NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses, Including Traveling to Connecticut to Engage in Sexual Activity with a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, announced that JAMES PAGLIARO, 26, of Middletown, New York, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with multiple child exploitation offenses, including traveling to Connecticut to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

    Pagliaro appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in approximately October 2024, Pagliaro began messaging a 15-year-girl (“minor victim”) on TikTok.  In December 2024, the minor victim told Pagliaro that she was 15 years old, and they began text messaging.  In January 2025, Pagliaro traveled to Connecticut multiple times to engage in sexual conduct with the minor victim.

    It is further alleged that in February 2025, a forensic examination of the minor victim’s iPhone revealed hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victim, and more than 11,000 text messages and more than 300 iOS and FaceTime calls between Pagliaro and the minor victim.  In the messages, Pagliaro instructed the minor victim to perform specific sex acts, including sadistic and masochistic conduct.  Pagliaro also frequently referenced the minor victim’s age, acknowledging that what he was doing was “illegal”; referred to the minor victim as his “slave” and had her send him a “slavery contract”; berated and punished the minor victim when she failed to accurately and precisely follow his instructions; and asked the minor victim to recruit other minors to engage in sexual conduct with him.

    The complaint charges Pagliaro with production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years of imprisonment; receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; and transfer of obscene material to a minor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This investigation is being conducted by HSI New England, HSI New York, the Orange County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Office, and the Danbury, Ridgefield, and Watertown Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon

    This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arraigned in Long Island Federal Court on Terrorism and Racketeering Charges After His Arrest in Mexico

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant, Who Was Added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List in February, Was a Founding Member of the Transnational Criminal Organization’s Ranfla en las Calles Leadership Structure

    CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, also known as “Veterano de Tribus,” a high-ranking leader of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as “MS-13,” was arraigned on a four-count indictment charging him, along with a dozen other high-ranking MS-13 leaders, with directing the transnational criminal organization’s unlawful activities in the United States, El Salvador, Mexico, and elsewhere over the past two decades.  Roman-Bardales, who had been a fugitive for nearly three years and was added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List last month, was arrested by the FBI on March 18, 2025 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California.  Roman-Bardales had been located and arrested by Mexican authorities in Veracruz on March 17, 2025, and after it was determined that he was an El Salvadoran citizen with no valid status in Mexico, he was expelled from Mexico.  Roman-Bardales is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narco-terrorism conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.  Roman-Bardales was ordered detained pending trial in the Eastern District of New York.

    Pamela Bondi, United States Attorney General, John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Leslie Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office, announced the arraignment.

    “MS-13 is a terrorist organization and this case reflects the Department of Justice’s ironclad commitment to putting terrorists behind bars,” stated Attorney General Bondi.  “Members of MS-13 and similar groups should live in fear knowing that we will hunt them down, prosecute them, and deliver swift American justice for their heinous crimes.”

    “The prosecution in the Eastern District of New York of this international fugitive, who is one of the most senior leaders of the MS-13 in the world, is another momentous step in the dismantling of this evil criminal enterprise, whose bloodshed and reign of terror traverses all boundaries,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “Thanks to the relentless and brave work of United States law enforcement, he will soon face reckoning in a courtroom on Long Island where his transnational criminal organization has impacted so many communities.”

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, San Diego (HSI), the FBI’s San Diego Field Office and the Government of Mexico for their assistance.

    “FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Roman-Bardales has been extradited to the United States to be held accountable for the extreme and depraved violence and terror his leadership of MS-13 allegedly brought to the streets of the United States and across North America,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies.  “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating MS-13 and all violent transnational criminal organizations wherever they operate as we protect our nation.”

    As set forth in court filings, Roman-Bardales and his co-defendants are part of MS-13’s command and control structure, consisting of the Ranfla Nacional, Ranfla en Las Calles, and Ranfla en Los Penales.  They exercise significant leadership roles in the organization’s operations in El Salvador, Mexico, the United States, and throughout the world.  Roman-Bardales was himself a founding member of the Ranfla en las Calles and oversaw the “Western Zone” of MS-13 in El Salvador.  In the related case of United States v. Henriquez, et al., a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York previously indicted 14 members of the Ranfla Nacional, who functioned as MS-13’s “Board of Directors.” Formal extradition requests have been submitted by the United States and remain pending for 11 of those defendants who either are or were in custody in El Salvador.

    As further alleged, the defendants have engaged in a litany of violent terrorist activities aimed at influencing the policies of the government of El Salvador (GOES) and at obtaining benefits and concessions from GOES; targeting GOES law enforcement and military officials; employing terrorist tactics such as the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and grenades; operating military-style training camps for firearms and explosives; using public displays of violence to intimidate civilian populations; using violence to obtain and control territory; and manipulating the electoral process in El Salvador.

    Further, these defendants authorized and directed violence in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere as part of a concerted effort to expand MS-13’s influence and territorial control.  As the leaders of the MS-13 transnational criminal organization, these defendants were an integral part of the leadership chain responsible for supervising MS-13 cliques in the United States that engaged in extreme violence, including countless murders, attempted murders, assaults, and related offenses.  For example, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has prosecuted hundreds of MS-13 leaders, members, and associates for carrying out more than 80 murders in the Eastern District of New York between 2009 and the present.

    Several of these defendants, including Roman-Bardales, coordinated MS-13’s expansion into Mexico (the Mexico Program), at the direction of the Ranfla Nacional, which was a coordinated effort to maintain MS-13’s continuity of operations in response to law enforcement pressure previously exerted by the United States and GOES.  Additionally, Roman-Bardales and the Mexico Program forged alliances with Mexican cartels, and engaged in narcotics trafficking, immigrant smuggling, extortion, kidnappings, and weapons trafficking.  As alleged in the indictment, the MS-13’s Mexico Program murdered some migrants bound for the United States, including suspected members of the rival 18th Street gang and MS-13 members attempting to flee MS-13 in El Salvador without permission.  Drug trafficking was an important part of MS-13’s moneymaking operation, especially in Mexico, and the defendants used MS-13’s large membership in the United States to generate financial support for MS-13’s terrorist activities in El Salvador.

    This case was brought by Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created to combat MS-13 and comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Eastern District of New York; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of New York; the District of Massachusetts; the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division.  Additionally, the FBI; HSI; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service; the U.S. Bureau of Prisons; and the United States Agency for International Development, Office of Inspector General have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV’s investigations.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation.  Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the charges, Roman-Bardales faces up to life in prison or the possibility of the death penalty.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division and as part of the work of the Office’s Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Justina L. Geraci, Paul G. Scotti, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Kerryanne Ucci and Automated Litigation Specialist Michael Compitello. 

    The Defendant:

    FRANCISCO JAVIER ROMAN-BARDALES (also known as “Veterano de Tribus”)
    Age: 47
    Ahuachapán, El Salvador and Veracruz, Mexico

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-429 (JMA)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Women Champion Environmental Justice, Biodiversity, Commission Hears

    Source: United Nations 4

    In an interactive dialogue on environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation, the Commission on the Status of Women today heard from speakers who called on Governments to bridge the gap between policy and practice and empower Indigenous women and other marginalized groups in a world where progress is “being slashed by anti-rights actors that are in the league with fossil-fuel industries and tech billionaires”.

    The Commission’s two-week annual session has centered on accelerating the implementation of the Platform for Action adopted at the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, where world leaders pledged to achieve gender equality and uphold women’s rights.  Today’s panel discussion centred on cultivating a coordinated response to the triple planetary crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution — while emphasizing the need to reinvigorate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Another dialogue was held on peaceful and inclusive societies.

    Lorena Aguilar, Executive Director at Kaschak Institute for Social Justice for Women and Girls at Binghamton University in New York, said that the discussion will centre on the key barriers Indigenous women face in securing land and resource rights, exploring how Governments and non-State actors, including academia, civil society and international organizations, can more effectively support Indigenous communities in overcoming these challenges.  Speakers will also examine the disconnect between policy and practice, particularly the obstacles preventing young women from pursuing education and careers in fields that foster their meaningful participation in the green and blue economies.  Looking ahead to 2030, she said, the dialogue will showcase best practices and scalable strategies that align the Beijing Platform for Action with the SDGs, advancing gender-responsive climate and environmental action.

    Exclusion of Women from Green, Blue Economies

    Manasiti Omar, Founder and Executive Director of Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, said that, as a young Indigenous woman who has personally encountered the barriers hindering young women’s participation in the green and blue economies, she knows that the promise of a just transition will remain unfulfilled if powerful obstacles persist.  Too often, young women especially those from Indigenous, rural and marginalized communities struggle to access education, employment and leadership opportunities in climate and environmental action.  “The reality is a system designed to exclude young women,” she said.  On paper, many Governments have policies promoting environmental education, technical training and gender inclusion, yet these commitments rarely translate into real, tangible opportunities.  Structural inequalities, financial constraints, cultural biases and a lack of mentorship or institutional support create layers of exclusion that prevent young women from fully engaging in the green and blue economies.  It is important to dismantle these barriers, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and create pathways that empower young women to lead in climate and environmental action.  “I have seen first hand that, when young women are given the right opportunities, we don’t just participate, we transform entire communities, but we cannot do it alone,” she said.

    Need to Address Structural Inequalities

    Astrid Puentes Riaño, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, said that she is the first woman to serve as a UN Rapporteur and the first person from the Global South in this role, covering not only the environment, but also climate, toxins and water.  “This is the kind of changes, of course, that we need,” she added.  However, true progress isn’t about checking boxes; it requires a systematic and sustained approach to breaking barriers that have historically excluded women, particularly those from marginalized and Indigenous communities.  Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, she said it is essential to ensure that policies promoting gender inclusion in environmental governance translate into real opportunities.  This means addressing structural inequalities, ensuring access to education and leadership roles, and creating pathways for women to actively participate in shaping climate and environmental action.  The need for expertise-driven, inclusive leadership is more critical than ever, and only by dismantling these barriers can truly create a just and sustainable future.  “Women and girls in marginalized situations are not only victims; we are also key actors for change,” she stressed.

    Hopes Slashed by Anti-Rights Actors

    “I am angry at what is happening in the world today,” said Sascha Gabizon, Executive Director of Women Engage for a Common Future and Co-Facilitator of the Women’s Major Group on SDGs.  She recalled working in Beijing at the fourth World Conference on Women 30 years ago.  “We had so much hope that we could make this world a better place,” she added, emphasizing:  “But, unfortunately, our work is being slashed by anti-rights actors that are in the league with fossil-fuel industries and tech billionaires that are clearly only interested in their own profit.”   Authoritarian regimes are trying to silence and criminalize climate activists and women environmental rights defenders.  In the Caucasus, where she works, the Government has rolled back gender equality laws and institutions and silenced feminist and civil society organizations through what they call foreign agent laws, a tactic which is spreading also now in other countries.  Half of the CO2 emissions come from only 36 fossil-fuel corporations annually, she noted.  Each year, $700 billion go into subsidies for fossil fuels.  “That is where we should be cutting,” she said, adding that “billionaires produce more carbon in 90 minutes than each of you in your entire life”.  She urged the need to continue to mobilize and collectively organize, to engage in policy processes, “to claim our seats, to go on strikes, to go onto the streets and to implement gender just solutions on the ground”.

    Solar Farming

    Valbona Mazreku, Founder and Director of Milieukontakt Albania, said that integrating gender-responsive policies into climate adaptation is crucial.  Over 50 per cent of rural women in Albania are engaged in agriculture, yet they have limited access to resources and technology, and “only 8 per cent of agricultural land is owned by women”, restricting their ability to make sustainable land-use decisions.  Highlighting the high cost of water, she said her organization worked with a group of farmers from a small village in south-east Albania to develop Piskova Solar Farming, a renewable energy cooperative.  It also created a curriculum on renewable energy aimed at young people “to influence women’s career aspirations in the energy sector”, she said.  Noting that the organization’s trainers and experts are women, she said:  “We not only break down gender stereotypes, but also prepare the next generation for participation in the green economy.”  Women should not just be seen as victims of climate change, but as key agents of change, she said, calling on UN-Women to partner with local organizations.

    Fisherwomen ‘Guardians of Local Biodiversity’

    Yuli Velásquez, Director of the Federation of Artisanal, Environmental and Tourist Fishermen of Santander, Colombia, speaking via video, said that, while her fishing community is male dominated, it is the fisherwomen of the Federation who serve as guardians of local biodiversity.  They are on the front lines of fighting for environmental justice, she said, highlighting several examples, including their work gathering evidence about water pollution in the Magdalene River.  Highlighting the crucial role of “community water monitoring”, she said:  “We are now learning how to do so with technical tools and instruments,” to facilitate this data-collection.  Women in her community who spoke out against corruption have received threats. “We have spoken out robustly,” she said, but due to prevailing impunity, the cases are often closed.  This demonstrates the need for stronger State institutions to ensure investigation and prosecution of crimes against social and environmental activists.

    __________

    * The 16th meeting was not covered.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Budget Delivers Record Revenue Sharing and Lowers Property Tax Rates

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on March 19, 2025

    All Saskatchewan communities and their residents share in the economic success of Saskatchewan through Municipal Revenue Sharing (MRS), which will be a record $361.8 million this year. This is an increase of $21.6 million, or 6.3 per cent, from the 2024-25 Budget.

    “Municipal Revenue Sharing remains a reliable and predictable tool for Saskatchewan municipalities to make investments they need to build strong and vibrant communities,” Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz said. “Municipal Revenue Sharing can be used by those local governments to invest in services and programs that everyone in Saskatchewan relies on while keeping property taxes as low as possible.”

    MRS provides predictable, unconditional funding to Saskatchewan cities, towns, villages and rural municipalities based on three-quarters of one point of provincial sales tax revenue from two years prior. 

    At $361.8 million, the 2025-26 MRS program is 184 per cent higher than the revenue shared in the inaugural 2007-08 Budget at $127.3 million. More than $4.6 billion in provincial funding has been allocated to support municipalities through this program since 2007-08.

    The Government of Saskatchewan is also reducing the Education Property Tax (EPT) mill rates for all property classes to offset the impact of property revaluation. Total revenue to government will remain unchanged from the 2024-25 Budget, aside from base growth due to new construction in Saskatchewan.

    Property Class

    2024 Mill Rates

    2025 Mill Rates

    Agricultural

    1.42

    1.07

    Residential

    4.54

    4.27

    Commercial/Industrial

    6.86

    6.37

    Resource

    9.88

    7.49

    The reduction in all EPT mill rates is estimated to save Saskatchewan property owners more than $100.0 million annually. 

    For more information on the EPT mill rates, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/taxes-and-investments/property-taxes/education-property-tax-system.

    In addition to a record setting MRS investment, the 2025-26 Budget includes $172.0 million in municipal investments including:

    • $76.5 million for the provincial portion of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (Government Relations);
    • $29.0 million in policing grants (Corrections, Policing and Public Safety);
    • $18.4 million for the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (Highways);
    • $11.6 million grant to provincial Libraries (Education); and
    • $8.6 million for the Urban Connector Program (Highways).

    Residents can see MRS investment by community on the Saskatchewan dashboard under People and Community. Use the left-right toggle in the dashboard to see the historical investment for the province or by community. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: 2025-26 Budget: Delivering For You

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on March 19, 2025

    Saskatchewan’s 2025-26 Provincial Budget is delivering for the people of Saskatchewan.

    Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled a budget today that delivers on the priorities of Saskatchewan people – affordability, health care, education, safer communities and responsible financial management – while addressing the challenges of a growing province.

    “We understand this budget is being delivered at a very volatile time, due to the constantly changing tariff threats from the United States,” Reiter said. “Right now, we do not know what tariffs the U.S. may impose or how long they may last. As a result, it was not possible to build the exact impact of tariffs into the budget.

    “However, we are not letting the tariff threat prevent us from following through on our commitments to the people of Saskatchewan. Our strong financial position means we are well-positioned to weather the impact of any tariffs that may be imposed on Canada and Saskatchewan.”

    As a signal of strong financial management, the Government of Saskatchewan is delivering a balanced budget in 2025-26, with a surplus of $12 million.

    Affordability

    In the 2025-26 Budget, the Government of Saskatchewan continues to take action to ensure the province remains the most affordable place in Canada to live, work, raise a family and start a business.

    The budget reduces income taxes for every resident, family and small business in the province. It also helps make life more affordable for seniors, families with children, persons with disabilities, caregivers, new graduates, first-time homebuyers and people renovating their homes.

    The taxation changes introduced in the 2025-26 Budget, including the initiatives in The Saskatchewan Affordability Act, provide over $250 million in tax savings this year. This is in addition to the more than $2 billion in affordability measures in each and every budget.

    The affordability measures in the 2025-26 Budget include those that help make life more affordable and those that support our growing province. Among the measures are:

    • Raising the basic personal exemption, spousal and equivalent-to-spousal exemption, dependent child exemption and the seniors supplement by $500 a year, for the next four years – over and above the impact of indexation – for the largest personal income tax reduction in the province since 2008;
    • Increasing monthly income assistance benefits by two per cent for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured income for Disability (SAID) clients;
    • Increasing the Disability Tax Credit and Caregiver Tax Credit by 25 per cent;
    • Doubling the Active Families Benefit refundable tax credit from $150 to $300 per child and doubling the income threshold to qualify to $120,000 to make children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities more affordable for more Saskatchewan families;
    • Reinstating the Home Renovation Tax Credit, which will allow homeowners to save up to $420 annually in home renovation expenses, while seniors undertaking home renovations can save up to $525; 
    • Increasing the Graduate Retention Program benefit by 20 per cent to a maximum of $24,000; and
    • Permanently maintaining the small business tax rate at one per cent, benefiting more than 35,000 small businesses in Saskatchewan and saving them over $50 million in corporate income taxes annually.

    Property owners will also receive relief in this year’s budget. All education property tax mill rates will be reduced to absorb the increase in property assessment values and ensure this assessment year is revenue neutral for the province in each property class. This change will save property owners in the province more than $100 million annually.

    This is in addition to the Government of Saskatchewan extending the carbon tax exemption on home heating, which is expected to save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $480 in 2025.

    Health Care

    The 2025-26 Budget delivers better patient access and safer, more responsive care for Saskatchewan residents.

    Over the last two years, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested $15.7 billion in health care in the province. In the 2025-26 Budget:

    • The Ministry of Health receives a record $8.1 billion, an increase of $485 million, or 6.4 per cent;
    • The Saskatchewan Health Authority receives an increase of $261 million, or 5.6 per cent, for a record $4.9 billion budget; and
    • The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency receives $279 million, an increase of $30 million, or 12.2 per cent.

    This funding will provide better access to acute care programs and services to improve patient outcomes, such as:

    • Reducing surgical wait times as part of an ambitious plan to perform 450,000 procedures over four years; and
    • Realigning services at Saskatoon City Hospital to address inpatient capacity pressures by opening more than 100 beds.

    Mental health and addictions programs and services receive $624 million – 7.7 per cent of the overall Health budget – to deliver critical support and investments in Saskatchewan, including an increase of $20 million for targeted initiatives. This includes continued progress on the multi-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, and expanded access to mental health and addictions services and care by delivering on the commitment to add 500 addictions treatment spaces across the province, doubling the public health system’s capacity.

    To ensure the professionals are in place to provide health care services, this year’s budget accelerates the hiring of health care professionals through the Health Human Resources Action Plan.

    The 25-26 Budget also invests in steady and significant progress on multiple infrastructure projects.

    Due to the positive response to the Regina Urgent Care Centre, planning is underway for additional urgent care centres in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and North Battleford, as well as second urgent care centres in Regina and Saskatoon. 

    The budget also provides new capital funding for the expansion of Complex Needs Emergency Shelters in new communities, building on the pilot projects in Regina and Saskatoon. 

    Overall, health capital funding will increase by $140 million, for a total of $657 million – the highest ever capital budget to deliver major health infrastructure projects.

    Education

    Kindergarten to Grade 12

    The 2025-26 Budget delivers increased opportunities and supports for kindergarten to Grade 12 students, parents and teachers across Saskatchewan. 

    Over the last two years, more than $5 billion has been invested in kindergarten to Grade 12 education. In this year’s budget, the Ministry of Education receives $3.5 billion, an increase of $184 million, or 5.5 per cent, over the previous year. That includes an increase of $186 million, or 8.4 per cent, in school operating funding for a total of $2.4 billion.

    The 2025-26 Budget also includes an increase of $130 million to fund the new teacher collective agreement and address growing student enrollment and the challenges facing today’s classrooms. 

    Building on the success of last year’s pilot project in eight Saskatchewan schools, the budget provides funding for 50 additional specialized support classrooms throughout the province. The specialized classrooms help reduce interruptions by providing additional supports to students who need them. 

    Student literacy is another area of emphasis in the 2025-26 Budget. Learning to read is one of the most valuable skills developed during childhood and sets the foundation for lifelong academic success. For this reason, this year’s budget provides additional funding to improve kindergarten to Grade 3 reading levels in Saskatchewan.

    The budget delivers on the challenges of student enrolment growth by investing in new schools with a $191 million school capital budget. This includes ongoing funding for the 21 new or consolidated schools and three major renovations underway across Saskatchewan, as well as funding to begin planning for one new replacement school and preplanning for four new schools in the Saskatoon area.

    Post-Secondary

    The 2025-26 Budget also supports students as they advance into post-secondary education. It provides opportunities that will allow students to pursue post-secondary education close to home while focusing on programs that meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s labour force and provincial economy.

    The Ministry of Advanced Education receives $788 million in this year’s budget, with $1.6 billion invested in post-secondary education over the past two years. As part of their budget, universities, technical schools, Indigenous institutions and regional colleges will receive $718 million in operating and capital funding.

    Health care training is a key priority as part of the province’s Health Human Resources Action Plan. New and expanded programs will help build a stronger health care workforce to meet the needs of Saskatchewan residents, including training seats in areas of critical need. This includes supporting:

    • 60 new training seats this year – more than 900 training seats overall – for nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses and medical radiologic technologists; and
    • Four new training programs that will be ready to accept students in fall 2025 (physician assistant) and fall 2026 (speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy).

    The 2025-26 Budget also delivers work on strategies to address veterinary services in rural and urban communities. This includes working toward an expansion of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in the future.

    To help ensure predictable and stable funding for the province’s post-secondary institutions, the 2025-26 Budget extends the current multi-year funding agreement for an additional year. The extension will allow government and post-secondary institutions time to work through the potential impacts of the federal government’s reduction of foreign student visas, before engaging in another multi-year funding agreement.

    Community Safety

    The 2025-26 Budget delivers safer communities across the province by enhancing the presence of law enforcement in Saskatchewan. 

    Over the last two years, $2 billion has been invested into community safety. For the upcoming fiscal year, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety will receive $798 million, including $119 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, while the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General will receive $271 million.

    Increases to the Municipal Police Grant Program will help frontline officers respond to more calls for service, while increased funding for the RCMP will support operations in the province and the RCMP First Nations Policing Program. The budget also includes funding for previous commitments for approximately 100 new municipal police officers, 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods personnel and funding for the Saskatchewan Police College to train more officers in the province.

    This enhanced law enforcement presence extends to the border with the United States. The Saskatchewan Border Security Plan was introduced in January 2025 to mobilize Provincial Protective Services officers to work in partnership with provincial policing services and federal agencies to boost law enforcement near the border.

    To complement the increased presence of law enforcement personnel, the 2025-26 Budget includes funding to improve safety for correctional staff, offenders and the public, as well as address capacity concerns at correctional facilities. 

    Additional investments will be made in interpersonal violence programs and services, including second-stage housing. The budget also delivers funding to create a more accessible court system for municipal bylaw offences and ensuring cases are complete and ready to move to trial more quickly. 

    Delivering More For You

    The 2025-26 Budget delivers on the priorities of affordability, health care, education, community safety and fiscal responsibility. However, it delivers more than that. Some of the other important initiatives in this year’s budget include:

    • A record $362 million in municipal revenue sharing, an increase of $22 million, or 6.3 per cent, from 2024-25.
    • New funding to start multi-year repair and renovation projects for 285 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation-owned units in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.
    • Funding for expanded homelessness services developed through the Provincial Approach to Homelessness. This includes investments in the Rental Development Program to partner with third-party organizations to develop new supportive housing units for people who need additional support to live independently.
    • Over the past two years, funding from the Ministry of Social Services has created 120 new emergency shelter spaces, 155 new supportive housing spaces, new street outreach services and an expanded income assistance mobile workforce serving clients on-site at more than 30 community-based organization locations.
    • A grant to the Food Banks of Saskatchewan to fulfill the Government of Saskatchewan’s two-year commitment to help families and food banks with high food costs.
    • A $20 million increase across government in funding for community-based organizations.
    • The creation of a new Saskatchewan Young Entrepreneur Bursary, which is an annual grant of $285,000 for a maximum of 57 bursaries distributed to support youth entrepreneurship in the province.
    • The creation of a new Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Tax Credit, a 45 per cent non-refundable tax credit for individuals or corporations that invest in the equity of an eligible Saskatchewan small and medium size enterprise.
    • Introduction of the Low Productivity and Reactivation Oil Well Program to encourage industry to make new capital investments in low-producing and inactive horizontal oil wells.
    • Investment in capital projects that will improve our provincial transportation system, including:
      • Passing lanes for Highway 10 between Fort Qu’Appelle and Melville, and Highway 17 north of Lloydminster;
      • Highway 39 twinning at Weyburn; 
      • Ongoing corridor improvements on Highway 5 east of Saskatoon; and 
      • Improvements of more than 1,000 kilometres of provincial highways.

    Fiscal Responsibility

    The surplus forecast for the 2025-26 Budget leaves Saskatchewan in one of the strongest financial positions among provinces.

    The surplus is driven by forecast revenues of $21.1 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 6 per cent, compared to last year. Total expense is projected to be $21.0 billion, which is an increase of $909 million, or 4.5 per cent, from the 2024-25 Budget.

    Non-Renewable Resources revenue accounts for 12.8 per cent of total expense in this year’s budget. 

    Another sign of Saskatchewan’s strong financial position is the province’s net debt position, which remains the second lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio among Canadian provinces at 14.6 per cent. 

    The Government of Saskatchewan’s prudent financial management is also reflected in the province’s credit ratings. Saskatchewan currently maintains the second-best credit rating among the provinces when the ratings from the three major agencies – Moody’s Investors Service, Morningstar DBRS and S&P Global – are considered.

    Saskatchewan’s strong financial position in this year’s budget is buoyed by the provincial economy’s solid performance in 2024. Building upon this momentum, the Saskatchewan economy is expected to continue to grow in 2025 with real GDP projected to grow by 1.8 per cent according to the average private-sector forecast. 

    For more information on the 2025-26 Provincial Budget, please review the budget materials and ministry news releases on saskatchewan.ca/budget. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Hong Kong: Article 23 law used to ‘normalize’ repression one year since enactment – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Just one year after its passage, Hong Kong’s Article 23 law has further squeezed people’s freedoms and enabled authorities to intensify their crackdown on peaceful activism in the city and beyond, Amnesty International said.

    “Over the past year, Article 23 has been used to entrench a ‘new normal’ of systematic repression of dissent, criminalizing peaceful acts in increasingly absurd ways,” said Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks.

    “People have been targeted and harshly punished for the clothes they wear as well as the things they say and write, or for minor acts of protest, intensifying the climate of fear that already pervaded Hong Kong. Freedom of expression has never been under greater attack.”

    People convicted and jailed for peaceful expression

    The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (known as Article 23) took effect on 23 March 2024. Amnesty International’s analysis shows that 16 people have since been arrested for sedition under Article 23. Five of them were officially charged under the law, and the other 11 were released without charge. None of those arrested is accused of engaging in violence, while the authorities have accused two of them of inciting violence without yet disclosing any details.

    Three of the charged individuals – after facing around three months’ pre-trial detention – were convicted for, respectively, wearing a T-shirt and mask printed with protest slogans; criticizing the government online; and writing protest slogans on bus seats. They were sentenced to between 10 and 14 months in prison.

    The remaining two charged people have been held in detention awaiting trial since November 2024 and January 2025, respectively. They are accused of publishing “seditious” posts on social media platforms.

    Article 23 entrenches denial of bail

    The presumption against bail in national security cases, originally imposed by the Beijing-enacted National Security Law (NSL), has now been extended to offences under Article 23. Among the five individuals charged under Article 23, the two who applied for bail had their applications denied because the magistrate believed they may “continue to commit acts endangering national security” – the same reasoning used to deny bail to others prosecuted under the NSL, including newspaper founder Jimmy Lai and opposition politicians.

    The remaining 11 individuals arrested under Article 23 are variously accused of publishing “seditious” posts, commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown and spreading “disinformation”. Despite having been released by the police without official charge, they remain at risk of prosecution at any time because Article 23 does not impose a time limit on bringing criminal charges.

    “Article 23 has been wielded by the Hong Kong government as a tool to suppress critical voices with the ultimate aim of eradicating them. Alongside the NSL, it has handed the authorities virtually unchecked power to arrest and jail anybody criticizing the government. The result is a Hong Kong where people are forced to second-guess what they say and write, and even what they wear,” Sarah Brooks said.

    “The now default use of pre-trial detention and refusal of bail are alarming examples of how Article 23 has been used to reinforce the repressive tools first introduced under the NSL.”

    ‘National security’ as a trump card overriding established laws

    Article 23 has also been weaponized to impose additional punitive measures against dissidents already serving sentences. Under the existing Prison Rules, last amended in 2014, prisoners with good conduct were eligible for early release after serving two-thirds of their sentences. However, according to new rules set by Article 23, the prison authorities can waive this practice if the release would be “contrary to the interests of national security”.

    Notably, at least two jailed activists have been denied early release, despite the fact that they were not convicted under Article 23 and had already begun serving their sentences before its enactment.

    One of the activists – who was convicted of incitement to wound, a charge unrelated to any national security legislation – was barred from early release despite Article 23 expressly stating that the new rules apply only to prisoners convicted of offences endangering national security.

    “Retroactively denying early release based on vague national security justifications undermines legal certainty and due process. The government’s failure to comply with the very text that it drafted further raises serious concerns about the arbitrary application of Article 23,” Sarah Brooks said.

    Extraterritorial application against overseas activists

    The worrying impact of Article 23 on human rights is not restricted to Hong Kong. Authorities have invoked Article 23’s extraterritorial scope to penalize a total of 13 Hong Kong activists residing overseas, including in the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. These penalties have included the cancellation of passports, suspension of lawyer licenses, removal from company directorships and prohibition of financial transactions, restricting a range of human rights such as their freedom of movement, right to privacy and right to work.

    These measures have been imposed alongside arrest warrants issued under the NSL, each carrying a HK$1 million (US$128,700) bounty, for these 13 individuals and six other overseas activists.

    “By sanctioning activists overseas, the Hong Kong government is attempting to extend its draconian laws beyond its borders to target potentially anyone, anywhere. The situation has resulted in a chilling effect on individuals who persist in exercising their freedom of expression, even after departing from the city. The international community cannot afford to ignore Article 23’s intended extraterritorial reach,” Sarah Brooks said.

    “We urge the Hong Kong and Chinese governments to immediately repeal Article 23, the NSL and any other legislation which violates international human rights laws and standards. We also call on other governments to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hongkongers, in particular those actively defending human rights, within their jurisdictions.

    “The rising risk of transnational repression, which Amnesty has documented and which is explicitly tied to Hong Kong’s national security legislation, demands a response by governments worldwide. As a start, that means denouncing incidents of transnational repression and pursuing accountability for criminal acts targeting activists and others in the country of residence.”

    Background

    On 19 March 2024, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council unanimously voted to pass the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance based on Article 23 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.

    The law, which took effect on 23 March 2024, introduced China’s definition of “national security” and “state secrets”, together with other broadly defined offences which further restricted freedom of expression and the right to protest. It also replaced a widely used colonial-era sedition law with its own provisions on sedition which now expressly cover acts or speech which do not incite violence. The maximum prison sentence for sedition was increased from two to seven years, or up to 10 years if involving “collusion with an external force”.

    Amnesty International submitted an analysis of its proposals to the government during the consultation period, concluding that the offences and changes to investigatory powers are contrary to Hong Kong’s human rights obligations. After the law was passed, Amnesty International issued a briefing paperproviding an in-depth analysis of the effects of the law on both Chinese and non-Chinese individuals, in particular via its purported extraterritorial application.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Joins Ecobank and Soto Gallery for 2nd edition of the +234Art Fair to elevate African art and empower artists

    SOURCE: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)

    Visitors will experience a wide range of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, visual and digital art, installations, and more

    LAGOS, Nigeria, March 19, 2025/ — Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, has announced its support for the +234Art Fair, coming on as partners for the second year in a row. This aligns with the Corporation’s commitment to empowering and elevating the continent’s youth, with more than 260 young artists expressing interest in exhibiting their works at the second edition of the international art fair, organized by Soto Gallery in collaboration with Ecobank Nigeria Limited, AFC and Craneburg Construction Company.

    This meticulously curated five-day event, titled “Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art,” will feature the works of emerging and un-galleried artists. The fair will run from March 27th to March 31st at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, located at 270B1, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, starting daily at 10:00 AM.

    Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, stated, “The +234Art Fair aligns with AFC’s advocacy strategy of empowering and elevating Africa’s youthful population, thereby fostering job creation, skills development, value retention and rapid economic growth. We are proud to continue our collaboration with Ecobank to help drive Africa’s creative industry forward by creating a catalyst for promoting African art and artists locally and on the global stage.”

    Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director and Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, shared, “As a Pan-African bank, this fair is an important initiative in our commitment to economic growth and investing in Africa’s next generation of talent. It offers emerging artists a unique opportunity to showcase their works to key decision-makers, influencers, and a global audience.”

    Mrs. Tola Akerele, Founder of +234 Art Fair and Soto Gallery Foundation, emphasized, “Patronage in the art world goes beyond financial support; it’s about building relationships that allow artists to grow and sustain their creative practices. The 2025 edition of the +234 Art Fair aims to show how meaningful support can impact an artist’s journey and the broader art ecosystem, fostering essential connections along the way.”

    The +234 Art Fair celebrates the dynamic talents of Nigeria’s emerging artists, offering them a vital platform to share their work with a broader audience. Visitors will experience a wide range of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, visual and digital art, installations, and more. The fair will also feature interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for artists, art enthusiasts, and key stakeholders in the creative sector.

    The event is expected to draw a diverse group of attendees, including Nigerians, Africans, international residents, government officials, policymakers, diplomats, and global art lovers.

    About AFC:
    AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

    Seventeen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 45 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

    www.AfricaFC.org

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting Alberta from unconstitutional federal overreach

    [. The Critical Infrastructure Defence Amendment Act, 2025, would make amendments to the CIDA to update the definition of essential infrastructure to include facilities where oil and gas production and emission data and records are held, as well as the two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the Alberta-United States border.

    “Our government will continue using every tool we can to defend the best interests of Albertans, our economy, and our industry. These amendments would further assert Alberta’s exclusive provincial jurisdiction to develop its natural resources and ensure our southern border remains secure. We will not tolerate the continuous and unconstitutional overreaches made by the federal government. Alberta will continue its pursuit of doubling our oil and gas production to meet the growing global demand for energy and we will not let Ottawa stand in the way of our province’s future prosperity.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    “Whether securing our border or calling on the federal government to scrap its harmful, job-killing emissions cap, our government will always prioritize public safety and defend Alberta’s interests. These amendments will ensure we have the necessary tools to protect our economy, industry and economic prosperity right now and in the years to come.

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    Updating the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act to include facilities where oil and gas production and emission data and records are held will help protect Alberta’s economy and the province’s ability to continue producing responsible energy to meet the world’s growing demands. These amendments are in line with the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act motion, passed in December 2024, which stated that all emissions data be exclusively owned by the province, and if the federal government’s proposed emissions cap is found to be unconstitutional, federal enforcement officers would have no reason to conduct emissions cap inspections or collect data.

    “This production cap will kill tens of thousands of jobs and devastate Alberta’s economy, all while global emissions rise. Protecting Alberta’s emissions data is part of our plan to defend our province if the proposed cap ever becomes law. We will never let the federal Liberal government sacrifice Alberta’s prosperity for their extreme ideological agenda.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act protects essential infrastructure by creating offences under the act for trespassing, interfering with operations or causing damage. Proposed amendments would also explicitly state the act applies to the federal government.

    As part of government’s efforts to strengthen security in the area near the international border, a two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the entire Alberta-United States border was designated as essential infrastructure in the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation in January 2025. These legislative changes would further enshrine this in legislation.

    “The proposed amendments are vital to increasing border security along Alberta’s southern USA border. Let this be a message to all potential traffickers, especially those who traffic deadly fentanyl, that Alberta’s southern border is secure. Anyone caught trespassing in the red zone, interfering with, or damaging essential infrastructure, and those who do not have a lawful right to be on the essential infrastructure will be arrested.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    The Critical Infrastructure Amendment Act will combine the definition of essential infrastructure in one place by including the two-kilometre border zone, as designated in the regulation, into the act. These changes would help protect Alberta’s economy, industry and prosperity and ensure peace officers have the tools needed to strengthen security in the area near the international border.

    Related information

    • Bill 45: Critical Infrastructure Defence Amendment Act, 2025

    Related news

    • Protecting Alberta’s economic future from Ottawa (Nov. 26, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Further arrest made in Operation Sove – Stokes Valley murder and arson

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan

    Hutt Valley Police have arrested a fourth person overnight in connection to the murder of Ian David Moller and the arson of his property in Stokes Valley late last year.

    A 26-year-old Upper Hutt man has been charged with murder, arson, conspiring to commit arson and participating in a criminal group.

    The man is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court today.

    This arson was one of several fires that had allegedly been intentionally lit at the block of apartments where Mr Moller resided.

    Police continue to investigate three incidents on Hanson Grove, on Thursday 10 October, Monday 14 October and Tuesday 5 November, 

    All three of these incidents occurred in the early hours of the morning.

    If you have information that may assist in our ongoing investigations, please contact Police.

    You can report information to us on 105 either over the phone or online.

    Please reference file number 241105/2249 and quote Operation Sove.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Correction – Operation Sove update

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Two previous releases regarding Operation Sove, the murder and arson investigation in Stokes Valley, were published with incorrect dates.

    The three incidents Police are investigating occurred on Thursday 10 October, Monday 14 October and Tuesday 5 November.

    We ask media to please update any stories accordingly.

    We apologise for any confusion.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: InternetNZ – Many New Zealanders confused about where to report harmful online content, survey

    Source: InternetNZ

    A recent InternetNZ survey has found that only a third of New Zealanders know where to report harmful, dangerous, or concerning online content.
    Internet Insights, an annual survey, revealed that only 35% of people know which organisations, websites or agencies to go to if they need to report something. The percentage has dropped for a second year in a row.
    InternetNZ Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn feels that creating clarity in the current systems would make it more obvious for people to know what to do in such situations.
    “I think New Zealand needs a fresh approach for dealing with harmful content online. Reporting of harms is spread across so many different places, so it’s no wonder the number of people who know what to do and where to go is dropping every year.” In terms of groups who are suffering the most harm, the survey showed that young people aged 18-29, Māori, and people with disabilities are more likely to have experienced online harm or harassment.
    “Because our laws and processes are not adequate for our online world, some communities are experiencing hate, hurt and threats of violence. Minority, marginalised, and at-risk communities disproportionately experience these threats. This needs to change and there needs to be a clear path for people to follow when reporting these harms.” Maidaborn believes that gaps in regulation are making this problem worse.
    “Government regulating some aspects of the internet should be viewed as an essential part of a modern democracy. We need to start by understanding the issues faced by communities and listen to the people most affected by harmful behaviours online and the groups already working on these issues,” says Maidaborn.
    11% of New Zealanders report things they’ve seen online that might be harmful or dangerous to Netsafe, while 10% go to Police. The survey results also revealed that women and those aged over 70 are more likely to get advice from friends and whānau about keeping safe and secure online, while 23% of the overall population used Netsafe, and 16% relied on their workplace as the primary source of advice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fire at Pennington business premises

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police are investigating a fire at a Pennington business premises in the early hours of this morning.

    Police and fire crews were called to the corner of Addison Road and Fortisgreen Avenue about 5.15am on Thursday 20 March by reports of a building fire.

    Fire crews have worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevented it spreading to neighbouring premises.

    There are no reports of injury.

    Detectives and fire cause investigators will enter and examine the premises later this morning.

    Northbound traffic on Addison Road is restricted and diverted around the scene due to emergency service activity.  Motorists are advised to find an alternate route to avoid delays.

    Anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area this morning, or has any CCTV or dashcam footage of any vehicles in the area from around 5am, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Pornography

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Pornography

    New IT Rules Mandate Faster Removal of Harmful Online Content

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 9:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users.

    The Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) provides punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material and material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form. The IT Act also has stringent punishment for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form.

    Also, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”) casts obligations on the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to observe due diligence and if they fail to observe such due diligence, they lose the exemption from their liability under law for third-party information or data or communication link hosted by them. Such due diligence includes that in case a significant social media intermediary is providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable the identification of the first originator of the information on its computer resource for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material.

    Such due diligence also includes that intermediaries shall remove within 24 hours any content which prima facie exposes the private area of any individual, shows such individual in full or partial nudity or shows or depicts such individual in any sexual act or conduct. Further, the rules provide for the establishment of one or more Grievance Appellate Committee(s) to allow users to appeal against decisions taken by Grievance Officers of social media intermediary on such complaints. 

    To ensure a good and healthy entertainment in accordance with the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), regulates the public exhibition of films including adult films. According to the guidelines issued by them, films which are considered unsuitable for exhibition to non-adults shall be certified for exhibition to adult audiences only.

    Further for online publishers of curated content, the IT Rules, 2021 prescribes the code of ethics publishers of online curated content, commonly known as OTT Platforms. This code requires the OTT Platforms to classify content in specified age-appropriate categories, restrict access of age-inappropriate content by children, and implement an age verification mechanism for content classified as “Adult”.

    To further strengthen the mechanism to deal with such cybercrimes in a coordinated manner, the Government has also taken several other measures, including the following:

    (i) The Ministry of Home Affairs operates a National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to enable citizens to report complaints pertaining to all types of cybercrimes, with special focus on cybercrimes against children. The Ministry has also set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to deal with all types of cybercrime, including cybercrime against children, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

    (ii)  The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to States and Union territories under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children Scheme for capacity building, including for the setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories and training of personnel of law enforcement agencies, public prosecutors and judicial officers.

    (iii) Government has from time to time blocked websites containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), based on lists from Interpol received through the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s national nodal agency for Interpol.

    (iv) Government has issued an order to Internet Service Providers, directing them to implement Internet Watch Foundation, UK or Project Arachnid, Canada list of CSAM websites/webpages on a dynamic basis and block access to such web pages or websites.

    (v) The Dep artment of Telecommunications has requested Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to spread awareness among their subscribers about the use of parental control filters, and has also directed ISPs with International Long-Distance license to block certain websites found to be containing CSAM.

    (vi) To spread awareness on cybercrime, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several steps that include dissemination of messages on cybercrime through the Twitter handle @cyberDost, radio campaigns and publishing of a Handbook for Adolescents/Students.

    (vii) A MoU has been signed between the National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), USA regarding sharing of Tipline reports on online child explicit material and child sexual exploitation contents from NCMEC. The Tip lines, as received from NCMEC, are being shared with States/UTs online through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal for taking further action.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113098) Visitor Counter : 36

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Gaming Addiction

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India Taking Measures Against Online Gaming Addiction

    MeitY has issued 1298 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites between the year 2022- 24

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 9:42PM by PIB Delhi

    The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users.

    To help achieve this aim, the Central Government after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”) under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) to address various socio-economic concerns emanating from online games. The Government is cognizant of the risks posed by online gaming and potential harms like addiction.

    The IT Rules, 2021 casts specific obligations on online gaming intermediaries, including other intermediaries, social media intermediaries or platforms in relation to online games. Such intermediaries are required not to host, store or publish any information violative of any law for the time being in force. They are also obligated to ensure their accountability that includes their expeditious action towards removal of the unlawful information categorised under the IT Rules, 2021 or on the basis of grievances received against any information that, among other things, is harmful to child or that is relating or encouraging money laundering or gambling.

    Further, IT Act has provisions to issue blocking orders to intermediaries for blocking access to specific information/ link in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for inciting cognizable offence relating to above following the due process as envisaged in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for Public) Rules, 2009.

    MeitY has issued 1298 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites (including mobile applications) between the year 2022- 24.

    National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. NCRB doesn’t maintain any specific data related to suicides linked to online gaming.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113096) Visitor Counter : 30

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT SCHEME

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 7:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has unveiled an upgraded version of the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) web portal, known as NYPS 2.0. Unlike the previous version, which was limited to students of recognized institutions, NYPS 2.0 is open to all citizens across the country regardless of economic status, gender, caste, creed, religion, race, region and place. Participation can be facilitated through the following ways: –

    1. Institution Participation:  All educational institutions can participate in this category by organizing the Youth Parliament sittings as per the guidelines available on the portal. The students from classes VI to XII may be selected for the “Kishore Sabha” sub-category and Under Graduate and Post Graduate level students may be selected for the “Tarun Sabha” sub-category.
    2. Group Participation: A group of citizens can participate in this category by organizing the Youth Parliament sittings as per the guidelines available on the portal.
    3. Individual Participation: An individual citizen can participate in this category by attempting a quiz on the theme of ‘Bharatiya Democracy in Action’.

     

    The unit of participation on NYPS portal is a registration not an institution and the year wise data regarding the number of registrations for conducting Youth Parliament sitting presently are as below:

    Sl. No

    Year

    Total Registrations
    1.  

    2019-20

    4369
    1.  

    2020-21

    3579
    1.  

    2021-22

    65
    1.  

    2022-23

    2337
    1.  

    2023-24

    1346
    1.  

    2024-25

    7261 (as on 17-03-2025)

                   

    The Ministry receives feedback from students and institutions from time to time regarding their challenges and concerns and necessary actions are taken thereon.

    This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today    

    ***

    SS/ISA

    (Release ID: 2112975) Visitor Counter : 30

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways Strengthens Crowd Management and Infrastructure to Enhance Passenger Safety Following New Delhi Stampede

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 4:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Each railway station has unique operational challenges due to varying passenger movement patterns during the festivals. For the security arrangements and to streamline passenger flow, station specific plans are made involving all the stakeholders that include Government Railway Police (GRP), Local Police and Local Civil Administration and accordingly action is taken to manage the influx of passengers.

    To handle the rush of passengers during Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, new infrastructure was created building seven additional platforms, bringing the total to 48 platforms across 9 stations in the Prayagraj area. The approach roads to these stations have also been widened to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims. In total, 17 new permanent Yatri Ashryas were constructed, increasing the holding capacity of these shelters from 21,000 to over 1,10,000. Additionally, 21 new Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) have been built, eliminating all level crossings in the region.

    A well-coordinated train operation plan was deployed to ensure smooth transportation during the Kumbh. Each station was having its own control room, with a central master control room at Prayagraj Junction. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed for train operations and crowd management at stations. To facilitate smooth rush of passenger’s flow, extensive measures have been put in place, including single entry and exit points at stations on major Snan days and unidirectional movement on platforms, foot over bridges (FOBs), and ramps.

    Security arrangements for Mahakumbh-2025 were comprehensive, with an emphasis on surveillance and real-time monitoring. A total of about 1200 CCTV cameras, including 116 Face Recognition System (FRS) cameras and Drone cameras were also deployed for surveillance of tracks and crowd management at approach roads to stations.

    Additional deployment of 15,000 personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and para-military forces were done to ensure security.

    Also, additional deployment was made at other sensitive railway stations where high rush of passengers was expected i.e. Varanasi, Ayodhya, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Danapur and New Delhi etc.

    New Delhi Railway Station has adequate infrastructure. It has 16 nos. of platforms, three foot over bridges (FOBs), access from both Paharganj and Ajmeri gate side, large open spaces in front of the station etc. Large rush of passengers during festivals and events like Kumbh, Chatth, Holi etc. are being handled regularly on New Delhi Railway Station.

    Further, redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station has been sanctioned under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

    Amrit Bharat Station Scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. This scheme involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like One Station One Product, better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station.

    The scheme also envisages improvement of building integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast less tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.

    The plan for redevelopment of New Delhi Railway station, envisages larger new station buildings at both sides, spacious Air Concourse with modern amenities for passenger, Multi Modal Transport Hub connecting different mode of transportation and providing parking and other facilities. The redeveloped station envisages a network of surface and elevated roads to provide access at two levels and to decongest surrounding areas of New Delhi railway station. Adequate security measures like CCTV cameras, access control, movement regulation and waiting space etc are also envisaged.

    The details of allocation of funds for development and maintenance of stations are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not footfall-wise or Work-wise or Station-wise. Passenger amenities are generally funded under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’. An allocation of ₹12,994 Crores (Revised Estimate) has been made for the financial year 2024-25 under Plan Head-53. New Delhi railway station in Delhi falls under Northern Railway Zone and the fund allocation to Northern Railway for development and maintenance of stations under Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’ for the year (RE 2024-25) is ₹ 1531.24 Cr.

    To handle heavy rush of passengers at stations, following decisions have been taken by railways –

    Permanent holding areas at 60 stations:

    1. During the festival season of 2024, holding areas were created outside stations. These waiting areas were able to hold large crowds at Surat Udhna, Patna and New Delhi. Passengers were allowed only when the train came to the platform.
    2. Similar arrangements were made during Mahakumbh at nine stations of Prayag area.
    3. Based on the experience of these stations, it has been decided to create permanent waiting areas outside stations at 60 stations across the country which periodically face heavy crowds.
    4. Pilot projects have started at New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Ghaziabad stations.
    5. With this concept, the sudden crowd will be contained within the waiting area. Passengers will be allowed to go to platforms only when the trains arrive at the platform. This will decongest the stations.

     Access control:

    1. Complete access control will be initiated at the 60 stations.
    2. Passengers with confirmed reserve tickets will be given direct access to the platforms.
    3. Passengers without a ticket or with a waiting list ticket will wait in the outside waiting area.
    4. All unauthorised entry points will be sealed.

     Wider foot-over-bridges (FOB):

    1. Two new designs of 12 metre wide (40 feet) and 6 metre wide (20 feet) standard FOB have been developed. These wide FOBs with ramps were very effective in crowd management during Mahakumbh. These new standard wide FOBs will be installed in all the stations.

     Cameras:

    1. Cameras helped crowd management in a big way during Mahakumbh. A large number of cameras will be installed in all stations and adjoining areas for close monitoring.

     War rooms:

    1. War rooms at large stations will be developed. Officers of all departments will work in the war room during crowd situations.

    New generation communication equipment:

    1. Latest design digital communication equipment like walkie-talkies, announcement systems, calling systems will be installed on all heavy crowd stations.

     New design ID card:

    1. All staff and service persons will be given a new design ID card so that only authorised persons can enter the station.

     New design uniform for staff:

    1. All staff members will be given new design uniforms so that they can be easily identified during a crisis situation.

     Upgradation of station director post:

    1. All major stations will have a senior officer as station director. All other departments will report to the station director.
    2. Station director will get financial empowerment so that he can take on-the-spot decisions for improving the station.

         Sale of tickets as per capacity:

    1. Station Director will be empowered to control the sale of tickets as per capacity of the station and the available trains.

    CCTV cameras are installed at New Delhi railway station, which is being monitored round the clock. A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted for comprehensive investigation into the incident at New Delhi railway station. The incident of the stampede at New Delhi railway station occurred on 15.02.2025, in which 18 people died and 15 were injured.

     This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2112830) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California seizes over 650,000 fentanyl pills so far in 2025

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 19, 2025

    What you need to know: In the first two months of 2025, California National Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force has seized 1,045 pounds of illicit fentanyl with a street valuation of $6.8 million.

    SACRAMENTO – Continuing an enhanced focus in 2025 to combat the scourge of illegal fentanyl trafficking, in January and February, the California National Guard (CalGuard) has seized 1,045 pounds and more than 650,000 pills containing fentanyl, with a street valuation of more than $6.8 million. 

    Through their Counter Drug Task Force operations, the Cal Guard Task Force members have been strategically deployed statewide, including at ports of entry, to combat transnational criminal organizations and trafficking illegal narcotics like fentanyl, in support of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.

    “By disrupting the trafficking of the 1,045 pounds of fentanyl so far this year, Cal Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force continues to save countless lives across our state. I cannot thank them enough for their support in keeping deadly fentanyl out of our communities.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Service members helped confiscate 488 pounds of powder-laced fentanyl and 331,069 pills of this dangerous drug in February, adding to the efforts in January. 

    In addition, Cal Guard service members continue to transform drug prevention in elementary, middle, and high schools statewide through the Task Force’s Drug Demand Reduction Outreach program. Since October 2024, servicemembers visited 112 schools across the state and engaged with 57,442 students. By conducting in-person outreach and understanding students’ beliefs about their own health using a Health Belief Model, Cal Guard is implementing an impactful initiative in the fight against opioid abuse.

    Latest laboratory testing from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency indicates five out of 10 pills tested in 2024 contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl, which is down from seven of 10 pills in 2023.

    How we got here

    In 2024, Governor Newsom doubled down on the deployment of the Cal Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force by more than doubling the number of service members supporting fentanyl interdiction, and seizing other drugs, at California ports of entry to nearly 400. Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry. 

    Cal Guard’s coordinated drug interdiction efforts in the state are funded in part by California’s $60 million investment over four years to expand Cal Guard’s work to prevent drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations. This adds to the Governor’s efforts to address fentanyl within California, including by cracking down on fentanyl in communities across the state, including San Francisco.
     

    Addressing the opioid crisis

    The state has launched various initiatives in recent years to combat illicit opioids through the Governor’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, which provides a comprehensive framework to support overdose prevention efforts, hold the opioid pharmaceutical industry accountable, crack down on drug trafficking, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids like fentanyl.

    Recently, through funding designated by the Governor in the 2022-23 budget to develop the Fentanyl Enforcement Program, the Department of Justice recently announced a significant fentanyl bust worth $55 million and leading to the arrest of three major fentanyl traffickers. 

    The Campus Opioid Act, signed by Governor Newsom in 2022, requires that every public college campus in California distribute a federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication like naloxone, and include information about opioid overdoses in their orientation process. Building on this effort, the Governor last year signed AB 2429, requiring that fentanyl education be included in high school health classes starting in the 2026-27 school year.

    Serving as a one-stop tool for Californians seeking resources for prevention and treatment, the website opioids.ca.gov provides information on how California is working to hold Big Pharma and drug traffickers accountable in this crisis.

    The public education campaign Facts Fight Fentanyl informs Californians about the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent overdoses and deaths. This effort will provide critical information about fentanyl and life-saving tools such as naloxone. 

    Through the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP), over-the-counter CalRx®-branded naloxone is now available across the state. The CalRx®-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone HCL nasal spray, 4 mg, is available for free to eligible organizations through the state and for sale for $24 per twin-pack through Amneal. Since 2018, there have been over 334,000 reversals reported from NDP naloxone since 2018.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sampson County Illegal Alien Caught with 30 Kilograms and 9 Firearms Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A man from Sampson County was sentenced today to 17 years in prison after he was caught with 30 kilograms of drugs and 9 firearms. On November 7, 2024, Antonio Tamoya Mondragon pled guilty to his charges.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, Mondragon, age 45, was born in Mexico and illegally entered the United States. Mondragon started distributing drugs as early as 2008. Law enforcement began investigating Mondragon in 2019 and conducted controlled purchases of pure methamphetamine from him on three occasions.

    The investigation culminated in a traffic stop with follow-on search warrants on April 18, 2023. On that day, law enforcement was conducting early morning surveillance at Mondragon’s house. Mondragon and others appeared to be transferring packages into a car.  In a traffic stop, law enforcement found just under 9 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the car’s headliner. As the traffic stop was executed, law enforcement observed a flurry of activity back at Mondragon’s house followed by a second car departing. This car was later searched. Inside was 7 kilograms of fentanyl, 9 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of heroin, 144 grams of methamphetamine, and a drug ledger. The car also had 8 guns inside with ammunition. Law enforcement then searched Mondragon’s house and seized $28,881 in cash and another gun. Subsequent interviews and investigation made clear that the drugs, guns, and cash all belonged to Mondragon.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The DEA, Sampson County Sherriff’s Office, and SBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons  prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:24-CR-040.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Admits to $1 Million Wire Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Prince Boateng Adjei, age 31, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has admitted to wire fraud involving more than $1 million stolen from a Gilmer County, WV business.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Adjei and another defendant, Chisom Okonkwo, conspired together to carry out a business email compromise scheme. The defendants created an email disguising themselves as an employee of a Gilmer County business.  This type of activity is commonly referred to as “spoofing.”  As part of the fraud scheme, the defendants caused a person (who believed they were dealing with a legitimate business) to send more than $1 million to a bank account controlled by the defendants. Adjei and Okonkwo spent more than $600,000 of the stolen funds before the scheme was discovered.

    Okonkwo pled guilty earlier this month. She will be sentenced at a later date.

    As a part of the plea agreement, Adjei agreed to pay $610,146.03 in restitution. He faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The United States Secret Service investigated the case.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lead Defendant in Federal Case Against High-End Brothel Network Sentenced to Four Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant persuaded women to travel interstate to work for prostitution network and required sex buyers to undergo screening process, including providing employer information and references

    BOSTON – The manager responsible for operating an interstate prostitution network of sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. 

    Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to four years in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered pay forfeiture in the amount of $5,418,572 and restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In September 2024, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Han Lee was arrested and charged in November 2023 with co-defendants Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, Mass., and James Lee, 69, of Torrance, Calif. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024.

    “Han Lee didn’t just recruit women to sell their bodies for sex – she built a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows, evading law enforcement while profiting off her victims like commodities,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who exploit vulnerable women through interstate sex trafficking and launder their illicit gains. Those who engage in this conduct will be identified, held accountable and sent to federal prison. Full stop.”

    “Han Lee and her co-conspirators crafted an elaborate scheme to set up an interstate commercial sex network and to hide their activity by laundering the proceeds. This secretive and covert industry treats women like commodities and provides no protection for the safety and wellbeing of the participants. Today’s sentence reinforces the seriousness of this crime and our commitment to use every investigative tool we have to pursue justice,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.

    From at least July 2020, Han Lee operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Mass., as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Va. The defendant established the infrastructure for these brothels in multiple states for the purposes of persuading, inducing and enticing women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution. 

    Specifically, Han Lee and her co-defendants, rented high-end apartments as brothel locations, which they furnished and regularly maintained. The defendants coordinated the women’s airline travel and transportation and permitted them to stay overnight in the brothel locations so they did not have to find lodging elsewhere, therefore enticing women to participate in their prostitution network. To protect and maintain the secrecy of the business and ensure that the women did not draw attention to the prostitution work inside apartment buildings, Han Lee and her co-defendants established house rules for the women during their stays.  

    The defendants advertised their prostitution network and offered appointments with women in either greater Boston or eastern Virginia via bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog, respectively. Both websites purported to advertise nude models for professional photography at upscale studios as a front for prostitution offered through appointments. Investigators searched and seized the domain names for both websites pursuant to search warrants executed in November 2023.

    Additionally, each website described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to become eligible for appointment bookings– including requiring that clients complete a form providing their full names, email address, phone number, employer and reference if they had one. Han Lee and her co-defendants persuaded the women to work for their prostitution network because the business maintained a regular customer base of men that were adequately screened, ensuring that the customers were not members of law enforcement or men who posed a risk to the safety and security of the commercial sex workers.

    Han Lee and her co-defendants maintained local brothel phone numbers which they used to communicate with verified customers and schedule appointments via text messages; send customers a “menu” of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate; and to text customers directions to the brothel’s location where they engaged in commercial sex with the women. 

    According to the charging documents, the defendants charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. In total, Han Lee’s brothel network generated over $5.6 million in revenue from approximately 9,450 scheduled dates with sex buyers. 

    To conceal the proceeds of the prostitution network, Han Lee deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into personal and third-party bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at brothel locations in Massachusetts and Virginia.

    In October 2024, Junmyung Lee pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2025. James Lee pleaded guilty in February 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2025.

    Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

    U.S. Attorney Foley; HSI SAC Krol; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Central District of California; Eastern District of Virginia; U.S. Postal Service; the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquelle Kaye, of the Asset Recovery Unit are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – The former leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios gang pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges.

    Aaron Diaz Liranzo, a/k/a “Sosa,” 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2025. Diaz Liranzo was arrested and charged in February 2025 at which time he was the Leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. 

    The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Trinitarios adhere to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to or organize and execute violence, and undertaken extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members.  

    In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios. The charges were the result of a multi jurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders as well as a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members. Diaz Liranzo is the sixth Defendant to plead guilty.

    During a period from at least 2021 through 2025, Diaz Liranzo served as the Primera or Number One of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. Diaz Liranzo admitted to participating in a shooting that took place in March 2019 that targeted multiple rival gang members outside of a Lynn nightclub. The victims were lured there by another member, who posed as a woman who needed a ride. Equipped with a firearm and knowledge of the victims whereabouts and vehicle they were driving, the defendant travelled to the nightclub and opened fire at the vehicle, discharging at least six rounds. During the incident, Diaz Liranzo shot two of the three victims seated in the car. Both victims suffered life-threatening injuries, but ultimately survived the incident.

    The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as “racketeering conspiracy” or “RICO conspiracy”) provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Redd made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office; the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office (NH); and the Andover, Boston, Lawrence, Peabody and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three KC Men Indicted for Multi-State Business Burglary Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Kansas City, Mo., men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to burglarize beauty product and liquor stores across seven states.

    Gary Bailey, 24, Jermaine Threat, 25, and Dalvin Poindexter, 26, were charged in a nine-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 4, 2024. That indictment was unsealed and made public today following the arrest and initial court appearances of Bailey and Poindexter.

    The federal indictment alleges that Bailey, Threat, and Poindexter stole hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise during a series of business burglaries from March 2023 to January 2024.

    According to the indictment, the conspirators targeted beauty product and liquor stores in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, and Texas. The conspirators smashed the storefront door or window glass to enter the stores afterhours and then stole fragrances, cosmetics, liquor, spirits, and other merchandise. The conspirators allegedly used posts on Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Stories, as well as group chat text messages, to sell the stolen goods and received payment in cash or through peer-to-peer payment services like CashApp. The indictment says they also kept some of the stolen items for themselves or gave it away to their friends and family.

    In addition to the conspiracy, Bailey, Threat, and Poindexter are charged together in seven counts of transporting stolen property across state lines.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Constance. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Olathe, Kansas, Police Department, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Derby, KS, Belton, MO, Blue Springs, MO, Columbia, MO, Creve Coeur, MO, Edwardsville, KS, Fairview Heights, IL, Kansas City, MO, Kansas City, KS, Lawrence, KS, Leawood, KS, Lee’s Summit, MO, Lenexa, KS, Liberty, MO, Olathe, KS, Omaha, NE, Overland, Park, KS, Papillion, NE, Parkville, MO, Plainfield, IN, Plano, TX, Platte City, MO, Shawnee, KS, Springfield, MO, St. Joseph, MO, Terre Haute, IN, Topeka, KS, and West Des Moines, IA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: EEOC and Justice Department Warn Against Unlawful DEI-Related Discrimination

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Employers’ DEI Policies, Programs, and Practices Can Violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released two technical assistance documents focused on educating the public about unlawful discrimination related to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) in the workplace.

    DEI is a broad term that is not defined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race and sex. Under Title VII, DEI initiatives, policies, programs, or practices may be unlawful if they involve an employer or other covered entity taking an employment action motivated—in whole or in part—by an employee’s or applicant’s race, sex, or another protected characteristic.

    In the past five years, DEI policies, programs, and practices have become increasingly prevalent in many of our nation’s largest and most prominent businesses, universities, and cultural institutions. The widespread adoption of DEI, however, does not change longstanding legal prohibitions against the use of race, sex, and other protected characteristics in employment.

    To help educate the public about how well-established civil rights rules apply to employment policies, programs, and practices—including those labeled or framed as “DEI”—the EEOC and the DOJ today released a joint one-page technical assistance document, “What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related to DEI at Work.” The EEOC also released a longer question-and-answer technical assistance document, “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work.” Both documents are based on Title VII, existing EEOC policy guidance and technical assistance documents and Supreme Court precedent.

    “Far too many employers defend certain types of race or sex preferences as good, provided they are motivated by business interests in ‘diversity, equity, or inclusion.’ But no matter an employer’s motive, there is no ‘good,’ or even acceptable, race or sex discrimination,” said EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas. “In the words of Justice Clarence Thomas in his concurrence in Students for Fair Admissions, ‘two discriminatory wrongs cannot make a right.’”

    Lucas emphasized, “While the public may be confused about what rules apply to DEI, the law itself is clear. And there are some serious implications for some very popular types of DEI programs. These technical assistance documents will help employees know their rights and help employers take action to avoid unlawful DEI-related discrimination.”

    “The Department of Justice is committed to ending illegal DEI initiatives, policies, and programs,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The technical assistance document provides clear information for employees on how to act should they experience unlawful discrimination based on DEI practices.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Employee of Augusta National Golf Club Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Stealing Masters Golf Tournament Merchandise and Memorabilia

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A former employee of the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia was sentenced today to a year in federal prison for stealing millions of dollars’ worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia and selling it to online brokers.

    RICHARD BRENDAN GLOBENSKY, 40, of Evans, Ga., pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court in Chicago to a federal charge of transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce.  In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman today ordered Globensky to pay $3,448,842 in restitution to Augusta National.

    The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Art Crime Team.

    Globensky admitted in a plea agreement that he stole the merchandise and memorabilia from 2009 to 2022 while he was employed by the club as a warehouse assistant. The merchandise included Masters shirts, hats, flags, watches, and other goods, while the memorabilia included historically significant items, such as the Green Jackets awarded to tournament winners Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan.  Globensky sold the merchandise to an online broker in Florida for a total of approximately $5.3 million.  He sold the historically significant memorabilia to the same broker, as well as to the broker’s associate, for nearly $300,000.  The brokers later re-sold the stolen merchandise and memorabilia, often at significant markups from the amounts paid to Globensky.  At least one of the stolen items was purchased by a collector in Chicago.

    During the last six years of the crime, Globensky spent more than $370,000 to purchase five vehicles and a motorboat, as well as more than $160,000 for Walt Disney-themed vacations and related activities.  Globensky also spent nearly $600,000 on construction of a custom-built residence in Georgia and approximately $32,000 at luxury retailer Louis Vuitton.

    “The funds Globensky obtained enabled him and his spouse to live a lifestyle far beyond their means,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.  “The manner in which he spent the proceeds suggests greed was his primary motivation for committing the offense.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Human Smuggling Foot Guide Convicted of 2 Counts by Federal Jury in Del Rio

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DEL RIO, Texas – A federal jury in Del Rio convicted Nicacio Arellano-Garcia today for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of illegal alien transportation placing lives in jeopardy.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Arellano-Garcia, 34, of Mexico, conspired to transport five illegal aliens with codefendant Alexander Galvez-Zelaya, 30, of Honduras, and other facilitators. Arellano-Garcia served as the foot guide, while Galvez-Zelaya was the driver.

    Arellano-Garcia walked the five illegal aliens through the brush for two days. One of the illegal aliens fainted just before getting picked up by Galvez-Zelaya and, at some point before or entering the vehicle, the alien died. A medical examiner later confirmed the deceased illegal alien died from a combination of dehydration and environmental exposure to walking in the brush.

    On Feb. 11, 2024, the illegal aliens and the foot guide were picked up in the vehicle driven by Galvez-Zelaya. A high speed chase with law enforcement ensued when a Zavala County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop for defective license plate lighting. Galvez-Zelaya exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour and crashed into a private property fence near La Pryor. Both Arellano-Garcia and Galvez-Zelaya were arrested and confirmed to be illegally present in the United States.

    Galvez-Zelaya pleaded guilty Nov. 4, 2024 to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens placing lives in jeopardy and is scheduled to be sentenced May 28. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Warsame Galaydh and Matt Kass are prosecuting the case.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Diamondback Energy, Inc. Schedules First Quarter 2025 Conference Call for May 6, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDLAND, Texas, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback”), today announced that it plans to release first quarter 2025 financial results on May 5, 2025 after the market closes.

    In connection with the earnings release, Diamondback will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the first quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. CT. Access to the live webcast, and replay which will be available following the call, may be found here. The live webcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via Diamondback’s website at www.diamondbackenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site.

    About Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.        

    Investor Contact:
    Adam Lawlis
    +1 432.221.7467
    alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon named a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon named a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

    What you need to know:

    • Recognition as a Leader is based on a combination of “Ability to Execute” and “Completeness of Vision.”
    • According to the report, “Leaders invest in the future of IoT that includes a continuum of value from IoT edge devices to IoT platforms and related analytics. Leaders perform skillfully and often exceed expectations. They have a clear vision of the market’s direction and develop competencies to maintain their leadership. Leaders engage customers and provide value across multiple geographies. They shape the market, rather than follow it, and they often set the benchmark for market growth.”
    • The recognition follows Verizon’s earlier recognition as a 2024 Gartner® Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for IoT, reflecting ratings from customers and end-users of IoT services.

    NEW YORK – Verizon announced today that it has been recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide. Recognition as a Leader is based on “Completeness of Vision” and “Ability to Execute” for managed IoT services.

    “We feel that this recognition of Verizon’s managed IoT connectivity services is a testament to the strength and completeness of our end-to-end IoT offering for customers of different industries, geographies and sizes,” said Daniel Lawson, SVP, Global Solutions and IoT, Verizon Business. “Our IoT connectivity offering — especially when integrated with other Verizon solutions and platforms like private 4G/5G, fixed wireless access, edge computing, and Sensor Insights — can help customers with data-driven automation in near-real time, asset tracking and monitoring, cybersecurity, quality control, and more. As we continue to strengthen our global IoT offerings and platforms, we look forward to further proliferating capabilities like these with business customers in the U.S. and abroad.”

    In June of 2024, Verizon was named as a 2024 Gartner® Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for IoT, reflecting feedback from Verizon customers and end users of its IoT services. Customers’ Choice vendors meet or exceed both the market average Overall Experience and the market average User Interest and Adoption.

    Verizon was also recently named a Leader in the first-ever Gartner Magic Quadrant for 4G and 5G Private Mobile Network Services.

    Magic Quadrant Market Definition for IoT Connectivity Services

    Gartner defines managed IoT connectivity services as “a market that enables secured connectivity, data collection, analysis, and additional decision services. These services provide businesses with the ability to monitor, manage and control (manually and through automation) assets associated with business processes. This includes connected consumer, commercial, or industrial products.”

    According to the report, “Leaders invest in the future of IoT that includes a continuum of value from IoT edge devices to IoT platforms and related analytics. Leaders perform skillfully and often exceed expectations. They have a clear vision of the market’s direction and develop competencies to maintain their leadership. Leaders engage customers and provide value across multiple geographies. They shape the market, rather than follow it, and they often set the benchmark for market growth.”

    Evaluation Criteria

    For Ability to Execute, “Gartner evaluates vendors on the quality and efficacy of the processes, systems, methods or procedures that enable IT provider performance to be competitive, efficient and effective, and to positively impact revenue, retention and reputation within Gartner’s view of the market,” according to Gartner.

    Gartner puts “high” weighting on the following for Ability to Execute: Customer Experience, Product or Service, Sales Execution/Pricing, and Operations. “Medium” weighting is placed on Market Responsiveness/Record and Marketing Execution.

    For Completeness of Vision, “service providers on their ability to articulate logical statements convincingly about the market’s current and future direction, innovations, customer needs, and competitive forces, and on how well these correspond to Gartner’s position,” according to Gartner.

    Gartner evaluation criteria puts “high” weighting on the following for Completeness of Vision: Market Understanding, Sales Strategy, Offering (Product) Strategy, Vertical/Industry Strategy, Innovation, and Geographic Strategy. “Medium” weighting is placed on Marketing Strategy and Business Model.

    Read the full report.

    Learn more about managed IoT connectivity services.

    Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide; Pablo Arriandiago, Kameron Chao, Jon Dressel; March 11, 2025

    Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide, Peer Contributors, 22 March 2024

    Gartner, Magic Quadrant for 4G and 5G Private Mobile Network Services, Sylvain Fabre, Peter Liu, et al., 6 January 2025

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, PEER INSIGHTS and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rain gave Australia’s environment a fourth year of reprieve in 2024 – but this masks deepening problems: report

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University

    Lauren Henderson/Shutterstock

    For the fourth year running, the condition of Australia’s environment has been relatively good overall. Our national environment scorecard released today gives 2024 a mark of 7.7 out of 10.

    You might wonder how this can be. After all, climate change is intensifying and threatened species are still in decline.

    The main reason: good rainfall partly offset the impact of global warming. In many parts of Australia, rainfall, soil water and river flows were well above average, there were fewer large bushfires, and vegetation continued to grow. Overall, conditions were above average in the wetter north and east of Australia, although parts of the south and west were very dry.

    But this is no cause for complacency. Australia’s environment remains under intense pressure. Favourable conditions have simply offered a welcome but temporary reprieve. As a nation we must grasp the opportunity now to implement lasting solutions before the next cycle of drought and fire comes around.

    This snapshot shows the environmental score for a range of indicators in Australia.
    Australia’s Environment Report 2024, CC BY-NC-ND

    Preparing the national scorecard

    For the tenth year running, we have trawled through a huge amount of data from satellites, weather and water measuring stations, and ecological surveys.

    We gathered information about climate change, oceans, people, weather, water, soils, plants, fire and biodiversity.

    Then we analysed the data and summarised it all in a report that includes an overall score for the environment. This score (between zero and ten) gives a relative measure of how favourable conditions were for nature, agriculture and our way of life over the past year in comparison to all years since 2000. This is the period we have reliable records for.

    While it is a national report, conditions vary enormously between regions and so we also prepare regional scorecards. You can download the scorecard for your region at our website.

    Different jurisdictions had quite different environmental scores in 2024.
    Australia’s Environment Report 2024, CC BY-NC-ND

    Welcome news, but alarming trends continue

    Globally, 2024 was the world’s hottest year on record. It was Australia’s second hottest year, with the record warmest sea surface temperatures. As a result, the Great Barrier Reef experienced its fifth mass bleaching event since 2016, while Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia also experienced bleaching.

    Yet bushfire activity was low despite high temperatures, thanks to regular rainfall.

    National rainfall was 18% above average, improving soil condition and increasing tree canopy cover.

    States such as New South Wales saw notable improvements in environmental conditions, while conditions also improved somewhat in Western Australia. Others experienced declines, particularly South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. These regional contrasts were largely driven by rainfall – good rains can hide some underlying environmental degradation trends.

    Favourable weather conditions bumped up the nation’s score this year, rather than sustained environmental improvements.

    Mapping the environmental condition score to local government areas reveals poor (red) conditions in the west and the south, with good scores (blue) in the east and north. White is neutral.
    Australia’s Environment Explorer, CC BY-NC-ND

    A temporary respite?

    The past four years show Australia’s environment is capable of bouncing back from drought and fire when conditions are right.

    But the global climate crisis continues to escalate, and Australia remains highly vulnerable. Rising sea levels, more extreme weather and fire events continue to threaten our environment and livelihoods. The consequences of extreme events can persist for many years, like we have seen for the Black Summer of 2019–20.

    To play our part in limiting global warming, Australia needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Progress is stalling: last year, national emissions fell slightly (0.6%) below 2023 levels but were still higher than in 2022. Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions per person remain among the highest in the world.

    Biodiversity loss remains an urgent issue. The national threatened species list grew by 41 species in 2024. While this figure is much lower than the record of 130 species added in 2023, it remains well above the long-term average of 25 species added per year.

    More than half of the newly listed or uplisted species were directly affected by the Black Summer fires. Meanwhile, habitat destruction and invasive species continue to put pressure on native ecosystems and species.

    The Threatened Species Index captures data from long-term threatened species monitoring. The index is updated annually but with a three-year lag due largely to delays in data processing and sharing. This means the 2024 index includes data up to 2021.

    The index revealed the abundance of threatened birds, mammals, plants, and frogs has fallen an average of 58% since 2000.

    But there may be some good news. Between 2020 and 2021, the overall index increased slightly (2%) suggesting the decline has stabilised and some recovery is evident across species groups. We’ll need further monitoring to confirm whether this represents a lasting turnaround or a temporary pause in declines.

    This graph shows the relative abundance of different categories of species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act since 2000, as collated by the Threatened Species Index.
    Australia’s Environment Report 2024, CC BY-NC-ND

    What needs to happen?

    The 2024 Australia’s Environment Report offers a cautiously optimistic picture of the present. Without intervention, the future will look a lot worse.

    Australia must act decisively to secure our nation’s environmental future. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, introducing stronger land management policies and increasing conservation efforts to maintain and restore our ecosystems.

    Without redoubling our efforts, the apparent environmental improvements will not be more than a temporary pause in a long-term downward trend.

    Australia’s Environment Report is produced by the ANU Fenner School for Environment & Society and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), which is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

    Albert Van Dijk receives or has previously received funding from several government-funded agencies, grant schemes and programs.

    Shoshana Rapley is a Research Assistant and PhD candidate at the Australian National University and has received funding from the Ecological Society of Australia and BirdLife Australia.

    Tayla Lawrie is a current employee of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

    – ref. Rain gave Australia’s environment a fourth year of reprieve in 2024 – but this masks deepening problems: report – https://theconversation.com/rain-gave-australias-environment-a-fourth-year-of-reprieve-in-2024-but-this-masks-deepening-problems-report-252183

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Restricting open government – E-000674/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Detailed Rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001[1], annexed to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, refer, in their Article 2, to the definition of ‘document’ given in Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. Besides, it indicates non-exhaustive lists of documents which the Commission either makes public proactively (Article 3 of the Detailed Rules[2]) or upon request under the conditions established in Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (Article 4 of the Detailed Rules). Consequently, the Commission does not narrow any definition of documents made accessible to the public.

    2. In applying the rules on access to documents, the Commission makes a careful individual assessment of each document in view of its possible disclosure to the public with a view of giving the fullest possible effect to the right of public access to documents. This assessment is conducted also by considering the extensive case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and established administrative practices.

    3. The Commission stands for the highest standards of transparency across the board. However, the Commission must reconcile the right of access to documents with the private and public interests that require protection, as enshrined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, including regarding internal decision-making processes.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43-48, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2001/1049/oj).
    • [2] Commission Decision (EU) 2024/3080 of 4 December 2024 establishing the Rules of Procedure of the Commission and amending Decision C(2000) 3614 (OJ L, 2024/3080, 5.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/3080/oj).
    Last updated: 19 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President Mashatile to lead Human Rights Day commemoration

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, March 19, 2025

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver the keynote address at Friday’s 2025 Human Rights Day commemoration event. 

    The Deputy President will deliver the address on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Kariega, located within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

    This as Human Rights commemorative events this year are held under the theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights” .

    “This is a call for a renewed and strengthened commitment from all levels of society, to accelerate practical solutions in driving inclusive growth and job creation, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living, and to build a capable, ethical and developmental State,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday. 

    South Africa commemorates National Human Rights Day on 21 March to remember the Sharpeville massacre, where apartheid police killed 69 peaceful protesters against the regime in 1960.

    The Presidency stated that this is an important day, which also honours 35 people who were killed on 21 March 1985, when apartheid police targeted community members after a funeral in Uitenhage and KwaLanga.

    The government has chosen Kariega to host the national Human Rights Day commemoration as the State’s initiative to rotate national days, allowing communities across all provinces to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the liberation struggle. 

    According to the Presidency, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on and evaluate the progress made towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and united nation.

    Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, Premier of the Eastern Cape Province Oscar Mabuyane, Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Council, Mayors, and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –