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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UN Charter remains one of our greatest accomplishments: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The UN Charter remains one of our greatest accomplishments: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.

    Eighty years ago today, fifty nations gathered in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter.

    In doing so, they proved that rights could triumph over force; that hope could triumph over despair.

    The United Kingdom is proud to have helped shape that vision.

    Eighty years on, “we the people” are an international community of 193 Member States; of 8.2 billion people around the world; from megacities to rural plains, from rainforests to deserts, from islands to landlocked nations.

    Together, the Charter remains one of our greatest accomplishments.

    Let it unite us now, as it did then, in the pursuit of peace, security, development and human rights.

    In pursuit of the Charter’s enduring principles of sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution and the dignity and rights of all people.

    We look to the UN as the touchstone of those rights and hopes.

    But today, we see war and conflict stalling the progress that perhaps once felt inevitable.

    But progress is not inevitable. It takes resolve. It takes hard work. It takes negotiation and compromise.

    So on this 80th anniversary, let us turn towards the Charter and remind ourselves of the hard-won gains and the hard-learned lessons of the past.

    The UK will work with the Secretary-General and Member States to deliver meaningful reform at UN80 for a more efficient and effective UN – that delivers what the Charter promises and that allows every one of us to realise our enshrined rights and hope for a better future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal: June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal: June 2025

    His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of six Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal.

    His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of six Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal.

    His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the appointments of Mrs Justice Cockerill, Mr Justice Dove, Mr Justice Foxton, Mrs Justice May, Mr Justice Miles and Mrs Justice Yip as Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal.

    These appointments will fill vacancies within the Court of Appeal.

    Further information

    The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel.

    Background

    The selection panel was chaired by the Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr (Chair). The other panel members were the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos; Helen Pitcher OBE (Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission); and two lay Judicial Appointments Commissioners, Susan Hoyle and the Rt. Rev. Dr Barry Morgan.

    In accordance with section 79 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 as amended by the Crime and Courts Act 2013, the panel determined the selection process to be followed. In accordance with s10(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, the selection exercise was open to applicants that satisfied the judicial eligibility condition on a 7-year basis or were Judges of the High Court.

    Biographical notes

    Mrs Justice Sara Cockerill: was Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1990 and took Silk in 2011. She was appointed as a s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge (King’s Bench Division) in 2016 and as a High Court Judge appointed to the King’s Bench Division in 2017. She was Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court between 2020 and 2022.

    Mr Justice Ian Dove: was Called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1986 and took Silk in 2003. He was appointed as a Fee-Paid Immigration Adjudicator (now a Fee-Paid Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)) in 2000, a Recorder in 2003 and authorised as a Deputy High Court Judge to hear cases under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 in 2008. He was appointed as a High Court Judge to the King’s Bench Division in 2014, and as a Member of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in 2015. From 2018 to 2021 he served as a Presiding Judge on the Northern Circuit. He was appointed the President of the Upper Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber in October 2022, and in February 2025 he was appointed the Deputy Senior President of Tribunals.

    Mr Justice David Foxton: was Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1989 and took Silk in 2006. He was appointed as a Recorder in 2009, as a s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge (King’s Bench Division and Chancery Division) in 2016 and as a High Court Judge to the King’s Bench Division in 2020.

    Mrs Justice Juliet May: was Called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1988 and took Silk in 2008. She served as a part time judge of the Mental Health Tribunal (England) between 2002 and 2008. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2000, a Circuit Judge in 2008, authorised to hear cases under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 in 2013 and as a High Court Judge in the King’s Bench Division in 2015.

    Mr Justice Robert Miles: was Called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn) in 1987 and took Silk in 2002. He was appointed as a s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge in 2006 and as a High Court Judge in the Chancery Division in 2020.

    Mrs Justice Amanda Yip: was Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) in 1991 and took Silk in 2011. She was appointed as a Recorder in 2008, authorised to hear cases under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 in 2013 and was appointed as a High Court Judge to the King’s Bench Division in 2017. She has been the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of the Chancellor of the High Court: June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Appointment of the Chancellor of the High Court: June 2025

    His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of The Rt Hon Lord Justice Colin Birss as the Chancellor of the High Court with effect from 1 November 2025.

    His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of The Rt Hon Lord Justice Colin Birss as the Chancellor of the High Court with effect from 1 November 2025. This appointment follows the retirement of Sir Julian Flaux.

    Background

    Biography of candidate

    The Rt Hon Lord Justice Colin Birss was called to the Bar in 1990 and took Silk in 2008. He started his judicial career as a Deputy Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal in 2009. He was appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge in 2010, as a High Court Judge assigned to the Chancery Division in 2013 and as a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 2021. He is currently the Deputy Head of Civil Justice and Lead Judge for Artificial Intelligence.

    The Appointment

    The appointment of the Chancellor of the High Court is made by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel chaired by Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the Lady Chief Justice. The other panel members were Lady Rose (Justice of the Supreme Court), Helen Pitcher OBE (Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission), The Rt. Rev. Dr. Barry Morgan (Lay JAC Commissioner) and Mr Tom Cross KC (Professional JAC Commissioner).

    The Chancellor of the High Court (CHC) is one of the most senior judges in England and Wales and holds day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the Business & Property Courts (B&PCs) in London and seven city centres across the country, in consultation with the President of the King’s Bench Division. The B&PCs are a global centre of excellence for the resolution of business disputes and hear some of the most complex and high-profile domestic and international specialist civil claims in the world.

    The CHC has full responsibility for the Chancery lists of the B&PCs, which includes the Business List, the Insolvency and Companies List, the Intellectual Property List (including IPEC), the Property Trusts and Probate List, the Competition List, the Financial List (jointly with the Commercial Court) and the Revenue List. Those responsibilities include the deployment of the specialist judges who conduct the hearings and the allocation of cases.

    Originally created as the office of Vice-Chancellor in 1813 and having undergone a number of changes in role since then, the CHC also presides in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) and sits at first instance in the B&PCs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Hosts Immigration Shadow Hearing on Trump’s Efforts to Erode Due Process

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, today hosted a Shadow Hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Weaponization of Immigration Courts. This hearing examined the disturbing trend of broad efforts to erode access to legal services and due process in immigration proceedings, especially as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been targeting immigrants showing up for legal proceedings – following the requirements set for them by courts. 

    “Republicans like to talk about how they support immigrants who quote ‘do things the right way,’” said Jayapal. “Now that they control Congress and the White House, they should be putting their money where their mouth is and ensuring that the legal immigration process remains open to those who pursue it—but that’s not what’s happening. They have arrested people at their citizenship interviews, their check-in appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and increasingly, at immigration court. These actions are a direct attack on the legal immigration system and the people who are trying to follow all the legal steps. These actions only serve to make the immigration system even more chaotic and unjust than it already is. Just when you think this administration cannot sink any lower, they get out a shovel and keep digging.”

    The witnesses at this hearing included The Honorable A. Ashley Tabaddor, a retired Immigration Judge, Azadeh Erfani the Director of Policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center, Bettina Rodriguez Schlegel, Chief of Staff at the Acacia Center for Justice, and Gillian Rowland-Kain, Interim Director of Programs at Immigrant ARC. 

    The Honorable A. Ashley Tabaddor, Immigration Judge (ret.) said, “Due process in a courtroom means that every part of the system functions fairly and in concert. That requires an independent judge, a level playing field, and a safe, accessible forum for all participants. Yet noncitizens have no right to appointed counsel—even in life-or-death matters. Now, the Trump administration claims that immigration judges are effectively at-will employees, directly undermining their independence. At the same time, immigration courts are being transformed into enforcement zones, deterring participation and eroding public trust. As a former judge, I can tell you: when even one part of the machine breaks—when judges are undermined, when legal support disappears, or fear keeps people from appearing—the entire system collapses. And when that happens, it doesn’t just fail immigrants. It fails all of us.”

    Azadeh Erfani, Director of Policy, National Immigrant Justice Center, said, “Nothing is off the table for ICE to meet Trump’s arrest quotas and build the largest mass detention system in recorded history. First, they took away all legal services so no one could represent themselves. Next, they raided the courts and took away access to judges. And lately, they have set traps at ICE check-in appointments, where individuals with pending cases trying to comply with their proceedings are shackled and disappeared into remote jails. As ICE tramples all semblance of due process and the rule of law, they are terrorizing our communities.”

    Bettina Rodriguez Schlegel, Chief of Staff, Acacia Center for Justice, said, “The Trump administration’s attacks on due process have upended the lives and futures of our families, neighbors, and friends. In addition to the profound impact on our communities, ending legal access programs has further exacerbated the limited capacity of the immigrant legal services field. Alongside our inspiring network of legal service provider partners, we will continue to fight for these lifesaving programs to be restored so that families, children, and adults aren’t forced to navigate our country’s increasingly dehumanizing immigration system alone.”

    Gillian Rowland-Kain, Interim Director of Programs, Immigrant ARC, said, “This is more than a policy shift. It’s a coordinated effort to sideline due process and deport people without giving them the opportunity to present their case. What should have been a space for due process is instead a site of fear. Masked and armed federal agents are arresting and intimidating people who attend court. Volunteers and attorneys are being surveilled. Every day, our members are in those courtrooms—often the only ones there to stand beside immigrants facing an unjust system. We will continue to do our work and to push back.”

    The hearing was attended by Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Mark Takano (CA-39), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

    Issues: Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressional Prior Authorization Reform Leads Applaud New Prior Authorization Announcement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), and Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS) and Mark Warner (VA), co-leads of the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, released the below joint statement following a series of commitments from some of the largest private health insurance companies to ease the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process.

    “We applaud these commitments, which aim to improve health care access for millions of Americans by easing the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process,” the lawmakers said. “We encourage our House and Senate colleagues to carry this momentum forward and to pass our life-changing legislation, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, to ensure this progress becomes law.”

    Under the announcement, participating health plans commit to:

    1. Standardize electronic prior authorization submissions using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®)-based application programming interfaces.
    2. Reduce the volume of medical services subject to prior authorization by January 1, 2026.
    3. Honor existing authorizations during insurance transitions to ensure continuity of care.
    4. Enhance transparency and communication around authorization decisions and appeals.
    5. Expand real-time responses to minimize delays in care with real-time approvals for most requests by 2027.
    6. Ensure medical professionals review all clinical denials.

    In May 2025, the lawmakers reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene, Baldwin Resolution Marks June 26 as “Equality Day”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI) introduced a resolution to designate June 26 as “Equality Day.” The resolution commemorates the anniversary of three historic Supreme Court victories that have played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ equality.

    “In the face of active attacks and restrictive Supreme Court judgements, we must commemorate the monumental rulings that advanced LGBTQ+ equality over the past twenty-two years,” said DelBene. “By honoring our past victories, we remember why we fight for freedom and justice in the first place. There is much more work to be done. The violence and discrimination that LGBTQ+ Americans still face are why I continue fighting for the rights everyone deserves.”

    “Today, we honor the giants who came before us in the fight for a more equal country and celebrate the progress we have made. But, we cannot mistake our progress for victory,” said Baldwin. “Still, too many LGBTQ+ Americans face violence, harassment, and discrimination simply because of who they are and who they love. I will never stop fighting for a future where everyone has the freedom to live their true, authentic self and has an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

    Over the past two decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued three landmark rulings on June 26 that helped eliminate LGBTQ+ discrimination, affirm the dignity of same-sex couples and move our country toward a more perfect union:

    • Lawrence v. Texas (June 26, 2003). Twenty-two years ago, the Court ruled on June 26, that states could no longer criminalize the private intimate conduct of same-sex couples, invalidating hateful and discriminatory laws in more than a dozen states.
    • United States v. Windsor (June 26, 2013). Twelve years ago, the Court overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26 and ruled that legally married same-sex couples deserve all of the rights, benefits and protections provided by marriage under federal law.
    • Obergefell v. Hodges (June 26, 2015). Ten years ago, the Court ruled on June 26, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, putting the United States on the right side of history and ending marriage discrimination once and for all.

    Congresswoman DelBene and Senator Baldwin’s resolution is supported by the Congressional Equality Caucus and the Human Rights Campaign.

    A copy of the resolution can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson Joins the Megyn Kelly Show

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Speaker Johnson sat for a wide-ranging interview on the Megyn Kelly Show – his first appearance on the show.

    Watch the full interview here

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill benefitting hardworking Americans:

    in that first Trump administration, we had the greatest economy in the history of the world. Job participation rate was an all-time high. Poverty hit an all-time low. Wages rising for every demographic in America. We’re going to do that again, but this time on steroids, because this is a larger bill with more of those pro-growth policies, and everyone will feel it. We’re excited. The proof will be in the pudding.

    This bill is written for and geared to lower-and middle-income families. It is the opposite of what the Democrats were saying. In fact, people who make more than a million dollars are going to benefit least from the tax policies here. It’s geared for hardworking Americans. We’re the party of hardworking Americans and we will demonstrate that in what we do in our legislation. 

    On President Trump’s strength on the world stage:

    I genuinely believe that this is going to solve the problem, at least for the foreseeable future. And as long as Donald J. Trump is in the White House. Why? Because he has sent a message. You see our allies at the NATO summit. I mean, it’s like the Lion King, right? Donald Trump walks in and they all sort of bow again, America’s back. And let me tell you something, a strong America is good for everyone around the world, and they all know it. And that is peace through strength. That is the policy that we have always believed in. And it’s a core principle of the Republican party. Donald J. Trump knows how to use it.

    They have to believe that you are capable. And we are. We are the most capable military in the world, the most capable military in the history of mankind. We don’t want to use it. President Trump wants to be a peacetime president. He believes that, he doesn’t want us to be involved and nation building and interventional and you know, having wars around the globe, he wants to stop them. And every now and then, you have to show that that force is real. We did that. Everybody’s on notice, and the terrorist and tyrants around the globe are terrified. That’s the position we need them to be in.

    On Congressional Democrats still lacking a message or leader:

    I would like Jasmine Crockett to have the platform everywhere to talk all the time. She’s the best gift to us possible. I want her to be the face of the Democratic Party. She and AOC can lead them into oblivion. That’s fantastic. More Jasmine, okay? Because it puts on display what these people actually believe, where their party is headed. They have no leader. They have no platform that they can run on. All of their policies have been repudiated. All they have, they’re a one trick pony. All they can do is criticize Trump and the Republicans. And that’s not going to sell. Right?

    The reason we’re going to make history and win the midterms and grow the majority in the House, so we can do more of this good work, is because we’re going to demonstrate for all these new demographics of voters that came into our camp in 2024, that they made the right decision. They didn’t come reluctantly, Megan. We had a record number of Hispanic and Latino voters, black and African American voters, Jewish voters, union workers. They did not come to us reluctantly. They came with hopeful anticipation. Why? Because the woke progressive, crazy left, left them behind. This is not your father’s Democratic party. And Jasmine Crockett is a perfect illustration of that. And I want to turn her microphone up, let her talk every day. I want to bring her to the floor and just share her heart, because that helps us.

    On New Yorkers electing a socialist as Mayor:

    The best commentary was I think Ron DeSantis and Florida leaders were trolling New Yorkers saying, this is the best thing for property buyers in Palm Beach, Florida in history. Because more New Yorkers are going to move to states that exercise common sense, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and I hope they come to my state of Louisiana because it’s madness in New York City. What’s the problem there? I think these guys and AOC and those types, they figured out how to trigger these young, uninformed people using social media and these other avenues. And I guess a lot of common-sense voters are not going to the polls. This is dangerous stuff. And so this guy’s now the nominee of the Democratic Party. He is an open antisemite socialist. They will destroy New York City. It is a nightmare. So, I mean, hey, go vote for Eric Adams. Like, he’s the best alternative now. He’s going to be saving New York from this madness. And I hope they don’t do it.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Peters Reintroduces Resolution to Raise Awareness of Veterans’ Post-Traumatic Stress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-1) reintroduced a resolution to reduce the stigma that prevents veterans and servicemembers from seeking mental health care. The resolution also encourages leadership of the Armed Forces to support appropriate treatment for servicemembers suffering from post-traumatic stress. The legislation would designate June as National Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) Awareness Month and June 27th as National PTS Awareness Day.

    “Ask servicemembers about their injuries, and they will likely show you the visible scars sustained from their service. What they are more reluctant to share are mental scars – the less visible but equally harmful injuries,” said Rep. Peters. “When 18 of our nation’s heroes die from suicide each day, it’s evident we must break the stigma associated with accessing mental health treatment and embolden our veterans to seek help when they need it.”

    “Our Nation has a duty to recognize and respond to the lasting impact of trauma on our Veterans and Service Members,” said Rep. Bergman. “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan resolution recognizing June as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month. Raising awareness is a crucial step toward breaking the stigma and ensuring our heroes get the care and support they’ve earned.”

    Read the full text of the resolution here.

    Background:

    Rep. Peters first introduced the bill during the 115th Congress with the late Rep. Walter Jones (NC-03) and has introduced the legislation in every Congress since. Rep. Peters previously served on the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

    Representative Peters authored the Veteran Peer Specialist Act, which expanded the peer support specialist pilot program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It passed Congress and became law as part of the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Read More (Steube and Hill Introduce RISE Act)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

    June 26, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON —  U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) this week introduced the Revitalizing Investment, Savings, and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Act to reduce risk on capital investments in American industries by establishing a 15% cap on federal capital gains.“American businesses rely on investment to grow and thrive. Yet, our current tax code burdens entrepreneurs and start-ups by taxing federal long-term capital gains at nearly 24%, creating a costly barrier to investment,” said Rep. Steube. “Investing in America should never be a high-risk, expensive gamble. True long-term prosperity and economic security start when Washington unlocks more capital for U.S. industries. Our bill will cap the federal long-term capital gains tax rate at 15%, empowering investors to fuel economic growth and create good-paying American jobs.”“To build a stronger, more prosperous future, we need policies that unlock capital, reward risk-taking, and drive real growth for all Americans. That is exactly what the RISE Act delivers,” said Rep. Hill. “My bill restores the proven, bipartisan capital gains tax rate that encourages long-term investment in Main Street businesses and drives innovation across our country. With greater access to capital, startups can turn ideas into reality, small businesses will expand and hire, and hardworking Americans will have more opportunity and higher wages.”The RISE Act has the support of the National Taxpayers Union, National Venture Capital Association, and Americans for Tax Reform. Background:

    The RISE Act will establish a 15% cap on the federal long-term capital gains tax rate. Under current law, American investors pay nearly 24% in federal capital gains taxes—almost 5% more than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average. This includes the 3.8% Medicare surtax on estates, individuals, and trusts.
    Both Republicans and Democrats have endorsed lower tax rates on capital gains. Three successive administrations, two Democrat and one Republican, approved reduced top capital gains tax rates in 1997, 2003, and 2010.
    In 2012, the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation recognized that reducing taxes on capital gains provides investors with the resources necessary for “starting, building, and selling new businesses.” 

    Read the full bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Transportation Conference Closes with Energy and Enthusiasm

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union wrapped up its 2025 Transportation Conference in Las Vegas today. Over 800 IAM Union delegates, who work primarily in the airline and railroad industries, participated in the democratic process to attend committee meetings and vote on reports that set the agenda for the near future for IAM transportation members.

    View photos here.

    Members heard from speakers who spoke to the current state of the labor movement, the public popularity of unions, and threats to steal the power of organized workers.

    Watch a video recap here.

    “When it comes to this economy, and the corporations, and the richest people, they want to do one thing – divide us,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “That’s how they win. But to the workers that make things, move things, and serve things – we could not be more united in the things that matter to us.”

    The opening session included remarks from IAM International President Brian Bryant, Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen, General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser, and Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez, among others.

    Follow continuous updates on X, formerly Twitter, here.

    Tuesday through Thursday speakers also included:

    • Jason Ambrosi, Air Line Pilots Association President
    • Greg Regan, Transportation Trades Department President
    • David Heindel, Seafarers International Union President
    • Stephen Cotton, International Transport Workers Federation General Secretary
    • David Massiah, Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union
    • Avital Shapira-Shabirow, Histadrut Union International Relations Director
    • Carla Siegel, IAM General Counsel
    • Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
    • Hasan Solomon, IAM National Political and Legislative Director
    • Jonathan Battaglia, IAM Communications Director
    • Mary McHugh, Winpisinger Center Director
    • Julie Frietchen, IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director
    • Nicole Fears, IAM Human Rights Director
    • Richard Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator
    • Connie Vallas, IAM Associate General Counsel
    • Peter Greenberg, IAM International Affairs Director
    • Sean Marcil, IAM Membership Assistance Assistant Coordinator
    • Derrick S. Monk, Divine Covenant Outreach Center Senior Pastor
    • Mitchell Buckley, IAM District 141 Assistant General Chairperson
    • Daniel Schwarz, Schwarz and Schwarz Managing Attorny
    • Tony Blevins, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines President and Director
    • John Bragg, Railroad Retirement Board Labor Member
    • Damien Anderson, IAM National Benefit Trust Fund Education Director
    • Eloiza Rosales, IAM National Benefit Trust Fund Education Manager
    • Galen Bullock, Employee Benefit Systems Vice President
    • Catherine Cortez-Mastro, United States Senator, Nevada
    • Jacky Rosen, United States Senator, Nevada
    • Dina Titus, Congresswomen, 1st District, Nevada
    • Paul Raymond, National Group Protection Co-CEO

    The post IAM Union Transportation Conference Closes with Energy and Enthusiasm appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WAYNE COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Highlight Devastating Impacts of Proposed Federal Cuts to Medicaid on Rural Communities

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 27, 2025 – Honesdale, PA

    ADVISORY – WAYNE COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Highlight Devastating Impacts of Proposed Federal Cuts to Medicaid on Rural Communities

    Officials from the Shapiro Administration will join rural health care leaders at Wayne Memorial Hospital to highlight the dangers of proposed federal Medicaid cuts and their negative impact on rural health care providers and residents across the state.

    Proposed federal funding cuts could jeopardize health coverage for over 300,000 Pennsylvanians, drive up health care costs, and put hospitals at risk of closure, especially in rural communities. The loss of coverage is likely to result in Pennsylvanians delaying necessary health care and could significantly increase medical costs over time.

    Ensuring rural Pennsylvanians have access to quality health care is a top priority for Governor Josh Shapiro. His proposed 2025-26 budget makes common-sense investments in rural health aimed at keeping rural hospitals open and recruiting more high-quality professionals to these facilities.

    WHO:
    Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen
    Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys
    Department of Human Services Special Advisor Sara Goulet
    Wayne Memorial Hospital CEO Jim Pettinato
    Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Chief Quality Officer Kara Poremba
    Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania CEO Nicole Stallings

    WHEN:
    Friday, June 27; 11:00 AM

    WHERE:
    Wayne Memorial Hospital
    David Katz Conference Room (2nd Floor)
    601 Park Street
    Honesdale, PA 18431

    MEDIA RSVP:
    Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of the reporter and photojournalist to ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Woman Arrested After 20 Pounds of Cocaine Seized at New Mexico Checkpoint

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Texas woman is facing federal charges after U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than 20 pounds of cocaine from her vehicle during a checkpoint inspection south of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

    According to court documents, on the afternoon of June 16, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Aurelia Madrid-Marquez, 51, at the Highway 54 checkpoint located South of Alamogordo, New Mexico, driving a minivan with Illinois license plates. During routine questioning, agents conducted a canine inspection of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert for narcotics. A subsequent search revealed seven vacuum-sealed bundles containing a white powdery substance concealed in the driver-side floorboard area. Field tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine.

    Madrid-Marquez is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and will remain in third party custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Madrid-Marquez faces up to 10 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former HUD Employee, Who Moonlighted for Two Other Federal Agencies, Admits Making False Claims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Caused an Estimated Loss to the U.S. Government of $225,866

               WASHINGTON – Crissy Monique Baker, 45, a federal employee from Fairfax, Virginia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims in connection with claiming to work more hours for the government than she actually did.

               The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Acting Inspector General Stephen Ravas of AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General, and Special Agent in Charge Michael Smith with Office of the Inpsector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

               Between October 2021 and May 2025, Baker worked as a management and program analyst for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to court documents, from October 2021 through July 2024, Baker held multiple full-time government contractor positions to perform human resources services for other federal agencies but did not seek approval from HUD to engage in this outside employment. Through this years-long scheme, Baker billed the government more than 24 hours in a single day between her employment with the federal government and contractors. The estimated loss to the government was $225,866.

               Between September 2021 through April 2023, Contractor-A employed Baker to perform full-time work as a human resources assistant for AmeriCorps. From May 16, 2022, until Dec. 2, 2022, Contractor-B employed Baker to work fulltime as a human resources specialist for the National Institutes of Health. 

               Because of her scheme, Baker willfully caused the contractors to submit false claims to the U.S. Government for hours that she did not actually work. In addition, Baker submitted timesheets to HUD certifying that she worked hours for the government agency that she never actually did. For example, in June 2022, Baker certified through timesheets to HUD, Contractor-A, and Contractor-B, that she worked 26 hours per day on 13 workdays out of a total of 21 workdays that month.   

               Baker teleworked in all three positions, so she was able to conceal her employment with HUD and the two contarctors from each other.

    U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan scheduled sentencing for Sept. 30, 2025.

               This case was investigated by the Offices of the Inspector General for the following agencies:  AmeriCorps; Housing and Urban Development; the Department of Energy; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; the Department of Homeland Security; the General Services Administration; the Department of Health and Human Services; and the Department of Treasury (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration), the Department of Defense (Defense Criminal Investigate Service), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

               The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Hart and Kondi Kleinman.

    25cr172

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Serial Armed Robber Sentenced to Over 26 Years Imprisonment for String of Commercial Armed Robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    STATESBORO, GA:  A Waynesboro resident was sentenced to federal prison for 10 commercial armed robberies that he committed in Bulloch, Burke, Chatham, Emanuel, Glascock, Jenkins, and Ware Counties.

    Cordell Cobb, 24, of Waynesboro, was sentenced to 318 months in prison after pleading guilty to ten counts of Interference With Commerce by Robbery and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Cobb to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay $12,081 in restitution to the various victimized businesses.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    As described in court documents and testimony, on ten different occasions from January 2023 through June 2023, Cobb entered commercial establishments throughout the Southern District of Georgia and brandished weapons before demanding money. Employees in all ten locations provided United States currency to Cobb to avoid physical harm and Cobb left the locations with his ill-gotten proceeds. Following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Chatham County Police Department (CCPD), Glascock County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Waycross Police Department (WPD), Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), and Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO), Cobb was apprehended and ultimately admitted to committing all ten robberies.

    “This sentencing reflects the serious consequences of violent crime and the strength of coordinated law enforcement” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Communities across Georgia are safer today because of the tireless work of our local, state, and federal partner agencies in bringing this armed robber to justice.”

    “We applaud the collaborative efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation. Together, we have sent a strong message that armed robbery will not be tolerated, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said Thomas Crawford, ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

    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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

    This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.

    The case was being investigated by the ATF, GBI, CCPD, GCSO, JCSO, WPD, BCSO, ECSO and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Henry W. Syms, Jr.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Gang Member Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A member of the violent Boston-based gang, H-Block, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for drug conspiracy charges.

    Avery Lewis, a/k/a “Wave,” 33, of Dorchester was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 46 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In January 2025, Lewis pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

    Lewis was one of 10 H-Block gang members and associates charged in August 2024 following a multi-year investigation that began in 2021 in response to an uptick in gang-related drug trafficking, shootings and violence. Over 500 grams of cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine) and fentanyl, as well as over 20,000 doses of drug-laced paper were seized during the investigation.

    According to the charging documents, the H-Block street gang is one of the most feared and influential city-wide gangs in Boston. Originally formed in the 1980s as the Humboldt Raiders in the Roxbury section of Boston, the gang re-emerged in the 2000s as H-Block. Current members of H-Block have a history of violent confrontation with law enforcement, including an incident in 2015 when a member shot a Boston Police officer at point blank range without warning or provocation.

    Lewis was a long-time H-Block gang member and daily street-level dealer with a regular roster of customers. Over the course of the investigation, Lewis sold cocaine to an undercover officer on several occasions and coordinated other drug trafficking criminal activities with H-Block gang members.

    On April 5, 2023, Lewis was arrested with approximately 250 grams of cocaine in his vehicle. In addition, in March 2024, Lewis was involved in an altercation with a Boston Police Department officer, leading to the officer being struck by a bullet fired by a concealed gun in Lewis’s possession resulting in state charges. Lewis was sentenced to seven to nine years in state prison in that matter.

    According to court records, Lewis’ criminal history includes a 2017 cocaine conviction for possessing 86 bags of cocaine inside his apartment as well as a 2013 conviction for unlawfully possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  

    Lewis is the first defendant to be sentenced in the case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement. The investigation was supported by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; and the Braintree, Quincy, Randolph and Watertown Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit and Jeremy Franker of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section are prosecuting the cases.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Sentenced in Rhode Island for Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PROVIDENCE   A Bronx, NY, man who participated in a conspiracy that intended to defraud banks in at least ten states of approximately $143,000 was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Paul Keenan, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnel, Jr., to    24 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. Keenan, charged and arrested in this matter in August 2024, pleaded guilty in February to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

    According to court documents, Keenan, working alongside other members of a conspiracy, to facilitate their scheme, recruited and organized individuals and obtained their photographs and personal identifying information (PII). Keenan and his co-conspirators used the information to create fraudulent IDs that contained their own photographs and the PII of some of the recruits.

    Keenan and others then obtained the PII of at least 28 victim individuals, including their names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and bank account information. They also obtained information of at least 20 business entities, including business names and banking information. The information collected was used to create fraudulent IDs and checks. Members of the conspiracy then traveled with recruits to banks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and at least eight other states to cash bogus checks.

    Through the scheme, Keenan and others attempted to defraud banks of a total of approximately $143,000, successfully defrauding twenty-two banks of a total of approximately $93,200.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christine Lowell with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Hebert.

    The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the East Providence Police Department, with the assistance of the Portsmouth Police Department.

    ###

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Remote Patient Monitoring Company Settles False Claims Act Lawsuit for $1.29 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Health Wealth Safe, Inc. and Dr. Subodh Agrawal have paid $1.29 million to settle allegations that they knowingly caused false claims to be presented to Medicare.

    “Knowingly billing Medicare for services that do not meet Medicare’s requirements is a fraud against taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office will continue to enforce the False Claims Act to recover government payments that result from such misconduct.”

    “Healthcare professionals have a sworn duty to prioritize patient health and to ensure all services billed to the federal government are fully compliant with program requirements,” said Kelly Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the integrity of the Medicare program.”

    The investigation began when former employees of Health Wealth Safe, Inc. (“Health Wealth”) filed a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act referred to as a qui tam suit. The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes civil liability on any person who submits false claims to the federal government or its contractors. The law imposes treble damages and civil penalties on those who submit false claims. Under the law, whistleblowers (also called “relators”) who bring fraud to the government’s attention share in any recovery obtained by the government.

    The United States alleged that, at the direction of owner Dr. Subodh Agrawal, Health Wealth caused claims to be presented to Medicare for remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) services that were not reimbursable. RPM involves the use of non-face-to-face technology to monitor and analyze a patient’s physiological metrics, such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, weight, and blood-sugar or blood-oxygen levels. For monitoring services to be covered by Medicare, the monitoring devices must automatically report readings to the monitoring company without further human intervention. The United States alleged that Health Wealth knowingly billed for RPM services even though it failed to provide patients with devices that met these requirements between September 2019 and January 2021.

    The settlement resolved the underlying lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, United States ex rel. Chavous v. Health Wealth Safe, Inc., No. 1:22-cv-02553. The relator will receive $238,650 from the settlement in this matter, plus attorney’s fees.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

    The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Massachusetts Resident Living in California Pleads Guilty to PPP Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Los Angeles man who formerly resided in Randolph, Mass. has pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of multiple companies he owns and controls.  

    Rindal Pierre-Canel, 30, pleaded guilty on June 24, 2025 to three counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Oct. 1, 2025. The defendant was arrested and charged in January 2025.  

    Between March 2021 and May 2021, Pierre-Canel submitted three fraudulent applications seeking and receiving over $50,000 in PPP funds. Two of the applications were submitted in Pierre-Canel’s own name and the third application was submitted using the stolen personal identifying information of a victim. The submissions included false representations about the existence and income of businesses and included false tax documents in support of these false representations. Pierre-Canel used the funds he received from the fraudulent PPP loan applications on personal expenses, including flights to California and purchases of designer clothing.

    The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Cambridge and Hermosa Beach (Calif.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at: Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: North Stonington Woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Crystal Meth

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JILL MULLIGAN, 45, of North Stonington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking crystal meth.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in April and May 2023, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made three controlled purchases of crystal meth from Mulligan.  Mulligan was arrested on May 4, 2023.  At the time of her arrest, searches of Mulligan’s North Stonington residence and her vehicle revealed approximately 390 grams of crystal meth, and quantities of crack cocaine, LSD, and prescription pills.

    On November 1, 2023, Mulligan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  She has been detained since March 12, 2025, when her bond was revoked.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Merck Foundation marks ‘World Art Day’ through their Film, Song, Media and Fashion Awards 2025 in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies to raise awareness about social & health issues

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

    Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, established by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. Through this dynamic community, Dr. Kelej continues to raise awareness on critical health and social issues while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering a cultural shift within their communities.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 emphasized, “I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go far beyond aesthetics or entertainment, they serve as meaningful tools for education and advocacy. With this vision, we have launched many initiatives including our first-ever pan-African TV program, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. Through this one-of-a-kind show and our other unique initiatives, we continue to raise awareness about critical social issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Empowerment, and also about health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and much more.”

    ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

    The TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTN HOME (Kenya), GH One & TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Uganda), BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), QTV (The Gambia), KTN (Kenya), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa TV (Malawi), Deffi Media (Mauritius), AYV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC (Zambia), ZTN (Zimbabwe), NTV (Namibia) and more.

    “Our Africa” TV Program is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4nrxZR4), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/442bj1X), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/44gZvb0) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4nlbzkj)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4nqM01i), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4nmuA5Q), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4l1yUGc) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZLK35q)].

    Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4l0Kdy8

    Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. The 2025 editions were announced during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in Tanzania in October 2024.

    Dr. Kelej emphasized, “It is very well known that Africa’s creativity reflects its rich heritage, expressed in the form of art, fabrics, music, and storytelling and is carried forward through generations. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their innate talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels.”

    Entries for the Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

    Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

    Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages: English, French and Portuguese. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted these storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

    To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

    https://apo-opa.co/4nmObCP

    https://apo-opa.co/4nlbGwf 

    – on behalf of Merck Foundation.

    Contact:
    Mehak Handa
    Community Awareness Program Manager 
    Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
    Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

    Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4nqM01i
    X: https://apo-opa.co/4l1yUGc
    YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3ZLK35q
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4nmuA5Q
    Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4l3YFFR
    Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/3TbLkyP
    Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
    Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3GeJnPl

    About Merck Foundation:
    The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4nqM01i), X (https://apo-opa.co/4l1yUGc), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4nmuA5Q), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3ZLK35q), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4l3YFFR) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/3TbLkyP).

    The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Global Logistics Advances Landmark Port Expansion Projects

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

    Freight forwarding service Africa Global Logistics (AGL) recently secured €230 million in financing to expand the container terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, marking a major milestone in regional infrastructure development. The new 750-meter quay – scheduled for completion by 2027 – will double the terminal’s capacity to 2.3 million containers annually and support the country’s growing oil and LNG exports.  

    The Pointe Noire project is being executed by AGL’s subsidiary Congo Terminal in collaboration with engineering firm China Road and Bridge Corporation. Backed by both international and Congolese banks, the €400 million platform will include 26 hectares of quayside, a dredged 17-meter-deep basin, and the installation of 16 gantries. It forms a key part of Congo’s strategy to boost hydrocarbon production to 500,000 barrels of oil per day and LNG output to 3 million tons per annum within five years. AGL will participate as a Diamond Sponsor at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. 

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    In Angola, AGL also launched operations at its Lobito Terminal in March last year. The terminal – Angola’s second-largest port hub – handles over one million tons of bulk cargo and more than 100,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers annually, with 730 employees operating deepwater berths and modern equipment. With €100 million in planned investment, the terminal connects to the 1,300-km Benguela railway and aims to become a vital gateway for copper, cobalt and agricultural exports from the Copperbelt region in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project comes at a pivotal time for Angola, which is preparing to bring several major energy developments online between 2025 and 2028. These include the Cabinda Oil Refinery in 2025, the Agogo Integrated West Hub development in late-2025, the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas fields in 2026 and the Kaminho Deepwater Development in 2028. 

    Meanwhile, in Ivory Coast, AGL is playing a vital role in Phase 2 of the Baleine offshore development – West Africa’s first net-zero emissions project. In partnership with engineering firm Saipem, AGL began manufacturing critical subsea structures for the Baleine field in April 2024 at its Carena shipyard in Abidjan. The works include anchoring systems and underwater fixtures totaling over 200 tons, to be deployed in ultra-deep waters. AGL has mobilized 100 skilled local workers – including certified welders, painters and crane operators – reinforcing its commitment to local content, capacity building and sustainable energy infrastructure in Ivory Coast’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector.  

    AGL’s recent activities in Africa align with its broader vision to support the continent’s energy infrastructure. In addition to the Republic of Congo, Angola and Ivory Coast, the company is currently modernizing the Walvis Bay terminal in Namibia while playing a key role in major energy logistics across Mauritania, Senegal and Mozambique. AGL’s Diamond Sponsorship at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 underscores its commitment to building robust, multimodal logistics systems that enable energy development and economic transformation across Africa. 

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S. Coast Guard, USS Sampson Conduct Drug Interdiction In Eastern Pacific

    Source: United States Navy

    PACIFIC OCEAN – U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy interdicted three suspected drug smugglers and more than 7,850 pounds of cocaine, with an assessed wholesale value of approximately $58.1 million, in the Eastern Pacific on Sunday morning.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays

    In our ever-evolving journey to enhance healthcare through technology, we’re announcing a unique new benchmark for grounded radiology report generation—PadChest-GR (opens in new tab). The world’s first multimodal, bilingual sentence-level radiology report dataset, developed by the University of Alicante with Microsoft Research, University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant and MedBravo, is set to redefine how AI and radiologists interpret radiological images. Our work demonstrates how collaboration between humans and AI can create powerful feedback loops—where new datasets drive better AI models, and those models, in turn, inspire richer datasets. We’re excited to share this progress in NEJM AI, highlighting both the clinical relevance and research excellence of this initiative. 

    A new frontier in radiology report generation 

    It is estimated that over half of people visiting hospitals have radiology scans that must be interpreted by a clinical professional. Traditional radiology reports often condense multiple findings into unstructured narratives. In contrast, grounded radiology reporting demands that each finding be described and localized individually.

    This can mitigate the risk of AI fabrications and enable new interactive capabilities that enhance clinical and patient interpretability. PadChest-GR is the first bilingual dataset to address this need with 4,555 chest X-ray studies complete with Spanish and English sentence-level descriptions and precise spatial (bounding box) annotations for both positive and negative findings. It is the first public benchmark that enables us to evaluate generation of fully grounded radiology reports in chest X-rays. 

    Figure 1. Example of a grounded report from PadChest-GR. The original free-text report in Spanish was ”Motivo de consulta: Preoperatorio. Rx PA tórax: Impresión diagnóstica: Ateromatosis aórtica calcificada. Engrosamiento pleural biapical. Atelectasia laminar basal izquierda. Elongación aórtica. Sin otros hallazgos radiológicos significativos.”

    Spotlight: Blog post

    Eureka: Evaluating and understanding progress in AI

    How can we rigorously evaluate and understand state-of-the-art progress in AI? Eureka is an open-source framework for standardizing evaluations of large foundation models, beyond single-score reporting and rankings. Learn more about the extended findings. 

    This benchmark isn’t standing alone—it plays a critical role in powering our state-of-the-art multimodal report generation model, MAIRA-2. Leveraging the detailed annotations of PadChest-GR, MAIRA-2 represents our commitment to building more interpretable and clinically useful AI systems. You can explore our work on MAIRA-2 on our project web page, including recent user research conducted with clinicians in healthcare settings.

    PadChest-GR is a testament to the power of collaboration. Aurelia Bustos at MedBravo and Antonio Pertusa at the University of Alicante published the original PadChest dataset (opens in new tab) in 2020, with the help of Jose María Salinas from Hospital San Juan de Alicante and María de la Iglesia Vayá from the Center of Excellence in Biomedical Imaging at the Ministry of Health in Valencia, Spain. We started to look at PadChest and were deeply impressed by the scale, depth, and diversity of the data.

    As we worked more closely with the dataset, we realized the opportunity to develop this for grounded radiology reporting research and worked with the team at the University of Alicante to determine how to approach this together. Our complementary expertise was a nice fit. At Microsoft Research, our mission is to push the boundaries of medical AI through innovative, data-driven solutions. The University of Alicante, with its deep clinical expertise, provided critical insights that greatly enriched the dataset’s relevance and utility. The result of this collaboration is the PadChest-GR dataset.

    A significant enabler of our annotation process was Centaur Labs. The team of senior and junior radiologists from the University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant, coordinated by Joaquin Galant, used this HIPAA-compliant labeling platform to perform rigorous study-level quality control and bounding box annotations. The annotation protocol implemented ensured that each annotation was accurate and consistent, forming the backbone of a dataset designed for the next generation of grounded radiology report generation models. 

    Accelerating PadChest-GR dataset annotation with AI 

    Our approach integrates advanced large language models with comprehensive manual annotation: 

    Data Selection & Processing: Leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service (opens in new tab) with GPT-4, we extracted sentences describing individual positive and negative findings from raw radiology reports, translated them from Spanish to English, and linked each sentence to the existing expert labels from PadChest. This was done for a selected subset of the full PadChest dataset, carefully curated to reflect a realistic distribution of clinically relevant findings. 

    Manual Quality Control & Annotation: The processed studies underwent meticulous quality checks on the Centaur Labs platform by radiologist from Hospital San Juan de Alicante. Each positive finding was then annotated with bounding boxes to capture critical spatial information. 

    Standardization & Integration: All annotations were harmonized into coherent grounded reports, preserving the structure and context of the original findings while enhancing interpretability. 

    Figure 2. Overview of the data curation pipeline.

    Impact and future directions 

    PadChest-GR not only sets a new benchmark for grounded radiology reporting, but also serves as the foundation for our MAIRA-2 model, which already showcases the potential of highly interpretable AI in clinical settings. While we developed PadChest-GR to help train and validate our own models, we believe the research community will greatly benefit from this dataset for many years to come. We look forward to seeing the broader research community build on this—improving grounded reporting AI models and using PadChest-GR as a standard for evaluation. We believe that by fostering open collaboration and sharing our resources, we can accelerate progress in medical imaging AI and ultimately improve patient care together with the community.

    The collaboration between Microsoft Research and the University of Alicante highlights the transformative power of working together across disciplines. With our publication in NEJM-AI and the integral role of PadChest-GR in the development of MAIRA-2 (opens in new tab) and RadFact (opens in new tab), we are excited about the future of AI-empowered radiology. We invite researchers and industry experts to explore PadChest-GR and MAIRA-2, contribute innovative ideas, and join us in advancing the field of grounded radiology reporting. 

    Papers already using PadChest-GR:

    For further details or to download PadChest-GR, please visit the BIMCV PadChest-GR Project (opens in new tab). 

    Models in the Azure Foundry that can do Grounded Reporting: 

    Acknowledgement

    • Authors: Daniel C. Castro (opens in new tab), Aurelia Bustos (opens in new tab), Shruthi Bannur (opens in new tab), Stephanie L. Hyland (opens in new tab), Kenza Bouzid (opens in new tab), Maria Teodora Wetscherek (opens in new tab), Maria Dolores Sánchez-Valverde (opens in new tab), Lara Jaques-Pérez (opens in new tab), Lourdes Pérez-Rodríguez (opens in new tab), Kenji Takeda (opens in new tab), José María Salinas (opens in new tab), Javier Alvarez-Valle (opens in new tab), Joaquín Galant Herrero (opens in new tab), Antonio Pertusa (opens in new tab) 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays

    In our ever-evolving journey to enhance healthcare through technology, we’re announcing a unique new benchmark for grounded radiology report generation—PadChest-GR (opens in new tab). The world’s first multimodal, bilingual sentence-level radiology report dataset, developed by the University of Alicante with Microsoft Research, University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant and MedBravo, is set to redefine how AI and radiologists interpret radiological images. Our work demonstrates how collaboration between humans and AI can create powerful feedback loops—where new datasets drive better AI models, and those models, in turn, inspire richer datasets. We’re excited to share this progress in NEJM AI, highlighting both the clinical relevance and research excellence of this initiative. 

    A new frontier in radiology report generation 

    It is estimated that over half of people visiting hospitals have radiology scans that must be interpreted by a clinical professional. Traditional radiology reports often condense multiple findings into unstructured narratives. In contrast, grounded radiology reporting demands that each finding be described and localized individually.

    This can mitigate the risk of AI fabrications and enable new interactive capabilities that enhance clinical and patient interpretability. PadChest-GR is the first bilingual dataset to address this need with 4,555 chest X-ray studies complete with Spanish and English sentence-level descriptions and precise spatial (bounding box) annotations for both positive and negative findings. It is the first public benchmark that enables us to evaluate generation of fully grounded radiology reports in chest X-rays. 

    Figure 1. Example of a grounded report from PadChest-GR. The original free-text report in Spanish was ”Motivo de consulta: Preoperatorio. Rx PA tórax: Impresión diagnóstica: Ateromatosis aórtica calcificada. Engrosamiento pleural biapical. Atelectasia laminar basal izquierda. Elongación aórtica. Sin otros hallazgos radiológicos significativos.”

    Spotlight: Blog post

    Eureka: Evaluating and understanding progress in AI

    How can we rigorously evaluate and understand state-of-the-art progress in AI? Eureka is an open-source framework for standardizing evaluations of large foundation models, beyond single-score reporting and rankings. Learn more about the extended findings. 

    This benchmark isn’t standing alone—it plays a critical role in powering our state-of-the-art multimodal report generation model, MAIRA-2. Leveraging the detailed annotations of PadChest-GR, MAIRA-2 represents our commitment to building more interpretable and clinically useful AI systems. You can explore our work on MAIRA-2 on our project web page, including recent user research conducted with clinicians in healthcare settings.

    PadChest-GR is a testament to the power of collaboration. Aurelia Bustos at MedBravo and Antonio Pertusa at the University of Alicante published the original PadChest dataset (opens in new tab) in 2020, with the help of Jose María Salinas from Hospital San Juan de Alicante and María de la Iglesia Vayá from the Center of Excellence in Biomedical Imaging at the Ministry of Health in Valencia, Spain. We started to look at PadChest and were deeply impressed by the scale, depth, and diversity of the data.

    As we worked more closely with the dataset, we realized the opportunity to develop this for grounded radiology reporting research and worked with the team at the University of Alicante to determine how to approach this together. Our complementary expertise was a nice fit. At Microsoft Research, our mission is to push the boundaries of medical AI through innovative, data-driven solutions. The University of Alicante, with its deep clinical expertise, provided critical insights that greatly enriched the dataset’s relevance and utility. The result of this collaboration is the PadChest-GR dataset.

    A significant enabler of our annotation process was Centaur Labs. The team of senior and junior radiologists from the University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant, coordinated by Joaquin Galant, used this HIPAA-compliant labeling platform to perform rigorous study-level quality control and bounding box annotations. The annotation protocol implemented ensured that each annotation was accurate and consistent, forming the backbone of a dataset designed for the next generation of grounded radiology report generation models. 

    Accelerating PadChest-GR dataset annotation with AI 

    Our approach integrates advanced large language models with comprehensive manual annotation: 

    Data Selection & Processing: Leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service (opens in new tab) with GPT-4, we extracted sentences describing individual positive and negative findings from raw radiology reports, translated them from Spanish to English, and linked each sentence to the existing expert labels from PadChest. This was done for a selected subset of the full PadChest dataset, carefully curated to reflect a realistic distribution of clinically relevant findings. 

    Manual Quality Control & Annotation: The processed studies underwent meticulous quality checks on the Centaur Labs platform by radiologist from Hospital San Juan de Alicante. Each positive finding was then annotated with bounding boxes to capture critical spatial information. 

    Standardization & Integration: All annotations were harmonized into coherent grounded reports, preserving the structure and context of the original findings while enhancing interpretability. 

    Figure 2. Overview of the data curation pipeline.

    Impact and future directions 

    PadChest-GR not only sets a new benchmark for grounded radiology reporting, but also serves as the foundation for our MAIRA-2 model, which already showcases the potential of highly interpretable AI in clinical settings. While we developed PadChest-GR to help train and validate our own models, we believe the research community will greatly benefit from this dataset for many years to come. We look forward to seeing the broader research community build on this—improving grounded reporting AI models and using PadChest-GR as a standard for evaluation. We believe that by fostering open collaboration and sharing our resources, we can accelerate progress in medical imaging AI and ultimately improve patient care together with the community.

    The collaboration between Microsoft Research and the University of Alicante highlights the transformative power of working together across disciplines. With our publication in NEJM-AI and the integral role of PadChest-GR in the development of MAIRA-2 (opens in new tab) and RadFact (opens in new tab), we are excited about the future of AI-empowered radiology. We invite researchers and industry experts to explore PadChest-GR and MAIRA-2, contribute innovative ideas, and join us in advancing the field of grounded radiology reporting. 

    Papers already using PadChest-GR:

    For further details or to download PadChest-GR, please visit the BIMCV PadChest-GR Project (opens in new tab). 

    Models in the Azure Foundry that can do Grounded Reporting: 

    Acknowledgement

    • Authors: Daniel C. Castro (opens in new tab), Aurelia Bustos (opens in new tab), Shruthi Bannur (opens in new tab), Stephanie L. Hyland (opens in new tab), Kenza Bouzid (opens in new tab), Maria Teodora Wetscherek (opens in new tab), Maria Dolores Sánchez-Valverde (opens in new tab), Lara Jaques-Pérez (opens in new tab), Lourdes Pérez-Rodríguez (opens in new tab), Kenji Takeda (opens in new tab), José María Salinas (opens in new tab), Javier Alvarez-Valle (opens in new tab), Joaquín Galant Herrero (opens in new tab), Antonio Pertusa (opens in new tab) 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft is committed to the European Accessibility Act

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft is committed to the European Accessibility Act

    On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) becomes enforceable—–an important step forward for accessibility in the EU and around the world. It sets a new bar for digital accessibility and disability rights, enabling disabled people to fully participate in society and the economy. Accelerating technology and innovation will make it easier for everyone, including 110+ million disabled people across the EU. Microsoft has supported the EAA since its introduction in December 2015. 

    The EAA is a catalyst for advancing the accessibility of digital products and services throughout the European Single Market. It harmonizes accessibility requirements across Member States and establishes a strong framework for future policies, including AI and accessibility. It requires digital products and services, from banking apps to e-readers, to be accessible and it brings clarity and consistency of experience across the EU market.

    Our approach to the EAA 

    Accessibility is a journey that we have been committed to for over 30 years. We view accessibility as a fundamental right, core to Microsoft’s mission to empower every person. It serves a crucially important function, making technology accessible, and easier to use for everyone. 

    We are committed to making sure that our products and services comply with the European Accessibility Act and are grateful to the hundreds of engineers across the company who have prioritized this work over the last three years. We invested in accessibility in some of our leading products, including Windows, Teams, and Outlook, collaborating with policymakers, accessibility professionals, and community members to deliver on EAA requirements. 

    The EAA is a new, complex regulatory framework that is still evolving. The ongoing transposition and harmonization of related standards will determine the steps we all need to take. We will constantly evaluate our products, services, and data uses as understanding and regulatory interpretation of the EAA evolve. 

    Regulation driving innovation

    Our work on the EAA has yielded new features, which we’re proud to announce today: 

    • Real-time text (RTT) in Teams provides a new way for people, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, to participate in meetings, directly addressing both EAA requirements and the needs of our customers.   
    • We made it easier to find, learn, and use accessibility features with broadened and standardized support documentation on www.microsoft.com/accessibility. 
    •  Unboxing products is easier, more welcoming for all, and better for the planet. Our approach is detailed in the ‘creating accessible packaging’ toolkit.   
    • We are excited to launch enhanced support for developers to upload closed captions and audio descriptions for app and game trailers, making content available to everyone.  

    The EAA has evolved and has also shaped implementation of AI–driven accessibility in many of our features, including Copilot and Immersive Reader. The EAA’s requirements will continue to be a guidepost for the accessibility of future AI innovation. 

    Helping customers prepare for the EAA  

    We are committed to helping organizations succeed by providing the technology and tools they need to thrive in the AI economy. We start with Microsoft as Customer Zero, then we share our learnings with others. We are launching this today on a new site: aka.ms/EAAOverview. It includes:

    1. Getting Started with the EAA
    If you’re wondering where to begin, start with our Overview of the EAA. It breaks down which products and services are in scope and how to prepare. Today, we’re launching industry guides for retail, transport, finance, media & telco, and government, packed with practical tips to help you turn accessibility into a business advantage. 

    2. Microsoft’s Approach
    We’ve learned a lot on our journey. Some of the tools and frameworks that helped us include: 

    • Inclusive Design: Start early. Our Inclusive Design Framework helps you reduce rework, improve usability, and build products that work for everyone. 
    • Horizon Model: Helps you plan for long-term growth by investing in people, accessible tech, and innovation. 
    • Accessibility Insights: Our free, open-source tool, Accessibility Insights, helps teams find and fix accessibility issues fast. It integrates with GitHub and Azure Boards and supports three flexible testing modes. 

    Ready to take the next step? You can build your own Copilot agent, designed inclusively from the start, and use Accessibility Insights to catch issues early. And if you or your customers need support, our Disability Answer Desk is here to help with accessibility questions, troubleshooting, and product guidance. 

    Looking forward

    June 28 is a starting line, not the finish line. This foundational legislation is an important step for compliance and a catalyst for the next generation of accessible technology innovation. We look forward to learning and partnering with you on the journey. We are proud to host an event with our partner, the European Disability Forum, in Brussels for the European Accessibility Summit 2025 14 October 2025 (in person and virtual). Join us and register now. 

    We are committed to continuing to drive conversations on accessibility and disability rights with policy makers, regulators, industry peers, and the disability community throughout the year, viewing the EAA as a vital step toward reimagining how technology can serve everyone, everywhere. 

     

    Tags: Accessibility

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran were facilitated by the Russia-Ukraine war

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

    The American intervention in Iran is being touted as an outstanding success by President Donald Trump. At the very least, Trump’s decision to attack Iran facilitated a ceasefire as it created angst in Gulf states about being caught in the crossfire after Iran symbolically attacked an American air base, Al Udeid, in Qatar.

    The long-term implications and viability of the ceasefire are open for debate.

    If Iran preserved its nuclear stockpile of fissile material, it has more incentive to develop a nuclear weapon, despite the damage Israel and the United States did to its production facilities. This is especially true if the damage to facilities like Fordow was less than Trump is proclaiming.

    Russian-Iranian relations

    While the future of Iran’s nuclear weapons capacity remains unknown, what is clear is that the U.S. and Israel were able to strike at Iran in large part due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

    In the modern era, relations between Russia and Iran have frequently been tense. Russia and the Soviet Union’s interests in the region have provoked several conflicts, most notably during the 1940s when the Soviets encouraged the formation of the People’s Republic of Azerbaijan on Iranian soil.

    The shah of Iran’s close relationship with the U.S. further discouraged a strong relationship between Moscow and Tehran.

    The shah’s fall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, allowed for a working relationship to develop between Iran and Russia. They’re still rivals but nevertheless work together when it suits their best interests. Russian and Iranian co-operation on the Syrian civil war is an example.

    Furthermore, both Iran and Russia have provided diplomatic support for each other. Russia’s insertion into the Iran nuclear deal framework in 2015 benefited both parties. It provided economic benefits to Russia, and it also allowed Iran to develop its nuclear ambitions.

    When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Iran was one of the few countries that didn’t oppose the move. It abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution in March 2022 condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which amounted to tacit support.

    More importantly, Iran’s own success in evading oil sanctions helped Russia do the same, allowing the Russians to maintain their war effort in Ukraine.

    The connections between Russia and Iran, however, goes beyond the political and economic.

    Drones and other weapons

    Iran has played a pivotal role in Russia’s war in Ukraine. One of Ukraine’s initial advantages was in drone technology, including the drone expertise of its allies. The Russian military, which had not fully embraced the implications of drone technology, was at a severe disadvantage.

    Iran, however, had embraced the role of drones in warfare and both provided drones to Russia and helped the Russians develop their own domestic production.

    Iran, at an arms disadvantage against Israel and the U.S., sought to use drones to offset this weakness. The Iranians, in fact, pioneered the use of drones, most notably the Shahed 131 and 136.



    Read more:
    How Russian and Iranian drone strikes further dehumanize warfare

    Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, the flow of weapons between Russia and Iran was more one-sided. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Iran has been a vital market for Russian military technology. Russian leaders have viewed the sale of weapons to Iran as both a way of supporting the Russian economy and to counter American interests in the Middle East.

    So what’s all this have to do with Ukraine?

    Iran left open to bombardment

    The most crucial weapon provided by Russia to Iran is arguably the S-300, an advanced surface-to-air missile systems.

    Israel’s air dominance and its ability to overcome Iranian air defences in the past meant that the S-300 was a vital piece of technology for Iran. Israeli officials recognized the S-300’s importance to countering their operations when they, for several years, used political pressure to block S-300 sales to Iran.

    In October 2024, Israel likely breached the software that operates the S-300, disabling the system’s radar. This breach allowed Israel to eliminate Iran’s S-300s, and left Iran vulnerable to Israeli and American air attacks.

    Iran has been unable to acquire replacements for one simple reason: Russia needs the weapon systems in Ukraine. Ukraine has prioritized eliminating Russian air defences like the S-300.

    The enduring Ukraine-Russia conflict has served as a bleeding ulcer for the Russian armaments industry. Russian military hardware has been destroyed at such a rate that it’s delayed Russia’s sale of weapons to key markets, including Iran and India.

    The situation has caused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pivot away from Russian military technology — a key feature in Russian-Indian relations — for domestic arms backed by western technology.

    Iran, meantime, has been left open to aerial bombardment by Israel and the U.S.

    Although Iran reportedly possesses the even more advanced S-400, this hasn’t been confirmed and Iran has denied it.

    Ukraine advances U.S. interests

    Rightly or wrongly, the U.S. government identified bombing Iran alongside Israel as being in its national interest. But it’s unlikely American involvement would have been possible without Ukraine draining Russian resources.

    The problem is that the current U.S. administration views the world and its events in an isolated manner. But in a globalized world, few events remain in isolation.

    The U.S. government may argue that supporting Ukraine is not in American interests, but Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia is actually assisting Americans elsewhere — most notably, in Iran.

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

    – ref. How Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran were facilitated by the Russia-Ukraine war – https://theconversation.com/how-israeli-and-u-s-strikes-against-iran-were-facilitated-by-the-russia-ukraine-war-259845

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI: IAFI4.0 by SWIA and François Delacroix Marks a New Era in AI-Driven Investment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SWIA, a global leader in intelligent investment solutions, officially unveiled IAFI4.0, its next-generation AI investment system. Designed under the leadership of renowned financial strategist and SWIA founder François Delacroix, the system aims to redefine how investors approach market complexity through automation, precision, and adaptive intelligence.

    A Strategic Leap in Financial Technology

    IAFI4.0 combines real-time market analytics, multi-factor modeling, and AI-driven decision support to deliver investment strategies that are both responsive and replicable. It is engineered to assist investors in identifying opportunities, managing risk exposure, and optimizing portfolio allocations across various asset classes.

    “Modern markets demand modern thinking,” said François Delacroix at the launch event in Paris. “IAFI4.0 is not just a system—it’s a transformation in how we understand and act on financial data. It empowers investors to navigate uncertainty with confidence, speed, and structure.”

    Practical Tools for a Global Investor Base

    IAFI4.0 has already been tested across multiple real-market environments, delivering strong results in performance stability and strategy adaptability. SWIA plans to expand global access to the system through phased onboarding, localized support tools, and educational programs aligned with the platform’s strategic intelligence model.

    Beyond Technology: An Educational Vision

    SWIA integrates its technological advances with a deep commitment to investor education. With a community of over 30,000 learners worldwide, the institution supports clients not only with intelligent systems but also with the training necessary to use them effectively. IAFI4.0 reflects this synergy—where technology meets practical skill.

    Looking Forward

    Following the launch of IAFI4.0, SWIA will focus on scaling its intelligent investment ecosystem across Europe, Asia, and beyond. By enhancing the system with new modules and collaborative research, SWIA reaffirms its mission: to make intelligent investing the global standard.

    About SWIA

    SWIA is a leading international firm specializing in intelligent finance and AI-powered investment systems. Founded by François Delacroix, SWIA is known for its integration of advanced technology with hands-on investor education. The IAFI4.0 system represents its latest milestone in reshaping the future of financial decision-making.

    https://www.swia-fr.com/

    Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or an investment recommendation. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment decisions should be made based on personal evaluation or professional counsel.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Early Redemption – Amended (ISIN code: FR0000584377)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (SEE “DISCLAIMER” BELOW).

    Paris, June 26th 2025

    Notice of Early Redemption (amended)

    To : (i)      The Noteholders of the below mentioned Notes;
    (ii)      Euronext Paris;
    (iii)      Fiscal Agent.

    Dear Sirs,

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A.,
    Issuance of F 500 000 000 (€76 224 508),
    Undated Subordinatede Notes
    With the Isin code: FR0000584377 (the ‘’Notes’’)

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A., (formerly “Compagnie Financière de Crédit Industriel et Commercial’’) is the issuer (the “Issuer’’) of the Notes.

    In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Notes (the ‘’Conditions’’), the Issuer hereby gives notice that it is exercising in whole its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to the provision Redemption (‘’Remboursement’’) of the Listing Particulars (“Issuer Call Option”) of the Notes.

    The Issuer instructs the Fiscal Agent to authorise the French Central Securities Depository to cancel the Notes redeemed on 21 July, 2025 (“Early Redemption Date”).

    For the purposes of the Issuer Call:

    (i) the Issuer Call Date will be 21 July, 2025; and

    (ii) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) or Early Redemption Amount excluding accrued interest is: 1.01 euros per Denomination.

    Notwithstanding the information provided in the Conditions of the Notes, Law No. 98-546 of July 2, 1998, implementing various economic and financial provisions, provided for the conversion of negotiable securities denominated in Francs into securities with a nominal value of one euro. Therefore, the Early Redemption amount is carried out based on a nominal value of one euro per Notes, and the accrued interest will be adjusted accordingly.

    Unless otherwise defined in this notice, capitalised terms used in this notice shall have the meaning given to them in the Listing Particulars (‘’Note d’Information’’) dated June, 1987, as applicable, relating to the Notes.

    Yours faithfully,

    For and on behalf of

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A.,

    By Eric CUZZUCOLI

    Duly authorized

    DISCLAIMER
    This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell, the Instruments in the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan or in any other jurisdiction, including France. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this press release comes are required to inform themselves and observe any such restrictions. No communication may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction in which registration or approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such action would be required; CIC disclaims any liability for any violation by any person of such restrictions.

    Contacts
    Corporate Communications and Press Relations Department: +33 (0)1 53 48 26 00 – compresse@cic.fr
    Investor Relations: bfcm-web@creditmutuel.fr

    About CIC
    CIC is a leading bank in France and internationally, and the bank of one in three businesses in France. It provides nearly 5.5 million customers with a French network of nearly 1,800 branches and 20,000 employees, as well as international branches in 37 countries. In order to meet the needs of all economic players and to build up a constantly efficient offer on a daily basis, it combines financial, insurance, telephony and cutting-edge technological services with a high level of financial solidity backed by that of its parent company, Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale. For more information, visit cic.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Early Redemption – Amended (ISIN code: FR0000584377)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO RELEASE, PUBLISH OR DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (SEE “DISCLAIMER” BELOW).

    Paris, June 26th 2025

    Notice of Early Redemption (amended)

    To : (i)      The Noteholders of the below mentioned Notes;
    (ii)      Euronext Paris;
    (iii)      Fiscal Agent.

    Dear Sirs,

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A.,
    Issuance of F 500 000 000 (€76 224 508),
    Undated Subordinatede Notes
    With the Isin code: FR0000584377 (the ‘’Notes’’)

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A., (formerly “Compagnie Financière de Crédit Industriel et Commercial’’) is the issuer (the “Issuer’’) of the Notes.

    In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Notes (the ‘’Conditions’’), the Issuer hereby gives notice that it is exercising in whole its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to the provision Redemption (‘’Remboursement’’) of the Listing Particulars (“Issuer Call Option”) of the Notes.

    The Issuer instructs the Fiscal Agent to authorise the French Central Securities Depository to cancel the Notes redeemed on 21 July, 2025 (“Early Redemption Date”).

    For the purposes of the Issuer Call:

    (i) the Issuer Call Date will be 21 July, 2025; and

    (ii) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) or Early Redemption Amount excluding accrued interest is: 1.01 euros per Denomination.

    Notwithstanding the information provided in the Conditions of the Notes, Law No. 98-546 of July 2, 1998, implementing various economic and financial provisions, provided for the conversion of negotiable securities denominated in Francs into securities with a nominal value of one euro. Therefore, the Early Redemption amount is carried out based on a nominal value of one euro per Notes, and the accrued interest will be adjusted accordingly.

    Unless otherwise defined in this notice, capitalised terms used in this notice shall have the meaning given to them in the Listing Particulars (‘’Note d’Information’’) dated June, 1987, as applicable, relating to the Notes.

    Yours faithfully,

    For and on behalf of

    Crédit Industriel et Commercial S.A.,

    By Eric CUZZUCOLI

    Duly authorized

    DISCLAIMER
    This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell, the Instruments in the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan or in any other jurisdiction, including France. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this press release comes are required to inform themselves and observe any such restrictions. No communication may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction in which registration or approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such action would be required; CIC disclaims any liability for any violation by any person of such restrictions.

    Contacts
    Corporate Communications and Press Relations Department: +33 (0)1 53 48 26 00 – compresse@cic.fr
    Investor Relations: bfcm-web@creditmutuel.fr

    About CIC
    CIC is a leading bank in France and internationally, and the bank of one in three businesses in France. It provides nearly 5.5 million customers with a French network of nearly 1,800 branches and 20,000 employees, as well as international branches in 37 countries. In order to meet the needs of all economic players and to build up a constantly efficient offer on a daily basis, it combines financial, insurance, telephony and cutting-edge technological services with a high level of financial solidity backed by that of its parent company, Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale. For more information, visit cic.fr

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nimanode Presale Skyrockets, over 28% Allocation Scooped as Major Investors Flock to the Potential 10X on XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The highly anticipated Nimanode (NMA) Presale has so far surpassed expectations, rapidly filling its presale allocation with 28% already scooped so far from its softcap which has fuelled intense investor FOMO.

    Nimanode, is drawing serious attention from early adopters seeking exposure to the next phase of Web3 automation.

    Analysts have predicted $NMA could deliver high returns with anticipation of a major breakout post-launch, early participants are moving quickly to secure $NMA tokens at presale pricing.

    $NMA Presale

    Presale Participation Surges as Investor Demands Intensifies

    FOMO is already set in place as the Nimanode Presale momentum already indicates strong confidence from early investors citing a belief in the project.

    Demand for the NMA token has also surged as tokens are set to be listed at an upward 25% price from presale prices at top XRPL exchanges like Magnetic, so instant returns for early investors are expected.

    The platform’s unique value lies in its accessibility. Anyone regardless of coding ability can create and monetize autonomous AI agents, all powered by the speed and cost-efficiency of the XRPL.

    Unlike static automation or off-chain bots, Nimanode agents operate on-chain, interact with smart contracts, and generate on-chain earnings; creating a new form of programmable, decentralized labor.

    Pioneering the AI x Blockchain Wave on XRP Ledger

    Nimanode is capturing attention for good reason: it’s pioneering zero-code, on-chain AI agents that can automate complex blockchain tasks from deploying smart contracts and managing DeFi strategies to running real-time compliance checks and providing intelligent customer support.

    Though independent from Ripple’s official roadmap, Nimanode leverages XRP Ledger’s speed, low fees, and increasing developer adoption to help reignite the bullish energy seen in previous cycles.

    To put it in perspective, XRP once saw an explosive 137,000% surge during the 2017–2018 bull market. Now, as the XRP ecosystem rebounds with the token retracing back to $2.20

    Nimanode’s emergence offers a timely opportunity to capture investor interest around intelligent automation, agent-powered DeFi, and tokenized real-world utilities built directly on XRPL.

    Don’t Miss Out Nimanode Presale

    With early interest accelerating and a powerful utility-driven token model, investor excitement around Nimanode is building fast. As more participants secure their share of $NMA, the window for getting in at the most favorable entry point is narrowing quickly.

    Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward

    Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit

    Send to an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Ensure you have a non-custodial wallet capable of receiving XRP native tokens Xaman recommended.

    Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode presale page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

    As Nimanode Presale gains momentum, now is a perfect opportunity to position at the next wave of Blockchain innovation poised for massive gains through the integration of Web3 and AI.

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e265477-34bd-41dd-a088-88b80c5fc989

    The MIL Network –