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Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Mullin Applauds President Trump’s Trip to the Middle East, Slams Democrat Senator Chris Murphy for his Hypocrisy on Fox Business

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    ICYMI: Senator Mullin Applauds President Trump’s Trip to the Middle East, Slams Democrat Senator Chris Murphy for his Hypocrisy on Fox Business

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox Business’ “Varney & Company”  to discuss President Trump’s visit to the Middle East and Democrat Senator Chris Murphy’s (D-CT) blatant hypocrisy. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On President Trump possibly attending the upcoming meeting between Russia and Ukraine:
    “The President is being recognized around the world as the chief dealmaker, and Zelensky is very smart by saying he wants him at the table. However, there’s some real differences in what the proposal for a peace deal that Zelensky has put on the table and what Putin has put on the table, and unless there’s actually a path forward to possibly getting a peace deal, I don’t see President Trump getting there. However, if President Trump showed up, I would say that there’s probably a 90% chance that a peace deal would be part of the deal before he left.”
    On Senator Chris Murphy’s hypocrisy:  
    “First of all, I have to address Chris Murphy here, because Chris Murphy is a man that lacks integrity at this point. I could understand if Chris was willing to call out the Bidens when they set up 20 plus shell companies to funnel millions, literally over $25 million through, which had no assets coming from foreign entities, just simply to have access to then, at that time, the Vice President Biden and President Biden when he was in office.”
    “If Chris Murphy wants to actually show that he has integrity, then call it for what it is. The fact is, he’s willing to do and say whatever it takes to actually get the nod from the Democrats to run for President in 2028. That’s all Chris Murphy is doing. He’s auditioning right now. And what can he talk about, right? He can’t talk about the successes of President Trump. He can’t talk the fact that President Trump is actually restructuring the tariff deals that’s going to put our economy and our future workers in the driver’s seat again, which we’ve been neglecting for the last 30 years. He can’t talk about the rally of the stock market. He can’t talk about the foreign affairs that President Trump is taking by peace through strength instead of Biden’s, peace through appeasement.”
    On American leadership returning to the Middle East:
    “And what is happening right now with President Trump going to the Middle East, is the Middle East is begging for a leader. We saw a lackluster leader in Biden when he was president, and after the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, we left a lot of our partners in the Middle East holding a bag saying, ‘Where is the United States?’ Remember, UAE was the only country in the Middle East that actually fought along with us in Afghanistan… And what did the Biden administration do when they got in office? They pulled out of the F-35 bill that President Trump put in place. What did we do to Saudi Arabia? Instead of negotiating with Saudi Arabia with arms deals, we started negotiating with Iran and gave them billions of dollars on a, literally, pallet that we flew there in an Air Force plane. It is absurd.”
    “President Trump, right now is restructuring that order, saying our friends and allies in the Middle East, we’re here for you, and we want to show our gratitude and appreciation for what you’ve done for us and hopefully normalize relationships inside the Middle East, with Israel and Saudi Arabia.”
    On the 747 jet from Qatar:
    “The way the Left is blowing this up is just to distract from the success that President Trump has had in his 120 days in office. This is an absolute nothing burger, as we would say, and the fact that they’re making a big deal out of this is absurd. I want to point out something too that a lot of people isn’t talking about the negotiation on the 747 was actually started underneath the Biden administration, but they couldn’t close the deal. There’s a whole lot more to the story that we can get to at a different point but the fact that they’re wanting to gift it to the United States, we would be absolutely absurd not to take the gift.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kevin Kirkman, Professor of Grassland Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    South Africa’s rangelands have always had great value for the country. These areas offer more than just grazing for livestock. They provide services like purifying water, storing carbon and conserving biodiversity.

    The grassland biome (28%), along with the savanna (32.5%) and the Nama-Karoo (19.5%), are collectively referred to as rangelands. They make up almost 80% of the land area of South Africa.

    Their ecological services haven’t always been fully appreciated. Research into rangelands has evolved in response to environmental changes, human needs and scientific discoveries.

    Commercial livestock production was the main concern when academics, researchers and practitioners met for the first congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa in 1966. Less than 15% of South Africa’s land surface area is arable. The only agricultural production possible on the balance of the land is livestock production from natural rangeland. Livestock production is thus a cornerstone of agriculture and food production in South Africa.

    Six decades on, the Grassland Society has reflected – through a special issue of its journal, the African Journal of Range and Forage Science – on how it has tackled research challenges and adapted to shifting perceptions of rangelands.

    Research has explored aspects of global change, bush encroachment and other changes in rangeland composition and function. Land transformation is another research area. Peri-urban sprawl, open-cast mining, timber plantations and other developments reduce and fragment rangeland. The result is increased pressure on the remaining, intact rangelands.

    Widening scope

    A review of research over the 60 years shows that early efforts focused mainly on forage production to support livestock industries. Research topics included rotational grazing and burning, as well as reinforcing rangelands by adding nutrients, forage grasses and legumes.

    By the 1980s, it became clear that rangelands offered more than just grazing – they were vital ecosystems.

    In the early 1990s, around the onset of democracy in South Africa, local researchers became part of global conversations around rangeland ecology. In doing so, they started to use the international terminology, instead of the old Dutch-derived word “veld”.

    This shift was not just about geography, but about scope. Rangelands were increasingly seen as multifaceted ecosystems critical in the fight against climate change. Increasing temperatures, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and changing rainfall patterns pose a threat to all ecosystems. Understanding the response of rangelands is increasingly important in devising management strategies to adapt to these changes.

    Scientists expanded their attention to preserving soil health, restoring degraded landscapes, and maintaining biodiversity. Issues like overgrazing, soil erosion and invasive species gained recognition in southern Africa. Degradation of rangelands in South Africa was first highlighted in the mid 1700s, and became a “mainstream” issue in the 1930s. Replacing a diverse group of wild animals with a single species of grazer, such as cattle, is the reason generally given for degradation. Fire has also been linked to it (often unfairly).

    The Grassland Society responded by promoting ideas like adaptive grazing management (making decisions in response to conditions, rather than following a recipe approach). It also encouraged integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific research to create more sustainable and resilient land-use systems. This has helped shape land management practices across the region.

    Many southern African rangelands face the challenge of balancing grazing with biodiversity conservation. Research on conservation agriculture and integrating livestock and wildlife systems is helping farmers and conservationists to find common ground. Wildlife, both in the conservation and the game production contexts, plays a critical role in South Africa’s economy. Tourism is one of the major contributors.

    Land management is particularly important in the Mediterranean-climate regions of South Africa, where poor crop farming practices have damaged soil health. The research is guiding the development of more sustainable farming systems focused on soil regeneration and biodiversity.

    A key indicator of ecosystem degradation is a decline in grassland forbs (herbaceous plants that are not grasses). They are highly sensitive to grazing pressure. So the role of wildflowers in ecosystem health and animal wellbeing has also become an important research area.

    Climate change, fire suppression and overgrazing drive woody plant encroachment, where grasslands are turning into shrublands. This calls for integrated management approaches that consider fire, grazing and even controlled rewilding.

    Fire is a natural element in many grassland ecosystems, and research has helped advance understanding of how it can be monitored and controlled to reduce risks while promoting healthy rangelands.

    People and grasslands

    Rangeland management has important social dimensions. Research is addressing issues such as land tenure, governance, community management systems on communal rangelands and indigenous knowledge in management decisions. These topics are essential for creating sustainable solutions that account for people’s livelihoods and needs.

    In addition to these ecological, social and management advances, the Grassland Society of Southern Africa has worked to develop the next generation of rangeland scientists and practitioners. Through its congresses, workshops and journal publications, the society continues to foster dialogue across disciplines and communities. Its 60th congress will be held in July 2025.

    Kevin Kirkman receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

    Helga van der Merwe receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

    Craig Morris 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. Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research – https://theconversation.com/southern-africas-rangelands-do-many-jobs-from-feeding-cattle-to-storing-carbon-a-review-of-60-years-of-research-254736

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Forbes, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

    Light-based technologies have wide practical applications. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    Light is all around us, essential for one of our primary senses (sight) as well as life on Earth itself. It underpins many technologies that affect our daily lives, including energy harvesting with solar cells, light-emitting-diode (LED) displays and telecommunications through fibre optic networks.

    The smartphone is a great example of the power of light. Inside the box, its electronic functionality works because of quantum mechanics. The front screen is an entirely photonic device: liquid crystals controlling light. The back too: white light-emitting diodes for a flash, and lenses to capture images.

    We use the word photonics, and sometimes optics, to capture the harnessing of light for new applications and technologies. Their importance in modern life is celebrated every year on 16 May with the International Day of Light.

    Scientists on the African continent, despite the resource constraints they work under, have made notable contributions to photonics research. Some of these have been captured in a recent special issue of the journal Applied Optics. Along with colleagues in this field from Morocco and Senegal, we introduced this collection of papers, which aims to celebrate excellence and show the impact of studies that address continental issues.

    A spotlight on photonics in Africa

    Africa’s history in formal optics stems back thousands of years, with references to lens design already recorded in ancient Egyptian writings.

    In more recent times, Africa has contributed to two Nobel prizes based on optics. Ahmed Zewail (Egyptian born) watched the ultrafast processes in chemistry with lasers (1999, Nobel Prize for Chemistry) and Serge Harouche (Moroccan born) studied the behaviour of individual particles of light, photons (2012, Nobel Prize for Physics).

    Unfortunately, the African optics story is one of pockets of excellence. The highlights are as good as anywhere else, but there are too few of them to put the continent on the global optics map. According to a 2020 calculation done for me by the Optical Society of America, based on their journals, Africa contributes less than 1% to worldwide journal publications with optics or photonics as a theme.

    Yet there are great opportunities for meeting continental challenges using optics. Examples of areas where Africans can innovate are:

    • bridging the digital divide with modern communications infrastructure

    • optical imaging and spectroscopy for improvements in agriculture and monitoring climate changes

    • harnessing the sun with optical materials for clean energy

    • bio-photonics to solve health issues

    • quantum technologies for novel forms of communicating, sensing, imaging and computing.

    The papers in the special journal issue touch on a diversity of continent-relevant topics.

    One is on using optics to communicate across free-space (air) even in bad weather conditions. This light-based solution was tested using weather data from two African cities, Alexandria in Egypt and Setif in Algeria.

    Another paper is about tiny quantum sources of quantum entanglement for sensing. The authors used diamond, a gem found in South Africa and more commonly associated with jewellery. Diamond has many flaws, one of which can produce single photons as an output when excited. The single photon output was split into two paths, as if the particle went both left and right at the same time. This is the quirky notion of entanglement, in this case, created with diamonds. If an object is placed in any one path, the entanglement can detect it. Strangely, sometimes the photons take the left-path but the object is in the right-path, yet still it can be detected.



    Read more:
    Quantum entanglement: what it is, and why physicists want to harness it

    One contributor proposes a cost-effective method to detect and classify harmful bacteria in water.

    New approaches in spectroscopy (studying colour) for detecting cell health; biosensors to monitor salt and glucose levels in blood; and optical tools for food security all play their part in optical applications on the continent.

    Another area of African optics research that has important applications is the use of optical fibres for sensing the quality of soil and its structural integrity. Optical fibres are usually associated with communication, but a modern trend is to use the existing optical fibre already laid to sense for small changes in the environment, for instance, as early warning systems for earthquakes. The research shows that conventional fibre can also be used to tell if soil is degrading, either from lack of moisture or some physical shift in structure (weakness or movement). It is an immediately useful tool for agriculture, building on many decades of research.

    The diverse range of topics in the collection shows how creative researchers on the continent are in using limited resources for maximum impact. The high orientation towards applications is probably also a sign that African governments want their scientists to work on solutions to real problems rather than purely academic questions. A case in point is South Africa, which has a funded national strategy (SA QuTI) to turn quantum science into quantum technology and train the workforce for a new economy.

    Towards a brighter future

    For young science students wishing to enter the field, the opportunities are endless. While photonics has no discipline boundaries, most students enter through the fields of physics, engineering, chemistry or the life sciences. Its power lies in the combination of skills, blending theoretical, computational and experimental, that are brought to bear on problems. At a typical photonics conference there are likely to be many more industry participants than academics. That’s a testament to its universal impact in new technologies, and the employment opportunities for students.

    The last century was based on electronics and controlling electrons. This century will be dominated by photonics, controlling photons.

    Professor Zouheir Sekkat of University Mohamed V, Rabat, and director of the Pole of Optics and Photonics within MAScIR of University Mohamed VI Polytechnic Benguerir, Morocco, contributed to this article.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges – https://theconversation.com/light-is-the-science-of-the-future-the-africans-using-it-to-solve-local-challenges-256031

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: What is a Army Reserve Readiness Division? | Army Legacy

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    As we celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Army, we can’t forget our Soldiers in the Reserve! Take a look at one of its Readiness Divisions, who are responsible for keeping our Reserve forces in warfighting shape.

    Video by Sgt. Nataja Ford

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm0rCq3CfWY

    MIL OSI Video –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Barry Moore introduces Readiness Over Wokeness Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington D.C. – Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01) introduced the Readiness Over Wokeness Act. This legislation will codify President Trump’s Executive Order that reversed a Biden Administration policy of allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military. Cosponsors include Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), and Andrew Clyde (GA-09).

    The Readiness Over Wokeness Act will prohibit anyone who has a current diagnosis or history of symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria, or who has received or is receiving gender affirming care, from serving in the armed forces. Rep. Moore’s bill also directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a reinvestigation of the eligibility for access to classified information once separation from the Armed Forces occurs.

    “The American people deserve a fighting force that is capable and prepared at any moment to address and deter risks to our nation,” said Rep. Moore. “Serving in the military requires the ability to sustain high mental and physical standards. Transgender people have medical, surgical, and mental health concerns that limit their ability to sustain these standards. I am proud to introduce this bill to codify President Trump’s Executive Order to ensure the woke insanity that occurred under the Biden Administration no longer compromises our military strength and readiness.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Issa Congratulates 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner from Murrieta

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)

    ESCONDIDO, CA – Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) announced that Murrieta Valley High School student Connor Main is the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 48th District. Connor’s winning entry is entitled The Dire Wolf.

    “Connor’s piece immediately struck me as uniquely creative and serves as a representation of CA-48’s brightest high school artists. I’m eager for it to be celebrated in our local community and presented in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be on display for the year ahead,” said Rep. Issa.

    Connor is a freshman in high school, and the artwork is constructed solely from charcoal pencils. His parents have expressed their pride in Connor’s work being honored by Congressman Issa in the US Capitol. 

    Connor’s art instructor, Jessica Hoxmeier, stated that the freshman spent countless hours to painstakingly complete every detail of the piece. 

    The runner-up submission was painted by Murrietta Valley High School Junior Hannah Maronde entitled Progress of Patience. Hannah’s work will be displayed in Congressman Issa’s office in Washington, D.C. for guests to enjoy when visiting. 

    Congressman Issa’s office received dozens of creative and inspiring submissions from throughout the region, including watercolors, photographs, drawings, and original paintings.

    Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school student art competition to encourage and recognize artistic talent throughout the country. Students from the 48th Congressional District submit entries for consideration and the winning entry is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Additionally, the winner is invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ciscomani Hosts Send Off Ceremony for U.S. Service Academy Appointees

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)

    TUCSON, AZ — U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani honored more than 20 students from across Arizona’s 6th Congressional District for achieving one of our country’s most prestigious academic honors: an appointment to a United States Service Academy. 

    “You are the best of the best and the brightest of the bright,” Ciscomani told the students Friday at a “send-off” reception he hosted to recognize their achievement. “We celebrate your success and take great comfort in knowing that you are our country’s next generation of military leaders.” 

    Each of the students received an appointment to a service academy from Ciscomani after competing in a rigorous and highly selective nomination process. Each student was interviewed by a members of selection board who then recommended their nomination to the congressman and were invited to apply for admission to a service academy. They then had to be accepted by a service academy. 

    “It’s easier to get into an Ivy League university than it is a service academy,” Ciscomani told the students. 

    Joining the students at the reception were their proud parents, the selection board and members of The Friday Pilots, a local group of retired military pilots who meet for lunch every Friday. 

    “We’re passing the torch from one generation of military leaders to the next,” Ciscomani said. “Our country is a land of liberty because of the bravery and sacrifice of people like The Friday Pilots. It will remain a land of liberty because of students like this.”  

    Each of the students received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a challenge coin from Ciscomani, as well as a challenge coin from The Friday Pilots. Additional photos of the event can be viewed here.  

    “Nominating these outstanding high school students to one of our nation’s prestigious service academies is truly one of my greatest honors as a member of Congress,” said Ciscomani. “These young men and women represent the very best our community has to offer and have repeatedly demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, academic excellence and a heartfelt commitment to serving our great nation. Their patriotism and dedication are an inspiration, and I look forward to seeing all their great contributions as the next generation of military leaders.” 

    Ciscomani congratulates the following students for their appointments: 

    • Aleksandria Gabbard, Marana High School, U.S. Naval Academy 

    • Brodie Hendrick, Arizona State University Prep Digital and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Sonia Donkeng, Mica Mountain High School, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Kyle Dowe, Catalina Foothills High School, U.S. Naval Academy 

    • Jose Chafin, Walden Grove High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 

    • Nathan Poulton, Mountain View High School, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Mason Rustand, Sabino High School, U.S. Military Academy 

    • Hector Lepley, Tombstone High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 

    • Collin Skaret, Marana High School, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School 

    • Conner Swigert, Home School, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Andres Taylor, Marana High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 

    • Austin Thompson, Basis Oro Valley High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Luke Villareal, Mountain View High School, U.S. Naval Academy 

    • Nathan Whitworth, Buena High School, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 

    • Gavin Yewell, Canyon Del Oro High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Gavin Dean, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, U.S. Military Academy 

    • Emma Lindsey, Catalina Foothills High School and Falcon Foundation Scholarship recipient, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Hayden Picton, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy 

    • Isabella Gorkowski, Bishop Gorman High School, U.S. Naval Academy 

    • Ethan Venghaus, Kwajalein High School U.S. Marshall Islands, U.S. Military Academy 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour’s values are worth less than the paper they are printed on

    Source: Scottish Greens

    14 May 2025 Justice

    Scottish Greens react to Sarwar backing anti-migrant policies

    More in Justice

    Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has backed Keir Starmer’s anti-migrant policy announcements in a move that will “damage Scottish public services” according to Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater.

    During a visit to Larkhall, the Scottish Labour leader told journalists, “I think right across the board we need to see our net migration figures come down,” and “I do support the Prime Minister in wanting to reform our immigration system. I do think we have to control our borders.”

    On Monday, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “we risk becoming an island of strangers” in an Enoch Powell-esque speech and asserted that all migrants should “speak English”.

    Reacting to Sarwar’s comments, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater said:

    “Anas Sarwar promised to ‘stand up to Keir Starmer’ ahead of last year’s election, but time and again he’s defended the cynical and cruel actions of this UK Labour Government, against the interests of Scotland.

    “From cutting the winter fuel payment for pensioners, to abandoning WASPI women, and now throwing migrant workers under the bus, this Labour government has proven that they will do just about anything to pander to the far-right and Anas Sarwar will back them all the way.

    “Anas Sarwar must surely know that these latest anti-migrant policies will only serve to damage Scottish public services and legitimise the hateful rhetoric of Nigel Farage.

    “People across the country can see that Scottish Labour’s values are worth less than the paper they are printed on. Sarwar has once again failed Scotland.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preston’s Mayor, Councillor Phil Crowe, bids farewell

    Source: City of Preston

    14 May 2025

    Today, Councillor Philip Crowe, the 696th Mayor of Preston, steps down from his role, making way for Councillor Sue Whittam, who will proudly take on the title of Madam Mayor. 

    “It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve as Mayor of Preston.” 

    To mark the occasion, Councillor Crowe will address fellow councillors and guests at the Mayor Making ceremony in the Council Chamber at Preston Town Hall. 

    Reflecting on his time as Mayor, Councillor Crowe has shared many memorable highlights, from unveiling the Feathers McGraw statue and opening the new Animate Leisure Complex, to meeting famous faces like Nick Park and Paddy McGuinness, and attending the unforgettable Radio 2 in the Park event, where he made a guest appearance on stage in front of thousands with Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox.

    Speaking fondly about that weekend, Councillor Crowe said: 

    “That was brilliant — I was dying to see the Pet Shop Boys. We were taken to this huge tent, filled with screens, surrounded by police, fire and rescue, the ambulance service, and Preston City Council.  

    “Then the head of security announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the Mayor and Mayoress of Preston,’ and everyone stood up. It was incredible.” 

    Throughout his mayoral year, Councillor Crowe has championed several charities, including Furniture for Education Worldwide (FEW), Let’s Grow Preston, and Disability Equality North West.

    He is especially proud of his ongoing work with FEW in The Gambia. 

    Reflecting on his time as Mayor, Councillor Crowe said: 

    “Every day has brought a new highlight. The number of people who volunteer in Preston is phenomenal. In addition to my mayoral duties, I’m also honoured to serve as Honorary President of St Catherine’s Hospice, which alone has more than 600 volunteers.” 

    Though his mayoral chapter is ending, Councillor Crowe will continue to serve as a councillor and remain committed to supporting his community. 

    Councillor Crowe added: 

    “I never imagined becoming a councillor, let alone the Mayor. It’s been an honour and a privilege to represent the city I love.”

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exciting times ahead for transport in Edinburgh

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Writing in today’s Evening News, Transport and Environment Convener Stephen Jenkinson goes into some of the key transport business of the day.

    At the end of April, I was lucky enough to visit the North Bridge and see firsthand the specialist work that we’re undertaking to restore this structure to its former glory. This site was one of the first places I visited when taking over as Convener last year and I’m very impressed with the progress that the project team has made since then. One particularly striking element was the paintwork being completed by hand on the cast iron façade. This is in addition to resurfacing work, grit blasting structural steelwork, repairing and improving the footway paving and underdrainage amongst a host of other improvements. I’m really excited for the scaffolding to come down and unveil this piece of Edinburgh’s history – restored ready to step into the modern age.

    Regarding modernity, another significant development that is on the way is the Tap On Tap Off (ToTo) launch which is set for next week. This new integrated ticketing system across both Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses will allow residents and visitors to travel more efficiently and at the best value; with ticket prices automatically capped at the cheapest daily and weekly rate.

    Our excellent public transport system is an inclusive form of travel, which provides an alternative to car use for people across the city, but in particular for people with lower incomes or those with mobility issues. Encouraging low carbon travel is also a key element of our wider climate ambitions and I’m sure this development will encourage greater use of our public transport network.

    I’m committed to keeping Edinburgh moving and ToTo is a very welcome addition.  

    In terms of committee business, one key report which we’ll consider next week is on the prioritisation of the City Mobility Plan. This report sets out our proposed capital investment programme over the next decade, including which projects to take forward and which to pause. Prioritising allows us to work smarter with the resources we have available – making sure we have a clear and achievable path to achieving our objectives. 

    These goals include improving how we move around the city, including prioritising public transport, providing safer conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling and reducing harmful emissions.

    When considering prioritisation, we scored projects against 15 separate criteria points which include impact on road safety, public transport, inequality, and capital raising challenges.

    This is a complex and thorough piece of work which allows the City Mobility Plan to be agile, and able to adapt in the future as necessary.

    However, one key element in this conversation is the fact that we remain dependent on external funding for many projects, particularly from the Scottish Government and by extension Transport Scotland.

    Complex projects which take years to plan and complete but which are subject to annual external funding decisions makes this situation inherently difficult, we need commitment and stability from the Scottish Government if we’re to deliver the changes which our city needs and deserves.

    I look forward to debating this important issue with colleagues next week.

    We live in interesting and ever evolving times for transport in Edinburgh. I’m committed to keeping the city moving sustainably as we press ahead with our bold vision for the future.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: England awaits era-defining tournament as new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy unveiled and further tickets released

    Source: City of Sunderland

    – Government, host locations and teams celebrate 100 days to go to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025’s opening match in Sunderland

     – New Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy introduced to mark an era-defining tournament that will feature representatives from all regional associations for the first time.

    – Unstoppable momentum is building in England with a record 300,000 tickets already purchased and a further wave of tickets released today at 09:00 BST.

    – New trophy to embark on a nationwide tour of the eight host locations bringing fans and communities across England closer to the tournament.

    With just 100 days to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off in Sunderland, World Rugby has today unveiled a bold new trophy – a symbol of the game’s unstoppable global rise – and announced the release of additional tickets for what promises to be a generational moment for the sport.

    The record-breaking tournament has already surpassed all expectations with 300,000 tickets already sold, more than double the total attendance from RWC 2021 in New Zealand, and is now firmly on course to become the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history, not just in scale, but in impact.

    Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey said: “We are just 100 days away from welcoming the world to England for what will be the biggest and best Women’s Rugby World Cup yet.

    The excitement is real, and the momentum is building by the day, as this tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience for everyone. With more tickets going on sale today, don’t miss out on seeing rugby’s powerful personalities and unstoppable athletes take to the global stage.”

    A  N E W  S Y M B O L  F O R  A  N E W  E R A

    To mark the 100 days to go milestone, World Rugby unveiled the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy at London’s Battersea Power Station. The reveal, broadcast live on the BBC Morning Live, brought together senior figures from World Rugby, RWC 2025 LOC, UK Government, host cities, and Rugby World Cup legends to celebrate the progress and energy of the women’s game and look ahead to an era-defining tournament.

    Crafted in sterling silver and plated with 24-carat gold, the newly designed trophy is a modern expression of excellence and ambition. It fuses history and future by retaining the iconic twin handles of the original prize while introducing a sleek, oval silhouette, with names of past champions engraved on its base acknowledging the trailblazers who have shaped the game.

    The world map etched into the surface symbolises the game’s universal reach, celebrating the nations that have competed on the Rugby World Cup stage and the new stars who will carry the game forward. For the first time at RWC 2025, all six World Rugby regions will be represented across the 16 nations involved with a South American team, Brazil, making their debut on the sport’s biggest stage.

    As previous recipients and representatives of future players who may lift it high, a group of Women’s Rugby World Cup champions and legends of the game including Rachael Burford (ENG), Gill Burns (ENG), Monalisa Codling (NZL), Katy Daley-McLean (ENG), Fiao’o Fa’amausili (NZL), Sarah Hunter (ENG), Farah Palmer (NZL), Anna Richards (NZL) and Melodie Robinson (NZL) were involved in the trophy’s design process.

    World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby Sally Horrox said: “This trophy represents far more than a tournament; it reflects a movement. A movement fuelled by passion, shaped by trailblazers, and driven by the next generation of women and girls stepping into the game around the world.

    “Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to redefine what’s possible in women’s sport. The new trophy is a worthy emblem of the incredible athletes who will compete in England, and of the legacy we are building together with our partners, starting with the RFU, and through programmes like Impact Beyond 2025.”

    Former English international and Rugby World Cup winner Katy Daley-McLean added: “With the potential on this tournament being the biggest Women’s World Cup yet, it seemed an appropriate time for a new trophy. This trophy hopefully connects the past to the present allowing all to remember the trailblazing of those that came before us.”

    The trophy will now embark on a nationwide tour of England over the next three weeks, bringing fans and communities closer to the tournament in the build-up to kick-off. All eight host locations – Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland and York – are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new trophy and engaging their communities ahead of their first matches.

    A  T O U R N A M E N T  B A C K E D  B Y  L E G A C Y  A N D  P A R T N E R S H I P

    A joint-venture between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is designed not only to deliver a worldclass tournament, but to create a lasting, positive impact for women and girls in sport. This includes investing in programmes that improve access, participation and experiences at all levels of the game.

    At the heart of this domestic legacy is Impact ’25, led by the RFU and supported by UK Sport, which is already delivering strong results across England and the home unions. More than 850 clubs have received support to grow the women’s game, while over 1,400 female coaches and match officials have been newly qualified. Girls’ participation is up 9.3% year-on-year, and £2.7 million has been invested to improve facilities and inclusivity in clubs. Community grants, sanitary provision and skills training have also reached thousands of new participants, with a strong focus on building confidence, connection and opportunity.

    RFU Executive Director of Women’s Game Alex Teasdale said: “2025 is a groundbreaking year for women’s rugby and we are thrilled to be host nation for what is set to be the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history. We are already seeing huge strides forward in the women and girls’ game, thanks to the building anticipation for the tournament and our Rugby World Cup legacy programme Impact ’25. We are excited to see the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 encourage and inspire the next generation of women and girls to play and watch rugby.”

    Globally, Impact Beyond 2025 is World Rugby’s strategic legacy programme, designed to harness the power of this tournament to grow the game and promote gender equity worldwide. Focused on three pillars—participation and profile, careers and leadership, and capability and expertise—the programme includes initiatives such as Rugby Rising Play, the sport’s first global participation programme for girls, and a series of six regional summits aimed at strengthening women’s rugby around the world.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “In just 100 days, we will host the biggest and bestsupported Women’s Rugby World Cup in history. As well as creating unforgettable moments, the tournament will help to inspire the next generation of girls and boys, bring communities together, and grow the game for years to come.

    “But this tournament is about more than what happens on the pitch. Through our Plan for Change and the Impact ’25 legacy programme, we’re investing in 850 clubs across the country — upgrading facilities, opening up access, and inspiring more people to get involved in the game they love.”

    T I C K E T  S A L E S  G A I N  M O M E N T U M  A H E A D  O F  B L O C K B U S T E R  O P E N I N G

    Following recent ticket sales phases, the public response has been overwhelming. With over 300,000 tickets now sold, fans have shown an unprecedented appetite for women’s rugby, reinforcing England 2025 as the must-attend sporting event of the year and breaking the attendance record held by the last edition in New Zealand (150,000).

    More tickets go on general sale today at 09:00 BST on a first come, first served basis, including popular matches such as the opening encounter between England and the USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

    With high demand and limited inventory for some matches, fans are reminded to only purchase tickets through official sources to ensure a safe and secure buying experience and guaranteed entry into the venues. An official resale platform will launch on 24 June, enabling fans who can no longer attend to sell their tickets securely at face value to fellow supporters via tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.

    Supporters around the world can also get involved ahead of kick-off by joining the “Road to Twickenham”, a free and fun global fitness challenge powered by Stepathlon. Available now via the Official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 app, the initiative encourages fans of all ages and abilities to get active, win exclusive prizes, and celebrate the women’s game together as the countdown to the final at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September continues. It’s a powerful way for communities across the world to connect with the tournament and share in the spirit of progress, health and unity

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cllr Carmine Grimshaw appointed new Lord Mayor of Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor Carmine Grimshaw has been appointed the new Lord Mayor of Manchester following a meeting of the full today (14 May). 

    A lifelong Mancunian, Carmine’s journey from the streets of Ancoats to the halls of local government is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the community.  

    Born and raised in Ancoats, Carmine grew up in a close-knit family, experiencing first hand the transformative changes in the city. He attended Saint Michael’s RC Primary School and later Saint Luke’s Secondary School in Beswick before embarking on his career as a sewing machine mechanic.  

    Following the closure of his employer Raffles & Co in the 1980s, he transitioned into street trading, earning his license in 1983 and becoming a familiar presence on Thomas Street in what is now known as the Northern Quarter. His advocacy for fellow traders led to the formation of the Manchester Street Traders Association in 1990, reinforcing his commitment to safeguarding local businesses.  

    Throughout the years, Carmine has continually worked to support Manchester’s communities. His tenure as chair of the A-5 Off-Licence Forum shows his concerns for responsible licensing and community safety.

    He and his twin brother Brian opened a convenience store in Newton Heath in 1993. The ambitious move was made possible with the help of their friend and former Lord Mayor the late Cllr Hugh Barrett and was a further nod to his service to the local community.  

    In 2012, his passion for civic engagement led him to public office, where he has tirelessly represented the residents of Miles Platting and Newton Heath for more than a decade. His leadership on various committees, including the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee and the Licensing Policy Committee, has been instrumental in shaping policies that benefit Manchester’s citizens.  

    Throughout his tenure as Lord Mayor, Carmine will have the support of Lady Mayoress, Elaine Grimshaw and a Consort, Councillor June Hitchen. 

    Carmine is the proud father of twin sons, Carmine and Louis, along with youngest son, Jack, as well as three grandchildren, Zara and twins Honey and Rico. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds welcomes the announcement that more Civil Service roles will be moved to the city

    Source: City of Leeds

    Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

    “We welcome the Government’s continued recognition of Leeds as a key hub for Civil Service roles. With over 14,000 civil servants already based in Leeds, this announcement builds on our role as a major centre for government outside London.

    “Relocating more roles will bring decision-making closer to the communities it serves, support the creation of good jobs, and provide long-term whole career opportunities including for our talented apprentices, graduates and professionals.

    “The Leeds Health and Social Care Hub, which brings together the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS, local government, universities and other partners exemplifies how central government can work hand-in-hand with local delivery organisations to improve outcomes for patients and residents.

    “This move adds to the momentum we’re already seeing in Leeds as a leading financial centre, with major organisations like the Financial Conduct Authority, the Bank of England and the National Wealth Fund choosing to locate roles here – reinforcing the city’s growing national importance as a centre for public service and economic opportunity.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank Forge Strategic Partnership to Address Fragility and Build Resilience in Africa

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have reinforced their strategic partnership to enhance collective efforts in addressing fragility and building resilience across Africa. This commitment follows a high-level technical exchange held from 22-23 April at the Bank headquarters in Abidjan.

    The two-day mission brought together senior officials from both institutions to align approaches, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration to address complex challenges– particularly in transition states or experiencing fragility. This meeting builds on previous engagements between the two development institutions, including a 2019 Civil Society deep dive facilitated by the African Development Bank’s Civil Society Division, where key areas for joint action were initially identified.

    “This strategic alliance with IsDB reinforces our shared vision of addressing complex challenges in transition states through tailored, context-specific approaches,” said Yero Baldeh, Director of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank. “By aligning our methodologies and leveraging our complementary strengths, we can deliver more sustainable solutions in places where development needs are most acute.”

    The IsDB delegation was led by Ahmed Berthe, Lead NGO and Civil Society Specialist, and included Esra Sayhi and Abass Kassim, both Senior Fragility and Resilience Specialists.

    “Our institutions serve many of the same member countries facing similar challenges,” noted Berthe. “What has impressed us most is the African Development Bank’s shift toward anticipatory action and prevention rather than simply responding to crises. This partnership creates a framework for maximizing our collective impact through coordinated investments, shared knowledge, and aligned strategic priorities.”

    The exchange spotlighted the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility (TSF), which committed more than $610 million to projects in fragile contexts in 2024. Discussions explored how the TSF’s approach could complement IsDB’s financing tools and create stronger synergies in countries where both institutions operate.

    Climate security emerged as a key theme, with both partners recognizing the role of environmental challenges exacerbating fragility, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The partnership will help develop integrated approaches that address immediate needs and build long-term resilience for both institutions.  

    The exchange also explored ways to harmonize assessment methodologies, coordinate financial instruments, and implement integrated approaches to climate security, with both institutions agreeing to establish a joint technical working group to operationalize the partnership.

    “In line with our 2022-2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa, this partnership reflects the Bank’s strategic emphasis on building alliances that amplify our development impact,” said Ozong Agborsangaya-Fiteu, Chief Operations Officer at RDTS. “By combining our institutional strengths with IsDB, we’re creating a more powerful platform for advancing resilience where it’s needed most.”

    The partnership includes a structured implementation framework scheduled for 2025-2026, in line with the duration of both institutions’ strategies for fragility and resilience. A joint technical working group will operationalize the partnership, ensuring that concrete actions follow this strategic alignment.

    This strategic collaboration advances the African Development Bank’s approach to staying engaged in fragile contexts, focusing on prevention rather than crisis response, and building strategic partnerships across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus—all key principles of its fragility and resilience strategy.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 217, Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 217 would expand and extend a program that authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donations of real property and improvements from nonfederal entities. Under the bill, VA also would be authorized to accept donations of minor construction and nonrecurring maintenance projects to support the development and upkeep of VA medical facilities. Because those in-kind donations are property rather than monetary contributions, they are not reflected in the federal budget. Additionally, the bill would extend the program, which expires in December 2026, by five years.

    VA is authorized to accept real property donations and in-kind support through other authorities, including enhanced-use leases, which have sometimes resulted in implicit or explicit commitments to make future payments. Those arrangements, when they rely on future appropriations, constitute contract authority and are classified as direct spending.

    The authority for the program includes restrictions that may prevent VA from making such commitments. Based on VA’s implementation of the program to date, CBO expects the department is unlikely to enter arrangements that would create future obligations or result in significant costs. Thus, CBO estimates that enacting this bill would increase direct spending by an insignificant amount.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Noah Callahan. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests sexual predators who victimized children across the nation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    May 14, 2025Washington, DC, United StatesChild Exploitation, National Security

    Left: ICE arrested Carlos Ubence Cortez-Lopez in California May 12 following his convictions for possession of child sexual abuse material and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child. | Center: ICE arrested Dublas Perez Salazar May 12 in New York. Perez was charged with statutory rape and convicted of DUI May 16, 2022. | Right: ICE arrested Filemon Martinez-Medina May 12. He has pending charges for statutory rape.

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested four illegal aliens convicted of child sex crimes in Massachusetts, California, New York and Texas May 12.

    “ICE has a long history of protecting children and other vulnerable members of our society,” said ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “These sexual predators have no place in our communities — and our officers and agents will continue to take them off the streets so they can’t hurt people who can’t protect themselves.”

    Those arrested include:

    • Carlos Araujo in Leominster, Massachusetts. An Uruguayan national, the registered sex offender has a prior conviction for indecent assault and battery on a 7-year-old in Leominster. Aruajo entered the United States on March 29, 1997, in Boston as a lawful permanent resident. He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
    • Carlos Ubence Cortez-Lopez, a Guatemalan national and illegal alien in California. ICE officials arrested him at the California Rehabilitation Center, a state prison in Norco. Cortez was sentenced to two years in prison for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and an additional two years for possession of child or youth pornography. Border Patrol officials encountered Cortez when he attempted to illegally enter the U.S. on March 23, 2021, and April 22, 2021. He subsequently entered the U.S. at an unknown location, on an unknown date, without inspection or parole by a U.S. immigration official. He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
    • Dublas Perez Salazar, a 31-year-old illegal alien, in Airmont, New York. Perez is a Guatemalan national was arrested by the Ramapo Police Department in Suffern and charged with child rape. Perez entered the United States at an unknown location, on an unknown date, without inspection or parole by a U.S. immigration official. He was convicted of driving under the influence of liquor May 16, 2022. He remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
    • Filemon Martinez-Medina, a 34-year-old illegal alien and citizen of Mexico, at the Texas State Prison in Huntsville, Texas, which honored an ICE immigration detainer — a request for law enforcement officials to hold a detainee in custody until ICE can arrest them — lodged Oct. 14, 2011. Martinez entered the United States as a legal permanent resident through El Paso. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison by the 64th District Court Swisher County, Texas, for aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old. An immigration judge ordered Martinez removed from the United States April 27, 2015. He remains in ICE custody pending removal.

    ICE investigates and arrests those who violate U.S. immigration law, including dangerous criminal aliens who pose public safety and national security threats.

    “Through extensive collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have arrested a record number of illegal aliens since January 20, and we’re not finished yet,” said Lyons.

    Report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s recent operations, arrests and removals by following us on X at @ICEgov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry

    The government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report.

    • Government’s final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report highlights progress delivering Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

    • Progress includes nearly £100 million so far in compensation to victims and over £1.2 billion in interim payments, committing £500,000 to advocacy charities, and greater support for patients with liver damage.

    • Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will also continue his role for another 18 months.

    Nearly £100 million in compensation has been paid to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal so far, alongside over £1.2 billion in interim payments, as the government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report – highlighting progress delivering the Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

    Recognising the unspeakable suffering of victims, the government accepts all twelve of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with some accepted in full, and others accepted in principle. There are no recommendations that the government has not accepted. 

    Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said:

    Today is an important milestone, nearly one year on from the publication of the Inquiry’s report.  

    The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its twelve recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date.

    We have paid nearly £100 million in compensation so far, and have set aside £11.8 billion to deliver what is one of the most comprehensive compensation schemes in modern history.

    The government is delivering Recommendation 1, to set up a compensation scheme. Compensation is paid through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent organisation that was set up on the Inquiry’s recommendation in its Second Interim Report. IBCA has paid out £96.6 million in compensation so far to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal, building on over £1.2 billion already paid out by the government in interim payments.

    Government is delivering Recommendation 10, to empower the voices of infected blood patients, by paying £500,000 to patient advocacy charities. These funds will be paid to specific charities that have been recommended by the Inquiry, and meetings are underway to agree on awards. 

    Government is also delivering Recommendation 6, to monitor patients with liver damage, by ensuring that all patients with liver damage will have their care overseen by a medical consultant. Patients with a Hepatitis C diagnosis will receive greater follow-up and monitoring, and NHS England will also be proactively identifying patients with bleeding disorders to ensure they receive appropriate testing, treatment and ongoing monitoring.

    Today, the Government is also announcing that Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will remain in his role for another 18 months. The decision to extend his term was taken to provide continuity for the organisation and the infected blood community, and ensure compensation continues to be delivered without delay.

    The Inquiry has set out its intention to publish a further report on compensation, and the Government remains committed to cooperating with the Inquiry.

    Commenting on his extension, Sir Robert Francis KC said:

    I am honoured to continue serving as ​Interim ​Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

    My priority remains to ensure that we pay compensation to those impacted by the scandal as quickly as possible, while maintaining transparency and compassion throughout our work.​

    ENDS

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    Published 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expanding NHS orthopaedic services

    Source: Scottish Government

    Major increase in surgical procedures

    Health Secretary Neil Gray visited Gartnavel General Hospital today to see first-hand how Scottish Government investment is supporting increased capacity in orthopaedic services to deliver faster care for patients.

    The visit follows the Programme for Government announced by the First Minister last week,  which committed to the delivery of more than 150,000 additional NHS appointments and procedures, including in surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements compared to last year.

    This investment is part of the government’s commitment to strengthening the NHS and ensuring timely access to essential treatments.

    During his visit, Mr. Gray toured Gartnavel’s state-of-the-art theatre complex, where he met with frontline staff involved in the expanded orthopaedic services. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be allocated funding to support the delivery of additional orthopaedic procedures through extra elective theatres at the hospital.

    Health Secretary Neil Gray said:

    “The Scottish Government is determined to increase capacity in our NHS – making sure people can get the quality care they need when they need it. 

    “Increasing orthopaedic capacity here means faster, more efficient care for those who need it most, allowing patients to regain mobility and quality of life without unnecessary delays.

    “We have seen real progress in the last year, with more than 105,000 appointments and procedures delivered through an additional £30 million of targeted investment in 2024-25. Now we want to build on that momentum through the additional £200 million set out in this year’s Budget to reduce waiting lists and to help support reduction of delayed discharge.”

    Background

    The Programme for Government 2025-26 includes a wide range of measures to support the NHS and improve public health, including:

    • Over 150,000 additional NHS appointments and procedures, with a 50% increase in surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacement compared with last year.
    • 100,000 enhanced GP appointments by March 2026 for high-risk conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity, and smoking.
    • Enhanced diagnostic pathways, including targeted cancer pathways, to help tackle backlogs and achieve the 62-day referral to treatment standard.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Life and legacy’ of Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell to be celebrated on 130th anniversary of his birth

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 14th May 2025

    The “life and legacy” of Reginald Mitchell will be celebrated in a day of events on the 130th anniversary of his birth.

    The Supermarine Spitfire designer was born on 20 May 1895 in Kidsgrove and moved to Normacot shortly after he was born.   

    Invited guests will gather in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery at 10.30am on Tuesday 20 May for an event to remember his lasting contribution to engineering and the aeronautical industry.   

    A host of speakers have been arranged, including Julian Mitchell, Reginald’s great nephew and Paul Beaver, Trustee of the National Spitfire Project and the author of Spitfire People, Spitfire Evolution and Mitchell – Father of the Spitfire. 

    The event is by invitation and tickets are limited. Residents of Stoke-on-Trent can request tickets by contacting karen.convey@stoke.gov.uk 

    In the afternoon, the staff at the Reginald Mitchell pub in Hanley have organised an event for guests and veterans including the Tri-Services.  

    The team at the JD Wetherspoon pub on Parliament Row is inviting veterans to attend from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and enjoy a hot drink and a slice of a large Spitfire cake being made for the occasion.  

    Mr Mitchell will host a quiz for customers from 4.30pm with the winning team receiving a 12-piece vintage prints dinner set from Churchill China, the same tableware used by Wetherspoons, valued at over £150. 

    The pub will have a display of aeroplanes designed by children from Reginald Mitchell Primary School. The bar will be stocked with a range of beer featuring names all linked to aviation and the city’s centenary.   

    Guests will be encouraged to make paper aeroplanes to take part in a fun competition for charity. Entrants will launch their plane off the top bar balcony to see which one flies the furthest. Entry is £2 with proceeds going to the Young Lives vs Cancer charity.   

    A series of events to celebrate Reginal Mitchell’s birthday week are planned in the pub.   

    Cllr Steve Watkins, Deputy Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said: “This special day will look back at the life of Reginald Mitchell and how his work has inspired generations of engineers since he passed away at 42. He and his team led the world in aircraft design. It’s part of our centenary celebrations and will tell his story and look at how his legacy is encouraging young engineers to take up a career in the industry today.  

    “It’s been great to work with the staff at the Reginald Mitchell pub who are making plans to mark this occasion throughout the week with other events.  They’re keen to encourage veterans to pop in and enjoy a chat and catch-up over tea and cake while learning more about Reginald.” 

    Julian Mitchell said: “130 years on and RJ is still making a real impact on our local community and beyond. Celebrating his engineering genius and design creativity is at the heart of our Operation Spitfire for Schools project. 

    “We’re helping students understand what is possible in their futures and highlight examples of local people who have done amazing things.” 

    Debbie Whittingham, Regional Manager and Employee Director at JD Wetherspoons, said: “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to join in the celebrations for both the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent and Reginald Mitchell’s birthday celebrations. The Reginald Mitchell is a beautiful and historic building, and we are very proud to be able to honour his name and legacy. 

    “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to share a fun week of events and to celebrate this legend of a man. We want to show our pride in Stoke-on-Trent and its incredible legacy to the world as one of the great cities of the industrial revolution.  

    “This was thanks to the creative, hardworking and spirited people of this city who made it all happen.” 

    Events in The Reginald Mitchell pub  

    • Monday 19 May: 7pm – History talk with local social media star ‘Jenna the Red Haired Stokie’. Small charge, all going to charity.  
    • Wednesday 21 May: 11am –  History talk in the upstairs bar area from local historian Mervyn Edwards. £5 entry ‘The lost pubs of Hanley’. ‘Why were they built and how did they survive so long?  Who were the landlords and patrons associated with them – and how many do you remember?’  
    • 7pm – Film night. Battle of Britain to be shown on the big screen with a 1940s fancy dress competition. Prize for the best dressed.  
    • Thursday 22 May: 7pm-9pm Pottery in the Pub. A pottery workshop hosted by the Clay Rooms. £30 per person (£5 going to Young Lives vs Cancer charity). Visit theclayrooms.co.uk to book. Free tea and coffee. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Rising heat, rising risk: managing forest fires in a warming world

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Wildfires are becoming more intense, more frequent, and more destructive, stretching across continents, ecosystems, and communities.

    In the 2023-2024 season, 3.9 million km² of land burned globally, with carbon emissions 16% above average. Major wildfire events included Canada’s worst season, with 150,000 km² burned and 232 thousand people evacuated, Greece’s largest wildfire on record (900 km²), and deadly fires in Hawaii and Chile, claiming over 200 lives, according to the State of Wildfires 2023-24: CAMS data support assessment – Copernicus. As we approach the 2025 fire season in the Northern Hemisphere, which typically runs from June to October, California has already faced devastating fires in January, outside the usual fire season.

    This growing trend of longer and more intense fire seasons highlights that wildfires are no longer confined to a specific time of year, but are now a year-round global threat.

    Wildfires are escalating into a global crisis, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, public health, and the climate. They worsen air pollution, increase carbon emissions, disrupt water supplies, and increase the risk of floods and landslides, compounding vulnerabilities in both rural and urban areas.

    Recognizing this urgency, the UNECE/FAO Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management, a UN expert body that facilitates technical cooperation on forest data, management, and policy, and oversees expert teams working on these topics, brought together country delegates and experts to explore what is driving this crisis, what it is doing to our forests, and what can be done to manage it.

    Fire is not always an enemy. It has long played a vital role in many forest ecosystems, clearing dead vegetation, recycling nutrients, and fostering diversity. Some forest types even depend on periodic burns to regenerate. When strategically managed, including through practices like controlling and prescribed burning, fire becomes a powerful tool to maintain healthy forests and reduce the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.

    The balance, however, is shifting. Driven primarily by climate change, wildfires are now pushing ecosystems to their limits. Longer dry seasons, hotter temperatures, and erratic weather are turning manageable fires into landscape-scale disasters.

    As countries prepare for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30) in Belém, Brazil, the session emphasized that wildfire risk must be integrated into climate strategies. Forests are a key line of defense against global warming, but only if they are protected and managed sustainably.

    The session concluded with a clear message: a proactive, data-driven, and climate-smart approach is essential.

    Stronger forest resilience measures are needed, including sustainable management, landscape restoration, and fuel load reduction through prescribed burns. Increased investment in firefighting capacity and improved land-use planning are also crucial to protect communities in fire-prone areas.

    Experts highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration, citing initiatives like the Global Fire Management Hub and tools such as EFFIS and INForest to support data collection and evidence-based policies.

    The path forward must recognize fire’s dual role: as both a threat and a tool in building resilient forest landscapes.

    Resources and further reading

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Times “Reporting” Fails to Mention ICE Arrests of Criminal Illegal Aliens Charged with Kidnapping, Assault, Firearms Offenses, and Theft

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The New York Times story falsely paints a narrative that ICE targeted coffee workers—the truth is criminal illegal aliens were the targets 

    WASHINGTON – The New York Times story falsely painted a narrative that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted illegal alien coffee workers in Hawaii. The truth is ICE targeted criminal illegal aliens and conducted unaccompanied minor welfare checks to ensure children are not being abused, trafficked or otherwise exploited. 

    “Our brave ICE agents conducted operations in Hawaii to protect communities from violent criminals who shouldn’t be in our country. The targets of the operation in Hawaii included criminal illegal aliens charged with kidnapping, assault, distribution of deadly drugs, domestic abuse, and theft,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Why does the New York Times continue to peddle false sob stories of criminal illegal aliens but ignore their victims? Completely leaving out the facts and rap sheets of criminals arrested shows the New York Times’s complete bias. This story was nothing but an attempt to mislead the public.”  

    Below are some of the criminal illegal aliens arrested in Hawaii that the New York Times failed to report:  

    On January 23, 2025, HSI Honolulu administratively arrested Rescue Suda, a citizen of the Marshall Islands. The Circuit Court of Hawaii County, Hawaii previously convicted Suda of Felony Assault. Suda was also arrested for kidnapping and terroristic threatening.

    On February 25, 2025, HSI Honolulu arrested Navor Salas-Cruz, 52, a citizen of Mexico. Salas-Cruz was identified as being present in the United States after a prior order of removal. Salas-Cruz has multiple immigration encounters starting in 1996 including 2 prior removals and has a lengthy state criminal history ranging from assault, DWI, forgery, driving without a license, criminal contempt of court, family abuse. Federal charges include 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and 18 U.S.C § 922(g)(l) for one count of reentry of removed alien and one count of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

    On January 25, 2025, HSI Honolulu arrested RJ Marsolo, a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia.  The State of Hawaii, Circuit Court of the First Circuit, previously convicted Marsolo of assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree and sentenced him to a total of 10 years imprisonment.  

    On January 25, 2025, HSI Honolulu arrested Herman Faamausili, A citizen of Samoa.  The United States District Court, District of Hawaii, previously convicted Faamausili of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and sentenced him to 70 months imprisonment.  The immigration judge ordered Faamausili’s previous removal from the United States on September 15, 2021.  

    On January 26, 2025, HSI Honolulu arrested Heine a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Superior Court of Guam convicted JAI of theft by receiving, sentencing him to 5 years in prison, and assault, sentencing him to 1 year in prison.  The immigration judge previously ordered JAI’s removal from the United States on April 16, 2020.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Michigan Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Attack Military Base on Behalf of ISIS

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Melvindale man – and former member of the Michigan Army National Guard – was arrested today after he attempted to carry out a plan to conduct a mass-shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Michigan, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.

    Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, is charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device.

    “This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans.”

    “ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization which seeks to kill Americans. Helping ISIS or any other terrorist organization prepare or carry out acts of violence is not only a reprehensible crime – it is a threat to our entire nation and way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism.”

    “The defendant allegedly tried to carry out an attack on a military facility in support of ISIS, which was disrupted thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners,” said Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to detect and stop terrorist plans aimed at the American homeland or at U.S. interests overseas.”

    “The arrest of this former soldier is a sobering reminder of the importance of our counterintelligence efforts to identify and disrupt those who would seek to harm our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. “I commend the tireless work of our special agents and FBI partners who worked together to investigate and apprehend this individual. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to prevent similar incidents in the future. We urge all soldiers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their chain of command, as the safety and security of our Army and our nation depends on our collective efforts to prevent insider threats.”

    According to the complaint, Said informed two undercover law enforcement officers of a plan he had devised and formulated to conduct a mass-shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. In April 2025, the two undercover officers indicated they intended to carry out Said’s plan at the direction of ISIS. In response, Said provided material assistance to the attack plan, including providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack, flying his drone over TACOM to conduct operational reconnaissance, training the undercover employees on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails for use during the attack, and planning numerous details of the attack including how to enter TACOM and which building to target.

    On May 13 – the scheduled day of the attack – Said was arrested after he traveled to an area near TACOM and launched his drone in support of the attack plan. He will make his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be asking the court to hold Said in pretrial detention because of his danger to the community and the risk that he will flee.         

    Based on the charges in the complaint, Said faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.

    The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Salzenstein for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorneys John Cella and Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

    A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat Stations Open Across Ontario

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 14, 2025

    Sarnia, Ontario – The Canadian Coast Guard’s Inshore Rescue Boat stations on the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay, and St. Lawrence are now open.

    Inshore Rescue Boat stations are crewed by post-secondary students hired and trained by the Canadian Coast Guard. They provide additional maritime search and rescue service during the busy summer recreational boating season. The stations are located at Britt on Gereaux Island (Georgian Bay), Brebeuf Island (Georgian Bay), Hill Island (St. Lawrence River), Corunna (St. Clair River), Mitchell’s Bay (Lake St. Clair) and Long Point (Lake Erie).

    They are open from May 14, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET until September 3, 2025.          

    Ashore, Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services centres provide marine safety communications, while the response to each search and rescue case is coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario.

    Waterways remain very cold at this time of year and take much longer to warm up compared to the air. Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide is an excellent source of information in preparation for the recreational boating season.

    On water emergencies can be reported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, toll-free (within Canada) at 1-800-267-7270, or via marine VHF radio – channel 16.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bakersfield, California, Man Pleads Guilty to Striking a Sheriff Helicopter with a Laser

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

    Brett Curtis Hair, 23, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, on Sept. 11, 2024, at approximately 12:17 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Air 1 was on routine patrol when the cockpit was struck by a bright green laser beam. The Tactical Flight Officer pinpointed the source of the laser emanating from a residence within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Critical Flight Zone of Bakersfield’s Meadow Field Airport. At least 15 additional laser strikes appeared to be intentional as the light tracked and struck the helicopter. Once Air 1 arrived above the residence, Hair exited the garage and immediately began striking the helicopter’s cockpit again with the high-powered laser. During the laser strikes, the pilot and Tactical Flight Officer experienced visual interference as the laser repeatedly struck and illuminated the cockpit, making it difficult to see the aircraft’s instruments.

    According to the FAA, aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk, because many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots and interfere with the safe operation of their aircraft. In 2024, pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

    Hair is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 4, 2025. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. to Pay $3.6 Million to Resolve Allegations That it Violated the False Claims Act in Connection with Marketing Its Fentanyl Product

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

    The Justice Department announced on May 5, 2025, that Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., formerly known as Depomed, Inc., a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve claims that Assertio violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims for the transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl drug Lazanda for individuals who did not have breakthrough cancer pain.

    The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and FBIActing Assistant Director Darren Cox of the Criminal Investigative Division.

    Lazanda, a fentanyl nasal spray, is approved by the FDA solely for break-through cancer pain in patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. The United States alleges that between 2013 and 2017, Assertio caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs by focusing its marketing on pain specialists who were prescribing high volumes of transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl, known as TIRF products, including those who were flagged for diversion or who were later indicted.

    The United States further alleges that Assertio placed high-volume TIRF prescribers on its speakers’ bureau and advisory boards and developed its “Signature Support Program” to ensure that Lazanda prescriptions would be approved by insurance companies, including Medicare Part D plans. The United States contends that, as a result of Assertio’s marketing, prescribers wrote Lazanda prescriptions for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries who did not have breakthrough cancer pain and that Assertio therefore caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and TRICARE from high-volume thirteen prescribers.

    “This company took steps to boost its profits despite the risk of boosting the deadly opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “My office will continue to seek out violations like this that demonstrate a brazen disregard for the safety of the public.”

    “The Department is committed to pursuing companies that contributed to the tragic opioid epidemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Roth. “This resolution demonstrates that companies that recklessly marketed powerful opioids, like fentanyl, will be held accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, which continues to plague our country today.”

    “As today’s settlement demonstrates, the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating violations of the False Claims Act,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office. “We will continue holding companies accountable for fraudulent marketing that puts patients at risk.”

    “Violations of the False Claims Act such as the illegal prescribing practices alleged in this settlement are especially egregious considering the opioid epidemic,” said Deputy Inspector General Schrank. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure health care providers and corporations involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought in 2017 under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by Noelle Webb and Nicole Novellino, who previously worked at Depomed as sales representatives. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Webb et al. v. Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., f/k/a Depomed, Inc., No. 1:17-02309 (D.D.C.). The relators’ share of these proceeds has not yet been determined.

    The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch – Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia handled this matter. The FBI, led by its Washington Field Office; the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provided substantial assistance in the investigation and resolution.

    Today’s settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law.

    This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia, Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni, Trial Attorney Matthew Arrow, and Assistant Director Natalie Waites of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charleston Man Sentenced for Federal Tax Crime

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

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Luther A. Hanson, 72, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including eight months on home detention, and fined $5,000 for willful failure to pay over taxes. The Court previously determined that Hanson owed $146,771.37 to the United States Department of the Treasury as a result of his criminal scheme. Hanson paid the entire $146,771.37 prior to today’s sentencing.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2015 to September 2020, Hanson willfully and intentionally did not withhold or pay over approximately $149,905.38 in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for two employees of his accounting services businesses. Hanson owns, manages, controls and operates The Estate Planning Group Inc. and L.A. Hanson Accounting Services, and the two employees provided accounting and account services for both.

    Hanson admitted that some time prior to June 30, 2015, he and the two employees agreed that he would begin treating them as independent contractors. Hanson further admitted that he knew this arrangement would relieve him of paying the employer portion of the employment taxes to the IRA and of withholding the employee withholdings of the two employees.

    As a result of this arrangement, Hanson paid gross wages by check to the two employees even though neither changed their job duties or responsibilities. Hanson admitted that he knew that neither was an independent contractor while he paid each by check throughout their continued employment. Hanson further admitted that he did not pay the trust fund taxes to the IRS that were owed and did not pay over the employer’s share of employment taxes for the two employees each quarter during the duration of this arrangement.

    One of the employees paid a portion of the taxes owed, resulting in the adjusted figure of restitution owed by Hanson.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-119.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middleton — RCMP charge Middleton man with child pornography

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged a Middleton man for child pornography offences after a search of his home in late February.

    On February 27, the RCMP’s ICE Unit, assisted by Annapolis District RCMP, Kings District RCMP and RCMP Digital Forensic Services, executed a search warrant at a residence on Main St. in Middleton, seizing several electronic devices, including smartphones, computers and a hard drive.

    On May 1, after a forensic examination and analysis of the seized devices, the RCMP ICE Unit, with assistance from the RCMP Interview Assistance Team, safely arrested Devin Doucette, 32, and charged him with Possession of Child Pornography and Failure to Comply with Prohibition Order.

    Doucette appeared in Digby Provincial Court on May 1. He was released by the court on conditions and will reappear in Digby Provincial Court on June 9.

    This investigation was part of Project Steel, a collaborative effort by law enforcement partners across Canada to target online child sexual exploitation offenders.

    In Nova Scotia, it’s mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography; anyone who comes across child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failure to report could result in penalties similar to those for failure to report child abuse under the Child and Family Services Act. Be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting suspected offences to your local police or to Canada’s national tip line: www.cybertip.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: 189 Arrested in Immigration Crackdown Under the ‘Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ Initiative

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Authorities Made Arrests as Part of Coordinated Effort to Restore Order and Uphold Immigration Laws.

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr. joined with other federal law enforcement leaders to announce today that as a result of a joint federal law enforcement initiative, authorities arrested 189 individuals following a joint federal immigration-related enforcement operation in the District of Columbia over the past week.

    As part of the operation, authorities apprehended 189 illegal aliens during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on egregious criminal alien offenders operating in and around Washington, D.C., May 6–9.

    “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.”

    “The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today because of countless hours of investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C., and our law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C., Field Office Director Russell Hott. “Working with our partner agencies, ICE officers and agents arrested 189 illegal aliens and removed them from the streets of our Nation’s Capital. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in the city of Washington, D.C. Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. I commend the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation. ICE Washington, D.C., remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders from our Nation’s Capital and surrounding communities.”

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include the following:

    • A 47-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes drug possession, illegal reentry, aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault. His current criminal charges include unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien, disorderly conduct, lewd acts, possession of a controlled substance, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possessing an open container. Additionally, he has numerous gang-affiliated tattoos on his arms, legs, and chest.

    • A 25-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes threat to kidnap, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to bodily harm, and simple assault. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    • A 30-year-old illegally present Salvadoran alien whose criminal history includes simple assault, driving while intoxicated, brandishing a machete, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    • A 36-year-old illegally present Mexican alien whose criminal history includes misdemeanor larceny, misdemeanor indecent exposure, possession of an open container, simple assault, theft, unlawful entry, and possession of a prohibited weapon (knife). He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    This law enforcement activity is part of President Donald Trump’s Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Executive Order. The Executive Order directs a coordinated federal effort to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and restore pride in the nation’s capital through targeted enforcement, improved policing, and strategic partnerships. It also calls for the beautification of public spaces, stricter enforcement of quality-of-life laws, and the removal of graffiti and encampments on federal lands to ensure D.C. remains clean, secure, and reflective of America’s strength and heritage.

    Participating agencies include U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Virginia Department of Corrections; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; and U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service.

    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.

    All charges are merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marshall Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Marshall, Mo., man was indicted today with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing firearms after a prior felony conviction.

    James Joseph Elsea, 62, was previously charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in a criminal complaint filed in Jefferson City, Mo., on May 2, 2025. According to an affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Pettis County officers served a “no knock” state search warrant at Elsea’s residence on May 2, 2025. An officer was attempting to cut through a security bar on the door when four rounds were fired at the officers from within the residence. Pettis County communications subsequently received a 911 call from Elsea, who stated that he had just shot someone. Two Pettis County deputies were injured by shots fired during the search warrant.

    According to the affidavit, ATF agents responded to the scene and seized a Taurus model PT111 G2A (G2C), 9mm semi-automatic handgun, which was loaded with one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine. Agents also seized a Mossberg, model MC1SC, 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Elsea is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County men sentenced to federal prison for robbing neighborhood grocery store

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BEAUMONT, Texas – Two Beaumont men have been sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Johnaton Rechard Hite, 22, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 13, 2025.  Cody Lane Wilson, 28, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on May 13th.

    According to court documents, on April 11, 2024, local law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Kidd Grocery Store, located at 8608 Kidd Road, in Beaumont. Upon arrival, the store clerk reported that a man entered the store armed with an AR-15 style rifle and threatened to shoot him if he did not open the safe. The subject took approximately $1,340 in cash and fled the store.  Deputies reviewed surveillance footage of the robbery and observed the robber was a black male wearing a woman’s brown or black wig, a white hoodie jacket, dark pants, sunglasses, one white shoe and one black shoe.

    While responding to the robbery call, deputies observed a 2004 Honda Accord leaving the grocery store and conducted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Wilson. Wilson was detained and gave consent to search his vehicle where deputies located wigs, one black shoe, and one white shoe.  Wilson told deputies that he and Hite planned to rob the grocery store with Wilson as the getaway driver while Hite robbed the store. However, Wilson got scared and fled the scene leaving Hite behind.

    While deputies were conducting their investigation with Wilson, dispatch received another call from a concerned citizen near the grocery store reporting someone was knocking on their door.  Deputies responded to the location and located Hite hiding on the porch of the caller’s residence.  Next to where Hite was hiding, deputies found $1,340 in cash.

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

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 15, 2025
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