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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s, K-12 education partners’ statement on Pride 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, alongside Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity; B.C. School Trustees Association; BC School Superintendents Association; BC Association of School Business Officials; BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association; BC Teachers’ Federation; CUPE BC; BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils; BC Teachers’ Council; BC Public School Employers’ Association; First Nations Education Steering Committee; First Nations Schools Association; Métis Nation BC and Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations have issued the following statement to mark Pride 2025 and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in B.C.’s education system:

    “Pride Month is a time to celebrate diversity, embrace inclusion and honour the incredible ways 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, students, neighbours, colleagues and family members help make B.C. a wonderful place to call home.   

    “Pride is also a call to act. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ community members continue to face discrimination or exclusion today, and school can be one of the very first places a child experiences it. That’s why it’s up to all of us to make sure that every day, when students, staff and community members walk through the school doors, they’re welcomed for who they are. When we stand together, we send a strong message: everyone belongs, and discrimination and bullying have no place in our schools or communities. These are important messages for kids to see, hear and feel as they learn and grow. We know this support changes lives – and saves lives.

    “Honouring Pride means acknowledging both pain and progress, while recognizing our individual responsibility to build an inclusive future for every child and youth. By fostering a sense of belonging and safety for all students and staff in schools, we can create learning environments where young people can thrive, because they’re supported to be who they are as individual people.  

    “To all those helping to stand up and make B.C.’s schools more inclusive, welcoming spaces for all students, thank you. From colourful crosswalks to vibrant community events, the widespread support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is clear. There are hundreds of thousands of people taking part in Pride throughout the province recognizing the significance of supporting and being an ally. This reflects decades of dedication from many organizations and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates fighting for human rights and continuing to lead the way, with a commitment to equality and inclusion that inspires and brings people together.

    “This month and every month, we will continue working together as partners to make sure B.C.’s schools are places where everyone can feel safe and free to be who they are.

    “As we celebrate Pride 2025, we encourage everyone to stand together – recognizing and honouring the contributions and resilience of 2SLGBTQIA+ students, families and educators in their communities, with love and pride throughout B.C.”

    Learn More:

    If you or a friend is experiencing discrimination or harassment related to sexual orientation or gender identity, get help here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Mining Week Celebrates Sector’s Importance to Province

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 2, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to proclaim June 1 to June 7 as Saskatchewan Mining Week, an opportunity to recognize the important contributions of the people who work in the industry and the significant impact mining has on the provincial economy. 

    “Our world-class mining industry is key to the prosperous way of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan, creating good jobs, economic growth and a sustainable, secure future,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, we are increasing production in core sectors like potash and uranium and seeing growth in emerging commodities like helium, lithium, copper and zinc. This year’s Mining Week theme of Talent, Technology and Trade: Opportunities for Saskatchewan’s Mining Sector reflects our optimism for the future of mining in our province.”  

    The Saskatchewan mining industry directly or indirectly employs over 30,000 people and procures billions of dollars in goods and services annually from local mining supplier businesses. Mining is a major source of private investment and generates government revenue to fund the programs and services Saskatchewan people rely on, like education and health care.

    “In the next decade, Saskatchewan’s growing mining industry will need 15,000 new employees in rewarding careers like trades and engineering. To increase the mining labour pool, we are promoting career awareness of prevalent and critical careers and showcasing some of the innovative ways that mining companies and their partners are training and attracting the new generation of talented employees that underpin the success of Saskatchewan’s mining sector,” Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said.

    Saskatchewan is home to 27 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s critical minerals list. In 2024, potash production reached an all-time high of 15.1 million tonnes of potassium oxide, while uranium production and sales reached record highs of 16,700 tonnes and $2.6 billion, respectively. Projects in these and other critical minerals like helium, lithium, copper and zinc continue to advance along with the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Rare Earth Processing facility, which has begun producing rare earth metals at a commercial scale.  

    With an abundance of resources, competitive incentives and a predictable and stable regulatory framework, Saskatchewan is one of the best places in the world to invest in resource development. The Fraser Institute’s annual survey of mining companies consistently ranks Saskatchewan as the top jurisdiction in Canada and the top three in the world for mining investment competitiveness. 

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON BOULDER ATTACK

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Know Your Immigration Rights

    If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

    Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

    Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

    Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

    The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

    Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK-Moroccan partnerships to grow UK economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New UK-Moroccan partnerships to grow UK economy

    Foreign Secretary in Morocco to forge new business opportunities with Morocco

    • British companies front of the queue to deliver infrastructure for the 2030 FIFA World Cup – injecting money into the UK economy 
    • game-changing deals with ministries of water, health, and trade, unlocking contracts in a market where public procurement opportunities are estimated at around £33bn over the next three years, including a £1.2bn Casablanca Airport project, with UK companies a key part of Morocco’s ‘Airports 2030’ programme
    • agreement to partner with Morocco’s national healthcare transformation reforms, worth over £2bn, will create opportunities for UK health sector and a new £150m hospital project, for UK finance and clinical expertise to deliver a 250-bed hospital in Casablanca, will drive revenue for an NHS trust

    The UK has strengthened its partnership with Morocco advancing our relationship worth over £4 billion annually and unlocking opportunities for UK businesses during Foreign Secretary visit to Morocco, ahead of 2030 World Cup.

    As part of the Government’s drive to boost economic growth, the UK and Morocco have announced a series of agreements to deepen collaboration and build business ties between both countries delivering its Plan for Change to boost growth, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.

    The Foreign Secretary has signed a series of partnerships unlocking opportunities for UK businesses in projects across the country, where public procurement opportunities are estimated at around £33bn over the next three years. This includes the possibility of infrastructure firms supporting World Cup host cities such Marrakech, Casablanca, and Rabat.

    This will put British businesses at the front of the queue to secure contracts to build Moroccan infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup – injecting money into the construction sector. Since the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, UK expertise and industry has been involved in every major global sporting tournament. Today’s deal places British businesses in an advantageous position to support the 2030 World Cup, continuing Britain’s strong legacy of delivering sporting infrastructure and enduring impact.

    Other announcements include closer UK-Morocco cooperation on migration, counterterrorism, and joint action to tackle water scarcity and climate change, delivering greater security and green growth opportunities for both countries.

    A cooperation agreement on water and ports infrastructure, worth up to £200m, will promote UK expertise in sustainable water management, smart logistics, and green port technologies. An agreement on procurement will create a unique foundation for UK companies to access public tenders in Morocco, with national treatment exemptions ensuring a level playing field for UK innovation and expertise.

    The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Africa has one of the greatest growth potentials of any continent – this young, dynamic population makes the continent an engine room for growth.

    Growth and prosperity will underpin our relationship Morocco and beyond, helping forge new opportunities at home and abroad.

    That is why I am visiting the country, to foster new business relationships between the UK and Morocco, and deliver on our commitment to strengthen our economy. These announcements mean UK businesses will be able to score big in the delivery of the 2030 World Cup.

    The UK has chosen to endorse autonomy within the Moroccan state as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a mutually-agreed and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute, one that can deliver on our commitments to conflict resolution in the region and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

    Minister for Trade Policy, Douglas Alexander said:

    Morocco is becoming an increasingly important trade and investment partner for the UK.

    Growth is this government’s top priority and stronger ties with economies like Morocco will pave the way for new opportunities, supporting British businesses and creating jobs.

    UK companies are already securing major commercial wins in Morocco, playing a vital role in delivering critical infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup.

    As part of the visit, the Government has announced that it will adopt a new UK policy position towards Western Sahara. The conflict, ongoing for almost 50 years, has undermined stability and stifled prosperity in the region particularly for the Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps. 

    As a member of the UN Security Council, and as a friend to countries across the region, the UK’s new position seeks to support a mutually-agreed solution to the conflict that supports the UN-led process and respects the principle of self-determination. Approaching the 50-year anniversary of the conflict, it is vital that we leverage this window of opportunity to secure a lasting solution to the dispute, and one that delivers a better future for the people of the Western Saharah.

    The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Morocco is part of the Government’s agenda to reboot cooperation with countries across the continent, underpinned by the UK’s Progressive Realist approach to Foreign Affairs. Across Africa, this means building genuine partnerships that are rooted in mutual respect across trade and investment, security, and tackling the drivers of irregular migration.

    The visit will be used to announce a new deal for the UK healthcare sector to supply equipment to hospitals and medical centres across the country. The deal represents a boost to the UK exports of medical and life sciences equipment, with Morocco due to spend up to £2.8 billion pounds to transform their health care system.

    The Foreign Secretary is attending the Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW) in Marrakech where he will meet with counterparts and leaders from across the African continent to discuss shared challenges including security, defence and the climate crisis.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pharmacist Sentenced to Prison for False Medicaid Claims

    Source: US FBI

    FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., man, Justin Bell, 40, was sentenced to 4 months in prison and 4 months home detention by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, for submitting criminal false claims to Kentucky Medicaid.

    According to his plea agreement, Bell was a pharmacist who owned and operated Georgetown Pharmacy. The pharmacy dispensed a variety of prescription medications to retail customers, including medicated pads that manage and prevent scars from burns and other traumatic skin injuries. These scar pads were expensive: Kentucky Medicaid reimbursed pharmacies over $14,000 for a box of twelve. In March and April of 2020, Bell solicited unwitting Kentucky Medicaid patients to receive the scar pads, even though the patients did not have a medical need for them. In some instances, patients received the pads without discussing them with their providers or using the pads. Bell’s pharmacy submitted eight claims for reimbursement to Kentucky Medicaid for the scar pads and caused Medicaid to pay a total of $118,621.28 for medically unnecessary prescriptions.

    Bell paid restitution to Kentucky Medicaid for the offense and was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000. Under federal law, Bell 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 two years.

    Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Olivia Olson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, and Russell Coleman, Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, jointly announced the sentence.

    The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Smith and Andy Smith prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
     

    – END –

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Centre County Man Sentenced To 30 Years In prison For Production Of Child Pornography And Online Enticement

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Louis Bradley Wetzel, age 41, of Howard, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to 360 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release on charges related to the production of child pornography and online enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.  Chief Judge Brann also ordered Wetzel to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victims.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, pursuant to an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in Williamsport, Wetzel was found to be in possession of a trove of child sexual exploitation material during a search warrant conducted at his home in December of 2023. A forensic review of his digital devices revealed conversation between Wetzel and a 12-year-old minor in which he coerced the child to produce and distribute, to him, child pornography.  Wetzel also purported, during chats, to have the ability to offer up children for sale to other adults to engage in sexual acts for money. 

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.

    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.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pro-Trump candidate wins Poland’s presidential election – a bad omen for the EU, Ukraine and women

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    Poland’s presidential election runoff will be a bitter pill for pro-European Union democrats to swallow.

    The nationalist, Trumpian, historian Karol Nawrocki has narrowly defeated the liberal, pro-EU mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, 50.89 to 49.11%.

    The Polish president has few executive powers, though the office holder is able to veto legislation. This means the consequences of a Nawrocki victory will be felt keenly, both in Poland and across Europe.

    With this power, Nawrocki, backed by the conservative Law and Justice party, will no doubt stymie the ability of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform-led coalition to enact democratic political reforms.

    This legislative gridlock could well see Law and Justice return to government in the 2027 general elections, which would lock in the anti-democratic changes the party made during their last term in office from 2015–2023. This included eroding Poland’s judicial independence by effectively taking control of judicial appointments and the supreme court.

    Nawrocki’s win has given pro-Donald Trump, anti-liberal, anti-EU forces across the continent a shot in the arm. It’s bad news for the EU, Ukraine and women.

    A rising Poland

    For much of the post-second world war era, Poland has had limited European influence.

    This is no longer the case. Poland’s economy has boomed since it joined the EU in 2004. It spends almost 5% of its gross domestic product on defence, almost double what it spent in 2022 at the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Poland now has a bigger army than the United Kingdom, France and Germany. And living standards, adjusted for purchasing power, are about to eclipse Japan’s.

    Along with Brexit, these changes have resulted in the EU’s centre of gravity shifting eastwards towards Poland. As a rising military and economic power of 37 million people, what happens in Poland will help shape Europe’s future.

    Impacts on Ukraine

    Poland’s new position in Europe is most clearly demonstrated by its central role in the fight to defend Ukraine against Russia.

    This centrality was clearly demonstrated during the recent “Coalition of the Willing” summit in Kyiv, where Tusk joined the leaders of Europe’s major powers – France, Germany and the UK – to bolster support for Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

    However, Poland’s unqualified support for Ukraine will now be at risk because Nawrocki has demonised Ukrainian refugees in his country and opposed Ukrainian integration into European-oriented bodies, such as the EU and NATO.

    Nawrocki was also backed during his campaign by the Trump administration. Kristi Noem, the US secretary of homeland security, said at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Poland:

    Donald Trump is a strong leader for us, but you have an opportunity to have just as strong of a leader in Karol if you make him the leader of this country.

    Trump also hosted Nawrocki in the Oval Office when he was merely a candidate for office. This was a significant deviation from standard US diplomatic protocol to stay out of foreign elections.

    Nawrocki has not been as pro-Russia as some other global, MAGA-style politicians, but this is largely due to Poland’s geography and its difficult history with Russia. It has been repeatedly invaded across its eastern plains by Russian or Soviet troops. And along with Ukraine, Poland shares borders with the Russian client state of Belarus and Russia itself in Kaliningrad, the heavily militarised enclave on the Baltic Sea.

    I experienced the proximity of these borders during fieldwork in Poland in 2023 when I travelled by car from Warsaw to Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, via the Suwalki Gap.

    This is the strategically important, 100-kilometre-long border between Poland and Lithuania, which connects the Baltic states to the rest of NATO and the EU to the south. It’s seen as a potential flashpoint if Russia were ever to close the gap and isolate the Baltic states.

    Poland’s conservative nationalist politicians are therefore less Russia-friendly than those in Hungary or Slovakia. Nawrocki, for instance, does not support cutting off weapons to Ukraine.

    However, a Nawrocki presidency will still be more hostile to Ukraine and its interests. During the campaign, Nawrocki said Zelensky “treats Poland badly”, echoing the type of language used by Trump himself.

    Poland divided

    The high stakes in the election resulted in a record turnout of almost 73%.

    There was a stark choice in the election between Nawrocki and Trzaskowski.

    Trzaskowski supported the liberalisation of Poland’s harsh abortion laws – abortion was effectively banned in Poland under the Law and Justice government – and the introduction of civil partnerships for LGBTQ+ couples.

    Nawrocki opposed these changes and will likely veto any attempt to implement them.

    While the polls for the presidential runoff election had consistently shown a tight race, an Ipsos exit poll published during the vote count demonstrated the social divisions now facing the country.

    As in other recent global elections, women and those with higher formal education voted for the progressive candidate (Trzaskowski), while men and those with less formal education voted for the conservative (Nawrocki).

    After the surprise success of the liberal, pro-EU presidential candidate in the Romanian elections a fortnight ago, pro-EU forces were hoping for a similar result in Poland, as well.

    That, for now, is a pipe dream and liberals across the continent will now need to negotiate a difficult relationship with a right-wing, Trumpian leader in the new beating heart of Europe.

    Adam Simpson 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. Pro-Trump candidate wins Poland’s presidential election – a bad omen for the EU, Ukraine and women – https://theconversation.com/pro-trump-candidate-wins-polands-presidential-election-a-bad-omen-for-the-eu-ukraine-and-women-257617

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City prepares to mark first-ever Stoke-on-Trent Day

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 2nd June 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent Day will be an annual celebration held on 5 June.

    Stoke-on-Trent will officially celebrate Stoke-on-Trent Day for the very first time on Thursday 5 June, 2025 – exactly 100 years since the city was granted city status by King George V.

    Stoke-on-Trent Day will be an annual celebration held on 5 June, honouring the city’s history, culture, natural and built environment, and the diverse communities that call it home.

    The city council has created a free Stoke-on-Trent Day toolkit, filled with ideas, decorations, recipes and activities to help individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community groups join the fun. The toolkit can be downloaded now at sot100.org.uk.

    While it’s a chance to reflect on the past, it’s also about looking ahead with pride and ambition. Stoke-on-Trent is a city shaped by heritage — but full of life, creativity and opportunity today.

    Highlights of the city’s cultural and community landscape include:

    • Official recognition as a World Craft City, joining an international network of creative destinations
    • Over 85 parks and green spaces, teeming with local wildlife and cherished by residents
    • A thriving arts scene, with nine not-for-profit organisations and a wide range of community-led projects
    • A proud ceramics industry, with globally recognised pottery manufacturers like Duchess China and Moorland Pottery still producing in the city
    • World-class museums that preserve and showcase Stoke-on-Trent’s unique story
    • A growing number of independent artisans, makers and creatives
    • Traditional indoor and outdoor markets, offering everything from fresh produce to handmade goods
    • Flagship events like the British Ceramics Biennial and Stoke on Clay, celebrating local art and craft
    • Ongoing investment in heritage restoration and regeneration projects
    • A dynamic food and drink scene, championed by local innovators like Appetite, Feasted and Titanic Brewery
    • Emerging opportunities for business growth and entrepreneurship

    Residents, businesses and schools are encouraged to mark the occasion in their own way – whether it’s hosting a party, attending local events or simply sharing what the city means to them on social media using #SOTDay.

    Photos, videos and stories will be shared across official channels to showcase the city’s spirit and creativity.

    Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “Stoke-on-Trent Day is a chance for everyone who loves this city – from our diverse local communities to those who have moved away – to come together and celebrate our shared heritage and future.

    “Whether you’re enjoying a Staffordshire oatcake, some traditional lobby, or simply eating and drinking from your favourite local ceramics, it’s about coming together to show pride in our city.

    “Our ceramics – and our people – have spread across the globe and Stoke-on-Trent Day is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate this fantastic city.”

    The day is part of a wider programme of events throughout 2025, including the People’s Parade on Saturday 7 June, and a host of activities and exhibitions celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary.

    For more details and to download the Stoke-on-Trent Day toolkit, visit sot100.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Phase one of Harris Quarter public realm improvements completed

    Source: City of Preston

    2 June 2025

    Illuminate and Integrate scheme to enhance Preston’s historic and cultural quarter

    Phase one of the Illuminate and Integrate scheme, a key project in the transformation of the Harris Quarter has been completed, with work on Phase two of the project due to start late summer.

    The project has been designed to improve pedestrian and cycle space at a section of Lancaster Road adjacent to the Market Hall and Old Vicarage Road.

    The work includes a new pedestrian and cycle-friendly space with high-quality paving, trees, and other features, such as public seating and an expanded, flexible-use space around the market to create opportunities for alfresco dining.

    A key feature of the works on Old Vicarage is the installation of ‘Gobo’ lighting which projects moving images onto the pavements, lighting the way to Preston Market but also ‘animating’ the journey from the bus station to Animate, the new £45m+ entertainment and leisure complex due to open to the public in February 2025.

    In October, planning permission was granted for the Illuminate element of the scheme with improved lighting consisting of new and replacement columns, wall, canopy lights, and a mixture of heritage and modern lighting.

    Illuminate has also been designed to minimise energy usage, improve the quality of street lighting and make streets feel safer. The lighting improvements extend to additional streets Birley, Earl, Cheapside, and Market Street.

    Phase two of the works will focus on Lancaster Road. The public realm works will maintain the existing service and taxi provision, while Lancaster Road between Old Vicarage and Earl Street will be permanently closed to vehicles.

    This scheme is being delivered by Maple Grove Developments and Eric Wright Civil Engineering on behalf of Preston City Council, under the Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme with funding from Towns Fund, Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council.

    Preston City Council Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building, Councillor Valerie Wise, said:

    “The proposed works are focused on improving the quality of the public spaces and creating safer and better paths between existing spaces and transport hubs such as the bus station. The aim is to encourage footfall and visitors to stay longer into the evening, supporting the Harris Quarter ‘as a go-to cultural destination in the city.’

    John Chesworth, Chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board, added:

    “While it may only be a small part of the overall jigsaw, lighting fundamentally impacts place-making. Quite literally, Illuminate will showcase Preston’s fine architecture, promoting the areas of the Harris Quarter while creating an attractive but dynamic lighting scene and encouraging footfall to this area of Preston.”

    Nick Hague, project director at Maple Grove Developments, continued:

    “The scheme has been designed to sympathetically create a contemporary feel to the area without dismissing the heritage of the Harris Quarter. It’ll promote safety and assurance while helping to create a positive ambience.”

    Lancashire County Council Cabinet member for economic development and growth, Brian Moore, concluded:

    “We’re investing £800k in the city centre and encouraging sustainable transport by improving the links between the bus station and new transformational developments taking place in the Harris Quarter, which gives more options for people to walk and cycle. Making Preston a more attractive place to live and visit helps create new jobs, grow the night-time economy, and create a more vibrant city centre.

    “Alongside the recent improvement work on Ringway and Friargate delivered by the county council, we’re working closely in partnership to improve the wider city centre and provide people with more options for getting around.”

    Towns Fund – Town Deals

    The Towns Fund is working directly with places and putting power in the hands of local businesses and communities to unleash the economic potential of towns and high streets across England. The government wants to see vibrant towns that are more attractive places to live, work and visit; and to increase opportunity across the country so that everyone (wherever they live) can contribute to and benefit from economic growth. Preston 35 is the city’s renewed city investment plan, setting out Preston’s long-term objectives and strategy to transform the City, targeting resources and aligning public and private sector investments to respond to needs and capitalise on opportunities for positive change.

    Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone. For more information, see community wealth building.

    Projects included in Preston’s £200 million Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme are:

    • Animate – £45m multi-use entertainment and leisure complex anchored by a state-of-the-art cinema and bowling venue next to Preston Markets
    • Educate Preston – The creation of a new Careers and Employment, Information, Advice and Guidance Hub in the Harris Quarter.
    • Renewal of Harris Quarter Assets – Investment to support the redevelopment of publicly-owned buildings in the Harris Quarter to support new cultural and community uses, including Amounderness House.
    • Illuminate and Integrate – A project to deliver improved pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure, street lighting and other public realm improvements within the Harris Quarter.
    • Preston Youth Zone – The development of Preston Youth Zone as a state-of-the-art facility for young people in Preston aged eight to 19.
    • #HarrisYourPlace – The refurbishment of the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, enhancing and protecting the building for future generations.
    • Preston Pop Ups – £1m pop-up programme of events bringing together new temporary event space, artworks and improvements to public realm infrastructure, aimed at boosting visitor activity in the Harris Quarter.

    The Lancashire Economic Growth and Development Investment Fund (LEGDIF) is a strategic initiative led by Lancashire County Council aimed at fostering economic growth and development within Lancashire. By merging the remaining funds from the Lancashire Economic Recovery & Growth Fund (LERG) and the Lancashire Levelling Up Investment Fund (LLUIF), LEGDIF builds on this success and seeks to support key sectors, including emerging opportunities like cybersecurity.

    The City Deal agreement aims to continue to create new private sector jobs and encourage more new homes to be built across the area. It is an agreement between Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England.

    For more details visit Invest – illuminate and integrate.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York meets air pollution targets citywide for first time

    Source: City of York

    As we approach Clean Air Day on 19 June, City of York Council has released figures showing that all of York is meeting national air pollution targets for the first time.

    Latest air quality monitoring figures from the council for 2024, reported to the Combined Executive Member Decision Session on 3 June 2025, show that the health-based air quality objectives were met at all locations in York for the first time, except during the Covid lockdowns, when traffic emissions reduced due to home working and closure of non-essential retail.  

    Air quality monitoring in some areas of the city, such as around Gillygate and Bootham, has shown that maximum annual levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution improved by 27 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023.

    The significant improvement in air quality is due to actions taken by the council, its partners and by residents. This includes further electrification of buses and council fleet vehicles, policies that incentivise the uptake of more low-emission taxis, anti-idling campaigns encouraging people to turn off their engines when stationary or waiting in traffic and improved electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure – all of which have all helped improve air quality further throughout 2024.

    The council encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible to reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution, and make the switch to electric vehicles if budgets allow.

    Air pollution is linked to a range of health problems at every stage of life – from premature birth and effects on organ development in childhood,  to causing heart and lung disease, diabetes and strokes in adulthood.

    Every year, air pollution causes up to 43,000 deaths in the UK.

    Find out more through the Clean Air Hub about how air pollution impacts our mental and physical health and the planet’s wellbeing.

    Residents can also sign up for the council’s free pollution forecasting and alert service which sends air pollution alerts and health advice to those most likely to be affected by air pollution to help them minimise their exposure when future pollution episodes are forecast, and to encourage all of us to leave the car at home if possible on those days, to avoid worsening pollution for everyone.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Emergency, said:

    “This is brilliant news – what a fantastic achievement to help us celebrate Clean Air Day. By being proactive on improving the air we all breathe, the council has helped to meet air pollution targets for the first time ever in York.

    “Having walked the stretch along Holgate for over a decade with prams and children, along with hundreds of young people travelling to and from 9 schools in the area, I know first hand what a difference this makes. We made a commitment to improve air quality when we published our fourth Air Quality Action Plan last summer and it is rewarding to see that the measures are working. Cleaner air is helping improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in York.

    “This is a really big achievement which we should celebrate, but we are not complacent; we need to see these results and the longer-term downward trend continue”.

    Peter Roderick, director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:

    “Even though we can’t see it, air pollution impacts our health whatever age we are. Improving air quality not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. For the whole of York to meet air pollution targets for first time since Covid is a great achievement.

    “We hope Clean Air Day will help raise awareness of air pollution across the city and encourage people to consider their air quality impact in helping to protect everyone’s health. We can all make improvements; share a lift to work, work from home or walk, catch the bus or cycle, if possible.

    “The latest results for the city demonstrate how far we have come in recent years to improve local air quality for everyone, however we recognise that more can be done. Through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan and other complementary strategies, we aim to go beyond National Air Quality Objectives and work towards meeting stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines in the longer term to further improve public health; this will allow us all to benefit from lasting health improvements”.

    Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said:

    “The results are very positive and provide real evidence of the environmental benefits we are achieving with our fully zero-emission fleet on the streets of York, which started on routes through Gillygate in September 2023.

    “We are delighted this is recognised in the air quality assessment by City of York Council and will continue to support its efforts to create cleaner air in the city.

    “By working together with the council we have been able to invest millions of pounds with government funding support to transform our James Street depot, which is one of the first in the country to be declared net zero.”

    Find how to protect your health and cut emissions at the Clean Air Hub 

    Free Clean Air Day resources for use by individuals, schools, businesses, health organisations and community groups are available on the Clean Air Day website 

    The council’s iTravel York website provides a host of sustainable travel resources, including walking resources and cycling resources

    This year’s Clean Air Day campaign on 19 June aims to highlight that air pollution affects your health from before your first breath until your last.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New affordable homes approved to tackle housing crisis

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    A new affordable housing development was given the green light by the Development Management Sub-Committee.

    The approved plans will deliver 49 new homes – comprising a mix of flats, colonies, and terraced houses – on a partly brownfield site adjacent to an established residential area. Of these, four flats will be fully wheelchair accessible.

    Designed by architect Smith Scott Mullan, the affordable housing units will be developed by contractor CCG.

    The site, located east of Burdiehouse Crescent, is ideally located within a 10-minute walk of local amenities, including Valley Park Community Centre, shops, schools, and public transport links. The new homes will also overlook a new recreational and play area.

    Designed as part of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme, the project also sets a benchmark for sustainable urban development.

    The homes will be fully operational as a Net Zero ready development, utilising air source heat pumps, exhaust air pumps, and photovoltaic panels for heating and hot water, eliminating the need for fossil fuel-based heating systems.

    Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said:

    This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.

    The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused.

    I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.

    CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said:

    The Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme, supported by Scottish Futures Trust, is a hugely important initiative which is helping to shape the future of affordable, ‘Net Zero Ready’ housebuilding in the Edinburgh and South East City Region.

    Burdiehouse is the third development to be brought forward since the launch of the programme in 2021. Like those before it – including the first project delivered by CCG – it will be analysed to help the South East Regional partners understand how ‘Net Zero Ready’ homes can be designed, procured, and delivered at scale to meet local housing demand, and support a just net zero transition by 2045.

    We are delighted to be working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council once again to bring new homes to Burdiehouse, and we look forward to commencing work on site very soon.

    The project contributes to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal housing programme and represents a new approach to delivering high-quality, climate conscious, and affordable housing.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: President Trump is Supercharging the U.S. Economy

    Source: US Whitehouse

    This morning, Trump Administration officials took to the airwaves to describe how the One Big Beautiful Bill will be an economic boon for working Americans, the soaring nature of the Trump economy, and more.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought on State of the Union

    • On lowering the deficit: “This bill doesn’t increase the deficit or hurt the debt. In fact, it LOWERS it by $1.4 trillion.”
    • On protecting Medicaid: “This bill will preserve and protect the programs, the social safety net, but it will make it much more common sense.”
    • On cancer research funding: “We actually want it to go to cancer research. We want it to go to the research that people think that they have been funding through their tax dollars … We don’t want it to go to waste, fraud, and abuse.”

    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Face the Nation

    • On prices: “We wanted to make sure that there aren’t price increases, Margaret — and thus far, there have been no price increases. Everything has been alarmist. The inflation numbers are actually dropping. We saw the first drop in inflation in four years.”
    • On inflation: “When we were here in March, you said there was going to be big inflation. There hasn’t been any inflation. Actually, the inflation numbers are the best in four years. So why don’t we stop trying to say this COULD happen — wait and see what DOES happen.”
    • On the deficit: “The deficit this year is going to be lower than the deficit last year — and in two years, it will be lower again. We are going to bring the deficit down slowly. We didn’t get here in one year.”

    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Fox News Sunday

    • On tariffs: “The $1.2 trillion trade deficit, and all the underlying implications of that, is a national emergency. It’s gutting our manufacturing base … Rest assured, tariffs are not going away … Congress has given this authority to President Trump and he’s going to use it.”

    National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on This Week

    • On the deficit: “If the bill doesn’t pass, then we’re looking at the biggest tax hike in American history … The idea that it’s worse for the deficit to do something that pays for itself if we get 3% growth is just not defensible.”

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Sunday Morning Futures

    • On deportations: “President Trump is doing exactly what he campaigned on and what the American people elected him to do — and that’s enforce the law. And so we are going to do mass deportations … We are going out there and ensuring that people that repeatedly break our laws are being held accountable.”
    • On international students at Harvard: “These ties to China are deeply alarming … If you come to this country to learn and you’re a foreign student and you recognize the opportunity, that’s fantastic — but don’t come here to spy on us and take that information back home to an enemy that is working to destroy us every day. And China has infiltrated this country. It’s my job to protect the homeland and I’ve been given that direction by President Trump. They will not participate in this foreign student program until they clean up their ways.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maskwacis — Alberta RCMP officer involved shooting in Maskwacis – Update

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Alberta RCMP are providing an update to the officer involved shooting in Maskwacis on April 24, 2025. The Maskwacis Fire Department was successful in containing the fire and preventing any spread beyond the immediate area. Once the fire was extinguished, RCMP, ASIRT, and Fire Investigators conducted an extensive search of the burned residence and have concluded that no persons were located inside.

    RCMP continue the investigation into identifying and locating the suspect that was previously believed to be in the residence, but have concluded that no member of the public was injured during this police operation. There is no additional information available about this incident at this time.

    ASIRT was directed to investigate the potential harm to a civilian from both the shooting and subsequent fire at the residence. Due to the confirmation that no civilian was harmed in the incident ASIRT’s involvement in the matter has ceased, but the RCMP will be continuing their own review of the matter.

    Background

    April 25, 2025

    Alberta RCMP officer involved shooting in Maskwacis

    On April 24, 2025, Maskwacis RCMP were asked to assist Edmonton Police Service with the investigation and subsequent arrest of occupants who fled from a stolen vehicle into a residence in Montana First Nation, Alta. Soon after, two suspects exited the house and were arrested. The third, who was believed to be in possession of a firearm, remained in the residence. The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called in to assist.

    Soon after 10:50 p.m., a confrontation occurred between RCMP and the suspect, resulting in at least one officer discharging their service weapon. No officers were injured during this confrontation. Soon after, the residence caught fire and no one was observed exiting. The Maskwacis Fire Department was called as soon as the fire started and are still dealing with the property.

    In compliance with legislative requirements, the Director of Law Enforcement was immediately notified causing the deployment of ASIRT to conduct an independent investigation. The RCMP believes in accountability and transparency and in so doing will provide full support to the ASIRT investigators. Events like this are difficult for everyone involved.

    Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident. RCMP training, policy, police response, and the officer’s duty status will be subject to review. The RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT. All media inquiries about this incident should now be directed to ASIRT at 780-641-9099.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Law Students and Graduates Recognized with 2025 Awards

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The faculty of UConn School of Law has recognized the many and varied achievements of its students and graduates with an array of prizes and awards.

    The recipients, announced at the end of the academic year, are honored for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, which may include grades, class participation, clinical work, leadership, and community involvement. Many awards offer a financial component, while others provide books, certificates, memberships, and other gifts.

    The 2025 awards and recipients are:

    The Honorable Herbert Barall Family Law Award
    • Megan Ann Phillips ’25
    Established by friends and family of Judge Herbert Barall and awarded to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of family law and has shown a commitment to family law.

    The Honorable M. Joseph Blumenfeld Award
    • Casey Krieger ’25
    Established by friends of U.S. District Judge M. Joseph Blumenfeld and awarded to a student who has rendered outstanding service to clients in a clinic program.

    The Elihu Burritt Award
    • Devon Murphy ’25
    Awarded to the student with the highest academic average achieved at a semester abroad program sponsored by the UConn School of Law.

    The Robert S. Carey, Jr., JD ’76 Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company Foundation (CATIC) Foundation Award in Real Property
    • Jennifer O’Brien ’25
    Awarded for outstanding work in real property law.

    The Clark-Janis International Award
    • Johanna Weber ’25
    Established by Professor Mark Janis and his wife, Janet Janis, in honor of their parents, Martha and Allan Clark and June and Henry Janis, and given to an international student for superior academic achievement.

    The Clinical Legal Education Association Certificate of Recognition
    • Whitney Krispin ’26
    Awarded for outstanding performance in a clinical program.

    The Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Externship Student Award
    • Sarina Bhargava ’25
    Awarded to a student for outstanding performance in an externship.

    The Connecticut Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Award for Excellence in Employment Law
    • Ian Russell ’26
    Awarded for outstanding achievement in the field of labor and employment law.

    The Connecticut Bar Association Real Property Section Memorial Award
    • Riley Morrill ’26
    Given to the student who has contributed substantially to the development of a sound body of law in the field of real property.

    The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Award
    • Thomas Daniel Pelletier ’25
    Given to a student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has written the best paper addressing a problem in municipal law or another aspect of municipal government, or has completed an internship or service project in municipal government in Connecticut and demonstrates the greatest contribution to excellence in local government.

    Excellence in Taxation Award in Honor of Professor Pomp
    •     James Hallinan ’25
    Donated by Thomas Holmgren Class of 2013 to an outstanding student in taxation in recognition of Professor Pomp’s national reputation as the leading scholar, expert witness, and oral advocate in State and Local Taxation.

    The Maxwell Friedman Award
    • Elinor Schneider ’25
    Presented to a student for outstanding achievement in commercial subjects.

    The Thomas F. Gallivan, Jr. Memorial Award
    • Jackson Reis ’26
    Presented by the Law School Alumni Association for outstanding scholastic achievement in property law in honor of the late Thomas F. Gallivan, a lecturer at the Law School.

    The Hon. F. Herbert Gruendel ‘84 Award for Excellence in Moot Court 
    • Sophia Holt ’25
    • Joshua Maddox ’25
    Awarded to a student who has completed at least two years of study, meeting the following criteria: (a) Competed in a moot court competition at UConn Law or elsewhere. (b) Demonstrated commitment to the strength of the moot court experience at UConn Law by membership on the Moot Court Board or in other ways, and (c) Demonstrates promise as an appellate advocate.

    The Milton W. Horwitz Award
    • Bridget Casey ’25
    Awarded to a student who has excelled in the 1L Torts course and who demonstrates a dedication to the highest standards of morality and integrity of the profession.

    The Insurance Law Center JD Award
    • Lindie Gibbs ’25
    Presented to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of insurance law or rendered outstanding service to the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal or to the Insurance Law Society.

    The Insurance Law Center LLM Award
    • Daniel Delgado Jaramillo ’25
    Given to the student receiving a Masters of Laws (LLM) in Insurance Law who best exemplifies the law school’s commitment to scholarship in insurance law and service to the community.

    Olimpiad Ioffe Award
    • Taylor Spalding ’25
    Established by friends of Professor Olimpiad Ioffe to recognize a graduating student who has excelled in the study of comparative law or Eastern European law.

    Fleming James Jr. Award
    • Drake Freiberg ’25
    Established in honor of the late Professor Fleming James Jr. to recognize an upper-level student who has excelled in the study of labor law.

    Kathryn Mikolinski ’17 Memorial Award for Criminal Law
    • Sydney Fernandez ’25
    Awarded in memory of Kathryn Mikolinski ’17 to a graduating student who demonstrates excellence in the study or practice of criminal defense law or who best exemplifies dedication to protecting the rights of criminal defendants.

    The Distinguished Alumni Professor Kent Newmyer Award in American Legal History
    • Adelina Miceli ’25
    Established in honor of Kent Newmyer to recognize a student who demonstrates excellence in the study of American legal history.

    Joseph F. Noonan Memorial Award
    • Joy Hamer ’25
    Established in memory of Joseph F. Noonan ʼ48 to recognize a student who combines outstanding legal scholarship with a commitment to public service.

    The Alvin Pudlin Memorial First Amendment Fund Award
    • Aishah Stovall ’25
    Awarded to a student who advances the understanding and appreciation of the rights secured by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

    The Judge Robert Satter Award
    • William Fallon ’25
    Awarded in memory of Judge Robert Satter for contributions through a student’s efforts or written work to the advancement or preservation of civil liberties in America.

    George and Lorraine Schatzki Award
    • Grace Brunner ’25
    Awarded by fellow graduates Aaron and Sandra Gersten in honor of Dean George Schatzki to a student for outstanding service to the school.

    Paul Schneider LLM ’18 and Bryan Garcia Human Rights and Social Justice Award
    • Luis Salazar ’25
    • Zoe Allison ’25
    Awarded to two students with demonstrated achievement in and dedication to the area of domestic and/or international human rights and a commitment to advancing human rights and social justice.

    Thomas J. Staley Award
    • Amanda Hoey ’26
    Awarded in honor of Thomas J. Staley to a student for distinction in the study of labor law.

    William F. Starr Fellowship Award
    • Chelsea Connery ’24
    Established in honor of the late Professor William F. Starr to recognize the student in the previous year’s graduating class with the highest grade point average.

    William F. Starr First Year Award
    • Jackson Reis (Day Division) ’26
    • Drew David Derubeis (Evening Division) ’27
    Established in honor of the late Professor William F. Starr to recognize the students who achieved the highest grade point averages in last year’s day and evening divisions.

    Edward L. Stephenson Memorial Award
    • Malachi Bridges ’26
    Established in honor of the late Professor Edward L. Stephenson and awarded to a student for outstanding scholastic achievement in civil procedure.

    Terry J. Tondro Award
    • Savannah-Nicole Villalba ’27
    Awarded in honor of the late Professor Terry J. Tondro to a student for excellence in the study of land use, historic preservation, affordable housing or urban revitalization.

    UConn School of Law Award for Exceptional Achievement in Scholarship
    • Patrick Cline ’27
    • Tierney Kovacs ’27
    • Michela Zaccardelli ’27
    Awarded to three students for exceptional achievement in scholarship.

    UConn School of Law Award for Outstanding Service to the Law School
    • Brice Ashford ’25
    Awarded to a graduating students for outstanding service to the law school community.

    UConn School of Law International Award
    • Monica Mantilla Villamizar ’25
    Awarded to an international student receiving a Masters of Laws (LLM) in U.S. Legal Studies who best exemplifies the Law School’s commitment to distinguished scholarship in international studies and dedicated service to the community.

    UConn School of Law Pro Bono Award
    • Bridget O’Neil ’25
    Presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to pro bono work that benefits persons of limited means.

    Cornelius W. Wickersham Jr. Award
    • Alex Davenport ’25
    Given by the Federal Bar Council in honor of Cornelius W. Wickersham, Jr. for excellence in the study of constitutional law.

    Women Law Students Award
    • Lauren Moran ’25
    Awarded by WLSA to honor and support a University of Connecticut law student who is using legal skills to serve the community by promoting the interest of women.

    The 2025 awards were coordinated by a committee working at the request of Dean Eboni S. Nelson in consultation with faculty members in each subject area. The committee members were Professors Richard Pomp (Chair), Mathilde Cohen, Miguel de Figueiredo, Nadiyah Number, Jenny Kim, Alexandra Lombardi, Lisa Perkins, and Jessica de Perio Wittman, as well as Assistant Dean Christina Mohr.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman Guilty of Bank Fraud Conspiracy Involving Millions

    Source: US FBI

    HOUSTON – A 71-year-old woman has admitted to acting as a loan borrower on millions of dollars in fraudulent loans as part of a large-scale bank fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Jennifer Williams admitted that from 2016 to 2021, she conspired with others in a bank fraud scheme involving dozens of loans totaling at least $10 million in fraudulent proceeds.

    As part of the plea, Williams acknowledged submitting loan applications with false income information along with fraudulent tax returns and financial statements. She also admitted using proceeds from the scheme to buy a home in the Houston area.

    Williams and others accomplished the bank fraud by preparing loan applications that contained false and fraudulent information and documents, including fake equipment sales invoices, income tax returns and financial and bank statements.

    U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison will impose sentencing Aug. 14. At that time, Williams faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction.  

    She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. 

    Another Houston resident charged in the case – Hugo Villanueva, 70, – is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.

    The Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Crypto Casino Reddit Recommends According to Real Player Experiences: Winna

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Las Vegas, NV, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Introduction: The Search for a Crypto Casino on Reddit

    The crypto gambling landscape has exploded in recent years. As more users embrace decentralized currencies and seek anonymity, traditional online casinos are being challenged by agile crypto-native platforms. Within this transformation, Reddit has emerged as the go-to source for real, unfiltered opinions from experienced gamblers. Forums like r/gambling, r/cryptocurrency, and r/sportsbetting regularly feature debates over the best crypto casino Reddit users recommend.

    Among the noise, Winna has consistently surfaced as a top-tier recommendation by Redditors who prioritize fast transactions, transparency, community engagement, and provably fair games. One Reddit post in particular, hosted on r/NSEbets, has become a hub for users comparing experiences and highlighting Winna’s superiority.

    This article will explore why Winna is the best crypto casino according to Reddit, how it compares to competitors, and why that Reddit thread is such a crucial source of insight.

    1. Why Crypto Casinos Are Gaining Popularity on Reddit

    Reddit is one of the most active spaces where online gamblers discuss experiences with different casinos, from payout reliability to customer support. Several factors contribute to the rise of crypto casinos in these discussions:

    • Anonymity: Crypto allows users to play without extensive KYC (Know Your Customer) checks.
    • Decentralization: No banks, no payment processors. Just crypto wallets.
    • Provably Fair Gaming: Many crypto casinos use blockchain-based fairness verification systems.
    • Global Access: No need to worry about payment processor bans or jurisdictional issues.

    These features resonate strongly with the Reddit user base—typically tech-savvy, privacy-aware, and critical of traditional institutions. It’s no surprise then that the phrase “best crypto casino Reddit” has become a key search term.

    2. How Reddit Determines the Best Crypto Casino

    Redditors don’t hand out praise easily. Casinos must earn it through verifiable, consistent, and community-approved behavior. When evaluating a casino like Winna, Reddit users focus on:

    • Transparency of Terms
    • Speed of Withdrawals
    • Game Fairness
    • Crypto Support & Wallet Integration
    • Customer Service
    • Platform Stability
    • Community Engagement

    The Reddit thread on r/NSEbets has become a cornerstone of this vetting process, with dozens of comments pointing out real-world experiences, withdrawal proof, and feature comparisons.

    3. Why Winna Consistently Ranks as the Best Crypto Casino Reddit Users Recommend

    3.1 Lightning-Fast Withdrawals

    One of the most frequently cited reasons Redditors love Winna is its withdrawal speed. Unlike legacy platforms that can take 24-72 hours, Winna processes crypto withdrawals in under 15 minutes in most cases. Several users in the Thread posted transaction hashes and timestamps as proof.

    3.2 Transparent, Low House Edge

    Many crypto casinos hide behind flashy UIs but offer poor RTP (Return to Player) metrics. Winna openly publishes house edge statistics for all games. The fairness of each spin, roll, or deal is provably verifiable on-chain.

    3.3 Trust Through Community Interaction

    Redditors have praised Winna for actively responding to user feedback across multiple subreddits. This is unusual in the crypto gambling space, where most platforms operate in the shadows. Winna has gone so far as to sponsor AMAs (Ask Me Anything) and resolve disputes publicly.

    3.4 Deep Crypto Integration

    From Bitcoin to Ethereum, Litecoin to USDT, Winna supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Wallet integration is seamless, and deposits are usually credited within a few confirmations.

    3.5 Excellent Game Selection

    Unlike smaller crypto casinos that rely on a handful of games, Winna boasts:

    • Slots from top-tier developers
    • Live dealer tables
    • Sportsbook functionality
    • In-house games with unique mechanics

    These options, combined with low latency and mobile optimization, create an ecosystem Redditors frequently compare favorably to giants like Stake and Roobet.

    4. Real Reddit Endorsements: Not Just Hype

    A significant part of Winna’s reputation stems from actual Reddit user reviews, rather than affiliate marketing or SEO manipulation. Here are some paraphrased excerpts from the r/NSEbets thread and other Reddit discussions:

    “I was skeptical at first but after a 3 ETH win, got the money in my wallet in 10 mins. No KYC. Winna is legit.”

    “Winna is the first crypto casino that actually felt like it respected my time and money.”

    “Their provably fair blackjack is the only one I trust after being burned on other platforms.”

    These are not paid testimonials but organic, unsolicited feedback from Reddit’s highly discerning community. That gives Winna credibility that paid ads and influencer campaigns can’t buy.

    5. Comparing Winna to Other “Best Crypto Casinos” on Reddit

    Let’s look at how Winna stacks up against some other frequently mentioned platforms:

    Feature Winna    Stake Roobet   BC.Game   Rollbit
    Fast Crypto Withdrawals Yes Sometimes Yes Varies Varies
    Provably Fair Yes Yes Limited Yes Yes
    Active Reddit Presence Yes Minimal Minimal Minimal Moderate
    Anonymous Play Yes Partial Partial No No
    House Edge Transparency     Yes Partial No Partial No

    Redditors in the r/NSEbets thread specifically cite these differentiators as proof that Winna is not just another me-too casino.

    6. Importance of the Reddit Thread as a Primary Source

    Why highlight a specific Reddit thread? Because it provides a living, evolving body of evidence. Unlike static review sites, Reddit threads feature real-time updates, rebuttals, clarifications, and new testimonials. The r/NSEbets thread is:

    • Heavily upvoted
    • Frequently referenced in other subreddits
    • Filled with transaction screenshots and withdrawal proof
    • Updated with user disputes and resolutions

    For any serious gambler doing due diligence, this Reddit thread is a must-read source. It functions as both a review aggregator and real-time trust signal for Winna.

    7. Cautions and Considerations

    No platform is perfect. While Winna is currently Reddit’s top pick, users should always exercise caution:

    • Gamble responsibly. Crypto gambling can be fast-paced and addictive.
    • Double-check withdrawal fees. These can change depending on the crypto used.
    • Watch for copycats. Winna’s popularity has already spawned phishing attempts.
    • Always validate URLs and bookmark the official site.

    That said, the community policing on Reddit means scams and issues are flagged fast—another reason to bookmark the Reddit Thread.

    Conclusion: Why Winna Dominates the “Best Crypto Casino Reddit” Debate

    Reddit doesn’t suffer fools lightly. That’s why Winna’s widespread acclaim across r/gambling, r/cryptocurrency, r/sportsbetting, and especially r/NSEbets is so telling.

    From blazing-fast withdrawals to community trust and provably fair gaming, Winna checks every box that matters to serious crypto gamblers. For anyone searching Google for “best crypto casino Reddit”, this article—and the Reddit thread it highlights—provides not just opinion, but evidence.

    Don’t take this article at face value. Visit the Reddit thread. See the proof. Ask questions. Then try Winna yourself.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say

    Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say | OSCE

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nova Scotians Invited to Annual Garden Party

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage will host the lieutenant-governor’s annual garden party at Government House in Halifax on Wednesday, June 18.

    The theme is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Guests will have opportunities to exchange greetings with the lieutenant-governor and his wife, Ms. Darlene Savage.

    “Darlene and I are delighted to invite all Nova Scotians to enjoy an afternoon of friendship and community,” said Lt.-Gov Savage. “We look forward to continuing a long-standing summer tradition that has brought people together at the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians.”

    Government House is located at 1451 Barrington St. Doors will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; invitations are not required.

    Quick Facts:

    • the event is inspired by the garden parties of Buckingham Palace
    • the lieutenant-governor’s garden party has been an annual event for more than 100 years
    • about 500 guests attend each year

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – Testimony from Bukavu: Children are the silent victims of war

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – Children are the silent victims of all wars: in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. From Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, currently under the control of the M23 rebel movement since mid-February (see Fides 17/2/2025), we have received a testimony that reflects the dramatic humanitarian situation in the region. Although the rebels have announced the creation of an administration to manage the conquered territories, the situation in South and North Kivu remains precarious, especially for the most vulnerable: women, children, and the elderly. We publish the full testimony, omitting the name of the person who shared it for security reasons.Sister Charline welcomes me to the ward of the Bukavu General Hospital, where, together with Sister Marie-Jeanne, she coordinates the reception and care for malnourished children. “Before the war there were about 40, now there are 84; there are even three per bed,” she tells me as she invites me into the large rooms. In one of them, a mother is dressing her eight-year-old daughter: she is about to return home. She is very thin, but has passed the critical phase. The girl says goodbye with a smile. The most serious cases are in the intensive care unit, including that of a baby abandoned in the hospital by its mother, from a combat zone. A nurse cares for him with care. The war has made it impossible to grow crops, harvest, and trade… and this, along with the looting, has caused hunger. “When we have enough adequate food, they recover in two weeks; otherwise, it takes up to two months… or they die. We try to send them home as soon as possible to make room for others, but sometimes the mothers tell us they will be short of food there again… I give them a little flour; I can’t do more,” Sister Charline adds, desolately. I go to greet Natalina. In her Ek’Abana center, she welcomes children accused of witchcraft, but also, since the war began, children entrusted to her by the Red Cross while they wait to find their families. There are about 25 in total. “Cases of girls accused of witchcraft are increasing,” Natalina says. Three have arrived this week. With their parents dead or absent, the girls lived with their grandparents or other relatives. The psychologist explains: the stress of these times, the succession of illnesses, deaths, job losses, and other problems, pushes people to seek answers in prayer rooms, where irresponsible pastors point to the most vulnerable as the cause of their ills. The girl is blamed and marginalized. Sometimes, it is the grassroots communities that accompany them to the center to save them. And what about the stress of children who flinch at every noise? Of miscarriages caused by the startle of gunshots? Of the violence the children witness at the hands of the occupiers, the bandits, the population itself when, in exasperation, they lash out at the alleged thief until they kill him? Of dropping out of school after fleeing with their families? Of the humiliation of being expelled from school because parents can no longer pay the quarterly fees? Of the shortage of daily food? As I was returning, a child asked me to buy him a pancake, which is sold cheaply on the street. “Who do you live with?” “With my grandmother.” Given the crisis, I overcame my reluctance: “Take two, one for Grandma.” “Then I’ll buy some flour,” he replied. Nothing to do with a whim. All this adds to the tally of children killed directly by bombs and violence. They are silent victims, like those in Gaza, who pay the price for a debt that is all ours.” (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Floods in the north of the country: humanitarian situation worsens

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – Extensive flooding, caused by heavy rains that lasted for about a week, has affected northern Myanmar, particularly the Sagaing region and Kachin State. The emergency further complicates the lives of the civilian population, already severely affected by four years of civil conflict. Furthermore, in the Sagaing region, the earthquake of March 28 caused damage to homes and infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. “The situation in the districts affected by natural disasters is serious. Floods have inundated the upper part of Kachin State; villages in the mountainous areas are underwater, as are refugee camps in the city of Chizaw. Many rivers, such as the Malikha, have overflowed, and agricultural lands are completely flooded due to the continuous rains,” a local source from the Catholic community in Kachin State told Fides. “Farms have been submerged in Laeshi City, in the Sagaing Region, as have villages along the banks of the Arayati river. River levels usually rise in late June or July, at the height of the rainy season, but this year the rains have arrived early, causing premature flooding. Unfortunately, this is the harvest season, so the losses are particularly severe,” the source explains. “The local population is finding it increasingly difficult to cope. They are mostly farmers who have already been affected by the war and are now also suffering the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Humanitarian aid is increasingly needed for thousands of displaced people, whose number continues to grow,” he adds. A new report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirms the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, fueled by military violence and economic collapse. The document, which will be presented at the next session of the UN Human Rights Council in early July, describes the situation as “increasingly catastrophic, marked by incessant atrocities that have affected all aspects of life.” According to the report, the economic crisis has had a severe impact on already disastrous humanitarian conditions. Myanmar is estimated to have lost around $94 billion since the coup to date, and its gross domestic product is not expected to return to pre-2021 levels before 2028, even if recovery were to begin today.The UN Human Rights Council calls for “a multifaceted response to the crisis,” including “urgent humanitarian support, cross-border assistance for displaced populations, and increased political commitment” from the international community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Tutor from New York Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison for Enticement of Minors to Engage in Sexual Activity

    Source: US FBI

    ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Stephen Andrew Cipkin, 38, a former tutor from Suffolk County in New York, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 65 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for two counts of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.  

    Cipkin was charged in a Bill of Information and Indictment with enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity and pleaded guilty to the charge on August 13, 2024. 

    At the guilty plea hearing, Cipkin admitted that from January 2022, through April 23, 2022, he used a smart phone and computer to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. Cipkin, posing as an adolescent female seeking a friendship, used an online catfish account to contact the minor victim. He later admitted to being a male and began an online relationship with the minor victim after gaining her trust. During this relationship, Cipkin asked the minor victim to send sexually explicit photographs of herself to him and also asked her to meet up with him for sexual intercourse. After receiving the photographs and videos, he used them as blackmail to extort and threaten the minor victim. 

    From April 16, 2022, through April 23, 2022, Cipkin traveled from the State of New York to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to meet with the minor victim. Cipkin picked up the minor victim from her home and brought her to a hotel in the Western District of Louisiana where they engaged in sexual intercourse. 

    Cipkin also admitted that between January 1, 2021, and continuing through January 1, 2022, in the Northern District of Tennessee, he used his smart phone and computer to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce another minor female under the age of 18 years old to engage in illegal sexual activity. Cipkin reached out to the minor female victim using an online account that he had created and began an online relationship with the minor female victim, asking her to send sexually explicit photographs to him and to meet with him for sexual intercourse. 

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. Stelly in the Western District of Louisiana.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cheaper food or a compromise on standards? Why the UK’s trade deal with the US is sounding alarm bells

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Manoj Dora, Professor in Sustainable Production and Consumption, Anglia Ruskin University

    I Wei Huang/Shutterstock

    British farmers and food safety campaigners have been sounding the alarm over the recent deal struck between the UK and US. The agreement offers unprecedented access to US agricultural exports such as beef and ethanol into the UK market.

    While some hailed this as a breakthrough after previous talks stagnated under Joe Biden’s administration, critics argue it could undercut domestic producers, introduce lower standards for food and even compromise public health. With the cost of living remaining high, cheaper US imports may look appealing to British consumers. But many fear the products may come at a longer-term cost.

    The UK government has insisted it will not compromise on standards. Hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken remain banned. But critics are sceptical. At the White House, US trade officials suggested food rules should be based on science, hinting at renewed pressure to permit products currently excluded by UK law.

    But public opinion in the UK strongly supports high food standards. Surveys show most UK consumers reject hormone-fed beef and chlorinated chicken, valuing animal welfare and food safety. Given this, any shift toward US-style practices could trigger a backlash.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The deal’s language – promising to “enhance agricultural market access” – raises concerns that this may be only the first step. Food safety advocates fear a slow erosion of standards under commercial pressure.

    Under the terms of the deal, the UK will allow in 13,000 tonnes of US beef tariff-free — a huge change from the 1,000-tonne cap (with a 20% tariff) previously in place. In exchange, the US will grant a matching quota for UK beef.

    The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) welcomed improved US market access. But domestically, many farmers feel exposed.

    They worry that cheap US beef, even if hormone-free, will undercut UK cattle raised under stricter welfare and environmental rules. Feedlot beef from the American Midwest is typically cheaper, prompting fears of price pressure.

    The NFU says this could be a “disaster” for British farming. Supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury’s say they will continue sourcing 100% British beef, but farmers fear US meat could enter the wholesale and catering sectors.

    There’s also concern about ethanol – a biofuel typically sourced from crops such as corn or wheat and used primarily as a petrol additive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK has eliminated a 19% tariff and opened a quota of 1.4 billion litres of US corn ethanol.

    But this threatens domestic bioethanol plants, which purchase millions of tonnes of British wheat each year for ethanol production. It plays a crucial role in supporting UK arable farming and rural economies.

    The NFU has warned that this could destabilise farm incomes, reduce local feed supplies and endanger the production of CO², which is used widely in food packaging, refrigeration and the carbonation of drinks across the UK industry. The NFU said the deal overlooked the complex role these plants play in the UK’s food system.

    UK consumers have been feeling the effects of rising food prices.
    Steve Travelguide/Shutterstock

    But cheaper imports could ease grocery bills in the UK, a welcome prospect given food price inflation peaked at more than 19% in 2023. Cheaper beef might help households increase their protein intake. For lower-income families, for example, small savings on staples could really improve nutrition.

    However, not all cheap calories are healthy. Britons are already encouraged to eat less red meat on health grounds. Increased access to cheaper beef could nudge intakes beyond recommended levels.

    Restaurateur Henry Dimbleby, the UK government’s former food strategy lead, has argued that undermining domestic standards for short-term savings risks health and environmental setbacks.

    Not just any commodity

    Food safety is another issue. While the government says all imports will meet UK standards, future trade negotiations could challenge that. Country-of-origin labelling and enforcement will be essential for consumer confidence.

    There’s also the risk of more ultra-processed food entering the UK. The deal may increase imports of US cereals, drinks and snack foods. While not inherently unsafe, many health advocates worry about worsening rates of obesity and diabetes if heavily processed products become cheaper and more common in the UK.

    Trade can bring benefits — but food isn’t just another commodity. It intersects with health, environment and rural life. The NFU warns that Britain’s high standards shouldn’t be quietly traded away under pressure from US agribusiness.

    The UK government claims it has preserved food protections while expanding trade. What will be key is whether consumers see real savings, as well as whether supermarkets stick to British meat. If not, it remains to be seen whether UK farmers can compete or if they will be squeezed out.

    Crucially, UK regulators must hold the line if the US pushes harder. A prosperous deal should not just mean more trade — but safer, healthier and fairer food for all.

    Manoj Dora 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. Cheaper food or a compromise on standards? Why the UK’s trade deal with the US is sounding alarm bells – https://theconversation.com/cheaper-food-or-a-compromise-on-standards-why-the-uks-trade-deal-with-the-us-is-sounding-alarm-bells-257755

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: California wildfire plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes overlooks some important truths about flammability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Max Moritz, Wildfire Specialist, University of California Cooperative Extension; Adjunct Professor at the Bren School, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California, Santa Barbara

    Photos after the Los Angeles fires in January 2025 show many yards where vegetation didn’t burn while neighboring houses did. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

    One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods.

    In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away.

    As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”

    Photos before and after the 2025 Palisades Fire show thick green vegetation between two closely spaced homes. The arrow shows the direction of the fire’s spread.
    Max Moritz; CAL FIRE Damage Inspection photos, CC BY

    Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the state’s plan for an “ember-resistant zone,” being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area.

    If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, it’s likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions.

    Lessons from the devastation

    Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance.

    When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood.

    We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses.

    Shrubs in Zone 0 of a home did not ignite during the Eaton Fire, despite the home burning.
    Max Moritz

    Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening.

    For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire.

    However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect.

    For example, some “fire-safe” plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well they’re maintained and whether they’re properly watered.

    How a plant bursts into flames

    When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plant’s flammability.

    In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. We’ve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping.

    With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire.

    Plant flammability testing shows how quickly twigs, grasses, plants and leaves will burn at different moisture levels. The images on the right are from an experiment at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center to test flammability of a living but overly dry plant.
    Max Moritz (left); Luca Carmignani (right)

    Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns.

    Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as “heat sinks,” absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses.

    How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations.

    California’s ‘Zone 0’ regulations

    The Zone 0 regulations California’s State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the state’s firefighting agency.

    Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed.

    But vegetation is far harder to model. The state’s proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability.

    Green lawns, trees and shrubs were still visible after the Eaton Fire burned homes in Altadena, Calif., in January 2025.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets.

    In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire.

    As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation.

    We believe the California proposal’s current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences.

    Max Moritz has nothing to disclose.

    Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. California wildfire plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes overlooks some important truths about flammability – https://theconversation.com/california-wildfire-plan-to-ban-most-plants-within-5-feet-of-homes-overlooks-some-important-truths-about-flammability-257109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Don Davis Statement on Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Voting to Disband Police Department

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    SNOW HILL, NC — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after the decision by Snow Hill commissioners to disband the Snow Hill Police Department:

    “Nearly 15 years ago, the Snow Hill Police Department was formed to improve public safety, protect residents, and allow everyone to feel more secure in their homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. Dedicated police officers on patrol enforce the law, foster trust within the community, and promote a sense of town pride. I strongly urge town officials to reverse course, reconsider their decision, and keep the Snow Hill Police Department intact.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York celebrates meeting air pollution targets citywide for first time

    Source: City of York

    As we approach Clean Air Day later this month [19 June], City of York Council has released figures showing that all of York is meeting national air pollution targets for the first time*.

    Latest air quality monitoring figures from the council for 2024, reported to the Combined Executive Member Decision Session on 3 June 2025, show that the health-based air quality objectives were met at all locations in York for the first time, except during the Covid lockdowns, when traffic emissions reduced due to home working and closure of non-essential retail.  

    Air quality monitoring in some areas of the city, such as around Gillygate and Bootham, has shown that maximum annual levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution improved by 27 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023.

    The significant improvement in air quality is due to actions taken by the council, its partners and by residents. This includes further electrification of buses and council fleet vehicles, policies that incentivise the uptake of more low-emission taxis, anti-idling campaigns encouraging people to turn off their engines when stationary or waiting in traffic and improved electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure – all of which have all helped improve air quality further throughout 2024.

    The council encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport wherever possible to reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution, and make the switch to electric vehicles if budgets allow.

    Air pollution is linked to a range of health problems at every stage of life – from premature birth and effects on organ development in childhood,  to causing heart and lung disease, diabetes and strokes in adulthood.

    Every year, air pollution causes up to 43,000 deaths in the UK.

    Find out more through the Clean Air Hub about how air pollution impacts our mental and physical health and the planet’s wellbeing.

    Residents can also sign up for the council’s free pollution forecasting and alert service which sends air pollution alerts and health advice to those most likely to be affected by air pollution to help them minimise their exposure when future pollution episodes are forecast, and to encourage all of us to leave the car at home if possible on those days, to avoid worsening pollution for everyone.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, the Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “This is brilliant news – what a fantastic achievement to help us celebrate Clean Air Day. By being proactive on improving the air we all breathe, the council has helped to meet air pollution targets for the *first time ever in York.

    “Having walked the stretch along Holgate for over a decade with prams and children, along with hundreds of young people travelling to and from 9 schools in the area, I know first hand what a difference this makes. We made a commitment to improve air quality when we published our fourth Air Quality Action Plan last summer and it is rewarding to see that the measures are working. Cleaner air is helping improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in York.

    “This is a really big achievement which we should celebrate, but we are not complacent; we need to see these results and the longer-term downward trend continue”.

    Peter Roderick, director of Public Health at City of York Council, said: “Even though we can’t see it, air pollution impacts our health whatever age we are. Improving air quality not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. For the whole of York to meet air pollution targets for first time since Covid is a great achievement.

    “We hope Clean Air Day will help raise awareness of air pollution across the city and encourage people to consider their air quality impact in helping to protect everyone’s health. We can all make improvements; share a lift to work, work from home or walk, catch the bus or cycle, if possible.”

    “The latest results for the city demonstrate how far we have come in recent years to improve local air quality for everyone, however we recognise that more can be done. Through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan and other complementary strategies, we aim to go beyond National Air Quality Objectives and work towards meeting stricter World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines in the longer term to further improve public health; this will allow us all to benefit from lasting health improvements”.

    Mick Forbes, Engineering Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said: “The results are very positive and provide real evidence of the environmental benefits we are achieving with our fully zero-emission fleet on the streets of York, which started on routes through Gillygate in September 2023.

    “We are delighted this is recognised in the air quality assessment by City of York Council and will continue to support its efforts to create cleaner air in the city.

    “By working together with the council we have been able to invest millions of pounds with government funding support to transform our James Street depot, which is one of the first in the country to be declared net zero.”

    Find how to protect your health and cut emissions at the Clean Air Hub 

    Free Clean Air Day resources for use by individuals, schools, businesses, health organisations and community groups are available on the Clean Air Day website 

    The council’s iTravel York website provides a host of sustainable travel resources, including walking resources and cycling resources

    This year’s Clean Air Day campaign on 19 June aims to highlight that air pollution affects your health from before your first breath until your last.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record $20.2M to Strengthen Response to Domestic Violence

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $20.2 million investment to expand efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in 17 counties outside of New York City. This funding allows the State Division of Criminal Justice Services to support 87 law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations through the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative, a ground-breaking collaborative involving district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ offices, municipal police agencies, probation departments, and service providers.

    “The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to support anyone who has ever felt unsafe in their own home,” Governor Hochul said. “This record funding will save lives and reduce violence by putting offenders on notice and ensuring that the highest-risk victims and survivors receive the protection and support they need and deserve.”

    This new investment will fund 155 positions including investigators, detectives, crime analysts, coordinators and advocates to support skilled, multidisciplinary teams that work to reduce domestic violence and increase survivor capacity for safety.

    The STRIVE initiative promotes a coordinated community response rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent practices. Modeled after the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, STRIVE required each county to develop a comprehensive plan using one or more evidence-based strategies to hold those who harm accountable and increase safety capacity for victims.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “The STRIVE initiative builds on our success in fighting gun violence, using the same data-driven framework, as well as proven techniques for responding to intimate partner violence. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and this significant investment to improve safety for victims and survivors.”

    STRIVE emphasizes six core elements: people, alignment, evidence-based strategies, engagement, skilled and supported staff, and monitoring and evaluation. The initiative places special focus on high-risk cases where victims face a serious risk of harm or lethality. Teams will use needs assessments, system mapping, and problem analysis to focus their efforts on the highest risk cases.

    Community providers will ensure responses align with existing services at the state, local, and federal levels—including social services, probation, and victim assistance programs. Progress will be monitored and evaluated using tools that track trends and inform adjustments. Using local knowledge and robust data, teams will implement one of three proven strategies to reduce domestic violence:

    The five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices also each received a share of $5 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner violence and better address the needs of victims and survivors through early case enhancement efforts and assessments to identify and prioritize high-risk cases of abuse, among other strategies that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

    New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, “STRIVE is an example of Coordinated Community Response, something OPDV and our partner state agencies have been investing in and promoting across the state. We know that when the systems that intersect when responding to domestic violence and other gender-based violence crimes work collaboratively, the outcomes for victims and survivors are better. STRIVE can save lives. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for supporting these efforts and for your unwavering support of those impacted by gender-based violence.”

    New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “This funding will help coordinate responses among different systems – law enforcement, domestic violence service providers, social services, and health care, among others – that respond to gender-based and intimate partner violence. It will also help expand and strengthen access to support and services so victims and survivors can reclaim their lives. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to supporting domestic violence survivors and crime victims, and we are proud to work with our state and local partners on this initiative.”

    The following counties, selected based on volume and rate of domestic and intimate partner violence, are receiving grant funding:

    Long Island

    • Suffolk County: $1,989,636

    Mid-Hudson

    • Dutchess County: $711,221
    • Orange County: $1,129,806
    • Westchester County: $1,419,443

    Capital Region

    • Albany County: $1,356,464
    • Rensselaer County: $775,555
    • Schenectady County: $1,177,640

    North Country

    • Jefferson County: $647,344

    Mohawk Valley

    • Oneida County: $918,308

    Central New York

    • Onondaga County: $1,876,478

    Southern Tier

    • Broome County: $750,767

    Finger Lakes

    • Cayuga County: $573,407
    • Monroe County: $2,299,070
    • Genesee County: $480,516

    Western New York

    • Chautauqua County: $847,225
    • Erie County: $2,379,496
    • Niagara County: $904,660

    A breakdown of funding by county, law enforcement agency and service provider is available online. DCJS will support the implementation and improvements in how agencies respond to intimate partner violence with dedicated training and technical assistance from national and state experts. STRIVE counties will also benefit from access to the State’s 11 Crime Analysis Centers, which provide data, intelligence and investigative support to identify perpetrators and build prosecutable cases.

    Additional STRIVE investment builds on essential, commonsense changes to New York’s Discovery Laws in the FY26 Enacted Budget to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial. The changes enacted will prevent cases from being thrown out over technical errors and eliminate dismissals and disruptions that have re-traumatized survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes, and include $135 million for prosecutors and defenders to ensure compliance with discovery, a year-to-year increase of $15 million. The Enacted Budget also increases funding for rape crisis centers for the first time in a decade, with nearly $13 million for 52 centers certified by the State Department of Health; expands access to HIV prophylaxis medication to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those under 18; and improves access to public assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Creating 600 Tech Jobs in New Brooklyn Headquarters

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that Queen One, Inc., a visionary commerce technology company, will establish its new headquarters at 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, under a 10-year lease agreement. The 30,000-square-foot facility represents more than $10 million in capital investment and is expected to create 600 full-time, high-tech jobs while generating $67 million in research and development investment over the next five years as the company builds its next-generation e-commerce platform. Supported by $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development, this headquarters marks a major step forward in advancing New York’s leadership in innovation, job creation and the digital economy.

    “New York is the destination of choice for the next generation of technology companies, and Queen One’s decision to launch its headquarters in Brooklyn is a powerful endorsement of that momentum,” Governor Hochul said. “This project brings hundreds of high-quality jobs and millions in research and development, reaffirming our commitment to making the Empire State a national leader in innovation, talent, and opportunity. We’re proud to support projects that not only grow the economy but also strengthen our communities through inclusive, forward-looking investment.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to be at the forefront of technology and innovation. Queen On’’s decision to establish its headquarters in Brooklyn is a testament to our state’s talented workforce, vibrant business ecosystem, and strategic investments in the industries of tomorrow. Empire State Development is proud to support Queen One’s growth as part of our broader efforts to attract cutting-edge companies, strengthen regional economies, and position New York as a national leader in tech-driven innovation.”

    Queen One COO & Founder Maricor Resente said, “Empire State Development’s support isn’t just an investment in Queen One; it’s an investment in the future of New York. I can say with immense pride that we are building something truly special right here in Brooklyn. This city isn’t just where we work; it’s a part of who we are. We are creating these jobs, not just to grow Queen One, but to show other entrepreneurs why New York is the best place to build.”

    Queen One CEO & Founder Ryan Urban said, “What we’re setting up to do here in Brooklyn is to build a foundation for vision and creation, right in the heart of a city that never stops creating. We’re developing a Vision Centre where innovation meets purpose and our team will ship breakthrough technology. Monday through Thursday, it will be a destination, hosting the best organizations and people in New York. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the space transforms into an Imaginarium for adults with autism to have friends, enjoy life and break free.”

    Queen One is a New York-based company with a bold vision for the future of commerce. Its technology brings life and energy to brand websites and communication programs. Guided by the belief that every product has a story, Queen One is building a platform that helps communicate their value and drive real revenue for Commerce brands worldwide. While anchored by deeply-skilled technology roles — including product designers, software engineers, and generative artificial intelligence experts — the headquarters will also house key commercial teams driving sales, marketing, and partnerships. Together, these roles will strengthen Brooklyn’s emerging tech and innovation corridor.

    Empire State Development is supporting Queen One’s new headquarters with $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits tied to job creation commitments. This strategic investment exemplifies New York’s approach to attracting innovative companies that deliver high-paying jobs and substantial research and development. By backing cutting-edge e-commerce and AI firms, the state is positioning itself as the premier East Coast destination for next-generation technology companies, leveraging its world-class talent pipeline and established innovation ecosystem to compete with traditional tech hubs nationwide.

    New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, “We are proud to work with Queen One on their selection of their new headquarters right here in New York City – a move that will bring 600 jobs to the city by 2030. Queen One joins a thriving innovation ecosystem in Brooklyn and its emphasis on AI will contribute to NYC’s status as the applied AI capital of the world. 25 Kent, in the heart of Williamsburg, will serve as an ideal launchpad for Queen One’s New York City chapter.”

    Additionally, Queen One is committed to fostering community engagement through workforce development programs, local technology training initiatives, and industry networking events hosted at its facilities. The company is also establishing a weekend center for adults with autism — a dedicated space for connection, support, and creation — a mission close to the hearts of its founding team. By opening its headquarters to the public, Queen One aims to create meaningful connective experiences that contribute to the vibrancy of the Williamsburg neighborhood.

    New York City’s vibrant tech ecosystem continues to attract innovative firms like Queen One, solidifying its role as a global leader in digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The city’s unique combination of diverse talent, robust capital access, renowned academic institutions, and creative energy provides an unmatched foundation for both established tech giants and emerging startups. Recent investments from prominent companies such as OpenAI, Duolingo and StubHub, along with strategic investments from high-growth firms like Figma, Rippling, Rokt, and Quadrature, underscore this dynamic environment. Queen One’s new Brooklyn headquarters further accelerates growth within emerging tech corridors, contributing to breakthrough developments in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. As New York fosters these innovations, the state is not just keeping pace with the future of technology—it’s helping to define it as the premier destination for companies seeking to scale operations in a thriving, forward-thinking market.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Calgary — Alberta RCMP Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit interdicts theft ring

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    In April 2025, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) became aware of a series of commercial break and enters in Southern Alberta and began an investigation. The suspects targeted cannabis dispensaries, liquor stores, convenience stores and other rural Alberta businesses. The suspects also began targeting houses in Banff to steal bikes and homes in Chestermere targeting open garages and vehicles. The crew of suspects used stolen vehicles to commit these break and enters in various location in Southern Alberta.

    On May 2, 2025, the RCMP Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit arrested a 36-year-old individual, a resident of Blood Tribe First Nation, and a 38-year-old individual, a resident of Calgary. At the time of their arrest, both individuals were in possession of two stolen vehicles and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

    The 36-year-old individual was charged with:

    • Break and enter (x7)
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x4)
    • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (x3)
    • Failing to comply with release orders (x5)
    • Wearing a disguise to commit an offence

    The 38-year-old individual was charged with:

    • Break and enter (x2)
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (x2)
    • Failing to comply with release orders (x4)
    • Wearing a disguise to commit an offence
    • Possession of break in tools

    Both individuals were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in court as follows:

    • The 36-year-old individual on May 16, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.
    • The 38-year-old individual, at the Albert Court of Justice in Okotoks, Alta.

    “Using our analysts and a more intelligence-based approach we are able to identify and focus our enforcement efforts on these repeat offenders,” says Cst. Katelyn Dagg of SAD CRU, “it is through this approach that we can have the largest impact on reducing crime.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Companies House appoints Luisa Fulci as Director of Transformation and Business Change

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Companies House appoints Luisa Fulci as Director of Transformation and Business Change

    Luisa Fulci joins Companies House as Director of Transformation and Business Change during a key phase of digital and operational change.

    Companies House has appointed Luisa Fulci as its new Director of Transformation and Business Change.  

    Luisa brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. As Digital Customer and Commercial Services Director at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, she led the modernisation of digital and commercial services across housing, adult social care, environmental services, public health and corporate operations. 

    Prior to this, Luisa spent 16 years at Royal Mail, where she held several senior leadership roles. As Commercial Director, she implemented major reform initiatives to customer services and delivered commercial and digital strategies that prioritised customer needs.  

    Luisa is currently a non-executive board member at HM Courts and Tribunals Service, having been appointed in April 2024. Her previous non-executive roles include board positions at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. At CILEx Regulation, she also advised on digital transformation and aided efforts to improve diversity in the legal profession. 

    Luisa has joined the Executive team at Companies House at a significant period of renewal. Her appointment reflects the organisation’s commitment to improving digital processes, ensuring operational efficiency and creating quality services for customers and stakeholders. 

    Reflecting on her appointment, Luisa said:

    I’m delighted to be joining Companies House at such a pivotal time of change. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to build on the substantial work that has already begun to create a more modern, digital and customer-focused organisation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS Wins 41 Prestigious Red Dot Design Awards for Product Design 2025, Showcasing World-Class Excellence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that it has been honored with 41 Red Dot Design Awards for Product Design 2025, reinforcing the company’s long-standing reputation for pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in product design. These wins highlight the ASUS commitment to creating technology that excels in both form and function, in line with its In Search of Incredible spirit.

    The awards were earned across a wide range of Product Design categories: Computer and Information Technology (35 awards), Mobile Phones, Tablets and Wearables (3), Luggage and Bag (1), TV and Home Entertainment (1), and Communication Technology (1).

    Each product recognized demonstrates a high standard of design, reflecting the ASUS dedication to user-centric innovation and quality craftsmanship.

    About the Red Dot Design Award for Product Design 2025

    The Red Dot Design Award for Product Design is one of the most respected international design competitions, celebrating outstanding product design since 1955.

    This year, entries were submitted from over 60 countries and evaluated by a jury of 43 independent experts from 21 nations — including designers, professors, journalists, and consultants.

    Products were assessed based on four key principles of good design: quality of function, quality of seduction, quality of use, and quality of responsibility.

    Each submission underwent a rigorous evaluation process, with criteria such as innovation, usability, and sustainability playing a central role. The jury carefully reviewed each entry through hands-on testing and in-depth discussions.

    The official list of winners will be published on July 8, 2025, in the Red Dot Winners Section.

    For more information and updates, visit www.asus.com/ca-en/

    2025 Red Dot Design Awards for Product Design Winners
    Accessories ASUS Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510
    ROG SLASH Backpack series
    Displays ROG Swift OLED 27/32 series
    ProArt Display PA27UCGE/PA32UCE
    ProArt Display OLED 32/27 series
    ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD
    ZenScreen Smart MS27UC/ MS32UC
    Networking RT-BE58 Go
    PC cases ProArt PA401
    Storage ASUS Cobble Enclosure
    Gaming PCs ASUS TUF Gaming T5 series
    ROG G7 series
    Commercial laptops ASUS ExpertBook P5 series – P5405
    ASUS ExpertBook P3 series
    ASUS ExpertBook P1 series
    ASUS ExpertBook B3 series
    ASUS ExpertBook B5 series
    ASUS Chromebook CX1 series
    ASUS ExpertBook B1 series
    All-in-one PCs ASUS AiO VM6 Series
    ASUS ExpertCenter AiO P4 series
    Gaming laptops ASUS TUF Gaming A14 (FA401)
    ROG FLOW Z13 (GZ302)
    ROG Strix Scar 16/18 G16/18
    Consumer laptops ASUS Vivobook 14/16 Flip
    ASUS Vivobook Classic series
    ASUS V16
    ASUS Zenbook S 14/16 (UX5406/UX5606)
    ASUS Zenbook A14 (2025)
    Smartphones Zenfone 12 Ultra
    ROG PHONE 9
    ROG PHONE 9 Pro
    Mini PCs ASUS ExpertCenter PN54
    ASUS NUC ASUS NUC 15 Pro
    ASUS NUC 15 Pro+
    Peripherals ROG Azoth Extreme
    ROG Harpe Ace Extreme
    Motherboards ProArt Z890-CREATOR WIFI
    Graphics cards ROG Astral RTX 50 series
    ROG Astral LC RTX 50 series
    TUF Gaming RTX 50 series


    NOTES TO EDITORS

    ASUS Laptops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/store/laptops/
    ASUS Business Laptops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/business/laptops/all-series/
    ASUS Gaming Laptops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/for-gaming/all-series/
    ASUS Gaming Desktops: https://www.asus.com/us/site/gaming/rog/gaming-desktops/
    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com
    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/
    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca
    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube
    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/668122c4-0236-4d9f-9f07-e41124cc54b8

    The MIL Network –