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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Bill Would Ensure Coasties Get Paid, Even if the Government Shuts Down

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.07.25
    Cantwell Bill Would Ensure Coasties Get Paid, Even if the Government Shuts Down
    Pay Our Coast Guard Act would ensure members of the Coast Guard receive the same treatment as those in other U.S. military branches
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined her colleagues — Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) — in reintroducing the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure United States Coast Guard personnel receive pay and allowances in the event of a government shutdown.
    This legislation would ensure that the Coast Guard gets the same treatment as the other branches of the armed services if there is a lapse in appropriations. Because the Coast Guard is housed within the Department of Homeland Security, it was left out of a previous stopgap funding bill that only covered the Department of Defense.
    “This commonsense legislation would ensure that Coast Guard members receive their paycheck in the event of a government shutdown, just like the other members of the armed forces,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Coast Guard members and their families make sacrifices for us every day and provide an incredible service to the Pacific Northwest and the nation through search and rescue, emergency response, oil spill prevention, facilitating maritime commerce, and protecting national security. We must honor their commitment and service by guaranteeing they receive their pay on time.” 
    Sen. Cantwell is an ardent supporter of the U.S. Coast Guard and its families. Yesterday, the Senate unanimously passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, which Sen. Cantwell introduced in February. It was first introduced last Congress, in December 2024. The bill would reauthorize $30.45 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026. It includes historic protections for service members from sexual assault and harassment, and boosts workforce development programs and availability of affordable housing, among other provisions.
    In 2022, Sen. Cantwell led the passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022. The bill included provisions to reduce sexual assault and sexual harassment at sea and crack down on illegal fishing and forced labor. It also established the “Whale Desk” pilot program, which led to the creation of a whale traffic alert system at Coast Guard Base Seattle.
    In 2021, Sen. Cantwell championed two Coast Guard provisions that were included in the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $309 million for repairs and new construction of Coast Guard owned housing and infrastructure across the country and $120 million to build Coast Guard owned and operated childcare centers, which are critical to the retention of women serving in the Coast Guard.
    In 2017, Sen. Cantwell advocated for Coast Guard paid family leave policies to be expanded to include LGBTQ+ couples, adoptive parents, and secondary caregivers. The U.S. Coast Guard announced the expansion of their paid family leave policy in June 2018. In 2015, Sen. Cantwell authored an amendment to ensure Coast Guard members were not receiving less maternity leave than other branches of the military, such as the Navy. This resulted in paid maternity leave for Coast Guard members being doubled from 6 to 12 weeks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Amid Evolving Political Reality, Security Council Speakers Urge Breakthrough on Syria’s Chemical Weapons Compliance

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The new political reality in Syria presents an opportunity to obtain long-overdue clarifications on the Syrian chemical weapons programme, rid the country of all such weapons and ensure long-term compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.

    “The importance of closing all outstanding issues related to Syria’s chemical weapons dossier cannot be overstated,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, during her briefing to the 15-member Council.

    Although the previous Syrian authorities submitted 20 amendments to Syria’s initial declaration, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Declaration Assessment Team was never able to confirm that the information was accurate.  Over the last 11 years, the Team has raised and reported a total of 26 outstanding issues with Syria’s declaration.

    “The OPCW Technical Secretariat has reported that the substance of the 19 outstanding issues remains a ‘serious concern’ as it involves large quantities of potentially undeclared or unverified chemical warfare agents and chemical munitions,” she added.

    The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission and the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team have documented the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and in several incidents, identified the Syrian Arab Armed Forces as the perpetrators.  The OPCW Technical Secretariat has reported that Syria continued to use, and possibly produce, chemical weapons after joining the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013.  “The situation left by the previous Syrian authorities is extremely worrying,” she went on to stress.

    But, there are some encouraging signs.  The OPCW Director-General recently received assurances that the new authorities are committed to destroying any remains of the chemical weapons programme, bringing justice to the victims and ensuring Syria’s compliance with international law.  A new focal point for chemical weapons matters within the Syria’s Foreign Ministry travelled to The Hague for in-person meetings with the OPCW Technical Secretariat on how to advance the OPCW’s “Nine-Point Action Plan for Syria”.

    In the coming days, a team of experts from the OPCW Technical Secretariat will be deployed to Damascus to establish OPCW’s permanent presence in Syria and start jointly planning deployments to chemical weapons sites.  While the commitment of the caretaker authorities in Syria to fully cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is commendable, the work ahead will not be easy and will require additional resources from the international community. “I urge the members of this Council to unite and show leadership in providing the support that this unprecedented effort will require,” she said.

    In the ensuing discussion among Council members, many speakers took note of the developments reported to date, underscoring them as important steps towards implementing relevant Council resolutions and securing Syria’s fulfilment of its international commitments.  Several speakers also stressed the importance of ensuring that chemical weapons do not fall into the hands of non-State actors.

    Need to Prevent Transfer of Mass Destruction Weapons to Terrorists

    “Terrorists cannot be allowed to have access to weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons,” Pakistan’s delegate said.  The new Syrian authorities must address long-standing questions and ensure unimpeded access to enable the OPCW to independently and fully verify the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria, he emphasised.  China’s delegate also said that effectively resolving the Syrian chemical issue will help prevent chemical weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.  Resolving the issue of Syrian chemical weapons should be a top priority for the international community, he added, warning that the risk of terrorist organizations within Syria expanding their position in the country “remains high”.

    Greece’s delegate stressed the importance of “securing chemical weapons-related locations and materials therein, during the [political] transition” in Syria.  According to the latest OPCW monthly reports, he noted, no monthly report was received recently from Syria and its authorities have not completed declaring all the chemical weapons it currently possesses, including sarin, sarin precursors and chlorine.  The interim Government must work constructively with OPCW to close the 19 outstanding issues, and thus to confirm that it has abandoned the use of chemical weapons and concluded the total destruction of stockpiles.

    Several speakers highlighted the plight of the Syrian people, with Slovenia’s delegate emphasizing that Syrian civilians still await justice after 14 years of bloody conflict.  “The use of chemical weapons has always resulted in a human tragedy,” she recalled.  The representative of Denmark, Council President for March, speaking in her national capacity, stressed the importance of justice for Syrians who were victim to the Assad regime’s horrific chemical attacks.  “The toppled regime of Bashar al-Assad had used these inhumane weapons against its own people in at least nine cases documented by independent investigations,” echoed France’s delegate.  And for more than 11 years, the Assad regime obstructed the work of OPCW, he recalled.

    ‘Historic Opportunity’ for Renewed Momentum

    “This is an opportunity that must not be squandered,” the representative of Panama stressed, echoing many speakers who also spotlighted this moment as a unique chance for Syria to start fresh.  Efforts are being made to rebuild institutions and restore the rule of law.  In the same vein, he also echoed several speakers as he expressed concern over increasing clashes and tensions across the country.  “We urge all parties to halt this escalation and to prioritize dialog and stability,” he urged.

    “We have a historic opportunity to close this dark chapter in history and to start a new one — creating a Syria that is safer for its people and more secure for the region and the world,” said the representative of the United States, underscoring that all elements of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme must now be secured, declared and safely destroyed under international verification.  This imperative is two-fold:  to bring Syria into compliance with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and critically, to ensure that any remaining elements do not end up in the wrong hands, she said.  However, “the window of opportunity is short”, she cautioned, highlighting “a tremendously important mission” before OPCW.

    The fall of the Assad regime presents “a golden opportunity” to destroy Syria’s remaining chemical weapons programme, said the speaker for the United Kingdom, as he welcomed the commitments already made by the Syrian interim authorities to fully cooperate with OPCW.  For things to progress, however, the international community must provide the financial and technical assistance that is required.  He also urged Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria, adding that such military moves risk destabilizing an already fragile situation.  The representative of Republic of Korea also called on regional actors to refrain from actions that could impede Syria’s full implementation of its Chemical Weapons Convention obligations.  Israel’s air strikes could not only create a risk of contamination, but also lead to the destruction of valuable evidence for investigations related to past use of chemical weapons.  “Broader accountability measures must be pursued as part of Syria’s political transition,” he stressed.

    Moscow Questions Expert Deployment to Chemical Weapons Sites

    The Russian Federation’s delegate stated that his country was instrumental in Syria’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, which placed its chemical arsenal under international control.  “On the whole, we support any progress that would help resolve the remaining outstanding issues in Syria’s initial declaration,” he said. However, he expressed doubts about the OPCW’s ability to carry out its technical mandate impartially, citing long-standing concerns over the politicization of its work. Cautioning against the deployment of full-fledged OPCW teams in Syria, he argued that any conclusions such missions might reach “won’t enjoy the trust of the international community”.  Given the uncertain conditions in the country, verifying the presence of chemical weapons is “not the top priority for the current authorities,” he said, emphasizing:  “We need to understand this and not push ahead with this topic.”

    Other speakers commended recent diplomatic progress, with Algeria’s delegate, speaking also for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, acknowledging the recent engagement between Syria and OPCW and the designation by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a new focal point for chemical weapons matters.  He commended Qatar’s “instrumental role” as a revitalizing channel for engagement.  While recognizing the challenges faced by the Declaration Assessment Team in addressing all outstanding issues, he welcomed the readiness of the new Syrian leadership to inaugurate a new chapter of open and transparent relations with the Organization.

    Türkiye’s delegate said that the high-level discussions during this visit of the OPCW Director-General “represent a crucial turning point in establishing direct cooperation between Syria and the OPCW, putting an end to years of stagnation”.  Echoing several other speakers, he commended Qatar for temporarily assuming the role of representing Syria’s interests at OPCW, and also called on the Council to take decisive action against Israel’s expansionist and destabilizing acts.

    New Foreign Policy, New Phase of Cooperation 

    For his part, Syria’s representative said his country is “keen to adopt a new foreign policy” grounded in international law, and to honour its obligations under international legal instruments it has acceded to. Accordingly, he reiterated his country’s commitment to cooperate with OPCW and “close this file once and for all”. However, he stressed that Israel’s aggression against several military and civilian facilities in Syria on 9 December 2024 complicates the relevant logistical, technical and practical challenges.

    Highlighting “a new phase of cooperation” with OPCW, he requested that Syria’s privileges and rights as a State party — which have been suspended — be restored and collective punitive measures be lifted.  “This undermined its efforts to achieve economic development and meet the needs of its people,” he observed, adding that Syria is keen today to eliminate the threat posed by prohibited chemical weapons, promote international peace and stability and “ensure that these atrocities will not occur in the future”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal grand jury indicts Chautauqua County man for attempted production of child pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jose Perez, 40, of Celeron, NY, with attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 80 years, and a $250,000 fine.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint, on September 3, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Perez uploaded a file a suspected child pornography. On December 15, 2022, HSI executed a federal search warrant at Perez’s residence, seizing computers, a cellular telephone, and electronic storage devices, including a thumb drive, which contained two video files that appeared to be taken from a videocam located in Perez’s bathroom. One of the files included video of a naked minor victim who does not appear to be aware that the camera is present. In addition, the thumb drive contained 17,839 image files that appeared to be taken from the same bathroom videocam and included naked images of the minor victim. Images and videos of child pornography were also found on Perez’s cell phone.

    The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chinese National Arrested For Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the return of an indictment charging Jiaan Cao (33, China) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Cao faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Cao is currently detained pending the resolution of this case. 

    According to the indictment, beginning in at least October 2024 and continuing through December 12, 2024, Cao conspired with others to commit wire fraud. Cao and other conspirators sought to accomplish the wire fraud by gaining access to a victim’s computer, fraudulently posing as a representative of a victim’s financial institution and informing the victim their account had been subjected to fraudulent or criminal activity. A member of the conspiracy would then direct the victim to withdraw money from their account and purchase gold to provide to a conspirator. A conspirator would then travel to the victim to obtain the gold. During the conspiracy, conspirators exchanged electronic communications with one another that included location details of the victim.

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

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missouri Couple Indicted for Abducting and Sexually Abusing 13-Year-Old They Groomed Online

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendants Sexually Assaulted Teen Victim in Their Van and Apartment Over Several Days

    ROANOKE, VA. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Justin Johiah Curtright, 40, and Christin Marie Curtright, 32, a married couple from Springfield, Missouri. This indictment follows the couples’ arrest and preliminary hearing last month on a federal criminal complaint. The complaint alleged that the Curtrights groomed a 13-year-old victim over the internet, traveled from Missouri to pick her up from her home in Virginia, then repeatedly sexually assaulted her in their van and at their apartment until she was rescued by police.

    The indictment charges: coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence; conspiracy and transportation of a minor in interstate commerce to engage in criminal sexual activity, which also carries a mandatory 10-year minimum prison sentence; and three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, which each carry 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentences. If convicted, the Curtrights face a maximum punishment of life in prison.

    According to court documents, in May 2024 the victim met Justin Curtright on Discord, an online group chat platform, where the two talked for hours. The victim initially used an alias and claimed she was 18 years old. Justin Curtright soon began talking in sexual overtones and eventually sent the victim a sexually explicit video of himself.

    The next morning, Justin added the victim to a private Discord channel that included both him and his wife, Christin Curtright.  From that point, the three talked extensively, both online and by phone.  The victim eventually admitted she was only 13 years old.

    The Curtrights also engaged in sexually explicit acts on camera while video chatting with the victim. Justin would frequently pretend to be the victim’s father.

    At some point near the end of June, the Curtrights devised a plan to drive to Virginia to abduct the victim and take her to their Springfield apartment.  On the morning of July 24, 2024, as planned, the Curtrights met the victim near her home in Virginia.  The victim got in the Curtrights’ vehicle, and they drove her back to Missouri.

    During the trip back to Missouri, the Curtrights each took turns sexually assaulting the victim while the other drove. Once they reached their apartment, they continued their sexual abuse and exploitation of the victim for several more days.

    On July 27, 2024, officers with the Springfield Police Department went to the Curtrights’ apartment, where they found the victim hiding in the back of a closet in the Curtrights’ bedroom. The victim had a debit card and false ID that Justin Curtright gave her, which represented her as Justin’s 15-year-old daughter.

    Springfield officers seized the Curtrights’ phones, which held recordings of the Curtrights’ video chats grooming and sexually exploiting the victim, as well as images of the victim being abused during the drive to Missouri.

    Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement today.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Springfield Police Department, and various local law enforcement agencies investigated the case.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Northern Kentucky Man Sentenced for Extraterritorial Production of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COVINGTON, Ky. – A Walton, Ky., man, Robert Maxwell Werner, 46, was sentenced on Friday to 30 years in prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for extraterritorial production of child pornography.   

    According to his plea agreement, Werner is a U.S. citizen who was living in the Philippines from February 2021 through November 2021.  During this time, Werner became the customer of a Filipino individual who would sell access to dozens of minor victims for in-person or livestreamed sexual acts. For several months, Werner paid this individual for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and multiple in‑person meetings with minor males in the Philippines. Specifically, Werner admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with at least one minor for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct between July 2021 and November 2021, while in the Philippines. Werner further admitted to transporting that sexually explicit material into the United States.

    Under federal law, Werner must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years.

    Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, announced the sentencing.

    The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit, with substantial assistance from the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth and Trial Attorney Rachel Rothberg, with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    – END –

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Roper Technologies announces dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SARASOTA, Fla., March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roper Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROP) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a dividend of $0.825 per share payable on April 22, 2025 to stockholders of record on April 4, 2025.

    About Roper Technologies

    Roper Technologies is a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. Roper has a proven, long-term track record of compounding cash flow and shareholder value. The Company operates market leading businesses that design and develop vertical software and technology enabled products for a variety of defensible niche markets. Roper utilizes a disciplined, analytical, and process-driven approach to redeploy its excess capital toward high-quality acquisitions. Additional information about Roper is available on the Company’s website at www.ropertech.com.

    Contact information:
    Investor Relations
    941-556-2601
    investor-relations@ropertech.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bel Announces Grand Opening of New Facility in India

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST ORANGE, N.J., March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bel Fuse Inc. (Nasdaq: BELFA and BELFB) (“Bel” or the “Company”) today announced the grand opening of its new facility in Manesar, Gurugram, India, a critical milestone following Bel’s acquisition of Enercon in November 2024. The original Enercon factory in India, which this replaces, was opened in 2018 and grew from 17 associates to over 200 associates today. The new facility will enable our Power Solutions and Protection segment to double its manufacturing capacity in India. This expands the overall Bel footprint outside of China thus providing more optionality for our customers. 

    Dan Bernstein, President and CEO of Bel, commented, “We’re excited to be celebrating the opening of our new facility in India. This project was underway by the Enercon team at the time of our acquisition and will aid Bel’s goal to accelerate the geographic diversification of our manufacturing footprint.” Eyal Shary, CEO of Enercon, added, “We are proud of our investment in India and our ability to grow our manufacturing base within it. The Enercon team did an amazing job of keeping this project on track even during the acquisition process and we look forward to the combined company benefitting from the additional space.”

    About Bel
    Bel (www.belfuse.com) designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are primarily used in the defense, commercial aerospace, networking, telecommunications, computing, general industrial, high-speed data transmission, transportation and eMobility industries. Bel’s portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical, broadcasting and consumer electronics markets. Bel’s product groups include Power Solutions and Protection (front-end, board-mount and industrial power products, module products and circuit protection), Connectivity Solutions (expanded beam fiber optic, copper-based, RF and RJ connectors and cable assemblies), and Magnetic Solutions (integrated connector modules, power transformers, power inductors and discrete components). The Company operates facilities around the world.

    Company Contact:
    Lynn Hutkin
    VP Financial Reporting & Investor Relations
    ir@belf.com 

    Investor Contact:
    Three Part Advisors
    Jean Marie Young, Managing Director or Steven Hooser, Partner
    631-418-4339
    jyoung@threepa.com; shooser@threepa.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s video Message on the occasion of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, 

    Ladies and Gentlemen, 

    Ten years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reports show we are gravely off track. Intensifying, interconnected challenges continue to endanger the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

    For example, the global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is in danger of failure, with almost 600 million people still living in extreme poverty. Hunger is also increasing, and we have witnessed the warmest years on record with carbon dioxide levels continuing to rise. 
    But we cannot give up hope or dilute our ambitions. It’s time to rescue the SDGs as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. We must build on our successes and accelerate progress in key areas that will achieve the greatest impact. 

    The number of people lacking electricity access in the world fell by almost 30 per cent from 2015 to 2022. Internet access increased by about 70 per cent.
     
    For local communities these transformations represent real opportunities. To improve health and widen access to education and social protection. To make food systems more resilient, while creating green jobs. To open e-commerce and financial services, while also protecting the environment and biodiversity.

    But developing countries cannot take these actions alone. We need to support them in designing and implementing their economic transformations. 

    At the Summit of the Future last September, world leaders set out the Pact for the Future, a sharp vision of a multilateralism that can deepen cooperation and deliver on these promises.

    The Pact contains commitments that can unlock financing, including an SDG Stimulus, a review of the sovereign debt architecture and reform of the international financial architecture.

    As TERI and this Summit make clear, these reforms will be critical to help developing countries mobilize the financing and support they need to invest in green solutions and renewable energy systems for the future. 

    Financing can play a key role in creating demand for renewables and low-carbon solutions at all levels — from households to businesses — while ensuring positive socio-economic and environmental benefits.  

    To accelerate these efforts, the UN system is working to support country level policy reforms, integrate stakeholder innovations, build institutional capacities, and boost infrastructure investments across the entire renewable clean energy supply chain.  

    And the Secretary-General’s panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals offers important Principles and Actionable Recommendations to ensure this new era does not repeat historical patterns of exploitation.  

    This work will be critical in supporting countries as they develop national climate plans ahead of COP30 — plans that must reduce emissions by investing in renewable solutions that can create new jobs and sources of prosperity.  

    The message is clear. No single nation can navigate challenges alone. Effective collaboration is increasingly critical to shaping our common future.

    The United Nations is committed to standing with all partners as we accelerate action on the SDGs and shape the sustainable future all people need and deserve. 

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Solving the Nursing Shortage: Governor Shapiro Visits Temple University Health System to Highlight Investments in Nurse Training to Grow Pennsylvania’s Health Care Workforce

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 06, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA

    Solving the Nursing Shortage: Governor Shapiro Visits Temple University Health System to Highlight Investments in Nurse Training to Grow Pennsylvania’s Health Care Workforce

    Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker visited Temple Women & Families – part of Temple University Health System (TUHS) – to highlight the investments included in the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal aimed at tackling Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage and strengthening the Commonwealth’s health care workforce.

    The Governor’s budget proposal includes a first-time state-level investment of $5 million to create the Nurse Shortage Assistance Program, which will provide funding to hospitals that partner with nursing schools to cover tuition costs for students who commit to a three-year work placement at Pennsylvania hospitals after graduation. This initiative aims to build a pipeline of trained nursing professionals- boosting retention, limiting turnover, and helping maintain a skilled health care workforce that delivers high-quality care all across the Commonwealth.

    “We need to take action now to address Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage, and my budget makes strategic investments to do just that,” said Governor Shapiro. “By expanding education programs, providing tuition assistance, and strengthening workforce pipelines, we can ensure hospitals have the skilled professionals they need to deliver high-quality patient care. We know this model of tuition assistance works, and for the first time ever, we are proposing to help nursing students with an investment of state dollars that not only gives them peace of mind but creates a pipeline of new, highly trained nurses for our communities.”

    List of Speakers:
    Michael Young, President and CEO of TUHS
    Governor Shapiro
    Carter Short, Chief Nursing Executive of TUHS Chaudron
    Maura Cabry,senior nursing student
    Nancy A. Walker, L&I Secretary

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro-Davis Administration Highlights Importance of Proposed 2025-26 StateBudget Investment for Victims Compensation and the Critical Role of theProgram for Victims and Survivors of Crime

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 07, 2025 – Lancaster, PA

    Shapiro-Davis Administration Highlights Importance of Proposed 2025-26 State
    Budget Investment for Victims Compensation and the Critical Role of the
    Program for Victims and Survivors of Crime

    The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), Victim/Witness Services of the Lancaster District Attorney’s Office, and other local victim service providers highlighted the importance of supporting victims and survivors of crime and to encourage support for the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed $9 million investment in the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) in the 2025-26 state budget.

    “No crime victim should have to worry about how they’ll afford medical bills. No family should have to struggle with funeral expenses for a loved one lost to violence. And no sexual assault survivor should have to worry about costs of counseling to overcome their trauma,” said Kathy Buckley, Director of PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services. “That’s why VCAP is so essential- it’s more than just financial assistance; it’s a lifeline. We need to continue raising awareness about the vital impact of this program and the importance of the Shapiro-Davis budget investment in VCAP to ensure it remains available for Pennsylvanians who need it most.”

    VCAP serves as a critical financial lifeline for people who have experienced crime victimization. Each year, the program receives an average of 12,000 claims for eligible expenses including medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, stolen cash, relocation, funeral costs, crime scene cleanup, and more. Over the past five years, PCCD has paid more than 67,000 VCAP claims totaling $67 million in eligible expenses for citizens across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

    List of Speakers:
    Kathy Buckley, Office of Victims’ Services Director, PCCD
    Deanna Weaver, Victim/Witness Services Program Director, Lancaster County DA’s Office
    Mary Halye, Lancaster County Children’s Alliance Manager
    Christine Gilfillan, Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County Director, Community Action Partnership
    Mandy Billman, Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center Director, YWCA Lancaster

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Mobile Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Massive Counterfeit Check Fraud Scheme Targeting the U.S. Mail

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    According to court documents, Brian Christopher Williams III, 25, and Kalaijha Tomeco Ranier Lewis, 29, schemed to defraud various federally insured banks and credit unions between November 2021 and June 2023. To carry out the fraud scheme, Williams recruited Lewis, who worked at the post office on Saint Joseph Street in Mobile, to steal hundreds of high-value business checks and sell them to Williams. In turn, Williams and other coconspirators sold the stolen checks via an illicit online marketplace hosted on a Telegram channel called “Work Related.” Fraudsters who purchased the stolen checks later counterfeited and negotiated many of them, causing substantial financial losses to multiple victims. In total, the value of the stolen checks posted to the “Work Related” channel exceeded $17 million.

    In June 2023, investigators began surveillance at the Saint Joseph Street post office in Mobile. On several occasions, agents saw Lewis manipulating the windowed envelopes of checks to see the amounts listed inside while she sorted mail. On June 23, 2023, agents confronted Lewis after capturing her on video stuffing a large stack of stolen checks into her pants before the end of her work shift. Lewis confessed that for several months, she stole business checks for Williams, who paid her $2,000 to $3,000 for each stack of stolen checks that she brought him.

    That same day, agents arrested Williams at a gas station in Mobile, where he had arrived to purchase the stolen checks from Lewis. Agents seized more than $10,000 in cash from Williams’s pocket, which Williams admitted was proceeds of his fraud scheme. Agents also searched Williams’s car, seizing a loaded .40 caliber Glock pistol equipped with an extended magazine, ammunition, marijuana, and stolen checks valued at more than $417,000. Williams confessed to selling stolen checks to a coconspirator in Birmingham who marketed the checks for sale on Telegram.

    Agents executed warrants to search cell phones and social media accounts belonging to Williams and Lewis, each of which contained extensive communications regarding the scheme. For example, on June 1, 2023, Williams messaged Lewis, “I need a load today!!!!!,” to which Lewis responded, “I done seen 7 [checks] since 6am.” Days later, Williams messaged Lewis about meeting up to purchase high-value stolen checks, emphasizing, “I need like 20k, 15k, 30k and up, majority of this whole damn load low asf, 1000-1600 are lows.”

    Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Williams and Lewis to serve 100 months and 60 months in federal prison, respectively. Following their release from prison, Williams and Lewis will each serve five-year terms of supervised release, during which time they will receive mental health evaluation and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Chief Judge Beaverstock ordered the defendants to pay $234,246.63 in victim restitution and a total of $300 in special assessments. The court also forfeited $10,773.53 in cash seized from Williams to the United States.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Keith A. Jones of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama for its significant partnership and coordination in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case with significant assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Birmingham.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Roller and Scott Gray prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In New Response to Lawmakers, Joint Committee on Taxation Reveals GOP Use of “Magic Math” Would Be Unprecedented

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 07, 2025
    In New Response to Lawmakers, Joint Committee on Taxation Reveals GOP Use of “Magic Math” Would Be Unprecedented
    Republicans want to use “magic math” to pay for billionaire tax cuts and falsely claim no cost to American taxpayers
    Text of Response Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – In a new response to a recent letter sent by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) revealed the unprecedented nature of Republicans’ proposed “magic math” to pay for billionaire tax cuts and falsely claim no cost to American taxpayers.
    On February 19, the lawmakers sent a letter to JCT, pressing for answers on the scoring methods used for tax legislation ahead of the expiration of many of the tax provisions contained in President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
    In its new response, JCT confirmed:
    It has used a current law baseline as their default approach to scoring legislation since the 1970s.
    It has never used a current policy baseline on the Senate floor, save for a small statutory exception. Shifting to use a current policy baseline this year for Republicans’ tax package, as Republicans are pushing for, would be unprecedented.
    “Magic math” goes both ways: Republicans have called the American Rescue Plan’s enhanced insurance premium tax credit too expensive to renew, but according to JCT, the current policy baseline would render an extension of the tax credit “free.”
    In 2017, Congressional Republicans set many TCJA provisions to expire this year in an attempt to keep the price tag of the proposed tax cuts below $1.5 trillion. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), extending these tax cuts for the next ten years would cost trillions and would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans.
    Still, some Senate Republicans claim that the cost of extending the TCJA is $0. To accurately calculate the cost of these tax cut extensions, Congress needs a baseline to measure changes against. By law, that baseline has been the “current law,” which assumes that expiring provisions will expire on schedule and therefore that any extension would cost money. Senate Republicans have suggested that this year’s tax bill should be evaluated based on a “current policy baseline,” which assumes that expiring provisions will not expire and that any extensions of temporary provisions cost nothing.
    At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, March 6, Senator Warren questioned Dr. Michael Faulkender, President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, on Republicans’ “magic math” for their plans to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy. When pressed by Senator Warren on whether this gimmick actually produces additional revenue, Dr. Faulkender admitted: “I can’t imagine that it would.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak discussed the development of a national model of target conditions for doing business with representatives of federal authorities, regions and business associations

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    March 7, 2025

    Alexander Novak, together with Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Maxim Oreshkin, held a meeting on the development of a national model of target conditions for doing business.

    “The President has set national development goals, and one of the key tasks is to ensure that the economy grows at a rate higher than the world average and maintain fourth place in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. To do this, we need to achieve sustainable growth rates and increase the volume of investment in fixed assets by 60%. One of the areas of work to achieve these indicators is the constant improvement of the investment climate. On the instructions of the President, the Ministry of Economic Development, together with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, is developing a national model of target conditions for doing business,” said Alexander Novak.

    The national model includes priority areas and target indicators at the federal and regional levels to simplify the launch and operation of a business in Russia.

    “The Government is currently developing a plan for structural changes in the Russian economy in order to remove restrictions that prevent rapid growth. Target conditions for doing business are one of the key elements of this work. Our task is to reduce losses, unnecessary steps and ineffective stages along the investment process,” said Maxim Oreshkin.

    “The goal of the national model is to solve specific problems of improving the business climate through reforms that businesses need. To measure changes, it is necessary to develop target indicators of efficiency at the federal and regional levels. That is, to determine the criteria for assessing the activities of government bodies in working with businesses. At all stages – from registering a legal entity to entering the international market,” said Maxim Reshetnikov, head of the Ministry of Economic Development.

    The Minister noted that the formation and implementation of the national model play a key role in the plan of measures for structural changes in the economy until 2030. The implementation of the model will affect not only the provision of a favorable institutional environment and improvement of the business climate, but also the solution of other strategic tasks. For example, stimulating investment, providing financial resources for economic growth, and developing the labor market.

    11 working groups headed by representatives of companies and government bodies are engaged in identifying procedural and process-related difficulties in doing business at various stages of the life cycle of enterprises. The first results have shown that there are both long-standing issues and promising areas for reform.

    For example, these are bankruptcy and competition laws, out-of-court settlement mechanisms, issues of labor market flexibility, diversification of business financing sources, and improvement of law enforcement practices in energy infrastructure.

    Svetlana Chupsheva, Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, reported on regional indicators of the national model of target conditions for doing business. She focused on the methodology for determining and monitoring target indicators at the regional level.

    “At the regional level, it is planned to use 29 key indicators of the National Investment Climate Rating. The average results of 20 leading regions were taken as benchmarks by 2027, and the results of the leading five by 2030. We plan to approve them at the next meeting of the State Council Commission on Investments. Then, together with the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the regions, we will develop action plans to achieve the set goals,” the head of ASI said.

    Federal indicators will be reflected in regional ones for mandatory implementation at the local level. Thus, the rating will remain a tool for measuring the state of the investment climate. And the model will determine where and what problems need to be solved in order to improve the conditions for business operations.

    Representatives of regions, business associations and federal agencies also took part in the meeting.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kentucky Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Minors in the Philippines

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Kentucky man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in the Philippines.

    According to court documents, from February 2021 through November 2021, while living in the Philippines, Robert Maxwell Werner, 46, of Walton, purchased access from a Filipino individual to dozens of minor victims for in-person, livestreamed, and recorded sexual acts. For several months, Werner paid this individual for custom-created CSAM, in which the individual would sexually abuse these minors and force the minors to engage in sexual acts together for foreign customers like Werner. Werner also paid the individual for five in‑person meetings with minors at hotels and rental properties in the Philippines. During those meetings, Werner sexually abused multiple minors. In exchange, Werner would provide money, food, clothing, and basic necessities for the minors, who lived in desperate circumstances.

    As part of his plea agreement, Werner admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with at least one minor for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct between July 2021 and November 2021, while in the Philippines. Werner further admitted to transporting that sexually explicit material into the United States. Additionally, once he returned to the United States, Werner continued to solicit CSAM from the individual for at least another month.

    Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

    The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kentucky Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Minors in the Philippines

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Kentucky man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in the Philippines.

    According to court documents, from February 2021 through November 2021, while living in the Philippines, Robert Maxwell Werner, 46, of Walton, purchased access from a Filipino individual to dozens of minor victims for in-person, livestreamed, and recorded sexual acts. For several months, Werner paid this individual for custom-created CSAM, in which the individual would sexually abuse these minors and force the minors to engage in sexual acts together for foreign customers like Werner. Werner also paid the individual for five in‑person meetings with minors at hotels and rental properties in the Philippines. During those meetings, Werner sexually abused multiple minors. In exchange, Werner would provide money, food, clothing, and basic necessities for the minors, who lived in desperate circumstances.

    As part of his plea agreement, Werner admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with at least one minor for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct between July 2021 and November 2021, while in the Philippines. Werner further admitted to transporting that sexually explicit material into the United States. Additionally, once he returned to the United States, Werner continued to solicit CSAM from the individual for at least another month.

    Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

    The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Financial Institutions Face Economic Uncertainties, Rising Competition from Consolidation and Digital-Only Providers, According to New Strata Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Financial institutions nationwide are preparing to navigate significant economic uncertainties and mounting competition from non-traditional, digitally based competitors and industry consolidation throughout 2025, according to a new report from Strata Decision Technology.

    The 2025 CFO Outlook for Financial Institutions report combines industry analysts’ projections with Strata’s independent research. The impacts of interest rate changes and other economic factors — such as tariffs on imports from countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico — remain unknown. At the same time, analysts predict financial institutions could benefit from regulatory changes and the expansion of new technologies.

    “Financial institution leaders face considerable challenges as they work to bolster stability for their institutions in 2025,” said Eric Wheeler, Senior Director for Product Management at Strata. “Yet analysts are cautiously optimistic and predict that the momentum of 2024 will continue this year. Leaders will need to prepare for a variety of potential outcomes as they navigate shifting market forces, rising competition, and an unclear economic environment.”

    Finance leaders cited shifting interest rates as both the No. 1 risk and the primary driver of business model change in 2025. The Federal Reserve has indicated it will lower interest rates in 2025, but not to the extent originally projected and dependent on how the broader economy performs.

    With the Trump administration’s promises to scale back Biden-era regulations, financial institutions anticipate potential easing of capital requirements and further incentives for digital innovation. At the same time, however, the Trump administration is also easing restrictions on fintechs and cryptocurrency providers, which could lead to heightened competition from non-traditional financial services companies.

    The continued rise of digital-only, alternative finance providers such as neobanks and buy-now pay-later platforms remains a serious concern for industry leaders. In response, leaders cited their top three areas for technology spend in 2025 as digital banking, data and analytics, and fraud prevention and security.

    Analysts predict the industry will see an increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions in 2025, as asset quality improvements that began in late 2024 continue. Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions are expected to continue to consolidate as they seek to build scale and keep pace with technological advancements. Some analysts anticipate the increased M&A activity will include a rise in non-traditional mergers among credit unions and banks, and banks and fintech companies.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) was identified as the top factor that will have the biggest impact on the future of financial services. Business applications of AI remain relatively low across all industries — including financial institutions — but that is expected to rapidly change in the coming years. Strata customers have said their institutions are applying AI primarily for customer service, such as the use of chatbots to communicate with customers. Many institutions plan to expand AI use over the next 12-18 months in areas such as financial systems, planning, fraud prevention, and further personalizing the customer experience.

    To address interest rate uncertainties, institutions are implementing numerous strategies, including increasing their focus on non-interest income, decreasing expenses, and changing product pricing. Financial institution leaders noted that commercial loans are projected to be their top area of profitability growth in 2025. Other anticipated growth areas include mortgage loans, consumer loans, deposits, and small business loans.

    About Strata Decision Technology

    Strata Decision Technology, LLC provides a cloud-based, enterprise performance platform for software, and data and service solutions to help organizations better analyze, plan, and perform in support of their missions. More than 2,300 organizations rely on Strata’s StrataJazz and Axiom solutions for financial analytics, planning, and performance management. Named the market leader for Business Decision Support for more than 15 consecutive years, Strata delivers first-class solutions and service, with an intense focus on accelerating innovation. For more information, please go to www.stratadecision.com.

    Media contact: 
    Sally Brown, Inkhouse
    strata@inkhouse.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Rounds Reintroduce Legislation to Ban Foreign Adversaries from Buying American Farmland and Agricultural Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    03.07.25
    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week joined Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, legislation to ban individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses located near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites.
    “Foreign adversaries are buying up U.S. farmland which is a threat not only to our food security, but our national security. Our legislation will prevent these bad actors from purchasing farmland and agricultural businesses near our strategic assets to better protect our nation from those with malign intentions,” said Hoeven.
    The PASS Act is also cosponsored by Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
    In February 2025, President Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) to promote foreign investment while protecting America’s national security interests. In the NSPM, the President specifically mentioned adopting new rules to stop China from “buying up America.”
    Specifically, the PASS Act would:
    Ban purchases of agricultural land by individuals/entities controlled by North Korea, China, Russia and Iran near military installations and sensitive sites.
    Make the Secretary of Agriculture a voting member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for all covered transactions involving the purchase of agricultural land, biotechnology, and any other transaction related to the agriculture industry in the United States.
    Give the U.S. Department of Agriculture the ability to refer cases to CFIUS for review if there is reason to believe an agriculture land transaction may raise a national security concern.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Johnstown Resident Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Crack Cocaine

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

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Kevin Johnson, 39, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to Count One of the Superseding Indictment.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around March 2021 to July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Johnson conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base in the form commonly known as crack. Johnson was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the crack that he distributed to others.

    Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Johnson. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Hall Man Sentenced to Five Years for Robbery at Knifepoint

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

    POCATELLO – Malik Marin Ish, 23, of Fort Hall, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for robbery, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye sentenced Ish on March 3, 2025, to 54.5 months in federal prison in addition to the 8.5 months of tribal jail time, which Ish served leading up to his sentencing.

    According to court records, on February 19, 2024, Ish approached a man getting gasoline in his Jeep Cherokee at a gas station in Fort Hall and demanded the man’s vehicle at knifepoint.  The man and Ish struggled for a time and Ish tried to stab him.  Ish took the Jeep and crashed it a short distance away.  Fort Hall Police officers located Ish later that day and recognized Ish as the robbery suspect, based on the unique red clothing he was wearing.  Police officers also obtained video surveillance from the gas station, which showed Ish as the robber.

    Chief Judge Nye also ordered Ish to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.  Ish pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2024.  Ish will also concurrently serve 21 months for a supervised release violation from an earlier conviction.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department for their joint investigation in this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Haycock prosecuted this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Sentencing for Felony Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Deming man was sentenced to 39 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on April 21, 2024, when Catron County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wilfrido Saenz, 27. During the stop, deputies found a hypodermic needle containing methamphetamine residue on Saenz‘s person. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a loaded handgun in the center console.

    Saenz, who was on supervised release for a previous federal conviction of transporting illegal aliens, admitted to knowingly possessing the firearm and ammunition despite being a convicted felon.

    Upon his release from prison, Saenz will be subject to two years of supervised release.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the Catron County Sheriff’s Office and United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson R. Hehr is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA) to Weigh in on Africa’s Refining Future at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

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

    PARIS, France, March 7, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary, African Refiners & Distributors Association (ARDA), is confirmed to speak at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, sharing insights on the critical developments and opportunities shaping the future of refining and distribution across the continent.

    ARDA, a key player in advancing Africa’s refining capabilities, is at the forefront of enhancing the region’s downstream infrastructure to meet growing energy demand and fuel economic development. With a focus on improving refining capacity, expanding distribution networks and driving cleaner fuels adoption, ARDA is working to modernize the sector through strategic collaborations, policy advocacy and industry innovation. This includes ARDA’s comprehensive roadmap to modernize refineries, enhance distribution logistics and promote cleaner fuel solutions, positioning Africa as a key player in the global energy market.

    IAE 2025 (apo-opa.co/4kw0LOD) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    Kragha’s participation at IAE 2025 comes at a pivotal moment as Africa’s refining sector prepares for significant growth. In Nigeria, the Dangote Oil Refinery, Africa’s largest crude processing facility, is on track to reach full operational capacity this March, processing 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). Expected to meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for all refined petroleum products, the refinery recently made its first purchase of Algeria’s light sweet Saharan Blend crude, marking a milestone for intra-African crude trading. South Africa has also announced plans to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of the Sapref refinery to 600,000 bpd, emphasizing the country’s need for a mega refinery and seeking regional partnerships to develop one.

    Angola is developing three new refineries to boost capacity, with the 60,000 bpd Cabinda refinery scheduled to start operations in July 2025. Additionally, the Fouta Refinery in the Republic of Congo, designed to produce 2.5 million tons of petroleum products per year, is expected to be operational by the end of this year. With a focus on addressing the challenges of energy demand, improving fuel quality and ensuring sustainability, ARDA is playing a crucial role in facilitating the transformation of the sector.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man From Clear Lake, Iowa, Pleads Guilty to Producing and Distributing Child Pornography

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

    A man who produced and distributed child pornography pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.

    David Bradley Garrison, age 43, from Clear Lake, Iowa, was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography.

    At the plea hearing, Garrison admitted that he sexually exploited a child in July 2021 by producing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He also admitted that between June 2021 and August 2021, he distributed visual depictions of child pornography to other individuals.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Garrison remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Garrison faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, $95,200 in special assessments, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Devra T. Hake and Dillan Edwards, and it was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation, and Rockwell Police Department. 

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-3054.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Washington Field Office Statement on the 18th Anniversary of the Abduction of Robert A. Levinson

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

    Sunday, March 9, marks the 18th anniversary of the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. “Bob” Levinson from Kish Island, Iran, in 2007. Bob served his country as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent for six years and then as an FBI special agent for 22 years. He retired in 1988.

    March 9 also marks National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, a time for our country to pause and remember all American citizens unjustly held abroad—including Bob.

    “Our job is to protect the American people and to hold accountable those who harm our citizens, so this case hits especially close to home for all of us at the FBI, where Bob served for so long,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “It’s been 18 years since Bob’s abduction, and Iran has continued to target U.S. citizens, including the president, other government officials, and dissidents who criticize the regime in Tehran. Our nation will not tolerate threats to any Americans, at home or abroad, and we demand that Iran make good on its past promises to provide answers about what happened to Bob.”

    Bob should be celebrating his 77th birthday with his wife, children, and grandchildren next week. Instead, Bob’s family, friends, and colleagues mark yet another year without him. As the FBI remembers Bob, we renew our commitment to resolving his case and holding the Iranian regime responsible for its role in Bob’s disappearance. The investigation continues to develop new leads and intelligence, and the FBI will pursue all options to hold every Iranian official who was involved to account.

    As part of our ongoing efforts, the FBI recently released seeking information posters featuring two senior Iranian intelligence officials who were allegedly involved in Bob’s abduction: Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai. They worked for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) at the time of Bob’s abduction, detention, and probable death.

    The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Bob’s location, recovery, and return. If you have information, please email levinsonfbireward@fbi.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip via tips.fbi.gov.

    Additionally, the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $20 million for information that leads to Bob’s location, recovery, and return as well as information that leads to the identification, location, arrest, or conviction of any person responsible for his abduction, including Baseri and Khazai, who are wanted for their alleged involvement in Bob’s disappearance.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext announces volumes for February 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext announces volumes for February 2025        

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 7 March 2025 – Euronext, the leading European capital market infrastructure, today announced trading volumes for February 2025.

    Monthly and historical volume tables are available at this address:

    euronext.com/investor-relations#monthly-volumes 

    CONTACTS  

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    About Euronext   

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. 

    As of December 2024, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal host over 1,800 listed issuers with around €6 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices. 

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Middle Sackville — RCMP investigating fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is investigating a fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision that occurred in Middle Sackville.

    Yesterday, at approximately 7:15 p.m., RCMP officers, fire services, and EHS, responded to a report of a collision near the 1600 block of Sackville Dr. Investigators learned that a Honda Civic was travelling west on the roadway when it struck a pedestrian crossing the road.

    The pedestrian, a 58-year-old Middle Sackville man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    The driver and lone occupant of the Civic, a 25-year-old Middle Sackville man, did not suffer physical injuries.

    Weather conditions in the area, at the time, consisted of heavy rain and wind.

    An RCMP collision reconstructionist attended the scene and the investigation, led by the Halifax Regional Detachment Traffic Unit, is ongoing. Currently, it’s not believed that alcohol or drugs were a factor.

    Investigators are asking anyone with dash cam footage of Sackville Dr., near Lively Rd. and Wilson Lake Dr., between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. to come forward.

    Sackville Dr. was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

    Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones at this difficult time.

    File #: 25-31814

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

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

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Brandon Palmore (30, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Palmore faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Palmore has agreed to forfeit the Sig Sauer handgun and ammunition used in the commission of the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to the plea agreement, on December 1, 2023, agents were conducting surveillance at an apartment complex in Tampa in relation to an outstanding arrest warrant for Palmore and observed him walking to his vehicle. As Palmore was given commands to exit the vehicle, he was seen reaching toward the center console and passenger floorboard area of the vehicle. A Sig Sauer handgun was found where Palmore had been seen reaching. The handgun was loaded and had previously been reported stolen. At the time, Palmore had multiple prior felony convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at, within, or into, a vehicle. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

    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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Charged With Possessing Weapons

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jack Carroll, Jr., age 52, a federal inmate at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, was charged on March 4, 2025, by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on or about December 11, 2024, while an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, Carroll possessed three inmate manufactured weapons, specifically a five-inch piece of glass sharpened to a point, and two six-inch pieces of plexiglass sharpened to a point, commonly referred to as “shanks.”

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.

    The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Duluth Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm, Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth woman has been indicted on illegal possession of a firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on December 8, 2023, Khadijah Denise Preston, 30, was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson model M&P Shield M2.0 handgun. On October 9, 2024, Preston possessed fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

    Because Preston has a prior felony conviction in Hennepin County for second degree assault, she is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    The indictment charges Preston with one count of illegal possession of a firearm and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. She made her initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois on March 6, 2025.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Duluth Police Department, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Nichole J. Carter is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Charged With Possessing A Weapon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tommy Clark, age 22, a federal inmate at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, was charged on March 4, 2025, by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on or about October 16, 2024, while an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, Clark possessed an inmate manufactured weapon, specifically a six-and-one-half inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a lanyard, commonly referred to as a “shank.”

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.

    The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –