NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien and Prolific Drug Trafficker Convicted Following Thwarted Robbery of Rival Cocaine Supplier

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

    ATLANTA – Adan Macedo-Rios, 52, of Mexico, who is an alien unlawfully present in the United States, has been convicted of charges related to trafficking in illegal drugs, money laundering, robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.

    “Macedo-Rios, an illegal alien, distributed large amounts of dangerous drugs and laundered his ill-gotten gains through the purchase of a Georgia horse ranch. His callous and dangerous behavior—highlighted by his involvement in a plot to rob a rival cocaine supplier—was disrupted by the tireless work of our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Through our combined efforts, we foiled the robbery plan and dismantled the drug trafficking and money laundering organization that Macedo-Rios supplied, thereby eliminating a significant threat of violent crime in our community.”

    “DEA strives every day to keep the American public safe from transnational criminal organizations,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This investigation demonstrates DEA’s commitment to destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.”

    “For all the innocent residents who are trying to raise families in safe communities, the FBI wants you to know that we are here for you through arrests like this,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Macedo-Rios repeatedly disregarded the law to enrich himself. The FBI and our partners are firmly committed to ensuring that our communities are protected from the extreme violence and lawlessness displayed by individuals like him.”

    “The conviction of Adan Macedo-Rios, an illegal alien from Mexico and prolific drug trafficker, highlights our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations that threaten our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the hard work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we’ve turned his ‘stable’ of crime into a one-way ticket to accountability!”

    According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, public record, and other information presented in court: Macedo-Rios, a large-scale drug trafficker, supplied other Atlanta-based drug distributors with at least 123 kilograms of cocaine destined for distribution throughout multiple states. In 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents obtained federal court authorization to intercept communications over cellphones used by Macedo-Rios and others. These intercepts led to the seizure of multiple kilograms of cocaine and other narcotics, and drug proceeds, from drug transporters working for Macedo-Rios and his conspirators. 

    Macedo-Rios remitted drug payments to his narcotics suppliers in Mexico and used proceeds of his criminal activity to fraudulently purchase an eight-acre ranch with a 24-horse stable and farmhouse in Loganville, Georgia. With his conspirators, Macedo-Rios planned the robbery of another drug supplier who was storing 65 kilograms of cocaine in his residence. Macedo-Rios and his conspirators even conducted their own surveillance of the target, including by placing a tracker on the rival’s car, and plotted to use firearms to facilitate the robbery. But their plan was timely thwarted by DEA agents, who intercepted communications about the robbery.

    When agents arrested Macedo-Rios at the horse ranch, they discovered a loaded Colt .38 pistol and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun in his bedroom, even though he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his unlawful presence in the United States and status as a convicted felon. Macedo-Rios, a Mexican citizen, has a history of multiple deportations from the United States.

    Adan Macedo-Rios appeared before United States District Judge J. P. Boulee on May 28, 2025, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the United States, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    As to his drug trafficking conviction, Macedo-Rios faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and a minimum of five years of supervised release. For the Hobbs Act Robbery conviction, he faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. For the firearm conviction, Macedo-Rios faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The money laundering conviction carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a $500,000 fine, and forfeiture of property involved in the offense. 

    In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

    Sentencing is scheduled for August 26, 2025, at 1 pm before Judge Boulee.

    This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Georgia State Patrol and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Rebeca M. Ojeda are prosecuting the case.

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

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi¬ jurisdictional operations to eliminate the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

    The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates.  The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The UK government is considering mandatory chemical castration for sex offenders – it’s an ethical and legal minefield

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lisa Forsberg, Senior Research Fellow, Uehiro Oxford Institute, University of Oxford

    Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking into a potential “national rollout” of chemical castration for sex offenders. This is a process of lowering testosterone levels with the intention of reducing libido.

    The proposal is one recommendation outlined in the recent independent sentencing review that was commissioned to investigate prison overcrowding and consider alternatives to imprisonment. The review found that 21% of adults serving immediate custodial sentences had been convicted of sexual offences – making them a significant proportion of the prison population. The idea appears to be that chemical castration would make offenders’ release from prison less dangerous for the public.

    A pilot scheme of voluntary chemical castration is already running and is about to be extended to 20 British prisons. But while the review emphasised that consent is a key tenet of medical law, Mahmood is reportedly investigating whether chemical castration could be made mandatory. This raises important ethical and legal questions.

    Is chemical castration ethical?

    Chemical castration is a dual-purpose intervention. It can be used both to benefit those who receive testosterone-reducing substances – sex offenders may themselves find their sexual desires to be a problem and so wish to have their intensity reduced by medical means – and to protect the public.

    One key question, therefore, is what we are aiming to achieve in a programme of chemical castration in the prison population. Chemical castration may reduce the risk of reoffending but fail to improve a sex offender’s life. It may do the opposite – improving their wellbeing without protecting the public from their actions. Which goal are we aiming for?

    This matters because the ethical permissibility of chemical castration is directly related to its purpose. Standard medical interventions are typically ethically permissible when and because they are expected to benefit recipients who validly consent.

    If the goal is not to benefit the recipient but to protect the public, this question is more complicated. We don’t normally get to consent to being incarcerated or quarantined, for example. These are situations imposed on us by the state. So do we get to bypass consent in the case of chemical castration for people who are incarcerated?

    And while some offenders may prefer to have their problematic sexual desires suppressed, chemical castration can have significant side-effects, including weight gain and mood changes.

    If chemical castration does reduce problematic desires, sex offenders may benefit from it, side-effects notwithstanding. But it is unclear exactly how this potential “benefit” should be understood. Is it beneficial for sex offenders to have their sexual desires attenuated? Does avoiding future punishment itself count as a benefit? Can it also be beneficial to offenders who do not consent to the intervention? And is it ever ethically permissible to provide chemical castration without benefit to the recipient? We need a more clearly articulated understanding of benefit, and its interaction with consent, to determine when chemical castration is ethically permissible.

    Is it legal?

    Purpose also matters for legal justification. Interventions that use medical means – as chemical castration does – are usually lawful, again, because they are expected to benefit recipients. So, again, the lack of clarity over who “benefits” and how benefit should be understood is a problem.

    My analysis of the legal framework in England and Wales shows that providing chemical castration to sex offenders may be consistent with obligations imposed on UK public authorities under the European Convention on Human Rights (via the Human Rights Act 1998). This may be the case even without recipients’ consent, especially when the purpose is public protection. But here too, it is necessary to clarify how the benefit or harm interacts with consent.

    A dilemma for doctors

    A rollout of chemical castration to sex offenders – whether voluntary or mandatory – also raises ethical and legal dilemmas for the people administering the programme.

    Forensic psychiatrist Professor Don Grubin has said that the administration of chemical castration is “about doctors treating patients, rather than doctors doing a job for criminal justice agencies, but a side effect is that reoffending is likely to be reduced”. However, it’s not clear that chemical castration should always be understood primarily as “doctors treating patients” in the way we normally expect for therapeutic interventions. The idea that doctors, in administering chemical castration, are always acting primarily to benefit the recipient, and that public protection in the form of reduced recidivism risk is a mere side-effect obscures the ethical and legal issues at play. A better approach is to clarify the different values and duties at stake and how doctors and others involved in provision should weigh them against one another.

    Chemical castration will often generate conflicting duties, which we must find ways to navigate. Can it be compatible with professional obligations to provide interventions that aren’t in recipients’ clinical interests if it benefits others? Do professional obligations vary according to an intervention’s purpose? Chemical castration exposes tensions in the ethical and legal obligations that individual and institutional providers owe to recipients and to society.

    I’m exploring these questions in research investigating how we ought to understand, evaluate, and regulate dual-purpose interventions. These are questions the government, and those involved in chemically castrating sex offenders must also confront.

    Lisa Forsberg has received funding from the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme (award pf170028), the Journal of Moral Education Trust through the British Academy /Leverhulme Small Research Grants scheme (award SRG2324241695), the European Research Council (grant number 819757), and the Uehiro Foundation for Ethics and Education.

    – ref. The UK government is considering mandatory chemical castration for sex offenders – it’s an ethical and legal minefield – https://theconversation.com/the-uk-government-is-considering-mandatory-chemical-castration-for-sex-offenders-its-an-ethical-and-legal-minefield-257795

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Houston Seeks ‘Call Me Maybe Menace’ for Bank Robbery

    Source: US FBI

    The FBI Violent Crime Task Force is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating a man, dubbed the “Call Me Maybe Menace,” who attempted to rob a Woodforest National Bank in Crosby, Texas. Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the robber.

    The robbery occurred at approximately 9:28 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Woodforest National Bank located at 14045 FM 2100 in Crosby, Texas. During the robbery, the suspect entered the bank pretending to talk on a cell phone, approached a teller, and handed them a note that demanded cash. The suspect continued to act like he was on the phone until he departed the bank on foot with no money. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.

    The robber is described as a white male in his late 40s to early 50s, approximately 5’5” tall, with a heavy build. During the robbery, he wore a dark-colored Houston Astros baseball cap, blue medical mask, light blue button-up long-sleeved shirt, dark blue jeans, and dark sunglasses. He also held a cell phone to his ear throughout the entire attempted robbery.

    A photograph of the bank robbery suspect can be found on FBI Houston’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

    Crime Stoppers of Houston, a non-governmental organization, is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of this robber. If you have any information, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the FBI Houston Field Office at (713) 693-5000. Tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through their website, www.crime-stoppers.org, or the Houston Crime Stoppers mobile phone app which can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices. All tipsters remain anonymous.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Burlington Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced yesterday to 17 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

    According to public court documents, Larry Leroy Knotts, Jr., 61, sold approximately 125 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential source between November and December 2023. At the time of the controlled purchases, Knotts was on federal supervised release for a conviction from the Central District of Illinois for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Knotts will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force (SEINT) and the Burlington Police Department.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Previously Convicted and Deported for Drug Trafficking Pleads Guilty to a Charge of Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national deported in 2015 after having been convicted for drug trafficking in Connecticut today pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island to a charge of illegal re-entry, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    According to court records, Pedro Andony Alvarado Aguilar, 46, was convicted in federal court in Connecticut in November 2014 on charges of conspiracy to import 5,000 grams or more of cocaine and conspiracy to import 1,000 grams or more of heroin. He was deported on July 1, 2015.

