NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Crocodile removed from Mareeba region

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 12 Jun 2025

    Wildlife rangers have humanely euthanised a large crocodile near Mareeba on Tuesday 10 June, following a crocodile sighting report on 6 June 2025.

    A site investigation by wildlife rangers on the weekend confirmed the presence of the crocodile, in a farm drain near Two Mile Creek at Biboohra, north of Mareeba.

    Director Northern Wildlife Operations at DETSI, Lindsay Delzoppo said rangers had located the crocodile on the property after multiple reports from the community.

    “By removing the crocodile, we have prioritised community safety, and we thank the people who submitted crocodile sighting reports last Friday.

    “We encourage anyone who sees what they believe to be a crocodile to report it to the department in a timely manner, all reports will be investigated.”

    Crocodile sightings can be reported by using the QWildlife app, completing a crocodile sighting report on the DETSI website, or by calling 1300 130 372. The department investigates every crocodile sighting report received.

    Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, the Two Mile Creek area at Biboohra is in Zone F (Atypical Habitat Zone). In Zone F, any crocodile confirmed to be present is targeted for removal from the wild, regardless of its size or behaviour.

    Media contact: DETSI Media Unit on (07) 3339 5831 or media@des.qld.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Future conservationists get their hands dirty in Amamoor Valley weed battle

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 12 Jun 2025

    Open larger image

    Conservation and Ecosystem Management students from Nambour TAFE join with Gympie-based QPWS rangers to tackle destructive and invasive weeds in the Amamoor State Forest.

    A powerful new partnership between Nambour TAFE and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is giving the next generation of conservation professionals hands-on experience in protecting native ecosystems.

    Twenty Conservation and Ecosystem Management students from Nambour TAFE joined forces with Gympie-based QPWS rangers in late May to tackle the destructive weeds that threaten native rainforests in the Amamoor State Forest.

    The unique collaboration was coordinated by QPWS Sunshine Coast Ranger David Wolters, himself a graduate of the same TAFE course, and TAFE Queensland conservation and ecosystem educator Alissa George.

    David and Elissa, who recognised the opportunity to blend practical learning with meaningful environmental outcomes, said partnerships like these played an important role in combatting invasive species and protecting fragile ecosystems.

    “This was a great experience for Nambour TAFE Conservation and Ecosystem Management students,” Alissa said.

    “The students benefited from real industry experiences and learning the techniques used by QPWS to eradicate environmental weeds including Cats Claw creeper, Dutchman’s Pipe, and Lantana.

    “They eagerly listened to the rangers explain the importance of the site ecologically.

    “We saw the effects of the biocontrol for Cat’s Claw Creeper – the leaf sucking tingid bug – which the students were excited to see.

    “TAFE Nambour is very excited to continue this volunteering opportunity as it has been the highlight of the course for the students,” Alissa said.

    Throughout the day, students honed skills in identifying and removing invasive species including Cat’s Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati), Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans), and Lantana (Lantana camara).

    The experience also gave them direct access to seasoned rangers, allowing for deep conversations around conservation careers and techniques used in the field.

    For David Wolters, the day was a full-circle moment.

    “I’ve always been driven by a desire to support and protect our natural environment,” David said.

    “Studying Conservation and Ecosystem Management at TAFE provided me with the hands-on fieldwork and practical training that shaped my skills.

    “Now working in national parks,

    “I’m proud to contribute to the protection of our unique ecosystems and landscapes.

    “I’ve reconnected with TAFE to help current students gain valuable experience in the field, something that made a big difference during my own studies.

    “I’m passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve gained working for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and look forward to continuing my work with Alissa George and her students in the years ahead.”

    QPWS Gympie Ranger Jim Martin, who also attended, praised the impact of the students’ involvement.

    “It’s great to have such a big group here keen to get stuck into the Cats Claw, which can feel like an insurmountable task at times,” Jim said.

    “Staying on top of the initial treatments we’ve made with solid follow-up work is what will make a real difference here, so the potential benefits of having TAFE groups out here to lend a hand and learn is huge.”

    The initiative not only delivered tangible benefits for the environment but also inspired and equipped the next generation of conservation professionals.

    Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the field trip as a defining moment in their studies.

    With the groundwork laid and the vines pulled, both TAFE and QPWS are looking forward to building on this successful partnership – one weed at a time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Bangladesh should rein in terrorists: India after vandalisation of Tagore’s ancestral home

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Thursday strongly condemned the vandalisation of the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore – historically called the Rabindra Kachharibari – in the Sirajganj district of Bangladesh, urging the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in the country to take strict action against the extremist elements involved in the incident.

    “We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8, 2025. The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and the teachings that the Nobel laureate espoused in Bangladesh. The attack falls in a broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance and eviscerate the synchronic culture and cultural legacy of Bangladesh,” said Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a weekly media briefing.

    “We urge the interim government to rein in the terrorists and take strict action against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents that sadly have become a repetitive feature,” he added.

    The MEA also reiterated that it wants to establish a positive and constructive relationship with the South Asian neighbour.

    “Our approach to engagement with Bangladesh and our ties with the country are well known. I have stated this from this podium several times. We seek a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one that is anchored in the aspirations of the people of both countries,” mentioned Jaiswal.

    Bangladeshi media reported that a mob of 50–60 people broke into the Rabindra Kachharibari, which also houses a memorial museum, and vandalised the auditorium and custodian’s office, causing significant damage to the historic building.

    “There were visitors at the site who panicked due to the sudden attack. We took shelter during the attack and informed police immediately,” Bangladesh’s Daily Star quoted Habibur Rahman, a custodian of the Kachharibari, as saying.

    One of the visitors, Enamul Haque, who had arrived with his family, criticised the attack. “Criminal activities at a historic site like Shahzadpur Rabindra Kachharibari are unacceptable,” he said.

    Confirming the incident, Shahzadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC)stated, “A complaint was lodged earlier. We are investigating the matter.”

    The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, had also raised the issue during his speech at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Kolkata, on Wednesday.

    “The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, where a mob led by BNP and Chhatra Shibir activists vandalised the historic Rabindra Kachari Bari. This shameful and utterly disgraceful act of destruction targetted a site that embodies Bengal’s cultural soul and Tagore’s universal message of humanity. Windows shattered, furniture ruined, and a Global Icon’s memory insulted,” he posted on X.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint operation by Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Police National Security Department

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Joint operation by Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Police National Security Department

         The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OSNS) and the National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force, pursuant to the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation, conducted a joint operation today (June 12) in respect of a suspected case of “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security”.Issued at HKT 22:12

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Passaic County Lawyer Sentenced to 21 Months for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $300,000 in COVID-19 Relief Funds

    Source: US FBI

    CAMDEN, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey attorney was sentenced to 21 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $300,000 in COVID-19 relief benefits, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. 

    Morton Chirnomas, 62, of Clifton, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to an Information charging him with wire fraud. Judge O’Hearn imposed the sentence in Camden federal Court. Chirnomas was also ordered to serve three years’ supervised release.

    According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

    From May 2020 to September 2020, Chirnomas fraudulently obtained a $150,000 loan through the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans program. He also falsely obtained $200,000 in unemployment insurance benefits using the names and identities of other people without their authorization. 

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

    The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

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

                                                                                          ###

    Defense counsel: Saverio A. Viggiano, Newark, New Jersey

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of Multi-State Polydrug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Nearly Two Decades in Prison for Drug Conspiracy, Illegal Possession of Firearms, and Money Laundering

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and cocaine.

    Joseph Correa, 35, was sentenced by on Friday, June 6, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley to 18 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In November 2024, Correa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and other controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    Correa was a target of a long-term investigation into a network of fentanyl and cocaine distributors based in and around Lawrence. The investigation showed that Correa obtained fentanyl from local suppliers, and that he and co-defendants and brothers Jose Martinez and Luis Martinez regularly traveled to Puerto Rico to purchase wholesale quantities of cocaine, which they mailed to addresses in New England for redistribution in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Correa employed co-defendants, as well as an uncharged co-conspirator, to store and process drugs at their residences and to distribute drugs on his behalf. Correa was regularly intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps discussing distribution of fentanyl and cocaine and obtaining, possessing and using firearms. He and co-defendant Mayi Rosario conspired to launder drug proceeds via various financial transactions and purchases. During the course of the investigation, fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine and drug proceeds were seized from Correa and his associates and from packages mailed by or for Correa. On Dec. 15, 2021, Correa was arrested in Caguas, Puerto Rico. At the time of his arrest, Correa was holding a loaded firearm that had a Glock slide and a privately manufactured grip, and that had been converted into a fully automatic weapon.

    In May 2024, Jose Martinez was sentenced to 90 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In February 2025, Luis Martinez was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. In August 2024, Rosario was sentenced to 30 months in prison, to be followed by one year of home detention and 26 months of supervised release.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Ferguson and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Salvadoran National Arrested for Allegedly Selling Firearms Without a License

    Source: US FBI

    Defendant is an alleged gang associate who sold four pistols – two with defaced serial numbers – and more than one hundred rounds of ammunition to gang members over the course of a month

    BOSTON – A Salvadoran national unlawfully residing in Chelsea was charged with allegedly making multiple illegal firearms sales.

    Melbi Ovidio Ortez, 40, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Ortez was arrested this morning. Following an initial appearance this afternoon, he was ordered detained pending probable cause and detention hearings scheduled for July 18, 2025.

    According to charging documents, Ortez was identified as an 18th Street Gang associate who supplied firearms and controlled substances to gang members. On four different occasions between April 3, 2025 and May 2, 2025, Ortez allegedly sold firearms and ammunition behind his Chelsea residence. It is alleged that Ortez sold a Glock 9mm caliber pistol; a Sturm and Ruger .22 caliber revolver; a Glock .40 caliber pistol; a Colt .380 caliber pistol; magazines; and over one hundred rounds of ammunition. It is further alleged that the serial numbers on both the Glock 9mm pistol and the Colt .380 pistol had been defaced, and that the Glock 9mm pistol had been purchased only 20 days earlier from a licensed firearms dealer in New Hampshire. Ortez also allegedly sold suspected cocaine on two times during that same period.

    The charge of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Division; and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security Unit; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop New York’s Unlawful “Protect Our Courts Act” from Obstructing Immigration Enforcement

    Source: United States Attorneys General 10

    WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the United States filed a complaint against the State of New York, challenging state policies that blocked immigration officials from arresting individuals at or near New York courthouses. Specifically, the complaint challenges a law, called the Protect Our Courts Act, that purposefully shields dangerous aliens from being lawfully detained at or on their way to or from a courthouse and imposes criminal liability for violations of the shield. This law and accompanying polices violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution because they obstruct the execution of federal immigration authorities.

    “Lawless sanctuary city policies are the root cause of the violence that Americans have seen in California, and New York State is similarly employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest lawsuit in a series of sanctuary city litigation underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law.”

    New York’s law comes after Executive Order 10866, Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border, which directs the Department of Homeland of Security to issue guidelines for the safe and effective enforcement of immigration laws around the country, specifically at or near courthouses. As is true in all types of law enforcement, conducting an arrest at or near a courthouse often reduced the risk of flight and potential safety risks to the public, law enforcement officers, and targets themselves due to the enhanced security screenings in place at courthouses. New York’s law runs counter to common sense and endangers communities by eliminating safe places for law enforcement officers to act.

    As explained in the complaint, filed by newly confirmed Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, “Through these enactments, New York obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates the evasion of federal law by dangerous criminals, notwithstanding federal agents’ statutory mandate to detain and remove illegal aliens.”

    This is the latest in several lawsuits the Department of Justice has filed challenging state interference with immigration enforcement. In May, the Department sued several New Jersey cities who had enacted sanctuary policies.

    Read the full complaint HERE.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The deteriorating justice system in England and Wales is hindering economic growth

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Diane Coyle, Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

    Tupungato/Shutterstock

    The Labour government has made economic growth its top priority, committing to planning reforms, business partnerships and millions of pounds of investment in science and technology.

    But economic growth is not just about innovation, investment and businesses. How the law functions is of fundamental importance for economic growth. The UK’s highly-regarded system of justice plays an important role in creating the environment of trust that underpins commerce and investment.

    The legal system should be regarded as part of the national infrastructure, just as much as rail or electricity networks, or health and education. But like them, it has suffered a sustained drop in funding. And with the civil courts now in a state of neglect, their reputation – and the trust placed in them – is at risk of crumbling.

    For both people and businesses, the forum for resolving disputes and securing rights against one another, or against the state, involves the legal system. County courts, tribunals and bodies such as Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) are just a few of the bodies involved in civil and administrative law, employment law, tax law and corporate law.

    The Ministry of Justice budget for England and Wales, which funds courts and tribunals, started to fall in real terms in the 2011-12 financial year. This has led to under-resourcing, underequipping, and understaffing of services. Justice is an “unprotected” government department, and continues to be a low priority compared to others such as health and education.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The chancellor’s spending review announced “up to £450 million additional investment per year for the courts system by 2028-29, compared to 2025-26”, which the government says will help tackle court backlogs. But years of decline have already deteriorated the system significantly.

    The key question to measuring the success of publicly-funded legal systems is, are they fast, fair and predictable? It would be difficult today to answer positively.

    There are large backlogs due to staff shortfalls compared to caseloads. When it comes to civil claims in the courts, aside from the very smallest claims, the average period from a claim to a hearing is now 77 weeks. This is an increase from 48 weeks pre-austerity. In either case, it’s plenty of time for a small business or startup to go under while trying to reclaim a debt.

    The position in the tribunals is not much better. According to the latest Ministry of Justice statistics, the backlog of open tribunal cases rose by 4% overall in the quarter to June 2024, to 668,000. There was a 17% jump in employment tribunal open cases, and a huge surge in appeals to the special educational needs and disability tribunal, taking the backlog up 61% to 9,200.

    Another example is the 79,000 appeals outstanding at the social security and child support tribunal, where eligibility for personal independence payments for disabled people is determined. This was up 12% on the year in mid-2024, causing a large number of mostly financially struggling people to wait too long for the money they are due. This has the effect of draining spending power in the local economies that need it most.

    So much for speed. What about whether people and businesses can rely on justice that is fair and predictable? Unfortunately, the tribunal statistics contain worrying signs that this is not reliably happening. For instance, with the social security and child support tribunal, three-fifths of hearings resulted in administrative decisions being overturned in favour of the claimant.

    Effect on the economy

    The economic impact of fraying civil justice is hard to discern. The academic and policy literature alike tend to focus on the high-profile areas of law that affect corporations, such as property and contract disputes.

    Yet there are assuredly costs across the system. Employers may be unable to recruit staff until a tribunal case is settled; meanwhile, employees can’t find a new job. And small businesses may be unable to get bills paid, even for large amounts well over what their cash flow can sustain.

    Long waiting periods for tribunals can harm small businesses.
    JessicaGirvan/Shutterstock

    For countries where slow and unpredictable justice has long been acknowledged as a problem, there is solid evidence of its detrimental effect on the economy. For example, Italian growth has been shown to be hampered by the uncertainty around civil law processes, increasing the risks involved in business decisions. Economists – including Nobel prizewinners Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson – have identified the legal system as essential underpinning for the economy.

    The justice system needs to be regarded as part of national infrastructure, the collection of physical and institutional systems and networks without which the economy cannot function. People do not want courts any more than they want bridges or cables for their own sake, but for all the indispensable activities they enable.

    The value of the courts is indirect but fundamental. If they crumble, the economic transactions and investment enabled by a predictable, rapid justice system are held back.

    Civil and administrative justice does not leap to mind when contemplating the demands of the growth mission: battery factories, graphene labs and building sites all provide ministers with better photo ops. But unless there is improvement in the timeliness of decisions by courts and tribunals, growth in the UK will be facing yet another powerful headwind.

    Diane Coyle has received funding from the Nuffield Foundation’s Public Right to Justice programme.

    – ref. The deteriorating justice system in England and Wales is hindering economic growth – https://theconversation.com/the-deteriorating-justice-system-in-england-and-wales-is-hindering-economic-growth-258362

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government on top off foot-and-mouth disease response

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 12, 2025

    Cabinet has welcomed the swift response by the Department of Agriculture following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that has affected KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

    “Despite the warnings that were issued, FMD was imported into Gauteng as people continued to move livestock to the province of Gauteng,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday in Cape Town.

    The department has ordered over 900 000 doses of vaccines, with the first batch expected to arrive soon.

    “All infected properties are placed under quarantine. No movement is allowed into, out of, or through these areas or farms. 

    “Large areas, where individuals cannot be served with quarantine notices, are declared Disease Management Areas, and the same restrictions apply.

    In addition, plans are underway to establish a biosecurity council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority and captains of industry to better respond to future outbreaks and manage the related risks,” Ntshavheni said.

    She was addressing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NSL 5th anniversary expo opens

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today officiated at the opening ceremony of the “5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition” at the Museum of History.

    Mr Lam reiterated the three “must-nots” – must not forget history, turn a blind eye to reality and stand idly by.

    He said traditional Chinese wisdom has it that “history, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future”.

    “We all surely remember the 2019 legislative amendment turmoil, which posed a grave threat to national security and severely undermined the peaceful and stable environment we took for granted.”

    Mr Lam also stated that “remain vigilant in times of peace” is another traditional Chinese wisdom.

    “Although Hong Kong society has restored stability and national security, threats are often not immediately visible. It is obvious that hostile states and forces continue to try to suppress our country’s development.

    “Since national security is closely related to individuals’ well-being, people must naturally take concrete steps and shoulder responsibilities in safeguarding national security.”

    Mr Lam pointed out that a robust legal system has long been the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. It is the prerequisite for the city to thrive as an international financial, trade, and shipping centre.

    On the foundation of three “must-nots”, Hong Kong must uphold the rule of law in safeguarding national security, he added.

    Also officiating at the ceremony, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is not only a constitutional duty of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but also a fundamental obligation of every citizen.

    Mr Tang further stated that hostile forces have not given up and he reminded citizens to remain vigilant against the risks.

    The security chief explained that external hostile forces continue to attempt to undermine national security through smears and “sanctions” while anti-China destabilising elements in the city who have fled overseas continue to engage in activities and behaviours that threaten national security.

    Local terrorism and “soft resistance”, where individuals with ulterior motives exploit fake news and misinformation to divide society and incite hatred are the other risks, Mr Tang added.

    The exhibition is now open, with the aim to facilitate the public’s understanding of and appreciation for the hard-won situation that Hong Kong is now enjoying, and to motivate all to work together to help the city shine on the global stage.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: West Columbia Man Indicted for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Greenville returned a 10-count indictment against Robert John May III, 38, of West Columbia, for distributing child sexual abuse material.*

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber-tip from the social messaging app Kik. Kik flagged several videos from the username “joebidennnn69” as containing child sexual abuse. Investigators connected the account to the home IP address and mobile device of May and identified at least 10 videos depicting child sexual abuse that were shared from the account.

    May faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison with a minimum of five years, a fine of $250,000, and a term of at least five years of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Dean Secor are prosecuting the case with Austin M. Berry of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation & Obscenity Section.

    All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    * The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child. The Associated Press Stylebook also discourages the use of the phrase “child pornography.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux Falls Man Found Guilty of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon Following Federal Jury Trial

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Lamont Victor Garrett, age 52, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, of Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on June 11, 2025.

    The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Garrett was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.

    On August 21, 2024, law enforcement searched a residence in Sioux Falls where Garrett was residing. In his bedroom, a black Sig Sauer magazine with 9mm ammunition and .22 caliber ammunition were found. Garrett is a felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

    This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department Violent Crimes Unit and Homeland Security Investigations. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

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

    A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will be set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Owensboro, KY – A Muhlenberg County, Kentucky man was sentenced on June 10, 2025, to 5 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography.

    U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.

    According to court documents, James Matthew Rosenkranz, 41, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for one count of distribution of child pornography.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    The case was investigated by the FBI Owensboro Resident Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Job Index Reveals The Toughest Jobs In The UK

    Source: Samsung

    New research finds firefighters have UK’s toughest job, with paramedics, farmers and builders also included among most gruelling roles in the country
    90% of Brits say tech that can withstand tough jobs is vital in demanding roles, with extreme environments (63%) and hazardous conditions (64%) cited as key challenges
    Our Yorkshire Farm Shepherdess, Amanda Owen partners with Samsung to demonstrate real-world resilience testing of the new Rugged device range, from mucking out to herding sheep
    The new Samsung XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro Enterprise Edition deliver military-grade durability[1], water-resistance[2], long battery life[3], and push-to-talk functionality[4] – purpose built for frontline and field-based professionals

     
    James Speakman/PA Media Assignments
     
    New research has revealed the UK’s toughest jobs – with firefighters topping the list.
     
    The poll of 2,000 Brits found paramedics, farmers and armed forces personnel were also cited as those who deserve recognition for doing of the most physically and mentally draining work.
     
    The study was commissioned by Samsung to launch their latest Rugged device range which is designed to thrive in harsh work environments and was judged according to criteria including physical demands, danger and risk, and work environment.
     
    The findings, which also identified police officers (34%), fishermen (16%) and construction workers (15%) among the UK’s toughest workers, underscored a growing demand among workers and employers for tech that can withstand harsh, high-risk environments.
     
    TOP 20 TOUGHEST JOBS
     

    Firefighter (45%)
    Paramedic (44%)
    Surgeon (44%)
    Nurse (37%)
    Police Officer (34%)
    Armed Forces Personnel (28%)
    Care Worker (22%)
    Farmer (20%)
    Teacher (20%)
    Social Worker (18%)
    Fisherman (16%)
    Construction Worker (15%)
    Agricultural Labourer (11%)
    Builder / Bricklayer (9%)
    Underground Utility Worker (9%)
    Scaffolder (6%)
    Mechanic (6%)
    Roofer (6%)
    Refuse Collector (Bin Worker) (5%)
    Train driver (5%)

     
    The research also revealed that nine in 10 Brits value devices capable of withstanding harsh conditions, citing reducing physical strain through equipment (54%), alerting workers to risks more quickly (53%) and automating repetitive tasks (45%) as ways to ease pressure.
     
    To emphasise the importance of durable technology in tough jobs, Samsung enlisted farmer and shepherdess Amanda Owen to give an insight into the realities of working life on a farm.
     
    From mucking out and herding animals, to operating machinery and navigating unpredictable weather, Amanda showcases how physically demanding farm life can be, highlighting the need for technology that can keep up with resilient workers themselves.
     
    Amanda Owen says: “Farming isn’t for the faint hearted – we’re up before dawn, battling the elements, and it takes real resilience out here. In this environment, our tech needs to be just as tough—anything that can’t handle water or a drop is a liability. We need something rugged on the outside and smart on the inside, that can keep up with the job.”
     

     
    According to respondents, 63% of people believe for a job to be ‘tough’ it must take place in an extreme environment. 58% of jobs which can be considered challenging also involve working with dangerous equipment, with a further 55% fearing dangerous people.
     
    Two thirds (62%) of Brits agree that tough jobs need more recognition in the UK saying that they play a vital role in keeping the country running (64%), often work long hours with little rest (46%) and face hazardous conditions daily (62%) as to why they deserve more recognition.
     
    The Samsung Rugged range, which includes the Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Tab Active5 Pro, is designed to take on tough, rugged environments, offering water and dust resistance[5], drop protection[6], long battery life as well as replaceable batteries, and enhanced touch sensitivity for use in the rain[7] or with gloves[8]
     
    Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product & Marketing, Samsung UK&I says:“Tough roles demand robust support. Whether it’s maintaining connectivity in the field or ensuring mission-critical tasks aren’t interrupted, having the right tech in place is essential. The Rugged range has been engineered specifically for these environments — combining military-grade durability with the business tools workforces require.”
     
    Almost half (46%) of Brits admitted they don’t feel like they have the resilience to take on a physically demanding role, a figure that dropped to 40% among men.
     
    In contrast, 52% of women believe they have what it takes to handle roles that might require higher levels of emotional and mental capacity.
     
    When it comes to younger generations, 61% of those aged 18–24 have considered taking up physically tough roles when exploring career options. This compares with just 11% of Boomers, who prefer to steer clear of jobs they’d deem tough.
     
    Two in five (38%) agree there’s a misconception that physically demanding jobs don’t require robust technology.
     
    From construction sites and emergency callouts to remote locations and extreme weather – where phone failure simply isn’t an option – Samsung’s Rugged range is built to go the distance with those who keep the country running.
     
    Engineered for endurance, the devices offer military-grade protection, taking up to a 1.8 metre drop with the cover on[9], ready for whatever the job throws at them.
     
    The programmable hot key allows you to set up shortcuts for frequently used apps, you can transform your device into a walkie-talkie, torch, scanner, payment terminal or whatever you need it to be.
     
    But it’s not just the hardware that’s built for resilience. With the ability to set up Knox Suite[10] swiftly with QuickStart Go, teams can be up and running with business-ready devices in no time, while Samsung Knox security keeps data protected against malware or threats.
     
    And with 3-year warranty, up to 8- years of security maintenance releases and eight generations of operating system updates[11], plus next-business-day doorstep exchange[12], Rugged users get the reassurance and support they need, long after deployment.
     
    The Samsung Rugged devices are available to purchase now. For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/mobile/rugged/.
     
    [1]Drop test results meet MIL STD 810H standard and vary depending on particular Rugged device.​ Test scope: Altitude, Humidity, Immersion, Salt Fog, Dust, Vibration, Drop, and more. Tab Active5 Pro can take 1.8M with case on and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop. Internally tested with Liquid Ethanol, Ethanol Cotton, Clorox  (Chlorine bleach), Medilox HCIO.
    [2]The device can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available
    [3]Additional battery sold separately. In the case of extra replaceable batteries, only Samsung-certified products are compatible for use. Need to turn on “No Battery Mode” and use a dedicated USB Type C power source accessory (9V/2.3A ↑, PD2.0↑). Cradle and power source accessory sold separately. No Battery Mode limits device’s CPU/GPU performance and reduces maximum volume, and display brightness, when enabled. No Battery Mode available on Tab Active devices only
    [4]Additional licenses may be required. Requires Samsung D2D Service
    [5]Resistant to dust and up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes (IP68). Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
    [6]Tab Active5 can take 2.8M and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop
    [7]The device can be used in wet environments, but not fully submerged under water. Underwater touch is not available.
    [8]Touch sensitivity increases responsiveness for leather gloves thinner than 2mm or less in thickness, based on internal laboratory test results. Touch-responsiveness may vary depending on the material and thickness of gloves as well as other environmental conditions.

    [9]Drop test results meet MIL STD 810H standard and vary depending on particular Rugged device.​ Test scope: Altitude, Humidity, Immersion, Salt Fog, Dust, Vibration, Drop, and more. Tab Active5 Pro can take 1.8M with case on and other devices in the range can take 1.5M drop.
    [10]One-year free Knox Suite Enterprise Plan included with Enterprise Edition devices with purchase of subsequent years.
    [11] 8 years from first global launch for Tab Active5 Series and 7 Years from first global launch for XCover7 Series.
    [12]Doorstep Exchange with Samsung gold stock. Terms apply.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three teenagers plead guilty to manslaughter

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Three teenagers have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Fredi Rivero.

    Three girls, aged 15, 16, and 17, from north-east London have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 75-year-old Fredi Rivero.

    The girls, who cannot be named because of their age, are due to be sentenced on a date to be set in September at the Old Bailey.

    On Thursday, 27 February officers were called to reports of an assault at a bus stop on Seven Sisters Road. Fredi was found with serious head injuries. Sadly he died in hospital a day later as a result of his injuries.

    The three girls were arrested shortly after the assault and officers found one of them had filmed the unprovoked attack on her phone.

    Detective Inspector Devan Taylor, Specialist Crime said:

    “Mr Rivero was a much-loved family man who died in a truly tragic incident. I know how much his death has impacted those close to him and the wider community.

    “I would like to offer my heart-felt sympathy to Mr Rivero’s family for their loss and express my admiration for the dignity they have shown throughout the investigation. I also wish to thank the members of public who went to Mr Rivero’s aid as he lay injured.

    “The young defendants have now accepted they were responsible for the killing of Mr Rivero, in what was a senseless and completely out of the blue attack on a lone elderly man. The age of the defendants adds to the devastating nature of this incident and they will now have to deal with the enormity of their actions.”

    The girls were charged with manslaughter on Saturday, 1 March.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: From Washington’s burned letters to Trump’s missing transcripts, partial presidential records limit people’s full understanding of history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shannon Bow O’Brien, Associate Professor of Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin

    The presidential Resolute Desk at the White House on Feb. 12, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    President Donald Trump’s second term as president will surely go down in history, though of course, just six months into his four-year term, much of this story has yet to be written.

    But it is already clear that most Americans will not be able to read exactly what Trump has said, as they have with previous presidents, during his current term in the White House.

    The White House has removed the official transcripts of Trump’s public remarks from its government website, NBC News reported in May 2025, replacing the written transcripts with select videos and audio of Trump’s public appearances.

    White House officials told NBC News that this switch should help people get a fuller, more consistent and accurate sense of Trump by watching and listening to him, rather than reading what he says verbatim at official events.

    Government stenographers are also still recording and transcribing all of Trump’s remarks, though these are no longer being published on the White House’s website or elsewhere. It is not clear where or how those transcriptions are being saved.

    For years, translators, reporters, students, historians and presidential scholars like me have used official presidential transcripts to understand a president’s exact words and track government decisions. Without these written transcripts, it becomes harder to get the full story of exactly what the president has done or said.

    President Donald Trump, joined by members of his cabinet, delivers a statement on natural disaster preparedness in the Oval Office at the White House on June 10, 2025.
    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    A partial history

    A nation’s history is etched in its records. The preservation of official proceedings provides the bedrock for understanding a country’s past and navigating its future.

    A growing chorus of historians, public officials and transparency advocates is raising alarms about how the Trump administration is curating and potentially manipulating the government’s records and actions.

    The White House’s recent decision to not share official, written transcripts of what the president has said is not the first time this issue has emerged under Trump.

    As I wrote in 2021, the first Trump administration did not consistently submit the transcripts of the president’s political rally speeches to the National Archives, as was the custom with previous presidents. The National Archives is an independent government agency within the executive branch that preserves the nation’s historical records.

    This official recordkeeping is important, and it’s more than a tradition – it’s a legal obligation. A law called the Presidential Records Act of 1978 says that everything a president does in office – from making speeches to writing emails – belongs to the public.

    This includes not just formal speeches, but also public remarks and oral exchanges, which are traditionally included in a compilation of presidential documents.

    My examination of this compilation for 2025 appears to show a gap in such records from mid-April 2025 onward. While the transcript of Trump’s full remarks when speaking with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was published on this government site on April 18, for example, publicly available documents from May only include a checklist of White House press releases, a digest of White House announcements and a list of acts that the president signed into law.

    In the absence of complete official records from government sources, external, independent organizations that also monitor the presidency, like The American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have become crucial repositories.

    The American Presidency Project diligently logs and, when transcripts are unavailable, provides video of public presidential messaging, striving to create as complete a record as possible for all curious viewers and readers.

    Workers secure scaffolding on the side of the National Archives building in Washington on April 2, 2025.
    Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

    Washington’s letters up in flames

    The fight over keeping an honest record of presidents is a problem that comes up again and again in American history.

    Perhaps the most powerful example of losing historical records comes from the country’s very first president, George Washington. He knew he was setting an example for all future presidents and kept very careful records. He wanted to leave a complete story of his life and his work for the future.

    But there is very little of it left.

    After Washington died, his wife, Martha, burned most of the letters they wrote to each other to keep their lives private.

    Washington left his official papers to his nephew, Supreme Court Justice Bushrod Washington. But Bushrod gave many of them to Chief Justice John Marshall, who was writing a book about the president. The papers were not treated carefully, and many were damaged. To make matters worse, Bushrod would often tear off scraps of Washington’s writings and give them to people as souvenirs.

    The result is that Americans have an incomplete picture of their first president. What now exists is a weaker version of the real story, created more by what other people did than by what Washington himself had planned.

    Memories fade, and people are not around forever.

    The main way that the U.S. can preserve its story is through accurate records. The current arguments over saving transcripts and official papers are about more than just rules. They are about the future. The records that Trump and other presidents leave behind will decide if people in the future see them as they really were, or just how they wanted others to view them.

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

    – ref. From Washington’s burned letters to Trump’s missing transcripts, partial presidential records limit people’s full understanding of history – https://theconversation.com/from-washingtons-burned-letters-to-trumps-missing-transcripts-partial-presidential-records-limit-peoples-full-understanding-of-history-258275

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI China: Air India plane with 242 people onboard crashes near airport in India’s Gujarat

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    People look at the debris of an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    An Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat, officials said.

    The flight took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

    According to Air India, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time and was carrying 242 passengers and crew members.

    “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals,” the airline said.

    Air India has expressed condolences to the families of all those affected by this devastating event.

    “With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, said in a statement.

    Chandrasekaran said further updates will be shared as they receive more verified information.

    People and rescuers are seen at a site of a plane crash in Ahmedabad of India’s Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “An emergency center has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information,” he further said.

    Local media reports said the plane had reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended. Police said the plane crashed on the building of a doctors’ hostel.

    There were no reports of any survivors currently, and officials, so far, have not issued any statement on the number of casualties or injured in the crash.

    “As per preliminary information, a London-bound Air India flight has crashed at the doctors’ hostel. Within 2-3 minutes, police and other agencies reached the spot. Almost 70-80 percent of the area has been cleared. All agencies are working here,” a police official told media.

    Reports said the passenger aircraft went down in the Meghani area of the city.

    According to officials, immediately after the crash, authorities rushed over two dozen ambulances to the spot to carry out rescue work.

    Video footage from the site aired on television news channels shows thick columns of smoke rising from the ground.

    Police have diverted traffic from the area, and a green corridor has also been established to ferry the injured quickly to the hospital.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Groundbreaking of Sullivan County Broadband Project

    Source: US State of New York

    ir=”ltr”>Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking of a $29.9 million broadband infrastructure project in Sullivan County that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 22,000 homes and businesses across the region’s rural and mountainous terrain. The project, funded through New York State’s Municipal Infrastructure Program under the ConnectALL initiative, represents the largest single broadband investment in Sullivan County’s history and advances the Governor’s commitment to ensuring every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. The groundbreaking will mark the beginning of construction on 253 miles of fiber optic cable and an expansion on an existing tower that will work in conjunction with Sullivan County’s 11 existing towers to deliver broadband service to previously unserved and underserved locations.

    “Today marks a historic turning point for Sullivan County — we’re finally bridging the gap that has held back too many communities for far too long,” Governor Hochul said. “This publicly-owned infrastructure isn’t just about faster internet — it’s about opening doors to better healthcare, education, and economic opportunities that access to high speed internet brings to the table. No New Yorker should be left behind simply because of where they live, and this project ensures that rural communities have the same access to opportunity as anywhere else in our state.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Municipal Infrastructure Program highlights New York State’s commitment to innovative, equitable broadband solutions. By prioritizing public ownership, we ensure broadband connectivity is universally accessible, affordable, and sustainable. This investment will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of Sullivan County residents — helping students succeed in school, supporting small businesses, and expanding access to telehealth and other vital services.”

    Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Access to high-speed internet is not luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. Today, Sullivan County takes a major step towards closing the digital divide. I was proud to deliver a whopping $30 million in federal funding to boost affordable, high-quality internet access for more than 22,000 homes throughout Sullivan County. These federal resources will help families stay connected to education, to healthcare, economic opportunity, and each other. When I led the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I made sure there was funding for long term investments like this that would create good paying jobs helping build the 21st century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of New York State.”

    Assemblymember Paula Kay said, “High-speed internet is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. I’m proud to stand with Governor Hochul as we break ground on this record investment. By leveraging public-private partnership, we’re making sure families can learn, work, and thrive right here in Sullivan County.”

    Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s visionary support of upstate New York and the historic funding provided by the State’s ConnectALL program, Sullivan County is about to experience an incredible transformation that simply could not have happened otherwise. Together with our partner Archtop Fiber, we will be bringing high-speed Internet access to every corner of Sullivan, providing an essential service where it is needed most.”

    Sullivan County faces unique broadband deployment challenges due to its rural and mountainous terrains. Under the innovative public-private partnership model, Sullivan County will own the infrastructure while Archtop Fiber LLC will serve as internet service provider, ensuring competitive pricing and service options for residents and businesses. Construction on the fiber network will begin following the groundbreaking ceremony, with the first connections anticipated within 18 months. The project will be completed in phases, prioritizing areas with the greatest need while ensuring minimal disruption to local communities.

    The Sullivan County broadband project is part of Governor Hochul’s broader ConnectALL initiative, which has committed over $1 billion to expanding broadband access across New York State as essential infrastructure for economic recovery and long-term prosperity. Funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund, the Municipal Infrastructure Program utilizes a public ownership model that serves the public interest while creating an open-access network for multiple internet service providers, promoting competition and keeping costs affordable for consumers. To date, ConnectALL has awarded over $240 million through the program, funding construction of nearly 2,400 miles of broadband infrastructure that will reach 98,000 locations across New York State. ConnectALL has expanded the program to nearly $300 million and is currently reviewing additional applications. Visit the ConnectALL Projects Dashboard for more information on Municipal Infrastructure Program projects.

    Governor Hochul’s ConnectALL Initiative

    Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing $1 billion to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. For more information on the ConnectALL initiative visit broadband.ny.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Crime reduction a priority for Seventh Administration

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The South African government is determined to deal with crime despite media reports to the contrary.

    This is the word from Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who briefed the media in Cape Town on Thursday.

    “Cabinet has noted the continuous debate about crime in South Africa and allegations that there is a lack of a concrete government plan to deal with crime in South Africa. This is despite that on the 23rd of May 2025, the Minister of Police released the 2024/25 fourth quarter [statistics].

    “During this crime statistics release, the Minister of Police outlined the Seventh Administration’s policing priorities,” she said.

    Those priorities are:
    •    Reducing the murder rate;
    •    reducing illegal firearms and tightening controls over legal firearms.
    •    Fighting gender-based violence and femicide (GBV+F) and
    •    dismantling organised crime, including drug trafficking syndicates, cash-in-transit heists, extortion and kidnappings, tackling gang violence and combating corruption both within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and across the country.

    READ | Sexual offences and commercial crime remain a concern

    “The…statistics showed progress of a general decline compared to the same period in the previous financial year. For example, of the 30 high crime police stations in terms of reporting, 13 have recorded lower counts [of crime reporting] and two recorded no change.

    “On farm murders…whereas in principle, government does not categorise South Africans in terms of race, in light of recent misinformation, the following are the statistics; of the farm owners killed – both… were African. Of the farm workers killed, both…of them were Africans and of the five farm managers killed, one was African [thereby] dismantling the misinformation that there is a targeted attack on White commercial farmers or White farmers in general,” she explained.

    READ | More farm murder victims are African, Police Minister

    Furthermore, Operation Shanela continues to score gains against illegal firearms with 128 of those seized recently.

    “The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations is also continuing its work which resulted in 656 suspects appearing in court, including 364 linked to serious organised crimes, 220 from serious commercial crimes and 72 from serious corruption.

    “On GBVF, a roundtable led by [the] Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBVF will be held…tomorrow at the Atteridgeville Community Hall in Pretoria and this will focus on the National Strategic Plan implementation and progress thereof. It will also evaluate and reinforce the effectiveness and efficiencies of services provided to GBVF victims,” she said.

    Political killings

    Cabinet also welcomed the guilty plea entered into by Sibusiso Ngcengwa in the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General and municipal councilor, Sindiso Magaqa.

    Magaqa was killed in 2017 in an apparent hit in KwaZulu-Natal.

    “Cabinet takes political killings seriously more so because the victims of those are people who are committed to the fight against corruption in municipalities or in government.

    “We are hopeful that this breakthrough will shed further light on other players involved in the murder of Mr Sindiso Magaqa,” Ntshavheni said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government, judiciary reaffirm commitment to justice

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Cabinet has welcomed government’s recent engagement with leading members of the judiciary, including Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.

    Last Friday’s engagement was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and held at the President’s official residence in Pretoria.

    “[The Constitutional Court] is an important instrument in the protection of our Constitutional democracy.

    “It is in this spirit that Cabinet welcomed the engagement between government and the judiciary led by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and heads of courts – hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    “The engagement focused on discussing the implementation of outstanding administrative measures to give effect to the Constitutional provisions of ensuring the judiciary, like Parliament, operates as an independent arm of the state,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a media briefing on Thursday.

    READ | President Ramaphosa to meet with the Judiciary  

    Currently, the budget of the Constitutional Court is administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development whereas Parliament administers its own budget.

    “Both the Executive and the Judiciary reaffirmed the shared commitment to building a stronger, more effective justice system, firmly anchored in the values of our Constitution,” she said at the post Cabinet briefing held in Cape Town.

    Repatriating heroes

    Turning to the launch of the second phase of the South African government’s exile repatriation and reburial project, Ntshavheni highlighted the importance of bringing back the remains of loved ones who died in exile. 

    Government has already announced that 58 indigenous Khoi and San ancestral remains will be reburied in the Northern Cape.

    READ | Government to bring back 58 Khoi and San ancestral remains for reburial in SA

    “While tracing, exhuming and returning back home the remains of liberation fighters who died in exile remains a focus, the initiative to bring home and rebury the remains of the Khoi and San from outside the country is important in the accurate recording of the ancestry of this country.

    “The process of the reburial of the 58 ancestral remains of the Khoi and San that originated from the Northern Cape is at an advanced stage and consultations with the affected communities are underway.

    “This initiative builds on the success of the repatriation of 49 former freedom fighters in 2024 and it is a testament to government’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering a sense of unity and healing within the nation,” she said.

    A joint delegation is expected to embark on a technical mission to Southern African counterparts, Angola, Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe to “conduct further research, cemetery record inspections and grave mapping.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Loving Day – Pic of The Week

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    Growing up in Virginia, it can be easy to take for granted how much history is steeped within the nearly 240 years of the Commonwealth’s existence. While the state is well-known for being the birthplace of four of the first five presidents of the United States and housing many of their residences, it is also (in)famous for sparking the monumental Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia.

    Back in 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving were arrested in their Caroline County house, shortly after they were married in Washington, D.C. They were arrested for violating Virginia’s laws against interracial marriage, which made it a felony for interracial couples to leave Virginia, marry, and resume residence in the state. The Lovings pleaded guilty in 1959 at the Caroline County courthouse. They were sentenced to one year in prison, but the original sentence was suspended on the condition that they would leave the state for the next 25 years, unable to return together during that period, which resulted in the Lovings moving to Washington, D.C.

    The Caroline County courthouse located in downtown Bowling Green. Photo courtesy of Taylor Gulatsi.

    In 1963, they filed a motion asking for their convictions to be vacated and their sentences set aside. Ultimately, Judge Bazile (who sentenced their original case) refused, and the Lovings’ attorneys, Bernard Cohen and Philip Hirschkop, took the case to the Virginia Supreme Court, which followed suit in upholding the original ruling. After another appeal was denied, in April 1967, the case went to the United States Supreme Court.

    On June 12, 1967, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of the Lovings. The decision in Loving v. Virginia struck down state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States, stating that so-called “anti-miscegenation” statutes were unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. The ruling overturned the 1958 convictions of Richard and Mildred Loving and the anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states, including Virginia. The result of Loving v. Virginia proved successful in helping the Civil Rights movement and would be referenced regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Zinemx Obtains U.S. MSB License, Ushering in a New Era of Compliance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, Zinemx Exchange announced that it has been granted the Money Services Business (MSB) license by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, marking a significant milestone in the platform global compliance strategy. Zinemx has demonstrated trustworthy capabilities in anti-money laundering (AML) and user identification compliance, enabling it to legally conduct crypto asset trading activities in the United States and multiple other jurisdictions, while providing investors with a compliant and secure trading environment over the long term.

    Possession of the U.S. MSB license allows Zinemx Exchange to legally offer crypto asset trading services across multiple states in the U.S., and further strengthens its ability to operate lawfully in other global jurisdictions. The platform has always placed a high priority on compliance, dedicating itself to delivering high-quality crypto trading services to its users.

    Alongside obtaining the MSB license, Zinemx Exchange has further optimized its AML and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance systems to meet global financial regulatory standards. The platform employs advanced identity verification technologies, ensuring that users can smoothly pass rigorous compliance checks during registration and trading processes. Its risk control system continuously monitors trading activities in real time, accurately identifying abnormal behaviors and effectively preventing illegal activities such as money laundering and market manipulation.

    The Zinemx compliance team works closely with international regulatory authorities and legal advisors to ensure that the platform operations adhere to legal and policy requirements in the global financial sector. All trading activities on the platform are strictly monitored and reviewed in accordance with international anti-money laundering regulations.

    As cryptocurrencies increasingly become mainstream assets, regulatory requirements for crypto assets are tightening worldwide. Zinemx Exchange, having secured the U.S. MSB license, also plans to expand localized operations in major markets such as Europe and Asia, thereby advancing its global compliance efforts.

    Looking ahead, Zinemx Exchange will continue to broaden its global compliance footprint by applying for additional financial licenses in more countries and regions, while further enhancing security and risk management measures. The platform is committed to building a more compliant and efficient crypto asset trading environment for investors. In the context of growing regulatory oversight of crypto trading, Zinemx is steadily advancing toward a new stage of international development.

    Media Contact: support@zinemx.org

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a69b22b7-7f1e-41b0-b6de-3ff0b830fccb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FBI Special Agent Chris Wong Joins TRM Labs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Christopher Wong, one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s foremost experts on cryptocurrency investigations, has joined TRM Labs.

    Wong served with the FBI for ten years, most recently as a Supervisory Special Agent in the Bureau’s Virtual Assets Unit. In that role, he led and supported some of the most complex cryptocurrency-related investigations in US law enforcement, including multi-year efforts to disrupt North Korea’s use of digital assets to finance its weapons programs.

    Wong, in partnership with now-TRM colleague Chris Janczewski — then a special agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation — led the FBI’s investigation into the 2016 Bitfinex hack, resulting in the recovery of approximately USD 3.6 billion in cryptocurrency, the largest seizure in US history. He also played a critical role in the US government’s response to the USD 600 million Axie Infinity Ronin Bridge hack, attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. That incident became a watershed moment in US national security policy on crypto threats, driving a coordinated interagency response and leading to the first-ever sanctions on cryptocurrency mixing services.

    Most recently, Wong supported the Department of Justice’s civil forfeiture action involving over USD 7.7 million in cryptocurrency linked to a North Korean IT worker laundering network. That investigation uncovered a sophisticated global scheme in which DPRK operatives used false identities to gain employment in the tech sector and funnel illicit earnings back to Pyongyang.

    In addition to his investigative work, Wong has trained law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges in dozens of countries, helping to build international capacity to respond to crypto-enabled crime.

    “I’m incredibly proud of the mission I served at the FBI — supporting agents, partners, and prosecutors as we tackled some of the most impactful crypto investigations in the world,” said Wong. “At TRM, I have the opportunity to continue that mission — this time by helping amplify the work law enforcement is doing globally to disrupt illicit finance and protect victims.”

    “Chris is one of the most respected agents in the space,” said Esteban Castaño, co-founder and CEO of TRM Labs. “He combines elite investigative skill with a deep sense of purpose, and his work has shaped how governments respond to nation-state cyber threats and financial crime. We’re honored to welcome him to TRM as we expand our support for public sector partners and the broader mission of safeguarding the financial system.”

    Wong joins a growing team of former law enforcement and national security officials at TRM Labs working to detect, investigate, and prevent illicit activity involving digital assets.

    About TRM Labs

    TRM Labs provides blockchain analytics solutions to help law enforcement and national security agencies, financial institutions, and cryptocurrency businesses detect, investigate, and disrupt crypto-related fraud and financial crime. TRM’s blockchain intelligence platform includes solutions to trace the source and destination of funds, identify illicit activity, build cases, and construct an operating picture of threats. TRM is trusted by leading agencies and businesses worldwide who rely on TRM to enable a safer, more secure crypto ecosystem. TRM is based in San Francisco, CA, and is hiring across engineering, product, sales, and data science. To learn more, visit www.trmlabs.com.

    Contact: press@trmlabs.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DoJ holds first lawtech roundtable

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Department of Justice (DoJ) today held the first round of LexGoTech Roundtable to explore the opportunities and challenges brought about by lawtech and artificial intelligence.

    Deputy Secretary for Justice and Chairman of the Consultation Group Cheung Kwok-kwan noted that the legal sector in Hong Kong is welcoming a new era, with lawtech reshaping the delivery of legal services.

    He said lawtech will strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong’s legal professional services and solidify the city’s position as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.

    The department established the Consultation Group earlier this year, comprising representatives from the legal and dispute resolution sector, law schools and experts on lawtech applications, to explore ways to promote the integration of legal services and lawtech in Hong Kong.

    To further enhance the sector’s understanding of the application of lawtech, Mr Cheung said the DoJ organised the roundtable following the Consultation Group’s recommendations and plans to hold a series of related events this year.

    In the long term, the department will promote the connection between lawtech service providers and legal practitioners, enhance the capabilities of legal professionals in lawtech, and disrupt traditional work models in the legal sector to create an ecosystem conducive to the development of lawtech in Hong Kong.

    Mr Cheung highlighted that the DoJ has been sparing no effort to promote lawtech and support the development of online dispute resolution and transaction platforms.

    The department has also launched the LawTech Fund and the Hong Kong Legal Cloud services to subsidise small and medium-sized law firms and chambers in enhancing their information technology capabilities, benefitting over 4,000 local legal professionals to date, he added.

    The roundtable engaged legal professionals from the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Small & Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong.

    They exchanged views on the risks associated with the use of lawtech and discussed how to embrace the era of artificial intelligence through policies, hardware and software upgrades, and capability building.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 5th Anniversary of Promulgation and Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

         The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a thematic exhibition will be held at the National Security Exhibition Gallery to mark the fifthth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition was launched today (June 12) at the Hong Kong Museum of History, and the exhibition is now open to all Hong Kong citizens.  
     National security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China. The overarching principle of “one country, two systems” is to safeguard national security, sovereignty and development interests.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s best pies, as voted by you

    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 Africa: Eastern Cape search and recovery operations continue

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Search and recovery efforts are ongoing across the Eastern Cape, following the recent inclement weather.

    Torrential rains over the past few days have caused devastating landslides and flooding, leaving hundreds of families displaced. The adverse weather has also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

    Updating the media on Wednesday, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, said that he has ordered the suspension of all other provincial programmes in the province, to enable Members of the Executive Council (MECs), including himself, to be on the ground and offer support to the affected communities.

    This after assessing the extent of widespread devastation, following the rains and strong winds that hit the province’s OR Tambo District Municipality enduring most of the severe weather.

    “Each of the MECs are looking at the service delivery needs of this and other affected communities across the province as mop-up operations begin in earnest. Together with the leadership of the OR Tambo District and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality, the provincial government is on the ground assessing the damage, to support relief operations, and engage directly with affected families and communities,” Mabuyane said.

    The Premier extended his deepest condolences to the families of the 49 people who passed away in OR Tambo District alone. Among the deceased are children whose scholar transport was swept away by floodwaters. 

    “The number of people confirmed to have been in the minibus taxi…. sadly, four learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and a conductor of the minibus taxi. The rest of the deceased people are citizens of different ages. Four learners are still missing,” the Premier said.

    The heavy rains in the Amathole District have also displaced hundreds of residents from informal settlements, with many relocated to temporary shelters. The severe weather also caused power outages across several areas in the district.

    Mabuyane said a coordinated, multi-disciplinary emergency and rescue services team has been deployed across the province and remains actively involved in recovery, evacuation, and support efforts across the affected areas.

    The continuous provision of shelter, food, psychosocial support services, blankets, and other essentials to displaced families, through partnerships with the South African Social Service Agency (SASSA), the Department of Social Development, and local municipalities are some of the interventions that have been put in place by the provincial government.

    “Through the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM), technical experts are addressing damage to water infrastructure. When necessary, water tankers will be dispatched to ensure access to clean drinking water,” the Premier said.

    Search and rescue operations for the scholars is being led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) while the Department of Education is intervening to bring in the necessary support to the affected families during this tragic time.

    Restoration of electricity, reopening of roads

    Mabuyane also noted progress being made in reopening major roads affected by snowfall, and the continuous restoration of electricity following outages caused by gale-force winds and heavy snow.

    “Over the past 48 hours, at least 136 000 customers have since been brought back online, down from 300 000 that were without electricity. Eskom teams have resumed to continue with restoration to outstanding customers,” Mabuyane said.

    The Premier commended the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for their forecasts confirming that the inclement weather is coming to an end, as the cut-off low system responsible for the recent conditions moves out to sea.

    He also expressed gratitude to the provincial disaster management teams, including SAPS K-9 divers, the SAPS Search and Rescue Airwing, as well as residents for their swift response.

    The Premier further urged those that are yet received assistance to remain calm and patient, and that relief efforts will move faster with the easing of the inclement weather.

    “Infrastructure technical teams have been activated to carry out assessment to ascertain the extent of the damage as well as interventions that are required across the province. At this stage 20 health facilities have suffered damages to varying levels.

    “In terms of road infrastructure, engineers are on the ground assessing the impact and extent of the damage on our road network including rural roads. The R58 Khowa to Barkey through the Barkely is now open,” Mabuyane said.

    He advised motorists to exercise caution due to slippery conditions. He further called on citizens, and organisations to support the communities, as they continue to deal with this tragedy.

    “Condolences once again to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.

    The Premier’s update on Wednesday came ahead of the visit of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa’s visit to the province on Thursday.

    READ | Minister Hlabisa visits flood-affected Eastern Cape

    –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Air India flight with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    n Air India plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday,  airline and police officials said. 

    According to Gujarat State Police Control Room, the Air India Flight AI 171 was bound for London.

    The plane was headed to London’s Gatwick airport in the UK, Air India said. 

    “At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates,” Air India said on X.

    Thick plumes of smoke were visible at the crash site, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state Home Minister, and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner regarding the crash. According to ANI, Shah assured full support and assistance from the central government.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Regional workshop on anti-money laundering co-organised by Hong Kong Customs and University of Hong Kong concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The four-day Regional Workshop on AML Frameworks: Tackling Traditional and Modern Challenges in the Digital Age (Workshop), co-organised by Hong Kong Customs and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), started on June 9 and concluded today (June 12). This Workshop brought together over 60 participants from customs administrations, government agencies, international organisations, law enforcement agencies and academia across Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific (A/P) region.
     
    Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with HKU at the International Forum on Combating Money Laundering and Transnational Organized Crimes in December last year, the Workshop was held to further strengthen Customs’ capacity in anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement with particular focus on risks and trends of virtual assets.   
     
    In his closing remarks today, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Wong Ho-yin, highlighted the Workshop’s success in enriching knowledge, fostering regional co-operation, and building critical connections among law enforcement agencies, academia, and industry. He reaffirmed that adaptability, international collaboration and capacity building were crucial to mitigating the risks of financial crimes. Participants should work on the groundwork laid for closer regional partnerships by the Workshop to promote intelligence sharing and support cross-boundary investigations and enforcement co-operation.
     
    The Dean of Engineering of HKU, Professor David Srolovitz, emphasised the timeliness of this Workshop in the age of rapid digital transformation and the importance of uniting academia, technology developers, law enforcement authorities, government, and the financial industry to address the complexities of financial crimes today. HKU Engineering, he said, remains dedicated to driving innovation and education to empower professionals to create a secure and transparent financial future.
     
    The Workshop featured a comprehensive programme with leading experts and practitioners delivering lectures on a wide range of topics including AML strategies and emerging typologies, regulation of virtual assets, crypto-related crime investigations, application of regtech in financial crime prevention, and international co-operation in AML/counter-terrorist financing.
     
    As the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chair for the A/P region and the WCO Regional Training Centre in the A/P region, Hong Kong Customs strives to connect with local and overseas law enforcement agencies to foster knowledge exchanges and capacity building in AML, contributing to a safer and more resilient financial environment across the A/P region.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –