” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal 2020 through 2025. More information can be found at www.meriwest.com.
Media Contact: Jeffrey Zane Meriwest Credit Union Public Relations 408-612-1484 jzane@meriwest.com
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, 2025-05-30 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — P/F Atlantic Petroleum (NASDAQ Copenhagen: ATLA DKK) today posts its 1st quarter results for 2025. This announcement should be read in conjunction with Atlantic Petroleum’s Condensed Consolidated Interim Report, which is released separately and posted on the Company’s website.
Highlights for Q1 2025:
G&A cost was DKK -0.3MM Operating loss was DKK 2.5MM Net loss was DKK 2.3MM Net assets/share-holders equity was DKK -115.1MM Bank debt was DKK 59.4MM
Mark T. Højgaard, CEO commented:
Atlantic Petroleum reached an agreement on the 4th April 2025 with its main creditors to reduce the Company’s debt. The total debt will be reduced by at least DKK 90MM. However, the debt restructuring is not finalized. The Directors now expect that finalization of the agreed upon framework will be in place 3rd Quarter 2025.
The ability of the Group to continue as a going concern is dependent on the finalization of the debt restructuring, and the cash flows generated from the interest in the Orlando field.
Atlantic Petroleum in brief:
Atlantic Petroleum participates in oil and gas joint ventures with reputable, international partners. Atlantic Petroleum P/F is based in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, and the Company currently has subsidiaries and offices in the UK. Atlantic Petroleum’s shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen.
Further Details:
Further details can be obtained from Mark T. Højgaard, (markh@petroleum.fo). This announcement will be available, together with other information about Atlantic Petroleum, on the Company’s website: www.petroleum.fo.
USDKG to be backed by $500 million in physical gold reserves from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance, with planned expansion to $2 billion.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Kyrgyz Republic has announced the upcoming launch of USDKG, a gold-backed stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. The stablecoin is expected to go live in the third quarter of 2025, with an initial reserve of $500 million in physical gold held by the Ministry of Finance.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance cross-border payment infrastructure in Central Asia and facilitate international trade through blockchain-based financial instruments. USDKG is designed for institutional-grade use and will be overcollateralized to mitigate volatility in gold prices.
Unlike commodity-pegged tokens, USDKG is not intended to track the price of gold. Instead, it maintains a strict 1:1 parity with the U.S. dollar, backed by audited gold reserves. The issuance and redemption process will allow users to exchange tokens for physical gold, crypto assets, or fiat currency.
The government of Kyrgyzstan plans to expand USDKG’s reserve base to $2 billion and conduct regular third-party audits to ensure transparency and trust in the asset’s collateral structure.
USDKG will initially target cross-border transactions and trade in Central Asia, with planned expansion into Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Remittance flows currently account for approximately 30% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP, highlighting the potential economic impact of streamlined digital payments.
Holders of USDKG will have the ability to redeem their tokens for physical gold, convert them into other digital assets, or withdraw equivalent amounts in fiat currency. The structure provides both flexibility and trust, backed by tangible national reserves.
About USDKG
USDKG is a gold-backed, dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Fintech Solutions, under the regulatory framework of the Kyrgyz Republic. Built to meet institutional standards, USDKG operates under a model of overcollateralization,independent auditing, and strict compliance standards. For more information, visit https://www.usdkg.com/.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided byUSDKG. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
In the margins of the first Italy-Central Asia Summit held in Astana today, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a series of bilateral meetings with Heads of State of the region, confirming Italy’s will to strengthen cooperation with Central Asian nations at both bilateral and regional level with the 1+5 format.
Over the course of the day, President Meloni met with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The meetings provided an opportunity to reaffirm the intention to continue dialogue on all key regional and international issues, as well as the process of strengthening bilateral relations in all areas of common interest, with a particular focus on energy, critical raw materials, infrastructure, water resources, the environment, agriculture, connectivity and cultural and academic cooperation as well as cooperation on security matters.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday announced a major expansion in the country’s national AI infrastructure and talent development ecosystem. Speaking at the ‘IndiaAI – Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India’ event in New Delhi, the Minister said India’s national compute capacity has now crossed 34,000 GPUs, bolstered by the addition of 15,916 new units to the existing 18,417.
The announcement was accompanied by the selection of three more startups to develop indigenous foundation models under the IndiaAI Mission, following a rigorous multi-stage expert evaluation process.
Calling the expansion of GPU infrastructure a critical enabler for India’s AI ambitions, Vaishnaw reiterated the government’s commitment to democratizing access to technology. “Technology should not be left in the hands of a few. It is important that a larger section of society can access it, develop new solutions, and get better opportunities. That’s the philosophy behind the IndiaAI Mission,” he said.
The Minister urged the newly selected startups to aim for a top-five global position in their respective domains and highlighted the Mission’s progress across its key pillars: compute infrastructure, foundational models, safety standards, open datasets, and talent development.
As part of this effort, 367 datasets have already been uploaded to AI Kosh, India’s AI-specific open data repository.
The IndiaAI Foundation Model pillar, which focuses on building large-scale AI models trained on India-specific data, received over 500 proposals since the call was launched. On April 26, Sarvam AI was selected to build India’s sovereign LLM ecosystem, including a 120-billion parameter open-source model for public service use cases like Citizen Connect 2047 and AI4Pragati.
Now, three more proposals have been greenlit. Soket AI will build an open-source 120-billion parameter model optimized for India’s linguistic diversity, targeting applications in defense, education, and healthcare. Gnani AI will develop a 14-billion parameter multilingual Voice AI foundation model for real-time speech processing and reasoning. Gan AI will focus on building a 70-billion parameter multilingual model aimed at achieving superhuman text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities.
The compute expansion has been supported by seven industry partners who offered competitive commercials across different GPU categories. These include Cyfuture India Pvt. Ltd., Ishan Infotech Ltd., Locuz Enterprise Solutions Ltd., Netmagic IT Services Pvt. Ltd., Sify Digital Services Ltd., Vensysco Technologies Ltd., and Yotta Data Services Pvt. Ltd. This shared GPU pool will provide a common AI training and inference platform for startups, researchers, and government agencies.
As part of the IndiaAI Applications Development Initiative, the winners of the IndiaAI I4C CyberGuard AI Hackathon were also announced. Jointly organized with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, the hackathon led to the development of AI-based solutions capable of interpreting handwritten FIRs, screenshots, and audio files to better classify cybercrime complaints and detect evolving crime patterns.
IndiaAI, an independent business division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), serves as the implementing agency for the IndiaAI Mission. It aims to democratize the benefits of AI, strengthen India’s position as a global AI leader, and promote ethical and responsible AI use across sectors.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
On May 30, the General Meeting of the Russian Academy of Sciences summed up the results of the elections for academicians and corresponding members of the RAS. About 1,800 people took part in them. Among those elected this year were scientists from the Higher School of Economics.
Vladimir Pudalov was elected as an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “Physics and Astronomy”. Vladimir Moiseevich is a professor Department of Electronic EngineeringMIEM, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, awarded the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” 2nd degree.
HSE scientists were also elected as Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Konstantin Petrosyants was elected as a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the specialty “Computing, Location, Telecommunication Systems and Element Base”. Konstantin Arestovich is a leading research fellow at the Department of Electronic Engineering at MIEM, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize in Education, Science and Technology, and Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mike Allen, Associate Professor of Single Cell Genomics, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
Picture a place at the centre of a global seaweed revolution. I’ll bet the small English seaside town of Paignton in south Devon is not what comes to mind. A decade ago, I moved from the edge of Dartmoor to the coast. It was about a simple change in work-life balance, but what followed was more surprising.
The kids were four and seven. I’d always tried to inspire them with my scientific research. Moving to Paignton and walking along Broadsands beach one day, I started noticing piles of seaweed.
I’d spent my entire professional career researching microalgae (microscopic marine plants) but knew next-to-nothing about their bigger macroalgal cousins, the seaweeds. This felt like an opportunity to have some fun and for all of us to learn together.
So I bought us a seaweed guidebook, some stickers and set the Allen family the task of finding ten different seaweeds on our local beach. We’d mark a page with a sticker when we found it – the ultimate scientific reward chart. A few weeks later, we’d found 30 and exhausted our sticker sheet.
I was amazed at the diversity that I had never previously noticed. The colours, the textures, the structures – it was like I’d never really seen seaweed properly before. The professional scientist in me kicked in.
My kids and I started taking samples home. I built the kids a lab in a lean-to on the back of the house. We dried them out and put them in little jam jars, akin to a seaweed spice rack. It got me thinking of useful or sustainable things I could do with them.
One day, I posted a picture of these jars on Twitter, with the hashtag #SeaweedApothecary. It started something I could never have predicted.
Seaweed has an astonishing number of uses. It can be used to produce biofuels and fertilisers, foods such as laverbread, nori sheets for sushi and crisps, cosmetics and toothpaste, pharmaceuticals and food supplements like omega-3. I’d also been incorporating seaweed in my day-to-day research at the University of Exeter, trying to convert it into a biofuel.
Then, my colleagues in the broader academic and industrial science community started asking for samples. Like me, they’d been ignoring seaweed too – until they saw my social media posts and realised the potential.
The kids (now both teenagers) are acknowledged on at least a dozen scientific research articles and have continued to help me unlock the potential of seaweed. We’ve done degradation experiments in the raised beds in our garden, tested different seaweeds as feeds for a friend’s chickens, trialled them as fertilisers for our tomatoes – even mixed dried seaweed powder in with cement, to see if it can be used as a structural material filler. All fun, simple science that anyone can do at home.
Local science, global stories.
This article is part of a series, Secrets of the Sea, exploring how marine scientists are developing climate solutions.
In collaboration with the BBC, Anna Turns travels around the West Country coastline to meet ocean experts making exciting discoveries beneath the waves.
Swamped by sargassum
Then came a call from a Mexican friend, asking me to take a look at a seaweed problem. Every year, Caribbean islands and Mexican coasts are inundated with 30-40 million tonnes of floating sargassum seaweed washing ashore.
Paddy Estridge and Mike Allen in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, surveying potential sites to monitor seaweed blooms. Mike Allen, CC BY-NC-ND
I was asked to do a podcast on the subject. The presenter, Paddy Estridge, and I chatted about seaweed’s problems, opportunities and potential – and by the end of it, we were both pretty inspired. Together, we founded a company called SeaGen to harness the power of seaweed using autonomous robotics that can seed, cultivate, monitor and harvest it.
Seaweed holds huge potential to create a more sustainable future. But at the moment, this industry lacks the ability to safely seed, grow, monitor, harvest and process seaweed at scale. Solving these challenges is what SeaGen is all about. We’re designing a suite of automated robotic solutions to make abundant, sustainable supply an economic reality.
Our mission is a long way from those initial experiments with the kids, but the joy and pursuit of knowledge remains the same. The sticker chart perhaps holds less appeal to teenagers, but we’ve nearly hit 70 different species and I’m always on the look out for the next.
Those initial seaweed samples paved the way for a whole new aspect to my research portfolio, led to millions of pounds in grant funding, and the creation of a company employing a dozen people. Now, I’m part of a global seaweed and robotics revolution.
Not a bad outcome from a walk along the beach.
Listen to episode two of Secrets of the Sea here on BBC Sounds, presented by Anna Turns for The Conversation.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Mike Allen works for Exeter University and is Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer for Seaweed Generation Ltd (SeaGen). He currently receives funding from Innovate UK, Natural Environment Research Council, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, The Leverhulme Trust, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Headline: Introducing Sora and video playground in Azure AI Foundry
Introducing Sora and video playground in Azure AI Foundry
[embedded content]
The video playground in Azure AI Foundry is your high-fidelity testbed for prototyping with cutting-edge video generation models – like Sora from Azure AI Foundry Models – ready for commercial use. Read our Tech Community launch blog on gpt-image-1 and Sora.
Modern development involves working across multiple systems—APIs, services, SDKs, and data models—often before you’re ready to fully commit to a framework, write tests, or spin up infrastructure. As the complexity of software ecosystems increases, the need for safe, lightweight environments to validate ideas becomes critical. Video playground was built to meet this need.
Purpose-built for developers, video playground offers a controlled environment to experiment with prompt structures, evaluate model consistency relative to prompt adherence, and optimize outputs for industry use cases. Whether you’re building AI-native video products, tools, or transforming your enterprise workflows, video playground enhances your planning and experimentation — so you can iterate faster, de-risk your workflows, and ship with confidence.
Rapidly prototype from prompt to playback to code
Video playground offers an on-demand, low-friction-setup environment designed for rapid prototyping, API exploration and technical validation with video generation models. Think of video playground as your high-fidelity prototyping environment – built to help you build better, faster and smarter – with no configuration of localhost, importing clashing dependencies or worrying about compatibility between build and model.
Sora from Azure OpenAI is the first release for video playground – with the model coming with its own API – a unique offering available for Azure AI Foundry users. Using the API in VS Code allows for scaled development in your VS Code environment for your use case once your initial experimentation is done in the video playground.
Iterate faster: Experiment with text prompts and adjust generation controls like aspect ratio, resolution and duration.
Prompt optimization: Debug, tune and re-write prompt syntax with AI, visually compare outcomes across variations you’re testing with, use prebuilt industry prompts, and build your own prompt variations available in the playground, grounded in model behavior.
Consistent interface for API: Everything in video playground mirrors the model API structure, so what works here translates directly into code, with predictability and repeatability.
Features
We built video playground for developers who want to experiment with video generation. Video playground is a full featured controlled environment for high-fidelity experiments designed for model-specific APIs – and a great demo interface for your Chief Product Officer and Engineering VP.
Model-specific generation controls: Adjust key controls (e.g. aspect ratio, duration, resolution) to deeply understand specific model responsiveness and constraints.
Pre-built prompts: Get inspired on how you can use video generation models like Sora for your use case. In the pre-built prompts tab, there is a set of 9 curated videos by Microsoft.
Port to production with multi-lingual code samples: In the case of Sora from Azure OpenAI – this reflects the Sora API – a unique offering available to Azure AI Foundry users. Using the “View Code” multi-lingual code samples (Python,JavaScript, GO, cURL) for your video output, prompts and generation controls that reflect the API structure. What you create in the video playground can be easily ported into VS Code so that you can continue scaled development in VS Code with the API.
Side-by-side observations in grid view: Visually observe outputs across prompt tweaks or parameter changes.
Azure AI Content Safety integration: With all model endpoints integrated with Azure AI Content Safety, harmful and unsafe videos are filtered.
See a demo of these features and Sora in video playground in our dedicated breakout session at Microsoft Build 2025 here.
No need to find, build or configure a custom UI to localhost for video generation, hope that it will automatically work for the next state-of-the-art model, or spend time resolving cascading build errors due to packages or code changes required for new models. The video playground in Azure AI Foundry gives you version-aware access. Build with the latest models with API updates surfaced in a consistent UI.
What to test for in video playground
When using video playground, as you plan your production workload, consider the following as you’re visually assessing your generations:
Prompt-to-Motion Translation
Does the video model interpret my prompt in a way that makes logical and temporal sense?
Is motion coherent with the described action or scene? How could I use Re-write with AI to improve my prompt?
Frame Consistency
Do characters, objects, and styles remain consistent across frames?
Are there visual artifacts, jitter, or unnatural transitions?
Scene Control
How well can I control scene composition, subject behavior, or camera angles?
Can I guide scene transitions or background environments?
Length and Timing
How do different prompt structures affect video length and pacing?
Does the video feel too fast, too slow, or too short?
Multimodal Input Integration
What happens when I provide a reference image, pose data, or audio input?
Can I generate video with lip-sync to a given voiceover?
Post-Processing Needs
What level of raw fidelity can I expect before I need editing tools?
Do I need to upscale, stabilize, or retouch the video before using it in production?
Latency & Performance
How long does it take to generate video for different prompt types or resolutions?
What’s the cost-performance tradeoff of generating 5s vs. 15s clips?
Run Sora and other models at scale using Azure AI Foundry—no infrastructure needed. Learn more in our recent Microsoft Mechanics video that shares more about the Sora API in action:
[embedded content]
Get started now
Sign-in or sign-up to Azure AI Foundry.
Create a Foundry Hub and/or Project.
Create a model deployment for Azure OpenAI Sora from the Foundry Model Catalog or directly from video playground.
Prototype in video playground; iterate over text prompts and optimize generation controls for your use case.
Prototype done? Switch to scaled development in VS Code with the Sora from Azure OpenAI API.
Headline: Introducing Sora and video playground in Azure AI Foundry
Introducing Sora and video playground in Azure AI Foundry
[embedded content]
The video playground in Azure AI Foundry is your high-fidelity testbed for prototyping with cutting-edge video generation models – like Sora from Azure AI Foundry Models – ready for commercial use. Read our Tech Community launch blog on gpt-image-1 and Sora.
Modern development involves working across multiple systems—APIs, services, SDKs, and data models—often before you’re ready to fully commit to a framework, write tests, or spin up infrastructure. As the complexity of software ecosystems increases, the need for safe, lightweight environments to validate ideas becomes critical. Video playground was built to meet this need.
Purpose-built for developers, video playground offers a controlled environment to experiment with prompt structures, evaluate model consistency relative to prompt adherence, and optimize outputs for industry use cases. Whether you’re building AI-native video products, tools, or transforming your enterprise workflows, video playground enhances your planning and experimentation — so you can iterate faster, de-risk your workflows, and ship with confidence.
Rapidly prototype from prompt to playback to code
Video playground offers an on-demand, low-friction-setup environment designed for rapid prototyping, API exploration and technical validation with video generation models. Think of video playground as your high-fidelity prototyping environment – built to help you build better, faster and smarter – with no configuration of localhost, importing clashing dependencies or worrying about compatibility between build and model.
Sora from Azure OpenAI is the first release for video playground – with the model coming with its own API – a unique offering available for Azure AI Foundry users. Using the API in VS Code allows for scaled development in your VS Code environment for your use case once your initial experimentation is done in the video playground.
Iterate faster: Experiment with text prompts and adjust generation controls like aspect ratio, resolution and duration.
Prompt optimization: Debug, tune and re-write prompt syntax with AI, visually compare outcomes across variations you’re testing with, use prebuilt industry prompts, and build your own prompt variations available in the playground, grounded in model behavior.
Consistent interface for API: Everything in video playground mirrors the model API structure, so what works here translates directly into code, with predictability and repeatability.
Features
We built video playground for developers who want to experiment with video generation. Video playground is a full featured controlled environment for high-fidelity experiments designed for model-specific APIs – and a great demo interface for your Chief Product Officer and Engineering VP.
Model-specific generation controls: Adjust key controls (e.g. aspect ratio, duration, resolution) to deeply understand specific model responsiveness and constraints.
Pre-built prompts: Get inspired on how you can use video generation models like Sora for your use case. In the pre-built prompts tab, there is a set of 9 curated videos by Microsoft.
Port to production with multi-lingual code samples: In the case of Sora from Azure OpenAI – this reflects the Sora API – a unique offering available to Azure AI Foundry users. Using the “View Code” multi-lingual code samples (Python,JavaScript, GO, cURL) for your video output, prompts and generation controls that reflect the API structure. What you create in the video playground can be easily ported into VS Code so that you can continue scaled development in VS Code with the API.
Side-by-side observations in grid view: Visually observe outputs across prompt tweaks or parameter changes.
Azure AI Content Safety integration: With all model endpoints integrated with Azure AI Content Safety, harmful and unsafe videos are filtered.
See a demo of these features and Sora in video playground in our dedicated breakout session at Microsoft Build 2025 here.
No need to find, build or configure a custom UI to localhost for video generation, hope that it will automatically work for the next state-of-the-art model, or spend time resolving cascading build errors due to packages or code changes required for new models. The video playground in Azure AI Foundry gives you version-aware access. Build with the latest models with API updates surfaced in a consistent UI.
What to test for in video playground
When using video playground, as you plan your production workload, consider the following as you’re visually assessing your generations:
Prompt-to-Motion Translation
Does the video model interpret my prompt in a way that makes logical and temporal sense?
Is motion coherent with the described action or scene? How could I use Re-write with AI to improve my prompt?
Frame Consistency
Do characters, objects, and styles remain consistent across frames?
Are there visual artifacts, jitter, or unnatural transitions?
Scene Control
How well can I control scene composition, subject behavior, or camera angles?
Can I guide scene transitions or background environments?
Length and Timing
How do different prompt structures affect video length and pacing?
Does the video feel too fast, too slow, or too short?
Multimodal Input Integration
What happens when I provide a reference image, pose data, or audio input?
Can I generate video with lip-sync to a given voiceover?
Post-Processing Needs
What level of raw fidelity can I expect before I need editing tools?
Do I need to upscale, stabilize, or retouch the video before using it in production?
Latency & Performance
How long does it take to generate video for different prompt types or resolutions?
What’s the cost-performance tradeoff of generating 5s vs. 15s clips?
Run Sora and other models at scale using Azure AI Foundry—no infrastructure needed. Learn more in our recent Microsoft Mechanics video that shares more about the Sora API in action:
[embedded content]
Get started now
Sign-in or sign-up to Azure AI Foundry.
Create a Foundry Hub and/or Project.
Create a model deployment for Azure OpenAI Sora from the Foundry Model Catalog or directly from video playground.
Prototype in video playground; iterate over text prompts and optimize generation controls for your use case.
Prototype done? Switch to scaled development in VS Code with the Sora from Azure OpenAI API.
“For the past several days in New York’s 10th Congressional District in Lower Manhattan, masked, plain-clothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been stationed in the lobby of the federal building that houses immigration court in order to arrest immigrants coming out of court so they can be deported on an expedited basis. These arrests are part of a coordinated effort within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where DHS lawyers move to dismiss deportation proceedings against these immigrants – most of whom do not speak English nor have legal representation — in order to place them in a different, “expedited” deportation proceeding.
“In effect, instead of targeting convicted criminals as the Trump Administration has repeatedly said, DHS is using these immigrants’ good faith efforts to appear in court and follow proper procedures to surprise them with an end-run around the law to tear them away from their families and communities via immediate detention and deportation.
“The immigrants attending their court hearings are doing exactly what the law asks of them: they are showing up, complying with the process, following our laws and going through the immigration system the right way, often asserting their legal right to seek asylum – which is a lawful pathway to enter this country. However, it appears DHS is exploiting a procedural technicality to fast-track deportations far away from the border where this authority is primarily used.
“Today, I confronted these masked ICE officers after they detained multiple immigrants in the lobby of the federal building that also contains my Manhattan District Office. These officers were carrying printed-out papers with immigrants’ names and faces, wearing masks, and attempting to intimidate reporters on site – all while avoiding questions I asked them as a duly-elected Member of Congress carrying out my oversight responsibilities as a member of the Homeland Security Committee.
“We are a nation of immigrants, founded by successive waves of people from across the world seeking the American dream and the promise it offers. These egregious, authoritarian tactics by the Trump administration stand in stark contrast to our values as a nation, founded upon the rule of law and due process for all.”
Congressman Goldman: “This is Gestapo-like behavior where plain-clothed officers, wearing masks, are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court, following up on their immigration proceedings, and trying to come into this country lawfully, which is through asylum.”
Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today held an emergency press conference after witnessing and confronting masked ICE agents detaining immigrants attending routine immigration court appearances in the lobby of his 290 Broadway Manhattan district office. The press conference followed Congressman Goldman attending an immigration court proceeding this morning at the Executive Office for Immigration Review New York – Broadway Immigration Court in Manhattan where ICE agents have been detaining both immigrants and observers, including a pastor from Queens.
VIDEO: The event is available to stream on Youtube and can be downloaded HERE
PHOTOS: Photos of the event can be found HERE
A rush transcript of the Congressman’s remarks is available below:
Dan Goldman: We’re standing in front of 290 Broadway, which is a federal building where my district office is and where immigration court is. Today, I had the opportunity to both observe immigration court and observe plainclothes officers wearing masks, arresting and detaining immigrants who were here to appear in front of a judge as part of their court case.
The Department of Homeland Security has implemented, over the last week, a coordinated effort to do an end run around our legal system in order to remove nonviolent, non-criminal immigrants trying to come into this country through a lawful pathway of immigration proceedings, and in many cases, asylum proceedings.
By recommending dismissal of their cases, the Department of Homeland Security is essentially taking jurisdiction away from the court, removing the asylum application from going forward, and then allowing the immigration agents to arrest these people and put them in a deportation proceeding under a different authority than the one that they just dismissed, which has fewer rights and applies in very few circumstances.
This is Gestapo like behavior where plain-clothed officers, wearing masks, are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court, following up on their immigration proceedings, and trying to come into this country lawfully, which is through asylum.
I observed the courtroom today, where there was one proceeding where the Department of Homeland Security moved to dismiss the case judge granted dismissal. The gentleman left the courtroom and then was arrested.
As I was leaving the courtroom, there were about 15 other people there, and I asked if anyone spoke English. There wasn’t a single person who spoke English. There did not appear to be a single lawyer there representing them.
These are routine appearances. They’re updates. They’re administrative. There is no reason for anyone to have expected anything unusual to happen today. And yet they’re ripped away from their families, from their communities, even though they’re trying to do the right thing and pursue the American dream as so many of us and our ancestors have.
I was a federal prosecutor for ten years right there. I worked with the Department of Homeland Security. I worked with ICE agents. I worked with Homeland Security Investigations. I have never seen any plainclothes officer wearing a mask.
And, when I asked them, ‘Why are you wearing a mask?’ One person told me, ‘Because it’s cold.’ I asked him if he would testify to that under oath, and he walked away and wouldn’t respond to me.
Another person admitted that they were wearing masks so that they are not caught on video. And my question to them is: ‘if what you are doing is legitimate, is lawful, is totally aboveboard, why do you need to cover your face?’
Law enforcement officers do not cover their faces. And in fact, the Trump administration is cracking down on universities for allowing protesters to wear masks. So, apparently it is not okay to wear a mask if you are protesting the government, but it is okay if you are the government.
This is not America. This is not who we are. And if you are a violent criminal, if you’re a convicted criminal, then you should be deported. I 100% agree with that. But these people are doing it the right way. They’re not criminals. They’re not murderers. They’re not rapists. They’re trying to seek a better life. They’re trying to escape horrific conditions at home and come to this great democracy and pursue the American dream. This is not who we are.
This is not how our government should behave. And we will continue to demand answers from the Department of Homeland Security about what they are doing, why they are doing it, and why they are doing this end run around the legal process.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)
‘As we continue the meaningful work of safeguarding these vital benefits while reducing waste and increasing efficiency, we need to understand CMS’ processes and what is driving up Medicare costs and premiums’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani reintroduced legislation to increase transparency with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) billing codes.
Specifically, Ciscomani’s legislation, theOversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act(H.R. 3580) directs the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study of the processes and procedures used by CMS when determining Medicare billing codes. This would help identify inefficiencies, increase transparency, and provide patients, physicians, and policy makers greater insights into how billing decisions by CMS impact healthcare costs.
“Seniors in my district, and across the U.S., who are on Medicare deserve full transparency about their healthcare costs and coverage,” said Ciscomani. “As we continue the meaningful work of safeguarding these vital benefits while reducing waste and increasing efficiency, we need to understand CMS’ processes and what is driving up Medicare costs and premiums. My bill is a commonsense solution to identify trends and inefficiencies, reduce waste, and provide greater transparency to CMS’ process and the factors they consider when altering, removing, or approving new billing codes.”
Ciscomani is joined by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) in this effort.
“We can’t allow unaccountable federal bureaucrats to jeopardize the well-being of Medicare beneficiaries,” said Harshbarger. “Even as Medicare faces financial instability, CMS has been expanding services without input from Congress—driving costs sky-high. The Oversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act is a practical solution that will help control runaway spending, bring much-needed transparency to the billing system, and ensure that Medicare patients and their benefits remain protected.”
“Congress and the American public deserve greater transparency into how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) modify billing codes,” said Smucker. “Understanding what drives program costs is essential—especially as Medicare faces insolvency in just over a decade. We must act urgently to shed light on CMS’s billing and coding processes, delivering an accountable system that the American people can fully trust.”
Goa has officially become a 100 per cent literate state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Friday. The declaration was made on the occasion of the 39th Goa Statehood Day and marks a key milestone in the state’s education journey.
Speaking at an event in Panaji, Sawant credited the success to the implementation of the ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (Understanding for Lifelong Learning for All in Society), also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a centrally sponsored initiative aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“Our sustained collective efforts to strengthen the education sector with new advancements and NEP 2020 have yielded results,” the Chief Minister said.
Launched with the goal of achieving nationwide literacy by 2030, the ULLAS programme targets individuals aged 15 and above who missed out on formal education. It focuses on functional literacy — reading, writing, and numeracy — while also addressing financial literacy and essential life skills.
In Goa, the campaign was implemented through a network of schools, supported by Resource Adult Trainee Coordinators (RATCs) and a wide volunteer base that included retired teachers, NSS units, teacher trainees, and education professionals.
To support learners, the state developed multilingual primers in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, and English, tailored to adult education needs.
Officials said a total of 2,981 non-literate individuals were identified across the state’s 12 talukas and brought into the fold of the programme. “This is not just a statistical achievement; it is a social transformation,” an education department official said.
The first round of negotiations for the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) concluded successfully in New Delhi, marking a major step towards enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. The negotiations began on May 26, following the signing of the Terms of Reference on May 8.
The opening ceremony was inaugurated by India’s Commerce Secretary, Sunil Barthwal, in the presence of the Ambassador of Chile to India, H.E. Juan Angulo.
During the inauguration, Barthwal emphasized that the CEPA would pave the way for a deeper economic partnership between India and Chile and contribute to the creation of strengthened global value chains.
The initiative follows the momentum generated during the State Visit of the President of Chile, H.E. Gabriel Boric Font, to India in April 2025, where both countries welcomed the launch of CEPA negotiations. President Boric described India as a priority partner for Chile and stressed the importance of developing strategies for enhanced and diversified trade.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Boric expressed support for an agreement that is balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial, with the goal of achieving deeper economic integration between the two countries.
Over the course of the round, discussions were held across various thematic areas covering trade, services, investment, economic cooperation, and strategic sectors. The CEPA is envisioned to unlock the full potential of India-Chile trade and commercial ties, leading to increased employment, stronger bilateral trade, and sustained economic growth.
The two sides have agreed to continue engagement through intersessional virtual discussions to address outstanding matters ahead of the next round of negotiations, which is expected to take place in July or August 2025. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a constructive and consultative negotiation process that involves industry feedback and stakeholder participation, aiming to deliver a meaningful and impactful agreement.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, convened a high-level review meeting with health ministers from six States and Union Territories to assess the progress on the elimination of Tuberculosis (TB) and Measles-Rubella, and to review fund utilization under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and the 15th Finance Commission.
During the meeting, Nadda lauded the states for their active participation in the 100-day Intensified TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which led to the screening of over 12.97 crore individuals. The campaign identified more than 7.19 lakh TB cases, including 2.85 lakh asymptomatic patients, and has now been scaled to cover all districts across the nation.
Highlighting critical performance indicators, the Union Minister emphasized the importance of monitoring presumptive TB case examination rates, NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) coverage, treatment success rates, and implementation of nutritional support schemes for TB patients.
The Union Minister also urged greater Jan Bhagidari (public participation), calling for the active involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Municipal Corporations, and other local bodies. He reiterated the national goal to reduce TB incidence to 47 cases and TB-related mortality to below 3 deaths per lakh population.
Nadda pressed states to fine-tune their TB elimination strategies, especially focusing on high-risk groups such as migrant workers, slum dwellers, HIV-positive individuals, alcoholics, and chain smokers. He called for expanded access to rapid diagnostic tools like NAAT and enhanced participation in support schemes such as the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra, noting gaps in implementation that need urgent attention.
On the measles and rubella front, the Union Health Minister lauded the states’ efforts but emphasized that full elimination remains a distant goal in several districts. He stressed strengthening immunization drives, especially targeting children who have missed their second dose of the vaccine.
Shifting focus to health infrastructure, Nadda underscored the urgency of accelerating implementation under PM-ABHIM and the 15th Finance Commission, as only one year remains for optimal fund utilization. He highlighted the need to fast-track projects, resolve land clearance issues, and expedite the establishment of NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) branches sanctioned in Kolkata, Meghalaya, Bhopal, and a BSL-3 laboratory in Surat, Gujarat.
States presented updates on their progress, shared best practices, and discussed challenges and strategies for improvement.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and senior officials from the Union Health Ministry were also present during the meeting.
Veterans across the United States will gather on June 6, 2025, to protest the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the slashing of staff and programs throughout the government. Veteran-led protests will be held at the National Mall, 16 state capitol buildings and over 100 other venues across 43 states.
Veterans also depend on comprehensive, free, federally funded health care through VA clinics throughout the country. But that care is deteriorating due to cuts, rule changes and return-to-work policies that make it impossible for many VA workers to effectively provide care.
Looming cuts to the VA may cause an irreversible blow if the VA stops providing comprehensive care to veterans and, instead, pushes veterans into seeing doctors in private practice.
This is not the first time that veterans have engaged in mass mobilization. Veterans groups in the U.S. have successfully mobilized for centuries, crossing traditional political divisions such as race, class and gender. They are powerful messengers, and their actions in the past have helped secure back pay and pensions for veterans, a Social Security and welfare system for U.S. civilians, and foreign policy changes to end wars abroad.
I’m a scholar of law, social movements and veterans benefits. Here’s a brief history of veterans’ campaigns that illustrates how veterans developed their political clout and effectively advocated to protect themselves, and many others, from harmful federal policies.
Veterans are an important political constituency. On Nov. 7, 1932 – the day before Election Day – Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New York governor running for president, visited the veterans hospital at Castle Point, near Beacon, N.Y. Bettman/Getty Images
After the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, Gen. George Washington lobbied Congress to offer lifetime half-pay to officers who served until the end of the war. Given the federal government’s financial precariousness at the end of the war, this effort failed. Veterans were unable to successfully mobilize to advocate for the pensions, given their small numbers and internal divisions between more privileged officers and less privileged soldiers.
During the Civil War, Congress passed numerous laws designed to support veterans. The 1862 pension law allocated payouts in proportion to a soldier’s permanent bodily injury or disability caused by their service. The benefits were generous in comparison with prior allocations, and more veterans began applying for them.
Yet, by 1875 only 6.5% of veterans had signed up for pensions. Veterans began to organize to increase awareness about these benefits and to lobby for more.
The Grand Army of the Republic became a leading veterans organization that demanded better pension and disability benefits. At the end of the 1800s, earning veterans’ votes became a priority for aspiring politicians. The Grand Army of the Republic directly lobbied Congress to pass bills expanding veterans pensions, one of which Democratic President Grover Cleveland vetoed in 1887.
The organization then successfully mobilized its members to vote against Cleveland in the 1888 election, securing victory for presidential candidate William Henry Harrison and for Republicans in both houses of Congress. This secured the 1890 Arrears Act, which expanded veterans’ pensions and disability payments.
As more veterans returned in 1898 from fighting in the Spanish-American War, and with a huge influx of veterans 20 years later from World War I, veterans mobilized to streamline and expand pension and disability benefits.
In the 1920s, the two most prominent veterans organizations, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, formed a national legislative committee dedicated to lobbying for improved benefits. Each group boasted thousands of members whom they could call on to “barrage”– a veterans term – congressmen with letters. By 1929, even as the federal budget ballooned, veterans benefits still represented 20% of the total federal budget.
The 1924 “Bonus Act,” which Congress passed after overruling Calvin Coolidge’s presidential veto, offered WWI veterans a deferred “bonus” payment available in 1945. But veterans suffered immensely in the Great Depression, along with the rest of the country.
Veterans tried a new campaign tactic in 1932, creating the “Bonus Expeditionary Forces,” or “Bonus Army,” march on Washington, D.C., to demand their promised pay be delivered sooner.
Over the course of three months, from May through July 1932, 40,000 veterans set up encampments throughout the city. During their stay, they crowded congressional galleries and plazas during debates on the bill. When President Herbert Hoover called on the military to disband the encampments, he set himself up for electoral defeat later that year.
It took another four years for Congress to pass a law offering an immediate payout, but the veterans got their bonuses in 1936, not 1945.
Campaigning to prevent cuts
Building from public support bolstered by the Bonus Army march, veterans fought publicly to protect their benefits in the Great Depression.
A 1933 VFW encampment in Milwaukee attracted 10,000 veterans who openly decried Roosevelt’s economic policies. The event featured left-wing Louisiana populist Sen. Huey P. Long and former Marine turned anti-Wall Street populistSmedley Butler.
The U.S. entered World War II in December 1941. To avoid another spectacle, FDR began developing a compensation program for World War II veterans even before the war’s end. During debates about these expenditures, veterans activism helped ensure the generous educational, housing and vocational benefits from the so-called GI Bill developed by FDR, and the soldier vote helped secure FDR’s fourth-term election in 1944.
Scholars credit the GI Bill with creating a booming U.S. economy from the 1950s through the 1970s and creating the contemporary middle class, an economic and social group now shrinking and under threat.
Beyond benefits
Vietnam veterans hold a silent march down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House on April 22, 1971, to protest the Vietnam War. Bettman/Getty Images
After World War II, veterans’ mobilization expanded from a focus on benefits to foreign policy.
Most famously, after its founding in 1967, Vietnam Veterans Against the War engaged in street theater and gathered testimonies about U.S. military abuses to condemn the U.S. government for violence against the Vietnamese.
Vietnam Veterans Against the War helped organized a four-day protest in 1971 in Washington, D.C., including camping on the National Mall. The organization continued to mobilize in more traditional ways, drafting congressional legislation for benefits and promoting investment in psychological support for Vietnam veterans.
Veterans have continued to protest wars, particularly the Iraq War, engaging in street protests and also through mainstream politics such as elections and television advertising.
Given their experiences, veterans today know what they are standing up for on June 6: their own freedom and prosperity, as well as the country’s and the world’s.
Jamie Rowen receives funding from National Science Foundation.
There was a time when oil and gas companies happily linked themselves to the idea of planet-wide environmental changes. “Each day Humble supplies enough energy to melt 7 million tons of glacier!” boasts the headline from a 1962 double-page spread in Life magazine for Humble Oil, now part of ExxonMobil.
Fast forward 60 years and that advert takes on a prophetic quality. Millions of people have experienced first-hand the tragic consequences of how burning fossil fuels is overheating our planet beyond recognition. Not just by melting glaciers but fuelling storms, fires and floods.
The fossil fuel industry today would never dream of linking its activities to melting glaciers. Instead, it actively denies responsibility for the consequences of extracting and selling some of the most harmful products ever known to humanity.
For the decades we have known about climate science, this narrative has been core to how the fossil fuel industry maintains its social legitimacy: that the industry is not responsible for climate change, but everyone else is through their individual actions.
Yet a ten-year climate lawsuit brought by a Peruvian farmer and mountain guide has challenged this narrative. In March this year, Saúl Luciano Lliuya’s case against the European coal-giant RWE was heard in a regional court in Germany.
And while the court has now dismissed Lliuya’s specific claim – finding the flood risk to Lliuya’s particular property is not yet sufficiently great – it did confirm that private companies can in principle be held liable for their share in causing climate damages. This finding has major ramifications for the wider legal battle to make fossil fuel companies accountable.
Farmer vs coal giant
Lliuya lives in Huaraz, a city in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. He and the 120,000 residents of this city live in constant danger. The melting glaciers caused by climate change are causing the water levels in Lake Palcacocha above their home to rise. Peru’s disaster management agency warns that a flood could occur at any moment.
Huaraz is one of many cities in the Andes at risk of flooding as temperatures rise and glaciers melt. Christian Vinces / shutterstock
For Lliuya, it is not a matter of if but when – and how bad the flood will be.
He therefore embarked on his lawsuit against RWE with this simple premise: as one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters, it should help pay for flood defences to protect Hauraz. The total cost of a new dam would have been US$4 million (£3 million), and Lliuya was demanding that RWE pay 0.47% of that total, which is US$20,000.
This proportional amount was based on a calculation of RWE’s contribution to historical global greenhouse gas emissions – most of which have occurred since the 1990s, long after fossil fuel companies were aware their products would cause dangerous climate change.
RWE’s revenues are measured in the tens of billions. It could have accepted Lliuya’s request and paid for not just its share of the cost, but the full cost of flood defences for Huaraz. Yet the company fought tooth and nail to prevent the case getting as far as it did.
When asked by the court much earlier in the process if it would be willing to settle, the company’s lawyers declined, revealing exactly what was at stake: “This is a matter of precedent.”
On May 28 2025, the court ruled that the flood risk to Lliuya’s home was not sufficiently high to uphold his specific claim. However, its confirmation of the principle that private companies can be held liable for climate damage shows that RWE was, in fact, correct to fear the precedent that Lliuya’s case has now helped set.
Liability – across national borders
Despite RWE’s attempts to argue otherwise, the case’s outcome has far-reaching implications that could shape similar cases in countries such as Switzerland and Belgium, and which may be relevant for other jurisdictions including the UK, Netherlands, US and Japan.
Crucially, the case confirms that proportional liability for climate harm is legally possible, even across national borders. And this will still remain a possibility, even if a higher court overrules the German district court in favour of the fossil fuel companies.
Why does this matter so much to RWE and other fossil fuel companies, who argue time and again in court that they should not be held responsible?
For years, fossil fuel companies have operated as if they would not be held responsible for the emissions from their products. But as the world continues to warm, the harmful impacts of climate change and extreme weather will only intensify, resulting in mounting costs – both those we can calculate, such as damage to infrastructure, and those we cannot, like the loss of our loved ones.
With the growing number and accuracy of climate science attribution studies, legal pressure on companies to contribute to climate costs is likely to keep growing.
And when you consider that the legal basis for this “polluter pays” principle exists in a similar form in at least 50 nations around the world, then the scale of liability facing the industry becomes clear.
More examples are already emerging. In 2024, a Belgian farmer filed a lawsuit against French fossil fuel major TotalEnergies, seeking compensation for damage to his farm as a result of extreme weather.
In 2022, four residents of Pari island, Indonesia, started legal proceedings in Switzerland against the Swiss cement firm Holcim. The residents are seeking a 43% reduction in Holcim’s carbon emissions by 2030, and around US$4,000 in compensation each for damages caused by flooding.
Since 2017, dozens of cities, counties and states across the US have sued fossil fuel producers for climate change-related damages and adaptation costs, potentially totalling trillions of dollars – pointing to the industry’s increasingly well-documented historical and ongoing deceptions about climate change.
And policymakers across countries including the US, the Philippines and Pakistan are working to enact laws that would directly hold polluting companies financially responsible for climate damages.
The new ruling in Germany provides a shot in the arm to all these cases, and the future suits yet to be filed. Perhaps most consequentially of all, public opinion is hardening: growing numbers of people understand that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for climate change, and lawsuits to compel big carbon to pay for climate damages enjoy widespread public support.
When Lliuya launched his case nearly a decade ago, the idea of linking an individual corporation to the impacts of its emissions seemed implausible to some. Yet scientific research now makes it possible to link the emissions of individual companies to particular, quantifiable damages caused by climate change.
This, coupled with the German court’s ruling, makes it increasingly clear that the fossil fuel industry’s longstanding deflection of responsibility for planetary warming is doomed to melt away.
Benjamin Franta has served as a consulting expert for various climate-related lawsuits. His research has received funding from foundations in the environment and climate space.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​On the State Council’s appointment of Mr Zhou Ji as the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (NSC), and the removal of Mr Zheng Yanxiong as the Director of the LOCPG, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and National Security Adviser of the NSC, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, issued the following statement on May 30:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and I warmly welcome Mr Zhou’s assumption of his new posts, and express our sincere gratitude to Mr Zheng for his contribution to the HKSAR in his office as the Director of the LOCPG, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and National Security Adviser of the NSC.
Since July 2023, Mr Zhou has been serving as the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, directly participating in the management and co-ordination of Hong Kong affairs. He is well acquainted with the national policies on Hong Kong. Last year, he led a delegation to Hong Kong for an inspection visit to co-ordinate the implementation of the Central Government’s policies benefitting Hong Kong and convey the Central Government’s strong support for Hong Kong’s development and care for Hong Kong people. Mr Zhou has previously held such positions as Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, as well as Member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee and Vice Governor of Henan Province, possessing extensive experience in policy-making and local governance.
I sincerely thank the Central Government for its care and support for the HKSAR. I am fully confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in continuing its support to the HKSAR Government’s governance in accordance with the law, working together with us in fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. We will together maintain the constitutional order of the HKSAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. I am also confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in its continued co-operation with the HKSAR Government of promoting the HKSAR’s proactive alignment with national strategise, creating new momentum and advantages for Hong Kong’s economic development, promoting Hong Kong’s transition from stability to prosperity through innovation and invention, and making greater contribution to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The HKSAR Government and I are also deeply grateful to Mr Zheng for steadfastly upholding the “one country, two systems” principle on issues such as safeguarding national security and maintaining the HKSAR’s constitutional order in his tenure of over two years. During his office, Mr Zheng fully supported the HKSAR Government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility and historic mission of enacting local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which entered into force on March 23, 2024, has strengthened Hong Kong’s legal regime in safeguarding national security.
Before serving as the Director of the LOCPG, Mr Zheng was the first Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, leading the Office to perform its mandate of safeguarding national security in accordance with the law. Mr Zheng has all along held the issues of providing a better living and working environment for the people of Hong Kong, youth development, and Hong Kong’s leverage of the opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area close to his heart. The HKSAR Government and I would like to express our gratitude to him.
A signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held today as it was revealed that Hong Kong has been chosen as the IOMed’s home.
The IOMed will be the world’s first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to mediation.
CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Member and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi signed the convention on behalf of China. Representatives from 32 other countries also signed it.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations.
He stressed that its establishment is an actualisation of the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and an example of a civilisational belief in harmony, while epitomising inclusiveness in the rule of law.
Outlining that the IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, Mr Wang said the city’s handover is in itself a success story that exemplifies peaceful settlement of international disputes. The success of the “one country, two systems” principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, he added.
Mr Wang said he looks forward to all parties working together to ensure the IOMed plays a positive role in peacefully resolving international disputes to create a brighter future for humanity.
Chief Executive John Lee, as well as senior representatives from more than 50 countries, and from the United Nations and other international organisations, attended the ceremony.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam were also present.
Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the central government for allowing Hong Kong the honour of housing the organisation’s headquarters, adding that Hong Kong has a well-respected legal system and world-class legal and dispute resolution professionals.
“The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding. This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions.”
This afternoon’s Global Forum on International Mediation involved discussions of topics including mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes.
Guest speakers emphasised that Hong Kong has unique features that allow it to build bridges between different legal traditions.
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret said: “It combines the background and the expertise in both civil and common law, and it is the only jurisdiction that has these two features, and that is exactly what mediation needs.”
Former President of Slovenia Danilo Türk remarked that Hong Kong is a place of innovations in multiple ways, including technology, trade, and now also diplomacy.
“I think that that is a really very good choice. Hong Kong is already established as one of the global centres of communication, of everything, of every form of communication. And to add this dimension would enrich Hong Kong and would enrich also the processes of mediation.”
Executive Director of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Institute for Peace & Reconciliation I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, said he expected the IOMed to collaborate with other regional organisations, including ASEAN, in finding solutions to conflict situations within the region.
“I think Hong Kong and China have a lot of experience on the trade issues, on economic issues, and of course we expect that IOMed will also deal with the political and security issues in the future.”
Meanwhile, Asian Academy of International Law Founder Member and Co-Chairman Teresa Cheng said she believes housing the headquarters in Hong Kong will raise the city’s international profile by allowing it to play a leading role in mediation efforts.
“For example, capacity building, running conferences, bringing experts in to discuss certain issues. And all these will attract foreigners coming to Hong Kong and thereby knowing Hong Kong and learning themselves how good Hong Kong is, and therefore be able to bring that view back to their hometown.”
Witnessed by forum guests, Mr Lam signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Cham Nimul, to strengthen co-operation between the two places on issues relating to dispute avoidance and resolution.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)
On Saturday, U.S. Representative Jack Bergman joined Michigan USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director Joel Johnson to meet with maple syrup producers and announce critical federal relief for farmers and forest landowners impacted by the late March ice storm.
Speaking with local producers, Rep. Bergman and Director Johnson confirmed that assistance through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) is on the way for Northern Michigan. Both programs are designed to help landowners recover from severe storm damage and restore their operations.
“This is about getting real help into the hands of our people. Folks who grow our food, manage our forests, and contribute to the economy of Northern Michigan,” said Rep. Bergman. “I appreciate Director Johnson’s leadership in pushing for the flexibility and federal approvals needed to make these programs work on the ground, especially for unique operations like our maple syrup producers.”
“We requested critical flexibilities to ensure producers can proceed with recovery efforts immediately and still retain critical ECP and EFRP access in the coming months”said Joel Johnson, State Executive Director for FSA in Michigan.“These flexibilities include a waiver of onsite inspection to expedite determination of need and approvals of restoration work and to forego the requirement of a producer request for work starting prior to submitting an application for certain emergency non-ground disturbance activities such as surface debris removal and fence repair. Before taking any other type of action, please call your local office.”
Director Johnson emphasized that his office has been actively working with federal partners to secure the necessary waivers that allow the ECP and EFRP to be applied effectively in Michigan’s unique agricultural and forestry contexts.
The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) provides funding to restore agricultural production on land damaged by natural disasters — including a new provision specific to Michigan’s maple sap operations that suffered significant damage to taps and tubing.
Learn more about the ECP here: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) | Farm Service Agency
The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) assists owners of nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF) with recovery efforts. Eligible plots must be at least one acre in size, 120 feet wide, and at least 10% forested.
Learn more about the EFRP here: Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) | Farm Service Agency
Bergman encouraged all affected producers and forest owners to contact their local FSA offices immediately to learn more and determine their eligibility: “If you think these programs might apply to you, don’t wait – reach out today. Help is available.”