    On April 10, 2025, Immigration Officers learned through an automated biometric fingerprint match of fingerprints entered into the National Crime Information Center that the defendant was arrested in Rhode Island for driving on a suspended license and on an obstruction charge. Alvarado admitted to a federal judge today that he illegally reentered the United States.

    Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan.

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bible Hill and Truro — Man arrested by Colchester County District RCMP in relation to multiple theft investigations

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Colchester County District RCMP executed a search warrant and seized a firearm as a result of several thefts that occurred in Bible Hill.

    On May 25 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Colchester County District RCMP responded to a report of a theft from a vehicle that had been parked at a business on Main St. Through the investigation, officers found that five other vehicles appeared to have also been damaged and had items taken. The vehicles were parked overnight at several businesses in the area.

    Later that day, based on information collected through the investigation with assistance from RCMP Forensic Identification Services, Colchester County District RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Bayview St. in Truro. During the search, officers located and seized multiple items believed to have been associated to ongoing theft investigations in Bible Hill and Truro, as well as an unsecured firearm and ammunition.

    At the time of the warrant execution, police also arrested a Truro man. He will face charges of Mischief (five counts), Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, and Theft from Motor Vehicle. He was released on conditions pending a court appearance scheduled for August 27 at Truro Provincial Court, to the custody of another police agency as part of other ongoing investigations.

    Anyone with information about these or other related property crime investigation is asked to contact Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6820 or the police of jurisdiction. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Better Serving Foster Youth and Improving Health Care Access: Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law to Support Foster Children in Colorado, Expand Access to Affordable Health Care, Lower Prescription Drug Costs

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER METRO AREA – Today, Governor Polis signed new laws across the Denver Metro area.

    Governor Polis signed HB25-1097 – Placement Transitions Plan for Children, sponsored by Representatives Lindsay Gilchrist and Meg Froelich, and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Lindsey Daugherty and HB25-1271 – Federal Benefits for Youth in Foster Care, sponsored by Lindsay Gilchrist and Kyle Brown, and Senators Lindsey Daugherty and Dafna Michaelson Jenet. 

     

    “Now, Colorado will better support kids in foster care to help each child thrive. We are focused on ensuring that all kids in Colorado, no matter where they live, have access to the resources needed for a healthy and safe life, and these bills do exactly that for kids who need it most,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed HB25-1328 – Implement Recommendations Direct Care Worker Stabilization Board, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Emily Sirota and Senators Jessie Danielson and Jeff Bridges. This bill will support the health care workforce and increase access to quality affordable health care to help Coloradans live strong healthy lives.

     

    “In Colorado, we are expanding access to the important health care Coloradans need, while taking action to lower barriers and costs. This new law will better support direct care workers and those they care for,” said Governor Polis. 

     

    Governor Polis also signed SB25-084 – Medicaid Access to Parenteral Nutrition, sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica and Cleave Simpson and Representatives Mary Bradfield and Gretchen Rydin and HB25-1213 – Updates to Medicaid, sponsored by Representatives Lisa Feret and Ron Weinberg and Senators Lindsey Daugherty and Matt Ball, to further support Coloradans who rely on Medicaid for health care. 

     

    “In Washington, Republicans in Congress are leaving Coloradans behind with cruel cuts to people’s health care. With these new Colorado laws, we are expanding access to the care at-risk Coloradans need, while making changes to increase efficiency and better serve Coloradans,” said Governor Polis.

     

    At La Clinica in Lafayette, Governor Polis signed SB25-289 – Creation of a Drug Donation Program, sponsored by Senator Lisa Cutter and Representatives Kyle Brown and Emily Sirota

    And SB25-290 – Stabilization Payments for Safety Net Providers, sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica and Barbara Kirkmeyer and Representatives Shannon Bird and Kyle Brown.

     

    “We are better supporting Colorado’s safety-net providers and these bipartisan laws will help do that. I look forward to seeing the benefits for low cost, high quality health care across Colorado,” said Governor Jared Polis. 
     

    Governor Polis also signed the following bills focused on reducing property insurance, reducing emissions and supporting Coloradans’ access to e-bikes:

    “Here in Colorado we are focused on helping Coloradans save money on property insurance and continuing to find ways to reduce emissions to improve air quality and save people money. These new laws move us in the right direction, and I look forward to building on these efforts for Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed the following bills administratively:

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Deer Lake — Deer Lake RCMP investigates break, enter and theft at Humber River Golf Club

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Deer Lake RCMP is investigating a break, enter and theft that occurred on May 27, 2025, at Humber River Golf Club in Deer Lake.

    Sometime over night, between the evening of May 26 and the morning of May 27, suspect(s) entered the business and stole a quantity of cash.

    Deer Lake RCMP asks the public to report any suspicious activity that may have been observed in the area of Airport Road between the evening of May 26 and the morning of May 27.

    The investigation is continuing.

    If you have information about this crime or the identity of the individual(s) responsible, please call Deer Lake RCMP at 709-635-2173. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By James Sweeney, Professor, Lancaster Law School, Lancaster University

    xiquinhosilva via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    An intense argument is raging over whether what has been happening in Gaza since October 2023 is an act of genocide. It is the subject of a case being heard in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which South Africa has accused Israel of committing acts of genocide. The case began in December 2023 but the ICJ has yet to reach a judgment.

    The reason the issue is so controversial is that the word “genocide” holds so much power. To be accused of it is to be accused of what is considered in international law to be the “crime of crimes”. International law holds that not only should states not commit genocide, they must also prevent and punish it in their own criminal law. Some commentators would even argue that the use of armed force to stop genocide is acceptable.

    Yet the legal definition of genocide is much narrower than is generally understood. That’s why so few events have ever been labelled as genocide as a matter of law. Looking at some of them might help to shed some light on the Gaza controversy.



    Read more:
    Gaza: why it’s difficult to reach a legal judgment of genocide against Israel

    Genocide is about attempting to destroy a group of people. The concept was first defined in 1944 by the Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, in response to his horror at the mass killing of ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire amid the first world war as well as – of course – at the atrocities of the Nazis before and during the second world war.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    It was such a novel concept that it was not prosecuted in the post-war trials of the surviving leading Nazis in Nuremberg. Instead, for their role in the Holocaust, the defendants were charged with “crimes against humanity”. And to this day, in the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court, there is a close relationship between the crime of genocide and crimes against humanity. The Rome statute uses the definition of genocide agreed in the 1948 genocide convention, which was negotiated after the considerable efforts of Lemkin to bring attention to his new concept.

    Despite the crime of genocide being established in 1948, the first international conviction for genocide was not until 1998. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda found Jean-Paul Akayesu, a local politician, guilty of genocide as part of the extreme violence by ethnic Hutu against (mostly) minority ethnic Tutsis in 1994. Over the course of around 100 days around 800,000 people were killed.

    The mass killing was instigated at the highest levels of the Rwandan government after Tutsis were accused of killing the president of Rwanda, Juvénal Habyarimana, by shooting down a plane that was carrying him and the president of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira. Both men were Hutus.

    The response to this was clearly a genocide, but surely there must have been other post-war genocides before this, you might think?

    Limitations of genocide

    Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, millions of people died or were killed in famines, executions and prison camps across the Soviet Union. Yet, these deaths do not fall within the 1948 definition of genocide because they were generally not aimed at groups defined by nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. Only those four groups are protected in the genocide convention.

    The same goes for murders committed by the Khmer Rouge – the radical communist regime of Pol Pot that ruled what is now Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The regime was responsible for the deaths of between 1.5 and 3 million people. But the hybrid criminal tribunal set up in 1997 to judge these events has only been able to find that the killing of minority Vietnamese and Cham victims counted as genocide. The majority of those that the Khmer Rouge targeted for killing were fellow Cambodians selected for being “intellectuals” or were otherwise thought to oppose the regime.

    The choice of protected groups in the genocide convention was the result of political horse-trading between different factions, as the cold war was gaining in intensity. There was a tension between protecting enough groups, and agreeing a treaty that enough states would actually sign.



    Read more:
    How Canada committed genocide against Indigenous Peoples, explained by the lawyer central to the determination

    The atrocity of Srebrenica

    The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the ICJ have held that Bosnian Serbs committed genocide against Bosnian Muslims in the town of Srebrenica in what is now Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995. The Bosnian Serb army killed around 8,000 men and boys, and secretly buried them. They detained, treated badly and then expelled the remaining women.

    The atrocity at Srebrenica in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered, has been ruled as an act of genocide.
    Skrewt25 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-NC-SA

    The ICTY has held, beyond reasonable doubt, that across Bosnia and Herzegovina there was a “strategic plan” to “link Serb-populated areas […] together, to gain control over these areas and to create a separate Bosnian Serb state, from which most non-Serbs would be permanently removed”. It also found that this plan “could only be implemented by the use of force and fear”. Yet, apart from at Srebrenica, genocide has not been proved in the former Yugoslavia.

    The issue here was not identifying a protected group, but a lack of evidence that the mass killings of non-Serbs were carried out as an end in themselves and not “just” to make them flee (something which is often called “ethnic cleansing”). This is because for a killing to be genocidal, it has not only to be carried out intentionally, but also to show the “special” intent to physically or biologically destroy a protected group.

    The problem is that – in the absence of an admission or a bundle of incriminating documents – then such special intent can only be inferred from the facts if it is the only reasonable inference that could be made.

    Why Gaza is controversial

    Should the definition of genocide be expanded to cover a greater range of protected groups, either by amending the genocide convention or by creative judicial interpretation? Should it be easier to infer the existence of genocidal intent from a pattern of facts? Both are important questions.

