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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: 10 billion Milky Way stars might have habitable exoplanets after all

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Study uses computer model to predict existence of habitable zones in white dwarf star systems

    A research team led by the recipient of a U.S. National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development grant used computer simulations to determine that white dwarf stars have greater potential to host habitable planets than previously realized. The team concluded that many more stars in the Milky Way galaxy might be home to planets that could support life.

    There are approximately 10 billion white dwarf stars in the Milky Way. Because such stars are colder than others, scientists have thought they likely would not support habitable exoplanets. Led by Aomawa Shields, a University of California, Irvine professor of physics and astronomy, researchers used a supercomputer provided by the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, to simulate conditions on a theoretical rocky planet orbiting a white dwarf. Using data from real exoplanets orbiting the non-white dwarf star Kepler-62, the researchers found that their simulated rocky planet could have liquid water if it closely orbited a white dwarf and had certain rotational characteristics. Their findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal.

    “Not much consideration has been given to these stars’ ability to host habitable exoplanets,” says Shields. “Our computer simulations suggest that if rocky planets exist in their orbits, these planets could have more habitable real estate on their surfaces than previously thought.”

    Credit: Steve Zylius / UC Irvine

    Aomawa Shields, UC Irvine associate professor of physics and astronomy, headed a study comparing the climates of two exoplanets. Computer simulations led her team to conclude that white dwarf stars – previously considered inhospitable to life-supporting exoplanets – could, in fact, host planets in their habitable zones with comparatively temperate climates.

    These exoplanets would likely be locked into a synchronous orbit with a permanent dayside and a perpetual nightside, but the fast rotation of the simulated model effectively thins cloud circulation around the planet enough to allow heat from the host star to reach its surface, warming the planet above freezing.

    “These findings suggest that we have many more targets of opportunity for finding potentially habitable worlds all across our galaxy,” says Jacqueline Keane, program director in the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Extends Effective and Compliance Dates for Amendments to Investment Company Reporting Requirements

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a two-year extension of the effective and compliance dates for rule amendments adopted in August 2024 that require many types of registered funds to more frequently report portfolio-related information to the Commission and the public on Form N-PORT.

    The compliance date for larger fund groups is extended from Nov. 17, 2025, to Nov. 17, 2027, and the compliance date for smaller fund groups is extended from May 18, 2026, to May 18, 2028.

    The extension is designed to provide time for the Commission to complete its review of the amendments in accordance with a Presidential Memorandum and take any further appropriate actions, which may include proposed amendments to Form N-PORT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio’s live conversation with Mike Benz on dismantling the censorship bureaucracy

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio’s live conversation with @MikeBenzCyber on dismantling the censorship bureaucracy at the State Department, on April 16, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://www.state.gov/department-email-updates/

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGOPaIkezF8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Maria Salazar Hosts Secretary Chavez-DeRemer in Miami on 2nd Stop of the America at Work tour, Meets with PortMiami Leadership and Longshoremen

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    strong>MIAMI – Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27) hosted U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, alongside local business owners, developers, longshoremen, and community leaders, for the second leg of the Secretary’s America at Work listening tour across the country.

    During stops in downtown Miami and PortMiami, Rep. Salazar and Secretary Chavez-DeRemer engaged in discussions to explore ways the federal government can support building a skilled labor force, enhance infrastructure to boost business and investment, champion American workers, and create more pathways for workers to fulfill the American Dream.

    “It was great welcoming Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to Miami. The world is changing, and we need to re-tool our policies to put our workers and our families first,” Rep. Salazar said. “From the port workers to the union members to the people we met throughout the city, there is no better place to learn about the renewal of the American Dream than Miami.”

    “Miami is among our nation’s busiest ports and has one of the fastest-growing metro areas. It was great to see that business is booming thanks to President Trump’s efforts to put American Workers First and create a new Golden Age of economic opportunity,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “I enjoyed visiting with the workers who keep Miami running alongside Congresswoman Salazar, and I look forward to hearing directly from more of our nation’s workforce as I continue telling the story of America at Work.”

    As part of her ongoing America at Work listening tour, the Secretary will keep connecting with workers, union members, contractors, employers, and local leaders to ensure firsthand perspectives guide and update federal labor policies, bringing the dialogue straight to America’s workforce.

     BACKGROUND ON AMERICA AT WORK:

    • The America at Work initiative focuses on sharing the experiences of workers and gathering insights to inform federal labor policies, with Miami as the second stop on Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s nationwide tour.

    • The tour aims to engage with diverse communities, including Hispanic workers, to better understand their needs and priorities.

    • The Secretary and her team are committed to fostering economic opportunity and supporting the workforce through policies that promote growth and stability.

    • Recent economic data reflects progress, with 228,000 jobs added last week in key industries such as construction, transportation, and warehousing, contributing to broader economic development.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Fitchburg Man of Illegally Possessing Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – After a two-day jury trial, Malcolm Whiteside, 30, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, was found guilty yesterday of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. The jury reached a verdict after just over 30 minutes of deliberation. The guilty verdict is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

    On August 12, 2024, Whiteside led police on a dangerous high-speed chase on a Madison highway and ultimately crashed the car he was driving into a semi-truck. From there, Whiteside fled on foot to the parking lot of a home improvement store, where a police officer found him hiding in a garden shed. Officers at the crash scene searched the vehicle Whiteside was driving and found a loaded firearm underneath the driver’s floormat. Later, an analyst from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab found Whiteside’s DNA on multiple locations on the firearm. Whiteside was previously convicted of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon in 2019.

    Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled sentencing for June 25. Whiteside faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.

    The case was investigated by the City of Monona Police Department, Madison Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chadwick M. Elgersma and Collen Lennon. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Protecting the World’s 5th Largest Economy: Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom Sue Trump Administration Over Unlawful Imposition of Tariffs

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Tariffs threaten California’s economy, people, small businesses 

    STANISLAUS COUNTY — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom today filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs and direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) to implement and enforce those tariffs without the consent of Congress. Since early February, the Trump Administration has issued over a dozen executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to impose tariffs that have sent shockwaves through financial markets, businesses, and consumers in every corner of the globe. In the lawsuit today, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom challenge the President’s use of the IEEPA to levy those tariffs, arguing that the IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose these tariffs. The emergency tariffs challenged under the lawsuit are projected to, at a minimum, shrink the U.S. economy by $100 billion annually, increase inflation by 1.3%, and cost the average American family $2,100. The economic impact of the President’s unlawful tariffs could have resounding impacts on California’s economy, budget, and consumers. California is a significant and frequent purchaser of goods impacted by the tariffs and the projected increase in cost to the state is significant. 

    “The President’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the President’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento, and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the President is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state. I am proud to go to bat alongside Governor Newsom to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, and residents.” 

    “President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.“We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

    California is the nation’s largest importer and second-largest exporter. The President’s tariffs will impact California’s businesses, including its ports and small businesses that rely on trade. California’s agricultural sector, which exports goods around the world, will also face particularized challenges as other countries impose retaliatory tariffs and decrease trade in response to President Trump’s tariffs. Furthermore, the tariffs directly harm California’s ability to contract, purchase, and sell goods. These effects are already too real: vendors who contract with California have indicated that they will pass their increased costs from President Trump’s tariffs on to the state directly.  

    Claiming authority under the IEEPA, President Trump has issued multiple executive orders to impose, pause, re-start, and modify 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and a universal 10% tariff on every other U.S. trading partner. Separately and in addition, the President’s actions have goaded China into a full-blown trade war, with tariffs reaching 145% on Chinese goods, and China imposing reciprocal 125% tariffs on U.S. goods. Additionally, President Trump has imposed individualized reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on nearly 90 specific countries; they are currently paused for 90 days before going into effect. Once the 90-day “pause” expires, the harms will only compound further. And new tariffs are being contemplated or announced nearly every day. 

    To justify his tariffs, the President has declared national emergencies and extended prior declared emergencies beyond the bounds of reason. But with or without emergencies, the President does not have the power to levy tariffs under the IEEPA.   

    The impacts of President Trump’s dizzying array of tariff plans have already wreaked havoc on our financial systems: the U.S. stock market suffered the largest two-day loss in its history in the two days following the announcement of President Trump’s most sweeping tariffs. These actions and the near-daily threats to impose new tariffs have already inflicted and continue to inflict serious financial harms on California. 

    The complaint filed today alleges that the Constitution expressly gives the authority to impose tariffs to Congress, not the President, and the IEEPA does not provide the required congressional authorization for President Trump to impose tariffs — Congress enacted the IEEPA to limit Presidential authority and to prevent Presidential abuse of power — not to give the President these powers. The complaint asks the court to declare that tariff orders made under the purported authority of the IEEPA are unlawful and void and to halt DHS and CPB from implementing and enforcing these orders.  

    A copy of the complaint is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Against All Odds: Wyoming Guard Airmen make history with Antarctic cardiac evacuation

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    Wyoming Air National Guard

    By Tech. Sgt. Lee Murphy

     MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica – In a historic feat of teamwork, precision, and lifesaving expertise, members of the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron played a critical role in the first successful evacuation of a cardiac arrest patient from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in more than 35 years.

    The patient, a U.S. civilian contractor and veteran of more than 20 Operation Deep Freeze missions, suffered a massive heart attack at McMurdo Station. The station, a key hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program, is home to over 500 personnel during the harsh winter months when flights in or out are nearly impossible.

    Temperatures had hovered near -35°C (-31°F), and a prior rescue attempt had been thwarted by severe blizzards.

     Race Against Time

    The emergency began when the approximately 60-year-old male collapsed in the station’s galley. Medical professionals from McMurdo’s fire department, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Air Force responded instantly, finding the man in cardiac arrest — a “widow maker” heart attack caused by a complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery.

    First responders initiated CPR and delivered multiple defibrillator shocks en route to the station clinic. After nearly 40 minutes of intensive efforts, including CPR, epinephrine injections, and eight defibrillation shocks, the team stabilized the patient and began planning an immediate medical evacuation.

    “This was a truly remarkable case,” said Maj. Nate Krueger, flight nurse with the Wyoming Air National Guard. “From the moment of collapse to the successful evacuation, every step was executed with precision and urgency. The coordination between emergency responders, the clinic team, and the flight crew made all the difference.”

    A Dangerous Flight, A Life Saved

    Krueger and Master Sgt. Lyndsey Glotfelty, an aeromedical technician also with the 187th AES, were deployed to support Operation Deep Freeze — the U.S. military’s logistical mission in Antarctica since 1955 — and led the patient’s stabilization and transport efforts.

    In a place where help is measured not in minutes, but miles and hours, the airlift was no routine mission. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft carrying additional medical staff landed on McMurdo’s icy runway during a brief daylight window. Following about 90 minutes on the ground, a U.S. Air Force LC-130 flew the patient 2,500 miles to Christchurch, New Zealand — a seven-hour flight across one of the world’s most unforgiving terrains.

    Upon arrival, the patient was rushed to a hospital catheterization lab where two stents were placed to reopen his arteries. In total, the ordeal lasted about 12 hours from collapse to advanced cardiac care — and ended with the patient walking out of the hospital days later.

    An Unmatched Partnership

    “This was a win through teamwork and rapid emergency response,” said Maj. Thomas Powell, McMurdo Station flight surgeon. “Having a robust cooperative partnership between the National Science Foundation and the military was key to ensuring rapid medical care and evacuation of the patient.”

    The success of this mission highlights the strength of the longstanding partnership between the U.S. military and the National Science Foundation in supporting scientific operations in Antarctica. It also underscores the critical importance of readiness and training in environments where help is hours — or even days — away.

    “This was more than a mission — it was a life saved against all odds,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Mulberry, Director of Joint Staff for the Wyoming National Guard. “What our Airmen and their teammates accomplished is extraordinary. The 187 AES embodied what it means to be Citizen-Airmen — bringing compassion and expert care to one of the most remote places on Earth. Great job Krueger and Glotfelty.”

     

    Master Sgt. Lyndsey Glotfelty, 187th Wyoming Air National Guard aeromedical evacuation technician, provided in-flight care for a heart attack victim aboard an LC-130 en route to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 13, 2025. The Antarctic is as remote as it gets, with great distance to the nearest help and limited resources, so the mission contained a standardized response plan for medical incidents and select personnel trained to handle them. Maj. Nate Krueger and Master Sgt. Lyndsey Glotfelty of the 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron delivered critical care during a life-saving patient transport mission in Antarctica. Their actions and expert care helped make history with the first successful cardiac arrest evacuation from the continent in over 35 years. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

    The U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station is the largest of the U.S. year-round stations and the largest station on the continent. It is the central logistical hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), supporting research on the continent and at NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Maj. Nate Krueger and Master Sgt. Lyndsey Glotfelty of the 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron delivered critical care during a life-saving patient transport mission in Antarctica. Their actions and expert care helped make history with the first successful cardiac arrest evacuation from the continent in over 35 years. (U.S. National Science Foundation courtesy photo)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Physician Convicted at Trial for Illegal Distribution of Opioids and Healthcare Fraud Conspiracies

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal jury convicted a medical doctor yesterday for his participation in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and to unlawfully distribute controlled substances.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Neil K. Anand M.D., 48, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, conspired to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, health plans provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem, for “Goody Bags” of medically unnecessary prescription medications, which were dispensed to patients by in-house pharmacies owned by Anand. As the evidence at trial showed, the conspirators required patients to take the Goody Bags, which they did not need or want, to receive prescriptions for controlled substances. In total, Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem paid over $2.3 million for the Goody Bags. Anand also conspired to distribute oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. In furtherance of the conspiracy, unlicensed medical interns wrote prescriptions for controlled substances using blank prescriptions that were pre-signed by Anand. Anand prescribed 20,850 oxycodone tablets for nine different patients, as part of the scheme. After learning that he was under investigation, Anand concealed the proceeds of the fraud by transferring approximately $1.2 million into an account in the name of his father and for the benefit of his minor daughter.

    Anand was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud; three counts of health care fraud; one count of money laundering; four counts of unlawful monetary transactions; and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 19 and faces a statutory maximum penalty of 130 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Kathleen Woodson of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (U.S. Postal Service OIG); and Special Agent in Charge of Investigative Operations Derek Holt of the OPM-Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG) made the announcement.

    The HHS-OIG, U.S. Postal Service OIG, and OPM OIG investigated the case.  FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office provided valuable assistance.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob, Patrick J. Campbell, and Arun Bodapati of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: SECU Foundation Grants $500,000 to Raleigh Rescue Mission for New Campus to Help Address Homelessness

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SECU Foundation has awarded a $500,000 challenge grant to Raleigh Rescue Mission (RRM) to support the non-profit’s construction of a new campus in Knightdale for women and children experiencing homelessness. The future 100-room facility will provide long-term transitional housing for up to 350 women and children as well as a child development center.

    RRM provides comprehensive services to help homeless individuals gain stability and self-sufficiency. They report that 84% of their clients find employment at the conclusion of their program. Currently, RRM is able to assist 120 individuals in its Raleigh location and serve 18 families in transitional apartments. Their capacity to help Wake and surrounding counties will expand significantly with two campuses, allowing them to serve an additional 600 women and 200 men annually.

    “We are pleased to support Raleigh Rescue Mission’s new campus,” said SECU Foundation Board Chair Chris Ayers. “Homelessness in Wake County continues to increase each year, making the need for services and housing that much more important. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts this facility will have on individuals and families as RRM expands their work to help even more people rebuild their lives and make our collective communities stronger.”

    “More than 1,600 people call Raleigh Rescue Mission each year, seeking shelter, stability, and hope,” said RRM CEO John Luckett. “The original downtown facility can only provide 100 beds per night, forcing RRM to turn away more than 90% of those who reach out. Thanks to generous donors like SECU Foundation, RRM’s second campus, The Garden, will change lives on an unprecedented scale. This new, purpose-designed campus for women and children will triple the nightly capacity, empower 600-900 women and children annually regain independence, and preserve and expand the downtown location for men, increasing capacity and enabling 300-360 men per year to rebuild their lives. This is more than a building—it’s a transformational leap forward in how RRM serves those in need.”

    About SECU and SECU Foundation
    A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets. It serves more than 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $300 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

    Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, secufoundation@ncsecu.org

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d06a77a-17bc-44ea-b84d-08ec8a17e403

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth to go to the polls

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth voters will be asked to choose how they think the city should be governed in the future, following the verification of valid signatures submitted as part of a petition.

    The Council received a petition requesting a directly elected mayor for Plymouth City Council. As per the legislation, the Council has validated each signature to ensure that they are registered electors in the Plymouth City Council area.  

    Following this process, 10,856 signatures were verified as being eligible, meaning the threshold of obtaining support from at least five per cent of registered electors in the city has been reached to trigger a referendum.  

    In papers published today, for the Full Council meeting on Monday 28 April, proposals set out that the referendum will be held on Thursday 17 July. This will be formally confirmed when the Notice of Poll is published, following the Council meeting. 

    At the referendum, those on the electoral register will be asked to have their say on whether Plymouth City Council’s governance model should be changed from a leader model to a directly elected mayor.  

    This process is separate from – and not related to – the ongoing discussions about Plymouth potentially joining a combined regional authority that could be led by an elected strategic mayor.  

    There are a number of ways to cast your vote. You can vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.  

    Registering to vote is quick and easy, it only takes five minutes and can be done online. Once registered you will be placed onto the electoral register. However, you will need to register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality.  

    Once registered, you can request for a postal vote application online. Having a postal vote means that a postal ballot pack containing your ballot paper will be sent to your home, so you can vote via post, avoiding the need to go to a polling station. If you’re unable to vote in person you can apply for a proxy vote and ask someone to vote on your behalf.  

    All registered voters in Plymouth will also need to show an eligible photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station. 

    Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a full or provisional UK, EEA or Commonwealth driver’s licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or a blue badge. 

    Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free Voter Authority Certificate online or by completing a paper form, which is available from the Council.  

    It is anticipated that the deadlines will be:  

    •           Deadline to register to vote: 1 July 2025 

    •           Deadline to apply or change a postal vote: 5pm on 2 July 2025 

    •           Deadline to apply for Voter Authority Certificate: 5pm on 9 July 2025 

    •           Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on 9 July 2025.

    For more information about registering to vote or applying for a postal vote or voter ID see our register to vote page.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Community projects countering racism receive $300,000

    Community-based organizations throughout B.C. have received grants from the Province to fund projects countering racism and promoting multiculturalism.

    Under the annual B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program, projects that battle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding in B.C. are receiving a total of $300,000 to cover direct costs.

    Organizations have applied for as much as $5,000 for projects using the arts, education, awareness and interactive campaigns to help reduce racism and promote diversity. To be eligible, projects were required to begin by April 1, 2025, and wrap up by March 31, 2026.

    Projects receiving funding this year include:

    • Intersectional Advocacy Resources – the non-profit agency Independent Living Vernon will gather and create advocacy information resources to help Indigenous and racialized people navigate large government systems;
    • Harmonies of Unity: A Convergence of Indigenous and Korean Traditional Arts – hosted by the Garden of Compassion Society in Port Moody, this cultural event will feature traditional performances and art exhibitions from Indigenous and Korean communities;
    • B.C. Black Film Festival – a weekend-long Black film festival planned for fall 2025 in Victoria, featuring projects of Black filmmakers, producers and artists from B.C.;
    • Building Bridges: Thriving Communities – the Chilliwack-based non-profit agency Love Without Borders will help refugees and marginalized communities by providing housing, employment opportunities, education and a support network; and
    • Antisemitism Legal Helpline – Access Pro Bono Society of B.C. connects people who have experienced antisemitism with trauma-informed volunteer lawyers to help identify next steps or available remedies. The grant will enable in-person visits to smaller, more rural Jewish communities.

    This grant program is part of the Province’s ongoing efforts to advance multiculturalism and build a more welcoming and equitable B.C. for all. Other government anti-racism initiatives include:

    • the Racist Incident Helpline, launched last year, which helps connect people who have experienced racism with community support and resources;
    • the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, which connects communities with information, supports and training needed to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate; and
    • the Anti-Racism Act, which the Province is implementing with the aim of dismantling systemic racism in government programs and services.

    Learn More:

    For the complete list of 2024-25 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grant recipients, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2024-25Anti-RacismGrants.pdf

    To access the Racist Incident Helpline, visit: https://racistincidenthelpline.ca

    To learn more about the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, visit: https://www.resiliencebc.ca

    To learn more about the Anti-Racism Act, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30655

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The gap between wages and housing prices is widening, fuelling the affordability crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Patrick Michael Condon, Professor and UBC James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Livable Environments., University of British Columbia

    Racial disparities played a significant role in shaping unequal COVID-19 mortality rates. What is less widely understood is how overcrowded housing conditions were an even deadlier variable.

    In California’s Bay Area, for instance, residents of overcrowded apartments — many of them recent immigrants — were found to be significantly more likely to die from COVID-19 than residents of demographically similar, but less crowded, apartments.

    ‘Broken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis’ by Patrick M. Condon.
    (UBC Press)

    Even less examined is the root cause of this overcrowding. Overcrowding is not just a matter of zoning or population growth, but something more systemic and difficult to confront: the speculative financial forces acting on the land beneath our feet.

    Urban land is now assessed by people not for its consumption value for a home but for its ability to hold and increase in cash value — in other words, its “speculative value.”

    My recent book, Broken City, paints a picture of how the same market logics that defined the Gilded Age of the late 19th century have quietly returned in our own century, with similarly corrosive consequences for urban life.

    Echoes of the Gilded Age

    A growing share of average workers’ incomes is being swallowed up by housing costs, often for homes that fail to meet their basic needs. This is not the result of natural scarcity, but mechanical economic processes that inform the price of urban land.

    We now find ourselves in circumstances uncomfortably close to those of Victorian England or Gilded Age America, when mass migrations to urban centres were driven by the need for jobs.



    Read more:
    What’s behind Canada’s housing crisis? Experts break down the different factors at play

    Back then, as now, a small number of urban landowners were able to extract enormous wealth — what political economist Henry George called the unearned increment — from the labour of others by virtue of owning the right patch of ground.

    A portrait photograph of Henry George, taken after 1885.
    (Wikimedia Commons)

    The demands for the unearned increment, George explained, was only limited by how much a region’s wage-earners and entrepreneurs collectively produced. Almost all of that value eventually went into land price.

    Today, we appear to be experiencing the same phenomenon. The social and epidemiological pressures produced by inflated land prices are no longer confined to historically marginalized racial or ethnic groups.

    As my book explains, millennials and Gen Xers, who are increasingly working service-sector jobs that dominate today’s economy, especially in countries like Canada and the U.S., are facing housing pressures once reserved only for the poor.

    In short, housing precarity has gone mainstream.

    Skyrocketing land prices

    At the heart of the housing crisis lies a deeper problem: runaway urban land prices are not just a crisis of housing affordability, but a problem of equitable urban design. They are eroding our political capacity to solve many urban problems.

    The same inflated land values that burden tenants and aspiring homeowners also restrict what cities can do to address housing and transportation needs, whether through planning, taxation or direct provision.

    Urban land prices are spiralling due to the collision of two long-term trends. First, the global economy has shifted from being primarily driven by wages earned through labour to one dominated by returns on assets. Urban land is now the single largest category of fixed capital asset in the world.

    Second, this asset-driven economy has widened the gap between wages and home prices, and helped drive the explosion in inequality. Housing has become the primary site where that inequality is expressed.

    Public frustration over this yawning gap between stagnant incomes and sky-high housing costs has erupted into political conflict. Many now blame local governments and planning regulations for blocking the supply of new homes. If only we could build more, they argue, prices would fall.

    But the evidence tells a different story. Take Vancouver, a city that has tripled its housing stock since the 1960s, largely through infill development. If the supply theory held true, Vancouver should be the most affordable city in North America. Instead, it is the least affordable.

    A landmark study published in March by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that supply constraints didn’t explain rising housing prices or housing growth across American cities. In other words, building more housing isn’t enough to bring down prices.

    A path out of the housing crisis

    My book offers several solutions and examples for how cities can reclaim land wealth for the common good.

    One promising approach lies in tying new housing approvals to affordability requirements. This policy framework — known as inclusionary zoning — requires developers to include a certain number of permanently affordable units as a condition for increased density.

    Without such requirements, upzoning — meaning increasing the maximum building size the city authorizes for a parcel — can inflate the value of land, rewarding speculation and driving prices further out of reach.

    Examples of effective inclusionary zoning abound. In Cambridge, Mass., an affordable housing overlay mandates 100 per cent affordability in exchange for permission to double density across the city. In Vancouver, new legislation related to inclusive zoning was introduced in 2024 and a development tax on new high-density projects has helped finance non-market housing directly.

    The path forward is not mysterious. But it does require confronting the truth that the housing crisis is not the result of broken systems — but of a speculative financial systems working exactly as designed.

    Patrick Michael Condon 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. The gap between wages and housing prices is widening, fuelling the affordability crisis – https://theconversation.com/the-gap-between-wages-and-housing-prices-is-widening-fuelling-the-affordability-crisis-252157

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Poplar man sentenced to seven years in prison on assault and gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS – A Poplar man who broke into a house on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and assaulted a resident was sentenced today to 85 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Marion Wallace Runs Through, Jr., 33, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon and use (by brandishing) of a firearm during a crime of violence.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that on the evening of November 21, 2023, Runs Through and a co-defendant went to a remote residence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Runs Through carried with him an AR-15 style rifle. He met with two other co-defendants outside the home. While still outside the residence Runs Through fired one round into the ground and six into the air. He and a co-defendant then broke into the residence. The defendant assaulted the two occupants of the home, striking them with the rifle while demanding access to a safe. The victims identified the assailant as the man with face tattoos. Runs Through has noticeable face tattoos. While Runs Through was the only assailant armed during the home invasion, one witness heard a co-defendant tell Runs Through to “Kill the white guy! Shoot him! Shoot him!” Runs Through then pointed the rifle at the witness, but did not pull the trigger.

    Runs Through was arrested the next day at his parents’ house and law enforcement found an assault rifle. The weapon was purchased in North Dakota by a cousin of one of the co-defendants.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the FBI, BIA, ATF and Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law & Justice.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono at the Department of State, on April 16, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QphXzldDZ0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session

    Source: NATO

    NATO’s highest Military Authority, the Military Committee, will meet on 14 May 2024, at the Chiefs of Defence level. The Chair of the Military Committee (CMC), will preside the meeting, with the participation of the 32 Allies, along with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT).

    The NATO Secretary General will join the Military Committee for the opening session to address the Alliance’s key priorities and challenges.

    During the first session SACEUR will brief the Chiefs of Defence on NATO’s continued efforts to further strengthen its collective deterrence and defence posture. Allied Chiefs of Defence will also exchange views on ongoing NATO-led missions and activities, and on NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU).

    In the second session, SACT will provide an update on NATO’s Defence Planning Process, and related innovation opportunities and challenges.  

    The last session will be held in a NATO-Ukraine Council format to discuss Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation on the ground, and NATO and Allied continued support to Ukraine.

    CMC will hold a press conference, upon conclusion of the meeting.
     

    Media advisory

    08:30 (CEST) Opening remarks

    • Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee
    • NATO Secretary General, Mr. Mark Rutte

    17:45 (CEST) Press conference with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee

    Media coverage

    Media representatives wishing to attend the press conference are invited to contact the NATO IMS Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASCAD) Office via email (pascad@hq.nato.int) with a completed accreditation form no later than 1400hrs (Brussels Time) on Monday, 5 May 2025.

    Download media accreditation forms: English, French

    Once approved, media passes will not be mailed to applicants, but must be collected in person at the Guard House South, NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III, Brussels, upon presentation of a valid ID card / passport, along with a valid national Press pass (or accreditation letter from a recognized media organisation), and a copy of the confirmation email of successful accreditation.

    Passes must be always worn visibly during the stay at NATO Headquarters. Security personnel may ask to check another form of ID, at any time. Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site. Media representatives are also advised to arrive at NATO Headquarters with sufficient lead-time to complete their in-processing.

    The opening remarks delivered by the NATO Chair of the NATO Military Committee and the NATO Secretary General will be streamed live on the NATO website. 

    The press conference will also be streamed live on the NATO website and the live feed will be provided to EBU.

    Video footage will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

    Imagery

    Following each event, photos, video and audio files will be made available on the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session (MCCS) event page.

    Social media

    Latest information and photos from the MCCS will be posted on the following X accounts: @CMC_NATO  and  @NATO_PASCAD.

    Please use the hashtags #NATOCHoDs and #NATOMC when posting about the NATO Military Committee.

    Media enquiries

    Capt (N) Giovanni Galoforo, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the NATO Military Committee and the NATO International Military Staff.
    Tel: +32 2 707 5983
    E-Mail: Galoforo.Giovanni@hq.nato.int

    Cdr Grzegorz Łyko, Deputy Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Advisor to the NATO Military Committee and the NATO International Military Staff.
    Tel: + 32 477 57 07 46    
    E-Mail: lyko.grzegorz@hq.nato.int

    Find more background information about the NATO Military Committee

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Growing Rural Businesses: Pioneering Hydroponics Business Plants Roots in Las Animas County

    Source: US State of Colorado

    TRINIDAD — The Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Bird & Squirrel Hydroponics, LLC, a pioneering hydroponics business, has been accepted into the Rural Jump-Start Program. Focused on cultivating and supplying high-quality herbs and leafy greens, hydroponic systems and technology, Bird & Squirrel Hydroponics will create new jobs and help diversify the local economy. 

    “Rural Jumpstart is supporting businesses across Colorado and I’m excited to see that Bird & Squirrel are making their home in Trinidad. This investment will support the local economy and strengthen the community overall. Their focus on hydroponics builds on Colorado’s rich agricultural industry, bringing new cutting-edge technology to support sustainable agriculture,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    “We’re thrilled to see Bird & Squirrel expand in Las Animas County. The Rural Jump-start Program was created in partnership with rural communities to support the unique needs of rural businesses, and today’s announcement highlights the innovation these entrepreneurs are bringing to their communities,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman. 

    Utilizing advanced hydroponic techniques, Bird & Squirrel Hydroponics is committed to sustainable farming practices that ensure year-round production of fresh, pesticide-free produce, as well as developing industry leading hydroponic systems and technology. The company focuses on three distinct products and services: 1) cultivating and supplying high-quality herbs and leafy greens to regional restaurants, 2) designing and building custom hydroponic systems for personal and business use, and 3) small-scale manufacturing of an AI automated hydroponic controller. 

    “We are excited to bring Bird and Squirrel Hydroponics to Trinidad, Colorado. This opportunity allows us to provide the surrounding communities with fresh, pesticide-free herbs and greens year-round, while also fostering technological innovation in the area with our AI Hydroponics Controller. We’re passionate about contributing to the local economy and advancing sustainable agricultural practices in this region,” said Jeff Layton, Co-Founder of Bird & Squirrel Hydroponics. 

    The Rural Jump-Start (RJS) program encourages economic development and job creation in economically distressed, rural counties of Colorado. Businesses that start in or move to RJS zones can qualify for relief from the state business income tax, the sales and use tax, and county/municipal business personal property taxes. Qualified employees also receive relief from their state personal income tax. In addition, businesses are eligible for a general operating grant of up to $20,000. These grants are intended to support regional economic and workforce development activities that expand local business, create new good-paying jobs, and strengthen and diversify local economies. Sponsoring entities like Trinidad State College help identify RJS candidates in their communities and work with the business to help ensure its success in the program and in the community. 

    “We are very pleased to be a sponsor for this exciting and innovative hydroponics venture. Trinidad State College is committed to growing workforce and economic development opportunities within our multi-county service area. Our support of Bird and Squirrel Hydroponics, LLC is an important step towards solidifying the TSC strategic vision of driving shared prosperity within our communities,” said James Kynor and Vice President of Operations and Workforce Development. 

    To learn more about the Rural Jump-Start program, please contact 
    Quina Weber-Shirk at quina.webershirk@state.co.us. 

    About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Commencement Student Speaker Spotlight: Kristina Delgado

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Meet Kristina Delgado. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico, raised in Cuenca, Ecuador, and moved to the U.S. at 18. Growing up in a multicultural household, she developed resilience, a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for diversity. Seeking purpose, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, where she achieved the highest rank within her enlistment and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Her military service strengthened her leadership and teamwork skills while exposing her to critical gaps in healthcare, igniting her passion for biomedical research.

    Why did you choose UConn and your UConn Graduate School program?

    My path to UConn and the Biomedical Science Graduate School program was shaped by a fortunate opportunity to work as a technician in the Spirochete Research Laboratory at UConn School of Medicine. There, my passion for infectious disease research, particularly on Treponema pallidum, was sparked. The hands-on experience and guidance from exceptional mentors solidified my decision to pursue further education at UConn, where I knew I could grow both academically and professionally.

    Tell us more about your path to grad school.

    My career path began with my military service, which strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills while exposing me to critical gaps in healthcare, sparking my passion for biomedical research. Afterward, I earned my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Georgia State University, leading to an opportunity at the USDA Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory at Plum Island. There, I gained hands-on experience in virology, further fueling my interest in infectious diseases. This passion ultimately led me to work as a technician in the Spirochete Research Laboratory at UConn Health, where the mentorship of Drs. Radolf, Hawley, and Caimano solidified my decision to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, focusing on infectious disease research and vaccine development.

    What activities were you involved with as a grad student?

    As a graduate student, I was fully immersed in my research, but I also made it a priority to support diversity in STEM. As an active member of the Graduate School DEI Committee, I worked alongside a dedicated team to foster an inclusive academic environment. It was incredibly rewarding to give back by mentoring and advising younger students, sharing the opportunities and experiences that shaped my own journey. Being part of something bigger—helping to support and inspire the next generation of scientists—was one of the most fulfilling aspects of my time at UConn.

    What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

    One thing that truly surprised me about UConn was how welcoming and supportive everyone is, as well as the incredible depth and diversity of research being conducted here. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but I quickly found myself in a collaborative and inspiring community. Being in an environment driven by innovation and curiosity has made my time at UConn both enriching and rewarding.

    What’s one thing every student should do during their time at UConn?

    Every student should take a moment to step beyond their research or career goals and get involved in the broader community. It’s easy to fall into tunnel vision when you’re deep in academic work, but engaging in other aspects of the UConn community helps you gain perspective, connect with others, and see the bigger picture. Whether it’s through mentorship, outreach, or organizations like the DEI Committee, these experiences help you grow in ways that go beyond the lab or classroom. Stepping back from the laboratory bench every now and then reminds us that we’re part of something bigger—and that we have so much to offer to the people and communities around us.

    Who has inspired you most?

    I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of mentors who showed me the true impact of our work. They taught me that what we do in the lab isn’t just about experiments—it’s about making a real difference in healthcare. Beyond my mentors, I was also blessed with the unwavering support of my family and friends, who constantly encouraged me and stood by my decision. Their belief in me kept me moving forward, reinforcing my passion and commitment to this field.

    What are your plans after graduation?

    Ah, the dreaded question! I’m happy to say that I still have a deep passion for research and want to continue expanding my scientific expertise. While I don’t know exactly where my career will take me—whether in academia, industry, or teaching—I do know that I want to bridge the gap between basic science and its real-world applications. My goal is to develop the skills needed to move into translational research, connecting fundamental discoveries with clinical trials and patient care. No matter the path I take, I want my work to have a tangible impact on healthcare and the scientific community.

    What’s one thing that will always make you think of UConn?

    One thing that will always make me think of UConn is the sense of community here. Whether it’s the camaraderie among fellow students, the support from mentors, or the collaborative spirit in research, UConn has a unique way of bringing people together. It’s this feeling of connection and shared purpose that I’ll carry with me long after graduation.

    What does being a part of UConn mean to you?

    Being a part of UConn means being part of a supportive and innovative community that fosters growth, collaboration, and inclusion. It’s where I’ve been able to challenge myself, advance my research, and contribute to a diverse environment. The connections I’ve made here, and the shared purpose have shaped me both personally and professionally, and that’s something I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

    What’s it going to be like to walk across the Commencement stage and get your degree?

    Walking across the Commencement stage will be a moment of immense pride and reflection. It will mark the culmination of years of hard work, challenges, and growth. But beyond the academic achievement, it will be a moment to celebrate the support of my family, friends, mentors, and the UConn community that helped me get here. It will be a symbol of not just earning a degree, but of the journey and the people who’ve shaped my path. It’ll be a bittersweet farewell to this chapter, but an exciting step into the next.

    Any final words of wisdom for incoming students?

    No matter how many roadblocks or challenges life throws your way, the key is to face them head-on, learn from them, and keep moving forward. Don’t give up, and remember to enjoy the journey along the way. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress, but make sure you take time to have fun, find balance, and celebrate the small wins. Growth comes from persistence, and the experience will be all the richer if you embrace both the challenges and the moments of joy.

    Delgado’s doctoral dissertation focused on “Cracking the Code of Treponema pallidum Immunity: Lessons from the Rabbit Model to Drive Syphilis Vaccine Innovation.”

    Watch the livestream of UConn Health’s 54th Commencement on May 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Unprovoked Assault on Stranger at Metro Station Nets Prison Term

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Isis Lee, 20, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on April 11, 2025, to 12 months and one day in prison for randomly attacking a woman walking home from Mount Vernon Metro Station, in November 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

                Lee pleaded guilty, in February 2025, to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon (pepper spray), in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, before the Honorable Judge Judith Pipe.

                According to the government’s evidence, around 8:00 p.m., on November 17, 2024, Lee and her associates followed the victim and her boyfriend, who they had never met or interacted with before, as they walked home from the Mount Vernon Metro Station before ambushing them in the area of 9th and L Street NW. Lee pepper sprayed the victim directly in her eyes while her companion held a knife to the victim’s boyfriend’s throat. Lee and her associates also hit the victim and her boyfriend with their hands before the victim and her boyfriend were able to flee.  The defendant and her associates continued to pursue the victim and her boyfriend, assaulting them again on the street, before chasing them into a nearby restaurant, where Lee was captured on surveillance footage throwing glass bottles at the victim. The victim and her boyfriend were transported to George Washington Hospital, where they received treatment for their injuries.  Lee fled the scene and was later apprehended on an arrest warrant.

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Lieberman who investigated and prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: The Board of Directors has resolved to carry out directed issues of units totaling approximately SEK 25 million and a fully underwritten rights issue of units of approximately SEK 15 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR WOULD REQUIRE REGISTRATION OR ANY OTHER MEASURES. PLEASE REFER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE END OF THE PRESS RELEASE.

    The Board of Directors of Terranet AB (”Terranet” or the ”Company”) has today, April 16 2025, with authorization from the annual general meeting on May 21, 2024, decided to carry out a directed issue of 2,956,297 units consisting of B-shares and warrants of series TO9 B to a number of qualified investors of approximately SEK 8.8 million (the “First Directed Issue”). The Board of Directors of the Company has further, subject to subsequent approval by the Annual General Meeting, resolved on a directed issue of 5,461,210 units consisting of B-shares and warrants of series TO9 B to members of the Company’s Board of Directors and management as well as external investors, of approximately SEK 16.2 million (the “Second Directed Issue” and together with the First Directed Issue, the “Directed Issues”). One unit in the Directed Issues consists of thirty-three (33) B-shares and five (5) warrants of series TO9 B. To compensate the shareholders who do not participate in the Directed Issues, the Board of Directors of Terranet, subject to subsequent approval by the Annual General Meeting, has resolved on a fully secured rights issue of a maximum of 13,880,714 units consisting of B-shares and warrants of series TO9 B, which, if fully subscribed, will provide the Company with approximately SEK 15 million before deduction of issue costs (the “Rights Issue”). One unit in the Rights Issue consists of twelve (12) B-shares and three (3) warrants of series TO9 B. The Directed Issues and the Rights Issue are carried out at the same subscription price, with the subscription price set at SEK 0.09 per B-share. Through the Directed Issues, Terranet will raise approximately SEK 25 million before deduction of issue costs, and upon full subscription of the Rights Issue, Terranet will raise approximately SEK 15 million before deduction of issue costs. The notice to the Annual General Meeting will be published through a separate press release.

    Comments from Management
    “We are at a very exciting stage as we intensify our commercialization journey with the goal of signing our first agreement to initiate commercialization during this year. In 2024, Terranet achieved success and delivered on previously set milestones with excellence, laying the foundation for the collaborations and ongoing dialogues with leading industrial players in the market. The capital raise enables us to take the next step from a development-stage company to a commercial enterprise, and I see this as an attractive opportunity to personally take part in this journey together with well-renowned investors who recognize the strong potential of Terranet’s technology”, says Lars Lindell, CEO of Terranet.

    Comments from the Board of Directors
    “We are grateful for the strong confidence shown by our shareholders. Their support has enabled a capital raise on favorable terms with committed and reputable investors, despite an eventful and volatile stock market. Given full subscription of the issued warrants, the capital raise secures our liquidity through the second quarter of 2026. This strengthens our negotiating position and provides a solid foundation for converting the potential and interest in our technology into real shareholder value”, says Torgny Hellström, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Terranet.

    Summary of the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue:

    • The First Directed Issue comprises a maximum of 2,956,297 units. Subscribers in the First Directed Issue include, among others, Hunter Capital AB (publ) (“Hunter”). One unit in the First Directed Issue consists of thirty-three (33) B-shares and five (5) warrants of series TO9 B. The subscription price in the First Directed Issue is SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which represents a premium of approximately 4.0 percent compared to the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s B-share on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market between April 7, 2025, and April 11, 2025. The First Directed Issue will provide Terranet with approximately SEK 8.8 million before deduction of issue costs.
    • The Second Directed Issue comprises a maximum of 5,461,210 units and is directed to members of the Board of Directors, management, and external investors, including Johannes Schildt (one of the founders of Kry), White Eye AB, and Scan Invest Limited (“Scan”). One unit in the Second Directed Issue consists of thirty-three (33) B-shares and five (5) warrants of series TO9 B. The subscription price in the Second Directed Issue is SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which is the same subscription price as in the First Directed Issue. The Second Directed Issue will provide Terranet with approximately SEK 16.2 million before deduction of issue costs.
    • The Board of Director’s resolution on the Second Directed Issue is conditional upon approval by the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for May 23, 2025. Notice of the Annual General Meeting will be published through a separate press release.
    • The Rights Issue comprises a maximum of 13,880,714 units. One unit in the Rights Issue consists of twelve (12) B-shares and three (3) warrants of series TO9 B. The warrants are issued free of charge.
    • The subscription price per unit in the Rights Issue is SEK 1.08 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share. The subscription price per B-share is the same as in the Directed Issues. Upon full subscription, the Rights Issue will provide Terranet with approximately SEK 15 million before deduction of issue costs.
    • The right to subscribe for units in the Rights Issue shall, with preferential rights, be granted to shareholders in proportion to the number of B-shares they already own, where one (1) existing B-share entitles the holder to one (1) unit right, and eighty-six (86) unit rights entitle the holder to subscribe for one (1) unit.
    • The last day of trading in Terranet’s B-shares including the right to receive unit rights in the Rights Issue is April 25, 2025. The B-shares will be traded excluding the right to receive unit rights from April 28, 2025.
    • The subscription period for the Rights Issue runs from May 27, 2025, up to and including June 11, 2025.
    • The Rights Issue is covered by subscription commitments of approximately SEK 35.2 thousand, corresponding to 0.2 percent of the Rights Issue, and underwriting commitments of approximately SEK 15 million, corresponding to approximately 99.8 percent of the Rights Issue. Thus, the Rights Issue is covered to 100 percent by subscription commitments and underwriting commitments. Hunter has entered into a underwriting commitment amounting to approximately SEK 7.5 million. Furthermore, Scan has also entered into a underwriting commitment amounting to approximately SEK 7.5 million.
    • The full terms and conditions of the Rights Issue, including additional information about the Company, will be available in an information memorandum expected to be published around May 26, 2025 (the “Memorandum”).
    • The purpose of the Rights Issue is to finance the continued development of the BlincVision product, prepare for future commercialization, and repay an existing interest-bearing debt of approximately SEK 8 million.

    Background and rationale in summary
    Terranet is in an expansion phase with the development of BlincVision and has achieved several important milestones in 2024, including successful tests and partnerships with leading players in the automotive industry. To take the next step, financing is required to complete the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and continue the development towards volume production in collaboration with potential future partners.

    In order to carry out the necessary development work required to commercialize BlincVision and repay the Company’s outstanding interest-bearing debt of approximately SEK 8 million, the Board of Directors of Terranet has identified a need for additional capital. Therefore, the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue are being carried out. The proceeds from the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue will primarily be used for:

    •        Repayment of outstanding loans, approximately 20 percent.
    •        External development costs for components for BlincVision, approximately 25 percent.
    •     In-house development work as well as market and sales activities for BlincVision, approximately 25 percent.
    •        Investments in tangible fixed assets, approximately 10 percent.
    •        Working capital, approximately 20 percent.

    The First Directed Issue
    The Board of Directors of Terranet has today, with the support of the authorization from the Annual General Meeting on May 21, 2024, resolved to carry out the First Directed Issue, which comprises a maximum of 2,956,297 units at a subscription price of SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share. Each unit in the First Directed Issue consists of thirty-three (33) B-shares and five (5) warrants of series TO9 B. The warrants are issued free of charge. Through the First Directed Issue, the Company will raise approximately SEK 8.8 million before issue costs. The right to subscribe for units will be granted exclusively, deviating from shareholders’ preferential rights, to Hunter and Milad Pournouri.

    The Board of Directors has placed great emphasis on ensuring that the subscription price for the First Directed Issue is market-based in relation to the current share price. After negotiations at arm’s length between the Company and the intended investors, the subscription price has been set at SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which represents a premium of approximately 4.0 percent compared to the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s B-share on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market between April 7, 2025, and April 11, 2025. Considering this, the Board of Directors concludes that the subscription price is market-based and reflects the demand for the Company’s B-shares.

    The Second Directed Issue
    Further, the Board of Terranet has today, subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 23, 2025, resolved to carry out the Second Directed Issue. The Second Directed Issue comprises a total of 5,461,210 units and is being implemented, among other things, to enable subscriptions by members of the Company’s Board of Directors and management. Since members of the Company’s board of directors and management are subject to Chapter 16 of the Swedish Companies Act (2005:551) (the so-called Leo Act), the Second Directed Issue requires approval from a shareholders’ meeting in the Company. For the decision of the shareholders’ meeting to be valid, at least nine-tenths of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting must vote in favor of the decision. Following approval at the Annual General Meeting, the right to subscribe for units in the Second Directed Issue will be granted to CEO Lars Lindell, CFO Dan Wahrenberg, CCO Jonas Renander, CTO Pierre Ekwall, Chairman of the Board Torgny Hellström, and Board member Magnus Edman, as well as the current shareholder Oliver Aleksov and external investors Johannes Schildt, White Eye AB, Scan, Alex Ghafori, and Max Björs.

    The subscription price for the Second Directed Issue is SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per share, which is the same subscription price as in the First Directed Issue. Through the Second Directed Issue, Terranet will raise approximately SEK 16.2 million before issue costs. Each unit in the Second Directed Issue consists of thirty-three (33) B-shares and five (5) warrants of series TO9 B. The warrants are issued free of charge.

    Deviation from shareholder’ preferential rights
    The reasons for the deviation from shareholders’ preferential rights and the targeting of the Directed Issues to the Board of Directors, management, existing shareholders, and qualified investors are as follows. Prior to the decision on the Directed Issues, the board carefully examined and considered alternative financing options, including raising capital solely through a rights issue. However, after a comprehensive assessment and considering that a directed issue allows the Company to receive capital sooner, the Board of Directors believes that new issues carried out with a deviation from shareholders’ preferential rights, combined with a rights issue, are a more favorable option for the Company and its shareholders than a rights issue alone. Therefore, the Board of Directors’ assessment is that it is in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders to proceed with the Directed Issues.

    The reason the Directed Issues is aimed at selected institutional and private investors is that such an issue further diversifies and strengthens the Company’s shareholder base. The reason why one existing shareholder is given the opportunity to participate is that this investor has been a shareholder in the Company for a long period and continues to show great interest in the Company. All of the investors in the Directed Issues have expressed long-term interest and commitment to the Company, which the Board of Directors believes provides security and stability for both the Company and its shareholders. At the same time, other shareholders are given the opportunity to subscribe to units on the same terms through the Rights Issue.

    The Company is in an important phase and requires financing to ensure its long-term operations. According to the Board of Directors’ assessment, a more extensive and isolated rights issue would require significantly more time and resources to execute and would also entail a higher risk of a negative impact on the share price, particularly considering the current volatile and challenging market conditions. From a shareholder perspective, an isolated rights issue thus poses a risk of a negative effect on the share price compared to a directed issue combined with a rights issue. In view of the market volatility, the Board of Directors has assessed that a rights issue, without the Directed Issues, would need to be considerably larger and would therefore also require greater underwriting commitments from an underwriting consortium, which would result in additional costs and/or further dilution depending on the type of compensation for such underwriting.

    Considering the above, the Board of Directors’ collective assessment is that the reasons for carrying out the Directed Issues in combination with a compensation issue in the form of the Rights Issue outweigh the reasons for conducting a more extensive isolated rights issue.

    The Board of Directors has, in connection with the decisions on the Directed Issues, placed significant emphasis on ensuring that the subscription price is market-based in relation to the prevailing share price. After arm’s length negotiations between the company and the qualified investors, the subscription price has been set at SEK 2.97 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which represents a premium of approximately 4.0 percent compared to the volume-weighted average price of the company’s B-share on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market between April 7, 2025, and April 11, 2025. Considering this, the board assesses that the subscription price is market-based and reflects the demand for the company’s B-shares.

    The Rights Issue
    To compensate shareholders who do not participate in the Directed Issues, the Board of Directors, subject to subsequent approval by the annual general meeting, has decided to carry out the Rights Issue of up to 13,880,714 units, which, if fully subscribed, could raise approximately SEK 15 million before deduction of issue costs. One unit in the Rights Issue consists of twelve (12) B-shares and three (3) warrants of series TO9 B. The warrants are issued free of charge.

    Those who are registered as shareholders in Terranet on the record date of April 29, 2025 will receive one (1) unit right for each (1) existing B-share, and eighty-six (86) unit rights will entitle the holder to subscribe for one (1) unit. The subscription price in the Rights Issue will be SEK 1.08 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which is the same subscription price as in the Directed Issues. Participants in the Directed Issues will not receive any unit rights in the Rights Issue for the units subscribed through the Directed Issues.

    In the event that not all units are subscribed through the exercise of unit rights, the Board of Directors will decide on the allocation of units subscribed without the support of unit rights, within the framework of the maximum amount of the Rights Issue. The allocation will be made as follows:

    • First, allocation will be made to those who have subscribed for units using unit rights, regardless of whether the subscriber was a shareholder on the record date. In case of over-subscription relative to the number of unit rights each person used for subscription, allocation will be made based on the number of unit rights exercised, and if this cannot be done, by drawing lots.
    • Second, allocation will be made to others who have subscribed for units without the support of unit rights. If they cannot receive full allocation, it will be done based on the number of units they have subscribed for, and if this cannot be done, by drawing lots.
    • Lastly, any remaining units will be allocated to the underwriters who have entered into underwriting commitments in relation to the size of their respective underwriting commitments, and if this cannot be done, by drawing lots.

    The subscription period will run from May 27, 2025, up to and including June 11, 2025. Trading in unit rights will take place on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market from May 27, 2025, up to and including June 5, 2025, and trading in BTU (paid subscribed units) will take place on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market from May 27, 2025, up to and including June 30, 2025.

    The Company will prepare and publish the Memorandum in connection with the Rights Issue.

    Warrants of series TO9 B
    Each warrant of series TO9 B gives the right to subscribe for one (1) new B-share in the Company. One (1) warrant of series TO9 B entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) B-share in the Company at a subscription price of SEK 0.18 (equivalent to 200% of the subscription price per B-share in the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue). The subscription for B-shares using the warrants of series TO9 B will take place during the period from December 1, 2025, up to and including December 15, 2025.

    If all warrants of series TO9 B are fully utilized within the framework of the units offered, the Company may receive an additional maximum of approximately SEK 15.1 million. The warrants are intended to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.

    Subscription commitments and underwriting commitments
    The Rights Issue is covered by 0.2 percent of subscription commitments, corresponding to approximately SEK 35.2 thousand, and by approximately 99.8 percent of underwriting commitments, corresponding to approximately SEK 15 million. Hunter has entered into a underwriting commitment amounting to approximately SEK 7.5 million. Furthermore, Scan has also entered into a underwriting commitment amounting to approximately SEK 7.5 million.Thus, the Rights Issue is fully covered by subscription commitments and underwriting commitments. The entered subscription commitments and underwriting commitments are not secured by bank guarantees, pledges, or similar arrangements. Subscription commitments have been entered into by Chairman of the Board of Directors Torgny Hellström, CFO Dan Wahrenberg, and CTO Pierre Ekwall. For the underwriting commitments, a underwriting compensation of twelve (12) percent of the underwritten amount will be paid in the form of units. The subscription price for the underwriting compensation amounts to SEK 1.08 per unit, corresponding to SEK 0.09 per B-share, which is the same as the subscription price in the Rights Issue. No compensation is paid for the subscription commitments that have been entered into.

    The Board considers it favorable for the Company to offer compensation to the underwriters in the form of units instead of cash, as it positively impacts the Company’s liquidity. The subscription price in the directed issue to the underwriters was negotiated at arm’s length during the arrangement of the underwriting commitments, in consultation with the financial advisor and after an analysis of usual market factors.

    Shares, share capital and dilution
    Through the First Directed Issue, the number of B-shares in the Company will increase by 97,557,801 B-shares, from 1,193,741,451 B-shares to 1,291,299,252 B-shares. The Company’s share capital will thus increase by SEK 975,578.010, from SEK 11,937,414.510 to SEK 12,912,992.520. The newly issued shares in the First Directed Issue will result in a total dilution effect of approximately 7.6 percent of the number of B-shares and votes in the Company.

    Through the Second Directed Issue, the number of B-shares in the Company will increase by 180,219,930 B-shares, from 1,291,299,252 B-shares to 1,471,519,182 B-shares. The Company’s share capital will increase by SEK 1,802,199.300, from SEK 12,912,992.520 to SEK 14,715,191.820. The newly issued shares in the Second Directed Issue will result in a further dilution effect of approximately 12.2 percent of the number of B-shares and votes in the Company. The dilution effect, the specified number of B-shares and the share capital before and after the Second Directed Issue, consider the B-shares issued in the First Directed Issue.

    The Directed Issues will result in a total dilution effect of 18.9 percent of the number of B-shares and votes in the Company. Through the Directed Issues, the number of B-shares in the Company will increase by 277,777,731 B-shares, from 1,193,741,451 B-shares to 1,471,519,182 B-shares. The Company’s share capital will thus increase by SEK 2,777,777.310, from SEK 11,937,414.510 to SEK 14,715,191.820.

    Upon full subscription in the Rights Issue, the number of B-shares in Terranet will increase by up to an additional 166,568,568 B-shares, from 1,471,519,182 B-shares to 1,638,087,750 B-shares, and the share capital will increase by up to SEK 1,665,685.680, from SEK 14,715,191.820 to SEK 16,380,877.500. For existing shareholders who do not participate in the Rights Issue, this corresponds to an additional dilution effect of approximately 10.2 percent of the votes and share capital in the Company upon full subscription.

    The total dilution effect from full subscription in the Rights Issue, together with the Directed Issues, amounts to approximately 27.1 percent.

    Upon full exercise of all warrants of series TO9 B within the scope of the offered units, the number of B-shares in Terranet will increase by up to an additional maximum of 83,729,677 B-shares, from 1,638,087,750 B-shares to 1,721,817,427 B-shares, and the share capital will increase by up to SEK 837,296.770, from SEK 16,380,877.500 to SEK 17,218,174.270. Full exercise of all warrants of series TO9 B would result in an additional dilution effect of up to 4.9 percent.

    Preliminary timetable for the Rights Issue

    April 25, 2025 Last day of trading in B-shares including the right to receive unit rights
    April 28, 2025 First day of trading in B-shares excluding the right to receive unit rights
    April 29, 2025 Record date for the Rights Issue
    May 26, 2025 Disclosure of the Memorandum
    May 27, 2025 – June 5, 2025 Trading with unit rights
    May 27, 2025 – June 11, 2025 Subscripition period
    May 27, 2025 – June 30, 2025 Trading in paid subscribed units (BTU)
    June 13, 2025 Preliminary date for publication of the outcome in the Rights Issue

    Annual General Meeting
    The Board of Directors’ resolution regarding the Second Directed Issue and the Rights Issue is subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on May 23, 2025. A notice of the Annual General Meeting will be published in a separate press release.

    The Memorandum
    The complete terms and conditions of the Rights Issue, as well as other information about the Company, will be set out in the Memorandum, which will be published by the Company prior to the commencement of the subscription period. The Memorandum is expected to be published on the Company’s website, www.terranet.com, around May 26, 2025.

    Advisers
    Mangold Fondkommission AB is the financial advisor to Terranet in connection with the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue. Eversheds Sutherland Advokatbyrå AB is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue.

    For more information, please contact:
    Dan Wahrenberg, CFO
    E-mail: dan.wahrenberg@terranet.se

    This information is such that Terranet AB is required to make public in accordance with the EU’s Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). The information was made public by the Company’s contact person above on April 16, 2025, at 18:00 CET.

    About Terranet AB (publ) 
    Terranet’s goal is to save lives in urban traffic. The company develops innovative technical solutions for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AV). Terranet’s anti-collision system BlincVision laser scans and detects road objects up to ten times faster than any other ADAS technology available today.
    The company is headquartered in Lund, with offices in Gothenburg and Stuttgart. Since 2017, Terranet has been listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (Nasdaq: TERRNT-B). Follow our journey at: www.terranet.se

    Certified Adviser to Terranet is Mangold Fondkommission AB.

    Important information
    The release, announcement or distribution of this press release may, in certain jurisdictions, be subject to restrictions. The recipients of this press release in jurisdictions where this press release has been published or distributed shall inform themselves of and follow such restrictions. The recipient of this press release is responsible for using this press release, and the information contained herein, in accordance with applicable rules in each jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Terranet in any jurisdiction, neither from Terranet nor anyone else.

    This press release does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There is no intention to register any securities referred to herein in the United States or to make a public offering of the securities in the United States. The information in this press release may not be announced, published, copied, reproduced or distributed, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, within or into Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such announcement, publication or distribution of the information would not comply with applicable laws and regulations or where such actions are subject to legal restrictions or would require additional registration or other measures than what is required under Swedish law. Actions taken in violation of this instruction may constitute a crime against applicable securities laws and regulations.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio’s live conversation with Mike Benz on dismantling the censorship bureaucracy 12:00PM

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio’s live conversation with @MikeBenzCyber on dismantling the censorship bureaucracy at the State Department, on April 16, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://www.state.gov/department-email-updates/

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpFW4C-p5yU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The heating system was adjusted due to warm weather

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital’s heating system has been switched to minimum operating parameters due to warm weather. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Due to the sharp increase in average round-the-clock air temperatures, a decision was made to transfer the heating system to the minimum possible parameters for temperature and circulation. Currently, the temperature of the network heat carrier is 75-77 degrees – these are the minimum necessary values that allow heating hot water to the standard 60 degrees,” said Petr Biryukov.

    In the off-season, the outside air temperature fluctuates from below zero at night to above zero during the day. This period is the most difficult in terms of regulating the supply of heat to in-house systems. The side of the building is also important, since the temperature in the rooms is higher on the sunny side.

    The operation of the heating system is adjusted under the control of the dispatch services of PJSC MOEK in automatic mode based on the readings of temperature sensors.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152689073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Human connections to seagrass meadows date back 180,000 years, study reveals

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Jones, Chief Conservation Officer, Project Seagrass & Research Affiliate, Swansea University

    Benjamin Jones/Project Seagrass, CC BY

    For millennia, humans lived as hunter-gatherers. Savannas and forests are often thought of as the cradle of our lineage, but beneath the waves, a habitat exists that has quietly supported humans for over 180,000 years.

    Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans migrated along coasts, avoiding desert and tundra. So, as Homo spread from Africa, they inevitably encountered seagrasses – flowering plants evolved to inhabit shallow coastal environments that form undersea meadows teeming with life.

    Our recently published research pieces together historical evidence from across the globe, revealing that humans and seagrass meadows have been intertwined for millennia – providing food, fishing grounds, building materials, medicine and more throughout our shared history.

    Our earliest known links to seagrass date back around 180,000 years. Tiny seagrass-associated snails were discovered in France at Paleolithic cave sites used by Neanderthals. Too small to be a consequence of food remains, these snails were likely introduced with Posidonia oceanica leaves used for bedding – a type of seagrass found only in the Mediterranean. Neanderthals didn’t just use seagrass to make sleeping comfortable – 120,000 year old evidence suggests they harvested seagrass-associated scallops too.

    A bountiful supply of food

    Seagrass meadows provide shelter and food for marine life, such as fish, invertebrates, reptiles and marine mammals. Because they inhabit shallow waters close to shore, seagrass meadows have been natural fishing grounds and places where generations have speared, cast nets, set traps and hand-gathered food to survive and thrive.

    Long before modern fishing fleets, ancient communities recognised the value of these underwater grasslands. Around 6,000 years ago, the people of eastern Arabia depended on seagrass meadows to hunt rabbitfish – a practice so prevalent here that remnants of their fishing traps are still visible from space.

    Seagrass meadows have even been directly harvested as food. Around 12,000 years ago, some of the first human cultures in North America, settling on Isla Cedros off the coast of Baja California, gathered and consumed seeds from Zostera marina, a species commonly called eelgrass. These seeds were milled into a flour and baked into breads and cakes, a process alike to wheat milling today.

    Further north, the Indigenous Kwakwaka’wakw peoples, as far back as 10,000 years ago, developed a careful and sustainable way of gathering eelgrass for consumption. By twisting a pole into the seagrass, they pulled up the leaves, and broke them off near the rhizome – the underground stem that is rich in sugary carbohydrates. After removing the roots and outer leaves, they wrapped the youngest leaves around the rhizome, dipping it in oil before eating. Remarkably, this method was later found to promote seagrass health, encouraging new growth and resilience.



    Read more:
    Seagrass, protector of shipwrecks and buried treasure

    Today, seagrass meadows remain a lifeline for coastal communities, particularly across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Here, fishing within seagrass habitats is shown to be more reliable than other coastal habitats and women often sustain their families by gleaning – a fishing practice that involves carefully combing seagrass meadows for edible shells and other marine life. For these communities, seagrass fishing is vital during periods when fishing at sea is not possible, for example, during tropical storms.

    When seagrasses returned to the sea around 100 million years ago, they evolved to have specialised leaves to tolerate both saltwater submergence and periods of time exposed to the sun during tidal cycles. This allowed seagrasses to flourish across our coastlines, but also made them useful resources for humans.

    Seagrass leaves, once dry, are relatively moist- and rot-proof – properties likely discovered by ancient civilisations when exploring the uses of plants for different purposes. Bronze age civilizations like the Minoans, used seagrass in building construction, reinforcing mudbricks with seagrass. Analysis of these reveal superior thermal properties of seagrass mudbricks compared to bricks made with other plant fibres – they kept buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

    These unique properties may have been why early humans used seagrass for bedding and by the 16th century, seagrass-stuffed mattresses were prized for pest resistance, requested even by Pope Julius III.

    By the 17th century, Europeans were using seagrass to thatch roofs and insulate their homes. North American colonialists took this knowledge with them, continuing the practice. In the 19th century, commercial harvesting of tens of thousands of tonnes of seagrass began across North America and northern Europe.

    In the US, Boston’s Samuel Cabot Company patented an insulation material called Cabot’s “Quilt”, sandwiching dried seagrass leaves between two layers of paper. These quilts were used to insulate buildings across the US, including New York’s Rockefeller Center and the Capitol in Washington DC.

    A legacy ecosystem – and a living one

    The prevalence of seagrass throughout human civilisation has fostered spiritual and cultural relations with these underwater gardens, manifesting in rituals and historical customs. In Neolithic graves in Denmark, scientists found human remains wrapped in seagrass, representing a close connection with the sea.

    Our new research tells us that seagrass meadows are not just biodiversity hotspots or carbon storage systems. They are ancient human allies. This elevates their value beyond conservation – they’re repositories of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. They were practical, valuable, and deeply integrated into human cultures.

    We have depended on seagrass for 180,000 years – for food, homes, customs – so investing in their conservation and restoration is not just ecological, it’s deeply human.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Nicole Foster receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Training and mobility actions.

    Oscar Serrano receives funding from the Spanish National Research Council

    Benjamin Jones 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. Human connections to seagrass meadows date back 180,000 years, study reveals – https://theconversation.com/human-connections-to-seagrass-meadows-date-back-180-000-years-study-reveals-253307

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Uncovering safety risks in products: Highlights from the European Safety Gate Report 2024

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    All products entering our homes must be safe. This is a priority for the European Commission, that has strengthened and modernised its tools to ensure that products placed in the single market have to be and have to remain safe, even when not covered by a product specific regulation.

    The Safety Gate Rapid Alert System enables national market surveillance authorities from the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) to report and take action against dangerous non-food products, warning other authorities to take swift action.

    Commissioner for consumer protection Michael McGrath presents the Safety Gate 2024 report, highlighting alert results and products recently labelled as unsafe
    Over 4000 alerts were notified last year – the highest ever recorded amount of alerts since the launch of the system in 2003.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1okUtujz-c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New business rescue practitioner appointed for troubled North West Transport Investment

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The appointment of Mahomed Mahier Tayob as the new Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) for the troubled North West Transport Investment (NTI) has been welcomed.

    This follows the recent Gauteng High Court’s ruling in favour of the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, which led to the removal of the then BRP, Thomas Hendrick Samons.

    The department confirmed that NTI had applied for a voluntarily business rescue in July 2022, after facing financial difficulties.

    According to the department, Samons was tasked with turning the entity around to make it more sustainable and to generate income to pay creditors, primarily the employees. 

    However, he failed to account for the funds that the government had injected into the entity.

    The BRP also failed to pay salaries, which resulted in the cancellation of employees’ medical aid coverage, as well as the non-payment of their pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions.

    The salaries of over 1 500 employees at NTI companies were not paid from September to December 2022, March to May 2023, June to November 2023, and February to March 2024.

    The NTI group, through its subsidiary Northwest Star, was established in 1973 as a wholly owned company of the North West Provincial Government and has served as the primary transport source in the province for decades.

    NTI can still be rescued

    Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, led by Freddy Sonakile, said it remains resolute in its belief that NTI can still be rescued. 

    “To this end, we will conduct a follow-up oversight visit to the NTI headquarters and depots within a month to assess the current state of the entity and to receive the official turnaround plan from both the newly appointed BRP and the department.

    “We note with concern that the former BRP, Mr Thomas Sammons, has launched a further appeal against the ruling. However, we take comfort in the fact that the Court invoked Section 18 of the Superior Courts Act, which ensures that the judgment is enforceable despite any application for leave to appeal,” said Sonakile.

    The committee expressed concern that the BRP continues to issue correspondence despite his removal.

    “What is deeply alarming, however, is the information received by the committee indicating that Mr Sammons continues to issue correspondence to NTI staff purporting to act as the BRP, despite his removal. Should these allegations prove to be true, we call on the department to urgently investigate this matter, and to lay criminal charges for fraud where appropriate.” 

    The committee has also called on the new BRP to prioritise a comprehensive turnaround strategy, within the 25-day window prescribed by the Companies Act.

    “At the heart of this plan must be the regularisation of NTI’s structural challenges, the restoration of salary payments to its employees who have suffered prolonged uncertainty, and a clear audit of previous disciplinary processes, many of which were reportedly handled arbitrarily,” said the Chairperson.

    The have since committed to maintaining its strict oversight role to ensure accountability, transparency, and ultimately, the restoration of NTI as a viable public transport entity that can serve the people of the North West with reliability and dignity.

    The department stated that Tayob is a senior BRP with impressive qualifications obtained from South Africa and the United Kingdom.

    “Among other entities Mr Tayob has rescued, include a State bus company in Gauteng and has also investigated R2.6 billion investment scheme on behalf of the Hawks.” 

    According to the department, Tayob will collaborate closely with Dr Ntlhopeng Dikobe, who has been appointed by the department as the Acting CEO of NTI. 

    Tayob is also expected to present a turnaround plan and provide regular reports to the shareholder representative, ensuring that NTI is restored to profitability. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Authorities to monitor major routes ahead of cold front

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, April 16, 2025

    KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has encouraged travellers to monitor weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as snow and a cold front have been predicted for over the Easter weekend.

    Road traffic volumes are expected to increase with travellers driving to various religious and holiday destinations from Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April 2025.

    “We are in receipt of a weather report from the SAWS informing us of a cold front that will result in the dropping of temperatures, heavy rainfall and possible snowfall.

    “While the SAWS has not suggested the province will be blanketed in a wave of snow, we request motorists to monitor weather reports and exercise caution. Our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate has been activated to monitor traffic closely.

    “Drawing from our past experience, we are fully aware of hazards and the havoc associated with the snow. Not long ago, we experienced an extreme heat index of 30 degrees Celsius, but we are now bracing ourselves for possible snowfall and heavy rainfall. These are the realities of erratic weather patterns caused by climate change,” the MEC said on Tuesday.

    Duma highlighted the following planned interventions:

    • The Road Safety and Traffic Inspectorate team will coordinate possible road closures and observation of major routes in consultation with N3 Toll Concession. The focus will be on the N3 Harrismith, the Tugela Toll Plaza, the R617 between Kokstad and Underberg, the N2 Ingeli and N3 Mooi-River, among others.
    • The team will also be responsible for escorting trucks and vehicles to ensure that there is no congestion on the road.
    • Drivers of motor graders have been sharpened to respond with a sense of urgency to remove any snow before it accumulates on the road. More than 10 graders will be stationed on identified routes to ensure that responses are faster.
    • A roving team from Human Settlements has been activated to liaise with the national Department of Human Settlements’ Emergency Housing and Mitigation Unit should there be an urgent need to assist destitute families as a result of flooding or when houses are covered in snow.
    • The province, working with the Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, will ensure that displaced families are relocated to ensure their safety.
    • The deployment of Temporary Residential Units will be sped up to accommodate affected families. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SANParks restocks endangered Knysna seahorse tank

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, April 16, 2025

    The educational display tank showcasing the endangered Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) at the South African National Parks (SANParks) office on Thesen Island, Knysna, has been restocked.

    This initiative forms part of SANParks’ ongoing efforts to raise awareness about this unique species and to strengthen conservation education in the Garden Route National Park.

    “The Thesen Island office is one of the few locations in South Africa permitted to house and display captive Knysna seahorses for educational purposes. This rare species is found naturally only in three estuaries in the world, Swartvlei, Knysna, and Keurbooms and all are located within the Garden Route. 

    “The display tank at Thesen Island offers visitors a unique opportunity to view these iconic marine creatures up close while learning about the threats they face in the wild, including habitat degradation and pollution,” SANParks said on Tuesday.

    While the educational permit allows for the housing of up to 50 adult seahorses, the tank population had declined significantly in recent years, with fewer than three breeding pairs remaining by early 2024. 

    The decline was primarily due to natural ageing, as most of the seahorses had exceeded their typical lifespan of five years.

    As part of a once-off restocking effort, SANParks researchers introduced six young adult seahorses from the Knysna Estuary to boost the tank’s breeding population and enhance genetic diversity. 

    “This is in line with SANParks’ Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) standing permit from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), read in conjunction with an exemption issued under the Marine Living Resource Act (MLRA) dated August 2016 which states the maximum numbers allowed to be stocked in the display tank and the specified conditions contained in both documents.

    “These new additions are already contributing to improved breeding success, with recent signs of spawning offering hope for a sustainable, self-sustaining population in the display tank.

    “Members of the public are encouraged to visit the SANParks Thesen Island office to view these fascinating creatures and learn more about the vital conservation work being undertaken to protect South Africa’s only endemic seahorse species,” SANParks said. –SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nine new homes to be built for crater-hit families

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), in collaboration with its social partners, will be building nine new houses for families who were affected by the recent formation of a crater.

    CoGTA MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, made the announcement during a recent visit to the affected households in Ophiyaneni, in Nongoma, to assess the damage and offer support.

    The MEC handed over essential relief supplies to 100 families in the area who have been affected by the recent severe weather conditions.

    Buthelezi announced that the department, through its social partners, including Old Mutual, the Red Cross, Al Imdaad Foundation, and the Themba Njilo Foundation, will be constructing a total of nine new houses for the families.

    Addressing community members, Buthelezi emphasised the importance of responding effectively to the communities’ needs in the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions. 

    “Our primary concern is to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected families, and we deeply appreciate the commitment of our social partners – Old Mutual, the Red Cross, Al Imdaad Foundation, and the Themba Njilo Foundation – in providing vital support through the construction of these new homes for those displaced by the crater and the provision of immediate relief,” Buthelezi said.

    Chinese government disaster relief donation

    Meanwhile, Buthelezi welcomed the R1 million donation by the Chinese Government for disaster relief.

    The donation was handed over during the official launch of the Winter Season Disaster Awareness Campaign held recently at Mandeni Local Municipality.

    Representatives from the Chinese Embassy joined the MEC at the event, where the donation of essential relief material was formally presented.

    In his address, Buthelezi expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for their ongoing support to the people of KwaZulu-Natal during times of disaster.

    “We are deeply thankful for this generous support from the Chinese government. This donation will significantly assist communities affected by disasters and enhance our relief efforts,” Buthelezi said.

    The Disaster Awareness Campaign seeks to inform communities about disaster risks, promote preparedness at the household level, and foster collaboration among government entities, stakeholders, and international partners. 

    Residents received information about the weather incidents typically experienced by the province during winter and were educated on essential safety precautions. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New dawn for Red Location residents

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The decades-long struggle of living in informal settlements without land ownership has finally come to an end for Nonkosi Koom from Red Location in the Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.

    The 62-year-old was among the beneficiaries of the Red Location housing development and received the keys to her brand-new home this week, a moment which she describes as a dream come true.

    This as Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, officially handed over 24 new houses to the beneficiaries on Monday.

    The houses are part of a larger project that will see the construction of 171 houses, aimed at addressing historic housing inequalities in the area.

    The beneficiaries have been living in shacks for several years while waiting for the houses to be built, as part of the greater Red Location project that was approved to address the historical imbalances of houses in the area.

    “I now own property and have a title deed for my house for the first time in my life. I have been moved from place to place due to the unsuitable conditions of our shacks and areas that we occupied but have kept the faith that one day I will get a house,” said an elated Koom.

    The project which is located within the broader Red Location Museum precinct, has long been anticipated by the local community. It was originally expected to be completed by 18 September 2024; however, progress was delayed due to consultations over the design and size of the houses.

    Speaking at the handover event, Lobishe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering on its promises.

    “We were here four years ago to brief you about this project. We have been walking this journey with you all these years. Today we have started to deliver with these 24 houses, and more houses will follow, as per the R14 million budget approval,” Lobishe said.

    The mayor urged the beneficiaries to take care of the houses, as they will now be their responsibility.

    Municipality’s Head for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, highlighted ongoing efforts by the city’s Human Settlements Directorate to secure additional funding from both provincial and national government to ensure the full completion of the Red Location project.

    “We will continue to deliver houses in a manner that has got a heart and a human face. In every project that we deliver, there must be elderly, physically challenged, child-headed and other vulnerable sectors of the society,” Mafana said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: It is necessary to ensure the safety of people during the fire-hazardous season and the flood-hazardous period

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    As part of a working visit to the Magadan Region, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held a meeting on the readiness of the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District for the fire-hazardous season and flood-hazardous period, visited the Talaya sanatorium in the village of the same name in the Khasynsky Municipal District, and inspected the new terminal of the airport complex of the Magadan (Sokol) International Airport named after V.S. Vysotsky, which was included in the master plan for the development of the regional capital.

    “Today’s meeting is traditional. We always meet with the heads of regions at the beginning of the flood and fire-hazardous period and figure out the state of readiness of the territories to counteract natural hazards. I cannot help but note that there is another important reason: several days ago, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin held a meeting with members of the Russian Government, at which they discussed preparations for the fire-hazardous season and issues of extinguishing fires. It was noted that the situation with forest fires in Transbaikalia requires special attention. The heads of all regions must pay attention to issues of passing the fire-hazardous season. We must figure out where this poses a danger to people and construction sites,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.

    Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Emergencies Ministry has registered 483 wildfires in the Far Eastern Federal District. About 63% of fires are extinguished within the first day of detection. The cause of 69% of wildfires is the population’s violation of fire safety rules in forests.

    The fire season has begun in six regions: the Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikalsky, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krais, Amur Oblast, and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. A special fire prevention regime has been established in 84 municipal districts. A state of emergency has been introduced in regional forests in Zabaikalsky Krai and a state of emergency in municipal forests in the Republic of Buryatia and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast.

    To combat fires, the number of parachute firefighting personnel has been increased in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Zabaykalsky Krai, Khabarovsk Krai and Magadan Oblast. In general, in the Far Eastern Federal District, compared to 2024, the parachute firefighting service has been increased by 352 staff units and now totals 2,227 people. The Far Eastern Federal District Forestry Department continues to check the regions’ readiness for the fire season. The total number of forest firefighting personnel in the district is 4,158 staff units. The overall percentage of forest firefighting equipment readiness in the district’s constituent entities is 98%, including tractor and bulldozer equipment – 98.9%, automobile equipment – 97.9%, and all-terrain vehicles – 98.7%.

    The issues of passing the flood-hazardous period were discussed. In the Far Eastern Federal District, 545 hydroposts are planned to be involved in permanent operational monitoring. During the flood period, it is planned to additionally open 83 temporary posts. Preventive measures are being carried out in preparation for the accident-free passage of spring floods and summer floods, including dredging and bank protection works, clearing and straightening river beds.

    Roshydromet and Rosvodresursy have assessed the readiness of the main large reservoirs to receive flood waters and ensure the safe passage of spring floods.

    In March, the Russian Emergencies Ministry conducted an inspection of the readiness of the management bodies, forces and means of the functional and territorial subsystems of the unified state system for the prevention and elimination of emergency situations in the subjects of the Far Eastern Federal District for actions as intended during the flood-hazardous period of 2025. Based on the results of the inspection, seven subjects (Kamchatka, Primorsky, Khabarovsk Krais, Amur, Magadan, Sakhalin Oblasts, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug) were recognized as ready for the safe passage of flood waters.

    “We hold a meeting every year on the issue of the readiness of the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District for the fire-hazardous season and the flood-hazardous period. Dangerous natural phenomena in the Far East require special attention. Currently, a rather dangerous fire situation has developed in the Zabaikalsky Krai. We proceed from the fact that fires closer than five kilometers from populated areas are unacceptable. There are 19 such fires in Zabaikalsky Krai. It is necessary to ensure the safety of people. The creation of fire-fighting mineralized strips was discussed at the meeting. The prospects for unmanned aviation were considered. In general, there is a lot of work to be done. The heads of the regions understand their responsibility, everyone has experience in this work. We will make every effort to ensure that people in the Far East are safe from fires and floods,” Yuri Trutnev summed up.

    On the same day, Yuri Trutnev visited the Talaya sanatorium in the village of the same name in the Khasynsky municipal district and held a meeting on the progress of the construction of the power transmission line in the village of Talaya.

    The Talaya sanatorium is included in the List of Russian resorts with justification for their uniqueness in terms of natural healing factors, approved by the Russian Ministry of Health. The resort is known for its thermal mineral spring and therapeutic mud, the use of which allows for the treatment of many diseases. The construction, equipment of the treatment base and room stock, as well as the improvement of the sanatorium itself have already been fully completed.

    The launch of the resort is entirely dependent on the construction of a high-voltage power line that will connect Talaya to the region’s energy system.

    “We discussed the progress of the construction of the power transmission line to the village of Talaya. I suggested that colleagues reach an agreement on when the construction of the power transmission line will be completed, and determine the final deadline for the completion of the work. The deadline was postponed three times. This cannot be left unpunished. If a person takes on a job, then he must complete it,” Yuri Trutnev summed up and instructed Magadan Region Governor Sergei Nosov not to lose control over the situation.

    Yuri Trutnev also inspected the new terminal of the airport complex of the Magadan International Airport (Sokol) named after V.S. Vysotsky, which was included in the master plan for the development of Magadan. The area of the new terminal is 14 thousand square meters. The capacity of the new terminal is 800 passengers per hour (the old terminal can handle 600 passengers per hour).

    “The main thing is that people feel comfortable. We looked at the terminal today – people are already using the airport, everything is clean and comfortable there. This is another transport hub that will help develop the Far East, help flights between cities. Therefore, it is good that this work has been done,” said Yuri Trutnev.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: NextNav Announces Appointment of H. Wyman Howard and Lorin Selby to its Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNav Inc. (NASDAQ: NN), a leader in next-generation position, navigation and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, today announced that its board of directors has elected Rear Admiral H. Wyman Howard and Rear Admiral Lorin Selby to serve as board members, effective May 1, 2025.

    “We are honored to welcome Rear Admiral Howard and Rear Admiral Selby to the NextNav Board of Directors,” said Mariam Sorond, NextNav’s Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair. “Their extensive military and national security leadership, experience in technology research and development, and management capabilities will be invaluable to NextNav as we execute on our strategic goals in providing a terrestrial backup and complement to GPS to address a major national security threat.”

    Rear Admiral Howard (Retired) served 32 years in the U.S. Navy, including serving most recently as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command and previously as Commander, Special Operations Command Central, Assistant Commander, Joint Special Operational Command, and Director of Operations for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. He has commanded at all levels of naval special operations, including as the commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2011-2013. Admiral Howard also serves on the board of Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER), an aerial firefighting and aerospace services company, and Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE: INVH), a single-family home leasing and management company. Admiral Howard graduated from the United States Naval Academy and holds a Master of Business Administration from the TRIUM consortium of the London School of Economics, HEC Paris School of Management, and New York University’s Stern School of Business. Admiral Howard holds a Master of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy with a focus on commercial, civil, and military space sectors from the Eisenhower School and a Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

    Rear Admiral Selby (Retired) served nearly 37 years in the U.S. Navy, including serving most recently as the Chief of Naval Research, leading the workforce at the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Research Laboratory where they develop leading-edge technologies for the Navy and Marine Corps. Prior assignments include serving as the Commander of the Naval Surface Warfare Centers and as the Chief Engineer of the United States Navy and Deputy Commander for Ship Design, Integration, and Naval Engineering at the Naval Sea Systems Command, where he drove innovation, optimized performance, and generated new ways of doing business. Admiral Selby also held highly visible roles like the Deputy Director of the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs to the U.S. House of Representatives and command of a fast-attack nuclear submarine. Following his retirement, he has taken on various consulting roles, advising small and mid-sized technology companies. He currently serves as President and CEO of Selby Partners Consulting LLC and is a founding partner in a maritime-focused growth equity fund, Mare Liberum Capital Partners. Admiral Selby holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering, and a Nuclear Engineer Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has also completed extensive executive business coursework, and his achievements have been recognized through numerous personal and unit awards.

    About NextNav
    NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next-generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), enabling a whole new ecosystem of applications and services that rely upon 3D geolocation and PNT technology. Powered by low-band licensed spectrum, NextNav’s positioning and timing technologies deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions for critical infrastructure, GPS resiliency and commercial use cases.

    For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on X at https://x.com/NextNav or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextnav/.

    Source: NN-FIN

    Contacts:
    Investor Contact:
    IR@nextnav.com

    Media Contact:
    NNmedia@nextnav.com

    The MIL Network –