NewzIntel.com

Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals at DC District Court Arrest Woman wanted for Assault on Interim U.S. Attorney for DC

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Washington, DC – Deputies from the District Court for the District of Columbia arrested a woman wanted for assault on a federal official following an incident May 8.

    Emily Sommer, 32, is alleged to have spat on Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Edward R. Martin Jr. as he was conducting an interview outside of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington.

    Deputies and analysts with the U.S. Marshals identified Sommer being involved in this incident and a warrant was issued for her arrest. 

    On May 22, members of the U.S. Marshals Judicial Security Unit and Warrant Squad arrested Sommer at a residence in Southwest Washington.

    Acting U.S. Marshal Ronald Carter stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service takes the security of our protected persons and all members of the court family extremely seriously. Any individual who threatens or compromises that security will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for investigating threats against the federal judiciary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Main Department of Justice.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Scholten Fights to Protect Health Care for Millions During All Night Rules Committee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten – Michigan

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a Rules Committee hearing that began at 1 a.m., U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced several critical amendments, including to protect affordable health care for millions of Americans and funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. As House Republicans push forward a budget proposal that would slash nearly a trillion dollars from Medicaid, gut food assistance, threaten our Great Lakes and drive up costs for hard-working families, Scholten offered a starkly different approach–one focused on protecting coverage and lowering premiums.

    “There’s so much that’s harmful in this bill–but let’s focus on health care. Republicans are trying to take health care away from people while they sleep and they are hoping no one notices,” said Rep. Scholten. “But I am paying attention, and I’m offering a better path forward–one that protects families and ensures affordable health care is not just a luxury for the wealthy.”

    WATCH: Rep. Scholten delivers remarks at all night Rules Committee Hearing

    Her amendment would make the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent. These subsidies, which have helped drive the uninsured rate to historic lows, are set to expire on December 31, 2025–putting more than 4.2 million people at risk of losing coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

    Scholten’s amendment eliminates the income cap that currently cuts off eligibility at 400% of the federal poverty line and maintains a cap on premium contributions so that no family pays more than 8.5% of their income toward health insurance. These provisions help ensure that working-class and middle-class Americans, including small business owners, self-employed workers, and families in the coverage gap, can continue to access affordable care.

    In Michigan, over 374,000 people rely on these enhanced subsidies for their coverage. If allowed to expire, many of these families would face unaffordable premium hikes or lose insurance altogether. Scholten emphasized that while Republicans are focused on ripping coverage away from children, seniors, and people with disabilities, she’s focused on keeping and expanding coverage. Her amendment offers a responsible, proven solution to keep people covered.

    In addition to her health care amendment, Scholten introduced three others focused on protecting Michigan jobs, clean water, and American clean energy leadership. One amendment would protect Michigan’s intercity passenger rail project between Grand Rapids and Chicago by preventing the Secretary of Transportation from prematurely removing projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. 

    Scholten also introduced an amendment that would fund the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional clean water programs–including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative–which is vital to Michigan’s economy and environment and yields more than triple the return on investment. 

    Finally, Scholten proposed extending the Section 48 Investment Tax Credit for clean energy projects through the end of 2025 to ensure regulatory certainty and continued investment in renewable natural gas systems, especially those critical to rural and agricultural communities.

    Through all of these efforts, Rep. Scholten reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for hard-working families.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Sanders, Gillibrand: “We have a responsibility to expand federal support for Lake Champlain” 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today led U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in sending a letter to bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging Congress to provide robust federal funding for programs supporting the Lake Champlain basin. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of federal programs to Lake Champlain that support critical work in the basin, from fostering a climate-resilient watershed to promoting outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation.  
    “As Congress considers the Fiscal Year 2026 Bills for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Energy and Water Development, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, we ask you to continue to provide robust federal funding for programs supporting the Lake Champlain basin,” wrote the Senators. “Lake Champlain provides significant environmental, recreational, historic, and educational value to our region. We have a responsibility to expand federal support for the lake so our constituents can benefit from these opportunities for generations to come.” 
    The Lake Champlain Basin Program was first created in 1990 and long-championed by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in a landmark effort to protect the lake’s unique ecological, economic, and cultural significance. In 2022, the program was formally renamed the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program. 
    The lawmakers requested financial support for the following programs: 

    Lake Champlain Basin Program  
    Heritage Partnership Program 
    Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Program 
    Great Lakes Fishery Commission 
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Plant Control Laboratory 
    Sea Grant National College Program (Lake Champlain Sea Grant) 

    Senator Welch has championed efforts to support the Lake Champlain Basin in the Senate. Last Congress, Sens. Welch, Sanders, and Gillibrand sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging Congress to provide robust federal funding for programs supporting the basin, including the LCBP.  
    Last year, Senator Welch led Sens. Sanders, Gillibrand, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) in introducing the bicameral Lake Champlain Basin Program Reauthorization Act, legislation that would reauthorize the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) for ten years at $55 million to support interstate conservation and the health of the Lake Champlain Basin. 
    Read the full text of the letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman David Scott Announces the Winners of His Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    Stockbridge – This week, Congressman David Scott (GA-13) proudly announced the winners of his 22nd Annual Congressional Art Competition during a special awards ceremony. In addition to celebrating the top entries, every participating student was honored with a Congressional Certificate recognizing their artistic achievement. The first-place winner’s artwork will be displayed in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel for one year, representing Georgia’s 13th District on Capitol Hill.

    “I want to express my heartfelt congratulations not only to the winners of this year’s Art Competition, but to every student who participated,” said Congressman David Scott. “Their dedication to developing their artistic talents reflects both intelligence and creativity. I am excited to see the inspiring works this new generation of artists will create in the future.”

    Finalists include:

    1st Place: 
    Becky Alemayehu – Providence Christian Academy

    • Students’ artwork will be displayed in the Tunnel of the Cannon House Office Building for one year.
    • Two Round-trip airfare tickets for Southwest Airlines to attend the national ribbon cutting ceremony in Washington, D.C.
    • $600 Scholarship.

    2nd Place: 
    Aderia Rucker – Mt. Zion High School 

    • Students’ artwork will be displayed in Congressman Scott’s Washington, D.C. office for one year.
    • $250 scholarship.

    3rd Place:
    Asmaa Osama Jasseb – Parkview High School

    • Students’ artwork will be displayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for one year.
    • $150 scholarship.

    4th Place:
    Jaylen Stanley – Newton High School 

    •  Students’ artwork will be displayed in the County Administrative Office 
      for the county in which the student resides.
    • Six-month Dual Family Membership to the High Museum of Art-Atlanta.

    5th Place: 
    Mariam Nagvi – Parkview High School

    • Students’ artwork will hang in Congressman Scott’s Stockbridge office for one year.
    • Two tickets to any Aurora Production at the Lawrenceville Arts Center.

    6th Place – Honorable Mention: 
    Ana Sofia Solis Matos – Morrow High School 

    • Students’ artwork will hang in Congressman Scott’s Stockbridge office 
      for one year.

    Background:

    Established in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition was created to celebrate and showcase the artistic talents of high school students across the United States. Since its inception, hundreds of thousands of students have had the opportunity to participate through their local congressional districts. This year, the first-place winner will have their artwork displayed for one-year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. The second-place winner’s piece will be featured in Congressman Scott’s Washington D.C. office, while the third-place winner’s artwork will be exhibited at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

    More information regarding the 2025 Art Competition is forthcoming. Please visit www.DavidScott.House.gov for updates and additional information.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Castro, Salazar, Cherfilus-McCormick, and Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Caribbean Relations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

    May 22, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and Mike Lawler (R-NY), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, introduced the Strengthening U.S.-Caribbean Partnership Act. This bipartisan bill would improve the relationship between the United States and the Caribbean by designating the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and immunities consistent with the International Organization Immunities Act.  

    The International Organization Immunities Act, enacted in 1945, governs how the United States extends the rights and treaties generally accorded to embassies of countries that have diplomatic relations with the United States to international organizations like CARICOM.  

    “Today’s introduction of this bill demonstrates the bipartisan commitment to a strong U.S.-Caribbean relationship,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro. “This is an important step forward to engage more deeply with the Caribbean and offer our support through CARICOM. We share common interests — by strengthening U.S. ties in the Caribbean, we strengthen our nation’s security, economic well-being, and prosperity.”  

    “I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation extending full diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” said Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar. “As the Representative for Miami, the gateway to the Caribbean and home to one of the nation’s largest Caribbean American communities, I witness daily how our island partners’ success powers Miami’s commerce and tourism enriches our culture. Strengthening these bonds is not only good diplomacy; it is sound economic and national security policy. When the Caribbean thrives, the United States prospers!” 

    “The countless contributions of the Caribbean-American community can be felt and seen in communities across South Florida,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “By strengthening our diplomatic engagement with CARICOM, we’re laying the necessary foundation for enhanced economic, security, and cultural ties that will yield long-term, strategic benefits.” 

    “The presence of Caribbean-American communities in the Hudson Valley is felt in everything from the food we enjoy to the churches, schools, and small businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “By extending privileges and immunities to our partner countries in CARICOM, we can strengthen U.S. ties in the region. I’m eager to support legislation that promotes a foreign policy that reflects the lived experiences of the people I represent.”  

    Read the Strengthening U.S.-Caribbean Partnership Act here. 

    Background:

    Congressman Castro joined a bipartisan delegation of U.S. leaders for the 2023 CARICOM Conference to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary and to meet directly with regional leaders to discuss issues including regional security, economic growth, the climate crisis, and energy. More information on that delegation visit can be found here. 

    Castro has long prioritized U.S. engagement with the Caribbean as a core focus of his work on Western Hemisphere affairs. He previously introduced the bipartisan U.S-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, a comprehensive roadmap to modernize U.S. engagement with Caribbean nations that calls on the United States to prioritize regional issues including energy security, climate resilience, democracy, human rights, public health, food security, and illegal firearms trafficking from the U.S. to the Caribbean, as well as the Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act, legislation that seeks to disrupt firearm trafficking from the U.S. to the Caribbean by implementing stronger transparency, accountability, and oversight mechanisms for U.S. small arms exports. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Monroe County District Court Judge Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

          HELENA-WEST HELENA—A man who has served as local judge, prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for making false statements to the FBI. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on May 19, 2025, by United States District Court Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. There is no parole in the federal system.

          According to court documents and evidence presented at trial Thomas David Carruth, 64, of Clarendon, served as an elected Monroe County district court judge. In that role, Carruth presided over criminal and civil matters. In April 2022, Carruth met with the girlfriend of a defendant in a criminal case pending before him. The girlfriend sought Carruth’s assistance in getting her boyfriend’s case dismissed. During the meeting, which the girlfriend recorded, Carruth solicited sex and a lingerie show from her in exchange for assisting her boyfriend.

          Carruth asked the girlfriend, “How do you feel about sex?” and “The next step back from that is, do you have any nice lingerie? …Do you mind letting me see you in it?” He also asked the girlfriend, “So, if you change your mind about giving me a lingerie show…well, you got a body that can do it and if you have an attitude where you like to wear lingerie, I’d love to look – to see it on you…If you change your mind about seeing what an old man can do, you know…”

          The jury found that, when questioned by the FBI, Carruth lied to agents about the incident, including by falsely stating that he did not “request,” “ask,” “offer”, make “overture[s] about”, “insinuate,” or “even [think] about,” sex with the girlfriend.

          The jury convicted Carruth of one count of making false statements. Carruth was acquitted of charges of bribery, honest services fraud, and violations of the Travel Act.

          “When judges exploit their positions for personal gain, they pervert justice which erodes public trust in the judiciary,” said Ross. “The sentence underscores that no one, including a debauched judge, is above the law.”

          “Officials who violate the public’s trust for their own personal gain have no place in our Arkansas communities,” said Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Little Rock Field Office. “FBI Little Rock will continue to work with members of the ArkTrust Public Corruption Task Force to protect Arkansans from corruption and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

          This case was investigated by the FBI. This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Nicholas W. Cannon and Trial Attorney Madison H. Mumma of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. They received substantial assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $37 Million for Local Water Infrastructure Projects

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved over $37 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The Board’s approval authorizes municipal access to low-cost financing and previously announced grants to get shovels in the ground for critical water and sewer infrastructure projects, from treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water, to replacing lead service lines and modernizing aging systems. These investments protect public health and make projects more affordable, reducing the need for higher rate increases to fund improvements, while also creating good-paying jobs.

    “This is how you lead: invest boldly, move fast and protect your people,” Governor Hochul said. “This $37 million investment jumpstarts critical projects to fix aging pipes, tackle emerging contaminants, and upgrade infrastructure, all while keeping costs down for communities and creating good-paying local jobs.”

    EFC’s Board approved grants and financings to local governments from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds – a mix of federal and state dollars dedicated to financing community water infrastructure projects. State Revolving Fund interest rates are below market rate, and with long repayment periods, communities may save significantly on debt service compared to traditional financing.

    Today’s funding includes the first grant awarded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to investigate emerging contaminants. The Board approved a $1.3 million grant to the Town of Hurley in the Hudson Valley for site investigations and preparation of an engineering study to address groundwater contamination caused by emerging contaminants at the town’s closed landfill. EFC has awarded $474 million in grants to remove PFAS from drinking water across the State, and the funding awarded today reflects the State’s comprehensive approach to remediating contamination, starting at the source.

    The Board also approved executing previously awarded state grants from the Water Infrastructure Improvement and the Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation programs. EFC Board approval is a critical step in the funding process and will allow communities to access these funds for project implementation. Leveraging federal funding with state investments maximizes the impact of each dollar spent, empowering local communities to make critical system improvements they need to keep their residents safe and ensuring cost is not a barrier for project implementation.

    Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Governor Hochul recognizes that affordability isn’t just about rent or groceries or the cost of childcare — it’s also about whether a family can afford safe water. With another $500 million allocated to clean water in the Enacted Budget, New York State has invested $6 billion in clean water infrastructure since 2017. Investing in clean water protects families from environmental risks — without forcing those same families to take on crippling debt.”

    Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “DEC is committed to helping clean up contamination in communities statewide, including addressing PFAS and emerging contaminants in communities like Hurley. The investments announced today by our partners at EFC help ensure communities have the resources to address aging infrastructure and emerging contaminants, improving water quality across the state. All New Yorkers deserve access to clean water, and under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to make record investments to protect our natural resources and advance infrastructure projects that are critical to the health and safety of New Yorkers, the environment, and local economies.”

    State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul continues to uphold her commitment to safe drinking water for all New Yorkers, and this latest round of funding means critical infrastructure projects will be affordable to municipalities looking to protect their communities without breaking the bank. Through our Bureau of Water Supply Protection, the Department of Health will continue to work with our state and local partners to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers by providing technical assistance and monitoring for emerging contaminants, lead and other chemicals.”

    Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Governor Hochul’s continued support will help create stronger and resilient projects to build healthier communities across the state. This $37 million investment will offer access to resources to safeguard drinking water, create jobs and enhance the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “Clean drinking water and modern water-sewer systems are fundamental to economic growth and public health. These major federal investments will ensure families from Massena to Port Washington have safe drinking water and our beautiful waterways stay clean, all while creating new good paying jobs, jobs, jobs. I am proud to deliver millions in federal funding from our bipartisan Infrastructure, Investment & Jobs law and am grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in the fight to turn the tide on our state’s aging water infrastructure to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Clean water accessibility and aging infrastructure are escalating challenges — but with investments like this one, we can lead the way toward sustainable, forward-thinking solutions while helping consumers keep costs down. This $37 million investment will help New York revitalize its aging water infrastructure, guard against environmental hazards, and strengthen resilience in the face of a changing climate. I’m proud to see federal dollars being used for these projects, and I will continue fighting for investments in New York’s infrastructure.”

    Representative Pat Ryan said, “The freedom to drink clean water is fundamentally American – I’m proud to have fought for this federal funding to address contaminated water across the region. Every Hudson Valley family deserves to be certain that the water coming out of the faucet is safe to drink – I’ll keep pushing relentlessly alongside my partners at every level of government to get it done.”

    Representative Tom Suozzi said, “The Governor and the state are effectively delivering essential funds to New York’s local water providers from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped negotiate as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The Port Washington project is a crucial investment that will enhance and protect our water infrastructure for future generations while reducing the financial burden on our local taxpayers. I will continue to work with the state to try and bring vital federal resources back to New York.”

    Representative Josh Riley said, “Working alongside our state partners, we’ve secured $1.3 million for Hurley to address groundwater contamination at their closed landfill and $1.4 million for Athens to upgrade their surface water treatment plant. I’ll continue fighting to deliver critical resources and investments for communities across Upstate New York.”

    Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

    Capital Region

    • Village of Athens – $1.4 million grant and financing package for upgrades to the surface water treatment plant.

    Finger Lakes

    • Town of Darien – $4 million grant and low-cost financing package for the design and construction of a new drinking water pump station and force main.

    Long Island

    • Port Washington Water District – $5 million grant for the construction of a granular activated carbon treatment system for the removal of PFOA and PFOS from existing Well No. 6.

    Mid-Hudson

    • Town of Hurley – $1.3 million grant for engineering site investigations and preparation of a remedial investigation/feasibility study to address groundwater contamination caused by emerging contaminants at the town’s closed landfill.
    • City of Peekskill – $3 million state grant for the replacement of approximately 5,250 linear feet of drinking water main and replacement of an existing structurally deficient storage tank with a new 400,000-gallon tank.
    • Village of Red Hook – $915,028 low-cost financing for the decommissioning of Well No. 4, replacement of approximately 2,400 linear feet of existing water main, hydrants, and lead service connections on Graves and Cherry Street, rehabilitation of the interior of the existing 225,000-gallon water tower located at the end of Tower Street, and replacement of the control system at the water treatment plant.
    • Village of Warwick – $1.1 million grant and interest-free financing package for exploratory work required to create a drinking water service line material inventory, with an emphasis on locating lead or galvanized pipe.

    Mohawk Valley

    • Village of Otego – $3.9 million in grants for the installation of a redundant production well, replacement of asbestos-lined pipe and exposed water main, relocation of a well house treatment building to a higher elevation, replacement of a booster pump station, and the installation of a tank mixer.

    North Country

    • Town of Black Brook and Town of Jay– Financing to each town for the planning, design and construction of improvements to the Au Sable Forks wastewater treatment facility. It’s jointly owned and both municipalities are financing their share.
      • $525,413 in interest-free financing to the Town of Black Brook.
      • $788,120 in low-cost financing to the Town of Jay.
    • Village of Constableville – $588,280 in low-cost financing for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.
    • Town of Massena – $8 million grant and interest-free financing package for the installation of approximately 31,000 linear feet of drinking water main and associated appurtenances to serve the new South Raquette Water District.

    Southern Tier

    • Village of Millport – $1.3 million grant and low-cost financing package for the development of a second groundwater supply well, the addition of chlorine gas detectors to the well house, and the addition of standby emergency backup power for the wells and well house.

    Western New York

    • Village of Bolivar – $5.7 million grant and interest-free financing for design and construction of wastewater treatment facility upgrades.

    Refinancing Completed Projects Will Achieve Long-Term Debt Service Savings in New York City
    The Board also took action to help ensure continued, long-term affordability of existing drinking water and sewer projects in New York City. The Board approved a $728 million proposed bond sale for refinancing various drinking water and sewer projects and refunding certain prior bonds. Refundings are part of EFC’s proactive financial management to ensure projects remain cost-effective over the life of the financing and reduce debt service payments. Based on current market conditions, this bond sale is projected to save City ratepayers an estimated $172 million in interest payments over the life of the financings.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine: it’s clear right now there are no serious plans for peace

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    When it comes to the sincerity, or otherwise, of Vladimir Putin’s apparent willingness to talk peace with Ukraine, the Russian leader has given us plenty of hints. He may insist he wants to see a deal done and an end to the killing. But his insistence that any agreement would have to address the “root causes” of the war is a clear indication that he hasn’t rowed back from his original maximalist war aims. To whit: no Nato membership, a Kremlin-friendly government in Kyiv, ownership of Crimea and control – preferably annexation – of the four provinces of Ukraine presently under Russian occupation.

    Meanwhile his great ally Dmitry Medvedev continues to insist that there are at present no Ukrainian officials who legitimately qualify as partners for negotiation. The Russian national security council secretary claims that Ukraine is a “failed state” whose leaders’ lack of legitimacy, meanwhile, raise “serious questions” about who Russia can conclude any agreement with.

    So when Donald Trump said this week after a two-hour chat with Putin that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations” toward a ceasefire, it’s not clear who he thought the Russian president was planning to talk to if, as Putin and his cronies insist, Zelensky and his team are not legitimate. And, from what he had to say about his recent phone call with Putin, it appears that Trump has his eyes more on the sorts of deals that might be done with Russia once this is all cleared up.

    As he posted on his Truth Social platform after talking with Putin: “Russia wants to do largescale [sic] TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”

    Accordingly, he has backed away from his previous willingness to join Europe in imposing fresh sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile Russia continues to hammer Ukraine both on the battlefield and via ever larger drone and missiles attacks against its civilian population.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    The real clue to Trump’s attitude, writes Stefan Wolff, is the order of phone calls on Monday. Before settling down to talk with Putin, the US president put in a call to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Reporting back on the call, Zelensky said he had urged Trump that he mustn’t make any decisions about Ukraine “without us”. Having subsequently spoken at length with Putin, Trump emerged saying in his Truth Social post that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to the war.

    The state of the conflict in Ukraine, May 21 2025.
    Institute for the Study of War

    But Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham who has written regularly here about the conflict, believes that the fact that Trump added the conditions for peace “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be” suggests he is indeed planning to abandon his peacemaking ambitions. The whole deal was taking far longer than the 24 hours he boasted of during the election campaign last year.

    Where this leaves Europe is unclear, writes Wolff. If it can no longer rely on Washington as a security partner (and the signs aren’t good), then this will require a substantial rethink. Indeed there are signs, with the UK’s recent agreement over security and defence, that minds are increasingly focused on a more self-reliant future. In turn, this has implications for US security. If Europe is compelled to rethink its security relationship with the US it could cut both ways as Washington pivots to face an increasingly aggressive China.



    Read more:
    After another call with Putin, it looks like Trump has abandoned efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine

    Of course, it should have been clear to all concerned not to take Putin at face value over his apparent willingness to talk peace with Zelensky when he failed to turn up to talks in Istanbul at the end of last week. As Natasha Lindstaedt writes here, none of the main players attended the talks, despite plans for Putin, Zelensky and Trump to all meet face-to-face.

    Lindstaedt, an expert in international relations at the University of Essex, describes what for all the world seemed like a bizarre game of bluff – certainly as far as Putin and Trump are concerned. All three leaders had promised to be there, but in the end they all sent intermediaries with the result that nothing of any consequence was agreed. Trump’s aides insisted that if Putin attended he would be there. Then the US president said the reason that Putin hadn’t turned up was because he knew Trump wasn’t going to be there.

    “It’s certainly hard to take peace talks seriously when there is an awkward back-and-forth just about who is going to attend,” Lindstaedt concludes. “And while Trump thinks peace is only possible through bilateral meetings between himself and Putin, it’s clear he can’t even influence Putin to show up to peace talks that the Russian president himself suggested.”



    Read more:
    Putin is testing how far he can push Trump by not turning up for Istanbul talks

    Pie in the sky?

    The US president, meanwhile, has announced plans for an ambitious missile defence system to be called “Golden Dome”. It’s a next-generation system, says Trump, “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space”.

    The plan, for which US$25 billion (£18.6 billion) has been set aside in the US president’s “one big beautiful bill”, presently before the US Congress, calls for a network of surveillance satellites complemented by a separate fleet of offensive satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off. Trump has estimated this will cost US$175 billion and will be completed by the end of his current four-year term. But other estimates are that it will be much more expensive and take far longer to complete.

    “There has never been anything like this”, the US president said. And indeed there hasn’t, writes Matthew Powell, an expert in air power from the University of Portsmouth. In fact, Powell is deeply sceptical that the technology to enable such an ambitious defence system exists at present. He points to Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, which became known by critics, with their tongues in their cheeks, as “Star Wars”, which never really got any further than the drawing board.

    It did, however, have the effect of signalling to the Kremlin and the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, that the sky would be the limit in terms of US willingness to push the boundaries of defence spending. Powell believes it significantly changed the calculations when it came to the feasibility of continuing the nuclear arms race and may have been responsible for the end of the cold war.



    Read more:
    Golden Dome: what Trump should learn from Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ missile defence system plan

    Incidentally, the US president’s funding bill scraped through the House of Representatives with 215 votes for and 214 against. In addition to setting aside funds for Golden Dome, the bill, which in its current form adds trillions of dollars to the US debt, has been described by Democrat critics as a “tax scam”. A statement from Democrat leaders said: “This fight is just beginning, and House Democrats will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the GOP Tax Scam is buried deep in the ground, never to rise again.”

    But how much stomach do the Democrats have for the fight? They’ve had a pretty terrible few months since the election. Their approval rating in March was at 29%, the worst since polling began in 1992. Fernando Pizarro, a lecturer in journalism at City St Georges, University of London, who has several Emmys under his belt for his work on US politics, has cast his eye over some of the leading Democrats who he thinks will spearhead the opposition to the Republicans over the next few years and identifies a few players who could vie for the presidential nomination in 2028.



    Read more:
    The top Democrats leading the fight against Trump’s agenda

    Gaza: situation increasingly desperate

    Meanwhile, after 11 weeks of Israeli blockade of aid to the people of Gaza, limited deliveries have now recommenced in the face of pressure from both the US and increasingly outspoken interventions from the likes of the UK, France and Canada.

    But despite reports that up to 100 trucks are now being allowed into the Gaza Strip, human rights agencies and aid organisations have said that there is a desperate threat of widespread starvation unless the amount of food, fuel and medicine getting through increases exponentially. And fast.

    There is talk of a US-administered programme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which could be up and running by the end of May and could accelerate the delivery of vital supplies to the civilian population while ensuring it does not does not get into the hands of militants or black marketeers.

    But this scheme has its critics, write Sarah Schiffling and Liz Breen, experts in humanitarian logistics and health service operations at Hanken School of Economics and the University of Bradford respectively. They point to a number of flaws, including the plan to concentrate the secure distribution points in southern and central Gaza, forcing large numbers of people to travel considerable distances for supplies.

    The GHF plan also calls for aid distribution to be coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces, which humanitarian organisations says is a “humanitarian cover for a military strategy of control and dispossession”.

    Schiffling and Breen point out that humanitarian organisations have 160,000 pallets of supplies and almost 9,000 aid trucks ready to be dispatched across the border “as soon as Israel allows it”. Whether Israel will allow it is, of course, another question entirely.



    Read more:
    Israel allows a ‘limited’ amount of aid back into Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is desperate

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Ukraine: it’s clear right now there are no serious plans for peace – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-its-clear-right-now-there-are-no-serious-plans-for-peace-257388

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gauteng Premier Lesufi updates on key provincial programmes

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Law enforcement in Gauteng has arrested at least 150 suspects identified as alleged “major contributors” to crime in the province.

    This according to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi who briefed the media on Thursday.

    Earlier this year in his State of the Province Address, Lesufi identified crime as an apex priority to resolve with some 450 individuals identified as perpetrators.

    “[Our] commitment to tracking and apprehending those responsible for major crimes has yielded significant results. Recently, two key kingpins involved in cash in transit crimes in Gauteng were arrested and fatally wounded during police operations. 

    “To date, we have apprehended over 150 of the nearly 450 criminals identified as major contributors to crime in the province. The number of kidnappings, cash is transit heists has decreased. Sadly, reported cases of gender-based violence and femicide are not decreasing as we expect them to,” he said.

    Gauteng municipal law enforcement agencies, police and private security have signed an agreement which will see these agencies work together beyond municipal boundaries.

    “We now work together. We had a major operation in the Vaal last month. Next month, we are going to Ekurhuleni where we will exercise the joint operation…and try to identify those that are responsible for criminal activity and creating chaos in our province. The long-term plan is to invade the Johannesburg CBD,” he said.

    Road Maintenance and Infrastructure

    Lesufi revealed that in an effort to deal with potholes in the province, the provincial government has partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to map potholes in the province.

    “According to the latest report from CSIR, our province has 5400km of road infrastructure, comprising 5000km of tarred roads and 1800km of gravel roads. Currently, only 35% of this network is in good condition,” he said.

    The Premier added that some R1.5 billion has been allocated for immediate road repairs and maintenance.

    “Additionally, by the end of 2025, we will take over the coordination of road maintenance programs currently managed by provinces and municipalities to ensure more efficient service delivery. 

    “We wish to apologise to all motorists who are subjected to driving in roads that are full of potholes, we do have a plan and the budget to address this challenge,” he said.

    Local municipalities will now also handle the maintenance of provincial streetlights to “expedite repairs”.

    “We have already finalised an agency agreement with the Johannesburg Municipality, and negotiations with Tshwane Municipality are at an advanced stage. 

    “Furthermore, an estimated R350 million is required to clear the backlog of traffic signal repairs across the province,” he said. 

    The Presidential Johannesburg Working Group (PJWG) – aimed at resolving the challenges facing the city – is also at work.

    “The [PJWG]…has resumed its work. So far, we have successfully reclaimed 12 illegally occupied buildings through court interventions,” Lesufi said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Announces Hold On The Nomination Of The U.S. Attorney For The Southern District Of Florida

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    May 22, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that he is holding the nomination of Jason Reding Quiñones to be a United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, as well as leaving open the possibility of holds on future U.S. Attorney nominees.

    During last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting, Durbin noted that because of then-Senator J.D. Vance holding U.S. Attorney nominations during the Biden Administration, there is now a new precedent for roll call votes on the Floor for confirming U.S. Attorney nominees. For decades, the Senate confirmed U.S. Attorneys by voice vote or unanimous consent after they had been considered in the Judiciary Committee. That precedent changed during the Biden Administration when a Senate Republican refused to allow the Senate to confirm nearly a dozen Justice Department nominees by voice vote—the typical practice. During the first Trump Administration, all 85 of President Trump’s U.S. Attorney nominees moved through the Judiciary Committee and were confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent.

    “I appreciate Chairman Grassley’s previous statements that he will continue to honor the blue slip, as I did for my four years as Chair. Blue slips are critical to ensuring that district court judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals have the support of their home state Senators.

    “However, because of then-Senator J.D. Vance holding U.S. Attorney nominations during the Biden Administration, there is now a new precedent for roll call votes on the Floor for confirming U.S. Attorney nominees. As I’ve said time and time again—there cannot be one set of rules for Republicans and another set for Democrats.

    “Because of the precedent set by then-Senator Vance, I am holding the nomination of Jason Reding Quiñones to be a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida to ensure the appropriate Floor time is spent considering his nomination, which I may continue to do for other U.S. Attorney nominees who are reported to the Floor in the future.”

    During last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting, Durbin also called on the White House to work in good faith with Senators from both sides of the aisle to find U.S. Attorney candidates who will have home state support. Durbin cautioned that while this has been the case for filling some vacancies, not all Democratic Senators have been afforded the same opportunity to consult with the Trump White House.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 16 Defendants Federally Charged in Connection with DanaBot Malware Scheme That Infected Computers Worldwide

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment and criminal complaint unsealed today charge 16 defendants who allegedly developed and deployed the DanaBot malware which a Russia-based cybercrime organization controlled and deployed, infecting more than 300,000 victim computers around the world, facilitated fraud and ransomware, and caused at least $50 million in damage.

    The defendants include Aleksandr Stepanov, 39, a.k.a. “JimmBee,” and Artem Aleksandrovich Kalinkin, 34, a.k.a. “Onix”, both of Novosibirsk, Russia. Stepanov was charged with conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information, unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, wiretapping, and use of an intercepted communication.

    Kalinkin was charged with conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer to obtain information, to gain unauthorized access to a computer to defraud, and to commit unauthorized impairment of a protected computer. Both defendants are believed to be in Russia and are not in custody.

    According to the indictment and complaint, DanaBot malware used a variety of methods to infect victim computers, including spam email messages containing malicious attachments or hyperlinks. Victim computers infected with DanaBot malware became part of a botnet (a network of compromised computers), enabling the operators and users of the botnet to remotely control the infected computers in a coordinated manner. The owners and operators of the victim computers are typically unaware of the infection.

    The DanaBot malware allegedly operated on a malware-as-a-service model, with the administrators leasing access to the botnet and support tools to client coconspirators for a fee that was typically several thousand dollars a month. The DanaBot malware was multi-featured and had extensive capabilities to exploit victim computers. It could be used to steal data from victim computers, and to hijack banking sessions, steal device information, user browsing histories, stored account credentials, and virtual currency wallet information.

    DanaBot also had the capability to provide full remote access to victim computers, to record keystrokes, and record videos showing the activity of users on victim computers. DanaBot has further been used as an initial means of infection for other forms of malware, including ransomware. The DanaBot malware has infected over 300,000 computers around the world, and caused damage estimated to exceed $50 million.

    DanaBot administrators operated a second version of the botnet that was used to target victim computers in military, diplomatic, government, and related entities. This version of the botnet recorded all interactions with the computer and sent stolen data to a different server than the fraud-oriented version of DanaBot. This variant was allegedly used to target diplomats, law enforcement personnel, and members of the military in North America, and Europe.

    “Pervasive malware like DanaBot harms hundreds of thousands of victims around the world, including sensitive military, diplomatic, and government entities, and causes many millions of dollars in losses,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “The charges and actions announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating the largest threats to global cybersecurity and pursuing the most malicious cyber actors, wherever they are located.”   

    “The enforcement actions announced today, made possible by enduring law enforcement and industry partnerships across the globe, disrupted a significant cyber threat group, who were profiting from the theft of victim data and the targeting of sensitive networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “The DanaBot malware was a clear threat to the Department of Defense and our partners. DCIS will vigorously defend our infrastructure, personnel, and intellectual property.”

    “Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in the FBI’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle the cyber-criminal ecosystem that wreaks havoc on global digital security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of our domestic and international law enforcement partners in holding cyber criminals accountable, no matter where they operate.”

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

    If convicted, Kalinkin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 72 years in federal prison, and Stepanov would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

    As part of today’s operation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents effected seizures and takedowns of DanaBot command and control servers, including dozens of virtual servers hosted in the United States. The U.S. government is now working with partners including the Shadowserver Foundation to notify DanaBot victims and help remediate infections.

    These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation Endgame, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling and prosecuting cybercriminal organizations around the world.

    Amazon, Crowdstrike, ESET, Flashpoint, Google, Intel 471, Lumen, PayPal, Proofpoint, Team CYMRU, and ZScaler provided valuable assistance.

    The investigation into DanaBot was led by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, working closely with Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the Netherlands National Police, and the Australian Federal Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.

    Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: One Hundred Eighty-Nine Arrested in Immigration Crackdown Under the ‘Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ Initiative

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Authorities Made Arrests as Part of Coordinated Effort to Restore Order and Uphold Immigration Laws.

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr. joined with other federal law enforcement leaders to announce today that as a result of a joint federal law enforcement initiative, authorities arrested 189 individuals following a joint federal immigration-related enforcement operation in the District of Columbia over the past week.

    As part of the operation, authorities apprehended 189 illegal aliens during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on egregious criminal alien offenders operating in and around Washington, D.C., May 6–9.

    “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and this administration’s focus on law and order, these arrests represent a major step forward in making Washington, D.C., safer for legal citizens and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “These arrests make clear that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be ignored.”

    “The District of Columbia is exponentially safer today because of countless hours of investigative work and dedication to duty displayed by ICE Washington, D.C., and our law enforcement partners,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C., Field Office Director Russell Hott. “Working with our partner agencies, ICE officers and agents arrested 189 illegal aliens and removed them from the streets of our Nation’s Capital. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in the city of Washington, D.C. Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid. I commend the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation. ICE Washington, D.C., remains dedicated to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders from our Nation’s Capital and surrounding communities.”

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include the following:

    • A 47-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes drug possession, illegal reentry, aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and sexual assault. His current criminal charges include unlawful reentry of a previously deported alien, disorderly conduct, lewd acts, possession of a controlled substance, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possessing an open container. Additionally, he has numerous gang-affiliated tattoos on his arms, legs, and chest.

    • A 25-year-old illegally present Guatemalan alien whose criminal history includes threat to kidnap, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, threats to bodily harm, and simple assault. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    • A 30-year-old illegally present Salvadoran alien whose criminal history includes simple assault, driving while intoxicated, brandishing a machete, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    • A 36-year-old illegally present Mexican alien whose criminal history includes misdemeanor larceny, misdemeanor indecent exposure, possession of an open container, simple assault, theft, unlawful entry, and possession of a prohibited weapon (knife). He is currently charged with alien present without admission or parole.

    This law enforcement activity is part of President Donald Trump’s Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Executive Order. The Executive Order directs a coordinated federal effort to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and restore pride in the nation’s capital through targeted enforcement, improved policing, and strategic partnerships. It also calls for the beautification of public spaces, stricter enforcement of quality-of-life laws, and the removal of graffiti and encampments on federal lands to ensure D.C. remains clean, secure, and reflective of America’s strength and heritage.

    Participating agencies include U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Virginia Department of Corrections; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; and U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors conclude productive meeting in Banff

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 22, 2025 – Banff, Alberta – Department of Finance Canada

    Today, G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors concluded their meeting in Banff, Alberta, which is part of Canada’s 2025 G7 Presidency. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, co-chaired the meeting.

    Ministers and Governors reached agreement on a communiqué which emphasized, above all, the the importance of G7 unity in the face of complex global challenges. In advance of the Leaders’ Summit next month in Kananaskis, Alberta, the meeting included a productive and frank exchange on the global economy, unsustainable global imbalances, and ways to promote growth and productivity.

    Ministers and Governors agreed to:

    • a G7 Financial Crime Call to Action to spur further concrete progress in tackling financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing. Canada will contribute $4.8 million in new technical assistance to developing economies so they can contribute to this effort;
    • support the expansion of the World Bank-led Resilient and Inclusive Supply-Chain Enhancement (RISE) Partnership to strengthen the integration of developing countries into critical minerals supply chains. Canada will contribute $20 million to support the expansion of the RISE Partnership, including in Latin America and the Caribbean;
    • address risks stemming from the large increase in low-value shipments imported into G7 markets; and
    • continued unwavering support to Ukraine, an agreement to continue to explore all possible options to hold Russia to account, including further ramping up sanctions, as well as efforts to foster private sector participation in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

    Canada is a stable, reliable, and innovative partner with a wealth of natural resources and expertise. Through our G7 Presidency, we will shape the global agenda – working with allies and partners to grow our economies, defend Canadians’ interests, and address the most pressing global challenges.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Man Sentenced to Nearly 8 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Violent Carjacking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL McCANN-ORTIZ, also known as “Bando,” 24, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 95 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent carjacking.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of June 18, 2023, two all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) were stolen from a Waterbury residence.  After the theft, McCann-Ortiz and others mistakenly identified an individual (“Victim 1”) who they incorrectly believed was involved in the theft.  Later that night, Victim 1’s friend, (“Victim 2”), picked up Victim 1 from work and drove him home.  As they arrived at Victim 1’s residence, three vehicles followed them and surrounded the victims.  McCann-Ortiz and his associates, one of whom carried an assault-style rifle, exited the vehicles and approached the victims.  McCann-Ortiz and his associates demanded the return of the stolen ATVs, threatened to harm both victims, and physically assaulted them.

    Specifically, McCann-Ortiz repeatedly threatened to kill the victims, and punched and kicked one victim, causing serious bodily injury.

    McCann-Ortiz and his associates then stole Victim 2’s vehicle, which was owned by Victim 2’s relative, and other items and cash belonging to the victims.  McCann-Ortiz and his associates continued to harass the victims in the following days.

    McCann-Ortiz has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges on July 10, 2023.  On February 27, 2025, he pleaded guilty in federal court to carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury.

    This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and David T. Huang.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Largo Man Charged With Bomb Hoax At FBI Tampa Field Office

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces a criminal complaint charging Nicki Wayne Goodman (49, Largo) with conveying false information to perpetuate a hoax. If convicted on all counts, Goodman faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Goodman made his initial appearance in federal court today, in Tampa, and was ordered detained.

    According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning of May 20, 2025, the FBI Tampa Field Office discovered a suspicious black backpack placed outside the main security gate, along with a cardboard sign that identified federal agents by name and a YouTube account belonging to Goodman. The sign also stated, among other things, “My name is Nicki Goodman” and “ABolish Government,” and displayed racial epithets. Agents also discovered several other cardboard signs with messages placed nearby the main entrance gate. Surveillance footage from the previous night revealed that Goodman had placed the bag and signs outside the security gate.

    Once the backpack was discovered, a large law enforcement response for public safety was initiated, including the deployment of the Tampa Police Department’s bomb squad and patrol units, and Tampa Fire Rescue engines and ambulances. The public safety response resulted in the closure of the public roadways near the incident, denied access to public businesses, and the shutdown of FBI’s Tampa Field Office for approximately five hours. No explosive materials were found in the backpack.

    While first responders were on scene, Goodman posted a short video from nearby, depicting multiple emergency vehicles and personnel in the background. In the video Goodman stated: “see all the way down that street right there? Guess that’s cause of me. (inaudible) I uh the FBI office right down the road there. Look at that shit. That’s crazy huh? Wrote a few notes. Found a bag..” and “they got the SWAT team. They got the look like they got a bomb squad or something going on there.”

    A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Risha Asokan.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary McMahon Announces Title IX Special Investigations Team with ED, Department of Justice

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    From day one, the Trump Administration has prioritized enforcing Title IX to protect female students and athletes.

    The U.S. Department of Education is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice to form Title IX Special Investigations Team to ensure rapid and consistent investigations.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuqzv9Z0GeA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Missouri Delegation Urge White House to Issue Federal Disaster Declaration For Late April Storms

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led members of the Missouri Delegation—including Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and U.S. House Members Ann Wagner, Robert Onder, Mark Alford, Jason Smith, Sam Graves, and Eric Burlison—in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Kehoe’s request for a federal disaster declaration following the severe storms and tornadoes in Missouri on April 29, 2025.

    The Governor made this request on May 19, which, if approved, would unlock federal funds and assistance to restore public infrastructure. 

    “This declaration is vital to providing the resources, technical support, and federal assistance necessary for these communities to repair public infrastructure, address recovery needs, and begin rebuilding after this devastating weather event,” the lawmakers wrote.

    We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of this request. Missourians are resilient and committed to rebuilding, and federal assistance will be a crucial part of helping them move forward,” the delegation concluded.

    Separately, Senator Hawley has been working to unlock federal aid for the more recent tornados in Eastern Missouri and sent a letter today urging approval of a special emergency designation to provide federal reimbursement for first responder activities.

    Read the full letter here or below.

    May 21, 2025

    The Honorable Donald J. Trump
    President of the United States
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
    Washington, DC 20500

    Dear President Trump, 

    We write in strong support of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for a major presidential disaster declaration, pursuant to the Stafford Act, for public assistance in six Missouri counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes on April 29, 2025. This declaration is vital to providing the resources, technical support, and federal assistance necessary for these communities to repair public infrastructure, address recovery needs, and begin rebuilding after this devastating weather event.

    On May 19, 2025, Governor Kehoe formally requested a major disaster declaration following widespread damage caused by a cluster of severe storms and eight confirmed tornadoes that hit Barry, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Washington counties. Joint assessments conducted by FEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials estimate more than $16.5 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure, including damage to a public elementary school, transportation facilities, utility distribution lines, and roads.

    A major presidential disaster declaration would allow local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including the repair and replacement of roads, bridges, schools, and other public infrastructure. Prompt federal support is essential to help these communities recover from the storms’ aftermath and resume essential services for their residents.

    We respectfully urge your immediate consideration and approval of this request. Missourians are resilient and committed to rebuilding, and federal assistance will be a crucial part of helping them move forward. Along with our fellow Missourians, we appreciate your immediate attention to this request and stand ready to assist.
                                        
    Sincerely,

    Josh Hawley
    United States Senator

    Eric S. Schmitt                          
    United States Senator              

    Eric Burlison                                                                           
    United States Representative                    

    Sam Graves                             
    United States Representative  

    Jason Smith                                                                            
    United States Representative                  

    Ann Wagner                               
    United States Representative    

    Robert Onder                                                                          
    United States Representative              

    Mark Alford                                   
    United States Representative

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Doubles Down on Push for Mifepristone Regulations in Nominations Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, May 21, 2025

    During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) urged President Trump’s Associate Attorney General nominee, Stanley Woodward, to work with State Attorneys General and others to bring about the reinstatement of longstanding safety standards for the abortion drug mifepristone, which accounts for 70 percent of abortions in the United States. 
    Senator Hawley highlighted how the Biden Administration rolled back safety protocols for the drug, allowing women to administer their own abortions totally unsupervised. A recent study shows that over 10% of women who are prescribed mifepristone experience a serious adverse health event such as infection, hemorrhaging, sepsis, or another life-threatening event that leads them to go to the emergency room. That is a level of risk 22 times higher than what the FDA label currently admits.
    [embedded content]
    “Any limits on the drug imposed by voters at the state level, consistent with the Dobbs decision, are automatically overridden by what Joe Biden’s FDA decided to do,” Senator Hawley said. 
    “I hope that the Department of Justice will work with these states and will also vindicate the rights of voters to decide these issues and the rights of states to protect their citizens,” he continued. “I just can’t imagine why the Department would want to defend the abortion regulations of Joe Biden, who was the most rabidly pro-abortion president in American history—very different from our current president, who has been the most pro-life president.” 
    Senator Hawley has been a leading voice in reinstating mifepristone regulations. Last week, he secured a commitment from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. that he would review “alarming” new data on the chemical abortion drug mifepristone. RFK Jr. also stated that in light of the new data, the Food and Drug Administration label for mifepristone should change to accurately reflect the adverse effects of the drug. He also sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging the Justice Department to reconsider its defense of the Biden Administration’s policy on mifepristone.  
    Missouri is leading the effort to reimpose safeguards on mifepristone nationwide. 
    Watch the full hearing here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – International child abduction and implementation of the Brussels IIb Regulation – E-001054/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Prevention of international child abduction and the regulation of cross-border issues related to parental responsibility are an essential part of the EU policy to promote the rights of the child and a core feature of EU judicial cooperation, including with third countries.

    At EU level, the Brussels IIb Regulation establishes very strict rules concerning the return of the child after abduction[1] which supplement the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in relations between EU Member States.

    The regulation, which is directly applicable to Member States, is constantly monitored by the Commission and discussed in the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (EJN-civil) to ensure correct application in the Member States. To date, no complaints have been received on its implementation by France.

    The Commission has taken several initiatives to inform and train judges, lawyers and Central Authorities, including via the 2022 practice guide[2] to improve the application of the regulation.

    The Hague Convention is subject to the monitoring of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Special Commissions to identify problems and best practices are convened on a regular basis, most recently in 2023[3], and the Commission proactively participates to ensure proper implementation and enforcement.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EU) No 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019 on jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, and on international child abduction (recast), OJ L 178, 2.7.2019, p. 1-115.
    • [2] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ff34bda5-ea90-11ed-a05c-01aa75ed71a1.
    • [3] For information about the last Special Commission held in October 2023 see: https://www.hcch.net/en/publications-and-studies/details4/?pid=8488&dtid=57.
    Last updated: 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Italy’s refusal to comply with its obligations under the Dublin Regulation – E-000534/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Dublin III Regulation[1] does not foresee sanctions in case of suspension of the taking charge and taking back of applicants for international protection by the Member State designated as responsible.

    The Commission takes note of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in joined cases C-185/24 and C-189/24[2].

    The proper functioning of the Dublin system is essential for achieving the common European objectives on migration and asylum. The Commission is working closely with Member States on the good functioning of Dublin transfers, and to ensure a successful transition to the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation[3].

    • [1] Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) — OJ L180/31 of 29/06/2013.
    • [2] Judgment of 19 December 2024, Tudmur, Joined Cases C-185/24, C-189/24, paragraph 42, EU:C:2024:1036.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 — OJ L2024/1351 of 22/05/2024.
    Last updated: 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: KANZHUN LIMITED Announces Board Change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  KANZHUN LIMITED (“BOSS Zhipin” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BZ; HKEX: 2076), a leading online recruitment platform in China, today announced that Ms. Hongyu Liu has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company and a member of the nomination committee.

    Ms. Hongyu Liu, aged 52, is a financial expert with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Ms. Liu currently serves as a managing director at Intermediate Capital Asia Pacific Limited, where she started her role in 2016. She previously served as a principal at TPG Capital, and held the position of vice president at Lazard China Limited. Her earlier career also includes over seven years at JP Morgan Chase, where she held various roles in the United States and Hong Kong, with her last position being a vice president.

    Ms. Liu earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Renmin University of China, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Tufts University, and an MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She also serves on the International Board of Advisors at Tufts University. Ms. Liu is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is licensed under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) as a representative to carry out Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) regulated activities.

    The Company would like to welcome Ms. Liu to the board. The Company believes that her expertise and experience will be a valuable asset to the Company’s development.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements which are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    About KANZHUN LIMITED

    KANZHUN LIMITED operates the leading online recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin in China. The Company connects job seekers and enterprise users in an efficient and seamless manner through its highly interactive mobile app, a transformative product that promotes two-way communication, focuses on intelligent recommendations, and creates new scenarios in the online recruiting process. Benefiting from its large and diverse user base, BOSS Zhipin has developed powerful network effects to deliver higher recruitment efficiency and drive rapid expansion.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.zhipin.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    KANZHUN LIMITED
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@kanzhun.com

    In China：

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    PIACENTE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
    Brandi Piacente
    Phone: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: kanzhun@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Eternal Deposits”: Development of Endowments in Russia Discussed at Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted the Eternal Deposits Assembly and the Endowment EXPO exhibition, organized by the National Endowment Association with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

    The plenary session was opened by the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies of SPbPU Maxim Pasholikov.

    “The topic of endowments is in demand now, in recent years we have seen its rebirth, and the issues that the National Endowment Association raises, initiating various sessions and events, certainly influence the development and promotion of endowments,” Maxim Aleksandrovich noted in his welcoming speech. “These issues are related to motivational co-financing, and to the attraction of state corporations, and to the involvement of society as a whole in charity. I think many of you will agree that there is romance in the topic of endowments, because we are talking about eternal capital, about the fact that the result may appear not in a year or two, but in fifty or a hundred years, and our descendants will receive it. That is why our business seems so romantic and especially valuable to me.”

    Svetlana Lavrova, Chairperson of the Board of the National Endowment Association, agreed that there is a certain romanticism in the fact that an endowment, on the one hand, is important for the financial market, and on the other hand, it supports the non-profit sector, ensuring its sustainability and independence.

    “The financial sector is interested in finances, and the beneficiaries of all this are simply people,” Svetlana Nikolaevna explained. “The development of endowments balances the interests of business and society.”

    Director of NAE Alexey Anisin presented statistics on the endowment industry for 2024 and the dynamics of its development since 2011. Targeted capital is created to support universities, schools, sports associations, and cultural institutions. Today, there are already 407 of them, 360 are registered, and the volume of funds in endowments, according to management companies, amounted to 155.5 billion rubles.

    Alexey Anisin noted that this year the number of Assembly participants and partners has increased significantly: We held the First Assembly “Eternal Deposits” in 2023. Last year we decided to make exhibition “Endowment EXPO”. We invited not only endowment funds, but also management companies, universities, schools, museums. We realized that those people who, especially in the regions, are engaged in this topic, lack a community, communication, because if in Moscow, in St. Petersburg there are many endowments, there is a certain professional circle where people communicate, then in the regions it is much more difficult. The industry itself is not yet sufficiently represented in the media field. An important function of such an exhibition is to tell the widest possible circle of people, including donors, about the endowment.

    The plenary session was also attended by the co-founder and president of the Rybakov Foundation Ekaterina Rybakova, the general director of the Potanin Foundation Oksana Oracheva, the director of the Federal Center for Cultural Heritage Our Norilsk, and a member of the board of the National Association of Ecologists Anna Makukha.

    On the first day of the assembly, discussions were held on the tracks “Basics and Reviews”, “Consultations and Special Events” and “Special Sessions”, where participants discussed issues of investing and developing endowments in various fields.

    Maxim Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies at SPbPU, gave a presentation at the “University Endowment Review” track. He shared his experience of attracting funds to the Polytechnic’s endowment funds (there are currently six of them), and then the audience exchanged examples and ideas for filling their endowments. Maxim Pasholikov separately said that since this year, the monitoring system of the Ministry of Education and Science’s “Priority-2030” program has included an indicator of the effectiveness of attracting funds to endowment funds, so the universities participating in the program have an additional incentive to develop alumni communities, partnerships and other mechanisms for increasing endowment funds.

    At the end of the first day of the Assembly, the winners and prize winners of the Eternal Contribution Prize were awarded. The ceremony was hosted by Associate Professor of the Higher School of Law and Forensic Science of the Humanitarian Institute of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, winner of the competition and recipient of the Eternal Contribution-2022 Prize Artem Klinitsky.

    In 2025, the special prize of the organizing committee of the award was received by a team of authors, which included Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Higher School of International Relations and the Higher School of Social Sciences of the Humanities Institute of SPbPU Ilya Sidorchuk, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of St. Petersburg State University Evgeny Rostovtsev and a student of the Humanities Institute of the Polytechnic University Svetlana Danilova.

    The study by the co-authors is dedicated to the Society for Assistance to Students of the Imperial St. Petersburg University and the importance of endowment capital in its activities.

    “The society was founded in 1873 and up until the revolution it successfully coped with its tasks,” said Ilya Viktorovich. “We came to the conclusion that there were many ways to support the society and raise funds, for example, membership fees, charity concerts. But, as practice has shown, the most effective was the use of perpetual deposits. It was thanks to them that it became possible to implement such projects as the construction of a sanatorium in Yevpatoria and the organization of a student canteen, which fed many needy young people for free.”

    “As they said today on one of the tracks, time goes by, but many students are still forced to look for money for clothing, food, housing, education, especially in the humanities, where there are fewer and fewer budget places every year,” added Svetlana Danilova. “That is why our work is relevant, and this historical experience can be useful.”

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update – Serious Crash at Blackwood

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A motorcycle rider has been seriously injured in a crash at Blackwood this afternoon.

    Just after 3.30pm on Thursday 22 May, police were called to Shepherds Hill Road after reports of a collision between a truck and motorcycle.

    The rider, a 46-year-old man from Blackwood, sustained serious injuries in the crash and rushed to hospital. He remains in a critical condition.

    The truck driver, a 38-year-old man from Holden Hill, was not injured.

    Traffic was blocked for westbound traffic from the Blackwood roundabout for several hours but reopened about 9.15pm.

    Major Crash Investigators attended the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

    Anyone who witnessed the crash and hasn’t yet spoken to police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

    ​

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Philadelphia Insurance Companies Recognized with Duck Creek Standard of Excellence Customer Award at Formation ’25

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, has named Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) a recipient of its 2025 Standard of Excellence Customer Award winner at Formation ’25, its flagship customer conference held this week in Orlando, Florida.

    The Duck Creek Standard of Excellence Customer Awards recognize customers who have achieved the highest level of excellence through their implementation of Duck Creek solutions and who have a vision to advance their business, while reimagining the future of insurance. The award recognizes PHLY for its outstanding achievement in digital transformation and innovation in insurance operations.

    Together with Ernst & Young, LLP (EY US), PHLY leveraged Duck Creek’s cloud-native, SaaS-based solutions, including Duck Creek Policy, Duck Creek Insights, and Duck Creek Producer Portal, to reimagine how Philadelphia Insurance Companies BOP (PHLYBOP) policies are delivered, driving major advancements across operational efficiency, customer experience, and market responsiveness.

    “This recognition highlights the power of teamwork and the strength of our technology partnerships,” said Brent Skiles, SVP of Insurance Operations at Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “Together, we’ve helped PHLY launch a future-ready platform that meets the needs of our broker and agency partners, while scaling for tomorrow’s opportunities.”

    Facing the need to modernize legacy systems, PHLY set out to implement a digital-first strategy, reduce manual processes, and use data to drive better decisions and customer insights. With Duck Creek’s solutions, they achieved:

    • Automated policy lifecycle management, improving speed and accuracy;
    • Real-time data access and analytics to support decision-making and compliance;
    • A modern, agent-facing experience via the Duck Creek Producer Portal; and
    • Rapid deployment of BOP products across multiple states using pre-configured templates and scalable APIs.

    The foundational release of the reimagined BOP offering launched in three states in late 2024, with rollout to 20 additional states planned throughout 2025. PHLY’s transformation has already led to increased market share, improved customer satisfaction, and stronger agent engagement, setting a new benchmark for excellence in digital insurance delivery.

    “Philadelphia Insurance Companies demonstrated what’s possible when a forward-thinking insurer embraces modern technology to meet complex market demands,” said William Magowan, SVP North American Sales at Duck Creek Technologies. “Their strategic use of Duck Creek OnDemand, Policy, Insights, and Producer is a prime example of how carriers can deliver meaningful transformation with speed and scale.”

    Duck Creek celebrates PHLY’s incredible success in the P&C Insurance Industry.

    About Duck Creek Technologies   
    Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X.

    About Philadelphia Insurance Companies

    For over 60 years, Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) has delivered stability and peace of mind through enduring partnerships with our customers, brokers, and independent agents nationwide. We provide commercial property/casualty and professional liability coverages, comprehensive risk management, and expert claims handling across 120+ specialized industries.  

    As a proud member of Tokio Marine Group, one of the largest insurance groups in the world, PHLY’s exceptional financial strength has been independently validated through the highest ratings from the AM Best Company [“A++” (Superior)] and Standard & Poor’s [“A+”] since 2011. PHLY is nationally recognized as a member of Ward’s Top 50 since 2001, Business Insurance’s Best Places to Work in Insurance since 2010, and ranked as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes.  

    For more information, please visit PHLY.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.   

    Media Contacts:   
    Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred   
    duckcreek@threeringsinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Polluters must pay to prevent climate breakdown

    Source: Scottish Greens

    22 May 2025 Climate

    Climate breakdown already costs households in Scotland over £3,000 a year on average.

    More in Climate

    Climate inaction will cost Scottish households and the economy unless big polluters are made to pay, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater MSP at First Minister’s Questions.

    Research by Global Witness has revealed that the costs of climate breakdown in the UK amount to an estimated £3,000 per household over the course of 2025.

    The cost of wildfires, flooding, crop losses, and more, means higher bills for households, such as insurance and everyday essentials, warns Tax Justice UK.

    Scottish Greens have long called for a windfall tax on the fossil fuel sector to pay for a Just Transition for North East workers, and to fund urgent climate action.

    In the Holyrood chamber, Ms Slater asked the First Minister:

    “Your Government has spent the last year ripping up policies designed to tackle the climate emergency. And I know the First Minister knows that delaying action on climate, actually costs a lot more in the long run.

    “Analysis from Global Witness shows that climate damage is already costing Scottish households £3,000 every year, on average, while multinational fossil fuel giants are still raking in billions of pounds of profit.

    “Unless polluters pay, communities will be worse off and the super rich will keep getting richer.

    “So that we can invest more now, not only to save money later, but to create green jobs and opportunities that we know will benefit Scotland, will the First Minister support policies to tax polluters?”

    Responding to Ms Slater, the First Minister did not set out any clear examples of climate action or attempts to make polluters pay his government would take.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: International cricket in Canberra this summer

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    In brief:

    • The 2025-26 international cricket schedule has launched.
    • This includes two matches in Canberra at Manuka Oval.
    • This article includes details plus the full Season 2025-26 international schedule around Australia.

    Canberra will host two international cricket matches this summer.

    In the much-anticipated summer of cricket, featuring the next edition of the Ashes against England, 26 international matches will be played in 11 cities across Australia.

    For the first time in 17 years, there will be matches in every state and territory capital.

    The international season kicks off in August 2025 with a men’s ODI and T20I series against South Africa and concludes eight months later in March 2026 with a women’s test match against India.

    Australia to face India in Canberra

    Both the Australian men’s and women’s teams will take on India at Manuka Oval.

    The Men’s T20I Series v India match will be played on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.

    The men’s blockbuster white ball series will include the first five-match T20I series between the cricket heavyweights.

    The Women’s T20I Series v India will be played on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

    The Australian women will host a multiformat series against the rapidly emerging Indian team.

    Canberrans flocked to see international, domestic and local cricket played at Manuka Oval last summer.

    This included the most-ever attendees to a women’s international fixture played at Manuka Oval.

    Ticket details

    International ticket pre-sales will begin on Tuesday, 3 June. This is for fans who have registered through Cricket Australia.

    General public tickets will go on sale on Friday, 13 June.

    The schedule at a glance

    • NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes includes Gabba D/N Test and Adelaide Christmas Test
    • Blockbuster India men’s white ball series features first five match T20 series
    • Women’s multiformat series against India with Test Match at the redeveloped WACA Ground and three big stadium games
    • Northern Series returns in tourist hot spots Darwin, Cairns and Mackay.

    2025–26 International Schedule  

    Men’s T20I Series v South Africa  

    Sunday, August 10: Marrara Stadium, Darwin (N)

    Tuesday August 12: Marrara Stadium, Darwin, (N)

    Saturday, August 16: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (N)

    Men’s ODI Series v South Africa  

    Tuesday, August 19: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (D/N)

    Friday, August 22: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)

    Sunday, August 24: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)

    Men’s ODI Series v India 

    Sunday, October 19: Perth Stadium, Perth, (D/N)

    Thursday, October 23: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (D/N)

    Saturday, October 25: SCG, Sydney, (D/N)

    Men’s T20I Series v India 

    Wednesday, October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)

    Friday, October 31: MCG, Melbourne, (N)

    Monday, November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (N)

    Thursday, November 6: Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, (N)

    Saturday, November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane, (N)

    NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes  

    21-25 November: West Test, Perth Stadium, Perth

    4-8 December: Day-Night Test, The Gabba, Brisbane

    17-21 December: Christmas Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

    26-30 December: Boxing Day Test, MCG, Melbourne

    4-8 January: Pink Test, SCG, Sydney

    Women’s T20I Series v India 

    Sunday, February 15: SCG, Sydney, (N)

    Thursday, February 19: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)

    Saturday, February 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (N)

    Women’s ODI Series v India 

    Tuesday, February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, (D/N)

    Friday, February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (D/N)

    Sunday March 1: Junction Oval, Melbourne, (D/N)

    Women’s Test v India 

    March 6-9: WACA Ground, Perth

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Punitive criminal libel charge against Samoan journalist draws flurry of criticism

    Pacific Media Watch

    A punitive defamation charge filed against one of Samoa’s most experienced and trusted journalists last week has sparked a flurry of criticism over abuse of power and misuse of a law that has long been heavily criticised as outdated.

    Talamua Online senior journalist Lagi Keresoma, who is also president of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), was charged with one count of defamation under Section 117A of Samoa’s Crimes Act 2013 on May 18.

    She was elected in 2021 as the first woman to hold the presidency.

    The charge followed an article she had published more than two weeks earlier on May 1 alleging that a former police officer had appealed to Samoa’s Head of State to have charges against him withdrawn.

    The accused was charged with “allegedly forging the signature of the complainant as guarantor to secure a $200,000 loan from the Samoa National Provident Fund”. He denies the allegation.

    It was reported that the complainant was another senior police officer.

    Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo reportedly said the officer had filed a complaint over the May 1 article, claiming its contents were false and amounted to defamation.

    Criminal libel removed, then restored
    The criminal libel law was removed by the Samoan government in 2013, but was revived four years later in 2017. It was claimed at the time that it was needed to deal with issues triggered by social media.

    JAWS immediately defended their president, saying it stood in “full solidarity” with Keresoma and calling for an immediate repeal of the law.

    The association said the provision was a “troubling development for press freedom in Samoa” and added that it “should not be used to silence journalists and discourage investigative reporting”.

    “It is deeply concerning that a journalist of Lagi Keresoma’s integrity and professionalism is being prosecuted under a law that has long been criticised for its negative effect on press freedom,” said the association.

    Talamua Online senior journalist Lagi Keresoma . . . charged with criminal defamation over a report earlier this month. Image: Samoa Observer

    Keresoma told Talamua Online she had been summoned twice to the police station and the police suggested that she apologise publicly and to the complainant and the complaint would be withdrawn.

    However, she said: “To apologise is an admission that the story is wrong, so after speaking to my lawyer and my editor, it was decided to have the police file their charges, but no apology from my end.”

    Her lawyer also contacted the police investigating officer informing that her client was not making a statement but to prepare the charges against her.

    Keresoma was summoned to the police headquarters on Saturday and Sunday and the charges were only finalised on Monday morning before she was released.

    She is due to appear in court next month.

    Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, the JAWS gender spokesperson with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), said in a statement Keresoma was a veteran Samoan journalist with “decades of service” to the public and media.

    ‘Outdated and controversial provision’
     “Her arrest under this outdated and controversial provision raises serious concerns about the misuse of legal tools to silence independent journalism. The action appears heavy-handed and disproportionate, and risks being perceived as an abuse of power to suppress public scrutiny and dissent,” Lagipoiva said.

    “The United Nations Human Rights Committee and UN Special Rapporteurs, particularly the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, have repeatedly called for defamation to be treated as a civil matter, not a criminal one.

    “The continued application of criminal defamation in Samoa contradicts international standards and poses a chilling threat to press freedom, particularly for women journalists who already face systemic risks and intimidation.”

    Pacific Media Watch notes: “This is a disturbing development in Pacific media freedom trends. Clearly it is a clumsy attempt to intimidate and silence in-depth investigation and reporting on Pacific governance.

    “For years, Samoa has been a beacon for media freedom in the region, but it has fared badly in the latest World Press Freedom Index and this incident involving alleged criminal libel, a crime that should have been struck from the statutes years ago, is not going to help Samoa’s standing.

    “Journalism is not a crime.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Brokers SALT Deal

    Source: US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    Delivers Full Relief to 92% of Constituents
    Quadruples Deduction Cap for Long Island Families

    Washington, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01) announced a significant win for Long Island taxpayers following successful negotiations to quadruple the cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. The change, included in the House-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill, now heads to the Senate and awaits the President’s signature. If enacted, the measure would provide long-overdue relief—saving many Suffolk County families as much as $8,000 on their 2026 federal tax returns.

    The deal raises the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000, with both thresholds indexed to grow by about 1% annually—reaching roughly $44,000 and $552,000 by year ten. A household earning $333,000 and paying $20,000 in property taxes would now be fully covered under the new cap. The provision is valued at $344 billion over ten years.

    LaLota secured the breakthrough after resisting heavy internal party pressure and rejecting a weaker proposal that would have capped deductions at $30,000 for households earning under $400,000—with no indexing and a reset to $10,000 after a decade. That rejected proposal, worth $225 billion, might have covered a household earning $250,000 with $15,000 in property taxes—but it would have fallen far short for many Long Islanders.

    “This was a years-long battle, and I’m proud my colleagues finally came around to a plan that fixes the unfair $10,000 cap from 2017,” said LaLota. “Raising it to $40,000 means 92% of the families I represent will finally be made whole. For too long, Suffolk County’s middle class has been punished by double taxation. That ends now.”

    According to the Tax Foundation, median property taxes in Nassau and Suffolk Counties far exceed $10,000, meaning most homeowners have long been penalized under the current $10,000 cap. Only 16.3% of NY-01 taxpayers currently claim a SALT deduction—evidence of just how narrow and inequitable the benefit has been.

    “Securing this deal took months of pressure, standing firm, and refusing to settle,” LaLota added. “I meant what I said: No SALT, no deal—for real. That wasn’t a slogan—it was a promise to Suffolk County families. And today, we delivered.”

    LaLota also highlighted his consistent opposition to tax packages that failed to fix the SALT deduction.

    “In 2021 and 2022, Democrats controlled Washington and broke their promise to fix SALT. In 2024, when the Smith/Wyden tax plan ignored it again, I voted no. And when a $30,000 cap was floated, I pushed back. That wasn’t a compromise—it was an insult.”

    LaLota credited Speaker Mike Johnson and Chairwoman Elise Stefanik for working with him to deliver meaningful reform.

    “This is a major win for Long Island—but we’re not done yet. I’ll keep fighting until this provision is signed into law and middle-class families get the relief they deserve. I didn’t come to Washington to play politics—I came to fight for Suffolk County. And I’m just getting started.”

    Background:

    Timeline of LaLota Actions

    January 25, 2023 – First SALT Caucus Meeting

    February 8, 2023 – First SALT press conference

    April 10, 2023 – LaLota cosponsors SALT Deductibility Act

    April 14, 2023 – SALT press conference in Franklin Square, NY

    May 10, 2023 – LaLota introduces SALT Fairness and Deficit Reduction Act

    May 10, 2023 – LaLota cosponsors SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

    May 17, 2023 – Meeting w/ RSC Chairman Kevin Hern re SALT

    May 18, 2023 – Meeting w/ Rep. Mario Diaz Balart re SALT

    May 24, 2023 – Meeting w/ Rep. Gottheimer re SALT

    May 24, 2023 – First meeting w/ House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith

    May 30, 2023 – LaLota introduces amendment to Fiscal Responsibility Act to address unfair SALT deduction cap

    June 6, 2023 – Meeting w/ Senator Gillibrand re SALT

    June 14, 2023 – Meeting w/ Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Chairman Smith re SALT

    June 22, 2023 – Meeting w/ SALT Caucus

    July 12, 2023 – Meeting w/ Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer re SALT

    July 27, 2023 – Meeting w/ House Budget Committee re SALT

    January 31, 2024 – LaLota introduces SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act alongside Rep. Mike Lawler

    January 31, 2024 – LaLota votes against Wyden-Smith tax bill due to lack of SALT fix

    January 31, 2024 – LaLota forces vote on SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

    February 14, 2024 – House Democrats block vote on SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

    April 10, 2024 – LaLota highlights unfair SALT deduction cap at Small Business Committee hearing

    May 14, 2024 – LaLota House floor speech on House Democrats blocking SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act

    June 7, 2024 – Meeting w/ SALT Caucus

    August 12, 2024 – Publishes Op-Ed entitled, “Relief for New York: Increasing the SALT Deduction to Protect Our Communities”

    September 24, 2024 – Meeting w/ Ways and Means Committee Working Families Tax Team re SALT

    December 12, 2024 – LaLota rejects idea of raising SALT deduction cap to $20,000

    January 7, 2025 – Meeting w/ SALT Caucus

    January 8, 2025 – Meeting w/ Ways and Means Committee Working Families Tax Team re SALT

    January 11, 2025 – Meeting w/ President Trump at Mar-a-Lago re SALT

    January 14, 2025 – LaLota publishes Op-Ed entitled, “Fighting for Long Island’s Future”

    January 14, 2025 – Meeting w/ SALT Caucus

    January 23, 2025 – LaLota testifies in front of Ways and Means Committee re unfair SALT deduction cap

    January 24, 2025 – LaLota House floor speech on unfair SALT deduction cap

    January 30, 2025 – SALT press conference in Smithtown, NY

    February 26, 2025 – LaLota votes for House Budget Resolution & vows to get SALT fix done

    February 27, 2025 – LaLota meets w/ President Trump in Oval Office and talks SALT fix

    March 1, 2025 – LaLota reiterates his promise to vote against reconciliation bill if it doesn’t include meaningful increase to SALT deduction cap

    March 3, 2025 – LaLota publishes Op-Ed entitled, “A Responsible Budget That Puts Long Island First”

    April 6, 2025 – Phone Call w/ Speaker Johnson re Budget Resolution and SALT

    April 7, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    April 29, 2025 – Meeting w/ White House Legislative Affairs re SALT

    April 30, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 6, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 8, 2025 – Joint Statement from SALTy Five re Ways and Means proposed SALT language

    May 8, 2025 – SALTy Five reject Ways and Means offer on proposed SALT fix

    May 12, 2025 – Conference Call w/ Speaker Johnson and Chairman Smith

    May 13, 2025 – Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 15, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 19, 2025 – Phone Call w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 19, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 20, 2025 – Small Group Meeting w/ Speaker Johnson re SALT

    May 20, 2025 – Joint Statement from SALTy Five re President Trump’s comments during House Republican Conference Meeting

    New York currently holds the unenviable position of having the highest effective tax burden in the nation, a direct consequence of the ballooning state budget under single-party Democratic rule since 2018. The current New York State budget, growing at a rate double that of inflation, surpasses Florida’s despite New York’s smaller population. The repercussions are stark: New York leads the country in residents relocating to more economically-prudent states like Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

    This fiscal mismanagement by New York Democrats has resulted in an excessive dependence on the federal State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. This deduction permits taxpayers to offset their federal taxable income with the amount paid in state and local taxes. However, the 2017 tax reform, spearheaded by President Trump, capped these deductions at $10,000, intensifying the tax burden for New Yorkers. This cap underscores the urgent need for fiscal reform in the state to alleviate the pressures on its taxpayers.

    In 2022, despite their initial pledge of “No SALT, no deal,” House Democrats did not follow through before the final vote on the Inflation Reduction Act. Throughout 2021 and 2022, Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress as well as the White House. Nevertheless, they did not address the $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, missing a crucial opportunity to fulfill their promises to alleviate the tax burdens on their constituents. This inaction occurred even as they held the legislative power to potentially make significant changes to the policy.

    Since being sworn into office in January 2023, LaLota has been explicitly clear on his support for restoring the SALT deduction. LaLota joined the bipartisan SALT Caucus and, in March 2023, introduced the SALT Fairness and Deficit Reduction Act to effectively bring the deduction to pre-2017 levels for the overwhelming majority of taxpayers while at the same time reducing the federal deficit by raising and extending the SALT deduction cap to $60,000 for single filers and $120,000 for joint filers beginning in 2023 and lasting until December 31, 2032.

    In January 2024, LaLota voted against the Wyden-Smith tax bill because it failed to include an increase on the cap to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. In February 2024, LaLota introduced the SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act to the floor of the House. Unfortunately, 18 Republicans, together with every single House Democrat, blocked further consideration, debate, and a final vote on the measure. The SALT Marriage Penalty Elimination Act would remove the marriage penalty and raise the SALT deduction cap to $20,000 for joint filers and cap adjusted gross income at $500,000.

    In January 2025, LaLota met with President Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago to address critical issues impacting Long Island, including the SALT cap, and continue the conversation on available options for a reconciliation tax package. During that meeting, President Trump renewed his campaign pledge to ‘fix’ the SALT cap and support LaLota’s constituents who suffer under the nation’s most burdensome state and local taxes, a direct result from ineffective and incompetent Democratic governance in New York.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Townsville man fined for illegal dumping

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 22 May 2025

    The man received a hefty fine for unlawfully dumping the rubbish.

    DETSI investigates every case of illegal dumping.

    A man has received a hefty fine for unlawfully dumping rubbish in bushland in the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.

    Remote cameras captured a ute with rubbish in the tray entering the conservation park on 16 March 2025. The vehicle was later captured leaving the conservation park with an empty tray.

    Rangers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) conducted a site inspection and discovered the waste, which included air-conditioning units, empty boxes and other general waste.

    Executive Director Waste and Enforcement Jackie McKeay said officers from DETSI’s Litter and Illegal Dumping Compliance Operations issued a show cause notice to the driver of the vehicle.

    “The man admitted that he dumped the waste in the conservation park, and he went back to clean it up,” Ms McKeay said.

    “He was issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice for $2,580. This fine is a reminder to Queenslanders that our remote cameras can be anywhere at any time.

    “We take a zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping, and we investigate every report we receive.

    “Recently, the Queensland Government made it easier for people to report illegal dumping with the new Litter and Illegal Dumping Online Reporting System.

    “Unlawfully dumping waste is a pollution risk and a fire hazard, and it can harm our native animals.”

    People can report littering and illegal dumping to their local council or via the online reporting tool: Report it.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $2 million to extinguish battery fire risk in Queensland

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Issued: 22 May 2025

    Sparked by the recent spike in battery fires, the Queensland Government has committed $2 million to put out the battery fire risk in Queensland by expanding collection points.

    With more than 200 battery-related fires in Queensland in the past year, the Local Government Battery Collection Program is part of the Queensland Government’s three-point plan to tackle battery safety.

    Grants of up to $100,000 are available for Queensland councils or groups of councils to expand battery collection points and provide safer and more convenient disposal of problem batteries that currently have limited options for disposal.

    By supporting Queensland councils to expand the number of collection points, this funding will not only make it safer and easier to properly dispose of batteries; but environmental risks and fires caused by battery combustion in council waste collection trucks and facilities will also be reduced.

    Executive Director at the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Claire Andersen said the three-point plan addresses risks to human safety, council infrastructure and the environment.

    “Lithium-ion batteries power our everyday lives – from simple AA batteries to e-scooters to rechargeable toothbrushes.

    “But when disposed of incorrectly they can spark dangerous fires that put lives at risk, shut down essential services and leave councils and ratepayers footing the bill of costly damage and repairs.

    “With the increase in battery fires over the past year, it was clear that urgent action was needed – so we quickly established our three-point plan which is rolling out now.

    “This is an integral aspect of this plan; these grants are available to all Queensland councils or groups of councils to expand their battery collection points.

    “Not only are we funding battery collection expansion, but we are also working with industry to implement strategies and powering up public awareness and education.

    “Our message is simple: don’t bin your batteries.”

    To find your nearest battery collection point visit: www.recyclemate.com.au

    For more information on the Local Government Battery Collection Program or to make an application, click here.

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

    MIL OSI News –