NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI: Multibeam Grows International Presence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif. and YOKOHAMA, Japan, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — To address rising global demand for its E-Beam Lithography (EBL) production systems, Multibeam has established a new sales presence in Japan. President Ken MacWilliams announced the move in Yokohama today during his keynote address at Photomask Japan, the leading symposium on photomask and next-generation lithography mask technology.

    The development marks a new phase in Multibeam’s growth strategy. It follows the launch of the company’s multicolumn EBL production system and inaugural shipment to foundry leader, SkyWater Technology.

    The move aligns with the urgent imperative for faster chip design and manufacturing cycles. The trend is driving interest in Multibeam’s direct-write EBL technology for its proven ability to speed time to production and radically cut operational costs. Demand is especially evident in the advanced packaging arena where the system can be used to enable a scalable path beyond Moore’s Law, transcend conventional mask reticle limits, and drive much higher chip-to-chip performance levels than previously achievable. In addition, there is growing interest from the power, photonics and MEMs sectors for the system’s significant depth of focus capability which allows for faster, seamless patterning over warped wafers and high-topography surfaces.

    “A dedicated sales presence in Japan will help us better serve our local customers while giving us a strong position in this thriving IC innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. David K. Lam, Multibeam CEO. “It’s an essential part of our strategy to harness the surging interest in our technology’s unique enabling capabilities from semiconductor companies in the US and international markets. We’re excited to take this significant step.”

    Multibeam’s platform revolutionizes EBL with new productivity advantages, while enabling high resolution, fine features, wide field of view, and large depth of focus. The chief productivity driver is the novel architecture which employs multiple miniature columns that operate individually and in parallel, with an advanced control system directing the beams to achieve maximum accuracy, quality, and speed. Throughput is more than 100 times greater than conventional EBL systems, making the MB platform the highest productivity high-resolution maskless lithography system on the market. With Synopsys EDA embedded into the systems, a mix and match dynamic can also be employed, where a portion of layers are printed with masks and others are patterned with Multibeam. It gives manufacturing leaders a breakthrough solution to enable rapid development of new IC designs, rapid time to market, and accelerated IC innovation.

    About Multibeam

    Multibeam helps semiconductor leaders accelerate chip innovation with the industry’s first Multicolumn E-Beam Lithography (MEBL) system built for volume production. The technology enables applications like rapid prototyping, next-generation advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration, chip ID and traceability, high-mix quick-turn manufacturing, high-performance compound semiconductors, high-efficiency silicon photonics, 3D MEMS structures, and more. Led by Dr. David Lam and headquartered in Silicon Valley, the company is privately held and led by a team of semiconductor equipment and patterning technology experts. For more information, visit www.multibeamcorp.com.

    Japan Sales Contact: Nobutada Miura; Email: nmiura@multibeamcorp.com

    U.S. Sales Contact: Roger Van Art; Email: rvanart@multibeamcorp.com

    Media/Analyst Contact (U.S.): Shani Williams; Email: swilliams@multibeamcorp.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/511f7ddc-9749-41ab-a039-87e532a69008

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Members of a Massive International Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Ring Indicted in Atlanta

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    On April 1, 2025, seven individuals in Georgia and Mexico were indicted by a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia related to a drug trafficking and money laundering ring tied to a Mexico-based trafficker.

    Related: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/members-massive-international-drug-trafficking-and-money-laundering-ring-indicted

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Q_VV3Boks

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — Cocaine identified as lead drug responsible for overdose deaths in NL, RCMP NL warns users of high purity street-level cocaine

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP NL is warning drug users of the dangers in using cocaine. Recent seizures in this province have determined that current street-level quantities of cocaine are of an extremely high potency. Cocaine currently is the leading drug causing toxicity (overdose) deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    While fentanyl is a highly toxic and dangerous substance, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has confirmed that cocaine is the most prevalent drug responsible for toxicity deaths within Newfoundland and Labrador. The OCME is reporting a marked increase in both cocaine and fentanyl related toxicity deaths since 2023.

    The OCME has reported a total of 158 toxicity deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador between 2023-2024, of which 87% were accidental deaths. 49% of these deaths involved cocaine alone while 18 % of these deaths involved fentanyl and/or analogs of fentanyl alone. In the remaining deaths, a number of other drugs were detected, including other stimulants such as methylphenidate, ecstasy (MDMA), and amphetamines, other opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, as well as various Benzodiazepines “Cocaine has caused significant harms in this province in recent years with respect to mortality and hospitalizations. said Chief Medical Examiner for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Nash Denic. The number of deaths where cocaine has been implicated has steadily risen since 2021 with sharp increases in 2023 and 2024.”

    With drastic changes in the potency of street-level cocaine over the past couple of years, the province has seen drastic increases in the number of cocaine toxicity deaths. From 2018-2022, the province had an annual average of 14 toxicity deaths attributed solely to cocaine. Between 2023-2024, this average has more than doubled, with an annual average of 36 deaths attributed solely to cocaine.

    RCMP Federal Policing Eastern Region has seen a dramatic increase in the purity of street-level cocaine seized in the province, noting recent purity levels between 94-96%. “Up until about 2-3 years ago, cocaine seized at the street-level in the province was on average 15%-20% pure. said Inspector David Emberley of RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region. In the last couple of years, this purity level has risen to an average of over 90% purity, which can easily result in overdose and death. Unfortunately, many people have a cavalier attitude towards cocaine use and are likely not aware of its fatal impacts.”

    RCMP officers throughout the province are equipped with Naloxone kits, which are also readily available for free for the general public through Gov NL’s Health Services. Naloxone kits are only effective for suspected opioid overdose situations and are not effective for those under the influence of cocaine. Information on how to obtain a Naloxone kit can be found here:

    Naloxone Kit Distribution Sites – Health and Community Services

    If you suspect someone is experiencing a cocaine overdose, please call 911 immediately and obtain medical support. Residents are reminded of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which offers some legal protections to those who experience or witness a drug overdose. More information on the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can be found here:

    About the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act – Canada.ca

    Those who are suffering from drug addiction are encouraged to reach out for support. More information on available supports can be found here:

    Mental Health and Addictions – Health and Community Services

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Hate Crime Threats against The Council on American-Islamic Relations (“CAIR”) Michigan Chapter

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Hate Crime)

    DETROIT – Michael Shapiro, 73, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for issuing death threats to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (“CAIR”) Michigan Chapter, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced.

    Beck was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Chad Baugh, Chief of the Canton Police Department.

    According to court documents, Shapiro, of West Palm Beach, Florida, placed three separate phone calls to CAIR’s office located in Canton, Michigan, and left voicemails containing the following threats:

    • December 8, 2023: “I’m going to kill you bastards. I’m going to kill you bastards.”
    • December 14, 2023: ““I’m going to kill you mother f*****g bastards. Muslims! I’m going to kill you mother f*****s. I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you!”
    • December 15, 2023: “You’re a violent people. Why do you come to America? Why do you come to Europe? Mother f*****s. You’re violent. You’re killers. You’re rapists. I’m going to kill you mother f*****s!”

    Shapiro pleaded guilty on December 3, 2024 to transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Shapiro also admitted that he intentionally selected CAIR as the victim of his threat because of the actual and perceived religion and national origin of the people who work at and are assisted by CAIR.

    “No one should be able to instill fear on an entire community by threatening violence. Today’s sentence sends a strong message that people who do so, especially when motivated by bias, will be aggressively prosecuted and severely punished, ” Acting U.S. Attorney Beck said.

    “Today’s sentencing of Michael Shapiro highlights the severe consequences of hate-driven threats and sends a strong message to others with similar malicious intentions,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI in Michigan remains committed to investigating and dismantling individuals or groups that sow fear and hatred within our communities. Mr. Shapiro’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of our critical role in investigating federal hate crimes. We are dedicated to fostering positive relationships with our community, including faith-based organizations. In partnership with the Canton Police Department and the successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, we have ensured justice was served by holding Mr. Shapiro accountable for his actions.”

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lee Carlson.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nashville Felon on Probation for Homicide Now Federally Charged with Firearm and Drug Crimes

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

    NASHVILLE – Dejuan Bell, 33, of Nashville, has been charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and cocaine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    “Our efforts in Operation Bond Watch are designed to keep those with violent histories from possessing firearms and putting our community at risk,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “A person previously and recently convicted of killing someone should not have a handgun – period.”

    According to court documents, on the afternoon of March 18, 2025, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department detectives monitoring Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) cameras saw Bell arrive at the James Cayce Homes. The detectives were familiar with Bell because of his involvement in a 2018 homicide in Nashville. They saw Bell get out of the driver’s seat of a Nissan Altima and walk up to several people who were on porches. Bell was on the MDHA “No Trespassing” list, and he had a suspended driver’s license.

    On the MDHA cameras, the detectives saw Bell approach the driver’s side door of a black truck that was stopped on South Sixth Street. Bell and the truck’s driver exchanged pills and a plastic bag, then Bell put the pills and plastic bag in his pant pockets and walked back to the James Cayce Homes porches. Bell went back to the Nissan Altima several times. When the detectives attempted to make contact with Bell, he fled on foot. While running from detectives, Bell threw away a firearm that had been in his pants waistband. The firearm, a Glock 23 Gen5, .40 caliber pistol, was recovered, and a search of the firearm’s history revealed that it had been reported stolen. Detectives caught Bell, and during a search incident to his arrest, detectives discovered $2,180 cash and 4.2 grams of suspected oxycodone pills in a plastic bag in Bell’s pants pockets.

    The Nissan Altima smelled of marijuana and detectives conducted a probable cause search of the car and discovered individual plastic bags of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana, a plastic bag containing 4.5 grams of a white/grey powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, and a digital scale in the car’s console.

    After being read his Miranda rights, Bell agreed to answer questions. Bell admitted he had a manslaughter conviction for which he was on probation. Bell told detectives he had marijuana and cocaine for sale. Bell admitted to purchasing the firearm in the Cayce area approximately two weeks earlier, and that he ran from the detectives because he had the firearm on him.

    Bell has three prior felony convictions in Davidson County Criminal Court: for Reckless Aggravated Assault, for which he received a two-year sentence; Evading Arrest by Motor Vehicle, for which he received a one-year sentence; and Voluntary Manslaughter, for which he received a six-year sentence, and was placed on probation October 27, 2023.

    If convicted, Bell faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge, up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the drug charge, and 5 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime charge.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second Member of San Antonio Gun Theft Ring Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a gun theft and trafficking conspiracy.

    According to court documents, between January and October 2023, Alcapone Maximus Pena, 23, was involved in the theft of firearms and vehicles in and around the San Antonio area as well as the sale of those stolen firearms. Pena, codefendant Nathan Tyler Padilla, 27, and others repeatedly broke into vehicles which they identified as likely to have firearms and that they believed they would be able to illegally sell.

    A search of Pena’s home on Oct. 25, 2023 resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms. An additional 17 firearms were located in a separate search warrant and determined to be trafficked by Pena. During the course of the conspiracy, Pena was responsible for the knowing and illegal trafficking of 25-99 firearms. The investigation also revealed information that showed Padilla’s cell phone had been present during the theft of several seized firearms. For his work in the firearm thefts, Padilla would receive a share of the proceeds that came from the firearms’ eventual sale to third parties.

    Both Pena and Padilla were named in a seven-count indictment filed Nov. 15, 2023. Pena was charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, one count of possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of stolen firearms. Padilla, who had been previously convicted on Aug. 16, 2023 for the offense of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, was charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.

    The two codefendants pleaded guilty Jan. 7, 2025. Padilla was sentenced on April 1 to 90 months in federal prison.

    “This case highlights the importance of holding individuals trafficking in firearms accountable for their actions.  Each year, thousands of guns are stolen from vehicles in the San Antonio area, and then many of these are used to commit crimes, including violent crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “We, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, remain fully committed to investigating and prosecuting these firearm thefts as part of our commitment to public safety.”

    “This case is a great example of our unwavering commitment to protecting our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. “By bringing individuals involved in gun theft and trafficking to justice, we are not only holding criminals accountable but also taking meaningful steps to reduce the kind of violent crime that threatens our neighborhoods. Our community is safer today because of the tireless efforts of our agency and our law enforcement partners.”

    The ATF investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Parsons prosecuted 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).

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Victims sought after series of burglaries linked to the dating app Grindr

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met Police officers are appealing for victims to come forward following a number of burglaries, thefts and fraud offences committed across London, with victims identified by criminals via the social networking and dating app Grindr.

    It’s believed approximately 50 offences have taken place between October 2024 and March this year, and officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command would like to hear from anyone who may have been targeted or has information that will assist with their investigation.

    Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead who is overseeing the investigation, said:

    “This is a series of pre-planned offences where unsuspecting victims have been targeted, often in their own homes, resulting in high-value items being taken.

    “In the majority of cases, the suspects would arrange to meet the victims at their homes via the Grindr app, and once inside, would steal high value items including mobile phones.

    “In other reports we have received, they build a rapport with the victim while paying close attention to the pin number they enter into their phones before using distraction techniques to steal them, going on to make various digital payments and transactions.

    “Due to the volume of these offences and the serious impact on the safety of both individuals and communities, we are treating them as potential hate crimes.”

    The investigation has resulted in three arrests so far.

    A 22-year-old man from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire was arrested on Thursday, 3 April on suspicion of burglary and fraud offences. He was charged and remanded in custody.

    Two other men, aged 27 and 28 and both from Harrow, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and are on bail while the investigation continues.

    Superintendent Renowden, added:

    “Our investigation is progressing at pace, but we believe there are a number of offences that have not yet been reported to us, so I urge anyone who may have been targeted, or may have crucial information that will help us with our enquiries, to contact us as soon as possible.”

    “I understand some people may be apprehensive about getting in touch with us, but I’d like to provide reassurance that all reports will be thoroughly investigated.

    “We are working closely with our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group and the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, GALOP, to ensure we conduct our investigation with sensitivity and care.

    “The Met Police is fully committed to ensuring all our communities in London feel safe, as well as continuing to enhance the trust and confidence LGBT+ people place in us. Organised crime has a devastating impact on society and your help will be key in helping us bring those responsible to justice.”

    If you’re a victim or have information that could assist officers with their investigation, you can contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 5090/15APR.

    You can also remain 100 per cent anonymous and pass information onto the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting Crimestoppers-uk.org, as well as GALOP, via their national helpline on 0800 999 5428.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cory Booker’s long speech offers a strategy for Trump opponents in a fragmented media landscape

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Erik Johnson, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies, Stetson University

    Sen. Cory Booker speaks to reporters in the Senate Chamber after delivering a record-setting floor speech at the U.S. Capitol on April 1, 2025. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

    Sen. Cory Booker’s record-breaking, 25-hour Senate floor speech, which began on March 31, 2025, and ended on April 1, momentarily snatched the national spotlight from President Donald Trump.

    The ever-churning national news cycle has already moved on from the spectacle.

    But as communication studies scholars, we believe Booker’s speech offers important lessons for Trump opponents in a fragmented political and media landscape.

    Our analysis of Booker’s speech, its media coverage and Booker’s use of online platforms to promote his marathon performance illustrate one way to disrupt the constant public spotlight on Trump.

    Conventions of long speeches

    In research published in 2023, we compared filibusters and long speeches in the United States and overseas. The long speeches we examined took place in national parliaments and political party meetings across the world.

    Our research uncovered three patterns.

    Long speeches incorporate varied topics and texts. Whether or not these digressions are relevant to the issue at hand, they make the speaker’s remarks last longer.

    In Sen. Rand Paul’s nearly 13-hour filibuster of John Brennan’s CIA nomination in 2013, for example, he read articles on drone warfare alongside a portion of “Alice in Wonderland.” And Sen. Alfonse D’Amato’s 1986 filibuster of a military spending bill included a partial reading of the District of Columbia phone book.“

    Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., leaves the floor of the Senate after his filibuster of the nomination of John Brennan to be CIA director on March 7, 2013.
    AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

    Long speeches also include expected interruptions to the speaker’s performance and address a variety of audiences.

    That’s what happened during Sen. Strom Thurmond’s 1957 filibuster of the Civil Rights Act – the longest speech on the Senate floor before Booker’s performance. When Thurmond needed a bathroom break during his 24-hour, 18-minute filibuster, Sen. Barry Goldwater assisted by stalling with a report on military preparedness.

    These patterns of topical digression and expected interruption challenge the image of filibusters as individual acts of continuous endurance promoted in films such as ”Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.“ And they apply to Booker’s Senate speech.

    Our research also demonstrated how the media reframes the complexity of long speeches into simplified narratives. This coverage sometimes differs as different outlets target varied audiences.

    News reports on Thurmond’s filibuster bolstered an image of him as the lone senator defending segregation while the rest of the Senate slept.

    After state Sen. Wendy Davis’ filibuster of a 2013 anti-abortion bill in Texas, supporters linked the filibuster to her rising political prospects, while opponents disparaged her with the nickname Abortion Barbie.

    These reactions do not grapple directly with the wide-ranging content of long speeches. But they do allow them to reach audiences in ways that can shape popular memory of the event.

    Booker’s 25-hour speech

    Like other long speeches we have studied, Booker’s Senate speech addressed several topics.

    Booker read a passage from the Federalist Papers that advocated for constitutional checks and balances on the executive branch. At another point, he quoted federal appellate Judge Learned Hand, who was called the “Tenth Justice” of the Supreme Court in the first half of the 20th century. Booker also used personal anecdotes that linked his parents to the civil rights struggle and reflected on his first senate campaign.

    But mainstream news stories covering Booker’s speech produced a largely coherent summary of the overall point of the marathon talk – as they saw it, it was a stand against Trump.

    Booker’s speech also aligned with another convention of long speeches – his monologue was broken up by the parliamentary questions of fellow senators.

    Numerous Democratic allies gave Booker a break as they introduced issues of their own interest. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, for example, used her time to discuss Bob Dylan.

    After the speech, however, many news outlets focused on Booker’s physical feat. This directed attention away from the hodgepodge of voices and sources in the speech.

    Fielding reporters’ questions after yielding the Senate floor, Booker discussed his use of fasting to prepare. And The New York Times reported on the effects of standing for so long and not sleeping.

    Debates about whether or how speakers stop to use the bathroom are a source of enduring fascination surrounding long speeches. It’s something that Thurmond biographer Joseph Crespino calls the “urological mystery.”

    Media fixation on Booker’s body reimagined him as the sole speaker.

    Strategies shaping online coverage

    When Booker broke the record, roughly 115,000 people were streaming the speech on YouTube. A TikTok livestream of the event received 350 million likes by the end of the day.

    Booker was prepared for this online attention. Throughout the speech, he repeated a strategic set of phrases. Those ranged from “Let’s get in good trouble” – a reference to the late John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who served in the U.S. House of Representatives, that appeals to Booker’s political base – to “This is a moral moment,” a slogan that evokes Rev. William Barber II’s broad-based “moral movement.”

    After the speech, Booker repeated these taglines on social media, at a New Jersey town hall and in interviews with national media.

    In this image provided by Senate Television, Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, speaks on the Senate floor on April 1, 2025.
    Senate Television via AP

    Trump’s “flood the zone” approach to policymaking, which occupies media coverage through overwhelming activity, has been widely discussed by the media.

    Booker’s speech demonstrates that for resistance to be effective, it must be noticed.

    His use of easily excerpted catchphrases targeted media platforms built around short, viral video clips. The length of Booker’s speech made it newsworthy, but short clips are necessary to sustain attention online.

    On April 2, news commentators and media outlets posed a number of questions that were not about Trump: Why did Booker speak that long? How did he prepare? Was he wearing a diaper?

    These questions are part of the simplifications that occur in response to long speeches, and the media briefly paused from constant Trump coverage to ask them again.

    Other coverage has noted that Google searches for Booker have increased since the speech – and it has speculated whether the speech might improve Democratic Party approval ratings.

    More recently, an April 13 op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution picked up on Booker’s use of “good trouble” and declared, “Cory Booker is following in footsteps of Rep. John Lewis.”

    By grabbing hold of a stage and not letting go, Booker became a figure of focus for at least one news cycle.

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

    – ref. Cory Booker’s long speech offers a strategy for Trump opponents in a fragmented media landscape – https://theconversation.com/cory-bookers-long-speech-offers-a-strategy-for-trump-opponents-in-a-fragmented-media-landscape-253911

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Weinberg, Professor of Astronomy, The Ohio State University

    The Mayall 4-meter Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory houses the DESI instrument. KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Marenfeld

    Gravity pulls us to earth, a lesson you learn viscerally the first time you fall. Isaac Newton described gravity as a universal attractive force, one that holds the Moon in orbit around the Earth, the planets in orbit around the Sun, and the Sun in orbit around the center of our galaxy.

    In the 1990s, astronomers made the astonishing discovery that the expansion of the universe has sped up over the past 5 billion years, which implies that gravity can push as well as pull.

    Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains gravity as a consequence of curved space-time, where it allows for both attraction and repulsion. However, producing gravitational repulsion requires a new form of energy with exotic physical properties, often referred to as “dark energy.”

    New results from a large survey of the universe, announced in March 2025, are challenging the conventional picture of dark energy.

    Dark energy and cosmic expansion

    The simplest explanation for cosmic acceleration assumes a form of energy that fills apparently empty space and stays constant over time, instead of diluting as the universe expands.

    In fact, quantum mechanics predicts that “empty” space is filled with particles that flare briefly into and out of existence. At first glance, it seems like this effect could explain a constant dark energy, but no simple estimates of the effect’s magnitude line up with actual observations. Nonetheless, constant dark energy is a simple assumption that has proven successful in explaining many cosmological measurements.

    Today’s standard cosmological model incorporates this kind of constant dark energy. It also incorporates atoms and dark matter, which exert the attractive gravity that resists dark energy’s repulsion.

    New dark energy measurements

    The new measurements from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, collaboration, which we are affiliated with, pose the sharpest challenge yet to this standard model.

    Relative to the constant dark energy predictions, the new DESI measurements suggest that the universe was expanding slightly faster a few billion years ago – by 1% to 3% – before relaxing to the expansion rate predicted today. One explanation for this temporary speed up is that the “springiness” of dark energy – a combination of energy and pressure that determines its repulsive effect – was higher in the past. The springiness then declined as the universe expanded further.

    Astronomers can measure the history of the universe from our vantage point in the present because light travels at a finite speed. So, we see distant objects as they were in the past. Cosmic expansion stretches the wavelength of light – a phenomenon known as redshift. A precise measurement of an object’s light can reveal the size of the universe at the time the light was emitted.

    The new DESI results are based on measuring the redshifts of more than 14 million galaxies, creating a three-dimensional map that spans 12 billion years of cosmic history. To determine the distances light traveled across this map, DESI measured a subtle feature imprinted on the clustering of these galaxies by acoustic waves that traveled through the early universe.

    An exciting result

    DESI’s evidence for evolving dark energy comes from combining its own distance and redshift measurements with other measurements of the average density of matter in the universe. The higher the density of matter, the more strongly it can pull against dark energy’s expansive push. The matter density measurements come from the European-led Planck space mission, which mapped structure in the cosmic microwave background.

    The combination of DESI and Planck data favors evolving dark energy, instead of constant dark energy, with a statistical significance of 3.1 standard deviations. This result has only a 1 in 500 chance of occurring randomly.

    Despite the long odds, physicists consider such a finding to be solid but not overwhelming evidence, in part because even the most careful experimenters may underestimate uncertainties in their measurements.

    To strengthen the statistical case, DESI scientists added measurements of cosmic distances made by the Dark Energy Survey collaboration, which applied a different measurement technique based on the brightness of light from supernova explosions.

    The combination of DESI, Planck and Dark Energy Survey supernovae favors the evolving dark energy model by odds of 40,000 to 1. However, other supernova surveys give results that agree more with constant dark energy, so most cosmologists aren’t yet ready to abandon the standard cosmological model.

    Even if DESI’s findings hold up, they still can’t say what dark energy is. But they can provide much stronger clues than cosmologists had before.

    The DESI-based model implies that dark energy changed its properties surprisingly quickly. Dark energy began to lose its repulsive strength at about the same time it became the dominant form of energy in the cosmos.

    Extrapolating to the past, this model also implies that dark energy once had an extraordinary springiness, at a level that no simple theory of a dark energy field can explain. As future data sharpens these measurements, the findings could point us in a weird new direction – perhaps even challenging Einstein’s theory of gravity itself.

    In the model that fits the DESI data, the density of dark energy goes up and then declines, shown as a blue curve, instead of staying constant as assumed in the standard cosmological model, indicated by the horizontal dotted line. In either case, the density of atoms and dark matter dilutes as the universe expands, shown as a red curve, and today it is only about half that of dark energy. The repulsive effect of dark energy began to exceed the attractive effect of matter when the universe was about 8 billion years old, marked as ‘acceleration begins.’
    David Weinberg

    An ambitious experiment

    DESI is an extremely ambitious undertaking and an example of “big science” at its best. The instrument itself is mounted on the 4-meter Mayall Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. It uses 5,000 optical fibers mounted on tiny robotic positioners that guide the light from individual galaxies to scientific instruments that dissect that light and record the data for measuring redshifts.

    Every 15 minutes, the telescope shifts to a new area of the sky, and the robots move the fibers to point to 5,000 new galaxy locations. After five years of design and construction, DESI has operated continuously since 2021.

    A close-up of the DESI focal plane showing a few of the 5,000 fiber positioners. The white spots inside the bluish circles are the optical fibers that guide the light collected from distant galaxies to the spectrographs about 40 meters away.
    Dr. Claire Poppett, DESI Collaboration

    Led by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, DESI is a collaboration of over 900 scientists at 70 institutions around the world. At our university alone, more than 20 faculty, students, postdocs and research staff have worked on DESI over the past decade.

    This work includes contributions to building and installing spectrographs, which measure the properties of light, as well as writing software to record data, leading instrument operations, observing and troubleshooting at the telescope, designing galaxy and quasar surveys, creating catalogs for statistical analysis, testing measurement techniques with computer simulations, interpreting results and writing papers – all in tight communication with our collaborators.

    If the evidence for evolving dark energy holds up — and despite our instinctive caution, we think it has a good chance of doing so — it will join a list of remarkable 21st-century discoveries achieved with large U.S. national investments.

    These discoveries include the first detection of gravitational waves by the National Science Foundation-funded Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, LIGO, and the spectacular measurements of galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

    These achievements show what the support of science by U.S. taxpayers and dedicated, creative researchers across the globe can accomplish.

    David Weinberg receives funding from the National Science Foundation and NASA that supports his dark energy research.

    Ashley Ross receives funding from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to support his work on DESI and NASA to support work on related experiments.

    Klaus Honscheid receives funding from Department of Energy.

    Paul Martini receives funding from the Department of Energy.

    – ref. Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history – https://theconversation.com/dark-energy-may-have-once-been-springier-than-it-is-today-desi-cosmologists-explain-what-their-collaborations-new-measurement-says-about-the-universes-history-253067

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Vorlon’s DataMatrix™ Cracks Open ‘Black Box’ of SaaS Ecosystem Security to Eliminate Blind Spots

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the first time, Vorlon is enabling security teams to crack open the opaque “black box” of SaaS security with the introduction of its patent-pending DataMatrix™. The technology breakthrough fills the API security logging gaps present in more than 50% of SaaS apps and gives security teams the visibility and tools needed to protect the entire interconnected SaaS ecosystem.

    Vorlon will be at RSAC 2025, demonstrating DataMatrix™ and its SaaS ecosystem security platform at Booth #ESE-66 in the Early Stage Expo Hall.

    Existing solutions don’t solve the problem

    Today’s SaaS security is broken, not just due to misconfigurations but also because security teams cannot see data flowing through APIs, SaaS human and non-human identities, and third-party services. Akamai estimates that app-to-app data flows already represent 83% of internet traffic.

    Yet, these webs of API-enabled connections are unmonitored and leave blind spots that attackers are increasingly exploiting, leading to a 68% yearly growth rate in third-party breaches (Verizon DBIR). Furthermore, this complex attack surface is expanding rapidly due to the distributed nature of modern applications, no-code integrations, and AI-driven automation.

    “Vorlon gives me a visualization of our SaaS ecosystem,” said Anthony Lee-Masis, CISO and Vice President of IT at ThoughtSpot. “With Vorlon, I can click into one of my SaaS apps and see all the other apps, services, and secrets connecting to it, and where the data is going. I’ve got the full context, and in the security world, context is king.”

    Vorlon’s research into top SaaS apps shows more than 50% of SaaS apps fail at meeting basic logging requirements because of the lack of maturity, consistency, and availability of SaaS API audit logs. Other red-flag findings were:

    • 30% lacked full API logging, meaning security teams would have no record of certain API-based activity
    • 40% failed to distinguish between human and machine-based activity, creating a major attribution challenge for security teams
    • Nearly 50% required additional licensing or manual support requests to access security logs

    In addition, existing security approaches, such as SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) or Non-Human Identity (NHI) security tools, only solve half the problem.

    • SSPM helps enforce access policies and reduce misconfiguration risks, but lacks real-time detection and response capabilities, especially when it comes to issues unrelated to configurations, such as traffic volume anomalies, dormant secrets, multi-use secrets, sensitive data access, and more.
    • NHI tools help track API keys, but do not provide the SaaS-wide visibility and context needed to prioritize risk and detect active threats.

    The bottom line is that these tools fail to provide the context needed to detect and respond to threats in this highly interconnected environment.

    Introducing Vorlon’s SaaS ecosystem security platform  

    In sharp contrast, Vorlon unifies SSPM, NHI security, data flow visibility, and detection and response into a single platform, providing the context to detect, investigate, and respond to real threats across modern SaaS ecosystems.

    “SaaS security is more than managing configurations or tracking API keys. It is about understanding how applications, integrations, sensitive data, and identities interact in real time to create a baseline, monitor suspicious activity, and prioritize risk,” said Amir Khayat, CEO and co-founder of Vorlon.

    “Today, security teams are missing this critical SaaS forensic data, making it difficult to detect, investigate, and respond to SaaS-based threats. This results in greater cybersecurity risks for enterprises, as it limits their ability to preemptively stop breaches and slows down the response to incidents when they occur. Vorlon closes these gaps to protect the entire SaaS ecosystem.”

    According to Gartner®, “Software as a service ecosystem security encompasses a comprehensive set of security controls and safeguards to secure the SaaS environment of an enterprise. Similar to multicloud protection providers, these solutions are multi-SaaS protection offerings. They support the ability to perform detection and response and respond to security incidents in real time with multi-SaaS alert ingestion and application visibility into shadow IT and user usage of applications. These security measures are essential for protecting sensitive data and ensuring the availability and integrity of that data within SaaS.”1

    SaaS security has long been constrained by a fragmented approach, in which individual applications are treated as isolated security challenges rather than part of an interconnected whole.

    Vorlon’s innovative approach secures the SaaS ecosystem as it really exists — one entire, interconnected attack surface. The company combines a unique set of capabilities in a single platform that examines what talks to what and how sensitive data flows across this complicated web of connections.

    To achieve this, Vorlon first eliminates the gaps in SaaS API monitoring. It captures API traffic from the environment’s SaaS apps, including third-party SaaS and mission-critical custom applications that are often deeply integrated into the broader SaaS ecosystem. It then enriches the raw data with intelligence gleaned from each SaaS vendor’s API docs and proprietary research.

    Addition of powerful DataMatrix™ engine provides single solution

    Using this information, the new DataMatrix™ technology generates an algorithmic model of the entire SaaS ecosystem. This “digital twin” comprises an out-of-band model, updated in near real time, which can now monitor sensitive data flows, detect anomalies and policy drift, and provide the context necessary for faster, AI-driven incident remediations.

    Vorlon’s SaaS ecosystem security platform, with its powerful DataMatrix™ engine, unifies SSPM and NHI security, data flow visibility and detection and response into a single solution, providing security teams with the context necessary to detect, investigate and respond to real threats across modern SaaS ecosystems. For the first time, teams can use a single solution that:

    • Provides comprehensive API visibility: Examines in depth how app-to-app data, identities, and secrets move between SaaS, internal applications, and connected services
    • Delivers real-time detection and response: Alerts on active threats in near real time; provides remediation steps that integrate with existing workflows in SIEM, SOAR, and ITSM tools
    • Correlates posture misconfigurations, secrets, API activity, and sensitive data flows: Alerts when the same secret is used across multiple SaaS applications, identifies active data exfiltration attempts, and revokes the key in two clicks before damage is done
    • Provides full context for security investigations: Shows what identities are doing, what data they can access, and whether the access is being misused

    Use cases for Vorlon’s SaaS ecosystem security platform include:

    • Breach Response: Assess the impact and recover from a third-party app breach
    • Third-Party Risk Management: Add real-time monitoring to cyber TPRM programs
    • NHI Security: Manage secrets and respond to suspicious behavior
    • SaaS Security: Provide visibility into APIs, risky misconfigurations, sensitive data flows, and suspicious behavior
    • Compliance: Audit-ready reports for PCI and data privacy mandates

    ​​​Schedule a meeting with Vorlon at RSA Conference 2025.

    Learn more about how Vorlon and DataMatrix provide proactive SaaS security online or schedule a demo now.

    Gartner, Emerging Tech: SaaS Ecosystem Security Products Transform SaaS Security, By Lawrence Pingree, Mark Wah, 19 July 2024.1 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    About Vorlon
    SaaS moves fast—Vorlon’s SaaS ecosystem security platform gives enterprises the context to move faster. By combining data flow visibility, posture and secrets management, and detection and response, Vorlon helps you see what’s connected, what’s at risk, and what to do next. With its agentless, patent-pending DataMatrix™ technology, Vorlon builds a live model of your SaaS environment to power fast, AI-driven remediation. Backed by Accel and SOC 2 Type 2 Certified, Vorlon is trusted by Fortune 500 companies to secure what others miss: the interactions between apps, identities, and data that power modern business. Learn more at vorlon.io.

    Media Contact:
    Montner Tech PR Deb Montner
    dmontner@montner.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ab69bd5-fe1f-4344-9078-b035007c7ff8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Antigonish — Antigonish County District RCMP charge New Glasgow Regional Police officer with sexual assault

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Antigonish County District RCMP has charged a man in relation to a sexual assault that occurred in Antigonish in 2007.

    In June 2024, Antigonish County District RCMP received a report of a sexual assault that had occurred during the summer of 2007. Investigators learned that the woman was sexually assaulted by a man at an event at a private home. She was a youth at the time of the assault.

    In April 2025, Cpl. Kyle Lesko, 38, of the New Glasgow Regional Police was served with a court summons for one count of Sexual Assault. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at Antigonish Provincial Court. Lesko was initially arrested in January and released pending further investigation.

    Lesko was a serving member of the Trenton Police Force in 2007 and was off-duty at the time of the assault.

    The investigation is ongoing and continues to be led by Antigonish County District RCMP.

    The RCMP takes all allegations of sexual violence seriously. If you are experiencing, or have experienced, sexual violence, including sexual assault, you are not alone. The RCMP adopts a trauma-informed approach and survivors can contact investigators and discuss an incident before deciding to further participate in the investigation and court process. Survivor supports are available, including through the RCMP Victim Services program.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fentanyl and Firearms Trafficker Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal Prison

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

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 11, 2025, Azjuan Meriwether (age: 25) of Milwaukee, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug and firearm offenses. 

    According to court records, a proactive law enforcement investigation revealed that Meriwether was the leader of an armed drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing at least 32 kilograms of fentanyl, at least 375 grams of para-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue), as well as methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs.  Meriwether and his organization also engaged in firearms trafficking involving the illegal sale of firearms, machinegun-conversion devices, also known as “switches,” and “ghost guns.” “Ghost guns” are privately made firearms, often assembled from pre-made kits, that do not possess serial numbers or other identifying markings, which make the firearms difficult to trace back to the original purchaser and manufacturer. As part of his plea agreement, Meriwether agreed that he personally and illegally sold 18 firearms and 6 “switches.”  Below is a photograph from the court record of firearms recovered as a result of this investigation.

    As a result of the investigation, Meriwether was arrested in Indiana. Before his arrest, Meriwether led officers on a high-speed chase that lasted approximately 2 hours and involved Meriwether driving his vehicle the wrong way on a highway, endangering civilians and officers. Law enforcement ultimately recovered approximately 375 grams of para-fluorofentanyl combined with heroin, approximately 165 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 29 grams of cocaine from Meriwether’s vehicle.

    “The conduct at issue in this case presented layer upon layer of danger to the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “This individual and his organization not only distributed dangerous – potentially lethal — controlled substances but also further endangered others through the sale of switches and ghost guns. The sentence imposed in this case is the direct result of strong partnerships among federal and local agencies, supported by the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). I commend the agents, task force officers, and support personnel who worked tirelessly to build this investigation and hold Mr. Meriwether accountable for his actions.”

    “Meriwether’s possession and sale of fentanyl and Machine Gun Conversion Devices posed a dual threat to our communities,” stated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon. “Through the use of NIBIN and collaborations like those seen in the Waukesha County Drug Task Force, law enforcement was able to link firearms possessed by Meriwether to violent acts. 

    Taking him off the streets helps stop the flow of drugs and Machine Gun Conversion Devices into our communities, which reduces crime, protects residents, and fosters safer neighborhoods.”

    “The DEA and their partners from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department continue to relentlessly pursue dangerous fentanyl traffickers like Meriwether. The DEA is grateful to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department for their unwavering commitment to dismantle violent drug-trafficking organizations and keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Milwaukee District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge John G. McGarry.

    “This investigation originated in a small Waukesha County community and through the hard work of our local Drug Task Force, and their partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, a criminal organization was dismantled.  These law enforcement relationships are paramount to effectively maintaining safety in our communities,” said Captain Tony Kasta, Waukesha County Drug Task Force.

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

               This matter was investigated by ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Waukesha County Drug Task Force, through a coordinated partnership supported by the North Central HIDTA. 

               In addition to the investigating agencies noted above, multiple law enforcement agencies participated in arrests, the execution of search warrants, and other matters related to the case, including the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (WI DOJ-DCI), the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the Milwaukee Police Department, the West Allis Police Department, as well as the Indiana State Patrol, Vermillion County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office, and the Vermillion County District Attorney’s Office. 

               The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Patricia Daugherty.

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitbourne — Whitbourne RCMP responds to tractor trailer crash on Route 202, trailer full of contraband cigarettes located and seized

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 53-year-old Ontario man was arrested by Whitbourne RCMP on April 13, 2025, after crashing a transport truck on Route 202 that police later determined contained a trailer full of contraband cigarettes.

    Shortly before 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Whitbourne RCMP received the report that a tractor trailer had departed the roadway and went down over an embankment on Route 202. Police attended the scene and located evidence to support that there was contraband tobacco in the trailer.

    The scene was secured overnight and a search warrant, authorized under the Criminal Code, was executed on April 14, 2025. Police accessed the trailer to conduct a search and found that the trailer was full of contraband tobacco. The contraband product was seized and the quantity of the seizure is be processed at this time.

    The driver was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges under the Excise Act, 2001 and the Revenue and Administration Act.

    The investigation is continuing.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE lodges immigration detainer against Mexican national arrested on allegations of kidnapping, rape of minor

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Victor Villalba-Bustamante, a 41-year-old Mexican illegal alien, following his arrest by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Sanford Police Department April 9. Villalba-Bustamante’s arrest stems from an incident in which he was found in a hotel room with a 14-year-old female victim who was reported missing.

    He has been criminally charged with two counts of statutory rape, abduction of a child, felony conspiracy to commit abduction, second-degree kidnapping, and solicitation of a minor by computer. The victim had been reported missing after failing to return home from school.

    Villalba-Bustamante has no prior criminal history however, due to the nature and severity of the criminal charges, ICE Homeland Security Investigations immediately lodged a detainer to ensure he remains in custody.

    “The safety and protection of children is one of our top priorities,” said ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Charlotte Cardell T. Morant, who also oversees North and South Carolina. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are working diligently to determine the full scope of this case, including any indicators of human trafficking or exploitation. We remain committed to holding accountable those who prey on vulnerable populations.”

    ICE HSI Raleigh along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Sanford Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and other state and local partners are looking into other potential crimes.

    The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springdale — Off-duty RCMP officer comes upon single-vehicle crash, teenaged driver arrested for impaired operation and refusing breath test

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A teenaged novice driver was arrested by Springdale RCMP for impaired operation after crashing a vehicle on Route 410, near the Trans-Canada Highway.

    At approximately 5:30 p.m., while off-duty, a police officer with Baie Verte RCMP came upon the scene of a crash and called 911. A vehicle was resting on its roof in a ditch and was heavily damaged. The driver, who held a beginner’s permit, was located at the scene and showed signs of alcohol impairment. On-duty RCMP officers from Springdale and Baie Verte detachments arrived at the scene. The driver was transported to Springdale hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

    At the hospital, the driver was arrested for impaired operation and refused to provide blood samples. She was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to face charges of impaired operation and refusing to comply with a blood demand. The driver received a licence suspension and the vehicle was seized and impounded.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Equity Fund applications open for 2025

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Fund helps make sure Canberra students have equal opportunities to participate fully in their schooling.

    In brief:

    • The Education Equity Fund helps low-income families with the cost of education essentials for their children.
    • Families can apply for a one-off payment from today.
    • The Fund supports students from preschool to year 12 in all ACT schools.

    From today, low-income families can access financial help to use on education essentials for their children.

    Eligible ACT families can apply for a one-off payment via the ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund.

    This will help cover 2025 education expenses as cost-of-living pressures continue.

    The Fund helps make sure Canberra students have equal opportunities to participate fully in their schooling.

    It supports families to buy education essentials like:

    • book packs
    • uniforms
    • excursions
    • sports equipment and activities
    • tuition
    • music lessons.

    The Equity Fund supports students from preschool through to Year 12 in all ACT schools.

    Assistance so far

    In 2024, the Fund has provided more than $3.3 million to more than 5,700 students from financially disadvantaged families.

    Applications for the 2025 school year have opened earlier than for 2024.

    This aims to help families manage back-to-school costs. It also ensures children can start the year with everything they need.

    Applying is easy

    You can apply for the fund if you are a low-income family with a child enrolled in an ACT school from preschool to year 12.

    Applications also allow families to apply for all eligible students in their family in a single application.

    This is the case even if children attend different schools.

    Payments for the 2025 school year are:

    • $400 for preschool students
    • $500 for primary school students
    • $750 for high school and college students.

    Applications for the 2025 Equity Fund will remain open until the end of November 2025.

    Find more information about the Equity Fund

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


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Please take a seat and be nice

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Katrina is a member of the Transport Canberra occupational violence working group.

    Katrina will proudly tell you she has the best job in the world.

    For the past five years, she has worked as a bus driver for Transport Canberra. Some days she’s out on the road driving, and other times she’s a supervisor at the bus depot. But no matter what her day brings, she absolutely loves what she does.

    “I get my own office, I get to hang out by myself all day, but my office also changes every day depending on the weather and where I am in town. The seasons are so beautiful,” she says.

    Both Katrina and her husband applied for bus driver roles with Transport Canberra many years ago, but with their youngest son still in nappies at the time, Katrina opted for a 9-5 role instead. Once the kids were a bit older, Katrina applied again, and says the shift work now suits her family perfectly.

    “I’m on a rotating roster. Most weeks I get up before the birds do and come into work. If I’m driving for the day, I hop on a bus and go for a little drive around town for at least eight hours, if not 10, and interact with the public all day. Otherwise, I do duties around the depot. I may have to go and do a bus swap if a bus breaks down or take buses that are out in the shed and move them into the workshop. It’s a bit of everything, it’s pretty good,” says Katrina.

    “And then I go home and parent. There’s football training, taking kids to and from work, cooking dinner – all the fun things!”

    Just like with any job, there are of course some downsides. On any given day, bus drivers interact with Canberrans from all different walks of life, all dealing with different highs and lows – and sometimes our front-line workers are an unwitting target for frustration. Whether it’s traffic hold-ups causing the bus to be late – or people just having a bad day – in some cases, that frustration can result in passengers becoming aggressive or even violent with drivers.

    As a member of the Transport Canberra occupational violence working group, Katrina hears firsthand about the experiences of others as well as contributing towards solutions to help the workforce.

    “A lot of the occupational violence, from what I’ve heard around the workplace, has got to do with fare evasion and people not paying for their fares. But the same people don’t call an Uber and not pay for it, or they don’t go down to the supermarket and get the groceries and not pay for it, but then expect to hop on the bus for free.”

    Drivers are responsible for getting their passengers where they need to go, safely. That means they need to have a dual focus – not only do they need to be alert to the traffic conditions, but they also need to monitor what’s happening inside their bus. So if passengers get aggressive, it can be a scary predicament. But Transport Canberra has plenty of measures in place, so drivers have the support they need.

    ‘Drivers sit behind protection screens, plus we’ve got CCTV on all the buses. If you feel you are in danger, you can request immediate assistance and support via a range of methods. This request will be responded to by our Field Transport Officers and when required, ACT Policing.

    “I want to go home to my kids without being assaulted. So, if you’re going to get on the bus, just take a seat and be nice.”

    Despite it all, Katrina is adamant there’s no other job she’d rather do.

    “Especially in customer service roles, there’s always going to be people who give you a hard time. If you are in a customer-facing role, you’ve just got to learn some techniques on how to deal with it. But we’ve got things in place. There’s always someone not far away who can help,” she says.

    “Everybody around the depot says it’s the best job in the world. Once you actually hop in the driver’s seat, and you get to drive around in a big vehicle, and the majority of your clients are beautiful people. They say hello, they say thank you when they hop off. It just makes my day and I get to drive around Canberra, it’s so pretty.”

    * For personal privacy, surnames of interviewees have been removed.

    Find out more about how you can help make ACT Government workplaces safe for everyone.

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


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: UAB „Atsinaujinančios energetikos investicijos“ publishes audited consolidated and separate annual financial statements for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UAB “Atsinaujinančios energetikos investicijos” (the Company) publishes its audited annual consolidated and separate financial statements for 2024 together with Company’s and Group‘s annual report for 2024

    Financial results

    The Company’s objective is to earn a return for the Company’s investors from investments in renewable energy infrastructure facilities and related assets. The main financial indicators for the period were:

    • As at 31 December 2024, the Company’s total assets were EUR 189,795 thousand, total equity was EUR 100,476 thousand, and total liabilities were EUR 89,319 thousand.
    • As at 31 December 2024, the Company’s investment assets at fair value through profit or loss were EUR 159,902 thousand, which compared to 31 December 2023, decreased by EUR 20,158 thousand or 11.20%. The decline in fair value of the investment portfolio was mainly driven by the results of the independent annual valuation of the Company’s shares. Specifically, the value of the Company’s solar assets in Poland primarily decreased due to electricity price curve forecasts being significantly lower than the electricity price curve utilised in the Company’s valuation in the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • From January to December 2024, the Company reported a comprehensive loss of EUR 14,824 thousand, primarily attributed to the negative fair value change in the investment portfolio resulting from the independent annual valuation of the Company’s shares.

    Review of performance and development

    • In December 2024, the Company successfully divested its 65.5 MW operating solar portfolio in Poland, Energy Solar Projekty sp. z o.o. This divestment marks the Company’s first significant exit in its core portfolio.
    • The construction of the 67.8 MW total capacity portfolio for PV Energy Projects sp. z o.o. is nearing completion. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, 44.8 MW of this capacity is operational, with a Commercial Operation Date (COD) anticipated for September 2025.
    • The construction of the PL SUN sp. z o.o. portfolio, with a total capacity of 114.7 MW, is progressing through two distinct development phases. The first phase, encompassing 66.6 MW, saw substantial completion in the second quarter of 2024, with 26.4 MW energized by the close of the fourth quarter. The remaining capacity of 40.2 MW is scheduled to be energized by the second quarter of 2025. Construction on the second phase, totalling 48.1 MW, commenced in the fourth quarter of 2024, with energization expected by the fourth quarter of 2025.
    • The Company holds 25% of shares of UAB Žaliosios investicijos, which manages the 185.5 MW portfolio, consisting of 34 wind turbines in Lithuania. The energy production license for the Anykščiai wind farm was secured in August 2024, and licenses for the Jonava and Rokiškis wind farms are anticipated in the second quarter of 2025.
    • The development permit for a hybrid power plant with a capacity of 100 MW of wind and 70 MW of solar, being developed by UAB Ekoelektra, has been granted. The technical design project has been initiated and submitted to the Transmission System Operator (Lidgrid) for coordination, ensuring adherence to grid requirements for effective integration into the national electricity network.
    • UAB JTPG submitted the grid connection technical project for a 70 MW solar PV project to Litgrid for approval in the third quarter of 2024, marking a significant step in the project’s development.
    • The development permit for a hybrid power plant developed by UAB KNT Holding, which includes 390 MW of wind, 250 MW of solar, and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 50 MW / 200 MWh, has also been granted. The technical design project has been initiated and submitted to the Lidgrid for coordination.
    • For the 112 MW wind park development project in Latvia managed by Zala Elektriba SIA, the grid connection deadline was extended in the third quarter of 2024, with balance of plant works commencing in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Shareholders’ meeting

    According to the Law on Companies of Republic of Lithuania, the annual financial statements prepared by the Management are authorised by the General Shareholders’ meeting. The shareholders hold the power to not approve the annual financial statements and have the right to request new financial statements to be prepared. 

    The shareholders of the Company will vote on approving the Group‘s and Company’s 2024 financial statements at a shareholders’ meeting to be held on 30 April 2025. The meeting will also consider a proposal for the distribution of profits. The proposed profit allocation is as follows:

    Article Thousand, EUR
    Retained earnings (loss) – at the beginning of financial year 31,450
    Comprehensive income (loss) for the reporting period – net profit for the current year (14,424)
    Profit transfer to the legal reserve (250)
    Retained earnings (loss) – at the end of financial year 16,376
    Profit distribution:  
    Profit transfer to the legal reserve –
    Profit transfer to other reserves –
    Profit to be paid as dividends –
    Retained earnings (loss) at the end of the financial year for 2024 and previous financial periods 16,376

    Contact person for further information:
    Mantas Auruškevičius
    Manager of the Investment Company
    Mantas.Auruskevicius@lordslb.lt 

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Draganfly Establishes Public Safety Advisory Board, Appoints Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Expert Paul Goldenberg as Chair

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Industry Veteran Joins Draganfly to Drive Innovation at the Intersection of Public Safety and Technology

    Tampa, FL, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, is proud to announce the formation of its Public Safety Advisory Board. This new initiative reinforces Draganfly’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, mission-critical technologies that support enforcement and public safety agencies worldwide. Renowned global public safety expert and Homeland Security advisor Paul Goldenberg will serve as the inaugural Chair of the Board.

    With more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, global security, and national intelligence, Goldenberg brings unparalleled expertise to the role. Recently named America’s Most Influential Person in Homeland Security, he has advised U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, and international security bodies on counterterrorism, cybercrime, and public safety. As a former senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), Goldenberg led pivotal initiatives, including the DHS Cybersecurity Task Force and the Countering Foreign Influence Task Force. He currently serves as Chief Advisor for Policy and International Policing at the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Transnational Security at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Southern Border Security Committee.

    Goldenberg’s career also includes directing the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) transitional policing mission, working on the ground in regions such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Ukraine, and France. His efforts focused on strengthening police responses to extremism and fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and vulnerable communities.

    “Draganfly’s commitment to utilizing technology to enhance public safety and law enforcement aligns with my lifelong mission to improve security and foster trust between agencies and the communities they serve,” said Goldenberg. “Given the challenges law enforcement agencies face, including recruitment and retention issues, drones have become an invaluable tool that helps officers protect both themselves and the communities they serve.”

    Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, emphasized the significance of Goldenberg’s appointment:
    “Paul’s vast experience in homeland security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement makes him the ideal choice to lead our Public Safety Advisory Board. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe.”

    Goldenberg’s past roles have included serving as the first Chief of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for Hate Crime and Domestic Terrorism Investigations, managing major organized crime cases, spending six years deep undercover as part of the South Florida Task Force, and leading one of the United States’ largest social service and juvenile justice systems. His work has directly influenced modern policing strategies and shaped national and international policy.

    The creation of Draganfly’s Public Safety Advisory Board marks a pivotal step in the Company’s continued efforts to strengthen public safety and law enforcement capabilities, offering innovative solutions that support officers in the field.

    About Draganfly

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

    For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

    For investor details, visit:
    CSE
    NASDAQ
    FRANKFURT

    Media Contact
    media@draganfly.com

    Company Contact
    info@draganfly.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the Public Safety Advisory Board advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Enhancing Security in BiH: OSCE ILP Project Delivers Tangible Results

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

    Headline: Enhancing Security in BiH: OSCE ILP Project Delivers Tangible Results

    The Mission organized a joint progress meeting on 16 April 2025 in Sarajevo, bringing together over 40 representatives, including heads of law enforcement agencies, and international partners. (OSCE) Photo details

    Since its launch in September 2022, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (Mission) project Enhancing Intelligence-led Policing to Combat Serious Security Threats and Crimes (ILP) has made significant strides in supporting law enforcement agencies across the country. To date, over 300 police managers and operational staff have been introduced to the ILP model through 16 specialized workshops. The project has also contributed to the development of structural recommendations and regulatory frameworks aimed at strengthening criminal intelligence processes.
    To improve co-operation between law enforcement and prosecutors, the project facilitated joint discussions and supported the establishment of the ILP Coordination Body. This platform enables real-time, cross-institutional collaboration, which has already led to several ILP driven operations. Furthermore, 21 law enforcement agencies and institutions received specialized IT equipment, software, and training, thereby enhancing and standardizing their analytical and operational capacities.
    To mark this progress, the Mission organized a joint progress meeting on 16 April 2025 in Sarajevo, bringing together over 40 representatives, including heads of law enforcement agencies, and international partners.
    “The main aim of our ILP Project is to empower law enforcement agencies at all levels to use ILP to combat serious crime and help increase the safety and security of BiH and its citizens,” said Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “IT modernization is not a luxury – it is a prerequisite. Strengthening the digital and analytical tools available to BiH law enforcement is essential to fully benefit from the ILP model and to confront the complex security challenges of our time.”
    Marijo Marić, Minister of Interior of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, emphasized the need for modern police practices to evolve alongside technology: “Within the chain of police–prosecutor’s office–court, the greatest burden undoubtedly falls on the police. For this reason, the police must be the strongest link—something that can only be achieved through close co-operation, as we share a common mission. The ILP project has recognized this need by introducing mechanisms for establishing and maintaining coherent and uniform systems, which, most importantly, will accelerate the mutual exchange of data. This, in turn, ensures more efficient operational work in the field.”
    The Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, an agency within the BiH security system, plays a key role in managing migration and safeguarding national security. Rade Kovač, Head of the Operational Support Sector, stated: “The implementation of the project organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH, Improving Police Intelligence Work in Combating Serious Security Threats and Serious Crimes (ILP Project), has established significant prerequisites for enhancing the organizational structure, IT compatibility, and operational intelligence capabilities within the Service. By applying the I2 system and the Criminal Intelligence Database Application (CIDA) database, members of the Service will be equipped with a more efficient and unified approach to collecting, processing, analysing, and exchanging operational intelligence data. This will also enable timely co-ordination and inter-agency co-operation in detecting and preventing all forms of security threats.”
    Enes Karić, Director of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, highlighted the ILP Project’s role in improving intelligence-led policing: “Particularly significant is the procurement of the analytical software i2 Analyst’s Notebook, which has elevated criminal intelligence work to a higher level. It has improved data collection and processing, contributing to more accurate and reliable security assessments during the implementation of protection measures for VIPs, delegations, and facilities under the Directorate’s jurisdiction, as well as facilitating the exchange of intelligence data with other agencies.” He added that the improved quality and volume of criminal intelligence reports have already led to concrete police actions, particularly in preventing illegal migration.
    Goran Pisić, Head of the Brčko District BiH Police, emphasized that the implementation of the ILP Project has notably strengthened their capabilities, especially in criminal intelligence work, thanks to the donated equipment and software. He added: “It is also worth noting that co-operation between the Brčko District BiH Police and other police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina has improved as well.”
    This initiative is part of the Mission’s broader efforts to strengthen overall security in BiH, generously supported by Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, and Türkiye.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s coalition government is at risk of crumbling: why collapse would carry a heavy cost

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Vinothan Naidoo, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration, University of Cape Town

    South Africa’s multi-party government of national unity (GNU), which emerged in the wake of the May 2024 elections, marked a turning point in the country’s political history. It took South Africans back to the 1990s, when the country showed that political opponents could find common cause.

    The formation of the government of national unity expressed the hope that the country could do it again.

    But just nine months into its term, the good will and pragmatism which marked its formation have worn thin. A major budget impasse between the two major actors, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), threatens the coalition.

    South Africans have long been accustomed to viewing the world of politics, governance and bureaucracy through the lens of a top-down “strong” state – a vicious apartheid state, an East Asia style developmental state, or a collusive “predatory state”.

    But as recent analyses we co-authored with others have detailed,
    the vision of a top-down politically cohesive state no longer fits South Africa’s realities.

    The government of national unity promised the hope that the country was embracing an approach that is key to success for almost all inclusive constitutional democracies. That is – abandon “all or nothing” confrontation, and instead pursue pragmatic bargains to achieve mutually agreeable policy outcomes.

    At the most basic level, the government of national unity achieved this, at least for a while. The sharing of cabinet ministries between multiple parties created a diverse platform for executive power-sharing that was not dictated by a single dominant party, and which prevented the risks of parties building institutional fiefdoms.

    In our view, failure to overcome deeply ingrained political differences could set off a downward spiral in the country.

    Achievements on the governance front

    On governance, the government of national unity created the space to pursue two sets of gains.

    The first comprises the potential benefit of bringing together unlikely bedfellows.

    The former opposition parties brought into a power-sharing arrangement were bound to be performance-driven, given the country’s long deteriorating government performance and ethical integrity. They had made “good governance” and criticism of the ANC central to their political brands.

    New “outsider” eyes brought into formerly cloistered and factionalised ANC-run departments created the possibility of a new urgency to perform.

    It’s too soon to tell whether this is happening, but anecdotal evidence suggests there are some green shoots.

    The second governance gain comprises the crucial task of building a capable and professional state bureaucracy. The challenges include being able to pay the public sector wage bill, fostering a culture of delivery, and consolidating the bloated network of government departments.

    Based on their party manifestos and public utterances, members of the government all aim to professionalise the public service.

    Detailed technical work is already happening on issues such as training and competency assessment, transferring powers of appointment from politicians to senior public servants, and instituting checks in the recruitment and selection process. The National Assembly’s recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Bill forms part of this agenda.

    But a prolonged legal dispute between the DA and ANC over the latter’s policy of “deploying” party members into state employment risks scuppering progress. It also leaves a key question unanswered: what role, if any, should political parties have in the recruitment and selection of public servants?

    Policy

    The government of national unity has struggled to create effective mechanisms to translate agreement on a broad agenda of policy priorities into specific outcomes. This came at a higher cost than expected.

    Still, it has made gains in challenging policy areas. These gains have repeatedly been undermined by the perverse determination of sections within both the ANC and the DA to engage in brinkmanship.

    On health, both parties agree on the principle of universalising access. They differ on how to achieve this. But at least one seemingly intractable sticking point has been resolved. Both sides agree that private medical aid schemes need to be retained as part of a broader strategy of pursuing health system reform.

    On basic education, the public spat over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill overshadows the potential to agree on balancing the autonomy of school governing bodies with the oversight role of provincial departments.



    Read more:
    South Africa has a new education law: some love it, some hate it – education expert explains why

    On land expropriation, the emotive rhetoric which followed the signing of the Expropriation Bill and the unwelcome and toxic intervention of international actors has overshadowed technical concerns which can be resolved.

    On pro-growth policies: Operation Vulindlela, a joint Presidency and National Treasury initiative to unblock constraints in targeted economic sectors, has made significant strides. It has laid the groundwork for new rounds of growth-supporting infrastructural reforms and has the potential to build cohesion in the government of national unity. However, the DA’s attempt to lobby for a greater role in the strategic oversight of Operation Vulindlela in exchange for supporting the budget risks souring relations with the ANC.

    What now?

    A thriving inclusive society depends on powerful actors visibly committed to co-operation.

    For all of the challenges confronting the government of national unity, it was built on a foundation of pragmatism. For the sake of South Africa’s future, it remains vital to build on this foundation. Obsolete top-down governing approaches must go. Pathways to performance must be lifted above political grandstanding. Constructive solutions should supersede ideological rigidity. South Africa has done it before. It can do it again.

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

    – ref. South Africa’s coalition government is at risk of crumbling: why collapse would carry a heavy cost – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-coalition-government-is-at-risk-of-crumbling-why-collapse-would-carry-a-heavy-cost-254302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New safety measures proposed for the Hoe

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Have your say on a new proposed Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) for the Plymouth Hoe area. This measure is designed to enhance public safety during large events and in response to potential threats.

    Following a request from the local Police, an ATTRO allows the police and designated partners to close off or restrict access to certain areas and roads within the ATTRO footprint when necessary, ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors.

    Most of the time, the ATTRO will remain dormant, only being activated when needed. It covers a large area, including Plymouth Hoe, the Barbican, and surrounding locations, to ensure comprehensive coverage for various events. It will not affect daily activities unless activated, and it will replace most of the existing Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) for events.

    Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, explains: “While there’s no specific threat to Plymouth at this moment, crowded places can be targets for terrorism. We have all seen the awful events that have happened in other around the world, from the tragic attack on London Bridge in 2017, and more recently the Magdeburg car attack in Germany.

    “Having an ATTRO in place means we’re prepared to act swiftly to protect everyone. It’s about being proactive and ensuring we have the right tools to safeguard our community.”

    Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, added: “The ATTRO will help us manage traffic and pedestrian access effectively during large events, ensuring that emergency services can operate without hindrance. This is a crucial step in maintaining public safety and smooth operations in our city.”

    The ATTRO is a vital tool for keeping Plymouth safe while allowing us to enjoy our events and gatherings with peace of mind.

    It is a permanent measure that will lay dormant until needed for security purposes associated with large gatherings and planned events, or if there is an immediate need to protect the public from harm such as a terrorist attack. To be clear;

    • The ATTRO is not the pedestrianisation of an area.
    • The ATTRO will not see the installation of any permanent barriers or permanent vehicle mitigation measures within the highlighted map area.
    • The ATTRO will not change the overall base layout of roads or public pathways, nor will it result in any roadworks.
    • The ATTRO will not affect day-to-day business operations unless activated.

    Any pre-planned road closures put in place as part of the ATTRO and large scale events would be communicated in advance to residents and businesses. 

    For more information on the ATTRO, including FAQs, please go to: www.plymouth.gov.uk/traffic-and-road-safety-schemes

    If you wish to offer comments on the proposed Order, please send them in writing to: Service Director for Street Services (Plymouth Transport and Highways), Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ or by emailing:  [email protected] Quoting reference Amd.2025.2137339 ATTRO by 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston:

    “I am delighted to see that the UK Supreme Court has ruled so comprehensively in favour of common sense and biological reality. This is a devastating blow to those who have sought to peddle the fiction that a man can magically become a woman or vice versa.

    “Paragraph 265 of the judgement spells out important points including:
    The Gender Recognition Act did not change the meaning of the terms man and woman in the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act;
    The Sex Discrimination Act refers to biological sex;
    The Equality Act of 2010 did not modify the meaning of man and woman and
    There are aspects of life which require a biological interpretation of sex including changing rooms and medical services.

    “There is an onus on the devolved administration in Stormont to take note of today’s ruling.

    “The funding of Stonewall – which receives public money both via the Sinn Fein lead Department of Finance and the Sinn Fein and DUP lead Executive Office – must cease.

    “Policy documents such as the Inclusive Language Guide which was produced by the Finance Department and seeks to discourage the use of words such as mother, wife and girlfriend must be withdrawn.

    “There can be no more nonsense of the Executive Office producing policy documents like their flagship Violence Against Women and Girls document while refusing to say what a woman is.

    “The Justice Minister must revisit her policy on housing men in female prison space.

    “The Alliance chair of the Executive Office Committee needs to consider the judgement carefully and reflect on how she has chaired meetings in light of the same – although one fears that she may regard it as “gratuitously offensive” given her reaction when I pointed out similar facts in committee.

    “Furthermore, there can now be no question of the inquiry into gaps in equality legislation pushing Stormont down the same road as the Scottish Government who so comprehensively lost today.”

    TUV party secretary Ann McClure added:
    “I am proud to be a member of a party which has always taken a stand for women’s rights in relation to these matters. We never bought the nonsense that you can change your gender like you change your socks and are pleased that the highest court in the land has sided with common sense.

    “I very much hope that the powers that be in Stormont take this ruling seriously and revisit their policies accordingly.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Millner

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 37-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred early this morning in Millner.

    Around 12:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received several reports of a male assaulting a female in the vicinity of Aldridge Place.

    Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the 37-year-old male was arrested. The victim was treated at the scene before being conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital.

    The male and female are believed to be known to each other.

    The offender remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

    Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25103778. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Aggravated robbery – Tennant Creek

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred this morning in Tennant Creek.

    Around 7:10am, an unknown male offender entered the driver’s seat of a Toyota Hilux, in an attempt to steal it from a driveway in Casey Street.

    A 52-year-old female had briefly exited the vehicle to close a gate, when she observed the offender attempting to drive away with the vehicle.

    The victim grabbed onto the vehicle’s bull bar and was dragged a short distance while the offender allegedly attempted to drive away with the vehicle. The vehicle subsequently became wedged against a fence.

    The offender allegedly broke the driver’s window to exit the vehicle and fled from the scene on foot. He currently remains outstanding.

    The victim suffered minor injuries and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25103953. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Drink driving and Alcohol seizures – Avon Downs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 44-year-old female for drink driving in Avon Downs last night.

    About 8pm, police conducted a traffic apprehension on the Barkly Highway and the driver returned a positive roadside breath test with a subsequent confirmed BAC reading of 0.127%.

    The vehicle was lawfully searched, and Avon Downs members seized 24 litres of alcohol that was destined for a remote Aboriginal community. The 44-year-old female was arrested and charged with Drink driving medium range and will appear in Tennant Creek Local Court at a later date.

    Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs into remote communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Disturbance – Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a large disturbance that occurred in Katherine overnight.

    Around 12:55am this morning, police CCTV operators reported a large disturbance involving multiple people occurring at the rear of a service station on Railway Terrace.

    A Hilux was sighted driving erratically, ramming into unoccupied vehicles numerous times, and driving at persons in the area. An 18-year-old male was allegedly struck by the vehicle during the incident.

    Police, St John Ambulance and Northern Territory Fire and Rescue attended the scene, and the male was transported to Katherine Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

    The group, including the driver of the vehicle, fled the area upon police arrival. Numerous weapons were located inside the vehicles and seized.

    A crime scene was declared, and investigations are ongoing.

    Acting Commander Terry Zhang said, “This type of reckless and dangerous behaviour has absolutely no place in our community.

    “We understand this incident may be linked to an ongoing feud between community groups. Police will be working closely with community leaders and cultural authorities to help de-escalate tensions and prevent any further violence. Additional resources will be deployed to enhance our presence and ensure community safety.

    “Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.”

    Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TD urges public to plan their cross-boundary trips in advance during long weekend of Easter holidays

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Transport Department (TD) announced today (April 16) that it anticipates a large number of passengers and vehicles travelling to and from the Mainland or Macao via various land-based boundary control points (BCPs) during the long weekend of the Easter holidays, especially on the first day (April 18) and the last day (April 21). The TD particularly urges members of the public to plan their trips in advance and allow sufficient travelling time.
     
         For public transport services, the TD has liaised with local and cross-boundary public transport operators to strengthen their services during the long weekend. The waiting time for public transport services, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus), may be longer. Passengers are encouraged to make their journeys during non-peak hours, maintain order, and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of the public transport operators concerned. Passengers of cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.
     
         Motorists are advised that, subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Port from April 18 to 21 to allow smooth access for public transport vehicles to the above control points. Cross-boundary private cars may need to queue to cross the BCPs. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. They are also requested to be patient in case of traffic congestion and follow the instructions of on-site Police.
     
         For the HZMB, to plan their journeys ahead, the public can make use of the TD’s HKeMobility mobile application to access snapshots of traffic conditions at the inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations at the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts “hzmbzhport” or “zhuhaifabu” (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only), and check the forecast of peak hours of inbound and outbound vehicles at the HZMB Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official account of the HZMB integrated information dissemination platform (mp.weixin.qq.com/s/mT9D9et-FybKKXDw9nJ9Dg) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with the traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles shall not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.
     
         The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will continue to operate 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of different districts, including various BCPs and major stations. The TD will disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio, television broadcasts, and HKeMobility.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ9: Promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ9: Promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection 
    Question:
     
         As regards promoting pet inclusivity and enhancing animal protection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of households keeping pets, as well as the respective numbers of dogs and cats which have been microchipped and licensed, in Hong Kong;
     
    (2) whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Government’s promotion of public education on pet inclusivity (such as responsible pet ownership and prevention of cruelty to animals) in the past two years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (3) given that the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) currently prohibits dogs (except guide dogs) from entering food premises, and it is learnt that some shopping malls have successively allowed pets to enter their areas in recent years, whether the Government will consider implementing a pilot scheme to allow dogs to enter the food premises of such shopping malls, so as to provide actual experience and data for the purposes of reviewing the existing legislation and considering the relaxation of the restriction on the entry of dogs into food premises; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) as it is learnt that operators of some public transport services may decide at their discretion whether to allow passengers to board with pets, whether the Government will consider further relaxing the restriction to allow passengers to bring along their pets to use all public transport services, and formulating standard guidelines;
     
    (5) of the number of cases received by the Government in each of the past three years involving the fatal poisoning of dogs; among such cases, (i) the number of cases in which the suspects were successfully arrested, (ii) the penalties imposed on the convicted persons, and (iii) ‍the number of cases involving public facilities under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; how the authorities will follow up cases of fatal poisoning of dogs, including whether they will consider installing cameras at the relevant locations to step up monitoring; and
     
    (6) as it has been reported that many cases of fatal poisoning of dogs are suspected of involving the use of pesticides such as rodenticides, whether the Government will consider amending the legislation to require members of the public to register their real names with the Government when purchasing pesticides, so as to prevent pesticides from being abused to poison and kill animals?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Having consulted the Security Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the reply to the question from the Hon Stanley Li is as follows:
     
    (1) According to the most recent Thematic Household Survey on the household keeping of dogs and cats conducted by the Census and Statistics Department in 2018, some 241 900 households in Hong Kong were keeping cats or dogs, representing 9.4 per cent of all households. A total of some 184 100 cats and 221 100 dogs were being kept.
     
         Under the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), the keeper of a dog shall arrange his dog over the age of five months to be implanted with microchip and licensed. As at 2024, the number of dogs implanted with microchip and licensed was 158 663.
     
         Since the transmission of rabies through cats is relatively lower than that through dogs, the legislation does not require that cats shall be implanted with a microchip and licensed. To facilitate identification of owners and assist owners to find their cats that have gone astray, since April 2024, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has stipulated the Licence Conditions that cats put up for sale by animal traders should be obtained from approved sources and microchipped. The AFCD does not maintain the number of cats implanted with microchip.
     
    (2) The AFCD continues to promote the messages on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership through public education and publicity programmes, which include producing television promotional videos, establishing a thematic website on animal welfare and “Be a Responsible Pet Owner”, organising seminars in schools and residential estates, roving exhibitions, dog training courses, and pet adoption days, etc. The Department has also launched a series of “Duty of Care” publicity programmes, which include the production of a series of posts on social media platforms to share information on how to take proper care of animals and enhance the public’s understanding of the content and importance of “Duty of Care”. The AFCD includes questionnaires in some of its activities to evaluate their effectiveness, and the majority of participants have provided positive feedback. The Pet Adoption Day held in 2024 attracted over 10 000 attendees, demonstrating that the event was well received by the public.
     
         To enlist wider public support and participation in fighting against cruelty to animals, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has implemented the Animal Watchers Programme (the Programme) since 2021 with a view to agglomerating the strengths of animal lovers at the community level in four directions of education, publicity, intelligence-gathering and investigation, raising public awareness on prevention of cruelty to animals, encouraging the public to report in a timely manner as well as providing information and clues useful for investigations. The Programme covers large-scale activities across Hong Kong for different communities and age groups, through the “Animal CARE Corners”, encouraging schools to keep animals and enhance students’ pet care skills. The Police adopts a multifaceted approach in evaluating its effectiveness by a variety of indicators, including the numbers of cases reported and persons arrested as well as the level of overall public engagement. At present, most of the cases of cruelty to animals are reported by members of the public who voluntarily offer information for investigation. This shows that the Programme has a significant impact on enhancing police-community co-operation and raising public awareness of combatting cruelty to animals.
     
    (3) Society is divided on whether to allow pet dogs to enter food premises. The Government needs to take into account different factors when examining the relevant legislation, including public health, operating environment of food premises, and social acceptance. In particular, food premises in Hong Kong are generally cramped. It is necessary to consider the reaction of pet dogs in a crowded and cramped environment (possibly with different types of dogs), as well as the potential impact on other diners. The Environment and Ecology Bureau, together with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, is conducting research on practices and experiences in other places, and will carefully consider whether there is room for relaxing the relevant restrictions.
     
    (4) Generally speaking, public transport has high daily patronage and limited compartment spaces. When considering whether to allow passengers to travel with pets for public transport services, the operators shall consider and balance different factors, including the actual operating situation, space and carrying capacity of the compartments, reaction of the pets in the travelling environment, as well as the potential impact on other passengers. The actual circumstances of different public transport modes vary. The Government will maintain close communication with the public transport operators and remind them to listen to different views to ensure that their services can properly cater for and balance the needs of different passengers. Currently, some public transport operators, such as ferries and taxis, may decide at their discretion whether to allow passengers to board with pets. The MTR Corporation Limited will also implement a pilot scheme that allows passengers to bring along their pet cats and dogs to take the light rail in accordance with specific requirements and at specific periods.
     
    (5) Poisoning an animal causing unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169). From 2022 to 2024, the number of reports on suspected cruelty to animals received by the HKPF and the AFCD, the number of persons arrested, and the relevant penalties imposed are tabulated at Annex. The Government does not maintain relevant breakdown of information on animal poisoning cases.
     
         The Police will continue to review locations across 18 districts with higher crime rate and greater pedestrian flow, and proportionally install CCTV in these areas with a view to combating crime. Moreover, the LCSD will review and adjust the number of CCTV cameras having regard to established guidelines and the actual security and operational needs of individual venue. In the event of suspected criminal activities, the LCSD will contact the Police and take appropriate follow-up actions in light of the actual circumstances.
     
    (6) Currently, the Pesticides Regulations (Cap. 133A) requires that all pesticide products must carry clear labels in both Chinese and English before being supplied or sold by licensed dealers. Any person using registered pesticides should thoroughly read and follow the instructions at the labels, and take all safety measures to protect the safety of the user and the public.
     
         To enhance public understanding of the safe use of pesticides, the AFCD has distributed and uploaded relevant leaflets and guidelines for the reference of the trades and the public, and has actively disseminated messages of proper use of pesticides through various ongoing education and publicity programmes, including reminding members of the public that they should exercise caution in the purchase and use of pesticides and follow the relevant safety guidelines, so as to minimise the potential risks to human health, animal welfare and the environment. Considering that real-name registration for the purchase of pesticides would cause inconvenience to members of the public in their daily purchases of these products, and that it is difficult for law enforcement officers to identify persons with the intention to poison animals through registration records of the purchasers, the introduction of a real-name registration scheme would not be particularly effective for the prevention of animal poisoning.
    Issued at HKT 14:35

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Increase in amount of damages for bereavement under Fatal Accidents Ordinance proposed

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Justice today (April 16) gave notice to the Legislative Council (LegCo) that he will move a resolution at the LegCo sitting on May 14 to increase the statutory sum to be awarded as damages for bereavement (bereavement sum) under the Fatal Accidents Ordinance (Cap 22) to $253,500.
     
          The Government is committed to reviewing the bereavement sum biennially to reflect inflation. The proposed increase reflects the inflation experienced over the period from 2022 to 2024 by making reference to the Consumer Price Index (A).
     
         A spokesman for the Department of Justice said that the Ordinance was enacted in 1986. It allows an action for damages to be brought against a person for the benefit of the dependants of the deceased in respect of that person’s wrongful act, neglect or default which has caused the death of the deceased. An action under the Ordinance may include a claim for damages for bereavement in the sum as prescribed in section 4(3). Section 4(5) of the Ordinance provides that the LegCo may by resolution vary the sum.
     
         Since the enactment of the Ordinance, the bereavement sum was adjusted in 1991, 1997, 2018, 2020 and 2023. The current sum is set at $242,500.
     
         The LegCo Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers have been informed of the outcome of the present biennial review and the Government’s intention to make the proposed adjustments by making reference to the Consumer Price Index (A).

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