NewzIntel.com

Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI: Tenaris provides information pursuant to Luxembourg Transparency Law

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUXEMBOURG, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tenaris S.A. (NYSE and Mexico: TS and EXM Italy: TEN) (“Tenaris”, or the “Company”) announced today that the Company’s controlling shareholder, San Faustin S.A. (“San Faustin”), has notified the Company that, as a result of Tenaris’s open market repurchases of own shares under its share buyback program publicly announced on May 27, 2025, San Faustin has passively crossed a voting rights threshold triggering a notice requirement under the Luxembourg Transparency Law.

    On the date hereof, San Faustin informed the Company that, following repurchases of shares by Tenaris in the period from June 9 to June 13, 2025 (disclosed by Tenaris on June 13, 2025, in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation), the 713,605,187 shares of the Company that San Faustin owns represent 66.82% of the Company’s voting rights. As required by the Luxembourg Transparency Law, San Faustin has further provided information on its control chain, wich confirms that the Company’s control structure disclosed on the Company’s 2024 annual report remains unchanged.

    Tenaris is a leading global supplier of steel tubes and related services for the world’s energy industry and certain other industrial applications.

    Giovanni Sardagna
    Tenaris
    1-888-300-5432
    www.tenaris.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – Fed holds rates – markets turn to Powell’s successor amid Trump rant – deVere Group

    Source: deVere Group

    June 18 2025 – The Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady—resisting mounting pressure from President Trump to cut—and investors are now preparing for what may come next: a pro-Trump successor at the helm of the world’s most powerful central bank.

    Global financial advisory giant deVere Group says the central bank’s decision is the right one, warning that cutting too soon could have backfired badly and pushed long-term borrowing costs higher, not lower.

    Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “Trump wants a full-point rate cut to offset the damage from his own tariffs. But if the Fed delivers prematurely, markets will punish that kind of political submission. Long yields could spike, and the cost of capital could rise across the board.”

    May inflation data shows some easing—headline CPI dipped to 2.4% and core to 2.8%—but it is not enough for the Fed to justify a move. Wage growth remains resilient, household consumption is firm, and services inflation is still uncomfortably sticky.

    “The Fed is right to stay on hold,” says Nigel Green. “The disinflation trend is fragile, the tariff shock is still working its way through, and rate cuts in this environment would send the wrong message.”

    Tensions hit a new peak on Wednesday morning, just hours before the central bank’s decision, when President Trump launched a personal attack on Fed Chair Jerome Powell during an impromptu press briefing on the South Lawn of the White House.

    Speaking beside a new row of flagpoles unveiled as part of a symbolic national display ahead of what the president described as a “potential war with Iran,” Trump again blamed the Fed for slowing the economy and accused Powell of incompetence.

    “We’re doing well. Well as a country, if the Fed would ever lower rates, you know, we’d buy debt for a lot less,” he told reporters. “Do you ever have a guy that’s not a smart person and you’re dealing with him and you have to deal? He’s not a smart guy.”

    deVere points to sharp movements in the yield curve as a warning sign. The 2-year/30-year spread is now at its widest since early 2022. Investors are demanding more compensation to hold long-dated Treasuries amid growing concern about inflation credibility, surging debt issuance, and the creeping politicisation of the Fed.

    “What we’re seeing now is a re-pricing of long-term risk,” says Green. “If the Fed signals it’s willing to bow to political pressure, it damages its ability to anchor expectations—and yields will move accordingly.”

    The decision to hold comes against the backdrop of Trump’s increasingly aggressive demands for looser monetary policy and his influence over the next central bank leadership decision. Powell’s term

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – Fed holds rates – markets turn to Powell’s successor amid Trump rant – deVere Group

    Source: deVere Group

    June 18 2025 – The Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady—resisting mounting pressure from President Trump to cut—and investors are now preparing for what may come next: a pro-Trump successor at the helm of the world’s most powerful central bank.

    Global financial advisory giant deVere Group says the central bank’s decision is the right one, warning that cutting too soon could have backfired badly and pushed long-term borrowing costs higher, not lower.

    Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “Trump wants a full-point rate cut to offset the damage from his own tariffs. But if the Fed delivers prematurely, markets will punish that kind of political submission. Long yields could spike, and the cost of capital could rise across the board.”

    May inflation data shows some easing—headline CPI dipped to 2.4% and core to 2.8%—but it is not enough for the Fed to justify a move. Wage growth remains resilient, household consumption is firm, and services inflation is still uncomfortably sticky.

    “The Fed is right to stay on hold,” says Nigel Green. “The disinflation trend is fragile, the tariff shock is still working its way through, and rate cuts in this environment would send the wrong message.”

    Tensions hit a new peak on Wednesday morning, just hours before the central bank’s decision, when President Trump launched a personal attack on Fed Chair Jerome Powell during an impromptu press briefing on the South Lawn of the White House.

    Speaking beside a new row of flagpoles unveiled as part of a symbolic national display ahead of what the president described as a “potential war with Iran,” Trump again blamed the Fed for slowing the economy and accused Powell of incompetence.

    “We’re doing well. Well as a country, if the Fed would ever lower rates, you know, we’d buy debt for a lot less,” he told reporters. “Do you ever have a guy that’s not a smart person and you’re dealing with him and you have to deal? He’s not a smart guy.”

    deVere points to sharp movements in the yield curve as a warning sign. The 2-year/30-year spread is now at its widest since early 2022. Investors are demanding more compensation to hold long-dated Treasuries amid growing concern about inflation credibility, surging debt issuance, and the creeping politicisation of the Fed.

    “What we’re seeing now is a re-pricing of long-term risk,” says Green. “If the Fed signals it’s willing to bow to political pressure, it damages its ability to anchor expectations—and yields will move accordingly.”

    The decision to hold comes against the backdrop of Trump’s increasingly aggressive demands for looser monetary policy and his influence over the next central bank leadership decision. Powell’s term

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: NuVista Receives TSX Approval for the Renewal of its Normal Course Issuer Bid

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuVista Energy Ltd. (TSX:NVA, “NVA” or the “Corporation”) announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has approved the renewal of the Corporation’s normal course issuer bid (the “2025 NCIB”).

    Normal Course Issuer Bid Renewal

    Pursuant to the 2025 NCIB, NuVista may purchase for cancellation, from time to time, as it considers advisable, up to a maximum of 16,398,617 common shares of the Corporation. The 2025 NCIB will become effective on June 23, 2025 and will terminate on June 22, 2026 or such earlier time as the 2025 NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of NuVista.

    NuVista has completed its minimum $100 million share repurchase target for the year, underscoring its commitment to disciplined growth and returning capital to shareholders. NuVista currently believes that the best method for return of capital to shareholders is through share repurchases. For the remainder of the year, at least 75% of incremental free adjusted funds flow will be allocated to additional share buybacks. We remain focused on our disciplined and value-adding growth strategy, and providing significant shareholder returns.

    The maximum number of common shares to be purchased pursuant to the 2025 NCIB represents 10% of the public float, as of June 12, 2025. Purchases pursuant to the 2025 NCIB will be made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and/or Canadian alternative trading systems. The number of common shares that can be purchased pursuant to the 2025 NCIB is subject to a daily maximum of 195,945 common shares (which is equal to 25% of the average daily trading volume of 783,783 from December 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025) with the exception that one block purchase in excess of the daily maximum is permitted per calendar week. The price that NuVista will pay for any common shares under the 2025 NCIB will be the prevailing market price on the TSX at the time of such purchase.

    NuVista has entered into an automatic share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with a broker to facilitate repurchases of its common shares. Under the Corporation’s ASPP, the broker may repurchase shares under the normal course issuer bid during the Corporation’s self-imposed blackout periods. Purchases will be made by the broker based upon the parameters prescribed by the TSX and applicable securities laws and the terms of the plan and the parties’ written agreement. Outside of these blackout periods, common shares may be purchased under the 2025 NCIB in accordance with management’s discretion.

    Under the previous normal course issuer bid (the “2024 NCIB”), pursuant to which NuVista was approved to repurchase up to 14,234,451 common shares, NuVista repurchased 11,234,200 common shares at a weighted average price paid per share of $12.76. The term of the 2024 NCIB has expired and no further shares may be purchased thereunder.

    As of the close of business on June 12, 2025, the Corporation had 197,400,294 common shares issued and outstanding and a public float of 163,986,173 common shares. All common shares acquired under the 2025 NCIB will be cancelled.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

    About NuVista

    NuVista is an oil and natural gas company actively engaged in the exploration for, and the development and production of, oil and natural gas reserves in the province of Alberta. NuVista’s primary focus is on the scalable and repeatable condensate-rich Montney formation in the Pipestone and Wapiti areas of the Alberta Deep Basin. This play has the potential to create significant shareholder value due to the high-value condensate volumes associated with the natural gas production and the large scope of this resource play. The common shares of NuVista trade on the TSX under the symbol NVA. Learn more at www.nuvistaenergy.com

    Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to NuVista’s intentions with respect to the 2025 NCIB, including the return of capital to shareholders, the timing for beginning purchases of common shares under the 2025 NCIB and the effects of repurchases of common shares under the 2025 NCIB. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations or assumptions of NuVista which have been used to develop such statements and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although NuVista believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because NuVista can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and NuVista does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Mike J. Lawford Ivan J. Condic
    President and CEO VP, Finance and CFO
    (403) 538-1936  (403) 538-1945

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NuVista Receives TSX Approval for the Renewal of its Normal Course Issuer Bid

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuVista Energy Ltd. (TSX:NVA, “NVA” or the “Corporation”) announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has approved the renewal of the Corporation’s normal course issuer bid (the “2025 NCIB”).

    Normal Course Issuer Bid Renewal

    Pursuant to the 2025 NCIB, NuVista may purchase for cancellation, from time to time, as it considers advisable, up to a maximum of 16,398,617 common shares of the Corporation. The 2025 NCIB will become effective on June 23, 2025 and will terminate on June 22, 2026 or such earlier time as the 2025 NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of NuVista.

    NuVista has completed its minimum $100 million share repurchase target for the year, underscoring its commitment to disciplined growth and returning capital to shareholders. NuVista currently believes that the best method for return of capital to shareholders is through share repurchases. For the remainder of the year, at least 75% of incremental free adjusted funds flow will be allocated to additional share buybacks. We remain focused on our disciplined and value-adding growth strategy, and providing significant shareholder returns.

    The maximum number of common shares to be purchased pursuant to the 2025 NCIB represents 10% of the public float, as of June 12, 2025. Purchases pursuant to the 2025 NCIB will be made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and/or Canadian alternative trading systems. The number of common shares that can be purchased pursuant to the 2025 NCIB is subject to a daily maximum of 195,945 common shares (which is equal to 25% of the average daily trading volume of 783,783 from December 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025) with the exception that one block purchase in excess of the daily maximum is permitted per calendar week. The price that NuVista will pay for any common shares under the 2025 NCIB will be the prevailing market price on the TSX at the time of such purchase.

    NuVista has entered into an automatic share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with a broker to facilitate repurchases of its common shares. Under the Corporation’s ASPP, the broker may repurchase shares under the normal course issuer bid during the Corporation’s self-imposed blackout periods. Purchases will be made by the broker based upon the parameters prescribed by the TSX and applicable securities laws and the terms of the plan and the parties’ written agreement. Outside of these blackout periods, common shares may be purchased under the 2025 NCIB in accordance with management’s discretion.

    Under the previous normal course issuer bid (the “2024 NCIB”), pursuant to which NuVista was approved to repurchase up to 14,234,451 common shares, NuVista repurchased 11,234,200 common shares at a weighted average price paid per share of $12.76. The term of the 2024 NCIB has expired and no further shares may be purchased thereunder.

    As of the close of business on June 12, 2025, the Corporation had 197,400,294 common shares issued and outstanding and a public float of 163,986,173 common shares. All common shares acquired under the 2025 NCIB will be cancelled.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

    About NuVista

    NuVista is an oil and natural gas company actively engaged in the exploration for, and the development and production of, oil and natural gas reserves in the province of Alberta. NuVista’s primary focus is on the scalable and repeatable condensate-rich Montney formation in the Pipestone and Wapiti areas of the Alberta Deep Basin. This play has the potential to create significant shareholder value due to the high-value condensate volumes associated with the natural gas production and the large scope of this resource play. The common shares of NuVista trade on the TSX under the symbol NVA. Learn more at www.nuvistaenergy.com

    Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to NuVista’s intentions with respect to the 2025 NCIB, including the return of capital to shareholders, the timing for beginning purchases of common shares under the 2025 NCIB and the effects of repurchases of common shares under the 2025 NCIB. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations or assumptions of NuVista which have been used to develop such statements and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although NuVista believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because NuVista can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release, and NuVista does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Mike J. Lawford Ivan J. Condic
    President and CEO VP, Finance and CFO
    (403) 538-1936  (403) 538-1945

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maxwell Frost Introduces Legislation to Expose Human Rights Abuses in Immigration Detention System – SUDEM Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    June 18, 2025

    Watch the Orlando Press Conference Here

    ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY),introduced the Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, legislation that would expose widespread human rights violations in America’s immigration detention system and shine a light on the secretive practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Across the country and in Florida, ICE detention centers have become synonymous with secrecy, abuse, and due process violations. From documented toxic exposures and medical neglect at Glades County Detention Center, to whistleblower-confirmed racial harassment and excessive force at Baker County, to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions at Krome North — a disturbing pattern has emerged: human beings are being subjected to cruelty and neglect, often without public knowledge or legal transparency.

    “Donald Trump and Republicans have turned our immigration system into a taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation,” said Rep. Frost. “People are being disappeared into a system that operates in the shadows — without public accountability, without basic human dignity, and often without legal justification. The SUDEM Act is about pulling back the curtain. This bill won’t fix everything, but if Donald Trump and his allies think these policies are defensible, then they shouldn’t be afraid to tell the public exactly what they’re doing. If they’re proud of it, they’ll report it. If they’re ashamed, they need to end it.”

    “I just saw inhumane, overcrowded conditions inside Krome Detention Center in Miami, where detainees recently died. Yet ICE refuses to release data on who is being held and why,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Nearly half the people in Krome have no criminal record. Now, Trump wants to cram hundreds of thousands of lawful TPS and humanitarian parole recipients into these facilities while DHS shuts out essential watchdogs that defend civil rights and due process everyone deserves. I’m proud to help lead this legislation to restore transparency and humanity to Trump’s lawless policies that tear apart families and terrorize our communities.”

    “The secrecy surrounding this administration’s immigration policy is the stuff of dictatorship, not democracy,” said Rep. Espaillat. “When masked ICE agents are playing fast and loose with the law and elected officials are being arrested for visiting detention facilities for lawful oversight and accountability, including at Delaney Hall in Newark, 26 Federal Plaza in my district, and the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles—Congress must act. The American people demand answers and have a right to know who is being detained and why. We are introducing this legislation to reaffirm our call to action to know about the mothers, children, and even legal immigrants who are filling these detention facilities. If the Trump Administration is adamant they are following the will of the American people, then they should have no problem letting the American people and the world know what is happening behind the scenes at these facilities. The Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act aims to uncover the truth and hold those responsible for the unlawful detention of innocent individuals accountable for their actions.”

    The legislation comes amid a growing push by the Trump Administration to expand ICE detention — including a proposed $45 billion in new funding — and as states like Florida move to deputize their entire jail systems in an effort to help ICE detain even more people.

    The SUDEM Act would require all ICE-operated and ICE-affiliated facilities to publicly disclose key data, including:

    • Who is being detained — where, when, and why.

    • The legal authority and evidence behind each detention.

    • Demographic data — age, nationality, and legal status.

    • Facility-wide reporting on use of force, disciplinary actions, transfers, and deportations.

    The SUDEM Act is part of Rep. Frost’s continued efforts to advance human rights and demand transparency in federal immigration enforcement.

    The bill has been endorsed by Public Citizen, CASA, LULAC, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), HOPE Community Center, Orlando Center for Justice, and the Hispanic Federation.

    “The Trump administration has tread into unlawful and alarming detention practices under the guise of immigration reform. The administration has unleashed an overly-zealous enforcement team, known as ICE, that is arresting and detaining scores of people, oftentimes using unnecessarily violent tactics. The abuses of enforcement power the nation has witnessed by ICE is unrivaled by any previous administration, Democratic or Republican. Rep. Frost’s Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment Act is a sorely-needed effort to rein in these abuses,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

    “Orlando Center for Justice proudly supports Representative Maxwell Frost’s bill to establish a transparent, publicly accessible immigration detention database. As an organization that defends the rights of immigrants, we believe accountability and access to information are essential to ensuring due process, protecting civil liberties, safeguarding human dignity, and keeping our communities safe,” said Gisselle Martinez, Esq., Legal Director for Orlando Center for Justice, Inc. 

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Rwandan genocide perpetrator charged with immigration fraud following ICE investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    DAYTON, Ohio – A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation resulted in an indictment that was unsealed June 13, charging a Dayton man with lying on his applications for a green card and United States citizenship by concealing his past role as a leader and perpetrator of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

    According to court documents, Vincent Nzigiyimfura, 65, was a prominent businessman and shop owner in Rwanda in 1994 when the genocide began. He allegedly used his wealth and leadership position in Rwandan society to organize violence against and killings of Tutsis, the minority population persecuted in the genocide.

    “ICE HSI is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring that those who committed atrocities in foreign lands cannot hide in Ohio or any other community in the United States,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “No one wants a war criminal as their neighbor and these allegations paint a grim picture of the horror Nzigiyimfura inflicted on the Tutsi people. His indictment and arrest is a step toward justice for those victims.”

    “The indictment alleges this defendant facilitated the killings of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide and then lied about it on immigration applications in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio. “This egregious conduct will not be tolerated.”

    “As alleged, Vincent Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life in this country,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators. Those, like the defendant, who commit immigration fraud to hide their violent pasts will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    As alleged in the indictment, Nzigiyimfura directed groups of armed Hutus – the majority population – to kill Tutsis. He allegedly set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis, including a roadblock directly in front of his home, where Tutsis were allegedly killed at his direction. Nzigiyimfura also allegedly participated in killings. According to court filings, the defendant was subsequently convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for genocide.

    Court documents detail that Nzigiyimfura applied for a visa to enter the U.S. and was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2008. In 2014, he submitted an application for naturalization. Nzigiyimfura allegedly lied to U.S. immigration officials in his immigration applications, including by falsely denying any involvement as a perpetrator of the Rwandan genocide.

    Nzigiyimfura was arrested June 12 and charged with one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted as charged, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

    ICE HSI Detroit is investigating this case, with assistance from the interagency Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the U.S, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Currently, HSI has more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,945 leads and removals cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. Since 2003, the HRVWCC has issued more than 79,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses, and stopped over 390 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney George Painter of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are representing the United States in this case.

    Members of the public who have information about potential former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or the online tip form. They can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov

    An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Appoints Judge Coffey to Liquor Control Commission

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Appoints Judge Coffey to Liquor Control Commission

      

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of J. Michael Coffey to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, representing the 2nd Congressional District. His appointment, while immediate, is subject to confirmation next year by the Nebraska Legislature.  

    Coffey is a former district court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which consists of Omaha. He retired in June 2023 after nearly 25 years on the bench. Prior to his appointment to the court, Coffey was a practicing attorney in Omaha.  He earned his juris doctor from the Creighton University School of Law.

    Members of the Liquor Control Commission serve six-year terms. Each person represents a different congressional district in Nebraska.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 2025–26 ACT Budget: what’s in it for Belconnen

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New public toilet facilities will be installed, funded by the Australian Government.

    There will also be a new all-abilities playground built in Florey.

    Local playground improvements

    The play facilities in the Umbagong District Park will be upgraded.

    There will also be a playground upgrade in McKellar.

    Improved sports and recreation facilities

    The Belconnen Netball Association facility in Charnwood will receive improvements, including:

    • expanded courts
    • upgraded parking
    • upgraded toilet facilities.

    Charnwood skatepark will also be upgraded.

    Female-friendly changeroom upgrades will be carried out at playing fields in:

    • Kaleen (both Turon Street and Ashburton Circuit).

    This work is part of ACT-wide investment in inclusive sports facilities.

    Revitalised local shops and community precincts

    There will be upgrades to Charnwood shops, one of Belconnen’s busiest neighbourhood shopping areas. This work will help improve access and refresh public spaces.

    The ACT Government will keep working with the owners of Kippax Fair to deliver Stage Two of the West Belconnen upgrade. This will help revitalise the area.

    School upgrades in Fraser and Melba

    The Budget will support upgrades to the Fraser Primary School oval. These will improve its condition and safety for school and community use.

    There is also support for the master planning, design and construction of priority upgrades at Melba Copland Secondary School.

    A new medical imaging service

    Belconnen residents will also benefit from a new medical imaging outpatient service. This will be established at the Belconnen Community Health Centre.

    The new service will ensure more people in Belconnen can access diagnostic imaging services closer to home. It will improve care and reduce pressure on hospital-based imaging.

    Belco projects already underway

    These investments build on major investments underway in Belconnen. They include:

    • a new early childhood and primary school in Strathnairn
    • upgrades at Belconnen public schools
    • planning for a new Northside Hospital
    • planning for upgrades at CIT Belconnen upgrade
    • planning for a new Canberra Stadium in the Bruce Health, Education and Sports Precinct.

    Ongoing public transport improvements

    Public transport in the region will also keep improving, with:

    • more frequent R2 services between Belconnen and Fyshwick
    • a new West Belconnen Rapid Service, with a supporting park and ride facility.

    A more liveable, inclusive and connected Belconnen

    These investments have been shaped by community feedback.

    They are designed to make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of Belconnen residents.

    Read more like this:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene Leads Bipartisan Bill to Make Rehabilitation Care More Affordable, Accessible for Seniors

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

    Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), and Ron Estes (KS-04) reintroduced the bipartisan Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, legislation that would fix an arbitrary Medicare policy that excludes certain patients from skilled nursing care coverage, resulting in exorbitant and unexpected out-of-pocket costs. 

    Currently, a patient must have an “inpatient” hospital stay of at least three days for Medicare to cover skilled nursing care. Hospitals are increasingly holding patients under “observation status,” an outpatient designation. Under this outdated rule, patients who receive hospital care under this status do not qualify for skilled nursing care, even if their hospital stay lasts longer than three days and even if their care team prescribes it. These patients are either forced to return home without the treatment they have been prescribed or are unexpectedly billed astronomical amounts after their stays in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). These patients can easily accrue tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills, and recent research suggests that this policy most impacts those who can least afford it.

    “With health care already a significant expense for seniors, the last thing they need is an expensive and unexpected medical bill. When a Medicare patient is in the hospital for three days, that should meet the three-day requirement. Plain and simple,” said DelBene. “Differentiating between ‘inpatient’ and ‘observation’ is what frustrates people about the health care system. This legislation would make clear that three days means three days, allowing seniors to access rehabilitation services they need to get better and not incur a massive unexpected medical bill.”

    “People deserve better. Whether a patient is in the hospital for three days as an inpatient, or for three days under ‘observation status’—three days is three days. Quibbling over semantics shouldn’t keep people from accessing the care their doctors have prescribed or trap them beneath a mountain of unexpected medical debt. Our bill offers a simple, commonsense fix to Medicare’s arbitrary ‘observation status’ loophole that will help ensure seniors aren’t getting billed thousands of extra dollars in medical bills due to illogical federal policy,” said Courtney.  

    “When facing health challenges, seniors and their families shouldn’t be burdened by unexpected medical expenses,” said Thompson. “Medicare beneficiaries deserve the reassurance and confidence that their care will be fully covered and they won’t have any out-of-pocket costs.” 

    “Kansas seniors on Medicare deserve access to the full range of treatment and care they need, unimpeded by outdated policies that result in costly bills,” said Estes. “This common sense legislation updates Medicare’s policy on skilled nursing care to make it more efficient and lead to better outcomes for patients.” 

    During COVID-19, the three-day requirement was waived, allowing patients to receive SNF care regardless of their hospital status. Now, the policy is being reimposed on beneficiaries, causing confusion, unexpected bills, and delays in care. 

    The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act would ensure Medicare covers doctor-recommended, post-acute care by counting the time spent under “observation status” towards the requisite three-day hospital stay for coverage of skilled nursing care. 

    “This bipartisan bill will help fix an outdated policy that continues to leave millions of Medicare beneficiaries surprised by thousands of dollars in medical bills and hanging with uncertainty regarding their access to the Medicare coverage they deserve,” said Clif Porter, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living. “The members of Congress that reintroduced this important legislation are advocates for our nation’s seniors and individuals who need skilled nursing care. We applaud their efforts and support.”

    Endorsing Organizations: AARP; ADVION (formerly National Association for the Support of Long Term Care); Aging Life Care Association®; Alliance for Retired Americans; AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine; American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM); American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN); American Case Management Association (ACMA); American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP); American College of Physician Advisors (ACPA); American Geriatrics Society (AGS); American Health Care Association (AHCA); American Medical Association; American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS); Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA); Center for Medicare Advocacy; The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing; The Jewish Federations of North America; Justice in Aging; LeadingAge; Lutheran Services in America; Medicare Rights Center; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.(NAELA); National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP); National Association for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (NASOP); National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL); National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare; The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care; National Council on Aging (NCOA); NJHSA – the Network of Jewish Human; Service Agencies; Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM); Special Needs Alliance; USAging. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prolific Guatemalan Drug Traffickers Extradited to the United States to Face Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Charge

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Steven Ovaldino Lorenzana Alvarenga, also known as “Chipi,” and Allan Mendoza, also known as “Carnes” and “Carnitas,” both of Guatemala, made their initial appearances today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia following their June 17 extraditions from Guatemala to the United States.

    Lorenzana Alvarenga, 30, and Mendoza, 40, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents, from 2006 through 2023, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza were key members of the Guatemala-based Lorenzana drug trafficking organization (“DTO”), which transports multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America into Mexico and the United States on behalf of various Mexican, Honduran, and Venezuelan cartels. The Lorenzana DTO allegedly controls multiple departments in Guatemala and regularly uses violence, including murder, assault, kidnapping, assassination, and torture in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. As alleged, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza were part of a loyal group of associates surrounding the leader of the Lorenzana DTO, Haroldo Waldemar Lorenzana Terraza.

    If convicted, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza face a maximum penalty of life in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to 30 years in prison on the firearm charge.

    The extraditions of Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza mark another significant step in the Justice Department’s efforts to dismantle the Lorenzana DTO and bring its members to justice. Lorenzana Terraza assumed leadership of the Lorenzana DTO in the mid-2000s, after the indictment, extradition, and conviction of multiple family members who previously served as key leaders, including Lorenzana Terraza’s grandfather, Waldemar Lorenzana Lima, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 years in prison in February 2020;  Lorenzana Terraza’s uncles, Eliu and Waldemar Lorenzana Cordon, who received life sentences following a conviction at trial in 2016; and Lorenzana Terraza’s aunt, Marta Julia Lorenzana-Cordon, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 33 years in prison in March 2024. Lorenzana Terraza was charged alongside Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza with conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and he also faces two additional charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiring to import heroin into the United States. Lorenzana Terraza is still a fugitive, and the U.S. Department of State is currently offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.

    The DEA Bilateral Investigation Unit and DEA Guatemala City Country Office investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs working with Guatemalan law enforcement authorities, INTERPOL, and the DEA provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza to the United States.

    Trial Attorneys Douglas Meisel and Ligia Markman of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section 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 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prolific Guatemalan Drug Traffickers Extradited to the United States to Face Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Charge

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Steven Ovaldino Lorenzana Alvarenga, also known as “Chipi,” and Allan Mendoza, also known as “Carnes” and “Carnitas,” both of Guatemala, made their initial appearances today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia following their June 17 extraditions from Guatemala to the United States.

    Lorenzana Alvarenga, 30, and Mendoza, 40, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents, from 2006 through 2023, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza were key members of the Guatemala-based Lorenzana drug trafficking organization (“DTO”), which transports multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America into Mexico and the United States on behalf of various Mexican, Honduran, and Venezuelan cartels. The Lorenzana DTO allegedly controls multiple departments in Guatemala and regularly uses violence, including murder, assault, kidnapping, assassination, and torture in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. As alleged, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza were part of a loyal group of associates surrounding the leader of the Lorenzana DTO, Haroldo Waldemar Lorenzana Terraza.

    If convicted, Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza face a maximum penalty of life in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to 30 years in prison on the firearm charge.

    The extraditions of Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza mark another significant step in the Justice Department’s efforts to dismantle the Lorenzana DTO and bring its members to justice. Lorenzana Terraza assumed leadership of the Lorenzana DTO in the mid-2000s, after the indictment, extradition, and conviction of multiple family members who previously served as key leaders, including Lorenzana Terraza’s grandfather, Waldemar Lorenzana Lima, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 years in prison in February 2020;  Lorenzana Terraza’s uncles, Eliu and Waldemar Lorenzana Cordon, who received life sentences following a conviction at trial in 2016; and Lorenzana Terraza’s aunt, Marta Julia Lorenzana-Cordon, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 33 years in prison in March 2024. Lorenzana Terraza was charged alongside Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza with conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and he also faces two additional charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiring to import heroin into the United States. Lorenzana Terraza is still a fugitive, and the U.S. Department of State is currently offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.

    The DEA Bilateral Investigation Unit and DEA Guatemala City Country Office investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs working with Guatemalan law enforcement authorities, INTERPOL, and the DEA provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Lorenzana Alvarenga and Mendoza to the United States.

    Trial Attorneys Douglas Meisel and Ligia Markman of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section 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 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Virginia man was sentenced today in Alexandia for his attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Haymarket, Virginia church, for carrying a gun during that attempt, and for transmitting threats over the internet. Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Jiang was previously convicted by a jury in March 2025.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023, which made clear his intention to kill congregants. The next morning, police searched for Jiang in response to a concerned citizen’s call. Officers located Jiang at the church while Sunday services were underway. Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, two magazines of ammunition, and two knives. He had additional ammunition, knives, and a canister of bear spray in his nearby car. During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police discovered copies of a manifesto, signed by Jiang, which read in part, “I am here deny (sic) the love lives blessed by God to these lucky men, by taking out these men . . .To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic).”

    “This was the closest of calls. But for the determination of a concerned citizen; the exceptional police work by the Anne Arundel, Fairfax, and Prince William County Police Departments; and the steadfast vigilance of the church security team, this would have ended in unimaginable tragedy,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will relentlessly investigate and prosecute attacks on our nation’s houses of worship.”

    “The freedom to worship without fear is one of the bedrock principles of our Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Rui Jiang set out to violate that principle by entering a church during a religious service armed with the intent to murder innocent parishioners. This unspeakable act, only thwarted by brave law enforcement officers and civilians, has no place in our Republic and will always be a priority of my office.”

    “The church shooting that was thwarted because of the vigilance of concerned citizens is a reminder that when communities and law enforcement agencies work together, we can prevent targeted acts of violence.” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Prince William County and Fairfax County Police Departments. The Anne Arundel County Police Department also assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas A. Durham and Troy A. Edwards Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips Members and Associates Indicted, Including Murder, Robbery, Fentanyl Distribution and Firearms Offenses

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

    According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”

    “The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”

    “DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”

    “Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”

    If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.

    Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs), which identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Dismissal of Lawsuit Following Termination of University of Phoenix Acquisition

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Dismissal of Lawsuit Following Termination of University of Phoenix Acquisition

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced today the dismissal of his lawsuit against the Idaho State Board of Education, following the Board’s decision to terminate the University of Idaho’s planned acquisition of the University of Phoenix. The lawsuit, originally filed in June 2023, challenged the Board’s compliance with Idaho’s Open Meeting Law during its approval of the controversial and high-dollar transaction.
    “This case was never about the merits of any particular transaction, but about ensuring government remains open and transparent for all Idahoans,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho’s Open Meeting Law requires government entities to conduct state business in public meetings with proper notice, ensuring transparency when taxpayer resources and state institutions are involved. The law reflects the principle that government accountability depends on public access to decision-making processes, particularly for transactions of significant scope and financial impact.”
    Attorney General Labrador’s office filed the lawsuit in June 2023, beginning a 14-month legal battle to ensure government transparency. In December 2024, the Idaho Supreme Court delivered a sweeping 4-1 victory for Labrador, overturning a lower court ruling that would have allowed secret government negotiations. The Supreme Court emphasized Idaho’s Open Meeting Law reflects a “preference for sunshine” and rejected interpretations that would “cloak all negotiations and actions taken prior to a final public vote in shadow.”
    On June 5, 2025, the State Board voted to authorize termination of the agreement, and the University of Idaho officially executed the termination the same day. With the underlying transaction no longer in effect, both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and cover their own costs of litigation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Extreme Heat and Severe Storms

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare for severe weather including thunderstorms and extreme heat starting on Thursday in the eastern part of the State. Wet weather will continue Friday and Saturday in parts of the State followed by a statewide period of high heat and humidity that could exceed feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees starting Sunday. Extreme heat could continue through next week. Governor Hochul also recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

    “With severe storms and dangerous heat expected across the state, I’m urging all New Yorkers to take precautions — stay indoors when possible, vote early, stay hydrated, and check on your fellow New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will be closely monitoring the weather over the next week, and I encourage all New Yorkers to stay weather aware, watch their local forecast, and follow all local guidance.”

    Thursday is expected to be the hottest day this year so far in the eastern parts of the State, and there is the threat of severe thunderstorms containing heavy rain, high wind gusts and large hail across much of the state. Temperatures are expected to peak Thursday afternoon and early evening for parts of New York City, as well as the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions with “feels-like” temperatures in the high 90s. Potentially severe storms on Thursday for areas north and west of Albany could include up to one inch of rain, wind gusts up to 58 mph, and large hail.

    Friday will likely bring rain throughout most of the State on Friday with the heaviest storms expected in the North Country. Heavy rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected again late Saturday, primarily in the North Country and Central New York regions.

    Heat and humidity are expected to begin on Saturday with feels like temperatures in the 90s on Saturday and approaching 100 on Sunday throughout much of the State. Above normal temperatures are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday and could remain high with feels-like temperatures as high as 105 degrees during the day and overnight lows between 70 – 85 degrees statewide through much of next week.

    Voters in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, and elsewhere can expect high temperatures on Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 24. To beat the heat, take advantage of early voting or request an early mail ballot in person at your local county board of elections office.

    Residents of New York City can find information on cooling centers and options here.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

    The Office of Emergency Management is in regular contact with county emergency managers to ensure cooling centers are available, and to offer support and advise on extreme heat risks. In addition, the agency is facilitating preparations and coordinating guidance and communications with State agency partners. Information on how to manage extreme heat can be found online. To receive real time weather and emergency alerts, New Yorkers are encouraged to text the name of their county or borough to 333111.

    New York State Department of Public Service

    DPS is tracking electric system conditions and overseeing utility response to any situations that may arise as a result of this week’s extreme heat and potential thunderstorm activity. DPS has been in direct contact with utility leaders to ensure they are preparing their systems for the extreme heat and will be tracking system conditions throughout the event. New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available, as necessary, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across New York State, for this heat event. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    During heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 MWs (one megawatt of electricity is enough to power up to 1,000 average-sized homes). The peak load forecast for today is 22,550 MW. Yesterday’s peak load was 19,028 MW. There are no operational problems on the transmission system and there is sufficient generation scheduled to meet today’s peak load.

    Department of Health

    The State Health Department is taking a number of steps to promote the safety of all New Yorkers in periods of extreme heat, especially those most at risk. The Department has distributed guidance to all hospitals and nursing homes and will issue additional guidance to hosts of any scheduled public events with over 5,000 people in attendance. The Department will engage community-based organizations and other funded providers in an attempt to increase access to cooling centers and safe spaces during this extreme heat. Resources can be found at the CDC’s extreme heat website and the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

    The New York State Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers can be found on DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    Many New York State Park beaches and pools are open for the season. Prior to making a trip, potential visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or check https://parks.ny.gov/parks/ for park hours and operations. Changes in weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

    NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

    The agency has compiled important information, including preventative measures, to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on farm workers and farm animals. The Department will also be working closely with partners at The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) at Cornell University to monitor any potential impacts of the extreme heat expected this week. NY EDEN is also a resource for farmers and farm workers during a heat wave, and additional information can be found at https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/natural-hazards/heat-wave/.

    Department of Environmental Conservation

    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud, and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

    Hiking Safety

    Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

    • Slow your pace.
    • Drink water and rest often.
    • Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
    • Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike.
    • Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
    • Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
    • Wear sunscreen.
    • Leave your pets at home– the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
    • Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

    Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

    Whether you are hiking, mountain biking, or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Air Quality

    DEC is continuing to monitor air quality across the State and will issue air quality health advisories as necessary. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Extreme Heat

    DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

    The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

    • Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
    • Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
    • Wear proper PPE so long as they do not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

    More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

    Thruway Authority maintenance crews will be conducting standard daily operations during times where temperatures are lowest and will enhance patrols monitoring the highway. Motorists are reminded and encouraged to take breaks at one of 26 service areas or three Welcome Centers located on the Thruway system.

    Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct most outdoor work during morning hours and follow established hydration and rest protocols to help mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

    Office of Children and Family Services

    The agency is taking a number of actions to ensure activities at residential centers, detention programs and congregate care programs are conducted in a safe manner during the heat. This includes checking cooling equipment, ensuring proper amounts of water are available and consumed, rescheduling activities and meetings, and identifying staff and clients who may be affected by heat. They are also providing guidance to child care programs and groups associated with the Commission for the Blind statewide.

    New York State Office of Mental Health

    In advance of the hot conditions, New Yorkers should be aware of the impact high heat may have on individuals receiving antipsychotic medications, who are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome during periods of extreme heat, which is more likely in poorly ventilated areas. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.

    In addition to monitoring individuals at risk, such conditions are best prevented by a heightened attention to hydration, particularly those at high risk, including individuals taking antipsychotic medications, the elderly, children and those with poor fluid intake. Also, individuals at high-risk should remain in cooler areas; be monitored for temperature elevations; avoid direct exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Anticholinergic medications may interfere with sweating and should be minimized.

    Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

    The agency is reminding local departments of social services and emergency homeless shelter operators of the need to provide fans to help maintain reasonable air circulation during times of extreme heat and humidity. Also, shelter providers should provide a cooling room in the facility for residents, if feasible.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority

    To reduce potential impacts to service and reduce response times to heat-related events, NYC Transit will implement heat patrols to proactively increase track inspections and stage extra personnel in key risk areas including power substations, machine rooms, generators, cables, and connections. To ensure functioning air conditioning, subway railcars and buses will be inspected before being placed in service. Paratransit service providers are reminded vehicles must have functioning air-conditioning. Buses and operators will be on standby for any support needed with subways or emergency service. NYC Transit also completes a continuous welded rail watch when rail temperatures exceed 100 degrees to be vigilant of rail kinks or other issues.

    Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad crews will be staged at key locations to be able to respond quickly to weather-related issues. The railroads will monitor rail temperatures, deploy heat patrols to inspect the rails for any kinks, and stage additional Power Department personnel to protect power substations and overhead aerial lines. Train crews have been instructed to report any rail conditions that need attention.

    In response to Thursday’s severe storms which may include wind gusts of up to 50 mph, Bridges and Tunnels will be implementing a preemptive ban on empty tractor-trailer and tandem vehicles at all bridges. The ban will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and is anticipated to be in effect until approximately 9:00 p.m.

    The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management coordinates with facility teams to monitor weather conditions and operational impacts and maintains communication with regional partners to support response readiness during periods of elevated temperatures.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Firearms Violation

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Douglas Wayne Cornett, 58, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today to two federal hate crimes charges involving attempts to kill and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

    According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 28, 2024, Cornett followed a box truck driven by a victim with the initials O.G., an adult Latino male, into the Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Cornett then asked a victim with the initials J.M., an adult Latino male and a friend of O.G., how long O.G. had been present in the United States.

    Upon learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew handgun and fired six rounds, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy to shooting the victims because of his perception of their national origin.

    “Hate crimes driven by bias against national origin or any other protected characteristic are a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice that define our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to vigorously prosecuting such acts of violence to secure a just outcome.”

    “Crimes like Douglas Cornett’s, acts of hate motivated violence, victimize not just the individual, but harm families, communities, and groups by robbing them of their sense of security,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Every person has a right to live free of the fear of violence and the menace of hate, and my office is committed to eliminating both.”

    “Hate crimes not only harm individuals but undermine the fabric of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is steadfast in its dedication to investigating these violations thoroughly and swiftly to ensure justice for the victims and to protect the American people.”

    Cornett faces a mandatory 10-year sentence on the firearms violation and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the two hate crimes. His final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Nov. 13.

    Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; G. Ryan Mehaffey, the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement.

    The Richmond Field Office of the FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nineteen Members or Associates of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang Charged in Murder Conspiracy Targeting a Well-Known Rapper

    Source: US FBI

    Nineteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their roles in a conspiracy to murder a well-known rapper, popular on social media, for perceived infractions against the Mexican Mafia.

    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force have been investigating the Mexican Mafia’s attempts to locate, and murder, an intended victim, a conspiracy that began in approximately December 2022.

    The conspiracy to murder the victim is alleged to have been coordinated by a member of the Mexican Mafia and several high-ranking associates of the Mexican Mafia.  The coordination of the murder conspiracy occurred in the Los Angeles County area, within the California prison system, and from inside the Los Angeles County Jail.

    “The defendants engaged in a criminal conspiracy to murder an individual by acting as rogue judges, juries and executioners,” said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s successful operation resulting in state charges is just the latest blow to the Mexican Mafia hierarchy that operates within the prison system and which threatens jail workers, fellow inmates and spills over into the streets of our communities. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.”

    According to investigators and deputy district attorneys who filed the case being announced, a Mexican Mafia member referred to by co-conspirators in coded language as “The Elegant One,” placed the victim on the “green-light” list, meaning the victim was marked for death.  An armed Mexican Mafia associate is alleged to have gone to the residence of the victims’ family in efforts to find and kill him after another Mexican Mafia associate followed the victim on social media, learning of his location.

    “This investigation highlights the far-reaching and violent influence of criminal gang organizations operating behind bars to orchestrate attacks that endanger the safety of those in our custody and in our communities,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “The relentless efforts of our Major Crimes Bureau, Operation Safe Jails, along with the dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners helped prevent further violence and disrupt a murder conspiracy. We remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.” 

    During the investigation, a Mexican Mafia associate learned that the victim was arrested and incarcerated as an inmate in the Los Angeles County Jail.  Mexican Mafia inmates – known as “shotcallers” – in leadership positions for the Mexican Mafia, are alleged to have called Mexican Mafia shotcallers in a California Prison and associates on the streets to confirm the green-light status of the victim.  When the green-light status was confirmed, Mexican Mafia associates within the Los Angeles County Jail—known as “Sureños” or “soldiers”—attacked the victim, using a weapon.  The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. When Mexican Mafia shotcallers learned the victim survived the attack, they are alleged to have begun a new plan to find, and kill, the victim.  The victim was released from jail days later before he could be attacked again.

    “We will not tolerate organized crime using our jails and prisons as a haven for violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “When individuals on the outside conspire with those inside to carry out attacks, they threaten the safety and integrity of our correctional system. That criminal activity may scale over prison walls, but I will make it my mission to ensure it ends at the front door, with an arrest. Every person in custody should be able to serve their time without fear of being targeted. I commend our Prison Crimes Division for their outstanding work in protecting lives and upholding justice.”

    After being released from Los Angeles County Jail, Mexican Mafia associates are alleged to have continued to try to find, and kill, the victim.  The Mexican Mafia associates continued to follow the victim on social media to find his location.

    The following defendants charged in this case were taken into custody on June 18, 2025, at their place of residence:

    • Manuel Quintero, 49, of Paramount
    • Patricial Esquivel, 45, of Palmdale
    • Dominga Gonzalez, 66, of Bellflower
    • Jude Valle, 48, of Pomona
    • Carl Brown, 31, of Gardena
    • Glendy Orozco-Lechuga, 29, of Gardena
    • Sanjuana Macias, 26, of Los Angeles

    The following eleven defendants charged in this case are currently incarcerated on unrelated charges:

    • Guiseppe Leyva, 34, of La Puente
    • Jacob David, 39, of Coachella
    • Manuel O’Campo, 40, of Compton
    • Jonathan Quevedo, 43, of Los Angeles
    • Onesimo Gonzalez, 44, of Paramount
    • Michael Ortiz, 29, of Norwalk
    • Andrew Shinaia, 24, of Los Angeles
    • Adrian Bueno, 33, of San Fernando
    • Larry Sanchez, 31, of Gardena
    • Juan Meza, 53, of Compton
    • Jorge Zavala, 31, of Norwalk

    One defendant, Joshua Euan, 37, of Paramount, is considered a fugitive and is being sought by Task Force members. His photo is being made public. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Man Sentenced for Attempted Church Shooting

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Virginia man was sentenced today in Alexandia for his attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Haymarket, Virginia church, for carrying a gun during that attempt, and for transmitting threats over the internet. Rui Jiang, 36, of Fairfax, Virginia, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Jiang was previously convicted by a jury in March 2025.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023, which made clear his intention to kill congregants. The next morning, police searched for Jiang in response to a concerned citizen’s call. Officers located Jiang at the church while Sunday services were underway. Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, two magazines of ammunition, and two knives. He had additional ammunition, knives, and a canister of bear spray in his nearby car. During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police discovered copies of a manifesto, signed by Jiang, which read in part, “I am here deny (sic) the love lives blessed by God to these lucky men, by taking out these men . . .To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do (sic).”

    “This was the closest of calls. But for the determination of a concerned citizen; the exceptional police work by the Anne Arundel, Fairfax, and Prince William County Police Departments; and the steadfast vigilance of the church security team, this would have ended in unimaginable tragedy,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will relentlessly investigate and prosecute attacks on our nation’s houses of worship.”

    “The freedom to worship without fear is one of the bedrock principles of our Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Rui Jiang set out to violate that principle by entering a church during a religious service armed with the intent to murder innocent parishioners. This unspeakable act, only thwarted by brave law enforcement officers and civilians, has no place in our Republic and will always be a priority of my office.”

    “The church shooting that was thwarted because of the vigilance of concerned citizens is a reminder that when communities and law enforcement agencies work together, we can prevent targeted acts of violence.” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Prince William County and Fairfax County Police Departments. The Anne Arundel County Police Department also assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas A. Durham and Troy A. Edwards Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips Members and Associates Indicted, Including Murder, Robbery, Fentanyl Distribution and Firearms Offenses

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A twelve-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging nine members of the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC) violent street gang with crimes including a drug conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses, and  a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiring to distribute large quantities of pressed fentanyl pills, narcotics trafficking, identity fraud, and the illegal use and straw purchasing of firearms.

    According to the indictment, the RTC is a subunit or “set” of the Crips national street gang. The indictment alleges RTC members and associates committed numerous violent acts on behalf of the RTC, including a June 2022 murder in Alexandria, Virginia; a July 2021 attempted shooting of several individuals in the District of Columbia; an August 2021 armed robbery and pistol whipping of an individual in Hollywood, Florida; and a January 2021 attempted murder of two individuals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. To finance and promote the RTC’s criminal activities, the indictment alleges that RTC members and associates obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of pressed fentanyl pills. The indictment also alleges that, as part of the gang’s criminal activity, the RTC recruited children and encouraged them to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, including acts of violence and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, RTC members unleashed a wave of violence across three states and the District of Columbia, extending down the East Coast to Florida,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their commission of brutal, indiscriminate acts over perceived slights on social media reflects a particularly dangerous form of gang activity. The Criminal Division remains firmly committed to prosecuting menacing gangs and ensuring the safety of our communities.”

    “The offenses alleged in this indictment represent the spectrum of danger presented by nationwide criminal enterprises,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring.”

    “DEA is committed to protecting Americans by investigating and taking down major violators of drug laws who operate within the United States and around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian of the DEA Washington Field Division. “As demonstrated by today’s indictment, drug trafficking, firearms, and violence are undeniably connected, which is why we continue to address these threats with the full force of the federal government. The tenacious and hard-working men and women of DEA are combatting the illicit manufacture and distribution of drugs, removing illicit firearms from American streets, helping to put public threats in jail, and restoring safety in our communities.”

    “Today’s announcement indicates a significant step towards making it even more clear that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with our partner agencies are committed to protecting our communities from violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the ATF Washington Field Division. “There just isn’t a place for criminal behavior in our neighborhoods. Although this is very early on in the judicial process, we remain optimistic that all of those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”

    If convicted, the defendants face penalties including: up to life in prison or the death penalty for murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death; up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and use of a firearm during or in relation to drug trafficking; up to 25 years in prison for straw purchasing of firearms; up to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; and Arlington County Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; United States Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Fairfax County Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Prince William County’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney; Prince William County Parks and Recreation; United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sherriff’s Office; Manassas Park Police Department; George Mason University Police Department; Chesterfield County Police Department; Del City, OK, Police Department; Valley Brook, OK, Police Department; Tonto Apache Police Department; Sumter County, SC, Sheriff’s Office; Hollywood, FL, Police Department; Nash County, NC, Sheriff’s Office; Winston-Salem, NC, Police Department; and Nebraska State Patrol.

    Trial Attorney César S. Rivera-Giraud of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edgardo J. Rodriguez and Ryan B. Bredemeier for the Eastern District of Virginia 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs), which identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    An indictment is merely an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jason S. Doele of Norfolk as district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. That district consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties.

    Doele has been a partner in the law firm of Stratton, DeLay, Doele, Carlson, Stover & Stratton in Norfolk since Feb. 2010. Before that, He was with the firm of Jewell, Collins, DeLay, Gray and Flood, also in Norfolk.

    Doele is licensed to practice in both Nebraska and South Dakota. He has held a variety of positions with the Nebraska State Bar Association and served on a variety of committees. Doele is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association where he previously served as president. He is a board member of Faith Regional Health Services and the Lutheran Community Hospital Board. He continues to assist as a mock trial coach through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.

     Doele attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law.

    The vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District was due to the appointment of Justice Jason M. Bergevin to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: First Bank Announces Completion of $35 Million Subordinated Debt Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.

    The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

    President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”

    Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.

    About First Bank
    First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

    Contact
    Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer
    (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Bank Announces Completion of $35 Million Subordinated Debt Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, N.J., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Bank (the “Bank”) (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $35.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem its outstanding $30.0 million of subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.

    The notes have a maturity date of June 30, 2035, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 7.125% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 343 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 30, 2030. The notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

    President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and enhance our capital base to support our continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing additional shares of common stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive.”

    Piper Sandler & Co. served as sole placement agent for the private offering. First Bank was advised by Luse Gorman, PC and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP.

    About First Bank
    First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 27 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Fairfield, Flemington, Hamilton, Lawrence, Monroe, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset, Trenton, Williamstown, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey, Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster, West Chester, Paoli, Malvern, Coventry, Devon, Lionville, Media, Pennsylvania, and Palm Beach, Florida. With $3.88 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, First Bank offers a traditional range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses mainly throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market exchange under the symbol “FRBA”.

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond First Bank’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include those listed under Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31 2025, many of which are out of our control. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if First Bank’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what First Bank anticipates. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.

    Contact
    Andrew Hibshman, Chief Financial Officer
    (609) 643-0058, andrew.hibshman@firstbanknj.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025–26: supporting primary health care

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Demands Answers from Verizon on Worker Exposure to Toxic Lead

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Letter Text (PDF)
    Washington (June 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today wrote to Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, following the publication of a health evaluation from the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) showing extremely high concentrations of toxic lead at Verizon worksites and elevated levels of lead in workers’ blood. In 2023, an extensive Wall Street Journal investigation documented a sprawling nationwide network of legacy lead-sheathed cables that telecommunications companies—including Verizon—installed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and left underground, underwater, and overhead.
    In the letter the Senator writes, “It is Verizon’s responsibility—both moral and legal—to safeguard the well-being of its workers and the communities in which it operates. The exposure of telecom workers in Massachusetts to lead-laced environments, including manholes where sediment contained lead concentrations as high as 30,000 parts per million—150 times the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) current safety limit—demands the highest level of attention from Verizon. Verizon must act swiftly to eliminate lead exposure from its operations, remediate affected environments, and commit to full transparency and accountability moving forward.”
    Senator Markey continues, “Most recently, NIOSH completed a Health Hazard Evaluation confirming serious occupational exposures among Verizon workers in Massachusetts; we understand a copy of the final report has been provided to Verizon. NIOSH found that these workers were repeatedly exposed to lead because inadequate safety procedures in place failed to protect them. NIOSH also reviewed past blood-level testing by workers, which found examples of workers with elevated blood lead levels according to federal safety guidelines; this suggests recent worker exposure at unsafe levels of lead. Additionally, NIOSH hygienists found lead on workers hands, boots, and in their trucks, suggesting many may be unknowingly carrying home a substance that could endanger their families. Children are particularly sensitive to lead, with even low levels of exposure resulting in developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues.”
    Senator Markey requests responses by July 9, 2025, to questions including:
    What is the status of Verizon’s efforts to compile a comprehensive inventory, including geographic mapping, of all known and suspected lead-sheathed cables it owns or for which it is responsible?
    What steps has Verizon taken since the publication of the Wall Street Journal investigation to:
    (a) Identify and monitor worker exposure to lead from lead-sheathed telecommunications cables?
    (b) Notify and protect workers performing duties in or near areas with lead-sheathed cables?
    (c) Inform the public, especially in environmental justice communities, about risks posed by lead-sheathed cables, and field and respond to concerns?
    (d) Test for and remediate environmental contamination around legacy infrastructure?
    (e) Provide medical monitoring, treatment, or compensation for lead-exposed workers?
    What is the status of any investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the EPA, or OSHA into Verizon’s handling of its lead-sheathed cables?
    Will Verizon commit to fully implementing all the NIOSH recommendations, including conducting routine BLL testing and retrofitting hygiene and PPE protocols across all affected facilities? Which recommendations, if any, has Verizon already implemented? What is the status of recommendations not yet implemented?
    Has Verizon conducted its own personal air sampling at work sites containing lead-sheathed cables? If so, please provide the results by year and location of the tests.
    (a) Does Verizon have an explanation for the personal air sample tested by NIOSH that exceeded OSHA limits?
    (b) How did Verizon previously determine whether to conduct a personal air sampling test?
    Has Verizon conducted its own manhole-soil-sediment testing at worksites containing lead-sheathed cables? Does Verizon have an explanation for the bulk sediment sampled that exceeded 30,000 ppm for lead?
    Why was Verizon not providing its workers in Massachusetts with lead removal wipes prior to the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation? Why did Verizon start to provide them—in place of wet wipes—between the first and second NIOSH site visits?
    What internal accountability measures is Verizon adopting to ensure executive leadership is fully informed and responsive to worker safety concerns related to lead exposure from legacy telecommunications cables?
    In February 2024, Senator Markey hosted a roundtable event in Chicopee, Massachusetts, along with state and local elected officials, public health leaders, and occupational safety and environmental experts, to discuss the environmental, public health, and occupational safety concerns posed by lead-sheathed telecommunications cables.
    In July 2023, Senator Markey, author of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, wrote to the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) demanding answers to questions raised by the Wall Street Journal investigation, which found detectable levels of lead contamination in water and soil samples collected near lead-sheathed cables across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –