NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Published in the journal Ecosphere, the research introduces a conceptual framework that links climate-driven changes, abiotic stress (such as extreme temperatures, drought, or salinity), and the vulnerability of ecosystems to transformation. The authors argue that ecosystems already teetering near their physiological limits are especially prone to sudden change, providing examples of this climate-driven threshold behavior from four high-stress environments: coastal wetlands, coral reefs, drylands, and alpine ecosystems.

    Ecosystems don’t always respond gradually to environmental change. In some cases, a relatively minor shift—like a slight rise in temperature or a modest drop in soil moisture—can push a system past its breaking point.

    Photos of (a) coastal wetland, (b) coral reef, (c) dryland, and (d) alpine ecosystems. These ecosystems are chronically exposed to high levels of abiotic stress that approach physiological tolerance limits. As a result, these are ecosystems that can be transformed by small changes in climatic drivers that exceed critical physiological thresholds or alleviate stress near thresholds. 

    The framework zeroes in on ecosystems where foundation species—organisms that create and define habitat, like corals, seagrasses, or kelp—play a central role. These species often live close to the edge of their environmental tolerance. When conditions tip even slightly beyond that edge, it can result in rapid, widespread shifts in structure, function, and biodiversity.

    For example, coral reefs and coastal marshes, both highly stressed and dominated by a few foundation species, are vulnerable to collapse if temperatures or sea levels rise too far. Conversely, the study suggests that if stress is alleviated—for instance, with warming winters or increasing freshwater inputs— some foundation plant species could thrive and even expand into areas once considered inhospitable.

    The researchers emphasize that understanding where ecological thresholds lie is crucial for conservation and management. By identifying which systems are close to tipping points, managers can better prioritize efforts to either prevent collapse or support recovery. 

    Read the study, Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress, in Ecosphere.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor cites two event production companies after stagehand’s fatal injury at Orlando music festival site

    Source: US Department of Labor

    ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited two event production companies following an inspection concerning an October 2024 employee fatality.

    Stage FX Inc. and James Thomas Productions LLC were cited with serious violations for allegedly failing to maintain structural stability during the erection of a stage and failing to provide proper employee training on the associated hazards. 

    James Thomas Productions paid $19,860 to address the violations, while Stage FX has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

    Learn more about OSHA, preventing struck-by-hazards, and how to access the agency’s free compliance assistance resources. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NAB home lending jumps as first home buyers return

    Source: Premier of Victoria

    Charlotte Dru Ziegeler wasn’t expecting her home ownership journey to move so quickly. Within two weeks of receiving pre-approval for a home loan from NAB, she’d found a home, made an offer and started packing.

    Charlotte is one of the growing number of first home buyers re-entering the market as conditions continue to improve.

    NAB customer Charlotte Dru Ziegeler

    Lending to first home buyers has jumped 16% since February, while lending to all owner occupiers is up 32% over the same period, new NAB data shows.

    Victoria is leading the way, with first home buyer activity climbing 28%, closely followed by Western Australia (+22%) and Queensland (+21%).

    The 33-year-old children’s librarian, who works in Geelong, had been watching the market for a while but wasn’t sure if buying was something she could yet do with the deposit she had saved.

    “Back in February I saw NAB had lowered their variable home loan rate, so I decided it was time to take another look at my options.

    “I spoke to a banker, got pre-approved in less than an hour and then not long after, the right house came up,” Charlotte said.

    That house was in St Leonards, a quiet coastal town just out of Geelong, and close to where Charlotte grew up. She recruited both her mother and brother to help with the move which happened only six weeks after talking to her NAB banker.

    “It all happened so fast. It was really exciting, and a huge ‘pinch me’ moment,” Charlotte said.

    “I grew up around here, so that made the whole process a little less daunting, and I’m the first of my siblings to buy a home so I’ve had a lot of support from my family.”

    NAB Executive for Home Lending Denton Pugh, said with NAB making cuts to both its fixed and variable home lending rate, the bank is seeing more first home buyers, and home buyers more broadly re-enter the market.

    “We’re seeing momentum return, especially with people like Charlotte who’ve been saving or waiting for the right time to take that jump into home ownership,” said Mr Pugh.

    NAB Executive for Home Lending Denton Pugh

    “And that momentum could carry through winter, which is usually a quieter time with less sellers listing over the cooler months.

    “Despite recent rate cuts, borrowing costs remain relatively high, limiting property value increases. Slower price increases benefit first home buyers by reducing the pressure of rapidly rising house prices.

    “Lower rates are helping first home buyers, as are initiatives such as the government’s Home Guarantee Scheme, but housing affordability and supply aren’t problems we can solve quickly.

    “There’s no silver bullet when it comes to housing – it will take business, government and communities all working together.”

    Notes to editors:

    • NAB proprietary home lending data between February – April 2025 vs the year prior.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BUCKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Advocate for Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Proposed Mass Transit Investments, Connecting Communities and Powering Pennsylvania’s Economy

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 17, 2025 – Croydon, PA

    ADVISORY – BUCKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Advocate for Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Proposed Mass Transit Investments, Connecting Communities and Powering Pennsylvania’s Economy

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will join representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), as well as leaders from local employers, to highlight the importance of investing in mass transit to create jobs, connect communities and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.
    The Lieutenant Governor will host a news conference Tuesday, June 17, at 9:15 a.m. at SEPTA’s Croydon Station, 751 Bristol Pike, Croydon.

    The Lieutenant Governor will then board a Trenton Line Regional Rail train to travel to Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia.
    The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget proposal calls for significant investment in mass transit and road and bridge infrastructure all across the Commonwealth ensuring Pennsylvanians can get where they need to go.

    WHO:
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, SEPTA Board Chair Ken Lawrence, Transport Workers Union Local 234 President Brian Pollitt, Holy Family University President Dr. Anne Prisco, Bucks County Transportation Management Association Executive Director Stephen Noll

    WHAT:
    News conference and ride-along to highlight the importance of investing in public transit

    WHEN:
    Tuesday, June 17, at 9:15 a.m.

    WHERE:
    SEPTA’s Croydon Station
    751 Bristol Pike, Croydon

    RSVP:
    Members of the news media who are interested in attending the news conference must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov. There will be opportunities for b-roll footage during the ride-along.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BUCKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Advocate for Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Proposed Mass Transit Investments, Connecting Communities and Powering Pennsylvania’s Economy

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 17, 2025 – Croydon, PA

    ADVISORY – BUCKS COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis to Advocate for Shapiro-Davis Administration’s Proposed Mass Transit Investments, Connecting Communities and Powering Pennsylvania’s Economy

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis will join representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), as well as leaders from local employers, to highlight the importance of investing in mass transit to create jobs, connect communities and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.
    The Lieutenant Governor will host a news conference Tuesday, June 17, at 9:15 a.m. at SEPTA’s Croydon Station, 751 Bristol Pike, Croydon.

    The Lieutenant Governor will then board a Trenton Line Regional Rail train to travel to Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia.
    The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget proposal calls for significant investment in mass transit and road and bridge infrastructure all across the Commonwealth ensuring Pennsylvanians can get where they need to go.

    WHO:
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, SEPTA Board Chair Ken Lawrence, Transport Workers Union Local 234 President Brian Pollitt, Holy Family University President Dr. Anne Prisco, Bucks County Transportation Management Association Executive Director Stephen Noll

    WHAT:
    News conference and ride-along to highlight the importance of investing in public transit

    WHEN:
    Tuesday, June 17, at 9:15 a.m.

    WHERE:
    SEPTA’s Croydon Station
    751 Bristol Pike, Croydon

    RSVP:
    Members of the news media who are interested in attending the news conference must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov. There will be opportunities for b-roll footage during the ride-along.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Declines Prosecution of Private Equity Firm Following Voluntary Disclosure of Sanctions Violations and Related Offenses Committed by Acquired Company

    Source: US State of California

    Department Credits Firm’s Swift Disclosure and Cooperation in Stopping Violations and Securing Former CEO’s Conviction

    Note: View a copy of the White Deer declination letter, Unicat non-prosecution agreement, and Mani Erfan’s plea agreement.

    The Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) today announced that they declined the prosecution of private equity firm White Deer Management LLC (White Deer) and its affiliates after the firm discovered and voluntarily self-disclosed criminal violations of U.S. sanctions and export laws committed by a company it acquired, Texas-based Unicat Catalyst Technologies LLC (Unicat).

    NSD and SDTX also announced that the Justice Department entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Unicat, and that, on Aug. 19, 2024, the former chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder of Unicat, Mani Erfan, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran and other countries and foreign governments, as well as concealment and international promotional money laundering. As part of his plea, Erfan also agreed to pay a money judgment in the amount of $1,600,000.

    “After acquiring a company with a hidden history of sanctions violations, this private equity firm uncovered the misconduct, stopped it, and quickly reported it to the government, leading to the successful prosecution of a senior executive,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Our decision to decline prosecution of the acquiror and extend a non-prosecution agreement to the acquired entity in this case reflects the National Security Division’s strong commitment to rewarding responsible corporate leadership.”

    “Illegally exporting sensitive items to Venezuela and Iran to help them evade sanctions directly undermines U.S. foreign policy and threatens our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Houston. “HSI will not sit by idly while businesses or individuals operating in the U.S. blatantly help our nation’s adversaries procure sensitive technologies or weapons and today’s announcement of a $3 million fine and the imposition of criminal charges is just another example of that enduring commitment.”

    As detailed in court documents and in the Department’s agreements with White Deer and Unicat, from approximately 2014 through 2021, Mani Erfan, Unicat’s former CEO, conspired with others, including at least one other Unicat employee, to cause Unicat to submit bids and make sales to customers in Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and Cuba in violation of U.S. economic sanctions. In total, Erfan caused Unicat to make a total of 23 unlawful sales of chemical catalysts used in oil refining and steel production to customers in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Some of the sales were effected through exports of catalysts from the United States and further violated U.S. export control laws.

    To further the conspiracy, the conspirators made false statements in export documents and financial records about the true identities and locations of Unicat’s customers and falsely assured some Unicat employees that the company’s business with customers subject to U.S. economic sanctions was lawful. Unicat obtained approximately $3.33 million in revenue from its unlawful sales.

    Erfan and Unicat employees additionally falsified invoices to reduce the tariffs assessed on catalysts that Unicat imported from China. By undervaluing these imports, Unicat caused a loss of revenue of approximately $1.66 million in duties, taxes, and fees. Further, during negotiations to sell Unicat to White Deer, Unicat’s prior owners provided representations and warranties to White Deer attesting to Unicat’s compliance with U.S. sanctions and export control laws.

    The scheme came to light in June 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, after White Deer acquired Unicat and a second company based in the United Kingdom, and Unicat’s new CEO was able to travel to the United States to visit Unicat and begin to integrate the operations of the company. During his visit, the new CEO learned that Unicat had a pending transaction with an Iranian customer and immediately ordered the deal’s cancellation. Over the next month, White Deer and Unicat’s new CEO retained counsel to investigate, and learned that Unicat had engaged in a series of transactions with counterparties subject to different U.S. sanctions programs. Before the investigation was complete, but after determining that Unicat employees had engaged in potentially criminal violations of U.S. sanctions laws, White Deer and Unicat’s new management submitted a voluntary self-disclosure to NSD.

    Pursuant to the NPA, Unicat agreed to pay forfeiture totaling $3,325,052.10, representing the proceeds of its violations of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. In parallel resolutions coordinated between the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Unicat agreed to pay $3,882,797 to OFAC for its apparent violations of U.S. sanctions laws, and agreed with OEE to pay a penalty of $391,183 for its violation of U.S. export control laws. OFAC agreed to credit Unicat’s payment of forfeiture pursuant to the NPA against the OFAC penalty, and OEE has agreed to credit Unicat’s payment to OFAC against the OEE penalty. In a separate administrative resolution with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Unicat agreed to pay $1,655,189.57, in underpaid duties, taxes, and fees.

    NSD and SDTX declined White Deer’s prosecution and entered into the NPA with Unicat after considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations, the National Security Division Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations (NSD Enforcement Policy), and pursuant to the provisions of the NSD Enforcement Policy that apply to Voluntary Self-Disclosures in Connection with Acquisitions (the NSD M&A Policy).

    The NSD M&A Policy provides that when a company (1) completes a lawful bona fide acquisition of another entity, (2) voluntarily and timely self-discloses to NSD potentially criminal violations of laws affecting U.S. national security committed by the acquired entity, (3) fully cooperates with NSD’s investigation, and (4) timely and appropriately remediates the misconduct, NSD generally will not seek a guilty plea from the acquiror, and there is a presumption that NSD will decline to prosecute the acquiror. The NSD M&A Policy further provides that while a presumption of declination is not available to the acquired entity, NSD will credit the acquiror’s timely voluntary self-disclosure to the acquired entity and will consider whether the acquired entity otherwise satisfies the NSD Enforcement Policy’s requirements to obtain the benefits of the Policy.

    NSD and SDTX determined that White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat was a lawful bona fide acquisition, and that White Deer’s self-disclosure was timely under all of the relevant circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat and efforts to integrate the company’s operations into another acquired entity. White Deer and Unicat fully cooperated with the government’s subsequent investigation by proactively identifying, collecting, and disclosing relevant evidence to investigators, including foreign language evidence and evidence located overseas, and providing detailed and timely responses to the government’s requests for information and evidence. White Deer’s and Unicat’s cooperation materially assisted the government’s investigation, leading to the successful prosecution of Unicat’s former CEO. Unicat remediated the root cause of the misconduct in less than one year from the date of its discovery by terminating culpable employees, disciplining other employees involved in the misconduct, seeking reimbursement from Unicat’s sellers, and designing and implementing a comprehensive and robust internal controls and compliance program that has proven effective in practice at identifying and preventing similar potential misconduct.

    This resolution marks the first time since the creation of the Justice Department’s Mergers and Acquisitions Policy in March 2024 that the Department has declined the prosecution of an acquiror for self-disclosing criminal conduct discovered at an acquired entity.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Mark McIntyre for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

    ICE-HSI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and BIS investigated the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Declines Prosecution of Private Equity Firm Following Voluntary Disclosure of Sanctions Violations and Related Offenses Committed by Acquired Company

    Source: US State of California

    Department Credits Firm’s Swift Disclosure and Cooperation in Stopping Violations and Securing Former CEO’s Conviction

    Note: View a copy of the White Deer declination letter, Unicat non-prosecution agreement, and Mani Erfan’s plea agreement.

    The Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) today announced that they declined the prosecution of private equity firm White Deer Management LLC (White Deer) and its affiliates after the firm discovered and voluntarily self-disclosed criminal violations of U.S. sanctions and export laws committed by a company it acquired, Texas-based Unicat Catalyst Technologies LLC (Unicat).

    NSD and SDTX also announced that the Justice Department entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Unicat, and that, on Aug. 19, 2024, the former chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder of Unicat, Mani Erfan, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran and other countries and foreign governments, as well as concealment and international promotional money laundering. As part of his plea, Erfan also agreed to pay a money judgment in the amount of $1,600,000.

    “After acquiring a company with a hidden history of sanctions violations, this private equity firm uncovered the misconduct, stopped it, and quickly reported it to the government, leading to the successful prosecution of a senior executive,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Our decision to decline prosecution of the acquiror and extend a non-prosecution agreement to the acquired entity in this case reflects the National Security Division’s strong commitment to rewarding responsible corporate leadership.”

    “Illegally exporting sensitive items to Venezuela and Iran to help them evade sanctions directly undermines U.S. foreign policy and threatens our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Houston. “HSI will not sit by idly while businesses or individuals operating in the U.S. blatantly help our nation’s adversaries procure sensitive technologies or weapons and today’s announcement of a $3 million fine and the imposition of criminal charges is just another example of that enduring commitment.”

    As detailed in court documents and in the Department’s agreements with White Deer and Unicat, from approximately 2014 through 2021, Mani Erfan, Unicat’s former CEO, conspired with others, including at least one other Unicat employee, to cause Unicat to submit bids and make sales to customers in Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and Cuba in violation of U.S. economic sanctions. In total, Erfan caused Unicat to make a total of 23 unlawful sales of chemical catalysts used in oil refining and steel production to customers in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Some of the sales were effected through exports of catalysts from the United States and further violated U.S. export control laws.

    To further the conspiracy, the conspirators made false statements in export documents and financial records about the true identities and locations of Unicat’s customers and falsely assured some Unicat employees that the company’s business with customers subject to U.S. economic sanctions was lawful. Unicat obtained approximately $3.33 million in revenue from its unlawful sales.

    Erfan and Unicat employees additionally falsified invoices to reduce the tariffs assessed on catalysts that Unicat imported from China. By undervaluing these imports, Unicat caused a loss of revenue of approximately $1.66 million in duties, taxes, and fees. Further, during negotiations to sell Unicat to White Deer, Unicat’s prior owners provided representations and warranties to White Deer attesting to Unicat’s compliance with U.S. sanctions and export control laws.

    The scheme came to light in June 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, after White Deer acquired Unicat and a second company based in the United Kingdom, and Unicat’s new CEO was able to travel to the United States to visit Unicat and begin to integrate the operations of the company. During his visit, the new CEO learned that Unicat had a pending transaction with an Iranian customer and immediately ordered the deal’s cancellation. Over the next month, White Deer and Unicat’s new CEO retained counsel to investigate, and learned that Unicat had engaged in a series of transactions with counterparties subject to different U.S. sanctions programs. Before the investigation was complete, but after determining that Unicat employees had engaged in potentially criminal violations of U.S. sanctions laws, White Deer and Unicat’s new management submitted a voluntary self-disclosure to NSD.

    Pursuant to the NPA, Unicat agreed to pay forfeiture totaling $3,325,052.10, representing the proceeds of its violations of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. In parallel resolutions coordinated between the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Unicat agreed to pay $3,882,797 to OFAC for its apparent violations of U.S. sanctions laws, and agreed with OEE to pay a penalty of $391,183 for its violation of U.S. export control laws. OFAC agreed to credit Unicat’s payment of forfeiture pursuant to the NPA against the OFAC penalty, and OEE has agreed to credit Unicat’s payment to OFAC against the OEE penalty. In a separate administrative resolution with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Unicat agreed to pay $1,655,189.57, in underpaid duties, taxes, and fees.

    NSD and SDTX declined White Deer’s prosecution and entered into the NPA with Unicat after considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations, the National Security Division Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations (NSD Enforcement Policy), and pursuant to the provisions of the NSD Enforcement Policy that apply to Voluntary Self-Disclosures in Connection with Acquisitions (the NSD M&A Policy).

    The NSD M&A Policy provides that when a company (1) completes a lawful bona fide acquisition of another entity, (2) voluntarily and timely self-discloses to NSD potentially criminal violations of laws affecting U.S. national security committed by the acquired entity, (3) fully cooperates with NSD’s investigation, and (4) timely and appropriately remediates the misconduct, NSD generally will not seek a guilty plea from the acquiror, and there is a presumption that NSD will decline to prosecute the acquiror. The NSD M&A Policy further provides that while a presumption of declination is not available to the acquired entity, NSD will credit the acquiror’s timely voluntary self-disclosure to the acquired entity and will consider whether the acquired entity otherwise satisfies the NSD Enforcement Policy’s requirements to obtain the benefits of the Policy.

    NSD and SDTX determined that White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat was a lawful bona fide acquisition, and that White Deer’s self-disclosure was timely under all of the relevant circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat and efforts to integrate the company’s operations into another acquired entity. White Deer and Unicat fully cooperated with the government’s subsequent investigation by proactively identifying, collecting, and disclosing relevant evidence to investigators, including foreign language evidence and evidence located overseas, and providing detailed and timely responses to the government’s requests for information and evidence. White Deer’s and Unicat’s cooperation materially assisted the government’s investigation, leading to the successful prosecution of Unicat’s former CEO. Unicat remediated the root cause of the misconduct in less than one year from the date of its discovery by terminating culpable employees, disciplining other employees involved in the misconduct, seeking reimbursement from Unicat’s sellers, and designing and implementing a comprehensive and robust internal controls and compliance program that has proven effective in practice at identifying and preventing similar potential misconduct.

    This resolution marks the first time since the creation of the Justice Department’s Mergers and Acquisitions Policy in March 2024 that the Department has declined the prosecution of an acquiror for self-disclosing criminal conduct discovered at an acquired entity.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Mark McIntyre for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

    ICE-HSI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and BIS investigated the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Venezuelan National and U.S. Citizen Arrested for Sanctions Evasion and Smuggling in Scheme to Supply Venezuela’s State-Owned Steel Industry

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Allegedly Moved Millions Through Global Front Companies and Illegally Supplied Industrial Goods to Sanctioned Venezuelan Entities

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

    Juan Carlos Cairo-Padron, 56, of Huntsville, Texas, and Thomas Michael Fortinberry, 51, of Decatur, Alabama, were arrested on June 13, 2025 on a federal criminal complaint charging them with violating U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela, illegally smuggling goods from the United States, and money laundering. The defendants will make their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Texas today.

    According to the complaint, Cairo, a Venezuelan national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, and Fortinberry, a U.S. citizen, conspired for years to sell chemical catalysts, industrial equipment, and associated services to Venezuelan state-owned steel mills and petrochemical companies that are subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry’s scheme involved the use of U.S. and overseas front companies that served as intermediaries on shipping documents, foreign bank accounts that moved money into and out of the United States, and other activities designed to conceal the fact that the goods and services were destined for sanctioned entities.

    As alleged, from at least 2022 through the present, Cairo and Fortinberry — at times acting through companies that they owned or controlled such as DRI Reformers and Reformer Technologies — sold millions of dollars’ worth of catalysts, industrial equipment, and related services to the Venezuelan steel company Complejo Siderurgico de Guayana S.A. (COMSIGUA), which is owned by the Venezuelan government and is subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry used Chinese suppliers to ship the catalysts or industrial equipment directly from China to Venezuela, and in at least one instance, they shipped the goods from the United States to Venezuela. As part of their scheme, Cario and Fortinberry also transferred millions of dollars between bank accounts in the United States, Spain, and China — in transactions involving companies based in China, Germany, and Spain — all for the purpose of continuing their sanctions evasion scheme, and to conceal the true parties involved.

    If convicted, both Cairo and Fortinberry face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the sanctions and money laundering violations, and 10 years in prison for the smuggling violation. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre and John Marck for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Christopher Magnani provided substantial assistance.

    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 OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Venezuelan National and U.S. Citizen Arrested for Sanctions Evasion and Smuggling in Scheme to Supply Venezuela’s State-Owned Steel Industry

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Allegedly Moved Millions Through Global Front Companies and Illegally Supplied Industrial Goods to Sanctioned Venezuelan Entities

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

    Juan Carlos Cairo-Padron, 56, of Huntsville, Texas, and Thomas Michael Fortinberry, 51, of Decatur, Alabama, were arrested on June 13, 2025 on a federal criminal complaint charging them with violating U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela, illegally smuggling goods from the United States, and money laundering. The defendants will make their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Texas today.

    According to the complaint, Cairo, a Venezuelan national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, and Fortinberry, a U.S. citizen, conspired for years to sell chemical catalysts, industrial equipment, and associated services to Venezuelan state-owned steel mills and petrochemical companies that are subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry’s scheme involved the use of U.S. and overseas front companies that served as intermediaries on shipping documents, foreign bank accounts that moved money into and out of the United States, and other activities designed to conceal the fact that the goods and services were destined for sanctioned entities.

    As alleged, from at least 2022 through the present, Cairo and Fortinberry — at times acting through companies that they owned or controlled such as DRI Reformers and Reformer Technologies — sold millions of dollars’ worth of catalysts, industrial equipment, and related services to the Venezuelan steel company Complejo Siderurgico de Guayana S.A. (COMSIGUA), which is owned by the Venezuelan government and is subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry used Chinese suppliers to ship the catalysts or industrial equipment directly from China to Venezuela, and in at least one instance, they shipped the goods from the United States to Venezuela. As part of their scheme, Cario and Fortinberry also transferred millions of dollars between bank accounts in the United States, Spain, and China — in transactions involving companies based in China, Germany, and Spain — all for the purpose of continuing their sanctions evasion scheme, and to conceal the true parties involved.

    If convicted, both Cairo and Fortinberry face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the sanctions and money laundering violations, and 10 years in prison for the smuggling violation. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre and John Marck for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Christopher Magnani provided substantial assistance.

    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 OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Venezuelan National and U.S. Citizen Arrested for Sanctions Evasion and Smuggling in Scheme to Supply Venezuela’s State-Owned Steel Industry

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Defendants Allegedly Moved Millions Through Global Front Companies and Illegally Supplied Industrial Goods to Sanctioned Venezuelan Entities

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

    Juan Carlos Cairo-Padron, 56, of Huntsville, Texas, and Thomas Michael Fortinberry, 51, of Decatur, Alabama, were arrested on June 13, 2025 on a federal criminal complaint charging them with violating U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela, illegally smuggling goods from the United States, and money laundering. The defendants will make their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Texas today.

    According to the complaint, Cairo, a Venezuelan national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, and Fortinberry, a U.S. citizen, conspired for years to sell chemical catalysts, industrial equipment, and associated services to Venezuelan state-owned steel mills and petrochemical companies that are subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry’s scheme involved the use of U.S. and overseas front companies that served as intermediaries on shipping documents, foreign bank accounts that moved money into and out of the United States, and other activities designed to conceal the fact that the goods and services were destined for sanctioned entities.

    As alleged, from at least 2022 through the present, Cairo and Fortinberry — at times acting through companies that they owned or controlled such as DRI Reformers and Reformer Technologies — sold millions of dollars’ worth of catalysts, industrial equipment, and related services to the Venezuelan steel company Complejo Siderurgico de Guayana S.A. (COMSIGUA), which is owned by the Venezuelan government and is subject to U.S. sanctions. Cairo and Fortinberry used Chinese suppliers to ship the catalysts or industrial equipment directly from China to Venezuela, and in at least one instance, they shipped the goods from the United States to Venezuela. As part of their scheme, Cario and Fortinberry also transferred millions of dollars between bank accounts in the United States, Spain, and China — in transactions involving companies based in China, Germany, and Spain — all for the purpose of continuing their sanctions evasion scheme, and to conceal the true parties involved.

    If convicted, both Cairo and Fortinberry face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the sanctions and money laundering violations, and 10 years in prison for the smuggling violation. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre and John Marck for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Christopher Magnani provided substantial assistance.

    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: Justice Department Declines Prosecution of Private Equity Firm Following Voluntary Disclosure of Sanctions Violations and Related Offenses Committed by Acquired Company

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Department Credits Firm’s Swift Disclosure and Cooperation in Stopping Violations and Securing Former CEO’s Conviction

    Note: View a copy of the White Deer declination letter, Unicat non-prosecution agreement, and Mani Erfan’s plea agreement.

    The Justice Department’s National Security Division (NSD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) today announced that they declined the prosecution of private equity firm White Deer Management LLC (White Deer) and its affiliates after the firm discovered and voluntarily self-disclosed criminal violations of U.S. sanctions and export laws committed by a company it acquired, Texas-based Unicat Catalyst Technologies LLC (Unicat).

    NSD and SDTX also announced that the Justice Department entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Unicat, and that, on Aug. 19, 2024, the former chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder of Unicat, Mani Erfan, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran and other countries and foreign governments, as well as concealment and international promotional money laundering. As part of his plea, Erfan also agreed to pay a money judgment in the amount of $1,600,000.

    “After acquiring a company with a hidden history of sanctions violations, this private equity firm uncovered the misconduct, stopped it, and quickly reported it to the government, leading to the successful prosecution of a senior executive,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Our decision to decline prosecution of the acquiror and extend a non-prosecution agreement to the acquired entity in this case reflects the National Security Division’s strong commitment to rewarding responsible corporate leadership.”

    “Illegally exporting sensitive items to Venezuela and Iran to help them evade sanctions directly undermines U.S. foreign policy and threatens our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Houston. “HSI will not sit by idly while businesses or individuals operating in the U.S. blatantly help our nation’s adversaries procure sensitive technologies or weapons and today’s announcement of a $3 million fine and the imposition of criminal charges is just another example of that enduring commitment.”

    As detailed in court documents and in the Department’s agreements with White Deer and Unicat, from approximately 2014 through 2021, Mani Erfan, Unicat’s former CEO, conspired with others, including at least one other Unicat employee, to cause Unicat to submit bids and make sales to customers in Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and Cuba in violation of U.S. economic sanctions. In total, Erfan caused Unicat to make a total of 23 unlawful sales of chemical catalysts used in oil refining and steel production to customers in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Some of the sales were effected through exports of catalysts from the United States and further violated U.S. export control laws.

    To further the conspiracy, the conspirators made false statements in export documents and financial records about the true identities and locations of Unicat’s customers and falsely assured some Unicat employees that the company’s business with customers subject to U.S. economic sanctions was lawful. Unicat obtained approximately $3.33 million in revenue from its unlawful sales.

    Erfan and Unicat employees additionally falsified invoices to reduce the tariffs assessed on catalysts that Unicat imported from China. By undervaluing these imports, Unicat caused a loss of revenue of approximately $1.66 million in duties, taxes, and fees. Further, during negotiations to sell Unicat to White Deer, Unicat’s prior owners provided representations and warranties to White Deer attesting to Unicat’s compliance with U.S. sanctions and export control laws.

    The scheme came to light in June 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, after White Deer acquired Unicat and a second company based in the United Kingdom, and Unicat’s new CEO was able to travel to the United States to visit Unicat and begin to integrate the operations of the company. During his visit, the new CEO learned that Unicat had a pending transaction with an Iranian customer and immediately ordered the deal’s cancellation. Over the next month, White Deer and Unicat’s new CEO retained counsel to investigate, and learned that Unicat had engaged in a series of transactions with counterparties subject to different U.S. sanctions programs. Before the investigation was complete, but after determining that Unicat employees had engaged in potentially criminal violations of U.S. sanctions laws, White Deer and Unicat’s new management submitted a voluntary self-disclosure to NSD.

    Pursuant to the NPA, Unicat agreed to pay forfeiture totaling $3,325,052.10, representing the proceeds of its violations of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. In parallel resolutions coordinated between the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Unicat agreed to pay $3,882,797 to OFAC for its apparent violations of U.S. sanctions laws, and agreed with OEE to pay a penalty of $391,183 for its violation of U.S. export control laws. OFAC agreed to credit Unicat’s payment of forfeiture pursuant to the NPA against the OFAC penalty, and OEE has agreed to credit Unicat’s payment to OFAC against the OEE penalty. In a separate administrative resolution with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Unicat agreed to pay $1,655,189.57, in underpaid duties, taxes, and fees.

    NSD and SDTX declined White Deer’s prosecution and entered into the NPA with Unicat after considering the factors set forth in the Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations, the National Security Division Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations (NSD Enforcement Policy), and pursuant to the provisions of the NSD Enforcement Policy that apply to Voluntary Self-Disclosures in Connection with Acquisitions (the NSD M&A Policy).

    The NSD M&A Policy provides that when a company (1) completes a lawful bona fide acquisition of another entity, (2) voluntarily and timely self-discloses to NSD potentially criminal violations of laws affecting U.S. national security committed by the acquired entity, (3) fully cooperates with NSD’s investigation, and (4) timely and appropriately remediates the misconduct, NSD generally will not seek a guilty plea from the acquiror, and there is a presumption that NSD will decline to prosecute the acquiror. The NSD M&A Policy further provides that while a presumption of declination is not available to the acquired entity, NSD will credit the acquiror’s timely voluntary self-disclosure to the acquired entity and will consider whether the acquired entity otherwise satisfies the NSD Enforcement Policy’s requirements to obtain the benefits of the Policy.

    NSD and SDTX determined that White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat was a lawful bona fide acquisition, and that White Deer’s self-disclosure was timely under all of the relevant circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of White Deer’s acquisition of Unicat and efforts to integrate the company’s operations into another acquired entity. White Deer and Unicat fully cooperated with the government’s subsequent investigation by proactively identifying, collecting, and disclosing relevant evidence to investigators, including foreign language evidence and evidence located overseas, and providing detailed and timely responses to the government’s requests for information and evidence. White Deer’s and Unicat’s cooperation materially assisted the government’s investigation, leading to the successful prosecution of Unicat’s former CEO. Unicat remediated the root cause of the misconduct in less than one year from the date of its discovery by terminating culpable employees, disciplining other employees involved in the misconduct, seeking reimbursement from Unicat’s sellers, and designing and implementing a comprehensive and robust internal controls and compliance program that has proven effective in practice at identifying and preventing similar potential misconduct.

    This resolution marks the first time since the creation of the Justice Department’s Mergers and Acquisitions Policy in March 2024 that the Department has declined the prosecution of an acquiror for self-disclosing criminal conduct discovered at an acquired entity.

    Trial Attorneys Adam P. Barry and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Mark McIntyre for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

    ICE-HSI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and BIS investigated the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Five Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 16, 2025

    Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced five appointments to various boards and commissions. Governor Kehoe filed the official appointment letters for these individuals on Friday, June 13.

    Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

    Former Senator Curls currently serves as the deputy director of the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City. She most recently served as commissioner for Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in Jefferson City, having been appointed by Governor Parson in 2020. Prior to her appointment, she served in the Missouri legislature for 13 years, representing the people of Jackson County in the Missouri House and Senate. Curls serves on the board of Jobs for America’s Graduates, Community Builders of Kansas City, University Health Hospital, and more. She received her education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

    Logan Hobbs, of Jefferson City, was appointed as chair of the State Board of Mediation.

    Mr. Hobbs serves as the director of labor standards for the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, managing a division of over 30 state government workers to ensure state labor standards are enforced throughout the State of Missouri. He previously served as the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ legislative liaison, representing the Department’s interests in the state capitol. Hobbs has also served as the supervisor of English instructors for a private English academy in the Republic of Korea, as well as assisted in maintaining his family cow-calf operation in McDonald County. Mr. Hobbs earned his degree in political science and international relations from Truman State University in Kirksville.

    Rhonda Mammen, of Springfield, was reappointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

    Ms. Mammen previously served as director of school counseling services for the Springfield School District and an instructor for in-person and online courses for master’s level students in the School Counseling Program at Missouri State University. She has served on the Child Abuse and Neglect Collaborative and the Underage Drinking Task Force of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Mammen actively volunteers for organizations such as the Council of Churches Crosslines Food Pantry, O’Reilly Center for Hope, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more. She holds a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in school counseling from Missouri State University.

    Jennifer Schoonover, of Trimble, was reappointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

    Ms. Schoonover is the vice president of clinical services at Synergy Services, Inc., a non-profit mental health center helping survivors of family violence and creating safe communities. She is a certified counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors. She is also an active member of the Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Schoonover received a bachelor’s degree in psychology rehabilitation and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from University of Central Missouri.

    Kristen Tuohy, of Rogersville, was reappointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

    Ms. Tuohy serves as the Prosecuting Attorney for Christian County. Touhy previously served as the First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Christian County and Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Targeted cost of living support for Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

    You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suspect Wanted in 26 Count Indictment Arrested by Task Force

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Cleveland, OH – Late this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s (OSHP) Aviation Unit and Special Response Team arrested Gianni Gray Jr. 26.

    Gray Jr. was wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for a 26-count indictment, with charges that include trafficking offenses, drug possession, having weapons while under disability, possession of criminal tools, and receiving stolen property.  Many of the charges have firearms specifications attached to them as well. Gray has been on the run from these charges for a year.  

    Two months ago, members of the NOVFTF began looking for Gray Jr. and his codefendant, Jamal Taylor.  Taylor was arrested by the NOVFTF on April 18 after a short foot pursuit on Cleveland’s westside.  Gray Jr. was recently featured as Crimestoppers most wanted last month.  

    Early this morning, members of the NOVFTF and the OSHP Aviation Unit and SRT began searching for Gray Jr. on the eastside of Cleveland.  Officers were able to locate Gray Jr. in the parking lot of a business in the 9200 block of Miles Ave.  After a short foot pursuit, Gray Jr. was taken into custody.  A handgun was seized from Gray Jr., along with an unknown amount of drugs. The task force will work with local and federal partners to determine if further charges are warranted. 

    U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This suspect is a menace to our communities with the laundry list of charges against him.  His violent felonies, possession of drugs and a gun at his arrest today show he has no intention of stopping his criminal activity.  Cleveland and the surrounding communities are safer with this suspect behind bars.”

    Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

    The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Bolsters America’s Supply Chains, Critical Infrastructure, and Domestic Industry Through Arctic ICE Pact

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met with Canadian and Finnish counterparts as part of a two-day summit for the ongoing Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral agreement to strengthen United States supply chains, increase domestic jobs, and improve U.S. shipbuilding capabilities to defend the American people.

    “ICE Pact is a key component of America’s economic future. President Donald Trump and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem understand that economic security is national security,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “By revitalizing U.S. shipyards, creating jobs, strengthening industrial capabilities, and opening up the Arctic’s vast potential to American businesses, the Trump administration is putting America’s prosperity and security first.” 

    During the two-day event, government leaders discussed with public and private stakeholders plans to advance four key areas: technical expertise and information exchange; workforce development; relations with allies and industry; and research and development.

    The three partner countries concluded this successful meeting with a commitment to reconvene in person by the end of the year for a meeting hosted by the U.S. government.

    Icebreakers are vital for America’s presence in the Arctic, a region increasingly contested by Russia and China due to its growing potential for oil and gas exploration, critical minerals, trade route traffic, fishing, and tourism. Russia maintains the largest icebreaker fleet in the world with 40-plus icebreakers and has made the Arctic its top naval priority; China is rapidly expanding its presence in this field as well and is collaborating with Russia on Arctic expansion efforts.

    In contrast, until last month, the United States Coast Guard operated just two icebreakers. In late May, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis began its maiden voyage to the Arctic. ICE Pact will steer more investment into U.S. industry to boost our icebreaker fleet.

    Plans developed during ICE Pact meetings will allow the U.S., Canada, and Finland to build American-made Arctic and polar icebreakers.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Debunks Fake News Demonizing ICE Officers, Sets the Record Straight on L.A. Operations

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    These disgusting smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement and have led to a more than 400 percent increase of assaults on our officers

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement to set the record straight on media reports demonizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers as they work to remove criminal illegal aliens from American streets in Los Angeles (LA), California.

    Below are just a handful of FALSE headlines about recent DHS operations in Los Angeles that attempt to villainize federal law enforcement.

    To set the record straight, the Department’s responses to the false claims are below.

    THE FACTS: “DHS targets have nothing to do with an individuals’ skin color. What makes someone a target is if they are in the United States illegally. These types of disgusting smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement. This kind of garbage has led to a more than 400 percent increase in the assaults on ICE officers. Politicians and activists must turn the temperature down and tone down their rhetoric.” – Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    THE FACTS: “The facts are a U.S. citizen was arrested because he ASSAULTED U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents. Secretary Noem has been clear: if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” – Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    THE FACTS: “This is blatantly FALSE. ICE is NOT in homeless shelters, ERs and schools. This rhetoric from the Mayor of LA and California politicians demonizes the brave men and women of law enforcement.” – Senior DHS Official

    THE FACTS: “Claims that ICE has conducted operations at Douglas Park to target and arrest nannies and caregivers are unequivocally FALSE. These are the type of lies being spread to demonize our brave ICE law enforcement who risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens including suspected terrorists, gang members, murderers, and rapists from American communities. The facts are that ICE, and our federal partners, are targeting the worst of the worst.” – Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: AlayaCare Announces the Launch of Layla in Canada, an AI-Powered Assistant Designed for Home Care

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AlayaCare, a leading provider of cloud-based home and community care solutions, is proud to announce the Canadian launch of Layla, an AI-powered conversational assistant designed to transform how care is delivered across the country.

    Now available to AlayaCare customers nationwide, Layla provides real-time, secure access to vital information through a conversational chat interface, supporting both caregivers and administrators in delivering higher-quality care with greater efficiency. Seamlessly integrated into the AlayaCare platform, Layla is purpose-built for the realities of home-based care — helping providers stay connected, informed, and empowered.

    “With the launch of Layla in Canada, we’re excited to bring the power of AI directly to frontline staff, simplifying access to information and improving how care is coordinated and delivered,” said Adrian Schauer, CEO of AlayaCare. “This marks a major step forward in our commitment to supporting the Canadian home care sector through innovation.”

    As home care organizations across Canada face increasing pressures — including workforce shortages and growing service demand — Layla offers a transformative solution. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 80% of healthcare data is unstructured, and staff lose up to 30 minutes per shift searching for scattered information.

    Layla addresses this challenge head-on by delivering:

    • Comprehensive Data Access: Instant access to hundreds of data points across care plans, client records, visit notes, schedules, and more.
    • Integration with AlayaCare Cloud (ACC): Leverages real-time, structured data from existing systems for immediate utility.
    • Mobile-First, On-the-Go Support: Enables caregivers to find information quickly, wherever they are, ensuring faster, safer decisions.
    • Secure, Compliant Infrastructure: Designed with robust data security, including HIPAA compliance and Canadian privacy standards.
    • Trusted Clinical Knowledge: Provides accurate, easy-to-understand definitions for medical terms and conditions.

    Layla supports care teams across Canada in making informed decisions faster, improving documentation, and reducing administrative burden — ultimately enhancing client experiences and health outcomes.

    “Canadian care providers deserve technology built for their realities. Layla helps ensure they have the right information at the right time,” added Schauer. “It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about better outcomes and better support for the people delivering care every day.”

    For more information about Layla, visit alayacare.com/layla/.

    AlayaCare Press Contact:
    Steph Davidson
    steph.davidson@alayacare.com

    About AlayaCare

    AlayaCare is an end-to-end software platform for public, private, non-profit, and community home-based care organizations that manages the entire client lifecycle, including needs assessments, care plans, scheduling, visit and route optimization, and visit verification. Founded in 2014 and now with over 600 employees, AlayaCare combines traditional in-home and virtual care solutions that enable care providers to lower the cost of care and achieve better outcomes for their clients. For more information, visit: AlayaCare.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38002137-5b0d-4ec4-9eb6-4856e4eaca1f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Panther Launches PTR Token to Empower Ultra X, Building a Bridge for a Global AI Trading Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In today’s increasingly complex and data-driven global financial markets, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is reshaping the investment landscape. Traditional quantitative trading, reliant on human decisions and limited data analysis, struggles to meet the rapidly changing market demands. Meanwhile, investors are increasingly seeking efficient, transparent, and intelligent trading tools. Against this backdrop, the Panther Quantitative Think Tank Investment Center has emerged with its innovative Ultra X quantitative trading system and native token PTR. PTR is not only the core driving force of the Ultra X ecosystem but also serves as a bridge connecting investors, developers, and AI platforms, building a revolutionary global trading network and opening up new possibilities for wealth creation.

    PTR: The Core Link of the Ultra X Ecosystem

    The PTR token is the lifeblood of the Ultra X ecosystem, with a profound impact on creating and maintaining an AI-driven quantitative trading ecosystem. Ultra X is a cutting-edge trading system that integrates deep learning, big data analysis, and blockchain technology, supporting autonomous trading in stocks, gold, options, and cryptocurrencies (such as BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC). As a bridge within the ecosystem, PTR connects various stakeholders and drives every aspect from research and development to global promotion, ensuring Ultra X becomes the “super brain” of the financial market.

    The head of Panther’s R&D team stated, “PTR is the soul of the Ultra X ecosystem. It is not only the funding engine for technological innovation but also the key link for global investors to share success with Ultra X.”

    How PTR Shapes the Ultra X Ecosystem

    PTR’s unique position is reflected in the following core functions, highlighting its profound impact as an ecosystem bridge:

    • 1. Funding Link: Driving Technological Innovation

    PTR provides funding for Ultra X’s R&D, data acquisition, and global server deployment through decentralized financing. For example, PTR supports the system’s real-time analysis of massive data, ensuring Ultra X continues to evolve and maintain technological leadership.

    • 2. Incentive Bridge: Connecting Users and Value

    PTR holders enjoy advanced features of Ultra X, such as real-time monitoring of investment market directions and trends, dashboards for cryptocurrency capital flows (USDT, BTC, ETH, USDC), and exclusive trading strategy reports. Through a profit-sharing mechanism, holders can share in the profits after Ultra X’s market launch, directly participating in ecological value creation. This incentive model closely connects users and the platform.

    • 3. Governance Hub: Empowering Community Participation

    PTR is not just a trading tool; it grants governance rights to holders. In the future, holders will be able to vote on Ultra X’s feature upgrades or personalized services, building a community-driven ecosystem. This decentralized governance reinforces PTR’s position as an ecosystem bridge.

    • 4. Trust Foundation: Safeguarding User Interests

    Panther commits to fully compensating users if Ultra X’s recommended strategies result in losses, with a single compensation cap of 100%. This mechanism seamlessly connects user trust with platform responsibility through PTR’s bridging role, enhancing the ecosystem’s reliability.

    Advantages and Features of PTR

    • · Ecosystem Integration: PTR unites investors, developers, and AI technologies, creating a self-sustaining trading ecosystem that transcends traditional financial models.
    • · Global Connectivity: Supports the global promotion of Ultra X, covering regions such as the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Asia, with plans to launch on Google Play and the App Store to expand user reach.
    • · Transparency and Trustworthiness: Semi-annual independent audits of Ultra X performance and PTR usage details, coupled with strict AML/KYC policies and cold wallet storage, ensure fund security.
    • · Social Value: Panther donates 5% of Ultra X profits to educational and technological public welfare, reflecting the social responsibility of the PTR ecosystem.

    The Cornerstone of Trust and Transparency

    Panther reinforces the credibility of PTR and Ultra X through transparent operations. Monthly reports from independent audits publicly disclose trading performance and token usage, which users can access in real-time via the Panther official website (https://pqtic.com). Funds are managed by a third-party custodian, with PTR reserves stored in multi-signature cold wallets, preventing unauthorized access. Additionally, Panther’s market value management program ensures the healthy development of PTR prices through liquidity support and strategic partnerships, protecting the interests of early investors.

    PTR: The Connector of Financial Futures

    The PTR token serves as a link and bridge, transforming Ultra X into a global AI trading ecosystem. Whether providing funding for the system, incentivizing user participation, or empowering community governance, PTR is pushing the boundaries of financial technology. Supported by Ultra X, it analyzes market trends and social media sentiment to provide precise strategies, helping users succeed in a volatile market. As Panther accelerates global promotion and recruits regional sales agents, PTR is becoming a benchmark in fintech that connects technology and wealth.

    About Panther Quantitative Think Tank Investment Center

    Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, Panther is a pioneer in AI-driven quantitative trading. Its flagship product, Ultra X, integrates deep learning, natural language processing, and blockchain technology to provide intelligent trading solutions. With a global network of partners, Panther is committed to reshaping the future of wealth creation.

    Website: https://pqtic.com/

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Kim, Garbarino Statement on Preserving SALT Deal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, SALT Caucus R Co-Chairs Reps. Young Kim (CA-40) and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) released a statement on reports that the Senate Finance Committee maintains a $10,000 SALT cap in its version of reconciliation bill text:

    “We have been crystal clear that the SALT deal we negotiated in good faith with the Speaker and the White House must remain in the final bill. It not only upholds President Trump’s commitment to raise the SALT cap, but has been praised by middle-class families, firefighters, law enforcement, small business owners, and hardworking Americans across the country. Instead of undermining the deal already in place and putting the entire bill at risk, the Senate should work with us to keep our promise of historic tax relief and deliver on our Republican agenda,” said Kim and Garbarino.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Padilla, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Demand Trump Remove Military Forces from Los Angeles

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 16, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined the entire U.S. Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding that President Trump immediately withdraw all military forces from Los Angeles and cease all threats to deploy the National Guard or active-duty servicemembers to American cities.

    The letter comes after Trump’s unprecedented move to federalize and deploy the California National Guard without the consent of the California Governor and mobilize U.S. Marine Corps elements, deploying approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles amid unrest created by the President’s indiscriminate and intentionally inflammatory immigration enforcement raids across the region. The first 200 Marines arrived at the Los Angeles Federal Building yesterday, marking the first time in over 30 years that the Marines have been deployed in the United States.

    Trump deployed these military personnel without the request or support of California Governor Gavin Newsom, manufacturing a crisis and repeatedly escalating the conflict in order to create a spectacle. The federalizing of California’s National Guard marked the first time the Guard had been deployed without a Governor’s consent since 1965.

    “We write to express deep concern over your decision to deploy the National Guard and United States Marine Corps to Los Angeles without consultation or coordination with the Governor and local leaders,” wrote the Senators. “This unilateral action represents an alarming abuse of executive authority, continues to inflame the situation on the ground, and undermines the constitutional balance of power between the federal government and the states. We urge you to immediately withdraw all military personnel that have been deployed to Los Angeles unless their presence is explicitly requested by the Governor and local leaders.”

    The Senators slammed the deployment of military personnel as an abuse of power that undermines state and local leadership, interferes with critical law enforcement operations, and wastes military resources and taxpayer dollars. They also expressed concern for the dangerous precedent Trump’s misguided deployment of military forces could set for mobilizing military personnel to other cities across the country.

    “For the federal government to deploy military forces into American cities without consulting the Governor and local leaders is a dangerous misuse of federal power that has actively disrupted local law enforcement efforts to maintain peace and order,” continued the Senators. “Deploying military personnel should always be a last resort – not a first step – and should only occur when local law enforcement makes a specific request for such federal resources. The decision to use military personnel to create a spectacle has escalated tensions on the ground and created confusion among local law enforcement. Significantly, it also pulls military assets away from other critical missions and is a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

    “We urge you to immediately withdraw all military personnel that have been deployed to Los Angeles in recent days and to cease any further threats of deploying National Guard or active-duty military personnel into American cities absent a request from the Governor,” concluded the Senators. “Respect for our Constitution and for our civilian law enforcement demands nothing less.”

    The Trump Administration has consistently utilized excessive force and aggressive tactics in its immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and across the country. This pattern of unnecessary violence was evident on Thursday when U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s press conference, thrown to the ground and handcuffed after simply trying to ask a question.

    In addition to Senators Murphy and Padilla, the letter to President Trump was signed by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, including Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    Dear President Trump,

    We write to express deep concern over your decision to deploy the National Guard and United States Marine Corps to Los Angeles without consultation or coordination with the Governor and local leaders. This unilateral action represents an alarming abuse of executive authority, continues to inflame the situation on the ground, and undermines the constitutional balance of power between the federal government and the states. We urge you to immediately withdraw all military personnel that have been deployed to Los Angeles unless their presence is explicitly requested by the Governor and local leaders.

    For the federal government to deploy military forces into American cities without consulting the Governor and local leaders is a dangerous misuse of federal power that has actively disrupted local law enforcement efforts to maintain peace and order. Deploying military personnel should always be a last resort – not a first step – and should only occur when local law enforcement makes a specific request for such federal resources. The decision to use military personnel to create a spectacle has escalated tensions on the ground and created confusion among local law enforcement. Significantly, it also pulls military assets away from other critical missions and is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

    We are particularly concerned by the precedent that this ill-conceived deployment of military personnel to Los Angeles sets for other cities and states. Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guards when operating within state borders. As Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said last year when serving as Governor of South Dakota, “If Joe Biden federalizes the National Guard, that would be a direct attack on states’ rights.”

    We urge you to immediately withdraw all military personnel that have been deployed to Los Angeles in recent days and to cease any further threats of deploying National Guard or active-duty military personnel into American cities absent a request from the Governor. Respect for our Constitution and for our civilian law enforcement demands nothing less.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Eritrea paid a courtesy call on the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson


    Download logo

    H.E. Biniam Berhe, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Eritrea, paid a courtesy call on the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

    During the meeting, Mr. Berhe conveyed his Government’s congratulations on the Chairperson’s assumption of office and expressed appreciation for the deepening engagement between the AU Commission & the State of Eritrea.

    The Chairperson reaffirmed Eritrea’s valued and active role in the affairs of the African Union.

    The Chairperson also noted Eritrea’s strategic location & potential contribution to advancing regional cooperation, development, & stability.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Morocco’s Bourita Receives Panama’s Foreign Minister (FM), Bearer of Written Message from Panama’s President to His Majesty (HM) the King


    Download logo

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, received, on Monday in Rabat, the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who delivered a written message to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, from the President of the Republic of Panama, His Excellency José Raul Mulino.

    The message from the Panamanian President reflects the shared will of the Heads of State of both countries to strengthen the positive momentum in relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama and to elevate them to broader horizons of cooperation and complementarity in the service of the two friendly nations.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Panama Considers Autonomy Initiative as ‘Most Serious, Credible and Realistic basis’ & ‘Only Solution for Future’ to Resolve Regional Dispute over Moroccan Sahara


    Download logo

    The Republic of Panama considers the autonomy initiative as “the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving the regional dispute” over the Moroccan Sahara.

    This position was expressed in a Joint Communiqué signed, on Monday in Rabat, following talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom on June 16.

    The Panamanian minister also stated during a press briefing following the meeting that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 “should be the only solution for the future,” emphasizing his country’s clear support for the autonomy plan as a means to advance toward a lasting resolution of the dispute.

    Panama’s support for the autonomy initiative proposed by the Kingdom to resolve the Moroccan Sahara dispute comes after its decision to sever all ties with the so-called “sadr” in November 2024.

    In the same Joint Communiqué, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama reaffirmed their commitment to the sanctity of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Growth, Interrupted: How Crises delay Global Convergence

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Russia will be strong, sovereign and prosperous in the next 100 years

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    “Russia will be strong, sovereign, prosperous, and peaceful in the next 100 years,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko as he greeted the participants of the ceremonial assembly dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Artek. A capsule containing wishes for future generations was laid there. It is expected to be opened in 100 years, in 2125.

    The event itself took place in the children’s camp “Morskoy” – where 100 years ago the history of the legendary “Artek” began with four canvas tents. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov, the director of the International Children’s Center “Artek” Konstantin Fedorenko and the Artek children themselves.

    The flags of the Russian Federation, the International Children’s Center and the Morskoy children’s camp were ceremoniously raised on the bonfire square. Young Artek children – Yaroslav Lutsenko from St. Petersburg and Rostislav Fomenko from Voronezh – together with Dmitry Chernyshenko and Sergey Kravtsov closed and laid a capsule with a message to the future.

    The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated Artek on its 100th anniversary and thanked the staff for creating unique conditions and technologies for recreation, education and upbringing.

    “We are now looking to the future. We are confident that Russia will be strong, sovereign, prosperous, and peaceful in the next 100 years. To achieve this, we must work hard. Here, in Artek, all the conditions have been created for this. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has set a national goal of creating conditions for the development of your talents and abilities. You must take full advantage of the unique opportunity that has been given to you so that you grow up kind, patriotic, hardworking, exactly the way your homeland, your family, and your country need you to be,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov joined in congratulating Artek.

    “Today we celebrate 100 years of our International Children’s Center “Artek”. On June 16, 1925, the first assembly took place here and children from all over the country, just like you, were there. Today, with your work and talent, you have earned a ticket to “Artek”. Our country does everything to make you happy, successful and confidently move forward. Dear children, counselors, all employees of “Artek”, I want to congratulate you on the holiday. “Artek” is developing, branches are operating in Berdyansk and Sevastopol. I am sure that in 100 years it will also be the best international children’s center, a real city of childhood”, – Sergey Kravtsov addressed the participants of the ceremony.

    Congratulating the young participants of the holiday, the director of the International Children’s Center “Artek” Konstantin Fedorenko noted that over the century-long history of the camp, his family has become not just large, but huge – more than 1.8 million Artek children. He emphasized that the birthday of “Artek” is also a holiday of love and respect for the Motherland:

    “The present and future of Russia depend on all of us, on our common achievements! I am sure that you will leave Artek with the confidence that you can make this world a better place. It is you, purposeful, focused on achievements, who will set and solve the tasks that will lead Russia to a successful future. Let your talents, creativity, and initiatives make our country even better!”

    In total, more than 3 thousand children from all regions of Russia and 29 foreign countries gathered at the 9 campfire sites of the International Children’s Center “Artek”.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Construction of two dormitory buildings for 1,000 people has been completed in Artek

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The construction of two dormitory buildings for 1,000 people has been completed at the Artek International Children’s Center on the territory of the Solnechny camp. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin.

    “Today we celebrate a significant event – the 100th anniversary of the legendary Artek. This unique children’s center has been a symbol of a happy childhood for a century, a place where character is tempered, talents are revealed and friendships are born for life. It is especially important for us that in the anniversary year, Artek continues to develop and become even more comfortable for new generations of children. By the anniversary date, we completed the construction of two modern dormitory buildings for 1,000 people – these are spacious premises with well-thought-out infrastructure and recreation areas. Permission for commissioning has already been received. The total area of the two buildings is more than 40 thousand square meters. Particular attention was paid to the improvement of the territory: the embankments were updated, new walking areas and recreation areas were created,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    In addition, each building has a usable roof designed for low-mobility games, daytime gatherings, line-ups and recreation.

    “The construction of social facilities, especially for children, plays a key role in the formation of a healthy and safe childhood. Such facilities create comfortable conditions for children’s recreation and development. They become a place where schoolchildren can find new friends, play sports and develop their creative abilities, which ultimately forms a strong future for our society. At the moment, the embankments of the Kiparisny and Solnechny camps have been improved. The builders have installed an underwater breakwater, carried out comprehensive landscaping, and also erected a beach building with a detachment site on the exploited roof, where children vacationing in Artek will gather. Earlier, a dormitory with an area of more than 750 square meters was reconstructed in the Kiparisny children’s camp. It is intended for the temporary accommodation of more than 40 children aged 8 to 17 years old,” said Irek Faizullin, Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation.

    In January 2025, the reconstruction of a number of facilities of the children’s camp “Kiparisny” was successfully completed in “Artek”. Among them is the milk kitchen building, which the builders converted into a medical unit. In addition, specialists comprehensively improved the adjacent territory: they arranged walking areas with places to rest, installed benches, renewed the asphalt surface and laid new paths for comfortable movement around the camp. A decorative pond was created, and the green areas are equipped with an automatic irrigation system. The total area of the park zone of the camp “Kiparisny” is more than 90 thousand square meters.

    “By the end of 2025, we plan to complete the construction of the Center for Innovative and Educational Technologies, which is designed for 1.2 thousand students. This facility, with a total area of over 27 thousand square meters, is one of the largest on the territory of Artek. In addition to classrooms, there will be art and rehearsal halls, an amphitheater, modern workshops, a universal hall for 700 seats and much more,” said Karen Oganesyan, General Director of the Unified Customer PPC.

    The construction and reconstruction of capital construction projects of the International Children’s Center “Artek” are carried out within the framework of the comprehensive state program “Construction”, supervised by the Ministry of Construction of Russia.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Participants of the anniversary shift should take with them in their hearts love for our country and for Artek

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 16, 2025, a special commemorative postage stamp cancellation ceremony dedicated to the centenary of the center was held at the Artek International Children’s Center. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, and Director of the Artek International Children’s Center Konstantin Fedorenko.

    They greeted the Artek children and took part in the special cancellation procedure – a special postmark that is valid for only one day. This postmark with the date and place of the ceremony turns the postal products that have undergone the cancellation into real philatelic rarities.

    “Being a participant in the anniversary shift is a great honor and privilege. You should carry in your hearts the love for our country, for Artek, meet the children with whom you will go through life, who will forever remain Artekites and will be with you. Here you learn to be friends, work and be useful to our country and your families. This is the main thing you should learn here. Artek has been around for over 100 years, and now we can say so, it is an international standard for the best children’s recreation. Happy anniversary, Artek! Happy holiday, guys!” Dmitry Chernyshenko addressed the participants.

    “On this festive day, I want to thank the counselors, the organizers, who do everything to ensure that each of you realizes your talents. Guys, I think that you will also join these words. Today is a significant event for the international children’s center “Artek” and for other children’s centers. We laid a capsule in 2125, the ceremony of cancellation of the anniversary postage stamp took place. I am sure that in 100 years, the children will also strive to get to “Artek” and rejoice at the opportunity to be here,” said Sergey Kravtsov at the ceremony of cancellation of the stamp.

    During the celebration, Artek member Ruslan Minyaylenko from the Luhansk People’s Republic, the author of the drawing that won the competition to create a sketch for a postage stamp, spoke about the creation of the sketch. His work reflects the spirit and long-standing traditions of Artek, uniting the past and the present.

    The camp counselors and educators prepared a creative exhibition where they presented postage stamps, envelopes and postcards issued in different years on significant dates in the history of Artek. Among them: a postage stamp from 1938 from the Children of the Land of Soviets series; a stamp from 1948 dedicated to the All-Union Pioneer Organization; a stamp from 1958 for International Children’s Day with an image of a bugler from a pioneer camp; postage envelopes from 1963, 1965, 1971 issued by the USSR Ministry of Communications; a postcard from 1975 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the camp; stamps from 1985 and 2015 dedicated to the 60th and 90th anniversaries of Artek, respectively. This exhibition allowed guests and Artek residents to see how the images and symbols of Artek on postal items changed and to feel the connection between generations.

    The release of the anniversary postage stamp is accompanied by the publication of first day covers, maximum cards, artistic covers and vignettes. All these collectibles can be purchased at post offices throughout Russia. Particular attention is paid to the special cancellation stamps, which were made not only for Moscow and Gurzuf (Republic of Crimea), but also for Ulyanovsk and Chelyabinsk.

    The festive mood was created by the theatrical composition “Native Artek” with the participation of the famous song theater “Neposedy”. Artek residents had the opportunity to personally sign envelopes and receive unique impressions of a special stamp in the post house “Artek Post”.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sergey Kravtsov and Konstantin Fedorenko, together with Artek children, unveiled a memorial bas-relief dedicated to the sculptor Ernst Neizvestny at the entrance to the educational space for artistic creativity.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly to hold a virtual media availability at the Paris Air Show

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 16, 2025 – Paris, France 

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, is participating in the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in Paris, France, from June 16 to 17. The Minister met with key industry stakeholders in the aerospace, space and defence sectors to highlight Canada’s innovative aerospace industry and promote Canada as a top destination for aerospace investment from around the world.

    Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

    Time: 3:15 pm (CET) / 9:15 am (ET)

    Location: virtual

    This event is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Landsat at Work: Energy Nurturing Nature

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Exelon Corporation, one of the largest utility companies in the United States, touches a significant amount of land in connection with its electric and natural gas transmission and distribution. The company decided to get a better idea of the quality of the ecosystems on its operational lands in support of its commitment to positive nature outcomes. 

    This is an example of the maps Exelon has produced for the biodiversity sensitivity in its service areas and transmission rights-of-way. The Delmarva Power Service Area, outlined in black, covers Delaware and eastern Maryland, though this map also includes characterization for Exelon service areas outside of Delmarva. Factors contributing to high sensitivity (in orange and red tones) in certain areas of Delmarva include the presence of forests and wetlands, water stress and high species abundance in high sensitivity areas. Used with permission from Exelon Corporation.

    So Exelon’s sustainability team used publicly available information, especially NLCD, to create a baseline set of maps released in 2024 that characterize the level of biodiversity sensitivity, or the diversity of species, for the land in each of its service territories. Exelon owns utilities in the Mid-Atlantic and northern Illinois regions, including Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

    Half of the analysis for the maps was weighted to rely on NLCD, and the other half included data on water drainage, protected areas, biodiversity hotspots, average species abundance and water stress, or water demand vs. supply.

    NLCD provided the multistate coverage Exelon needed at a good resolution, explained Kevin Costello, Exelon’s senior manager of sustainability strategy. In addition, he said, NLCD “provides a broad representation of the physical and ecological characteristics of the landscapes that we work in and can provide more insight than just specific ecological data.”

    Costello used wetlands as an example of why NLCD’s landscape distinctions are important. “While wetlands across our territory are providing ecological services, by layering multiple datasets together, we might be able to conclude that a wetland in an area of higher biological diversity is providing more ecological value than a wetland in an area of lower biological diversity.”

    The baseline results ranked most areas of the land Exelon utilities pass through as having low to medium biodiversity sensitivity because of their use as metro areas or agricultural production. However, some areas in the Mid-Atlantic had high biodiversity sensitivity because of the presence of significant coastal and inland wetlands, forests, water stress, biodiversity hotpots and protected areas.

    Opportunities to Improve Habitat 

    With a baseline of ecological value, Exelon now can make better-informed decisions. 

    “We’re able to strategically develop stewardship-based projects that could improve ecological quality in our service areas. Exelon performs multiple projects to expand and improve electric and gas service in our territories. While we are performing this work, we look for opportunities to improve the quality of the habitat above the state where we found it. We are leveraging our biodiversity maps to assist in these assessments,” Costello said.

    “We’re also looking at things like, where do we have rights-of-way that are in between areas of very high biological quality habitat? Do we have a right-of-way that’s connecting existing green spaces, for instance, a state or national park and a nearby land trust? If so, what can we do within that corridor to improve the quality of the habitat so that it helps connect those two ecosystems for the species that may be utilizing our land to migrate between them?”

    NLCD and Landsat are tools to help companies consider the bigger picture for land management.

    “Landsat can provide a significant value into our analysis on a large-scale assessment of our corporate lands from a stewardship and land management perspective,” Costello said.

    Exelon’s intentions are an example of how NLCD and Landsat data are used to not just monitor but also improve the world around us.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Robber Gets Seven Years For 7-Eleven Robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Kevon Holston, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court for robberies he committed on two separate dates at 7-Eleven stores in Northwest, Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Holston pleaded guilty on March 31, 2025, to one count each of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery. Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Holston to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. 

                According to the government’s evidence, at approximately, 11:27 p.m., on November 27, 2024, Holston entered a 7-­Eleven store located in the 1600 block of 7th Street, Northwest, and pointed a gun at a store employee and demanded money. The victim complied and gave the defendant $200 in cash. Holston took the money and fled the store.

                On December 28, 2024, at approximately 8:05 p.m., Holston entered a different 7-Eleven store located in the 500 block of K Street, Northwest. The defendant brandished a gun and told the victim, “give me all you got.” The victim did not have the PIN to the cash register and called over another employee to assist with opening it. The second victim opened the register and handed $5 in cash to the defendant. Holston took the money and fled the store.

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi, who prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –