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  • Technology – A Roundup of Significant Articles on ForeignAffairs.co.nz for May 21, 2025

    Technology News – A Roundup of Significant Articles on ForeignAffairs.co.nz for May 21, 2025

    MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’
    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments Press release Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’ Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’ to benefit from clean energy jobs. Over 260 workers have received 1:1 skills support from Forth Valley College to support their transition into new, high-skilled jobs, with 184 workers already beginning training    signals swift delivery […]

    MIL-Evening Report: Spotify continues to change music. What’s next – will AI musicians replace music made by humans?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is rewriting history. In fact, she […]

    MIL-OSI: ESCO Announces Divestiture of VACCO Industries
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) St. Louis, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE) (ESCO, or the Company) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell VACCO Industries (VACCO) to RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC), an international manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered precision bearings and products, headquartered in […]

    MIL-OSI: Cipher Mining Announces Proposed Convertible Senior Notes Offering and Proposed Hedging Transaction to Place Borrowed Common Stock
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cipher Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: CIFR) (“Cipher” or the “Company”) today announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “notes”) in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, […]

    MIL-OSI: Currenc Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) SINGAPORE, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Currenc Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“Currenc” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights Total Processing Value (TPV) through Tranglo […]

    MIL-OSI: HTTPeak Launches “Lazy Admin,” an AI Solution That Saves Costs and Staff Hours, empowering business users with data insights and analysis in seconds, all via natural language
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) HTTPeak introduces Lazy Admin, an AI-powered tool for Salesforce, enabling users to generate insights in seconds using natural language. This solution streamlines business operations, enhancing efficiency and decision-making, and positions HTTPeak as an emerging force in AI-driven business solutions. Photo Courtesy of Mustafa Parekh NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — […]

    MIL-OSI Economics: Members discuss possible cotton breakthrough ahead of MC14, World Cotton Day 2025
    Source: WTO Headline: Members discuss possible cotton breakthrough ahead of MC14, World Cotton Day 2025 Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam, who chaired the 43rd Round of Consultations of the Director-General’s Consultative Framework Mechanism for Cotton (DGCFMC), drew members’ attention to the latest meeting of the Steering Committee of the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative, which built […]

    MIL-OSI Economics: Graduates and movers rejoice: Total Wireless introduces $35 home internet with special offer on router
    Source: Verizon Headline: Graduates and movers rejoice: Total Wireless introduces $35 home internet with special offer on router NEW YORK – As graduates embark on the exciting journey of moving to a new apartment or even a new city, Total Wireless, a leading prepaid brand powered by Verizon’s 5G network, ensures they can stay connected […]

    MIL-OSI Economics: 2025 State of Small Business Survey: Surge in AI, cybersecurity and social media demand
    Source: Verizon Headline: 2025 State of Small Business Survey: Surge in AI, cybersecurity and social media demand What you need to know: Nearly half (47%) of SMBs updated their cybersecurity solutions to further protect their business. More than a third (38%) are actively using AI across multiple business functions, such as data analysis, marketing and […]

    MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Coverage for 32nd SpaceX Resupply Mission Departure
    Source: NASA NASA and its international partners will soon receive scientific research samples and hardware after a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft departs the International Space Station on Thursday, May 22, for its return to Earth.Live coverage of undocking and departure begins at 11:45 a.m. EDT on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety […]

    MIL-OSI: Societe Generale_ Combined General Meeting and Board of Directors dated 20 May 2025
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) COMBINED GENERAL MEETING AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS DATED 20 MAY 2025 Press release Paris, 20 May 2025 Combined General Meeting The General Meeting of shareholders of Societe Generale was held on 20 May 2025 at CNIT Forest, 2, Place de la Défense, 92092 Puteaux and was chaired by Mr. Lorenzo Bini Smaghi. […]

    MIL-OSI: eSHARE Announces Strategic Partnership with SMX to Advance Trusted Collaboration in Government and Regulated Sectors
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) WALTHAM, Mass., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eSHARE, a provider of trusted collaborative solutions built for enterprise and public sector use, today announced that they have strategically partnered with SMX, a leader in cloud, cybersecurity, and advanced technology solutions for public and private sector organizations. This partnership will enable eSHARE to […]

    MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Awareness campaign on ‘investment’ scams using Artificial Intelligence (AI) – E-001920/2025
    Source: European Parliament Question for written answer  E-001920/2025to the CommissionRule 144Costas Mavrides (S&D) Based on complaints from Cypriot citizens and the Cyprus Consumers Association, there has been an alarming increase in cases of fraud through misleading videos and other content created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The material in question includes fake interviews, advertisements and videos, […]

    MIL-OSI: DIAGNOS Announces Amendment to Convertible Debentures
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) BROSSARD, Quebec, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or the “Corporation”) (TSX Venture: ADK, OTCQB: DGNOF, FWB: 4D4A), a pioneer in early detection of critical health issues using advanced technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces that it intends to extend the maturity date for $300,000 unsecured convertible debentures […]

    MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Grills Secretary Of State Marco Rubio On Trump Meme Coin Dinner, USAID, Corrupt Deals With Foreign Governments
    US Senate News: Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy [embedded content] WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday questioned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a hearing on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of State. Murphy challenged […]

    MIL-OSI: UIFCA Launches: AI-Powered Investing & Expert Financial Education
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. today announced its official launch, introducing a comprehensive platform designed to transform how individuals and businesses approach financial markets. The academy integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools with expert-backed investment strategies and world-class financial education, aiming to equip investors with the […]

    MIL-OSI: ESET Research uncovers Operation RoundPress: Russia-aligned Sednit targets entities linked to the Ukraine war to steal confidential data
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) ESET researchers uncovered the Operation RoundPress espionage campaign, with Russia-aligned Sednit group most likely behind it. In Operation RoundPress, the compromise vector is a spearphishing email leveraging an XSS vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code into the victim’s webmail page. It targets Roundcube, Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra webmail software. Most victims are […]

    MIL-OSI: ESET Research APT Report: Russian cyberattacks in Ukraine intensify; Sandworm unleashes new destructive wiper
    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI) ESET has released its latest advanced persistent threat (APT) report. Russian APT groups intensified attacks against Ukraine and the EU, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities and deploying wipers. China-aligned groups like Mustang Panda and DigitalRecyclers continued their espionage campaigns targeting the EU government and maritime sectors. North Korea-aligned groups expanded their financially motivated campaigns […]

    MIL-OSI USA: Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Trump’s Middle East AI Giveaway
    US Senate News: Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed WASHINGTON, DC  — President Donald Trump’s efforts to curry favor from several wealthy royal families that rule over countries in the Middle East and cut artificial intelligence deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could threaten U.S. national security and […]

    MIL-OSI Security: Portland, Oregon man sentenced to four years in prison for traveling to Seattle believing he would sexually assault children
    Source: Office of United States Attorneys Seattle – A 64-year-old Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced today to four years in prison for traveling with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Marc David McCool was arrested May 16, 2024, when he arrived at a Seattle […]

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Sweden provides SEK 20 million to Uganda’s Ebola response

    Source: Government of Sweden

    On Monday 17 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa visited Uganda’s crisis centre – which is established in the event of major disease outbreaks – in response to the ongoing spread of the Ebola virus in the country. Sweden is providing SEK 20 million to Uganda’s Ebola response, to be channelled through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Swedish initiative to get Ukrainian products in Swedish shops

    Source: Government of Sweden

    A new Swedish initiative to get Ukrainian products in Swedish shops has been presented by representatives of the Swedish Food Retailers Federation, together with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. The initiative aims to provide Swedish consumers’ increased access to Ukrainian products and opportunities to support Ukraine at the grocery store.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Congressman Valadao’s Bill to Strengthen VA Accessibility for Disabled Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 1147, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act. This legislation, introduced by Congressman Valadao earlier this Congress, would make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more accessible for our disabled veterans by establishing a permanent advisory committee within the VA to allow for direct and regular communication with the Secretary on behalf of disabled veterans. Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) co-led this legislation.

    “I’m proud to see the House pass my Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act with strong bipartisan support,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bill gives disabled veterans a permanent voice at the highest levels of the VA, ensuring that their experiences help shape the policies, services, and facilities they rely on. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we have a responsibility to remove the barriers that stand between them and the care they’ve earned, and this bill brings us one step closer to fulfilling that promise.”

    The Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act:

    • Requires the VA Secretary to create a permanent advisory committee on issues related to the accessibility of VA benefits, services, and facilities for veterans and employees with mobility impairments, hearing, visual, cognitive, or other disabilities.
    • Eliminates an inactive Department of Veterans Affairs advisory committee not established by Congress, consolidate two smaller committees, or recommend the termination of an inactive committee established by Congress to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
    • Would be composed of 15 individuals including disabled veterans, experts, employees, and veteran service organization representatives.
    • Provides informal consultations and advice to the Secretary and other VA officials, as well as formal reports. 

    Read the full bill here.

    Prior to the vote, Congressman Valadao spoke on the House floor to urge passage of the bill. You can watch his full remarks here or read them as prepared below:

    I urge my colleagues to support the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act, which would make the Department of Veterans Affairs more accessible for our disabled veterans.

    Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we have a responsibility to make sure they receive the benefits and services they’ve earned.

    Sadly, too many disabled veterans face unnecessary obstacles in accessing care because of avoidable barriers at the VA.

    This bipartisan bill would create a permanent advisory committee within the VA made up of disabled veterans, experts, and advocates who understand these challenges firsthand. 

    This committee will give our veterans a direct line to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs—ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized.

    This is a commonsense, bipartisan step to improve oversight, enhance accessibility, and uphold our nation’s commitment to the men and women who have sacrificed so much defending our freedoms.

    I want to thank Chairman Bost and his staff at the Committee on Veterans Affairs for their work on this important bill to make the VA more accessible for the disabled veterans it serves.

    Thank you, and I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mega projects in Xinjiang power China’s energy transition

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

    A three-hour drive from Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the towering silver structures of a monumental power transmission project emerge from the vast, sunbaked terrain.

    Each day, the transmission lines stretching over 3,000 km deliver electricity generated from Xinjiang’s abundant wind and solar resources to east China’s Anhui Province, where it is redistributed to power the bustling cities of the Yangtze River Delta.

    Independently developed, designed and constructed by China, the Changji-Guquan ultra-high voltage (UHV) direct current transmission project stands as a world leader in terms of voltage level, transmission capacity and distance, and technology level.

    Since its launch in 2019, the project has delivered 84 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity — equivalent to annually cutting 65 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in eastern China.

    “By leveraging Xinjiang’s unique advantages, this project enables large-scale, cross-regional transmission of renewable energy, which is a pivotal step in the country’s green transition,” said Chen Shoujun, chairman of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd.

    Green energy goldmine 

    Xinjiang’s sprawling deserts and barren land, once seen as an economic hurdle, have turned into a renewable energy goldmine, blessed with strong wind and long hours of sunshine.

    Latest data shows that Xinjiang’s total installed power capacity has surged to 201 million kilowatts, with 112 million kilowatts — or 55.72 percent — coming from renewables.

    In southern Xinjiang’s Ruoqiang County, this transformation is visible in the rows of solar panels standing in neat arrays, resembling a vast dark blue ocean shimmering with metallic luster under the blazing sun.

    The photovoltaic project, with the largest single-site installed capacity in China’s sandy, rocky and desert areas, is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of this May and will generate 6.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power 2 million households for a year.

    With abundant power generation capacity, Xinjiang faces the challenge of ensuring this energy doesn’t go to waste. The region’s local demand can not fully absorb the massive power it generates, creating a stark imbalance with the energy-hungry eastern regions.

    This imbalance spurred China’s West-to-East Power Transmission Project. Since 2010, Xinjiang has built four major transmission lines, including the Changji-Guquan UHV project, boosting its cross-regional capacity to 25 million kilowatts.

    In eastern Xinjiang’s Hami, another UHV transmission project is preparing to send electricity to southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. Upon its expected commissioning later this year, it will transmit over 36 billion kilowatt-hours annually, and more than half will come from clean energy sources.

    “This is equivalent to replacing 6 million tonnes of coal consumption and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 16.5 million tonnes each year,” said Xu Jiayang of State Grid UHV Engineering Construction Company, who oversees the construction of the project.

    Energy storage innovations 

    While transmission solves allocation challenges, innovative ways of energy storage provide a solution to maximizing renewable usage.

    Nestled in the rugged Tianshan Mountains, about 100 km northwest of Urumqi, a pumped-storage power station turns natural elevation into renewable energy reservoirs.

    By exploiting a 400-meter height difference, the facility stores surplus energy by pumping water uphill during low demand hours and releases it to generate power at peak times.

    “The unique feature of this project lies in its ability to improve the utilization rate of wind and solar energy,” said Yang Hongtao, chairman of State Grid Xinyuan Xinjiang Fukang Pumped Storage Co. Ltd., noting the station can utilize over 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours of renewables annually.

    Beyond clean energy, these mega projects are changing the lives of local people. Construction of the pumped-storage station has created more than 3,500 jobs while boosting tourism and catering industries, according to Yang.

    For Huanxbek Sayran, a Kazakh engineer from northern Xinjiang’s Altay Prefecture, working at the station fulfills both professional and personal aspirations.

    “After university, I always wanted to contribute to Xinjiang’s development,” said Sayran. “Now with expertise to share, I hope to help build the next generation of projects.”

    As dusk falls over the Tianshan Mountains, the station’s reservoirs shimmer under the desert sun. Above one reservoir, a slogan reads: “Energizing better lives, empowering brighter futures.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s private economy gets new boost as landmark law takes effect

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

    China’s first fundamental law dedicated to promoting the private sector came into effect Tuesday, strengthening legal protections and injecting fresh momentum into a key driver of the world’s second-largest economy.

    The Private Sector Promotion Law, passed in late April, aims to optimize the development environment for the sector, ensure fair market competition, and promote the growth of both the private economy and private entrepreneurs.

    It clearly states that the private sector is “an important part of the socialist market economy,” and promoting its sustained, healthy and high-quality development is a significant and long-term policy.

    This legislation marks a milestone in the development of the sector, which contributes more than 60 percent of China’s GDP.

    “The law demonstrates the country’s long-term commitment to the private sector, and is expected to further unlock its innovation potential and reinforce the confidence of private entrepreneurs,” said Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank.

    From ensuring fair market access and financing support to enhancing services and protection of original innovation, the 78-article law cements efforts to encourage, support and guide the growth of the private sector.

    The private sector has become a prominent part of China’s economy thanks to a nurturing policy environment, which has led to it driving innovation, employment and overall economic growth.

    Private firms make up more than 90 percent of the country’s total enterprises and more than 80 percent of urban employment. They have also become key players in China’s push for innovation-driven growth, contributing to more than 70 percent of the country’s technological innovation achievements.

    Experts and business leaders view the law as “highly timely and absolutely essential.” It comes as China revs up efforts to bolster the private sector and the broader economy, as the country tries to navigate external shocks and domestic development challenges.

    Private firms are facing mounting pressures, including international trade barriers, weak domestic demand and the pressing need for industrial transformation and upgrading, but opportunities coexist alongside these challenges, said Cheng Xiaobo, chairman of Lifang Group, a vision tech firm headquartered in Shanghai.

    With the legal safeguards and a focus on core tech breakthroughs, and by capitalizing on China’s emerging new consumption scenarios, private firms are better positioned to turn the headwinds into tailwinds, Cheng added.

    “The rule of law is the best business environment,” said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of cybersecurity firm Qi-Anxin and vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, noting that the law transforms policy support into legal guarantees.

    The legislation follows a series of pro-business measures rolled out this year. In February, China held a high-level symposium on private enterprises, which was widely viewed as a strong signal to boost the confidence and growth of the private sector.

    A month later, at the “two sessions,” the country reiterated support for private enterprises, vowing to take effective moves to stimulate the vitality of all market entities.

    China is also beefing up financial support for the private sector, and working to level the playing field. Last month, a new version of the market access negative list was unveiled, specifying fields that are off-limits to both domestic and overseas business entities. The new negative list reduced the number of items on it from 117 to 106.

    Executives of high-tech private firms particularly welcomed the law’s focus on tech innovation and enhanced protection for original innovation and intellectual property rights.

    Han Dongcheng, chairman of Anhui Easpeed Technology Co., Ltd., a firm focusing on holographic imaging technology, said the law served not only as an incentive for tech firms like his, but also as a strong institutional safeguard, enabling firms to focus on research and development with greater confidence in defending their achievements.

    Similarly, Tan Limin, chairman of Westwell, a Chinese tech firm that develops AI applications and autonomous driving solutions, highlighted the law’s broader significance. From ensuring a more level playing field, enabling fairer market competition, to encouraging innovation and enhancing intellectual property protection, “the law delivers concrete safeguards for private businesses and bolsters confidence for both their daily operation and long-term growth,” Tan said.

    Backed by follow-up policies and stricter enforcement, the law will further improve the business environment, unleash private-sector vitality, and promote the forging of a new development paradigm, cementing its role as a legal cornerstone for high-quality development of the private economy, said Wen of China Minsheng Bank. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Primary sector growth feeds trade surplus – Stats NZ media and information release: Overseas merchandise trade: April 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Primary sector growth feeds trade surplus – 21 May 2025 – New Zealand’s merchandise trade surplus in April 2025 was $1.4 billion, compared with a deficit of $12 million in April 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “New Zealand has had only four monthly surpluses over $1 billion. The last two were in 2020 and two out of the four were also in April months,” international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward said.

    “The overlap of the dairy and fruit industry seasons contributed to this high.”

    The goods surplus is calculated by subtracting the value of goods imports from the value of goods exports. New Zealand imported $6.4 billion and exported $7.8 billion of goods in April 2025.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Bedshed pays penalties for allegedly misleading customers over NDIS endorsement

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Bedding retailer Bedshed Franchising Pty Ltd has paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for allegedly making false or misleading representations to consumers through advertising that suggested certain products it sold had been evaluated or approved by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

    This action comes after the ACCC put businesses on notice of its focus on problematic advertising practices targeting NDIS participants in November 2024.

    The ACCC alleges that Bedshed advertised on its website and Google Ads that some of its mattresses, furniture and bedding accessories were ‘NDIS approved’ and ‘NDIS permitted’.

    “The NDIS does not approve any specific goods or services and to suggest otherwise is misleading and risks taking advantage of vulnerable consumers,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Each NDIS participant has unique needs, and what’s funded under their plan is determined individually, not through a list of approved products. Targeting consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage with misleading advertising is particularly concerning, and we are continuing to investigate companies making similar claims.”

    “These infringement notices should serve as a warning to all businesses that advertise their products or services to NDIS participants – your advertising must reflect the facts,” Ms Cass Gottlieb said.

    In December 2023, the Australian Government established the NDIS (Fair Price and Australian Consumer Law) Taskforce, which comprises of the ACCC, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The taskforce was established to address concerns that NDIS participants were being charged more for goods and services than other consumers, and to address potential breaches of Australian Consumer Law.

    If an NDIS participant thinks a business has made false or misleading statements about products or services, including whether they are endorsed or approved by the NDIS, or if they consider their consumer rights have not been met, they can make a report to the ACCC.

    Further information for NDIS participants is available on the ACCC website.

    Note to editors

    The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain consumer protection provisions in the Australian Consumer Law.

    The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Consumer Law sets the penalty amount.

    What false or misleading advertising about the NDIS might look like

    Examples of concerning advertising that may be false, or misleading include:

    • The use of the words ‘NDIS approved’ as the NDIS does not have the function of approving or endorsing particular goods or services.
    • Advertising suggesting NDIS funds will cover “all inclusive” holidays, when general costs associated with holidays would not be covered by NDIS funding.
    • Meal delivery services suggesting the cost of meals is covered by the NDIS, when the NDIS does not cover food expenses.
    • Advertising that provides instructions on how to use NDIS funding codes to cover costs of recreational services that are not covered by the NDIS – for example, going to the movies or a theme park.
    • Advertising that suggests a business is affiliated or endorsed by the NDIS, by using NDIS in its business name or in the description of its services, for example ‘NDIS therapies’.

    Background

    Bedshed is a franchise that supplies mattresses, bedding, furniture and related accessories to consumers. The business operates at a retail level with an online store and 43 brick-and-mortar stores in locations across WA, Victoria, Queensland, ACT and NSW. Of the 43 brick-and-mortar stores, 11 are registered NDIS providers.

    In December 2024, the ACCC instituted proceedings against registered NDIS provider Ausnew Home Care Service Pty Ltd, for alleged false and misleading representations, including statements that certain products were ‘NDIS approved’, relating to aged care and disability products. The matter remains before the Court.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stefanik Supports President Trump’s Golden Dome for Strategic Missile Defense

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

    ICYMI: Stefanik Joined Mornings with Maria on FBN to Speak About Enacting President Trump’s Agenda, Harvard’s Ties to China, and Joe Biden’s Health Scandal | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Primary sector growth feeds trade surplus – Stats NZ media and information release: Overseas merchandise trade: April 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Primary sector growth feeds trade surplus – 21 May 2025 – New Zealand’s merchandise trade surplus in April 2025 was $1.4 billion, compared with a deficit of $12 million in April 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “New Zealand has had only four monthly surpluses over $1 billion. The last two were in 2020 and two out of the four were also in April months,” international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward said.

    “The overlap of the dairy and fruit industry seasons contributed to this high.”

    The goods surplus is calculated by subtracting the value of goods imports from the value of goods exports. New Zealand imported $6.4 billion and exported $7.8 billion of goods in April 2025.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank, DEG to deepen partnership in private sector development in Africa

    Source: African Development Bank Group
    The African Development Bank Group and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), the Development Finance Institution that is a subsidiary of  KfW, have reinforced their strategic partnership to enhance private sector development across Africa.
    Officials from both institutions met in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on…

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Morocco: Perforation of the Al Massira dam sets new civil engineering standard for Africa to meet the challenge of water stress in the Marrakech…

    Source: African Development Bank Group
    The question of water management is of paramount importance in debates on Africa’s development. It will be central to the upcoming Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank, to be held in Abidjan from 26 to 30 May 2025 under the banner, “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Honoring Governor Kit Bond: Founding Governor of MOHELA and Champion of Higher Education

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHESTERFIELD, Mo., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Higher Education Loan Authority of Missouri (MOHELA) joins the state and nation in mourning the passing of Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond, who died on May 13, 2025, at the age of 86. Governor Bond’s visionary leadership and enduring commitment to public service were instrumental in the creation of MOHELA, which he signed into law in 1981.

    As a dedicated public servant, Kit Bond recognized the transformative power of education. The establishment of MOHELA reflected a bold commitment to expanding access to higher education for Missouri students. Over the past four decades, MOHELA has helped millions of students and families manage the cost of college, thanks to the foundation Governor Bond laid.

    “Governor Bond’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of MOHELA,” said Scott Giles, Executive Director and CEO of MOHELA. “His belief in the importance of education and opportunity continues to guide our mission every day. We are forever grateful for his leadership and vision.”

    Governor Bond’s distinguished career included two terms as Missouri’s governor and four terms in the U.S. Senate. He was widely respected for his bipartisan approach and his work on issues ranging from education and infrastructure to national security and economic development. Further, Governor Bond was noteworthy for fighting for the interests and improving the lives of Missourians.

    MOHELA extends its deepest condolences to Governor Bond’s family and loved ones. His legacy lives on in the students we serve and the futures we help build.

    About MOHELA 
    MOHELA is a non-profit, governmental corporation with 40 years of experience and a track record of providing exceptional customer service to the borrowers it serves. MOHELA plays an essential role in the student loan ecosystem, providing support and assistance for around 9 million borrowers.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech Provides Update on Financial Situation and Announces Workforce Reduction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an AI-powered software company recognized for its innovation in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD), today provided an update regarding its discussions with its lenders under the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins” and the financing offer, as amended, the “Desjardins Credit Facility”) and the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”, and the financing offer, the “Bridge Facility”). While the Company continues to be in active discussions with Desjardins and its Bridge Lenders, it has not reached an agreement providing for additional financing for the Company or relief from the minimum cash, equity financing and process plan covenants contained in the Desjardins Credit Facility and Bridge Facility.

    In an effort to preserve cash and afford the Company additional time to pursue discussions with its lenders, the Company also announced a reduction of its workforce through temporary layoffs of approximately 138 individuals, in all of its locations and across all departments within the organization, representing approximately 95% of the Company’s total workforce. Such measure will provide the Company with additional time to continue to actively evaluate potential alternatives relating to a restructuring of its obligations, a sale of the business or certain of its assets, strategic investments and/or any other alternatives, including seeking creditor protection under the Companies’ Credit Arrangement Act. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in pursuing and implementing any such alternatives, nor any assurance as to the outcome or timing of any such alternatives.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 190 patent applications (112 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s selection by the OEM referred to above, anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics, as well as expectations regarding the anticipated performance, adoption and commercialization of its products. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market, as well as: (i) the risk that LeddarTech and the OEM referred to above are unable to agree to final terms in definitive agreements; (ii) the volume of future orders (if any) from this OEM, actual revenue derived from expected orders, and timing of revenue, if any; (iii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iv) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (v) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vi) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (viii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (ix) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (x) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Pressley, Color Of Change, Colleagues Condemn Medicaid Cuts for Trump’s Billionaire Handouts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “Donald, there is nothing beautiful about making people sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable. And that’s exactly what this bill would do.”

    Republican Reconciliation Bill Would Rip Away Healthcare and Food Assistance from Millions, Harm Everyone Especially Black and Brown Communities

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to fund billions of dollars in new tax giveaways straight into the pockets of Trump’s billionaire friends. The bill is estimated to cause 14 million people to lose their healthcare and raise costs for millions more. It would also make the largest cuts to food assistance in American history, taking food away from millions of children, seniors, veterans, and folks with disabilities.

    Across Massachusetts, over 955,000 Medicaid enrollees are at risk of losing healthcare coverage under MassHealth, the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program, due to the bill’s work reporting requirements for Medicaid. In the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, approximately 135,000 enrollees would lose coverage.

    Republicans’ extreme budget plan also threatens the approximately 1,216,000 people in the Commonwealth who depend on SNAP to put food on the table, including 187,000 people in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District.

    Congresswoman Pressley was joined by Representatives Summer Lee (PA-12), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Alma Adams (NC-12), Gabe Amo (RI-01), and Rashida Tlaib (MA-12), as well as Color of Change’s Interim Executive Director Portia Allen-Kyle, Families over Billionaires’ Campaign Director Michael Linden, and advocates from Color of Change.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s opening remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley, Color Of Change Host Presser Opposing Medicaid Cuts for Trump’s Billionaire Handouts
    U.S. Capitol
    May 20, 2025

    Good afternoon everyone!

    Thank you for joining us. It is so good always to be surrounded by what I consider to be movement family. I am immensely proud to be partnering with Color of Change as we demand that Republicans take their hands off our healthcare, hands off our food assistance, and hands off other essential, life-saving programs.

    Thank you to Portia, for standing in the gap in such a time as this. Thank you for the indefatigable efforts of the entire team at Color of Change, to the folks here today who are opening their hearts to share their stories with us all. 

    And thank you my colleagues, Representatives Lee, Brown, Adams, Amo and Tlaib for their partnership and to our friends at Families over Billionaires for the work you do each and every day.

    We stand here today because Republicans are trying to gut Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential, life-saving programs so they can line the pockets of billionaires including Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

    Donald Trump is stealing from the poor, the elderly, the vulnerable and everyday working families to line his own damn pockets.

    This is the great Republican ripoff.

    These attacks are precise, intentional, targeted. 

    They mean harm to everyone who calls this country home, beginning with our most vulnerable.

    They’re coming for our veterans, our elders, and folks with disabilities. 

    They’re coming for those in need of life-saving medications for chronic diseases like asthma, high blood pressure, and dementia.

    They’re coming for babies who need formula, parents who are just trying to put food on the dinner table.

    And of course, they mean to harm our Black and brown communities who stand to be the most impacted by these devastating cuts.

    Medicaid is essential healthcare. About 1 in 5 Medicaid enrollees are Black.  

    SNAP is essential food for families. 20% of Black households have faced food insecurity in recent years, compared to 7% of white households.

    As the saying goes, when the rest of America gets a cold, Black folks get pneumonia – and this bill is certainly a testament to that. 

    I represent the Massachusetts 7th, a district that is vibrant, diverse, dynamic, one of the most unequal in this country, and was one of the hardest-hit Congressional districts by the first Trump occupancy.

    And we have every reason to believe that this will be the case again in the second occupancy of the Trump White House.

    Donald Trump was up here today threatening his caucus to fall in line behind his “one big, beautiful bill.” 

    Donald, there is nothing beautiful about making people sicker, making people poorer, making people more vulnerable. And that’s exactly what this bill would do. 

    Nearly 14 million people kicked off their healthcare. Food ripped out of the mouths of millions of children, seniors, veterans, and folks with disabilities. 

    I mean seriously, the only people who’d benefit from this bill are toy spaceship billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump himself.

    The cruelty is the point. 

    Republicans know exactly how cruel and unpopular this bill is. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be trying to move it forward under the cover of night at 11 o’clock on a Sunday or 1am on a Wednesday, like they’re doing this week. 

    You know, Donald Trump and Republicans would love for us to stop fighting back.

    Donald Trump’s a dictator. A dictator wants a citizenry that is uninformed, that is indifferent to the suffering of its neighbor, and that is inactive. 

    They would love for us to cede this dark, dystopian vision that Donald Trump has for America as an inevitability.

    But it is not. And the only way to beat a dictator is with defiance.

    Our colleagues in the House across the aisle, you know, I’m asked all the time if there are opportunities for bipartisanship, to which I respond, “where is the party for bipartisanship?”

    This is just a cult of cowards who have been complicit in wholesale harm. Just a cult of cowards. 

    And the only way to beat a dictator is with defiance. 

    So that’s what brings us here today. We won’t back down, not for a second. 

    And Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start and the VA – these programs aren’t just line items in a budget. 

    They are lifelines. They are lifelines. Policies determine who lives, who dies, who survives, who thrives.  

    So together, we say: 

    Hands off healthcare.

    Hands off our food.

    Hands off our bodies.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Art Store Brings Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and More to Screens in 4K

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced the addition of new pieces from Disney’s iconic portfolio to the Samsung Art Store,1 offering TV users worldwide a stunning new way to enjoy beloved visuals from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic — all in crystal-clear 4K resolution.
     
    “We’re thrilled to expand our collaboration with Disney to offer their most beloved artwork to our global community of Art Store users,” said Heeyeong Ahn, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By offering a diverse range of artistic content that transcends genres and generations, we aim to enrich the everyday lives of our users with art.”
     

     
    The new Disney Collection transforms living rooms into immersive digital galleries, featuring classic and contemporary works that celebrate storytelling, adventure and the beauty of our planet. From the heartwarming tales of Disney princesses from films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Snow White,” and “Tangled” to the legendary “Star Wars saga” and the breathtaking wildlife of “Planet Earth,” the collection also offers fans a chance to discover new favorites — all through the lens of stunning digital art.
     
    Samsung Art Store, a global digital art subscription platform available on Samsung TVs, now offers over 3,500 curated artworks from more than 800 artists and 70 world-class galleries and museums. First launched in 2017 with The Frame, the Art Store experience is now available on 2025 Samsung AI-powered Neo QLED and QLED TVs,2 giving more viewers access to premium art in 4K resolution.
     
    In addition to this latest Disney collaboration, users can easily enjoy masterpieces from world-renowned museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Musée d’Orsay, as well as a variety of contemporary and modern artworks showcased at Art Basel, from the comfort of their homes. The service also includes curated selections handpicked by professional art experts on a monthly basis, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    1 The Disney Collection is now available in selected countries across Asia, North America (including the United States and Canada), and Europe, where the Samsung Art Store is supported.
    2 For models Q7F and above.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Tech – INMA launches new Advertising Initiative aimed at demystifying opaque digital ecosystem

    Source:  International News Media Association (INMA)

    NEW YORK (20 May 2025) – The INMA Board of Directors today approved an Advertising Initiative aimed at equipping media leaders with practical guidance on first-party data activation for advertising, premium ad products, revenue diversification strategies, measurement and attribution, AI, navigating brand safety, and evolved selling approaches.

    Former New York Times advertising executive Gabriel Dorosz will lead the INMA Advertising Initiative. Dorosz is the former executive strategy director, advertising, and head of audience strategy & insights at The New York Times. He previously served in strategy roles at WPP, FCB, Cramer-Krasselt, Blast Radius, CTG/Morpheus Media, and more.

    The Advertising Initiative will use practical research, case studies, and implementation guides to give CEOs and chief revenue officers the tools to build sustainable advertising revenue. Key deliverables for INMA members will include blogs, newsletters, Webinars, master classes, seminars, a Slack channel, reports, and Ask Me Anything sessions with members.

     

    “We want to simplify and demystify what is often opaque or overly complex about the digital advertising ecosystem for media leaders,” said Earl J. Wilkinson, executive director and CEO of INMA. “We want to focus on realistic implementation rather than theory. We want to bridge the gap between the cutting-edge possibility and business realities.”

    In a presentation to the INMA Board of Directors today, Dorosz recommended primary focus areas as:

    First-party data activation for advertising revenue: Building actionable strategies to collect, unify, and monetise first-party data specifically for advertising use cases and revenue growth – for example, segmentation models and clean rooms.

    Advertising format and product innovation: Developing high-performing advertising formats that deliver demonstrable results across channels such as video, audio, print-to-digital bridging, and cross-media packaging.

    Sales and revenue diversification strategies: Creating balanced approaches that maximise direct deals while expanding beyond traditional display formats such as events, branded content, and programmatic.

    Measurement and attribution excellence: Implementing frameworks that prove advertising impact and demonstrate ROI across platforms such as brand lift, incrementality, attention metrics, and cross-platform attribution.

    Secondary focus areas include:

    Talent and organisation design: Building the teams and structures needed to succeed in the evolving advertising landscape with focus on local market needs, talent attraction and development, and breaking silos.

    Brand safety and news environment value: Transforming news content challenges into premium advertising advantages through differentiation of premium news environment and performance case studies.

    AI-powered advertising operations: Deploying AI strategically across the advertising lifecycle – e.g. targeting, optimisation, dynamic pricing, and yield optimisation – to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and revenue.

    Ad industry insight and strategic partnerships: Understanding buyer perspectives, industry trends, insights and best practices (e.g., social, influencers, video), ad tech ecosystem dynamics, trade associations, and effective vendor relationships.

    Board members emphasised the need to balance revenue models as well as legacy vs. digital models. Dorosz talked about the need to speak to different buyer motivations in different markets, whether quality- or scale-focused. He also discussed balancing direct and programmatic advertising, with programmatic providing efficiency at lower CPMs while direct sales requiring more innovation and resources but offering premium opportunities.

    Board members suggested that the news industry could use an injection of creativity and ideas when it comes to advertising, with data and digital products crucial to success. Native advertising, events, and content commerce are also keys.

    Another emerging theme from INMA Board members is the need to shift the news industry storyline from reach to engagement. For example, direct traffic is much more valuable than social and search. Measurement priorities should shift from performance to brand lift, incrementality, attention, and top-of-the-funnel metrics.

    While legacy platforms such as print, television, and radio continue to deliver significant revenue to media companies, digital advertising and commerce is emerging as the future-proofing route for most. More than 75% of global advertising now goes to digital channels, Dorosz said.

    The Advertising Initiative is INMA’s sixth active initiative focused on news media’s emerging business models: Readers First Initiative led by Greg Piechota; Digital Platform Initiative led by Robert Whitehead; Product & Tech Initiative led by Jodie Hopperton; Newsroom Transformation Initiative led by Amalie Nash; and Generative AI Initiative led by Sonali Verma.

    About International News Media Association (INMA)

    The International News Media Association (INMA) is a global community of market-leading news media companies reinventing how they engage audiences and grow revenue in a multiplatform environment. The INMA community consists of more than 22,000 members at 1,000+ news media companies in 90+ countries, representing tens of thousands of news brands. INMA is the news media industry’s foremost ideas-sharing network with members connected via conferences, reports, Webinars, virtual meetings, awards competitions, and an unparalleled archive of best practices. Its initiatives focus on reader revenue, advertising & commerce, product & tech, generative AI, newsroom transformation, and the publisher relationship with tech platforms.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese state councilor stresses efforts to stabilize employment

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

    HANGZHOU, May 20 — Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin has called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of pro-employment measures to guarantee stable employment.

    Shen made the remarks during a research trip centering on employment and vocational skills training in the cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, from May 17 to 20.

    During her trip, Shen learned about the latest employment situation by visiting various locations, urging greater support for sectors and businesses with strong job creation capabilities. She also emphasized the need to help businesses mitigate burdens and stabilize employment to effectively overcome external shocks.

    It is vital to safeguard employment for key demographics, such as college graduates and migrant workers, especially those who have shaken off poverty, she said. She also called for the launch of large-scale vocational training programs to improve labor skills and cultivate more high-caliber professionals.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland criticizes Lai’s ‘hypocritical gesture’

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

    A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Tuesday called Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te’s proposal of cross-Strait dialogue “on equal terms” a hypocritical gesture attempting to revive dialogue based on his new “two states” theory.

    “Only by recognizing the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China will cross-Strait dialogue and consultation have a basis to resume,” said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, when commenting on a speech made by Lai and his media interviews on Tuesday.

    Lai’s recent remarks repeated his separatist stance and underlined his desire to achieve his aims by force and with the support of external actors, Chen said.

    Lai has hyped the so-called “mainland threat,” incited cross-Strait confrontation and advanced economic decoupling measures, Chen added.

    Only by ceasing separatist provocations can cross-Strait relations improve, and only through enhanced exchanges and cooperation can tension across the Strait ease, Chen said.

    He reiterated that nothing Lai does can alter the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, nor can it hinder the historical trend toward national reunification.

    The spokesperson reaffirmed the mainland’s commitment to upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and opposing all forms of separatist activities and external interference.

    “On the basis of the one-China principle, we are willing to engage with all political parties, groups and individuals in Taiwan to discuss political issues between the two sides and other matters related to advancing the process of national reunification,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Foreign National Sentenced for $3.2 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of California

    A foreign national was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $3.2 million through a sham durable medical equipment company.

    According to court documents, Julian Lopez, 55, a citizen of Cuba who resides in Miami-Dade County, Florida, obtained Medicare beneficiary identification cards and sold Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information to a durable medical equipment company, One Medical Services. Lopez knew the Medicare identification cards he obtained would be used to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare. One Medical Services used the information from Lopez to bill Medicare for orthotic braces that were never provided to the Medicare beneficiaries. In connection with the scheme, One Medical Services submitted and caused the submission of over $3.2 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary DME.

    Lopez pleaded guilty to two counts of health care fraud in February 2025. At sentencing, he was also ordered to pay $1,496,412 in restitution.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jesus Barranco at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Emily Gurskis and Trial Attorney Owen Dunn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three White Supremacists Sentenced to Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy; Two to Serve Life In Prison for Murder

    Source: US State of California

    WASHINGTON — On May 19, a federal judge sentenced three members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang who were convicted at trial of a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy that included multiple murders, drug trafficking, fraud, and robbery.

    Francis Clement, 58, was found guilty by a jury in February of RICO conspiracy and five separate counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Each of these murders was committed while Clement was in state prison. Clement was sentenced to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

    The jury also found Kenneth Johnson, 63, guilty of RICO conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Johnson was also sentenced to life in prison.

    A third defendant, John Stinson, 70, was found guilty of one count of RICO conspiracy. Stinson, who was already serving a lengthy prison sentence in the California state prison system, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Aryan Brotherhood members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, including murder, conspiracy to murder, fraud, robbery, and drug trafficking crimes. Johnson and Clement, who both held leadership roles in the gang, directed crimes committed by Aryan Brotherhood members both inside and outside of prison using cellphones that had been smuggled into prison. Because of his rank in the gang, Clement received a cut from the illegal drug sales and fraud schemes the Aryan Brotherhood committed. According to trial testimony, the Aryan Brotherhood regularly smuggled drugs, including methamphetamine, into prisons throughout the California prison system, which defendants and other gang members then sold to inmates.

    In October 2020, Johnson and Clement together ordered one murder during the execution of which another individual was also killed. Johnson and Clement also ordered another murder of an individual who was subsequently killed. It was further proven at trial that in February 2022, Clement ordered the murder of an individual and the following month, in March 2022, Clement ordered the murder of two more individuals. For each murder, the killings were ordered because defendants believed the victims either violated gang rules or owed the gang money.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Stinson was a high-ranking leader of the Aryan Brotherhood and had substantial authority over the enterprise, including sponsoring multiple individuals for membership, resolving disputes among members, and approving the murder of current and former members. During the investigation, Stinson used a contraband cellphone within his prison cell to conduct business on behalf of the Aryan Brotherhood. The jury heard some of these communications from Stinson through court-authorized wiretapped conversations. Evidence was presented that Stinson also engaged in drug trafficking, and that, given his position within the gang, he received a cut of illegal drug sales that took place in prison and out on the street.

    “The convicted defendants led a notorious prison gang that committed ruthless murders, widespread methamphetamine trafficking, and perpetuated a culture of mayhem, fear, and disorder within the prison system that bled into the outside world,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Organized crime within the prison system, enabled by the use of contraband cellphones, endangers American neighborhoods by flooding streets with dangerous drugs. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue crime syndicates, like the Aryan Brotherhood and their facilitators, to ensure they go to prison and the harm they inflict on society ends once incarcerated.”

    “Today’s sentences are yet another blow to the leadership of a violent criminal enterprise run from inside California prisons and spanning multiple counties and states,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California. “The Aryan Brotherhood has maintained its deadly influence over members, associates and others both inside and outside prison. We are committed to doing everything we can to stop these violent inmates from orchestrating their criminal activities from inside prison walls.”

    “These sentences send a clear message: the walls of a prison do not shield violent gang leaders from justice,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “The Aryan Brotherhood’s leadership operated a brutal criminal enterprise from behind bars — ordering murders, trafficking drugs, and fueling violence in our communities. ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent gangs wherever they operate and hold their leaders accountable, no matter where they try to hide.”

    The indictment in this case charged 11 defendants with RICO conspiracy and other crimes. There are five defendants awaiting trial and the three defendants have pleaded guilty.

    This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the ATF, with assistance from the Office of Correctional Safety (CDCR), U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Pomona Police Department, Torrance Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Stokman and James Conolly for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government teams with parking giants to ensure drivers can use preferred apps in all car parks

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government teams with parking giants to ensure drivers can use preferred apps in all car parks

    British Parking Association will develop and run the ‘national parking platform’, providing drivers with a more flexible parking experience.

    • huge step forward for simpler parking as industry delivers ‘one app fits all’ parking platform
    • government collaboration paves the way for British Parking Association to spearhead new parking platform – at no cost to the taxpayer
    • backing drivers, this government is investing £4.8 billion to deliver new roads and £1.6 billion to fix potholes, helping to get the country moving through the Plan for Change

    Drivers are set to benefit from simpler parking nationwide, as industry delivers a ‘one app fits all’ parking platform at no cost to the taxpayer, following government-backed trials.

    The government has today (21 May 2025) confirmed that, following successful collaboration with the sector, the British Parking Association will now take forward the development and running of the National Parking Platform (NPP).

    The platform will enable drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app – ending the scramble to download multiple apps and encouraging a more flexible parking experience. The government intervened to make sure it can be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including Ringo, JustPark and PayByPhone and led by the British Parking Association (BPA).

    Currently, drivers face inconsistent parking rules, clunky user experiences and unnecessary barriers to something that should be simple. The National Parking Platform fixes this, connecting participating car parks to a shared platform, through which drivers can pay using any approved app – cutting confusion, reducing the chance of fines and opening up the parking market to fairer competition.

    Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: 

    This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. I’m delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. 

    This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we’re investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people.

    The new agreement will see the parking sector working with councils to run the platform on a not-for-profit basis. It will operate under clear terms to ensure transparency, sustainability, and public value. The government will maintain oversight of the platform by monitoring the sector’s compliance with these terms.

    So far, the platform has been rolled out in 10 local authorities and now handles over half a million transactions a month. Today’s announcement means drivers nationwide will benefit from a simpler, more seamless experience. 

    Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, said:

    Today’s announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. We’ve strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we’re thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers.

    As part of their next steps, the new consortium will be onboarding more local authorities imminently to ensure that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as soon as possible.

    This announcement comes as the government invests £1.6 billion to tackle the scourge of potholes and deliver national renewal through investment in vital infrastructure that will drive growth and put more money in working people’s pockets and deliver the Plan for Change.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’

    Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’ to benefit from clean energy jobs.

    • Over 260 workers have received 1:1 skills support from Forth Valley College to support their transition into new, high-skilled jobs, with 184 workers already beginning training   

    • signals swift delivery of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to secure a future for workers, as part of the Plan for Change  

    • Energy Secretary and Energy Minister join Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in first Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today to discuss securing private investment and a long-term future for Grangemouth – backed by £200 million from the UK government, and £25 million from the Scottish Government   

    Petroineos refinery workers at Grangemouth are being actively supported through the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to help secure new well-paid work, as part of the UK and Scottish Governments’ pledge to secure a future for those affected by the closure of the oil refinery.   

    The government took swift action to protect workers after Petroineos confirmed their plans to close the refinery, including announcing up to £10 million to provide new skills support that will help the site’s workers into good clean energy jobs, as well as supporting new energy projects in the region. This also included a commitment from the Prime Minister in February to deliver a “training guarantee”.  

    This guarantee is now being delivered, with 184 out of 300 workers having now engaged in retraining activity with the majority of the remaining workforce registered for training.  

    Workers have been offered a wide range of training opportunities, including renewable energy upskilling courses and wind turbine engineering courses, paid for and supported by the UK and Scottish Governments. This will provide them with the vital skills needed to secure new jobs, including in the clean energy sector – which currently supports more than 42,000 jobs in Scotland.   

    Every Petroineos worker affected by the decision to close the oil refinery has now been provided the opportunity for 1:1 interviews with careers specialists at Forth Valley College.  

    These will help identify their skills, qualifications and training needs to create a programme of bespoke courses that will ensure their smooth transition into new roles – supporting the next generation of good jobs and driving economic growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.  

    It comes as the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin and Energy Minister Michael Shanks join the Office for Investment, Scottish Enterprise, National Wealth Fund and Scottish National Investment Bank for the inaugural Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today where they will discuss securing private investment in the future of the site – with 66 enquiries received so far.  

    Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:  

    The workforce at Grangemouth is highly skilled with significant transferrable experience which our training commitment recognises by providing tailored support for workers into new employment opportunities. 

    As well as continuing to work to secure the site’s long-term industrial future, we want to ensure no worker is left behind and that they are equipped with the skills they need to secure good jobs. This is our Plan for Change in action. 

    Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said:  

    The Scottish Government’s immediate focus has rightly been on supporting workers who have lost their jobs. We committed up to £450,000 to ensure that they are supported and assisted to secure other employment and to contribute their valuable skills to Scotland’s green economy.  

    That is why we are also working to secure Grangemouth’s role in that future and create an investible industrial strategy for the site. It’s clear that real progress is being made on the findings from Project Willow. We are working closely with Scottish Enterprise – who are already assessing nearly 70 inquiries aligned to the full range of technologies set out in the report – and we are determined to ensure we realise the full potential for the site’s transformation. 

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:  

    We know this is a worrying time for workers and their families at Grangemouth. I am pleased more than 260 highly skilled workers have already received support from Forth Valley College thanks to funding from the UK government as part of the £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal package. 

    By offering bespoke training in renewable energy and wind turbine engineering, we’re not just supporting individual workers but also helping Scotland lead the way in clean energy jobs. We are determined that Grangemouth will have a green energy future and have committed £200 million through the National Wealth Fund toward that. 

    Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said:   

    The College continues to work extremely hard to make sure that all the Petroineos employees affected by the refinery closure, are able to access the support they need as they begin their transition into new training, careers and jobs.  

    We are making learning work in our Forth Valley communities and beyond, and we want to assure everyone that we will continue to be there for them as they take the next steps in their careers and their studies. 

    Steven Bell, former Hazardous Areas Technician at Petroineos Grangemouth Refinery, said:   

    The support I received from Forth Valley College with retraining during the redundancy process has been exceptional.  

    From my 1:1 meetings discussing courses that I would be interested in and what my future career path might be, right through to getting booked onto the courses I had selected, nothing was too much trouble.  

    All in all, I can say I am absolutely delighted with what Forth Valley College have provided for me during this process. 

    The training support has helped workers enter new employment. For example, former Hazardous Areas Technician Steven Bell took part in a range of courses that enabled him to renew his Electricians Grade Card, as well as courses in working in hazardous areas which will support him in his new role as a Compliance Supervisor with a company involved in the pharmaceutical and distillery sector.  

    It follows the publication of a feasibility report ‘Project Willow’ that provided nine proposals for Grangemouth, backed by £200 million from the UK government and £25 million from the Scottish Government, which will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.  

    The report sets out various options for the site, including plastics recycling, hydrogen production and other projects that could create up to 800 jobs by 2040. This will help to grow the economy and deliver on both governments’ shared ambition to secure a long-term future for Grangemouth – with Scottish Enterprise already receiving a high level of interest from potential investors.  

    The UK government is unlocking Scotland’s clean energy potential and recently awarded £55.7 million to the Port of Cromarty Firth to develop and manufacture new floating offshore wind farms in Scotland. It has also launched a Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority announce Strategic Place Partnership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority announce Strategic Place Partnership

    New partnership reinforces the Agency’s commitment to housing and regeneration across the South West

    Eamonn Boylan, CEO of Homes England and Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority

    Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) have today signed a Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) in support of delivering locally-led housing and regeneration ambitions in the region.

    The partnership, announced today at UKREiiF, a national investment conference, signals a long-term commitment to deliver locally-led goals and unlocks new opportunities for investment and delivery across the Mayoral Combined Authority region. Homes England and the MCA will work on a shared plan to accelerate growth in the West of England while advancing their existing partnership projects, like Bristol Temple Quarter, with a renewed focus.

    Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, centred around a revitalised Bristol Temple Meads station, a grade I listed building. The ambitious programme aims to deliver 10,000 new homes, 22,000 new jobs, and improved sustainable infrastructure and public spaces across 135 hectares of brownfield land in central Bristol. It’s already an example of a project that thrives through public sector partnerships: jointly led by Bristol City Council, Homes England, the MCA, and chair Lyn Garner, the development is backed by £95 million of government support.

    During the last financial year, Homes England provided £700,000 of funding support to schemes across the MCA and its constituent authorities, with future funding for new projects planned following the announcement of the Strategic Place Partnership.

    Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

    Our new Strategic Place Partnership with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority demonstrates our long-term commitment to the region. We’ll work side-by-side with the Mayoral Combined Authority through our strengthened partnership to deliver ambitious housing and regeneration programmes that speak to regional priorities.

    The Agency now has eight Strategic Place Partnerships with various Mayoral Authorities across England, with each partnership clearly focused on the goal of empowering local leaders to drive growth in their own communities, supported by Homes England.

    Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said:

    Across the West of England, we must invest to tackle the housing crisis and regenerate brownfield land. This new Strategic Place Partnership will ultimately help us build more affordable homes for local people.

    Working with Homes England and local council leaders to deliver the right homes in the right places, with the services and infrastructure that people need and deserve.

    I am determined to improve our transport links to help get the West of England moving – whether it’s better buses or five new train stations in three years – and connect new homes to jobs and opportunities, culture and leisure, and nature.

    Alongside Bristol Temple Quarter, Homes England and the MCA will accelerate delivery on key projects including the West Innovation Arc, with South Gloucestershire Council. The Arc will be integral to the emerging West of England Local Growth Plan.

    Working alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council, Homes England and the MCA are already supporting the acquisition of strategic land and planning work to unlock up to 6,000 new homes along the Bristol to Bath strategic growth corridor. Following £8 million of initial investment from the MCA, Homes England has committed £36 million into brownfield sites in central Bath to deliver a further 1,000 homes.

    Notes to editors:

    1. The strengthened relationship between Homes England and the Mayoral Combined Authority follows the publication of the government’s English Devolution White Paper in December 2024, which details the plan to empower local leaders and deepen devolution across England.
    2. The white paper highlights Homes England’s work on SPPs and the important part they play in devolution.

    About Homes England

    We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.

    We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.

    Learn more about us: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about

    Press Office Contact Details

    Email: media@homesengland.gov.uk

    Phone: 0207 874 8262

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Jose Executives Plead Guilty To Employment Tax Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JOSE — Two California men pleaded guilty yesterday to not paying over employment taxes to the IRS.

    The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Lalo Valdez and Matthew Olson, both of Northern California, operated a San Jose-based health informatics and product development company that provided clinical care and technology services to clients in healthcare and academia. Valdez was the CEO and Olson the CFO. As such, both were responsible for the company’s operations, managed its internal books and records, signed checks on behalf of the company, and hired and fired employees. Both men also were responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from employees’ wages and paying those funds over to the government each quarter. The timely payment of quarterly employment taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.

    For every calendar quarter from the first quarter of 2017 through the second quarter of 2021, Valdez and Olson withheld these taxes from employees’ wages but did not pay them over to the IRS or report them on quarterly tax forms. Instead of paying over the taxes, Valdez and Olson used the company’s money to pay for country club memberships and season tickets to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League.

    During this same period, Olson also was one of the owners and operators of a day spa located in Saratoga, Calif.  There, Olson was responsible for collecting and paying Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes to the IRS.  From the second quarter of 2017 through the fourth quarter of 2020, however, Olson collected but did not pay them over to the IRS or report them on quarterly tax forms.

    In total, Olson caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $2.1 million.

    Valdez caused a total tax loss to the IRS of nearly $1.5 million.

    Valdez and Olson are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 20. Both men face a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Green and Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guilty Verdicts for Maryland Members of a PCP and Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy Centered in D.C.

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Kenneth Watts, 57, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and James Kinard, 47, of Temple Hills, Md., were found guilty by a federal jury today for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl and PCP in the DMV. The conspiracy also used firearms to protect their narcotics and the proceeds from their trafficking operation.

               The verdicts were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, DEA Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

               The jury found both defendants guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of PCP. The jury also found defendant Kinard guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb scheduled sentencing for August 7, 2025. Watts and Kinard each face a minimum-mandatory sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

               Watts has two prior felony drug convictions. Kinard has a prior 1995 conviction for second-degree murder while armed and a prior 2016 conviction assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and related offenses. Kinard was on supervised release during the investigation in this case.

               Three co-defendants pleaded guilty before the case went to trial on May 7.

               Melvin Grayson, 51, of District Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine, more than 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and more than one kilogram or more of PCP. Grayson faces a minimum-mandatory sentence of ten years. He  has two prior felony drug convictions from 1993.

               Tyrone Ragland, 56, aka “Tech,” of the District, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram of PCP. Charles Cunningham, 58, of the District, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. According to their plea agreements, Ragland and Cunningham will be required to serve 15 years in prison. Cunningham has four prior felony drug convictions.

               According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, officers with the Prince George’s County Police Department intercepted a package containing six kilos of PCP at a FedEx facility in Maryland. The officers set up a controlled delivery of the package and stopped defendant Kenneth Watts after he picked it up. In Watts’ cell phone, investigators found text messages linking Watts to the package and to co-defendant Melvin Grayson.

               Through controlled purchases and wiretaps, evidence showed that Grayson distributed PCP, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The investigation also showed that defendants Ragland, Cunningham, Kinard and others conspired with Grayson to distribute the narcotics. In search warrants conducted at various residences, agents recovered four firearms, more than 2.5 kilos of PCP, more than 100 grams of fentanyl, and approximately $50,000 in cash. 

               This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office Cross Border Task Force and the DEA Washington Field Office, with assistance from MPD’s Violent Crime Suppression Division and the Prince George’s County Police Department. The Cross Border Task Force is a part of the FBI’S Safe Streets Initiative and targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Baltimore/Washington High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.

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

               The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar R. Mohanty and Iris Y. McCranie of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

    23cr007

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Mechanic Sentenced to Prison, Must Repay $1.37 Million for Defrauding Missouri Customer, Others

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Tuesday sentenced a purported auto mechanic from Arizona to 33 Months in Prison and ordered him to repay $1.37 million to his fraud victims.

    Beginning in November 2019, Andres “Manny” Lopez, 37, defrauded customers of his Arizona company, All Performance Tuning and Diesel Repair LLC, by accepting money for vehicles, vehicle upgrades and parts with no intention of performing the work or turning over the vehicles. He also damaged some customer vehicles and loaned vehicles to others without the owners’ consent.

    A Missouri victim who wanted to buy a vehicle for his mother wired Lopez $45,000 for a Toyota RAV4. Lopez falsely claimed that he’d bought the vehicle, and then provided a series of false excuses about why it was not being delivered. Lopez claimed delivery delays were due to product recalls and even impersonated the general manager of a Florida Toyota dealership in text messages to the client’s mother.

    After Lopez was indicted in October of 2023, he defrauded another victim out of approximately $567,892.

    Lopez used the money for personal expenses.

    In a letter to the court, one victim spoke of Lopez’s pattern: “Promise… then a reason why I cannot meet that promise… then a new promise… then repeat the string (for years).”

    Lopez pleaded guilty in February U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of wire fraud.

    “For years, Andres Lopez lied to customers to line his own pockets. The lies and manipulation continued even after he had been charged for the crime and released on bond,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Today, Lopez earned every day of his prison sentence for victimizing people with his fraudulent business practices.”

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alameda Man Sentenced To Four Years And Nine Months In Federal Prison For Unlawful Firearm And Ammunition Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – Adesola Kehinde was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon.  U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín handed down the sentence.

    Kehinde, 38, of Alameda, was charged by complaint in January 2024 and by information in May 2024.  On Dec. 16, 2024, Kehinde pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  According to the plea agreement, Kehinde admitted that on Jan. 9, 2024, officers with the Alameda Police Department detained him while he was seated in the driver’s seat of his car, which was parked outside of his apartment building.  At the time, Kehinde was on parole after serving a state prison sentence for human trafficking of a minor, threats with intent to terrorize, and robbery.  Officers searched Kehinde’s car and located a loaded Glock pistol with one round in the chamber and six rounds inside the magazine inserted into the pistol.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.  

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Martínez-Olguín also sentenced Kehinde to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered him to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he possessed.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonah Ross is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Alameda Police Department. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces May 2025 Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is pleased to announce distributions for the month of May 2025 for its open-end exchange traded funds and closed-end funds (“the Funds”).

    The ex-distribution date for all Open-End Funds is May 28, 2025. The ex-distribution date for all closed-end funds is May 30, 2025.   

    Open-End Funds Ticker
    Symbol    		 Distribution
    per share/unit    		 Record
    Date    		 Payable
    Date    		 Distribution
    Frequency
    Apple (AAPL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units APLY $0.1667 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Canadian Financial Income Fund – ETF Series BNC $0.1225¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units BRKY $0.1000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Units BTCY $0.0850 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units BTCY.B $0.0970 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF USD Units BTCY.U US $0.0815 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF Units CROP $0.0875 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF USD Units CROP.U US $0.0975 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield – ETF Units ETHY $0.0405 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units ETHY.B $0.0500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Units Non-Currency Hedged USD Units ETHY.U US $0.0395 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Units FLX $0.0461 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units FLX.B $0.0551 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged USD – ETF Units FLX.U US $0.0385 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Global Bond Class – ETF Units IGB $0.0860¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Microsoft (MSFT) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF units MSFY $0.1100 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Enhanced Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series PAYF $0.1375¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Total Return Bond Fund – ETF Series PBD $0.0590¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Core Dividend Fund – ETF Series PDF $0.1050¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Enhanced Dividend Fund – ETF Series PDIV $0.0950¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Real Estate Income Fund – ETF Series PHR $0.0720¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose International Dividend Fund – ETF Series PID $0.0780 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Monthly Income Fund – ETF Series PIN $0.0830¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Multi-Asset Income Fund – ETF Units PINC $0.0840 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Conservative Income Fund – ETF Series PRP $0.0600¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series PYF $0.1100¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Series PYF.B $0.1230¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF USD Series PYF.U US $0.1200¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Core Equity Income Fund – ETF Series RDE $0.0875¹ 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Emerging Markets Dividend Fund – ETF Units REM $0.0950 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Canadian Preferred Share Fund – ETF Units RPS $0.0950 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Preferred Share Fund – ETF Series RPU $0.0940 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units2 RPU.B / RPU.U $0.0940 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Strategic Yield Fund – ETF Units SYLD $0.0970 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    AMD (AMD) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YAMD $0.2000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Amazon (AMZN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF- ETF Units YAMZ $0.4000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Broadcom (AVGO) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YAVG $0.1500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Coinbase (COIN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YCON $0.3000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Costco (COST) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YCST $0.1000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Alphabet (GOOGL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YGOG $0.2500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YMAG $0.2000 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    META (META) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YMET $0.1600 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Netflix (NFLX) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YNET $0.1100 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YNVD $0.7500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YPLT $0.2500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Tesla (TSLA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units YTSL $0.5500 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    UnitedHealth Group (UHN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series YUNH $0.1100 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
               
    Closed-End Funds Ticker
    Symbol    		 Distribution
    per share/unit    		 Record
    Date    		 Payable
    Date    		 Distribution
    Frequency
    Big Banc Split Corp, Class A BNK $0.1200¹ 05/30/2025 06/13/2025 Monthly
    Big Banc Split Corp – Preferred Shares BNK.PR.A $0.0700¹ 05/30/2025 06/13/2025 Monthly


    Estimated May 2025 Distributions for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund

    The May 2025 distribution rates for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund are estimated to be as follows:

    Open-End Fund Ticker
    Symbol    		 Final distribution
    per unit    		 Record
    Date    		 Payable
    Date    		 Distribution
    Frequency
    Purpose USD Cash Management Fund – ETF Units MNU.U US $ 0.3528 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose Cash Management Fund – ETF Units MNY $0.2370 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose High Interest Savings Fund – ETF Units PSA $0.1068 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly
    Purpose US Cash Fund – ETF Units PSU.U US $ 0.3495 05/28/2025 06/03/2025 Monthly

    Purpose expects to issue a press release on or about May 27, 2025, which will provide the final distribution rate for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund. The ex-distribution date will be May 28, 2025.

    (1) Dividend is designated as an “eligible” Canadian dividend for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation.
    (2) Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units have both a CAD and USD purchase option. Distribution per unit is declared in CAD, however, the USD purchase option (RPU.U) distribution will be made in the USD equivalent. Conversion into USD will use the end-of-day foreign exchange rate prevailing on the ex-distribution date.


    About Purpose Investments Inc.

    Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $21 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

    For further information please contact:
    Keera Hart
    Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
    905-580-1257

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Discharge of Digital Services Tax Bill

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    The Government has decided to discharge the Digital Services Tax Bill from the legislative programme, Revenue Minister Simon Watts announced today.

    The Digital Services Tax Bill was introduced in 2023 by the previous Government. It was a response to a perceived lack of progress towards developing an agreement with other countries to address the taxation challenges posed by digitalisation.

    “We have been monitoring international developments and have decided not to progress the Digital Services Tax Bill at this time. A global solution has always been our preferred option, and we have been encouraged by the recent commitment of countries to the OECD work in this area,” Mr Watts says.

    “New Zealand has long supported, and benefited from, collective action and the global rules-based system. By focusing on a global solution, it will enable an agreed, consistent outcome across participating countries.”

    As a result of taking this action, the forecast revenues from the introduction of a Digital Services Tax no longer meet the criteria for inclusion in the Crown accounts.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –