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Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Global: Caveman method skincare: how neglecting skincare completely can give you ‘cornflake’ build-up

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Taylor, Professor of Anatomy, Lancaster University

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    Social media has done it again – this time reviving a minimalist skincare trend known as the caveman method. Think of it as the paleo diet for your face: no cleansers, no moisturisers, no water. Just your skin, left completely to its own devices.

    Supporters claim it helps reduce breakouts, arguing that overuse of products is irritating their skin. But while simplifying your routine might have some short-term benefits, going completely product free, and especially water free, can put you at risk of a lesser known condition: dermatitis neglecta.

    Dermatitis neglecta was first described in a medical journal in 1995. It’s a skin condition that doesn’t involve inflammation but rather occurs when skin isn’t cleaned adequately over time. It’s most commonly seen in people with neurological or psychological conditions, or in people avoiding cleaning surgical wounds, skin sensitivity, or even poor hygiene.

    It often shows up on the face, chest and limbs, but can appear anywhere on the body. The hallmark? A pigmented, scaly build-up that looks like cornflakes.

    But what’s actually building up?

    Your skin is constantly renewing itself. As new skin cells form underneath, older ones are pushed up and eventually die due to lack of oxygen from the blood supply beneath.

    We shed about 500 million dead skin cells per day – roughly two grams’ worth. That’s not much, but if you’re not washing your face, even this small daily build-up can quickly lead to visible debris and dullness.

    This often overlooked layer of built-up skin can sometimes conceal underlying medical conditions, including cancer, that only become apparent once the excess is removed.

    Skin cancers are less common in people with darker skin tones but they often have worse outcomes, primarily due to delayed diagnosis, which makes the cancer harder to treat. In such cases, conditions like dermatitis neglecta may further obscure signs of disease, making early detection even more challenging.

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    But it’s not just dead cells at play. Your skin’s natural secretions, sweat and sebum, also contribute to this protective barrier.

    Sebum is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands all over the body. It helps keep moisture in and has antimicrobial properties. The nose is the area with the highest sebum production, which explains its reputation for shininess. Sebum also plays a role in skin pH, helping keep the skin slightly acidic to ward off harmful bacteria.

    Sweat, meanwhile, also contains antimicrobial peptides that helps defend against pathogens. But if these secretions can’t reach or function properly at the skin’s surface – either because they’re blocked by build-up or not spread through cleansing – your natural defences may weaken, making it easier for bacteria or fungi to thrive.

    Skipping all skincare might sound natural, but it may disrupt these finely balanced systems. If the skin becomes overwhelmed, it can’t do its job – leading not just to clogged pores, but potential infection.

    Thankfully, dermatitis neglecta is relatively easy to treat. Mild cases clear up with warm soapy water. More stubborn build-up may require gentle cleansing with isopropyl alcohol. In extreme cases, dermatologists may prescribe keratolytics, creams that help break down and remove the thickened outer layers.

    Back to basics

    Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need a ten-step routine. But, as well as keeping the skin clean, a few basic skincare practices go a long way.

    First, hydrate. Drinking water can improve skin hydration, especially if your intake has been low.

    Next, moisturise. A simple moisturiser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin helps lock in moisture and support the skin’s natural barrier. You’ll often spot hyaluronic acid on product labels: it’s known for its ability to bind water to the skin.

    High molecular weight hyaluronic acid can help hydrate the surface of the skin and support it’s barrier function. But only low molecular weight hyaluronic acid can penetrate into the deeper layers, where it can help improve hydration more comprehensively and help reduce the appearance of fine lines. A blend of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid can offer both deep hydration and surface moisture retention.

    Humectants like sodium PCA also draw moisture from the air into the skin, helping to keep it soft and supple. This is particularly important for darker skin tones, which are more prone to transepidermal water loss, meaning they can lose moisture more quickly and may need extra hydration support.

    Finally, wear sunscreen – every day – no matter your skin tone. While melanin can offer some natural protection against UV damage, it’s not enough to prevent skin cancer, premature ageing, or pigmentation issues. Daily use of sunscreen is essential for everyone. UV rays damage collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm. They cause collagen to cross-link, making it stiff and contributing to wrinkles and sagging. Collagen has a half-life of around 15 years, so once it’s damaged, your skin takes a long time to recover.

    To maintain the skin’s young, fresh and healthy appearance collagen and other molecules need to be replaced and allowed to mature. But UV also physically damages the collagen formation and maturation process, making it more difficult for new collagen to form properly, further contributing to the aged appearance of skin. Sunscreen helps prevent this long-term ageing effect.

    Cheesy varnish

    If you think your skin has never been coated in build-up, think again. In the womb, your sebaceous glands produced a substance called vernix caseosa, Latin for “cheesy varnish”. This waxy coating, visible on many newborns, is made of sebum and dead skin. It moisturises, insulates and protects infants during birth – and it’s proof that build-up on your skin isn’t as unnatural as it might seem.

    Going back to basics can feel appealing, especially in a world overflowing with products. But your skin is a complex, hardworking organ that benefits from a little support.

    More research is needed to understand how skincare affects different people: factors like biological sex, skin tone, environment and genetics all play a role. But simple steps like drinking water, applying moisturiser, and wearing sunscreen can help your skin function at its best.

    So before you ditch everything in your bathroom, remember that “natural” doesn’t always mean “better”. Your skin evolved to protect you – but it still needs a little help now and then.

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

    – ref. Caveman method skincare: how neglecting skincare completely can give you ‘cornflake’ build-up – https://theconversation.com/caveman-method-skincare-how-neglecting-skincare-completely-can-give-you-cornflake-build-up-256362

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Post-sepsis syndrome: when the body recovers but the brain doesn’t

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steven W. Kerrigan, Professor of Precision Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

    A 3D rendering of the life-threatening condition sepsis Love Employee/Shutterstock

    Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by the body’s extreme response to infection. It causes widespread inflammation, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

    Thanks to modern medicine, survival rates have improved dramatically. But for many who survive, the battle isn’t over when they leave hospital. Instead, they enter a new and often overlooked phase of recovery marked by lingering, life-altering effects.

    Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) affects up to half of all sepsis survivors and can persist for months or even years. It’s a complex mix of physical, cognitive and psychological symptoms. People may seem physically recovered yet struggle with overwhelming fatigue, chronic pain, muscle weakness and disrupted sleep.

    The most profound impacts, however, often show up in the brain. Many sepsis survivors experience cognitive problems that mirror those seen in traumatic brain injury or early dementia. These can include memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, slower thinking and impaired decision-making.

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    For some, these challenges are manageable. For others, they’re severe enough to interfere with work, education or independent living.

    One major culprit appears to be the body’s own inflammatory response. During sepsis, the immune system floods the body with inflammatory molecules – a so-called “cytokine storm”. This can damage the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances and immune cells into the brain. The resulting neuroinflammation and oxygen deprivation can injure brain cells and disrupt normal function.

    Hidden psychological toll

    Anyone who survives sepsis can develop PSS, but some are more vulnerable than others. Risk factors include: older age, which increases the likelihood of cognitive decline; long ICU stays or the use of a ventilator, which can contribute to physical and mental complications; pre-existing mental health or cognitive conditions; and more severe inflammatory responses during sepsis, which are linked to lasting damage.

    Children are also at risk, as they may experience developmental or emotional challenges that affect their learning and social development for years.

    Many sepsis survivors go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression. These issues can be triggered by the trauma of a near-death experience, prolonged sedation, invasive treatments, or time spent in intensive care units (ICUs) – often while cut off from family and friends.

    In fact, “ICU delirium”, which affects up to 80% of patients on ventilators, has been strongly associated with long-term cognitive and psychological impairment. Sepsis survivors who experience this often recall vivid, terrifying hallucinations during their ICU stay. These memories can haunt them more than the physical illness itself.

    The recovery gap

    One of the biggest challenges for sepsis survivors is the lack of follow-up care. Unlike heart attack or stroke recovery, which typically involves coordinated rehabilitation, post-sepsis care is often fragmented. Patients can be discharged without a recovery plan and left to navigate a confusing and lonely road back to health.

    What’s needed are multidisciplinary post-sepsis clinics, where patients can access neurologists, psychologists, rehab specialists and social workers all under one roof. Early support, both psychological and cognitive, can dramatically improve long-term outcomes.

    Sepsis doesn’t just take a toll on survivors – it affects families, communities and healthcare systems. Many survivors cannot return to work, require ongoing care, and face financial hardship. In the US, sepsis costs an estimated US$60 billion annually (£50.8 billion), much of it spent on post-acute care and readmissions.

    A 2016 film inspired by the true story of Tom Ray, who lost his arms, legs and part of his face to sepsis.

    There’s also a growing concern that sepsis may raise the risk of long-term neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. More research is needed, but the links between inflammation, brain damage and cognitive decline are becoming harder to ignore.



    Read more:
    Thirty years on, our research linking viral infections with Alzheimer’s is finally getting the attention it deserves

    Globally, there is progress in helping people survive sepsis. But we must also ensure that sepsis survivors thrive afterwards.

    Here’s what I believe needs to happen now: encourage greater awareness of PSS among clinicians, patients and families; integrate post-sepsis care into chronic disease and rehabilitation programs; and generate more funding to research how and why PSS develops – and how to prevent or treat it.

    People recovering from sepsis often rely heavily on loved ones who need better support themselves. Survivors also need clearer, kinder help to get back to work and school, or just back to the everyday routines that once felt normal.

    Surviving sepsis is a triumph of modern medicine – but what comes after is still a neglected frontier. For too many, life after sepsis means battling invisible wounds that affect the brain, body and soul. Recognising, researching and responding to PSS isn’t just a clinical need – it’s a moral obligation. Survivors deserve more than survival. They deserve a chance to truly recover.

    Steven W. Kerrigan receives funding from Research Ireland, Health Research Board of Ireland, Irish Research Council and Enterprise Ireland. The author wishes to thank Liam Casey, a sepsis survivor, for his contribution to this article and for sharing his lived experience of PSS.

    – ref. Post-sepsis syndrome: when the body recovers but the brain doesn’t – https://theconversation.com/post-sepsis-syndrome-when-the-body-recovers-but-the-brain-doesnt-256139

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Continual Intake Improves Targeted Sector Support Application for Municipalities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 14, 2025

    Targeted Sector Support Initiative (TSS) funding is available for municipalities working with regional partners to improve their residents’ quality of life. Applications are now being accepted at any time of the year and will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

    “The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to support the TSS Initiative and its move to a year-round application period,” Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz said. “By removing application deadlines, I am confident we can encourage more municipalities to partner with their neighbours and pursue important regional projects.”

    The TSS Initiative provides projects with funding from one of four streams: capacity building, regional co-operation, municipal corporate transition and relationship building and dispute resolution. Annual funding of $1.5 million for the TSS Initiative is allocated from a portion of the Municipal Revenue Sharing program. Approved programs can receive funding for 75 per cent of costs, up to $100,000.

    Examples of previously accepted projects include:

    • Regional land use planning;
    • Inter-municipal emergency management plans;
    • Governance training for elected and appointed municipal officials; and
    • Feasibility studies for the creation of a municipal district.

    The TSS Initiative is managed by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) on behalf of the TSS Steering committee that consists of SUMA, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North) and the Ministry of Government Relations.

    “Cooperation is essential in the municipal world, especially as the costs of building and maintaining infrastructure and services has steadily increased over the past few years,” SUMA President Randy Goulden said. “The TSS provides an important source of funding to fuel these cooperative initiatives and get more done with less.”

    “SARM continues to encourage rural municipalities in Saskatchewan to take advantage of the Targeted Sector Support funding for cooperative regional projects,” SARM President Bill Huber said. “We hope the new continuous application intake process offers our members additional opportunities to utilize this valuable resource to further inter-municipal collaboration within their communities.”

    Since 2020, the TSS Initiative has allocated $5.5 million to 149 projects currently in various stages of completion. 

    Interested municipalities can learn more and apply at:
    https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/municipal-administration/funding-finances-and-asset-management/funding/targeted-sector-support-initiative. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of Finance to Co-Host G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Banff

    Source: Government of Canada News

    May 14, 2025

    As part of Canada’s G7 Presidency, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, will co-host the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Banff, Alberta, from May 20 to 22. They will be joined by Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from the G7 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) and the European Union.

    G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will be joined by the heads of the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank and the Financial Stability Board. The Ukraine Finance Minister and the President of the Financial Action Task Force will join for parts of the meeting. Ministers and Governors will discuss and share views on current global economic and financial challenges, with a focus on how the G7 can work together on issues.   

    The details of the media events and core programming are described below.

    Please note that media events are restricted to accredited media, and the accreditation portal is now closed. Additional logistical details for each media event will be provided directly to accredited media, closer to the events. Please contact mediag7@fin.gc.ca with any questions.   

    Core Program (All Times Local, MT)

    Tuesday, May 20

    4:00 p.m.

    The Minister and the Ukraine Minister of Finance, Sergii Marchenko, will answer questions from the media.

    Wednesday, May 21

    8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

    The Minister will join fellow G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors for a group photograph and hold a welcoming ceremony.

    Open to media. Photo opportunity only.

    9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

    The Minister and Governor will officially open the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting.

    Pooled B-roll media opportunity.

    9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    The Minister and Governor will co-chair sessions on the global economy, economic resilience and security, and the situation in Ukraine, among others.

    Closed to media.

    Thursday, May 22

    8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    The Minister and Governor will co-chair sessions on financial crime and artificial intelligence, among others.

    Closed to media.

    12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    The Minister and Governor will hold a joint press conference to close the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting.

    Open to media. A media availability will follow. Watch live on X at https://x.com/G7 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/G7.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expansion of Mental Health Capacity Building Program to Support More Students

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 14, 2025

    Today, Education Minister Everett Hindley and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr announced an expansion of the Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) program to five more Saskatchewan schools in support of student mental health and wellbeing. 

    The five additional schools selected through an application-based process include Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, Rossignol High School in Île-à-la-Crosse, Martensville High School, Holy Rosary High School in Lloydminster and Swift Current Composite High School.

    This fall, the program will be in place in 24 schools in 19 school divisions

    “The Mental Health Capacity Building program is helping young people learn how to manage their emotions, anxiety and increase awareness of mental health and where they can find additional support,” Hindley said. “We are pleased to expand this program to reach more students and school communities across Saskatchewan.”

    “We know that early interventions and access to support is important for students and families who are experiencing mental health concerns,” Carr said. “Expanding the Mental Health Capacity Building program delivers on our commitment under the province’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions.” 

    The Ministry of Education works collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to deliver this program. The Ministry of Education 2025-26 budget included additional funding of $1.6 million for the MHCB program, bringing the total investment to $4.6 million this year.

    School divisions that receive funding for the program deliver mental health promotion and prevention programming, build capacity in others who work with children, youth and families and support students through connection to community resources and supports. 

    “We are pleased to see the introduction of this program at Bedford Road Collegiate,” Saskatoon Public Schools’ Superintendent of Education Colleen Norris said. “By embedding mental health supports directly into our schools, we have the ability to create a culture where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive—not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well.”

    “The Mental Health Capacity Building initiative is important for our division,” Île-à-la-Crosse Director of Education Sharon Hoffman said. “Building capacity for mental health in our staff and students is critical in our community as we have high rates of mental health issues. Our hope is this initiative will provide the knowledge, skills and supports for our students to grow into healthy young adults.”

    Under Saskatchewan’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, the Government of Saskatchewan is committed to further expanding the MHCB program to all 27 school divisions by 2028.

    Additional information on the program is available on Saskatchewan.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Arizona National Guard Soldiers support drug interdiction at the southern border

    Source: US National Guard (video statements)

    Arizona National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Arizona Counterdrug Task Force inspect railcars at the Rio Rico train station near Nogales, Ariz., April 30, 2025. The rail teams work alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection under Task Force Stopping Arizona Fentanyl Epidemic (Task Force SAFE) to help detect and deter the smuggling of narcotics at the southern border. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. 1st Class Christy Sherman)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqCpK0EVvwY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Joins Push Urging the Trump Administration to Drop its Anti-Voter Policies that will Disenfranchise Tribal Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and 10 of her Senate colleagues in sounding the alarm on the devastating impacts of President Trump’s anti-voter “election integrity” executive order and the SAVE Act on Native American voting rights.

    “Enactment of new voter registration policies under the Executive Order and the SAVE Act would lead to mass disenfranchisement of eligible Native voters and further depress the Native vote,” wrote the Senators. “Tribal IDs generally lack place of birth information required by the legislation, and the vast majority of these IDs lack the specific U.S. citizenship documentation required by the Executive Order. And the SAVE Act’s in-person requirement would exacerbate existing barriers, such as requiring IDs that list residential mailing addresses, by forcing many Native voters to travel great distances, including costly flights or multi-hour drives, to reach their local elections office or polling place.”

    “As Secretary of the Interior, you have a special moral and legal responsibility to uphold our nation’s trust and treaty obligations,” continued the Senators. “If implemented, the sweeping federal mandates included in the Executive Order and the SAVE Act would disenfranchise eligible Native voters who are following state laws. We encourage your active engagement with the White House and the Department of Justice to ensure that Native communities are able to exercise the franchise fully and have their voices heard at the ballot box.”

    Tribal IDs are currently an acceptable form of documentation to register to vote in nearly every state, but the SAVE Act and Trump executive order require that an ID must show place of birth and citizenship, which the majority of Tribal IDs lack, adding another barrier to the ballot box for many Native American communities. The Senators underscored that if enacted, these provisions would force Tribal voters who live in rural and remote locations to travel significant distances to prove their citizenship in order to register to vote.

    The Senators also emphasized the disproportionate impact the vote-by-mail restrictions would have on Native communities, which often rely more on mail-in voting because of a lack of infrastructure and transportation access. Trump’s executive order penalizes states that accept absentee or mail-in ballots received after Election Day, harming Native voters in states like Nevada, Alaska, North Dakota, Oregon, and California that process ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.

    Only 66 percent of Native Americans eligible to participate in elections are currently registered to vote, leaving more than 1 million eligible voting-age Native Americans unregistered. Creating further obstacles to register to vote would likely reduce these numbers even further.

    Senator Cortez Masto has long been a champion for Tribal communities. Last year, the Senate passed both her legislation to make it easier for Indian Health Services to recruit and retain doctors and her legislation to strengthen Tribal public safety. She repeatedly called on the Biden administration to do more to address the epidemic of violence against Native women and girls, including securing federal funding to protect Native communities, urging the administration to draft a plan to address this issue, and requesting the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate the federal response to this crisis.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New CBO Analysis Shows 10.3 Million Americans Would Lose Health Coverage to Off-set Republicans Billionaires-First Tax Break

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC — The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an estimate today highlighting that the Medicaid portions of the House Republican billionaires-first tax bill would lead to 10.3 million Americans losing coverage under the health safety net program and 7.6 million people going uninsured.

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed stated:

    “Congress should be working together to make heath care better and more affordable.  Instead, Republicans are working on a partisan plan to take it away from low-income children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

    “Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid for health care coverage.  This CBO report shows that reckless Republican cuts would have devastating consequences for families, communities and states nationwide.  It would leave millions without insurance and cut off access to the care they need.

    “The Republican plan would literally take from the working poor, undermining people’s health and financial stability in order to give bigger tax breaks to the wealthiest.” 

    Medicaid is a federal program that provides health care to about 70 million low-income Americans in partnership with state governments.

    Senator Reed also noted that any so-called ‘savings’ from Republican Medicaid cuts would ultimately drive up the cost of care and lead to higher future spending on more expensive care down the road.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed, Senators Request Independent DoD Inquiry Into Trump’s Plan to Accept ‘Palace in the Sky’ Plane from Qatar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC — Following news reports that President Donald Trump plans to accept a $400 million luxury jumbo jet as a gift from the Qatari government in violation of the Constitution, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined with several colleagues in urging the acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense to open an inquiry into the Department of Defense’s (DOD) involvement in facilitating the transfer of this unprecedented foreign gift for President Trump’s ultimate personal use.   

    “DOD risks becoming embroiled in a brazen attempt to evade constitutional limitations on the acceptance of personal gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. The Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Congress has granted consent in only a narrow set of circumstances under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, and none of these circumstances are applicable here,” the nine U.S. Senators wrote.

    “Securing the plane against counterintelligence and surveillance risks, moreover, would be costly. Initial reporting suggests that the plane would need to be substantially retrofitted by a military contractor to ensure it meets necessary security and counterintelligence standards, which could take years to complete. DOD, and by extension U.S. taxpayers, would thereby bear the ultimate cost, which could be significant. This timeline, moreover, reinforces that such a gift is not, in fact, intended for official use. By the time the plane would be ready for President Trump’s use as part of the Air Force One fleet, we would likely be approaching the final stretch of President Trump’s final term in office, at which point the Department would likely be directed to transfer it to President Trump’s presidential library for his ultimate personal use,” the Senators continued.

    Reed signed the letter along with U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    Full text of the letter follows:

    Dear Mr. Stebbins,

    We write to request that you conduct an inquiry into the Department of Defense’s (DOD) role in facilitating and serving as a pass-through for President Trump to receive a luxury plane worth an estimated $400 million from Qatar. 

    Following initial public reports, President Trump confirmed on May 12, 2025, that he intends to accept this unprecedented gift from the Qatari royal family, which would constitute one of the largest foreign gifts ever accepted by a President or the U.S. government. According to public reporting, the Qatari government initially considered donating the plane directly to President Trump through his presidential library, but the Administration sought legal advice to restructure the transfer to circumvent constitutional and statutory prohibitions, including federal bribery and ethics laws.

    Public reports raise the troubling prospect that the Administration involved DOD to (1) launder this impermissible gift, so that the Department could provide cover to give the transfer of the plane the appearance of an official gift; (2) place the onus on DOD to retrofit the plane at considerable cost to U.S. taxpayers; and (3) ultimately transfer it to President Trump’s library prior to the end of his term for his continued use in a personal capacity. 

    DOD risks becoming embroiled in a brazen attempt to evade constitutional limitations on the acceptance of personal gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. The Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Congress has granted consent in only a narrow set of circumstances under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, and none of these circumstances are applicable here.

    In addition to these serious constitutional and legal concerns, this foreign emolument – and DOD’s possible involvement in facilitating it – could present severe foreign influence and counterintelligence risks. It could entangle DOD in President Trump’s personal financial interests and conflicts of interest, warp DOD’s military recommendations and advice moving forward, and undermine public confidence in the Department. 

    Securing the plane against counterintelligence and surveillance risks, moreover, would be costly. Initial reporting suggests that the plane would need to be substantially retrofitted by a military contractor to ensure it meets necessary security and counterintelligence standards, which could take years to complete. DOD, and by extension U.S. taxpayers, would thereby bear the ultimate cost, which could be significant. This timeline, moreover, reinforces that such a gift is not, in fact, intended for official use. By the time the plane would be ready for President Trump’s use as part of the Air Force One fleet, we would likely be approaching the final stretch of President Trump’s final term in office, at which point the Department would likely be directed to transfer it to President Trump’s presidential library for his ultimate personal use. 

    Accordingly, we request that you initiate an inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding DOD’s involvement to date in seeking to facilitate this foreign gift transfer and pursue a comprehensive audit and investigation to assess fraud, waste, and abuse if and when such a transfer occurs.

    In doing so, we ask that you consider and provide an assessment of the following, including in classified form if needed: 

    •           the cost estimate and assessed timeline for retrofitting such an aircraft and installing communications and other equipment necessary to meet security and counterintelligence requirements for the Air Force One fleet; 

    •           the timeline, if any, that the White House has directed for this aircraft to be ready for the President’s use, whether necessary modifications can be made within such a timeframe to meet Air Force One standards, and what risks such a timeline could entail; 

    •           whether the existing contract for other Air Force One aircraft will continue or be terminated, including the cost of termination; and 

    •           the counterintelligence and security risks of incorporating this aircraft, provided by a foreign government, into the Air Force One fleet. 

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and to this request.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks & Connolly Lead Colleagues in Letter to OPM Opposing Trump Administration’s Revival of Schedule F

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11) led their colleagues in a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Charles Ezell opposing President Trump’s move to revive ‘Schedule F.’ Schedule F, now called Schedule Policy/Career, is a policy Trump pursued during his first term to reclassify federal workers, stripping them of their protections and making it easier for the Administration to carry out politically motivated firings.

    “The proposed rule will allow agencies to reclassify thousands of dedicated federal workers from the competitive service into the excepted service and therefore strip them of their civil service rights and protections,” wrote the members. “The impacts of this proposed rule will upend decades of reforms which have strengthened the federal workforce.”

    The members continued, “More than 2.2 million federal employees work every day to conduct life-saving research, defend our national security, uphold food and drug standards, monitor air and water quality, ensure flight safety and so much more. Nonpartisan, career civil servants, who make up the vast majority of our federal workforce, take an oath to defend the Constitution regardless of which political party occupies the White House.”

    “The Trump Administration has made clear its ambitions to undercut the nonpartisan civil service through the Schedule Policy/Career directive. Reclassifying civil service positions into the excepted service removes virtually all protections and rights currently afforded to civil servants,” the members wrote. “Coupled with the Trump Administration’s efforts to relocate and terminate wide swaths of the federal workforce, Schedule Policy/Career reclassifications will negatively affect recruitment and retention efforts for federal workers.”

    “As Members of Congress, we understand the vital role of our nonpartisan, highly-skilled civil servants and strongly oppose efforts to dismantle and politicize our country’s competitive federal workforce. Civil servants remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the public interest, not political agendas and deserve the full support of their government in that effort,” the members concluded.

    In addition to Sens. Warner, Kaine, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, and Connolly, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At-Large), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Suhas Sabramanyam (D-VA-10), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07).

    Sens. Warner, Kaine, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, and Connolly have been leading voices in Congress against efforts to dramatically reduce and politicize the federal workforce. Among other steps, Kaine and Connolly led the introduction of the Saving the Civil Service Act to protect the merit-based federal workforce system and prevent any position in the competitive service from being reclassified to Schedule F.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Acting Director Ezell:

    We write in strong opposition to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM)’s Proposed Rule – Improving Performance, Accountability, and Responsiveness in the Civil Service [OPM-2025-00041]. The proposed rule will allow agencies to reclassify thousands of dedicated federal workers from the competitive service into the excepted service and therefore strip them of their civil service rights and protections. The impacts of this proposed rule will upend decades of reforms which have strengthened the federal workforce. Rescheduling nonpartisan positions undermines the ability of federal agencies to fulfill their vital missions and ignores over 140 years of civil service precedent beginning with the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

    More than 2.2 million federal employees work every day to conduct life-saving research, defend our national security, uphold food and drug standards, monitor air and water quality, ensure flight safety and so much more. Nonpartisan, career civil servants, who make up the vast majority of our federal workforce, take an oath to defend the Constitution regardless of which political party occupies the White House. Furthermore, these individuals have the unique credentials and institutional experience required to ensure continuity and impartiality within the federal government. The American public benefits from a strong federal workforce supported by a nonpartisan civil service to conduct their critical work.

    On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14171 which claimed to immediately rescind regulations protecting civil servants and the merit system, reinstated Schedule F, and simultaneously directed OPM to engage in the rulemaking process to create a regulation supporting the reclassification order. Now known as Schedule Policy/Career, any positions that influence policy are directed to be reclassified into the excepted service. In accordance with EO 14171, OPM issued a proposed rule on Schedule Policy/Career which directs agencies to reclassify any position categorized as “confidential, policy-determining, policymaking or policy-advocating character” into the excepted service. 

    The Trump Administration has made clear its ambitions to undercut the nonpartisan civil service through the Schedule Policy/Career directive. Reclassifying civil service positions into the excepted service removes virtually all protections and rights currently afforded to civil servants. This includes due process and appeals rights that help ensure civil servants can conduct their duties without fear of politically-motivated removal or retaliatory measures. Removing these protections will make civil servants at-will employees and more susceptible to political pressures. Coupled with the Trump Administration’s efforts to relocate and terminate wide swaths of the federal workforce, Schedule Policy/Career reclassifications will negatively affect recruitment and retention efforts for federal workers.

    OPM’s directive to reschedule agency positions that have any involvement in policy will have devastating impacts not only on career civil servants and their families, but the communities that they serve. OPM estimates that 50,000 positions, which accounts for approximately 2% of the civil service, will ultimately be moved into Schedule Policy/Career. However, OPM’s failure to adequately define what factors constitute “confidential, policy-determining, policymaking or policy-advocating character” leaves interpretation largely up to each agency and risks the policy being much more broadly implemented than initially disclosed.   

    Already, agencies have begun taking the broadest approach to evaluating which positions to reclassify into Schedule Policy/Career. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reportedly has directed staff to prepare for large swaths of the agency to be reclassified. Internal documentation obtained by Government Executive indicates that Acting Administrator Lee Dudek recently instructed across-the-board reclassifications for senior leaders and over a half dozen offices within SSA. These positions encompass researchers and other supporting positions that do not set or impact policy decisions. The maximalist approach outlined by SSA foreshadows the wide-reaching implications of Schedule Political/Career which will negatively alter the federal workforce for decades to come.

    As Members of Congress, we understand the vital role of our nonpartisan, highly-skilled civil servants and strongly oppose efforts to dismantle and politicize our country’s competitive federal workforce. Civil servants remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the public interest, not political agendas and deserve the full support of their government in that effort. In that vein, we urge OPM to immediately rescind this proposed rule and collaborate with Congress to effectively manage government operations. 

    Sincerely,

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia, Maryland Senators Urge House to Pass D.C. Budget Fix

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD) urged House Republican leadership to take up and pass the bipartisan legislation, passed previously by the Senate, to allow the District of Columbia to use its own local funding. Today marks two months since that bill, authored by Sen. Van Hollen and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) – and cosponsored by Sens. Warner, Kaine, and Alsobrooks – passed the Senate unanimously.

    “It’s been two months since the Senate passed, with bipartisan support, a simple fix that allows the District of Columbia the ability make its own funding decisions, yet the House still refuses to act. Each day that this legislation stalls, we are leaving D.C. in the lurch, threatening the District’s schools, public safety, and emergency response operations. It’s well past time for the House to act,” Sen. Warner said.

    “Republican House leadership’s decision to stall a bipartisan bill—which even President Trump supports—to allow D.C. to spend its own money is ridiculous and wrong,” said Sen. Kaine. “Law enforcement officers’ salaries and the quality of D.C.’s public schools and transportation have hung in the balance for months because of the House’s failure to act. It’s time for Speaker Johnson to do his job, and bring this bill up for a vote like he promised.”

    “The District of Columbia should be able to spend its own revenue without Congress getting in the way. Yet by freezing over $1 billion of D.C.’s own funds through their sham funding bill in March, House Republicans are holding the District hostage – threatening the operations of local law enforcement, fire departments, schools, and more. This is all pain for D.C. residents, and no gain for federal taxpayers who aren’t saving a single cent as a result of this pointless provision. Two months ago today, the Senate unanimously passed the bill Senator Collins and I authored to fix this issue, and President Trump has urged the House to do the same. It’s time for Speaker Johnson to let this bill move forward and release D.C.’s funds,” said Sen. Van Hollen.

    “I worked with my fellow DMV Senators to pass a bipartisan solution to the $1.1 billion budget cuts in the disastrous CR. It has been waiting on the House’s vote for two months. At a time when our neighbor D.C. is experiencing economic hardship and hundreds of civil servants, many of whom are Marylanders, are losing their jobs in the district, we need to make sure this budget fix gets passed,” said Sen. Alsobrooks.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Unanimously Passes Cassidy, Grassley Resolution Recognizing National Police Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and 79 senators applaudedthe Senate’s unanimous passage of their resolution designating May 12 through 17 as National Police Week to reiterate the Senate’s unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States. 
    “As hostility toward police officers grows, threats to their safety increase. We must support those who risk their lives daily to protect our communities,” said Dr. Cassidy.
    “Law enforcement officers in Iowa and across the nation work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities. This week, and every week, we should give our thanks to the brave men and women in blue, who have sacrificed so much to ensure our safety,” said Senator Grassley. “As always, I’m proud to back the blue and will continue my efforts in Congress to protect and support our courageous officers.” 
    Cassidy and Grassley were joined by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Kennedy (R-LA), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jim Risch (R-ID), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rand Paul (R-KY), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jim Banks (R-IN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ted Budd (R-NC), Gary Peters (D-MI), Thomas Tillis (R-NC), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mark Warner (D-VA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Steve Daines (R-MT), Margaret Hassan (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Thune (R-SD), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jon Husted (R-OH), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Todd Young (R-IN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and John Boozman (R-AR) in introducing the resolution.
    Background
    Every year, for more than six decades, Congress has passed a resolution in honor of law enforcement officers. During National Police Week, Americans pay special tribute to the service and sacrifice of courageous officers and their families, especially our nation’s fallen heroes. Cassidy is a consistent supporter of law enforcement. This month, he introduced legislation recognizing law enforcement officers for their diligence in protecting and serving our communities and calling for increased health and safety measures for law enforcement professionals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liz Saville Roberts MP: ‘Starmer’s PMQs outburst shows he knows I’m right’

    Source: Party of Wales

    ‘The only principle the PM defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group’ – Plaid Cymru

    Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP today challenged Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his shifting stance on migration, accusing him of abandoning principles for political convenience.

     

    Keir Starmer responded by attacking Ms Saville Roberts for “talking rubbish”. The Plaid Cymru MP said the Prime Minister’s response showed she had “struck a nerve”, and that the faces of Labour MPs in the chamber suggested that “plenty of them know [she] was right”.

     

    Liz Saville Roberts MP:

    “This Prime Minister once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and defending free movement. Now he talks of ‘islands of strangers’ and ‘taking back control’.

    “Somebody here has to call this out, Mr Speaker. It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group.

    “So I ask him: is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?”

     

    Keir Starmer responded:

    “Yes – the belief that she talks rubbish. Mr Speaker, I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers. The loss of control of migration by the last government put all that at risk – that’s why we’re fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness.”

     

    Speaking after the session, Liz Saville Roberts MP added:

    “The Prime Minister’s outburst showed that my question struck a nerve. The expressions on the faces of many Labour MPs told their own story – plenty of them know I was right. If his convictions change with the political weather, it’s no surprise that support for Labour in Wales, as across Britain, is falling through the floor.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson applauds South Carolina Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood caseRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today declared legal victory following the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the state’s 2023 Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. The Court rejected Planned Parenthood’s latest legal challenge, affirming that the General Assembly acted within its constitutional authority to regulate abortion in the state in most instances at approximately six weeks of pregnancy.

    “This ruling is a resounding win for the rule of law and protecting the unborn in South Carolina,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Today’s decision reaffirms that our elected legislators, not out-of-state interest groups, hold the power to shape South Carolina’s policies in accordance with the values of its people.”

    The Supreme Court held that the 2023 Act bans abortion—unless an exception applies—at a single biologically identifiable moment in time, which in most instances occurs at approximately six weeks of pregnancy.

    Attorney General Wilson praised the efforts of the litigation team in his office and reiterated his commitment to defending laws passed by the General Assembly.

    “We will continue to stand for life, defend the law, and fight for the will of South Carolinians in every courtroom,” Wilson added.

    You can read the courts’ ruling here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public invited to leave feedback on planned roundabout at US 12/Old Highway 9 near Grand Mound May 14-28

    Source: Washington State News 2

    GRAND MOUND – Community members can learn more about a planned roundabout on US 12 west of Grand Mound during an online open house.

    Beginning Wednesday, May 14, the Washington State Department of Transportation will host an online open house for a new single-lane roundabout. The roundabout will replace a stop sign at the US 12 intersection with Old Highway 9.

    Visitors are encouraged to leave feedback to help with the final design of the roundabout.

    WSDOT routinely reviews intersections along state highways in rural areas around the state to find ways to reduce potential collisions. Roundabouts help reduce the potential for crashes while keeping people moving.

    US 12/Old Highway 9 Roundabout Online Open House

    When:  Wednesday, May 14 to Wednesday, May 28

    Where:  https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/us-12-old-highway-9-roundabout/

    Details:  The online open house is available 24/7 for people to visit and fill out the questionnaire whenever best fits their schedule.

    Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout the state. To find the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot visit the Department of Commerce website.

    Free WiFi access is available at these locations for people who wish to participate in the online open house:

    • Tenino Timberland Library, 172 Central Avenue West, Tenino, WA 98589
    • Timberland Regional Library Headquarters, 415 Tumwater Boulevard Southwest, Tumwater WA 98501

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India’s Operation Sindoor draws global support as new front against cross-border terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, India has mounted a decisive and strategic response aimed at dismantling cross-border terrorism. The attack, which drew widespread condemnation and grief across the country, prompted immediate and firm action by the Government of India, with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approving a range of diplomatic and military measures targeting Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.
     
    Among the key diplomatic actions taken, India placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan verifiably ceases its support for cross-border terror activities. The Integrated Check Post at Attari was closed, and Pakistani nationals were barred from entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi were declared persona non grata, while the strength of both High Commissions was halved from 55 to 30 personnel.
     
    As part of a precise military strategy, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a calibrated campaign designed to neutralize key terror camps across the border. Based on multi-agency intelligence, nine significant terror infrastructure sites, including those in Bahawalpur and Muridke, were identified and targeted through coordinated air and ground strikes. The operation was executed with high operational ethics, focusing exclusively on terrorist camps while taking all precautions to prevent civilian casualties.
     
    Indian strikes successfully eliminated more than 100 terrorists and destroyed 11 air bases within Pakistan. Among those neutralized were high-value individuals linked to the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudassir Ahmad.
     
    The strikes marked a shift in India’s strategy by targeting deep into Pakistani territory, including critical radar installations in Lahore and Gurjanwala. Additionally, coordinated missile attacks were carried out on terror hubs in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Muzaffarabad and Kotli. Military bases housing Pakistan’s F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets at Sargodha and Bholari were hit, leading to the destruction of nearly 20 percent of Pakistan’s air force infrastructure.
     
    India’s retaliatory operations were launched in response to not only the Pahalgam attack but also subsequent Pakistani provocations, including drone and missile attacks on Indian civilian and religious areas on the nights of May 7, 8, and 9. Indian forces successfully intercepted and neutralized these threats, reinforcing the country’s operational readiness and commitment to defending its sovereignty.
     
    In a televised address on May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the resolve behind Operation Sindoor, calling it not just a military campaign but a reflection of the collective sentiment of the Indian people. He reiterated that terrorism would be met with decisive force, rejecting any possibility of dialogue or trade with Pakistan until terrorism is addressed. He stated unequivocally that water and blood cannot flow together and emphasized that the only issue India is willing to discuss is the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
     
    As Pakistani forces continued mortar shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), India responded forcefully, targeting terrorist bunkers and Pakistani army positions. Unable to withstand the Indian response, Pakistan sought a ceasefire, with its Director General of Military Operations contacting his Indian counterpart. A ceasefire was declared on May 10, but Pakistan violated it soon after, sending drones into Indian territory, which were swiftly countered by Indian forces.
     
    Despite the ceasefire at the borders, Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. The Indian Armed Forces remain on high alert to counter any future threats, with field commanders granted operational freedom to respond to provocations.
     
    India’s robust and restrained response has garnered wide support from the international community. World powers have condemned the Pahalgam attack and endorsed India’s right to self-defense. The United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, the United States, France, Japan, and key Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar expressed solidarity with India. European Union member states, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Panama, and even Palestine joined the chorus of condemnation.
     
    Each expressed their support for India’s fight against terrorism, with many recognizing Operation Sindoor as a legitimate and proportionate response. Iran’s President personally conveyed condolences to Prime Minister Modi, and global leaders have emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism.

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — Four drivers arrested by RCMP NL for impaired driving offences this past weekend

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Over this past weekend, RCMP NL arrested four individuals for impaired driving offences. Drivers were stopped in Harbour Grace, Roddickton, Marystown and Philips Head.

    Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, Harbour Grace RCMP responded to the report of a suspected impaired driver. The described vehicle was located and stopped on Water Street in Harbour Grace. The driver, a 67-year-old woman, showed signs of alcohol impairment and was arrested. Back at the detachment, the woman refused to provided breath samples. She now faces charges of impaired operation and refusing to provide a breath sample.

    Approximately 40 minutes later, Roddickton RCMP stopped a vehicle in front of the detachment on Cloud Drive in Roddickton. The driver, a 56-year-old man, showed signs of drug impairment. The man performed poorly on roadside field sobriety tests and was arrested for drug impaired driving. He was transported to White Bay Central Health Centre in Roddickton where a blood sample was obtained. Police await the results of the testing to determine if charges of drug impaired driving are appropriate.

    Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, Burin Peninsula RCMP stopped a vehicle on Columbia Drive in Marystown. The vehicle was uninsured and had expired registration. The driver, 44-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment and failed a roadside breath test. He was arrested and was transported to the detachment where he provided further breath samples that were above the legal limit. He faces charges of impaired operation and was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act for operating a vehicle without insurance and registration.

    Later that day, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP responded to the report of a suspected impaired driver. The described vehicle was located and stopped on Route 352 in Philips Head. The driver, a 51-year-old man, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. At the detachment, the man provided further breath samples that were more than twice the legal limit. He faces charges of impaired operation.

    All drivers were released from custody and those who are set to face charges are scheduled to appear in court at later dates. Licence suspensions and vehicle seizures occurred where appropriate.

    This week, during Canada Road Safety Week, RCMP NL remain focussed on road safety, including the enforcement of those who choose to drive while impaired. If you suspect a driver is impaired, please contact your local detachment or 911 to make a report.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Youtech Deepens Texas Roots with Dallas-Area Talent Expansion Across Key Local Sectors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Youtech’s growing Dallas team to drive digital success for Texas’s leading industries, including home services, healthcare, legal services, and beyond
    • Building on national strength, Youtech enhances local expertise and client outcomes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

    DALLAS, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Youtech, a leading global full-service digital marketing agency, today announced a significant phase of national growth fueled by the expansion of its talented workforce, including a growing team right here in Dallas. As part of its 120-strong national team, Youtech is actively hiring to increase its impact, focusing on building its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This strategic initiative will enhance the agency’s service capabilities and support its expanding client base, both locally and nationwide.

    Youtech’s growing Dallas team will provide specialized support to key local industries such as home services (HVAC, roofing, plumbing), healthcare, legal services (personal injury, divorce, corporate), and more. By leveraging its deep understanding of the Dallas market and these specific sectors, Youtech aims to deliver highly effective and locally relevant digital marketing solutions.

    Looking ahead, Youtech projects substantial long-term growth nationally, including its expanded presence in Dallas. This reflects the team’s proven track record in understanding and serving local businesses, complementing its national success in meeting the increasing demand for data-driven digital marketing expertise. This includes optimizing local online visibility through innovations like Google Ads, backed by its status as a Google Premier Partner (top 3% of U.S. agencies), and crafting compelling web design and branding tailored to target audiences.

    “This national growth, with a significant focus on expanding our team in Dallas, marks an exciting chapter for Youtech,” said Wilbur You, CEO and Founder of Youtech. “Strengthening our presence here allows us to better serve our valued local clients across vital Texas industries while attracting top-tier talent from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional results, and this strategic growth, including the launch of our innovative YouRank GEO service, will enable us to elevate the marketing performance of businesses in Dallas and nationwide in the age of AI.”

    As one of the largest digital marketing agencies in the nation, Youtech continues to set new benchmarks in the industry, driving measurable results for businesses across various sectors through its comprehensive suite of services.

    About Youtech
    Youtech & Associates Inc. (“Youtech”) is a leading, full-service digital marketing agency providing solutions to brands of all sizes. Bootstrapped in 2012 with an investment of just $600, the agency has since become an award-winning powerhouse serving over 2,000 clients, completing over 10,000 projects, and generating over $10 billion in client sales worldwide. With a strong and expanding presence in Scottsdale, alongside offices in Chicago and Dallas, Youtech is one of the fastest-growing digital marketing firms in the country. Learn more about Youtech at https://www.youtechagency.com/.

    Company Contact
    Michael Norris
    mnorris@youtechagency.com

    Media Contact
    Jessica Starman
    media@elev8newmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Results of the Annual General Meeting of GAM Holding AG

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Zurich: 14 May 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Results of the Annual General Meeting of GAM Holding AG

    • All proposals, as recommended by the Board of Directors, were approved with large majorities
    • Chairman and all members of the Board of Directors re-elected

    At the Annual General Meeting held on 14 May 2025, the shareholders of GAM Holding AG approved all the proposals put forward by the Board of Directors.

    Shareholders who were unable to attend the Annual General Meeting could give their voting instructions to an independent proxy; 83% of the total 1,065,257,891 shares (as registered in the commercial register) were represented in comparison with 53% in 2024. The management report, the annual company’s and consolidated financial statements were approved, and shareholders discharged the members of the Board of Directors elected at the AGM on 15 May 2024 and the Group Management Board for the financial year 2024. The compensation report for 2024 was approved in a non-binding consultative vote.

    Increase in conditional capital and amendment to the Articles of Incorporation approved

    The Board of Directors proposed an increase in conditional capital and a corresponding amendment of the Articles of Incorporation to meet its obligations under various Board of Director and employee incentive plans. These proposals were approved.

    Re-elections and elections to the Board of Directors

    Antoine Spillmann was re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Anthony Maarek, Jeremy Smouha, Carlos Esteve, Inès de Dinechin, Anne Empain and Donatella Ceccarelli as members of the Board of Directors. All members of the Board of Directors were elected for a term of office until the end of the Annual General Meeting 2026.

    Compensation decisions

    Shareholders also approved all the compensation proposals, including retrospective share-based compensation for the Board of Directors and Group Management Board.

    Antoine Spillmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our shareholders for their unwavering trust and support. GAM entered a phase of renewed stability and strategic momentum during 2024 and with the successful conclusion of today’s Annual General Meeting and the approval of all proposals, we have made significant strides in our journey towards transformation. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we remain fully committed to delivering sustainable growth, strong investment performance, and lasting value for our clients, and all our stakeholders.”

    The complete voting results, biographies of the elected Board of Directors and further information on the Annual General Meeting can be found on the company’s website here: www.gam.com/agm2025.

    Additional information

    AGM Portal |  2024 Sustainability Report  |  GAM corporate calendar

    For further information please contact:

    Investor Relations       
    Magdalena Czyzowska  
    T +44 (0) 207 917 2508     		 Media Relations           
    Colin Bennett                
    T +44 (0) 207 393 8544

    Visit us: www.gam.com
     Follow us: X and LinkedIn

    About GAM

    GAM is an independent investment manager that is listed in Switzerland. It is an active, independent global asset manager that delivers distinctive and differentiated investment solutions for its clients across its Investment and Wealth Management Businesses. Its purpose is to protect and enhance its clients’ financial future. It attracts and empowers the brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment. Total assets under management were CHF 16.3 billion as of 31 December 2024. GAM has global distribution with offices in 14 countries and is geographically diverse with clients in almost every continent. Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments was founded in 1983 and its registered office is at Hardstrasse 201 Zurich, 8037 Switzerland. For more information about GAM Investments, please visit www.gam.com

    Other Important Information

    This release contains or may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “aim”, “project”, “forecast”, “risk”, “likely”, “intend”, “outlook”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “continue”, “plan”, “probability”, “indicative”, “seek”, “target”, “plan” and other similar expressions are intended to or may identify forward-looking statements.

    Any such statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, projections, guidance, and estimates. Any forward-looking statements in this release are not indications, guarantees, assurances or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the person making such statements, its affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors and may involve significant elements of subjective judgement and assumptions as to future events which may or may not be correct and may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and no person accepts or assumes any liability in connection therewith.

    This release is not a financial product or investment advice, a recommendation to acquire, exchange or dispose of securities or accounting, legal or tax advice. It has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, legal, financial or tax situation and needs of individuals. Before making an investment decision, individuals should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, legal, financial and tax situation and needs and seek legal, tax and other advice as appropriate for their individual needs and jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gabelli Multimedia Trust Reinforces Maintenance of $0.88 per Share Annual Distribution Continues Monthly Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RYE, N.Y., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Multimedia Trust Inc. (NYSE:GGT) (the “Fund”) approved the continuation of its policy of paying fixed monthly cash distributions. The Board of Directors declared cash distributions as set forth below for each of July, August, and September 2025.

     Distribution Month  Record Date  Payable Date  Distribution Per Share
     July  July 17, 2025  July 24, 2025  $0.07
     August  August 15, 2025  August 22, 2025  $0.07
     September  September 16, 2025  September 16, 2025  $0.08

    Under its monthly distribution policy, the Fund will continue to pay a $0.22 per share quarterly distribution, with $0.07 per share paid for each of the first two months of the quarter and $0.08 per share paid in the third month of each quarter.

    In light of the above policy, the Fund previously declared a $0.14 per share cash distribution (covering the months of April and May) payable on May 22, 2025 to common stock shareholders of record on May 15, 2025, and a $0.08 per share cash distribution payable on June 23, 2025 to common stock shareholders of record on June 13, 2025. The distributions reflect an annualized distribution of $0.88 per share.

    The Fund previously paid quarterly distributions in accordance with a “managed distribution policy” adopted pursuant to an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which permitted the Fund to distribute long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Fund no longer intends to rely on this exemptive relief to maintain a managed distribution policy in connection with its monthly distributions.

    The Fund currently intends to make monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of its investment company taxable income (which includes ordinary income and realized net short term capital gains) to common shareholders. The Fund also intends to make annual distributions of its realized net long term capital gains, if any. The Fund, however, may make more than one capital gain distribution to avoid paying U.S. federal excise tax. A portion of each distribution may be a return of capital. Various factors will affect the level of the Fund’s income. To permit the Fund to maintain more stable distributions, the Fund may from time to time distribute more or less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The Fund’s distribution policy may be modified from time to time by the Board as it deems appropriate, including in light of market and economic conditions and the Fund’s current, expected and historical earnings and investment performance. Because the Fund’s monthly distributions are subject to modification by the Board at any time and the Fund’s income will fluctuate, there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions at a particular rate or frequency.

    Based on the accounting records of the Fund currently available, each of the distributions paid to common shareholders in 2025 would be deemed 100% from paid-in capital on a book basis. This does not represent information for tax reporting purposes. The estimated components of each distribution are updated and provided to shareholders of record in a notice accompanying the distribution and are available on our website (www.gabelli.com). The final determination of the sources of all distributions in 2025 will be made after year end and can vary from the monthly estimates. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution. All individual shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for all 2025 distributions in early 2026 via Form 1099-DIV.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Fund’s distribution policy and other information about the Fund, call:

    Carter Austin
    (914) 921-5475

    About The Gabelli Multimedia Trust
    The Gabelli Multimedia Trust Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with $194 million in total net assets whose primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (OTCQX: GAMI).

    NYSE: GGT
    CUSIP – 36239Q109

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Carter Austin
    (914) 921-5475
    caustin@gabelli.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Youtech Fuels National Growth with Chicago-Area Talent Expansion Across the Midwest’s Core Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Youtech’s expansion unleashes digital success for Illinois’ foundational industries
    • Solidifying its position as one of the nation’s largest digital marketing agencies, Youtech demonstrates unyielding momentum for future growth

    CHICAGO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Youtech, a leading full-service digital marketing agency with a significant local presence in the Chicago area and recognized as one of the largest in the United States, today announced a substantial phase of national growth, powered in part by the expansion of its team right here in the heart of the Midwest. This strategic initiative will enhance the agency’s ability to serve its growing client base both locally and across the country, supporting the very backbone of the region’s economy.

    Building upon its established Chicago team, a crucial part of its national workforce, Youtech is actively hiring to increase its employee count to over 150 by the end of 2025. This growth will significantly strengthen the Chicago office, enhancing its ability to deliver exceptional results for Illinois, the Midwest, and national clients. Their local expertise supports vital regional sectors, including food security for non-profits and sustainability for environmental services. The agency also drives growth for the gaming and brewery industries, home services industry (HVAC, roofing, plumbing), construction material suppliers, and more.

    Looking ahead, Youtech projects substantial long-term growth, with a clear trajectory to exceed 250 employees nationally within the next three years. This ambitious forecast reflects the Lisle office’s consistent contributions to the agency’s success in driving results for Illinois and Midwest businesses across diverse industries, its client-focused approach, and the increasing demand for its data-driven digital marketing expertise. This includes optimizing local online visibility for businesses, crafting captivating web design, and creating branding that resonates with local target audiences, whether they are looking to find sustainable environmental solutions vital for the region’s future, enjoy entertainment that drives local economies, or improve their homes and communities.

    “This rapid growth marks an exciting chapter for Youtech, and our Chicago-area team is a cornerstone of our national success, deeply connected to the industries that form the backbone of the Midwest,” said Wilbur You, CEO and Founder of Youtech. “Strengthening our physical presence in key markets like Chicago allows us to even better serve our valued local clients across vital Illinois and regional industries while also attracting top-tier talent from the greater Chicago area to our growing team. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional results, and this strategic growth, including the launch of our innovative YouRank GEO service, will enable us to elevate the marketing performance of businesses right here in the Midwest and across the nation in the age of AI.”

    As one of the largest digital marketing agencies in the nation, with a significant and expanding team right here in Chicago serving a diverse portfolio of Illinois and Midwest-based clients in sectors like non-profit, environmental services, healthcare, entertainment, home improvement, hospitality, and construction, Youtech continues to set new benchmarks in the industry, generating measurable results for businesses across a wide range of sectors through its comprehensive suite of services, supporting the economic vitality of the region.

    About Youtech
    Youtech & Associates Inc. (“Youtech”) is a leading, full-service digital marketing agency providing solutions to brands of all sizes. Bootstrapped in 2012 with an investment of just $600, the agency has since become an award-winning powerhouse serving over 2,000 clients, completing over 10,000 projects, and generating over $10 billion in client sales worldwide. With a strong and expanding presence in Scottsdale, alongside offices in Chicago and Dallas, Youtech is one of the fastest-growing digital marketing firms in the country. Learn more about Youtech at https://www.youtechagency.com/.

    Company Contact
    Michael Norris
    mnorris@youtechagency.com

    Media Contact
    Jessica Starman
    media@elev8newmedia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Murray, Blumenthal Introduce Resolution to Celebrate VA Researchers and to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Veteran-Focused Research at VA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    May 13, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, DC] – To honor our nation’s Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers and commemorate the 100th anniversary of Veteran-focused research beginning at what is now known as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S Senators Murray (D-WA) and Blumenthal (D-CT)—member and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), respectively—introduced a resolution to designate May 12th to 16th as Veterans Affairs Research Week. Her resolution recognizes the vital, lifesaving and cutting-edge research conducted by the department that improves the lives of Veterans, people in the United States and individuals worldwide. Duckworth is a combat Veteran and a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC).
    “The scientists and researchers at the VA are incredible public servants who work relentlessly to improve the care and services our Veterans have earned,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution to commemorate this important milestone and celebrate the researchers who help improve our Veterans’ lives. The least we can do is recognize and celebrate the innovation that helps keep our Veterans and those worldwide healthy.”
    “Our veterans made tremendous sacrifices for our country, and as a nation we make a promise to take care of them when they come home. VA research is at the forefront of innovation and care for our veterans—from advancements in treating cancers from burn pit exposure to developing new artificial limb technology,” said Murray. “This week we celebrate the 100th anniversary of VA research, but all of that progress is at risk as the Trump administration is mass firing VA employees and researchers and taking an axe to medical research across the board. I will keep fighting back as hard as I can to make sure every veteran has access to the care they need—and that VA researchers can continue their important work.”
    “As the Trump/Musk regime slashes health research funding, we should stand strongly with VA researchers and the incredible work they do for veterans and all Americans,” said Blumenthal. “VA research has led to life-changing medical innovations benefiting millions across the globe— including CT scans, the pacemaker, the first liver transplant, and many more. Our resolution rightfully honors these researchers, their groundbreaking contributions, and this remarkable milestone for VA research.” 
    In 1925, the Veterans’ Bureau, the predecessor to the Department of Veterans Affairs, established the Medical Research Section. Just a few years later, in 1933, the Hines VA Medical Center in Chicago became home to the VA’s first research laboratory to receive direct funding from VA Central Office, leading to early breakthroughs like advancements in skin cancer research. Since then, VA scientists and medical researchers have contributed to a vast range of critical breakthroughs. These include the first effective treatments for tuberculosis, the development of an implantable cardiac pacemaker, the first large clinical trials of hearing aids, the first successful transplantation of a liver and the discovery of a hormone that paved the way for the development of GLP–1 agonist medications. These advancements may become some of the most consequential health advances of the 21st century.
    A copy of the resolution is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, McClain, Delaney, Moylan Introduce Legislation to Expand Leave Benefits for Military Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    May 12, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Veterans’ Affairs Committees (SVAC)—and U.S. Representatives April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06) and James Moylan (R-GU-AL) introduced legislation to modernize the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in order to help ensure that military caregiver benefits are available to more people who selflessly care for their servicemember or Veteran family member in medical need. The Making it Likely for Families of the Military to Live with Leave Access (MIL FMLA) Act would expand FMLA leave benefits for military family members who aren’t currently covered under the FMLA.
    “It’s long overdue that Congress expands leave benefits for the selfless Americans who care for their servicemember or Veteran loved ones—who often have complex and unique medical needs as a result of their service,” said Senator Duckworth. “No servicemember should ever have to worry whether they and their loved ones will have the benefits needed to care for them after their service—it hurts our military readiness and recruiting. Supporting caregivers isn’t just about doing something humanitarian. It’s about the safety and security of our nation.”
    “Over 14 million Americans care for injured servicemembers and veterans, yet current law leaves too many behind,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “The bipartisan MIL FMLA Act, which I’m proud to lead with Congressman Moylan, ensures all military caregivers—including domestic partners and extended family—can access the leave they deserve, without arbitrary restrictions. This bill is a step toward truly honoring the service and sacrifice of those who care for our nation’s heroes.”
    “I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan MIL FMLA Act with Rep. McClain Delaney, which will address inequities that our veterans, servicemembers, and their families face every day,” said Congressman Moylan. “As the representative of the district with the highest level of enlistments per capita, and as a veteran myself, this bill addresses the countless underlying issues that affect our ability and willingness to serve. I look forward to working with Rep. McClain Delaney to deliver for those in our country who have served and currently serve our country.”
    The MIL FMLA Act would address the gaps in FMLA that have left many military caregivers without adequate leave access by:
    Adding reserve components and domestic deployments as covered active duty for family members;
    Eliminating the requirement that military caregiver protections only apply to Veterans who served within the last five years;
    Allowing military caregivers to utilize special military caregiver FMLA leave more than once;
    Expanding military caregiver provisions to cover domestic partners and other close family members like aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, grandparents, grandchildren and other loved ones; and
    Creating a new form of leave, specifically for Veterans who need extended time to address serious injuries or illnesses related to their service.
    Along with Duckworth, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
    Along with McClain Delaney and Moylan, the legislation is cosponsored in the House by U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), André Carson (D-IN-07), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Johnny Olszewksi (D-MD-02), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13) and Rasihda Tlaib (D-MI-12).
    The legislation is endorsed by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, National Military Family Association, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Center for American Progress (CAP), Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), Caregiver Action Network, National Partnership for Women & Families, VoteVets, Caring Across Generations, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), MomsRising, Family Values @ Work, Common Defense, A Better Balance, Truman National Security Project, Secure Families Initiative and Agency for Community EmPOWERment (ACE) of NEPA.
    “The Making It Likely for Families of the Military to Live with Leave Access Act is a crucial step forward in helping those who make countless sacrifices for their country,” said Molly Weston Williamson, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. “Service members, veterans, and their loved ones deserve the time they need to respond to the effects of service. No one should have to risk their job in order to ensure they or their family can get the care they need or to address the impacts of deployment.”
    Full text of the legislation is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    Duckworth has long been a leader in pushing for better benefits and support for members of the armed and uniformed services and their family members. In April, she introduced legislation that would help expand leave benefits for the millions of devoted health professionals serving in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps. Last year, she helped secure $2.9 billion to support family caregivers of disabled Veterans and $2.4 billion to expand benefits and services for military and Veteran caregivers to include health care and mental health services, among other things. Last month, she renewed her push to ensure IVF treatment costs are covered on servicemembers’ and military families’ health care plans. Last December, Duckworth helped pass the bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that gave servicemembers a pay raise and included a Duckworth-led provision to improve access to high-quality medical care for servicemembers and their families in the Indo-Pacific region, among other wins for military families.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests Afghani national convicted of assault in Maryland

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 27-year-old Afghani national Javid Ahmadi May 13 in Elkridge, Maryland. Ahmadi has been convicted of second-degree assault.

    “The arrest of this criminal alien offender, who has been convicted of assault here in Maryland, highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals who violate our immigration laws and engage in serious criminal activity after entering the United States illegally,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker. “ICE Baltimore will continue to prioritize the arrest and removal of criminal aliens who endanger the safety and well-being of our Maryland communities.”

    The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Ahmadi near San Ysidro, California, Oct. 10, 2023, and served him a notice to appear. On the same date, Border Patrol released him on an order of recognizance.

    On June 19, 2024, the Anne Arundel County Police Department arrested and charged Ahmadi for second-degree assault, a fourth-degree sex offense and indecent exposure. The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in Annapolis convicted Ahmadi for the offense of second-degree assault April 9 and sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days of confinement, but ultimately suspended his entire sentence.

    Ahmadi will remain in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBaltimore.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sinaloa cartel leaders charged with narco-terrorism, material support of terrorism and drug trafficking in ICE, FBI investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN DIEGO – An indictment unsealed May 13 is the first in the nation to charge alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin into the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI are investigating this case.

    “These charges highlight the unwavering efforts of transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel to flood our communities with deadly drugs,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “HSI and our law enforcement partners will not allow cartel-driven drug trafficking to threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. We are all lasered focused on a unified effort to dismantling these networks and their factions in bringing those responsible to justice.”

    Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, are charged with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering as key leaders of the Beltran Leyva Organization, a powerful and violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is believed to be the world’s largest known fentanyl production network. Five other BLO leaders are charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. The indictment is a direct result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on February 20, 2025.

    “The Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization and dismantling them demands a novel, powerful legal response,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Their days of brutalizing the American people without consequence are over — we will seek life in prison for these terrorists.”

    “Operation Take Back America initiatives reflect the reality that narco-terrorists operate as a cancer within a state,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “They metastasize violence, corruption and fear. If left unchecked, their growth would lead to the death of law and order. This indictment is what justice looks like when the full measure of the Department of Justice along with its law enforcement partners is brought to bear against the Sinaloa Cartel.”

    “BLO, under the leadership of Inzunza Noriega, is allegedly responsible for some of the largest-ever drug seizures of fentanyl and cocaine destined for the United States,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “Their drugs not only destroy lives and communities, but also threaten our national security. The law enforcement efforts against the Noriegas reaffirms our commitment to dismantling and disrupting this very dangerous narco-terrorist group and combating narco-trafficking.”

    According to court documents, since its inception the Beltran Leyva faction has been considered one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations to operate in Mexico, engaging in shootouts, murders, kidnappings, torture and violent collection of drug debts to sustain its operations. The Beltran Leyva faction controls numerous territories and plazas throughout Mexico – including Tijuana – and operates with violent impunity, trafficking in deadly drugs, threatening communities, and targeting key officials, all while making millions of dollars from their criminal activities.

    Pedro Inzunza Noriega works closely with his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, to produce and aggressively traffic fentanyl to the United States, the government has alleged. Court documents indicate that together the father and son lead one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world. Over the past several years, they have trafficked tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl into the United States. On December 3, 2024, Mexican law enforcement raided multiple locations in Sinaloa that are controlled and managed by the father and son and seized 1,500 kilograms (more than 1.65 tons) of fentanyl – the largest seizure of fentanyl in the world.

    These indictments follow a notable tradition in the Southern District of California for targeting leadership and operations of powerful Mexican cartels – from the dismantling of the Arellano Felix Cartel to major strikes against today’s most dangerous, powerful and violent cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel and now the Beltran Leyva Organization. It is the first indictment from the newly formed Narco-Terrorism Unit which was established upon the swearing in of U.S. Attorney Gordon on April 11, 2025.

    The indictment of Pedro Inzunza Noriega reflects the Southern District of California’s pursuit of the Sinaloa Cartel. Federal drug trafficking indictments are pending against all alleged leaders of its Beltran Leyva faction, including:

    • Fausto Isidro Meza Flores aka “Chapo Isidro,” case number: 19-CR-1272 in the Southern District of California and 12-116BAH in the District of Columbia
    • Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe aka “El Musico,” case number 19-CR-3736 in the Southern District of California; 09-CR-00672 in the Northern District of Illinois; 15-CR-00195 in the District of Columbia, and
    • Pedro Inzunza Noriega aka “Sagitario,” case number 25cr1505.

    The Southern District of California also has indictments pending against other leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, including:

    • Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar aka “El Chapito,” case number 14-cr-00658 in the Southern District of California and 09-CR-383 in the Northern District of Illinois
    • Ismael Zambada Sicairos aka “Mayito Flaco,” case number: 14-cr-00658 in the Southern District of California; and
    • Jose Gil Caro Quintero aka “El Chino,” case number 22-cr-00036 in the District of Columbia

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton.

    Defendants for Case Number 25cr1505

    Name Age Location
    Pedro Inzunza Noriega | aka “Sagitario,” aka “120,” aka “El De La Silla” 62 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
    Pedro Inzunza Coronel | aka “Pichon,” Aka “Pajaro”, aka “Bird” 33 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
    David Alejandro Heredia Velazquez | aka “Tano,” aka “Mr. Jordan” 50 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
    Oscar Rene Gonzalez Menendez | aka “Rubio” 45 Guatemala City, Guatemala
    Elias Alberto Quiros Benavides 53 San Jose, Costa Rica
    Daniel Eduardo Bojorquez | aka “Chopper” 47 Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
    Javier Alonso Vazquez Sanchez | aka “Tito”, aka “Drilo” 31 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

    Summary of Charges

    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 960a and 841 – Narco-Terrorism
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years in prison; $20 million fine
    • Title 18, U.S.C. Sec. 2339B – Providing Material Support to Terrorism
      Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a) -Continuing Criminal Enterprise
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 959, 960, and 963 – International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846 – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963 – Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
    • Money Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
      Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved

    The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Track Group Reports 2nd Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NAPERVILLE, Ill., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Track Group, Inc. (OTCQB: TRCK), a global leader in offender tracking and monitoring services, today announced financial results for its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 (“Q2 FY25”). In Q2 FY25, the Company posted (i) total revenue of $8.4 Million (“M”), a decrease of approximately 7% over total revenue of $9.0M for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (“Q2 FY24”); (ii) Q2 FY25 gross profit of $4.1M representing an increase of approximately 4% over Q2 FY24 of $4.0M; (iii) Q2 FY25 operating income of $0.04M compared to Q2 FY24 operating loss of ($0.96M); and (iv) net loss attributable to common shareholders of ($0.5M) in Q2 FY25 compared to ($1.9M) in Q2 FY24.

    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

    • Total Q2 FY25 revenue of $8.4M was down 7% compared to Q2 FY24 revenue of $9.0M. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2025 (“6M FY25’) of $17.0M was down approximately 5% compared to revenue of $18.0M for the six months ended March 31, 2024 (“6M FY24”). The decrease in monitoring revenues is driven principally by a decrease in people assigned to monitoring for clients in Virginia, and due to our recently sold Chilean subsidiary. This decrease was partially offset by revenue increases for clients in Illinois, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas who experienced increases in the number of people assigned to monitoring.
    • Gross Profit of $4.1M rose by 4% ($0.1M) in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24. Gross profit for 6M FY25 was $8.5M compared to gross profit of $8.2M for 6M FY24. This improvement stems from factors including reduced monitoring center costs, partly offset by a decrease in revenue. 
    • Operating income in Q2 FY25 of $0.04M was up approximately 105% compared to an operating loss of ($0.96M) in Q2 FY24. Operating income for 6M FY25 of $0.2M was up approximately 115% compared to operating loss of ($1.1M) for 6M FY24. This rise in operating income is primarily due to a decrease in cost of revenue and a decrease in operating expense, partially offset by a decrease in revenue. Operating expenses were down $0.8M in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24, primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative payroll, benefits, and payroll taxes of $0.5M due to the sale of our Chilean subsidiary on November 1, 2024 and a settlement expense related to a contract dispute of $0.5M in Q2 FY24.
    • Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 FY25 was $1.3M compared to $0.8M for Q2 FY24. Adjusted EBITDA for 6M FY25 was $2.6M compared to Adjusted EBITDA for 6M FY24 of $1.9M primarily due to negative currency exchange rate movements of $0.6M in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24. Adjusted EBITDA in 6M FY25 as a percentage of revenue increased to 15.1%, compared to 10.3% for 6M FY24.
    • Cash balance of $3.4M at March 31, 2025 declined 4% compared to $3.6M at September 30, 2024.  The modest decrease in cash position was due to increases in inventory purchases and payments to vendors, partially offset by an increase in accrued liabilities.
    • Net loss attributable to shareholders in Q2 FY25 was ($0.5M) compared to ($1.9M) in Q2 FY24, a decrease of $1.4M. Net loss attributable to shareholders in 6M FY25 was ($2.5M), compared to ($1.9M) for 6M FY24, a change principally attributable to negative currency exchange rate movements, partially offset by an increase in operating income.

    “In the quarter ended March 31, 2025, we achieved strong gains in profitability, with both gross profit and operating income showing robust growth and Adjusted EBITDA surpassing Q2 FY24 results,” said Derek Cassell, Track Group’s CEO. “Gross profit rose by 4% year-over-year ($4.1M vs $4.0M in Q2 FY24), marking a clear indication of our operational resilience and focus on delivering higher-value, higher-margin business. Adjusted EBITDA also climbed to $1.3M in Q2 FY25, a 63% increase from $0.8M in Q2 FY24, reflecting our focus on cost management and strategic execution over the last six months.”

    Business Outlook

    Despite previous challenges from supply chain delays, the impact of the Coronavirus, and the phase-out of our 3G-based cellular devices in the U.S., Track Group stands resilient. The demonstrated financial growth evidenced in Q2 FY25 reinforces our confidence in the strategic reinvestment in technology and the implementation of new programs initiated in late FY24. These endeavors position us well for a sustained return to growth throughout FY25. Our outlook for FY25 is as follows: 

      Actual     Outlook
      FY 2023     FY 2024     FY 2025
    Revenue (in millions): $ 34.5 M   $ 36.9 M   $34.5 – 35.5M
                           
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin:   11.1 %     14.6 %    13.5 – 16.5%
                           

    About Track Group, Inc.

    Track Group designs, manufactures, and markets location tracking devices; as well as develops and sells a variety of related software, services, and accessories, networking solutions, and monitoring applications. The Company’s products and services are designed to empower professionals in security, law enforcement, corrections, and rehabilitation organizations worldwide with single-sourced offender management solutions that integrate reliable intervention technologies to support re-socialization and monitoring initiatives.

    The Company currently trades under the ticker symbol “TRCK” on the OTCQB exchange. For more information, visit www.trackgrp.com. 

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “if”, “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they relate to Track Group, Inc., and subsidiaries (“Track Group”) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and reflect Track Group’s current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. Track Group may from time-to-time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see “Risk Factors” in Track Group’s annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. New risks emerge from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This release includes financial measures defined as “non-GAAP financial measures” by the Securities and Exchange Commission including non-GAAP EBITDA. These measures may be different from non- GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information, which is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures are based on the financial figures for the respective period.

    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA excludes items included but not limited to interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, gains and losses, currency effects, one-time charges or benefits that are not indicative of operations, charges to consolidate, integrate or consider recently acquired businesses, costs of closing facilities, stock based or other non-cash compensation or other stated cash and non-cash charges (the “Adjustments”).

    The Company believes the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors when factoring in the Adjustments. Specific disclosure regarding the Company’s financial results, including management’s analysis of results from operations and financial condition, are contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to carefully read and consider such disclosure and analysis contained in the Company’s Form 10-K and other reports, including the risk factors contained in such Form 10-K.

    James Berg
    Chief Financial Officer
    jim.berg@trackgrp.com 

    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   
        (Unaudited)          
        March 31,     September 30,  
        2025     2024  
    Assets                
    Current assets:                
    Cash   $ 3,416,045     $ 3,574,215  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $396,667 and $432,904, respectively     5,085,595       4,428,535  
    Prepaid expense and deposits     432,520       638,293  
    Inventory, net of reserves of $88,024 and $82,848, respectively     915,816       582,481  
    Assets held for sale     –       969,481  
    Total current assets     9,849,976       10,193,005  
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $300,052 and $430,003, respectively     392,423       317,206  
    Monitoring equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,295,826 and $5,982,972, respectively     4,367,904       4,598,864  
    Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,460,576 and $19,699,966, respectively     13,337,224       13,959,571  
    Goodwill     7,859,645       7,941,190  
    Other assets     1,160,885       660,170  
    Total assets   $ 36,968,057     $ 37,670,006  
                     
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)                
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 2,398,228     $ 3,082,467  
    Accrued liabilities     3,318,453       2,639,318  
    Liabilities held for sale     –       732,028  
    Total current liabilities     5,716,681       6,453,813  
    Long-term debt, net of current portion     42,680,070       42,639,197  
    Long-term liabilities     631,709       186,407  
    Total liabilities     49,028,460       49,279,417  
                     
                     
                     
    Stockholders’ equity (deficit):                
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value: 30,000,000 shares authorized; 11,863,758 and 11,863,758 shares outstanding, respectively     1,186       1,186  
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding     –       –  
    Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 1,200,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding     –       –  
    Paid in capital     302,600,546       302,600,546  
    Accumulated deficit     (315,791,294 )     (312,691,811 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     1,129,159       (1,519,332 )
    Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)     (12,060,403 )     (11,609,411 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)   $ 36,968,057     $ 37,670,006  
                     
    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
    (Unaudited)
                 
        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
        2025     2024     2025     2024  
    Revenue:                                
    Monitoring and other related services   $ 7,867,975     $ 8,758,650     $ 16,309,282     $ 17,433,136  
    Product sales and other     484,345       232,570       711,366       525,057  
    Total revenue     8,352,320       8,991,220       17,020,648       17,958,193  
                                     
    Cost of revenue:                                
    Monitoring, products and other related services     3,515,023       4,230,498       7,023,784       8,204,487  
    Depreciation & amortization included in cost of revenue     723,331       793,887       1,458,556       1,583,351  
    Total cost of revenue     4,238,354       5,024,385       8,482,340       9,787,838  
                                     
    Gross profit     4,113,966       3,966,835       8,538,308       8,170,355  
                                     
    Operating expense:                                
    General & administrative     2,127,145       3,173,866       4,558,263       5,931,753  
    Selling & marketing     964,743       810,441       1,865,932       1,516,972  
    Research & development     750,650       701,183       1,420,040       1,383,646  
    Depreciation & amortization     227,385       236,524       454,938       476,284  
    Loss on sale of subsidiary     –       –       (66,483 )     –  
    Total operating expense     4,069,923       4,922,014       8,365,656       9,308,655  
                                     
    Operating income (loss)     44,043       (955,179 )     172,652       (1,138,300 )
                                     
    Other income (expense):                                
    Interest expense, net     (565,844 )     (428,868 )     (1,134,804 )     (866,791 )
    Currency exchange rate gain (loss)     34,830       (519,933 )     (1,464,432 )     19,013  
    Other income (expense), net     –       (3,443 )     –       (3,443 )
    Total other income (expense)     (531,014 )     (952,244 )     (2,599,236 )     (851,221 )
    Income (loss) before income taxes     (486,971 )     (1,907,423 )     (2,426,584 )     (1,989,521 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)     30,145       (4,348 )     101,381       (86,907 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders     (517,116 )     (1,903,075 )     (2,527,965 )     (1,902,614 )
    Release of cumulative translation adjustment for sale of subsidiary     –       –       1,390,913       –  
    Equity adjustment for sale of subsidiary     –       –       571,518       –  
    Foreign currency translation adjustments     (85,709 )     (36,754 )     686,060       (143,456 )
    Comprehensive income (loss)   $ (602,825 )   $ (1,939,829 )   $ 120,526     $ (2,046,070 )
                                     
    Net income per share – basic                                
    Net income per common share   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.17 )
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Net income per share – diluted                                
    Net income per common share   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.17 )
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
                                     
    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA MARCH 31 (Unaudited)
    (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
        Three Months Ended
    March 31,    		     Six Months Ended
    March 31,    		  
        2025     2024     2025     2024  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA                                
    Net Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders   $ (517 )   $ (1,903 )   $ (2,528 )   $ (1,903 )
    Interest expense, net     566       432       1,135       870  
    Depreciation and amortization     951       1,030       1,913       2,060  
    Income taxes (1)     30       (4 )     101       (87 )
    Board compensation and stock-based compensation     75       50       150       103  
    Foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (35 )     520       1,464       (19 )
    Loss on sale of subsidiary     –       –       66       –  
    Other charges, net (2)     249       663       267       826  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,319     $ 788     $ 2,568     $ 1,850  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA, percent of revenue     15.8 %     8.8 %     15.1 %     10.3 %
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Non-GAAP earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.07     $ 0.22     $ 0.16  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Non-GAAP earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.07     $ 0.22     $ 0.16  
    (1 ) Currently, the Company has significant U.S. tax loss carryforwards that may be used to offset future taxable income, subject to IRS limitations. However, the Company is still subject to certain state, commonwealth, and other foreign based taxes.
    (2 ) Other charges include expenses related to the board of directors, severance, a settlement related to a contract dispute, and other Chile monitoring center costs for our recently sold subsidiary.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation Announces Increased Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALTAVISTA, Va., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation (“Pinnacle” or the “Company”) (OTCQX: PPBN), the one-bank holding company for First National Bank (the “Bank”), announced today that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.26 per share on May 13, 2025, payable June 6, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 23, 2025.

    The $0.26 per share cash dividend is an increase of $0.01, or 4%, as compared to the $0.25 paid last quarter and marks the fifty-first consecutive quarter that a dividend has been declared.

    “Pinnacle is pleased to provide an increased cash dividend of $0.26 per share to our shareholders this quarter,” stated Aubrey H. Hall, III, President and Chief Executive Officer for both the Company and the Bank. Mr. Hall further commented, “This return on investment is based on our continued solid performance, including first quarter 2025 net income of $2.26 million, which is an 8.5% increase as compared to the same period of last year.”

    Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation is a locally managed community banking organization serving Central and Southern Virginia. The one-bank holding company of First National Bank serves market areas consisting primarily of all or portions of the Counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Halifax, and Pittsylvania, and the Cities of Charlottesville, Danville, and Lynchburg. The Company has a total of nineteen branches with one branch in Amherst County within the Town of Amherst, two branches in Bedford County; five branches in Campbell County, including two within the Town of Altavista, where the Bank was founded; one branch in the City of Charlottesville, three branches in the City of Danville; three branches in the City of Lynchburg; and three branches in Pittsylvania County, including one within the Town of Chatham. A loan production office and a full-service branch have recently been opened in the South Boston area of Halifax County. First National Bank is in its 117th year of operation.         

    This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Any statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking and are based on current assumptions and analysis by the Company. These forward-looking statements, including statements made in Mr. Hall’s quotes may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the credit quality of our asset portfolio in future periods, the expected losses of nonperforming loans in future periods, returns and capital accretion during future periods, our cost of funds, the maintenance of our net interest margin, future operating results and business performance and our growth initiatives. Although we believe our plans and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and we can give no assurance that these plans or expectations will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in consumer spending and saving habits that may occur, including increased inflation; changes in general business, economic and market conditions; attracting, hiring, training, motivating and retaining qualified employees; changes in fiscal and monetary policies, and laws and regulations; changes in interest rates, inflation rates, deposit flows, loan demand and real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan portfolio and the value of the collateral securing loans; changes in macroeconomic trends and uncertainty, including liquidity concerns at other financial institutions, and the potential for local and/or global economic recession; changes in demand for financial services in Pinnacle’s market areas; increased competition from both banks and non-banks in Pinnacle’s market areas; a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduced demand for, or supply of, credit; increased information security risk, including cyber security risk, which may lead to potential business disruptions or financial losses; volatility in the securities markets generally, including in the value of securities in the Company’s securities portfolio or in the market price of Pinnacle common stock specifically; and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements, which reflect our views as of the date of this release.

    CONTACT: Pinnacle Bankshares Corporation, Bryan M. Lemley, 434-477-5882 or bryanlemley@1stnatbk.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Oak Valley Community Bank Named One of Central Valley’s Best Places to Work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OAKDALE, Calif., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY) is pleased to announce that it was named by Best Companies Group as one of 2025 Best Places to Work: Central Valley. At the same time, OVCB was recognized by Opportunity Stanislaus for “Growing the Economy” by increasing their workforce by 10% or more throughout 2024.

    “Being named one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley for the second time is a true honor and a meaningful reflection of who we are as an organization. This recognition speaks to the environment we’ve worked hard to create: one that prioritizes growth, values each individual, and fosters a culture of excellence from the inside out. What truly sets us apart is our deep-rooted service culture. Our team consistently goes beyond expectations, creating experiences that build trust, strengthen relationships, and turn customers into lifelong advocates. That level of care doesn’t just happen – it’s driven by a team that believes in our mission and takes pride in their work every day. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our employees. Your commitment to our customers, our communities, and to one another is the reason we continue to grow and succeed. This award belongs to each of you,” stated Chris Courtney, CEO.

    Best Places to Work: Central Valley is a survey and recognition program dedicated to celebrating those employers locally who excel at creating quality jobs and environments where employees are happy to work. As a research-driven program from Best Companies Group, Best Places to Work examines a company’s practices, programs, and benefits and surveys employees for their perspective. All companies that participated in the 2025 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.

    We are honored to be recognized with this year’s Best Places to Work recipients; Black Water Consulting Engineers, DeHart Plumbing, Heating & Air, E- Technologies Group, Grimbleby Coleman, Haggerty Construction, IT Solutions/Currie, One Digital, Reed Family Companies, Stanislaus County Office of Education, The Wonderful Company, and Westwood Professional Services.

    Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus. For more information on Best Places to Work: Central Valley visit www.bestplacestoworkcentralvalley.com.

    About Opportunity Stanislaus
    Opportunity Stanislaus is a local economic development organization focused on improving the economic vitality of Stanislaus County. To do so, they help local entrepreneurs start and grow businesses and work to attract innovative companies to the county. For more information visit www.opportunitystanislaus.com.

    About Oak Valley Community Bank
    Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 18 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, Roseville, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop. The company will open its 19th branch location in Lodi later this year. For more information visit www.ovcb.com.

    Contact: Chris Courtney/Rick McCarty
    Phone: (209) 848-BANK (2265)
    Toll Free (866) 844-7500
    www.ovcb.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LaunchDarkly Introduces New Release Observability, AI Configurations, and Analytics Capabilities to Help Developers Innovate Faster Without the Risk

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OAKLAND, Calif., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LaunchDarkly today announced multiple platform innovations at its annual Galaxy user conference to help engineering and product teams deliver with both high velocity and lower risk. With the rise of AI-generated code, development teams are no longer just navigating faster development cycles, they’re facing an unprecedented surge in code volume that dramatically expands the surface area for bugs, broken experiences, and application outages.

    The latest capabilities at LaunchDarkly give teams the tools they need to innovate boldly—without exposing customers or businesses to unnecessary risk. By bringing observability, AI controls, and analytics directly into the release process, LaunchDarkly is enabling engineering and product teams to ship with confidence, respond to application issues, and continuously improve the user experience.

    “Software used to evolve quarterly. Today, it changes by the hour. And with AI systems adapting in production, often unpredictably, release management at feature level granularity has become mission-critical,” said Dan Rogers, CEO of LaunchDarkly. “Teams need the ability to ship with precision, respond in real time, and continuously optimize what’s live. That’s what LaunchDarkly delivers: a safer, smarter way to build and release software in an AI-powered world.”

    Platform Updates Introduced at Galaxy ’25:

    Guarded Releases – Observability at the Point of Release
    Guarded Releases pair progressive rollouts with real-time monitoring, automated rollback, and feature-level observability. Teams can now identify regressions instantly and correlate them directly to specific changes, preventing incidents before they impact users. With the recent integration of Highlight.io, LaunchDarkly extends observability to include telemetry data like metrics, logs and traces at the point of release.

    AI Configs – Runtime Control Plane for Model and Prompt Management
    AI Configs give teams a centralized control plane to manage prompt and model configurations for AI-powered applications. Teams can safely iterate in production, monitor key metrics like cost and latency, and deploy fallback strategies when things go wrong without any code changes. This reduces risk while accelerating the development of AI features.

    Warehouse-Native Experimentation & Product Analytics
    LaunchDarkly now gives teams real-time insights into user behavior and feature engagement, powered directly by their data warehouse. With warehouse-native experimentation and product analytics, teams can quickly understand what’s working, what’s not, and how every feature impacts business outcomes. The recent integration of Houseware strengthens these capabilities by making it easier to run experiments, analyze results, and iterate faster, all within the existing data ecosystem.

    “Generative AI is fundamentally changing the relationship between the code we build, the code we deploy, and the code we maintain in production. Experimentation, understanding user behaviour, is now a necessity, not a luxury,” said James Governor, RedMonk co-founder. “LaunchDarkly is building observability into its core offerings, deepening its focus on analytics, and doubling down on release management to create an integrated platform for progressive delivery in the AI era.”

    Availability
    Guarded Releases, AI Configs, and Warehouse-Native Experimentation & Product Analytics are generally available today. Advanced observability features within Guarded Releases, including error monitoring, session replay, and telemetry integrations, are available in early access.

    To learn more about these new capabilities, click here.

    About LaunchDarkly:

    LaunchDarkly is a comprehensive feature management platform that equips software teams to proactively reduce the risk of shipping bad software and AI applications while accelerating their release velocity. By progressively rolling out features, monitoring critical metrics in real-time, instantly rolling back flawed code, easily conducting targeted experiments, and quickly iterating on AI prompts and models, development teams can ship innovation consistently and confidently. Serving over 5,500 of the most innovative enterprises, including a quarter of the Fortune 500, LaunchDarkly is trusted around the globe to deliver exceptional customer experiences and maximize business outcomes.

    Media Contact:
    Spencer Anopol
    Head of PR
    sanopol@launchdarkly.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The GDL Fund Declares Second Quarter Distribution of $0.12 Per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RYE, N.Y., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Trustees of The GDL Fund (NYSE:GDL) (the “Fund”) declared a $0.12 per share cash distribution payable on June 23, 2025 to common shareholders of record on June 13, 2025.

    The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s net asset value and the financial market environment. The distribution rate should not be considered the dividend yield or total return on an investment in the Fund.

    The Fund makes annual distributions of its realized net long-term capital gains and quarterly cash distributions of all or a portion of its investment company taxable income to common shareholders. A portion of the distribution may be a return of capital and various factors will affect the level of the Fund’s income, such as its asset mix and use of merger arbitrage strategies. To permit the Fund to maintain more stable distributions, the Fund may distribute more than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. Because the Fund’s current quarterly distributions are subject to modification by the Board of Trustees at any time and the Fund’s income will fluctuate, there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions at a particular rate or frequency.

    If the Fund does not generate sufficient earnings (dividends and interest income, less expenses, and realized net capital gain) equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund’s earnings would be deemed a return of capital. Since this would be considered a return of a portion of a shareholder’s original investment, it is generally not taxable and would be treated as a reduction in the shareholder’s cost basis.

    Short-term capital gains, qualified dividend income, investment company taxable income, and return of capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all distributions to common shareholders for the year. Long-term capital gains, if any, are distributed in the final distribution of the year. Based on the accounting records of the Fund currently available, each of the distributions paid to common shareholders in 2025 would include approximately 5% from net investment income, 3% from net capital gains and 92% would be deemed a return of capital on a book basis. This does not represent information for tax reporting purposes. The estimated components of each distribution are updated and provided to shareholders of record in a notice accompanying the distribution and are available on our website (www.gabelli.com). The final determination of the sources of all distributions in 2025 will be made after year end and can vary from the quarterly estimates. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution. All individual shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for all 2025 distributions in early 2026 via Form 1099-DIV.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Fund’s distribution policy and other information about the Fund, call:

    Laurissa Martire
    (914) 921-5399

    About The GDL Fund
    The GDL Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with $131 million in total net assets whose investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (OTCQX: GAMI).

    NYSE – GDL
    CUSIP – 361570104

    THE GDL FUND
    Investor Relations Contact:
    Laurissa Martire
    (914) 921-5399
    lmartire@gabelli.com

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