    Yet, until they are answered in the affirmative, it will remain difficult in law to apply the label of genocide even to the most egregious of mass killings. The labels of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” are more easily applied, but the “crime of crimes” remains elusive.

    James Sweeney 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. Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide? – https://theconversation.com/why-have-so-few-atrocities-ever-been-recognised-as-genocide-257753

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Key milestones for southside health projects

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Once complete, the new health centre will offer a range of vital services.

    In brief:

    • Two important southside projects have reached key milestones.
    • These are the South Tuggeranong Health Centre and Southside Hydrotherapy Pool.
    • This article details the progress on these projects.

    Canberrans living in the south are set to benefit from more local healthcare options.

    Two important southside projects have reached key milestones.

    • The new health centre in Conder has received conditional development approval.
    • Construction on Tuggeranong’s new hydrotherapy pool has passed the halfway mark.

    South Tuggeranong Health Centre

    Remaining approvals are being sought to allow work to begin on the South Tuggeranong Health Centre.

    Once complete, the new facility will offer a range of vital services.

    These will include:

    • paediatrics
    • diabetes clinics
    • falls and falls injury prevention
    • chronic disease programs
    • a virtual care room for people unable to attend appointments in person.

    The new centre will ensure southside residents can access the services they need closer to home.

    The centre’s design has been shaped by extensive engagement with both clinicians and the local community.

    The final plan includes 11 consultation rooms and a flexible layout.

    The ACT Government has partnered with construction company Shape as the Head Contractor to build the facility.

    Southside Hydrotherapy Pool

    The hydrotherapy pool at Lakeside Leisure Centre is on track to be completed later this year.

    Over the past few months, workers have poured, tested and cured the pool’s concrete shell.

    Construction has passed the halfway point. Work is now focused on:

    • tiling the pool
    • constructing the surrounding building.

    There will also be a new creche and community room for leisure centre members to use.

    These are being fitted and furnished now and will open soon.

    More health services for Canberra

    These projects are in addition to others across the ACT, designed to deliver high-quality health care closer to where people live.

    These include new health centres in:

    • North Gungahlin
    • the Inner South
    • West Belconnen.

    Find out more here.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Giant crane arrives in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    More than 100 semi-trailers were needed to deliver the crane pieces, and it took almost three weeks to build.

    In brief:

    • A giant crane is helping to build the new Molonglo River Bridge.
    • The crane will reach heights of up to 143-metres, it is one of the tallest cranes to ever come to Canberra.
    • This article provides more information on the crane.

    A giant crane has arrived in Canberra to work on the Molonglo River Bridge project.

    The crane is one of the tallest to ever come to Canberra.

    A crane enthusiasts dream

    Standing at up to143 metres tall, the crane is taller than Parliament House, which is 107 metres high.

    More than 100 semi-trailers were needed to deliver the crane pieces, and it took almost three weeks to build.

    The crane is:
    -capable of lifting steel beams up to 80 metres long – nearly the length of four basketball courts
    -has a capacity of 1,600 tonnes, or the weight of 260 elephants.

    To aid in the construction of the new bridge, Coppins Crossing Road is now closed for up to three weeks.

    This will allow the crane to lift the steel girders into place.

    To safely view the crane in action, park at the Namarag Reserve carpark off Thancoupie Crescent. Please do not go beyond barriers or stop on Coppins Crossing Road.

    The Molonglo River Bridge Project

    When completed, the 200-metre-long Molonglo River Bridge will be the longest weathering steel bridge in Australia and the tallest road bridge in Canberra.

    It will support the growing region and better connect suburbs in the Molonglo Valley to Belconnen and the rest of Canberra.

    Construction began in January 2024. Initial works included the realignment of the northern approach road to Coppins Crossing. The new temporary road opened in May 2024.

    The bridge’s foundation and substructure are now complete. The superstructure of the bridge is being constructed.

    The Australian and ACT governments jointly fund the project under the Commonwealth’s Investment Road and Rail Program.

    For more information visit the Built for CBR website.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Last chance to nominate for the ACT Honour Walk

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    ACT Honour Walk recipients are acknowledged with a plaque.

    In brief:

    • Nominations close soon for the 2025 ACT Honour Walk induction.
    • The Honour Walk celebrates individuals and groups that have helped shape Canberra.
    • This story includes information on previous recipients.

    Nominations close soon for the 2025 ACT Honour Walk induction.

    The Honour Walk celebrates people and groups that have helped shape our city.

    Recipients are acknowledged for their contribution with a permanent plaque, displayed on the ACT Honour Walk.

    You can find the Honour Walk on Ainslie Place in the city, between London Circuit and the Canberra Times Fountain.

    ACT Honour Walk recipients

    The Honour Walk was commissioned in 2005. Since then, more than 80 recipients have been inducted.

    Sue Salthouse OAM (1949-2020) was inducted to the ACT Honour Walk in 2023.

    Sue was committed to social justice all her life. She became a wheelchair user in 1995 after a horse-riding accident and, having experienced the systemic inequality facing people with disabilities, was determined to bring about positive change.

    She devoted the last 25 years of her life to breaking down barriers for people with disability, as well as for women and those experiencing domestic violence. Sue was committed to creating a more inclusive community.

    Other recipients include:

    • Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin
    • Canberra Philharmonic Society
    • Agnes Shea OAM
    • Terry Snow AM
    • the Brumbies.

    Who you can nominate

    You can nominate any group or person who has:

    • helped shape the city of Canberra
    • made a lasting contribution to the community.

    Nominees do not have to live in the ACT. The honour may be awarded posthumously.

    Previous recipients have been recognised for their contributions to:

    • community service, sport, culture or the arts
    • justice, research or education
    • military
    • business.

    Visit the ACT Government Honours and Awards website to nominate or for more information.

    Nominations for the 2025 induction close on 30 May.

    The 2025 ACT Honour Walk ceremony will be held in November.

    Read more like this:

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 14 Arrested on Complaints Alleging More Than $25 Million in COVID-19 Relief and Small Business Loans Were Fraudulently Obtained

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    Fourteen defendants – including San Fernando Valley and Glendale residents – were arrested on two federal criminal complaints alleging they fraudulently obtained more than $25 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief funds and federally-guaranteed small business loans.

    The 18 total defendants named in the complaints – four defendants are believed to be in Armenia – are charged with conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims; false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims; wire fraud and attempted wire fraud; bank fraud and attempted bank fraud; money laundering conspiracy; laundering of monetary instruments; engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; and/or structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements.

    The defendants arrested today include:

    • Vahe Margaryan, a.k.a. “William McGrayan,” 42, of Tujunga, who allegedly orchestrated a scheme to defraud numerous banks and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Preferred Lender Program, a program designed to help small businesses that otherwise might not obtain financing. McGrayan allegedly directed owners of sham corporations to open bank accounts, make false statements, and concoct documents, including phony resumes and financial statements, to support loan applications to buy other sham corporations. McGrayan allegedly paid for phony tax returns that falsely reported millions in revenue and tens of thousands in tax due and owing. McGrayan, whose alleged criminal activity lasted from 2018 until January 2025, then directed the laundering of millions in fraud proceeds through various bank accounts.
    • Sarkis Gareginovich Sarkisyan, 37, a.k.a. “Samuel Shaw,” of Glendale, who allegedly, among other offenses, submitted a false application and bogus documents to obtain a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provided low-interest, forgivable loans to help small businesses retain their workforce and cover expenses. Sarkisyan allegedly applied in April 2021 on behalf of a fake business that received more than $700,000 in PPP funds.
    • Mery Babayan, 32, a.k.a. “Mery Diamondz,” of Van Nuys, together with co-defendants Margaryan and Hovannes Hovannisyan, 48, a.k.a. “John Harvard,” of Panorama City, in May 2021 allegedly defrauded a bank by representing the nonexistent sale of a sham business to another sham company to obtain an approximately $3 million federally guaranteed loan through the SBA’s Preferred Lending Program.
    • Felix Parker, 77, of North Hollywood, who in January 2023 allegedly made false statements and submitted fraudulent documents, including fake tax returns that falsely reported that his shell company, Canmar Promo, earned millions of dollars annually and owed tens of thousands in federal income taxes. Parker allegedly obtained more than $2 million in government-guaranteed funds earmarked to help small businesses.
    • Axsel Markaryan, 47, a.k.a. “Axel Mark,” of Pacoima, who in June 2023 allegedly fraudulently obtained more than $5 million in SBA loans via the submission of false statements and the submission of fake documents, including bogus tax returns. After the loans were obtained, Markaryan and his co-schemers in November 2023 laundered the money, including sending at least $100,000 to a co-schemer in Armenia.

    As a result of today’s takedown, law enforcement seized approximately $20,000 in cash, two money-counting machines, paper cash bands or currency straps in denominations of $2,000 and $10,000, multiple cell phones, multiple laptops, two loaded semi-automatic 9mm handguns, and boxes of 9mm ammunition.

    “Today’s enforcement action is intended to send a message to all criminals who take advantage of government programs designed to help those who need them most,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “If you took COVID-19 or SBA money you weren’t entitled to, your door could be the next one we visit. Together with our law enforcement partners, my office will aggressively prosecute individuals who cheat the system meant to protect and support law-abiding citizens.”

    “Scheming to fraudulently obtain federal funds that were meant to provide assistance to the nation’s small businesses is unacceptable,” said the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) Western Region Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Huang. “OIG will continue to ardently investigate fraudulently obtained SBA program funds, including COVID-19 pandemic-related loans, to protect taxpayers from fraud, waste, and abuse. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”

    “This transnational criminal network sought to defraud the government of millions of dollars and almost succeeded,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “Through the diligent work of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force and our federal partners, HSI is continuing to identify these criminal groups looking to profit from the pandemic and will use all available resources to criminally prosecute or remove them from the country.”

    “Today, 14 individuals were arrested in connection with a fraudulent loan scheme in which they allegedly obtained in excess of $25 million through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, and other federal funding programs,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, Los Angeles Field Office. “These programs were established to assist individuals and businesses in need of financial assistance and instead were pilfered by the named defendants. IRS-CI is dedicated to identifying and dismantling criminal organizations that prey on assistance programs set up for the benefit of our law-abiding citizens.”

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of decades in federal prison.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolster efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central and Eastern Districts of California to jointly head one of the three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. Additional information regarding the Strike Force may be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-covid-19-fraud-strike-force-teams.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    SBA-OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, and HSI are investigating these matters.

    The cases announced today were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Aveis and Gregg Marmaro of the Major Frauds Section and Maxwell Coll of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are prosecuting these cases.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Nearly $9 Million in Fraud and Money Laundering Proceeds from Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program Loans

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    On May 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz entered a final judgment forfeiting to the United States approximately $7 million in fraud and money laundering proceeds, as well as a real property purchased with laundered fraud proceeds that has an estimated market value of nearly $2 million, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    On May 6, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against approximately $7 million in seized and frozen U.S. currency, as well as a real property in Cresskill, New Jersey, that was purchased with nearly $1 million in laundered fraud proceeds, alleging that the assets were the proceeds of fraud and money laundering offenses. As alleged in the complaint, between April 2020 and August 2020, Jae H. Choi (“Choi”) fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans totaling approximately $8,971,457, and then laundered those fraud proceeds through various financial accounts held in the names of Choi’s nominees, including Choi’s relative and various corporate entities that Choi controlled. According to the civil forfeiture complaint, Choi then spent the laundered fraud proceeds on personal expenses and purchased the Cresskill real property.

    United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service –Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General’s Boston New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, and special agents of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, with the investigation.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter A. Laserna of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit of the Criminal Division in Newark.

    ###

    choi.complaint.pdf

    Related programs: Pandemic Oversight, PPP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fifth man arrested following fatal stabbing in Southwark

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A fifth man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Walworth on Monday, 14 April.

    A 22-year-old man was arrested on the evening of Monday, 19 May near Barcelona, Spain, on suspicion of the murder of Giovanny Rendon Bedoya.

    He remains in custody ahead of the court process to extradite him from Spain to the UK.

    On 14 April at 21:16hrs police were called to Hillingdon Street, SE17 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended with London Ambulance Service paramedics who treated 21-year-old Giovanny for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite their best efforts, he died at the scene.

    Giovanny’s next-of-kin continue to receive support and updates from specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Going to Prison for Starting Fire on Railroad Tracks in Farnham

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael B. Benitez, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of attempt to wreck, derail, set fire to, or disable railroad on-track equipment, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Benitez was also ordered to pay $1,382 in restitution to Norfolk Southern Railway.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that in the early morning hours of June 14, 2023, Benitez placed several tires on the railroad tracks behind his residence at the time on Railroad Avenue in Farnham, poured gasoline on the tires, and started the tires on fire. The tire fire destroyed equipment owned by Norfolk Southern that’s used to identify railroad equipment while enroute. Norfolk Southern was required to hold trains while the tire fire was extinguished, and rail equipment was repaired.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Town of Brandt Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Slawek, and Norfolk Southern Police Department.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Related Gun Charge

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Donta Williams, 30, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of imprisonment of life, and a fine of $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated on November 13, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a Comstock Avenue residence, which Williams used for his drug trafficking activities. During the search, they seized $1,030 in cash, a receipt for a Rolex sold to “Donta Williams,” a Glock pistol and ammunition, jewelry, crack cocaine and fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia. Later that day, a second search warrant was executed on a UHAUL unit controlled by Williams. During that search, investigators seized $29,627.00 in cash, and a loaded magazine.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alfonse Wright.

    Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2025, before Judge Arcara.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Methamphetamine

    Source: US FBI

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Mario Pittman Jr., 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to distribution of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2024, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Lackawanna Police began investigating Pittman’s drug trafficking activities. The investigation included five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Pittman. On April 30, 2024, investigators attempted to stop Pittman’s vehicle, but he fled at a high rate of speed through a residential neighborhood. Law enforcement eventually made a forced stop of his vehicle. Pittman fled on foot but was apprehended by law enforcement. Investigators recovered a clear plastic baggy of suspected methamphetamine, which Pittman dropped on the ground as he attempted to flee.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

    Sentencing is scheduled for October 9, 2025, before Judge Arcara.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bronx Feva Gang Members Charged with April 2022 Murder and Racketeering Offenses

    Source: US FBI

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” and PHILIP MOSCA, a/k/a “90,” with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving a Bronx-based gang known as “Feva” and committing multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including the murder of a 21-year-old named Jesse Bynum on April 12, 2022.  CARSON and MOSCA were previously taken into custody on related charges, and SANTIAGO was arrested earlier today.  All three defendants are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, these three defendants brutally murdered 21-year-old Jesse Bynum, and left three others seriously wounded.  New York families should not have to live in fear of gang-motivated violence.  The women and men of the Southern District and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding accountable those who terrorize our communities with gang-motivated violence.  We hope that commitment and the charges brought today bring some measure of comfort to the family of Jesse Bynum and others who have suffered needless losses from gang-motivated crimes.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “These three Feva gang members allegedly engaged in violence to retaliate against their rivals, including firing a gun into a crowded street and killing Jesse Bynum. The defendants’ alleged relentless attempts to fuel a feud with a rival cost the life of a bystander caught in the crosshairs. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI remains committed to protecting our city from unnecessary gun violence and murders.” 

    NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “These three individuals allegedly carried out a cold-blooded shooting that killed a 21-year-old New Yorker and seriously injured three others. They showed no regard for human life, and their senseless act of violence has no place in our city. We are committed to identifying and dismantling the street gangs threatening the safety of our communities. I want to thank the NYPD investigators and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their tireless work to bring them to justice.”

    As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    From at least in or about 2022, through at least in or about 2023, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA were members and associates of a criminal organization known as Feva that operated principally in the vicinity of the Pelham Parkway Houses and 2250 Wallace Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  Members and associates of Feva engaged in, among other activities, drug trafficking, acts involving murder, attempted murder, and assault.

    On or about April 12, 2022, CARSON, SANTIAGO, and MOSCA shot into a small crowd of people gathered on a street in an attempt to retaliate against a rival gang.  The shooting resulted in the murder of 21-year-old Bynum, and serious physical injury to three others.

    If you believe that you have additional information about this murder, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 1-866-874-8900 and reference this case.

    *               *                *

    A chart containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties against the defendants is set forth below.

    The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. 

    Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

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

    The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ni Qian, Marguerite B. Colson, and Brandon D. Harper are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    COUNT

    CHARGE

    DEFENDANTS

    MAX. PENALTIES
    1

    Racketeering conspiracy

    18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)

    NASIA CARSON, a/k/a “Nas,” 21;

    ELIJAH SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Eli,” 22;

    PHILIP MOSACA, a/k/a “90,” 22;

    (“All Defendants”)

    		 Life in prison
    2

    Murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2

    		 All Defendants Death or mandatory sentence of life in prison
    3

    Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)

    		 All Defendants 10 years in prison
    4

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    5

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    6

    Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    7

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
    8

    Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault in aid of racketeering

    18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2

    		 All Defendants 20 years in prison
    9

    Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence

    18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2

    		 All Defendants

    Life in prison

    Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Law Library Publishes New Report on Regulation of IVF and Related Issues

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The staff of the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress has recently completed a comparative report, Regulation of IVF and Related Issues. The report examines the rules regarding embryos created through artificial reproductive technology techniques, such as those involving in vitro fertilization (IVF), in the following countries: France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

    VITRO by Flickr user Tman. May 21, 2021. Used under NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Deed CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

    Among issues addressed by the report are the legal limits on the number of embryos that can be created or transferred in a treatment cycle and the actions that can be taken with respect to the embryos created, apart from transfer to a person’s uterus as part of that cycle. Such actions include preimplantation genetic testing, sex selection for nonmedical purposes, cryopreservation and storage, donation to another person or couple, disposal or destruction, and allowing the embryos to be used for research purposes. The report further addresses countries’ requirements for facilities where IVF procedures are conducted, registries of procedures and donors, funding of procedures, and the existence of restrictions in access to IVF procedures for certain groups of patients and couples.

    The report consists of a comparative summary, individual country surveys, and a table providing information on the legal treatment of embryos created through IVF.

    We invite you to review the information provided in our report here.

    This report is an addition to the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. A search for legal reports on human reproduction identifies a number of relevant entries.

    To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website).

    The Law Library also publishes articles related to assisted reproduction in the Global Legal Monitor.

    And finally, a search of our blog, In Custodia Legis, using the term “embryo” may lead you to posts on a variety of related topics.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Judiciary Learning Center Opens in Boston

    Source: United States Courts

    “Through this center, we hope to put the truth of active liberty in action — by helping people of all ages and all backgrounds, whether steeped in legal knowledge or too young to have much of it — reflect on and learn about the Constitution and the Courts and how they relate to each other in our democracy,” said Chief Judge David J. Barron, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, who led the effort to establish the new center.

    The Breyer Learning Center is one of a growing number of civics education centers, museums, and exhibits in federal court buildings across the country. At the new learning center, students and adults can learn about the important role of the Judiciary in daily life. Educational materials include information and activities about the Constitution, landmark Supreme Court cases, federal court basics, jury service, and careers in the federal court system.

    The 2,800-square-foot center, named in honor of retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer, is in the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston. The learning center includes space for hosting workshops, training sessions, and seminars, in addition to the student-centered programs offered by Discovering Justice, a local nonprofit organization that brings students and communities together to examine the workings of the justice system. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Alleged Securities Fraud at MediPharm Labs Says Apollo Capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Multiple Highly Credible Sources Reveal Disturbing Evidence of Alleged Systemic Violations of Securities Laws at MediPharm Labs; Immediate Regulatory Action Demanded

    Apollo Capital’s Six Director Nominees Are Committed to Restoring Transparency and Value to MediPharm’s Shareholders

    URGES SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE THE GOLD PROXY CARD “FOR” APOLLO CAPITAL’S SIX DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND DISREGARD MEDIPHARM LABS’ GREEN PROXY CARD

    TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo Technology Capital Corporation (“Apollo Capital”), which together with its affiliates and associates collectively is one of the largest shareholders of MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (“MediPharm”, “MediPharm Labs”, or the “Company”), owning approximately 3% of the Company’s common stock, today issued an urgent warning to shareholders, regulators, and the investing public concerning serious allegations of alleged extensive securities act disclosure violations committed by MediPharm Labs’ Board of Directors (the “Board”) and management team.

    Apollo Capital has received alarming reports from multiple highly credible and independent sources revealing that MediPharm Labs allegedly engaged in deliberate, systematic financial misfeasance and deceptive accounting practices aimed at grossly misleading investors and artificially inflating the Company’s reported revenues and stock valuation. Such allegations represent blatant violations of securities laws, fiduciary obligations, and ethical business conduct, potentially exposing MediPharm and its Board to serious legal and financial consequences.

    Given the grave seriousness and substantial credibility of these allegations, Apollo Capital urgently demands an immediate, robust investigation by regulatory authorities including the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Apollo Capital further insists that MediPharm’s Board of Directors immediately cooperate fully with all regulatory investigations, transparently disclose all related information, and suspend any management or Board members implicated in these serious allegations pending investigation outcomes.

    Apollo Capital has received credible information regarding these allegations directly from a current MediPharm Labs Board member, specifically implicating MediPharm’s Chairman, Chris Taves, Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets for Asia at BMO and a CPA, in orchestrating schemes to intentionally overstate Company revenues. It is curious that starting recently, Chris Taves serves as both the Board Chair and the Audit Committee Chair. Sources allege that MediPharm engaged partners in deceptive practices to artificially boost revenue reporting, misleading investors into perceiving growth where none truly existed.

    Apollo Capital demands to know if this is the reason that Michael Bumby just stepped down as Audit Committee Chair and has not stood for re-election to the MediPharm Board.

    “These allegations paint a profoundly troubling picture of calculated corporate conduct to overstate revenues and in turn mislead shareholders,” stated Apollo Capital. “Immediate transparency, accountability, and significant leadership changes are essential to restore credibility at MediPharm. The current Board and management owe shareholders an obligation to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further damage.”

    Apollo Capital directly challenges each MediPharm Board member—Shelley Potts, Michael Bumby, Chris Halyk, Chris Taves, Keith Strachan, and David Pidduck—to publicly address these allegations openly and transparently. Apollo Capital reiterates its repeated calls for full disclosure, particularly emphasized in its press release asking about these misfeasance allegations before MediPharm’s Q1 earnings call and its follow-up press release highlighting the Company’s disastrous financial performance and refusal to answer shareholder questions. Any Board member failing to acknowledge and publicly address these allegations will be perceived as complicit in the alleged misfeasance.

    In its news release prior to the Q1 earnings call, the first question that Apollo Capital urged MediPharm shareholders to ask the management team was:

    “These numbers aren’t even audited and MediPharm has been accused of misleading accounting practices in the past, including relating to revenue. Why should anyone believe anything that you say? Are you currently recognizing revenue the same way that you were two years ago? Please answer this question clearly without wordplay, subterfuge or material misrepresentations.”

    For the integrity of the capital markets, Apollo Capital demands that each board member of MediPharm Labs – Shelley Potts, Michael Bumby, Chris Halyk, Chris Taves, Keith Strachan, and David Pidduck – answer the question above.

    As a significant shareholder, Apollo Capital insists on a thorough audit to clarify how much of MediPharm’s claimed ‘profitability’, ‘revenue’, and ‘growth’ have been engineered though improper accounting.

    Apollo Capital remains committed to aggressively pursuing accountability, transparency, and the protection of shareholder interests, and will vigilantly monitor ongoing developments.

    MediPharm Labs Shareholders can visit www.CureMediPharm.com, to sign up for important campaign updates.

    VOTE THE GOLD PROXY CARD “FOR” APOLLO CAPITAL’S SIX DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND DISREGARD MEDIPHARM LABS’ GREEN PROXY CARD

    To access Apollo Capital’s Circular and related proxy materials, including a proxy or voting instruction form, visit SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Contacts
    For Shareholders:
    Carson Proxy
    North American Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-530-5189
    Local or Text Message: 416-751-2066 (collect calls accepted)
    E: info@carsonproxy.com

    For Media:
    CureMediPharm@gasthalter.com

    Legal Disclosures
    Information in Support of Public Broadcast Exemption under Canadian Law

    In connection with the Annual Meeting, Apollo Capital has filed an amended and restated dissident information circular (the “Circular”) in compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws. Apollo Capital has provided in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of NI 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) and the corresponding exemption under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and has filed the Circular, available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Circular contains disclosure prescribed by applicable corporate law and disclosure required under section 9.2(6) of NI 51-102 in respect of Apollo Capital’s director nominees, in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. The Circular is hereby incorporated by reference into this press release and is available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The registered office of the Company is 151 John Street, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4N 2L1.

    SHAREHOLDERS OF MEDIPHARM ARE URGED TO READ THE CIRCULAR CAREFULLY BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the Circular and any amendments or supplements thereto and further proxy circulars at no charge under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, shareholders are also able to obtain free copies of the Circular and other relevant documents by contacting Apollo Capital’s proxy solicitor, Carson Proxy Advisors Ltd. (“Carson Proxy”) at 1-800-530-5189, local (collect outside North America): 416-751-2066 or by email at info@carsonproxy.com.

    Proxies may be revoked in accordance with subsection 110(4) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) by a registered shareholder of Company shares: (a) by completing and signing a valid proxy bearing a later date and returning it in accordance with the instructions contained in the accompanying form of proxy; (b) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing; (c) by transmitting by telephonic or electronic means a revocation that is signed by electronic signature in accordance with applicable law, as the case may be: (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting is to be held, or (ii) with the chair of the Annual Meeting on the day of the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting; or (d) in any other manner permitted by law. In addition, proxies may be revoked by a non-registered holder of Company shares at any time by written notice to the intermediary in accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered holder by its intermediary. It should be noted that revocation of proxies or voting instructions by a non-registered holder can take several days or even longer to complete and, accordingly, any such revocation should be completed well in advance of the deadline prescribed in the form of proxy or voting instruction form to ensure it is given effect in respect of the Annual Meeting.

    The costs incurred in the preparation and mailing of any circular or proxy solicitation by Apollo Capital and any other participants named herein will be borne directly and indirectly by Apollo Capital. However, to the extent permitted under applicable law, Apollo Capital intends to seek reimbursement from the Company of all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of its director nominees at the Annual Meeting.

    This press release and any solicitation made by Apollo Capital is, or will be, as applicable, made by such parties, and not by or on behalf of the management of the Company. Proxies may be solicited by proxy circular, mail, telephone, email or other electronic means, as well as by newspaper or other media advertising and in person by managers, directors, officers and employees of Apollo Capital who will not be specifically remunerated therefor. In addition, Apollo Capital may solicit proxies by way of public broadcast, including press release, speech or publication and any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws, and may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist it in soliciting proxies on their behalf.

    Apollo Capital has entered into an agreement with Carson Proxy Advisors (“Carson Proxy”) for solicitation and advisory services in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting, for which Carson Proxy will receive a fee not to exceed $250,000, together with reimbursement for reasonable and out-of-pocket expenses. Apollo Capital has also engaged Gasthalter & Co. LP (“G&Co”) to act as communications consultant to provide Apollo Capital with certain communications, public relations and related services, for which G&Co will receive a minimum fee of US$75,000 in addition to a performance fee of US$250,000 in the event that Apollo Capital’s nominees make up a majority of the Board following the Annual Meeting, plus excess fees, related costs and expenses.

    No member of Apollo Capital nor any of their associates or affiliates has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or will or would materially affect the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates. No member of Apollo Capital nor any of their associates or affiliates has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, other than setting the number of directors, the election of directors, the appointment of auditors and the approval of the ordinary resolution approving, among other things, the Company’s amended and restated equity incentive plan dated May 8, 2025 and the unallocated awards available thereunder.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward‐looking statements. All statements contained in this filing that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward‐looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward‐looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of Apollo Capital and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date hereof and Apollo Capital disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which Apollo Capital hereafter becomes aware, except as required by applicable law.

    Hashtags: #ShareholderActivism #CorporateGovernance #InvestorProtection #Investor Alert #Investor Fraud #FinancialRegulation #CorporateCrime #FinancialCrime #HomelandSecurity #DHS #OpioidCrisis #OpioidEpidemic #OpioidLitigation #OpioidVictims #BMO #DEA #ONDCP

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Traliant launches critical manager training to prevent discrimination missteps amid new Executive Orders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Traliant, a leader in online compliance training, announced new Discrimination Prevention for Managers training to help supervisors and managers navigate new discrimination issues that they are likely to encounter from the recent wave of Executive Orders.

    While the new Executive Orders do not change existing anti-discrimination law, with the combination of evolving Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) guidance, they have reshaped workplace discrimination and elevated risks to organizations. Missteps by managers in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender identity and religious accommodations can quickly escalate into costly legal claims, reputational damage or employee disengagement.

    Traliant’s Discrimination Prevention for Managers training clearly explains how the recent Executive Orders, EEOC and DOJ guidance impact anti-discrimination law – breaking down the emerging risks managers may not be aware of, clarifying legal gray areas and providing practical strategies for responding to sensitive issues with confidence and compliance.

    “Many managers don’t know what the recent executive orders actually change, where legal lines are drawn or how easily non-compliant actions can escalate,” said Elissa Rossi, Vice President of Compliance Services at Traliant and former Assistant Attorney General in New York. “This often leaves organizations, especially leaders within the organization, feeling confused and at risk. Without proper training, managers may inadvertently create liability by mishandling complaints, conversations or accommodations.”

    Through interactive, real-world scenarios, Traliant’s course helps learners:

    • Understand what recent Executive Orders change — and what they don’t
    • Know what legally qualifies as discrimination, including actions against members of majority groups
    • Know what steps to take if an employee raises a concern and how to report it
    • How to address sensitive employee questions around DEI, pronouns, religion and fairness

    For more information, visit http://www.traliant.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

    About Traliant
    Traliant, a leader in compliance training, is on a mission to help make workplaces better, for everyone. Committed to a customer promise of “compliance you can trust, training you will love,” Traliant delivers continuously compliant online courses, backed by an unparalleled in-house legal team, with engaging, story-based training designed to create truly enjoyable learning experiences.

    Traliant supports over 14,000 organizations worldwide with a library of curated essential courses to broaden employee perspectives, achieve compliance and elevate workplace culture, including sexual harassment training, inclusion training, code of conduct training, and many more.

    Backed by PSG, a leading growth equity firm, Traliant holds a coveted position on Inc.’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America for four consecutive years, along with numerous awards for its products and workplace culture.

    Contact
    Reagan Bennet
    traliant@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Beyond the backlash: What evidence shows about the economic impact of DEI

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rodney Coates, Professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Miami University

    DEI has a long history. Nora Carol Photography via Getty Images

    Few issues in the U.S. today are as controversial as diversity, equity and inclusion – commonly referred to as DEI.

    Although the term didn’t come into common usage until the 21st century, DEI is best understood as the latest stage in a long American project. Its egalitarian principles are seen in America’s founding documents, and its roots lie in landmark 20th-century efforts such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act and affirmative action policies, as well as movements for racial justice, gender equity, disability rights, veterans and immigrants.

    These movements sought to expand who gets to participate in economic, educational and civic life. DEI programs, in many ways, are their legacy.

    Critics argue that DEI is antidemocratic, that it fosters ideological conformity and that it leads to discriminatory initiatives, which they say disadvantage white people and undermine meritocracy. Those defending DEI argue just the opposite: that it encourages critical thinking and promotes democracy − and that attacks on DEI amount to a retreat from long-standing civil rights law.

    Yet missing from much of the debate is a crucial question: What are the tangible costs and benefits of DEI? Who benefits, who doesn’t, and what are the broader effects on society and the economy?

    As a sociologist, I believe any productive conversation about DEI should be rooted in evidence, not ideology. So let’s look at the research.

    Who gains from DEI?

    In the corporate world, DEI initiatives are intended to promote diversity, and research consistently shows that diversity is good for business. Companies with more diverse teams tend to perform better across several key metrics, including revenue, profitability and worker satisfaction.

    Businesses with diverse workforces also have an edge in innovation, recruitment and competitiveness, research shows. The general trend holds for many types of diversity, including age, race and ethnicity, and gender.

    A focus on diversity can also offer profit opportunities for businesses seeking new markets. Two-thirds of American consumers consider diversity when making their shopping choices, a 2021 survey found. So-called “inclusive consumers” tend to be female, younger and more ethnically and racially diverse. Ignoring their values can be costly: When Target backed away from its DEI efforts, the resulting backlash contributed to a sales decline.

    But DEI goes beyond corporate policy. At its core, it’s about expanding access to opportunities for groups historically excluded from full participation in American life. From this broader perspective, many 20th-century reforms can be seen as part of the DEI arc.

    Consider higher education. Many elite U.S. universities refused to admit women until well into the 1960s and 1970s. Columbia, the last Ivy League university to go co-ed, started admitting women in 1982. Since the advent of affirmative action, women haven’t just closed the gender gap in higher education – they outpace men in college completion across all racial groups. DEI policies have particularly benefited women, especially white women, by expanding workforce access.

    Many Ivy League universities didn’t admit women until surprisingly recently.

    Similarly, the push to desegregate American universities was followed by an explosion in the number of Black college students – a number that has increased by 125% since the 1970s, twice the national rate. With college gates open to more people than ever, overall enrollment at U.S. colleges has quadrupled since 1965. While there are many reasons for this, expanding opportunity no doubt plays a role. And a better-educated population has had significant implications for productivity and economic growth.

    The 1965 Immigration Act also exemplifies DEI’s impact. It abolished racial and national quotas, enabling the immigration of more diverse populations, including from Asia, Africa, southern and eastern Europe and Latin America. Many of these immigrants were highly educated, and their presence has boosted U.S. productivity and innovation.

    Ultimately, the U.S. economy is more profitable and productive as a result of immigrants.

    What does DEI cost?

    While DEI generates returns for many businesses and institutions, it does come with costs. In 2020, corporate America spent an estimated US$7.5 billion on DEI programs. And in 2023, the federal government spent more than $100 million on DEI, including $38.7 million by the Department of Health and Human Services and another $86.5 million by the Department of Defense.

    The government will no doubt be spending less on DEI in 2025. One of President Donald Trump’s first acts in his second term was to sign an executive order banning DEI practices in federal agencies – one of several anti-DEI executive orders currently facing legal challenges. More than 30 states have also introduced or enacted bills to limit or entirely restrict DEI in recent years. Central to many of these policies is the belief that diversity lowers standards, replacing meritocracy with mediocrity.

    But a large body of research disputes this claim. For example, a 2023 McKinsey & Company report found that companies with higher levels of gender and ethnic diversity will likely financially outperform those with the least diversity by at least 39%. Similarly, concerns that DEI in science and technology education leads to lowering standards aren’t backed up by scholarship. Instead, scholars are increasingly pointing out that disparities in performance are linked to built-in biases in courses themselves.

    That said, legal concerns about DEI are rising. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Department of Justice have recently warned employers that some DEI programs may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anecdotal evidence suggests that reverse discrimination claims, particularly from white men, are increasing, and legal experts expect the Supreme Court to lower the burden of proof needed by complainants for such cases.

    The issue remains legally unsettled. But while the cases work their way through the courts, women and people of color will continue to shoulder much of the unpaid volunteer work that powers corporate DEI initiatives. This pattern raises important equity concerns within DEI itself.

    What lies ahead for DEI?

    People’s fears of DEI are partly rooted in demographic anxiety. Since the U.S. Census Bureau projected in 2008 that non-Hispanic white people would become a minority in the U.S by the year 2042, nationwide news coverage has amplified white fears of displacement.

    Research indicates many white men experience this change as a crisis of identity and masculinity, particularly amid economic shifts such as the decline of blue-collar work. This perception aligns with research showing that white Americans are more likely to believe DEI policies disadvantage white men than white women.

    At the same time, in spite of DEI initiatives, women and people of color are most likely to be underemployed and living in poverty regardless of how much education they attain. The gender wage gap remains stark: In 2023, women working full time earned a median weekly salary of $1,005 compared with $1,202 for men − just 83.6% of what men earned. Over a 40-year career, that adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost earnings. For Black and Latina women, the disparities are even worse, with one source estimating lifetime losses at $976,800 and $1.2 million, respectively.

    Racism, too, carries an economic toll. A 2020 analysis from Citi found that systemic racism has cost the U.S. economy $16 trillion since 2000. The same analysis found that addressing these disparities could have boosted Black wages by $2.7 trillion, added up to $113 billion in lifetime earnings through higher college enrollment, and generated $13 trillion in business revenue, creating 6.1 million jobs annually.

    In a moment of backlash and uncertainty, I believe DEI remains a vital if imperfect tool in the American experiment of inclusion. Rather than abandon it, the challenge now, from my perspective, is how to refine it: grounding efforts not in slogans or fear, but in fairness and evidence.

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

    – ref. Beyond the backlash: What evidence shows about the economic impact of DEI – https://theconversation.com/beyond-the-backlash-what-evidence-shows-about-the-economic-impact-of-dei-252143

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mark Finlayson, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Florida International University

    The human proclivity for storytelling makes disinformation difficult to combat. Westend61 via Getty Images

    It is not often that cold, hard facts determine what people care most about and what they believe. Instead, it is the power and familiarity of a well-told story that reigns supreme. Whether it’s a heartfelt anecdote, a personal testimony or a meme echoing familiar cultural narratives, stories tend to stick with us, move us and shape our beliefs.

    This characteristic of storytelling is precisely what can make it so dangerous when wielded by the wrong hands. For decades, foreign adversaries have used narrative tactics in efforts to manipulate public opinion in the United States. Social media platforms have brought new complexity and amplification to these campaigns. The phenomenon garnered ample public scrutiny after evidence emerged of Russian entities exerting influence over election-related material on Facebook in the lead-up to the 2016 election.

    While artificial intelligence is exacerbating the problem, it is at the same time becoming one of the most powerful defenses against such manipulations. Researchers have been using machine learning techniques to analyze disinformation content.

    At the Cognition, Narrative and Culture Lab at Florida International University, we are building AI tools to help detect disinformation campaigns that employ tools of narrative persuasion. We are training AI to go beyond surface-level language analysis to understand narrative structures, trace personas and timelines and decode cultural references.

    Disinformation vs. misinformation

    In July 2024, the Department of Justice disrupted a Kremlin-backed operation that used nearly a thousand fake social media accounts to spread false narratives. These weren’t isolated incidents. They were part of an organized campaign, powered in part by AI.

    Disinformation differs crucially from misinformation. While misinformation is simply false or inaccurate information – getting facts wrong – disinformation is intentionally fabricated and shared specifically to mislead and manipulate. A recent illustration of this came in October 2024, when a video purporting to show a Pennsylvania election worker tearing up mail-in ballots marked for Donald Trump swept platforms such as X and Facebook.

    Within days, the FBI traced the clip to a Russian influence outfit, but not before it racked up millions of views. This example vividly demonstrates how foreign influence campaigns artificially manufacture and amplify fabricated stories to manipulate U.S. politics and stoke divisions among Americans.

    Humans are wired to process the world through stories. From childhood, we grow up hearing stories, telling them and using them to make sense of complex information. Narratives don’t just help people remember – they help us feel. They foster emotional connections and shape our interpretations of social and political events.

    Stories have profound effects on human beliefs and behavior.

    This makes them especially powerful tools for persuasion – and, consequently, for spreading disinformation. A compelling narrative can override skepticism and sway opinion more effectively than a flood of statistics. For example, a story about rescuing a sea turtle with a plastic straw in its nose often does more to raise concern about plastic pollution than volumes of environmental data.

    Usernames, cultural context and narrative time

    Using AI tools to piece together a picture of the narrator of a story, the timeline for how they tell it and cultural details specific to where the story takes place can help identify when a story doesn’t add up.

    Narratives are not confined to the content users share – they also extend to the personas users construct to tell them. Even a social media handle can carry persuasive signals. We have developed a system that analyzes usernames to infer demographic and identity traits such as name, gender, location, sentiment and even personality, when such cues are embedded in the handle. This work, presented in 2024 at the International Conference on Web and Social Media, highlights how even a brief string of characters can signal how users want to be perceived by their audience.

    For example, a user attempting to appear as a credible journalist might choose a handle like @JamesBurnsNYT rather than something more casual like @JimB_NYC. Both may suggest a male user from New York, but one carries the weight of institutional credibility. Disinformation campaigns often exploit these perceptions by crafting handles that mimic authentic voices or affiliations.

    Although a handle alone cannot confirm whether an account is genuine, it plays an important role in assessing overall authenticity. By interpreting usernames as part of the broader narrative an account presents, AI systems can better evaluate whether an identity is manufactured to gain trust, blend into a target community or amplify persuasive content. This kind of semantic interpretation contributes to a more holistic approach to disinformation detection – one that considers not just what is said but who appears to be saying it and why.

    Also, stories don’t always unfold chronologically. A social media thread might open with a shocking event, flash back to earlier moments and skip over key details in between.

    Humans handle this effortlessly – we’re used to fragmented storytelling. But for AI, determining a sequence of events based on a narrative account remains a major challenge.

    Our lab is also developing methods for timeline extraction, teaching AI to identify events, understand their sequence and map how they relate to one another, even when a story is told in nonlinear fashion.

    Objects and symbols often carry different meanings in different cultures, and without cultural awareness, AI systems risk misinterpreting the narratives they analyze. Foreign adversaries can exploit cultural nuances to craft messages that resonate more deeply with specific audiences, enhancing the persuasive power of disinformation.

    Consider the following sentence: “The woman in the white dress was filled with joy.” In a Western context, the phrase evokes a happy image. But in parts of Asia, where white symbolizes mourning or death, it could feel unsettling or even offensive.

    In order to use AI to detect disinformation that weaponizes symbols, sentiments and storytelling within targeted communities, it’s critical to give AI this sort of cultural literacy. In our research, we’ve found that training AI on diverse cultural narratives improves its sensitivity to such distinctions.

    Who benefits from narrative-aware AI?

    Narrative-aware AI tools can help intelligence analysts quickly identify orchestrated influence campaigns or emotionally charged storylines that are spreading unusually fast. They might use AI tools to process large volumes of social media posts in order to map persuasive narrative arcs, identify near-identical storylines and flag coordinated timing of social media activity. Intelligence services could then use countermeasures in real time.

    In addition, crisis-response agencies could swiftly identify harmful narratives, such as false emergency claims during natural disasters. Social media platforms could use these tools to efficiently route high-risk content for human review without unnecessary censorship. Researchers and educators could also benefit by tracking how a story evolves across communities, making narrative analysis more rigorous and shareable.

    Ordinary users can also benefit from these technologies. The AI tools could flag social media posts in real time as possible disinformation, allowing readers to be skeptical of suspect stories, thus counteracting falsehoods before they take root.

    As AI takes on a greater role in monitoring and interpreting online content, its ability to understand storytelling beyond just traditional semantic analysis has become essential. To this end, we are building systems to uncover hidden patterns, decode cultural signals and trace narrative timelines to reveal how disinformation takes hold.

    Mark Finlayson receives funding from US Department of Defense and the US National Science Foundation for his work on narrative understanding and influence operations in the military context.

    Azwad Anjum Islam receives funding from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

    – ref. Weaponized storytelling: How AI is helping researchers sniff out disinformation campaigns – https://theconversation.com/weaponized-storytelling-how-ai-is-helping-researchers-sniff-out-disinformation-campaigns-251349

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In 2025, more than 2,100 budget places will be available at NSU at all levels of training

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Today, TASS hosted a press conference dedicated to the specifics of the upcoming admissions campaign to universities in the Siberian Federal District. The event was attended by representatives of leading universities in Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Krasnoyarsk and Gorno-Altaisk. NSU was represented by Alexander Trusevich, Head of the Department for Work with Applicants.

    — Last year, more than 8,000 applicants showed interest in entering the university, in terms of the number of applications, this is, of course, several times more. We hope that this year the number will be even greater. As a rule, 2/3 of the total number of those enrolled are those who were enrolled in budget places, and the rest are paid admission. The interest and popularity of NSU is increasing among applicants based on the results of prestigious Olympiads — this is the All-Russian School Olympiad, these are the list Olympiads. Last year, the number of enrolled applicants with such results increased by almost 20%, — noted Alexander.

    In 2025, 2108 budget and 1363 fee-paying places will be available at NSU at all levels of training. In general, the number of places remains at the level of previous years.

    — This year, NSU will have a new category of places for the first time — places financed by industrial partners. Education in these places will be completely free for applicants, with the possibility of receiving a scholarship at the expense of industrial partners, — added Alexander.

    Among the main innovations that await applicants this year:

    — the most noticeable change compared to last year is the abolition of the requirement to provide the original educational document as a prerequisite for enrollment; instead of the original educational document, applicants must submit an application for consent to enrollment;

    — for the first time this year, applicants for master’s and postgraduate programs will be able to use the super service “Online University Admission” and submit documents using the “Gosuslugi” portal; this will expand the geography of applicants;

    — starting with this admissions campaign, universities must designate the maximum number of fee-paying places, which cannot be increased during the admissions campaign;

    — amendments were recently made to the Federal Law on Education, which will allow children of participants in military operations on the territory of the Russian Federation to enroll in places under a separate quota;

    — starting this year, a new type of individual achievements has been introduced for applicants to target quota places — targeted individual achievements; the maximum score that an applicant can receive is 5 points.

    This year, the university will introduce a number of new educational programs that train interdisciplinary specialists and cover promising areas. Among them are the specialty “Medical Cybernetics” and the master’s program “Industrial Pharmacy”. New educational programs are being implemented jointly with the MSU Engineering School, and large companies “Pharmstandard” and “Generium” are industrial partners. New educational programs will be developed on the basis of the infrastructure of the educational and scientific center of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies, which is part of the modern NSU campus, built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Also starting this year, NSU is opening admission to the bachelor’s degree program “Applied Artificial Intelligence”. This program won the federal grant competition for training top specialists in the field of artificial intelligence. The pilot recruitment will consist of 150 students. The program will be implemented with the active participation of industrial partners – Rostelecom and Innotech (T1). Grant support will allow students to study for free and receive scholarships from industrial partners.

    On Faculty of Physics a new Master’s program “Applied Mathematics and Physics” will be implemented. Within its framework, training will be conducted in three profiles – “Space and Special Instrumentation”, “Medical Physics” and “Information Processes and Systems”.

    If we talk about the most popular areas, then the biggest competition is for those with a small number of budget places, for example: linguistics; business informatics; jurisprudence. The competition for them reaches 50 people per place.

    According to the results of the 2024 admissions campaign, the following can be distinguished among the most popular areas of natural science and engineering:

    — Applied Mathematics and Physics — 33.6 people per place (14 people enrolled on a budgetary basis);

    — Computer science and engineering — 27.3 people per place (185 people enrolled on a budgetary basis);

    — Physics. Physical informatics — 14.6 people per place (28 people enrolled on a budgetary basis);

    — Mechatronics and robotics — 13.8 people per place (70 people enrolled on a budgetary basis);

    — Chemistry — 9.9 people per place (65 people enrolled on a budget basis).

    — The interest in NSU from applicants coming from other regions is growing. Thus, last year, out of 2,000 people admitted to bachelor’s and specialist’s degree programs, almost 50% were not from the Novosibirsk Region. Moreover, applicants come not only from neighboring regions, but also from the central part of Russia: from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Kaliningrad, Samara and other cities, — Alexander emphasized.

    The university is increasing the number of foreign students, primarily interested in medical, natural science and engineering research areas. Many applicants are from the CIS – Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Among the far abroad countries, the top countries include China, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. This year, a joint educational program for a bachelor’s degree in physics will open with Chongqing University, 60 Chinese students will be accepted.

    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 United Kingdom: Relief for residents as court action helps turn the tide on anti-social behaviour

    Source: City of Leeds

    Partial closure orders covering five blocks of flats near Hunslet Moor Park were granted to Leeds City Council by magistrates earlier this year following an investigation by West Yorkshire Police into local drug dealing activity.

    The terms of the three-month orders meant it temporarily became an arrestable offence for unauthorised visitors to the flats to be present in communal spaces such as foyers, landings, stairwells and lifts.

    This, it was hoped, would act as a deterrent to people who – by gaining entry to the buildings for the purpose of buying or selling drugs – had left many residents feeling distressed and intimidated.

    It was also hoped that the threat of arrest would put a stop to youths hanging around the flats – despite living elsewhere – and making a general nuisance of themselves.

    The restrictions covered the Crescent Grange and Crescent Towers high-rises as well as three low-rise blocks on nearby Moor Crescent Chase, off Dewsbury Road.

    And their introduction had the desired effect, with residents saying the flats subsequently became safer and more pleasant places to live.

    Should the situation there begin to worsen again, the council has the option of going back to court to seek a new set of partial closure orders.

    The impact of the investigation – carried out by the police’s Team Leodis unit – was not limited to the flats alone.

    Full closure orders were secured for six residential addresses in the wider Dewsbury Road area that were identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour.

    A number of cases were also found where criminals had attempted to exploit vulnerable members of the community, including people who had recently overcome addiction issues or had been rehoused after a period of homelessness.

    Some of these cases involved a practice known as ‘cuckooing’, where a person’s home is taken over – often by force, coercion or deceit – and used as a base for storing, supplying or producing drugs as well as other unlawful activity.

    Referrals were made – both within the council and to appropriate external agencies – to ensure that the victims identified during the investigation have the support they need to get their lives back on track.

    And, in cases where people had been targeted in their own homes, partial closure restrictions – like the ones put in place at Crescent Grange, Crescent Towers and Moor Crescent Chase – were used as a way of deterring unwanted visitors.

    In addition, criminal behaviour orders (CBOs) were imposed on three individuals following an application to the courts by Team Leodis.

    The exact conditions of the CBOs vary from person to person, but for one of the three they included a five-year ban on entering any part of Beeston.

    A breach of a CBO is a criminal offence that can lead to a custodial sentence of up to five years for adults or up to two years for those aged under 18.

    Team Leodis’s work covered the stretch of Dewsbury Road that runs from the M621 flyover down to Beeston’s Cross Flatts Park, although its primary focus was the area around Crescent Grange, Crescent Towers and Moor Crescent Chase.

    An overwhelming majority of the residents in the flats who were contacted during a recent police survey said there had been a reduction in anti-social behaviour following the introduction of the partial closure restrictions.

    Responding to the survey, one person living in Crescent Towers said: “I haven’t seen anyone hanging around at all and haven’t seen people following anyone in.”

    Another resident in Crescent Towers said: “Things seem to be better. Thank you for doing what you are doing and trying to make it better for us all.”

    One resident on Moor Crescent Chase, meanwhile, said: “Things have calmed down a lot, there are very few people hanging round.”

    Part-funded by the council’s housing service, Team Leodis primarily comprises police officers with expert knowledge of how court orders and injunctions can be used to stop crime and anti-social behaviour.

    They focus on one part of the city at a time while tackling problems that are causing concern for council tenants, with support from housing, legal and other council staff as well as officers from local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

    Their work has previously achieved successful results in areas such as Holbeck, Holt Park, Seacroft and Little London.

    Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said:

    “We want every single part of Leeds to be a place where people feel safe and secure, both at home and while they are going about their daily business.

    “It’s really pleasing, therefore, to see the positive impact that Team Leodis’s latest deployment has had on these flats as well as the surrounding areas.

    “The results show what can be achieved by a refusal to tolerate any sort of crime or anti-social behaviour and also underline the value of partnership working, in this case between the council and West Yorkshire Police.

    “My thanks go to everyone involved with Team Leodis for their expertise, their tenacity and, above all, the difference they continue to make to communities across the city.”

    Sergeant Edel Fox, from West Yorkshire Police’s Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said:

    “This operation saw multiple police departments working closely with the council and other partners in the community, and has delivered significant results in the ongoing fight against crime.  

    “This marks a strong step forward in our collective mission to bring offenders to justice and restore safety and confidence in the local area. But I want to stress that the work doesn’t end here. We remain in the area continuing this vital work in the Dewsbury Road area. 

    “I would urge people to continue to report any issues so action can be taken. You can also sign up to West Yorkshire Police Community Alert to receive updates about what’s going on in your area as well as crime prevention advice.”  

    Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour in their community can make a report via the council’s website or by calling 0113 222 4402.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Invest Hong Kong promotes Hong Kong’s business advantages in Beijing and Tianjin (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Invest Hong Kong promotes Hong Kong’s business advantages in Beijing and Tianjin
         During her visit, Ms Lee met with numerous companies to understand their overseas strategies, while promoting Hong Kong business opportunities. She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” between the Mainland and global markets under the “one country, two systems” framework. She will also follow up with Beijing-based companies that recently joined the Business Delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to the Middle East.
        
         In Beijing and Tianjin, InvestHK held thematic discussions with organisations such as the China Alcoholic Drinks Association to showcase the immense opportunities for liquor businesses following Hong Kong’s reduction in liquor duty. InvestHK also co-organised a series of promotional activities with industry associations, including policy exchange sessions and seminars on global expansion for F&B enterprises.
     
         InvestHK yesterday (May 28) hosted a thematic roundtable event in Beijing with F&B industry representatives to exchange views on overseas expansion and Hong Kong’s investment policies. Ms Lee explained that Hong Kong serves as a vital bridge between the Mainland and international markets, offering unparalleled business advantages for Mainland enterprises to expand overseas.
     
         “As a world-renowned culinary capital, Hong Kong is an ideal testing ground for F&B brands aiming to internationalise,” said Ms Lee. “The city’s diverse consumer base enables brands to validate product acceptance across cultures. With a robust influx of international visitors, brands can also benefit from strong word-of-mouth marketing. Hong Kong’s mature F&B ecosystem provides an ideal platform for innovation, while local talent with international prospective and global experience offers a solid foundation for international expansion,” she said.
     
         The Head of Tourism and Hospitality at InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong, gave a detailed overview of Hong Kong’s F&B market advantages and how the city can support Mainland enterprises in scaling their overseas presence. The Associate Director of the Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing (Beijing Office) , Ms Eunice Chan, delivered  welcome remarks at the event.
     
         InvestHK today (May 29) visited Tianjin to engage with major local wine companies to promote Hong Kong’s latest policies on the alcohol industry. A seminar entitled Leveraging Hong Kong’s Advantages to Support Tianjin F&B Enterprises Going Global was held, co-organised by Hong Kong Bauhinia College and the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, and supported by the Tianjin Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, and the Tianjin Federation of Industry and Commerce.
     
         In her welcome remarks, Ms Lee said, “Tianjin and Hong Kong have long enjoyed close economic and trade ties. Hong Kong is Tianjin’s largest source of foreign investment and a vital platform for local enterprises to go global. With its unique advantages of having the staunch support of the country while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world, Hong Kong’s thriving culinary economy presents opportunities for Mainland brands to grow their brand influence. Tianjin enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s open and internationalised environment to accelerate their global expansion. “She highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a vital international gateway, capable of helping Tianjin culinary brands set sail for overseas markets and expand their global presence.
     
         Ms Wong shared an in-depth analysis of Hong Kong’s market environment, along with practical case studies, and the HKSAR Government’s latest policies to attract businesses, encouraging them to utilise the Hong Kong platform for outbound investment.
     
         The Chairman of the Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, Ms Han Xiuyun, delivered welcome remarks, pledging to deepen economic, trade, and investment co-operation, particularly in the catering sector, between Tianjin and Hong Kong, enabling enterprises from both places to capitalise on their respective strengths for mutual development.
     
         During the professional services sharing session, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Beijing Yingke (Hangzhou) Law Firm and Director of Yingke Global Catering Enterprise (outbound investment) Service Center, Mr Chen Shaojun, and the Chief Immigration Officer of the Beijing Office, Mr Xarier Wong, delivered keynote speeches on Hong Kong’s professional services and talent schemes to attendees. Vice President of Xiabu Xiabu Group, Ms Zhang Yanmei, shared experiences on the company’s business set-up and growth in Hong Kong, encouraging catering businesses to stronglyconsider Hong Kong’s platform for brand internationalisation.
     
         The seminar also featured a Q&A session for enterprises interested in setting up in Hong Kong. Hong Kong representatives addressed their queries in detail. The event attracted more than 80 representatives from Tianjin businesses, institutions, and media.
     
         For photos of the seminar, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326484438Issued at HKT 18:42

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: North Antrim MP backs criticism of Policing Board on “Sean” allegations

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    TUV leader Jim Allister said:

    “I welcome Jon Burrows’ forthright and necessary intervention regarding the Policing Board’s handling of the now-discredited allegations made by “Sean” against the PSNI’s Tactical Support Group.

    “Mr Burrows has spoken for many who have been left voiceless throughout this manufactured saga. The Policing Board, by way of contrast, has shown itself to be unfit for purpose.

    “The Board’s handling of this matter has been marked by inaction and a disturbing lack of curiosity. At a time when the reputations of serving officers were being publicly traduced, the body charged with holding the police to account simply looked the other way. The Justice Minister was no better. It is a matter of deep concern that it was left to former officers, not those in oversight roles, to defend their colleagues and expose the truth.

    “While “Sean” has now admitted to fabricating his claims, and while the Chief Constable has confirmed there was no sectarianism within the unit, the damage was done — and the silence from key voices on the Board was deafening. That was a dereliction of duty.

    “Only one elected representative – Alan Chambers – challenged the narrative we all now know to be false publicly on the Board. Others – particularly elected representatives from larger parties – must ask themselves why they remained silent while police officers were smeared.

    “The Policing Board must be held to account for its role in allowing a false narrative to gain traction, unchecked and unchallenged. Jon Burrows has provided a vital public service in demanding answers which should have been sought by the Board and indeed Minister Long.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic arrangements for Tuen Ng Festival

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts from May 30 to 31 to facilitate public viewing of the dragon boat races and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movement and pedestrian safety.  

    Southern District
    —————— The public car park near the refuse collection point on Stanley Beach Road.- Four metered parking spaces on Island Road opposite to the Deep Water Bay Golf Course;
    – Sixteen metered parking spaces on Island Road near the Deep Water Bay Beach barbecue site; and
    – All motorcycle parking spaces on Island Road.——-
     
         The cycling track along the northern riverside of Shing Mun River Channel outside Yuen Wo Tennis Court will be closed from 2pm on May 30 to 3pm on May 31.——

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –